The Medical Manager (Kuroko x OC)

Chapter 34

-Emiko POV-

"Heh?! What do you mean your shoes broke?" I asked to Tetsuya when he called. "Did you call coach?"
"Yes, I did" he said.
"Well, hurry up getting a new pair" I said. "I need to gather some medical supplies as well"

"I will" he said. "See you at the gym"
"See you later" I said.

-Kuroko Tetsuya POV-

I saw Kagami, apparently his shoes broke as well.
"Hello" I said.
"Why are your shoes falling apart?" he asked.

"I could ask you the same thing" I said.
"Where's Maeda?" he asked.
"Shopping for medical supplies" I said. "She'll meet us at the gym"

~

I found a pair easily, but Kagami had huge feet.
"We can't find my size anywhere" he said.
"Kagami-kun, your feet are pointlessly large" I said.
"What do you mean, pointlessly?" he said. "Hey, there's a place here. I'm going to ask"

But when he came back...
"Did they have your size?" I asked.
"No" he said and looked down.
"Very well" I said and took out my phone. "I'll ask. She usually comes through in times like these"

~

-Emiko POV-

"Let's see" I said, the other 3 first years were with me to carry everything. "Tape, cold spray, the only thing we need now is powdered drink mix"
Kawahara gasped.

"What is it?" asked Fukuda, who gasped also.
"Okay, what is it?" I asked when I saw Furihata's face in shock.
I looked at the window they were looking at, a guy was eating tons of rice...

"Well, that can't be healthy" I said.
"What's with that guy?" asked Fukuda. "He's eating more than Kagami"
"And he's ripped, is he a pro wrestler?" asked Kawahara.

"No" I said when I looked at the uniform. "He's a basketball player"
"Heh?" they all said in disbelief.
"He's a basketball player, for Rakuzan" I said, grabbing my bag tighter.

-Kuroko Tetsuya POV-

"Tetsu-kun!" Momoi shouted and hugged me, but soon let go.
"Sorry for calling so suddenly" I said.
"It's totally fine" she said. "In fact, I'm so happy"

"I appreciate you helping us look for shoes" said Kagami. "But what are you doing here?!"
"I could ask you the same thing" said Aomine.
"Dai-chan has lots of basketball shoes, and he said you could have some" smiled Momoi.

"What? I didn't say that!" said Aomine.
"Oh? Should I call Emiko-chan then? I'm sure she would like to talk about this" she asked and Aomine went pale.
"No... no need" he said.

"You guys wear the same size, right?" she asked. "29.5 centimetres"
"How do you know that?!" asked Kagami.
"Here" she said and gave him a box with a pair of basketball shoes.

"Hey! You can't just take my shoes!" said Aomine.
"These are the same ones I wear..." said Kagami.
"He happened to have a pair" said Momoi. "They're a different colour. But you've always worn the same type of shoes, right, Kagamin?"

"But... this isn't a bad colour" he said.
"Fine. If you can beat me one-on-one, you can have them" said Aomine.
"Why do I have to do that?! I have a game after this!" shouted Kagami.

"We'll play a best of three" said Aomine. "It'll be quick"
"I told you..." said Kagami.
"Just do it" sighed Aomine. "While we're at it, I'll give you a lecture"

~

"Aomine-kun punched Haizaki-kun?" I asked when Momoi told me.
"But you could say he had to do it to help Ki-chan..." she said.
"Wouldn't it be bad if someone found out?" I asked.

"Yeah, but, nothing can be worse than if Emiko-chan found out" she chuckled. "But, I don't think Shogo-kun will do anything else. I'm not sure how to put it, but I think he's kind of relieved Dai-chan stopped him. He's twisted, but they both wore Teiko uniforms at one point"

"You're right" I said.
"When will you tell her?" she suddenly asked.
"Heh?" I said.

"Emiko-chan" she said. "You like her, right?"
"Yeah" I admitted.
"She likes you too" she said. "She has changed a bit, since Akashi-kun... but, when she's with you... it's like she's back like she used to be..."

"I'll tell her" I said and she looked at me. "I'll tell her soon..."
"Satsuki, I'm finished. Let's go" said Aomine.
"Isn't it a little soon?" she asked.

"I said it wouldn't take long" he said.
"How did it go?" I asked.
"I crushed him" he said plainly.

"Hey, wait!" shouted Kagami. "One more! One more time! I want the shoes, but more than anything I hate ending on a loss! Let's go one more time!"
"Don't you have a game? What are you talking about?" said Aomine and threw the box at Kagami. "Here. They're yours"

"What's going on?" asked Kagami.
"Either way, I don't need them anymore" said Aomine.
"I... I can't take these when I lost!" said Kagami. "Take them back!"

