Thrown Into Conflict [Brothers Conflict x Reader]

Chapter 20 ~ Basketball Game 2

After Subaru is substituted into the game, she could see the flow of the game change entirely. Subaru is definitely a big part of that change. Maybe even the reason for the change.

She watched in anticipation as Subaru dribbled the ball across the court and then scored a point by doing a lay-up.

"Yes!" Y/n cheered under her breath. "That lay-up was great."

"I heard that his playing was off, but he looks alright," Natsume commented from his seat.

Both Y/n and Natsume focused on the game again, watching as both Meiji and their opponent scored one after the other. Time continues, despite anything, and the game would be over soon.

"Oh, shit, there is only 20 seconds left," Y/n mumbled out, feeling tense as she watched the game. She was at the edge of her seat when the opponent shot the ball, sighing in relief when it missed the hoop.

"He missed," she sighed out with a relieved smile.

With only about 10 seconds left, Meiji managed to get the ball and Subaru brought it across the court and towards the opponent's hoop. Subaru ran until the three-pointer line and assumed a shooting position.

"Go, Subaru!" Natsume yelled out.

Y/n gnawed at her lip as she watched Subaru shoot the ball with the timer ticking down. Just as the timer hit zero, the ball Subaru shot fell into the hoop.

"He did a buzzer-beater!" Y/n yelled in excitement. "Holy shit, I've never seen such an intense game!"

Y/n was practically vibrating in her seat as she turned back to Natsume.

"Natsume, did you see that? The buzzer-beater? Man, that was amazing!" she gushed out. "I never knew games have such high energy and intensity. We should go to another one again!"

Natsume, who was a little down at how excited Y/n was for Subaru, was shocked to hear that Y/n wants to go to another game with him. As he watches the girl make comments about the game to herself, he lets a fond smile overtake his features.

***

Y/n was still rambling to Natsume even as they already exited the stadium. They were walking side by side with Y/n making wild hand gestures to imitate the players.

"And holy shit, that guy with the ponytail did a great pass during the first quarter and it scored Meiji a point. I don't know the level of university basketball teams but that game was amazing!"

Natsume, despite not looking like it, was listening to everything Y/n is saying. He could hear familiar basketball terms when she was talking and it confirmed that she really does like basketball as well.

"And then that lay-up was - oh, I'm rambling aren't I? I'm sorry you have to listen to all that, Natsume."

"No, it's fine. It was a pretty exciting game and I can tell that you like basketball," Natsume said.

"You said it," Y/n replied with a smile.

"It looks like it is going to rain," Natsume then commented. "Do you want a ride? I have my car parked nearby."

Y/n blinked up at the taller man.

"Uh, I wouldn't want to be a bother," she said slowly to allow Natsume time should he reconsider.

"It's not a bother. So what do you say?" Natsume said, staring expectantly at her.

Y/n blinked again and finally nodded.

"If it is not a bother, then sure," she said and smiled. "Thanks, Natsume."

Natsume nodded and stopped walking when his phone suddenly started ringing. He pulled it out of his pocket and gave her an apologetic look.