CHAPTER 9
a/n : If you are not familiar with other characters that means that they are an extra character or they're an OC .
It was a vacation day and I already graduated at elemntary school . Sooner I will be going to middle school . Since it's still vacation , I was spending my time with my mother while father went out to work . We went to our backyard to play basketball since we have a court there . It was fun ... but that was also my worst ... day .
There was a creaking sound I've heard in the mini court but I paid no attention to it . Until the backboard was loosening its balance and fall .
" ERI WATCH OUT ! ", things become in slow motion as my mother pushed me away with all of her force .
Instead of me , who was going to hit the fallen backboard , it was my mother , bathing herself in her own blood .
I froze and my tears began to fell .
" No ... mother ... MOTHER ! ".
I suddenly wake up , panting heavily and sweats are pouring all over my face .
" So you finally wake up ", said the deep voice and I slowly shift my gaze to where I heard a deep voice .
" A ... ka ... shi ", I uttered lowly , gazing at his mismatched eyes .
I slowly sat " Where am I ? What happened ? ".
" In infirmary , I guess . And you passed out after seeing your own blood . Hematophobia ... huh ", he replied with a hint of boredom .
" Eh ? ".
" Judging by the reaction when you see your blood . You began to tremble , you're not aware of everything around you , not even answering everyones question . Your attention was just in your own hand . In other words , you have a phobia , hematophobia is the right thing to say ", he explained in his usual tone .
I nodded " As expected of Akashi Seijuurou ".
" Why are you so desperate to make a score ? I admit you're quite skilled but still you don't have enough powers to stay ahead with us , regulars . And besides there's Reo and Chihiro and your team , you shouldn't forgot them ", he suddenly questioned , gazing hardly at my eyes .
I clenched my fist together with a blanket as I bit my lower lip . I covered my eyes with my bangs . He's right why am I so desperate that time ? I totally forgot that I'm with Mayuzumi and Mibuchi .
It took a minute before I could answer him " It can't be helped , I don't feel I'm losing that time and ... I don't want to be left behind and also I've gotten to love basketball , that's all ".
" I've wanted to ask you eversince I become part of the club ", now its my turn to ask question ", I'll be blunt . Do you hate me ? I mean its just that there's a lot of time when you're so rude to me and sometimes you're kind towards me . I don't know what your plotting at . Just what do you want with me , Akashi ? ".
" ... I don't hate you . I just don't like disobeying my order because my order is absolute ", he stood up from his seat " If you obey me , things will turn out differently ".
He was about to leave but when he reach to doorknob , he suddenly said something " You should rest for the rest of the day . Your father will be coming soon ".
As soon as Akashi opened the door my father was already there , it seems that he ran from somewhere , a worried etched on his face .
Akashi nodded to my father before departing , but before he could proceed away into this room " Akashi thanks for bringing my daughter here ".
The red haired man nodded " Get well , Eri ", he said without looking at me then leave .
" Thank goodness Eri , you're safe ", as he wrapped his arms around be and hugged me tightly .
I smiled a bit " Dad , don't be such a drama . I'm fine , you don't have to worry that much . It's just a scratch ".
He parted away from me . He place his big hands on my shoulder , giving me a serious look " It's normal to get worried on you because you're my daughter . I don't want to break my promise to your mother . And I know that you had a hematophobia ".
I lower my gaze " So you know it all along . I thought you totally forgot about me to the point that you most spend your time with your team ".
" Now look who's a drama this time ", he teased .
" Wa - s-shut up ! ".
As what Akashi said , I spend the rest of the day in my room reading a book while lying down on the bed . This is the first time I obey him without complaining . I was here for more than an hours . But this is getting boring . I've doing this for a long time without even getting bored but now ... I'm getting sick of it . This is not me . For myself I'm not getting bored in reading . In fact , I can finish reading the book in just a day but now ... eversince I joined the club , everything changed . I was easily bored to the things I usually do every day and every night .
I place a bookmark to the last page I've read and closed it .
That's right today was the second day of practice match between the two different teams . I was wondering if could take a look at them . I also want to see how the Taniyama high school team play , a team that was under tutelage of my father .
