Chapter 6

Author's note: Reading from chapter 1 to 5 again made me realize that I have a lot of type error. ;A;

Aomine woke up feeling heavy. The pain in his head was making him dizzy. To add up the cuts on his shoulder, the accident that happened the day before felt even more clearly. He languidly rose up from the bed proceeding to the kitchen to quench his parched throat. Eyes searching for Kise, his gaze flew to the main door where he found Kise and Mine. The kid appeared to be just about to leave and happily talking to Kise. Aomine, not wanting to interrupt the situation, leaned on the wall adjacent to them. He purposely stood hidden from them, ears wide open. I know what I am doing is wrong but whatever….

"Take care on your way okay? Remember, don't talk to strangers."

"Yes Papa!" Mine's eyes beamed with the morning sun. He seemed to be more lively than usual. Kise on the other hand was feeling worried.

"I should really take you to your school after all"

"I'm fine alone papa. I'm going to drop by Yuki-kun's house anyway. We're going to school together."

"Hmmm..Okay. Call me when you arrive in school."

Mine stared at him for a moment then tilted his head, his eyes were questioning.

"Will papa be alright?"

"What do you mean? Kise asked back, confused.

"Well, that onii-san is still upstairs right? He looks at Papa differently."

Startled with Mine's words, Kise forced a smile on his lips. He's really observant.

"Don't worry about him. He's a long time acquaintance. He won't do anything bad to me."

"Hmmm..If Papa says so…but he really looks like a wolf." Mine let out a childish giggle.

"Mine, we're going to visit your daddy this weekend." Kise said, changing the topic. Somehow, talking about Aomine with Mine felt uncomfortable for him.

Upon hearing this, Aomine's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wahhh! Yehey!" Mine cheered happily. He jumped a few times expressing his joy. Kise smiled; Mine loved his Daddy so much despite the fact that they weren't together anymore.

Daddy? Mine's father? Then Kise—Am I hearing it right?

"Now, now, settle down. You'll wake the guest upstairs."

"I have a lot to tell Daddy this weekend! Ah! I'm so excited!" his cheeks bloomed pink.

"You missed him a lot?" Kise asked, caressing Mine's soft sun-like hair. Mine nodded.

"I missed him so much too." Kise added with a loving voice that it almost mirrored pain.

Aomine who was silently listening to the conversation felt a gush of jealousy. He didn't think that Kise still have someone else. Moreover, it was a man.

So when he said he already have a partner, it was true. Aomine pondered. Why aren't they living together then?

When Mine finally left, Kise stood there for a minute as of in a daze before getting back in the living room. He was anxious for some reason. He was in deep thought when suddenly Aomine spoke with questioning tone.

"I didn't know Mine has two fathers." He approached Kise revealing his presence. The room was so silent that Aomine's voice reverberated clearly. Kise was taken aback, out for words. He stared blankly at Aomine as if falling in a trance.

"Is this daddy of his, his true father?" He asked with dead serious eyes.

"What do you care?" An irritated Kise pressed gathering his composure. He didn't expect Aomine to probe deeper into his life. However, it seemed that it wasn't the case. Nevertheless, he wasn't obliged to tell him a story of his life. He didn't need to.

"Why are you lying to me?" Aomine accused, grabbing Kise's arm firmly.

"I didn't! And I don't have to tell you everything about my life either, do I?" Kise exclaimed, pulling his arm away from Aomine's grasp.

"But I want to know!"

"And then what? Will it make you back away? Will it make you give up on me? He spat out bitterly.

Aomine gulped. Of course, it wouldn't. He had already promised to do whatever it takes to have Kise back. With a sigh, he replied.

"No."

Seeing Aomine calm down, Kise settled down as well. It wouldn't help if he unleashed his frustrations now. He didn't want to spill any unnecessary information. The situation might get uncontrollable.

The atmosphere was dead. Both of them didn't raise a word as they ate the breakfast Kise prepared. It was delicious but the taste only lingered for a while and then disappeared completely as they awkwardly tried to maintain their silence. Aomine was restless. His eyes would flutter to Kise and then back to his food repeatedly, waiting for the perfect time to speak.

Finishing his last bite, he spoke as he set aside his eating utensils.

"Where's his father right now?" he tried to ask as calm as he could.

Kise's eyes flew at him with a questioning look then he answered dryly turning his eyes back to his plate. "Somewhere in the face of the earth."

"Why is he not with you and his son?"

"It's not something you should worry about."

"Is he a good man?"

"The kindest person I've ever met."

Aomine flinched. Kise hit something inside of him. Aomine's ego was wounded by what Kise just said. He knew he was doing it on purpose, still he continued to ask him questions.

"Do you love him?" He asked, his blue eyes full of anxiety.

Kise faced him again and with all seriousness, he replied.

"Yes. I love him."

Aomine was speechless. After Kise revealed his true feelings, what could he say? The intensity of those words was enough for him to believe it. With hopelessness, Aomine turned his gaze towards the window. He could feel the throbbing pain inside his chest like it was being ripped apart.

Would it still be worthy to pursue my feelings? After saying he loves somebody else, do I still have a part in his heart that I've been very sure of? Aomine wondered.

The weather outside was calm and relaxing contrary to Aomine's tumultuous feelings. After a long moment of silence, Aomine cleared his throat and again faced Kise who had been keeping his own thoughts to himself as well.

"I think I've stayed long enough. Thank you for taking care of me." Then he laughed dryly. "I'm embarrassed that of all people, you were the one to find me in such a stupid situation."

"It's fine. My house's just a few blocks away anyway. And you would have suffered from heat stoke as well if I had left you there. By the way, are you feeling better?"

"Yeah—thank you for the breakfast too. Your cooking improved a lot. The food taste perfect." Aomine tried to sound calm as if nothing happened. Then he stood and brought his plate to the kitchen sink.

"How about a tea before you leave?" Kise invited.

"Ah—no, I'm fine. I need to report to the office. They might have thought I ran away from my duty."

Kise didn't insist any farther and walked Aomine to the door. Kise felt disappointed but relieved as well. Nothing good would happen if he let him stay any longer. Since the moment they met again, his mind had been in chaos that he couldn't think straight anymore. Aomine had shaken his system and he was worried of making mistakes again.

The air was tense and Aomine couldn't think of anything to say to Kise. His mind was muddled with uncertainties. After putting his shoes on, Aomine stepped outside and thanked Kise again. Kise only stared at his back as he slowly moved farther away. Then for a moment, Aomine stopped as looked up on the clear blue sky and closed his eyes.

What will I do now? Aomine asked himself silently, feeling the cool breeze.

Kise, still standing with the door wide open, lowered his eyes and in a soft voice, he whispered.

"What will you do now?"

End of chapter 6