A/N: Thank you for all the favourites/reviews/alerts etc. I'm sorry I'm a trash panda writer.
You Were Conceived Next to a Tortoise Enclosure
…the Beginning of the End
Nijimura sat on the picnic table outside of the first-string gymnasium. Crouched beside him, knees folded into her chest was Tsukino. She glared at the blades of grass as if willing them to catch fire.
"Normally, I would demand an apology if one of my underclassmen made me chase them through the school just for a chat," said Nijimura.
"I'm sorry," Tsukino said, adding devastatingly, "that you're so slow."
She flinched as Nijimura raised his hand. He gave her hair a little ruffle.
"Playing at demon came in handy in more ways than one," remarked Nijimura. "What are you up to now?"
"Twenty kilos."
Nijimura let out a low whistle. "There's no way your brothers are going to catch up to you now. Bet you could even give Aomine a run for his money."
Her expression soured at the mention of Teiko's indisputable ace, but Nijimura didn't comment. The two idiots had plenty of time to figure it.
"When you retire, make sure you take the weights out before you pass it on to the next Demon," he said. "I'm not going to be held responsible if you end up crushing a child's spine."
"You're not gonna be here anyway," muttered Tsukino.
The hand on her head tightened dangerously. "Pay attention, brat, your senior has something important to say."
When she didn't respond, there was another meaningful squeeze on her skull.
"I'm going to miss you," said Nijimura. "You're a good kid, even if you did throw a paint balloon at my head the first time we met."
"I'm glad you're leaving," said Tsukino, a little too loudly. "Now there's no one to stop me from carrying out my devious plots."
"Oh yeah," said Nijimura raising an eyebrow. "I guess I did ride you pretty hard this year."
"You gave me an STD."
"…"
"Sometimes I have nightmares about the punishment trials and wake up in a cold sweat."
Nijimura thought about this for a second and then said, "PTSD."
"That's what I said. You gave me a PTSD."
"Right," Nijimura said stiffly. And then a softness overcame him. "I really am proud of you, Tsukino. And it's not just me either. You've made a lasting impression on a lot of people this year."
"So what? A bunch of first years holding up Demon posters at the finals? Bet they'd freak out if they knew who was really under the head."
"The Demon is great and everything," Nijimura said, measuring his words out carefully, "but that's not what I meant."
"Yeah, I know. It's cos I figured out how to get that yellow stain out of the-"
"No."
"Oh right, because I beat Haizaki with a mop handle."
Nijimura looked like he was about to argue, then the memory resurfaced, and he found himself smiling. There had been some bright moments this past year.
"After graduation, I'm leaving for the states," he said. "There's an experimental treatment there. The doctors hope it'll help my dad."
By now the news of Nijimura's father had spread quietly through the club and he was thankful for the grace they had shown. Although, in Tsukino's case this meant there was absolutely no interruption in her usual catalogue of chaos.
"Anyway," said Nijimura getting to his feet, "I'm here for a few more days- if you want another go at the punishment trials, that is."
He had been expecting it when he turned around, the expression on her face. It managed to catch him off guard all the same. He really was going to miss the little gremlin.
"One last word of advice kid," said Nijimura, kneeling down and poking her hard on the forehead. "In a year, you'll be leaving too, and this part of your life, the Demon of the First-String part of your life, it'll be over. But you'll still be Tsukino Kame. Remember that. Don't let anybody tell you who you are or what you're worth. Or you'll have to deal with me. Faster than me or not."
If Nijimura was surprised when she flung her arms around his neck, it did not stop him from returning the hug.
One final bright moment.
Some months later…
Clipboard gripped tightly against her chest, Momoi stared at the two young men standing sheepishly before her.
"We're really sorry," said Kira. "We wanted to tell you sooner but…"
"There just never seemed to be a right time," said Nakadan, shrugging. There was something intrinsically wrong about the dark shadows colouring such an easy-going face.
