Hidden Beauty

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Basket Forty-Three: Game Over

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The ball bounced out of bounds and the announcer called a time out for Kaijou. There was 28 seconds left of the second quarter and the score is currently 18 - 18.

Once the game resumed, Kuroi noticed that Kise and Aomine were facing each other for the umpteenth time. 'Those two sure like having one-on-one's wit- ara?...' Kuroi blinked, shocked when Kise passed the ball onto Hayakawa.

Yet, as soon as Kaijou got the ball, it was stolen, and Aomine was then holding it in his hands. He darted past Kise, jumping to dunk, but slammed into Kasamatsu.

Kuroi twitched, knuckles nearly turning white. "Hmph." She grunted, crossing her arms. Kuroi paused, noticing Mikurei smiling at her, ever so slightly.

"S- Sorry." Kuroi mumbled, flushing as she turned her attention back to the important match.

In those remaining 28 seconds, Touou managed to take the lead with 43 - 34, the second quarter ending with a buzzer beater by Touou's captain. Kuroi blinked, confused. 'How did they get so far in those 28 seconds... I guess that's what happens when two Generations of Miracles go up against each other.'

During the ten minute interval, Kuroi was ever so tempted to go back to the locker rooms, but was held back by Kira and Mikurei. "I don't see why I can't." Kuroi uttered, sinking lower into her seat. "Can I at least go get a drink?"

"Oh, and how do we know if you aren't just going to make a break for the locker rooms?" Kira hummed, hooking her arm around Kuroi's in an attempt to keep her from moving. Mikurei only nodded, also holding onto Kuroi's jacket sleeve.

"Take discreet over there." Kira sighed out, leaning back into her chair as she let go of Kuroi's arm. Kuroi rubbed her arm, raising her eyebrow in questioning. It took her a moment, before she realized that Kira was calling Mikurei 'discreet'.

"She's just a kuudere," Kuroi stuck up for Mikurei, sticking her tongue out childishly. "Besides, I don't think she trusts you." She snickered, taking Mikurei's hand in hers to drag her away from the crowds.

"Thank you..." Mikurei whispered once they were far enough away from the whole crazed ordeal, in the more quiet and spacious area of the hallways.

Kuroi gave her a thumbs up, "No problem." She said, grinning. "But, seriously, I really am thirsty." The two explored the halls before finally finding a vending machine. Kuroi took her money out, putting it in the coin slot and choosing her drink. "Do you want something?" She asked, turning to face Mikurei.

Mikurei appeared to be intently staring elsewhere, causing Kuroi to follow her gaze. "Ah." A small black and white dog sat in front of them, tail wagging and tongue hanging free.

"Arf!"The small dog barked happily, staring up at the two girls. "Why does that dog..."

"Sorry, he's mine."

"Oh, that's okay Kuroko," Kuroi smiled before freezing up half a second later. "Wait - KUROKO!?"Both blue haired teens winced and cringed at the loudness of her voice, the dog jumping back in surprise as well.

Shocked, Kuroi watched as the light blue haired male bent forward, picking up his dog. "This is Nigou." He introduced, holding the dog close in his arms. "I found him and took him in."

"H- How kind of you..." Kuroi laughed, scratching her cheek warily. "What a-... Lemme guess, you're here watching the match as well?" It was the only logical explanation, after all.

Lo and behold, Kuroko nodded. "I'm here with my team, we were training before, and Riko-san brought us all here."

"I see, I see." Kuroi nodded slowly. "Well, say hi.. er, to your team... I guess."

"Why aren't you playing?"

"Eh?"

"Was your secret found out?"

"Geh-"

"I bet it was. I'm sorry. I'll be taking my leave now." Kuroko lowered his head, making sure he held Nigou tight in his arms so he wouldn't run off again, and headed back to where his team was sitting.

"That was... eventful. Can I just guess that I'm not really hiding this 'secret' very well...?" Mikurei only nodded, holding Kuroi's drink out to her. "Thanks..."

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"Whoa..." Kira watched in awe, blinking. "You could practically feel the intensity from all the over here..." She murmured, unable to take her eyes away.

Kuroi smiled, "Are you sure you aren't here only for the guys?"

Kira tore her eyes away from the match, glaring at her lap. "S- Shut up, I'm not here for anyone but cute and sexy guys!" She proclaimed.

Kuroi nodded slowly, turning back to watch the match continue on. It was a quick burst of energy almost, and then Kasamatsu stole the ball, tossing it over to Kise. Kuroi blinked in shock as the captain of Touou stretched his arms out, holding Kise back to keep him from scoring. 'Is he seriously...' Kuroi narrowed her eyes, focusing on Kise's movements. It was hard to tell from so far away, but the near improvements and strain on his muscles as they flexed left a feeling of worry in the depths of her stomach. She reached up, rubbing her eyes and shaking her head. 'Everything will be fine.'

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The crowd fell silent as Aomine easily scored Touou another point, before everyone erupted into startled and amazed cheers.

Even after a minute, Kaijou managed to narrow the score down from 15 to 12 points. It nearly gave Kuroi when the ball was passed to number 9, but luckily Moriyama had managed to stop the 3 pointer.

