A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I wasn't in the mood for this story, and it's a bit hard for me to go backwards as WYD is far ahead. :)
There might be some mistakes as I'm impatient to update, but I'll edit later...
Enjoy! :)
She was powerful, not because she wasn't scared but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear.― Atticus Poetry
I don't care if you're black, white, straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian, short, tall, fat, skinny, rich or poor. If you're nice to me, I'll be nice to you. Simple as that. ― Robert Michaels MD - 2007 - Graduation Speaker
A good friend keeps your secrets for you. A best friend helps you keep your own secrets. ― Lauren Oliver , Before I Fall
We need to look back sometimes and realize the past taught us to appreciate our future. ― Simone Elkeles, Chain Reaction
It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. ― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson in His Journals
"Did something happen?" Aya asked her in the morning.
"W-why?" Kiku blinked at her in surprise. "I-I-I'm f-fine." She muttered. But no, she wasn't fine. After dragging that huge senpai, whoever it had been, to the ground, she felt like digging a hole and hiding from the entire world in it. She was trying to forget the incident the best she could.
And they'd known her name! She dreaded running into those two boys again.
"Hmm…" The reddish eyes stared at her intensely. "You sure? If there's something bothering you, you can talk to me, you know."
"H-h-how am I g-going to p-present?" She asked to change the topic into one she was more comfortable with. It'd be weird to talk about her unbearable balance issues.
"Huh?"
"T-the h-h-history project." She cleared and looked at her folded hands. "I-I-I d-don't want to ruin Ishii-kun's mark…"
Right we have some history project… She thought and glanced at Aomine, who was staring out of the window. "Well… How about you train in front of some audience?" She suggested. "I think that Kano, Sakurai and even Satsuki would make some free time during the weekend to go out with us. It's better to have more people, right? And if you manage that…"
"Y-y-you think i-it could h-h-help?"
"100% and if not, well… It's just 15 minutes of humiliation. You'll survive, like everything else." She smiled.
"R-r-right…"
Kano and Ishii returned from the vending machine, bringing tea to everyone. Even Aomine got one and Ishii wasn't sure if it wasn't just Kano trying to bribe the ace to come to practise. Personally, he couldn't care less, and even if Aomine truly was amazing, he wouldn't tolerate those constant insults he spat towards everyone.
"Kiku-chan?" Ishii asked as he was handing her a peach tea.
"?" She blinked at him in question.
"Can we continue the history project today? You don't have the club today, and well… I asked the captain and I can skip some of the practise. We should get it done as soon as possible."
"O-okay. I can. B-but…" She looked away. Being stared at, never did her any good.
"But?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
"I-I-I n-need to l-leave sooner." She bit her lower lip apologetically. "S-sorry?"
He sighed in relief. He had expected something worse. "Sure. No problem."
######
"Still thinking about Kiku-chan?" Shun teased his best friend as they were occupying Shun's balcony in the evening.
"Err…" Kousuke yawned. "Not so much…"
They were supposed to work on some project, but were currently taking a break. Shun took it as his personal agenda to keep Kousuke's grades better than passable. Of course the two formed the necessary 'homework-team' again. They were the best combination as they lived in the same apartment complex and were best friends.
Shun yawned. The practise that day was particularly harsh as they were preparing for an upcoming practise match. It was rather difficult to manage club activities, committee activities, family activities, job (at least in Shun's case) and homework.
"So in other words you are. Really… Just talk to her. Ask Aya-chan to introduce you, or something. Those two are friends."
"You've seen her, no? She's scared shitless of both of us." He muttered, laying down and resting his long legs against the railing.
"Language." Shun scolded him with a chuckle and sipped from his tea. "Maybe because we're just too big? Compared to her… And she did drag you down… She's probably mortified, embarrassed, and wishes to hide in a hole somewhere."
"You understand girls surprisingly well…" He grumbled in response. "And wouldn't you mind, anyways?"
"Eh? Why would I?" He asked.
Kousuke raised an eyebrow and glanced at his best friend. "Well… because…" He really didn't want to say it. Some part of him hoped it hadn't been true, because Shun could just pretend so well, in front of everyone, probably.
