4 AM came really early. You yawned and rolled over reaching for the beeping phone, only to freeze. Your heart froze somewhere between your chest and your mouth, eyes flying open despite the tired pain of doing so; Kise was right against you now that you rolled over. He was curled against you, and you were so sleepy that you hadn't noticed his arms around you. Swallowing you moved back a bit and took a breath, trying to calm your heart. Kise groaned softly and cuddled closer to you though, his blonde hair tickling your face and you whimpered. This wasn't what you expected. "K-kichan…. I-its morning" Half pushing you back into the pillows away from the beeping he whined "Not yet ssu… Takaocchi is warm~" His breathing was steady and clearly he fell back asleep probably listening to the thrumming that was your heart. The alarm automatically snoozed after five minutes and you sighed defeatedly, gently you stroked his hair once your heart was done trying to escape your body. You closed your eyes and smiled a bit, really this was surreal. It felt like every world you dreamt of had collided with the other. You loved photography as a kid, and now you were learning while you were modelling alongside Kise and for your sister. After you lost to Teiko it was no secret how much you wanted their approval… Now you got it from the blonde who not only accepted your plays… He accepted everything about you… Your pulse started racing again when you realized, you should probably think to ask him out officially after walking him to his train. If you were early enough you might be able to pick up Shin-chan with the rickshaw depending on the answer you got… Then playing basketball alongside Shin-chan at Shuutoku was like a dream, since you weren't the best at studying. You felt yourself pouting a bit wondering how it was that you found yourself considering asking him out so easily, he broke past every boundary you had, but you weren't as timid as you normally would be.

Softly you muttered to yourself "If this is a dream… I don't ever want to wake up…" Of course at that moment the little golden kitten curled up around you chose to wake up with a teasing hum "I don't mind staying with Takaocchi like this forever ssu" You felt your face turn pink almost instantly as his golden eyes slowly opened and locked with yours. You couldn't form words and he kissed you despite the confusion. When he pulled back you could only whine "You woke up at the weirdest moment Kicchan…" After he sat up you pushed yourself up, letting out a yawn as you watched him look around happily "'Mornin Takaocchi~ I was half awake ssu… I just wanted to stay with you even just a few minutes longer~ See I didn't expect that I'd fall for anyone so quickly; Specially since we're rivals, but you're amazing Takaocchi." This conversation was horrible for your heart and you felt it skipping beats as it started to thrum again. "K-kicchan…?" He smiled tiredly at you and hummed "I'm glad you're the one who won that contest~ I get to monopolize you a ton!" Slowly he stood up yawning as he stretched taking his uniform down from the hanger on the wall "I'm going to use the bathroom downstair ssu~ I'll have to borrow your toothbrush Takaocchi~ But that's fine after what we've done, right ssu?" Without waiting for your answer, like a windstorm in spring he disappeared quietly out of the room. You stared at the opened door for a moment dumbly before getting up and returning the extra bedding to the closet and changing into your uniform as well making sure there were no traces of makeup on you from last night before packing up your bag.

Trodding downstairs you heard Kise in the bathroom. You headed to the kitchen washing your face and hands in the sink before washing down the sink, refilling it with water and pulling out some pots and pans to make a simple breakfast. You washed some rice and threw it in the rice cooker, put some oil in a frying pan and set it on the burner to wait for it to heat, and started pulling out plates, and ingredients. Bacon, eggs, lettuce, tomatoes, bread, some cooled chicken, some simple chocolate truffles you and your sister made. Everything for breakfast and bentos. You pulled out a few plates, bowls and bentou boxes enough for three. Just the usual dance. Shaking your head you tried to ignore another yawn, starting water for coffee and tea. Hearing the hiss of the oil you dropped the bacon into the first pan, and some eggs on the other side of the pan, using a spatula to handle the eggs, and chopsticks for the bacon. At some point you started singing 'Can Do' and gracefully like a dance you moved around the kitchen. Dishing rice into the bottom of the three bentos, serving three bowls as well. Making a salad for each box, plopping cold chicken, and truffles in each as well. Frowning a bit you added extra chicken to your lunch and Kise's then added a bit more rice before wrapping each one. Kise's got a blue handkerchief. Then you had to spin back to the stove to pull the eggs off and turn the bacon over serving the eggs two to a plate, and you hopped over to the toaster sending the three slices of bread into the heat, before spinning back to the lunches. Yours had a simple black design and your sisters had some sparkly wrap she brought home.

