4A/N: Unbeta'd, mistakes are all mine, English not first language. This is Aokise. I am indulging myself calling the characters by their first names .
Disclaimer: None of it is mine, just borrowing. No profit made.
Chapter 2
Time went by and inter high tournament is commencing soon. Ryouta has been so excited to face off with his friends and old teammates again, and of course we don't have to mention who he is looking forward to play against the most. He had had chances playing practice games with his former teammates including their tag along friends after that time Satsuki texted him. He even played one-on-one with his unrequited several times. Those are very precious memories of the blonde, he relishes the feeling every time. He may even go as far as to think that they had become closer. Of course, the tanned ace is still oblivious to the blonde's feelings, still clueless that Ryouta's heart clenched painfully every time Daiki mentions about girls or his preferences - that he is the cause of the model's sorrow and happiness at the same time. Talk about bittersweet memories.
I am in love with a man who would never look at me the way I look at him, but I am fine with it as long as I can stay by his side – just a little bit will do.
Another week past and it is time for opening ceremony to start the tournament. All team and members are present. They were all lined up. Ryouta's amber eyes scan the crowd and his face glowed when he sees the familiar faces. He couldn't wait to play against them again. His body is tingling in anticipation. The blonde thinks he is better than last time. He is giving everything he's got if he hasn't done that yet.
Everyone is excitedly chatting with their teammates which made the hall lively. Ryouta too is talking animatedly to his captain when he felt the hall gradually became silent, he could now only hear murmuring here and there. Then all faces turned to the front and saw several uniformed military officials walks in.
"Holy crap, are they gonna recruit some of us?" Ryouta heard someone say. Now he remembers what he has been seeing in the news lately. It was about countries fighting each other for territories, countries being attacked by terrorist, a certain country mass producing weapons that could wipe out an entire city in one hit and recently, one of their test flew over Japan's territory that alarmed the whole nation, etc. Just a few days ago, their Prime Minister has announced that a counter measure is also being prepared, and that all male at the age of seventeen up are now mandatory to attend the military training and because of the situation they have added high school students to be trained for not less than two years. High School students will be chosen randomly. Now Ryouta agrees with that statement. Yes it looks like it.
The blonde's golden eyes follows a man who walks in the front with a microphone, and he could tell even from afar that this person exude strength and authority. Ryouta guessed he has the highest rank among the group. The man tested the mic and started talking.
Ryouta and that random teen couldn't have been more wrong. He listen more as the officer tell them they are needed to protect their country and that a war could erupt anytime and so on. He guessed the situation might have gone worst for the government to action this fast and have retorted in recruiting high school students.
The blonde might have been feeling fine at the start because he thinks there are too many of them there for him or his friends to be chosen, besides they were only second year high school. But as the officer reads the chosen names Ryouta's pale face became even more paler. Because among the hundred names mentioned, some names made his heart started to beat faster and faster..
Midorima Shintaro
Kagami Taiga
Akashi Seijurou
Kasamatsu Yukio
The last one made the blonde's heart stopped beating altogether.
Aomine Daiki
The officer concluded his speech by telling the selected teenagers that they have to report in his office in one week time and that the list of names will be sent to their schools so that those who were not present in the stadium will be informed.
Everyone is stunned. Some faces are grimacing, some are crying openly including Satsuki and the Seirin coach. Ryouta tried his hardest to regain composure as he looks around. The excitement everyone felt before the announcement is gone, replaced with forlorn faces, especially those team that lost their aces. That's right, three members of the Generation of Miracles were selected, all very important to their teams. Daiki is one of them. Ryouta felt his chest constrict. His beloved needs to be in the service for two years with the possibility that he will be deployed to war. The blonde himself feels like crying. And cry he did as he looks at his senpai. His senpai's head is down and unmoving.
"Senpai" the blond called weakly, tears is cascading down his face. He went and hugged the smaller teen. For the first time Ryouta did not receive a kick for his action, his senpai allowed his skinship. "Shouldn't you be with your other friends? Three of them were chosen." His captain said in a small voice.
