[Kuroko No Basket belongs to Tadatoshi Fujimaki]
[English isn't my first language, so please be kind]
The Last Week
Kise ran into the apartment holding bags with important supplies for his girlfriend. He had finally finished tidying his room, or almost so, depending on Aomine's mood, but this was an important week that required his full attention.
The other girls were surprised when they saw him enter, as it had been mutually agreed that none of the Miracles should have access to the girls' apartment without prior notice. But Kise had a key.
- Wow, what a good smell - Kise said as he passed through the living room that was separated from the kitchen by a small wall that was also used as a counter.
Suki was in the kitchen, of course, with oven mitts on, holding a hot tray of what looked like strawberry muffins as Kise could see little red bits in the dough.
Kise would go straight to Sana's room, which of course he already knew which one it was, but it took him a while to realize that there was another tall man in that apartment, and it wasn't him. He almost got a stiff neck when he looked at the young man who was in the kitchen next to a confused Suki, but since Botan and Hayami seemed to act normally, in addition to the fact that they were irritated by his presence, that guy shouldn't be a complete stranger.
And Kise was right. It was his presence there that was wrong.
- Period delivery emergency! - Kise said as he opened the door to Sana's room. Well, that was Sana and Aimi's room, but it was Sana who mattered most to him.
- Kisecchiiiii! - Sana said as soon as she saw him, she was lying on her side, with a box of medicines on the table next to the bed and a half-drunk cup of tea.
- Don't worry - Kise said, sitting next to Sana, who sat down, moving the blanket away a little - I brought everything you asked for.
- More painkillers? - Sana started to say the list and Kise responded calmly.
- Yes.
- The chocolates?
- It's all here.
- The slice of coconut cake too? I don't even know why I want coconut cake.
- It doesn't matter why you want it; it matters that I brought it anyway - Kise said as he took out and opened the paper box that carefully held the slice of coconut cake. Kise had asked for cutlery at the store, so Sana started eating right away.
He had checked the time when he left the bakery with the cake and was sure he would make it to the basketball court on time.
- I hate my period - Sana mumbled while eating - but as long as this drawer is full of chocolate I'll be fine.
Kise nodded, he opened the drawer next to Sana's bed and started replenishing the emergency chocolate supply. Kise was already used to situations like this, as his sisters sometimes asked him for tea and sweets to cope with the pain that hit them every month, so it was normal for him to help.
- Feel grateful that you're feeling this now and not next week - Kise then realized that Aimi was in the room. There was only space for one desk between the closets and it was hidden from anyone who opened the door, so Kise didn't notice her before.
- How are you Aimicchi? - Kise greeted her - I can assure you that Aomine has finally finished unpacking.
- What a relief - Aimi took a deep breath, she looked tired, with dark circles under her brown eyes - I'll still ask for a photo to prove it.
Kise nodded, everything seemed fine to him except for one person.
- I can't believe you're actually going to be Aomine's nanny for the next four years - Sana complained, there was some chocolate on the corner of her lips, but Kise helped her wipe it off - you're too pretty for that!
Kise felt the tension in the room by the way Aimi closed the notebook she was writing in. There were several papers on the desk, she must have been looking at the timetable for her upcoming classes. Psychology was interesting, and Aimi would still do all of that while training with the cheerleading team.
Sana fell silent as Aimi left the room, taking the cell phone with her.
Kise thought Sana would continue to complain, but when he looked at his girlfriend, he saw that her eyes were full of tears.
- What happened, Sanacchi? - Kise was desperate for a moment - Does the cake taste bad?
- That's not it - Sana sniffed - the cake tastes amazing. It's just that Aimi and I have been fighting a lot these past two days.
- Because of Aomine?
- Of course it's because of Aomine! - Sana pierced the slice of cake with the paper fork several times - Why else would it be?
Kise wiped away the tears that escaped as Sana composed herself.
- I don't think he's good for her, he's too childish, but if I keep saying this out loud I'll end up losing my friend.
Kise nodded, Aomine was his friend too, his best friend after Kuroko, who happened to ignore his messages again on Miragroup.
- You dyed your hair blonde again.
- You noticed? - Sana smiled - Classes start in a week, it's fashion school, I need to look beautiful.
