The final chapter is finally here!

Honestly, I'm thrilled because Kuroko no Basket helped me a lot in a difficult time and this time I was able to relive the story with a friend!
Thank you to everyone who has followed the story and my profile so far. Now I intend to stop for a while and focus on original projects, but if you have an idea for me, you can put it in the comments. I still haven't given up on Akashi and Hayami. And I really miss Imayoshi. And Takao... We all love Takao.

Thank you all.

Merry Christmas!

Extra Chapter 6

Training Camp - Final

Under the Hawthorn Tree

Hayami P.O.V.

Takao couldn't stay silent.

After we got back from the convenience store we stood in opposite seats around the bonfire the boys had made, but his voice was the loudest in the group. He sat next to Midorima and the girl with glasses, Botan. Midorima didn't seem to like the conversation, but Botan was laughing, and she didn't seem like the type to smile at just anyone

"So he's nice to all the girls?", a reckless thought popped into my mind. So what if Takao was nice?

- Are you sure you're not hungry? - Seijūrō asked, the training must have been tough as all the boys looked tired. Despite everything he left me free all day so I didn't have to be rude to him.

- Hayami, try this! - Suki, who was sitting on my right side, placed a chicken skewer in my hand. She was the only one who seemed worried when I arrived, as she was the only one who noticed I was missing. When I got back she gave me a big hug and held my hand until Seijūrō joined us uninvited. I think she was afraid I was going to run away into the forest.

Murasakibara was next to her, because of him the curry the girls had cooked hadn't been enough, so they had to get the chicken that would be used for tomorrow's lunch.

Even though I ate ramen I accepted the chicken, the seasoning was good and it would be nice to eat real food before bed.

I was trying not to look too much at the trio on the other side of the fire, but then my gaze met Takao's by chance, and he waved at me with the two skewers in his hands and a mischievous smile. I was still wearing his jacket, but only because it would be weird to return it in front of everyone and even after we got back he didn't ask for it.

It was impossible not to imagine what it would be like to be on that side of the fire.

On their left side, Aomine and Kagami were having a competition to see who could eat the largest amount of chicken and I could see that Aimi was embarrassed. On the right side, Kise and the blonde girl, Sana, were avoiding each other. If it weren't for Kuroko and Momoi that side would be completely silent, but Momoi kept taking pictures of Kuroko with a camera.

- So that's all we're going to do? - Murasakibara said suddenly. He gave a long sigh after everyone looked at him - Is no one going to sing or tell scary stories?

- That's right! - Takao pointed at him. I had just met him, but I had already realized that being spontaneous was a characteristic of him. - We need to do something fun!

- Not tonight - Midorima interrupted them - we are tired and we need to sleep soon to train tomorrow, not to mention that your voice is horrible.

- Don't betray me like that, Shin-chan!

- I have to agree with Shintarō - Botan said - your voice is terrible, since you were a child you haven't been able to hit a note.

I didn't pay much attention to Takao's protests, but rather to Botan's words and gestures. She spoke to Takao as if he were a child, a younger brother, but remained close to Midorima, their hands intertwined.

I didn't know why, but I was happy for a moment.

- Hayami can sing.

I automatically dropped my chicken skewer.

Seijūrō's words silenced everyone else. He was the leader, the general of that group and his word was almost law.

- You are a soprano - - he began to explain when he saw my scared expression - you can accompany me on the violin or piano.

- There's no need to exaggerate - I said - it's been a while since I sang in public.

- You sang to me when I was sick - Seijūrō insisted - I remember.

My jaw tightened, but only because I felt like everyone was looking at us now.

Actually I had a song in mind.

- This would be better with an instrument, but we don't have anything, so I'm sorry if it doesn't sound good.

By succumbing to the grief

I might not feel pain anymore

But your words, your wishes

I swore to protect them to the end

I tried not to face anyone when I was singing, because it made me uncomfortable, and on stage, in fact, whoever was in the center couldn't see the eyes of the audience, so singing in front of a small group made me nervous.

