.../-/ Kagami Taiga /-/...

"How about you Kagami-kun?"

"Eh?"

I was caught off guard. I was busy chomping my 8th burger after all, so I didn't really give much thought of what our basketball team was conversing at the moment.

"Me?" I asked, just to confirm.

"Hai-hai!"

Koganei senpai kept on nodding in his dog face smile while others spectates to wait.

Thinking about it, how did our team ended up in this topic anyway?

"N…" I tried to think about other possible answers as far as I could but, yeah, this one's it.

"…N-None…desu."

…

"…EEEEEHHH?!"

Oi, oi. Why does it seem like all of them are surprised? Did I just answer it wrong?

"Kagami-kun?! Kagami-kun never had a girlfriend?!"

"You gotta be kidding me, somebody punch me now!"

"But he lived in America?! How is that—"

OI! I don't really get what got them all so hyped up but their words are kinda pissing me off in some way.

I sighed. I looked upon the empty seat before me. For some reason I'm kinda envious of Kuroko right now. Good going on taking that Touou girl back home.

…although I gotta say, it's kind of a relief he's not here. One less reaction from the team…

…No-no. Even if he's here, I don't think there'll really be much of a difference. You can never get a reaction from that guy anyway.

Ah~ whatever. It's better to just finish my burger…

"LIKE YOU'RE THE ONE TO TALK! You've never even been able to date a girl!"

"AAARGH BUT I CONFESSED AT LEAST!"

I was busy chomping my 7th burger when Tsuchida and Furihata loudly stood up in heated argument.

Wait what's this all about? Where had their conversation gone on to?

No…it's not just them…the whole Seirin team is in full blast of debate! Loud, heated arguments and questions are thrown all over the place. And for god knows why, some even started playing arm wrestling. When did it get this rowdy?! What's happening? Damn. Why wasn't I keeping track?

"Ah…but well…if you look at it he was really bad at handling girls after all." A very distinct statement coming from Kiyoshi-senpai caught everyone's attention and practically organized my train of thoughts. It got me, and the once rowdy crowd turn onto him.

…

Wait…what? Who is bad at handling girls?

"Now that you mentioned it, he didn't even know the reason why he made Momoi-san cry a while ago didn't he?" Hyuga-senpai added in the middle of a momentary silence. Oh, Momoi-san? The Touou girl cried again?

Aida-senpai sighed. "He maybe the ace player but KAGAMI's still BAKAgami: An idiot in all other things."

"Hai, hai…" And everyone simply nodded their heads in agreement.

Wait a minute…

WAIT. A. MINUTE.

JUST HOW THE HELL DID MY NAME ENDED UP IN THAT CONCLUSION?!

Uh—ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT ME ALL ALONG?!

And to think even the team captain, the coach, and Kiyoshi-senpai said those?!

Doesn't anyone even care for my feelings at all? I'm human too you know?!

I was left there with my jaw hanging.

What THE –No wait.

Is this still about my answer to their question? Is it really that odd?

But it's not like I could ask a girl to ask me out all of a sudden couldn't I?

And hell why would I?

Sorry for being the only one not confessed to by a girl. It's just not like that in America.

Damn. If I knew I'd be viewed like this, I should've just grabbed that chance.

But I didn't even know if I had a chance, and that time, I'm too focused on basketball to think seriously about it!

…

"Maybe because Kagami-kun is too focused on basketball that's why he has zero experience with girls."

FINALLY. A voice too plain and impassive uttered in the middle of sudden silence, practically saving my face from being further swamped down. With my arms folded, I nodded in agreement on every part of his word.

Yeah people, that's right, you should listen to…wait a minute…that voice… "Kuroko?"

"Hai?"

…

…

…

"KUROKO!"

Together with the rest of the team, I burst out of my chair as I felt a fast, cold wave tinge through my whole body. My heart almost literally leapt out in surprise. Damn, it's been awhile since I felt that cold rush.

"S-since when have you been here?!" I shouted.

He blinked a few times while sipping unto his vanilla shake. Wait…since when did this guy bought his vanilla shake?

"Since they asked you about the number of girlfriends & confessions you had." He casually answered back.

My jaw gaped wide open at his response. Really? He's been there since then? Wait a minute…

"NO YOU AREN'T! I COMPLETELY SAW AN EMPTY SEAT AWHILE AGO!"

I loudly accused pointing a finger at him.

He stopped sipping through his drink and answered me politely.

"Ah…maybe that's when I bought my vanilla shake."

I slumped down with my head banging on the table. Right…didn't think of that one.

"Kagami-kun…" He called.

"Hn?"

"I take back what I said." He paused. "After witnessing your actions, I realized being bakagami makes more sense."

And that literally sprung some nerve in my head.

Immediately I heavily placed my left hand over his head and gripped it like I would grip a basketball.

"Somehow, I really want to crush your head right now." I expressed as I gave him a glimpse of my about to explode pent-up anger.

"Please don't." He answered so casually I couldn't even trace some conviction.

As if that would stop me though.

"But really Kagami-kun…you never had any girlfriend or confessions happened to you? Didn't you like any girl? Ah – could it be you prefer guys more than girls? After all, you do have the tendency to become homo. I feel like it would only be a matter of time before you wear-" That last statement had me flew my arm from Kuroko's head towards Kawahara's and totally just slammed his head down to the table.

"You wanna die?" Not that there is something wrong with being homo. Just that, being deliberately judged by something you're not got me really irritated.

"Wah~Okay! I get it! I'm sorry!" He kept on apologizing as he struggles to take his head off my grip.

