That same starry night, Fukiyose has been rolling and nudging in her soft, comfy bed for almost one hour now. She has been exhausted as she just came back to her dormitory from outside Academy City, specifically to Tokyo Astrodome where the match between Seirin versus Shutoku had just concluded. But still, she couldn't sleep as images from the said game continued to pound her mind.
BaKamijou just shot so many points. BaKamijou was the one who led them to victory. BaKamijou shut down the opposing team's ace. BaKamijou's moves were so smooth. BaKamijou was the best player of the game. Aaaaaaah!
Rising up from her bed, she checked the time and found out that it was already past 11 pm. "I lost all the energy to sleep," the busty female teen sighed as she stands up to go to her kitchen to make some tea. While drinking, she suddenly stole a glance at her laptop that was lying in her desk and suddenly, a thought came across to her mind.
Quickly gulping down the hot ginger tea, she quickly went to her desk and opened her laptop. She pushed the power button and hummed while she is waiting for it to load. Why did Kamijou chose Seirin High School anyway? What's so special about that school anyway? She then opened her browser and typed "Seirin High School" in the search engine. Clicking, she found some important articles and quickly clicked one website. Reading it, she saw a picture of what is Seirin's first basketball team. So this was the very first basketball team of Seirin when I and Kamijou are still in our third year middle school days. She read on further and as she scrolled down, she began to learn more things about this school. Apparently, this school had only six members of the basketball club at its infancy but yet, they managed to win the Kanto qualifiers and the Interhigh preliminaries before getting beaten by the then-three kings of Tokyo. Hyuga Junpei here is their captain and shooter. Kiyoshi Teppei is the center Izuki Shun is the point guard. She read that despite them being freshmen in high school at that time, they were arguably one of the best trio when they play together.
So they were the pillar of Seirin's offense before Kamijou, that red-headed guy and…that bluenette that looks so pale arrived. She further learned that Kiyoshi was an Uncrowned King, a prodigy that was overshadowed by the peak of the Generation of Miracles. If I'm not mistaken, they were five of them but I'm not sure.
Still, this doesn't give Fukiyose some answers as to why Kamijou chose this school. Looking at the time and date, she then noticed that some minutes from now, it would officially be Friday and this day just happened to be a time when they'll do some chores. Suddenly, she had an idea as if an imaginary light bulb switched on in her head. She then opened another tab in the browser and quickly searched a website about maps in Japan. She then searched "Seirin High School."
It won't hurt if I'll skip classes tomorrow. Fukiyose narrowed her eyes at the location that was presented in front of her brown eyes. I'll get my answers right away.
#
The next day, Fukiyose had woken up and saw that the time had just struck at 6:30 am. Despite already sleeping late, the thought of seeing Kamijou again must have made her energetic and quickly, she took her bath and after shower, she put on her summer school uniform. She then took all her necessary things and began to step out of her dormitory.
"Ah, I'll have to see Komoe-sensei first," the Forehead Deluxe said as she then walked towards the certain high school. Walking briskly, she quickly watches the people jogging in the street and some students already headed to their respective schools. As she neared her school, she quickly caught eye of a group of teens younger than her playing volleyball. She sighed. I don't know why I am doing this. It's just that…I feel afraid when he already was taken by someone else…argh!
She shuts her mind as finally, she had reached her destination. Quickly entering their gates, she then had a stroke of luck when she immediately met Komoe, who just happened to also came early. "Komoe-sensei, ohayou!" Fukiyose ran up to the midget pinkette teacher and bowed respectfully.
"Oh…Fukiyose-chan, you're earlier than usual," Komoe smiled brightly as they both walked in the corridor that was still dotted with only a few early birds, "You were absent yesterday so I'm quite happy that this time…"
"Sumimasen but actually…" the Iron Walled girl first hesitated before eventually giving in, "I would be absent again."
"Eh? Why, Fukiyose-chan? It's unusual for you to skip a class, much less in two days," Komoe widened her eyes at what her pretty and intelligent (but monstrous) student just said, "Do you have some problem back in your family? Do you have financial difficulties?"
"I…I need to meet someone important," Fukiyose bit her lip as he was forced to lie, "There's just this one person I need to meet somewhere."
At this, Komoe suddenly smiled and chuckled, "Are you pertaining to Kamijou-chan?"
"H-Huh!?" Fukiyose stuttered as she slightly stepped back, "How did you…no way!"
"You're being too obvious, Fukiyose-chan," Komoe teased as she then brings the female teen to sit in a nearby bench, "You know, I may not be saying anything but I just noticed that since Kamijou-chan had transferred to Seirin High school, you've been yearning for his presence, deep inside your heart."
"That isn't it!" Fukiyose vehemently denied, "I don't need baKamijou's presence at all! And how did you know where he transferred?"
"The class discovered it yesterday when one of your classmates accidentally discovered a live stream video between Seirin and some school named…uh…what's that again?" the minute home teacher tried to remember a certain team with a feared shooting guard.
"Shutoku High School, sensei," Fukiyose completed it for her, "Kamijou faced Midorima Shintao, the best opposing player."
"Ah, that's right," Komoe then sat beside her, "You know, Fukiyose-chan, that smiled Kamijou had when he was playing in the fourth quarter reminded me of something when he was at kindergarten. You might not know this but he used to have an unconscious habit of smiling, even maniacally, when he was fired up on a challenge or he is enjoying himself. Seeing it resurface in that match made me happy for him that he finally found his peace in that place especially after all the troubles and bullying he had to endure here. You only saw him as someone you enjoy as a punching bag so you really didn't know him that much."
"I…I had to do it because he was so stupid, lazy, and a moron," the Forehead Deluxe defended her actions, "Kamijou's too imbecile to even notice it so…"
"Heh? Is that what you really notice, Fukiyose-chan?" Komoe smiled, "Because it looks like the other way around for me."
"Huh? What do you mean, sensei?" Fukiyose pressed on.
