Dom: I've been busy. Nuff said. Sorry guys. These past months were really overwhelming for me. I was injured, got sick, mid-terms, finals and finally, I went home for break. I was really happy because I got to see my friends again from my old high school and my friends that are still in high school. And now, I'm clearly freaking out because I'm not sure if I'm able to enroll for next semester because I'm like across the country from my college and apparently, our clearances aren't cleared yet and they announced that we have to turn in specific things for our clearance to be cleared; they announced during the break when I'm already back in my hometown. Really awesome right? *sighs angrily* Anyway, as I am typing this, I have another few days till my school starts again so yeah. Hope enjoy anyway :)

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Disclaimer: Don't own

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Kiyoshi wasn't point guard because he was good at basketball. He's a point guard because he's too damn observant. And the recent discovery that he made… Well, it was cute and sweet to be honest. He wants to hit himself for not noticing it sooner.

~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*

"You're an idiot. No. You have your own brand of stupidity," Kagome told him bluntly. "Like seriously, you know you're injured already, yet you continue to play. That's some special kind of stupid. You're some special kind of stupid."

Kiyoshi laughed good-heartedly, "You're so mean, Higurashi-chan."

Kagome rolled her eyes and poked him right on the forehead when she was in front of him, "I told you, knucklehead, call me 'Kagome'. None of that 'Higurashi' crap. Second, I'm not being mean. I'm being straight-forward. If being blunt is the only way to get through your thick head that you're being stupid, then so be it."

Kiyoshi just grinned at her as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose in irritation before crouching down in front of him. Taking his hands in hers, she said, "I was worried, dumbass. I was half a second away to beat the shit out of Hanamiya. If it wasn't for Ayumi, I would be already over the police station under the case of attempted murder."

"Uh," the brunette's eyes widened. He didn't expect that kind of answer. "Don't you think that's a bit extreme?" he asked meekly because despite Kagome's rather petite and delicate figure, she can be scary. Really scary with a killer right hook. "You shouldn't kill him."

"Then stop being a reckless idiot," she snapped back. She released an angry sigh before standing up again, freeing his hands in the process. "I hope you feel better soon," her tone was clipped and short then she was gone.

~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*

"Are you sure you're okay watching this?" Kagome asked him dubiously.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Kiyoshi still had that goddamned smile plastered on his smile.

"You hate horror movies," Kagome deadpanned. "It's okay to back out, you know? No one is going to make fun of you."

"Mah, it'll be fun!"

"If you're sure."

"Of course!"

Kagome was still staring at him unsurely before following the others to the cinema.

Kiyoshi regretted it. He didn't regret anything as much as this. He should've backed out when he had the chance. Ten minutes into the movie and the jump scares were already starting. He closed his eyes and flinched when there was another bang in the movie. He swallowed his scream trying to erupt from his mouth. He opened one of his eyes and saw the girl opening the door leading to the dark basement. He knew. He fucking knew there's another jump scare. He always know, but it didn't stop him from getting scared.

As the girl slowly entered, Kiyoshi mentally prepared himself. He jumped when someone held his hand and almost let out a shriek. Heart beating fast, he glanced over to the owner of the hand and saw Kagome eating popcorn nonchalantly. Her eyes trained on the screen almost boredly. She was calm he could see that.

He jumped again when he heard a scream from the movie diverting his attention from his friend to the movie once more. He felt a light squeeze on his hand and it soothed his racing heart. He squeezed back gratefully.

Kagome's expression was carefully masked, but Kiyoshi knew better.

If Kagome was irritated at the fact that Kiyoshi was cutting off her circulation in her hand in every jump scare, she didn't show it. The only indication that she was aware and did not mind the contact was the rubbing of her thumbs on his hand comfortingly.

~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*

"Ugh, this day can't get any more boring," Kagome said as she plopped down next to him in the field.

"Well, our exams did just get finished," Kiyoshi told her.

Kagome huffed, "There's nothing fun around here."

"We could always go play sports."

"Yeah, no. I had enough of physical exercise to last a lifetime. No, thank you."

"What? Run around from your admirers?" Kiyoshi teased the girl.

"Something like that," Kagome muttered.

Kiyoshi blinked in surprise. Sure, he was aware that his friend was a beautiful girl, but it's still different hearing that said friend admitted that she has admirers. Huh.

"Hey, Kiyoshi, do you trust me?" Kagome suddenly blurted out.

"Of course."

The raven sent him a small smile as she stood up and offered her hand, "Come on."

Kiyoshi took the offered hand and was dragged towards the back of the school, "Where are we going?"

"Away from this place!" Kagome answered over her shoulder with a grin. When they reached their destination, she looked around for any signs of faculty before hoisting herself up the wall, "Come on," she beckoned him over.

