Running here and there, I feel tired but I feel ecstatic!
"Go shoot it, (l/n)!" As I heard that from my team mate, I made a fade away shot, and cheered as it went in to the basket
"Yay!" My teammates ran towards me
Well, it's just a regular gym time. It was just, we were having fun and we decided the losing team would treat the winning team some juice after. It's just for fun.
Also, Akashi seemed told Kise about the issue that happened with the picture he posted. So he posted a story in his insta, clearing up the situation.
That Monday after the Prefectural, some girls from our class talked to me finally, asking me some information about Kise. I mean, I asked Kise what I could share, he said basic is suffice, no exaggerating and confidential ones.
There were still who thought that the gossip was true. I couldn't do anything about them anymore. I didn't need to explain anything to them anyways.
"You sure are good in basketball too, (l/n)" one of my classmates from the losing team approached me
I laughed and just nodded. I just couldn't tell them that kiseki no seidai taught me, especially Akashi.
"Huh? Why is there other students in the gym?" We turned to that voice and it was from other class, couple of girls were behind her
"We're having our gym here" Rie-chan was the one who answered her "It's our gym class"
"Huh?! Why do we need to be in the same gym with lower class?!"
...
"Ah, the special people are here again" I heard my classmates mumbled behind me
Special people? Then, Akashi and his classmates?
"Ah, (f/n)-chan's class is here as well?" Jiro's voice echoed inside, with Ukyo and Anna following him behind "what did you play?"
"Basketball" Rie-chan answered him "special people will have the gym next, right? Not the same time with us? Your court though has been prepared already"
"Special people?" Anna asked and chuckled, "we're all same students though"
"We clearly heard someone that we are lower than you, and we are" they were clearly being sarcastic. Though, I didn't blame them, it's one of their classmates who started it "anyways, special people should wait for their turn. We'll have one more round to play here"
"Eh? We'll do one more?!" I asked in surprised and they all looked at me
"She forgot already" they laughed then patted my back "Let's go, we have one last group to win against to so we can get more free drinks"
"Ah, right!" I remembered then immediately drink water and wiped my sweat "Let's go then"
I went to get the ball then start dribbling it. I turned to them and smile.
It was 5 on 5 with half of the gym since half was for the next class. Seems they would be having volleyball instead.
We started our game, and since they knew that I could play basketball, there were two people guarding me. But thanks to that, one from our team was free and could shoot. They would give me the ball, and I would pass the ball to the free one. I became the playmaker.
When they finally caught up with our plan, they decided to do one on one defense, but that gave me an opportunity to do 3pt play. A certain green haired guy taught me that before. When they pass the ball to me, I would immediately released and shoot it. Yeah, I'm unexpectedly good with basketball.
Lastly, when they guarded me again from outside the 3pt line, I passed the ball to one of my teammates, then passed the one guarding me, and we immediately did a perfect alleyoop, she tossed the ball near the ring, for me to do a right handed dunk
The game ended, with my team again winning this mini game.
They hugged me and were getting loud.
"That was sick!"
"That was amazing!"
Everyone was praising me, but for Ono
"Your hand?! Are you okay?! You have an upcoming tournament in Macau! Regional tournament is this month as well!"
I made a peace sign with a big wide smile "I'm totally okay ✌️! I learned from the best~" I hummed
"Even still!"
"(L/n), do you want to join the girl's basketball team?" One of my teammates asked and I just laughed
"Thank you, but no. I am in the archery team"
"Gosh, where did you learn those moves? That was epic!"
They gathered around me and yeah, I couldn't just blurt out where I learned them.
"What's so good about that?"
"Come on, lower class have lots of time. That's why they are stupid"
The gym became silent and we all looked at these elite students. I was about to retort when somehow, unexpectedly,
"Don't get too high of yourself when you rank lower to some of them." Akashi retorted as he was standing at the gym's entrance "you couldn't even do anything than studying, but got lower ranks than the people who can do more than studying"
Akashi looked so better now. Well, it's already Tuesday, so of course he was able to rest. But before that! Was he watching?!
"Akashi-sama..."
"Your teacher said you can go change and prepare for your next class" Akashi told us then approached Jiro
Somehow, I couldn't help but laugh. Well, thanks to Akashi, I could deduce that these girls were lower than me in overall ranking.
"Thank you, Akashi-sama" the others told him and we all just went to change to prepare for our next class.
I looked at Akashi first, but well, I'd just message him later.
