Hey loyal readers. Thanks for making it to Chapter 31. I've been spammed with homework-it's ridiculous. I somehow managed to whip this up.
Did anyone besides me notice that KnB fan fiction traffic slowed down after the manga ended? I know. I'm going to miss them too. I'm glad that season 3 is still coming though.
Speaking of the good times of KnB, when I went to Japan, there was this awesome anime store that sold KnB cologne. They had Kise (lemon soap that only smelled good for like 3 seconds), Midorima (peppermint-no surprise there), and Aomine (bathroom?) cologne. I think Kuroko cologne was water (no smell-that's Kuroko for you). I wonder if they still have it.
Without further ~
Chapter 31
The squeaking of basketball shoes and pounding of basketballs against the hard waxed indoor courts filled the entire Yousen gym. Sayumi invited herself and Yuki inside. The girls tiptoed across the courts, carefully dodging the boys who were diligently practicing their shooting. The sudden disturbance of none other than the "tiny" girl irritated the tallest boy on the team. He simply turned his head and ignored her.
"Pss." Sayumi flapped her hand to yap the ignorant boy over to where she was standing in the corner. He intentionally ignored her. The girl repeated his name with less patience. She saw his eyebrow twitch in annoyance. Discontent at being ignored, Sayumi stomped over to the pile of basketballs sitting in the corner. The girl didn't even consider giving a warning when she launched a basketball flying straight to the unsuspecting purple-haired giant among giants. The ball missed him by an inch as it blew past his shoulder-length hair and slammed against the wall behind him. All eyes in the gym turned to the violent girl.
"Kine-chin..." Murasakibara looked at the girl blankly. "You missed."
"That's because I missed on purpose." Sayumi cocked her head to one side as if taunting the boy. Murasakibara responded by standing up. He was clearly two heads taller than her, forcing the girl to look up to see his face. The two simply glared at each other.
Yuki's harmonious laughter spread through the deadly silence. She found it adorable how her friend looked next to the basketball player.
"Sayumi-chan. You're so short. Ha-ha..." Yuki snorted.
"Yuki-chan. You're the same height as me." Sayumi looked dully at her friend. She then directed her gaze to her audience. She won the attention of everyone in the gym. She could guess why. No one had the guts to challenge the giant in a basketball court so boldly. She turned back to the boy.
"Murasakibara. Let me play a game." Sayumi looked straight at her opponent with full determination and confidence. Murasakibara recognized the vibe and nodded.
"Don't blame me if I crush you." His teammates were afraid for the girl. Okamura put a hand on his teammate's shoulders, but Murasakibara brushed it off.
...
"Yuki. Stop laughing. You're distracting." Sayumi scolded her friend sitting on the bench. Yuki was not helping at all. As her friend, Sayumi expected support, not giggling at the hilarity of the situation. It was, to an extent, funny to even Sayumi, but now wasn't the time to laugh about it. Nothing was going to change, she was going to tip off against Murasakibara.
As the ball was thrown up quickly, Murasakibara easily knocked the ball into the hands of his teammate without trying. The receiving teammate dribbled and prepared to shoot when Sayumi's partner, Himuro, blocked and passed it onto another teammate. That teammate, surrounded by the opposing team, passed it back to the unguarded girl.
She caught it easily, perhaps too easily. Murasakibara purposely allowed her to catch it so that he could personally beat her down. If it were anyone else, his method would have scared them, but that was exactly how Sayumi wanted to feel. She did, after all, spend hours with the hot-tempered Aomine to "perfect" this technique against the giant. As she held the basketball in her small hands, the giant's shadow engulfed her. With a graceful turn and flick of the wrist, Sayumi passed the ball to an open teammate. During the short moment of distraction, the slender girl slipped through the human wall and freed herself from his hardcore defense. Only a person with her stature could pull that off. As soon as she escaped, the ball was passed back to her and she made a perfect three-pointer.
After witnessing the notable basket, the giant began tying up his hair. Himuro quietly watched the girl flash a triumphant smile. She earned his respect. It was a talent to challenge others even though the outcome would be one of fatal failure. But nonetheless, Himuro knew this was going to be good entertainment.
...
As the game on the courts commenced, Yuki cheered along the bleachers. She screamed at the top of her lungs when her friend's team scored. Sayumi noticed that Yuki screamed the loudest whenever Himuro made a shot.
Not long after the games took a more serious approach, Yousen's basketball team captain joined the lively girl on the bleachers. Afraid to scare her, he sat on the same row a few seats away from the small girl. When her energetic eyes met his timid ones, she smiled.
