FINALLLLLY I'M BAAAAACK! All thanks to my neighbor and her wifi connection. Welccome back guys, I'm glad to be back here. I hope I ddint made you wait too long. Did you guys like last chapter's update, asdfghjkl who would have expected that kiss at the end. Personally I'm getting really deep into liking the OLCODEX playlist, listening to Tatsuhisa Suzuki's voice really gets me into the mood of writing Mizuiro to Beni Koi. Seems like lots of stuffs is going on with the MIDOTAKA pair, can you feel the onslaught of the something NEW?
I will have to make this short...WE'RE NEARING 100 REVIIIIEWWWWS thank you sooo sooo much for everything, for the follows and the favs, and especially the review. Though I can't mention you guys one by one I hope you guys know who you are because every single one of you are awesome. I'm glad you guys like the choice of music I usually pick for the chapters because i actually try and listen to them personally one by one. Anyhow, I got to go guys, I should be researching for topcs for my research ahahahahaha dont tell my mom I'm just slacking off.
Please do leave a review when you can and I hope you guys like the update.
PS.
ScissorisLove, I can definitely relate to you, fun fact, most of my updates for all my fanfics are actually done in my university's library using one of the public computer there. I hope they dont catch us(my university doesnt allow using of internet for other purposes except for research) *winks*
Chapter 19: 91cm
Midorima felt his heart made a flip inside his chest as he looked at Takao and his gleaming silver blue eyes. Suddenly he felt like everything had disappeared between them, it was all peaceful all of a sudden, the adrenaline in his body he had earlier from the excitement of hearing Takao in this closed spaced room was replaced with some kind of bliss as he hears his voice. There is simply no other words that he could use to describe the way his voice melted with the music and the lyrics other than perfect.
It didn't make sense, earlier Midorima had come to a realization that no one will be able to sing it because it was a song made specifically for someone but now standing a few steps away from him, someone is singing it the way he thought would only exist in his imagination. It was so beautiful that he couldn't believe it, he couldn't believe the way his voice felt like the soothing autumn wind whispering against his skin, like a gentle yet strong wind. He didn't know but somehow that feeling of familiarity inside him sprung and screamed loudly inside his head, as if some kind of taste he had before yet he doesn't remember when, like a vague childhood memory.
Midorima had known this feeling, however with Takao there for some reason it was stronger, even truer. He had this feeling the first time he saw Takao grab a guitar and sung in the stage, the first time he looked at those silver blue eyes and saw that fire in there, but this time the feeling was hungrier, the need was clearer. Before Midorima could make sense of what was happening Takao finished singing, and he just felt it, that tingling, itching, untameable need to feel, hold…and possess.
When Takao turns to Midorima with this strange expression that was first a small smile that turns surprise and confuse, the green haired musician felt the last of his rationality thrown outside the window. He saw the small gasp Takao made when he touches his cheek with his fingertips, he looks at his silver blue eyes that turn darker by the enlargement of the other's iris, in a swift motion he lifts his face a bit and all he could think of is his lips, and he pressed his against them and he felt his eyelids dropped itself.
Midorima had never felt this urge before, never with anyone but when his lips touched his, he felt something exploded in his chest, something told him this was right, he is right, Takao is right. Everything felt great, good, blissed. It was pure and quiet, but at the same time it was warm, it was the same drowning feeling he gets when he looks at the other's eyes—the comfort in that danger, that spontaneous at the very right amount, that warmth that was not too securing giving you just enough space to breathe. It felt right even if he didn't know why, why Takao.
He tasted like home.
Midorima pulls away and looked at Takao who was blushing to the tips of his ears. He looked unbelievably different from the usual arrogant and stubborn Takao. He looks utterly, completely vulnerable. Midorima felt his heart skip a beat, somehow a far away voice in his head whispered that this was the face he imagine T. Kazue would have the day they would meet, a shy and docile character.
He loves T. Kazue, he loves the way she writes like a young woman free of the pretense of the society, free to speak her own mind and yet still modest. And yet Takao never was like that. Takao is rowdy, he's the least modest person he had met, he speaks his mind, he never let anyone get to him, he laughs and chuckles like a mad man. But yet…somehow…they feel the same for him, the way he feels for that woman he had never met…why was it so similar to this? Why does his heart race at the sight of him right now?
