A/N: My master thesis is finaly done! Now I only have to present and vindicate it in three weeks. o.o
Thanks to everyone who followed, favourited and reviewed! It makes me happy :)
So... Here is the next chapter, according to my schedule :) I should have a bit of a free time now, so maybe there'll be a continuation of Kiku's story too (she's kind of drifting away from this and maybe the next two chapters, if I remember correctly)
What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog.― Dwight D. Eisenhower
"Heroes aren't always the ones who win," she said. "They're the ones who lose, sometimes. But they keep fighting, they keep coming back. They don't give up. That's what makes them heroes." ― Cassandra Clare, City of Heavenly Fire
It's easy to believe in something when you win all the time...The losses are what define a man's faith. ― Brandon Sanderson, The Well of Ascension
You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. ― Maya Angelou
To me, Fearless is not the absense of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To me, Fearless is having fears. Fearless is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, Fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death. ― Taylor Swift
Siblings: children of the same parents, each of whom is perfectly normal until they get together. ― Sam Levenson
People protect what they love. – Jacques Yves Cousteau
Love is the strongest and most fragile thing we have in life. – Vanessa Paradis
"So Kurokocchi's benched. As I've expected." Kise said as he returned to Midorima with Aya at tow.
"It's not the time to relax. But he can't help it; he couldn't rest when Aomine wasn't here…" Midorima said and stared at the two, unimpressed about their obvious friendship. He didn't understand why the redhead would befriend someone like Kise. Or rather… he didn't get why she was so calm and unimpressed around the model. Most of the girls would get the wrong impression. He didn't get it, but he wouldn't pry.
"But it's a risky move for Seirin. I feel that something might happen."
"It might indeed." Aya said staring at her brother. "It feels like he's ready to kill him."
######
Taiga and Aomine were facing each other right from the start. And Aomine was in the possession of the ball.
That's a nice aura. Aomine thought as he stared at his opponent. It's different from the time we played at the park, but… It's not enough!
Without faking, he dashed past Taiga, who didn't react to the fast change of pace.
"Damn!" He grunted, and when he turned around to catch up, Aomine was already below the basket, where two of his senpai's were meant to defend, but it was no use. I have to make it!
Aomine stopped abruptly, far enough so they wouldn't be able to stop him, and jumped backwards into a fade away. No one could match up to his speed and change of pace.
He made the shot but Taiga was there, almost managing to block him.
"Crap!" Taiga swore. Be it one millisecond sooner, he would've stopped him.
Impossible! Aomine stared at Taiga in shock. I was even faster than the last time… this guy…
Without a slightest hesitation Taiga turned around and bolted to the other side to counter attack. He didn't care about the ball; he knew it would come to him. He believed his teammates would deliver. And indeed, Hyuuga grabbed the ball and passed it to the ace.
"Tch." Aomine turned on his heel and chased after Kagami.
"Eh?!" Taiga turned to look at him when he blocked him. I can't shake him off my back no matter how fast I am?!
"You think such a slow counter attack would work on me? Don't worry, I won't let you succeed." …but… Is this even possible? Didn't he just jump from the free throw line? Don't tell me he was trying to dunk from there… Oi, oi, who do think you are? There weren't many players who could do that. He couldn't do that. And Kagami just went for it, unconsciously, desperately, but he would've made it. And Aomine knew that. It didn't make him feel uneasy, at least not for now. He knew he wouldn't lose, but he couldn't give Kagami another chance like this.
"A-ah, this is boring. Playing proper basketball… doesn't fit my personality." He said with a smirk. I'll show you some of my tricks, I guess…
"Huh?" Taiga blinked at him. He didn't get what Aomine meant. But the bluenette's aura changed, and a shiver ran down Taiga's spine.
The moment Aomine got the ball again, he understood. Even if he knew the speed and tricks, and thought he could stop it… He couldn't. "EH?!" Aomine ruled the game, he teased him with tricks, and a lot of unnecessary movement. That's… Aomine made Taiga's legs tangle, and the latter fell on his butt. The flexible streetball! So that's what Aya meant… I can't even remain standing?
Three of the Seirin's players tried to stop him. And once he was behind the basket they thought they did, but Aomine shot it anyways, not even looking at the hoop. And he made it.
######
Aya just stared at it in disbelief. "What the hell? Is this the first time he got really serious? Or is he just mocking them?"
"Hm?" Kise blinked at her. "You've never seen that?" He wouldn't believe that Aominecchi hadn't shown her that.
"Well yeah, he did that against Kirisaki Daiichi, when they pissed him off, but he usually doesn't go this far. I can't predict him at all." She said and stared at the game. She loved this unpredictable and ever-changing style of his. She really did. Even if her brother was losing… I'm a terrible sister…
"Well… that's because, in all sports there is an ideal set of basic movements, thought out and refined through history." Midorima started, "because of those basic movements it's possible to predict your opponent. You can create a tactics for offence and defence, you can strategise. But Aomine played basketball before he knew about those basics; he messed around in the streets, played with adults… For him, a free and flexible style is the most natural choice. He never had regular, non-changing movements. His basketball is limitless, because guards can never learn from playing against him. He is the trump card of the generation of miracles."
"Wow… thanks for the exhaustive explanation. I wouldn't have known without you." She chuckled. "I'm just a manager of the Touou's team… What do I know, right, Shin-chan?"
Midorima glared at the redhead, while Kise started laughing. She was hilarious.
The longer Aomine played the better his plays were getting. Aya, by now, knew he was a slow starter, he needed to run warm. She was disappointed, sad, he didn't deserve to win this game, but she couldn't take her eyes off of him. Aomine's basketball was enchanting, unique. And she couldn't imagine him ever losing in basketball.
"They can't do anything about him. None of them…" Kise said dejectedly. "But Kagamicchi…" He narrowed his eyes when Aomine passed Hyuuga, and jump into another fade-away. He couldn't possibly change his shot then. And Taiga jumped to stop him. "Incredible!" Kise gasped. "That's higher than all of his previous jumps!"
"Aomine will make it anyways." She said.
######
"Yeah, yeah. You jump unnaturally high. But I'm already bored of that." Aomine said as he shot, flying almost parallel with the ground.
Taiga clenched his teeth. Damn! I can't predict him at all. I have to find something I do better than him! I have no chance in speed… So maybe… Height. As long as he can't jump that high, I'll score! He thought and jumped despite the pain that spread through his legs.
Aomine knocked the ball down before Taiga could reach his pinnacle.
"?!"
"Sorry, but you're too slow. I knocked it down reflexively." He was now in the possession of the ball so he turned around and sprang towards Seirin's basket. Kagami was at his heels, but he couldn't catch up. He was faster than Kagami even while dribbling.
"What the hell?! Only Aomine is getting the ball and the spotlight!" Wakamatsu shouted angrily. "We just keep running back and forth!"
Aomine rolled his eyes upon hearing this. No one asks you to run back and forth, Bakamatsu…
Aomine jumped to shoot, when Taiga rammed into his back. That desperate, huh? It made him waver, but he instinctively brought the ball down and threw it from behind his back. It was so damn uncomfortable and straining on his elbow that he didn't like doing it too often, but he wasn't going to lose the points.
A referee blew a whistle, announcing a foul.
Taiga was staring at him wide-eyed. Am I really this useless against him? I've beaten Kise and Midorima… I thought… I had a feeling we could do it. But was I too naïve? He is unbeatable!
