Hey guys!
I hope you are all doing well!
I want to thank ThatOneFrenchGirl for the lovely review! Good day to you too! I'm so glad you liked this Chapter! Very reassuring to be honest. I didn't know if I did too much or too little of it, so for you to say that you liked it means the world to me.
Well, I was highly debating whether or not I should let her play. But in the end, I decided against it because the entire secret keeping would be for nothing. Well, maybe she's going to play against Aomine or maybe she won't. I won't reveal anything. It has to be a surprise for you.
That's one thing I love about them too. Just the way they support and look out for one another. They are like the Musketeers. One for all and all for one type of thing and I love it.
So, I tried my best to do some more relationship focused Chapters but there isn't much time between the preliminaries and the Winter Cup, so I didn't drag it out too long. But I promise, once the Winter Cup timeline is done, I will do so much more with this story and also give Emiyo a "life" outside of basketball and the Miracles. Involving her more in swimming and stuff. But I have a lot going on at the moment, and writing a story in one of the most stressful times of ones life isn't easy. But I hope I can still make it justice and I will continue to do my best, I promise.
Well, you will certainly get some ship related content in this chapter. Can't wait to hear what you think! Emimi is absolutely adorable! Love it!
Thank you for the absolutely amazing review! You're the best! Have an amazing week! See you soon!
Love,
Géraldine
I hope you guys enjoy chapter 70! (Can't believe we reached that number already) Let me know what your thoughts, wishes, predictions. I always love hearing from every single one of you.
Chapter 70: Onsen
Normally Aidas ideas were not the best.
Usually, it would end up with at least one of us in pain, which I had to find out the hard way when I started taking part in her gruelling practices. But sometimes, just sometimes, on very rare occasions mind you, she had amazing ideas. And this was certainly one of them. After spending a hard week full of practice instead of enjoying our summer holidays Aida had brought us to a place that immediately felt like heaven on earth for our stiff and aching bodies.
An Onsen.
Aida and I had long ago separated from the boys at the entrance. We had entered the changing room and placed our clothes in a locker before entering the bathing area. I could feel Aidas eyes on me and she was pouting slightly for one very apparent reason, but I decided not to pay any attention to it. I had my hair up in a lazy bun and when my body made contact with the warm water, I let out a contempt sigh.
"Now, that's what I'm talking about." I closed my eyes while leaning my back against the naturally formed wall that was surrounding the hot springs, while the hot steam was forming droplets on my skin.
Aida took her place next to me and she seemed to relax as well. But unfortunately, our peace and quiet didn't hold for very long. We heard more and more noises coming from the other side of the wall and while I tried to ignore it, Aida couldn't.
"I will be right back." Aida said before walking back into the changing room and reappearing moments later fully dressed. She marched right over while I let my body float on the surface of the water oblivious to any sound coming from the other side.
xXx
Change of POV and a few moments before:
"Kagami, you shouldn't let your towel touch the water." Kuroko said when he heard a dripping sound coming from right next to him.
"What really?" Kagami asked but it didn't sound like he particularly cared. In fact, the atmosphere around the pool was far too relaxed for anybody to talk much. They were all tired after all and using this outing as a way to recover.
"Tomorrow we're going right back to practice." Hyuga said his glassed covered by the steam from the water, while he slid further down into the water. "Don't lose focus."
"I know." Kiyoshi said kindly.
"Look, look!" Koganei said loudly and clearly being the only one who had the intention of moving more than they had to. "I'm doing the butterfly! I should show Masako-san!"
"I knew you'd do it, but don't do the wildest stroke." Izuki said. "And I don't think Masako-san will be impressed by your technique."
The three first years were the only ones not relaxing in the water. They had just decided to go to a specific spot, when Hyuga realised something which annoyed him immensely. They were wearing a towel around their midst.
"Hey, you!" Hyuga said loudly, while standing up and pointing at the three accusingly. "Don't tastelessly wear your towels around your waists. Look at Kagami." At that everybody turned towards their ace. "His towel casually slung over his shoulder. His dashing standing figure. His swim trunks…" It took Hyuga a moment to realise what he had just said. "Swim trunks?" He exclaimed in horror.
