As the hours pass by and the sun sets on the horizon, with contented smiles on their faces and chests heaving up and down trying to catch their breath, the eight individuals decided to end their once-in-a-while get-together. It had been a long day and the feeling that each one of them was now feeling was definitely much better than before. Hanabi felt like everything went back to how they were before and there may be some uneasiness left but she was definitely happier. Every one of them was. Kuroko stared at his group of friends and smiled to himself as this was something he never imagined to happen again. As the day near to an end, the eight of them gathered around to had a small talk.
"Isn't Akashi the only one who didn't lose?" Aomine remarked as they all gather to rest.
"Is that right?"
"You always get the best deal for yourself."
"It may be a game, but it's still irritating."
The others collectively agreed while Akashi just smiled and shrugged off their comments. Hanabi on the other hand couldn't completely erase the smile from her face. She was happy that she had the chance to play with them again, although she didn't give it her all mainly due to her condition she was still ecstatic that she got to play with them again. While the rest are having a chat about the games that they had played. Murasakibara had commented how hungry he was which garnered laughter and agreement from the group.
"Shall we call it, then?"
It was then that Hanabi and Kuroko both remembered that a birthday party was going to be held at Kagami's place.
"Ahhh Kuroko and I have somewhere we need to go"
Hanabi had bravely stated that made everybody look at them.
"Huh? Hanachin are you going on a date with Kurokochin?"
The purple-head had blurted this out without even thinking about how everybody else would react. Momoi had abruptly stood up and was about to confront Hanabi when Kuroko spoke up.
"Iie, the team had decided to throw a birthday party so we were going there. You guys could come if you want to."
"Right, that's not a date Satsuki-chan calm down"
Hanabi looked apologetically but finally let out a deep sigh when Momoi sat back again and looked at Kuroko.
"Is it really okay for us to come?"
"Sure it is"
"Then I guess we can't turn down the request of the birthday guy"
It didn't take them long enough to agree about going over to Kagami's house to celebrate the birthday night of Kuroko.
"Ahh before that, why don't we…"
All eyes landed on Momoi as she suggested to do one last thing before they all move out. It had been so long since they had gathered together and Momoi wasn't going to go home without a souvenir on hand.
"Hurry up, Satsuki."
"Give me a second."
Momoi had instructed them to stand closer as she put up the camera that would take their picture. With a little bickering from Murasakibara and Midorima and Kise pulling Kuroko near him, the group had taken their first picture since they had broken up. As the group finished taking up a photo and were getting ready to go home, Kuroko and Hanabi went to Momoi's place to ask for a copy of the photo which the pink-haired lass kindly obliged.
Kagami with the help of Himuro who was delivered by Takao and some members of Seirin had finished up all their preparations for the party. Kagami looked up at the clock and saw that it was almost time for the generation of miracles to finish their get-together. It wasn't a bit later than that when they had heard the doorbell ring. Furihata got up and volunteered to get it only, he wasn't expecting to gain such a surprise.
"Good evening"
"Hey, Furihata-kun, right?"
"A…Akashi…"
Hanabi looked at Furihata-kun who was now frozen and shivering in his place as the emperor had greeted him back first. She stifled her laughter at her teammate's reaction, something that didn't go quite unnoticed to Kise.
"I brought my friends."
Hanabi held her laughter, even more, when Kuroko had casually stated that he had brought his friends along and how Furihata had passed out before them.
"You're late, Senpai"
Kagami thinking that it was Riko and the others who had arrived greeted with all smiles only to be shocked by the odd group who was now standing in his doorway. Everyone was as equally shocked as the whole generation of miracles stood before them, with Murasakibara holding on to the now passed out Furihata.
"Captain, Izuki-senpai, I'm surprised. You're here too"
"Ahh, Captain you're here early"
Both Hanabi and Kuroko greeted their seniors who were still a bit overwhelmed by the sudden flow of people inside Kagami's place. The two had also greeted them back by saying how they're the ones who were more surprised when they saw that they had brought the generation of miracles along with them.
"Excuse the intrusion, I'm Rakuzan's Akashi."
