A/N: Thanks to x10TIMEx, Savage Kill, Cemre, DrAnime203, Mespirt, xXxLoveLessVampirexXx and Aleiaa for your positive feedbacks!
As always, THANK YOU SOOOO MUCHIE for everyone's favs, follows, and reviews! I really appreciate all of that. :D Especially Cemre and Savage Kill for your incessant reviews to almost every one of my chapters~
Q&A Corner~
Savage Kill: Hello there. ^^ So here are the answers to your questions; 1) Why is there a scar on Izanami's back and what's it from? - Unfortunately, I can't tell you that. Otherwise it will spoil the whole thing. :x You'd have to wait until I get to that part. Which is still a long way to go... :)
2) Does Kagami know about it? - No, he doesn't, as of now... It's just like how almost all of us has a dark secret that we don't want others/ the people around us to know about. Not even our closest friend or family.
3) Can Izanami really sleep through anything when she wants to? - You bet she can~ xD
Edited: 4/04/2014
Disclaimer: I do not own KuroBasu. Except for my OCs-desu~
Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.
- Sholom Aleichem
Contradiction
Third Person's POV
Wow.
No matter how many times she had seen it, Izanami still couldn't mask her amazement whenever she looked at the Interhigh match-up script. "Did all these schools came to compete in Interhigh?" She asked. Aghast by the vast numbers of schools that are entering the tournament as she stared skeptically at the paper held in her hand.
"Ah. That's right. It can't be help, since Interhigh is one of the most popular and highly regarded basketball tournament in Japan after all." Riko elucidated. Her underclassman nodded afterward. Having had her coach's reasoning sunk deep in her skull.
Izanami clicked the pen in her grasp repeatedly. A habit she has adapted since her childhood and she does it whenever she was pondering, probably over something trivial.
Uncouthly, a ponderous yawn escaped her before she had the time to stifle it. After Izanami raised her hand to rub her droopy eyes, she goes back to counting the number of water bottles inside the package and jotting down something on her clipboard.
Was it because she was bored? Heck no. Although sometimes, the gray-haired girl would grumble about the amount of workload thrown onto her because she's the manager of their basketball club. Nonetheless, after whining (which everyone already used to it and didn't bother about her ranting every now and then) she'd still finished up whatever she was told or supposed to do. Dutifully.
By no means was Izanami a perfectionist. However, if she ever decides to do something, she definitely won't allow her work to be done half-assedly.
"Izana... are you alright? Your eyebags seem to be getting worse..." The brunette coach gave a cursory glance at the junior beside her. Taking in her disheveled and horrid visual; Izanami's skin were as dry as a dried squid.
Riko was surprised that her skin still hasn't crack despite its dryness. She then trailed her gazes up, only to be met by a pair of dark circles looming beneath the manager's eyes. And the gray-haired girl's eyelids would flutter closed – and opened again. Seemingly fighting the urge to doze off while she was still working and standing. Riko could also noticed that the girl's hair were combed in a rush. Seeing how a few strands of her hair still had the effect of a cow's lick from the morning.
"Y-Yeah... It's just recently I haven't been sleeping well. That's all..." Another yawn slipped through while Izanami replied languidly to the coach. She quickly cupped her mouth in an attempt of appearing modestly. But, 'modesty' and Izanami didn't really go hand in hand... And Riko knew that. Thus, she could only sweat-dropped at her junior's failed attempt.
After finished counting the water bottles and double-checked that there was no mistake in her counting, Izanami heaved a relief sigh before going over to the bench and perched herself beside Riko. Her shoulders slumped and her body slouched. Hanging her head low as she let her bangs covered her vision.
Today, she should be feeling excited, pumped up, and full of fighting spirits than ever. Why? Because today is the day – when Interhigh Tournament begins.
The Seirin basketball club has already arrived at the Gymnasium, along with their opponent that they would be facing in the first round of Interhigh preliminaries;
Shinkyo Academy.
Riko, as the coach, was busily deriving a plan and deep in her cogitation. Whereas Izanami did her tedious numbers checking and administrative works which everyone loathed so much. While the players were warming up at the court for their up-coming match.
Everyone was busy indulging in their own activities, and they all has a role to play in the tournament today. Yet! Today is just the first day and Izanami's energy had already depleted... all because of the darn video record.
Izanami had actually, personally went and got herself a disk which compressed all the matches and data on Shinkyo. She even gone to a great length by reviewing all the statistic data of each of their regular players that she managed to gather through countless watch of the video record and memorized it. Although their opponent today ain't that tough from what Izanami has concluded from the data, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Which explained the awful dark circles and the zombie-like appearance on Izanami.
A light chuckle traveled to the ever exhausted manager's ears. Izanami cast a side-glance at the coach seated beside her. Having seemingly no energy to even lift her head up. "What are you chuckling at yourself for, Riko-san?" Izanami intoned lackadaisically.
"Ah. Sorry. I'm just surprised." Riko said as she smiled down at the gray-haired. Izanami quirked a brow at her goofiness, "Why?" She asked.
Riko looked contemplative, vacillating whether she should tell the underclassman the reason. But decided to say nonetheless. She just hoped the girl won't get too offended though...
"I was surprised that, you, of all people, would actually be so ardent and serious in your job as a manager. After all, you never struck people as a duteous or... responsible type."
...What?
