ReBirth: Chapter 3
-x-
"The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of behind unloved." – Mother Teresa
-x-
Past – 13 Years Month 11
His first steps into the basketball court were stumbling ones, not at all unlike the infantile steps of a toddler.
Regaining his sense of balance, Shiori Kazune only turned around, glaring blindly ahead at where heavy pants were coming from. A sharp intake of breath, the trickling of evaporating sweat, and a forced cheerful smile – everything was all too pronounced.
"Do your best for me, won't you, Kazu?" The Captain's voice intoned happily. Yet behind that façade, Kazune was the only one who heard the weak plea of his childhood friend. 'Afterall, I can no longer play…' "Go and win for the team!" '…Please.'
Hearing the weak tone, Kazune's mind flashed back to a mere week ago, when he had overheard the conversation of his coach and captain. 'Promotion', 'regular', 'injuries'…The whispered words his ears caught then made no sense, yet one thing stood out.
"Coach, please don't ever let Kazu advance until I go."
The blind teen gritted his teeth, hands balled into pale shaking fists. The dots connected.
So, that is how it is, huh? All the times they had repeated their promise to play as equals on the same field, those words had no purpose other than to keep him in the team. All along, the friendships he made and the encouragement he was given to overcome his impossible disability, those all served the hidden motive of nurturing him into a second Captain. He was meant to be the substitute. The second one. And never had they seen him as their equals.
He was used.
"You're the one who dragged me into this, so guide me on the court!" He barked. He refused to be a substitute. "Or else…I'd refuse to participate in this farce any longer."
Sharp ears twitched as the hitch in his captain's breath drifted over.
"Kazu…" A pained whisper. He is hurt. Good; now he knows how he feels!
"Shiori!" Mirrors of infuriated astonishment echoed all around.
"How dare you!" One voice intoned above all others. A calloused hand clasped onto his shoulder, tightening with that vice-like grip of an athlete. "Even after all that the captain has done for you…Even after we gave you your basketball skills…How dare you repay us with…with this?!"
"If it means that I wouldn't be used, I would have gladly been left to my solace as a Karuta Master of the past." He announced coldly, slapping the hand away.
"'Used'?! You-"
"Enough." A one worded command filled with endless weariness. They froze.
"But-!"
"Arigatou, but it's already enough." The captain heaved another sigh before lightening his tone. "Kazu, if you wish to leave now, I would understand. But before you leave…Just know that I feel immensely sorry for having hidden the truth from you all this time."
Silence resounded after that.
Bitterly, Kazune narrowed his unseeing eyes at the captain. Behind this sickening darkness, his captain was definitely faking another smile, just as he always had, hiding his true feelings behind a pierrot's mask. Kazune struggled to restrain himself, but the dam burst even before he could mobilize and do that. A bark of laughter escaped his lips.
Sorrowful. Unfair.
Why of all people, must he be the one his captain chose to use?
The laughter dissolved into faint chuckles, bemused by their current situation.
"If perhaps…You have told me the truth to begin with, I would have helped you unconditionally…" He lowered his head in regret over his friend's actions.
"I'm sorry."
"If you had allowed me to continue without interfering…"
"I know."
The silence was an acid, stinging his entire body with sorrow and bitterness. He could feel the disillusions he had before melting away, corroded by the acid, leaving only emptiness behind. Kazune bit his lips and closed his eyes.
"Only this time." He bit out from clenched teeth.
"Eh?" The confusion was painfully deafening.
"This will be the only time I'd ever play basketball." He announced, finally lifting his head. "Until the day we are both able to stand on the court together, as equals, I will not participate in any team or official games. Until you get better, I hereby retract all participation in basketball games. Is that agreeable?"
He is weary from all this. If parting with basketball will release him from the puppeteer's strings, then he will do just that.
There was no answer.
"Kazu…" His captain breathed in shock.
"Now, what are you waiting for, team?" He smiled darkly and the strangled sounds of fear he received made vindictive mirth dance in his eyes. He swivelled around and faced straight ahead, at where their opponents were waiting. "Let's go and grab that trophy for baka-Tora here, shall we?"
-x-
Year 5
Waking up after a memory of his previous life was always the hardest. One moment, he will still be known as Shiori Kazune, a freelancer basketball player with no apparent game record, then the next, his identity is ripped away from him, leaving him naked and bare within a familiarly foreign world where he is the anomaly.
At times, he simply wants to curl up in his comforter and sob his eyes out, regaining his identity as Kazune for at least several minutes before continuing to live as Haruka Sorenji. However, that urge failed to come today.
When amber eyes parted, the faint shuffling could be heard amidst the pitch black darkness, leaving behind a shadow of the warmth still present. The door was parted with an ominous creak, inviting rays of bright light to fall into their room.
"Sei-kun?" He weakly lifted his head from his hands, exhaustion and the emotional pain still crippling his every senses.
Eyes adjusted, zooming in on his little red child who crouched at the crack of the door, looking all too small for Akashi Seijuro. It took a moment until it registered in his mind that something was out of place; the widened ruby eyes and parted lips, contorted into the very image of shock.
Haruka hesitated and bit his lip.
"Sei-"
"Otou-sama!" Red disappeared in a flash, the faintest of smiles dawning upon the usually stoic face as if spring had sprang forth early.
