Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
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3rd year – Teiko – preliminaries
"Something wrong?"
Mac looked away from the opposing players and over at Seijuro who stood in front of her with a searching look in his eyes. She frowned and looked over at the other team getting ready for their match. She could see the nerves and almost dejected looks in their eyes. Was it there or did she just see what she feared?
"Nothing," Mac said dismissively.
She knew that her team was better than Dojimazaki Junior High; she had researched them very well and knew all of their players, their strengths and their weaknesses. She knew that her friends would walk over them if Dojimazaki didn't manage to muster up the will to fight. Looking at them, she couldn't see it. They looked nervous and she felt her shoulders slump slightly.
"What?" She asked when she saw Seijuro still looking at her.
"You're upset," he frowned. "Why?"
She shrugged and stood up from the bench, she didn't want to say anything because she knew that Seijuro didn't share her worries. Not anymore. Tetsuya would be the only one who would see what she was worried about, but she didn't want to burden him either with her worries. He had enough to deal with, she had noticed that during the preliminaries he had barely smiled and looked more depressed than normal. Glancing over at him now she barely saw him, it was like was trying to disappear. But she saw him standing by himself looking at the basketball in his hands with a look she couldn't read.
"Mac…" Seijuro's tone was a warning and she knew he was frustrated that she wouldn't tell him.
"It's nothing, Seijuro," Mac said shortly. "Just thinking about the game."
He looked at her before shaking his head and turned back to the preparations to the game and let Mac to her own devices. She felt both relieved and disappointed that he did as her mind went back to worrying and she didn't really want to.
"Mac?" Momoi asked stepping up to her and she gave the other girl a small smile.
"Hi Momoi," Mac said, "you ready to take a place on the bench as a manager?"
"I think so," Momoi said looking nervous, "but I am a little nervous."
"You'll do fine," Mac smiled at her. "Just remember what we talked about and I won't be playing the whole game, so we can talk during the match."
Momoi nodded and Mac looked back at the court. The game was almost ready to start and the gym was filled with people already. She sighed and forced herself to focus on the match.
...
Mac had a carefully blank look on her face as Atsushi forcefully dunked a ball through the hoop even with tree marks on him, all three fell to the ground with wide fearful eyes as an almost scared gasp went through the team and the crowd watching. She knew with one look that her fear was coming true. They were not able to put up the fight they needed, and because of that…her team was getting bored.
She looked at Atsushi and saw no joy or anything that resembled happiness over having just scored another goal making sure they just won their game a 109 to 5. It was like they didn't know how to show emotions anymore over their basketball and that pained her. This was….this wasn't what she wanted. She looked at her friends again and sighed before turning away from them just as the final buzzer went off.
"What…" Momoi gasped making Mac glance over at the younger girl who was staring at the court like she had no idea what she just witnessed. Mac realised that she probably hadn't really seen just how good they had become before now.
"You've never seen them play a match since that time with your brother, have you?" Mac asked as she took a swipe of her water.
"I…no, but…" Momoi stammered. "What was that?"
Mac sighed and looked away from the girl who looked so shocked; she felt another weigh settled over her. She couldn't hide what her friends were capable off, but she didn't really want Momoi to see this side of them. It was one thing to see them at practice where they would at least try and could challenge each other, but to see them like this…
"That was the difference in level between the other schools and us," Mac said before walking to the locker room leaving a stunned Momoi behind.
...
"Games are kind of boring, aren't they?" Atsushi asked when they were seated together in the locker room waiting for the game of the day to start.
Momoi looked at the tall centre while Mac kept her eyes on the book she had brought while trying to keep her mind off the defeated looks she'd seen on the Dojimazaki Junior High players' faces. She could understand the frustrated tears of a loss, but this went beyond that. This was the loss of a dream and she could see the dream slip from their eyes as they stared at her and her friends.
"Eh?" Daiki glanced over at Atsushi with a bored expression on his face. "Our opponents have been too weak to offer real competition for a long time."
"What do they call those five decent guys?" Atsushi asked.
"Nah, you mean the Uncrowned something?" Ryota asked.
Mac glanced up at the mention of the group Kiyoshi was a part of and saw the mildly curious expressions on her team faces.
"Yeah, them;" Atsushi said lazily. "They were tough, but they're all gone this year, right?"
