Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!

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3rd year – Teiko

Mac smiled as she touched her lips gently still marvelling over her first kiss. While she had imagined it a little different, she didn't regret it. She liked Kiyoshi and he liked her. Her stomach flipped pleasantly as she remembered how strong his arms felt around her and how his lips pressed against hers.

"Dreamy face you have there," Taiga commented making Mac jump and look at Taiga who had entered the room without her noticing him. He looked a little suspicious and she quickly lowered her hand and turned toward the fridge to get the food out so she could make breakfast or second breakfast for her since she had just come back from a day studying magic. Soon it was time for her second run of the day going to her muggle school.

"Do you want breakfast now?" Mac asked. "I was thinking about making pancakes."

Taiga smiled and nodded making her shake her head a little. He was always hungry; she wasn't sure why she even asked.

"So what were you thinking about?" Taiga asked trying to sound casual.

Mac shrugged and pretended to be really focused on getting the ingredients for the pancakes and start to mix the batter together. She knew her cheeks were tinted red as the kiss flashed through her mind again, but there was no way she was going to talk to Taiga about her first kiss. Just…no.

Taiga narrowed his eyes and looked at her for a long moment. He had seen the dreamy and soft look on her face when he entered the room, and he was curious. Curious and suspicious… that was the kind of look Alex said girls looked like with their boyfriends. Or thinking about their boyfriends… Didn't Mac have a boyfriend? Come to think about it… yes, she did!

"Why don't you set the table, Taiga?" Mac asked just to get him to move and stop staring at her. She could tell he was trying to figure something out and she didn't want him to start questioning her.

Taiga groaned but he started to set the table like she asked. He startled when Nao came running into the room and rushed over to Mac before leaping through the air and landing in Mac's arms. It seemed easy and Mac caught him with what seemed like practised ease.

"Morning, Nao," Mac gushed over her fox and burrowed her face in his fur.

Taiga couldn't understand how she could be so close to a fox. How could she trust that he wasn't going to attack her or something? He still growled at him at times, but not as much as he used to. He could hear the pleased sounds coming from Nao, so he guessed that he was happy with the attention given by his owner. As if knowing that he was being watched Nao opened his eyes and looked at Taiga with his brown eyes.

"Nao, behave," Mac said when she noticed where his attention had gone. "Taiga is safe. He's my cousin, remember?"

Taiga blinked before looking away as he heard Mac continue to talk to Nao. It was fascinating that she truly believed that he understood everything she was saying. She kept talking to him like he was human and could answer her.

It wasn't until Taiga was sitting behind his desk at school that he realised that he never got around to ask her about her boyfriend. He frowned. Next time he saw her he would ask her. He most definitely would.

...

Mac glanced over at Daiki who was sleeping in class, his head rested on his arms folded across the desk. The teacher pretended not to see it or just didn't care. In the angle, he was sleeping she had a clear view of his face. He looked peaceful or…she frowned a little when she caught the small frown between his eyebrows. Normally his face would be completely blank when he slept like he had no worries in the world. Now, though, he was frowning in his sleep. She had noticed that he looked a little pale when he entered the classroom and had shadows under his eyes like he hadn't been sleeping right.

Forcing herself to look away from Daiki and back at the blackboard to write down the notes for their literature class. The nagging feeling in her stomach was distracting her though from paying complete attention to the teacher as she kept glancing over at Daiki. She hadn't talked to him, really talked to him, in two weeks. Not since the game. Had she ever gone that long without talking to him? She couldn't remember a time where she purposely didn't talk to Daiki. He had been there with her since she was 8 years old.

"Class dismissed," the teacher said and he was already on his way out the door before Mac really caught the meaning of the words. She shook herself out of her thoughts and sighed deeply. She gathered her books together and placed it in her bag pausing to take a peek at Nao. He was resting comfortingly with his head resting on his front paws. She closed the bag and saw that most of the class was already out or on their way out of the room. Only Daiki was still at his desk not waking up.

