[mekakuni] fic: Memories of the Future * ch.6: #7 superstar
I went to Kinokuniya this weekend and bought Penguin Revolution v.4, Gakuen Alice v.11, Fruits Basket v.21, and also PoT 20.5 and volume 13 of Death Note. (finally, for those last two!). I also saw v.23 of Dear Boys, but I think I'll wait for the Chinese version for that. (It's the end of the Mizuho/Shonan match ;_;) I'm very behind with Tsubasa, Yakitate Japan, FMA, Negima, Detective Conan...gah, just everything. I couldn't find the latest volume of Zig Zag at the store.
Penguin Revolution is so much LOVE.
This is a guy. Have I interested you yet? This manga is the new series by Tsukuba Sakura, who I absolutely adore for drawing Mekakushi no Kuni. (I still think Ryou is like a cross between Namiki and Kaichou. XD;; ) If you like series about crossdressing or actors...do check this out. XD;;
The way the mangaka draws her characters blushing is just so adorable. Ryou is too cute. (And yes, this is the same guy as the one in the above pic for those who don't know)
And shoot, Ryou can look really cool too when he feels like it!! I was swooning over this pic of him!
Ramblings about volume 4: (spoilers?)
-Ryou's using a boy's tone while crossdressing is so amusing.
-Aya still looks best with messy hair.
-I really grew to like Narazaki. I giggled when he confessed! He has no idea that Yukari's actually a girl. The panels where he realized what his feelings were for the petite manager were very touching. My favorite panels from the volume.
-Everyone seems to like patting Yuka's head since she's so short. XD;;
-Yuka + disheveled clothes + laughing in the bushes...must have looked so kissable! She was so cute!
-Angry!Ryou XD;;
-Ryou's inner 'female child' kinda scares me though.
-Kohinata Kaname's really cute, though kinda bratty
-SPOILER Oka Youko turns out to be the woman that Yuka first saw the wings from, who turns out to be the person who died in the traffic accident from the bus that Aya's father (who died too, from the accident) was driving. My bet is that she's Ryou's mother, though I may be totally off! Maybe that's why Ryou has an inner 'female child.' It's because of his mother's tragic death!! And then, Ryou's father adopted Aya...so Ryou and Aya became siblings. That'd make sense, I think! And it'd be why Ryou's father was relunctant to let Ryou start his career...
My progress is too slooow. But today's chapter is almost as long as two of my previous chapters combined! I quite like this chapter, since it involves Namiki's little brother Junya, who reminds me a lot of Yuuta from Prince of Tennis at times.
-----
Memories of the Future
Disclaimer: I do not own Mekakushi no Kuni.
Pairing: eventual Namiki/Kaichou
Notes: for 30_kisses theme #7 superstar
Archive: lj / ffnet
Words: 2212
-----chapter 6: #7 superstar-----
"Namiki-san, you came!" shouted the exuberant voice. Masahiro raised a hand in greeting towards the tall, dark-haired second year. Last year, Kanade had seen that the dark-haired boy, who at that time was still a first year, would get hurt while skateboarding with his friends. Masahiro had stepped in with a 'friendly' warning on Kanade's behalf. That should have been the last he saw of the other boy.
Except, it wasn't.
Masahiro hadn't really expected to run into the other boy again...until the boy turned out to be Kaichou's younger brother.
Normally, people never understood. They only became frightened and wary. This boy was much the same. Masahiro didn't explain anything, only telling him bluntly that he could see the future. He even asked the other boy if he wanted Masahiro to see when his death date would be, even though Masahiro's power wasn't nearly that strong. It was one of his bad habits...trying to scare others off before they get close enough to hurt him. He had been sure that the boy whose future he had helped change would turn a disgustingly nervous smile at him...
The boy didn't and couldn't understand, and yet, despite not understanding a thing, despite Masahiro's trying to scare him off...
For some reason, the other boy's smile was so natural.
Even now.
Was it something that ran in the family?
