COMMENT & VOTE

THEN

Anna had lost herself through a chain of thought, over the past week the group had been anxious about the upcoming results for who would make the basketball team, many prosing that Anna would get the starting lineup position of point guard. Though after the past few days she had made herself wonder was she just doing it to herself or was she just good because of Seijuro?

When Anna had moved to LA, she told herself that she was going to forget about anything related to Teiko. In the end, however, she had a love for basketball and concluded that it was for herself, she loved it because she loved it and nothing else.

The question was brought up by her new friend Theresa, who had asked her the question during her honours math class she shared with her. "So how did you get into basketball?" Theresa had brought up during her teacher's long lecture about the theory of some mathematicians about the topic.

Anna was caught off guard by the question. "A friend," she simply responded. The question seemed to echo back to her. Perhaps it was denial, the fact that she didn't want to admit she was good and loved the sport and had probably got the position because of Seijuro. That was his position, the position that got her into it. She recalled how they would watch NBA games and how he would point out really good point guards. She was simply so drawn to it, how he talked about it made her fascinated.

Why am I afraid of admitting it? Anna asked herself, she couldn't help but question that and hated it. 'No Anna, don't be silly. Akashi has nothing to do with it,' she reassured herself. She denied any attachments.

Before lunch when she was putting her books back in her locker she had questioned herself again. 'But that was our play' she referred to the play idea where Jesse had set up for a shooting position and the ball at that perfect moment was passed to her. The level of trust Anna and Akashi had when they were ten when Anna had suggested a cool idea she wanted to try with Akashi.

That play took only two minutes, the first try Akashi not quite getting it, the second he had grasped the concept, and the third was perfect.

"Anna!" Jesse was shaking her by the shoulders as Anna had snapped out of her train of thought.

"Jeez!" Anna yelped.

"Anna! The results are out!" Jesse began to pull Anna by the arm as the white-haired female got up and followed her friend to the bulletin board.

---

White light was made up of all of the colours of the rainbow. Once refracted by a prism, the colours could be distinguished, as they were separated for others to distinguish themselves separately.

Everything had changed at Teiko, the moment Anna had left for California being pulled out by her father to attend the infamous boarding school in sunny LA. The moment Anna didn't attend school the next week Akashi sat uncomfortable with himself, Anna never took a day off unless without Akashi knowing so that he could collect her things.

"Akashi-kun," Mr Shirogane his basketball coach and history teacher called him as he was packing his things for the end of the day and then practice.

"Yes sir?" He put his book in his bag and walked toward the desk.

"I assume you already told Momoi about her new position," Mr Shirogane had said.

"Told her about what, sir?" Akashi raised a confused brow as his teacher raised his brows.

"About her promotion to head manager?" he blinked.

"Whatever do you mean? I was never informed so," Akashi replied unsteadily.

"Oh, I thought you knew," Mr Shirogane rubbed the back of his neck feeling the intense stare from his pupil.

"Knew about what sir?" Akashi instantly asked in a stern tone.

"Well, since Hirose-kun has left the school, that leaves Momoi to become head manager as she is well, the only manager on the team," he informed. For all the time he had known Akashi Seijuro he had never seen the amount of pain and shock in his eyes and expression. Akashi stepped back, his eyes looking hurt as he was still processing everything.

"Wh-..."

"The school board informed me that her father pulled her out, he made a call over the weekend. It was quite out of the blue but her father said otherwise-, who knew she was from that Hirose family-, Akashi-kun!" Mr Shirogane called out as Akashi ran out.

---

"WHAT?!" Aomine had yelled in the empty gym of composing of Akashi, Midoriama, Kise, Murisakibara, Kuroko and Momoi; only passing by to pick up Momoi and walking into Akashi's pre-announcement of breaking the news about Anna a week after he had been informed what happened, and a few days when his personality switched.

"Aomine," his eyes shot daggers, strong, stern and sharp as he glared at his abrupt entrance uncalled for in Akashi's opinion.

"What the fuck do you mean Anna just left?!" Aomine stormed his way to Akashi, looking down at him in height but it was Akashi who was looking down at him with a frightening aura circulating him.

"Aomine-chi..." Kise expressed wide-eyed by his teammate's anger he had never seen.

