"But it all just doesn't make sense Midorimacchi!" I whined, watching Midorima as he carefully groomed his horse, Shiro. I had just finished telling him about my fall from grace, and Midorima did not seem at all phased with my unprecedented situation. Not that I expected him to be.
"Are you blond because you are stupid or stupid because you are blond?" He taunted without as much as a glance in my direction. He seemed incredulously caught up in a quest to perfect the braid on Shiro's grey tail, "If you would just think logically for once, you too would see that it makes perfect sense – for a Gemini, you lack intellect." He shot a glance in my direction.
"Midorima-kun, please be more understanding." Kuroko spoke in that mild voice of his which seemed to melt away some of Midorima's annoyance, "Kise-kun really needs your help. Not everyone possesses the splendid intuition that Cancer's like you have been blessed with."
That last line did the trick and Mirodima finally turned in his seat to face us. The three of us were in the right-wing stables which was were Shiroyuri Stables representatives kept their horses. It too, as everything else at this place, was first-class.
"If you insist, I shall enlighten you." He smiled smugly, positioning a wooden statue of a bear catching three fish in its mouth, between his legs. "All previous sports that you have tried and claim to have mastered almost immediately-"
"It is not a claim," I interjected, "It is a simple fact." As much as I hated the easiness with witch I copied others, I was also damn proud of my abilities – I didn't like them questioned. Midorima raised his eyebrows in defilement at my interruption and looked over at Kuroko. He in turn looked at me knowingly and put one finger to his lips. Kuroko's way of saying 'shut the fuck up'.
"As I way saying," He spoke in that signature business-voice of his, while he worked away at polishing the awkwardly big statue. "In all these previous sports you have allegedly mastered, you have handled only inanimate objects. The key to perfecting the sport was to master the handling of the given object, correct?" He looked up at me, hands still restlessly polishing the bear.
"Correct." I nodded, "But horse-riding is the same – the key to perfecting it is to master handling your horse."
"So you aren't a complete idiot after all." He smirked, "Yes, you're right. But this horse isn't some standardized, mass-produced piece of equipment." He elaborated, now looking me directly in the face, waiting for me to catch onto something. Whatever he was onto. However I was just massively confused and didn't see where this monologue was going. I looked over to Kuroko but, unsurprisingly, he wasn't at my side anymore.
"You mean… the movements Kise-kun used didn't work with Kumo… because… they were the same ones he copied… when I rode a different horse – Lait?" Kuroko wondered out loud, suddenly emerging from behind Shiro, stroking his neatly combed mane.
"Key word being different horse." Midorima pointed out, and as I thought about what Kuroko just said, the pieces were starting to come together, "First off, Lait is a Standardbred adapted to Harness racing, while Kumo a much more slender Arabian – used to fast speeds. So it's not surprising your movements were too forceful." He explained, "Basically, I think that these movements you copied, Kise, they will only work on the horse upon which they were initially performed by the person, in this case Kuroko, from whom you copied them. They cannot be used on any other horse but the one for which they were first intended."
"Y-yes." I stammered, not hiding my awe at how easily Midorima reached this conclusion that now seemed ridiculously obvious whereas last night, I had stayed up until six am trying, failing epically, to think of some logical explanation. On top of that I was just too happy to form proper sentences – for the first time in a lifetime I had come across a sport I couldn't copy my way out of! A challenge!
'Somewhere beyond all that seaweed, there is a powerful brain.' I thought, and then spoke slowly, processing this new, wonderful information. "You're right Mirodrimacchi – it makes perfect sense that each horse has to be approached individually." I grinned at him.
"Mmmyes, of course it does." He mumbled back, too absorbed with taping his fingers too meet my excited eyes, "But why are you so happy?"
"Because! It's a challenge! It's what I've been waiting for!" I chimed, all but jumping up and down from happiness.
"Is this today's lucky item, Midorima-kun?" Kuroko asked, startling me as usual, pointing to the bear statue that now sat next to Midorima's stool, "Judging by its size, today isn't a good day for Cancers. Good luck."
"Thank you for noticing, Kuroko. Yes, Wednesdays tend to bring me bad luck; therefore I have invested in an extra-large lucky item." He replied dispassionately, fingers still carefully working with the tape, and then added, "Just to be safe."
"Midorimacchi?" I hesitated, not wanting to offend him, but my curiosity took the better of me, "Why do you always carry these 'lucky item' thingies?" the look on Midorima's face in response to my question confirmed all my worst concerns.
"These thingies," He retorted, his green eyes boring into mine like murder, "are the reason I have won the steeplechasing national tournament two years in a row."
"I-I'm sorry Midorimacchi I didn't mean to offend-" But my apology was violently cut short as Midorima sat up and, never breaking eye contact, put his angered face inches from mine.