Mac hesitated for a moment before she walked passed Daiki's desk and purposely knocked into him and heard the startled gasp escaping him as he woke up. She continued walking without pausing to talk to him even as she felt his blue eyes on her back. She thought she might have heard her name from his lips, but she didn't stop.

The rest of the day passed much the same as she avoided the members of her team as they seemed to keep pop up around her. It was annoying, and she had to take a long way around to get to her classrooms. Yet… despite the annoyance, she was feeling there was also a spark of warmth and…was that gratitude, she felt? For the effort, they put in to find her and talk to her. It was all so confusing and she kept thinking about what Shirogane had told her the day before. They were her friends and still would be, so maybe she should give them a chance?

Then she spotted the empty desk of Tetsuya and another spark of annoyance filled her and worry made her stomach clench. Where was he?

...

Mac walked through the barrier that separated regular Tokyo from magical Tokyo. She had not been her since her first visit with Sasaki when she bought her books and revived her wand. It felt strange to be back and she couldn't help but look around curiously and still felt awed by the clearly magical buildings around her. Nao was happily resting safely in her arms as he looked around taking in the new place and scents. She ignored the stares she got because of him, though.

She had decided that she had to get to Osaka where Meiko Junior High was located and hopefully find Ogiwara. Since she didn't have the time to take the train or buses to get to Osaka she would see if the magical world had a better offer for her. She had been in her morning class with Professor Sato when she realised that magic had often quicker solutions than the normal world. So here she was.

"May I help you, miss?" a voice asked in English and Mac turned to look at an older woman with greying hair and a kind smile on her face. She clearly thought Mac was just a tourist or something since she had talked in English.

"Um," Mac rubbed the back of her head looking around. "I was looking for a magical transportation place."

"Ah, you speak Japanese?" the woman beamed at her and Mac blinked before she nodded. "How wonderful! Have you been in Japan long?"

"I've lived here since I was 8," Mac said shyly hoping that her scar was covered because it was only now she remembered that she was somewhat famous in the magical world and maybe being here alone wasn't the best idea. How was she supposed to remember things like that?

"I see," the woman smiled. "I'm Itou Noa, I own the stand over there."

She pointed to an old looking stand with several trinkets placed about.

"I'm Mac," Mac hoped she wouldn't comment on the lack of last name. She couldn't give it and she was not sure what name to give if pressed, luckily the old woman seemed to accept it. She was already making her way over to the stand and Mac followed after a second of hesitation.

"Magical transportation, you say?" Itou asked.

"Yes, Itou-san," Mac nodded. "I need to get to Osaka."

"There's a Floo-station a few blocks away," Itou said. "It cost a few Gallons though."

Mac nodded having predicted that it would cost her something, but she had the card the goblins had made her last time so she could pay.

"Who's the little fox in your arms?" Itou asked curiously making Nao turn his head toward the woman.

"He's Nao," Mac smiled down at Nao.

"Such a cute fox," Itou said.

Mac nodded in agreement, of course, Nao was cute. He was adorable!

...

Mac followed the instruction Itou had given her and soon she found the traditional building that had to be the Floo-station. She entered the house and immediately saw the lines of fireplaces on each side of the magical enlarged room. There was a reception desk to her left so she made her way to them.

"Hello, how may I help you?" the young woman behind the desk asked with a trained smile.

"Hi, um, I would like to take the Floo to Osaka," Mac said.

"That will be 10 Gallons," the woman said and Mac handed over the money.

The woman looked bored and just handed her a piece of paper. Mac blinked and looked at the paper and saw the number 14 written on it. She started to walk and held onto Nao who shifted in her arms.

She reached the fireplace with the number 14 and saw a man in a pair of red robes standing there. He smiled when he noticed that she was headed toward the fireplace.

"Hi! You're going to Osaka?" he asked.

"Yes," Mac nodded.

"Great! Have you used the Floo before?"