You put the extra salad back into the fridge and pulled out a container of asparagus to heat up with the eggs, bacon, salad, toast and rice to make it feel more complete. You hummed as you started plating each breakfast. The bacon was done and you tossed the asparagus in as you set the rice on the table with chopsticks, pulling down cups and a coffee strainer you pouted wondering if Kise would prefer coffee or tea. Sighing, you pulled down the tea leaves as well and made your coffee first. Then thankfully you heard the door slide open, you asked "Ne Kicchan, do you want coffee or green tea?" Blinking the kitten near the bathroom looked over his eyes wide "U-uh coffee is fine Takaocchi?" You could hear the confusion as you hummed "Kay~ Got it, breakfast will be done soon if you want to bring your stuff down first~" It was a graceful dance you turned the asparagus with the chopsticks, took your full cup of coffee out from under the syphon and slipped in a second cup before pouring in another dose of hot water for the syphon and then adding some tea to the pot directly bringing it back to a boil. Once you served the veggies you put the steaming pot into the sink full of water. It hissed pretty violently and let off a cloud of steam that you ignored. It'd cool quickly like this so you could wash it before you left. Setting the three places, putting the coffee, sugar and milk on the table. Then extra glasses and the orange juice. Pouring the tea for your sister before going to call her "Mai, it's time to eat~" You knocked a few times and headed back to the kitchen. Putting the leftover things away clearing the trash and smiling at the baffled Kise "Morning Kicchan~ Take a seat~" You put a warming tent over your sisters tray and sat across from Kise "My sister doesn't usually wake up this early no matter what sooooo it'll just be us; Sorry if it's a bit early for breakfast, but it's a long day no?"

Kise was just awestruck as he looked at the dishes on the table, he nodded absently then hummed "You're amazing Takaocchi! You cook like this all the time?" You hummed clapping your hands together "Thanks for the food~" Tilting your head you smiled "Hm, well a lot of the times I have to if I want lunch since its only me and Mai~ Oh I made you lunch too I dunno if it's enough or not though..." His golden eyes widened again "H-huh? Takaocchi you didn't need to do that!" You chuckled and smiled "After everything we did last night I think it's fine even if I did though?" You tilted your head with a smile. Carefully scooping your egg onto your toast you bit into it and hummed softly as finally you got to see the perfect model turning pink. Kise gaped a few times before saying "Well I guess ssu… But if you do stuff like that too much I might misunderstand~" You chuckled and took another bite pretending to contemplate. While Kise ate you finished the egg and toast before humming and saying "Well~ Should I let you misunderstand then? Or should I say 'Wanna go out Kicchan?' or something?" You grinned innocently and watched as he choked on his rice and quickly drank some milk to recover. You pretended that you didn't say anything, but your cheeks were warm again, and you felt it from your ears to your neck. Still you gracefully ate your bacon and rice while you watched him while just glancing over now and then. Kise had given up on eating for a moment and was staring at you.

Finally feeling like a stone was in your chest, you smiled to yourself and chuckled "Mah, mah~ You can always play it off as a joke Kicchan" But when you saw his expression you were frozen as well, he looked so embarrassed and yet so adorable. Kise pouted and puffed his cheeks "Don't say it's just a joke… Can we really Takaocchi? I thought you were nervous with the Generation of Miracles title and everything ssu?" You turned a bit hotter and smiled "Mm… It might be hard, but… I'd like to see what happens… I never expected that you'd be so loveable Kicchan. I know you said something similar but, it's not like we really spent a lot of time aware of each other, but I'd love to~" You quickly finished your breakfast to escape the table so he couldn't see how flushed you were, though he probably already knew exactly the shade your face was "And you're probably the person I trust the most right now, so I don't mind… Rivals and lovers.. Models and athletes… talk about worlds overlapping a lot here~ Wouldn't we be living up to 'All's fair in love and war' or something?"