"I will repeat myself again," Akashi stated, "Anna has left Teiko," he said so calmly, "So, as per protocol Momoi will fill in as our new head manager. Her skills will suffice."

"I FUCKING KNOW THAT-, BY WHY THE FUCK DID ANNA LEAVE ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT TELLING US?! THAT NOT LIKE HER?" Aomine exclaimed.

"Calm yourself, it's late," Midoriama admonished.

"Shut the fuck up Midoriama," Aomine glared.

"You are being loud," Kise said in a softer tone, backing up Midoriama.

"How are you guys so fucking calm about this?!"

"Aomine-kun!" Akashi's voice silenced everyone as it sent chills to everyone.

"What?! Why didn't you tell us this sooner-?!"

"Aomine-kun, come the hell down," Midoriama walked forward, "You're being unreasonable."

"Me unreasonable?! Don't any of you find something's off? Akashi goes into a whole other personality right when Anna suddenly disappears for the past week?" Aomine points his finger at him. The room becomes silent as everyone looks to Akashi who is terrifyingly composed.

"What are you alluding to Aomine?" Akashi inquires.

"What the fuck did you do to Anna?" he grips Akashi's collar and everyone backs away only to imagine what could happen.

"Why do you think I would do anything to her?" Akashi seethed.

"Cut the crap Akashi!"

"Daiki," he says, looking at him as Aomine's spine runs with chills as his emperor's eye seems to stare mockingly at him. His grips suddenly loosen as he stumbles back. "You're a lot to talk about when you've repeatedly ignored Anna when you started to skip practices that I've allowed. And second of all, don't you dare. oppose. me. like. that. ever. again. You forget your place Daiki."

The rest of the team stands in absolute horror and fright at Akashi's new wrath. "For the rest of you," Akashi continues, "I don't want another word. Understood?" Akashi walks by Aomine and towards the door.

"I hope you can fill in the big shoes you are supposed to fill Momoi-san."

---

"Anna!" Jesse exclaimed pointing at the list roster. "We made the team! Look you're starting the line-up! You're the new point guard!"

"W-what...?" Anna trailed in disbelief as her eyes widened at the list.

PG - HIROSE Anna

"I-, I made point guard!" Anna exclaimed laughing as Theresa and Jesse started shaking her shoulders jubilantly.

"Of course you did!" Theresa smiles.

"Has anyone seen an Anna here?!" The trio turn around to see Taiga at the back looking through the crowd of boys and girls surrounding the bulletin sports board like a pack of wild animals.

"Taiga!" Anna shouts back waving her hand up high as she makes her way through the crowd. 'Hey!"

"Anna! Great news, you made Point guard!"

"I know that! I just saw," she laughed.

"Wait-, what really?! Damn, I really wanted to tell you. Anyways, I made PF!" Taiga grins brightly.

"You always make Power Forward," Jesse chimed in.

"Cause I'm just amazing," Taiga points to himself as Anna rolls her eyes and Jesse and Theresa laugh at their friend's reaction.

"You wish," Anna snorts.

"Oh, please at least I can play a whole game."

"I can!" Anna fired.

"Can too!"

"Last week's game with Himuro," Taiga snorts.

"It was really hot that day!"

"Baby," Taiga scoffs.

"At least I don't get passed," Anna sticks her tongue out.

"It was one time!" Taiga scoffs.

"Every time! Tatsuya and I always pass you!"

"You know what, quick round best of three before the bell rings!"

"You're on! Dumbass!"

NOW

For all of what Kise Ryouta knew he had always seen Anna as a mother figure. She was, she was either that or an older sister to the team. Aomine would constantly call her mum, from saving him and the team from Momoi's cooking when she brought ingredients and cooked for the team on camps to tutoring him and admonishing him about his grades. When Midoriama couldn't borrow some girl trinkets from his younger sister for his lucky item of the day Anna would always let him borrow her stuff. Murisakibara at times would call her 'oneesan' if she was in what the team called 'momager' mode.

For Kise, it was no less. Anna was always there for him if she could. She was one of the few who would actually act interested in his fashion shoot rants when he was feeling down, she was always making sure he was alright bringing out his true personality, and she would always stand up for him if people were talking behind his back if he just called him a 'pretty face.'