With a roar, it's crumbling down

Our one and only, irreplaceable world

The bundle of bursting light that I reached out for and held so close

Shimmered, then disappeared for the sake of the future

Going beyond the happiness and promises I've been entrusted

I'll keep moving forward without glancing behind

Looking straight ahead, I'm going to cry out

Lighting the flames in my heart

Until I reach that distant future

The girls clapped when I finished, with the exception of Botan, who was open-mouthed, almost mesmerized like the other boys. Suki was the loudest. Takao and Seijūrō were the first boys to come out of the spell, clapping almost at the same time. Seijūrō seemed proud of me, but I couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing. I preferred Suki's encouraging words.

- I already knew that Ha-chin sang well - Murasakibara said, as he was with Suki almost all the time we ended up becoming friends - now let's see Takao embarrassing himself.

-WHAT? - Takao started to be noisy again and Botan had to bring order to the group for a moment while Murasakibara mourned the chicken that I had dropped on the floor.

- Tomorrow we will eat at a real table - Aimi said.

I started to laugh. It wasn't so bad being in a group, at least not for a while.

The gathering around the campfire didn't last long as everyone was tired. Suki showed me where the girls could take a shower, it was my first experience in a public bathroom, tolerable I think, but bedtime was really uncomfortable.

I didn't like feeling the soil beneath the tent fabric, even though it was of good quality. The sleeping bag itched my skin and I couldn't find a good position for my head. I must have only napped for thirty minutes because I woke up in the middle of the night and the only light we had was from a bunny lamp that Sana had placed on the small folding table so we wouldn't be completely in the dark.

Suki was next to me, her sleeping bag was pink and had animal figures on it. She used to camp with her family in Europe and they were used to rougher experiences than this. She had gotten as far as she could from Botan and I was afraid she would roll over me in the night, so I clung to the jacket that Takao had lent me earlier. I knew I should have returned it by now.

Everything would seem normal if it weren't for a strange figure on the other side of the tent. Each sleeping bag looked like a cocoon, but there was one that was bigger than the others.

Suki was wearing a sleeping eye mask so I didn't want to wake her up and scare her since she had been worried by my disappearance earlier. I also didn't want to wake Botan; the other girl, Momoi, was next to Sana, but I didn't know her well yet, so Sana was my choice because she looked like the friendliest among them.

Kicking was a strong word; I just poked her with my foot until she woke up.

- What is it?! - Sana sat down. She wore a white shirt that seemed too big for her and her blonde hair was tied in a loose bun.

She looked angry and sleepy and ready to yell at me until I pointed to the sleeping bag next to her.

It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the dim light, until she saw the boy.

- AOMINE DAIKI YOU PERVERT!

At first I had doubts about who the guy was since I hadn't memorized the couples yet with the exception of Suki and Murasakibara, but I recognized the tanned guy with blue hair who looked at Aimi like a puppy.

Sana's scream was so loud that all the girls woke up, all except Suki, who was a heavy sleeper. Botan got up so quickly that she didn't even have time to put on her glasses before Sana kicked Aomine out of the girls' tent.

I thought Aimi had invited Aomine inside, but she also seemed surprised as the rest of us by Sana's screams, she used every pillow she could find to chase Aomine away. He tried to say something but I didn't understand a thing as Sana also started shouting at Aimi after Aomine finally left.

- WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? HOW COULD YOU LET HIM IN HERE? THERE ARE OTHER GIRLS HERE THERE IS NO ROOM FOR YOUR BOYFRIEND...!

No matter how much Sana screamed I didn't know if Aimi understood everything she said, as she rubbed her eyes, as sleepy as Momoi on the other side. They stayed talking until late at night.

- Aomine-kun was here? - I heard Momoi say.

Suki finally stood up, taking the mask off her eyes.

- What happened?

- Nothing - I yawned, I think I was finally sleepy - Aomine wanted to sleep with his girlfriend.

