Paper Plane
Kuroko no Basuke belongs to Fujimaki Tadatoshi
003 — Sleeping Beauty
He would've admitted that he was surprised—he couldn't even open his mouth, and instead, staring at Kuroko unblinkingly; trying to register what had just happened.
Was Kuroko joking?
Did Kuroko lie to him?
Did he, and his friends, purposely making fun of him?
If so, it wasn't funny at all.
"What—"
Before he could even voice out his confusion, Midorima and Aomine were already standing beside him, grabbing on to his arms as they dragged him out of Kuroko's room, and he, even more surprised at the sudden movement, tried to release himself from their tight grip, but instead of releasing him, they kept on dragging him away. Vaguely, after they were outside Kuroko's room, he heard Kuroko's tiny voice asking Kise and Murasakibara to not take Akashi away from him, before he let himself be dragged out by Midorima and Aomine to God-knew-where. He was curious as to why they did that to him, but he considered it as his chance to ask them about Kuroko.
It was when they removed their hands from him did Akashi realize that Midorima and Aomine had taken him out to the hospital garden. He noticed that they weren't many people walking around the garden, as it was almost evening, and it was quiet—none of them dared to speak up first.
Then, finally, after a long minute, Midorima cleared out his throat, "So, Akashi," he said, and Akashi looked up when his name was being called out, "Please, just forget what Kuroko just said."
Akashi opened his mouth, about to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. He had so many things to ask; to say, but he didn't know where he should start first. Instead, he could only utter a "Why?", which caused Aomine to groan out loud.
"Honestly," Aomine muttered, "We don't even know how to explain this to you."
Akashi only stared at him, but he didn't say anything.
"Kuroko's only imagining things," Midorima continued, "He's always like that; don't take his words seriously."
"What's happening to Kuroko?" Akashi finally responded.
The aura around them changed when Midorima and Aomine stayed silent, refusing to answer Akashi's question, making Akashi frown.
"You won't even tell me?"
Midorima, couldn't take the heavy aura around them any longer, exchanging glances with Aomine, before he pushed up his glasses and said, "He suffers from a rare disease that makes him hard to concentrate. At times, he tends to imagining things, hallucinating, and sometimes, he gets depressed when he wakes up." he sighed before he continued, "Kuroko is suffering from Kleine-Levin syndrome, or also known as Sleeping Beauty syndrome."
Akashi's head quickly turned in the green head's direction, too surprised to even react, or even blink, as Aomine added helpfully, "You must know what it is, Akashi."
Of course, Akashi knew.
It was a rare sleep disorder. Usually, people around the ages of 8 and 12 were the ones who suffered from it. Or males. But, it was very rare; only one in a million, and Akashi couldn't believe that Kuroko was one of them—it was just unbelievable. If it was happening to a kid, it could be cured, but Kuroko wasn't a kid anymore; he was already 17, and Akashi wasn't even sure if Kuroko could be cured; if it would ever get away from him.
"The last time he was in his episode, he slept for almost four months. Then, after that, he never had his episodes again, not until the last two months and recently." Midorima explained again after Akashi showed no reaction, "A few days ago, Kuroko slept at 11A.M, and he woke up again the next day, at 1A.M. His parents had told him not to come to school, but he insisted on going to school because he didn't want you, Akashi, to get disappointed in him because he didn't come to the library again." he stopped, eyeing Akashi who looked up at him, listening to his words attentively, "The next day—which was two days ago, he went to sleep again during the fourth period, and he just woke up today—an hour ago, before we came here."
Akashi was still quiet; he was at a loss for words.
"Tetsu is our childhood friend; we basically grew up together." he heard Aomine sigh, "Ever since we were young, the five of us had always been together. Everywhere; everytime. He's our little brother."
"And one day, something happened to Kuroko," said Midorima, "The symptoms that indicated him suffering from Kleine-Levin syndrome appeared, and since then, he wasn't allowed to get out of his house if it weren't for school, in case he fell asleep somewhere we didn't know." he paused for a moment, "We thought he'd fully cured after his episodes didn't come again in two months prior, so he was admitted to our school—although his grades were bad and he couldn't fully concentrate in his studies, he was so happy to get to attend school again."
