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Chapter XIII
Meters to Summer
Saturday morning. Aomine, Kise, Murasakibara and Midorima just arrived at the Akashi household. They were now standing in front the massive iron gate again. Same as Kuroko, no matter it was the first time or not, they were always in awe.
The four soon greeted by the head maid. "Good morning. Welcome to Akashi household. Seijuro-sama in waiting in Kuroko-sama's room."
"Good morning to you too Yuji-san." Midorima nodded.
"Yo, good' old Yuji! You are looking great!"
"Good morning Yuji-san! It's nice to see you again." Kise beamed.
"Yujichin~ do you have potato chips?" Murasakibara said while chewing on a lollipop.
Midorima twitched in annoyance. "Murasakibara! It's rude to ask for snacks when you just stepped inside the house! Aomine! Is that how you greet someone older than you?! Learn some manners, you two!" Midorima reprimanded him as Kise tried to calm him down.
Yuji-san chuckled at their bickering. It had been a long time since they came to visit. The last time would be during that winter break. Of course they came to visit when Kise just joined their group, but the atmosphere was different. It was rather a short visit to grab stuffs. Looking at them now somehow warmed her heart. This is all thanks to Kuroko-sama. As she silently thank the boy.
Yuji-san guided them to the bluenette's room. She knocked and informed them that their friends have arrived which earned the young master approval.
Kise and Aomine were the first ones to come in, followed by Murasakibara and Midorima. They greeted the two boys, one is sitting on the bed with open books and the other was sitting on a chair with beside him while holding some books. It seemed they are doing some studying session. They all barged in and made themselves comfortable.
"Good morning to you, Aomine-kun, Murasakibara-kun and Midorima-kun."
"Kurokochi! What about me?!" The blonde haired whinned.
"Heh? Since when are you here again, Kise? I didn't see you coming here with us." Aomine grinned.
"I can't believe you! Now I turned invisible? I am not Kurokochi you know?!"
"Yeah, yeah…"
"Are you listening?!"
"Aomine! Kise! Don't start a fight in someone's house! Are you a five year old kid?!" They both stopped. Midorima sighed. "Unbelievable! I feel like babysitting three children now."
"I apologized for making you feel that way, Shintarou." Akashi gave the vice captain an apologetic look.
"You don't have to apologize. I am used to babysitting them." Midorima sighed. "More importantly, how are you doing, Kuroko?" he looked at the pale teen worriedly.
"I am feeling better. Thank you for asking Midorima-kun."
"That's good." Aomine smiled, ruffling the bluenette's soft hair.
"Get better soon and we will hang out more often, Kurokochi! There are cool places we have yet to show you." Kise chirped.
"Thank you. I will try my best." He gave a weak smile. He knew the chances were slim but he appreciated their encouragement.
"Kurochin~ why are you studying on Saturday morning? The school is on holiday you know~?" Murasakibara said with a lollipop stick pop out of his mouth.
"I'm catching up with my studies, Murasakibara-kun. Akashi-kun is helping me out. From now on, I will have to study at home." Kuroko said sadly remembering the deal Akashi made with the principal. The teal haired was glad to know that he didn't have to drop out but in exchange, he needed to continue with home-schooled teaching. A teacher will come once every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to supervise his studying progress.
"Eh~? Study at home? Does it mean Kurochin won't come to school anymore~?"
"I am afraid so."
"No more rooftop lunch~?"
"I am sorry." Murasakibara eyes got teary that made Kuroko felt guilty. "But you can come and visit anytime you want." Akashi added.
"Eh~? I really can come every day, Akachin~?
"Yes. As much as you want." He gave a small smile.
"Yeay! Thank you~ Akachin is the best~."