The ball was in; Aomine scored two points and got one free throw for being fouled while shooting.
After making his free throw, he turned to face the baffled Kagami. "Hey… There's no way you only have this much in store. Your team has to be better." He said spinning the ball on his finger. "The only one who can beat me one-on-one is me myself. You can't do it alone." He walked towards the Seirin's bench. "Come on, get out here, Tetsu. Let's duel."
"I'm going." Kuroko said. He knew the coach would allow. Seirin was 20 points behind now, they needed him.
"Seirin, member change!" Referee announced and Kuroko got in.
Taiga turned to his shadow. "… Sorry, it was more tiring than I thought." I can't beat him…
"I don't get why you're apologising."
"Ha?"
"Didn't we plan to fight together? If it was that simple to win, nobody would need to work hard."
"Whatever." Taiga growled, annoyed that Kuroko was basically scolding him. He looked up to the spectators' area, and held up his fist. His eyes instinctively found his sister. He just knew where she was.
Aomine looked at him incredulously, but then followed his gaze, and he found the redhead accompanied by Kise and Midorima. He couldn't see their faces clearly from that distance, but he knew they were there. And it made him wonder just how Taiga could find her in the crowd, because he'd look for her near the rest of the Touou's team, not on the other side.
She held her fist in the similar way. She didn't shout anything, but Taiga understood loud and clear. She wanted Seirin to win. And he could guess just how perplexed she felt about this.
"Sorry." He said to Aomine. "I can't lose here."
"Heh… I don't plan to lose either."
The moment the game started, Hyuuga scored a three pointer thanks to Kuroko's and Taiga's assistance. Seirin slowly started getting points they couldn't seem to get before. And it was all thanks to Kuroko's invisibility and ability to steal passes of their opponents. They still had about three minutes to the end of the third quarter.
Haaa… It really is different when he plays. Aomine thought nostalgically. "You haven't changed at all, Tetsu." Aomine looked down on him. "How disappointing. You think you can beat me just like that?"
Kuroko frowned at him. "That's exactly what I think. This is my style."
He can easily change the flow of the game… Daiki kept watching Kuroko. He needed to beat him. He needed to get rid of his regrets. This was the only way he knew. He'd destroyed it before; he just needed to finish his job. She'd surely hate you for this… His eyes travelled to the redhead for a moment, and he knew she caught his quick glance.
"Sorry… But I know everything about your basketball. Misdirection, huh?" He spotted the moment when Tetsu wanted to send the accelerating pass to Taiga – the only player who could catch it, and forgetting one very important detail... "Tch. Who do you think caught the most of your passes out of all the people you played with?"
Tetsu punched the ball and Aomine caught it with ease. "Your pass will never get through."
The shocked expression on Tetsu's face made his stomach tighten, but… Once he got the ball he got past the three second years, and jumped to score. And even if Taiga and Tetsu tried to stop him, he just bumped into them mid-air, full weight, making both of them fall down. He hadn't planned on doing it, but oh well… It happened.
Aomine was frowning at them, not offering them help. "What a pity… You've never changed the way you play since the junior high… No change, means no improvement. In the end, your basketball can't defeat me." She'd hate you for looking down on them like this… even though she can't hear… I'm not worth it.
######
"Please tell me he will help them up." Aya said wishfully, though she already knew it wouldn't happen. And the disappointment kept piling up.
"Don't be delusional." Midorima said. "You know how he is, don't you?"
"Yeah. I do." She sighed. And this is not it… What the hell are you doing, Aomine Daiki?
Kise knew Aominecchi better than others… "I don't think he's happy about doing this, really…"
Aya raised an eyebrow at him questioningly.
"Well, he is how he is, but isn't this too much? I guess he just wants to completely separate the bond he had with Kurokocchi. And this is his way of doing it… I mean…" He couldn't fully comprehend what was going on inside Aomine's head right now, but this was what he thought it might've been.
"Burning bridges…" Aya muttered.
From then on, in the fourth quarter, the match turned rather one sided. Taiga was trying the best to hide the pain, and fend Aomine off, but the point gap widened to 82 – 51, and kept widening, as Aomine was catching more and more of Kuroko's passes.
When he tried to keep up with Aomine, who shot while turning around, he made a movement which send an excruciating pain through his right leg. He definitely pulled something maybe even torn something in there. He bit his tongue not to shout in pain and took a deep breath. You have to finish this!
"TAIGA!" He could hear Aya's voice from above, and he cursed. FUCK! Of course she'd notice!
Riko reacted immediately too. She could see it the moment Taiga took another step and barely put any weight on the injured leg. And his other one wasn't better off.
"Seirin, member change!"
He squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to hear what he knew he would.
"KAGAMI!" Riko called out to him.
"What…" He didn't want to. "AGAIN?! There's nothing wrong with the taping!"
"Just get out." Tsuchida-senpai told him calmly.
"I'M FINE! AND IF I'M OUT, THE GAME… RIGHT NOW…" He wasn't even sure what he was saying, he just didn't want to get out.
"SHUT THE HELL UP! AND GET OUT!" Riko yelled back at him and he could hear Aya's voice echoing the same words. Everyone was staring at the dispute.
Katsunori was ready to step in if Taiga protested more, but at the end it wasn't needed. With his head hung down, Taiga walked towards the Seirin's bench without another word and slumped down with a towel on top of his head. His legs were shaking, and he wasn't sure how he would go to the changing room, let alone home.
Riko was frowning. He's done for. I can't use him anymore and the tournament isn't even over…
"Kagami looks scary." Wakamatsu said to Sakurai, staring at Taiga. "He looks furious, ready to kill."
"Eh?" Sakurai looked in Taiga's direction and shivered. The raging aura emanating from him was scary.
"All the players guarding Aomine lose their will at the end. To be honest even I wouldn't know what to do if I was up against him. But even when Taiga is defeated like this… He radiates rage. At a time when the others usually give up, he's stronger than ever. This is the first time I see someone like that." Wakamatsu explained himself.
Overhearing this, Aomine stole a glance at Kagami Taiga. And indeed… The loud center, who annoyed him to no ends was right. Kagami Taiga wanted to be out there, to play. He had to admit, Kagami deserved his respect, just like his sister. The twins were amazing. Worthy opponents indeed…
With Taiga out, the game was quickly decided. Seirin didn't score much and the point gap widened even more. Five minutes to the end and there was a 40 point difference.
"The winners and losers were determined faster than I thought." Aomine said to Kuroko with a smirk. The words he'd say next would destroy that bridge once and for all. "Your passes are useless, your stamina gone, and Kagami's benched. Everyone's hopes are tattered, and even you are just another tired member of the team. I won this one Tetsu."
"It's not over yet, Aomine-kun." The ghostly boy protested. He sucked when it came to giving up.
"Your chances are not better than one in a million. You can't win by one amazing counter attack." Why is he still…? Aomine didn't get it. He couldn't break Tetsu.
"…when the possibility of winning is 0, that's because the players gave up. Even if the others think it's meaningless, it's disgusting for me to quit, even when the possibility is 0. And so… I'll never give up."
Aomine stared at him with wide eyes. What was he doing wrong? He just wanted to separate the ties. Why could Tetsu still have such an impact on him? Why did Aya have to show up in his life? Why was he even thinking about the redhead in the middle of the match?! FUCK! I'm messed up.
Taiga nodded to Kuroko's words. That was what he needed to hear. That was what the entire Seirin needed to hear.