You started washing the dishes and setting them to dry, while Kise mused "It's going to be annoying having to go so far to meet up though… When we're not working." You chuckled "We could always meet in the middle from time to time for dinner or something~ Both of us will have the extra; and we can plan sleepovers around work and weekends and such. If I meet you as my other side, we won't run into much trouble if I drop by your school; since our schedules sometimes overlap~" Your eyes gradually narrowed as you smirked a bit turning to face him you saw he was watching you intently "Even if you just want to turn this into a game of mutual curiosity~" You wiped some rice off his cheek and shrugged, licking it off your thumb with a slight smirk you hummed "After all… You're not being completely real with me even now are you?" There was almost a sparkle visibly fading to a duller color from a shimmering gold to an imperial topaz. Biting the back of your tongue you stopped yourself from inhaling too deeply. Right now, it looked like the tamed kitten was a wild lone wolf sitting before you, your heart hurt as it beat too quickly. Still you kept the flirtatious smirk on your lips. Gemini and Scorpio were two sides of the same coin, both had secrets and sometimes second personalities. For a model wasn't that par for the course? Wasn't it the same for an older brother who got left alone more times than not to raise his little sister, recover from absolute destruction in something he fell in love with and watch his friends leave him because he was too positive about making a comeback in high school.

Those topaz eyes were appraising you, his eyes were devoid of their normal glow; it was almost as if they were finished with the world. You couldn't explain the ache in your heart as you stared into those eyes. Eyes of someone who didn't know what they wanted, eyes that had no desire to play nice, eyes that craved to burn the world to the ground to see if it would be more interesting that way. You shivered, but didn't break eye contact. After a few moments the light returned and he chuckled "Hmmmm~ You're the first one to call me out on that so easily ssu~ Especially when saying something you meant while playing it off as a joke~ Are you really that afraid to be hurt again? Somehow you're more interesting than I expected, being able to put up with Midorimacchi is one thing, but can you really play with me so easily ssu?" You shrugged and smiled "Well considering you look bored with the world, but find me interesting isn't that reason enough for me to try?" Chuckling you shook your head "You have to be flexible to deal with Shin-chan, and one of my redeeming features is my positivity so I certainly think I'd be able to keep up. After all, you're the type who likes to be free like a cat, so I wouldn't even dream of trying to cage you. I'm not the possessive type, though I am the affectionate type by nature." Kise seemed to consider and chuckled smirking a bit "Alright Takaocchi~ I'll play with you~ Work hard not to bore me too quickly" You laughed and smiled happily "I don't plan on giving you a chance to get bored~ Not before you fall for me~ Until then feel free to treat this as a game~ Since you're so curious how this will go. When we go out this weekend lets make a story on Insta, you'll get to see some even more interesting things than you're used to"

Though you made a mental note to pick up some comfort foods, because the abuse you'd face was not going to be fun at all. After all you were only an 'e-girl.' Kise lifted an eyebrow and shrugged "Alright~ If it doesn't entertain me, I'll come up with some way for you to change that Takaocchi." You swallowed and smiled "Like a punishment game~ Sounds like this weekend is going to be interesting in a lot of ways. Seems my fate will be in your hands~" You finished your meal and stretched a bit "Did you remember to apply the gel to that bruise Kicchan?" Now that the seriousness and the chill had dissipated a bit you were able to ask. Kise blinked and shook his head "I forgot ssu." Sighing you smiled wryly "I'll help you before we leave then, you have to put it on every day for it to help." As you were getting up he just watched you curiously, but didn't say anything. You scooped up your dishes and brought them to the sink, rolling up your sleeves you washed the pans, then the syphon and your dishes while Kise finished his meal. He chewed on his toast then asked "How is it that you're so willing to go out with someone you barely know, who did something like that to you before anything? You're not afraid to be exploited ssu?"

You hummed softly while washing your dishes "How huh? Well like I said I'm only interested in dating people who catch my interest. Interest comes in different forms, just like love~ I don't mind being exploited, because even if you exploit me, you wouldn't degrade me. After all, as boring as you find things, you don't like trouble either~ So isn't it fine to stand on the ledge? Either you'll catch me before I fall too far, or I get a little bruised" Grinning you felt a chill run down your spine, but it wasn't like he was going to destroy you probably. You carefully swiped the dishes Kise was done with washing them before drying your hands and emptying the sink. The rest of the dishes would wait until you got home, or your little sister would do them. You disappeared into the bathroom to wash up and recover. After taking care of your bodily needs and washing your hands and face again you ended up staring listlessly smiling you could only sigh "He won't degrade me…. But how self-destructive is this going to be? Ah well~ I'm positive it'll be fun for us both in the long run…" You clapped your hands against your cheeks and grinned, chasing away the uneasiness in your eyes, your heart could clench in pain and worry all it wanted, you wouldn't let it show. That kind of thing was always your strongest suit. Later you'd ask Midorima the compatibility between signs, since he was so into it; Perhaps that would give you a hint of what to expect. After collecting yourself you stepped out, Kise had finished and run up to grab his bag, he was looking at the tube of gel curiously. You chuckled "Mm come here Kicchan~ I'll show you how to apply it, since this bruise is in such a weird spot, you don't want to ask for help right? There's a trick."

