113: Moment of A Night Lesson

The ceiling was nothing interesting, but it was all I could stare at. The night was chilly and quiet. Akashi's villa is located in a secluded area where to find a neighbor; you have to walk a good one or two kilometers so one can barely hear any noise except for the crickets.

I checked the time on my phone.

01:29

Sucks. I still can't sleep.

So, like the night before, I set off to the kitchen to find snacks but found that the pantry was almost empty. I forgot I finished most of it while watching the basketball team practicing earlier. I exhaled sharply and sat in the living hall in the dark, staring at the blank television.

Then suddenly I thought of an idea.

It was scary but I was eager to kill time. I crept down to the basement where the indoor basketball court was built and turned on the lights. I took a ball from the basket and bounced it on the squeaky floor. The room basement was soundproof, so I had no worries about being noisy in the middle of the night.

I jumped a bit and threw the ball, but it didn't even reach the net and fell, bouncing away with my disappointment. I thought I threw it strong enough, but it wouldn't even approach the hoop. I chased after the ball and tried again but no matter how hard I try; the ball only went as far as hitting the rim.

I placed the ball back in its basket and sat on the bench, examining the court.

How did I get myself here?

'Admiring the indoor court?' a voice asked.

I turned my head and saw Akashi walking in. 'Why are you always awake at this hour?' I questioned.

He went straight to take a ball then threw it to me. It went slightly away from my direction so I had to get off the bench to catch it. I probably looked like an idiot.

'I'm thinking of teaching you some basics of what you're actually managing,' said Akashi, approaching my way.

I made a dissatisfied face and shook my head. 'I-I'm not that athletic—Let's go sl—'

'In basketball, a team of 5 will stand in the court to go against another team of 5,' he began. I grunted but followed him to the center of the court. 'Point Guard, Defensive Guard, Center, Offensive Forward and Defensive Forward are the positions in a team.'

My brain began working and I already felt tired. Guess I have a long night to go through.

-

'Again.'

Akashi's voice resonated across the underground basketball court. He was standing near the bench, arms crossed as he watched. I winced and ran to catch the ball that fell after hitting the rim of the net.

I was in my PJs but it was surprisingly comfortable running in it.

I stood at the three-pointer line and jumped, throwing the ball. It fell short way before it could reach the net. I sighed loudly.

'Again,' said Akashi.

I turned to him. 'I've been doing this for the past 20 minutes and I can't make it go in, can't we just let it go? I really am not good at this thing.'

He shook his head in disagreement. 'You've been doing this for 40 minutes, not 20 and we'll not stop until you get one shot in.'

I pouted, too tired to argue. The ball rolled to my feet and I picked it up. I tried again but it fell too soon. I was getting tired but Akashi wouldn't budge no matter what I do.

Perhaps if I drop dead, he would still wait for me to earn a score.

Let's imagine this ball as Akashi's head and the net is the incinerator. Put his head in and let it burn—

'Oh!' I exclaimed. The ball that flew out of my hands slightly hit the rim and fell into the net, down unto the floor. My mouth was wide in surprise. 'I SCORED!' I spun to face Akashi, who was walking towards me.

He had a satisfied smile on his face. 'See, practice makes perfect,' he commented and reached his hand out.

He's going to hit me for taking too much time.

I flinched.

Then he placed his palm on top of my head and patted.

Wait what? Pat? My head?

He was patting my head?

My heart skipped a beat. Ah, this must be how being proud feels like. I grinned at him. 'Thanks for watching,' I sneered.

His smile didn't disappear from his face but he grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled.

'OW! Okay I'm sorry, I'm sorry!' I yelled, trying to get his hand off. He did let go. I laughed. 'Thanks for teaching me.'

'Do you remember everything?' he asked.

I thought for a moment, revising all the information that went into my head. 'I think so.'

'Summarize them.'

'Uh...' I hesitated. Why did this become too serious? 'So, there are 5 people in the court, each with their own positions. PG, DG, Center, OF and DF. Then I learned how to dribble, how to handle the ball properly, how to shoot and the basic rules of the court such as how it leads to free throws and all.'

'I'll be asking questions about this in our next session so be prepared.'

'Next session?' I gaped.

'Yes,' he tilted his head slightly, scrutinizing me. 'It seems this princess right here hasn't been able to sleep properly ever since she came here. Why? Is it not comfortable enough?'

I frowned. 'I'm not the only one here unable to sleep. I know you haven't been sleeping too.'

He chuckled. 'Then it's a win-win situation for us. Since we both can't sleep, we'll have a private training session every night.'

I bit my lower lip. The attempt at negotiation didn't go well.

-

I yawned as I climbed the stairs towards my room. Akashi stayed in the kitchen for a drink and I couldn't keep my eyes open due to the exhaustion. My legs felt like they were going to fall off and my arms hurt like hell.

I entered my room and frowned at the darkness.

I thought I didn't turn off the lights.

Without preparing a change of clothes, I quickly went into the shower for a hot bath.

-

Akashi opened his bedroom door and frowned. He remembered turning off the lights when he left for the basement but the room was brightly lit now that he stepped in. He listened carefully and heard noises in the bathroom.

He sighed. She got the wrong room again.

-

I realized it. But I was already shampooing my hair when I found out. I wasn't in my room. It wasn't my bathroom I was showering in. I was just hoping with all my heart that Akashi would still be drinking water downstairs.