Heh… I guess we can't substitute him. How could we lose in attitude to a bunch of freshmen? Hyuuga thought and glanced at their bench, where everyone seemed so dejected. And so what if we lose? "HEY! GUYS?!" He shouted at them. "Are you dead or something?! I can't hear you! FIGHT UNTIL THE END!"
And with that, Seirin's bench came to life again; they started to cheer their teammates, who hadn't given up. Taiga shouting the loudest of them all.
"Heh… I agree with one thing you said, Tetsu." Aomine said with something Kuroko couldn't decipher, glimmering in his dark eyes. "Giving up easily is stupid."
The Seirin's struggle looked terrible, but they lost gracefully.112 to a mere 55. A terrible defeat for the new team like Seirin. But… No one gave up, no one cried, and they took the defeat with their heads held high.
"I'm proud of them." Aya said with a nod. "In the end, it was a good match."
"Let's hope this won't affect Seirin's next two games." Midorima said gravely, he had a bad feeling about this defeat. Kuroko'd acted way too weird in his opinion.
"It will…" Aya nodded seriously. "Taiga won't be able to play at all, and with this defeat… Maybe they'll win against Meisei, at least they should, but they won't win against Senshinkan. To pass further, you need 2 wins."
"You don't seem to mind it too much." Kise pointed out.
"My team won, I'm happy for them. And Seirin learned an important lesson as well. They'll get better thanks to this." She was speaking out of experience. Loses had been a very important part of her life too and she knew that without them, she would've never valued wins so much. "I'll go to my team now, I guess I should be there."
######
Touou's changing room:
"ALRIGHT! WE COMPLETELY DESTROYED OUR FIRST OPPONENTS! WE WOOON!" Wakamatsu shouted the moment the door of the changing room closed shut.
Everyone else sighed in annoyance at the loudness of the center.
"Just shut up." Imayoshi scolded him exasperatedly.
"Huh?!" Wakamatsu shuddered, the tone captain had used was scary. Really scary.
"We're here!" Kano barged in, followed by the others. "Congratulations! You were awesome~! We wooon!" He said happily, ignoring Wakamatsu signing him to shut up.
"Seriously? You too?" Imayoshi sighed… as if one loudmouth wasn't enough.
"Where's Aya?" Katsunori asked them. "I thought she was with you."
"Ah…" Ishii scratched the back of his neck. "I don't know. She hasn't returned since the break."
"Bad habits coming back, eh?" Katsunori sighed; Taiga had told him about her occasional smoking which had started last summer.
"What?" Kano asked confusedly.
"Nah, it's nothing." He muttered as a reply. "Alright! Hurry up so you can rest as soon as possible. Think about the mistakes you made this game, and be ready for tomorrow's match!"
"Haaai!"
Majority of the boys was already changing to go home, when one of the third years, who kept a low profile when Aya was around, spoke up. "And we thought Seirin was soooo strong. Especially their no.11, he was incredibly weak and there he was, trying to fight in the very end. He probably has some mental issue, or what... I mean, isn't it better to give up earlier?"
And that made Aomine, who was trying to calm down despite Wakamatsu's shouts, snap. He spun on his heel, grabbed the boy's collar and slammed him against a locker. The boy let out a strangled sound.
"A bastard, who's benched, should SHUT THE FUCK UP!" He yelled at him furiously, the idiot knew nothing about Tetsu, or him, or what was going on during the match.
"OI! Aomine! STOP IT!" Wakamatsu and Ishii yelled in unison ready to pull the ace from the senpai if necessary.
"Tche!" He clicked his tongue, and let go, turning around to storm out. It was dangerous for him to stay any longer. He couldn't face Kagami, should she appear.
And just when he opened the door to get the hell out, he almost ran her over.
"Whoah!" Aya blinked in surprise when she almost got hit by the door and then ran over by Aomine. She just barely avoided him on sheer instinct.
They stared at each other for a second, both too stunned to move. She didn't seem angry, but he didn't want to stay long enough to find out. He turned around to leave.
And she didn't stop him. She was disappointed, but she couldn't be really angry. It might've been Kise's insight, but she couldn't hate Aomine for what he'd done. Sure, she wasn't in the mood to talk with him and she would make him boil in his own juice for couple of days by not approaching him first, but…
"Oh, Aya! Where've you been?" Katsunori asked her with a raised eyebrow.
"Ehm… with Kise, and Midorima I guess… I met them by a chance. Sorry?" She shrugged sheepishly. "Anyways! Why the long faces? You've won! Congratulations! You've had a good match today!" She cheered them with a smile.
"You too?" Imayoshi raised an eyebrow at her, but he had to wonder what the girl was made of. Her brother had just lost and injured himself, the guy she liked had been late, acted terrible and almost ran her over without even saying sorry… And there she was, smiling at them, and it wasn't a fake smile, he would've known that.
"What's wrong with cheering my team on? Or being happy about a win, captain?"
"It was obvious we were going to win."
Her smile turned into a smirk. "It sure didn't look like it until Aomine's arrival~"
######
"Let's go Kuroko. Senpais have already left." Taiga said, forcing himself to stand up.
He had to re-tape his legs, in the magical way Aya had taught him the other day, just to be able to get up and walk. Of course the atmosphere had been heavy, and it wasn't just because they had lost, but because he'd gotten injured. He knew he was out of the other two matches, and he had a bad feeling about Kuroko. The boy had been way too surprised when Aomine had caught his passes. Shouldn't he have expected that? He kept thinking over and over again. If he were to face Tatsuya, he'd expect him to know all of his moves already – they'd played together for years…
"…" Kuroko didn't respond. He kept staring at his feet. We've lost because of me… I haven't changed? How am I supposed to do that?
Taiga sighed. "I guess this is our limit." He noticed how Kuroko tensed, but he had to say it. Now he understood what Aya had been subtly telling him all this time. He needed to get stronger – on his own. And Kuroko needed to know. "Honestly, I thought we'd play pretty well, but in the end, it was still a shit-play. Against his sheer skills… Just cooperation isn't enough to win."
Kuroko was still not saying anything. Taiga waited for a moment, and then he turned to leave. There was nothing else to say. He lost, just as much as Kuroko; there was no point in licking each other's wounds, or pitying themselves.
Not everything was lost yet, and even if they'd lose the next two matches, there was still the Winter cup. And the only thing he could think of, was practising again… Well, after I heal…
"Really…" He muttered when he entered the main hall just in time to catch up with the entire Touou's team minus Aomine. He was glad he didn't have to see that guy at the moment.
"How's your leg?!" Aya asked him immediately.
"Fine." He grunted and a vein popped on his forehead. "I could've finished the match, you know?!"
"No, you couldn't."
"Yes, I could."
"No, you couldn't."
"I could."
"You couldn't."
"Could."
"Couldn't"
"Stop it!" Katsunori jumped in, or the two could continue forever. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"It does!" Both turned to him.
"I'm not getting dragged into that argument." He said exasperatedly.
"I've never seen them like this." Kano whispered to Ishii. He'd never thought that Aya-chan had a childish side like this. "It's hilarious."
"I guess, they are more composed, usually…" He whispered back.
"I think they're both behaving like idiots." Naito joined, not at all quietly
"What?!" The twins turned their burning reddish eyes at him, but he just rolled his, not caring about it.
"You're going to a hospital, Taiga." Katsunori announced.
