DISCLAIMER: KUROKO NO BASKET BELONGS TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNER. I DON'T OWN ANY CHARACTERS NOR MAKING ANY PROFIT WITH IT.
CHAPTER 4 OF 7
Midorima mentally cursed and angrily took of his night cap with a heavily red face.
What the hell was that?
He dreamed of a messy bed, tangled limbs, sweaty naked bodies, and breathy moans.
Much to his horror—although blurry—he was sure it was him having sex with someone he was not sure who.
He remembered running his hands through soft strands of hair of the person who was—oh, goddamnit—giving him a head. He could still recall how the locks slip through his long fingers easily, those plump lips, and a pink tongue licking his co—
And this was the third night. Really.
If he recalled correctly, it began last Sunday night. But that night, his dream mainly consisted of hugging a faceless person. Midorima was even afraid to let go, or else that person might go away.
On Monday night, that person had lips, and those Midorima kissed passionately while holding that person's hand tightly, and again, having the fright that this person will fade away.
Then Tuesday night, it escalated to... this.
But now that he remembered it, that person also called him 'Shin-chan' before his dreams would be abruptly cut.
Given that only one person addresses him that way...
Midorima lifted his blanket and peeked underneath.
He ruined his third change of sheets.
Fuck.
Takao's phone vibrated again and he barely contained his glee.
It has only been two days texting the girl and he kind of taking a liking on her already. Man, he was so excited to meet her!
Their message topics were mostly about personal interests and other stuffs, but they sure have the same taste. They both prefer Korean dishes especially Kimchi. Most girls found it unappealing, even Midorima said the smell sticks to the breath. But, hey, it's delicious. The girl is also simple, not overly girly but pretty; very athletic who plays for the female basketball team of their school and good at tennis too. And just his luck, she was also a good cook (according to her cousin).
If he had known there was a chick like this alive, they were probably an item right now.
That day was Wednesday and Takao very much wanted their classes to end. He already brought his change of clothes with him so he could go immediately after practice.
Ah. Could this be the feeling of in-love? Well, he felt light, as if a heavy weight was removed from him. His stress vanished and most importantly, he was feeling normal. Like back to the basic again.
And the good news was that those rumors about him and Midorima decreased drastically, if not gone. He found out that his new friends were to be trusted on spreading talks about him dating a girl. Although Takao right out said he was yet to meet her, many congratulated him in advance for his catch.
As for Midorima, he said nothing though.
Takao would caught him glancing at him whenever the point guard reads a text message or when receiving calls from the girl. Takao knew Midorima did not approved of him sneaking texts during lectures, but Takao would look at him briefly and will mouth a 'sorry, I can't help it' which will resulted to the shooter helplessly shaking his head.
But that day, the sideways looks Midorima was giving him seemed... odd.
To put it simply, it was like Midorima was giving his phone several murderous stares—or maybe it was actually directed to Takao?
Takao suddenly felt the need to encase his phone with a metal protector. And probably a protection for his back too, since Midorima's gaze right now was freaking scalding.
Yeah, as in, right now.
If anything, Midorima very much wanted to break that phone in half.
Not only that it has an annoying ring tone of some Western pop song, Takao's facial expression when the screen would lit up was also infuriating.
As if Midorima wanted to wipe off that stupid grin hanging on his lips.
Takao was not paying attention to classes for the past two days. To say that unknown girl Takao did not even know that much was a bad influence was definitely a fact. Didn't she have classes too?
The worse was that she was also intruding Takao's basketball practice with her constant irritating phone calls. And Takao adding more oil to the fire by being lovey-dovey with her on the line.
But what it was to him anyway? He didn't care whatever Takao might want to do with his life. He was a man like him. They both have different life, and neither was each other's responsibility.
Midorima turned to gaze at the said guy who was currently doing lapses. His face was shiny with sweat, strands of hair sticking at his neck, silvery blue eyes glinting with vigor, and his exterior firm muscles flexing at every movement. When he halted, he was panting with his chest heaving and his mouth exhales puffs of small air.
Like the way the Takao in Midorima's dream panted after an orgasm.
Midorima unconsciously gripped the can of shiruko on his hand. The tin scrunched in agony as it was crushed with a large palm. Kimura and Miyaji, who both happened to be nearby, exchanged wide-eyed looks and pitied the poor can.
"M-Midorima?"
No, it's not Takao. Besides, I'm not even sure if it's a woman or not... Tch, but the 'Shin-chan' was unmistakeable... No, why would it be him?! It's not that I fancied him or anything... Then why?!
"Oi, Midorima."
Tch. That phone was ringing again. Won't it shut up for a day?
"Oi, brat!"
Midorima dropped the can he was crumpling and it produced a loud clanking sound. All attention turned to him. Including Takao's.
