VOTE & COMMENT

THEN

It definitely wasn't the amount of gum she had chewed on the way to the stadium that made her head feel nauseous. Or perhaps it was something in the air that had caused such a stir. Either way, Anna's nerves had gotten the best of her. From fiddling with her jacket, her legs shaking in the darkened stadium; her stomach ached. The day had finally arrived. The clash between the Vorpal Swords and Jabberwock. News agencies from all around the world watching and tuning in at this very moment. And although she wasn't the actual one playing on the court she was the one responsible for their plays and coaching the team that had caused quite the comments from reporters of none other than a high schooler 'playing' coach. The pride of Japanese basketball riding on a bunch of teenagers.

The moment the lights dimmed Anna held Momoi and Riko's hands on the sidelines as she let out a deep breath. Lights as planned began to dance in a circle across the stadium as the announcer hyped everyone up, alternating between Japanese and English.

'The time for revenge has arrived! Vorpal Swords... versus... Jabberwock!'

The crowd lets out a 'boo' at the mention of the American team. Jabberwock only laughs and starts to mock them, calling them foul names and such had made Anna anxiously tap her fingers on the clipboard. Keep it together guys Anna says, eyeing the players. Her attention moves as the referee with the ball enters and walks towards the centre of the court.

Murasakibara gets ready, prepared to enter the tip-off with Jabberwock's number eight Jason Silver. Anna had strategically decided on the first formation composing of the Generation of Miracles' old Teiko position, as their best bet. Their playing style is both reminiscent and dangerous.

The moment the ball goes up Murasakibara's reaction times is impeccable, surprising even Silver who was surprised for not getting the ball himself. The ball is passed back to Akashi playing Point Guard. Who dexterously passes number twelve and when met by Nash Gold and number six turns around and passes it to Aomine who makes an alley-oop. 

Anna grins pridefully, Momoi and Riko high-fiving each other. I taught him that Anna vaunts to herself about teaching Akashi her signature move. "This a good start," Momoi turns to her. Anna nods with a smile.

The game continues in its first quarter, Kise manages to intervene with Jabberwock's number six surprising the player. Kise passes it to Akashi already at the halfway line who swiftly passes it from behind to Aomine who dexterously passes two other players with ease, showing off his streetball skills. 

"Yeah!" Kagami pumps his fist, impressed by Aomine's backward dunk. 

"Heichou," Riko turns to Anna.

"Can't complain, it's a good opening for us and gives us the lead for now," Anna says as her eyes trail back to the court with Midoriama shooting a flawless shot all the way from the other side of the court shocking everyone. The buzzer rings signalling the end of the first quarter.

Thank god he made that shot, Anna relieves I bought a fucking remote for no reason besides Midoriama's use of it she turns to the large remote that was Cancer's lucky item sitting on his seat.

---

Anna remained satisfied with the score for the first quarter, with Vorpral Swords leading ahead with a score of 20 to 8. Momoi began handing out towels as Aomine slumped onto his chair and squeezed the water bottle. 

She began to glance towards Jabberwock on the other side of the court, who seemed to be discussing casually seated amongst one another. "I've never seen them so exhausted ever for the first quarter," Momoi leans into Anna who taps her finger rhythmically along her thigh in thought.

"Well, the opponents they're facing are world-class streetballers," Anna replies. "They're all on par so far with this team. In a way, I'm sort of glad we're facing them."

Momoi only raises a brow in confusion at Anna who chuckles. "I've never seen them so fired up like this, better yet all playing together on the same team. From the number of years they used to go on about how they've never felt so challenged, I think in a way it's a good reminder that the world is big and vast of skilled players."

"You're right Anna-kun," Momoi nods, "I'll do my best to help out."

"That's good to hear Satsuki," Anna nudges, "I don't expect anything less from you. Can you run me again on the data so far you've gathered about them?"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the court, the band of American players all languorously refresh themselves; surprised by the sudden countenance of their new opponents. "I didn't realise such players existed in Japan," Nash admits. "They're not bad... for monkeys. Right Silver?"

"Yeah, I guess it's time to show them," he smirks, "We have nothing to be worried about."

"It's not the players who worry me," Nash gets up and looks across the court looking at the white-haired female talking to the players with such ease. "It's their fucking ring leader who I'm worried about."

The second quarter commences with a one-on-one between Aomine and Silver. Momoi's eyes widen at the matchup as she turns her head to Anna. "Aomine still doesn't know Silver's playing style yet, it's a totally different rhythm," Anna says watching Silver pass Aomine. Murasakibara attempts to block Silver's dunk but loses his ground shocking everyone in the stadium.

