Chapter 12: Finally, Now On To Basketball!
2 MONTHS LATER
Walking down the long platform of Japan's train station, I tuck a piece of stray hair behind my ear as I try to ignore the strange looks from passer bys.
During my leave, I had spent a couple of weeks ignoring Yamaken and his presence; he went about his days perfectly fine with it. It wasn't until our other brother, Yamato, had arrived who solved the conflict between us. Much to Yamaken's dismay. Yamato, who played for the team in New York City, had spent a week with just myself in the busy city of Miami. There he opened my eyes and explained the truth of Yamaken's actions.
"Ken's only looking out for you. He just doesn't want you to grow alone in your basketball. Think about it. With you here, you can annoy the hell outta him and have him finally teach you his skills. He's at your disposal for 2-"
"What was that?" chips in Yamaken, as Yamato and I turn around to find him leaning against the door frame with an annoyed scowl on his lips.
"Keeeeeeeeen-chan!" happily cheers Yamato, as the child of the family, despite being 21, jumps onto Yamaken. Yamaken swiftly and casually throws him off, proceeding to yell at him as to how a filthy boy like him could just oh so casually go and embrace him..
In that moment, I had sat quietly watching my two brother's fight and then laugh it off. Yamato and Yamaken had a very distinct bond between one another. I myself shared a deep bond with Yamato. I suppose it was because he was so easy to love. He was always playing tricks, laughing and always caring for the well beings of others. He and I shared the same outlook on basketball. A more than enough of a reason to admire him.
So during those 2, gruelling months, I had put away the phone and everything else. I focused on basketball and rebuilding a somewhat of a relationship with Yamaken. Although he did yell at me constantly when it came to eating the right choices of food. He was exactly like Satsu-chan in that way.
Now here I was, after 2 months away. I was a completely different person.
During the first week where I did have my phone, I managed to get into contact with everyone from Seirin. After explaining myself and everything that happened, they were more than happy for me. I went on to admit my fear of not coming back to Hyuuga-senpai, to which he quickly said, "Then we'll come for you." Hearing those words made me realize that I would come back to Japan. There was no doubt about it. But when it came to Aomine-kun, it was much, much different. After trying to reach a hold of him, it was no use. When I talked to Satsu-chan, she told me that Aomine-kun was done. Quote on quote saying, "I'm sure she'll find another guy to keep her busy." I was beyond hurt by those words. What did he mean, "another guy"? There was only one! Him. I felt betrayed, angered and pathetic. I had then come up with the conclusion that if Aomine-kun saw me in that type of light, then he didn't deserve my company. Simple as that.
At least that's what I kept saying to myself. I constantly felt my mind wandering off to thoughts of him throughout the first couple of weeks. But then every memory of him I had just suddenly…disappeared.
Now here I was walking home. Well, to Satsu-chan's home. I had originally planned to come back home tomorrow, but conveniently enough, Satsu-chan's birthday fell on the day right before school. So Yamaken booked my flight a day early and told me tell her that "This was my gift to you".
Throughout my walk home, I can't help but smile the whole way. I was glad to be in Japan. I was glad to stick out in basketball, even more so with my hair and tan. Yes, due to the extremely hot weather in Miami, I had came back to Japan with a dark, caramlized skin tone and beach blonde hair. Something that I wasn't too fond off. Yet, this was me. My life. My home.
Stopping in front of Satsu-chan's house, I look up with a huge smile on my face. This would always be home.
I wake up the next day, quickly packing Satsu-chan and I's lunches for school.
As I hear her footsteps rushing down the stairs, she stops at the very last one, staring at me with a shocked expression. I knew exactly why.
"I've-"
"Y-You actually did your hair. N-Not just in a pony tail, but you actually styled it. A-And…and you're…you-"
"Yes, yes. I'm not wearing tights," I chide, as I begin to pack her school bag for her. It was true. I had thrown my lazy, self conscious self out the door after my first month in Miami. Being around all types women and men who oh so casually flaunted their bodies around so proudly made me realize that if an old, elderly couple had no problem showing skin, then what did I have to worry about? Well, besides the leering eyes of the male population I suppose. But, one of Yamaken's team mates for a week made me train kick boxing with him. If anyone tried anything, I could pin them down to the floor with just my legs. In 3 different ways.
