So it has been way over the promised time, but here I am nonetheless. My break has just started, so I have much free time on hands to type more and more stories to come! I have sooo many ideas and yet sooo much laziness to actually start typing. For now, I hope this two-chapters-length chapter will satisfy all of you!
To SugarFeather: My thoughts exactly! I wrote that scene, and even I find them not quite in place. But I was stuck on that scene for soo long and I was tired agonising over it, so there you have it, a rather awkward scene! Kise will be involved, but probably not as much as the others. At this point in the storyline, they don't have much interactions other then coincidental meetings. Yeah, Yume needs to get out of her protective shell and interacts with more people beside those who forced their way through! It's a slow progress though. Yume's background will be disclosed as the story goes on, for now, it will be the story of her parents and grandparents! Hope to hear from you soon!
To Zeila27: Akashi is a sadist, through and through. It's like a baby deer being preyed on by a full tiger, who has no intention of eating it, but enjoys watching it squirms as it awaits its fate? Hha.
To PonderPanda: Glad to know I help you enjoy your summer break, I'm on a break myself! Break is soo nice! I love writing this story too, so no worries of it ever stopping before completion. Another AkaYume shipper here? It seems everyone enjoys seeing poor Yume so flustered by Akashi's teasings! I don't know about dates, but they will definitely have an outing together, perhaps even only the two of them for Student Council reason and Akashi has decided to tease poor Yume by ensuring only the two of them are available for the errand? That's not too bad of an idea! Right?
Pairings : Undecided
Warnings : Teikō Middle School Days.
Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.
Chapter 42 - Catches more flies with honey
With the conclusion of the Preliminaries for the Junior High Basketball National Tournament with Teikō as the top victor representing Tokyo, more spotlights are shining on the extraordinary freshmen who greatly contributes to the win. And along with it, Summer Vacation comes, leaving the school mostly empty, save for those poor students needing to go to Summer School due to their inadequate grades.
Back to our protagonist though, Yume is currently doing a last-check over her suitcase to bring home to Kyoto for the rest of the summer, yet the brunette is now feeling hesitant in returning to her hometown. Not because she doesn't miss her grandparents, but because she fears meeting the rambunctious group who will visit the place she calls home, bringing with them their brand of rowdiness.
Then again, the boys are visiting Kyoto for the basketball club's summer camp, it's not like they will go out of their way to meet her and neither will she. Which means Yume is sure to have an enjoyable summer vacation far from the chaos the boys are sure to bring with them, right?
And while the boys would be occupied, Momoi may be able to spare a moment or two. The brunette wants her grandparents to meet the girl that is her bestfriend. They have been worried since she has never brought a friend home since despite having friends back in Kyoto, she feels like they weren't close enough to warrant a house visit. But the basketball manager is different.
Yume sincerely wishes to introduce Momoi to her grandparents, to let them know of this warm, bubbly girl that befriends her, to show them she isn't alone in Tokyo, to ensure them she is happy in Teikō (arguable, but they don't need to know that). The brunette has yet to ask her bestfriend if she wants to visit her home and as it is very early in the morning, she resolves to give the girl a call after she has arrived at her grandparents' house.
For now, the brunette has to depart to the airport for her flight to Kyoto. Although...
"...It sure is cold this morning," the brunette can't help the shivers seeping into her skin that she hugs herself for a brief moment. She can feel the cold even in her bones, especially the area around her back, crawling up her spine. Almost like a bad premonition.
Yume shakes off her thoughts. She thinks too much, surely that's the reason why she is fidgety. Missing her grandparents is another reason too. And the morning is just cold. One heat pack can easily solve that problem. Deciding that to be the case, the brunette left her apartment with her suitcase in tow, refreshed and excited. Her steps are light, almost skipping, as if she has let go a very enormous burden.
Leaving Tokyo means leaving behind everything else related to it. Everything. And no, she isn't thinking of a particular rambunctious group with colourful hairs, not at all.
