Summary [chapter 11]: "And when I look at the moon, I think about Tatsuya and the calmness he brought me once more. And if you are the sun and Tatsuya is the moon, then I am the eclipse that will reunite you." Emilie could be cheesy sometimes. But Taiga was okay with it because he was as fuckin' cheesy as she was so they stay there, watching the sunset like they used to in L.A.
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.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my OCs
[SUMMER TRAINING CAMP ARC]
FRAGMENTS
~.~
Chapter 11: the color of hope
Today's training was though (basically Kazunari was already dying) and Coach was weirdly distracted – who thought he would use that word associated with Coach's name? –
It was slight but it was there because there was no other explanation for the fact he did not add some laps after he had laughed over Midorima's weird habits – again –
"Everyone, gather up."
Talking about Coach... Hopefully, he would announce by some miracle an hour of break or something because he seriously needed to puke (though he was 99% sure Coach would never say something like that).
The main door was opened by no other than Seirin themselves, interrupting him.
If Coach would sigh because of Shutoku's weirdness or whatever, he could use Seirin as a counter argument...
"Izuki-senpai really is amazing, after all."
... Because yeah, between their point-guard carrying Masuko-san in his arms and Kagami carrying Kuroko on piggyback with the rest of them arguing about something, Seirin looked like a bunch of weirdos.
"You really think so? Ah, after all, I'm –"
"Izuki, shut up!"
"Hyuuga-senpai, don't be so rude to Izuki-senpai."
"Masuko, don't defend him!"
"Captain, it's not her fault if she loves lame puns... It's her french friends' fault."
"LAME?"
Nobody cared about Izuki-san's offended tone.
"Are you defending me, Taiga?" she asked in a teasing tone he did not know she had.
Masuko-san looked like the perfect proper girl, very polite and respectful towards everyone.
"Nope, just telling you that have weird tastes."
"You're just being childish because you lost our race."
She could really be sneaky... It also explained why she and Kuroko were being carried.
Man, Seirin sounded really fun! Doing races while he was puking twice a day.
"Look at your ex, you have weird tastes! And you haven't done your math yet, so who's the kid?"
"Masuko-chan..."
Seirin's lady Coach was full of reproach, like the one mama used when he wasn't even doing his own homework.
She turned her head to face Kagami (who was still having Kuroko on his back)
"Traître! Tu sais que c'est censé être secret! Puis papa t'as envoyé un Cahier de Vacances d'anglais rien que pour toi."
Was that French? It did not sound like English words.
Probably, since he did not understand a single word. Masuko-san focused back on Seirin's lady Coach and continued in Japanese (and with the calmness in her voice back).
"I'll do these exercises during the team's training, I promise. And Taiga, stop moping because I named him captain."
"POURQUOI MOI?"
WAIT. Kagami could speak french too?
"Don't complain, I have math exercises students from bac S have. You have English exercises for first years."
He couldn't really understand what that 'bac S' stood for but it had something to do with school, probably.
"But you hate math."
"I'll explain to you my newly abnormal scholars after training. Now, I shall announce you that starting today, our gym training schedule will change. For the two next weeks, we're having training with new partners: Shutoku High School."
Wait –
"WHAT?"
"YOU'RE KIDDING!?"
Seirin finally put 2+2 together and finally noticed they weren't alone at the gym. Still.
Seirin as training partners?
Well, it couldn't be worse than Midorima (but it was going to be awkward as hell).
"It will only be a three hours session for this afternoon but be prepared to have more for the two next weeks."
"Let's go have fun!" claimed a cheerful voice.
In the middle of all this weirdness, he failed to notice him.
Kiyoshi Teppei.
And that was saying how distracting their bickering was because Seirin members were pretty small for basketball players (like he was the one to talk but meh, whatever) and Kiyoshi Teppei was the tallest.
"Come on everyone, be as enthusiastic as Teppei."
Did Masuko-san and him already know each other before? They had to, to call him by his first name (until it was a French thing).
"I don't wanna have anything in common with this moron."
"Hyuuga-senpai..." Masuko-san also had the nagging mother voice.
"Yeah, I know. Come on guys, let's get prepared for practice."
"Hai!"
"You heard... Seirin's Manager. We will have training with them every afternoon from now. We're grateful. We can help each other improve but we'll still have more merit. Our information can't be compared. Our school, also being called champion, has been gathering information for ages... But them, being a newly established club, have no information whatever for now."
For now, uh?
Did Coach consider Seirin's staff that much as a threat? That wasn't necessary, they were only three and to of them were high schoolers... But one of them is a national champion so maybe...
"I don't know what kind of hidden agenda they have. But the opponent we have to take revenge on offers this change by itself. I'm going to make full use of this."
Training with Shutoku will sure be fun.
She could attest training with rivals was always a good way to make the players do their best (a male's ego was always so fragile). Emulation was great when well-used.
Miyuki threw a glance at Riko-san. She knew she was worried about how this combined training would help them to evolve or not. "Don't worry, Riko-san, they'll be fine and evolve. I have faith in them."