"Mac-cchi's boyfriend was one of them, wasn't he?" Ryota wondered looking over at Mac who met his eyes with a blank look on her face.
"Teppei was one of them, yeah," Mac nodded.
"Oh… the Centre," Atsushi said with a frown. "I crushed him."
Mac narrowed her eyes at the purple haired centre. "He got back up and never gave up fighting."
"Whatever," the lazy response had Mac fisting her hands in annoyance and grit her teeth together to keep from starting an argument in the locker room. She saw the concerned look from Momoi and knew she was worried never having seen them like this before. She forced herself to calm down and looked over at Seijuro who was seemingly not paying attention to them as he was leaned over his knees with a small smirk on his face.
"It's so easy; I don't have any desire to play."
Mac shook her head and turned away from him not wanting to go into the argument again. She did notice that Shintaro turned slightly and frowned as he heard Atsushi's statement. The tension was high in the locker room and Mac didn't know how to deal with it. She got up and walked out of the room wanting to be by herself for a bit before the game. She could feel everyone's eyes on her but she ignored them.
...
Leaning against the wall outside the large hall she took a moment to just observe the people swarming around, most entering the hall but some just hanging out waiting for their friends. She could see the different team jerseys and recognized a few from her research. She couldn't help but wonder what they thought about her and the so-called Generation of Miracles. Did they even dare hope to win or were they resigned on getting the spots behind Teiko in their dream of entering Nationals?
"Did you see Teiko playing Dojimazaki Junior High yesterday?"
Mac stilled as she heard a voice close by and slowly turned her head to take a look at who was speaking. She saw two girls standing a few steps beside her, she was partly hidden by a door that was opened but she could see them perfectly.
"Yes," the other girl nodded, "I couldn't believe it. To think that one team can be that good…"
"It's unfair," her friend said with a scowl. "They shouldn't be allowed to play. I mean… who has a chance against them? My boyfriend said that everyone fears them and knows they're going to lose even before they play. Shouldn't someone on the committee or something stop them?"
Mac knew she should just walk away, stop listening, but she couldn't move. It was like she was glued to the wall. Perhaps she was just determined to torture herself by listening to others saying just what she herself was thinking.
"How could they stop them?"
"I don't know," the girl shrugged. "Perhaps they should limit how many of those Generation of Miracles could play in a match at the same time? Maybe the other teams would have a chance then?"
"I don't know…" the other girl looked sceptical. "They all look really strong. It looked like just one of them could have beaten Dojimazaki yesterday…"
Mac winced knowing it was the truth, especially with the way Dojimazaki had played. Looking over at the girls again she saw the way they leaned close like they were sharing secrets not caring that anyone could hear them.
"They even have a girl on their team, did you notice?"
"I know! I thought that was just a rumour."
"They must be sure of themselves if they let a girl play with them."
"Do you think she's one of their girlfriends?"
"Maybe."
"I bet that is the only reason they let her play. I wonder what they did to make their coach agree."
"I think perhaps you should stop talking about things you don't understand and walk away," a very familiar cool voice interrupted the girls who paled and stared wide-eyed at an angry looking Seijuro. "Before I decide to show you just why people fear me."
"We…"
"Um…"
"Walk. Away. Now." He glared at them harshly taking a step closer and they both scrambled off.
...
"Mac?" Seijuro sounded worried and Mac glanced at him to see the warmth in his heterochromatic eyes that normally were cold and calculating. "You ok?"
Mac swallowed before she nodded and tried to smile at her friend. He frowned and grabbed her hand to pull her with him, but she resisted and he frowned at her but stopped trying to pull her with him.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked.
"Nothing…" Mac muttered.
"That's the second time you try to dismiss me with a 'nothing'," Seijuro scowled at her. "Tell me, Mac. What's wrong? Why were you just standing there listening to what those two were saying?"
Mac looked away from him and let her eyes scan the crowd again, she could tell that they were not on anyone's radar and that she and Seijuro were undiscovered or so to speak.
"I was just thinking about how everything has changed," Mac admitted quietly.
"Changed?"
"Everything has changed, Seijuro," Mac looked at him. "You can't deny it. You've changed, Daiki has…changed. Everyone has changed and… I hate it. I hate it."