"Four," he corrected, "Kagamicchi's my friend too." Responded the blonde as his eyes searched for these four.
Taiga is slumped on the floor, with Tetsuya standing beside him, the usual blank face now replaced with worry and something more, all of their team members gathered around them.
Green head is spotted not far from the blonde, pushing his glasses up. He still look composed, the blonde chuckled sadly, leave it to the sharp shooter to be calm at times like this. But his lack of emotion compensated by his hawk eyed team mate, Kazunari is not unlike him – crying his eyes out.
Ryouta's former captain is nowhere to be found. He is guessing the Rakuzan ace is already working his connection to find a way out of this. The blonde hope it works so at least he could still have a decent team to play with aside from Atsushi's team, that is.. if he will play at all.
Lastly, amber eyes fall on the blue haired Tōō ace, he was also slumped on the floor, his hands both on top of each knees, usual scowl on. Satsuki is still crying beside him. The tanned teen is looking at nowhere. Then he turned to Satsuki and awkwardly pats her head once. The model smiled sadly at that.
What am I gonna do now without you, Aominecchi.
After that, the program was resumed and ended in a low spirit. The blonde guessed that with the many names mentioned, all the teams are affected. Kaijo is lucky that only his senpai were chosen from their basketball team.
Everyone went home.
-X-
Ryouta was restless after that day, he has been worrying for his friends and aside from that, he has been trying to decide whether to finally confess to his unrequited or just keep it to himself and just hope that maybe his feelings will miraculously disappear along with the tanned teen as he departs for this new chapter of his life. The model is ashamed of himself actually for he is thinking of his freaking feelings while his friends is preparing a battle that for the first time in their lives they don't know if they're going to win.
You are being selfish, Ryouta. Stop it.
Ryouta woke up feeling tired on the fourth day after that announcement, he has been dreading the day to end as it will just remind him of the remaining days Daiki and his friends are still within reach. Only three more days to go, the blond thought. He sighed deeply. He still hasn't decided, and it has been bothering him ever since. Too many questions are running in his head.
Will he be disgusted if I confess? So much that he will not treat me as a friend anymore?
Maybe he'll give me a chance? Maybe his indifference could be an advantage?
If I will not confess, what if I will not have a chance anymore? Will I be okay with that?
What if he finds someone he loves there? But that's unlikely, because he will be busy training or worst engage in a war. But he's guy, he has needs too..
Argghhh… Ryouta's blonde head felt like exploding.
What to do? What to do?...
I'll think about it tonight, the blonde thought, ignoring the pain in his chest and the twisting of his gut. He got up from his bed and started getting ready to school. The blonde is really feeling tired nowadays and he claims it to the drama series he is shooting almost every day after school and not to the fact that his heart has been weighting him down a lot.
Later that day, the blond model was heading to the shooting place when he remembers his conversation with Satsuki on the phone. The former Teiko manager called him to tell him that she is organizing a farewell party for their friends and if she could, please, please use his place as the venue. Ryouta agreed as he was the only one who has a place on his own. His former captain is sure can arrange for some place but Satsuki thinks it should be in a place where everyone feels at ease. Satsuki told him it will be tomorrow night and she will come early to help with the foods and drinks.
Ryouta's heart rattled in his chest again, his unrequited will be there and it might be the last time he will see him. Time is off the essence, he realized.
So, the fateful night arrived and all the blonde's friends are now huddled in his living room including Shintaro's partner – Kazunari who insisted to come along, even the Kaijo captain came. The mood started out lively, to the blonde's and Satsuki's relief.
Everyone settled themselves. Food and drinks were in a big table, of course with varieties of snack for their purple haired giant friend. Ryouta also managed to buy some alcoholic drinks saying that they were getting matured prematurely anyway, what with some of them going to war and what not.