"I'm not homo you dumb-head! My preference are girls, you hear?! A girl! An elegant girl! AcompleteoppositeofTHATgirlwhodidn'tevengiveadamnaboutwhatIfeel!" I recklessly gave those words away in annoyance, not really realizing what it meant.

Suddenly, everyone in the table stopped whatever it is that they are doing and looked at me straight in the eye. Even Kuroko, who always seems impassive, stopped drinking his milkshake.

It's as if the world just came unto a momentary pause…

"…"

"...OOOOHH~~~~~~" From plain blank, everyone's eyes suddenly shined brightly as if sparkling with glitters from God knows where.

"So there is a girl! Why hide it from us from the start?" Tsuchida asked out of the blue but only to be shut down by the fan of Koganei-senpai.

"Don't worry about it Kagami-kun…we're here for you."

Okay, that was odd.

I don't know why this is happening but for some reason, aside from sparkling eyes, I started to see floating flowers surround the whole Seirin team. Seriously, this is creeping me out. Just what the hell happened? It's as if the world turned 180 degrees as they all just came from saying rude and insensitive words, to a pat in the back and words of encouragement.

"Kagami-kun…" I didn't even realize it but Hyuga-senpai already stood beside me. Suddenly, he rapidly put his arms around my shoulder to pull me closer. "I feel you bro…fight-o!" He mounted with a full sparkling smirk upon his face.

"It will be alright Kagami-kun…never give up!" Even Kiyoshi-senpai gave a thumbs up.

"Kagami-kun…" Kuroko faintly smiled as he gently reached for a fist bump. I bumped it right back.

Wait a minute, why did I just bumped it back? What is that fist bump for? And what's with that thumbs up?!

"Teehee! I never knew you were a hopeless romantic one bakagami!" To be honest I'm more than creeped out right now. Even coach came to my seat to pat my back. WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?!

Wait a minute. Hopeless romantic?

"AAAAARGH! You got it all wrong!" I shouted in full realization. They aren't thinking what I think they're thinking, are they?

"Eh?" And the rest of the team suddenly lost all the sparkles in their eyes.

"Ah…well…how should I put this…umm…" I involuntarily scratched my head in the process.

"Oh…Kagami-kun's going to tell the story!" Furihata announced and everyone rushed to my side in excitement. Some drag their chairs while others tried to fight for a seat. They placed their elbows unto the table and leaned closer to me, to hear.

Mitobe-senpai made a weird movement. "Hai! He's going to tell the story of how he got rejected." It was Koganei-senpai who confirmed.

"The story of the Ace's Heartace" Izuki-senpai punned.

Wait…WHAT?

"THE HELL?!-IT'S NOT LIKE THAAAT!" I shouted containing my anger out of their sheer misinterpretation. I'm not going to tell the story of how I got rejected for goddamn's sake!

"Hai! Hai…" The rest, even Kuroko, nodded in agreement but damn, it doesn't even look like they're sinking that information in.

I slammed the palm of my hand onto my forehead. I need it. I need support for my aching head.

I sighed. "I was not rejected okay?"

"Hai~~~"

Seriously, did they really understood what I just said or are they just obediently nodding at everything that I say?

"Waah~~ this'll be good for our fan disk!" Aida-senpai suddenly squealed on top of her lungs.

I was watching coach twirl around and was still processing her weird actions. I never really comprehended what she meant –that is, until she pulled out a recorder and placed it like a mic near my mouth.

"Uh…EH?! Seriously?!" I shouted back at the coach, standing up in full protest. Cause no way. Noooo waaay in hell is my story going to be recorded NOW…is it?!

I am so ready to protest and ready to engage a heated argument until I felt shiver travel from my shoulder to all my body parts. Slowly and stiffly, I moved my head only to find coach's hand upon my shoulder ready to become crab pincers if I answer something wrong.

"Kagami-kun, do you know how much what you eat costs?!" Her eyes were crescent, and her lips are smiling up to her ears. But everything in her is covered with menacing aura. There's just no doubt how clear her intent to kill is if I answer it wrong. Damn. There's no right answer in this! That wasn't even a question to begin with.

Sweat dropped, I gulped. "M-my story…"

"Hai-hai! Now…SPILL." She solidly commanded as her eyes sparked like a hungry bear seeing food for the first time.

I took one deep breath and paused.

Shit this. I only intended to explain! How did I end up needing to tell the story?

Looking upon the table, all the attention of Seirin's team were fixed to my presence and mine alone. Their eyes, hungry for just one thing.

I exhaled.

Well, here goes nothing…

.../-/ Cue in: The Past /-/...

"Taiga… Taiga!"

I'm not really sure how we met. It's been four years and I don't even remember much of it. Although, I remember meeting with her brother a lot.

"What are you doing here you little rat? Go away! Don't play with us." His name is Kazu. He's got brown hair and eyes, white complexion, and a mole on the right side of his forehead. He's that typical type of guy that you would hate coz he's constantly being followed by all the girl's eyes and he certainly loves it. But, he's actually very friendly. Though he's a bit tactless, laid back, and would look as if he doesn't care about anyone but himself, in all honesty, he's a very kind and gentle person and cares deeply about everyone. I guess, it's coz of his position of being the big brother that he'd kind of treat everyone like his younger sibling…even me. But if you ask me, I would rather not have him as his brother if I'd be receiving the same line he just said to his sister now.

"Eh? But I want to play with you too!" His sister? Well…she's a big bundle of energy, always sticking around whenever we meet to play basketball. I didn't really mind much. They're always here for the summer and well, every summer, Himuro's usually away, so I'm pretty much fine with anything. As long as I could play basketball, I'm fine with anyone.

