A/N: I'm still alive. Thanks to everyone who followed, favourited and reviewed! Thank you for sticking with me and this monster story :)
Sorry for the long wait.
Enjoy! I hope it's good.
The only source of knowledge is experience. - Albert Einstein
I'm just thinking about being the best I can be for the team first because that's what comes first. - Aly Raisman
The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better. - Tony Dungy
The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime. - Babe Ruth
Lindsay and Derek were waiting at the Warsaw airport for Aya's arrival. She was happy to finally meet the girl in person, she was curious, but after her 'relationship development' with Haruka, she was anxious. She didn't know how to face Aya at all and she hoped that it wasn't displayed above her head with big bright neon lights.
"Are you worried?"
"Hm?" She blinked at the younger man. "No, why?"
Derek raised an eyebrow at her; he spent enough time with her to know.
"Can you tell?" She asked and sighed deeply.
"Well… You're fidgeting." He said with a shy smile. "You're meeting Aya for the first time, right?"
Lindsay nodded. It was easier than explaining the reasons for her anxiousness.
"Don't worry, she's a very nice person." Derek's eyes sparkled as he was talking about the girl. "Our first meeting was a bit awkward and off…" He smiled, remembering it. "I guess you know her better than I did, right?"
"Sort of. I like to think that at least." She smiled and scanned the crowd again, looking for Aya. Derek followed her example and squinted at the people moving like ants all around them. And here she comes… She noticed the redhead treading her way towards them.
Aya was walking lightly, easily avoiding the mass of moving bodies intersecting her path. She was dressed semi-formally in lighter jeans, a navy-blue patterned blouse, and comfortable shoes with thicker heels. Her luggage was smaller than Lindsay expected.
"Hello! Thank you for picking me up!" Aya greeted them with a bright smile the moment she was sure they'd hear her. "I'm sorry for the little delay; I don't really know what happened."
"Hi, don't be sorry at all. And no need to thank us, it's our duty to be at your service." Lindsay switched to Japanese naturally and put on her business smile.
"Not really." Aya looked at her carefully for a second, scanning her appearance and then she outstretched her hand, "I'm happy to finally meet you in person, Lindsay."
"Likewise, Miss." She gave her a firm handshake, trying to ignore the lump in her throat. She was wondering what was going through Aya's mind as she was scanning her. Lindsay was aware of her looks. Probably strange for some people; she was a Dane with a figure of a model. She was tall and thin, but not too skinny. She had pale skin with barely visible freckles she used to hide with make-up, long champagne blond wavy hair, her brows and eyelashes were fair, like her hair, and she couldn't use black dye or black mascara or it looked terrifying. Her nose was slightly hawk-like and she had thinner but nice bow-shaped lips. She had round eyes in a surprising shade of bright blue. Make-up skills weren't her forte, so she had one make-up style she mastered that made her look professional and presentable.
At least I wore a proper suit. That alone was giving her the ability to switch into her business mode. And in her business mode, she could deal with anything and anyone.
What an interesting eye colour… Turquoise? … Ah, she's gorgeous. "Please, just 'Aya' is fine. No need to be overly formal, especially when you read all those emails." She winked at her teasingly.
"Ah… Sorry for that." She looked everywhere, but Aya's face. Was the girl nervous at all? If her emails got breached by some secretary she'd be mortified.
"Well, we should get moving." Aya decided. "The first meeting is in…" She looked at a clock on the wall. It was around 8 AM; she boarded a plane at 2:50 AM Japanese time, spent around 12 hours travelling, and the day moved by only about five hours. Feels like time travel every time. "…two hours? We need to catch up on the business. I'm sure Haruka gave you better tips, maybe some leverage. Let's find some café or something and settle the strategy."
"Yes, coffee and breakfast too, right?" Derek smiled at her.
"Hm, you know me well. And your Japanese is getting better and better." She smiled at him approvingly.
He blushed and scratched his cheek. "Thank you. I hope it has, after those two months of almost non-stop lessons."
"It's definitely paying off. How are Gabi and Ivan? I miss them so much."
Lindsay was following after them, partly listening to their easy going conversation. She felt out of place; she didn't know how to contribute to their conversation, or how to join in. She was a bit jealous of Derek at the moment. He became a part of Kagami's family already. She wanted to belong somewhere too. To have a place she could call 'home' and mean it, people she could call 'family'. She wanted to belong there. With the Kagamis, like he did, like Seth, Gabi and Ivan did… No, no, no. Don't even think that way. They're your employers, not family. Stop it.
"Lindsay, I heard you moved into the mansion." Aya's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Uh, yeah." She didn't remember when she'd tuned them out.
Aya tilted her head curiously. "Is everything okay there? Up to your standard? Don't you mind living there with your co-workers? Which room do you have? Gabi must be delighted with so many people living there." The redhead fired the questions, obviously expecting a reply.
"It's good, really. I feel like I'm indebted to you–"
"Don't even start on that. You're NOT indebted to anyone; you're actually doing us a favour. If the house is being inhabited, we have a reason to keep Gabi and Ivan. They have work to do to earn their money. They're family, but they'd feel terrible if we just provided them with everything for nothing… So, no worries. And I heard you're paying a proper rent."
"Anywhere else I'd pay twice or thrice the price for something old and run down." She protested, but she understood the reasoning.
Aya raised an eyebrow at her, and before Lindsay could realise it, she was pulled into a conversation about rents, then about cohabiting with the other young women and Gabi. They arrived at a café that Derek had chosen beforehand and switched to business. Until a waitress stopped by their table for the fourth time and Lindsay answered her on autopilot in perfect Polish.
"You speak Polish?" Aya asked, surprised. She understood some bits of the language, but she definitely couldn't lead a casual conversation with a waitress.
"Ah, yeah." Lindsay nodded.
"Do the managers of the companies we'll visit here know you speak Polish?"
"No, I've talked with them exclusively in English, why?"
Aya grinned foxily. "Don't let them know. Maybe they'll talk about something they wouldn't want us to know in their native language."
She already liked the girl. "I was thinking the same."
"By the way, which languages do you speak?"
"Uuhm… Danish, Swedish, French, English, Japanese, Polish, Russian and some dialects, Portuguese and I'm learning Spanish, next I was thinking... Italian or maybe something Slavic again…" She wanted to add something but Aya's sparkling eyes stopped her.
