A/N:
Hi everyone!
So I just realized that it has been a year since I started this fic, and WOW time flew fast.
I know that the romance is slow, but there are some details and developments that I don't want to rush. Sorry T-T
But! Don't worry, there will be more action in the next chapters ;)
Thus, I'm really really thankful to all of you, who are reading this fic very patiently ;A; To those who were following this fic since last year, thank you for staying! And of course, to those who are new here, thank you!
I hope I made your hearts flutter with this story, and please do enjoy the rest of the story~
I luv y'all :)
Okay, okay, enough of the drama (lol) and let's get started!
"Yo. Sorry, I fell asleep."
It was already the nth time she has read that same message on her phone, as she was seating on one corner of a studio – trying to make her presence as low as possible and hoping that she wasn't bothering any of the people who were scurrying around her.
Initially, Tsumiko didn't think much of the text Nijimura had sent her the morning of the day they left the villa, because Akashi had done the same thing,
"Good morning. I apologize for the late response, as I have already fallen asleep last night."
However, feeling out of place in a room of lights and cameras, she could only busy herself with her phone, and after repeatedly reading the last message she had received from her crush a few days ago, she was starting to speculate that he was acting a little odd again. Playing with the fibers of her tattered jeans, she recalled that they didn't really talk that morning.
But then again, maybe her current situation in this photo-shoot was just causing her to be more anxious and to overthink –
"Model ready?"
She stopped on her thoughts when a familiar cheery voice replied, "Yes, I'm coming!"
A blonde then emerged from the dressing room and rushed to the middle of the set.
As soon as she saw Kise Ryouta, made up and wearing a red and black training wear, she held back a breath.
He seemed familiar but then at the same time, she felt like she was meeting him for the first time.
Maybe it's because it's been quite some time since she last saw him and earlier, his manager was the one who accompanied her here, while he was getting prepped up – or maybe, it was because of one thing she couldn't deny anymore.
He was stunning.
He really looked like a model – heck, he was a rookie model – and the fact that she was now witnessing an actual photo-shoot for the first time was starting to sink in.
Was she fan-girling?
Yes.
Yes, she was.
But, he didn't need to know that.
Therefore, when Kise found her, she casually – more like, awkwardly lifted her arm and gestured a good luck, which was returned by a beam from him.
For the rest of the shoot, she watched him do multiple poses and adjust his poses depending on the instructions given. Despite being relatively new in the industry, she noted that he was a fast learner, because by the time of the third and last sporty outfit, he appeared to be more confident with his poses, and the staff were visibly satisfied.
When the shoot ended, Kise first thanked the staff, who praised him, before approaching her.
Shiny light orbs met her dark ones, "Hey! How was it?"
"Congratulations, Kise-san", she chirped, but after seeing him prettier up-close, she started feeling bashful and even smaller. Looking away from him and around the studio, she continued, "I still can't believe I just saw a photo-shoot. Thank you for this."
"Uh, yeah. Now I don't owe you anything anymore", the blonde chuckled, but for some reason it sounded a little strained. To be fair, she had also became aware that she was being uneasy herself.
Good thing, Kise's manager went near them and prompted the model to change his clothes.
Sitting on the couch inside the dressing room, she quietly waited for said model to finish changing into his own clothes, while his manager sat at the other end of the couch, probably doing some managerial things on his phone. When Kise was done, he sat on the chair in front of the mirror and across the couch.
.
.
.
The two first years just blinked at each other, and that's when they both realized that they have nothing to talk about. Because they didn't know much about each other, Tsumiko thought of a thing she was curious about.
"I was just wondering how did you get into modeling?"
At the sound of her voice breaking the silence, she saw him sit straight – in contrast to his unwavering glowing and carefree character.
"My older sister. She's taking up media design, so she knows some people in the industry."
"I see. I didn't know you had a sister."
"Sisters actually. The other one's a first year high school student."
"Oh, just like my brother."
"Ahh."
.
'What is this?', she mused, while maintaining a composed facade in such a painfully awkward atmosphere.