He stilled, rooted to the spot. Amber eyes widened, hands tightening subconsciously over the sheets. A sudden urge to hide overwhelmed him, and his breaths turned shallower. No…He didn't want to know this. He didn't want to know anymore.
"Seijuro, tadaima (I'm home)." A deep, gentle tone, so unlike his own even back in his life.
"Otou-sama!"
He remained frozen, warning bells blaring in his head. A million thoughts ran through his mind, eliciting fear and helplessness. Yet through all that bedlam in his head, a loud voice intoned. 'It's repeating again.'
Once again, like how he overheard his Captain and Coach's conversation in the past, his sensitive hearing is going to hurt him once again. Another time. Another place. Another world. Yet, the same thing, all over again.
He clasped his hands tightly over his ears, but the sounds still drifted over to him.
Light hearted laughter echoed in his head, mocking him repeatedly. Seijuro's voice twinkled like the stars he knew were always present above the city's haze, yet had never been seen or heard before in this life. In an unusual show of childishness, Seijuro chattered on happily about the things that happened in his father's long period of absence: The demon tutor incident, his newfound aim to be a chess master, and the studying which he always does…
Much to his dread and happiness, Akashi Hayato only hummed, not patronizing but listening with avid attention paid to Seijuro's words. He was the opposite of what Haruka had expected from all the rumours, yet exactly the same impeccable father Haruka had wished for Seijuro's sake. Someone kind, patient, and truly treasures his family.
Every word was absorbed like a punch to the gut. Every hum of acknowledgement was a strong seismic wave in his mental state of mind which instigated a torrent of emotions.
It felt like an eternity before Haruka finally clambered to his feet, numbly making his way to the door. Look at this carefully, Kazune.
Akashi Hayato had picked up Seijuro in the midst of his excited ramblings, smiling widely as he sat by the stairs, chuckles erupting from his calm visage occasionally. With his boyishly interlocked scarlet locks, slanted ruby eyes and sharp features, it was easy to see how he could be Seijuro's father. Seijuro burst into a large grin as he spoke to his father, one of the many sides of Seijuro he had never been able to see.
Together, they were the perfect image of father and son.
And who could doubt it? Akashi Hayato appears to have perfect visage of a parent. Not only was he someone who looks his age, he was someone who is not disabled in any way and is an immediate family of Seijuro.
And most importantly…he is someone who isn't him.
Someone…who definitely isn't like Kazune in any way at all.
Hayato turned and blinked when he caught sight of him. Ruby eyes widened the briefest…So similar to his emotionless Seijuro...Rippling with concern that was a dagger to his heart…Don't sympathize with me. Please, don't…And as the man raised a hand towards him, he locked the door shut.
He breathed, relieved by the darkness he was back in. Shakily, a hand lifted up and combed his messy fringe back. He fell to the ground, and a weak chuckle escaped. How funny…Had his legs always been this shaky? More training appears to be substantial.
Haruka lifted his head and smiled emptily. The burning of his eyes was unbearable, so he simply allowed the tears to fall.
He was once again a substitute for another, Kazune recognized. But in truth, he was never Seijuro's guardian or older brother, just as his Captain never recognized him as an equal…merely a back up. Everything he thought he was so far, was all in his head! Over and over again, the same thing was repeated. He was once used as Kagetora's substitute, and now, it was Akashi Hayato.
He is a spare.
As whimpers were swallowed and he cursed his emotional weakness, a brief thought occurred to Haruka: If his and this world wasn't it, then where will there be a place where Haruka and Kazune, the spares, belong to?
-x-
Days later, Haruka Sorenji found himself standing before the very source of his troubles, pampered on incessantly like a small child.
"Have you brought all your books? Don't forget your pencil case now; you wouldn't want to make a bad impression on your very first day. Oh, and what about your name tags, are they all secure? If you get lost, call the number on the back on the card, I'll be there immediately. Don't cry if the teacher asks you to introduce yourself, just-"
"Stay calm and keep a composed mind." Seijuro finished, brows scrunching up together. At his father's wide-eyed look, he snapped. "We know; you've repeated it for the fifth time this week."
Surprisingly, after that emotional meeting on the first night, Seijuro has fully regained his composure even though the child-like attitude still fluffs up in indignity occasionally. It was probably because of the 'perfect' image he has set for the servants, Haruka thought with a twinge. Hayato though, did not look surprised in the least.
"But there can never be too much said." Hayato argued, turning on the chauffeur. "Hiroshi, please remember to put the seat belts on for them and see them into the school personally…"
The chauffeur, Hiroshi, slapped his face in resignation.
Haruka didn't know how he should react.
"Honestly, why has father changed so much?" A weight was suddenly around his hand, and the orange headed child looked up in surprise at his irritated cousin. Seijuro sighed. "He used to be perfect."
That word again…Haruka looked on, confused. It did not make sense in the slightest. Even though Hayato was the one who chided Seijuro into believing that perfection is most important, his countenance right now was anything but such. It made him wonder about the things that happened to Hayato in the past three years which made him change.
"Haruka!" Hayato's face was shoved into his, making him flinch.
"Wha-"
The man only adjusted his shirt collars, smoothing Haruka's fluffy orange hair into a less messy position and plucked a green pin out of his pocket, pushing half his fringe back into a neater position.
"There, now you look perfect, young man!" Hayato smiled in satisfaction.
