Looking for a Miracle
Chapter Seven
Preliminaries

The basketball hit the gravel ground, echoing slightly in the open air. I didn't make any attempt to dribble or shoot; I was content just to bounce it in one place as I talked with Sei.

Results from our tests had been handed out today. Unsurprisingly, Sei had topped the class in all subjects. I hadn't expected any different. I'd narrowly beat Midorima to second place overall; if he'd scored higher than me in one more test, I'd have taken third instead of second.

Most surprising to me was that Aomine managed to pass. His average was nothing spectacular, but he managed to get a higher score than I thought he'd achieve. I'd almost ripped my hair out during my week of tutoring him, almost certain that my efforts would end up being in vain as he kept drifting off, or demanded to play basketball (Ever since he discovered that I also enjoyed playing basketball, it was like he took this as a sign that I'd rather play basketball than study, like him).

It was times like that when I wondered why my cheeks flushed in his presence, or why my stomach would perform somersaults when he spoke to me. But then all he needed to do was grin and laugh in his carefree manner, joke with me or light up when he talked about his greatest passion: basketball, a passion the two of shared.

He was almost the polar opposite of Sei. Surprisingly, ever since I realised my crush on the power forward, I'd started comparing him to Sei more than a few times.

Speaking of that... I caught Sei mentioning Aomine's name. I turned my attention to him.

"Congratulations on getting Aomine to pass his exams," Sei said, with a small smile.

I chuckled "He's more trouble than he's worth. I spend all week tutoring him and he still only manages to pass by the bear minimum. At least he can play in the championship tomorrow."

All members of Teiko's first string had passed their tests, so everyone would be able to participate in the preliminaries for national tournament next week. Only the top schools in each district were allowed to attend the national tournament . Teiko was expected to do well; the team was one of the strongest middle school teams in Japan, and often took one of the top spots, which was why it was vital that all members were available. The head coach, Shirogane, had started to take over training sessions a few weeks ago. Normally it was just the first string coach, Naoto Sanada, who oversaw training, but when it came down to official matches Shirogane took control before he left it to the hands of Sanada again.

Sei was nodding. "That's all that matters, yes."

I stopped bouncing the ball, and instead held it still in my hands. "How are you feeling? About the upcoming tournament?"

He shrugged. "There's nothing to be worried about. We'll win the championship."

"You say that like you're certain."

"Have I ever been wrong?" He raised an eyebrow at me, a small smirk on his lips.

I chuckled wryly. "No. You haven't." I turned back to the hoop and absentmindedly began bouncing the ball again. "Do you think Haizaki will show up?"

Sei's eyes darkened. "He should. He's missed too many practice games and training."

Haizaki was a difficult topic in the team. He only showed up to training and games if he felt like it, and felt no concern about the team. He didn't show any concern about teamwork, preferring to play on his own, even if it ruined team play. When he wasn't at training, we'd hear some worrying rumours about what he did outside of school.

Despite this, he really was a good player. It was difficult to kick him off the team when he really was skilled.

I sighed heavily, a few strands of hair being blown off my face. "I don't know why he signed up basketball in the first place," I grumbled. I'd tried to approach him once... It hadn't ended well. I stuck close to Sei, Momoi and the others.

"He's only one player," Sei pointed out. "He's good, yes, but he can be replaced if needed."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're going to kick him off the team, then?"

"No. That's up to the coach and the captain to decide."

"But if you were the captain, would you do it?"

"If he was more trouble than we needed." I swallowed, recognising the brief coldness in his eyes. But it vanished almost the instant it appeared, and he shot me a sly smile. Anyway, Akane..."

I flinched at the tone of his voice. It wasn't cold, but there was something knowing to it. "Sei?"

Sei looking at me knowingly. "Do you happen to have feelings... toward Aomine Daiki?"

I choked. "What?" I squeaked, in an octave higher than usual. "No! No way! He's an idiot, a careless bastard, and thinks of basketball more than anything else!" I was rambling on, tripping over my words and blush coated my cheeks. I knew I wasn't doing a very good job in convincing Sei, but I kept going anyway, thinking that if I talked long enough I'd be able explain myself. "I can barely get him to stay focused on his schoolwork and he takes my help for granted! Why would I like someone like him? Better yet, why would he like me when he's got Momoi? He treats me like a kid sister more than anything!"

