Chapter Six
“EH?! Oh-chan?!”
Ohno looked up to see a boy in Waseio’s tracksuit waving frantically at him. Dare? Hmm. Shrugging, he returned to his task of drawing out the tactics that Aiba had come up with on the white board. Morita had complained that he had no idea how to make head or tail out of Aiba’s scribbles so Ohno was tasked with redrawing it more clearly. He was the art student after all.
He felt a tug on his sleeve which got more violent when he didn’t react. “OH-CHAN!”
“Omae wa dare?”
“Oh-chan, you don’t remember me anymore? It’s only been a year!”
Ohno continued to look puzzled.
“Kame. It’s Kame!” The other pointed to himself.
“Oh… Kame-kun… dare?”
“Oi! You’re just pretending right? You’re always pretending.”
Ohno shrugged. “What are you doing here?”
Kame pulled up the collar of his school tracksuit. “I’m in the Waseio team. But uh, I’m only a reserve.”
“Oh, you’re the enemy.” Ohno glared at Kame as he hugged the white board tightly to make sure that Kame couldn’t spy on Aiba’s tactics.
“Don’t be weird na, Oh-chan. Anyway, what are YOU doing here? This is a basketball court. It makes sense for me to be here, but not for you. You’ve never even watched our school’s matches last time.”
“I’m Hyouyama’s team manager.”
“EH?!” Kame raised his eyebrow quizzically. “But you don’t even know anything about basketball.”
“I don’t need to know much. I only need to order people around.” Ohno smiled evilly. Suddenly, his face changed to a stern expression. “OI! JIN! I’VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER FOR YOU! YOU COME RIGHT HERE AND DRINK YOUR JUICE NOW!” Ohno grabbed the bottle that was labelled with Jin’s name in big bold letters.
“Huh… majide?” Jin whined as he walked past Kame and took the bottle from Ohno. “Why is it purple today? And it’s lumpy. Eww.”
“There’s grape inside. Of course I’m serious. Drink now or I’ll make you drink another two bottles after the match.”
Jin took a sip before making gagging noises. “Bleah! It must be sour grapes!” Jin pinched his nose as he drank up the bottle. He gave the empty bottle back to Ohno. “Na, I’m done. Can I have some water now?”"
“No.”
“Huh? But I got this yucky taste in my mouth now and I won’t be able to play properly with this yucky taste.” Jin complained when a bottle of water was handed to him.
“Hello.” Kame smiled as Jin took his water bottle from him.
“Ah, arigato!” Jin took a huge gulp. “Hey, you’re the one from Waseio right?”
“Che! What a stupid question. You can see from his tracksuit.” Ohno said sarcastically as he continued drawing. “Why are you still slacking here? Go do your warm-ups. And make sure you go and pee before the match since you drank so much.”
“Hai.” Jin passed the bottle back to Kame. “Thank you!”
“You better wash your bottle and get new water. You might be poisoned from the baka’s germs.” Ohno said as Jin ran off to do his warm-ups while Kame stood there hugging his water bottle. “And what are you still doing here? Shoo! Enemy!”
* * * * *
So that must be the guy… Nino thought as he watch Sho talking animatedly to a Hyouyama player, a huge smile on Sho’s face. Nino didn’t need anyone to tell him to guess that the player was none other than THE Aiba Masaki. Or as Sho puts it, ‘Aiba-chan’.
The match between Waseio and Hyouyama for the district tournament finals was about to commence in forty minutes. Most of the Waseio players were warming up or waiting at the benches for their coach to announce the line-up. After Sho was done with his warm-ups, he had sauntered over to the Hyouyama bench to look for his friend. Nino watched as Aiba said something, causing Sho to laugh out loud.
That guy’s always laughing at stupid things. Nino thought before turning to Yamapi who was sitting next to him. “Pi, after the match, we’re gonna eat ramen at the shop I was telling you about.”
“Eh? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Why? You’re not free? You’ve got a date?” Nino made a face.
“Nah. Even if I’ve got a date I’d cancel it to go out with you.” Yamapi replied, draping his arm around Nino’s shoulder, his head leaning against Nino’s.
“Whatever.” Nino replied as Kame walked back to take the seat next to Nino. “Oi! Where did you go?”