The orange headed child remained confused, but otherwise bowed silently, uncertainly, as thanks.
"Arigatou, Akashi-oji-san."
"Just call me 'Papa'!" Hayato smiled.
Eh? What was that?
His mind shut down on him.
Unknown to him, scarlet eyes narrowed instantly at his father. Over the last few days, even though the euphoria of reuniting with his immediate family lasted, the advances his father was making towards his cousin did not escape his notice; for one, he would be blind before he could miss the obvious fact that Hayato is trying to include Haruka in all family matters – including things which were strictly Akashi before. His attempts to be alone with Haruka, too, wasn't missed.
And just looking at how the spotlight was – once again – brought to his ignorant cousin, it brought a mild feeling of uneasiness to him.
"P-P-P-Pa-p-"
The hand tightened around Haruka's wrists and he was dragged away.
"Let's go." Seijuro nonchalantly stated, ignoring an amused father as he strode quickly back to the limo. Sighing at his cousin, Haruka could only stumble helplessly after him, glancing back one last time at Akashi Hayato to cement all his uncertainties about the man.
The door was closed with a shut.
"Sei, what was…that?" He softly questioned, thoroughly confused.
Silence replied his question. The redhead was furrowing his brows, a sure sign of puzzlement at his own actions. Hesitantly, Haruka lifted a hand to the other boy's head, prepared to pat his head soothingly as he always does, and was promptly stunned by the slap which repelled his hand.
A glare.
Haruka flinched, hurt.
Simultaneous confusion and astonishment at his own actions immediately welled up in the scarlet eyes and Seijuro turned away, lost deeply in thought.
"Gomenasai, Haru, I was…too absorbed in my own thoughts." The redhead struggled to find the accurate words, but it was hard when they were both confused as to the actual reason.
"Hai, I understand." He did not.
Haruka shrunk back into his seat, cradling both hands in his lap. Amber eyes stared, dulled, at the small fingers reddening gradually at the rough abuse on them.
This was the first time this had ever happened. Closing his eyes, the orange headed child allowed himself to sink into his ever dreaded ocean of contemplative thoughts – the same one which greeted him in his second year of middle school and returned a few days ago – thinking about why his dear child he did that.
But even as dull as his senses are right now, a pulse was sent through his brain, reminding him of it.
Ah. That's right, Seijuro wasn't his dear child anymore.
Perhaps…Seijuro is angry that Hayato is treating him like Seijuro, a son.
The door cracked open and Hiroshi entered. The children looked up.
"Well, Haruka-sama and Seijuro-sama," The man smiled tiredly, probably worn out by Hayato. "Let's leave while Hayato-sama hasn't changed his mind, shall we?"
Leave…
Amber eyes widened.
For the first time ever, it occurred to him that he was sitting in a car right now, a car which runs on the road, and could possibly crash into another child like him, painting everything a terrible, dark, dark red…
The scenes of his death flashed before his eyes.
A sharp throb of pain was felt, an echo of the one when he died.
His breathing became shallower.
Amber orbs dilated.
"Haru…?" Scarlet locks fell within his view, but somehow, he couldn't bulk his body at all. "Haru, answer me. Are you okay?"
Hands were now tugging at his shoulders, shaking him lightly in worry. He should answer…he must answer, but…he couldn't.
As Seijuro's face finally came into view, only one thought occurred to him.
Shit.
He officially had a phobia of vehicles.
…
Haruka's sudden bout of sickness washed away the frustration he had previously.
Perhaps his mind had merely been looking for some distraction from this morning, or he simply wanted to erase that feeling of guilt he had, but when he caught sight of his cousin's deathly white face, amber eyes widening with so much fear and looking so small as he hugged himself tightly, it erased whatever thoughts he was thinking about his father and Haruka.
Concern overrode everything.
Throughout the entire journey, Seijuro was wrapping an arm comfortingly around Haruka, murmuring hushed words of comfort, but his cousin still remained silent.
Only when they stepped out of the car did the first response came.
Still leaning into his embrace, Haruka weakly lifted a fist to his mouth, seeming to will back the bile which threatened to come out. He shook his head even when the redhead shot him a concerned glance, pushing a finger to his lips in the universal sign of 'shush'.
Seijuro idly wondered if he should inform the oblivious adults, but reluctantly decided against it. Afterall, if they know about Haruka's condition, it would bring his father's attention back to Haruka.
As selfish as it was, he wanted Haruka to rely only on him, and not any other person, even if it was his father.
-x-
"My name is Akashi Seijuro, I am five this year. I like my family and chess, and I despise failures who use measly reasons to make up for their faults. My dream is to become a perfect politician, just like my father." With a hand in his pocket, Seijuro was like the typical calm, composed shounen in chibi-mode. Well, that is probably the image he is going for.
Meeting the eyes of the class of children, Haruka could feel a slow smile greeting his lips. His inner worries were soothed at the moment by their innocent gazes, and the urge to set an image as the 'older brother' became overwhelming.
No, Kazune, no acting out something you're not again.
Another wary glance at his cousin and he breathed, ignoring the worries drumming in his head.
"I am Sorenji Haruka, I'm also turning five this year. I like Sei, Karuta and basketball, and I despise…cars." He winced at the thought of it, recalling how he was half hyperventilating a moment ago in the limo. "…And my dream is to be a renowned basketball player in the future."