- You look beautiful every day Sanacchi.
- Maybe - Sana sighed, then pointed to her closet - you need to help me choose the looks I'm going to wear this week.
- For sure! - Kise saluted - By the way, who is the guy I saw in the kitchen?
- Oh, it's Suki's cousin, hotels are too expensive, but he leaves on Sunday, he's very quiet, the only ones who can talk to him are Suki and Hayami, Botan doesn't care, and Aimi and I are terrible at speaking English.
- Wait - Kise started to put the pieces together - does that mean he's sleeping here?
- Of course he is - Sana ate the last piece of cake that was left in the box, unable to notice the horror on Kise's face.
- SINCE WHEN?
- About four days - Sana shrugged, a vein was bulging on Kise's forehead - why are you so angry?
xxxxx
- Kise is late - Midorima said when checking the time on his cell phone.
It was too hot for a spring night, it was better to stay outside, and since there was a park with a basketball court near the building, the Miracles had gotten used to making their decisions this way: with a game.
- Let's put him on the losing team then - Akashi said - we've waited long enough.
- Yes, and the kitchen is disgusting - Murasakibara said while chewing chips - someone needs to clean it.
- Why don't we let Akashi hire someone to clean? - Aomine yawned.
- It's not fair for Akashi to do everything alone - Midorima interrupted - we already talked about this, and I think that playing to make any decision in the house is ridiculous.
- I think it's fun - Murasakibara said.
- Me too - Aomine agreed.
"Of course they think alike", Midorima thought, "they are two irrational stones".
His phone vibrated with the notification of a message and Midorima quickly checked for the possibility that it was some explanation from Kise, but it was a message from Takao. He didn't have time to read it now, so he would wait to answer his friend later. It was still early for Takao in his new home, he could wait.
Akashi touched Midorima's shoulder, who almost dropped his cell phone out of fear. He and Akashi were getting along well again and they were both supporting each other with relationship-related advice.
"One blind man leading the other", Midorima thought.
He wasn't exactly that angry with Aomine and Murasakibara, in fact he was irritated by the fact that Botan was ignoring him, or pretending to ignore him every time he spoke about the future. And now the only person who could make Botan laugh easily was far away and Midorima didn't know what to do.
"Am I more in love than her? Am I thinking too much?", it was this kind of thing that had been on Midorima's mind all the time since he had moved into the apartment. It was strange seeing all the girls helping his friends while Botan remained distant.
- You better concentrate, Shintarō - Akashi said - I don't want to lose to these two.
Midorima was about to respond when Kise suddenly appeared, he ran to the center, standing between the two pairs, and tried to catch his breath while saying something about a guy.
- He's living in the apartment with them! Can you imagine?
- What? Who? - Aomine asked, finally seeming interested in something. Midorima had already realized that he was extremely insecure when it came to Aimi and other guys. He was worried about how Aomine would be from now on.
- A guy? - Akashi blinked, as surprised as the other. Midorima moved away from Akashi a little.
- They are coming! - Kise pointed to the exit of the court - C'mon Akashicchi, grab a scissor!
It didn't take long for the girls to appear, and next to them followed a guy almost as tall as Murasakibara, maybe just a few centimeters shorter than him, but he certainly wasn't Japanese.
With the exception of the foreign guy and Suki, the other girls seemed to have come against their will, as they all had an expression of tiredness and frustration on their faces, especially Botan, who wore a black sweatshirt that indicated she was in a bad mood.
- I can't believe you made me walk all this way to spread malicious gossip! - Sana said, she wore a flashy shirt from an idol group - you won't be forgiven, Ryōta.
- It's in everyone's interest, Sanacchi - Kise finally caught his breath - look at this guy, he's been living with them for four days and we can't! Isn't it unfair?
- Don't be exaggerated, Kise - Suki protested, she and the foreign guy were holding two baskets - Also, we saw that Sana gave you a copy of the apartment key, which was wrong.
- This is completely irrelevant now - Kise then turned to Murasakibara - Are you okay with this?
- Oh, I thought you were talking about a weird guy, that's Theo.
- Do you know his name? - Kise looked shocked.
- Of course I know - Murasakibara waved back when the foreign guy saw him - I don't understand anything he says, so it's funny, but he also knows how to cook.
