Frst of, I AM SOOOO SORRY that I'm supppper late with the update! I know I kept you guys waiting, that's why I'm super sorry. But in the same time I'm sooo thankful for you guys for waiting despite the looong time, thank you to everyone who dropped MtKB loves, fav and follows, y=YOU GUYS ARE SUPER AWESOME! And to everyone who dropped MtKB reviews thank you so much and we're reaching the hundredth mark, isnt that great? Thank you so much to VioletFan123 thank you I was reading your review via my email when I was on the office(I've been on-the-job-training since last week which is also why I havent been active with the updates lately for those who are wondering) and I was really happy for your thoughts about MtKB dont worry things will spice up soon with our KnB babies LOL. And wow I'm really glad you liked the songs I decided to use, I'm a huge fan of OLDCODEX-IMEANWOWTATSUHISASUZUKIISLIFEEEE-and Granrodeo and I usually listen to their digital albums when I commute to my school and the office where I get some time to think of the next chapters. Thank you and I hope you'll like the incoming chapters, and especially this update. NightmareD-Technolife wow thank you very much I'll try to fix those in the incoming chapters, sorry I hope it didnt make it difficult reading through the chapters. I patterned their ways of speaking and exchange of words through how most bands do their interviews, I just imagined Furihata trying to look tough and badass and I just kinda laughed at that, with his personality I think he's the kind of guy who would use lots of reels in the camera for laughing or flinching at unnecessary moments. mystrale9331 I'm baaack ahahaha I'm so sorry for making you think I left the fic already, I was busy with stuffs unfortunately dont worry I will NOT let this fic down, I dont think I could even go hiatus. Anyhow, about Himuro and Murasakibara they will be in this fic-really soon. And it will be a nice and grand meeting when they do appear *winks*. Oh and also, dont worry about the English, I'm not a native English speaker as well so yep, were actually on the same boat, also since you loooove MIDOTAKA here's a chapter filled of them. Tya Tyson ahahaha thank you! nd I hope you like this chapter as well! kroscetish hooray for the fluff! And we'll have more of that in the incoming chapters! And to Bubbles9595 Thank youuuu and I've missed you so much! Ahahahaha I feel like I'm probably the host when I actually came face to face with Kagakuro, like first I'll be like "Damn Kagami is hot" but then I see him with Kuroko and I'll be like "Damn they look like they're fated together" ahahahahhaha! Anyways thank you! Ern Estine 13624 ahahahahahah same thoughts same thoughts and lastly to Julissa Sora yep it WILL be going stronger!
Thank you everyone who dropped a review, and a fav and a follow! And also to everyone who dropped a review, read or fav and followed November 9, thank you as well, especially to the team who made the AKAFURI 2016 EVENT possible, I really enjoyed my first time participating! Phew, so I guess I gotta say adiue to you guys for now since I have two more fanfics to update, and I hope you like this!
You guys know the drill, yep, please do review when you can ooor fav and follow!
PS
Have a great daaaay!
Chapter 18: How Affection
Aida's voice resounds in the car as she spoke with Kagami in the phone; Takao could only smile so little at woman's motherly concern to the two after they disappeared so suddenly. Kagamo sent a message earlier telling the rest of the band that he and Kuroko had went ahead, saying he called a cab and brought Kuroko home since the other told him, he wasn't feeling well. It was a bit strange though, Kuroko looked a bit distressed in the presence of the camera during the interview, however he didn't seem that unwell.
Maybe there are things that only Kagami could tell about Kuroko. It was really strange, those two are like some kind of weird combination, Kuroko had only been with them for less than a year and yet Kagami could tell the slightest change on that unreadable expression. It was as if they were honed and made for each other, as cliché as that sounds.
"I'm worried of Kuroko-kun." Furihata said in a low voice.
"He'll be alright," Takao assured, "Kagami is with him."
Furihata smiled back and nodded.
Despite Kagami's lack of sense of anything else outside music and basketball, he is a quite responsible person, and when it comes to people, Kagami has a big heart. He wouldn't let anything happen to Kuroko, not on his watch.
Takao listened to Aida's voice from the passenger seat saying something about being careful of the media. He heard Aida sighing and Takao imagined their handler sliding her hand over her face in complete and utter frustration. The good thing about Aida Riko is despite all her frustration and all the headaches they bring her, she never gives up on them.
