Chapter 8

"His love of three years ago—part 1"

Kise gathered his books he needed that day. The new semester had just started a few weeks ago and he was determined to study hard again to finish his subjects smoothly without fail in order to advance to his next required subjects. The curriculum he had chosen was absurdly tiresome but he aimed to finish his course earlier than the normal schedule. So he even used his summer vacation for his studies. He took some of his subjects ahead in vigorous manner, pushing his body to work harder than usual. He planned to continue to do so as he gained the chance to have freedom to decide for his own. His university appreciated his genuine talent in academic as well as extracurricular activities that the president of the school allowed him to advance in some of his subjects, making him graduate early than his batch mates. That would be if he'd be able to maintain his high grades until the very end.

For Kise, despite the fact that the burden on his body because off the extra work loads would strike sometimes, it was the only way to distract himself. Luckily, it seemed to be working pretty effective.

After tying both shoes, he left the house expecting for a good day ahead. Upon stepping outside his house's gate, he noticed a moving truck in front of the house next door. It had been empty for some time now ever since the owner and his family immigrated abroad. The house was for sale and interested buyers would sometimes come with the person in charge of selling the house.

Someone might have already bought it.

Kise passed by the truck pretending not to care but his eyes were curiously observing. Expensive looking furniture's were carefully unloaded from the back of the truck as the movers came in and out of the house trying to finish the job quickly. The house was bigger than his that his father bought for him. They weren't living together for his father already had a new family and Kise felt that it would be awkward to live with them.

After observing for a few more seconds, he turned his eyes back to the road, quickening his steps as he proceeded towards the train station. As usual, the train was packed with students and office workers trying not to be late.

"Kise-kun, have you already finished the project the teacher assigned? He was asking a difficult task, I don't even know if the concept I chose was right!" A classmate approached him as he idly sat on his chair inside the classroom.

"Yeah, I've already passed it this morning." He replied shortly.

"What? Wow! You're really quick in doing your plates."

Well, if you just carefully study the design problem, it's pretty easy to formulate a design solution. He thought though he didn't voice it out. Instead, he replied in an easy-going manner. "There was nothing to do at home so I spent my time doing my plates."

The girl giggled in an enticing fashion, trying to get Kise's affection.

"As expected of you Kise-kun, you're really hard working when it comes to your studies. Spare yourself a time to have fun and come with us sometimes." She invited with a meaningful smile. She didn't even try to hide her impure intention. It was clear that she was trying to hit on him.

Kise shrugged off the invitation and calmly replied with a little bit disinterest. "With the heavy loads that I have, I don't think that's possible but thanks for the invitation."

"Oh—okay. If you say so." She replied then left with disappointment.

"You should have just told her that she's not your type." said a voice behind him in an easy tone. Kise didn't even need to turn to find out who it was.

"I don't like refusing people the way you do."

"It's easier that way. They won't bother you again if you just tell it straight to them."

Kise remained silent for a while then finally turned to the guy behind him. "If I do that, it'll be hard to approach them if I need something from them."

The guy chuckled after hearing Kise's words. Smiling, he placed his elbows on top of his desk and crossed his hands with each other resting his chin on top of them. His eyes mirrored delight as if he found Kise's reply very interesting.

"It's a shame that people around you doesn't know this side of you."

"They don't need to."

"I wonder how such a pretty face like you has this kind of twisted personality. On top of that, even if you don't voice it out loud, I know you don't like being around women." He spoke as if he could read Kise's actions.

"On the other hand, I could perfectly say that that woman just a while ago is your type." Kise countered nonchalantly, arms crossed. This was the reason why both of them seemed to get along fine than anyone around Kise. They could clearly guess what each of them was thinking. In short, they could see through each other. Despite knowing that, Kise didn't feel uncomfortable. It might have been the reason why they became close to each other. Such conversation was normal to them.

The guy Kise was talking to was known as Shima. They met during Kise's second semester as a first year college student. Shima was a year ahead of him but since Kise took advance subjects, they became classmates in some subjects.

Shima let out a loud laugh garnering the attention of their classmates. Eyes almost watery from too much laughing, he tried suppressing it when he saw Kise glaring at him. The last thing Kise wanted was to get people's attention towards them. However, Shima seemed to not care about it.

"Since you know it, how about giving me a hand? She's quite attracted to you. It'll be a pain to get her eye." He urged, grinning.

"Hmmp! Not my problem!" Kise replied disinterestedly as he turned his back to Shima. He knew there wouldn't be an end if he continued to talk to him. Somehow, Shima's personality reminded him of Aomine. Just like him, Shima was also famous with both women and men. He liked socializing and playing with women. However, they weren't totally similar with each other.

"By the way, didn't you say last month that you're dating a senior from another department?" Kise asked without facing him. Shima wasn't even a bit bothered by it and just replied casually.