"U-uh. No way in hell." He protested and took a step back.
"You should have it checked." Aya joined the coach. She'd sleep better if she knew Taiga wasn't seriously injured.
"Then you're coming with me."
"U-uh." Aya shook her head with her arms raised up in front of her in a protective gesture. "No way. I'm not."
"Oh, yes you are. Don't be a coward, Robin." Taiga smirked, enjoying this. Normally, he'd worry – he knew Aya was terrified of hospitals, to the point of getting panic attacks – but right now… Well, he had a need to be the mean one for a change.
"I'm not! I can't! Go with Katsu!"
"I won't. If you want me to get checked up, you'll come with me."
He could see the struggle in her eyes, but then she straightened up and made up her mind. "Fine." I'll so regret this.
"I'll give you a ride." Katsunori offered himself, as he'd arrived by car.
######
Oh god… Aya stared at the hospital building. She felt nauseous just thinking about going inside. She'd never liked hospitals, but ever since her mother had died and they'd spent two weeks in a hospital with another little kid, who hadn't made it… She just couldn't stand hospitals. It haunted her. The little kid haunted her. Not that she'd ever told that to anyone… And whenever she had to visit a doctor, she always chose private ones, residing in unhospital-like buildings.
"You comin', or what?" Taiga nudged her, and looked over his shoulder. "No time to be frozen on the spot, sis'. I want to be done here already."
"R-right!" She blinked, clenched her fists and started moving. One foot in front of another. One step at a time. You can do it. She thought.
"It's the first time I see her staring at her feet while walking." Katsunori said quietly, she was so quiet the entire ride that it made him worried. "What happened, Taiga?"
"We've been in a hospital after mom died, you know that right? And there was that kid… Ah, well… She'd always been scared of hospitals, and after that, she can't stand them at all." He said with a shrug. "But she needs to get over it, we aren't kids anymore."
"You sure she'll be all right?"
"…" He looked over his shoulder at his sister, who suddenly looked like she'd shrunk. She was grabbing at the scar on her shoulder and chewing on her bottom lip. "…I hope…"
"What was with that pause?" Katsunori asked him with a raised eyebrow. He looked over his shoulder too. I didn't know she'd be this scared…
"…" Suddenly he felt bad for forcing her. Oh how he hated seeing her like this. "Gee'. Come on!" He stuck out his hand for Aya to hold onto. "It's not like you to be scared, Robin."
"Eh?" She looked at Taiga's hand and then his annoyed expression. "It's not like I can help it…" She muttered.
"Just take my hand. No one's gonna eat you." He barked at her.
After a small hesitation, she let go of her scar and grabbed Taiga's hand, with the strength of a drowning person catching a straw. A tiny smile appeared on her face, but she still couldn't look up. "Thanks…"
He could barely hear her voice. She won't be able to sleep tonight…
The smell of a disinfectant filled her nose, and it made her stomach turn. She could hear the sounds of the hospital, patients talking with doctors, announcements to doctors aired through a hospital radio. She squeezed her eyes shut, and let Taiga drag her whenever they needed to go. If only she could tune it all out...
"Sit here, and wait for me." Taiga said and made sure she listened. She nodded and did as he told her.
Katsunori sat beside her, surprised by her behaviour. He hadn't thought that Aya had a weakness like this. She looked so fragile, and Katsunori didn't know what to do to comfort her. But despite that, she was fighting the fear, trying to keep her calm. When Taiga went in, she brought her legs up and hugged her knees.
It's gonna be fine. Taiga'll be out in no time. Just calm down… Calm down… She felt so helpless. She knew she the fear was irrational, and her behaviour was pathetic, but she couldn't help it. The face of that kid they couldn't help kept flashing in her head. Just go away… Please! She thought desperately.
"So?" Katsunori asked him when Taiga got out.
"A pulled muscle in my right leg, and overstrain in my left… I'm completely grounded for the next two weeks. And then I'll have to follow some regimen to get fine quickly." He grunted, and showed the report and the regimen he got to Katsunori, who read through it quickly.
"Hmm… I'm surprised you've managed to play that long… Show that to your coach, she'll know how to put you back together when you're healed. Tora is a sports trainer after all. He's teaching her everything he knows."
"Yeah… Her father is also a former player." He sighed, and looked at Aya. "You shouldn't put your feet on the bench." He said kindly, and touched her shoulders. "Let's get out of here, 'kay?" He wasn't particularly fond of hospitals either, but he could keep it together.
She nodded, and reached to take his hand again.
Taiga noticed how sweaty and cold her hands were, but he didn't care. He pulled her up, and started leading her out. At least she didn't faint this time… He thought relieved.
"Sorry… I'm really pathetic." She said the moment they got out. With trembling hands she pulled out her cigarettes. She stuck one between her lips, but she couldn't flick on the lighter – it was a difficult task to do with trembling fingers.
Taiga sighed and took the lighter from her. He hated when she smoked, but right now… He lightened it up for her and held it up.
"Thanks… Sorry."
"Stop apologizing. I'm glad you came out on your own feet, really."
"You're seriously not concerned about smoking in front of me?" Katsunori asked her baffled.
It was the last thing she was concerned about at the moment. "Why? You gonna scold me?" She asked and deeply inhaled the nicotine. She could feel how the stress and fear were being pushed out of her system. She hated that feeling the most, and yet, she couldn't help it. It was so irrational, yet so strong.
"Eh…" He pulled at his fringe in surprise. "Well I probably should."
"But you aren't going to, right?"
Katsunori sighed. It's hard to deal with them… "I think you know very well it's not healthy, and you don't need my speech. Just try to tune it down to minimum."
"Yeah. I'm doing that… But hospitals…"
"Right… There is something I need to discuss with you." He changed the topic to get her interest. Originally, he planned on keeping it to himself, and not getting Aya involved, but… Maybe it could help her?
"Yes?"
"Masako e-mailed me this morning. She has a girl who's willing to become a manager of the Yosen's team, but she doesn't want to be bothered by explaining stuff to her." He rolled his eyes, this was so like Masako. "And she asked me if I would lend her one of mine, to teach the girl… I don't think I want to do that, and even if, I can't send Momoi out there – her parents would probably kill me."
"Since my parents are not around… You want me to go up to Akita?" She asked in disbelief. "For how long?"
"How long will it take you to teach the girl everything she needs to know?"
"A week? Four days? I'm not sure. Depends on how quick she's gonna learn."
"Tatsuya's probably there by now too, right?" Taiga asked nonchalantly to remind his sister what she was getting herself into.
"Oh… I guess… He told me he wanted to stay in America for the first week of holidays, but I guess he should've arrived around 16th June. To avoid remedial classes in the summer."
"So… Will you go?"
"Do you not want me to? I can stay at home with you if you want."
"Wha'?! I'm not scared to be alone or anything!"
"I haven't said that." She chuckled, her previous fear forgotten and replaced by another. Was she okay to face Tatsuya?
"You can decline if you want." Katsunori shrugged. "I'd like to refuse Masako, really."
"You two have a thing, eh?" Aya teased him. "But I guess… I'll go. Suzume's there. I haven't seen her since the last summer, and I might stay at her place for a couple of days." She already started planning her 'business trip', Katsunori offered. She missed Suzume, the only real friend, except Kiku and Satsuki, she had and trusted among girls. And she probably needed to take a break from Aomine for a few days.
