Hidden Beauty

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Basket Thirty-Four: New Ally

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"Awh, man!" Kuroi groaned loudly, grabbing her head as she tumbled onto her bed. "I forgot to ask Kira about what the heck she was planning! The suspicious bit-"

"Kuroi!"

"A- Ah, yes, mom?" Kuroi coughed, making sure her wig was still on her head as she quickly sat up, facing the door. There was silence for a moment, before her mom spoke again.

"Is there something you're not telling me... ?"

"Eh?" Kuroi blinked, halting her movements. 'Holy crap. Does she know? Does she!? I'm dead for sure if she do-'

"It's just... You've been so distant lately, and you're returning more lately than usual... I'm just worried." Kuroi visibly relaxed as she got off her bed and opened the door.

"Sorry, I'm just busy with practice. We're currently in the preliminaries!"

"Oh, should your father and I come watch?"

"U- uh, er, no. It's fine. Nothing too special." Kuroi chucked awkwardly, patting her mother's shoulder. Kayate gave her a childish frown. "But, don't worry, mother. Plus, I have this project to work on with this new girl in my class. Her name is Vinocair Mikurei."

"Sounds exotic." Kayate smiled warmly. Kuroi chuckled, "I think it's a pretty name." She replied.

"Hmm, well. Have a nice sleep, sweetie."

"I will." Kuroi replied. She waited until her mother closed the door and her steps few faint. She sighed and fell back onto her bed, glaring at the ceiling. "I wonder how long this will go on for..."

Deciding to go out for a quick walk, despite being tired and ache-y, she pulled her sweater on and opened the door. It was late, but not late enough that she still couldn't go outside. Kuroi just wanted to clear her head, is all.

"Mom, I'm going for a little walk."

"Okay, hurry back." Kayate replied faintly.

Kuroi just gave a nod, knowing her mother couldn't see it, but didn't press her luck.

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"Uhm, Mikurei?" Kuroi stared at the girl. All through first, second, third, and fourth period the girl had been totally ignoring her. This was Kuroi's thirty-fourth attempt to catch the girl's attention. She had asked her about the project, about her family, just random little things that might have done the job, but she was granted no such luck.

Kuroi sighed and turned her head back to the board, as class was still in session. Five minutes later, she decided to try again. "I know I'm probably annoying you, but could you at least tell me what I did wrong?" She whispered, making sure the teacher was facing the opposite way before she talked.

She wasn't surprised when she didn't get an answer. Kuroi glanced towards the clock, 'Only five more minutes till lunch. What should I do though; I told myself that I was going to confront Kira... But then, I want to find out why Mikurei keeps ignoring me. But-! Awhhh, stupid, stupid, stupid me! I hate yo- er, me. I-... What was I thinking about again?' A blank looked crossed her face, watching the big hand on the clock move with each passing second. 'Right, here's the plan. Stalk Mikurei, stalk Kira, and then st- er, eat lunch. Yeah.' Three minutes later, the bell rang. Kuroi sprang to her feet a second later, startling some of the other students in the process, before taking her bento from out of her bag. She looked up, and nearly cried out when she realized Mikurei was nowhere in sight. 'KUROKO ABILITIES?!' She gaped, and quickly ran out into the hall, only to bump right into someone's chest. Kuroi would have toppled over, if not for a hand darting out to grab her. Dark brown hair and deep blue eyes greeted her sight. "Jiro?" Kuroi blinked. "I haven't seen you in a while." She said, smiling. Of course, she had seen him at practice countless times, but have never approached or been approached by him, yet.

"Same! I was wondering if you wanted to come eat lunch with me and some of the others." Jiro smiled, and Kuroi could almost hear girls' hearts melt at the sight.

She rolled her eyes, prying her wrist free from his hold. "Sorry, I'm looking for someone. Then I need to look for someone else, then I can eat."

"Ah, who're you looking for?" Jiro asked, staring intently at her purple eyes.

"Mikurei. She has dark blue hair and yellow eyes."

Jiro grinned, "Sounds adorable."

"Pervert." She swatted his arm, and looked both ways down the hall. "Have you seen her?"

"Nope."

"Damn. Well, anyway, I'll see you at practice!" She gave his shoulder a hard pat, before jogging off down the hall.

Kuroi rounded a corner, huffing loudly. "Where did she go..." She muttered. Kuroi turned and decided to check the library. She didn't see any sign of Mikurei there, so she decided to check the cafeteria. After managing to scan the entire area, she did see the girl.

"Maybe outside..." Ten minutes later, she was back inside her classroom, sitting in her desk. 'I couldn't find her.' She thought dully, nibbling on her rice ball.