Mac shook her head. She felt a little nervous about using the Floo for the first time, and while she saw people stepping into the fire (and not bursting into flames) she wasn't sure just how safe it was.

The man smiled in understanding before he started to list up how to use the Floo and what to say. She asked about Nao and he said it was fine as long as she had him in a tight grip. She nodded and was relieved that Nao enjoyed being carried.

She thanked him again before taking the powder and eyed the fire warily before inhaling and stepping into the fire. It felt a little warm, but nothing like burning or anything that would hurt her. She threw the powder and called out, "Osaka station!"

...

Dizzy and disoriented she fell out of the fireplace with a soft "oomph". She heard Nao whine in her arms and she tried to calm him down as she got her own bearings. Floo was not fun.

"Alright there, miss?" the man next to the fireplace asked.

"Fine," Mac grumbled. "Just dizzy."

"First time, eh?" he sounded much too amused for Mac's taste so she glared at him. He just smiled wider. "You'll get the hang of it."

Mac got up and dusted herself off before stepping away from the fireplace. She scratched Nao's ear to calm him down and he stopped whining as she did.

"Sorry, Nao," Mac murmured. "I didn't think it would be that uncomfortable."

She was already dreading the way back. She sighed as she walked toward the exit.

...

Mac found Meiko Junior High easily enough and saw that it was almost the same size as Teiko, perhaps a little smaller. She knew that the school day should be nearing its end and she wondered how to find Ogiwara. She frowned. She hadn't thought about that.

"Excuse me," Mac spoke up and the younger student stopped abruptly and turned wide eyes toward her.

"Y-yes?" he stuttered.

"Do you know where I can find the basketball club?" Mac asked.

"It's the building behind that one," the boy said pointing behind him.

"Thank you," Mac said and started to walk up toward the main building. More and more students started to come out from the school suggesting that the classes were over for the day. She briefly wondered if her friends were done at Teiko as well now and if they had noticed that she wasn't there.

She rounded a corner and spotted what she guessed to be the building that had to be the gym. She saw a few students heading that way but none that she recognised. She moved toward the building feeling a little nervous and wondering what to say.

"Eh? What are you doing here?"

The question came from behind her and she turned to see Mochida Reiji staring at her with wide dark eyes. He was dressed in his school uniform and had a bag thrown over his shoulders looking like he was ready to go home.

"Ah, Mochida-san," Mac said.

"You-you remember my name?" he asked.

Mac frowned slightly, confused, "yes? Shouldn't I?"

"No, I mean… I just thought that…" Mochida stumbled lost for words.

"You thought I won't remember the names of those I play against?" Mac asked.

"Well…" Mochida blushed slightly.

"My friends might not, but I do," Mac shrugged.

He looked at her for a moment before frowning slightly and she saw him tense.

"What are you doing here?" he asked again.

"Oh, I'm looking for Ogiwara-san," Mac said trying to remain friendly, so not to scare him.

"Why?" He looked suspicious and Mac couldn't really blame him.

"I wanted to apologize to him," Mac said knowing it was best, to be honest. "And my friend, Tetsu, is really upset about what happened and… well, I hoped I could talk to Ogiwara-san."

Mochida stared at her for a long while and Mac wondered if he was going to answer her at all. She really hoped he would tell her where his friend was because she didn't really want to search the entire school for the other player.

"Why do you care to apologize?" Mochida asked.

Mac frowned and tensed slightly, "because it's the right thing to do."

"They're your friends and you broke us," Mochida said. "Why should I tell you anything about Shige? He's been hurt enough by you lot!"

Mac couldn't quite hide the wince and clenched her hands, or the free hand as Nao was still in her arms. She shushed him when he started to growl and Mochida eyed the fox warily.

"I know," Mac said but she met his eyes. She wasn't going to make excuses for them nor was she going to explain what had led them to that match, to that decision. He wouldn't understand and honestly; she didn't care for having him understanding either. She just wanted to talk to Ogiwara and have him talk to Tetsuya.

