Chapter Nine
“Minna! Please gather round.” Tsubasa called out. “We’re now going to have some one-on-one matches.”
“One-on-One? Cool. I wanna play Taki-kun!” Koichi announced aloud.
“Ore?” Taki pointed himself, as Koichi nodded, grinning.
“Well, I was just going to ask if you mind me assigning match-ups.” Tsubasa chuckled. “But since Koichi’s already made up his mind, should we just have a free-for-all? I’ll butt in when there’s a dispute. After you pair up, head over there and we’ll have 2 matches at a time, half-court. Each for five minutes.”
“Ii yo. I’ll play Tsubasa then.” Tsuyo stated matter-of-factly, as the others started to look about and pick someone to play.
Sho was about to ask Okada, since all the third year first-teamers had paired up, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. “Sho-kun, we never played one on one before right?”
“Eh, Nino?” Sho turned, a bit surprised by Nino’s serious expression.
“Can we play?”
“Ah, erm. Ok.”
The various match-ups went quite swiftly without much ado so far, except maybe the little mock tantrum Tsuyo threw when Tsubasa slam-dunked above him. Sho, meanwhile, wasn’t really able to pay attention. He was somewhat distracted by Nino. Not that Nino was doing anything per se, rather it was his lack of it. Nino had not said a word to him after he agreed to play. He just sat there looking seriously at the play. Sho wondered what the other was thinking.
Nino hadn’t been in a very good mood since morning. For some reason, he just felt annoyed. Well, okay, he knew why. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he knew he was annoyed with Sho for choosing to hang out with Aiba over him and Nagase-senpai. He didn’t want to admit it though, as he was just thinking how stupid it sounded even as he thought about it to himself. Sho could choose to do what he like, so he didn’t know why he was being stupid and annoyed. Maybe it was just because it was the Aiba Masaki fella, and Nino didn’t like him…. Not that he could really tell why he didn’t like him either. Anyway, he didn’t want Sho to know he was annoyed. So Nino just avoided him for most of the day.
However, when Tsubasa had announced one-vs-one, Nino was suddenly reminded he’d never played a proper game against Sho before. He recalled how some time back, he’d watched the other play Tsuyoshi and the others, and the feeling of how he wanted to play but couldn’t since he was suspended. So, before he even thought about it, he’d just asked.
“Yo, Sho, Nino. It’s your turn.”
“Sho-senpai ganbatte yo!” Taisuke waved, as Kame swatted at him.
“Itai!”
“Urusai na.” After a thoughtful pause as he watched the two players quietly take their positions, Kame commented to Yamapi on the other side of him.
“Ne, is it just me, or are they too quiet? Is Nino feeling okay? I didn’t expect him to challenge Sho-kun all of a sudden.”
Yamapi shrugged. “Let’s see how it goes.”
Nino dribbled the ball on the spot, his face one of concentration. Sho had let him start first, and he didn’t want to waste his chance. He knew that he needed to be focused, and even if he feinted, Sho would probably anticipate it. Nino decided to feint anyway, he’d couldn’t spot much fault in Sho’s defence, so he might as well just give it a shot.
Swoosh.
“Waah! Nino scored already?!” Taisuke blurted, as Kame swatted him again.
It wasn’t just Taisuke however, who was surprised. Nino himself was surprised how easily he had got past. He thought he’d be forced back, but when he found himself free in a scoring position, he had shot by instinct.
“Nice one, Nino.” Sho grinned cheerily, as he picked up the ball.
Nino, still confused, didn’t know what to say to Sho’s cheerfulness. So he merely nodded and got into a defensive stance.
“That’s it. Nino’s acting weird. He didn’t even gloat about scoring.” Kame concluded as Yamapi stayed silent.
Sho scored easily enough, he didn’t even do anything really fancy. Then it was Nino’s turn to attack again, and once again, despite Nino’s certainty that Sho would spot his feint and stop his move to the net, he found himself completing the lay-up easily. The sequence repeated itself with both boys scoring easily on their turns without mishap.
