Kuroko no Basuke is copyrighted by Fujimaki Tadatoshi-sensei. Give him the best regards for creating this great manga!
The OCs are mine.
Warning: Akashi x OC. Later on it will be Midorima x OC, but the main story is focused on Akashi.
Alluring Gaze
Chapter 08
A New Role
The moment she opened the door, she saw that red color again from yesterday.
Akashi Seijurou was standing in front of her apartment's door, his back was facing her.
When he heard the sound of the clicked door, Akashi turned his head and smiled to the expressionless girl.
"Good morning, Sakuya."
Urenomiya Sakuya adjusted the straps of her school bag and approached her 'official' friend, greeting him. "Good morning, Akashi-san."
He smirked. Without words, the two of them started walking by the cobble street. They walked side by side, with no words conveyed from both of them. Like they did yesterday, they enjoyed the silence between them.
While walking, Sakuya observed the scenery around her. It is still autumn; the trees are still tinted with red, orange leaves. The wind blows the leaves, making them fall from the branches and float around. She caught one of them – the red one. A thought then crossed her mind. She absentmindedly raised the leaf and compared it to Akashi's red hair.
"It's similar," Sakuya muttered, noticed by Akashi. The man beside her glanced to his left and found Sakuya was holding a red leaf.
"Is it that similar to my hair?" Akashi asked, realized that Sakuya was comparing his hair to the leaf.
The girl thought for a second. "Not really," and she let the wind blew the leaf away from her hand. "Your hair color is more brilliant than the leaf itself."
"I see," Akashi nodded.
"By the way," Sakuya mumbled, gaining Akashi's attention. "Why did you wait in front of my apartment?"
"Ah," Akashi then chuckled. "I want to pick you up on our way to school."
Harlequin eyes stared at Akashi with a thoughtful look. "How long have you been waiting there?"
"Approximately a minute."
Sakuya tilted her head. "What if I took too long and ended up making you waited?"
Akashi shook his head. "You won't," and he raised his hand and patted Sakuya's head. "Because I know you won't let me down."
"You're too full of yourself, Akashi-san," Sakuya deadpanned.
"Oh really?" Akashi smirked. "From today onwards, why don't we go to school together every morning, Sakuya?"
Sakuya stared at Akashi for a while and replied, "I don't mind." After all, going to school with some company is not that bad to her. She will make sure tomorrow she will not make Akashi wait for her too long. She also must check the train's schedule later; to make sure when Akashi approximately arrives in Kyoto every morning.
"Higuchi won't be able to participate in the Winter Cup later," Shirogane Eiji said to Akashi. The redhead was called to the faculty room by his coach in the morning when the aged-man spotted him in the class. Turns out, their basketball team manager; Higuchi Shouta, is having an issue. "He also won't be able to aid you all during practice later. He had gone back to Kanagawa to visit his mother."
"I see," Akashi nodded to his coach. "What will you do, coach?"
"I'm thinking of finding a temporary manager for you, however I still don't know whom," Shirogane crossed his arms. "He should be able to handle all the team's support. He should know about medical aids, too. Higuchi has provided us with that, but with him gone, it will be a little hard to handle yourselves. Nebuya is one of the examples."
Akashi chuckled. Nebuya is like Aomine; difficult to handle. That big dark-skinned guy is rowdy and his attitude is quite rude. "I can handle him, coach."
"I know you can. However, you still need a hand," Shirogane retorted. "He doesn't need to know about tactics and such. I just want him to be able to ease your task a little."
Akashi nodded at that; Shirogane had a point there. Although Akashi can handle his team, he still needs a manager to support him from the back. He then remembered Momoi Satsuki; his former manager back at Teiko. The pink-haired girl helped him a lot during his captaincy. She gave towels to his teammates, offered them drinks, notified them if he was away and took the job inspecting the training, and gathered data about their opposing teams' strength and weakness together with him. Though she doesn't play basketball, she is fearful when she is in the court. Her analyzing ability is not to be looked down.
Speaking about analyzing, Akashi then thought of something. "Coach, I have someone in my class who can do the manager's job."