The brunette scratched her cheek sheepishly after saying it. Riko more or less knew the truth behind Izanami's condition today. Since the manager came up to her yesterday and requested the record of Shinkyo Academy basketball team.
Izanami's eyes widened at her coach's revelation of her. Her eyes no longer drooping. Instead, she imitated the face of a fish; Gaping at the air as Riko's words left her gobsmacked.
"... Coach, should I treat your words as an insult or a compliment?" Izanami deadpanned, albeit carrying a hint of morose in her tone if someone was perceptive enough to notice. She didn't know that was how she appears in front of others up 'till now.
"O-Of course it's a compliment! Right, guys?" Riko exclaimed vehemently as she looked over to the freshmen trio who had been listening to their conversation. The trio then nodded their heads fervently in concurrence. If Izanami hadn't noticed the initial stuttering from Riko, she might actually believed her.
Izanami sighed sullenly while massaging her temples, "Then, what did you all thought of me at the beginning?" Since they were already on the topic of 'impression', she might as well ask about it. Though she didn't know she would regret it so soon.
"E-Eh? Well..." Riko pondered as she tapped her finger on her chin. The freshmen trio glanced at each others uneasily, as if the answer were written on their faces.
"Precipitant–Insouciant–Impertinent–Obstinate–Belligerent–Sadistic?" The four of them, in addition of another two that popped out of nowhere, answered unceremoniously at her. Needless to say, Izanami was stupefied by the strings of words that have seemingly smacked her in the face. Good. Excellent. All the efforts she had put into making a good impression on others, has gone down the drain.
"Ha–!? And wait! When did the both of you joined the conversation!?" Izanami bellowed as she waved her finger accusingly at the extras– which consisted of a certain bluenette and a redhead. "Sorry, Izanami-san. Both Kagami-kun and I were just being honest." Kuroko deadpanned. Not you too, Kuroko!
"It's time to face reality, Izana." Kagami added, as he nodded his head to himself. Which made the gray-haired girl popped several of her veins. The redhead was simply rubbing salts into her wound... wasn't he?
*Sadist mode: On*
"Hoho~? Should I show y'all what real sadism is, then? Hmm~?"
The sadistic manager cracked her knuckles, before grappling on Kuroko's and Kagami's head. Nails dug into their scalps as Izanami grabbed a handful of hairs from them. A dark chuckles echoed creepily from her. Judging from the situation, both Kuroko and Kagami doesn't have to do warm-ups anymore. The amount of beads cascaded down their faces was more than enough.
Furihata and the other fellow freshmen swallowed nervously at her change of demeanor. They clung to one another desperately as they watched the disaster befell on their poor teammates. Cowering in fear. We're screwed...
"Ouch."
A loud thud resounded in the gym, causing everyone to cease whatever they were doing and swerved their heads to the door – where the source originated from.
"Everything is so short in Japan." Papa Mbaya Siki, nicknamed 'Tou-san', groaned as he rubbed the bump on his head. His absurdly long limbs has rendered the entire Seirin speechless and in awe.
Izanami blinked owlishly at the foreigner's physique. Dumbstruck. Holy fuc– Is he a titan!?
"By the way, did you guys really beat Kaijo?" Tanimura, the captain of Shinkyo asked dubiously at Hyuga, who went and grabbed the fallen ball that accidentally rolled to Tanimura's foot.
"Ugh... It was just a practice game." Hyuga replied. Actually, he didn't really think that they have won Kaijo. How could a victory count in a non-official practice game? Nope. Hyuga Junpei isn't that conceited. And he won't allow himself to start acting all arrogant just because they've beaten a Generation of Miracle in a practice game.
"I see. I guess the Generation of Miracles isn't as strong as we thought then."
Hyuga furrowed his brows at the man's sardonic remark. Dad, who happened to have overheard their conversation, piped in flippantly. "The Generation of Miracles lost? They even brought me here to defeat them... I'm disappointed that they're so weak." Dad shrugged before ambling away. Izanami swore she just saw the foreigner rolled his darn eyes after his contemptuous speech!
Surely, everyone from Seirin didn't like the smugness and pompousness from a team who has never face Generation of Miracles before. Especially Izanami, who already has her teeth bared and clenched as she glared-daggers at the giant's retreating back.
"Ignorant bastard." Izanami spat through her gnashed teeth in English. Too fed up in her own good, the presence of a certain redhead now stood beside her has went unnoticed to the girl until he placed his large, callous hand atop of her head.
"W-What–"
"Calm down." Kagami said as he flashed the manager a reassuring grin. Izanami batted her eyes dumbfoundedly at the redhead, before gently swatted his hand away. Her mouth formed into a petulant pout, "Hearing those words from you really makes no sense." She snorted. Honestly, he's the last person Izanami wants to hear those words from.
"Oi. What do you mean!?"
See? That was what she meant.
"Calm down, Taiga." Izanami threw his words back at the hot-headed guy. A victory smirk dancing on her lips as a result. Kagami was once again, lost in a debate with her. He clicked his tongue annoyingly before grunting in defeat.
Izanami couldn't help but chuckled at her childhood friend's flustered look. Taiga, you will have to work for another 10 years if you want to win an argument from me.
"No, little boy. Children shouldn't be on the court." Both Kagami and Izanami whipped their heads. Appalled to find Kuroko in the air – who has been lifted by Dad effortlessly off the ground. Both the gray and redhead's jaw slackened dramatically at the display.