Nino frowned, oblivious to Taisuke’s shouting. This wasn’t right. He shouldn’t be having things so easy. When it happen the first time, he might have put it down to luck. But this was just getting too easy. He recalled all the times he watched Sho play, and the other had never been so slack. It was like.. it was like he was giving in to him.
He’s giving in to me. Why?
He’s giving in to me… because he thinks I’m not good enough. He thinks I’m not good enough, that I’m not worthy enough an opponent to play him, unlike.. unlike Aiba Masaki…. Unlike his Aiba-chan. That’s it. He wasn’t as worthy or as important as Aiba. That’s why Sho would rather play with basketball with Aiba than come out with him and Nagase senpai, and why he wouldn’t see the need to bother to play seriously at all.
“Fuzaken da yo.” Nino muttered.
“Nino?”
“You’re not playing me seriously are you, Sho-kun?”
“Nino? What makes you say that? I’m-”
“You’re not playing me seriously! Fuzaken da yo! Play me seriously!”
“Ah, calm down, calm down. ” Tsubasa tried to intervene but Nino continued to glare at Sho.
“Play me seriously!”
“Sho-kun,” Tsubasa glanced at Sho who nodded.
“Nino, calm down. I’ll play seriously.”
In the next few minutes, keeping his word, Sho played seriously. The result wasn’t in doubt then, as Nino didn’t score once after that. He hardly even had possession, much less a chance to score.
Nino looked at the ball he held loosely in his palms.
“Erm, Nino?” In a careful, quiet tone, Sho offered a hand to his opponent. “Nice game.”
Thud. The offered hand was not taken. Instead, the younger boy had merely dropped the ball on the ground, spun round and stormed out of the gym, leaving Sho stranded.
“Oi, Nino! You-” Taisuke shouted, as he made a move to follow but a hand stopped him.
“Don’t be a bother.” Kame held Taisuke back as Yamapi added aloud.
“Gomen na minna, Sho-kun. Nino doesn’t like to lose. Leave him to sulk. He’ll be fine later.”
Tsubasa nodded. “Well then, Kame, Yamapi, it’s your turn.”
* * * * *
“Yo.”
Freshly showered, Nino was sitting cross-legged on the dressing room bench, face resting on in one small palm as he stared into space when a grinning Koichi pounced into his line of sight. “Nee-nooo-chaan, daijoubu? Don’t be upset. We all lost to Sho before too.”
Cheerily, he mussed Nino’s damp hair, making faces at the younger boy. “C’mon cheer up!”
“Yeah, even I got beaten by that gaki.” Tsuyoshi added, as he sat down. “Oi, Koichi.”
“Hai- Itai!”
Nino couldn’t help the small smile as the other was kicked by Tsuyoshi.
“What was that for?!”
“You had a stupid expression. I didn’t like it.”
“Nan da yo.” Koichi muttered, then grinned when he saw Nino. “Ah, but nevermind. Nino looks less sulky. Yay.”
“Hontou ni baka da.” Tsuyoshi muttered as there was a knock on the door.
“Shitsurei shimasu?” Nagase poked his head around the door. “Nino-”
“Nagase! What are you doing here?” Koichi pointed an accusing finger.
“Ah, ha. Just wanted to ask Nino something.”
“Ask him later. This is our dressing room. Shoo!” Koichi unceremoniously said, as Nino got up.
“It’s okay, I’ll go outside.”
As the door closed behind them, Nino asked. “What is it senpai?”
“I had some work, and just finished. Remembered that you had practice, so wanted to ask if you want to go out and get something to eat together?”
“Ah, that sounds ok. I don’t mind-”
“I don’t mind too. Food is always good.” Popping out of nowhere, Yamapi invited himself along.
“Oh, Pi you wanna go along too? Great!”
