Christmas update! So yeah, Merry Christmas to all of you! I'm trying to finish a chapter of Blue Sky, My Dignified Imouto and Rainbow Drops. I have to watch the KnB episodes for the last one, so it might be a little late? First off though… Enjoy~!

To AngelicHallows: Aww! I am trying to get the hang of writing cliff-hanger! Yeah, I notice. I'm currently picking more books to read, learning to better my grammars and word positioning. And I'm glad you like it! Yume is kind of mellow, isn't she? Oh, and Nijimura returns in this chapter here!

To TheRealPower: Uh. It's usually updated when I have the plots in my head and I'm motivated enough to type it? I try to update at least once a week though. And thanks! Glad you like it, I'm trying to write better since I know my grammars are still lacking...

To : I know right? I already have in mind what to do with NijiYume, not sure if it's what you have in mind though. I just think it's best like that, with their young ages and all (hint, hint)! But no worries, NijiYume will stay for a long time~

Pairings : Undecided

Warnings : Teikō Middle School Days.

Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.


Chapter 33 - It sings because it has a song

Another day passed and the meeting in preparation for the upcoming Cleaning Day on Saturday was concluded safely without much delays. Currently, the discussion was focused on which areas to clean and the necessary cleaning supplies concerning different grounds, as well as the budget the school provided for the purchases of the supplies.

Teikō would provide the cleaning detergents, but other cleaning supplies such as rags and dusters, were student's own responsibility to bring from home, which was logical as it didn't make sense for the school to purchase one for each student.

According to schedule, tomorrow the representatives would begin to submit the list of participating students in the cleaning activity, and discuss whose responsibility was the cleaning of the areas were tasked to, which would mean negotiations and quite a lot of persuasions.

With no part-time works to do, the fair brunette usually spent Tuesday reading in the library or going home for a day rest. Ever since she befriended the colourful band however, she started visiting the gym to watch the boys practicing and helping her bestfriend's chores as a manager.

Those gym visits were always initiated by said pinkette if not her childhood friend. Yume never really went on her own, after all, it wasn't her club and she felt it wasn't right to intrude on one's club practices.

And so, with this in mind, she decided to head home for a break and maybe study the next topic in her class.

As if reading her thoughts, a certain redhead appeared by her side without her notice, intent to invite the girl to the gym because he knew she wouldn't visit uninvited. Not even one word escaped his lips before another voice cut his should-be-speech.

"Manai," the older ravenette raised a casual wave at her, his expression contained the slightest sign of smile only a handful could detect.

"Another part-time work today?" he asked, stopping next to her, unknowingly hiding his shorter kōhai with his figure.

It's an improvement when she merely blinked at the question, despite immediately realising who was speaking to her. Usually, she would be blushing already. She shook her head lightly.

"No, not today, Nijimura-san." she answered steadily, inwardly glad that she successfully suppressed the heat trying to escape and flood her cheeks.

Her answer seemed to give the older male an idea, especially with how his eyes glinted. "Wanna watch our practice?" he bluntly threw the invitation.

The surprise didn't last long on her, as she had thought that if she did receive an invitation, then she would go. Rejecting an extended invitation wasn't polite and Tuesday was often the times for her to help her bestfriend with her club works when she's not too tired or not going to the library anyway. This too, he knew.

After all, he began taking note of the days he had seen her on the gym ever since the time he started noticing her. Even as she tried hard to hide herself following that brief 'exchange' at the mock match with Tomigaoka Middle School.

"...Sure." she nodded quietly.

Speaking of library though, it's been a while since she went to the library, where she met Kuroko for the first time. It's also been a while since she last saw the babyblue-haired boy. He was a nice company as he was different and somewhat pleasant with his quiet demeanour.

Soon, the three teens could be seen walking side-by-side as they were heading towards the same destination; the First Gym. Nothing much of significance was exchanged between them, mainly training stuffs for the two boys and offhanded conversation between the three. There was however, none between the redhead and the brunette without the participation of the ravenette.

Throughout their little journey, the only girl in the group constantly felt a pair of assessing eyes on her and she knew who it was. It wasn't hard to tell since the stare came from the other end, and her senpai was in the middle. What she wasn't sure of, was why. And indeed, why was he watching her?