"Well, I liked her but she was complaining that I wasn't serious with her. She broke up with me last week calling me an idiot and even slapped me on the face. I was serious with her you know. It's just that I didn't understand what she wanted me to do to prove it. Then I found out the next day that she found another boyfriend."

There wasn't any bit of bitterness in his voice but Kise knew he was hurt. If shima says that he was serious, he was serious. Kise believed that. The problem must be with the women he dated. This was why even though Kise thought that Shima and Aomine were somehow the same, there were still a lot of aspects that they differ from each other.

Aomine was never serious with anybody.

"Hmmm…" was what Kise replied, not pursuing the subject any farther.

When Kise returned home that afternoon, the moving truck as well as the movers had already left. The house next door didn't feel empty anymore. Kise wondered who the new neighbor was as he entered the gate while giving sideway glances on the house beside his. Then he heard a soft cry coming from the neighbor's house. The voice was small but sharp. A baby's cry to be precise.

Must be a family with a newborn child..

Kise halted when a thought crossed his mind but deciding it wasn't anything to be bothered about, he went inside the house putting the thought behind.

As days passed by, Kise noticed that the house next door started to emit a different aura. When it was still empty, the house looked dead on the outside. However, day by day, new things would arise. At first, Kise saw that the fence was being repaired. Then the front was towed and the weeds were removed. He couldn't help but observe how the development progressed bit by bit. By the end of the week, his neighbor's house stood with elegance and cleanliness, different varieties of flowers decorating the front yard.

I wonder how the interior looked like. Kise pondered as he watched the house from the balcony of his bedroom. The balcony was situated in the second floor of the house so observing from up there was easy for him. The thought made him curious about the tenants as well. It had been a week but he still hadn't met the new owner of the house. However, the cute cries of a baby could often be heard from the inside.

Another week passed by, Kise still didn't meet the new neighbor. Though of the time he would hear a car's engine and a woman's voice usually late at night. During those times, Kise would fight the urge to peek and see who they were but failed as his laziness always kicked in before he could even rise from his bed. One morning, he received a visitor much to his confusion. It was a Saturday daytime and he didn't have any class to attend. He thought of going to the city library but had a second idea when he realized that he still haven't read the novel he borrowed the other day. Too immersed in the novel he was reading, he didn't notice the doorbell ringing not until the person outside pushed the button non-stop.

"Could it be Shima? That bastard coming over without even contacting me first!" Kise grumbled as he headed towards the front door irritatingly. He couldn't think of anyone else to visit him in his house except for his capricious friend. He flung the door open with the thought of giving Shima a nice tongue trashing.

"What do you want Shi—" his words cut off as his eyes widened like a cat in surprise. Unexpectedly, the visitor wasn't Shima but someone he only met for the first time. He caught his breath, managing to raise a question out from his mouth.

"Who—who are you?" Kise's forehead wrinkled, perplexed of the sudden unknown visitor.

"Ah! Good morning. My name is Suzuki Keiji. I'm your new neighbor next door." he started, introducing himself with a radiant smile. "And this is Mine, my son."

Mine? The name rung abnormally in his ears as he stared from the guy in front of him then to the child he was carrying. The child had deep blue ocean-like big eyes staring at him as if mystified from seeing another person in front of him. His cheeks full and pink complementing his round face. Kise found himself rather enthralled by the presence of child.

"Ah—yes, the new occupants next door. I'm Kise Ryouta. Nice to meet you."

"I'm sorry for the sudden visit."

"No, it's fine. Oh—where are my manners. Please come in." Kise invited not sure if it was the right idea but still widened the door open to receive his guest.

"I'm sorry to intrude." Suzuki remarked as he entered the house.

Kise poured the visitor a tea before settling himself on the couch opposite to Suzuki. Kise didn't know how to interact with his visitor without making him uncomfortable for Kise himself was starting to feel the awkwardness of the situation. As much as he believed that the new neighbors should have introduced themselves not long after they'd moved in, a sudden visit from them was the least he expected for the day. Despite the fact that he was used to being surrounded by different kind of people, he felt nervous sitting there, facing the new member of their neighborhood. On top of that, Mine was making him flustered. The kid was just too cute to ignore.

For a moment, Kise studied the man in front of him as he brought his cup of tea to his mouth. The man seemed a little young to be a father. If he would guess, Suzuki's most probably in his early twenties. He was tall and had a fairly fit body that Kise wondered if the man often exercised. His face was well proportioned with his thin perfectly shaped nose and perfectly pink luscious lips. Contrary to Mine's eyes, Suzuki had light brown eyes completely visible under his thick eyelashes. His hair though was of the same shade with Mine, a sun-like gleam that Kise couldn't help but thought of his own hair color; a darker shade of yellow which often made him stood out of the crowd.

"I apologize. We've moved for weeks now but I only introduced myself today. I should have done quickly after we moved in."