"Maybe- maybe you could reconsider?" Momoi asked, her voice cracking. "I could talk to the others and-"
"Please, don't," Kira said urgently. Momoi recalled Aomine's vicious drive knocking Kira down in last week's practice game. They had been on the same team. "We don't want to cause any trouble."
"Yes," said Momoi. "I understand."
"Do you know where Tsukino-san is?" asked Nakadan. "We wanted to tell her before she hears it from someone else."
"She normally hangs out on the roof at break time," said Momoi. "You might be able to catch her before she leaves."
"Thank you for everything, Momoi-san," said Kira, bowing along with Nakadan. "Thank you for taking care of us. We'll never forget your kindness."
That brought the number of members to quit the first-string up to six, thought Momoi, her eyes glued to their disappearing backs.
After the coach collapsed, her childhood friend's passion for basketball fractured, and a long with it, the team she loved so much. Maybe they could have survived. Maybe they could have brought Aomine back if it was just him. But it was all of them. One by one, they'd fallen to something bigger than she could see. It didn't help that neither captain, nor coach saw any reason for the members of the "Generation of Miracles" to attend practice so long as they won their games.
That nickname really irked Momoi. It had officially come into circulation after the Winter Nationals ended and hung around the basketball club like a bad smell. And they were starting to get a reputation for their style of play.
Victory is absolute.
It had once seemed like such a proud motto, a battle cry to enflame their fighting spirits. Now the words turned to ash in Momoi's mouth.
A few times, she'd tried to broach the subject with Kuroko, the only person she saw getting through to those stubborn idiots, but these days even he seemed out of reach. Now the only people she had left were-
"I know his little sister is on the swim team, but why the hell is he always around?" came a boisterous voice. "I swear I'm gonna punch him in the face."
"Perhaps a more delicate approach would be more appropriate."
"Sakata, that's too dark, even for me."
"I believe you will come round in time."
"Momoi!" Tsukino exclaimed, jogging over. She swung an arm around Momoi's neck, something she could do more easily now that she'd grown yet another inch (the blessed day had been marked by a two-page spread in the swim club's newsletter). "Were you waiting long?"
"Did Nakadan and Kira find you?" Momoi whispered.
"Ah, yeah… they did."
An awkward silence expanded between them.
"We apologise for the delay," said Sakata, materialising in front of them as if daring them to converse without her.
Around her neck glinted her third of the golden friendship charm Momoi had bought for Tsukino's fourteenth birthday. It was supposed to be a two-way charm at first, for herself and Tsukino, then Sakata accidentally broke it with the heel of her shoe. With unparalleled tact, Momoi agreed to buy a new one for all three of them to share. Tsukino wore hers as an earring, while Momoi had attached hers to a bracelet. No one had taken them off in the five months since they'd received them.
"So what were you guys talking about just now?" asked Momoi.
"We were discussing Okada," explained Sakata as they headed to the cafeteria. "I have suggested we set his house on fire, but this has been met with undue resistance. Nevertheless, he must be stopped."
With inflated cheeks, Momoi glared resolutely at the skyline. "I agree with Riyeko-chan. Little sister or not, that guy's a real nuisance."
Graduation had not deterred Okada's bizarre attachment to Tsukino. There was an unspoken understanding between everyone -everyone that was not Tsukino- that he had intentions. It wasn't that Tsukino was oblivious, it was simply that she hated Okada so much and with such ferocity the idea of his having intentions simply did not cross her mind. In fact, she was convinced that he had to be after her brilliant prank ideas, something everyone in the immediate vicinity agreed was impossible.
"Did you hear what Sakata said?" asked Tsukino, head tilting. "I don't know if arson would look very good on a high school application."
A stream of cartoon hearts exploded around Momoi and Sakata. Quickly, Tsukino climbed up the nearby wall and put as much distance between them as she could.
"Oh my god, Kame-chan! You're talking about high school applications," squealed Momoi, pressing her hands to her cheeks and spinning around. "This is amazing."