- Oh - Suki said before she went back to sleep.

I was the first to wake up from the girls' tent and I tried to go take a shower and change my clothes, then I went back and picked up Takao's jacket. I wanted to give it back as soon as he woke up and that must be why I wanted to look presentable so early in the morning.

"How long has it been since I got ready to talk to a boy?", I thought... How long has it been since I stopped liking Seijūrō?

I should have looked for a bench with a good view of the tents, but I was too nervous to do that, so I walked in circles until I started to see movement in the boys' tent. The boy Sana seemed obsessed with, Kagami, was the first to get up, since before we went to sleep he had committed to making breakfast.

I shouldn't be attracting anyone's attention, so my only alternative was to talk to him.

- Can you do me a favor? - I asked.

Kagami was arranging the portable stove we had brought. He was really tall and good looking.

- Can you ask Takao to meet me at the volleyball court? I have to give something back to him.

- Here.

I laid out the jacket, trying to imagine what I would look like when the time came.

- No, I think my voice sounds too serious...

I tried to remember how the other girls talked. Suki rarely used honorifics, she wasn't raised here so it was normal. Aimi and Momoi acted cute sometimes in front of the boys they liked.

I started walking in circles again, looking at the ground. I called Seijūrō by his first name because we had known each other since we were children.

- Takao-kun? Takao...

I ended up bumping into something firm and I would have fallen backwards if Takao hadn't caught me. His hair was wet and he wore a strong wood essence as perfume. Would he have dressed up first to come talk to me?

I gulped. Now that we were face to face I had forgotten how to act.

- Were you looking for me, Ha-chin?

I was surprised when he called me by the nickname Murasakibara kindly gave me.

- Oh - he seemed disappointed - I thought I could use that nickname with you.

Takao was about to take a step back until I stepped forward, stopping him from moving away. It was very strange to have someone holding my arms, even without knowing what was underneath the fabric.

- I give you permission to call me by that nickname! - My voice must have been too loud, because Takao smiled. My face turned red again out of embarrassment.

- The jacket you lent me yesterday - I finally handed him the clothes - thank you.

Takao nodded as he took it back, it wasn't cold, he had no reason to wear it now.

- I thought you would give it back to me when we returned to the bonfire last night, but you kept using it so...

- I didn't want to steal it, it wasn't that, I just...!

What could I say? That I slept hugging the jacket last night? Wouldn't that be weird?

- I understand - Takao said - you were so impressed with our date yesterday that you couldn't stop thinking about me and wanted to keep the jacket because of it.

I pushed Takao, finally opening some distance between us. My face was burning from that joke and even though everything he said was true I would never admit it out loud.

- It was just a joke, Ha-chin! - I thought Takao would be laughing because I acted like that, but he was serious this time - I don't want you to be mad at me.

Takao tied the jacket around his waist.

- That's why I'll sing you a song!

He walked to the center of the volleyball court, looking confident enough to fill a stadium.

Makes you feel like jumping up and down, you say?

You finally acknowledge the catal rhythm, right

To the past that's lingering on your left hand

Like your hoarse voice, your broken heart is crying too, right

For now, let's first head for the tomorrow one second ahead

Takao jumped, and then pointed at me.

Makes your feel like leaping up, you say?

You remember the catal rhythm, right

To the past resounding in your heart, where you once gave up

Like the rusty scoreboard, you're also trembling here, right?

For now, let's first head for a future without any doubts

Even if it's just an afterimage, it doesn't matter

Future aspect!

He ended on a high note that could make anyone's ears bleed.

I think Botan was right when she said that Takao couldn't sing. So why did I find that cute? Why was I smiling?

Suddenly we heard someone calling my name in the distance, and I knew that voice very well. I ran towards Takao and grabbed him by the shirt, taking him behind the group of trees that surrounded the volleyball court, more specifically under a hawthorn tree that grew beautifully.

I heard the voice again, this time closer.