"Wow. 8 fluent languages…? I'm fluent at five and studying one. I feel l'm missing out on so much! I could help you with Spanish conversations if you want. I bet Gabi's delighted. Oh, and you could help me with Portuguese if you want." She naturally leaned forward to Lindsay expectantly.
"I know only four." Derek whined, snapping Aya out of her overwhelming excitement. "I feel inferior now."
"Many people know only one." Lindsay reminded him. "You should be proud about those 4."
"Lindsay's right–"
"You can call me Linn, or Linds if you want." She proposed and instantly she froze, "uhm, if it's o-okay…"
"Of course it's okay, Linn." Aya smiled at her brightly. "What did you study?"
"You surely saw my CV?"
"Not at all. Sorry, I didn't snoop around for personal files at the father's office. Maybe I should have given the situation we're in."
"You wouldn't have figured the managers out." She sighed. "Anyway, I was born and raised in Denmark. We moved to L.A. when I was 17, because of my father's job. But because of my family's circumstances I moved out the moment I finished high school. Then I studied business; the course also included economics and investment, and languages; Japanese and Russian at the same time. I also took all necessary examinations to have certificates for Danish, Swedish and English, so I could be a language teacher if the business course failed."
Aya whistled; there were probably dozens of questions she wanted to ask, but the one she voiced was: "Two unis at the same time? Or was it three?"
Lindsay chuckled. "Two, and a bit of self-studying. I was crazy during my student days. I'm still paying the loan; I worked two jobs and took some more language courses too. I barely slept at that time, but I don't regret it at all. I've always found learning languages easy."
Aya whistled. "Very admirable. No wonder Haruka is so fond of you, it's not easy to find someone this high-level, smart, committed and reliable. And beautiful!"
Yeah, right. Committed all the way to the boss's bed… Damn, I'm so stupid! Suddenly, she felt guilty. "You shouldn't praise me too much, Aya-chan. I'm not doing anything special." She didn't mean to boast, or talk about her uni days at all, and Aya had no idea about her affair with Haruka. Just please don't ask about where I worked…
"Mmmm," those sharp and bright eyes pierced her, and she felt like Aya could read her mind, "you're here with me. Haruka trusts you to this extent. That's special enough." She added after a few seconds.
Lindsay cleared her throat. "Maybe. Now, how do you want to deal with the–"
######
"Taiga! Principal wants to see you."
"Oh… Okay! Thanks!"
"What is it, Kagami-kun?" Kuroko asked him curiously. "Did you do something?"
"Ah… no. Never mind, I'll tell you later."
######
Riko, Hyuuga and Kiyoshi were waiting for him in front of the principal's office. The word got around that Taiga got called in.
"So?" Riko asked with hands on her hips.
"Ah." Taiga blinked at them in surprise, he was still processing the whole discussion and hadn't noticed them before. "Well, I'm leaving on Saturday morning. I need to make all the reservations and I'm supposed to live with some 'host' family close to school, at least formally, but I can stay at home, given we still have our house there. It'll depend on my mood where I'll sleep; whichever will be more convenient given the situation and time."
"Good for you." Hyuuga muttered.
"What? Do you have a problem with it?"
"We are a team. You–"
"Hyuuga," Kiyoshi placed his huge hand on his friend's shoulder, "he is doing it for the team."
"Keh," Taiga snorted, "we can't beat Aomine and his team with friendship alone and they have my sister too." He turned on his heel to return to the classroom, his mood was officially ruined. He respected the captain, but he felt misjudged by him.
"Oi, Kagami!"
He waved his hand to stop him. "Think what you want, but I need to do it for you and for myself too. If you think I'm betraying you and want to kick me out," he shrugged, "be my guest. I wonder how you'd do without me. Tell the guys what you want." The words were too venomous for his character; but he was the ace and now he was fully aware of his position. He was nervous about it too. He wouldn't see them improve either. But this was necessary.
All three blinked at Taiga in surprise and watched him leave. In that moment he somewhat reminded them of Aya, although they'd never seen the girl behave like this.
"Great job, captain, great job." Riko commented sarcastically and patted his back.
Kiyoshi laughed awkwardly, "I believe he'll have forgotten this by the time he'll come back."
"Tch. Stop it. He clearly overreacted."
"And you clearly provoked him." Riko lectured, but then she sighed, with her hands on her hips. "I'll go and make it clear that he is NOT kicked out of the team… Once he cools down a little."
"That would be for the best." Kiyoshi agreed.
######
They actually squeezed two meetings into one day.
The one in Warsaw didn't end too well. They were fighting with them, refusing to terminate the contract and Aya knew they were definitely pocketing some money from it too. No decision was made, nothing signed, but it was only a matter of time. All contracts could be terminated. Either behind the closed doors or in a court. And while Kagami's business could handle a few legal cases, the counterparty on the other hand… Well, they'd have to return to Warsaw in a day or two to finish things.
That would prolong the business trip and Aya wasn't happy about it. She was replaying all her actions and words from the meeting and she didn't enjoy lunch or the short walk in the city centre. Though the city was beautiful, she took a mental note to return with a sole purpose of exploring it.
The other meeting was in Lublin which was close by so they reached it in two hours by car. At least these people terminated the contract on the moment's notice. They called in the responsible manager at their company, who was fired with only a little further discussion. The company itself probably had no idea about the fraud, it lost some money, but if it got out they could lose their good name. After hearing Aya out they were thinking of signing some real contract. It was a decent, favourable business deal, so Lindsay and Aya had to agree to participate in one business dinner.
It was an exhausting day for Aya. She felt drained of energy, which was rare. Maybe it was partly caused by jet lag. She didn't mind the meetings, the people weren't too bad. She could shoulder some comments about how women belonged at the stove. But dinners with business partners… especially when they had zero sense of humour and their English deteriorated with the amount of alcohol in their blood… She'd rather pass on these social necessities. However, the deal in this one could be good, although the final decision would be Haruka's.
They finally got out of the restaurant and walked around in silence for a couple of minutes. All three of them were taking in the calmness of the chilly November night. The city was empty at the late hour.
"Can I take a walk alone?" Aya asked. They were near a huge sign 'I 3 Lublin' and a fountain, which was still working, but soon it'd be stopped because of the cold weather. She could get to the hotel from there on her own.
"I can't leave you alone."
"Nothing bad will happen to me here, Derek. Whatever Haruka said to you, I'll be fine."