Now, Akashi knew why he'd never seen Kuroko before even though he was friends with his childhood friends, it wasn't because he wasn't aware of his surroundings; it was because Kuroko was a new student and his presence was drown in a sea of people.
"And, you know what, Akashi," Aomine's words brought him back to the reality, "After he met you, he's always talking about you. Kise is jealous because all Tetsu talks about is you now."
"Why so?" Akashi asked in croaky voice, again, surprised. How many times had he got surprised because of Kuroko lately?
Midorima answered, "Because 'Akashi-kun is admirable'."
"And 'is more patient that Midorima-kun'." Aomine added, smirking at Midorima who glared at him.
Akashi wanted to let out a chuckle. But, no, not now. Not when he'd just learned about Kuroko's condition. He didn't even know if he could face Kuroko after this—could he even smile at him after hearing about what happened to him?
"We already answered your confusion, right, Akashi?" Midorima asked, and Akashi only stared at him before he nodded quietly.
/
When he paid a visit to Kuroko the next day, it was already evening. He, as the Student Council President, had a meeting to attend and it ended at 6p.m . He didn't actually intend to visit him, as he didn't want to disturb him, but his heart told him to do so—he had to admit that he wanted to see Kuroko again, though.
And so, as he stood in front of Kuroko's room, he was contemplated whether to open the door or just go back home. He doubted it that Kuroko would even welcome him; they weren't even friends in the first place.
He stopped musing when the door was opened, revealing a surprised Kuroko after seeing him, still in his hospital gown, before his face was back to its usual deadpan expression.
"Hello, Akashi-kun, you're coming again today." Kuroko greeted him, and Akashi awkwardly nodded in response. "Why didn't you come back here after Midorima-kun and Aomine-kun dragged you out yesterday?"
"Oh," Akashi blinked, slightly taken aback by the question, "I apologize. My father asked me to go home yesterday." Lie. He didn't know how to face Kuroko yesterday that he decided to just go home.
Kuroko's mouth formed an 'O', indicating that he didn't notice Akashi's hesitant voice, and completely believed him.
Akashi, trying to change the subject, asked, "Where do you want to go?"
"Rooftop. I want to do something." Kuroko responded matter-of-factly, showing him a paper bag which was consisted of a stack of origamis and pens.
Akashi raised an eyebrow at that, "For what?"
Kuroko thought for a moment, "I will tell you if you go with me."
"Erm, sure."
As they were making their way to the rooftop side by side, Kuroko's shoulder rubbed against Akashi's, causing Akashi to look down at him, only to find Kuroko's confused expression as he looked around him, "Akashi-kun, you're not bringing your unicorn again?" he asked, and Akashi widened his eyes slightly.
"Uh, no." he answered hesitantly, as he wasn't even expecting Kuroko's question at all.
"Why?"
Akashi shrugged, deciding to say what was on his mind, "It's sleeping now."
"Oh," Kuroko nodded, "Can I know what is its name?"
Akashi put his hand inside his pocket, thinking for a few seconds, and finally said, "Yukimaru, I think?"
"What a fitting name,"
"Huh?"
"Its white color indeed reminds us of snow."
Akashi didn't know how to reply, so he just nodded, opting to go along with Kuroko instead of trying to break his heart with telling him that he was just hallucinating. Midorima had said that it wasn't a weird thing anymore if Kuroko was imagining things, after all.
They climbed the stairs leading up to the rooftop in silence, neither of them wanted to break the silence; they both didn't know how to start the conversation first.
It was when they almost reached the door that led to the roof, Kuroko spoke out of the blue, "Midorima-kun and Aomine-kun told you, didn't they?"
If Akashi was drinking something, he would've choked on his drink. "What?"
"About me." Kuroko gave him a small, yet bitter smile. "Those guys couldn't even keep their promise, huh?"
"They're just worried about you." Akashi managed to say, but Kuroko only stared at him blankly.
"They always are."
