Chapter 18: Wager, Wager

"Kagami-kun! It's me. Buzz me in!" I yell irritably into the speaker, as I watch the frost from my warm breath begin to dance around in front of me. It was freezing outside, surprisingly enough. I began to wonder if it would possibly snow soon. Probably. That means I'd have to buy a proper jacket and other warmer clothing as well. That would also mean I'd have to get a job if I wanted to buy some extra warmth for the upcoming winter, that looked very promising.

Sighing, I raise my scarf higher up my face as I begin to dance around, earning odd looks from strangers on the street. I was just trying to keep warm because a certain someone was taking forever to buzz me into their complex.

Suddenly, the speaker makes a loud, static noise as I hear Kagami-kun's familiar, annoyed voice. "No-"

Jabbing the button with my now frozen finger tip, I threaten Kagami-kun to let me in or he wouldn't awake the next time to see the sun rising. Sighing greatly on the other end, he buzzes me in.

Practically bolting into the warm, toasty complex, I stand frozen in the nice, clean foyer for about 10 minutes, trying to get the circulation in my body running through again. I think it was time to whip out the tights once again.

Brushing past an elderly couple, I apologize to them as I run to catch the elevator that was closing. Making it in on time, I hit the number ten as I wait patiently for the elevator to stop first at three and then head up to ten.

As the older man get's off at the third floor, I'm taken to the tenth as I walk down the long hall, stopping at the very last door. Knocking a few times, I dig my still frozen hands into my sweater, waiting for Kagami-kun to open his door. After a very long minute, I hear his thunderous footsteps and some shuffling around before he swings the door open, taking up the entrance as it seems that he had no intention of letting me in.

"Yes?"

"What's with the attitude?" I huff out, as I cross my arms over my bust. Really? He was this mad?

"What's with the unpleasant sur-"

"I'd invite myself in but it seems as though you'd rather have us sort this out in the hall. Fine, have it your way. I came here to apologize, alright? Nothing more. I don't want to fight, to yell or to say things that I, or you, would regret later on. Like how you regret saying all those things to me, right?" I hint on, as I wink directly at him, signalling that he should play along and we both should forget about the matter.

"I can't help how-"

"I feel that Seirin and Aomine-kun are two, very, completely different cases. I know how to separate one from the other and I don't need you, of all people, telling me that I can't. If you can't accept my apology and aren't willing to throw this behind us, then I have a proposition for you."

Kagami-kuns' eyes narrow judgingly as he stares at me, specifically at my face as he tries to search for some type of bluff. Some type of ulterior motive. But I didn't have one. I knew Kagami-kun was stubborn in almost everything, so, I had come up with an alternate plan to decide how to settle all of this.

"A bet?"

"Your words, not mine. Listen, what would you think about of having a match?" I ask quizzically, as a sly smile overcomes my lips.

"A basketball match?"

"No, Kagami-kun. A game of Polo! Of course basketball! That's the only thing you can play, right?"

Kagami-kun reaches out, pointing directly in the middle of my forehead. Confused in response, I look up questioningly at his sudden outstretched finger. "What're you- G'AH!"

Rubbing my forehead furiously, the brim of my crème coloured irises begin to fill with tears.

"W-What was that for?!" I yell out angrily and emotionally as Kagami-kun had just proceeded to flick me in the forehead. Seriously, his fingers were long and much bigger than the average persons'. It wasn't fair.

"Don't make me out to be an idiot, idiot," he replies back exhaustedly, as he shifts his weight tiredly onto his other foot.

"Bakagami," I mutter quiet, as I scratch the side of my face as I can't help but smile.

"What was that?" he asks in annoyance, as he reaches out to flick me again. Grabbing his finger with my two hands, I lead it down to the middle of my chest, as I help guide him to outline a heart.

"You know I don't think that you're actually an idiot. Although you have me guessing sometimes," I laugh out, as I proceed to outline a heart as well on his chest.