Ryouta was watching all his friends fondly when his former captain demanded his attention. "Ryouta, I approve of your apartment, it's a prime location and the security is well placed."
The blond beamed. "Arigato, Akashicchi, although this was arranged by my manager, said the location is close to the agency and my school." But the smile slowly faded and his face turned melancholy as he eyed his former captain. The fact that he was here with them meant that his connection has failed him for the first time. Ryouta had the urge to hug his friend for still looking out for him despite his situation but he knew the red haired teen won't appreciate it.
"How's your work doing? And school?" Sharp red eyes still focus on the blonde who is squirming a little now with the questioning.
"I'm doing less modeling now because of the drama series, and my manager told me that my career might focus on acting in the near future depending on the acceptance of viewers on my first drama role." The blonde said excitedly, trying hard to quench the forming ache in his gut.
The pinkette manager of Tōō Gakuen who has been listening put on her cent "I'm sure it will be fine, it's Ki-chan we're talking about."
"Momocchi, you flatter me too much." The model grin but didn't reach his eyes.
"And your school, Ryouta?" The red haired Rakuzan captain asked again with slightly narrowed eyes.
"Ahh, Akashicchi, everything is fine, don't worry, I'm maintaining my grades. I'm also attending basketball practice every time I can so.. Aurghhh senpai!" The blonde wail as he nurse his throbbing side looking at his glowering captain who is now a little tipsy.
"What do you mean attending when you can? You have to attend all the practices, we have a game in two weeks, you idiot!" His captain hollered, forgetting he is leaving for military service in two days.
The model can no longer suppress the ache in his heart, along with the twisting of his gut. His feelings on this whole thing came in full force. "Yeah, and you won't be there, Senpai, and Akashicchi, and Midorimacchi and Kagamicchi and.." the blonde's swallowed "… Aominecchi." He finished in a small voice, but it was as good as shouted it because the whole apartment has become eerily silent, faces became serious instantly. Leave it to the blonde to open the proverbial can of worm.
"Idiot, it's not like we are not coming back." The green eyed Shutoko ace muttered. Beside him, Kazunari's laughing face is now nowhere to be found, it is now focus on the glass he is holding, eyes downcast.
Atsushi ceased his munching and look to the side, bored face is still in place.
"At least, you only have to beat Murasakibara and Tetsu here then you'll be the champion." The tanned Tōō ace said from opposite the blonde, his lanky body sprawled on the single sofa, head facing the ceiling, his drinks also clutched in his hand.
"It's not the same Aominecchi. You know the most I wanted to beat is you." Ryouta said determinedly. Both the blonde's cheeks are now also tinge with pink assumingly due to alcohol. He thinks, with his state of mind, he wouldn't be surprised if he blurt something he shouldn't be saying.
"I understand Kise-kun's feeling." Surprisingly, the teal haired shadow of Seirin added.
"Then you just have to wait for us then. Let's continue this when we come back, make sure to enroll yourself to college." The former captain concluded, still looking sober.
"Or I can volunteer to come with you." The blonde model said without realizing what he just uttered.
"No!" Kaijo Captain shouted.
"Eh? We can do that?" Atsushi asked. His face for the first time is excited and hopeful.
"The hell?" said the Tōō ace, finally sitting properly on the sofa, dark blue eyes bore incredulously on the blonde.
"Tsh!" reacted by the Shutoko three pointers.
"Ki-chan!" "Mukkun!" Former Teiko manager, scolding voice.
"…" Seirin Shadow, former Teiko captain, hawk eyed guard and red-haired Seirin ace. All set of eyes incredulously set on the blond.
"Kise-kun, please don't say dumb things." Tetsuya said when recovered. Also looking sober.
"You are such a blondie." Taiga muttered. Face already close to the color of his hair.
"Hey what's my hair color got to do with it? And Kurokocchi, it's not dumb, if we stay behind and continue playing basketball then we will sure beat them when they come back, there's no challenge anymore." The blonde whine. At the back of his head, he was also surprised with what he uttered. It's probably his heart talking, wanting to be always near his unrequited.
