HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO KICCHIN! OMG Kicchin has been writing now for a whole year and I'm sooooo happy to every single one of you guys who kept up with me and my whimsical updating schedule ahahaha *scratches head awkwardly* Anyhow Kicchin is very happy to write stories for you guys, your reviews really makes my day-like really. Its been a whole year with you guys and I'm so happy to have written all those stories and that you guys liked them in return. At first I never thought I would be able to even finish MONOGATARI at all, many writers somehow stops midway and the mere thought made me wonder if I can even do it. I am an amateur with no real experience ever writing a fanfic till the day I decided to write MONOGATARI. But when I saw how many people actually gave time to read it or express their pleased feelings, I thought..Yeah, this is it, I like it and I'm going to do this for me and for these people. I'm sooo happy that you guys take time and read my works, I'm always glad to read your reviews or your PMs, I feel so lucky that there were people who cares about the story and helps me improve it. So yeah, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND TO CELEBRATE THIS DAAAY...we're updating LION, Mizuiro to Beni Koi! and HOLLOW THY MACABRE in one daaay!

I hope you guys like it, and don't forget to leave a review!

PS.

from here on...THINGS ARE GOING TO BE...INTENSE.

Chapter 17: A Festival in the Sun

The travel to that place took longer after that incident, it was a bumpy road trip to the border of the city and it was colder. During winter it was almost impossible to reach the area, in spring the road was filled with tall shrubs and grass, autumn and summer was the perfect days to go there, but the young King would never again be able to call any trip there as perfect. The long trip would bring him flashbacks of that night. Today of all the days he decided to see them earlier than he usually does, he couldn't sleep that night as he usually does, not because of the nightmares though, this time he couldn't even blink was his thoughts were filled with the face of that young prince who gave him the most dejected expression. Why did he feel so bad about witnessing him with that look? His chest felt so heavy all night long, was he doing it wrong? He thought all those years he was doing what his sister and father would want for him, but if it really was, why did it feel so heavy? What was the feeling of guilt that was feeling him? Holding a bouquet of sunflowers and a basket of fruits and incense the young King quietly made his way to the small tomb settled in the back of the monastery. It was made for everyone who died that night, especially to the late king and his beloved daughter. Without fail the young king visited this grave every year, perhaps it was the fact that he couldn't let go the fact that it was perhaps his fault after all. If he wasn't there with his father that night, his sister wouldn't have to sacrifice herself, the King didn't have to die protecting them.

Putting the bouquet and fruit baskets down on the dull ground, the young King went down on his knees and bowed down. "I have come to visit, Father, Onee-sama." He said quietly. The wind blew a cold breeze whispering and whisking the long golden locks of the young King. The King fixed the basket and started to burn the incense for them. "Onee-sama, Aominecchi came here a few days ago." He said as he sat in his knees on the dirt filled ground not minding if it would ruin his expensive white and gold kimono. "He…he's taller, you know, it's kinda unfair, I mean he's always taller than me. And you know he's gotten a bit…more handsome. Just a bit, okay?" The king chuckled dryly, "He seemed at first like he didn't remember me, I thought that that was fine. I thought it was better that way. Akashi-sama still remembers me seems like it. He said…he said we want me to fulfil my promise back then, I was young then, a child, yet he seems to have taken it seriously. I think he wants me to say yes, I know it will be good for everyone, Teiko is a big and powerful ally but…that means seeing Aominecchi more often and…I don't know. Don't feel like I would be doing Kaijo any good next to Aominecchi, whenever he's there I just, I just get flustered a-and I-I'm not sure anymore. If he is there I wont be able to think clearly I-I'll just think of him all the time a-and he would remind me…he'll remind me of that dream I had once a upon a time. Its kinda…a bit frustrating…Ah, but no worries, I-I don't plan on leaving the throne to anyone, i-its Onee-sama's wish after all, right?"