The placid bluenette remained impassive even when Dad was lifting him. When a breeze fleeted by through the windows, it sent Kuroko's shirt flapping in the air. Revealing the player jersey he has worn underneath. And Dad managed to catch a glimpse of it.
"You're a player?" Dad put the 'child' he claimed to be, down. Kuroko didn't answer to the giant's previous question either. Instead, he just stared blankly at the foreigner.
Dad glanced at Kuroko disdainfully, before shaking his head. "They lost to a child like him? Are all Generation of Miracles children?"
He nailed it.
"–Pffft!" Izanami clamped her hand over her mouth as she giggled covertly. The rest of the others ain't any better either. Kagami has collapsed on the floor, guffawing uncontrollably. Whereas the others either clutched their aching abdomen or chortling at a corner.
Poor Kuroko.
"Honestly, I'm starting to get annoyed." stated Kuroko. Which promptly ceased everyone's giggling as they straightened themselves up. No good. Someone has just went and pissed the invisible man off...
"–Hah. You don't like to lose, do you?" Kagami asked as he slowly gets up from the floor.
"I guess we'd better show Papaya, why he shouldn't piss off kids~" Izanami quipped. Smiling hypocritically with her eyes closed.
The Seirin was adamant in making Shinkyo known that, Kaijo definitely did not lose because they were weak, nor did Seirin won that game by flute.
As expected, the outcome of the match turns out the way Izanami has expected; Shinkyo Academy is nothing but all bark.
"Congratulation on winning your first match in the Interhigh!" Izanami beamed brightly at her seniors, Kuroko and Kagami as they were now resting in the locker room for Seirin. Their expressions were masked with that of glee. The gaiety of having just won their first round in Interhigh preliminaries still hasn't dissipate, it seemed.
"Thank you, Nami-chan." Izuki replied. Wiping the sweats off his face with the towel that was draped around his neck. The others either nodded or smiled endearingly back at the manager's chirp.
"That's right. Good job at the match earlier, everyone!" Riko, who stood beside the gray-haired girl, exclaimed in delight. Giving a thumb-up at the team of perspiring men.
"But, two matches in a single day is too exhausting..." Koganei grumbled. Sprawling his body and lying face down on the bench. His arms dangled limply at the edge.
Although they've just won their first round in the preliminaries, another match is already scheduled for them later past noon. Much to the players' dismay.
Mitobe nodded solemnly at his friend's remark. While the others didn't utter any retorts to that, Izanami and Riko knew they all felt the same way as the cat-faced. They just suppressed it and doesn't want to appear like a child whining at everything.
The coach creased her brows as she rubbed her chin, Indeed, having two matches cramped in a single day is going to put a toll on their bodies... Riko pondered. Trying to find a solution to motivate the fatigued bunch. She has to rekindle the initial fire within them when they first stepped onto the court this morning!
As sensible as Izanami claimed herself to be, noticed the stressfulness morphed on their coach's face. As if sensing Riko's struggles, the manager took it upon herself with coming up a way to mend the physically, and emotionally worn out players. Hopefully it could keep their seemingly debilitated bodies going throughout the match later.
"Ahem!" Izanami cleared her throat loudly. Which earned a few curious stares and arch brows from the guys as their gaze lingered on the manager.
"How 'bout we celebrate our first win in the Interhigh preliminaries, by having a dinner at a restaurant after the match ends later on? I actually have an acquaintance who own a Sushi restaurant, I can ask for a super-mega-discount at his place." Izanami suggested.
It seemed like the mention of 'food' has made the famished boys perked up. Especially Kagami – otherwise known as the gluttony. Everyone drooled at the images of Temaki(1), Tempura(2) and Sashimi(3) floating above their heads. Beckoning the boys to devour them...
"Hai hai~! I'm all in on this!" Koga immediately sprung up from the bench and was now bouncing excitedly in his seat. Waving his hand enthusiastically in the air to show how much he loved the idea.
"I agree with Koga-senpai. It sounds really appealing." Kuroko chimed in. A faint-smile were shown on the placid man's face for a second, before it quickly replaced with the usual stoic expression. "Nice one, Nami-chan!" Izuki complimented. Flashing the said girl a toothy grin.
"I guess it's settled then." Hyuga remarked as he adjusted his glasses. His tone were more cheery now.
Izanami was glad that her suggestion has motivated them, even if it was just a little. She released a sigh that she didn't know she had kept in as her shoulders slumped. Thankfully...
"Nice idea, Izana! Though it's a bit different compared to mine..." Riko slapped the manager's back playfully. Which almost caused the poor girl to stumble and fell.
"W-What was it that you had thought up, Riko-senpai?" Having had her balance regained, Izanami asked the brunette girl with a bead rolling down her forehead. That was dangerous...
"A K-I-S-S~"
...
For the second time in the day, Izanami and the rest were rendered speechless once again. Don't get it wrong! Riko is a *cough* kind *cough* and charming lady. The guys on the team were grateful to her for tailoring them the training regime, etc. But a kiss... Ugh.
Oddly, the males didn't find it as alluring as the food does. Of course, there's no way they'd voice it out loud lest the angelic coach should quadrupled their already hellish training.
