This story came to me quickly and I wrote it quickly.
It's about Akashi and Hayami - it's lighter since their chapter was more serious and dealt with heavy themes last time.
The song is 우린 봄이 오기 전에 (Before Our Spring) - Jonghyun
[Kuroko No Basket belongs to Tadatoshi Fujimaki]
[English isn't my first language, so please be kind]
Extra Chapter 2
Before Our Spring
Hayami P.O.V.
The teacher spoke quickly, but I was able to follow along while writing down every word. Third-year AP classes seemed difficult for second-year students like me, but I could memorize every word with ease. Learning wasn't that difficult.
But being alone was.
The days passed more slowly when I was alone, especially now that I needed to attend advanced classes alone since Akashi was sick.
It was strange to look at my desk partner and realize that I was alone. Even though the classes were demanding, Akashi would often try to communicate with me through little drawings on the edges of my notebook pages, which I found irritating in the first few weeks, but now I had to admit that I missed the gesture.
It was Friday. On Fridays, Akashi would ask me if I wanted to train on the weekend, even though we played different sports.
First he said he had flu, but then he had to miss classes because he couldn't stand up, at least that's what one of the workers at the house told me when I called.
So I committed to paying double attention in class, as I would have to explain everything to Akashi when he returned.
- Who would have thought you would be doing this for him? - I sighed after saying that thought out loud, it was just a small whisper of my feelings and luckily no one heard it.
The class had ended and soon the sound of chairs being dragged filled the classroom. I never ran after the end of that class, I liked the third year room, I liked the big window that let the sunset light invade the room, making everything peaceful.
It was one of the only moments I stopped thinking.
- Inoue-san?
Kotarō's voice took me out of that almost solar trance.
- Hello Kotarō - I replied, realizing that I still needed to tidy my desk - I already said you can call me Hayami.
Kotarō gave a shy smile. He was on the basketball team along with Akashi, but this will be his last year together with Reo and Eikichi.
Akashi told me he was the most energetic on the team, but he didn't act like that when he was around me.
- Okay, Hayami then - her cheeks turned red - Reo and I were wondering if Akashi was better.
I turned my face a little to see Reo, who was near the classroom exit. He didn't talk to me much when Akashi wasn't around.
- He was still feeling bad the last time I called - I said - but I think I'll stop by his house today since I need to deliver the notes.
- You're really dedicated, Hayami! I really wanted a girlfriend like that...
I don't think he meant to say that last part out loud, because his face turned even redder, like a bell pepper. Kotarō tried to apologize even when it wasn't necessary, and Reo had to come and get him out of that funny situation.
The Rakuzan students were very polite and kind, and I really felt welcomed as soon as I arrived here, even though I arrived a little later than the others. But even though I had made some colleagues, I still didn't feel comfortabçe to talk about everything freely.
The rumor about Akashi and I had already spread, so the boys didn't get too close to me and some girls seemed to want more information about how Akashi acted outside of school.
But I had liked Suki, the girlfriend of one of Akashi's old friends. Unfortunately, she lived in Akita, but we talked every day via text and one of the other guys' girlfriends had created a group chat for us. I still felt embarrassed sending messages to all of them, even though one of them, I think her name was Botan, had asked for our horoscopes and told us what our lucky items were every day.
- I shouldn't be in the group chat if I'm not his girlfriend, right?
I remember asking Suki this, but she said it was fine.
I called Akashi's house before leaving school. My driver picked me up on a street far from the school so I had time to talk on the phone.
Apparently Akashi was still sick, one of the house workers said that he had a high fever for the last few days and that he was taking strong medicine. That made me worried. Shouldn't he be in the hospital? His father was traveling again, there was no one else in the family to help him.
I held tight to the notebook in which I had taken such careful notes...
Akashi had been sincere about helping me with my problem. I wanted to return the favor.
- Thank you for having me - I said to the maids after I arrived at Akashi's house with a small suitcase to spend the weekend.
Some were wary of letting me stay, but there would be no problem, I assured them. My father didn't care and I would soon be part of the family too.
- Over here, miss - said one of them, she seemed to be in her forties and had a pleasant appearance - the young master's room is...
- I know where it is - I replied - I used to come here a lot when...
I stopped talking when we passed the portrait of Akashi's mother at the bottom of the stairs. The maid understood.
The nearest guest room was at the end of the hall. It was big and spacious, with a view of the garden.
The maid took my suitcase and promptly began unpacking it.
- I didn't bring much, I can pack it myself, don't worry, I...
- Who's there?
Akashi was in the doorway when we turned around, wearing striped linen pajamas. His hair was a mess and it looked like a bird had formed a nest in his red locks.
Unlike me, the maid didn't seem surprised.
- Miss Inoue came to take care of you, young master - said the maid, she then left me to deal with the clothes and went to Akashi.
- Inoue? - His gaze seemed lost.
- It's me - I tried to wave, but my gesture was clumsy, so I tried to take a step forward, but I hesitated too. Akashi didn't react - is he really okay?
-The medicines made him sleepwalk - the maid sighed, as if she had already seen that scene dozens of times - let's go, young master, back to the room.
- Inoue... - Akashi murmured - Ha-chin…
The maid took Akashi down the hall, back to his room. I wanted to follow her, but I didn't move.
After unpacking, I decided to start transcribing my notes into another notebook that I could keep with Akashi, so I brought an extra notebook to keep me busy over the weekend.