"Uhm…I don't know how to answer that but it would be the best if you speak to Kamijou-chan yourself," Komoe then patted her student's shoulder, "Normally, I don't tolerate anyone who skips classes for lame reasons but since I don't want you to get distracted by the fact that you have so many unanswered questions into you, I'm going to let it slide for now. Go and meet Kamijou-chan if you feel doing so today. Just don't hurt him. He's like my own son ever since he came in this city."
"Ok, Komoe-sensei. I promised," Fukiyose sighed as she then stands up to get out of the school premises, "Thank you for that advice, sensei!" She then ran ahead to get out of the gates.
As soon as she got out of the gates, she then flagged a taxi that luckily passed by at their school. She then hopped in and said, "Please, take me outside of the city."
As the taxi then blitzed through the road leading to the checkpoints, Fukiyose can't help but imagine what Seirin looks like. While she arrived late than Kamijou at Academy City, she was already here when *she was on her second primary level and thus, yesterday was only the first time she was outside Academy City ever since she finished her kindergarten at private nursery school in an area not far from Tokyo Astrodome. This must be the reason why I was able to locate the basketball stadium. She was dazing when the driver took her out of her thoughts.
"Miss, we are already in the gates, please show your gate pass," the driver talked to her. Feeling amused at the fact that she was day dreaming, Fukiyose quickly took out her pass and they were able to get out of the city safely. After a few more minutes, she was dropped in a bus station where she then look around for a bus that would take her around the Seirin campus. After a few minutes, she then notice a bus that was about to leave and she quickly ran up to it. "Hi sir, is this bus going to Seirin High School?" she asked the bus driver, who was sipping coffee.
"My daily route always passes through the streets where Seirin is located so it's just directly in the road," the chubby driver smiled, "I can take you there, miss."
"Ah I see. Arigatou, mister!" the girl bowed in gratefulness before she jumped in to the bus and quickly sat on the seat in the middle. In a few minutes, the bus began to move in the highway.
As the bus was treading peacefully and the pop music was humming through the vehicle, Fukiyose was busy watching the scenery that was quite different from the world she had grown up with. Tokyo is almost the same as Academy City but here, it is quite peaceful and a bit cleaner.
They had passed by a lot of places, starting from a mall to a school called Seiho and Shenshinkan. There are a lot of schools here as well.
She then remembered how their school was destroyed because of the crisis that happened in Academy City and how they were forced to transfer temporarily to the smaller and cramped middle schoo counterpart not far from the high school building. Come to think of it, Kamijou wasn't around when we transferred our belongings. Could he be…
"Announcement!" the driver, through the microphone attached in a radio, blared, "Next stop, Seirin High School. Here we are!"
She blinked her eyes when the bus stopped at the location she was destined to. "Finally," she happily muttered as she thanks the bus driver for the smooth ride and had stepped out of the bus. She stretched her arms and legs as to get rid of the ache in her body as a result of sitting for too long. Now, I must get this job done.
She then turned around and faced the school with its name etched in the reddish-maroon walls. To be honest, she was quite captivated at the sight of the three-storey school building with trees and shrubs lined up in the sides of the path. On the left seemed to be like the basketball gym while the right was the main school building. The two edifices are connected by a single enclosed land bridge. For starters, this school's pretty in itself. For someone so stupid, he actually chose a good school.
She then walked through the gates and from there, she began to hear whispers from students who was passing by her. It caught her attention since they are obviously staring to her, especially the male populace. It can't be helped after all since despite being described as lacking sex appeal, she's still a beautiful and well-endowed lady with a pretty face and huge breasts. Fukiyose rolled her eyes at this. If only I wasn't an outsider, I could have punched them right now. Since Seirin is just a small campus, it wasn't really hard for her to find the gym and without effort, she eventually found herself standing in gym doors.
But as soon as she was already in front, she heard unpleasant screams of pain and hard training— "Teppei! Look around your surroundings! You have missed Hyuga-kun completely" , "Kuroko-kun, don't just stand there! Steal the ball!" , "Kagami-kun, do you want me to slap you again with my fan!?" , "That's unfair, coach! Why am I always the one who gets…Ittai!" , "All the rookies, continue your running drills!" , "Mitobe-kun, set screen so that Kamijou-kun can get free!" , "Kamijou-kun, job well done! But you need to lessen unnecessary dribbling motions there!"
The last two shouts was what caught Fuikyose's attention. So Kamijou's there inside, huh? I can't waste this chance any longer so I'll found out what Kamijou is hiding from me. Slowly, she then pushed the gym doors and as it swayed back, the first scene that greeted her was a group of players, clad in pure white t-shirt and shorts all playing a pick-up game. But what caught eyesight was the one player they were all guarding. Th-That's Kamijou! He said as he then noticed the boy with the familiar spiky black hair was clad in black, sleeveless shirt, and orange basketball shorts. Kamijou smoothly passed all the rookie players like they were nothing and quickly made a layup even before a lanky rookie managed to close on him. Kamijou looks…looks…so sexy in his apparel…She had to turn away to prevent a nosebleed from occurring. But apparently, he was so focused in training with them that he didn't even notice that unannounced arrival of Fukiyose in their school.
The Forehead Deluxe then looked around and saw that like Kamijou, almost every player was so engrossed in their practice that it seemed like she wasn't even their at all. What am I, air!? Not anymore appreciating that she was being ignored, whether intentionally or unintentionally, she was about to walk up to a nearby player who was wearing glasses and was busy shooting some three pointers when suddenly, she heard a whistle blew.
"Prrrrrt!" a female voice suddenly stopped him from moving, "Uh hello? Who are you?"
At the sound of the whistle, everyone suddenly stopped practicing and immediately, all their eyes were now redirected towards her and the female who just whistled at her. Fukiyose then began to feel tensed as she saw that almost every second, every attention is darting towards her.
"I was asking who you are, miss," the brunette lady, who was holding a clipboard, repeated her question, "I am the coach of these boys by the way."
Fukiyose bit her lip as she began to hear murmurs and she didn't know how to respond to this peculiar situation.
"Hyuga, do you know her? Because I don't," a guy with black hair asked Hyuga.
"Don't be so stupid, Izuki," Hyuga retorted back, "Why are you asking me such thing?"
