Good day dear Readers! Here is another chapter!
Hope you enjoy this! Happy Reading! :D
Chapter XIX
Solid Rock in a Storm
"A miracle fell upon him. That's how I see it." Sato-sensei sighed as she smiled in relief.
A red haired nodded tiredly. "Starting today onwards, I'll work on my believe in miracles."
"Well, I couldn't agree more. After what happened two months ago. He successfully gave me a heart attack, not literally … but well…." She shook her head. "To be honest, up until now, we still don't know why he collapsed. According to the results, no signs of medicine allergy and all his vitals function normally. I only can conclude that his brain shut down by itself..." she sighed again. "As his doctor, I feel ashamed of myself."
"Sato-sensei... what should we do now?"
"That's right!" she snapped from her gloomy mood. "I would like to discuss that matter with you." She grabbed a document and flipped it open. "Here. Another miracle happened. We finally found a donor through your father's connection."
Akashi widen his eyes. The dull red orbs began to shine again. "Is that true? That means he can be saved? Tetsuya will live right?"
"That's what I would like to happen. But we have our own obstacles. We have to gamble. We have to face a huge risk."
Akashi could feel his heart thumping fast and loud. "Please explain yourself."
"As you know, during those two months, we only have limited treatment option. Therefore, His physical condition has significantly dropped. Second, his sudden comatose worries me. If he's gone like that in the middle of the operation, then... we are out of option."
Akashi slumped back in his chair. He couldn't believe this! After Kuroko had gain his consciousness and finally get a donor, they have to face a huge gamble where Kuroko might die during the operation! He really felt like shouting or punching something now. But instead, he let out a desperate sigh and brushed his messy hair back. "So... what do you suggest, sensei?"
Sato-sensei looked at him understandingly. Over the past few days , she knew this young man had reached his breaking point. Luckily, her favorite patient woke up in time to save him. And now, her big duty finally has come. She had to find the best solution to save them both.
She had seen and heard stories of hundreds of cases. Some cases were not as complicated as this and some might be more complicated. But above all, the results of her medical team effort would be in the patient's hand. Whether he would fight till the end and survived or gave up. It's all in Kuroko's hand.
"If you two decide to do the operation, we still have time. Barely enough, I would say."
Akashi looked up to meet her eyes. Sato-sensei gave him an encouraging nod before she continued. "But as a doctor, I would like it better if my patient is the one to choose his fate." Akashi was about to retort but She cut him off. "Don't get me wrong. I understand how you feel. You want him to live, and so do I. But what I would like to know is his will to continue living. His fight will not over after the surgery. Things might happen during recovery time, thus It will continue for years." She explained it clearly to him
"And regarding his choice, of course you and his family can discuss it together. However, after considering the risk and everything, it would be better if Kuroko-kun choose it himself. Don't you agree, Akashi-kun?"
The red haired only sat there in silence though Sato-sensei knew he got her point. She gave her a reassuring smile "Please discuss it thoroughly. I will respect whatever my patient choose."
"Akashi-kun, good evening." A light grey haired man in black suit greeted after he saw the red haired.
"Hiroto-san, Good evening." He nodded back. "When did you arrive?"
"Around five minutes ago. Thank you for informing us. We both drove here as soon as your secretary gave us a call. Rena is keeping him accompanied now."
"I see..." Akashi said as he took a seat. The man also took a seat beside him. Leaving an empty seat between them.
"Here." Hiroto handed him a warm can coffee. "I think you need something to calm yourself."
"Thank you." Akashi gave a nod. He opened the pull tab and took a sip. Hiroto waited the young man to ready himself to explain things to him. Akashi took another sip and put the can on the next seat. As he regain his composure back, he told the older man what Sato-sensei said.
Hiroto listened to the explanation calmly and nodded. He had a hunch that his nephew might end up this way. After Akashi ended his explanation, Hiroto put a hand on Akashi shoulder.
"Akashi-kun, we can't thank you enough for looking after and taking care of Tetsuya when we were not here… Regarding the decision, both Rena and I have agreed to leave the matter to you two. We will support whatever you and Tetsuya decide."