"I never thought I'd see the day," said Sakata. Pumping her fist, she added in a whisper, "Vindication!"
"I don't know if I should feel offended right now," said Tsukino, scowling.
"Can you blame us? You were bottom of the year until a few months ago. And even now you are crawling your way up the league table at a snail's pace."
"Or a tortoise's pace."
"Haha. That was a good one, Momoi-san."
They high fived each other.
"Why are you two always ganging up on me?" moaned Tsukino, dragging her fingers down her face. "What have I done to deserve such cruel friends?"
"Anyway," said Momoi, "how are you guys planning on dealing with Okada-senpai?"
"Let's kick his little sister off the team," said Tsukino, eyes lighting up.
"As my vice-captain, I am appalled that you would make such a dishonourable suggestion."
"So arson is okay but this is where you draw the line?"
"Yes."
"Oooh, what if you cut the brakes on his bike?" Momoi suggested, linking her arm with Sakata's. "A few broken legs wouldn't be too bad, right? And it would be hard to trace back to you."
"You may be onto something, Momoi-san."
Tsukino looked on in horrified admiration.
The cafeteria was always busy at the start of lunch but today was especially bad because one of the neighbouring middle schools was here for a tour. Tsukino, Momoi and Sakata joined the densely packed queue and were immediately shoved forwards by another wave of students. They weren't there long before Tsukino caught sight of a familiar shock of light blue hair ahead of them. Brandishing her swim club pin, Tsukino elbowed their group forwards staring down any and all small children that deigned to meet her eyes.
"Kame-chan, I really don't feel comfortable when you do that," Momoi whispered. "Hi, Kuroko-kun."
"It's perks," said Tsukino, polishing her swim club badge proprietorially. She pinned it carefully back on her cardigan.
"It really isn't," said Kuroko. There was no need to sigh anymore. He was the sigh. The sigh was him.
"The continued misuse of your badge will lead to its confiscation," said Sakata.
"You can pry it out of my cold, dead hands," Tsukino muttered under her breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" Tsukino said quickly. "Hey, isn't that Kise? Oi, Kise!"
Kise was indeed some way ahead of them, encased by a group of middle schoolers who never would have dreamed they'd be standing in the same queue as the Kise Ryouta. When he caught sight of them he made his excuses and pushed his way backwards, grateful to be in the proximity of someone whose smile could shut down a beach.
"Thank god you're here," said Kise, wiping the sweat dramatically from his brow. "I can't take another minute of their incessant questioning."
"Kise-kun is even more famous these days," said Kuroko, looking straight ahead.
Kise ran his hand through his hair and a few camera flashes went off. "Yeah, there seems to be work every day."
"But not this weekend right," said Tsukino, poking him hard on the shoulder. "You promised we'd finally get to Craft, Craft, Craft this weekend. Theres a new range of spray paints I want to try out."
"Right, yeah," Kise said, his smile a little stiff. "Of course."
"'Cos you've cancelled like six times. If you cancel this time, I'm gonna have to shave your head."
"You said that the last six times," said Kise, his smile softening a little.
"Yeah, well, this is your last chance," snapped Tsukino.
Kise caught Kuroko's eye over her head and promptly looked away.
"How about I pay for lunch, huh?" he said pleasantly.
Tsukino pulled his wallet out of her pocket. "Sounds good."
"Tsukinocchi!"
The three girls and Kuroko sat at one of the canteen tables in the corner while Kise excused himself to go have lunch in his classroom. Though he would never escape the admirers, there was at least a limit to the amount of people a classroom could hold, and his veteran classmates were no strangers to barricading the doors if needed.
"You know, I can always go with you to Craft, Craft, Craft," Kuroko said to Tsukino as she stuffed her face full of both the lunch Kise had bought her and Saburo's bento. "I'm free this weekend."
"Thash niyshe," said Tsukino, swallowing. She stabbed her chopsticks in his direction. "I appreciate your desire to spend time with me; the light of your life. But I have standards, Tetsuya, standards. And your penny-pinching ass would never allow me to realise my vision."