"Muri-kun!" Momoi exclaims stunned as she anxiously flips to her papers containing Jabberwock's stats. "I knew he was strong but not this strong!"

"We need another way to beat him, he's basically two people in one," Anna says watching Silver easily blocking Akashi's three-pointer. He then passes it to Nash who throws it back across the court to Silver who jumps from the free-throw line and scores with a double-handed windmill dunk.

"In a way, we kind of expected this," Anna sighs. "I haven't seen two-handed windmills-, better yet any windmill tricks since LA. Neh, Taiga?" she turns her head.

"Kagami-kun, can you do that trick?"

"No, not a lane-up into a windmill. I've never done anything that incredible before."

"Did you see that, monkeys?" A loud boisterous voice turns heads.

"Oh look, Jurassic Park is speaking," Anna quips. 

"-that's something you'll never be able to do in your whole life! There's such a difference in skill, and no amount of effort will be able to make up for that."

"Alright that's it I'm calling a time-out, we need a new strategy," Anna gets up and signals to the referee.

---

"What was that everyone?!" Anna snaps to the team putting her hand on her hips as the whole team beside Akashi gulps in fear at the terrifying figure before them.

"This is giving me flashbacks to Teiko," Kise whispers to Aomine who just shivers at the memory of Anna yelling at them during practices. 

"We're eleven points behind," Anna says looking back at the scoreboard as everyone refreshed with snacks, towels and drinks. "They're beginning to show their true colours. And I don't just mean gold, silver and any other metallic colour. We need to change up our strategy." 

"Murasakibara, are you okay?" Kuroko asks.

"Huh? I'm totally fine," he replies putting the slice of fruit into his mouth. "But he sure pisses me off. I'm going to crush him no matter what," he refers to Jason Silver. 

"Alright, listen up. We haven't seen their true colours yet. Better yet their trump cards. We need to change our formation so we don't show all of our cards yet. The five of you have good balance, but we lack the horsepower to stop Silver. Let's wrangle up this dinosaur first before he defeats the final boss. In that case, I'm switching things up. Seijuro, Midoriama, you're out. Tetsu-kun, Taiga, you're in."

Everyone's eyes widen at the new formation, turning their heads to Murasakibara as he stands up to Anna who towers over her. "Wait... does that mean?"

"Yes, we need to strengthen our inside. Until we can figure out how to tackle Mr Jurassic of course. Kise you're point guard, you're the closest one to handle the ball like Seijuro whilst Aomine is our backbone. You should be able to handle it. Kuroko you're playing small forward, Kagami power forward. Any questions?" she cocks a brow.

"That's not what I meant. I can handle him myself-" Murasakibara begins to get aggravated.

"Murasakibara," Anna snaps making the giant gulp. The team widened their eyes at the glare shot at Murakibara. "That's enough. Remember, whose coach? You can't win by yourself, better yet this isn't some high school game where you're representing your school or yourself. You're representing Japan. It's not your turn yet."

Murasakibara grimaces and turns his head to the side as Akashi gets up from his seat. "Murasakibara, you know well what's more important between the victory of one, and the victory of the team." 

He backs off and nods. Anna mouths a 'thank you' to the captain who just briefly squeezes her hand gently in reassurance. 

"Tag team much," Kagami rolls his eyes. 

---

The time-out comes to an end as the game progresses with Nash starting with the ball. Once the whistle blow, Silver is passed the ball who is guarded by Murasakibara who struggles to keep him in line. 

"Come on, not the time to get cocky," Anna mutters watching Murasakibara adamant to prove himself. As expected Silver manages to pass him and makes his way to the hoop and just before he dunks it Taiga with the combined help of Aomine knocks the ball out of his hand.

Murasakibara passes it to Kise, who passes it to Kuroko. Misdirecting it all the way past three players and to Kise catching the Jabberwock players by surprise. 

"Nice pass!" Kise calls out making his way to the free-throw line. Behind him, Nash is able to catch up and now stands in front of him. The Jabberwock player Zack trails behind Aomine who makes his way to help out Kise, as the shooting range now becomes a two on two. 

It's not a two on two Anna grins as Kise passes it to Kagami who comes up from behind and dunks it in. 

"Thank the heavens that worked," Anna exasperates making Momoi chuckle. 

"Kise makes a good point guard too," Wakamatsu comments; Takao nods in agreement. 

"Oh dear, what is going on now?" Momoi sighs as Anna turns her head to see Aomine complaining about how he wasn't given the ball instead. From the distance, it seemed Kagami yells something that again aggravated the blue-haired power forward. 

