Chapter 7

It's like this, usually, when he goes out with his friends. He drinks his memory away, and finds himself waking up in a friend's or sometimes even a girl's house. Ever since he reached the legal drinking age, he takes advantage of it whenever he's given the chance, regardless of the fact that he highly despises the aftereffects that take place the ensuing morning.

Having found the motivation to get out of bed, the blond throws his feet over the edge of his mattress and stretches, his toes curling into the carpet. He slowly stands up, and begins patting his pockets to check and see if his keys and phone are still on him. A sigh slips past his lips upon noticing that his pockets are empty, and he runs his fingers through the disheveled strands of his hair.

The night before is nothing but a blur for Kise, no matter how long he lies in bed trying to figure out how he got there in the first place. Kise brings his hand to his face and begins rubbing his fingertips into his temples, attempting to cease the painful throbbing coursing throughout the area.

Last night is not important, Kise decides after a few more seconds of unsuccessful pondering. He has more important things to worry about, such as his performance, which should be taking place in…

A panicked grunt escapes Kise's lips as he glances over at the clock set on his night stand, realizing that he woke up later than he should have. He's sure Kasamatsu has been calling him all morning, and the realization causes his heart to nearly plummet to his feet. The last thing he needs is people being angry with him… definitely not Kasamatsu, who's notorious for being rather violent and intimidating when upset.

Now in a rush, Kise hurries out of his room, his hands slipping into his pockets in hopes that he will find his phone. "Shit, shit, shit," he mutters under his breath, honey-brown hues searching the floor as he makes his way into the main room of his apartment. Deciding that his phone is lost, he stops mid-step and places his hands on his hips, a sigh of defeat escaping his lips. It's not until he sees a socked foot hanging over the armrest of his couch that he begins moving again. His steps are slow and steady, as though he's attempting to sneak up on whoever is sprawled out on his couch.

As Kise leans over the couch, he can't help but grin at the sight of Aomine sleeping. His expression is soft, and peaceful, and for once, his navy brows aren't knitted together… as though he's dreaming of pleasant things. There's something soothing about the way Aomine is breathing—it's not quite a snore, but the sound is distinct and rhythmic. Although he knows Aomine can't hear him, Kise begins holding his breath as to keep from disturbing him in his unconscious state.

There's a sudden urge within the blond to reach out and gently trace the other's features with the back of his finger, though he refrains. Instead he leans in closer, honey-brown orbs examining Aomine's face, as though he's attempting to embed the image in his mind. Kise is sure it's a rare sight… to see the tanned male so relaxed and at ease, and it's something he wants to be able to vividly remember. He can't help but wonder if it was Aomine who had helped him get home, and an unintended feeling of admiration for the blue-haired male arises in the blond.

Just as Kise is about to back away and continue his search, Aomine suddenly reaches up and curls his fingers into the collar of his shirt. A yelp escapes Kise's lips as he's tugged down further, his face only inches away from Aomine's.

"The hell were you doing?" Aomine mutters in a slur, his half-lidded eyes staring up at Kise. His breath is warm against Kise's skin, and it causes goose bumps to arise on his arms and legs.

Eyes wide with surprise, Kise gulps, and he smiles a bit timidly as the other's hold on his shirt tightens.

"I was—" Kise's words trail off, and the unpleasant wave of guilt rushes through him as the other looks up at him in confusion, not knowing a single word that's coming out of his mouth because he can't hear… and dammit, Kise can't help but feel like an ass for continuously forgetting the fact.

As Kise lifts his hand next to his face, Aomine's narrowed eyes quickly maneuvers over to it. I was looking for my phone.

When Aomine finally releases the fabric of Kise's shirt from his grasp, Kise springs up quickly, and lets out a deep breath that he had been holding in for the past few seconds.

"You never checked your jacket pockets," Aomine says.

Kise gives the other a confused look, because he had been asleep when Kise was searching his pockets. It's not as though he's that predictable… at least he thinks…

Aomine rolls his eyes after bringing his gaze up to notice Kise's puzzled expression, seeming to read his mind just as he usually does. "Last night… you were trying to find your keys, but you never looked in your jacket pockets."

