The Appearing: Book 2

Chapter 9: A Game of Light and Shadow

I went outside and jumped into the hoop attached to the wall using Kagami as a step; he knew what I wanted and let me use him.

“You like sitting up there, don’t you?” He asked standing below me and looked up.

“I used to hide high up in the trees near our house” I smiled letting the breeze play with my hair. “Atsushimacchi was the only one who could get me down”.

“You were friends with that guy?!” Kagami shouted.

“Atsushimacchi grew up with me and Kurokomacchi that’s why we get along with him so much better than the others” I replied. “Aominemacchi… he won’t go easy on either of us and Kurokomacchi and I… we can’t handle that much running around”.

“Kuroko will want to try and be the saviour” Kagami added. “I’ve been saved by that ass of his too many times, now it’s my turn”.

“You’ll need my help” I nodded sliding down through the hoop and he caught me on his back. “Aominemacchi’s near that level and I can tell both of us are nearly there ourselves but we need to make sure we won’t hurt ourselves”.

We found Kuroko thinking about the past and I didn’t even need to look at his face to know; Aomine and Kuroko were each other’s light and shadow just like Atsushi and I were. One day Aomine didn’t believe in the friendship they had made and so he began to disbelieve.

“Don’t worry” I smiled slightly. “You just rest and let me and Kagamimacchi deal with you-know-who”.

“But I have my promise to Momoi” he looked at his shoes.

“Forget her; she’s the reason why they know our secret” I groaned. “I never liked her even in middle school; if we want to have a shot at winning the Winter Cup we have to beat Aominemacchi; you are thinking of the past; let me handle him; I know him but he doesn’t know me”.

“It gives us an edge” Kagami nodded. “Kiyoshi and I will make sure nothing happens to her”.

***

“Kagamimacchi?” Aomine thought. “She’s been playing with him!”

“Keep her under control” Momoi snapped just as he was about to shoot. “If she reaches her height; it will be impossible for us to win”.

“She trusts them, both Kagami and Tetsu!” He snarled scaring his friend. “She’s starting calling them names; the same names she gave us”.

“Then find a way around her” she replied arms crossed. “Think like Mukkun”.

“He was her light and is five times taller than me” Aomine sighed. “She hasn’t played against him yet which is why I don’t know what to do”.

“If she reaches “The Zone” while you’re in it too…” Momoi shook her head. “Kagami is almost there himself, if both of them are in “The Zone” we will lose”.  

***

As we went back inside I saw Hanamiya waiting around a corner sitting against the wall.

“You are either one of two things; my twin sister I’ve never known about or foolish” he smirked as he stepped into front of me. “You play dirty”.

“Aw… thanks, Hanamiya” I smiled. “That was what you call proxy; I’m playing for my brother”.

“I forgot; the Phantom Twins of Teiko Middle School” he laughed. “No-one can stand up to you; I remember playing against you in Middle School; the raw natural talent is actually fascinating to watch”.