"Ah right… I forgot that Suzu moved to Akita!" Taiga blurted out, with a faint blush. It wasn't like he was in love with the girl, but she was his friend and she was pretty and she used to dance with him in those ridiculous summer training camps he was forced to attend.
Aya smiled at him. "Why don't you come with me then? I bet she'd be happy to see both of us."
"… I don't want to see Tatsuya."
"You two still at it? Urgh… Just talk it out already."
"It's not that easy…"
"Hell yeah it is!"
"What's that about?" Katsunori asked curiously.
"Nothing…" Taiga grumbled with a pout. "None of your business."
Katsunori sighed. "Whatever you say. Get in the car already. I want to go home."
When the twins got home, Aya called Suzume about the trip up north.
"Aya?" Suzume asked surprised. "Hey! How're you doing? It's been some time since we heard each other. What's up?"
"You can't imagine how glad I am to hear you. Finally." She smiled. "Can you speak right now?"
"Oh, yeah! Mom's not here, so it's safe! I'm living with my grandparents now; I guess I've told you that in one of the e-mails."
"Of course! I wasn't sure about it, but now that I hear you… you sound happier."
"Well, what do I tell you? My mom has a screw loose. I've never gotten along with her. Though I miss my dad. Wait, did you just put me on a speaker?"
"Yeah, Taiga'll be out of the shower in no time. I guess you don't mind talking with him too."
"Yo!" Taiga greeted her.
"Speak about the devil." The girl chuckled. "How was your match, Tiger? I heard you had one today."
"Ah… We lost. I couldn't beat Aya's crush."
"Taigaa!"
"Ooooh? You finally have someone new who caught your attention?"
"Errr… I guess, though he can be a jerk at times."
The three of them talked about lots of things; there was a lot to catch up on. At the end, Aya and Suzume made a deal about her staying over at Suzume's house.
######
Daiki was unbelievably quiet during the dinner. He was genuinely surprised that both of his parents were at home to eat dinner together. It was a rare occurrence, or maybe he'd been skipping on family dinners for some time.
"I heard from Satsuki that you won." Daisuke told him. "Congratulations."
"Yeah." He muttered and gobbled up half of his food.
Michiko looked at her son worriedly, and then at her husband. 'Isn't-he-supposed-to-be-happy?' She asked wordlessly.
'He-should.'
'What's-going-on?'
'Don't-ask-me.' He shrugged. Then he took a deep breath, to either completely destroy his son's mood or get some answers. "Did you argue with Kagami-chan?"
Daiki shot him a glare. But those icy blue eyes were burning a hole in his forehead. "…Not really. But I did play against her brother and Tetsu. And won." He said mechanically. He didn't want to talk about it, but when his usually easy-going father got into investigative mood, there was no running away. He knew that much.
"Oh…" He knew about Tetsu, but he hadn't known what had happened there. "Was she angry at you for that?"
"Dunno. I haven't talked with her."
"Why would she be angry?" Michiko asked. "Her team won, right?"
Daisuke sighed. "Isn't it always more complicated than that?"
Daiki shrugged. At the moment he felt nothing. He wasn't happy about the win, and he wasn't disappointed by it. Who would right? He didn't really want to go for the match tomorrow, but it was Senshinkan, and Imayoshi had been fussing about it.
"Ne… I wanted to ask this sooner, but…" Daisuke started again, rubbing his chin in thought. "Is there any relation between Kagami-chan and her brother and the Kagami twins from the former national team?"
"Huh?!" Aomine almost dropped his chopsticks. He looked at his father with wide eyes.
"Don't tell me… It has never crossed you mind?!"
"What?" Michiko looked at her husband and then at her son; she wasn't really a sports fan, so she had no idea what the two were talking about. "Is her father famous or somethin'?" She asked curiously.
"I don't know!" Daiki barked at her, still too shocked to process this. "It could only be the same name." He tried to deny it. It wasn't possible, or was it? And if yes, how come he didn't know?
"Maybe… But doesn't she resemble him? The red hair and all?"
Now that he thought about… Aya did resemble them in a way, but Kagami Taiga was the spitting image of them. "What the fuck…?" He muttered under his breath. He should've known.
When he'd started playing basketball as a kid, he hadn't been interested in the official matches or anything, but once he'd started watching them (after he'd met Satsuki), the Kagami twins were his idols for some time. His playing style was very similar to one of the Kagami twins. Why didn't she tell me?!
"Kagami-chan hasn't told you?" Michiko asked worriedly. That sure must've stung.
Daiki chuckled dryly. "She rarely talks about herself."
"She must have a reason for that." Daisuke tried to calm it down, and glared at his wife to stop provoking Daiki, though she meant well… "You know her better than me, Daiki."
"I wonder if do…" He said, staring into his plate. "Thanks for the food. I'll take the dogs out." He put dishes into sink and went to grab leashes.
"Did I say something unnecessary?" Michiko asked staring after her son.
Daisuke sighed. "Maybe…? I don't know what kind of relationship those two have, or what kind of a girl she really is. Daiki rarely talks about himself too, so I wonder why he is so surprised…"
"Well… If you're in love, then you want to know everything, right?"
"So he is in love?"
"Of course he is! I just hope she won't break his heart…"
"Or vice versa…" Daisuke muttered. "With his attitude it might happen too, you know?"
"As much as I hate to admit it as a mother… You're right. Aaaah, I wanna meet her!" She groaned in frustration.
"Patience dear, eventually you will." He chuckled and started washing the dishes.
######
"Satsuki?" Daiki asked when she picked up. He was staring at the night's sky, unable to see the stars. But it was his form of relaxation.
"Yeah? What's up? Are you ditching tomorrow?" She asked emotionlessly, giving him a cold shoulder.
"Tch." He clicked his tongue. "No. I'll come… I just…"
"Wait… Did something happen? Where are you?"
"In the park with the dogs…" He rolled his eyes at the sudden panicked tone. "Nothing happened."
"Then spill it! It's not like you to call first. What's bothering you?"
"Do you know about Kagami's father?"
"Ah… Yeah… She had a photo of the former team in her house. Don't tell me!" She gasped. "You haven't figured it out till now?"
He frowned. "Why haven't you told me a thing?!"
"I thought you knew."
"Did she tell you?" He asked, praying the answer would be 'no'.
"Of course not! I've told you… I saw the photo. And when I accused her of not saying anything, Taiga-kun said his team didn't know either… Well, it's something they don't boast about, because not many people remember the former team and it's not their accomplishment. And maybe it's only my intuition, but I think Aya-chan doesn't have a good relationship with her father."
"… Actually… I think so too."
"Wait, she talked with you about her father and didn't mention who he was?"
"Wha'? No!" He protested immediately. "When she asked me not to share the photos, she said it couldn't get to her father. But the face she made…"
"Hehehe… So you notice her that much, huh?" She teased him. "Ne, I've been wondering… I think… I think I knew Aya-chan before."
"What?"
"I can't say from where or how… But I have the feeling, I knew her before. Long time ago. Is it stupid?"
"Yeah. It is. Why don't you just ask her?"
"I can't ask her that! She said she had the same feeling some time ago and that she'd tell me when she remembered, but… I thought she was making fun. Now I wonder… I might pay another visit to her house. Maybe if I talk with her mom, I'll get a whiff of it."
"Good luck with that." He said dryly and scratched Shiro's head who came to nuzzle against his leg. "Their mother is dead."