Shun laughed. "Oh, no. You're not like me. And you are my best friend. I can only support you. So… No stupid thoughts, got it?"
"Asking Aya-chan to introduce us, you say?"
"Why not? I can see no harm there. And look, Kiku-chan is in one class with Aomine and she survives every day."
"I'll think about it… Maybe." He blushed terribly and looked away. He was probably an idiot. The little girl wouldn't look at him at all.
"Aya-chan, Kiku-chan, wanna join us for a lunch outside?" Kano asked. "You too, Sakurai, if you want."
"Sure." Aya decided for both girls.
Kiku just nodded. Aya seemed to use every opportunity to socialise Kiku, if she didn't raise an objection immediately. And honestly, she didn't mind it. If Aya wasn't there, she'd probably decline to have a lunch with the boys alone, but like this... It was easier. She felt reassured and safe with Aya around.
"I can?" Sakurai blinked at him. "Ah, sorry, I thought…"
Kano rolled his eyes at the apology. "Stop apologising and move those legs. Come on."
"Right away! Sorry for holding you up! I'm sorry." He grabbed his lunch and sprang up to his feet.
Aya sighed. "You too, come on." She nudged Aomine, who looked like he was taking a nap on his makeshift pillow.
"Hm?" He glanced at the redhead, and Kiku would swear he hadn't been really sleeping.
"Come have lunch with us." She repeated with heavenly patience.
He sighed, but surprisingly he got up and followed after the redhead; observing her every move and Kiku wasn't sure if it was just interest, or amazement. She feared Aomine, because he had that kind of aura and that constant frown or scowl on his face, but he didn't look as scary when he was with Aya. He noticed her and those stormy eyes threatened to crush her weak self.
She quickly cast her gaze down to her feet. She couldn't withstand the pressure of his pointed stare. It made hew wonder what Aya was made of, because she didn't seem bothered by Aomine's glares, or rude behaviour in the slightest.
"Hey! You going to eat outside?!" A bubbly voice reached them.
Kiku peeked from behind Ishii to see the pinkette waving at the group. It was probably Momoi Satsuki, Aya had mentioned and the one she'd met at the lockers couple of times, though the girls never did any proper introduction.
"Yeah!" Aya waved back. "Join us if you want."
"I'll fetch my lunch and I'll be right there!" She called out, turned on her heel and bounced towards her classroom to grab her lunch.
They found a nice cosy table under the trees in the school's garden. It was the first time for Kiku to eat with so many people. Satsuki joined them soon after and she sat opposite Kiku. Aomine was sitting on the other side, at the very end of the table, opposite Aya.
"I'm Momoi Satsuki!" She smiled at Kiku. "Sorry, I haven't properly introduced myself earlier. So rude of me!"
"I-i-it's f-fine." Kiku tried to smile back, and hoped it wasn't some sort of a 'retarded seal' smile. "I-I'm O-ohno Kiku." She hated when she stuttered over her own name; mainly when the pinkette did nothing wrong, except that she seemed to be such a gentle and nice girl. Well… There was something slightly calculating in those magenta eyes staring right at her. But she was one of the best basketball analysts out there – according to Aya at least – so she needed to be a little bit calculating and canny.
"Kiku-chan! Such a beautiful name! I love those flowers." Satsuki smiled encouragingly. She had no idea why this little girl was stuttering, but she guessed it must've had some reason. But Aya-chan was a friend of them both, so Satsuki was convinced that Kiku was a good person. A worthy friend.
Kiku blushed under the praise and looked at her food.
"Satsuki-chan! What about the other team? Where are we playing tomorrow?" Kano asked curiously.
"Well, at Kitamiya – all boys' high school. They aren't a strong team per se, but they asked for the match, so why not? The regulars should be the ones playing, but who knows? Maybe you'll get a chance in the match too."
"Really?! That's awesome! What kind of plays are they specialities?" He asked further, which lured Satsuki into extensive explanation as she was analysing the team despite the coach's ban.