"It's not fair. You're officially cuter than me! Look at you, Yuki-chan! You're going to be offered model-"
"P-Please, don't embarrass me! I'm clearly not skinny enough and my chest measurements aren't right at all for any modelling agency!"
"I think Aomine-kun would agree with me and say that you'd be perfect for swimsuit mod-"
"L-Let's go!" I blurt out, as I push myself out of the door. Really, Satsu-chan was too much to handle. Me, a swimsuit model with my chest out in everyone's faces? I know that I wasn't self conscious anymore but it didn't mean that I didn't worry about my body from time to time! I hear Satsu-chan giggle as she slams the door shut and appears beside me.
Walking down the front strip of Seirin High's entrance, I'm swallowed up by the sea of new and old students. Not only that, but their intense gazes threaten to eat me up alive. It was weird. In a school full of fair skinned, dark haired and bright haired from time to time, a girl with beach blonde hair and tanned skin was something you didn't see everyday. Even students that I did know were asking others who I was. So, this was how it'd be like today.
Continuing to follow the motion of the crowd, I'm immediately handed flyers of different clubs, each persuading me to join them. With each flyer I received came a dumbfounded, dreamy look of each boy it had came from. I had to run away from a few that were trying to get something other than a flyer into my hands. Continuing to descend on my never lasting journey looks, I finally come across the club I had been wanting to see the most.
"Mitobe, maybe we'd actually get some new members if you asked them to join," says Koga-senpai, as he gives Mitobe-senpai a pleading look.
"Yeah. It's a little creepy watching you hand them out with nothing but a smile," laughs Izuki-senpai, as he too joins in on the one sided conversation.
"But maybe he actually managed to get someone to join."
"That could be right. With everyone saying the same thing over and over, being handed a flyer where the giver doesn't say anything could spark some interest," infers Izuki-senpai, as he rubs his chin in thought.
"Hey, let's try it!"
I proceed to stand and watch as the three of them hand flyers, only a deathly, solemn look on Koga and Izuki-senpai's face. At least Mitobe-senpai was smiling! With the two's murderous look and Mitobe-senpai's happy go lucky smile, it was most certainly sending off the wrong mention. Students began to purposely steer away from the three.
"Idiots! All of you," chimes in Hyuuga-senpai, as he decides to only hit Izuki-senpai on the head.
"Neh, neh. I think it was smart," I chip in, my voice a little hesitant at first. I catch Mitobe-senpai's eyes, flashing him a smile. He stares at me with a blank expression, until I watch his eyes begin to grow wide and his mouth begin to open.
W-Was he going to speak?!
I take a step back, a little shocked that my appearance could make a mute person speak. But instead, Mitobe-senpai hugs me tightly into him. It was apparent that he did remember me through this new look.
"Mitobe! Don't go around hugging random gir- I-imouto?" stutters Hyuuga-senpai, a shocked, appalled look written on his face.
"A random girl? You don't remember your little-"
Everyone begins to hug me, each gushing about how they missed me and about my new appearance. I begin to explain to them how it all happened and that I should be back to normal in a couple of months. Hopefully.
"…and then-"
Suddenly, someone large bumps into me causing me to stumble into someone even larger. Falling back, I felt like a ping pong ball traveling from side to side. Much to my appreciation and dismay, someone much smaller catches my form. But it is apparent I've taken them by surprise. We both fall back, with me landing on top of him.
"G'yah! I'm so sorry. I- K-Kuro-kun?" I whisper quietly, as I look down at the blue haired boy before me. I cry overjoyed and hug Kuroko-kun into my chest. He inreturn gives me a blank expression.
"Please forgive. But, who are-"
"Kuro-kun, it's-
"Yuki," says a familiar, slightly agitated voice.
I look to my side and notice the tall, large man that was Kagam-kun. I run towards him and jump happily on his arm; placing all my weight on it.
"Shi- Don't do that!" he growls out, as he tries to keep me suspended in the air.
"Ba-ka-ga-miiiiii," I cheer, as I reach up to pinch his cheeks. He quickly swats my hand away, clearly flustered because of my touchy actions.