"By the way, I've never heard about this acquaintance of yours before, Izana." Kagami said after chugging down a sports drink Izanami had provided upon entering the locker room to everyone. Izanami stared at the redhead for a moment, before her lips slowly curled upwards. "Because if I introduce you to him, his restaurant will be shutting down for sure." Izanami replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
Perturbed by the meaning behind her words, the redhead snapped involuntarily. "Wha–!"
"Ara. I'm getting thirsty, I guess I should go and buy a drink from the vending machine~ Excuse me~" The culprit excused herself before she started towards the door. Without sparing a second glance at a certain fiery redhead who looked like he has just lost a few years of his life span from the sudden surge of blood pressure in his veins.
Izanami did the right choice by not engaging in a tirade with the hot-headed man. If she does, there'd certainly be no end to it.
*Slam*
The second years were busy trying to calm the infamous hot-headed junior down as they sweat-dropped at the display. Not again... They sighed.
Ever since Kagami and Izanami joined the basketball club, it has become an everyday's routine – or rather ritual, to see at least one or two bickering from the two American returnee. (Mainly Izanami getting under Kagami's skin, intentionally or not. And Kagami would always retaliates by losing his cool) Like a cycle, the second years would have to step in to stop them before it gets out of hand. Although the club has become rowdy with the addition of these feisty duo. Strangely, the second years and others doesn't dislike the noises and disturbance created by them. Before they knew it, it has already became their every day's episode.
On the other side of the door, Izanami could hear some cursing and shouting behind the door. She chuckled. How predictable... The gray-haired girl began sauntering down the hallway while weaving her fingers behind her back. Humming as she strolled around, before reaching the area where vending machines reside.
Izanami inserted a coin. Pressing a certain button and it leads to the canned drink tumbling down to the open compartment at the bottom. She pulled the tab and down the content to her parched throat.
"Puha! When you desire something to quench your thirst, it's definitely green–"
"– Red bean soup."
'… Red – Green?' Both of them arched a brow simultaneously at each other's self-proclamation.
Izanami paused. She quirked her brow at the sudden voice that resounded from nowhere. She thought that she was the only one there... Apparently, she was not. Her doubt was soon answered by swiveling her head to her left.
Likewise, the owner of the unknown voice did the same too. Only to his right.
And their eyes met. Amber orbs locked with light green ones.
Those moments were what people called 'Fate', right? Izanami can't help but think they truly exist in this mundane world. More so after what was occurring now.
"... Koala-kun?"
Izanami was the first to awoke from the reverie before the verdant teen. She cocked her head to the side as she stared at the bespectacled male in bewilderment. Never expect that they would meet again so soon, or meet in a place like this.
"It's Midorima Shintarou!" The verdant teen, known as Midorima Shintarou, retorted with as much ferocity as he could pack into his words.
Much to Midorima's befuddlement and disdain, the girl he had unwillingly and unexpectedly met a week ago, was now standing before him. Her hand held onto a canned drink which has a label of 'Green Bean Soup' on its cover. He scrunched his nose at the sight of it. For what reason, no one knows...
"Ah. That's right. Sorry Midorima-kun~" Izanami corrected. However, with her chipper voice, her apology was hardly convincing to the shooter at all.
Midorima grunted in response. Showing no indication of continuing their conversation – not like they had one to begin with. He focused back on the drink he held in his hand, staring at it briefly before downing the rest of the liquid into his throat.
"You like drinking red bean soup?"
Midorima peeked at the gray-haired girl through the corner of his eyes. He gazed at her contemplatively. Seemingly wondering whether he should answer her question. Despite how much he despises her presence here, it's rude to ignore a person's inquiry that is directed at you. His parents didn't raise him up to be such an impudent man after all. Thus, he grudgingly nodded at the girl.
"You're really weird, Midorima-kun."
Midorima crumpled the empty can in his hand as his grip tightened. A vein visibly bulging on his forehead. "I should be the one saying that!"
Somehow, this scene felt oddly familiar...
Izanami chuckled at the man's outburst. She really has a knack for throwing people's pace off and always able to get under their skins. Even someone as reserved as Midorima was ticked off by her frank remark, too.
"You're right. I guess we're both weird in our own ways."
"Don't lump me together with you."
Midorima glared menacingly at the eccentric girl, however, Izanami was unfazed by the intense glare-daggers from him and merely shrugged it off. "Midorima-kun is really cranky in the morning, hm~?"
My crankiness is all due to you... Midorima twitched at her singsong voice again.
"Or, are you still mad at me for calling you Koal–"
Midorima shot her the most dangerously glare he could muster. Daring her to utter that last syllable from her mouth. If Izanami has no intention of seeing the sunrise tomorrow, that is.
Izanami imitated an action of zipping as she swiped her pinched-fingers horizontally across her lips. Signaling that she had received the message from his death glare very well.
"By the way, why are you here?" Izanami decided to change the topic and lifts the heavy atmosphere warped around them.
Midorima resisted the urge to roll his eyes, as if the uniform he was wearing weren't obvious enough. "I could say the same to you."
"Ah! I'm here as a manager for my basketball club! We've just finished our first round in the Interhigh preliminaries, and will be playing the second round later in the noon." Izanami said. Her face lit up instantly when she brought up her basketball club into their conversation.
The verdant teen widened his eyes after the information had sunk into his head. … Manager?
