"I think, wherever you go, people will throw rocks on things that shine. I just want to blend in this time around", Amane answered and started collecting more shells to throw at her brother.
Genius at birth, Mizutani Amane excels easily with whatev...
"Make sure we'll reach before time, or else", Sakuragi threatened the driver. "My apologies. We're basketball players and this is our official game", Mitsui saw the annoyed look from the driver. "I won't ask too much but would you be able to play with these wounds?", Amane asked worriedly. "Thankfully you were here. Say, Mizutani, do you have any wound dressing?", Sakuragi smiled. "I always bring first aid kit with me", she reached out to a kit and started applying it to Mitsui. "I'm the one who asked. Why are you also playing favorites, Mizutani-chan? The star of the game should be taken care of well", Sakuragi felt heartbroken. "I will look after you as well. It's just that your teammate has more deep wounds", she explained. "Mitchi is frail after all", the redhead nodded.
Sport's Center
The two were able to catch up before the game starts. Amane walked at the corridor and her blazer was pulled by someone. "Skipping school to watch the first game. That's not like you, Amane", Sendo commented while facing the vending machine. "You're here as well!", the lady tried to remove his grip. "Of course, I am also a player", he chuckled. "I'm heading back to school", the lady moved a lot just to get away from Sendo.
"It's a rare view for Ryonan's ace to be picking random girls before the game", Maki, the captain of Kainan commented. "She's not just any random girl. She's my girl", Sendo felt amused as the lady is attempting to bit his hand. "If I injure you, the whole Ryonan team will hunt me", she stopped wiggling and just pouted. Amane finally noticed the presence of Maki and felt the need to act properly. She stood straight and gave a bow.
"Don't waste your time playing around with this guy and find someone you can properly date", Maki advised and waved them goodbye. "He's a good guy", Amane commented. "Because she told you to dump me?", Sendo faked his cry. "Just so you know, you cannot dump someone you're not dating", the lady slapped his hand that's still holding on to her.
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"You look livelier than before. Did something happen? Who is making you brighter than you already are?", Sendo cupped the lady's face gaining attention from the passerby. "If you don't remove your hand, I will really bite you", Amane threatened. "Whoever that person is, he won't measure up with me, right?", Sendo winked and let go of her.
Takezono High
Class 1-1
"I'm sorry, I'm late", she entered the class and bowed. "Take your seat. It's the first time so I won't let you go to the detention", the teacher continued discussing.
Yoko turned and asked why. "I'll tell you later", she replied. "Since you are late, answer the problem on the board", the teacher crossed his arms. Yoko looked at Amane with concern. She haven't yet gone through the lesson. The lady stood and did as what was asked. She gave the perfect solution and stared at the teacher who was pissed off because he wanted to punish the tardy student.
Cafe
"Do you have cram school?", Yoko asked in curiosity. Amane shook her head while sipping in her strawberry smoothie. "Advance lesson?", the lady asked again making the raven haired tilt her head. Yoko just gave a nervous laugh and asked why the lady was late. "Hanamichi. I see, he's really serious about basketball this time around", Yoko nodded and looked at the table. "Is there something bothering you?", Amane noticed a worried look on her friend's face. "We should be calling Sachi, she might be stuck in between two couples having quarrel or someone confessing", Yoko had been accustomed to her friend's interest in drama.
After sometime, their friend arrived carrying a box. "What's inside that box?", Amane tried to opened it. "It's my secret weapon", Sachi giggled and went to order her drinks. Yoko and Amane looked at each other and seemed to have the same idea. They opened it and was shocked. Sachi came back receiving a concerned look from the two. "What?!", she whined. "I didn't know you were a fan of Rukawa-kun", Amane shyly said. "You don't have to stray that far, Sachi. This is what you call stalking", Yoko held her hand.
Sachi shook her head. "You got it all wrong!!!", she shouted and gained attention from the people. Yoko and Aman dragged her down to sit. "Shohoku female students bought his pictures back in middle high so I am just making some money. Want to buy as well, Amane?", Sachi offered. "I don't need to", the lady waved her hands. "Then, shall we make a victory photo for your sales", Amane invited. Sachi's eyes were teary and nodded violently.
When you love people, you will not be embarrassed to show them to the world.
Amane's phone rang. It was just on the table so her two friends could see who was calling. They both looked at Amane. "He might ask about the clinic hours", she grabbed her phone and went out.
Outside the cafe
Amane looked around and saw that the area was empty. Little did she know that Rukawa was just on the other side of the road.
"Rukawa-kun, you called. How was the game?"
"We won".
Not sure of what to say next, Amane leaned on the wall and calmed herself.
"Sendo-San was also in the sport's center. I wonder if you saw each other".
"Uhm".
"Are you injured or something? Oh, I saw Hanamichi-kun and Mitchi-san on the road. They were both wounded".
"They're both moron, that's why".
"You sound excited about something. Oh, you're playing with Kainan next. I heard from Tatsumasa-kun".
"Uhm".
Amane tilted her head and gave a small smile to herself.
"Congratulations. I know you're a great player but every points you had from this point was a result of all your training so I just want to say that you did great. Not that I was able to watch".
The lady laughed shyly. She knows how it felt. People would usually shrug off the achievement of those who are talented. The thought suddenly made her loose the jolly atmosphere.
"Ah, Rukawa-kun. Are you still there?", the lady panicked. She saw someone's frame shadowing over her. "I was hungry. This place is always packed. I saw the photo you posted", Rukawa is now standing in front of her. The lady was startled and backed off her head. The lad placed his hand on the wall to act as a cushion in order for Amane not to hurt her head. "Amane, what's taking you so long?~", Sachi went out.
The next day,
Sport's Center
"Just one tap on the back. Come on~ You always do it back then", Sendo pointed out. "That's because you were more humble back then. Look at how big your head became", Amane said while wearing her disguise. "Aren't you going to watch with anyone?", the lad looked around. "Mizutani!", Haruko noticed her. "Have you forgotten how easy it is for me to magnet people?", Amane flicked on the lad's forehead. "There's nothing to worry other than your game. Have your fill", the black haired ran towards Haruko and Sakuragi's friends. "Does that mean you're not going to watch me?", the man sighed. "You're not going to play anyways. They're benching you", the lady pouted and walked towards the other group.
"How did you know it was me?", Amane asked Haruko. "You just stand out in the crowd effortlessly. I mean that in a good way", the sweet lady gave a pat on her shoulders. The lady removed her wig and sunglasses. They met Shohoku on the way. "Oh! Mizutani! Thank you for the last time. You're with Haruko-san, are you friends?", he waved his hand. "Akagi-san is my brother's mentor in the hospital. Hanamichi-kun. I'm rooting for your game", Amane waved back. "Areh~ You really seem close to this pretty girl", Mitsui noticed. "The same goes with you, Mitchi-san", the lady felt awkward calling him. "It's Mitsui", the upperclassman corrected.
"Kyahh!!! Rukawa-kun. We'll be cheering for you!!!", couple of ladies in cheerdleader's uniform appeared pushing Amane away. She still managed to gave Rukawa a glance and a friendly smile which Haruko was quick to notice.
Of course, Rukawa-kun is not the type of person you will ignore in a crowd.
"Mizutani, you can sit in the front row so you can see how genius I am!", Sakuragi bragged. "Sure! Sure", Amane nodded.