Shirogane blinked. "Is it your vice-representative? Takuma Hikaru?"
Akashi shook his head. "He may do well, but I rather choose her since she has a sharp observation around her surroundings."
"Her?" Shirogane furrowed his brows.
"Yes." Akashi smiled proudly. "Urenomiya Sakuya."
Shirogane was taken aback with that name. He knows his favorite student, after all. "Sakuya, hm?" The black-haired man gaze's softened; noticed by Akashi. "Although I must ask; why choose her?"
"Like I said earlier, she has a sharp observation. With it, she can help me notice some things that need to be taken care of. She is also a dependable girl, and good with taking care of people," Akashi explained, earning a nod from Shirogane. "And because her grades are fine and she's in the same class like me, we can discuss the team's menu together."
"I see," Shirogane adjusted his position. "I will ask her later at lunch break, then. You can go back to your class."
Akashi bowed to Shirogane and walked to the faculty's door. Before he exited, however, Akashi turned to his coach once again. "Coach, could you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"When you're asking Sakuya to become our manager, please mention Reo's name to her."
"Reo? Mibuchi Reo?" he puzzled. "Why though? Is he close to her?"
"No. Reo likes her so much, and when she becomes our manager, he will be very pleased." Akashi then grabbed the handle of the door and smirked. "Also, she won't be able to refuse your offer because she adores you and she is the kind of person who will return somebody's kindness."
Shirogane thought for a while, and nodded. "Very well. Keep in mind that I will also mention yours, too, since you're the one who suggest her."
"I don't mind. It will be better to counter her later," Akashi said and left the faculty room, leaving a bewildered Shirogane.
"Ah! Find you, Urenomiya!" Katagiri exclaimed, pointing her finger to Sakuya who was sitting on the rooftop along with Takano. The two girls were having a lunch together. Katagiri then approached the brown-haired girl. "I want to show you-"
Her speech was halted when she saw the sour look from Sakuya. "Hm? What's wrong with you, Urenomiya?"
Takano waved her hand to Katagiri. "Sakuya-chan is in bad mood right now," she explained.
"Eh? Why? Something's happened?"
"Well…" Takano took a glance at Sakuya before speaking. "Shirogane-sensei had asked her to be the manager for the basketball's team before we had our lunch here."
"Really?!" Katagiri took a seat near the two girls to hook up all the information. "That was cool! To think Shirogane-sensei wants you to be the manager, Urenomiya!" she exclaimed while smacking Sakuya's back lightly a few times. "So? What's the problem with that? You like Shirogane-sensei, right?"
"I do like him," Sakuya admitted after she placed her chopsticks on her lunch box. "However, I don't like how Akashi-san blackmailed me so Shirogane-sensei can easily provoke me to be the manager."
Katagiri twitched. Hearing the terms 'Akashi Seijurou' and 'blackmail' somehow really suits The Emperor's personality. The glasses girl sweated. "Um… how did he do that?"
When Sakuya wanted to explain, her eyes trailed to the rooftop's door. Her action got a puzzled look from Takano. "What's wrong, Sakuya-chan?" she asked worriedly.
"Nothing." Sakuya decided to ignore her finding and started explaining what had happened when she was called to the faculty office at break time.
"Excuse me." Sakuya entered the room after she knocked the door and Shirogane let her in. The moment Shirogane saw her, his eyes softened. He gestured Sakuya to take a seat provided by him.
"I hope I didn't disturb your activity before your arrival here," Shirogane commented, earning a shook from Sakuya.
"No, you didn't, Shirogane-sensei. Is there something you need from me?" she asked in her polite manner.
"I'll just get to the point then." Shirogane cleared his throat. "I want you to become the manager for Rakuzan's basketball team."
Harlequin eyes blinked. "The manager?"
Shirogane nodded. "Only temporary. Our manager; Higuchi Shouta, will not be able to provide his support in our practice and for the upcoming Winter Cup this November. His mother was sick, and his family called him to visit their household in Kanagawa yesterday."