Mochida stared at her and seemed to see something in her eyes because he sighed and his shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Shige…Shige transferred schools the day after the match," Mochida said and Mac stilled shocked.

"What?"

"His parents move around a lot," Mochida said. "They moved again the day after the final. He said… he said he wasn't going to play basketball anymore, though. He quit. We all did."

He wasn't there? She had gone through all that and he wasn't even there? At that moment the world seemed so unfair.

"Do you know where he is?" Mac asked.

"No," Mochida shook his head and Mac hadn't a choice but believe him.

"Ok," she sighed. "Thank you for your time, Mochida-san."

He gave her a strange look but didn't answer. She turned to leave and took a few steps before pausing. She turned to see him still standing in the spot she had left him.

"Don't give up on basketball, Mochida-san," Mac said. "The only one losing something by giving up is you. You were all a good team, you fought well and it would be a shame to throw it away."

She turned before he could answer and made her way out of the schoolyard. She should just go back home. She had no idea on where to start looking for Ogiwara now. How was she going to help Tetsuya now?

...

"What's wrong?" Kiyoshi asked when Mac had not spoken a word in fifteen minutes. She was just staring out of his window as the conversation between Kiyoshi and Izuki and Hyuga flowed. They were talking about the team and their hopes for new recruitments.

Mac blinked and turned to find all three boys staring at her with a worried yet curious look in their eyes. She tried to smile.

"Ah, sorry," she apologized. "I got lost in thoughts."

Kiyoshi looked at her and she tried to give him a genuine smile. He smiled back, but she could tell that he was still worried.

"So, have you decided which school you're going to next year?" Izuki asked innocently.

Mac noticed that Kiyoshi frowned and gave Izuki a look but the other boy didn't see it or chose to ignore it. Hyuga looked contemplatively at her as well.

"I haven't decided yet," Mac shrugged. "There's still time to make a decision."

"Sure there is, but…" Izuki said. "You should come to Seirin!"

Mac felt a little uncomfortable, she hadn't made up her mind about which school she was going to. She knew that Seirin would be an alternative, but… she just wasn't sure that it was the school for her.

"We could definitely use someone like you on our team," Izuki continued. "With both you and Riko our strategies will be awesome! And your skill on the court is amazing!"

"Izuki," Kiyoshi stopped him probably seeing the uncomfortable look on Mac's face. "That's enough. Mac knows that she's welcome at our school and that we would love it if she decides to join us, but it's her choice and we're not going to put pressure on her, got it?"

Izuki nodded but looked like he wanted to say something more. Mac smiled slightly and met Kiyoshi's eyes. He was smiling at her and she saw that he was sincere in his words and she felt a burst of warmth toward him. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to attend their school? But…

She sighed inwardly as her mind was spinning again and she was confused. Everything seemed so out of control lately. She wasn't talking to her friends, yet she was not sure she wanted to attend a school without any of them either. What was up with that?

"We should get someone that can match the Miracles in strength," Hyuga said turning back to Izuki. "When Kiyoshi is back we're pretty set on the defence, but we should have someone that can make the offence stronger as well."

Mac tuned out their discussion again and she went back to thinking about her problems.

...

Tetsuya felt surprised and sad at the same time as he stared at the trees flowing by the window. He was on a bus on his way back to Tokyo. He had just been to Osaka to see Ogiwara only to find out that he had moved away. This time he hadn't let anyone know where he was moving or left any kind of message for him to know where he had gone. Worse, he had given up basketball. He had quit, because of him.

Sighing he leaned his forehead against the cool glass of the bus wondering when his life had turned out like this. When he heard the sound of a basketball he flinched like it was going to hurt him, he felt sick to his stomach only thinking about it. The idea of ever touching a basketball again had his stomach clenching and hands start sweating, feeling like he couldn't breathe. It was something he mourned.

Would he be able to play again like Mochida had asked him to? Could he bear the idea to face his team, or former team, his f-friends ever again?

