Chapter 17
Murasakibara sluggishly walked onto the courts where he was told to meet.
"You're here!" Sayumi greeted happily and pulled the newest newcomer to meet the other boys.
The four boys stopped dribbling and looked at the giant. Sayumi smiled.
"Incredible height, huh?"
"Pfft." Kagami couldn't help but laugh.
"Kinenocchi." Kise was laughing inside as well. "Where'd you meet him?"
"Well. We first met in the convenience store when I was buying water for Aomin...no...um...myself. I...It was a really hot day."
The curious boys stared at Aomine.
"Guys. I got the water for myself."
"Right."
"Kagami. I'm serious. It was hot that day. Anyways, Murasakibara, let me introduce you. You might have seen him before, this is the famous model Ki-
"Kine-chin. I know them."
"Yes and this is Kuroko Te-...wait. You know them?"
"Yeah."
"Aw. Guys. You all know Murasakibara too then?"
All of the boys nodded.
"Okay then. Well, I called you here so we can play basketball together. Three on three."
"Divide the teams shorty."
"On it." Sayumi responded instantly but then looked at Aomine. "Wait. Who're you talking to?"
"Kinenocchi. Ignore him. Hurry up and pick the teams."
"After much consideration, I believe the most balanced team is me with Kuroko." Kuroko scooted next to Sayumi.
"Kinenocchi just favors Kurokocchi."
"You're going to lose. The way to balance things out is to separate you and Kuroko." Kagami insisted again.
"Kine-chin. Accept the fact that it's not going to work."
"Kuroko and I are going to be a team. Don't look down on us. Aomine-kun, will you join us?" Kuroko and Sayumi both looked at him. "It'll be balanced with you."
"I guess it'll be more challenging that way. At least I wouldn't be bored."
"I get the ball first." Sayumi called.
"Why your team?"
"Ladies first." Sayumi checked the ball to Kise who checked back.
"I thought you didn't want us to be sexist?" Kagami challenged.
Sayumi dribbled and made the shot. "Yay! Lucky again!" The witnesses knew that the ball didn't go in with a swish by chance.
"Sly devil." Kagami said as he held the ball this time and checked it to Sayumi.
...
"Kineno! Hurry up. I'm starving." Kagami shouted and dropped back on the chair.
"Don't forget. An extra extra large parfait this time."
"Vanilla milkshake please."
"More water. My glass has been empty since forever."
The waitress rushed out with the hungry customers' orders. She then took out the water pitcher and refilled their empty glasses of water.
"Guys. Don't kill me."
"That's not how you should talk to your usual customer." Murasakibara commented and ate another spoonful of ice cream. "You're our waitress. You need to practice on your communication skills."
Aomine-kun let out a laugh. Sayumi was flustered.
"Kinenocchi. Don't mind us. We're just surprised that your manager suddenly called you to work. Sorry to have to bother you."
"Se-chin. She promised to buy me something. Don't make it sound like we're imposing."
Sayumi didn't stay to hear the rest of the boys' ranting. She had other tables to tend to. Plus, the manager kept on looking her way.
"Kineno-san. Would you please come here for a second." The manager motioned the girl to go behind the counter.
"Yes, manager?"
"I'm a little worried about you. You need to be more careful. That table is full of boys. Big boys."
"They're my friends. We play basketball together."
"Friends or not. They're boys and all of them have been watching you the whole time."
"Really?" Sayumi turned around to see the table of boys. All of them turned away when she looked back.
"Child. Can you make it any more obvious that I just told you."
"They were probably just curious about why you dragged me aside. Don't worry unnecessarily manager." Sayumi patted her supervisor on the back and went back to work.
The boys started getting up from the table and Sayumi rushed over.
"You guys are leaving already?"
"Kineno. We sat there for half an hour. You didn't come visit us once."
"Sorry Kagami. You guys looked like you were having a good time talking to each other so I thought it best to leave you alone." The redhead walked out.
"Kineno-san. See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Kuroko."
"Kine-chin. This flavor does taste pretty good. Buy me the other new flavor next time. I want to try that too." The giant exited.
"Shorty."
"Aomine-kun. If you don't want to call me formally, that's okay. But please do not call me that. If anyone had the right to, it would be Murasakibara. But if he ever does, I'll literally kick him. And as for you, think of another nickname."
Aomine snorted. "Feisty as usual Sayu." The boy turned and waved his hand, leaving the girl speechless.
That's what Koukai-nii used to call me.
"Kinenocchi. We stopped at a draw. You're surprisingly athletic despite how you look."
"Kise. I didn't expect a model like you would look so good playing basketball. It was an honor." Sayumi fake bowed.
"I had fun today." The model stepped out to join the rest of the gang.
I had fun too.
...
That night, Sayumi dreamed of playing ball together with the five boys again. After a week, she continued to have the same dream except it wasn't exactly a dream anymore. She was actually playing with the talented group of boys every night.
Yes, she had to bribe Murasakibara with candy, but still, what was once just Kuroko, Kagami and herself, now included an extra three miracles.