He exchanged glances with Lindsay; they weren't sure what the right choice here was. It was past midnight, the streets were empty…
"If you're not in the hotel in one hour, I'm tracking your phone."
Aya narrowed her eyes. "…I knew it! So he could track me!"
"Sorry? It's for emergency purposes only." He peeped.
She waved her hand. "Whatever. I'll be back in an hour. We have to be up early."
The two adults nodded and left. Aya watched their figures until they disappeared around a corner. She sighed and lit a cigarette. Her feet were leading her straight towards the castle gates and castle. It was her first time in this city and she loved it. Too bad she couldn't go for a castle tour or anything like it.
She fished out her phone and went through all the messages and missed calls. Taiga called her twice, and then he wrote a message. He was leaving Japan on Saturday morning. Good for him.
At first she wanted to call Daiki, but then decided otherwise. It was only one day and she was missing him. Still… You're not some desperate crazy spitfire. Focus on the business that's in front of you now. She told herself.
"Daiki?" Satsuki blinked in surprise. "You've come to afternoon practice?"
"Huh?" He was lazily picking his ear and stretching. "Anything wrong with it?"
"Well… Aya-chan's not here."
"Tch, so?"
"It's just that you usually don't come, and she's not even here."
"Which means he's bored." Imayoshi put his hand on Daiki's shoulder. "And his dirty magazines don't do it anymore, right?"
"Oi," Daiki glared at him and shook off the captain's arm.
"Oh, stop it." Tada rolled his eyes. "You're making Momoi-chan uncomfortable."
She was blushing, but she grimaced. "I can handle a certain amount of sleaziness."
"Ah, right." Imayoshi chuckled. "He is your friend, after all."
"Imayoshi!" Susa called out to him from a group discussing strategies and line ups for tomorrow's practice match.
Daiki made a discreet sign for purifying evil towards Imayoshi back.
"He's not that bad. And he wasn't wrong, right?" She grinned at him; Aya was the main motivation for Daiki to show up at practices from time to time (more often than Satsuki could hope for), but Daiki could also see that the boys around him were getting better. That he was forcing them to get better, even if he was bored, or didn't enjoy the practices, he saw that it was worth it. He saw the added value. Maybe not for him, but definitely for everyone else…
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Do you have the winter cup matchups already?"
"Mom'll get them tonight." She said with a mischief in her eyes. "I'll text you our first opponent right away."
He nodded.
"Did Aya-chan call you?"
"Nope, you?"
She sighed. "Not at all… Then again, she's not really the type to call for an idle chit-chat on her own."
"She's got a lot on her plate…"
"Aomine! Lead the warm-up!" Katsunori decided to use him, since the ace showed up on his own will.
"Gee'… Fine. Get ready to die, losers!"
######
Unusual as it was, he got a simple one word message from Satsuki, as she had promised:
'Seirin!'
He blinked at the screen.
A dangerous smirk graced his face. Bring it on! Suddenly, he couldn't wait for the first match. The four weeks he had to wait until then seemed like eternity.
He was impatient, excited, yet as he was thinking about it, he felt slightly uneasy. Would Taiga truly pose a challenge for him? And what about Tetsu?
'Does Aya know?' He replied after a few minutes of turning this revelation in his head.
'Not yet. I don't want to disturb her work. Tell her if you want though.'
He sighed. Satsuki was right about not wanting to disturb Aya, but the redhead would inevitably learn it the next day because of the team's group chat.
'We got the list of winter cup matchups under the counter. It's Seirin.' He typed, knowing she would understand.
Aya didn't reply until evening hours of the country she was currently at. The message was very simple and said:
'Well, shit...'
'But maybe it's for the best.' She added a half an hour later.
"This is boring." Daiki slumped onto the bench. Ten minutes into the practice match and it was like playing against children. The only one having some fun was Wakamatsu, because Josei's center was the only decent player there. Daiki was playing with maybe one fifth of his abilities and he was still bored to death (he needed a half or three quarters playing one on one against Aya or some guys on his team).
"Want to sit out?" Katsunori asked, giving him a sideways glance. He'd like to keep him in the game, but ruining the ace's mood for the rest of the week wasn't necessary in his opinion. And the others could get a chance to play too.
"Will you let me, ol' man?"
Katsunori gave him a scolding look. He hated being called an 'old man' and in that rude tone. "Ishii, take Aomine's spot."
"Oh," Ishii blinked in surprise, "okay." He quickly jumped up and down several times to warm up. "Thanks, man." He nodded to Daiki when passing by him.
"…for nothing." Daiki smirked. "You'll get bored too."
"…" Hmph, he's in a good mood?
######
Taiga didn't want to go to any hot spring. The atmosphere between him and the captain was still tense. Riko had apologised in Hyuuga's stead and explained their anxiousness to Taiga; he saw reason in it, but it didn't make him less annoyed by the situation. At least the captain was trying to behave as normally as possible, so the other members wouldn't get a whiff of any ill feelings between them.
The wondering looks he was getting from Kuroko, however, confirmed that the team got a whiff of something. 100%. He didn't wish to leave with bad feelings. And there he had the hot spring opportunity to behave like a foreign idiot to lift the tension as much as he could before leaving in less than two days.
Taiga didn't mind playing dumb and bringing his swimming trunks in. He also had to use the chance to scrub Hyuuga's back with a floor brush. It was priceless.
######
Michiko watched her husband and Akari sitting by Kimiko's hospital bed. Daisuke was reading her a story, while the dog was lying on the ground, relaxing after a long day at work. She really loved her husband.
"You're still here."
He looked up from the picture book and smiled at her. "The story got really interesting."
"I believe that, but you need to take the dogs out. Daiki has a practice match and Satsuki told me they'd go to a hot spring afterwards so…"
"Ah, right…" He sighed and placed the book at the night table.
Kimiko watched dejectedly. She was still shy, but she came to like the Aomine couple.
He noticed and ruffled Kimiko's short hair. "I'll stop by tomorrow, kiddo; we'll finish the book together, okay?"
She smiled and nodded happily.
"Akari, let's go." He called the dog, which he didn't really have to. She was already up and ready to follow him. When they were passing Michiko in the doorway he leaned down and kissed her goodbye. "See you later."
"Ehm… In the morning."
He stopped and stared at her with a slight annoyance in his eyes. "You took someone else's shift again?"
"It can't be helped."
"Are you getting a free day for this?"
