Aww, thanks for all the reviews! I'm glad that the interactions are well-received! As for the Highschool arc, I think I'm viewing it in a positive light for now~! Also, the Cultural Festival is here! Yume will finally meet Kuroko again, and also some characters' reappearances are in order~! I'll be saving a very satisfying interactions for next update! Ah, and I have a VERY IMPORTANT announcement below, please read it!

To lAnimeLoverl: Hi! Actually, no, I haven't decided on pairings yet. I'm making this fanfic more friendship-centric, so the pairings will be as the story progress? I'm not sure myself. But I like the interactions between Yume and the boys, in fact, I'm planning for a fluff real soon! Look forward to it~!

To Guest97: Hello to you, too! Akashi and Aomine is very popular, eh? As for how they would fall for Yume, *grins*, one of the boys will soon view her in a different light! It will only be the beginning, and again, since this story focuses on friendship, the romance will drag on for quite a while. They are middle-schoolers after all, so I can take it slow, no?

Pairings : Undecided

Warnings : Teikō Middle School Days.

Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.


Chapter 22 - An oil lamp becomes brighter after trimming

Summer is finally upon the students of Teikō. Due to several reasons, the school decided to hold the annual Cultural Festival earlier this year when it's usually held in the Autumn. It's been scheduled since the beginning of the school year, and thus there's no sudden announcement.

Students of all years are busied with preparations for the upcoming Cultural Festival, especially the Student Council members of Teikō. They have to be responsible for the events planning, overseeing the classes, and reviews the budget for each club since the same amount can't be applied for every clubs.

In the midst of this, Yume is thankful that she isn't part of any after-school clubs, so she's only got one to work on. Honestly though, she's not part of the Student Council by choice.

"Manai-san, you're not part of any clubs, are you?" Akashi, in his President's persona, asked as he read some papers.

The two, along with Midorima who is currently engrossed in his own work of writing a report on the students' responses to the Cultural Festival this year, are the only occupant of the room. The other members are out and about, preparing for the Cultural Festival.

While Yume feels dread closing in on her. Nevertheless, she answers truthfully. "Yes, I'm not.." she replied cautiously.

Akashi pauses mid-way, and drops his papers to his desk, that smile of his smile now in full-view. "Good. Takeda-san and Kuga-san are part of the shōgi club and ikebana club respectively, so they have their hands full."

"Midorima and I also have to help out at the basketball club, although we can spare some time since we have lots of member." Akashi paused, a pleasant smile on his expression.

It's coming. Yume can feel it. "Which is why I'm entrusting you with more tasks to complete." Akashi said in finality.

After working with the redhead for about a month now, Yume can easily translate the various meanings behind his smiles, and this one says 'No complain'.

"..I understand, Akashi-kun." Yume kept her sigh at bay, not wanting to get in trouble with the boy.

It pleased Akashi that the brunette learns the rope quickly, one of which is not to question his decision. He isn't bragging, but he knows what he's doing, and he appreciates it if people stop asking why.

This is why Akashi favours working with Midorima and Yume, they both know what they and he is doing. That way, there's less time wasted on needless discussion and long explanations. Takeda and Kuga are both 2nd years, which is probably why they are not as comfortable around him

"I want you to check all clubs in this list, gather their budget proposals and report to me about their plans for the Cultural Festival." Akashi spoke as he placed a stack of papers on his desk.

Yume takes that as her cue to read and examine the papers. Amongst the ten clubs listed, two strike her as overly familiar; Basketball Club and Choir Club. The latter which prompts a thin line on her temple.

Of course, that doesn't escape Akashi's notice. He is the one to assign her the tasks after all. "Regarding the Choir Club, Manai-san." he began.

"It came to my attention that you haven't resolved the matters pertaining to the budget proposal from last month." Akashi stated as the girl stiffen. He was about to smirk, but smiles instead.

"Please settle all matters correlating to these clubs." Akashi smiled sweetly. As in sugary-sweet.

