Edited 10.31.2021
Second String Practice
"What was that?" Uoya grumbled. Brown eyes cut a glare at the silent girl beside him. She was doing that annoying habit, gnawing on her lip instead of answering and Uoya could swear she had drawn blood this time. Normally, he'd force her to stop but at this moment in time he was too peeved to do anything other than watch.
"What was what?" Uoya groaned at Hana's response. Of course, she was playing dumb now.
"That!" He flung his arms out in exaggeration, "That was not how we do things! Futabatei is going to murder you!"
Hana scoffed, scuffing her toes against the ground, "He started it! Besides, we got two players. You should be happy."
"Yeah, it's great we got the players, but you were rude to Akashi and that's gonna come back to bite us in the ass," he snapped back. Despite knowing her for a better part of a year, sometimes he couldn't understand his manager's actions.
"Look, Uoya," Hana threw her hands out, "I didn't do anything wrong. I covered all the bases and it worked out how I planned it."
His glare softened momentarily, before he shook his head in resignation, "I never knew Torio, but he's not captain anymore Hana." His hand hovered awkwardly on his shoulder as he struggled to phrase his next words, "I know he taught you and everything, but Futabatei is in charge now and we gotta follow his example. And that involves playing fairly and not throwing insults back and forth. We're all on the same team, Hana-chan."
His manager flinched back before looking away and replying to the wall, "Okay."
They continued their walk to the school's entrance in temporary silence. Reaching the outside door, Uoya smiled sadly and threw an arm around her in a sideways hug, "Sorry, but it had to be said. You gotta work on holding your tongue, Hana-chan. Anyway, see you tomorrow?"
Despite the lingering burn of ire, Hana leaned into him momentarily, "See you, Uoya-kun."
Green eyes stared at Uoya's retreat before letting out an exhausted sigh. She hadn't realized he'd be that upset about their confrontation with first string, but it made sense. Their captain focused on playing fairly and Uoya acted like his grey-headed reincarnation. Both boys enjoyed basketball but kept their focus on playing honestly and honorably.
They were good— noble and trustworthy.
Hana had not been taught the same.
xXx
The beginning of Friday's practice looked an awful lot like an intervention. Hana was sitting on the bleachers and her teammates stood around her in a semi-circle. They'd been here for over thirty minutes. Even Coach walked in at one point and promptly walked back out, telling the teenagers to sort out their own drama. The first-string replacements hadn't come in yet, and Hana was experiencing a truly odd sensation, longing for the two Miracles to finally show up.
"Are you going to say anything?" Futabatei drawled out. His slate grey eyes narrowed at the manager in subtle annoyance. "Imamura-san?"
Hana huffed, cheeks puffed out as she grumbled, "I apologized like five times!"
"…not very well," a voice in the back spoke out. She snarled at the direction of the voice, mentally daring him to say it to her face.
Before blood could be spilled, Uoya cut in, "You apologized for the wrong thing. He wants you to apologize for disgracing the team, not stealing from the Shogi club."
"I did not 'disgrace' the team," Hana countered with a scoff. This had been going on too long, but neither side planned to back down.
Uoya let out another of his groans before throwing his hands up and walking away. A few teammates followed him, hoping to get away from the tension. Without the crowd, Futabatei opened his mouth to continue his reprimand, but Hana's prayers had been answered. The noise of the gym door opening cut him off and Hana ducked between the remaining players during the distraction.
"We aren't done, Imamura-san," The captain called out after her, hands propped on his hips.
"Yes, we are!" Hana yelled back in return, "I apologize for disgracing the team! There! Done!"
Uoya watched her dart past him, "That was a terrible apology, Hana-chan…"
"That seems to be a normal occurrence for her," a new voice spoke out from the doorway and Hana turned toward it defensively, locking gazes with a pair of blue eyes.
