It was just another normal day in school, as the school bell rang indicating the end of classes, every student starts packing up, some had already gone past the door, some are staying behind for the daily clean up, and then there's me who was still staring at the space ahead of me.
I couldn't focus all day, my head was flying to places that it shouldn't and it was seriously stressing me out. Last night's conversation with Tetsu-kun kept my head in space. I was still comprehending what he said and it was seriously hurting my head.
Just before the team go home after eating their fill which may I add was one not for a normal human being especially for Kagami-kun, Tetsu-Kun asked for a minute. I finally gave in after making him promise not to hover around me at school. I led him outside by the park nearby where the cherry blossom tree stood. Tetsu-kun stared at the tree.
"This tree"
I looked at him and then to the tree as he trailed off.
"This is where we made another promise didn't we?"
He returned his gaze in my direction, I nodded briefly before staring at the tree again.
"To watch it blossom just before we leave Teiko"
I smiled bitterly, that was only one of the promises that we failed to keep. It wasn't just them, I was also included in it.
"We'll defeat Akashi-kun"
I stared at Tetsu-kun, utterly speechless at his short declaration of war against the emperor.
There was unspoken confidence in his words, stance, and even stare. His aura spoke of it all. A whole new story of bravery and maybe foolishness.
"Should you really be telling me that?"
"I'm sorry that we couldn't keep even one of our promises with you.'
I let out a soft chuckle before sitting on the swing that was just beside the tree.
"Now that I think about it, all of those promises were childish, no wonder you guys didn't want to keep them. All of them were child's play after all"
"Hanabi san"
He spoke with a certain strain in his tone of voice, like I was frustrating him. I stared at him again and spoke the words that I wanted to convey to him. Clearly, this time as to not send him any misunderstanding.
"It doesn't matter what you guys did in the past but I want all of you to stay out of my life now and as much as possible, let's avoid any direct contact from here on out, shall we?"
If I didn't know any better I would have thought that Tetsu-kun doesn't care but the clenching of his fists was a clear sign that he does feel something.
"It may not matter to you anymore but it does to us, we'll get you back, we'll win back the old Hanabi-san and we'll do it together"
The old me? Did I really change that much that I am now categorized into old and new? And together? Does he mean the generation of miracles and him?
"That's an impossible mission you got there Kuroko, I wouldn't waste my time on it if I were you"
"If it means having you back then it will be worth the trouble"
I stared at him longer this time, he kept saying that I changed but I don't think that was the case. He changed so much that I can barely see the hint of the quiet little guy who always hovers and appears beside us the moment we let our guard down. Not only that, but I can see hints of emotions here and there.
"I'll at least fulfill this one promise to you Hanabi-san. We will all be back together again."
Back together again? Just when I wanted nothing to do with them anymore, he starts spouting nonsense stuff that makes my head hurts. I groaned and buried my head on my desk. I pounded it once more enough to make a banging sound, startling some of my remaining classmates.
"Hana-chan if you aren't willing to help, you can at least keep quiet you know"
I lifted my head only to see Midori-kun holding a broom, I muttered a silent sorry before closing my eyes. I let out another deep breath. To be honest there was a part of me that was still hoping that we can get back together all again. That what Tetsu-kun wanted to do was something achievable by all means. But, the more rational part of me knows that that's impossible, people change. Nothing stays the same, and a relationship that was once broken will never be the same again even if it is fixed.
Even if we all get back together again, there was no telling when we will be separated or broken up once again. I turned my head and looked at the view outside the window of the classroom. As my mind went blank and my eyes went daze, a thought suddenly flashed across this stupid head of mine.
I miss them. I miss Sei-kun the most.
I groaned, I can't believe I still have feelings left for that jerk. It had already been three years, three whole years and yet I know that the moment I see him again, those three years will all be for naught. Having been tired of thinking too much, I sat up and saw that the others were mostly done cleaning up. I need a distraction, a good one, and what better it to be than food.
"Hey, you guys want to grab something at Maji Burger?"
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"Kasamatsu senpai"
"No, Kise shut up already will you"
"But, I'm hungry, come on just let me grab some milkshake"
The smaller male scowled at the taller blonde one earning a pouted expression from the latter. The ravenette heaved out a deep sigh and finally gave up, urging the blonde one to hurry to order. The both of them entering the fast-food restaurant, Maji Burger. Upon entering, all eyes of the young female students and customers inside instantly landed on the tall blonde young man.
