Another chapter coming up, people! I am so gonna be late for school because of it, but whatever. I only hope my French teacher wouldn't be too angry with me. Thank you for reading this story! I see that there are followers from all over the world (USA, Finland, Indonesia, Iceland, Austria, Netherlands, Australia, Hungary, Portugal, Denmark, Argentina, Chile, Singapore, France, Germany, Canada, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Italy) and that makes me extremely happy! Read and enjoy this chapter as well!

Takao watched from the benches as the practice carried on. He had been observing quietly for almost two hours now and for the first time in his entire life, he didn't find enough strength to even want to play. It was his first day at school and although only his team mates knew the truth behind his absence, it was still tiring as hell to answer to the endless questions of his classmates'. And to make it worse, his broken arm made him stand out even more. Never in his life had Takao hated being popular until now.

The boy sighed as he watched Midorima break past two of the first years and quickly score from the half line like it was a childish play. He had always admired Shin-chan's way of playing. It was gracious, beautiful even. The way he would jump with almost no efforts and release the ball with perfect timing was mesmerizing. But what was truly captivating was the high arch of the ball. Takao had never seen something more beautiful. Every time the damn shoot would take his breath away.

"He truly is something, don't you agree?" Takao nearly jumped out of his skin as a familiar voice tore him away from his thoughts.

Startled, the boy turned his head around to see Kise standing right behind him with his hands shoved inside his pockets and a blinding smile on his face. That bastard really looked like a model.

Takao nodded and moved a little to make room on the bench for the blond.

"I never get tired of watching him," he admitted and returned his attention to the court.

Kise chuckled and sat down.

"I am happy to see that you are out of the hospital," the model said cheerfully and took out a box of chocolate candies. "Here, this if from Murasakibaracchi. He said that he hopes the candies would help you get better sooner."

Takao blinked in confusion. He had met the purple haired boy once but he had never expected to get a present from him. Not to mention that he had never expected the Generation of Miracles to know what was going on with him.

"Um… thanks, I guess…" he mumbled and took the box and placed it on his lap since his bag was in the locker room. "How did he know?"

Kise shrugged and leaned back, balancing his weight on his arms.

"I think Akashicchin told him," Kise frowned a little. "Though I am not sure how did he find out."

Takao nodded. He knew fully well that if the former captain of Teiko wanted to know something, he would find it out easily. Maybe he was working with the CIA.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

At that question, Kise's smile faded away instantly and his face became blank. His honey eyes darkened a little.

"I had a fight with Daiki and I thought I could get some of it out of my mind if I watch some basketball."

His voice told Takao enough to let him know that whatever the two boys were fighting about was serious. He had heard from Midorima that Kise and Aomine had gotten together but it still looked impossible to Takao. The Touou's ace was just… too Aomine. And Kise was so cheerful, bright.

"I hope everything between two of you will be okay," Takao said quietly and even smiled a little to cheer Kise up.

The model returned the small smile gently, appreciating the efforts.

"It will be," he said softly and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "I am sure of it," In a matter of seconds Kise's expression sobered up. "How about you and Midorimacchi? How are the things going between the two of you?"

Takao frowned a little and rubbed gently at his broken arm. His shoulder was now aching from the hours peaceful sleep in not so comfortable position. He could still feel the warmth of Midorima's body against his own as he slept curled up beside the green haired boy. Yet, Takao wasn't really sure how to label the relationship between the two of them. A normal friend wouldn't hold him the way Midorima did. The boyfriend case was out of question. Takao's face warmed up at the thought.

"Um…" he tried and scratched the back of his head. "I am not sure what you are asking about,"

God, he hoped Kise would take the hint.

The model grinned and leaned forward, his hot breath tickling Takao's neck and making him shiver.

"I am asking if the two of you are together now."

Takao gulped and shook his head violently, trying his best to keep cool.

"You misunderstood, Kise-san," he said calmly. "There is nothing going on between Shin-chan and I."