"Is your vision bankruptcy?"
Tsukino shook her head sadly to herself. "This is exactly why I need Kise."
Kuroko caught Momoi's eye and she gave him a helpless little smile. Meanwhile, Sakata had slammed the infamous binder down on the table in front of Tsukino, who immediately began to sweat. Opening it up, Sakata read aloud today's itinerary, pausing after each item as Tsukino confirmed completion. She did not dare fall behind. Not after what happened last time. The DVDs had been returned to her in the fullness of time, but Tsukino would never know what horrors they were forced to witness hidden away in Midorima's bedroom.
"Everything appears to be in order. I will call you this evening to ensure the rest of your schedule has been completed," said Sakata.
"I look forward to it," Tsukino said in a thin, cracked voice.
On their way back to class, Tsukino spotted a familiar sight. Parting from her friends she slipped into a storage closet. There was a vent behind some boxes, the cover removed and propped up against the wall beside it. She took something palm sized and black from her bag, wound it up, and placed it inside. Then she stood back and waited. It didn't take long for the screaming to start.
Tayama threw himself out of the vent at record speed, aggressively patting down his body and whimpering. He froze when he caught sight of Tsukino and instantly went slack.
"Wind-up rat?" asked Tayama.
"It was a gift from Sakata for getting fifty percent in my maths test," said Tsukino, grinning. "Been waiting for a good time to use it."
"I think I crushed it on my way out."
"That's not the only one she got me."
"Oh. Good."
"So, what're you hunting for today?" Tsukino asked him amiably as they left the storage closet.
"There's a rumour that the spirit of a teacher murdered by his students wanders the hallway searching for children with unkempt uniforms so that he can choke them with their own ties."
Tsukino looked down. "Wanna use me as bait?" she asked.
"I don't think I can afford you."
"You can pay me off in instalments."
"Same interest rates as last time?"
"You know it."
"I'll pass for now."
Tsukino gripped his shoulder, gaze steady and earnest. "Remember, Tamagoyaki. You and I, we have a special bond. No one else would ever help you the way I would."
Tayama placed a hand gently over hers. "And I'm so grateful for that."
Tsukino swept away majestically, secure in the knowledge of her beneficence, entirely oblivious to the double meaning in his words.
History was the last lesson of the day and Tsukino found herself struggling to stay awake let alone focus on what the teacher was saying. Just when she thought she couldn't take the droning voice of Ubaraki-sensei any longer, a small squishy tortoise landed on her desk. Looking back over her shoulder, she saw Sakata nod her encouragement and snapped it up quickly, awakened by the promise of further gift giving. Under the table she joyfully squished the squishy until its eyes bulged out of its head. This was her thirty-second tortoise. One day she would have an army.
"Now, in order to complete this project, you are going to have to work with a partner," said Ubaraki-sensei. "I would like everyone to stand up and get into their pairs as soon as possible."
Immediately, Tsukino turned around and she and Sakata grasped arms in a show of manly fortitude, eyes locked in a fiery gaze.
"No," said Ubaraki-sensei, descending upon their beautiful partnership like a vulture. "I know how this goes, you two. You join up as partners and Sakata-kun does most of the work."
It was rare for Sakata to be caught off guard, but her expression morphed into one of deep offense. "I take issue with your implication that I let Tsukino coast, Ubaraki-sensei. She is allotted tasks that are well suited to her ability, and I can assure you that she maintains a strong work ethic while completing them."
For a moment, Ubaraki appeared taken aback by Sakata's unexpected sharpness, but rallied magnificently. "That's just it, Sakata-kun. You give Tsukino-kun the easy tasks and take the hard ones for yourself. Then, and let's be honest here, you're left with a grade that doesn't accurately reflect an equal l evel of teamwork."
"I respectfully disagree," said Sakata. "By its very definition, teamwork is about identifying strengths and weaknesses and using this information to work collaboratively."