Riko-san watched her with surprise before replying, "You're right."
"Okay, let's get started."
"Masuko-chan, I'm letting you tell him."
"Hai."
Taiga would mope but it was necessary for him.
"Taiga, can you come here, please?"
"What's the deal, Emilie?"
It was his 'stop with your bullshit and spit it out' face because of course he knew when she had something in her mind.
"Go run and make twenty-minute warm-ups on the beach, please," she suggested, a smile on her face.
(Maybe she was enjoying it too much for his own good).
"Heh?"
"Just enjoy the sunset by running through the beach!"
"WHY? And through the beach?"
She sighed.
That tactic was not working. She would have to be blunt and just tell him.
"Just go and warm-up for twenty minutes and I'll come to make you vVO2max test. Don't worry, I'm considerate enough to make you the simplest test, the Astrang test. You'll just have to run as fast as you can during three minutes without stopping or walking."
"Wha – But are you sure I'm ready? I thought you wanted to do before we go back to school."
He said that in English... Was he feeling... apprehensive?
He had these eyes he was giving her when they were younger and he was scared about something. And the fact he reverted back to English only made it more obvious. If she did not have these damn crutches (she got tired of these items) she would have put a reassuring hand on his shoulder but she smiled (with a true, honest smile that time) and nodded enthusiastically before answered him in English as well.
"Yes, you are. And don't worry about the results, it will be a tool to work with for your additional training and we'll do another one at the end of the training camp to see your progress. No pressure, okay?"
Of course, they were not only talking about speed or tests anymore. She supposed it was her fault... Since she told him how speed was something that could determine your future as a professional or not.
In football at least.
Because part of the test to be part of a training center consisted of doing a vVO2max test. Of course, if it was not good enough, elimination was unavoidable.
She could understand his concerns. She had been through it, since being the only female on the team made her one of the slowest for half a year. But she kept running and running (although she hated running for the purpose of running meaning no ball to pursue or have fun...) and improved greatly. She knew it was as important to him as it had been for her, both of them wanted to be on professional competitions although not for the same duration nor the same reasons but it was still a common goal.
"Your speed now will NOT be the speed you will have a one or six months, nor it would define your future as a player."
Taiga smirked. It was a good sign.
"Now go, they started to play already, so hurry!"
Twenty minutes (meaning a half-time of Seirin VS Shutoku game) would be enough for a proper warm-up for him.
"Alright!" he pipped before ruffling her hair and leaving.
She smiled, not caring about the fact her ponytail had ben undone. She was sweaty after the re-education anyway, so she could leave her hair like that.
Before joining Riko-san's spot who was arbitrating the game (thankfully there was a bench on her left), she met Masaaki-san's eyes. She nodded and gave him her usual half smile that left him puzzled but he still returned the nod.
"How is the game going, Riko-san?"
"Watching Shutoku-san play reminds me how their man-to-man defense is impressive."
7-3 for Shutoku.
"You're right."
She began to take notes and set her eyes on Midorima. His shots were perfect as usual, but she noticed a slight change... Maybe it was because of Tetsuya's presence. And Taiga's presence too, of course.
Emulation was something really good, indeed.
It was confirmed when Tetsuya tried a new initiative – albeit ending end with a fail. –
"I can feel this is only the beginning..."
And she was sure that after Tetsuya and Midorima's exchange, she saw a smirk on Midorima's face.
"... the start of something good."
The first half-time ended with 38-45 for Shutoku.
Well, let's go to the beach.
"Riko-san, I should go in a few minutes to see Taiga."
"Do you need a stopwatch?"
"No, I have my own."
She showed her personal stopwatch among the other things in her bag like a measuring tape and blocks (and le cahier de vacances still left untouched, but she promised she would do a few exercises after Taiga's test).
"However, I would need someone's help for the blocks."
"Furihata-kun, can you come here please?" asked Riko-san (too) sweetly.
Furihata-kun was making small but constant progress. He had an ordinary and orthodox style but she could see his potential.
"Hai!"
"No need to be frightened, Furihata-kun," she said to reassure him. "Can you accompany me to the beach and help me with details?"
"Of course, Masuko-chan!
Fortunately, he was somehow comfortable with her a week after the first time they met, especially since that time they began to talk about books.
He asked her if she wanted to lend him her bag and let him carry it. She accepted, knowing how Furihata-kun wanted to help. He opened the door for her and they began to walk at a slow pace.
"Masuko-chan..."
"Hmm?" she whispered distractedly, watching the sun go down.
"Are you okay... I mean do you have trouble with sleeping? I know it's personal but I think we're friends and I'm worried..."
She stopped her crutches.
"Huh?"
What else could she say?
"H – how do you know that?"
He blushed when their eyes met. "I noticed you kinda had bags under your eyes for two or three days, also you've been sometimes distracted during book committee meetings, even during Kuroko's talk about Sherlock Holmes' books... and Kagami looked worried while you were taking a nap on the bus... Ah, huh gomen I just... Please, don't think I'm a creepy guy I'm just –"
"You're amazing, Furihata-kun."
