Reliability
By: Aviantei
5—Within Proximity II
This breeze, carrying the ends of spring, feels as if it belongs to somewhere distant.
The first day, Megumi didn't do much other than play gopher. Higuchi gave her a few pointers to start off with—pointing out which gyms belonged to which string, giving her a verbal list of the upcoming matches that the club was going to participate in (she managed to memorize at least half of them, at the very least), and, finally, that it didn't matter what anyone else did, if Akashi Seijuro ordered something, it would be in her best interest to obey. After that, Higuchi left to talk to Shirogane, leaving Megumi with the instruction to check up on and restock the water bottle and towel supply for the rest of practice.
It was boring work, but Megumi could handle it. Given that the idea of joining the Basketball Club had only been a wistful daydream to start out with, she didn't have any expectations, other than being in the same club as Akashi. It was also work that didn't take much brain power, so she could think about other things as she did it.
I guess I don't know much about sports hierarchy, but isn't having a first year as captain very unusual? I mean, wouldn't they pick the captain before the year even ends? How'd he manage to do that?
It was a question Megumi couldn't get a concrete answer to without asking, but she still thought she knew.
If Akashi-kun is the type of person I think he is…he really wouldn't take no for an answer.
Since there were so many club members split up between three gyms, Megumi had worked up her own sweat after the few hours for practice were up. The club members slowly dispersed, but Higuchi held her back, tossing a towel in her direction.
"You should probably start bringing an extra set of clothes," he said, gathering up the towels into laundry bags. The club had enough money to send them off to Laundromats with every practice, so it wasn't like getting them clean in time would be a problem. "At least change into your gym clothes." Megumi nodded. "Practice on Thursday. Don't forget."
And Higuchi slung the bag of towels over his shoulder, leaving Megumi with the final cluster of water bottles to be set in the storage room.
Megumi waited until the foot traffic of other students finishing their club activities thinned out before heading home herself. It was such a habit at that point that she didn't even consider asking someone to walk with her. There was no guarantee that anyone in the Basketball Club lived in the same area as her, but someone probably went to the same station she did, maybe even rode the same train. She didn't know anyone well enough yet to be comfortable asking, and it was too late to do so anyway.
She walked alone.
It wasn't too much of a bother since she had gotten used to it. Still, she wasn't so used to walking home this far into the evening, even as other club-goers wandered their way out of the school as well. It was strange to think this would be her new routine.
Megumi actually giggled to herself. A new routine. Something different. She had come to Rakuzan to change, and she had somehow actually managed to make progress.
Maybe I'm not so hopeless after all.
Her newfound confidence managed to follow through to the next day, which was an additional miracle in itself. Though partially distracted by Akashi's presence in front of her, he seemed to have little to no interest in the fact that his new team manager had a seat behind him, which made it a bit easier to focus on classes. Knowing that now having a club wouldn't be considered an excuse for her grades slipping, Megumi managed to take to her lessons diligently.
Lunchtime rolled around, and Akashi disappeared before Megumi could even begin to contemplate asking to each lunch with him. When several minutes passed without the boy returning, she concluded that he had gone to the cafeteria and unpacked her bento across her desk. With a dismissive attitude like that, there was no guarantee Akashi would let her sit with him, and even if he would, spending that much time in the cafeteria went a bit beyond even her new threshold.
This time, no fragments of conversation caught her ear, which was just fine. Eavesdropping wasn't a habit she intended to make a habit of. Instead, she focused her thoughts on the Basketball Club. Even though she had gained a position as manager, Megumi wasn't sure what all she would be doing. Obviously Higuchi had let her handle minor errands, but there had to be something more she could do…
With a start, Megumi realized she actually had no idea how a club functioned, her chopsticks slipping and dropping a cluster of vegetables back into her bento. In elementary school it had been easier on her mother to just go home all the time, and by the time middle school had rolled around, it was out of the question. The Rakuzan Basketball Club was actually her first experience of the sort.