"We know who you are"
As both sides had gotten off the overwhelming feeling with a little surprise at how Takao and Himuro were also there. With a little scolding from Momoi and Kagami at Aomine who was trying to find dirty magazines from Kagami's shelves, everyone had finally settled down. Hanabi had also settled down beside Hyuuga and Izuki who were now eyeing Murasakibara as he was being scolded by Midorima.
"Don't start eating snacks as soon as you arrive. It's rude. Don't eat the kiritanpo, either"
Hanabi chuckled as Murasakibara sulkily put down the food and stood up to wash his hands as Himuro instructed him to do so. It may look like something untrue but even back then Hanabi had considered Murasakibara to be the youngest among them all as he acts like one while Midorima had always scolded him for his unhygienic way of life.
It was then that Riko, Kiyoshi, and the others had finally arrived too. Riko looked at the group before her.
"What's going on here? All of the Generation of Miracles are here?"
"Oh Murasakibara, you're here too?"
As Kiyoshi had greeted Murasakibara who was behind the counter table washing his hands, the latter peeked only to give a meek "Ugh Kiyoshi". Himuro had later commented that he shouldn't make that face. Everything had seemed to go on smoothly until a small bark came from the new group's back, Mitobe raised Nigou who barked happily at the group.
Kise, Akashi, Aomine, and Momoi crowded up Nigou to play with him and remarked how cute he was while Kagami moved on to the other corner of the room to avoid him. Something that had made some of the members laughs.
"Is Number 2 his name? Does that mean there's a Number1?"
Akashi asked the Seirin team which the team replied by briefly pointing at Kuroko.
"Hello, I'm Number1."
As the others commented how they indeed look alike, Nigou jumped off from Mitobe only to run happily towards Hanabi who had welcomed him in her arms.
"Aww did you miss me already"
Hanabi smilingly hugged and nuzzled Nigou, an action that had made most of them smile.
"This is quite the crowd"
Kagami who had hidden behind Kuroko commented making the latter apologize. But Kagami only smiled at the bluenette and replied.
"Don't apologize, the more the merrier, right?"
"Right"
It was a night that everyone will remember, that was a sure thing. Kise and Momoi diverted their attention towards feeding Kuroko who was blatantly stating that he couldn't finish the pile of food that was in front of him. Aomine and Kagami had turned the simple dinner into an eating contest between them which Riko had gladly refereed in. Takao had his laughter reverberate on the entire room as Midorima furiously looked at Himuro who had put his lucky item on to the food they were eating.
Hanabi who was seated between Murasakibara and Akashi silently smiled as Murasakibara asked her to give him seconds while Akashi was busy toasting with the now fully conscious Furihata. While the rest were busy feeding sweets to Nigou, Kuroko had the opportunity to take in the view that was laid before his eyes right now.
Both the people from his present and past were gathered for his special day and he couldn't be happier. This was the best present he could ever get. The most special people in his life coming all together for his special day. As the night comes near an end, all of them stood up to greet Kuroko with a happy birthday. It was the moment that Kuroko knew would be forever engraved in his memory. As contentment and happiness were very much evident in Kuroko's face, Hanabi couldn't help but be happy for her friend. She excused herself from the group and had decided to breathe some fresh air from Kagami's balcony. She was pondering on whether it was the perfect time to talk to Kise or not. She looked back in when she heard someone stepped into the balcony.
"Hey, the party was a success."
Kagami smiled at her which she returned to the redhead too. He stood beside her and both of them silently stood there for a while before Kagami spoke.
"So, you were actually friends with the GOM huh?"
Hanabi looked at the redhead but the latter didn't instead he had kept on talking not even bothering on hearing Hanabi's reply.
"Kuroko did tell us that he and the GOM were friends of yours but I never really saw you talk to them or mention them until today."
"That must be a shocker huh?"
Hanabi jokingly remarked something that had made Kagami chuckle too. Kagami was indeed shocked and overwhelmed when he saw Hanabi with the rest of the GOM, but it was something that he felt was only a natural thing.