Kuroko walked ahead of him when they were already in the rooftop, while Akashi's eyes followed his every movement, afraid that Kuroko would do something that'd hurt himself. A cold breeze gently brushed past his uncovered skin, causing him to shiver a little, but when he saw Kuroko unaffected by the cold night even though he only wore his hospital gown, Akashi didn't feel thatcold anymore.
Putting his paper bag down swiftly, Kuroko stood in front of a white fence that enclosed the whole rooftop, breathing in the fresh air, and Akashi followed suit, standing beside him, watching him close his eyes for a second before he looked away, staring at the view of Tokyo at night from the hospital rooftop—it was beautiful.
"Akashi-kun?" Kuroko suddenly called out for him. His voice was so soft; if he hadn't paid attention to him, he wouldn't have heard it.
"Yes?" Akashi turned his head to look at Kuroko who was already looking at him with an unreadable expression.
"Do you think I can be cured?"
If Akashi wasn't expecting Kuroko's question about unicorn at all, he wasn't even expecting him ask about his conditon—he didn't even understand why Kuroko would talk about it with him. Taking a deep breath, he replied, "Of course, Kuroko."
"When?"
"...as soon as possible...?" Akashi realized he sounded hesitant, and from the way Kuroko frowned behind his expressionless mask, he must've noticed it, too.
"Why do you sound so unsure about it? Aren't you really smart?"
"But I'm not a doctor."
Kuroko, much to Akashi's surprise, chuckled softly.
"What now?" Akashi sternly asked. Although he liked to see Kuroko laugh, he wouldn't let him laugh if it was him he was laughing at. Was he even saying something funny?
"Nothing." Kuroko smiled, looking away from him.
Akashi hadn't gotten used to Kuroko's sudden changes of mood. Awhile ago, he was completely expressionless, as if he couldn't careless about everything that happened around him, but now, he looked so happy as though he was the happiest boy alive.
"You know, Akashi-kun, it's so frustrating to be me." Kuroko's words had Akashi focused on him thoroughly, "I can't even remember the times before my episodes came; what had happened to people around me when I was sleeping—did I miss a lot of things?"
Akashi could hear the hidden sadness in his voice, but he didn't interrupt him, as he knew Kuroko still wanted to say something.
"Just like a few months ago, when I woke up after one of my episodes came, I was surprised to see my childhood friends wearing their high school uniforms. And, I was even more surprised when I realized it wasn't only them who are already in high school, I'm also supposed to be in the same year as theirs." Kuroko exclaimed, and Akashi felt sympathized with him. It must be hard for Kuroko, forgetting about something he'd been through. "What's left in my memory is only about my childhood—our childhood. Guess I'm so stupid that I can't even remember anything aside from it, huh?"
Kuroko's face looked so sad, and Akashi couldn't take it anymore; he didn't like to see Kuroko sad. "Tell me one of your childhood stories." he said, causing Kuroko to look back at him, deadpanned, but also a bit startled.
"I don't know Akashi-kun is curious about those kind of thing."
"Just tell me."
Kuroko looked thoughtful, but then, he opened his mouth; there was a hint of smile on his face, "It was when we were in 3rd grade, we played in the neighborhood park and Kise-kun suddenly peed his pants."
"Kise? Seriously?" Akashi was surprised at the new information, because, it was the cool model Kise Ryouta, peeing his pants?
"Yes, Kise-kun." Kuroko nodded, slightly amused at Akashi's disbelief look. "And then, Aomine-kun bullied Kise-kun until he started crying, while Midorima-kun and I were only watching from afar because we didn't want to mingle into their meaningless acts, and Murasakibara-kun, as usual, eating and eating like there was no tomorrow." he chuckled softly at the memories, and Akashi, too, couldn't help but chuckle along with him upon hearing his rare laughter. His eyes focused on him all the time, seemingly couldn't look away even for a moment. "Not long after that, our mothers came one by one and Kise-kun bawling his eyes out, wanting to be pitied, and Aomine-kun tried to—" he paused, biting his lip, as if he was holding in something, before he continued, "He tried to—hoam," a yawn escaping his slightly quivering lips, breaking off his words mid-sentence. His face fell in a split second, and he looked away, didn't want to meet Akashi's gaze; too embarrassed that he couldn't hold back his yawn in front of him. A sad smile making its way on his lips as he looked across the beautiful view of Tokyo presented before them, staring off into the distance.
