A/N: I'm such a sucker for reviews. XD Thank you for the positive note, guest reviewer! So here's an ode to you, a chapter in advance!
-At a coffee place-
"Tomoe… My apologies. Did you wait long?" Akashi asked, stopping at the table, taking off his scarf and coat.
"No worries, Seijuro, I have just arrived as well. I ordered your favourite black tea for you, will that be fine?" Kamiya smiled, setting her cup daintily.
Akashi nodded, settling in after removing his coat. Kamiya fidgeted with her fingers, glancing at her object of affection. She still could not believe she had such good fortune to be able to date the Akashi heir. The scion had treated her with care over the past few months of dating and though their dates were far and little due to his busy schedule, she was never one to complain about loneliness. After she graduated from Teiko, she had went on to Shutoku, one of the best High Schools in Tokyo. Knowing they have one of the best basketball teams there, she had hoped Akashi would join her. And hoping that was the reason why he had asked her to meet at this café in the first place.
Kamiya was the one who broke the silence," It's almost the final exams in Teiko isn't it? Have you decided which high school to go?"
Akashi took a long sip in his tea, placing the cup gently on the table before gazing at the girl in front of him. The expression he wore was not one out of admiration and love, but a cold steely gaze that sent a shiver down Kamiya's spine. She had seen this expression a few times but it was never directed at her till now. She could only feel her heart sink to the next words Akashi has to say.
News of the 'golden couple' breaking up spread quickly despite how neither of them were the type of person to say so publicly. When once again Midorima had asked with regards to the rumor, Akashi had responded coldly that it was a mutual decision, and he have far more important things to concentrate on. He treated it as valuable experience, one that he did not plan to repeat for a long time to come.
When Momoi had rushed to tell her best friend of this piece of news, the manager was surprised with Setsuna's lukewarm response.
"Why aren't you glad, Suna chan? Isn't this the best chance for you to work your way to his heart?"
"Have you really looked at Sei kun recently?" Setsuna voiced out worriedly," The things that he says… Or the sunken look in his eyes… If he were to push away even the girl he is dating…"
"But you are his childhood friend! Won't you be in the best position to help him?"
"There's only so much a 'childhood friend' could help him. And… I have my own issues to deal with… I can't always have my whole world to spin around him. Moving away from him allowed me to try new things and it has new responsibilities." Setsuna grimaced, squeezing both her hands tight.
"You mean… The scholarship…? You haven't told him?" Momoi gasped, "It's only 7 more months till our graduation!"
"I haven't decided. Telling him will only make him worry and he has so many things to handle now. So promise me, please don't tell anyone about this. Only you and Tetsu knows, and I have told him the same."
Momoi can only sigh in exasperation, hugging Setsuna in a show of support.
Why do the two childhood friends kept missing each other in timing?
.
.
"Oi, Satsuki. Want to come join us for popsicles? Kise is treating." Aomine called out to Momoi with Kise protesting in the background, as she was struggling with the large stack of files she was holding. The pink haired girl glanced at the group in surprise, it was now a rare sight to see almost the entire GoM group to be hanging out together. She also caught sight of Setsuna talking with Tetsuya.
"Ah… I would love to, but Akashi had requested for this to be delivered to him for his strategy planning." Momoi gestured at the files she was holding, answering regretfully.
Setsuna noted the conversation, said a quick word to Tetsuya then to Momoi,"Satsuki… Why don't you join the boys? You only need to hand this over to Sei kun right?"
"Huh? But…" Momoi protested weakly, when Setsuna leaned over and whispered," Don't you want to spend time with Tetsu? You two haven't been hanging out for a while."
Setsuna winked and Momoi's expression brightened up considerably. She shouted an affirmative, gently handing the files to her as she ran back to her classroom to pick up her bag. As Setsuna watched the way Momoi curled herself around Tetsu lovingly and the group walked away in good spirits, she wondered why she simply could not express herself so honestly anymore.
She slowly strode towards the basketball team room, balancing the files and her bag on her shoulder. Her self-confidence was utterly shaken when Akashi chose the perfect, beautiful Kamiya. She felt for the first time, something within her awakened. It did not matter whether they have broken up, Setsuna had her first taste of despair and she is subconsciously positioning herself in such a way that it would not happen again. That meant new friends, new priorities, all which would lead to a path different from Akashi.
With her excellent basketball skills and her father's connections with the NBA, she was given an opportunity to pursue a scholarship in a prestigious basketball academy known to produce renowned players who would later moved on to play in the NBA. The only catch was it's located in Chicago, and with its intense training regime, she would not be expected to return to Japan for years to come. Her parents had pushed her to pursue this dream but…
Setsuna gently pushed the door open with her shoulder, revealing the boy whom stole her heart so many years ago. Akashi was hunched over, one hand over his forehead, the other gripping his pen tightly, eyes concentrating on the paper in front of him. It was the first for Setsuna to see him so distressed, as if a reflection of his own chaotic thoughts, his school tie was haphazardly loosened, his school jacket draped carelessly over the seat he was now on and the papers laid out before him in a frenzied mess.
She laid down the files on the table without a word, picking up his cold untouched cup of tea, and turn to the pantry to fetch him a new one. When she returned, Akashi had finally looked up from his stack of papers, and his blank countenance had alarmed Setsuna.
"Suna chan. Thank you for helping. Where is Momoi san?" Akashi smiled gesturing for her to sit.
"…What happened, Sei kun?" Setsuna sat down, holding up the tea to him. He accepted in thanks but chose not to answer her question and instead turned to gaze out of the windows.
