For three days he and Maki have been going out to the library to study. The sessions were long, taking the whole day, and only stopping for much needed break or lunches. Sometimes for lunch they go dutch but often Maki would pay for their food, saying that it was because of his idea that they were out instead of eating at their homes. Yohei definitely didn't mind. Besides, he knew Maki could afford to pay for him so he didn't give it much thought.
On the first day, Yohei was as restless as a child in a playpen. He wasn't used to sitting in a chair for more than an hour and he would often make an excuse to stroll around the library to purchase a drink at the vending machine, opting to sit on the steps and drink his beverage while he watched the people walk by. By the fourth day he managed to sit through Maki's tutorial for three hours, his head full of squares and logarithms, when he asked for a break. The older boy joined him and the two sat outside while they sipped on their drinks.
"How was school?" Maki asked the boy beside him.
"It was fine," Yohei answered, "Yanagasaki was surprised I got a 68% for my history test. And I got a 75% for my history. The sensei nearly got a heart attack."
Maki grinned, "The teachers will be at your feet by the time I'm done with you, boy."
Yohei chuckled, "Honto?"
"Aa," Maki replied, "If not from awe, it would be from disbelief."
The other boy laughed, "Yeah. Two weeks ago I never would've believed it myself if I was told that I could do it. Noma and the rest said that I found a way to cheat without the sensei knowing it, but you should've heard Sakuragi's theory. He thought I was possessed by an alien!"
Maki shook his head, "Baka."
"Yeah, he is," smiled Yohei.
They continued watching the people walking by when Maki spoke again, "You and Sakuragi seemed to be close."
"As close as best friends can be," Yohei replied, "'Been that way since junior high. I was with Ookusu, Noma and Takamiya when I met Sakuragi. By some reason we fought but then something between us clicked and we became friends..." he snapped his fingers, "...just like that."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that," the dark-haired boy nodded, "Isn't that the most honest friendship one could have? I mean, to like someone without having to know where he came from."
"Yes, that is," the player smiled, "You're wise for someone your age, Yohei."
"I'm only 3 years younger than you, oyajii," Yohei grinned from behind his canned drink.
Maki punched the boy's arm lightly with his free hand.
"That's Maki-sempai to you," he growled in what was the only rebuke he could think of everytime the other boy insulted him.
"Itee..." complained Yohei, though by the grin still on his face, he didn't seem to mind it. Heck, if he did, he wouldn't have survived the gangster fights he and Sakuragi partook with the gundan everytime in the streets.
Maki on the other hand, found it oddly easy to be free with Yohei than he normally was with other people. Since he was a young boy he was taught reservation with his emotions and other than when he was playing basketball, he was the epitome of grace and nobility.
Yohei changed him. The younger boy was different from all the people that he knew. Yohei wasn't intimidated by his stature or form so the boy wasn't adversed to touching him without consent through friendly pats on the back or the ocassional physical banter like small pushes and 'manly' punches. The close proximity between them everytime they talked or discussed on a particular topic did not stiffle him like always with other people who he would prefer that they not invade his personal space. With Yohei, he felt comfortable. Maybe it was because of the other boy's open manner or maybe it was because of the boy altogether. If it was the latter, then Maki could safely say that their friendship was one of the honest ones that Yohei talked about. It was new and strange at the same time but he welcomed it nevertheless. The brunette may be rough around the edges but there was the level-headed thinking that Maki appreciated in a person. Yohei as a companion was a breath of fresh air.
"So, you're gonna go against Aichi next week?" Yohei asked, breaking Maki from his musings.
"Hm? Yes, we are," Maki nodded, "So you might be happy to hear that this is your last session with me before I start on full team practice."
Yohei snorted, "Well, yeah, at least I don't have to listen to Noma and the rest whine anymore about my disappearance act for two weeks. Sakuragi wasn't all that happy either especially since he's confined to the hospital after that game with Sannoh."
"How is Sakuragi by the way?" asked Maki.
"As I said," Yohei sighed, "Unhappy. He can't wait to get out of the hospital and play again. Ever since he joined the basketball team he's been like that. All he can talk and think about is basketball. Its weird, but its cool. He's good at it anyway."
"He's a natural," Maki agreed, "The coach was surprised as well when he saw Sakuragi play the first time."
"Yeah," Yohei smiled and Maki could hear the pride in his voice.
Tipping his can to get the last drop of his Cola, Yohei then crumpled the can with his fist before he tossed it into a nearby bin.
"Alright," Yohei said standing up, "Let's go back to work."
Maki nodded and tossed his own empty can into the bin before standing up as well.
"Aa. Back to work."
The gym was packed with spectactors eager to watch the game between one of Kanagawa's leading team against one of Aichi's own. The Kainan team was at that moment doing warm-ups on their side of the court when, on pure luck, Maki spotted a familiar person sitting at the front row of seats among the crowd of Kainan fans. Ignoring the adoring calls of his name from the people everywhere, he walked up the the boy with the slicked-back hair and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Yohei had to stand up lean down against the railing to ask against the noise, "What?"
"I said what are you doing here?" Maki asked more loudly.
"Can't I come and see my friend kick some Aichi butts?" questioned Yohei with a grin.
Maki grinned back, "Sure you can. Just sit back and watch."
"Don't fall down and embarass Kanagawa now, oyajii," Yohei told him.
"That's Maki-sempai to you, brat," Maki shot back without heat as he lightly swatted Yohei's head which was so easy and near to hit.
Yohei rubbed his head and chuckled before he sat back on his seat while Maki walked back to where his team-mates were gathered, still warming up before the game.
"Who was that, sempai?" Jin asked as Maki began doing his stretching.
Kiyota walked up to them, passing a ball around his body swiftly with his two hands as he asked, "Isn't he one of Sakuragi's friends?"
"Aa," Maki replied, "Yohei Mito. What?"
Jin and Kiyota continued staring at him in surprise.
"Wow, sempai," Kiyota finally said, "You always forget people's names! The only time you remember is if that person plays good basketball and he's just one of that red monkey's friends!"
"Aa," agreed Jin, "I remember once the Toyotama team being none too pleased when you failed to recognise them."
"He's just a good friend of mine," their captain told them, touching his foot with the tips of his fingers.
"Eh? Honto ni?"
"Yes," said the tanned guard, snatching the ball from Kiyota before he passed it back to player hard that would've knocked the first year back if it wasn't for his quick reflexes.
"Now stop being nosy and concentrate on the game," commanded Maki as he zipped his jersey open to reveal his team's purple and yellow uniform.
"Hai, sempai!"