Dreaming On - Kuroko no Basket

Iron Hearts to the Squared

            I spent the week at the hospital undergoing multiple tests with the doctors and nurses as they tried to understand my condition. Otou-san came in once to reprimand me for my “reckless behavior”. When he asked me what had happened, I gave the doctor behind otou-san my best death glare, effectively silencing the doctor. I immediately told Papa a lie, “Hitomi-sensei wanted me to help teach a class on top of practicing my lead role as the prima. Don’t worry, I can still perform for the Prime Minister of Britain. I’ll be practicing as soon as I get out.”

            The doctor narrowed his eyes at my lie and opened his mouth but stop when Papa spoke up. “Good. I expect no less from you.” With that, he abruptly turned on his heels and left the hospital. I sighed a breath of relief.

            “Why did you lie? Your condition may be life-threatening!” He scolded me. I frowned at the doctor.

            “You wouldn’t understand. My father is a very strict man. He is also very heartless when it comes to success. I am all he has left,” I whispered. Doctor Hiroshi shook his head, sighing.

            “Well, since we came to the conclusion that your condition was nothing too serious, we’re letting you go. If you experience the episode again, come back immediately.”

            “Thank you, Doctor,” I smiled. He walked out of the room, leaving me in silence.

            “Are you getting discharged, Masami-chan?”

            I looked up and found an excited Kiyoshi staring down at me with a grin on his face.

            “Yup! Let’s go to practice now!” I exclaimed. I threw the blankets off and jumped out of bed. I was about to skip towards the door only to find Doctor Hiroshi frowning at me. I halted in my path with Kiyoshi frozen behind me. We both glanced at each other, sweating in fear.

            “Did I just hear you say ‘Let’s go practice’?” Doctor Hiroshi asked sweetly with a scary look on his face.

            “U-uh, n-no?” I stammered. Hiroshi turned his gaze upon Kiyoshi, who faltered.

            “Y-ye-no! Nope! She didn’t!” I mentally punched Kiyoshi for slipping his words up. Hiroshi sighed, dragging a hand through his hair.

            “At least go in a wheelchair. Kiyoshi-san, I expect you to watch out for her!”

            “H-hai!”

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            “O-oi! Masami-chan!” I laughed, craning my head around to see Kiyoshi run behind me. “I said wait!” I wheeled myself faster, determined to see everyone again. Riko had texted me yesterday, apologizing for not visiting me. They were tripling their training regimen ever since we lost.

            Kiyoshi finally reached me, grabbing a hold of the handles on the wheelchair. Over the week we had gotten closer with the relationship of a brother and sister. In many ways, Kiyoshi reminded me of my onii-san.

            He quietly wheeled me into the gym as we silently watched Riko go into “demon-mode”, slowly killing all the players with her intense training.

            “Gather ‘round!” Riko shouted. The team gathered around her as she smiled with a gleam in her eyes. “Do you guys remember what you said when you first joined the team?”

            “Gah!” I stifled my laughter as the boys all looked a-taken back.

            “We’re really…going to do that?” The first-years asked.