Sakuya rubbed her chin. To be asked to fill in the absence of the basketball's manager is a new thing to her. However, she does not feel interested with the said sport. She does not know about its rules, tactics, and competitions. Even though she heard the term 'Winter Cup' once from Higasa, she still does not know the importance of the said event to Rakuzan's basketball team. She even does not know what the manager is supposed to do with aiding the team members.
Noticing her deep thoughts, Shirogane smiled to her. "I know you don't really like basketball, Sakuya. However, it will not affect your doings later when you become the manager."
"I'm sorry. I don't understand," Sakuya confessed, making Shirogane chuckled.
"You will become the temporary manager for these two weeks. After that, your role is finished," the aged man added. "You only help the others, like giving their towels or drinks, treating injuries, and aiding Akashi with the training menus. I don't need you to know about tactics, strategies, or information about opponents. I just want you to support Akashi's tasks a little."
"I see. I will think about it."
Shirogane nodded. "It will be better if you accept it. Mibuchi will be pleased with you around."
Sakuya blinked. Since when Shirogane has known her upperclassman's affection towards her?
"I heard you owed Mibuchi? Akashi said you are the type to return's somebody kindness. Did Mibuchi favor you with something?"
BAM! Bull's eye.
Sakuya narrowed her eyes. "Akashi-san… told you about it, didn't he?"
"Well, indeed he did. He didn't give me the details, but the way he told me about it, you haven't returned his kindness yet," Shirogane explained with a smile on his face. "Why don't you use this opportunity to pay him back? I'm sure Mibuchi will be contented."
It's true. Sakuya can pay Mibuchi back with that way. After all, she knows Mibuchi really likes her a lot and he shows it straight-out to her. He even willingly taught her how to play basketball yesterday although the man had just done with his hellish training from Akashi. It shows how pure and sincere Mibuchi's affection towards her, and without knowing it Sakuya thought she had owed Mibuchi twice with that.
However, she doesn't know what kind of mixed feelings filling in her heart. They keep pounding and pounding, and she knows she doesn't like that.
"How about the school, Shirogane-sensei? I'm sure we will be absent from classes to compete in that Winter Cup, right?"
"Yes. I will tell all the teachers about your absence for that day. They will give you the notes of their lesson after your return. Do not worry about it," Shirogane assured her. He knows Sakuya doesn't like to skip classes. She is a diligent girl; and do not want her grades drop just because of her absence. "That is why Akashi wants you to be our temporary manager. You are a capable girl. He believes in you."
Sakuya's ears twitched. Why Shirogane mentioned about Akashi wanted her to be the temporary manager?
And from there, she finally found the answer to her mixed feelings.
"Could I ask you something, Shirogane-sensei?"
"Help yourself."
"This matter was Akashi-san's intention all along, wasn't it?"
"Intention?" Shirogane hummed. "If this is Akashi we are talking about, you can say it's an order."
Sakuya sighed. "This is blackmailing, Shirogane-sensei."
Shirogane only chuckled at that. "I can't help it, Sakuya. I was in a rush, too. So I believe in Akashi's decision for choosing you. If you have any complains, just tell him later."
"I will, later," Sakuya muttered darkly.
"Ah. I also heard from Akashi that you adore me?" Shirogane asked, earning a shocked look from Sakuya. He smiled when he spotted her widened eyes. "If that is the case, I hope you won't refuse my offer. I really need your help just for these two weeks."
Feeling defeated and embarrassed (when Shirogane knows she fancies him) in the same time, Sakuya only nodded to Shirogane. The aged man then patted her head gently. "Do not worry. I will help you around. Mibuchi will also help you too in practice later."
"Did you know, Shirogane-sensei? You looked like Akashi with the way you asked me that again just now…" Sakuya muttered with a dejected look on her face.
Shirogane smirked. "I can be sly sometimes," he remarked. "Maybe even more sly than Akashi."
"…That's how it was," Sakuya ended her explanation, earning a gape from Katagiri. The glasses girl doesn't know her World History teacher can be that sly. Now she must be really careful around him.
"It can't be helped, Sakuya-chan. Since you agreed to it, you must do it," Takano reminded her brown-haired friend.
