A/N: Thanks to everyone who followed, favourited and reviewed! It makes me very happy.
This time I managed to finish the chapter on time :) But honestly, I'm not sure about the title of it, so if you have any better ideas, let me know!
Enjoy!
Dance as the narration of a magical story; that recites on lips, illuminates imaginations and embraces the most sacred depths of souls. ― Shah Asad Rizvi
Can I jump over two or three guys like I used to? No. Am I as fast as I used to be? No, but I still have the fundamentals and smarts. That's what enables me to still be a dominant player. As a kid growing up, I never skipped steps. I always worked on fundamentals because I know athleticism is fleeting. – Kobe Bryant
To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift. – Steve Prefontaine
Does she realize she looks like a sunflower, ready to rain sunlight on all who look down upon her? ― Simone Elkeles, Perfect Chemistry
When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew. ― Arrigo Boit
Sometimes you have to lose all you have to find out who you truly are. ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Aya woke up surrounded by three girls squeezed in her bed. She wondered how they fitted in. Satsuki, Hero and Kiku had ambushed her in the evening, forced themselves into her room and bed and she'd had to tell them the whole story again. She hated repeating it, but… They were her best friends. And they were adamant about it. If Kiku had shared her scars, Aya had had no chance to run away from them.
She chuckled. At least she was at the edge of the bed, so she could easily roll off without waking them up. It was still too early for them to be getting up.
She walked through the quiet house to get some water and something to eat. She was hungry. The door to the dining hall was wide open and the chilly morning air was flowing into the room. In her short pyjamas, she shuddered and took Taiga's old warm hoodie hanging on a nail in the corridor. It smelled of dust and home, but she didn't mind the dusty scent at the moment. She pulled it over her head, crossed her arms over her chest to get warmer and looked around the room.
Kouta was already sitting in the kitchen, drawing something with aquarelle by the poor table lamp he'd fetched from god knew where. He had a steaming cup of coffee and a smoking cigarette resting in the ashtray next to him. He wore a hoodie too. He didn't like the cold, but he loved the fresh mountain air, so...
He raised his head and greeted her with a nod. "Nice hoodie. You had some really good company last night. I thought I'd join you, but then again..."
"Sorry, Kou, we had some serious talks."
"So I've heard." He said and dipped his head over the picture again.
"Thank you." She said with a smile.
"Hm?" This time, he didn't look at her.
"For not blabbing everything to Kyou."
He shrugged. "I thought you'd want to do that yourself."
"That's probably the only reason I like you."
"Mmmm… and I'm a marvellous prankster, artist, dancer, charmer and an awesome man in general. I know, thank you."
"Pfff…" She chuckled. "Not as awesome as Daiki."
"Geh, of course. Girls in love are a pain…" He muttered under his breath.
Still chuckling, she walked to him to look at what he was working on. "What is it?" She asked, staring at his drawing, although she already had a very good idea.
"What, you say… It's who… You know, you can really inspire people. Not just Hikaru." He shrugged again, staring at his almost finished drawing of a ballet dancer. The dancer had fiery red hair falling wildly around her face and black tutu dress. She was doing an arabesque. Her eyes were closed but her expression was sad. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she danced.
Aya recognised herself immediately. Kouta's drawing skills were a real deal, just like Hikaru's. Though Hikaru's expertise were sketches and dresses and designs. Kouta had an exceptional talent to grasp feelings and bring his drawings to life. No matter what he drew, painted or sketched.
"Do I really feel like this?" She asked with a frown, studying the drawing closely. It was an amazing piece of work.
"When you dance ballet, you really do. Sad and tragic. At least I feel that." He said with a soft smile, quite unusual for him. "But when you go Latin, you're more like this," he pulled out another drawing of her while dancing samba and it was a polar opposite of the ballet picture.
"I'm not sure if I should be flattered or creeped out by your drawings of me. Why me?"
"As I said, you have a certain spark." Honestly, he had no idea. But whenever he thought of drawing a dancer, only Aya sprang in his mind. No other dancer had caught his heart quite as much as her. It wasn't that he was in love with her, or had a crush, Aya simply had that something, a spark or charm or additional value, you came to love, or at least you were amazed by it.
"Don't show it around too much. It might be considered a bit weird…"
"And I don't care. This would be a good design for a notebook or a diary, don't you think?"
"Which one?" She asked, pointing at the pictures.
"Both."
She sighed and then laughed. "If you want to use it to make money, change the face a bit and I want 8 percent of your profit. For being the inspiration."
"Fine." He said, admiring his own work for a moment. Then, out of nowhere he asked: "Want a cigarette?" He certainly wanted another. The one in the ashtray had gone off on its own as he'd forgotten about it.
"Not really. I haven't had one for over two weeks, and… Daiki doesn't know. I don't want to be caught red handed. Not after all he's learned now."
"Meh, you're no fun." He got up and stretched. "But at least come to see Kyou's car." He grinned like a little kid.
"What have you done?"
"Naaaah, just used some sticky notes to decorate his windscreen."
She smirked and gave him a mischievous look. "Only the windscreen?"
"Huh?"
"Are there any more sticky notes at our disposal?"
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Weeeell… It's four in the morning, and if it's the two of us… Sure, I bought tons of those last time I went to restock the food I misused. I wanted to prank Derek, but Kyou is a better victim. He can actually appreciate the effort."
"Let's finish upgrading his car's design then." She said, "You can have your cigarette while we're on it."
######
Kyou was never a morning person. He'd always suffered during morning practises, and he loved sleeping in, or just snuggling in his bed. In his parents house he was woken up much earlier than usual, but only after the boys, and Aya, had returned from their morning mountain runs and had eaten their breakfast he shuffled to the dining room to eat too.
He had no idea why everyone was giving him those weird looks and why they were sniggering behind his back.
Kaito ran inside with a huge smile, totally drenched – he'd most likely spend his time in the stream – and with shining eyes he said: "Can we take a ride in our piñata-car?"
He blinked at his son. "Uh, in what?" Everyone else in the room was shaking with silent laughter, so he narrowed his eyes.
"Our car looks like a giant piñata!" Kaito said, jumping up and down excitedly. "I want to have a ride in it. Can I steer please?"
Kyou jumped up and ran out to see his car decorated with thousands of sticky notes. "WHO – KOUTA! ROBIN! DAMN YOU, YOU LITTLE DEVILS!" He cried out desperately. It would take hours for him to take it all down. But it looked kind of awesome too.
Kaito wasn't sure if his dad was truly angry or not. So he kept watching him expectantly. Noticing that, Kyou sighed. He'd find a way they would take it all down, until then…
All the boys went out to see what the huge man would do. But to their surprise he started laughing loudly.
"Well, Kaito, let's do it. But first, we need to make a peephole, so he can see where we're going. And then we can have a ride in our new piñata tank!"
"Can I steer?" The kid pleaded again.
"Sure thing!"
"YAAAAY!"
"Kyou!" Hanae protested. "You can't do that."
"Mom, please. He'll be sitting on my knees and I'll have it under control. Dad let us steer like that too, you know."
"Oi!" Taichi jumped in. "That was supposed to be a secret."
"Oops! Sorry, dad."
Hanae narrowed her eyes at her husband and he rather hid behind Atsushi and Okamura standing close by.
