Missing String
It was one rainy night…
"What do you think you're doing?" Aomine furiously asked Satsuki, his childhood friend who talked to their coach not to let him play during their interhigh semi-finals and finals because of his elbow injury.
"You should not have done that!" he added
"But you'd play recklessly again against Akashi-kun, wouldn't you? If anything were to happen…" Satsuki replied with overflowing concern for him
But…
"I told you not to worry about that! Since when did you become my guardian?! Don't show your face again here, ugly!" Aomine carelessly uttered to someone he knows is worried about him
Satsuki never thought that Aomine, her childhood best friend that she truly treasures will ever say those words to her.
"What's your problem, Aomine ganguro?! Like I care!" Satsuki threw her notes to Aomine's face.
Satsuki ran away from Aomine, not minding the pouring rain. Her heart began to hurt as if a knife was stabbed on it. But, she was not the only one. Aomine was also shocked with what he said. He knew for himself that he would never want to hurt her. Even so, he seriously hurt his childhood best friend's feelings.
Rushing through the rain with nowhere to go to... Satsuki thought of Kuroko, her middle school friend and one of the regulars of Teikou Middle School Basketball team that Aomine and her were also part of.
It was dark, the ground was wet, and everything was blurred… Satsuki ran as fast as she could as she wiped the tears flowing from her eyes. As she nearly approaches Seirin basketball gym, she stopped and looked at the dark sky as every drop of the rain ran through her face. As she finally went back to her senses, she went inside and the second years of Seirin basketball club saw her.
Satsuki was warmly accommodated by Kuroko's upperclassmen as she waited for him to come back with the other members of Seirin basketball club from a street basketball tournament. As Kuroko arrived, she told them about what happened and as she feared that she is being hated by Aomine because of what she did. Kuroko was surprised with what Satsuki told them, but he assured her that Aomine will never hate her because of that. He was able to calm Satsuki down, but behind what she showed them is still a heart hurting and a confused mind.
Kuroko volunteered to walk Satsuki back and offered her a make-up gift that she can tell to Aomine about, his new basketball style.
"You don't want me to go the rest of the way?" Kuroko worriedly asked Satsuki
"I'll be okay. Thanks for today" a lie that Satsuki had to make for Kuroko not to worry
As she ran to the other side of the street, she puts on a show that she was totally fine and even with a loud voice she told Kuroko "Let's play basketball again someday with everyone!"
Satsuki turned around, lowered her gaze, and put her right hand on her chest.
"I cannot afford to make them worry about me." She whispered
Her feet continued to walk to an unending road, as if she is alone in a busy fast moving city.
Aomine's words continued to echo in her restless mind and kept on piercing her heart.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"You should not have done that!"
"I told you not to worry about that!"
"Since when did you become my guardian?!"
"Don't show your face again here, ugly!"
Tears flowed from her eyes as the rain started to pour again.
Satsuki grasped her chest with her right hand as her left hand covered her eyes full of tears.
"To hear those words from Daichan, I never thought that it would be this painful" She cried as she sat down on a bench in a park they used to play at when they were kids.
"What is happening to me? I know that Daichan didn't mean those words, but still.. Too painful for me to handle" Satsuki cried as she catches her breath.
Satsuki who devoted herself and her life looking after Aomine, sacrificed her own happiness just to make sure he will be in the right track and won't do anything that will negatively affect him.
"I have known him right from the first memory I ever had, he has always been where I am, and he is part of my everyday life just like the sky has the clouds. I can never imagine living life without him. He has always been the childhood best friend that I share my memories with." Satsuki cried
"Satsuki, oi" Aomine said with a deep, soft voice as he watch Satsuki angrily ran away from him with tears in her eyes.
About 5 minutes after Satsuki ran away from Aomine towards somewhere he was not certain of, he started to run around their school campuses and grounds to look for her.
"Satsuki! Satsuki! Satsuki" Aomine screamed inside his head as he ran "Where did that idiot go?" he irritatingly asked himself that he hated for hurting his childhood best friend.
Aomine searched every room, every building, and every corner of their school looking for a chance to take back what he said and properly apologize. But, Satsuki was nowhere to be found.
"I never meant anything that I said. Satsuki, you know me more than anyone else" Aomine said as he closed his eyes and gather all the reason he could think of that she will understand.
As Aomine entered Satsuki's classroom, he saw her bag and a pile of research data on her table. As he walked towards her stuff he saw a photo in between the pile of paper. He took it out and couldn't help but to draw a smirk on his face.
"That idiot, keeping this very embarrassing photo of us when we were kids" Aomine smirked. "I need to see you now!" he added. Aomine unconsciously put their picture in his pocket.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"You did that because you are worried of me, right?"
"You should not have done that!"
"No, that's wrong. I am glad you did"
"I told you not to worry about that!"
"Even if I asked you, of course you won't"
"Since when did you become my guardian?!"
"You have always been and I am glad it's you"
"Don't show your face again here, ugly!"