"I've never been to hot springs before." Kagami said apologetically.
"Kids from abroad." Hyuga muttered while sighing. Then he walked over to a stool. "Fine, then. Koheis, wash your senpais backs."
Unfortunately, this didn't end like Hyuga had hoped it would. Courtesy of Kagami who used a brush that was meant for cleaning the bath and not cleaning a person. Meanwhile, Nigou and Kuroko were getting engulfed by an enormous cloud of soap bubbles.
"They said we could wash Nigou." Kiyoshi said smiling at the scene in front of him. Then they all turned their head towards the wall of bamboo that was separating them from the women's area.
"Things are pretty lively next door." Kiyoshi said when they all heard voiced emerge.
"Now that you mention it, there was a group of college girls at the front desk." Izuki said, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
"What?" Koganei asked immediately. He got out of the bath at once and ordered Kagami to his side. To everyones surprise he managed to convince him to lift him up on his shoulder and the two of them marched right towards the wall.
"Hey, where are you going?" Izuki asked in alarm.
"Isn't it obvious?" Koganei asked.
"Don't say that with a straight face!" Izuki exclaimed. To his horror, Hyuga joined Koganei only seconds later, while he was perching on Mitobes shoulders.
"Hyuga what are you doing with them?" Izuki asked loudly.
"You're lucky you have your Eagle Eye!" Hyuga replied, while fist bumping Koganei.
"It doesn't work like that!" Izuki said exasperated but they both didn't pay him any attention.
"Riko would kill you if she were here." Kiyoshi said his brows furrowed.
"You're right!" Izuki said in alarm by the thought of Aidas reaction. Just then Nigou barked loudly and they were alerted to the state Kuroko was in.
"Sorry." Kuroko said, his face flushed red. "I feel a little dizzy."
"Get out of the bath!" Izuki ordered. "Kagami, go with him."
And just like that Koganei had lost his person. Hyuga and Koganei were both brooding over how to catch a peek, while vehemently ignoring Izuki, who tried to talk some sense into them. To make matters worse for Izuki, the first years joined Hyuga and Koganei in their efforts.
"I found a hole!" Fukuda exclaimed excitedly.
"This team is hopeless." Izuki said looking like he had given up.
"Now, now. You don't dislike this, do you?" Koganei asked while putting his arm around Izukis shoulder. "Come on, you too Tsucchi."
But Tsuschida wasn't going to join seeing as he had a girlfriend.
Hyuga was now in front of the hole, trying to get a peak only to be cut short by the one person they all feared above all others. Aida.
"You seem to be having fun." Aida said in a falsely sweet tone. "Let me join you. What are you boys doing?"
"Coach…" They all muttered in horror.
"I thought you were making a lot of noise. All of you, clench your teeth."
And then Aida worked her magic and, in the end, they all floated lifeless on the surface of the pool. Aida seemed satisfied and walked away.
xXx
I had heard the shouts of pain after I resurfaced from the water but I didn't really have the need to find out what had happened. So instead, I waited for Aida to return and a few moments later she did while grinning smugly.
"Do I want to know?" I asked highly amused while she took the seat next to me.
"Nope." Aida said smiling more widely. "They're all a bunch of idiots but that's nothing new."
"A bunch of lovable idiots." I corrected her and she chuckled.
We both fell silent, set on finally relaxing when we heard another set of footsteps approaching us.
"Mind if I sit next to you?" An all too familiar voice asked. I instinctively turned my head around only to find my eyes locked with the ones belonging to my best friend.
"Sa-chan?" I asked in disbelieve. "What are you doing here?"
Momoi entered the water and sat next to me, while giving me a large smile.
"It's so good to see you Emi-chan." She said while squeezing me.
"Tōō Academy?" Aida exclaimed in disbelieve, while Momoi shot her a small sweet smile.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, an although I was happy to see her, I knew who else was here. She must be in company of her team, which meant they had most likely some sort of testosterone stand off on the other side of the bamboo wall.
