Savior

Day 22

"Why are you so gloomy today?" asked Teppei as he played with his cards.

Maeko sighed. "I think I'm going to fail biology."

"Eh? Why?"

Bringing her textbooks out, Maeko plopped herself on a chair. "I just couldn't understand the lessons. Why is it that Math seems easier?"

"You also suck at Math?" offered Teppei.

Maeko groaned. "That's the point. I already suck at Math and I keep saying it's easier than biology. I'm done for."

"You'll pass it, Maeko-chan. Just keep pushing."

"I should ask Riko to tutor me."

Teppei gulped. "Are you sure? Can you handle that?"

Maeko sweatdropped. "Is it that bad?"

Teppei looked away. "It's not as bad as you might think but you can also take it that way."

"I think I'll just ask someone else to help me."

Silence enveloped the room as Maeko continued to write on her notebook. She blew the stray strands of hair away from her face before stretching her arms. Glancing around, she noticed a picture of the basketball team sticking out from a drawer and pulled it out. She smiled as she saw the bright faces of the members, ignorant to the dark future ahead.

"Aiko-san, are you here to wait for Nijimura-san?" asked Seijuro as he gazed around the practicing members.

"Hai, Akashi. I hope he's not overworking himself. How is he as a captain?"

"Nijimura-san is a good captain. Everyone here respects him. His skills are topnotch."

A shade of blonde blocked her view. "Aikocchi! How long have you been here?"

Maeko looked up. "Kise, you should go back to training."

"Eh? But I want to talk to you!"

"I don't want to listen to your yapping. And don't try to use your fake tears on me!"

"Hidoi!"

"Kise, get back to practice!"

A cough sent Maeko back to reality.

"You're zoning out again," commented Teppei.

"I miss the old Teiko team."

Teppei glanced at Maeko. "Why don't you visit the team?"

Maeko sighed. "I talked to Kuroko. The team is just... It's not a team anymore. They're not even talking to each other. It's sad to see everything fall apart. Not that I'm any better. I'm trying hard not to fall apart."

"You won't fall apart, Maeko-chan. For someone who had been through so much, you're still here. You're strong."

Maeko smiled weakly. "I hope everything gets better."

"It will. In the right time."