Chemistry {HanaKuro}

Chapter Nine

Makotos p.o.v

After the Inter-High, we had a summer break. The first week was utterly boring. Tetsuya had taken his team to a training camp, and while I could take my own team to one, my school didnt budget it. Sure, we were rich kids with money to spare, but I didnt want to pay for the whole trip.

So, the first week was boring. I had read a lot and spent time with my mom at the hospital. She worked as the head doctor at a hospital near my home, and she was mostly always there. After my father left, she threw herself into her work. I always admired her for taking it relevantly well.

So, the second week, I spent with Tetsuya. No rest of the team, just Tetsuya and I because we agreed that we liked the silence better. We played a lot of shogi, and I got him to drink with me a couple times off the stakes of a game.

So, one night, when my mom came home, she saw Tetsuya and I reading the same book and secretly toke a picture. That evening when she called for dinner, Tetsuya formally met her, and introduced himself as my really good friend. Telling by the smile on her face, I could tell that she liked Tetsuya and was sending me a message. If I let him go, my ass was hers. That night she brought up a business trip to the states.

"Yes Makoto, I will be going to the states for a seminar. I know you always refuse, but Ill ask anyways. Would like to come with? Its not nearly as hot there as it is here, and its what they call the Windy City."

"Chicago?" I asked, and Tetsuyas nose twitched. I looked at him and back to my mom as she nodded.

"Yes, apparently, they play a home game this weekend too, so maybe you can go watch."

Tetsuyas nose twitched again.

I sighed and turned to him.

"You really want to go dont you." I said, and he looked at his food.

"Kagami-Kun is in Chicago and he plays on the home team." He said and ate his food.

"Tetsuya, flame brain just left a few weeks ago."

"Kagami-Kun is my best friend. Its a transition to not see him every day."

"Makoto, I will need your answer, so I can book a flight." My mom cut in, and I stared at Tetsuya. Fucking hell, of course I would give in. I always did to his requests.

"Can you book a flight for both Tetsuya and I? He has never been to the states, and I find this to be a rare opportunity." I said, and she nodded happily.

"Of course, I can." She said, and we ate in silence. There it was again, that sudden spread of warmth through my body I couldnt explain. I would need to ask my mother to check it out to see if I have some sort of sickness.

"Mom? Can I talk to you?" I asked after dinner, and Tetsuya gave us our privacy as he probably went to go shower. He had an especially grueling practice today apparently.

"I think im sick. Not like I have a fever sick. I mean, my head doesnt hurt or anything, but its weird."

"Explain it to me." She requested, and we sat on the couch.

"It comes at random moments. Ill be fine, then all of sudden theres a boulder in my stomach and my skin becomes prickly. Its like this warmth that envelopes my entire being."

"When did this start happening."

"During the winter cup I suppose. It only happened once so I blamed it on the game. Then after we lost at Inter-High, it started to become more frequent. It just makes me feel so vulnerable." I explained, and she nodded.

"Is there anyone around when this happens?"

"Uh yeah, now that I think about it, Tetsuya has always been there when its happened. The first time was during our game at the winter cup."

"I see, well Makoto, you are sick. Just not way we usually associate sickness. See, how do I put this."

"Just say it!"

"Youre lovesick."

Three beats for that to settle in.

"Lovesick?"

"Yes. Its like pining. Only the person is there in front you. In your case, that would be Tetsuya."

"No way in hell."

"Do you ever feel like if he asked you for even the most difficult things, you would do it for him?"

"Well, yeah- "

"And do you ever feel stuck in a moment where you cant explain what you feel, but your heart speeds up and you realize that this creature in front of you is precious?"

"Sometimes, but- "

"No buts Makoto, you are in love with Kuroko Tetsuya. Now go start packing your bags. Theres still daylight if you want to take Tetsuya to get some things from his apartment, but I am booking the earliest plane possible." She said and kissed my head.

I sat there for a few minutes, processing what just happened. I, Hanamiya Makoto, in love? It wasnt possible, but I mean she was dead on with her questions. I needed a drink.

Tetsuya did go and get some things from his apartment, as well as leave his puppy in my possession while he went to go grab those things. It was crazy, Nigou had a bag of dog food and bowls here now. Tetsuya even had his own drawer in my dresser. It was like two lived this room now.

When Tetsuya came back, I already had shogi set up on my desk and a few bottles of beer. He set his thing down and toke a seat.

"Stakes?" I asked, and he looked at me like he was searching for something.

,If I win, you have to tell me whats bothering you." He said, and I placed my stake at that he would have to drink with me if I won, and we played.

Im just glad I won.

I managed to get some drunk pictures of Tetsuya, him being a lightweight and all, and we played a few more rounds. By the end of the night, he was hyped up on alcohol, and caffeine from the number of vanilla milkshakes he consumed.

As it turned out, the earliest flight was ta 10 o clock in the morning the next day. Tetsuya wasnt very happy about having to put Nigou in a doggie pen for the flight, but he sighed and complied.

We settled into our seats, and the plane toke off. I laughed when Tetsuya pulled a blanket out his bag on grounds that he was cold. Two hours into the flight, the bar between us was lifted and Tetsuya was laying on my stomach while I looked out the window.

When I looked at him, I caught my breath, my mothers words resonating through my mind.

'No buts Makoto, you are in love with Kuroko Tetsuya.' She said in my head, almost tauntingly. I sighed and watched the rise and fall of his chest. I made my decision.

I loved Tetsuya, in my own meticulous way and if he asked for the moon, I would lasso it down for him. That was my decision.