"We just happened to be practicing in the area and decided to relax a bit. And you just happened to be here. What a coincidence." Momoi said while letting the water glide along her arms. "This feels dso good. My shoulders have been so stiff lately." She let out a satisfied sigh and then she turned to Aida, while vehemently ignoring the look I was giving her. "You don't seem like you'd have that problem. I'm jealous."
"Sa-chan…" I began, while Aida reacted in exactly the way I had expected her to. She was highly offended and I couldn't blame her. Momois comment had struck a nerve, but I still had some more pressing matters I wanted answers to.
"Sa-chan." I said once again and this time Momoi looked at me. "We both know there is no such thing like a coincidence. Not when it comes to you. You knew we would be here. And I'm fairly certain there is a reason why you came."
Momoi didn't look surprise that I was calling her out. In fact, she looked like she had expected it and gave me a small guilty smile.
"I had hoped we could delay speaking about the reason we came." She admitted while I remained silent urging her to say it. "There is something I wanted to tell you. But first I want to congratulate you for making it to the Winter Cup. I was so worried for you and Tetsu when you played against Hanamiya."
"Sa-chan, please." I said. "Tell me what it is."
Momoi dropped her gaze and Aida and I exchanged a look. We both knew that what she was going to say, wasn't good news. So, we braced ourself for the worst.
"I got my hands on the Winter Cup match-ups." Momoi began, finally lifting her gaze and meeting mine and Aidas eyes. "Your first opponent in the Winter Cup is us."
My mouth fell open, when I registered what she had said.
"What did you say?" Aida muttered. "But schools from the same prefecture shouldn't play each other in the first round."
"Normally they don't." Momoi said addressing Aida while shooting me worried glances. I was still in shock, so I didn't notice them. "But schools from the special bracket are an exception."
Aida was baffled.
"I like Tetsu and you Emi-chan. And that's why I won't hold back this time. It's too bad you'll be out after the first day, though. Let's have a good game." Momoi said sweetly.
"You're acting pretty superior, aren't you?" Aida said loudly, while facing Momoi full on. I was forgotten in the middle, still not speaking. "Don't underestimate us! Our boys aren't that weak! You just wait! We will show you!"
Aidas words were what brought me out of my stupor. I stood up and got out of the water, only to find the cool night air engulf my body. My head was immediately hit by a wave of dizziness, but I ignored it, set on fighting through it and making it to the changing room.
"Emi-chan?" Momoi asked obviously worried. But I merely smiled at her.
"I couldn't have wished for more." I said before everything around me went black. The last thing I heard was the distant cry of my name, before I fell into blissful oblivion.
xXx
Change of POV and a few moments before:
Kuroko and Kagami had changed back into their clothes before hanging around an empty corridor. Kuroko was feeling slightly better, but Kagami had insisted he should lay down in order for his body to recover fully. A wet cold towel was draped over Kurokos eyes and Kagami was standing in front of the vending machine trying to get his shadow something to drink, but he had no such luck.
"Sheesh." Kagami was annoyed at how reckless his friend had been behaving. "Do you want anything to drink?"
"A sports drink please." Kuroko muttered, but it took Kagami was look at the machine to spot the sold-out sign illuminated in front of the sports drink row. "They're sold out. Fine, then. I will go buy some outside."
"Thanks." Kuroko muttered while hearing the disappearing footsteps of his light. There passed a moment, where everything was quiet, until another pair of footsteps approached Kuroko and albeit he didn't know it at the time, they weren't belonging to Kagami. A bottle was placed next to Kurokos head and someone spoke up.
"Here."
"Thank you." Kuroko said before he stopped short when he recognized the voice. The voice of his former light and best friend.
Aomine walked towards the vending machine, while Kuroko sat up in disbelieve. A can of grapefruit soda hit the lower deck of the machine, while Aomine took hold of it, eyeing Kuroko from the corner of his eyes.
"It's been a while Tetsu."
"Aomine-kun." Kuroko muttered. Aomine casually walked over to the wall that was opposite from Kuroko and leaned against it, while sipping his drink. There was a moment of silence, before Aomine decided to speak up.
