As soon as he comes to himself, he knows he is in an unknown territory. Here is not his bedroom, not school's rooftop, not his classroom, not the infirmary. Just where is he?

The smell hits him almost immediately when he is fully awake. It is different and like the place, it is unknown. It is intense but not disturbingly. And he was wrong; the smell isn't completely unknown to him. It carries faint familiarity.

The scent reminds him beach under sunny sky. He can almost hear the waves of the ocean hitting the coast and there stands he. His back is turned and his feet are buried in white edges of shallow waves. It is the image of serenity.

He likes this smell.

He desires to be in that picture. He closes his eyes back and inhales deeply. He is in a state between sleep and conscious.

He hears a soft click and footsteps. Now there is a cool hand on his forehead that makes him sigh. Then the coolness is gone but quickly replaced with a wet cloth. However, it doesn't feel comfortable as much. He decides to scold the person who retreaded their hand, so he looks. His eyes widen instantly because his face fills his vision.

Is it imagination or reality, he can't tell.

"Aomine?" He hesitates. Why does he hesitate?

"Obviously. Idiot." Aomine watches his eyebrow twitch in close to fascination.

"You are awake alright. Get up and go home."

"No." Aomine turns his back and nuzzles on the pillow. The cloth slides on his forehead.

"Hey!" He tries to turn him around but Aomine doesn't budge. He listens him sigh in exasperation and then his footsteps as he is getting out of the room.

"Kagami?" He calls as he tightly shuts his eyes.

"What?"

"I'm hungry."

"I don't care." The door is slammed shut.

Aomine nuzzles further on the pillow – the source of the smell. Then his nose touches something wet. When he opens his eyes, he sees the cloth he put on his forehead.

He smiles.

He then dozes off some more. He doesn't know how long he slept but when he opens his eyes it is enough to make him initially think he has gone blind. He slowly sits up and looks out the window. The sky is clear as the stars shine through the open curtain and it is so quiet. There are no honking cars, no neighbor clatters and no sound coming from the flat. He wonders where the stupid idiot went.

He gets up gradually. He is feeling better since the whirling in his head is gone. He finds his way to the door instinctively. Rest of the apartment is just as dark but his eyes are adjusting and he begins to notice the objects moonlight lightens.

He searches the apartment shortly before his eyes land on back of the couch. Top of red hair is sticking out from one edge and a pair of feet from the other. He goes closer to the furniture and looks down.

He expects a peaceful expression but there isn't. There is a crease between the unusual eyebrows and the eyes hidden behind closed eyelids keep moving. His breath hitches as he mumbles in his sleep. He is having a dream and not a pleasant one.

'Is there a lot on your mind?' and 'What are you dreaming about?' he would like to know, he decides. He kneels by the head of the couch. He mumbles again and turns; they come face to face.

He hesitates at first but then slowly, he touches the soft red hair. He stirs under his touch; his body and face relax soon after as his breath evens.

He doesn't know what to do next. He hears the music coming from the falling headphones as he tries to think of what he should do but the view right before his face is distracting, enticing, captivating. He can come up with more adjectives if he lingers on the thought further but he shouldn't. Just as he shouldn't lean and whisper his name.

"Kagami…"

Another stir from sleeping teenager makes him flinch. He retreads his hand and stands up as he comes back to his senses. What was he doing? What was he going to do? What if he woke up when he called him? He needs to move away from the couch, away from him but his legs don't move and his eyes refuse to see something else other than him.

Luckily, he doesn't wake up, instead continues to sleep soundly. Aomine eventually sits on the coffee table in front of the couch and once again freely watches the face turned towards him; he won't get this chance one more time, so he carves every detail into his memory.

He has questions like how Aomine ended up in his apartment, why he nursed him, didn't he hate Aomine and so on – he doesn't require answers (because he can't get them), still he asks though only to himself. He's been certain he was disliked by him because whenever he saw Aomine, his eyes would flare up with anger, rivalry and something else Aomine doesn't know so ignores, and he would change his course. It was hatred – it is hatred; it has always been that, hasn't it? So why is he sleeping so defenselessly in front of him? Why did he give him his bed? Why did he take care of Aomine during his feverish sleeping? Why?