Numerous "Oooohs…" echoed around the class. Perhaps, it was because they did not understand the meaning of 'politician' when Seijuro said it.
He shot a nervous glance to his cousin. Seijuro looked quite irked at the favouritism, twisting the rod in his stomach even more. He looked down in rejection.
Why is Seijuro so angry at me nowadays?
"Well, class, please treat Haruka-kun and Seijuro-kun nicely and be friends with them. Just because they are transfer students, it doesn't mean that they are any different from you, so integrate them into your groups and involve them in your activities." The teacher clapped her hands to gather back the attention.
A chorus of agreements were replied.
"Now, Haruka-kun and Seijuro-kun, where would you like to sit?"
There were obviously no two empty seats placed together.
Whilst Seijuro automatically made a beeline for one seat near the teacher, Haruka sighed and went for the last empty seat.
Well, it's not like he has a choice anyway.
So he is roomed with twenty five year olds and a Seijuro for eight hours, going through things he already know and bearing the brunt of hyperactive children shouting in excitement everywhere…It can't be too bad, right?
"Well, class, today, we'll be learning how to write full sentences through songs! Let's have fun and learn!" The overexcited teacher punched a hand in mid-air.
Apparently, the teacher was like an overgrown Kiyoshi.
Haruka slumped.
How terrific.
…
Overall, the day passed by in a dreary daze. The only things prominent were the awed stares when he answered several questions, and the lunch time. Especially the lunch time.
Haruka wanted to slam his face repeatedly into Seijuro's desk as Eiji neatly arranged a table cloth on the table, bowing deeply from the waist to them.
"Haruka-sama, Seijuro-sama, the menu for today will be…"
He wasn't listening anymore.
Haruka could only focus on the attention the teachers and students were giving them, reddening slightly under their obviously envying gazes. Why did Hayato have to be such a paranoid guy? Why couldn't they be allowed to have a normal lunch in peace?
"Eiji, I'm fine with this, but please stop making such a fuss for Haru from tomorrow onwards." Seijuro's calm words caught his attention.
"Sei?" Haruka looked up, brows furrowed questioningly. "I'm fine with this." A lie, but… "Afterall, Hayato-oji-sama is only doing this out of concern for us, isn't he? It would be impolite to reject that…"
"But you are uncomfortable with the attention, aren't you?" Seijuro stated blankly.
That hit home.
Haruka blinked, looking down with slightly saddened eyes.
Seijuro…Did he want to monopolize all the attention of Hayato…That's why he's doing this?
It should not be surprising to Haruka though. Afterall, knowing Seijuro's childhood without parents, he is more than likely to want his father all to himself. Haruka himself feels the same way with Seijuro, but the difference lies in the fact that the Akashi's were connected by blood, and he is the third wheel who should never have existed.
He had to let Seijuro go eventually anyway.
Forcing a smile, he agreed with Seijuro's suggestion, not noticing his cousin's longing gaze.
…
Perhaps, he should have introduced himself in another manner. If he had done that, perhaps there would not have been so many stares directed at Haruka, so many smiles which clearly hid some degree of fondness and liking.
From the book he read, crushes could develop from an early age and eventually grow into infatuation or even love.
There were now more people, more rivals for Haruka's attention, and more people wanting to be the one he relies on.
Seijuro didn't like it.
From the first time they met, Haruka was his and only his. Not theirs. His father and his classmates do not possess the right to steal Haruka from him, be it through lunches, attention or even gazes. They should not be looking at Haruka or make him feel uncomfortable at all.
The idea of schooling is turning absurd now, and his rose tinted glasses of his father were getting smeared. Of course, he is still happy that his father is back, but this does not mean he is glad that Haruka is being shared by more people now.
Haruka is his afterall.
-x-
Year 5 Month 2
"Twenty-Three over Thirty, excellent job, Airi!" The teacher cheerily called.
The girl came up, flushing a rosy red before collecting her paper and rushing back to her seat.
How is it excellent? Seijuro does not get it at all. The level of mathematics within this school is simply too low, and too simple. Everyone should be expected to attain a close to perfect score at least. How can they be satisfied with this?
"And this time round, hm! We have two thirty's!" The teacher beamed. "Seijuro-kun and Haruka-kun!"
From his seat, he noticed his orange headed cousin walking up in an almost sleepy manner, forcing a happy smile if only to help make the others feel better. He himself stood up nonchalantly, collecting the test with utmost negativity.
"Now, can everyone recalculate your marks to make sure there are no errors?" The teacher cried.
Seijuro furrowed his brows, and sighed as he began counting.
Twenty-seven…Twenty-eight…Twenty-nine…?
He recounted again, only to arrive at the same conclusion.
Is there an error only with his?
Lifting his head, he glanced in Haruka's direction and is surprised to find the boy helping others, already finished with his own.
Glancing down again, Seijuro could only conclude that he somehow made a careless mistake and now scored lower than his cousin. He did not hesitate to raise his hand to alert the teacher, as his father has taught him always to.
"Sensei, there is a mistake in your calculations. The correct score ought to be twenty-nine." He stoically said.
The female teacher blinked and flipped through the paper. "Oh my! Gomen, Seijuro-kun, I'll go and edit the score!" She rushed off, nearly tripping in her haste.
"No…problem." He finished.