~Tuesday After class~
"And as everyone knows, first weekend of June, Ono, (l/n), and I will be heading to Macau this coming Friday for the upcoming AHS international tournament. We will be back Monday, then prepare for the Regional that will commence on the 3rd week and 4th week of June." Sensei flipped the paper on his hand then smiled "well, there will be no exams but there will be preparation for Sports day."
"What kind of sports day do Rakuzan have?" Naoki curiously asked
"The normal one, but fun" Himeko-senpai responded then laughed "we don't know this year though since we got new Student council president, who is very serious"
"If it's school events, Akashi's sense is seriously crazy. We had normal ones, but if he has other plans, he will surely include that." I informed them and sighed "there were good memories, why did I remember some bad ones?"
"Now I am curious to what happened, I should ask Jiro" Rio chuckled but I laughed at him
"I don't think he knows"
"Yes, yes, stop with that. For now, I'll let (l/n) and Ono do their tag routine, then let (l/n) do her own shooting routine. For the rest, practice your shooting as well"
We went to get our equipment and practiced our shooting. Takuya and I just trying to synchronize our shot.
~that night~
"Eh, grandma asked you two to go to South Korea? And you'll leaving tomorrow morning?!" I asked, staring at their luggage "that's too sudden!"
"It's only for a week. We'll be back next Tuesday." Mom responded "we'll be here during your regional tournament"
"Not that, but I will be in Macau this Friday" I told her and she immediately looked at me "I have tournament there. I'll be back on Monday"
"Oh wow! You didn't tell us. Should I go there and watch?"
"No, it's fine. Now, Go-chan, where are you going to stay?"
Mom gasped and finally realized the reason to why I sounded surprised "oh gosh, sorry dear. We didn't know that you'll be in Macau. Should I stay then?"
"Nah, I have someone in my mind to look after him. If that person says no, then I'll leave him in the dog day care" I crouched down and patted Go-chan then looked at mom "can I request one thing though?"
"Yes, of course, what is it?"
"Can I have additional allowance to bring to Macau? I don't think my remaining allowance is enough. I wanted to buy some souvenirs there. I can get some from my savings, but..."
Mom chuckled and nodded "of course I'll give you. Should we go and exchange money now? We can go now, it's still 7, we still have 1 more hour. Then I'll give my card to you. I'll call my bank and inform them that it will be used in Macau."
"I'll accept that then. Let's go. We can pick-up dad as well"
I hurriedly changed my clothes then got Go-chan's stuffs, in case mom decided to side track in the dog park.
~
Mom went to the bank to change money as I stay in the car with Go-chan.
With that, I messaged Akashi and expected for him to respond later tonight, but
Me: good evening! I apologize for all of a sudden, but will you be able to look after Go-chan? Starting Thursday to Monday? My parents will be going to South Korea tomorrow. If you can't, it's totally fine. I'll leave him to a dog day care
Akashi: sure, I'll ask Ken to get him on Thursday
Wow! He responded immediately! And he is okay with it
Me: thank you! And sorry again for asking all of a sudden
It was then mom finally came back.
"They didn't have much of Macanese Pataca so I could only change 30 thousand yen. I withdraw another 30000 yen so you can exchange them in the airport. I also talked to them that my credit card will be used in Macau"
"Thanks mom. But I think this 30 thousand yen worth of Macanese Pataca and credit card are suffice" I chuckled
"No, get these as well and exchange it in the airport. Okay?"
I just accepted it and decided to give it back later. We went to pick-up dad from the shop as well, surprising him. We explained why we were there, and told him about my Macau tournament, in which, he was also surprised.
While we were waiting for him, we also ordered dinner and would pick it up later on the way home.
~
Dad and mom left the house early morning to go to Osaka and take their afternoon flight to South Korea, yeah, leaving their daughter behind again. Well, at least a quality time for myself.
At school, quality time to practice and peaceful time since finally no one was bothering me.
And that Thursday night, Ken-san came to pick up Go-chan.
"Thank you and sorry for the trouble, Ken-san. Please extend my gratitude as well to Akashi"
"Don't worry about it. We are fine looking after Go-sama"
Him calling Go-chan with sama... Go-chan seemed like it though.
But before that,
"Uhm..."
"Yes?" Ken-san's stare is kinda intimidating
I cleared my throat then gazed away "Akashi... found out, right?"
"About?"
"Last Saturday"
"And why you think that?"
I looked back at him and laughed awkwardly "well, I somehow knew when Kari-san told me not to tell Akashi or to anyone. I mean, it's Akashi we're talking about. He just got fever, but didn't lose his taste bud. Akashi knows my cooking"
"..." he sighed! He sighed!
