4A/N: Unbeta'd, mistakes are all mine. This is Aokise. I am indulging myself calling the characters by their first names.
I have read a lot like my plot, but I just wanted to try my hand writing BL, at least they won't devastate me unlike my hetero OTP
Disclaimer: None of it is mine, just borrowing. No profit made.
Chapter 1
"To someone who has lost after trying his best, no words from the winner can console him."
Those were the last words Ryouta heard from Daiki. Upon hearing those words, Ryouta chuckled bitterly on the ground. The model's blond head is down, his legs are throbbing painfully, his breathing still ragged. If one could see his face, they would see so much pain reflecting from those beautiful amber eyes, and that's not because of his aching legs.
Ahh, it's no use, Aominecchi's amazing after all, he thought. Ryouta felt stupid now for thinking he could stand on equal ground against his idol. He looked up to see Daiki's broad back walking away from him. He chuckled again, this time it's not so bitter anymore for he realized he cannot just stop admiring him. He somehow felt excited that motivation to still play is still burning in him. He guessed this is the higher ups way to reprove him from casually dismissing sports after sports when there's no more worthy opponent to challenge him. This time, he was given someone he couldn't surpass even how hard he tried- to the point that he over exerted himself and feared that he might have hurt his legs without repair. That possibility frightens the blonde more than he can imagine because he could not afford to be injured now. He needed to be equal to Daiki, he needed to beat him. He has to do it, dammit. Because… how else could he stay in contact with him? Let alone engage him in a game if he cannot even pose a challenge to him? This is the only way the blonde know how to reach the power forward's heart – no matter how cheesy that sounded.
Why the blond model so desperate for the tanned teen to acknowledge him, you ask? Well, it might be because Ryouta's feelings toward the navy haired basketball prodigy has past admiration, he had accepted a long time ago that he harbor much deeper feelings than that and he has been berating himself for it. He knew the possibility that his feeling might be requited is non-existent, that it is absolutely - no question ask - inconceivable, it's not even funny how real that statement was.
A love with no hope of requital huh, good luck with that Ryouta.
He did not think even for a second that he would fall for someone so brash, so prideful and most of the time - indifferent, and oh that's not it at all, he is a dude to boot, just like him – a DUDE, the hell? And what more, Daiki has been open from the beginning that he likes girls – chicks with big racks to be specific, and Ryouta is DEFINITELY doesn't belong in that category. He knew this all too well but damn him because his heart decided to long for that person and that person alone. So you can't blame Ryouta if he pushed himself beyond limit just to get acknowledged by his beloved. But look at that, he failed.
-X-
Weeks have passed after that painful but exhilarating game, as Ryouta thinks so. The lanky teen is lying on his bed; his right leg is propped up on his two pillows. He was advised to take easy on his legs for a couple of months. He winced at that thought. It had been very hard and painful for him just sitting on the bench while watching his team mates being crushed by Shintaro's team. But he is thankful the damage is not lasting, he could play again in the next inter high, it will be his last chance to beat the Tōō ace. His modeling agency has been receiving more jobs for him lately, his manager even hint him there has been a talk for him appearing in a drama series. If that happens, then it will be even harder for the model to juggle his studies, his job and of course basketball. His priorities are not necessary in that order.
Whether the model realized it or not, at the moment his top priority is basketball, or to be more specific – beating Daiki. He already cut down his jobs; he is also not really focused on his studies if his grades are any indication. The blond teen is determined that the next time he face his former teammate on the court he will make sure Daiki will at least acknowledge him as an equal and hopefully - oh Ryouta's heart is hopeful alright - that maybe he could get a tiny bit closer to him. He could do it because even Tetsuya could do it albeit with the help of another basketball prodigy.
The handsome face grimaced, he did not like that it was not him who pulls down Daiki from his high horse, that he wasn't the one who put a smile back on the ace's face. Nevertheless, much to the model's delight, Daiki has become more approachable, the tanned guy slowly reverted back to his old self – back to where he can again enjoy playing, now with a knowledge that there are others who are stronger than him. He gathers this all from Satsuki. He is thankful that Satsuki keep in contact with him. With that in mind, the blonde drifted off to sleep with a hopeful heart.
-X-
Ryouta stretched his cramped body as soon as his meeting with the drama production management concluded. The meeting lasted for three hours going through the contract and another four hours for contract signing photo shoots and interviews. He had made sure that they have to put his basketball schedule into consideration. His manager has been begging him to prioritize his career but of course-the blonde couldn't do it even if he wants to; because aside from his natural competitiveness, there's also the matter of the heart. The model finds this troublesome and yet...
He guessed that he fell for his old teammate during their Teiko days. Yes, it was admiration at first, because who wouldn't admire the prodigy's basketball? Hell, he did not even play the damn sport in his life and yet he knew the moment he saw the way Daiki got past his opponent and dunk the ball like it was nothing was something that anyone in their age could not just do. Then he got to know him, got to see him happily playing the sport he loves so much, got to see his protective and caring side even if he deny it to moon and back. The blonde chuckled, he still remember the time when his old teammates first brought him to the convenient store to "celebrate" his promotion to first string. Satsuki got hurt that time by a snatcher and even though he was the first to react and ran after the guy, upon seeing Satsuki on the ground the tanned male got past him no problem. That's probably the beginning for the model to notice his old teammate deeper.
