CHAPTER 3:

Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen

It has been a week since Aomine got into Teikou Island Prison. He wouldn't deny that he had troubles with how things work around him and with the big adjustments he had to come up for him to be able to survive. Well, it's understandable since everyone who has entered any prison for the first time would surely be having a hard time with the sudden big constraints they had to face on their willful life and the hell-like place that will eventually consume you into damnation. And because it's hell, it's definitely something you can call a hopeless place.

Aomine turned over on his back. The thin mattress made his back sore and he can't help but feel irritated about it. There are some things that he has been gradually struggling in getting used to like the early morning roll calls, the insipid prison meals, and the freezing-cold shower, but the only thing he really cannot get used to are these mattresses that give him a hard time sleeping every night. And, well, a sleepless Aomine is a grumpy and dangerous bastard.

Clicking his tongue, he muttered, "Fuck."

"Chill out, Aomine." Imayoshi chuckled, his remarkable slyness is still as evident as ever "You know we can't do anything with those mattresses. If your back really fucks you up, then just go visit the infirmary."

Aomine and Imayoshi's relationship haven't changed that much since the first time they met. Imayoshi, being cunning and deceitful as he is, continues to have himself entertained at the expense of the other man's wary attitude towards him and Aomine, being noncommittal and reticent, remained indifferent to everything he thinks is suspicious. Well, Aomine can say that, for some reason, there are rare times that he has answered Imayoshi's questions without a grimace on his face; however, it isn't much of a significance to say that there is a big improvement between the two of them. Plus, a week ain't enough to earn or to give trust.

Ignoring the bespectacled man's advice like usual, Aomine just clicked his tongue for the second time. Imayoshi wasn't surprised by it, in fact, he knew that the man will just give him a cold shoulder. And so, he just made another of his sly chuckles and said, "That's the Aomine I like. Oh well, I need to go. The Prison Commissary needs me, I'll see you at lunch later."

Aomine watched as the man made his way out of their cell. Breakfast and Morning Roll call has been done already and it is Work time for those inmates who have works to do just like Imayoshi and Leisure time for inmates like him who just remained idle. Well, it's not like he planned to stay like this with nothing to do. It's just that he's still not motivated enough to do things yet. Just like his body, his mind and his heart are still adjusting to things.

Aomine just closed his eyes then. He has been doing the exact same thing this whole week of being a lazy but bored ass and probably he'll find something to do tomorrow to change this unproductive thing he was about to make as a habit. But for now, maybe some sleep will make him less irritated and will give him a 'good mood' after. However, before he can even doze off, a prison guard called for his name as he went towards his cell "Aomine Daiki."

Aomine sighed and slowly opened his eyes to look at the man. He was pretty annoyed again at first but this annoyance quickly turned into surprise when he heard him say "You have a visitor."

"Momoi Satsuki" A prison guard called a certain pink-haired girl out.

With a smile on her face that totally says 'Finally', Momoi stood-up from the bench she has been sitting to. She has been here since about an hour ago, filling out forms and undergoing inspections by pat downs and metal detectors, and she can't help but say she wanted to finish everything as soon as possible so she could go and meet her beloved step-brother right away. And now that her name has been called out, signaling that she can finally go inside the Visiting Area to meet him, an evident delight was plastered on her face.

As she enters the room, she was asked to sit down on one of the empty chairs and table and to wait. Momoi did so and looked around the room as this was all new to her. She noticed that there's quite a number of prisoners with their visitors inside the big room. There are wives visiting their husbands, sons and daughters visiting their fathers, and a lot more. If before she could only see this kind of scene on movies and drama shows and sympathize with the characters over the couch, now she could say that she is experiencing it first-hand.

Of course, she didn't expect things to be like this. She didn't expect that her dear step-brother who has a good position of a sergeant and a detective will end up becoming a prisoner. It was a huge surprise for everyone though. Even for her step-brother himself. No one would've ever thought that the court would have that kind of decision, the kind that will lead him into a prison. She then remembered the day when a police officer knocked at their house, carrying a warrant of arrest, and cuffing her step-brother for being a prime suspect of the murder case of his own police superior. And just a week ago, the said step-brother of hers, Aomine Daiki, was convicted of first-degree murder, leading her to now- visiting him in Teikou Island Prison.

The door she has entered a while ago suddenly opened and, as what she has expected, the face of the familiar man she misses so much appeared before her.

"Dai-chan!" She called out with a huge smile and jolly voice but cracking off at the end, overwhelmed by the excitement and anticipation welling up inside her chest. She immediately encircled her arms around the man's body as he reached her place while being escorted by a prison guard that Momoi barely noticed. It was then that a drop of tear slid down along her cheeks. She misses him so much.

And just like her, Aomine was sure he wanted to hug his step-sister back, to encircle his arms tight around her slender body, but he can't. The pink-haired girl noticed how he won't hug back and found that his wrists were cuffed together.

Ahhh… right.

Slightly dispirited by the mere sight of reality in front of her, Momoi's big smile faded.