Takao who always look straight at people in the eyes, is now looking away, with blush painting his face.
"S-Shin-chan I…"
Midorima didn't know what to say or do, he acted from pure impulse. When his mind started functioning again his senses were still confused. He should be repulsed, why a man, why like this, but he wasn't. it didn't bother him that Takao is a man, the only thing that mattered right now was the fact that Takao was moving fast, trying to compose himself.
"I-I'm sorry, I-I gotta go." Takao muttered, "I-I need to go."
Midorima wanted to ask him to stay, to say something but that. But he couldn't. His body seem to freeze, his tongue down his throat, he couldn't move.
He didn't beg, he was never taught to need to ask anyone.
"You should know, you are a Midorima after all."
"You are born in this world with that name embedded in your veins and blood, never beg Shintarou."
Then he heard the door close. He left just like he knew he would.
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.
"Thank you for coming!"
Collective chuckles were heard as the two high school girls both waved to Furihata who is behind the counter. The brunette smiled shyly at the gesture, he still hasn't get used to whenever someone somehow manages to recognize him. Despite getting their first debut album released in a few days and their first MV recently, Furihata didn't give up his part-time work in a small convience store. After deciding to live away from his family, he had to be independent and earn for himself. Before it was like that, but now staying is due to something more.
"Furihata." The brunette turned towards where the voice came from. He smiled and bowed as he saw the dark haired man standing there by the door. The man had willingly took him as a staff when Furihata in direly needed a job, despite knowing almost nothing about taking care or chores, the man is patient with him. "I'm going out for a while, can you look out for the store until I return?"
Furihata nodded with a gentle smile, "Yes. Count on me!"
The man laughs and waves off as he took off.
When Furihata first took this job it was out of the blue. He didn't think much when he told his parents he wanted to move out. He didn't feel like he belongs with them at all. No one ever knew of him, unlike his parents and older brother they were phenomenal, he is just…him. He didn't excel in anything in particular, he didn't stand out much, average looks, average everything. He felt suffocated trying to fit in, to become great like them, to be someone he isn't. One day he grabbed his bag and just told them he will be moving out and paying for his own expenses so there is no need to be worried.
The shift was really difficult, he used to have everything within arm's length. But the comfort slowly turned painful.
If he is only an exceptional musician just like his parents and brother, perhaps they would have stopped him that day. Perhaps they would have needed him even more.
He didn't understand it either, why he never came to understand music the way normal people do. He could barely read music sheets, he couldn't understand them like he should be. To him it is just a set of oddly drawn notes, it meant nothing to him. But sound…beats, those made sense to him. Nobody could understand that, nobody…but Kagami and Takao, and now Kuroko.
Furihata's head shot up when he heard the door of the convenience store open.
"Good evening, welcome!" he greeted happily.
However, the words quickly died in his lips when he was greeted by the sight he never thought he would see.
"Good evening."
Furihata felt the air knocked out of his lungs as he heard his sultry voice, he swallowed a lump in his throat as his eyes took in the sight before him. Standing there, with hands in his pocket is a young man with beautiful red hair, he is wearing a very expensive looking suit. The man glanced at Furihata with his heterochromatic eyes that glowed under the lights of the store, the other one is red like the color of his hair while the other is gold.
He could wrong, he could be wrong, but…
"Do you have any change?" The man asked as he walked towards the counter with one can of ice coffee in hand. He placed the item on the counter without breaking eye contact with the brunette. Akashi smirks with interest at the brunette. It is definitely that boy.
.
.
.
A few days ago.
Akashi sat quietly in the passenger seat of his car. It was an uneventful day at the office, he decided to return to his house instead. He stares absent mindedly ahead, luckily there were no traffic ahead. The stop light turns to yellow and he felt the car starts again, however to his surprise a dark haired man suddenly appeared from the left side of the street and came crossing the streets in a dash. Akashi whipped his head to the other side as the car started to move—there is another one.
"Oh my—"
The driver exclaimed quickly as the figure came straight to cross the street probably didn't realize the change of the lights. The driver felt panic rose to his system as he quickly stepped on the breaks and pressed on the honk.
BEEEEEP!
Akashi for some reason felt his heart raced in an incredible speed as the figure turned to face the approaching vehicle. Auburn brown hair, and wide chocolate eyes.