He looked at her but didn't speak and she felt frustrated.
"I don't know if I can do this anymore," she whispered.
"You want to quit?!" his tone was low and sharp. She saw his eyes shine dangerously as he stared at her. "Because of what those girls said? Because you can't handle change? Mac, you're on this team and you can't quit. You have a right to play basketball just as much as anyone and you're on our team because you're good. Don't let what others say influence you. You are the best and they should know that."
Mac could hear the anger in his voice and felt the possessiveness almost roll off him as he stared at her with a hard look in his eyes, but there was something hidden behind his eyes that had her wonder just what he was thinking. He almost looked….scared. But scared off what?
"Don't you dare even think about quitting, I will not allow it," he warned before turning around and walked away from her. She was left staring after him filled with mixed emotions.
...
"Aaaaa!" Ryota exclaimed horrified as the ball left his hand and Mac could tell even from where she was seated on the bench that he would miss.
"Mine," Atsushi claimed lazily as he finished the shot by jumping up and dunking it into the basket.
"That was my basket!" Ryota cried as he ran beside Atsushi a glower on his face.
"Your fault for missing," Atsushi said with a lazy look on his face as he glanced over at Ryota.
"Either way," Daiki said as he too joined in, "you're dead last."
"I'll catch up!" Ryota declared fisting a hand as he angrily looked at Daiki who had already run past him.
Mac shook her head as she felt her eyes travel to the opposing team who was looking shaken and defeated, but one player was looking angrier than anything else. He was glaring at the backs of her team.
"Shit…" he cursed and Mac barely heard him. "They're competing to see who can score the most points!"
She narrowed her eyes as she looked back at her friends and wondered what they were thinking, well, she could see why they were doing what they were doing. They needed the challenge, but… it made her stomach clench as she realised just how…open they were in doing so. An almost inaudible sound had her look to her side and she saw Tetsuya looking shocked and disturbed as he was staring at the court.
She frowned as she observed her friend and realised that he was struggling even more than she had thought, she could see it in his eyes. He was close to losing against the overpowering strengths in the team and the change in their friends. She couldn't bear to see that look in the eyes of one of her closest friends. She needed to fix it. She had to.
"Member change, Teiko!" The referee called and Mac got up with and pushed her thoughts and worried behind her blank mask as she gave Momoi a nod when she saw the wide pink eyes look at her. She squared her shoulders and entered the court just as Ryota sat down on the bench with a pout. He didn't like being taken off the court.
Mac caught the ball when Daiki passed to her and she saw that the angry one was in front of her, she saw a small flicker of a challenge in his eyes as he stared at her. She could see that he was tired and was close to giving up. Could she push him and be the reason he gave up?
A small resentful voice in her mind asked her what right she had to even play with the boys, and she almost unwillingly glanced to where Seijuro was watching her with narrowed eyes. She remembered his words and she knew that he didn't believe that she didn't have a right to play. Her mind went to Teppei and she felt a new determination fill her. He would tell her to have fun and just play.
She knew she hadn't hesitated for long and bounced the ball to the side and the defender followed making her smile. She saw the shock in his eyes when he saw the smile and he almost stumbled before he got a pensive look in his eyes. She used her speed and ability to read his body language in her favour to pass him and avoid the hand that almost managed to steal the ball from her before she passed the ball to Shintaro who took the shot and scored.
...
They won. It was a clear victory and Mac could tell that her friends didn't think much of the game or the team they had just played. She, however, thought they had potential. She grabbed her bag (where Nao was) and put it over her shoulder as she thought that she had to get Nao up soon so he could run around outside and not just insider her magical enchanted bag.
She followed her team when they left the gym and ended up walking beside Tetsuya who was silent and looked very thoughtful. Mac glanced at him wondering what she could do to help him, she knew he struggled with what had happened in the match and while she didn't like it either she could understand what made them do it. She hated that she did, though.
"Why did you do that during today's game?" Tetsuya finally spoke up breaking the silence that had been among them.
"What are you talking about, Kurokocchi?" Ryota asked in his normal cheerful way, his complaints from the match already forgotten. "We're just playing around."
"I think its rude to the other team," Tetsuya said.
"You're the one who said we shouldn't slack off," Daiki pointed out as he glanced behind him and looked at Tetsuya. "We're playing a game to motivate us against weaklings."