"Sorry" I immediately apologize
"Not that, but indeed, Seijurou-sama knew and he explained that he got fever but not his taste bud. He was able to tell right away that you were there"
"He didn't do anything to Kari-san, right?" I worriedly asked and he smiled a little
"No, don't worry. Seijurou-sama let it go for now, but he told us not to hide things again"
"Eh? Ken-san got into trouble as well? Are you okay?"
"I tried to cover Kari, but Seijurou-sama already caught us. Don't worry, Seijurou-sama let us off this time"
As expected from Akashi... ah, I just remembered
"Also... also... what do you mean about me being a dangerous woman to the current Akashi?"
"I apologize if I offended you with that. But again it's not in a bad way after all, everything that happened so far unexpectedly ended perfectly."
"Everything that happened so far...? Did that include the politician cheating with his assistant's wife?" When I asked that, I could see Ken-san's eyes widening, then he again returned to his usual composure expression "if you can't say, it's fine. Nothing will change anyways how I act towards Akashi"
"I can just say is that (f/n)-sama got Seijurou-sama's interest, especially the current him, in a bad and good meaning. But yes, please just be yourself. It's interesting after all how Seijurou-sama will act when you are involved"
"It's a nightmare to everyone, even to myself" I joked then smiled "anyways, you should go. Akashi will surely question you why you took your time" I crouched down then patted Go-chan's head "behave, okay? See you on Monday" I again stood up and bowed down towards Ken-san "Thank you very much"
"I'll take my leave now, (f/n)-sama. Good luck. Ah, I will not mention to Seijurou-sama that you already know. Let's just keep what happened to ourselves"
"Thank you" I wanted to go with them outside, but I actually still need to pack my stuffs.
We would be leaving tomorrow morning to Osaka, then to Macau. According to sensei, Akashi told him that someone would be picking us up to the airport then would be sending us to our hotel, which is closer to the tournament venue. To be honest, Akashi was giving us too much already.
When I closed the door, it finally hit me how lonely I was before having Go-chan.
"This place became so big for me." I sighed and went to my room to finish packing.
~
We rode the shinkansen from Kyoto to Osaka, then went to the airport 2 hours before our flight. When we arrived at the airport, there were lots on the line so we checked in our luggage. One thing, we only had one luggage, since our equipments were put as another luggage, with high caution.
However, bizzare thing happened while we were already waiting for our flight. The three of us were called at the gate, and...
"We were what...?" The three of us asked, dumbfounded to what we heard
"Your seats are upgraded from premium economy to First class." The man on the gate told us while he was busy in front of the computer
"Uhm, why?" I asked and he looked at me with a smile
"Akashi-sama" He responded, a short but understandable response
I sighed and looked at Takuya and sensei, and they just shook their heads
"We're thankful, but this is too much. What did you do again?" Sensei smiled
"I didn't do anything" I anxiously told them, but
"Here's your new seat, and these new seats were requested by Akashi-sama. We will call you in priority sequence but for now, have a seat and relax"
We returned to where we were sitting from before, then I felt the two looking at me again
"Please, don't look at me like that"
"This is my first time in first class. I'm glad I'm with (f/n)" Takuya chuckled, but it sounded as if he was teasing him "you and Akashi-sama sure have something going on"
"We don't"
I again sighed then got my phone to message him
Me: we just received our upgraded tickets. Thanks, but it was too much. We'll do our best in Macau, and I'll update you the result
Once again, I expected him to response later but,
Akashi: just focus in winning. That's your reward for looking after me and Ken. I am sure that you already know that I know what you did last Saturday. So just focus in winning.
Gosh, in the end he knows. I really can't seem hide things from him.
"We need to win then" I mumbled but Takuya heard me
"Don't put pressure on us"
"Not me, but Akashi. He is putting pressure once again."
"Have you tried first class before?" Sensei ask me and I nodded
"Business class, yes. My father brought me and my mom to his business trip" I responded "I don't know the difference between Business class and first class though"
"Either way, rich people know where to seat"
I looked at Takuya and shook my head "that was the first time. I'm still an economy person. It's either the economy or premium economy"
"I haven't even experienced premium economy"
And while waiting, I was just comparing my experience to Takuya, my experience in economy, premium economy, and business class.
Not long after though, they started calling us and yes, in priority sequence. I could feel others looking at us when first class ticket holders were called.
It was as if they were asking, how were they able to afford first class? Yeah, that kind of gaze.
And to add more pressure,
"Enjoy your flight, and good luck on your tournament in Macau."
The attendants at the gate told us.
Yeah, Akashi, what did you just do?! You just kept on putting pressures!
~TBC~