"When I get back, we'll have our match, Daiki-kun!" Kyou winked at Daiki and lifted Kaito up, so the boy could reach the windscreen and unstick the small papers.
Daiki groaned. "I hoped he forgot." He muttered to Aya.
"Not a chance. He never forgets a match he's demanded." She shook her head. "But isn't he one of your childhood heroes?" She teased.
"How d' ya – Satsuki!" He snapped at the pinkette, who slid behind Tada-senpai at a lighting speed, pretending she wasn't there. "Oh, she can be such a pain in the ass!" The ace complained.
Aya laughed.
I need to find a frog. He thought, already planning his revenge on Satsuki. "Are there some frogs around?" He asked.
"Huh?" Aya blinked at him. "A ton? Why?" She stared at her man with a concerned look in her eyes. Frogs?!
"Where?"
"Uuuuhm… by the stream and the small lake further downstream?"
He smirked deviously.
"What are you planning?" Aya asked suspiciously.
"You'll see." He shrugged. "Or hear." With that, Daiki set off to find a perfect frog or frogs to get back at Satsuki.
"If I find a frog in my bed…" She muttered threateningly. She didn't mind the slimy, jumpy creatures, she could touch them without disgust too, but she wouldn't want to find one in her bed. Really no.
######
Just before lunch everyone gathered around the outside court to watch a game between Daiki and Kyou. They hardly got to see the old legends playing as Katsunori and Masako didn't participate in practises. They were curious. Could Kyou's experience beat Daiki's wild talent? And what was Kyou's style anyways? No one watched the old games anymore.
"Who do you think will win?" was the big question running around.
"I honestly don't know. I haven't seen him playing in some time." Aya shrugged. All three girls were gathered around her and Satsuki had her notebook and pencil out to take notes. She was beyond curious, almost obsessed to see Kyou's game.
"I hope you're not underestimating me, Daiki-kun." Kyou grinned goofily at the boy. He had the ball first. But just from Daiki's relaxed stance he knew the boy was a real deal and he couldn't take it easy.
"Bring it on." The ace grumbled, focusing on every muscle in Kyou's body to be able to react in time. For a seasoned player in his mid-forties, Kyou could create tremendous pressure. Daiki knew he couldn't take it too easy, but he doubted the man had his previous speed or power. The advantage was his.
Kyou started dribbling and it looked almost lazy, but he had no intention of losing the ball. He was keeping it just out of Daiki's reach. He'd seen the boy's speed and agility. Still, he was certain he could keep the ball.
They started testing one another.
Daiki was guarding the man tightly, he wasn't willing to let him score and he wanted to steal. After all, they were playing for the first score. They danced around each other, each going for their goal.
Kyou wasn't as fast, but he didn't give Daiki any chance to steal. The man's dribbling was extraordinarily controlled, yet not predictable. Kyou was good at changing his pace too. A notch faster, a notch slower, it was hard to judge and Daiki 'stole' a thin air once or twice.
Daiki couldn't believe it. It could hardly be called a talent. The old man had fundamentals drilled down to his bone marrow; for him controlling the ball was as simple and automatic as breathing, he didn't need to think about it. And then Kyou passed him. With a tricky streetball fake, which was supposed to be his expertise. He managed to turn around and catch up though.
A second before Kyou managed to dunk Daiki slapped the ball away with his left arm; immediately frowning as a weird, strained feeling not yet painful, shot through his elbow.
They landed and Daiki stared at Kyou with wide eyes. He'd barely managed to stop him. And the man was still surprisingly strong. Well, maybe not, given his build; he was bigger and heavier than Daiki for sure.
The next ball was handled by Daiki and he found it quite difficult to shake Kyou off. It was like the man knew his moves. But it was impossible to read them, Daiki knew. Could it be…? Only one way to test it. Without any previous warning, he suddenly threw the ball at the basket.
Kyou jumped lightly and tipped the ball out of its course. Daiki was a prodigy. That was without a question. He had the best instincts, reaction time and he was fast, strong and young. He already had his own unique style, which was admirable. But he lacked the right motivation and someone like Kyou could see the boy had skipped too many practises for his own good. "Hmmm… Not bad." Kyou hummed. "One more?"
Daiki narrowed his eyes and nodded. He had to score first. He had to win. And this man was an actual opponent he could respect. He had to respect. It excited him. And the next game confirmed Daiki's suspicion. Kyou wasn't reading him, he was simply reacting. The man had an animal instinct and he wasn't trying to hide at all.
Three more games between the two happened. Finally, in the fifth game, Daiki managed to score. He smirked. "I win. We played for the first score."
"Really?" Kyou raised an eyebrow and smiled. "You sure I didn't let you?" He asked to tease and unsettle the boy. But he hadn't let him, he'd never let anyone score on purpose, of course, he doubted Daiki knew that. Ah, youth…
A puzzled expression settled on Daiki's face. He didn't, right? He wasn't sure. The man was a bit slower in the last game, but… He couldn't have stopped him. Or could he? What was he thinking? "The only one, who can beat me, is me." He said finally. He won. That was what mattered.
"Interesting mantra. Maybe you're right. Your talent and skill is far above your peers. Above me too, I guess. But aren't your senses a bit dulled already? Couldn't you score sooner? Aren't you wasting your gift by holding back?" The man asked nonchalantly with a kind smile. There were many things he could learn about the person he played against. He wanted to shake the boy's world a little bit. And he felt his words were reaching home. Not that he expected Daiki to actually listen. "If you want to be a top professional and make the game your living, you still have a lot to learn, and a long way to go. We can tell you from first hand experience, right Katt-chan, Masa-chan, Robin?" He looked at all three. "Self-confidence and arrogance are separated by a very thin line, Daiki-kun. Never forget that." He stared at the boy with his burning red eyes.
With a deep frown, Daiki nodded in understanding. He wasn't sure he understood what the man wanted to convey. The questions hit home, but he denied them immediately. Still, they stored somewhere in the back of his mind.
"Aaah," Kyou stretched, "it's been a good game. I'm hungry. Do we have lunch ready yet?" He changed the topic and seemingly his whole mood and walked towards the dining hall.
Everyone slowly departed. The girls went first, to help with serving the lunch. Only Kano stayed behind. He hadn't had the chance to talk with Daiki and he suspected the ace was actually avoiding him for some reason. It saddened him, but he wanted to resolve it. In one way or another. He felt really guilty.
"Maaan, you were both so amazing. I never knew Aya-chan's family was full of prodigies."
Daiki wasn't paying him much attention and startled when Kano spoke up. He looked up and cringed inwardly when he saw Kano's arm in the sling. "Errr… Yeah…"
Kano sighed. "Look, I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Daiki blinked.
"I've done something unnecessary and I got hurt. You didn't need my help; I know that, after all, you never do." He looked at his feet. "I have no idea why I jumped, but I was stressed and scared and I wasn't thinking. I could've injured both of you too. I can't imagine what could've happened if the hoop had hit your head." He shuddered. The thought was running around in his head and it terrified him. "For that, I apologise. I'm really, truly sorry."
Daiki opened and closed his mouth. He was speechless. Why was Kano apologising? Maybe the guy had done something unnecessary, but... The only one hurt was Kano himself. Not him and not Atsushi. The giant was too tough to be physically hurt by another person anyways. And the hoop hadn't hit him – Atsushi had somehow twisted his wrist to miss him – but he doubted Atsushi'd realised his own action. Although he really didn't want to think what could've happened if it had.