His eyes immediately shift down to the jacket that he's still wearing from the night before, and he slowly slips his hands into the warm pockets of the material. As his fingertips graze upon the cool metal of his keys, a relieved sigh slips past his lips. "Thanks," Kise murmurs absentmindedly, and then checks his other pocket for his phone. Sure enough, it's there, and as he pulls it out to see the endless messages from people who are worried about his whereabouts. Although his eyes are plastered to the bright screen of his phone, he can tell that Aomine is looking at him, and it makes him feel a bit… self-conscious. Considering that he just woke up, and he's sure he looks a mess.

I have to make a call… I'll be right back, Kise signs as he meets gazes with the tanned male, and then makes his way out of the room. He's not lying, though the statement was more of an excuse than anything else. It's been a while, it seems, since he's last panicked about someone seeing him in such a state.

After rushing to the bathroom, Kise dials Kasamatsu's number and brings his phone up to his ear. Surprisingly, Kasamatsu is more relieved than he is mad, he's just glad to know that Kise is okay. Though, he makes sure to state that Kise is not off the hook before hanging up and letting him get back to getting ready.

Kise hops into the shower, and although he had planned to make it quick, he ends up relaxing underneath the warm water drizzling over his skin. He presses his forehead against the acrylic walls of the shower, his eyes fluttering shut as to indulge in the soothing sensation of steaming water beating against his body.

It's not until he hears pounding on the bathroom door that he swiftly reaches forward to turn off the water, eyes wide with fright. "Yes?" He calls out, a hand placed over his chest as though he's attempting to keep it from bursting out of his torso. It's silent, except for the gentle pitter-patter of water dripping from the faucet. After a few seconds of unbroken muteness, Kise reaches out and grabs his towel; hurriedly wiping his body down as to dry himself off.

He wraps the towel around his waist, running his hand through the wet locks of his hair as to keep water from dripping down his face, and then reaches out to unlock and open the bathroom door.

There's something about the way Aomine quickly turns his gaze away that amuses Kise, and he can't help but laugh.

"I was wondering what the hell was taking you so long…" Aomine explains, his eyes set elsewhere as he speaks.

It's hard to converse with Aomine this way… with him avoiding eye contact so that he can't see Kise's hands. Though, he supposes he would do the same if Aomine came out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist…

Ah, shit.

Kise suddenly feels embarrassed, a faint blush painting his cheeks as he finally realizes that he just…

Walked out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist.

He's quick to brush past Aomine and make his way into his room, his steps quick enough to be considered a jog. Usually, he'd spend a long time trying to figure out what he wants to wear, but considering he's made Aomine wait long enough, he throws on the first outfit that catches his eye. Besides, he's already late enough; he doesn't need to be wasting his time with such matters. After slipping into a pair of pants, and pulling a shirt over his head, Kise grabs his phone and keys and hurries back out of the room.

Aomine is sitting on the couch, a seemingly uncomfortable expression set on his features as he glares out of the open window. Kise can't help but wonder why he's still there… he could have gone home the prior night, but it seems he decided to stay and sleep on the couch for whatever reason.

Wanting to dim the slight awkwardness between them, Kise plops onto the couch beside the tanned male, and waits for Aomine to shift his gaze over to him so that he can begin signing. Aomine tilts his head a bit, navy eyes glaring at Kise in a way that causes the hairs on his arm to stand up.

Sorry about that, Kise signs with an apologetic smile. I guess I've kind of gotten used to living alone. I didn't think it through.

Yeah, no shit, Aomine says with a deadpan.

I hope I didn't cause you too much trouble last night. Kise bites down on his bottom lip.

Aomine shrugs, seeming to be nonchalant about the matter. You were pretty drunk. But it was no big deal.

Although Aomine is attempting to seem indifferent about the situation, Kise can't help but feel embarrassed. Kise is sure that Aomine will never agree to go out with him and his friends again, and the realization causes his stomach to churn. He just wanted to see Aomine… loosen up a bit—to have a few drinks and dance. Though, that plan ultimately failed when the blue-haired male announced that he doesn't drink alcohol.

I owe you big time, Kise signs. You didn't have to sleep on the couch, you know. I wouldn't have minded if you went home.

If I would have gone home, you probably would have never found your keys, Aomine teases. Besides, you wanted me to stay. So I did.

I did? Kise has this look on his face that's like, oh, and he's sure Aomine is internally laughing at him.

