Generation of Music
Song 8: United, yet Distant.
5th August 2013; EDITED ON THE LAST PART MORE ANGSTY (?)
Isn't it sad?
They had already reunited.
But their bonds remained distant.
.
.
.
Aomine with his casual attire waited in front of Kuroko's house since the shorter male had given his address to him. Some girls stole glances at him; he merely ignored them and continued waiting. "Tag along?" he grumbled, "To where, exactly?"
"I'm sorry for the wait, Aomine-kun." Suddenly, Kuroko appeared. "To answer your question, do you mind if we go to the library?"
"...What, the most boring place, ever?" His eyebrows twitched. "You could have asked someone else or gone alone."
Kuroko shrugged. "The more the merrier. The others are currently busy. You're the only one who had time today."
Finding nothing to retort him, Aomine remained silent. Kuroko then started to walk, opening his lips to say three words, "Shall we go?"
"If we can go back being friends, I won't ask any more."
He raised an eyebrow at the teen sitting beside him in the taxi, his chin rested on his elbow as he asked lazily, "What?"
Kuroko's expression scrunched up and he closed his eyes. "It's nothing, Aomine-kun. I just remembered a lyric I wrote when I was in middle school."
He only hummed, leaning back in the seat. "Hmph, I don't know about that but... it sounds really depressing."
Kuroko's sea blue eyes glanced at his dark blue ones, his lips parted to say something, but then he looked away, smiling bitterly. "Maybe so. I didn't have a pleasant time in middle school after all."
"Huh..." Aomine huffed. "So we're a bit similar then." Yes, similar. Aomine himself didn't really enjoy middle school that much, especially when it came to his … former band. All of them had mocked him and kept saying that he was arrogant because he was the only one who would always succeed and had the talent. "If we could be friends again, huh."
"Did you write that lyric by yourself?"
A nod from Kuroko was his answer. "Lyrics are words from the heart. I love singing because of that, I can express my feelings in those notes and make them into a song."
His eyes could only narrow a little, scowling.
A flash of memory made him remember how he loved writing lyrics on his own at that time, the time when he truly enjoyed music.
Everything was really messed up, huh?
"This book is about a boy in high school finding a girl who turns out to be a ghost," Kuroko explained, pushing the book to Aomine's face so he could see the cover. "A romance like that."
Aomine didn't say anything, observing the shorter male's antics while searching for a book to read.
Feeling bored already, Aomine slumped his shoulders and headed to a table, where he could sit and sleep. But that didn't go as planned, since Kuroko suddenly spoke up. "—Ah, I love this book."
"Hah?" Aomine scooted to get a better view. "What's it about?"
"It's about a useless boy who struggles in his life—" Kuroko breathed. "Every day, he is mocked, bullied, kicked, and punched like a clown. But nevertheless, he continued to struggle to achieve his dreams—being a basketball player." Aomine listened, suddenly interested. "He was somehow then spotted by the ace of the team and they trained together every day with laughter.
"Eventually, they recruited him into the team, with many big obstacles that awaited them. They won the championships but later, the ace felt hollow inside since he couldn't find any rivals."
Aomine flinched.
"His opponents practically gave up during the game;the others as well. They became stronger, way stronger than the main character. They no longer needed his support. Soon, their friendship was completely broken and the boy was devastated."
"But years later…" Kuroko smiled. "He manage to change them. To make them enjoy basketball again."
Aomine stared. "That's nice."
"There's also a side story, where the other teams lost and gave up on basketball; they even hated it for a while. But soon, they started playing again."
"It feels like it can relate to us, right?" Aomine suddenly blurted out, not even thinking about what he had even said. "That's why you like the book so much?" He didn't know what was he even saying right now. How can it relate to them so much? And why... did his heart feel a pang of pain just now?
Kuroko shrugged, a tiny smile appearing. "Maybe."
And with that answer, Kuroko continued to search for other books as Aomine remained in place, holding the book in his hands.
It was evening already and they agreed they would call it a day. "Thank you for tagging along with me." Kuroko bowed slightly. "I'll see you tomorrow, Aomine-kun."