Sei raised a knowing eyebrow. "What does Momoi have to do with this?"

"They're childhood friends!" I blurted. "I've never seen anyone closer than them. They'll likely get married sometime in the future because they're so used to being with each other. He'd never even look at me. It'll be Momoi for him in the end, I can guarantee it." I was surprised by the slightly bitter tone in my voice. Momoi was my best friend and Aomine was one of the people closest to me. All I'd want was the for two of them to be happy, whether they ended up together or not.

Jeez, what was I thinking? It was only the first year of middle school! Why was I thinking about things like that now, when I was only thirteen?

Oh. Hang on.

I promptly shut my mouth and bit down hard on my lip. My cheeks grew warmer. I'd just given myself away, I knew it. And, from the look in Sei's eyes...

"Akane, I know you," Sei said, with a small roll of his eyes. "You act differently around him."

"You..." I spluttered. "You don't know everything, Akashi Seijuuro!"

"Your cheeks are red."

"They're not!" Of course, they only grew even more red at this comment.

"You're agitated."

"Because you caught me on the spot! Because I'm uncomfortable with this topic!"

He chuckled dryly at that comment. "Akane, admit it. You like him."

I froze, staring at him incredulously. I couldn't believe he was calling me out on this. Did I have to tell him? I knew that we were close but... Did I have to tell him about my crush? I hadn't told anyone, not even my parents. Sei just was able to deduce it because he knew me so well. 

I sighed. Even if I denied it, Sei would know the truth anyway. 

"You're unbelievable, Sei," I muttered.

"Is that a confession, then?"

I hesitated. "Yes."

He chuckled. "I'm surprised, Akane. I didn't think he was your type."

I placed my hands on my hips. "Who is my type then, Sei? How would you know that?"

He didn't reply. I gnashed my teeth together and turned back to the hoop, and started to dribble the ball with more force than was needed. I wildly threw the ball at the basket; it hit the rim so hard that the metal vibrated and the ball bounced far off the court.

"Just... stay out of my personal business, Sei," I muttered, kicking out at the ground. "It's hard enough."

"I'm just looking out for you, Akane. I thought friends did that."

I blinked. I turned back to him, my eyes slightly widened. "I'm normally the one lecturing you about things like that!"

"In some cases. But if he breaks your heart..." Sei's eyes turned hard, and he suddenly looked fiercely defensive. "I'll make him do double strength and footwork training for... let's say a few weeks, at least."

I blinked. "You're not captain," I blurted. My eyes were wide.

"I can be persuasive."

"Sei," I groaned. I was appreciative that he was looking out for me, but that... "Don't you think that's taking things a little too far?"

"Not when you're involved." Sei walked up to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You're the person I trust the most, Akane. And weren't you that one that said friends looked out for each other?"

I had. I was always looking out for Sei - I felt like I had to. Not just because of his situation at home and with his father, but because he was my closest friend, and how important he was to me.  

Out of everyone I knew, I felt safest with Sei. Momoi was one of my closest friends, Aomine might be my crush, and I was good friends with everyone, but no one knew me like Sei did. Our interactions were so natural, and I could tell him pretty much everything. And I was the only one who knew the extent of his home life. It was strange. He was serious most of the time, while I babbled on and at times struggled to stay still. But we depended on each other. I'd always known that I looked out for Sei, but hadn't realised he'd felt the same way.

I smiled, a warmth spreading through my body.

"Yeah. You're right, Sei."

*          *          *

Preliminaries took place over two weeks. There were so many middle schools in Tokyo and only the top school could proceed to the National tournament. Training would still occur during these times.

Like before the first practice games, my stomach was filled with butterflies the day before the first match. This was the first official match my friends would face. Everything until now had just been practice. The real thing began now.

I knew I shouldn't have been worried. Everyone had been playing so well, and had blitzed all the practice matches. This was nothing they hadn't done before.

