Chapter One
Propped against the window ledge with his eyes closed, the morning bustle of the new school year filtered along the hallway to where he stood. His eyelids flickered opened as he heard the shuffling sounds of his companion’s feet, who had rose from a similar lackadaisical slouch by the next window.
“Head back to class?” Okada beckoned in a low mutter, as he started to towards the classroom door.
“Ah.” Acknowledging lightly, Sho psyched himself to lift his head from its comfortable prop on his uniform-covered arms. He heard Okada’s footsteps disappearing into the classroom, just as the first bell rang out. He raised himself from the ledge and stretched, trying to let the blood flow in his slightly numbed limbs.
“Osoi yo!”
Sho turned his head at the sudden shout from outside the window. Curious, he peeked out and glanced down from his perch on the second floor. The source was a student of slight built, unfamiliar to Sho, who was standing just at the entrance of the school gate. Sho guessed it was a first year student. It was the first day of a new school year at the all boy’s high school after all. With another “hayaku!”, projected in a volume that begets his small built, he disappeared behind the school walls for a moment, before reappearing, dragging another unfamiliar, tall, slim-built teenager.
The taller youth appeared highly unmotivated to move his feet as he was dragged by his chattering friend. Sho could distinguish the words “Osoi”, “Hayaku” and “Baka” from the louder boy while his lagging friend seemed to be muttering his replies. The half-hearted replies seemed to only aggravate the other further, as he picked up speed and towed his friend at a quicker pace. Sho chuckled, amused as he watched the pair disappear into the school building.
Omoshiroi no aitsu ne.
* * * * *
“Pi you Baka! We’re going to be late. Omae hontou ni osoi yo!”
The said ”Pi” muttered a supposed aknowlegement, but still moved without much vigour.
“Argh!” Nino, growled in frustration and ran back towards his friend, grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the Waseio school building. “Osoi yo! Hayaku yo Baka!”
A vague, pained reply was uttered that Nino could barely make out.
“Hayaku, hayaku.” Nino spoke in a pace that matched the breakneck speed at which he sped towards the classrooms, despite his added burden. “1-1, 1-1. Where is it? 1-1, 1- Ah here!”
In animated-figure fast-motion, Nino slid opened the 1-1 classroom door, shoved Yamapi in, slammed the door shut on his friends’ bewildered classmates, before dashing off two rooms down to his own classroom. Skidding to slow his pace he found the closest empty seat from the back door which he came in and plopped down. Ignoring the bewildered faces that were staring at the hurricane that just blasted through their back door, Nino started opening his bag for his books, just in time for the sensei’s arrival.
* * * * *
The musical scale that rang out to signal the start of recess was followed by the creaking and shoving of seats as the students started their surge out of the classroom.
“Yo.”
Nino who had remained in his seat as the others filed out enthusiastically, glanced up as Yamapi straddled his long limbs over the empty chair in front, propping his elfin face on top of Nino’s desk, oblivious to the curious glances from the stragglers amongst Nino’s classmates who had not left the room.
“Hmm.” Nino muttered as he returned to looking into his bag.
“Ne, are you still angry?”
“Who’s going to bother to be angry with you? I’m looking for my lunch.”
“Oh, good…What is it?”
“Onigiri I think. That’s if I can find it. Ah there.” Nino pulled out his bento in minor triumph. “Okay, let’s go.”
The two left the classroom companionably, and made their way towards the main block. “So wanna head to the canteen?”
“Too noisy.” Yamapi said with a slow shake of his head. “Too many people. Avoiding a certain scary, overfriendly, hyper-genki, loud classmate.”
“Let’s go sit somewhere outside then.” The pair stepped out into the sunshine. “Over at those steps by the assembly area. Its pretty shady.”
“K.”
Nino offered as they approached the steps. “You don’t have food do you? I’ll go and get something from the canteen for you.”
“Don’t bother.” Yamapi sat down, slumped on the step. “Not really hungry.”
“Are you still wallowing?”
“No. I’m just still feeling a little sad.”