"You are not incorrect."
"Are you suggesting that Tsukino be given tasks she cannot complete?"
"I'm suggesting an equal partnership with equal input."
"Equality is not the same as equity. What you are proposing is unfair and sets Tsukino up for failure."
To show her support, despite not knowing what was going on, Tsukino chimed in with a "Yeah!"
"Sakata-kun, I appreciate how much you care for your friend," said Ubaraki, "but I'm putting my foot down. Find different partners—and no, Tsukino-kun, you cannot work with Midorima-kun either. It's the same problem. In fact, Sakata-kun, you work with Midorima-kun, and Tsukino-kun, you find someone else."
Tsukino looked on in horror as Sakata was ushered away from her, clinging onto her arm until the very last second when they were wrenched (tugged) forcibly (gently) apart.
After that it was a free for all. Tsukino hopped from desk to desk searching for a partner, but no one was willing to take a chance on her. It wasn't that for the better part of two years she had terrorised the school as Teiko's most prolific delinquent. They had been with Tsukino since the beginning and as one does in these kinds of situations developed a sort of hard mental shell around themselves, much like the calloused patch of skin that had formed on Midorima's right buttcheek. No, class 3-D were simply unwilling to take responsibility for Tsukino's grades. Not when they knew about the binder.
When it was beginning to dawn on Tsukino that she might actually have to complete this project by herself, Ubaraki-sensei took pity on her and threw her a lifeline.
"The reason you're struggling to find a partner is that there's an uneven number of students in the class," she said.
Tsukino's eyes brightened. "You'll have to put me in a three! I vote Midorima and Sakata!"
"You misunderstand me, Tsukino-kun," said Ubaraki, her smile erring on the smug side. "There's an uneven number of students in the class right now."
One would like to think that at this point it dawned on Tsukino. Alas her lack of object permanence was so strong that she had once forgotten what her father looked like because he was working overseas for a few months. Fortunately, the elementary school had his picture on file, so they were able to clear up the misunderstanding before the police arrived. It had taken weeks to get Papa Tsukino to stop crying. Ichiro had never been happier.
"Aomine-kun isn't here," Ubaraki said finally, throwing her a bone.
And there it was. The dawning of realisation. "He's even lazier than I am!"
Ubaraki gave her a pointed look.
"As lazy as I am!"
The look persisted.
"He's almost just as lazy as I am," Tsukino grudgingly relented. "Probably on some rooftop right now looking at dirty mags."
"Equal partnership."
Ubaraki didn't know it yet, but she was about to discover the true extent of horror stick figure drawings could convey.
History ended soon after and Tsukino spent most of homeroom trying to figure out what a failing grade would do to the timeline of the binder. No doubt Sakata would find a way to add more tuition time. Maybe she'd even get her brothers involved. And they were afraid of Sakata so they wouldn't refuse. They'd seen what she'd done to their little sister after all.
"I believe in you," Sakata said as they left the classroom.
She said it as if it was an indisputable truth. It made the thought of disappointing her that much more terrifying. It was like denying God in the face of a religious fanatic; stupid and lethal.
"Thanks," Tsukino said thinly, staring at her feet.
"Cheer up," commanded Sakata. "You have swim practice now and a little birdie has told me that you are making good progress. In fact, you might even say you are coming along quite swimmingly."
"…"
"I made a pun."
"I can see that."
"You're not going to laugh?"
"Honestly, I'm a little frightened."
"Laughter is the best medicine."
"Haha."
"Do you feel better?"
"No."
"Hahahaha," intoned Sakata. "I feel better."
Splash!
The surface tension of the water broke as a domed head emerged to the sound of cheering.
"Time?" asked Tsukino, gasping for breath.
"A personal best," exclaimed Ai, waving the stopwatch excitedly over the lip of the pool. "You're so amazing, vice-captain."
