Love, Come Home Please

Chapter 2: Meeting a Tiger

Location: Los Angles

It's been three years since Kaita moved to America, leaving an unanswered question lingering on her mind. It was time to start middle school; Kaita had learned English fairly quickly and was able to speak with a bit of an accent. Even though it was easy for her to make friends she still missed the ones she left behind waiting in Japan.

Two weeks into the first year of middle school there were quiet murmurs echoing in Kaita's classroom as they all looked at the new student that was sitting in the back of the class. The teacher had introduced the new student as Taiga Kagami; of course Kaita knew instantly that he was Japanese since he spoke little English to his new classmates. Noticing that Kagami wouldn't relax due to not interacting much with the other boys she walked up to him during lunch. What harm would it be to reach out to a fellow foreigner.

"Hey there Kagami, what you got today for lunch?"

"It's just a regular bento. Why do you always talk in Japanese with me?"

"I thought you might find it more comfortable. Hey are you doing anything tomorrow?"

"Well it's Saturday, and I usually stay home. What did you have in mind?"

Kaita thought for a moment, "I've seen you at the park when the other boys in class go to play basketball. Why don't you join my team tomorrow and have fun playing basketball instead of watching others play it?"

Kagami was taken aback for a moment then sighed. "But...."

Kaita cut Kagami off before he could say anymore. "I know you've been practicing with Himuro and the others sometimes. I've also seen you on my way home trying to play by yourself on the court. I think you'll do just fine."

Kagami just nodded his head and told Kaita he would see her and the team at the park in the morning. Later on that evening Kagami took his basketball to the court and began going through certain plays that he had practiced with Himuro before. He didn't notice the footsteps that approached him from behind. Of course the court was lit during the evening until ten at night so the shadow didn't overlap Kagami's shadow. A grin just appeared on the girls face, a boy had tagged along with the girl to see for himself what she had told him earlier.

"Your stance is all wrong Kagami." The voice made Kagami jump. He looked over his shoulder to see Kaita and Himuro.

"What are you doing out here?"

"We could ask you the same thing. Geez, I didn't think that you would come out here to practice right before the game tomorrow. Do you want to lose?"

Kagami was confused by what Kaita had said. She gave a reluctant sigh and the pointed at Kagami's legs. "If you practice tonight your legs will feel it in the morning." Himuro nodded in agreement behind Kaita.

"Kaita's right Taiga, so you might want to go home. If you go against Kaita you might regret it later, she has a mean headlock..."

Kagami then looks back at Kaita who is looking at Kagami with a serious expression. Kaita then cracks her fist. "Are you going to continue practicing Kagami?" With no words Kagami puts the basketball under his arm and walks away, Himuro followed after him to make sure Kaita didn't scare him too much. Kaita was left on the court by herself, she looked up at the basket and memories of playing with Hyuga, Riko and Izuki came flooding back to her.

"I'll be back soon, just you wait."

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Location: Japan

Across the ocean as if responding to Kaita, Izuki looked up to the blue sky, "We're waiting, please come back."

Hyuga looked back at Izuki who had suddenly stopped. He let out a sigh then put his arm around his friend's shoulders. "Come on we got practice to get to."