Hey there! How's everyone doing? Just wanted to thank all those who are supporting this by favoriting, following, reviewing, and reading.
I am delighted to share that I read my first pairing review! By pairing review, I meant that one of the reviewers shared their opinions of what pairing they support. I was so excited to read it. To that certain reader, I hope this chapter will not disappoint.
Thank you also to those who took the time to drop by and review. I love reading feedback. They're really encouraging.
Sayumi: Serianri-chan. Why am I here?
Serianri: Well, I was reading something that also had a panel like this so if this is found useful, I might switch to panel talking through you instead of blabbering on myself.
Sayumi: So that's why I'm here...
Kuroko: I have a part in this chapter too.
Sayumi: Don't spoil Kuroko! This was originally supposed to be named "Kuroko no ..."
Serianri: Guess yourselves!
Chapter 28
"Kineno-san. What are you doing?" Kuroko, with two large vanilla milkshakes in his hands, stared down at the girl. He just returned from a quick trip to buy drinks at Maji Burger and upon returning to the park, he finds his friend crawling desperately on all fours in search of something. "Did you lose something again?" Kuroko suspected he was right.
Sayumi looked guiltily at Kuroko and forced a wobbly smile. "You're back already?" She was definitely hiding something.
"What happened?" Kuroko placed the two drinks on the bench. He was dying to taste his drink, but thought it best to help the panicking girl first. He didn't expect to see her while taking Tetsuya Nigou on a walk. He felt bad for the girl, dressed in a rather nice outfit, to be crawling on the floor on such a nice sunny Saturday afternoon.
"I thought it would be fun to play hide-and-seek with Tetsuya Nigou and well...I started counting and told him to "hide" but now I can't even find him." Tears were forming. "He didn't even leave any pee hints." The girl frowned. "Kuroko...I'm so sorry!" It was convenient for her to bow her head down to the floor since she was already on her knees.
"Kineno-san. We can look together." The gentle boy patted the girl's head as she wiped away her useless tears. The basketball player surprised Sayumi with his sudden action. He bent down and began looking with her.
The two looked fruitlessly under trees and bushes. The park was too good of a place to play hide and seek with a little Alaskan malamute. Aside from the shuffling of a few shrubs here and there, accompanied with the mocking chirping of the birds gazing down at the two teenagers, silence composed the atmosphere. The exhausting quietness was broken by a shriek that came from Sayumi. Kuroko quickly appeared next to her, his figure hovering over her smaller one.
"Oww..." Sayumi bit down on her lower lip and Kuroko carefully lifted her hand. The boy looked closely at the gushing blood coming from the girl's fragile fingers. The girl leaned in as well to see the condition of the cut.
"Kineno-sa-"
Suddenly, the boy was cut off from his sentence, when something soft placed itself comfortably on his sweet lips that tasted of vanilla. The stunned boy froze in place as his wide eyes met the equally wide ones of the surprised girl whose lips were still connected with his.
"Arf-Arf."
A mischievous little black and white dog was wagging its tail rapidly. The sudden interruption was followed by a sudden yank. A firm hand pulled Kuroko protectively away from his close proximity to Sayumi. The girl was also pushed slightly backwards. The bewildered girl who was still trying to take in what had just happened was immediately scolded.
"What's wrong with you, Sayu?" Aomine glared at the intimidated girl. The tall tanned boy showed up unexpectedly.
"I-"
"Kine-chin. How could you do that to Kuro-chin?" The tall giant teased as he continued to eat his sweets care freely. Next to him, Midorima tilted his glasses.
Sayumi looked guiltily at the "victim" of the situation. Kuroko looked up blankly, stood and patted away the excess dirt on his white shirt. Kagami watched as the girl patted the dust off herself. He opened his mouth to add in his opinion of what everyone just witnessed.
"Kineno. We know how much you adore Kuroko, but you can't just take advantage of his vulnerability." Kagami shook his head before he continued. "That was Kuroko's first kiss."
Upon hearing the news, Sayumi's hands immediately shot to her lips. She let out a mini gasp.
