Aether in fact did forget everything the next day and despite Kunikuzushis wishes, he is not happy about it. Today, they finally presented their project that had made them work together in the first place. The professor loved the presentation and everything went by smoothly. Kunikuzushi assumed that this might be the end of his interaction with Aether but Aether had other plans. He called him over after the lesson and they went for lunch like they always did when doing the project together. This surprised Kunikuzushi as he was expecting Aether to cut contact with him as he had always been an asshole to him.
"We should celebrate that the Project went so well and we got the highest marks in the class!" Aether beamed at him.
"Does this really call for a celebration?"
"Why yes, I should be thankful that we both didn't end up killing each other."
This made Kunikuzushi hit Aether at the back of his knee that almost made Aether fall on his face.
"I guess I should do the deed already" Aether found his bearings and grabbed Kunikuzushi by the collar.
"Oii Kunii!" an energetic voice came from behind them and they were met with a redhead, "What are you doing here?"
"Can't you see?" Kunikuzushi deadpanned while Aether let go of his collar and greeted Ajax.
"Oh, who's this?" Ajax asked, slinging his arm around Aethers shoulder.
"He's Aether," Kunikuzushi replied, looking with annoyance at Ajax.
"Dang you made a friend?" Ajax said with surprise, "Congratulations man."
"Go away," Kunikuzushi swatted his hand towards Ajax and started walking to the café.
"Wait wait," Ajax called out as he and Aether walked up to Kunikuzushi, "Actually I came here because of the basketball match!"
"You know I don't play anymore." Kunikuzushi replied uninterested.
"What type of basketball match?" Aether asked with interest.
"Oh it's to represent the University in the inter university competition!" Ajax chirped, "The coach loves Kunikuzushi so I must recruit him."
"I'm no-" Kunikuzushi started but stopped as Aether commented, "Can I join? I play pretty well myself."
"How long have you played for and what position?"
"I played all my middle and high school years," Aether commented excitedly, "I'm a shooting guard."
"Good good, we need a shooting guard but how come you are not in the basketball club?"
"Because my professor recommended that to go for the reading club for my major but I really really wanted to be on the basketball team. Unfortunately, us literature students are not allowed to participate in any sports club." he pouted with disappointment.
"Damn tough luck but sure dude, just come to practice tomorrow so that the coach can decide if you are good enough, no offence by the way."
"How many players are needed?" Kunikuzushi said, trying not to show any interest after Aethers declaration of joining the team.
"Oh three for now, because one of the guys withdrew because he was transferring to another university, one failed in the exam so he can't participate and one dude got injured in a car accident and we have no-one on the roster due to the guys ongoing exams." Ajax sighed.
'Hmm, I'll see if I can make it." Kunikuzushi commented nonchalantly, looking fondly at Aether and his excited expressions. This earned him a sceptical look from Ajax, Kunikuzushi never agrees to something he just said no to, he wonders what's up with these two. He must find out tomorrow, Ajax mentally decides as he says his byes to both guys after giving Aether his contact information for the practice match tomorrow.
.
.
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The next day rolls around and Kunikuzushi finds himself admiring the radiating excitement from Aether about the match. Who knew that Aether would share this hobby with him and get so excited over it. Aether had been showering him with questions related to his experience in basketball since last night, he bathed in the attention as he replied to all of his curiosities.
As of now, they are on their way to the basketball court messaged by Ajax. Aether was wearing a casual white and black hoodie with trousers, the weather was changing rapidly into a cooler one, the gentle wind was a bit colder now but overall, it was pleasant. They made small talk while walking towards the court.
"Heyy" Ajax called out to them from the court, the team was wearing their uniform even for the practice match.
"Ah Kunikuzushi, I am so happy to see you here." The coach approached them and patted Kunikuzushi on the back. "Care to introduce yourself young man?" he looked at Aether expectantly.
"Ah yes," Aether started, now all the attention of the boys on him, "I am Aether, 2nd semester English Literature student and I have played basketball since middle school," he finished bowing, "Nice to meet you all."
"Okay then," The coach clapped once to get everyone's attention, "Lets get on with the match then, Ajax, Aethers in your team and Gorou, Kuni's all yours. We shall have a 3 versus 3 practice match. You have 15 minutes to stretch before the match. You new guys, get to know your team while you stretch and good luck."
Kunikuzushi followed Ajax and started stretching, he already knew the guys as he had played with them before casually and went to watch multiple matches on Ajax's insistence. He noticed a commotion over at the other team, the guys stretching and talking enthusiastically with Aether.
"Damn dude your hair looks amazing," one of the guys said, "How did you get them so long? Mine could never."
"What do you recommend?" Another started, "I've been trying to grow out my hair for a while but they get so frizzy."
"Oh umm actually," Aether scratched his cheek shyly, "I use whatever my neighbor aunty brings me, she runs a herbal hair care business."
"I want a neighbor like that." one of them whined.
"Hey can I touch your hair?" a guy said.
"Uhh sure I guess." Aether smiled. That prompted everyone in his team to fawn over his hair, touching his braid carefully and exclaiming over how soft it is.
"You are making one scary face dude."
Ajaxs' comment made Kunikuzushi come back to the real world, noticing Ajax looking at him with a glint in his eyes.
"You got a thing for the dude huh?"
"No." Kunikuzushi said, still fuming over the dirty ass dude surrounding Aether.
"Mhm, whatever you say."
"Damn these monkeys," The coach said exasperated, " How many times do I have to tell you not to overwhelm the newbies!" He shook his head, "The practice match will follow the standard rules of basketball and we will play two halves of 20 minutes each. Get in position and let the match begin."
And thus the practice match started.