CHAPTER 16

Finally, Saturday has arrived. Few members of Rakuzan basketball team were gathering together. As one of the sports club member, this occasion is very important to them -to relax once in a while.

Those who are devoted in their club activities has only 30% of chance to relax all day. They always spending their time in training: morning, afternoon and evening. But it doesn't mean that they lost their sight to enjoy their lives. This is actually their passion. A passion that is worth during their hardships in training.

Their call time is 9:00 in the morning in front of the station. So Eri already packed her things and ready to leave. She is always on time when there was a meeting or something.

When she arrived in front of the station, everyone was there except for Nebuya, who sent a message to Hayama that he will be late- for he is visiting a restaurant to eat, first- which Mibuchi complained.

"Ohayou," Eri greeted them first in her usual tone. They also greeted her in return.

"We're glad that you came, Eri-chan," Mibuchi said with a smile on his face. His right hand is actually place on his cheek.

"It would be boring without you, though," Hayama stated with his lively tone of voice.

Eri already predicted what the blonde guy will going to say next that's why she already change the topic "I haven't seen Nebuya-senpai, will he come along with us?."

"Uh. He will be late and he will be here soon," the redhead replied.

Then she notice a certain grey head guy, standing behind Mibuchi "Ah, Mayuzumi-senpai, I didn't expect you to come with us."

"Hmph. Same goes for you."

"Ah! you're already here. I'm sorry I'm late," a young beautiful woman approached them, carrying a traveling bag over her shoulder.

Eri gazed at the young woman intently. It was written on her face that she is bewildered why is this girl was invited on their outing.

"No, it's fine. We're still waiting for Eikichi."

"Is that so?," as the girl sighed in relief. She is actually nervous of them, thinking that they got mad at her for arriving late. Then she noticed that Eri was still gazing at her ever since she arrived. She only waved and smiled at her.

Eri narrowed her grey eyes and asked her with demeaning manner "What on earth are you doing here, Tomo?"

"Hehe. Suprise, aren't you?" as she latched her arm over the dark haired girl's shoulder and winked at her "I can't have my bestfriend enjoying herself with the regular of the basketball team."

Eri gazed at her suspiciously, not even satisfied with her friend's answer. There is something more than that.

"W-why are you looking at me like that? You should be happy that your friend is here," Tomo asked, feeling nervous with the way that Eri looked at her.

"Friend... huh?"

"What is that supposed to mean?!"

"Mibuchi invited Isshiki-san so you wouldn't feel awkward for you to be the only girl in our group," Akashi answered the question that was flowing on Eri's mind. Even if Akashi didn't heard it out loud from her, he already notice by one look, "We should get going, Nebuya is already here."

And Akashi got it right. Nebuya already arrived when he stated that Nebuya was already with them. He burp very loud that made Mibuchi snapped. He really hate those nasty sound that made him lose his temper very quickly. He always confronting Nebuya about it, but it seems that he doesn't care about it.

They do play cards while they were traveling to kill some time. They played 5 set of card games which Akashi won consecutively. Eri was actually desperate to win but she doesn't show it; she never win against the redhead guy even in other things like shogi, chess, exams and such various things. In addition to that, Akashi is no longer have his other self but he still not get lose.

They also ate some snack which Tomo bring lots of it; she even brought some beverages, good enough for seven people. No wonder why her bag look so heavy.

It takes about 2 hours to reach their destination. The said place were a bit far away from Kyoto- for it is actually in the countryside- riding the train is the best for them to take.

After arriving at their designated station, they ride in the bus to take them at the place where a certain hot spring lodge they were going to.

The place was so peaceful. The smell of the cold breeze of winter in the countryside feels good. There is no snow in this area but it was colder than Kyoto. Besides, spring is coming soon. It is a good idea to soak thoroughly at the hot spring.

When they entered the lodging house, they were mesmerized by its view. The place is very traditional-like from the furniture and everything but it doesn't look old and rotten.

