The Wager (Kuroko no Basket)

Phase 7: Survive the Awkward Tension

I sigh as I head outside of the bleachers during the break. I came to watch the preliminary matches in Block A because whichever team wins will be a potential opponent, but it's tough thinking of how we could beat both teams. It's difficult to come up with two different strategies at once. To be honest, I'm exhausted. I head to the vending machine for a drink. Some tea or coffee would be splendid right around now. When I get to the vending machine, I see an all too familiar back. More specifically, I see Kise's back. After a brief moment of hesitation, I decide to get back at him for last time. I wait until his drink comes out of the vending machine before snatching it right out of his grasp. "K-Kimikocchi?!" Kise exclaims as I open up his can of coffee.

"Thanks for the drink," I say with a smirk. "This is my revenge for last time." I take a sip of his coffee.

"You came to watch too?" Kise asks.

I nod. "Of course. Shintaro invited me to watch," I reply. It seems that my answer doesn't suit his tastes. I sigh. "Idiot. Why are you pouting at me?" I ask. "Shintaro wouldn't do something like that. I only came to scout. The recordings from last year could be outdated depending on how hard each team worked until now." I take another sip of the coffee. "Anyhow, I should congratulate you. You might get your revenge after all," I comment. "It's too bad all my research on Seiho went down the drain though."

Before I can take yet another sip of coffee, Kise manages to get it back. He gives me a smug look and starts to drink it himself. I sigh. "I guess I should buy my own then." I take my coin purse out.

"Want it back?" Kise asks.

"And help fuel your fantasies by letting you give me an indirect kiss?" I reply. I flash him a wry smile. "I'll pass." I buy myself a can of coffee. "Anyways, where were you sitting? I'll join you." He starts to smile again. "Not that it'll make much of a difference anyways. I'll be writing notes on both teams for the next game too." He pouts at me. I glance at him and sigh as we walk back towards the basketball court. "I'll fool around with you again after the game." I mutter, "It's inevitable anyways."

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After the game, (Seirin beats Shutoku, ha! Take that, Shintaro!) I happen to catch Shintaro heading outside with his cellphone in hand. "Ah, that's cute," I comment with a smirk as I catch a glimpse of his wallpaper.

Shintaro turns to me. "Kimiko."

"It's adorable that your wallpaper is a picture of the two of us in elementary school," I say. Shintaro glares at me, but there's a super faint blush dusting his cheeks. I chuckle.

"You've changed," Shintaro comments.

This sort of takes m by surprise. I wasn't expecting to hear that at all. "Hm?" I ask. "If I have, it's probably his fault," I reply with a sigh.

"Kise's?"

I nod. It's quiet between us for a while. Shintaro looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn't. Knowing him, he won't say anything until he's ready, so I decide to change the topic. "More importantly, are you alright?" I ask.

"I did everything in my power. Of course I'm alright," he replies. He pushes his glasses up. He doesn't seem fine if you ask me.

"Emotions aren't logical, Shintaro," I reply with a frown. "You and I have always been pretty similar, so I can kind of guess what you're feeling and what you'll do," I say. "I'm not saying that I'm right, but if you ever want to just waste time and talk, you have my number." I chuckle again. "Or is that something only girls would do?"

"Like you would know," he replies. "You don't have enough female friends."

"I suppose you're right," I reply. "It's rather difficult to get along with me, after all."