It was a long awkward silence, pregnant with unvoiced concerns and secrets they are unwilling to reveal to one another. Setsuna sighed in defeat, getting up and walked round the table. She ended up behind Akashi who remained seated, then she place both of her hands on each of Akashi's shoulders. The boy closed his eyes, sighing in relief as Setsuna started gently knitting on his tense muscles without any further questions.
"…The team has changed…" Akashi muttered softly, finally breaking the now amiable silence. His voice was forced and reluctant, as if speaking out loud would turn this uncertainty to a reality. Setsuna was not blind to the changes of the team. Even Tetsuya and Momoi had both separately voiced out their doubts to her. Aomine was the first amongst them who had 'awakened' his abilities, and Setsuna knew the rest will soon follow.
Staring at his nape as she continued her ministrations, Setsuna knew his true concern. He was afraid to be left behind. Again. Basketball was all that was left of Auntie Shiori, and from there, he had found a group of comrades, friends whom he was actively a part of. This is all breaking apart because without exterior 'enemies', the team no longer have a united goal or reason to stay together. And as leader and out of everyone including Tetsuya, he blame himself the most for what is happening and also the one, hopelessly clinging on to the visage of the past.
She briefly skimmed the documents Akashi was fretting over earlier. Positions, formations. Placing the team such that it would continue to challenge their abilities and to keep them playing as a team. She bit her lip to prevent herself from uttering a cry. It would insult him if she were to pity him. Taking a deep breath, she turned his chair to face her.
Setsuna smack Akashi's cheeks with both of her hands to the latter's utter astonishment. She kept both of her hands on his face, staring down at him tenderly with a grin on her face," If any of them get out of line, I will smack him out of his cockiness like this and kick his butt. They are a hundred years too early to think so highly of their abilities. So… Sei kun… Do what you can to keep the team going, it's just a few more months to Nationals. You just need to keep them on the leash till then. You can do it."
Setsuna released her hands about to turn away, but Akashi gripped her waist, leaning his head forward towards her in an embrace.
"Se… Sei kun!" Setsuna instantaneously blushed, trying to gently pushed Akashi away. His head was right at her chest and he could hear her frantic beating of heart clearly.
"…Just let me stay like this for a while. Please…" Akashi muttered with his eyes closed.
It was a rare glimpse of weakness on Akashi's part, but Setsuna did not mind. Her hands once again rest on his shoulders, hoping that she could provide a short moment of respite for him.
.
Unfortunately for Setsuna, the peaceful moment was shortly interrupted by her stomach growling. Akashi released her upon hearing the noise, and Setsuna blushing furiously, refused to look at him.
"Ah…Ahh! It is almost dinner time after all! S…Sei kun, come over to my house for dinner! I will text Mom that you are coming!"
Akashi was about to decline, wanting to tell her the laundry list of programs his father had requested for him to do, but Setsuna knew better, putting a stop to his words," Stop. If it's about Uncle Omi, don't worry! I will text Dad to blackmail him. He will relent."
His father did indeed relent, in the form of a short message to Akashi's phone just a few minutes later, "Don't stay too late."
The dinner did indeed cheered Akashi up, with Yuki hovering over both kids piling their plate with food and the booming loud voice of Akihito telling Akashi not to worry about his team.
As Akihito and Akashi spent time in the living room plotting out on basketball strategy and positions, both Setsuna and Yuki stayed in the kitchen, washing and drying out dishes.
Setsuna vented to her mom echoing what everyone was worried about, the breakup of the team, but instead of consoling her, Yuki surprisingly tried to let her down gently.
"Perhaps it's true that the split is inevitable. But you know… A stone might split the path of flowing water to different directions but ultimately once they cross that obstacle, they will flow on the same path again. Their talent and how they deal with this unique circumstance, it's ultimately up to them… I don't know the rest of the players, but I do worry for Sei kun & Tetsu kun. The team must mean a lot to them. When the inevitable comes, Suna chan will be there for them right?"
"How can I be there for them, when I won't be physically here?" Setsuna lamented sadly.
Yuki smiled, holding Setsuna close," You will still be here till graduation. You can do what you can to support them then. Have you decided yet…?"
"Not yet… Hmmm?" Setsuna turned towards the living room, a small commotion appeared to have taken place.
"Wait! Seijuro!" Akihito stammered while Akashi had stood up from the sofa stiffly. When both mother and daughter came out to see what happened, Akashi coldly glared at Setsuna, turning to her parents, bowing politely," Thank you for the dinner. I will see myself out."
The entrance door was slammed shut, the Kuroko family was stunned by the sudden turn of events.
"Dad, what did you tell him?" Setsuna asked helplessly.
"I'm sorry, Suna chan." Akihito scratch his head absentmindedly," I didn't know that he haven't heard about your scholarship. Me and my blabber mouth…"
"…It's okay, Dad…" Setsuna smiled weakly," He has to know eventually anyway. ...I'm heading back to my room."
Once she locked herself in her room, Setsuna tossed herself onto her bed, tears slowly cascaded down her cheeks, biting her fists to soften the sobs threatening to erupt from her throat. Between both of them, their path has slowly diverged. Setsuna knew Akashi was never a person to stop her if it meant a better brighter future for her.
But she still hoped. Still hoped that he had yelled at her for keeping it a secret. Still hoped that he simply demanded for her to stay. That was all she was waiting for and all it takes for her to remain by his side.
She simply refused to admit that when Akashi had coldly walked out of the door, he had already decided for the both of them.