I really am the worst, huh? Megumi clutched her chopsticks together, forgetting that she was supposed to be eating. Man, Yamada-sensei sure did a number on me. Making me think I had a chance at this.
She wasn't sure how long she stared into space, but it had to have been at least a couple minutes before Megumi blinked, bringing her lunch into focus. It was too late to back out of this now. Shirogane had already taken her club application, and Higuchi had pretty much implied that if Megumi missed out on Thursday, she was through. No matter how hard it was, she couldn't afford to screw this up.
Then I just need to look into it so I don't make a complete fool of myself on Thursday. I guess I could try and research clubs, but that doesn't seem like a very effective source. Megumi stopped chewing on her lip, trying to preoccupy her teeth with a mouthful of rice. School clubs were supposed to be common knowledge; why would there even be a book on them? No, talking to someone is definitely the best shot.
But Akashi wouldn't even do much as glance in her direction. And Mibuchi-senpai definitely doesn't like me. And Higuchi-senpai is probably too busy with university prep to even think about wasting his Wednesday on me. There wasn't anyone else to turn to, not when she didn't have any prior connections.
No, that's wrong.
Megumi audibly groaned, biting into the tips of her chopsticks. There was someone she had spoken to, someone that could probably help. Even if there was a difference between a culture and a sports club, the concept would still be the same. And Megumi had no right to back out, not when she had promised to do her best.
Gobu-chan it is.
A bundle of anxiety started to form in Megumi's stomach as she approached the cultural club building, and she had to take a few moments to stare at the sky and remember to breathe. She hadn't seen a cloud all day, and the bright blue calmed her frazzled nerves. Once the pressure started to ease out from her abdomen, Megumi clenched her fist and marched directly up the stairs to the second floor.
She still felt a bit dizzy, but managed to find the Go Club's room, door shut tight. Inside was the light chatter of students, and the open hall windows let in a faint breeze. At the rate the weather was going, it wouldn't be long before they were allowed into their summer uniforms. For once, Megumi wouldn't have to make up excuses for still wearing long sleeves.
Anxiety kicked back in, nearly sending bile up Megumi's throat. She slapped one hand to her mouth, the other to the door for balance, desperately looking back out the window. Most of the view was taken up by the other end of the clubs building, but a sliver of sky was visible. Come on, come on, come on, she implored herself. Don't do this now, not when you're so close.
"Um, hey, you feeling alright?" Megumi snapped to attention, her legs shaking under the sudden trust of her body weight. Again, the urge to run was strong, but Megumi didn't think she'd make it down the stairs without incident. In front of her was the Go Club member from the other day, hair pulled back into braids and a bag of vending machine drinks at her side. "Oh, you're the girl from last week…!"
Dread and embarrassment blended together, and Megumi had to lean back on the wall to stay steady. Of course she would be recognizable after all that. "Sorry…I didn't mean to be in the way," she managed to breathe out, still not able to process air properly. "And last week I…"
"No worries," Gobu interrupted, flapping her free hand, almost like she was shooing away a fly. "I've got a cousin who goes through a lot of similar stuff." She put on a smile, and it somehow managed to come across as reassuring. "I'm guessing you're here to talk? Do you want to go outside? Or an empty room?" Megumi shook her head. "Wherever you're comfortable, okay?"
Megumi took a few more breaths, trying to move her gaze from the floor. She wasn't able to achieve eye contact, but came close enough. "I joined the Basketball Club yesterday," she said, reminding herself it was okay to feel proud at the accomplishment. "I've actually just…never been in a club before and wasn't sure what to expect." She couldn't find the right words to explain why she was asking a practical stranger for advice, but Gobu didn't seem to mind.
"The Basketball Club, huh?" the other girl mused, braid in hand, the tip brushing over her lips. "Well, I stopped doing sports a while ago, but if you want to talk about clubs, I can kind of help with that. Just gimme a sec." She turned, walking towards Megumi, but ended up opening the door instead. "Hey, I got a friend who needs help. Here's your drinks!"