Her redhead President.

Curious as it was, she decided not to ask the person directly because no, she wasn't suicidal. To this day, she still found it difficult to find the redhead amiable. The few times she discovered something was 'off' with him scared her, and she just had to keep her distance.

"Well, here we are. Momoi should be there," the ravenette inclined his head to a certain direction where the pinkette was. "Later, Manai." he excused himself with a small back-wave.

As with his senpai, Akashi did the same but wordlessly. He nodded at the brunette before leaving after the Captain towards the dressing room to change into their training shirts. And as the brunette returned the gesture before making her way to her waving bestfriend, the redhead casted a brief glance at her from his peripheral vision.

This went unnoticed by her, as she was focusing on the excited manager. Because really, there were many chores waiting to be done; carrying the towels from the laundry room then folding them, refilling the water tumblers, and some others menial works. She had helped her friend for quite a while that the other managers have recognised her by now.

"Thanks for helping me, Yuu-chan, I'm really saved! Even though I know you're so busy..." the pinkette mumbled, casting an apologetic stare at her friend who was folding the many towels on her lap.

Her response was a small smile, there was no sign of annoyance in her expression. "It's okay, Sat-chan. I don't have much to do today." she replied.

Momoi enjoyed her manager position, but really, she preferred taking notes of the players' growth and planning training menus than actually cleaning after their messes and taking care of their needs. Which was why she was thankful that her friend was willing to help her with said jobs and she could observe the boys as she liked it, a note and a pen in hand.

The brunette herself didn't mind, cleaning take her mind off things, and this time, as she folded those towels, her gaze unconsciously trailed towards the court, after a certain ravenette.

He was sweating from all the strenuous activities he's been doing and he was currently playing a practice match with the third years in the first string. He's the Captain of his team, and he was instructing his team members for a play.

Unknowingly, she stared just a moment too long because her bestfriend noticed her staring at the Captain. The pinkette blinked as she followed her friend's line of sight, and soon the smile on her face grew increasingly alarming.

"Eh, Yuu-chan? Anything you want to tell me about the Cleaning Day meeting yesterday?" her tone was playful and filled with mischief, as if she knew something her friend didn't.

The question surprised her and her staring instantly ceased, the sudden inquiry had her flustered, knowing she had been caught. "N-No! Why would you even ask that?" she nearly squeaked in her quick denial.

Apparently, the pinkette expected her reaction and smiled at this, humming playfully as she did so. "No~thing! I'm just curious." she sang-sung.

And though it was uncharacteristic for her, the brunette pouted at the vague response. She turned her face to the side in her annoyance at her friend. Seeing this, Momoi was just amused, she giggled.

Wednesday rolled and the day's meeting concluded with 1-B, decidedly to be responsible for the cleaning of their class, the hallways around their class (shared-responsibility with 1-A, 1-C and 1-D), the bathrooms on the second floor, the eastern stairs to second floor and the small yard on the eastern side of the school building.

During the meeting though, the appointed leader of the student representatives, a third-year, Katou Keiichi, pointed out that they need to ascertain the numbers of participating students from their classes soon as it was three days away from the D-day and also because the Student Council needed the numbers.

"Akashi, how is the Student Council's preparation?" he asked.

"We have selected some suppliers to handle the meals for the day. However, we do need the final number of participations to decide which supplier to choose." the redhead answered flawlessly, his tone clear and firm.

Katou nodded to show his understanding before he turned to face the rest of the representatives. "As such, please submit the final list of the participating students from each class by tomorrow."

Not long after, students began trickling out of the room, either heading home, or rushing to their ongoing club activities. There was however, a lone female student grumbling by the pillar near the room, on the corridor. A familiar figure for the brunette.

"Miyazawa-san? Is something wrong?" she slowly approached the ravenette, knowing that the girl wasn't in her best mood.

As with her prediction, the surprised ravenette turned sharply, about to lash out at whoever was dense enough to call her out, when she saw the same student she had somewhat grown to like since the past few weeks. Soon as she realised that, she blushed.

"I-It's nothing!" she huffed, turning away from the brunette to hide her red cheeks.

