Chapter 8

Suggested BGM: ありがとう the pearl edition by KOKIA

Midorima's POV

Both of us just seat there, in complete silence, not able to say a word. But the silence filled my heart with emptiness. Even since I have known Kise, this sort of silence is not something usual for me. We were always surrounded by the joy that Kise brought us, although some of us might not have realized it. It became a habit for all of us to receive text from Kise every morning and night, even if its just a simple good morning or good night, of course it is filled with all the emoticons that he likes to use. But ever since he was hospitalized, all of it stopped.

I took out my phone and looked at all the texts we used to send, even though i showed him a cold attitude, he still replied as if we were having such a great time, and to be honest, it was great. Seeing his name appear on my phone everyday without fail brings me the slightest joy even if my day is filled with bad luck as OhaAsa have predicted. I scrolled through our text and saw all those boring messages that Kise had sent me. My gripped tighten as those flashbacks of our times together appeared in my mind.

Aomine is sitting beside me, not moving an inch. His expression was like none that i have seen before. His hands gripped tight together supporting his chin and elbows resting against his knees. His head is hanging low as it the dreadfulness is weighing his head down. Both of us are feeling the same emotions, depression, sadness, dreadfulness. But in comparison with the scene that is opposite of us, Kise seemed rather angelic. He looks so pale and light, with the afternoon rays shinning into the ward and gently landing on Kise's face, he seems surreal as if he might just fade away with the orange rays that are shinning into the room.

The sound of the door opening broke the dreadful silence that we are in, while Kise is still laying there peacefully. The door opens to the sight of the entire Kaijo team, with Kasamatsu standing in front with an expression that we have never seen before. It was of disbelief, greif, shock and confusion all combined, we can tell that the rest of the team is not feeling any better. Kasamatsu took the first step into the ward and is immediately greeted by the sight of their ace, laying lifelessly on the hospital bed, all of their faces showed shock and disbelief. He walked towards the hospital bed, it was obvious that his steps are not steady, its the first time seeing the fierce captain of Kaijo to show such vulnerable side to this teammates. He approached the bed and sat down by Kise, hanging his head low. I see tears dropping down onto his hand, and his shoulders starting to shake. He seems like his mumbling something to himself.

Kasamatsu's POV

"Kise.. You damn bastard.. Don't think that you can do anything just because you are the ace of our team. Now you are telling me that you are going to die?.."

My fists were clenched tight, I couldn't feel them anymore.

"Oi.. Kise!" I raised my voice without noticing. "Stop joking around now and get up! You..you are still going back for practice! "

Looking at him, I'm trying hard to not let tears fall out my eyes. I can't even imagine how ugly I might look right now.

Kise... What happened to the promise that you made to us... To be our ace and bring Kaijo to the top.. Who is going to take my place as the captain of Kaijo after I leave. How...how could you...

Midorima tapped on my shoulder as I came back to my senses.

"Kasamatsu, I don't think Kise is going to wake up any time soon….I think you should leave first, he will be overwhelmed again if he sees all of you here. He's already so affected after just giving you a call… I'm sorry."

I nodded slowly but still have my gaze fixed on Kise.

"But please call me again once his condition have stabilised, I want to talk to him again. This is all too hard for the team and me to accept." I turned back to look at the team, there was no sound but I could see all of their eyes brimming with tears, but Hayakawa has already ran out of the ward, we could all hear his wailing in the corridors. We were all close to Kise back in the team, he was like a centre piece that brought all of us together.

We all remember those times when he suggested all sorts of team bonding activities after matches, almost every karaoke session and dinner sessions were initiated by him. He knew and cared about us so much that he never forget any of our birthdays, he even remembers Coach Takeuchi's birthday.

Ever since he joined the team, everyone started to understand how much of an amazing person he is, despite his childishness and whininess that gets on our nerves all the time.

Kise we really want you back…. Even if it's the last time…

Aomine's POV

My mind is flashing with memorise of Kise, the time we had together, playing basketball, eating ice popsicles, the first time we met…..

"Ouch!" I could still remember as he rubbed his head and turned around, staring at me with his stunning golden orbs that was glistening under the after sun, I was mesmerized even though they were filled with annoyance.

I grinned as I held up my hand apologetically "Haha, sorry about that, that's my ball."

He showed me a merely polite smile and walked off, despite his seemingly arrogant attitude, his physical appearance still left an impact on me. Never have I ever thought that we would be playing in the same team, even having us falling for each other.