Boarding the bus easily, the brunette sets out for the airport. As morning is in fact the busiest time of the day as everyone is getting to work or going somewhere to begin their activities for the day, everywhere she goes is filled with people. The bus is so—she ends up standing, her suitcase nearby—and the airport is even more so. And where the masses are present, so are the noises.
Two things Manai Yume are most uncomfortable around: masses and noises.
The young girl feels herself getting dizzy already. She has expected the situation, of course, but it didn't prepare her enough for this. Being aware of and actually confronting the sources of one's discomfort is nothing alike. Wherever she looks, people are there, pulling along their suitcases, children running, people on phones, talking, whispering, laughing, frowning. They are doing their things.
Yume has never likes public area, too much of those two things she dislikes. The first time she came to Tokyo, she took the shinkansen. It's more expensive but more orderly. Noting that she needs to check in for her flight soon, she shelves away her discomfort and locks them away. She will deal with it later. The brunette trudges along her suitcase towards the check-in counter she is supposed to be.
Everyone around her is obviously busy with their own activities, but the brunette can't help the feeling of numerous stares on her person, as if they are trying to tell her something. The noises don't help but worsen the situation, she feels like they are trying to swallow her whole, drowning her unheard. This anxiety is definitely her own imagination, nothing at all factual.
But Manai Yume can't help her feelings.
It's been hard to cast away her anxieties of people since that day when she was younger and happier, ignorant and oblivious. That incident taught her to be conscious of someone's feelings, their thoughts and the actions they would take when they were both emotional and rational. Because had she known that then, things would be so much better and many wouldn't be the same.
But the matter of ifs are nothing certain and when it comes to past events, little could be done. The best the young brunette can do now is to live her life remembering the every bit of lessons, big or small to help her avoid anymore regrets.
It doesn't take long for her to find the check-in counter for her flight. The brunette would have gone over directly to get her business done if not for the large gathering before the desk. It appears that the group is travelling together, thus the crowd. The sheer number of them almost caused her to backtrack. It doesn't matter even if most of the individuals there are around her age.
They are young. Almost like... students.
A sudden chill rises along her spine, making the brunette unable to avoid a shiver. Yume feels like something is coming, she isn't sure if it's a good or a bad thing. Surely, she isn't that unlucky?
It must be the crowds, she tries to convince herself.
"Ah!" A somewhat familiar high-pitched voice exclaims from somewhere in the group.
That voice attracts the attention of many, mostly towards the person who shouts. Including the brunette's gaze. The first thing her mind registers is the familiar peachpink coloured head, then as her limegreen eyes trails down from the head to the face to see a pair of sparkling peachpink eyes filled with delights, her mind automatically comes up with a name: Momoi Satsuki.
Unbeknownst to the brunette, the moment she recognises the pinkette is the moment her reluctance to approach the group perished. Even her awareness towards the surrounding crowds and noises diminished to nothing.
But then of course the situation is too good to be true. Because the insensitive childhood friend of the girl soon notices the brunette standing not very far from the group. And so, faced with the brunette's carefully blank expression, he shoots her a wide, carefree grin and a hand wave.
"Yume!" he shouts her name for everyone in the vicinity to hear while beckoning the girl over.
If the pinkette's earlier exclamation isn't enough to warrant their attention, the bluenette's call for a name is definitely the deciding point. Akashi, Midorima, Murasakibara and Nijimura's are only the few of them.
The boys watch as the girl they are familiar with has a blank expression that freezes over for a solid ten seconds after her name is called before her soft limegreen eyes clears then widens and her face paling as if she has encountered a grave situation. Then not even then seconds later, as she feels all the stares on her person, her pale face burns scarlet and her head is instinctively lowered in an attempt to hide herself from further scrutiny.
"That's Yume alright," Aomine chuckles unrepentantly, more amused than anything. "She's so easy." Easily flustered.
A sharp blow to his side caused the teen to choke and cough instead of chuckling, courtesy of his childhood friend who is fiercely glaring at him all the while proclaiming,
"Stop bullying my Yuu-chan!", before she briskly left the painfully groaning boy in favour of her stranded bestfriend.
