Hidden Beauty

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Basket Forty-Eight: Just an Ordinary Day

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It was now Monday and currently lunch time. Kuroi, along with Mikurei, were in the gym with the others. They had all been chatting like nothing had happened, which Kuroi had been thankful for.

She knew it must have felt a bit awkward, for some of them, at least. She also knew she hadn't been the most 'friendly' or 'easy-to-get-along-with' lately.

Kuroi glanced down at her bento, poking her salad with a fork before eating a piece of cucumber.

"You know what this calls for?"

All head's turned to Kise, their attention focused on him. "What?" Someone finally spoke up, amongst the small crowd of mixed first, second and third years.

"A party!" The blond announced, grinning.

"No." Kasamatsu immediately replied, his calm stare melting into a frown. "No parties, Kise."

"But, senpa-"

"No."

"Bu-"

"No!"

"You-"

"NO!"

"SENPAI!" Kise whined (more like shouted) causing Kasamatsu to (angrily) fall silent.

"What?" Kasamatsu hissed out, trying to calm himself before he could jump kick the blond halfway across the gym.

Kise only smiled, "Is this because of last time we had a party and we all left you and Yasuhirocchi out in the woods?" Before Kasamatsu had a change to answer, Hideki spoke up, raising his hands. "Hey, I thought you two were going to run back to Kise's." Hideki mumbled out just before he picked his water bottle up to take another sip.

Kasamatsu sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I still don't think that Kise and parties mix."

"But I go to parties all the time... Well, the kind for models and movie stars and singers and stuff." Kise shrugged, as if it wasn't such a bit deal.

"Do you meet anyone famous?" Kuroi finally spoke, giving the blond model an intense stare. Kise hummed in thought before shaking his head.

"Not really. I mean, I guess they're well known and stuff, but no one is like a Hollywood type..." Kise trailed off, blinking slowly as if in deep thought.

"Huh, well... Nevermind." Kuroi shook her head. She fell silent before turning to Kasamatsu. The third year was busy talking to Moriyama, something about new training regimens for everyone (she wasn't completely eavesdropping).

"Senpai!" Kuroi was roused from her musings and she turned to look back at Kise, who was giving Kasamatsu that kicked puppy look. His bottom lip quivered as his eyes appeared to moisten substantially.

"What, Kise? Didn't we drop the topic of having a party?" Kasamatsu frowned.

Kise's pout only deepened as he shrugged slightly, "No..." He mumbled out. "But, ple-"

"Kise..."

"Fine..." Kise heaved a sigh out and Kasamatsu was about to turn back to Moriyama to continue their discussion, but Kuroi poked his arm, causing him to face her.

"I think it'd be fun." Kuroi said, smiling innocently.

Kasamatsu's expression faltered as he stared at her, his blue-grey orbs fixated on her purple eyes. "Y- You think?" The captain stuttered out, his cheeks flushing ever so slightly.

Kuroi only nodded, blinking slowly as she held his gaze. Or, at least, she hoped it looked all slow-mo in Kasamatsu's eyes - just like how she'd seen it done in the movies. She smiled, thinking she had done it correctly when Kasamatsu's cheeks darkened a bit more. "Okay.." He murmured, nodding slowly.

"Okay." Kuroi repeated, grinning. The black haired girl leaned over and gave the older male a peck on the cheek, her grin melting into a cheeky smile.

"Yasuhirocchi," Kise put his hand on Kuroi's arm, giving her a serious stare. Kuroi stared back at him, tilting her head ever so slightly in questioning. "Hmn?"

"You're awesome. I love you."

Kuroi was about to speak when she got distracted by Kasamatsu giving Kise a heated glare. Kise stared before tripping over his words, "I- I mean, uh, I love you as in- er, as in a little br- uh, sister. Yeah. But... like a brother.. when... nevermind." Kise finished lamely, his shoulders drooping as his pride fell.

"I know, Kise. I know." Kuroi chuckled, patting Kise's shoulder. "Don't worry, though. There is still someone here who thinks you're totally cool and not all that idiotic." Kuroi replied, referring to his nearly shattered pride. Kise visibly brightened up, his head rising from his previous intent stare at the floor. "Who?" He asked.

"Well... I can't say. Hopefully you'll figure it out on your own. Unless... you really are just that idiotic."

"Yasuhirocchi, so mean!" Kise whined out, falling backwards with an 'oompf'. "Why does the world like teasing me so?" He asked, pouting up at the roof above them all. He received various responses, all either jokes and chuckles.

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"What do you think the party will be like?" Kuroi asked, turning her attention to Kasamatsu. The two were currently walking towards the gym, as school had ended, and were talking quietly to themselves amongst the vocal roar of the crowd of students around them.

Kasamatsu looked at her before facing forward again, easily dodging and slipping past students. He was, after all, used to navigating the halls, as he was in his third year. "I hope it'll be calm and normal, not filled with idiots doing idiotic things."

Kuroi laughed at his response. "True, true." She replied, nodding. "But don't you ever feel the need to... I don't know, do something stupid? At least once?"
Kasamatsu thought about it for a minute before shrugging, "I guess, but it doesn't mean I'll act out on it and do that stupid thing." He responded.

"Sempai, how are you so wise?" Kuroi asked, smirking as Kasamatsu came to a swift halt.

Kasamatsu shook his head a moment later and continued to walk forward, eager to just get to the gym. "I- I'm not wise..." He mumbled out, almost too quietly. "Just.. thoughtful."

Kuroi stared at him before responding. She smiled, "Hmm, you sound like it." She said, casting her eyes ahead of her, a comfortable silence falling in between the two of them.

Only a couple minutes later they arrived at the gym. They entered and then respectively went into the proper changing rooms.

Kuroi changed and came out, stretching her arms way above her head, as if reaching for the sky. She stifled a yawn and swung her arms around, hoping to get her muscles loose enough for practice. 'I hope not practicing for a while won't affect me too bad.' The black haired girl thought, frowning. 'Cause that'd suck.' She added, walking towards the gathering flock of boys.

"Kuroi~ Welcome back!" Jiro grinned. "I'd give you a welcome back kiss - but I don't want the Captain to send me flying." He stated, giving Kasamatsu, who just come out of the locker room, a rather cocky smile.

Kasamatsu only raised his eyebrow but then narrowed his eyes at the first year, giving him reason enough to keep his mouth shut. "Okay," The third year turned, looking over everyone before he glanced back down at the clipboard the Coach had handed him earlier. "Today we'll start off with some light stretching then go for a jog in the track field since the track team is away for the next couple days."

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I'm sad that this story will be ending soon... TuT

But! Here is some homework for you. Go to my profile and vote for which story I should start next! The sequel to Hidden Beauty will be on the list as well! It's called Shrouded Radiance! But don't worry, they'll all be written, I just need help deciding which one should come first out of the seven :P So, anyway, please vote! xD (and vote wisely, because you only get 2 picks. Huurr hurrrr.)

On a final note, since I decided next chapter to be party time, what does everyone think should happen? xD Should there be a little bit of alcohol involved? (drunk!Kaijou will be very hilarious lmao) Should they play any typical teen-party games? Should anyone drunkenly confess their love for someone?! xD The possibilities are endless, so please share your ideas with me in a PM!

~WinterAssassin~