Amber sighed in relief as she approached the entrance to Kaijou High. She was worried she would get lost since she wasn't that familiar with taking public transport, but she had thankfully made it there with plenty of time to navigate the school grounds to search for Kise. She received his phone number from the modelling agency and texted him the previous night that she would meet him at his school, but he still hadn't read the message.
She frowned at her phone, contemplating whether she should try to call him as she walked into the school. The sports facilities were all top-notch and she made a mental note to snap a few pictures to show Akashi on her way back home. "Basketball gym…" she mumbled to herself as she read the signboards on the pathway, trying to find her way around.
"Ah, excuse me! Are you trying to find the basketball gym too?" Another female voice called from behind her. Amber turned around to find a brunette girl, slightly taller than her, with her fringe pinned up. Behind her was a group of tall guys, all wearing the same uniform with "Seirin High" stitched on the front.
"Yes! There are a lot of buildings around, so it's kind of confusing. Do you know the way?"
"Nah, we just got here too, so we're still figuring out where to go," the other girl said, gesturing at the team behind her to come closer to say hi, "We're here for a training practice with-"
"Amber?" A small voice behind the team interrupted Riko, making the coach jump. Kuroko pushed his way to the front of the group and Amber's eyes widened in surprise. "It is you," he smiled, "It's been a long time."
"Oh, I've missed you!" Amber squealed as she hugged him. "How have you been?" She chimed, propping her chin on his chest to look up at him.
Kuroko gladly returned the hug, loosely wrapping his arms around her waist. "I'm sorry, I got busy when I moved to Tokyo, and I couldn't write as often as I wanted to. This is my basketball team, and we're here for a practice match with Kaijou High."
"Ahh, I see!" She beamed as she let go of Kuroko, "Hi! It's a pleasure to meet you all! My name is Kuchiki Amber! I'm from Rakuzan High in Kyoto, and I was friends with Kuroko when we were in elementary school!"
"I'm their coach, Aida Riko; it's nice to meet you too, Kuchiki," Riko grinned, holding out her hand for a handshake which Amber gladly returned. "What brings you to Kaijou High?"
"Please feel free to refer to me by my first name! You've done a wonderful job with Seirin, by the way. I read about the team in a basketball magazine I was getting for my friend! I'm just here for a meeting with Kise Ryota about his modelling agency."
"So, you don't play basketball?" Kagami asked, and Amber shook her head in response.
"No, but I have a friend in my school's basketball team! His name is Akashi Seijuro. He was apparently super good at basketball in middle school? He mentioned he was in this team called the Generation of Miracles."
Kuroko paled at his friend's words. He knew that Akashi had gone to a school in Kyoto, but he didn't know which school. Knowing Akashi, he didn't like the thought of Amber being anywhere near him. Even before he left the Teiko basketball team, he already knew there was something off with their red-haired captain. Something… sinister. "Is he nice to you?" Kuroko asked as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. He tended to fidget his fingers when he was nervous, and he knew Amber would be able to tell.
"Well… I suppose. He can be such a grouch! Oh, but if you ever meet him, don't tell him I said that!" Amber giggled.
"Hellooooo!" Kise shouted as he ran up to the group. "My seniors told me to pick you guys up because you might get lost!"
"You're Kise Ryota, yes?" Amber asked.
"Yes! And you are?"
"Kuchiki Amber. I was told to look for you by the TopM staff for the next magazine shoot. I texted you last night, but you didn't reply, and I was getting kinda worried."
"OH! Yes, they told me you would be looking for me. I'm sorry, I didn't think you would text me! I don't normally reply to unknown numbers on my phone 'cause my number gets leaked by fangirls sometimes. I guess you already know I have practice now, but we can talk after my practice ends! I think the match should be over quickly anyway," Kise chided before dropping his voice to a whisper, "They're pretty weak."
Kuroko overheard the snide remark and quickly intervened, tugging Amber's arm and pulling her back to him upon noticing her face go sour. Back when they were kids, she had broken someone's nose for bullying him, and it wouldn't be very pleasant if she beat up Kise on their first visit to Kaijou. "Kise, I do not think it is very polite of you to assume that we will lose." Kuroko glared, and Kise huffed in response.
"Kurokocchiii, ever since you turned down my invitation to join us, I've been crying into my pillow every night!" He whined, "Not even a girl has turned me down before!"
"Give it time! Once your fans realise how much of a douche you are, I'm sure you'll get lots more rejections!" Amber smirked, and Riko stifled a laugh next to her.
"You're a feisty one, aren't you?" Kise laughed, although it was evident from his face that he was pissed at her comment.
"And you're slow. Does Kaijou High not respect the time of their guests? They should be at the gym by now, and you're here whining at Tetsuya," Amber scoffed.
Kise bent down to look at Amber eye-to-eye, silently surprised that she didn't seem to back down or get flustered at the sudden proximity. If she were one of the many fangirls he had, she would have folded like a lawn chair by now. He was about to make another quip at her but decided otherwise when he noticed a glint in her eyes that looked eerily familiar. Just like that of his previous captains. "Let's head to the gym then," he cleared his throat as he straightened himself up to speak with the rest of the Seirin team, "Sorry in advance, but I'm going to crush you with everything I have."
A/N:
Hi! Sorry for the extremely long wait as I've been getting used to university life :") I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and please leave me some feedback since it's been a while since I've last written anything. Since the year is coming to a close, I'm looking forward to writing more often since I'll most likely have a little more free time on my hands. See you guys next week! :)
