Title: Tears in the Rain

Characters: Midorima Shintarou, Takao Kazunari, plus the rest of Shuutoku

Genre: Friendship or perhaps Romance, depends on how you interpret it (again).

Rating: K+/T

Word Count: 398 (Originally 602)

POV: Third-person

Date: 2nd July 2012 (Posted 1st October 2012)

Notes: I originally wrote this for Parallel, which I haven't touched in a long time. This is set after Shuutoku lost to Seirin during the Inter-High.


"82 points to 81 points! The winner is Seirin High!"

"Thank you very much!"

It was a game that Shuutoku had not expected to lose.

As the rain continued to pour down harshly onto the earth, the team made their way out of the stadium.

A heavy silence fell upon all of them.

"Excuse me," Midorima spoke. "I'll be going out for a while."

Before anyone else could say anything, the boy had already left them.

"Huh!" One of the members scoffed. "Doesn't he feel anything at all? His heart must be made of ice."

"That's not the case, you bastard," Takao growled under his breath. "It's impossible for anyone not to get upset over something like this."

He watched the boy's back as it slowly disappeared.

"Takao! What are you doing?" Kimura called from the locker room. "Hurry up and gather!"

"Senpai, I…"

"Go," Ootsubo spoke before Takao could finish.

"Eh?"

"Ootsubo-kun is right," Their coach nodded in agreement. "Go to him, Takao."

"Is it really okay?"

"If Coach says it's okay; then it is," Miyaji tried to force a smile. "Just remember to pick up your things before the room gets locked."

"Thank you very much!" Takao gave his coach and seniors a quick bow before running off to find his teammate.

He ignored the fatigue that had built up in his body as he ran out into the pouring rain. He didn't care if his legs were about to give way; all he cared about was finding him.

If it weren't for his sharp eyes, he would've missed that head of green hair.

Midorima was standing in the rain, his head held high towards the sky. It was as if he were trying to hide his tears with the rain.

Takao waited until Midorima finished with his call before approaching him.

"Yo, Shin-chan."

"Takao."

"Feeling better?"

"…"

Takao gulped. He had no idea what he was supposed to say in a situation like this.

"Everyone else is going back soon. If we don't hurry…"

He stopped mid-sentence as Midorima suddenly wrapped his arms around him.

"Shin-chan?"

"I'm sorry… Let me stay like this for a bit."

Midorima's voice was hushed, slightly hoarse. Was he crying again?

Takao reached his hand up, giving the taller boy a pet on the head.

At the very least for now, comforting him was the only thing he could do.