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11. On a Rollercoaster

"I didn't know that you were interested in basketball, Ryota-san," Mikaël greeted awkwardly, as he walked up to the hyped blond under his teammates' dubious stare.


Ryota-san? Not '-kun' or '-cchi'?


Kise shook his head, his eyes barely sweeping over the other players as he beamed at the green head before pulling an, obviously fake pout. "Mou, I came for you Mikacchi!" he whined, switching back to the nickname he usually used for the foreigner. "Didn't you promise to watch my football match against Tanaka, Claudecchi recorded you promising, you can't deny it!"


Mikaël stiffened unnoticeably at his manager's name before returning the blond a brilliant grin.


Mikacchi, "-cchi?"


"Of course I didn't forget," the green said. "But I have practice. What kind of third-year would I be if I skipped on it?" He explained, his eyes darting to the side for a second as he rubbed his left earlobe mechanically. Mikaël felt uncomfortable.


A red eyebrow raised itself before scarlet eyes narrowed in contemplation.


Silver brows furrowed slightly, a low sneer escaping the player's lips.


Ryota frowned. "Can't you?"


Mikaël's usually smiling and seemingly composed face, showed a troubled expression as if he didn't know what to answer. As if to the green, there was no safe answer. Little unnoticeable beads of sweat slowly formed on the eldest's forehead, a noticeably forced chuckle slipping past his lips.


He felt dizzy, almost ready to hyperventilate. His mind ran miles a minute, what to do? Disagree, agree, refuse, accept, decline—


Mikaël stiffened, startled by the hand suddenly resting on his shoulder. "'You alright Mika?"


Wide golden eyes settled on a raven. He released a shaky breath he didn't know he was holding. "Mmhm, Shuzocchi—"


The blond perked up lightly at the nickname, briefly glancing at the third-year in curiosity.


"—I was thinking of something else, sorry," he apologized, eyes narrowed in appreciation as he realized how calm his mind was, Nijimura simply washed his worry away. "Thanks." Shuzo really did wonder on himself.


Nijimura nodded, doubtfully gazing at the teen before his lips lightly curled up. A look of indulgence in his eyes, "you should go rest for a while," he suggested before his grey eyes flickered to the blond, his face back to its seriousness, he dipped his head in greeting. "Take this time to speak to your junior."


"Yes, captain!" He chirped back.


Nijimura's brows furrowed slightly. Mikaël never called him captain.


Small lips curled up in mild amusement and curiosity, pinkish eyes following the two students' figures.


::


"You want to join?"


"Yes-ssu!" The blond exclaimed, earning him a nod from the older teen. "It looks really amusing, especially dunking?" He asked, remembering Aomine's perfect dunk a few days before as he stopped by to talk to his model mentor.


"'S that so."


He nodded. "And Mikacchi, you seem close to your juniors. I want us to be close like that too!" He added, his voice whiny before he childishly giggled. Had Mikaël not been Kise in his past life, he would have believed his laugh to be genuine, now it only seemed like a habit.


"Am I now?"


"Yep!" The blond confirmed, popping the p.


Mikaël could only smile in resilience. "Then I'll be in your care."


::


A somehow lonesome look in his eyes, Mikaël absentmindedly gazed at the small blue head, now in charge of the hyped blond known as his model junior. Bending, as to stretch correctly and finish his warm-up, he failed to notice the pair of darkish pink eyes that lingered on his figure a second too long.


"Okay everyone, gather up!" Nijimura shouted as he clapped his hand to gather the first-stringers' attention. "Today's practice will focus on three-pointers. Sekiguchi and Kubota already took the carts with the balls out. Get to it."


Watching as the players jogged away, Nijimura's eyes landed on a towering green head.


"Midorima-san, Kuroko-san," he called, stopping the second-years in their tracks. "I want you two to practice your passes, the coordination between Kuroko-san's pass and Midorima-san's shooting."


The two nodded, sending one another a probing glance before dipping their head in silent agreement, they walked up to one of the carts. On the sidelines, Coach Shirogane smiled in content.


Nijimura was a good captain, he thought, his eyes trailing on the third-year's form as he joined his green-haired friend, Mikaël. He sighed such a shame for Nijimura-kun to go.


::


"You've been out of it lately Mika," Shuzo remarked as he leaned into his comfortable mattress, his back against his bedroom's wall. His hands held a sports magazine which he momentarily stopped reading to look at the green head.


"Have I?"


