Kuroko narrowed his eyebrows. He stared at the plate in front of himself, but didn't touch his food. He didn't have much appetite, especially not after coming from hospital. Narrowing his eyebrows, Kuroko raised his gaze when he heard Aomine's voice. Momoi and Midorima were walking beside, their expressions filled with anger, disbelief and sorrow.

"Akashi?" Aomine sat down in front of Kuroko, Momoi beside him while Midorima took a seat beside Kuroko.

"On the way." Kuroko answered and looked at Midorima, who asked; "Murasakibara?"

"Coming at the end of the week." Was his short reply and there was silence.

Momoi was biting her lower lip, her finger pressed against her mouth. Her eyes showed worry and pain and Kuroko knew how worried she was. She was always the one that worried the most. Aomine was pissed; pissed at himself and at every god he knew. While he knew well that it wasn't his fault, he knew if he didn't stop Momoi that time, everything could have turned out differently. Midorima on the other hand felt confused. He never particularly liked either of them, but hearing what happened certainly made his blood freeze. He knew he could do better than that.

They waited. That was all they could do.

"Did you tell his team?" Aomine decided to speak.

Kuroko blinked with his eyes and shook with head. "Don't know number from either, but I think Akashi already contacted Kasamatsu and Hayakawa."

Aomine nodded. "Do you know what's going on?" He looked at Kuroko.

"I put pieces together." Kuroko began. "From conversations I could remember and junior high, he never talked of his family. No one knew of his problems." Momoi averted her gaze. "His parents are divorced and sisters don't live with either parent as they have a job. From my view, his team didn't know either. For the last few months though, he has been absent from school and club activities, so coach had to take him out. Once he got back, he acted like nothing was wrong."

There was silence.

"What did the doctor say?" Midorima asked with voice quiet.

Kuroko sighed. "He didn't want to tell me anything since I'm not his family."

"That's bull!" Aomine cursed loudly.

Few heads turned to their table, but they soon went back to do what they were doing.

"Being his friend also counts bloody something." He hissed and slammed fist on table, gritting his teeth. "Family my ass. What if he didn't have family, then what?"

"You're too hot-headed, Aomine. Calm down." Midorima sighed and corrected his glasses before looking away. "The only way to know anything is to wait for Akashi. As much as I hate to say this, his name might actually help us this time."

Aomine cursed and looked through window. Momoi narrowed her eyebrows as Kuroko remained silent. Everyone seemed to agree with Midorima. There was another silence at their table, but neither minded. Each of them were deep in their thoughts with only one person on their mind.

Kuroko's phone rang. He took it from his pocket and narrowed his eyebrows. Glancing at his former teammates, he spoke; "It's Akashi-kun" before picking it up.

"Kuroko, I talked with Kasamatsu-san. He's on the way to Maji Burger with Hayakawa-san. They know more than we do, so listen to them well. Maybe we can find some solution from there or something." Akashi sighed. "Kise may not talk with us at the moment, but we need to tell and show him we're there. If he doesn't know that then we're as good as dead to him."

"I understand," Kuroko nodded and looked towards doors when he spotted Kasamatsu and Hayakawa walk inside. "Kasamatsu-san and Hayakawa-san just arrived." He added and looked at Midorima, who moved with Momoi beside.

"Good," Akashi hummed. "Keep me updated with everything."

"Of course," Kuroko nodded and hanged up.

Kasamatsu was the first to arrive with Hayakawa a moment later. "Akashi contacted me about Kise." He said without greeting and sat down. His expression seemed troubled and serious as Hayakawa was silent. "How serious is it? For real?" he looked straight at Kuroko.

"He's in hospital and doctor didn't say anything." His answer was short. Kasamatsu nodded. "Was Kise anything different in school?" he asked and looked from one to another.

"He seemed like usual." Kasamatsu narrowed his eyebrows. "When we, third years, left the club after Winter Cup everything still seemed normal. We played one more game with regulars few months ago, but Kise seemed fine. Sometimes it felt like he was a different person for a split second, but he was still the same." He looked at Kuroko. "When meeting him on the hallway, he always avoided me one way or another so I can't say much on that."

Kuroko nodded and looked at Hayakawa, whose expression seemed troubled.

"Before that practice game with you," Hayakawa looked at Kuroko. "It was seen Kise changed. I don't know when exactly, but he refused to pass anymore and beat anyone, even those on his own team. It felt like playing one against everyone else." His lips turned into thin line. "When coach told him he's on bench he didn't come anymore. Week later, he didn't come to school."