"Still, judging from the uniform she wears," a tall guy with chestnut hair joined in, "It's pretty obvious that she isn't as Seirin student and is an outsider. I don't know if I saw that kind of uniform."
"But she's quite pretty, don't you think, Kawahara, Fukuda?"
*smack*
"You're quite scaring her, kanto-kun! I know that girl!"
All the players and Fukiyose froze when they heard a familiar voice suddenly cut through the air, especially the latter. Kamijou! At once, every player then step aside as the mentioned boy then stepped forward. Fukiyose can't help but notice the slight changes within the boy. The last time I saw him, he's got an average body built but right now, it's obvious that he had gotten some pretty muscles in his arms and this is the first time I had seen him dripping in sweat. Normally, he would have been fighting for the ventilation as he always hated getting scorched under the sun, on my perspective.
"It's been a long while, Fukiyose," Kamijou, with a deep voice and a powerful yet soft voice, greeted the lady, "I was wondering how you managed to find my new school."
"I'm not that stupid, Kamijou," the girl hissed but at the same time, was also surprised that the way he talks also slightly changed, "I should be the one asking you after all, especially after you had the nerve to keep this from me, your class representative and even your two friends back in our school. Tell me, why did you leave me hanging like that!? Did you tell this to Aisa and that Kumokawa bitch all along even before your last day, huh!? Because I swear I'll really lay my hands on you!" She apparently had forgotten her promise to Komoe this early morning.
Kamijou flinched back as Fukiyose was already raising her tone to the pint that even coach Aida and the players were beginning to contemplate whether they should keep out of this or they stand there as a sign of support for their teammate. For Kagami and even Kuroko, they were decisive on what has to be done and upon hearing Fukiyose's words, they misinterpreted it and was about to barge into their conversation to give the busty girl a piece of their minds when Kamijou himself stopped them.
"Yo, guys," he nonchalantly sighed, "Please, keep out of this. I'll sort this out in a moment. Fukiyose, we can talk outside so they can continue practicing. There's nothing to hide on my part. Here, let me take that bag for you as you might be too tired from the long travel." Despite how "rude" Fukiyose is, Kamijou was still nice enough that he even offered to hold her bag.
The girl was flabbergasted at this. Kamijou!? To be honest, Fukiyose doesn't even know why she had an outburst like that. Was I letting my emotions get the best of me? Or was I simply that desperate to see and hear from Kamijou to even go here and interrupt their basketball practice?
"F-Fine, Kamijou-kun," Aida face palmed as she then whistles, "Boys! Go back to your drills!"
#
The truth is, the moment Fukiyose had entered the gym, Kaijou had immediately noticed her and was actually sweat dropping the very moment. N-Nani!? How did that she-devil managed to find my current school!? Damn my rotten luck! She must have been so frustrated that if she sees me now, she'll throw all her pent-up frustrations on me. What will I do?
He then decided to ignore her presence by continuing with their practice as if nothing actually crossed his mind. It was not until their coach blew the whistle that everyone had just stopped moving in their routine and from there, Kamijou had no choice at first but to try and hide behind the taller Kiyoshi as coach Aida immediately began to grill and question Fukiyose about suddenly barging into their gym. But as soon as the spiky haired boy saw that Fukiyose was actually getting tensed from the stares she is receiving, he steeled himself and decided to end this. It's not like she can do anything to me though as she is an outsider here and I study in this school. If push comes to shove, I'll simply dodge her fists.
He was instantly regretting his choice of not accepting Kuroko and Kagami's help when they are now outside of the gym.
Now that they were alone, Kamijou felt himself getting dragged by Fukiyose's gravitational-like aura as they went near a Sakura three with a wooden bench under its shade. Right now, the poor boy felt like his days and minutes were being counted as the two of them then sit on the bench. Once they sat, they were silent for a minute as it seemed like their unwanted emotions and feelings were enough to reach each other. It was so eerily silent that the chirping of the birds and the howling of the winds. It wasn't until the girl decided to open her mouth.
"Kamijou, how are you now?" Fukiyose's voice is surprisingly soft, not the angry, cold, dry, or hard tone she would usually reserve just for spiky haired boy.
"Eh? Me? Well…" Kamijou was caught off guard by this sudden question. What is she trying to do? Is she acting too strange? Or am I just hearing things. Either way, I'll have to be careful not to anger her.
"I'm doing just fine here," Kamijou answered with some air of confidence as he then crossed his arms and leaned on the wooden bench, "I have fresh food here in my new home and the students here are friendly. My teammates and coach are all a great team and family so I'm actually enjoying my time here." Right until you just showed up.
"Souka. You've gotten really feisty, Kamijou," Fukiyose narrowed her eyes and pouted, "I watched your match versus Shutoku High yesterday. Care to explain how you've gotten so good?"
Kamijou stopped. Not only does this girl knows my school but she also watched my match against Midorima and his partner. Dammit! How am I supposed to explain this to Fukiyose? To start with, how the hell did she even know where did I transfer, much less all the games that I participated in? He was also beginning to fear that she might have watched his earlier match against Kaijo as well and this could be mind-blowing. Did Himegami broke our promise or what? I can't imagine her doing it and Kumokawa's not really getting along that well with Fukiyose so why and how!?
"W-Well…" Kamijou was actually getting nervous, "You see, I actually had a talent in basketball but could not even bring it out because our school there doesn't have any basketball team and I'm seriously getting frustrated," he decided to cook up some story.
"So that's what made you transfer?" Fukiyose asked softly, despite the tone of roughness still imminent, "Mattaku, you do realize that by leaving Academy City, you lose your chance to even raise up your ability as an Esper? You'd be stuck at Level 0 forever. Besides, why the hell did you keep this from me? You should have told me first-hand."
Kamijou wanted to say "That's impossible to happen to me because I wasn't even one at the beginning due to the power in my right hand called Imagine Breaker. And what are you, my mother?" but quickly shot it down because she might think he's just making another excuse and he might end up getting her angry so he said instead, "Who needs Esper abilities when I have flashy unstoppable moves in basketball and could become a great cager in high school, college, and if possible, in the professional leagues such as the NBA? Esper powers aren't the only thing in life and there's no way someone like me can advance with such complicated education in Academy City. Besides, Seirin has a high quality education that is just right for me and I'm already satisfied with that. As for why I didn't tell you…well…uh…I really didn't have time to tell you."
