4A/N: As usual, please forgive the grammar mistakes.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter 4
Wakana Nobu is a distinguished host and presenter. He prided himself as a highly professional with his job.. or that's what he thought until he came face to face with this young man. With all the long years he has been in the showbiz industry, this was the only time he could really tell that he ever find himself speechless, or to be exact - he was stars truck. Of course he has seen this handsome, golden eyed young man around, showbiz is a small world anyway, has seen his dramas, movies and even went to some of his concerts but never seen him this up close. Now he could empathize with the audience who are totally captivated by this smiling actor who he has just welcomed.
Ahh Nobu-san hoped he was a girl, a girl that could match this beautiful creature in-front of him, but he guessed that girl hasn't been found or born yet because to his knowledge, this young man has never been into a serious relationship, he might have been seen with different girls before but none of the girls have stayed long with the actor.
Even the actress next to him couldn't even compare to his beauty and she was called the prettiest of her generation.
Hhhmmm could it be that he bats for the other team too? Nobu-san's heart felt hopeful for an instant but gone the next.
Ahhh, I should really stop this craziness, there is no way he would ever look my way.
And Nobu-san could not have been more right… unless of course he is a basketball prodigy, possesses a dark blue hair and matching scorching blue eyes, with a cocky smirk and nonchalant attitude and your name is Aomine Daiki. Not that Nobu-san needs to know.
So the host collected himself and does his job.
"Kise-kun, please tell us more about your upcoming movie."
Kise directed his smile to Nubo-san and started charming everyone.
"Last question, I have to ask this because people want to know especially the ladies. Are you and Eri-chan here by any chance moving towards more than friends? Because you have been seen together several times and they said you are cozy together?"
The actress smiled and surreptitiously inched closer to the actor as she pats Ryouta's leg.
Ryouta looked at her and gave her a tender smile "Eri-chan and I are just friends."
"For now?" The host followed.
It was the actress who answered with a giggle "Yes, for now."
The audience squealed again and Ryouta turned his head to the audience. As he watches them, his eyes got fixed to a person at the very back of the studio. The tall figure is leaning on the wall with his hands crossed, his right leg slightly bent and Ryouta thought the guy was smirking or maybe it was just his imagination…. Or not?
Ryouta's heart skipped. He momentarily forgot that he was in-front of a hundred people on a live telecast. He stayed his gaze on that one person.
How long has it been since his unrequited left for military service? Ah it's been almost three years.
And it has been more than a year since he spoke to him on the phone telling him that he might be deployed to war soon. After that Ryouta has been always on the edge, ceremoniously watching news and contacting Satsuki regularly. After five months he got to hear news in the form of his green haired friend being sent to the hospital and was in the emergency ward. So, Ryouta wished he didn't hear anything. He would have preferred not hearing anything because as they say, no news is good news.
After Shintaro recovered with a still weeping Kazunari beside him, Ryouta, Tetsuya, Atsushi and Satsuki got to hear more news of their friends. That their other friends were still at the midst of the war and that he had no idea how they're faring now. That news unsettled Ryouta's heart ever further.
It only settled a little when he finally received a call from Satsuki three months ago that all of their friends are okay and that the situation has subsided, although they are still not free to come home.
Now that the blonde think of it, he couldn't imagine how he has been doing his job all along. He just knew his acting is now impeccable or has it become his true self? Because he couldn't tell anymore which of his acts is genuine or not.
"Do you agree to that, Kise-kun?"
Ryouta startled a little and remembered where he was at the moment. He turned his attention to the host again and put up his charade, he smiled "Time can only tell."
"Ahh, that's what you said when you and Yuki-chan were interviewed before. I hope with Eri-chan things will develop into a better one." Nobu-san said.
Ryouta smiled then shrugged. He turned to the studio again and squints his eyes at the figure still leaning on the wall, he could not see clearly due to the lighting of the studio but he is now sure that guy has short hair, wearing a dark jacket and dark shirt. It seems the guy knew Ryouta was looking at him because he raised his hand in greeting.
And that is all it takes for the actor's heart to begin trashing in his chest as if it just got recovered from being idle for a long time. His eyes widen and for once the perpetual smile plastered in that handsome face started to shift to one that blinded everyone in the studio.
The host after recovering asked him a question again and Ryouta has to remind himself that he was still working. When the time the director signaled for break, he searched his eyes again for that tall form in the wall but his chest started to constrict for his eyes couldn't find him. There was no one there anymore.
Was it all just my imagination after all?
No, he had been sure it was his friend leaning on that wall. He could feel it in his heart, so he abruptly stand and run out of the studio with his co star calling out to him.
Ryouta searched the corridors, all corners of the studio even bathrooms but he didn't find anyone resembling his unrequited. He sighed deeply. His heart aching madly.