His mind went back to seeing Mochida and the shock he had received from the Meiko player.

"Another one?" A black haired boy asked making Tetsuya pause.

"Eh?" Tetsuya blinked.

"Here to find Shige?" he asked. "I'm Mochida. You don't remember me?"

A strange look had crossed his face then and Tetsuya couldn't read it.

"…I remember you, even if we never talked," Tetsuya said. "I remember your face."

He nodded and frowned slightly.

"Excuse me, but what did you mean when you said 'another one'?" Tetsuya asked.

"You don't know?" Mochida arched a brow. "Potter-san was here yesterday asking for Shige. I thought you would have known…"

Had Mac been there? Tetsuya felt surprised and confused as to why she would have been there.

"Why?" he asked.

"Don't really know," Mochida shrugged, "all she would say was that she wanted to apologize and talk to him. She wasn't very open about what. I got the feeling she was trying to fix something."

Tetsuya frowned confused and a feeling of guilt hit him.

"Where is Ogiwara-kun?" Tetsuya decided to ask and think about Mac later.

"Like I told Potter-san he transferred schools," Mochida said. "His family moves around a lot and he moved the day after the final…he also said he would quit playing basketball."

"What?" Tetsuya felt like his heart was breaking as he stared at Mochida.

Tetsuya sighed again and adjusted in his seat on the bus. The traffic was going smoothly and offered little distraction from his thoughts. He still flinched as he thought about how Mochida said they all quit basketball and that it was because of that game. He didn't need to point out that Ogiwara was the one who loved basketball the most out of all of them. Tetsuya already knew that.

"I hope you won't give up on basketball," Mochida said startling Tetsuya.

"Huh?" Tetsuya blinked. "Why are you saying this to me?"

"I can tell by just looking," Mochida said. "Right now your eyes have the same look as us. But the last thing Shige and your eyes met he saw something deeper. He said that your teams' eyes were cold and that you were the same, but still different. He said he couldn't say anything right after the match, he was too shocked. But your eyes still had some warmth in them."

Tetsuya looked down and stared at the black wristband that he had received from Mochida, it had belonged to Ogiwara. Mochida had said that Ogiwara had faith in him to melt those cold eyes. Could he do it? He had tried all year to get through to them and nothing worked? How was he supposed to do it now? Could he even play again?

Mochida had said one more thing before they went their separate ways. Something that had Tetsuya feeling even more guilty than he already felt.

"Also," Mochida said turning back to look at him. "Potter-san was different from the rest of your team. Ogiwara said she was brave to do what she did and that he had never seen anyone do it before."

"Do what?" Tetsuya asked confused a feeling of dread filled him.

"You don't know?" Mochida asked visibly surprised.

"Know what?"

Mochida looked pained and hesitant before he seemed to steel himself and started to talk.

"We never knew that they manipulated the game like that;" Mochida said a pained look on his face. "Potter-san played in the first quarter before she was put on the bench. She didn't enter the court again until late in the last quarter. We noticed that she seemed to play more seriously than the others when we passed them it seemed like she was there to cover… We didn't know she was really playing against them… When Ogiwara missed the last shot, the one that would have made the score 111-11… the tall, lazy one grabbed the ball and told Ogiwara that he should at least do it properly when he let him past him. He moved to make the shot himself, but Potter-san stopped him. She went openly against her own team to stop him from scoring for us."

Tetsuya stared at him shocked and unable to process what he was told. Mac had…Mac had stopped them? She had tried to make it right?

"That's when we realised what they had done," Mochida said. "What fools we were."

"Mac did that?" Tetsuya whispered.

"Yeah, Ogiwara said it couldn't have been easy to go against your team like that," Mochida said. "And from what I saw yesterday…she seems to be having your back pretty well. You've got a good friend in her."