The now second-year Someya Shiya wore a wide smile on his face as he approached his senpai. Masahiro remembered how warm and how utterly safe the Someya household had felt. Masahiro had to wonder what it was like to be able to smile so freely all the time, to be able to bask in such a warm household. He admired the easy relationship between the two Someya siblings. Masahiro's ability to see the future had hurt far too many of his relationships with his family and his friends than he cared to keep track of. Even when he wasn't thinking about his ability at all, like the time when he had put his hand over his younger brother's forehead to soothe him from his injury...his mother had been frightened. He hadn't even given a thought to his power to see the future and yet it was always at the foremost of his mother's thoughts concerning him.
He didn't like being defined by his power. He refused to be controlled by his power. He was the one in control. He was the one with control over his power and not the other way around. If he couldn't lock away his power altogether, then at least he was going to benefit from it!
He smiled wryly. Perhaps that was why he was able to see at will and not just accidentally.
"Thanks for coming to the match! I didn't think you'd have time to come when I asked." Someya's words broke Masahiro out of his thoughts, and somehow, an easy smile came over Masahiro's face as he replied, though he didn't realize himself that he was smiling.
"College is a breeze," answered Masahiro. "It's the entrance exams that are hard. The actual thing's a joke. I don't have to spend all my time studying, you know."
Someya laughed. "For you, it's probably a breeze! You were at the top of your class! For me though, I'll have to study hard. I'm not that great with academics, unlike my older sister. I'm hoping to get a basketball scholarship though." Someya's voice adopted a nervous tone as he continued, his eyes darting around the gym, scanning the crowd. "I really hope we win this match...I've heard that scouts might be coming..."
"Want me to see if you'll win?" Masahiro asked innocently, his finger barely touching Someya's hand as he accepted the free water bottles that the boy was passing out to everyone who entered the gym.
The other boy paled. "Uh...no! That'll take the excitement out of everything!"
A clap sounded, causing the younger boy to glance over towards the benches. "Oops, the basketball match is starting soon. That's the coach telling us to gather. I should head over to the team now! You'll stick around hopefully?" Someya was looking at him, eyes just as hopeful as he sounded. It was as if Masahiro's previous jibe about seeing the future didn't affect him at all...as if it was such an ordinary thing to joke about.
"Of course, why else did I come?" replied Masahiro. The younger boy smiled happily and headed off. Masahiro covered his eyes, amazed by the people he was surrounded by. How had he become so lucky?
Masahiro could hear the coach's loud pre-game lecture even from where he stood all the way on the other side of the gym.
"Today's match is against Baitou High," announced the coach's booming voice. "I expect all of you to..."
Masahiro's head snapped up. Baitou High? That was Junya's school! Masahiro started scanning the gym for signs of his little brother, and sure enough, there he was coming through the door.
Masahiro watched as his younger brother chatted happily with his teammates and made up his mind. The past was set in stone and couldn't be changed anymore, but the future was different. He hated how awkward things had become between him and his brother. It was time to change that.
"Junya!" shouted Masahiro as he approached his younger brother.
Junya glanced up, surprised. "Aniki? Haven't you graduated from here already...?"
"Of course I have. Doesn't mean I can't come back to visit," said Masahiro.
Before Junya had a chance to answer, Masahiro clasped his hand on Junya's shoulder, noticing that Junya didn't tense from his touch. Masahiro finally remembered how Junya had never ever been afraid of him. Masahiro had let his hurt over his mother's wrong assumption that Junya had been the one to leave her flowers cloud his own judgment of his brother. He had been merely a jealous, older brother.
"I just wanted to wish you good luck with the match today. I know you'll play beautifully." He smiled and left for the bleachers, leaving a flustered Junya behind.
Junya's pulse was faster than normal, from both the excitement of the upcoming match and from his brother's encouragement. His brother had wished him good luck with the match, and..and he smiled! Junya felt pumped for the match and just a tad bit resentful. Junya was happy that his brother was able to smile like that now, but why couldn't he have smiled like that at home?
