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

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1st year – Too Academy

Sayuri sighed as she tried to focus on her book and not glancing over at her brother who was currently sulking at the table. He had been told he couldn't go and visit Mac and he was not really taking the refusal really well. He could be so stubborn and sometimes Sayuri was wondering how the two of them were even twins. Wasn't twins supposed to be similar?

"Shiro, do your homework," Ayano said.

"I don't want to," Shiro muttered.

"It still doesn't change the fact that you have to do your homework," Ayano said and Sayuri could tell her mum was really trying to be patient.

Sayuri looked back at her book, she had started to read The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien and she loved it. Mac had been the one to recommend the book to her and Sayuri hoped that Mac would come and talk to her about the book sometime, but recently Mac had been over at their house less and less and Sayuri missed her.

Sayuri looked up when she heard Shiro slam a book at the table and saw him glare at it like it would catch fire if he glared hard enough. She sighed and wondered when he was going to snap out of his mood, but looking at Daiki she was still waiting for him to snap out of his bad mood so…she sighed again. It would probably be a while. Years. Why did her brothers have to be so…so…so difficult!

Sometimes Sayuri felt like she was the only sane one in the family, well besides Mac, but that was a given. Mac was sane and the only one who could control her brothers, but…Mac wasn't there. Mac had said she was busy today even if it was a Saturday and according to Daiki there was no basketball practice. Didn't Mac want to come and see them anymore?

Sayuri put her book down and got up to get something to drink. She ignored the sour look from Shiro when she passed him on her way to the kitchen. It wasn't her fault that he hadn't done his homework and she had done hers. She smiled at her mum who came into the kitchen just as she finished pouring some water into a glass.

Back in her favourite chair by the window in the living room she put the glass down on the small table beside the chair and curled her feet up underneath her as she picked up her book once more as she tried to focus on the story once again. Yet, her mind was not really letting her concentrate on Bilbo and his fight with the trolls right now.

She felt her eyes drift from the pages and over at her twin brother who was sitting hunched over his homework. He had been having a hard time lately and Sayuri did feel bad for him. She hadn't really heard what the other kids had said to him and she was angry that they dared compare him to Daiki. Couldn't they see that Shiro was Shiro and not his big brother? They didn't even play the same sport! While Shiro and Daiki both liked sports and had a talent for it, unlike her who was more academically inclined (Mac's words), it didn't have to mean that they were the same. She really thought that the other kids were stupid if they couldn't understand that.

Sayuri remembered the panic in her parents when they realised that Shiro wasn't in his room like they thought he was and had no idea when he had slipped out. It had been horrible and Sayuri had been really worried and scared because her brother was not home and he had been upset. They hadn't even known what he was upset about, just that he was rude to…that girl that had come to visit Daiki.

They really shouldn't be surprised when they learned that Shiro had gone to Mac. He had always been close to her and Sayuri had even once been jealous of Shiro's clear closeness to Mac and thought he wasn't happy with her as a sister. She had learned, or her mum had explained, that it didn't mean that Shiro didn't like her or didn't love her too. It just meant that Shiro had found another sister and someone to look up to in Mac and that she was sure Shiro had enough love to give them both.

Of course, Sayuri really liked Mac as well. She was kind and really good at listening when she talked about her books. Unlike Shiro and Daiki who got really bored and impatient when Sayuri started ranting about a book she had read, Mac was eagerly listening and even joining in on the conversation. Every birthday and Christmas Mac would give her some new books and so far Sayuri had liked every book Mac had given her.

It wasn't until much later, Daiki had gone out and come back again, and Shiro who had abandoned his homework to watch television annoying Sayuri with the volume that the doorbell rang. Sayuri glanced up from her book as she heard her mum go to open the door.

...

Mac felt nervous as she stood in the Dojo and looked around waiting for Yuki to start their lesson. She wasn't really sure what to expect or what to do but she was determined to figure it out. She smiled nervously at Yuki who smiled reassuringly at her.