The lunch bell rang, and sure enough, Mikurei appeared in a matter of seconds. Kuroi watched the girl like a hawk, and in turn, the girl ignored her. Fifth then sixth period passed by quickly, and the bell rang.

Mikurei stood, and collected her things before leaving the classroom. Kuroi was hot on her heels, eyes glued to her back as she stalked her through the halls. 'I know I should head to practice, but I just want to know where she's planning on go-... oh.' Kuroi blinked, realizing that they had ended up at the library.

"I'll see you later." Mikurei whispered, before disappearing inside the said library. Kuroi could only stare at the doors meekly, before turning to make her way to the gym.

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During practice, her mind kept wandering to Mikurei. She was beginning to get annoyed at what was wrong. What happened? Surely not something bad, right? Kuroi had only known the girl for a day.

"Oi, Kuroi!" Blue-grey eyes sprung into her vision, and Kuroi nearly lost her footing. "Sempai." She greeted.

"Why are you spacing out?" Kasamatsu huffed at her. Dating or not, she still needed to practice with everyone else.

"Ah, it's just that Mikurei keeps ignoring me. I don't' know why..." She glanced at the clock in the gym. 'Practice is over in ten minutes...' "Can I leave practice early? Like, now?"

Kasamatsu raised his eyebrow, "Now?" He questioned. He looked at the clock, before nodding slowly. "I guess s-" He was interrupted by another kiss on the cheek. He blushed and put a hand on his cheek, watching Kuroi bolt into the girls' changing room and coming out a minute later back in his boy attire.

"Thank you!" She called, waving her goodbyes to the other members before departing.

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Once Kuroi finally made it to the library, she was surprised when she didn't see Mikurei at the desk they were at yesterday. "Uhm... Miku-"

"Hello."

"Uwah!" Kuroi let an un-manly yelp out, stumbling backwards and falling onto the chair. Mikurei was standing before her, arms crossed and an embarrassed yet stern expression on her face. "... ?"

"Yasuhiro-kun, I would like to confirm something that's been bothering me all day today and partly yesterday..."

"Y- Yes?"

Mikurei took a look around the library, apart from the librarian; they were the only two in there. "Are you crossdressing as a girl?" She asked in a hushed whisper.

"Wha- No! I mean... not... exactly." Kuroi groaned, grasping her head. 'This can't be! How does she know about me!? Well, sorta... know...'

"Then, if you'll please enlighten me on why I saw you exiting the girls changing room... looking like... a... girl." She trailed off, biting her bottom lip.

'So that's why she's been ignoring me. Damn, I need to be more careful...' "Uhm... If I tell you, you have to promise me that you'll never tell anyone. Okay?" Kuroi watched Mikurei nod quickly. "I am a girl, for starters."

"Why-"

"Long story short: I basically entered this school as a guy, because I love basketball, and I want to play it, and yeah... But, the thing is, my parents or no one else really knows about my being a girl. Well, the basketball team knows, and my friend and other friend... And this one girl who kinda blackmailed me into dating her... But, yeah. No one, really." The more she explained her little story, the crazier and weird it all felt. "I have a weird life, to sum it up." She replied in a monotone voice. Mikurei nodded slowly, thinking over the explanation.

"I thought you were some guy with a weird crossdressing fetish or something..." Mikurei muttered after a minute, her cheeks taking on a pink color.

"Interesting." Kuroi giggled. "Well, then. I feel like this whole misunderstanding brought us closer." She said. Mikurei only gave her a shy nod.

"What's your real name?" The blue haired girl asked.

"It's Yasuhiro Kuroi." Kuroi smiled, holding her hand out. Mikurei took it, and they shook.

"Vinocair Mikurei." It was a proper introduction, and Kuroi beamed up at the girl.

"Rei-chan!" She grinned, enjoying how Mikurei's cheeks turned red again. "Oh, hey! You should come hang out at practice! I mean, you don't have to do anything, but I'm sure I can convince Kasamatsu to let you stay. But, uh, you might get hit on by some of them... Namely Moriyama-sempai. And Jiro... Meh. Feel free to punch them in the face and tell them I told you to do it!" She shifted in her seat, looking at the splayed papers on the table. "Ah, I see you've done more work." She whined, not knowing whether to be happy or sad.

But, Kuroi supposed that she could be happy. Just this once. Because she had gained a new ally.

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I'm changing my pen name! Just so you all know. o.o; But! I need help deciding what it should be, so I've made a poll on my profile... There's like, 8 choices. If you guys could be so kind as to vote which you like best (you only get two choices) then it'd help a lot! :3

Thank you~!

~Love me or Hate me~ (Guess I'd need to change this, as well. o.o')