Hidden Beauty
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Basket Fifty: One Final Step
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It was now Monday and currently 6:40 in the morning. Due to everyone's previous actions and what had happened during the party, Kasamatsu had (drunkenly) ordered everyone to come to morning practice bright and early on Monday.
The third year had insisted on 4:00 in the morning, but, of course, everyone had objected, giving different excuses and reasons. Kuroi had a good reason to object, at least. Mostly...
It had something to do with being unsure of the times the buses/train ran and she didn't want to trouble her parents at 3:30 in the morning to drive her. After a little more persuading from Moriyama and Kobori (who Kasamatsu declared as the voice of reason), he had finally gave in and everyone agreed on 6:45. It wasn't too early, and they still had plenty of time to get some training in.
Kuroi stopped in front of the gym doors, staring at them blankly. She vaguely wondered if anyone was going to even show up, but laughed. 'Of course they'll show... Unless they want to get attacked by Kasamatsu.' She shivered at the thought. Going flying through the air by one of his jumping/flying kicks didn't sound like fun - but then again, she doubted he would actually hurt her in the first place.
Just as the black haired crossdresser was about to open the door, she heard foot steps behind her, causing her actions to falter. Kuroi turned, surprised to see Kasamatsu standing behind her, looking just as tired as she felt.
"Do you have an after-after hangover or something?" Kuroi giggled. It appeared to take Kasamatsu a moment to register her words in his mind before he shook his head, waving her question off with a flick of his wrist.
"No, or... I don't know." He shrugged. "Morning."
"Good morning." Kuroi replied with a small smile. Her hand fell from the handle of the double doors as she turned to face the older male. "Senpai?"
"Hmn?"
"I was thinking... We should still tell my parents. About, uh- us." Kuroi murmured the last part, her cheeks going rosy. That caused Kasamatsu to flush, as well, and he nodded.
"Yeah," He agreed. "I should probably tell my parents, as well." Kuroi took her turn to nod, smiling. "Sh- Should I go for.. uh, support? Or, like... m- maybe be in- introduced?"
"Aww..." Kuroi cooed softly, fighting the urge to hug the breath out of Kasamatsu. "You're so cute! You wanna meet my parents?" Her teasing tone made the red dusting Kasamatsu's cheeks darken as he looked anywhere but her.
"Y- Yeah... Isn't that what a- a good boyfriend should do?"
"I guess. I mean, it depends on the person. But, I'm glad to hear you actually want to meet them. Although, I'm sure that they'll be very surprised..." Kuroi mumbled, humming in thought.
"When are we going to do this?"
"Mm... How about Saturday?"
"Alright." Kasamatsu said, pausing to run his hand over his neck. "Hey,"
"Yeah?"
"Did I... Say anything weird at Kise's party? Or do anything weird?"
"Uhh..." Kuroi went into some odd mental flashback about Kasamatsu calling her Yasuhirocchi and when he had wrapped his arms around her and then when he had... kissed her. She blinked the image from her eyes and slowly looked back at Kasamatsu before turning away to hide her flushing cheeks, "No. Nope... Not really."
OoOoO
After morning practice had ended, everyone had tiredly gotten changed and ready for the school day to officially begin. Some were more tired than others, while others were less tired than most.
Kuroi happened to fit into the group that was more tired than others. She had practiced hard - and now she was paying for it. Her muscles and joints ached but she didn't mind as much. Her body and mind wanted sleep and feeling worn out didn't help any.
The black haired girl - now moonlighting as a boy - had to literally drag her feet out of the change room. She had splashed cold water on her face but that hardly helped at all. If it did, it only succeeded in making her cold. Kuroi wiped at her cheek, ignoring the chill, as she spotted Kasamatsu leaving the boy's locker room. She smiled and walked over to him, struggling to hold her yawn in.
"So, sen-" Her failed attempt at biting back her yawn crashed the moment she saw one of the others walk out and yawn as loudly (probably to annoy those around) as he could, making a show out of it. She covered her mouth and laughed awkwardly. "Sorry. Uhm, I just wanted to ask you something..."
"It's about the party, isn't it?" Kasamatsu sighed, scratching his cheek as he looked away. "Did I do something?"