His confident and cheerful aura exuding inside the entire restaurant, one which didn't pass the radar of the rose gold-haired girl who was seated on the far end of the restaurant. Hanabi slightly shifted to the side to get a better view of the person receiving so much attention. She cursed at destiny and her insufferable stomach, loud enough to garner the attention of her circle.
"Something wrong Hana-chan? You look like a constipated beaver"
And true enough, she felt her insides churning at the realization that she was inside the same restaurant with Ryota Kise. Hanabi sunk lower on her seat earning a weird gaze from her classmates. She desperately wanted to just disappear right at that moment. How could she have known that Kise would appear at that particular restaurant at that particular date and time?
"Why the hell is he in here, he's from Kanagawa that's like 27 kilometers to Tokyo"
Having given up on her weird behavior, Hanabi's circle continued gnawing the food in front of them while the girl continued glancing now and then at Kise's direction. The blonde one, on the other hand, smiled and waved at the girls whispering on the other corner, his action's garnering a smack at the back of his head from the smaller ravenette.
"Senpai that hurts"
"Just order already, we still have to meet up with the others. Do remember that it was your idea to travel to Tokyo for some get together"
"Well, Tokyo is a fun place you know"
Kise smiled at his senpai before placing his order, the stare of the woman behind the counter not going unnoticed to the eyes of the cheerful lad. Kise leaned at the lady while offering his fee with an eye smile which made the woman's cheeks flush a bright red. Still, a lady's man I see, Hanabi thought. Upon realizing that Kise still does not know that she was there, she thought of a way on how to go out of the restaurant unnoticed. She sat upright and roamed her eyes around the area only to feel mortified at the fact that almost all of the men in the restaurant were eyeing her, included the small ravenette by Kise's side.
Hanabi blames her hair color but she knew the real culprit was the features that will make any person want to stare at her for a long time. She cursed silently and stood up taking her belongings from the couch where she was sitting.
"Hey guys, I'll get going first okay?"
"Eh? Were you seriously constipated?"
Hanabi shook her head at Midori-kun's remark and just briefly stated that she needed to do something before turning to her heels and running off. Her classmates shouting her name which apparently caught the attention of the blonde man. Kise's head automatically turned only to see the back of the rose gold-haired girl exiting the food store. Once he had caught sight of her, he wasted no second and frantically rushed off to follow her.
"Oi Kise where are you going?"
Hanabi knew that Kise would notice her sooner or later, she walked no she almost ran when she felt a hand caught her forearm making her turn around only to be welcomed by a tall blonde male, golden eyes piercing through her, staring at her like she was some kind of apparition. Breath heavy, Kise stared at the now wide-eyed girl in front of him.
She's here, after three years she's now in front of me.
"Hanachi"
Hanabi caught her breath at the familiar nickname, she didn't want to see anyone from her past that was what she had thought, and she wasn't exactly wishing to meet one or two of them but right now Kise was in front of her. Holding her like he knew she would run off the second he let go.
"Hanachi"
Kise muttered her name again with much more familiarity this time around. Hanabi breathed out before plastering a smile on her face while removing her arm from the male's grasp.
"Kise-kun, it's been so long hasn't it?"
Kise froze at the unfamiliar aura that was in front of him now. Even his name didn't sound right, Hanabi had always called him Ryota-kun never Kise-kun. He eyed her like she was a specimen one that brought discomfort to the lass. He wanted to ask so many things from her, his thoughts jumbling up in his mind forbade him to form a single coherent word.
Where have you been? Are you okay? What have you been doing up until now? Why can you walk again? Why haven't you contacted us? Why did you disappear from us?
His thoughts piling up one after the other as he stares at the dark eyes of hers. Orbs void of any emotion and uncomfortableness evident in her expression and stance. He felt something squeeze inside of him, no longer was the warmth she holds. Just one glance at her now and he knew that something was different, she was distant, cold, indifferent and it made his heartache. Because in reality, he had been longing for the lass ever since she disappeared.
