Imperfect match // Daiki Aomine (Kuroko no Basuke)

44. I forbid you

The game is finished with Satori's team winning easily. The gap between the two teams grew more and more thanks to the obvious drive Satori provided on her return to the court, showing some serious leadership skills.

Looking across the court during the game and seeing Aomine's excited expression and cheering attitude, gave her much more energy, overriding the pain from her injury.

After chatting with her coach and teammates at the end of the game, she joins Akiko and Eri on the edge of the court.

"We have to wait another twenty minutes before they put the result up on the board."

"You were amazing Satori." Eri says.

"Thanks. I'm happy. Even if I don't get selected, I know I've done everything I physically could."

"You played injured!!" Akiko adds slightly angry.

"If they don't select you, I'll need to have a word with the person responsible." Eri adds with a menacing tone and facial expression, making Satori laugh.

She scans the place looking for him.

"Is everything okay?" Akiko asks.

"I'm just looking for Aomine."

Akiko looks sorry.

"He had to leave."

"You spoke to him?"

"Briefly. He had a game this afternoon but he came anyway. He tried to stay as long as possible. He saw your team win but then had to rush to his game." She feels awful thinking he may have missed some of his game because of her which Akiko notices. "It's not like you asked him to be here. You didn't know he would come. So don't feel guilty."

"I don't feel guilty." Satori tries to deny proudly.

"Yeah right. Come on, let's go sit outside while we wait for the results."

Resting in the nice breeze, wiping the sweat from her face and neck while listening to her friends blabbering nonsense, she feels at peace in her mind.

Try outs are over now and there is nothing else she can do. Aomine was there to support her and showed up at the best possible time. Without him she wouldn't have been able to come back with such a powerful attitude. She owes him everything today.

He was not a distraction at all and seeing him made her realise how badly she missed him during the last couple of weeks. Why was she denying her feelings for him again? Oh yes, because she's a stubborn idiot. What a waste.

He was here. For her. He's not tired of her. What a relief.

"Satori!" Eri says, taking her out of her thoughts. "They must be hanging the results. Some players are going in."

Adrenaline rushes through her veins and even though she keeps on reminding herself that she did her best and whatever result is fine, she's scared to look as she has now made it in front of the board.

Harada... Harada... Harada... HARADA SATORI!

Her heart stops before beating faster than ever and the tears start to overflow her eyes.

"I MADE IT!!" She shouts turning towards her friends, rushing back through the crowd, before jumping into their arms.

The squealing noise of these three grown women as they jump like kids, hugging each other is heartwarming.

After a few seconds, Eri and Akiko look at her with so much pride, they can't help but squeezing her again.

"We need to celebrate!" Akiko says excitedly.