'Nice, Moriyama-sempai.' Kuroi thought, sighing in relief as she let her ferocious grip on her bottle go. She studied the court as well as the other members of Kaijou, feeling bad that she wasn't able to at least be on the bench to support them. Her gaze landed on Kise, and that very unsettling feeling came back to her, her stomach going queasy in a way. 'Did Kise finally complete it?' Kuroi thought, shocked, as Kise went head to head with Aomine. He sped past the ace of Touou, arm reached out to score. Aomine ran up behind him, bumping into him mid-air.

Kise swung backwards, the ball going through the hoop, stunning everyone, including Aomine.

Kise was awarded his free throw, bringing them closer to Touou's score.

The game continued, and Touou's captain turned to pass the ball to Aomine. Kuroi's eyes widened, the tanned ace too busy in his own little stunned world, as he fumbled to catch the pass that came his way. Kise easily took the ball, darting past Aomine and past number 9. But, just before Kise could score, Aomine managed to successfully block the shot without earning himself another foul.

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Almost as soon as the third quarter ended, the fourth and final one began. The two aces kept going up against each other, Aomine scoring, then Kise following closely behind, neither letting up.

This continued for nearly eight minutes, until when Kise had the ball in his grasp. He pulled a skidding motion, leg twisting as he threw the ball, wincing.

Kuroi shot up from her chair, shocked. "Kise- uwagh!"

"Sit down, you!" Kira hissed quietly, pulling Kuroi back down into her seat, ignoring the weird looks they got from the surrounding people. Kuroi didn't say anything else, silent, as she watched the muscles flex and move about in his legs.

She finally tore her eyes away from Kaijou's ace, glancing at the remaining time and score. 'One minute left and the point difference isn't too bad.' She groaned, rubbing her temples before focusing back on the game.

Kise and Aomine stood, facing each other, both waiting and trying to interpret the others' moves. Finally, Kise moved, faking a jump to try and pass to Kasamatsu. Aomine predicted the outcome and stopped the pass, knocking the ball out of bounds.

In the end, in those remaining seconds, they never gave up. Kaijou fought hard against Touou, but they lost.

And as painful as it was, Kuroi was glad that it was over. The pain and suffering was beginning to be too much for her, and she couldn't watch it any longer.

"GAME OVER!" The announcer yelled, the crowd going into an up-roar. Kuroi bit her lip, eyes shut tight as she tried to keep the tears from coming.

"That... was epic." Kira confessed after a few moments, the cheering crowd finally dulled into a flurry of voices of the recent match they all saw. "Let's go." The pale blonde stood, brushing her hair over her shoulder as she gathered her things. "Yasuhiro Kuro-kun." Kira snapped, poking the crossdresser.

Kuroi shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts. "E- Eh? Sorry, Kira-sempai..." She apologized, standing as well. They all walked for the exit, and Kuroi was surprised to see the team standing in the parking lot, waiting for the bus to pick them up. "Y- You guys can go!"

"Huh?" Kira and Mikurei looked at each other, watching the black haired girl run off.

"Sorry!" Kuroi shouted, waving her hand as she run up towards the team. "Kise!" Kuroi piped up, catching the blond's attention.

"Yasuhirocchi!... Ah... I'm sorry, we couldn't-"

"It's fine," Kuroi cut in, shaking her head. "You all did you best and I'm happy that you didn't injure yourself." She smiled, gently elbowing Kise in an attempt to make him feel better. "Besides, there is still the Winter Cup, right?" Kise gave her a long stare, before nodding, his bangs falling into his eyes.

Kuroi lowered her gaze to the ground, going silent. "Where's... Kasamatsu?" She asked.

"Sempai said he'd catch up..." Kise offered, chuckling quietly. Kuroi frowned, "Don't laugh if you aren't going to mean it." She demanded, scoffing, this time elbowing him harder than the last. 'Especially if it's going to sound as broken as that... You idiot.'

"I'll see you at school." Kuroi spoke, patting Kise's shoulder before jogging off to go find Kasamatsu. She made her way to the locker rooms, a high chance that the captain might still be in there. She just hoped that it wasn't for the reason that she thought it was...

Kuroi slowly and quietly opened the door, creeping inside as if her very life was at stake. "Damn..." She sniffled, startling Kasamatsu. He turned around, shocked, and furiously wiped at his eyes. "D- Don't try to hide it now, stupid." She added, walking up to him to push his hand away from his red eyes and flushed cheeks.

Kasamatsu stayed silent, turning to face the locker in deep embarrassment. Kuroi studied his back for a few seconds before mutely dropping to her knees. She gradually wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, feeling the heat radiating off of his body.

Kasamatsu at first went still but almost immediately dropped his guard, letting Kuroi comfort him as the tears still continued to flow. "I'm sorry." He croaked out, voice breaking.

"I know," Kuroi smiled softly against his back, sniffing as her own tears dripped freely onto his shirt, leaving small damp marks. "I know..."

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Zee tearssss! Zheeey burrrnnnn. *sobs*

~WinterAssassin~