"Annnnnnd shoot!" Few strands of blonde hair swung in the surface of Hayama Koutaro's forehead as he made a shot. Even though he was not a shooter like Mibuchi Reo, it went in perfectly.

Hayama Koutaro fell quietly on the floor to take a short rest. It was still early and he was the only one around the gymnasium. Of course, he could bet everyone was still on their way to school. Well, that was what he assumed when he suddenly heard a clicking sound coming from the door.

Someone just arrived.

He raised a brow, and wondered who might that be. With that question in mind, Hayama turned his head and looked over his shoulder towards the direction of the main door.

His pair of green eyes widened in surprised.

'Ah ah… I have never considered this' was what his face was saying while the person who just came answered it with a look of 'talk about misfortune'.

"Mayuzumi?!" He blurted out the name of the newcomer before standing up. This time, he corrected his self by using a proper honorific, which Mayuzumi knew wouldn't last. "—Mayuzumi-san, why are you here?!"

The third year was still near the door. Well, how to answer that? Perhaps it would be best to just ignore the question. He wasn't in the mood for a small talk anyway.

Mayuzumi noticed a ball kept between Hayama's waist and arm.

"I just happened to be early today." Hayama explained on his own accord, pointing a forefinger towards his nose. His eyes blinked excitedly all of a sudden. "Don't tell me you always have a morning practi—"

"Not at all." Mayuzumi rejected the idea quickly.

Few seconds since he arrived, Mayuzumi was already regretting his decision to come early.

"Then what brought you here?"

What….was it again? Well, this was one of those days when he had to wake up early to see his parents off. This happened before too, in fact. But only today that he thought of going straight to the gym instead of his classroom. Why was it again? Perhaps he would like to play a little to cool off his mind? Or maybe he wanted to heat up his body? Or maybe, he just wanted to pass the time? Maybe… just maybe he wanted to keep his mind occupied for the time being.

On the other hand, awkwardness crawled up all of a sudden to Hayama. Last time he saw this guy was during the end celebration of their school festival.

Shall he bring it up? He knew Mayuzumi was aware of his presence that time. But it wasn't really a comfortable topic to say, so should he play nonchalant?

Probably the latter.

"Since you're here, how about we play a one-on-one."

Usually, Mayuzumi would decline and usually, Hayama would end up insisting while using a lot of tricks and strategy just to rile up his senpai. However, for some reason, perhaps the end of the world would be happening tomorrow, Mayuzumi Chihiro agreed as quick as how he would reject the idea before.

It was surprising, Hayama forgot to breath for a couple of seconds. His pair of green eyes widened at the third year. Mayuzumi just looked at him with cold, expressionless face.

To think he actually readied his self for some rejection, what was with this character change?

"Ahm… Is today your birthday?" Hayama zoomed his face towards his senpai.

"Ha?" A slight annoyance was present on Mayuzumi's tune. He went at the corner to place his bag on the floor, removing his blazer in the process.

On the other hand, Hayama watched in disbelief. He almost had to drag his own feet inside the court just so they could begin the match. No matter how he looked at it, this was all so un-mayuzumi-like. He even got his blazer removed just to play as if he was a bit worked up for this play.

Suddenly, the third year made a lay-up which surprised the sophomore. The sound of the ball as it touched the ring of basket called his senses back to reality.

The still-astonished blonde blinked at the approaching Mayuzumi who was dribbling the ball. Then, he successfully broke through the defense of one of Rakuzan's regular. The effortless play was enough to bring back Hayama's mind to the game.

No matter how he looked at it, this wasn't the Mayuzumi he knew.

"Heh… How unusual Mayuzumi-san…"

"You talk too much."

Was it because of that night at the festival?

Finally a time to move, the sophomore tapped the surface of the ball as he began dribbling, crouching a bit to get the hang of it. He smirked, "I guess you're right—!" One foot traveled forward instantly. "Then! I wonder if three fingers would be enough." He smirked.

Mayuzumi swiftly swayed backwards for defense.

"Woohoo" Hayama frowned a little, "Nah, I say that again. You're really unusual today Mayuzumi-san." He seemed so focused in this play, that for the first time since they played together, Mayuzumi could handle Hayama's dribbling style.

"I don't know what you're saying." he replied, broadening the zone of his defense.

The dribbling expert switched the ball behind, while trying to detect any openings. "You're different today really." he repeated, as he made a stomp on his left to fake a turn but Mayuzumi assumed the gesture right away. Hayama was taken aback. Gee, "Seriously oi…"

"I've seen you done that a lot of times during practice, don't think that it will always work against me." Mayuzumi said.

Hayama smiled forcefully, "Heh," This is quite an unexpected pinch. "But—" Hayama breathed in, gathering more air as he was about to try a new move. "How about I show you something new!" He huffed out, using the so-called power of his five fingers, the blonde quickly made heavy dribbles matching the pacing of his legs as he forced to penetrate. There was no denying that he enjoyed the tight defense given by his senior. Adding the fact that this was a rare opportunity. "Sorry, but I must score this one."

Successfully, the blonde was able to break through Mayuzumi.

A sharp 'tch' escaped Mayuzumi's mouth as he tried his best to close the distance between them. Luck was not on his side as the sophomore managed to fulfill the fast break, ending it with a flawless shot.

It was inevitable, Hayama Koutaro was among the uncrowned generals after all so Mayuzumi had it coming.

