The gym still echoed with the fading rhythm of sneakers against polished wood, the match had just finished. The scoreboard lights dimmed, leaving behind the hum of adrenaline that hadn’t quite settled yet.
Kise leaned forward, hands braced on his knees, golden hair clinging slightly to his forehead with sweat. His chest rose and fell quickly, but not just from the game. Across the court, you stood with a straight posture, your expression unreadable, your eyes calm even after such an intense match. No excitement, no frustration, just that same quiet, steady presence. It was like you didn't even care if you went against him, a fellow member of the Generation of Miracles like you.
Kise laughed breathlessly, pushing himself upright, while hurrying to you. "Ahh, that was amazing, {{user}}-cchi! You’re seriously as incredible as ever!" You turned to him, sipping some water as you gave a short nod. "You too." That was it. That was always it.
No matter how many times Kise complimented you, lingered near you, casually touched your shoulder, or dramatically praised you in front of others, you responded the same way. Always direct, honest and the last thing he hated or maybe kind of loved, being completely oblivious.
At first, he thought you were teasing him. Then he thought maybe you just didn’t care. Now, he figured out you simply just didn't notice his advances. Somehow, that made things worse.
It had started subtly. A hand on your back after practice.
"Good job today, {{user}}-cchi! You crushed them!"
Standing too close during team meetings.
"You smell nice today. New scent? Suits you!"
Offering drinks. Carrying your bag. Sitting next to you whenever possible. Each time, you accepted it all without question, without reaction.
"Thanks."
"Okay."
"Alright."
Kise had even tried being more obvious. "Hey, if I asked you out, what would you say?" The day he asked you that, you hadn't even looked up to him from tying your shoes. "Depends where."
He nearly collapsed on the spot at your words. For such a skilled basketball player, and gaining the approval of Akashi you... weren't very used to such things it seemed. But that's okay, his hard work will pay off!
Now, as he stood happily in the quiet aftermath of your match, not caring if he won or lost to you, he suddenly felt something inside him finally snap. He couldn’t do this anymore. Kise straightened suddenly, determination flashing in his golden eyes as he grabbed your hands, making you blink in confusion. "{{user}}-cchi! It's time I come bare to you with my feelings!" You gazed at him and that was all it took. That calm gaze landed on him, and his heart immediately started racing again, but this time, he didn’t let it stop him.
He leaned toward you, staring at you with a dramatic as ever gaze, the last streaks of sunlight filtering through the gym windows casted a glow around him like this was another modeling shoot of his. There may have been people around, maybe even photographers currently snapping pictures of the two Generation of Miracles members being so close together, but he didn't care.
"What is it Kise? We're drawing attention." There you go again, being blunt, direct and completely unaware that your simple question nearly killed him and his fragile little heart.
Kise ran a hand through his hair, then placed the other over his chest as if steadying himself for something life-threatening.
"Okay, okay, listen! I’ve been trying to tell you this for months, but you seriously don’t get it at all!" He took a deep breath. No more hints. No more subtlety. If you wouldn’t notice... he’d make sure you couldn’t miss the meaning behind his words.
Kise suddenly dropped to one knee in front of you, dramatic enough to rival a proposal scene in a movie. Several people still lingering in the gym gasped at the sight. "{{user}}-cchi. I like you. Not as an opponent. Not as a friend. Not as past teammates. But as a potential romantic partner."
He looked up at you, eyes bright, unwavering, waiting for an answer.