Kise bit his lower lip sadly, "You know…yesterday…he got angry at me." he said, "He remembered me for some reason then he came storming…I wondered why did he look at me like that. He looked like I did the worst thing to him, what was even important in remembering me, we only spent one summer and we were young back then. He had a whole tribe for him back in Teiko waiting, I must be nothing but a mere distraction. Why did he look like I betrayed him, was he really expecting me to come at him like before, chase him? But you know Onee-sama, what really surprised me was myself. Why did I feel guilty? Why did I felt hurt seeing him wearing that look? Why do I…why do I believe in him still after all this years?"

Kise was answered with silence, his chest convulsed in pain, he wanted to reprimand his heart for feeling so much, for having so much space for Aomine. It was unfair to feel so much for a man who might not have the same feeling, after he announce his answer Aomine would go back to Teiko and that was given. Kise cannot leave, and Kise would dare not to leave Kaijo. It was futile to bear such feelings towards the other. Admiration? That was stupid, especially for a King, he must go find a suitable wife soon, and it wouldn't have to be someone he loves, it has to be someone who could help the Kingdom. Admiration, affection, those doesn't have room in his life, he let yet something like that he would be doing the same mistake his father did.

I do not want my children to fell to the same pain I did when Father died.

If I would have a family I would be smart, I would not let my own emotions in the way.

It had been a silent oath he swore to himself, he didn't want anyone to suffer the life he had when he lost everyone in a single night. If he would be smarter, no one would have to fall for the same fate. No one would need to cry as much as he did, no one else would need to sacrifice their happiness and dreams like he did. He knows what it feels like that was why, he doesn't want anyone to feel it too.

"Heika?"

Kise snapped out of his thoughts and turned and found one of the female monks, the King quickly got back to his feet and bowed his head to the elderly. She was the head of the monastery who was saved that night because she was at the capital blessing the new built bridge. She was there when the King and his party brought princess to the monastery. "G-Good morning." Kise greeted bowing his head.

"Ah, is it that time of the year already?" she said in her elderly and quite raspy voice. Walking towards the tombstone, she gave a bowed her head.

"I-Its not yet." Kise answered, "I…I was merely seeking for their comfort, I guess I missed them."

The monk chuckled, "You are indeed as sweet as your sister described you." She smiled, "Even after so long, I can never forget how she spoke of you. Come on inside, it is quite cold here in the morning."

Kise nodded and followed the monk back to the monastery. After the heinous incident that night, to cleanse the monastery it was burnt down and was replaced by a new one. The interior and materials used for the rebuilding was specifically changed, it was so that when the King would visit he would not remember where the incident happened. The Western design was changed into an Eastern design, with a small bamboo garden in the middle of the structure, a small koi pond was placed there as well. The rooms, the floors and walls were made of wood. The incident was never mentioned within the monks of the monastery unless it was necessary. When Kise ascended into the throne, the monastery was forced to be opened for those we seek protection from a particular reason—under the jurisdiction of the Royal Court, when someone is not capable of protecting themselves or hiring someone to do this they may seek help and shelter to that monastery under the power of the King himself, like witnesses in crimes or those who are victims of violent incidents, children who are abused and are traumatized are also welcomed there. The place was far from the city, it was a bit difficult to go to as well if travelled alone, and since the incident that took the lives of the late King himself and his daughter, the monastery had been thought to be left. The information about the rebuilding of the structure was made secret.

The monk led Kise into the living room, it was a spacious room with merely a low wooden table and a ew cushions to sit on. The sound of the bamboos swaying against the soft winds had always have quite the calming effect to anyone who listens, maybe it was why the monks suggested the idea. It was perfect for people who seek silence and comfort.

"Have a seat your majesty." The monk said. Kise without a word took a seat. And looked outside through the open doors of the room, the pond looked perfect in the middle of the growing bamboos. The color made the room look cool. "How was the road Your Majesty?"

Kise turned to the monk who sat across him from the table, "It was a bit bumpy." He chuckled, "I hope my sudden visit didn't interrupt anything.

