Summary [chapter 6]: Days spent between re-education and visits from friends (not that they would admit it), Masuko read and write letters from people of the past but still connected to her present and future.
Following the canon chronology with some additions for the purpose of the story. Main pairing of the story: Midorima x OC.
Written in the third person. The words in italic are characters' thoughts and the words written like this are said in another language (French or English). No harem x OC.
A/N: In case you did not notice, I rewrote (or more like edited) the other chapters of the story, adding elements in some scenes and changing the POV (I chose to write the character's POV at the 3rd person instead of using exterior POV). I also decided one more pairing so that made three pairings + Masuko&Midorima for now although the story is not mainly focused on romance (though it is an important part).
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my OCs
[HOSPITAL ARC]
FRAGMENTS
~.~
Chapter 6: ink and paper
"You're doing good, Masuko-san."
'Doing good' My ass!
Miyuki's first official day of reeducation was... challenging, to say the least.
It was even more arduous than she expected. She couldn't even make two steps without having to clinge on the guard rails like a lifeline. It was getting more and more frustrating... But she was stubborn and she kept trying until she finally managed to make four steps in a row on her own. She raised her hands in victory, forgetting she couldn't even stand without her hands gripping something as support.
"Merde!" she yelped.
But instead of falling, two strong arms caught her. She turned her head, expecting to see another member of the hospital staff ready to scold her but found a tall young man with brown hair holding her instead.
"You should be more careful, young lady," he said with a kind smile.
Young lady?
The guy looked like he was only a year or two older than her at most!
She didn't point it out since he seemed more amused than anything. Miyuki also noticed he had big hands though despite his gentleness.
"... Thank you," she said with hesitation.
"Don't worry, I've been there too."
She looked at him questioningly before noticing the brace on his knee.
So...
"It was on my knee too. Did you do this while playing sports?"
He was more clever than he appeared... She should have known after what happened half a year ago. He must have noticed how her leg muscles were more developed than most girls of her age as well as the unusual nature of the injury for someone who wouldn't have practiced any sport.
"Hai. ACL injury while playing football," she replied. "What about you, if you don't mind telling me, of course," she added.
"Basketball."
Somehow, that stranger's goofy smile reminded her of Taiga's own smile when they were eight and in Los Angeles. It was sweet and innocent and a tad naïve.
She smiled back.
"My best friend plays basketball as well!"
"That's great!" A nurse came closer and scolded him. His smile didn't falter as he started to apologize and followed him. "Sorry, I have to leave now," he told her before heading towards the corridor.
"Of course... Once again, thank you for helping me," she answered before bowing. She blinked several times before realizing she didn't get his name.
"Masuko-san, don't be so careless next time!"
Oh, there it was. The lecture from ones of the hospital employees.
"I apologize," she said before bowing.
The woman sighed. "That's enough for today, I'll help you go back to your room."
"Very well."
As Miyuki took her crutches, she remembered she still hadn't read the two other letters she had received.
"I think Taiga left them on the nightstand," she muttered to herself.
Once arrived, she sat on her bed and held the letters in her hands, feeling apprehensive. The first one was a letter from one of her former teammates from middle school, she was sure of it. The idea of having one of them contacting her again despite what had happened between them startled her but she couldn't say it made her unhappy.
Still, she would wait for Taiga to open it. Even if he didn't totally understand all the nuances of the French language, he could perfectly read it with her and he would be there to give her the support she needed.
She stared at the other letter and immediately recognized the neat and delicate handwriting.
"Tatsuya..."
If Taiga hadn't say a word about it, it only meant that he hadn't realize who wrote that letter. It made sense: after all, he hadn't intracted with Tatsuya for years so he couldn't recognize his writing. And he wasn't too curious either. He rarely minded people's business and she was thankful he respected her privacy.
She tore the envelope hastily to find a two-page letter and a photo of him in Los Angeles.
He did grow up again in a span of six months. His hair was a few centimeter longer than it used to be but his enigmatic half smile remained the same.
The letter was written in English. It made Miyuki smile. He probably still had difficulties with differentiating American and Japanese cultures. She starting reading its content out loud.
"Hey little bird,
I hope you're doing fine in Japan. As promised, I'm sending you a letter, since you prefer that rather than e-mails (you're quite the romantic, aren't you?)
Uncle sent me some clips of your games from Nationals. You were brilliant, I have to say that your new football is amazing. Once again, congratulations on winning Nationals, your hard work finally paid off. Congratulations on managing to fool everyone for so long too!
