Chapter Text
Ayako observes. Aware of Ryota’s increasingly louder voice as he, in addition to wanting to prove himself a worthy captain, also wants to get her attention, she observes someone, but it’s not Ryota, who from time to time – all the time, to tell the truth – peeks in her direction to see if he is getting what he hoped and feeling a bit disappointed. But Ayako doesn’t notice or give it much credit, honestly she’s a bit annoyed when Ryota tries so hard to receive a look or a smile from her, she prefers when he’s spontaneous and doesn’t perpetually worry about having her eyes on him.
The basketball team has increased, allowing a moderate sigh of relief to the veteran members after Takenori Akagi’s departure, although replacing him is far from easy. But that’s not what occupies Ayako’s mind, as she keeps observing someone specifically.
The continuous sound of the ball on the parquet is not noticed by the young woman who is used to hearing it, she knows well the screeching of shoes, the snorts, the shouts, the cackles of those on the bleachers, the rustle of the basket and even the voice of Ryota who gives directions, compliments, rises above the others’, while Professor Anzai drinks a cup of tea and has his usual expression of an imperturbable sphinx.
Ayako observes, than looks away for a second to scroll elsewhere, towards the places occupied as always by Hanamichi Sakuragi’s friends. Three of them are bickering over a packet of family-sized chips that the heaviest member doesn’t want to share. Only Yohei Mito does not participate in the childish scuffle. He is watching, just like her. Ayako notices the direction of his gaze. Slowly, Yohei moves his face until he meets Ayako’s eyes which cautiously seem to study his, they almost seem to hide a question.
Can you see it too.
Yes.
The moment Kaede Rukawa crashes on the ground with his butt, his grimace of pain coincides with the whistle of Hisashi Mitsui, who is currently refereeing as it is important that the newcomers on the pitch demonstrate what they can do. Hanamichi certainly has to improve despite his incredible abilities, even if everyone is careful not to tell him since there is no reason to give fuel to his always disproportionate boast, while Kaede…being Kaede, he certainly can’t stand still watching a game, even if at a mild pace.
Kaede looks up, annoyed, meeting the figure of Hanamichi who from that position seems even more imposing, and in fact he could not resist the impact against that infinite mass of muscles. Not to mention that Hanamichi is still growing…Kaede is too, but one really wonders what the monkey eats to look taller every day.
Hanamichi’s eyes are fixed on him now and a small grin is drawn on his face and Kaede doesn’t understand if he’s genuinely amused or just mocking. Hanamichi looks like an open book but only in appearance as he is not so clear to read as one might believe. It took Kaede a handful of months to figure out when something is wrong with him or if his mood changes, which is miraculous for someone who doesn’t have the term ‘empathy’ anywhere in his vocabulary. But observing Hanamichi has always seemed natural to him…just as it was on the beach, during his rehabilitation, when they started talking in an almost civilized manner, without barking or muttering insults.
“Are you going to get up, princess, or do you need help?” he jokes, but there is no meanness in his tone. So he’s just amused, Kaede noted, strangely feeling a little better.
“You are a bison, as always” Kaede comments without anger, remaining on the ground with his hands resting on the floor ready to give the push to rise, but looking Hanamichi in his eyes turns out to be more interesting. More interesting than resuming the game.
Hanamichi chuckles adding something about him being made of crystal, but in the meantime he reaches his hand. Kaede looks at it and goes back to his eyes, apparently sincere, not like he’s pretending to want to help him only to kick him soon after. He decides to take the risk and accepts his hand, really hoping that it’s not a trap.
Hanamichi helps him and does not reserves any tricks. Kaede is still a little wary, he looks again his eyes. His grin is now a smile…a sweet one.
Kaede almost blinks several times and widens his eyes, realizing that their hands are still linked. He’s reaching the peak in terms of confusion. He’s already over the limit in terms of emotion.
Hanamichi removes his hand, very slowly, but does not stop smiling at him and staring into his eyes. He never diverts them and even though Kaede would like to, he prevents himself from doing that. Their fingers separate, but they seem to want to keep contact as much as possible, and in the last detachment, they seem to tense so that the moment does not arrive to a real end.
Kaede can’t resist and widens his eyes, Hanamichi’s don’t leave him, his smile doesn’t leave him.
“Everything ok?” Hanamichi whispers, apparently he has no interest to be heard from the others, even though he hasn’t asked for anything unsettling. Or inconvenient. Hanamichi Sakuragi caring about Kaede Rukawa is not so alarming. Sure, he got mad that time he was hit on his eye, but that doesn’t count.
“Yes…” Kaede sats, convincing himself that Hanamichi’s eyes are more interesting than anything else.
Ayako feels herself blushing. She feels like she wasn’t entitled to watch that moment. Actually, they have been watching each other for the entire duration of the practice. Again and again. Maybe those two don’t even notice, they have no eyes for anyone but the other. But it’s so evident, especially when Hanamichi helped Kaede to get up, and they spent very long seconds just staring at each other. Kaede seemed a little agitated, while Hanamichi was very calm. As the world turned upside down.
The game resumes, Hanamichi and Kaede return to their positions. They are on opposite teams. Their eye contact persists, is prolonged, becomes so evident.
Ayako hears Professor Anzai emit a low chuckle, sipping his tea, forgetting the sadness due to the absence of cookies because the doctor has ordered him to lose weight; the young woman looks again Hanamichi’s friends. The chips were split between the three boys. She meets Yohei Mito’s gaze.
You saw that too.
Yes.