"I saw your game."
At this Kuroko looked up in surprise.
"Was that the new move Satsuki mentioned?"
"Hai." Kuroko said. "I developed it to use it against you."
Aomine scoffed, while a smirk was once again present on his face.
"Sorry, but it won't work. No matter what you or Em say." Aomine began. "The one that will win the Winter Cup…"
"Is us." Kagami said while putting his arm around Aomines shoulder and making quite the entrance. Kagami and Aomine both glared at one another.
"Don't put your arm around my shoulder." Aomine said looking more hostile than ever before swatting Kagamis arm away.
"Kagami-kun." Kuroko said while standing up from the bench and Kagami immediately walked over to him, but not before being addressed by Aomine.
"What are you doing here?" Aomine asked, before his arrogant exterior was back. "You're going to win?" He put his can down and his smirk widened. "It's not enough. It seems you really did open the door, but you're just standing in the entrance. You're not even close to the Generation of Miracles. You're not even entertainment yet."
Kagami was looking at Aomine his eyebrows furrowed.
"I guess I will find out soon enough." Aomine chuckled. "I'm your first opponent after all."
There was a moment of silence, before Kuroko began to chuckle, a smile on his lips. This certainly took Aomine by surprise.
"Sorry, Kagami-kun." Kuroko said. "I actually celebrated internally just now."
"What are you talking about?" Kagami chuckled in amusement. "Everyone's thinking that. No one thinks winning will be easy. If we win enough games, we're bound to face them sooner or later. Nothing beats repaying a debt quickly."
"Fine." Aomine said while looking down on the two in front of him. "Bring it on."
Just then, someone burst through a nearby door.
"Dai-chan!" Momoi said in a loud panic-stricken voice, while her body was covered by nothing more than a white towel. All three boys turned to look at her in surprise, before Aomine spoke up.
"What is it Satsuki?" Aomine asked sounding almost bored.
"It's Emi-chan!" Momoi said loudly, tears running down her cheeks. "She collapsed!"
"WHAT?" All three boys exclaimed at the same time. Aomine began to move at once and Momoi turned on her heels when she saw that he was coming. But Aomines arm was caught by Kagami.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kagami asked loudly and angrily. "You can't go in there! She will be naked!"
Aomine immediately freed himself from Kagamis grip, and Kagami instinctively took a step back from Aomine when he saw the look on his face.
"Do you think I care about that?" Aomine hissed. "It's Em we're talking about!"
Aomine didn't wait a second longer. He immediately hurried after Momoi, who was waiting for him in the changing room.
"Where is she, Satsuki?" He asked looking frantically around.
"Outside." Momoi said. "Seirins coach is with her."
"Bring me to her!" Aomine ordered, while closing his eyes and covering them with his hand just for good measure. Momoi took him by the arm and guided him along. When a mixture of fresh air and steam hit his face, Aomine knew that they had made their way outside. That and the high-pitched shrieks of multiple women. Aomine wasn't paying them any attention. Least of all to the curses that were thrown into his direction by what he assumed was Seirins coach.
"She's here." Momoi said. "I covered her with a towel, Dai-chan."
At this Aomine removed his hand from his eyes and looked down at the figure laying at his feet. This sight alone was enough to make him move. Emiyo wasn't looking good. Not at all. He kneeled down next to her, while he felt the watchful eyes of Seirins coach on him. He tucked the towel around Emiyos body, before he put both his arms under her and then lifted her up. Emiyos arm was hanging lifelessly in the air and a surge of panic crossed through Aomine. He turned around and walked towards the changing room. He knew that he was followed and at first, he assumed it was only Momoi, but to his frustration Aida had followed him as well.
"I need a room!" Aomine said. "She's clearly dehydrated. How long has she been in that bath?"
Aida glared at him, before a look of guilt passed her eyes.
"Way too long." Aida mumbled in response. "Why didn't I notice?"
Aomine glared at her.
"A room!" He said louder this time and leaving the changing room only to come face to face with a distraught looking Kagami and Kuroko. They spotted the lifeless form of Emiyo is Aomines arms and Kagami immediately stretched out his arms only for Aomine to turn away from them protectively.