"I missed you Hanachi"
The way he blurted out his own thoughts made the both of them stiffen at their place. Hanabi was not expecting to hear something out from the mouth of the blonde one and the latter did not realize that he spoke out his thoughts loudly. It made his ears burn bright red which was made Hanabi burst into small chuckles. She found it cute, to be honest. Kise stared off at her, mesmerized by how her small actions could still make his heartbeat.
Like a movie, the day where he first met her played through his mind like a playback.
Kise entered the locker room and was just in time to see Akashi leave the room, a duffel bag slinging from his side. The redhead smiled and bid them goodbye.
"Eh? Akashichii you're leaving already? Again?"
"I have plans with a certain person"
"Is it that girl again?"
All eyes landed on Midorima who was as usual adjusting his glasses while busy tinkering on something in his locker.
"girl?"
Kise turned his head sideways to ponder on the thought of Akashi meeting a girl. Had he always been interested in a girl? He thought, before he could however ask out, a small bluenette form appeared behind him and answered him.
"Her name is Hayazawa-san"
Startled and practically jumping from his place, Kise placed a hand on his now beating heart.
"KUROKOCHI I TOLD YOU DON'T DO THAT, YOU WILL KILL ME"
Instead of feeling sorry for the blonde guy, Kuroko only looked at him making Kise heaved out a sigh. Even if they were on the same team, he still hasn't gotten used to his re-appearing form. Akashi who was still by the door eyed them with fascination.
"So you have met her already Kuroko?"
Akashi asked the smaller male.
"No, Aomine-kun knows her"
Kise switched glances between Akashi and Kuroko. The girl that Akashi was seeing knows Aomine, which struck a part in his curiosity cells. He wanted to know more but the way that the redhead bid them goodbye said it all. He was in no place to tell them a story especially when someone was waiting for him. As Akashi completely walked out of the picture, Kise peered into Kuroko who was now beside Midorima.
"Say Kurokochi, what does that girl look like?'
Before Kuroko can answer him, Midorima closed up his locker and started walking out but not long before throwing them a side glance.
"Why don't you see for yourself?"
The two look at each other before following Midorima. They were just in time to see Akashi approach a girl who was leaning by the wall near the gymnasium. Her rose gold hair swaying along with the wind, she was busy fiddling her feet into the dirt on the ground. The girl turned around giving all of them a proper view of her face.
Kise caught his breath at the sight of her. As her brown eyes widened and her mouth formed a pout at the sight of Akashi, Kise immediately knew that she indeed was a sight to behold. The girl tucked a part of her hair behind her ear before standing straight.
"Geez, why do you always tend to make me wait? Can't you move a little faster?"
"I didn't make you wait, you were just early. Not my fault if you waited"
Hanabi pouted her mouth more, enough to earn a chuckle and a head pat from the redhead. Slightly annoyed at the way he had patted her head, Hanabi pushed his arms lightly before tightly holding on to her sling bag.
"Sei-kun, I told you to stop treating me like a little kid"
"But you are little."
Just as Hanabi was about to rebut the former's statement, her gaze landed upon the group of three eyeing them like bugs on the sideline. Hanabi smiled at the three having recognized Kuroko within them. As she did, Kise's heart started beating loudly. Confused at the weird beating of his heart and the undeniable attraction he felt, he turned away from Hanabi's gaze.
"Looks like you have some company Sei-kun"
Akashi turned around and saw the three, a smile was evident on his face.
"What are you guys doing there?"
He asked, the two not knowing what to answer. Midorima however, had a whole different agenda. He bowed at Hanabi and stood straight, flaunting his tall physique, and true enough his visage was noticeable that it made Hanabi utter a loud 'wow'. But then he had opened up his mouth and muttered a declaration that Kise hadn't seen coming.
"Midorima Shintaro, I would like o to challenge you in a one-on-one game"
"Eh? Midorimachi?"
Midorima was determined and that was far visible on his burning eyes, their gazes landed on Hanabi who was now utterly speechless at the declaration of war. Akashi on the other hand just proudly eyed Hanabi.
"What do you say Hanabi? Care to have a minute to entertain him?"
As an answer, Hanabi smiled and bowed at them.