These kinds of questions give a sprout of life to hope but Aomine isn't sure he wants it. 'Hope' tends to be crushed one way or another in the end, he's learned albeit through different circumstances. Nevertheless, with hope, there are new-rising and old-improving feelings that he doesn't know what to do with. It has been so long since the last time he was so unsure of himself; he can just go ahead and claim that has never happened before.

Sometimes lashing out at insignificant things is too tempting (and he doesn't object to the urge, he complies, even) but sometimes he solely wants to sit in the middle of a crowded and lively street as he watches the life passing by as if he has an invisible shield and life can't touch him.

He has never done it though, because the rooftop seems to fulfill a proportion of that second urge. However, he has imagined; standing in the middle of Tokyo Square at night, people surrender him in every direction but they walk by – first slowly then swiftly, faces, noises, neon lights and streetlights gradually mixing and forming enormous nothingness.

He doesn't like his second urge. Although nothingness is alluring, it has nothing – not even flared red eyes or the many expressions he observed on the face red eyes belong. Aomine won't relinquish them because those observations are his even though the expressions weren't his to see, just like now, he peeked then – he always only peeks.

Openly staring, looking might cost much since one has to pay to have for what doesn't belong to them; otherwise, it is stealing and Aomine doesn't stoop that low. However, he probably doesn't have enough fund but those unforgettable eyes and facial features are precious enough for him to maintain purchasing, so he doesn't give up – or can't, more or less.

Abruptly, the music cuts off and the phone vibrates against the floor. The erupting sound is similar to a bee flying right next to one's ear; it doesn't give the person a chance to not jump in panic. That is the reason why Aomine finds himself beside the door he emerged earlier – he hates bees. Besides, he is likely to wake up due to the sound.

Then Aomine figures he might not really get up since he appears as a heavy sleeper. He didn't wake up under the pressure of Aomine's somewhat intense ogling and after his touching, even speaking. However, he is mistaken.

First shuffling then grunting reaches to his ears. The buzzing continues; Aomine guesses he tries to focus on the bright screen slashing the darkness (he cannot see the couch from his spot, he only imagines) before he answers the phone. To Aomine's surprise, he speaks in English.

He is fluent, Aomine didn't know. Even more surprising, he chats cheerfully – nothing like the grunting from a second ago. He seems he doesn't mind the time he receives the call then Aomine vaguely remembers Kise mentioning him returning from America. He is talking with someone he likes, Aomine knows that much now, because he sounds like this when he is with his friends – Aomine heard.

He didn't have any interest in the language before but now, he wishes he knew English – it sounds, more than not, nice. Although he doesn't understand, he concentrates on memorizing every word with every tone he uses. He stands and listens. His happiness is contagious; the gloom dissipates as his lively speech sneaks a smile to Aomine's lips.

Too soon to his liking, phone conversation ends. He freezes – isn't sure what to do, doesn't know what he will do, so he waits. The moment he hears more shuffling and light footsteps, Aomine enters his room as he softly closes the door behind him then sprints to the bed. He doesn't want to be caught awake, he doesn't know why.

He cannot fall asleep, it is a problem. He lies on his side, back turned to the rest of the room as he faces the window. He inspects the stars and attempts to do something impossible as counting them in order to sleep.

Squinting hurts his eyes and he probably counted the same star for ten times – he desists not too soon and takes a deep breath. His sigh turns into a hiccup when he hears the click of the door. His heartbeat synchronizes with the footsteps. He doesn't dare to move even though his nose itches badly, he endures.

The bed creaks as he sits on the other edge of the bed. Like before, there is a hand on his forehead but this time it is not cool, it is warm and a bit sweaty.

"Fever's down," Aomine hears him murmur. He feels like bursting into laughter, so he sort of wishes him to leave (but more than not he doesn't); nonetheless, he stays. His fingers even linger on Aomine's short bangs a little longer than what feels like normal. He feels his stare on him; the image of ruby eyes looking intently at his face gives him goosebumps. It seems as if he is closer more than ever and Aomine doesn't want to let go of this feeling.

