K: just a note… this chapter comes after book 14 where Akane gets an accident, and changes from team… So, it starts where book 14 ends, at the match between Hitonari's team, and Akane's team…

Oh yes, and another thing… I really hated it that Yamazaki and Kanemoto left, so, they're still at the team of Kouzu…:) Hope you don't mind…

Chap 5: Finally

Years have passed by, and finally, finally I'm going to see you again.

I almost can't believe it… We're standing on the same field again. Adversaries today, partners in the past… Actually, I don't care how. As long as you are able to play…

Ha, you still have that same smirk plastered on your face. You haven't changed a bit… As long as you can play basket you're happy. And when you win, it's even better…

But I hope you don't really believe you're gonna be able to win against us… We might be your old team, and you might know us quit well, but you won't be able to beat us…

No one can beat us… And you know that, don't you… Cause it is what you always said. No-one can beat Kouzu! And it is right. No-one can… Not even you.

You can't believe how happy I am to see you back on the field. To see that confident smirk back on your face. I had truly doubted I would ever see it again…

Anyway, let's play…


We won. Told you you wouldn't be able to beat us. We haven't changed Akane… We only became better. As a team we became stronger. But still there is one thing missing that would make us the best. You know what I mean, right? You know what I'm talking about.

You're smirking. Lost and still smirking. That is not like you… Whenever we lost you would be pissed off…

I see you change looks with Minefuji… What is going on? What are you two up to?

You turn to look at me. A small smile graces your lips. Lips I longed to kiss for two years and a half…And that smile, that unique smile. For me, me alone…

I smile back, and I'm sure, that even on this distance, you can see the love in my eyes.

"Hiiragi, come on…"

I nod, my eyes still fixed on the guy before me. The one who stole my heart. "Yeah, I'm coming Yama…"

I take a last look at you, before I follow my team outside.


Next day on training.

"You did very well yesterday guys. It was a great match. You all gave yourself 100, no even 500… I'm proud of you!"

We smile, a compliment from Minefuji isn't easily earned.

"And, I got some news for you…

There is gonna be a new player in this team."

She takes a look around. All of us have a surprised look on our face. Shocked. Our team is perfect like this, we need nobody else, beside, if somebody joins us, it may only be one person. The one whose place is beside us, the one who belongs here, the one we're all waiting for… And now she decided to take an other player, without asking us first…

She smiles.

"I knew you would react like this.

Well, just give it a chance…"

Suddenly the door opens. We all look aside at the same time. And our eyes open wide.

Confident smirk on place, you stand there. Arms crossed. Guiding us to say something. But we can't. To shocked, to happy to see you back.

But… how…?

You enter, completely dressed to play.

"What? Not happy to see me again?" You mock softly.

Yama is the first one to speak.

"Of course we are, we just didn't expect it would be you walking through that door… But it is wonderful to have you back here!"

You smile.

"We missed you Tachibana. You and your ATCHOO"

We all laugh. Our surprise turned into happiness. Now we are complete again. Now we are back, and no one is ever gonna beat us… So much is for sure. This team is unbeatable…

"So, when is decided that you would come back? At the match yesterday, it didn't seem you were going to leave that team…"

You smile. "Well Kanemoto, actually this was decided already a month ago… When Minefuji got the calendar of the matches."

Now we're all looking questioningly at our trainer.

And the only thing she does is smile and pull up her shoulders.

You're laughing softly. "When she saw that your third match, was against us, she asked me if I wanted to return after that match. And first play a game against you. For fun, and to see if you could handle it. Seems you could, and seems you actually don't need me…" Your smile telling us you didn't mean that last one.

"Welcome back."

You nod.

"It's good to be back Harumoto."

"Enough chatting. Time for training now. Start running guys…"

We grunt, but do as she says.


We're walking back home. The silence getting on my nerves. There is so much that I want to say, ask…

We reach the park. Old memories reappearing. How many times haven't we walked here, in a perfect silence, hand in hand.

Without me realizing it, my fingers softly touch yours. Yours automatically closing themselves around mine. Like years ago.

I sigh softly. And I feel you're looking at me. A bit worried.

"And now? What's going to happen now?"

You shake your head. "What do you mean?"

I turn and look at you. "What about us? Could we start again?"

You smile softly.

"Start again? There is no need to start again…"

I can just stare at you. Shocked, not believing my ears.

"We don't have to, 'cause nothing has ever ended. We never broke up, remember…"

You bent forwards and kiss me softly on my lips. I close my eyes, enjoying your touch, realising how much I actually missed it.

You look at me, your eyes telling me you feel just the same…

I let my head rest on your shoulder and you wrap your arms around me, pulling me closer.

"I missed you…"

I softly kiss your neck, feeling you shiver slightly. Enjoying this moment of pure happiness.

Wishing it would never end. Wishing you'd never leave me again.

Wanting that this moment could last forever. Wanting to stay in your arms.

Because that is where I belong…

The end

K: So, it came to an end… Please, tell me what you think of it… I'm really dying to get some reviews…