"Haha, no need to try to lie, Masuko-chan, it's okay," he stammered with a blush on his cheeks.
"I'm not lying Furihata-kun, you are truly incredible. I didn't even know you were such a keen observer until now."
His clumsy appearance fooled her. Fascinating.
"I'm not that good, you know."
And he was humble.
Too humble, perhaps.
"You are! You saw things about me nobody saw except Taiga, who has known me for years and Tetsuya who's also an excellent observer." She paused, taking a more serious tone. "You're right, I do have some... issues with sleeping. I..."
She what?
Still suffering from PTSD symptoms? Kept having nightmares of rain and blood? Still felt guilty for what happened a year ago?
"... I'm still fucked up." she finished, laughing. Because how could she not laugh? She already cried enough for the past months so why not laugh at this point? "I guess I'm less fucked up than I used to be..." because she could say it out loud. She could finally put words on how she felt. She ceased her quiet yet frequent laugh. "I'm sorry, Furihata-kun."
She never used such familiar words as 'fucked up', at least not in front of him and she did not want to worry him more than he was already.
"No, it's okay, you're probably having PTSD so... Crap, I –"
"Furihata-kun... Calm down, it's okay." It did not bother as much as she thought to have someone else knowing about it. "Have you ever thought about working in social sciences once graduated?"
"I read a few books about psychology but my parents found it weird and..."
"If you do appreciate it, don't give up!"
She was more than grateful her parents understood the choices she made and would have to make once more for her school career. If she would have stayed in France, she knew deep down she would have not chosen le bac S, meaning baccaulauréat scientifique or more simply scientific studies although she put it in her choices. She put it as a matter of principle because best students were always expected to choose that path. Not bac L for literature, nor bac ES for social and economics.
Of course, it was in S for sciences.
There was always this unofficial supremacy of this diploma since those who went in L were not good enough or too lazy and ES were just lost somewhere on the road.
In Japan, the system might not be the same but the supremacy of math was obvious. And the thing was she was good at math and she might have been brilliant in France or Japan in sciences but she would have hated it... The six-seven hours per week of math classes and the lack of literary.
One of her teammates felt the same thing as her (not knowing what to do) and hated biology like she hated math but had been pressured by his parents to go in S. He stood up at the last moment to tell his thoughts.
"Don't give up. You might don't know what to do later, but if you appreciate something, keep trying."
"Masuko-chan..." His lips were quivering and she was sure he wanted to cry but he smiled brightly in such honesty.
It was one of the brightest smiles she had ever seen.
She knew he just wanted someone to believe in him and whatever he wanted to do. She noticed his low self-esteem and pessimism but she did not know where the problem was lying on.
"Come on Masuko-chan, Kagami is probably dying while waiting for us."
"You're right." She did not continue to advance though and she met Furihata-kun's eyes. "Furihata-kun, if you need to talk... I'm here to listen to you."
"I know. And it's the same for you, you know?"
She raised her head, repeating, "I know."
"And please, talk to Kagami as well. He's your best friend and he's being all angsty over your well-being."
"Oh."
How could she not notice? It explained the shifty eyes and the softness in his voice during breakfast (and his teasing were not as energic as usual for the past week).
"Masuko-chan, no offense but you can be a dummy sometimes."
She laughed heartily, agreeing with him with an "indeed," before continuing to walk.
Taiga still running and profusely sweating from his efforts. Still, on her crutches, she could not come closer by herself (sand and crutches were a bad combination).
"I guess you warmed up enough, Taiga," she shouted.
"Kagami, come here!"
He stopped what he was doing and came with a scowl on his face, "What took you so long?"
"Come on Taiga, no need to be so grumpy. We'll do the test here since the sand will slow you down and distort the result."
"Okay."
"Could you help Furihata-kun with the blocks, please. Put one each twenty meters. The measuring tape is also in my bag."
Furihata-kun handed him her bag. She took her sports bag since her usual bag was too small for everything she took with her.
"Tch, you still use this bag, uh."
"I used during the whole year. The fact I'm not on the team anymore doesn't mean I can't use it... and I really like the colors."
"Yeah, but this is just a nagging way to make me remember that ugly face is the new captain."
Ugly face?
Oh, Jean.
How could her football club bag could make him remember of Jean?
"Taiga, I'll end up believing you're in love with him."
That simple sentence stopped his tracked and he shouted horrified, "Me in love with that idiot? Are you kidding? I'd rather choke and die."
"Of course I'm kidding since I know you're just friends."
"I think Masuko-chan's bag is nice. Is it the name of your former club written it?"
"See, Taiga, it's a nice bag! And yes, it's one of the small reminders I've been part of this team."
"I still can't believe you're a national champion, Masuko-chan! And you'll become the world's champion soon, you're just so awesome."
"I'm not sure about becoming world's champion but I'll do my best for my re-education."
"What's with the insecurity?"