"I know. But still," Sakuya sighed. "I don't like how Akashi-san blackmailed me. He even told Shirogane-sensei that I adore him."
Takano and Katagiri can only laugh. They didn't know how to comment on Akashi's behavior. He is just unpredictable; people can't figure out what he is thinking. But for Sakuya's sake, Katagiri rubbed Sakuya's shoulder; comforting her. "Relax, Urenomiya. Just act like usual with Shirogane-sensei. And anyway, I was searching for you to show you these!"
Katagiri brought up two photos from her pocket and showed it to Sakuya and Takano. The photos are the ones from the school festival's last day, when Sakuya dressed up as a goddess. The first photo is when Katagiri asked Akashi and Sakuya to take a photo together before starting their competition and the second one is when Katagiri wanted Sakuya to be held by Mibuchi a little longer so she could take their picture together.
"Oh, these are…" when Takano observed the photos, she was blushing. The photos are the ones Katagiri took when Akashi was embracing Sakuya and Mibuchi was kissing Sakuya on the cheek. "Sakuya-chan looked very different in these photos, huh?"
"And cute, too," Katagiri added. She then gave the photos to Sakuya. "Keep it for yourself, Urenomiya. These are the rarest moment when you are being with two different handsome males respectively."
Sakuya accepted the photos and muttered a 'thank you' to Katagiri. "Well then, I shall take my leave," she said after she got up with her bento box in hands.
"You're leaving already?" Takano asked, earning a nod from Sakuya. "Okay. I'll catch up later. You'll be in class, right?"
"Yes. Excuse me."
Takano and Katagiri waved their hand to Sakuya who already left the rooftop. The two decided to stay a while longer to chat.
After Sakuya closed the door to the rooftop, she silently descended the stairs. When she took another step, a voice called for her.
"Ignoring me although you know I was here all the time?" Akashi declared with his smug face. The redhead was leaning to the wall near the entrance to the rooftop, his arms crossed on his chest. The girl didn't want to turn her back; she didn't want to see Akashi's face.
"I don't want to see your face right now, Akashi-san," Sakuya stated honestly. Her blunt remark got a chuckle from Akashi.
"Is this your cranky attitude?" Akashi approached Sakuya, but the girl immediately took another step away from Akashi. The redhead chuckled again. "How do you suppose to complain when you are not looking to me? Isn't that attitude impolite?"
Sakuya sighed. She reluctantly turned around to face Akashi who immediately gave her his smirk. "Since you already heard our conversation earlier, I'll just get to the point," she said, her eyes then narrowed and turned cold. "Why did you blackmail me?"
Akashi shook his head. "It's not called blackmail, Sakuya. It's compensation."
Before Sakuya retorted, Akashi cut in. "The coach was in hurry, too. Although you will be our temporary manager, you could ease my task a little. I need someone's help with sharp observation so I can know if there are some things that I miss. That is why I suggest you to the coach, and he immediately approved it."
"However, you don't need to mention about my likings to Shirogane-sensei and my debt to Mibuchi-senpai."
"Truthfully speaking, I didn't have to. But for some reasons, I suddenly want to bring it up so Shirogane-sensei can easily provoke you to accept the request."
"It's still called blackmail, Akashi-san."
"Oh really?" Akashi patted Sakuya's head. "Is there any complaints?"
Sakuya shook her head. "Since I already agreed to this, I don't have any further complaints. I will do my best to provide you with my ability as a temporary manager."
"Great. We will attend the practice after school together," he reminded. "By the way, could I see the photos you received from Katagiri Hyoko?"
"Here," Sakuya handed the two photos to Akashi's hand. Heterochromatic eyes inspected the photos and smiled afterwards.
"Too bad Katagiri Hyoko didn't take a picture when you're blushing," Akashi retorted, earning a sigh from Sakuya. He returned the photos to Sakuya. "Are you going back to class?"
"Yes, I am."
"Do you mind if I come with you?"
This time, Sakuya raised her hand to Akashi. "No," she refused. "I don't want to be with you right now, Akashi-san."