Ahh, he really didn't like these uncrowned generals. His frown had gotten deeper, losing the calm to even acknowledge the fact that he actually still had a long way to go to beat the younger teammate, as unfortunate as it may be.

"That's….two points for ya' Mayuzumi-san." Hayama was enjoying everything. Should he rile him up more to bring out the skills that he believed Mayuzumi had?

As far as Hayama knew, Mayuzumi had been in the club for three years. It should be safe to assume that he already managed to perfect his skils in those duration of time.

Hayama passed the ball to Mayuzumi which he got instantly, pressing the ball with his two palms. It was the third year's turn for offense.

The blonde began lowering his body to form a defense.

Their eyes made the conversation.

Do it.

Begin.

Play hard.

A smirk crossed Hayama's face. "My~ You don't seem dejected at all eh, huh?." Normally, that was just his way of provoking the gray haired player, but somehow he realized that he actually kind of dropped the bomb.

Ah- shit-

Mayuzumi dribbled the ball, slowly preparing to advance. With a quick transition of his steps, he lured the blonde to his left before extending the right leg to leap a big step towards the other side.

By instinct, Hayama reacted fast. "Wha- Woah not a chance!" he realized this was not the time to symphatize over his senior.

Mayuzumi backed off, made one step behind and kept the ball away from any attempt of steal. "By the way...during the festival..."

Hayama shifted his sight from the ball to Mayuzumi.

Eh? What's that? Does he want to talk about it? Does he want some advice?

Little did he know, Mayuzumi was merely distracting him.

Somehow, Mayuzumi succeeded in keeping Hayama out of the zone. He was not even trying so hard for some provocation yet Hayama was already unfocused. Seriously, Hayama might be a dribbling god but he sure had the worst habit.

Mayuzumi took the chance and passed through. Hayama reacted late and noticed Mayuzumi had already gone his way to score. The sound of the ball as it bounced echoed inside the whole gymnasium.

The sophomore straightened his body and was idly standing in his spot. The score was tied.

On the other hand, Mayuzumi wiped the sweat that accumulated in the surface of his forehead.

Hayama frowned at the expression that Mayuzumi was giving. "That was dirty, Mayuzumi-san." The blonde scoffed coolly.

"Ah is that so." Well, it wasn't his fault that Hayama was so nosy. This time it was him who took the ball and hinted another round just to settle the winner.

Hayama sneered at the figure of his opponent. Really, he was too calm which was annoying. It felt losing to a different thing.

Why couldn't this senpai of him show more expression—like annoyance, anger or whatever because he was trying his best here. He shouldn't be the one losing calm.

Anyhow, did he think he would win against him?

Mayuzumi passed the ball and as soon as Hayama got it, he already made a move. His feet quickly ran forward. His movements had gotten faster. In just a few seconds, he managed to reach Mayuzumi and followed it with a quick jump,without a hint of hesitation, he aimed for a shot which, in the end, went in.

Mayuzumi blinked in surprise. His teeth gritted in the inside. Well whatever, it was inevitable in the first place. Why did he even do this?

Winning against an uncrowned general was impossible for a normal player like him. But still, even though it was just a short and an unofficial one on one match, losing felt distressing.

"Haaa-!" Hayama let out an air before grinning. "Is that a win for me?" he slightly loosened his tie and crouched down on the floor. That was indeed short but surely took lots of his energy. Time for a few moments of resting.

Moving on, the skirmish ended in favor of the sophomore as expected. Hayama still had a ball, dribbling it a little while chilling on his spot. The sound was the only noise in the whole gymnasium. He was stealing glances on and off at the third year.

Playing unbothered, Mayuzumi went near his bag and crouched in front to get his towel. He could feel the constant gaze coming from the blonde.

The silence was annoying. It was moments like this where Hayama expected some chitchat between club members.

Hayama pouted a little, "...uhhh..." he frowned, there was no easy way to say this but he thought he would as well do it. "...just so you know, I didn't tell anyone about it." He was referring to that night, when he accidentally saw everything.

Mayuzumi blinked, somehow his fingers twitched. To be honest, that was unexpected. Knowing how nosy Hayama was, Mayuzumi already assumed that the other regulars would know about it. Well, he'd give that to Hayama. He still had some tact in him as it seemed. He wasn't that bad after all.

"...You're not giving up? Are you?"

Hayama must be mistaken, as far as Mayuzumi knew, Hotaru didn't give an answer that time. So what was there to give up?

Hayama noticed Mayuzumi had paused in his spot.

"…Uh.." Right, Mayuzumi was the type who despised discussing emotion.

"…"

"…J-Just ahh… D-Don't mind!" Errr… "I hope you don't plan on giving up just like that!" he managed to complete despite a lot of hesitation. It was Mayuzumi Chihiro he was dealing with after all. He was made of anonymity. Heck, he couldn't even read or predict what was going on in that mind of him.

Without changes in his facial expression, Mayuzumi looked away and slid his bag to his shoulder. "…What are you talking about?"

Hayama sighed as he watched the gray haired senpai walk out of the gym. Voice fading gradually as he mused, "...man, you could have just thanked me y'know." He was trying to be a friend here.

Mayuzumi sighed inwardly, ignoring his teammate.

Really, what was he saying?

i lowkey love these two. i wrote lots of interaction between them but i decided not to include it because it would only make this fic long. haha