All it took was a plane crash, and Kise Ryota was no more.
Strangely enough, he didn't feel sadness, only regret. Regret for not checking his engine beforehand. Regret for missing out on his friends with his job as a pilot. Regret for not spending t...
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"They— well, Akashi-san has changed," Nijimura muttered as he observed the Winter Cup's finals. He stroked his chin silently, strangely enough, as he overlooked the redhead, there wasn't any surprise. As if he long knew that Akashi would fall to the 'Dark Side.'
His head throbbed, he frowned, softly clicking his tong before refocusing on the game.
Watching with rapt attention, Nijimura gazed with some fascination as both the Seirin and Rakuzan teams unraveled their trademark techniques.
"Say," he absentmindedly called out, watching as Hayama bypassed Seirin's red-headed player with his famed Lightning Dribble. "You didn't give Rakuzan any tips, did you?"
"I do not understand how you can have so much faith in him and Kuroko-kun's ability to beat him. But I can assure you that Rakuzan won that year. Much like every other year after that one."
"I believe the reasons he didn't lose were his skills, undeniably, but maybe also you. From my understanding, you went to Rakuzan at some point, and after that, the team's tactic took a change for the best, I suppose."
A talk he once had with Future Nijimura echoed in Ryota's mind as he listened to the raven's question. Hid golden eyes slightly darkened, a self-deprecating smile momentarily adorned his lips before he repressed it.
"Mou, of course, I didn't! I'm not the type to play favorite Shuzocchi!"Ryota whined his mask a perfect display of childish innocence.
There was a pause, the ringing of the buzzer filled the gymnasium, indicating that one of the two teams had scored.
Nijimura blinked his steel-grey eyes. He hummed to himself before gently shaking his head. "Right, forget I asked that."
The match went on, and soon the end of the first quarter rang. 21-21. "Seirin's pretty good," Shuzo acknowledged as he leaned in his seat for the pause. "I mean, Rakuzan's team's really powerful. Aren't they all part of your little band, Mika?"
Ryota excitedly hummed in agreement as he uncapped his water bottle to wet his parch throat. He took two large gulps before handing the plastic bottle to Nijimura, a soundless way of asking him if he wanted any.