As for your injury, you were reckless but I'm not going to scold you, Uncle has already done it enough on everyone's behalf... And it would be hypocritical from me anyway.
How long will your reeducation last? Four months? Six months? More? In any case, I'm sure you can do it, you've always been a fighter.
How's the weather in Japan? It's very sunny and hot now in L.A and I wonder how summer is in Japan because I've lived here for years but I'm moving out sooner than planned. I'll come to Akita around mid-August with my father as I've previously explained. It'll be strange to be in the same country as you again but not in the same school or even in the same city but at least, we'll get to see each other more frequently.
As for your school choice, there's no need to feel bad about it. I finally fully understand when you explained it to me in December. I know you chose Seirin over Yosen because someone needs to watch over Taiga but I've realized it doesn't mean you're chosing a side. And I do know you have your own personal reasons to choose an unknown school too and I'll be there to listen to you whenever you feel ready.
I'm deeply sorry for leaving you in the middle of this whole mess with Taiga but I think you've realized our schools will clash in a tournament at some point. I've done enough research to know that Yosen is one of the best schools not only on an academic level but also on an athletic level.
Just like you, I'm going to remain in the same high school year as I was since September because of Japan's strange scholar calendar. I've almost finished my Junior Year here, so at least I'll have some advance once I arrive in Yosen. I know it's the same for you... I sometimes forget you're a year younger than I. I'll just have to work hard on my written Japanese and Japan History to catch up with the rest of my class but I'm convinced it won't be too difficult.
Could you help me with Japan History? In exchange, I could help you in math. I know it sucks for you but there's no need to grimace. You can't deny that you'll still need math courses until next year at least (or maybe more? but if you're choosing L or ES for your double curriculum then it'll be a piece of cake for you). Until then, be sure to try!
I've put of picture of myself with the letter. Mom told me I'm taller now but I haven't really noticed the difference. I hope you've managed to grow up as well! I remember when you were still mocking Taiga for being 'tiny' but look at you know... (Last summer's short hair suited you by the way, I was pleasingly surprised to see you cut it like when we were kids).
Talking about growing up, how's your family doing? Uncle mostly talked about you when I called him. I'm sure he and Auntie are happy at the prospect of living in Japan and are impatient to join you. I heard that your little brother is now playing basketball!
Are you moping because you wanted him to play football with you? It's okay, you must still be happy he found a sport he really loves, right?
I still have the DVDs I borrowed from you: you were right, this show is fantastic. I wonder, do you have DVDs of the other seasons? We should watch together these American dramas like we used to... Too bad it takes around almost four hours of train between Akita and Tokyo but I think we'll get see each other twice a month.
In the meantime, make sure to do well with your reeducation to fulfill your promise. And do keep an eye on Taiga, will you? Even if I won't be his brother anymore after our match, I still deeply care about him. But you know that already...
Love, Tatsuya.
P.S: Shuu says hello! He said he would've slapped you on the head if he was near you for your 'stupid and reckless' act :)"
After reading Tatsuya's letter, Miyuki didn't really know how to feel.
On one hand, she was more than happy to finally have her best friend in the same country as again but that... conflict between Taiga and him complicated everything. She knew it was bound to happen but not so soon. Or perhaps she had hoped that would never happen because she had no desire to see them cut ties with each other.
She would have to prepare Taiga even harder so he could get an equal chance for their match but she would have to wait after the Final League to tell him that. She sighed. The two of them had different issues going on, and she wasn't only talking about physical abilities... Miyuki knew that match needed to happen but she would make sure they would also talk to clear things up.
She sent a text to Taiga and pretty face: 'Come here at 4:30 p.m :)'
Miyuki watched with concentration the replay on the computer. Looking at her former teammates' performances was a burdesome yet necessary sacrifice. She didn't think they would become even stronger in a few months... and even emptier.
Especially when it came to her. Lisa. She could feel her former captain's arrogance through the screen but her speed and movements were even more impressive than it had been in middle school, if that was even possible.
The door opened loudly and interrupted her thoughts. Miyuki jumped, startled.
"Yo!"
She breathed, relieved to see that it was just her best friend. "Taiga, you scared me! You're with Kise-kun and... Midorima-kun? Bonj– I mean, hello."
Taiga put the cake he baked on the table before greeting her with a peck on each of her cheeks.
Miyuki did the same with pretty face who seemed to be in high spirit. Midorima-kun just stiffly stood there and looked like he didn't know what to do. It took her several seconds to understand why: Japanese etiquette.