I grabbed my writing materials and went to Akashi's room. I knocked twice on the door, without answer. So I went in at once.
- It's Hayami - I said, but Akashi was sleeping.
The maid had put him back on the bed with a cold compress on his forehead.
It was strange to be here again after so long. Akashi's room had changed over time, there were no longer the childhood toys we used to share nor the warm air that his mother used to leave in the house.
I placed the notebooks on his desk and went to Akashi. I took his temperature with the back of my hand, he didn't seem that hot. Maybe the meds were just too strong.
I went back to the desk and started writing. There was a week of advanced classes that Akashi needed to catch up on when he improved and those notes would be a great help.
I knew it wasn't much, but maybe I could feel less indebted to him after I did it.
"You don't have to marry me. I will help you during this time and please both our parents... I will even help you cover up a relationship if you fall in love with someone else".
- Who says that kind of thing? - I said to myself - he doesn't even look like the same Akashi anymore.
I think an hour passed before I heard Akashi move.
- You woke up? - I said. My hand hurt.
- Ha-chin - Akashi said, he still had the same lost look as when I arrived - chicken, basketball, sunlight.
- Yes, it's me, Hayami - I sat next to him and measured his temperature again. Not much had changed - you missed basketball practice.
- Chicken - he repeated.
- Are you hungry?
Akashi didn't respond, now he seemed to be sleeping sitting up.
I pushed him gently until his body was stretched out again on the bed, then I took the towel and applied another cold water compress to his forehead.
The residence had its own chef, but I asked permission to cook alone. He helped me with the ingredients, rice, garlic, carrots, ginger, chicken, green onion, miso... But I insisted on making the porridge alone.
It was what my mother would have done for me if I was sick. I think that's what Akashi's mother would have done too.
Akashi had to take another dose of medicine at night, so the porridge was perfect for his body to focus on strengthening itself.
When I returned to the room, Akashi was sitting on the bed again.
- Does it taste good? - I asked.
- Chicken.
- Yes, it's chicken.
- Ha-chin chicken.
- Yes, I cooked - I said. I also had injured my finger while cutting the vegetables, but overall I was fine. - I also need to finish making your notes, so thank me later, okay?
Akashi opened his mouth, expecting another spoonful of the porridge. Yes, I was feeding him, it would be another thing he would have to make up for later.
I tried to fix his hair, but the strands were very unruly.
Akashi opened his mouth again, he really was vulnerable.
- Seijūrō - I said. Akashi reacted upon hearing his name while chewing his porridge. - What do you miss most?
- My friends in Tokyo.
I nodded. This really was an opportunity to ask whatever I wanted.
- Your favorite game?
- Shogi.
- Favorite food?
- Tofu soup.
I smiled at that situation. Those were correct answers.
I let Akashi eat a little more, the porridge was almost gone.
- What kind of girls do you like? - I asked. I didn't know why I had asked that, maybe because he had never told me anything like that.
Akashi seemed to ponder a bit. Even when he was sick, he was serious.
- A girl who has dignity.
- Just that? - I was surprised, but that answer suited him - No preference for height, body type, hair...
- Ha-chin - Akashi said.
- Yes, I'm Hayami - I sighed, I was getting frustrated - I think it's time for you to take your medicine.
I took the pills the maid had given me and put them in his hand. Akashi took them with no problem along with some water.
Akashi finally finished his porridge, and I helped him wipe his mouth.
- I like Ha-chin - Akashi said later - I like Ha-chin's hair.
I placed the tray with dishes on the table next to the bed. I knew he was only saying that because he was sick.
- Ha-chin sang to me - Akashi said. He then stared at me for a long moment.
- Do you want me to sing?
Akashi nodded. It was getting late and I hadn't eaten dinner yet.
I held Akashi's hands, which were firmer now after eating. His temperature also seemed to have stabilized.
I hadn't sung in a while, it wasn't as fun without people to listen. So I thought of a song quickly, a song Akashi hadn't heard yet.
Actually, I don't want spring to come
Don't want days to get warmer
Just looking at you smile from afar
Makes my heart ache
Akashi was silent, listening. I didn't know if he was enjoying it or not.
I know this sounds foolish
But I'm afraid to go to you
Even if you don't understand
It's alright, it's alright
Because there's still a lot of time
Before spring comes
When I finished, Akashi rested his head on my shoulder, he held my injured arms and closed his eyes, and then fallen asleep again.
I don't remember going back to my room yesterday and I only woke up because I felt someone touching my back.
- Hayami?
It was Akashi who was calling me, he was standing, and his look no longer seemed lost, but worried.
- Did you get hurt again? - He pointed to the small bandage on my finger.
- That's not it - I replied, my body was sore - I cut myself while cooking for you last night.
Akashi only relaxed after looking at the tray that was still on the table next to his bed. He seemed better.
- I came to take care of you yesterday, remember? I was worried after you missed a week of school.
Akashi smiled slightly. He took out some of the post-its that were stuck in my hair.
- I heard you singing. - Akashi said.
His hair was still messy, there was no way I could keep a serious expression for much longer.
Akashi reached out to touch my face, but I quickly stood up.
- You can be contagious - I said - you better change your clothes.
I picked up the tray and headed out of the room.
I had finished the notes last night.
Still, I think I could stay here for another day.