Teal and pink colored eyes scrutinize the blond. Both came to an understanding. Ryouta realized that and sat down, head down.
"That.. made sense." Tetsuya said, understandingly. Eyes still set on the blonde.
"Not you too!" His new light shouted.
"I just said it made sense, I didn't say I want to volunteer as I think I'm not really qualified to be a soldier." Tetsuya clarified.
"Ryouta, you are not volunteering, nor you Atsushi. Focus on your studies and continue your basketball." Seijuro concluded.
"Yeah, Ki-chan, amongst us, you have the more to lose. You have responsibilities to your fans." Satsuki added. The model turning actor nod, defeated.
So the night continued in a lighter mood. Until everyone got considerably drunk and started bidding their farewells. The blonde made sure to convey his overly affectionate nature to his friends. None of them rejected his hugs, even Shintaro who reluctantly patted the blonde's back.
Everyone left except Daiki. Daiki asked to stay the night. As Ryouta closes the door and went back to the living room, his amber eyes fall on the tanned teen lying on his sofa, clearly drunk. Ryouta ran his finger on his blond hair, heart beating fast.
He slowly approached his friend, he crouched on the floor and poke his friend on the shoulder "Aominecchi, you can sleep on the guest room. Come on, get up. I will bring you water." He said softly.
Daiki's blue eyes open a little and shifted to face the blonde. "Your face is too close, idiot." His hand raised and pushes the face away, gently. "The hell, your face feels like a girl." Daiki drawled and run his thumb on the blonde's cheek then pinched it for added effect.
"I'm not a girl, Aominecchi." Ryouta tried to pout with a stretched cheek, secretly relishing the feeling of Daiki's hand on his face.
The blue haired teen's eyes then landed on Ryouta's legs, he moved his hand from the blonde's face- much to Ryouta's disappointment, and stroke a leg which caused the blonde to squeak so un-manly and abruptly stand. He tried to step back but Daiki's hand gripped his leg. "Even your leg feels like a girl. Did you have to shave it?"
"Aominecchi, let go. I need to shave them for my modeling work." The blonde said, face fully red now and heart thumping hard in his chest. He isn't prepared for this, dammit.
Daiki released Ryouta's leg and sat down. "Alright, let's go to your room."
"Eh? Not my room, Aominecchi. I have guest room. Come'n, I'll walk you there." The blonde said while tugging the tanned male to stand. Daiki stand but swayed a little so Ryouta instinctively wraps his arm around Daiki's shoulder and started guiding him towards the room.
Ryouta dump the lanky teen on the bed and heaved. He had almost carried his unrequited as Daiki was half asleep walking. Daiki shifted to make himself comfortable.
Ryouta lingers there, he couldn't get his feet to move. His eyes stuck on his sleeping unrequited. Then finally his feet moves but not to walk away from the tanned teen but towards him. He crouched on the bed where Daiki's face directly.
A pale hand rose and poke the tanned teen's face "Hey, Aominecchi?" The model said softly, he waited for response. None. He sighed and rested his chin on the bed, eyes still on the teen's face.
"Promise me you'll take care of yourself, that you'll be careful, please don't be brash, Aominecchi." Ryouta continued in a soft voice. After a moment, he chuckled. "Of course, you'll be your audacious self. What am I saying?... Just please come back safe and whole, all of you."
As he gazes at his unrequited, the model's self-control unconsciously slipped, he rose a little and pressed his lips on Daiki while the tanned teen is asleep, or so Ryouta thought. Because when he was about to retract his lips he found he couldn't for there is suddenly a hand on the back of his head keeping it there.
A deafening alarm sets off in the blonde's head. His eyes widen and fear crept in his chest. Oh no? Has he been found out? Is he about to lose Daiki? His heart settled a little when he saw that Daiki's eyes are still closed. The model tried to extricate himself again before it's too late but Daiki's lips started to move.
