CHAPTER TWO

~Kagami~

It's been three days since Midorima gave me the news. I remember smiling, not realizing that the tears had already started streaming down my face.

"You're lying, right?" I said to him, my voice a mere whisper.

"Kagami.." Midorima said, as he reached out to comfort me.

I put my hand up, denying it. My breathing was heavy, and I wiped away the tears with the back of my hand, before looking up and saying quietly,

"You might as well just tell me that I should stop breathing."

I knew it was wrong to be mad at Midorima, it wasn't his fault. But, I needed someone to blame for this mess. Fuck.

Suddenly my phone vibrated, and Momoi's name lit up the screen. I sighed, knowing that she and Aomine have been trying to contact since Aomine had taken me home that night. I ignored the call, tossing it on the couch.

I walked into the kitchen, hating that everywhere I went in this damn flat made me remember Kuroko.

"Kagami-kun, do you want tea or coffee?"

"Coffee" I mumbled back, still submerged in my newspaper. He set the steaming mug in front of me, but the newspaper blocked my view.

"Kagami-kun"

"Hmm?" I said, as I folded my newspaper and took a sip of the coffee before looking at him.

His lips met mine for a brief moment, and I couldn't hide my pleasant surprise. He smiled innocently and said softly,

"Good morning Kagami-kun"

I was pulled out of my memories when my phone started buzzing again. I groaned,

"Jesus Momoi, I'm fine" I said to myself, but picked up anyway.

"Hello?

"Hello Taiga."

Akashi?

"Akashi?" I said, even though I could see his name in block letters on my screen.

"Yes this is he. How are you doing, Taiga?"

"I'm…I've been better" I said, sitting down on the black leather couch that Kuroko had doodled on countless times, earning a slap on the back from me.

"I'm very sorry about everything Taiga" Akashi said, sincerity showing.

"Thank you Akashi. So, what's wrong? Is Kuroko okay?" I asked, changing the subject for the sole purpose of not wanting to be pitied.

"Ah, yes. Tetsuya will be leaving the hospital today, and he wants to meet you" Akashi said.

I sat there, my mouth open, my mind processing what Akashi just said.

"He….h-he wants to meet me?" I said, not able to hide my disbelief.

I could hear Akashi chuckle on the other end, "Yes, is that really so hard to believe? They're discharging him in about half an hour, so I'll drop him off in an hour. Make sure to clean that flat of yours, Taiga"

I nodded even though he couldn't see me, "Yes…okay, thank you. Thank you Akashi"

Akashi said good-bye and the line went dead. I sat there, feeling better than I have in the past three days. I couldn't contain my happiness when I suddenly jumped up and yelled happily,

"YATTAAAAAAAA!"

I dusted the mirror near my front door for the third time in the last half hour, I needed something to take my mind off of being so nervous. Yes, I was nervous about meeting my own boyfriend. Is he even still my boyfriend? Of course he is, we never broke up. But, he did forget me so I guess this was a special condition.

I was lost in my own thoughts and fears when the sound of my doorbell travelled around the apartment. I shook my head, ridding myself of all the doubts in my mind.

I took a deep breath before opening the door, reassuring myself that everything was going to be okay. I turned the doorknob and it revealed Akashi and, oh shit.

Kuroko was standing next to Akashi in dark black skinny jeans and a white long sleeved shirt. His hair was messed up, as if he had just gotten out of bed. He looked amazing.

"Taiga, good afternoon" Akashi said, offering his hand. It took me a full minute to get over Kuroko, I blinked my eyes and smiled at Akashi, crushing him in a hug.

"Don't be so formal, Akashi" I said, grinning, desperately trying to hide the nervous feeling at the pit of my stomach.

Akashi usually slapped the back of my head whenever I hugged him, but I think he knew what I was doing.

Akashi hit Kuroko gently with the back of his hand, gesturing him towards me. Before, Kuroko's eyes had been wandering, but then he looked at me straight on. His eyes just stole the life right out of me, but in a good way.

"Kagami Taiga?" He said, and I could sense a bit of hesitation in his voice. I nodded furiously, probably looking like an idiot. He held out his hand, just like Akashi had,

"I'm Kuroko Tetsuya. Nice to meet you"

I looked at his hand for a second and then back up at his eyes. I chuckled slightly, he was offering me a handshake when I wanted to hug him and kiss him and tell him how stupid he was for not letting me drive him to work that day. But of course I couldn't do that. That would only scare him away, and I would rather start all over again that not have him in my life at all. So I sucked it up and shook his hand firmly,

"It's nice to meet you too"