You brought him to the bathroom and got a washcloth "Take your shirt off first." While you waited for him to take off his blazer and shirt you found a hairbrush "So the trick is this, if you wrap the handle of a brush like this." You wrapped the cloth tightly and tied it so it wouldn't come off "Then apply the gel you'll be able to reach the injury. Wanna try or shall I just apply it Kicchan?" Kise blinked and felt the brush before humming "Mm~ Well considering what happened just now ssu, I'll be greedy and ask Takaocchi please~" You felt your cheeks warm as he looked at you with flirtatious eyes, you could feel your heart race as you put down the brush and took the gel applying it to your fingers "Your wish is my command Kicchan~" You grinned though you felt like your face was turning red, confidence and positivity were your redeeming features. Kise chuckled as you turned pink and watched your reflection as you gently rubbed the gel onto the bruise "It looks a bit better, is it still super sensitive?" He shook his head and blinked in realization "It doesn't hurt as bad as when you put it on yesterday ssu, it was actually pleasant and not painful this time?" You sighed in relief and chuckled "I'm glad to hear it~ I'd feel really awful if my lightest touch was still painful" Kise just seemed to watch you as he pulled his uniform back on "Hm… You're really interesting Takaocchi"

You hummed as you capped the gel and washed your hands and dried them tossing the wash cloth you dried your hands with into the wash with the towels from last night. Your silvery eyes glittered as you met Kise's eyes with a hum "I have to be to keep up with a rainbow you know? The gold disappears the fastest when the weather changes to slowly~" Kise blinked and his eyes softened slightly as he grinned "Don't take your eyes off me ssu, once you lose sight of me it'll be like a dream Takaocchi~" Slipping out to the living room you flipped off the light switch leaving only the dim glow coming from the kitchen to outline you and Kise, you leaned up and whispered "You'll have trouble escaping my hawk eye on or off the court you know Kicchan?" Before the kitten could answer you headed to scoop up your bags, tucking your bento into your gym bag "Shall we walk to the station or would you prefer to ride in a rickshaw?"

You could hear Kise practically trip behind you "Midorimacchi just wants to spend time with you rather than getting driven in… On the same note I'd rather walk at your side ssu… Is that okay?" Slightly startled your cheeks dusted pink, but you smiled and nodded "That's perfect Kicchan, I was hoping to spend even a few minutes longer with you~" Returning his line right back to him you smirked and pulled your bags over your shoulders. Kise adjusted his own bags and chuckled "You're going to make me greedy ssu, I wonder if you can handle that in the end~" Plodding quietly across the floor you turned off the last lights, only the gray hazy morning light was trying to pour into the lifeless house as you and Kise headed to the entry changing out of your slippers into your shoes. Opening the door your nose crinkled, the dampness on the air made you pull out a couple collapsible umbrellas offering one to Kise. "You might want to bring one with you" The blonde chuckled and took it from you deftly hanging it back up smirking "If it starts I'll share with you ssu~" You pouted a little wondering about what happened after and he happily ignored that, earning a shrug. Relenting you could only shake your head "Got it Kicchan~" Locking the door behind the two of you, the trek to the train station began. Probably out of habit Kise turned on his phone's radio and Oha Asa began broadcasting "Ah, Momocchi is going to hate today ssu" Tilting your head you chuckled "Taurus took first hmm? Oop Shin-chan has a happy second~"

'Congratulations Taurus! Your pink aura has paid off! You rank first in luck today, keep a pink bunny keychain on hand and you'll ace any problem thrown your way. Cancer your luck is second only to Taurus today, make sure you have your herbal tea on hand, and your lucky color of black and nothing will befall you. Aquarius you fall in third, your lucky color is white and your lucky item is a puppy, as long as you avoid conflict nothing could go wrong for you today. Gemini you fall into fourth. Weather will be your nemesis, keep a black umbrella in hand today, and look both ways before crossing the streets!'