Kiyoshi hesitated, "Kagome… We're gonna get in trouble…"

"No, we're not," Kagome said with an impatient tone.

"K-Kagome…"

"Do you trust me?" Her big, blue eyes were on him looking at him imploringly.

"Yes."

"Then come on," her hand was once again in front of him.

This time Kiyoshi only hesitated for a second before taking the hand and hoisted himself up next to her. They both jumped down and as soon as the basketball player was stable on his feet, he was getting dragged again by the small girl.

"You are a bad influence," Kiyoshi informed her.

The girl grinned over her shoulder, her eyes alight in mischief, "It doesn't hurt to break the rules once in a while. Live a little, Kiyoshi! You're only young for a little while," she laughed before turning to face the front again.

She never let go of his hand.

~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*

"You are absolutely ridiculous."

"No, I'm not. I want to play against you in the basketball thingy."

"You do realize that you're challenging a basketball player."

"Bastard, are you underestimating me? 'Cause if you are, I will kick your ass regardless of the many witnesses."

"Why are you so violent?"

"Why are you denying me the simple pleasure of whooping your ass in basketball?"

"Fine, fine."

"Yes!" Kagome fist pumped in the air before taking hold of his hand and dragging him over the basketball game. They put the tokens in and they waited for the signal.

"Don't go easy on me, Kiyoshi. I swear to God if you do, I'll shove the basketballs down your throat."

"And you wonder why many are scared of you," Kiyoshi had a deadpanned expression on his face. The violent threatening and harsh/vulgar words were old news to him so it doesn't really affect him now these days.

Kagome actually looked thoughtful about it before shaking her head, "Nah, I still don't see it."

The brunette sighed, "Of course you don't."

The signal rang and the two started shooting the balls in the ring.

The boy was gobsmacked. He tried. He really did try. Then how the hell did Kagome scored more points than him?

"Not so smug now, are you?" Kagome was twirling a lone ball on the tip of her pointer finger. "Just because I don't want to play sports anymore doesn't mean I didn't play sports in elementary or middle school. In fact," she flawlessly moved the ball from her left hand to her right with the ball still spinning, "I was already scouted by many college teams when I was in 9th grade. Of course those happened before my untimely illnesses." She shot the ball and it went straight it.

"You're a monster."

"Nah, just talented," Kagome winked at him before taking a hold of his hand and dragging him towards another game.

Kiyoshi took a glance at their connected hands before squeezing. He almost punched himself when he felt the girl tensed. 'Cause how can he be so stupid? The heavy feeling that settled in his heart was lifted when she squeezed back and still dragged him along.

~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*

"You nervous?" Kiyoshi whipped his head towards the girl in shock. How did she get in the locker room?

"How—"

"Picked the lock," Kagome held out a flat metal thingy that can easily fit into the lock.

"You really should stop doing things that will get you in trouble."

"I'm not in trouble if they don't know, right?"

"I guess," Kiyoshi shrugged before going back to what he was doing before his friend interrupted him. Which is nothing. Just staring blankly across the wall.

"You guys get this in the bag," Kagome's word rang throughout the silent room. Kiyoshi felt her sitting beside him. "You'll do fine."

"But they're the Rakuzan."

"And you guys are the Seirin," Kagome's tone was suggesting that he was being an idiot. Again. It's really not that new. Everytime they talk Kagome's tone was always implying that he's an idiot all the time. And if he's being an extremely idiot then the vocalizing of it happens.

The girl next to him released an aggravated sigh. Slowly, her hand crept up and held his; she slowly intertwine them together and squeezed it in comfort, "You guys are the Seirin. A new team who've been through much and conquered a lot of obstacles in the way. You didn't win the Interhigh? Boo hoo. But you guys are here in the Finals. Playing in the Winter Cup. Past is in the past. The thing that matters the most right now is the present. Present being that you guys are going to play against those bastards and kicking their asses in the process. If you want me to be completely honest, you guys wouldn't have made it here if you won the Interhigh. Losing sucks, but it helps," she let go of his hands and stood up, straightening her clothes. "You'll be fine, Teppei."

Kiyoshi's head snapped towards her so fast he wonders if he gave himself a whiplash. He stared at her, unknowing how to react, but she was already walking away. Exiting the room with a click of the door.

She never calls him by his first name.

~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*

"You did it!" Kiyoshi almost didn't catch her in time. "You actually did it! For a moment there, I thought you guys were going to lose," Kagome laughed and it's the first time he hears her laugh. And it's amazing.

"It's nice to hear that you have such great confidence in us, Kagome." Hyuga's bland tone could be heard from the background.

"Yeah. Totally. Number 1 fan, remember," Kagome returned in a playful sarcastic tone. She turned to the tall center, "So I was thinking, we should all totally go to that new restaurant. My treat."

"Are you sure about that? Have you seen Kagami eats?" Kiyoshi chuckled.

