The next day was embarrassing most of all because of how easily Chieko could make Shiori blush, and she knew that so of course she made sure to do it as much as possible. Atsushi seemed rather….confused at how red Shiori got when Chieko mentioned Himuro and voiced his confusion but the poor sweet loving giant was totally clueless.
Shiori just wanted to worry about the practice match with the team from the district just to the east of their own. But no one wanted to give her that chance, Tatsuya especially.
"Shiori-Chan." Hearing her name said girl looked up just in time for a pair of lips to press against her own briefly before pulling away. Her face turned bright red and a rather amused smile slipped onto the young man's face. "No one saw." Shiori blinked and looked around the hallway, seeing it was empty made her relax some. "T-Tatsuya don't scare me like that again…" She mumbled and that elicited a soft chuckle from him before his arm slipped around her slender waist. "My apologies, but I can't remember when we're leaving for that practice match so I came to ask for the time again." He requested softly and the girl rolled her eyes softly. "4:30, if you're late Araki-Sensei will get very angry with you." And her anger usually led to a wood sword to the face. Not pleasant.
"Ah, true. Thanks for reminding me." He pecked Shiori's lips once more and the young manager squeaked as he jogged off to avoid her smacking him with a text book. "Tatsuya!"
All she got was him laughing at her softly.
Atsushi was still following Chieko around like her own personal body guard-one that demanded sweets as payment for his unwanted services. While she was sure no one would bother her again, Atsushi didn't give a damn and continued to keep as close an eye on her as he could.
It wasn't that she wasn't grateful it was just….creepy and mildly annoying. Well, really annoying because she wasn't quite used to having a shadow looming over her all day.
"Okay, I am going to see Shiori you don't have to-"She froze when she saw Himuro plant a kiss on Shiori's lips and even Atsushi looked surprised. "Well, he certainly got close to her fast." She drawled before grabbing the purple giant's hand and pulled him behind the corner quickly. "Why did Muro-Chin-"He was cut off by Chieko's hand slapping over his mouth, making the rest sound muffled and he resisted the urge to lick her hand because he knew that would upset her, and upset Chieko usually led to a lack of treats from her too. "Shhh…." She put a finger to her lips and removed her hand at last, getting a slow nod from Atsushi before the two started discretely watching them interact. They couldn't hear what was being said at all, but Chieko was quite aware of how close they were. "I knew it they're dating finally…." Chieko whispered quietly, Atsushi looking down at her and blinking softly. "Dating?" Chieko was not surprised he didn't know anything about such a social activity, he didn't seem the type to know much about romantics.
Except for teasing, of course.
"It's when a guy and a girl that really like each other, do things with each other like going out to eat, playing games, and uh…."She blushed, seeing Himuro give Shiori a parting kiss before leaving. "Kiss…." Atsushi blinked and looked down at her again for more of an explanation than that. "Y-Ya know…Boyfriend girlfriend stuff?" She offered up and he nodded slowly. "Oooh yeah, that." He chirped, crossing his arms across his chest lazily. "So Muro-Chin and Shi-Chin are dating?" So he wasn't so dumb when it came to that kind of thing. "Exactly." She nodded, not aware they weren't officially dating, at least in the sense of the other asking the other to be theirs. It was more of something that just happened than anything. "Huh…." He mused softly, watching Shiori before Chieko fixed her bag strap unconsciously. "Come on, let's get to class." She started walking, and Atsushi followed. "Chie-Chin, you're coming to the game, aren't you?" He suddenly asked the smaller girl and got a nod from Chieko right after. "Yes."
Somehow, that really quite pleased him.
Despite having to go to the other teams school, Chieko was allowed to sit on the bench and watch because Shiori called her an assistant manager which she only got away with it under Masako's guide because Chieko is one of the few people that can get Atsushi to stay somewhat in line. And by in line they mean half way willing to practice and participate in games. Like today, thankfully.
Everyone was looking forward to seeing how Atsushi did in this game, especially Shiori. They'd all been working hard on their two new aces, Himuro and Murasakibara, in terms of team work. Now Atsushi really wasn't good at team work, but Himuro managed to work that in with his own way of playing, so it worked out. Today, they would test it out.