Kasamatsu sighed. "That guy…"

"What about when he came back?"

"He talked like nothing happened. He even told Nakamura of his nightmare, which is most likely what he went through." Hayakawa turned his head away like he tried to remember something.

"Hayakawa?" Kasamatsu called.

"Nothing," He shook with head. "How's Kise?" he looked at Kuroko.

"I'm not sure." Kuroko admitted. "When I visited him after he woke up, he began yelling that I'll leave him just like his mother did years ago. I couldn't do anything except watch before doctor and nurse rushed in." Kuroko lowered his head.

"It may be more severe than we thought…" Momoi spoke in quiet voice, gaining their attention. "I don't think Ki-chan was aware, but he sent me a message once." Kuroko frowned as Aomine widened his eyes. Momoi took out her phone and bit her lower lip as she went through her text messages. Once reaching it she hesitated before she handed it to Kuroko, who took her phone and looked at it with Midorima and Kasamatsu.

Momocchi…it's hard. I don't know what to do. I don't feel like myself anymore and I feel like this whole thing is rushed and messed up. I want to tell Kurokocchi, but there's this voice inside my head, telling me no one cares. I don't know anymore. It's hard. It's hard to breathe. It's hard to focus. Please…please help me…

"I didn't know how to react, how to reply and before I even wrote a word, he sent another message."

Kuroko looked at the next message and narrowed his eyebrows, his expression troubled.

Forget I said anything. I know you don't care like everyone else.

Kasamatsu's eye twitched as his hand curled into fist. Kuroko handed Momoi back her phone, but his troubled expression remained.

"What's going on?" Midorima seemed confused. "How couldn't we see this when we spent junior high together?"

"He laughed." Kuroko replied and closed his eyes, letting out a sigh. "Kise-kun hid his real face behind laughter and smiles. It was easy to see on moments, but only he knows just how much he actually faked all those smiles." He turned to Aomine. "You played with him."

"I did," Aomine nodded and scratched the back of his head. "He played normally in the beginning. Then like a switch he overpowered me when I least expected." He looked at Momoi, who stared at her hands, her eyes teary and lips pursued in thin line. "It's not your fault, Satsuki." He put hand over her head and she looked at him.

"All signs were there." She whispered. "It's been going on for how long? When did his parents divorce? Didn't he feel betrayed? And then you parted ways in Teiko when he still wanted to play as a team with Tetsu-kun." Aomine averted his gaze. "He looked up to you and wanted to go along with everyone." Midorima lowered his head, correcting his glasses while Kuroko, Kasamatsu and Hayakawa remained silent.

"So what you're trying to say that it's our fault?" Aomine turned back to her.

Momoi flinched. "N-no—I-I!" She couldn't find the right answer.

"We are partly at fault." Kuroko spoke quietly. "Even if we hardly admit it, we always taught 'it's Kise, he won't feel bad if we tease him', 'just a bit more' and 'he always laughs so treating him like that won't change him or our friendship'." He averted his gaze at his hands. "One way or another, we are at fault."

Momoi let out a silent sigh before her attention was outside the window where they were sitting. Her expression showed confusion and no sooner did Kuroko follow her gaze, only to frown. He exchanged glances with Momoi, who nodded, stood up and left Maji Burger. Everyone looked after her, except Kuroko, who looked back outside the window.

"Where is she going?" asked Aomine, his confusion visible, though his attention was soon on a blonde haired woman.

She was biting her lower lip, worry seen in her eyes. She stood just outside the window, where they were sitting, her back facing them, but when Momoi approached her, she looked straight at them, her eyebrows narrowed. Neither of them hesitated to walk inside. There was something in the woman's gaze that made Kuroko alarmed. The one she did recognize was Kasamatsu.

"Kasamatsu-kun?" She called carefully.

Kasamatsu frowned, but nodded. Seeing her similarity to his former teammate, he spoke. "Are you Kise's—I mean Ryōta's sister?"

"Nana," She smiled weakly and looked at others. "And you're Generation of Miracles, I believe." Seeing nods, she chuckled. "I saw once a magazine where Ryōta was on the cover and he talked about you. I think it was an interview three years ago."

"You know?" Kuroko asked surprised.

"We may not live together for years, but he's my little brother." Her expression grew sour like she just remembered something. "Ryōta…doesn't want to see anyone."

Everyone looked at her confused.

