Chapter 24

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I'm Back! Hahahaha I always say that after every update but yeah, I'm back after several thoughts of ending this. I'm reeeeally sorry to have kept y'all waiting so long. Even after graduation, I was still kept busy. I still hope to give more time into this as I enter Med School in a few weeks. THANK YOU SO MUCH DEAR READERS!

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(C) I do NOT own KNB

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"CONGRATULATIONS AKI-CHAAAAN!" Mayumi ran to greet her victorious best friend and her team, with tears like a child's.

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Snot was also dripping from her nose but Mayumi could care less of how she looked. She was proud of Akira and Seirin.

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"Ahaha, Mayumi-chan, you've got snot all over my jacket" Akira whined, but she hugged her best friend nonetheless. She too was over the moon at the moment. Never did she doubt her teammates' capacity.

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Mayumi continued to bawl like a child and congratulated her best friend nonstop. Akira decided to invite her to stay and watch the next game with them.

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"Where's Kagami-kun?" Akira asked, suddenly noticing their missing ace

"He went to smooth some things out with Himuro-san. He'll join us in a while" Kuroko replied

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The teams that had landed a spot in the semifinals were Rakuzan, Shutoku and just now, Seirin. The winner between Kaijo and Fukuda Sogo would determine who takes the final spot.

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As the game was about to commence, Mayumi noticed Kise Ryota coming in late and quickly getting changed whilst being scolded by their captain.

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"Aki-chan, isn't that blondie from the same middle school as Akashi-kun?" Mayumi asked in hushed whispers

"Kise Ryota" Akira nodded.

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"Uwaaah! That was an intense match! So Seirin will be playing Kaijo huh?"

"Yeah it looks like it" Akira smiled at the thought of being so close to the finals.

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The two girls walked home to Akira's apartment together under the cold winter night sky. Mayumi amused herself with the puffs of smoke that emerged from her mouth as she breathed and spoke. While she did that, Akira was looking rather pensive and in deep thought. Mayumi debated to herself whether or not she would disturbed her, but she chose the latter instead and left Akira to her deep thoughts.

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A futon was set on the floor for Mayumi to sleep in. As Mayumi tucked herself in, she glanced at the digital clock beside Akira's bed. 11:55 pm, huh?

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"Aki-chan, are you awake?" Mayumi muttered underneath the sheets.

"Yeah. Why are you awake?"

"I should ask you the same"

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The two girls giggled at themselves. Since Mayumi had sensed the nervousness in Akira's voice so she decided to reminisce on their junior high school. It had been a while since Akira talked about her middle school days since she couldn't share them to just anybody in school.

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"Hey Mayumi-chan, do you still remember how we became friends?" Akira muttered, smiling to herself.

"How could I forget?" she laughed. "We met during tryouts but it wasn't until a couple of weeks later that we started talking to each other. If it wasn't for me spilling my lunch all over you, maybe we never would have been friends"

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The two girls laughed again as they recalled that time vividly. It made Akira miss being a girl a little. She sort of missed her long silver locks that she used to tie in twin braids. Then it came to her thoughts again, what would she do after the Winter Cup? Would she reveal the truth to everyone or would she remain who she is at the moment.

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It was half past 1 in the morning and Akira suddenly woke up and found herself unable to go back to sleep. For some strange reason, she was compelled to get out of bed and go out to the kitchen.

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"Well I'm not hungry, am I?" she muttered to herself, staring at the sandwiches inside her refrigerator.

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She decided to go out for a walk in the cold dawn. Taking out her team jacket and scarf with her, she headed out.

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It was dark but some lights were visible across the area. After all, Tokyo doesn't sleep no matter how far you are from the city's center.

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Despite her getup, the cold breeze still managed to find its way through the layers of clothing she had. She shivered a little and quickened her pace. Where was she going? She herself wasn't sure why she went out for a walk or where she planned on going.

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As she walked past the houses and shops, she found herself standing on a basketball court. It was empty and there wasn't any ball she could use to practice.

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"Oh well," she sighed heavily and took a seat on one of the concrete benches at the side. "It's past 2 am. This is my first time out here at this time" she mumbled to herself with a smile.

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"Can't sleep too, huh?"

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Akira almost leapt out of the bench she was sitting on when somebody spoke to her and tapped her shoulder. When she turned around, she didn't expect to see that person also having the same dilemma as her. So much more to see that person at this very moment of all places.

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"K-Kiyoshi senpai?! What are you doing here?" Akira yelped from where she sat.

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"I usually go out for a walk in this part when I can't sleep. I didn't know you lived near my place"

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Akira was greeted with a grinning Kiyoshi, sticking his hands in the pockets of his thick jacket coat. Kiyoshi took a seat right next to her, close enough their elbows brushed off each other.

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"It's past 2 am senpai" Akira looked in disbelief

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"I think I should ask you the same Hayakawa-kun" Kiyoshi replied, with his signature wide grin. He soon noticed that Akira's cheeks were tinted pink.

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Akira couldn't fathom once again the warm feeling swelling up to her face. She prayed her body wouldn't betray her and show any obvious signs. Wait, I thought I'd gotten over this…

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"Hayakawa-kun, your cheeks are red. Are you feeling sick?"

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Akira wanted to retreat back when Kiyoshi leaned over to touch her forehead with his. The close proximity of their faces was enough to give Akira a heart attack. She could feel a warm puff of his breath as he spoke.

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"I-I'm fine thanks!" She squealed and pulled back, her voice cracking in the process. Kiyoshi blinked in bewilderment.

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As she managed to give some space between them, she clutched onto her poor heart beating wildly as if it was ready to break through her ribcage. Puffs of smoke could be seen as she gasped.

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"It's getting colder and colder, isn't it? Why don't we get coffee?"

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The taller upperclassman stood up and extended his hand to his kouhai, lips still grinning like a child's. Akira couldn't help but stare at her senior's outstretched hand before looking him back in the eye.

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"I know a convenience store nearby. They're open 24 hours" he insisted.

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Akira ignored the cold she felt when she touched Kiyoshi's hand and followed suit. The two made their way as quickly as they could, to escape the harsh winter breeze, hand-in-hand. They entered the convenience store, giggling and gasping for air. It looked like they had broken a sweat to escape the cold.

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"That last gust of wind was cruel, wasn't it?"

Akira nodded in agreement, too out of breath to say a word as she gasped for air. She pulled her hand away from Kiyoshi's grasp and clutched onto her chest.

The two of them enjoyed a cup of warm coffee each, and each other's company. There were only a couple of other people inside the store, also enjoying a cup of coffee. One was busy reading a book, while the other was simply drinking coffee.

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After a while, Kiyoshi cleared his throat rested his chin above his hands. He still had a smile on his face, but this time, it wasn't his usual childish smile. He looked more mature somehow, in Akira's thoughts.

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"Hayakawa-kun, I need to ask you something. Would you be completely honest with me?"

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Akira was at first taken aback by her senpai's question. She felt slightly nervous because of it. What could he possibly ask her? And why did he look so serious? She didn't respond audibly per se, but she did give him a slow nod.

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"I have a question about you" Kiyoshi started, slowly swirling the coffee in its cup.

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There was a short pause in the air.

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"Who are you really?"

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Akira's eyes widened in shock at his question. She almost choked on her drink as she swallowed hard. Kiyoshi was staring intently into her eyes as he waited patiently for an answer.

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Kiyoshi has his doubts? I wonder what they are! Haha keep posted for more! Sorry for this short chappie though.

BUT I CAN NEVER THANK YOU DEAR READERS ENOUGH FOR YOUR PATRONAGE!

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Stay healthy guys! I love you all