"Alright, alright." Aida said to the person on the other end of the line, "Just take care you two, and make sure Kuroko is alright, okay?"
After a short pause Aida bid Kagami good bye and hung up.
"That idiot duo." Aida sighs.
"Are they alright?" Takao asked.
"Yeah," Aida answered before turning to the backseat to look at the two, "Please promise me whatever happens, you two will tell me first, okay?"
Furihata and Takao both exchanged looks and nodded. Aida nodded in acknowledgement and sat back to her seat facing forward.
"The media is hot about you guys." Aida explained, "They would dig things up for publicity."
"Isn't that supposed to be a good thing?" Takao asked.
"It should be but something is off." Aida admitted crossing her arms over her chest, "It's strange, not that I'm saying that it is bad but…it's just weird, you guys are getting a lot of publicity but you've only been to how many interviews and public gathering? It doesn't make sense why the fanbase is this big in such small amount of time."
"Maybe we're just popular?" Takao asked without sounding too proud. It was a clear assumption.
Aida shook her head, "No, it doesn't make sense at all. No one starts like this, I've handle many talents before but this is entirely different."
"Kuroko-kun was once a member of Generation of Miracles, he has a background, if that's what you mean Aida-san." Furihata said.
"It still feels fishy." Aida said quietly, "Kuroko is the least popular member, and he wasn't even recognizable then. It's impossible for him to bring the fanbase this strong in one beat."
"It does sound strange," Takao said putting a finger on his chin, "If Kuroko is the least popular member, where are we getting all the sudden influx of publicity? Perhaps it was his former band mates?"
"I would understand if it came from Kise or Aomine, but Aomine had only been back to the music industry recently, and Kise, most of his fans are exclusive." Aida added.
"How about Midorima-san?"
Takao almost chocked with the air in his throat when Furihata mentioned the green haired musician's name. Aida raised an eyebrow and looked up at the rear view mirror when he heard Takao coughing.
"Midorima? What about him?" Aida asked.
"Aren't you and Midorima-san frie—mph!"
Takao quickly cut Furihata from speaking by putting a hand over the lips of the brunette.
"Is there something I should know?" Aida asked, her voice louder than her normal speaking voice.
"N-Nothing at all."
Aida sighs, "Midorima Shintaro is going to play music for the anime adaptation of your manga, isn't he?"
Takao takes his hands off Furihata and sighs, it is futile to lie to Aida Riko, she's like some CIA. Takao nodded knowing Aida is watching him from the rear view mirror.
"You were close with him?"
Takao blushes at the implication of the words, close with Midorima Shintaro, the Midorima Shintaro, no, that is impossible. It was like saying Unicorns exist.
"N-No, i-it's nothing like that. I-It just…I just—we happen to know each other."
Furihata raised an eyebrow at him and laughed quietly before facing the window in his side hiding his smile, Takao's blush darken at Furihata's action. The brunette knew that he is a fan of the emerald eyed former Generation of Miracles member.
"Do you think he would do it? Do you think he speaks of the band in his fans' presence?" Aida asked.
Takao stops and think, would someone like Midorima Shintaro speak of them to his fans?
"No."
Furihata blinked at Takao's firm answer, it was short and full of certainty. The brunette turned towards Takao who looked determined and sure of his answer.
"Shin-cha—I mean Midorima, it wasn't him." Takao added.
Takao might not know everything about Midorima, but he saw in his eyes the way it glimmer when he called him a rival then, he wouldn't give them an easy pass to the industry. Midorima would not go easy on them, he knew Kuroko and respected the teal haired musician despite saying otherwise, he would never underestimate Kuroko's ability to gather his own crowd by giving them free publicity.
Aida hums contemplating Takao's answer. If it wasn't Midorima, Kise or Aomine, then who exactly? Takao looked up at the mirror and saw Aida's serious expression, thinking of other possibilities, Takao quiet down. He tried remembering helpful details, things he saw or heard-
"I may have met or at least saw Furihata Kouki before, one of the Generation of Miracle members was his parents' student…Akashi."
Takao's eyes widen, he turned to Furihata who seemed oblivious of everything yet. He wondered if Furihata still remember, after all his family is quite famous in tutoring children in music, can he still remember that one child among others? What are the chances?