Midorima adjusted his spectacles. Scrutinizing the supposed 'manager' from head to toe, Does that mean... A late realization dawned on him as the pieces finally assembled together.
Upon noticing Midorima's rumination state, a mischievous grin has crawled its way up to Izanami's face. She stealthily leaned her body towards the daze bespectacled male and – pressed his cheek with her cold canned.
The sudden coldness transmitted into his cheek has jolted the verdant teen out from his daze and made him jumped in shock, "W-What are you doing!?" Midorima stuttered. Backing a step away from the eccentric woman as he stared incredulously at her.
"You were in a trance just now, Midorima-kun. I was simply being kind by dragging you back to the reality." Izanami deadpanned. She wasn't exactly lying about it. It was true that she did it to help him. Which only made Midorima flared and popped his veins. "You could have done it in a more normal way!"
"Hm? Isn't that considered normal?" Izanami said as she cocked her head innocently to a side.
"IT'S NOT!"
After what had transpired today, Midorima Shintarou has made a mental note to himself; Stay far away from a girl named 'Garcia Izanami', as her outlandishness might be contagious.
*Clink*
Izanami slid the traditional Japanese door open, before lifting the Noren(4) as she enters the eatery. The wind chimes that was hung above the ceilings made a jingle noise to alert the staff upon customer's arrival at the shop.
Izanami scanned the interior briefly, "Kan-san~ You here~?" She drawled as she tried to elicit a respond in the currently barren shop.
All of the members from Seirin, tagged behind the gray-haired girl as she lead the way inside. Copying their manager's actions as they slowly entered the shop one by one.
Before long, a rattling sound echoed from the kitchen. Everyone, except Izanami and Kuroko, held their breath. The spookiness from the desolated shop, and the clanging sounds coming from the kitchen has made the guys gulped and sweated nervously. T-There's nothing w-wrong in this shop, right?
"Welcom– Oh! Isn't it Izana?! What brings you here?"
A man exclaimed as he bobbed his head from behind the fabric divider hung on the wooden frame.
"KYAA–!" Riko cried. Her face gone pale at the man's appearance. Following the sudden shrill cry from the brunette, the guys' faces went white at the sight too...
Izanami face-palmed. Can't he notice that he's the reason why there isn't a single soul in the shop!? If this keeps up, the shop will be closing down for sure. Seeing how many customers he had scared them off with that appearance of his.
"Kan-san, mind if you put the knife and apron away? You're scaring my friends."
The man confusingly looked down and took in the state he was in; A blotch of tomato sauce has dyed his white apron into a crimson red. His gaze then traveled up and lingered at the butcher knife he was currently holding. Red liquids were dripping off from the edge of his knife. The truth is, they came from the chilly sauce. And how the chilly sauce got onto the knife, is still a mystery to Izanami.
An 'Ah' was muttered, followed by an 'Oops' after he has registered how terrifying-looking he must have looked. The man then untied the stained apron and put away his knife. Laughing sheepishly as he did so.
The man who's known as 'Kan-san', was a middle-aged man in his late thirties. He's a five feet ten inches tall man with an average body build. Not too lanky, not too muscular either. While working, he usually wear a bandana over his ebony hair and head. Accompanied by a chef uniform and an apron tied loosely at his waist.
His hazel hues scanned the group of youngster herding in his shop. The man beamed an affable smile at them before his gaze landed on the gray-haired girl.
"I brought my friends over here for dinner, you see. So please prepare the ingredients– Ah! For your information, it's best if you triple the servings. We have a 'human vacuum' dedicated to suck up all your foods clean and neat here." Izanami said as she gestured to the redhead behind her. Much to Kagami's annoyance. "Oi, who're you calling 'human vacuum'!?" Kagami spat.
"Who else other than you? You should be proud that you're even being called one. Not many people are capable of owning such title, you know?" Izanami countered back. Hence, both of them bantered back and forth until they ran out of any teasing remarks to throw at one another. Thankfully, the restaurant now wasn't occupied by people now. Or else, Kagami and Izanami were bound to make a scene.
"Hahaha! I see I see. You lots are Izana's friends from the basketball club, right? She always mentioned you youngsters whenever she came!" Kan-san said as he let out a hearty laugh while conversing with the group of teen stood before him.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Aida Riko. Their coach. We will be in your care tonight!" Riko bowed a ninety degrees bow to the chef. Hyuga followed suit afterward, "Nice to meet you, sir. I'm Hyuga Junpei. The captain in our basketball team."
"Ah, I'm Kanzaki. Kanzaki Shuuhei. The people here all address me as Kan-san though. I'm the owner as well as the chef here! Anyhow, Riko-chan and Hyuga-kun must be starving now, huh? Please make yourselves comfortable here while I go inside and prepare the ingredients." Kan-san crooked a grin to the bespectacled young lad and the brunette before shuffling back into the kitchen.
Everyone all sauntered over to the table and waited patiently for the dishes to be serve. Kagami, Kuroko, Izanami and Riko, were all sharing the same table. Kagami and Kuroko both seated across from the manager and the coach. While waiting, Riko casually remarked. "By the way, I heard from Kan-san that you came here quite often, Nami-chan."
The gray-haired girl side-glanced at her coach while sipping the cup of green tea in her hands, "W-Well, y-yeah. Since the dishes here are all really delicious and the prices are quite reasonable, too..." Izanami stuttered. Fidgeting in her seat uncomfortably as she shifts her gaze to anywhere but Riko and... Kagami?
