Eri's P.O.V

It's already 10 o'clock in the evening and I'm totally worn out for the day , though this is just the first day of the training camp . When we arrived here , we immediately given some task . Even though I'm not a player , I'm still exhausted as they are . I never got a chance to take a break .

I'm actually at the room , lying down on the small but comfy bed , good for one person . Actually this room is good for four person which means I'm sharing a room with the rest of the girls who is part of the club . I want to sleep but I can't because my stomach is ...

growl ~

... begging for food . I can't actually sleep with an empty stomach . Thanks to Sayuri and the others , they left but nothing for me . Their reason is " Oh , we're sorry . We didn't know . We thought that you already had your dinner ". So this is what I get in return after all the things I did to them ?! I should've think carefully before helping them .

* sigh * Nothing will happen if I'm just ranting to myself . Plus , I can no longer take back those happenings . What's done is done .

So I decided to leave to our room without making so much noise since my roommates were in their eternal slumber . I'm going to look for some food .

Few metres away to reach the dinning hall or kitchen area , hoping that there's a leftover food to quench my starvation . I reach the kitchen without difficulties since everyone was in their own room to rest . I open the closet to check what's inside and luckily there was a sliced bread . A few pieces of bread was enough for me . I'll just make an egg sandwich and brew a coffee .

My phone suddenly rang when I'm waiting for the egg to turned into a hard-boiled egg . I took my phone out of my pocket and slid it to answer the caller . Who is this caller ?

[ ERIIIIIII ! ] a loud voice greeted my poor ear on the other line that's why I quickly took away my phone into my ear .

" Oh it's just you , Tomo . What do you want at a time like this ? ", I greeted her in alazy tone of voice . Not even excited that my bestfriend called me .

She giggled , somehow she's kinda used into my attitude [ rude as always . So how's your training camp there ? Are you having fun ? ]

" uh ... more or less . Its too tiresome . I never got a chance to take a short break even now ".

[ Hmmm ... its seems that something happened there that made you displeased . Am I right ? ]

" Yeah .. it's not a big deal but after all the things I've done to them , they didn't even spare me some food saying that they thought that I already had a dinner . That's so lame ", I can't be helped but to share what I feel right now . She's a friend of mine , after all . ( one and only friend )

[ Wait , let me guess . They asked your help with your cooking skills reluctantly because they didn't know how to cook they can't say no to Akashi-kun that's why they're desperate to cook for the team ] she said in one straight sentence .

" Yeah , you're right . That's why they did that to me in return . Why they're acting like that to me ? I didn't do anything unless they're insecure at me ".

She laugh out loud in response [ Where did that confidence came from , Eri ? ] then she laughed once again after finishing her sentence .

A vein popped in my forehead , getting annoyed at her " Shut up ! ", she's still laughing .

" Isshiki Tomochika ", I called her in happy but annoyed tone " you can laugh all you want but this talk is getting nonsense . So prepare yourself when I come back . Okay ? ".

[ Eh ?! Wait Eri - ] before she could explain everything , I already hung up the phone .

I sighed " probably she's going to say " I was just kidding . Don't get mad " heh ... don't get mad , your face ", I mumbled between my gritted teeth while peeling the egg's shell .

" If you keep talking to yourself , people will think you're weird ", said the deep and calm voice that made me startle .

" Wha - oh ... its just you ... Akashi ", I manage to utter as I continue what am I doing .

" What are you doing here at a time like this , Eri ? It's past curfew , you should know the consequences when you go against the rule ", he uttered while walking forward to reach me .

" ... ?! I'm hungry and besides I haven't eaten anything . So no one can stop me now ", I plainly .

After peeling the egg's shell , I sliced it into minced as I pour the mayonnaise into the egg and stir it .

This is embarrassing , its too peaceful around here and I feel that this redhaired guy is watching me intently . This is making me nervous . I'm not used to it especially to the guy infront of me .

I cleared my throat to break this deafening silence " Do you need something , Akashi ? ".

" Nothing ", was his simple answer .

