CHAPTER 8:

A Lapse of Momentary Connection

Aomine woke up before the usual 6 a.m. alarm of the prison guards. He wanted to sleep more and so he tried to roll on his side to switch position but couldn't manage to as his splinted arm hindered him to do so. His hand is aching pretty badly; though he kind of expected this as Midorima, the infirmary doctor, warned him before about the continuous inflammation of his injury. So there's a big possibility that he will be suffering like this every morning for like three more weeks.

After making a mental note to buy himself a couple of Ibuprofen tablets on prison commissary later, Aomine groaned. Things are getting harder for him now that he had his hand broken and he's limited to do stuff he wanted and he needed to do.

"Good Morning, Aomine-kun. I see you woke up early." Aomine immediately looked up from where the voice came from. It was pretty dim inside the block yet as the lights will only start to turn on at 6 a.m.; but Imayoshi's glasses can be easily recognized in the dark. His bespectacled head with heaps of unkempt black hair was peeking from above the double bunker.

Indeed, Aomine and Imayoshi switched bunks – the former police now sleeping on the bottom while his cellmate is now on the top. But do not misunderstand things, Aomine didn't ask it as a favor to Imayoshi. In the first place, he's not the type to lower his pride and ask a man – who he doesn't fully trust – a little help or favor. Though, compared to before, whether he admits it or not, his trust for him really improved. It was maybe due to the fact that Imayoshi is actually one of the only few men who Aomine interacts with every day.

Again, it wasn't the former police who thought of the idea of switching bunks; it was the bespectacled man who suggested it. Aomine doesn't know if Imayoshi suggested that out of utter kindness or not, and though, he almost thought of refusing it because of the idea that his ever-so-sly cellmate might have some hidden intention, he didn't. Solely because he wouldn't be able to climb up the top bunk without getting his injury touched.

"Were you able to get a good night's sleep?" Imayoshi asked.

"Hmmm… barely." The blue-haired man answered.

To be honest, it wasn't just because of his aching hand that he barely had good sleep; the fact that he had things think through last night can also be blamed. Yesterday's happening including the long talk with Takao cannot seemed to get out of his mind. Kagami and Haizaki's position inside Teikou, Kagami's unknown intention of saving his ass from getting locked up in solitary confinement, the little information about the two gangs who originally is only one, and Kise's past that might have been the reason why he was acting like that. Looking at it more closely, Aomine, aside from the fact that he doesn't actually and originally have anything to do with those, was all worked up from thinking. He was supposed to be ignoring everything and only caring about how he's going to take care of his injury but it wasn't like that at all. And the most alarming part is, Aomine doesn't actually realized that he's becoming slightly unlikely of himself.

"Really? Even though I gave you the bottom bunk?"

Aomine raised a brow and spoke as a-matter-of-factly, "Sleeping at the bottom bunk doesn't change the fact that I have an injury, you know."

Imayoshi grimaced slightly, "You should've at least sounded a little grateful to my idea."

Though he felt a little guilty for stating that, Aomine just ignored his cellmate. It was a good thing that, unlike any other prisoners inside Teikou, Imayoshi is not that harmful at all. Despite the fact that he is someone who can do things just for his "business" and money and someone who will always love to slyly play on other people's weaknesses for fun, Aomine knew he isn't the type who sows grave anger over a person's back and stabs him with killing intent.

"Anyway…" Imayoshi started again, "How are you going to take a bath and eat your meal now?"

"I have no choice, I wouldn't be able to take a proper bath right now. Maybe I'll just have to wash my face, wipe my body with wet cloth, and change clothes. I can't afford to move my injured hand properly. Besides, I was asked by the infirmary doctor to not let my splint get soaked with water." He continued, "And with regards to eating my meal, I'll probably just have to use a spoon or just a fork with this one hand. It was a good thing it wasn't my dominant hand that was fractured."

"Well, that's good then. Just don't hesitate to ask for my help, I'll surely give you a shoulder to lean on." Imayoshi chuckled at the end but his intention to help is pretty serious at most.

