Hello again to another chapter! Sorry for the long wait. Pls enjoy!

Thoughts

Chapter 14: Saturday, Go Ichigo!

"Ichigo, can we go now. It's going to be lunch soon and I haven't gotten the anything for it." I was waiting for Ichigo at the neighborhood basketball court before we leave for the supermarket.

"Ok, ok. Just one more shoot." He exclaimed as he dribbled the ball to the hoop. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for Ichigo as it's going to be the round to see whether our school's basketball team can enter the nationals. Ichigo's been practicing for this all week. "Ok, I'm done. Let's go." After a few minutes, we were in the supermarket getting food items.

"You've been really serious about this game aren't you Ichigo?" I asked as I put a bag of potatoes into the basket Ichigo was helping to hold.

"You bet I am. Everyone on the team is giving all they got for this game. We have to be the champions this year." Ichigo answered proudly. From what I heard from Rukia, our school's team never made it to the final round so Ichigo is pumped up to do it this year. "You'll be coming to watch right?" he asked, excited.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world." I answered and saw a bright gleam in his eyes. I was quite excited since it was my first time watching a basketball match and I wanted to support Ichigo as much as I can. The last time he asked about this, I had to ignore him cause I was targeted by the devil trio, who are now out of the school.

The next day, Sunday

"Finally! It's about time you guys came." Hitsugaya and I met Rangiku and Rukia outside the stadium and Rangiku was really restless to get in.

Truth is, I was making Ichigo some lemons with honey to help him stay awake during the match. I kind of lost track of time and ended up making Hitsugaya and I late for our meeting with Rangiku and Rukia.

"Whatever, let's go. The game's gonna start soon." Rukia said and headed towards the entrance. Guess I'll have to give it to him after the match. We then reached the seats, I felt someone tug my wrist.

"Rukia?" I asked as she dragged me up.

"Come on. There's someplace I want to take you before the game starts." Before I knew it, I was dragged to an unknown place with Rukia. "Ichigo!" Then I saw Ichigo in front of us, discussing with his team. He then saw us and started to make his way there.

"Hey guys. Glad you could make it." He said. He was wearing a standard orange basketball uniform with black lines at the ends of the sleeves and a number 15 at the back. Man, I should have brought the lemons.

"Uhm, good luck at the game Ichigo." I said with a bright smile. Ichigo stared at me for a while before smiling back at me.

"Yup, thanks for the support." He smiled back. My heart almost skipped a beat when I saw that smile. Why am I feeling this way?

"Anyway, we better get going. Your game's about to start." Rukia said before me and Ichigo nodded. Before I could leave, I felt something grab my shoulder.

"Make sure you cheer for me, kay?" Ichigo whispered, leaning close to my ear. I was blushing. His face was just inches away from mine.

"Ah…" I murmured and left to follow Rukia. Man, my heart's beating so fast!

At the court

It was only the start of the game and everyone was feeling nervous for our team. Our opponents were huge! Most of them were towering over them.

"This…This is bad." Rangiku remarked as she stared at the giants. But Ichigo doesn't seem to care much about it. He still has that prideful smile of his. I couldn't help but smile. And the game started. It was so exciting. Ichigo kept his cool and dribbled the ball all the way to the hoop. He ended up getting the first point. I felt like my eyes were always on him.

But then, it turned ugly. The opposing team started to take force against Ichigo and the rest. They started to nudge their way to the goal, stealing the ball every single time and almost trampled over some of the boys. They ended up scoring 12 points.

"I can't believe they're still allowed to play!" Rukia exclaimed. Soon there was a break and me and Rukia went to the back to find Ichigo.

"Ichigo!" Rukia cried out, seeing him sitting on a bench.

"Yo, Rukia, Kurara." Ichigo replied as he wiped the sweat off his face with a towel.

"Don't 'yo' me! What happened out there? It's not like you to only score one point." Rukia complained.

"It's nothing. Just not feeling too good." Ichigo softly replied.

"That's even worse!" Rukia cried out.

"I guess…Maybe I'm not good enough yet. I always thought I was always the best, but I'm not. We're gonna lose for sure." Ichigo muttered as he looked down at the ground. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Ichigo…"

"Ichigo! You idiot!" I screamed and before Rukia could hit him, I slapped him hard on the cheek. "How can you say such things about yourself?! Saying that you would lose? That's practically not like you! That's not the Ichigo I know! The Ichigo I know will never put himself down after one small defeat! You say that you're weak, then just pick yourself up again and get better! It's not like it's the end of everything, you have to learn from your mistakes! Don't be such a fool!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Ichigo stared at me with wide eyes, clutching to the red mark on his face. Ah! What did I just do?! I can't believe I just scolded Ichigo!

"Heh." Ichigo softly chuckled, leaving me and Rukia dumbfounded. Eh? Ichigo suddenly stood up and went to hug me. I just stood there in his arms, my face as red as a tomato. "Thanks, I really needed that." He whispered. He soon let go of me and headed for the court. I stood there rooted to the ground, still blushing madly.

"Kurara. Earth to Kurara!" Rukia said, waving her hand in front of my face. I soon came back to reality. "Hehe, don't tell me you've fallen for him." Rukia asked with a cheeky grin.

"What! No, no way! I…I…Oh never mind! We need to get back!" I stuttered as I made my way back to the seats. But Rukia still kept her cheeky grin on her face and followed me.

I guess the lecture worked. Ichigo was pumped up more than ever. He started getting into the game and winning more points. Before we knew it, it was a match point. Ichigo stole the ball, dribbled all the way at top speed and shot a goal. Everyone cheered. We won. We're able to get to nationals.

Outside the stadium

"What's this?" Ichigo asked me, staring at the lunch box, filled with lemons and honey. He and I were sitting on a bench, so that he could rest up.

"Can't you tell? Its lemons and honey. I wanted to give it to you before the match so that'll help you keep awake but was too late." I explained. When Ichigo bit into it, his face gave an awful look. "What's wrong?"

"Kurara, what did you put in these lemons again?" he muttered, trying to chew the rest of the lemon.

"Honey? Why, you don't like it?" I asked.

"Kurara…I think this is rice wine." HUH?! Don't tell me I got the labels mixed up! Man, I'm such an idiot! "Heh, good thing I didn't eat these before the match."

"Hey! It took a lot of time making these!" I complained as Ichigo ate the rest of the lemon.

Ichigo's POV

"Thanks anyway." I said and saw a slight blush on her face. Then there was silence. "I guess…I'm no good without you Kurara." I blurted out. But there was no response. I took a look at Kurara, and saw that she dozed off. Eh! Listen to me… Soon I felt a something soft resting on my shoulder. Kurara must have been so tired that she rested her head on my shoulder. I smiled and took another lemon. "Oh well. Maybe next time." Next time, I'll definitely tell her how I feel.

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