"Stop the car!" Akashi found himself exclaiming. He didn't know where that voice came from, usually even at this kind of situations he is composed.
Luckily the car stopped just right then, almost a breath away from flooring the brunette. Akashi sat inside the comfort of his car watching that sight. He looked frightened which is understandable, however he quickly recovered and turned on the other side of the street before turning towards the vehicle and bowing his head. The brunette jogged to the side and then he turned to the car again.
Akashi lowered the window of the passenger seat, and just as he expected it the brunette was with the dark haired guy who crossed the street first. He knows them. But instead of dwelling in this fact, something else seemed to bother Akashi…something only about that brunette.
"Let's go." Akashi said as soon as the brunette faced his band mate.
He looks different up close, Akashi thought. He has average looks but…they were interesting. Akashi placed a whole 1000 ye bill on the counter and pushed them towards Furihata. Somehow his flustered face is really refreshing. Usually people would start making this flirty or trying to look cool in front of him, he reminded him of Kuroko, in a more subtle way. If Kuroko is a white fox this boy is a rabbit, Kuroko cared less of what he is, or who he is, he clearly stated his intentions and opinions because he didn't give a damn who Akashi is, or his family, but Furihata he just simply don't know what to do and that was why he is different and he showed just as that.
"I-I'm s-sorry!" Furihata stumbled in his words and stuttered as he turned to look at the cash register beside him. He fumbled on the machine and he even almost hit his head on the small stand next to him and it's unsettling huge cardboard sign. "C-Change, r-right?"
"Yes." Akashi simply said quietly.
He glanced on the clear glass window of the store, across the street the black car waited for him. Akashi had searched this place when he heard the brown haired member of Kuroko's new band which he met on a strange incident actually works in a meek convenience store. It is amusing.
Furihata punched the item first before quickly, albeit slightly flustered, giving the man his change.
"Furihata."
Furihata gasped and almost lost his hold unto the coins when the red haired young man said his name with his chill inducing voice. He turned meekly to the man and found him looking at his name tag.
"Y-Yes that would be me." He muttered as he handed the change to the man counting them one by one.
When the man was able to collect his change he smirks and slid the change in his pocket.
"It was nice to meet you Furihata." Akashi said looking straight at the brown eyes. He took the can of ice coffee and grabbed Furihata's hand and placed it there. "I am…Akashi."
"It was Akashi's plan."
Furihata felt his body trembled at the man's words. Akashi, this man's name is Akashi…the man who looks like Sei is the Akashi that Aomine said that day. Furihata pushed the can from his hand back to Akashi's however the man didn't let him and placed both of his hands on the can and pushed it to the brunette's chest.
"I see that you recognize me, I suppose from Daiki, such lose lips."
"P-Please take your p-p-purchase with you I—"
"You will be spending the whole night here," Akashi said giving a slightly stronger push to the can to Furihata, "take it."
The last words came in a demanding tone, Furihata felt the words die down in his lips when the golden eye of the other seemed to gleam. Then Akashi slipped his hands away and stepped back. With one last glance Akashi smirks at the brunette. His reaction is truly interesting, he seemed to find Akashi frightening and yet he was ready to fight back.
Such spirit.
Just like Kuroko when he left that day.
The defiance made him want to make it submit down to him.
Furihata felt an invisible hold in his throat die as Akashi left the store quietly.
He felt his legs suddenly turning into jelly and losing all its strength. He looks so much like Sei, but he isnt like him. They were different, Sei would never…Furihata bit his lower lip as he pressed to himself the can. He doesn't understand. What is that man trying to accomplish? Is he trying to look for something to destroy Kuroko like Aomine said? Is he trying to do this by getting at him?
If that is the case then why would he do this? Furihata reluctantly looks at the can in his hand.
Bzzz
Bzzzz
Furihata set the can on the floor and reached for his phone in his pants' back pocket. Looking at the screen and the caller ID he quickly pressed the answer button.
"Takao-san?"
"Furi."
Furihata raised an eyebrow at the tone of Takao's voice, he sounded like someone died, which he hope is not the case.
"Takao-san are you alright?"
"No." Takao mumbled from the other end of the line, "Can I stay the night with you?"
"Eh where are you?"
"I'll wait for you by your house." Takao mumbled. "Thank you."