Nijimura hummed, confirming the other's words. "You have," he repeated before closing the mag and putting it aside. "Maybe not directly on the court, but out of it," his voice trailed off, his eyes sharpening before he released a sigh. "Are you stressed?"


"No, of course not."


Nijimura's grey pupils lingered on his friend's figure a few more seconds, his gaze a blend of skepticism and cleverly hidden guilt. He heaved a sigh before picking his magazine up and opening it.


"If you say so."



"You know. If you, ever have a problem you can come to me."


Golden eyes flickered upward, not missing the guilty light in the other's dark ones.


"Yeah, I know. Thanks, Shuzocchi."


::


"There, Mikaël-sempai," Momoi's gentle voice came to the third-year's ears, making his golden eyes stare into her pinkish ones before breaking into a genuine smile.


"Thanks," he whispered back, taking the clean fluffy towel from her hand to wipe himself off his sweat. Inhaling the clothe's light flowery scent, he allowed his eyes to darken slightly.


"S-sure!" Spinning to turn back, the pink head, hurriedly left. "I'll bring you a water bottle," her ears a light crimson tint.


Letting his gaze trail on the girl's figure for a bit, he chuckled. His head casually turned to look back at the match, his stare remaining on a certain blonde's figure who upon noticing him beamed and waved his way. Such a great way to rile his opponent up.


With a somewhat dull look, Mikaël followed hisKise's form on the court. Every move hypnotized him and enticed him to look. It troubled him, and he couldn't help the light deprecating sneer from rising on his lips. To unconsciously seek to copy himselfhis former self, how more pitiful could he get?


Sharp brown eyes observed him, narrowing they flickered to the blond before the male clicked his tongue in a blend of distaste and irritation.


"Does he interest you?"


Detaching his gaze from the blond, Mikaël glanced up at Coach Shirogane before fully facing him. "Ryota-san?"


The old coach nodded, elegantly taking a seat next to the small forward, he ushered him to look at the match before resuming. "He is full of promise. I am sure you could give him some pointers," he casually said, not bothering to look at the green for approval. "After all, his style is quite similar to yours."


Mikaël's brows unnoticeably furrowed as he reached for his left earlobe.


"Don't you think so too?"


"Ah, well—"


"What about you Momoi-kun. Wouldn't you agree?"


Satsuki who happened to eavesdrop on their conversation became lightly flustered before composing herself. The grip on her notebook and pen tightened as she softly nodded, her gleaming eyes resting on her Senior before she hurriedly looked away.


She handed the teen a water bottle and her hand flipped through her carefully written notes, ready to answer the Coach. "It is true. As a matter of fact, I have noticed that—"


::


Though he knew the time would come, and he knew when it would happen, Mikaël felt breathless. Pain seized his heart, and he sighed. The faraway sound of the bell ringing made him stand up. Calmly putting his stuff away, his golden eyes flickered to Nijimura's empty desk.


Shuzo hadn't attended the last lessons as he had some paperwork for his transfer to take care of and Mika found himself alone as he walked down the corridor.


He wasn't bothered, in fact, he felt glad. He didn't think he was in the right mind to wear his facade right now. Taking his phone out, he glanced at the time. He had twenty minutes before practice. Scrolling down his media thread aimlessly, the usually cheerful student barely maintained a smile when nodding at those who called him out.


A smile, a mask so thin it was just enough to fool those who didn't know him. Though, the people who knew him weren't scarce.



Mikaël's depressed expression shifted to an extremely hyped one. He beamed, his smile so dazzling it made other's dizzy as he enthusiastically greeted the team, seeming unbothered.


"Ah, Lamarre-kun, we were talking about you," Coach Shirogane greeted as he ushered the teen to come closer. "I presume Nijimura-kun already told you?" He rhetorically asked, his face composed and fatherly, as usual.


The green momentarily paused, his gaze flickering to his raven-haired friend before he nodded, a sound of agreement slipping past his lips.


Shirogane's smile deepened as he gently patted the teen's shoulder. "Good, good. Have you thought of it then?" He asked. "I'm sure you would fit the role perfectly, Nijimura-kun vetoed, and I'm sure Haizaki-san's performance under your tutelage is another good motive."


Mikaël's mask broke, and he smiled wryly, a dry chuckle slipping past his lips as he rubbed his left earlobe.


"Don't worry Mika, I'll help you while I'm there," Shuzo added, though a bit awkwardly as he stepped closer to his friend and teammate. "Then, if afterward, you don't like it, I'm sure Akashi-san will have toughened up enough to take the mantle," he reassured.