"Is something the matter?" Takao blinked out of his reverie hearing Furihata's voice. The raven haired bassist smiled kindly.
"It's alright." Takao answered, "I was just thinking."
Furihata smiled back, "I see. I'm sure you're a bit nervous, when will the anime be released?"
"Oh, uhm, well it's actually a long shot so they told me we're going for a twelve episodes for now." Takao explained. "If we make a big audience, they might make another season."
Furihata's eyes practically sparkled at the information, even when the two attended the same university, Furihata had always loved Takao's passion and talent for arts. He liked his stories, way before he even started a career as a mangaka, he bought his manga with his salary in the convenience store where he used to work part-time.
"I'm sure it will have a second season!" Furihata said enthusiastically.
"He's right Takao." Aida said in the passenger seat, her voice voided of her previous emotion and now laced with a smile. "I've read your manga, personally, and I must say…can you tell me what happens next?"
Takao chuckled, "Oh, I'm sorry I can't."
Aida turned to face the two in the backseat, "What? But I'm your handler!"
"I'm sorry Aida-san, I really can't." Takao said chuckling. "The next instalment is in this month, so you don't have to worry, and please do keep supporting me."
.
.
"Oh welcome back!" Seri greeted Takao as the raven haired mangaka slips into his usual spot. It has been awfully long since the raven haired mangaka had stepped back into his studio to work, there weren't much of things to do since Takao is usually thorough with his works and in-time. He may be quite impulsive but he rarely late for the deadline, it seems that this fact is still true despite his work as a member of the uprising band.
"Good morning." Takao greeted back as he place his bag on his table.
Seri smiled at the dark haired artist, he was wearing a faded jeans and a lose gray jacket over a red shirt, it was completely opposite of the stylish Takao she watches on the internet. His hair is slightly messy and he wore a black framed glasses compared to his styled hair on the music video.
They were down to eighteen out of forty pages to tone and redraw, which wasn't very bad since they have two more weeks to finish it. Other artist had it worse. Two weeks is a lot of time. Seri walked towards Takao desk and placed a cup of black coffee in his desk knowing the artist would love it.
"Oh thank you." Takao took the coffee and took a sip, "How many more pages do we have to deal with?"
Seri shrugged, "A lot, twenty-two."
Takao nodded, "Well twenty-two isnt bad."
Seri laughed, she walks to her desk and went straight to her work. If anyone thinks that a work of a manga artist is easy, well they thought wrong, totally wrong.
"Do you mind if I play some music?" Seri asked as she raised her head to look at Takao who is starting to pick his tools to draw.
"Not at all, go ahead." Takao replied.
Seri smiled and took out her phone and pressed the play button in maximum volume. Takao stopped midway from his work and squints his eyes as the familiar melody filled the room, "Are you playing Solution on your phone?" Takao asked, he blushes when he heard his voice in the start of the song.
"Yep." Seri answered as she started working on the pages, "I gotta admit, I really loved that action packed MV, Takao-kun."
Takao blushes darker at the compliment, it somehow felt strange with a compliment coming from someone who knows him personally, and knows both his work as a mangaka and band member. He doesn't know how to respond to that yet, and somehow it made him feel a bit embarrassed.
"T-Thank you, w-we did, uhm our best." Takao answered bashfully.
"I saw your interview yesterday night as well, you were really cool!"
"T-Thank you, I-I'm seriously starting to feel embarrassed."
Seri laughed and continued back to her work, Takao was never used with compliment. He heard that before Takao became a mangaka many people had discouraged him from it, however, since he has a sister to support and himself, he fought the odds and the stereotype that women were the only ones who could dive into the shoujo manga field. Takao's works are exceptional in many ways, he may be too underappreciated but that doesn't matter. Takao puts his heart in his art and that is what makes them special, whether it is in his manga or in his music.
The rest of the day went uneventful, Takao stood from his seat a few times to stretch and walk around the room, Seri changed the song, Takao had lost track of them but he likes listening to music while working, it distracted him from the fatigue and exhaustion, and sometimes the dark haired bassist would hum along with the song or nod his head with the beat.
.
.
"No." Midorima clicked his tongue and threw the music sheets on the floor.