Half-crouching in pain as he nurses his aching side, Aomine mutters lowly in protest, "When did I bully her? Violent woman..." he ends up following after the pinkette too, just a few steps behind.
With large steps, Momoi soon reaches her bestfriend who still has her head bowed, her fringes making a good cover to her expression. She withholds a sigh. The brunette is too easily flustered on social interactions. She understands that her childhood friend isn't the most sensible individual, but it shouldn't have flustered her this much. But of course, the one at fault is that damned-basketball-maniac and never her Yuu-chan's.
"Yuu-chan? Yuu-chan?" Momoi calls out in a quiet voice, not wanting to surprise her bestfriend whose mind is obviously wandering. The lack of reaction doesn't deter her, not when her childhood friend who was steps behind her has arrived by her side, not even after the tenth unanswered call.
Just as the pinkette about to make the eleventh call, a semblance of focus returns to her limegreen eyes which is immediately noticed by the other girl who has been keeping a watchful gaze on the brunette. The boy is oblivious, but not for long. The brunette who has now returned to the living plane, quickly tugs at the taller boy's jacket, easily pulling him over in his distracted state so he is standing in front of her to act as a shield.
Aomine feels the sudden tug on his jacket and before he can do anything about it, a rather small head is leaning gently against his back. "...You could have just waved, Daiki-kun. You shouldn't have called out my name so loudly..." a soft voice flows smoothly into his ears as the girl hides herself using him as a cover, earnestly trying to withdraw from everyone's attention.
Was Yume always this tiny? Aomine can't help the thought floating into his mind. He knows that the brunette is half-a-head shorter than his childhood friend, making her head a good armrest whenever he feels like teasing the girl. But he has never really realised that just by standing close to her, he can cover her completely from view.
Until now.
While the tanned teen is occupied with his thoughts, a certain pinkette has to bit her lower lip to keep herself from squealing at the adorable hiding act her bestfriend just pulled. Imagine the very personification of a deer in the form of a human girl, shy with her fair cheeks flushed, lightbrown fringes curtaining her large, beady limegreen eyes as she hides behind a particularly dark tree (Aho-mine), curious but afraid of her surroundings.
It almost feels like fresh blood is rushing up her face!
The young girl is not alone in her appreciation towards the enticing sight, another young man who is observing from a distance feels his face heating up at the adorable display of the brunette. These days, the ravenette captain finds his gaze searching for a certain kōhai and how it stays for an indefinite amount of time when he finally finds her. It's getting ridiculous.
Smirking in amusement is the infamous redhead, her behaviour right now resembles a deer very much. He knows he made the right choice when he told her she reminds him of the cute four-legged creature. Every time he sees the brunette acting like this, he gets the urge to fluster her even more.
On the other hand, the purplehead giant can feel his hand itching and twitching, wanting to feel the touch of the girl's soft, caramel-brown hair and enveloping her tiny head with his hand to pat for a few times. This is the reason why those girls the brunette was out for lunch with squealed at her and he rightfully understands them.
Seeing it with a logical point of view like he always does, a spectacled-greenhead has a sudden thought he can't get out of his head: if the brunette hides herself behind him instead of that aho, it appears the rate of the concealment being a success is higher. He is after all, taller, if by centimetres, than the tanned teen.
At the same time, said teen has just made the mistake of meeting the limegreen eyes of the brunette whose small fist is still clenching into his jacket. Large doe-eyes filled with grievances are looking up at him, teary and beady. Any words he has prepared beforehand is now lodged in his throat and largely forgotten. This act alone actually makes him felt like he is a sinner!
Flustered beyond words—now he understands how the brunette must feel when she was subjected to stares from all directions—Aomine musters enough guts to move if not speak and ends up ruffling the girl's hair, a familiar gesture that helps calming his jostling emotions.
Contrary to his satisfaction, the brunette is irritated with her now-dishevelled appearance. Annoyance surged in her limegreen eyes as her eyebrows furrowed with dislike. Completing the look is her scrunched-up button nose. Now she appears like a disgruntled, angry squirrel.