"Oh don't think about it." She said, "However, I must say I am quite surprised. What seems to be bothering you if I may ask?"

"What made you think so?"

The monk merely looked back at the garden, "Its been a while since I saw that conflicted look in your face, after Yuuka-sama and your Father's death, His Majesty tried his best to show his best side. You only come here to pay them a quick visit. You never come here out of the blue seeking solace. Never after their death." She said in a quiet voice. The first time he saw Kise was when she returned from her trip and found out what happened to the monastery. Staring wide eyed as the bodies of her fellow monks were brought out of the place one by one covered in a white mantle, hands rigid and pale, she couldn't do anything but to pray for their souls. No one lived, was what they said. It almost wrecked her soul knowing that, in the walls of their monastery was where the King of Kaijo entrusted his one and only daughter, his eldest child, the jolly and witty princess Yuuka, and she saw her brought out covered in a white mantle like the rest and her attendants weeping in the corner calling her name. Then came the King's corpse brought out in the similar way. A tragic day for what seems like a beautiful end of summer. Then that was also the first day she saw the King's only son, the young Ryouta. The boy was shivering wearing only his night clothes, hugging himself with eyes blank and obviously frightened and confused, he was escorted out with a few of the palace guards who came there. According those who came to the scene, the prince was found in the closet of his room, next to the pile of hair presumably from his own sister who was found stabbed to death in the prince's room. The monk knew instantly it was Princess Yuuka's plot to save her brother by pretending to be him. Yuuka on her stay had always talked about her jolly and cheerful brother, Ryouta. She described him as someone who had her mother's heart, kind and appealing to the crowd, just like the sunflowers. But that Ryouta was different to the Ryouta who came later on telling his plans about the monastery, as if the cold winter had blew and froze the bright and jolly sunflowers. He said that he plan to take the throne in due time, it was his sister's dying wish, he said. But if she was alive and she saw this look at his face, would she still be saying the same? Would she be glad that he took the throne?

"Someone came in a few days ago," Kise started, "I stayed with him and his family during the time father secretly brought me and Onee-sama out of the palace. His family had been very kind to me, and I somehow seem to have…admired him, but I was young then, children are like that, they get interested and they call it admiration, they start following people around and all. However, I wouldn't deny I was happy then. I somehow like the way I was able to monopolize his time by learning the things he enjoy most. I thought he'd look at me when I become better. I even told his eldest brother I'd become the greatest man on the field and become a general and lend him and their Empire a hand someday. I thought maybe doing so may bring his attention to me, maybe that way he will never be able to forget me. You see, he has a poor memory when it comes to faces and names. He easily jumbles them down. And I…knew that…of all people, I knew that best…I had to…I had to leave him then, to come back here. To become the kind of man he'd turn around to look at, a man who would be worth to cross swords with him. I wanted to be that kind of man that was why I told myself I would tell Father. But…"

"But it happened." The monk filled the rest and the King nodded. "And you didn't return or told him about it, why?"

Kise closed his eyes, "I…I didn't want him to know…you see, Aominecchi…" Kise chuckles as the nickname slipped in his tongue, it still does suite him better than all the formalities, "he…he would have come here, he would…run here, surely. Aominecchi wouldn't say it, Aominecchi isnt as good as others with words, more often than not he's not careful with them, but it shows…he's not really callous as what most people thinks of him. Deep inside that creased eyebrows and smug grin, Aominecchi…is a very kind person, you know he used to really take care of Kurokocchi, if he knew, if he found out then he would have…he would have come here and I would have…waver, I wouldn't have been able to become the King my sister wanted, that this Kingdom needed." Unconsciously the King brought his hand to his chest clenching the fabric of his clothes.

The room was filled with silence for a while, until the monk stood and walked towards the open window. Wanted, needed…those things had been dictating many people's lives for so many years. However, that may not be always what should have been.

