Chapter Eight
“Eh, Nino, Sho-kun, you’re both here.” Yamapi greeted as he stepped onto the train the following Monday. He checked his watch. “Oh, I guess I’m early for once.”
“Good, I don’t have to wait for you today.” Nino remarked.
“Ah, maybe I should have been late, then Nino could wait for me together with Sho-kun at the station.” Yamapi commented as Nino and Sho looked at him, confused. “It’s still such a coincidence though. That the day I’m actually early for school, the three of us take the same train.”
“It’s probably because you’re actually early for school that such a rare occurrence happens, right Sho-kun?” Nino quipped as Sho chuckled.
“Tsk tsk, Nino should stop being so mean to me.” Yamapi said. “By the way, I’ve been trying to call you yesterday and on Saturday as well but couldn’t get you. Where did you go the past two days?”
“Oh, my battery was flat and I forgot to charge. Gomen.” Nino apologised. “Anyway, I had a great baseball weekend!”
“Baseball?” Sho asked. “I thought Tsuba-chan mentioned that there wasn’t any baseball on Saturday.”
“No, I went to watch baseball matches over the weekend. That’s why I had to hurry off on Friday.” Nino turned to Yamapi. “Nagase-senpai and I had to rush to go queue up for the tickets. Luckily, Nagase-senpai had some connections so we were able to get them.”
“Oh, so you’ve been hanging out with Nagase-senpai over the weekend.” Yamapi stated the obvious.
“Yeah! We had a great time. Though I think I’ve watched better games.”
“Nino, you’ve been abandoning me lately.”
“What are you talking about Pi?” Nino draped an arm around Yamapi as the walked towards the school, before noticing that Sho was rather silent on his other side. “Earth to Sho-kun.”
“Hm?” Sho turned to Nino.
“Nah, why are the two of you brooding this morning. Got off the wrong side of bed?” Nino asked the two.
“I’m just a little tired, that’s all.” Sho replied, not wanting to let Nino find out how dejected he was at the moment. He had pretty much convinced himself that Nino liked Nagase and was trying really hard not to look too depressed.
“Nino doesn’t love me anymore.” Yamapi said suddenly. “I guess I have to look for a new best friend. Maybe I should ask HaseJun. Or maybe Kame is willing to share Ryo-chan with me since I know Ryo-chan is nice to me. Or how about Sho-kun? Do you wanna be my new best friend?”
Nino pushed Yamapi’s head lightly. “Who said you could go find a new best friend?”
“Sho-kun, how about that? Let’s be the best of friends from now onwards.” Yamapi looked across at Sho.
“Huh?”
“Sho-kun wouldn’t be able to tolerate you.” Nino stated. “Anyway, I think Kami-sama has already decided that I have to be the one to tolerate all your mood swings and what not for the rest of your life and mine.”
“Eh… so Nino still loves me after all.” Yamapi grinned. “Sorry Sho-kun, we can be good friends but not best friends.”
“Ah, it’s ok.” Sho said, half-smiling. He knew Yamapi was just fooling around. Maybe his kouhai was even trying to cheer him up since it looked like he wasn’t doing a good job in looking happy at the moment. Yamapi had his odd ways of doing things sometimes.
“I’m sure Sho-kun is ecstatic to hear that.”
“Ah, Nino always says mean things to me but deep down he really loves me, ne?”
“Whatever.”
* * * * *
“Hey hey.” Nino greeted Sho as he caught up with the latter. It was after school and they were on their way to the station. Nino seldom went home with Sho on Tuesdays since there wasn’t any basketball practice, and it was usually Yamapi who accompanied him, so this was actually one of those rare occasions, Nino realised. “Going home?”
Sho nodded. Before either could continue talking though, someone else popped up beside Nino.
“Hey Nino, wanna go watch a movie?” Nagase asked.
“Don’t creep up on me like that, Nagase-senpai. I almost got a heart attack.”
“Ah, gomenasai.” Nagase apologised. “Anyway, do you wanna go or not? I’m thinking of watching ‘Ocean’s Twelve‘. Looks like a good movie from the trailers, even though I haven’t watched the prequel.”
“Oh, that show. Sho-kun, didn’t you mention it the other day?” Nino turend to Sho, who seemed to be awfully silent recently. “You’ve not watch it, have you? Why don’t the three of us go since we’re all free?”
“Ah, nah, I’m kinda busy. It’s ok, you two can go. Don’t bother about me.” Sho said hurriedly.
“Oh.” Nino was slightly disappointed. He had so much fun when the three of them were at his house the other day, and he was hoping they could hang out again today. But somehow, it seemed to Nino like Sho was becoming more and more distant and quiet. Like yesterday, Sho seemed fine at first when they met on the train, but as the day went on, Sho’s behaviour seemed to get weirder and weirder. Practice yesterday was also less noisy. Nino didn’t even remember hearing Sho go ‘Tsuba-chan!’ or ‘Bussan!’ once the whole time.
“Well, I guess we shouldn’t disturb you then, Sho-kun.” Nagase said. “Maybe we can go watch another movie some other day.”