"What are you doing?" Kagami exclaimed loudly. "Give her to me! We will take care of her!"
"Over my dead body." Aomine growled.
"Dai-chan." Momoi called from further down the corridor. "I found a room."
Aomine immediately walked over to her, where she held a door open which led to a simple room equipped with a bed and an adjacent bathroom.
"We should bring her to the hospital!" Aida said, when she entered the room after Aomine.
"Bring me something cold!" Aomine hissed not paying anyone around him any attention. All he cared about was right in his arms. "And water."
He lay Emiyo down on the bed while safely securing the towel around her and kneeling on her bedside. He would be damned if he let anybody see her exposed like that. Especially in the helpless state she was in.
"Here, Aomine-kun." Kuroko said while handing Aomine the blue towel that had previously been draped over his eyes. Aomine immediately accepted it, while Aida was growing more and more frantic by the behaviour of the Miracle.
"She needs medical help!" Aida said once again, louder this time.
"Call that baka." Aomine ordered. "He will know what to do."
"Who do you mean, Dai-chan?" Momoi asked looking at her childhood best friend in confusion, but Aomine didn't reply. He was pressing the cold towel against Emiyos face while his worries increased.
"I think he means Midorima-kun." Kuroko said calmly, while his eyes showed that he was anything other than calm. He had gotten out his phone and dialled Midorimas number, while walking out of the room. It was best that the other Miracle didn't find out why he was called.
"What happened?" Kagami was asking meanwhile inside of the room.
"She was too long in the water!" Aida said. "And I think she didn't drink enough water today as well. And keep in mind her body must be exhausted."
Kagami shot Aida an alarmed look, but neither of the Tōō students had paid them close enough attention to question Aidas statement.
Aomine was cursing under his breath, while stroking Emiyos hair. How could she be so damn reckless and what was taking Kuroko so long? Just then, the door was opened again and Kuroko slipped back in.
"He said we need to keep her in a cool area and lay her down. And when she's conscious she needs to drink water. And wetting her skin is also helpful."
Aomine nodded, while already doing mostly what Midorima had advised them to do.
"Did he question your call?" Kagami asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
"He did." Kuroko admitted. "But I was able to convince him that it didn't concern Emiyo or anyone from Seirin."
"Good." Kagami said, while hovering over Aomine and clearly keeping an eye on him. It was no surprise that Kagami didn't trust Aomine with Emiyo.
"She needs peace." Aomine hissed. "You all leave."
"Absolutely not!" Kagami said loudly, which resulted in him getting hit by Aida for causing such a ruckus.
"Aomine-kun is right." Aida said. "But I'm the one staying with her."
This immediately resulted into an argument, where every single one of the people present argued why they should be the ones to stay.
"How about this." Kuroko said calmly and he immediately had the attention of everybody in the room. "I stay together with Aomine-kun. So, someone from Seirin is here."
"Why should that baka stay?" Kagami asked immediately.
"Because..." Kuroko said loudly when he saw that Aomine was about to speak up. "He won't leave her side anyway."
Kagami looked at his shadow in disbelieve.
"We all want her to get better." Kuroko said calmly. "So, we should focus on that and not spending our time and energy fighting. Her recovery is important, nothing else matters for now."
"Tetsu-kun is right." Momoi said giving Kuroko a soft and admiring smile. "I will be waiting outside."
She was the first to leave, followed by Aida who had a firm hold on Kagamis arm.
"I will be waiting outside too!" Kagami said looking directly at his shadow. "Tell me when she's awake."
Kuroko nodded and the door closed behind them. Aomine hadn't looked at them. He was still stroking Emiyos hair, while wetting her face with the blue towel.
"I will put fresh water on it." Kuroko said while holding out his hand. Aomine nodded while placing the towel in his hand. His eyes were still not leaving Emiyo's face. Not even when the towel was handed back to him. Kuroko took a seat on the head of the bed and he was eyeing his former light with curiosity. It was the first time they were alone together and Aomine was showing some kind of emotions, looking almost like his former self.