"No. can. do."

"Fine…if you don't want to play with me…then I'll just play with Taiga -let's go Taiga!"

"E-eeeh?!"

Every damn time Kazu rejects his little sister, she would cling onto my arms and strongly pull me away from where Kazu is, away from the court, towards where she'd feel for the moment, be it mall, beach, restaurants, parks…anywhere!

She's a handful. But I thought it'll be alright since she practically has no one to play with and my father always told me to be gentle with her. So I just rode down to her every expedition without care.

"Taiga! Let's go!"

"Eh-but-"

But then I soon realized, the more time I spend with her, the more I was drifting away from playing basketball with everyone. She's been pretty much occupying all of my free time that I never get to even dribble or touch a ball for the matter. Why, you asked? Coz whenever I try to play, she'll just go back and cling onto my arms and take me away…away from the court…away from the ball.

.

"Stop dragging me already! I don't want to go with you! I want to play basketball with Kazu!" One day I just had enough and snapped. I felt so drained of basketball that I ran out of patience and shouted back at her. Just like that, I left her at the convenience store to buy the ice cream – the type of sweet she's been craving for the moment –by herself and stomped my way back to the basketball court.

"Eh?..."

…

"Taiga! …Taiga!" Yet, she never gives up. Everytime I run away, she catches right back up and continuously calls my name as if I have no problem with her. AT ALL.

"Taiga! Taiga!"

"ARGH! WHAT- AAHHHH!" I think that was the time that I almost punched her in the face. Because the minute I turned to look at her, she poked my steaming cheek with her ice cream.

"Hahahahahahaha! You should have seen your face –haha!" She was laughing so hard in her own antic. But for me, it wasn't even funny.

I hate her. I hated her that time that I furiously balled my fist so I could punch her. But then…after watching her laugh, I realized I couldn't do it. She had a very melodious laugh. Her eyes were smiling concave like a crescent moon and…well…it's shimmering. I didn't know I could make her laugh enough to make her cry.

"Oi…Haruna…" I called her name. I just had to make sure it was really her who I am seeing.

As she finally settled down from laughing, she looked at me straight into the eye and smiled. At that time, I thought her smile seemed so fragile…that it could break anytime. It was bright, it was cheerful, but I'm not entirely sure if it's genuine.

"Taiga…" Then out of a sudden, she moved her hand to dot the ice cream onto my nose.

"Hahahaha! Nice to meet you Rudolph!"

"Why you….!"

"Hahahaha! No! You can't catch me you slow poke!"

"You'll seriously pay for that!" At that sudden moment, I forgot all my previous arguments. I ran after her and we circled over and over up until I could catch her and when I did, I just ended up wiping the ice cream all over her face. I didn't even leave after that. I forgot to leave. Instead I just asked her where she wanted to go next and just followed her like always…

I didn't realize back then…but I think that's the time I started falling for her.

.

They originally live in Canada but every summer, they visit their aunt in Los Angeles. Their aunt lives two blocks away from our house so meeting them wasn't really unexpected. Aside from that, her brother, Kazu, plays basketball a lot and he's actually good at it. He's defeated me a lot of times already so every summer, my one true goal to defeat Kazu comes to play. That's the reason why I anticipate summer. That's the reason why I'm always looking forward to seeing them…

But soon, I started to realize… that I find myself looking forward to seeing her…more…

"Taiga…Taiga!" She sung once again for the nth time that summer of my 2nd year in middle school.

I sighed. "You should really stop dragging me away from Kazu." I partly scolded though my voice kind of gave out how much I'm used to it.

She just smiled back, as if not hearing what I just said. "Taiga…I really like your name, didn't you know that?"

"Uh-"I stopped.

What she said, it's not –that's not what I think I heard right?

No. Impossible.

"It sounds a bit like Tiger…it's like I'm calling a tiger actually, a cuuuute tiger cub…haha...-Ah! Taiga you're red! Are you feeling well? Do you have a fever or something?"

She stopped, turned, and marched towards my position. I know. I know right then what she was about to do but my muscles tensed so badly that I took a step back just before I could let her touch me. Dammit! Why can't I control myself properly?

"ARGH! NO! Umm…I mean…it's because… it's hot! –YEAH THAT'S IT! I need water…I'll just go buy some water okay? Wait here."

"Eh?"

Sweat dropped, I tried to push out a smile and ran to the nearest convenience store I could find, leaving her there at the boardwalk. I can't help it. Ever since that time, I can't help but notice her more. And the more time I spend looking at her, the more I learn so much about her…

And the more I learn so much about her, the more I fall for her…

"That'd be $2.25"

I sighed.

Just what the hell am I doing?

Haruna Saizaki…she's the type of person who'd smile to anyone who'd call her name and just dote on them favorably. An idiot actually. She'd approach her friends happily and enthusiastically as if there's no end to her energy. She's kind and she'd deliberately show her kindness to almost everyone. She's like their source of laughter…of entertainment…of joy…

"I'm back…Haru-"

Yet…when she's alone…when all the people she knew were out of her sight, she'll stop smiling.

She'll just stare unto a horizon with a look of sadness and longing in her eyes.

Just like that…

I wanted to ask her…to know why she'd make such a face.

But whenever she gets sight of me…

"Uh, TAIGA! Look! Ice cream."

Everything was gone. Everything was covered back with that smile.

"Uh—yeah…you wanna buy one?"

At first I was curious…just curious. What was the reason for her to make such a face? Why is she hiding it? Why, despite the people around her, did she choose to be sad alone? Why? Did something happen to make her act that way?

