Chapter 1
Time flew fast when you're enjoying it. Kagami didn't know what to say to that. For one thing, he did enjoy his time in the States. His days spent in breathless training, his eyes riveted on that worn-out orange ball which always felt so good to the palm of his hand. The feeling when he caught it and was the one to actually slam it into the basket was something he would never have traded for anything else. That moment when his triumphant yell was drowned out by the sheer uproar from his teammates and audience and that increased digits on the scoreboard would always lighten the fire in his eyes, putting a big grin widespread on his face. That moment when the happiness brimmed and Kagami outstretched his arm to the side, a fist hanging in the air waiting—yearning—for another fist to bump.
Just in that moment though, that Kagami realized. He slowly, wordlessly, withdrew his arm and instead shot it above his head. The screams from the audience got louder but his mind went unusually quiet.
No matter how long it has been, Kagami still carried that old habit with him. A quick flash of someone claiming that he was a shadow to his light almost made him smile. He allowed himself to drown in the memories of those times just once in a while so that he was reminded of his home.
So yeah, he couldn't ignore the loneliness which always crawled after him when he was alone in the apartment, neither did it go away when he was at the center of attention with everyone crowed on him. It was frustrating at first that almost chased his sanity away. But as Summers turned Springs and when a chilly breeze came along in Winters, Kagami finally learned to let go of the past and accept his decision which had led him to such opportunity in the USA.
Life in the States went all right with Kagami. He poured his heart out in basketball. He made a few trustworthy friends and even got himself girlfriends at some points. And when Kagami entered the forth year of training for NBA, the familiar face just happened to show up at one practice. The day was scorcher but Aomine's eyes on him were the brightest blue. They weren't the best of friends, that's the fact. But on the court, Kagami just knew who he could always pass the ball to.
He remembered spotting Aomine gulp down his drink during a break. He went up to him, asking what he has always wanted to know.
"Seirin made it to Inter-High twice, only reached to the qualifiers both times. It's understandable though with the leave of you and that iron-heart, Seirin rarely stood a chance against Kaijo and Rakuzan." Aomine shrugged. "No difference during the WinterCup either. It's pretty surprising that even when the seniors' gone and the team was full of newbies, they still managed to keep up with Murasakibara's team."
Kagami just nodded. He was a little bit reluctant but the curiosity won him over.
hearing Kagami's next question, Aomine seemed unsure of what to say, to Kagami's surprise actually. He has never seen Aomine get flustered, even when he had lost to Seirin years ago.
Scratching his head, Aomine, averting his gaze elsewhere, said; "Tetsu's fine. As you know he put everything in every match he played. Though he lost he's never shown his tears. A true sportsman he is." Dark blue eyes flickered. "Though there's that—"
Aomine abruptly stopped in mid-sentence and scowled to himself. Kagami frowned. He was determined to push further but was cut short when the whistle bellowed, signaling the practice resume.
Whenever Kagami demanded Aomine of what he was saying that day, Aomine simply changed the subject or ignored it completely. Kagami knew something might have happened to his shadow but he couldn't bring himself to call and ask. Not a single email, nor voice message. Despite his massive build and the hard look on his face, Kagami was of a caveman who got scared over his own shadow. Kuroko was—is—his precious friend. One that always supported him on and off the court. They shared the best history together—along with the Seirin. The bond was too strong for any tools to break. He didn't even know when it began to shatter.
It was that day a small voice whispered at the back of his head Right after you got to the apartment a little later than usual at night and called Kuroko because it was something that you thought he had to know, that you were tipsy, that you just kissed a girl you took along with your new comrades, and that you were thinking of him—of that day underneath the shade of tree behind the gym where no one cared to come and check on them. That day when you suddenly leaned down toward your friend, close enough to see all the light blue dancing and selfishly have a swift taste of vanilla on the lips. And when you called and heard that soft voice belonged to the one in your mind, what did you say to him, remember? You said—
"I am sorry," Kagami started at the sudden voice. His eyes fluttered open to see a woman in an airline uniform smile apologetically at him. "I am sorry Mr. , but are you all right?"
He blinked "What?"
"You've been frowning and your forehead covers with sweats. I thought you might have the need for water." She eyed him carefully. "Or an aspirin."
"Oh—" Kagami managed a smile. He shook his head. "I'm sorry for causing your concern. But I'm fine—I'm just getting nervous to be back home again. That's all." He added quickly.
When the flight attendant went to take care of other passengers, the rough voice entered his ears.
Kagami almost rolled his eyes. God—he nearly forgot he didn't board alone.
"Nervous, huh?" Aomine grunted. Even after years of playing on the same team, Kagami still couldn't bring himself to like this gakuro a single bit. Despite the change in how they looked compared to a decade ago, Aomine was still that Aomine who never failed to get on his nerve. Kagami, again, didn't know if he should appreciate it.
"Shut up."
"Man, who's the guy that acted all high and mighty at the LAX almost a day ago, saying he was fine and 'Nah, it's nothing to worry about'?"
Kagami growled. "Just shut up and never speak again."
"Oh boy, did your Japanese get even harder to understand."
"And your English's just fuck up the same." Kagami retorted, not too amusedly. "No one could understand your language, Ahomine. Even the interpreter needed to use her e-dictionary."
Aomine was not ashamed. Instead, he just shrugged. "Basketball needs no spoken language, we communicate through gestures."
Kagami scoffed at that. "No wonder why you look like a monkey trying to steal bananas from the side of the court."
"Oi!"
"To all the passengers, we are to inform that we are now approaching Tokyo, Japan." The voice ringing through the speaker shut both basketball players to remain in their seats. Aomine took a quick look out the window. The sky was clear, albeit the mass of clouds. Only was the small amount of sunlight allowed to penetrate through the humidity. Aomine would never have expected Tokyo's Winter to be otherwise.
The voice repeated the same message in several more languages, before it continued, "We are pleased to say that we will be landing at Narita Airport within 30 minutes. The luggage claim will be at no. 3. We are more than grateful to get the chance to fly with you and hope to be of your service in the future." The voice then changed from that of a female flight attendant to a grown-up, gentle yet crazily familiar male voice. Kagami turned to look at Aomine whose face was a combination of horror and shock. In another scenario, Kagami would have laughed his ass off by that look on Aomine's face. Now? He doubted his facial expression would be of any differences.
"Good afternoon to all lovely passengers. Captain Kise Ryota's speaking here just to inform you that we are now landing safely at Narita Airport. The weather's chilly, but still tolerable for pretty ladies who board in shorts and minidresses. But be sure to wear the coat at night too! The time now is 1.45 in the afternoon. I would like to say thank you to decide to fly with us. We're hoping to see you again on the next flights. Thanks again!"
"Oh shit," Kagami heard Aomine's grumble. "I don't even know how this plane could take us, unscratched, from the US to Tokyo knowing that idiot Kise is the one behind the controller."
Kagami couldn't agree more. And if he figured some pleasant tone mixed with such annoyance in Aomine's voice, Kagami was saying nothing.
Kagami leaned further into his seat, his eyes closed.
All those worries and nervousness could be put to later. Right there he was consented to take a deep breath, and smile.
He's home.