Maybe he should stop with the animals' references. Aomine notices that despite appearing harmless, the brunette is not to be provoked beyond her line of patience. Even the most nice-looking girl can turn into a demoness when pushed hard enough. He is smart enough not to risk it.
"Sorry," he grins sheepishly, unabashed, feeling more at ease now.
The brunette has only opened her mouth when her bestfriend who was watching by the sidelines with a knowing grin on her face pulls at her arm, directing her towards the check-in counter.
"You need to check-in, Yuu-chan," she navigates past the crowds easily, them making way for the two girls and a familiar boy following behind them.
Unfortunately, not everyone make way for them: a select few make their way towards them.
"You're here, Manai-san. It appears we will be travelling together," Akashi remarks with a smile too polite to be true, even the tone of his voice sounds too gentle.
Murasakibara already has his hand buried within a bag of chips, but he offers his simple greeting of, "Mana-chin."
"Good morning, Manai-san," is Midorima's brief greeting. Curt and concise, carrying a neutral tone that is neither polite nor condescending.
Somewhat surprised by their approach as she didn't see them coming, the brunette pauses a beat before replying to their greetings as it's only polite. Even when she is inwardly feeling complicated at their appearances in what she has initially presumed as a 'relaxing travel and rejuvenating vacation'.
Pity.
It seems like her healing vacation is getting further away with every minutes. Without her.
"Akashi-kun, Midorima-kun, Murasakibara-kun. Good morning," she returns their greetings politely. Feelings aside, manners can't be forgotten.
As the young brunette pays little attention to her surroundings—preoccupied with her thoughts,—she fails to realise that her fair cheeks are still with a hint of red from her earlier situation, making her to appear lovelier than usual. The girl might not be stunningly attractive like her bestfriend, but her demure and bashful appearance are very easy on the eyes.
Within the next three years, these young flower buds will blossom beautifully, their equally enchanting yet opposing beauties will earn the pair of best friends the title of 'Mirror-beauties', making heads turn wherever they walk by. Said heads will again turn the other way not moments later as there are a handful of territorial males staking claims on the girls.
Of course, that is a story for the future.
As of now, the young brunette does not have the mental capacity to notice the increasing heart rates of the boys around her as she minds her own heart beat. The steady presence of her bestfriend and the firm grip the former has on her hand help a lot to soothe her frantic heart, and soon, her heart is beating regularly.
As the faint colour of red disappears deep into the brunette's cheeks, the pinkette knows that her bestfriend is now calm and focused as she usually is: her soft limegreen eyes are still without ripples, perfectly reflecting anything that falls into it. Tiny details that many often missed but very important when trying to understand the young brunette.
With a light giggle, Momoi then proceeds to tug her friend to another direction near the counter, or more specifically, a person who is standing nearby with a stern expression on his face and a list containing several names on hand, looking every bit like terrible authorities.
"Sanada-kantoku!" the pinkette chirps merrily, not at all intimidated by the scary front.
"Sanada-san, good morning," Yume slightly bows her head, acknowledging his person more than his position.
Sanada nods his head, his expression remaining the same. "Momoi. Good morning, Manai-san," while his greeting ends there, he follows up with a confusing, "You can take seat 35D."
That last one is obviously for her, but while the brunette is aware that the man is referring to in-flight seat, she isn't quite sure why he is assigning where she is sitting. Her bewilderment is palpable and only a raised eyebrow is the Coach's response, with no explanation attached.
"I asked Sanada-kantoku to allow you to sit next to me, Yuu-chan," Momoi finally explains with a bright smile, eagerly anticipating the trip.
The pinkette produces the boarding pass she gets earlier on hand, "My seat is 35C, so Sanada-kantoku gives you 35D."
On a completely unrelated side note, the original owner of seat 35D is now reassigned to 35E on the insistence of the pinkette who has to get the previous owner to agree to give away his seat. This helpless person is none other then Aomine Daiki.
Indeed, my peaceful trip is now non-existent, the young brunette ruefully concludes. At least it's going to be a merry one with her bestfriend by her side, so it can't be too bad other then lacking the quiet.