Tetsuya felt like a fool. So stupid and idiotic. How could he have blamed what happened on Mac? He should have known that she wouldn't do that. Frustrated tears filled his eyes and he rubbed them away with the back of his hand feeling annoyed and angry at himself. He remembered her broken look as she stared at him; she never denied what he was saying. She never said she hadn't been a part of it. In fact, she had just let him rant and blame her, like she blamed herself. He could now remember the guilty look in her green eyes.

What was he going to do?

...

Mac saw Shintaro sitting by one of the tables in the library doing what seemed to be his homework. A plant of some sort was beside him, so she guessed that was his lucky item for the day. She went to a free table on the other side of the room ignoring the fact that he had seen her and the slight longing in his eyes. Like he wanted her to come and join him. She wasn't going to. Not now.

"Mac-san."

Mac sighed and looked up from her half-done homework and saw Momoi standing there, again. Mac sighed again and closed her book.

"Let me guess," Mac said. "Someone's here to see me."

"Sorry, Mac-san;" Momoi said.

"Not your fault, Momoi-san," Mac said placing her bag over her shoulder and walked out of the library and to the room close to the gym. She gave Momoi a smile before she pushed the door open and slipped into the room.

She saw the thin and tall middle-aged man with straight black hair that reached his earlobes. He was wearing a pair of grey pants and a formal white shirt with a black tie looking serious and professional all at once. Next to him was a teen that seemed very large and was even taller than his coach, his dark hair stood upwards and he had a stern look on his face as he stared at her with dark eyes.

"Hello, I'm Potter Mackenzie," Mac greeted them. "I'm the manager of the team."

"We were told we would be talking with you," the coach said. "I'm Nakatani Masaaki and this is the Captain of my team, Otsubo Taisuke. We're from Shutoku High School."

Mac gestured for them to sit down and put her files on the table in front of her, she saw Otsubo eye them before looking back up at her.

"Shutoku," Mac muttered, "That's one the three kings in Tokyo."

"That's correct," Nakatani nodded.

"And who are you interested in?" Mac asked.

"Midorima Shintaro," Nakatani said, "and you."

Mac blinked a little surprised. She hadn't expected that. She looked up at saw him watching her with observant eyes.

"Ah," Mac said. "Well, I haven't made any decisions yet. But I'll hear what you have to say."

Nakatani nodded looking pleased.

"But let's start with Midorima first," Mac said. "Why are you interested in him?"

"He's a good player, a good shooting guard and our team is in need of a shooting guard," Nakatani said. "We're a strong team and have a strong tradition of qualifying for both Inter-High and Winter Cup. I believe we can offer him, and you, the challenge you need."

Mac watched him for a moment and then glanced at Otsubo who was watching her with a calm expression on his face.

"And you? What kind of team do you lead?" Mac asked.

Otsubo arched a brow at her.

"My team is strong and we work together," he said. "We are a team."

Mac tilted her head as she watched him. She hadn't really heard about him before, but she could tell from his aura and personality that he was fair and strong.

"You've heard rumours about us, I presume?" Mac asked glancing at both coach and Captain.

They both nodded and looked at her wondering where she was going with this.

"Then you know that we're all…quirky and have our special needs?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" Nakatani asked.

"Look, how are you going to handle someone who's used to getting what he wants and has a special personality?" Mac asked looking straight at him. "I won't let you talk to him if you're going to allow him to be ridiculed because of who he is or what he believes in."

Nakatani leaned back in his seat as he watched her with something new in his eyes before he smiled and seemed amused.

"He'll be treated with respect," Nakatani promised. "We don't care what he believes in, as long as he plays seriously and takes a part in the team."

Mac stared at him for a moment before she nodded.

"One moment, please," she said and got up. She walked outside and saw Momoi waiting, she arched a brow at the younger girl.

"I thought you might need help finding someone," Momoi explained.

"Thank you, Momoi," Mac smiled. "Could you find Midorima, please? He was in the library."

Momoi nodded and hurried off. Mac smiled fondly after the younger girl before heading back into the room.