You and Kise sort of exchanged a look and couldn't help but laughing, shaking your head you grinned "Seems I'll be leaving the umbrella with you Kicchan~ It's your lucky color after all." Teasing him you smiled. Ranking after ranking rolled as he shrugged "I'll take you up on that I guess ssu"

The rankings kept droning on. Finally 'Oof! Tough luck Scorpio! You should take it easy today, keep your head down when you can. You're 11th on the list for luck. Even with your lucky item of a history book, or wearing yellow you're going to attract a lot of attention. Not all of it will be positive. Keep your cool and do your best not to stand out too much today! And last place is Leo! You're not in for much fun, the rainy season is definitely putting a damper on your star! Your lucky color is red, and your lucky item is a pineapple. Take your time today, don't rush and you'll see that everything will be okay. The world is going to try to push you at a breakneck speed, if you get caught up in the tide you're going to be in rough shape.'

A moment of silence fell between you two as the radio show turned off. Kise realized his shoe was untied and you stopped for a moment to let him tie it. Right when you were about to speak, the sky seemed to reject your very being, a few sprinkles of rain pittered down. Under a shop banner Kise was oblivious until the skies seemed to split before you could finish opening the umbrella, you got half drenched. Blinking a few times you lifted the umbrella helplessly and sighed "You know… None of us ever really adhere to the horoscopes, but whenever Shin-chan is unhappy it always seems the worst happens…" As Kise stood back up under the umbrella with you he brushed your wet bangs away from your face and shook his head "I know what you mean ssu, it only mattered on game days… Or days that Midorimacchi was in a bad mood ssu~ You'll have to be careful, if you can make Midorimacchi cheer up then maybe you'll have better luck ssu." He gently pressed his lips to your forehead and then wrapped his hand over yours on the umbrella "For now let me spoil you a bit ssu, and maybe it'll just be a fluke Takaocchi~" The remaining walk to the station was idle chatting about what work would be like, about the photoshoot from last night and your sister.

Kise was on cloud nine as he gushed "Your sister is amazing ssu! She knows exactly what she wants to do, she's planning to be a designer! She hasn't even graduated middle school though, I didn't even know what I wanted to do when I was in middle school. I was floating before I joined the basketball team ssu!" You chuckled and nodded "Mai has endless passion, which is why no matter what she requests I'll help her out if I can. It's why I won't turn down her fashion shows, she does have to build a portfolio somehow. Though I wonder what she'll do now that the notorious Kise-sama of her dreams agreed to help her out now and then" You couldn't help but sigh, although you knew it'd be trouble you still smiled. The emptiness behind that smile made your hand curl more tightly around the umbrella, noticing that Kise gave your hand a light squeeze and glanced at you curiously. You seemed to have a normal expression, so he just watched quietly. You refused to let Mai feel lonely, it was awful growing up in that giant house alone, after your grandparents passed, it was only occasionally a neighbor came by to make sure you ate and locked the door. Any time you were bullied or hurt, you'd take care of it, or a family friend would be there. Parent-teacher conferences were phone calls usually unless the timing was right. So you were there for Mai when you could be. Picking her up from kindergarten when you were in fourth grade. Cooking dinner and learning how to make porridge when she was sick, it was gloomy thoughts brought on by the rain. Kise hummed softly "You know I think Takaocchi is amazing too ssu, you go so far for your little sister. You're only a few years apart, but you are both her parent, her brother and her friend ssu. I couldn't imagine that either, you take care of the cooking and cleaning; you keep yourself from failing classes, you're a skilled athlete, an online celebrity in a way, now a model, and everything else. I wouldn't be able to imagine all of that, but you do it with a smile. And you look after Midorimacchi, I might end up getting a bit jealous seeing you spoil him so much though ssu."

Blinking your smile warmed a bit, it hadn't looked fake, but now it seemed more radiant as you hummed "The type of attention you'll get from me is different Kicchan~ I'll spoil you when you'll let me~ After all, love, work and war will be our balancing act. I won't let you walk away so quickly~" With a smile you watched him disappear into the train station with the parting words "We'll break the world this weekend ssu~ I'll be waiting" He grinned like an angel and disappeared to the platform you chuckled and watched as his dazzling radiance scampered into the arriving train with perfect time, you waved as it departed and headed off. Shooting a text to Midorima 'I dropped off Kicchan early, I was going to bring the rickshaw but it's raining a bit too hard, I'll see you at practice!'