“Oh, I went to talk to my senpai. I can’t believe he’s Hyouyama’s team manager now.” Kame replied, a big smile on his face.
“What’s with that big stupid smile on your face?”
“Nothing.”
“Lemme guess, you saw Akanishi Jin.” Yamapi smirked. “And that guy drank from your bottle, I suppose? Seeing from how you’re hugging your water bottle and grinning like an idiot.”
“Che!” Nino said dismissively. “Kame, can you get a hold of yourself and stop going ga-ga over some stupid Hyouyama fellow.”
“Jin’s not some stupid Hyouyama fellow.”
“Bah! All the Hyouyama players are stupid to me.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Ah, Kame, forgive Nino. He’s in a bad mood.”
“Yah, I can tell from his black face.”
“Yes yes, it’s like a big black cloud right?”
“Sou. And with thunder and lightning too.”
“Who says I’m in a bad mood?” Nino said, looking very peeved.
“Ah, arashi ne.” Kame and Yamapi said simultaneously.
“Idiots.”
“Why are you in such a bad mood anyway?” Kame asked.
“I guess someone’s in a bad mood because he’s being ‘outplayed’ by some guy he doesn’t even know.”
“Are?” Nino looked at Yamapi, confused. “What are you talking about? I’m not in the best of moods, cos Kimura-sensei is probably not gonna let me play at all for this match, even though my ‘suspension’ is over.” Nino rolled his eyes. “Don’t know what you’re trying to say about me being outplayed. Ha! As if that’ll ever happen.”
“Hai hai. Nino’s the best point guard, how can anyone outplay him, right?”
“Of course.”
* * * * *
Aiba walked over to the bench, nodding his head as he accepted praises from his other team mates and coach Sorimachi-sensei. He had a great game, enjoying himself as he got caught up in many one-on-one battles with Sho. The match was tight, with both teams taking turns to get the lead only for the other to fight back. In the end, a brilliant move by Waseio’s captain finished off the game and Hyouyama lost by a mere two points.
“Here.” Ohno said as he tossed the bottle of juice to Aiba, who caught it easily and proceeded to happily down the whole bottle.
“Eww, Aiba-chan senpai! How can you take that thing!” Jin said in disgust.
“Eh? It’s nice. But… Oh-chan, you forgot to add pepper into mine?!”
“Pepper?!” Jin exclaimed.
“As if you ever put pepper into your juice.” Ohno deadpanned. “Anyway, if you want pepper why can’t you add it in yourself? I’m not your slave.”
“Nah, you’re my team manager!” Aiba laughed as he glomped his good friend.
“It’s all your fault I’m team manager. Dragging me and forcing me to take the job. I don’t even get paid.”
“But you get to order people around.”
“True.” Ohno nodded. “Oi! Jin! Go help me get all the dirty towels and dump it into the bag! Go now or I’ll make you drink another bottle of juice!”
“Ah! I’ll go, I’ll go.” Jin hurried off. “Che, Oh-chan senpai always bullies me.”
“Haha, Oh-chan kawaii.”
“Eh?” Ohno looked at Aiba with a blank face. “Ah, I can’t wait to go home away from you bakas. My mum’s cooking is still the best. And no. You can’t come along.”
Aiba laughed. “Ha, on any other day, I’ll probably beg you to let me tag along, but today, I’ve got a date! You know that ramen shop we found the other day? I’m going there!”
“Ramen shop? …I don’t eat ramen.”
“Na, stop talking nonsense, Oh-chan.” Aiba whacked Ohno’s head. Ohno mumbled something about Aiba being the ‘boke king’ but the latter didn’t hear him and turned his attention elsewhere. “Sho-kun!”
“Aiba-chan.” Sho smiled as he jogged over. “Great game.”
“You too. Anyway, let’s go now!” Aiba said as he grabbed Sho’s arm.
“Eh? Don’t you wanna go shower first?”
“Ah, Sho-kun, you wanna share the shower with me?”
“Are?! No!” Sho said, laughing.
“Why not? It’ll be faster. C’mon. Bye Oh-chan! Miss me!”
“Ha, as if.” Ohno snorted as he watched Aiba drag Sho off.
