Are you the one that loves me? (Yōu x MC)

Chapter 20

"Sumio!" Yōu threw the ball at him.

He cut to the basket going in for a layup. Nailed it! They were going to win!

A day before that, Sumio Kobayashi was in a good mood. He had been working at his job for only two weeks, yet things were going great. The only person who seemed like they weren't having a good time was Yōu, but he wasn't going to let one sour grape ruin the bunch.

He and Yōu's parents were getting along great. "I've always wanted a son!" was something Yōu did not particularly enjoy hearing. However Sumio really could really care less, he was glad that his job was fun. 

And the pay was incredible! Being the only other worker other than the owner's daughter, he was making big bank. 

The day before he'd have the rest of the week off (due to Christmas Eve), Sumio was wrapping things up at work with Yōu and her dad. They were all restocking the drinks.

"You play any sports kid?" the head of the Watanabe family asked. 

"Yeah, I play basketball." Sumio answered.

"Get outta here! We're a huge basketball family. My brothers and I were some of the best basketball players around here! I even taught my daughter how to play, but she apparently likes swimming better." 

"You're daughter is extremely good at basketball." Sumio said in awe.

"You've seen her play before?" Yōu began to glare daggers at Sumio, daring him to say anything else.

"U-uh I mean, in gym class yeah!" he lied causing her to return to normal.

"Ahhhh... You know, one of my brothers eventually went to play abroad and his son became an NBA player." her father continued.

"Is it Tsuki's brother?" he asked. 

"No, it was my other brother." he ignored the fact that Sumio accidentally revealed that he knew Tsuki as well. "His son's name is Yuta Watanabe. Plays for the Toronto Raptors, have you heard of him?" 

"Oh yeah! Really good defender." Sumio nodded.

"If I hadn't met Yōu's mother and had Yōu I might've gone to the league myself." he laughed making Yōu die of embarassment.

Sumio could only smile back. It was interesting to hear about Yōu's family life. 

"Well," he continued, "I guess it all works out, Yōu and Tsuki were born at the same time, only difference is, my wife is prettier than my brothers!"

Okay maybe he was hearing a little too much. 

"Ya know, I know a guy who has an indoor court. We can close up early and let's see what you got!" Mr. Watanabe boomed.

"Dad... I don't think that's a good idea." 

"Okay!" Sumio gave him a thumbs up and began working at double speed. 

"That's what I like to see! But you're not gonna out-do the owner!" soon the Watanabe man was matching Sumio pace by pace. 

Yōu sighed and watched the two quickly finished stocking all of the different drinks. 

"Alright! I'll go close up shop, why don't you two head on over there?" her father gave them the directions.

"'Kay!" 

The second they stepped outside Yōu began to pummel Sumio. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" 

"You've literally have been working here for barely two weeks and you've almost screwed everything up!" she reminded him.

"Why does it matter if your father knows we hang out a lot?" he asked before eating another right hand to the stomach.

"You do not want to see how my father reacts if he sees I have a guy friend." Yōu said. "Which is why I don't talk to you at work."

"But your dad and I are pretty much best friends!" he pointed out. 

"And it will stay that way as long as you do what I say." she told him. "So if you just shut up about anything about school everything will be great."

"I don't think it's so much of a big deal-"

"Well I do. So, you will do as I say understand?"

"Yes ma'am..." 

They arrived at the court, Sumio brought out his ever present basketball out of his bag and threw it over to Yōu, who shot a basket.

"I still don't understand why you swim instead of playing basketball." he said catching Yōu's pass.

"And I can't understand why you're an idiot." she watched him make a shot. 

"Haha, very funny." he said rebounding the ball and passed it. 

"I just like swimming." she paused, "Plus, I know you've been wanting to see me in a swimsuit." she grinned cheekily. 

"Right... cause I want to get called a pervert. I've literally been banned by my sister to not show up to swim meets." he sighed, dunking the ball.

"I mean, watching a bunch of girls swim is kinda..." 

"Shut up." Sumio said, "Anyways who says you can't play basketball and swim?" 

"Basketball is fun to play with your friends. Especially when I beat you."

"Which barely happens." 

"I beg to differ." she said before catching a no look pass from him. 

The two of them had gotten pretty good at figuring out where the other was on the court at all times. This made passing to each other much easier.

"You wanna play right now?" he raised an eyebrow. 

"If you want to lose." she attempted to make him flinch by pretending to throw the ball at him.

He didn't. "You want it first?" 

"We can play in a minute." she said throwing a behind the back alley-oop which Sumio easily slammed into the net. 

As he dropped back down on the floor he saw Yōu's dad staring at them in shock. 

Sumio immediately tensed up, had they accidentally slipped up?

"THAT WAS AWESOME!" He smiled brightly. "You two are incredibly good! I can't believe you two can play this well together on your very first time! It's like you've been playing together for a while!"

"Isn't that crazy..." Sumio said earning him an elbow from Yōu.

"I have a great idea!" the sailor's deep voice echoed throughout the room, "I want you two to enter this doubles tournament! It takes place tomorrow so I know it's on short notice... but the winning prize is an all-you-can-eat coupon that's good for a month at your favorite ramen shop Yōu!" 

"We'll do it!" Sumio grinned. 

"Really? You too Yōu?" her father glanced expectantly at her.

She did like the idea of free ramen... "'Kay papa." 

And that's how Sumio and Yōu were stuck once again together.

Here's another chapter for all of you! Hopefully you all enjoyed this! 

Be safe! Mask up! Don't be stupid!

-Kazuya