Author's note: Hi, finally! I've finished my first year at uni and passed all the exams, so I am back! Good to be here, though. I missed the feeling of my fingertips hitting the keyboard. How are you guys? Enjoying the summer? Here's another chapter, hope you'll like it. I leave you to Chiara, Akashi and this time Sebastian, cause this guy deserves some love too. Let them know what you think and I'll see you soon. Probably next week, if everything goes well. All the best to you! :)
"Is it some kind of mockery?" I muttered, considering my current situation. By some different accidents my boys disappeared in a blink of an eye, leaving me under the grace of basketball players. Still angry, I sighed quietly, writing in my mind some extra laps for my teammates and searching for a free seat. I didn't even need to make a move, when Hayama caught my arm and dragged me toward one of the carriages. Inside was sitting the whole starting squad, with Akashi in the lead, scanning some papers. On my sight he raised his eyebrows, but stopped himself from commenting. He was lucky, cause I really wasn't in the mood. And I could have bet none of them was prepared for my rage.
And so I sat between Hayama and the window, having the redhead in front of me. I took the book out of my bag, prepared for hours of tortures. I needed to deal with them. Boys seemed to understand the hint, cause they didn't try to get me into the conversation. Besides, I couldn't care less about their opponents right now.
"Ne, Chiara-chan, who would you like to see in the final?" Hayama asked. I looked at him, closed my book and wondered for a while. I can't tell him, that definitely not them.
"I've always been impressed by Aomine's skills, so maybe him? If not, then Kise, I'm curious about improving his copy style. Oh, talented kids." I murmured, smiling softly. I missed them, though. They had this kind of attraction, that made me surrender.
"What do you think, will we defeat them?" Reo glanced at me interested; somehow I got myself into this futile discussion. I cursed myself inwardly, careful about not showing signs of irritation. I shrugged.
"I have honestly no idea, Reo-nee. I haven't seen them for so long, then my opinion could be quite old. But Aomine really is something special. What this guy can do with ball..." I suddenly drifted away into my memory. Without closing my eyes I could see blue-haired boy, passing all his opponents, shooting from an inhuman angle. His style was so natural, taken from the streetball courts. The only thing left was to envy his talent. I came back to the train, catching glimpses of my confused friends. "Forgive me, it was incredibly hard to take eyes off him when he played. He gets all the attention."
"Is it true, Sei-chan?" Reo turned to Akashi. He listened to our conversation, still scanning through the papers. Nevertheless he looked at us; his hands trembled a bit. His eyes bored into me clinically and it somehow made me feel guilty. Maybe I shouldn't have praised his former Teikou player that much. Especially when we both knew who caught my attention way too often.
"Daiki is an outstanding player. No matter how much effort he had put in trainings it will be hard to play against him. Chiara is right, he's a power to be reckon."
Oh, what a diplomatic answer. You're not gonna tell your teammates that the two of you fought over the dominance in the club? I remember those weird, sharp glances at the end of second year. It was difficult to yoke you. What happened, boys?
"So Aomine is your favorite, Chiara-chan?" Hayama asked. I barely heard him, jammed by Nebuya's burp. Reo stated his dissatisfaction quite fast, supported by Hayama. Akashi looked at me, clearly irritated and disguisted. He looked so cute with this pouty expression on his face that I couldn't stop giggling. I hid my lips behind the palm, shocked by my reaction.
"No, Hayama, he's not. Despite his talent, Aomine lacks good manners, principally he can't hold his tongue. He has no feeling of the conversation, unable to stop himself from commenting. Not mentioning it's actually difficult to have a proper talk with him."
"Then who? Let me guess, Kise! He's popular, right?" blonde pursued the matter and I felt my cheeks turning red. This discussion was going to a dangerous direction. I could see it in Reo's eyes; he was waiting for me to break. "I know! Akashi! Since you know each other, ne?"
I raised my eyebrow, looking for a good excuse. I could lie, but then the Rakuzan captain would definitely use this as an advantage. I could also tell the truth, embarassing both of us. Anyway, is there really a reason to feel guilty about that?
"Kotarou, no matter who Chiara would choose, this information would bring nothing interesting to this conversation." Akashi broke the silence, putting the papers aside. "If Chiara has nothing against it, we'll let her speak. Me, personally, watching matches of her football team always noticed her. But it has nothing to do with our relationship. It's just her talent, that shines so much on the pitch."
With a red face I reached for the water from my bag; I didn't know which of the Rakuzan players I wanted to kill first. Akashi saved me, in some creepy way, and it would be rude not to return the favor.