"Right, Midorima?" Daiki threw an arm over Shintaro's shoulders.
"Shut up," Shintaro huffed annoyed, "I want no part of your games."
Tetsuya stopped abruptly with wide struck eyes as the rest of the team continued to walk, but Mac stopped when she realised that Tetsuya had stopped. She turned slightly and looked at him in silence. She felt her heart break for him knowing that he was truly bothered by the response. She wanted to hit Daiki over the head for his choice of words knowing that Tetsuya was sensitive to the word and often struggled to not see himself as someone 'weak' in comparison to the rest of the team. For Daiki to throw the word at him like that…well, Mac would have a word with him about that later.
...
Kiyoshi walked with his friends and team toward the hall where they were going to play for their spot in Inter-High, and he was wondering if Mac had finished her game yet. He would think so since there were a lot of people outside.
"Wow," Kiyoshi exclaimed. "There are a lot of people."
He knew why there were a lot of people but he liked commenting like that just to annoy Hyuga who sighed and looked at a board where a few notices were hanging.
"Looks like they're playing the middle school qualifiers today," Hyuga said.
Just then Kiyoshi noticed the group exiting the hall walking right past them without a glance in their direction. He could hear his team comment on them as he watched them with a pensive look on his face.
"What?"
"Teiko Middle School…"
"They're more imposing than we are!" Koganei said almost awed. "Aren't they middle school students?"
Kiyoshi looked for Mac and found her in the back looking serious and like something was bothering her, he frowned worried as he wanted to call out to her but something held him back. Suddenly she looked at them and met his eyes. She slowed her pace slightly as she smiled at him and nodded to both him and his team respectfully.
"Mac! Hurry up!" Kiyoshi heard her captain call for her and she rolled her eyes before shooting Kiyoshi a last smile and walked away.
"Eh?" Koganei blinked. "Did the girl smile at us? And…did she wear a jersey? She's a player?"
"She looked like she knew us…" Izuki commented. "Strange."
"Let's go!" Hyuga interrupted and started to walk toward the hall again but not before shooting Kiyoshi a suspicious look to which he just grinned and followed behind even as he thought about what they had just witnessed. He didn't like the heavy air that seemed to be around Mac and her team, he suddenly wished he had been able to take the time to go an watch her match before their own. That way he would have known if something had happened during the match that could have upset her.
...
Mac smiled slightly as she thought about her boyfriend she had seen the warmth in his eyes when she had met his eyes earlier and had wanted to stop and talk to him, but she hadn't. She remembered the people around him and knew that it must have been his team, she had still not met them. She wondered what they would think about her.
She suddenly stopped as all the stories that Kiyoshi had told her about his team came back to her and she realised something. They were a team that fought and never gave up, just like Kiyoshi. They were strong and had a will to win that was stronger than most and she knew that even without watching them play that they would be a team that she liked. But what she realised now was that she had her answer for how to help Tetsuya.
She looked around for Tetsuya and found him behind her having stopped again, but this time he was holding up a wallet. She jogged back to join him and looked at the wallet in his hands.
"Tetsu?" Mac asked.
"I found it on the ground," Tetsuya said glancing up at her and showed it to her.
Mac arched a brow when she read the name on the id and saw the picture on it as well, Hyuga Junpei. That was the Captain on Kiyoshi's team and even though Kiyoshi denied it, Kiyoshi's best friend. It must be fate, Mac smiled to herself as she looked over at Tetsuya. He still wasn't smiling and looked sad. Glancing at the rest of the team who was now a far distance away from them, she looked back at Tetsuya.
"Come on," she said starting to walk back toward the hall where they had just left.
"Huh?" Tetsuya blinked at her seemingly getting out of the haze he had been in.
"Come on," Mac repeated, "we should return the wallet."
"Where? I thought we should stop by a police station or something," Tetsuya said confused but he did start to follow her.
"I know who lost it," Mac said, "and he's playing right now."
"You do?" Tetsuya asked and Mac nodded.
They walked in silence for a moment and Mac took the time to think about what she wanted to say and how she hoped that showing how Seirin played would help her friend. Seirin was a team that would fit Tetsuya completely, and one day when the time came for them to start High School she knew that Seirin would be the place for Tetsuya. She briefly wondered if it would be the place for her as well before she pushed the thought away.