"So, normally I would start with working on your fitness, but thanks to basketball I think you're pretty fit already," Yuki said, "but martial arts is different from basketball and you use different muscles and therefore will still need to work on some basic things before we move on to the more complicated aspects."

Mac nodded when he paused and looked at her.

"So, I want you to start warming up," Yuki said. "I want you to run around the garden for fifteen minutes."

"Yes, sir," Mac nodded and started to run.

It wasn't something she was unfamiliar with and she let her mind wander as she ran through the beautiful gardens, the dirt path was slightly uneven making her having to work more to keep from stepping wrong.

Fifteen minutes later Mac stopped running and stepped into the Dojo again and found Yuki waiting for her. Only he wasn't alone this time and Mac paused when she spotted the girl standing next to Yuki wearing the training clothes Mac guessed was normal for martial arts students. She smiled when she met Mac's eyes and Mac couldn't help but notice those lilac eyes. Her white hair was pulled back in a ponytail tied with a lilac cord.

"Ah, Mac-san," Yuki smiled, "I want you to meet one of my students, Ueno Setsuko."

"Hi!" Ueno smiled and bowed politely, "I'm Ueno Setsuko, pleased to meet you."

"Hi, I'm Potter Mackenzie," Mac said a little thrown but bowed politely back.

"I asked her to help with your training, Mac-san," Yuki explained, "it will be easier to learn with her help."

"Ah, I see," Mac said a little shyly and glanced at the other girl. "Thank you."

"No problem;" Ueno grinned. "I'm happy to help. Yuki-sensei told me you wanted to learn and I like getting more girls into the sport!"

Mac nodded and looked at Yuki who smiled before he turned more serious.

"Good," he said. "I want to test your flexibility and see how much work you'll need to be in the best condition to move on with the training."

"Yes, sensei," Mac said and listened to him as he explained what he wanted her to do.

"Look at me," Ueno said and walked to the wall and lied down. Mac watched how she positioned herself so she was lying on her back with her bottom pressed against the wall and her legs stretching right up against the wall. She then separated her legs and Mac wondered just how she managed to get them that far apart.

Mac copied her and felt how her muscles started to protest as she separated her legs farther and stopped when the pain told her to. She counted in her mind as she felt the strain much quicker than she liked. Finally, she placed her legs together again and let out a breath of relief as she felt the strain lessen slightly.

"Ok, again," Yuki said. "This time try for a little farther."

Mac did and felt that she actually managed to do it a little farther this time, but it was heavy. It wasn't like she had expected at all.

"Ok, that's enough for now," Yuki said after a few more tries.

"You're rather flexible already," Ueno commented when Mac got back to her feet grimacing slightly.

Mac shrugged unsure how to answer the other girl.

"Okay, the next exercise I want you to do is…" Yuki said, and Mac focused her attention on him. The next couple of hours were spent much like this with Ueno showing Mac the different exercises and helping her when need be.

...

"Thank you, Yuki-sensei," Mac bowed to him when the lesson was over and he gave her a nod before she turned to walk out.

"Potter-san!" Ueno came up beside her just as she exited the compound and Mac glanced at the other girl a little curiously and warily. She wasn't used to be around girls, not really. "You're busy?"

"Not particularly," Mac said honestly having only thought about getting back home and rest.

"Want to go for some food?" Ueno asked. "I'm hungry and could use the company."

Mac blinked as she stared at the girl. Did she really hear her right?

"Potter-san?" Ueno waved a hand in front of Mac's face. "You alright?"

"Oh, sorry," Mac looked away feeling a blush on her cheeks. "Um, okay, sure."

"Great," Ueno smiled and grabbed Mac's arm and dragged her toward what Mac supposed to be a restaurant. "I always enjoy going out to eat after practice."