She was going to answer with 'what are you talking about, you're having insecurities as well' but she understood he needed to at least pretend one of them was sure about an international career.
"You know I'm not the cocky type, Taiga."
'You know I'm not sure about this, Taiga' was the implied sentence.
But they pretended it was okay when they both knew they were not sure at all about a possible future in sports.
She chose not to become a full professional but that was all.
"Yeah yeah, when am I beginning?"
"In ten minutes. Finish properly you warm-up on the sand then join me here."
"'Kay!"
"I'm going back to the gym or Coach will kill me!"
"Sure Furihata-kun!"
"See you," Taiga reported casually.
She sat on the bench and opened her math cahier de vacances, doing two shortest and easiest exercises.
Math was boring.
Its only purposes were related to statistics and tactical things in football. Math was just a tool, a cold tool. It was not the numbers that were interesting but their meaning, what they represented.
Of course, Jean would disagree with her. He was in S because he loved math and physics and always said that the truly fascinating thing in math was how numbers could represent everything.
That made her thought about him and the team, who sent her texts yesterday with pictures joined.
So many things changed. Zahi had a new haircut. Jean was wearing the captain armband... But they were all smiling, even him. Theo who was at least as messed up as her. Theo who lost so much a year ago. Theo who had hated football was smiling with new teammates like he used to during middle school.
"Emilie!"
Taiga's voice interrupted her rêverie and she could now fully understand the slight frown and the look in his eyes.
Jean was right. She might be excellent in observation but she was hopeless when said observations were directly related to her.
"Go on the first block. At the starting signal, just run as much as you can."
"Please, tell me you have a whistle on you."
He didn't.
"Haha, very funny."
"It's not my fault if your lame attempts at whistling by yourself never work."
"Shut up and run."
She blew the whistle around her neck, a bit too loudly to show she was pouting.
"Here, take this bottle."
Taiga was so dead he could drink anything.
He took the bottle Emilie handed her and drank half of the content in ten seconds.
"I'm dead."
"I understand, I've been through that too."
"My results are shitty."
Really shitty.
"Taiga, don't say that."
"But it's true! My stamina sucks."
"It can be ameliorated, I promise. Seventeen kilometers per hour is good for a soon-to-be sixteen."
"But not good enough for someone what wants to be on a national level. How can I help Seirin if I'm not fast enough and lack of stamina?"
He was the ace.
He was supposed to help the team, not be a burden to the team. His lack of stamina cost Seirin their games against Touou and Aomine...
God, he was lame.
"Taiga, you and I almost have the same vVO2max and I did well on a male's competition on the national."
He sat on her left. He knew she was faster than him but said nothing about that almost lie she just said.
"That's an amazing result for a girl."
And he kinda knew footballers were a bit faster than basketballers. God damnit, he was pathetic.
"You're right, it was more than good for a female but it had been frankly less than everyone else. I had been insulted by opposite teams for being too slow at the start..."
"Yeah but you won and made them shut them up."
He almost yelped when she gripped his shirt.
"Have some confidence too, Taiga! It's not really the fact you're slow, it's just that your vVO2max is that way because you still lack stamina!"
The anger in her eyes was a great contrast to the empty look he received last summer. Her deep blue eyes were telling him to snap it out and win against everyone, included that bastard Aomine.
The pain on his cheek just made him feel better somehow.
"Seirin will become the champion and I'll be the best ace of Japan!"
"That's the Taiga I like seeing!"
They both laughed, the slap easing some of his angst.
"Say..."
"Yes?"
"How about we sit for a moment on the sand?"
Like the old times.
"Like in L.A?"
He knew he was being so fuckin' 'cheesy' (according to Emilie's words) sometimes...
"Yeah, like in L.A."
... but fuck it.
Emilie was just as sentimental as him. She was a sappy romantic who loved watching the sunset.
Because yeah, he got all flustered when Kuroko or she said their feelings bluntly – for Kuroko – or poetically – for Emilie – out loud, but he had that kind of feelings and thoughts too though only a few people knew that embarrassing piece of information.
She huffed quietly, the ghost of a smile on her face.
"You'll have to carry me, though."
"That's not a problem, you're even lighter than Kuroko."
It was hilarious because seven years ago, she was the one to carry him in bridal style (he did not want to talk more about it, it was too embarrassing). He tried to be as delicate as he could be when he put her on the sand and he sat by her sides.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
He watched her face. It was not the fact that she was cute, even beautiful that mattered.
Yeah, she was beautiful, not in a conventional way but more in a 'the more you look at her, the prettier she becomes' way and even he, as his best friend, knew she was becoming more attractive every day – but the calmness on her face, so different from the lack of feelings last summer mattered.
It was kinda reassuring.
And the ocean reflecting in her eyes was a view he got to see since he was eight and it somehow represented something like hope and life.
'Serenity', like she would say.
"You're the one single constant in my life."
There, he said it.
He had to say it out loud, he thought about it for years and he did not even care about how cheesy it looked nor the redness on his face. He waited for the usual teasing but nothing came. He found the courage to turn his head and she was not looking at the sun anymore.