Looking up again, scarlet eyes widened when he noticed Haruka staring at him inquisitively. Without knowing the reason why, he gulped and swivelled back quickly, looking down at his somewhat sweaty hands. It felt uncomfortable for some reason, suffocating, almost.
It took another moment to monitor his own feelings and he finally came to a conclusion: He hated not being as perfect as Haruka is.
…
He gazed at Seijuro's back tiredly, heart heavy with weariness and loneliness.
Just two months Hayato was there, and yet, the consistent attempts to integrate him into the family were finally grating on his nerves. So many times he had refused the man, rejected him occasionally with the rudeness he used to possess in his adolescence, yet the red headed man still persisted to include him. Numerous times he hinted that Seijuro needed more of his attention, yet Hayato remained as oblivious as ever.
When will the father finally get that Haruka Sorenji is not wanted within the family, and that this idea was accepted by his son?
Seijuro's behaviour did not help the situation either. During lunch, he would suggest out loud for Haruka to join the other kids. ('He must draw the attention away from Haru.') He will walk with Haruka back home to monitor the time Haruka spends with his father. ('To help Haru with his fear') And he is consistently staring ever so intently at him, as if willing him to get away. (He wants to be as perfect as Haruka, so he can stand toe to toe with him as equals.)
Haruka never knew jealousy so change a person and a relationship so much.
That heartbroken gaze just now was the last straw. It was clear that Seijuro is getting too envious for his liking, and this simply wasn't fair to Sei either, considering how hard he was trying and Haruka had an unfair advantage due to his age.
Finally, the orange headed child decided to allow Seijuro to be the top.
-x-
Past – 13 Years Month 11
"Still angry?"
He snorted and folded his arms. Kazune lifted a bemused brow down at Tora, lips pressed into a frown.
"What do you think?" He asked back blankly. "You didn't tell me about your sickness. You didn't tell me that you only wanted me as your substitute. And you never said anything about a 50% death probability. Is there anything other thing you've hidden from me?"
"Hm, let me think…" Tora grinned. "I was the one who ate your pudding a week ago, placed the glue on your chair when we were eight, and replaced your change of clothes with a tutu during training camp."
An amber eye twitched.
"It was you?!" He gritted out.
"Yup. It was hilarious how you walked around school in that." Tora laughed.
Kazune face palmed.
"Forget this. I'm leaving." He sighed.
"Ah, wait!" A large hand grabbed his.
He looked back, and immediately regretted when he heard the pleading whimpers of his best friend, jolting the memory of his puppy dog face back to mind. As gross as it would be for an adult man to make such a face and sound, it never failed to bring back memories of when they were younger, causing his heart to melt.
"Kazu," The serious tone made him jolt. He tensed. "I really mean what I said at the match. Won't you become the captain of our basketball team?" He quickly added when he noticed his expression. "I mean a permanent one, at least, until the others and you step down."
"Yadda. (Don't want to.)" He closed his unseeing eyes.
"Please…"
"Not a chance."
Tora sighed, clearly crestfallen. Kazune thought he was about to give up when the next few words took him aback.
"I still have one last secret I haven't told you, Kazu," He breathed. "And that is the fact that I know you loved basketball since young."
He flinched. Subconsciously, his hands unfolded, dropping to his sides.
"Wha-? I don't-!" He flushed in embarrassment.
"Your eyes shift when you lie, Kazu." Tora pointed out, staring into his eyes. The teen looked away quickly, and he continued."You always loved basketball, and you'd rather die than let go of it. When we were ten, you were bullied by those older basketball players and shunned for your talent in it. But even then, you didn't let go of it in your heart. You continued practicing."
"Tora," Kazune sighed, calming his heart. "Accusations and fabricated lies will not work-"
"People don't just improve so much within a year." The fact stung, but it was true. Tora stared straight ahead. "It is impossible for a blind amateur to improve by so much within a year. You shouldn't know where the basket is, you shouldn't be able to memorize how big or wide the field is…Unless you've already been a player even before that. A professional, someone who loves playing, at the very least."
Kazune stilled. He forced a smile.
"Or I really just have that much talent."
"But you don't." Tora concluded.
Kazune fell silent, thinking. Anything he says at this point of time will no doubt be reflected, and it'll only land him into a bigger hell hole of embarrassment. Finally, he sighed and combed a hand through his hair.
"You've been quite blunt lately, Baka-Tora. My feelings are hurt." He placed a hand over his heart.
"Not as much as mine, since my best friend don't even believe enough in me to tell me about his hobbies." A smile was cracked, and they both chuckled at their own silly antics. Truly, it was amusing, even if this could possibly be their last moments together.
"Kagetora-kun, please hurry! You still have five minutes left!" The nurse poked her head into the room.
"Got it, beautiful!" He slurred at her.
The nurse only huffed, folding her hands together and slamming the door behind her.
"Flirt." Kazune snorted.
"Nope. You mean, the world's greatest self-proclaimed pervert!" Tora winked.
They stared at each other for another moment and burst into another bout of laughter.
Nothing was funny, really, but the laughter just couldn't stop bubbling out of him.
It was truly relieving, Kazune thought, how peaceful things were now that everything is out in the open. He no longer has to deny his love for basketball, and his friend now seems to treat him as an equal instead of a substitute. It was like a gust of fresh air into his lonely, isolated mindscape.