"WHAT?!" She shouted and then there was silence for couple of seconds.
"So you didn't know." He assumed, and felt a bit better. There were things even Satsuki didn't know.
"And you did… So that's why she never talks about her mom and always makes that face when I complain about arguing with my mom. Oh god, I was so insensitive!"
"And that's why she doesn't talk about stuff…" He muttered. Maybe he could understand her a bit after all. "Don't change your behaviour now, or she'll kill me for telling you. I've done enough as it is." He sighed. Why was he even discussing this with Satsuki?
"She wouldn't hate you." She sounded 100% certain about it.
"Keh. I wonder about that."
"Oh… Aya-chan's calling. Sorry, but I'm interested!" She hung up without hesitation.
Aomine sighed and put the phone into his pocket. No matter how much Satsuki was annoying, she was his best friend. After talking with her, he felt better about everything.
Fifteen minutes later, when he was on his way home, Satsuki called him again.
"Yeah?" He asked lazily, wondering what it could be.
"Aya-chan's going to Akita on Monday evening! Araki-sensei wants her to teach their new manager about what to do and how to handle the boys."
"Is that even possible? I mean… It's strange, no? Why doesn't the coach teach her pupil alone?"
"I asked that too, but she said she didn't mind because her friend is there, and she could stay at her place. But…"
"But what?"
He'd swear that Satsuki was pulling his leg now. "…Her ex is already there, she was kinda anxious about facing him. I don't know much about him, but I'm rooting for you, you know."
Her last sentence made him freeze on his spot. Akari stopped immediately, but Shiro and Kurome made strange sounds when he suddenly pulled them back. "Wha'? What did you say just now? We're friends… I'm not… It's not…" He stuttered.
"Oh don't lie to yourself, Daiki. You like her! Nothing wrong with that. I'm surprised you haven't tried anything yet…"
"She wouldn't want of me, and anyways. If she rejects me then everything will be ruined!" I don't want to ruin this…
Satsuki sighed exasperatedly. "Well, whatever. It's your business. Just don't be too disappointed if they wind up together again." She spat out and hung up.
Stupid. He rolled his eyes. And there went his good feeling. But what could he do? He wasn't her boyfriend and he shouldn't have known. It was him who had come late and messed up. He couldn't just come up to her and say 'don't go', or anything… Not without admitting he liked her out loud, and making a fool out of himself.
"Oh, this time you're on time?" Yamaoka provoked Aomine when the latter strolled into the changing room five minutes before they needed to go out.
"Shut up." He muttered and lumped on the closest bench. He glanced at Aya, but her expression was unreadable. He couldn't guess what she was thinking at all. But something was definitely off about her.
Someone rapped at the door, and then Taiga appeared. "Hey, sorry, for barging in." He said, feeling uncomfortable under all the eyes staring at him. Though when he caught Aomine's gaze he glared at him.
"What's up?" Aya asked him surprised, eyeing a steaming paper cup Taiga was holding.
"I thought it might help you." He walked towards her and handed her the steaming cup.
His walking is off. Aomine thought. And what's that?
Aya carefully smelled the liquid. "Eh? A 'good dreams tea'? I haven't had it for so long."
He smiled at her sheepishly. "Sorry for the yesterday."
"What happened?" Katsunori asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing serious, really." Aya replied immediately, she hadn't remembered much of it after all and she definitely didn't want her team to know.
"She had a night terror. My fault." Taiga said with a shrug, he was way more honest than his sister, ignoring the Touou's team.
Aomine's eyes stared at her after hearing this, but she immediately broke off the eye contact. "Would you shut up?!" She punched Taiga's ribs, and bit her lower lip to hide an embarrassed blush which settled on her face. This was the worst. Her team didn't need to know that she sometimes still suffered night terrors or nightmares. It was so lame.
"Ouch!" He rubbed the spot. "And there I am trying to be nice."
"That bad, huh?" Katsunori asked. "Sorry, I guess. I should've realised that."
"You couldn't, Katsu. She wouldn't talk about it with you no matter what. With anyone… So…"
"So now you're blurting it out to everyone! Real great! Remind me dear brother… Why do I still love you?" Aya glared at him dangerously. He instinctively took a few steps back. Then she just sighed exasperatedly and shook her head. "It's not anyone's fault. Thanks for thinking about me, Tai. But really… We live together, careful about pissing me off."
"Eeek…" He shuddered and then pouted. "Just don't cause Suzu a heart attack, while you'll be there."
"Suzu can handle me."
Taiga raised an eyebrow at that. "I'll give her a call to not let you out of her sight."
"Worrywart. You can come with me, you know."
"Want us to argue again?" He really didn't want to see Tatsuya, but at the same time he worried for Aya.
She rolled her eyes. "Cowards."
A vein popped on his forehead. "Burn in hell."
"One day I will." She said with a smirk. "Shouldn't you be with your team? I bet Kuroko might use some encouragement."
Taiga opened his mouth to retort, but then closed them. Entire Touou stared at him and he suddenly felt uncomfortable again.
Aya's eyes widened. She'd forgotten to ask about the rest of the Seirin yesterday. "Don't tell me you guys are not speaking."
"Nothing to speak about, really…" He muttered.
"I'm not gonna butt in this time, but I hope you know what you're doing."
Taiga nodded, and turned to leave. "Good luck."
"Thanks!" Wakamatsu reacted immediately. He was strangely fond of the boy.
"Oh…" He turned to Aya again. "I'll join your practise with Senri tonight."
She smiled brightly. "Thanks! You're a saviour."
Taiga chuckled. "Whose? Yours or his?"
"His of course!" She called after him as the door closed shut. She shook her head and chuckled, staring at the tea.
"So night terrors, huh?" Yamaoka sneered. "Do you wet your bed too?" He asked mockingly. He'd been terrified of her and yet so angry since the previous day that he couldn't really think of possible consequences. As if she would fulfill the threat, tche…
Surprisingly it wasn't Aya or Aomine who reacted. The usually calm and lax Katsunori grabbed the boy's collar and pulled him down to his eye level, glaring at him. "You know nothing about her." He growled. "Insult her one more time, you stupid brat and I will break your nose." I should've stepped in earlier… Better late than never…
Yamaoka almost pissed himself. The coach looked super scary when pissed off to that extent. "S-s-sorry…" The boy uttered.
Katsunori raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You are not sitting on the bench today. Ishii! Get into your jersey."
"Hai!" Ishii nodded immediately. This was a side of their coach they saw for the first time.
"And you." He let go of Yamaoka's collar. "Get out of my sight!"
Without another word the boy disappeared from the changing room.
"Woah…" Aya blinked at Katsu. "I didn't know you had it in you."
He frowned at her. "He crossed the line. And this time, you'd get him into infirmary, that'd be a waste of your tea."
She smiled at him, a tad sadly, her own father wouldn't have done that for her. "Thanks."
After that, Satsuki gave everyone a short strategy speech and they departed to the court.
The match against Senshinkan was boring for Aomine. There was no one like Kagami Taiga and he wasn't even half as serious as in the game against Seirin, but everyone gave up after the second half. Even Aya was getting bored watching the game. And Senshinkan were supposed to be one of the kings… They definitely didn't stand up to that name anymore. Aomine switched out in the last quarter, so Ishii would get to play some and she couldn't blame him. The points he got for Touou were enough to keep them in lead no matter what, and Ishii wasn't half that bad. In the end, Touou won 105 to 31.