Sigh. If only he can do something about that. He misses this girl so much, he misses his beloved step-sister. He may not be the type who shows sentiments and displays affection to anyone, but knowing that starting from now, it will be rare to see her again, Aomine can't help but to plaster a longing expression on his face. Spotting this expression, the girl immediately put back a smile on her face. Not a huge smile though, rather a sweet, pleasing one.

"Satsuki." Aomine muttered, that's the only thing he can do for now, at least.

"I miss you, Dai-chan. We miss you." Momoi sincerely said, as they both sat at the empty chairs and table. The Prison Guard who escorted Aomine a while ago remained standing near them. They couldn't help but feel bothered about it at first; however, that's how life here in prison works – full of constrictions.

She continued, "I am so sorry it took me a week to visit you here. Aside from the busy schedule I had with work, I didn't know I couldn't easily just enter the prison for a visit without setting an appointme"

"It's okay, I understand. You don't have to apologize." Aomine assured, "How are you? How's Mom and Dad?"

"We're all fine." She replied blithely, "I got promoted on work just a few days ago, I immediately told my Dad about it and he was so happy, he said both of us should meet this week for a celebration."

"Oh that's great. Congratulations." He smiled, grateful of his step-sister's success, "And what did Mom and Dad said about your promotion?"

"Uhhh… About that… Well, I haven't told Mom and Aomine-san about it yet. Since they were so anxious about your case and—"

"What the fuck, Satsuki." Aomine disgustingly retorted, leaning his back and head on the chair and the wall against it. He quickly closed his eyes and sighed as if it will ease things up.

"Listen, Dai-chan. Not telling about my promotion and unable to celebrate it with them isn't that much of a big deal! I am so worried about you staying—here in this awful place! We are worried of what might have been happening to you here. We are afraid that you don't eat properly, that you don't get enough sleep, and that you can't get along with the other inmates here! We are afraid that one day… we won't get to see you." The pink-haired girl knitted her brows and grabbed Aomine's hands that are cuffed together, "We are terrified of the thought that something bad might happen to you, Dai-chan. That's why we are really pushing things through to the best of our abilities just to file a petition for a retrial of your case."

Momoi continued speaking, though there was a slight hesitation on her voice since she doesn't know if bringing this up won't reopen fresh wounds for Aomine, but she needs to let him understand why she was doing this "We believe in you, Dai-chan. We know you didn't do anything. We know you are innocent and you have just been framed up. We know that the Aomine Daiki we treasured so much isn't the kind of guy who will do that."

Aomine, bothered by the things his dear step-sister said and by the things his own mind stubbornly dictates over him, remained silent. He understands her point really well, but he can't just let her do things like that. She needs not to be in self-denial just for him. He appreciates the things they are doing and the belief they had on him and he won't deny that he also wants them to file a petition of retrial for him; since, he doesn't want to stay on this place that he knows he doesn't belong to.

After heaving another sigh, Aomine began speaking "You know how much I appreciate all of your efforts, right, Satsuki? I totally do. I am glad you, Mom, and Dad were all working your asses off just for me and I couldn't get even more touched about that. Thank you very much. But you see, you coming here on your free times and Mom and Dad filing a petition for me is good enough already. You shouldn't bother prioritizing me over your own happiness. Don't deny yourself over things that recognizes your talents and skills."

"Dai-chan…"

"When you go home, I want you to immediately inform Mom and Dad about it. It is their right to know about it and it is your right to let them know about it. Promise me you will do that and promise me you will never do that kind of stupid thing again. You hear me?" With a tone of superiority and worry, Aomine said. He needs to make sure things like this wouldn't happen again.

With a nod and a simple smile that realizes how greatly loved she is by her step-brother, Momoi replied "Alright, Dai-chan. I understand."

It took them several more minutes before the visitation time was over. They talked about lots of things including Momoi's achievements at work and Aomine's adjustments here in prison. They had also talked about how Momoi and their parents will work on the petition they are going to file and such. And after the prison guard announced to them that Momoi's visitation time was already over for today, she immediately give her step-brother one of those tight hugs like she doesn't want to let the man go.

"Mom, Dad, and I will visit you again once there's an opportunity. Just wait for us. And we'll make sure the petition won't get trashed by the court. We're going to get you out of here no matter what." She muttered as she rests her head on Aomine's chest.

"Then, I'll wait for that."

As soon as the visitation was over, Aomine was immediately escorted back to his cell. There he saw a certain blond guy at the top of the double bunk bubbly waving a hand over him. He's sitting with his legs hanging from the top, swaying it playfully and with a perky grin plastered on his face- just like a kid.

"Welcome back, Aominecchi~ How was the visit?" He greeted brightly.

"Kise." Aomine replied as the cuffs securing his hands together were being unlocked by the prison guard, "What are you doing here? And… stop with that annoying nickname."

"Nothing. I just wanted to know what you're doing, since I'm bored as fuck right now. And, don't be so rude! I always add '-chi' to the name of the person I respect and I hold an interest with, you know. So don't say it's annoying."