Glancing over her shoulder, she sought out Sakata at the other end of the pool. She was running drills with the first years but had still managed to find the time to retrieve and hold up two score paddles emblazoned with Tsukino's shark-toothed grin. Mirroring the expression, Tsukino pulled herself out of the water, practically floating on air.
If she kept up at this rate, Sakata said she would be able to qualify for the elementary school championships in no time. Obviously, this was not strictly allowed because in spite of her overall size, attitude, and, come to think of it, grade point average, Tsukino was not an elementary school student. But it was still nice to think that soon she'd be a vice-captain who could actually qualify for a competition.
After she'd changed squeezed the damp out of her curls, Tsukino headed to the library. It was very nearly time, and since she knew how much he despised tardiness she made sure to stop off at the vending machine and think extra hard on what snack she should get.
"You're late," Midorima said as Tsukino plonked down opposite him ten minutes later. A series of textbooks had been fanned out across the table in front of the imperious young man.
"Not according to Frankenstein," said Tsukino, lips smacking loudly as she chewed.
"Einstein," Midorima corrected automatically, a weariness in his voice. Unlike Kuroko, he had yet to become the sigh. Soon though. "Albert Einstein."
"No," said Tsukino slowly, as if talking to a small child. "Frank-Einstein."
There was silence.
"Are you rethinking your life choices again?" asked Tsukino.
"Yes."
Tsukino slammed something down on the table in front of Midorima.
"What-?"
"When I saw tomorrow's predictions, I figured even a weirdo like you would struggle to get your hands on one of these," said Tsukino, unwrapping one of her chocolate bars while sat in front of the sign that read 'No Food or Drink.'
"Where did you get this?" breathed Midorima, holding it up into the light.
"My Grandma used to be a dancer. Also, don't you think it's weird how oddly specific Oha-Asa has been getting lately," said Tsukino. "I mean a left six-inch, red stiletto heel?"
"It's not for us to question the wisdom of the stars," said Midorima, placing the shoe reverently into his bag.
"What happens when she says you gotta wear a bra or a thong or dye your pubes blonde or something?"
They stared at each other for a while. Eternity stretched away in Midorima's eyes.
Taking out her workbook, Tsukino opened it up to the English essay he'd set her last week and slid it across the table. Gratefully, he took the book and began to mark it.
"I was wondering why you kept itching your butt last month."
"Shut the BLEEP up!"
A heavy bag landed on his stomach and Aomine awoke swearing loudly at the pink-haired manager tapping her foot by his head.
"Dai-chan, you need to set an alarm," said Momoi, her annoyance replaced with concern as she bent down to head level. "You missed half the school day today! Practice is one thing but skipping class is another."
"Ah shit," said Aomine, rubbing the sleep from his eye. "Someone say something?"
"Not today. But they were asking questions. It won't be long till the disciplinary committee get involved. The only thing holding them off is the fact that the coach is behind you."
"Uh-huh."
"Also, you have a history project due next week," said Momoi. "You've been partnered up with Kame-chan."
There was a flicker of something, maybe annoyance in Aomine's expression but it was hard to tell these days.
They climbed down from the roof and headed to the school gates. Aomine didn't talk much, except to complain about how hungry he was so Momoi was left to carry the bulk of the conversation. She explained what the history project was as far as she knew and slipped into a comfortable ramble about her day. Before at least she would get some ums and ahs as signs that he was listening, but now it felt like she was talking to the void.
"What the hell are you even doing here?" sounded a familiar voice. The conversation grew louder as they neared the gates.
"Can't a guy come by and say hello to one of his old kouhais!" returned an annoyingly ingratiating voice.
Aomine who had been in his own little daydream snapped out of it when he realised Momoi had gone silent.
"What's with you?" he asked, watching as storm clouds gathered in her brow.
At this point the two people arguing came into view.
"Swim club ended an hour ago!" exclaimed Tsukino.
"Shinju's studying in the library," said Okada, leaning against his bike. "She'll be out in ten minutes. Want me to walk you home?"