- We brought strawberry muffins! - Suki announced, lifting the baskets - I wanted us all to get together at home and it would be nice to introduce Theo to you, but Kise insisted that we come here.
- I think you told me about this last week - Akashi approached Hayami as she helped Suki spread a picnic blanket in the middle of the court, looking a lot more relaxed now - forgive me.
- It's okay - Hayami replied - he wouldn't be comfortable with you up there, at least Suki is a friendly face.
- My father would kill me if I left Theo in a hotel - Suki said while delivering muffins to Murasakibara and Sana.
Looking closer, Midorima saw the similarity between the cousins. Theo and Suki had the same greenish eyes and brown hair, although the boy's was shorter. He smiled when someone said something, then asked Suki the meaning, who began translating.
Midorima noticed that each girl quickly tried to calm their boyfriend and they all sat together, but Botan sat alone. It was Midorima who went to meet her.
- Are you angry? - she asked.
Midorima wasn't hungry, but she got Botan a muffin.
- Maybe - he replied, extending the muffin to Botan, who took it, then broke it in half and gave a piece back to Midorima. She had changed from her thick glasses a few weeks ago and now wore round glasses with thinner frames. - If Kise can have a key why can't I?
- Kise shouldn't have a key - Botan sighed, then took a small shiny object out of her pocket, placing it quickly in Midorima's hands - so your copy doesn't exist either, understand?
He tried to hide the smile and blush on his cheeks, but Botan made sure to squeeze them for a second before starting to eat the muffin. Midorima became calmer when he realized that Botan was still wearing the ring he had given him two years ago. He knew that as long as she wore that ring, they would still be together as a couple.
- He texted me just now - Midorima said. He couldn't say the name out loud, but he didn't need to, Botan knew who he was talking about.
- Really? - her face lit up, then Botan grabbed him by the wrist, pulling Midorima away from the group - Let's call him now!
xxxxx
- She already knows? - Sana asked Kise in a whisper.
The blonde was still embarrassed for having brought the guys together to talk about something that soon became irrelevant and was now thinking about whether he should ask Kuroko for advice.
- What? - he tried to touch Sana's hand, who slapped him away. She was focused on watching Aimi and Aomine, who had already finished eating and was now doing tricks with the basketball. Aimi applauded with each trick, and Theo seemed surprised too, as he asked Suki something every two seconds. Aomine seemed to want to challenge him.
- That Imayoshi is your neighbor.
Sana said that carefully so as not to be heard by anyone, but now only Akashi and Hayami remained nearby as Murasakibara had followed Suki and Theo to keep a basket of muffins for himself.
Kise and Aomine had discovered this tragic fate on the first day of the move, when Imayoshi appeared at the door of their apartment, with curious eyes at the neighbors. After that, Aomine made the Miracles promise that none of them would say anything to Aimi, although not everyone knew exactly why.
- I don't think so - Kise replied, he took two more muffins and handed them to Sana, who was empty-handed - Aominecchi has been very careful.
- I can't believe we ended up in the same building - Sana grumbled - that's bad luck, I'm almost believing Botan who says Hayami is cursed.
- Shouldn't you tell Aimi? - Kise asked - I mean, isn't it better for her to be prepared?
Sana sighed, then took another bite of the muffin. She looked worried and Kise wondered if the fights with Aimi went further than he imagined.
- He told her he has a girlfriend now, I bet it's a lie, and you?
- I bet Aominecchi will be sad.
- Well, "Aominecchi" needs to stop acting like a child, it's all Momoi's fault.
It was Kise's turn to sigh, he then patted Sana's head, whose feelings were too strong at that moment. It was more complicated than that.
He was grateful for his last free week, as classes would soon begin, as well as training for the basketball team, whose spots were still not certain no matter how famous they were. Then everything would be different.
Hello everyone and thank you for reading until the end of today's chapter!
I love writing little moments about Kise and I think this chapter really showed how dedicated he is. This was the last chapter of the pre-college arc, so in the next one I plan to show how the Miracles will act in college and their courses (I think you're curious about this), not to mention basketball games.
I can't promise to bring weekly chapters, but I can promise good chapters.
I hope you are able to convey how the Miracles are growing up and dealing with adulthood.
See you in the next chapter!