...
The entered the gym and looked down onto the court where the game had already started. She spotted Kiyoshi right away and smiled a little as she saw the determination on his face as he jumped up to block a shot from the other team. He really gave his all when he played.
"Mac?" Tetsuya brought her out of her thoughts and glanced over at him. "Isn't that your boyfriend?"
"Yes," Mac nodded, "this is Teppei's team. He founded this team this year. He attends a new High School named Seirin. They didn't have a team when he started, so he started one."
Tetsuya arched a brow and looked back down at the court. He got a thoughtful look on his normally blank face as he observed the team and Mac let him to his observations. She looked back at the game herself and watched with a frown on her face.
Seirin was playing like she expected them to, by fighting together and covering for each other like a good team should. She felt proud as she watched Kiyoshi high five his team and cheer with them. He looked so happy and content that she couldn't help the smile that crossed her face.
"They're a good team," Mac said softly to herself.
"Yes," Tetsuya answered from beside her. "They probably love the game and give everything they have."
Mac smiled and nodded. It was the most emotion she had heard from Tetsuya in a long time. She put her focus back on the court again and immediately frowned when she realised that Kiyoshi was struggling. She leaned forward a little as if trying to get closer to get a better read on him when she noticed that his left knee was shaking slightly.
"No…" she whispered ignoring Tetsuya's searching look. She glanced at the timer and saw that they only had about 3 minutes left to play and was leading with 10 points. She reassured herself with the thought that it soon would be over and she could go and find him and get him treatment for his knee. If his coach didn't do it before she could, of course.
"Huh, member change…" Mac mumbled before eyes widening when she recognised the player that was entering the court, Hanamiya Makoto – one of the uncrowned kings. That was…bad. She knew he was a particularly bad kind of player, he was known for his dirty tricks and mind games. Even Seijuro and Daiki realised that Hanamiya was a player they should be wary of.
"I remember him…" Tetsuya said sounding worried. "He almost injured you when…"
Mac nodded shortly and pushed the memory away. She held her focus on him and Kiyoshi not daring to look away. She could feel her pulse raising as she stared at the match. Nibbling at her lower lip she watched as Hanamiya seemed to study Kiyoshi and she knew he too spotted his struggling knee. She fisted her hands as wondered what he was planning. She heard someone in the crowd cheer when Seirin used their speed in their offence and Koganei took the shot. Mac could tell it was going to miss and with Kiyoshi standing just under the basket knew he would jump to try to force the ball in. He had a man at his back though and Mac stilled for a moment when she realised that he wasn't paying attention to the ball… he was looking at Hanamiya….
Kiyoshi jumped and the defender jumped as well but he was to close to Kiyoshi, and Mac realised what was going to happen before it did. She could read the change in the aura around Hanamiya like someone had flipped a switch.
"NO! TEPPEI GET AWAY!" Mac yelled her voice echoing in the hall and she was not sure if anyone actually heard her down at the court as she was so focused on Kiyoshi to see if anyone reacted to her voice.
It was too late, Kiyoshi landed and Mac could tell he tried to move away from the Kirisaki Daiichi player but he was already landing and hitting the back of Kiyoshi knee, leg at the same time. Mac felt her heart stop for a beat when she saw the pain in Kiyoshi's eyes before he fell to the ground.
"No," Mac muttered and started to run out of the spectator places and toward the entrance to the court, she had to get to him. She was barely aware that Tetsuya was right behind her as she pushed past everyone in her way not stopping to apologize for pushing them.
Kiyoshi's painful cries filled her ears as she entered the side of the court, Tetsuya reached her just then and grabbed her to stop her from entering the court. His team was filling around him looking scared and angry at the same time. She was aware that Hyuga had grabbed Hanamiya's jersey, but right now she could only focus on Kiyoshi that was lying on the ground in pain.
"Let go of me, Tetsu," Mac said hoarsely and jerked away from him.
Ignoring the startled sounds at her sudden appearance she knelt down next to Kiyoshi who was now being looked at by a medic.
"Teppei…," Mac whispered.
"Mac?" Kiyoshi blinked hazily and his pained brown eyes searched her out until he spotted her. "You're here?"