"For a moment yea, but you know you do fit in them. You shined brighter when you were with them, and earlier was the brightest you that I have ever seen"
Hanabi stared at Kagami who was now smilingly looking at her. She was stunned at the fact that someone commented how she fits perfectly with the generation of miracles. For years, she had this thought stuck in her head that she really wasn't a good fit for the GOM, because she was nothing. Hanabi smiled back at Kagami, something that had tug the redhead's heart. He had met Hanabi under weird circumstances. The moment that Kuroko had mentioned how Hanabi was a friend of the GOM really got him curious but he chose to stay silent and still as it was not his place to meddle. But ever since he got close to her, he learned that there was something more to the surface he was always seeing. He was just glad that his newfound friend is now happy.
"Thank you Kagami-kun"
"So am I off the hook for the yogurt I took?"
With a smug look on his face, Kagami grinned at Hanabi which the lass just smiled sweetly at before changing her expression to a stiff one.
"Dream on, you owe me a month's worth still"
"Damn it, I was so sure that will work"
Hanabi laughed off and so did the redhead, something that made another certain redhead feel jealous. Akashi opened the door to the balcony and smilingly greeted the two who were busy laughing at each other's faces.
"Hanabi, everyone is about to leave, do you intend to stay here?"
Hanabi quickly noticed the certain strain on Akashi's voice and it had quickly sent some chills down her spine. She glanced at Kagami and saw that the latter was keeping on a straight face. Something that was so out of his character.
"Kagami"
"Akashi"
With a brief exchange and a nod from both of them, Kagami turned to see Hanabi. He was now grinning as if he just had an understanding of the emperor.
"You better get going, it's getting late too. Don't mind the cleanup, we can do it tomorrow"
Akashi offered his hand to Hanabi, a gesture that Hanabi took before bidding goodbye to Kagami. She had no idea what had just happened. She stepped inside and had noticed how the crowd was beginning to disperse. The only ones left were the ones who were too tired and had decided to spend the night in Kagami's house, Kuroko and Himuro being one of them.
"The guys are already outside"
Hanabi looked at Kuroko who spoke, the smaller male had been smiling since earlier and the lass couldn't help but be happy that her friend had found this gathering fun. Hanabi took some steps to close the gap between them and finally gave Kuroko a hug. One that had surprised everybody inside.
"Thank you Tetsu-kun, I think I can let go of it now."
Hanabi said before pulling away to see a stunned Kuroko. Kuroko knew exactly what his friend meant, he finally smiled at her before nodding.
"Thank you too, this was the best birthday"
Everybody else felt warm at the heart-melting interaction between the two, both Kagami and Akashi couldn't help but smile. Everything else seem to fall into place, bonds were being created once more and it had seemed to be stronger than ever. But, a blonde one knew that it was far from being over.
Kise couldn't stop fidgeting as he waited for Hanabi and Akashi to get out of Kagami's apartment. He had been practicing what to say since earlier but he can't seem to organize his thoughts especially when he was too nervous. The two finally went out only to be berated by the other gom members. Kise watched as Hanabi promise all of them to set a date where they can chat again and talk about everything that had happened to them. As soon as some of them bid goodbye, Hanabi turned to meet the blonde one's gaze.
She had the gist that Kise would want to talk to her now, especially seeing how comfortable she had gotten with the lot again. She turned to Akashi who was still standing beside her.
"Sei-kun"
Akashi looked at her and without even saying a word smiled before patting her head. This talk was bound to happen one way or another and they both knew that prolonging it would only hurt Kise more. After nodding at Hanabi, Akashi turned to Kise. He walked straight to where he was and patted his shoulder.
"I expect her to get home safely Ryouta"
Stunned, it only took a moment for Kise to register what Akashi had meant and before he can even mutter a single thank you, the redhead had already started walking away leaving the two of them alone in the cold streets of January.
He turned to Hanabi only to be welcomed by her warm smile.
"Should we go?"
Kise smiled back at her before going to her side. The two of them only kept walking silently, neither one initiating a conversation, as both of them made a turn to the old overpass they used to pass by, Kise stopped walking midway, making Hanabi turn around to see why he had stopped.
'This wasn't the best way to tell her everything' he had thought. The cars underneath the overpass were still making much noise, their headlights giving both of them enough light to see each other. As the wind blew, Kise took a sharp intake of breath before facing Hanabi who was waiting for him.