At first, I clung on to her to find those answers…

But then I soon realized, those answers don't matter anymore…

My goal changed.

I didn't want her to answer those questions any longer…

What I want…is for her to stop making that face ever again.

What I want…is nothing more but her genuine smile.

.

"C'mon put up a fight Taiga!" Kazu demanded as he delivered a kick and a special power to my game character.

"Damn you Kazu! You just wait for my combo; you'll see the fight you're looking for." To be honest, I wasn't talking shit that day. The game that Kazu and I have been playing was the game I'm a master of: Shogunate Ranken. I've been playing that game ever since before I've become interested in basketball. I know every part of it, every combo codes and even cheat codes in it. Head to Toe.

But that noon, inside the Saizaki living room, I, Kagami Taiga, a proclaimed Master of Shogunate Ranken, was losing big time.

It didn't take awhile for me to figure out why though.

"Haha! Taiga, you're losing big time."

It's her. She's always the reason. All my problems roots back to her. She was not even supposed to be with us that day. She was supposed to be with her newly found L.A. friends. But she was there, probably because of the same reason why Kazu and I are indoors: too much heat.

Please do not get me wrong. I can handle her presence. I have no problem with her being with us boys…

BUT LYING BEHIND ME AND TWIRLING AND RUFFLING MY HAIR IS A DIFFERENT STORY!

I don't even know if she's conscious about what she's doing. Does she even know her fingers are twirling my hair?

Seriously, I know it might be nothing to her…BUT IT'S HELLA DISTRACTING ME!

"BANG! Haha! You loooose suckaa!" Kazu loudly expressed as he stood up and danced in victory.

"ARGGH!"

And I, Taiga Kagami, an all time Master of Shogunate Ranken, lost using my ace character for the very first time.

"REMATCH!" I highly protested. I was so upset partly because I let myself be distracted by that girl behind my back, that I threw the controller away from anyone's grip.

"REMATCH!" I repeated.

"Haha…no can do, Taiga."

"Eh-" I literally shivered as I heard her voice upon my ear. I was about to lean back when I suddenly saw her face almost centimeters away from mine. That's when I felt two arms upon my shoulder almost about to embrace me from the back…

"A….

…..AAAAAAAAAAARRRGHHH!"

There was a sudden rush. A tingling feeling that made me so uncomfortable that I sprung out of my place and ran to the farthest distance –in that case, to their door –and just literally stood there, frozen as I looked back at her. Seriously, what was that thing that she's about to do?!

She and Kazu blinked about twice as they looked back, estranged by my sudden action.

"What the hell are you doing huh Taiga?" It was Kazu who broke the silence.

"Yeah, Taiga. Stop fooling around." She added as she reached for the controller. "Don't worry about it. I'll avenge you from Kazu."

Eh?

Is the controller what she's been aiming for from the start?

"It's your first time playing this little sister. Think you could really defeat me?"

"Oh I'll crush you Kazu."

"Ha. Dream on little sister…dream on."

I watched as the two commenced their fight on screen. And as I felt my heart beat back to normal, I finally found the courage to move back and sit in front of her again.

…that's when it hit me…

From the day I met her, I never saw her play games with us. Sure she would take me away from Kazu and we'll spend some time strolling around beaches, cafeterias, streets, etc. and play games together, but that's just with me, alone.

So I came into the notion that maybe she hates playing with Kazu when I am around.

Yet, this certainly proved that notion wrong.

The way they played together, it's like it didn't matter even if I am here or not. It's like we've been playing since way before. Nothing new. Just same old things.

If Haruna's okay with both our company, then why can't she just hang around with the two of us while we play basketball on the court?

She's sporty after all. Kazu did mention that she played volleyball, soccer, and even badminton in Canada…

So why not play basketball with us?

…

"Does Haruna...hate basketball?" The curiosity was overwhelming me that I found myself asking that question to Kazu as I walked side by side with him on the way to the basketball court that afternoon.

Kazu looked back at me with his serious brown eyes. Sweat-dropped, I was already thinking of taking back my question and apologizing. Only, he suddenly shifted his look and, instead, gave one gentle smile back.

"No…" He answered casually while putting his hands inside his pockets.

His answer, however, just got me even more puzzled. "Then why-"

"-Why Haruna stays away at court? That's a puzzle even for me." He answered even before I could finish. Indeed, he had played the words right out of my mouth. Does he know how to read my mind?

"She used to watch me play every day though…"

I perked up as I heard him say that statement and searched for his eyes at once to confirm if it's true or not. He gave one sheepish smile but nodded in assurance.

"She did…but then one day, she just stopped coming…"

I walked beside him silently and waited for continuity, but as I heard nothing but the summer, ocean wind, I pressed for the question.

"Why?"

It took meaningful steps before I heard Kazu take a deep breath and answered. "I… honestly don't know. Before, when she sees the ball from my hands, it would only take seconds before she takes it off of me and shoot. But now, it's like it doesn't even exist in my hands."

There's an air of melancholy in his tone.

"I see…"

And that's all that I managed to say. I couldn't press the issue any further. If Kazu says he doesn't know then I'm left with no further questions to ask. But the thought did bug me. Haruna…she used to see Kazu play…she used to like basketball…

Before I realized it, we were already nearing our destination. Kazu initiated a stop and I followed unconsciously, still deep in my thoughts about Haruna. Why? So she used to hold a basketball and aim a shot? Then how come?

"Taiga…you like Haruna, don't you?"

…how come she stopped? What happened? -Uh.

Uh…

"EEEEEHH?!" That seriously came out of nowhere Kazu!