Fukiyose pauses, her eyes widening. Kamijou doesn't really care about Esper abilities? Kamijou said that the education there is too complicated? You're just too lazy to study, that's it! But deep inside her heart, she could also tell that she can't deny what the boy said. On the other hand, this school really looks decent enough and it looks like Kamijou is really working hard in his own craft. I had to give him credits for that. She bit her lip.
"Kamijou," Fukiyose pressed on, "Do you really think that you could carry this team on your shoulders? I mean, yes you did win yesterday but that was because you had two other teammates who could carry the same burden as yours." She was obviously referring to Kuroko and Kagami. "I do admit that I was amazed by how you played yesterday but even you can't deny that without your teammates' help, you would have a harder time against your opponent so…"
"Listen! I don't know what you are trying to do," Kamijou, suddenly getting riled up despite playing it so nicely, decided to cut her off, "But I think you got it slightly wrong on this one."
Fukiyose, the universally feared and dangerous lady, suddenly was taken aback from the sharp tongue coming from the boy. Yes, she was shocked to see the usually gentle Kamijou go irritated and on the offensive. He isn't even feeling the usual dread that her presence usually created.
"Yes, I won't deny that without them, I would have a harder time scoring against Midorima and Takao but isn't that what teammates are for?" Kamijou stood his ground, "Basketball is a five-man sport and therefore, it's a team sport. There's no "I" in a basketball team. Every one of us had a different role. Every one of us had different strengths but we perfectly complement each other because we play as a one unit. And what do you mean two? Are you saying that only I, Kuroko, and Kagami are the only ones capable in our team?"
Fukiyose wasn't able to answer that. Kamijou…I…
"Our captain, Hyuga-senpai, is a strong shooter and I trusted him because he's the one who pulls us in tight situations," Kamijou continue to rant, "Kiyoshi-senpai is a strong center and he is our pillar under the net. Izuki-senpai is a reliable guard that I look up to since we play the same position. Mitobe-senpai might not be speaking but he always supports the team when we play hard and the same goes for our two other senpais. Our seniors had their own will, after all since they are the founders of the basketball team and for that alone, I always respect them. If our senpais have their strong sense of pride to lead us, as kouhais we respect and follow them. And that's just some of the reason why I play basketball seriously—so I can defeat with pride my opponents to support the upperclassmen that I will always look up to. Call me a pervert, idiot, moron, lazy, and, careless all you want but I'm not someone who looks down on others because we all play the basketball we love." And this extends in real life.
Kamijou looked directly into her brown eyes and she stared back at him. Fukiyose looked slightly annoyed and Kamijou knew how stubborn the Iron Walled girl is so he knew this isn't over.
"I get it, Kamijou," Fukiyose had to fake a mocking tone, since she knew deeply inside that Kamijou was right all along in his argument, "So you're playing so seriously to help your team win, right? But what if the opposite happens? Would you still continue playing? You see, I'm pretty sure you're not the only good player here in the whole of Japan so I get the feeling that you're getting pretty ambitious. So if you versed people stronger than you, would you even continue to play?" She then took an inch closer to the boy, albeit hesitantly.
Kamijou then sighed and quickly, he smiled, "Isn't that great? Facing stronger players is better."
Once again, this caused the Forehead Deluxe to flinch. What?
You might not know this but he used to have an unconscious habit of smiling, even maniacally, when he was fired up on a challenge or he is enjoying himself…
Fukiyose was suddenly reminded of what Komoe told her just a few hours back in their school (or old school, in Kamijou's case). Is this what she meant? Could he be…
"Don't get the wrong idea, though," Kamijou broke through her inner self-dialogue, "I'm not a ball-hog or a stat padder. I simply like facing string players since they bring out the best not only in me but the potential of my teammates. And also, Seirin is like a big family. Well, I wish they had accepted me now since I wasn't really an original member from last year. Well…are we finished now? I still have to…"
"Not yet, Kamijou," Fukiyose then took a hold of the boy's right arms and gripped it so he won't go anywhere. The latter suddenly felt much shaken by this. Sh-she's holding me right in my arms!? What does she really want!? Fukiyose was also embarrassed by this and had to hold down the blush that is building up in her face.
"S-Sit down, baKamijou!" Fukiyose harshly yelled at the Imagine Breaker user, "We're not done talking yet!"
Then they were quiet again, for almost two minutes. The spiky haired boy felt like this was taking a decade already as she watches Fukiyose trying to think something else.
"So…" the girl's lips moved, "What if I say I came here to take you back to Academy City, would you defy me or not?"
The moment he heard that, Kamijou felt like his world was being torn apart.
#
That same Friday, Misaka had opted not to attend classes at all. The reason? She was certain that her grades are fine so she had thought that a day of cutting classes won't hurt. The real reason why she is skipping classes though is that she'll visit a certain high school to try to look for some answers that has been hounding her since yesterday.
But here she is right now, just sitting on the bench in the school under the almost hot sun. Dammit, where is he now!? She has been watching every people pass by and go in our out of the corridor but apparently, there is still no sign of the boy with jet black spiky hair and dark blue eyes. She was worried that instead of the guy, she'll end up getting smothered by Kuroko or even Shokuhou, who was mysteriously not even sleeping on class for once.
Where the hell is he? And come to think of it, I tried calling him but it seems that he can't be reached. It's either he must have changed his number or he really isn't responding. Either way, I won't stop at nothing to go and see him. She was really hell-bent in joining him on missions despite her lack of knowledge of the magic world and how her illusions as a Level 5 were shattered upon seeing High Priest, which was only stopped by Kihara Noukan the giant Labrador Retriever, wreaked havoc in their city as well as the power of Nephthys and Niang-Niang.