He knew that he was risking everything but he much better take it than to continue hurting the woman he had always loved. As he gather his thoughts, Hanabi opened her mouth and shouted. She had shouted just loud enough for both of them to hear.
"Ryouta-kun, I wouldn't run away anymore so it's alright"
Kise stared at her smiling face and couldn't believe that the lass was giving her the push he needs. It had meant that she had already known what he was about to say. He clenched his fist and bit his lower lip. If it wasn't now, then when.
"I had always been in love with you Hanabi, always. Since the very beginning. But I did something unforgivable"
Hanabi saw that Kise was on the verge of crying, even from afar she could tell and it hurt her.
"I blamed Akashi for what had happened to you. I told everyone else that they didn't deserve you. I manipulated them into thinking that they were the ones who broke you when in reality…"
Kise inhaled another breath before looking at Hanabi.
"When in reality, it was me that had broke you so much. By not letting them near you again. By planning to be the only one to stay by your side. By wanting you all for myself, I had hurt you. I thought that if you hated them then I could be the only one for you. But I was wrong. Instead of making you feel better, I only pushed you to the cliff further. I'm sorry Hanabi, I truly am."
Kise lowered his head as he bit his lower lip, he was the one who had been preventing the guys to meet Hanabi during her stay in the hospital. He was also the one who had kept on shifting the blame of the accident to Akashi. He did all of this to have the only woman he had ever loved. But his plan had been foiled when Hanabi decided to move to America. Rather than Hanabi not staying by the other's side, she had decided to cut all ties with every one of them and that certainly wasn't what he had planned.
But Hanabi had already known this, she took the steps quickly closing the gap between the two of them, giving the taller male a hug that had surprised him.
"Hanabi"
"Don't expect that I'll accept your apology that easily Ryouta-kun. But don't also get me wrong, I had had enough pain already that I wouldn't want to see you guys go through it too"
Hanabi pulled away from the hug and cupped Kise's face only to wipe the few tears that had escaped the taller male's eyes.
"I'm still in pain Ryouta-kun, it wasn't easy to forget all of that pain and I don't think I'll ever will but did you know? Even after all of these years, I was still the happiest when I'm with you guys. So it's okay, no one will blame you"
Hanabi smiled at the blonde one. A smile that melted his heart, he had the urge to succumb to the lass' arms again and he did just exactly that. He hugged Hanabi to which the lass returned.
"I'll work hard so you can forgive me Hanacchi, I'm really sorry and… thank you. Thank you for being my friend"
Hanabi gently tapped Kise's back and placed a light kiss at Kise's head to which the blonde one blushed.
"Although I am sorry that I couldn't reciprocate your feelings Ryouta-kun, do know that I still treasure you."
Kise pulled away and could only offer to smile bitterly.
"I know Hanacchi, the truth is I had always known. And it's okay maybe in time these feelings would subside, as long as I can see you smile again. Then I'm good."
"Is there still something you want to tell me?"
Instead of answering, Kise shook his head and offered his hand gently to Hanabi.
"Should we get going?"
Hanabi gladly obliged and down the pathway home, they went.
Hanabi knew that they weren't completely alright. No, each and every one of them was far from being alright. They still have all of their fears and a fair share of pain brought by the past. Hanabi knew that no one was completely to be blamed for what had happened to the past. She likes to think that all of them were too young, that making mistakes was a part of themselves.
She knew now that change was inevitable, maybe it was her own weakness that had dragged her down too. While everybody else continued moving forward, growing, she had remained in her present self, like roots of a tree stuck in a place. That was why when she experienced pain and betrayal she knew she had no choice but to move forward. But tree roots don't exactly stay stuck in the same place, they too grow in different directions that no one can perceive.
Hanabi knew that now. She isn't scared of changing anymore, even if the guys break a promise or two again, she wouldn't run away anymore but face it head-on now.
And as she take on the familiar path leading to her home, she knew that everything would be alright now.
That all she had to focus on now, was her present with the people she yearned for.
With the people who she had always considered to be her Miracles.