By the end of the third quarter, Wakamatsu was taken off the court with the help of the stretchers. He couldn't walk due to the relocation of an intervertebral disc. As for such a young man, that type of injury wasn't a very common occurrence; the fact that made Kou think Wakamatsu should be more cautious about his health. Surely, if it wasn't for his little susceptibility to spine injuries, she'd have to spend much more time figuring out how to get rid of him. The damage had been done and the only players left from the original string were Imayoshi and Aomine.

The first one though looked like he'd pass out any minute now. Apparently, the suspense was killing him. Every time Hara made a move on him, Imayoshi twitched, in the effect, losing his glasses multiple times.

The players were dropping like flies, with the exception in the form of Aomine Daiki. Despite all odds, which among other things included bruised, sore body and Hanamiya's constant toxic companionship, the boy seemed even more determined not to break. Kou could tell it was annoying Hanamiya to the core. She already felt irked by Aomine's willpower and if her anger was any point of a reference, Makoto must have been boiling by now. The distinct switch in his walk, as he approached Aomine and a scowl on his face was enough for her to brace herself for her part of the deal. Aomine ignored the older boy, however after Hanamiya said something with his all-knowing smirk, the Töö ace pivoted on his heel and in a flash, his face was mere inches from Hanamiya's. The air became thick with anxiety as she watched the two of them move, the angle she was looking at them changed, letting her make out some parts of their conversation.

"You wouldn't dare," Kou muttered, mimicking Aomine.

She snorted.

"Just wait and see."

Hanamiya tapped his nose lightly.

Miho slowly got on her feet, forced a friendly smile on her face and walked over Töö bench. She gave a court bow to coach Katsunori. The man waved at her dismissively, not taking his eyes off of the court. A small frown creased her forehead as she noted his crudeness; she turned to Momoi.

"I apologize for the disturbance, Satsuki-chan, but I wanted to ask for your assistance," Kou chirped, nervously creasing the hem of her sweater. "The Töö gym is so large I'm afraid I won't be able to find the lavatories without a help of an insider."

Momoi looked at the girl, smiling politely. "I'll be happy to explain you how to get there, Miho-chan."

"If it's not much to ask, I'd rather you showed me the way herself." She rubbed the back of her neck, looking as embarrassed as ever. "Even if the facilities were right around the corner, I wouldn't find it. My bearings are very bad..." Kou confessed with a small pout.

"But it really is round the corner!" she exclaimed before sighing: „The game is almost over, Miho-chan. If you can wait a few more minutes, I'll gladly walk you over."

Kou was about to open her mouth to protest, when out of a sudden Töö's coach cut in.

"Kou-san is our guest, Satsuki-san. It's our duty to show her our best hospitality," he chided. "You can go. The team will do fine without you."

Momoi's eyes widened but she didn't protest. It was debatable if Töö would do fine... there were still 4 minutes left and a mere number of 9 points in favour of the team.

The lavatories were indeed round the corner and only a complete fool would get lost on such a simple route. Getting Momoi out of the court was a necessary thing to do, so there was no other way for Kou but to just act dumb. When the two of them left for the hallway, she could feel the looks of not only Töö team, but also Kirasaki Daiichi. After all, none of them was aware of the last part of the plan. It was for the better because when Töö saw a shock on their opponents' faces, it was only a matter of time before they realize things were going to get ugly. The blow of a whistle echoed in the court as Momoi and Kou left. Apparently, Imayoshi couldn't handle the pressure anymore.

The heels of her pumps clicked rhythmically on the floor as Kou followed Momoi through the dark hallway. She liked winter, but the fact that it's been getting darker much sooner was its major flaw, especially with such penny-pinchers as Töö's staff. Not only were they scrimping and saving on the heating but also on the lighting. She had to be careful not to bump into her guide, while on her way.

Since Momoi kept silent, Kou let her mind wander to the possible event on the court. She really couldn't make any sense, why did Aomine care enough for the girl to throw away his chance for greatness. In Kou's opinion, caring was not an advantage. It only made people weak and unreasonable.

Momoi had an indeed pretty face... what a shame would it be if it was to waste in such a cruel manner.

Miho's thoughts perfectly mimicked the words, Hanamiya said to Aomine. That was enough to break, or more like hammer his soul into the ground.

"I'll wait for you outside so you won't get lost, Miho-chan." Momoi stopped suddenly and pushed the doors to the facilities open.

Kou entered the room and locked herself in a small cabin. She waited for a few minutes, before flushing the toilet and drawing back the bolt. To her surprise, by the sinks stood Momoi, her face paler than usual. She shook the feeling of surprise and slowly turned on the water. The hot water pleasantly warmed up her freezing hands, so she let it wash down her skin for a little bit longer than necessary.