Aomine noticed the pout on the pretty boy's expression. The slyness of his smile and the sulking pout on his face left Aomine in a state of confusion on how he should take Kise Ryouta as a person. He doesn't know if the blond is a sensitive person, one that is vulnerable against disapprovals and judgements and easily sulks to things that doesn't go his way; or if he is just a cunning bastard who loves to act at low status but works their plans against you without you noticing them.

"Yeah, whatever." The dark-skinned man muttered, choosing to ignore what Kise said and pretending he didn't notice his sullen pout, "Anyway, what are you doing up there in my bed? Get down here!"

With a teasing giggle, Kise jumped down from the double bunk. The childish pout on his face vanished and quickly became an impishly, frisky smile.

This guy isn't serious at all in anything, Aomine concluded.

He was even more convinced with his conclusion when Kise suddenly, after jumping down the bunk, wrapped his arms around his neck and moved his body closely- sticking against him- in a very seductive and playful manner.

"What are you doing?" Aomine indifferently asked.

"Hmmmm… Who knows?" The mischievous blond snickered and moved his face closer to his, making their lips only an inch apart that they began to share the air they are breathing in. Aomine became quite wary of the situation then, but he chose not to show it as he was sure this will satisfy the other man more. He knows that Kise is that type of a guy.

Definitely not serious.

"Lunch time, everyone! Leave your cells and go straight to the dining hall without causing any ruckus!" One of the prison guards just shouted.

It was already lunch and Aomine was hoping Kise would get distracted by loud shout and move away from him. However, nothing like that happened.

And so, Aomine let Kise do what he wants with whatever motive he had in him. Aside from the fact that he actually doesn't know what to do to stop Kise without him being the one at the lower hand in his game, he just decided to play along with him. At first, it was all a big hesitation to Aomine; since being seduced by a guy like this is all new to him. He has to admit that letting another guy touch him hurts his big ego as a man. But when he was all determined to just go with the flow, even though he can feel his heart starting to thump fast inside his chest, Kise suddenly heaved out a long sigh.

"You're boring..." He muttered as he rolled his eyes and made another of those sulking pout "Everyone would fall back on their knees when I did that to them you know?"

Did he finally give up?

That's what Aomine thought but when Kise's big, playful smile quickly appeared on his face again with a slight glint on his eyes, He knew for sure that things aren't over yet.

"…But even though your expressions are boring me…" Kise continued, still clinging on his neck "That doesn't change the fact that you caught my interest. You being different from everyone increased my fascination about you even more."

What does he mean by that? Does it mean that Aomine had just dug his own grave? That him acting so indifferent and unaffected by Kise's slyness just made the blond like him more? But if he did act against those cunning moves, Aomine swore Kise will continue to do that to him. So this just concludes that this former cop has been damned from the beginning since he met Kise, right?

Aomine doesn't know what to say, just as usual, Kise caught him off-guard. It was then that a prison guard suddenly hit a metal baton to the steel bars surrounding his cell, making the two of them to jerk out of the situation which is pretty awkward for Aomine. "Lunch time, bastards. Haven't you heard?"

The blond and the blue-haired guy quickly turned to face the man who had just called them with insults. To be honest, Aomine was quite thankful that the prison officer intruded. At least he was plucked out of the tense and awkward situation he had with Kise. However, his insulting tone of voice slightly irritates Aomine and so does Kise who was about to retort back but the guard spoke off first.

"Hold back your lasciviousness, blondie. Or everyone will be set on rage again if Haizaki found out about this. I'm tired of cleaning after your asses, you good-for-nothings, so keep your asses down for a while." The prison guard indecently told off, he then turned to switch his gaze to Aomine "And you, former sergeant, I hate to break it to you but, you should be careful of who or what you deal with. Not everyone and everything in here you can own. If before you can boss officers around just because you are a sergeant, not anymore, because right now, I am the boss and inmates like you can't defy us no matter what."

Kise immediately broke the silence that was about to form when the prison guard walked away. With a frown, he said, "What the fuck is wrong with him? He always pisses me off. Shougo-kun's paying him and so it was his job to clean up the mess. He can't be complaining about that. And I bet he was just scolded off by the Prison Sergeant that's why he's taking out his anger on you, Aominecchi. Just don't worry about it."

"I don't really care though. He can rant as much as he wants to but I won't be giving any shit to him. Anyway, I'm going to have my lunch." Aomine said and started to walk out of his cell towards the dining hall. He ain't giving Kise any chance to seduce him again.

"Ah! Wait for me, Aominecchi, I'm coming with you!" He heard the blond call him off.

Of course, he didn't wait for Kise, neither did he slow down his pace. He believed that as much as possible, he should stay away from the guy because he knew he will surely give him a hell lot of trouble. What Aomine didn't know was that, either staying away from Kise or not, trouble will always bump its tail over him.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen!" A man's husky voice was heard, making Aomine to stop dead on his tracks. He knew that the man's voice is quite familiar. He turned around and found a pair of menacing eyes with a creepy grin staring right back at him.

Notes: Thank you very much!

Expected Update: October 26 (or earlier)