Another creak makes his eyes fly open. 'He is leaving.' Before he can comprehend his own actions, Aomine is already hugging his arm and slightly pulling.

"Hey, what are you-! …still asleep…" Aomine almost sighs in relief as he believes his fake-sleeping. He doesn't know how he pulled it off when he turned around in panic and it doesn't matter because it worked. He is not leaving anymore, not even attempting.

However, the arm Aomine secured between his own arms and chest reflects the stiffness of its owner. He may not be going but he is considering, maybe trying to find a way out of Aomine's cage. He somewhat tightens his hug – he won't let go.

Soon after, the stiffness is gone and he slumps – he gives up. Aomine's heart thumps hard and he briefly wonders if he can feel it through his arm. That simple anxiety quickly leaves its place to astonishment. This is the second time he surprises Aomine in that night (he didn't know what he expected him to do but surely, he didn't expect this).

He lies next to him and not only that, he pats his head for a second or two with his free hand before saying "…g'night…"

Indeed, sleeping now will be very difficult.

. . .

Something is slightly burning his eyes and disturbing his sleep, so he opens his eyes but immediately squints because the culprit is sun. It is yet another clear day like the night before but Kagami is not deceived. He knows it is always colder after snowing.

He feels the protest of his shoulder as his arm is painfully numb. He barely turns his head and faces an indigo head. He can only blink through his blank memory. Then everything rushes back as how he grabbed his arm like a stuffed toy and wouldn't release it.

He is now loosely wrapped around Kagami's arm as his head is placed under the joint of his shoulder. It looks as if he can save his arm, so he slowly pulls but suddenly, he grabs it again and squeezes – it hurts. It hurts badly and Kagami ponders on how someone can be so strong when they are unconscious. In any case, he needs to get ready for school and since his fever went down last night, there shouldn't be any problem leaving him behind, sleeping. If Kagami can sever the death grip of his.

He notices the cloth at the other side of the bed; it is stuck between the bed and the wall under the window. He decides to use the old trick where one lightly tickles someone sleeping from one side and hope for that person to turn in that direction.

He lifts his body's free side and reaches over him to the cloth. He forgets to take his ring into account as the accessory suddenly pops from his shirt and travels along its chain towards his face. Kagami holds his breath as he waits for it to scrape the side of his forehead but fortunately, it misses.

He releases his breath as he picks the cloth; it is dry now and a bit rigid. He begins to tickle his cheek with it and when he raises his hand and bats the air away in his sleep, Kagami holds the cloth at where he can't reach. This repeats and every time, he mumbles as he slightly furrows his elegant brows. Kagami has fun with it until he catches the cloth and slams it to the wall behind him. Even the alarm clock at the windowsill falls to the bed.

Let alone expect this, has anyone ever done this? Kagami checks if he is awake but no, he is still asleep. 'Just how many bugs disturb you when you're sleeping?!' He sighs in exasperation and, he won't admit but, awe. Luckily, he eventually turns around and frees his arm.

He quickly gets up and changes into his school uniform then enters the kitchen to cook. There are rice porridge and chicken soup left from the night before; he can eat them when he wakes up. Kagami didn't cook for him because he has a cold though, no, he simply enjoys those meals but not in the mornings.

When he finishes his breakfast, he has still time to spare. He decides to leave a note explaining the situation and ordering to go home to rest as soon as he has breakfast and feels better. When he is in front of his door though, it magically opens before he can even reach to the doorknob. He stands there and yawns.

"Mornin'."

"…Morning," He is looking – no, staring right into his eyes. It is strange because he never looked directly at him; he's always been looking at someone else.

"You leaving?"

"Yeah, gotta go to school," It is becoming awkward quickly as Kagami let alone move a muscle and get out of his way, can't even avert his gaze. They are trying to suck him into them, his indigo eyes. They don't give away a hint of what will happen if he lets them but they are tempting like a mysterious passageway, alluring for his curiosity and more.

"School?" He belittles but then "Oh, crap, school!" he yells in frustration. "What time is it?!" He questions unnecessarily as he picks the alarm clock from the bed and checks the time himself. "Shit! I'm gonna be late." He begins to gather his school cardigan and look for his bag – Kagami watches the ordeal in maze.