Their chuckles gradually dwindled and came to a stop. They smiled.
"So, since we both established that you love basketball, do we agree that you are most suitable to be the next captain?" Tora gave a casual lopsided grin. "Afterall, you're the only one I know who loves basketball as much as I do."
"Not a single chance in hell." Kazune beamed back just as brightly, if not even brighter.
"Eh~? Why? I already revealed all my cards!" Tora protested.
"I already swore on my name that I wouldn't play any official games until we are both on the court together." Kazune shot back. "It wouldn't do for me to break my word."
"But I love the way you play~!" Tora whined.
"You mean the faces of the opponents when they are stunned by me." Kazune interrupted.
"Well, I love having a guaranteed win!"
"Because as captain, you'll have another five merit points added to your profile."
"Bah! Who cares about that?!"
"Yes, who cares about being able to be late for fifteen more times? You, that's who."
Tora flinched at the accusation and sighed, shrinking in his bed.
"But…Well…" He pressed his hand to his face, hiding his expression, not that Kazune can see anything either ways. He finally broke. "What if I don't ever come back?"
Kazune warily lifted his head.
"What if…Somehow…There was an accident during the operation which ruins…everything?"
"You'll survive." The sheer confidence in his own words surprised Kazune himself.
Tora's head snapped up, eyes wide.
"Even if something happens, you'll survive. You're as stubborn as a bull…or more specifically, like a cockroach. If something happens, just climb your way through all the obstacles and get back here to see us one last time, dead or alive." Kazune shrugged. "Or I'll have to go to hell and dragged you back myself."
"Wha…What's with that confidence?" Tora burst out into laughter.
"You're a bullroach afterall. That's the attitude of a bullroach."
"What the hell is a bullroach?"
"A word used to describe Kagetora Aida in less than two words. Be honoured; A word was created for your sake." He mocked.
"As if I'd be happy. It's an insult to my stubbornness!"
Kazune folded his arms, shrugging.
Noticing the thick voice which Tora now bore, he looked away politely, giving the sniffling male some privacy.
"Thank you, Kazu."
…
"Moshi-moshi? (Hello?) Who is this?"
"…"
"…Is this another prank? I won't fall for it now, you know."
"…Shiori."
"…Harasawa-Fukutaicho? (Vice Captain?) What's wrong? Your tenors are shaking."
"…Shiori…!" The bubble of sob finally drew some concern out of him. He frowned into the phone, finally sitting down the plate of eggs. Listening to the cracking of the other youth's voice and his incomprehensible wailings, Kazune finally gave his full attention to the phone.
"What happened?" That should be an easy enough question to get him all the answers.
"He…Taicho (Captain) that idiot…I – How could I have not known? If we had known just a while earlier, he could have gotten healed! It's all my fault that he is…"
A spark of irritation. Was he ever this pathetic during their last match?
"What is it?! Speak clearly!" He barked.
"He died, Shiori!" An exclamation.
Kazune froze.
"That idiot Tora died…"
-x-
Year 6
Blankly, amber eyes scanned through the answers, and upon doing a calculation in his head, quickly changed some of the answers of the more difficult ones.
Haruka wondered why he was thinking about Tora's death at this point of time and place. His mind had went from Seijuro to Tora, jumping rather randomly as it always does. Tora may have been the first to have used him, like Seijuro subconsciously did, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he's exactly like Seijuro. As a matter of fact, their personalities were completely different.
Maybe…It was because he had a soft spot for both. No matter what they did, he always end up forgiving them, and somehow, whenever they had some troubles of some sort, Haruka and Kazune always end up being the one in the shadows, working incessantly to solve their problems.
Shadow and light, huh?
Haruka smiled dryly. How akin to Kuroko and Kagami all of them were, except in a darker sense.
The pencil lead snapped, but he was already done.
Eighty-Three. That should be enough to get him into the private elementary school Hayato desired for them, but still low enough to be below Seijuro.
He smiled bitterly as his mind drifted away into some of his darker thoughts.
So absorbed he was in his thoughts, that he neglected to notice that under the name column, it was written as 'Kagetora Aida'.
-x-
Year 6 Month 1
"Haruka-kun…It's not like you to make this kind of mistake." The large hands were clasped on his shoulders, and a set of sharp yet soft ruby eyes stared at him. "Even if you are a fan of Aida-san, why were you thinking of him in the middle of an exam?"
He gazed back guiltily, sighing for the nth time of the day.
"I'm sorry." He repeated, a soft whisper barely heard.
Hayato shook his head and stood up again, ruffling the soft orange locks of hair.
"We were lucky the education board still decided to give us the points and allow you to enter the school. But never make that kind of mistake again, okay?" A tone of strictness entered his voice, worry permeating through it.
Haruka sighed, amber eyes wandering to Seijuro who stood on the other side.
"Okay." He dipped his head.
"Why did you score so low?" Was the next question.
He stilled himself for the interrogation that was to come.
"Seijuro," Hayato said warningly.
His son only stared straight into his nephew's eyes.
"You taught me everything in the paper. You were the one who predicted most of those questions for us, and you always scored well when the tests were given." Ruby eyes narrowed. "Yet why did you make all those mistakes on purpose?"
Haruka fell silent.
"Exam stress got to me. Those were…careless mistakes." He said carefully.