Without a warning Takao hung up causing Furihata to stare at his phone. Takao doesn't sound like his usual self which itself is weird. Takao is always a jolly ball of energy, he is always the one who everyone held into for support, today is strange and different. Something clearly did happen.
Looking back at the can in his hand Furihata quietly decided to keep this for now. Until Akashi's plans is clear, he would just place it on the side.
.
.
.
Tip,
Tap,
Tip
"Takao-san?"
Takao raised his head from his folded arms to look up at the familiar voice. He tried his best to smile at Furihata as he sat there behind the brunette's apartment door. Fortunately even the corridors to Furihata's apartment have a heater—though were still weak, which means it is still cold.
"Sorry for calling you this late." Takao said as he pulled himself up in his feet. The raven haired bassist dusted his pants before bowing his head to the owner of the unit.
"I-It's alright." Furihata replied with a shy smile.
The brunette wondered why would he be waiting here at this hour, sitting alone in the cold of this night. Takao looked gloomy and strangely flushed, he doesn't see drunk though. And knowing the raven haired musician he would never come to Furihata if ever he is drunk. Something clearly is wrong.
"I'm sorry I made you wait." Furihata apologized and fumbled on his keys before unlocking the door. Takao stayed quiet behind Furihata as they step in the apartment. It was quiet and just the right size for one occupant.
Takao had only been in Furihata's house a few times, he rarely asked to stay over people's home, especially when they live with their parents, he felt like a burden, but right then he knew he could use some peace, some kind of comfort from someone who he knows would listen. Though he knows the best option is Kuroko, he understood that the other is probably dealing with something big, especially after the revelation Aomine and Kise brought to him a few days ago. Furihata is great listener too, and with that said he found himself dialling his number and going straight to the brunette's home after that.
"Sorry for the intrusion." Takao muttered as he took off his shoes and followed Fuirhata to the living room.
The unit hasn't change since the first time Takao took a step in it. The living room is clean with a single wooden table in the middle and a simple coffee brown couch. The walls are painted white, free of anything posted in it.
"Would you like some juice, maybe water?" Furihata asked taking Takao out of his trance.
"Y-Yeah…thanks, anything would be fine."
Furihata nodded and quickly went to the kitchen. The brunette left his coat on the counter and opened the fridge to bring out a pitcher of water. His curiousity was escalating by the second, he turned to peek at Takao in the living room and found the raven haired musician sitting quietly in the couch, his eyes vacant and possibly dazed. He has been spacing out since he got in the room quite often, it was never his trait.
When Furihata fetched the water, he quickly returned to Takao and handed him the glass.
"Have you called your sister?" Furihata asked. "She might become worried."
Takao nodded as he looks at the glass in his hand.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Furihata asked.
Takao didn't respond and instead took a sip of the water. Furihata sighs and took the space next to Takao in the couch. The brunette noticed the slight trembling in Takao's hands, his lips were quivering as well.
"I-I'm not sure." Takao said. His voice almost breaks when he said that. The raven head placed the glass on top of the table and covered his face with his hands.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, what happened?" Furihata asked.
"I-I must be dreaming, t-there must be something wrong with my brain, m-maybe I-I fell asleep sometime I—"
"Takao-san I don't follow."
"Shin-chan kissed me!"
Furihata was totally silenced, lost for words at the revelation. He closed his mouth and found Takao's ears were bright red obviously flushed. By Shin-chan…does he mean…Furihata recalled only one person Takao calling with that pet name, and that was during Aomine's Live, Midorima Shintaro, the emerald green eyed percussion instrument prodigy of the Generation of Miracles. Furihata was suddenly struck by confusion at Takao's reaction.
"You like…Midorima-san, right?" Furihata asked.
It was not a secret, though Furihata bet Kagami doesn't know, that Takao has always idolized Midorima Shintaro. He knew how Takao developed this huge love for the guitars after seeing one live performance of Generation of Miracles with Midorima who was playing a bass guitar then. Ever since then, Takao did his best to be able to learn to play the same instrument, he wanted to be like him, surpass him perhaps. He likes him.
So the question is, why does Takao Kazunari who was kissed by the guy he idolized for so long be in such a mess that he is now, and by a mess meaning an ugly one. Usually people would be giddy, happy, boasting that the guy they thought they never would have made to look at them just kissed them, but that isnt the case.
"Y-Yeah."
