Aomineko yawned in my arms when I began petting his fur, calming me down in the Teiko waiting room. The carefree atmosphere the team carried during the opening ceremony was gone and everyone sported the same serious expressions while Momoi-san told us what information we needed to beat the opponents.

"Just stay sharp, the team has good defence but as long as we outrun them, we'll be fine." Coach paused, "Aomine, guard their number 11, Tetsuya can handle 7."

The room bursted with objections. "Hold on, you want Tetsuyacchi to go against the big guy! How is he supposed to guard him?" Kise-kun interrupted, voicing my thoughts. I was surprised myself.

"It's true that Tetsuya might not be able to handle him, but we don't expect him to." It was Sei who spoke up this time. I think he understood what coach implied with the help of Momoi-san's data. "We just need him to keep 7 on his feet, enough to make him hesitate about his shots. And with Tetsuya's misdirection, he's best fit for this job."

The argument continued for a bit. I paid my team no mind since I already understood the plan, only paying attention to the Aomineko in my arms. To be given such a big job on my first game made me more nervous than I wanted to be, but I can't fail now.

I think I spaced out too much because when I looked up, it was only me and Sei left inside the waiting room. Even the dark blue kitten went out to fulfil Teiko's mascot role. I quickly stood up, feeling my wobbly legs give in to pressure before falling back down on the bench.

Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I looked up to see my twin staring at me with mixed emotions. The strongest one being satisfaction. I took a shaky breath, reaching out to hug him. I felt him wrap his arms around me in a protective manner.

"Don't worry, it's only the first match. We'll be fine." He assured, rubbing the back of my head with his free hand. I said nothing, burying my face in his neck. I trust my twin.

He smells just like me.

Once I was sated, which didn't take long enough, we went out with the team. For once, I felt like all my passes were going to go through.

It didn't take long to get my point proven; all my passes really did go through, only with the help of Kise-kun. He was getting better at locating me, and whenever he passed the ball it was with utmost care and precision. I was mildly impressed with the rate of his improvement.

It was half game, the other team had a two basket lead against us and one particular player was in front me, finally noticing me. I couldn't direct his line of sight elsewhere since he closes it every time I try to make my move. I also took note of how my lack of presence was beginning to wear off.

Feeling conflicted, I looked towards the outside and all my teammates were guarded. My head throbbed.

'Tet... Tetsu...' I heard the voice return. My eyes widen, and it all felt like everything was in slow motion. I shook my head when a player ran past me. Now was not the time to get distracted.

Noticing that Kise-kun was about to pass the ball, I ran further back. Fine, if they weren't going to be fooled by my misdirection, I'll just have to outwit them. Aomine-kun screened him in an instant since he was the closest player outside and his guard had to switch marks, trying to find me.

Wasting no second, Shin-kun ran farther back just as Kise-kun passed the ball to me, and I didn't fail to guide the ball into his waiting hands. A three was scored, the opponents a second too late to block it. My team cheered.

I felt the connection come back, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. Clenching the fabric of my jersey, I ran to my mark.

It took a while, but once my passes went through to my team, it stayed that way like a chain reaction. The nerves I once had were all gone, replaced by the adrenaline rush in the heat of the game. There was no way I could mess up anymore. Neither now nor at the end of the tournament.

I felt invincible as I am invisible.

The score was at 116-74 when it ended, with Teiko victorious once again.

"Our next game is next week. Be sure to rest properly and keep up with your diets, everyone!" Momoi-san informed us when we exited the waiting room. Tournaments usually starts slow, so we have time to take it one step at a time before the championship games.

"Tetsuyacchi! You did well!" I heard the overly excited yellow head yell. I was then pushed forward by the weight that latched onto my back, but he picked me up as soon as my weight tipped to the side. Smiling in amusement instead of exasperation, I replied, "Thank you, Kise-kun. You did a good job too."

I saw Kise-kun suddenly hide his face, a weird aura of flowers and sparkles emanating from him. Aomine-kun gaped at me, and so did Momoi-san.