I jus wanted them all to do well and succeed. My worry came from my overwhelming desire for their success.

The managers would be rotating through each match. I was the assigned manager for the first day, but Momoi was on for the next. Even if I wasn't the assigned manager for the match I'd still watch from the stands. There was no way I was going to miss out on my friends' matches. Of course I'd be there to cheer them on, even if I wasn't on the bench.

From the first game, I started hitting myself for worrying. If the team was nervous, they didn't show it. They played effortlessly, making everything they did look so easy. My friends looked like they were having so much fun that I wanted to jump right in and join them. By the end of the game, they'd secured a solid victory that left no question about their strength.

The other games proceeded in the same fashion. The teams they faced were by no means weak, but Teiko was just stronger. They continued winning throughout the two weeks, each victory just as convincing and sure as the previous ones.

Two weeks flew by, and before I knew it, it was the final match of the preliminary tournament. I wasn't the manager assigned for that match - Momoi was. But still, I grabbed a front row seat and yelled my support, letting everyone know that I was there. More than a few times Sei, Aomine, Midorima and Murasakibara looked my way to acknowledge me and give a small wave.

It was their best match yet. Everything ran smoothly and everyone was just playing their absolute best. The other team tried to keep up, but it was no use. Teiko was just stronger, and was playing a better game.

When the final whistle blew, it was a 75-59 victory to my friends. I jumped out of my seat and hollered at the top of my voice, clapping so hard that my hands turned red and started to sing. I was grinning widely. They'd done it! They'd passed the preliminaries and made it to the national tournament!

I couldn't run down on court to congratulate them, so once the teams disappeared I made a dash for the change rooms to wait for them to appear. I couldn't keep still the entire time I was waiting - I jumped on the spot or fiddled with my hands. I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

As soon as the team emerged from the change rooms, I jumped at Sei and flung my arms around him. The thought of embracing Aomine like this made me flush, but with Sei it was natural. His hair was a still a little wet from the showers. I laughed and squeezed him closer, caught in the moment. "You've made it to the Nationals!" I exclaimed, jumping up and down slightly on the spot. "Congratulations!"

I could imagine Sei rolling his eyes, but when we stepped back, one of his rare, find smiles was on his face. "What did I tell you?"

I shook my head. "Don't start that, Sei!" I groaned. "It's great that you're making it to nationals!"

A voice chuckled behind me, and I yelped as I felt s hand ruffle my hair. "Did you doubt us or something, Akane?" Aomine teased.

I flattened my hair again and glared at Aomine, but I couldn't keep mad for long when I looked at him. "No, Ahomine," I retorted, folding my arms across my chest. "I had complete faith in all of you! There's nothing wrong in celebrating though!"

Aomine laughed. "I guess not. I'm pretty happy, too."

"Eh?" Murasakibara wandered over, having overheard the last part of our conversation. "If we're celebrating, can we go and get snacks?"

I giggled. I shouldn't have been surprised. Murasakibara took every opportunity he could get to get his hands on a few snacks.

Aomine shrugged. "Don't see why not. Midorima, you in?" he asked, turning around to the green-haired shooting guard.

Midorima pushed his glasses up his nose. "It couldn't hurt."

"You and Akashi-kun coming, Akane-chan?" Momoi asked, bounding forward, her trademark bright smile on her face.

Before Sei could speak I grinned and nodded. "Of course we are."

Behind me, Sei groaned. "Akane."

"What?" I asked innocently, raising an eyebrow. "It's not like you were going to say no, right?"

The two of us stared off for a while before he sighed. "You're right," he admitted, rubbing his forehead.

I chuckled. I swung an arm around Momoi's shoulders as our group of six trooped out of the venue and headed for the nearest store, laughing and joking the entire time.

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hopefully that wasn't too boring for you!! but there were plenty of akashi x akane moments!i'm curious, what do you ship? aomine x akane, or akashi x akane?

also, ship names! ThatNoobMcCormick suggested Seikane, which i really like! do you think that should be the official ship name for akashi and akane? 

please let me know what you think! i love hearing your thoughts :D