Seijuro clenched his fists, although his face remained stoic as always.
"Your eyes shift when you lie, Haru." Seijuro's statement made him jolt in shock.
"Your eyes shift when you lie, Kazu." Tora pointed out, staring into his eyes.
He flinched.
Amber eyes widened when tears suddenly leapt to them, shifting awkwardly when Seijuro and Hayato made a strangled sound at the back of their throats, as if taken aback by the sudden emotions which assaulted him.
The perfect Akashi's weakness was tears, it seems. Under normal conditions, he would have laughed at his realization.
But now, Haruka only choked on his half-hearted chuckles, shrinking away from them both.
He wanted to get away from them right now. Away from the two sources of his despair and negative thoughts, away from their forceful expectations of him.
"Gomen, Hayato-oji-san, Sei, I've been feeling very stressed lately. Perhaps, all I need is just some time alone to…think." The shakiness of his voice made him want to slap himself. Now, they would never leave him alone.
A moment of hesitation.
He could feel Hayato's insecurity at letting a child under his charge wander around freely, and Haruka fully comprehended his feelings. Who knew what a six year old could do alone afterall, and since when do six year olds need alone time for thinking?
Finally, Hayato announced.
"Be back immediately after you are done. No, call us within an hour and we'll come and fetch you." The worry in his voice was all too obvious.
Haruka sniffled and smiled.
"'Kay."
…
They watched him leave with a hunched back, his small shoulders slumped down as if he bore the weight of the entire world.
Seijuro was all ready to take the first step and follow the orange-haired child, but Hayato pulled him back wordlessly. The tall man set his hands on his son's shoulders, squatting down to allow scarlet eyes to peer down into his own eyes in an almost searching manner.
Seijuro tilted his head, confused.
"Otou-sama?" His voice was emotionless, a 'perfect' resemblance of how Hayato was years before.
Behind his eyes, he saw in that moment, a distant memory; Dashing scarlet locks, a face that was a mirror of his, and accompanying the man, a woman with long orange hair fluttering in the summer breeze.
In his mind, he could hear them laughing at him, his dear companions lecturing him about how he was too strict and too much of a workaholic for his own good. They would occasionally force him to take some days off, making him spend time with his family. But as one would expect, he had never once adhered to their advice, always choosing to keep to his sanctuary (work). But now, he could see their words coming to bite him in the back.
Since when did they grow up so fast?
The scary thought came to him as he forced himself to stare into his son's still childish face.
Haruka, his beloved nephew, with his bunch of orange curls and youthful face, appeared like a normal child on the surface. However, even he had noticed by now, how that set of fiery ambers was much too old for the child's age.
Is this the result of his absence in their childhood, he wonder, a childhood devoid of the protective embrace of either parent that forced them to be independent from young?
Yet as quickly as that possibility occurred to him, he eradicated it from his mind. It isn't, he decidedly concluded. Because if that was the case, then both children should be at the same mental age. It never made sense to him why Haruka would be the one who seems older, whereas Seijuro, the other child, remained a child.
As he was thinking, the said child was still looking puzzled.
"Otou…sama?" Seijuro's confusion was almost endearing.
Hayato bit his lip, pondering over his thoughts, and he finally forced a smile.
"Seijuro, is Haruka important to you?" He asked.
The more rounded scarlet eyes of the child blinked and he shrugged in a casual manner.
"Hai, more so than anybody." The glint in his eyes as he looked at Hayato clearly showed that that included him, but the man was only more amused by this.
"Then…Since he is that important to you," Hayato stared into child's eyes sincerely. "Look over him and protect him." Because if things carry on like this, I feel that Haruka will find himself in a tough situation someday.
Seijuro blinked once more, slowly, contemplatively, before a glint of determination came to his eyes.
"That goes without saying."
Hayato chuckled and ruffled his hair.
-x-
The ball was in the hands of her idiotic teammate, of all people, and the albino stilled when two defenders came up at him from both sides, the beads of sweat rolling down his face. Purple eyes darted around frantically until he caught sight of her.
Taking a step forward, he lifted the ball as if throwing to the back, but as four hands wildly flailed towards it, he quickly switched the direction of the fake.
"Oi, Onna (Woman)!"
As usual, what a crude way of calling her.
She rolled her emerald eyes as she caught the ball with one hand, catching sight of her defender behind her back. The male was too tense, knowing who they were. The girl smirked as she easily slid under his arm, side stepping the stunned male and juggling the ball back towards the net.
Waist down, horizontal to the ground…Yes, it's the perfect way to reduce air resistance and quicken speed.
"Onna, here!" The albino had caught up to her, waving his arms with a wicked grin. His two defenders were desperately chasing after him, tensing at his words.
She smirked back when she caught sight of his one finger pointed upwards.
Their signal.
"Right." Her defender was catching up anyways.
Lifting the ball up, she randomly tossed it, not in the least concerned about whether it would fall to her opponents. They had an ace card on their hands anyway.
Her defender immediately chased after the ball, still bewildered and confused by her actions. Then, a shadow loomed over him.
With a hand, the much, much larger teenager caught it easily, blinking unsurprised. The girl's defender was still fully disorientated when the giant rolled it to their last regular member, a raven haired male who smiled apologetically as he made the shot.
Swoosh.
The net was blown up by the impact.
The ball had fallen in perfectly.
The whistle was blown.