Even now, Yume still didn't see why the ravenette was so defensive around her. The Choir Club's budget matters were long concluded, so why still? It's not that she wanted to be friends, she only wished the two could be on amiable terms as they had to work together for at least the rest of the school year.

So she stayed while knowing she could leave. She waited patiently, for any reactions the ravenette might slipped. And at her prolonged silence, the grouchy female finally caved in, albeit hesitantly.

"...It's not that I'm worried about meagre attendances of my class on the Cleaning Day." she began slowly, her tone raising as she continued. "I'm concerned if they would actually clean as they're supposed to!" she finished aggressively.

It was no secret that 1-D had its own celebrity in the form of a blinding blonde who only recently made his debut in the entertainment industry, and while it tremendously helped the class' popularity during Teikō Festival, it could prove to be detrimental when most of the female students ogled him instead of carrying their responsibility.

So when prompted 'Why?', Miyazawa puffed her cheeks, unaware that her cheeks gained another shade of red as she pictured that attractive blonde classmate of hers. "There's this... cute, boy in my class, and he's always surrounded with the girls, disturbing the class's unity..." she confessed.

Almost instantly, the same blonde came to her mind, Kise was his name, as he introduced himself when they formally met at the bookstore where she worked. On the side note, it appeared that even the strict ravenette fancied the boy.

"I am absolutely sure that the girls are going to vie for his attention, chasing after him like rabid dogs rather than cleaning! That means there'll be more areas for the rest of us to clean!" she grumbled in annoyance, exasperated.

Sure, Kise was handsome, Miyazawa admitted that. He was pleasant to the eyes —her eyes, and he was pretty friendly most of the times. Still, that was no reason to stalk the boy everywhere he went! She only did that twice!

"Why can't those stupid flocks of girls understand not to trouble others over their idiotic fan-girling...?" she mumbled to herself.

As she sympathised with the depressed girl, the brunette mutely patted her shoulder to offer silent support, her smile slight. It was more of her conscience than her own doing. She simply felt it somewhat necessary to comfort the ravenette.

Miyazawa let a sigh slipped, revelling in the offered support as she stayed for a moment. Of course, until she realised whose presence it was, that she snapped out rather harshly and blushed fervently in embarrassment. She shook off the brunette's hand on her shoulder.

"I-I don't need your support!" she screeched, her face scarlet, before she dashed away from the scene.

As of the moment, Yume didn't know if she was to feel hurt for the apparent rejection or to be amused with the ravenette's reaction as she watched the furthering back. It was a bit of both, she decided.

With no basketball practice, the group of friends walked home together and as per usual, the pinkette and her childhood friend would later drop the brunette off at the bookstore for her part-time since the place was near their houses.

Unexpectedly, the lazy, couldn't-be-bothered purplehead giant was the one to start conversation, rare as it was. "...Can't I just skip tomorrow? It's a bother..." he complained, and even that sounded lazy.

"You're being irresponsible and inconsiderate, Murasakibara. I feel sorry for your classmates." that was the preachy Midorima, scolding the taller male with a disapproving gaze and matching frown.

Ever as smooth, the redhead took charge. "Unless you're sick, Murasakibara –complete with medical certificate –, you have an accident, or important business, you have to come." he informed, as if he recited the whole sentence.

Which no doubt elicited an indignant pout from the purplehead, unhappy he was. And really, he wasn't alone in that. The tanned male understood exactly where the giant was coming from as he would have boycotted regardless of punishments if not for his childhood friend's tattle-tale to his mother about the Cleaning Day.

His mother will make sure he attended even if she had to beat him black and blue. And that wouldn't be the end of it. Oh yes. It wouldn't be pretty. It would be bloody murder.

"U-Uh, do you know, Murasakibara-kun? The Student Council organised a special meal with desserts from Blú Patisserie!" the brunette tried to motivate the obviously uninterested friend, (trying) appearing upbeat and cheery.

Well, after spending her time with the purplehead, she knew for sure that treats always did its job. Which was why it didn't surprise her when the male perked up immediately after she mentioned the famous patisserie. What she didn't expect was that he deflated right after.

"One cake isn't enough..." he muttered, losing whatever energy he was about to gain.

Going by the rewards-principle, Momoi couldn't help but agree. One slice of cake wouldn't get her to clean the school willingly. "I can see why..." she sweat dropped.

