Looking for a Miracle
Chapter Fifteen
Mixed Feelings

After the tournament, the attitude toward Kuroko changed dramatically.

It didn't happen all at once, of course. People were still hesitant, wondering if his misdirection could be used against all opponents, and if his lack of presence could make up for falling behind in all practices. But people were warming up to him, unable to dislike his sweet and calm demeanour and his fierce determination to keep going. He had gained to respect of many, and even those who still weren't too sure grudgingly accepted him.

It hasn't been officially announced yet that Kuroko was a member of the first string, but the coaches had no complaints and he had performed so well, Sei said it was safe to assume he really was a part of the team now.

Kuroko was closest to Aomine, of course, so Aomine began to introduce him to the others. I was thrilled, seeing them being able to talk and get along. I really did have all my friends together now, and seeing Kuroko happy made me smile. He definitely deserved all of this.

Then before we knew it, the school year was ending and final exams were upon us. Clubs were cancelled to focus on studying and, after many days stressing over revision notes and forming study groups with the others, comparing notes with Sei and explaining concepts to the others, the exams were upon us. Days were spent in stuffy classrooms scribbling down answers and essays and hoping you were remembering correct dates and not mixing anything up.

Then exams were over and there were exclamations of relief and cheers and celebrations - Aomine dragged us all down to the courts to play basketball, which he had been deprived of for far too long, he said, when the club was cancelled and everyone had forced him to sit down and study. When we finally left the school grounds, promising to meet up soon, I went back to my house with nothing in mind but kicking back, sleeping, and relaxing after the last few stressful weeks.

Of course, school didn't put an end to business, and three days after school finished my parents had to go over to to Akashis to discuss some new business deal. I didn't mind at all, since I got to spend hours with Sei.

When I arrived, Sei and I almost always met in the hall straight away. This time, however, he wasn't there. I approached one of the staff to ask about it.

"Where's Seijuuro-kun?" I asked a woman. I knew that it was less than wise to go around referring to Sei as Sei around his house.

"He's in the stables," the woman said. "I expect he's just come back from his ride."

I bowed. "Thank you," I said, and scurried off in that direction.

I wasn't surprised Sei was in the stables. Not too long ago he'd been given his own horse, Yukimaru, and told to learn to master horse riding. Yukimaru was a beautiful horse, and Sei had taken to horse riding immediately, and he was fond of Yukimaru as well.

Of course, I reflected with a chuckle, Sei takes to anything quickly. It was something I'd never understand.

Sure enough, when I arrived at the stables Sei was still there. He'd taken off Yukimaru's tack and was stroking her neck, whispering something to her. I smiled at the sight.

"Sei!" I called.

Sei looked back, and smiled as greeting as I approached. I stood close and brushed my fingers against Yukimaru's fur, looking at him with adoring eyes. "He's as beautiful as ever," I whispered, and scratched him on the nose.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I lost track of time."

I shrugged. "Happens to us all." Yukimaru nickered as I turned my attention away from him. I chuckled and faced the white horse again. Hey boy. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you."

I continued to pet him and make a fuss; Sei even handed me an apple to feed him. The entire time he watched us closely, and from time to time I could swear I spotted a small smile on his lips.

"You said you've never ridden before, have you?" he asked eventually, after an extensive time where I'd made a big fuss out of Yukimaru and we'd stood in mostly silence.

"Unfortunately not," I sighed. "I'd love to though. Especially on a gorgeous horse like Yukimaru." I loved all horses and thought they were all beautiful, but Yukimaru was different. I had no doubt he had been the most expensive horse for sale when he'd been bought.

"Maybe I could teach you some point in the future," Sei suggested. "It wouldn't be a bother."

I gasped, my eye lighting up. "Why not now?" I demanded eagerly. I could already picture myself on Yukimaru's back, Sei leading us as I got used to riding and then slowly learning the basics, the beautiful scenery of the extensive gardens surrounding us. It sent thrills down my spine.

Sei shattered that vision with a single raised eyebrow. "Akane, are you really dressed for horse riding?" he asked dryly.

I looked down at my outfit and snorted. "Fair point." I was only wearing shorts and a tank shirt, as a result of the surprisingly hot weather. I didn't even have closed-in shoes; sandals adorned my feet.

Horse riding could always wait though, I thought, petting Yukimaru on the neck again. Although, the opportunities might not be so frequent as they were now, I reflected with a scowl.

I turned to Sei and grimaced. "My parents were saying we'd probably start joining them for business meetings soon."

Sei nodded. "My father has said the same."

I groaned. Being dismissed as too young to join the adults had been a blessing; we escaped the boring talk and could do our own thing, and just spend time together and grow closer. Playing basketball, walking through the gardens, and making occasional visits to Yukimaru were highlights of my visits, and I always looked forward to them.

But if we really were going to join our parents... These visits might be something I'd come to dread.

"They're going to be so boring," I moaned, kicking out at the ground. "I expect it will be the traditional, children are to be seen but not heard thing." I grimaced. "I'll go mad, not being able to play basketball with you, or even talk to you."

The mere thought of sitting in that posh, styled dining room filled me with dread. All the doors would be closed, isolating us in, and the few pictures on the walls would become boring to look at after a while. The food would be the main entertainment, as the adults droned on about figures and money and whatever it was businessmen talked about - I didn't know, since I'd never heard them before. And if Sei and I weren't allowed the talk... I shuddered. I'd have almost nothing to do but eat and listen.