"I couldn't even move out of Murasakibara's way like you." He chuckled sadly. "I guess I am a useless player after all."
"Tch. There's no such thing."
Kano raised his head, his ashamed green eyes staring at Daiki in surprise. "What?"
He rubbed the back of his neck and rolled the ball up and down his left forearm, testing how the elbow felt. It didn't hurt per se… I just hit it… He felt he'd already said that to a certain shadow a long time ago. Apparently he had to repeat it again. "There's no such thing as a useless player on a team."
"You mean it?" Kano was close to tears. Was the Aomine Daiki actually kind to him?
"Hah?! What did that mean? You think I'm a heartless prick?"
Kano laughed quietly. "No, no, no. Not at all. You're dating Aya-chan, finally, and she'd send a heartless prick to hell. But–"
"Shut it! Whatever you want to say, don't!" He protested abruptly and loudly.
"Okay." He wanted to shrug, using both of his shoulder, just to yelp in sudden surge of pain shooting through his fracture. "Damn it, it's so inconvenient."
"Ah… Also…" Daiki looked away. "Sorry for yelling at you yesterday." I was like a mother hen…
"Ha?" His jaw hit the ground. "Am I dreaming, or have you just said 'sorry' to me?"
"Tch. Forget it."
"No, no. Thanks… I haven't expected it from you. But Kyou-san and the coach explained that you were probably just worried and that's why you blew up… And that I was way of line and that I should never ever do something so reckless again… I mean… I get it. Thanks. And sorry again. Really."
Daiki stared at him for a moment, assessing if everything was alright. He assumed it was, so he started walking towards the house. His stomach rumbled loudly. Catching frogs wasn't that easy. He looked over his shoulder at Kano, who seemed to be lost in his thoughts. "You comin' or not?"
"Ah" Wait up."
######
"So what's the plan?" Hero asked when all the women and adults (yes, Kouta counted too) were gathered in the kitchen and all lunches were served. It was the only time that Satsuki was allowed to step into the room.
"Tomorrow's the last half-day of practising." Katsunori nodded. Six days of practising and running around the mountains from dawn till dusk were enough in his opinion. Tomorrow, they could take it easier. Masako wanted them to practise in the afternoon too, but somehow, he managed to hush that side of hers. "They deserve some treat."
"Which is a barbecue; tons of it, given their humongous stomachs." Masako complained. "I still don't get why they should get such an expensive treat."
"Nothin' thrillin' happened yet…" Hero whined.
"Really?" Kouta raised an eyebrow, remembering her crazy chase. And her aim.
"A bucket of hodgepodge ain't gonna thrill a girl in the mornin', ya know?"
Aya smirked and staring at Kouta she proposed: "Then why don't we give them a test of courage in the forest tomorrow night? Will that be thrillin' enough for ya?"
Kouta grinned widely. He already had an idea or two how to creep everyone out.
Taichi and Hanae exchanged glances and sighed. It'd been a tradition when the national team had trained there and Aya remembered it. Sure, it was scary but fun. Yeah, they could help with it. But after every such event there were weird rumours about 'Kagami's' ghosts spreading around the village.
Hero blinked. "For real? I could go with Ken-chan?"
"If he doesn't hightail first and if you don't help with preparations. Because once you know what's prepared, it won't be so much fun." Kyou grinned widely. Oh, how he missed this tradition.
"Seriously?" Katsunori frown. "The test of courage again?"
"It's for the kids, Katt-chan, and you know it's gonna be awesome like it's always been. And now with Robin and Kouta helping out… The boys won't forget it."
Masako rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "All right. So a barbecue and the stupid test of courage. Gee' we're spoiling them."
"Masa-chan, don't be such an icy-queen. We all know you like them."
She glared at Kyou. "Shut up. I don't. They're such high-maintenance kids sometimes. And why did you have to come back now?!"
"I thought you missed me." He said ironically. "And don't be so hostile to me, after all… My kids are here." Theoretically. Kaito was eating with the boys and he counted Aya too.
Kyou gave Masako a look that made her rethink her strategy. The goofy redhead could be cunning, and true, she had been kinda pining after him two decades ago… Of course he didn't forget. Gosh, it was so embarrassing now.
"So that's the plan…" Satsuki nodded, tapping her pencil against her notebook. "Couldn't we do something tonight as well?"
"I-I-I c-could bake some-something." Kiku stuttered. There were too many new people for the timid girl and she got uncertain again. And Kyou was so huge.
"That'd be great!" Satsuki's eyes sparkled. "Could you try teaching me something? Pretty please! I promise I won't touch anything without your supervision!" She pleaded instantly after Kiku glanced at her suspiciously.
"What? Cakes?! See? You're spoiling them!" Masako pointed at Kiku and Satsuki to prove her point to Katsunori, at least. "If they relax too much tonight, they won't want to run in the morning."
"Hmmm…" Satsuki's brows knitted in though. The Yosen's coach wasn't wrong, but… "It's a camp. We should enjoy it a bit past the practises too."
Masako took a breath to protest, but she got cut off before she could even start.
"I can lead today's afternoon practise again then." Aya offered. "Or at least 90 minutes of it." Last time, Masako seemed impressed, maybe it would work.
"Hmmm… 90 minutes. Make it worth their while. Something extra difficult. I know you can do it." Yosen's coach demanded.
The redhead sighed, she didn't feel like leading a practise, but she wanted the boys to have the next half-day truly free. The lesser evil was to exhaust them today by herself. They're gonna hate me tomorrow… "Sure."
"Can I join?" Kyou asked excitedly.
"If you dare, ol' man." She challenged him, but she knew he'd manage without much trouble.
Aya's stomach rumbled and she grabbed her plate. "Next planning meeting is after practise in the afternoon! I'm starving."
With that, she went out and took her seat next to Daiki and Kaito and opposite Atsushi and Tatsuya. They'd almost finished their servings and now stared at her expecting to hear some news.
"What was that about?" Daiki asked curiously.
"You'll see tomorrow. It's a surprise, I can't have it overheard."
######
Daiki spent his afternoon with Keiji, Kaito and Taichi at the tree house. They were putting up the lift Keiji had constructed. Kaito was running around them excitedly, observing their work and studying the lift itself.
Keiji explained his construction to everyone. It was a simple old technology. He'd prepared a set of cogs and tarred several ropes. The lift was just a wooden box, but the winch that was supposed to be used to pull it up was a piece he was really proud of. It was made out of hardwood and its end was carved into the shape of a snowflake which fitted right into the set of cogs perfectly. It was further hardened with iron strips to handle higher pressures.
When it was all set and ready Taichi nodded in approval. "Good thinking, my boy." He praised him, scanning the results. "But is it going to work?"
"Of course it is! I just need a volunteer for the first ride."
"You haven't forgotten any detail, right?"
"No. I hope…"
"Eeeeh?! You set it up without me?!" Aya complained from the ground when she saw the box already hanging at the deck level of the tree house. She felt disappointed that she wasn't a part of the 'building' party. The tree house was hers too. And Daiki got involved without her!
"You were taking too long, Aya-chan. We needed to finish this in daylight." Keiji shrugged looking at the sun slowly tipping closer to the horizon. The practise and the meeting they'd had afterwards took too long. He couldn't have waited or participated. Not if they wanted to get Kaito up while the kid was still there.