"Heh... Then does that mean, you came to Japan way before Kagami does?"
Shoot.
The redhead perked up at the mention of his name. Seemingly interested in the conversation both girls were having, as his gaze now lingering on a certain gray head.
Kuroko noticed a bead slowly streaked down her forehead while Izanami was again, indulging in her green tea. Kuroko surmised that the manager did that purposely to bid her time as she searched for a decent answer to feed off Riko's curiosity. Though her action were skeptical, Kuroko decided to just watched quietly and see where it goes.
Just what was Izanami unnerve of?
"Izana,"
Izanami flinched and body stiffened at the voice. She tilted her head hesitantly up, before gazing into the crimson eyes across from her uneasily. "I've been meaning to ask this since a long time ago..." Kagami trailed as he ruffled his hair frustratingly. Izanami knew very well what he was about to ask. And frankly, she really wished that a meteor would smash into the restaurant right here and now.
"About two years ago–"
"Uwoh! The Sushi is here!"
Koganei's exclamation has interrupted what the redhead was going to say, much to Izanami's gratefulness. She has even made a mental note to treat the senior lunch some other day to show her gratitude.
Everyone's hands were already armed with utensils before the plates have settled down on the tables. The famished males flared their nostrils as they inhaled the nice aroma emanated from the foods. Their face were plastered with so much blissfulness that it almost looked creepy.
Kan-san personally served the dishes to the Seirin students as he went from one table to another, "Make sure to fill yourself up and don't hold back!" He grinned at the groups goofily. Once the middle-aged man was finally serving the plates on Izanami's table, he caught sight of the redhead and paused. "Are you perhaps, Kagami-kun?"
"Huh? Yes, I am. How do you know my nam–" Without sparing Kagami the time to finish his sentence. Kan-san leaned toward the hot-headed teen, in an uncomfortable close proximity. Kagami retaliated by leaning back. '–What!' Meanwhile, the chef rubbed his chin as he examined the redhead up and down. Kagami was now basically sweating under the Sushi Chef's intense scrutiny. He wondered if he has something on his face...?
"I see! You're Kagami-kun huh? Nice to meet ya, boy! Izana mentioned you a lot in front of me–"
"Ahem!"
Izanami cleared her throat loudly. Which halted Kan-san's useless and unnecessary blabbering. 'Maybe I shouldn't have brought them here...' She shot the older man a glare, warning him to NOT say anything uncalled for. And it looked like the chef gets the idea and decided to finally leave the group, "My bad my bad~ You must be feeling hungry. I shouldn't disturb y'all having your dinner. Enjoy and eat a lot, yeah!" Kan-san trotted back into the kitchen soon after. Leaving a dumbfounded redhead staring bewilderedly in the air.
"... What did he do that for?" Kagami muttered after his senses has returned to him. Still couldn't fathom the whole situation transpired earlier. "If you're not going to eat, I'll help by eating your shares too–" Izanami stealthily picked up the meat on Kagami's plate while he was spacing out. But was busted in the act unfortunately.
"I-I'm eating! And don't lay your hands on my meat, Izana!" Kagami immediately seized the meat off her chopsticks in a lightning speed. Even if they are childhood friends, there's no consideration or kindness shed when face with something as holy as 'food'. Too bad that, their seemingly long years of friendship only amounted to this much...
Wait, does that mean their friendship was no more than a piece of meat!?
"'Tch. Petty." Izanami clicked her tongue at the gluttony sat across from her. She really has this urge to plug the pair of chopsticks into his damn nostrils. But for hygiene purposes, she resisted it.
"Well then, Ittadakimasu(5)~" Everyone chanted, before stuffing their face with piles of food.
-After Dinner-
"I'm full..."
The guys were all carrying a huge knoll from their bellies after the feast has ended. Some burped, some groaned. While some patted their stomach to show how filled they were. They haven't had a feast or tasted anything this good ever since the school started in Spring.
"Wha–!? It's already this late?" Riko's jaw dropped upon seeing the clock hung on the wall. The moving hands indicates the time now was 9.00P.M.. Remembering that they all still have a match tomorrow.
"Kids these days sure eat a lot. Anyhow, I'm glad to see that you all enjoyed the foods being served here!" Kan-san said as he emerged from behind the counter. Untying the apron on his waist deftly before laying it down somewhere. At this hour, the older man has to clean up the place before closing the shop already.
"Kan-san~! The foods here were really delicious, just like Nami-chan had said! We will definitely come back here again~!" Koganei commented. He felt that if he were to die now, he'd have no regret after he had such scrumptious meal. Koganei's praise has earned a jovial chortle from the adult, it seemed.
"Hahaha! Make sure to bring your other friends along too when you come next time! Okay, I've decided. The dinner tonight consider it as a treat from me." The owner proclaimed. Much to everyone's surprise. "How can we do that–" Hyuga wanted to retort out of conscience, but was interrupt by a peremptory wave from the middle-aged man.
"It's fine it's fine! You're all Izana's friends, of course I've gotta do at least this much! Besides, I heard from Izana that today your team has won your first match in the tournament. You can treat it as a congratulatory from me." Kan-san said as he smiled amiably at the captain. Hyuga was hesitant about it at first, but if the owner insist, he has no choice but to kindly accept his offer. Right?
