Unrequited Love?

[yellowcopycat]

Kaijou and Seirin had just had their first practice match, which was shaping up to be a tradition of sorts. This time, Kaijou had gone to Seirin. The gym was nice, newer then Kaijou's but maybe not as big. 

 

He was breathing heavily, but smiling broadly. It always felt good to play, even if it was just a practice match and they weren't going all out. After all, he wanted to keep some of his new tricks up his sleeves, just like he was sure Kagami and Kuroko were hiding some of their new tricks too. This year's match had ended in a draw. Better than last year's practice match, which had ended in Kaijou's loss by two points.  

 

Just thinking about Kuroko made Kise look over to the Seirin team, focusing in on the smaller boy. 

 

For awhile now Kise had realized that he had feelings for Kuroko. Kise had looked up to Kuroko for awhile, but it wasn't really until after the Winter Cup that Kise realized he was probably in love with Kuroko. 

 

He took a towel that one of the first years offered him. "Thanks," he said absently. He scrubbed at his face, his thoughts racing. He had been thinking about Kuroko a lot lately, and seeing him only brought those thoughts back to the surface, only pushed aside when the game had begun. Now with the game over he couldn't focus. The warm glow in his chest that came whenever he thought about Kuroko was back with a vengeance.

 

The Kaijou team was gathering their things and getting ready to board the bus. He told the first year that he'd be along in a bit and began to head over to the Seirin team. 

 

"Kurokocchi~" he called out. No time like the present, he thought. He didn't know if Kuroko would return his feelings, but he was hopeful. The time Kuroko had cheered him on while he went up against Haizaki stood out in his mind. 

 

"Kurokocchi! You got a minute?"

Comments

[yellowcopycat]

That he is.

"Your mother and grandmother will like it, I promise!" Kise said. "Don't know about you and your father though."

Which reminded him. "Oh, hey, did you check out the university dad told you about?"

[misdirects]

"I'm sure we'll find it relaxing." Even he needed to turn off his brain sometimes and this would be a good excuse.

"I haven't yet had time yet, since it's been so busy with the start of the new school year... but soon, hopefully." He is eager to get an idea of university's atmosphere.

[yellowcopycat]

Kise was just about vibrating with excitement. "I've been invited to visit Houston!" he said. "It's not my top pick, and Texas seems kinda 'eh' to me but it's a step in the right direction."

[misdirects]

He looks just as excited for him, eyes sparkling a bit. "Do you think you'd be going during games? I'd be very envious if you could see the Spurs..."

[yellowcopycat]

He shook his head. "No, we'll be going during the summer, so it doesn't interfere with school. But I wish. Has Kagamicchi mentioned anything?"

[misdirects]

"That's a shame... but during summer vacation would be best. As for Kagami-kun I believe Alex-san is doing their best to stir up interest from various schools, but since she's an alumni of UCLA, I'm sure she'll have more sway there."

[yellowcopycat]

"Yeah, that's what dad thought. He'll be taking me. Mom'll try, but it depends on work."

He had no idea Alex went to UCLA, so he perks up. "I'm hoping to get more invites, and dad and I can knock them all out during the summer, but it's a waiting game at the moment."

And he's not the best at waiting. Not as bad as Aominecchi, though!

[misdirects]

"I'm sure Kagami-kun has mentioned your interest in attending UCLA to her as well. Perhaps you'll hear from them soon. They would be remiss to pass on a player like you."

He hums around the popsicle, opting to suckle on it for now. "A roadtrip around America sounds fun, though. Just like the movies."

[yellowcopycat]

"I hope so," Kise said. "I don't want to get my hopes up."

At the mention of road trips, he thinks about it. "Well, we won't be driving from Texas to California. We'd probably fly between the states. Cheaper that way."

[misdirects]

"The same sort of spirit, though. While you're there, I'd like to request one very ridiculous souvenir."

[yellowcopycat]

Humming, Kise considered. "Okay, I'll get you something ridiculous."

He was going to get Kuroko a big ol' cowboy hat.

[misdirects]

Kuroko takes a few bites and smiles. "I'll get you something nice while I'm in Ehime for Golden Week."

[yellowcopycat]

A warm breeze played across Kise's face as he watched Kuroko finish his popsicle; after a moment, he turned his face to the sun, closing his eyes as he turned his tilted his head upwards.