"Many people…forgets that our fate is held not by the will of anyone but us." The monk said quietly. If Yuuka was still alive, she wouldn't be pleased, for this isn't the brother she adored, this isn't the prince she saw. This is not what she would want to see in his face. If the King was still alive, would he wish to see this kind of regret in the eyes of his son? Was this really…what the deceased princess want? "I am sure…of only one thing heika. Yuuka-sama…never wished to see that face you are wearing today. Yuuka-sama would have done everything to make heika happy. Yuuka-sama wouldn't pushed you to do anything heika. She would have scolded you."

"B-But if I…If I didn't, w-what about Kaijo?"

"You could still be a King and accept that kindness from that man." The monk said as she went back to her seat, "You cannot teach your heart to forget someone that had taken up so much room in your heart. Yuuka-sama would be happy whatever you do as long as it makes you happy. If it is her memories and will that you worry about, rest assure. Whatever you do, I am sure you will always make her proud. However if its Kaijo that you worry, then I will tell you something."

The monk smiled to Kise.

"You do not need to discard your heart for us," the monk said, "to love is to be loved, how can you serve and love Kaijo when deep inside it is what imprisons you? Let yourself out of the cage you built yourself, its already safe heika."

"This time…this time let people in. Let him in."

Aomine sighed, it was sun down and for some reason Kise was out of the palace for the day, Kasamatsu was busy with something in the capital. The anger had subdued but it didn't mean he was already fine with Kise's answers. It didn't even satisfied him. He say like he meant it, he say as if he really meant to never let Aomine know about him, let Aomine forget him. Was there any need to, he say…was there…any need to? If course there was. Clenching his hand in a fist Aomine supressed the urge to punch something. How dare he ask that stupid question, he was the very first person who ever dared follow Aomine, he was the only one who saw his skills as admirable, he was the only one who ever looked at him like some kind bright star. He was the only one who ever cared about him, about the monstrous prince. He was the one who ever wanted his eyes. He was the only who stuck around long enough to wait till he had mellowed to his smiles. And then asked him to never forget about him? And he dare asked if there was any need for him to remember about him.

Of course.

Standing there in the lit and noisy streets of the capital of Kaijo, Aomine couldn't keep his mind fleeting towards the image of the blonde King. The tears in his eyes as he said those words, they contradict his harshness of his words. He has not changed, he is still such an awful liar. Today as Sakurai informed him is the so called, Lights Festival, smriking Aomine wondered if these people even know what they really are celebrating? The whole kingdom was drowned in chuckles and laughs, men holding their wines and women in colourful clothings, children were running around with lanterns.

"Sir, why don't you get some flowers for your lady?" Aomine blinked as he was pulled from his trance by a voice. Turning to his side he found an old hunchbacked man with a basket of a familiar looking flowers.

"Sorry man, I'm not from around here."

The man chuckled, "Oh a traveller? You should get these flowers as souvenirs then."

Aomine sighed, "Come on man, I'm not into those thi-wait…"Aomine took one stem from the basket inspecting the flower….somehow…he had…seen this before. Eyes widening, Aomine remembered the painting in the old archive in the Golden Palace—it was the same flower painted where Kise stood and his sister. "What…do you call this?"

"Sunflower, sir!" the man said with pride, "We grow lots in time for the Light Festival, it is Kaijo's national flower. If you wish to bring a souvenir, that is perfect item. You cannot see any bigger sunflower growing in any sides of the world except here, sir!"

Aomine chuckled, sunflower, huh…well it seems quite fancy and spontaneous just like that person. "I'll take one."

"Thank you! Enjoy your travel here, sir!" the man bowed and continued selling to the young people. Quietly Aomine looked at the flower, bright yellow petals just as the same color as Kise's hair, big and flashy as well. It doesn't look elegant, actually it looks quite dumb to be blooming so big like that, however…it is pretty that way. Aomine scolded himself internally for acting like some love-struck idiot and decided that maybe, it was time to get away from this noise.