"I wanted to visit him in hospital, but the nurse said he doesn't want any visits." Nana shortly explained. "I called mother and we're meeting in few minutes, but I wanted to tell you. I know you'll visit him." She looked from one to another, her gaze lingering on Momoi, who stared down at her lap. "Thank you for everything you've done for him, but I doubt there's anything more that can be done. Ryōta… He's different. All that time that I could help, but couldn't because I was too tired…"

Kuroko looked at his hands that curled into fists. "I don't want to give up just yet."

Nana looked at him with wide eyes.

"We can still help him." He looked back at her. "If we give up now, we'll really lose him. I know Kise-kun is still somewhere there, waiting for help. I don't want to leave him alone."

The corners of Nana's lips turned in a small smile. She gave a short nod. "Ryōta is in good hands." Looking outside, she spotted her mother on the other side of the street. Facing the teens once more, she continued. "If there's any help you need, you can find me at my cloth shop. I won't give up either, but please don't ignore Ryōta's wishes either."

"We would never." Kasamatsu gave a firm nod.

Nana's smile widened and she nodded. Lowering her head, her voice was quiet. "Be well."

Leaving the fast food restaurant, everyone followed her back on the other side, where she embraced her mother. They spoke before they walked down the street, disappearing from their sights.

There was silence by their table once more. Each of them was deep in their thoughts with only one person in their mind. Hayakawa's eyebrows were narrowed as he stared in front of himself, confusion visible in his eyes. All they could was think and try to come up with a solution to help their friend, who grew under their skin.

Ryōta stared through the window in silence. He listened to the voices of nurses outside, feeling rather glad and satisfied that no one visited him.

"Useless!"

He flinched at the memory of his father, before the sound of something falling on the ground startled him. He yelped and looked towards doors with expression of fear and hurt, but relaxed when he saw he was safe.

"I'm okay," He murmured and brushed his arms. "I'm okay. I'm safe here. He's not here. It's okay. They'll stop him." He breathed in and out, his breathing becoming uneven. There was beeping in the room and it started annoying him. "Shut up…" He shook with head and pulled his legs to his chest, his body slowly rocking back and forth, back and forth. "Shut up, Ryōta. Don't think about him."

"You honestly expect me to believe that? How stupid can you get? If you got good grades I wouldn't be yelling at you!"

"I'm sorry!" He covered his head and whimpered, hearing footsteps closer to him. "I'll study hard. I'll listen, please don't leave me alone!"

Suddenly there was silence as Ryōta straightened and looked at window, his face expressionless.

You're a big boy now, Ryōta.

He remained still at the familiar voice in his head.

You still cry over what happened in the past?

It laughed. His hair on arms stood at the hollow laughter that made him shudder.

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before he let it out slowly. I just need to calm myself. He repeated it, but stopped when he heard a knock on the doors. Opening his eyes, he looked at middle aged woman, who walked inside with a small smile on her lips.

So they start. They want you to get better.

Pathetic

The woman approached him, ignoring his stare that watched her every step completely. "Hello, Ryōta." She spoke in voice quiet and soft. "I'm doctor Yamazaki Suki; a psychiatrist." She introduced herself.

Ryōta watched her in silence as she sat down on a chair that she took from the table across him.

So they know what's going on. I'm impressed.

Must have been your mother that told them.

Hah

You should have never listened or trusted her. She's a liar.

"Do you want to introduce yourself?" Suki asked, her smile still present.

"No," Ryōta answered. Suki frowned, but quickly hid it behind a smile that turned even sweeter. "You already my name and background. That woman must have said it."

"Who's that woman you speak of?" Suki took the chance. The map she held was still closed on her leg that she crossed over the other.

Ryōta narrowed his eyebrows and he looked away. "I said I don't want any visitors…" He gritted out.

"You need to talk to someone." Her voice sounded calm and soft and it went on his nerves.

"I don't want to talk to anyone." He hissed and glared at her. "I don't want to see anyone. I want to be alone. Don't come here!" He raised his voice when he saw a nurse walking in. "Get out! I don't want to see anyone! Get out!" he yelled.

Suki's eyes were wide and Ryōta felt satisfied. Finally he managed to wipe that smile off her face. It annoyed him that she thought like she could get him to speak.

Good boy, Ryōta…

It whispered in his ear and he swung his hand. "Go away!" He yelled and covered his ears. "I don't want to hear you!"

You know you can't get rid of me. Not that easily…

Gritting his teeth, Ryōta growled and clenched his hands into fists, slamming them on his lap. He glared at the nurse and Suki before he spotted a doctor walking in. "Get out!"