After a few more minutes, she had given up. Dammit, that idiot hasn't even shown up. Where the hell is he? Just then, Yomikawa Aiho, the famous Anti-Skill lieutenant, Physical Education teacher, and a school goddess who was just coming back from a class, suddenly appeared while walking to the hall and in an instant, the two met together.
"Oh, it's you," the slender Yomikawa eyed Misaka as she is carrying some Ping-Pong balls, "What's a Level 5 from Tokiwadai doing here? Shouldn't you be in class?"
"Oh, Yomikawa-sensei," Misaka stood up and greeted her, "Ohayou, I was here to inquire how can I take an entrance exam test here? And do you have an idea where this guy named…uh…Kamijou Touma is?" She wasn't that used to refer to the boy by his name.
"You can get an application in the office," Yomikawa smiled and then raised her eyebrows, "Kamijou? Oh? I don't know but from what my colleague just said, as of two weeks ago, he isn't an official student here anymore."
Suddenly, Yomikawa's words fell like a guided bomb blasting away a hardened bunk as Misaka feel agape and hilariously, she dropped her flip phone which has a cover with Gekota as a design.
"W-WH-WHA-WHAAAAT!?" the electromaster stammered as her eyes widened, "What do you mean he isn't studying here anymore? I swore I just met him (which actually means zapped him) just last month somewhere in the park." Plus, didn't he just promise that Unabara or whoever that is that he'll always watch my side? He couldn't possibly leave this place!
"I don't know. If he was here, I should have seen him last week but the thing is that he's gone," Yomikawa insisted, "Well, for starters, he went back to Tokyo to find a school suitable for himself there."
"What's the school he transferred in?" Misaka, now deranged, pressed on as if he was tempting to hold Yomikawa on a chokehold.
"Hmmm…Seirin High School, I think," the Anti-Skill chief stroked her chin, "That was the school that is famous for winning the Winter Cup despite being underdogs."
"Winter…hah? What's that?"
"The Winter Cup is an annual national event in Japan wherein the best high school and middle school basketball teams are gathered up to battle each other for the title of the best team for the middle school and high school nationwide," Yomikawa explained, "Well, Academy City used to participate by sending a lone representative as a guest team but after the emergence of what they called the Generation of Miracles, the Board of Executives some years back decided against sending another team and since then, I haven't been updated…"
"Thanks, Yomikawa-sensei! That's enough information! I'm going now!" then the Railgun ran hurriedly to the gates, leaving the pretty Physical Education teacher bewildered in the dust.
Right now, Misaka was running with her mind obviously full of a lot of things. But one thing is clear for her. No matter what, I'll find him and demand answers from him!
#
"What if I say I came here to take you back to Academy City, would you defy me or not?"
Those words rang sharply into Kamijou's ears as Fukiyose once again faced him directly as if trying to read what's on Kamijou's mind. To be honest, Fukiyose didn't wish for Kamijou to return to Academy City (her pride is simply too much for her to say that aloud) but she wanted to be sure if Kamijou really changed so much.
"Sorry, Fukiyose," Kamijou suddenly answered as he blinks, "But I cannot turn back on this right now. I have made an oath with our team now and I cannot turn back on it. Plus, I am happy with how the situation turned out despite my daily doses of rotten luck still lurking around me. If you want me to stop playing basketball or take me back, you'll have to strike me so hard that I won't even rise up again."
Once again, the boy's decisiveness and his stand shook Fukiyose's heart. It's almost unbelievable to see Kamijou, an idiot and lazy ass back in our school, standing his ground and proving his point. It's very…refreshing…
From that point, she then gave off a smile. Not a smug or a smirk but one of her genuine smiles which she rarely shows as she only show it to Aisa. Kamijou's mouth went ajar at this as though he felt getting radiated and blinded by her smile.
"Thank you, Kamijou," Fukiyose made a whisper but was loud enough for the boy to hear.
"Huh? What are you thanking me for Fukiyose?" Kamijou was taken aback by what she said. What is going on now!?
"Uhm…I said thank you very much for clearing my mind," Fukiyose was hesitant at first, "And also. I'm very sorry that I judged you wrongly this time. I was a bit prideful that I was shocked to see another side of yours, Kamijou."
This is what Kamijou wasn't expecting. For some reason, I do not like this. "Uhm…okay? Well, I have to go back to the gym now by myself. Go find a taxi and…"
"Who said we're done?" Fukiyose pouts as she puts her arms in her hips, "Since you have taken a lot of my time, you must compensate me by taking me around Tokyo and helping me find the best herbs health products here. It's Friday today, afterall."
I-I can't fathom what you're saying! Kamijou blanched at what the Iron Walled girl just said. If anything, you were the one who was chipping away my time from basketball practice. Besides, how will I explain this to coach? Fukiyose, you had no absolute idea how evil our coach is!
But then, Fukiyose then looked at him with an expression that says "Do it or I'll kill you" and at the same time, her brown eyes seems to be in a way pleading with him. Sighing in defeat, he then scratched his head before saying, "Well…I'll see what I can do. So does that mean that you will be content in watching us practice?"
"Yes," the girl huffed.
Quickly standing up, Kamijou then mouthed a "Let's go back to them" as out of instinct, he accidentally clasps Fukiyose's hands and he dragged her for a good ten seconds before realizing what he did and abruptly let go of her hand, "I'm so sorry, Fukiyose-sama! I didn't mean it, swear! I…" Suddenly, without warning, the girl took hold of the right hand of the boy and in the process, she was to one dragging him back to the basketball gymnasium.
"Wha—"
"Baka! I didn't say anything," Fukiyose roared as they ended up going back together on the basketball gymnasium, "If anything, its fine with me!"
"Nani?" Kmaijou can't believe what he is hearing.
"Damare! Let's just get your drills finished right now before we go out!" Fukiyose yelled as he attempts to hide a blush that was beginning to build up in her cheeks. The moment they re-entered the gym doors, the sound of butts falling to the ground and groaning was heard in the air. Kamijou and Fukiyose were surprised to see that all the Seirin players (except for Kuroko and Kagami, who was just standing there) were all in the floor.
"Eh? You guys were listening to our conversation," Kamijou eyed them as everyone was moaning in pain from falling so hard.