A long silence striked between us it lasted long when I'm finished what I'm doing . Ugh ... I'm getting annoy at him . If he don't need something then he should leave right ?

" Oi Akashi ... if you don't need something , then you should leave . You're creeping me out ", I straightforwardly said as I took a sip of my newly brewed coffee . I am now at the dinning table while Akashi is still standing .

He just smirked and quickly took the sandwich that I made .

" Oi ! ", I shouted at him .

" I'll take this ", but before I could take back the sandwich that he stole from me , he already took a bite as he spun around , leaving now at the dinning hall .

And he say something that is unexpected .

" You're qualified enough to be a wife . And also the dinner is delicious . I want to take another one ", he said in calm but blank expression .

I blushed a bit and looked away whole my eyes were shut " S-shut up ! ".

What's with him all of a sudden ? I just don't get him at all . Sometimes he is kind and sometimes he is arrogant and he is acting like he knows everything . But coming those words from him is rather unexpected . He's so hard to read .

" qualified enough enough to be a wife ... huh ", I muttered under my breathe .

" Heh ... as if I believe such a thing . That guy ... what's with him anyway ? ".

THIRD PERSON'S P.O.V

The next day ~

The sound of the ball that hit against the floor was echoing around the gym . In other words , the team started their practice for today . It's not a practice game against Taniyama , its a practice with the Rakuzan itself but sooner or later they will be having a practice game against Taniyama high school once again .

Today they will be having a mini game . Everyone is psyche up for the match to the point that everyone was busy warming up .

The sound of the whistle came , made by the team captain , causing the team to get their attention .

" Since everyone was done warming up , get ready for the match and choose the first five for the starting line up . Got that ? ", the redhaired captain commanded his team .

" hai ! ".

ERI'S P.O.V

" And as for you , Eri ", I tilted my head in response , bewildered on what on earth the captain was saying .

" Go get change and start warming up ".

" Warming up ? What for ? ", I have a bad feeling about this . There's something with those looks . More likely it was something about basketball , I guess .

Instead of answering my question , he just stared at me and thrown a question " You already notice it , didn't you ? ".

As I thought " I don't recall entering this club as a player , Akashi ".

" If I remember it correctly , you once sneaked at the other gymnasium where the second string member trains . You play basketball alone without even turning the lights on . Am I wrong , Eri ? ".

I froze " ... !? ", I clenched my fist tightly " How did you know ? I'm pretty sure that no one saw me that time ", I tried my best not to stutter and not loose my coolness , if I had , in front of him .

" I know you want to play right ? Since this is the rare opportunity , why don't you stop holding back ? ".

I was shocked with his words . What's wrong with him ? I don't want to admit ... i don't want to admit that ... how much I want to play , not just playing with my father but with a team .

Damn it !

" So Eri - ", I cutted him off .

" SHUT UP ! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME ? AND I DON'T RECALL ALLOWING YOU TO CALL ME BY MY FIRST NAME . YOU'RE SUCH AN ARROGANT ! I REALLY HATE YOU , AKASHI ! ", with that I fled so that I could escape with that guy and to escape with this feelings of mine .

THIRD PERSON'S P.O.V

A small ruckus faded away as soon as the dark haired woman fled , shouting the she hate the redhead man . Mostly of the team was glaring at her because of the way she treat their captain is out of the question .

The coach of the team can't be helped but to sigh and massage his temple " This is troublesome ", he commented in a low voice .

" Coach , why did you allow Akashi to let Takasugi play in this practice game ? ", the manager of the team questioned to the coach , who was currently sitting on the bench .

" I don't know what he is plotting at . But since this is not an official game I allowed him what he want to do . And I can see that Takasugi has a hidden potential . I want to see it with my own eyes ", he answered when the moment that the manager finished asking the middle-aged coach of Rakuzan .

" Coach ", he called lowly . Then he shifted his gaze into the court , watching the other players do each others business .

" How dare sge talked back to our captain ", one of the team of Rakuzan said as soon as Eri ran away in the gymnasium .

" Oi Akashi , you don't mean it , do you ? ", Nebuya asked , approaching his captain .

