#sasodeiglory

Turning around, the redhead frowned slightly to see the tall male walking towards him, hands in his pockets with a lazy grin on his lips, the stick of a lollipop dangling between them lazily.

"Atsushi," he greeted quietly with a slight nod, displeasure still etched on his face. "Is there something you need?"

"Yeah," the violet haired male nodded, his grin slipping as he approached, a serious expression donning his face, "You've been avoiding me."

"Have I."

It wasn't asked as a question although it seemed to be one, spoken as a statement. Akashi frowned, red brow knitting. "What makes you say that?"

"Aka-chin, I'm not stupid," Murasakibara answered, "You tell the others what they need to work on but not me and it's not like you to only give praise. So what's up? Did I do something to annoy you?"

Akashi didn't answer at first, simply sighed and crossed his arms, holding the jacket draped around his shoulders a bit closer to him, the draft from opening and closing doors of the gym causing him to feel a bit cold. Continuing to stay silent, he turned so he was facing him, not bothered by the height difference between them.

"I don't understand."

"Understand what?" Murasakibara asked in response to Akashi's answer, frowning.

"How you hate basketball," Akashi sighed, looking disgusted by the thought, "yet how you can still play and still be good at it. How can you play without a passion? What do you take this as, a joke?"

His eyes narrowed and Murasakibara found himself hesitating, remembering how Akashi didn't do well with those that he felt disrespected him.

"I don't take it as a joke," he said after just a moment, being sure to keep an eye on the scowling redhead, "I take it seriously. You see that, don't you? I work hard in practice and stuff."

"Do you not care about winning or losing?"

"It's impossible to be on a team with you without caring about winning, isn't it?" he offered with a slight grin, trying to relax the tension, "It's just... we're different. I'm different, that is. Maybe I don't have a passion for the sport, maybe I hate it. But on the court what matters is skill, isn't it? Whatever helps us win. I have skills, others have passion. Because in the end isn't the only important thing us winning?"

Akashi wasn't pleased with the answer but Murasakibara did notice that the crease between his brow lifted ever so slightly and could let out a sigh of relief, knowing he hadn't angered him too much.

"At least you have the right mentality," he muttered and turned around, walking off, "you're not completely devoid of rationality."

"I heard tha--"