For Kiku it was a completely foreign ground. She had no idea about basketball, or its rules; definitely not the positions. But she kept half-listening while eating her lunch. It wasn't bad to be around people after all. She could forget those bully notes, which were getting more and more creative.
At some point, Wada-chan stopped by the group, to inform Kiku that she'd skip the cooking club in the afternoon, because of a project she needed to do. Kiku didn't really mind it, as she would cook on her own, hopefully, without any problems.
After that she got lots of questions regarding the cooking club and her clubmates. The boys seemed to have enough patience with her stuttering and the more she had to talk, the easier it was and she stuttered less too.
"Oi!" Aomine almost shouted, startling everyone. "What's so funny? I just asked a question!"
"Oh boy…" Satsuki muttered and glanced at the two curiously, not sure if they were arguing, or if it was just Aomine-kun surprised by something.
"Let me guess… Satsuki told you?" Aya asked and looked at the pinkette shortly, who made an instant apologetic face – not really sure why, it was a reflex.
"Who else? Was that a secret?" He asked tilting his head and staring at Aya.
Kiku gasped, if it were her, she'd probably pass out from such an intense stare. But Aya was staring back calmly.
"Not really." She said nonchalantly.
"So you do dance?"
"Dance?" Kano and Ishii exchanged confused glances and observed the duo. Even Sakurai seemed perplexed by this new information. Kiku was baffled. Don't they know?
"Yes. I do. Any problem with that?" She admitted.
"It's not a sport." Aomine mumbled and disappointment was lacing his deep voice.
"True. It's not just a sport. It's so much more." Aya winked at him and got up. "We should head back if we want to be on time for afternoon classes." She looked at everyone with her usual smile and headed back towards the school.
"Did you know, Aya-chan dances?" Satsuki asked curiously, aligning her step with Kiku. "You weren't surprised like the boys."
"Ah… Y-yeah. S-she told me some time ago…" So Momoi-san is good at observing too…
"Same here. But Aomine-kun is just so rude. How come he doesn't consider it a sport? I bet he wouldn't be able to do anything like Aya-chan surely can." She puffed her cheeks, scolding her childhood friend even if he couldn't hear her.
"Shut up, Satsuki!" He growled at her from the front.
She stuck out her tongue but remained quiet. His hearing is too good…
######
Typing on her phone, Aya wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings. She was heading to the bathroom during the last short break and dealing with some mails along the way. As if it wasn't enough that the jerseys for the team were delivered incorrectly and the whole order was messed up, now an urgent work had to pop up as well.
She believed she had the way engraved in her feet already. She opened the door without looking at the sign, which clearly said 'STORAGE'. The room was relatively dark and something jumped and yelped as she barged in.
She looked up from her phone and it nearly fell out of her hands.
She stared at two boys making out in the storage room. And they, equally startled and terrified, stared back at her.
"Uhm…" She started.
"See?! This why I didn't want to do it here in the first place!" A shorter one of them, judging by the shoes a third year, shouted at the other, who happened to be Tada Shun from the basketball club.
The fact that it was Tada-senpai made Aya a bit more surprised than she'd be. "Sorry? I didn't want to interrupt?" She shrugged and turned around to leave.
"We're done!" The third year shouted and stormed past Aya, hastily fixing his clothes, before she could make her run.
"Well… Quite humiliating." Tada sighed and drove his fingers through his hair. His shirt and buckle were undone, he had a hickie on his chest and overall he looked dishevelled. At least his erection disappeared with the heart-attack Aya had caused him.
"Uhm… I'm really sorry for ruining your relationship?"
He raised an eyebrow at her and laughed. "A relationship? This? Oh, please. If it had been a relationship he wouldn't have run away like that." He was truly amused by the girl. "By the way, is that your only worry?"
"And what else should be my worry?" She stuffed the phone into her pocket, inwardly swearing she'd never walk around like a zombie while typing on her phone.
"Uh… That I was here with a guy?"
"And?"
"It should be… disgusting for others?"
