#1 What is passion? [Knb fanfiction]

Chapter 2

Mizushima Ai's POV

Momoi was in a good mood today because she was accepted as the manager for the basketball team yesterday. And I had to suffer because of her. She dragged me towards the gym after school by force since the time for shogi didn't interfere with the time for basketball and in order to maintain my nerdy girl act, I had to go. As I entered the gym, I saw a familiar red haired boy, the one that played shogi with me yesterday and of course, Momoi's childhood friend - Aomine Daiki. 

She told me that today was the trials to get into the first string and that perked up my interest a bit. I watched the freshmen carefully. Akashi and Aomine were both impressive along with a guy with dark green hair and glasses and the gigantic purple haired boy who sits next to me in class. But what caught my attention the most was a boy who had teal hair. Even with me focusing on him, I could still lose track of him at times. He wasn't particularly superior at dribbling or shooting, in fact he couldn't even dribble or shoot but his low presence isn't a joke. 

I eyed him curiously. He should specialize at passing but he's very weak overall. If only he could endure some serious fitness training, he would be a great help to the team. That's when I heard Momoi next to me chuckle. 

"You're so focused Ai-chan! Why don't you be my managing partner?" She asked hopefully, her shiny smile blinding my eyes. "Not interested." I replied but I felt somehow uneasy watching others play. I found myself staring at a basketball that came rolling by my feet. "Ne~ Can you pass it?" The purple giant who was called Murasakibara Atsushi asked. I took hold of the ball, my eyes not leaving it as I placed it carefully in my right palm. This feels so familiar... I threw it in the air, with the ball forming a perfect high arc as it landed in the net with a swish. I didn't even think, not for the slightest second. It was just my instinct. 

For a moment, I felt content to have touched a basketball again but that didn't last very long. I thought of my grandmother and then my parents and horror washed over me. My hands trembled as I sat down on the bench.

And afterwards, I lost my shogi game against Akashi. I wasn't really into that game that afternoon, my mind kept going back to what I had seen during the basketball practice. Smiles... Love of basketball... I used to be like that, I reminded myself. I used to love that sport. A small painful smile revealed itself on my face when I thought about my grandmother, when my life was shattered into pieces. Having to give up on something you truly love is painful. Sometimes, you can't even let go...

"Checkmate." 

"Good game." I blurted, my thoughts elsewhere. "Not as good as yesterday. What's wrong?" He asked. I just shook my head. "That was disappointing." His words rang in my ears. My eyes widened in shock and fear, my parents used to say that to me all the time, when I was enjoying basketball. They've always told me they were disappointed that I wasted my time on such a useless sport. It was always painful when they said that. I gritted my teeth as depression got it's grasp on me. I closed my eyes and walked away, leaving Akashi alone to put away the shogi board.

Momoi Satsuki's POV

I wonder what she's hiding. I could tell she has played basketball before just by looking at her form when she was shooting. The others believed that it was luck but I don't think so. Why is she denying the fact she's played basketball before? I personally think that it would be a great help if she joins the team. I let out a sigh and flopped onto my bed. Everyone has their own secrets after all.