"A-Ah, the sweets-voucher! We can go this Sunday after the cleaning!" the brunette persisted, keeping a cheerful front and strained smile.

"I can go anytime. I don't have to clean." he returned, his still half-lidded eyes showed that he wasn't going to consider her offer.

Whereas the brunette was trying to convince the childish purplehead that the cleaning was worth doing, the spectacled greenhead was of different opinion. "Just give it up, Manai. There's no need to entice him with rewards, he's not a child." he stated firmly.

Truth to be told, she could understand the logic of her fellow Student Council members, and really, the purplehead wasn't even a part of her class. It was just that she felt like she need to motivate him so he would participate because the boy had to be more responsible, that he need to grow up. She suspected that he was the youngest, and thus was often let out of responsibilities, which wasn't a good thing seeing as how he turned out to be.

It seemed like a waste, because she knew, although a bit slow on the uptake, he was a capable individual if perked correctly. And as a member of a society, the boy had to contribute and function as one, or troubles would follow him everywhere he went. So she took out her hidden card.

"Murasakibara-kun... There's this new snack in development and will be out next week..." she began in a low tone, almost a whisper as if she was telling a big secret, which it was, concerning the person she was telling it to. The slight widening of his eyes and meant that she got his attention, so she continued.

"...I can make sure you get one." she caught his gaze, which sparked with interest.

"What snack?" he questioned, definitely interested.

She didn't know it at the time, but her eyes glinted like a predator watching its cornered prey. "A new taste for maiubou —beef bulgogi." she whispered.

Needless to say, she got him where she wanted him. And right there and then, the redhead who had never strayed his gaze from her, had finished his observation and assumed a conclusion. He had made a decision, one she wouldn't know until much later. Of course, she wasn't aware of any of this.

"You're pretty hardworking, Yume." Aomine absently noted as he rested his arms over her head, lazily praising her. "You sure do troublesome stuffs, becoming committee and all. Akashi included. I can never do that." he shrugged.

Nearly without a pause, she answered naturally. "It's because there're people like Daiki-kun that people like Akashi-kun and I have to compensate for what you lack." she replied somewhat bluntly.

He smirked at this, unabashed by her response. "Well, thanks." he purposefully added more weight to her head, his tone teasing.

His arms alone were heavy, now that he used force to push her down, she frowned openly, clearly unamused by his action. "Get off my head." she shook his arms pointedly, pouting at him as soon as she was freed, all the while trying to glare at the amused tanned teen.

To him though, she looked like an angry deer; harmless. "Yeah, yeah. You look cute." he teased, with a smirk that really annoyed her.

In return, she puffed her cheeks, turning away from him to show that she's mad at him, huffing. Only to face the gob-smacked expressions of the other colourful blobs. When she noticed the bewildered stares, she blushed and hid her face with her fringes, ducking her head. She forgot she was with them.

Akashi appeared dumb-struck with his widened ruby orbs and slightly agape mouth as he stared at the flustered brunette and her failed attempt to hide her red cheeks. Midorima was staring at her real hard, as if he was trying to dissect her with his eyes. Murasakibara chewed his snacks slowly, his eyes trained on her but said nothing.

Momoi, as the only one used to this new interactions between the two teens comforted her by patting her back. "They will get used to it..." she murmured. "Like I did..." she mused.

Realising what she meant, but not having it in her to reply, she merely nodded meekly. The close-display of affections were fine when it was just them three; him, her and the pinkette as they were more often together. A familiar-sized hand soon descended on top of her head, the way it was rather rough was also no stranger to her.

"Don't think too much." he advised her. Who knew what was in her little head? He didn't want to know. He was satisfied knowing they were things he didn't need to know.

Akashi was the first from the confused three to return to reality as he silently turned to face the pinkette, searching for answers on her face. She only offered a sheepish smile, followed by a nod. Which answered his silent question, that yes, it's been a while since the two behaved that way around each other.

It wasn't clear when it started, but the two had been getting along especially well the past few days. And who was to deny it?


So yeah, how is it?

Reviews are very much appreciated!

Next time, the arc is closing soon! Will Yume see Kuroko? Or maybe even Kise?