"I'd take the bonus but… yes; I'll get a free day. And we'll go on a trip, okay?"
He sighed, but then kissed her again. "Don't overwork. I love you."
"Love you too." She smiled at him and watched him leave. A few younger nurses were watching him in awe and giggling. Yes, Daisuke was a bit of a hit among her younger colleagues, attentive, loving, in a uniform and with the dog following him around so obediently… Michiko just rolled her eyes, already used to it.
######
"What? A hot spring?! Why didn't you tell me?" Kiku was annoyed that no one bothered to warn her about this after-match plan.
Satsuki shrugged and looked at the dark sky. "Because you wouldn't come if I told you."
"Of course I wouldn't! I hate public baths, pools, even beaches!" She protested. "I'm going home."
"But we're already here." Satsuki pointed at the entrance. "It's a separate hot spring and I've booked it beforehand. There's only us and Seirin's team. Only I, you and Aida-chan will be in the women's bath."
"And since I'm here," Wakamatsu hugged her around shoulders, "no one will dare to peek over the fence."
She blushed. Wakamatsu didn't usually display their relationship like this, but she didn't mind it. "All right then." She huffed and gave in. "Now that I think about it, I've never been to a hot spring."
"You didn't miss out much." Daiki joined them; he wasn't a huge fan of hot springs either. He gladly passed on this 'naked bonding'. "Satsuki, why do I need to be here?"
"Because… Seirin's here."
"So?"
"Don't be gruff; you can join in with the team sometimes."
"I'm not going in though."
The pinkette shrugged. "Fine, you'll be saving all those poor souls who'll get sick from the hot water. You can check if there are enough sports drinks available in the vending machines and enough leftovers in the bottles."
He rolled his eyes. "That's the manager's job. Are y' making me substitute Aya?"
"It won't kill you once. I know you don't like hot springs."
"I would if they were mixed and Aya was here."
"Yes, and you certainly wouldn't be killing all the other guys getting a glimpse of Aya-chan's naked body, eh?" Satsuki smiled at him innocently.
"Keh! There are private ones!" Then he took notice of all the amused grins he got from the nearby guys, "tch," he ruffled her perfectly neat hair. "Shut up, Satsuki."
She squealed and slapped his hand away. It's been years since he'd last done this to her.
"Aya-chan must be sneezing right now."
"Or getting chills"
"I'm sorry, but… Where's the coach?" Sakurai glanced behind them, where the coach had been silently following.
"He's not the type to go into a hot spring with his pupils." Imayoshi smirked. "Besides, weird rumours might've spread if he'd joined us. We are all so young."
Sakurai blushed furiously at the innuendo Imayoshi proposed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean… I didn't think, I – I… S-sorry!" He squeaked and covered his face in mortification.
"Ignore him Sakurai-kun." Tada chuckled. "He can have rather inappropriate comments sometimes. Our coach is a straight and very dignified man, who cares about us like a father. I truly have no idea why Imayoshi-senpai makes these jokes."
"Because the reactions are priceless!" Imayoshi chuckled.
Sakurai dropped his head and stared at his feet. "…Sorry…"
"I'll tell you a secret, Sakurai-kun: I was his favourite target last year; don't think too much about it. It means he sees potential in you and likes you – not in a weird way." That was also why he could talk back to Imayoshi and treat him as equal, and not like 'the respected senpai' majority of the team was treating him with, Wakamatsu included. "Right, Imayoshi-taichou?"
"Hm? Yeah, yeah. I wouldn't interact with someone I hate."
Tada leaned closer to Sakurai and told only him: "Even if you had a crush on the coach, it's not too strange. I wouldn't tell anyone."
Sakurai gasped and at first wanted to loudly claim it was a lie and he was 100% straight. Then again, no one knew what Tada-senpai had told him, and no one was paying them attention anymore. So he bit his tongue. No, he certainly didn't have a crush on the old man! Imayoshi's comment just sparked a very inappropriate image he had seen in a manga a few days ago. Besides, he liked Takeda-chan from the class 1-1 and prayed that their pink-haired manager wouldn't get a whiff of it.
Tada laughed and ruffled Sakurai's hair moving forward to enter the building together with Imayoshi.
Morihata-senpai patted Sakurai's shoulder. "Despite the teasing, they would stand up for you like older brothers anytime without hesitation."
"Ah, sorry, I know."
"Then stop apologising already!"
######
"Kagami-kun! Kuroko's floating!"
"Eh? What, where?" He spun around, not seeing his ghostly friend anywhere.
"…here he is." Kiyoshi grabbed him by his arm and lifted him from the water. Kuroko was all red and semi-conscious from overheating in the hot water. "I think he's had enough."
"Hmmm…" Taiga leaned closer and poked Kuroko's red cheek. "Looks like a boiled lobster."
"Not everyone can handle hot baths." He shrugged. "Will you please take care of him?"
"Huh? Me?" He pointed at himself. He'd never taken care of anyone getting a heat stroke from hot water; he couldn't even imagine it, because he loved hot baths.
"Yes, you." Hyuuga added with more urgency than Kiyoshi ever would.
"And how? I've never–"
"Drag him out; once he cools off a bit, he'll function on his own. Let him rest on some bench and get him a sport's drink or something. He'll tell you himself."
"Gee', hai, hai." Taiga rolled his eyes, took Kuroko under his armpits and dragged him out like a little kid. Kuroko was surprisingly light, lighter than Aya.
He sat him down in the changing room. Kuroko was slowly coming back to his senses. And Taiga was quickly drying himself and getting dressed.
"Ah, Taiga!" Ishii grinned when he saw the redhead there.
"Eh," Taiga blinked at Ishii and the rest of Touou's team minus Aomine. "Why are you guys here?"
Imayoshi smirked, "just a coincidence."
"One planned by Satsuki." Naito rolled his eyes. "Apparently she wanted the teams to meet, but no one from the source would give us – the lowly peasants – the information why."
"Oh, stop complaining, Naito-kun. Imayoshi won't tell you, just because you asked." Tada patted his shoulder. "What happened to your friend?"
Taiga shrugged, watching over his shoulder at Kuroko, who was semi-consciously getting dressed and ignoring everyone in the room. "Got dizzy from the bath. Where's Aomine?"
"He was here, but perhaps he left." Wakamatsu shrugged. "Aya-san's not here, Momoi-san and Kiku went to the baths, and we certainly won't hold him here by force."
