Chapter 2: Welcome Back

Just as I had thought. I had received no play time until the final quarter when Yosen's hopes of going to the finals were beginning to diminish.

Even so, we still lost to Rakuzan who didn't even have the Generation of Miracles' former captain. But then again, 3rd place was better than 4th. I'd take it.

Grabbing a towel from a team mate, I rub the little, but apparent sweat off of my neck and collar bone. I sigh out in frustration, if only Atsushi had played. But I had to admire him for the respect he holds for "Aka-chin".

"How do my power bars taste?" I ask seriously, not minding at all that Atsushi had reached into my bag like a curious child to take them out.

"Bland."

"That's only because everything that goes into your mouth is jam packed with sugar."

I continue to sit upon Atsushi's back, grabbing fistfuls of his hair to use as balancing for myself. Other than that, it took little effort on his part to keep me up on his back.

"Tell me why I'm acting like a servant today?"

"I played a game today."

"You played for 6 minutes."

"10."

"No, you stood around blankly for the last 4. You gave up."

"I thought you weren't going to watch?"

Atsushi shuts up, sighing out in laziness.

As we walk by a convenience store, I notice a bright, fluorescent yellow sign on the outside doors that draws my attention. I yank on his hair, signalling for him to stop. I carefully read the sign, a small smile creeping onto my lips. I had a lot of playing left inside of me due to the little time I got on the court. This would be the perfect opportunity to let it all out.

I tug again, motioning to keep walking. "Wanna go sightseeing tomorrow?"

"Hm? How come?"

"It's been a while since I've been back. Let's go out tomorrow since we don't have anything to do. I'll text you the plans for tomorrow morn-"

"Morning?" whines Atsushi.

"Yes, the morning. Trust me, we'll have fun!"

xxxxx

"This isn't fun, Tora-chin," grumbles Atsushi, as I hold my cell phone up against my ear. I listen to Atsushi on the other end whining in irritancy, but I also hear the sound of his loud chewing. At least he had his food to keep him company.

"I'm sorry, but if I told you the truth, I knew you wouldn't come. Hurry up and find me, alright?"

"Fine, fine."

Ending the call, I dig it deeply into my back pocket. I set the basketball onto the ground, taking a seat on it in the middle of the court. After defeating a team who looked a lot like Seiho high, I was waiting for some real competition. Everyone else around me began to stare and talk about how a girl managed to defeat a 5 men team on her own.

It was only due to years of street ball practice that defeating non street ball players became such an easy task.

Looking around me, I challenge anyone else with my vacant gaze, daring anyone to defeat me. I was still in need of some more playing. The game against Rakuzan still had me worked up.

As I continue to scan around me, my eyes forget to look at what's in front of me. And to my surprise, it's someone who I thought I'd never see again.

"H-Hayashi Tora?!"

Standing up from my crouched possession, I pass him the ball. "Long time no see, Taiga."