She sighed. "I'm surprised, yes. I actually thought you had a girlfriend, senpai. You lied then! Buut… It's none of my business really. You're not the only one swinging the other way that I know of… so… I don't mind at all."
"Your acquaintance network is starting to worry me, Aya-chan."
A broad grin appeared on her face. "Well, it might be a bit worrisome at times, but, if you need some help or whatever, I'm fine with it."
"Will you keep this for yourself? I don't want to freak out the team." He said sheepishly. The last thing he wanted was his team whispering about him and avoiding him, or turning against him and bullying him because he was gay. It could easily happen with some of the guys. Another reason, why he'd refused the offer to be a vice-captain.
"I've never intended to say it to anyone." She smiled. "But can I have one question? Just out of curiosity…"
"Well… There's nothing more embarrassing than this. Shoot." He shrugged and reached to button up his shirt to fix his appearance.
"Does Wakamatsu-senpai know?" She asked, knowing that the two were best friends, but…
"Yeah. It almost ruined the friendship, as I was kinda into him at the time… but… He is too kind sometimes and worries too much, so. We are still friends with sleepovers and all. I don't know how to explain this to Yuuta though… Ah, Kousuke's younger brother."
"When the time comes?" She shrugged. "Nice to hear he didn't abandon you."
"It was a very difficult time for me then…" He sighed. "Well, I think you didn't barge here intentionally?"
"Ah! Bathroom!" She remembered she needed to pee really bad. "Sorry!" She saluted and ran.
"I'll get you to tell me something in exchange though, Aya-chan." He muttered and left the storage room as well; heading back to his class.
######
"I've been found out." Tada announced grimly to Kousuke, Imayoshi and Susa. The only guys who had known and respected his secret.
The four were alone in the changing room after practise. Some first and second years were still in the gym, but Aya-chan was keeping them occupied so there was no reason to expect a barge in, or eavesdropping.
Imayoshi blinked at him in surprise, Tada was way too careful about his sexual orientation for someone to 'figure him out' that easily. "Who are we burying then?" He asked.
Shun laughed. Yep, these were his friends. "No one, unless you're willing to murder Aya-chan… And I don't think that's an option."
"So our manager, huh?" He mused and sat on a bench.
"How did that happen?" Susa asked him curiously.
"She walked in on me, and Ryuu-san making out in a storage room. There was no possible way to lie my way out so…"
"And her reaction?" Kousuke asked with a deep frown settling on his face.
"Actually?" He laughed. "She apologised for 'ruining my relationship', because the idiot yelled at me and stormed out. Other than that, she said she knew some other gays and that she'd keep it a secret and would help me if I needed it." He shrugged. "I was dumbfounded. And I don't really mind her knowing. She seems to be a good person."
"Eh?" They all blinked at Shun in surprise. "That's actually nice." Imayoshi added.
"I thought so too. But… I'll need some incentive."
"You should've thought about it sooner, you know." Imayoshi said with a frown. "Haven't I taught you anything?"
"Yeah, yeah… There was no time to interrogate her in any way."
"Tell us what you get then."
"No can do captain." Shun smiled slyly. "If I want her to keep my secret, I'll have to keep hers. That's the point of incentives, no?"
"Then I've taught you way too well…"
When the practice match – much disappointing to say - was over the school driver drove them back to school, where they dispatched. Aya went to a cafeteria near the station with Satsuki. The boys followed them, and waited until the girls were done. Wakamatsu protested several times, he felt like a creepy stalker, but Tada persuaded him they needed to talk with Aya that day. And when she said goodbyes with Satsuki, they were waiting for her just around a corner.
"Waiting for me like birds of prey?" She worded out the sudden strained feelings. "What have I done?" She stared straight at Tada-senpai.
Shun laughed. "Nothing at all, Aya-chan. We just want to ask you a favour."
"Okay?" She asked warily. "I'm listening."
"You're going to the station, right? Let's go." Wakamatsu nodded with a slight blush and started heading off. He felt like an idiot.
"Kousuke." Tada called out his name meaningfully. "This is your agenda, not mine."