"What?" He was surprised by his calm statement. "But why? After I failed my promise, I don't think I have the right to decide it with him."
"You didn't fail. No one knew this would happen. And you have all the right. We could see that very clearly now. The present Tetsuya is not living only for his own sake but he is also living for your sake. And same things to you. During his comatose, you are no different than a living corpse." Hiroto stated.
Akashi sighed as he remembered it. "Yes. I know that, Hiroto-san." Implying about his appearance.
Hiroto smiled at him. "Good. So, go on and spend all the time you guys need. Have a proper talk with Tetsuya, and decide together." He patted his shoulder. Then he stood up and slap the red haired shoulder hard. "Alright! freshen up, young man! I will go to his room first."
Akashi took a deep breath before knocking his room and came in. He noticed that both Kuroko's uncle and aunt had gone home. The only person in the room was Tetsuya. He is no longer wearing oxygen mask. The very first good sign.
"Seijuro-kun." Kuroko smiled. Akashi's heart flinched. He felt like it's been years since he last saw that smile. Akashi managed to crack a small smile.
He took a seat beside him and stroke his skinny cold cheek. "Tetsuya, how are you feeling?"
"Good. And skinny." He frowned.
Akashi chuckled at his lover's remark. He was glad that his lover was still the same old Tetsuya. "I thought you will never describe yourself as skinny."
"I swear to myself not to. But this circumstances leave me no choice." Kuroko pouted. "By the way, I don't like how you look now Seijuro-kun. Please take care of yourself." He added with a frown.
Akashi stroke the bluenette's hair. "I am sorry. But I can't take care of myself when you are like this."
"Seijuro-kun..." Kuroko whinned and pouted.
Akashi linked his fingers to Kuroko's thin ones, drawing circles with his thumb. His bang covered his eyes. "Listen Tetsuya, as I thought, I am no good without you."
"What do you mean, Seijuro-kun?"
"I will say this honestly. I really can't live without you. I had come to realized that. No matter where you go, I will follow you."
"Seijuro-kun, what are you talking about? If this is about how I suddenly went unconscious, It's not…"
Akashi tighten his grip. "Sato-sensei told me about your condition. We finally have a donor. But your sudden comatose is a huge risk in surgery since they don't know what caused it. If you take the surgery and suddenly go comatose again…then…then…"
Kuroko's heart clenched. He would never imagine to see his confident and absolute lover turned out like this. Especially when he saw him cried hard the moment he opened his eyes. But He fully understand what his lover's afraid of, as he, himself is also afraid of leaving him.
Kuroko cupped Akashi's cheek. "Seijuro-kun, please look at me?"
Akashi slowly looked up to meet those blue orbs. Kuroko smiled gently. "Seijuro-kun, I love you. I will not leave you. I will do everything I can to prevent that from happening. If there is a chance to prolong my life, I will take it. I don't care how risky it is…" He stopped for a moment as he state the big decision . "Please let me take the surgery."
Akashi knew his decision from the very beginning. And he also knew that he, himself is the one who is not ready for this. " Tetsuya, do you fully understand the situation? If you take it, there is a chance that you might…."
"Die?" Kuroko completed the sentence, making the other flinched. "I know, Akashi-kun. I know... But please let me take it. I don't want to give up without trying."
"Tetsuya…"
Kuroko could feel that Akashi's hands trembled. He raised his other free hand and clasped it on theirs. He rubbed their hands as he said "Genie-kun of the magic lamp, please grant my second wish. Give me the strength, courage and support to fight this sickness."
He gave Akashi a gentle smile but determined look. "I promise I will come back safely."
Looking at his strong determination, has made Akashi soften his eyes. He ducked down and wiped his tears and sniffled. "Why are we still continuing that game again?" He asked while cracking smile.
Kuroko gave a playful smile back at him. "Because there are still two wishes left, Genie-kun. Or have you forgot about that?"