"I'm so sorr-"
"Isn't it a little late for that?" Aomine's harsh tone pierced Sayumi.
"Please let me explain. I-"
"It's okay Kineno-san. It was an accident."
The gentle Kuroko walked over to the girl and took her hand. He wiped away the remaining blood from her previously inflicted wound with a tissue. The caring boy noticed the girl's self-blame.
"At least now we found Nigou." Kuroko's considerate comment lightened the mood. A small smile crossed Sayumi's face.
"Sorry Kuroko for causing so much trouble." Sayumi expressed genuine sincere as she relayed the heartfelt message.
To draw the attention away from the ashamed girl, Kuroko turned to the other fellow basketball players.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"I followed you from the restaurant."
Kuroko nodded at Kagami and then turned to look at Aomine.
"I was going to play some ball. Then I saw the dog with the jersey and followed it." Aomine's story was also accepted.
"We thought it was strange that Kuroko had two large milkshakes so we came to spy." Midorima didn't even mind telling the truth as it was.
"I tagged along with Mido-chin."
Sudden light laughter filled the park. Everyone temporarily forgot about the flashy model. "I just passed by."
"Did you see Kine-chin force a kiss on Kuro-chin?"
All glares were now directed at the humiliated girl who lowered her head even more. The boys each shook their heads.
"That was cruel Sayu. That was Tetsu's first."
"You have to be careful, Kuroko. Kineno is an aggressive one," the redhead teased. Kuroko smiled faintly, still a little exhausted from the unexpected occurrence of his first kiss. Upon noticing Kuroko's lingering surprise, Kagami walked him out of the park, followed by the rest of the boys, leaving Sayumi by herself. Even Tetsuya Nigou followed the leaving gang. All of the boys went to console Kuroko, but a particular one stayed behind.
"Kinenocchi?" The kind blonde bent down next to the girl. A few teardrops stained the cement floor. "Ah. Why are you crying? We all know that it was an accident. We saw Tetsuya Nigou launch at you and pushed you at Kuroko. They were just teasing..."
Kise tried coming up with more ideas to comfort the girl. Perhaps his friends went a little overboard with the teasing. Sayumi was a girl after all.
"Kinenocchi..."
"Wah!" The blonde didn't expect the girl to lunge herself at him. "That was my first kiss too!"
Kise looked at the crying girl who clung onto him tightly, afraid to show herself. He gently stroked her hair.
"Don't feel bad. I guess we all misunderstood." Kise's tone was apologetic. Sayumi looked up and saw the tall boy looking back at her. She sniffed.
"Misunderstood?"
Kise took her uninjured hand in his hand and led her out of the park. The feeling swarming inside the crying girl was nostalgic. It seemed that whenever something happens, the blonde is always there to help and cheer her up.
Sayumi secretly smiled as the boy dragged her to the nearest convenience store. She waited patiently for the boy who was waiting in line to pay. There were admirers surrounding him, but he didn't seem to notice as he was too focused on buying the first-aid kit for Sayumi. After purchasing the items, he led the girl to the resting area and sat her down on the bench.
She watched quietly as he disinfected her cut. She winced at the sting when the alcohol met with her open wound.
"Does it hurt Kinenocchi?" The boy's innocent and authentic concern touched Sayumi. The girl quickly shook her head. Kise laughed at the flushed girl who avoided further eye contact.
After bandaging up the cut, he smirked. Sayumi caught sight of his grin. He took that opportunity to secure eye contact.
"Kinenocchi. Don't be angry with them."
"I...I'm not." Sayumi tried pulling away from the handsome boy who was really close to her. It suddenly felt really hot.
"They didn't know it was Kinenocchi's first kiss too. We all assumed that you had previously..."
"I haven't even dated anyone before."
"We thought you were joking back there."
"I wasn't."
Kise let out a relieved laugh. Sayumi pouted at his inconsiderate laugh.
"Unlike some gorgeous and loved people, people like me haven't had the privilege to experience anything of the sort yet." Sayumi was aiming that at Kise who didn't take it the way she had expected someone like him would. Kise's attitude took a serious turn.
"I haven't met up with anyone before either."