She huffed. "But still!"
Kyou whistled when he jogged to Aya and stared up. "I see you've made a lot of work on this."
"Without me." She grumbled.
Kyou pinched her cheek teasingly. "Oh, come on. It's a men's job. And you can be the first one trying it out. Isn't it good enough?"
Corner of her lips turned upwards. "I guess."
"So… Any volunteer?" Keiji prompted her.
"I'll do it." She raised her hand cheerfully. If she couldn't help with building it, she wanted the first ride. Kyou was right. It was good enough compensation.
With a grin Keiji let down the lift and one additional rope. "Tie it around you, in case I've forgotten something…"
"Aye, aye." She chuckled and tied the rope securely around her waist. She trusted Keiji, but falling off wasn't in her plans yet.
The ride up went smoothly. Keiji hadn't forgotten anything and she safely got off at the top. He even made a small gate in both, the lift and the tree house's railing and added a hook to keep the wooden box from moving away. So it was super easy to get from the lift onto the deck and vice versa. He made it for a kid after all.
"What?" He asked when he saw Aya's frown.
"It's way too easy to get up here now." She complained, because she liked the idea of the secret base only a few could get into.
"Not true. You can only run in from here."
"Could it take two people?"
"Let's test it." He looked at Daiki and shoved him another rope. "You two should do well enough. What's your combined weight?"
"Eerrr… You sure you'll hold it?" Daiki asked sceptically and glanced at the rope – he had no idea how to tie it around himself – but Keiji had to be the counter weight on the winch to pull up or let down the lift and anyone in it. The box itself was quite heavy. And he wasn't the lightest person out there.
"I'm around 60 kilos. More or less. Probably less now." Aya shrugged. "You?" She looked at Daiki curiously. She knew his shoe size, measures… but she'd never learned his weight or if she had, she'd already forgotten. Compared to her, he was heavy, she was aware of that, but… How much was it again?
"87." He grumbled and averted his eyes. He'd never thought he'd feel embarrassed when mentioning his weight. It was a lot. Given his height and musculature it was normal, but still… The number sounded scary. But hadn't he told her that already? He wasn't sure.
"You're heavier than Taiga?!" She blurted out.
He blinked at her. "Huh?!"
"Oh, uhm… Don't take it wrong. I thought he was heavier than you."
Daiki frowned and muttered something under his breath.
"Tcs, tcs, Aya-chan, you've just offended your guy."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut it. For the standards I am also waaay over the average weight that I should be."
Keiji laughed. "Isn't muscle always heavier? Besides… Mr. Offended Aomine here would probably have nothing to grope if you weighed any less. I still don't know how you do it… Maintaining the balance between strong and hot."
"Oi! I'm here you know?!" Daiki protested loudly. The dude commenting on his woman like this! He quickly forgot he actually liked Keiji.
But she laughed. "I'm not doing anything. It's just the way I am I guess."
"Not you too."
"Oh, Honey bun, you know we're just teasing you." She caressed his cheek with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But it's nice you're not ignoring us."
He huffed but smiled at the end. "So, are we gonna test it, or not?"
"The rope." Aya reminded him.
He glanced at it again and frowned. "How do I tie it?"
"Oh." It never occurred to her that he might not know how to make a secure knot. "I'll show you. Give me." She reached to him and he gladly handed the rope to her. Then she turned him around and standing behind him, she tied the rope. She couldn't possibly see it, but she still managed.
Keiji nodded in approval. "I'll teach you that tomorrow." He winked at Daiki, who rolled his eyes and refused to feel embarrassed that he didn't know something. "Okay, my passengers! Hop on." He motioned his hand towards the lift and bowed. A smirk appeared on his face and he couldn't help some more teasing. "No making out while I'm letting you down! Or in the lift in general." He grinned, but this remark actually got him a slap at the back of his head from Taichi.
"You youngsters. Unbelievable!" The old man, everyone had forgotten was there, complained.
"Sorry, grandpa." Aya chuckled and kissed his cheek, which made him blush and look away. He really wasn't used to getting kissed by his grandkids. "We'll behave. I promise."
"…you'd better." He grumbled and looked away. "Get on with it!" He barked at Keiji, who was grinning like an idiot, certainly making a mental note to subtly tease his sensei in the future.
Testing the lift and showing Kaito all the perks of the tree house, they almost missed the dinner. Aya was so looking forward to her bed already. It'd been one exhausting day again. Especially the practise routine she'd put together on a very short notice. And she'd done everything with the boys, so no one could complain.
Imayoshi and some other from her club walked up to their table. "Aya-chan, we've been wondering..."
"Hm?" She raised her eyes from her food. "What about?"
The captain smiled; it made a chill run down her spine. "Well, now we all know you're a world champion in dancing. You can prepare our practises based on it, but we've never seen you dance."
"…" She stared at the captain for a moment, deciding what to say. He was right; they hadn't seen her dance although she'd swear that Imayoshi had found some videos a long time ago. "So?" She asked finally.
"So, why don't you show us? You certainly can if Shiranui-senpai is here." He looked at Kouta and held his gaze for a moment.
She raised an eyebrow. "You want me to showdance for you?"
Imayoshi shrugged. "We're interested."
"In what exactly?"
"Your dancing skills? You? Don't take me wrong, we know nothing about it, but we want to see."
"And you're already bored with playing cards." She sighed and leaned back to look at Kouta. "You up for it?"
"I've just finished my dinner." He whined, but he was smirking which meant he was more than happy to do it.
"Then work on digesting it quickly." She looked back at Imayoshi. "Okay. Give us an hour and we'll meet at the gym."
"Why not right now?"
She rolled her eyes. "Because, I want to take a shower after the whole day and we have to decide what to show you and I have to find a dress according to it." When Imayoshi raised an eyebrow she continued. "Trust me, if I showdanced in this baggy practise t-shirt you'd hardly get the right… feeling from it."
"Whatever you say." He nodded. "So in an hour in the gym."
"Yeah." She nodded and once he left she sighed. They had something to talk about for the next hour.
"YAAAAY!" Before anyone could ask anything Kaito squealed and hugged her around the waist. "Nee-chan's gonna dance! Nee-chan's gonna dance!" He was so excited to see his big sister dance. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen her.
Kyou and Katsunori were quietly excited too. Neither of them had seen her dance in quite some time. Well, videos were one thing, but seeing her for real was an experience far beyond that.
She immediately smiled and rubbed Kaito's back, hugging him back. "That's right."
Tatsuya looked at her with an unreadable expression, but he said nothing. He could tell she wasn't that much into it and he didn't want to challenge Kaito's elation. He knew the boy would probably get sad if he knew his nee-chan was tired.
"So a Ten dance?" Kouta asked when he changed his seat and sat at Aya's table.
But Aya shook her head. "More like six or seven dance. All Latin competitive, plus quickstep. And maybe something contemporary, or acro you can handle."
"You gonna change the dress?"
She shook her head. "You'll undress the layers as we go. You brother is a genius when it comes to things like these. I can start wearing three dresses, according to length and well–"
"Finally a chance to undress you! Wahoo." He clapped happily and his smirk widened when he noticed Daiki's murderous glare. "I suppose we'll be doing Ballroom Latin, or American Rhythm?"