"Eh? Not really... Well, kind of... But-"
"Oh God... I didn't try anyth-"
"Just let me ask, senpai!" Kuroi cut him off, feeling her cheeks heat up. She didn't wait for him to give an answer, "I just wanted to know why you got.. drunk in the first place."
"Oh..." Kasamatsu blinked in surprise. His worried expression turned sheepish and he found himself staring at the ground. "I remember... before I drank anything..."
"And? What happened?" Kuroi asked, curious.
"Er... You know that guy? The one with orange hair and green eyes? He's-"
"Jun. He said he was your childhood friend-slash-senpai and was previously on the basketball team before ditching school?" Kuroi remembered exactly who he was. She even pouted at the mention of his description. 'I wanna call him Yuki-chan and Yu-chan, too.' She thought stubbornly. It would be amusing to see how Kasamatsu would react to it. But then again, she also didn't want to use a nickname that was already given to him, especially by someone close to him. It wouldn't feel right...
"-roi?"
"Huh? Sorry... I got lost in thought." The purple eyed girl admitted. "Anyway, you were saying?"
"Before I had ran into him, I was wandering around, trying to get away from all the girls that suddenly began popping out of nowhere-"
'I knew it... Poor senpai.'
"-And I was beginning to freak out because I couldn't find you or Kise, or anyone from the team, for that matter-"
'Seriously... Poor Kasamatsu...'
"-Then the next thing I know, I'm being dragged into the kitchen by Jun. He gives me this drink that didn't actually taste anything like alcohol and then gave me another... then one thing lead to another, and yeah... I was drunk..." Kasamatsu finished explaining, heaving a sigh. "I went against myself and proved to be a horrible senpai. I should ha-"
"I'm sure he was just trying to help you." Kuroi spoke suddenly, cutting Kasamatsu off. Kasamatsu looked at her in surprise, but didn't say anything. "I mean, J- er, your friend knows about your fea- uh, your dislike of being around the female presence, so maybe he thought he'd try to... I dunno, numb your fear?" It sounded reasonable in her head. Almost. Kuroi probably would have dragged Kasamatsu off somewhere 'safe' from the women population, but then again, wouldn't anyone want to see Kasamatsu drunk?
"I thought you weren't going to say fear." Kasamatsu snorted in amusement.
Kuroi shrugged nonchalantly. "Eh." She replied. "Thanks for telling me."
"Yeah."
"And, uhm... Kasamatsu-senpai?"
"Hmn?"
"I guess I should tell you... what I remember."
"... Damn."
OoOoO
'Well that had went better than I had expected...' Kuroi thought, eyes glued to the scenery outside of the windows as she made her way towards class. 'At least he didn't go all crazy and stuff... and it was kinda funny and cute when I said I didn't mind it.' Kuroi smiled to herself, pushing away the urge to giggle.
There were still students in the halls, she didn't want to appear crazy.
Kuroi brushed her short bangs from her face and just as she was about to turn the corner, she bumped into Mikurei, who was going the opposite way. "Oh, hey."
"Hi."
"Where are you..."
"I have to get an ice pack." Mikurei said quietly, her gaze melded to the floor. Kuroi's eyes widened and just as she was about to ask what happened, Mikurei spoke up again. "It's just Kise... He ran into the door when I was opening it."
Kuroi raised her eyebrow but smiled. "Sounds like Kise." She said, shrugging. "It's cute." She commented. Mikurei arched her brow, confusion splayed on her soft features, making Kuroi giggle, finally. "I just mean you. And Kise. You two." She nodded, taking great amusement in the way Mikurei's cheeks turned pink,
"We're- I mean, I haven't... He doesn't-"
"Awh! Seriously, you are adorable." Kuroi laughed, wanting to pull the amber eyed girl into a hug. Although she did not know how others would take that, and she didn't want another rumor to spread. That was the last thing Kuroi, or anyone of them, needed. "Listen, Rei-chan. I seriously think that you should tell that idiot how you feel, because he is, after all, an idiot. Despite acting all cool and knowing everything about love and all that, he still can't see it, even when it's right in front of him." With that, Kuroi patted Mikurei's head and smiled at the girl's stunned look before jogging off in the direction of their class. "See you soon!" The black haired girl called just before entering the homeroom. 'I guess he's only like that mostly because the girls that he had dated before mostly used him for his looks and money and connections... Poor Kise. Must be hard being a model.'