"Oi, Tetsu... don't over exert yourself next time."

I stared at my light with a blank expression, before turning to the yellow head again. "It seems I broke Kise-kun."

"Don't ignore me!"

A hand was at my forehead, Momoi-san being too close to my face all of a sudden. "Mou, Tetsu-kun, are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm perfectly fine, Momoi-san. If I were sick I wouldn't have played at all." I answered, or more like deadpanned. I don't understand, what's so weird about complimenting Kise-kun? He deserved it after the play he showed earlier.

Both of them continued to stare at me as if I just grew another head. The next people that exited the locker room were Shougo-kun and Shin-kun. The purple giant not far behind them. We all gathered around one area in the food court.

They were still joking around when a child ran up to us to ask for Kise-kun's autograph. All of a sudden, I was too aware of our surroundings. I could hear the whispers of the people passing by us. Ever since the Miragen were formed, there were nothing but gossip all around us. I tensed again, realizing my team was in the spotlight.

Receiving attention will never be my best forte.

I felt someone ruffle my hair, the act that never fails to release the tension in my body. Looking up, I saw the nonchalant Murasakibara munching on a pocky, offering me some with vanilla. I smiled at him and thanked him, only resulting in him coughing and looking away. Confused, I turned to my team who were gaping at me.

"Tetsu, you're sparkling." Aomine-kun told me, blinking endlessly. I could tell something startled him since he didn't look quite bored either, a deadpan expression on his face.

"I'm just happy we won." I said truthfully, opening the pocky packet given to me. Again, I smiled back at them, which made my team even more shocked for some unknown reason. Hey, I can be emotional when I want to!

Seriously, someone should redefine the textbook definition of being an Akashi. They think we're robots or something.

Someone's phone beeped- Shin-kun's -who read his message out loud. "Well, I guess it's time for us to leave too." He said once he finished reading the message.

I froze for a moment before I stood up, only to go to the opposite direction.

"Tetsu, where ya heading?" Aomine-kun called after me. I paused in my tracks, wondering for a second how he noticed me quickly and remembering my lack of presence has limits too, before turning back to bid my team goodbye.

"I'm going to check up on my brother. I'll see you all at practice."

When I arrived in the waiting room, Sei was there, still in his uniform. He looks like he was thinking very deeply about something, staring at his phone like that so I didn't want to interrupt him but the intercom just called to say that the courts was closing soon. Sei-kun still didn't look up.

Silently, I made my way towards Sei, lightly bumping my shoulders with his when I sat down. Only then did he take note of my presence, just a tiny bit startled.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

"It doesn't matter now." Sei pocketed his phone, standing up to grab his stuff from his locker, completely disregarding me. It seems like he just realized what time it was when he cursed and turned back to me to ask about our chauffeur for the night.

"You didn't answer me, Seijuuro-kun." The use of his given name surprised him, effectively turning his full attention to me. When he didn't reply, much too conflicted to do so, I spoke again. "You still haven't talked to me either. You kept running away. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

Sei coughed, clenching his fist in his right hand where he was holding his spare clothes.

Deciding it wasn't worth the trouble of going to the showers, he stripped in front of me and began to change right there. I sputtered, indignant, looking away. We bathed together in multiple occasions and we've already seen each other naked many times, so how come this scene was any different?

Just one look at his abdomen struggling to catch his breath made me realize why.

"Seijuuro." My voice was firmer, making him stop in the middle of buttoning his polo.

"Tetsuya." He replied, not backing down though putting his hands down at his sides, stopping all further actions.

I tried again, softer this time. "Why are you avoiding me?" I stood up, gauging for his reaction. "Talk to me. Please. I can't stand this constant push and pull between us waiting for one of us to break. It hurts when one minute you give me your full attention, the next you're avoiding me like the plague, and then you leave me wondering if I did anything wrong. I just- I just want my twin back. I don't want you to hold back on me anymore. So talk to me, Seijuuro."