My pulse quickened and I was in a panic.

And then I realized something even stupid. I didn't bring a change of clothes...

Maybe I should sleep in the bathtub.

I bit my lip and thought of ways to get out without being noticed. My intuition wasn't convinced that Akashi wasn't inside the room already. I stopped the shower and listened for noises but it was dead silent.

Nervously, I wrapped myself with a fresh towel, apologizing to Akashi in my mind repeatedly as I did so. I opened the door slowly and peeked outside. There was no one. I hummed questioningly and stepped out, examining the room once again.

True enough. It wasn't my room.

Then my eyes saw my clothes folded on the bed nicely. I approached and saw a paper on top of it.

Just sleep there. I'll sleep in your room.

I sighed. 'Now this is making me guilty.'

-

There was a knock at the door. Three knocks, actually. But Yuzuki was sleeping soundly, out of the world. The knocks came again then the door was opened.

Mibuchi Reo stepped in, frowning at the figure covered with the thick blanket from head to toe. 'Sei-chan?' he called out. Akashi wouldn't usually sleep until this time of the day. He approached him, thinking that his friend perhaps caught a fever and couldn't get up.

'Reo.'

His hand was an inch away from the figure coiling under the thick blanket when a firm voice called from behind him. Reo quickly turned around to see.

Akashi was leaning against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest, watching Reo like a hawk eyeing its prey. 'Let's get to practice,' he said.

Reo glanced at the bed and reluctantly left the room, trailing after the redhead. His instinct told him there was someone under the blanket.

The team proceeded with their practice session and not long after; Yuzuki was woken up with a start. She groggily sat up and looked around. Her brain registered what happened the night before and she sighed loudly. As she dragged her feet out of the bedroom, she saw the time then quickened her steps to get ready.

-

The friendly match would be around 2pm so they must be having a practice underground. I combed my hair carelessly while it was still wet and ran downstairs to be with them. When I entered the court, they were having an intense 2-on-2 match and Akashi was refereeing. I approached him quietly, as he watched his friends with full concentration and joined him spectating.

'Had a good night sleep?' Akashi spoke without looking at me.

I bit my lip, embarrassed. 'Yes,' I muttered then glanced at him. 'Sorry.'

'We're going to the school in 2 hours,' he said. 'Please pack our things.'

'Oh okay.'

-

I filled their water bottles and packed some biscuits. Their bags were placed on the dining table and their towels and other necessities were included. I looked at the time. It was only 11.42am.

The 5 of them emerged from the basement and into the kitchen, sweating profusely and breathing heavily. Kotarou waved at me but he was looking pale. I handed energy drinks to each and they gulped it down in mere seconds.

'Go change and we'll move after you guys are done,' said Akashi to his team.

I frowned. 'What? Now? It's not 2 yet.'

'Oh! We're going to Shibuya for a while to get some supplies,' Kotarou beamed, grinning.

'Oh...' I muttered. 'Then I shall...' I looked around. Reo, Eikichi and Akashi were already heading upstairs. 'Wait in the living hall,' I smiled. Kotarou nodded and gave a thumb-up before dashing to the upper floor.

I headed to the living hall and dropped myself unto the soft sofa, sighing loudly in relief. Yesterday's session was taking a toll on my whole body and my previously injured leg was throbbing due to the vigorous activity.

'Wow, someone looks so carefree.'

I sat up and turned around. 'Sano!' I exclaimed and waved. He smiled gently and went to sit adjacent to me, on a single sofa. 'Are you sending us to Shibuya?'

He nodded.

'Um, by the way,' I leaned towards him. 'Did Dad say anything to you about Aidou? He said he's working on it but I'm not that good in waiting.'

Sano blinked a few times. 'Uh...' he began then his eyes wandered everywhere. To me, it looked like he was searching for an excuse. 'No, your dad did not say anything about him. I honestly have no idea where he went.'

I stared at him, unconvinced.

'But this is not the first time!' Sano waved his hand frantically. 'A lot of us usually disappear and appear at times. It's not something you should worry about.'

I sighed and leaned back. 'You guys are hiding something,' I said.

'No!' he quickly retorted. 'We're just—uh—'

'If he's transferred to other parts of Japan, just say it. I won't get mad for not getting a goodbye from him.' I cut him off.

Sano closed his mouth. 'H-how did you know? We didn't tell you because we thought you'd be angry,' he said.

I clenched and unclenched my fists. He's lying. Even if he were transferred, he wouldn't abandon the camp halfway. And his bloodied torn shirt isn't in the picture. They are hiding something. Did he perhaps... die?

Smiling, I stood up. 'Well, now the cat's out of the bag, you don't have to hide anymore. Which part of Japan was he sent to?' I asked.

Sano had a look of relief. 'Nagasaki,' he lied straight to my face.

I nodded. 'That's too far from here; tell me when he comes back okay? He has to come and visit me at times.'

Sano stood as well and saluted me. 'I will. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to start the car. I think the boys are getting ready.'

I gestured at the door. 'You're excused.'

'I'm done! Reo, you're late!' Kotarou's cheery voice could be heard then he appeared in the living hall. 'Yuzuki, we're done. Let's go!'

I rushed outside trailed by the basketball team.