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By the time Saturday came, Kuroi was standing outside with a very nervous-looking Kasamatsu. She stood there idly, her stomach doing flips as his nervousness seemed to transfer to her, as well.
"You'll do fine." Kuroi offered, smiling in support. Kasamatsu just stared at her before looking back down at his feet.
"I don't think I could do this..." He muttered.
"Come on, Kasamatsu... That's why we practiced. You can't possibly back out now, especially that we're currently-"
"- Standing in front of your house. I know."
"And my parents are only ten feet away. SO."
"It does need to be done..." Kasamatsu sighed, running a hand through his short spikes. "But, what will they think of me?"
Kuroi rolled her eyes, "Oh, please. This isn't the first time that you're meeting them. I mean, you practically begged them for me to be on the team." She knew she was exaggerating the begging-part, but it was still so amusing to see Kasamatsu flush in both embarrassment and annoyance.
"Exactly! And I wasn't begging." Kasamatsu glared, crossing his arms. "What if they don't think I'm good enough?"
"What is this, the Edo period?" Kuroi smiled, finding her boyfriend's attitude quite amusing. "But, seriously. We should just tell them before it drags on for too long. It's not like I like lying." Kasamatsu sighed and nodded, albeit dejectedly.
"Alright." He agreed. "Alright..."
"Besides, after everything that has happened, after everything we've both been through, there shouldn't be any obstacle that stands in our way! You're strong, and I believe and trust in you." Kasamatsu stared at Kuroi as she spoke, his cheeks turning a soft red.
"You do?" He asked quietly. Kuroi nodded. "Okay. I can do this." Kasamatsu said as he put his best serious face, instead of the 'I'm-internally-freaking-out-on-the-inside-but-you-could-probaby-tell-anyways-haha' face.
The two stepped inside Kuroi's house and Kuroi left to go round up her mother and father, telling Kasamatsu to sit in the living room. Kasamatsu nodded and did as he was told as Kuroi ran up the stairs, calling for her mother.
"Mom!" Kuroi called again, frowning in confusion. She checked her parents room but there wasn't a sign of either of them. "I could have sworn they were here..." She muttered to herself, sighing. "I mean, I know-"
"Sweet heart?"
"There you are, mom." Kuroi smiled, turning to see her mother walking out of the washroom. She took in her mother's state and arched her eyebrow. "Everything okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Kayate smiled. The women stared at her daughter for a few moments before glancing down the stairs. "Is your father talking to someone?" She furrowed her eyebrows as she tilted her head to listen to the quiet voices.
"Err... Yeah. Actually, I wanted you to meet someone." Kuroi motioned for her mother to head downstairs, which she did. The two walked into the living room and Kuroi blinked in surprise to see her father sitting across from Kasamatsu, staring him down. "Uh, dad?"
"Kuroi, who is this charming young man?"
"..." Kuroi silently stared at her father before shifting her gaze to the third year.
Kasamatsu stared back but then averted his attention back to her father. "..." He cleared his throat, causing Mikoto to turn back to him. "Kasamatsu Yukio."
"Dear..." Kayate spoke, touching her husband's shoulder gently. "You don't remember him? He was the one who-"
"Ahh! Yes, yes. I remember now. What a kind fella." Mikoto said quiet sternly. Kuroi groaned and sat next to Kasamatsu. "This isn't-... You aren't going to tell us anything... weird? I mean- Ow." Her dad was silenced by a gentle swat to the head from Kayate.
"..."
"What is it, sweetie? You know you could tell us anything." Her mother added, smiling lightly. Kuroi shared a look with Kasamatsu and released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.
"Well, what I wanted to say was... is that Kasamatsu and I are... dating." Kuroi had to literally stop herself from whispering the last word. Her cheeks involuntarily flushed a deep red color, making her face burn. She wasn't sure if it was just the thought of it or if it was because of how embarrassing it was to say.