He shuddered, blushing even more. What was he even doing? "Errrr…"
"Fine." She said in an 'I've had enough of this' tone. "What is going on? You're freaking me out senpais."
"Kousuke had, finally, found a girl who caught his interest…"
"Shun, don't." He warned his friend, suddenly getting cold feet.
"Urgh, right. You won't even meet her if you keep running away. Well, he wanted to ask if you could arrange some subtle introduction, because he is an idiot and he is scared of approaching her. Or asking your assistance, which is, I think, utterly stupid." He explained shortly.
"Oh…" She blinked at both. "If I know the girl, I think it shouldn't be a problem. Who are we talking about here?"
Wakamatsu aligned his steps with them, to hear everything properly, but now he was blushing like a tomato. This was more embarrassing than he'd thought. He wouldn't have been able to ask Aya-chan like that.
"Kousuke?" Shun raised an eyebrow at his friend. "I'm not doing everything in your stead, vice-captain." He nudged him.
"I believe her name was Ohno Kiku-san." He said and looked at his feet.
Aya made an 'Oh' face. "That's…" It surprised her. True, she'd been thinking a bit about this, but now it was real and knowing Kiku, she was 98% sure the girl would be probably scared of the huge center.
"No good?" Wakamatsu asked, his heart sinking.
"No, no, no." Aya waved her arm quickly to lift up his spirit. "I'm surprised that you know her name and who Kiku is, that's all. I'll think something up, don't worry." She smiled at the loudmouth, who was, all of a sudden, not as loud. "But senpai… Please try treating her gently, and don't scare her too much. She is my dear friend."
The hazelnut eyes widened at the manager. "I'll try." He nodded seriously.
"Thank you."
Afterwards, they discussed the training camp again and the boys remembered their very first training camp at Touou. Aya had a good laugh, Tada-senpai was a good entertainer and it was easy to talk with him, and Wakamatsu had his share of funny stories too, caused mostly by his straightforwardness.
Kousuke's stomach rumbled as they arrived at the station. "I'm so hungry." He complained.
"Then go buy something." Shun pointed at a small bakery they were passing. It was probably the delicious smell coming out of the shop, which had triggered Kousuke's hunger.
"Be right back!" He saluted and ducked to enter the shop.
"So, Aya-chan." Shun started at her with his dark grey eyes so intensely, it made a chill ran down her spine.
"Yes?" She asked levelly, not giving out she was feeling slightly uncomfortable under his stare.
"I want to know something about you in exchange." He smiled slyly. "Just in case."
"Well, I'm not obliged to tell you anything." Then she sighed. "But I guess it's fair. So… Things I don't want the team to know yet? Mom's dead, father's in America and I'm here solely with my twin. I was a world champion in dancing, had some interpersonal issues, quit, and Katsunori asked me to come to Touou to help with Aomine… That's about it." It was the first time she summed up her life story into 2 sentences.
Shun's jaw dropped.
"Google me up if your English is good enough, senpai. But don't believe all you read. 's that enough 'incentive' for you?"
He nodded reluctantly. He'd expected something like 'I like xy' and not this…
"I recommend you to keep it to yourself, senpai. I'm sly as much as you. And I've walked in a slightly different world until recently." She said coldly and then she smiled brightly. "Other than that, I think we can be good friends."
"…I'll keep that in mind, Aya-chan." He grinned without any ulterior motive, determined to get on good terms with the girl, because she was great and a bit scary.
#######
"Kiku! Can you help me with dinner?" Her mom called her from the kitchen.
"Sure! What are we cooking?"
"Fried rice. Can you prepare the vegetables?"
"Yeah, sure." She said and took out a knife.
They worked in comfortable silence, which was always a quality time spent with her mother. And Kiku liked the silence. At home, it was like a comfortable fluffy blanket protecting her from the outside world.
"Are you going to the orphanage after dinner again?"
"Yeah. I promised Kai a bedtime story." She smiled thinking about the small boy. "But I'll be right back. I need to go over the history project again. Oh, and… I'll go out with Aya-san during the weekend."