The tan man nodded. Saying his goodbye to the teen, glancing into his bag, he walked home. When he arrived, he pulled out the book from the afternoon. He had borrowed it to read.
It was weird enough that the Aomine Daiki would read a book.
If Momoi heard about that she'd surely...
Never mind that, Aomine opened the first page and started reading. The main character was really useless, he didn't have any friends. Since he have this low presence, they mocked and scolded him for surprising them with his presence. While the other main character, the ace was the popular person in the school.
The ace and the main met in the gym late at night, and that was when the ace grew fond of the boy; "I'll help 'ya out. I like people who do their best." The boy, shocked, with a slight happiness fluttering on his heart, smiled at him and nodded. After that, they practiced together everyday, and they were the perfect partner you could ever found.
Soon, he was attached to it and couldn't stop. Not knowing that a tear had slid down his cheek, he scowled at the book. It was when the ace no longer believed and said that his supposed partner was useless even though he was the one who always had supported the boy, when others mocked him.
It must had shatter the boy's feelings. The person you trust the most, betrayed you.
Aomine Daiki didn't know why, but he can found himself in that position, surprisingly very well. He could imagine that he was the one who said that to his teammates.
Later, they were finally reunited, but their bonds remained distant. They had to cooperate, but they weren't even talking to each other.
"It's sad, isn't it?
They are reunited, but their bonds remained the same.
Forever broken."
Aomine mumbled the last words from that chapter.
"…What the hell…" He whispered under his breath.
Taking a break from reading, Aomine looked at his desk to find some papers laying there. He raised an eyebrow and was shocked to see what they were. It was lyrics that he written during middle school.
When he had enjoyed music.
"If we could be friends again, I would want nothing more." He remembered Kuroko's lyrics.
A headache assaulted Aomine as he massaged his forehead. He felt slightly nostalgic, for a reason he didn't even know. A flash of either a memory or only a picture came to his mind.
Seven people walking together, with many cracks in his memory. Later he saw a blur of a picture; seven people laughing or smiling, they were having fun. But the picture was burned into ashes. It was forgotten.
"Damn it," he grumbled, "What the hell?"
"How about you two sing a duet?" Akashi suggested out of the blue, sitting cross legged across them in the meeting room. "I'm thinking, that it would be interesting if we would sometime sing a duet, not a solo or a chorus of us."
Kuroko and Aomine both blinked, shocked by the suggestion. "Wait— Akashi, us singing a duet together?" Aomine laughed effortlessly. "You've gotta be kidding me." But the stare from the redhead stopped him from speaking further. "Akashi, we don't even get along here."
"I don't see why not," Midorima said. "Your voices, I think they would match." Quite surprising to hear it from Midorima Shintaro, the serious and composed person, of course, when he's not embarrassed.
"Come on, Aomine-cchi!" Kise piped in. "You're lucky enough to have a duet with Kuroko-cchi! I want to do it too!" He whined. Since he grew fond of Kuroko, Kise wanted to sing together with the boy, having a duet. They will have a good time, they will make a song that Kuroko loves! He wants to forget the past, when Kuroko had urged him to sing with his feelings, and Kise denied that. He wants a bright future. Yet, Aomine who doesn't get along with Kuroko gets a chance to sing a duet with him.
So, to put it simply, Kise was jealous of the tan.
Twitching, Aomine groaned. "No. I won't. Besides, we don't even have lyrics or notes."
"I think it's a great idea," Kuroko bluntly said.
"Wait—You agree with Akashi, Kuroko?!" Aomine shouted, disbelieving.
Kuroko nodded. "It's fine, right? We can write the lyrics together and as for music, we'll improvise and then write it later."
"As Tetsuya said." Akashi nodded. "Well done explaining to Daiki." He smirked. "So, I'll leave it to you two. Shintaro, Ryota, Atsushi and I will do something else." Preferably about work. "I'll give you 2 days to work on the song."
"I have a suggestion, how about we write about our perspectives on the novel you just read yesterday?" Kuroko suggested, making Aomine blush.
"You noticed that I borrowed the book?!"
