Imperfect match // Daiki Aomine (Kuroko no Basuke)

42. He's home

At the end of the session, he wants to disappear quickly, but is caught up by Kise.

"Wanna go see their new gymnasium? Have you arranged to meet up with her? Do you still go to the research dude with her?" He hassles Aomine, unknowingly.

"I'm just gonna go home."

"Wait what?"

"The research with Jordan is over. We haven't planned to see each other today." Aomine doesn't want to share.

"So? You can just surprise her. Women love romantic gestures."

He looks at him and wonders if it would be a good idea for a second. She did want some space so he should give it to her. But the gymnasium is on his way home so he might stop by. She'll probably be finished and have gone home by then.

"I'm gonna go home."

"I'll walk with you. I have a feeling you need a friend. You're all gloomy today." Aomine looks at Kise slightly irritated. "I won't ask you what the problem is. I promise." He says defensively.

Walking together, Kise takes charge of the conversation telling him about his trip to Bali, the photoshoot and the models who just ended up being boring.

They reach the new building, the door wide open, letting some air in on this hot summer day and see that the lights are on inside. Aomine hesitates but Kise pulls him to the opening.

"Look she's in." He whispers.

Peaking from the door but staying back, Aomine sees her practice by herself. She's so gorgeous. Seeing her focused on the court is adding to his attraction to her, her passion for the sport, her determination to be a better player and suddenly it hits him.

Nationals team try outs. She said she was invited. It must be soon.

Damn. Why did he confess? Why did he have to distract her at this particular time? He feels awful. What if she messes up and it's all his fault? She deserves to be selected, she's worked so hard.

"Let's go." He says.

"You don't want to say hi?"

"She's focused. Don't distract her."

"Oh but I missed her, I just wanna..." He stops when he realises that Aomine is already back on the path, walking away.

Disappointed, Kise runs after his friend, hooking his neck in his elbow.

"Let's drink tonight."

"Not a good idea."

"Alright Dad! What? Not on a school night?"

"No. I'm just too tired. I need an early night. Tomorrow if you want."

"It's a date. Shall we go out for a few with the guys from the team?"

"If you want to." He agrees reluctantly.

"We have to! I can't stand deflated Aomine. Is it weird for me to say that I miss the abusive Aomine?"

"Yes. Yes it's weird."

"Hahaha!! There you go! Okay tomorrow after practice."

Kise goes his way and Aomine walks home, hands in his pockets, his mind wandering while he looks up at the evening sky and thinks of the colour of her eyes, feeling the wind in his hair and thinking of her fingers dragging through his locks, smelling the warm fragrance of flowered bushes and thinking of the scent of her skin after showering.

Patience. Patience. He can be patient for her. But will this separation just reinforce her wish to not be attached? That's what he worries about.

Why her? Does it have to be her? Why not choosing someone who wants him without a question, one of these girls that was desperate to be his girlfriend. It would be so much easier.