“Ah, maybe.” Sho nodded. “Ja ne.”
Sho left before Nino could even stop him. Didn’t the guy say that he was going home? Nino recalled. He didn’t really think it was cos Sho was going to be busy doing homework all afternoon or something. Then again, he could be thinking too much. Sho couldn’t possibly be trying to avoid him, right?
“C’mon, let’s go or we’ll miss the show.” Nagase nudged him.
“Oh, ok.” Nino said hesitantly as he watch Sho disappear from his sight.
* * * * *
What am I doing? Sho wondered as he leaned against the glass pane at the side of the train doors. No… why am I NOT doing anything? Why did I say ‘Nah, I’m kinda busy.’ when Nino invited me to come along? I’m such a liar. I’ve got NOTHING to do, and I’ve always wanted to watch that movie anyway, so why didn’t I go? …Why did I let Nino go alone with Nagase-senpai?!
Sho slapped a hand on his forehead. That’s cos Nino likes Nagase-senpai so you’re not going to do anything as long as Nino’s happy. A voice seem to say to him, as the train pulled away from the stop.
Seconds later, Sho looked up. “Eh?”
The train had just arrived at and left his stop, but he had been too distracted to realise it until now. He could drop off at the next stop and cross the platform to take a train back, but a part of him didn’t really feel like going back home at that moment anyway. He felt like he needed to just walk around aimlessly until he didn’t feel as lost as he was now. Maybe he needed to talk to someone about his dilemma; maybe he needed to see a psychiatrist. Or maybe he should just stop thinking; maybe he should just stop thinking about Nino.
As the train continued to pass by the different stops, Sho merely stood in the same position, staring out as the scenery passed by him. When it pulled to another stop, Sho decided to step out. He looked at the sign as he walked onto the platform, the train pulling away. An ironic chuckle escaped his lips, as he realised that he had unconsciously chosen to drop off at Nino’s stop.
But Nino wasn’t there. He was in some theatre watching a movie with some senpai who wasn’t him.
“Aiba-chan.” The words came out almost in a whisper, as Sho found something he could do that could keep himself busy. Hands in his pockets, Sho headed out of the station towards the basketball courts he was so familiar with.
When Sho finally reached the courts, it was already occupied, as he had guessed.
“See! See!” A high voice rang out loudly. “It went in even from this far out. I’m a tensai I tell ya.”
Morita Go, the Hyouyama basketball captain, rolled his eyes at his friend’s self-proclamation. “It’s just a fluke.”
“You think it’s a fluke? I’ll do it again to show you how much of a genius I am.” Aiba said as he stole the ball away from Go and headed towards the opposite hoop. He paused at the centre circle and released the ball, which narrowly missed the hoop this time as it hit the back board and bounced off.
“Ha! Told you it was just a fluke.” Go smirked.
“No, no, that was just a blip in my otherwise perfect game.” Aiba waved dismissively. “I’ll do it again to show you.”
“No thanks. I’m tired, wanna go back already.” Go said as he walked backwards to where their bags were. “And even if you do manage to do it this time, so what?”
“Che! You’re just jealous cos you know you won’t even go near hitting the goal, old man.” Aiba stated.
“Whatever. I better go wake Ken up or he’s going to get sunburnt. You can continue playing if you want, but make sure you get some rest too.”
“Huh. Then I’m going to have to play with myself?”
Ignoring Aiba, who had continued shooting hoops, Go walked towards where Miyake Ken was lying motionless, snoring, even in the hot sun. “Oi Ken! Wake up already!”
As Go grabbed his bag before proceeding to shake Ken up, he saw Sho standing outside the courts, watching Aiba playing. “Hey.” Go greeted.
“Hey.” Sho greeted back, before turning back to watch Aiba score from the centre circle once more.
“Woohoo! I did it again!”
Turning around, Go rolled his eyes at Aiba’s childish behaviour. “Oi Masaki! Looks like you have someone to play with you!”
Aiba looked around curiously, before spotting Sho. “Sho-kun! What are you doing there?! Come here and play with me!”
“Why should I?” Sho asked jokingly as he walked onto the courts and caught the ball that Aiba threw towards him.
“Because.”
“Because?”
“Just because.”
Sho laughed. “I don’t understand you.”
“Ah, that’s more like Sho-kun.”
“Eh?”
“You look so depressed just now.” Aiba said as he tilted his head to look behind Sho. “Hey, you two old men over there! Bye bye!”
“Urusai baka!” Go shouted back as he left the courts, Ken dragging his feet behind him.
Turning back to Sho, Aiba grabbed the ball back, bouncing it. “Come, let’s play.”
“First to reach 50 points wins?” Sho asked as he tried to block Aiba’s way.
“As always.” Aiba said as he finally manoeuvred his way around Sho and ran towards the hoop. “And the loser will have to climb up that tree over there and announce that he’s the biggest baka in the whole world!”
* * * * *
“That was quite a good movie ne?” Nagase commented as he threw their empty popcorn boxes and drinks into the trash can.
