Looking for a Miracle

Chapter Five

Plans and Shopping

Midorima's eyes narrowed as he glared at the mark on his paper. A beautiful eighty-five percent was marked in red ink, but it still wasn't enough for him, it seemed.

"He's taken top of the class for the last six tests," the green-haired shooter grumbled. He placed the paper down on the table, glaring at it as though it contained some contagious disease.

I shrugged, though inwardly I was just about dying with laughter. Midorima looked so frustrated. 

"I know," I said with a light shrug, taking a bite of my meal. The food served at the school cafeteria wasn't as good than what I got back home, but I still enjoyed it. At least I'd been able to get in before the queue got too big. All the others were currently stuck in it.

I thought back to my own result - a decent eighty-two percent, and the third-highest mark in the class. Our Literature teacher had handed our tests results back today, I was only behind two of the boys in my class; Midorima and Sei.

Sei had breezed through each test with astonishing high marks - none of us had even come close to his scores. While I didn't mind (since I understood why Sei excelled in everything), and felt more than happy to settled for second or third, the fact that he couldn't beat Sei frustrated Midorima greatly.

I could understand why. Midorima was exceptionally smart, and he studied long and hard; maybe even longer than me. But no matter how many hours into the night he spent looking over his notes, 

Midorima was still frowning. "How can I not get better marks than him? No matter how hard I study..."

I placed my fork down. "It's not just Sei being smart," I murmured. "It's his upbringing..." The thought alone made me cringe. Sei had described to me the gruelling training his father had put him through. I thought that if I had been forced to sit tight and study as much as Sei, I would've gone insane.

"Akane?" Midorima asked, dragging me from my thoughts.

I shook myself, but my eyes remained glued to my food. "Let's just say his father was very strict on him," I said quietly. "He was learning the stuff we're doing in class years ago, probably." And he still is. Knowing Sei's father, Sei was probably at two years ahead of us academically.

Midorima sighed. "I see. But that doesn't mean he's impossible to defeat."

I don't think that's possible.

"You can try," I muttered, but my voice lacked conviction. Sei had grown up being repetitively told that anything less than perfect or victory was a failure. Second was never good enough in the Akashi household. Sei had grown up striving and achieving victory from a young age. It was just about second nature to him.

"You don't sound very enthusiastic about this."

I shrugged, taking up a spoonful of rice. "I've sort of resigned myself to the fact I'll never beat Sei in anything. Even in my best subjects, he scores at least ten marks more than me." I smiled ruefully as I recalled our chemistry results from two weeks ago, where that exact thing happened.

"The best you aim for is second, then?"

I grinned. "Second, and no less." I pointed my fork at him. "Watch out, Midorima-kun. I'm not letting you get second again."

The corners of Midorima's mouth twitched, the closest to a smile I'd seen from him. "I'd like to see you try, Akane."

"Hey, brainiacs!"

I stiffened at the voice, then mentally slapped myself because of it. Snap out of it, Akane! I turned around to see Aomine rushing up to us, despite that his tray was full of food and he had to weave around the other tables in the cafeteria. Momoi followed as fast as she dared.

"Satsuki just told me I need to pass these next few tests to play the upcoming championship!" Aomine cried, looking very, very nervous.

Oh. The championship.

It had come around so fast. The year had started mid-spring, in April, and the national middle school tournament took place in August, with the district preliminaries taking place beforehand. When we first joined, the championships still felt so far away. Now, they were a mere two weeks away.

I wanted to know where to time had gone. But, before we could worry about the championships, we had to worry about our upcoming tests. Any players who failed them wouldn't be allowed to partake in the approaching playoffs, and if they were unlucky, the championship. The loss of any key player would be troubling, especially since all the first-years, including Haizaki, had become regulars in the team.

If Aomine failed the tests... Teiko Middle School would lose one of its great players. It wouldn't be too much of a problem, since there were still second-years and third-years on the bench, but it was nice to have that versatility.

Momoi huffed irritably. "Aomine-kun, you failed the last two tests! You need to take these ones seriously!"

I nodded. "She's right, Aomine."

"I am! That's why I'm coming to you!" Aomine looked between Midorima and I. "You two are smart, right? So, help me!"

Midorima frowned. "You fall asleep in class. I don't help those who don't put in effort."

Aomine gaped at our green-haired friend, then rounded on me. "Then Akane!" he cried, placing his hands on my shoulders and staring at me desperately. "Please help me! I can't sit through remedial classes while everyone else is at the championships!"