Now that smile coming from Akashi screams danger, it's an 'Obey-or-else'. Truly, the boy never ceases to amaze her with how he can always get people to do his bidding. It's scary how his smiles can mean an entirely different thing depending on the circumstances.

From the depth of her heart, Yume vows to never, ever cross the male. For the day that happened, is the day she's regretting and probably running from life and a certain redhead.

"Yes, I understand, Akashi-kun. I'll be leaving then." Yume tried to maintain her professional smile as she picked up the papers, carries them in one hand, and exits the room.

She doesn't have to glance behind her to know that her President is currently smirking on his lounge chair. Akashi seems to enjoy teasing her. He is a sadist through and through. Yume knows it well.

Besides, Akashi is not wrong on this one. The faster the matters about the Choir Club is done, the lighter the burdens on her shoulders will be. There's nothing good about postponing it. He must thinks the same.

When Yume is out of the room, Midorima stops typing, as he turns to Akashi from his desk. "Akashi. Are you sure about letting Manai handle the matters with the Choir Club? You know that Miyazawa doesn't think well of her."

Akashi smiles at this. Of course he knows about the latter's hostility on his Treasurer, but that's exactly why he makes Yume do it. Most often than not, Midorima isn't sharp enough on cases involving emotions and people's relationships, he's a bit clueless on that part of the world.

"I'm sure Manai-san will be just fine. Like Momoi, she's not just an average girl. She has talent, Midorima." Akashi told him with an air of confidence and authority.

The greenhead frowns at this. What other talent could the brunette be hiding from him? "And that is?" he inquired further, curious.

However, Akashi only smiles vaguely before he returns to his papers. "You will know soon, Midorima. Quite soon." he smirks.

Midorima has to say, Akashi really knows how to irritate him. The redhead keeps his secrets well, and only reveals his cards when the time is right. He's always steps ahead, and that annoys him.

But truly, what talent does Akashi sees in Manai Yume?


How much better would it be had Akashi alert her about all this? Yume hasn't yet prepared her heart to confront the headstrong girl she first met at the hallway. She wants to sigh. Ever since she was forced to join the Student Council, things just haven't been smooth-sailing.

Even so, a job is a job. With that in mind, Yume first finished the eight other clubs and leaves the Basketball Club and Choir Club last.

"..Here goes nothing..." Yume breathed out before she opens the door with 'Choir Club' written above it.

As soon as the door is opened, melodious voices of few students bursted to fill the corridor. Each student has a different vocal range, and the girls take on the higher notes while boys take on the lower notes. Even with the differences, the voices all come together and harmonise beautifully.

"What are your business, Manai-san?" a sudden voice snapped Yume from her trance, it's a voice she's familiar with.

Miyazawa stands with a questionable expression, her smile seems to have double-meanings. In this case though, Yume can't be sure which meaning was it since she's not close with the girl.

Correction: It's that Yume hasn't spend enough time with Miyazawa. She's not close with Akashi. No. Never.

"I'm here representing the Student Council for the Cultural Festival's preparation, Miyazawa-san. Can I talk to you?" Yume replied with a courteous smile.

As Miyazawa is the Club's president, she half-expected for Yume to come to her regarding the Cultural Festival, but she's not about to let the brunette ask about the Cultural Festival if she's ignoring her budget proposal from last month.

Ever since their budget proposal is rejected and her request for a follow-up is left hanging, the club has been funded from the members' wallet. They can no longer afford pretty dresses for the members to wear on stage, and even had to cut few supplies. This enrages Miyazawa.

"Very well, Manai-san. I have to ask you to be quick since as you can see, the members are training for our stage play in the Cultural Festival and I have to oversee them." Miyazawa spoke before turning her back on her, a motion for Yume to follow.

The two girls walk to another room which is connected with the room they were in. This room is rather small and is filled with books with a simple desk and chair by the corner. There're music sheets on the desk, so Yume assumes this is the Choir Club's archive.

Miyazawa walks to the desk and takes one paper from the pile and wordlessly hands it to Yume. It's the lists of expenses they predicted to be incurred for the event they are planning for the Cultural Festival.