.
"You really looked like an athlete earlier. Do you play any sports?"
"Yeah, I played some before, but now I'm into baseball."
"Are you in the Teikou baseball club?"
"Nope."
"Oh."
.
'Is this an interview? Am I a reporter?' were the thoughts running in her mind, until he canceled them by doing the asking, at last.
.
"By the way, congrats to you and the basketball team again! How was the camp?"
"Thank you. Being an actual coach, I felt more pressured. It was tiring, but fun."
"Hmm, wait – actual coach?"
"You could say I got promoted because I passed the final test, which was to win the Nationals. But of course, my training is continuous."
"Coach Irosuzuka?"
"Please, there's no need for the 'coach'".
"Okay."
.
'Someone, please save us', she wished.
.
"Ryouta-kun, your sister said that she's done, and she's already on her way here."
.
'Thank you manager-san!'
.
Once the manager spoke, she noticed that there was a brief alarmed look in Kise's pretty face, before he rose to his feet, "Ah, Irosuzuka-san, sorry but my sister could be very curious sometimes, so it might be better if you don't meet her."
Seeing this as an opportunity to escape, she ignored the more formal honorific he just used and stood up and bowed at both of the males, "Is that so? It's getting late anyways, I shall be going."
"I'll accompany you to the ground floor."
Caught off guard with his out-of-character-demeanor, she courteously declined, "You don't need to –"
"Its's okay."
"Uh, if you insist."
The trip to the ground floor was stiff and wordless. When they reached the lobby of the building – which she recognized as the same building she had visited last spring, along with her brother, Nijimura, and the rest of the starting players of last year – the blonde was the first to speak, this time.
"Sorry, I can't go with you to the station."
"No. I understand. I better get going now. I'm really grateful, Kise-san."
"Sure, you can watch again next time."
.
.
.
"Or not."
.
.
.
Golden and opal eyes widened when both owners realized that they just spoke their mind out loud and that their voices just chorused.
Relieved that they share the same sentiment, they both dropped their shoulders and loudly sighed.
Tsumiko was already happy to see a photo-shoot live, but seeing how her experience was, she believed that once was enough and that she would't want to do this again – or at the very least, for now.
Staying out of the way of the people about to use the elevators, she moved to the side and gestured him to follow suit, as she spilled her suspicions, "You're not really allowed to bring someone in the shoot, right?"
"A girl, yeah. My manager kinda didn't know until I remembered to tell him this morning."
Before she could even retort, he already had an explanation prepared, "But I promised that this is the first and last – at least for now, because, you know, I just started modeling."
As if he just remembered something important, he gripped his hair then pointed at her unbelievably, "But wait how 'bout you? You're now a coach? And your family's like really rich, right?"
Not really expecting and appreciating that kind of reaction from him, she furrowed her brows at him, "How'd you know about that last one?"
"Um...well, my manager did some research", he admitted, while lowering both his arms and the tone of his voice.
With this, she had placed the pieces together, "So that's why you were being more polite than usual."
"Huh? N-no! You're the one who's so polite and formal."
"I've always been like this. You're the one acting strange."
"You're the one acting strange! Being shy and all. Like you're a fan or something."
"W-what? I'm not a fan!"
"C'mon just admit that you're one, Irosuzuka-chan~"
"No way."
"You are-ssu~"
"No-ssu!"
"Yes-ssu~ You kept on watching me and you even took pictures-ssu~"
"O-of course! What was I supposed to do? Also, I took pictures of the shoot as a souvenir – wait, how'd you even know I took pictures? Maybe, you're the one who's watching me."
"Wha– I wasn't! I just – ", Kise paused then burst into laughter.
Not really ready to lose the argument, she crossed her arms, "Excuse me? What's funny?"
"This is better! This is how its supposed to be", he said in between laughters.
Having a hunch of what he meant, their silliness and childishness began to register in her brain. She compared it to their previous reserved and formal selves, and she couldn't stop herself in giggling, as well – partially blaming it on Kise and his contagious aura.
