CHAPTER 3 : KISE X READER (SMILE) [PART 2]

I dedicate this fic to my crazy bestie who is unhappy that the first part didn't have a happy ending :3

- Where did we go wrong? -

"Hey, Ryota." you poked his shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"Do you know the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi?"

"Yeah, I do. Why?" The young man gave you a puzzled look.

"Don't you think it's sad? The fact that they only meet once a year I mean."

"No." He chuckled.

"Why not?"

"Because…"

"To have someone under the same sky who thinks of you, who will always be waiting on the other side, to find love," He gently swept your messy bangs aside before continuing, "is what everyone yearns for in this life."

"And they found it."

...

"Oi Kise," Kasamatsu frowned. "You've been doing that a lot lately."

Kise Ryota blinked numerous times, before slowly trailing his golden orbs up to meet those of his captain's.

The practice match had ended with a close win for Kaijo thanks to Kise. But the captain was more concerned about his teammate than he would dare admit out loud.

Lately, Kise's mind seemed to wander off whenever he touches the ball, and the expression he puts on is difficult to watch.

It was filled with remorse.

The blonde ace of Kaijo feigned the most innocent smile, "What was that you said, senpai?" Kise hummed while drying his sweat with a towel.

Everyone had gone home after a tiring day of practice, leaving Kasamatsu and Kise alone in the locker room.

"You zone out on the court all the time. Are you…alright?"

"That was an accident, Kasamatsu senpai!" Kise pouted before adding, "Don't worry. I'm fine."

Kasamatsu leaned against his locker with his arms crossed. Taking a closer look at Kise, it wasn't hard to tell that he's nowhere doing fine at all. The dark circles beneath his eyes were getting obvious despite the concealer used to cover them up.

"What's the problem? Spit it out."

Kasamatsu was impatient as he knew in fact, what the problem was. Call him a softy if you must, but he just couldn't bear to watch Kise put on that idiotic fake smile any longer.

"Nothing's wrong.I swear it won't happen again!" Kise shook his head frantically in denial and inched further away, in case Kasamatsu decided to kick him like usual. "Next time I'll defin-"

"You miss her." Kasamatsu interrupted.

There was an awkward silence hanging around the room for a moment as both of them simply stared at one another. Seeing how Kise couldn't find the strength to deny it, Kasamatsu could only sigh and shake his head.

Finally, Kise opened his mouth slightly to object, but this was one of those times when he couldn't find his voice. Instead, he chose to do what he has always been doing.

Run.

- The dark doesn't scare me as much as the fact that you're not here. -

He slung his bag over his shoulders and made way out of the locker room, only to find a figure blocking the exit.

"Stop running away, Kise." Kasamatsu grabbed him by his collar, and shook him a little. "How long do you plan on acting so miserably?"

Kise couldn't find the strength to answer him. But he knew Kasamatsu had hit him spot on. Was he really such a terrible actor?

"She..." Kise mumbled with his head hung low, "She told me she loved me."

Kasamatsu widened his eyes a little, before releasing his grip and taking a step back.

"I was scared." Kise continued hesitantly, "I was scared that I can't make her happy. I just wanted her to stay by my side like always. But now…now I've hurt her."

"She's gone." Kise whispered in agony, as he desperately wished that it wasn't true, that everything was a lie and would go back to the way it has always been.

Kasamatsu felt his brow twitch at the sight of the idiot standing before him. He sighed before raising his fist, and gave his kouhai the strongest punch in the gut ever. It landed with a loud thud, causing Kise to clutch his stomach and wheeze.

"What are you whining for?" Kasamatsu looked 10 times scarier than usual. "So what if you messed up? You're an idiot. But if you don't do something to fix things, then you'll be the world's biggest idiot among idiots!"

Kise raised his hand slowly in defeat as he struggled to regain his breath. The pain hurt, but it made his mind clear. Since when was Kise Ryota such a coward?

He wobbled before getting back up on his feet, only to find that Kasamatsu had already left. Slowly, he flopped down onto the bench and massaged his aching abdomen. Just what has he been thinking?