Akashi noticed Kuroko's sad, tired face, and his heart was squeezed in a painful way because both of them knew, that it was a sign for Kuroko; a sign that he'd be back to sleep for a long, long time in anytime soon. Still locking his gaze on Kuroko's side profile, which he had to admit was way too pretty for a boy, he decided to open his mouth, trying to distract Kuroko from whatever he was thinking. "Ah, Kuroko hasn't told me what he wants to do here, has he?"
Kuroko's face instantly lightened up. "I want to make a paper airplane."
"What for?"
"Whenever I'm awake, I take that opportunity to write down my wishes on origamis, and I'll fold them into paper airplanes." Kuroko explained, slowly squatting down, reaching out for his paper bag and began to taking out a stack of origamis and pens he'd brought.
Akashi, too, squatted down in front of him, "And then?"
Looking up to Akashi, Kuroko said, "Then, I'll toss them out of the window to see them fly higher and farther, in hopes that God will grant my wishes."
Really, Kuroko kept on exceeding his expectations. Even though he was an airhead and the clumsiest boy he'd ever met in his life, Kuroko always managed to surprise him with everything he did.
Taking an origami Kuroko offered to him, Akashi watched him write down something on a blue-colored origami. "What do you write, Kuroko?" he curiously asked.
Kuroko was still writing when he murmured, "I wish for everyone's health; may the ones I love will always be happy, and..." he suddenly stopped writing and looked up; his eyes boring intensely into his, but Akashi noticed there was sadness on them, "...I hope I won't forget you, Akashi-kun."
Akashi was speechless.
He still couldn't take his eyes away from Kuroko who was folding his origami into a paper airplane before he got up, staring up again while holding his paper airplane. Awkwardly, Akashi folded his own paper airplane and got up, too, and when he had stood next to him, Kuroko tossed his paper airplane in the air, with Akashi followed his movement after, and they watched them flying farther and farther until they were being swallowed by the darkness.
"What does Akashi-kun wish for?" Kuroko opened his mouth after a minute of silence.
"I wish for your happiness." Akashi said without any hesitation, looking straight at Kuroko's wide blue eyes.
Now, Kuroko was the one who was speechless.
He didn't blush, Kuroko was sure of it. But, just in case, he turned his face away from Akashi, pretending to be immersed by the cityscape, even though his heart skipped a beat for no reason.
"When Kuroko is sleeping, is he dreaming of something?" Akashi asked in a low, soft tone all of a sudden, which he quickly regretted; it was such a sensitive topic, how stupid of him. He failed to take back his words, when Kuroko's head snapped to the side, allowing himself to be devoured by those depthless, beautiful baby blue eyes, that looked at him in such a way that'd made his heart soar. Again, that strange feelings bubbling up inside of him whenever Kuroko was around; something he couldn't get the right word to name.
"Why does Akashi-kun ask?" Kuroko asked back, narrowing his eyes. He was rather curious than annoyed at Akashi's question.
Shrugging, Akashi answered without wavering, "I just want to know." If you were to sleep, will you dream of me? So that you'll not forget about my existence once you're waking up again.
This time, Kuroko turned his head away again, staring up to the wide, dark sky as he responded, "I didn't quite remember well, but I think I did dream," his hands reached out to hold the hard fence firmly, "Because it must be lonely for me, sleeping for a long time with only darkness accompanying me. I'd be very much thankful if I really was dreaming during those times."
Akashi didn't know how he even did it; all he remembered was Kuroko's sad face that'd made his heart hurt, that he didn't even realize he had inched his face closer toward Kuroko, pressing his lips against Kuroko's cold ones, feeling his quick breaths blow in his face as he closed his eyes. Perhaps it was because the overwhelming feelings he felt when Kuroko was showing his sadness and he had the urge to brush away the sad expression on Kuroko's face?
