"Where is she?!" Riko exclaimed impatient. They've been waiting for may for good 30 minutes.

"Kagami-kun are you worried?" Kuroko asked.

Kagami looked away when he saw Kise and Wakamatsu walking towards them. Kise carried Mei in his arms while she lifelessly rested her head on his shoulder. It looked like she was asleep.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Kise smiled with his professional smiled. "Here," he handed the girl to Kagami. Mei didn't wake up. Kasamatsu handed her bag to Kuroko.

"What the hell happened?" Kagami hissed under his breath noticing dried trails of tears on her cheeks.

Kise just smiled and shrugged.

"Good game, Kise-kun," Kuroko quickly changed the subject.

"Kuroko-chii, were you worried about me?" Kise brought his face close to Kuroko's just to be kicked by Kasamatsu.

"Cut it out, idiot," Kasamatsu grabbed him by the ear and started dragging the blonde away.

"Bye bye Seirin, see you at the Winter Cup,"

Riko sighed. "He is right, stop ogling and pull yourselves together!" she yelled hitting everyone over the head.

"What did I do?" Kuroko asked holding onto his chin.

"Oh gomen, gomen..." Riko laughed. "You were just there so..."

"Why didn't Kagami get slapped?" Hyuuga yelled pointing.

"He is holding Mei, what if he dropped her?" Riko explained. Everyone sighed.

"Why do I feel that there is so much drama happening here?" Teppei whispered to Mitobe, who simply nodded.

"Drama...rama...panorama," Izuki mumbled writing it down.

"Shut up Izuki," Hyuuga yelled. "Alright, time to get home, Kagami wake her up."

"No need," said Kuroko. "Kagami-kun and I will take her home,"

"Good. Now that that is sorted..." Riko turned towards the team, her eyes sparkling evilly. "Don't forget your second stage of training is in the mountains," she giggled.

"Captain...why does she look so evil?" one of the first year's whispered.

"Huh...what did you just say?"

The bickering continued for a while as Riko chased the first years. "Kagami-kun, shall we go?" Kuroko asked. Kagami nodded.

/

Mei opened her eyes feeling very warm. She shifted feel somebody strong arms around her.

"Ah, you are awake," Kagami said.

"Are you okay?" Kuroko added.

"What happened?" Mei asked rubbing her eyes. "And why are you carrying me around?"

"We are taking you home," Kuroko explained.

"And we are the ones who want to know what happened," Kagami added setting her down on the ground.

"What happened..." she mumbled when the realization of what she saw came. She furrowed her eyebrows. Sadness faded, it was quickly being replaced with anger, annoyance and feeling of betrayal. "I think," Mei started as they continued walking, "I have finally hit the rock bottom," she smiled.

"Huh?" Kagami didn't get it.

"I was waiting for this moment," she continued, "I was waiting to hit the rock bottom, now I can finally push myself back up,"

"But that doesn't explain..." Kagami yelled, just to be kicked by Kuroko.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" Kagami yelled and the bickering began. All of a sudden Mei burst out laughing. She laughed so hard that tears escaped her eyes, when she finally stopped both Kagami and Kuroko stared at her in confusion.

"You guys, are really..." she wiped her eyes. "...really amazing."

/

Mei's phone was buzzing all night. Countless messages and calls from Satsuki and one from Aomine. She replied none. That sleepless night was dragging. Mei sat at her table simply looking in front of her. She was thinking. Images of her and Aomine were replaced by Aomine and Satsuki kissing and vice versa. Her thoughts were a mess but head never felt clearer.

Her phone buzzed again and this time she picked up. It was Aomine.

"Took you a while," he said lazily.

"What do you want?" Mei asked calmly.

"We need to talk,"

"Okay, let's talk," she replied.

"Huh? That easily..." Aomine said.

"Were you expecting a different answer?"

"I want to talk to you face to face," Aomine replied ignoring her question.

"Okay," Mei smiled coldly. "We'll talk. Tomorrow at five, I'll meet you at Harley's." she hung up the phone when it buzzed again. It was Momoi. Mei sighed. Speaking to her would be more difficult.