He bent down to tie his shoelaces, hoping to hide his red face from his nosy teammates.
How was it that one simple smile from his brother could leave him so flustered and so happy?
Junya fingered his metal necklace and kissed it for good luck.
-----
"No one's sitting here, I hope?"
It was in the last quarter of the game when that voice made Masahiro look away from his brother's intense play. For some reason, his heart made a little leap when he saw just who was standing next to him, her head tilted inquisitively to one side. It was probably the shock of seeing her here after school, he told himself. Kaichou was, after all, the class president, and spent much of her time organizing school matters. Masahiro hadn't expected to see her at this basketball game.
When he answered that the seat was free, she beamed at him and sat down, shuffling the papers on her lap.
"I didn't expect to see you here," said Masahiro curiously.
Kaichou sighed and held up a piece of paper, as if that answered everything. When she saw that it didn't, she just pointed at the top of the paper where it said "Basketball club."
"Ah, more work for the school council?" asked Masahiro.
Kaichou nodded. "I have to oversee various clubs to determine what the right amount of financial backing is for each. The baskeball club is one of the last few. Seems like I've missed most of my little brother's match already though."
She glanced at him, and Masahiro answered before she even asked the question.
"Your brother asked me to come when he saw me last time. He was so excited I couldn't refuse," supplied Masahiro. "Surprisingly, my little brother is one of his opponents."
Kaichou's eyes lit up. "Really? Which one is he?"
Masahiro pointed towards Junya. "See the guy with the messy, blonde hair wearing a number 7 jersey? That's Junya."
"Both my younger brother and yours are key players on their teams. What a coincidence!" Kaichou's eyes danced.
"Indeed, isn't it, especially since their older siblings aren't into sports at all!" commented Masahiro.
Kaichou was amused. "Since a lot of the older players have graduated, Shiya's now one of the more prominent regulars on the team. He's particularly excited about today's game because if they win this match, they'll be able to advance to the next division."
"He mentioned that there'd be scouts here today too," murmured Masahiro.
Kaichou started. "Scouts? Here?" Her eyes roamed the bleachers, most likely wondering who amidst the audience were actual scouts.
Masahiro discreetly jerked his head towards a dark-haired, middle-aged man wearing a plain buttoned-up shirt and then towards a lady wearing bright red lipstick "Those two are scouts for sure. They're going to shake your brother's hand later and ask him how long he's been playing. I don't know if there are more though."
"How do you know that's what's going to happen?" wondered Kaichou. She looked towards her brother with a small frown. "He doesn't seem to be playing that well right now."
Masahiro's eyes quickly darted back to the game, hoping that Kaichou hadn't seen them widen with the slip. His previous statement must have sounded weird for those who knew nothing about his power. He was far too used to joking around about his power. It had been one of his traits that his younger brother resented him for, though Kanade and Arou indulged him in the behavior, and Someya Shiya just brushed it off as friendly joking.
He suddenly realized that while Someya Shiya knew about his power to see the future, his older sister did not. Shiya could have told her and Kaichou would have most likely believed him. Their sibling bond was very strong and Kaichou was always willing to listen and to consider everything thoroughly before dismissing anything.
Shiya could have told her, and yet he hadn't. Masahiro had never thought of it that way. He had almost forgotten that Kaichou didn't know. He felt so comfortable in her presence that he had forgotten. Very rarely in the past had he ever felt relaxed in the presence of those who didn't know because he knew it was all pretense, that once they found out, their behavior would change. He'd much rather prefer those disgusted looks, no matter how heart-wrenching. At least those were real and not faked.
But Kaichou...he knew her smiles weren't pretense, and that they wouldn't change even if he told her.
Somehow, that thought made his heart pound extremely fast.