The paper is what Yume comes for, but it's not the end of the task Akashi assigned her. And from the looks of it, Miyazawa is also not planning to let her leave without asking about the budget proposal she rejected. That's that.

"I'm surprised, Miyazawa-san. I had heard that Teikō's Choir Club has a bad reputation, but after hearing the members' performance, I have to say they are quite good." Yume tried to strike a conversation to lessen the strain in the air.

However, Miyazawa took it as an offense. "Are you here to mock us, Manai-san?" she half-glared at the brunette.

The hostility is expected, but Yume really need to get Miyazawa to show it upfront to her so she can smooth things out. "That's not what I meant, Miyazawa-san. I'm saying that if the rumours about the club being bad previously is true, then I suppose it's your addition to the team that helps them improved this well."

This caused Miyazawa to be flustered, and she blushes at the unexpected compliment. The praise itself is not unexpected, she personally coached them after all! It's just that she didn't expect to be praised by a girl she considers to be her enemy.

Seeing as the girl lost her composure, Yume takes this chance to address the budget matters. "I'm sure you're wondering about the club's budget proposal that we refused before."

As Miyazawa stiffened, she continued. "Truthfully, the Student Council can't accept your budget proposal due to the Choir Club's underachievement. However, that also holds true that if the club gains recognitions this year, we won't be able to refuse it next year."

"With that, I wish you and the rest good luck, Miyazawa-san. I believe with the pace the club is going, you're sure to win competitions." Yume smiled as she finished and bowed curtly before she makes her exit.

After leaving behind a stunned Miyazawa, Yume let out the breath she's been holding. 'That was close...' she shuddered.

If Yume had messed up the timing just a little bit, Miyazawa would have lunged at her with torrents of questions and demanded her proposal to be approved without ever hearing her complete explanation.

Anyway, now that's done, Yume has to go to the basketball club next. In terms of practicability, either Midorima or Akashi should've done it, seeing as they are both members.

Then again, the club is separated into three different strings. That might as well make one club each, since she heard from Momoi that there're about tenths of members in each string.


On her way to the Gyms the basketball club is using, Yume saw heaps of student going in and out of classrooms. During this period before every Cultural Festivals, all students, be it freshmen, sophomores or seniors are all busied with preparations. Teikō especially expects the best of the best of their students.

"Excuse me? I'm Manai Yume from the Student Council, can I talk to the Captain, please?" Yume peered into the 3rd Gym where the third stringers of the basketball club are doing various jobs from colouring the boards to few others.

"Oh, you're here for the list of expenses, right?" a boy with spiky black hair approached her with a friendly smile.

He then offered his hand, which Yume took after hesitating a bit. "I'm the Captain of the third stringers, Kawada Eiji, a 2nd year."

"A-Ah, Manai Yume, a 1st year, and Treasurer of the Student Council..." Yume introduced herself with a curt bow. She is fidgeting on her feet.

Kawada seems to find her amusing as he snickered. "Sorry, it's just that I heard you the first time." he told her, making her blush slightly. They broke the contact.

"Yamada! The expenses list from the Student Council, bring it here! Oh, and don't forget the members list, too!" Kawada turned to shout at a boy near the bench.

The boy grins and picks the papers on the bench next to him, and after scanning it once, he runs to join Kawada and Yume. "Here." he handed it to Kawada.

Kawada takes it and reads it, then he nods. He hands it to Yume. "Here, Manai-san. You can read it first, then I'll tell you about our event for the Cultural Festival." he told her.

First, Yume reads the expenses and decides they are reasonable enough. Then she quickly skims through the members list, since all she needs is the total number of participants. Until she stops at a familiar name.

Kuroko Tetsuya.

Curiosity fills her as Yume remembers the babyblue-haired boy having introduced himself with the same name. Can this be the same person? If he is, then she has to wonder what is it with her school life and basketball. It seems like almost everyone she knows play the sport.

"Um, Kawada-san?" Yume brought the boy attention to her. She pointed to the name. "This 'Kuroko Tetsuya', is he part of the basketball club?" she asked curiously.