Shiori could easily tell the other team was nervous as fuck; they were eyeing the giants of Yosen warily as Masako gave them a speech/scolding (to Atsushi) about giving it their all and not underestimating their opponent and all. Though, then she surprised Shiori at what she said next.
"Today, Shiori will be running the game so listen to her." The black and silver haired girl squeaked softly but thankfully didn't notice Himuro's look of amusement, as she was too busy squirming under their tall Captain's gaze. "Oh….Um…." She swallowed, before Chieko smacked her on the back and that seemed to snap her out of her stupor. "Yes! Right, Murasakibara-Kun will jump for the ball, and then please pass it off to Fukui-Kun." The silver haired man was mildly peeved she didn't use his first name, but said nothing about it since Atsushi pissed him off within four seconds of Shiori's instructions. "But Shi-Chin, why do I have to do it...?" He whined, scratching the back of his neck unconsciously. Rolling her eyes Chieko walked up to him and smacked the back of his head after leaning up on her tip-toes. "Because you're freakishly tall and you'd barely have to jump to catch the damn thing." Shiori cast her friend a grateful smile, because then Atsushi nodded. "Okay." However, Shiori had to giggle when he cast Chieko such a childishly irritated glare before nodding to Shiori.
With that, Shiori continued with her instruction and the game began.
So, it didn't start off as planned. As soon as he jumped, the ref blew the whistle because he'd caught it before it reached the proper height. "I should have expected this…" Shiori groaned quietly while Chieko slowly pulled her face from her palm, eye twitching as Murasakibara scratched his neck. "Sorry, sorry~" He sang almost sarcastically but that didn't please his teammates anymore. "Be careful, Atsushi." Himuro chided softly as Fukui tossed the ball back to the ref. "Could have sworn I threw it hard enough…" Himuro heard the ref murmur to himself before readying the ball again.
This time, much to the other team's horror, Atsushi didn't jump until a few seconds after the other guy did and he still caught the ball faster than the other did. Shiori did a small victory fist bump with Chieko when the giant tossed the ball to Fukui.
Instantly Fukui threw the ball high toward the other teams goal, and of course they chased it but it landed right in the already ahead of them Himuro. Jumping, Himuro threw the ball and it slipped right into the basket. "Nice job!" Shiori called happily but blushed softly when Himuro flashed her one of those handsome smiles. Sadly, Chieko saw it before she could hide it. "Not a word." Shiori mumbled and Chieko respected that since Masako was right beside them.
Now, Shiori ordered them to give Murasakibara or Himuro the ball as much as possible, they all wanted to test the newest team members skills and so far….it was going very, very well. "So this is what happens when we put Atsushi on offense…" Chieko said slowly, Shiori nodding silently.
Atsushi caught the ball from Fukui easily, two out five members on the team coming in to block him but he was able to easily throw the ball over their heads. Himuro jumped in and at the last second, slammed in a buzzer beater as the first quarter ended.
Both girls looked at the scoreboard, both gaping in shock. "8 to 67…we're the 67, right?" Chieko asked Shiori slowly and got an equally slow nod in return as the team returned from the game. "You're all doing well." Masako said simply as they sat down, and Chieko and Shiori got up and gave everyone water bottles and towels with the other bench warmers.
"Thank you." Himuro smiled up at Shiori, eliciting a cute blush from the girl before she quickly nodded. "You did well…." She whispered softly before picking up her clipboard. "I think we're doing well beyond well, it's mostly the new kids doing our work it's so boring." Fukui scoffed as Wei Liu rolled his eyes but took a drink of his water. "Alright, then you can do some work for the time being. Atsushi you guard our inside, Himuro you're still on offense of course but Fukui focus your passes on Okamura and Wei for now." Said two players glared at Fukui who shrunk down some. "Yes Ma'am." The team laughed, but Atsushi just looked happy to not have to run around so much, and bit into a banana provided by Chieko. "Eh, this isn't sweet." He whined and looked up at Chieko. "Don't let a single ball pass you and I'll make you Mochi tonight." That made him smile. "Okay~" She'd already bribed him with candy to play offense, but that was ready for him and waiting back at her shop.