Tomo exclaimed "Amazing!" as if this is the first time that she saw this kind of place.

One of the staff approached them, literary at Akashi "You must be Akashi Seijuurou-san?" she hopefully asked. The staff were actually wearing a yukata- where most of the staff of the traditional hot spring wear- it is their uniform to wear.

"Yes," he simply nodded.

"The other guest are already here. You may go whenever you like to your room. Feel free to wonder around our lodge," she said politely, giving him a sweet smile.

Upon hearing those words, Eri tilted her head, confused "Guest? Is there any other person you invited aside from us?"

"You will see," Akashi retorted.

Once they reached to their designated room, a wooden door was right in front of them. Akashi slide it to open, and there revealed a various people, making a chaos around the room.

They became silent when they saw a few people outside the room.

"Ah! Akashi-kun, everyone, you're finally here!" a busty pink haired girl exclaimed.

"We're sorry were late. Did we wait you for so long?" Mibuchi asked at Momoi which the girl quickly shook her head while smiling at the tall dark haired man.

"Not at all. Some of here just came a while ago."

Eri and the others were actually dumbfounded. They were quiet all the time ever since they arrived at their room. Well, this is all Mibuchi and Akashi's scheme they didn't tell that the other member of 'Generation of Miracles' were invited.

"Akashi, what took you so long?" Midorima asked while adjusting his glasses. He is currently sitting in tatami mat alongside with his lucky item "And I didn't even know that you're with all of your teammates, as well as, Takasugi-san."

"Hehe. Shin-chan was actually excited when he heard that you were having another gathering. In fact, we arrived first here in the inn," Takao stated with a smug on his face, revealing Midorima's rare occurrence.

"TA-KAO," the green head spelled with his scary deep voice.

Each of them place their belongings on the floor quietly. And Mibuchi noticed it especially for Hayama. Normally, he is psyched up for meeting his rivals once again.

"Oi Kotarou, what happened on you? You too, Eikichi, Isshiki-san and Eri-chan," Mibuchi asked eyeing his comrade one by one.

"I'm normally quiet from the start," Eri stated nonchalantly.

"There's something wrong with this picture," Kagami said that made Hayama turned back to his usual self.

"That's right! That's what I'm thinking right now! Reo-nee, Akashi, what's the meaning of this? I never thought that the Generation of Miracles were also here," the blond guy ranted non-stop.

"We planned to surprise you, right Sei-chan?"

"We were actually surprised," Nebuya commented.

"But the most surprised of all is," Eri added as she gazed at the certain girl, who is quiet all along. Her eyes were shimmering, turning into a fangirl.

"Sugoi! I didn't even know that the members of Generation of Miracles are here! There is Midorima Shintarou, Aomine Daiki, Kise Ryouta and Kuroko Tetsuya. Kyaah! It's like a dream come true!" Tomo turned into a fangirl again that cause everyone's attention. Eri face palmed, she hated that kind of side of her, "Ah, I'm Isshiki Tomochika. Tomo is fine. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!" she bowed and smiled to all of them "And I'm also Eri-chan's bestfriend."

"No I'm not," the black haired girl quickly responded. Truth to be told, she admit that Tomo is her bestfriend but sometimes when her fan mode side is revealed, she can't be help but to feel ashamed of her.

"Eeehhh?! Ri-chan, you're saying that again," Tomo pouted. She just 'hmph' at her in return.

Somehow she reminds me of... all of them thought except Eri and the certain guy, who don't even know what's going on. As they gaze at the green head guy.

"Hm? Why are you all looking at me?" he asked, confused. There is a question mark that popped out over his head.

"Pfft. Hahahahaha," Takao can't take it anymore. He laugh out loud; he tried not to laugh in this scene but he failed, "Shin-chan... you finally met... your fellow... tsundere. Pfft. Hahahaha," he said between his laugh, tears were coming out from his eyes.

"And who are you calling tsundere?" the two asked in unison that made Takao laughed hardly than before that made everyone sweatdropped.