But most of all, she was just always there for others in their darkest moments. Midoriama when he needed a friend despite his lonely persona when he would feel fed from feeling second best from Akashi, Murisakibara when he didn't know how to feel about his inhumane height and feeling misunderstood, Aomine when he was growing too ambitious and stubborn and needed to be confronted, Momoi when she was scared of what would happen in the future and trying to put a happy face for the team, Kuroko with his struggle to get into the first string.

The special times with Akashi, Anna being there when he didn't feel 'enough' for his father, keeping him afloat. And Kise, it was his embarrassment served in front of him from Haizaki in front of the whole team.

'You alright Kise?' Anna bent down to his level, his head was slung down traumatised at his taunts as he sat on the bench in the locker rooms.

'I failed,' Kise scoffed tearing up, 'I couldn't beat him.'

Anna had only sighed and jabbed her hand into his hip WHACK! Kise only jerked, rubbing the spot she had hit and howled at the pain.

/Anna's giving him one of those pep talks' Aomine deadpans hearing Kise cry out of pain all the way from the locker room to the gym./

'ANNA-CHI!' He cries, 'I'm having a moment of crisis here and you're assaulting me?! I told you! I couldn't-,' Kise jerks up again in tears, 'I couldn't beat him.'

'So, what?' Anna shrugs, Kise craning his neck upwards shocked, as he wipes away his tears.

'What do you mean so what?! Anna-chi, you're being really mean!' he whines.

'Kise, if you're crying because you lost one time towards Haizaki and think it's the end of the world then quit, I can get a person to replace you in like five minutes.'

Kise's jaw just drops in shock, he had expected Anna to comfort him like she always had. 'But-,"

'Don't say but this or but what, Ryou-tan you challenged him and you lost. Was he an asshole? Yes, do I want him out of this team? Of course. But I don't have that type of authority nor it's my place. I stay in my circle he stays in his and we don't overlap until he's impacting others. The only reason I get angry and reprimand him is if he's interfering with others. Kise, wake up. I didn't pick you for no reason, you had that love and passion from the first time I saw your eyes see the others play. Kise-, sometimes you're not just gonna wake up some days and become good at the one thing you see someone else doing,' she explains.

'But-, he's so-, so...' Kise trails.

'I know how he is Ryou, I don't like him either nor that dumbass girl. But if you wanna get far in life, you're going to meet a lot of them. And sometimes when you stand up to them, it doesn't always end up the way you pictured it. But, it's your dignity, your honour, and your morals that matter at the end of the day. Kise, sometimes we're so used to competing with others we forget who we should be competing with,' she smiles as Kise just raises a brow.

'Who? Your siblings?' Kise tilts his head confused as Anna laughs.

'Yourself silly,' she jabs her index finger on his chest, as Kise's eyes follow it. 'We forget to run our own races, and forget how to appreciate ourselves. And only then, with that acceptance we can surpass anyone through your eyes.'

Kise only blinks and pauses, he looks down wiping his tears and chuckles to himself. 'I was pretty amazing still,' Kise's usual smile returns. Anna is caught off by the statement only to burst into laughter.

'Alright, Kise, let's not get ahead of ourselves,' she rolls her eyes.

Kise gets up and hugs Anna with a smile, 'thanks, Anna-chi.'

'Anytime,' she says and Kise lets go.

'Let's get back out there.'

---

For all the time Anna had known the blonde-haired basketball player, she had known him as childish, competitive and a sweet friend. He was emotional, easy to get sad when he didn't win but Anna had done her part to support him enough during her time when she was back in Teiko.

Kise, hands on his knees tired and seemed tired out stood in the middle of the court being mocked in front of everyone in the stadium by Haizaki. In this moment Anna had felt like this was one of those heroic downfalls the protagonist would have.

'Dammit Kise, get up,' she urged, on the edge of her seat wanting eagerly to run down there and help him.

"Tch," Taiga grunted, "Are you... going to take this lying down?" he admonished from afar.

"Come on-," Anna stopped mid-sentence, seeing from the corner of her eyes Kuroko getting up.

"Tetsu what are you doing?!" she whispered-yelled.

"I BELIEVE IN YOU, KISE!" Kuroko yelled, slicing the hallow silence like a knife with butter. Anna's and Taiga's jaws dropped at their friend's bold act of supporting Kise.