"Mhm, don't worry. I've got it all covered!" Mikaël beamed, not knowing how to answer his peers' expectations he could only nod in agreement.



"A problem Satsuki?" Aomine asked, hands stuffed in his sports pants as he marched to his childhood friend, the hidden Kuroko a step behind.


Detaching her gaze from the head coach and her two Seniors, Momoi shook her head. "No, just thinking."


"Ha?" Looking at her dubiously Aomine silently studied her face before a smirk etched itself on his face. He whistled "I see," his arm slung itself around Kuroko's smaller stature before he leaned down to the boy's ear. "Say, Tetsu, did you know Satsuki had—"


"Shut up!" Hitting the tan male with her notepad, Momoi flushed a crimson color. "Don't listen to him Kuroko!"


Aomine's laugh followed as he tried to dodge his female friend's hit, Kuroko a blank expression on his face overlooked the scene. His demeanor obviously relaxed, a ghost of a smile on his face. He lightly chuckled.


::


"Therefore, following my retirement, Mikaël will step up as captain," Nijimura explained seriously before bowing to the team. "As your captain, I thank you for everything these past years," he addressed before straightening.


His poker face met his team's gaze, and a Nijimura suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed. Fake couching, he slapped his hand on the green's back, making him totter lightly. "Come on, give a speech Mika."


"Wah, why hit me Shuzocchi?" The boy whined a pout on his face, successfully dispersing the awkward atmosphere.


Nijimura rolled his eyes, scoffing. "I remember you, hitting me on our first day. Consider it payback," he muttered, his tone cold as ice as his eyes betrayed his melancholy.


Mikaël's smile dwindled to turn more genuine before he slapped the other's back with just as much if not more force, the movement a perfect replica


His copy skill wasn't meant to be used this way.


Mikaël cleared his throat, beaming. "Right, then as your new captain I would like to—"


"Mika-sempai said he invited us all to eat out to celebrate!"


Rows of cheers erupted from the team at the announcement. Mikaël could only owlishly blink before his face morphed into a dejected puppy expression. "Shuzocchi! Look Shogocchi is bullying me!"


Nijimura comfortingly rubbed the boy's back.


"Wait! Daikicchi, don't help him!"


::


'You know, if you ever feel down, you can call me.'


A giggle.


'Suuure, same to you Shuzocchi!'


A sigh. A scoff.


'Right, I think it'll be the other way round.'


A laugh.


'Take care of yourself, Mika.'


A smile.


'Mhm, you too, Shuzocchi.'


Eyes closed, Mika soothed his beating heart. His throat was dry, and he felt like choking. He could feel his tear ducts almost yield but steeled his nerves. 


His eyes flickered to his phone. He had a few unread texts. 


From: Tetsuyacchi 

To: Le Magicien 

Are you feeling better? Will you be back tomorrow? 


He smiled, his fingers hovering above the tactical keyboard before scowling and leaving the messaging app. He didn't think Tetsuya or anybody else saw him. He sighed. 


Since Shuzo's departure for America, Mikaël felt his world had slowly tilted. Like a mad spiral, the Generation of Miracle gradually overwhelmed him, leaving no space for refusal. It suffocated him and every time he saw them he was reminded that he wasn'tcouldn't be part of them. The way they exponentially grew, it was out of his reach.


Perhaps, Nijimura's presence kept him from unconsciously wanting to drift to them. Like a lighthouse, he prevented him from crashing. He chuckled dryly. He prevented him from seeing. From analyzing how big the rift between them was.


Though things were different, Akashi wasn't the captain and Midorima the vice-captain. Haizaki wasn't a full-bloomed delinquent who got himself expelled from the team, Mikaël felt like the similarities were all the more present as the difference contrasted them. 


So distinct it hurts


His hand gripped his phone, he turned it on. Typing a number he had unconsciously remembered, he clicked on the green phone icon. 


The buzzing of his phone echoed in the dimly litted room before abruptly stopping.


Voicemail. 


"Yeah, Shuzocchi?" He choked. "How are you doing? You know, I miss you a lot." 



The moon had long since risen. Peaceful snoring in the room. 


The phone vibrated. The screen lit up. 


One missed message. Sender: Satsuki


Don't know if you linked it, but the last scene is from "00. When I was with you."

Anyway, Teiko Arc should come to an end soon, one or two chapters left.

Thank you for reading, until next time^^

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