" No , I mean it ", he plainly said .

" huh ? ", everyone seemed confused .

" I just want to test her since I got permission to our coach ", he continued so that his team could understand what he's trying to say .

" Sei-chan , don't you think that's too much ? I mean ever since Takasugi came , you treated her different from the rest of us ", it seems that Mibuchi is trying to tick off the redhead guy in his usual tone of voice " You should treat woman nicely ".

He looked up to the tall guy so that he can contact Mibuchi's eyes " What do you know , Reo ? " .

" I-I'm sorry ".

The second quarter has started and I found myself in the middle of the court dribbling the ball while I guarded by the opponent .

REALLY ?! TAKASUGI ERI

WHAT ON EARTH AM I DOING HERE ?!

AND WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO MY MIND ?!

Takasugi Eri , what's wrong with you ? Complaining at Akashi earlier and now ... you're in the court playing with the team . Did you hit your head somewhere else ?

I can't pass through the opponent until I found a chance to pass the ball to my teammate , who is currently at his state then shoot ! A 2pts. shot . The score is 42 - 40 . We the blue string team leads the score .

I don't admit that ... I'm enjoying this little match and he is right . I never got a chance like this .

The ball is in my possession and as usual the other team was using a great defense .

' Remember what my father taught me ', I thought while dribbling the ball and looking for an entry . ' If I can't shake off to the one who marks me , then I should not hesitate to ... pass ', I pass it to my teammate who happens to be near at me .

I immediately charge to get closer to the goal and my teammate pass the ball to me once again as I perform a shot .

The whistle blew after I shoot the ball into the hoop . A sign of 2nd quarter has ended .

" Alright ! ", this is the first time that I feel so much happy and at the same time psyche up . I want to high five to the guy who passes the ball to me but he ignored me and immediately went to the bench .

Damn it . Do you even know how embarrassing is that ? I'm look like a fool here , you know . Before I could kick that guy out of the court I just silently went to the bench to rest for a while and also I'm thirsty .

THIRD PERSON'S P.O.V

" Impressive ", the grey haired man commented after he saw the performance of the only girl in the court .

" I never thought that Takasugi has a skill but why she didn't enter the woman's basketbal team instead ", the manager commented in awe when he saw Eri's performance .

The coach just watched silently at the game while sitting at the bench .

ERI'S P.O.V

It's the time for the third quarter . The 2nd string team , where I have assigned have already got my trust . Maybe I performed well so they have no choice but to trust me . It's not that I'm overwhelmed in my own strength , teamwork is the most important in basketball right ? So we need to trust each other .

The other team which is the yellow team changed members for the match even the blue team . Now the members of the other team was Nebuya Eikichi , Hayama Kotarou and the two other member of the yellow team ... and last but not the least

.

.

.

.

.

The team captain Akashi Seijuurou .

Somehow I feel nervous because I'm going to face the strongest member of the team and at the same time quite suspicious . It seems that this is Akashi's scheme all along but I'm not quite sure . I should not judge him because of the way he treats me .

On the other hand I was team up with Mayuzumi Chihiro and Mibuchi Reo . The whistle blew that snapped me out into my deep thoughts . I bottoms up the left water in the tumbler and stoop up to follow the team .

" Oi Takasugi , you should not make us disappoint or else ", Mibuchi warned me when he strode alongside with me , giving me such a fierce look .

I just nodded in response .

When Hayama caught the ball from his team , I immediately guarded him with all I've got .

" Man , I never thought that you can play well , Eri ", he uttered while dribbling the ball .

" Talking is strictly prohibited during the match " I simply stated to the guy infront of me .

" hm ? ... Is that so ? ", he asked innocently , probably he's just acting dumb " Well I was not planning to show my real strength and I think its worth showing it to you ", as he smirked . His tooth is sticking out of his mouth " hmmm ... I guess three is enough ", he slowly lift the ball and transfer it to his left hand .

" What ? ", I got shocked when he dribbled the ball .

What's with that dribble ? It's making so much noise and it looks like his fingers was giving so much force against the ball . With a blink of an eye , he pass through me even though my defence is strict as always .