Kuroko and Kise had stopped in the doorway and looked on in confusion; well Kise did, Kuroko was just watching the spectacle impassively. Despite the short length of their acquaintanceship, Kuroko appeared to have a better handle on her personality than many of her own teammates.
"Are we interrupting?" The blue haired boy inquired. His tone was polite, but Hana could hear the tiniest amount of amusement. Apparently Kise did too because his wary face turned into one of contemplation. "You sound busy, Imamura-chan."
"No, we've sorted everything out," Hana replied but her team's simultaneous scoff contradicted her. She spun around and stuck her tongue out in childish retaliation. "It's sorted! Stop bringing up the past!"
"Do you think this is normal?" Kise questioned Kuroko, leaning into Kuroko's space in an attempt to whisper. His teammate offered him a confirming nod and Kise chuckled gleefully. "Maybe this won't be too boring then!"
Kuroko glanced at Kise in reprimand, but turned his attention to Futabatei instead, "You must be the captain? Akashi-kun sent us to help you with your game tomorrow."
Futabatei nodded and came to stand in front of the new duo. Eyeing the two first-string members up and down, he spoke gruffly, "Yes. I'm Futabatei Tsuneyo. Thank you for coming to assist us."
"Kuroko Tetsuya and it's no problem," Kuroko bowed his head the slightest bit, "We're happy to help."
Kise offered the captain a charming smile before stepping up and introducing himself, "Kise Ryota! Besides, we couldn't say no to little Imamura-chan's plea for help!"
Futabatei raised one black eyebrow and shot Hana an incredulous look over his shoulder. He looked back to the two newcomers before raising another eyebrow. Hana smiled smugly at her captain's confusion, although inside the safety of her head she was thrown off a bit by Kise's statement.
Walking closer to Kuroko and trying to shrug off her apprehension, she offered out a hand, "Seriously, thanks, Kuroko-kun. We all really appreciate it."
As Kuroko returned the handshake, Kise pouted at the manager. He'd been hoping to fluster her a bit, but it seemed he'd have to dig a little deeper to get a reaction. Inching closer, he whined out, "What about me, Imamura-chan?"
"Thank you too, Kise-san," she didn't offer out her hand, instead giving him a stiff nod. "You'll both be a huge help."
"Hmm, you should smile more Imamura-chan," His attitude grew smug as he watched her subtly twitch in annoyance. Kise remarked pseudo-innocently, "You'd be much more approachable looking!"
He watched in glee as she started to blush in presumably anger. It coated her cheeks in an alarming shade of pink, but unfortunately, his fun was cut short as the boy from yesterday grabbed her around the waist. Golden eyes narrowed when the boy whispered something into her ear and whatever he said successfully quelled the hot-tempered girl.
After Uoya finished calming her down, he nudged Hana in the shoulder. The action forced her to ignore her ego and offer Kise a tight smile, "I'll keep that in mind."
Gathering all the patience she had, she turned away from Kise and Kuroko to let Futabatei discuss tomorrow's game plan. Uoya was right, her tongue was going to get her in trouble someday. Maybe I should just cut it off? Or I can cut Kise's off. She began to chuckle quietly to herself as she marched to the bleachers, causing her teammates to shoot her wary looks and step back.
By the time she returned to her seat, her coach came back and included himself into the discussion between first string and second string. Both Kise and Kuroko were paying sufficient attention. Hana couldn't hear what they were saying, but thing's seemed to be moving along smoothly. No one had thrown a punch yet.
Looking away from the boys and down to her team notes, she scribbled Kise and Kuroko's names onto the worksheet. Kise would be taking over Kitano's spot as power forward and Kuroko would be playing as a small forward. There skills would be underutilized, but they'd cover a huge portion of her team's offensive weakness. Now, it was time for her to review Kogami's team stats.
They hadn't changed much. Last year's match had been brutal and Torio had not handled the loss well. The weeks after their loss had been spent with new brutal training regimes and Hana prayed that they didn't have to go through that again. It'd be just like Torio to come back from the void to torture them.