“That means you’re still wallowing, baka.” Nino chided, but not harshly. “C’mon. You should eat something.”
“Hmm…” Yamapi sighed. “Maybe later.”
Nino shook his head. Definitely still wallowing. “Then you can have some of my onigiri k?”
“Hmm.”
“Ne Pi, don’t know why you’re all gloomy over that stupid girl. She cheated on you and isn’t worth you torturing yourself by not eating.”
“Sumanai.”
“Don’t apologise to me. Just try to cheer up for your own sake?” Nino patted Yamapi on the head. “C’mon, we still have tryouts later. You don’t want to faint, and not get into the team.” He offered an onigiri from his bento box. “Just one?”
Yamapi glanced over at his friend for a while. “Hai. Just one.”
* * * * *
After school that day, the gym was filled with the sound of squeaking sports shoes and chattering first years as those who were responding to the notice on basketball tryouts gathered at the gallery area, all kitted out in their training attire.
Nino sat down on the benches next to Yamapi and crouched down to tie his shoe laces. “The sign on the noticeboard said first years are to wait here for the regulars to give us instructions? Well, these regulars aren’t very regular with their time, are they.” Nino glanced over at Yamapi’s watch.
His friend just nodded.
“Oi. Can you act more alive?”
Yamapi shrugged.
“Ah. Whatever.”
“SENPAI!!!!”
Nani? Nino jerked at the sudden leap in volume.
“SENPAI! SENPAI!” Another first year was running towards some guy who had just walked in the gymnasium. Hair dyed a light brown, wearing a training kit that appeared to indicate school team status, he did not seem the slightest bit perturbed at the first year running headlong towards him. Rather he smiled brightly, as if it was an everyday thing to have overexcited 16-year-olds throwing themselves at him.
“What is this? A reunion dinner?” Nino muttered to Yamapi just as what looked like two other seniors walked in. The darker-haired of the two walked nonchalantly past while the other, lighter-haired senior said something to the pair, before jogging towards the group of first years, waving rather happily. “Ichi-nen sei ka?! First years, please line up over here! Back to gym entrance, facing the bleechers please.”
As they formed a line, Nino noticed that the first year who had spoken earlier had detached himself from his senpai, and lined up not far from him. The said senpai, meanwhile, was chatting animatedly with the nonchalantly-looking dark-haired senior.
“Ok everyone, your attention please.” Nino’s attention was diverted back to the reddish-blond who had organised the line. “I’m Takizawa Hideaki. Fuku-buchou. We’re going to do introductions in a second. We’ll start with the first team regulars, so we’ll probably start as soon as-” He glanced over their heads towards the gym door. “Ah, right on time. Here comes our buchou.”
Slim-built and kitted in the same training gear as the other members, the Waseio basketball team captain had a friendly smile that featured chipmunk like teeth. “Hello. Hajimemashite. Imai Tsubasa desu.” Tsubasa gave a slight nod, still smilling. “You can just call me Tsubasa. I play forward. Yoroshiku.”
“Yeah, he seldom answers to ‘Buchou’.” Taki chuckled. “Anyway, like I said I’m Takizawa. I’m from the same class as Tsubasa and I play guard. Yoroshiku. Tsugi wa..”
“Hajimemashite minna! Sakurai Sho desu!” Everyone’s attention turned towards the brown-haired ’senpai’ who stepped up with a bright smile. “Just call me Sho! Second-year, Class 2-1. Forward. My birthday is on the 25th of January. Zodiac Aquarius. My blood-type is A and I-”
“Sho-kun. Ii yo.” Taki tapped Sho.
“There’s a God after all.” Nino muttered to himself, thankful for the early demise of the overexhuberant monologue.
Tsubasa just grinned. “Sumanai, Waseio’s tensai player has his quirks.”
“Nani itten da yo, Tsuba-chan.” Sho chuckled, as Taki continued to tap his shoulder. “Hai hai, Taki.” Sho said and gave a slight wave. “Yoroshiku ne.”