Wei Liu was rubbing the back of his neck with a look of discontent, and Shiori noticed so she went up to him. "Is your next bothering you?" He gave a quiet nod before sighing through his nose. "Yes, I jerked a little too fast during the game and its giving me a headache…." He sighed, looking a little irritated but holding it in. Smiling, Shiori jumped over the bench and moved behind him. "I'll rub it; it would be a bad idea to play like this." She chirped and rolled up her jacket's sleeves before brushing his hands away from his neck.
Wei Liu blinked rapidly as she started on his neck, feeling her lightly callused fingers massaged his neck rather well. Feeling himself relax Wei closed his grey eyes and leaned back against her unconsciously. "Better?" Shiori asked happily and got a nod in return. "Yes, very thank you…" He murmured before the Chinese felt eyes on him. Opening his own he looked over and noticed Himuro was watching him very intently and felt a shiver go down his spine. "Wei, are you okay you shivered just now?" Shiori asked, clear worry in her tone and Wei thought she was such a sweetie-while Himuro was rather scary despite how calm his expression seemed to be. "O-Oh, yes I am okay…I am feeling much better do you don't need to continue." The young girl blinked but nodded and pulled away. "Good, if you still feel like you need more let me know!" She chirped and waltzed over to the Coach. "I think we're all set now." She informed the coach, and got a nod in return. "Good, because it's time."
The next quarter began and Atsushi was standing under the basket, looking as bored as he always did but perhaps a bit more content than he was before now that he didn't have to run around as much. As expected, the ball was passed off to Fukui but instead of sending it to Himuro he sent it to Okamura, the Captain was finally going to have some fun.
Shiori had to give the other team some credit though, they were trying their hardest to keep him from making that goal but Okamura was plowing right through them before slamming the ball in the hoop with a loud moral raising cry.
"Good job Captain!" Shiori called when he landed on his feet, the large man grinning back at her before shouting some orders to the team. Himuro glanced over at Shiori before looking to Fukui for the ball, he'd got it from Wei who stole it from the other team, hands up and so he got the ball from him easily. "Nice pass." He told Fukui softly before turning and stopping in front of a guard with a calm smile. "Excuse me." The girls watched as he moved forward but the guard moved in front of him-or what they thought was him, suddenly that picture of him faded and he was rushing past the guard on the other side. "W-what was that?" Chieko asked in surprise but Shiori wasn't sure. "….A perfect Fake?" She asked more than replied to the tie-dyed haired girl. "Whoa…." She muttered softly to herself as Himuro got to the three point line, but as he moved to make the shot the other team's Captain jumped in front of him with his arm up high. "You're not getting through!" He roared but Himuro looked un-phased. "Yes I am." He threw the ball, and more than just the girls watched in awe as the ball passed through the Captain's hand like some sort of illusion. In the blink of an eye the ball swiftly went through the hoop behind him and the point gap wider in Yosen's favor.
It wasn't until the Third quarter that they broke the other team's hope of winning.
Through the last Quarter they'd managed to keep the ball mostly to themselves, if not they stole it back before they got to the hoop. But this time the teams Power Forward managed to get through them, and was charging Atsushi who was standing there looking about ready to fall asleep.
Their Captain was tall, they'd give him that much, but he stood no chance against Atsushi's own height. He jumped, roaring loudly and raising his teams hope for their Captain's success-but to no avail. Seconds before his ball went through, Atsushi's hand smacked it out of his hand and right into Fukui's hands which then led it to Wei's and the dumb struck team watched as he simply used a swift hook shot to get it in.
After that, Shiori felt bad for the other team, their heart didn't seem quite as in it as they did before. Mostly because every time they tried to make a shot Atsushi would smack it down, he didn't even stop to yawn before blocking them. The end of the game came with a startling difference in points, 8 to 92.
Shiori was excited for the Inter High Cup to say the least; she had honestly high hopes for victory this year with their Double Aces, Atsushi Murasakibara and Tatsuya Himuro.
