Author: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke or its characters, they all belong to Tadatoshi Fujimaki. The only thing that belongs to me is Shimuzu Aiko and the story plot.
Thank you and enjoy!
The second quarter ended with a tie, with Kise being out of the game. Aiko knew that they are trying to give Kise's foot some time to heal, so he'll probably enter the last two minutes of the game. As soon as Kise went back in court, she started preparing for the worst; it's not that she doesn't believe in her team but as soon as she saw Rakuzan on the audience area, all she can think about was the game between Shutoku and Rakuzan. No matter how good the game was and how wide the score gap will be, one mistake can turn the table around. It was Shutoku's mistake to fall to the trap that Akashi had carefully placed.
She knows that she'll eventually have to face all of them and explain why she left but it was too soon. Kise flooded her with texts and calls until she agreed to meet him. She sighed as she saw Kise leaning on the tree in the park where they agreed to meet.
"Ryouta, what is it you want to talk about?" The joy and playfulness that is usually on Kise's face wasn't there as soon as he faced her. It was all seriousness, hurt and anger; this was the side of Kise that she doesn't want to see. She would prefer the annoying and loud Kise rather than this. She hated this version of him, especially now, because she knows that she's the one who caused this.
"I won't go around the bush, Shimizu-chii. Why did you leave?" She sighed; she really wanted to cry right now. From the physical pain she experienced from Haizaki to the mental pain of learning that she's slowly losing her friends, (no, she lost them already) to the emotional pain of letting go of the person she loved. She really wanted to scream and burst out loud ugly tears but from the numbness she's feeling right now, all she can do is to have few silent tears roll from her eyes.
"Why wouldn't I leave, Ryouta? You guys never gave me a reason to stay anyway. Things happened in my life ever since I joined that club, with Shogo harassing me since first year because he "wanted" me; then Shogo using some girls to hurt me because he wanted to hurt Seijuro from forcing him to leave the club; girls threatening me because of my relationship with Seijuro and my closeness to you and everyone; and now, I lost my friends because of their natural talent. Admit it or not, Ryouta but all of you are changing, I'm sorry for leaving all of sudden but I'm not going to stay just to see all of you become strangers in my eyes. Now, tell me Ryouta, why should I stay?" Kise was speechless the moment he saw the tears in her eyes.
"Can't Akashi-chii be the reason for you to stay?" She scoffed at the comment and wiped her tears.
"He's the main reason why I left, Ryouta."
She was in dazed until she felt something on the top of her lips, she saw Tsuchida placed a tissue on her philtrum; standing beside him was a worried Riko.
"You look like you're about to faint, Aiko-san. You're so paled and your nose started bleeding." She was about to reply when she felt a sharp pain on the back of her head, she can't stop the wince.
"I'm sorry, Riko-senpai. It's just the cause of the headache I've been ignoring for days. I've been stressed; I guess my body can no longer take it." The moment the bleeding stopped, they all resumed watching the game. But she knows that they are still worried about her, she can once again feel the piecing gaze from above. She already knows who it is, so she didn't bother looking and focused at the game. She admits that she does feel a bit faint and Akashi's gaze on her was not helping her headache. But she can't stop now, not when Seirin are so close, not when she's so close at remembering everything.
As the rest are preparing to go home, Aiko immediately followed the Kaijo team to their locker room. She's being careful not to be seen by any of the Rakuzan team, especially by Akashi. But of course, luck was not by her side, as she saw the blonde-haired guy from Rakuzan. 'The Uncrowned King, Thunder Beast, Hayama Kotaro', she doesn't know if someone was chasing him or he just runs like he's being chased, either way, they almost bumped into each other.
"Sorry, sorry. I'm really in a rush right now." She just mumbled her reply saying that it's alright and thinking that he would not recognize her and just leave.
"Hey, you're the girl that was talking to Akashi last time, the Seirin manager." She really is unlucky when it comes to Akashi.
"Yes, we sort of know each other from middle school." He's so hyper that he's probably on par with Kise's personality. He checks the time on his phone and panicked immediately.
"This is bad! I need to go to the locker room now." He suddenly tossed his jersey jacket on her. "Come to the locker room and return the jacket to me." Before she could react, he ran away. She sighed, obviously defeated.
The moment she reached the locker room of Kaijo team, Kobari just went out. He seems nicer than Kasamatsu and less flirtatious than Moriyama, so approaching him might be better.