Kazu just gave back one vibrant smile. "I thought so!"

WAIT. WAIT. WAIT!

"NO! I mean…I – I…I… NO! I…Ha-haru—I-Ha…Haruna… I-" DAMN! What do I even intend to say?! I don't even know myself!

Kazu's eyes were crescent as he chuckled back at me. "Haha! Yeah. She's a handful isn't she?"

"HELL SHE IS!" I strongly answered back. Yeah! That's what I was aiming for!

"And loud."

"-LIKE AN AMBULANCE!"

"She's demanding"

"—MOOORE THAN A LITTLE KID!"

"And annoying."

"VEEEEEERY ANNOYING!"

"Yet you still like her."

"DAMN I DO!-Eh?"

"Eh?"

I stood there frozen.

No way.

No way in hell did I just admitted I like Haruna in front of her brother…

NO F**KIN WAY.

I couldn't even comprehend what Kazu's look is like. He seemed to be surprised. Who wouldn't?! It's his f**kin sister and I'm his f**kin friend! DAMN IT! CURSE THIS WORLD AND THIS-

"Pfft…HAHAHA!"

Wait a minute…

Is Kazu…laughing?

"Hahaha!"

Oh, he is laughing. Umm…should I be worried about this? Why is he laughing? Was it something I said? Who am I kidding it's definitely because I said it! But-but….

No- no. He could be cool with it. That laugh could mean he's cool with it, right? RIGHT?! Tell me he's cool with it because I just freakin' don't know what to do if he's not!

A warm hand that tapped my shoulder immobilized my whole sanity. It took me a lot of courage to mechanically turn my head towards the hand. But as I found Kazu's gentle smile with it, I was finally able to breathe.

"Haha…relax Taiga. I'm not gonna kill you or anything. If anything, I'm actually happy that it's you." Kazu stated with a gentle smile. At first I was skeptical about it but after seeing the genuine brotherly look he's always been giving me, I was finally able to give one long exhausted sigh.

"Arigatou…Kazu…"

Kazu chuckled. "Well at the first place, it's not like I could stop you even if I say so…"

"That's…well…"

"It'll be hard Taiga…" He added out of the blue which had me perk my head up to his direction.

I stared upon that brotherly smile of his. Somehow, his eyes started to look melancholic.

"I always thought 'he'll' be the only one who can fix it…but maybe…you can too."

"He'll be?"

Kazu gave one tight-lipped smile for a while then out of a sudden, cornered my neck with his arms to pull me down and give one rough noogie."Hai-hai! So are you up for the challenge?"

"Argh-ha-Hai!...desu…" I strongly answered to which Kazu released my head to have one boisterous laugh. I never really understood what Kazu meant that time. It was puzzling. Aside from receiving Kazu's noogie, my head was actually still recovering from the shock of what I had just blurted out. I did not understand what he meant by "he" or if it was really what he said…the only thing I understood that night, is that being with Haruna is a challenge. But I have known about that for years. Yeah...I'll take up any challenge...

...and I'll try my best to be good enough for her.

.

The next day was one of the times in summer, where Haruna didn't separate me from Kazu or from the court. She was busy playing beach volleyball with Angelica –a friend she met this year. Actually, it's quite amazing to think that her circle of friends here in Los Angeles is slowly starting to get big. The days we spend together is decreasing little by little. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for her to find such friends. And I am more than happy to get back on court with Kazu. But sometimes, I tend to miss it…the days we spend together just the two of us…basking in the sun, walking by the beach, strolling by the mall, hanging by the park…

RRRRIIIINNNG!
Kazu's loud ringtone literally had the whole team pause their play on the court.

"Kazu, hurry up and answer your phone!" One of my teammates whined.

"Yes, yes! Answering it already-hello?" I wasn't really paying much attention to Kazu that time. The minute he stepped out of the court, he was temporarily subbed and so we continued the game. I was rapidly dribbling the ball and heatedly trying to enter inside the 2-point court to score when suddenly…

"WHAT?! HARUNA?!" My focus was deliberately broken after hearing Kazu's anxious voice shout that name. It was as if I was caught off guard that every part of my body froze at once, disabling to control or let alone, dribble the ball.

"I'LL BE RIGHT THERE!" Kazu shouted then rapidly, walked out of the court.

I was frozen. Literally frozen. In just a second, a million thoughts popped inside my head –and not even one of them sounded well. I couldn't move my limbs…but I have to…HARUNA!

"Taiga, what are you-OI! Come back!"

And just like that, I bounced the ball to pass unto my teammate and ran. I couldn't control it. My body is moving on its own. For once, playing basketball and winning didn't matter to me. I didn't care if my teammate received the ball or if our opponent managed to steal it. Heck, I didn't even care if they win! I just let the ball go.

"Sorry! Sub! Go on without me." I bid as I ran after Kazu.

.

.

.

"Damn you Angelica! I almost died in anxiousness!"Kazu scolded at once as we arrived by the medic booth at the beach boardwalk.

"Well that's because she was absolutely crying in pain and I don't know what to do!" The blonde defended herself.

Kazu took a deep breath then exhaled to calm himself down. He then went towards Haruna sitting by the chair with her left foot wrapped in bandage. Silently, he placed his hand upon her hair and like a strike of lightning, he roughly ruffled it. "You! Careless, clumsy, naughty, seriously stupid little sister. You! YOU CLUMSY -YOU!" He wildly expressed in pent up stress.

"Waah-sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean it to happen okay? It was such a nice game after all and well…" She couldn't continue since she basically has no excuse at all.

