Dream Team: Kuroko No Basket LAST GAME

Part 16: Practice Makes Perfect

Flashback...

It's been scorching sun of summer here in Los Angeles that's been burning Hanamori's skin. She's out in the basketball court with Kagami, Himuro and Alex and are watching the nth rounds of games.

In L.A. it's popular during summer that all basketball courts are filled with various players. Game after game, teams after teams. From pros being challenged and amateurs trying to compete. Regardless it's always busy in this time of the year.

"Alex, can we open an umbrella, it's freaking hot. Think I'm melting." Hanamori said with a sluggish voice.

"You know we can't, or else those pips behind you will smack you out the court." Alex said without looking at her.

Hanamori can't help but scoff off, and just direct her eyes back to the court. She considered talking to the two boys but to no avail, they're up front chanting cheers with the loud ones.

Failing to take the heat to further extend she stood from her seat and excused herself telling Alex that she's staying in the closest convenience store.

Walking seems like forever for her where her sights dramatically loosing its focus because of the heat. Reaching the convenience store, she decided to hydrate herself with the coldest drink to appease her body of the heat.

Cling

"Welcome." The store clerk greeted upon seeing her.

'Ugh, even the bell's chime feels good.' She said in her mind as the cool wind of aircon enveloped her. She smiled a little to the store clerk before heading to the drink's area.

Looking at the cold and refreshing drinks made her somewhat free from the heat she just experienced a while back.

"Oh, Mia you're here." A lady in her mid-fourties sweetly greeted her.

"Mrs. Howard, good day. Didn't know you're on duty today?" She inquired, remembering the lady having her leave even for the summer breaks.

"I have to, you know for the kids." She said with a hint of worry in her words.

This year, Mrs. Howard's first son is going to college and as a mother she opt to help him even at least for his allowance expenses. The Howard's, as Hanamori remembers are one of those middle class families. The father of the family is in a stable job in a publishing company and according to Mrs. Howard's stories that Hanamori finds very knowledgeable of the realities of life, her husband doesn't want her working and preferred staying at home to tend their kids' needs.

But given the circumstances now, the need of higher funds for an incoming college kid, they're quite tight in budget and she chose to help even a little.

"Ma'am, you know it's very much admirable of you. You know to help your husband." Hanamori said plumping herself down to her eye level.
"It's nice working hard if you know that it's for the ones you love, it's a satisfying reward." She smiled inviting the older lady to smile even slightly.

"Mia, thank you. You really never fail to make me feel less tired whenever I talk to you." Mrs. Howard said with a slight tap on her shoulder.

Hanamori stood up and scanned for her drink. As she does this Mrs. Howard noticed her kind of uneven skin tone. And giggles were released earning Hanamori's attention.

"That." She managed to say pointing at her shoulders.

"Ah, these." Hanamori clicked her tongue in displease.