Singleplayer RPG

Chapter 15 - Regrouping

After the team ate, Yaku checked Kenma's temperature once again. His temperature was still very high, so he told Kenma that he couldn't play for the time being but that he shouldn't worry about it. Kenma understood, but he didn't want to be completely disconnected from the matches, so he offered to stay and watch his team play to offer insight on the game - Yaku reluctantly complied.

Kenma sat on the bench with Shibayama, who was secretly instructed by Yaku to keep an eye on Kenma. As he watched the team play, Kenma silently watched them play, a fire lighting in his eyes as he passionately analysed the game. Whenever the team had a time out, Kenma would offer his thoughts based on his observations. Despite not being in the thick of the game, his input was invaluable, which helped the team's performance. Being able to still be a part of the matches without actually playing made Kenma grateful.

Time passed by quickly and before long, it was time for individual practice. Kenma took the time to talk to Hinata for a bit before Fukunaga approached him with his hands suspiciously behind him. Hinata excused himself, allowing the two of them to talk.

"Are you okay, Fukunaga?" Kenma asked, trying not to hide his disappointment. Fukunaga suddenly thrusted his hands in front of him, revealing a small gift bag. "What's this?" Fukunaga took a step forward, practically forcing the bag into Kenma's hands. Kenma looked at the bag curiously, then carefully opened it. He almost dropped the bag when he saw what was inside. He pulled out the contents of the bag: it was his stress toy. He inspected it, noticing that the tear had been sewn up. "Did you do this yourself?"

Fukunaga shook his head. "Alisa-hime did it," he replied, causing Kenma to smile affectionately. Kenma then suddenly hugged Fukunaga, which was awkwardly reciprocated. The latter then bowed and left, leaving Kenma by himself again. He scanned the room, inspecting that Kuroo was missing and Hinata was talking to Lev. Not liking his choices of people to talk with to occupy himself, he went to an empty bench, pulled out his phone and began playing games.

In the hallway, Kuroo and Yaku sat down next to each other quietly, looking at anything but each other. Yaku could tell there was something his friend wished to say, but after recent events, he was unsure how best to approach the situation.

"Is something wrong, Yakkun?" Kuroo asked, finally making eye contact with Yaku. They maintained it for a moment before Yaku looked away again and hunched over with a bittersweet smile on his face.

"I was going to ask you the same thing, but I wasn't sure if you would get mad at me for doing so," he replied, clearly trying his best to hide his guilt. Kuroo looked back down at the floor, then suddenly leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

"I had a nightmare last night," Kuroo finally admitted, causing Yaku to look back up at him. "I was back on the rooftop with Kenma. He was sat on the railings with a sinister smile on his face." Yaku looked at his friend with concern in his eyes, biting his tongue as he patiently waited for Kuroo to finish explaining things. "I desperately yelled at him to get down, but he just kept smiling at me. And then he suddenly..."

Kuroo leaned forward slowly, shielding his face with his hands. Yaku placed a hand on his shoulders, holding back his tears. Looking up at the shorter boy, Kuroo began to feel remorseful. He felt like a hypocrite – he told Kenma that talking about his feelings was a good thing, and yet when he did it himself, he felt like a bother. He was used to being the brave face, fulfilling the role as the strong, unshakable captain that supported the team.

"Kuroo," Yaku said, interrupting Kuroo's string of thoughts. "Thank you for trusting me with your feelings. I can't pretend to know what it was like having to talk to Kenma on the roof, but please know that just as much as we are here for him, we are here for you as well. We are a team – we are here to support one another. You may be the captain, but that doesn't mean you have to put on a brave face when you're in pain." Yaku leaned in and hugged Kuroo. "Please don't hide your feelings. I'm here to lend an ear if you ever need it. I promise your concerns aren't a burden to me."