Disclaimers: The characters do not belong to me but InoueTakehiko, etc

A/N: I wrote this while I was bored and felt like weird. I always wondered why Akagi must be with Uozumi. That and I thought, Kogure and Akagi would make a lovely couple

By My Side

I clapped my hands, "Quick."

I turned to Kogure who ran beside me stride for stride. I'm aware that he has to compensate for the height difference, by moving at a quicker pace.

He's always been by me, since the beginning, 3 years ago. Even when all the others given up and refuse to believe that we could make it to IH, he didn't lost hope in our team. And now our dream may come true.

We always made a good team, on or off court. On court he always seems to know what I was thinking and was able to assist me. I don't think he gets the credit he deserves, but then again maybe he doesn't want to be in the spotlight. He's too modest for that. Off court we made a good team too, maybe because of our difference. For some reason we always appear to be playing good cop, bad cop. I'm, of course, the bad cop because there is no way Kogure could ever play the role of bad cop. He's sweet, considerate, kind, and easygoing. I believe he's the thing that holds this team together. He plays the role of the negotiator. I don't know where I'd be without him.

You can tell he's patient and an amazing person by the way he treats Sakuragi. Speaking of which just ran pass us. That idiot! All I want to do is yell at him and bop him senseless.

How did we get together?

Oh, right it was after Mitsui left two years ago and the team lost hope. The others refuse to prolong practise but he stayed and trained with me. That was how it began with the two of us training together. Him helping me with my free throws, which I'll forever be grateful for. Then our relationship proceeded off the court, to those late night study sessions. Those sleepovers at his house.

We got together November 17. Which reminds me it's 2 days till our anniversary. I got to think of a gift for him.

Why that day? We lost the chance of representing our district the day before and when I showed up at his house to study he asked me if I was ok. I told him I was as ok as he was. No words needed to be exchange as we held and comforted each other. That was how it began and we've been together ever since.

He turned to me and smiled.

I clapped, "Slow."

'No, matter what, we'll be there for each other,' I decided slowing down my pace and taking smaller strides to keep my steps in sync with his.

The End

A/N: So what do you think? Is it any good? Flames welcome. I'm thinking about writing a MitAka one. Is that too outrageous? L