"E-Excuse me." Midorima picked up the trash and went out of the gym hastily.
The senpais and the coach turned to Takao warily.
"What?" Takao asked.
"He's obviously mad at you," Miyaji said, rolling his eyes. "You haven't seen him rumpled the can while staring hotly at your back."
"What did I do now?!"
"What do you want, guys? I'll be running to the vending machine." Takao offered, wiping his forehead and neck with a clean towel.
"Lemon juice for me."
"Iced coffee."
"Gatorade."
"Gotcha." Takao turned to Nakatani. "Coach, you need something?"
"A bottled water will be fine."
"Yes, sirs! I'll be back." Takao was about to jog off when the captain called. "Hmm?"
"Aren't you going to ask Midorima too?"
"Uh..." Takao slowly craned his neck to the side, watching Midorima practicing his three pointers from afar. With a rather hostile frown etched on his visage. And what was with that killer aura?! "I guess... I'd rather not." He chuckled humorlessly. "He looks ready to kill me."
Miyaji slung an arm around Takao's shoulder. "C'mon now, don't be like that. We're a team here."
Kimura patted their junior's back. "Yeah. Who knows, maybe he's thirsty? I mean, those shoots were probably tiring than they look."
You just wanted me to be eaten alive!
Even Ootsubo dared to join the conspiration. "Right. Midorima is your best friend, no? You should also find out what's wrong. Don't let the day pass with an argument." Wise words, captain.
Best friends. The taboo words had been spoken. "Fine. Fine."
With attentive steps, Takao trudged himself towards the shooter. Why was he afraid? Well, Midorima can be scary especially when his beast side was unleashed and he did want to be a victim of his wrath. In the first place, why was Midorima angry? It wasn't that Takao did something wrong, right?
Right.
Clearing his throat, Takao tapped his shoulder. "Shin-chan?"
"What?!"
"Eep!" Takao slapped his mouth shut, wincing at the sound he just let out.
Midorima expression softened in an instant and looked away. "I mean, what... do you want?"
"Iwasjustwonderingwhatdoyouwantmetogetforyou!"
"Can you please repeat that?" Midorima requested sheepishly.
"Ah.. I was just w-wondering what do you want m-me to get for y-you?"
"Shiruko would be fine," the taller man replied, almost a whisper.
"Shiruko then. Yeah! Haha. I'll go get it now." Takao walked briskly on his way out. More like, he wanted to flee if possible.
"They're hopeless," Nakatani commented with a sigh. Three heads nodded in agreement.
After practice, Takao immediately hurried to hit the showers. Leaving his phone on top of his bag together with his other things. And when it rang, Midorima was the only person around the locker room.
Heh. What a coincidence,
Midorima decided to let it be, knowing the caller was only the girl Takao was about to date later. Why did she have to call anyway? They would be meeting soon. Was that not enough?
It seemed persistent though. That annoying English soundtrack kept playing without end and hurt Midorima's ears.
It stopped, much to Midorima's relief.
...Only to ring again after a minute.
Midorima had enough.
Flipping the offending phone open, Midorima clicked the answer button.
Ah, Takao-kun, I've been trying to—
Beep
That shut it up.
Takao sprayed himself up over his red checkered sweater, waxed his hair with his desired style, and put on a black skinny jeans and high-cut sneakers. He left his school materials at his locker safely and brought only his wallet and phone with him. After bidding farewell to his seniors and coach, he stood at the school building entrance.
He was set to go.
But... he hadn't said goodbye to Midorima yet.
Or maybe he didn't have to? Since Midorima knew he would be leaving early today.
Takao looked back at the hall, as if waiting for someone to come around.
Of course, Midorima would not be there. Just what was he expecting? Midorima stopping him? But wasn't he also the reason why he wanted to participate in this date thing in the first place? To divert his attention towards the green-haired man.
But by the looks of it, it seemed that they were totally closing each other to themselves now, instead of bringing back their close friendship slash partnership the way they were before.
Well, all done was done.
"Takao."
The brunet turned at the voice and found Midorima there at the entrance, his mini black Mokona stuffed-toy at hand (lucky item), and holding an impassive stare.
"Good bye... Take care."
Takao smiled. "Yeah."
Takao was almost a perfect guy, as the girl noted to herself. He is a funny gentleman, thoughtful, knows the right timing for teasing, shows interest on everything, and seemed like a guy who would make fun of himself just to make you laugh. Add his good looks, athletic built, and perfect height... he had everything she was looking for a boyfriend.
But he has a kind of habit that she did not particularly like, and she began noticing it the third time.
They were at the arcade, playing something like grab a toy, which Takao was really good at given his special eyes, when he shared a story. "You know, I also do this thing for Shin-chan often, especially when the lucky item had to be from games like this. Well, Shin-chan sucks at this game. I remembered that Shin-chan even exchanged several goat plushy for a single old man toy. Would you believe that?"