After that, the group decided to play basketball to kill time. They headed towards an indoor court in the household. It was a medium sized court with a asketball hoop on each side of the court. They divided the team into 3 vs 2, played the game for two rounds. Akashi-Midorima-Murasakibara team vs Aomine-Kise team. Kuroko was watching them from a bench on the sidelines. He wacted the game with a sad smile. Watching they played, specially Aomine, reminded him of his ex-best friend, Kagami Taiga. The way Aomine played was very similar to his, a player with aggresive offense type. Some of Aomine's personality traits also quite similar to his. Kuroko felt a pang in his heart. Heclosed his eyes and tried to get his mind ouf of these thoughts. Kuroko Tetsuya, didn't you promise to yourself that you will stop thinking about him? He is better off with out you. Right now, He is a blessed happy guy somewhere on this earth.
"Tetsuya, are you okay?"
Kuroko snapped open his eyes, meeting the red orbs. Worried could be seen all over his face. Kuroko noticed the game was still on but the captain was now squatting in front of him. He must have taken a time out. Kuroko smiled and tried to assure him.
"I'm okay. It's just..."
"Aomine remind you of Kagami." Akashi stated.
"Yes... you are right." Kuroko was not that surprise that he knew all about their broken friendship. After all those time they had spent together, it is just as the bluenette had expdcted. "I guess Akashi-kun can read me well now."
"Not quite." He shook his head. "You are always full of surprises." He said and then took a seat beside the teal haired. He wiped himself with a towel. "Tell me, do you wish to see Kagami again?"
Kuroko was hesitant. Somewhere in his heart he wanted to mend the broken friendship but another part of him wwanted to let him go. In the end Kuroko shook his head. "No. Kagami-kun has a life now. I don't want to cause him any more trouble."
"What you did, was not a trouble. All I know is a friend tried to protect his best friend from a two faced woman."
"That's true. But with how I am right now, it's better to let this be." Kuroko broke his gaze and staring at the game.
Akashi was silent for awhile, studying the guy beside him. He sighed. "Alright. I understand." Akashi said ruffling the blue hair. Kuroko pouted in respond and said protest about his action like usual.
After lunch, Kuroko was sleeping in his room. The side effect of the medicines really got him into the dreamland no matter how much he fought it off. They were talking in the living room and the next 10 minutes, the group found him leaning his head against the captain's shoulder. Akashi decided to carry him to his room. He frowned at how light his body had become. He almost couldn't feel his weight at all. He noted to consult these details with Sato-sensei later. Akashi tucked him in, kissed his forehead and then went back to the group.
"Akashi, please tell us his condition. How bad is it?" Midorima asked. Now that he is not around, it is a big chance to discuss about this matter.
Akashi sighed. He rubbed his nose bridge and said. "He isn't getting better. All the doctors can do now is slowing down his sickness."
"What?! Why don't they try something to save him?!"
"Calm down, Daiki. You might wake him up." Akashi reprimanded him.
"S-sorry.. "
"But what Aominechi said is true... I don't understand."
"Tetsuya needs a donor. We need to find it within nine months."
"What do you mean by that, Akachin?"
"Tetsuya's time…" Akashi took a deep breath before voicing out what Sato-sensei said before. "is only until the next summer."
Kuroko open his eyes slowly. He found himself lying on his bed. The last thing he remembered is listening to Kise's story about his modeling job before darkness consumed him. I must have fallen asleep.
Kuroko moved the duvet away and went to the toilet. Whilewashing his hands, he felt something warm trickled downfrom his nose. He looked at the mirror and found the red liquid flowing down. He grabbed some tissue and pressed it down. He walked back to his bed. He lied down and closed his eyes, hoping it would stop before Akashi or someone came in.
But luck was not in his favor. Akashi knocked on his door and came in. When he saw Kuroko was having the nosebleed, he quickly put away the tray he was carrying and went to his side.
"It's still flowing. I will get a cold towel." He said after checking the blunette condition and within seconds, Kuroko felt something cold at the of his neck.
Kuroko was trying to hold the towel himself when a warm hand held his cold one. "It's okay. I will hold it. Just keep leaning." Kuroko mumbled an a thank you which Akashi slightly squeezed his cold hand in returned.
After few minutes the bleeding finally stopped. Akashi grabbed the bloody tissue and threw it into a trash can then put the towel on a nearby table. He put a hand on Kuroko's forehead, checking his temparature.