Kazu sighed."Seriously…do you know how worried Taiga and I were?!"

Suddenly, her brown eyes blinked. "Taiga?"

And soon enough, all their eyes landed unto me.

I couldn't move.

I just couldn't.

Cause if I did, my legs might give up on me.

To be honest my mind is only filled with one thing right now.

Her.

And thinking that something really bad just happened to her…

…it's frightening…

"Taiga?" Her call from the booth has somehow disrupted my thinking. She looked at me, smiling cheerfully and meekly.

"You look really pale! Let's check your blood pressure here! I know how to use this blood pressure monitor." She suggested with that clear, loud, gentle voice of hers. But to be honest, none of that was sinking in. I was still at a daze. I'm at a daze at her cheerful, energetic, smiling face…looking back at me.

"Ta~i~gaaaa!" And with that call, I finally decided to snap out of my fear.

Finally, I felt myself regaining strength as every part of my senses started to calm down.

"Mou~ Taiga! You know I can't walk towards you! Come here you idiot!"

I smiled. "Hai-hai! You're very demanding aren't you?" And finally, I felt comfort and warmth deep within.

That roller coaster of emotions that I felt? That's all it takes…

She's all it takes…

I sat by the table beside her and rapidly, eyed her with doubt.

"Are you sure you know how to use this?" Because I just can't sink in the thought that she knows medical stuff at all –being as clumsy as she is.

"Hai-hai." She breathily answered as she tucked her dark brown hair behind her ears and placed her hands upon my arms to wrap a Velcro around it.

Seeing her closely, I can't help but just stare back at her face. Her long eyelashes, her big dark brown eyes, her rosy skin…damn…she's so beautiful.

"Oh, you're biceps sure got big now…"

"Uh…yeah… I guess so…" Who the hell would be prepared for that sudden comment? I know I wasn't. Since when did this girl paid attention to my body?! Curse it. I'm feeling warmth in my face. Not sure if it's evident in my face but if it is, I hell hope no one noticed.

"Pfft…haha…" Damn you Kazu!

"What are you chuckling out there for Kazu?" Haruna asked a bit interested, definitely clueless.

"Nothing ~ nothing… oh Angelica, can you accompany me to buy some food for these idiots?" He asked the blond in his right.

"Sure, I don't mind."

"One cheese burger for me, ten for Taiga! A regular lemonade and a large cold orange juice for drinks!" Haruna voluntarily rose her hands up to state our order. Somehow I was struck for a moment there. It's been a year since we last took a meal together…but she still said the correct order right out of my mouth.

"Got it. Bye~" I swear every part of me that told Kazu about that information. Just what the hell is with that sly look and smile?

…

We're alone…

It's been a long time since we've been alone together like this…

I can feel my heart beat really fast...

Damn! It's beating really fast!

Seriously? It's not because of her, is it?

No. Who am I kidding?! There couldn't be any other reason!

Damn it! Why do I have to be alone with her?!

"Taiga?"

"Ah-yeah?"

"This is bad…"

"Eh?"

"Your blood pressure…it's 137/85…it's a bit high. I thought you were anemic but I was wrong! I shouldn't have ordered you ten cheeseburgers. You might develop hypertension."

"E….EEHHH?!" No! It's not because of what I eat! Definitely not because of that...the main reason why my blood pressure is fast…it's because…

My train of thought was suddenly cut off the second I felt warmth in my hand. As I looked down and found the source of warmth to be Haruna's hand, I couldn't help but gulp –really deep. I could almost hear my heartbeat through my ears!

Suddenly, from my hand, she then transferred her hand to my head to look at me in the eye.

"Taiga, you're really red right now. Are you okay? How are you feeling?"

I couldn't move my mouth to answer. My stomach's been tumbling so much that I feel like vomiting. Who knows, maybe I am sick. I couldn't move, I couldn't sigh and I couldn't even catch my breath.

I just watched her as she moved her hands to examine the color of my lower eyelids. In her eyes, I caught my own reflection.

I knew it. I knew all along that she was just checking up on my health…but damn! Why can't I stop myself from this feeling?!

"Oh! You're still here?" One of the medical nurse suddenly went out of the booth to check outside.

"Oh, Nurse Jane I need your help! Can you please double check? His blood pressure is high!" Haruna was definitely panicking in concern.

The auburn-haired, blue scrub-suited nurse looked from Haruna, then to me. "I see…indeed, you look flushed –but it could also be because of the heat.. Why don't you come inside for a second young man? Let me check on you for a moment."

I don't want to leave Haruna outside, but if it'll ease her consciousness, I have to go. So without hesitation, I stood up and followed her.

The outside booth may have looked small but the inside is incredibly spacious. Who would have thought there'll be a space enough for a doctor's office inside? There's even two beds complete with monitors and oxygen tanks and stuffs. This small facility sure is ready.

"Sit, young man." She ordered to which I adhered at once and seated at the chair before the reception table. Quickly, she placed two fingers unto my wrist and began monitoring my heart rate at once. After a few seconds, she looked weirdly at me. "Well would you look at that, your flush is all gone."

Then…out of a sudden, her eyes sparked and before I knew it…she was glaring at me -threatening as if there's something I know that she didn't know: something I was keeping from her. I gulped as I felt her dark aura embrace me in cold shudder. YES! I really am keeping something from you! I'm keeping something from everyone!

"Did you…by any means-"

"-Damn it! Yes I do like her! I do like her! I do! But she can't know. She mustn't know! She can't –just not yet. Please?" I made it rapid and my eyes were literally shut as I begged in front of her.