As he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but reminisce about you. Your smile whenever he says something silly, your frown whenever he skips meals, your booming cheers whenever they won a game, every bit and piece of you he remembers. It seems that he really is an idiot, finally figuring out his feelings for you after you left.

Just thinking about you makes a silly smile plastered onto his face.

Before he realized it, he was already dialing the number he had been afraid to for his hands trembled, his mind told him to toss the phone down the gutters, but his heart assured him to be brave.

Nothing was going to change unless he did something. He needed to tell you what he should have, that night when you proclaimed your love.

If you can be brave, Kise thinks that he can find it in him to be as well.

The mere seconds it took for you to answer the call felt like an eternity. Kise was beyond terrified of you crying or hanging up on him. Your rejection straight to his face would downright be his biggest nightmare. Sweating nervously, there was a brief moment where Kise debated that perhaps it was best to leave things as they are.

"…Hello?"

Kise jolted at the sudden voice of a female and dropped his phone. 'Shit.' He muttered under his breath before frantically picking it back up. Once more, he had trouble finding his voice as his fingers trembled anxiously.

"Is that you…Ryota?"

Your voice was just as he remembered it to be. Gentle, yet it did not lack confidence at all. Kise didn't mind you nagging him all day, if it meant hearing your beautiful voice once more. It scared him, to think just how much he misses you.

How many times had he dreamt of you? How many times had he wished you were beside him to hold his hand?

Yes, he is selfish. Selfishly in love.

"Please answer me," your voice laced with slight worry. "Ryota, are you alright?"

A single drop of tear made its way down Kise's cheek. He was glad you couldn't see him right now. He took a deep breath to prevent his voice from breaking.

"No, (Y/N)-chii." With a strained voice he managed to reply. "I am not…not alright. It hurts."

You widened your eyes in shock, "Where are you hurt? Hang on, I'll call Kasamat-"

"My heart." Kise felt the pain more strongly than ever. And he had used every ounce of strength to hold on.

"My heart hurts because you're not here anymore. It hurts because I remember us. I tried to forget. But why can't I forget?"

"Ryota…" you closed your eyes and poured all the affection you had into a whisper of his name, hoping that he would feel your comfort despite both of you being far apart.

"I'm a horrible person, ain't I?" Kise laughed dryly.

Your felt your head shaking in denial. "No. No you're not."

"I'm sorry I took this long to call," he swallowed the pain, "Forgive me, (Y/N)-chii."

"It's alright, Ryota. I knew you would blame yourself. You've always been too kind."

You clutched your phone a little tighter. To be honest, you didn't think it would be so difficult hearing his voice without breaking down. There is just so much pain, and little joy left in both your remnants.

"But please… it's not your fault." You whispered, "I want you to be happy."

Kise had fallen on his knees as he desperately held his tears in. You were always thinking for him, despite everything. He doesn't deserve this.

He doesn't deserve you.

- A life with regrets, is perhaps my biggest nightmare. -

"Y/N-chii," Kise cleared his throat, "Just listen."

"I'm the world's biggest idiot. I messed up and let someone important slip away."

"Ryo-"

"Even so, I just want you to know. It might be a little late to say this, but you have always been in my heart. From the beginning, without me realising, till now…"

You cried.

"…And the days ahead. I will always love you."

Kise sighed in relief as the words spilt. He felt a burden, a heavy weight lifted and after a long time, he could finally breathe.

"I don't have the right to ask for you to feel the same," a genuine smile made his lips curl. "But I too, want you to be happy."

Kise thought of all the times he spent with you, and without doubt, your happiness was his as well.

"(Y/N)-chii, You'll…smile for me right?"

Through the phone, you heard the same old laughter you grew to love over the years. And it was the best music you've heard in your lifetime.

After going through the twists and turns, you find yourself standing in the middle of a cold and empty street, yet still feeling the familiar warmth from his voice.

Though, both of you have change in ways indescribable, one thing remains unchanged, and would probably remain that way forever.

Your love.

"Of course...Ryota."

You smiled.

- But if you're happy, I think I can live with it. -

The End.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it :))

Disclaimer : I do not own Kuroko No Basket.