"Of course," Kuroko said, tone flat, "I figured you would, so yeah."
"Well, I won't object to it," he grumbled. "I can relate to it after all. It feels similar."
"Then it's settled."
After two days, Akashi and the other three entered their promised meeting place; Midorima's house. Along with Momoi, she wanted to see the result of Kuroko's efforts. His promise with her.
The boy had sent her a text, filled with encouragements and confidence; 'Please come to Midorima-kun's house, I think I have succeed our promise with each other. I do not know why I'm sure, but I wish that my instinct is true. Please do come, Momoi-san. I want you to see with your own eyes, the old Aomine-kun.'
Momoi would be lying if she say that her hopes had gotten higher, she was really hoping Kuroko will bring back the old Aomine-kun. She missed those times, the times when Aomine would laugh at his mistakes, and just continue, not stopping. Aomine would smile every time he heard a singing, approached the person then encouraged them to sing more.
"Come on! You can do it."
Momoi once asked the tan, why did he love singing so much, and the boy had replied; "Because.. it just eases my heart, I guess? I have fun while singing, or playing. I can't imagine a person hating music!"
However, it cracked when Aomine snapped to her, when she was scolding to him that he skipped practice; "Shut the hell up, Satsuki. Who the hell cares? Music is just an activity, nothing more."
So when Momoi heard that Kuroko will change them, she was truly- truly happy.
Kise with a grin, Murasakibara with a snack and Midorima acting stoic as usual. Akashi sent a look that meant 'done yet?' to them both, to which they replied with a nod. It took
With a breath, Aomine started – a bit nervous since he had never written original lyrics before. There weren't even any instruments, they have to make the song themselves.
And somehow, when he sang, it was different than usual. It was like his feelings were expressed in the lyrics – a song. A slight smile came and he shrugged his shoulders.
"At the gym the day has come to an end, leaving the day behind without any weariness
I can't recall what the sensation of chasing after the ball in a daze is like
I'm not even close to getting there, and I want to improve even if it's bit by bit
The times that I could only think of doing none other but my best."
The four listening to the song raised their eyebrows in surprise. Surprisingly, their voices did match. And the lyrics held a special meaning, thought Kise. He quietly hummed with the song, enjoying it.
It was such a peaceful song, a song that Kise never thought Aomine would sing.
"I wonder why, it's almost mysterious.
The two of us, we really get along well on the court.
Those nostalgic memories,
That would be our starting point of one day
Our growth and our sentiments are all packed all together
It's a ray of shine, we live every day in the middle of that brightness
A season that is forever etched onto our hearts"
And for some reason, they also felt a nostalgic memory within them. They didn't know why, but this song's lyrics sounded familiar. They couldn't guess why.
More or less, Aomine's deep voice was lighter than usual and there was a hint of nostalgia inside; Kuroko's voice was the same.
Midorima closed his eyes, a smile of his face.
"What fell into my hands was someone like me. My pride of being the first to see you,
I received my duties on this team and was able to become one of the members
Just like a fool going straight ahead without looking, but somehow it became enjoyable
Revolving around things I like, it's become something occurring regularly.
The both of us are lively
I already knew
That we were standing together in that place.
That's something I can't let myself forget."
Sure, both of them were lively. They chuckled.
And again, they felt a nostalgic feeling. 'That place,' why did it sound so familiar? More or less, they enjoyed the song very well. Kise's humming went louder, and he was smiling.
"I recall that was the first miracle that happened to us
Yet there was no reason at all for noticing it
It's a ray of shine, the days when everything seemed like it was brimming over
A bond that was surely accepted between us
That would be our starting point of one day
Our growth and our sentiments are all packed all together
It's a ray of shine, we live every day in the middle of that brightness
A season that is forever etched onto our hearts
I recall that was the first miracle that happened to us
Yet there was no reason at all for noticing it
It's a ray of shine, the days when everything seemed like it was brimming over
A bond that was surely accepted between us."
They clapped together. The song had ended.