He licked his dry lips. Was this how Kanade had felt when she tried to confess to Eri about her ability to see? Masahiro had never had the need to confess. He always joked about his power, and even used it occasionally to threaten someone he didn't like. He had never ever truly wanted to share the knowledge with someone who didn't know already.
As he was wondering about how to phrase the entire thing, a loud bell sounded the end of the game. He glanced up, surprised, his eyes flying towards the scoreboard. Kaichou stood up clapping her hands loudly. She had a huge smile over her face.
Masahiro was entranced by it.
She pointed her finger towards the end of the court and looked back at him eagerly. "Did you see that? Shiya did a beautiful lay-up right before the end of the game, passing through the entire defense of the other team! Lay-ups used to be his weak point. At that moment, I could feel it. Everyone's eyes were focused on him. Even though his team didn't win, it was as if Shiya were a superstar, the center of everyone's attention." She continued smiling proudly as she gathered her things, ready to go down there to congratulate her brother.
Everyone's attention had indeed been on the winning basket for the game.
All except Masahiro's.
-----
Together, they made their way down from the bleachers. Masahiro glanced around until his eyes landed on his younger brother. He excused himself from the happy Someya siblings to congratulate his little brother on his win.
"Junya! You played great today," said Masahiro.
Junya shrugged. "I could've played better..." He let whatever sentiments he had about the game trail off as he noticed who Masahiro had just parted ways with.
"Who's that tall girl you were talking with?" asked Junya, suddenly feeling mischevious.
Masahiro blinked and looked towards where Junya was pointing. "Ah, that's Kaichou..."
"She's much prettier than that other girl you were with, you know," teased Junya. "I approve." He nodded sagely.
Instead of letting Junya tease him, Masahiro turned the tables.
"Heh, so you have a thing for older women with long, flowing hair?" he teased.
Junya blanched. "Aniki! That wasn't what I meant!"
Masahiro just laughed. "I'm kidding. But anway, I was going to add that she's Shiya's older sister before you interrupted me."
Junya blinked. "No way. She's his sister? They don't look a thing alike!"
Masahiro glanced towards the Someya siblings. "Oh trust me, they do look a like."
"How?" asked Junya, utterly bewildered.
"Their smiles."
-----tbc-----
next chapter: #4 our distance and that person
Gah, too many revelations in this chapter. XD;; (Stop thinking so much, Masahiro!!)
Penguin Revolution is so much LOVE.
This is a guy. Have I interested you yet? This manga is the new series by Tsukuba Sakura, who I absolutely adore for drawing Mekakushi no Kuni. (I still think Ryou is like a cross between Namiki and Kaichou. XD;; ) If you like series about crossdressing or actors...do check this out. XD;;
The way the mangaka draws her characters blushing is just so adorable. Ryou is too cute. (And yes, this is the same guy as the one in the above pic for those who don't know)
And shoot, Ryou can look really cool too when he feels like it!! I was swooning over this pic of him!
Ramblings about volume 4: (spoilers?)
-Ryou's using a boy's tone while crossdressing is so amusing.
-Aya still looks best with messy hair.
-I really grew to like Narazaki. I giggled when he confessed! He has no idea that Yukari's actually a girl. The panels where he realized what his feelings were for the petite manager were very touching. My favorite panels from the volume.
-Everyone seems to like patting Yuka's head since she's so short. XD;;
-Yuka + disheveled clothes + laughing in the bushes...must have looked so kissable! She was so cute!
-Angry!Ryou XD;;
-Ryou's inner 'female child' kinda scares me though.
-Kohinata Kaname's really cute, though kinda bratty
-SPOILER Oka Youko turns out to be the woman that Yuka first saw the wings from, who turns out to be the person who died in the traffic accident from the bus that Aya's father (who died too, from the accident) was driving. My bet is that she's Ryou's mother, though I may be totally off! Maybe that's why Ryou has an inner 'female child.' It's because of his mother's tragic death!! And then, Ryou's father adopted Aya...so Ryou and Aya became siblings. That'd make sense, I think! And it'd be why Ryou's father was relunctant to let Ryou start his career...