"I've said that, no? Ballroom Latin, of course." American rhythm had a different set of dances, Kouta wasn't that familiar with. Sure, he'd learnt a lot during the camp, but it still needed a lot of polishing and she wanted to do something he was 100% certain in.
"Okay. Then starting with Pasodoble and Rumba, right?" He guessed.
"Then Samba, Cha-Cha and Jive."
"Are you putting on make-up too?"
"No. Maybe a bit, but no. You choose the music and pace you're comfortable with."
Kouta blinked at her. "Me?"
"Yeah. Just let me know." She turned to Kiku, who was silently observing and listening. "Kiku, will you braid my hair?"
"Eh? Yeah, sure. But, I'm not sure I can do it the way you want."
Aya shook her head and smiled. "I don't care. I just like when someone else does my hair before a performance." It was a whim; a strange habit and ritual of hers.
"Okay then. I'll be in your room in half an hour?" The little girl asked, already excited. She wanted to see Aya dancing seriously too.
"Mhm." She said and got up, leaving her dinner unfinished and left to her room.
Daiki stared after her leaving figure, not sure what to think. He doubted she was nervous, but she seemed to be. He wanted to see her dance again too, at the same time; he didn't like the idea of Kouta touching her or being as close as he was supposed to be.
Slowly, everyone departed and he remained there alone with Tatsuya and Atsushi, who was finishing Aya's half-eaten dinner. Hanae asked them if they could eat it, because she didn't want to throw it away or feed it to the dogs. Atsushi never said no to an opportunity to have more of some delicious homemade food. It was a rare occurrence the giant was grateful for.
"Are you gonna wait for her?" Tatsuya asked curiously.
Daiki shrugged. "I don't know." He frowned and stared at Atsushi gobbling down the food.
"I think, you should." He said with a knowing look.
"You still haven't told Aya-chin about the cakes…" Atsushi drawled out of nowhere.
Tatsuya blinked at him and chuckled sheepishly. "I will. Later on."
"Hmmm… is she going to be okay?" The giant asked, surprising everyone with his up to point observation.
Daiki stared at the giant for a moment. "Why'd you ask that?" Atsushi wasn't his best friend, and he could rarely read him. Actually he agreed with Satsuki that sometimes Atsushi made people feel really uneasy, because despite the air of childishness, he could be very observant, sharp and even strangely empathetic.
"Mm…" He shrugged. "I don't think she was excited about this whole performance thingy."
"She'll still be perfect." Tatsuya smiled remembering those few times he'd actually went to see her compete. "Oh, good job at handling Kyou-san, by the way."
"Hm?" Daiki blinked at him. He'd almost forgotten the match altogether.
"It's not easy to score against him."
"You played against him?"
"Never once managed to score. By the book basketball doesn't really work against him. No matter how perfect."
He nodded. It felt so strange when Tatsuya was… praising him? Admiring even? What the hell… He didn't feel like being with the two any longer. They were both weird and difficult to read. Compared to Tatsuya, Kise could be considered a simple guy.
Not sure how or why, Daiki walked towards Aya's room. The house was surprisingly empty and quiet. Everyone was outside, enjoying the last sunrays. The only sound resonating through the whole house was music coming out of Kouta's room. Aya's door was closed and he thought he'd turn and leave. He shouldn't be there in the first place. After a moment of hesitation he rapped at the door.
"Yeah, come in." Aya called.
When he walked in, she was sitting on her bed, already dressed in two layers, while the third, which looked like a long skirt that would come over it as last was thrown over the chair. She didn't look at who came in as she was fighting with a strange wide bracelet she wanted to clasp around her scarred shoulder to cover it. The bracelet fitted the dress and it was a smart way to go about her scar. But despite being ambidextrous, there were obviously certain things she struggled with.
"Can I help you with it?" He asked.
Her head snapped up and she blinked at him in surprise. She opened her mouth and closed it. "…why…"
He didn't really wait for her permission and he sat next to her and covered her hand with his, taking the bracelet from her. "Wanted to see you before anyone else." He muttered with a slight blush. It was his intention, he realised.
She chuckled at his logic, and it pleased her more than she'd like to admit. She let go of the bracelet and let Daiki handle it. He should be able to fasten it easily. But when his fingers brushed her scar she jerked her arm away.
"Sorry…" He apologised, not sure why she'd pull away so suddenly. It couldn't possibly hurt anymore. He remembered she'd done so before too, but she hadn't minded if he touched the scar on her waist or the tiny one on her back. Why this one?
"No, I'm sorry." She said and bit her lip in a guilty grimace. "I just don't like when someone touches it. I can't really explain it."
He finally fastened the bracelet and the scar disappeared beneath it. "Tch, it's fine, don't worry 'bout it." He ruffled her hair that was still loosely cascading down her back. "Where'd you get it?" He asked quietly and calmly, trying to force the curiosity out of his voice. He was gently tracing the skin of her arm around the bracelet.
She watched his fingers with fascination. Maybe one day, she wouldn't mind Daiki touching that scar. She was silent for a moment. "…the shooting." She said finally. A small, but sad or nostalgic, smile graced her lips. "We got grazed by some stray bullets before mom shielded us. And then I kept tearing it open, clawing at it in my sleep, nightmares, every night for some time. That's why it looks the way it looks."
His fingers stopped as he processed the information. Honestly, he guessed it would be something like this the moment he'd asked. And there was nothing to say to that, so he decided to change the topic. "Do you really want to showdance for them?"
So he'd noticed she wasn't so thrilled about the idea. Still, when she'd thought about it, she realised she wanted to dance. She loved it from the bottom of her heart. So what if she was tired? She looked up at him and her smile softened and turned into the one he loved so much. "For you. And Kaito. And myself. Yes. I do. The rest is allowed to watch too, I don't mind them, that's all."
If he wasn't sitting on the bed his knees would probably buckle under her gaze. Seriously, this woman could very well drive him crazy. Slowly. While enjoying it. And she probably wasn't fully aware of it. He leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers.
"Do you even realise what you're doing to me?" He exhaled heavily.
"Do you?" She breathed out and tilted her head to steal a kiss. She wanted to, needed to.
She was so glad he'd come to see her, to unintentionally help her with the damn bracelet, saving her from explaining to Kiku why she hated people touching her scar. He didn't need the explanation. Not really.
He didn't protest. On the contrary, his lips responded to hers hungrily, yet gently. Something like: 'I don't want to push you, but if you let me, I'll devour you'. She wasn't sure if he realised it, but she didn't mind. Not at all. She loved him and it thrilled her.
And she could get lost in his kisses so easily. She didn't think about anything, just him and his soft and a bit rough lips moving with hers. With each kiss, he was getting more confident, more eager to try more, to go further. He dived his fingers into her hair and leaned forward, supporting himself on his arm.
She sighed in pleasure, which encouraged him to deepen the kiss. When he slipped his tongue in, he half expected her to hit him or something. Instead, she moaned softly and met his tongue with hers. She accepted him, letting him push her backwards. She rested her hand on top of his shoulder to support herself. She didn't want to be pushed onto the bed just yet. Her free hand ran up his chest and she caressed his neck and he let out a quiet groan as well. He liked it when she touched his neck.
He wanted to explore more than her mouth. But when he kissed her jaw, something fell on the ground.
The sound was accompanied by a freaked out:"Hiiiii!"