Chieko watched them bow with mild amusement because Atsushi could only bow a little or else he'd bump heads with the other players, each giving their gratitude for the game in tune but it was easy to tell Atsushi's drawl from the others voices. Afterwards, they left after a short conversation between the two Coaches' and they got into the Buss's, ready to go home and wash the sweat off their tired bodies.
The girls sat together near the back of the Buss with Atsushi, who had gotten Chieko to relinquish the rest of her snacks to him for doing such a good job and being more or less obedient. Shiori had written down some notes during the game, mostly things they needed to work on though, which wasn't really a whole lot mostly Atsushi's teamwork was not as good as she hoped.
Sighing through her nose softly, she glanced over at the large boy beside Chieko munching away before letting her gaze drift to the left. Shiori felt her cheeks warm when she saw Himuro sitting across the aisle from her, casually chatting with another team member about how the game went. Sadly though, before she looked away Himuro noticed her staring and turned to give her that handsome but calm smile that made her heart flutter in her chest. Quickly, she looked away to hide her deepening blush and missed the amused glint in his visible eye. Chieko didn't miss it; though her face remained blank she was quite happy for her friend.
All of them didn't notice that Atsushi saw it as well, but he looked more confused than anything.
As soon as they got back to the school everyone went home to shower and do the day's homework, except for Atsushi who planned to go to Chieko's shop until closing time, and Himuro who was making Shiori let him walk her back to her dorm room.
It was silent and awkward, but comfortable at the same time. She liked being with Himuro, but her rather easily flustered personality (at least when it came to romantic situations) made it a bit more difficult than she liked. Himuro seemed totally fine walking beside her, hands in his pockets and bag tossed over his shoulder. His eyes didn't linger down on her at all; he merely kept looking straight ahead as they walked down the large hallway.
Finally, she broke the silence. "Um….How did you do that shot and those fakes? No one could really see you all that well…" She trailed off, too nervous to form words properly. "Back when I was in America, a former WNBA player was my teacher. There, with her, I perfected my Mirage Shot and Fakes. It wasn't easy but now they come naturally to me." He replied back softly and Shiori looked at him with wide silvery eyes. "WMBA? Wow, that's amazing she must be good." She commented, mostly to herself, softly and smiled. "Alex is an amazing player." He nodded his agreement before suddenly stopping, making Shiori do the same in confusion until she noticed they were at her dorm. "Oh, right I'll see you tomorrow." She smiled up at him softly and got one in return. "Of course, good night Shiori-Chan." She was prepared for another good night kiss, but he turned and walked past her without one.
For a moment, Shiori hesitated because for some reason she missed the feel of his lips on hers, before turning around quickly. "Tatsu-"She was cut off by the feeling of familiar lips against her own, eyes going wide when she noticed Tatsuya right in front of her. Slowly though, she closed her eyes and returned the kiss lightly. Boldly he cupped her cheek and for the last few seconds deepened the kiss before pulling away. "Almost forgot….Would you like to go out with me tomorrow night, Shiori-Chan?" He asked in a quiet whisper, face a mere inch from her own and he continued to stroke her cheek with his thumb.
Shiori was a little dazed from the heart melting kiss, but she still managed a nod before he pulled away. "Good, after practice work for you?" He asked her with a cheerful smile, and she nodded again. "Okay, good night once more Shiori-Chan." With those words, he turned and left her alone in the hall. Blinking slowly, she brushed her dyed bangs from her face with a quiet gulp and slipped inside her bedroom. She was just thankful no one saw that, plenty of girls already despised her for being so close to Tatsuya.
But someone had seen them together, that purple haired giant that suddenly wondered if Chieko's lips would taste as sweet as her sweets did. The thought made him lick his lips before he decided to talk to Himuro about his feelings-maybe Himuro liked kissing Shiori because she tasted so sweet, if that were the case than maybe Chieko would taste sweet when kissed.
So the Titan walked off to Himuro's dorm room but of course getting lost made the trip last longer than expected, but he made it in the end.
Chieko was in for a surprise.