"Why won't you tell me what happened?!" She asked Akashi. Every time Mayumi tried to ask her brother what happened, he refused to answer with tears in his eyes.
A week after training camp, Akashi told her the same answer, "You don't need to know."
The summer break ended and school went back in session. That also meant that the interhigh was coming up. The team departed right when school ended, they were traveling a day early.
The proper rematch between the Generation of Miracles and Seirin before Kagami left for the states was scheduled today.
The game was held at a court near the airport. Murasakibara was out of his cast. Akashi checked, "Are you sure you'll be fine?" The purple miracle nodded. "Good."
Momoi was starting the game, "Alright, both sides ready?" Everyone nodded. "And....." she threw the ball up in the air, "Start!"
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
After the match, everyone bid goodbye to the American star player.
"Good luck in the states," Yumi bid him her farewell, "You'll become a famous NBA player one day."
"Arigatou," he thanked.
Nigō barked begging for attention. He was whimpering showing he was sad. Kagami sighed kneeling down to pet him, "I'll actually miss you, Nigō."
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
Yumi took the team to Akashi's house while he and the other miracles stayed behind.
Mibuchi noticed the manager put her stuff in Akashi's room, "Ah, Yumi-chan, you're not planning to sleep in your own room?"
"Seijūrō already incorporated my stuff in here. He made it our room."
The vice captain giggled, "I see! Be sure not make too much noise at night!"
"No!" Yumi immediately denied the suggestion, "Nothing is happening tonight! Or any other night!"
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
Akashi Seijūrō
Akashi made it to his house at night. The Generation of Miracles decided hang out. Seirin had one final practice before the interhigh tomorrow. Despite their accomplishment, they still train every possible moment. It was commendable. Although, Akashi had confidence that Razukan will claim their winning streak once again.
The door knob turned but the door didn't open. It was locked. "Mayumi, unlock the door." There wasn't a reply. He knew she was inside, his teammates told him she didn't leave. He knocked on the door, still no reply.
Akashi grabbed his keys and went to unlock the door. He opened it slowly being cautious of the possibility of her in the middle of her changing.
She was asleep. That answered why there was no reply. Akashi assumed she locked the door when she changed and fell asleep before unlocking it.
He put his stuff away quietly and made his way to the sleeping girl. He kneeled down to level his face with hers. She looked elegant sleeping. His and brushed any hair away from her face.
"Tadaima," he hadn't said that phrase in a long while. There was no one for him to greet usually. His father would be out for work and the workers would greet him instead. Now he had someone to greet to.
After all, her brother and his troop approved of their future marriage. Everyone approved it.
Now, he had to wait for her.
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
The starting line up for Razukan had Akashi as point guard, Mibuchi as shooting guard, Hayama as small forward, Nebuya as center, and Mūn as power forward.
Alternate lineups actually had Yōta subbing for Akashi. His handle skills, steals, and blind passes were best suited for the role. Although, Akashi wouldn't need to be subbed out. Another lineup had Mūn as the center because of his jumping ability.
Akashi noticed that Mayumi's favorite lineups were when the two brothers were on the court. One advantage their team had by having siblings on the team is that they knew how to work together and communicate.
Razukan easily climbed their way in the bracket. One match in particular had an opposing team player eyeing Mayumi. He saw it. He took off his team jacket and put it on her, "Keep it on."
Akashi didn't want to confront the player right at the start of the game. He had to play the game, in more ways than one. After the third quarter, he made the command, "Reo, Kotarō, and Eikichi, sub out. Yōta, Kento, and Tadashi are in."
Razukan was debuting its new members of the team. The three uncrowned kings cheered for them. "Remember, this means Akashi has faith you!" Hayama told them.
"That's not the reason, they're far from ready," Akashi bluntly stated.
"Hey!" Yōta was offended.
Akashi blatantly explained, "Someone eyed Mayumi. I need to send a message."
Mayumi turned her head, "Wait, is that why you put your jacket on me?"
"You didn't notice him, good." He walked on to the court with the new members. The opposing team would underestimate the debuting members, that's why Akashi put them in. With him still in play, all the attention would be on him.
Akashi made sure to man with the opposing player. He also seemed to be waiting for the confrontation, "Your manager over there is quite beautiful." His dribbling evidently became more flamboyant to show off. "You should be careful, someone might steal her away."
Oh, that was it. Akashi easily snapped the ball out of his possession. The entire fourth quarter, Akashi proved to be superior than him. Yōta assisted in an alley-oop over him. The timer ran out, Razukan won.
While the player was on the floor from being dunked on, Akashi finally spoke to him, "You are delusional to believe you can steal my empress from me." The two eyes glared down at him, they weren't maroon, "Know your place."
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
Once they entered the bedroom, Mayumi fell onto the bed to relax from the long day. Akashi couldn't stop the urge to get on top of her.
"Seijūrō, what are you-"
"How long are you planning to make me wait?" After what happened today, there was a need for Akashi to mark his territory.
The topic still made her nervous, "Is this about what happened today?" Her silence showed hesitation, "Does it........really bother you?"
He was pushing it to much. He rolled over to lay on his back beside her. The back of his hand rested over his closed eyes. Somehow, he was loosing his self control.
"Seijūrō?" She sounded concerned.
"You should sleep in the other room," he advised, "and lock the door."