"Urgh," Kuroko groaned as he leaned down to put on his pants.
"He really doesn't look well. Let him lie down on the bench by the vending machine. It's big enough." Tada advised in a friendly voice.
"It must be there for this purpose." Naito hummed.
"Roger that." Taiga nodded.
Once Kuroko was ready to leave, he actually guided him towards the bench and even got a cold wet towel from the receptionist, to cool off Kuroko's forehead and eyes a little.
He sighed heavily, I wanted to stay in there a bit longer… "Want something to drink?"
"…ah, Pocari, please."
"Huh?" Taiga searched for it in the vending machine, just to find out it wasn't there. "Oh man, it's out. Well then, I'll go buy one from somewhere else. Stay here and rest."
"Sorry." Kuroko peeped; embarrassed that he was the lightweight of the group. "Uhm, Kagami-kun?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Did something happen between you and Hyuuga-senpai?"
Taiga rubbed the back of his neck. "It's nothing. A little misunderstanding, that's all."
"Mmm…"
######
Taiga wandered outside to look for the drink Kuroko wanted. He had to tug his jacket closer, it was rather windy. His phone rang.
"Hey, what's up?" Aya greeted him. "Your vibe's off since yesterday, did something happen?"
"Bored during lunch?" He sighed. "Don't you have your business to deal with?"
"It's tough, but it's going surprisingly well. There are some issues father will have to deal with in person, but other than that it's fine... I hope I didn't jinx it just now."
He could see the frown on her face when she talked about jinxing it. "Only one day delay?" He joked.
"Two, at the most."
"There's always delay."
"Are you avoiding my question?"
"No… Uhm, I've got a little dispute with our captain, because of me going to L.A. to practise alone. I've said some things like… well, like Aomine would."
Aya laughed on the other side. "Like, 'I wonder how you'd do without me?'?" She imitated his voice.
"I don't sound like that."
"Whatever, but I was spot on, right?"
"Eh, you're terrible. You are right, of course you are."
"But that's fine. You have to be a little selfish to get what you want and need. Your team's stronger than a little dispute and you're the ace. Besides, your leaving is for the best."
"What do you mean?"
"We're your first opponents, Taiga. You'll face Daiki right off the bat."
"WHAT?! … Oh… that's why they've sneaked up on us in the hot spring. Now I get why Satsuki brought her team."
"A hot spring? Oh, damn! I'd love to be there! Is it mixed?"
"Urgh, separated. And Aomine isn't there if I remember right."
"Hmph… I'm still envious."
"Ah, Pocari!" He finally found it. "Uh, Kuroko got sick in the bath, so I'm Pocari-hunting right now, to bring it back to him. How can someone get sick in the bath? … I don't get it." He tossed the coins in and pressed the button. "Hm… so you're our first opponent. I'm not sure what to think about it…" But his lips naturally curled into a smirk.
"Oh, you do. I feel you, dear twin. You're totally grinning. Getting excited?"
"And terrified. Both. It's you I'm against… Urgh… I'll puke blood in L.A. but damn! It's the best!"
"That's good. I have advice; don't come home sooner, don't send me or post any videos. Don't let Satsuki know of your progress. She is amazing when it comes to guessing someone's growth; don't give her any crumbs to bounce from."
"She can't be that good."
"She is. Much better than me, so… Come back at the very last minute, and avoid her like a plague once you do. A simple change in your gait will warn her and give her direction."
"Hai, hai. Under Alex, I myself have no idea where I'll get. And whose side are you on here?"
She sighed heavily, and Taiga knew she was troubled. "I'm not sure myself. I don't want anyone to lose. I want my team to win and I want you to win. I'll feel terrible no matter what the outcome… Never mind that… Just watch your back. I called Alex last night, and it seems our silver-gold duo is back out there. They won't lower themselves to play with a child like you, but watch out for their teammates or stupid followers. You don't need a knife in the back."
"As long as Alex is around, those two won't be an issue. And stop painting black scenarios. I'll be safe, and I'll be careful. Anyway, how's Lindsay? You getting along? You feel fine."
"Oh yeah. She's pretty, smart, nice, cunning when necessary. I love her. I couldn't imagine there was a secretary, or a CEO, as capable as her until I met her. Truly, she's amazing. No wonder father has such a huge respect towards her."
"Great. Since you're doing so well, I need to go. Happy to hear from you, but I need to save Kuroko's life now."
"Right, sure. If Daiki pops up somewhere, say hi to him."
"Just call him."
"It's just a week; I don't wanna be like this unbearable annoying girlfriend, when I know he doesn't like pointless phone calls."
"If you think so… Well, hear ya later."
######
Daiki smirked when he saw Kuroko lying on the bench next to the vending machine. Got sick in the hot spring again, hm Tetsu? "Here." He placed his sports drink above Kuroko's head.
"Ah! Thank you so mu–…!" Kuroko turned in his direction, his eyes widened once the towel slipped off of his eyes and he realised who gave him the drink.
Oh, mango juice… He slipped coins into the vending machine and chose that. Maan, I miss her. "It's been a while, Tetsu…" He glanced at his former shadow.
"…Aomine-kun."
He sipped from the can, It's good… "I saw the match. So that was your new skill, Satsuki's been talking about?"
Kuroko's eyes narrowed in challenge and suspicion, watching Aomine finishing the drink in one gulp. "…Yes, it's for fighting against you, Aomine-kun."
"Pfft, sorry," he grinned and wiped a corner of his mouth. The skill was surely interesting, but he already had an idea how it worked. "It ain't gonna work. The team that's gonna win the winter cup is–"
"Us!" Taiga waltzed in, putting his arm around Daiki's shoulders.
"…! Tch." He frowned and slapped Taiga's arm away. "Don't you dare put your hand around my shoulder."
He glanced at the mango juice and smirked. "It's just a payback for the last time."
"Kagami-kun?"
"The team that's gonna win is us… huh." he put the empty can on the bench, eyeing Taiga. There was a change, a resolve in the redhead's eyes. Good… "Not enough. You need more. Looks like you really did open the gate, but… you're still lingering at the starting line. You're not even close to us yet; barely an entertainment at this point."
"Keh, I'm aware. That's why I'm doing what I'm doing. I'll beat you when we meet on the court. We couldn't choose a better first opponent."
Daiki's eyes narrowed. "So you know." That wasn't all. If Taiga honestly admitted his weaknesses, he was turning into a dangerous opponent.