"Boys," Momoi deadpans, "Can't we just celebrate a win?"

"Oi! Idiots!" Anna gets up yelling at the two as the two both shudder and look towards Anna, glaring daggers at the two players. "Get your head in the game! No time to complain about whose prettier!"

The two of them straighten their backs rigidly and nod. Running back to their positions. 

---

The end of the halftime rolls out around fairly quickly, with the help of Kagami assisting in both offences and defence the team is able to subdue threat number one as Anna insightfully predicted. "The score difference is only two baskets," Momoi looks to the stadium's screen hovering above the centre of the court.

"Yeah, it's good we caught up now. Gives us another clean slate for the next half," Anna says. 

A loud yell echoes from the other side of the court. The others, looking across saw an infuriated Jason cussing left and right at his teammates; kicking his chair in the process. Anna's eyes turn to Nash, who with a single glare calms his angry teammate. Yet, there was something that fazed her about the way his eyes glinted in the light. His posture, his aura. All small things found a way to churn her stomach in a familiar way. And the fact she placed what was worse.

"Dear," she almost jolts, turning to see Seijuro with a concerned look in his eyes.

"Hey, what's up?" she clears her throat.

"I should be the one asking that, you're unsettled."

"It's fine," she dismisses. "Are you rested well?"

"Yes, I've been observing the players," his eyes turn to the team across the court. "But something intrigues me about that Nash player."

"You see it too," she sighs.

"I can't quite place it."

"What I'm worried about are these charts, his playing style, how he sees players."

"What do you mean?"

"He's similar to you," she reveals. "Just... just trust me on this."

Akashi's brows furrow and looks back to Nash who gets ready to go back onto the court. "What do you mean-,"

"I have to talk to the team before our break time is up. Can we talk after please?" Anna asks. Akashi simply nods, as much as he wants to know more he knows that he has to keep his level of professionalism during the game and trusts Anna both as his coach and girlfriend. 

On the other side of the court, Nash sighs in annoyance. Sluggishly lying in his seat thinking after he had just lectured his team on the new strategy for the third quarter. There was no denying that he was a very skilled player, perhaps one of the best and most promising young basketball players in America. And Nash Gold jr knew that very well. He knew how to be cunning, sly and charismatic in front of the camera and arrogant on the court. 

He had learnt from a young age how to cover passes and read a player from his time on the streets of LA. But no player had intrigued him the most than the girl who threw a ball at him almost three years ago; now coaching the team he was up against.

He remembered well the first time he had seen her. It was once when he was at an ex-girlfriend's house with some friends doing God knows what that he saw a game broadcast of the middle school girls' national basketball championships. It was the finals from what he recalled, he was flipping through channels and chose to settle with that.

At first, he and his friends started laughing at the players, only to then see a white-haired girl finally getting subbed in. The way she handled the ball, the synchronicity and command she had with the ball and her teammates were unparalleled. Then a few days after he saw a giant billboard sign plastered with them with a familiar girl nestled in the middle row.

It was then almost a year later after the crew had gone around tormenting players from court to court when he had finally met her. He recalled after they had settled to use half-court, he had taken the opportunity to watch him in action. Seeing how she could read players well, how she handled the ball and knew when to forfeit small losses to achieve victory in the end. 

What wasn't told however was halfway through their game he walked right through and stopped the ball from being passed to her and held it mockingly out of reach. After much yelling from other teammates, he leaned down with a smug grin and asked her out in return that he would get his team to leave and move to another court.

However, he learnt quite well from that experience that she was not one to have been trifled with. When instead she offered that if she could beat him in a one-on-one then he would leave them alone and if he won they could have the court. In turn, his pride had gotten the best of him, when within a long twenty-minute rally Anna had come out victorious. Yet, what he recalls frightening the most was not that he had lost, but the look in her eyes when they played and the words she had said to him.

"Nash, you good bro?" Zack asks snapping him out of his thoughts. 

"Yeah," he mutters.

"You staring down their coach?" Zack asks looking at Anna.

"Just some people piss me off more than others," he grumbles, clenching the bottle in his hand. "You know what I want to do after we defeat these monkeys?"

"See the look of loss in their fucking ring leader's face."

NOW

Anna had finally admitted she liked looking at the stars. She recalled vividly her time sitting at her window and watching the sky grow dark, and the few holes that peeked through the velvet blanket shining mockingly at her. Bright, free and among others. 