Because the Seirin's game was going on simultaneously, Aya watched bits of it too. And she had to sadly admit, that Seirin without Taiga was struggling. Kuroko's passes lost its accuracy, as If Aomine had robbed him of his previous abilities. But Aya knew it wasn't Aomine's fault; Kuroko just hadn't come into peace with his loss, and was messing up a game they could've won otherwise. He was subbed out soon enough, but Seirin didn't manage to win. And by 1 measly point they lost.
The last game of the final league was on the Monday's morning. Kiku couldn't attend as she wasn't a part of the basketball club and couldn't skip school for such a reason. Wakamatsu missed her there, but it couldn't have been helped. At least Aomine arrived on time once again.
But there was a strange atmosphere between him and Aya. She wasn't talking with him, and he didn't seem eager to start a conversation either. It was so unusual for the duo.
"Ne? Don't you think you should talk with her?" Wakamatsu asked him calmly when Aya left the changing room to find good seats. He really didn't want to argue with Aomine today.
"Heh?" Aomine's stormy eyes snapped at him. "It's none of your business." He barked.
Imayoshi sighed. "But it is, Aomine. When the two of you aren't speaking it's weird for all of us. Maybe it's none of our business, but it influences us."
"What do you know?"
"Something~ I'm the captain, Aomine, I try to figure out stuff." He smirked.
A shiver ran down Aomine's spine. Just what exactly did Imayoshi know? He didn't like the idea of someone else knowing stuff about Aya. He felt strangely privileged that she talked with him about things no one else seemed to know. Perhaps she paid more attention to him then to the others? And he liked the idea.
######
The match was yet another boring one. They won against Meisei 156 to 47 and Aomine only played the first two quarters, as it was pointless for him to remain in the match any longer. He'd been substituted by Ishii, who was finally given another chance to try and play in an official match. Some third years weren't happy about the coach's ideas, but Katsunori knew what he was doing. The third years would be soon focusing more on studying than basketball and he needed to pay more attention to the first and second years, who were to be the team's core for the next year.
"So where are we going anyways?" Aya asked. It was unusual for their team to go somewhere after a victory. She felt that winning was already natural for Touou, so they had no need to hang out as a team. The fact that they were heading somewhere together after a match, was rather strange.
"A ramen restaurant." Imayoshi announced. "It looks like it's going to rain and we want to skip school, so a party is quite a nice idea for today, don't you think~?" He asked with a sly smile.
"I'm not sure I like your tone."
He just smiled at her knowingly.
She blinked at him and stopped for a moment. She didn't like the way Imayoshi had talked to her just know. Like he knew something she didn't want them to know. She didn't like that side of their captain.
And then a group of apparently foreign boys passing by them caught her attention.
"And then I went to that competition where Aya was… Gosh, that girl is really something else! Too bad she quit. I so wanted to try and dance with her, but she probably doesn't even know my name."
"Hey Sebastian! Why would you think I don't know your name?!" She reacted to their English immediately. She recognised the boy and also his friends. They were dancers she knew from the world ranking competitions. They'd usually ended up around 15th – 20th place every time and even that was a huge success.
"Eh?!" The group of boys stopped and turned to face the girl speaking to them in perfect English. They hadn't expected anyone to understand them properly let alone answer. And she was surrounded by a quite tall squad which looked like some serious sport's team. "No freakin' way! So you've gone to Japan?! Oh wait, you are a halfie with a family here! But hey… How do you know my name?"
The team stopped too, staring at the exchange. They could understand some parts and bits, definitely not everything. Aomine was staring at the boy with hostility. Sebastian as she'd called him was a tall, relatively good looking guy. And because she was teaching him and the other first years, they were already used to her accent and rhythm of speech. They could pretty much understand her, but the boy had a different accent, making it difficult for them
Aya rolled her eyes. "What do you take me for really? I organize the camp, I notice people around me."
"Heee… Interesting! Are you going to watch the competition tomorrow?"
"No. I wanted to go and have a look, but I'm off to Akita. I have other responsibilities now. But don't worry, I'll watch the recordings of it."
"Too bad then." He mused and rubbed his chin. "I thought you were someone who'd never quit. I know that those articles 'bout you were lies, so it surprised me that it got you that much."
"I didn't quit because of that. I won the last champs because of that." She snorted and smirked. "How's Ray anyways? I heard he had a new partner?"
"They're not here. I haven't seen them competing in quite some time. Anyways…" He looked around looking all the guys up and down. "Is this a sport's club?"
"Basketball. Yeah. We've just won a match so we're going to celebrate a bit."
"So a basketball now, huh? You've always played that in your free time." He said with a smile. "But… You sure you don't want to come back?" He asked and his voice sounded tempting. He outstretched his arm for Aya to take. "I'd gladly accept you as my partner."
"And what about your current one?"
"I don't care. You're much better."
She smiled and took his hand, letting him spin her around and then do a basic 10 second samba routine. Sebastian's lead wasn't bad, she had to admit that much, but he wasn't a partner for her. Aya knew he'd never be able to catch up with her.
"Well." She looked at him with a polite smile and pushed him away almost violently. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm not interested. I'm not going back. And I don't want you as a partner." She said.
"Hmph. Not that I'd leave Vera. I just wanted to see your reaction." He snorted, unwilling to admit his hurt ego. "Have a nice day, Aya."
"Have a nice day too." She said coldly and stared at his leaving back.
"Who was that?" Satsuki asked curiously.
Aya sighed. "No one important. I know him from a couple of events."
"But you just danced with him~" Imayoshi smirked. "You sure he was no one important?"
She shot a glare at the captain. "Yes! I dance. I know a lot of people because of that."
"And he is here, in Tokyo, for an event?" He asked, provoking the redhead.
"Yeah."
"What kind of event?" Kano asked curiously, his green eyes sparkling.
"A competition." She said coldly. Why the hell didn't I ignore him?! She thought desperately.
"You competed?" Several guys asked at once.
Aya took a deep breath, catching Katsunori's knowing look and glared at him. I'm not telling them. Do it yourself, if you want… "I tried. Got some wins, but then my partner got incapacitated and so we called it quits."
There were some more questions, which she turned down, cleverly avoiding spilling the beans. She knew she should tell them. She was aware they'd feel betrayed if she didn't, but… After all that had happened in the past days, she wasn't really in the mood to dig in her past. She knew it'd come, eventually, but not yet.
"So you tried, eh?" Aomine asked her with a raised eyebrow.
"Go to hell." She muttered and paced up to align with Katsunori and discuss Taiga's possible exercises.
"Serves you right." Satsuki gave Aomine a scolding look.
"Tch."
They all ended up in a ramen restaurant, talking about the match, and wondering what kind of opponents they'd face further on. The first years were excited and happy they got to play.
Aya and Aomine ended up sitting next to each other, by some 'accident', she suspected was actually Imayoshi's plot. And the captain kept staring at her with that unreadable expression of his. Just what exactly do you know? She wanted to ask, but kept her mouth shut. Maybe she should've told them, but the topic and Sebastian seemed to be already forgotten.
The ramen she got was delicious. She didn't get to eat it often, so she was enjoying herself. And she could see that the others were more than content with the food as well.
Aomine was stuffing his cheeks next to her and he was actually cute. He didn't give a damn about the others. When he was finished with his third bowl, he sighed contently and folded his hands over his stomach. He was thinking of getting another one – in couple of minutes.
