Chapter 15

Gifts

When Kise returned home with his father, it was more than late. They had spent the day roaming around the city, buying random, unnecessary things that Kise knew would irritate his mother. Kise's father had a habit of buying merchandise that fits nowhere in the house, in fact, their house is pretty spacious but with all the things he itches to buy you wouldn't be able to know how big the house is. All his junk would take up needed space and there was nothing to do about it because he wouldn't throw it away. His father wasn't a hoarder, he actually had uses for the things he buys, surprisingly, and that was the only reason Kise's mother let him keep his things in the house, but she still did get angry. With Kise being with him, he had managed to stop his father from buying too much of unnecessary items, helped him buy some good clothes because honestly Kise and his mother were tired of his bad fashion, all in return for his father to take him to more than three sportswear stores.

Kise stated that since he did a good thing for him, he should get something back in return while his father called it a misuse. Kise took his sweet time to pick out whatever he wanted. When his father opened the front door Kise rushed upstairs trying to avoid his mother from seeing him. Halfway up the stairs he heard his mother let out an Oh my god, Kise tried not laugh, instead, he let out a big grin, shaking his head from the overreaction his mother gave. His father did this type of thing all the time and Kise was still fascinated when his mother would give out an over the top reaction like that. Kise was over it since a long time ago ever since his father placed a law mower in his room. It took way to much space and the computer they were going to put in his room ended up in the corner of the living room. Kise was furious that day but over the weeks, he had to understand there was nothing he could do about it. When his father finally took the lawn mower out of his room to transfer it to the garage, Kise wasn't mad anymore, but he did still question why his father bought it. They didn't really have a backyard, they had a small patio with little to no grass and the front of the house had no grass, it was a driveway and cement all around. Kise never asked his father and he never wanted to, he didn't want to listen to his bad explanations.

Kise walked up to his room, closing the door behind him, slowly, placing all his bags on his bed. In a few of the bags, there clothes that Kise needed. He didn't have many clothes, so when he had the chance to go and buy clothes, his mother paying, of course, he would get what he needed the most. The next bag was a new pair of shoes for basketball and a pair of shoes for him just to use when he hangs out, basically anywhere. He also made his father buy him a bright wristband. It was yellow just like his hair with black words that were in English, Kise never paid attention in his English course so he didn't even try to figure out what it said, but the lady at the store told him it was a nice and encouraging message. The only reason Kise bout it so yellow was because he was going to give it to Kasamatsu along with a signed autograph of his favorite basketball player. It cost around 11397 yen ($100), his father protested buying it but bought it anyway. The moment Kise saw it there was no way he didn't think of Kasamatsu.

He let out a smile placing the meaningful items on top of his drawer. Kise sneaked his way into the bathroom, not trying to alert his mother, he brushed his teeth and went to bed. He didn't know how he was going to be able to face his mother when gets home. It was not like he could avoid her, where would he go and besides she would probably hunt him down to the ends of the earth, Kise had no escape. He let out a smile 'ends of the earth' he thought, smiling at the fact that his mother was capable of doing just that if she did see what he had done. Kise was a growing boy, he could've controlled himself but the time and place was right for him to at least get 'some'. He let out a sigh, the only thing he would be able to say was that he was a growing boy and that was true. Kise turned around in bed facing the wall, trying to get some sleep in.

When Kise woke up, five minutes early, he praised himself. This was the first time he has woken up before the alarm and it felt great. He let out a shaky yawn, stretched his arms up in the air, getting out of his bed slowly, wincing at the coldness of the floor. Kise reached over and took his phone looking through his notifications. The light from his phone was on full blast making Kise wince. He never did turn on the light in his room on, using the rising sun as his light source along with his phone. He never got any messages from Kasamatsu and that was expected. Kasamatsu wasn't the type of person to his phone much. The team laughed at him one day when he wasn't able to find the settings, he asked if he needed to download it which sent everyone dying from laughter, it happened again that day when he couldn't find his calendar, asking once again if he needed to download it, everyone laughed once again, but he made the team run around the court for twenty minutes straight as punishment.

After Kise's alarm went off, he got up and went to the bathroom. Turning on the light, he faced the mirror to inspect his face. The bruise wasn't that bad anymore. It had a yellowish, greenish color to it and from what he had read on the internet, it meant that it was healing. The color slightly blended with his skin color, but only a little bit. His muscles stopped being sore, but from time to time, he could feel the pain swell up again, the pain was minimal but he still felt it. Kise turned on the faucet, brushed his teeth and took a shower. He step out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and sprinted into his room to put on clothes.

Once he was done, he made sure he had everything he needed for school. He went downstairs to eat breakfast or, at least, manage to watch some T.V before he fell asleep again. He reached his kitchen, took a bowl, reached up to the top of his fridge and took his favorite cereal, fruit loops. He set the plate and the bowl on top of the kitchen counter, walked to the fridge and right there stuck with a magnet on the silver fridge was a note from his mother saying that she had to talk to him, but the good thing was, is that his mother is a working woman and she was used to making appointments and meetings and so out of habit she added to pick a date and time. Kise let out a sigh of relief, he could walk around it, making her wait for as long as he could. Near the end of the note, his mother added that she left him enough money for the train ticket, also adding that is should be enough for the whole week. Kise opened the fridge door, took out the milk and ate breakfast. After a few minutes, Kise started to fumble around with his phone, he had ten minutes before he needed to go to the train station.