"Again?" Sora blinked in surprise, but warmth spread in her chest. Her daughter had a friend. That was a good sign. "Sure. You can bring her home anytime you want, sweety, okay?"
Kiku averted her eyes. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Ryuunosuke should come over tomorrow for a dinner, so be at home, please."
"Sure thing." She nodded as she placed the steaming fried rice on the table.
"Anata! Dinner's ready!"
######
Kiku's phone buzzed in the late evening, when she was idly reading a book. Eh? No one called her so late at night. She glanced at the name displayed on the screen. Of course it's Aya-san.
"A-Aya-san." She bit her tongue for stuttering on Aya's name. "W-w-what is it?" She asked warily. It was way too late for a casual phone call.
"Hey. I didn't wake you up, right?" Aya's voice sounded slightly different over the phone. Distant and yet unbelievably close. Kiku wasn't used to phone calls at all.
"N-n-no. I've been reading."
"Good then. I know I could talk to you tomorrow, but we'll have to focus on your presentation. I don't want the boys to know, and Kano tends to hear everything he shouldn't have… Soo…"
"Uhm…"
"I need your help. I have a favour to ask of you, Kiku."
"I-I-I'm l-listening." She said, feeling unbelievably happy that there was something she could do for the redhead.
"Your baking skills are good?"
"I suppose." Finally! She didn't stutter. Maybe it was because of the 'home' atmosphere, or maybe it was because of the phone, but… Finally, she didn't stutter when talking to Aya-san.
"I talked with Katsunori… Uhm, the coach. And there is a practise match ready at the end of the Golden week training camp in over a week. I was thinking of making some surprise treat for the boys, for their hard work and discipline."
A smile spread on Kiku's lips; a person who was thinking of treats and rewards for the team when they didn't have to, couldn't be bad at all. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
"Cookies, or muffins… Something simple, really. The club will provide the money for ingredients, of course. Isn't it too much? We have 26 boys now."
"I think I can handle."
"Okay. I'll give you proper instructions when the time comes."
"Okay."
"Thank you, Kiku. You're a huge help."
They were quiet for a moment.
"Ah, Taiga needs something. I have to go. Good night."
"Good night."
She pressed the phone to her chest and had to fight off a happy squeal. All the bully notes were forgotten. She had a friend. And she could help. It surprised her and scared her at the same time, yes. She'd have to go to the gym full of huge boys, but… But Aya-san would be there. And she was bringing a treat. It should be fine… Right?
The more she was thinking about it, the scarier the idea seemed to be. Oh god… What have I gotten myself into?
But the happiness she felt couldn't be overwhelmed by fear. She had to do this, for Aya-san, and mostly, for herself.
"Ryuu-nii-san, hi! Sorry I'm late." She quickly hugged her brother, who was shooting one arrow after another.
"I heard you were out with your friends." He smiled kindly at his little sister. "I'm glad for that. Are they good?"
"Ah… I told mom I'd go with Aya-san."
"And she told me you went with 'friends'. So? Really just Aya-san?"
"No." She reached at took a recurve bow, she had finally gotten used to enough to hit the bullseye. It took her two long weeks and hours spent in the shooting range. It was an unbelievably quick improvement, but Kiku saw it as a failure. She shouldn't have taken so long. "There was Ishii-kun, and Kano-kun , and Sakurai-kun, and Satsuki-san. I need to present a history project with Ishii-kun on Tuesday so… I had to rehearse it. I can't drag down his mark."
"Oh? Boys?" He asked curiously. "Interesting."
"Aya-san's friends from basketball club. Classmates." She said with a shrug. "Sakurai-kun apologised for breathing today… Could you believe it?" She chuckled.
"I'm glad you're getting happier. I'll stay the night and you can tell me all about them, okay?"
"'kay." She smiled, drew the string and an arrow hissed through the air, finding its target 100m away with a thud.
"Kou-nii-chan, Shun-nii-chan!" Yuuta barged into his brother's room on Sunday afternoon. "Let's go cycling!"
"No can do." Shun ruffled the boy's white hair. "We have a project to finish."
"Boooring!"
"He is right! We could take a break…" Kousuke protested. "My head will explode if I don't do something!"