The rest of the room stared at him silently. They have been mulling over the composition for eight days now since Midorima finished them. The musician insisted that he cannot sing the song he composed, that it was not for him to sing and that he was called to compose and play the music, not sing the song. After getting almost four different artists to sing the song and composition, the emerald eyed musician still seemed unconvinced of the voices and the melody. The man on the recording room raised an eyebrow at Midorima's expression; it was obvious that he is not okay with the results of the recording.
The artist took off his headphones and walked out of the soundproof room to join the rest of the team.
"Did I do something wrong?" The artist asked.
Midorima sighed, "This is ridiculous. I keep asking for a vocal that would fit this damn song."
"W-We don't know what you mean, Midorima-san they are all great artists they should do it." One of the staffs said.
"A great artist is different from a voice that fits!" Midorima said completely irritated, "I don't need someone that should do it, I need someone that can do it!"
The staffs all backed away. Midorima stared at the artist standing there in the door adjacent to the editing booth. The man looked sheepishly, but Midorima didn't care and glares at the petty excuse of a talent they gave to him.
The musician bent down to pick up the music sheets he threw, whatever he do, whatever he tries nothing seems to fill that void, something always seems to be missing. Midorima bit his lower lip, why did he even do this song, why this song of all? He felt frustration bubbling under his skin. Without saying anything further, Midorima slips out of the room angrily.
He never had this problem before, he never lost it like this. He never had a problem making a song that would fit almost any kinds of vocals, maybe this time it was special, maybe because this was T. Kazue's work. He wanted this to be for her, to mean and feel like her. Midorima made them from how her words made him feel, and somehow no one could achieve to make him feel like those were T. Kazue's. He was stupid, this is stupid.
The musician stomped in the hallways of the building giving little to no attention to the people giving him second glances. He didn't need half-ass 'that should do it', T. Kazue didn't gave them any half-ass manga to work on, they have no rights to do that to her as well. Without realizing Midorima had taken the elevator to the top most floor.
.
.
"Takao-san."
Takao turned to where the voice came from, Takao bowed his head to the head of the animation project of his manga. The man waved at Takao who dashed to him to greet the artist. Takao received a call when he was at the studio asking an urgent meeting in the building where the two stood. However strangely enough, Takao knew this place is not the animation studio.
"Thank you for coming." The man said as he took Takao's hand to shake it. "I know you must be very busy."
"No it's alright." Takao assured the man. "Is there something that I can do to help?"
"Actually, we don't really know but you're our long shot here." The man sighs. "Can you please come with me?"
Takao shrugged and went along with it, the man is quiet as he led Takao to the elevator. The man pushed the button for the eight floors before closing the elevator door, the trip is quick and when the door opened, Takao was greeted with a series of sound proofed studios all in the same floor. Every one of them had something going on inside, from recording of songs, to dubbing, editing and audition. The man led Takao in a corner.
"I'm sorry for taking too much of your time." the man apologized again, "You see we are having a problem recording the opening song for the anime."
Takao nodded in understanding. "I see the problem but what does it have to do with me?"
The man sighs, "I know, but as I said you're our only hope. The composer of the song had dumped all artist who were supposed to sing his composition, it's been almost straight one week, we've tried four different artist, and he's still not alright with it."
"And?"
"And he is a fan of yours."
Takao raised an eyebrow and quickly backed away, "Wait, you know that I don't do meet and greet with the fans right?"
"Yes, but maybe you could talk him into this." The man reasons out, "Maybe you could do an exemption this time, please."
"I-I can't." Takao countered, "No, no, I can't, I'm sorry but this is out of hand."
Before the man could speak again, they were silenced by a loud sound of the door closing, peering from the man's shoulder Takao's eyes widen when he saw a familiar mop of green hair. Midorima exited one of the studios with an angry expression painting his face. He had not seen Midorima that angry before, it was almost strange. The man didn't even seem to notice their presence as he went straight towards the elevator. To Takao's surprise Midorima slips into the elevator and when the elevator started moving he noticed the number kept coming up.
"Takao-san?"
Takao blinked and bowed his head to excuse himself before running to the elevator. His eyes widen when the number stopped at the top most floor. The rooftop, what would an angry looking Midorima Shintaro doing at the roof top? When something clicked in Takao's mind, the raven haired felt panic rose to his chest, ignoring the man calling him, Takao quickly pressed the button of the elevator.
