7

"Nana, what a coincidence."

Sendoh brought back the basketball team's new uniforms from Ryonan. The number on his jersey was "7."

"Akira, you'll be unstoppable on the court now. I'll look after you from here on out, okay?"

Hazuki Nanase knelt on the bed and reached for the blue-and-white jersey. She missed it and pitched forward. Sendoh reacted quickly, stepping in to catch her. Just in time.

The apple juice slipped from Nanase's hand and splashed all over the bedroom, like a shower of fireworks.

The ceiling, the white walls, the pale blue bedsheets: nothing escaped.

"Y-yeah. Watch where you're going."

Nanase landed safely in Sendoh's waiting arms. Facing his gentle smile, she stuck out her tongue and said,

"Good! You'd better know it! But I made a mess of your room again. Sorry!"

Sendoh just smiled. He didn't mind. He was used to it.

Used to Nanase, who had been by his side for as long as he could remember. Used to her quiet company and her boisterous presence. Used to her linking arms with him to buy an ice cream to share when she was happy, and to her tears as she buried herself against his chest and cried when she was sad.

Used to her making a mess on his bed and falling asleep before she knew it, and to covering her with a blanket.

Used to a love he couldn't bring himself to confess, one that had accidentally lasted twenty years.

P.S. 7 = Nana = Nanase.

P.P.S. OOC warning. I'll do my best to keep the characters true to their personalities.

P.P.P.S. There are plotlines involving other relationships.

Theme: A touch yet not a touch