Author's Notes: Hello people! Sorry for not being able to update sooner… that doesn't matter as the next chapter is up… have fun!
Disclaimer: We don't own RK…
Chapter 13: A New Phase
"Do you... Do you mind bringing me to the airport tomorrow?" Aika asked, hoping that he wouldn't.
"…ok…" Aoshi replied, turning around to enter his house.
"Arigato!" Aika happily exclaimed but Aoshi didn't hear her; he was already halfway across the room.
The next day (Breakfast)
"Aika-chan, you're leaving today, right?" asked Aoshi's mother.
"Hai, Oba-san." Aika sadly replied.
"Ah. I see… and is Aoshi going to bring you to the airport?" Oka-san asked.
"Yes he is…" Aika answered.
"Very good, now I must go. I wish you a safe trip, Aika-chan." Said Oka-san, smiling.
"Sayonara and thank you, Oba-san." Aika said. So, Aoshi's mother left, leaving Aoshi alone with Aika. They continued to eat in silence until…
SCRAPE!
Aoshi stood up; he has already finished eating. He started to leave the room, but paused when he got to the door.
"We leave in an hour." Aoshi told Aika, his back facing her.
"Okay." Aika replied. Aoshi walked away, leaving Aika all alone…
Aika's POV
He… he hates me…? WAA! He hates me! He SO hates me! I shouldn't have asked him to bring me to the airport! He probably hates me for that! Ahhh! He's being colder than usual! It's all my FAULT! Okay Aika, clam down… everything's fine… just… relax…
As planned, the two left in an hour and finally arrived in the airport.
"Well… I'm going…" Aika said, a hint of sadness in her tone.
"Yeah. Goodbye. Take care…" Aoshi said, waving his hand and smiling slightly.
"Yeah. Bye. And thanks again, Aoshi…" Aika said. She turned around and boarded her plane.
'I wish I didn't have to leave…'
Back in the car…
"Let's head home." Aoshi ordered. And the driver drove away. Aoshi threw his head back, heaving a sigh.
'Misao… when will I tell you…?' He let out a deep sigh.
"What's that? A… basketball tournament?" Misao asked on the phone, her excitement rising.
"Yeah. Can you play for us?" The girl on the other line said.
"Mochiron! Definitely! Thank you so much!" Misao said, hanging up. She raised a fist in the air and ran around in circles.
"Araa… So, you're joining? How wonderful!" Mrs. Makimachi said.
"Alright! You'd better do well! I know you've been wanting to play for so long already…" Mr. Makimachi said.
"Thanks Mom, thanks Dad! I definitely will!" Misao said, fire burning in her eyes
The Next Day… (in school)
"Wha-? She's playing in the Intramurals?" Aoshi asked, shocked.
"Yeah. Didn't she tell you?" Soujiro replied, biting onto his sandwich.
"No…" Aoshi said, sipping on his juice.
Aoshi's POV
Misao's playing? She can't! What if she gets disabled for life? What if she gets hurt? What if someone plays rough on her? NO! I cannot allow that… I don't want that to happen to her… I don't want anything bad to happen to her!
Therefore… After Classes…
"Misao… may I have a word with you?" Aoshi asked.
"Huh? Okay…" Misao said, a confused expression crossing her face. He dragged her into the school garden.
"Listen, I heard you're playing basketball in the Intramurals… " Aoshi said.
"You did? How…" Misao said, panicking.
"Listen… Um… I just… please, don't play, Misao… if anything happens to you… basketball is a rough game. A lot of players get injured… and… if that happens to you… I… Misao, please back out." Aoshi said, struggling to put his emotions into sentences.
Misao's gaze soften.
"Aoshi… thank you for your concern, but… I… I already gave my word… and I'm an athlete… I have to… I'm sorry." Misao said firmly.
"No…! Misao… but, you can't…" Aoshi exclaimed.
"I'm sorry… I… I wanted to play ever since… this is the only chance I've got… I'm sorry, but I really can't… I can't let those girls down. We've never been given this chance to play together… I… hope you understand." Misao apologized. Aoshi was frustrated.
"Fine. Do as you please." And with that, he stormed away.
"Aoshi…" Misao was very sad. But what other choice did she have? It's not like she's the only one who might get hurt… But that's what an athlete is, right?
'I have to make sacrifices for the team… even if that means… Aoshi not talking to me… this is for the team…'
"I'm sorry…" she whispered.
Aoshi's POV
Ugh! Darn it… Misao… why doesn't she understand! I really don't want her to… I can't… The risk is too high! Why! Misao!
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Whoosh! The day of the Intramurals swiftly came and everyone was excited and in high spirits… everyone but the gloomy Shinomori Aoshi. He slowly made his way to his seat, his gaze fixed on Misao. The game was about to start.
'Augh… never mind him… I'll worry about that later…' Misao thought. She concentrated on the game and soon forgot about him.
And the games start…
Misao's team managed to lead in the first half, but the opposing team caught up in the third quarter. And now, they are tied in a very intense match in the fourth quarter.
'Got to… hang in there…' Misao thought. Megumi went inbound and passed the ball to Yuki (A/N: random person…). She dribbled across the court, but was surprised by a sudden cut by the opposing team's ace. The ball soared out of her control.
It headed out of bounds.
Misao raced towards the ball.
'We need this point… I won't lose!'
Misao sprang to save the ball…
Author's Notes: Nyahaha! Still not much in this chapter… not to worry! Something's coming up! Well, anything you want to say, feel free to tell us! Thanks again. More power to ya guys!