"Wait, are you planning to go to school?" He asks to confirm; he gives him a 'duh' look. "But you're still sick. Yeah, your fever's gone but you never know, you should rest."

"I can't. First period is math and she is a demon." He frantically continues to search his bag. Kagami doesn't say it is not in this room because the room itself is not that big and it is tidy, so it is apparent the bag isn't there. However, it doesn't seem he will comprehend this fact any time sooner.

"Are you gonna go looking like this?" Kagami points out the wrinkles on his school uniform since he slept in them and guesses it probably smells – he most likely sweated his fever out.

The look he gives him says he doesn't mind the wrinkles but he stops and smells the shirt; he shows a reluctant disgusted face then. Kagami snorts and sort of pities, maybe. He takes out a white button-up shirt from his closet.

"You can wear this." He immediately removes his own shirt and throws it mindlessly as he takes Kagami's. "Your bag is in the living room by the way."

He sprints out of the room without a word and Kagami wonders why he is helping that rude bastard. However, he still stops him while he is attempting to leave.

"Hey! You can't go before eating first." His expression is pitiful as he thinks he can't manage to convey his urgency of leaving to Kagami.

"No-"

"Yes!" Kagami holds his elbow and drags him back to the kitchen all the while saying "You can't come to my school and faint on me again! Do you have any idea how hard it was to carry you from there?" His venting seems to stop his complaining which is another strange occurrence.

He sits at the table almost obediently but his fidgeting says he wants to be up and running as soon as possible. He is as if a kid who wants to play outside but the 'lunch' he has to have keeping him away from his fun.

Kagami sniggers as he places rice porridge and chicken soup in front of him. He looks first at the meals then Kagami.

"…Did you cook for me?" He dares to ask.

"No. I cooked 'em 'cause I like 'em."

He doesn't seem to believe him, so Kagami is ready to bicker if necessary. However, he cannot bring himself to say anything because of that. 'That' is not a smirk or a sneer or a smug twitch; that is small and easy to miss but it is there – a genuine smile.

Kagami is not mesmerized; the kitchen is too light and sunny because of the clear morning.

He, surprisingly, eats everything and even drinks the bitter medicine without a hint of whining. Then they leave the apartment together but he walks fast – close to jogging – as he is always two steps ahead of Kagami. When he is about to reach his destination, Kagami notices the clouds are now hiding the sun – blue sky becomes grey almost too quickly.

He is prepared to walk through the gates without any notification but he abruptly spins around when they are in front of Seirin High.

"Kagami?" He calls needlessly.

"Yeah?"

He opens his mouth but shuts swiftly when no sound comes out then ruffles his hair and grunts. All these reactions are too strange and awkward; Kagami doesn't have any clue what he wants to say but can't spill out. Eventually, he looks at him directly and those eyes are still esoteric.

"…Thanks." It is back, the genuine smile, as wider and more distinctive.

It is not mesmerizing; the snow piling up everywhere is glitteringly white, though not as white as his beautiful teeth.

Ba-dump

'Shit.'

. . .

They are walking back home together once again and it should have been a treasured joyous occasion for Kiyoshi but it isn't because they are not alone.

Together with them there is a third party – a junior girl who confessed to Hyuuga after school that day. Hyuuga, as Kiyoshi figured out on his own, didn't give her a clear response but she turned out rather pushy as she invited herself to join their walk – Kiyoshi's walk alone with Hyuuga.

She is talking as if her lungs function without any supply of oxygen and asking questions just as much to her crush. She is sometimes subtly touching his arm but not subtly enough to prevent Kiyoshi's strong urge to walk in between them. Hyuuga is having trouble while trying to answer all of the questions and surpass his slight embarrassment – that pinkness hasn't left his face.

Maybe it is better this way, Kiyoshi thinks, Hyuuga himself doesn't appear to be particularly disturbed by her eagerness. Even if Kiyoshi confesses as well, he doesn't expect any positive outcome – he hopes, though, only hopes.