“Okada Junichi. 2-1. Centre. Yoroshiku.” Okada’s introduction was brief and laid-back.
“Some other regulars aren’t here yet, but let’s just continue.” Tsubasa gestured as rightmost end of the line of first years. “Just give your name, class, what school you were from, what position you play or prefer.”
“Kamenashi Kazuya, 1-4. Hijikata Gakuen. Forward. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.”
“Fujigaya Taisuke from 1-4. Sho-senpai’s Waseio Jr High’s kouhai. Position, forward. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.” Taisuke waved proudly at Sho, who grinned. Nino wanted to roll his eyes, but merely controlled his bemusement. Several others made their introduction before it was quickly his turn.
“Ninomiya Kazunari, 1-3. Risshisha Chugakuen. Guard. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.”
There was pause of silence as Yamapi did not seem to realise it was his turn. Nino nudge him. “Psst. Pi.”
“Ah.” Yamapi blinked before, continuing. “Yamashita Tomohisa. 1-1. Guard. Nino to onaji chugaku desu. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.”
The rest of the first years soon finished their individual introductions, and Tsubasa started to speak. “Today’s tryouts are meant to select first years into the first team regulars. Those that don’t make it through to be regulars can continue with the recreation team and try again at the next regular tryouts.”
“Nan de nan de? How come you started without us?”
“Koichi-kun to Tsuyoshi-kun wa osoin da yo.” Sho quipped.
“Omae no senpai da yo.” Koichi messed Sho’s hair in mock anger, as the third-year was grinning.
Taki gestured to the duo that walked in. “They are also third year regulars.”
“Yo. Domoto Tsuyoshi desu. Centre.”
“Domoto Koichi desu. Guard.”
Taki added, “You two missed the first year’s introductions-”
“Iin yo.” Tsuyoshi waved Taki’s comment away. “Too many first years, too little time. Sorry, gotta be realistic, I’ll hear them and remember the ones that make the team later.”
“Tsuyo, that sounds evil.”
“Koichi, shut up. As if you have the memory to recall anything later.”
“The two of you were late.” A new voice interrupted.
“Kimura-sensei!” The Domotos stopped their argument at the sight of their coach, who was busy sipping his can of coffee as he made the statement in what seemed like an offhand fashion. The coach glanced at all the first years, somewhat in a lazy, half-asleep manner, then gestured lightly to Tsubasa. “You’re handling the tryouts ne? Sho, you help Tsubasa. Taki, oversee the regular’s training. Ja.” Then he spun around and wandered off. “Atsui na..”
“Chotto hen na. Kono hito.” Nino whispered to Yamapi.
As the rest of the regulars went off with Taki for training, Tsubasa and Sho organised the first years. After observing basic lay-ups and passing during warm-ups, the first years were split into teams to play a friendly, with Sho as referee and Tsubasa observing from the sidelines.
As as the match proceeded, Nino in the white team, was glad to be on the same side as Yamapi. There was the added advantage of knowing your teammate well instead of playing together for the first time, Nino thought as he manoeuvred around Taisuke.
Then the whistle went. “Foul Ninomiya. Red’s ball.”
“What?” Nino had thought the call would be in his team’s advantage, and wasn’t expecting to be penalised. Oh well.
The game went on, then, off went the whistle again.
“Foul Ninomiya. Red’s ball.”
Nino frown at the call, and at Taisuke whom he had supposedly fouled. Shaking his head, he got on with the game.
Four minutes later, the whistle went. “Foul Ninomiya. Red’s ball.”
Nan da yo. Nino grumbled to himself. He had supposedly fouled Taisuke again, according to Sho.
The game continued, then, the sound that was now getting familiar to Nino filled the air…yet again.
“Foul Ninomiya. Red’s ball.”
Nino glared at Sho, who was continuing what Nino saw as a trend of calling fouls against him in Taisuke’s advantage. He had beared with it the first three times, but now it was getting out of hand. “What? I hardly touched him. He’s faking! What kind of refereeing is this? No referee ever called me for a foul for that play in the past.”