"So this is the girl I've heard so much about," says an unfamiliar voice from behind. Turning, I'm met with a tall, probably taller than Kagami-kun, man staring down at me. He had to be a good 20 cm's taller than myself. H-How did I miss him?!
"Yuki-chan, this is Teppei Kiyoshi. Seirin's basketball team founder and previous ace," introduces Hyuuga-senpai, as he crosses his arms over his chest.
Looking up at Seirin's founder, I find myself staring intently at him. So this was the man who started it all. Who, in a way, brought me to this wonderful team of boys and girl.
Bowing down in front of him, I thank him graciously.
"Eh? Well, this is a first. You-"
"Idiot! At least tell her to stop," yells Hyuuga-senpai, as he hits Kiyoshi-senpai on the head. Rising myself, I watch the two in front of me begin to argue, with Kiyoshi-senpai smiling and apologetic the whole time. So is this what Satsu-chan and I looked like? Two best friends arguing, laughing and most importantly, smiling through it all. Seeing these two in front of me was really-
"I see that you guys are once again fooling around!" yells a familiar, girly voice. Whipping my head to the left, I take in her small, thin form. She hadn't changed. Everything about her was short. Her height, her hair and it looks like her temper as well. Running to her, I engulf her small frame into my almost now 176 cm body.
"R-Riko-sen…paiiiii," I cry pathetically, as I continue to hug her into me.
"Y-Yuki-chan?!" she screeches, as she looks up at me. Nodding my head, I see the heat rise up to her cheeks. "You…you look so beautiful," she murmurs, as she continues to intently stare at me. My tears stop as I stare back at her. "R-Riko-"
"Coach, haven't you heard? It's taboo to fall for your own play-"
"WELL WE ALL KNOW YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!" yells the coach, as she runs to kick Izuki-senpai in the gut. The two begin to argue furiously, with Hyuuga-senpai suddenly being brought into the matter. Eventually, everyone was arguing and ironically enough, Mitobe-senpai was the moderator.
Laughing myself, I find my hand lost in Kuroko-kun's soft, blue hair. It was still the same I had left it. Softer than ever.
"Don't let Kuroko and I down," yells Kagami-kun, as I stand alongside him in the middle of the court in Seirin's gym. It was the first time after a little over 2 months all of us would be finally playing together. Together for the Winter Cup.
"I'll try my best not to," I say seriously, as I remember every horrible practice that I had in Miami. Which was all of them. Well, minus the week I went kick boxing but I wasn't sure if that counted as practice.
It was Kagami-kun, Kuroko-kun, myself, Furihata-kun and one of the other first years, Tsuchida-kun. Us against Hyuuga-senpai, Mitobe-senpai, Izuki-senpai, Koga-senpai and the new, but old comer Kiyoshi-senpai.
"Okay, let's see what we have to show at the Winter Cup!" yells Riko-senpai, as she blows a hard, quick blow into her whistle.
Let's see if they can keep up with Yamaken's training. Kagami-kun grabs a hold of the ball, immediately passing it to me. Koga-senpai is my check and he's immediate to quickly get on me. Trying to dribble past him, I only notice that the other senpai's are ready to take me down. Still searching, I find Kuroko-kun fighting to stay invisible amongst them all. Looking at his positioning, he was near the hoop. Perfect.
Fighting for some much needed room between Koga-senpai and I, I finally get the right amount to go in for a shot. Jumping, I flick my wrist slowly and hard, watching with content as the ball makes a high, beautiful arch.
"There's no way that's going in!" says Kiyoshi-senpai, as he looks up in the air in astonishment.
That's right, it wouldn't. Instead the ball flies to Kuroko-kun perfectly, landing in his hands. He quickly passes to Furihata-kun who dribbles pass Mitobe-senpai but fights to break free.
I run up the court myself and notice that Kagami-kun had his hands tied with a much bigger, determined Kiyoshi-senpai. Well, although I could only use this move once every game, I might as well do it now.
Fighting through a persistent Koga-senpai, I almost draw a foul myself as I find myself struggling with his defense. These guys had gotten better. A lot better.
Finally getting through, I begin running towards the hoop and planning for my move. As soon as I'm at the right distance, I yell at Furihata-kun to throw the ball up. I almost mess up because I can see the hesitance in Furihata-kun as he un-reluctantly throws it in the air.