"Aomine." I sighed and removed his hands. Why did he always come to me when Momoi was right there? "Why don't you ask Momoi? She's smart."

"Yeah, she's smart, but she isn't as good a teacher as you."

Momoi rolled her eyes. "That's because she's more patient than me, you baka! You just don't like that I keep hitting you awake every two seconds!"      

Aomine chose to ignore this comment. "Please, Akane."

"Eh? What's going on?"

Murasakibara approached, his tray laden with food. He even carried a bag of potato chips with him.

Aomine grinned and plonked down on the seat next to me, his arm finding its usual place around my shoulders. "Akane's agreeing to tutor me."

I blinked. "I am?"

"She is?"

Sei had approached us. One of his eyebrows raised as he looked at Aomine, taking in his casual arm around my shoulders. More heat rushed to my cheeks and I hastily stood aside, wringing my hands. 

"Aomine..." I could hear the warning tone to Sei's voice. I flinched, not liking where this was going.

"Sei, don't worry," I blurted. I turned to Aomine and rolled my eyes. "It's nothing. I'll help you, Ahomine."

Aomine stiffened when he heard the nickname. "Hey!" he protested.

"What? It suits you," I snickered. "Look, how about this: if you can stay awake throughout the entire session I might consider dropping the name! If you don't, you'll remain Ahomine to me."

Momoi giggled. "It's catchy, Ahomine-kun," she said, smiling sweetly at her childhood friend. Beneath that sweet smile, I could see the mischief glinting in her eyes.

"Fine! I promise to stay fully awake during our study session."

"And no daydreaming of basketball, either," I said pointedly, folding my arms. 

"Fine."

"Good." I looked up at the others. "Does anyone else want to join us? Might as well speak up now if I'm taking students." I doubted anyone would, but I was putting the offer out there if anyone wanted it.

"Akane is offering help with studying?" Murasakibara hummed, as he took his place in the bench.

I nodded. "Yes."

"Will there be snacks?"

"Probably." 

"Then I'll come too," the purple-haired centre decided. 

I smiled. "Sure." But inwardly, I was panicking, thinking about my parent's pantry and wondering just how many snacks I would need to buy to keep Murasakibara satisfied throughout the time we studied. I didn't know how he didn't go broke within a week.

"Hey, Akane, it's not fair if you take two people," Momoi said. "I'll help you out."

I grinned at my friend. "Thanks, Momoi."

Midorima sighed. "Who knows, you might need my assistance. I might as well join you."

I chuckled. Midorima made it sound like it was a big deal, but I'd bet anything that secretly he was looking forward to it. "Thank you, Midorima." I glanced over at Sei. "Hey, Sei, you're the only one who's not coming so far. You should join us."

The eyes of everyone was upon him. Sei sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I'll see what I can do," he conceded.

I grinned, plans already running through my head. It might be a study session we were planning, but I was sure that somehow with these guys, it would end up being interesting... one way or another.

* * *

I smiled to myself, losing myself in the music as I reached the final part of my sheet music. So close to finishing.

This was my favourite part, the crescendo. I allowed my fingers to run rampant over the keys as I poured every ounce of passion into my playing. I could feel my body trembling, getting caught up in the sudden fierceness of the music.

Then, all to soon, I hit the final note. My hand lingered in the air and I breathed heavily. I hadn't realised just how much energy I'd put into that piece.

I'd done it. I grinned. I nailed that piece. The music continued to ring in my ears. I wanted to jump out of my seat and perform a little victory dance.

"You're getting really good at that."

I jumped, almost bashing my legs against the piano. I rubbed the back of my head and looked back, to see my mother making her way into my room. "Mum, you scared me!" I exclaimed shakily, placing a hand over my racing heart.

"Sorry, darling." My mother walked over - she was so graceful, it was more like she was floating - and sat herself next to me. She stared at the piano, looking like she wanted to reach out and touch the keys. "I used to play piano when I was a child," she mused. "I regret stopping it."

I hadn't known my mother used to be a pianist. Maybe that was why my parents had pushed me to start the piano.

"Where's Father?" I asked presently. I hadn't heard him come back from work, and he was usually back around about now.

"He's doing some things for the business, and will be home late." My mother glanced over at my desk, where my English textbook remained open. "So, how's your studies going?"

"I finished."

"Good." Mother smiled, and reached down to squeeze my hand. "I was thinking, since your father's late, that we'd do something together, just you and me. It's been too long."