Oh believe him he had tried subduing his stubborn and stupid heart as soon as he realized it. He even went as far as to date girls-several different girls, mind you – hoping that maybe his feelings towards his former teammate would disappear, but alas, all efforts turned out fruitless. No one else worked out. It has to be the power forward of the Tōō Gakuen. Ryouta honestly did not remember wanting someone so bad in his entire life.
So he gave in, he continued to ask for one-on-ones that he was often called a masochistic bastard because he never won, he continued to accompany him for popsicles even though he always ended up paying. He tried hard not to enjoy the skin ship and cling back to the tanned teen every time they won as he has a habit of slinging his hands on his shoulders. The blonde mentally pats himself for acting nonchalant about it all even if his heart felt like it wanted to pop out of his chest. He just smiles his mega- watt smile because after all it's the most effective way to hide his feelings… and his pain. And this all just to pacify his heart and be content of what he can get from his unrequited.
The model sighed, "I'm hopeless," he muttered to himself. He bid farewell to his manager, put on his usual disguise – a beanie and a scarf that covers half his face – then sling his bag and started his way home thinking of taking a long bath and catch up on his sleep.
He has just step out of the building when his phone buzzed. 'Ki-chan, if you are free you can drop by the court near Tetsu-kun's place, we are playing.' The model's heart skipped, if Satsuki is there then…
He turned abruptly to the opposite direction to where the court is "I'm really hopeless" he sighed again. His fatigue forgotten. His steps is quick eager to see someone. He wants to see if his Aominecchi has really returned.
And there on the court is his belov.. errr old teammate, intensely facing a match with another basketball prodigy – Kagami Taiga, Tetsuya's new light. Ryouta leaned his lanky form on the iron-gate, his eyes observes the two players fondly. He can tell that Daiki is winning. He watched him pivot to the side then jump to slam the ball through the net. As the tanned teen feet touched the ground, he grins and Ryouta's amber eyes widen in amazement, his heart throbs loudly in his ears, because the grin plastered in his unrequited face is so genuine, it's pure joy. Ryouta feast his eyes more until molten gold met navy blue.
"Oi Kise, are you just gonna stand there? Bring your pretty ass here!" Daiki shouted familiarly, like the incident from the last game he faced the blonde did not happen.
The blonde chuckled at that and couldn't help but smile as well, his happiness shows in his face. He walked towards Tetsuya and Satsuki who were sitting on a bench, "Kurokocchi! Momocchi, it's nice to see you both" he greeted jovially, genuinely.
"Hello Kise-kun" said the teal haired boy.
"Ki-chan, I'm glad you came. We have not seen you since the winter cup" Satsuki greeted back.
"Gome! I've been busy." the blond said while he sat down next to the Seirin shadow and remove his beanie and shawl. Then he face the two aces on the court and said "Gome, Aominecchi, Kagamicchi, I can't play with this shoes." It was true, Ryouta is wearing a semi-formal clothes with a leather shoes as required for his career meeting earlier.
The two aces decided to take a break and walk towards them. Satsuki hands Daiki his water bottle while Taiga rummages in his bag for his.
"So what have you been up to?" Ask the Tōō ace, eyes on the blonde, water bottle hovers on his mouth.
"Yeah, Ki-chan, why are you dressed like that?" Prodded Satsuki.
"Ah, I just signed a contract to appear in a drama series and they have to take pictures, you know for publicity." Ryouta responded without looking at Daiki.
"Wow, that's big, Ki-chan! But are you sure you could fit all that in your schedule?" gush Satsuki.
Tetsuya's eye bore at the Kaijo's ace "You lost weight, Kise-kun."
The model just wave off their concern saying "I'll be fine, don't worry about it."
"Don't overdo things, dumbass. I'm getting bored beating Kagami, he need back up." Said the tanned male beside Satsuki, face on the court.
"Oi!" The red-haired Seirin ace protested.
Ryouta smiled inwardly, there's the caring side he missed, albeit shown in a round-about way.
After catching up some more "It's getting late, we are going to Maji burger, do you guys want to come?" said the teal haired boy.
"Yeah" Satsuki agreed as Daiki nods.
"Ah, I think I'm gonna go home." The model said while wearing his beanie and wrapping his scarf high to cover his face again. His tired body reminding him of the much needed rest.
Tetsuya along with his new light and Satsuki started heading out. The blonde turned to follow but a voice behind him stopped his step. "Kise, how's your.. leg?"
Ryouta's heart leapt, he turned to face his friend and saw that he was looking at anywhere but him, a hand on his neck, indication that he is uneasy. The model smiled and put him to ease "It doesn't hurt now, Aominecchi. It's all good." The tanned boy nod.
Both aces of respective team walked out the court and went on opposite direction. Both felt lighter.
Little did they know something is going to happen that will change their life drastically.
Little did the blonde model know his time chasing his unrequited is running out, that he will lost him before he even has the chance.
A/N: Worth continuing?
If you would please drop a review, it would surely motivate me.