" The third quarter will be over soon . I should go take a look ", with that , I swing my legs on the side of my bed as I stood up . I groaned . I felt that there was a stinging sensation when I stood up that's why I place my hand into my injured foreheard that covered with bandages .
After the pain faded away I quickly departed to my room . I should not miss the match for today .
As soon as I arrived the gym , I heard a whistle's tone , meaning that either of the teams made a score . I glance at the wooden sliding door , not to mention that I don't want them to see me .
My eyes widened when I saw the result , the other team was starting to loose its hope while the Rakuzan was still confident as they are . But not all the member of the Taniyama high are giving up . There's still one person who is still have a hope and still fighting with all he got , which is the team captain .
" Let's do it one more time ", he said while dribbling the ball . Before he could dash to the other side of the court , his ball was already stolen by the other team which is the captain of Rakuzan .
" DEFENSE ! DEFENSE ! DEFENSE ! DEFENSE ! DEFENSE ! ", the other member of Taniyama shouted , more likely they were cheering their teammates .
Just what happened to me when I fought them , when someone block Akashi , they will stumble and fall on the ground . Something was behind those trick . I notice that whenever they block Akashi , when they tried to move forward it seems that they stumble on their own foot .
Could it be ... ankle break ?
Minutes past and the game was over . The Taniyama got crushed while the Rakuzan got their victory . The score is 158 - 86 .
The players lined up and bowed " Arigatou gozaimasu ".
' This is bad , I should go back to my room as soon as possible ' , with that I quickly departed in the gym and go back to my own room .
I made it on time without even noticing with every single members of the Rakuzan basketball club unless that creepy redhead guy saw me while he's in the court . Whenever he easily read my mind and moves and sometimes showing his kindness to me it sent a chills into my spine . He's freaking me out .
But somehow I feel ...
* BA ~ DUM *
Ih ?! Why I suddenly thinking those things ? And why does my heart skipped a beat ? This is getting crazy .
Ah , that's right ! It's time for dinner . I should go get something to eat but not right now . I should let those guys , who work all day , eat their dinner first . It'll be rude if I show up out of nowhere so I should wait for an hour or so .
* knock , knock *
I suddenly jumped out into my bed that made me snapped out into my deep thoughts . I walk towards the door and opened it slightly , peeking who is behind the door .
" Oh , I thought it'll take forever to open the door for me ", so she was behind this door .
" Kazunori Sayuri ", I formally called her .
" This such a pain but here's your dinner ", as she shoved it to me , good thing that the food doesn't spill . After shoving the tray to me she immediately turned her back to me .
" Oi ", I called her " What's with that attitude of yours ? ".
" You have nothing to do with it ", she coldly retorted .
" There is ", I simply said .
She scoffed " There is ? Don't make me laugh , Takasugi . What's with you anyway ? ".
I just stared at her in response that made her annoy even more . Before I knew what was happening , I saw the tray that I was currently holding scattered into the cold floor .
" I hate you , Takasugi . Why you're acting like that ? Why Akashi-kun treat you differently ? I've been supporting the basketball club for a long time and yet you ... ", she clenched her fist and gritted her teeth " Tch . I don't get it . There's nothing special about you but why Akashi's attention were on you ? ".
" It's because Eri is different from the rest of you ", Akashi interrupted us from our dramatic moment with his calm neutral face .
" Akashi-kun ", Kazunori uttered his name .
" Now clean those mess you've made ", he ordered to her .
She lowered her gaze " I understand ".
" I'll help ", I was about to kneel to reach her level so that I could help her but she strongly refused and retorted .
" NO ! ".
" Fine , then its yours ", Since I have no choice I let her do it alone and proceed to our room .
A few hours past or so , I decided to take for a walk outside . So I wear a hoodie jacket to prevent the coldness outside . Every night it gets cold in this place and besides winter is coming soon .
A few metres away , I heard a ball , bouncing against the gym's floor but this is totally different from the sound of a ball that we often heard when it was bouncing against the floor . It seems that it gives so much force to the point that he was not dribbling the ball anymore , it was throwing it against the floor . What is that guy planning ?