The pink haired girl was astonished, her soft pink eyes almost in tears, her whole body trembled. She was gaping, not believe what she just saw and heard. Aomine, with a bright smile on his face, him laughing. She couldn't believe this sight. It was too good to be true..!
But it was the truth, the real deal. Eventually, tears fell from her eyes. She covered her face, and wiped her tears of happiness. She tried to compose herself, and be strong. But it was to no avail, she once had tried to control her tears when dealing with Aomine hating music, saying in her mind that she's a big girl, she shouldn't cry.
She couldn't stop this moment of happiness, fluttering in her heart.
What Kuroko had promised came true; "Hating something you love is a painful thing. I'm sure that Aomine-kun still loves music, the others as well. They can love music once more, but they can't do it alone. So I, as the shadow will support their light. I will help them as the supporting actor, forever."
".. Satsuki?" Aomine called out, rushing over to her side. You actually came to comfort.. this time. Momoi thought with tears. "Oi, why the hell are you crying!?" He was worried, really worried.
Kuroko and the others approached the girl as well. "Momoi-san.." Kuroko mumbled.
".. Dai-chan." The girl sobbed, engulfing the tall teen into an embrace. He was taken aback by the action, but sighed and patted her back. "You're back, you're here beside me, being my friend.." She said between tears, which made Aomine confused. "I lost count of how many times.. I've tried to make you come back."
"... Speaking of which, when was the last time you held Momoi in your arms when she's crying?" Midorima suddenly spoke in a whisper. Aomine widened his eyes, then looked at his childhood friend. His eyes furrowed, feeling guilty.
Everytime I cry, Dai-chan never came to me and comfort me, not like old times.
He would sing me inspirational songs for me to stand up and be strong. When was the last time he did that, I wonder?
Momoi didn't care anymore. She only wanted to embrace this moment.
Aomine sighed deeply, scratching his cheek with his hand and begun opening his mouth. Her eyes had widened;
"The tears you cry when no one is looking, I noticed them and wiped them away.
It's alright, I'm fine.
As long I'm given the reward of your smile.
It's alright, I'm fine."
"I will stay by your side, crying with you."
"Satsuki, I'm sorry."
She smiled. "Thank you.. Tetsu-kun."
Kuroko had kept his promise to Momoi.
Aomine had came to love singing again.
It is a ray of shine, when everything seems like it was brimming over. It's a season, that is forever etched to our hearts.
A/N; Damnit, damn it, damn it, the tears wouldn't stop. FUUU Why am I'm crying at my own story geez. Why is this chapter so angsty, damn itt. *goes to the corner without anyone comforting. my parents wouldn't comfort me -pouts-*
Songs used in this chapter:
"Ama No Jaku." (If we can be friends once more, I will ask no more.)
"Ray of Shine." (Aomine and Kuroko's duet.)
"Pierrot." (Aomine's song to comfort Momoi. Dat song is so angsty I couldn't help it ;A;) LISTEN TO THE SONGS! IT BROKE MY HEART MILLION TIMES!
Thank you for Sui-san for her hard work. Oh, and Momoi and Aomine aren't a pairing here geez, they are friends. I just love their friendship, okay? Btw, Momoi always tried to make Aomine love music again to no avail, and eventually gave up. She tried to reach over him but the distance was too far. That's how it is!
You better read this chapter, since I edited on the last part. So people who had read the previous version, read this again since this is more good, I think.
I do not own Kuroko no Basket,the translations for the songs in any way.I merely borrow them for the sake of this story. Since you readers know that I'm a lazy-ass, and is forgetful, I will only say that once. So if any of you send me areview regarding that, I'm sorry that I used your translations without crediting you. I'm aforgetful author and a bad one at that. Read this A/N, and I won't say the credits again since I'm forgetful.I always had intended to write the copyright, but everytime when I finished a chapter I would always forget about that. I apologize if I insulted you with this. I hope you won't report this story, or report me.
Btw, Minal aidzin wal faidzin to all of you islamics there! Have a nice Idul Fitri~ So... I;m sorry for all of the things I have done!
Thank you for your support! Next chapter; Murasakibara! Himuro will be there as well~ Please leave a review, I need some! :D