"Hayazawa Hanabi, I accept your challenge"
The current people who were inside the gymnasium were Akashi who was smiling proudly, Kuroko and Kise who were utterly shocked, Hanabi who was all smiles, and a panting Midorima who just lost. Kise couldn't believe his eyes, a 5 foot and 5 inches girl beat the three-point shooter of the generation of miracles who was at least 6 foot tall.
It wasn't all luck too, the girl had skills and techniques that were hard to copy even for him. Why hasn't he heard of her until now. She was an unbeatable force at 5'5.
"Why?"
All eyes landed on Midorima who had now caught his breath, he had never been so breathless like this even on one of their battles. Hanabi was still all smiles as she stared at the green head in front of her.
"Why aren't you tired at all"
And that made Kise's eyes widen more. He stared at Hanabi and to his horror, she wasn't even panting, not a little bit. Quite the contrary, she looked relaxed, ecstatic even. The two of them played on the whole court but not a single sign of exhaustion was evident in the lass' face.
"Oh, that I think it's because I have so many pent up stamina and all"
Kise saw Midorima clench his fist, he knows more than anyone that Midorima did in fact lack some in the stamina department but that still wouldn't explain why she wasn't exhausted at all.
"I wouldn't buy her explanation if I were you"
They all looked at Akashi who was still smiling proudly as he eyes Hanabi who was still fidgeting with a ball.
"Why Akashichi?"
"Hanabi has ADHD, a part of the explanation why she doesn't get exhausted that easily. The pent up stamina she had been referring to was all just her pent up frustration over not having to play basketball for a week"
"Oi Sei-kun, it's also partly your fault, If you haven't made that deal I wouldn't have this pent up whatever"
Akashi just chuckled and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"So, how was it Hanabi?"
Hanabi smiled widely before jumping up and down excitedly. 'Ahh, maybe that was a sign of her being ADHD but damn she looks cute' Kise had thought.
"It was great Sei-kun, I never felt so alive, you never told me you had another genius in your club"
"Genius?"
"She also called Aomine-kun a genius, after their match"
Kise looked at Kuroko who was now staring blankly at Hanabi. If Kise's eyes can be widened to a maximum length it may have been like that right now.
"Eh? Don't tell me"
"Oh, Aomine-kun challenged her too, that's how we got to know her"
"So... who won? I bet it's Aominechi"
"No, on the contrary, it was actually Hayazawa-san who won"
There were far too many surprises that the girl had brought along with her, which made Kise think he hadn't met her before. Hanabi gleefully offered a hand to Midorima declaring him to be one of her genius friends from that day onward.
Kise on the other hand had never gotten off Hanabi from his system from that day. For years, he had walked behind her wanting her to look his way but then one day they had a falling out and she just disappeared without a single word. Now, as he was staring at her, he couldn't contain the heartache that he had tried to bury deep down.
"Hanachi I... uh... do you think we can talk somewhere else? I want to tell you something"
Hanabi's eyes narrowed and her before smiling face formed into a thin line, an expression that didn't go unnoticed under the radar of the blonde one. Hanabi certainly wasn't an idiot to just go along with what Kise wanted but then she had no chance of escape. So, she went with the most reasonable scapegoat.
"Sorry Kise-kun, someone's actually waiting for me, I can't make him wait any longer"
Having heard this Kise's heart pounded like crazy. Did she have someone special already, well it wouldn't be a surprise since it had been three years now? Scared at the own thought of never having to see Hanabi again, Kise quickly fished out his phone and offered it to Hanabi.
"Then give me your number. You can contact me when you're free"
Hanabi questioned herself on whether to give it or not but thought that Kise might not let her go If she won't, so she did. He might pester her with calls or messages but at the very least that was the extent of what he can do. After typing up, she returned the phone to him and turned her back, ready to walk away from the tall blonde.
"Hanachi, I hope we can see each other again"
Hanabi only nodded and walked off to the direction where she was supposedly going, having noticed this indifference in her attitude, Kise grasp at his chest where his heart was. The pain stringing in on that small part where the beating was still evident. His eyes were clouded with the sight of the rose gold-haired girl now walking far away from where he was. He muttered the deepest wish he had been saving after all those years.
"I can still get my chance right Hanachi? This time I can have you all for myself right?"