She smiled a bit at that and dismissed the thought that this 'Shin-chan' Takao kept talking about was brought up thrice their conversations.
In an ice cream parlor, Takao treated him with her favorite salted caramel sundae while he got a red-beans ice-cream for himself. She thought it was an odd choice; she asked him about it. "Oh, this? Haha. I don't really know if it tastes great. Shin-chan really likes this flavor. I wanted to know what's so yummy in this thing." He then stuffed his mouth a spoonful and his eyes practically bulged out like he wasn't expecting it to be that delicious.
This time, she merely nodded in understanding and kept quiet. She shouldn't have asked.
At the bookstore where they were shuffling through random books just to look at their covers, something caught Takao's attention and his eyes glinted with recognition. "Oh, I know this book. Me, Her, and the Dog."
"I didn't know you read old books, Takao-kun," she said. "I'm quite surprised they have it at this bookstore, since as what I've heard, it became extinct due to its unpopularity in the market."
"I didn't actually read it. It's just a book that Shin-chan went through the lengths of gulping his pride to ask a favor from a rival just to borrow it. And because it was my lucky item." He grinned triumphantly. "I know he would never admit it, but Shin-chan actually cared for me and to all of his friends." A flicker of genuine joy flashed at his orbs as he perused the book. "I'm very touched when Shin-chan's woried. That tsundere."
"Is that so..." She didn't know why a streak of jealously hit her. 'Shin-chan' sounds like a very endearing nickname and Takao seemed to have many fond memories with whoever this person was.
Maybe it would be best if she tried diverting the topic herself.
It was the fifth time when she had enough.
"Takao-kun, now that I remember it, I called you about thirty minutes earlier before we meet up. But you canceled it right away. Did you happen to be doing something during those time?"
"Eh? No. I think I was at the shower. You called? Haven't heard my phone ringing." He chewed on his burger. "But Shin-chan was around by that time. Maybe Shin-chan got it."
"You left your phone to this Shin-chan?"
"Nah. Coincidence that Shin-chan was there too, waiting. Didn't tell me, though."
She bit the inside of her cheek. "Uh, Takao-kun, I was wondering since earlier. Who is this Shin-chan?"
"Shin-chan is Shin-chan."
"No, I mean... Is she your, you know, ex-girlfriend? Ah, sorry for asking that."
Takao frowned a bit. "Uh, no. Shin-chan is a guy."
"Oh, I see..."
"He's our basketball team's ace, and he's the best guy I know," Takao said with pride. "When we first met, he was actually a loner. Just by the looks of it since he's very eccentric. He did have some old friends though but he treated them as his rivals." Takao gazed outside the transparent mirror window longingly. "I pity him sometimes. People tend to judge him from the outside, they failed to see what is he made of."
The way Takao displayed several expressions with his eyes simply with the mention of this man's name had proven that this guy was probably important. "Is he... meaningful to you?"
It took a while for him to answer, as if debating to himself not to or that he didn't know. "I guess? You could say he's essential to me. He's been part of my life since I began high school." The last part came out sheepishly.
"Do you like him?" She asked carefully, afraid of his reply. She didn't know this was technically a game, vying for someone she already willing to have a relationship to. And she was on a competition with a guy, for a guy.
"Maybe." He smiled sadly, refusing to meet her eyes. "Maybe too much," he added, almost a whisper but it didn't escape her ears.
She studied Takao again, this time, her female instincts kicked in that this guy in front of her was definitely... in-love, but was yet to realize. Not with her, or not with anyone else she knew.
She was only at the beginning but she lost already.
Her eyes dropped with forlorn, gripping the end of her skirt. "I'm sorry then." She grabbed her bag and stood up, startling Takao. "Takao-kun, I'm grateful for this day and it was fun. But I think... I'm not the one you should be going out with. You deserve... someone better." She bowed and left.
After ten minutes, Takao was still asking himself why he hadn't stopped her and decided that it was the best—to let her go.
It was dark and the falling rain was making it worst. Takao found himself sitting on a bench after wandering idly. He didn't feel like going back home yet. He had to clear off his mind.
The girl probably had the impression that he was such a prick.
The rain had soaked him wet. He even forgot that damn umbrella, for goodness sake. Just when he needed it the most. But it was fine, the padding water sort of made him deaf to the world.
Because he did not need another inner voice telling him he was a total turn off. No guy boasts his male best friend to a pretty girl like he was the most important person in the world.
He should be flirting with her and trying to get her know more, not talking about his and Midorima's tales in pursue of lucky items, and weird obsessions. And their date should've ended with him walking her home, not her walking out on him.
Midorima plagued his mind in the wrong time.
Maybe too much. He couldn't believe he even said that.
He hugged his legs, burying his head between them. Curse myself.