"Where are you now? I want to see you now and properly talk to you"
Aomine continued to look for Satsuki, but he was not able to find her. He then started to feel uneasy and dead worried.
*ring* *ring*
"Oi, Kuroko! What are you doing?" Kagami asked
"I am trying to call Aomine-kun…" Kuroko answered
"Why?" Hyuuga interrupted
"I just want to make sure that Momoi-san arrived home safely" Kuroko looked at his phone.
"What do you mean? Didn't you walk her home?" Izuki asked
"Momoi-san said that she will be fine on her own" Kuroko answered
"Whaaaaaaaat?" they all shouted
"Look who lacks delicacy now!" Kagami said
"There are girls who try to be strong just to make sure she is not a burden to those around her. I had a feeling that she felt guilty for dragging you into what happened between her and Aomine-kun. Her eyes, her eyes were clouded. I am sure she is still not okay" Riko explained
Kuroko immediately cancelled his call to Aomine and instead called Satsuki, but because she left her phone inside her bag there was no answer.
"Momoi-san…" Kuroko worriedly whispered
"Try to call Aomine again" Kagami suggested
Kuroko did as Kagami said
*rings* *rings*
The call finally connected
"Aomine-kun! Aomine-kun!" Kuroko shouted
"Don't shout, Tetsu!" Aomine screamed
"Sorry. Is Momoi-san with you now?" Kuroko asked
Aomine was surprised with Kuroko's question
"Why? Did something happen?" Aomine asked
"Momoi-san went here at our school and told us about what happened between you and her. She was worried that you hate her because of what she did" Kuroko answered
"That idiot Satsuki!" Aomine sounded pissed
"Is she with you now?" Kuroko asked "Momoi-san was really problematic and depressed. I want to make sure that she went home safe" Kuroko added
"She doesn't have to be depressed over that stuff. There is no way I would hate her for that" Aomine confirmed
"But she did" Kuroko said
A moment of total silence covered Aomine.
"Is she home?" Kuroko asked
"I am now running towards her house to make sure" Aomine answered as he returns to his senses.
"Dai-kun! Dai-kun! I'm glad you've arrived" Satsuki's mom said as Aomine ran towards her.
"Auntie, is Satsuki home?" Aomine asked
"You mean, you don't know where Sachan is?" She asked as her voice trembles
Aomine's chest began to feel heavy.
"I thought Sachan is with Dai-kun. I am worried she is not yet home" She told Aomine
"Aomine-kun! Aomine-kun!" Kuroko shouted
"Excuse me Auntie for a while. Tetsu, Satsuki is not yet home" Aomine said "I'll look for her" he added
Aomine began to run around where his feet bring him.
As Satsuki calmed herself after crying her pain out, she looked at the big clock at the park where she was.
"Ah! It's past my curfew already. My family could be worried sick of me. I need to go home." Satsuki said
She stood up, wiped her tears, and drew out a handkerchief from her pocket.
"This" her eyes opened wide as tears flow from her eyes again.
"Daichan gave this to me on my 7th birthday; I still have it with me" She laughed "I have decided! I must forget about what happened and face him normally" She added
Though Satsuki decided that, she knew for certain that the pain was still there.
"It hurts too much" She whispered to herself "No matter how I persuade myself that Daichan just got carried away and he didn't mean it at all, the pain still remains" she added "Waaaaaaa how can I throw this pain away? I want to forget about this totally!" she screamed
"Whatever! I need to go home!" Satsuki screamed as she dash
"Oi, Maya! Hold onto my hand. I will walk you home" a little boy said to a little girl with him
"Thank you, Kanachan" the little girl answered
As Satsuki look at the two little kids, she couldn't help but to see Aomine and her on them when they were kids.
"We were just like them. Always together, we always have each other" Satsuki smiled
"Why do you need to bring your teddy bear?" the little boy asked
"Because I love her" the little girl answered
"Maya, we are now crossing the street. Stay calm" the little boy reached out his hand to her
"Yes! My parents are always away, I am happy Kanachan is with me" the little girl held his hand
"Kanachan? Doesn't it sound like a girl's name?" the little boy asked
'But, it's cute" the little girl smiled
"Do as you please" the little boy smirked
The two kids then crossed the pedestrian lane, while holding each other's hand.
"Let's run!" the little boy whispered
But, as they run the little girl dropped her teddy bear and they both let go of each other's hand.
"Maya!" the little boy shouted as he is about to go back for her
*beeeeeeep*
A bright light began to surround them as a fast approaching car was about to hit the little girl, Satsuki ran and grabbed her.
"Maya! Oneesan!" the little boy ran to them
"Kanachan, I'm okay" the little girl stood up
Satsuki shielded the little girl, wrapped her arms around her. As they slide on the wet ground, Satsuki hit her head on a metal fence.