- Why are we hiding? - Takao started to speak, as always, but I covered his mouth with my hand. I don't think I've ever touched a boy's lips before.

- I don't want Seijūrō to find us! - I whispered.

Takao took my hand off his face, he was stronger than me.

- Okay - he whispered back, then gestured for us to sit on the grass. There were tall bushes in that area, there was no way we could be seen.

He finally became quiet when Seijūrō's voice actually seemed really close to us. On instinct I moved near to Takao as if he could protect me from my fate and I think he understood a little. Takao could have rejected me, but when he noticed how anxious I was, he hugged me until my body slowly let go of the tension.

Then I was invaded without warning by another kind of tension.

Takao's breathing was normal. And it was comforting to follow the beat of his heart.

He was actually stronger than me.

- I think he's gone, Ha-chin.

I don't know how much time had passed when Takao finally spoke. We could no longer hear Seijūrō's footsteps or voice, so I pulled away from his embrace, but we remained hidden among the trees.

- I hated them, you know - Takao said - the Generation of Miracles, until I started studying with one of them of course.

- And what do you feel today? - I asked - When you look at them?

Takao shrugged, I couldn't feel anything bad coming from him.

- I think it's funny that such an extraordinary group exists and that they are normal, despite everything

Takao spoke with a smile, but then became serious for a moment.

- Although, sometimes, some of them may have too many good things in their hands - - he brushed a strand of my hair out of my face - and it's unfair.

I nodded, there was no way to respond to that, or take sides. Takao then took out a golden card from his pocket and handed it to me. I recognized it as a Pokémon card.

- You were lucky that there were some cards in my bag, so I looked for one that suited you, Ha-chin.

The Pokémon had a light blue body with a dark blue marking around its head and a spiky ridge down its spine, with black eyes and a tiny black nose. It was cute.

- It's a Vaporeon - Takao said - it's very rare.

- If it's rare then you shouldn't be giving it to me...

I tried to give the card back to Takao, but he put it back in my hands, closing my fingers over the card.

- I don't think I can give you anything of the value you deserve, so keep it as something of sentimental value - he said - think that you're taking care of it for me.

My heart felt warm, as I don't think my face could handle another blast of blush.

- Only if when we meet again you give me another card to take care of - I said.

Takao nodded, then he began to explain to me what exactly a Vaporeon did.

I don't think he had any idea how much I wanted time to stop, right there, under the hawthorn tree.

Love Letters

Kise P.O.V.

I wasn't very good with words.

When I was happy I hugged Sana, when I was sad Sana comforted me and we played games until I felt better again. In the game against Tōō Academy, after I lost, she even went to fight with Aomine because of me, because I was crying and I didn't usually do that, I didn't cry in front of anyone. When I wanted love I covered Sana with kisses and promised not to talk bad about her Kpop idols.

I think physical touch was my love language, but talking... I wasn't good at it. Maybe I was a bit like Aominecchi. Maybe that's why it took me so long to realize that Sana was more than a friend to me.

- Uuuuuuuugh - I complained with a tired groan.

I was feeling cramped in that tent since we were all so tall and now I regretted convincing Kurokocchi to stay for another night which made Momoi punch me since she had to leave anyway. The biggest problem was Murasakibara, he occupied one side of the tent alone with his bag of sweets and since Takao's arrival hadn't been planned, we didn't bother getting a bigger one.

- Uuuuuuuugh! - I complained again, this time louder since no one seemed to care the first time.

- Someone talk to him before this continues - I heard Midorima say. I generally liked Midorima, but the camp had made me feel something I never imagined I would feel towards him: envy. I envied how devoted Botan was to him.

Everyone was quieter that night than the previous one, perhaps because the training had been more intense. It was definitely the last time we got together to train during Golden Week, I should be being spoiled by my sisters at home now.

- What's the problem? - Aomine asked. We decided our places on straws and were lucky enough to be side by side.