When Akashi realized what he'd done, he quickly pulled away, blushing, and his eyes widened when he took in the sight in front of him; Kuroko, the expressionless Kuroko Tetsuya, turned beet red—his eyes were as wide as his, and he seemed to be really surprised. He even stuttered as he said, "A-Akashi-kun?"
Akashi looked down, covering his face with both of his hands; too embarrassed to face Kuroko. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." he whispered, "I didn't even know what have I done. I'm sorry, Kuroko."
Kuroko, too stunned, could only nod. His heart was beating madly. "I-It's fine. I'm just... surprised."
After that, it was completely silent.
Akashi was still feeling embarrassed, burying his reddening face in his hands, while Kuroko was nervously glancing at him repeatedly, still couldn't register what'd just happened. They didn't know whose heart was thumping louder; was it Kuroko's? Or Akashi's?
Peeling his hands off his face, Akashi felt a tug on his shirt, and found a nervous Kuroko blinking up at him. Startled, and as nervous as himself, he gave him a questioning look, "Hmm?"
"When I wake up again," Kuroko started, fidgeting, "Will you promise me to take me to Kyoto?"
"Why Kyoto?" Akashi asked back, confusion was written all over his face, as he unconsciously leaned closer.
Kuroko was unusually looking shy as he exclaimed, "Midorima-kun said it's Akashi-kun's hometown and he grew up there, so I want to go to the place where Akashi-kun grew up."
"Alright." Akashi agreed, couldn't hide his smile any longer.
"Really? Promise?"
"I promise."
Kuroko was suddenly standing on his toes, his nose softly nudged against Akashi's, making Akashi blush quietly because of their close proximity. With a tender voice, Kuroko asked again, "Will Akashi-kun be waiting for me?"
Without he even realized, he'd nodded quickly. His voice was as tender as Kuroko's as he replied, "Always."
They stared into each other's eyes, smiling at one another. Then, simultaneously, they looked up, watching as the sky slowly getting darker and darker. Gently, Akashi took Kuroko hand into his, and he couldn't stop smiling when Kuroko entwined their fingers together, as though he wouldn't want to let go of him; wouldn't want them to be separated.
A few minutes had passed, Akashi felt something heavy lay on his shoulder. He quickly glanced to the side and smiled softly at the sight.
Kuroko had slept with his cheek pressed against Akashi's shoulder.
/
When the door of Kuroko's room was opened, the four of them, as well as Kuroko's parents, were seen relieved as Akashi, with a sleeping Kuroko on his back, walked in with an apologetic smile on his face. Murasakibara quickly helped him placing Kuroko on his bed, while Midorima had already called his father, who was the doctor in the hospital Kuroko was admitted to, to come to Kuroko's room as fast as he could.
Akashi politely bowed at Kuroko's parents, "I apologize for taking Kuroko away without your permission."
"It's okay, Akashi-kun," Kuroko's mother said, chuckling softly, "We're just worried because we thought Tetsuya went alone."
Before he could even reply, Midorima came in with his father and a nurse. Midorima's father quickly checked on Kuroko's condition with the nurse's help.
"Sensei, does his episode come again?" Kuroko's father asked, and everyone in the room waited for his answer anxiously.
"I think so." Midorima's father said, causing them to take a sharp breath.
"How long will this episode last?"
"According to Kuroko-kun's last episode, this may be longer than usual."
After Midorima's father had examined Kuroko's body, he asked his parents to come with him to his room, probably talking about something regarding his condition. The five of them exchanged glances, but none of them opened their mouths, even when Akashi walked over to Kuroko's bed, they could only look at him sadly.
Akashi leaned his face closer to Kuroko's as he wrapped his hand around his, he whispered softly, "Wake up soon and I'll fulfill my promise."
Probably, in his deep sleep, Kuroko could hear Akashi's voice, because he held Akashi's hand tighter.
/
"We're already in our last year, ssu." Kise whined as he slumped on the couch, watching Akashi and Midorima playing shogi uninterestedly; it was too hard for him to understand, after all.