It took him a moment before he spoke, stunned by my sudden speech. "I'm sorry." He walked towards me slowly, raising his free hand to stroke my cheek lightly. "I'm sorry for making you doubt in us, Tetsuya. I was stupid, but my knowledge is one that is better if you don't know, please just trust me on this one. You will get to find out eventually, but it's better if it's not from me."

At his cryptic words, I blinked. "What do you mean... not from you? Who else can..."

'Tetsu... Tetsuya...' I gasped, the odd feeling returning to me once again. It was gone the next second, but with the way my brother was staring at me, I knew he knew.

"So... what happened back then-"

"It's only part of the truth." Sei answered honestly, cutting me off. "Do you remember what happened in that plane ride?"

I took a while to think about it, taking a seat on the cold bench once more. Sei was always patient, so he stood there, waiting. I almost felt bad. "...I remember. Nii-san visited me in my dream. It was... strange." I took a deep breath. I don't know where this is heading but I have a... bad feeling about this all.

Sei's eye twitched. "Yeah, you both acted too friendly after I thought you both were drunk the week after that."

I giggled at his response. "You know I don't even like alcohol- Sei-kun we're literal children don't even start-"

At that statement, we both laughed. I hit him on his arm that dropped the clothes he was holding, I belatedly noticed.

"But that wasn't all that happened was it? For you to get close with just one interraction... something wasn't fitting." Sei-kun stared at me with a hard gaze, and I almost broke my facade and gave in to him if he didn't continue. "You're hiding something from me." He ended it with that, not quite questioning, more accusing us, which we couldn't blame him for.

I stayed quiet, not trusting myself to speak.

If the Emperor did not find the need to tell him, then I wasn't in the position to do so. Sei seemed to understand my resolve, since his shoulder slumped in resignation. Something tells me we'll be keeping this conversation for later. "...alright then, since we're on the topic already, do you wish to talk to him?"

I contemplated it for a moment before shaking my head and deciding against it. "I want to keep being with Sei-kun right now."

"As you wish, otouto." He sighed, before continuing. "I know there's more that you want to know-"

"And I don't want to ask now. I need to think first, Sei-kun."

"...Okay, Tetsuya." A step back and he finally finished trying to change. He must be cold, because I kept him naked at the locker room for long. I hung my head guiltily.

For a while, we both let the silence engulf us like a warm blanket. It wasn't comfortable, though not quite awkward either.

I caught his gaze on me.

They say when two people stare too long at one another, you're bound to see who hold more conviction over the other. The one who hold his gaze is stronger, and the one who looks away is the weak. I didn't really think much of it until now.

Sei, who was supposed to feel more bashful with everything that just happened, stared right into my eyes with the full air of an authority radiating from himself. I on the other hand felt too pressured I had to look away.

There was another thing running through both of our minds- a kind of tension between us that was very much unspoken- the untouched territory neither of us dared to venture in.

I wasn't sure why. Maybe it was in that heat of the moment, maybe it was because of everything that happened, the weight finally being lifted off our chests or something else. But there was a line we were bound to cross at one point; it just happened to be then.

A moment passed before I heard shuffling and soon enough, I was swept back up to my feet before I had my back pressed against the lockers at the far end of the waiting room. Sei was too close for comfort, but I found that I didn't mind the way he had me trapped between him and the lockers. I licked my lips, his eyes following the movement before staring back at me.

"You shouldn't..." I leaned closer, realizing his words have gotten quieter than before. An uneasy feeling settled in me, but I shook it away in favour of being attentive to brother.

"What was that?" I whispered back in fear of breaking the moment. At this moment, it was only me and him in our own little bubble. As it had always been.

Not unexpectedly, Seijuro averted his gaze, a sudden show of weakness he would only show to father- or me in rare occasions. Including now. "You shouldn't tease me." He spoke again, clearer this time.

The weight of his words hit me, though I didn't blink. Didn't think my words through either, letting my instincts guide me instead. Innocently tilting my head to the side, I answered, "what do I do then?"

Sei took a deep breath, pausing for a moment. It was the hesitation swimming in his eyes that forced me to realize the heaviness of the situation and the direction where our actions are going to lead to.