I crumpled up another sheet of paper and threw it at Midorima just for fun.

- Does anyone here know how to write a love letter?

With the exception of Kuroko, Kagami, and Takao, who were doing something food-related with the girls at the campfire, the original Generation of Miracles was in the tent.

And of course everyone laughed at me.

I didn't expect much from Midorima and Aomine, but seeing Murasakibara and Akashi laughing was too much.

- I am serious!

- We know! - Aomine replied. He was laughing too much for my taste as someone who was labeled by the girls as the night pervert. We literally had to put Murasakibara to sleep near the exit of the tent to stop Aomine from seeing Aimi. - But why, what's the problem?

I closed the tent from the inside, that way no one outside could hear, especially Kagami. I could no longer look into Kagami's face without feeling deadly hatred creep up my spine.

- I think I have a rival - I said - and I want Sana to know that I like her a lot... That I really like her, but I can't say it...

- Huh - Aomine blinked - I thought I was the only one who had a problem with that.

- Our problems are not on the same level, Aominecchi, you are hopeless.

I ripped out another sheet of paper from the notebook I had brought and threw it at Midorima. This time he finally reacted and got up.

- Hey you, Midorimacchi! You seem like the best of us in this situation, what do I do?

Midorima sighed and adjusted his glasses. He must have been angry with me, but he seemed to sympathize with my situation.

- Why do you think I'm the best among you? - Midorima asked.

- Because you're smart and good with words - Aomine said. Without the gravure idols magazine he was now distracted by anything that had figures, which were currently Naruto mangas, perhaps due to Aimi's influence.

- Because you and Botan seem like the best couple - it hurt me to say that, but it was true - I mean, you seem happy together, all the time, you even smile when you're with her, which never happened.

I saw Akashi turn his head to pay more attention to the discussion. Murasakibara started looking for some sweets in his bag.

Midorima contemplated the lucky item in his hand, a stuffed frog with his name embroidered on it, which I imagined had been done by Botan.

- How many love letters have you written to Botan? - I asked again, being insistent.

- A few... - Midorima looked away and crossed his arms, he was too delicate for that kind of conversation.

- Ha ha, silly - Murasakibara laughed.

- Hey! - this time he turned red - She's going to college next year, don't you think I'm scared that she'll fall in love with someone older and better than me?

Midorima took a deep breath. At least for a second he had shared his concerns with us.

- Why don't you ask me, Kise-chin? - Murasakibara suddenly spoke while eating chocolate sticks.

- Do you write love letters? - I asked, but just to make Murasakibara feel good. I didn't have much hope in him.

Murasakibara ate some more, then finally replied:

- Every week.

- WHAT? - Aomine and I said at the same time, so surprised that Aomine even dropped the manga to face him and Midorima could no longer keep the smart and silent expression on his face.

- I write love letters to Su-chin every week - Murasakibara replied.

- We understand that! - I said - We want to know how!

- With a pen.

I rolled my eyes. That guy was incredibly surprising.

Murasakibara sat down, opening a new box of chocolate sticks.

- When I started dating Su-chin I didn't care much, I thought she would always be by my side, but then Su-chin got tired of me and found another boyfriend.

We all listened to the story in silence, even Akashi.

- So I decided I wanted her back, and I sent the other guy away - Murasakibara gave a scary smile - he asked for a school transfer this year.

I looked at Aomine.

- You could use that tactic, Aominecchi.

- Shut up! - Aomine kicked me for reminding him that Imayoshi was still in the running.

- So I promised Su-chin that I would be a good boyfriend. I read in a magazine that boyfriends write love letters, so I decided to write Su-chin a letter every week - he took out a pink piece of paper from his bag of sweets - do you want to read it?

Aomine, Midorima and I flew towards the letter Murasakibaracchi was holding. It would be impossible to take turns, so we decided to read at the same time while Murasakibara was still chatting.

- It was all thanks to Aka-chin, who encouraged me to get her back, and now I won't let anyone take her away from me, understand...