"Of course I still remember…" Akashi pinched his nose while the smaller teen pouted. "Alright then. This Genie shall grant your second wish." He stood up and planted a light kiss on Kuroko's lips.
Akashi pulled back a few seconds later. "Just remember this, Tetsuya. I will follow you wherever you go. Even if you go to the other world. You can't stop me from doing so."
"I understand. That's why I will make sure to survive this. So, none of us have to leave each other side. Okay?"
"Alright. Deal." He pecked the bluenette's lips. Then re-adjust his blanket and pillow. "Now, it's time to sleep."
"What? But I just woke up."
"You're right. But it's almost midnight. You need to rest." Akashi grabbed something from a drawer and adjusted things on a small table beside Kuroko's bed.
" Wait!" Kuroko grabbed the red haired hands. "Are you also going back home?"
Akashi chuckled as he kissed Kuroko's hand. "Of course not. Don't worry. I am staying here. Like I always do." He then changed the chair into a bigger one and flopped down.
"Don't tell me you sleep here, on that chair, every night, for two months?" Kuroko looked at him in disbelieve.
"Minus two weeks." Akashi corrected casually. "I got better sleep on this chair rather than my comfy bed. Trust me."
Kuroko flinched as he heard that. "I am sorry. If only I didn't..."
"It's not your fault." Akashi linked their fingers. "What's important is that you are awake. That's more than enough for me…" He stroke his blue hair. "Now, let's just sleep, okay?"
Kuroko opened his eyes when he heard a knock on the door, followed by foot step. But it turned out to be Sato-sensei. She smiled when she saw her favorite patient has woken up.
She greeted him in a low whisper. "Good morning, Kuroko-kun. It's nice to see you are awake."
"Good morning, Sato-sensei." Kuroko greeted back in small voice.
"You are looking well. Do you feel any pain or nausea?"
Kuroko shook his head.
"Good." She wrote down something on her book. " I will be back in an hour. In the mean time, please let him sleep. It's the first time I saw him sleeping so soundly like his." She smiled as she was looking to their intertwined fingers. "I will be back in an hour."
"Thank you." Kuroko nodded.
After she left, Kuroko stared at the calendar beside him. 3rd February huh? That means I missed his and my own birthday. What a shame. I thought when we finally got together, this will be the first time we celebrate our birthdays. Kuroko sighed.
He then stared at the red haired teen's sleeping face. He frowned as he looked at how he is sleeping, half upper body leaning on the bed. It is no doubt, a very unhealthy sleeping posture. But above all, his sleeping face was a happy and peaceful one, almost like a child's.
Kuroko brushed his bangs lightly. But that movement wasn't enough to wake him up. So, Kuroko decided to stroke his red hair. It was messy and a bit too long..but it's soft. He stroked a couple of time until he felt a twitched on their hands. Oops, I over did it!
Akashi blinked a couple of times before looking at a nervous Kuroko."Good morning, Tetsuya. How long have you been awake?"
"Good morning to you too. I just woke up a few minutes ago. I'm sorry to wake you up. Just go back to sleep."
"No, it's alright. I am not sleepy anymore. I had a nice sleep." He stood up and stretched. Then he tidy up the chair and blanket and excused himself to freshen up.
Minutes after the red haired left, Kuroko was surprised by the sudden sound of door slam, followed by a familiar screeching sound.
"Kurokochiiiiiiii….!" A blonde came flying and hugged him. "Hwaaaaa…. I-I am so g-glad that y-you finally w-wake up!"
"Oi Kise, you bastard! I got here first! Don't just barged in and hugged him, you sly cat!" The ganguro teen pulled him away.
"Kisechin is a cheater sly cat~ nyaaa~"
"Stop fighting in front of a patient! This is a hospital for God sake!l!" an orange glasses (his lucky item?) teen was furious, a demon face showed up as his background, making them all shut up instantly. " I understand how you feel but please restrain yourself, imbeciles! Specially you, Kise!" He gave a final death glare directed to the blond model.
"Y-yes." He quivered.