"How generous of Kan-san~! Thank you so much!" The owner was now standing on cloud nine with all those acclaims and cheers from the youths. Seemingly flattered by it, as hues of pink tinted on the man's cheek. Strange, Kan-san was sure that he hasn't drank any alcohol today though.
"Well then, should we get going?" Riko said. Casting a knowing glance to the guys before they returned her with a nod. Everyone lifted their butts off the warm cushions as they stood up. One by one bidding good byes to the genial chef, who, reciprocated by waving his hand back at the energetic bunch of youths.
Ah. How he missed those pubescent days.
"I think we'd have to split from here. I still have some errands need to do. Please go on ahead without me." Izanami alleged as everyone herd at the front of the shop. Seeing them off from here.
"Eh? Then I guess it can't be help... Remember to be careful on your way home, alright?" Riko held Izanami's firmly, before breaking off. The brunette then stalked off together with everyone down the street. Each of the guys waved their hands and bade their farewells to their manager, who's feet stood rooted to the ground. She smiled at the group weakly as they left.
"Good-bye, Izanami-san." Kuroko said, as he was the last person to step out from the shop. The second last being Kagami.
"A-Ah. Good night, Kuroko-kun. You too, Taiga." Izanami tilted her head up to glance at the redhead. Smiling faintly at the duo. Kagami stared into the girl's eyes momentarily, before muttering a 'good-night' and ambled away along with the bluenette. Catching up with their teammates that has gone ahead of them.
Izanami watched everyone left, until their silhouettes slowly disappeared into the horizon and couldn't be seen anymore. She exhaled a deep breath for probably the umpteenth time today. Her gaze still lingered at the direction where they had gone off to. The bright and childish smile she wore earlier, now faltered to a wistful smile instead.
"They are a bunch of good kids."
The gray-haired girl shifted her gaze to her side. Eyes trained onto Kan-san, who was now leaning against the shop's wooden door frame. A cigarette was placed between his lips as he fished out the lighter in his pocket. Once the end of cigarette was lit, he took a deep drag from it. Much to the girl's distress.
"I know," Izanami agreed. "And you should quit smoking already. The cases of lung disease and cancer are rapidly increasing in our country, you know?" She advised the man beside her. But she doubts that he'd listen to her. She knew very well what nicotine does to people, and how it 'hypnotize' them. Once you're addicted to something, it's hard to stop after all. She had seen too many people like them.
"Oi oi. Don't start going around jinxing on me now, will you?" Just like the usual, Izanami's advice fell on deaf ears as Kan-san brushed it off and paid little to no heed to it. She shook her head and sighed. When the puff of smoke drifted to her nose, she scrunched up her nose at the nasty scent before fanning the polluted air away from her. Creasing her brows all the while.
The gray-head abhors secondhand smoke the most.
"So, when are you going to tell him?" Izanami quirked her brow at the man's query, waiting him to elaborate further as she didn't catch what the chef was implying here. "Kagami-kun, I meant." After the words left his mouth, Kan-san resumed back to taking a deep drag from the cigarette again.
'When, huh...' She mused. Staring absent-mindedly at the starry night sky that stretches out endlessly in this town. Indeed. Izanami felt like she was contradicting herself here, and she was unexpectedly fine with it. If it meant protecting her bonds with everyone, she didn't mind living a contradictory life. That was what she decided after reunited with her childhood friend.
And she has no intention to tell whatever Kan-san was referring to to Kagami. No. More like, she doesn't have the courage to do so. In the first place, was there even a need for her to tell anyone? That was her problem after all, there's no need to involve anyone aside from her. Not Kagami, not Alex, not Himuro, and definitely not her seniors from Seirin.
She will shoulder it all alone, even if she ended up breaking down and become pieces.
"Ne, Kan-san. Mind if I ask you a question?"
"What?"
"Do you believe in a world of happy endings?"
The middle-aged man paused at her words. He then removed the cigarette placed in his mouth and threw it to the ground. Stamping out the lighted cigarette before he trudged toward the gray-haired.
"Ouch! What did you do that for, Kan-san!?" Izanami cried as she clutched her throbbing head that has collided with the chef's iron fist. "Shut up! The fact that you're trying to act and sound like an adult irritates me, that's why!"
Kan-san pinched the bridge of his nose as he looked at the brat disdainfully. Really. Does kids these days all so emotional?
"Listen. Girls your age are supposed to be worrying about their studies or boyfriends. Not about the world or the meaning of life. Do you know the true meaning behind pubescent? And that is to gawk at Bishōnen(6) or girls with big boobs on the street! Yet, you're here pondering over something as philosophic as life! Are you an old hag or what!?"
Crocodile tears streaked down Kan-san's face comically while he reminisced the prime of his youth and those days known as 'freedom'. How he wished he could time-travel back to those golden days of his...
"I shall convey the words you just said to Kanzaki-san. If I ever meet her in person, that is." Izanami snorted. Seemingly unimpressed by the dramatic one-man show Kan-san had put up. She stared impassively at the middle-aged man who was now kneeling before her. Begging the gray-haired girl to keep their conversation a secret to his wife. If his wife found out about the part where he said 'big boobs', he would definitely be sleeping on the street naked for god-knows-how-many-days!
Not like it was any of the girl's concern.