Mac remembered how she used to do that with her friends sometimes back at Teiko and nodded slightly to show she agreed with the other girl who was babbling and chatting about something Mac wasn't really sure about but she felt herself getting pulled along.

"I love the food here," Ueno said and Mac realised she had stopped in front of a ramen shop. "Come on."

Mac followed the white-haired girl into the small ramen shop and watched how the older woman greeted her with familiarity and warmth before Ueno introduced Mac before leading her to a table. Mac ordered and watched as Ueno looked around the place.

"I use to come here once or twice a week," Ueno admitted, "sometimes alone and sometimes with some friends."

"It looks like a good place," Mac said politely.

Ueno nodded smiling. She did that a lot, Mac noticed. Smile, that is. Mac couldn't help but wonder when the last time she had felt like smiling that much was, had she ever smiled that much? Mac wasn't sure.

"Have you been doing Martial Arts for long?" Mac asked.

"I started when I was six," Ueno said looking back at Mac with those lilac eyes. "I'm now 15."

"I see," Mac said.

"How old are you, Potter-san?" Ueno asked.

"15," Mac said.

"Which school do you go to?" Ueno asked leaning forward slightly.

"Too Academy," Mac smiled relaxing slightly, "you?"

"Shutoku," Ueno smiled. "It's a good school. I like it. How do you like yours?"

"I like it," Mac smiled back.

They chatted while they ate and Mac wondered if she had ever talked with a girl her age like this. Well, Momoi perhaps. Riko had a potential to be a friend, but the whole situation with Kiyoshi had Mac a little unsure about what her relationship with Riko was at the moment.

"You play basketball?" Ueno blinked at her almost owlishly. "Really?"

Mac nodded feeling a little unsure.

"Awesome," Ueno grinned, "and on a boys team as well. Really awesome! You must be really good!"

Mac blinked surprised and looked away shyly and again felt thrown by the reaction to this girl. She didn't react like Mac expected her to.

"I like basketball," Mac said. "It's fun."

Ueno looked at her for a moment before she smiled.

"If you like it then go for it," Ueno said, "it's really all there's to it!"

Mac smiled and almost laughed as the other girl posed dramatically before laughing.

...

Mac felt better as she walked away from the restaurant having said goodbye to Ueno who had waved and promised to see her at the next lesson. It had been really…nice, Mac thought. While her lesson hadn't really been what she had expected (she had hoped for more actual self-defence) she was really pleased with how it had gone. Meeting Ueno had been an unexpected bonus.

Mac walked passed a bookstore and decided to go inside to just looking for a moment since it still was some time before the bus she needed to take would arrive. She did like to read, but it wasn't often she had enough time to read just for the fun of it. Normally she would have to read for either her magical lessons or her muggle school, but sometimes it was fun to just read without having to cram it or something.

Pausing in front of a shelf she noticed one book she had actually managed to read as a kid still living with the Dursley's. It was the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery and Mac remembered how she had loved it. Mac flickered through the pages and smiled as she read a quote she remembered liking when she had first read it and how she so desperately had wished for it to be true: "kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there so many of them in the world."

She had to buy it and she would give it to Sayuri and hopefully, she would like the book as much as Mac had when she was even younger than her. She didn't think Sayuri had read it yet and that was just too bad.

Deciding to go and visit her favourite family she thought about Shiro and hoped he was alright, she hadn't really seen him since she had dropped him off after he had run away. She had talked to him on the phone, but she had been unable to go and visit because she had been so busy. She also hoped Sayuri was handling everything ok and that she wasn't too upset.

"Mac," Ayano smiled when she opened the door for her before pulling her into a warm hug. "I thought you were busy today."

"I was, but I just finished and decided to stop by before I went home," Mac said stepping into the house. "Hope that's alright."

"Of course it is," Ayano smiled. "The kids miss you."

Mac smiled and nodded.

She walked into the living room and before she really could look around she was being hugged by Shiro who had heard her voice and abandoned the television to come and see her.