His heart ached at the thought of the girlfriend Midorima had. That Kana girl. The one he had been speaking to the whole morning. Takao had tried not to listen to the conversation, it was a private one after all, but it turned out to be impossible. Midorima was going on a date the following Sunday. And this made Takao feel sad. He wondered if Midorima remembered what day was the next Sunday.

Kise watched carefully as Takao's expression changed a few times. It reminded him of the times he felt insecure about the relationship between Aomine and him.

"Look at the court, Takaocchi," the model urged. Baffled, Takao followed the instructions and turned his attention to the game going on. "Tell me what you see."

At first all the point guard could see was a series of passes, some of them good, others were not ones he himself would make. Then he saw the extraordinary team play the third years were doing. But there was one thing that stood out more than anything else. Midorima. He wasn't making any of his fascinating shoots and yet there was something in the way he was moving. It was clear that he was better than the others. No one could go past him, steal the ball from his hands or even trick him.

"He is mesmerizing," Takao muttered without realizing it. He felt ashamed, his voice sounded embarrassingly fascinated.

Kise giggled and patted him on the shoulder.

"I feel the same way whenever I watch Daiki play," The model tapped his index finger to his lower lip and smiled. "He is so captivating that I have hard time looking away. Just like when we are in bed."

Takao choked and his eyes watered up while his face blushed. Okay, the last sentence wasn't necessary. Images, unwanted ones, popped up inside Takao's head. Pictures, involving Kise into Aomine's arms, almost naked…

Too much.

Kise laughed shamelessly.

"I am not really sure that I want to know about you and Aomine-san," Takao said between a few desperate attempts to breathe properly. The model shook his head and ran his long fingers over his aching leg. He had overdone it during practice. Again.

"The point is that I see the way you two look at each other," Kise muttered, he was serious once again. It was strange to hear him talking like this instead of smiling widely and laughing. "He likes you and you like him."

Takao burst out laughing. His abdomen started hurting, his lungs didn't seem capable enough to gulp enough oxygen in as he was laughing.

"Do you have any idea how ridiculous this sounds, Kise-san?" Takao asked and wiped away the tears in his eyes. Little by little he started to calm down. "Shin-chan would never, ever harbour any feeling for another male. Ever."

Kise smirked and looked at him from the corners of his honey eyes.

"That were my exact thoughts when Kurokocchi told me I had feelings for Daiki." Well, he was a little bit more surprised than that but that was out of the topic. "In the end it turned out I am madly in love with him."

Takao reminded silent. He wasn't sure why he felt his chest tighten. Was it really possible that he was in love with Shin-chan?

The point guard looked down and his face darkened.

"There is no way Shin-chan could be in love with me."

It was a soft whisper but Kise heard him. The model frowned. Midorima was a blind man.

The practice was over after just three hours. Three long hours. God, Midorima felt like he was about to collapse as he swung the towel around his neck and drank half of the water in his bottle. His legs were trembling from the long practice, his lungs were desperate for some, any oxygen. His untapped fingertips were aching from the long time handling the ball. Not that Midorima was going to admit it. Ever.

"Midorimacchi!"

Okay, he was going back to practice if his other option was to face Kise. The green haired boy had just turned around and reached for the ball on the ground when he heard Takao's voice as well.

"Kise-san, be more quiet," the point guard hushed him. "The coach is going to get angry if you are too loud."

Midorima rubbed the towel over his sweaty hair and faced his team mate.

"I thought you are going back home," he said and dropped the cloth onto his bag to get his jacket on. The green haired boy narrowed his eyes when he saw Kise's grinning face. "And you… don't you have practice to attend or school?"

The model waved his hand, saying that Midorima was babbling nonsense again.

"You weren't answering your phone so I decided to come and see you personally." The blond grinned even more widely and shoved his hands inside his pants pockets. "That was a nice game!"