She was looking at him.
"You were the first color I saw."
He stayed silent and waited for her to continue. He knew what she was talking about. The time where she almost fell into depression, when she had PTSD. He was sure she still had PTSD though.
"After the accident, all I saw was shades of black, white and gray. Nothing looked as bright as it used to be. Not even the blue of my eyes when I watched myself in a mirror, nor the grass on the field. But when you came and all I saw was red."
Red.
Emilie and Tatsuya told him red was the perfect color for him. He said he did not understand why (was it because of the hair?) and they answered him with one word.
Fierce.
"But it wasn't like the blood on my hands. It was the red of a bright sunset and I saw the color of the sun again. The color of my new jersey, the intense green of the grass. So now every time I watch the sunset, I think of you."
She put her head on his shoulder and he leaned towards her. She smelt a mix of sweat, vanilla, and cinnamon.
It was both familiar and nostalgic.
It reminded him of time they spent after basketball games around L.A's beach eating ice-cream or taking a nap on each other's shoulders with Tatsuya.
"When I look at the moon, I think of Tatsuya and the calmness he brought me. And if you are the sun and Tatsuya is the moon, then I am the eclipse that will reunite you."
He wanted to believe that but he did not know if he could. He stopped believing when he received a punch in his face and got these words by Tatsuya.
But who knew? Emilie made the impossible believable.
"I still dream of her sometimes."
It was not a surprise. Who would not after all the shit she had been through?
"I still feel guilty but I have to remember I left them and didn't talk to them this year because we needed distance. I still feel like I have blood in my hands but..." She took a deep yet calm breath. "It's different now. I feel dirty but not in the same way... Why do I still sometimes feel like it should have been me instead of her? Why did I use to wish I was the one to lose all my memories instead of her? Sometimes, I just want to forget... I'm horrible for thinking all these things. I feel dirty and selfish and I hate this."
She was sobbing quietly and she put her face of his neck, hot tears falling on it.
He was crappy with words, but she needed to hear the truth.
"Emilie... I know you still feel guilty but... If you're going through all this re-education it's for them. You want to play again with them and show them they can be happy again like you've been with these guys and you will. Trust me."
She felt guilty for enjoying her time with a new team but there was no need to.
They all needed time.
"Was I selfish for choosing to disguise myself just to play with them? For loving this team as much as I loved my middle school team?"
Maybe...
"No."
... maybe he would have said yes to anyone else but Emilie was everything but selfish. She was too damn selfless that it hurt. She could be cold to people she did not know with that politeness bullshit but he knew it was her protection to avoid being hurt again.
And when she thought she was making something selfish, she was, in fact, doing something good. Like when she told him about Tatsuya. She waited for the good moment to tell him because if she would have told it before, he might have done some stupid stuff, like losing before his game against Touou.
Of course, she was not perfect.
Emilie was ridiculously idealist, unpredictable, solemn, somehow manipulative and an annoying smart ass but she was still Emilie, a good person, and his best friend.
The tears had stopped and he felt her calm and steady breath on his neck. She was sleeping and he did not want to wake her up. She deserved some rest.
"I bet I'll have to carry you back..."
Shintaro had no idea of how he ended up being paired with Kuroko for the passes exercise after their game (victory for Shutoku, obviously) but he had to admit he felt somehow... nostalgic when he received the ball.
Four months had passed and he already had forgotten how it felt to receive passes from Kuroko. Or perhaps he had been longer, he was not sure... But something had changed. It was not the team, it was... strange at it was, memories of the way they played during their second year came back.
He was also relieved it was passing since it was what Kuroko was the best at. However...
"Kuroko!"
Kuroko failed that pass.
"Sumimasen, Midorima-kun."
"What is it Kuroko, if I didn't know you I'd say you're distracted."
"..."
"So you are truly distracted."
What could be so important to Kuroko get distracted?
"What is it?" he finally asked, more annoyed than anything.
"I wonder if Miyuki-san and Kagami-kun are okay."
'Miyuki'.
It was abnormal to hear such familiarity from Kuroko's mouth who never called anyone by their first name, not even Aomine.
"What about them?"
"Both have their own issues."
He would have thrown an 'obviously, but what issues?' if the door of the gym hadn't opened up with Kagami carrying Masuko in his arms.
She was sleeping and he never saw her look so small. All activity stopped, the balls bouncing on the floor being the only noise remained.
Every Seirin members gathered around them, even Kuroko, questioning Kagami silently.
"Is she okay?"
"Was practice too much for her?"
"Masuko-chan must be pretty tired from today's practice."
"Even Teppei can barely stand with all this training so it's okay, it's just the proof Masuko-chan works hard."
"Riko, no need to be so mean to me!"
"She might be tough but even she can't handle five hours training without falling asleep after like four months without practice."
There was something in Kagami's voice when he said that... Something like admiration.
"Having a four-month hiatus after having been in an intense rhythm as an athlete can cause issues once they are going through recovery. Masuko-chan showed me a few of her games and she always did such astounding performances knowing she was with males."