"Yes, I'm here," Mac said trying to smile. "I… I decided that I wanted to watch you play."
"I'm glad…" Kiyoshi said smiling even through his pain. "I thought I heard your voice."
"You did…I was too late," Mac admitted. "I saw what was going to happen too late."
"It's alright," Kiyoshi reassured her. "It's not your fault."
He knew her too well, he knew she was blaming herself for not seeing it soon enough.
"We need to take him now," a man said but he looked sympathetic at her and she let go of the hand she had taken a hold of. After a moment of hesitation, she reached out and pushed his sweaty hair out of his forehead before pulling back and let the men place him onto the stretcher. She kept a close eye on them as they did.
She watched as he gave a few parting words to his team before he was taken away. She had stopped one of the men and asked where he was being taken and he answered Sasaki General Hospital.
"Mac," Tetsuya said gently pulling her off the court and to the side. They were both ignoring the looks from both teams as they moved and Mac was still mulling over what had happened in her mind, she couldn't get the pained look in Kiyoshi's eyes or cries out of her mind. She could tell that it was serious, and she felt anger fill her but right now she couldn't do anything. She stared at the game that was still going on and could tell that Seirin was deeply affected by the loss of Kiyoshi like this. But they fought and they managed to win even if it was only by one point.
Tetsuya stood quietly beside her and tried to offer her support. She took comfort from him, but she couldn't stop the anger that filled her as she stared at Hanamiya Makoto as he talked to Hyuga. Hyuga looked angry and Mac could see one of his teammates holding him back, she thought it was Izuki but couldn't be sure.
...
"Hanamiya Makoto!" Mac spoke barely above a whisper but both Seirin and Kirisaki Daiichi stopped when they heard her and looked at her. She focused her flashing green eyes on the Uncrowned King and ignored everyone around them. He was staring at her with slightly wide eyes and she could tell he recognised her.
"Well, well, well," he drawled with more confidence than he felt, she was sure. "If it isn't the little bitch from Teiko…What do I owe the pleasure of seeing you here? A little…young, aren't you, for a High School match?"
"You don't scare me, Hanamiya." Mac practically growled. "You're nothing but a pathetic little bully who can't play proper basketball without dirty little tricks."
He sneered at her, "you have no proof that I play dirty or had anything to do with Kiyoshi's injury. It was just a tragic little accident. Almost like the one you almost had last year, remember? Accidents happen."
"I might not have any proof," Mac said her voice was deadly calm as she took a step closer so she entered his personal space and saw the way his eyes widened slightly and how he swallowed nervously. "I might not have proof, but I know what I saw and what you did. I also know that this isn't the first time you've done so. I know a lot about you, Hanamiya Makoto. Things you never wanted anyone to know. Things about your family, about your brother who is a few years older than you…"
"You…!" Hanamiya snarled and raised a hand but before anyone could react Mac reached out and grabbed his wrist stopping him from doing what he wanted.
"Like I said," she continued calmly, "I know you and you just made a huge mistake in angering me! If you ever hurt my boyfriend or any other basketball player ever again I will make you regret ever starting to play basketball in the first place. I will destroy you, make no mistake in that. You won't be able to show your face at any place where basketball is involved. You will burn."
He tried to snarl at her but she tightened her grip on his wrist and narrowed her eyes at him. The court was completely silenced as both teams were staring at her and Hanamiya wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
"Do you understand?" Mac asked in a demanding tone she had heard Seijuro use many times.
He just glared at her and she narrowed her eyes again before he nodded shortly and she pushed him away from her like she was touching something disgusting and watched almost satisfied that he rushed out of the gym, but still…he got off too easily.
...
Mac left the gym before she could be cornered by Kiyoshi's team, she didn't feel like being interrogated by them now. She just wanted to find a cab and make her way to the hospital so she could find Kiyoshi. She needed to see him and see that he was okay. She glanced to her side and realised that Tetsuya was still beside her.
"Tetsu…" Mac said.
"I'm not leaving you," Tetsuya said knowing what she was about to say. "Come on, let's find a cab and get to the hospital. I'm sure you want to see Kiyoshi-san."
Mac smiled a little even when it was the last thing she felt like doing, but she felt grateful that she had Tetsuya there with her. She wasn't sure how she would hold herself together without him. She nodded and they spotted a cab and Mac waved it down (it would be useless to have Tetsuya do it, no one saw him anyway).
