Second Chances

Chapter 17

Next week during practice...

"Did Kagami-kun called you or something?" Coach Riko asked, the two of us walking towards the gymnasium, where the others have been practicing again. 

"He didn't." I answered flatly, remembering the phone call I had with Kagami. "The last time we talked over the phone was last week, and he don't bother looking or even talking at me in class. But he said he would be here now.."

The coach sighed. "What's wrong with him, distancing himself away from us?" 

I glued my eyes on the ground. "He must been hitting some wall..." I muttered, but I cleared my throat, attempting to shake off the gloomy feels. "But anyways, he will be here soon, and I hope everything will return to normal!" 

"I hope so too." Coach replied, as we entered the gym. 

The boys started greeting us, and while Coach Riko prepares to be the referee for their practice game, I sit down on the stage as usual, and started scribbling down notes on my clipboard.

"Hey!" 

After a long time of practicing, everyone stopped on what they are doing and turned their attention on the incoming red head, who is wearing his usual training attire. 

"There he is!" 

"We were worried about you."

"Kagami-kun..." I mumbled, happy that he is back and recovered again. But I was also angry at him, after what he had said and act to me during our phone call and even during in class! Like we were a total strangers! 

"Kagami, you bastard." The captain said, looking irked. "You really didn't show up after that."

"Sorry." Kagami bowed down, which made Hyuga-senpai sweat-drops. 

"I-If you're going to apologize, just come in the first place!" 

And then another one entered the gym. 

"Hey!" 

So everyone's attention now focused on drumrolls

Kiyoshi-senpai, who was sweat-droppingly wearing his jersey in a PRACTICE MY GOD. 

"Let's practice." Kiyoshi-senpai smiled warmly. 

We were quiet at first, but all simultaneously sweat-drops when we saw that why the hell is he wearing his uniform in a simple practice like I said. 

"Glad to see you, Kiyoshi." Koganei-senpai greeted him. 

"Yeah!" 

"Don't give me that!" Hyuga-senpai interrupted, irked forming on his head. "WHY ARE YOU WEARING YOUR UNIFORM?!" 

"I got excited about coming to practice again."

"Are you serious? ARE YOU?"

"Yeah!" 

"ARE YOU?" 

Kiyoshi-senpai started telling us how he was in the hospital since summer, and how he can't play basketball during that time. He introduced himself, his vital statistics, and I quickly write it down on his data. 

Kiyoshi Teppei, 17 yrs old, 193 cm, 81 kg. Position: Center and probably some ace and have power, just like Kagami. 

"I've forgotten about some stuff, but I wasn't doing nothing in the hospital."

"Oh, so did you learn something?" 

"Yeah..." 

He grinned at us. "Card games."