There was a muffled chorus of responses, and Megumi wrung her hands together. The word friend didn't register until Gobu was back in the hallway, offering out several drink cartons. "I bought plenty, so you're free to have one," she said.
Megumi accepted the fruit milk, her grip finally steady as she twisted off the cap. "Thank you," she said, not sure what else to add. "Um, I really just wasn't sure what I should be doing as a manager, so…"
"Manager, huh?" Gobu grinned, and Megumi mimicked the expression. Considering how last minute things had been, she had done pretty well for herself. "Well, I'm just a regular member, so I don't know how much help I can be. But, wait, first things first!" Gobu dug into her pocket, pulling out a bunch of charms that somehow had a phone attached to the end. "Let's trade email addresses! That way if you think of anything you wanna ask, you can just message me."
"Uh, oh, I—"
"Ah, I guess I should introduce myself first! I'm Yoshida Choukou, from class 1-B! Taurus, blood type also B! I hope he can be good friends…whoops, totally forgot to ask for your name. Sorry 'bout that."
"K-Kaizuto Megumi, 1-A—"
"Whoa, 1-A, that's super cool. And you're in the same grade as me! But, right, this was about your address, you know, if you're ever up for a chat. Or anything. Oh, wait, sorry, this was supposed to be about your club—"
"Choukou," a voice interrupted, and Megumi wasn't sure whether to feel panicked at the presence of the newcomer, or relieved that the torrent of words had stopped. "Some people are trying to play shogi here, so if you don't mind."
Choukou faked a grimace, sticking out her tongue in the process. "Whoops, busted~."
Exiting the next door over was a boy, shorter than Choukou, and even falling under Megumi's own unimpressive height. That didn't make the glare he tossed in Choukou's direction any less intimidating, even if it was shortly replaced by an exasperated expression. "Sorry about that. My cousin here doesn't know when to shut her mouth."
"No, it's okay," Megumi answered, just to fill the silence. "Um, I'm sorry, but you are…?"
"Oh, this is Kenta," Choukou flawlessly interrupted, earning another glare from her supposed cousin. "He's the guy from the Shogi Club I mentioned before." Even without the reminder, Megumi had remembered the name. "Actually, this guy's the treasurer, so he might be better to tell you about what it's like to be in charge of a club. I'm just a rookie here."
Megumi tilted her head, trying to size up the boy. He looked smaller, but he definitely spoke with a decent amount of authority. Then again, Akashi spoke with a ridiculous amount of authority for a first year, but Kenta didn't give off the same vibe. Actually, Megumi had never met anyone that gave off a vibe quite like Akashi's. "I'm sorry, but you're a senpai, correct?" she managed to ask, realizing after the fact just how poor of a choice her words were.
Choukou's burst into giggles a few moments later only accentuated the fact, and Megumi thought she saw Kenta's neck begin to tint red, and scrambled to apologize: "No, sorry, I really didn't mean to—"
"No worries," Kenta said, his voice only the tiniest bit strained. Choukou continued to snicker, failing to stifle the sound in the slurp off her juice box's straw. "I'm actually kind of used to that by now. I guess I'm not gonna get taller anytime soon." He shrugged, rolling his shoulder in the process. "Though I don't know what sort of help you could need from a lowly treasurer, but I'll do my best." He glanced at his wrist, checking a watch that looked like it was worth more than Megumi's apartment. "Actually, we shouldn't be interrupting meetings like this. I left my partner hanging, you see."
"Bah, you're no good at Shogi anyway," Choukou dismissed. Kenta only sighed. "But he's right, I was in the middle of a pretty good game." She gave an apologetic smile, and Megumi was reminded she was a stranger here. "We can hang out after the meeting if you like. Oh, you know how to play Shogi, right? Maybe you could teach Kenta some proper skills."
Megumi stiffened again, her shoulders refusing to relax even the slightest amount. A group of strangers, and unfamiliar club room, and Shogi. It just wasn't happened. Even the alternative with Go wasn't that favorable. The pair of cousins exchanged glances, Kenta nodding afterwards. It was a sort of family understanding that Megumi could never be a part of.