"I'm sorry I gotta do something first!" Takao said before the elevator opened before him. The raven haired musician without hesitation slipped into the lift and pressed the button for the top most floor.
When the door closed, Takao impatiently taps his foot on the floor. He quietly prayed that Midorima is not planning to jump off the roof. He swallowed thickly as the number on the screen changes quickly. The bell chimes signalling he has arrived in the top most floor, Takao quickly slips out of the elevator when the door opens and ran towards the empty hall connected to the door for the roof.
The raven haired musician felt his heart thumping loudly in his chest as his mind played scenarios. He quickly opened the door and was welcomed by a gush of wind. His eyes widen as he saw a dark and tall figure standing close to the edge of building. Without thinking Takao ran up to the familiar figure and tackled him on the ground with force.
"Don't do it!"
BLAG!
Midorima blinked as he fell down on the ground unceremoniously with additional wait in his side. His arm hurts and he felt his pants were torn somehow with the force of his fall. He turns to his side only to be greeted by a familiar locks of hair, hair as dark as the cloudless and starless city sky. What on earth is Takao Kazunari doing here?
When Takao raised his ehad he quickly grabbed Midorima's other arm, "Are you out of your mind?!"
Midorima frowned and shoved Takao away, "You were the one who pounced on me, and you're asking me, if I am out of my mind, I should be the one asking you, what are you doing here?"
"I'm stopping you from killing yourself!" Takao exclaimed loudly, "You were about to leap out of the edge, right?"
Midorima stared at Takao for one solid minute before speaking, "You really are an idiot."
"Wha—"
"I was just getting some fresh air." Midorima said as he pushed Takao away and sat on properly cradling his aching arm. "I'm not stupid to kill myself for something so small."
Takao blinked and felt embarrassed from his actions, it was utterly stupid thing to quickly jump into that conclusion, he was watching too much TV, he concludes. However he couldn't help but let a relieved sigh escape his lips. At least Midorima is alright.
"I'm sorry." Takao apologizes as he sat facing the emerald eyed musician.
"Don't jump into silly conclusions next time, you might find yourself embarrassed by your own actions." Midorima said sighing. When Midorima raises his eyes to look at the raven haired musician his eyes widen, he was wearing that oversized jacket again and that black frame glasses, he had once saw him wearing the same article of clothing. He looked like he had just got out of his bed, which is impossible knowing where Takao lives, it is fairly away. "You didn't answer me, what are you doing here?"
Takao's eyes widen, what should he do now?
"W-Well I…I had some business to take care of here."
"This isnt where your band records, right?"
"N-No."
Midorima sighs, feeling all his energy drained from his explosion earlier. He didn't have the energy to argue with Takao or press him for answers.
"You look…angry." Takao said in a small voice making Midorima scowl.
"It's none of your business."
"That is not fair." Takao said frowning.
"Life is not fair, that's how it is."
Takao's frown deepens at the man's words. Midorima is obviously hiding something. it was quite unfair that he would trample in his life, come in uninvited tell him things, and yet he wouldn't let him ask him what bothers him. "I wont leave you until you tell me." Takao declared, "You can't be like this, you went to see us, me on the set for the MV, you went with us during the confrontation with Aomine, you told me about that Akashi-guy and I don't get to ask you what's wrong? That's not how this works Shin-chan!"
"No one asks you to."
"And no asked you either!" Takao raised his voice, "No one asked you to come with us during Aomine's confrontation, no one asked you to come to the set and tell me about this Akashi-guy but you did anyways! I'm not leaving until you talk."
Midorima sighs, he didn't know what is the matter with this raven haired guy, does he even realize the weight of his words? It almost feels like he wants to be close. No one can be close to him, he doesn't know how to handle him, he would get tired of him soon, he would find him exhilarating as well, just like the others. Takao is stubborn, even if he insults him, even if he raises his voice at him, tell him to leave him alone, he never does. He always…always…manage to prove him wrong, and when those silver blue eyes looks at him—
"Stubborn idiot."
Instead of becoming angry Takao laughed, "Damn, right I am." He said, "You can get rid of me so easily Shin-chan."