"Anyways, brat should just act like a brat. Don't worry over unnecessary stuff." Kan-san said as he patted Izanami's head. His way of showing his care had somehow backfired.
"Ha–!? Who're you calling brat, old geezer!?" Izanami snarled a retort at the bandana man. Normally, people listen to things they want to hear, and tune out the unwanted rest. Yet, Izanami did quite the opposite... She's really hard to grasp sometime.
"Of course it's you– what!? Geezer!? I'm not even in my forties yet!"
"Pervert geezer."
"Midget."
"Ancestor."
"Shitty-brat-who-acts-like-an-old-hag."
An adult and a teenage girl, head-butting one another as they engaged themselves in a full-blown raillery under the starry night. On an open street nonetheless. Just how ridiculous-looking can this get?
"I guess you really should re-visit nursery to learn about how to respect your elders properly." Kan-san shook his head at the pertinacious girl. He gave up. If he had kept up with their banter, rumors will start spreading around the district that he's a petty man who wouldn't yield to a kid over something this trivial! (A/N: That's not a rumor, it's already a fact. *Cough*)
"So you do admit that you're old, huh?" A smug smirk danced around Izanami's lips as she said. Oh. How the male wants to rip that shitty-Cheshire-grin off that cocky face of hers! Ergh! 'Calm down... You will get gray hairs just like her if you argue with her again.' Kan-san mentally hypnotized himself, before letting out a defeated sigh.
"Yeah yeah... Your win." Gosh. He could feel that he has just aged another ten years from standing beside this midget. Kids these days sure are scary...
Now, a victorious grin was rubbing on Izanami's face. Once her adrenaline has subsided from the raillery she had had with the geezer, she rolled up her sleeve and checked the time on her watch; 9.20P.M.
"Crap! It's already this late!? I guess I better get going. Thanks for the treat earlier, geezer! And for Kanzaki-san's sake, please quit smoking already. I don't want to see her end up being a widow." The gray-haired girl said as she hastily went and retrieve her schoolbag inside the shop. Swinging it over her back, she bid the middle-aged man a good bye. Not before sticking out her tongue playfully at the old man, of course.
Not sparing the older man any chance of retort. Izanami dashes off to the horizon, sending clouds of dust flying behind from the impact of her launch.
Kan-san scratched his head frustratingly after the brat has left. He grumbled some incoherent words at the air before taking a cigarette from the sack and lit it up again.
"You should worry about yourself, brat. Paper can't wrap up a fire(7). You should already know it by now." He mumbled lowly to himself. Staring absent-mindedly at the half-moon that was dangling on the black sky as he took a deep drag from the cigarette. "Well then! I should start closing up the shop. Miho-chan is waiting for me at the house after-all~" The shop owner hummed as he proceeds to clean up the place.
A pebble in the water makes a ripple effect. Every action in this world bears a consequence. Sooner or later, the flower will wither. Due to a mistake in the past, an inevitable pain lie in store for the girl who yearns to live a peaceful life.
Soon, this illusionary peacefulness will fall, along with her façade. As her past came crumbling down on her, inching her to the brink of destruction.
A/N: (1) Temaki = A large cone shape of edible seaweed on the outside and the ingredients spilling out the wide end.
(2) Tempura = A Japanese dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried.
(3) Sashimi = A Japanese delicacy consisting of very fresh raw meat or fish sliced into thin pieces.
(4) Noren = They are traditional Japanese fabric dividers, hung between rooms, on walls, in doorways, or in windows.
(5) Ittadakimasu = 'I humbly receive'. The phrase is similar to "bon appétit", or saying grace to give thanks before a meal.
(6) Bishōnen = Beautiful youth (boy).
(7) Paper can't wrap up a fire = It's a Chinese proverb, which literally mean; "It will burn itself up as truth will eventually reveals itself despite cover ups."
An extra looooooong chapter to make up for the long waiting time for my update this time. Sorry! *Dodges banana peels and rotten apples* Life has been busy and everything... School work, part-time, blablabla~ You know the usual.
And there's one thing I'm worry about; How's the pace so far? Is it too fast? Too slow? So-so? Please let me know what you think~ Review review~!
Lots of mysteries in this chapter, I know. There's still a long way to go before solving the puzzles everyone has had in their mind. FYI. :) And I won't be centering my OC and my plot for a while after this. I can't neglect the canon plot, can I? Or else I'm gonna get chew out by flamers... *shudder*
Anyways, the match between Shūtoku and Seirin will be at another 2-3 chapters from now. Are you anticipating it? Me too! xD (I just wish that I won't screw them up though... *Stress*)
Also, I've actually re-read all my previous chapters. Guess what? I spotted lots of mistakes and flaws in them... NOOO! *sob* So I planned to revise those chapters once I've got the time. Just to let my readers know beforehand. ^^ I beg your pardon for any grammatical errors or other mistakes in this chapter. I did my best to proofread it and if there's still any mistakes in there, do let me know. :)
(Pardon my long-windedness.) Last but not least, I want to address something serious and hope that you can read with me till the end; It's about the MH370 flight incident.
I'm sure almost all of us have heard the shocking and sad news regarding to what happened to the flight. I wish all of us could at least spend a minute or two to pray for all those crews and passengers onboard. Let's hold our breath, as we'll never give up until the next day that miracles had truly happened. #PrayForMH370