"Heh. I can do it on my own, don't worry." The typical reply was heard.

"Stop being so independent when you can't even afford to take a proper bath on your own." Another chuckle came out of Imayoshi's mouth and Aomine felt the embarrassment covered his face. He immediately kicked with his long limb the top bunk above that serves as a roof of the bottom bed he's resting into right now.

Feeling the impact of the former police's kick on his back, Imayoshi laughed louder, not minding the fact that his laughter almost woke up the other inmates from the other cells near them. "Now, stop being aggressive when you're feeling embarrassed."

"Shut up…" were the only words Aomine said as he rolled his eyes after getting a little irked.

The lights suddenly went on and the usual clinking sounds of the metal baton hitting the steel bars was heard. The prison officers were all shouting at the top of their lungs, waking every inmate up, and dictating to get ready before the morning rollcall starts. Then after a few seconds, the steel bars were all automatically lifted up in sync, hinting everyone that locked in was over and the everyday routine for prisoners shall begin.

Aomine planned to start a conversation with Kise.

It wasn't actually a plan as he's really not sure what to say and how to begin a conversation with him; nonetheless, Aomine was sure he wanted to have a talk with the blond. If truth be told, Aomine doesn't know why he wanted to do it and he doesn't want to know why either. He just kept on being oblivious to the perturbing reason prodding in his mind and right at this moment, all he wanted to do was to talk to Kise with whatever topic he could have with him. It could be about how bad the meal was, how sleepless he was right now, or how annoying the prison guards can be. It could be that random. Or better yet… they could talk about how Kise ended up in Teikou or some deeper topic like that. Well, Aomine wouldn't deny he had some trouble on how is he going to approach the blond; but he knew how Kise can be the social butterfly and will always be the one to start up the conversation with him.

Feeling determined with his impulsive idea, Aomine was ready to do it. He casually walked his way towards the usual spot he, Imayoshi, Sakurai, and Kise were always sitting into every meal time. He felt nervousness and maybe a little bit of unexplainable excitement course through his body as the tray filled with the standard breakfast menu shook a little when the shiver went down his spine. He then stopped for a moment and took a deep breath.

Relax. What am I getting nervous for? It's just a talk, Aomine thought.

This is going to be the first time he's going to partake in a real conversation with Kise. Well, this isn't the first time he has talked to him; rather, ever since the first time he met the pretty guy in the shower area, there hasn't been a day were Kise failed to talk to him whether they were in the communal shower area or in the dining hall. In fact, Kise always spends his time in Aomine's cell and babble about anything as if there's no end. Even so, this doesn't mean that Aomine engages with his endless chatter. He usually ignored the man as he knew that getting annoyed won't stop him from talking. And so, with every talk Kise spent with him, Aomine most of the time didn't listen at all; that is why, there has never been a good conversation between the two. This may be the reason why he's getting chilly with things; but this won't hinder Aomine. No one can. Not unless the guy he was about to talk to is actually missing in action…

He put down the tray he was carrying with one hand the moment he reached the table. His eyes automatically glanced at the empty seat beside him.

Where the hell is Kise?

Aomine's blue orbs immediately spun around him, searching for a certain blond with a sly and perky personality; however, no such thing appeared right in front of him. It took him a minute to realize that Imayoshi was already staring at him after being stood frozen, looking for Kise. Curiosity filled the said man's eyes, wondering what happened to the former cop; and the moment Aomine took a seat, he knew that his cellmate is already trying to read him.

He cleared his throat, hoping that it could distract the bespectacled man from his deductions over him, and began taking a spoon of his breakfast with a little difficulty because of his injured arm. He then started pretending as usual that he's in his own world again. But, Aomine didn't succeed to escape Imayoshi's inquisitiveness as the said man shattered his little word into pieces when it suddenly asked him.

"You're looking for Kise, aren't you?"