She eventually (and finally) has to walk at a different direction and she, thankfully, refuses Hyuuga's offer of seeing her to her home. Both of them are alone now but it is not serene or calming or comforting. Kiyoshi doesn't enjoy it as he wants their peaceful walks back, so he points out the elephant without waiting much (also, he needs to know, too).

"So do you like her?"

Hyuuga throws him an annoyed side glance as the blush creeps on his cheeks stronger.

"I don't know. She is cute."

"Hm, yeah," 'He likes her.' His lips must be made of lead as the quirked up corners threaten to fall downward.

"What's with that?"

"What?" Kiyoshi doesn't understand first but then misunderstands the question. "Don't worry, I won't go after your potential girlfriend, Hyuuga." He laughs (or imitates his old ones in a very good and professional way).

"I didn't mean that! Geez," His heavier and more apparent flush makes Kiyoshi's laughter more real. Then Hyuuga doesn't give up and verbalizes his question in a different way. "You look down. Is something wrong?"

"No, not really."

He suddenly punches Kiyoshi's arm and almost sends him off his feet. "Are you gonna be like that again?" With the reminder of the day before, his tightened fist sends threats of more upcoming punches to more sensitive places if Kiyoshi doesn't spill the beans.

"No… no, just-" He tries to continue, he wants to continue but the words don't leave his mouth as it only hangs open soundlessly. Hyuuga doesn't say anything else and carries on walking.

Kiyoshi isn't sure how to interpret the other's silence and he apparently doesn't need to since Hyuuga eventually speaks in a way Kiyoshi isn't used to hearing.

"You are always like this. Always keeping your troubles to yourself. Didn't you still learn nothing good comes out of that?" He stops right in front of Kiyoshi; his eyes, even while somewhat hidden by glasses, perfectly show his fury and disappointment. "What do you think friends are for? If you have problems then I'll hear you out and help as much as I can. But you have to say something or I won't understand!"

"Will you, really?" Kiyoshi asks to himself more than him.

"What?"

"…Will you really understand and help me, Hyuuga? I wonder." His smile looks pathetic at the moment, he is sure.

"Try me, asshole." Hyuuga stares at him in so much determination that it belittles every reason and excuse Kiyoshi thinks of. Then he decides – it is now or never.

"Okay," He steps closer to Hyuuga and bends his head. It is nothing more than lips touching lips – it is a light kiss to the point it is hard to feel but Kiyoshi feels it. "I like you. I'm sorry."

He leaves before he can hear or see Hyuuga's reply; he is a jerk for leaving him behind after saying such thing, he knows. However, he cannot endure Hyuuga's rejection, not right now. He doesn't hear following footsteps or cry of rage; does he stand there all frozen in shock? That seems like might be the case. Does he feel betrayed? Does he hate him now?

He jogs the rest of the way home. He is, for once, glad that he is alone in that big, traditional house. His heart is beating down his ribcage in its excitement. Who would know today was that day? The day when he finally confesses and, most likely than not, ends his friendship.

Despite everything, the sensation of Hyuuga's lips remains – like a ghost, Kiyoshi's lips are possessed by his. His lips were dry and chapped due to the cold as the kiss was much quick to his liking and it was perfect – completely, utterly perfect.

He wishes tomorrow never comes but it is already morning before he knows – it comes much too faster than he can ever expect. His path crosses with Hyuuga's at 3rd break and he diverts his course as he finds some freshmen to torture. Kiyoshi figures then; the avoidance starts.

At lunch break, he calls the hospital to talk with his grandparents. It isn't until he hangs up that he notices the new mail notification. It is not exactly a new one as it was received couple of days ago – it is from Hyuuga. It is from then; when Kiyoshi was doing nothing but glooming at his home; when Hyuuga visited him for the first time in his house. He said he sent a message but Kiyoshi forgot to check afterwards. He bitterly laughs when his hand trembles due to the realization and it takes some time to open the mail.

Subject: Moron

Are you still alive?

Hyuuga… cares for his friends. "I'm sorry…" He doesn't want to lose what they have but more than anything, he doesn't want to cause trouble for Hyuuga. He resolves then, he won't let him get out of his way just to avoid Kiyoshi – he will do it for him; if he doesn't want to see Kiyoshi's face ever again then he won't.