"Just wear them, you idiot!" shouted Aomine. "You're good the way you are. And you're playing Kise, right? If you play like trash because you're wearing uncomfortable shoes, I'll kill you. We'll postpone our match"

"Thanks then. I'll take them" said Kagami. "We're just postponing our game!"
"Just go!" shouted Aomine.

~

"Sorry I'm late" said Kagami when we came into the locker room.
I couldn't see Emiko anywhere...
"Did you get shoes?" asked coach.

"Yeah" said Kagami.
"Yes" I said.
"The Rakuzan-Shutoku game is starting soon" said Kiyoshi.

"Um, just how strong is Rakuzan?" asked Furihata.
"They're a super strong school that's been participating in the Winter Cup since its inception" said Hyuga. "They've won more tournaments than any other school. For the past five years they've won all three major titles. In a word, they're the strongest high school team. And their line-up this year is the strongest it's ever been"

"Akashi Seijuro of the Generation of Miracles" said Kagami and I bolted my fist.
"Yeah, but he's not the only one" said Hyuga. "Do you remember the Uncrowned Kings? Five prodigies overshadowed by the Generation of Miracles. There's Kiyoshi and Hanamiya. And the remaining three players are all on Rakuzan"

"Ehm... where's Emiko?" I asked.
Coach looked down and took a deep breath.
"She said she wanted to watch the match in person" she said and I was surprised. "She said she needed to see it for herself..."
'Emi...'

~

-Emiko POV-

I could watch the game up close.
I stood in the hallway, watching how the game began.
'I need this... I need to see him play for myself... I need to see who he is now for myself... only then... I... I can stop being scared... maybe... maybe I can let go of the past...'

Shutoku had the ball first, Takao passed to Midorima, who began with shooting his famous three.
After Shutoku was in the lead, Seijuro had the ball.

'Heh? Takao is on him?'
Seijuro passed to his muscled team mate.
The first quarter ended in a tie.

'He's not playing serious yet...'
I saw Seijuro look at me and he smiled.
I folded my arms and just looked at him.

The second quarter began.
'I wonder when he'll use his eye...'
Rakuzan made their first move, by double-teaming Midorima.

Shutoku wasn't bad, especially the third years.
Seijuro didn't look too happy when he saw one of his players letting one of Shutoku pass him.
'Hayama, right? I think I heard he's good at dribbling...'

When I saw what he was doing, I was actually shocked.
'He's dribbling hard... with three fingers?'
He passed his mark easily and used a double-clutch to score...

'Not bad... not bad at all...'
He managed to get pass his mark easily now.
The gap was getting wider...

'Seijuro still hasn't shown all his cards... for now, he's just passing very effectively...'
Midorima blocked Hayama from scoring.
He passed to the third year and they scored.
Midorima was smiling, he was having fun...

The second quarter also ended in a tie...
"Emi" I looked behind me, my team mates were here to warm up.
"How's the game?" asked Riko.

"A tie for now" I said. "But that'll change soon..."
The boys walked in front of us to warm up, while I talked to Riko.
But I soon stopped when I saw Seijuro talking to Tetsuya and Kagami.

"Hey, I haven't seen you since the opening ceremony, Tetsuya" said Seijuro.
"Yes, Akashi-kun" said Tetsuya.
"Hey, you haven't forgotten me, have you?" said Kagami. "You pulled some dangerous crap on me then. I'll beat Kise and I'll beat you"

"Of course I remember you, Kagami Taiga" said Seijuro. "I should warn you. Only those who serve me are allowed to look me in the eye when they speak to me. I never allow those who oppose me to look down at me"

Kagami fell on his knees from the pressure Seijuro was giving him...
"Akashi!" I shouted and walked closer. "That's enough, don't you think?"
I heard his team mates gasp in surprise and they stared at me.

"Shouldn't you get some rest, for the rest of your game?" I said. "I'm sure you don't want to keep your team mates waiting too long"
"Is she crazy?" I heard Hayama ask.
"That's Emiko" I heard another member ask.

"You're right, Emi. I'll be leaving soon" said Seijuro. "Tetsuya. If you intend to fight me, you must prepare yourself. I'm the one who discovered your power. You will come to realize what that means"
He walked past them and looked at me.

"See you later, Emiko" he said and walked to his team.
When he was gone, I saw Tetsuya walking closer to me.
But I held out my hand to make him stop.

"I'm fine" I said and took a deep breath.
I looked him in the eyes and smiled.
"It's okay" I said. "I'm okay. I can't be scared forever"