"Are~ why there's a big crowd around here? I thought few people will only came," a familiar voice said which they jerked their head to the entrance of their room.

"Yo minna, How are you?" another guy showed up behind the tall guy who just came, "I see, no wonder why there such a big crowd. I didn't expect that the member of Rakuzan were all present today. They even brought their cute errand girl," Eri blushed when she heard it from Himuro; she wasn't used to be complimented like being called cute or beautiful.

"Tatsuya!" Kagami exclaimed with excitement.

"Kyaaah! This time its Murasakibara Atsushi and Himuro Tatsuya," Tomo squealed once again making the newcomer startled.

"I haven't seen you before. Looks like that this is the first time we met," she referred at the brunette girl then shifted his gaze to the dark haired girl, "I've seen you once but this is the first time that I met you in person. You're the girl that made a scene during the finals of winter cup."

She looked away, embarrassed "Y-you don't have to mention that."

"Alright minna!" Akashi said in the loud voice so that everyone could hear him, "Since everyone is here, I would like to tell you something."

Their eyes were focused on the red-haired guy. They decided to take their seat and listen attentively like an obedient child. It is their former captain they were talking about- for the member of the Generation of Miracles, at least- they don't want them to get Akashi disappointed even if he already reverted to his old self.

"I, Mibuchi and Kuroko even Momoi planned this gathering. And we decided to hold it at the inn. Mibuchi and I will do the expenses so you don't need to worry," Akashi explained.

"Then this time, what is the reason why you gathered us today?" Aomine questioned.

"That is to relax ourselves. We rarely spend our time together and this is the opportunity for us. And also, the main reason is I want to apologize to you all, for the things I've made, especially at Takasugi."

"Akashi, you don't have to be that far," Hayama said. It's true that Akashi made something unsightly but it doesn't matter to them since he's a captain, after all.

"Hayama-san is right, you don't have to apologize, Akashi-kun. In fact, everyone was happy to be your rival," Kuroko finally had a chance to talk.

"Well, it doesn't matter to me, after all. Akachin is Akachin," Murasakibara said while munching his potato chip.

"Atsushi, don't talk when your mouth is full," Himuro said with his calm demeanor.

"Saa, minna! Let's enjoy to our heart's content!" Mibuchi shouted vigorously.

"Oh!" they all raised their fist together in the air except for the serious character.

"Ha?! Is this really necessary?" Aomine complained.

"Let's just go with the flow, Aomine-kun," the light blue haired guy said with his usual low tone of voice that made the blue haired guy jumped out for suddenly showing up behind him.

"Hehe. Finally I've met some fellow women during our gathering," Momoi popped out beside Eri as she wrapped her arms around Eri's arms, "But it doesn't mean that I feel awkward when I'm with them. Well, as long as Tetsu-kun is here I'm fine with it."

"Hah...," that is the word that only came out in Eri's mouth.

"You're Takasugi Eri, right?," the girl nodded in response as she gazed at her from head to toe that made her tensed; she placed her hand under her chin and smirked, "Hmmm... no wonder why Akashi-kun got interested on you," Momoi muttered to herself but Eri heard it but she wasn't sure if she heard it right.

"Huh? Did you say something, Momoi-san?"

"Satsuki is fine," she shook her head while smiling- claiming that she doesn't say anything- then shifted her gaze to the other woman beside her, "And you are Isshiki Tomochika, a member of drama club in Rakuzan high school and Eri-chan's only friend. You were popular at your school because of your looks and skill, as well as, Eri-chan but the boys were too afraid to approach her because of her tsundere attitude."

"I'm not a tsundere," she said but Momoi doesn't heard her.

Tomo's eyes shimmered, amazed at the pink haired girl "Wow! You sure know a lot! As expected of Touou Gakuen's manager," Momoi giggled and thanked her.

"Let's go and take a bath," Momoi declared vigorously.