I gasped " He's fast ", before I could manage to stay ahead with him , he already dunk the ball into the ring . Therefore , the yellow team was now leading the score 78 - 80 .

Hayama stick his tongue out to me like he is provoking me .

A vein popped in my head ' that guy ~ '.

Going back to the other side of the court . I marked my opponent , who I've been assigned to . I decided to take a peek into my teammate and out of nowhere a ball was passing through me as I caught it .

I was stunned by the sudden situation . How did the ball get over here ? I was certain the Mibuchi or the others pass it to me . Is there a magic on this ball or something ? Or this is one of the trump card of the Rakuzan team .

" OI TAKASUGI , DON'T JUST DAZE OVER THERE AND DO NOTHING ", the shoulder length haired guy or should I say Mibuchi shouted at me that made me snapped into reality .

I succeeded to break free from the one who marks me , as I started running as fast as I could . But when I break free to my opponent someone immediately guarded me . He has a calm but deadly gaze towards me with his mismatched eyes .

He was calmly observing me on what would be my next move .

I muffle exhaled to calm myself and not to show my nervousness to him . This is the first time that I will see him play . And what's interesting I'm playing against him .

Before I could attempt to break free at his defence , he already steal the ball into my hand without hesitation as if he is confident with his move or maybe he predict my next move .

" Damn it ", I said to myself as I chase him to go to the other side of the court .

Fortunately I made it in time before he could shot the ball into the ring . Instead of shooting it , he dribbled it once again .

" Move aside ", he commanded .

" As if ! ", I retorted .

He just gaze at me calmly . What would be his next move ? Will it be left ? Or right ?

It take a lot of sweat just thinking his next move . A lot of sweat were pouring down against my forehead and cheeks .

He dribbled the ball between his legs . He is now making a move .

It's in left .

I move forward in left side to steal the ball but before I could do that , I found myself falling on the ground . What's going on ? Did I stumble ? I was srill dumbfounded by the sudden event . Was it on purpose or just a coincidence ?

This is also happened when I disobey Akashi , the time when I first skipped my duties in the club . Coincidence ? No it can't be 'coz whenever I tried to guard Akashi same thing happens to me . I always ended up to fall on the ground and it HURTS , YOU KNOW !

" No one will win against my Emperor eye ", that's what he actually said when I fell on my butt for the fifth time .

Emperor ... eye ... huh

So that's his ability , Emperor eye , it can see your future . So no wonder why he can predict our moves easily . Right now , the gap is getting wider . We were left behind . 100 - 110 .

This is getting worst and I'm almost at my limit . But I should not give up after al we've been through . We need to shrink the gap of their scores between us . But the move I tried was futile , it's just getting wider over and over again .

Damn it . Without thinking some strategy , I went behind Nebuya without being noticed . I have a feeling that they will pass the ball to him .

Hayama pass the ball to Nebuya , who is guarded by my teammate when he is dashing to reach the hoop . Nebuya caught it and I prepared myself for everything .

He twirled around and everything became so dizzy as I fell on the ground once again . This is not Akashi's ability , its Nebuya's strong arm and elbow that collided against my forehead .

The whistle occur .

" Oi Takasugi , are you alright ? ", Nebuya asked with his usual tone .

" ... I'm fine ", I simply answered while my right hand was covering my forehead .

" Oi , oi , oi stop joking around . You're not fine ", that voice , it was from Hayama and I feel that he kneeled down to reach my level " Look , there's a blood on your face ".

I was strucked at Hayama's words . To confirm those word , I slowly took away my hand into my forehead and my world began to stop .

Bloods are covering my hand . I began to tremble . I can't even talk or think straightly . I can't even breathe normally . My chest is in pain .

" Oi , Eri ! ", Hayama called me but I ignored him . I can't talk to him right now .

The only thing I thought whenever I saw a blood was my past is haunting me . The day when my mothe died ... right before my eyes .

Don't hesitate to review this chapter . I will be glad if you do it . Tell me any suggestions or anything . If there's something wrong with my story please correct me . ^_^