Greetings done, the two girls are finally standing before the check-in counter to get the brunette checked-in. Following the pinkette's arrangement, the brunette earns herself seat 35D. It seems like she can't escape this bunch of people after all. Not even on the way there.
Sighing, the girl looks around her, noting the great numbers of students standing as they chat amongst themselves. It's clear that despite the impressive amount of people in attendance, the group is still waiting for more to show up. She also notices, that the numbers don't quite add up to her expectation of the entirety of Teikō Basketball Club.
Kuroko-kun is part of the club too, the young brunette blinks in realisation, Is he also going to Kyoto then Hawaii? But... he didn't say anything about it back then.
Thursday, few weeks ago
The young brunette has asked her fellow co-worker, Suzuki Satomi, who has the shift before her to stay for five extra minutes (she arrives ten minutes early, netting her fifteen minutes of time) so she can deliver a box of kinesio tapes to Teikō's Gym as she has promised her blue-haired friend. The university student is more than glad to agree, classes are boring for her.
"Excuse me, I'm here for delivery from Tokiwa Convenience Store. Is Kuroko Tetsuya-kun here?"
A soft voice floats into the busy gym where everyone is busy training and playing. Many don't notice the extra presence by the door, but the Captain of the third-string is made Captain because he is highly aware of his surroundings and how to benefit from them. As such, he is the first to see the young brunette although her words are drowned by the noises of squeaking shoes and bouncing balls.
"Manai-san!" Kawada jogs over to the younger girl with a small smile, quickly realising she is carrying a familiar-looking box.
Yume is pleased to see someone responsible, but she can't help but feel slightly dejected her friend isn't here to receive the delivery. "Kawada-san. Kuroko-kun places an order for a box of kinesio tapes from Tokiwa Convenience Store. I need to get his signature if possible..."
"You're here for Kuroko-kun again, Manai-san?" Yamada Hotaka, the Vice Captain of the third-string comes over with a suggestive grin stretching his face.
The two second-years haven't forgotten that for her every visits to the Third Gym, the brunette is always looking for one specific individual they themselves hardly remember. Thanks to the younger girl though, it's easier to recall the pale boy's existence these days due to her being related to him.
"I'm here for delivery today, Yamada-san," the brunette flushes slightly at his implication. She only knows Kuroko-kun in the third-string, why would she be looking for someone else?
Kawada feels sorry for the girl, although he has to admit she looks lovely with a faint red colouring her cheeks. "Stop teasing her, Yamada. Have you seen Kuroko today?"
Yamada places a fist below his chin as he begins to search his memories for a certain easily forgotten fellow. "Hmm... I may have seen him somewhere but my mind probably doesn't register his presence. I do recall seeing his name when I checked the list of participants during warm-ups."
"His signature is there, so he must be here. Don't know where though," the Vice Captain shrugs his shoulders, still mystified over the boy's extreme lack of presence.
Kawada can't help his sigh. He is the Captain of the third-string, highly aware and observant of his environment, but he don't even know if one of his fellow basketball players is present or where he currently is. He has just about enough of not knowing where the blue-haired boy is at practically all the times.
"You are looking for me?" a flat voice suddenly appears close to the group of three, successfully startling two with one relatively calm about the abrupt extra addition.
"Kuroko!" Yamada shouts as a shock response, his heart beating rapidly after staying still for a few seconds.
Kawada is of similar predicament, he laments, "I'm too young to die of heart-attacks. You're not good for my heart, Kuroko."
"Kuroko-kun," the young girl smiles at him. She is slightly surprised, but it is only a tiny fraction of the two seniors' exaggerated reactions. "Here," she hands him the box.
Kuroko has a minute quirk of smile that is quickly replaced by his usual blank expression, but it's enough for the girl to notice. "Manai-san. Thank you for making time to deliver this."
"It's a pleasure, Kuroko-kun," the girl replies kindly. She places a piece of paper on top of the box for him to sign along with a pen, "can you sign your name here? I'll help hold the box."