* * * * *
“Hey Tsuyo, look over there.” Koichi slapped his friend on the back as he pointed across the court.
“What is it?” Tsuyoshi muttered as his eyes followed the direction that Koichi was pointing at. Their junior, Okada, was talking to some girl. “Oh, so that’s our dear Junichi’s girlfriend?”
“Ah, she’s pretty huh. No wonder Okada doesn’t want to introduce her to us.”
“That selfish gaki. As if we would do anything to his girlfriend.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure either if I was him.” A face appeared in front of the Domotos, giving them a shock.
“Ah! Nagase! What are you doing here?” Koichi asked, pointing an accusing finger at his friend. “You’ve been acting really weird recently. I must figure out what you’re up to.”
Swatting Koichi’s finger away, Nagase rolled his eyes. “I can’t come and support my school’s basketball team? Anyway, where’s Nino?”
Tsuyoshi shrugged. “Somewhere around there where the first years all are.”
“Ok. Anyway, congrats.” Nagase smiled as he moved to find the first year.
“Eh? Nagase-senpai, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, Nino! I was looking for you.” Nagase said as he took out a cd from his bag. “Here, the cd that I was supposed to lend to you. Thought I’ll just come over to watch the match as well since I have to pass this to you.”
“Ah, arigato!” Nino said as he took the cd from the other.
“Hey, wanna go out to celebrate? Give you a treat.” Nagase asked.
“Eh? Oh, I was going to go out with Yamapi to the ramen store nearby. You wanna join us?”
“Uh, ok, if your friend doesn’t mind.” Nagase replied, voice tinged with slight disappointment.
“Hey, Pi!” Nino waved over the other first year, who strode over and proceeded to glomp him.
“Hai?”
“Can Nagase-senpai join us for ramen?”
Yamapi studied Nagase, who felt like the first year could see right through him. After some nudging from Nino, Yamapi replied. “Why don’t we ask Kame and Taisuke to join us then? The more the better.”
“That’s fine with me. Hey Kame, Taisuke, wanna go eat ramen?”
Two other first years turned around. “Hm? Ramen? Ok!”
“Let’s ask our senpais too.” Yamapi added.
“Anything’s fine with me.” Kame shrugged.
“Yeah, I’ll go ask Sho-senpai!” Taisuke waved his arm excitedly.
“Che, forget it. That guy won’t come cos he’s got his own ramen date.” Nino interrupted unceremoniously.
“Huh? Date? With who?” Taisuke asked.
“Consorting with the enemy.” Nino mumbled.
“Huh? What did you say, Nino?”
“Maa iyo.” Yamapi waved Taisuke’s query away. “We better not ask Okada-senpai either.” He added, gesturing towards the opposite court.
“Ooh, is that Okada-senpai’s girlfriend? She’s pretty!”
“And totally out of your league.”
“Itai na, Kame!” Taisuke rubbed his head, before hitting Kame back. “It’s not as if you’re any better.”
Another hand reached out to smack Taisuke on the head. “Who says you can hit my other half?”
“Ryo-chan!”
“What are you all arguing about?” Tsuyoshi sauntered to where they were.
“I heard there’s food! I’m going where the food is!” Koichi announced happily.
“Wah, that’s a lot of people we have here now.” Nagase remarked. “Should we get going, Nino?”
“Yeah, let’s all better get going then, otherwise there won’t be any seats in the restaurant. Nino, you’re sitting next to me later.” Yamapi said as he hugged Nino possessively, leading him away from the others.
“Hm? I always sit with you anyway.” Nino raised his eyebrow. “Na, you’re extremely glompy today. What? Got dumped again?”
“Hai hai! So Nino must accompany me and make me happy again!” Yamapi winked. “Boku ga ichiban daisuki no wa Nino da!”
“Whatever.”
* * * * *
“Ninomiya-kun, can I see you for a while?”
“Hai.” Nino shuffled his way towards the front of the classroom where his English teacher was waiting as the rest of the class filtered out, eager to leave school.
“Ninomiya-kun, do you have difficulties understanding my lessons?”
“Er…”
“Because not only did you fail the test, your answers didn’t even make much sense, and I was very disappointed since I expected much better from you. I hear that you usually do very well in your other subjects?”
Nino nodded slowly.