Again.
She sighed. "Right, Midorima-kun wasn't there when I explained it to Kise-kun yesterday. It's the way we greet people like friends and family in France, la bise. I've lived in France for years but I forgot it's not so frequent here."
Taiga snorted. "Yeah, the French have strange manners."
"You're the one who's talking, Mister hugs and bump fists," she pettily retorted. Sometimes she forgot her friend was so American...
"It's just like that in the States! You know that, you've lived there too!"
"You're right, but I'm French." Seeing how that explanation would lead to (another) France VS United States debate, she dropped it and continued her explanation. "I asked Kise-kun if it was okay to do it for him as well and he agreed. I'll ask you the same thing but if okay if you don't want to, I know it's not something you usually do with girls here."
The room was silent for a few seconds, all eyes set on him while he wasn't looking back.
"I'm... not refusing," he finally said before slowly coming closer.
For someone so skilled in basketball, seeing him clumsily walking at her bedside was endearing. He did look boyish with his blushing cheeks and his left hand gripping the handle of his school bag.
As she briefly put her lips on his cheeks, she felt how warm and red they were, probably due to his uneasiness. She also noticed the little cactus in his hands.
She decided not to question him, remembering he was holding a plushie back when they met for the first time.
Taiga casually sat on her bed, looking at the screen of her laptop.
"What're you watchin'?" he asked.
Right, she forgot to stop the video. "Something that concerns a letter I received yesterday..." she vaguely said.
"Oh..."
He knew what it meant and he gave her the 'let's talk about this later' look.
She smoothly changed the subject of discussion.
"So, did you bring your books?"
"Hai!" Kise-kun and Taiga said in unison.
"Good. Open the book, read from page 15 to page 29 and make a 250 words recap. I don't care if you do it in English or Japanese or French or whatever nor if it's written in colloquial language as long it doesn't have spelling mistakes – Taiga, I'm looking at you. You have one hour. If you can't focus, just use your earphones to listen to music."
"Hai!"
"Taiga, please give me the cake before you start to work!" she asked her best friend.
He rolled his eyes but still complied before he and Kise-kun took the chairs to put them in front of the little wooden table and started to work.
She turned her attention back to the third young man in the room.
"It's very kind from you to keep me company, Midorima-kun," she politely thanked him, secretly amused yet touched for the attention.
He rolled his eyes before touching his glasses. "Don't be an idiot, I just came the hospital to help my father."
She smiled. "It's still kind from you."
That girl is strange...
That was Shintaro thought of her. But then, seeing Kagami and Kise of all people diligently study by their own will was not strange...
It was surreal.
He had been the latter's teammate for two years and the only things Shintaro had seen Kise doing in a library was sleeping and fooling around with Aomine and Murasakibara when they should have been studying for midterms exams. And while he had never been in the same school as Kagami, he didn't seem like the type to be serious about his studies so that sight truly was bizarre.
Only two minutes and thirty seconds had passed and Kagami had had enough of Kise's continuous annoying whispers, making him promptly put his headphones to avoid hearing the blond's voice.
"Kagamicchi, so mean!" Kise wailed.
Shintaro had to agree with Kagami's actions for once.
"If Kise-kun wins today, I'll make the pastry I talked to you about once I get discharged," Masuko told him in consolation.
That immediately made him stop his whining. "Really? Then, I'll be the one who'll win today."
Kise took his headphones as well and put them, his focus entirely given to the book.
So food was enough to make him work? Idiot.
But Shintaro had to admit he had been surprised the first time he had heard Kise add his infamous stupid '-cchi' suffix to Masuko's name.
"I don't understand you," Shintaro declared out loud, not caring those words could hurt her.
He expected her to get upset or confused but he was surprised to see her laughing softly instead.
"I get that a lot," she cooly answered.
"How can you deal with these two idiots?" was the first thing that came to his mind.
"I don't think they're idiots..." Oh, so he said that part outloud. "If anything, they're basketball geniuses, but you already knew that. The problem is, they only have basketball in their minds... That, and food for Taiga so I'm just using their abilities and their rivalry to motivate them. Kise-kun is a fast learner and Taiga has his pride."
She is good...
"Why did someone like you decide to become Seirin's manager? This is absurd."
She could have found a way better school but she was being as foolish as Kuroko with his noble idiocy.