It's not so much that he asked Aomine to stay that surprises him, it's that Aomine actually stayed. To think that he's able to bring out the compassionate side of the tanned male makes him feel… all tingly inside.

Like I said, it was no big deal. I'm going to head home now, though. So, I guess I'll see you later. Aomine pushes himself up from the couch, and stretches his arm out to ruffle the damp strands of Kise's hair. "Make sure you lock the door before you leave, idiot."

It never fails to startle Kise when Aomine speaks out loud after having committed to a conversation with just sign language. Aomine's voice is deep, and low, like something you would hear on some sensual commercial intended to get girls worked up. It's one of those voices that makes you think, oh wow, he's hot, despite having not seen his face yet. And it's not until that moment that Kise actually realizes this… realizes how much of an effect Aomine can have on him just by doing something as simple as speaking.

There's something about the way the other's fingers feel on his scalp that makes Kise lean into his touch, and he lets out a huff of disappointment as Aomine retracts his hand and stuffs it in his pocket.

This is dumb, Kise thinks, I'm dumb. He's always thought Aomine was pretty cool, there's this mysterious air about him that attracted Kise and made him want to be his friend. But to think that he would… like him. At least, that's what he's assuming the feelings he's gradually developing for the blue-haired male are, because he's not so sure what the hell it is he's experiencing at that moment.

Aomine leaves, and Kise can't help but feel conflicted and content all at once. He's always stated he wants to fall for someone who can appreciate his music, and support him with what he loves to do. Yet, here he is, crushing on some apathetic guy who can't even hear his words, let alone, his song.


Kise has soft hair. It's silky, and when damp, it brushes against his calloused fingertips in an oddly pleasant way that makes him reluctant with pulling away. It's been a few minutes since Aomine has left Kise's apartment, yet his fingers are still tingling from the sensation of ruffling his hair. It's a lingering feeling, something he knows is no longer existent, but wishes it was.

It's relieving to come home to an empty house; he doesn't have to worry about Kuroko bombarding him with questions, or Kagami being a smart ass. At that moment, he kind of just wants to… muse. Think about everything that happened the prior night, and try to figure out what the hell it is he's feeling towards this kid.

Aomine flops onto the couch and leans his head back, his eyes staring lifelessly at the ceiling.

I like girls… Girls with big breast… Like the one I just met last night…

That's what he keeps telling himself, like a mantra, though the repetition seems to do him no justice. Because, yeah, he likes girls. But he also happens to like this stupid blond guy with a pretty face and this attractive laughter that he can't hear but wish he could. It's frustrating and… confusing, because he doesn't know how to go about such things.

No matter what gender Kise is, emotions are something Aomine has a hard time dealing with. It's one of the main reasons he prefers isolation, and tends to push away those who seem to care about him.

…It's what he does best, actually; pushing people away.


Usually Kise would celebrate after a performance with drinks and music, just as he did the night before. But something about this time makes him feel a bit… off. He just wants to go home and rest, something he hasn't properly done in what seems like a long time.

Kasamatsu questions him, asks if he's feeling okay when he states that he's going to head home for the night. Kise assures that everything is fine; he's just still somewhat hung over from the night before. It's partially true, though he's performed in much worse conditions. He knows Kasamatsu doesn't believe him entirely, but he doesn't question him any further.

"Just call me if you need anything," Kasamatsu says, then leaves him with a pat on the back.

On his way home, Kise sends the one person he wanted to see at his concert a message. He wants to know if they can hang out the next day, maybe he can go over to his apartment for once.

Kise takes a bath as soon as he gets home, and sits in the water until his fingers and toes look like prunes. It's relaxing, the warmth of the water, and Kise can't help but hum contentedly. He keeps his phone by the tub, just in case Aomine replies, though the only messages he gets is from a few friends and girls telling him how great his performance was. Sometimes, he wonders why he gets his hopes up, definitely when it comes to Aomine.

Aomine is usually a slow responder, sometimes sporadic. So he isn't upset when two hours have passed and he has yet to respond to his text. Although he'd be lying if he said he isn't growing impatient, checking his phone every other minute to make sure that he doesn't have an unread message from the tanned male. It's times such as then when Kise wishes he can just call him and break the ice.