My progress is too slooow. But today's chapter is almost as long as two of my previous chapters combined! I quite like this chapter, since it involves Namiki's little brother Junya, who reminds me a lot of Yuuta from Prince of Tennis at times.
-----
Memories of the Future
Disclaimer: I do not own Mekakushi no Kuni.
Pairing: eventual Namiki/Kaichou
Notes: for 30_kisses theme #7 superstar
Archive: lj / ffnet
Words: 2212
-----chapter 6: #7 superstar-----
"Namiki-san, you came!" shouted the exuberant voice. Masahiro raised a hand in greeting towards the tall, dark-haired second year. Last year, Kanade had seen that the dark-haired boy, who at that time was still a first year, would get hurt while skateboarding with his friends. Masahiro had stepped in with a 'friendly' warning on Kanade's behalf. That should have been the last he saw of the other boy.
Except, it wasn't.
Masahiro hadn't really expected to run into the other boy again...until the boy turned out to be Kaichou's younger brother.
Normally, people never understood. They only became frightened and wary. This boy was much the same. Masahiro didn't explain anything, only telling him bluntly that he could see the future. He even asked the other boy if he wanted Masahiro to see when his death date would be, even though Masahiro's power wasn't nearly that strong. It was one of his bad habits...trying to scare others off before they get close enough to hurt him. He had been sure that the boy whose future he had helped change would turn a disgustingly nervous smile at him...
The boy didn't and couldn't understand, and yet, despite not understanding a thing, despite Masahiro's trying to scare him off...
For some reason, the other boy's smile was so natural.
Even now.
Was it something that ran in the family?
The now second-year Someya Shiya wore a wide smile on his face as he approached his senpai. Masahiro remembered how warm and how utterly safe the Someya household had felt. Masahiro had to wonder what it was like to be able to smile so freely all the time, to be able to bask in such a warm household. He admired the easy relationship between the two Someya siblings. Masahiro's ability to see the future had hurt far too many of his relationships with his family and his friends than he cared to keep track of. Even when he wasn't thinking about his ability at all, like the time when he had put his hand over his younger brother's forehead to soothe him from his injury...his mother had been frightened. He hadn't even given a thought to his power to see the future and yet it was always at the foremost of his mother's thoughts concerning him.
He didn't like being defined by his power. He refused to be controlled by his power. He was the one in control. He was the one with control over his power and not the other way around. If he couldn't lock away his power altogether, then at least he was going to benefit from it!
He smiled wryly. Perhaps that was why he was able to see at will and not just accidentally.
"Thanks for coming to the match! I didn't think you'd have time to come when I asked." Someya's words broke Masahiro out of his thoughts, and somehow, an easy smile came over Masahiro's face as he replied, though he didn't realize himself that he was smiling.
"College is a breeze," answered Masahiro. "It's the entrance exams that are hard. The actual thing's a joke. I don't have to spend all my time studying, you know."
Someya laughed. "For you, it's probably a breeze! You were at the top of your class! For me though, I'll have to study hard. I'm not that great with academics, unlike my older sister. I'm hoping to get a basketball scholarship though." Someya's voice adopted a nervous tone as he continued, his eyes darting around the gym, scanning the crowd. "I really hope we win this match...I've heard that scouts might be coming..."
"Want me to see if you'll win?" Masahiro asked innocently, his finger barely touching Someya's hand as he accepted the free water bottles that the boy was passing out to everyone who entered the gym.
The other boy paled. "Uh...no! That'll take the excitement out of everything!"
A clap sounded, causing the younger boy to glance over towards the benches. "Oops, the basketball match is starting soon. That's the coach telling us to gather. I should head over to the team now! You'll stick around hopefully?" Someya was looking at him, eyes just as hopeful as he sounded. It was as if Masahiro's previous jibe about seeing the future didn't affect him at all...as if it was such an ordinary thing to joke about.