Not only she excelled on an academic level but she probably had a promising career in football, given her win at men's High School Nationals. A small and new school like Seirin probably didn't have a women's football team... Not that Shintaro knew for sure, he would rather die than admit he was looking for informations related to Seirin.
(Lies).
And yet, she had decided to follow her best friend.
What a fool, he thought.
Despite that, something deep down was telling him it might be for the best. After all, Seirin wasn't the best team but they weren't bad. They did manage to beat them, he bitterly remembered.
She was looking like she didn't know whether it was an insult or a compliment – Shintaro himself wasn't sure either –
"You can see it, can't you? Taiga's abilities... He's still improving and yet, his body can't follow. And since I know him more than anyone... I'm here to help him, so he could be on par with you one day," she said, her voice softening.
"Don't be ridiculous," he said in a drier tone than intended.
But a part of him whispered that maybe she was right. A part of him actually wanted her to be right.
Perhaps Masuko could nurture Kagami's potential into something worthy to beat the Generation of Miracles. To even beat him.
"Taiga is suited to be the challenger," Masuko started to explain. "And that's why I think his will is stronger than yours, the so called Generation of Miracles. Well, maybe not you nor Kise-kun anymore since losing gave you a new strength."
A new strength?
Did she mean the desire to seek for revenge?
"You talk like you know everything..."
Somehow, a clear memory of Akashi came to his mind. However, he wasn't picturing the ruthless Akashi Seijuro but rather the previous Akashi Seijuro, the one who had once been his closest friend...
But now, he wasn't even sure they had ever been friends.
Still, that smooth yet certain tone Masuko had while talking was so similar yet so different to the one he hadn't heard nor seen for two years.
"I don't know everything, that would be impossible! I'm just talking from experience," she clarified, startling him. That was not something Akashi would say. "Records are meant to be broken, legends are meant to be surpassed... but I know cruel sport can be. And that's why I can tell Seirin won't make it to the final league."
What?
He stared at her, repeating verbally the first word that came to his mind.
"What?"
Her eyes hardened. "You heard me. I'm not naïve, I know that Seirin will lose."
Wasn't she supposed to have faith in this team as their manager and as Kagami's best friend?
She continued her reasoning, "I'm starting to really like this team. I don't know them enough yet but they do lack of individual skills... for now." She paused again, looking at an imaginary fixed point on the wall. "My team was the opposite: they had individual skills but their teamwork was near zero."
Just like Teiko.
"Didn't you win the championship?"
"We did because they've changed, and I've change as well, I suppose. Football is different than basketball when it comes to that kind of things. It might be possible to win a match with one man's masterclass but it's impossible to win a whole tournament." To his utter confusion, she laughed as if she just said a funny joke. What did she mean? "Anyway, let's talk about something lighter instead. I told you I was Libra but you never told me your astrological sign."
I don't understand her.
People were always telling him he was being 'weird' whenever he talked about something related to Oha Asa and there she was, asking him his sign after declaring her own team would be eliminated from an important tournament.
"Why would I tell you?" he nearly sneered before frowning.
His own deffensive attitude unsettled him.
She shrugged, unfazed by his hostility. "Then, I'll have to guess it by myself. You're... a Capricorn– no, Cancer! You're a Cancer, it fits better," she ended, visibly satisfied by her own answer.
He didn't know what to think.
She was looking at him and not looking at him at the same time. It was like she was trying to see through him.
But that was impossible, right?
"You're skillful. Clever. Down to earth. Reserved. You like when things are constant. You don't like to resolve conflicts so you never get directly involved. All of this fits perfectly with a Cancer."
She was right. All of that was right.
The only person who could have said all of that was Akashi and he was sure she was not Akashi despite the few similarities they shared. It was almost frightening.
"You... How do you know?"
"I pay extra attention to people who catch my interest..."
Masuko smiled prettily. He looked straight back at her, despite the strange sensation in his stomach.
It was like he was seeing her for the first time again. He could tell this girl could be as dangerous as Momoi. Beneath those polite smiles and respectful speech patterns, Masuko was sly and analytic.
Shintaro also noted for the second time that she had deep blue eyes, a rare thing for a Japanese person. They were darker than Kuroko's, like the sea during a storm.
How strange... but he wasn't the one to talk given his own strange eye and hair color.
Until that time he briefly talked to her in the rain, he had thought she had black eyes but only a closer look could tell him he had been wrong. Shintaro's mind rarely wandered around the memory of that discussion they had in the rain but when it did, Shintaro remembered it had been the first time in years that someone had looked at him with compassion.