The two young students quickly finished their business, the girl helping support the box while the boy signs his name to indicate he receives the goods. Meanwhile, the two older students are watching the pair, somewhat amused. Despite not being close with the blue-haired boy, as members of the same string, the two seniors wished if the girl is to ever end up with a boyfriend, the pale boy there will be the one. They look cute together.
And maybe with a girlfriend like the lovely brunette, the boy won't lack so much presence that he is unnoticeable even at third glance. That will provide an iron-clad protection for their fragile hearts. They can't take more of these heart-attacks. Too much stimulation.
"Kawada-san, can I have the money for the payment?" Kuroko turns his blue eyes at his Captain who appears to be daydreaming.
Kawada has indeed been picturing a couple of juniors walking side-by-side with the atmosphere of serenity. "O-Oh. I'll go get it for you," the ravenette quickly jogs over to the bench on the side of the court and retrieve an envelope with the cash he has set aside for the purchase.
Kawada then gives it to Kuroko, who hands it to Yume, when he notices something off-place. "...Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is our supply of kinesio tapes, right? Is this usually delivered?"
Yamada realises this as well, having been one of the members sent to pick up the goods in the convenience store before. "No. We picked it up. Always."
The brunette soon is the receiver of two confused gazes, bringing colour to her cheeks. "I-I met Kuroko-kun when he picked up a box previously. I worked afternoon-shift in Tokiwa Convenience Store a-and he told me the third-string is without manager, s-so one of you have to come over and pick up the tapes. Training is important! S-So... I-I offered to deliver since it's not very far. A-And! You are regular customers so it's only right..."
With each word, the red colour in her cheeks are getting more and more prominent. Until she appears like a juicy, delicious-looking apple. The three boys have never seen a person looking so red in the face and yet so adorable before. The two older boys have associated the colour red in the face with the red-faced, furious Godō-sensei which is not at all a pleasing sight, but a flashing danger sign. The teacher never has a nice expression on his face, but he was especially frightening that day.
This though... is soothing to the eyes and filled their heart with fluffy, warm feelings. And is it just them, or is their heart slightly off-beat?
"A-Anyway, thank you for your troubles, Manai-san. We really appreciate it," Kawada gathers his composure, slipping only in the beginning. It appears the threat to his heart is not only Kuroko's lack of presence.
Yamada forces a carefree-looking grin despite his frantic heart beats, "Yeah. It helps a lot."
The brunette shakes her head a bit too energetic, "I-It's no troubles at all, a-and your welcome, Kawada-san, Yamada-san."
This time, the soft, hesitant way the brunette speaks their names tug at their heart, causing it to behave even more erratic. The 'DANGER' sign is now flashing as brightly as when it was a red-faced Godō-sensei.
Not good! the two older boys quickly excused themselves with supervising training reasons or needing a drink. An irregular heart beat can lead to an athlete early demise, better to be avoided at all costs.
The young boy and girl can only blink in bewilderment at their seniors' hasty retreats, not knowing why.
"Thank you again, Manai-san. Are you returning to work now?" Kuroko asks after a while, the box of kinesio tapes taken by Yamada-san when he left in a hurry for a drink while mentioning of stopping by the supply room.
Yume nods, "Mm. My shift starts soon. See you, Kuroko-kun."
Kuroko was about to watch the girl go with a 'See you, Manai-san', when a different set of words tumble out of his lips instead. "We won't be needing any more delivery until after the summer vacation."
The girl pauses, belatedly realising the fact that summer vacation is only a few weeks away. She will notice that sooner or later but since the blue-haired boy is nice enough to let her know they won't be needing more, she is grateful.
"Oh, Okay. Do you have any plans for summer, Kuroko-kun?" it's only customary for friends to ask about their plans for school break, right?
The lengthened conversation elated the pale boy somewhat but it diminishes as a thought crosses his mind. He smiles, a touch more obvious than before but with a different tone to it. "I will be searching for more books to read and playing basketball in the street court."
The young brunette notices something off with the boy's smile but as she has no inklings of what it was nor the time to spare, she only shares her own plans for summer which is returning to her hometown before rushing back for her shift.
Present time
Now that she has time to contemplate on it, the brunette realises why her friend's smile is nagging at her then: Kuroko's smile appears sad and bitter. Why though?