Aomine almost choked from what he was eating when the question came out from Imayoshi's mouth. He coughed a few times before drinking a gulp from the carton of milk they were given from the breakfast set and then faced his cellmate with a frown on his face. "What?"

"I was asking if you're looking for Kise."

Aomine knew what Imayoshi said was true. He also knew that there's nothing wrong with saying that he's looking for the blond since it was actually the truth; but somehow, a part of him doesn't want to admit it to the bespectacled man.

"O-of course not. Why would I look for him?" Aomine denied with his blue eyes averting away from Imayoshi's.

For a moment, Imayoshi stared at the dark-skinned man, probably analyzing him again; but, for some reason, he chose to stop after a while. He just heaved a sigh and went back to eating his breakfast. Then after a few seconds, he started to deliberately throw questions at Sakurai.

"My dear Sakurai, why is Kise not coming for breakfast?" He asked before taking a spoon of his own.

Aomine's interest suddenly piqued as soon as Imayoshi's words reached him; however, he tried not to show it, knowing that he won't be safe by the sly man's sharp eyes. Nonetheless, he didn't cease to be on all ears to their conversation.

On the other hand, bearing a troubled expression on his face as if he was the very reason why his cellmate was not present, Sakurai stuttered. "I-I'm sorry! K-kise-kun is not going to be around for a while since H-Haizaki-kun called him yesterday."

"Will he be coming at lunch later?"

"I-I'm sorry! B-but I don't think h-he will be able to c-come…"

"Hmmm…" Imayoshi sounded. "Why do you think so?"

Sakurai looked at Imayoshi with a confused look, "W-well isn't it… always like that?"

"Ah you are right. My bad. I forgot that it was always like that." Imayoshi said as he slowly sneak a peek at Aomine.

And though it may look as if he has never been affected by any of it, Aomine sure was slightly bothered by what he heard.

It was always like that… then does it mean that someday, Kise will start to rarely spend time with us? , Aomine thought, asking himself.

When lunch time came, Kise still didn't appear at the seat beside the former police. No blond guy cheerfully greeted him and teased him up. And the only thing Aomine could do was to stare at the empty seat beside him.

If it weren't for Sakurai who unexpectedly approached him, he wouldn't have realized he was staring into nothing…

"A-Aomine-kun…" Sakurai spoke.

Both Aomine and Imayoshi surprisingly looked at the timid guy. Well, who wouldn't have thought that Sakurai would initiate a talk to the aggressive blue-haired man?

"Yes?" Aomine replied politely. Out of everyone in Teikou Island Prison, Sakurai is the only person he felt he doesn't have to be overly guarded to. His timid personality is the one to be blamed here as it eliminates any threatening aura any person could get over a prisoner.

"U-ummm… Y-yesterday, you mentioned that you don't have w-work yet… so…" He paused "I-I'm sorry! B-but would you mind if I recommend you as a kitchen staff?"

A little surprised and grateful of the offer, Aomine softy said. "Sure. Thank you. But well… I don't think I can work yet… with this… injury."

"Ah, t-the job does not really involves hard manual labor, y-you just have to work with me in the kitchen stock room doing inventories and budgets. P-plus! The payment is good enough for an easy job."

"Oh, that would be nice then." Aomine gratefully uttered and somehow he felt as though he doesn't really mind not being able to talk to Kise today. An easy job with a good pay is actually the greatest thing for him at the moment, especially with the great amount of medical fee he has to comply with. Now, he doesn't have to bother her sister to contribute a little amount to his commissary account in order to pay those bills. "Thank you, Sakurai-kun."

With a little blush, Sakurai spoke. "N-no problem. I only just need someone to help me at work, that's why."

Seeing that his precious little someone blushing for a little appreciation, Imayoshi immediately grabbed the man by his shoulder and daringly hugged him. "Oh my! My precious Sakurai is so kind and so cute~"

Blushing profusely, Sakurai looked like a tomato. "I-Imayoshi-san! Y-you're e-embarrassing!"