Akashi blinked. It's the first time he is refused by Sakuya. Usually, the girl doesn't mind if he tags along with her whenever she goes somewhere. Now, she doesn't want to, and bluntly said she didn't want to be with him – still with her expressionless face. "Why?"
Sakuya raised her index finger. "Because you purposely told one thing that I don't want Shirogane-sensei knows," and she raised her middle finger. "And you have put me in bad mood."
"Ah, so that's how it is." Akashi chuckled. "You are really being cranky with me."
"I don't want to answer that." Sakuya then bowed. "Excuse me, Akashi-san. I will take my leave," then she turned around and descended the stairs; leaving Akashi without looking back again. After the girl was not within his gaze, Akashi crossed his arms and leaned to the stairs' handle; a smirk formed on his face.
It is also his first time thinking that a cranky Sakuya is cute.
Mibuchi's eyes widened in disbelief.
Those eyes of him spotted his favorite girl standing beside his coach. Her harlequin eyes blinked a few times when they met his, and she gave him her slight smile. Mibuchi gaped.
"That is why, I bring Sakuya here," Shirogane kept explaining, ignoring every player's awe with Sakuya's presence. "She will replace Higuchi for the time being. She will provide us all the supports we need."
Sakuya then bowed to the players in front of her. "Please take care of me in the future," she straightened up. "I am new to this role, but I will do my best to fill the manager's duty. I hope we can get along."
"Then, continue your practice," Shirogane ordered. All the players went back to the court continuing their practice earlier. As for Mibuchi, he approached Sakuya and grabbed both of her hands. His eyes sparkled. Sakuya tilted her head in confusion.
"What is it, Mibuchi-senpai?" she asked in her usual tone. Mibuchi blushed when Sakuya blinked a few times innocently.
"Is this a dream?" he cried comically. "Sa-chan is going to be our manager? For real?"
"This is not a dream, Mibuchi-senpai. And yes, I am going to be your temporary manager to fill in Higuchi-senpai's absence," Sakuya smiled to him. "Please take care of me, Mibuchi-senpai."
"OH, SA-CHAN!" to Sakuya's surprise, Mibuchi lifted her and hugged her. She must cling to Mibuchi's neck if she doesn't want to fall. "I'M SO HAPPY! PLEASE TAKE CARE OF ME, TOO!" he exclaimed in glee.
Shirogane shook his head. He never thought Mibuchi will be like that when Sakuya is around. "That is why Akashi said he likes her," he chuckled. "Mibuchi, help Sakuya around. Make sure to be near her if she needs help."
"Don't worry, coach! I can do that!" Mibuchi stated while still hugging Sakuya. He then looked up to meet Sakuya's gaze. "So, Sa-chan, where would you like to know first?"
"I want to know about the locker room, first," Sakuya replied, earning a nod from Mibuchi. "You can put me down first, Mibuchi-senpai. I can walk by myself."
"Ah, sorry," Mibuchi put Sakuya down carefully. "Let's go to the locker room, shall we?" he offered his hand, which was accepted by Sakuya and the girl let Mibuchi guided her to the place she wanted to know.
"At least I can leave Sakuya in Mibuchi's hand," Shirogane muttered, noticed by Akashi who was next to him.
"You seem in relief, coach. Are you worried about Sakuya?"
Shirogane nodded to him. "You never know what will happen to her if you let your eyes off her. She is quite stubborn to begin with."
"I see," Akashi smirked, remembering the time when he didn't allow Sakuya to help around the class booth in the school festival. "I agree with that, coach. Reo is the man you need when involving Sakuya. He can be protective with her."
"Good to hear that," Shirogane then sighed. His eyes then looked to Akashi. "Akashi. I will leave the rest to you. The Winter Cup will begin in five days. Use those days to prepare yourselves. As for our hotel accommodation in Tokyo later, I will notify you and Sakuya next week."
"I understand," Akashi replied, earning a nod from Shirogane. The aged man left afterwards after he excused himself. After a while, he spotted Sakuya and Mibuchi just got back from the locker room and the two approached him.