Scanning over her information, she cracked an unhappy smile. It was turning out to be good a thing Kitano had to miss this next game. Kogami was a notoriously rude team and played heavily with fouls and threats; things that the hot-headed Kitano could not have handled. She risked another glance at the team and focused on Kuroko and Kise.
Hopefully these two could handle the trash talk.
Minutes passed by quickly and the team's integrated practice continued going smoothly. Kuroko was proving to be a valuable player along with, surprisingly, Kise. The blonde's ability to copy moves worked marvelously with the other teammates. The only issue in his playing came from how he tended to stray from his assigned position; often taking up Kuroko's small forward spot and point guard position.
Hana made a quick note by his name. It wasn't a big issue, but if he continued to focus solely on himself it'd bring problems.
She heard a throat clear behind her and twisted her body to face the noise. Coach was looking at her binder with a thoughtful face, "Anything useful, Imamura-san?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary, Matsunaga-sensei. I was just examining Kise-san's playing style. The first-string players play differently then what I'm used to," The older man offered her a sympathetic look, though Hana couldn't quite figure out why.
"You've had that binder since last year, correct?" She gave him a confirming answer, "Try comparing your notes on Kise-san with Torio-san. It might give you a better understanding of the first-string style."
Instinctually, Hana's temper flared. Although she held her tongue in the presence of her coach, it was hard to do so. Giving him a stiff nod, she put her focus back toward practice. Throughout the rest of the afternoon, she caught him giving her indescribable looks. Hana ignored it with practiced ease.
Practice ended peacefully. In fact, despite the second-string's reservations about first-string, several teammates were exchanging conversations with both Kuroko and Kise. Kise even had a genuine smile on his face. Hana even laughed with him as they watched Uoya try to get Kuroko to laugh, several other players urging him along. It obviously wasn't working, but the surrounding team members seemed entertained.
Maybe this little mashup wouldn't be so bad after all.
xXx
"… What are you doing?"
A scream escaped the girl's mouth and she stumbled forward, barely avoiding landing on her face as she caught herself. She flung her head around hastily and stared wide-eyed at the tall blonde in front of her. He looked the same as yesterday but wore the second-strings uniform instead of his regular blue and white one. Kise's brows were hiked high in his forehead, perplexed golden eyes flicking between the room and her.
"Have you been taking lessons from Kuroko-kun? Holy shit man," she panted for breath.
Seemingly snapping out of it, Kise offered her a shrewd smile before shrugging innocently. "Can't say that I have," his mind sparked in interest, "So, what are you doing?" Gold eyes traveled around the area before landing back on the girl in front of him.
She blushed and looked away, suddenly embarrassed. Poking at the papers around her, she mumbled softly, "Research."
"… On the floor? In the boy's dressing room?" He raised his blonde eyebrows in disbelief. Hana let out a distressed groan and covered her face with shaky hands. Observing her, Kise let a slow smirk cover his face, "I didn't take you for a pervert, Imamura-san."
"No! You idiot!" Launching a random pen at his face she continued, "Sometimes I can hear the other team, you know, through the vents and stuff…" her voice trailed off as she finished.
"You're spying?" He laughed incredulously, subtly eyeing the pen resting on the floor. Her aim had been a little too close for comfort.
Green eyes narrowed suspiciously at his tone, "Why does it matter? What're you doing here anyway? Most of the team doesn't show up this early for home games."
"Ehhh…" it was silent for a moment before the blonde continued, "Sometimes I like to get to places before the crowd, ya know?"
"Are you talking about your fan club?" Hana raised an eyebrow, twisting on her knees to get a full look at him. Kise let out another breathy chuckle and nodded slightly. Hana looked thoughtful for a moment before letting out a repulsively sunny grin, "Looks like we've both got something to hide. I won't tell your fan club and you won't tell my team. Deal?"