As her limegreen eyes sweeps through the numbers of people set to participate in the summer camp to Kyoto, Yume once again notes that the amount does not match to her expectation. From a logical standpoint and the truth she is already made aware of, the brunette quickly realises why and the reasons behind it. But she asks anyway.
"Sat-chan, are all three strings participating in the summer camp?" the brunette hides her apprehension, smoothing out her tone.
Not noticing anything off about it, Momoi answers the question casually with a gentle shake of head, "Nu-uh. It's first-string exclusive."
First-string exclusive.
And that there is her answer. One she has speculated but dreaded to confirm. It is a reasonable decision, especially when resources are limited. But this way, the gap between the players of the first-string and the third-string will only grow. With more effort and resources dedicated to the already good players, the decent players can only strive three times harder and maybe four to five times, if time allows them to.
It was a pity but understandable. When resources are scarce, it's best to invest them where potential lies abundant. But with people, they have a strong emotion called determination, that if given a chance, might just spark the potential that lies deep or somewhere unexpected.
In this world, where there stands a people on top, there lies people below. Without those less-blessed people, there can never be someone on top and unless one is immensely talented, a person needs an external help to get above the rest. Most of the time, this help is offered by a more experienced, and generally one of those individuals standing above.
It's a sad fact of life.
When one is chosen, the others aren't so lucky. And as the chosen one rises further, he or she will only get chosen more as the not-so-lucky ones are drowned by the crowds. It's a vicious, never-ending cycle. How nice would it be, if everyone could help each other, providing what others lack to receive something he or she lacks in return. Isn't that a win-win situation in the betterment of the society?
If the world can't run on the basis of kindness of never expecting a return, can't they use Newton's Third Law of action equals reaction in their decisions? If each one person helps another and receives help in turn, even when those unlucky people can't rise above others, wouldn't the foundation they stand on rises to a greater height?
With these thoughts clouding the brunette's mind, it's only normal when her mood turns somber. The pinkete notices this and although not fully understanding the reason behind it, she is quick to cheer up the girl she calls bestfriend.
"Yuu-chan! Look, look!" Momoi chirps as she thrusts a stick of strawberry-flavoured pocky into the brunette's face. It's her favourite flavoured pocky she brought for the trip. "You know, Yuu-chan? We will be having so much fun in Kyoto! I can't wait! It's your hometown after all!"
The pinkette's motive is clear as day to the brunette. Her dejection must have been visible despite her attempt to hide it. And it's really nice of her to cheer her up like this. Even when the girl doesn't know what caused her sudden drop of mood, she asks no questions before deciding to alleviate her worries. It shows that she cares and that alone makes her feel so much better.
Heavy thoughts put aside, the young brunette musters a tiny smile as she accepts the offering and nibbles into it. "Thank you, Sat-chan. It's sweet."
Personally, Yume avoids anything too sweet for both health reasons and not liking overly-sugary taste. Perhaps it's because she is mostly raised by her grandparents whose age don't allow them anything with much seasoning, so her tastebud is somewhat similar to that of an old person's.
The saying of the 'catch more flies with honey' is literal for the girls, as not five seconds later after Momoi reveals her pocky, a purplehead waltzes over and his intention can't be more obvious with how his eyes glanced over the one stick the brunette is nibbling on before settling on the box of pocky the pinkette has in hands.
Murasakibara says nothing but the girls already know what he wants and that he won't go until either the pocky is completely eaten or he gets what he wants. The decision, is of course with the pinkette who is the owner of the sweets.
"Mou!" the long-haired girl pouts at the purplehead giant, but still rummages her box of pocky to take out five sticks to gift to her overgrown friend.
Although the amount isn't much when compared to his ordinary consumption, Murasakibara accepts the treats happily. "Thank you, Momo-chin."
Momoi nods but grumbles lowly, "It's Momoi..."
Unfortunately, the beg-Momoi-for-sweets has not yet ended as her own childhood friend saunters over to her side. It is after all, 'flies' and not 'fly'.