“Yeah.” Nino nodded in reply. “Too bad Sho-kun didn’t join us.”
“Well, he said he was busy.” Nagase said, trying hard not to roll his eyes. Since they headed for the cinema, Nino had been talking about how Sho had been behaving weirdly since the day before, how it was odd that Sho had been really looking forward to watching this movie yet decided not to go with them when the opportunity came……
“But I remember that he was looking forward to watching this, and anyway, I really don’t think he’s busy.”
“What makes you think he isn’t really busy?”
“Well, before you came, he said he was going home.” Nino said.
“Maybe he has something he have to do at home?” Nagase shrugged.
“I dunno…”
“I think you’re thinking too much.” Nagase said as he reached out to mess Nino’s hair. “At most, we could watch this movie again when Sho-kun is free. I don’t mind watching it again.”
“Ah, I wasn’t suggesting that Nagase-senpai has to watch it again just because I wanted Sho-kun to join us.” Nino said. “Anyway, I guess Sho-kun will watch it another time when he’s free but with someone else. Maybe with his own classmates or his family or something, right?”
Nagase nodded irritably. “Yeah, yeah, you don’t have to worry about Sho-kun.”
“You’re right.” Nino agreed, not really noticing Nagase’s annoyance. “Anyway, thanks for the treat, Nagase-senpai.”
“No problem.” Nagase replied, deciding to take the opportunity to change the subject. “Hey, wanna go grab a bite or something?”
“Hm? Nah, I’m gonna have dinner at home later. Not really hungry now anyway.” Nino shook his head. “I think I’ll be going off now. Need to finish up some assignments.”
“Oh, ok.” Nagase nodded, disappointed. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then. You don’t need me to send you home, do you?”
“Ah, of course not.” Nino smiled as he waved goodbye and turned to go. “Thanks for everything, Nagase-senpai! Bye!”
Nagase waved back, but Nino had already left. Somehow, he felt like Nino had just dumped him.
* * * * *
“Konbanwa!” Aiba shouted from the top of the tree and was greeted with laughter from below.
“My name is Aiba Masaki! I’m the world’s biggest baka!”
Sho’s laughter increased in volume as Aiba continued. “I’m also the greatest loser on earth!”
“Urusai!” Someone from one of the buildings nearby shouted back at Aiba, who replied defiantly, making Sho fall to the ground and laugh even harder.
“Yes, I’m the noisiest o-baka in the world!”
“I lost to the great Sakurai Sho!”
“Hey, don’t mention my name!” Sho said in between laughter.
“Sho-kun saikou!” Aiba started waving his arms. “He’s the most kakkoii and kawaii guy in the world!”
“Oi, what are you saying na?”
“Let’s all worship Sakurai Sho!”
“Aiba-chan, you’re embarrassing me.” Sho chuckled.
“Ok, that’s enough. I’m coming down.” Taking a deep breath, Aiba started to make his way down the tree.
“Be careful, don’t fall.” Sho said, as Aiba’s foot slipped just then, and he came tumbling down onto Sho.
“Maa, I wasn’t gonna fall until you cursed me.” Aiba grumbled in mock anger.
“Ha. And I thought you slipped on purpose so that you could kill me with your weight.”
“I’m not heavy!” Aiba whacked Sho before getting off, but paused midway, deciding to tickle Sho instead.
“Ah! Stop it!” Sho begged in between his laughter as he squirmed around, trying to avoid Aiba’s attack.
“Am I heavy?”
“Huh? That’s what you’re upset about? Ah! Please stop!”
“Not stopping!”
“Ok, ok, you’re not heavy.”
“Can’t hear you.”
“Ah! I’m sorry for saying you’re heavy!”
“That’s better.” Aiba stated as he finally let Sho off. “See if you dare to insult me again.”
“Weren’t you supposed to worship me?” Sho remarked as he sat there, exhausted.
“Bullshit.”
Sho laughed some more, his sides hurting. “Itai. Can’t laugh anymore.”
“That’s good. It means I’ve accomplished my mission.” Aiba said as he stood up, dusting his pants. He raised his hand out towards Sho. “Wanna go get something to eat?”
Pulling himself up with Aiba’s help, Sho nodded, smiling. “As long as you’re paying.”
* * * * *
When Nino got off the bus, a shout from the direction of the basketball courts caught his attention. Curious, and since it was only a short walk away, Nino strolled towards the courts, the shouts becoming clearer.
“I lost to the great Sakurai Sho!”
Sho-kun? Nino stopped in his tracks, wondering if had heard wrongly. But as he listened on, he realised that it wasn’t his imagination.
“Sho-kun saikou! He’s the most kakkoii and kawaii guy in the world!”
Nino quickened his pace, wanting to know exactly what was going on. When he reached, he saw Sho on the ground, laughing insanely as Aiba tickled his sides. A frown unconciously appeared on Nino’s face, as something inside of him started to boil. Turning around, he strode away from the courts hurriedly, hoping to block out the laughter that filled his ears.
Stupid Sho!
* * * * *
© 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