They were too consumed in kissing; they hadn't noticed when someone knocked and the door opened. They didn't even startle. They simply glanced at the door and the person who dared to interrupt them. Aya was half-expecting to see Kyou or Kaito or Kouta.
But thankfully, it was just Kiku.
Who was now covering her face as red as Aya's hair with both her hands and the comb she brought was lying on the ground at her feet. "S-S-Sorry." She stuttered, not sure how to speak at the moment and turned around showing them her back. Gosh this was so embarrassing. "I-I-I k-k-kn-knocked."
Aya covered her lips and glanced at Daiki with amusement shining in her eyes. The back of Kiku's neck and her ears were burning red. He grinned too. He had no idea what exactly the tiny girl saw, but it was surely hot enough. And seeing that excited light in Aya's eyes made him feel really proud of himself.
"I-I'll go." She peeped.
"No." Aya stopped her. "I'm sorry, we didn't notice you sooner. Um… I still need your help with the hair."
Kiku turned back and moved her fingers to create a gap through which she dared to glance at the couple. She quickly closed it again and crouched down. Their eyes were shining with so much excitement and lust and happiness, she had a hard time looking at them. Was this what she wanted to do with Wakamatsu-senpai? Oh god…
"Uhm… is she fine?" Daiki asked. He was starting to worry for that fragile thing.
"Yeah, yeah. Her imagination is just working way too fast –"
"Huh?" Kouta's head appeared in the doorframe. "You two defiling the pure little flower?" He grinned. Which made Kiku want to disappear even more.
"Might've gotten a bit carried away." Aya shrugged.
Kouta laughed. "Then it's a good thing Kiku-chan interrupted. We have 15 minutes left, Robin. Chop, chop. Aomine-kun, you don't want to get her overexcited when she's about to dance with me. My hands might accidentally slip where they shouldn't." He teased.
Daiki's eyes widened and then he glared at him. What was wrong with this person? He was worse than his older brother. "Don't even think about it."
Kouta just shrugged and grinned wider. "Already am." He didn't fear Daiki. Not at all. But then a shoe almost hit his face.
"Get out." Aya growled at him. "And stop thinking." She said with a warning undertone.
"Easier said than done when I'll be taking off your clothes while dancing." Another shoe flew past him and he suspected she was missing on purpose. "I won't tell you which songs I've chosen." He stuck out his tongue and retreated to his room.
"Fine!" She called out after him. "Gee', he's like a kid. Perverted overgrown kid."
"Are you going to be okay?" Kiku asked, finally taking her hands off her face.
"Yeah. Let's do the hair."
######
She and Kouta walked into the gym together. Kyou and Kaito cheered and clapped, which made her chuckle. She was barefoot and carried her shoes. She didn't fancy walking on stilettos through the grass. She had light makeup on with eye-liner and really light shadows. The top of her dress was black, sleeveless and showed her upper back. The long Spanish dance skirt was red with a slit on her left side.
Aomine and Kiku slipped into the gym after the two, hoping no one would really pay attention. Of course Kyou narrowed his eyes at the boy, but whatever, they were young. He shouldn't care too much. He used to run after each skirt for quite some time.
Aya gave him her phone. "Take a video if you want." She noticed a big basket full of phones next to Kyou. "What's that?"
Kyou shrugged. "Just a precaution."
She snorted and leaned down to put on her shoes. "Thank you then."
"Music." Kouta handed his phone to Kyou too. "I see you found good speakers." He nodded in approval. "Please go from 1 to 6. And we'll decide on the 7th as we get to it. Or if we get to it."
"Okay."
Daiki and Kiku made their way to the rest of the team. The 'core' of both teams was bunched up around Kyou and Katsunori and Masako. Aya's grandparents were a bit further, but they were interested as well. Without internet access, they hardly ever got the chance to see Aya dancing.
Daiki looked at her with a smile, which didn't go unnoticed and Satsuki and Hero simpered, nudging each other with their elbows. Good that Daiki didn't see it, or the prank he had ready for Satsuki would get much, much worse.
Kouta offered her a hand. Taking a deep breath, she cleared her mind off everything and prepared herself for the dance she was about to perform. Only then she slipped her hand into Kouta's and let him lead her to the middle of the gym.
"Are you gonna explain to them?" He asked when they stood at their spot.
"No."
"And the first dance is the Pasodoble!" Kyou announced with a proud grin and hit the play button.
Honestly, he had no idea what to expect. The two started facing opposite directions. Aya made two and a half steps backwards, but they didn't bump into each other. They were levelled up. That in itself must've taken a lot of practise.
The music was slow in the beginning, and then it paced up. The whole dance seemed like they were challenging each other and proving their worth. As if saying 'I won't touch you, I won't let you lead, unless I'm sure you can do it'. Aya took total advantage of the long skirt. And once Kouta kneeled down, with one leg bent forward and she did something like a backward handstand, but her only supports were her shoulder on Kouta's thigh and her legs bend past his shoulder, some boys doubted she had a normal spine.
When the song neared the end, Aya ended up lying on the ground. But at the very end Kouta 'resurrected' her, all the while pulling the long skirt off her, which revealed the black asymmetric one reaching Aya's right knee. Really, no one had an idea how they could miss the underlying skirt.
They walked one round, while Kaito clapped his soul out. And Kouta threw the bundled skirt to Daiki with a victorious smirk. The ace scoffed. But he was mesmerised by her. And if it was possible he fell for her all the more. This was his woman. His. And she was the most beautiful and talented creature out there. Seeing her dancing in front of him and feeling the raw energy was much better than seeing some video.
Their Rumba made him feel jealous and hot. And he wasn't sure he wouldn't kill Kouta in his sleep for touching her like that. Although Kouta's hands never slipped where they shouldn't like he'd teased before.
This time, at the end of the dance he grabbed the front of Aya's dress and pulled it off. It looked as if she shed her skin. The last layer was a short fringe dress, dark as night, which was showing her perfect legs completely, with the remnants of scabs she didn't care to hide.
Kyou gave them ten seconds to catch their breaths before the Samba. He knew that even if Rumba was slower dance, it was all the harder. He watched the scabs with a frown. "Those from my brother?" He asked darkly looking at Daiki.
That was the first time Daiki felt intimidated by Kyou. "Yeah. I thought it wasn't that big…" He muttered.
Kyou blinked at him. "You mean you haven't seen it yet?"
"Huh?" Daiki blinked and then, realising what Kyou was suggesting, he blushed and shook his head. "'f course not." He grumbled.
"Hmmm… Good boy." Kyou praised him like a dog and grinned widely.
Daiki rolled his eyes and focused on the dancers.
They were ready.
And so was Kyou, the next song was again, slow in the beginning, which allowed the two to set up a story. But once it the rhythm blasted someone actually whistled, completely consumed by the energy and excitement the two were radiating.
Daiki could once again barely see what Aya's legs were doing. She was unbelievably fast and for a second he actually admired Kouta for keeping up with her. Because he was working out just as much as Aya. When he compared it with what he'd seen her do with Hikaru, he could tell that Hikaru had just rode on her coattails and let her do all the hard work, but Kouta… Kouta was competing with her, trying to keep up. And he was managing.
Kyou was playing a narrator, introducing the dances but never telling anything to it. The boys probably wouldn't get the differences anyways; he knew that some of them were musically and rhythmically deaf. And those who weren't could see it themselves.
