"If we miss the end I'm going to kill you!" Shira scolded as the girls sprinted as fast as they could down the street. Jo was beside her, panting and obvious irritated that they were even attempting to keep up with Ishimura and Meyer. They were about six metres in front of the pair and the distance was only growing larger. Takami was in between the two duos, flicking her gaze back to Shira and Jo occasionally but she turned back to watch where she was going.
It was the day of Seirin's game against Shutoku, and they had all been held up for various reasons. Meyer had, at the last minute, needed to go out with her mother, Ishimura had been guilted into babysitting and one of Shira's mum's workers had called in sick so she had to cover their shift. Jo and Takami had simply lost track of time studying and didn't realise they had to get moving until Ishimura called them to apologise for being late to the game.
"We'll make it for the end, it's all right!" Jo muttered as she pushed forward. Shira kind of wished they had hired a taxi because sprinting wasn't exactly something she was enjoying all too much at the moment, her wrists were sore and her feet were aching from being on them for the better part of four hours.
"Yeah, we'll make it for the last fucking five minutes if that!" Ishimura growled as she pressed faster. She managed to overtake Meyer for about ten steps before the Captain returned to holding the lead, pressing her legs harder and sending her barreling in front of Ishimura. Right now Ishimura couldn't care less for a race, she just wanted to get in and see how Seirin was holding up, although for the first time she was kind of stuck between who to cheer for. She wanted both Shutoku and Seirin to win.
"Hey, wait up you two!" Ishimura glanced over her shoulder to see her and Meyer were leaving the others behind with each step they took. On any other day Ishimura would have given a shit, btu today was not one of those days.
"We'll meet you at the stadium!" Meyer shouted over her shoulder as she and Ishimura pressed themselves to run faster, turning a corner and bolting even faster than they had before.
...
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Ishimura panted as she and Meyer shouldered the doors to the stadium open. There was a woman in the foyer who turned to see the girls breeze past her, each bolting for the closest door to the courts. They barrelled through until they caught sight of Shutoku and Seirin, Ishimura almost tripping over someones foot as they looked for the score.
"Shit, this doesn't look good," Meyer hissed. Ishimura looked to her out the corner of her eye, wondering when she exactly she became so invested in Seirin winning, but settled that to Kiyoshi playing. The same Kiyoshi who was now taking a penalty shot and looking rather nervous. Meyer ran her fingers through her hair, her eyes narrowing as she focused on Kiyoshi. He didn't look good. Kiyoshi managed to get the first shot in and Meyer let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding. "Come on Kiyoshi."
"Easy shot for him, he should be able to get it in," Ishimura commented, tilting her head to the side. Meyer wasn't so sure as her gaze narrowed in on his knees. There was something definitely wrong right now and she could pin it down to the fact that he had pushed himself too hard too early. She wanted to run down to the court and tell him he was an idiot, but she remained silent, watching as he lined up his second free throw. There was little to no time left on the clock, Kiyoshi needed to get this is in.
Meyer sucked in a deep breath as the ball was released from Kiyoshi's hands and sailed into the air, heading for the basket. Ishimura tensed as they both watched the ball, both already knowing that it was going to miss it's mark. The orange leather sphere bounced off the ring and the players flurried forward. Otsubo and Miyaji were already in the air, hands reaching for the ball and Meyers leant forward, her fingers clenching into tight fists. No, not after everything Seirin couldn't lose, she couldn't bare for that to happen to Kiyoshi, he would never forgive himself. She winced, waiting for either of the third years to snatch the ball away when suddenly Kagami was in the air, rising faster than they could manage. He snatched the ball away from Shutoku falling back to his feet before jumping up, lining up to shoot but Midorima was in front of him.
"Seirin won't get the point," Meyer breathed as Kagami and Midorima seemed to just linger in the air, both hands on the ball and at a complete stalemate. The siren ended for the end of game, resulting in the ball to be pushed aimlessly in the air and the two players to land back on the ground.