"Of course, why else did I come?" replied Masahiro. The younger boy smiled happily and headed off. Masahiro covered his eyes, amazed by the people he was surrounded by. How had he become so lucky?
Masahiro could hear the coach's loud pre-game lecture even from where he stood all the way on the other side of the gym.
"Today's match is against Baitou High," announced the coach's booming voice. "I expect all of you to..."
Masahiro's head snapped up. Baitou High? That was Junya's school! Masahiro started scanning the gym for signs of his little brother, and sure enough, there he was coming through the door.
Masahiro watched as his younger brother chatted happily with his teammates and made up his mind. The past was set in stone and couldn't be changed anymore, but the future was different. He hated how awkward things had become between him and his brother. It was time to change that.
"Junya!" shouted Masahiro as he approached his younger brother.
Junya glanced up, surprised. "Aniki? Haven't you graduated from here already...?"
"Of course I have. Doesn't mean I can't come back to visit," said Masahiro.
Before Junya had a chance to answer, Masahiro clasped his hand on Junya's shoulder, noticing that Junya didn't tense from his touch. Masahiro finally remembered how Junya had never ever been afraid of him. Masahiro had let his hurt over his mother's wrong assumption that Junya had been the one to leave her flowers cloud his own judgment of his brother. He had been merely a jealous, older brother.
"I just wanted to wish you good luck with the match today. I know you'll play beautifully." He smiled and left for the bleachers, leaving a flustered Junya behind.
Junya's pulse was faster than normal, from both the excitement of the upcoming match and from his brother's encouragement. His brother had wished him good luck with the match, and..and he smiled! Junya felt pumped for the match and just a tad bit resentful. Junya was happy that his brother was able to smile like that now, but why couldn't he have smiled like that at home?
He bent down to tie his shoelaces, hoping to hide his red face from his nosy teammates.
How was it that one simple smile from his brother could leave him so flustered and so happy?
Junya fingered his metal necklace and kissed it for good luck.
-----
"No one's sitting here, I hope?"
It was in the last quarter of the game when that voice made Masahiro look away from his brother's intense play. For some reason, his heart made a little leap when he saw just who was standing next to him, her head tilted inquisitively to one side. It was probably the shock of seeing her here after school, he told himself. Kaichou was, after all, the class president, and spent much of her time organizing school matters. Masahiro hadn't expected to see her at this basketball game.
When he answered that the seat was free, she beamed at him and sat down, shuffling the papers on her lap.
"I didn't expect to see you here," said Masahiro curiously.
Kaichou sighed and held up a piece of paper, as if that answered everything. When she saw that it didn't, she just pointed at the top of the paper where it said "Basketball club."
"Ah, more work for the school council?" asked Masahiro.
Kaichou nodded. "I have to oversee various clubs to determine what the right amount of financial backing is for each. The baskeball club is one of the last few. Seems like I've missed most of my little brother's match already though."
She glanced at him, and Masahiro answered before she even asked the question.
"Your brother asked me to come when he saw me last time. He was so excited I couldn't refuse," supplied Masahiro. "Surprisingly, my little brother is one of his opponents."
Kaichou's eyes lit up. "Really? Which one is he?"
Masahiro pointed towards Junya. "See the guy with the messy, blonde hair wearing a number 7 jersey? That's Junya."
"Both my younger brother and yours are key players on their teams. What a coincidence!" Kaichou's eyes danced.
"Indeed, isn't it, especially since their older siblings aren't into sports at all!" commented Masahiro.
Kaichou was amused. "Since a lot of the older players have graduated, Shiya's now one of the more prominent regulars on the team. He's particularly excited about today's game because if they win this match, they'll be able to advance to the next division."
"He mentioned that there'd be scouts here today too," murmured Masahiro.
Kaichou started. "Scouts? Here?" Her eyes roamed the bleachers, most likely wondering who amidst the audience were actual scouts.