"And yes, I read books about astrology," she added, as if daring him of all people to make a comment about it.
The calculating tone in her voice was gone as quikly as it arrived and Shintaro felt the same urge he had felt that night when he asked her sign.
"When is your birthday?" he asked.
She looked surprised.
"Uh?"
"Do not make me repeat myself, Masuko-san," he curtly said.
"I'm sorry, I was just surprised... September 30th. What about you? Your birthday must be soon since you're a Cancer."
"July 7th," he simply replied.
"Then I'll make sure to give you a present."
He frowned. "You don't need to."
"Of course I do! I always offer a gift to my friends for their birthday."
"We're not friends," he stated in a cold voice. However, she remained unfazed.
"Not yet," she acknowledged. "We're befriending each other but that still doesn't change the fact that I want to give you something. As a thank you for coming here."
What could he say back? He never accepted to become her friend but he didn't refuse either.
"Do whatever you want, I don't care," he finally chose to say, deflating. He had no idea where his animosity came from.
"If you say so. Also, Midorima-kun..."
"What is it?"
He saw what it seemed like hesitation on her face.
"I wanted to thank you for yesterday. I know it took a lot of efforts from both you and Taiga to make this... truce. But it means a lot to me, more than you can imagine."
She turned her head and looked at Kagami with disconcerning fondness.
"Of course. I wasn't going to let the idiot stand there forever."
In fact, he could have done that but Kami-sama knew why he accepted that handshake.
"Taiga might be hot-headed and stubborn but he really loves basketball and once you know him, he's quite likeable."
Kise interrupted their discussion, energetically shaking the sheet of paper he was holding.
"Masukocchi! Look, I've finished first," he yelled, his headphones still on.
"That's great, Kise-kun, let me read it."
He came closer and gave her the paper, waiting for her opinion.
"It's very good Kise-kun, you could add more precisions about the society during the Edo period with the Four divisions of society for example but as I said, it's great. Did you memorize some pieces of information?"
"Yes, Masukocchi! Thank you very much," he ended in English.
Since when Kise could speak English?
"You're welcome!" she warmly replied.
"I've finished too," Kagami casually said.
She sighed, quietly judging his casual demeanor. "Taiga. You wrote it in English, didn't you?"
"Yeah..."
"Let me see it... Taiga, what is that? It's 'an empire' not 'a empire'."
"That's just a detail! Everything I wrote is right."
"It was good. However, Kise-kun wins for today because the content of his recap is as good as yours but your English is still crappy."
"WHAT–"
"See! I told Kagamicchi I was going win today."
Kagami looked away, brooding. "Yeah, whatever. I'll go bring the food."
"What did you cook for today?" Masuko asked.
Kagami already stopped moping to look at her with incredulity. "You're kidding right?"
She didn't seem to get it. At least, Shintaro wasn't the only one in that case.
"Buffalo hot wings and french fries. I'll bring soda too!" Kagami replied with excitement.
"Wait, does that mean..."
"You're the one who recorded it, dumbass."
"Ah yes, I've recorded it!" she excitedly replied as she turned on her laptop. "Kise-kun, Midorima-kun could you go with him to take the food, please?"
He was as still clueless as Kise, who just nodded absently.
"I don't need help," Kagami protested.
Masuko simply snorted, and looked like she knew whatever she would say would make her win that argument. "I bet you prepared way more food than usual."
"..."
"Am I right?"
"Damn it. Alright, you two follow me," Kagami ordered them. Shintaro only did so because he was starving.
As they left to take the food, Miyuki took a piece of paper and her cartridge pen to answer to Tatsuya's letter. That habit started in middle school, where one of her teachers would make the whole class write with a cartridge pen instead of a pen, finding it more neat.
Writing this letter in front of Taiga would be of poor taste but at the same time, Tatsuya was her best friend as well. The way from the hospital to Taiga's apartment wasn't long but he would have to fry everything and try not to fight with Kise-kun and Midorima-kun so it would take longer. So she began to write:
"Hello Tatsuya,
I'm doing well here! It still feels strange to live in Japan but I have Taiga with me now and I made new friends from Seirin basketball club since I became their manager. Funny, right? Especially since I promised not to get too involved in sports after Nationals but somehow unsurprising in the end, you would tell me.