"Just so you know…" It was Aya who spoke to him first after she was done eating. She kept her voice down, so no one would notice. "I'm not angry with you… I just believed your promise. And you fucked up."
That hurt. He thought, because she didn't even look at him. But you had it coming… genius.
At the end there was only the four of them staying: Aya, Aomine, Katsunori and Satsuki. Satsuki still had some time before she'd go visit her father and bring him food into a hospital, where he worked as a surgeon. And Aomine was finishing like the seventh bowl of ramen. He felt strange staying behind with them but he was hungry.
Katsunori pulled at his fringe and started. "About Akita–"
"I have it all set already." Aya said immediately. "I'm taking a plane at 7. I'll be staying at Suzume's place and I called to Araki-sensei. It's fine."
"You sure have it well thought out."
"Katsu… It's nothing. I'm visiting a friend. Don't worry. I'll be fine."
"You can charge the school for your plane ticked and all the other expenses." He told her.
"I'd need receipts from everything. That's too troublesome." She grumbled. "It's partly a personal trip, so I don't really care."
Katsunori opened his mouth to say something, but then he closed it.
Aya was watching him with a teasing sparkle in her eyes. "Seriously. I'll be fine. Don't worry 'bout me more than my father." She reached for Katsunori's palm and squeezed it. "I'm a big girl already, 'kay? I'll handle it."
"Urgh." He rolled his eyes and shrugged off her palm. "Whatever." He got up, and took his blazer. "I'll go over to Hiroto's. If there is some problem, call me." The kids grew on him. As much as he didn't want to get too close, he cared.
"…and you'll fly on the devil's tail to save me." She teased him good-heartily. "Once more. I'll be fine. And don't get too drunk. You're teaching tomorrow."
"You're a terrible kid, Robin."
"I know." She smirked and waved him good-bye. "But you love me anyways." She muttered for herself and then, with another sigh she got up too. "I guess I should get going. I need to pack." She wasn't paying attention to Aomine or Satsuki all that much. They were like a background hum.
"Ah! Crap!" Satsuki sprang up. "I need to run too! Anyways! Aomine-kun I need you to pick up chocolates for me!"
"What?!" He carked at her. "What are you talking about?"
"For, uhm, my mom's birthday! I totally forgot and that's her favourite brand."
"Go yourself. Or go tomorrow." He protested. He didn't know when did Satsuki's mother have a birthday, but he would swear the pinkette was lying.
"I need it tomorrow! And I don't have the time. The shop closes at six! And it's near the xx park." [A/N: I have no idea about an address]
"And where the hell is that?" He asked irritated.
"Near my house." Aya said. "Near the gym I train at. I can show you." She said exasperatedly. Completely seeing through Satsuki's on the spot created scheme, but she was willing to go along with it. For one reason or another, she wanted to spend some time with Aomine alone. They needed to talk.
"Yes! Thank you!" The pinkette said and ran off.
"OI! Satsuki!" He called after her desperately.
"Come on." Aya said and headed out, while typing a message to Satsuki: 'I know what you've done here.'
######
Aomine was following her silently. It was weird and awkward, and he had no idea if he should talk with her or not, or what. He fucked up. She'd told him that, but…
"Ne?" He tried when he couldn't stand the silence.
"Yes?" She looked at him by the corner of her eye. She'd been waiting for him to speak up first.
He gulped. Solving relationship problems, in whatever kind of relationship, was freaking embarrassing. "How much have I fucked up?"
"I wonder…"
When it looked like she wouldn't tell him anything more, he opened his mouth again, but she turned around and stared at him, stealing his words away.
"I believed in you! Kuroko-kun is or was your close friend. You promised you'd be there on time. And I actually believed you! Just how stupid am I?! I'm not angry at you, really. I'm angry at myself! Because I can't be angry at you! Urgh! And I still loved your game! I'm a terrible sister!" She wasn't making any sense at all. "You didn't deserve to win that one. I shouldn't have trusted you."
Aomine was blinking at her sudden outburst in utmost astonishment. She loved my game? I mocked them for god's sake… What is she even saying? But… She regrets believing me? That felt terrible. He might've won three matches, but it couldn't measure up to losing Aya's trust. The little of it he'd had. She was one of the very few people who still believed in him, and there he was, ruining it all again. He'd overslept, it hadn't been intentional, but if he took it as seriously as he should have, it wouldn't have happened.
"I seriously feel like punching you." She muttered, and turned around to lead the way towards the shop.
"And that's the definition of 'I'm angry at you.', Sweetheart." He blurted out with a smirk and regretted it right after.
"Seriously?!" She turned around and glared at him.
To her surprise he stretched his arms wide. "Feel free to do it."
Her eyebrows went up and she was seriously considering his offer. She could land a good punch if she wanted to.
He could feel her hesitation as she eyed him up and down, carefully choosing a spot to hit. Her eyes stopped at his crotch for a moment and he shuddered at the thought. Then his nose and then his abs. And then she sighed.
"Nah… You wouldn't look good with a broken nose and I'd probably damage my fist on your abs." And I wouldn't hit your crotch… She concluded her observation and started walking again.
I seriously do love her. The thought appeared in his head and he quickly shooed it away. She amazed him and made him worry at the same time. What was it about the nightmares? Who were those guys? What articles? He wanted to know everything. And yet, it wasn't the right time to ask any of that.
"Then what should I do?" He asked quietly, aligning his step with hers.
"Huh?" She blinked at him.
"What should I do to make it right again?" He repeated his question, looking everywhere but her. He felt mortified. But when he imagined he wouldn't see her for the rest of the week and there would be no chance to speak with her…
He'd always been straightforward, and beating around the bush, or thinking about what the others might think wasn't his style. He had a problem with Aya. He'd talked with Satsuki a bit, but the main person involved was Aya. If he wanted to make up with her, he should ask her what to do, right? That was his logic at least… because no one knew her better than herself.
Aya was speechless. The arrogant Aomine Daiki, who had royally fucked up, was asking her how to make it right?! After she told him she hadn't trusted him anymore?! But he was talking with her directly, trying to figure out what to do. She could tell he was embarrassed, and at the same time, he was stupidly brave and frank. And more than anything, she could see that he was really worried over it, really trying to reach out, to fix things.
"I don't know." She said after a moment of thought. "Honestly…" She needed to give him a proper answer. "Right now I need an Aomine-free week to clear my head. And then we'll see. I could say 'don't let me down again', or something, but… it would pressure you, and give false hopes to me. So… I don't really know what you can do."
He nodded, he was confused, but if she didn't know, she didn't know.
They reached the shop and he bought whatever she gave him. Then he stopped and stared at one package of cookies.
"What?" She asked him curiously.
He picked it up and shoved it into her hands. "Buy this for Murasakibara. If you want to survive near him, bribe him with food. And tell that to your ex too." He said with a frown.
She smirked. "Thanks for the advice. And don't worry. I'm not planning to repeat the same mistakes with Tatsuya~" She teased.
"I haven't said anything." He pouted, averted his eyes.
A/N: Well... I hope I didn't overdo it (again) and that I didn't overlook any mistakes - if yes, sorry (it's half past midnight in my country). Next chapter - we'll get a trip to Akita and see some chemistry of the Yosen's team (a bit of it at least.) What do you think? Is it wise for Aya to go and face Tatsuya? ...
Let me know what you think but remember, reviews are appreciated but never necessary.
-S.