Takao trailed behind him, looking better than in the morning, but still too pale. Thankfully, the dark circles under his eyes were fading away little by little. There was even some sort of a smile on his face.

"Does Aomine know you are here?" Kise shook his head at the question and ignored Midorima's glare.

Takao observed everything, surprised that the model looked not at least affected by the other's attitude. It was like the blond knew Midorima was just putting up an act.

"Don't be so shy, Midorimacchi, I know you are happy to see me!" Kise tried to hug Midorima as a greeting but he was pushed away.

"Go die."

Midorima was walking towards the exit of the school, already changed in his clean clothes and showered properly. He felt much better when there was no sweat covering his tired body. Takao was following him silently, too carried away because of the conversation he had had with Kise.

The green haired boy looked at him curiously and slowed down a little so that the two of them would walk side by side.

"Did that idiot tell you something to upset you?" the shooting guard asked and looked ahead of them, not daring to meet his friend's eyes.

Takao shook slowly his head and smiled a little, burying his hands deeper inside of the warmth of his pockets. Why did his fingers feel so cold? Why was his body trembling so much?

"No, " he denied and lowered his head so that half of his face was

properly hidden behind his scarf. "Kise-san and I just talked about basketball, that's all."

It wasn't a lie. Midorima came hand in hand with basketball, so they had really talked about it. And besides, Kise hadn't upset Takao.

Midorima didn't believe him at all, but just when he was about to say something, he heard familiar voice.

"Shintarou-kun!" Hid blood froze when he recognized Kana, who was waiting for him by the school gate. No, he didn't want her to meet Takao for some reason.

The point guard clenched his fingers into fists but did his best not to show how uncomfortable he felt.

"Kana,' Midorima greeted simply and made no further effort to engage her into a conversation.

However, the girl had other plans.

"Let's go to the cinema!" she suggested, ignoring completely Takao. She hugged Shin-chan's arm and tried to drag him away.

Midorima frowned and pushed her carefully. "I can't," he said coolly and pried his hand away from her. "I have to accompany Takao back home."

It was a lie but it was the best he could think of right now. The girl pouted and crossed he arms in front of her impressive chest.

"But you dumped me the other night!" she whined like a child and it really got on Midorima's nerves. "You promised to make it up to me!"

Takao felt his control slip. He was a moment away from doing something extremely stupid like hitting a girl and he was not that kind of a boy. So he opted for the only possible solution at that moment.

"Go with her, Shin-chan," he said quietly and looked up to offer a fake smile.

Please, say no and come home with me.

Of course it wasn't okay to leave him alone, but Takao knew he had no right to pry in his friend's love life.

Midorima looked at him with uncertainty. Kana grinned widely.

"You heard him, Shintarou-kun!" she exclaimed and wrapped her arms around Midorima, who cringed at the touch. God, it felt so wrong to be touched by her and yet he didn't seem able to find words to push her away.

The green haired boy observed his team mate carefully.

"Are you sure?" he asked and Takao nodded.

"Yeah, go," he urged, feeling his eyes start to sting. "I will be fine on my own."

No, I wouldn't. Don't go.

And just like that Midorima dn Kana were gone, leaving Takao alone in front of the school gate. Midorima looked back as his girlfriend dragged him, trying to see the expression on his friend's face, but Takao's face was out of his sight. So he didn't see the two small tears sliding down his face. Or the expression Takao was wearing.

The point guard lowered his head once again to hide his face in the warm scarf. He gathered his strength and slowly walked to his new home.

When he reached his room half an hour later, Takao dropped down his back and shrugged off his jacket before he fell on the bed, his face buried into the soft pillows.

Why did he feel so cold and alone again?

The end. Of this chapter of course. Hm… I am thinking of writing some smut in the next chapter. Or in the one after that. I'm not sure yet since the original story I had in mind has changed slightly. Now I am not sure what is following or how this would end…. I hope you enjoyed it! Be prepared for the next update. Maybe I will post the new chapter this week if I have time!