Thinking about it he really hasn't explored the woods around the palace, he decided that it would be a good time now to do that. Aomine didn't mind going by foot, this way he wished to calm the storm in his chest, perhaps get some clarity in the arms of the vast greenery, lost himself in the wilderness and for a second get his mind off about the blonde King. The woods in Kaijo were no different from the woods in Teiko, well except it was more easier to navigate, in Teiko the woods were filled with stony paths and huge roots. The walk was indeed quiet with merely his footsteps against the dry leaves leaving echoes and sounds. When he needed consulation or clarity of mind Kuroko had always been his resort, the bluntness of his brother had always this immediate effect on him—actually perhaps on anyone. It was perhaps his voice? He sounded just like their mother—if not much stoic. He wondered what Akashi would have to say about this. The sleep he had the night made him allowed him to think clearly, Akashi may not have any ill intention when he sent him here—if there was anything, Akashi might be even thinking of him as he made this decision.

Akashi might have been looking for Kise as well, knowing Akashi he rarely gave direct answers to question. Remembering it now…Aomine's will to come back to Teiko strengthens,

"Daiki what on earth are you doing!" Akashi exclaimed as he pulled Aomine to face him. When the prince faced him, his expression was filled with horror and anger. "Daiki pull yourself together, why are you wreaking havoc in your own room!"

"I-I cant… I can't…I must…t-the boy, t-the boy, h-his name I-I can't…I can't remember!"

"Calm down!" Akashi said as he tried to reason with his youner brother, "What do you mean you can't remember, who?"

"T-The boy! A-Akashi you know, right! I-I told himI'll remember him, I-I told him I wont forget!"

Akashi looked at him with sad eyes…it had been six months since Kise's departure and sometimes he remember that he need to remember, sometimes he doesn't. And those days when he remembers that he needs to remember him slowly decreased, until…

Aomine sighed, he wondered if Kise knew. He wondered if Kise felt the same agony, if he knew what it felt like for him not to remember him, would he have still said those words? Would he still have told him that it was better that he had forgotten, when forgetting was much painful than remembering? The little that he had held of him, did he know how much that meant for him? Those short lived days, he wondered if Kise knows how much it killed him to just keep those?

Aomine stopped as he realized he had reach a river, he turned to the river bank and found a neatly folded clothes in the corner. Eyes widening at the items on the ground he realized a familiar prints—these colors…only he would like them, and only in him would suite it. The quiet sound of ther river running and gently brushing against the stray rocks resounded. Aomine turned towards the river, and as expected he saw a lean figure bathing. Who would have thought the King bathes in a river behind the palace? And with no one to watch him to boot.

"So have you been bathing all day long here, or perhaps were you just simpy avoiding me, huh?"

The lean figure stiffened and head slowly turned to Aomine's way and amber eyes met midnight blue and just like then he saw shock and panic quickly rising from the other's face. Anyone could have mistaken him as a woman with his figure and his hair. Aomine watched as the other quickly walked towards the river bank. Aomine smirked as the other looked clearly flustered, he was only wearing his nagajuban underneath and if not thanks to his long hair Aomine was sure he would be seeing everything under those. "W-What are you doing here?" Kise asked flustered. It is not knew that he bathes in the river behind the Golden Palace, it was after all still part of the palace. No one is allowed an eight miles from the Golden Palace itself which includes that river that flows right behind the palace. The cold water always helps him to clear his mind and Kasamatsu and his attendants knew this, however, of course Aomine doesn't. "I-If you would kindly l-look a-away, I-I w-would like to get dressed first."

"I don't mind." AOmine said smirking at the other, he really didn't change, still the shy to show skin type of person.