Using all my force, I jump off of the ground and into the air, my arm outstretched for the prize; the orange ball. Grabbing it, I slam it effortlessly into the hoop while landing back gracefully back onto the ground.
The gymnasium quiet, the only thing audible was my ragged breaths of excitement. That's right. Aisaka Yukari had mastered the dunk.
"H-How?" stutters Kagami-kun, as he looks at me and the hoop with a shocked expression.
"It's simple. She can only do it once per each game. As she runs to the hoop, no one will expect her to dunk it, so no one will stop her. But she will and will get it in considering no one has enough time to react and stop her. But if she tries it again, anyone would be able to stop her," says Kiyoshi-senpai, his voice cool and perceptive.
I stare at him, a small smile to my lips. "It's not much, considering it's only a one time-"
"Who knows Yuki-chan. A one point difference may be all we need one day to win," states Riko-senpai, as she stares at me from the bench with a fond look on her face.
"I-Imouto. D-Don't just grow up without us," cry my senpai's, as they ghostly begin to reach towards me. Frightened by their deathly, depressed looks, I use Kiyoshi-senpai as a shield. "Y-You're the only normal one," I stutter out, as I push him forward.
"What's that? You want to go to the zoo after school? And shopping? Anything for my dearest sis-"
"I take it back! You're the worst!" I cry out in fear, as I realize that Kiyoshi-senpai was going to be taking part in my senpai's weird, little game against me.
Everyone begins to laugh at my misfortune. It was great to be back.
Walking home, I fish out the few notes I had received in my locker after school.
"We should've went to Miami together. I wouldn't had mind slapping some lotion on your-"
I immediately crumple up the small, folded piece of paper. I hated boys.
After a successful day of school filled with laughter and catching up, I had to admit that adjusting back to school life was proving to be hard. If I was back in Miami, I'd be doing intense sprint trainings with Yamaken by now. But, this wasn't Miami nor was Yamaken even in the same country as myself. I just had to get used to the flow of motion now that we were heading for the Winter Cup.
Pulling out my phone to call Satsu-chan, I hold it up to my ear and wait for her to pick up.
"Yuuuuuki-chan. What's up?"
Ignoring Satsu-chan, I slowly place my phone back my side. I can't help hear a loud commotion happening in front of me. About 5, teenaged boys from an unfamiliar high school were harassing a small, but chubby frightened little boy, who was clearly in the basketball cage first.
"B-But I was-"
"Who gives a shit, kid? Beat it or we'll have to force you outta here!" yells the "leader" of the group. He was taller and much leaner looking than the other four. He had the power of intimidation, strength and fear. I watch helplessly as he grabs the little boys shirt, holding him suspended in the air.
"Yuki-chan? Yuki-chan, what's going on?" I hear Satsu-chan's voice, it was a low buzz and barely audible. I forget that I have her on the line and place the phone back into my bag.
Sighing in frustration, I set my bag on the floor and quickly unzip it. After never receiving back my lucky ball, I had figured that Aomine-kun would never return it back to me. After telling the story to Yamaken, the next day he had gone out and bought a black basketball. My old ball was the standard orange but he told me that I "needed colour in your life". Not just that, he went all out and had got all the members of the Miami team to write a few encouraging words. Well, some of them were. I swear I saw someone write, "Hope this hits Yamaken in the head."
I didn't dare show it to him in fear that he might find who had written it and do something that could end him up in court.
But nevertheless, the gesture was sweet and I was surprised Yamaken had gone through all the trouble.
Pulling the black, deadly sphere out, I begin to aim skill fully towards the tall man harassing the child. I hesitate, not sure if I really wanted to inflict pain on him. Sure he was being absurdly rude to the boy, but did he really deserve the pain of a basketball speeding into his ribs?
Suddenly, a few words are exchanged and the older boy tosses the younger one onto the ground. Then did I realize what I had to do.
Retracting my arm back as far as it would go, I aim at his ribs and eject the ball out of my hands. I watch pleasantly as it nails him in the side, causing him to topple over in pain. The little boy and the other four look at me in amazement.
Picking up my bag from the ground, I casually walk towards the group, picking my ball up and placing it neatly into my bag.
"You little-"
Ignoring whatever they had to say to me, I walk slowly towards the little boy, crouching beside him.