Their cha-cha was… It was breathtaking. Kouta probably chose the best of the best choreographies he knew. At the beginning, Aya played a baba yaga casting a spell. A very hot baba yaga casting a spell. It was amazing how for a moment she looked like her back was bent and twisted as if she was an old witch. And everything in those high shoes. And despite the shoes, her heels barely ever touched the ground.
After that, Kyou gave them a longer break, but they didn't seem tired. Aya was smiling brightly. She loved dancing. She lived for it. She was made for it. It was so obvious now. Those who wanted to protest or somehow downgrade her just couldn't. Something about her captivated them too. Whether it was her undeniable love for the sport, or the skill she showed, or the experience they'd had with her during their practises, they had no idea.
The jive confused them even more as her legs were everywhere and she bent her upper body backwards so much they wondered if her spine was made out of rubber. Then she was almost parallel with the ground and the only thing keeping her from falling was Kouta.
They were simply amazing. Kyou took a record of it all. He would definitely send it to his stupid brother. Someday. His daughter was the most talented and beautiful dancer he'd seen. Well, so was Keiko, but Aya was different. Livelier. Happier. More energetic.
He wasn't surprised that this girl won 8 consecutive world championships and god knew how many other competitions. He had no idea. It was hard to keep track of all the events she participated in those eight years, hoarding points and building her career, her name. Out of her parents' shadows. Something Haruka hadn't realised.
In the quickstep she showed them it was possible to levitate above the ground. Or at least they could hardly see their feet ever touching the ground and they seemed to move across the gym at an amazing speed, all the while keeping their frames. It was different, stiffer than the flowing Latin dances they'd seen before, but not less amazing.
After that, everyone cheered. And Aya couldn't quite believe it. She bowed with Kouta and her smile shone brightly. She was happy; especially when she saw the pride, love and fascination in Daiki's eyes and all the adoration on Kaito's face. Kyou, Katsu and her grandparents… They were the real people she danced for. As long as they were amazed, she was satisfied.
She was like a ball of light shining so brightly, they hardly ever saw anyone like that. Kagami Aya was a genius. All the more that she never rubbed it in their faces. Until now they'd had no idea who she was, or how good she was, or how enchanting she could be.
Tada leaned towards her – with the heels he didn't have lean so much – and whispered to her only: "After this, I might rethink my preferences. You were amazing."
She looked up at him when he straightened up and she used his shoulder as a support to answer him in the same way: "Thank you, senpai. But you know it doesn't work like that."
He smiled and shrugged. He knew. But his eyes locked with Kouta's for a moment, and he had an idea who might've interested him slightly more than the beautiful girl. The dreadlocks' guy smiled and winked at him. And Tada was 80% sure where he'd spend the night. Or with whom.
Hero took off her imaginary hat and bowed to Aya. "Hats off, Booby-chan. I absolutely love ya!" Then the midget ran around Aya twice. And then, from behind she cupped Aya's breasts boldly. "Amazin'."
"Hey!" The redhead slapped her hands away and turned around acting offended. "What are you doing?"
Fukui facepalmed and pretended that that was not his girlfriend.
"What is the dress made off?! How can it keep that in?! No bra, no back straps! What magic is this?"
Aya and Kouta started laughing. "Hikaru's magic."
"What did you win the camp's 'contemporary choreography' competition with?" Kyou asked curiously.
"How'd you know we won?"
"Because it's you?" He raised an eyebrow and chuckled, ruffling her hair – which wasn't easy given she had a tight braid.
She shrugged. "That's for some other day. We've shown you enough. And I don't want to bring back any memories…" She added glancing at Tatsuya. She couldn't help it; they had made the choreography together, without thinking about anyone. But once it was done, she couldn't help but associate it with Tatsuya.
"Hm?" He blinked at her, but she shook her head.
"It's nothing."
"Okay!" Kyou clapped. "Anyone want to hear stories about the creatures that live here with us?" He asked eerily.
She rolled her eyes. This was the preparation for the test of courage. He'd freak them out the day ahead… She had to answer a thousand different questions, but she didn't mind. She knew Daiki would wait for her.
Once she was done, and the boys were captivated by Kyou's ghost stories – Kaito included; she wondered if the kid wasn't scared afterwards – she walked towards Daiki who seemed ready to cover his ears and run out.
"You don't like ghost stories?"
He shook his head vehemently. "No thank you."
"Me neither. I have enough with my nightmares as it is. Let's go." She had her phone and shoes in her hand.
He nodded and took her hand. "I see we won't be the only ones." He cocked his head towards Tada and Kouta. "Uhmmm… If Tada's with him… Does it mean…" He hummed quietly, certain realisation hitting him.
"Yes. And you'll keep your mouth shut, Honey bun." She winked at him. "And those two are cute too. I wonder how that will go on." She glanced at Kiku, curled up at Wakamatsu's side, obviously looking for a shelter scared of Kyou's stories. The old man had a talent to freak people out.
"No way…" He muttered, staring at the two and already forgetting about Tada and Kouta. That was none of his business and it was far beyond his understanding. "But he's so damn annoying."
"I'd say he's exactly what Kiku needs." Aya smiled and pulled him towards the exit. "But I wonder if she'll trust him enough with certain things…"
"Will you ever tell me what you find so special about the girl?"
When they got out Aya unclasped the bracelet and rubbed her scar. He should know. "She was bullied quite brutally, Daiki. What I have," she tapped at the scar, "she has tenfold. And she's fighting with her demons every single day she looks into the mirror. So I want to protect her and I really do wish her happiness and nothing less. Wakamatsu-senpai… I think he isn't prejudiced, but I wonder how he'll react once he learns…"
Daiki's eyes widened and he gulped. "How bad?" He asked, anger bubbling in his veins. He didn't like timid and fearful people, but Kiku was already in his friend zone. Whether he wished it or not, she was Aya's close friend. And he hated injustice above everything. That someone could actually hurt another person like that… Leaving scars… His free fist clenched.
"Cigarette burns, cuts... I don't find it repulsive or ugly, but that's me." She shrugged.
"Tch… You think the idiot will be okay with it?"
"You are okay with me."
He narrowed his eyes at her logic, but she wasn't wrong. "Will I be finally allowed to punch him if he hurts her?" He asked with a savage grin.
"If you'll do it for Kiku, be my guest, but if you'll do it to satisfy whatever antipathy you feel towards him then no, you won't be allowed to do that."
He huffed.
"By the way, you talked with Kano?"
"Mhm. Why?"
"Glad you're on speaking terms. He apologised too, I guess?"
"Mhm. Though he didn't have to."
"Oh, he did. If he injured the two of you… No… I don't want to think about that. But don't scare me like that, okay? I can't lose you. I really can't."
He observed her expression for a moment. It warmed his heart. At the same time he couldn't imagine what he'd do if she was at his place and he helplessly watched from the sidelines. He'd probably tear off someone's head for endangering her. "…I'll try." He nodded. Then he remembered he wanted to ask her something. "What did your uncle mean by that?"
"By what?" She didn't get it. Kyou had said and done a lot of things.
"About the top professionals and stuff… He just wanted to provoke me, right?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. It's never that simple with him. By telling you that, I think, he wanted to teach you something, or give you something… To make you think about what you're doing with your skills, talent. But it's really up to you what you do with it."
"You think I'm wasting it?" There was a protective undertone in his voice and she wasn't in the mood to argue.