Suddenly Murasakibara was very close to us, but his frightening gaze was fixed on Aomine.

- Mine-chin, if you insist on entering the girls' tent while Su-chin is sleeping I will have to crush your head.

Midorima and I strategically moved away from Aomine at the same time, but nothing happened. Murasakibara took the letter back, then returned to his usual spot.

- Apart from that scary talk - Midorima said - the letter was...

- Beautiful - I said, then took the paper from Murasakibara's hands again - how do you do that, Murasakibaracchi?

- I don't know - he shrugged - I love Su-chin and I tell her that every time, don't you love your girlfriends?

Aomine must have choked while breathing, because he began coughing violently as if trying to expel a spirit from his body. Midorima blushed as usual. As for Akashi... He was quieter than usual.

- Hayami and I used to compose some songs on the piano when we had lessons together, a few notes just to show that we had the skill - Akashi stopped, that's when I realized that he didn't look very happy that night - then one day she composed a song for me , alone, but at the time I didn't care much.

He looked at Murasakibara.

- I think I acted like you, Atsushi, and I regret it.

- If you want I can send that talkative boy away, Aka-chin - Murasakibara said.

- No one will send Takao away! - Midorima interrupted - His presence was a condition of Botan's older brother!

- Wait, why do you want to send Takao away? - Aomine spoke last.

I tried not to cover my face out of embarrassment. Takao had run away from training today and the girls hadn't seen Hayami. Everyone had already noticed.

- Sometimes I have to agree with Sana - I sighed - you're dumb, Aominecchi.

When we left the tent the girls were smiling around the fire and there was a delicious, sweet smell in the air. Suki and Kagami were making s'mores with the help of Aimi and Kuroko. Sana was on the opposite side, hugging her knees while wearing one of my blue uniforms. In the corner, like in their own world, were Hayami and Takao. They seemed to be talking about Pokémon cards.

Botan appeared as soon as she saw Midorima, the two held hands and went out for a walk since the night was bright and beautiful.

Murasakibara took a seat next to Suki and began eating the s'mores while Aomine watched Aimi from afar as she talked to Kuroko. He was stupidly in love, but it was cute.

It was a little sad to see Akashi approach Hayami with insecurity, but she accepted that he sat next to her since Takao had to watch over Botan and Midorima, but I think that was just an excuse he made up to not be close to Akashi. Even with Takao away, Hayami was still holding a Pokémon card. I wondered how the song she had made for Akashi sounded like.

- What are you doing, Ryōta? - I heard Sana call me. She was a blue dot in the middle of the fire. With a denim skirt and pink leg warmers that made her appearance even more peach like because of her blonde hair.

I was still standing, holding a small letter in my hands.

- Why are you there alone? - I said - Why aren't you helping Aimi?

- Kuroko said he could do this and I didn't want you to see me near...

Sana stopped, but I knew what she was going to say. She was afraid of making me angry if she went near Kagami.

I didn't want her to feel that way, I wasn't as insecure as she thought I was.

- I've been wearing your shirts since last night - she pointed to the blue shirt with the number seven on it - you said you'd be lucky if I wear them, so I'm wearing all before you return to official training.

Before we left the tent Aomine told me that I had to be tough, but of course I wouldn't follow his advice, so before I knew it I was smiling at Sanacchi again. Completely melted in her warm hug.

- I know you're not really in love with him... - I said with difficulty - But just imagining something like that made me...

The words couldn't come out anymore, so I let go of Sana and handed her the letter. It was poorly written, poorly finished, but it was sincere.

- If you don't like it, you can throw it in the fire and pretend it never happened, but if you like it, Sanacchi, I promise... - I took a deep breath, I needed to have courage - That I'll write a love letter to you every week!

My face burned and soon Sana's face also turned red because I had said that out loud, in front of everyone.

I remained silent while Sana read the letter, I was no longer scared of having a rival, in fact it only encouraged me to love the girl I liked more.