As the flashbacks played in my mind, my feelings for him grew stronger. It constantly sends me reminders on how little time he had left to live, regret, guilt and sadness filled my mind. The times I had with him were turning black and white, as if they are soon going to be haunting memorises that I can never forget. I laid my eyes on the unconscious blond, my eyes watered, my nose was sore. I held my sobs in, but tears were still overflowing from the brim of my eyes. At this moment, I resent myself for being so stupid.

How could I not have realised that I liked him?...

And that he liked me too…

But when I finally do, this had to happen.

If I had realised sooner, he would at least have spent his last moments, happy, with me, with no regret.

Kise….how I wish you can recover and will go back to being that silly Kise that I once enjoyed teasing, the silly blond that I like… Always pestering me to play one on one with him… I will bring you on dates to the amusement park, buy you ice cream, take the ferris wheel and kiss you when we reach the top. Giving you kisses during practice just to see your flustered reaction and do things that will make you cry out in pleasure at night.

Now that I've realised, there are so many things I want to do and continue doing with Kise, and I am still in denial that he will soon be gone.

Kise's POV

By the time I woke up its already evening. Looking around the ward, I found Aominecchi standing by the window and Midorimacchi sitting on the couch in front of me. The first to realize that I was awake was Midorimacchi. He stood up with a relieved look on his face, although I am sure that others can't tell, but knowing him for this long have taught me how to read his facial expressions even though it seems like there is none.

"Did senpai come?..." i asked with warry.

"He did, and I told him about your condition." He spoke with his usual calmness but I could see the flicker of sadness across his face.

"What did he say?..." I don't want to hear the answer to be honest, I'm afraid to be confronted with so many other sad faces after they heard about me.

"He didn't say anything, I think it wasn't easy for them to take the news. Just like how it was for all of the Kiseki when we first knew." He adjusted his glasses with his long slim finger, still wrapped with tape. This is a way he expresses his emotions, I can tell he is feeling uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry Midorimacchi…" I looked down at the white bed sheet almost as pale as my face. I feel the wetness in my eyes but I'm dying to keep it in.

"You don't have to apologize Kise, it's not your fault…" Midorimacchi really started to soften up recently, ever since he knew I got sick. Who would have known he is such a gentle person. He pulled me into his embrace, I could smell his scent. A clean fresh smell of soap, simple but pleasant, it sort of calms me down. I stayed in his embrace putting my arm around his waist, before I felt someone staring.

Before it could get anymore awkward, Aominecchi marched towards us pulling us apart and stared at Midorimacchi as if a predator staring at its prey. I let out an awkward laugh, trying to sooth the atmosphere.

"A-Aominecchi?.. Haha.. I didn't see you there." Actually I did, but I really don't know what to say.

Aominecchi looked at me for a brief moment before leaning down, looking at me straight in my eyes. His face was really close to mine, it made my heart race, I could feel his breath caressing my cheeks.

"What…what is it Aominecchi?..." I look at him puzzled, averting my gaze away from his face.

"!"

The next thing I felt was a warm pair of lips pressed against mine. My brain was not able to process what just happened. My eyes widened, pupils dilated. Something wet brushed against my lips gently, it made me relax my jaws as the tingling sensation moved down my neck and down to my spine. Before I know it, the wetness intruded my mouth roaming the territory. Then I realized, Aominecchi is kissing me.

My tongue is forcefully entangled with his as his kiss is so invasive in nature, he continued on as I felt the breathlessness rush up my chest, it was only then I finally decided to shove him away. He pulled away from me, cheeks slightly tinted with redness despite his dark skin. I was panting slightly as I looked at him with surprise in my watery eyes.

"A-Aominecchi?..." My face flushed as he looked at me

"I love you Kise."

Upon hearing those words, my head went blank. My vision started to get blurry as my eyes start to brim with tears. He was still looking at me with those ocean blue eyes as if they are sucking me in.

What…what did he just say?...

He loves me?...

I hear a familiar voice, as if coming from a distance, calling my name. Its Aominecchi's voice, his calling my name. My eyes gained focus again and looked at his face, a smile uncontrollably appeared on my face with tears streaming down my cheeks at the same time. They were tears of joy.

I finally heard the words that I longed to hear for the longest time in my soon ending life.

"I love you too Aominecchi.

Im so sorry guys im an asshole for not updating so long. Its finally my long holiday and I got my lazy ass up to update this chapter. If you are still following this story I hope that you enjoy this chapter and leave an review, it really encourages me to keep writing! Thanks for all your support all these time! Love you guys!
-Kiyocchi