"Mac-nee!" he cried. "You're here!"

"I am," Mac smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "How are you, Shiro?"

"I'm fine," he smiled, "mum said I couldn't go and see you today and I had to do my homework. It was so boring."

"Homework can be boring," Mac agreed, smiling slightly, "but it's how we learn and everyone must do it."

Shiro pouted but he nodded.

"Hi Mac-nee," Sayuri said and Mac looked away from Shiro to see the twin sister standing right behind him and smiling at her. Mac let go of Shiro and hugged the younger girl.

"Hi Sayuri," Mac pulled back from the hug and brushed a strand of her brown hair out of her face, "what are you reading today?"

"The Hobbit," Sayuri said, "it's really exciting!"

"It is," Mac nodded and sat down on the sofa with both kids on either side of her and by then they were talking and trying to get her attention at the same time.

...

Sayuri sat beside Mac and listened to her talk to Shiro who was suddenly more open and cheerful than he had been all day or days really. She wondered how Mac did it. How she calmed him and got him in a good mood like that.

Shiro left to do something after a while and Sayuri looked at Mac who smiled tiredly at her making Sayuri wonder what Mac had been doing all day.

"I have something for you, Sayuri," Mac said and reached for her bag and as expected Nao jumped out making Mac mutter an apology for not letting him out before, but she continued to search through her bag. "Here."

Sayuri looked down at the book she suddenly had in her hands and read the title, Anne of Green Gables. She looked back at Mac who was smiling. "Thank you. What is it about?"

"You've never heard of it before?" Mac asked curling up on the sofa and adjusting her position so she was turned completely toward Sayuri.

Sayuri shook her head and looked back at the book as Mac explained it. She could tell that the older girl really loved the book and thought it would be worth reading just because of the obvious love Mac had for it.

"I'll read it," Sayuri said. "Thank you, Mac-nee."

Mac gave her the smile Sayuri had learned was only given to her and Shiro, and she felt special when she saw it. Sayuri looked down at her lap and the book before looking back up at Mac who was watching her.

"What did you do today, Mac-nee?" Sayuri looked at her curiously.

Sayuri didn't really understand why Mac suddenly looked a little hesitant or why she bit down on her lip before she let out a small sigh and smiled.

"I've been at a Dojo starting to learn Martial Arts," Mac admitted.

"Really?" Sayuri blinked at her. "I didn't know you were learning Martial Arts. Daiki-nii never said anything."

"Daiki doesn't know, Sayuri," Mac said and Sayuri thought that Mac looked rather sad. "I just started today, anyway."

Sayuri nodded but she frowned slightly as she looked at Mac. Was she really sad about Daiki? Why was she sad about him? He was upstairs, wasn't he? Come to think about it… Mac hadn't once mentioned him or gone up to see him like she normally would do. That was…strange.

"Oh," Sayuri didn't know what to say and this seemed to be more complicated than she could understand. Did it have anything to do with that girl that came to see Daiki? Fujimoto, or something like that?

Sayuri caught the searching looks Mac gave her from time to time as they discussed the books Sayuri had read and thought she even saw a small pleased smile on Mac's lips a couple of times. Sayuri wasn't really sure why Mac looked at her like that but she didn't say anything about it.

...

"Thank you for coming, Mac," Ayano smiled at her and Mac smiled back. "Shiro and Sayuri really appreciated it."

Mac nodded not sure what to say, but she did know that the two kids liked it when Mac came and it was something that warmed Mac every time.

"Are you alright, Mac?" Ayano asked.

"I'm fine," Mac said automatically blinking at the older woman who gave her a searching look. Mac wasn't sure what she was looking for.

"Are you sure?" Ayano didn't seem to believe her. "You've not been over much lately and I know Daiki can be a little…oblivious."

"Oh, well," Mac swallowed unsure about what to say because it was something she didn't really like thinking about. "I am quite busy lately and magic lessons and basketball and Muggle School do take up a lot of my time."