"Are you-"
Looking into the glasses of the boy, I can see the reflection of not only myself, but what was going on behind me. I-I didn't think he'd react so quickly and bluntly!Turning around in time, I receive the blow of the man's punch that I had nailed my ball into his side. Falling beside the younger boy on the ground, I feel the heavy onslaught of blood begin to trickle down my nose and onto my white blouse. The all too familiar pain of being punched in the face comes flooding back to me. I didn't remember it being this painful. That may be because I hadn't been punched in years.
"Stupid bitch! That's what you get for trying to act so tough. Pretty little girls like you should stick to cheer leading than trying to play," he spits out, as he holds his side in pain. He angrily runs an irritated hand through his sleek, black hair.
I continue to sit on the cold, dirty concrete. Although I had taken a week of kick boxing, by no means did I actually think that I'd actually hit someone with my fists and legs. As always, I was all talk and no show. Here I was paying for it.
"If I me and the boys ever see your dirt skin here again, we'll do more than smash your face in," he warns menacingly, as he points a "dangerous" finger at my face.
I wish to get up and this time throw the ball at his face, but I knew the other four would show no hesitation to come after me. Worse enough, they could use the little boy beside me as some sort of sick torment.
Looking away, I slowly nod my head signalling that they could leave now. Grabbing their own ball from the ground, they all exit the cage. But not before staring at me intently, memorizing my face, my body. Myself.
"Y…yo' bleedin'," mumbles the little beside me, as he grabs my arm in worry.
I pat his head with my other hand, giving him a reassuring smile.
"I'll…I'll be fine. Quick, go home now before they come back," I order, as I help him get up. Reluctantly he does so, his hand still on my arm. "I don't-"
"GO!" I yell out forcefully, kicking him lightly on the back. He grows frightened at my face, quickly picking his ball up as he runs home in fear.
I didn't want him sticking around. I didn't want him to see my pitiful form much longer. I didn't want to get an innocent child like himself in some weird, sick threat over some thugs and myself. I had to save his innocence.
Getting up myself, I stumble back clumsily, hitting my back into the fence. My nose was still bleeding and I was doing a terrible job at trying not to lose blood. I slouch back onto the concrete floor, tilting my head back. The man had punched incredibly hard. Well, what was to expect from a basketball player.
I knew my nose wasn't broken because I would've felt that same, excruciating, burning sensation in my nasal like I had felt 5 years back. After refusing to get off the court that was nearby my house, one of the guys fighting for it took it too far and punched me right in the face. He knocked me right out. The next time I woke up, Yamato and Yamaken's faces were right in mine. After that, I wasn't allowed to leave the house without a male guardian. It was pointless. The few males who didn't mind playing with me grew scared of the tall, muscled guys who followed me. Soon enough, I was back to playing basketball in my back yard by myself.
Continuing to lose blood and stain my clothes, I was surprised that the many people who did walk in the neighbourhood were no where to be seen. Oh, that's right. They probably all fled when those dangerous looking guys showed up. Unlike myself, most people tried to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Hearing the cage open and close, I squeeze my eyes shut in fear. Was he back for more?
"What a beautiful mess," muses a soft, perceptive voice.
Looking up, I stare into the eyes of a pale, red headed boy. He crouches down next to me, grabbing my arm as he pulls me up. I continue to stare deeply into his eyes. One was a deep, ruby red while the other was an exciting mix of orange and yellow. He had heterochromatic eyes. The only reason I knew this was because my brother Yamato had the same problem as well. His left eye was a light, honey colour and the other a dark blue.
He grabs my bag off the ground with one hand, while keeping the other around my waist. He leads us slowly out of the cage, telling me to not over exert myself. He makes me sit on the neck outside of the cage, placing my bag by my feet. The red headed man stands in front of me, a perceptive, dark look on his face as he studies my bloody form.
"You are an…interesting girl," he says softly, as he gently rests a kind hand on top of my hair. He begins to rub it softly, revelling in the silk like texture.
I too enjoy the touch of his hand. For osme reason, it was comforting, soothing the pain. I unconsciously find myself reaching out to him, wanting to hug his body. There was something about his strange appearance and personality that I wanted to be covered in.
But he grabs my out stretched hand, placing it to my chest.