Aomine grabbed a mouthful of chips before he responded, "Yep, more stress, more study," he flipped open another gravure magazine, "Maybe I have to buy tons of Mai-chan's album to make me feel better."
"Pervert!"
They were hanging out at Midorima's place on a sunny afternoon, thanks to the meeting their teachers had to attend so that the classes ended early. And, instead of going home, they decided to go to Midorima's place, much to the green head's liking.
It was two weeks after they'd been entitled as the third year, and it was, too, five months since Kuroko went to sleep and hadn't woken up yet. Occasionally, they'd visit Kuroko, but it was because Akashi insisted on going to the hospital where Kuroko was admitted to. Since the four of them had already gone through it already, they knew Kuroko wouldn't wake up if his episodes hadn't ended yet, but it was Akashi's first time to be in that situation that he was afraid that Kuroko wouldn't wake up again.
"Stop whining and just enjoy it." Midorima scoffed, pushing up his glasses.
"But, I can't, Midorimacchi!" Kise whined again, loudly, "I'm not you or Akashicchi who have good grades! What if I didn't get accepted into the university I want to go?!"
Akashi shook his head in amusement, "Then just study even harder, Kise."
"You don't understand, Akashicchi! You're not me or Aominecchi—"
"OI!"
"What are you bickering about, you two?"
They froze at the familiar voice and quickly, their heads turned to the source of the voice and their eyes widened when they saw Kuroko looking at them blankly. Without even thinking, Kise, Aomine, Murasakibara, and even the tsundere Midorima ran toward Kuroko and hugged him tightly.
"Hey!"
Akashi, couldn't believe that Kuroko was standing a meter away from him, pinched his cheek lightly. Am I dreaming?
But, when he heard Kuroko's voice asking his friends to let go of him, Akashi quickly got up and pushed them away from him, revealing a frowning Kuroko while stroking his reddened arms because they hugged him too tightly.
"Tetsuya has already woken up since three days ago, but we deliberately hid him for you all, as we wanted to give him as the present for becoming seniors already." Kuroko's father explained, while his mother smiled widely.
The five of them nodded, and Kuroko smiled.
"I don't have any idea that you all are already eighteen, and are in your last year again. If Okaasan and Otousan haven't told me about everything that happened when I was sleeping, I might not recognize you all at all." Kuroko said, his smile widened slightly.
Akashi's body was frozen.
They, excluding Akashi, knew that it was coming. The four of them had already been through it several times. Sleeping for the whole five months was causing a big impact.
Were the memories when he was awake two months before erased? Akashi balled his fists.
"Um, do you all bring your new friend here today?" Kuroko looked straight at Akashi, and the latter flinched slightly at the question he never wanted to hear from Kuroko. "Hello, I'm Kuroko Tetsuya. Pleased to meet you."
"Kurokocchi! You don't remember Akashicchi?!" Kise shrieked.
"No." Kuroko was confused, "Should I?"
The others in the room looked at Akashi worriedly.
"Hello, Kuroko," Akashi, trying his best to not leak out his true emotions, held out his hand to Kuroko, "My name is Akashi Seijuurou. I'm in the same age as yours, although I'm a senpai for you because just like your childhood friends, I'm also already in my third year of high school." then, he smiled softly, "I am the one who still has a promise to take you to Kyoto, my hometown."
Kuroko raised an eyebrow in confusion, but a smile quickly crept on to his face as he took Akashi's outstretched hand.
"Keep your promise."
/
a/n: such a long and boring chapter ;-; thank you very much for keeping up for this fic and the reviews, favs, and follows! I really appreciated them! ^o^ and again, I'm sorry for the grammatical errors because English isn't my first language ;;;;;; this fic is inspired by my friend's friend who's suffering from this disease, I don't really know about the disease itself so I wrote what my friend told me about their symptoms. thank you for reading!
Special thanks to Cheshire ShiroNeko, Rinfantasy, shirotani, simsimchocolatte, Danny Joey Ketail, Kuroko-SenPaille, ShinseiShinwa, Chisato Morohiko, BlueSkyBlue, OtakuBroMelody, and Guest! Have I answered your confusion yet? ^o^