"Good timing," Akashi handed Sakuya a plastic board with some papers clipped on it. "Those are the schedule of our practice, including each player's menu. All you have to do is to remind us about the menu and some changes if I make one. I also included our opposing teams' data so you can know more about them. If you have any questions, just ask me."
"I'll do my best," Sakuya replied monotonously. The girl then took a seat on the bench and studied the content of the papers intensely.
Mibuchi giggled. "Sa-chan is like studying a book when she's like that," he commented on how Sakuya was absorbed reading the papers.
"It can't be helped. She should do that, or she can't help me."
"You're right, Sei-chan. Then, I should get back to practice," Mibuchi walked to the court joining the others.
When Akashi wanted to join his teammates, Sakuya called him. "Excuse me, Akashi-san. I want to ask something."
"Go ahead."
"How about tomorrow's practice? Is it cancelled? Tomorrow is *Culture Day, isn't it?"
Akashi nodded in approval. "Yes, it is; means we will continue our practice the day after tomorrow."
"Alright," Sakuya took her pen and started writing something on the paper, probably writing the change of schedule. "I will inform all of them later."
"I do not mind," he smiled to her. "Which reminds me, how about your part-time job?"
"I won't be able to work for about three months since my manager closed the store for renovation," Sakuya explained.
"I see. Are you free tomorrow, Sakuya?"
Sakuya blinked. "Yes, I am."
"Then, would you mind if I visit your house again for leisure time?"
The brown-haired girl hummed. "No," she then replied. "I am not going to accept any guests for tomorrow because I have something to do alone and I must finish it at the same day."
"Is that so?" Akashi sighed. He somehow felt disappointed being rejected by Sakuya twice today. "If that's the case, I will see you on Wednesday."
Sakuya nodded to him. Her eyes then trailed to the players doing some stretches on the court, then to Akashi. "Do not just stand there, Akashi-san. You should resume your training," she said with a stern voice.
Her sudden assertive mode stunned Akashi a little, but he just smiled at her. "To think she change her character based on the role she is in now… not bad at all."
Without words, Akashi went back to the court joining his teammates. A smirk still plastered on his face. A thoughtful yet sly look gave his teammates a shiver.
Practice will be amusing for Akashi. He can't wait for Wednesday.
Rakuzan's basketball team is doing their usual practice after school. Because yesterday was Culture Day, the practice is postponed to Wednesday. Right now, they are having a mini match. Some players who didn't play just watched the ongoing match, including Akashi. The captain decided to watch how his teammates progressed so far along with Sakuya, so the girl can write down the things he mentioned to her.
"Here we go!" Hayama exclaimed while dribbling the ball. He was in the same team as Nebuya; wearing a blue top, while their opposing team is wearing a green top; Mibuchi's team. Right now Hayama is facing his opponent who won't let him pass his guard.
"Now that I see it," Sakuya mumbled, heard by Akashi who is next to her. "Hayama-senpai uses two fingers to dribble the ball."
Akashi chuckled. "It's his special ability."
As been said by Akashi, Hayama used his two fingers and dribbled with fast pace, breaking through his opponent's defense. The orange-haired man grinned and wanted to shoot, but when he tossed the ball, Mibuchi quickly touched the ball so it won't get into the ring. Hayama scowled when Mibuchi gave him his smirk after Mibuchi shoot the ball to the ring; giving his team a three-point addition.
"You should be careful next time, Hayama," Mibuchi remarked proudly. The black-haired man then joined his teammates.
"That was close," Nebuya muttered when he approached Hayama.
"For some reasons, Reo-nee is really energetic today," Hayama retorted. He then noticed Mibuchi gave a wink when the black-haired man glanced to Sakuya. "Ah! Maybe because of Urenomiya?"
"Who cares? Let's get going and score some balls before Akashi multiples our menu," Nebuya reminded Hayama who quickly got back to his starting point.
"Mibuchi-senpai is doing a great contribution to the team," Sakuya muttered while writing something on her notes.
"Triple the menu for Kotarou, Sakuya," Akashi said; which the girl quickly changed what Akashi has told her.