I was trying to point out that no matter what we said to one another, what we did, in the end, we both had an undying love within each other. Whether it be for basketball, our family or for the other.

Kagami-kun looks to the side, scratching his head as he tries to hide his red face. As long as he didn't have that angry scowl from earlier, I was fine with an embarrassed face more than anything else.

"Now, as I was saying. How about you and I have a basketball match? Whoever wins will be declared right and therefore will have to comply to the others' demand. Sound good?"

"Not really. How many people in a team?"

"A standard team, just like any other game of basketball."

"But-"

"Here. I'll make it easier on your behalf. You can get all of Sei-"

"I can have all of Seirin?"

Nodding my head with a smile, I jester with my hands that there was more. "You get Seirin and I'll form my own team…somehow," I explain thoughtfully, as I give him a few seconds to contemplate.

Kagami-kun stands in front of me, crossing his arms over his broad chest as I notice a small stain of some sort on his white t-shirt. I had to wonder, did he know how to get it out?

"If I get Seirin, who does that leave you with?" he asks cautiously, as he begins to poke my cheeks in speculation. As if they had the answers to all of his questions.

" I don't kno- Stop that! I'll ask Satsu-chan and see if she can gather anyone else," I say irritably, as I swat his hand away from my face.

Kagami-kun begins to immediately laugh to the point where he holds his side and begins to slam his hand onto the door frame. Cracking an eye at him, I begin to punch him lightly in the gut. "Kagami-kun!" I whine out sadly, as I begin to cling onto his arm in despair. Coming to his senses in a bit, I continue to hold onto Kagami-kuns' arm, feeling a sense of recollection. It felt like how it used to be. Before Aomine-kun came into the picture. Before he ended up meaning something to me that I couldn't quite place my finger on. Before when Kagami-kun and I were better friends than this.

Kagami-kun places a comforting hand on top of my head, rubbing it softly as I can tell from not even looking that he had a small smile on his lips. Yes, it was just like old times.

"You and her are going to make a team? Against Seirin? Well, ya' better get ready."

Pulling away from the large boy, I flash him a smile as I tell him not to worry. But instead, that he should tell the team to up their training. After a few more insults exchanged here and there, we schedule for the so called match to be in two days. Two days for Kagami-kun and the team to practice and two days for me to rally up the troops.

As soon as Kagami-kun closes his door, I immediately whip out my phone, calling Satsu-chan as I walk down the hall towards the elevator.

"Yuki-chan! How'd it go?" she asks, as I hear the sink running in the background.

"It's a deal. Have you contacted everyone?" I ask, as I can't help but not hide my large smirk.

"Yes. Although our only shooting guard was a hassle to persuade," she adds, as she sighs out in recollection on the other end.

Rolling my eyes at the stubborn boy, I continue to jab the "up" button as I finally hear the elevator shaft beginning to make it's way up to the tenth floor.

"Did we have to bribe him?"

"Not really. As soon as I mentioned he'd get a chance to pay against Kagami-kun he ultimately caved in."

Ah yes. The benefits of sweet, sweet revenge.

"Everyone else is good to go though?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Thank you, Satsu-chan. Look, I'm getting into the elevator right now so I'll see you at home, alright?"

"Bye, Yuki-chan!"

Snapping my phone shut with a large, devious smile, I step into the elevator as an old man greets me.

"It's good to see kids your age so happy," he states, as he flashes me a lively smile in return.

Yes. I was really happy. I suppose it was somewhat cruel to not tell Kagami-kun of who I had actually called in and arranged to play on my team, but then again, he'd had me feeling pretty down lately. I needed all the power and luck if I wanted this little dispute to go my way. And with the people I had playing against Seirin, I'd get nothing but that.

But deep down, I felt a little guilty of placing Seirin against these players. But, it'd be a good chance to practice for the upcoming Winter Cup.

I couldn't wait to see the horrid look on Kagami-kun's face on Tuesday.