When they finally steadied their breaths, Tsumiko checked the time, then gave him one last smile, "I should really go now. See you at school."
"Still not a fan, though", she didn't forget to add, but afterwards, she tried to be a little more honest, "But I have to admit, you looked cool earlier."
The rookie model exaggeratedly clutched his chest, "Aww, I'm touched~", before shifting to his more genuine mode, "Bye-bye Irocchi!"
At her visible confusion, he automatically supplied, "I add -cchi to the people I respect."
She was still in the middle of processing, when she saw him dash towards the elevators and pressed the 'up' button. Once the full implication of his way of calling people settled in her mind, he was already inside the elevator and was playfully grinning at her.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? You only started respecting me, now?", she called him out, to which he just responded by teasingly waving at her, until the elevator doors closed.
As if that wasn't enough, she received a message from him, just a few minutes after.
"Don't get shy when you see me at school Iro-cchi~ Oh and send me the pictures you took! I know I look handsome in them. Thanks-ssu~"
On the way home, she browsed the photos and picked the best one to send.
"This is the only photo that had you."
It was a picture of Kise, in an awkward and cringe-worthy pose that obviously screamed amateur.
Summer break ended and school finally resumed. The first day was light, since it was meant for submitting and discussing homeworks done over the break, and for catching up and sharing summer stories among friends. Tsumiko was feeling relatively relaxed, until her stress levels shot up abruptly when her dark-haired friend blurted out,
"Nijimura Shuuzo!"
"Mizuki-chan!", Tsumiko shushed, as she surveyed the classroom. Thankfully, it was lunch break, so both Akashi and Midorima were probably playing shogi, and there were only a few people inside the room, who seem to be engrossed in their own bubbles.
"Complete name? Wow", Chitose remarked, appearing to also be shocked at their friend's knowledge, when Tsumiko only told them 'captain', while she was finally revealing who her crush was.
Mizuki shrugged, "Kogure-kun kept on talking about how 'awesome Captain Nijimura is' ever since the nationals, so of course I'd remember his name."
"Oh, so you two met a lot during the break?"
At the brown-haired girl's teasing, the black-haired one confidently answered, "We're neighbors", before retaliating, "How 'bout you, Chi-chan? Haven't met anyone over the break? Hmm?"
"No one."
Chitose's reply came too quick that Tsumiko started doubting, but before she could ask, Mizuki swiftly brought back the focus to her.
"Anyway, I can see why you like him, Irosuzuka-chan. So, do you think he likes you back?"
"Um, I don't think so."
After some hesitations, she voiced out her worries, "In fact, I think he's been avoiding me? We didn't really talk much ever since camp. Also earlier, he told Akashi-san to attend the student council meeting this Wednesday, instead of him. We were supposed to be the two representatives of the club for that meeting, but he said that Akashi-san was better than him at stuff like that. I mean, he has a point, but I just feel like there's more to it, or am I just overthinking?"
"Yup, maybe you're over –"
"No, she's not.", Mizuki cut Chitose off, then slowly laid her theory down.
"Maybe, he thinks that you like Akashi-kun."
Tsumiko didn't get it. If what Mizuki said was true, why would the second-year even think about that? This theory has stuck in her mind that she just disturbingly stared at Momoi's eyes when the latter asked her the following morning at practice, "Iro-chan, what do you think about Aomine-kun?"
'Aomine-san? Not only Akashi-san, but also Aomine-san! Oh no, who else?', were her panicked thoughts.
Meanwhile, pink eyes began to turn worrisome.
"Sorry for surprising you with my randomness! But, it's just that Micchan and Acchan seem to have a crush on him. I don't get it. He's just a basketball junkie."
Blinking, the dark-eyed girl recalled two of the team managers from the nicknames, "Ahh, Arai-san and Kikuchi-san, right?"
At the pinkette manager's confirmation, the young coach finally loosened her shoulders, went back to watching the practice match, and gave an answer, "Well, aside from being really good in basketball, he's really passionate, so maybe that's what makes him attractive. Just seeing him smile and enjoy what he does could make anyone admire him, I guess"– not forgetting to take note of Aomine's incredible footwork, which she would try to strengthen even more soon.
