final boss | kenma kozume

payphone

Kuroo finished tidying up in the storage room and he hung his bag on his back. His feet led him to the school gate entrance, where he spotted Kenma and Kokoe walking together.

Their conversation was inaudible from where he stood but he could clearly see how Kenma acted around her. Her eyes were glued on his while his wandered around, looking at everything and everyone but her.

"You hopeless romantic," Kuroo chuckled, remembering how he would play anything but otome games.

"Well, looks like I'll be alone today," the older sighed before he hears the notification sound from his phone.

"Kuroo, I can't go home with you today. Sorry," the screen displayed Kenma's text message.

"I know."

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The next morning, Kenma happened to stumble upon the local neighborhood cat sleeping near the school garden. His presence alone woke her up. She opened her eyes and hissed the moment she saw him.

"Prickly," he commented. The cat was very much like someone he knew, he thought.

The cat stood up and stared before turning around to find a new place to nap undisturbed.

He had a few minutes before classes start and for some reason, chose to take a much longer route to his classroom. He passed by the cafeteria, the gym, and the pool, none of which had any traces of Kokoe.

There wasn't much to be done, especially with her. No cellphone, no social media, not even an email address. It was almost as if neither her presence nor absence would leave a mark in the world.

Kenma couldn't sit still at that thought. Bland were the days she was gone and the week continued to be monotonous.

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"Sorry, I can't just give that to you," the teacher said before letting out a sigh. "It's simply confidential," he added, looking at an unopened computer file in his folder.

"I just want to let her know that," Kenma spoke but had second thoughts on his next words.

"That the Kendo Club has been pestering me for her to attend training. So please, let me get her telephone number," he blurted out.

"Oh, that's right, she's the kid who challenged their captain," the teacher said and laughed. "But still, it's a no, kid."

Kenma exited the faculty room, pissed and fed up. He stared at the school field, the faculty was strategically placed to watch over the area. He then spotted Kuroo, who spotted him as well.

"Hey!" the older yelled and waved dramatically.

"Hey!" he repeated.

"What?" Kenma said, not caring if he could be heard.

"I got something for ya!" Kuroo made his voice even louder.

Kenma got down the stairs and headed towards Kuroo, who was fishing something out of his pocket.

"You, my friend, owe me big time," Kuroo said, finally in his normal voice.

"What is this about?" Kenma wasn't in the mood for guessing games.

"Tada!"

Kuroo presented a piece of paper, it was folded quite a few times and the ink marking could be seen at the back of the paper.

Kenma grabbed onto it and unfolded it.

"Go give her a call," Kuroo nudged Kenma. He was simply dumbfounded.

"How did yo-"

"I'm a mind reader," he laughed.

Kenma hurried towards the payphone and his hands started to shake as he inserted coins. Uneasy, he lifted the handset and pressed on the buttons. He gripped on the handset almost as if he was gripping on his own heart. The phone rang and there he waited for an answer.

"Ryosuke, is it recording? You say hello to this?" her voice played.

"Yes, Empress, it will be heard by the caller before they leave a message."

"That certainly is impressive. Hello, mortal-" her voice is cut by the beep, signalling his turn to leave a message.

Kenma clicked his tongue before placing the handset back, but he stopped and positioned it near his ear once more.

"Kokoe, Grunt, Empress. Whatever. You keep disappearing and I don't get you. If you don't show up again, I'm forgetting you forever."