"Just had a call with Aya."
"Hm…" Kuroko grinned.
"What?"
"Honestly, Kagami-kun, I thought 'Yes!' when I heard it."
"Just like everyone, stupid." Taiga chuckled and took Daiki's empty can and slowly squeezed it flat. "No one believes we'll win easily from the beginning. And sooner or later, we're meant to fight them. There's nothing bad about repaying our debt quickly."
"Heh, alright, bring it on."
"With pleasure." Taiga threw the can into a bin.
"Daiki, are you going to the middle school finals with Satsuki after school?" Michiko stopped him at the door.
"Hm? No? I'll be in the shelter."
She glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall. In their family with irregularly scheduled shifts, it was helpful to keep track of who'd be at home when, so they could manage dogs and the usual housework. Daiki successfully avoided it, but since he'd picked up the part-time job he marked his shifts too, so they'd know when they had to step in to take the dogs out.
"You've got nothing here…"
"I took Kamiyama's shift. She's got some school projects."
"Hm? But it's Friday?"
"So? It's school… I don't care. Why? Need something?"
"Ah," she blinked, "no, not really… If it's the job it can't be helped."
"…" He stared at her, then shrugged and turned to leave for school. "Bye."
"Bye, have a nice day."
"You too." He smiled and left.
Huh, so he can smile at me now too… She grinned and marked Daiki's shift into the calendar.
"What are you grinning for, dear?" Daisuke rolled into the kitchen ready for work.
"I think his rebellious period is getting over?"
"Oh, so he works today. I'll get home right when I finish." He rubbed his chin, thinking of the paperwork and tasks he had that day. Then he remembered; "Wait, shouldn't the social worker come today regarding Kimiko-chan?"
"Yeah. It should be fine if you take the dogs out. I'll chat with her until you return. It is the normal routine of our family, she should understand. We are a normal, functioning family; we don't need a stiff pretence of perfection." At least she hoped so.
"You didn't tell Daiki."
"Not yet. Oh, don't give me that accusing look, you didn't tell him either."
"We agreed it's your task to tell him." His voice was dead serious.
"I don't think the best way would be to explain in front of the social worker. I want to discuss it with just the three of us for starters."
"And what would you have done if he'd said he'd be home tonight?"
"I'd persuade Satsuki-chan to drag him to those matches with her. I need to mentally prepare for that talk."
Daisuke sighed heavily, imagining 101 scenarios how this could go wrong. "A week."
"Until Aya-chan comes back. If it backfires, I want him to have someone to run to."
He sighed again. "Fine. But no longer than that. He has to know what we are planning. It will influence all our lives."
"Wait, is it okay before the matches?"
One more evasion and he'd get pissed off. "His first match is in a month from now. Even if he takes it badly, he'll be fine until then. At worst he won't speak with us for a few months…"
She pouted, but under Daisuke's 'policeman' gaze she gave in. Knowing him, one more argument and they'd leave home angry. She shouldn't fear or avoid talking to her own son about something this important. "All right."
"Taigaaa!"
"Urgh, don't tell me…" He turned left to see the pink dreadlocks of the person calling out to him.
Kouta stopped next to him, catching breath, though Taiga had no idea why the idiot had to run. "Haaa, I didn't expect to see you here! What a surprise! Heading home?"
"Yeah. You? Weren't you supposed to stay?"
He chuckled sheepishly and scratched his cheek. "Shun's father came home, so I needed to run or we'd both be dead. I don't want to bother my brothers and your place is out of bounds when no one else is there. Besides, I have to get some credits and finish some assignments if I want to be accepted by a uni here and have a scholarship."
"Have you really thought it over? If you transfer, you'll probably have to stay. Is it worth it?"
Kouta frowned. "You're not running away from me today, Tiger?"
He shrugged. Today he was feeling generous and overly serious. He knew the seriousness was coming from Aya mostly, which meant their business trip was slowly getting tougher or something fucked up. In a mood like that, he didn't want any theatrics or jokes.
"Ah, Robin's got troubles?"
"We all do… I think."
"Hmmm, I'll behave then." He nodded; similarly, he was anxious and scared. He wasn't sure if this was worth it, if he wouldn't regret his choice. Maybe it'd destroy his heart completely, but he decided to try and give it a chance. Because he was truly in love this time.
"Which seat?"
"20A."
"Shit, you're kidding."
"No way, are we seatmates?" He grinned; happy he wouldn't get involved in any weird conversation. "Why aren't you flying first class?"
Taiga blinked. "Didn't cross my mind. I got a seat with enough space for my legs."
"Oh… Uhm, I get sick…"
The teenager rolled his eyes. "Don't throw up on me."
He yawned. "I should sleep, don't worry. I purposefully didn't sleep last night. I hate flying."
"I know… How long will you stay in L.A.?"
"I've been thinking of coming back with you. For the matches too."
"But Tada isn't really playing, is he?" He wasn't surprised Taiga knew. The twins always shared their knowledgeable gossip.
"Uh, no. But that doesn't matter. I want to see you win."
"You don't even know the rules."
"Hmph, I got some education last week. And you might enlighten me further during the next month."
"Urgh… Fine. But no stupid sex jokes."
"I'll try my best. No promises though."
######
"Haaa… I knew there was something fishy, when she asked us to bring a change of clothes." Koganei complained. This meant more training. "Where the hell is Kagami? Avoiding practice?"
"Do you know what's up Kuroko?"
"No. Kagami-kun didn't tell me."
"It's fine." Hyuuga rubbed the back of his neck. So he really didn't tell anyone? "He went back to L.A."
"WHAT?!"
"WHY?!"
"HOW?!"
"He'll be back in time. He went to his former sensei to get the skills 'necessary to beat Aomine' or so he said. We have an exchange program with an American school and they've accepted him for the month."
"Hmm… So that's how it is." Kuroko hummed, slightly dejected.
"Eeeh, so he didn't tell you either?" Koganei asked dejectedly.
"I believe he had his reasons."
"AH-, you guys hold it right there." An older man appeared out of nowhere.
"Eh?"
"You don't have to change into basketball shoes just yet."
"Dad!" Riko smiled at him, happy he decided to help. "Glad you came."
"Coach's daddy?!"
"You have no right to call me 'daddy'. Call me Kagetora-san!" He scolded them right off the bat.