Ayano nodded and still looked worried and Mac look down at the cup of hot chocolate that Ayano had made her as they sat in the kitchen. Sayuri was reading again and Shiro was playing a video game. Daiki was somewhere Mac wasn't sure where and she tried to ignore the need to go and see him.

"I see," Ayano sighed. "Well, we miss you. You know you can talk to me, Mac?"

Mac looked up at her and nodded when she met the warm eyes that were looking at her with concern. Mac knew that but… could she really open up to her? Mac wasn't even sure about what was wrong with her in the first place. All she knew was that she felt like she was losing Daiki and it scared her.

"Do…do you think Daiki is upset with me?" Mac whispered.

"Why would he be upset with you?" Ayano asked confused.

"He…no, I don't know," Mac sighed, "he's just…different."

Ayano looked at her for a long moment and Mac felt like squirming feeling stupid for having said anything. It really wasn't something she should talk to Daiki's mum about.

"I don't think he's upset with you, Mac," Ayano said, "I just think he's…exploring. You both have been very connected ever since you met and not really seen much of what's out there besides the two of you. You then met Kiyoshi and now Daiki's met Fujimoto, and there's nothing wrong with that, Mac. I know life is changing as you grow up, that's normal."

Mac frowned and felt a stab of sadness when she mentioned Kiyoshi and realised she missed him, it had been weeks since she'd seen him. Mac thought about what Ayano had said and she guessed it made sense, but she still didn't like thinking about Daiki with Fujimoto.

"You won't lose Daiki, Mac," Ayano suddenly said in a fierce voice causing Mac to blink as she looked back at the older woman who gave her an understanding smile. "The two of you are best friends and I have never seen anyone with a closer bond than the two of you. He'll always be there for you like you will for him, just… give him some time to figure it out."

Mac sighed but she nodded knowing that she really didn't have a choice. She still felt unsure and confused, because it seemed like Ayano was talking about something more than just Mac getting her best friend back. Just, what was she really talking about? Mac almost asked but she stopped herself.

...

"Kenzie! Wait up!" Daiki called and Mac turned to see her friend come jogging up to her.

"Morning," Mac smiled slightly.

"Morning," he grinned, "no morning practice today?"

"Not today," Mac said, "but after school."

Daiki nodded and they started to walk together toward the school. Neither of them spoke and Mac couldn't help but wonder when finding something to talk about had become so hard. She wanted to ask about Fujimoto, but at the same time, she was worried about stepping into a place in Daiki's life that wasn't open for her. Then there was the fact that she wasn't sure she really wanted to know what Daiki thought about the other girl. Did he really like her? What was it he liked about her?

No, Mac pushed the thoughts away the best she could. She didn't care about what Daiki thought about Fujimoto, he could like her all he wanted. She just didn't want to lose her place with him and she missed him. Even when he was walking two steps beside her she felt like she missed him.

"Mac, Aomine," Imayoshi's voice suddenly interrupted Mac's thoughts and she realised that both Imayoshi and Susa was standing in front of them.

"Hi, Imayoshi-Captain, Susa-san," Mac smiled slightly at them while Daiki just grunted. How elegant, Mac thought.

"Are you feeling better, Mac?" Susa asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, Susa-san," Mac said ignoring the way Daiki was frowning at her.

"You're sure about that?" Imayoshi looked at her from behind his almost closed eyes and he was smiling. "You almost ran yourself to exhaustion last week."

Mac tensed and had to work to not look over at Daiki who had stilled (she could tell even without looking at him). She frowned at Imayoshi who met her eyes innocently.

"I'm fine," she said again, "I just got lost in thoughts last week and forgot to count the rounds I ran. Nothing to worry about."

"Ok, but be sure not to overdo it today," Susa lectured and Mac was sure he would personally make sure she didn't.

"I won't," Mac sighed.

