I Hate Basketball (Kuroko No Basuke)

Dream

Chapter 29 ~ Dream

"Nii-chan, are you going to eat?"

"No nanodayo. I'm going to sleep."

Shinako frowned walked to the kitchen, taking out two packets of red bean bread.

"Oi! Nii-chan!" Shinako called as he trudged up the stairs. "Catch," she said, tossing one of it to him.

Midorima caught it with one hand and smiled. "Thanks, Shinako."

She smiled back at him, "No problem. Goodnight, nii-chan."

"Goodnight, nanodayo."

She waited for his bedroom door to slam close before she walked up to the room at the end of the hallway, opening the door cautiously.

She closed the door and leaned on it, closing her eyes as she took a deep, shaky breath. Slowly, she slid down and she pulled her knees to her chest.

No. Stop, she thought, closing her eyes tighter.

The muscles in her chin trembed like a small child's and when she opened her eyes, big fat tears escaped and landed on her knees. As much as she tried to hold it in, the tears wouldn't stop coming.

Soon enough she was sobbing and she buried her face in her knees to prevent her brother from hearing her.

Why am I so weak?

If I had loved Akashi, why couldn't set him free?

Why did I just sit by and do nothing?

She thought of the many times she had fun with Seijurou and didn't feel insecure. The many times she could be herself and someone she loved.

↯

Shinako shook her head and looked away, pretending not to notice. She didn't want to be involved.

"I said give me your money!" A voice shouted followed by a crack.

Damnit, Shinako thought, dropping her books and bags on the staircase and walking over to the third year and first year.

"Hey, you!" Shinako shouted as she neared them. "What do you think you're doing?!"

The third year slowly craned his neck to glare at her, letting go of the first year who had already passed out.

"None of your business, you little shit," he spat out.

Shinako's eyes twitched. Not being able to control her temper she lifted up her leg and in one quick motion, she kicked the third years face making him stumble.

"What the fuck! You little -- !" He charged towards her but she was quick enough to dodge and kick his spine, sending to the ground.

Shit. What the hell did I just do? She thought, finally regaining her consciousness.

His head snapped towards her and he was about to stand up when a red head blocked her view.

"It's qute pathetic to see you're still keeping this up after my warning."

"S-Shit!" The third year stammered. "I-I wasn't! This was  a misunderstanding!" He screamed before he ran the other direction, stumbling occasionally.

"I could've handled it," Shinako mumbled, pulling up the unconscious first year.

"You would've gotten beaten up. Yet you still chose to help him," Seijurou said.

"I'm not a saint," Shinako muttered. "If that idiot didn't punch him I wouldn't have helped. I'm not as kind as you think, Akashi," she said monotonously, looking into his red eyes.

"But you still helped him in the end."

"Hmm, I did, didn't I?"

"I find you very interesting, Shinako," Seijurou whispered tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

↯

Shinako smiled, the tears slowly disappearing. That was the first time Seijurou had ever complimented her as far as she noticed. And for an insensitive girl, she was quite oblivious to her own surroundings.

↯

"Sei! You have a horse?" Shinako asked, her eyes wide in amazement as she stared at the beautiful white horse.

"His name is Yukimaru," Seijurou said, stroking its silver mane.

Shinako had always been fascinated with horses but this was the first time she was actually seeing one.

"C-Can I touch it?"

Seijurou smiled at her, one of his real genuine smiles. Not those short lived smiles he had in school. A real smile. And it just made Shinako's heart flutter and her knees weak. "Sure. He won't bite."

Shinako slowly brought her hand up to it's head and slowly stroked its mane, a smile forming on her face.

"I told you he wouldn't bite," Seijurou said, bringing his face and pressing his nose onto her neck.

She stiffened and a blush crawled up her cheeks.

"But I might," Seijurou mumbled breathing on her neck.

Shinako squealed and jumped away. "Sei! It tickles!"

↯

Shinako sniffled, remembering the white horse. Remembering Seijurou.

Slowly, the ache in her heart began to fade away. Maybe this was what she needed to do. Cry it out.

To release her tears and let out her feelings.

With no more tears to let out, she fell into a dreamless sleep with her back against the door and her head on her knees.

And even in her dreams, Seijurou wasn't there.