"Why are you here?" Koganei asked, not sure what to think of the man. Kagetora-san was middle-aged, tall and he had brown spiky hair and brown eyes. He also fancied a trimmed beard, or stubble. It made him seem easy going, but also strict.
"Don't give me that! I came here to make you guys stronger because of my beloved daughter's request."
"That means Kagetora-san's going to be our temporary coach?!"
"That's tight. Therefore, I have a small question." He smirked and suddenly his expression turned into a demon's face as he pulled out a gun. "The bastards that tried to peep on Riko in the onsen, come on out…!" He yelled at them, randomly pointing a gun at them. The gun was real, but of course it was empty, he just wanted to drive a point.
HE PULLED OUT A GUN! The boys collectively panicked.
"N-no… uhm… We did try to peep, but it wasn't for Riko-san and… it was a failure in the first place, so…"
"I'LL LET YOU GO PAINLESSLY WITH A HEADSHOT IF YOU COME ON OUT, YOU DAMN BRATS! … LISTEN CAREFULLY. I'm the only one who's allowed to look at Riko's body–"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Riko yelled and threw a basketball at her father, hitting the back of his head.
"No way! … Riko-tan, didn't you say long ago that you'd be daddy's bride when you grow up?"
"THAT WAS WHEN I WAS A KID! AGES AGO!" She screamed on top of her lungs. "GEEZ'! Stop the nonsense and get on with it!" She rolled her eyes, annoyed with the teasing, but she'd been expecting something like that. At least the gun was empty.
"But you did say you'd-"
"STOP IT ALREADY!"
"Okay, okay." He sighed and hid the gun under his long sleeved t-shirt. "First of all, you guys… Take off your shirts."
EEEEEH?! They were dumbstruck. Riko had done exactly the same thing on the first day of school.
Kagetora walked around looking them up and down. "… hmmm… well… guess you lot are pretty good. Looks like you've been able to keep up with Riko's training since summer. Not only your stamina, but your muscles have grown in a balanced way too. I'll praise you for now. Let's split you into two groups." He randomly pushed the guys one way or the other and made two groups. Then he pointed at one: "You guys are cops," then at the other: "you guys are robbers."
They were blinking at him in confusion.
"So go over to that mountain and play cops and robbers for 3 hours."
"WHAT? So random?"
"After that I'll let the losers pay only twice for the practice jogging."
"WHAAAAT?!"
There was nothing more they could say, so they obeyed. Riko must've chosen this place near the mountains on purpose. Three hours of running around was going to kill them.
Riko, of course, stayed inside with her dad. "Is this a fartlek?"
"Yes." He agreed, "and do you know what that is?" It was a test; he wanted to know how much she picked up from observing him work and reading his books.
"If I remember correctly, it is a system of training in which an athlete runs in nature. By running on irregular terrains using their entire body, the athlete can achieve a balanced increase in fitness. Correct?"
"Ah, as expected of my Riko-tan! You're so smart!"
"Just get on with it! Why?"
"As I said, everyone's doing pretty well. Physically, however, they are still stiff."
"Oh?"
"Muscle's not all about adding more and more on. They need to have bodies which can use those muscles properly. For that you need to mix those muscles into your body. The quickest way to do that is to make them run around in the mountains."
"Touou's ahead of us then…" She bit her thumb nail in thought.
"What do you mean?"
"I've talked with Aya-chan, Touou's manager. They've had their training camp in the mountains. Araki-sensei did the same thing as you. Plus they had morning runs to the village through the mountains. Dammit! We've been to mountains too and I didn't even think about it!
"Aaah, Masa-chan and Katt-chan joining training camps?" He mused and chuckled. He could imagine them, like good old days, with that crazy spark they've always had. Too bad, they're loners by choice… "Maybe it's time to start, or rather re-start the tradition of that, wouldn't you agree?"
"Well, we unintentionally had a camp with Shuutoku. It's a good idea to do it once in a while. Ne, dad? What about the Kagami twins, I've always meant to ask, and then I forgot."
"Your ace is Haru-chan's son, right?"
"Yeah, you call everyone by nicknames? Aren't they your senpais?"
"Majority are. The only one who furiously protested was Masa-chan. Haru-chan and K-chan, or doppelganger-chan-1 and doppelganger-chan-2, were okay with it back then. The others resigned after a few months."
Riko laughed. She loved and hated the way her dad found a nickname for everyone. "Doppelganger?"
"Mhm. Those two were, and I believe they still are, all-round players with amazing talents. The generation of miracles of the old times. And being twins… They truly embraced it. One of them played a center; the other played a power forward. In the changing room in the middle of the match, they would switch more often than not. No one could tell them apart. Kyou was slightly faster, Haruka slightly stronger, maybe heavier, but not by much. They made sure the weight wouldn't give them away. They had their special moves, but they both could do them, they just had 'phases' when they used them and then switched. It was impossible telling them apart. Only Sunflower-chan could tell them apart from the day they met. Maybe Katt-chan, I think, but if they truly wanted they could confuse him too, but never her."
"Sunflower-chan?"
"Mmm, Keiko-chan. Haru-chan's wife."
"Interesting. I can't imagine that. And were they, uhm, good people?"
"They had their flaws. Haruka would flare in anger often, taking everything too seriously. Kyou would shut everyone out if he felt miserable or disappear for a few days."
"And you say you couldn't tell them apart."
"That's the thing; they could play one another so well…"
"Were they fooling you so often?"
"At least twice a week." He chuckled. "I'm actually sorry they're no longer in town. Hm, maybe I should organise a reunion! Right… I should."
"Dad, I don't think that's a good idea…"
"But why? We're old teammates. Meeting after so many years for a drink could be nice."
Riko opened her mouth to protest and then closed it. It was pointless. He already had the idea in his head. "Then tell me more about what you are planning to teach them."
"All right…"
They got immersed into a lengthy discussion about improvements and techniques he wanted to teach them. But when the boys returned, he needed to give them a reality check.
"Before you go on with the practice, I'll tell you what you guys need to master by your match next month.
"Eeh? all the running we just did…"
"Was just a warm-up, cat-face."
"Cat-face?! Me?"
"Mmm… he's kinda correct, Koganei, sorry."
Kagetora sighed and waited for their attention again. "Riko showed me the DVDs of your next opponent while you were out there chasing squirrels. Touou is an offensive team with a high level individual skill that focuses solely on individual strength. Their coach is Harasawa Katsunori, he is a diligent man, who favours individual strengths and he hammered fundamentals into their bones to polish those skills. They may seem like the complete opposite of you guys, who focus on teamwork, but… to me, they're the ones who've got the better teamwork."