"Or you could go home and rest," he offered, and Megumi's breath burst of her lungs like water rushing out of a damn. "Do you have time tomorrow, maybe? We could pick up something to eat after school."
"Practice," Megumi breathed, not able to connect any other words to it.
Choukou playfully whacked at Kenta's arm. "She's a basketball manager; she can't just skip out," the girl reprimanded, even though her cousin hadn't been present for that stage of the conversation. "Do you wanna trade mail addresses, though? At the very least you can let us know when you're free. Or just spam this guy with questions." She poked at Kenta's arm with both hands, dangerously close to the area she had just hit.
"No, that's just you," Kenta said, batting Choukou's hands away and stealing her juice box in the process. Choukou pouted but didn't move to reclaim her drink. Kenta took a sip before looking back to Megumi. "I'm serious here: if you ever want any peace of mind, you will not give this one your mail. Trust me."
Choukou rolled her eyes, and Megumi wasn't sure what to think. They were just so relaxed around each other. Further, they hadn't turned any antagonism on her. Maybe cousins were more peaceful than siblings. "Ignore him," Choukou insisted. "Come on, at least take mine in case you ever need anything."
In the end, Megumi left the Culture Clubs building with both of their addresses. Even if it wasn't what she had originally came for, it was still something.
Megumi's phone had more mails than she had ever seen at once by the time she got home, and that took less than half an hour.
Choukou: Hey there, Megu-chan! (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))
Choukou: Me-chan? ｢(ﾟﾍﾟ)
Choukou: Ah, I can't decide! へ[ ᴼ ▃ ᴼ ]_/¯
Choukou: What do you think? 【・_・?】
Choukou: Wait, you can totally give me a nickname, too! That'll be awesome! （*´▽｀*）
Choukou: But, hey, like, we should definitely go out and get some ice cream or something if you wanna after practice tomorrow! (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
"So many," Megumi mumbled, thumb hovering over the keys. Just which part was she supposed to even reply to first? Go in order? Only answer the last one? At least in text, Choukou's torrent of words didn't seem so intimidating. Megumi had never really believed in the blood type theory, but Choukou certainly matched well with hers. While she was trying to think of the correct response, her phone buzzed against her palm.
Kenta: Again, sorry about letting Choukou get to your phone, Sure she's made a mess by now. In any event, I can't reply as quickly, but if you had any questions about your club, I'd be glad to try and answer them. Just hit me up when you can.
Well, that was easier to handle at the very least. Megumi slowly typed out her thanks and an opening question, then set her phone on the table. That would be enough for now. The rest could wait until after dinner.
[NOTES] Phew! I had the biggest urge to write this chapter the past week, but only was able to get to it last week. He we have a transitiony chapter of sorts, but now we're bringing in the Yoshida cousins! I had a lot of fun developing them (and collecting all the kaomoji for Choukou's texts), so that should cover all the base OCs for the story, save for the few remaining plot ones. From here, things should get rolling I believe, even if the next few chapter layouts are a bit fuzzy.
Thanks to TigerAkemi1, S. T. Adams, JaRMie, kimikokimono, and anon21 (Guest) for your favorites, follows, and reviews. Bonus thanks to all the people who keep flooding my inbox with Visibility notifications! It's thanks to all you guys that I figured I should get out there and write the next update. After all, we can't make it to Possibility without this as the foundation.
Akashi didn't really show up in this chapter, but he's coming. Speaking of Akashi, has everyone caught up with Extra Game? That'll be an interesting arc to look at when we get there...
That being said, I've really been excited as the Kuroko manga is releasing in omnibi collections in the States soon! It'll be really great to have a physical copy of the manga, as well as getting to have access to all the omake features throughout. Hm, maybe we'll get an official copy of the anime as well at this rate...?
Well, I've talked enough. The next chapter is dependent on feedback for now, but I will get around to it either way. I love working on Mehgumi, and I hope that I can deliver her arc in complete clarity by the time things really get rolling!
Please look forward to the next update!
[POST] 062916