At her enquiry, Kawada stares at the paper and the name she's pointing at, and indeed the name is there. He frowns. "If he's listed then he is. But.. I don't actually remember there's a member with that name..." he muttered in confusion.

Kawada turned at his Vice Captain. "Yamada, do you know the guy?" he quirked his brow, hoping his friend can enlighten him.

Only for Yamada to shake his head with a frown and shrugs. "No, actually. I don't remember." he is also unsure.

Assuming that this 'Kuroko Tetsuya' is not remembered due to his weak presence and quiet nature, then he is the same person she knows. And as if to confirm her suspicion, the very same boy materialises from behind the boys, hidden from view.

"I'm Kuroko Tetsuya. I'm part of the basketball club." Kuroko stated blankly, making his Captain's and Vice Captain's knees to buckle in surprise.

"G-GAH!" the two boys yelped at the same time when they saw the ghostly-presence behind them. They fell to their knees.

"O-Oh, so you're Kuroko.. Yes, I remember you now. Sorry, about before, Kuroko." Kawada was the first to recover out of the two. He grins sheepishly as he stands up.

Yamada on the other hand is grumbling. He's not happy with the surprise. "You could have alerted us with a nudge next time." he suggested. Then he frowns. "..No, forget it. I'll be more surprised then..."

"Since when were you there, anyway?" Yamada asked, his brows arched in confusion. He wasn't aware someone is behind him until the boy spoke.

Kuroko doesn't disappoint. "I heard my name was called, so I've been standing for a while." he replied. He had hope they would notice him standing behind them before he spoke, but it seems like that's impossible.

Indeed it's the same Kuroko she knows. Yume feels sorry for him, somehow she can tell that he didn't mean to startle his senpais. He is just quite hard to notice, but really, he's not easy to forget. She knows that. After all, it's getting easier to notice him now that they've met for a few times.

"Good afternoon, Kuroko-kun." Yume greets him with a smile this time. She had passed that stage of avoiding and running from him at first sight.

Kuroko returns the greeting. "Good afternoon, Manai-san. It's nice to see you again." he nodded a bit.

The exchange between the two make his senpais blink with bewilderment. Yamada is first to speak. "You both know each other?" he eyed the two, who nodded. He grins.

"Great! Then, Kuroko, I'll be leaving the explaining to you! You know what we're doing for the Cultural Festival, right? Just explain the gist, and we'll be fine!" Yamada patted the boy in the shoulders.

Kawada frowns at this. "Yamada. That should've been our job, you know? Why are you dumping it on Kuroko?" he chided his friend.

Being the polite boy he is, Kuroko doesn't mind having to explain to Yume. "It's fine, Kawada-san. I can explain it to Manai-san. Kawada-san and Yamada-san can go back to your jobs. I don't mind." he assured his senpais.

While Yamada jumps at his answer and tells Kuroko how great of a guy he is, Kawada still feels like it's not right until his Vice Captain drags him away from the scene by his collar, making the two freshmen sweat drop at their senpais.

After they are the only one left, Kuroko smiles at the brunette. "We can talk after we sit on the bench, Manai-san. This way." he guided her to a bench on the corner of the gym.

Since it's a corner seat, the noises are quite muffled, so the two can have a nice discussion here without worrying about others eavesdropping on them. Ever since their last meeting, Yume has always wanted to talk with the boy more.

She wants to properly know him, and maybe even befriends him, this time on her own accord.


So yeah, how is it?

Reviews are very much appreciated!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

I'll be busy this week and the week after, sorry! I have exams coming up! Also, to fill up the time, how about suggesting an idea about the kind of interactions you want to see between Yume and the Generation of Miracles? For example, I'm planning to write about the Generation of Miracles visiting Yume's home in Kyoto! Any ideas are welcome, so please tell me!

Next time, Yume is talking to Kuroko without shying away like before! And! She'll face the person she's been avoiding since a certain practice match where she 'poisoned' the Teikō players!