KISEKI KISS

You stood there silently without a care for the rain that was harshly casting down from the dull clouds above. You take in a deep breath. It was a simple action that produced multiple thoughts. You wondered if it was in reflex to prevent the tears, that threatened to spill, from rolling down your cheeks. Or perhaps it was because you grew tired of it all?

You shook your head.

It was two simple weeks. Two weeks that you wished you hadn't spared to Teiko's Basketball Club. Two weeks that you wished you had instead spared to your once loving parents. And now, it had been 2 weeks, 23 hours, 50 minutes, and 3 seconds.

You stared at your wristwatch with droplets of rain dripping down from it, counting down as the second hand neared the XII.

“So this was where you went.” The sound of footsteps against the wet pavement in conjunction to the pitter-patter of the rain echoed through your ears. You didn't have to turn around to confirm the owner of the voice. He places his hand onto your head, ruffling your wet hair. “Don't go worrying everybody like that.” His voice was gentle despite his scolding. You could tell that he was holding back because of the incident that had just occurred.

“Atsushi...” You accidentally let a sniffle loose. “I'm going to quit.” Tears ran down your face and even though you were soaked from head to toe, the rain could no longer camouflage your crying face. You spun around, wrapping your arms around your cousin's waist.

The sudden movement almost made him drop his umbrella. He had known that you were upset, but he was surprised when you threw your arms around him. It had never happened before. You always had a strong front and never allowed yourself to cry in front of others. You valued your pride.

“You're getting me wet.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Girls look ugly when they cry, you know?”

“I'm sorry.”

“You're getting snot on my shirt.”

“I'm sorry.”

“If anyone passes by, they'll think that I made you cry.”

“I'm sorry.”

Murasakibara lets out an exasperated sigh. Where had you pride gone? “I stopped by earlier,” he says. “The front door was unlocked and auntie was drunk. Did something else happen?” You tensed up in reaction to his words. His deduction was correct. Something else had occurred, but no matter how much Murasakibara had tried to console you, you had refused to speak on the matter.

“I'm going to quit.” You repeated your words from before. “Managing, basketball, and Teiko...”

Murasakibara's eyes narrows into slits. “Do you know what you're saying?” He places his arms on your shoulders, pulling you away and forcing you to look at him. “If you do this then you can't go back.”

"Of course." You look down to your feet, his words sinking in. You smile miserably. “Besides,” you said, "it's not as if I have a choice anymore."

The second-hand on your watch strikes XII. The day starts anew. 2 weeks, 1 day, 0 hours, 0 minutes, and 0 seconds— and also Day 1. Today commemorates the first day of your parents' official separation.