"Man proposes, God disposes. I am a man that proposes; I always carry my lucky item of the day with me as my horoscope said." He hissed venomously, a forceful hand on my shoulder, "That is why my horse never misses an obstacle."
I swallowed air, too frightened to say anything. Forget Aomine, this guy way some serious next level shit and at this point, with his grip tightening against my shoulder, I was sure to get a punch to the face at any given second. This, with my upcoming photo-shoot, would be problematic.
"Right now, as a man who proposes," He barked, startling me so I almost jumped, "I propose you leave."
"Cancer, huh? Oh, he's not just any Cancer," Kasamatsu cackled sarcastically after hearing my account of the eventful conversation with seaweed-head, "He's the Cancer of Mankind."
The sun was setting lazily as we made our way to the wrecked bus stop.
"God, you're awful." I snorted, laughing loudly.
"On a serious note though Kise – what are you going to do now? You can't copy your way out of this one~" He teased, rising his eyebrows at me just as the bus pulled up by the rusted pole.
"What? I'll train my ass off that's what!" I grinned, all teeth, punching him lightly on the shoulder, "Just like I always wanted to."
"You're still bent on qualifying for the regionals?"
"Like hell I am!" I beamed, "I'm more fired up than ever. What about you – up for a little competition?" I raised my eyebrows at him.
"Nah, I'd never make it in. I'm just here to enjoy myself, and hopefully get to see Aomine-san when he finally arrives." He smiled weakly.
"No. Do it again." Kagami sighed, looking completely resigned.
"Baakagami!" I shot back, as tired as he was resigned. "If you were a better teacher I'd have learnt how to do it centuries ago."
"Time sure flies when you're a stupid idiot who can't get his horse to switch gaits." He retorted, "No wonder Tetsu got sick of teaching you."
"Come on Kagamicchi – just show me instead of rambling on and on about it!" I pleaded, for the thousandth time that afternoon.
"Ha! You wish!" He laughed, but then gave me and understanding smile when he saw the defeated look on my face. "Listen Kise, you gotta slow down – I know you're used to knowing everything right away but-"
"But Kumo is just not right for me! He's too sensitive – one little pull on the reins and he galloping me across the meadow." I lamented, cutting Kagami off mid-sentence, "We've been at it for nearly two weeks now and it's all the same."
"Kumo isn't the problem here, trust me." Kagami was serious now; I immediately stopped complaining and unconsciously straightened up beside Kumo. "Lemme find a way to explain this…" His voice trailed off as he stroked my horse's mane, "See, you were good with Lait, you know the basic principles of horseback riding. You may have copied them but you memorized them and are capable of performing them."
"Technically, yes." I nodded, folding my arms across my chest.
"So now all you gotta do is take that knowledge that is in there somewhere," He spoke, tapping a finger to my forehead, "and apply it, appropriately modified, to Kumo. Yeah, it's true every horse needs an individual approach, but and the end of the day every horse is a goddamn horse."
This blatantly simple advice really helped me. It changed the way I viewed the situation – suddenly I felt as though I already knew half the stuff and the other half could be easily picked up as I gathered experience, as I got to know Kumo's movements better. Because if I knew how he moved, then I could adjust my own movements to that and the two of us could then achieve every horseback rider's dream: perfect synchronization. Well, three weeks went by like rapid fire, and though our synchronization was a bit short of perfect, I had made a vast improvement.
"Dude, you're pretty amazing after all." Kagami grinned, his arm around Kuroko's shoulders in the usual, protective mother-hen manner as I swiftly got off of Kumo's back.
"Congratulations on qualifying into the regionals, Kise-kun." Kuroko smiled warmly.
"Thanks Kurokocchi! Same to you, though regionals are probably nothing for you." I replied, grinning from ear to ear, "Well, now I need to practice twice as much I usually do – I mean I just barely made it, so I have to make the most of this opportunity."
Just as we stood on the tracks, I caught sight of one of the stable's staff walking towards up, holding a magnificent black Thoroughbred by its reins. My eyes widened with both awe as the horse's beauty, and confusion because during my stay here I have noticed one important thing: all horses at Shiroyuri Stables were light coloured. Most were white as snow – it was a sort of trademark of the stables. But the one being escorted towards us now was a deep, inky black without as much as a spot a shade lighter.
"Oh great." Kagami murmured, his face contorting into a scowl.
"Looks like Aomine-kun is finally here." Kuroko said, remaining his usual relaxed, calm self unlike Kagami whose face looked like he has just smelled something horrid.
"You say that as though it's a good thing." He grunted, visibly displeased, just as the staff member, along with the horse, came to a stop beside our small group.