"You care about her." Kuroko stated but his tone wasn't kind. No. If anything it sounded nothing like himself. Aomine noticed too because he looked up for the first time and right into his former shadows' light blue eyes.
"You know I do." Aomine said in confusion.
"You hurt her very much." Kuroko said and Aomine finally understood why Kuroko sounded so angry. He was protecting her. From him.
"I know I did, Tetsu." Aomine said and he averted his eyes.
"I don't think you do." Kuroko said his voice firm. "I don't think just how much you hurt her."
"Then tell me." Aomine said. "Come on tell me."
"After you broke up with her, Emiyo came back to her apartment frozen. She had been out in the rain for such a long time that she was hypothermic. If I and the rest of the people that still cared about her at that point, wouldn't have been there, it could have become fatal. After that, she was a shell of her former self. I didn't even know if you realised in just how much pain she was in. And then you all hurt her even further by what you did that day of the Finals. When she came back from France, she couldn't face you. None of you. Because she was just too hurt and didn't know if she could handle any more. And you caused that. You and everyone else."
Kuroko was giving his former light a hard look.
"So, you can't blame me for asking that one question. Especially now that she is slowly finding her way back to her former self." Kuroko said and Aomine was bracing himself for it. "Are you planning to get back in her life only to leave her again?"
Aomine couldn't look at his former best friend. Kuroko had always been honest with him, to a point it sometimes annoyed Aomine to no end. But he had never hated his honesty more, because it was once again proof that he didn't deserve forgiveness. Not for what he had done to the one person that had meant more than anything to him.
"I'm not back in her life, Tetsu." Aomine said, his dark blue eyes taking in every inch of her face. "I know I am a monster. There is no need for you to tell me. I don't deserve her. And I certainly don't deserve her forgiveness. Especially when I can't forgive myself."
"That's not what I meant." Kuroko said calmly and much kinder this time. "I just want to make sure you don't leave her again."
"As I said, I'm not even back in her life so you don't have to worry."
"One day you will be." Kuroko said and Aomine looked up at him, a hard look on his face.
"That only happens if someone beats me. And this won't happen, Tetsu. The only one who can beat me is me."
Kuroko sighed.
"Sometimes you can be really stupid, Aomine-kun."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Aomine asked glaring at Kuroko.
"We both know how you feel about her." Kuroko began.
"Oh yeah?" Aomine asked. "And how do I feel about her?"
"You love her." Kuroko said calmly. Aomine simply starred at him open mouthed. Aomine didn't say anything but for Kuroko that was answer enough. "I don't understand how you can just accept the fact that you won't be in her life ever again, seeing you're so convinced that no one can beat you. Because you clearly are, so in your mind, you must have accepted the fact that you will never be in her life again. That's why I said you're stupid."
"I accepted it because it's what's best for her." Aomine muttered.
"Best for her or easiest for you?" Kuroko asked, his eyes glinting challengingly. At this Aomine managed a small smile, although it was a rather bitter one.
"I'm glad she has at least you. She is in good hands."
"I'm not the only one she has." Kuroko said immediately, closely observing for any sort of reaction on Aomines side." She has Kagami-kun, Kiyoshi-senpai and the rest of Seirin. She has Kise-kun, Midorima-kun and let's not forget Momoi-san. She has a lot of people and there will be more to come."
Aomine scoffed bitterly when the other two Miracles were mentioned, but otherwise his face was a mask. His attention was once again on the person in front of him, when she slowly began to move.
"Well." Aomine said standing up. "Keep an eye on her for me Tetsu. And if you have anything to say to me, say it on court. I will be there waiting for you, Tetsu."
And before Emiyo had regained full consciousness and awareness for her surroundings, Aomine had left the room.
xXx
I blinked. Once and then twice, before I realised, I was in an unknown room. I moved my head to the side only to look into the relieved faces of Kuroko, Kagami and Aida.
"What happened?" I asked hoarsely, while I accepted the glass of water Kuroko was handing me.
"What happened?" Aida shrieked. "You collapsed you baka!"