Sayumi stared speechlessly at the handsome boy. She was almost sure that he was a womanizer.
"Aww that hurts. You thought I was a playboy?" It was easy for Kise to read the girl's honest expression and thoughts. "Guess you know my secret now. I never had a girlfriend." The boy looked away to hide his face.
"But you have so many fans."
"That's different."
"How so?"
"I'm more than just the cover of a magazine." Kise's tone suggested a slight feeling of loneliness. This was a first. The usual confident and happy boy also had a side like this. She sensed that this was probably his moment of weakness. She never knew. A sudden guilt found its way in when she remembered the first time she played basketball with him. She recalled thinking that he was only looks, but that thought changed a long time ago. He was much much more. Sayumi grabbed his large hands into her small ones.
"You're the cover of a magazine. But you're also my model basketball player. A good friend. A kind consoler. The life of the GoM."
He smiled faintly at the praises from the girl. Sayumi knew he wasn't convinced by the typical comments he may already have heard countless times.
"And also a very important part of my life."
The blonde's attractive golden eyes met with hers.
"Kise Ryouta."
Kise was instantly compelled by the girl. He bent and leaned forward until his face was only a few centimeters away from hers. The girl unconsciously backed away a little, but his firm hands held her in place. She couldn't help but focus on his soft lips that were approaching hers. Sayumi shut her eyes when she didn't know what to do. Seconds later, a warm forehead knocked against hers.
"Kinenocchi. Thanks."
The embarrassed girl felt her face burn wildly. He was so close that she could literally not only hear, but "feel" his breathing. Her eyes slowly wandered at his flawless face. She analyzed his handsome and enviable features.
Kise sensed the girl's surprise and gentlemanly pulled away. He patted the girl on her head.
"Want to take a picture?" A blinding smile flashed across the teenage boy's handsome face. He didn't wait for an answer and pulled out his phone. He snapped a few pictures with a flushed Sayumi and smiled.
"Um...Can you send them to me too?" Sayumi looked down to avoid the boy's mesmerizing gaze.
"Uh...Yeah." Kise, not knowing what to do, placed his hand behind his head. He glanced at the time on his phone. "It's already 4:15."
"Already?" Sayumi popped up and straightened out her clothes. "I better go home and change first." The girl dashed away, but stopped and turned her head to look back at the boy standing still. "See you tonight?"
"Yeah."
Sayumi smiled sweetly at the boy. Kise watched the girl run back home. He debated whether or not to walk her home, but something told him it was best not to. He probably wouldn't be able to handle it. He tapped his phone and looked at the pictures. He was glad to have been able to capture such a cute picture of Sayumi.
...
When she was positive she was out of the blonde's sight, Sayumi put her hand to her heart and clamped down on it. It was beating abnormally fast. So fast that it kind of hurt.
Good thing he didn't offer to take me home. I probably wouldn't be able to handle any more.
Seconds later, her phone made a sound. She looked at the pictures taken with the blonde model.
He's so photogenic! Would it be alright to send a picture to Kaa-chan? AH! If only my face wasn't so red. I ruined the picture.
The girl let the breeze blow her hair as she walked slowly back home in hopes of calming herself down from everything that happened.
...
After walking with his friends half-way to his house, Kuroko stopped.
"Guys. I forgot something."
The whole group barely managed to follow Kuroko who sped so fast toward the direction of the park.
"There you are." The happy boy picked up both cups with his hand and placed his lips on the straw. He alternated back and forth between the two cups, not once considering to share. "I'll see you guys back here later." The energized boy disappeared.
"Tetsu might get a stomachache." A painful expression spread across Aomine's face at the thought.
"I never knew Kuroko was as stingy as Kineno. He could've just bought new ones." Kagami sighed at his friend's love for milkshakes.
"And that's why we are not compatible." Midorima shook his head.
"What's wrong with doing that?" Murasakibara asked questioningly.
"Would you eat a piece of candy that fell on the floor?"
"Yeah. Why not?"
"Then your opinion doesn't count."
...