I gasped, shooting up. Mother and I used to go out on little outings together all the time when I was a child. That didn't happen as often once I had started middle school. I hadn't admitted it, but I'd missed those outings. "Really? What are you thinking?"

"How about that little cafe you used to love? We can go shopping afterwards if you want."

"Only if we go to a bookstore or music store."

Mother beamed, squeezing my hand as she stood up. "Bookstores and music stores it is. Now hurry and get ready."

Within half an hour, I had changed out of my uniform and into more comfortable jeans and a blouse, had swiped my purse and joined Mother in the car. The cafe we had in mind was only a ten minute drive from our house. When we arrived, we ordered what we used to when I was a kid; I got a hot chocolate and blueberry muffin, while Mother settled for a slice of lemon cake and tea. We got good seats outside in the warm weather, and soon after our orders arrived.

We barely talked while we ate, but I didn't mind. I was too busy enjoying my food.

I sighed forlornly when I finished the last sip of my drink. "That was good. I missed this place."

Mother smiled and placed her teacup down. "So have I. Now, Akane, tell me." Mother leaned forward, peering at me intently. "How are you doing at school?"

What? She's asking this again? I answered a question like that from Father yesterday.

"I've already told you, it's great," I said, smiling to hide my surprise. "I'm really enjoying it. I've made good friends."

Mother nodded and leaned back, appearing satisfied. "I was just making sure, in case your father was influencing you."

Huh? I tipped my head to the side. "Why would he?"

Mother paused and took a sip of her tea. "I understand he has high expectations for you," she said, lowering her cup, "and that it's hard. But he's just looking out for you. He wants you to have a good future." She chuckled wryly. "He's never been good at expressing himself."

"Really? I wouldn't have guessed."

"Oh, believe me, Akane. I couldn't tell if he was joking when he first asked me out," Mum laughed. "Speaking of which, are there any boys at the school you like?"

Instantly, a flash on dark eyes and dark hair came into my mind. My cheeks started to burn and I hastily tried to squash the image.

"Mum! What sort of question is that?" I stammered, raising my hands to hide my face. I knew I was doing a poor job in concealing my sudden fluster; one of my mother's eyebrows raised knowingly. 

"The sort of question coming from a mother who's curious and wants to know what's going on in her daughter's life," she said innocently."Especially considering you're in a basketball club filled with boys."

I rolled my eyes, hoping that I looked indifferent. "There are no boys, Mother. I'm only thirteen!"

"I don't know. I had my first crush when I was about twelve."

"I didn't need to know that."

Mum chuckled and finished her tea, the last part of any of our orders to be finished."Well, that was pleasant chitchat. Do you want to go to that music store now?"

"The bookstore's closer."  

"That's true. Let's go then."

It was only a short walk to the bookstore. Once we arrived and stepped inside, I inhaled deeply. I loved the smell of books; it made me feel right at home.

Sei had recommended a book to me recently, and from the way he described it, it definitely sounded interesting. Recalling the title and the author, I began to stalk the aisles in search for it. Mother lingered behind. She knew me too well, and had accepted the fact we could be here for a while.

I repeated the author's name to myself under my breath as I searched the shelves. I grinned when I came across the section of books under the author's surname. So close. My fingers trailed across the books, and I gasped when I spotted the title I was looking for. I reached out to grab it.

Another hand landed on the book at the same time.

I yelped, not having been aware of the person next to me. I hadn't even heard them approach. My head shot to the side and I saw a boy only slightly taller than me, with pale blonde hair.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I apologised quickly to the boy. "Did you want that?"

He shook his head."No, it's okay. There's another book I wanted. You can have that one."

"But you got to it first -"

"Please, take it."

I frowned uncertainly. "If you're sure..." I took the book from the bookshelf and glanced back. "Hey, thank -"

I blinked. The blue-haired boy was gone. I hadn't even been aware that he was moving away from me.

Well. He was an odd one. After a moment I shrugged it off. He said he had another book he wanted, right? If so, there was no reason for me to feel guilty about claiming this one.

When I walked away, I tried to recall images of the boy's face.

All I could remember was that he had light blue hair, and had been wearing a white uniform.

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why is it so hard to find good gifs of tumblr Dx

our favourite phantom sixth man made a cameo appearance... it won't be long now until he's properly introduced into the story!

the championship is coming up in the next few chapters! please comment and tell me what you think! i love hearing your thoughts :D