Somehow Midorima felt his clenched fist slowly relaxing, the sound of Takao's idiotic laugh was like ice to a sore muscle. The green haired musician couldn't help but watch the sight before him, Takao's messy hair getting blown by the gentle evening breeze, his cheeks slightly flushed due to the temperature, his eyes sparkling with the lights of the nearby buildings reflecting them. When Takao stopped laughing he smiled at Midorima which made his heart skip a beat.
"Are you feeling better, Shin-chan?"
Somehow Midorima couldn't say no to the feeling stuffing in him, somehow his chest felt lighter. He doesn't know how Takao snatched that boiling feeling in his chest or where he threw them. Then a miracle happened, his lips curled into a smile and Midorima felt a small chuckle erupting his lips. He raised his head to take a good look at the awestruck raven haired male, "Yes."
Takao felt the air in his chest was sucked into a void when Midorima flashed him a miniscule smile, he had never seen Midorima smile, never in any photo, interview or performance before—and it is beautiful. It was more beautiful than anything else he had seen before.
"Do you always do this?" Midorima said as he brushed the expression in his face turning away, looking at the vast starless sky. "As someone I know always say, 'people will take advantage of you'."
Takao was pulled out of his daydreaming when he heard Midorima's words. Somehow something heavy coated those words, mistrust, angst, frustration. The raven haired musician briefly wondered, what happened exactly to the Generation of Miracles, why do all of them have this kind of broken piece, somehow they are cracked in a place and it was sad to look at them, or to listen to them. Takao remembered the way Kagami's fist clenches whenever Kuroko's voice breaks when he talks about the Generation of Miracles, somehow…Takao understands that now. His chest churns at the weight of Midorima's words.
People's courage to talk about the things that hurt them is so underrated.
"Even if it wasn't Shin-chan I think I would still be up here."
"Then you are stupid." Midorima replied.
"Hm? And why is saving people ever stupid?"
"You should know, you can't save everyone."
Takao laughed out loud causing Midorima turned to him. When Takao stopped laughing he grinned widely at Midorima and gave the emerald eyed musician a thumb up.
"But I try, and that is what matters right?" Takao answered confidently. "At the end of the day, the only things that we regret are the things we didn't do. At least I can tell myself, even with that guilt, I tried, I did my best. It's not about the success rate Shin-chan."
"You are insufferable, I hope you know that Takao."
Midorima couldn't make up the things he felt for the man sitting in front of him, it was like he had known him for so long, and even if he wanted to get mad at him, be angry and shove him away, it seems like he cannot. Or maybe he can, he just know he wouldn't give up, he would stick his nose over and over on the things that involved others.
"Ah!"
Midorima blinks when he heard Takao exclaimed. Looking over the other he found Takao smoothing down some sheets of paper on the cement.
"Is this yours?" Takao asked without looking up at Midorima. He could see the papers are music sheets and now they aren't in the best condition after he accidentally sat and trampled on them. "I-I'm sorry, really, I didn't see them."
"Leave it be." Midorima said as he stretched his limbs. He has lost hope with the song, maybe he should just compose again, something that isn't like this. It was stupid to think of the author when he writes the song, of course no one would be able to sing them like this. Songs that were written with emotions are special, it isnt something that anyone could just—
"You and me
Distant wall relation
Maybe the problem is me"
Midorima's eyes widen, he turned toward where Takao was sitting he was holding the music sheets in his hands and his eyes shining behind his eyeglasses. His voice was like the kiss of the wind against a lonely man's cheek, cold, sweet, and refreshing. As if his limbs found a mind of their own, Midorima found himself standing up and grabbing Takao by the arm.
"Come with me, now."
Unable to answer or question the man from shock, Takao merely followed Midorima.
Midorima practically dragged Takao to the elevator, and into a studio. Takao barely had the chance to ask Midorima what was happening. The man opened the door to a studio, to Takao's surprise he saw a bunch of people inside who all seemed stunned to see them both.
"Get out, now!" Midorima roared much to Takao's surprise.
Everyone seemed to flinch at Midorima's voice and started gathering their belongings. Takao watches with mix feelings, he is still confuse as to why Midorima dragged him in there, or why is he kicking everyone out of the room. Everyone hurries out of the room clutching in their chests their things. When the last person left the room, Midorima closed the door immediately making quite a sound and making Takao flinch.
What is Midorima planning with just the two of them in the soundproofed room?
"W-What are w-we doing here S-Shin-chan?"