Eri have to decline her because she wanted to enjoy the scenery of this place, first before taking a bath. Besides, taking a bath during evening is more enjoyable than day time "I have to say no, Satsuki-san. I want to take a look around this place before proceeding to the hot spring."

And also, I can't stand the noise here. I want to go at some peaceful place she thought.

"I see," as she clasped her hand "It settles then. Let's go and check around this place first. I've jotted down some notes about the famous places around here," then she glanced at the rest of the people here, who makes some loud noises from the start, "Guys, were just going outside. We'll be right back!," and she start her pace while holding the arms of the two girls.

"Oiiii, Takasugicchi!" Kise shouted but found out that there's no one he was calling to. He's been busy chatting with his former teammates and his friends. He forgot that Takasugi Eri was here all along "Are~ where did the girls go?"

"Are you deaf or what? Momoi stated a while ago that they were going outside," Midorima said while pushing his glasses.

"You don't have to be mean!"

"By the way, how do you even meet, Takasugi?," Akashi interrupted in their conversation "That time, when I'm still on my other self, I only predicted that some of you will meet her but I don't know what kind of situation it is."

"Sei-chan, did something happen like that?" Mibuchi asked, hoping that he could get some proper answer which Akashi never fails to say.

"It happened when she just joined the club."

"Ah which reminds me," Takao said as he look at the green haired guy, "Shin-chan, it was the day when you were desperately looking of your lucky item."

"Uh. Most of the round sweets that I bought is not my lucky item but when I bought her product she was selling that day, it turned out to be my lucky item," Midorima continued what Takao left to be explained.

"Product? You mean those graham balls?" Kuroko guessed, "I also happened to purchase it when I was outside the café. She didn't even notice me from the start."

"Wow! It's a coincidence! I also happened to purchase it but mine is a different story. It happened when-," he was cut off by Aomine.

"No one wants to hear your story."

"Hidoi! Why are you being like this, Aominecchi?!" large tears were flowing in his eyes.

"Heh... I can't believe that it can actually happen in reality. Meeting some member of 'Generation of Miracles' in a day," Hayama commented, amused by the situation.

"I don't know what you were talking about but that's one hell of a coincidence," Kagami also commented.

While they were roaming around the area, out of nowhere, Eri sneeze. She doesn't even have a cold. And the coldness doesn't bother her for she is wearing some thick clothes.

"Ri-chan, are you alright?" Tomo asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," as she sniffed, "I think someone was talking to me."

"Is that so," then she gazed at Momoi, who is busy looking around the store, her hands were behind her back as she smiled "but I didn't expect that Sa-chan was easy to talk with."

"You-," she began, her eyes was slanted "you're making weird nicknames again."

She giggled.

When the night came, everyone decided to spend their time in hot spring. It wouldn't be complete if you didn't even soak yourself in the hot spring and enjoy it in full content when you are visiting in an inn. However, you should not spend a lot of time soaking yourself in a steamy water in more than an hour or else you will feel dizzy and might lead you into an unconscious state.

The girls surely spend a lot of time with each other even though they were together not a minute ago, they still have something to talk about. But mostly it is Momoi and Tomo has a lot of thing to talk while Eri only talks from time to time. Also, she had a chance to speak when Momoi or Tomo were asking her about something.

"I've been thinking about this earlier," Momoi began with an innocent look on her face or rather curious, "What do you think about Akashi-kun, Eri-chan?"

Eri almost slid on the mildly wet floor, she is about to soak herself into the steamy water, when Momoi suddenly asked her such a question that even made her caught off-guard "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?" she retorted her in a question like she is not affected at all.

She place her fore finger on her chin as she look above the starry sky "Hmmm... I'm just curious."

"Now that you mentioned it, Sa-chan," Tomo barged in their conversation "I'm also curious about it. Like I'm really really curious. You haven't talk to me between you and Akashi-san. I've been asking you for so long, you know," she whined.

Eri sweat dropped.