After hearing nothing but silence, I tried to open my eyes slowly…only to find the nurse staring back at me.

She blinked a few more times, and when I thought it was nothing for her, she suddenly burst out laughing. "Hahahahhaa! Well isn't that great for you boy?! Haha! I was about to ask if you happen to ran all the way here but this is so much better! Hahaha! Who would've thought? Haha"

"ARGH~"

I bowed my head down and covered my eyes with my hands in embarrassment while nurse Jane took an ample amount of time on her laugh. I'm pretty sure of it –I'm beet red. Curse this nurse. She had me just as Kazu did! Curse those medical equipments! Curse everything that has to do with heart rates!

"Haha! Well, aren't you an honest man? Hahaha!"

Yeah, yeah…stop laughing already! I don't need your laughing right now. Haruna's injured outside and all alone. It wouldn't take a lot of time before she-…!

"Young man, where are you going?" The nurse suddenly grabbed my elbow to stop me from moving out.

"It's okay now right?" I asked, in my voice was a trace of impatience.

"Indeed I find your heart rate normal, but even so, I need to double check on your blood pressure."

"But she's alone out there…"

She's alone out there…

All the people she knows were out of sight…

She'll stop smiling…again…

Those sad, longing eyes, looking at the horizon…

I don't want her to make that face again…

The nurse, looking at my face, lightly knocked me at my head. "Hey, she's just outside. And don'cha worry, this won't take more than a minute."

"But-ow!"

That sudden flick on my forehead was about to get me on rampage but after seeing the nurse's warm smile, I tried to hold back."Young man if I don't do this, you know what the-girl-who's-all-alone-outside would say right?"

She'll be mad.

She'll definitely hit me ten times worse than this.

And she'll hate me –probably…

I looked at the nurse. "It won't take more than a minute?"

"It won't take more than a minute." She replied complacently.

I stopped thinking.

I sat down.

And just counted the seconds it took for my blood pressure to be taken.

…

I stiffened the minute I stepped outside the clinic. Not because I saw Haruna talking to a female kid but because that female kid is carrying that thing.

THAT THING.

THAT THING!

Why does THAT thing have to be there?!

"So? How was it?"

Haruna happily turned to me, smiling brightly as she holds THAT THING fondly onto her arms.

I took a step back, feeling my sweat dropping.

From THAT THING, she moved her eyes towards me. Her eyes narrowed, examining every part and reason as to why I am still there. It didn't take a moment before she laughed. "Haha! Taiga? You can't possibly still be afraid of dogs because of what Chelsea did right?"

YES. YES I STILL AM.

"Come meet this one! She's so white that they named her Snowball! Cute right?"

Haruna's eyes battled at me with a smile and as much as I would want to be by her side right now, I can't.

Cause no... NO WAY IN HELL IS THAT THING CUTE.

AND NO WAY IN HELL AM I EVER GOING TO GO TOUCH THAT THING WITH MY HAND!

"I think I'll just pass…"

With trembling feet, I gathered up the courage to take another step back.

Yes…I think I better go back inside the clini—

"Oh Taiga? Going back? Aren't you that eager to go outside?" And if it wasn't for my luck, Nurse Jane bumped me from the back to ask that question.

"Oh! Nurse Jane! How was it?" Haruna asked, now finally deciding to hand THAT THING back to the little kid.

"Well, see you and Snowball around!" She talked to THAT THING, helped the little kid put a leash on THAT THING then waved goodbye to the both of them.

FIIIINALLY!

I sighed but regretted it the second after. Why? Coz I swear I could feel the look the nurse was giving me even without looking back at her.

"110/70. It's perfectly normal Haruna, no need to worry." The nurse answered. "I think the blood pressure monitoring equipment you used is this one…you know it's broken, don't you?" She added after reading Haruna's puzzled expression.

"Oh, so that's how it is!" Haruna's smile suddenly came back after that realization.

"Haha. Well then Haruna…remember, that's a 2nd degree sprain. You need about 3 to six weeks for it to be fully healed. Take care of yourself okay?" The nurse bid. She then looked at me before going inside. "Take care of her okay?" She added with a sly smile then went back inside the booth after that.

I sighed.

It felt like I just played three different league of basketball games today –feeling the three different levels of unrest.

…

…

I'm so tired….

*Sigh*

"Haha, Taiga, aren't you sighing a bit too much today?" She more of informed, partly amused.

I sternly looked back at her.

'Whose fault do you think it is?'

As if I could say that to her.

"W-why? Did I say something bad?"A hesitant smile in response to my glare.

We both stayed like that for a couple of minutes until I finally decided to just roughly ruffle her hair in a straight mess just as what Kazu did.

"Aaargh! Heeeey!" She complained but it's not like she could do anything. I'm way stronger than her.

…

We're alone…again.

And even if I don't look back, I could certainly feel her eyes curiously observing me.

But I couldn't blame her, with only two of us here, definitely her attention will only be fully focused on me.

But what do I do?!

Sigh. Don't be nervous Taiga. Strike up a conversation. You can do it. Take it slow and normal.

"K-Kazu…and Angelica, are taking a long time buying us food, aren't they?" There you go! Good job.

Haruna smiled. "Kazu's a turtle after all." What the—how could she breeze that sentence easily?

Awkward silence.

Seriously? How do I stop this? Since when did it turn out like this? Kazu! Hurry up and come back!
"Taiga?"

"Uh-hai?" I scratched the back of my head as I responded to her call, deliberately aiming to focus my eyes anywhere but hers. No way in hell am I gonna look upon those deep, shining, beautiful brown eyes of hers!

"Can you walk me to the beach?" It was a faint whisper, but I still heard it.