"I-I do!" Kise exclaimed as he picked up his kimono, his obi almost fell off from his hand from all his fidgeting. When Aomine didn't show any signs of looking away Kise just drape the kimono over himself and haphazardly tried to close it using his obi, however with his fidgeting fingers and panic state and self-consciousness he failed miserably. Aomine chuckled, so…he does still have an effect on him, huh? Aomine tried one more time and stepped closer, Kise's eyes widen again and he pulled the poorly made kimono towards himself which only made the other's smirk wider. The blonde backed away with his cheeks turning in a flush color.

Kise backed away, what's with the look he was giving him, his eyes were as if holding him in place and for some reason he cannot look away from those infinity of midnight blue just like the moonless night sky. It looked just as beautiful as it was a few years ago, just this time much…fiercr, bolder and—

BUMP

Kise gasped as his back clash against a tree trunk, without any means of escape Aomine stepped closer, and even more until the blonde was just an arm's length away. Kise's eyes widen when he saw Aomine lifting his hand, was he planning to punch him or something along those lines? Was he going to kill him from aggravating him? However Kise didn't felt any pain coming, slowly cracking his eyes open Kise found Aomine's eyes on his clothes and his hands on the hem of the collar of his kimono—

"WHAT ARRE YOU DOING?!" Kise exclaimed in horror and scandal, he quickly tried to push Aomine away.

"What the—I was helping you, you fucking idiot!"

"WHA—I'm a King you know! You cant just touch me at your will!"

"Tsk…you're such a brat." Aomine said rolling his eyes and taking a step away, "Oh well, its your choice, do you even know how to fucking tie a stupid obi yourself? Well not my problem now, right. Here I am trying to play it nice with you and you scream in my ear and think of some shit. Oh well you can come to the palace looking like some shit for all I care."

Kise immediately panic in normal circumstances he will be able to tie a simply knot enough to get him back to the palace but looking at his own hands Kise figured with his trembling hands that he wouldn't probably be able to. He'll just probably tie himself in some inreversable knot. And looking like a helpless kid was the last on his to-do list for today—biting his lip thought that there was really nothing to lose here was there, after all they both know Kise was used to being dressed by others.

"W-Wait!" Kise called Aomine and muttered, "a-alright…I-I mean…can you…help me…at least?"

Aomine turned to face the other and laughed, he really is some helpless spoiled brat. Walking towards the blonde Aomine undo the obi and focused on the getting the collar in the right and plated arrangement. When Kuroko was younger he enjoyed helping Kuroko wear his kimono, though Momoi would usually compete with him, his brother usually came to him to ask for him to do that instead for the informant who seems to see his brother as some life-sized doll. After all, it is also a common courtesy for men to know to at least help their women dress, the thought made the prince chuckle, Kise is really sometimes a bit more feminine than intended. Pulling the obi around the King's small waist Aomine secured it and carefully tied it.

"You…seems used to this…do you dress your women yourself?"

Aomine chuckled at Kise's question, "Jealous, Your Higness?" he mocked.

"L-Like hell!" Kise almost bit his tongue, where was his manners! That is no way a King should speak! "I-I mean, you must be used to doing this for your women yes?"

"Then are you saying you are a woman?"

"I-I'm not saying anything like that?"

"But I am tying your sash and you speak of it like you are my wife and referring to my mistresses."

The thought sunk bitterly to Kise…does…could it be that Aomine…

"Does it bother you?"

Kise blinked, "Excuse me?"

As AOmine finished tying the sash Kise met again with his midnight eyes, and this time Aomine pressed his other hand in the side of Kise's head against the trunk of the tree entrapping the blonde in his presence, "I asked, does it bother you…the thought of me…being with others?" Aomine saw Kise's amber eyes widen in fraction as if asking him if he is being serious, then it started drifting elsewhere, a habit Kise has when he tries to lie again. Then he will bit his lower lip, and he did. Aomine wwaited for the lie. But none came. So there is a limit, huh? Sliding his hand that was pressed in the trunk off the tree to Kise's waist and then his back before pulling him in a sudden embrace, Aomine buried his face in Kise's shoulder, he could still smell of water in his skin and it felt cold against his skin. Kise didn't push him away, that was what Aomine first realized, it has been a minute or two now and yet Kise hasn't pushed him away yet. Was he still in shock or…he really…