"They drew. It's a tie. Neither won," Ishimura sighed, scratching the back of her head as she looked around. She wanted both Shutoku and Seirin to advance into the Winter Cup so in a way she was pleased with this outcome, but also felt pretty disappointed. From the look on everyone elses face it had been an intense game, and she'd missed it because of an impromptu hair fiasco and an emergency in the ER. Granted her father couldn't help it but her mother, seriously?
"Neither lost. Best outcome for you," Meyer commented, her gaze flickering to Ishimura. The latter let out a small chuckle before she shuffled on her feet. Meyer sighed, glancing back to the teams who were now lining up opposite one another and rocked her shoulders back. She turned on her heel and started walking out. Ishimura glanced over to watch her leave before shrugging her shoulders, turning back to the game.
It was surprising that she had agreed to come watch the game in the first place, even after being held up with her mother, so Ishimura wasn't surprised she was leaving already. She leant forward again, watching as Midorima spoke to Seirin and Takao walked over. Tilting her head to the side she felt someone lay their hand on her shoulder, making her jump about a foot in the air.
"Whoa, calm down Ishimura," Kazuki laughed, stepping back as he waved his hands around, his fingers spread and his palms facing her. Ishimura let out a scowl, about ready to yell that he shouldn't sneak up on people inclined to smack him but instead turned around, rolling her eyes.
"Please tell me it was a shit game and one that I could have afforded missing," Ishimura threw over her shoulder instead. People were beginning to stand out of their seats and wander towards the exits but she wasn't quite ready to leave just yet.
"You should have watched it." Ishimura groaned, rubbing her eyes with the fleshy part of her palm as she swore in her mind. She was going to kill her mother, she was going to and there was nothing that may be able to stop her from doing so. To say she was displeased with missing the match was a heavy understatement but she settled that she at least had managed to catch the last few seconds.
...
"Ano, Meyer-San?" Meyer looked up from her phone, seeing Kuroko standing in front of her. Meyer didn't know how long she had been outside the stadium for, hoping to catch a lonesome Kiyoshi, but seeing Kuroko let her know she may have missed her chance. She delivered him a small smile before her gaze flickered to the creature he was holding in his arms. Her eyebrows raised as she looked from the puppy to Kuroko, then back to the puppy again.
"That isn't weird or anything," she mumbled under her breath as she pushed herself off the wall she had been leaning on, reaching out to let the puppy sniff her fingers. He seemed hesitant but then tentatively licked her finger tips before letting out what she hoped to be a cheery yap. "He's a cutie, that's for sure. What's his name?"
"We call him Nigou. Did you watch us play against Shutoku?" Kuroko asked as Meyer started petting Nigou gently. The malamute pushed his head against her palm as she ruffled his fur. She looked back to him, shrugging her shoulders lazily.
"We were meant to, but we all were caught up. Yuki and I managed to catch the last minute of the game."
"Oh," Kuroko frowned, like he was a little disappointed they had missed the game. Meyer tilted her head to the side and delivered him another smile. The same one she usually gave to Jean if she ever missed his game by accident.
"But next week we're going to make sure we'll be there. It should be an interesting game. Kirisaki Dai Ichi aren't an easy team to play." Meyer was dreading the next game. She was terrified for Seirin, for Kiyoshi and now she was beginning to worry about Kuroko. Before she hadn't really spent a lot of time talking to him, so she had no idea how small he was compared to the other basketballers. Not that being shorter had anything to do with ability, Meyer herself knew that well enough, but he just seemed more fragile compared to the others. She grit her teeth as her chest constricted, her mind beginning to wonder what might happen to him when he comes face to face with Hanamiya Makoto.
"It will be difficult, but we will succeed. I do not doubt my team," Kuroko smiled as Nigou pulled away from Meyer, licking his masters chin. Kuroko let out a small smile before ruffling the puppies fur, looking quite sure of himself. Meyer smiled as well. She didn't doubt Seirin, but she didn't doubt Hanamiya either.