"We'll keep in touch, my empress," he whispers swiftly, his voice eerily sweet and promising. With a dazed look, I watch him walk away, disappearing altogether from my view.
Suddenly I realize what I had just done. Clenching my fist, I hold it tightly against my chest.
W-Why was I so transfixed by him? He was pulling me in, and I was sure that he knew it. Is that why he left? He didn't want to get involved? More importantly, why was I just going to go ahead and so rudely touch him like that?!
"Y-Yukari?" says a familiar voice from my left. Looking in the direction surpsied, my face softens upon seeing him with my former lucky ball under his arm. He looks at me with a mixture of awe, pain and horrification.
I give him a small smile, as I realize that the flowing of blood had come to a halt. I suppose I should get an x-ray, just in case.
Standing up, I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder. Losing my balance, I fall back onto the bench with a loud thud.
"Whoa," I mutter softly, as I feel myself becoming a little disoriented.
I hear Aomine-kun's footsteps coming towards me, but I ignore the thought of him. I didn't want to see him.
Getting up a second time, I manage to control my balance and begin to successfully take a step. But Aomine-kun grabs my hand, swinging me around. I stare down at his tanned, large hand around my tanned arm. We were almost the same complexion, strangely enough.
"Ao-"
I begin to shake as Aomine-kun bends down, wrapping his hand around the back of my legs. I knew what he was going to do.
Swinging it up, he carries me in his arms like how a loving husband would do to his newlywed wife.
"Satsuki told me that you called and didn't answer her. Apparently you left your phone on and she heard an argument going on. She sent me here so-"
"It's fine. I don't need an explanation," I mumble quietly, as I lay quietly still in his arms. Aomine-kun makes no attempt to move.
"Don't throw the first punch if you-"
"Put me down."
"What? No."
"I said, put me-"
I suddenly hiccup, putting my desperate voice to shame. I look at Aomine-kun who looks back at me with a smile. He begins to laugh uncontrollably.
But he didn't know what was to follow every hiccup that came from my mouth. The tears begin to slide down my face and I hide my face in shame.
"Hm? What the- Y-Yukari, what's wrong?" he asks, his voice urgent and worrisome. He sets me back on the ground, placing his hands protectively on my shoulders.
My face still buried in my hands, I answer him truthfully. But my voice comes out as an incoherent mumble.
He grabs my fingers, gently peeling them off of my bloody and now tear stricken face.
"Say it again," he orders, as he keeps my hands folded into his.
Swallowing the large lump in my throat, I noisily wipe my nose and eyes. "I said that I don't want you…you…I don't want you to leave me," I whimper out, as I begin to once again cry like a child.
"Fine. I'll stay with you at the hos-"
Shaking my head furiously back and forth, I wipe the tears off from my face.
"That's not what I meant, Aomine-kun," I whisper softly, as I grab his hands into mine. He looks at me, a look of realization overcoming his face. His hands slowly slip out of mine. Then did I understand what he wanted. Aomine-kun wasn't ready for a commit-
His lips are suddenly pressed into mine, the kiss urgent, animalistic, yet it was apologetic and sweet. As the tears continue to roll down my face, I grab the back of his neck, deepening the kiss.
Aomine-kun had a lot of baggage. There was his intense style of basketball, his lazy, unwillingly responsive attitude. His sudden outbursts of hate, coldness, sadness. Yet there was also those rare moments where he was happy, funny and sweet. There was a lot of things I didn't know about Aomine-kun and a lot he didn't know about me. Both of us had a weird way of communicating our feelings on others. I expected people to ask me what was wrong instead of telling them. Aomine-kun found it fit to keep everything stowed away.
We were both equally dysfunctional. But in away, we could balance each other out. Like how we were doing so right now. In that moment, I had forgotten everything that he had said and done. Like I said so before, there were two versions of Aomine-kun. One where I loved him and the other way I had nothing but resentment. Yet the both formed together and made everything that I could possibly want from him.
Pulling away from Aomine-kun, I nuzzle my face deeply into his chest. I revel delightfully in his scent, his touch, all that is him. He was all that I ever wanted.
He nestles his face into my hair, whispering an apology into it. His hot, enticing breath somehow makes it's way to my neck, causing me to shiver happily into him.
