Teiko's basketball II: Second miracle

32: Betrayal

Chapter 32:

Betrayal

"...... You good for nothing!"

"Shogo-san, why are you doing the judging? If I'm useless, then so are you!"

"Don't compare the two of is, moron!"

"Quit bad mouthing everyone! It's disgusting."

Kise and Haizaki were at it again. The rest of the team stood by as they verbally abused each other to the best of their abilities. They would step in once the fistfight started.

"You aren't an iota better than me! I challenge you. This time..... This time, I will beat you." said Kise angrily.

It had become a sort of a cycle. Haizaki would browbeat Kise until he blew it. And then they would begin fight. This would end in the grand finale of Kise challenging Haizaki to a one on one, which he almost always lost. The team was thoroughly tired of this. But they couldn't exactly blame Kise. Haizaki was a pain, even in ordinary circumstances. But he had always been extra unpleasant to Kise.

The two begun their match. But the result was always the same. Kise would throw everything he had at Haizaki. Haizaki would steal his moves immediately. Kise, being a fast learner would perform Haizaki's off-rhythm moves till the end of the match and end up losing. The same thing happened now.

"See. You wasted my time, filth. I can't bear to breathe the same air. I'm out of here."

This had become a ritual too. Haizaki leaving with a parting insult and Kise silently suffering his humiliation.

Kuroko helped him to his feet.

"Arigatou, Kurokocchi."

(Note: Arigatou - Thank you.)

The rest of the team would silently resume practice. What could they do, after all.

********************

Haizaki exited the court as usual. Tormenting Kise always left him in a good mood. He found a girl waiting outside. She was pretty. Haizaki whistled. That had caught her attention, but she quickly turned away.

"Oi, I've seen you before..... You're Ryouta's girl aren't you?"

She nodded. "At least I think I am." she said frostily.

He leaned against the wall. "Oh.... Is there a problem?"

"None of your business. How come you're out? He's in there, isn't he?"

"He's practicing." said Haizaki with a bit of sarcasm.

A frown twisted the corner of her mouth. So that was the problem.

"Must suck for you...." he said.

"It does...."

Haizaki looked at her contemplatively. Here was a wonderful way to destroy Kise. Completely.

"What's so good about him?"

She hesitated. "He's cheerful. Smart. Good looking..... He's good at basketball too. Apparently he wants to become part of the.... the.... 'Generation of miracles'. Yes. I think that's what he said."

"I'm part of the generation of miracles."

"Oh." Haizaki could detect a hint of admiration in her voice. It was good for him.

"But he's boring isn't he?" he said.

She hesitated again. "Maybe.... Sometimes....."

"You know what.... I'm not boring."

She didn't say anything. She just looked at him.

"Wanna go out, miss? Going out with part of the gom or going out with someone who's 'going to be' part of the gom. Which seems better?"