“Well, how I wish you could apply yourself as well here. In this case, since you don’t seem to show any affinity to the language, I’m thinking about giving you extra lessons after school every day so that you can at least pass your exam.”
“Eh? Every day? But what about my basketball?” Nino looked up, worried that the school might actually force him to quit the team.
“Well, considering that you only managed to score 1 mark in the test, yes, extra lessons would have to be held every day after school together with the other weak students.” Nino’s teacher sighed. “However, you can take a retest if you want. Coming Monday. If you pass, you don’t have to come for the extra lessons.”
“Hontou? Can I? I promise I’ll work harder this time and do much better in the retest.”
“It’ll be held after school though, so if I’m not wrong, you’ll have to miss your Monday practice?”
“That’s ok, I’ll ask for permission.”
“Fine, Monday, after school, find me in my office.”
“Hai.” Nino replied as Yamapi walked into the classroom after the teacher had left.
“Ha, you failed your English test again?”
“What? It’s all your fault. You’re such a lousy teacher.”
“Who was the one busy playing computer games as I tried to tutor him?” Yamapi smirked as he wrapped both arms around Nino.
“Ah, let go already, Pi. You’re heavy.” Nino grumbled as he tried to drag himself out of the classroom with Yamapi glomping him. “Eh? Sho-kun!”
Hearing his name, Sho stopped at main gate of the school, turning to see his juniors walking towards him. “Oh. Nino! Yamapi!” He greeted, waving.
“Sho-kun, Sho-kun, can you help me with something?” Nino asked with a pleading look.
“Hm? What is it?”
“Nino failed his English and wants you to be his tutor.” Yamapi answered for Nino, who was shooting daggers at him. “What? I’m only telling the truth. You think I’m a lousy teacher.”
“No problem.” Sho smiled, turning to Nino. “When do you need me to start work then?”
“Eh? Er, now actually. Have to retake the test on Monday and pass it or I’ll have to attend extra English lessons. If Sho-kun has no time, then…”
“It’s ok, I’m free today anyway. You wanna come over to my house to study?”
“Eh? Really? Oh, ok, but why go to your house?”
Sho laughed. “So that I don’t have to waste time travelling home. Anyway, if we went to your house, I’m sure you’ll be too busy playing computer games to study, no?”
“Eh?!”
“You see, even Sho-kun knows what a naughty student you are.” Yamapi poked Nino’s cheek.
“Itai na.” Nino rubbed his cheek as he tried to poke Yamapi back. “Ah, yah, yah, it’s all my fault that I failed my test. Pi is actually an awesome teacher.”
“You’re crossing your fingers behind your back.”
“Hey, Sho-kun, you’re supposed to be helping me.”
Yamapi laughed as he reached out to mess Nino’s hair. “Ah, I guess I’ll go find myself a date. You go enjoy yourself studying over the weekend. Bye baby!”
“Stupid Pi, always messing my hair.” Nino grumbled as he tried to fix the mess Yamapi had made before opening his bag to search for something. “Oh yah, Sho-kun, wait here for me.”
“Hm?” Sho watched as Nino took out a cd and walked hurriedly to the traffic light. “Hey Nino, why are you crossing the road?”
Not hearing Sho, Nino waved at someone across the street as he crossed quickly. “Nagase-senpai! Here!” Sho watched as Nino passed the cd over, but couldn’t quite make out what the two were saying. Minutes later, Nino waved goodbye to Nagase and hurried back to where Sho was waiting.
“Eh, you know Nagase-senpai?”
“Huh? Yeah. He joined us for Saturday baseball just a few weeks back. I was returning him a cd he lent me last Saturday.”
“Oh, I see. Nagase-senpai has gone back to playing baseball. No wonder I never see him playing football during breaks these days.” Sho said thoughtfully as the two reached the station. “So, my house?”
“Okay…” Nino replied. “But if I fail again I’m not talking to you anymore. Deal?”
Sho chuckled. “Deal.”
* * * * *
“Ah! Tsukareta!” Nino said as he stretched his arms, yawning. Sho had gone to the toilet, so he was alone in Sho’s room, which was really big and neat, compared to his own. Everything was arranged in an orderly manner, so it was very easy to find anything. Lying on Sho’s desk was a rather thick English book. Picking it up, Nino tried to read the title.