The movement indicated that she started to leave. The sound of the lock was out of sequence. The door didn't open. "I'm not leaving."
Akashi looked at the girl, "I might do something to you."
"You can't do anything to me."
He sat up, "You can't stop me."
Mayumi lifted her finger, "Let me clarify, I'm on my period." So, even nature is taking its course to reject his urges. How dare it work against him.
However, "All that does is limit my options."
"I know."
Before Akashi could confirm what that meant she excused herself, "I am going to take a long shower so you have time to cool your head," she grabbed her clothes and went in the bathroom. Akashi noticed she picked up his keys and heard the bathroom door lock.
She eliminated any risk of him intruding. "Smart girl," he commented. He laid back down. Maybe his mind will cool down.
This was a very risky game he was playing.
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
Kayano Mayumi
Mayumi slowly opened the door and peeked her head out. The suspected pervert didn't move from where she left him. She hesitantly walked over to the bed.
The man was asleep. A quiet sigh of relief came out. Talk about a close call. Although......she did partially consent for a reason....
"Is that so?"
Akashi woke up! Or was he awake the entire time?! Either way, her unconscious thoughts were exposed!
"Mayumi."
She only glanced at him for a moment, "H-Hai?"
"I need to hear it."
"H-hear what?"
Akashi got up and stepped closer to her. Mayumi backed up until the wall stopped her. The length of his arm pressing against the wall behind her maintained his distance.
She knew what he was asking for. Even on the edge of loosing control, he still stops himself for consent.
She allowed her inner thoughts to speak, "You can do it-" his lips crashed onto hers the second she finished speaking.
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
The sound of the shower from the bathroom woke her up. Mayumi sat up rubbing her eyes. The morning air felt out of the blanket. She hugged herself to warm up......realizing the lack of cloth on her skin.
Her face flushed beat red remembering last night. She mentally slapped herself for.......for......for actually enjoying it.
Akashi came out of the bathroom.....shirtless. That damn body- Mayumi hid under the blanket to hide from the view and hide herself.
She heard Akashi footsteps coming towards her. The blanket was ripped off her. She turned to have her bare back face him.
His teasing went to another level, "Front or back...." The slight touch of his finger running down her spine made a shiver go down it. "....the reaction is same."
The blush didn't cease, "Just get me a shirt....."
"You don't need one, there's nothing I haven't seen," he corrected himself, "Expect one thing."
Mayumi still had her shorts on. Akashi asked, "When will your period end?"
She quickly denied the question, "I'm not telling you!"
"I'll learn your cycle," he walked to the closet and tossed her a shirt. He grabbed himself one and put it on, "Breakfast will be ready in half an hour." He looked at her smugly, "Take the time cover up my markings."
Once he left Mayumi rushed to the bathroom to look at the mirror. There were so many......he......
"Dammit, Seijūrō!"
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
Razukan won the Interhigh. The final match was against Shūtoku.
Yumi formulated a plan against all the Generation of Miracles. The plan against Midorima was having Mūn jump and intercept the ball before it fell into the basket. That plan made its debut over the summer. Too bad they don't have a plan to counter act it.
Razukan was determined to reclaim their first place in the Winter Cup.
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
Now being the head manager of the team, Yumi had extra responsibilities such was overseeing the team's workout regime.
Hayama noticed the manager wearing workout clothes, "Eh?! Yumi-chan want to be my workout partner?"
"Gomen, Hayama-senpai, I already have a partner."
He groaned, "Dang it, Akashi!"
Yumi tied her hair up, "He's paired with Mibuchi-senpai."
Mine walked in the gym, "You ready?" She was her workout partner.
The two friends headed to the aerobic room. Yumi overhead Nebuya, "Let's go, Hayama, to the weights!" She didn't blame him for trying to get away from his workout partner.
Mine stretched her arms, "It's been a while since we fought."
"I thought this could be our routine," Yumi offered. The team worked out every Saturday morning, "I'd rather do something than just sit and watch."
"Perfect!" Mine finished stretching, "Let's get started."
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
Akashi Seijūrō
"Sei-chan," Mibuchi tossed him a towel.
"Arigatou," Akashi put the towel on his head, "Is everyone done?"
Hayama's arms looked like spaghetti, "I can't feel my arms....."
It seemed that everyone was done. Now they were only waiting for their manager. "I'll go get Mayumi."
Akashi opened the door to the aerobic room. Two the girls were in the middle of a fight. He didn't bother to interrupt wanting to see who would win. The rest of the team peeked in.
"Yumi-chan can kick ass?!" Hayama and Yōta dropped their jaws.
"It's self-defense," Mibuchi sighed, "The world is such a dangerous place for a woman. Too many horrible men."
The entire team saw Yumi slam her best friend onto the ground. "Finally!" Yumi dropped to the ground to lay down, "I won! I finally beat you!"
Mine groaned in pain, "Itai.......you didn't have to slam me......." She was first to notice the audience, "Damn, everyone saw that....."
Yumi turned her head seeing everyone was done, "Give a me minute......"
There was an obvious, more simple solution. Akashi walked up to her and swooped her from the ground. She yelped from the action.
"Yoshimasa," he glanced over the body guard, "Hurry up."
The contrasting treatment was on purpose. "You- ugh, I get it...." Mine pushed herself up.
Everyone knew Akashi was going to treat Mayumi as his empress and everyone else as a peasant.
He enjoyed showing it off.