"Third time lucky, Hayama, you made it. The fact is, I liked watching Akashi play. We own the same position, we're responsible for tossing the ball. Some tricks from the court I took to my style. You play together for some time, you must have noticed peace and maturity in his moves. He's a total contrast to Aomine, and I think that's the reason fof my interest. And now, if you let me, I'd like to come back to my book, since you had interrupted me again." I growled, staring at the blonde. He raised his hands in apologize and didn't dare to continue the topic. I exchanged glimpses with redhead. He also seemed amused by this situation, but derived more pleasure than me. I sighe quietly, opening the book on the last read page. The journey suddenly passed in the blink of an eye.
I threw myself on the bed, happy, that I can finally be alone. I needed some rest from noises and human voices; it's impossible for me to stand them recently. I had prepared tracksuit for an evening jogging and cuddled within the pillows I breathed in pleasant, fresh scent of laundered sheets. It wasn't even ten minutes, when someone boldly knocked on my door. I raised my head.
"Who's there?" my suppresed voice filled the room.
"Guess!" Sebastian came inside, not minding my loud growl. I hugged the pillow even tighter, fully aware that my vice-captain will do whatever he pleases. The blonde sat next to me and tugged my hair, creating bigger mess on my head. I muttered something under my breath and shived him, perfectly knowing his weak spot; a small place right under his ribs. He jumped and laughed. "That's not fair!"
"Something happened?" I decided to finally sit up. We both found our places on this huge bed and turned on the TV.
"I came to check if you've survived the journey with basketball team. Forgive us, we left you alone..." he murmured, turning away from my gaze. He really was sorry; whenever he was embarrassed of something, he clenched his fists just like now. I smiled lightly. I've got a wonderful cousin, just for your information.
"As you can see I am pretty fine, thanks for your concern."
"We honestly wanted to sit together, but..." he started. "Akashi eyed me up and down with such a dangerous glare when I stretched my hand toward you, that I ran away scared. How in the world, can you explain it to me?! He's younger and twenty centimeters shorter! I should crush him like a worm, but still... Chiara, do you listen to me?"
I nodded surprised. I didn't expect such an ending to the story. I brought my knees to face, asking my teammate to continue, only using my eyes.
"I remember him from junior high school, but now, in Rakuzan... It's just like there were two of him. He makes you so vulnerable! I can't understand that. You had an awesome relationship in Teikou, what has changed?" words tried to leave his mouth, while I was listening quietly. I wasn't ready to tell him everything. But I also couldn't hide the truth. I shived him again, this time to make him catch his breath and listen to me.
"Listen carefully, Sebastian, cause I'm not gonna repeat myself. Teikou is now a closed chapter. In the graduation day... Akashi stayed with me alone in the office; some words were said, that were supposed to be said in a different situation and different time. We explained a small misunderstanding and... created million new ones. "
Tears showed in my eyes unwittingly. The memories were like a dagger in me. Especially because I made them. Oh God, how stupid I was! Was it really that hard to say 'yes'?! I stood with some stupid ideas, that would never come to my mind.
Sebastian watched me carefully, until he reached to the pocket. He gave me a tissue.
"If I understand well, you simply destroyed your first serious relationship?" he asked. I threw myself at him, blinded by rage, when I heard his laughter. He brought me close to his chest and started gently rubbing my back. "Come on, calm down. I can only imagine what happened there."
"You know what I told him?" I sniffled. "I said that no one has ever made me that happy. Because I really felt good with him by my side. I chose Kyoto, so I wouldn't interfere into his plans and dreams, believing he doesn't care about me. I asked him to give us one year... A year of a normal contact between two cities. I had to make him realize, that I can leave Japan sooner or later. Why didn't I say yes?! Look what happens to us. I can barely stand in his presence. I can't look him in the eyes. I still..."
I breathed deeply. The blonde tried to interrupt me, but for the first time in forever words easily flew from my lips. I had to let them go.
"Still my heart aches just at the sight of him, while my breath becomes irregular like after an intense match. I blush so madly I probably remind a peony, no matter in which tone of voice he speaks to me. He's like an... aphrodisiac to me? Damn, I'm so pitiful. I'm sorry you have to listen to that. Akashi is everything that I've been looking for. I don't want him to go. I want him back, here, in my arms and say: It's so good to have you. He drives me crazy, and I don't know if I want to punch him or kiss him first! It's insane!"
Sebastian laughed quietly. He was listening to my idle chatter, until I put my head on the pillow, exhausted of too many emotions. Half conscious I muttered something to him, but he only placed a finger on my lips.
"I've got everything under control, Misschief.* Rest."
"Sebastian, you're irreplaceable." I answered, clutching sheets.
The lad left the room, letting me stay alone. The first day of InterHigh has just passed. Staying in a deep dream I couldn't hear two, sharp voices, arguing behind my door. Oh, how little did I know about that battle...
*Misschief - actually it's a game of words. Chiara's teammates call her like that for two reasons. First: miss - as a lady, and chief - as a boss. While you say those words together, you hear Mischief, what is known as a person who likes to tease and do not necesarrily nice stuff. :)