"I hope Miho-chan is not mad at me..."

Kou glanced at the younger girl, whose chin was lowered to her chest.

"Why would I? I don't think there's a reason."

"If Töö wins, Miho-chan's school will be eliminated from the Inter-High, and it's her last year in high school..." Momoi mumbled piteously.

Kou pursed her lips sourly and turned the water off. The last thing she wanted to hear was that she was old and needed to be pitied. And all that came from the mouth of her sworn enemy...

"It's not a reason for me to be mad at you, Satsuki-chan." Kou smiled reassuringly. "May the best man win. If it happens to be Töö, it's not really up to me... Just promise me that you won't lose until the finals. That would ruin my reputation," she confided and got a few straps of a paper towel, wiping her hands dry.

Momoi rose her eyes at her, smiling brightly, in defiance of her foul mood at that moment Kou cringed inwardly with distaste and the manner Satsuki has managed to swing between ups and downs of her mood.

"I promise!" She exclaimed happily before her face dropped yet once again. Kou sighed, wondering what could she come up with now... "But won't Hanamiya-san be mad if you say such things?"

That was kind of unexpected... Kou frowned, wondering where did the girl get that idea. Finally, she saw that Momoi had been squinting on the emblem on her chest. It had Hanamiya's name on it.

"We're not particularly close," Miho explained awkwardly. "Besides, Hanamiya-kun does not have to know about everything, right?" She pointed out, heading for the exit.

Momoi caught up with her, as Kou walked back towards the court. She'd already been making preparations in her mind how to approach the game with Rakuzan. The fact was, Kirasaki Daiichi wouldn't meet with them until the next month, an earlier plan would be most welcomed. Especially since Akashi didn't seem to have any weak points. At least it looked like that from the first glance; she, however, had her way of digging in...

Suddenly, two figures emerged from the court exit; one of them extremely tall, with a distinct limp, the other shorter, calmly following the first one.

Aomine frantically scanned the dark hallway, and when he spotted the two of them, he nearly bent in half with relief. Momoi and Kou froze at the spot, feeling confused about what was happening. It seemed like a slow-motion when Aomine sprinted to Momoi and hugged her close to his chest.

"Are you okay?" He pulled away and cupped her face, making her look at him.

Momoi's eyes widened. "Yes. I'm fine. What—?"

"You're okay..." Aomine repeated, hugging the girl once again.

"Dai-chan, what happened? Did we win?"

"It doesn't matter," he mumbled. "Thank goodness..."

A scowl formed on Kou's face, while she watched this sudden display of affection. She was right about Aomine, and it really made her feel like puffing her chest proudly. Suddenly, Hanamiya's words echoed in her mind.

To be young and in love...

The girl snorted. To her it was more like: to be stupid and infatuated. She gazed at the approaching Hanamiya and was just about to comment on the younger duo, when she saw his face, a cruel scowl plastered to his face, twisting his features in an ugly manner.

"Where the hell have you been?" Hanamiya growled. "How many times have I told you not to wander without direct permission from me?!"

Kou blanked rapidly. Was he talking to her? She would be less surprised if Hanamiya turned out to be talking to Aomine, hell, even Momoi, not her, however... She almost turned over her shoulder to see if maybe Yamazaki was standing behind her since Hanamiya had addressed him in such a way many times.

"E-excuse me?"

"Don't act thicker than you already are, Kou," he scowled, harshly gripping her arm and shaking her. "You're the most pathetic excuse of a manager I've seen in my life. It's time to replace you..."

... thicker... Kou... m-manager...

What?

... to replace you...

"What are you talking about?!" She hissed, trying to swat his hand away. Hanamiya, however, didn't let go of her; he pushed a thin file in her chest, before slowly releasing a painful grip on her arm. Kou's hand automatically shot up, rubbing the sore skin. She looked at the file Hanamiya gave her, feeling confused as hell. Those were the documents she'd prepared for the upcoming game. She looked at her friend, a question forming in her eyes.

"Get your stuff and leave," Hanamiya ordered coldly. "It'd better be the last time I see you here."

For a few seconds, Kou's mouth has been opening and closing without any sound. Finally, she bit on her tongue, the pain sobering her up and she straightened her back.

"You know what, Makoto?! I'm done! You can keep it—" She shoved the thin file in his chest, but he didn't catch it, the sheets scattered all over the floor. "I don't care anymore..." Kou muttered quietly, wanting to see anything else but the cold expression on her friend's face. He has never looked at her in such a way.

Feeling her mood could snap any minute now, she shook her head and took a step back. Out of a corner of her eye, she noticed Momoi and Aomine staring at her, surprised by this sudden display... it made her only feel worse.

"Have a nice life, Hanamiya," Kou said quietly before disappearing in the dark corridor, her heels marking her every step.