"Hmph!" Midorima adjusted his glasses. "Leaving that aside, it's nice to see you finally woke up, Kuroko. How are you doing?"
"I am good. Thank you for coming all the way here." Kuroko bowed. "Which reminds me, aren't you supposed to be at school now?"
"We are skipping morning class-suu!"
"Hell yeah! There is no way we are going to school without visiting you first, Tetsu!"
"Kurochin~ I will give you a new flavored candy."
Midorima leaned against a wall as he saw the trio surrounded Kuroko's bed. He let out a sigh of relief and silently thank heavens for granting his prayers. Honestly, he couldn't stand how Akashi lived during those times. He was worse than when he lost his mother.
Akashi was like a combination of robot and living corpse. He did his duties, at school and company like usual but at the same time, he could only see hollows in his eyes. Akashi also didn't attend himself properly. The first week, he was on the verge of fainting because of stress, lack of nutrition and not a wink of sleep. That made Midorima snapped and reported it to Akashi Genji, personally asking permission so the four of them could stay over at his household.
The older Akashi immediately granted his permission since he couldn't do anything about it either. At least he hoped by having them around the house, his son would feel a bit better. Their effort was not completely fruitless. They managed to keep him alive until now.
"Turned down your voice. I could hear you from few rooms away." Akashi came back after he changed clothes.
"Akashichi/ Akachin~/ Akashi!" The trio turned to see their captain.
"Akashi." Midorima gave a curt nod. The red haired gave a small smile in return.
"Minna-san, Sato-sensei and I have discussed about the date. It will be two weeks from now."
"Eh?! I- Isn't it a bit too soon, Kurokochi? I mean, you just woke up and…"
"He got a point, Tetsu! You need to replenish your strength."
"I know. But the sooner the better. Either way, I need to take it, so why I need to waste more time?"
"Are you fully aware about the risk during and after the operation?"
"Yes, Midorima-kun. Sensei explained it clearly to me."
"Alright then, I will pray for your success. I will make sure to give your lucky item every day until the Big day."
"What?! Wait! aren't you taking this too smoothly?! Oi, Akashi, say something about this, would ttya?"
Akashi intertwined their fingers. "I will go with whatever Tetsuya decide. I promised to give him my support."
"What?!" Kise squeaked. "Murasakibarachi! Your opinion…?!"
"Ehh~? Emm~ Ja, I am with Kurochin …" The giant ruffled the smaller teen's hair.
"And why is that?!" Aomine growled.
"Mmm~ because Akachin and Midochin choose Kurochin..~"
"Murasaakibara/Murasakibarachi! This is not about choosing sides!"
Kuroko chuckled at how lively those trio were, also a big brother scene performance by Midorima. Meanwhile, Akashi was lost in his own thoughts. He didn't realized that his cold sweaty grip had tighten. Kuroko put his skinny hand on top, snapping his trance.
"I will get through this. I promise." Kuroko kiss the red haired knuckles.
"No. We will get through this." Akashi corrected.
End of Chapter XIX: Solid Rock in a Storm
Rinfantasy: It is hell.. Since he never felt this kind of torture in his whole life. Thanks for the review by the way! ;)
Linhliz & aoichan23: I am sorry if you guys got confused. Their date was in autumn (which is around November), then by the time Kuroko woke up it was already in February.. So, it would be 3 months.
Shirotani: Thanks for your review! But hate to say, I can't give out any spoiler.. You will find out soon though… ;)
BabyNightmareLady: Thanks for liking it! One more chap to go! Stay tuned! :D
Dianarhodes: Thanks for your review! Please stay tuned for the last chapter next week!
I would like to thank Kid'sDarkWolf, Dementra, claryyyy, ArgentaAquamarine, Seitsuya1104, AkemiMizuki, Aira Song, HonnoMushi, Erika-256, 9Mimi6, Mizurinn, Akakuro fan, XxCaptainPirateKingxX, drawinggirl123456, Hope10032, aoichan23, moomodonut for adding the story in your favorite and follow list!
Thank you all and See you on the last chapter next week! Have a great weekend! :D :D :D