"You don't really have to apologize, Suzuki-san. It's understandable that you were busy settling down." Kise replied with a smile, relieved that the guest was feeling comfortable on his chair.

"That's true. I was transferred here a few weeks ago and now I'm adjusting to the new environment. And I have to consider Mine's need as well." He held the child firmly with both hands as Mine tried to reach for Kise as if wanting to be cuddled by him.

"I see. Then are you feeling comfortable with your new neighbors here, Suzuki-san?"

"Please call me Keiji. I feel rather old having called by my last name by such young handsome man like you." he chuckled as he looked at Kise's reaction, satisfied finding Kise's face turning red.

"We—well then, Ke—Keiji-san if that's what you want." Kise stammered as he tried to keep his voice calm though privately he couldn't get used to calling a neighbor informally considering they had just met that same day.

"Thank you. I dare say you're really attractive I can't help but want to become close to you. And as of everyone in the neighborhood, I feel happy that they welcomed me kindly. I'm glad you do as well. By the way Kise-kun, you're house is really nice. It's bright and calm, are you living alone? There seem to be no one but you here." Kieji asked as he turned his head left and right as if looking for something.

"I live alone. My father has a new family now. I feel bad getting in their way so I decided to move out."

"I see. Well, me and Mine are the only ones living together as of the moment." Keiji looked at Mine warmly as the kid struggled lively on his lap. Mine seemed excited for some reason. He kept releasing small giggles.

A look of confusion emerged Kise's beautiful face. Then that woman's voice wasn't the mother. His girlfriend perhaps?

Keiji smiled as if getting the questioning look on Kise's face. In a calm manner, he answered the question bugging Kise's mind.

"Mine's mother died a few hours after his birth one and a half year ago. Since then, I raised him as a single parent with the help of the maids I hired. It's a tough job since I'm an office worker but I'm managing. That's the reason why I kept coming home late if you noticed."

After hearing it, Kise felt sad. It was painful to think that Mine lacked a mother to take care and guide him as he grow. It didn't mean that keiji wasn't good enough as a parent. Kise knew that a part of Mine would be forever missing because of the lost of his mother. He understood it for Kise knew that feeling very well. Out of words to respond, Kise apologized which Keiji only smiled off saying it was fine. Yet the tension was somehow in the air. Both remained silent for quite some time until the overwhelming quietness was shattered when Mine suddenly giggled loudly, both arms desperately reaching for Kise. His body moving in somewhat manic fashion, jumping as if wanting to leap from his father's lap. Keiji held him tightly careful enough not to let him drop.

"Mine, stay still or you'll fall."

Mine didn't stop and continued with his contorting movements. Kise gazed the child with affection, chuckling. However, the words Mine uttered the next moment froze both people in surprise.

"Pa—pa—pa—" Mine called, pausing after each syllable, looking at Kise with his eyes wide with excitement, both arms extending towards him.

Kise recovered from his shock and then lovingly smiled, his hand reaching the extended arms of the baby, just about enough to be able to touch Mine's fingers.

"Mine-kun, I'm not your papa. I'm your neighbor onii-san. Your papa is the one holding you right now."

"Pa—pa—pa—" Mine stubbornly replied, grasping Kise's fingers with his small fragile hands.

Keiji burst out laughing eliciting a perplexed frown from Kise. He wondered what Keiji was laughing at.

"I'm sorry" he paused, trying to hold himself from laughing any farther. "Mine calls me dada for daddy. He seemed rather fascinated by you Kise-kun I can clearly say that he'll be very fond of you on the near future. Please be good to him, that is, if it doesn't bother you to have a child around."

"No, I'd be glad to Keiji-san. Mine's such an adorable child I can't help but be drawn to him as well. Can I hold him? "

"Yes, of course." Keiji smiled, happy to oblige Kise's request and carefully handed Mine to Kise. Mine chuckled charmingly as Kise took him from his father's hands. He clung on Kise tightly and merrily rubbed his cheeks against Kise's, showing his deep affection towards him. At that moment, Kise knew that his life would slowly but surely change by the arrival of a new precious being in his life.

Mine

He silently repeated the name over and over again inside his head as he hugged the child lovingly as if Mine was his own son. As though understanding Kise's feelings, Mine called him again in a cheerful voice betraying his happiness.

"Pa—papa!"

End of chapter 8

[ah—I'm in the middle of writing the past love of Kise when a new plot suddenly came to my mind for my next fanfic and now I'm too anxious to start it before I lose my ideas. But seeing that I should need to attend to Bliss' story first, I decided to at least finish this one before moving on to my next project. Though I think, Bliss will most probably reach as far as 15 chapters or more. Unfortunately, I'll be having my summer classes pretty soon and that means a slow phase of updates would be expected. I'll update as quick as I can though because I really want to write my next fic asap. *chuckles* I'm very talkative this time I'm sorry. I hope everyone's looking forward to more revelations from here on. Thank you so much for reading BLISS!]