"Should I triple yours, too, Akashi-san?" Sakuya asked, making Akashi's brows raised.
"And why should you do that?"
"Because you called Hayama-senpai without honorific." Sakuya remarked with her monotone voice. "Do not complain. Shirogane-sensei has given me the authority to give any changes to the practice menu, including yours, Akashi-san."
The redhead chuckled at Sakuya's statement. If it's someone else, they won't even dare to double or triple his menu without his consent. However, this is Sakuya he was talking about, so he can't complain. Since Shirogane trusts her with that task, he too must trust the decision. Anyway, it's not so bad to receive a punishment from Sakuya in her own way. "Then I will do whatever you want, Sakuya."
Sakuya nodded to him. "The next teams please prepare yourselves," she informed the other players after she blew her green whistle around her neck, ending the ongoing match earlier. The winner of the match goes to Mibuchi's team.
"Sa-chan~" Mibuchi quickly approached his favorite girl, but kept his distance because he was sweating nonstop; didn't want to make Sakuya felt mucky. Noticing his behavior, Sakuya took one of the towels she had prepared beforehand and draped it around Mibuchi's neck. The man muttered a 'thank you' gratefully and swiped the sweat on his skin.
"Let me help you distribute the drinks for the others, okay?" Mibuchi offered, earning a nod from Sakuya. The two then distributed the towels and drinks for each of players who had played the match earlier.
"Thank you, Urenomiya!" Hayama said happily when he received the towel from the brown-haired girl who gave him a smile in return.
"Thanks," Nebuya muttered lazily as Sakuya gave the last towel to the dark-skinned guy and gave him another smile in return.
"Thank you for your help, Mibuchi-senpai," Sakuya thanked Mibuchi who had done distributing the drinks to his teammates. The black-haired man nodded contentedly at her.
"You look different when you're dressing like that, Sa-chan," Mibuchi commented the girl's look; Sakuya is wearing her uniform without its usual black ribbon and white blazer, her sleeves are rolled up, and her hair is tied into high ponytail.
"It's a little bit hassle if I wear my blazer and don't tie my hair. It's hot in here," Sakuya explained. Although it's chilly outside (because winter is going to come soon), the gym is quite hot.
"I see. But you are still pretty and cute like that," Mibuchi praised her, gaining a thoughtful look from Sakuya.
"Is that so?" Sakuya tilted her head innocently, making Mibuchi blushed. Without much thought, Mibuchi lifted Sakuya and hugged her. Sakuya pinned to her upperclassman's shoulders to keep her from falling.
"YOU'RE SO CUTE, SA-CHAN! I CAN'T BEAR IT ANY LONGER~" Mibuchi exclaimed happily, ignoring every of his teammates' gaze who heard and saw what he did towards him and Sakuya.
But for Sakuya, being seen by many eyes made her felt uncomfortable. She kept silent and only looked down to Mibuchi; didn't want to see the others' eyes.
To her relief, Akashi came to the rescue. "Put her down, Reo," he demanded.
With that one order, Mibuchi put Sakuya down safely. The taller man rubbed his head sheepishly after that. "I'm sorry, Sei-chan."
Akashi shook his head. His heterochromatic eyes observed Sakuya for a while, checking if she has calmed herself. "Are you done, Sakuya? We're going to start the match."
"Yes. Thank you, Akashi-san," she thanked him, but later retorted, "Your menu is quadrupled, Akashi-san."
Both men raised their brows. "Huh? Sei-chan's menu is quadrupled? Why, Sa-chan?" this time Mibuchi's the one who asked.
"It's because Akashi-san called Mibuchi-senpai without honorific again."
Mibuchi sweated. He glanced briefly at his captain who only smirked to Sakuya. "I-it is okay, Sa-chan! I don't mind it if it's Sei-chan!" Mibuchi tried to change the situation before something's bad will happen. He and the others don't want that, especially after that blunt remark from Sakuya on Sunday's practice.