“Of course I’d go where Nino goes.” Yamapi smile, casting a triumphant glance Nagase’s way. “Wait for me kay? I’ll be done soon.”
Yamapi was in and out in of the dressing room, probably in what could be considered record time for his standard. On one hand Nagase was annoyed at the speed at which Yamapi had made himself available to tag along. On the other, he was thankful that Yamapi was so fast that they hadn’t bump into any other people that Nino would ask to join them. Like Sho, who he’d spotted having a discussion with Kimura-sensei on his way to look for Nino.
“Hey Yamapi, you seem to be very free nowadays, ne? Usually I hear from Nino that you’re on a date. Not today?”
“Nah, those aren’t really dates. I’m just meeting up with old friends at school.” Yamapi said as he hooked an arm around Nino’s when they entered the restaurant. “I prefer hanging out with Nino anyway. It’s more fun. And safer too. For both of us.”
“Erm, okay.” Nagase nodded. “I’m gonna get food. What do you guys want?”
“Torikaage.”
“Same as Nino. Thanks!”
As Nagase left to get the food for the three of them, Yamapi turned to Nino.
“You’re still angry with Sho-kun?”
“As if I’ll get angry over something like that.”
“You were sulking like a kid if you ask me.” Yamapi reached out to mess Nino’s hair.
“What? I lost so badly, can’t I sulk?” Nino asked as he pushed Yamapi’s hand away.
“Hey, you did ask Sho-kun to play seriously against you, so the result’s no surprise actually.”
“Doesn’t mean he has to be so ruthless!” Nino complained. “And what was with him treating me differently and going easy on me at first anyway? Is he looking down on me?”
“Well, I don’t know about looking down on you. But yes, Sho-kun does treat you differently.”
“Yeah, what’s with that?”
Yamapi shook his head. “If you’re not angry with Sho-kun then I think you should let him know cos he probably thinks that he’d pissed you off. And, you should go apologise to Sho-kun for the way you shouted at him earlier too. He is our senpai, y’know.”
“Hai, hai, I’ll do that tomorrow.”
* * * * *
“Hey Nino, there’s no practice today. Didn’t you know?” Kame asked as he saw Nino walking towards the gym.
“There isn’t? No one told me. How come?”
Kame shrugged. “Supposedly, Kimura-sensei wants to give us a break as a reward for our victory over Hyouyama. Taisuke claims it’s cos the school wants to clean and polish the gym floor though.”
“Sou ka.” Nino said, deep in thought. “Ah, then wouldn’t that mean that I can’t apologise to Sho-kun?”
“Eh? What did you say?”
“Nothing.” Nino waved off Kame’s inquiry, when he suddenly spotted Sho walking towards the school gate. “Ah, bye then!”
Walking as fast as possible, Nino finally caught up with Sho, and tapped him on the shoulder. “Sho-kun.”
“Hm? Nino?” Sho turned around, appearing slightly surprised that Nino was talking to him.
“Eh, er, uh… sorry for yesterday.”
Sho looked at him, as if not quite understanding what Nino was trying to say. “Sorry? For what?”
“Ah, I shouldn’t have shouted at Sho-kun. I guess I was just a little bit moody yesterday.”
Sho smiled. “It’s ok. I shouldn’t have made Nino angry in the first place.”
“Huh? But-”
“Nino!” A sudden shout interrupted their conversation as Nagase appeared next to Nino. “You have no practice today right? Come with me.”
“Eh? Chotto matte, Nagase-senpai! I was talking to Sho-kun.” Nino protested as Nagase started to drag him.
“That’s ok. I’ve got something on anyway, so I better go first. See ya.” Sho said hurriedly as he turned to head towards the station before Nino could stop him. He was walking as fast as he could away from Nino and Nagase, before slowing down when he reached the station.
Maa, is this the way it’s gonna be? Me running away from them? Sho thought as he stood on the platform, waiting for the train to arrive. Someone tapped him on the shoulder again, and Sho turned to find Yamapi standing next to him.