She knew well that Akashi Seijuro loved the night. He liked looking up because he believed his mother was in the stars looking down at him. Remembering how as children his mother would always tell them stories about the princess from the moon who fell in love with a mere mortal. That the milky way would pave a bridge for them once a year. He sometimes sat on the roof with Anna and talk to his mother with her. They would tell her about everything as they shared a singular blanket. Even though sometimes you couldn't see the stars, they were always there.

He said that if the stars reminded him of his mother being the stars she was his moon. There, everchanging but always the same. Gentle, aglow, ethereal and taken for granted. He said those words on their first date, saying that she was his moon and he would talk about how if the stars weren't there he could always talk to the moon.

And there he was, sitting on the rooftop talking to both the moon and the stars. She never meant to intrude but she couldn't help hearing his voice talk so familiar and gently. She hears the chuckles and the change of tone here and there. 

"- I don't know what to do Mother," he pauses. "I'm trying to understand what I'm doing wrong. It really frustrates me. She means a lot to me. I wish you were here to give me some guidance, I'm trying my best. I'm not the best at asking for help, and the best person I ask for advice is the one not talking to me."

Anna smiles, leaning against the doorframe. Hugging the blanket tighter around her shoulders. After he exchanges a few more words, the female makes her move and slowly walks to him. 

"Hey, Mrs Akashi," she says making the redhead instantly caught off guard. "I assure you your son is doing nothing wrong. But I'm sure you know that already know that from watching up there."

"Anna," he says still surprised by her sudden appearance. 

"Come," she signals by opening one arm out. Expanding the blanket like a bird's wing. Akashi joins her and sits next to her, the blanket both shedding the two with its warm embrace. 

"Anna dear... has something been bothering you? Have I done anything to offend you?" He asks concerningly.

Anna chuckles at his expression. His face was so serious but his slight pout of the lips and look in his eyes had reminded her of an eight-year-old version of himself when he didn't get his way.

"Sei, I assure you everything is fine."

"But you've been completely avoiding me. I know we're supposed to be professional, especially with this amount of schools all in one building. You don't even spare a glance at me. During games when I try to say hi to you or smile you look the other way," he frowns.

"Sei I-, you know I'm not the greatest at expressing some of my emotions and thoughts," Anna says looking away. "I-, I'm just. I'm j-jealous." Looking back at him she sees the features of his face all mesh together, painting his face in a manner of utter confusion.

"Jealous?" he restates discombobulated at her words. "So Aomine was right."

"Wait what?!"

"When I was trying to ask why you were avoiding me, Aomine mentioned you were jealous. But I wasn't sure of who," he says. A slight annoyance laced in his voice that he still hasn't figured out what it was. Anna lets a loud cry and hides her face in the nape of his neck.

"I hate everything," she mumbles.

"Anna," he turns his whole body to face hers. His brows furrowing and eyes trying to understand her thoughts. "Jealous? Of what?"

He feels her breath with every word she mutters. "Anna dear, I can't hear you properly." He waits for a response but she just shakes her head. He brings his other hand and rubs her back soothingly. 

"Anna, we can't move past this if you don't say anything," he tilts his head. Anna lifts her head, her brows furrowed in a way that Akashi knew when she was both sad and annoyed. 

"Hig..chi," she mumbles.

"Who?"

"Higuchi," she mutters loudly, looking away and crossing her arms.

"Our new manager?" he raises a brow.

"Yeah..." she effuses.

"Why?" 

Anna looks at him, mouth gaped with a look screaming 'are-you-kidding-me?' Even Aomine would have caught on to this by now.

"Sei, have you seen her?!"

"I'm not sure what you are implying dear," Akashi remained dumbfounded.

"Sei! How can you be so smart and clueless?!" she exclaims shaking his shoulders.

"I'm sorry..." his eyes widen in fear, still not understanding what she was alluding to.

"Sei, she literally has the biggest crush on you. She trails behind you everywhere, brings you water and buys you drinks and snacks. Towles, asks you if you need anything-, and compliments you 24/7. She's Teiko Satsuki 2.0!"

"I'm aware she has a crush on me," he blinks.

"Geh-! Sei! Ugghhhhhh!" She hides her face in her hands. 

"Darling-, I'm not sure I'm quite getting what you are jealous about. Yes, I'm quite aware of her feelings for me. Yes, she has good potential to be a future manager but other than basketball I don't reciprocate her feelings. I love you."

"Sei!" Anna cries, her head going back and then looking back at him. "Sei you don't get it! Look at her! She's literally a walking goddess. She's perfect in literally everything! Everyone loves her, she's beautiful, smart, and loved by literally everyone. You're student body president, captain of the basketball team, president of the shogi club, smart and she's Miss It Girl! I'm literally shit compared to her!"