"Sorry guys," The staff member, a short boy with brown hair, spoke, an uncomfortable expression on his face. "He didn't reserve the tracks but… well it'll just be easier for all of you if you leave Aomine-san be. I'm really sorry." He could barely meet our eyes as the spoke.
"You don't have to tell me twice Sakurai – I'm outta here." Kagami answered, already beginning to walk away, pulling lightly on Kuroko's arm, "Please Tetsu, don't tell me you want to talk with that guy."
"You say that as though it's a bad thing." Kuroko replied, a small smirk emerging for the tiniest second.
"Wait guys." I interjected, confused yet again, "Why do we have to leave? So Aomine is here, how is that a problem-" My voice caught in my throat as the dark-skinned boy came into my field of vision.
'God damn. He looks even better than in the photographs.' I almost blurted out, my mouth opening slightly (how ungraceful). 'Is it just me of is he getting even hotter the nearer he is." I thought shamelessly as Aomine's muscular form came closer and closer across the meadow. He was definitely taller than me, and though he looked absolutely ravishing in a pair of splendidly tight black breeches and a dark blue button-down, his appearance on the whole was unprofessional. Old sneakers instead of riding roots, and no sight of a helmet – he looked more like a stableman, a sexy one though, than a pro racer. Even so I struggled to remain composure, all but squealing at his messy hair and muscular arms. Oh god the arms.
"What're you staring at, blondie?" He barked at me, losing a bit of charm due to the rude edge in his deep voice.
'Lord, you have done a fine job. Even his voice.' I just couldn't help being attacked to his guy. Despite the fact he was presently eyeing me down with a look that questioned my mental stability.
"S-Sorry it's just that-" I began to explain but was plainly cut off by Aomine's hand, which came so close to my face it almost slapped me. From the look on his face, he probably couldn't care less if it did.
"Whatever." He retorted, turning to look at Hyuga. "Just leave it here – I'm not handicapped yet I could have brought it here myself."
"I'm truly sorry Aomine-san." Hyuga stammered, struggling to meet Aomine's eyes, "Your father said that-"
"I fucking dare you to ask me if I give a shit about what he says." Aomine hissed though gritted teeth. Hyuga gulped and, without another word, he hurriedly made his way back towards the main building. Aomine watched him leave for a while, and then turned his attention to the horse, lazily beginning to adjust its harness. As good-looking as he was, I hated to admit Aomine was every bit as rude and unpleasant as Midorima warned us he'd be.
"You always this nice, or is today a special occasion?" Kagami called out to Aomine.
"Well fuck me sideways and call me Sally." Aomine mocked, raising his eyebrows at Kagami mockingly, "I humbly apologize. I'll send him a fruits basket." He snorted sarcastically.
"Aomine-kun, it's nice to see you." Kuroko spoke, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere. All I could do was stare, thoroughly perplexed by Aomine's outright rudeness. To say the least, this wasn't at all how he was presented by the media.
"I'd say the same, but I'd have to lie." Aomine replied, still rudely but less so than towards Kagami: looks like even he didn't have the heart to yell at Kuroko.
"Tetsu, we're leaving." Kagami wrapped his arm around Kuroko's shoulder and began to guide his away, "Come Kise, leave that jackass be." He added.
"But I still need to practice." I called to him, unsure of whether I was making the right decision, "I really need as much practice as possible before the regionals."
"Suit yourself." He waved his arm without turning around.
"You're new here." Aomine stated his voice calmer.
"Y-yes." I replied, unable to meet his eyes for fear of blushing. He may be a rude prick but, hey, that doesn't make him any less good-looking. "I'm Kise Ryouta – we'll both be competing in the regionals soon."
"And I'm not interested." He retorted, "Look here, pretty boy, make this easier on me and leave me the fuck alone."
"Ok I tired being nice." I barked back, my patience running out, "I don't know what your problem is but it ain't my problem. I have every right to practice here whenever I so desire."
For a long time Aomine just stared at me, and I couldn't help but to stare back into his gorgeous (fairly irritated) face.
"Fine. Talk about fucking stubborn I don't like people like you." He mumbled, more to himself than me, as he began to mount his horse. I guess it wasn't exactly love at first sight.
On that lovely note, our conversation ended. We rode our horses far away from each other, and I continually sneaked glances at Aomine. He wasn't even aware that he was unintentionally providing me with a lot of information – just from observing I could now take his movements and twist them into mine. I smirked at the thought.
His riding was just as amazing as his appearance was untidy – his horse and he were truly in perfect synchronization. I couldn't decide what to look at: the astounding way he gathered more and yet more speed in a seemingly effortless manner, or how damn good he looked while doing it. Prick or not, I was attracted to him. I didn't need him to like me to be able to stare at him. For now.