"You are a bit warm. Do you have a headache?"
"I am okay. I think I slept too much." He said while sitting on the bed and feeling hiw own temperature
Akashi gave a smile. "Yes, you slept for 4 hours. The others already went back home."
"They did? Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You are suppose to rest." Akashi explained. "But they will come back tomorrow afternoon. Midorima suggested a group study since the exam period is drawing close. You could join if you want to." He added.
"Yes, I will." Kuroko replied almost too quickly which made him chuckled.
"Alright." He replied. "By the way..." Akashi leaned closer to the blunette. "Promise me that you will tell me everything that happens to you, even the slightest thing."
"Akashi-kun, you worried too much. It's just a..."
"Just promise me, Tetsuya. You do know it is one of the syndrome." Akashi looked at him with worry.
Of course Kuroko knew this. He has been through a lot of it since he got the last treatment. Having those syndrome would only meant the Leukimia was getting worse. Kuroko didn't know how to answer him. More like, how could he tell Akashi that his time is drawing close?
"Promise me, Tetsuya. Please." Akashi pleaded him this time. Kuroko had never seen the red haired this way. He was... simply stunned and touched by his affection.
He had no choice but to consent. "Okay. I promised."
"Thank you." Akashi smiled in relief. He put a hand on the blunette cheek and leaned in closer into a kiss. Kuroko closed his eyes and simply kissed him back. Akashi was again amused by his reaction. He smiled as he titled his head to deepen the kiss.
As much as the red haired wanted to kiss him, he had to pull back to give the bluenette some air. He smirked when he saw the other teen was covering his flushed red tomato face with his long bang. He decided to tease him a little more by giving him a quick peck on the lips.
"A-Akashi-kun!" His face was no different like beet root.
"I like kissing you." He smirked. "How about you?"
Kuroko couldn't even utter a word. He just gaped at him while blushing madly. Akashi smirked wider, clearly enjoying his expression. "Well?"
"H-how can you say that with a straight face? Are you sure you are a Japanese?" He broke the gaze and stared down, avoiding the question.
"I am a Japanese. I am just telling you what I feel honestly. How about you, returnee?"
"M-me? Mm... w-well... maybe..." he shuttered in low voice.
"Maybe what Tetsuya?"
"Maybe...I also like... kissing you.." The blushing teen said it in a low whisper but Akashi heard it clearly.
Akashi smiled gently as he envloped the smaller one into a warm hug. He burried his face into Kuroko's shoulder, carefully avoiding his bruises. "I will tell you honestly, Tetsuya. I am not sure how I feel about you yet. I never felt this way before... But I am sure about one thing. I definately don't want to lose you. I will do eveything to save you."
Kuroko could feel his heart squeezed and tears built up. "And when I figured out this feelings, I will definately tell you." He said as he broke the hug and stared into those glossy blue orbs. "Until then, will you also tell me how you feel?"
Truth to be told, Kuroko had figured out his feelings to the red haired. But he was too scared to tell him. He didn't want to be selfish and then someday leave him all alone. Thinking about those things made his throat clenched tight. A tear rolled down to his cheek as he quickly wiped it out. He nodded to the red haired.
End of Chapter XIII: Meters to Summer
Rinfantasy: Thanks for the review! I would like that to happen in fanfics as well as in KnB anime (If only I owned it T^T). as for Akashi's father, we will see more in future chaps! :D
BabyNightmareLady: Thanks for liking it! Don't worry, you are not annoying! I wou;d have doe the same if only I were in your position! Thanks for reviewing! ;D
SSJ Mirai Gohan: Thanks for the liking this story! Hope you will keep reading this till the end. And let's see if there will be another 'bomb'.. (Though I haven't planted another one) *grin
TrollQueen: Thanks for dropping a review! Hope you like it! :D
I would like to thank FrostedShadow, Aria. RedMika, Alchemic Phoenix, be my lovely, xXHopeEx, Hiina, TrollQueen for adding the story in your fav and follow list!
Thank you all and see you on the next update! Have a lovely day! :D
