Ineffable

Ineffable | Epilogue

Kenma took a deep breath, and pushed Kuroo off the helicopter.

He knew something was wrong the moment that first bullet was fired. After all, he had been in that line of work for years, Kenma wasn't clueless.

But he never wanted Kuroo to get hurt.

Kenma would admit, he may be categorized as a stalker. He had been watching Kuroo for years, making sure the ravenette wouldn't die, at least, with his risky job and his reckless actions.

He forced the Eagles to help him destroy Tendou. He was blinded by anger, even though he knew it was Tendou's intention. As long as Kuroo's safe, he didn't care.

Kenma saw the look in Kuroo's face. Shock, fear, disbelief, all mixed into one horrible feeling. Now that feels bitter for him.

Kenma forced himself to smile. 'Everything will be fine,' he assured himself, 'You will be alright, Kuro.'

That was the moment when the aircraft exploded.

He couldn't feel a thing. He knew he was burnt and thrown off the vehicle, but all he could feel, all he could hear was Kuroo's scream from afar.

'I guess... even the infamous Neko doesn't have nine lives...'

His ears were bleeding, and he was surprised that he was still alive and awake. Not for long, but that's not bad.

Maybe, this is it. The death he deserved.

But what about The Golden Cats? What about Kuroo?

Kenma let out a heavy sigh. He know he was falling down, faster and faster, as the sight of Kuroo slowly faded. He closed his eyes.

'Kenma-san!'

He clicked his tongue. It was his earpiece, somehow still working, and Lev was calling his name.

"Lev, my throne is yours."

The sea was close now. He could smell the salty water, and it won't take long until he died. He couldn't move at all, his body was numb and he almost lost his consciousness.

'Wait, what do you mean? Kenma-san, are you-...'

"I'm sorry. Neko, out."

He fell into the water, slowly suffocating, dying. And, as Kenma Kozume lost his breath, only one thought crossed his mind.

'Cat hates water, and I died drowning. How ironic.'

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Kuroo almost cried when he saw Kenma's body, burnt and motionless, thrown by the explosion.

Almost.

He had taught himself to hide his feelings, but this time, it was too much. He could only look away at the sight, as he finally lost his voice after the screaming.

With much difficulties, he put on the parachute, making sure he won't die. And after that, he only stared at his hand, the one which held that gun.

If only he hadn't pull the trigger.

But that's what Kenma wanted, right? And he's the one who died. What should he do now?

'Kuroo. Where are you?'

Kuroo huffed. How is it possible that his earpiece's still working?! He needed some privacy right now!

"I'll send you my location," he replied, pulling out his phone, "It's over, Bokuto."

'What do you mean? Where's Neko?'

"He's dead. We won."

'... I see...'

Kuroo let out a deep breath, and deployed his parachute.

'Akaashi told me that the two of you were childhood best friends. Is that true?'

"... Yeah... I broke my promise, and that's why he was mad at me..." Kuroo paused in his realization.

Kenma did say that he hate him. Is that true? Because... The thought was painful. Kenma died hating him. Angry, broken, desperate.

The idea was suffocating.

"Hey, Bokuto? Can I ask you a favor?"

'Of course. What is it?'

"From now on, do your job without me."

'Wait. Kuroo, what are you talking about?'

Kuroo clicked his tongue, trying to find the right words to say.

It was a selfish decision. But that was the moment when Tetsurou Kuroo stopped caring. About his life, his friends, and the world around him. And two words came out from his mouth, the ones which marked the change in his life.

"I quit."

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