It's partly thanks to you that I won French Nationals. If you wouldn't have been there to support me, especially last summer, I would have never made it so far. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Could you give my 'thanks' to Shuu as well? I know he would have scolded me but it would have been because he was worried for me as well, and I appreciate that. I hope I'll get to see him soon, I miss teasing him.
It amazes me how time flies... My reeducation is supposed to last six months, perhaps seven, I'm not sure yet. I chose to ask Coach to be the one who will be in charge of it. I know she will do her best and I wanted to spend this year at school instead of the hospital.
And yes, Coach is a girl, amazing right? Her name is Aida Riko, she's a second year like you! I'm still in the hospital for two or three weeks to learn to walk again with crutches but I'll start to work with her on my reeducation after that.
Surprisingly, the weather in Japan is nice now though I don't know about the weather in the summer. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, that was one of the things I wanted to see for myself here. The ones in front of Seirin offer me a breathtaking sight every day.
You're coming to Japan sooner than planned? I'm delighted since it means we will get to see each other more frequently. I will have to show you tons of things, especially the new albums I've made with maman and Théodore :)
Concerning your conflict with Taiga, I knew you would eventually understand. I love you both but we talked about it the last time... and although you do know I don't like it, I understand.
When you talked about competitions held in Japan, I guess you were referring to the Winter Cup? It takes place in December, and I think your match against Taiga will take place there.
As your best friend, I will cheer for you. But as Seirin's manager, I will do my best to make the team win, even if it is against you. And I know you prefer it that way too.
I know Yosen is strong, I've looked for pieces of information when I had to choose between Seirin and Yosen. Seirin is a very interesting team if you ask me. They have tremendous potential, even if it's not enough for now. They're still a new team... but they have good players and I can feel I'm getting attached them. Riko-san is my friend. And I became friend with Kuroko Tetsuya as well. He does remind me of Nate and Théo... And his eyes... It is like seeing myself a year ago. You'll probably see for yourself soon.
I will gladly help you with Japan History. Know that I'm currently tutoring Taiga and another basketball player, Kise Ryouta, an interesting one as well. And yes, about math, you are right... but I only have two more more years with it, and after that it will be over!
I put a picture of myself with this letter as well (even if you saw me on the video of the match). My hair grew back since the last time you came to visit me! But I didn't grow up but not as much as I expected. I guess 165 cm isn't that bad. Taiga became so tall, it's just unbelievable (and quite unfair, if you ask me). And you do seem taller on the picture! Still hanging out on Los Angeles streets, uh? Don't get Shuu into trouble.
Nate does play basketball and he's a power forward (Taiga is so going to be a bad influence on him). We still don't know whether the baby is a boy or a girl but it's the third month, my parents will probably know it very soon. Even if they don't play, I hope they will like football like their big sister! I'm sure dad is being his usual self, the team told me he made them run ten laps, poor them.
I almost forgot about the DVDs but fortunately, you remembered. We will sure do that, I cannot wait to see you again.
And no need to worry, I will do everything to fulfill my promise and keep an eye on Taiga, it's my job after all.
Love, Miyuki.
P.S: Text me once you will be able to visit me."
Miyuki left the cartridge pen on the table and put the letter on the nightstand before folding it into an envelope. She frowned. She hadn't thoutht about it until now but she couldn't send the letter herself. Asking Taiga to send it was just out of question so it would have to be someone else, probably Kise-kun or Midorima-kun.
Talking about them, she heard loud voices coming closer. They took even more time than expected, she even had time to finish the letter. She was going to ask about it but sweatdropped at the sight of six hands full of food.
"Yo. We're back."
Taiga casually greeted her again, as if he hadn't brought enough food for a whole team!
She sighed. It was the NBA finals after all so she would let it pass.
"I see... That's why you took all this time."
"Hey! It's these idiots' fault!" Taiga immediately accused them.
"Don't associate me with you the two of you!" Midorima-kun sneered.
"HEY!"
Taiga gave the blond a kick for screaming. Probably because he didn't want to have a nurse coming there to scold them.
"Ouch! I forgot the finals were yesterday-ssu."
"Me too... But I recorded it and I promised Taiga I wouldn't watch anything related to it before now."
"I went to your apartment too, uncle left a message on your phone 'bout the baby, he said they'll know next week!"
She smiled in delight. Taiga seemed himself quite happy himself to hear about the baby.
"Great!"
"He also said something 'bout U18 for some of your guys or whatever."
Already?
"I see... Bring the food, as you install yourself."
"Alright!"
Taiga sat with her on her bed and started to eat already.