"Ah…yes Kamijou…hehehe…we were curious as it seems you two are arguing," Koganei laughed nervously as he eventually stands up, "We were quite afraid for you so we decided not to stop practice yet until you come back alive."
"Uh…I'm not a child, senpai," Kamijou sighed as he then scans the area with his Falcon Eyes, "Oh, where is the coach?"
"She was in the wash room just a few seconds ago," Kagami answered him as he walks slowly towards the two, not even realizing that Kuroko was trailing behind him, "By the way, what the hell did you even talk about that it almost became too intense."
"That's…" Kamijou looked at Fukiyose and the latter frowned, sending the boy a signal, "Something quite personal."
"Still, your words regarding coach and the senpais made them cry…"
"Eeeeeh!" Kagami suddenly screamed upon hearing a voice behind his back and was enraged when he discovered that it was Kuroko all along, "You should have warned me that you were there!" At the same time, Fukiyose was also twitching upon seeing Kuroko for the first (or rather, second) time. That pale teammate of Kamijou again! He really is unnoticeable. The spiky haired boy was amused at the comical situation.
"Sumimasen, Kagami-kun but I was following you all the way here," Kuroko explained with his usual poker expression, "By the way, who is that lady anyway, Kamijou-kun?"
"Ah, right. This is Fukiyose Seiri, my former classmate from my old school in Academy City," Kamijou introduced the busty girl, "Ahem…Fukiyose, the red headed guy is Kagami Taiga and he's our ace and power forward while the one with blue hair and pale presence is Kuroko Tetsuya and he's our passing specialist. They're the same age and years as us and they were me closest friends here."
"Doumo. It's a pleasure meeting you, Fukiyose-san," Kuroko bowed deeply, "By the way, I was saying that a while back that coach and our senpais are touched by what you said a while back with Fukiyose-san."
"Eh, our senpais did what? I didn't hear what Kamijou clearly said though," Kagami was very much oblivious to his surroundings.
"Kagami-kun," Kuroko said calmly but there was an edge in his tone as if saying that the Seirin power forward and ace was being too stupid and dense, "I don't know what you are thinking a while back but captain, Kiyoshi-senpai, Hyuga-senpai, Izuki-senpai, Koganei-senpai, Mitobe-senpai, Tsucchida-senpai, and coach were all in tears at what he just ranted."
"Eh, they were crying? Are they that emotional?" Kamijou blinked.
"Neh, neh, Hyuga. What will they talk about," Koganei said cheerfully as every player as well as the coach has decided to temporarily stop practicing after seeing Kamijou and Fukiyose argue with each other. It was so brief when they were inside yet it was something full of unseen force that had Kamijou said something quickly, Kuroko and Kagami would have forced their way into their talk and involved themselves.
"Don't look at me like I even know what they'll talk about!" Hyuga shouted to the cat-face, "And seriously, your voice is echoing throughout! They might hear us!"
"Hyuga, you're pretty loud too," Kiyoshi then butted into their conversation.
"Shut the hell up, Kiyoshi!" the clutch captain was irritated that the ditzy giant was beside him. Right now, everyone was at the gym doors as they tried to watch and listen over to the two.
"Well…it seems that they haven't even started talking yet. A minute has passed already and…" Izuki suddenly stopped when he saw Fukiyose suddenly moved her body towards Kamijou, "Oh shit! It seems they began to talk, guys!"
The whole group then intently listened to their conversation and it ranged from Esper abilities to what Kamijou prompted to transfer to Seirin. "I've been wondering aloud: what kind of relationship exists between Kamijou-kun and that lady," Aida, now curious, asking to no one particular, "I mean, from what the girl said, her wordings is making Kamijou-kun look like a traitor like he didn't tell them that he was transferring here."
"It does not look like that way to me," Kuroko, who was quiet on the back, suddenly spoke up.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Kagami asked his shadow/partner.
"We haven't really known Kamijou-kun that much yet but I can tell that he isn't that kind of guy," Kuroko explained, "If he did leave without telling anyone, he must have his own reasons. After all, he can think for himself."
"Speaking of which, what the hell does Esper abilities mean?" Hyuga then asked Kuroko, "This girl has been ranting about something called raising up his abilities. I mean, what the hell does that mean?"
"Academy City is a sovereign state that is thirty years ahead of its time, or that's what they say. Nevertheless, it is so advanced that they have a special curriculum in their schools called the Power Curriculum Program that identifies people with potential or hidden Esper powers," Kuroko explained, gaining the attention of almost everyone, "An Esper is an individual who emits AIM and to those who have enrolled in the Power Curriculum Program. AIM means An Involuntary Movement or is the phenomena where an esper involuntarily emits an invisible energy field from their body. Simply put, an Esper is someone who is capable of emitting and using supernatural powers such as psychokinetic powers, pyrokinesis, electron users, electricity, teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy, etc. The drawback though is that you are only allowed a single power per person. Espers are ranked from Levels 5 to 0, with the five being the strongest and 0 being the one without talent. Level 5s are much more prioritized in that city which is why they are given lumps of allowances. Kamijou-kun himself said that he's a Level 0 so that must have prompted him to transfer here since he might knew that he had no future there. But still, I think he had other reasons." When he was finished talking, everyone was staring at him, their mouths wide open like it could catch a fly.
"Nani?" Kuroko blinked.
"Si-Since when did you get that much knowledge!?" Kagami was the first to break the silence,"Not only that, it was detailed!"
"Uhm…I'd rather not talk about that right now," Kuroko suddenly said then diverted the topic, "So how's the two of them right now?"
"I hear that Kamijou speaking now and…" Izuki then gasped as he then eyes them, "Guys! You must listen to all what Kamijou will say! Come closer, quick!"
They all then snuggled up closely, just in time to hear Kamijou then rant back at Fukiyose and defended his team, saying that he, Kuroko, and Kagami were not the only ones who are good in this team. He also explained that basketball is a team sport and everyone had different strengths that can contribute to their victory. But the part which really touched the seniors is the one where the spiky haired boy said that his seniors were the best and they he had his biggest respect that he will always support the will and pride of the seniors of the basketball team.