“I don’t care what happened in your previous competitions. That is a completely different level. When we play, we’re talking about regional and national high school standards, by which you have committed a foul.” Sho stated unsympathetically.
Nino was slightly surprised at Sho’s change of demeanour to one of such seriousness. What was with this guy? One minute he’s Mr. Waseio, all friendly and trying to hobnob with everyone. Now he was trying to act all high-handed. He knew he should just get on with the game but he was still feeling wronged. “What kind of crap is that? I don’t buy it. It’s just plain bi-”
“You’re on four fouls. With that attitude you could be sent off in an actual match.” Sho interrupted mercilessly.
Nino fumed and was about to give this Sakurai two-face creep a piece of his mind about what he thought of biased refereeing when Yamapi stepped in front of him.
“Ah yes. Sorry bout that. Let’s just continue, shall we?” Yamapi shot Nino a look which Nino knew to mean ‘Shut up before losing your temper and regretting it later’. He didn’t feel it was right, but took the advice and turned around, walking away from Sho.
“Ninomiya-kun.” Nino turned at the call from Tsubasa. “Why don’t you sit down? We’re going to try out some of the others.” Tsubasa gestured at the other group of fresh first years yet to take to the court. “Makasato-kun. Please take Ninomiya-kun’s place.”
Great. Now he was taken out. He didn’t really know what it meant in the big picture of the tryouts. He knew he and Yamapi were good enough, but what with his foul calls… He wasn’t sure. Stupid Sakurai.
Nino was still fuming when someone spoke. “That was a harsh call Ninomiya-kun.” He turned around to see his red team opponent.
“Kamenashi-kun, you agree? See. Everyone can see that.”
“Saa… Taisuke does fall too easily. But even though I agree it’s harsh, Sakurai-senpai was probably right in that national level referees will probably give you the foul.” Kame said with a small smile. “I didn’t offend you, did I?”
“Ah, no…” Nino scratched his head, not really wanting to admit that he was wrong, but knowing that Kame did have a point. “Well, I guess it could be more harsh at this higher level, the refereeing.” Nino stated. He still couldn’t help thinking that the standard was only applied in cases when it involved some idiot’s junior though. Nino made a face. “Ah forget that. Kamenashi’s in 1-4?”
The two boys continued their conversation animatedly, and soon Yamapi joined in as the match was called to an end, and the first years were gathered.
“The list of selected regulars will be up tomorrow morning.” Tsubasa announced. “Do note that while being a regular means you are included in the team roster and available for selection to play, it doesn’t mean you will necessary make the court in the actual competition this season since you are just first years. You might just remain as reserves on the bench. But it does mean you will be travelling to all matches. Chances are that you will play at least a few minutes.”
“But some play full games even as first years. Like Buchou and Sho-senpai!” The first year Taisuke announced proudly.
“Hai Fujigaya-kun. That’s true. It’s not impossible for first years to start games. Anyway, thank you for a good game today. Dismissed.”
* * * * *
“Ah, you might end up making the team without me Pi.” Nino sighed as he trodded out with his friend from the dressing room after a cool shower.
“What are you talking about? You did great. Since when does the tensai think he can’t make it.”
“Tensai I might be, but even tensais can fall when you have biased refereeing against you.”
“Sakurai-senpai wasn’t against you. He’s just really serious when it comes to the game. He booked Taisuke too later.”
“Maa, we’ll see. Stupid Sa-”
“Ninomiya-kun! Yamashita-kun! Heading to the station?”
“Oh speak of the devil.” Nino muttered and was rewarded with a sharp nudge from Yamapi. “-Ow!”
“Ninomiya daijoubu?” Sho glanced over, concerned at the yelp from his junior.
“Iie, senpai, nandemonai. He’s fine.” Yamapi said quickly. “You heading to the station too, senpai?”
“Yeah. You too? Let’s walk together. And don’t call me senpai. No need for formalities. Sho-kun’s fine.”
“Ah. Ok, Sho-kun.”