She looked at the other two, who still had not moved. It took a few seconds to understand that her bed was too cramped for all them. After all, there were four people and three of them were ridiculously tall... Damn those basketball players and their ridiculous height.
"... Let's just sit on the bed horizontally."
They nodded and did so. They had more space but it was still barely enough. It was okay, she didn't mind having her shoulders bumping against Taiga's and pretty face's. Taiga smirked, looking at her computer.
"Still with this wallpaper, uh?"
"What's with the smirk?" she asked, almost offended. "May I remind you that Zinédine Zidane is the greatest French football player of all time!" She looked through her many folders to find the video in question. "Found it! Here we go." She doubled clicked on the file and put the video in full screen. "So... Curry or LeBron?"
"King James," Taiga replied first.
"LeBron James because we have the same post-ssu!"
"Curry."
The answers were unsurprising, how sad...
Taiga and pretty face chose LeBron because it was more their kind of playing style while Midorima-kun chose Curry because of his impressive three-pointers.
"What about Masukocchi?"
"I don't know... I'm mostly impartial in basketball but I think Curry has more chances to win right now."
"Does Masukocchi follow NBA games too?"
"Hai. I follow European football with French and American basketball."
If only they knew...
"Shhh, it's starting!"
Taiga looked like a child during Christmas whenever NBA games were involved. She couldn't blame him, she knew she was the same when it came to football.
"Man, that game was awesome!"
"97-105... The gap wasn't big and LeBron did an amazing game though he still lost."
Miyuki was tempted to add that it was another example where a one man's masterclass didn't guaranteed victory but she stopped herself. She had already pushed Midorima-kun to the edge earlier today.
"That was fun! We should do that again sometimes!" Kise-kun chirped energically. Maybe giving soda to pretty face was a bad idea after all. "Kagamicchi's food was really good."
"Thanks... Why not."
"Hm."
She rolled her eyes at the other two's answers. "Of course, Kise-kun."
"I should leave now. It's getting late," Midorima-kun continued.
"Midorima-kun is right, you should leave. See you tomorrow."
She gave them both a peck on their cheeks and waved her hand as a goodbye.
Taiga was the only one who stayed, knowing she wanted to talk about the letter.
"It's great to see you became friendlier with them."
Taiga made a grimace, as if he just swallowed a sour candy. "We're not friends!"
He was in denial.
"Maybe not, but it's not like you hate them neither."
(And she said 'friendlier', not 'friends')
Taiga decided to drop the subject, his face now looking serious. "So..."
She released a deep sigh. "I still haven't opened the letter."
I'm scared.
"Give me that," he said in a gentle voice as she complied.
He opened it and gave her the sheet of paper. She read it out loud:
"Hello Emilie,
I know it's really not my kind to write a letter but I felt the need do it. I wanted to call you but since you live in Japan now, I can't be sure with the timezone difference... And also because you only gave me your mail address when we saw each other. But I'm glad you accepted to be my friend again, even after everything.
Thank you for your forgiveness.
I wasn't the only one of the team who watched your final at Nationals. Samantha and Marie were there as well. They were too scared and ashamed to come talk to you after what they had said at the trial but they feel the same as I do. I will never be able to translate into words how thankful we are for what you've done for us despite our atitude.
If I'm writing this to you, it's because you need to know about the rest of the team. I didn't want to spoil your joy that day but you need to know now. You, more than anyone, deserve the truth.
Lisa probably already called you to say she won Women's Club Nationals but I'm sure she didn't tell you everything... It was against our team. She destroyed and humiliated us.
The score was 7-2 with a hat-trick and two assists from her.
It was hard to get over it but I was inspired by what you've with your new team and by your post. Samantha and Marie feel the same. However, the same cannot be said for Clem. She refuses to even touch a ball and has been avoiding us ever since.
I think it was too much for her. Lisa did it again.
We have no idea what to do, it's like last year all over again. It feels like drowning... So the only thing we can do is believing in you, because you were the only one who never wavers.
Next season will be hard, half of us is about to give up because of her and because of him.
In the end, you were right... Something is wrong with Lisa. We should have listened to you back then... If only we haven't cowardly gone against you.
I know, it's too late to say that. Kim and Laura have stopped playing. The others are only continuing because it is what expected from them to do... It became an instinct to play even if the heart isn't here anymore. Even those who followed her in that club (both clubs) seem desperate. Lisa plays so well but doesn't play with anyone other than herself. And when she talks to one of us, it doesn't feel like it's her anymore. She doesn't even look us in the eyes anymore.