He falls asleep with his television on, and his phone resting on his chest. And when he wakes up the next morning, he has yet to receive a text back. He'd usually brush off such matters, and assume that Aomine went to sleep early that night… but his phone says that the message had been read. This causes Kise to furrow his brows, and his heart feels as though it's going to drop.

To: Aominecchi
Sunday 08:39
Msg: Aominecchi! Did you get my message last night?

Kise stares down at his phone, waiting for a response. And when the screen displays that the message had been read, but he doesn't receive a response, Kise is quick to send another text.

To: Aominecchi
Sunday 09:10
Msg: I was wondering if you wanted to hang out, but if not, you could just tell me.

Because it's better to have Aomine straight out tell him that he wants to be left alone, rather than ignoring him. Though, he prefers neither.

Rather than staring down at his phone like some hopeless teenager, Kise gets out of bed and drags his feet into the kitchen, where he begins making rice. There's something about the way the light peaks through the window of the main room that calms his nerves, and he lets out a soft sigh that seems to lift away all his prior worries.

He thinks that he's over the whole thing… if Aomine doesn't want to hang out, then he can find something else to do for the day. It's not as though Aomine had always been in his life, so he shouldn't act like it. At least that's what he convinces himself until he hears his phone vibrating against the counter, and he reaches out for it faster than his mind can keep up.

To see that it's just a message from his mom causes him to grunt in frustration, and carelessly drop his phone back on the counter. He's confused, because Aomine seemed to be fine the previous day before leaving his apartment. He even said see you later, which isn't usually something someone who's upset would say. Kise doesn't see Aomine as someone who is passive aggressive, pretending that everything's alright when really he has something on his mind, so Kise doesn't understand why the hell he isn't responding.

To: Aominecchi
Sunday 12:03
Msg: Did I do something wrong?

He contemplated sending his last message, mainly because he didn't want to seem as though he's helpless or pining. If anything, he's worried; worried that he upset Aomine in some way.

When Kasamatsu comes over to practice, he immediately notices that something is off. "You alright, kid?" He asks with an arched brow as he pulls out his guitar. Kise will nod his head reluctantly, somehow managing to hide his anxious expression behind a forced smile.

"I'm fine, senpai. It's nothing, really."

It's nothing…


Aomine-kun, you should go out and do something today, Kuroko signs after making his way out of the room to see Aomine still lounging on the couch.

I'll go the courts later, right now I'm relaxing, Aomine says.

You've been relaxing for the past week. I think you've done enough relaxing, Kuroko states with concern, although his face remains inexpressive.

Aomine rolls his eyes, avoiding further conversation with the phantom. He keeps his eyes set on the wall across from him, his lips pressed into a straight line, and his hands curled up into loose fists by his sides. After a few seemingly long seconds pass by, he steals a quick glance to where Kuroko had been previously standing, only to see that he dropped the subject and exited the room.

The truth is, if he goes out, there's a possibility that he'll run into Kise, who he has been successfully avoiding over the past week.

Out of sight, out of mind.

A concept that usually works for the tanned male. He's generally quick to forget names, and if he tries hard enough, faces. But Kise is different. Everything reminds Aomine of the damn blond… and it doesn't help when Kagami bursts through the front door in an peculiarly good mood and offers Aomine a vanilla soda popsicle.

Damn it, he hates that bastard.

It's weird because he wanted to push Kise away so that the weird feelings he's developing for him could diminish, but when the blond finally stopped texting him, the feelings only amplified. He's found himself writing a response to Kise, only to backspace the whole message multiple times.

As Aomine is staring down at his phone, reading over the texts Kise had sent him a few days prior, a message pops up on his screen.

From: Kagami
Saturday 14:30
Msg: stop being a dumbass and go talk to kise, you stupid ganguro. i'm tired of seeing ur face all the damn time

Aomine lifts his gaze to see Kagami standing in the kitchen with his phone in hand. There's something about the way Kagami is looking at him that says, yeah, I know about your feelings for Kise, and it causes Aomine to narrow his eyes in frustration. He sighs, flipping Kagami off as he averts his eyes back down to the screen of his phone.

As much as he hates to admit it, sometimes, just sometimes, Kagami is right.

To: Kise
Saturday 14:32
Msg: yo