The girl snorted, "Yeah, it's disgusting."

A loud protest coming from the red haired ace was also heard.

The ravenette still had that amused smile, "But the owner is a pretty much a good friend of mine. He'll let us eat for free. Well, not exactly free since I'm almost positive, he'll make me do something to pay those food back, but it's fine."

The team blinked at her and stared at her in worry.

"Kagome-chan…" Kuroko started.

Horror suddenly overcame Kagome's face, "No! I didn't mean it like that! Jeez, you guys are too dirty-minded," she shook her head. "I mean he'll probably make me serve in his restaurant. I don't mind really. I like helping him. It's the least that I can do after everything. So, the restaurant?"

"Sure," Riko answered for all of them.

"Awesome," Kagome grinned before grabbing Kiyoshi's hand again and started walking towards the doors. "Come on! He doesn't mind that you guys stink or look like you went to hell. He'll probably be flattered that you guys went straight to his restaurant," she laughed.

~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*

"Thank you again for the lovely meal," the Seirin bowed in gratitude.

The red-head, Shippo, just waved it off, "It's fine. Any friend of Kagome-chan here is a friend of mine. I hope this isn't the last time I see any of you guys."

Kagami looked like he was offended, "You actually think I'm going to stay away from this piece of heaven? From the amount of times I'm going to visit here, I'll be part of the decor."

Shippo grinned at him, "Good to hear that."

The team exited the restaurant with words of promises that they will indeed drop by when they had the time. Kiyoshi was the last to exit, but before he can completely walked out, Kagome called him.

"Hey."

"Hey," Kiyoshi returned.

"I felt bad that I didn't say my congrats. Congratulations!"

"Thanks, but you didn't need to."

"But I want to."

The tall teen blushed. Scratching the back of his neck sheepishly, he said, "Thank you for the food. And the treat. And the night. I had fun."

"Good that," Kagome breathed.

"Yeah…"

It was a bit awkward between them since there were no buffers around.

"So I'll see you tomorrow?" Kiyoshi offered and finally, looked at her in the eyes.

Kagome nodded, "Yeah. Definitely."

"Okay. Good night," Kiyoshi returned.

"Wait, Kiyoshi, one more thing," Kagome reached out and held one of his hands with both of hers loosely.

"Yeah?"

Kagome leaned up and at the same pulled him down. Their lips met halfway in chaste kiss. She broke their brief kiss to smile at him softly, "Good night." She completely pulled away and hustled inside the kitchen.

Someone chuckled and Kiyoshi blushed a darker shade of red at the reminder that the restaurant owner was still there and obviously saw the exchange between them.

"You got it bad, kid," Shippo chuckled while shaking his head amusedly.

Kiyoshi just grinned before saying his goodbye again. Throughout his journey to his house, his lips were still tingling from the kiss.

~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*

"Whatcha up to?" He's not surprised to see that Kagome was already standing next to him.

"Nothing new," Kiyoshi informed her and just watched their shadow and light pair argue. Again.

Kagome snorted once she spotted the pair, "What did Kagami do this time?"

"Oh, you know. Same old, same old."

"That baka wouldn't change no matter how much Kuroko wants it," Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Should I be worried that you are starting to call names to Kagami?" Kiyoshi teased, but there was seriousness behind his tone.

"Should you?" Kagome raised a challenging brow.

"I don't know…"

"For what it's worth, I don't skip with just anyone," Kagome moved in front of him and laced their fingers together on both hands.

"So I'm a special kind of cookie?" Kiyoshi leaned down, nuzzling their noses together for a second.

"Or something," Kagome snorted before leaning up further and peck his lips with hers. "So don't you worry your pretty, little head." She grinned at him before kissing him properly.

"Gross. Take your lovey-dovey couple thingy somewhere else," Hyuga's disgusted, yet fond tone rang throughout the court.

Kagome bursted out laughing, breaking the kiss, and pulled away, "You're just jealous that you don't have anyone to be affectionate with."

Kiyoshi just laughed along with his girlfriend and pulled her closer by their still connected hands, "I'm so lucky to have you," he murmured against the crown of her head.

Kagome's blue eyes softened, "And I to you," she kissed him on the cheek before standing beside him, her hand still in his.

Kiyoshi glanced at her as she watched the others practice. His brown eyes slid down to their connected hands and he smiled faintly. Squeezing her hand, the responding squeeze was almost immediate and his smile widened.

The way her hands always find his.

~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*~O*

Dom: I wrote a longer chapter than usual to make up from the lack of updates. Still sorry guys. Anyway, hope you guys like it and if you guys watch Teen Wolf, I hope you guys saw the little bit reference there XD Hahaha I couldn't help it :) Anyway, hope you enjoyed and review! If you do review, tell me what's your favorite memory of Kiyoshi's here :) Hope to see you soon!