Daiki is kissing the model back.
Ryouta doesn't know what to do, his mind blanked out his body froze…that is until Daiki started to part his lips with his tongue. Ryouta gasp and Daiki took the opportunity and delve in to explore the blonde's mouth. Ryouta will blame it to alcohol later because - forgive him, he couldn't think straight anymore. He gave in to the desire he has bottled up for so many years. He responded to Daiki's kisses with so much intensity and longing that he didn't realize he was already on top of the blue haired ace. His unrequited kisses are intoxicating, its mind blowing that the blonde sure to imprint it to his memories.
The blonde could hear the loud thumping of his heart that it feels like its gonna pop out anytime soon. They continued kissing each other with the blonde pouring his heart out, hoping to reach his unrequited's heart. That is until Daiki's hands started to go down the blonde's chest, and Ryouta's closed eyes opened wide in an instant. The alarm in his mind came back in full force, much much louder than before.
Daiki had said earlier that Ryouta feels like a girl, what if he thinks he is kissing a girl? What if Daiki finds out he has been making out with a boy, and not just a boy but a friend he trusted? Ryouta's blood run cold. He couldn't bear the thought of Daiki hating him. He extracted himself from his unrequited's grip and jumped out of the bed like it was set on fire. He breathed heavily, his back on the bed and waited for the worst to come. His heart still throbbing from his chest.
After a few seconds without any signs of movement from the bed, Ryouta took a deep breath and bravely turned. He doesn't know whether he is relieved or disappointed seeing Daiki fast asleep. So he has been making out with an unconscious Daiki all along. Dammit, even asleep the basketball prodigy's instinct is still active.
Ryouta finally allowed himself to think that it's for the best, that he has not been found out. This actually answers his turmoil for the past few days.
To let Daiki go without burdening of his feelings. Maybe, when he comes back, he might grow a backbone and finally confess. If that will ever happen. Ryouta sighed deeply, he feast his eyes to the sleeping ace for the last time and retreated to his room.
The next day, Ryouta woke up early to prepare breakfast for two, then went to wake his friend.
At the table, Ryouta catches Daiki looking at him longer than necessary. His heart skipped every time. Does Daiki remember last night? But to the blonde's utter relief, Daiki did not say anything.
Daiki is putting on his shoes while Ryouta leaned on the wall watching Daiki.
"Ja, Kise." Daiki said waving his hand then turned towards to door. Ryouta's heart started to race again. "Aa, Aominecchi, do your best." The blonde smile again. His body itches to lunge himself towards the tanned ace but he controlled himself.
That is until Daiki reaches his hand for the door knob "Aominecchi!" The blonde called. Daiki turned in time to accommodate Ryouta's body who hugged him tightly.
"Oi, Kise." Drawled Daiki to his clinging friend. "Shush, Aominecchi, I did this to everyone yesterday, you are no exemption." Ryouta excused himself, still relishing the feeling of hugging his unrequited.
"Tch!" Ryouta heard his friend but to his utter surprise, he felt one hand on his back hugging him back. Ryouta smiled genuinely and tighten his hold but remembered he is indulging himself far too long, so he reluctantly released the blue haired boy who was facing the side.
"Be careful there, Aominecchi." Ryouta finally said, actor smile in place.
Daiki gave Ryouta that look again, like he wants to ask something, but "Aa. Ja, Kise." Daiki said and turned missing to see how the blonde's face transform from smiling to almost crying.
-X-
A/N. First off, I don't know if Japan also has a compulsory military service for all male, I know Korea has. As some of you might have guessed, I got the idea of writing this plot from the news I read a couple of months ago of N. Korea testing their nuclear weapon that passed through Japan Territory and that US has deployed troops to Japan to strengthen defences. So I just thought I will use these scenarios to separate my favorite miracles. Don't worry I'm not gonna delve too much into it.
I know I bore you with my first chapter, I hope this one is a little interesting that you would at least try to leave a review? Pretty please?