The cherry blossom petals continued to drift down like snow, carpeting the ground and getting in Kise's hair. He gave his head a shake. "It's a nice day," he said. "I wish more days were like this."n

[misdirects]

His stick is not a winner this time, so he tosses it in the trash before turning to look at Kise. Seeing him framed by the soft sunlight and petals has his heart skipping a beat and knocking his thoughts askew. Kuroko wants to reach up and brush the flowers away himself, but he fiercely tamps down that thought, a slight flush gracing his cheeks. It was entirely inappropriate.

"I - Y-Yes, quiet days like this will be in short supply soon."

[yellowcopycat]

Kise laughs, soft and carefree. "Soon we'll be grown ups. It'll be fun, but not having a lot of responsabilities is something I'm going to miss."

He stood and stretched, his shirt riding up to show some stomach as he did. "You guys ready for Interhigh?"

He figures he can ask since they go to different prefectures and would go to different interhighs.

[misdirects]

The fact that his eyes drift to Kise's stomach and feels something weird in the pit of his own stomach truly cements there is something wrong with him. Kuroko averts his gaze under the pretense of shielding the petals out of his eyes.

"Ah - not entirely, I have to go scout out some of our competition... I've heard Kinga and Seiho in particular have it out for us this year, so I'll have to devise strategies on their new plays."

[yellowcopycat]

Fortunately for them both, Kise doesn't notice Kuroko's eyes on him. When he looks back at Kuroko he sees the other teen, Kuroko looks like he's shielding his eyes from the blizzard of cherry blossoms.

He opens his mouth, and gets a mouthful again. He spits them out again. "How do they come up with Sakura Flavor? These petals don't taste like anything."

He cracks his neck. "They probably do, but Touou's the one to watch out for." Aomine is still the only other Miracle Kise hasn't defeated yet.

[misdirects]

"There is a subtle flavor even when eating the petals, but I find it tastes best when pickled."

Thinking about the subtleties of sakura is a lot better than the alternative of figuring out he's actually attracted to the friend he rejected.

"Aomine-kun does seem more motivated as of late. Perhaps Kaijou and Touou will have a rematch in the final league." Given both their growth trajectories, it would surely be a match to behold.

[yellowcopycat]

Wrinkling his nose, Kise shakes his head at the idea of pickled petals. He doesn't mind some pickled food, but petals?

"Aominecchi's still the undefeated one amongst us. Only Kagamicchi and you have taken him down in the last two years." And without Kuroko, could Kagami take Aomine on?

Probably. The only team that was radically different this year from is Rakuzan. The Uncrowned Kings were all major powerhouses. Though Akashi is pleased with two first years of his, who apparently were big deals. Kise didn't pay attention to the middle school teams.

"I'd like it if that was case. But... I also want to go up agaisnt Rakuzan again." He grinned. "Kinda romantic, don't you think?"

[misdirects]

He taps a finger against his chin. "Yes, it would be very romantic. But I'd be remiss if I didn't say that Seirin will continue to put up a fight, so don't count on that outcome."

Even with Kuroko no longer a player, he's already doing his best to implement different strategies and play styles for the team. It may not make up for his unique skillset, but he won't let Seirin falter!

[yellowcopycat]

"Don't worry, I won't. Any two of the our six schools will be in the finals."

He kinda was counting Seirin out though, but he admits he's biased. As much as he admires Kagami's skills, he's only one player. But who knows. He hoped he'll be.

"Unless there's a group of kids like us or the Kings coming up this year, and I wouldn't know, I think things will be mostly the same."

[misdirects]

Kuroko would definitely punch him if he knew Kise's true thoughts.

"I suppose we'll have to see... there are a few promising newcomers for us, but we are still evaluating how they'll fit in."

[yellowcopycat]

"We've got strong new guys this year, but no one to start. Some of the benchwarmers are on the starting line now, but the starting line's third and second years right now."

Of course that was liable to change, but he didn't think so.

[misdirects]

"Perhaps we can do two simultaneous games during our upcoming practice match to allow the newbies some time to shine."

While he personally didn't know what it was like to always be benched, several of his teammates did. It would be a nice exercise.

[yellowcopycat]

"You'd have to talk to Coach about that, but I don't have a problem with it."

Oh, that's a question!

"Aida-san graduated last year; who's the coach of your team now?"