"Yeah, she worked her ass up to be on the national level and still does."
He still could not understand her reason. He knew she was preparing herself for a competition but her team was on the other side of Earth and she clearly did not make friends apart people who were related to basketball and maybe classmates, but she probably did not consider them as friends.
"By the way Kagami-kun, how did your test go?"
He began to look somewhere else like he was always doing when Masuko was asking him if he had done his homework.
"Let's talk about this once I put her somewhere... Ma'am."
"Put her on the bench there, I'll bring a pillow."
"Hai... Ma'am."
"Seirin's cute manager goes on practice as well?"
Why did everyone use that word when talking about her?
When he heard her name, the first thing that came to his mind was confusing. Even through texts, she was being confusing, like that time, when she told him Iron Heart came back.
Why? And why did she tell him it was okay to tell this piece of information to Coach?
"My sister can't stop talking about Masuko-san, I feel like she has a crush on her on something."
... His sister as well.
Sayuri harassed him senseless about her, especially after coming back from training.
"What?"
"She's like a football goddess for my sister or something like that."
Though his sister always talked about her, he never saw with his own eyes how she played. She must be good enough to be National champion and the Captain of this team.
"Wait, she plays football? But what is she even doing in a basketball club?"
"Must be because Kagami's her best friend."
"That girl is Seirin's ace best friend?"
Everybody had that thought the first time, after knowing this piece of information. Now that he knew them better, he could attest how these two truly had an outstanding friendship though he was no expert. In fact, he was everything but an expert about any kind of relationship.
He had always been a loner. Human bonds were so hypocritical and never lasted, he thought.
Then, he met Akashi who was his first real, honest friendship at his first year in middle school. At that time, he had not exactly understood the word 'friendship' and after... their third year, 'friendship' was once more a bland and empty word that represented something that would disappear because people changed.
And then Masuko came, claiming with calmness and confidence how Kagami was her best friend and how she and himself were becoming friends as well. It had first angered him and he even shouted at her but she reacted with calm it had made him even angrier.
But she trusted him. She said she trusted him and no one had ever said it out loud. He thought he knew Akashi trusted him, but like his friendship, he doubted he ever had that kind of link between them. He didn't even know which Akashi was the real one...
"She's abnormal enough to be even friend with Shin-chan."
Huh?
"WHAT?"
"Midorima has a friend? Like a real friend?"
"And this friend is a hot girl? No way."
"Oi, what does it mean?"
"It means what it means."
'Shut up' he wanted to say. But the fact that Coach still did not scold them all was... too bizarre. He turned his head, ignoring how his teammates were complaining about his lack of answer and saw Coach... talking with Kagami?
Did he – No, impossible.
Coach already had him as the ace and knew scouting Kagami would be useless, since they clashed too much, even for Coach's patience. But why were they talking? And why Kagami, disrespectful and rude Kagami bowed to him?
"Riko-san, no!"
"Coach, we already told you not to put ketchup everywhere!"
"And how did you get that bottle of ketchup, Riko-san?"
As planned, they went to the dining room fifteen minutes before 9 P.M only to find the entire Seirin team already there, with the exception of their Coach, Masuko, and Kagami. What caught Shintaro's eyes was how half of them had fork and knife in their hands. He still thought about the moment where Coach told them they would eat with Seirin.
Was that really why Kagami talked to Coach?
It seemed far too serious and long.
He followed Coach and Captain who lead them to the tables remaining.
"Man, I'm so hungry."
Everybody nodded, silently agreeing with Takao's statement. The bath he took had permitted to loosen the tension of his shoulders but his stomach felt empty.
"Takao, don't be so rude, we've been invited so wait."
He did not answer to Coach's scolding; a good thing considering how it would have probably ended up with laps for everyone.
He turned his head after Seirin's tables became silent. Oh, it was Masuko who arrived, with an apron still on her.
"Sooooooo, Masuko-chan, is it ready?"
"Hai. I came here because I can't help with bringing the plates. Could I request help from two or three persons here?"
"Of course, Hyuuga and I will do that!"
"Oi, Kiyoshi!... Fine. Izuki, you're coming with us too!"
"Sure."
"Before you all start eating, please be sure to congratulate Coach since she made great efforts to help Taiga and I – do not fear, everything is eatable, I was there."
Eatable?
Was Seirin Coach's cooking as bad and awful as Momoi's?
Even after years, he kept the memory of the only time he had been idiot enough to taste something made by her (he did not remember exactly what happened next... according to Aomine, they all fainted ten minutes after ingesting her 'food'). Oha Asa had predicted something of this kind would happen that day.
"Masuko-chan, can we exchange the futon tonight? I beg you!"
Did it mean Masuko was sleeping in the same room as them? But then, Masuko spent months in a male team pretending to be a male.
"Kawahara-kun, I told you I'm not suicidal."
What were they talking about?
"We didn't understand you meant it that way."
Shintaro did not understand a thing but neither did the entire Shutoku team.