"Wah?" Golden eyes widened, "Are you trying to blackmail me?"
"No, not really…" Hana coughed, "Okay maybe. Is it working?"
Kise's aura seemed to grow a bit chillier, and Hana resisted the itch to cringe. That might have been the wrong thing to say. He looked down to the floor before peering at her under his bangs, "You're a lot of trouble Imamura-chan. But sure, we've got a deal—"
"Oh, thank God. I didn't think that'd work," she murmured under her breathe.
"— But, you have to tell me why you don't want your team to know about your little spying hobby," he finished smugly.
Hana blinked up at him in shock. Her disbelief quickly turned into irritation, and she shot the copycat a scowl. He out did me. Blondie's smarter than he looks. Raising a stern hand, she pointed at the bench and silently ordered Kise to sit down. If he wanted to know so badly, then he'd have to wait until she finished her notes.
Kise rolled his eyes in response but followed her order and rested on the bench, relaxing his arms on his knees, and watching with interest. As she sketched out a few more notes, his brows furrowed, interest building in the crinkle of his eyes. He jerked out of his focus as her voice filled the room.
"I help keep the team up to date with their opponents, but you already know that though since Momoi-san does the same thing," she waved a dismissive hand, "Anyway, uhm, captain doesn't really like me to spy on the other teams. He prefers gathering our information through recorded games and word of mouth. But that doesn't always work," she sighed.
Kise was still listening behind her, intelligent eyes scanning over the mass of papers on the floor. He almost looked intrigued. She stared at him for another second before shaking her thoughts off, "I promised that I would help my team become the best they could. And if that involves going behind their backs to get them a much-needed advancement, I'm going to do it. I'd just rather not get reprimanded for it."
He let out a quiet hum as she finished, "Isn't that kinda selfish?"
Hana paused and thought it over, "Sure, I guess it is in a way."
Golden orbs flashed up at her, almost feline in appearance. He titled his head curiously and Hana didn't enjoy the sensation of being studied. It reminded her of her first encounter with Kuroko and the way the sixth player practically investigated her soul. Every one of her nerves stood on edge.
Kise smiled, it wasn't more than a twitch of the lips, but it was something, "You don't seem too concerned about it."
"I've always known I'm selfish. It's nothing new to me," she replied bluntly, trying to mask her self-consciousness. Her hands had begun to shake so to distract herself, she began to fiddle with the papers. Hana tried to read the words she wrote out, but the longer she focused the more blurred they got.
"But, at the same time you're not," her guest mused, so quiet that she couldn't hear him over the rushing beat of her heart. Kise watched as the papers in her hand quivered as she shoved them back into her bag, "Are you leaving? I thought you were going to play your spy game?"
"I've got enough info on them already. Besides, they're taking too long to get here, by the time they actually arrive my team will be here too," she threw out the first excuse she could think of.
It had taken a toll on her, sharing such personal information with Kise. It was actually terrifying. She felt like she had lost control of the situation; the boy could just read her too easily. She needed to go or she might start talking about things she'd end up regretting.
Either ignoring her anxiousness or not noticing, Kise probed further, "Anything you want to share?"
She looked at him from over her shoulder, momentarily thrown off. You're nothing like I planned, since when did you have a serious side? Biting her lip into her mouth, she heaved out a loaded breath, "They trash talk. Big time. Knowing you guy's reputation though, you're used to it. Just don't expect them to play fairly."
Kise let out a surprisingly graceful snort, "Our reputation? You hold quite a grudge on our team, Imamura-chan."
That almost stung. Something about the intimate setting between the two made her want to apologize. Kise was his own person after all, not a conjoined force with his teammates. She bit her tongue though; her pride would not allow her to disgrace it. In the meantime, Kise watched her silent struggle and lowered his head to hide a smirk.
"Ah! But it's okay!" Kise suddenly spoke brightly, a complete 180 from the solemnity he displayed before. Hana couldn't believe it, "You can apologize after we help your team win today!"