"Don't you dare say that about yourself," Akashi's sudden serious tone sends chills down her spine. "Anna, you are nothing but shit. I can't just sit here and listen to you, the person who has put up with me, was there for me, the person who slapped me in front of my entire team, coached a bunch of high school basketball players against Jabberwock, made an entire team of arrogant boys apologise and gave me hope as a kid says that about yourself."

Akashi's eyes soon soften, letting out a chuckle as he wipes a tear that rolls down her cheeks. Emerald eyes now puffy, Anna sniffs and hides her head out of shame under Akashi's head, resting her head on his shoulder. 

"I sound like an idiot," she mutters. "I feel like absolute shit."

"Anna," he chuckles, "I'm quite relieved in a way."

"What do you mean? That's I'm jealous?"

"Yes. I thought I was the only one getting jealous in this relationship. Sometimes I find it hard to watch you talk so easily with other people too and be so friendly with them. But I mean, I'm still learning I suppose. I know you're quite capable of handling yourself and I don't want to get in the way of you making decisions for yourself or defending yourself," Akashi explains, letting out a sigh. Anna looks up, recoiling back to her old position and looks at him. His eyes wondering her own, with a gentle smile settled rightfully there. 

"You know Anna, when I was younger I thought it was just you and me. You and I against the world."

"It isn't it?" Anna furrows her brows.

"You were the first person who took a chance with me. Was there for me and knew all my secrets and the little things. You knew me better than anyone else. I didn't want to let go of you. I wanted you all to myself. I wanted to be your prince charming-, always there for you and saving you. When we entered Teiko together I kept those thoughts quite literally. On the first day, I had everything planned out in my head. Since we managed to get into most of the same classes, I thought that it would be easy enough to get into the same club. I wanted to walk up together to the boy's basketball team together and sign up. But when you wandered off I started panicking. When I finally found you, you found your own way to the basketball stand and had already made friends. I was so annoyed with myself that day," he chuckles fondly at the last sentence. 

"I wanted to help you make friends, but in the end, you made them for yourself. "When we got together Anna, I told myself I didn't want to screw up again. And when I got jealous I told myself I was being jealous, told myself to let it go and you were just doing your own thing. But at the same time, I wanted you to help me grow as a person. I envied you a lot when you gave advice to others or did your 'mum thing'. I wanted your attention. I thought that love was being there for each other no matter what and helping you become a better person. Like what I saw as a child to my mother. But you're not my mother, you're my girlfriend and best friend Anna," he ruffles her hair.

"I think now looking back I understand now. Well, understand but still learning that relationships aren't supposed to be perfect Anna. It's okay to feel like shit when you felt like you made a mistake."

"You sound like a philosopher," Anna laughs. "When did you grow this fast?"

"You silly," he flicks her forehead teasingly. 

"Me? I don't recall being a philosopher as well," she jokes.

"Anna, you've taught me that. About love."

"Pff," she chortles, "Really?"

Seijuro simply nods. "It's not in the medium of you saying it, it's your actions. You taught me that caring for you and loving you means having the ability to watch you grow on your own and being inspired by that I myself grow. And I love you for that."

"You should write a book," Anna lifts Akashi's arm and wraps it around her. "I'm serious."

"We should write a book," he nudges. 

"We should write one purely about all the best things we've said."

"If you're referring to all the foul things you've yelled out, I think the book idea should be scrapped."

"Hey!" Anna exclaims making her boyfriend smile in amusement.

"Love you, Anna," he kisses her forehead.

"Love you too," Anna replies as the two of them continue to look at the same sky they did before. Knowing well that Seijuro's mother was looking down at them with a smile.

So... been a while? I felt so single writing this ngl...

Opinions?

Opinions on when Nash had a past crush on Anna?
Opinions on 

I've been really busy with my studies and tried my best. Please also feel free to comment if I made some grammar mistakes as well I don't really have time to fully proofread it, I just kinda want to skim through it. Also I kind just realised that Murasakibara was spelt like that and not Murisakibara... I'm so sorry. I thought for some reason it was spelt like that. I don't really have the time to go back and thoroughly examine every time I wrote his name. Again I'm so sorry if this has offended anyone. 

ALSO, I WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE SOME FANART IF ANYONE IS TALENTED ENOUGH OR WANTS TO DO IT OF ANNA, OR ANNA AND SEI, OR ANNA AND ANYONE. 

Whether it hand drawn or digital? If anyone is interested... let me know...

VOTE & COMMENT