"Senpai, is Kise Ryouta inside?" He looked at her, expecting some fan girl but he immediately recognized her.
"Ah, you're the Seirin manager. Yeah, he's inside, should I call for him?"
"If it's not a bother, I would appreciate it." He nodded and just shouted Kise's name. She saw Kise, obviously limping and dejected.
"Shimizu-chii, what are you doing here?" The puffiness of his eyes was something she does not enjoy; she really prefers a happy and playful Kise rather than any other sides of him.
"I came to see you; I guess I was worried when you were limping earlier." She had a nervous smile when she saw how serious Kise looks.
"I thought you forgot about us, about me?"
"Well, memories come back. It's been a while, Ryouta." He limped towards her and engulfed her with a hug; she hugged him back as he cries.
"What's with you guys? You always cry on my shoulders" Only a sob was heard from him.
"I miss you, Ryouta." He hugged her tighter, mumbling an 'I miss you too'.
Kise cried for a few minutes before he let her go, she excused herself saying that she has somewhere to be. Her steps become heavier as she comes close to the Rakuzan locker room, she doesn't know if they're still there, but she hopes that Akashi is not there. She silently scolded herself for jinxing it, every time she wishes or hopes something, she gets the exact opposite.
She took a deep breath before knocking, she heard a thud, and the door was opened forcefully.
"Hey! You really came!" She was dragged inside, giving her no time to react. The moment Hayama closed the door; she could feel stares behind her. She looked at them with a forced smile, she felt so suffocated just being in the same room with them.
"What is the reason behind this visit, Aiko?" She looked at the corner and sees the man she was avoiding.
"I was just supposed to return Hayama-senpai's jacket, Akashi-san." She took a step back when he walked towards her.
"And how, may I ask, did you managed to get your hands on his jacket?"
'Aiko, why are you wearing Kuroko's shirt?' She looked at Akashi who was standing in front of her, obviously not happy with what she's wearing.
'He just let me borrow his extra shirt because I was drenched in the rain earlier.'
'Remove that hideous shirt and just wear some of mine.' She sighed and took a shirt from Akashi's sports bag.
'Just tell me that you're jealous that I'm wearing Tetsuya's shirt. No need to insult the innocent T-shirt.' His not-happy facial expression became full blown I'm-pissed because of her teasing tone.
'It is no longer an innocent shirt if my girlfriend is wearing it.' She giggles and whisper something in his ear before walking away to change.
'You're cute when you're jealous.'
"I—He, uhm, we bumped to each other earlier, he threw me his jacket and asked me to return it." She heard someone scolding Hayama for doing such thing to a girl, she took a short glance and saw, from what she knows, is Mibuchi Reo. But that short glance was taken advantage by Akashi and walked towards her and simply by reflex; she kept taking a step back as he went forward. She immediately reached the wall besides the door and he stopped right in front of her. Placing both of his hands beside her head, she clutched at the jacket she was holding tighter when he leaned forward. She already saw his red and gold eyes but seeing it this close had a different effect on her.
'You should trim your hair a bit, Sei.' She said as she watches her boyfriend beside her revise some of his notes.
He looked at her due to the sudden comment, confuse at what led to that issue. 'Why is that? Is there something wrong with my hair?'
'No, I just sometimes can't see your eyes because of your bangs'
Slightly tilting his head 'And that's a bad thing?'
'Of course, I can't know what your feelings and emotions are if your hair keeps on blocking your eyes.' Now, his full attention is on her and she loves it.
'Why do you need to know those things? You know you can just simply ask about what I'm feeling.' She sighed; sometimes Akashi is too smart and curious for his own good.
'I know, but when it comes to your feelings, you are not very honest.' He let out a soft laugh and took her hand; he kissed her knuckles before smiling sweetly.
'You know me too well, Angel.'
'So, are you going to trim your hair?' He leaned forward and gave her cheek a peck.
'No.' He said before going back to revising.
"A-Akashi-san, you're making me uncomfortable." He sighed and took a step back.
"I apologize for that." She sighed in relief and gave Hayama his jacket.
"I'll take my leave. Sorry for intruding." She bowed and left. She only took a couple steps before going on a full sprint. She doesn't know what to do, she doesn't know how she will act knowing that they have a special history together. She feels like she misses him but a part of her is afraid to get close to him. Her heart is at war, she can't think straight.