Chapter 2: The Day of Clear Blue Sky
We know basketball is played with 5 players but this story tells the tale when there were no separate games divided by gender only one team for boys and girls. Therefore there was a rule that among 5 regular guy players the 6th member should be female a specialist .So, now there are 6 players in Basketball in which 1 should be girl.
Now back to the story…..
Couple of days ago Chihaya moved with her relatives. It was very awkward at first as she didn't got along with her cousin very well but she had no choice if she wanted to live here. Chihaya's family departed on the same day, her mother was giving her instructions till the very last moment her father also told her to behave properly and her brother Taiga only said good-by. It was always like this between those two. With minimal words they were used to know what other has to say. After they left 2 days passed quickly, Chihaya spent all her time practicing Karuta as she knew once the holidays are over she will not get time for practice.
On the bright Monday morning as Chihaya was about to leave her house door bell rang. "Ohayou"Chihaya heard a cheerful voice greeting her aunt.
"Chihaya-chan, Tsubasa-chan is here. Hurry up and get ready".Her aunt called out
"Just a minute Tsubasa-chan I am almost ready,let me get my bento."Chihaya told that girl as she went to grab her lunch box.
Chihaya closed door after Tsubasa. Midorima Tsubasa was a tall girl with dark green eyes and golden brown hair flowing down till her waist
"So, are you excited for the 1st day of our middle school chi-chan?" Tsubasa asked chihaya.
"Hai.."Chihaya replied nervously as she was not sure what to expect on the 1st day of school moreover she didn't knew anyone in Teiko middle was lucky enough that Tsubasa was her neighbor at least she knew someone it was better than knowing no one.
Today was just the opening ceremony, the crowd was increasing as they were approaching near school. Everyone seemed to be excited for first day of middle school. While chatting on random topics and walking towards the school entrance Chihaya spotted a big car stopping near the school. From the backseat a young boy with red hair came out. Lucky him to have such a comfortable ride till school. Her thought processes was broken when Tsubasa called out for her from far ahead and went there quickly.
As she was going towards Tsubasa she saw a boy with green hair,and taping on his left hand's finger talking with her friend.
"You are late Tsubasa".The boy said in a plane bored tone.
"Oh come-on shin-chan there are still 5 minutes for opening ceremony! Don't make such a hassle."Tsubasa replied in such a friendly and informal tone which made Chihaya wonder whether both of them knew each other.
Apart from that Chihaya was also wondering was this the first time that she had seen that boy? The face was reminding her of someone but no luck remembering name or anything.
"Here, Chi-chan this is my twin brother Shintaro, Midorima Shintaro. And shin-chan this is Kagami Chihaya, our new neighbor."Tsubasa introduced both of them, she can see the shocked face of Chihaya after knowing about her twin brother.
"But Tsuba-chan you don't look alike!Um… Sry I mean…"
"It's Ok chi-chan I know it is hard to believe at first glance but me and shin-chan are Fraternal twins means we are non-identical twins." Tsubasa replies calmly to that outspoken reaction.
"Why didn't you told me this morning?" Chihaya asked still not believing her friend.
"It is not a big deal Chi-Chan, often we don't get along, and Shin-chan declared this beforehand that we should go to school separately so you didn't meet him in morning. Besides Chi-chan shouldn't be surprised you told me you had a twin brother right?"
Now that Chihaya thought she and Taiga also don't look alike. It was such a stupid question. Thinking of Taiga made her sad, her whole life they were never apart for this many days and this time he was gone for god knows for how much time. It was kind of lonely without him, there was no one with whom she could share everything immediately. Emailing doesn't give the same joy as when speaking in person. It will be hard for some days Chihaya thought. Tsubasa was walking besides her looking at her friend's sad face she wondered if she made a mistake by bringing her brothers topic. It is hard to be separated from sibling for long period of time. Like she can't live a day without talking with Shintaro. She made a mental note that not to bring this topic unless it is necessary.