Her mother and father gave the pair a painfully long stair before her father sighed out in relief. "Okay, good. I thought you were going to tell us you were preg- ow!"
Kayate laughed, a little too loudly, as she patted Mikoto's head.
"What my husband is saying is that we're thrilled our precious daughter could have such a wonderful and caring boyfriend." She said, sitting up from her spot on the couch. "Basically," She started, after seeing Kuroi and Kasamatsu's stunned expressions, "I'm saying that I approve. Just... be safe."
"Oooookay. Didn't need that last part, but, thank you." It was Kuroi's turn to laugh awkwardly as she stood up, hugging her mother.
"Well... I guess this calls for one of those Take-care-of-our-daughter-or-else talks!" Mikoto announced with a grin, causing Kayate and Kuroi to groan and Kasamatsu to sink back into the couch.
OoOoO
The talk wasn't as bad as expected, but Kuroi's father still got his points across. Kasamatsu had assured that he would never do anything to hurt her and her mother had begun to cry. All in all, Kuroi believed that today was an eventful day, despite nothing else really happening.
Kuroi looked at Kasamatsu and the two shared a smile. "Now we just have to tell your parents."
Kasamatsu nodded, "Yeah." He replied. "D- Do you want to come?"
"Of course!" Kuroi scoffed, lightly elbowing the third year. "Of course," She repeated. "I'll be there."
"Kuroi," Kuroi turned from Kasamatsu, focusing her attention on her mother. "You were wondering a couple days ago as to why I was so happy?"
"Hn, oh, yeah..." Kuroi smiled as she nodded. 'Will I finally get to find out what had her in such a good mood?' She thought, tilting her head as she waited for Kayate to explain herself. Kuroi spared a glance at the Kasamatsu, who simply shrugged in return, before turning back to her mother.
Kayate fell silent as she looked up at her husband. "Well, we have something important to tell you."
"Which is?" Kuroi felt a little impatient, leaning in forward from the couch.
"Well, we- or, I'm... Couldn't we just say you're going to be a sister?" Silence flooded the currently occupied living room, all eyes falling on Kuroi, who remained silent.
"Eh?" Finally the black haired girl interrupted the silence. "I don't think I understand..." She chuckled, albeit un-humorously.
"I'm... pregnant." Her mother grinned, sharing a look with Mikoto.
It may have taken a few seconds for Kuroi to fully understand her mother's words, but when she did, a look of shock appeared on her face.
"... EHHHHH?!"
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The end.
No, really. This is the last chapter. It needed to end somewhere... T-T Like, sinceriously. With my mind, if I didn't end it, this would probably go on forever. Originally, I had planned for this story to be around 20 - 25 chapters. But here we all are... on chapter 50.
WE'VE ALL COME SO FAR! I HUMBLY THANK YOU ALL FOR BOTHERING TO READ THIS STORY AND WAIT FOR SO LONG UNTIL I FINALLY UPDATED! (really sorry about that, by the way!)
I love you all. Seriously. Thank you for all the awesome reviews/comments and favorites and follows! It has really helped me continue this story to the very end. :'D
Also! If you haven't had the chance to vote on which story I should start next, please do so! (Shrouded Radiance is on the list, but I also added a new idea (or two?) ||OTL) Because I have so many idea's for stories right now. Ugh, so many... Too many. It's really hard balancing so many stories, trying to update them all. Plus, I'm just naturally lazy. OTL~ PlusIrecentlygotajob!hooray~
Anyways. Thanks again for sticking to the end of this story and I hope you all enjoyed reading and not minding all my mistakes and such. Thank you! *runs off crying*
Kuroi: Yeah, what she said. Thanks for reading about my everyday life and struggles. Psh.
Kise: Yasuhirocchi...
Kuroi:... Fine *sighs*... Thanks for reading! Look out for the sequel~
Kise: That's better! :D
Kuroi: Just watch your back, Kise...
Kise: Eh? OAO
Kasamatsu: Kuroi, if you threaten Kise like that he'll be all wary and jumpy during practice, you know. =n=
Kuroi: Oh, I know.
~WinterAssassin~