"Did he just..." Anna trailed blinking as she still tried to process her friend's act, jarring completely with his usual shy persona. Though, the bold act seemed to work. Kise's eyes widened in shock as he looked up and into the crowd, at Kuroko standing up. Everyone's face turned at the boy standing up as murmurs spread like wildfire.

"Geh!" Anna ducked her head down, sitting close to Kuroko not wanting to draw any attention to herself. "You really outdid yourself, this time," Anna chuckled as she looked up as her eyes widened, Kuroko's eyes were serious. Like a laser, sent straight through the sea of people, dancing with a clear message Kise had clearly read.

It had seemed to work, after the commotion died down Anna popped back up and watched Kise chuckle to himself at Kuroko's attempt of encouragement.

"Shogo-kun, you know..." Kise trailed getting up and Haizaki raised a brow in confusion. "Before I beat you, you should know you have the wrong idea about her. "

"What?" Haizaki turned trying to think about what he was referring to.

"The way she followed me around and called herself my girlfriend was annoying," Kise explained talking about the female back in Teiko who had easily switched favour of Kise to Haizaki. "She was totally arrogant and always bragged about herself. She wanted people to know she was dating a model. All you did was take one of those stupid women who flocked to me because of my appearance. Don't let that get into your head," Kise smirked.

"What?" Haizaki smirked.

Anna only stifled a laugh and let out her signature Cheshire grin, one that Kuroko hadn't seen in years, only to smile, reassured about his blonde-haired friend. Taiga, looking at Kuroko and Anna confused.

"What happened?" Taiga inquired discombobulated.

"He told him off," Anna smiled proudly, "I think he's finally ready."

Taiga blinked confusingly, "Really, what did he say?"

Anna only glared at him giving a 'are you joking me?' kind of look. "Dumbass, you think I can hear from all the way up here word for word what he said?"

---

"Kise!" Kasamatsu yelled passing the ball to Kise, who caught it in a perfect shooting stance. Something had felt different, at least to Anna.

"Somethings up," Anna blurted.

"Yeah," Riko agreed, nodding Anna's judgement, "His aura is different."

Fukuda's attempt to defend seemed useless, Everyone except Haizaki who was too arrogant for his own good had stood his ground as his team scattered in defence.

Anna's eyes widened, taking her chin which was resting off her knuckles, and pulling her head forward as recognised the stance. "Is that..." she trailed her eyes glowing with anticipation. From his eyes, the stance of his legs, and the form of his body. It was all-

"Perfect," Midoriama watching from the crowd finished pushing up his glasses. The ball with perfect trajectory, high and graceful-, Midoriama's signature move had been replicated perfectly by Kise.

Haizaki's eyes widen in shock as the crowd screams and cheers in excitement. "Looks like you figured it out..." Anna chuckles, resting her cheek back on her knuckle. "All by yourself."

"This is it!" Taiga's eyes were fueled with excitement, all of Seirin could see it and deadpan at their underclassmen. He's getting all riled up again they all think in unison. "Baka," Anna rolls her eyes and returns her attention back to the game.

Within the next few minutes, thanks to Kise's three-pointer Kaijo's motivation, seemed to return. Eager to close the gap within the last two minutes they all scatter to their positions. Haizaki, utterly displeased with the situation only intervenes with a pass by his teammate to another with an opening and rashly enters Kise's defence circle under the hoop.

Shaken, Haizaki idiotically heads in for a scoop shot right next to Kise as his eyes widen seeing Kise's high jump, mimicking Murisakibara's reaction and intensity of a block, slamming the ball down like a volleyball. The ball is passed to Kaijo as they make a run down to the other side.

"He can even copy Murisakibara?" Hyuga states.

"In his game against Tōō, Kise recreated the rapid speed change of Aomine's changeover by dropping his minimum speed," Riko informs, "He also achieved Midoriama's trick shot by holding with his dominant hand, and he's reproducing Murisakibara's defence with his jumping ability and predictions."

"But the abilities of the Generation of Miracles aren't reproduced that easily," Kiyoshi adds. "Kise's basketball sense is unreal."

The whistle-blowing, Haizaki is given the ball and is guarded by Kise who only rages and purposely stomps on Kise's injured foot making him wince as the game goes on without the referee noticing.