...

The silence stretched and Mac was wondering if she should say something. She didn't like being watched and she could feel both of them watching her making her antsy and wanting to shift in her chair.

"Why do you want me to join you?" Mac asked breaking the silence.

"You're a very good manager for your team," Nakatani said. "You're different from other managers I have seen."

"Because I'm a girl and actually play basketball?" Mac arched a brow at him.

He snorted.

"Perhaps," Nakatani smiled. "You also have a way to see the game and read how it will develop. I have done my research on you, Potter-san. We could use someone like you on our team."

Mac pursed her lips. "Would you want me as a manager or as a player?"

"Mainly as a manager," Nakatani said honestly.

Mac nodded and wrote something down. "Well, I haven't made any decisions yet. But I'll think about it."

Nakatani smiled and nodded just as the door opened again. Mac turned to see Shintaro standing in the doorway with his plant in one hand and the other pushed his glasses up his nose as he took a look around the room. His eyes fell on Mac and he raised a brow at her.

"Midorima, this is Nakatani-san and Otsubo-sand from Shutoku High School," Mac introduced. "They're here to talk to you."

Shintaro swallowed and walked to take a seat next to Mac. She was professional and let nothing of her annoyance over him show as they started to talk to the coach and captain of Shutoku. Shintaro listened and found that he liked what he heard; he was slightly surprised when it became clear for him that they also wanted Mac to join the school.

Glancing at Mac he found that he wouldn't mind if she joined him at that school, but he somehow doubted that it would happen. He could tell at least two who would fight to get her to go to the same school as them and that was not counting that boyfriend of hers.

...

Mac rubbed a hand over her eyes as she sighed tiredly as she had waved goodbye to the Shutoku coach and captain. She felt so tired and she wondered when the last time she got a good night sleep was. The last few days seemed to have lasted forever. Was it really just a couple of days since she had her first kiss?

"Mac," Shintaro spoke up and Mac glanced at the green haired boy. He looked nervous and was glancing at her before looking away; it was not often he looked so out of his comfort zone. She decided to turn toward him and arched a brow.

"What is it?" She asked.

"I…I'm sorry for what happened at the final," he apologized surprising her slightly. She had not expected him to actually say sorry, his cheeks were flushed and he was refusing to look at her for longer than a couple of seconds at the time. "Not that I care, but it was wrong of us to do that and we should have thought about the consequences."

"You should have," Mac agreed. She found that her anger at the other boy was slipping away and she knew that he wasn't the one who suggested it. He merely went with the flow. She met his eyes and gave him a nod. He seemed to read it correctly because his shoulders relaxed slightly and he smiled a little.

...

It was almost the end of the day when he reached the school. He hadn't been back here since before the final and he still felt almost sick just looking up at the school. To think that once he had looked forward to entering the school and join his friends. Now though… He inhaled before walking through the gates and walked unseen through the crowds of students that had finished with their classes for the day and was on their way to clubs or the library.

Being unseen was something he was used to, something he had learned to accept. Right now it was something he wanted, to remain unseen and unnoticed by his peers around him. To just be invisible to the world, then maybe his problems wouldn't exist if they couldn't see him. Though… perhaps that was all a foolish hope, a childish wish.

No one stopped him on his trek through the halls and out to the gym behind the school, nor did he see the one he had dragged himself away from the safety of his room to see. As he got closer to the gym he felt his pulse speed up and hands turned sweaty as the sounds of basketballs bouncing against the parquet floors reached his ears.

He paused just outside the large doors and tried to calm himself down. He had to do this, he had to find her. Then he could…

"Tetsuya," a cool voice sounded behind him.

Tetsuya froze wondering just why he couldn't have remained unseen just a little while longer and why it had to be him to notice him of all people!

...

...

AN: Tetsuya showed up! :)

Next chapter should have a few confrontations... and more schools showing up to show their interest. It's almost time for our hero to make her choice.

Thank for reading and see you again soon!