He went back to retrieve his things, put on his disguise and went out the building. Ryouta felt like walking so he told his manager he's going home by himself.
He was still recalling the image earlier at the studio when a voice called out to him. He stopped abruptly and a genuine smile appeared again. This time he was sure he wasn't imagining or hallucinating, he was sure who the voice came from. He turned his head and there on the lamp post is his unrequited, smirking at him.
Ryouta willed all his might not to run and hug his friend, though his hands are twitching madly like it wants to reach out, so Ryouta stuffed them in his jacket pockets to be safe.
"Aominecchi!"
Ryouta couldn't contain his heart. How he long to call out that name again. Now that they are under the sun, he could clearly see that his friend has become taller, almost a head taller than him, this annoyed the blonde a little.
But his heart starts to thump loudly as he looks more at his unrequited's more angular face, masculine body, broader shoulder, darker skin.
You have grown a lot in all aspect haven't you, Aominecchi? I am even more convince now that only a miracle could ever make you look at me the way I look at you.
"Yo."
"You are here! How long have you been back? Wait, are you okay? Are you hurt? Please tell me the others are back as well. Are they okay? Are you back for good? What...hmmp"
Other questions were muffled by Daiki's hand on his mouth. "Shusshh, you are starting to attract attention, put up your hood, idiot." As Daiki said this, he was already putting up the hood to cover his friend's blond hair.
Ryouta stayed still, heart is thumping so loudly he is afraid his friend might hear it. He relished the moment.
Ryouta calmed himself "Are you here to see me, Aominecchi? Come on, let's go, my apartment is near bye."
After only a few minutes of walking, the two friends reached Ryouta's apartment.
"You sure live a luxury life, Kise, you live in a freaking hotel." Daiki commented as he looks around.
"Hhmm? Well, I had to leave the old one since it became difficult when I started college. My manager found this, and I like it so I bought it." Ryouta answered as he fished out two cans of beer.
"Your job must pay nice." Daiki droned as he scroll channels in Ryouta's 65 inch TV.
"So, tell me how long have you been back?" Ryouta settled himself next to his unrequited.
Daiki told him they were release two weeks ago, all of them are now back and that everyone is fine. He told the blonde brief stories of their adventure, as he calls it.
"So, how did you know I was in that studio and how did you even get there?" Ryouta asked.
"Satsuki called your manager and he told us where you were."
Ryouta's heart begins to race again.
Why does he want to see me? So he voiced his thought "Ah, so do you need anything from me, Aominecchi? Do you need a place to stay?"
"Satsuki already found me an apartment, I moved there last week. But yeah, I need your help on something. You see, before they released us, we were given choices. One, if we want to continue in the military with salary and all. Two, we can continue going to school with half scholarship. I decided to take the second option but I have to pass the high school equivalency test so I can go straight to college."
Ryouta got confused. "I think it's great that you are continuing your education, but where do you need me in that plan? Do you need help with the financing?"
"Nah, I've got that covered. The government gave us compensation. Since the exam for the equivalency test is in a month and the University Exam is in two months, Satsuki enrolled me in a cram school and she demanded to see me study whenever she's free."
"I still couldn't see what you need me for. Do you want me to tutor you too?" Ryouta grinned.
"Ha, as if. We both know your brain is not far off from mine." Daiki bonk the can of beer at Ryouta's head
Ryouta laugh "So then, tell me what I can do for you."
"I need to use your pretty face." Drawled Daiki.
"Huh?"
Daiki heaved an irritated sigh. "Apparently, Satsuki thinks I will not reached the passing grade of T University, hence I will not get accepted. That's where you will come. Satsuki thinks your stupid face could convince the University to accept me even with a failing grade. That woman doesn't trust me at all"
"Umm, so you want to study in the same university? You do know it's T University, right. Only the smart people or highly talented people got accepted there." The blonde now understands Satsuki's concern.
Daiki scowled "What? You think I'm not smart enough? Besides you got accepted there, didn't' you? Or did you have to use your face? "
"Nope, I got accepted there without them knowing it was me. I got a high score in the exam." Ryouta grinned. It was true. He studied hard to get to that University because it has good reputation and they allow student who couldn't attend regular classes to hire a private professor and study at their own time, also they offer the course Ryouta is taking. He only goes to the University for Exams or if he is required to personally attend classes.
Daiki looked at his friend with a hint of admiration. He has heard from Satsuki, alright, that getting into that University will be very difficult. Daiki wonder how hard his friend studied considering his chosen job."I only like that school because they have a strong team. I'd like to play again."
"Ryouta's face lighted. "That's great Aominecchi. I watched them play once and they will sure give you a challenge. I'd love to see you play again."