“Great. I’ll call you Yamapi and Nino then. That’s what you guys call each other right?” Sho grinned.
“Who said you can-Ow!” Nino yelped once again at a sharp nudge from Yamapi.
“Nino? Daijoubu?” Sho turned a concerned look to Nino once again. “You feeling ill?”
Nino glared at his friend, then at Sho, who seemed to take his look as one of pain. “Yeah. I must be.”
“You should see a doctor.” Sho began when Yamapi interrupted.
“Not to worry. Nino’s just a tad tired from today. It’s partly my fault. Let’s just get home. ” Yamapi smiled winningly as he draped an arm over Nino’s shoulder. “See we’re already at the station.”
The trio hustled into a crowded train, Nino all the while sulking as Yamapi chatted with Sho. Stupid Pi. Been all grumpy the whole day and now he’s making polite conversation just so that he doesn’t offend a senior.
“Ah here’s my stop.” Yamapi announced.
“Oh you just live a stop away? Convenient.”
“Yeah. See ya senpai, I mean, Sho-kun. ” Yamapi glanced over at Nino meaningfully. “Nino. Mata ashita ne. Daijoubu na?”
“Saa.” Nino muttered, a signal to Yamapi that he’ll be good and will not be killing any senpais in a while, leading Yamapi to muss up his hair playfully.
“Ja, baby.” Yamapi winked as he slipped out the door. Nino shifted awkwardly. Great, now he was going to have to make friendly chit-chat with his new-found nemesis.
“So how many more stops for you?” Nino stated his stop name without fanfare to Sho’s question, as he lifted his hand to indicate another four stops. “Oh I’m getting off there too today.”
Oh wow. What luck. And here I thought he was like most people who lived near the school and I could get rid of him earlier.
“Actually you live quite far from Waseio. Isn’t Hyouyama nearer? How come you chose to come here instead? Won’t Hyouyama be more convenient for you?”
“Just felt like it.” Nino muttered. It’s really none of your business is it? That was more along what he wanted to say. Really. What’s with asking him a question like that when the twat himself lived at the same stop and goes to Waseio as well? Bah.
“Nino has been friends with Yamapi for a long time? You were in the same middle school?”
“Kindergarten, primary and middle school. Pi lived down the street from me before he moved away in the last month of final year.”
“I see.”
Silence.
Sound of the train rumbling over the tracks. The rest of the ride was interspersed by questions from Sho trying to maintain a conversation, but only meeting with a curt reception from Nino.
Finally, the train pulled at their stop.
“Well ja, mata!” Sho waved, grinning cheerily at Nino as he disappeared down the opposite stairwell that led to the shopping street. Nino rolled his eyes as he headed in the opposite direction towards his home. Despite Nino’s unfriendliness, Sho seemed to think that Nino was merely a bit under the weather, and even told him to take care and have lots of rest before he skitted off.
Nino reminded himself to make sure he and Yamapi left school as quickly and stealthily as possible from now onwards so that he didn’t have to sit and pretend to be civil to someone he decided isn’t worth the time of his day.
* * * * *
© Copyrighted by O-Baka! | Home
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Didn’t you say your muses had gone on strike? *ggg* Glad to see they returned to you ^o^ *gives them an other cookie* (and an extra one for squeezing in some PiKame love ^.~)
Nino is so cruel by playing hard to get at the end *laughs* And by teasing Sho and making him repeat himself.. poor guy *pats Sho-chan* *lol*
But at least they FINALLY ended up together… somehow… I hope… XD”"”
The part about Ryo interrupting Pi’s date with Kame made me crack up X3
I’d soo~ love to read about this in detail *nudge nudge*
And I need to bribe your muses in favour of the sequel ^_______^
Konnichiwa..i’ve read the whole fic already and I have to say that I am impressed. I love your writing style a lot and the pairing is refreshing. The way the everyone was portrayed in here is great and makes the story smooth going. Keep up with the good work. Ganbatte XD
P.S I luv Kame-kun lol Of course I love others as well. They are so cute but if possible could you finish the sequel. I’m so excited