"I apologize, but I would rather stay between Tetsuya and Furihata-kun. To make amends, I'll make you a cake and have half of the additional laps for a month."
Was bribing people with food her specialty?
"... Worth it, I guess."
Apparently, it worked every time.
"Neh Masuko-chan, can we have a cake too?"
"Not for now, I want you to eat as healthy as possible during training camp but I'll do one for Taiga's birthday and we'll eat it after practice. I'm sure he knows I'll do this and he didn't say anything so he's okay with it."
That was right. Kagami was a Lion, meaning this birthday would be soon. Probably in August since it wasn't going to take place during this training camp.
"Best friends have such a weird way to show their affection."
Indeed. But it worked for these two in a way he was sure it wouldn't work for anyone else.
"Yeah, and who would have thought Kagami knew how to be smooth with girls sometimes and – I CAN SMELL FOOD!"
"First plate for Tetsuya! I made roasted chicken instead of steak since I know you prefer that but you have gratin de pomme de terre et ratatouille de légumes."
"Huh?"
"Emilie meant sliced potatoes sliced with cream browned on top with some vegetables. Seriously, stop talking in french randomly."
"But I can't translate ratatouille with 'some cooked vegetables'. Ew."
"Oi Kagami, stop your little bicker with Masuko and just give the plates."
"Hai!... Sir."
Hyuuga-san was a fearful Captain as well.
"Where do we put these plates, Masuko?"
"Right. Medium steak for Furihata-kun and Fukada-kun, rare steak for Hyuuga-senpai and the double rare steak is for Taiga of course and..."
Masuko continued until plates went to their tables.
"Wait, how do you know how I love my steak?"
"Observation is the key, Takao-kun."
There was something about how she said such trivial thing that made her dangerous. It was a reminder of how Masuko was one of Seirin's main weapons as well. A perfect balance between the head and the heart.
He remembered during his first year in middle school Akashi saying how the best teams were the one with both head and heart in one. He did not understand at that time and he had forgotten Akashi's words by the time he was in his third year in middle school.
But now he looked at her and these words somehow made sense. Seirin wasn't the best team but they had the potential to reach the top.
Masuko had the heart, it was obvious from the way she spoke about Kagami and her former team to the time she took to explain to idiots like Kise and Kagami knowledge related to school. She also had the head, which made her a better tactician, with the way she methodically trained Kagami and her accurate observations, noticing every detail it was almost frightening.
"Your plate, Emilie."
"Thanks Taiga."
She never said thanks to Kagami in Japanese. Always in french or English.
It must be her way to be less polite towards Kagami.
"Why's your plate here?"
She smiled, "I'll be eating with you tonight."
... WHAT?
"WHAT?"
"I hope you don't mind having me at your table and I also hope we'll get along," she finished, with a bow.
She must have noticed the blank on the table since after she sat on his right, she said with a sigh.
"Masaaki-san, really? I expected more explanation to them from you."
Masaaki... san? Coach?
"Everyone, this is Masuko Miyuki Emilie, my godchild. And please Miyuki, stop with the 'san'."
"You said that my whole life, Masaaki-san. Anyway, before we start to eat, I should introduce myself properly for those who don't know me. I'm Masuko Miyuki, a first-year of Seirin High and Seirin's basketball team's Manager. Don't worry, you don't need to do the same since I know everyone here so let's just eat."
"Itadakimasu!"
The fact she mentioned food immediately made the team feel at ease and lessen the shock of hearing someone talk to Coach that way. Not to mention that person was his godchild.
"Your food tastes really good, Masuko-san."
"Arigatō, Miyaji-senpai."
The steak was exactly the way he usually ate it, with more pepper than usual. Shintaro didn't mind since he enjoyed eating spicy dishes.
"So Miyuki, you're really staying in Japan now."
It was not a question. It was a fact. Kagami must have talked about her, then.
"Indeed. Papa and maman decided to move to Japan but before, we needed to take care of many things and finish what we had begun in France. I'm the only one here for now, but they will come at the end of August eventually."
"Enjoying the two-month vacation there?"
"Of course. I would have done the same if I didn't get injured."
"I can see that... But I also heard you finally won the Nationals, well done Miyuki."
"So Taiga told you about that... I wonder how much did he tell you?"
Not a hint of surprise in her voice.
"As you said. I'm surprised your father accepted it so easily."
"Believe me Masaaki-san, I was more surprised than anyone else when he accepted to be our Coach."
"I was talking about the fact you were on a male team."
"Oh, that."
This time she expressed slight surprise – or maybe a mix of confusion and realization. –
How typical of her. Always forgetting the most important thing. Her team was a male one was not just a detail.
"What?"
"I think I didn't hear correctly."
"You heard her well. She chose to play with them and went to every competition as a male until the Nationals' final match. It's amazing how you managed to fool them, Miyuki."
It was the first time he heard Coach compliment anyone so openly.
But it was understandable since she was his godchild. And even he, who only knew her since two months saw how important for her to be considered as a good player and not have an opinion of her as a player based on her gender.