"Then why are you sulking?" Furihata asked completely confused. "Aren't you supposed to be happy?"
Takao pulled his hands out of his face and looked at them. He blushed as he remember the brief kiss that felt like a thousand of years' worth, and how long his lashes looked up close, behind those glasses. Takao could still feel the warmth of that bare hand against his cheek, it was painfully, uncharacteristically sweet.
"I-I don't know." Takao answered honestly.
He felt as if his heart was going to explode that moment, it felt like a dream, it was just simply too good to be true.
"I-It has to be a dream." Takao said as he pulled his legs up on the couch against his shoulder before hugging them.
Furihata looked at Takao, he always looks so strong. Of them all, Takao was always the one who took the rational step, he is always the one who spoke for them because he is the only one who could put himself in the calm when everything is going south, but right then Takao looked so simple, so…scared and fragile.
"Is that why you thought you'd run away instead?"
Furihata asked, the words slipped from his lips fast even making the brunette shock of the words coming from himself. The brunette blushed at his boldness that was unusual of him.
Furihata had met Takao in the university, Takao was unlike Furihata who people liked a lot. The raven head is always out-going, he knows almost everyone and greets them with a smile, nobody has ever been able to piss Takao Kazunari before. People liked that Takao, he is friends with everyone, carefree, good-looking and talented. But the deeper someone looks at him, the more they understand that those traits were merely his skin. Inside, he is different—sensitive and cautious.
Takao never dated anyone before, some women found it unfair that Takao never took any confessions seriously. At first Furihata thought it was simply because he had high standards for a lover, or because he idolized and liked Midorima Shintarou so greatly he wanted to find his own version of him, but soon Furihata realized why.
Liking someone, or learning to love them is like giving other the ability to hurt you, and he never wanted that. That was why he chose to love Midorima Shintarou instead, an unattainable light far from his reach, and so he wouldn't have the trouble of ever having to deal with his feelings thinking it would be impossible because the other would never love him back. Most people use that thought to ran away from what they truly feel, they would love someone that they know would never truly love them back or look at them to save them from the pain of what real love is. They wouldn't be hurt that way because they think that person would never see them anyway. And that was why Takao decided to run away instead.
"You're right." Takao muttered. "I…I'm scared…"
Furihata sat there and decided to listen. He thought it was for the best.
"I-I just don't know what to do!" Takao exclaimed. "One second we're alright, t-then…that happened. H-He shouldn't go around kissing people, dragging them and all. D-Does he know how much people likes him, he shouldn't toy around people's feelings, treat it so simply like that."
"Did he tell you it was nothing?"
Takao pursed his lips and shook his head.
"Then how did you arrive at that thought?" Furihata asked. "I-I don't mean to be rude, I-I mean, Takao-san had always been the wisest among us but…shouldn't you perhaps waited for him to say something, or asked him at least?"
"I'm scared." Takao mutters. "I'm just…I'm so scared to know. I know love…I write about it, and what I write…those are lies. People don't simply get what they want. Life is not a shoujo manga Furi, and that's not how it should be, b-because people are unpredictable. The same lips that kiss you may be the same lips that would tell you one day they don't love you anymore. That's just how it is, and that is how it should be."
Furihata stared at Takao quietly. He looks like a simple man with fears in himself, insecurities. Unlike the usual man he shows, full of confidence and all smiles, this Takao is different.
"Sometimes…you don't have to be hurt to be scared." Takao added. "Sometimes you see it, and it scares you, you don't want to be like that, you see others suffer it and it scares you."
"But aren't you hurting right now as well?"
Takao stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Furihata. The brunette is looking at him with eyes filled with concern for him.
"It doesn't have to be now," Furihata said smiling a bit at the other, "maybe give yourself some time."
"Thank you."
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"Flight 341 New York-Tokyo has arrived."
Breathing in the air of the airport, the raven haired young man welcomed himself to the place where his family originated. Long ago, his father and mother decided to leave the country and migrate to the states where he was born and where he grew up. Sometime, he got a career as a photographer and a part-time model.
Wearing a simple white shirt under a black dress coat paired with a black fitting jeans, the young man pulled his luggage behind him and quietly looked around for the familiar face—
"Muro-chin?"
Turning around Himuro Tatsuya smiled as he was greeted with the sight he had missed for years.
"Atsuhi, it's been a while."