With curiosity and glint of their eyes, these two will not stop bugging her if they didn't hear about what she think of the red-haired guy.

From the opposite side of hot spring, where the men's bathe lies within, Hayama and Kise even Takao, who joined recently, were leaning their ears on the wooden wall that separates the male and female's bathe. They became so curious when they heard the females conversation; they didn't mean to overhear it because the girls didn't notice that their voices was loud enough to hear on the other side. The rest of the guys were also curious about it.

Akashi is still calm as ever but deep inside he wanted to hear her answer. He even scolded those two but their reply was "It will not take long and besides are you not curious about it? We're talking about Takasugi Eri, "If it is his other side of him, he will definitely threatened and punished them.

Kagami looked at these three idiots in slanted eyes. Some part of him wanted to hear about Eri's answer and some part of him don't want to meddle in someone's business, he just don't want to get in trouble "What are you guys doing?"

Kise 'shush' Kagami for being talkative.

"Geez, why is that Eri taking too much time to answer?" Hayama complained, still leaning his ear on the wooden wall.

"Hmph. What you were doing is unsightly," Midorima commented. He was not wearing his glasses today because if he did, he can't see anything because of the moisture that was created by the steamy water, "Well, I'm out of it if she will get mad at you."

"I don't know what will happen to you if Eri-chan found out what you were doing," Mibuchi said, leaning his back on the stone.

Akashi only sighed at the trio.

"Well... uummm," she looked at the other side, hesitant to say it. She already have an answer but she can't put it into words.

Suddenly her spines shivered, making her answer interrupted. She felt that someone was eavesdropping their conversation which made her infuriate.

"Hayama, Kise and Takao-san," she one by one called her as she stood uo looking at the other side though, she only see the wooden wall, " I don't mean to interrupt your eavesdropping but continue doing that and I will make you deaf for a lifetime," she said calmly but her voice was threatening them.

Hearing their names, the trio faces were scared to death. They don't want to be deaf, after all.

"W-what are you talking about, Takasugicchi? We were busy taking a bath here," Kise reasoned out but his voice was obviously shaking.

"We don't even know what you were talking about," Hayama said, backing away at the wooden wall. He could feel her deadly aura on the other side. It's true that he always saw Eri getting pissed off because he always teasing her but this time, it's different.

"Yeah, yeah," Takao nodded in agreement, "I was having fun with Shin-chan here."

"I don't even know what you were talking about," Midorima said nonchalantly.

"Oi!" Takao cried out, he too, also sensed Eri's deadly aura.

She sat down, sighed and massaged her temple. She is trying to calm herself so that she will not go berserk; she didn't want them to see her like that, that it will might displease them.

Then, she realized that she not alone; she had companion all along. She tried to look at them, looking if they're displeased or scared.

Tomo was scared as hell "R-r-r-ri-chan, you're scary," she said, stuttering.

But Momoi was opposite of Tomo, she wasn't scared as the brunette girl. In fact, her face was showing that she has discovered something.

Momoi smirked "No wonder why Akashi-kun choose you as the candidate for the next manager of Rakuzan. I also see now why he pique his interest on you," Eri tilted her head, slightly confuse what Momoi was talking about.

"What are you talking about, Satsuki-san?"

Momoi chuckled "So you're not aware of it, Eri-chan. As what I see earlier, you're great at disciplining the others. As expected of a member of discipline commitee," Eri don't have a chance to talk back; she just want to hear what Momoi is going to say next.

"Hayama-san is exceptional because you're with him every day. But for Ki-chan and Takao-kun, who you rarely see and you're just only acquainted at them, you could discipline them easily."

"That's because I don't like someone to eavesdrop at our conversation," she reasoned out.

"Second, according to my data that I gathered, you always fall under Akashi's scheme but you always defy him. You sure are brave enough to do it no one in Teiko or even in Rakuzan dared to do it. Lastly, you are good at analyzing people: their weaknesses and strength."