"Hic…Hic…" Aida was choked in her tears, "Truly, our second years are really inspiring."
"Didn't Kuroko say something similar last year when we went up against Seiho?" Tsuchida then butted in.
"It does not matter, baka. The thing is, Kamijou has been looking up to us and that makes my heart swell," Hyuga can't help but feel tears flowing down from his eyes.
"I wanted to hug Kamijou!" Koganei shouted as Mitobe agreed with him.
"Not only that, he's talking about us being a big family and him just…" Izuki can't help but feel amused, "What is he talking about? He's already a member of this big family the moment he stepped into this basketball gymnasium donning the Seirin jersey!"
"Now that I think of it," Kiyoshi then smiled weirdly, "Both Kuroko and Kamijou are so sweet and respectful to their seniors. I wish Kagami was the same as well."
"Hah!?" the red headed ace was taken aback by what the Uncrowned General said, "Hey! That's so unfair on my part! I was also respectful! Well, I admit I was too…ittai!"
"Bakagami! You just destroyed the mood here!" the coach, getting distracted by Kagami's loud voice, kicks him on his face, sending him crashing on the floor.
"Such misfortune," Kamijou muttered after Kuroko finished telling him what has transpired in their group a while back while he was bust sorting things out with Fukiyose, "To think I made a scene for all of you to watch and listen…" He sighed as he then watched all the seniors return to their drills.
"Oh, Kamijou-kun, you're back," the voice of Aida Riko was heard as the latter was coming back from the washroom, "And with that girl. Are you two done whatever you need to talk about? It looks like it's quite confidential so I let you off."
"Yeah coach, we're done. By the way, may I ask a favour, please," Kamijou used keigo to ask some favour to his coach.
"Uhm…what's that, Kamijou-kun?" the brunette coach asked as she then puts down her paper cup of coffee that she got from a vending machine besides the door of the washroom, "Hurry up because you still have to finish your training menu."
"Can she stay here as she waits for me to finish?" Kamijou motioned at the busty girl beside him, "She said there is something important that we need to go…"
"You know my policy against outsiders and spectators!" Aida cut him off as she glared against the taller Kamijou, "I barely can concentrate when that silver-haired friend of yours was busy whining throughout our session," She was pertaining to Index.
"That's a different case, coach. Besides…" the poor boy can't seem to continue as he began to see his coach surrounded by her deadly aura and he knew that it could be dangerous if she really got mad, "She isn't like Index. I'll make it up for you by quadrupling my menu!"
At hearing this, Kuroko and Kagami looked at their fellow trio member as if he was insane. We could barely handle a doubled menu and you'll try to make it four times! Kuroko and Kagami miraculously thought the same thing and at the same time.
"Hnnn…" Aida sighed and scratched her head, "Well…as long as she doesn't bother everyone else, then I guess she can stay. Hey…uh…what's your name, dear?"
"I'm Fukiyose Seiri, sensei," the busty girl then stood up and bowed, "I apologized for disturbing your practice. I promise that this would be the last."
"Uh…sure…just stay on the sidelines, Fukiyose-san," Aida gave him a (reluctant) smile, "Alright!" She then pulled out a whistle and blew it.
"Everyone, gather up!" the coach yelled, "Practice game! Seniors versus the first and second years!" She added as everyone was shocked by her sudden decision but nevertheless, they all went to the center circle. As Kamijou was about to go there, she was stopped by their coach.
"Kamijou-kun, you should be prepared because I want your girlfriend to see your progress! Fufufufu!" Aida teased the spiky haired boy.
"Eh? Coach, we don't have that kind of relationship!" Kamijou strongly denied as he was preparing for the tune up game.
"Then we might as well be," Fukiyose suddenly huffed as she then goes to sit in the bleachers.
Kamijou blinked at what Fukiyose just said. Might as well be. He blinked and blinked at that. What the hell does she means? He was getting freaked out. But we don't have that kind of relationship…
"Prrrrrt! Kamijou-kun! Hurry up!" Aida shouted to the dazed boy. Before he knew it, Kamijou found himself running towards the center circle. The ball then was tipped in between Kiyoshi and Yagi.
#
"Man! I'm beat!" Kagami groaned as he tried to move his sore arms while Kuroko is still busy finishing his water, "Kamijou, won't you come with us?"
"I already told you, we'll have somewhere to go to," the Imagine Breaker replied as he is already clutching his duffel bag in his shoulders. He then peeked at the score board and saw that it was closer this time at 88 – 85 if it wasn't for him passing it to a free Kagami, who was able to make the three-point shot. This is harder than usual, huh? Kiyoshi has been going harder against their rookie center and Hyuga and Izuki are flawless today. Everyone from Seirin really is going hard for it.
"Hey! You're so slow, Kamijou!" Fukiyose angrily complained as she was already getting impatient from waiting.
"It would be rude if I don't say a good bye to my teammates," Kamijou replied as he then bade his two friends a farewell. I hope that she doesn't plan anything eccentric today.
After they were now left alone, Fukiyose and Kamijou then went out together from the gym. They passed by the school building and the leaves of the trees which were glistening with fruits were swaying and dancing as the wind breezed past them, "Hey Kamijou, are you tired?"
"No. Not really. Maybe my legs are wobbling but I'm fine as usual," Kamijou smiled as they now walk out of the school gates.
"Then would you mind carrying me? I'm getting sleepy from this tiring day," Fukiyose then asked (more like ordered) the spiky haired boy as they were now walking in the streets. Hearing this, Kamijou was taken aback and startled. Did I just hear right? She says that she wants to be carried?
"Didn't you hear me?" the girl then hissed, "I said you carry me!" She wasn't merciful even if Kamijou was already carrying his own duffel bag.
Quickly submitting himself, he then bent low to carry Fukiyose on her back and as he straightened his body up, he just noticed that she wasn't that very heavy despite being a strong woman. In fact, she is very light! No wonder she is very fast.
Although he was by far still faster and more agile than her in any way.
