Model Idol Combi: Hair

[jitensha]

[ it's rare that she can garner enough time away from a packed schedule and her own school hours to drop by Kaijou, but even if it's just a practice match, Makoto likes to faithfully attend what she can. She's always liked basketball, so growing closer to Kise had only made that fondness stronger. It's fun to watch them get into the game, and it's fun to lose herself cheering for them.

But it's warmer today than it's been all week, and with the hat crammed over her head to hide her identity (she so optimistically felt), it was doing little to cool her head off. Strands were starting to stick to her neck.

... In a sense, it's a happy realization, that her hair was growing longer by the day, but for now, it was a little bit troubling. Still, she waits until the court's cleared out, enough of Kise's squealing crowd dissipating to allow her to sweep her hat off and try to salvage her hair.

It's a shame she can't see what she's doing. ]

Comments

[ex_doubly406]

[Don't encourage him! Except it's too late now, because he's fully enjoying this too.]

Lucky me, Princess Makoto is so kind.

[They probably should have left like an hour ago, but being a teenager is nice isn't it.]

[jitensha]

[ one of these days she will not blush.

Today is not that day, but she can at least take on the lofty tone of Playing Along. ]

A princess is benevolent to all.

[ wow they're embarrassing. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[How have they not been kicked out yet.]

But I'm your favorite, aren't I?

[jitensha]

[ because they haven't made out in this one yet. ]

That part's between us.

[ and 765 Pro. And his teammates. And-- ]

[ex_doubly406]

[So basically everyone ever.]

Of course since it's for you, I'll keep my lips sealed!

[He's doing a horrible job of it though, holding her hand like that. Might as well be making out.]

[jitensha]

Same here! It's a secret!

[ god knows what the press would do if they found out. It's enough of a sobering thought for Makoto to finally remember-- right, they've probably been here a little too long. ]

Ah... do you think we should head out?

[ex_doubly406]

[Don't worry, he's wearing a hat!!!

... Alright, maybe that's not so reassuring. At her suggestion he looks around briefly, not bothered by any stares he might be getting back in return, then rises from his seat smoothly.]

Sure, I'll walk you home.

[jitensha]

Eh? We're on your side of town, though. [ she rises as smoothly, but it's not as impressive. ]

[ex_doubly406]

There's a court near your place, right? [And leading her out of the cluster of tables like she really is a princess.] I want to drop by before I go back.

[jitensha]

[ s-so suave. ]

After just playing a game... that really is just like you!

[ex_doubly406]

[Only sometimes.]

Really? Hmm, but I can't just have you go home by yourself either.

[jitensha]

It's okay! I'm just happy I get to spend a little more time with you.

[ it's so rare, after all. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[Ehehe...]

This way we can be on a date a little longer too!

[jitensha]

Then, it's okay to still hold hands?

[ex_doubly406]

You don't need to ask.

[jitensha]

[ ... right, it's girlfriend privilege!!

Which is probably why she looks so delighted when she squeezes his hand, even though she's trying to act cool. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[She's so happy about it, he can't help but smile. It's cute, the way her face brightens just because she can hold his hand. Her ponytail bouncing along with her steps helps too.

So unfortunately he's not doing a good job of being cool either. He's halfway there to happy lalaland, her hand in his and basketball on his mind. It's perfect. In fact he's talking a mile a minute, making exaggerated gestures while doing so.

Wow, they're being so subtle about everything. No one would guess that that's model-kun wearing a hat or idol prince with a ponytail being That Obnoxious Couple. Great job guys.]

[jitensha]

[ hey, so long as no one approaches them about it, Makoto is perfectly content with the disguise. And the hand-holding. And his talking, since she'll listen with rapt attention and jump into the conversation with her own enthusiasm. It makes for a fast journey back home, and they're at the court before she knows it. ]

It's been awhile...

[ex_doubly406]

Hasn't it?

[He's already tossing his bag on the nearby bench, letting her hand go so that he can take out his basketball.]

Reminds me of when we met at my job.

[jitensha]

[ she grins, planting her feet solidly and doing a few quick twists to stretch. There's just something about a court or any sort of playing field that simultaneously comforts her and gets her all excited. ]

I couldn't believe there was someone who could play like that, back then.

[ex_doubly406]

Is that a compliment? But I'm not the only one. [It's Basketball Is War time.] None of them are going to go down easy, so I can't slack off now just because I'm better than average.

[He shoots the ball up into the air a couple of times, catching it in one hand easily every time it comes back down.

Just some shooting prep. And maybe this way she won't notice the subtle way he rotates his ankle; he should really be resting that after a game but haha let's just never talk about his injury how about that.]

[jitensha]

I can't think of anyone who'd want you to.

[ she's attentive, though, and she's known of his injury. Maybe she's oblivious to her trouble with disguises or the way she underestimates her own appeal, but Makoto knows physicality. And as he practices, she keeps an eye on his leg, making a mental note not to let him push himself too much. ]

I mean, isn't it more fun when you've got a challenge?

1/2

[ex_doubly406]

[How does she always do that? He hasn't told her about his days before he joined the basketball club; how incredibly, frustratingly boring everything was for him. He didn't tell her about how he let himself get stagnant too, stopping himself and calling it a 'challenge'.

He wasn't wrong about her being amazing, huh.]

Makocchi...

[ex_doubly406]

[He passes the ball to her.]

Your turn!

[He smiles, hanging back to watch. 'Lucky' was kind of how he was feeling right now.]

[jitensha]

Huh--

[ that's a strange look he's giving her, almost like she's gone and stunned him somehow. And Makoto wants to dwell on that, maybe lets herself think for a few seconds, but she comes up short. She'd just been honest, and that was how she generally felt about her own situation. Victory was nice, but it never felt as good as it did when you didn't have to fight for it. Even her harder struggles had been worth it, as much trouble as she'd gone through to achieve them.

She's not considering that now, though, catching the ball and working herself into a dribbling pattern. One side, then the other, through the legs, spinning to catch it as it curves behind her. It's almost like dancing with it, even though it's just a simple warm-up. ]