And she was right. If she was as good as a male, why could not she play with them?
"It was a great year, although I discovered how captainship could be tiring."
"Don't even begin..."
Otsubo-senpai?
"Getting all of them focused while I was telling them the game's tactics was nearly impossible."
"Did you also have to try to make them behave correctly in the lockerroom?"
"Yes! It was just the hardest, especially when it was cleaning time, these cowards tried to escape. I found something to make them listen to me whenever I wanted."
"Can you tell me?"
"Of course, Otsubo-san."
"Can you also give the recipe of what you prepared to us?"
This time, Masuko smiled at Otsubo-senpai.
"Sure!"
If it was not for the endearing smile she was making, he would have been more or less worried about the fact Masuko was going to give to their Captain weapons to threaten them...
Wait.
Did he just... thought her smile as... endearing?
It made him remember Takao's description of Masuko. 'Sneaky and kinda cute too'. Though Takao was an idiot, he probably knew his opinion on Masuko.
'You do find her cute, don't you?'
He did not give an answer but the lack of words just gave to Takao his thoughts.
She was indeed 'cute'.
However, there was something that made him reluctant to admit it. Friends should not feel any attraction towards the other, that was what he thought at least.
Friendship might be somehow unusual to him but a friendship between a male and a female was foreign to him. Momoi could count as a female friend, but they were not friends like he was with Masuko. Momoi might be a friend but she was first his former manager, meaning they spent most of their time with the rest of the team and interacted about games or school.
"And did you make friends here, Miyuki?"
"There's Taiga of course and all Seirin members are nice, like Tetsuya, Riko-san or Teppei... And there's also Kise-kun and Midorima of course!"
"Midorima, uh?"
Why did it sound so unbelievable to everyone?
"Pfff, see Shin-chan, nobody could believe that!"
"Shut up, Takao!"
"Are you talking Kise from Kaijo? How do you know him?"
"I tutored him for the exams."
"Still good at school, as I can see."
"Of course!"
"I'm curious. Why did you choose Seirin of all school?"
"For Taiga of course." Of course. Such stupid yet selfless devotion from her for Kagami. "And also for me."
It left him puzzled. Why would she choose Seirin if it was not just for Kagami? Seirin was a new school, with no prestige nor a good football club.
"I know what you're going to say, Masaaki-san. Yes, I've been scouted in by several clubs and schools from Tokyo as well as other prefectures but I chose Seirin. I guess something in this school reminded me of my own high school in France... I'm sure you'll respect my decision though I know many people won't."
Shintaro still struggled to understand how choosing her best friend's highschool over any strong highschools where she could play seemed like the most logical choice.
"Of course but... Miyuki, I know you have something in your head, so what is it? What is your aim?"
"Higher."
Higher?
What was 'higher' for her?
And for him? What was his aim?
He wanted to get his revenge and beat Kagami. He wanted to win against Akashi more than any members of Teiko but what was his final aim?
Masuko had something he lacked: a true goal.
A final goal. Winning in itself was not a goal because it was a common thing to every player. Maybe it was the thing he was looking for. Perhaps Masuko was one of the keys of his problem.
He decided he would ask her.
"I see."
How could Coach understand something so cryptic?
"Where is the third member of the American trio?"
"Tatsuya is still in L.A, I think he will come around mid-August."
"If I remember correctly, he played basketball as well."
She nodded.
"He still does. You will know it sooner or later so I'm going tell you. Tatsuya is going to play for Masako-san in Yosen basketball team."
Murasakibara's team?
"Of course, how unsurprising from her."
Was that irritation from Coach?
"Yosen needed a strong shooting guard so it's logical to have Tatsuya there. At least, you're one of the first teams to know about Tatsuya coming. Of course, he isn't part of the members playing in Inter-High but I'm sure he will be part of the starters for Winter Cup. He can even become their ace along with... the member of the Generation of Miracles there."
"I see you have taken great thoughts about everything, as usual."
"I didn't forget about basketball," she said slowly. "I will lead Seirin to victory as their Manager."
"That's good to hear. I hope everyone around this table heard what she just said at this table because Shutoku will be Seirin's main rival and we won't let it happen."
A/N: 2015 is nearing its ends and Christmas and the OVA are coming closer, isn't it beautiful? About this chapter, you can see how Kagami and Masuko relationship is important, the two of them being each other's hope and most constant thing in their life for years. Friendships are blossoming and Midorima is still discovering many things about himself as a player and Masuko.
Time to answer to guest comments(s):
Sami: Hey! I'm just so relieved to see someone writing how male/female friendship is important and I'm more than happy you think I write it correctly. Haha, you might be right about the platonic OC x harem, I just love writing friendships so much.
I would like to thank the people who have favorited is following this story after I published the previous chapter : Liedes, exoplosions, JustanamelessGirl, Arciia, Forgotten Cross.
Once again, thank you for the fav/following ! Don't hesitate to post comments, I'll make sure to answer them on next chapter's A/N or on PM :)