Chapter 22:

Fate

The boys had their match in the morning and the girls in the afternoon. The first session had just got over. The gom were heading outside to the assembly point. They saw the girls were getting ready to go inside.

"Shall we wish them luck?" inquired Kuroko.

"Might as well. Even though they will probably ace it anyway...." said Aomine.

So the gom headed over. To their surprise, instead of the calm faces that they'd been expecting, they found Sora and Akira huddled around a crying Yukiji.

"Is anything wrong, nanodayo?" inquired Midorima.

"Speak of the devil....." said Sora a bit acidly.

"Did I do anything wrong, nanodayo?" said Midorima gulping.

"Yeah." snapped Akira. "This is all because of you."

"Me, nanodayo?"

"Might I know what's going on here?" said Akashi.

"Apparently Aries's lucky item today is a pair of glasses." said Sora. "No one we know has an extra pair. So she thinks she's going to mess up."

"Yuki-chin, do you want a cookie instead?" said Murasakibara. Yukiji shook her head stubbornly.

"Thanks for offering though, Murasakibara-san." said Sora. "Yuki-san, buck up!"

"There's no chance of getting a pair?" inquired Aomine.

"No. But Satsuki's gone to enquire. We don't know someone who has a low power and can manage without them....."

"Yukiji-san, you're awesome. So it won't matter. Luck or no luck, you guys are going to win." said Kuroko.

"I don't think it's any use, Kuroko-kun." said Akira. "We already tried."

Just then Kise bounded up. "Kurokocchi! I've been looking for you. Mou! You guys left me."

"There's a sort of emergency here, Ki-chan." said Akira.

"Eh? What's wrong?" Kise was brought up to speed.

"Oh, that's the matter...." he said. "Hmm.... I think I know somebody who can help." He rushed off.

"That's two people we've sent off on a goose chase...." muttered Sora.

Unfortunately, coach began to call them. They were heading to the locker room. Yukiji looked up in despair. Midorima hesitated. Then he slowly removed his glasses and held it out.

"Keep it. For luck, nanodayo."

"Eh?" said Yukiji.

"Somehow, I feel responsible. Please take them. May fate aid you in your endeavors, nanodayo."

Everyone looked at him, shocked. Yukiji blinked. She took the glasses from him.

"Thank you, Shintaro!" she said with a smile, wiping her tears as they headed to the locker room.

After they left, Aomine began to laugh. "Might I ask how the knight in shining armour intends to survive the next hour?"

Midorima choked. He'd forgotten about that.

"Aho! I can manage, nanodayo." he said shakily.

"You did a very nice thing, Midorima-kun." said Kuroko.

"Kuroko's right." said Akashi. "I'll help you. Come." he said, taking his arm.

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

"Why aren't they announcing anything? This is most callous, nanodayo." said Midorima.

"Midorima-kun, they haven't started. There's no one on the court." pointed out Kuroko.

"Oi, how much is this?" said Aomine holding up three fingers.

"Aho! Anyone can see that that's a four."

Aomine roared with laughter. "Damn, I can't even call you four eyes now."

"Mido-chin's too rash." said Murasakibara.

"What the hell were you thinking?" demanded Aomine.

"Quit picking on him. He's done a good deed." said Akashi.

"I agree. Midorima-kun, do you want a running commentary?" said Kuroko.

"That won't be necessary, nanodayo."

"We'll do it anyway." said Akashi gently.

"And..... There's a group of wild horses on the court along with a few giraffes. Can you see them? Giraffe is going to dunk! Score!" said Aomine.

"Aho! Stop. Please....."

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

The match finally got over. The girls came out. Akira held a thumbs up. They'd won.

Midorima was clutching Akashi like a blind man. Yukiji bounded up to him.

"Thank you so much, Shintaro. May fate bless you." she said holding out his glasses.

"You're welcome." said Midorima groping the air because he couldn't quite see his glasses.

"Idiot." said Yukiji with a laugh, putting them on for him, not too gently. "There! God, you looked terrible without them....."

Tears of relief welled up in Midorima's eyes.

"Aww.... He can see again." said Aomine grinning.

"Aho! Don't kill the vibe!" said Akira.

Sora pulled Akashi aside. "I'm glad that got over.... How did he manage?"

"You don't want to know."