The opening ceremony ended quickly Chihaya didn't paid attention to what was being said from the dais. The only moment she actually paid attention when the student who topped the entrance exam came to address everyone, he was the same person she saw getting out from the car. While sitting on the second last row most of the time she was searching for any familiar faces or predicting who can play karuta.
After the opening ceremony finishes I should look if this school has karuta club or not. Chihaya thought.
"Whoa! That was a long ceremony. I am so exsosted."Tsubasa said while letting out a big yawn.
"Opening ceremonies are important. You should have listened closely Tsubasa." Shintaro said in an irritated voice.
"Whatever….Hey Chi-chan chat club are you joining? I am joining Basketball club and shin-chan is also joining the same. Have you thought about any club? If not lets join Basketball club together it will be fun."Tsubasa seemed very excited by mentioning basketball.
"Umm.. I was thinking of joining Karuta club. I don't know if this school has one or not but I am just going to explore. Both of you go ahead and register."Chihaya replied her.
"Kruta is pretty intresting sport. On which class you are currently?" The green headed boy talked with for the first time.
"Yes I know Karuta is great. And you just watch out I will become queen one day. By the way I am in class C currently. Do you like Karuta Shintaro-kun?"Chihaya was so much excited at Midorima's question. Because normally when she tells that she likes karuta everyone just gives an awkward look. But it was first time someone has shown any interest in it.
"Shin-chan and karuta! No way Chi-chan. He doen't get time after playing basketball and sogi and I can't picture him playing karuta."Tsubasa said laughing hard. It was impossible for her to imagine him playing anything apart from sogi and basketball.
So,after deciding the meeting point and agreed to meet on the gate in an hour Chihaya went to search for Karuta club. The Twins headed where the basketball club's registration were going on. Teiko's basketball club was famous and apparently strongest among all the middle schools. There was long queue for registration.
As Tsubasa and Shintaro were waiting for their turn Tsubasa suddenly asked her brother " Ne Shin-chan, what do you think about Chi-chan? She is cute right?"
"Don't say useless things Tsubasa I am not interested in her what so ever. Stop your over active imagination."
"Oh don't give me that. I know you too well, When I was introducing her you looked interested. Don't fool me."
"Shut up and move forward our number has arrived." Shintaro denied her sisters question but no matter what he did the image of Chihaya when he first saw her in park kept popping in his mind.
After enrolling themselves in basketball club the twins headed towards the main gate. When they reached there Chihaya was already waiting for them. Looking disappointed.
"What happened chi-chan,no luck in finding Karuta club?"
On This question Chihaya's eyes become all teary, it was looking like she will cry at any moment. Karuta was only thing for which she stayed back. She was really looking forward for joining Karuta club in school but now it was looking like she had no choice but to practice in Shiranami society.
"Don't get disheartened chi-chan, there are other clubs you can join, if nothing else join basketball club. For now lets go home. Shin-chan are you coming with us?"Tsubasa tried to cheer her friend.
"You girls go ahead. I have some work."Shin-chan replied plainly as always.
After walking in a long silence Chihaya tried to start a conversation.
"Tsuba-chan how did you started playing basketball? There are so many rules I get confused so I never tried."
On such a honest statement Tsubasa laught "Basketball is rather simple, you don't have to learn anything like in Karuta, just one goal put ball in the basket. And I really can't remember why or how I started playing , most of the time I gave company To Shin-chan for practicing and developed a liking towards it."
She really likes basketball.Chihaya thought.
For the remaining walk they talked on random things. They stopped near a convenience store to buy an ice cream, and continued heading towards home. After reaching home Chihaya bid her farewell to Tsubasa and went straight to her room.
It was an exhausting somehow I think these 3 years will be fun…...Chihaya quickly fell asleep.
A/N I know some words are missing. Seriously I have no idea what happened. I checked original doc. It was ok. I will correct it ASAP. Till then enjoy