「Queens」

Chapter 9

~A/N: this chapter is really long. Like super long. Like 7000+ words long and I'm really sorry about that~

Many spectators began filing into the stadium earlier than expected. Old friends, and current rivals met up, greeting each other. Some wondered who would come out on top, while others already made their decision. There was three teams standing on the court, all standing in their respective lines, waiting for the announcer to declare when it would start.

Sitting down, people noticed some parents sitting in the crowd that looked a lot like some of the girls who stood. One of the fathers was holding an iPhone. Shūtoku, whom were sitting behind the parents, could see that he was video-calling the Rekka family.

"Where's Chiyo sitting?" A woman with red hair asked, and the man with white hair holding the phone, turned around pointing the camera towards the very back row.

Takao turned around, and saw a girl sitting in a wheelchair with dyed light blue hair, and visible dark roots tied back into a bun. She had violet eyes and tanned, freckled skin. She had black rimmed glasses. She waved at the man who pointed the phone, who waved back with a gentle smile on his face. The white-haired man then turned back around to point the camera at the girls.

"They've been standing in the same spot for over five minutes without fidgeting dramatically? That's quite something, huh?" Rekka's father noted, chuckling.

"Be quiet now, the announcer is about to speak," the man said, as the entire stadium quieted down.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen to the annual Winter Cup. This year the Finals will operate differently than usual. There will be three games tonight. First, the two teams Seirin and returning champions, Rakuzan will be playing each other. The winner will move on to the third game, while the losing team will play former champions, Tsuyoi Academy. The winner of the game will then play the winner of game one, and they will play for the Champion title," the announcer spoke, causing people to cheer. "However, if Tsuyoi is to lose, they will not receive any medal, as if they haven't played in the tournament at all. Now please welcome the three finalists!"

While everyone else cheered, other teams looked on incredulously at the girls, who smiled as if nothing had happened. People were shocked by the revelation, but the girls acted as if it was meaningless. Sora frowned slightly as her eyes passed over the parents.

"Did he make it?" Kasumi asked, but Sora shook her head, giving a sad smile. "Sorry, Hoshi-tan."

"It's okay, don't worry about it," Sora shrugged her shoulders, before looking straight ahead.

"Playing in the white is the returning champions Rakuzan. Playing in red is the former champions Tsuyoi. And last, but not least, playing in black, is Seirin High School!" The announcer exclaimed, earning more cheers from the crowd. "Thank you for attending the finals of the Basketball Winter Cup!"

The three teams faced different directions, bowing towards the crowd, thanking them for coming. The girls then walked towards the doors that lead to the locker rooms. Seirin and Rakuzan split in different directions, getting ready to start warm-ups. Excited chatter filled the gymnasium. The white-haired man then ended the call with the family, saying he would call them again before the girls' first game. All the parents exchanged farewells, and the man finally locked his phone.

"It's nice to see Dee and Hideo together again. They never spend a long time together," a woman who was the spitting image of Kasumi commented. "Though I can relate, seeing as how Rei and I don't see each other frequently."

"How is Rei doing anyways?" The woman with black hair, sitting beside the white-haired man asked. "How is your relationship and her job?"

"She's been doing well, as well as our relationship. She absolutely adores Ayame, which is wonderful because Ayame is also very fond of her," the woman gushed. "Work has always been as it was for Rei. Always busy, always hard at work."