"I'd wish you luck Kuroko, but I don't think you'll need it," Meyer smiled as she thought they need body armour instead. She reached out, ruffling his hair lightly and ignoring the pointedly irritated look on his face. "But we'll be there next game."
"I believe Seirin would be pleased. I believe Kagami-Kun wants you to see him play at his best so you will consider playing Seirin."
"We'll see how you guys go during the Winter Cup," Meyer let out a laugh as she pulled her hand away from Kuroko, who smiled happily. Meyer already knew that he believed they would win, why wouldn't he? Seirin weren't a weak team and now with the addition of Kiyoshi as centre they were always improving. Not to mention that Ishimura had been meeting up with him occasionally to help him train. Meyer never mentioned that she knew but she figured that it wasn't hurting anyone nor the training that Riko had intended for her team. "Well I best be off, I did promise Jean I would play Halo with him and he'll be waiting for me. See you next time Kuroko, and I hope to see you as well cutie!"
Nigou let out a happy yap, struggling to reached forward and lick Meyer's hand but she turned away, sticking her hands deep in her pockets as she begun walking back in the general direction of her home. Her eyes focused on the ground as memories of a game long ago sprung into mind. If she closed her eyes she would still be able to smell the blood, hear Tachi screaming in pain and Shira yelling in a high pitched because Ishimura wasn't responding to her. She could still remember the sound Ishimura's head made when it connected with the hard wooden floor of the court, the rip and screech as Tachi fell down after being tangled in her legs.
Meyer was so completely worried about Kiyoshi playing against Kirisaki, against Hanamiya, because she knew how easily the rough play of some sportsmen could turn into something far worse. She knew Hanamiya had intended Kiyoshi to not play again at all. She knew, she knew better than anyone. Shaking her head she ran her fingers through her hair, looking up to the sky as if the clouds held some answers for her. She didn't want any one to play against Kirisaki Dai Ichi ever, but no matter what happened on court Hanamiya was too smart to be caught.
"You look deep in thought." Meyer stopped walking and looked over her shoulder. Hotaru was leaning against the wall of the stadium, one foot against the wall and her shoulders slightly hunched. She was looking at Meyer curiously, her head tilted to one side so her hair fell down pass her shoulders and one eyebrow quirked.
"I was thinking about the Teiko Game in second year."
"An interesting one. Then again all games against Teiko were interesting."
"Almost could've started making bets about who would be injured or not."
"I guess I would have won the pot when Ishimura took Tachi down," Hotaru wove a smile onto her lips as she bounced herself away from the wall using her shoulders. She looked around rather ruefully before her gaze settled back on Iwozuka's captain. "Can't believe I'm saying this but that did earn her a bit of respect."
"Enough that you wouldn't have broken her wrist?" Meyer challenged as she crossed her arms over her chest. Although personally Hotaru had never shown her any sort of disdain or ill contempt, even as far as showing the Captain respect, Meyer could never dismiss the fact that the woman in front of her had injured her team mate, intentionally or not.
"At least Ishimura can still play. I heard Tachi has trouble even running."
"What happened to Tachi was an accident and her own fault. What you did to Yuki..."
"Hotaru! Meyer!" Both girls looked up to see Katsumi running towards them. Meyer glanced back to Hotaru, realising they had both cleared the distance between them throughout their conversation and, to Katsumi, probably looked more than a little hostile to each other. Not that Meyer nor Hotaru would actually go as far as hitting each other, Meyer didn't like violence and Hotaru seemed to enjoy verbal spars with her.
"Hey Katsumi, I was waiting for you where you said."
"Hello Ai," Meyer flicked her friend a smile before rocking her shoulders back. She did not particularly want to stay around because she was sure that Katsumi had her own two cents to add into the conversation and she didn't particularly want to hear it. She nodded a goodbye before walking off, hearing Katsumi questioning Hotaru behind her.