And Noémie. She... still doesn't remember us but we deserve that for our sins. I understand why she only partly remembers you and Théo, maybe it's better this way. The most important thing is that she's doing well, the three of us visited her a week ago. She said she missed you and she knows you will make it. We all know you will.
You might be injured but I know you will come back. Until the international friendly matches (I believe it will start in October) be sure you get ready to be in good shape, so we play together in U17 once again.
Love, Tina.
P.S: I saw the new issue of France Football Magazine and I bought that issue! You look happy!"
Miyuki didn't even notice how her hands were shaking until Taiga held them.
"Emilie! Emilie, calm down!"
He held her hands tighter. She felt like something heavy was pressing her chest. She couldn't breathe.
Were that tears streaming down her cheeks?
"She broke them."
She broke them. She broke them...
"Emilie!"
What is he saying? I can't hear him.
"She did this..."
She's did again.
Her breathing went erratic.
"Calm down!"
Blood.
She saw blood again, and rain.
"She broke them."
She saw Noémie's lifeless eyes staring at her again.
"EMILIE!"
Taiga's cry brought her back to reality but her hands were still slightly shaking.
She heard him say in a softer voice, "Take a deep breath."
She nodded weakly, trying to do as he said. She checked her still trembling hands. The blood was gone.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
"I'm sorry Taiga, I..." she sobbed, unable to finish her sentence.
He sighed in relief before wipping the sweat away on her forehead with his hand.
"It's okay," he affirmed in a soothing tone.
"I just– she didn't have the right to do that to them again..."
... just like she did that to me.
The last part was left unsaid.
"I know..."
"I could have–"
"Idiot, you couldn't have avoided it." He sighed again, and continued to softly pat her back. "Look, what you did this year was enough. You read Tina's words, you gave 'em hope. Your 'gamble' or whatever you call it... It's working. You can do it."
The pain was still there, she realized. It was still within her but she was in a better place now, a year has passed since then.
She had found a new team and new friends and she could still save her old friends from middle school.
(Even Lisa?)
"You're right... It was worth it and I'll make it... so we can be friends again. And I'll prove them that man's way thinking was wrong."
He dried away her tears on her face as gently as he could. "Your middle school's so fucked up."
"Not really and you know it..." She let out a strangled laugh, "They were kind and accepting... It was just that man who was... our coach." Miyuki closed her eyes. "You know, it wasn't totally the girls' fault. Everyone made them thought it had been the right thing to do, including their own parents. Most of them even supported that man," she spat with pure loathing.
"It's just so twsited."
She weakly nodded. "I know..."
She rested her head on his shoulder and took a deep breath. Strange how things had changed. She still remembered the time where little and innocent Taiga was the one to put his own head on her shoulder while crying... But Taiga was still Taiga though he now had that rough exterior.
They were still there for each other: that hadn't change and it never would.
A/N: Sorry for not updating the story for almost two months, my computer had some trouble to work and I repair it two days ago... And since the last time, many things changed, like the fact I'm officially graduated from high school.
Anyway, this chapter permits to reveal a bit of Masuko's background in middle school. I picture Masuko as someone darker than she appears, also colder (being overpolite and distant sometimes) and sometimes somehow manipulative but generally gentle and understanding towards people. Her past is still clearly affecting her and she still holds fears, the panic attack she was making was actually not the first in the story. She almost had one during the Seirin/Shutoku's match though she was just showing minor signs (I rewrote many things in 'the rain in your heart' chapter to make it clearer and also changed a little the Masuko/Midorima scene in the rain).
In case you're lost with the timeline (and yes, I'm using the canon timeline), this chapter takes place around mid-June (the proficiency test being June 17th). This chapter is important because it shows a bit of Masuko's past (from both letters) and how all of this affects her present.
I would like to thank the people who have favorited this story after I published the previous chapter: SlifofinaDragon, little firework7, The Rainbow Devowerer, NIGHTANGEL21, atanime freak, linzi, Akashicchi-ssu, He4artBreaker101, RakshaRashelMarie, IloveRebornNarutoKProject and darkpercy5
I'm also very grateful to those who are following the story, it makes me happy to have e-mails telling me that. Also, are you for a OVA chapter like ? Like a chapter taking place in the States with Masuko, Kagami, and Himuro?! Tell me your opinion.
Once again, thank you for the fav/following guys ! Don't hesitate to post comments, I'll make sure to answer them :)