"What…" it was the only thing that could come out of her mouth.
"You will apologize right?" He adopted a wounded expression, letting fake tears bloom in his eyes as he climbed off the bench and stretched, "It hurts to hear you say such mean things about us!"
Hana scrambled to her feet and watched Kise in dread. I've been played. Dude! Before she could register his movement, the blonde suddenly came into her personal bubble and placed his hands on her shoulders. Hana had never felt so small in her life. Kise's hands covered her shoulders completely and, if he wanted, could easily crush her. Oh god, this is just Kise! Think of Aomine! Or Murasakibara!
"I want to be your friend, Imamura-chan! If you could just get rid of your nasty attitude!" The copycat babbled; face inching dangerously close to her own. His head tilted playfully as he watched her struggle to form a retort, "Imamura-chan?"
Hana couldn't think. Much less speak. She could feel her face begin to grow redder and redder, a mixture of rage and embarrassment fueling the blood flow. Finally gaining control of her bodily functions again, she let out a furious screech and shoved a hand directly into Kise's face.
He let out his own squeal and his hands tightened on her shoulders to prevent falling, "Woah!"
"Let go of me!" she shrieked.
"If I let go, I'll fall!" he cried back.
"Good!"
"Why do you want to hurt me, Imamura-chan?!"
She shoved on his face harder and ignored his squawking, "Oh, I've got plenty of reasons! No! Don't get closer!"
"I don't want to fall!" he wailed, his hands latching onto her shoulders to prevent the loss of his balance, "Stop pushing me!"
"That doesn't mean— Kise-san!"
"If I fall, you do too!"
She nearly shrieked, "Why are you so damn touchy!"
"…excuse me." A bland voice spoke out, effectively startling both Kise and Hana out of their minor squabble.
Kise lost his fight against gravity and fell backwards, bringing Hana down with him. She landed on his chest hard and Kise let out a wheezy huff, hands slapping against the cold locker room floor. Gold eyes met green, one startled and another enraged. Kise's mouth opened to speak, but Hana let out a frustrated growl and punched him solidly in the shoulder. As he curled inward, Hana mentally rejoiced at his hiss of pain before crawling off him.
Kuroko stood in the locker room, face blank and unsurprised. Uoya stood behind him, and in complete opposite to Kuroko, his face was flushed pink and gaping like a fish. Several other teammates stood in the background, faces pale. Everyone, sans Kuroko, stood stock still as she stood up without another glance at Kise.
"I need coffee," Hana spoke decidedly and escaped the room as quickly as possible, "Uoya, let's go."
Her team let out a collective sigh of relief as she left without further ado. Kuroko himself walked over to his teammate and offered him a hand. Kise took it easily, rubbing his shoulder with a pout. Uoya ran a tired hand over his face before excusing himself to chase after his friend.
"Why did she have to hit me?" Kise moaned as he crawled to his feet. "That was mean."
"You're lucky you're not dead!" An unknown teammate contributed. Kise shot him a pout and turned his teary eyes toward Kuroko. His teammate let out a sigh before patting Kise on the shoulder complacently.
"Why was Imamura-chan in the boy's dressing room anyway?" Kuroko questioned his teammate, stepping away before Kise could attach himself to him. When he didn't answer right away, Kuroko frowned. The blonde opened his mouth and stumbled before closing it with a grimace.
Several seconds passed before Kise tried again, "She said she was doing homework, I think."
Kuroko eyed him disbelievingly before letting it go. It was obviously between her and Kise, and if he wanted to know, he'd ask her later. He headed to his locker and instructed Kise to do the same. It was time to get ready for the game.
Meanwhile…
"What did you just say?"
"Uhm, I asked if you still had your, uhm, innocence?"
"Uoya-kun. You have five seconds to get as far away from here as you can. One… Two…"
"Aghk!"
