SailorStar9: Anyway, Chapter 19 goes up. This is Chapter 20. To all my non-reviewing readers, I love you all! Will love you more if you review! *hugs all round!*

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and the pairing.

Chapter 20: Give Up

"They tied." Kise mumbled. "The game's going into overtime?"

"Normally, yes." Momoi replied. "But because this tournament is trying to keep games short, they have no overtime rules."

"Which means…" Kise blinked.

"Translation: it's a draw." Ami answered. "Hard to believe this happens after all that excitement."

"What a good game." Momoi smiled.

"This is what you wanted, right?" Momoi beamed, pressing the button for the red bean drink on the vending machine outside the stadium on Midorima's behalf. "It's been a while, Midorin."

"Not a bad game, right?" Kise asked. "If you win your next game, you'll be in the Winter Cup." he stated, the trio walking back. "Make sure you don't mess this up."

"That's impossible." Midorima retorted. "Don't be stupid, fool."

"Who are you calling stupid?" Kise chided.

"I'm the not the one you should be worried about." Midorima reminded. "Seirin's next opponent is Kirisaki Dai Ichi. Hamamiya Makoto."

"It's obvious they have their sights set on Seirin in the championship league." Midorima added. "They're guaranteed to do something to secure their victory."

"One of the Uncrowned Kings…" Kise mused. "They've got another difficult opponent to face."

"I'm leaving." Midorima stated. "See you later."

"Already?" Momoi pouted. "But it's been so long since we've seen each other."

"What is this?" Kise gaped when he saw the bicycle cart.

"It's exactly what it looks like." Midorima remarked. "Takao pulls it."

This guy… Kise blinked, the trio spotting Nigou in the cart.

He's wearing a uniform…Momoi went starry-eyed. How cute!

Why? Midorima twitched. Looking at him makes me so angry so some reason!

"What is he doing here?" Momoi asked, picking Nigou up.

"Momocchi, you're getting to excited." Kise sweatdropped.

"That dog peed in my cart!" Midorima snapped. "Give him to me, Momoi."

"Why?" the star-struck Momoi asked.

"I'll shoot him." Midorima replied.

"No!" Momoi protested loudly. "You can't do that, Midorin!"

"Excuse me, that's my dog." Kuroko cut in, Nigou running towards his owner.

"Nigou, what did we say about running off on your own?" Ami chided the puppy. "Don't do that." She sighed, the said puppy giving her his sad puppy-dog eyes.

"Huh?" Kuroko spotted the other three. "What are you all doing here?"

A dog that looks like Tetsu-kun is licking Tetsu-kun's face. Momoi gaped. It's too cute… she fainted from the cuteness overdose.

"Hey, Shin-chan!" Takao called.

"This is foolish." Midorima remarked, Kise tending to the unconscious Momoi. "I'm going home. Let's go, Takao."

"What?" Takao blinked. "You sure?"

"Kuroko." Midorima stopped in his tracks. "Let's play again at the Winter Cup."

"Yeah." Kuroko nodded.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.