"Yuki-chan!" I hear call out, as I recognize the bubbly, girly voice. Pulling away from Aomine-kun, I notice that I had gotten blood all over his white shirt!
He looks down and notices the blood on his clothing as well.
"Ao- WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU TWO?!" yells Satsu-chan, as she takes in my bloody face and Aomine-kun's stained shirt. All I can do is scratch the back of my head and sheepishly apologize. Satsu-chan wastes no time in calling my brother's. Something that I deathly feared.
Waiting for Satsu-chan by the door outside for school, I talk to my two brothers in a three way call. Something that I had been dreading since yesterday.
"It didn't break or fracture so-"
"That is still no excuse. You're away from me for not even 2 days and I end up receiving a call from our cousin saying that you had gotten into a-"
"Ken-chan, just think about it. What if she didn't-"
"A basketball court is no place for a child-"
"Neh, Ken-chan. Didn't mother say that you were born on one?"
"Idiot! That was her attempt at some sort of- Never mind. I don't have time to argue with the likes of you. As for you, Yukari. You are no longer permitted to be alone while outside of-"
"That's impossible! This isn't middle school anymore, Yamaken!" I yell desperately, as I run a distressed hand through my hair. Really, did I need to be in some sort of witness protection program now?!
"I'm getting really tired of you both interrupting me," mutters Yamaken, as I hear him sigh out on the other end.
"It's fine, Ken-chan. Kari-chan has a boyfriend to-"
"WHAT?!" yell out both Yamaken and I in unison.
"What do you mean, boyfriend?" asks Yamaken, taking the words right out of my mouth.
I mean, Aomine-kun and I, although we hadn't officially made it official, but I assumed the kiss and embrace had specified that we were an item of sorts. But we were going out, I didn't think boyfriend and girlfriend were the proper terms to identify us. Yet. We still needed to get to know each other more.
"Eh? Our sisters boyfriend? What was his name again? It was something weird. Ao- no, it was Aho-"
"Aomine-kun!" I blurt out, as I slap my hand against my forehead. There I went. Spilling the beans.
"Let me rephrase that again. I let you be for not only 2 days, and I hear news that you somehow managed to be on the receiving side of a ball and somewhere along the way managed to pick up a boy toy?" says Yamaken, his voice growing increasingly irritated.
"Firstly, it was accidental. Secondly, Aomine-kun is not a 'boy toy' he's my-"
Biting my tongue, I stop myself from saying it. What was I to say? We hadn't even gone on a date yet!
"Satsuki-chan told me-"
"Satsu-chan told you this?!" I yell, as I open the house door. I find her crouched onto the floor, her ear pressed up against the door. She begins to laugh nervously while scratching the back of her head.
"Y-Yuki-"
"I'll call you guys back," I mutter quickly, as I slowly begin to close the door behind me, leaving Satsu-chan and I all alone. Perfect. No one would hear her screams as I murdered her with my shoe.
Walking into the gym, I greet the team happily.
"Imouto, we heard about yesterday. Are you alright? Do you need anything? Can we-"
"Easy, easy. It was just a…a ball to the face. Nothing to worry about," I lie nervously, as I set my bag onto the ground. Truth was, I hadn't told anyone about the threat I had received nor what had happened. I merely stated that while walking into the basketball cage, a nearby game going on had their ball accidentally hitting me in the face. I didn't dare mention anything about the true events. Not even to Aomine-kun.
"Always getting into trouble," sighs Riko-senpai, as she crosses her arms over her chest.
"Trouble's my middle name," I mumble, as I rub my eyes in stress. What if I did see those guys again? What was I going to do?
It was now after practice and I was on my way to meet Aomine-kun. I wasn't sure if you could call it a date, but he had insisted on walking me home. My whole ball in the face story didn't strike a nerve with him. Something about that worried me.
"Yuki!" yells a voice from behind. Turning around, I'm met with Kagami-kun.
"What's up, Kaga-kun?" I ask happily. I reach up to pinch his cheeks but he as always, swats my hand away.
He walks towards me, digging his hands into his black slacks.
"There's a street ball tournament going on tomorrow. I was thinking the first years of Seirin could enter it. Whaddya say?"