"Even if you say that, Mibuchi-senpai, I won't change my mind," Sakuya stated sternly. The girl is serious about it. She even marked the change on her notes. "Addressing someone who is older than you informally is rude, no matter how close you are."
"B-b-but…"
"Alright," Akashi's reply gave a shock to the black-haired man. The Emperor didn't mind it? "I'll be careful for now on. Pardon me, Sakuya."
"I hope you can reflect on what you did, Akashi-san," Sakuya deadpanned. "Excuse us, Mibuchi-senpai. We shall resume the match now."
Mibuchi only nodded at Sakuya and let his captain and his temporary manager walked near the court again to observe the match. As the two walked away, he still didn't believe what he had experienced earlier. To think that one proud Akashi Seijurou let himself being preached and punished by someone, it's unbelievable.
Well, maybe it was because of Sakuya's influence to the redhead. Mibuchi cannot help but smile. He never thought Sakuya can affect Akashi like that, although the girl is oblivious to it.
From the other side, Nebuya sweated. "Dude…" he muttered, heard by Hayama who is near him. "That was one rarest moment of Akashi being 'defeated' like that; by that manager of ours. She's completely different from Higuchi."
Hayama sniggered. "Urenomiya can be unpredictable sometimes."
"But that's what makes her scary," Nebuya shivered. Hayama blinked to him.
"What did you mean by that?"
"It means I must behave myself before she triples, quadruples, or even quintuples my menu without me knowing."
"Ah," Hayama finally figured out what Nebuya meant. "It's like having two Akashis, don't you think so? It's just the way they imply it is different from each other," and he grinned.
Nebuya palmed his face. "Don't mention it with that happy face of yours, Kotarou."
Feeling sorry for his pal, Hayama patted Nebuya's shoulder many times. "Good luck with controlling your rude attitude when Urenomiya is around, Muscled Gorilla!" the orange-haired boy cheered, which earned a growl from Nebuya.
From the court, Sakuya suddenly yelled. "Hayama-senpai, your menu is quadrupled."
"EH?!" Hayama shrieked out.
This time, Nebuya patted Hayama's shoulder. "Good luck with restraining yourself calling me 'Muscled Gorilla' next time, Kotarou," the dark-skinned man leered at him.
Hayama dejectedly accepted his punishment for calling Nebuya that nickname. He noted that he should be careful when calling Mibuchi, too. He felt that Sakuya will multiple his menu again if he used that 'Reo-nee' nickname to call Mibuchi.
The two then sighed. They have been used to Akashi's alteration whenever they haven't progressed like their captain expected. But to think that Sakuya's unexpected changes sourced from the little improper things they usually do, they must be really careful keeping their words and behavior in its place.
Practice turns out to be difficult from now on, as long as Sakuya still replace Higuchi's position.
Akashi then chuckled, noticed by Sakuya who gave him a questioning look. The redhead gave his solemn look to her. "You really should be our official manager, too, Sakuya. Coach will be pleased with that."
"I am sorry, but I must refuse," she politely reject Akashi's offer even though Shirogane-sensei's name was mentioned.
Akashi chuckled again. "That's too bad."
Author's Note:
*Culture Day = A national holiday in Japan commences on November 3. It's a day to celebrate peace and freedom and promote culture.
Chapter 08 is finally out! I really need some inspirations to make the storyline. It was hard, even in one day I can only progress with six lines!
Put that aside, turns out I make Sakuya to be the temporary manager for Rakuzan's basketball team. With this, she can join the Winter Cup and witness the battle between Rakuzan versus Shutoku; where she will meet Midorima later. I also decided not to make Sakuya knows about basketball tactics, strategies, nor the opponent's data like Momoi does, because Sakuya is not interested in basketball in the first place and Akashi is better at those three attributes than her. Instead, I make her helps Akashi notes every alteration in player's menu (will it be doubled, tripled, etc) and other stuffs mentioned in the story.
Because the mid-term tests had gone, I had little free time to write this story. Well, you know… college's presentation and stuffs. So, sorry if I update the chapters too late! Also, thank you for those who have favorite, followed, or gave reviews!
Have a nice day, everyone! Don't forget to review if you have time!