"You...you...l...like basketball? Okamura managed to spill out.
"I like it." The girl's honest answer made him happy. "I don't get it though."
"It's nice that you've come to support your Sayumi-chan." Okamura kept his head down, afraid to look at the adorable Yuki sitting closer to him than any girl had ever done so before.
"Sayumi-chan? Do you like her?" Yuki asked curiously as she observed that her friend was the center of attention.
"She's very athletic." Okamura nodded as Sayumi demonstrated yet another perfect escape from the boy guarding her.
"Do you like her?" Yuki repeated her unanswered question.
"She's...very...c...cute." Okamura revealed shyly.
Upon hearing so, Yuki added to the comment. "I think Murasakibara is really cute too. They match. You agree?" Yuki turned to her converser, expecting his agreement with her claim.
"I guess so." The giant looked down gloomily after hearing the undeniable fact. Murasakibara was a much better match for the girl than he would ever be. The giant suppressed his welling tears from spilling out and frightening his female companion. "I better go down. The game is almost over." The huge bulk of a human stood from the bleachers and trudged over to the courts where the game was called to a finish.
...
"We won!" Murasakibara did not join his tired teammates in cheering for their victory. Instead, he approached the girl who just finished fist pounding Himuro. Sayumi turned to her friend and smiled.
"You won." Sayumi took out her hand for a handshake.
To her surprise, Murasakibara extended his hand and patted her head. "Kine-chin. You need to drink more milk."
"I drink two cups a day."
"You need three."
"I make up for the last cup with my vanilla milkshake." The girl grinned. Murasakibara was back to normal. She wasn't particularly clear on what she had proved, but whatever it was, it worked.
Yuki hopped down from the bleachers and landed next to her friend who was wiping herself with a towel. At a closer look, Yuki realized that Sayumi was using Himuro's towel.
"Sayumi-chan. I'm going first." Yuki walked out ahead. Sayumi thanked Himuro and took the towel with her to wash before returning it. She chased after her friend.
"I thought tiny things weren't your favorite." Himuro stated as he and Murasakibara watched the two girls walk out of the gym.
"They aren't. But occasionally they're okay."
Himuro laughed silently at his teammate's indirect way of admitting that he accepts Sayumi.
...
"Wait up!" Sayumi beckoned her friend to stop speed walking. "Yuki-chan!"
Yuki finally turned around to look at her panting friend. "You're not cute at all."
"Huh?" Sayumi breathed out. Yuki waited for her friend to catch her breath.
"Are you mad at me?"
Yuki pouted. "Sayumi-chan. Don't ask what you already know. Of course I'm jealous."
"Why?" Sayumi thought a little harder. "Ohh..." She suspected that Yuki didn't like the fact that she was using Himuro's towel. "Don't get the wrong idea. I only came to make up with Murasakibara." Sayumi scanned her friend's unconvinced expression. "Thanks for accompanying me to Yousen today." Yuki didn't seem pleased with a simple apology. The jealous girl folded her arms across her chest and tapped her fingers as if expecting some compensation.
"How about I make it up to you? I'll ask Murasakibara to ask his teammate to meet up with us?" Sayumi saw her friend's sudden smile.
"Would you really Sayumi-chan?" Yuki was jumping with glee. "You're the best." Sayumi was forced into a hug.
"Gosh. I don't know why I get people mad so often."
"Sayumi-chan. You're just really clueless on a lot of things. It's irritating. I don't know much about you and your situation, but if I had to judge, I feel for Murasakibara. You're probably the one to blame."
"Yuki-chan. Whose side are you on?"
"I'm just pointing the obvious out to you Sayumi-chan. You should be a little more attentive when boys show signs that they are interested."
"But they're not."
"But they are." Yuki shook her head at her clueless friend's lack of awareness. "I feel so bad for the boys who like you."
"Says the girl who turns down all the boys who confessed. Yuki-chan. You're not much better."
"That's because they're all not my type."
"And Yousen's boys are your type."
* "Yup. Especially [him]." Yuki giggled at the thought of the boy whom she found herself crushing on.
...
Same as the day before, Sayumi found herself in Yousen's gym once again. As the renowned troublemaker entered the gym, the boys all greeted her casually and she returned the kind gesture.
"Kine-chin!" Murasakibara saw her come in, but didn't bother with formalities until he spotted the two big delicious bags she was carrying with both arms. "What's that?" The childish boy pointed at what obviously was cake and candy.
"Murasakibara. I came to trade." Sayumi winked at the giant who leaned in closer. "I want to get Himuro to go on a date," Sayumi whispered secretively.