"Huh?" I rapidly turned my eyes to look upon her face. She's wearing back that melancholic face of hers.

"No…nothing…nevermind." She more of whispered with a coy smile.

I stared at her for a moment. What's with walking to the beach? Is it because the sun's about to set soon?

From the view of the beach, my red eyes turned back unto her brown ones, then finally, I knelt down in front of her.

"Hop on."

"H-huh?"

"You want to see the sun set right? I'll take you to the beach."

It took a few seconds, but she finally clung unto my shoulders and rode unto my back.

I walked upon the shoreline. My shoes hanging upon my neck, my feet touching the now warm seawater, my back, carrying Haruna.

She wasn't even heavy at all. She was too light I could easily throw her to a 3 meter distance away from me…and yes that's me confidently speaking.

"Taiga…"

"Hmm?"

"How tall are you?"

Well that was a random question. "6'1'' why?"

"Nothing…" Her voice almost faded with the sea breeze. "I didn't know you're this tall already…"

It was a faint whisper…but I heard it just right.

"Well…there's your sunset." I pointed towards the orange sun, a small ship away from touching the horizon. It was beautiful. It was serene.

Soon I felt a hand ruffling -actually, more of massaging, my head. Seriously, what is running in this girl's mind now?

"Oi, Haruna…what are you doing?" Because I just can't grasp why she's starting to do these things again.

"I really like your red hair…" She answered, sniffing my hair. Then, suddenly, I felt it… I felt her lips upon my crown.

Nope.

No.

Not good.

Did she just kiss it?

NO.

It must've been my imagination! I should stop thinking these things, right?

And as if it isn't going anywhere good, I suddenly felt her breath at the nape of my neck…IT IS sending spines all over my body!

Haruna, I'm seriously carrying you right now and if you do something like this...you better stop.

Because right now, you're making my body deliberate between running away from you and keeping you closer!

"Taiga?"

This is bad.

I'm too flustered I can't utter a single word.

"Taiga?"

C'mon Taiga. Just a sound. Just. A. Sound.

"Ah…hmm?" Good! You did it.

Soon I felt her whole body embrace me fully, her chest, damn pressing on my back, her face, leaning on my shoulder, and her breath, softly tickling my ear!

"Thank you…"

Damn.

F**kin Damn.

Her voice was soft, and gentle...it was too cute.

Just how the hell am I supposed to react to that?

Good thing she was facing my back right now.

'Cause there is no way in hell am I ever gonna have her see me like this.

No way in hell.

"Aaaand?" Aida-senpai seemed to be very much caught on the story as everyone else is.

"Well…" But really, there isn't really much of a story…and quite frankly speaking, there's not much to continue…

"Well~~?!" They repeated.

I sighed. "And well, after that they went back to Canada…and then the fight with Himuro started and then my dad was appointed here so then I spent the next school and summer years here in Japan; then I enrolled in Seirin and…that's it."

They blinked a couple of times…it took them about five seconds, but they finally sank it in. "THAT'S IT?!"

I bowed my head down. "That's it…desu..."

"WHAAAT?!"

And so goes back the questioning.

"You didn't confess to her?!"

How many times do I have to say it to be clear?

"I didn't."

"You didn't get rejected?!"

Again with that idea?

"You didn't see each other again?!"

Looking back…yeah, now that I think about it. "Umm…yeah we haven't seen each other since then…desu…"

"Did you tell her about Japan?"

Hmm… "I told Kazu…desu..."

Somehow, the attacks are coming in really fast I couldn't even comprehend the other questions that much. But I didn't really mind. That was in the past after all. She must've been busy now dealing with her own high school problems in Canada.

"Kagami-kun…" Kuroko suddenly cut my train of thought as he appeared to be the only one paying attention to me as the others started another debate of whatever information they have gathered from me. "What would you do if you come to see her here in Japan too?"

My eyes dilated at that question. Now that I think about it, I never thought I'd see Himuro here…but no way…there's no way is it?

"What are you saying Kuroko? No way. She's busy in Canada. There's no way she'll visit Japan at this point in time." I wanted to sound sure, myself. But I couldn't.

Kuroko just blinked in reply.

"But what if you saw her?" And out of a sudden, Koganei senpai popped out from somewhere.

"Or someone that looks like her?" Tsuchida-kun added.

"Are you going to confess your feelings?" Furihata completed.

Damn these guys. Do I really need to go through all these questions?

I sighed. Really, she's too far away. It's not as if she'll just suddenly arrive at Japan and barge at my door…right?

RIGHT?

...

AN: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke

There is another red head character in Kuroko no Basuke after all so it is in no surprise that he is included in a Kuroko no basuke fanfiction story that's entitled "Red." lol. So yes. You've got it. Basically this is a Kagami x Haruna x Akashi story...I'll add some traces of GOM love stories later on (I'll reveal some hints of the other pairings on the next chapter) and this scene happened during the time Momoi visited Kuroko in Seirin, just before Winter Cup. Also, I can't help but base this on the fan disc because those things are just too funny and I opt to write something a little light after everything that happened from the first chapter.

Anyway, sorry if it took so long before I uploaded this. Actually I wasn't planning on continuing this story but Last Game happened and I just can't contain the fangirl inside me so...yeah. I'll be uploading the next chapter soon. Don't worry. ^_^

Thank you so much for reading this fanfiction of mine. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please do leave a review. You don't know how much those reviews mean to me. Also if you've got some suggestions, please feel free to message me. I'll be willing to work with whatever idea you've got.

Again thank you so much. Have a nice day! ^_^