Kise contemplated on whether he should text Kasamatsu a good morning. After opening his messages over and over again, Kise decided to go ahead and send a little good morning text. It wouldn't be a bad thing, he was simply just saying good morning, nothing to it, nothing at all.

[Good Morning, Kasamatsu Senpai]

He sent the message. Kise didn't expect for a reply but, when his phone dinged, showcasing a notification for his messages, his heart could help but leap in joy a little. He quickly unlocked his phone, opened his messages to see a small blue dot next to Kasamatsu's name. The message was simple, nothing to fancy, and very expected for Kasamatsu, a simple morning was texted. Kise let out a smile and opened it, he once again contemplated whether to write more to him, but he had no clue about what to say. He could tell him he had bought him something out of good gesture for their date, but it wouldn't be much of a surprise. Kise didn't know if surprising him was good, Kasamatsu might think he might need something in return.

'Oh well' Kise thought. He looked at the time once more before standing up from the dining table, to set the now empty cereal bowl into the sink. He went upstairs to get his book bag and put the two important items in the bag carefully, trying not to dent the autograph. Once Kise put it in, he suddenly thought that he could of easily put the picture into a sheet protector, it was too late now. Kise let out a sigh, zipped his book bag closed, lunged it over his shoulder and headed out the door. He went back downstairs, made his way to the front door, taking the money that was placed on top of a small table next to the door. Putting the money in his pocket, he started to walk to the train station.

Once he arrived, Kise got his two tickets, as usual, sat down on one of the benches, patiently waiting for the train to arrive. Once the train came to a full stop Kise gave his ticket to the small lady standing really close to the trains doors, he sat down on the far right of the seat. He rested his head on the metal wall beside him, closing his eyes as he waited to arrive at school.

The train came to a full stop, making Kise stumble in his seat. He didn't expect to fall asleep. He stretched his arms out wide, before getting up and walking down to his school.

The front yard was filled with many students, they were loud, very loud. Many of them were running around after each other, others were stuffing their faces with food while some gossiped or hurried to finish some homework. The moment Kise saw some of his classmates doing their homework, he began to panic. He didn't remember getting any homework, even if he did, he knew he didn't do it. He quickly walked over to them, looking over their shoulders.

"What is that?" he said with a distasteful tone. "What? This?" one of his friends gestured towards the paper on the small square ledge that was used to keep on of the cherry blossom trees in. Kise gave him a nod. "The assignment that's supposed to be due...You know...?" he slowly said.

"Fuck," he said. Kise knew what his friend was talking about, but the problem was that Kise never paid attention to what the assignment was, he was in pain, and in sorrow that day. He knew he was screwed, screwed so hard. "But" his friend added. "It's not due until, like next week, on this day?' he looked over to someone, trying to confirm if that was the date, his friend nodded. "Yeah, next week", Kise let out a sigh, before he turned around, he had to, at least, know what the assignment was. "So what was the assignment?"

"Kise, are yo serious. Remember that book that we were assigned to?", Kise nodded. "Okay, so like we had to read it all in our own time, then fill out this paper, not the one I'm holding but the one the teacher gave us a month back. After that, there was a template he also passed out and it says what were supposed to do and let me tell you it is not easy, there are so many things to do, AND if you're just asking me right now about what the assignment was your screwed big TIME!" Kise nodded his head in understatement, "Kill me now" he said with a menacing tone. His friends laughed. Kise turned around to find the book he was supposed to read on his own time. So the assignment wasn't the one he was thinking about, which sucked because he still didn't know that one was either. He could ask his teacher, but that would make it obvious that he didn't do shit. Kise then thought to ask his friends, but it was too late, he was already inside the school and had no intention to struggle through a jungle of people just to get outside.

He would need to ask someone in class, he had to remember that. Kise started to go to his locker to put away some papers he knew he wouldn't need and get the materials he would. His first subject was History, he needed so much for that class, a class that was way to easy for his liking. Kise looked inside his book bag to see the autograph and the wristband. He looked at his phone, he had about 5 minutes before he had to be in class for the teacher to take attendance if he wasn't in the class by the time the bell rang, he was late, no matter what.

He opened his messages, to send Kasamatsu a quick message.

[Senpai, may I know where you are...]

[Why?], Kise was stunned by the way Kasamatsu replayed so fast.

[Just...to know!]

[My classroom.]

Kise let out a small okay, the problem was, he didn't know where Kasamatsu's classroom was. He knew it was in the senior section of the school. Kise got out the autograph and wristband out of his book bag, locked his locker. If he managed his time well, he would have some time to be able to go to his locker and get his things for his classes.