"I want some too," Aomine shamelessly demands. He doesn't like sweets all that, but he craves for some now and then. This is one of those times.
"Erk," the pinkette nearly chokes, the frown in her eyebrows clearer than ever. "You don't even like sweets, Dai-chan," she mutters.
Aomine merely shrugs unconcernedly, "I don't. It's just that I feel like something sweet right now. Don't be so stingy, Satsuki. You will get fat."
After saying that, with or without permission, the tanned teen quickly snatches three sticks of pocky from the box the girl is holding, quite expertly too as the pinkette can only groan when the deed is done and the stolen treats eaten clean. And she is not getting fat!
The newly-arrived Midorima appears pensive for a while as he watches the embarrassing scenes, but he seems to resolve himself soon enough. "...Oha Asa states that a treat from a friend will greatly enhance Cancer's luck of the day."
The words are spoken so clearly without so much of an inflection in his tone that after a moment of silence, the pinkette is resigned and wordlessly gifts one stick of pocky to the spectacled greenhead. And just for the sake of it, why not Akashi too? He is standing there next to the greenhead with an amused tilt in his smile, obviously entertained.
"Thank you, Momoi," the greenhead utters his thanks, the treat securely held in his hand. And since he doesn't consume it, the purplehead's attention is naturally drawn to it.
The redhead receives the offered treat as well, a smile in place, "I appreciate this, Momoi."
The girl waves off their thanks, "You're all welcome. You too, Dai-chan," she stops to glare at her childhood friend who whistles away without an ounce of guilt. Then feeling the light-weight box of treats, she inwardly laments as she peeks into the box only to see one remaining stick.
Having watched all of these happening, the brunette can't help feeling somewhat guilty since her friend only brings out the box of treats to cheer her up. And she knows she has always been weak to the sight of the dejected pinkette, so she has no choice but to make her own offerings, if only to erase that frown on her face even if the girl looks positively cute with pouty lips.
"Here, Sat-chan," the brunette produces a pack of matcha-flavoured pocky from her sling bag. "I don't have a strawberry-flavoured pocky, but you can have this one," her smile grows as the peach orbs belonging to her friend twinkles at the sight.
It doesn't take much to cheer up a young girl, one just have to express earnest caring gesture and more often than not, those frown lines marring their lovely face will vanish if not alleviate. This is also true for one Momoi Satsuki, who despite not liking the mild taste of matcha, is deeply touched by the action of her bestfriend. It's just like how she herself makes it her personal mission to bring smile to the brunette's face when she was troubled earlier.
"Yuuuuuuuu-chan!" the young pinkette practically flies over as she glomps the brunette who isn't at all ready for the explosive gesture, she nearly drops the box of pocky in her hands. But Momoi isn't finished, she tightens her already tight hold on her friend, nearly suffocating the latter.
"You are the best! Yuu-chan is my best, best, best, be—est, friend!" she declares so passionately that one might think she is confessing to the love of her life after ten years of separation. Especially since this scene occurred at the airport where people come and go.
Needless to say, the always-easily-flustered brunette is quick to heat up, bloods rushing up to her face and colouring her lovely cheeks red. Even her ears are turning scarlet. As the two girls stand there by themselves, one with an immensely delighted look on her face that likens her to a blooming flower in spring and the other girl's posture is frozen solid with an enticing flushed complexion on her soft facial features that arouses people's protection, hundreds of eyes are drawn to their forms.
One beauty is enough to attract the eyes of the crowd in a public. Two beauties acting out a vague, passionate scenes in the airport, and you have everyone's gazes on you. Some may even develops tender feelings towards the two girls. After all, they managed to get not only attention, but interest and amusement of plenty.
Of course, for the two girls heading the scene, only each other is present in their eyes. One, very much in the Seventh Heaven uncaring of anything else, while the other one is highly flustered that she can only perceive the person hugging her.
And the trip has yet to officially start.
So yeah, how is it?
Reviews are very much appreciated!
Next time, Yume and the Generation of Miracles safely board the aircraft! But is the journey going to be smooth inside as it is on the outside?