"Street ball? Sure, why-"
"Great. I'll text ya' where to meet up tomorrow!" he yells out, his voice fading into the busy hum of student's, as he begins to run down the hall.
I shake my head as a small smile creeps my lips. That Kagami-kun.
Waiting in front of Seirin for Aomine-kun to appear, I flip open my phone to keep myself occupied. I wonder if-
Suddenly, I feel an all too familiar presence. It was dark, sickening, but it was underlined with a sense of calm and sincerity. Looking up from my phone, I notice his small stature walking down the street. Something about him was yelling at me to follow him.
As I take a step forward, someone grabs my arm from behind, stopping my movements.
"The hell are you going?" asks a smug Aomine-kun, as he pulls me closer into him. Aomine-kun, just like myself, weren't much to show public affection. Whenever Aomine-kun did make a move, he always made sure that the two of us had been alone from prying eyes.
"I-I was…no where," I mumble softly, as I relax into his hard, comforting chest. I forget about following the strange boy upon seeing Aomine-kun.
Aomine-kun mutters something incoherent as he lightly pushes me in front of him, motioning for me to start walking.
"How was school?" I ask, as I walk in front of him, turning my head over my shoulder to hear his response.
"Boring. I went to practice," he mutters in irritancy, as he recalls the events from earlier.
"At least try to show some spirit once in a while," I reply back.
"Shut up," he mumbles.
Stopping in my tracks, Aomine-kun and I had reached the basketball cage. He notices my sudden stop and follows my fearful gaze.
"Hm? Wanna play a game?" he asks lazily, as he stretches his long arms behind his back.
I shake my head in disagreement.
"What? Yer' always dying to play against me? Let's go."
Aomine-kun grabs my hand, beginning to drag us both to what would be loosely speaking, our cage.
My heart begins to pound in fear and as well as my head. All I could think about was the warning from earlier. That deadly warning.
Trying to stop Aomine-kun, he continued to drag me and every once in a while telling me stop being such a brat. I needed to find a way to stop him. Anything from getting any closer to the group of boys. Suddenly, a brilliant idea pops into my mind.
Pulling his arm back, I clumsily slam Aomine-kun's body into mine.
"What is yer'-"
"Neh, Aomine-kun. How about we go home? Satsu-chan won't be home for a few hours. Let's go for a little, oh I don't know, treat?" I whisper teasingly, as I place my hands softly upon his chest.
Immediately his face begins to flush red. "Any…treat?" he chokes out, as he coughs into his hand out of embarrassment. Laughing softly, I nod my head in agreement. "Whatever I have to offer if yours," I purr out, as I entwine our hands together and quickly drag the love stricken boy home. Oh how easy they were to fool.
"THE HELL IS THIS?!" yells Aomine-kun, as he walks into the kitchen where I had been rummaging around the past couple of minutes.
"Language!" I yell back, as I begin to notice that Aomine-kun used some strong words in his vocabulary.
"You told me to wait in the living room. I thought we were…y'know…going to….ugh…." Aomine-kun trails off, scratching the back of his head as a glazed look overcomes his face.
"Aho. Pervert. Baaaaaka," I list out, as I throw insult after insult at him. Grabbing two spoons from the drawer, I place them in a bowl and hand it to Aomine-kun. He stares at me, his eyebrow twitching in annoyance.
"What is that?"
"Ice cream."
"Why are we-"
"I told you that I'd give you whatever treat I had to offer. We only have ice cream in the house, so this'll do. Come on, let's go in the living room," I order, as I brush past him with the bowl of strawberry ice cream. I couldn't help but give myself credit as to how sly I could be.
Plopping down on the couch, I notice Aomine-kun still in the kitchen. I wonder if he was-
"WHAT THE-"
Yep. He was upset.
A/N: Hello my lovelies. Sorry I've been M.I.A lately. I've been growing increasingly busy with school and this week is even more hectic. But I'm sure things will be back to normal next week with my chapter a day posting. Thank you all for the lovely reviews and favourites/follows. They mean so much. And woo-hoo, Yukari and Aomine are finally an item. I figured that since this is a fic about the two, they had to get together at some point. Next chapter is the street ball tournament. Finally getting my favourite Generation of Miracles player into this fic. Murasaaakibara! *.*
More basketball and new tricks await the next chapter. Love you all. 3