Someday {Akashi Seijūrō}

d a y t w e n t y

"What?"

"You're going to need my help. Believe it."

~~

I didn't know what to do. The Winter Cup finals was today, and I didn't know whether or not I should go. Somehow, I had ended up on the bench in the park.

The game was scheduled for the evening, and it really wasn't far from that now. During the time I was stuck wandering through my own thoughts, Haruki must've found his way to me because when I finally focused back on what was in front of me, I was met with his coat. I looked up at him. "What're you doing here?" I asked.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he retorted. Then, he nodded in the direction of the café. "You want to go?"

"Sure. I have nothing to do."

He helped me up from the bench, and together we walked to the café. The smell of fresh coffee blasted at us when we opened the door. It was quite warm in contrast to the freezing weather outside. I didn't even get how the basketball teams would be able to wear nothing but their team uniforms outside.

I heard Haruki chuckle and looked at him. "What is it?" I asked.

"Is it me, or did you get more docile?"

"Don't push your luck."

We were seated at a table by the window. Even with the menu in front of me, all I could look at was the outside scenery. The sky was a murky navy blue, caught in the middle of day and night. The streetlights had already been turned on, and the street was lined with shops. The light coming from the display windows almost made it seem surreal as they continued down the street. "You better know what you're going to order," I heard Haruki.

"I already know what I'm going to order," I answered. It wasn't a lie.

Soon, the waitress came to take our orders, and then left. Haruki and I were stuck in an endless silence. Then, he said, "Are you going to see the Winter Cup?"

"I don't know, yet."

"You'd better make up your mind quickly, then. It's starting right now."

"Then, I won't go."

He stared at me. "Sometimes you can be really confusing."

I couldn't hear him. Once he had mentioned the Winter Cup, the only thoughts in my head were of Akashi and the team. Mainly Akashi, though. Was the situation with my dad really his fault? Not really. I was overreacting, and I admit to that. Even after all of that, I wasn't able to rid of my feelings for him. What was I going to do now was the question. Was I going to run away forever, or was I going to take matters into my own hands?

I snapped out of my thoughts when the plate was placed in front of me.

"You seem awfully deep in thought there," Haruki said while I picked up my fork.

"Yeah, you could say that."

Was I going to run away from everything?

"You know what you're doing?"

"I'm sure." What was Haruki saying?

Run away...

"[First Name], don't lie to yourself."

"Ye--"

Run away... lie...

I quickly looked up at him with my eyes wide. His cheek was resting on his hand, balled up into a fist. He was smiling.

"You know," he started. "I really am sorry for what happened before."

Take matters into my own hands. Running away... lying...

"Go to that basketball game [First Name]."

I nodded and got up, throwing on my coat. In my rush to leave, I caught Haruki say something to himself, but it didn't process until later.

"After all, the person you're after isn't me."

~+~+~

I needed a bike. And when I finally got to the stadium, the game had already finished. For the duration of the ride, I had one thing on my mind. It was something I should've done a long time ago. Something I should've done even before I met Akashi. There were already people spilling out of the doors of the stadium. Some people were even already outside.

I caught tid bits of conversation and information.

"Can't believe Seirin..."

"Rakuzan.... lost...."

"Won.... Seirin.... Impressive."

So, Rakuzan lost.

Rakuzan lost?

Whatever the result was the same thought was still floating around in my head.

Someday I'll stop running away.

Someday I'll stop running away.

I kept my eyes on the door, waiting for when the basketball teams exited.

Someday I'll stop crying.

Someday I'll stop crying.

When I caught sight of the pale blue and white uniforms of Rakuzan High, I sprinted forward.

Someday I'll stop missing the old times.

Someday I'll stop loving the old times.

"Akashi!" I called out. And before he could react I threw myself onto him.

That someday will be right now.

~~