"I don't know, are you?" She countered his question with another question. It really wasn't up to her to decide that.
He shook his head. She wasn't picking a fight. She rarely ever is… No, he wasn't in the mood for any life and mindset changing dialogues. Not tonight. He was still mesmerised by her performance and he wanted to feel that thrill a bit longer. But he knew she was there if he ever needed one. He appreciated that she wasn't forcing it. He sighed. He couldn't have found a better person to walk by his side. Then he stared at her, waiting until she'd look up at him.
"What?" She raised an eyebrow but under his hungry gaze she felt electricity run down her spine.
"You were incredible, you know that?" He said without any embarrassment. It was the truth.
Her smile widened and she really felt like she could grow wings and fly away. "Glad to hear that. Don't you want me to teach you something?" She asked impulsively. "I'd love to be led by you one day."
He stared at her for a moment. Those reddish eyes were amazingly captivating and her cheerfulness was contagious. It seemed like she had no worries in the whole world, yet he knew the opposite was true. She could convince him. She had that power over him. But he couldn't imagine he'd be able to keep up with her like that dreadlocks' idiot. And he was a lot taller than Kouta too. No… But… Maybe… Not now…
"One day…" He promised with a nod. One day, he would get past his ego and let her teach him. But not now.
She was satisfied with that. "I'll be looking forward to that." She swiftly kissed his cheek, catching him by surprise. "I'd love to call you to my room, to continue what Kiku unintentionally interrupted, but…" She pointed at the porch, where her grandfather was petting the dogs and looking their way. They couldn't possibly disappear to find a private place now.
"Tch. Seriously?" I so wanted to do things to you… He thought sadly.
"You don't want to have him as an enemy."
"I don't, but…" He turned her towards him and kissed her on the lips, glancing at the old man with the corner of his eye. Taichi turned his head away, but it was too dark for Daiki to see any expression. It was stupid, like marking his territory, but he wanted to do it. In the back of his mind he really prayed he wouldn't get poisoned for this. "…they should get used to me."
She covered her face that felt unbelievably hot. She wasn't sure if she was happy or angry or if she wanted to punch him for this. It was some sort of a mixture of everything. "You're unbelievable, Aomine Daiki. Unbelievable."
"You kissed me back, Sweetheart." He smirked.
"I know. And I'm not sure if I don't hate myself for that."
"KYAAAAAHAAAAAA!" Satsuki's high pitched scream echoed through the meadow. "NOOOOO! GO AWAAAAY! KYAAAH!"
"What have you done?" Aya asked.
Daiki shrugged with a proud grin. "Frogs in her bed. And bag. And closet. And bathroom. She hates them. Serves her right."
"Why?"
"She tells you stuff. Stuff I want to tell you on my own, or I want you to figure out on your own, or I don't want you to know. I don't like that."
She sighed. Not like she didn't get it. "I'm still going to save her." Satsuki's terrified screams weren't easing up at all.
"That basically became your job the moment you joined the team."
######
Michiko was staring at the ceiling. She was thinking so much about Daiki and Aya. She couldn't sleep. Daisuke, lying next to her sighed. "What is it?"
"Nothing."
"It's never nothing, Michi. What are you thinking about?"
She bit her lip and turned to her side to face her husband. "It's Daiki and Aya-chan."
"What about them?"
"Well… you think they'll come back as a couple?"
Daisuke raised an eyebrow. "I'll hit him if they don't."
"Eeeh?! Aren't you worried?"
"What about?"
"They're at a camp, in the mountains… together… alone…"
"Alone, with fifty other boys, Aya-chan's grandparents and her godfather. No, I really don't worry." He explained. "And even if they do something, I believe they are pretty much aware of how kids are made and that no, they don't want any right now."
"But they're still teenagers. Curious, daring. And Daiki is quite impulsive. I don't want him to hurt Aya-chan."
Daisuke sighed heavily. He thought Michiko was thinking something completely opposite. That she would be protecting her son from the 'bad' girl. Oh, how glad he was she wasn't one of those crazy mothers. "He won't. He might be a bit rough, but he'd never intentionally hurt anyone or anything he loves and cares about. I do trust him in this."
"You should talk with him."
"What?!"
"What what? You're his dad…"
He rubbed his face in desperation.
"Damn. At least give him some condoms."
"For a birthday present, eh?" He asked sarcastically.
She shrugged. "It's not such a bad idea."
"Michiko." He warned her.
"What?"
"That's not a birthday present."
"But you will give him some." She insisted.
"Gee', fine." He agreed, already feeling the mortification. "But don't think I'm doing it out of the goodness of my heart." He added and his eyes shone with desire as he lifted himself on his elbow.
"Really?" She glanced at him but a smile appeared on her face.
"We're not that old. And the house is empty."
"Well then, let's use the opportunity." She grinned widely and lifted herself up to kiss him.
######
Taiga's phone rang in the middle of the night, waking up everyone in his club. Half asleep he picked up.
"Huh?"
"WHERE THE HELL IS YOUR TWIN SISTER?! I'VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH HER FOR TWO DAYS! TWO FREAKIN' DAYS! AND I COULDN'T FIND YOUR NUMBER! WHAT IDIOT WRITES THEIR NUMBER ON A PIECE OF TINY PAPER?! HAH?!"
"EEEEH?! Yomi-chan?!" He abruptly sat up, completely awake. "What's up?! It's Suzu?! Is she all right?!"
He held the phone a bit further, in case she was still yelling her lungs out. "OF COURSE IT'S SUZUME, DUMBASS!"
"Aya's without signal now, so – Tell me!" He demanded a bit louder than he wanted. But he was unsettled. He needed to know.
Yomi was silent for a moment. And he feared the worst. He thought his heart would stop.
"She's awake." She said finally, but she sounded really worried and sad.
"Really?!" A relieved smile broke on his face. He was so happy she was alright.
"Don't be too happy." Yomi said bitterly.
"Huh?" He blinked, his smile wavering. "What is it?"
"You need to come. I'm afraid she's giving up."
"What do you mean?"
"She refuses to eat. She doesn't want to see or talk to anyone. She just sits there, watching out of the window, pitying herself… And that resigned expression… I can't." Her voice broke. "I don't know what to do. I'm scared I'll lose her. And I can't fucking do a thing! I'm scared to confront her. I don't know if I can… And I…"
"You think my sister can?"
"I can't think of anyone else."
"We'll be there the day after tomorrow. I can't promise you more than that."
"Thank you." She hung up and Taiga stared at his phone for a moment.
"What was that, Kagami-kun?" Kuroko asked.
"Gah!" He jumped from the ghostly boy. "..." Then he decided. "I need to leave." He got up to take his stuff, but Hyuuga hit his head.
"Where do you think you'd get at half past midnight, eh?"
"Errr…"
"Right there. Nowhere. If you need to leave, wait until morning." The captain said. He was curious. So curious about that phone call, but he knew the idiot wouldn't say anything.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it. The inspiration for the dancing part came from watching videos of Yulia Zagoruychenko and Riccardo Cocchi. I couldn't possibly describe it into details (as I'm simply amazed by it and I don't know much about technical parts of the dances), so I thought it was okay the way I managed.
Ah well, as always, I hope no one was OOC. :) Have a nice weekend!
Let me know what you think and remember, reviews are appreciated but never necessary.
S.