Chapter Text
They met at this playground, during that summer. However, now the playground is not full of life any more, there are no sound of the basketball hitting on the hard floor; no sound of the shouting of the laughing of the happiness.
Time, slowly crept on.
10 years ago
“Hey Taiga! You’re late again!” The tanned skinned boy complained, his indigo short hair and the pair of deep blue eyes shimmered in the summer light.
A red-head boy rushed into the playground, apologizing as he ran.
“Sorry, mum kept me in to finish my lunch. Hey but at least you should say hi just to be polite, Daiki.” He said, as a bright smile spread across his face.
Saw the big grin across Taiga’s face, the dark-skinned boy’s face had a hint of red at the either side of his cheek. To hide his awkwardness, he turned away and started to bounce the orange basketball up and down. The boy called Taiga grinned even more as he saw the other boy’s reaction but did not point out the obvious. Instead, he ran forward and tried to take the ball away from the bluenette’s hand. It was a failed attempt. He seemed to be prepared for the red-head’s attack and already turned around as the smaller boy charged forward, moving away without knocking him over.
Taiga pulled an annoyed face and scowled, “How’d you know I was gonna attack?”
The other boy just smirked and threw the ball at the basket that should be way beyond his reach. It went in, he never doubt it in the first place. Taiga has seen that so many times but could still not hide his admiration. He pursed his lips and charged forward to get the falling ball, jumped up as high as he could and tried to dunk. However, because of his age and height, he was only able to throw the ball at the last second to make sure it went in.
Without getting tired, he jumped and tried to dunked but just wasn’t able to. Finally, leaving the basketball aside, he collapsed and panted as he spread across on the warm ground in a star shape. Daiki chuckled and chucked him a drink, gave him a hand to let him sit up. After Taiga took a few big gulps from the can, he laughed.
“How do you suppose me to play basketball for the whole afternoon if you tire yourself out from jumping those attempt you call dunk?”
With barely any energy in his body, the lighter-skinned boy pouted to Daiki's surprise. He felt this warm sensation swarming inside his body but did not know why, maybe to blame on the young age of his.
Taiga rested for a while and jumped straight up, nearly knocking the other over, and shouted in his face,”What do you mean I tired myself out? I'm not tired, that was just the warm up!!! You are the one who’s sweating so much!”
Daiki just snorted and went to get the ball that was currently at the other side of the court, as the red-head followed him. They soon started bouncing around the ball again and shooting hoops. You can hear the trainers screeching, ball bouncing, the shouting and the laughter from a distance away.
Dawn fell around them. The sky glowing a dark red, hinted with few scars of orange and pink. It was like a signal to both boys on the court, calling them to the end of their game. The bluenette picked up the ball, chest slightly heaving; a light shin of sweat covered from his face down to his toes, while the red-haired boy was again, panting hardly and supporting his upper body with his hands on his knees. There were these huge grins spread across both boys’ face, brighter than the sky above them.
“Say, Taiga, will we be able to play after the summer holiday?”Daiki asked as they cooled down.
“Why?” Taiga stared at him curiously, “Can’t we play tomorrow? Or maybe we can play next week?”
“Can’t. We are going to Hokkaido for the summer. Although I would much prefer to play basketball with you, but mum and dad insisted that a family should spend time together and go to holidays.”
“Oh. Ok then. I suppose I could wait until the end of summer holiday. You are really lucky you know, be able to go to Hokkaido for the whole summer holiday. I get to stay at home and do nothing.” Taiga murmured, looking a little bit down from what came out from the other’s mouth.
Daiki stared at the red-head for a moment; the said red-head was boring a hole on the ground in front of him. Daiki didn't know what to say. He didn't like the look on the other’s face. He meant to be the stupid air-head that looks dumb when you say something to him even if it is really important. Daiki knows that he isn't good at all at comforting others, which is something his mum is excellent at. Whenever he wasn't able to catch any crayfish when they visit the seaside, he’s mum was always able to cheer him up from the foul mood. It might be some encouraging words or just a pat on the head and a gentle smile.
Shivering at the mere thought of smiling gently at his friend and then says something like I will miss you too; he still doesn't know what to do. So he just patted Taiga on the shoulder and waved goodbye. He thought he’s not going to get a goodbye back, but then heard a mutter that was nearly lost in the wind.
Goodbye.
But he heard it. The guilt in his heart dissipated, replaced by a soft wave of calmness and relief, grinning with excitement too. He was looking forward to their rematch over the summer holiday, and he knows that Taiga is too, even if he’s pouting at the moment. How cute.
~ *** ~
Aomine Daiki experienced the first time that he felt so happy and exited at the end of one summer holiday, he didn't even care that school is going to start in one day. He waited at the same basketball court as before every day after school. However, the rich red hair, the sparkling crimson eyes, the innocent broad grin, never appeared on that court again, for ten long years.