I decided to take a look at it . And I saw the captain of my father's team , he seems so frustrated . Could it be ... he was frustrated because they lose the practice game ? Looks like it .
He lifted up the ball over his head , planning to shoot the ball into the goal . He attempted to shoot it but to his dismay , he failed .
" Damn it ! ", he said as he started throwing the ball into the goal with all of his force . He doesn't even care what he was doing .
Now its my turn to shine , I decided to go inside and talk to this guy for a little while .
THIRD PERSON'S P.O.V
" You should not vent your anger in basketball ".
Upon hearing those words , the captain of Taniyama basketball club seemed startled . He turned his direction from where the voice he heard . His eyes are widened to the girl who showed up out of nowhere " You are ... the coach's daughter , Takasugi ... Eri ", then his expression changed into serious " What are you doing here ? ".
" I was just passing by ", the dark haired female replied .
" You're probably here because you want to see us in despair ", his gaze was low and his attention was on the ball he was holding .
" huh ?! ", she raised her brow " I'm not here for that thing and besides I don't care if you despise Rakuzan ", she smiled vaguely " Rakuzan ... is full of monsters after all . They're strong but they lack something important , so I know how you feel ".
He seemed awed to the girl infront of him . A member of Rakuzan saying those words into other team , that was hilarious . To think that this girl have some guts to say those words towards her own team where she belongs . There's no hesitation in her face as if she is confident on herself .
" You know how I feel ? ", he laughed bitterly " A member of Rakuzan is saying those words to me ? ", he smiled vaguely " When I first saw Akashi , I already know that I'm no match against him . Even though its just a practice game we're desperate to win . Rakuzan are full of monsters unlike us , we're just an average players ".
The next scene was they were engulfed in silence . Each of them was just feeling each others situation and presence .
ERI'S P.O.V
The training camp has ended . On the last day of camp , same thing happens , the Taniyama was defeated and the Rakuzan won thrice in a row . Though the other team was defeated thrice , they still determined to win , they never flinched or loose their hope , the fact that they never had a chance to win against their opponent they still fight till the very end .
My father team's was strong but the Rakuzan was a hundred times stronger than the Taniyama team , that's what they said to them . I admit that they're strong , not strong as human but strong as monsters especially the starting line up of the team , the ' Uncrowned Kings ' , the captain of 'Generation of Miracles ' , and the one who has the special ability like Kuroko Tetsuya .
And now go back to my daily routines , its monday another day of school . When I entered the school's gate , I was greeted with a loud woman shouting my name .
" ERIII ! ", as she jumped towards me and latched her arms around that almost tackled me to the ground " I miss you ! Any souvenirs for me ? ", she asked , her eyes were sparkling , expecting something .
" Tomo , do you think we went on a field trip ? ".
" Eeeh ?! ", then she pouted " Why you're so heartless ? Even if it's not field trip you should atleast buy your ONE AND ONLY FRIEND a souvenir ".
I slanted my eyes " Is that really necessary ? And do you really need to emphasize the ' One and only friend ' ? ", I sighed and dismiss the topic " anyway ", I reached out my hand to her , holding a bentou box that covered with a piece of fabric " here's for you . A homemade bentou ".
Her eyes were now sparkling with excitment as she grinned widely " As expected from you Ri-chan ! You're the best . From now on I will call you Ri-chan okay ? ".
" Haaah ?! Who are you calling Ri-chan ? Eri is fine ".
" Why not , Ri-chan ? ".
" Shut up ", then something that stuck into my mind " Oi Tomo , I hope you still don't forget that day ".
" What day ? ", she asked innocently .
" That day when you called me during training camp ".
When I mentioned those , she panicked , a scared etched on her face .
I smiled while showing her some of my dark aura " I'm glad that you didn't forget it ".
" I - I was just kidding ".
" kidding ? What part of kidding did you do ? ".
" eh ? I- I'm sorrrrryyyyyyy ! ", then she fled while shouting those words .
" Wa - Oi Tomo ! Come back here ! ".
It's finally finished . I hope you like it . And I'm sorry if I screwed up with other scenes that bores you .
Well want to review my work ?