“Moshi baby.” Yamapi greeted. “Have you seen Nino?”
“Uh, yeah, I saw him earlier.” Sho replied, before adding. “He’s gone somewhere with Nagase-senpai.”
“Damn I knew it. And I just missed them.”
“You mean you were supposed to meet Nino?”
Yamapi shook his head. “Not really. Just wanted to hang out with Nino, that’s all.”
“Maybe Nino thought you had a date.”
“For Nino’s sake, I’ve cancelled all my meetings for the moment.”
“Erm… okay.”
“Anyway, they’re all just my old school friends, not really dates as Nino puts it.”
“If that’s the case, then why are you cancelling them anyway?” Sho asked, curious.
“So that I have time to protect Nino.”
“Protect Nino? From what?”
“Not what, but who.” Yamapi corrected. “Nino isn’t very bright when it comes to recognising people’s affection for him. I mean, Nino acknowledges the fact that everybody loves him, but he can’t differentiate between the types. I’m sure Sho-kun knows what I mean. Sho-kun, is there anybody that you like?”
“Eh?” Taken aback by Yamapi’s sudden change of topic, Sho eyed Yamapi carefully as the two stepped onto the train that had just pulled in. “…Maybe.”
“Y’know, I’m still gonna ask who is it even if your answer was ‘maybe’.”
“I know. And I have the right not to answer you.”
“Ah, sou.” Yamapi nodded thoughtfully. Soon, the train reached his stop. Before stepping off, Yamapi turned to Sho. “Well, if you do need any help from me with regards to who you ‘maybe’ like, feel free to ask. Ja.”
As the doors closed and the train pulled out of the station, Sho couldn’t help thinking that Yamapi was actually a very scary person.
* * * * *
“Nagase-senpai, where are you bringing me to? And why are you in such a hurry?” Nino asked as Nagase dragged him by the hand. He was getting slightly annoyed, partly because Nagase had just dragged him off while he was in the middle of a conversation with Sho, and partly because Sho had left in such a hurry. Must have gone to play with his Aiba-chan again. Nino thought moodily.
Suddenly, Nagase stopped walking, and Nino almost crashed into the former. “Eh, why did you stop?”
“We’re here.”
Nino looked around. The two of them were in the nearby park, and were currently standing in front of the park’s playground. There were a few kids happily playing on the swings and slide. Other than that, Nino didn’t see anything special that could explain why he was brought here. “Er… is there a reason why you brought me to a playground?”
Nagase shrugged. “Wanna play?” He asked as he walked towards an empty swing, pulling Nino along once more. “C’mon, I’ll help push.”
Nino raised an eyebrow, a little perturbed by Nagase’s odd behaviour. There was a rare silence between them as Nagase pushed Nino on the swing.
“Nino, I’ve got something to tell you.”
“Hm?” Nino waited for Nagase to reply, but none came. Sighing, Nino asked as he got impatient. “What is it?”
“Nino, I like you.”
“Hm, that’s it?”
“I don’t mean it as in I like you just as a friend y’know. It’s not the same as how Yamapi goes around saying he loves you… by the way, there’s nothing going on between the two of you right?”
“Pi and me? Nah, Pi just likes to say he loves a lot of people.”
“Ok, that’s good. Anyway, as I was saying, I don’t mean it in the same way as Yamapi when I said that I like you. What I mean is…” Nagase took a deep breath as he continued to push Nino. “Will you go steady with me?”
“EH?!” Shocked, Nino jumped off the swing, causing it to swing violently backwards and hit Nagase. The kids around them got a shock too by Nino’s sudden outburst, some of them deciding to run away. Nino hurried over to where Nagase was. “Sumimasen Nagase-senpai! I was just in shock. I didn’t mean to hit you.”
“Ah, you totally didn’t see that coming did you?” Nagase said as Nino helped him up. “It’s ok, I’m not bleeding or anything. It’s just a little painful that’s all.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I already said that’s it’s alright. Don’t worry… And as for my question, you don’t have to answer me now. Take your time to think about it.”