Eri narrowed her eyes, crossed her arms and stared at Momoi "Just what are you plotting at, Satsuki-san?"

"I'm only saying that sooner or later we will face each other officially on the court, Eri-chan," Momoi's demeanor had changed, she became more serious as if she was challenging the soon-to-be manager of Rakuzan.

Eri also smirked, challenging Momoi as well "Hm. I look forward to it, Satsuki-san," in their background, there lies Tomo, who got scared at the two women

It's almost time for dinner, after Eri was done taking a bath, she decided to go outside, feeling the cold breeze. She informed the two girls that she will be taking a small detour before going back to their room to eat their dinner.

She was in the garden- literary Japanese garden- thinking what Mibuchi and the others told her about enjoying life, yesterday. Truth to be told, she is really enjoying their stay in this inn. It is very long time when she last visited something like this; perhaps, during her childhood days.

Eri inhaled the natural fragrance of the place while her hair was followed the flow of the wind "I really missed this place," she talked to herself. Yes, this the place where her family always held vacation but ever since her mother died and her father was so much busy with his work and, at the same time, coaching a certain basketball club, they never got a chance to visit this place.

Her moment was interrupted when she heard a small footsteps not from afar. She narrowed her eyes, waiting for that person to reveal himself.

"Ah! There you are, Takasugicchi!" the blonde haired guy exclaimed cheerfully as he went near Eri; he sounded relieved as if he was searching for her the entire time.

"And why are you looking for me? "she asked straightforwardly while raising her brow, "And I've told you once to stop adding 'cchi' on my name."

"I haven't told you yet, I acknowledge someone when I add 'cchi' on their names. You should be happy about it."

"But I found it irritating," she simply said.

"Eeehhh?! You don't have to be mean. Why is everyone act like that towards me? Everyone's ignoring and bullying me," he sulked with a large tears flowing on his eyes. He sounded like he mean it.

Eri only watched him sulk but in the end she sighed in defeat "Fine. Call me whatever you want."

From gloomy aura, Kise's face brightened "Really? Arigatou, Takasugicchi," as he hugged her tightly, only a friendly hug. However, Eri isn't used to this kind of stuff- her face turned red- couldn't be able to react with it.

"Wha... w-what are you doing, Kise?" she asked, her voice was stuttering.

After hearing it, Kise quickly released her and apologized.

As soon as Kise released her, she hastily turned around so that he will not notice her red face "Just so you know, I haven't forgive you for eavesdropping earlier."

The blonde guy shriek "Eeehhh?! You can't be serious!"

"Whatever. I'm going back," as she start pacing to return to their room.

"Ah! Wait for me, Takasugicchi!"

When they reached their room, Eri slid the door to open and witness that their food were already served. And it looks like it was done few minutes ago and no one had touch the food. It seems like they were waiting for them; they can't start eating their dinner when the gang wasn't complete.

"Finally, the late comers has arrive!" Aomine shouted in delight. Well, this is Aomine we were talking about; he can't wait for more than a minute before eating.

"Kise-chin,Eri-chin, what took you so long? I'm hungry, you know," Murasakibara said.

"Atsushi," Himuro called and he sounded like he was scolding this tall guy.

Seeing these two arrived at the same time, Akashi felt something pain on his chest but doesn't know what kind of feeling was that. He shrugged off this feeling and smiled at them "We were waiting for you, we can't start eating without you two."

Kise glanced at her and smiled "Let's go," the dark haired girl, who seems in daze, snapped out in reality as she nodded at Kise and proceed to their respective seat.

"Now that we're complete, "Akashi stood up, holding a glass of juice.

Since all of them had just went to the hot spring, they all wore a traditional clothes which is a yukata.

"I only want all of you enjoy our stay here, kampai," as Akashi held up high his glass.

"Kampai," they said in unison as they toasted their glass at each other.

-To be continued-

This is not all about their stay in an inn. The continuation will be on the next chapter. A lot of things will happen. They will be having an interesting challenge. So stay tuned.