"Listen, buddy," Tsukino hissed in a low voice. "You will never get your hands on my list."
"Once again," said Okada, smiling brightly, "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
"Kame-chan," greeted Momoi, skipping over and hugging her friend's side tightly. The shorter girl was trembling with rage. "Are you going home? Walk with us?
"Huh?" said Tsukino. "Oh, hey Momoi."
"Nice to see you again, Momoi-san," greeted Okada.
A dark shadow appeared over them. They all craned their heads up at the imposing figure of Teiko's indisputable ace to see an expression of… absolute boredom.
"We live in the opposite direction," Aomine said to Momoi. "There's no point in Tsukino walking with us."
Momoi opened her mouth to protest but Okada chimed in before she could.
"Don't worry, Momoi-san," he said. "Me and Shinju can drop Kame-chan off. It's no trouble."
"That's a nice bike," Momoi said sweetly, committing the image to memory.
"Thanks," said Okada.
"How are the brakes?"
"Um, okay. They do the job."
"That's good," said Momoi, her smile seeming to grow even sweeter. "Wouldn't want you to get into any accidents."
"Yeah, that would suck," said Okada, and then turned his attention back to Tsukino. "So, how about it, Kame-chan? There's an ice cream parlour on the way that I've been dying to try out."
Just then the shadow Aomine had been projecting grew and instinctively everyone turned to him. His expression had not changed.
"I said there's no point in Tsukino walking with us," said Aomine. "So, we'll walk her home."
His bored gaze remained fixed on Okada for a few seconds longer and then he started walking in the direction of Tsukino's house.
Not about to wait for Okada's sly little brain to catch up with what just happened, Momoi dragged Tsukino away. They jogged to catch up with Aomine, whose quick strides had taken him a good distance.
"That guy is the worst," said Momoi.
"I liked how you not so subtly threatened to kill him," Tsukino remarked, gazing proudly at her pink haired friend.
"Maybe we should have offered to walk him home," said Momoi. "Then we could've found out where he lives."
"I'm not sure Sakata and I have been a good influence on you."
"I disagree," said Momoi, beaming. "Right, Aomine-kun?"
Even a noncommittal grunt was too much to ask. But Momoi wasn't going to let that dampen her spirits. Not when for the first time this academic year she, Aomine and Tsukino were walking home together. It wasn't like he and Tsukino weren't friends anymore, thought Momoi, humming happily. Sure, they didn't spend any time together, and Saburo no longer made an extra bento for Aomine, and Tsukino had stopped joking that he was her boyfriend… But that was okay! Everyone was just so busy. Tsukino had her binder and Aomine was dealing with his basketball related existential crisis…
"Oh no!" exclaimed Momoi, struck by brilliance. "I think I left my umbrella at school!"
"It's not raining," said Tsukino.
"It's the one Riyeko-chan bought for my birthday."
Tsukino froze. Her voice was low and trembling when it came out, "The hell are you still standing here for then? Let's go-"
Momoi stepped back, waving her off. "No, no, I'll get it. You and Aomine-kun go ahead. I can walk home with Mi-chan. She should be finishing her dance practice right about now."
"But-"
It was too late. Momoi had skipped merrily away.
"Send me a picture when you find it," Tsukino called after her, defeated.
Aomine was much further ahead, having apparently not registered Momoi's departure.
"Momoi went back to get her umbrella," she told him when she'd caught up.
"It's not raining," said Aomine, quirking an annoyed eyebrow.
"It's the one Sakata got her for her birthday."
"The one that has your faces on it?"
"Yep."
"Creepy."
"They glow in the dark."
"Which-"
"The eyes."
They reached a busy crossing and paused to wait for the traffic light signal to change.
"Did Momoi tell you that we're partners," said Tsukino, staring ahead. "On the history project."
"Yeah."
"Just like that time when we first met."
There was another pause as the traffic light changed and they crossed the street.