"Sorry Kine-chin. Muro-chin doesn't feel the same way as you. Can I still have the candy though?"
Sayumi gently slapped his large hands from reaching into the bags of sweets. "Not me," the girl clarified. "Wait. He told you he doesn't like me?"
"No. I guessed." Murasakibara was rewarded with a pinch on his arm. "Kine-chin. I'm going to bleed!"
"Stop exaggerating giant baby!" Sayumi looked around to once again realize she captured the whole crowd's undivided attention. Laughter filled the gym and the flustered girl turned red. She apologized and turned back to Murasakibara.
"I think Yuki has a crush on Himuro-kun. But if he can't come, I need you to help me find someone else. Anyone on the Yousen team is fine. Can you do it?"
"Anyone?" Murasakibara asked to confirm. He smirked after an idea came to mind.
"Murasakibara. You don't count."
"Why not?" the tall boy whined. "Wait. Kine-chin. Would you get jealous if I went?"
"Of course...not." Sayumi grinned. Murasakibara blinked and then straightened himself.
"Alright. Saturday I'll brink someone." Murasakibara took the bags from the accomplished girl.
As the giant pulled out the box of strawberry Pocky, he knew something was wrong. One pack was missing. Before he was able to catch the girl, she fled out of the gym as fast as she came in.
...
Sayumi pulled open the door and slipped into an empty seat at the restaurant. Seconds later, a tall figure planted himself next to her. She turned to look at the familiar giant.
"Kine-chin. Scoot." Sayumi moved a little to give her friend a little more elbow room.
"Murasakibara. Yuki-chan's coming soon. Did you invite anyone?"
Murasakibara smiled. "Don't worry Kine-chin. I got the perfect match."
"You brought Himuro-kun?" Sayumi's eyes were sparkling.
"Nope. I brought someone even better."
"Who'd you brin-"
"Hey guys! You two are early. Did you come together?" A jubilant Yuki took the seat across Sayumi. "He's not here yet?" Yuki whipped her head left and then right.
"Um..."
"He's here." Murasakibara pointed at the muscular basketball player heading to the table.
"H...Hello." Yousen's captain joined the group in their little table.
...
After a short lunch at the restaurant, the four went to see a movie. The seating arrangement was a little awkward since the two guys sat together on the last row while the two girls sat in front of them. It couldn't be helped that they moved to the back since they were a little too tall and blocked the other audience's view. And it so happened that all other seats were taken.
After the movie, the group went to eat again. Though considerable time had passed, rarely any words were exchange, adding to the strange atmosphere. Near the end of dinner, Yuki excused herself and dragged her friend to the bathroom with her.
"Sayumi-chan." Sayumi cringed just in case her friend was angry with her for not inviting Himuro. But to her surprise, she was showered with love. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Yuki threw her thin arms around her frozen friend. "I was so scared that Okamura-sempai wouldn't come. I'm so glad you were able to ask. I'm so happy. I think he likes me too."
When Sayumi sorted out the situation, she looked at Yuki and smiled. "I was scared you didn't like him. You didn't talk at all."
"Because I'm so happy I don't know what to say." Yuki was the prettiest when she was smiling. "But I'm going to talk now. You're really the best Sayumi-chan."
...
The two Yousen basketball boys watched as the giggling girls trailed out of the restaurant.
"Okamura-sempai. Are you my boyfriend?" Yuki asked unexpectedly as the group walked out together.
"Huh?" The Yousen captain stared down blankly at the cute girl in front of him.
"Can I call you Kenichi-kun? That's okay right?" Yuki grinned when the boy nodded slowly. She joyously linked arms with the boy who thought he was dreaming. "Sayumi-chan. You look tired. You should go home first."
"No. I'm not ti-"
"Alright then. I'll take here home first." Murasakibara winked at Yuki who was really thankful that at least he took the hint that she wanted some alone time with her gorilla man. The group separated, leaving Sayumi and Murasakibara for themselves.
...
"I want ice cream. Buy me an ice cream." Sayumi pointed to the ice cream truck, but remained on the bench, still tired from all the walking.
"Why?"
"Because Murasakibara was mean to me earlier." Sayumi pouted.
"How so?"
"Just buy me an ice cream."
To her utter surprise, the giant complied. He went up to the truck, bought one Hokkaido vanilla and one chocolate. He handed the vanilla to his little friend. Sayumi took it happily and began licking like a child. But before she even ate a quarter of it, Murasakibara grabbed her cone and began eating that too.
"What the...give it back." Sayumi reached in and grabbed her ice cream back.