"Gomen ne, you guys, it would seem like we have won this round." The raven haired male gave his hundred watt smile, though it did not seem intentional that he rubbed salt into their wound.
"We won! Yes! We won!" The albino punched his fists.
"Urusai! (Shut up) It's just a normal game, isn't it?!" She slapped his head, a resounding sound echoing.
"What the hell?! Why'd you do that, Baka-Onna?!"
"This isn't even an official match! What are you all happy about?!" She growled back.
"…Taicho (Captain)." The giant whispered.
The raven haired male sighed and quickly ducked in to separate the duo.
"Now, now, kids, let's not fight, shall we? Or else…I'll be forced to cuff you two together again." He beamed brightly at them.
The duo immediately paled, zipping their mouths shut.
The blond female sighed, looking up at the sky in boredom.
"I want to play an official match soon…Random practice matches are so boring~!" She groaned to herself.
No reply was given. Her three male friends were all too absorbed in their discussion to respond.
She sighed.
And blinked.
Tilting her head up again, the girl took a step to the left, emerald eyes widening when she caught a peak of bright orange behind the solitude of the tree. She took another step, and finally realized what it was she is seeing.
A…child?
And he's curled up, crying.
Rushing forward and attaching herself to the bark of the tree, the blonde quickly sprouted numerous reassuring phrases, ignoring the fact that everyone in the vicinity are now looking at her.
"Boy! Are you stuck?! Don't be afraid and stay calm! Don't cry! Be brave!"…And such.
"Wha…?" The boy tilted his head in confusion.
"Don't worry, I'm coming to get you!" The blonde could only reply with an exclamation.
"…eh?"
"…What is she doing?" The albino deadpanned.
"As usual, foreigners are very eccentric, aren't they?" The raven haired male only smiled politely.
"…I don't think so, taicho."
The blonde made a strangled sound as she used one arm to latch around the branch the child was on, giving a toothy grin to the orange headed boy and a thumbs up.
Creaaak…
Round watery amber eyes widened. The boy stilled himself as he leaned as far back against the trunk as he possible could, noticing with horror that the branch was starting to shift downwards.
"Don't worry, I'm here!" She gave a toothy grin and thumbs up, not noticing the boy shaking his head in horror.
"D-Don't move! Don't move any closer, please!" He pleaded.
"Huh?" Emerald eyes opened. She leaned closer, hefting her ample bosom onto the branch. "What do you meeeeeeaaaaaaan-?!"
Shit.
They were falling.
The girl quickly hugged the child into her chest, turning around in mid-air so that the impact will be absorbed only by her.
CRASH!
"Ow…"
"Alex-san, are you alright?!" Her team members were running to the scene, donning similar expressions of concern…other than the ever heartless albino, of course.
"I'm…alright." She forced a smile. "More importantly, boy, are you alright…?"
There was no response.
"Ahem," Her captain coughed into his fist, pointing politely to the boy still on her chest.
"Wha…?" He's turning blue. Emerald eyes popped open. Her arms loosened. "I killed him!"
A second passed, and the boy lurched up.
He inhaled deeply as he was released.
Finally, fresh air.
Haruka Sorenji cursed his luck as he rolled off the girl, slumping into the ground.
He had only meant to come here to listen to the familiar squeaks of shifting sports shoes, deep panting, and the thuds of the ball…and perhaps, to mourn for his past life just a little…so why had it turned out like this?
He was surprised when a feminine hand slid around his shoulders, lifting him while he was heaving away, but weakly accepted the help. Hesitantly. Okay, reluctantly. He knew the girl probably mean well, but her help so far…has been unnecessary.
"I'm so sorry!" She suddenly exclaimed in English, rubbing his shoulder as soothingly as she possibly could. Four years of having different languages pounded into him did an auto translate. He thought she'd probably only understand English.
"It's…fine. I'm alright." He replied back, trying to reassure her.
The girl froze, as if surprised.
Opening his amber eyes for the first time since they fell, Haruka blinked at the features that were in his face.
Emerald eyes…Shoulder length blonde hair…
Eh.
Ehhhh?
Alexandra Garcia was before him.
-x-
A/N: So…I updated. Writer's guilt (not block, yes) practically killed me, and every one of your reviews urged me to write another chapter, so I did. I may or may not take this chapter down temporarily, depending on your responses. Since I did not read through this a second time (I wanted to show you guys as soon as it was done), it may contain a lot of faults, so my dear audience, your job now is to point those out to me.
I won't be on fanfiction again for a long time. O levels, like I said, and what not. So please make do with what you have.
Overall, I somewhat enjoyed and did not enjoy writing this chapter. Since I do not want to end up with too many filler chapters, I went straight to the main point and decked out Akashi Hayato, cutting short the happy times. In addition, since I got influenced by the 'Fabulous boys' show when I was writing, it also ended up with too much angst, and I had to change the plot countless times. Now, I'm not all that too good with angst – I either write too brief a description of it or too detailed – so I've already done my best for that. But if there's anything else you felt was…off, please tell me in your reviews.
It's considerably late right now, so I won't be answering any reviewers' questions in this chapter. Will do the next time. But to the one who asked me about my age, yes, I'm fifteen turning sixteen, and don't worry, I don't mind these light hearted questions.
Please review and tell me about your overall impression. Thanks!
-Fortius