"Me and Kuroko were in the first-string gymnasium, and you couldn't remember my name and-"
"Yeah, I remember."
Another pause. They'd reached the top of her street.
"Anyway-"
"So-"
They stared at each other.
"You wanna do it on Saturday?" Aomine eventually asked.
"Do what?"
He rolled his eyes. "The history project. No way am I gonna have Sakata breathing down my neck about you getting a failing grade."
"Oh right," said Tsukino. "I'm going to Craft, Craft, Craft with Kise in the morning. You can come over after that."
"Sure."
"It's a date," said Tsukino, and bit down on her lip as soon as she said it.
Another pause, then a nod, and he was gone.
The sun was orange when Tsukino got in. Number five had his face pressed up against the glass in anticipation of her arrival and his mouth split into a dimpled grin when he saw her. Now that he could walk, it was a lot harder to keep him from her. In fact, it was more frightening when she couldn't see him.
Opening the screen door, Tsukino held her hand out to keep Number Five at arm's length while she took off her shoes and tossed down her bag. Then he leapt. She did not need to support him. He clung to her leg like a koala.
"Late!" Number Five exclaimed as he was walked into the living room.
"Like you can even tell time," Tsukino said, flopping onto the couch face forward. Number Five giggled as he was crushed under the weight of his sister.
"Gettoff! Gettoff!" he squealed excitedly, trying to shimmy free.
Just when he'd almost freed himself, Tsukino rolled onto her back and flattened him once more. "Uh, why is this pillow so lumpy?"
Another shriek of laughter escaped the one-year-old as Tsukino wiggled in an attempt to flatten the 'pillow'.
Later, when Mama Tsukino came out of the kitchen, she found her youngest son gently combing through his sister's hair with his fingers, her head on his lap while she scrolled through her phone.
The front door clicked open, and Zinan appeared looking more haggard than usual, closely followed by Papa Tsukino.
"You ready to talk," said Papa Tsukino.
"Yep," said Zinan.
Tsukino glanced up as they went into the kitchen and shot her mother an enquiring, almost hopeful look. Zinan rarely got in trouble so Tsukino lived for these moments.
"Don't worry, we're going to sort it all out," said Mama Tsukino, and shut the door behind her.
Tsukino and Number Five shared a conspiratorial glance. Number Five had gotten very good at mimicking his sister's cartoonishly raised eyebrow, but he always burst into giggles a second later. Rolling over the back of the coach, Tsukino pressed her ear to the door.
"… worried about your studies…"
"…keeping up. I promise, Mum. It'll be fine."
"Why didn't you come to…?
"… don't have to push yourself…"
"You guys don't have to worry about…"
"Ichiro was able to…"
"…not gonna leave it up to…"
"We're here if you…"
"Remember you're not alone, Zinan."
She frowned. This did not sound like a dressing down. This sounded more like one of those supportive chats where Papa Tsukino plied you with hot chocolate and Mama Tsukino 'casually' steered the conversation towards your 'changing body' and the 'precious gift of life' you were now able to give, which, in Tsukino's opinion, her parents had been far too free with giving. Currently, the most recent recipient of said gift was practising Karate moves on her back while reciting the special fight chant Ichiro had taught to him.
"Raisin pups, butt on the seat, Diglet time, took my pant-ies…"
At the chorus, both siblings launched into an appallingly off-key rendition of Eye of the Tiger that would have made the angels start looking for a career change.
Author's Note:
I'm sorry there's so little Aomine in this chapter but there's definitely more in the next one!
My brain is currently skipping all the angst chapters and I've already got Post-Teiko shenanigans planned. Apologies but writing angst for these characters is tough. As you can see I've added yet another filler chapter to delay the inevitable. I usually limit Tsukino's perspective as much as I can to reflect how she's emotionally constipated but I guess its time to bite the bullet.
I'm sorry if the convo between her and Aomine was a bit meh. It was the last dialogue I wrote and if I didn't put it out I'd agonise for another six months.
Hope you enjoyed.