Before lunch break ends, he leaves a note on Hyuuga's desk. After school, he uses the shortcut to his home. In following days, his attendance is flawless; he participates in every class (he sort of has to) but at breaks, he is always out; he hangs out at the places he knows Hyuuga doesn't. He mostly chooses being solitary. It is somewhat easier for him as he guesses and hopes it is easier for him as well. He sometimes wonders if he is happy with his new girlfriend.

Time as if loses its concept; Kiyoshi isn't sure how long he keeps his solitary days up as it feels like it's been weeks. He idly chats with one or two of his teammates when he comes across, though it is not often, and, in classroom, with his classmates. However, it is not enough to fulfill the gap avoidance creates. The absence of Hyuuga is indeed hard to cope with.

Lessons bore him out of his mind especially since he missed out so much. Then again, his days have become boring more than he could have imagined they'd be. Will it always be like this, the same question repeats frequently in his mind. Just then, the door of his classroom slams open.

"Hyuu-"

"Excuse me, sensei. Kiyoshi Teppei-kun has a phone call."

Whole classroom and even the teacher blink in awe at the furious bespectacled teenager. Teacher, whether or not he believes Hyuuga, allows Kiyoshi to leave the class. When he is out of the classroom, he turns his back to Hyuuga and walks towards the principal's office – he is worried now that the phone call is most likely from the hospital.

"Thanks, Hyuuga. I can go there on my-" Hyuuga grabs his wrist and pulls then punches him when his face is in his swing range.

"You are coming with me." He drags Kiyoshi at the opposite direction to the back of the gym.

"But the call-! It might be from-"

"Stop acting stupid!" Hyuuga finally snaps; he is certain anger will conquer his mind when the moron looks at him all confused. "I made that up!"

"Ah…" Kiyoshi understands but then he is confused again. "Why?"

"Because you are avoiding me, douchebag! You left me no choice!" He can't say it; he can't say he thought that was the best option to make Hyuuga happy when he is this furious. Therefore, he stays silent.

"Why the hell are you avoiding me when it's supposed to be the reverse?! And this! What's with this damn note?!" He frantically pulls out the note Kiyoshi left on his desk and throws it to his face. The small piece of paper falls to the snow and is immediately soaked. Before the words become unreadable, Kiyoshi glances at his own writing one more time.

Thank you for everything /K

"What is that, a suicide note or a farewell?! What are you trying to pull?! Then you just disappear! If – If someone miraculously sees you, they say you look like shit! And they are right, you look like crap!"

Kiyoshi crouches and picks up the now completely soaked paper. "Well, I did think I'd never see you again." He pouts as the paper crumbles in his palm. "And I'm feeling just fine." He shows one of his smiles but it only meets with a vigorous punch; moreover, the back of his head collides with the exterior wall, so it becomes a double hit.

"You hit me again. Are you feeling better?" He feels sort of pathetic when he concerns more about Hyuuga's hand as it must be hurting quite much.

"No. I'm feeling terrible because I punched away that stupid pitiful smile from your face." Hyuuga never liked his fake smiles but he regrets now for reacting so violently, especially now that the fake smile leaves its place to seemingly sorrow.

"…orry…"

"What?"

"…I'm really sorry, Hyuuga."

He is going to have a fit if this guy continues to be so dreary and act guilty.

"You, you're not pretending, are you? You're actually pretty damn stupid." Hyuuga pushes him to the wall and towers over him even though he is physically smaller. "Can't you just once get it before I tell you? I don't want your damn apology!"

"Then… what? What do you want?"

"Time! Give me some time and don't just hastily jump into conclusions."

"You…" Is he delusional now? Is he hearing things, seeing things? "Are you gonna consider-?"

"Yes. No. I don't know. Give me time, dammit!"

"But in the end," He starts of speaking to himself but Hyuuga attracts his attention back to him with a light punch to his stomach. He stares into the dark green eyes; he won't run from the answer this time, no. He will see Hyuuga's honesty through. "In the end, will you still be my friend?"

Hyuuga doesn't even hesitate.

"Mo~ron, I'll always be your friend."