Suki left the room and Ryōta relaxed. The doctor approached him, an injection ready in his hand, but stopped when he unclenched his fists and looked to the window.

"Kise-kun?" The doctor called carefully.

Ryōta looked at him, his face wiped of any emotion, but he still smiled like he was alright.

Pulling his hand from the IV he held just seconds ago, the doctor completely turned to Ryōta. "How are you feeling?" he asked with voice that told Ryōta he was still careful.

His smile widened. "I feel perfectly fine."

The doctor quietly stared at the teen before he nodded. He looked at the nurse and spoke. "Let's leave Kise-kun alone for a while and check him as you have for now." The nurse nodded, still shaken from his outburst. "Like he asked, no visits as we don't want to make his health worse, and…"

… another psychiatrist.

Ryōta turned back to the window.

Really Ryōta… You shouldn't trust them. You shouldn't trust anyone.

They'll come back with another idiot, who'll just smile like an idiot while thinking how messed up you are.

Ryōta, my man… You can't be saved.

Ryōta remained expressionless. The outside world was completely tuned out, not even caring to listen to the doctor and nurse talk to each other.

I don't know why they even bother to save you. You're too deep in this mess.

I mean look, not even your…so-called friends visit you or ever try.

Your precious Kurokocchi called them. He called them and here you are. In a hospital, treating you like you're some madman.

I bet your old man is happy you're not there anymore. Who would even want to keep you close?

And then they bring a psychiatrist, trying to make you feel good and well. Trying to separate you from me. From your own-self. See how twisted they are? See how they want nothing but to hurt you? Us?

If they separate us, one of us will die and both of us know you'll end on worse. Who was there when you felt down? Who consoled you? Who tuned out the world when your old man yelled at you, belittled you? Who calmed you when you felt so close, so close to giving up and scream?

It was me, Ryōta.

I care for you. I care for you more than anyone else.

Those women, who call themselves your mother and sisters are the reason you're here; why you really ended with that man. They don't care for you and now they want to look good while they try to take care of you. Now after all those years of feeling worthless, they want to look good to people around.

Don't listen to them, Ryōta. Their words are nothing but poison, trying to separate us. They want to kill us. And you know we can't be without each other. We complete ourselves.

We can't be separated, Ryōta. We're one.

Ryōta held his breath. An image of his former teammates appeared in his head and he felt lump growing in his throat. His chest felt tight, eyes burned and nose itched. So close. He was so close.

They…really don't care?

You know I'd never lie to you.

All those times I was harsh to you, I only wanted to make you stronger. I didn't want to see you broken once you'll be left alone.

Ryōta narrowed his eyebrows as he looked down at his hands. He felt tears fill his eyes and he bit his lower lip hard, to draw blood out.

See? This isn't what I wanted you to go through.

Ryōta covered his eyes and let out a shaky breath. He gasped for air, sobs filling the quiet room. I'm…alone…?

You're not alone, Ryōta. I'm here. I'm with you.

Shaking his head, Ryōta hid his face between his knees. His shoulders shook as he tried to keep his sobs silent and inside. But it was impossible.

Then all those…those games? All that time? W-what was it for? T-they never cared for m-me?

There was silence.

No, no, NO! Ryōta raised his head and looked around the room. "W-where did you go?" he asked aloud. "Don't leave me a-alone! Not you! Not you too!" He cried. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he turned on his knees, looking around in a haze. "Come back! Don't go! P-please…d-don't leave me a-alone… I don't want…to be a-alone…" He hiccupped, his breathing hitched. He raised his hands and held his face, his nails digging into his skin, clawing. He parted his lips to scream for help.

I'm here, Ryōta.

His eyes widened and he froze.

I'm here…

The voice was gentle and quiet on his ear. He could feel its warmth. It was unusual, but he immediately relaxed.

Lie down…

Ryōta laid on his back and covered himself.

Close your eyes …

He blinked few times before he closed them.

Breathe in

Ryōta breathed in.

Breathe out

Ryōta slowly breathed out.

Keep your eyes closed …

He listened.

I'm here. You're safe.

"I'm safe…" Ryōta repeated.

You're alright. I won't let anyone hurt you. I'll keep you safe.

Ryōta relaxed. A small smile spread over his lips. He felt himself calm down, his body going limp at the voice inside.

I won't let anyone hurt you. You know that.

"Mm…" Ryōta hummed, half-asleep.

Get some sleep. You need it. I'll look over you.