Sayumi rushed out of the house to buy something to eat before meeting up with the gang to play basketball. She entered her favorite convenience store which so happened to be the one she first bumped into the purple-haired giant.
When it was her turn to walk up to the cashier, a sudden shove from the back sent Sayumi almost toppling over. It was Deja vu all over again except this time around she wasn't going to fall. She grabbed the closest thing to her- the shirt of the tall customer behind her. There was a ripping sound, but she managed to catch herself and didn't fall. Her bewildered eyes locked onto the familiar face. Her hand tugged at the giant's shirt indicating her call for some assistance from her half-falling position. Murasakibara's hand came into view. Sayumi was ready to grab it, but instead of lending a hand, the large palm shoved her off.
Rip. The sleeve of Murasakibara's huge T-shirt fell along with the girl. The other customers looked at the girl on the floor and began laughing.
"Hey!" Sayumi barked at the giant. "This is the second time."
"I know." Murasakibara's eyes were filled with fury. "And you tore my favorite shirt." His glare was filled with menace.
"You said the other one was your favorite."
"I can have more than one favorite."
"Help me up and we're even." Sayumi extended her hand. She was willing to forgive the boy if he at least assisted in helping her stand back up.
"Do it yourself." Murasakibara pushed in front and went to the cashier and paid for his candy, all the while leaving Sayumi on the floor. After paying, he walked towards the girl to tease her more and was ready to offer a helping hand, but stopped when he saw another boy help the girl up from the floor. Sayumi smiled beautifully at the kind boy. She shot Murasakibara a triumphant glare. The giant's eyebrow twitched at the girl's cockiness and walked out first.
"Murasakibara Atsushi!" Sayumi yelled across the street at the giant who didn't even consider waiting for her to go to the park together. Despite the difference in height, the tiny girl caught up with his long strides. "What's wrong with you?" Sayumi pouted at the tall boy who diligently ignored her. "I saw you turn back to look at me."
The giant stopped in his tracks. He was irritated with the talkative girl. Sayumi dug in the plastic bag holding the items she bought from the convenience store.
"Here. Sewing kit. You can fix it." Sayumi held out the travel-size sewing kit to the boy. "Sorry about the shirt though it was partially your fault..."
Murasakibara stared at the apology gift and then scowled. He pushed her away and continued forward. "I hate small things."
"I can help you fix it." Sayumi's sparkly eyes pissed Murasakibara off, but he somehow couldn't help but take up the offer.
...
The two stopped at the park and took a seat at the park bench.
"We're early so I can fix it in time before the game starts. It won't look as good, but at least the sleeve would be attached again." Sayumi smiled sheepishly as she pulled the giant to sit down next to her as she took out some thread and began piecing the fabric back into its original position.
The speechless boy watched quietly as the girl concentrated on sewing the unattached piece back on. Her tiny hand was holding the tiniest needle threaded with the thinnest piece of string. His eyes never left the zealous girl. She devoted all her attention on fixing the insignificant shirt. He glanced at her struggling with the task. It would have been much easier were it not for the bandage around her fingers. It all pissed him off.
"Whatever." Murasakibara pushed the girl away.
"Hah. Finished just in time." Sayumi smiled happily at her accomplishment. "Good as new...sort of..."
The giant looked at the reattached piece. It was strangely not bad craftsmanship. That pissed him off even more.
"Murasakibara?" Concern filled the girl's voice. "Are you feeling okay?"
The giant ignored her. He had to leave. If he stayed alone with the short girl any longer, he couldn't help but intensify his desire to crush her. Looking at her unsettled him. Her tiny hands. Her tiny face. Everything about her suddenly agitated him.
As he strolled over to the courts, he couldn't help but remember the scene in the convenience store. After seeing the girl smile so amiably at the "good Samaritan," he was really annoyed. He wasn't particularly happy with himself either for actually turning back and intending to give her a hand.
Immediately following the arrival of Murasakibara, Sayumi skipped happily to join the group who were in the process of deciding teams.
"Kinenocchi." Kise smiled brightly to the blushing girl.
"Sayu and Tetsu will be on separate teams today." Aomine smirked. "I get Tetsu today."