Masahiro discreetly jerked his head towards a dark-haired, middle-aged man wearing a plain buttoned-up shirt and then towards a lady wearing bright red lipstick "Those two are scouts for sure. They're going to shake your brother's hand later and ask him how long he's been playing. I don't know if there are more though."
"How do you know that's what's going to happen?" wondered Kaichou. She looked towards her brother with a small frown. "He doesn't seem to be playing that well right now."
Masahiro's eyes quickly darted back to the game, hoping that Kaichou hadn't seen them widen with the slip. His previous statement must have sounded weird for those who knew nothing about his power. He was far too used to joking around about his power. It had been one of his traits that his younger brother resented him for, though Kanade and Arou indulged him in the behavior, and Someya Shiya just brushed it off as friendly joking.
He suddenly realized that while Someya Shiya knew about his power to see the future, his older sister did not. Shiya could have told her and Kaichou would have most likely believed him. Their sibling bond was very strong and Kaichou was always willing to listen and to consider everything thoroughly before dismissing anything.
Shiya could have told her, and yet he hadn't. Masahiro had never thought of it that way. He had almost forgotten that Kaichou didn't know. He felt so comfortable in her presence that he had forgotten. Very rarely in the past had he ever felt relaxed in the presence of those who didn't know because he knew it was all pretense, that once they found out, their behavior would change. He'd much rather prefer those disgusted looks, no matter how heart-wrenching. At least those were real and not faked.
But Kaichou...he knew her smiles weren't pretense, and that they wouldn't change even if he told her.
Somehow, that thought made his heart pound extremely fast.
He licked his dry lips. Was this how Kanade had felt when she tried to confess to Eri about her ability to see? Masahiro had never had the need to confess. He always joked about his power, and even used it occasionally to threaten someone he didn't like. He had never ever truly wanted to share the knowledge with someone who didn't know already.
As he was wondering about how to phrase the entire thing, a loud bell sounded the end of the game. He glanced up, surprised, his eyes flying towards the scoreboard. Kaichou stood up clapping her hands loudly. She had a huge smile over her face.
Masahiro was entranced by it.
She pointed her finger towards the end of the court and looked back at him eagerly. "Did you see that? Shiya did a beautiful lay-up right before the end of the game, passing through the entire defense of the other team! Lay-ups used to be his weak point. At that moment, I could feel it. Everyone's eyes were focused on him. Even though his team didn't win, it was as if Shiya were a superstar, the center of everyone's attention." She continued smiling proudly as she gathered her things, ready to go down there to congratulate her brother.
Everyone's attention had indeed been on the winning basket for the game.
All except Masahiro's.
-----
Together, they made their way down from the bleachers. Masahiro glanced around until his eyes landed on his younger brother. He excused himself from the happy Someya siblings to congratulate his little brother on his win.
"Junya! You played great today," said Masahiro.
Junya shrugged. "I could've played better..." He let whatever sentiments he had about the game trail off as he noticed who Masahiro had just parted ways with.
"Who's that tall girl you were talking with?" asked Junya, suddenly feeling mischevious.
Masahiro blinked and looked towards where Junya was pointing. "Ah, that's Kaichou..."
"She's much prettier than that other girl you were with, you know," teased Junya. "I approve." He nodded sagely.
Instead of letting Junya tease him, Masahiro turned the tables.
"Heh, so you have a thing for older women with long, flowing hair?" he teased.
Junya blanched. "Aniki! That wasn't what I meant!"
Masahiro just laughed. "I'm kidding. But anway, I was going to add that she's Shiya's older sister before you interrupted me."
Junya blinked. "No way. She's his sister? They don't look a thing alike!"
Masahiro glanced towards the Someya siblings. "Oh trust me, they do look a like."
"How?" asked Junya, utterly bewildered.
"Their smiles."
-----tbc-----
next chapter: #4 our distance and that person
Gah, too many revelations in this chapter. XD;; (Stop thinking so much, Masahiro!!)