"Ok, see you at practice, Mac," Susa said and turned to walk away while Imayoshi gave them both a smirk before following his friend.

Mac started to walk again and sped up on her way to the classroom. Daiki was right behind her and she could feel his eyes on her. She did her best to ignore him and walked to her seat.

"Kenzie," Daiki started but was interrupted when Fujimoto bounced over to him and latched onto his arm.

"Aomine!" she squealed. "You have to come and watch the video Fukui-chan found last night!"

Mac glanced up to see Daiki being dragged over to the group of peoples gathered around Fukui's desk to watch the video she had found. Mac could hear the laughter and it sounded almost forging for her. She sighed and looked down at her desk and her fisted hands resting on top of her books.

Did she really still have a place with Daiki?

...

It was lunch and Mac was prepared to eat by herself like she had done many times lately when she suddenly found her wrist grabbed by a warm hand. A very familiar warm hand… She looked up, startled, and her eyes found Daiki glowering down at her causing her to blink at him.

"Daiki…?" Mac started but she was tugged up on her feet before being pulled out of the classroom. She was barely aware of the stares she received or the glare from Fujimoto as she focused on following Daiki without falling down.

He didn't say a word until they were on the rooftop of the school. She blinked as she looked around, there was a possibility to get even higher up by climbing a ladder that was fasted to the wall beside the door they had just exited and Mac briefly wondered what the view would be like from up there. She quickly pushed the thought away to find Daiki still glowering at her and his arms now folded over his chest making her realised that he had let go of her arm.

"Daiki?" Mac frowned at him. "Why did you drag me all the way up here?"

She had a feeling it was about what he had overheard from Susa and Imayoshi earlier that morning, but at the same time, she wasn't sure why he would care because it wasn't that big of a deal.

"You never told me what happened at practice last week," Daiki said still scowling.

Mac stared at him for a long moment and only because she knew him so well did she spot the hurt that lurked underneath his scowl and deep blue eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but she closed it again.

"Kenzie," the urging tone in Daiki's voice had Mac look back at him and felt her shoulders tense slightly.

"Why should I tell you, Daiki?" Mac whispered.

"What?" Daiki snapped at her clearly shocked. "Kenzie…"

"You weren't at the practice," Mac said, "I can deal with it myself. I don't need to tell you everything, besides…"

"Besides…" Daiki pressed.

"You are busy and I don't want to bother you," Mac said looking away from him.

Daiki didn't say anything and Mac almost wished she hadn't said anything or tried to get away so she wasn't being confronted by Daiki. She didn't want to ruin what was left of their friendship or say something she couldn't take back.

"You wouldn't bother me," Daiki finally said.

"Yes, I would," Mac snapped out unable to keep the words inside. "I couldn't tell you. I didn't want you to worry about me when you're with her. I can deal with things myself, Daiki."

"Where is this coming from?" Daiki asked sounding confused yet hurt and Mac hated a part of herself for putting that there. "You're still my best friend, Kenzie. Why are you pushing me away? What happened last week at practice that has even the seniors worried?"

Mac refused to look up at him and startled slightly when she felt a pair of hands against her chin to tilt her head up forcing her to meet worried blue eyes. He was frowning and to anyone else, he would look angry, but she knew he was worried and…scared. Why was he scared? Her skin felt warm where he was touching her and she was sure she was blushing, she just hoped he didn't notice. She wasn't even sure why she was blushing in the first place. It wasn't like it was the first time he had touched her.

"Please talk to me, Kenzie," Daiki pleaded and Mac felt herself break.

"It wasn't anything big, Daiki," Mac finally said, "I just… overdid it a little when I ran laps and didn't really notice when I fell and scraped my knee. Susa-san got overly worried and even Imayoshi-Captain did. I was fine."

Daiki frowned a little, "why did you overdo it like that?"

Mac grimaced as she realised she should have expected the question and she briefly considered dismissing it but then she saw the honest concern in his eyes. The concern she knew and had missed and was sure was something he only directed at her and she knew she couldn't do it.