"Hai," she answered the phone.

"Mei-chan..."

"Hey," Mei replied with a sigh. She put the phone on loud speaker as she tied her hair back.

"Mei-chan," Satsuki burst out crying. She didn't know where to begin. "I'm so sorry...I don't know what came over us...it really means nothing. It really wasn't..."

"Satsuki," Mei interrupted her not wanting to hear any more excuses. "You know quite recently I almost did it with Aomine. I felt disgusted with myself. I told Kagami, but even though I hurt him he still did not push me away. I won't push you away, but I won't be able to forgive just yet either. You are still my family and I love you regardless, but," Mei took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "I am so tired of constantly thinking about you and Aomine and your relationship with him. I've had enough."

"Mei-chan,"

"Tomorrow I am meeting Aomine and we are going to talk. I've decided," Mei said determined. "I don't ever want to have anything to do with Aomine Daiki,"

"But you love him and he..." Satsuki protested.

"I do," she replied. The realization came easily. As soon as she said it, she felt happier. As if she accepted her fate and could finally move on. "But the only one who can love him is him...don't you think?" she smiled. "I won't come back to your house anymore. I will move back to our old flat at the end of this year. This is the only way right now. Sorry Satsuki. Sorry and goodnight."

/

"Today the massage is only for the first years," Mei said placing her hands on her hips. "And no that does not include Kuroko and Kagami,"

"Ehhhh? But why?" Kagami yelled. "That's not fair,"

Mei looked at him strictly. "Calm down Bakagami!" Riko smacked him over the head. "I think it's a great idea! First years hit the shower and then go with Mei,"

"Do you think there is something different with Mei today?" Kagami asked walking to the changing rooms.

"Kagami-kun, I didn't think you would notice," Kuroko replied.

"HOW CLUELESS DO YOU THINK I AM?" Kagami yelled.

"Quite, but you are right," she's changed. Kuroko looked back at Mei who was talking to Riko, eagerly gesturing.

"It's been a while since I've seen her this way,"

/

Mei walked to the cafe not rushing. She was early. A few girls whispered behind her pointing their fingers at her and then at the big poster of her and Kise's ad. She ignored their words and marched ahead. The cafe was almost full. She looked around for an empty table when she spotted Aomine. Aomine came early? Mei sighed and walked to his table.

"Oi, you are early," he said.

"You are telling me that?" she raised her eyebrow and sat down. A waitress quickly appeared with a menu. "Lemon ice tea for now," Mei said not bothering to open the menu. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Aomine looking straight into her eyes trying to figure out what she was thinking, but Mei's gaze was blank. Aomine was quiet. In reality, he didn't know what to say. How to start the conversation. What could he say? That it wasn't what it looked like? When it clearly was. Or that he is sorry? Which he was, but Mei would not believe him.

"Have you spoken to Satsuki?" he asked.

Mei sighed.

"Haven't you?" she returned his question.

*This won't be easy.* Aomine thought. *But I never expected it to be. This is not basketball...*

"I know you are still in love with me," Aomine said.

Mei chocked not expecting something like that. Satsuki must have told him, but it was okay.

"Pff...hahahahahahahah," she laughed out loud making several people turn their head. "I do, and so?" she smirked.

*The hell?* Aomine thought taken aback. *What kind of attitude is that?*

"If you think that that changes anything, you couldn't be more wrong, so hurry and come to the point, I have plans tonight."

"Very well." Aomine said quickly leaning over the table in an attempt to crush his lips on her, but Mei moved aside.

"Don't ever do that again," she said coldly. She stood up throwing money on the table. "This conversation is pointless and Satsuki still can't keep her mouth shut. From now on Aomine, there is nothing bonding us. Goodbye," she said and made her way away from him. Aomine still taken aback wanted to grab her hand but instead his hand caught her scarf. Mei didn't bother taking it back, so it stayed in his hand when she ran out of the cafe.

Aomine sat back down.

*Is this the end?* he thought still holding onto her scarf.