Disclaimer: Stuff not mine, please read chapter 1. The story is placed 15 years in the future to make Miki Shin'ichiro's marriage work. Urrr….I say too much right now……okay! No more spoilers!
NOTE: Okay, sorry but the chapters for this story vary in length. This one is kinda short but necessary for introduction of the new character.
**Like the flames I lost you to, sadness overwhelms me, too
The rain sends shivers down my spine and seeps into my memories**
"Hey Shurman!" Gun hustled over to where the point guard was toweling off. The bright and happy senior took off his glasses to wipe away the condensation from his practice. It was hard work for the Johnan basketball team even during practice.
"Hm?"
Gun pointed to a figure at the end of the court, putting equipment away into an electronics box.
"Who's that? We've never had people watch our regular practices before," he said almost accusingly. Shurman shrugged, as clueless as the point guard. The figure, finished packing up their stuff, seemed to hesitate as if wondering whether or not to leave, then turned and walked out of the gym, only turning back their head towards the team as they stepped past the double doors.
As the team members toweled off and changed into their own casual clothes, Shurman called out to the forward, Sumisugu Kobayashi as the quiet man was about to leave the locker room.
"Kobayashi! I want to go over yesterday night's game points for Kenyoha High's game with you. Is that alright?" The blond-haired man nodded, put his Adidas duffel bag down and retied his short pony-tail. The rest of the team waved and voiced their goodbyes as well as sympathies to Kobayashi towards the tedious task ahead as they all made their way out of the locker room. Shurman brought his notes over. For nearby competing high schools, members of the Johnan team took turns going to their games and taking notes on other team's methods and skills. Shurman had been responsible for Kenyoha's against Bakura High last night. The two wingman for Johnan sat down and went over the notes for the game as Shurman pointed out discrepancies in the playing style and the moves that they should take into consideration. After fifteen minutes Shurman slapped the notebook closed.
"Alright, that's all for today then. Umakure will want to read this later." Shurman said. Kobayashi frowned and leaning forward, rested his head in one of his hands, with the other crossed on his stomach.
"We should work harder on Man-to-Man Defense. Our number one problem is the same as Kenyoha's, being that the flow still doesn't work," he voiced. Shurman nodded and placed the book on the shelf in the locker room. The two grabbed their bags and walked out together still talking about the changes needed in the team's one-on-one points and lacking aspects.
"Oh!" A figure suddenly was in front of the two, stumbling right into Kobayashi. He grabbed and pulled the person in to keep from falling as well.
It was the girl that Shurman had seen earlier, with her equipment bag still swinging on her shoulder. Kobayashi starred at her evergreen eyes, shadowed by long choppy bangs that bordered her face in wisps and wondered if she was Japanese.
"Are you okay?" Shurman's voice woke Kobayashi and he hurriedly snatched his arms back, letting go of the girl. He blushed and looked bewildered down at his basketball shoes, only then realizing he had forgotten to change them.
The girl ran one hand into her bangs, pushing them back. She was a little surprised but coughing tried to hide the light tinge across her cheeks.
"I'm fine." Her Japanese was perfect. "Umm….I'm Kyo Miki. I'm sorry, but I'm actually here to ask a favor…"She looked embarrassed and her fingers unconsciously pulled her long ponytail forward.
"I work on photography and I was wondering if it would be okay for me to create a photo album project on the Johnan Team. It'll be my first professional publication." She shifted her bag and bit her lip, looking at the two players who seemed caught off-guard by the bizarre request.
Shurman scratched his head and smiled.
"A photo album? Like a book of memoirs?"
She nodded.
"Yes. I'd supply all of you with a copy of course but I was also hoping to interview some of the players, get some insight on the team as well as get photos during practice, at the games, and even on the street."
Shurman crossed his arms and leaned against the wall of the court.
"I think it's a great idea. Would you want to start soon?" He asked.
"ASAP, please," she said nodding.
"I have college prep class this week after school, but Kobayashi," Shurman said turning to the lean PF. "Could you possibly help out Kyo-Chan?"
Kobayashi's head shot up and with huge eyes that made it quite trademark friendly smile.
"Umm…" The blond raised his hand to the back of his neck, rubbing muscles sore from the earlier practice.
"Sure…I guess," he said quietly, trying to make the words come out. "Ummm…I have to work tonight though. Is tomorrow morning okay? I usually come in 4:30 to 5:00 for practice every other day anyways."
The girl nodded.
"Okay."
The trio separated, Shurman going to his prep school, Kobayashi heading off to pick up his package from the nearby sports-shop, and Kyo walking off in search of dinner.
Author's Note:
Sorry, kinda short, but I wanted to keep the chapters in their original form so it's easier to organize. Please R&R and I'll try to get another chapter up soon. While you're at it, why not read some of my short one-shots?