Daiki looked sideways at his actor friend and asked what has been plaguing his mind "Why aren't you playing anymore, Kise? Why didn't you join them?"
"At Kaijo, I played for another season and gave Kaijo the championship, after that it became very difficult to juggle everything, so I stopped. Besides, as I said before you guys left, it wasn't that fun to play anymore."
Daiki grinned "Well, we are back, want to play?"
So, in the private sports area of his place, the popular actor finds himself on the court, sweating madly, heart racing so fast he could hardly breathe but face determined. He couldn't remember how long it has been since he felt so alive, excitement is running in every fiber of his being. His unrequited is not unlike him, only his breathing is not as labored as his. Talk about stamina differences.
Of course the blonde is losing. He has not been challenged this hard in years and yet he couldn't be any happier at this moment. Facing off with his unrequited- for the blonde it's like- being on a date with him. This has always been their thing.
"How come you did not rust at all, Aominecchi?" Asked the blonde.
"We get to play there sometimes. Those Americans are tough, even Akashi acknowledge them."
Ah that explains it, thought Ryouta.
So when they finally used up all their energy and decided to call it a day, Ryouta tried hard not to show his disappointment. He watched his friend walk out the gym with a heavy heart but before he disappears from his sight, his friend called out to him again.
"Hey, I almost forgot, Satsuki's organizing a party at my new place next week, she told me to tell you now so you can tell your manager or whatever. You think you can come?"
Ryouta's mood lighted "Yeah, sure." The blonde responded immediately, mentally noting to contact his manager later to adjust his schedule.
"Want to play one-on-one again tomorrow?" Daiki asked again.
Ryouta's heart leaped at the prospect of seeing his friend again. "Don't you have cram school?"
"Yeah but I still have tomorrow free.'Sides, I miss playing with you." Daiki said, hand on his neck.
And it took all of Ryouta not to show in his face how happy he felt inside.
Please Amoninecchi, don't start giving me hope now. I am afraid my heart can't take it if that hope ends up false.
-X-
The blonde actor couldn't wait to see his friends again that he couldn't concentrate on his job that day, so a week after, when the time to finally head to Daiki's place came, the blonde couldn't have left the studio faster.
Daiki's place is much closer to T University, Ryouta finds out. When he arrives, all of his friends were already there. He clapped Shintaro's left shoulder. He shook hands with his former captain who is still looking as imposing as ever. He waved at Taiga who is sitting in the far corner busy talking with Tetsuya, Ryouta thought he looks manlier with his crop hair. Satsuki ushered him to sit down next to a munching Atsushi. "Congratulations on winning the championship last season, Atsushicchi"
"Hm." Was the giant's short reply.
"So, Ryouta took the championship after we left and Atsushi took the next." Concluded their former captain.
"Tetsu, what happened to you?" Daiki said as he entered from the kitchen.
"That's nothing besides we were the champion when all of you played. Now that's something to gloat, isn't?" Tetsuya said nonchalantly. Taiga next to him guffawed.
"When did you become such a smartass, Tetsu?" Daiki snorted.
Everyone laughs as well. Everyone started catching up.
Daiki went to stand behind the sofa where Ryouta's sitting, putting both his elbows on either side of Ryouta, caging his head. Ryouta looked up to see a can of beer offered to him.
After a little while "Aren't we going to eat yet? I'm starving." Taiga asked.
"Wait a little, will you?" Daiki said.
Satsuki shifted in her feet and Ryouta thought she looked at him with sadness and guilt in her eyes for a moment. Why is that? Ryouta thought.
He got the answer after half an hour later when someone rang the bell. Daiki extracted himself from behind Ryouta which disappoint the blonde but showed none of it on his face.
He went to open the door and enter a beautiful woman holding what seems to Ryouta – a cake.
Satsuki, Seijuro, Taiga, and Shintaro aren't seemed concern with the addition. Only Ryouta, Tesuya and Atsushi were surprised and didn't expect for anyone else to join them.
Ah, it seem Ryouta's heart knows who this woman is before Ryouta himself because at this moment, he feels his heart is starting to crumble from his chest and pieces of it plummeted to his stomach.
Ryouta watches as Daiki walks closer to the girl, sling his hand on her shoulder and started talking with his other hand on the back of his neck "Err, guys, this is Fumi, my girlfriend."
Girlfriend..
Yes, Girlfriend..
Ahh Ryouta knows, this is bound to happen, and he knows it's going to happen anytime. Hadn't he prepared himself for it?
So, why do I feel like dying now? Why does my heart still hurts this fucking much?
The remaining pieces of his crumbling heart collapsed altogether and Ryouta felt so hollow, his chest empty.
-X-
Ahh poor Ryouta. What am I gonna do with you?
…
Thanks so much for my three reviewers. You guys inspired me to write faster. Please continue reviewing.