"Kine-chin. I needed you to hold it for me. Not eat it. The vanilla and chocolate swirl machine broke down so I had to get two flavors separately." Murasakibara said blankly.
"Oh yeah?" Sayumi leaned in and licked a part of his chocolate ice cream.
"No Kine-chin! This is mine." Murasakibara used his hand as a shield for his half finished ice cream. Sayumi laughed deviously and finished her cone faster than giant.
"Murasakibara." The giant looked at the girl who leaned in and took another lick. "Not we're even."
"Ah. Kine-chin. Stop!" The purple-haired boy turned around to finish his ice cream in peace. Sayumi smiled. She couldn't tell him how much fun she had today. This was perhaps the first unofficial double date she'd been on. Even if it was only as friends. "Kine-chin. Stop grinning out of nowhere. It scares people."
...
The next day, the excited girl waited by the door for Ojii-chan who she habitually accompanied to the shogi center every Sunday.
"Sayumi-san. You're earlier than Ojii-san today." Obaa-chan handed her husband a jacket.
"Did you know. Sayumi-chan always ditches me at the shogi center?" The old man chuckled.
"What do you mean? Ojii-chan is-"
"She dresses up especially nice to see the young redhead." The old man laughed as his wife looked at Sayumi.
"No wonder..."
"Obaa-chan. Don't listen to Ojii-chan. Geez. Ojii-chan is the one who's always running off the minute we enter." The girl was ignored and the elderly continued to discuss the greatness of young love. "Can we go now?"
"How impatient to see Akashi-san." Obaa-chan teased.
"How'd you know his name?" Sayumi looked at her informed landlord in horror. "You weren't spying were you?"
"I have a lot of friends in the shogi center."
"I see." Sayumi nodded.
"Invite him over for dinner today."
"Huh?"
"Doesn't he always walk you home? I'm preparing his portion too."
"What if he doesn't want to come?"
"Tell him to drop by so I can meet him. You guys can play basketball together later after dinner."
"Are you sure you haven't been spying on me?"
"Just bring him."
"Fine." Sayumi only agreed to appease Obaa-chan as it would be rude to refuse her kind offer. The excited girl left the house soon after, but still, Ojii-chan made it to the shogi center before she did.
...
As the old man disappeared and made himself comfortable at a table in the middle of the populated room, Sayumi scooted into a seat across her usual opponent.
"Seijuurou." The girl looked confidently at the stoic redhead sitting calmly across from her. "I dare you to let me win." The girl's lips curved up when the boy shot a death glare. It became rather amusing for her to test his patience. "I'll purposely try to lose and that'll make it hard for you to not win. Sound good?"
"The outcome w-"
"Will be the same." The redhead's eyes pierced the girl who purposely took the words out of his mouth.
The two stared at each other, each feeling different emotions. Akashi was raging with annoyance, but hid his emotions by quietly sipping his hot tea. The girl, knowing that she won her own little game of ticking off the mature boy, giggled tauntingly, half covering her mouth to emphasize the fun she got from vexing him.
"So you on?"
"Sayumi. No one plays to lose." The redhead started the game.
"Gosh. You always have to make the first move."
"That's what I'm good at."
"I perfected a new basketball skill last week."
"Hmm?"
"I made up with Murasakibara this week."
"Good."
"I also hooked up my friend with Yousen's basketball team captain."
"I see."
"I'm a miracle worker."
"Sayumi. Just move the next piece."
...
The two teenagers accompanied each other out of the community shogi center. Sayumi spread her arms out and twirled with the wind as the quiet boy walked behind her. After walking half way, Sayumi finally warmed up to ask.
"Seijuurou." The boy looked at her expecting an invitation. It became another one of his abilities to read Sayumi and she knew it, but he waited for her to ask anyway. "Want to come over for dinner?"
The redhead took out his cell phone and texted someone. Sayumi peered over. "It's okay if you're busy."
"Do you want me to go?" the boy asked bluntly.
"Um. I mean Obaa-chan told me to invite you and all. But I never invited anyone over before. Not even Yuki and Meiko. So if you don't want to, it's okay."
"Do you want me to go?" Akashi repeated.
"Is it okay to say yes?" Sayumi asked shyly. It was rare for her to invite people over to her house, and even more rare for it to be a boy.
"No one knows what you want unless you say something."
"You know," Sayumi challenged.
"But that doesn't mean I don't want to hear you say it." Sayumi blushed at the boy focusing in on her. He walked past her and headed in the direction of her house.
This chapter is mainly dedicated to our muscle gorilla Okamura! Don't you think he deserves some love?