Midorima didn't answer and started going through the items in a corner. Takao squinted his eyes and to his surprise he found Midorima holding a bass guitar in one hand and walking back towards him.
"W-Wha—"
"Come here and stop talking." Midorima said quickly and pulled him to the adjacent door. Midorima opened the door and shoved Takao inside.
"What am I supposed to do here?" Takao asked.
Midorima didn't answer him again and followed Takao in the room. Without speaking, Midorima fixed the microphone to Takao's height and pulled the raven haired to stand in front of it. When Takao was about to open his mouth to ask another question which Midorima guess another 'what are we doing here' he quickly took Takao's wrist and lifted the hand that was holding Midorima's crumpled music sheets.
"This," Midorima said plainly, "I need you to sing it."
"What?" Takao asked completely taken aback.
Midorima paid no attention to Takao's question and slung the strap of the bass guitar on him. It has been long since he touched a bass guitar, he usually played the acoustic guitar, but he figured that the sound of the bass suited Takao most. Carefully, the green haired musician removed the tape around his fingers in his left hand.
Takao couldn't believe his eyes; Midorima Shintaro is actually removing the tapes on his left fingers? Midorima only remove them when they perform in a big venue, since the parting of the Generation of Miracles, Midorima had never removed the tape on his hand. When Midorima finished removing the tapes, he let them fall on the floor, he flexed his fingers for a while and adjusted the tune of the guitar before taking a deep breathe.
Then, Midorima strummed, it was calm, quiet almost peaceful strumming, Takao couldn't believe his ears, Midorima Shintaro is playing his guitar in front of him of all people, only him. He could feel his heart drumming in his chest to the beat. He couldn't help but feel the tune drawing him in, gently. Takao looked down on the sheets in his hand and he felt it all coming down on him, like it was written for him.
"Thick shady eerie woods
Looking down on me
You're making me suffer
Veiling most of my face
Because I threw mud in heavenward"
The strumming became more distinct making Takao feel chills run up his spine, it wasn't what the sound that the guitar produced that made Midorima's play different, it was the things that it will make you feel, the chills, the strange bliss and comfort. The tune reminded Takao of the scenery on the rooftop, like someone singing his heart to a starless sky in a cold lone night, calm but powerful, attracting.
"You and me
Distant-wall relation
Maybe the problem is me
This place hid the sun
Set a fragile vision
In my held arms…
In my held arms
Understanding how affection."
Midorima looked up from his guitar and watched as Takao held the sheet in front of him, it was strange, how his heart seems to beat erratically, something told him that he really know Takao. His voice was perfect, it is strong and perfect complement for the lyrics of the song, it was not cold or too warm, it was like the autumn's wind. And there was edge in it, not too dangerous like the edge in Kagami's voice, or too powerful or forceful like Aomine's.
Takao lowered the sheets and his face was now visible, Midorima didn't understand the way his heart seemed to go wild from the sight of the raven haired musician singing the lines to his song, the lines he wrote for the woman he never had the chance to meet. It was strange, he remembers this sensation, it was the same sensation he felt when he read the first manga by T. Kazue. His voice is as soothing as her words, and it shouldn't have been like that…right?
"…before it slips
Behind this dark lost green
Behind this dark all the…please."
Takao stopped when the strumming stopped right then, he lowered the sheets and then the most unimaginable thing happened. It was fast, Takao didn't even had the time to react, he saw the most mesmerizing green eyes staring at him completely freezing him in his spot.
Then those naked fingers graced his cheek and cupped them, pulled him…into a kiss.
A/N: The song Midorima composed is the title of the chapter, in real life "HOW AFFECTION" is a song by OLDCODEX wherein Takao's seiyuu is the lead vocalist. I picked this song because I think this is so much like how Takao's seiyuu's can be the only one to nail this song. Also the lyrics seems to describe how I see Takao's personality in the anime, he seems like he's really close to everyone but somehow he had this thick wall around him making him seem like distant at the same time, also in the first parts of the anime it's like he and Midorima has this 'distant wall" relationship like they are close but not. The lyrics also portrays how they seem to grow to understand what affection is which I must say is a cool way, like at first you feel lost, you dont understand where you are, you don't understand where you stand. Anyways long story short, I hope you guys listen to it because Takao's seiyuu is sooo awesome in that song, I'm sure you wont regret it.