"Aomine. You-" Sayumi instantly recalled the earlier event where she kissed Kuroko. She exchanged looks with the quiet boy and bowed her head slightly to apologize again.
"Daiki, Tetsuya, Shintarou, Taiga are one team. Ryouta, Atsushi, Sayumi on mine."
All heads nodded. It was a good team arrangement. The games began with Kagami and Murasakibara tipping off.
...
Another merciless ball came flying violently to Sayumi's unprotected face. As if my instinct, the girl placed her two hands in front of her face, ready to catch the ball even though there was an absolute chance of failure.
A sudden loud sound coming from the impact of the basketball filled the courts. Aomine single-handedly stopped the ball from smacking the defenseless girl in the face. He glared at the tallest player before directing his attention back to the girl.
"You okay?" Aomine scanned the girl who was still processing everything.
"Yeah. I think..." The girl nodded, still confused.
Aomine passed the basketball to his invisible friend and took the frightened girl's small hands in his. He lifted her bandaged hand up and noticed the red staining through the white bandages. The cut reopened from trying to catch all the powerful balls from her teammates.
"It's nothing. It was from earlier. I didn't change the bandages, that's all." Sayumi quickly pulled away and blinked back some tears. She didn't even know why tears were forming. Perhaps it was embarrassing that she was being a hindrance and exposing her weakness.
"Murasakibaracchi. What are you doing? Kinenocchi is on our team," Kise shouted across the court where he was blocking Kagami.
"She missed all my passes. Useless people shouldn't be playing. If they do, they'll just be crushed."
Akashi observed the perturbed player who stormed out of the park to cool down. Sayumi looked up at the giant who flounced out the park.
"Murasa-"
"No Sayumi." Akashi's eyes focused on the girl. "He'll be back tomorrow." The redhead's tone was all-knowing. He turned and left.
"Seijuurou..." Sayumi thanked him quietly. Somehow the redhead's short words provided her with comfort. His certainty that everything was alright consoled her worries for Murasakibara who was indeed acting differently from usual.
"I kind of guessed this would happen." Kise approached the girl, this time carrying with him the bag of disinfectant and bandages he bought earlier. "After you wash up at home, bandage it up again." The model smiled and handed her the bag. "I'll go look for Murasakibaracchi."
"Good night." Midorima went with the blonde.
"I'm playing longer. You guys can go first."
Kuroko nodded and walked out with Kagami and Sayumi.
After watching the three friends walk out together, Aomine looked down at his left hand he used to stop the ball from hitting the helpless girl.
Was he trying to kill her?
...
"Good thing it was only Murasakibara's passes. If it was Kuroko's..."
"Kagami-kun. Akashi-kun specifically put us on separate teams to avoid worsening her injury."
"No wonder. I noticed that Kise and Akashi's passes were both weaker than usual. But Murasakibara's last one was a killer. Good thing Aomine stopped it. But wasn't Aomine blocking Akashi? How'd he speed across the court and stop that ball so fast?"
"Guys. Is Murasakibara mad at me?" Sayumi's little voice crept into the two boys' conversation.
"It's normal. He likes crushing a lot of things."
Sayumi smiled at the pale boy. "I probably did something." The girl was drained. Too much happened in one day.
The trio walked a little further until Kagami walked his separate way, leaving Kuroko and Sayumi. The two found themselves in another awkward situation.
"Kuroko. Can I come over to see Tetsuya Nigou sometime?" Sayumi asked partially to fill the silence.
"He likes you."
"Are you sure? He jumped me from behind."
"He has good intentions."
The two looked at each other and remembered the awkward kiss. Immediately after recalling the memory, both looked away. Sayumi was flustered and Kuroko looked down on the floor. The chivalrous boy escorted the girl all the way back home before returning back to his own house which was only a few blocks away.
{Text from Kuroko Tetsuya}: Kineno-san. Sorry about taking your first kiss.
Sayumi glanced at her glowing phone. She read the message.
{Text from Kineno Sayumi}: Sly devil. You knew all along.
Kuroko rubbed Tetsuya Nigou's stomach.
"Good boy."