"Seeing him happy makes me happy too. Maybe I've been with him too long, I just can't see what they see in that idiot."
Tsumiko let out a fond smile at her friend, who had her brows creased while following the tan boy on court. This serenity, however, only lasted for a while because her friend had one more question.
"Anyway, how about Akashi-kun?"
Getting tense once again, her gaze instantly darted to the two figures – who were also observing the practice match at the opposite side of the gym, – as Momoi continued, "They're calling him 'Akashi-sama' now, you know. I know he's already vice-captain and stuff, but '-sama', really?"
Focusing on her job, dark orbs shifted from black and red to green, as Midorima prepared to make a shot.
With a calm tone, she replied, "That's not so surprising, and '-sama' does suit him. I'm sure anyone would like him", only for her to be defensive, when she immediately realized what she had said, "Except me! I mean...just not in that manner."
Just to make sure, she casted a glance towards the captain, before turning to her side and meeting puzzled pink lenses, which shortly turned into knowing ones, "Since you only have eyes on Nijimura-senpai, right?"
Still wary, she just absentmindedly nodded until she became aware and embarrassed at her own response, "Wait! Please, that's so cheesy!"
"Nice block, Murasakibara", she heard someone say, causing her to turn towards the court again.
Frustrated at failing to see Murasakibara's block, she tried to ignore Momoi's giggles and let her attention be on Haizaki, who was currently driving towards the basket. Despite this, she still heard the girl beside her say,
"Ah, I want to like someone too."
"I like someone!"
"Pardon?"
It was early in the morning, and Tsumiko just got to the gym, so she wasn't sure if she had heard right. Most importantly, though, it was literally just a day since they talked.
"I think it's fate! You see, I still don't know his name and for some reason, I can't find much information about him, except that he's also from Teikou, but that's okay! I decided that I will not try to search anymore. I believe that fate would let us meet again soon!"
"Okay. But, what made you like this person?", she asked, as she tied her silver tresses up in a ponytail.
"This!"
A winning popsicle stick.
"He gave me this yesterday! Romantic, right?"
"Uh, maybe?"
At her uncertainty, the manager reminded her, "Oh come on,captain gave one to you too before! That's why you have the key-chain on your phone, right?"
Remembering that moment and hearing the gym get noisier because of more first-string members arriving, she shyly said,"Well yeah, but we just claimed it together."
"And I'm not gonna claim the prize. I'll keep this stick forever~"
Skeptic, she worriedly faced the taller female, "No offense, Momoi-chan, but are you really sure you like him?"
The peach-haired girl's radiant expression mellowed a bit, "I know it's sudden and weird, but I think I do. He's mysterious, but somehow, I feel like he's a good person, and that he's different."
Scanning the gym, the young coach first announced, "To those who just arrived, please start stretching. Warm-up begins in 10 minutes!", before showing her friend her support.
"Then, I'll trust your womanly instincts. I hope you see him again soon, and I look forward to meeting him, as well."
Later that day, after classes ended, both Tsumiko and Akashi attended the student council meeting. She was thankful that Mizuki, who was representing the entrepreneurship club, was seated beside her during the meeting because honestly, she started to feel a little awkward with her red-haired classmate ever since Mizuki's theory. It didn't really help that the same girl was teasing her from time to time during the meeting. Fortunately, the boy on her right appeared to be absorbed in the concerns being tackled by the council, as he remained silent all throughout the meeting.
However, now that she had thought about it, the vice-captain has been a little too quiet lately – as if he was contemplating about something.
As she walked next to him towards the gym, she noticed his distant gaze, and she couldn't help but be bothered.
"Are you sure you don't have any questions to the council?"
No response.
She tried again, "Akashi-san?"
Without delay this time, the redhead turned towards her and it amazed her how he had actually managed to hear her question, as he answered, "They simply discussed the usual matters. Thus, there really is nothing for me to clarify or inquire about. Unless, you have something in mind?"