"What?!" Hyuuga protested.
"Of course, it's not like they're paying any special attention to it, they just have it. It's not about not having any solo stunts. The important thing is for every single player to aim for the basket. Teamwork comes only after that is established. You don't call simple acts of friendship "teamwork"."
"…!"
Oh, now they listen…"For example, let's see…" He looked around, remembering their match against Touou. "You! Four-eyes." He looked at Hyuuga. "You tried to pass through their no.9 with a dribble during your match against Touou, didn't you?"
"…yes."
"That was a dumb move."
"What?!"
"What were you thinking? Going against a national-level opponent with your weakest weapon? Aren't you all about using long distance shots?" He picked up a ball and bounced it against the floor. "That cuticle pretty-boy and cat-face," he looked at Izuki and Koganei, who were dumbfounded by their new nicknames. He passed the ball to Izuki on a whim. "were free and they seem to be able to shoot 3-pointers too, but only being able to shoot isn't a weapon. Moreover, during the recent match against Kirisaki Daiichi, too. If you had made those long shots from the very beginning, you would've won much easier. Be more self-conscious. You're Seirin's lifeline. Be able to shoot by yourself without relying on screens."
"Wait! But… how..!? I was dribbling, because I can't…"
"I'll show you."
"Eh?"
"Hey, pretty-boy. Give me a pass."
"What? Kagetora-san?"
"He can play?" The first year asked.
"It's not simply that he can play." Kiyoshi stepped in to educate them. "He is a player, who was a member of the national team."
And he showed Hyuuga what he wanted. Hyuuga was guarding him, but instead of pushing forward he took a quick step back and shot, completely free of his defender. Kagetora was simply too far away and out of Hyuuga's reach.
What?! So far!... how? Hyuuga thought, desperately trying to stop the shot, he knew he wouldn't.
"Well, it's something like that. Just so you know, that wasn't about speed. It's a skill even you can do." He explained with a smirk and caught the ball again. "Teamwork truly starts to shine, only when well-established individual strengths are gathered. I'll make sure that each one of you will develop your own weapon by the winter cup. In other words, they'll be your special moves."
He enjoyed the surprised and shocked faces of the teens in front of him. "The foundations are already set, and it seems like a few of you already have some understanding from the summer camps. For the next month till the winter cup, I'll train you guys as much as possible for a bloody bargain price of nothing."
"THANK YOU SO MUCH!" they bowed in appreciation.
"That's all good but… Is Kagami-kun going to be okay?"
"I believe so." Riko smiled at Kuroko. "Even Aya-chan approved, so he is going to be fine."
"…the fuck was that?" Aya slammed the car's door. She had jinxed it. This was getting really bad.
Derek's lips were thin. He didn't dare remind her that she shouldn't be so harsh on the rented car. He's been in the meeting room with them, silently playing the role of a bodyguard of sorts. The women he was supposed to guard were scary, but so were the men in a company they'd just visited.
"I do not know…" Lindsay replied icily in a similarly furious mood. Her turquoise eyes were glaring straight ahead. "The whole thing is shady. Their business is shady."
"Like a gang?"
"I'd say drugs. As a side job."
"What?! Why'd you think so?"
"Just a hunch. You've seen their watches, suits, cars they left in… with this business and money they have in the books, they can't possibly afford it. Either they inherited, or have personal investments, or…" The blonde said, tapping her foot nervously. She usually got it right…
"Mm… I can afford those things and I'm not in drug business. Even so, I thought high-level gangs had some manners and grace." Aya snorted. Sure, they were a bunch of insulting assholes, but drugs? She didn't think so.
"Don't joke about it, Aya. If I'm right, it could turn dangerous." She turned to Derek; "Did you record it?"
"Yes." He nodded.
Aya sighed. She knew the situation was dire if Lindsay had been right. "I'll send it to father. He'll have to find a way to deal with it. Fuck!" She hit the door and bit her thumbnail, thinking.
"No matter what we do, dealing with this will force us to tip into the underworld."
"Underworld? Come on! Only IF you're correct with your hunch… I don't think they're in a drug store, the big guy seemed cocky, only because he was facing women. He doesn't have the aura, you know, like Fairchilds? If you said they're into drugs, I'd believe you, but these guys… Still, our business is clean, Lindsay. If we do that..."
"I know! I'm not sure, but we need to make sure." She squeezed her temples. "Let me think. Josh must've had help to get here. I think I could idly guess who so conveniently helped him…"
"We know who! They ridiculed me for those articles!" She bit the inside of her cheek. She refused to be provoked into crying, no matter if it was hurt or fury. They'd made her feel so dirty and powerless that for a second there, she'd lost her ability to breathe. Thick skin, you idiot. You can't let your guard down.
"We do, and you still believe it's clean?"
Aya frowned and lit a cigarette. If Fairchilds had their hands in this, then maybe Lindsay could be right. Please don't be… "So… what do we do?"
Lindsay breathed out. "First, we go back to the hotel and call Haruka-san. Then, I guess I'll contact a few acquaintances that still owe me some favours; to figure out if my hunch is right. We'll pray it's not, but if it is… we'll find a way. Our company will not be dragged through the mud."
"Worst case scenario, we agree to their deal, give them what they want and walk away. I think we can sacrifice one vacation house. It's not like we ever use it." She'd be happier to say 'BRING IT ON!', but if drugs were involved, it was way smarter to just leave than tip into those waters. Let's hope we're not already swimming.
"We'll see what Haruka-san has to say."
"I think Josh will spend a night or two in a cell once father hears this."
"Well, that's possible."
######
Haruka closed his laptop and leaned back into his leather chair. He let out a long sigh and intertwined his fingers on his chest. With his eyes closed, he remained like that for a couple of minutes. Thinking. Plotting.
Then he opened his eyes, he had his resolve. He picked up his phone and called the only person he could count on 110%.
"Hi, twin. I'm listening."
A/N: That's it for now. I hope I didn't describe Lindsay anywhere else to this detail. I must admit I tried to go over the chapters with her, and I didn't notice anything.
Half a year break from the story... well, if there are any discrepancies in the plot you noticed, let me know, I'll gladly correct them ;)
Let me know what you think and remember, reviews are appreciated but never necessary.
S.