“The D-Da V- huh? Is this even English?”
He heard a knock on Sho’s door then, before it slid slowly open. “Ninomiya-kun?”
“Hai.” Nino said, as he placed the book back onto the desk, careful not to let the bookmark slip out.
“It’s getting late. Maybe you should stay over.” Sho’s mother said.
“Eh? Er, I think it’s better that I go home. Sorry to bother you all.”
“Hm? No, no, I insist that you stay over. It looks like it’s going to rain soon too, so I’ll feel better if you didn’t go back all by yourself at this late hour. There’s no school anyway, so it’s alright for you to stay over.” Sho’s mother insisted.
“Okasan, what is the matter?” Sho asked, returning from the toilet.
“I was just asking Ninomiya-kun to stay for the night since it’s so late. Why don’t you lend him some of your clothes so that he can change.”
“Oh, ok.” Sho nodded. “Nino, you better give your parents a call to let them know.”
Seeing that he had no choice, Nino nodded, reaching for his phone.
“You’ve finished all the exercises?” Sho asked as he walked over with a set of clothes and passed them to Nino.
“Yes, Sakurai-sensei.” Nino saluted Sho.
Sho laughed. “Ok, I’ll take a look at them while you go take a shower.”
“Eh, but Sho-kun, where will I be sleeping?”
“Well, there’s a guest room, sorta, but there’s so many things stored in that room, you’re better off just sleeping on the sofa.”
“Ah? On the sofa? That’s how you treat your guests?”
Sho chuckled as turned back to his closet. “Nah. I have a futon somewhere in my cupboard.”
“Wah, Sho-kun, you have a walk-in closet.” Nino remarked as he stood behind Sho.
“Ah, it’s nothing.” Sho said as he pulled out a folded futon. “Here. You can sleep in my room. You wanna take my bed?”
“Nah, I always sleep on the floor at home anyway.” Nino said as he laid the futon on the floor. “Ok, gonna take a shower. Sweating is not good for the body.”
“Huh?” Sho made a face, though still smiling, as Nino left the room. When Nino returned, Sho had already stacked all the English exercise and guide books aside and was reading.
“Is that English?” Nino asked as he peered over Sho’s shoulder.
“Yes. It’s ‘The Da Vinci Code’.”
“Oh, so that’s how you pronounce the title.” Nino said as he plopped onto Sho’s bed.
“Da Vinci is a famous artist. Anyway, haven’t you read the book before?”
“I don’t even read my English notes, do you think I’ll read that?” Nino said with a yawn.
“It’s a good book. You should read it. If you want, I can lend it to you after I’ve finished reading it.” Sho offered. When Nino didn’t reply, Sho turned to look at the other. “Nino?”
Nino was lying perfectly still, head resting sideways on his left arm that was strewn lazily along the bed, his face in an expression of peaceful sleep.
“Neteiruka.” Sho said quietly as he watched the other’s face, and started nudging the other. “Maa, you said you’ll sleep on the floor but you’re sleeping on my bed anyway.”
Inching closer, Sho rested his chin on the edge of the bed to study Nino’s face. So calm and innocent, Nino looked just like a cute little child then, sleeping without a worry in the world. Sho’s hand reached out to touch Nino’s cheek, his finger moving on to trace every bit of Nino’s features. The eyes, ears, nose, lips… Sho paused, his finger hovering lightly above Nino’s soft, pink, kissable lips. Slowly, he found himself moving closer, until his own lips was only centimetres away from Nino’s.
Sho pulled back, slightly shocked at what he was almost about to do. He gave a sigh of relief when he saw that Nino was still sound asleep, oblivious to what had happened. But a part of him wish he hadn’t pulled away, that he had not changed his mind at the last minute. That part of Sho wanted to reach out to Nino once more, to kiss him, to caress his cheek, to touch him…
Sho shut his eyes and shook his head violently, trying to shake those thoughts away. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted once more with Nino’s angelic face. Reaching forward, Sho pulled the covers over Nino to tug him into bed. He looked at Nino once more, smiling to himself.
A devil with an angel’s face.
And he had fallen in love with one.
* * * * *
© 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