She shook her head then explained, "I just thought that maybe you had questions, since you seem to be preoccupied by something."
He faced forward and slightly raised the corners of his mouth, "Midorima had told me something similar", and soon after, he became more pensive, as he spoke, "I have just come to a conclusion that our team would unmistakably be a lot better and more invincible if we had a sixth man that could allow our team to change the pace and momentum whenever necessary."
"Wouldn't you agree?"
While he asked, she found ruby lens staring at her – leading her to avert her opal ones and ponder about what he just stated, "A sixth man. I see, that is a great point, but who?"
.
.
.
"Stop joking, Satsuki. You sure are obsessed with aliens and ghosts, huh?"
Both silver and red heads sprung towards the direction of the familiar voice and nickname, causing them to pause just before the gym's entrance.
"But it's true! Noises of a ball can be heard in the third string gym."
"A ghost that plays basketball? Now, that's a fucking cool ghost – except it's not real. Bye, Satsuki."
"Mou Aomine-kun~ Make it fast! When the others finish their drills, you guys will be playing a practice match – Oh! And a peach soda for me please."
"Irosuzuka, let's go?"
Distracted by the pair at the side of the gym, she didn't notice that the vice-captain was already inside the gym, and was holding out the door for her.
"Ah, sorry, I just got curious about that ghost rumor", she sheepishly entered the gym, then thanked him.
"I wonder if that ghost is interested in being the sixth man."
.
.
.
"Eh? Pardon me, but was that a joke?"
No response.
She just stood at her spot, as he silently walked towards the locker rooms.
She swore she had seen a faint smile on his face when he had uttered what she believed to be a joke, and this time, she was sure that he had heard her question.
"The ghost was indeed interested."
"Excuse me?"
Tsumiko seriously needed some context right now.
A week has passed since the usually serious Akashi cracked a joke (she's still convinced it was a joke, albeit a rather unfunny one – but he didn't need to know that). Moreover, she was just starting to be more comfortable around him again, after assuring herself that Mizuki's theory was foolish – despite the fact that Nijimura was still acting a little distant. Lastly, they were currently playing shogi, so her head was beginning to hurt.
"I found a potential sixth man. I had already informed the captain and Coach Sanada about it earlier. However, we still need to wait for three months to see results."
With her mind having a hard time following, she requested for a clarification, "By ghost, do you mean the ghost of the third-string gym?"
"Indeed. I, along with Midorima and Murasakibara, happened to meet him yesterday. Apparently, he's a third-string member and he was merely practicing beyond club hours. According to Aomine, he had met him last week, and started practicing with him."
It was still her turn, and she surveyed the shogi board, as she made sense of what he just informed her, "Maybe that's why Momoi-chan mentioned that Aomine-san appeared to be more lively lately, saying that he had met someone who loves basketball a lot, as well."
Since she couldn't find the right move, she decided to concentrate on the conversation first, "Wait, if he's a third-string member, then I might know him."
"Certainly. He's hardworking but strangely, it doesn't show in his skills. What's even more peculiar and interesting about him is his minimal presence or should I say, the lack thereof."
At every description, she could gradually feel her aching mind get blown away. Simultaneously, with the help of her last working brain cells, she saw his face grow more amused by the second, especially when he ultimately dropped the ghost's name.
"Kuroko Tetsuya."
A/N:
The team finally met Kuroko! Tsumiko also finally "gained" Kise's '-cchi'! (lol)
But, what do you think is up with our captain? Do you agree with Mizuki's theory? Or do you have any theories? I'd like to hear them~
Anyway!
As a celebration for this fic's one year anniversary, I'll be writing some fluff drabbles for the Top Three most requested characters among the GOM, Nijimura, Momoi, and Kagami. Yay!
Please visit my profile to view the poll. The cut-off for votes will be on December 15, 2019 - 11:59 PM JST [Japan Standard Time] ('coz knb is set in Japan lol), so go ahead and vote for your faves. Thanks :)