"I was thinking about Shiro and worrying about how to help him," Mac admitted. "I want to help him, but I'm not sure how to best do it. He shouldn't be going through this and I hate the kid who hurt him like that. I…"

"We will find a way to help Shiro," Daiki promised. "Together."

Mac blinked and smiled slightly at him feeling some of her tension drain away.

"And why did you feel like you were bothering me, Kenzie?" Daiki asked with a frown. "I told you before that you're not a bother or a burden. I'm your best friend and therefore you can come to me."

Daiki looked frustrated and she saw him open and close his mouth a couple of times like he was trying to find something to say but he failed and gave a frustrated huff and glared at the floor. His hand opened and closed a few times like he was unsure of where to put them. Mac saw all this and she knew he must be frustrated and probably had used up all his capabilities for putting his thoughts and feelings into words, but his efforts did more to warm her than anything else possibly could. It reminded her of their earlier days and she knew that Daiki had a hard time to actually talk about things that were bothering him and his emotions so for him to do so made her feel special.

"Everything is changing, Daiki," Mac said quietly feeling the need to confess some of her fears to him. She saw how he turned his attention back to her and his face lost some of the frustrated looks as he looked at her concerned. "I don't know where my place is with you anymore."

"You're my best friend;" Daiki said surely, "your place is with me."

"I don't want to come between you and Fujimoto-san," Mac said not looking at him and forcing herself to not show any of her feelings about the girl as she spoke her name. "You like her, don't you?"

Daiki didn't say anything for a moment.

"Well, I might like her," Daiki admitted, "but that doesn't change the fact that I want to spend time with you and that you're my best friend. Fujimoto just has to deal with that."

Mac stared at him and saw the honesty in his eyes and all but threw herself at her best friend hugging him tightly as she buried her face in his chest. He put his arms around her after a second of hesitation and she felt warm and safe as he held her close. She had missed him and if having to watch him with Fujimoto meant she could still be next to him then she would do it.

"I've missed you," Mac whispered into his chest.

"Me too," he murmured. "I thought you regretted coming to Too and wished you had followed Akashi."

Mac shook her head but didn't say anything. She was not really sure how many times she would need to come to the same realisation. Being alive meant change and while Mac hated change, it was necessary and she always struggled with finding a way to keep up with Daiki as things changed between them, if it was because of basketball or because of other people. Like her dating Kiyoshi and now with him dating Fujimoto. Daiki wouldn't leave her, not over his loss of desire for basketball or because he got a girlfriend. He would still be her best friend and Mac just had to find other ways to interact with him.

...

Mac smiled as she walked back into the classroom with Daiki and listen to him chatting like before and realised just how much she had missed it. She wasn't under any misguided belief that everything was fixed between them, or that it wouldn't be difficult to realise that Daiki had other people in his life that mattered to him as well. She knew she wouldn't like seeing Fujimoto with him, but she would do it because Daiki liked her. She would do her best to like her as well, for Daiki's sake.

"Where have you been?" Fujimoto asked when Mac and Daiki had found their seats again.

"We just had something to talk about," Daiki shrugged carelessly.

Fujimoto frowned and shot Mac a glare to which Mac just arched a brow at the girl.

"I thought we were going to have lunch together," Fujimoto said pouting slightly.

"Oh," Daiki blinked but then he shrugged and smiled at her, "well, I needed to talk to Kenzie and I haven't really been able to talk to her for a while, so… besides, I never said I would have lunch with you every day."

"Of course," Fujimoto said but Mac saw that she wasn't happy about it.

Just then the teacher got back and Mac felt relieved when Fujimoto walked back to her seat but it was clear she wasn't happy.

Mac smiled pleased when Daiki said he would join her at basketball practice and he even smiled at her when he saw the happy look on her face.

...

...

AN: Thank you for reading! Hope you liked it :)