Imayoshi laughed loudly and continued to hug the blushing man. After a while, he turned to look at Aomine who is silently chewing his lunch while supporting his injured arm with the other. For a few more minutes, he stared at Aomine, Observing how he overused his uninjured hand by using it as the only means to take a spoon of his meal and by switching to support his injured arm while he's still chewing. "Hey, Aomine-kun. I'll be giving you something later."

"You know. I still think it's suspicious of you trying to be so nice to me since last night. What the fuck is wrong with you?" Aomine crassly said as he and Imayoshi walked together towards the dining the hall for the third time of the day. He was wearing a blue arm sling Imayoshi gave him after the second roll-call a while ago. He's not really sure why the bespectacled man is doing this that is why he immediately refused to accept the sling; however, Imayoshi forced him to put it on. If it weren't for the difficulty he's suffering from his injury, Aomine was sure he wouldn't hesitate to throw his offers away as it may mean some hidden motives. However, Aomine thought that he's already been sleeping at the same cell with the guy but he's never been once harmed by him; so maybe accepting a little of his "kindness" wouldn't be so bad.

"Don't be so rude. I gave it to you with my utmost kindness. Don't worry you don't have to pay for it with money, I know you are in need of it. Just pay me back someday when I need your help." He chuckled.

"I knew there's a hidden intention within all of this. Kindness your ass, you just need someone who will grant your favor whenever you want to just because you helped him."

"Hey, hey, hey~ this is kindness, just so you know. I gave you that sling for a cheap payment. It was as if you got a huge discount and there was no one I had given such a discount before, only you. So be thankful and treat it as my kindness."

Aomine heaved a sigh of defeat. He doesn't want to have an argument right now, especially with this sly man. He just continued walking alongside him and turned left to the dining hall. Aomine quickly got his tray after Imayoshi at the table nearby. They started to fall in line then to get their trays filled with the dinner set prepared by the kitchen staff. When both of their trays were filled, Aomine, who is carrying his with one hand, walked with his cellmate towards their usual table. And as they walk, someone called Aomine from behind.

"Aomine-kun!" The brunet whom Aomine just met yesterday called out.

"Takao-kun." He muttered, quite surprised. And no, it wasn't just because of Takao that he was surprised. There's also this certain familiar red-head with strangle-looking thick brows and intense aura who Aomine caught staring at him.

Kagami…

"Oh, Takao-kun, you're here!" Imayoshi went towards the table the brunet and Kagami's gang were sitting into. Of course, Aomine didn't follow Imayoshi, but neither did he walked away. He just remained there, standing. Not because he was waiting for the bespectacled man, but because he was staring back at the pair of intense red orbs.

Maybe it was for a minute or so that they were holding each other's fierce gazes and if it weren't for Imayoshi who put his hand on the dark-skinned man's shoulder, they wouldn't have stopped. After one last powerful look, Aomine turned around at the other and decided to resume on their tracks. And just as when they are about reach their usual table, the recognizable blond hair who Aomine was looking for since a while ago, caught his eye. Aomine immediately looked back to confirm whether he was wrong or not; and there's no mistaking it, it was Kise.

And in one way or another, as if the former cop's desire to make Kise see him knocked at fate's door, the blond looked back, getting caught of Aomine's eyes.

And as if it was again out of sudden impulse, Aomine quickly opened his mouth to call for the guy; but before he could, someone already did.

"Ryouta. Come here."

And the momentary connection swiftly lapsed as the blond turned his head away.

Notes: Any thoughts on this chapter? Please feel free to comment or make a review of it. I'll take it as my birthday gift since today is my birthday ^^ hihi

Anyway, I hope I had made this chapter well. I'm having quite the writer's block when I wrote it, that is why I am having doubts whether it was interesting or not.

Expected Update: December 18 (or earlier)

Sorry I have been busy due to my internship that is why I'm having a hard time finishing a chapter, and so I decided to adjust the expected updates further. But once my internship is over, I will immediately put it back to normal. Please bear with me for a while. thanks!