Aomine pulled away and brushed Kise's hair off from the his kimono, ut was still a bit damped, though his hair really is beautiful, somehow the image of Kise and his short hair back then was what Aomine longed to see—maybe it was due to the fact that the Kise with short hair smiled and poured his heart out for him. He looked at him with his amber eyes unlike the Kise who stood before him with his trying hard feint to hide his huge heart, his sad eyes and caged soul—how can he not think of him? How cab he not think of this man who gave so much to think about, so much question to be asked. Aomine sighed as he saw the way Kise was trembling before him, he isn't going to tell Aomine the truth now, right? He is still hesitating.

"Kise."

Kise blinked as he heard Aomine called him with his name again, the first time he heard it from the other's lips it was filled with anger and boiling rage, however this time…this time it sounded…tender, like he was asking please to him, it was almost…unlike him. However…maybe…maybe really, this is Aomine, this had been the man who he never tried to listen to. The man whom he loved blindly back then, admired so passionately he never saw anything else. But now, he can see it, his flaws, his shortcomings, his short temper, his aggression, his violent tendency—however…however his heart wouldn't waver, it still called and begged to be noticed by the same person. And as if a miracle came, Aomine leaned close to him and his rough and calloused hand reached to his neck caressing the skin there, the King gasped in shock and pressed his back impossibly close to the trunk of the tree, thoughts run wild in his brain, his rational self, exclaiming this is scandalous, they aren't lover or anything like that and yet Aomine is freely touching him, this is improper of them, howver his body wont move rather it seemed to have fallen under those warmth and the way the prince had looked at him like he had been the most awaited summer after a long cold winter. The side of his neck that Aomine was touching, he remembered, there was a scar there, a scar that he got the first time crossed swords with the dark skinned prince. In most people's cases the scar would come unnoticed, it was rare that anyone would notice it quickly, however…Aomine might be different, different due to the fact that he was the one who gave him that scar.

The blonde swallowed the lump in his throat as he tried to regain his self control, however he was left frozen in his place as he heard Aomine whispered something in his ear. The blonde was stunned, since…how did he…know? Did someone…told him?

"You know you look better with a short hair." Aomine said as he took Kise's hand and placed there the sunflower he bought earlier. "I like seeing your face unhidden from those long stupid strands."

It was too much to hold, did…did Aomine just admitted that he liked seeing Kise? Did he just…Kise gasped as he almost gripped the flower in his hand all too tightly. And most of all how did he even remember that today is—

"My birthday falls on the same day of the harvest for sunflowers!"

"Huh?" Aomine seemingly uninterested looked at the blonde, "We don't grow sunflowers here in Rakuzan. You should go to Yosen if you want to see flowers, you're such girl."

"Why are you so mean?!"Kise huffed, "So how do you celebrate birthdays here?"

"Hmm, Akashi's birthday is pretty grandiose since he's the heir of the throne, whenever my birthday comes Too brings some gifts over here for me. Same with Midorima and Murasakibara. Since Tetsu's still a baby Father doesn't allow anyone to see him yet, also his birthday is celebrated in a more meek festive. Like a small banquet."

"Eh, why do people from…uh…Too, right? Why do they bring you gifts?"

"Well I'll be soon inheriting that part of land as Father said so…they bring gifts to their future leader is something you could say."

"Wow that's amazing!" Kise cheered, "My birthday falls in Kaijo's biggest festival though."

"Hn?"

"It's the Festival of the Sun!"

Kise couldn't believe it, how long had it been, could it be that Aomine merely forgot his face but he didn't forgot about the things they talked about? Or did he...purposely didn't forget them. Kise's felt his chest run wild, all those years, Aomine…tried his best…to remember him, every single bits of their time together—

"Happy birthday you little crybaby."