Where the Paths Take Me [COMPLETED]

Chapter 46 ~ Jin ~

The flames spreaded more and more, turning the cigarette into ashes. He took them away from his lips to let the huffs of smoke escape his lips. Closing his eyes, he let the smoke travel out of lips as if it was the most delightful feeling ever.

"So this is where you've been," glancing over to his right, he was greeted by a slightly frowning Hiro, eyeing the cigarette between his index and middle finger.

Smirking, Izumi dropped the stick of poison onto the ground and faced the young man.

"Yeah, and it seems you've found out what I've been up to," Izumi shoved his hands into the pocket of his trousers with a threatening look.

Hiro could feel cold sweat run down his forehead. "Why are you smoking?"

"Coz I want to. Simple. Now get lost," Izumi's eyes narrowed even sharper. You could almost imagine his onyx eyes glowing red. He backfaced Hiro and started walking away.

"You'll be off the team for good if coach finds out! So why?!" Hiro exclaimed. His eyebrows knitted together in a mixture of concern and slight anger. Clenching his fist, he tried to comprehend the reasonings to his friend's actions.

But, his frown faded as fear grew from the pits of his stomach by the hysterical laugh coming from Izumi. He took a step back in shock. What's so funny? There's nothing laughable about this situation! Izumi laughed a seemingly forced laugh of mockery. He held his stomach as if it was hurting. But, that laugh. It was wrong. A real laugh doesn't have that sinister look in one's eyes!

His laugh slowly died down. He spoke, "My love for basketball died the day my mother committed suicide. Along with every last emotion I had in me."

Hiro's eyes widened when Izumi looked back at him. He was smiling but, it was void. He looked like an empty shell of nothingness. A dark figure with abandoned hope. Izumi smiled even wider to the point that someone grows worried if his cheeks will tear. That look in his eyes only turned crazier.

"O-Oi, Takiya.."

Izumi heed him no attention as he continued to walk away somewhere.

After Izumi was out of sight, Hiro crumbled to the ground on his knees. His only support left was his trembling arms. He didn't realise how afraid he was. How those eyes send shivers into his veins. He panted, coughed. Anything that could help make air enter his lungs faster.

That was what you call fear.

"Has he gone mad?!"

_______

Somewhere in a dark alley some time later, a package exchanged owners and so was the money.

Whatever was going on, it wasn't good.

_______

The next day at the stadium..

The team entered the court and their eardrums almost burst from the cheers. They looked around and saw that the crowd has grown since the first match.

"Whoah.." Momoi said in awe. She glanced at the others who were also overwhelmed by the growth in the audience. It has only been two days since the first match so, they never expected anything like that.

"Heh, looks like Kise-kun already got himself a fanclub," Hokuto said, pointing at the crowd of squealing girl with pink shirts and headbands with 'Love Kise!' written everywhere. The banner was even more flashy! It had an edited photo of Kise shirtless!

"Kise-sama, do your best!!" they cheered.

But, Kise wasn't paying any attention. He was focused on the court and their opponents who were already doing warm ups.