"Huh? Shuutoku's Takao?"
Takao looked up at the familiar gruff voice. Squinting his eyes, he called, "...Kagami?"
Midorima thought of phoning Takao, but went against it. He did not want to intrude. He just hoped the rain would subside since Takao left his umbrella.
But then Takao would be drenched, and knowing he was prone to common colds, he might spend the remaining days of the week with a slight fever.
Though, Midorima had no idea where he (they) currently was. If he asked the man himself, Takao would thought he was stalking them, and that very much sounded disturbing.
They couldn't have went that far because of the time and weather, so he went to any possible places like the game center, ice cream shops, the park, and his last stop was the Maji. Though when he peeked inside, he saw no signs of them.
Or maybe Takao already brought the girl to her home and was invited to stay there?
It was not an impossibility. Takao was liked by everyone (even him. *coughs*) and it would be no surprise if even the girl's family became fond of him.
It just meant that Takao did not need a grumpy friend like Midorima who will ruin the former's biological sunshine.
Yeah, Takao did not need him, after all.
Midorima had planned going back to their residence when he briefly glanced at the other side of the road and spotted the smaller teen there with melancholy painted over his features. It was something Midorima was not used to. The usual cheery face etched with dejection. It was more heart wrenching compared when they had lost last Winter Cup.
The fact that he was not shedding tears...
Midorima had the impulse to run there, gather him in his arms that he refused to do so before. But he found his legs nerveless, unmoving, and not budging a step. His lips opening to call his name, but found them voiceless.
Was he that afraid to approach him?
Hadn't he had the strength and courage to touch him?
Takao, look at me...
As if he was heard, Takao did looked up, but not towards him, but to a tall man that Midorima did not even noticed nearing Takao with a black umbrella.
It immediately made him furious.
"What are you doing here? You developed some fetishes for rainfalls?" Kagami asked with sarcasm.
Takao scowled. "I'm calming myself."
"Uh-huh. Where's Midorima?"
"Do I look like I always know where he goes?"
"No, but you two were practically inseparable."
"Like you and Kuroko," Takao shot back.
Kagami shrugged nonchalantly. "More or less. I'm from their house. He offered to tutor me for Japanese History. One of my failed subjects." He turned to him. "Anyways, aren't you cold?"
Takao didn't dignify himself with an answer. "My date ditched me."
"What?" Kagami quirked an eyebrow. "I didn't know you have time for that. I envy you."
"If anything, I envy you and Kuroko more."
Kagami was slightly taken aback at that. "Er, let's save the chat for later. Come with me."
"Eh? What for?"
Kagami scratched the back of his head. "It's freezing. I have spare clothes, some are smaller. It'll fit. And I was about to make a hot porridge. I'll share."
Takao seemed hesitant. "I don't want to impose."
"I'm living alone, and it's not far from here."
"But—"
"If he doesn't want to, don't force him," Midorima said, adjusting his eyeglasses. "Kagami." Glaring at Takao, he said, "And you, you're going with me." He grabbed the point guard's wrist and dragged him away.
Kagami was left there, alone, and for the most part, speechless.
"Why does Midorima's green umbrella has a pair of ears?"
"Shin-chan, let me go!" Takao twisted his arm, making Midorima's grip on him loosened. "Why are you here?"
"Shouldn't I be asking that?" Midorima retorted. "I thought you're on a date."
Takao sighed in exasperation. "She, how should I put it, turned me away?"
Midorima was confused and surprised. That was not something he expected, given how the two were being too much sappy like a teenage romantic couple in soap operas these past two days without meeting each other in personal. "Why...?"
Because of you. "I don't want to talk about it," Takao muttered in a strained tone, frustration hinted.
"I understand." He was quiet for a moment until he spoke again. "Here. You left this." Midorima handed him his umbrella, opening it for Takao. "You shouldn't forget something important like this."
Takao said nothing and accepted the handle. "You don't have to," weakly, he said.
"Hn. Don't misunderstand. It'll be troublesome for the team if you fell sick." Midorima adjusted his eyeglasses.
"Yeah, yeah." Takao dismissively waved his hand. "Still, you ruined my chance of having a delicious soup. Kagami's a good cook, you know? Well, as what I've heard."
Midorima raised an eyebrow. "I can make you that myself."
Takao took it as a joke. He knew how to joke now? "I know. I don't want a charred carrot in my soup, though."
"Tch. I could learn how to make a normal one. Just say if you don't want to."
"...Are you serious?"
"Whatever... I'll be going now." Midorima turned his back. "Be sure to get a hot bath and drink once you get home. Do that immediately," was the shooter's last advice.
When Takao witnessed that broad back went out of his sighed, he, once again, found himself bitting his lip and with conflicted feelings.
"You're such an idiot, Shin-chan."
TBC