"Thank you," Mac whispered when they were on their way to the hospital.
"You're welcome," Tetsuya said quietly before allowing Mac to gaze out of the car window and drift away in her own thoughts. She was very grateful that he didn't insist on making her talk, because she wasn't sure she could keep up with a conversation right now.
...
After talking to a nurse they were directed to the room Kiyoshi was staying in and Mac walked with quick pace toward the room. She barely paused to knock on the door before opening it and saw her boyfriend sitting up in a bed by the window and was looking out of it with a faraway look on his face.
He turned just as she had opened the door and smiled warmly when he saw her.
"Mac," he smiled.
"Teppei…" Mac rushed over to the bed and without thinking threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. He barely grunted as he wrapped his own arms around her and held her as she clung to him. He rubbed her back and she felt herself give in to the emotion that had run through her since seeing him get hurt and let the tears escape.
"Shh…" Kiyoshi soothed as he rubbed her back and tried to calm her down.
She wasn't sure how long she stayed like that before she pulled away from him.
Kiyoshi smiled gently at her and spotted the soft blush on her cheeks as she pulled away. He wanted to protest and keep her in his arms but allowed her to pull back. He could still feel the warmth of her body against him and he wanted to feel it again. He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently smiling when she looked up at him again with searching eyes. She was relaxed when she saw his smile and smiled back at him.
Mac couldn't believe she had thrown herself into his arms, he must think she was… her stomach clenched slightly as she remembered the warmth and strength of his arms around her holding her close and rubbing her back. She blushed just remembering it and ducked her face to hide it from him. She was scared of what he must think, of what she would see in his eyes if she looked up. She felt him take her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze making her look up trying to see what he was thinking. She almost sighed in relief when he was smiling warmly at her and she saw only warmth and something she couldn't read in his eyes. But there was no disgust or judgment.
"Are you ok?" Mac asked.
"I'm fine, Mac," Kiyoshi said with a reassuring smile.
Mac narrowed her eyes as she stared at him, his smile seemed off and his tone was slightly tense.
"You're lying," Mac accused. "You're lying…"
"Mac…" Kiyoshi started.
"I saw…I saw how he hit you, Teppei," Mac said quietly, "please, don't lie to me."
Kiyoshi was silent for a moment and Mac felt him watching her before he smiled a little and she felt how he tightened his grip on her hand.
"My knee is badly hurt," Kiyoshi admitted looking down on his lap. "I will need surgery and rehabilitation, and I will be fine…. But…"
"But?" Mac asked scared of what he would say.
"I might not be back in time to play anymore in High School," Kiyoshi admitted quietly and pained. "All I want is to play with my team, Mac. I have to find a way to get back, so I can play with them… I want to have fun with my friends."
Mac bit down on her lip to stop the gasp she wanted to let out, but she knew that it wasn't what Kiyoshi needed. Not now. She could see the desperate need in his eyes and couldn't stop herself from reaching out and dry away a tear that had escaped from his eyes with her thumb and felt the soft skin under her thumb as she did. She allowed her hand to rest against his cheek and he leaned against her hand seeking the comfort. She opened her mouth to say something when there was a knock on the door and the door opened again. She pulled her hand back just as she heard the surprised gasp from the door.
"EH?"
Seirin High School basketball club was staring at them open-mouthed and wide-eyed.
...
Tetsuya sighed as he watched Mac enter the hospital room where her boyfriend was resting and decided to stay outside and give them time to themselves. He knew that Mac needed time with Kiyoshi and that she was hurting right now. He wished he knew what to do to help her, but he wasn't sure how to. She needed… He pulled up his phone and hesitated for a moment before finding the right contact and hitting the call button.
Ring….Ring…Ring…
"Hello? Tetsuya?" A cool voice answered. "Want to tell me where you and Mac disappeared to after the match today?"
...
...
AN: Sorry for the wait. Hope you liked it :)
Also, I'm sorry for Kiyoshi's injury. I almost skipped having it a part of the story because who wants to see Kiyoshi hurt? :( But it was needed. Unfortunately.
Thank you for reading and supporting my story! So grateful for your favourites, follows, reviews etc. :)