"The referee didn't see!" Taiga exclaims.

"It was too fast," Anna anxiously replies gritting her teeth, "It was in his blind spot as well."

Haizaki makes the jump, only for Kise to just make it in time and stop the ball mirroring Murisakibara's blocks. Burning with anger in his eyes and determination, Kise passes the ball to Kasamatsu and throws it back to Kise who is already halfway down the court. With his teammates all shouting behind him, the blonde-haired player jumps from the shooting line and dunks the ball into the hoop as the buzzer echoes in the background loudly.

"He did it!" Riko and Anna cry in unison, shaking each other by the shoulders as they laugh in joy. Kuroko gives a satisfied smile and Kagami only grins, with the audience erupting in boisterous cheers with the win of 75 to 72 in favour of Kaijo.

"He did it..." Anna watched from afar as his teammates tried to lift him up. "All by himself."

"We're next," Hyuga irked as the smiles of Kise's win were all wiped away.

"Way to kill the mood captain," Anna exasperated.

---

Anna knew better, despite hardly interacting with Haizaki she knew that when he lost he had to find another way to satisfy himself. Tugging on her Kaijo long knitted blue cardigan hugged over her black turtle neck and long knife-pleated, mustard yellow, ankle lengthed skirt that billowed with night's breeze the female walked towards Haizaki who was waiting in the dark for his opportunity to cause another hassle with Kise.

"Tt," Anna muttered only to then halt when she looks at the shadow in front of her and crane her neck to the side to see Aomine as they slowly in unison pointed their fingers at each other.

"What are you doing here?!" they both whisper-yell in unison. "I'm stopping Haizaki," the said again. "Stop copying what I say!"

"Tch," Aomine rubs the back of his neck. "I guess this works,"

"What do you mean?" Anna puts her hands on her hips.

"You're fucking scary as hell so let me talk and-,"

"Excuse me?!" She shrieked as she instantly covered her mouth as Haizaki turned around raising a brow at the frozen image of Aomine facepalming and Anna's hand over her mouth.

''Shit! Anna cussed.

"What the fuck are you guys doing here?" Haizaki questions smirking.

"I-I can say the same for you?!" Anna rambled putting her hands on her hips trying to act intentionally.

"Kaijo isn't coming out yet, not that you needed to know that... right Haizaki?" Aomine glares at him and raises a brow, Haizaki seems to snarl at the comment, sending daggers at the two.

"If you're thinking about getting revenge on Kise, don't bother," Anna crosses her arms.

"What are you two, tagging team. I swear to god you're like a mother and mother and son pack," he scoffs, "But whatever, bakas. I'll do what I want."

"If you're going to play ball, I don't care what you do. But you don't mess with them doing stupid shit off the court," Aomine warns.

"Tch, you really are fucking mother and son, what are you playing good boy or something?" Haizaki teases.

"You lost Haizaki to Kise, just accept it," Anna sighs, "You have no idea how much Kuroko and Kise have trained. Don't do anything else stupid."

"It's not getting you anywhere," Aomine adds.

"I see," the male laughs, "Now I really have to destroy them. I told you, I don't care. Unfortunately, unlike you guys, I don't give a shit about basketball, if you want me to stop," he grins and advances swinging a punch towards Aomine, "make me-!"

WHACK!

Haizaki had stumbled before falling to the ground, as Anna nonchalantly punched him hard before Aomine was about to. Aomine only boredly watched Haizaki fall, hearing the thud of him landing on the ground.

"We talked about this," Aomine glared at Anna.

"HE SAID MAKE ME! And besides, says the guy who is Mr I-use-my-so-called muscles-before-my-head!" Anna fires as Aomine gasps.

"Excuse me?! What do you mean so-called muscles?!" he runs up to Anna who starts walking away.

"Stupid gorilla,"

"CRAZY CAT LADY!"

"WHAT ARE WE IN FIFTH GRADE?!"

The silhouettes of Anna and Aomine only left the long-lasting shadows of the two bickerings, as Hazaki groaned at the pain, rubbing his jaw as he gazed at the velvet night sky.

"Crazy woman," he muttered.

THERE WILL BE STARTING TO BE A MIX OF TEIKO AND ANNA'S TIME IN LA NOW, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO SEE SOME AKASHI AND GOM.

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