That thought wasn't appealing to me in the slightest.

"We'll just have to go out with the others more, or just the two of us," Sei said. He smiled. "You'll still get to play basketball, Akane, and you'll always be able to see me."

"I won't be the same if we're silent on opposite ends of a table."

"You're quite right. It won't be." Sei pushed up his sleeves. For some reason, this action made me feel funny; like my stomach had flipped and my eyes lingered there for a fraction of a second. "How about we make the most of this while it lasts?"

I grinned. "Good idea," I said hurriedly, wanting to forget how oddly I had just reacted. What was that? This was just Sei, my best friend and the person I trusted above anyone. "Enjoy ourselves and our life before we get bored to death with business talk." I paused, and pretended to be deep in thought. "Would it be impolite if I slept through those meetings?"

"I think it possibly could be," my friend spoke dryly.

I feigned shock. "Damn," I muttered. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I spotted Sei's shoulders shake a little as he tried to conceal laughter.

And make the most of it we did. Of course, we gravitated toward basketball, putting up hoops and challenging each other to shoot from long distances. My long-range shooting had really improved since I had first began, and Sei mentioned it and smiled. My cheeks grew warm after his compliment.

We played a little one-on-one, too, and though I told Sei not to go easy on me I knew there was a part of him that was holding back. There were times when I thought I got past him that was just too easy, and times when I blocked him when I was sure I could recall him getting through a tougher mark in a game.

Despite that we were smiling, and having a blast. We finished laying about quarter of an hour before our parent's meeting was scheduled to finish. This gave me time to clean up and make myself presentable, and allow my cheeks to cool down as well. We were careful, and my parents wouldn't guess I had just been playing basketball.

We spent our remaining time in the library, sitting on chairs and talking. Sei showed me the book he was reading; I had read it too, and for the last few minutes I was there we engaged in a deep discussion and

When it was time for me to leave, a part of me screamed to remain behind. But it was natural to feel that way, I thought, looking back as Sei as I joined my parents and walked away. He was my best friend, of course I wouldn't want to leave him.

I still felt a little uneasy and unsure about myself, though.

*          *          *

Sei had to be the most organised, innovative person I knew.

Not minutes after I left, he'd sent texts out to everyone and asked when we'd next like to meet up. I grinned and sent back my reply, and a little later the others did as well, and soon we had a date set to meet up and play a casual game of basketball and just hang out. Everyone appeared eager, and my smile brightened when Kuroko was included and agreed to come along.

The day arrived and we met up at the specified court. Momoi instantly agreed to act as referee, while I had to play since there was an odd number. I didn't mind in the slightest, though. Everyone knew my love for basketball and though not all of them were aware that I liked to play, they accepted me immediately once both Aomine and Sei spoke about how good I was. I'd blushed as that and tried to tell everyone I wasn't as spectacular as they were making me out to be.

The game we played was some of the best fun I had ever had. Kuroko and I were marking each other, and I was quite happy to dart around the court and assist Sei and Midorima, who were on my team. I was surprised that I received a lot of passes and made quite a few goals. I grinned and received high-fives from Sei whenever I scored, and Midorima even sent smiles my way.

We lost track of time, just enjoying each other's company and the opportunity to play casual, fun basketball. When we finally decided to sit down and grab a drink, I collapsed to the floor at once. In my excitement and joy of playing, I hadn't realised just how tired playing and running around everywhere for such a long period of time without break had made me.

"I am exhausted," I moaned. "How are you still going?"

"We've been through extensive training," Aomine said. He wandered over and handed my drink bottle out to me. "You haven't."

I took the drink bottle in both hands, staring eagerly at the cook liquid inside. "Good point," I said, screwing off the cap the cap as fast as I could and gulping the water down greedily. I gasped when I finished drinking, having finished about half of my water.

If that's not a sign, I don't know what is. I collapsed back on the court and stared up at the clouds. "I think I need a break. A long one."

"That might be the best idea for all of us, especially Tetsu."

I turned my head to the side. If there was anyone worse than me, it had to be Kuroko. He was sitting down, leaning against the fence. Momoi and Sei were nearby, ensuring that he was all right. I smiled, the sight, for some reason, causing a warmth to spread through my body.

"You're really good, you know," Aomine commented, dragging my attention back to him with a small start. He grinned. "You never fail to surprise me, Akane."

My stomach lurched, but it was feeble and weak, nothing like it once had when I was around him. It had been like this for a while now, and I just didn't understand why. I still liked him, did I not? I sighed and shook my head, telling myself to worry about it later.

"I did learn from the best," I murmured, my eyes drifting back over toward Sei. A small smile lifted the corners of mouth.

Aomine feigned hurt, and clutched his heart. "Oh, come on!" He nudged me in the side and grinned. "I'm the best, Akane, admit it."

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "I'll say that after you beat Sei."

We talked for a short while longer, and then soon rejoined the others. The entire time we talked, there was a nagging confusion in the back of my head, questioning just what had happened to make me feel more about Aomine as a close, really good friend rather than than someone I liked?

What had happened to change the way I felt about him? What had I realised to make me feel less drawn to Aomine, and possibly more drawn to someone else?

---------------------------------------------------
oooh, what is this? is akane starting to fall for akashi?? do you think she'll realise it soon or is she going to need a bit of a hint?

hope you enjoyed this, sorry if it's a bit messy! next chapter should be coming soon, since i'm now on holidays and have ample time to write!