"Satsuki, where are you?" Aomine screamed as he continued to run and look for her
*ring* *ring*
"Auntie, is Satsuki home?" Aomine asked
Silence made Aomine stopped from running
"Auntie, are you there? Did something happen? Is Satsuki home?" Aomine asked
"Dai-kun, Sachan…" she answered as she burst in tears
"Auntie? Auntie? What happened? Is Satsuki okay?" Aomine shouted
"Dai-kun, I got a call. Sachan got into an accident" she cried "She was brought to the hospital near your school" she added
Without saying anything, Aomine started to run as fast as he could.
As Aomine arrived in the hospital, his legs began to tremble that he could hardly walk properly.
"Satsuki, please be okay" Aomine whispered
"Dai-kun" Satsuki's mom called Aomine
"Auntie, where is she?" he asked
"She is fine now. They already treated her wound and she is now resting" she answered, "She is fine as it is but according to the doctor we can't be 100% sure for now. She needs to undergo more tests after she wakes up" she added
Aomine and Satsuki's mom entered Satsuki's hospital room slowly. Aomine went near Satsuki, touched her hand, and closed his eyes.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"You did that because you are worried of me, right?"
"You should not have done that!"
"No, that's wrong. I am glad you did"
"I told you not to worry about that!"
"Even if I asked you, of course you won't"
"Since when did you become my guardian?!"
"You have always been and I am glad it's you"
"Don't show your face again here, ugly!"
"Satsuki, hurry up and wake up. I have to tell you this properly"
After 5 hours…
"Auntie, I am just going to buy us something to eat" Aomine suggested
"Thank you, Dai-kun. I am happy Satsuki has you in her life" Satsuki's mom said
Aomine smirked, turned his back, and whispered "…and I will always be with her"
As Aomine was about to enter the convenience store he remembered Kuroko.
"Ah! Tetsu, he might still be worried" he said
*ring* *ring*
"Aomine-kun?" Tetsu answered Aomine's call
"Is that Aominecchi?" a familiar voice said
"Yes, Kise-kun. Kindly stay quiet" Kuroko covered Kise's mouth
"But but… Have you found Momocchi?" Kise asked
"When I told my upperclassmen about Momoi-san they offered to help look for her. I also called Kise-kun and Midorima-kun to help." Kuroko said
"Satsuki…" Aomine whispered
"Did something happen?" Kuroko asked
"She got into an accident" Aomine answered
"Whaaaaat?" they screamed
"But, she is fine now. Her wound was treated already; we are just waiting for her to wake up. I was not able to inform you immediately, sorry" Aomine said
"Don't mind it! It was for Momocchi anyway" Kise assured
"Where is she?" Kuroko asked
"Hospital near our school" Aomine answered
"We will be heading there now" Kise hurriedly ended their call
As Aomine finished buying food, he saw a pink hair clip and thought of buying it for Satsuki.
"Me? Buying something like that? Impossible!" Aomine struggled
He kept on looking at it then looking away from it. After doing it for several times that took him more than an hour, Aomine decided to buy the hair clip "Okay okay! I'll buy it". Aomine had it in a cute tiny paper bag.
As he walked near Satsuki's hospital room, Satsuki's mom went out and hugged him.
"Dai-kun! Sachan woke up already" She happily said to Aomine
Aomine felt a weight lifted from his heart and couldn't help but smile.
"Dai-kun, I have to go and tell the doctor that Sachan is awake already. I leave her to you, please look after her. Kise-kun, Midorima-kun, and Kuroko-kun are inside also" she smiled
Satsuki's mom then went to the nurse station and talk to the doctor.
Aomine's hand was trembling as he reached the doorknob, had a deep sigh and entered Satsuki's room.
Satsuki was happily conversing with Kuroko, Kise and Midorima while eating the burgers that they brought. Aomine smiled as he looked at his childhood best friend.
"I am glad that you are fine, Momoi-san" Kuroko said
"Thank you, Tetsu-kun" Satsuki smiled
"Look, Momocchi! Midorimacchi brought you a teddy bear" Kise took Midorima's teddy bear.
"Oi, Kise! That's my lucky item for today" Midorima took back his teddy bear from Kise.
"Give it to Momocchi!" Kise insisted
"Let him be, Ki-chan. I understand and it is fine" Satsuki laughed
Midorima looked down and handed his teddy bear to Satsuki
"Here you go, please recover fast" Midorima said
"Midorin, is it really okay? Satsuki asked
Midorima nodded thrice, Kuroko and Kise got surprised that Midorima gave his lucky item to Satsuki. She poked the teddy bear with a smile on her face.
"Amaziiiiing, Midorimacchi" Kise hugged Midorima
"Idiot! Let go of me" Midorima pushed Kise's face away. Kuroko and Satsuki laughed at them.
Aomine dropped the hairclip that he bought for her and it got everyone's attention. Satsuki slowly turned and smile at Aomine.
"Aominecchi" Kise stood up
"Aomine-kun" Kuroko smiled
"Aomine" Midorima looked away
Aomine looked at Satsuki who was looking at him with a confused face.
Satsuki asked as she slowly tilt her head sideward...
"Who are you?"
-to be continued-