Shun frowned at the two brothers. "Five minutes of basketball at most, but I'm not allowing you the bike, Kou, or I won't catch you until late at night."
"I don't want to play basketball." Yuuta puffed his cheeks. "I don't like it."
"Then, what do you want to do?" Shun asked curiously, because he could guess the boy had a certain location in mind. Snowflake rubbed her fluffy white coat against Shun's back, begging for attention and affection.
"I want to go visit Kiku-nee-chan."
"Ki-Kiku-nee-chan?!" Shun shouted in surprise and the cat jumped away from him in sudden fright. "Kousuke? I want an explanation!" He demanded loudly, which was definitely not typical for Shun.
"Chill… It's the girl from the Kyuudo dojo we stumbled upon last time. Nothing to do with Ohno Kiku-chan."
"Huh?" Yuuta blinked at his brother. "Are you dumb? Or you can't read? The dojo is run by Ohno Taiki-sensei. So his daughter is Ohno Kiku-nee-chan." He said dumbfounded by his brother's ignorance.
"What?!" They both snapped at the little brother.
"So-so… the cute girl in hakama…" Kousuke blabbered.
"You're fucking stupid!" Shun hit his friend at the back of his head. "Real! Dumb! Idiot!" He added a jab into Kousuke's ribs with each word he uttered.
"Uhm? Shun-kun? Could you not teach Yuuta the swearing words?" Jun peeked into the room filled with school notes and textbooks.
"I already know them all." Yuuta nodded proudly, with a dignity of an eight year old.
Jun sighed desperately. "At least you don't swear, right?" He picked up a cat and nuzzled his nose against her white belly. "Right, Snowflake?"
"Meow."
"Urgh, dad, you're embarrassing."
The old mad stuck out his tongue. "You're all my kids, it doesn't matter."
"So?" Yuuta bounced up and down. "Can I go visit nee-chan? I want another lesson!"
"I have to study, Yuuta." He grumbled, suddenly feeling totally stupid and out of it. No, he couldn't go to that dojo. Of course the girl was familiar! Idiot!
"I wanna go, I wanna go, I wanna go!"
"Where to?" Jun asked, still standing in the door, immersed in cuddling with the cat.
"Kyuudo dojo! I wanna visit Kiku-nee-chan!"
"I can go with you." He shrugged. "I might use a bike ride."
"Yay!" He jumped and hugged his dad. "Love you, dad!"
"Hai, hai. Let's go then. We don't want to be too much of a bother to sensei and Kiku-chan, right?"
"Ah, right away!" He squealed and ran to get changed and prepare his bike. Jun walked out of the room after the little one.
Then he turned around and his head appeared in the door once again. "Oh, study hard, Kousuke." He teased them.
"I hate you." He rolled his eyes at his father.
The man chuckled and walked down the hallway.
"Maaaaan! I don't get how stupid you can be!" Shun sighed dramatically and leaned against a bed.
"Oh, shut up. How was I supposed to know?! She wasn't wearing glasses and had a tenugui!"
"The name!"
"So?! Could be just a name! Can you imagine that little scared girl doing Kyuudo?!"
"Actually…" Shun mused. "Why not? It's calm and you don't run around… I'm curious if she remembers you."
"Probably not. She didn't even look at my face then."
"Huh… Can't imagine you in a Kyuudo dojo." He laughed, imagining his best friend holding a daiyuu. "Ah… You'd be hot in hakama. Just hamaka and nothing else… At least in my imagination."
"Urgh." Wakamatsu grumbled and hit his friend at the back of his head. "I don't mind you swinging the other way, just please, please don't tell me, what you're imagining me like."
"Oh and that there is so much to imagine!" Teasing Kousuke was awesome.
"God dammit, Shun!"
"Basketball?" He proposed with a wide grin.
"I'll destroy you."
"You can try~"
A/N: I'm not sure if I didn't overdo it, but... Well... The next chapter is finally the training camp, and the two will officially meet :)
Let me know what you think, and remember reviews are appreciated, but never necessary.
S.