"Neh, Kamijou," Fukiyose sleepily whispered, "Where is the best herb and medicinal store here in Tokyo? I wanted this to be done as fast."
"I think I heard a store that my mom told me when we got out one time," the boy replied as they (technically, the boy only) are now walking in the pavement, "I think this store sells only organic spices, medicinal plants, oils, and stuff. You know, those things that aren't made by machines but are directly coming from those in the farms and from forests."
"Then take me there!" Fukiyose demanded the spiky haired boy, "In return, let's eat outside after I bought what I want. We'll divide the payment…"
"But I thought you want to get over with this?" Kamijou eyed her strangely.
"Baka! That's only with the health products," the girl smacked the head of the boy, "I wanted to enjoy this time in Tokyo, far away from the chaotic moments in Academy City."
"Oh yeah, how's Tsuchimikado and Aogami there?" Kamijou asked as he shifted his weight to lessen the strain on his part, "Did they know that I'm already studying in Seirin? I mean, considering that it's Tsuchimikado, they should have known it by now. I haven't heard anything from them these past two weeks."
"They do know that you're gone, that's for sure," Fukiyose explained as she hugs tightly around the neck of boy, as if she's strangling him, "But whether they know your new school or not is something I don't know. But believe me, they have been planning to follow me here as well have I not shut them up for good."
"Yeah?" Kamijou gave her a bland look, "I did hear that they ended up getting incapacitated severely and had to be resuscitated by Dr. Heaven Canceller in his hospital."
"W-Well…" Fukiyose stammered as she was shocked that Kamijou knew that one particular incident, "I had to do it because they won't shut up about you having so many girls. I do hope you haven't tried to flirt with girls so much." In reality, she was making sure he haven't yet hooked up with a single lady from Seirin.
"I don't remember doing anything like that, even in Academy City," Kamijou retorted back, "But for some reason, I'm always getting involved in those kinds of talks and ended up getting smacked by Tsuchimikado and Aogami since they say that I do nothing but to collect more girls in my supposed harem, which doesn't even exist." And here, I'm getting tempted to ask you about what you said before the tune up game but that would have to wait. This place isn't the perfect spot, after all.
Kamijou has been carrying Fukiyose for almost thirty minutes now and considering the boy's strength and stamina, he is still fine after having to carry both a lady and a duffel bag in his shoulders. While they were eventually nearing the store, Kamijou then remembered their coach teasing him about Fukiyose and immediately tagged her as his girlfriend. Dammit! She isn't my girlfriend! But even then, he had to admit that back in Academy City, he once daydreamed and fantasied about the Iron Walled girl before she eventually caught him dazing off and punched him right through his gut. Ever since then, the spiky haired boy was very afraid of the girl and he didn't even try to resist when she is blocking his way, save for the incident a while back outside of the Seirin basketball gymnasium.
But right now, here he is all alone and with Fukiyose of all people. It would have been nicer if it was Kuroko or Kagami here. Such misfortune! He then peeked at his back and noticed Fukiyose sleeping peacefully, with her cheeks becoming red. He then turned away and refocused his eyesight on the street. But right now, he just felt the Forehead Deluxe's bosom is getting pinched by his back and as a result, he can feel the two nipples punching through his back and the longer he tried to concentrate his mind, the more he is getting distracted. Shit! Now, my hormones feels like it wanted to burst! I don't know what to do!
She then gave a thought of both Fukiyose and Riko's words and was flustered by the thoughts of Fukiyose being his girlfriend. W-Well, she is really pretty and had a cute face and well-rounded body. I did say once that she lacks that sex appeal but looking at her in a different perspective makes me eat my words. The way she sleeps and hug or suffocate me so tightly was something I was finding in a girl. Though the problem is I did say once that I prefer the onee-san type and Fukiyose is the same age as mine.
He was taken out of his thoughts when suddenly, he unexpectedly met someone familiar in the road.
"Are? Isn't that Sekiguchi-san?" Kamijou narrowed his eyes on the man and he gasped. The guy was a tall one and he sported an ash-blonde hair. Shit! It really is him.
Walking briskly, Kamijou then shouted to the guy, "Hey, Sekiguchi! Sekiguchi!"
The mentioned man was just as shocked to see his former student ran up to him, "Woah, Kamijou!? Long time, no see kid!" He chuckled as he saw Kamijou carry some lady with him.
"Is that your gal?" the former Teiko player eyed the sleeping Fukiyose as Kamijou simply snorted at that comment. He's the third one already.
"She's just my friend, Sekiguchi," Kamijou rolled his eyes as he then excitedly told the man about how he was introduced into the regular spot in Seirin so fast.
"As expected of you, kid," Sekiguchi smiled as he then took out a soda, "In fact, I have watched your matches versus Kaijo and Shutoku and I was more than impressed at how you three took care of those two brats. By the way, see you next Saturday at the first national team practice."
"Ah yes…huh…what?" Kamijou cannot believe what he had heard. Did he just say the national team?
"Ah, didn't Akashi told you?" Sekiguchi chuckled as he gobbles his soda, "Since the national team was neglected to prioritize the other teams in the Olympics, the Japanese Basketball Association decided to call out coaches from the best high school and college ranks as well as college players who cannot play but can teach."
"Oh, ok," Kamijou understood, "So would you play or coach?"
"That's still a surprise," the ash blonde said as he crushed the tin can on his hands, "Well, best luck to you, kid." With that, he turned away and left on his own destination.
Kamijou was standing there, with a funny expression in his face. What a small world. Just last May, he just met this guy on a store and right now, the two of them are now in the same team, though it is yet to be seen of the de facto mentor of the Imagine Breaker user would be playing or not. That doesn't matter. The fact is we would be together again.
He then looked at Fukiyose, who seemed to be peacefully sleeping in his sturdy shoulders and knew he had to keep going on. She might kill me if she found out that I was taking too long. He then began to walk again and in a nick of time, he was finally within the proximity of the store as he saw the billboard not far from where they are now standing. But that is just that start of it yet as he knew they would be going out. A de facto date.
This would be a very long afternoon.
* - There was a lack of information about Fukiyose's childhood so I just cooked this one up