Kise started to walk up the stairs, slowly passing by all the seniors still chatting around their lockers. Kise felt awkward and misplaced, even if he was going to be standing in those halls in a few years, he still felt intimidated by all of them. He had gotten used to Kasamatsu a long time ago, but he still felt awkward towards the man at random times. Kise kept walking around poking his head into random classrooms. Some people gave him weird looks, Kise simply kept walking, with a jittery feeling.

Once he reached the end of the hall, Kise let out a sigh. Kasamatsu was nowhere, and Kise didn't want to walk back again, facing all those seniors. He made it so obvious that he did not belong there. Kise let out a small laugh, turning around. He took a few steps until someone got in his way.

"What are you doing here, Kise", he looked up, but not that far, to see Kasamatsu standing in front of him with his arms crossed. "L-looking for you", Kise mentally slapped himself for stuttering. Kasamatsu looked at him with a dissatisfied look.

"I have something for...you" Kise slowly said. Kasamatsu gave a quick look to Kise's hands. "Right?" he said. Kise let out another sigh, he stretched his hands out giving the two items he had to Kasamatsu.

Kasamatsu didn't take it at first. He just stared at them. He gave Kise a look, it wasn't a mean look it was more tentative than mean. This made Kise a little edgy. After what seemed like forever, Kasamatsu took the items out of Kise's hands. He looked at the autograph and gave out a small but sweet smile. Kise's heart leaped as he watched him beam with happiness. Kasamatsu took a look at the wristband, he stared at it for some time before smiling again. Looking up at Kise, Kasamatsu bowed his head slightly. "T-thank you. It's umm really sweet of you", he said in a warm tone. Kise was going to let out a smile but Kasamatsu cut him off, "But...why are you doing this?"

'I-um... ." Kise didn't really know what to say to him. If he did say, it might end up being troublesome for Kasamatsu. "Do you want...s-something...in return for this...you know...um"

"Oh god NO. I don't anything in return at all!"

"Then why do this?"

"Ummm...I just wanted to do something nice for you. Since you...you put up with what I wanted on Saturday and tried your best to...ya know. I appreciated what you did and everything. I mean it was more than what I asked for, honestly and I was bewildered, overjoyed, and I know that it must have been really uncomfortable for you, and it amazed me that you didn't show it, even though it did bother you..." Kise gave him a look. All Kasamatsu did was look at him as if he was contemplating on what he had just said. "I really, really, really, really, like you...well..love you, and I hope Kasamatsu-Senpai would return my feelings one day, I mean you don't have to..but...I just...I don't know...this is so har-"

"Kise" Kasamatsu cut in. "I understand. I do. I appreciate the thought...um...and I hope that one day I would be able to...I mean, I'm okay with it. I'm okay with the way you feel about me, I can accept a small part of you, but not everything, not now, at least, this is soo, sudden and new and everything and, I do hope that one day I would be able to accept your fee-"

"KISE-KUN"

Kasamatsu let out a sigh while Kise let out a grunt. He could clearly see her right across the hallway. Masumi was making her way over to them. Kise wanted to cuss at her, he was in the middle of an important conversation, she had no right to just shout his name from all the way across the hall. That pissed him off, his judgment of her was slowly turning from good to bad. She was probably pissed about what happened a few days ago, Kise did just leave her alone at the school with no warning what so ever that he was going to leave. She finally made it over to them her face didn't seem pleased one bit. "What happened. I was scared something bad might of happened to you. You, sir, can not just do that, just leave without telling me something first!". Kise nodded his head, he really didn't want the lecture, but in a way, he did deserve it.

It seemed like that was all she was going to say, so Kise waited until she left, but she didn't, she stayed there. Instead, she wrapped her hands around Kise's arms, pulling them close to her. It surprised Kise, so much. ' What happened to the shy girl I met' he thought. He quickly looked at Kasamatsu, who was staring at the skinship, he lifted his head and looked the other way.

"It's not what it looks like, AT ALL. I swear" Kise said in a panic. Kasamatsu nodded his head and let out a small, okay. He looked at a clock that was hanged on the wall, "I have to go. But once again I appreciate the thought of this" he said, gesturing towards the autograph and wristband. He turned around and Kise lost sight of him in the forming crowd. Kise couldn't help wonder if he was okay with what he saw if it bothered him, but Kise shook that feeling off, 'No way he would' he thought.

Kise started to shake his arm, trying to get out of her grasp. "Look, Masumi-San, I'm sorry, I left, something happened at home and I needed to get there fast" Kise finally got his hand back. "I'm really sorry," he said, he gave a small smile and started walking down the hall. Kise checked his phone again, letting out a sigh. He had enough time to make to his class. Once he started walking, he noticed that Masumi was following him, of course, she was, they were in the same classroom, but why did she come up to the senior section of the school, and then just leave with him. He made his way through the students, which there was more than before, reached his locker, unlocked it and took his stuff out. He locked the locker again and started to head to his class when he revived a text message from Kasamatsu. Kise didn't stop walking.

[Why yellow?]

Kise though the reason of why it was yellow might be weird for Kasamatsu. So before he set foot in his classroom he sent him a message back.

[That was the only color that was left.? ]