Sei lowered his head in between the juncture of my neck and ears, carefully placing a kiss. And then another. The feeling of unease started to bubble inside my stomach; it was nauseating- I don't remember the last time I felt like puking so much-

It didn't take long before he was ravishing my neck.

I could do nothing but moan as me twin explored my neck. "S-Sei-kun... ah! We should-ngh.. do thi-ngh. ah..! y-you know..."

As if I was strangled, my throat felt tight, like I couldn't breathe. There was an invisible force causing me to act repulsively, panic seeping through my body just as Sei bit my collar bone to leave a mark.

I cried out, pushing him away with all my might.

A flash of light was in my mind, a memory coming back to me. I was in a room, one I didn't recognize yet seemed so familiar.

I couldn't move.

There was a person in front of me; he had blue hair and a blue eye, yet what struck me most was his left eye being a tad lighter than my eyes- maybe it was silver? -plain yet it stood out the most. He was whispering something I couldn't tell-

The memory was gone as soon as it came. In front of me now stood a concerned brother, hair tousled and clothes crumpled- all of my doing.

I could breathe again.

"Tetsuya...? Did I go too far? Did I hurt you?" I had to focus to realize what he asked of me.

"N-no. I'm..." fine. Is what I wanted to say. I could never lie to my brother though. "It's nothing, Sei-kun. I'm sorry.

I wasn't sure what happened to me just now, but I felt detached from reality, for once. I sighed, mentally pulling myself together. Taking a glance at Sei, he looked dejected. I think he took it as a sign of rejection. Cautiously, I pulled my twin close, sitting on top of his lap to be sure- to make sure-

His eyes that stared straight into mine once again held doubts, conflicted thoughts more than it should be accountable for, pleading for me to either resist or to encourage him to go further.

He's just as wary as I was.

But... I understood.

The first time we crossed the forbidden line was during my first victory with the team.

I kissed my own brother.

There weren't any fireworks or magical whatnots happening in the background, but the connection between us at this moment felt the strongest it had been since our birth. The uneasy feeling from earlier all forgotten, too. Even just for a moment.

"I love you, Tetsuya." His left eye was shifting from red to gold and back. "We love you."

I closed my eyes, contented. "I know. I love you too."

The intercom beeped for a few seconds, making us realize where we were. I gasped, eyes widening when everything fell silent. I pushed my brother away, heading straight towards the door while he fixed his stuff.

"Oh no, we stayed too long..." I said when I looked out and everything was dark. I went back inside, taking my place right beside Sei. There was nothing to see from far away except even more dark places, it was all pointless. My eyes began to glisten with tears, stunning my brother for a bit. "Sei-kun what do we do? They forgot about us!" Turning to my brother, I started panicking. "You should have waited 'til we got home to do it, you Bakashi!"

Sei tried to calm me down, but I can see the amusement from his eyes alone. "Tetsuya, stop. I'll call home and Takumo, don't panic. Do you want me to kiss you again to shut you up?"

"...Sei-kun you pervert baka!" But I did stop overthinking for a minute.

He only chuckled, taking his phone out to dial the number. Just when it rang once, his phone froze for second. The screen turned black and shut down. Again, I began to panic.

"Do you have your phone with you?"

"I-" I stopped, remembering how my phone was at home because I left in a haste when I got too excited for my first tournament game. "N-no..."

The night was dark, there was an alley we had to cross.

Sei sighed, grabbing my hand before heading for the door. I jerked back, afraid.

The dark, isolated place outside this room scares me. There might be something- someone waiting outside.

"Little brother, we'll be stuck here forever if we keep going on like this. Not that I would mind..." I failed to notice the humour laced in his voice. I shook my head, trembling.

There was no one to help me- no one to call out to-

"I see, I'm sorry." Looking up to my twin, he wore a gentle expression on his face. Somehow, I had the feeling he knew. He always did.

"You won't lose me this time, I promise. Just keep holding onto my hand and I'll get us out of here. Okay?"