"Oh." I said, my eyes widening before smiling at her apologetically.
"Do you know how concerned I was?" Aida continued loudly and giving me a very reproachful look.
"You really scared us." Kagami said and I could see in his eyes how worried he was.
"Did you hear?" I asked instead. "Aomine is our first opponent."
"That's the first thing you have to say?" Kagami asked before he began to laugh. "And you were the one telling me I should sort my priorities."
I chuckled, before Kuroko urged me to drink more water. I did so, before I noticed what I was wearing. Or more precisely what was covering me.
"Ehm…" I began hesitating for a moment, debating whether or not I wanted to know what had happened after I collapsed. "How did I get here?"
"That baka went in and got you out." Kagami said, an annoyed look on his face, while glancing at the door.
"Who?" I asked, not immediately understanding who Kagami meant with baka, seeing as he practically called everyone a baka.
"Aomine-kun." Kuroko said calmly. I immediately looked for him but he wasn't in the room. Nor was Momoi. Kuroko having guessed what was going on inside my head, spoke up once more. "He refused to leave your side until you started stirring."
"And he refused to let any one of us near you." Kagami said highly annoyed.
"Honestly, he was very rude." Aida pitched in.
"I see." I said not knowing what I should think off his behaviour. I was understanding him a bit better since that night he had shown up at my apartment and a part of me understood why he left before I awoke, but another part of me was disappointed he had.
"Anyway." I said trying to make light of the situation. "Could you please bring me my clothes Aida-san?"
Kagamis eyes left my face and trailed over my body before his face flushed red. Kuroko didn't react at all. If anything, I still felt his eyes on me as if checking if I was really okay. And I was. My head was feeling heavy but other than that, I was feeling loads better.
"Sure." Aida said while shooting me one last reproachful look and leaving the room.
"Everything alright Taiga?" I asked having a hard time keeping a straight face. Kagami glared at me.
"Peachy." He replied and I began to laugh, while Kagami rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in front of him, clearly pouting.
"Thank you for looking after me." I said giving the two of them a soft smile.
"Of course." Kuroko said.
"No need to thank us." Kagami said at the same time, even though he was still pouting.
"Are you guys ready for tomorrow?" I asked. "Our second training camp will start."
"About that…" Kagami began. "I won't be going."
"Excuse me?" I asked. "What do you mean you're not going?"
Kuroko looked confused as well, but Kagami didn't have the chance to answer, because Aida entered back into the room and ushered them out so I could change in peace. But once I was fully dressed, I had ordered Kagami back inside the room. He had some explaining to do.
"There is someone in the States, that taught me how to play basketball." Kagami began.
"Besides Himuro?" I asked and Kagami nodded.
"Hai." He said. "Alex is my master and I decided to return for a short while in order for her to coach me. It will make me stronger and prepare me for the tournament. Seirin has an exchange program with a high school in L.A and I applied for it. Well, I got my confirmation only a day ago."
"Does coach know?" I asked. Kagami nodded.
"I had to ask her for permission." Kagami said. "Captain knows as well."
"I see." I said. "Well, I will miss you, Taiga."
"It's not for forever." Kagami said immediately, rolling his eyes but a small smile was gracing his lips. "It's only till the start of the Winter Cup."
"I will still miss you." I said giving him a teasing smile and highly enjoying getting on his nerves. We both turned to look at Kuroko, who looked thoughtful, before he spoke up.
"If it helps you get stronger, than we will naturally support you." Kuroko said. "But Emiyo is right. You will be missed."
Kagami groaned.
"Are you two trying to embarrass me?" Kagami asked loudly pointing accusingly between the two of us.
"What?" I asked acting highly offended. "We would never."
"How can you ask such a thing, Kagami-kun." Kuroko asked, his face not giving anything away if he was joking or not. Kagami looked taken aback and then he almost looked like he was too overwhelmed to deal with this situation, between Kuroko and I broke into laughter. Kagami immediately glared at us, while cursing us out.
"We will really miss you, Taiga." I said. "Come back fast, won't you?"
"Of course, I will." Kagami said rolling his eyes. "I will be back before you know it."