“Eh, no!” Nino immediately replied. “Ah, I mean, er… I like Nagase-senpai, but I only like you as a friend and I think you’re very fun to hang out with…”
Nagase looked at Nino, a slight smile on his face, but his disappointment was obvious. “Wow, that was fast. And very clear too.”
“Sumimasen.”
“Stop apologising.” Nagase reached out to mess Nino’s hair. “I actually kinda expected this, but thought I’ll just give it a try.”
“Sorry Nagase-senpai. I really like you, but just not in that way.”
“That’s cos Nino has someone else he likes right?”
Nino looked at Nagase, nonplussed. “Eh, I do? Who?”
Amazed at how Nino had no inkling of it at all, Nagase shooked his head, laughing. “Ah, as usual, doesn’t realise it, but still so kawaii. Aikawarazu ne, Nino wa. Dakara suki da yo.”
“What do you mean there’s someone else I like? How come I don’t even realise it myself?! Tell me who, Nagase-senpai!” Nino continued to bug Nagase, shaking the latter violently.
“That you’ll have to figure out yourself.” Nagase grinned. “And in the meantime, even though you’ve rejected me now, I still won’t give up!”
“Eh?!”
Waving goodbye, Nagase walked away from Nino, leaving the other dazed and confused. “Mata ashita ne! See ya!”
Nino sat on the ground, defeated. “Who the hell do I like?”
* * * * *
“Uwah! Sho-kun, I love your room.” Nino said as he plopped onto Sho’s bed.
“Uh, thanks?” Sho laughed. “So why did you come over anyway?”
“Nothing really… just some things on my mind.”
“You wanna talk about it?” Sho asked, a little concerned.
“Nah, it’s ok. Sorry if I’m bothering you. I couldn’t find Pi, and since your house was the closest, I dunno, I just decided to drop by. I can leave if you’re busy, or you can just ignore me and pretend I’m not here. Maybe-”
“Don’t be silly.” Sho interrupted Nino’s ramblings, reaching out to pinch Nino’s nose before Nino swatted his hand away.
“Itai, na!” Nino stuck his tongue out at Sho as he rubbed his nose. He felt a little uneasy as Sho’s stare seemed to pierce right through him. “What are you staring at? Ah, anyway, Sho-kun, wanna exchange places with me?”
“Exchange places?” Sho asked as he awoke from his reverie.
“Yeah. You stay at my place while I stay here. For one week.”
“Why don’t you just move in permanently?” Sho smiled.
“But wouldn’t you have to sleep on the futon every night then?”
“We could share the bed.”
“Aren’t we too big?” Nino made a face. “The last time I shared a bed with someone it was Pi and it was when we were really small. And I swore never to share a bed with anyone again ever since he kicked me off.”
Sho laughed. “Well, you can sleep on the inside facing the wall so that I can’t kick you off the bed.”
“Not worried that I might kick you off?”
“Nah, Nino doesn’t move when he’s sleeping.”
“Eh, I only stayed over for one night and you already noticed that I don’t move about in my sleep? Are you some sort of stalker?” Nino asked jokingly.
“Maybe.”
The next thing Nino knew, Sho had jumped onto the bed and was now sitting on top of him. Nino layed there motionless, a little shock by Sho’s sudden movement that he didn’t realise when Sho’s hand slipped under his T-shirt until he felt Sho’s fingers touch his bare skin.
“Hey!” Nino exclaimed in surprise. “What are you do-”
Before Nino could finish his sentence, he was cut off by Sho’s lips covering his. Nino didn’t know how to react at first. He had kissed girls before, and there were a few times when it was the girl who initiated the kiss, but this was the first time a guy had kissed him. Unconciously though, Nino soon returned Sho’s kiss. The kiss was slow, but still passionate, as Sho’s tongue slipped into Nino’s mouth, his hands exploring Nino’s body. The kiss deepened, and with every touch from Sho, Nino found himself yearning for more, and thinking that Sho must be the best damn kisser in the world.
Wait, what am I thinking? What are we doing?!
Alarmed, Nino started to struggle underneath Sho, trying to push the latter away from yet not really wanting Sho’s lips to leave his. He felt so confused at that moment, and in real need of some fresh air, yet he almost cried out when Sho broke the kiss so that the two could breathe. Sho’s hand reached up to caress his cheek.
“Nino, I love you.”
It was a bare whisper, but Nino heard it anyway. A second confession in a day. He was taken aback when it happened earlier that day, but this time, he felt a funny feeling taking over him. Not a bad feeling. A good feeling. Happiness? No, maybe it was… love. Seeing Sho’s face that was mixed with love and worry, Nino pulled him down closer.
“I love you too.” Nino whispered back and closed his eyes before they kissed once more. This time, the kiss was much faster, hungrier, as Sho’s hand seemed to work so fast that before he knew it, Nino found that Sho had expertly unbuckled his pants, his touch eliciting a moan from Nino. As the pace quicken, the two suddenly pulled apart and Nino’s eyes shot open when they were interrupted by the shrill of a phone ringing.
“Moshi!” Nino exclaimed as he picked up his mobile phone. He found himself panting slightly as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.
“Nino? Were you sleeping?” Yamapi’s voice filled the line. Nino glanced at the clock on the table.
“It’s 2am, of course I was sleeping.” Nino snapped.
“Oh, sorry. You’re usually awake playing games even at this hour so I thought it would be the same tonight.” Yamapi explained. “Are you alright? You sound a little weird.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just ah, tired. Sorry I snapped at you. So why did you call?”
“I was worried. I tried to call you all day after school but you didn’t pick up your phone. I was wondering what Nagase-senpai had done to you!”
“Eh? Nagase-senpai?” Nino recalled what had happened earlier in the day at the park, and how he had spent the rest of the time brooding over it and stuffing himself with lots of ice-cream. “Maa, what would Nagase-senpai do to me?” He replied instead.
“I don’t know. The guy looks like he wants to eat you half the time.”
So Yamapi knew? Nino realised that maybe he was the only one who didn’t know what was going on. There was a moment of silence, before he heard Yamapi’s voice over the line again.
“Hey Nino? Why are you so quiet? Did Nagase-senpai really do something to you?”
“Eh? No! We just talked that’s all. He didn’t do anything, don’t worry. Nagase-senpai’s not that kind of person.” Nino replied quickly. “Like I told you, I’m just kinda tired.”
“You’re behaving really weirdly. Tired Nino doesn’t behave like that.” Yamapi stated, before he continued mischieviously. “Wait. Maybe Nino wasn’t sleeping. Maybe Nino was doing something hentai.”
“NO!” Nino shouted immediately, hearing Yamapi’s complaints of how his shout was so loud it could break people’s eardrums. He glanced down at his clothes, making sure that he was still dressed in his t-shirt and shorts, then looked around the room to make sure that he was indeed in his own room, and that Sho wasn’t around anywhere. It was a dream, just a dream…
“Pi, I’m sorry but I’m really tired. I’ll talk to you tomorrow ok? G’night.” Before waiting for Yamapi to reply, Nino switched off his phone. He realised that he was dripping wet, but wasn’t sure whether it was because of the horrendous heat in his room or because of what he had dreamt had happened.
“Sho…” The name escaped Nino’s lips, before he shook his head violently and slammed it onto his pillow. He could still see the dream in his head clearly, and felt like every touch was real. And… and he had enjoyed it.
“That’s cos Nino has someone else he likes right?” Nagase-senpai had said. Did he mean…?
Wondering how, in just one day, his life had suddenly become such a complicated mess, Nino stuffed his head into the pillow in frustration. “AHHHHHH!”
* * * * *
© 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