NOTE: Skip this update if you don't like my plot and I don't give a damn about it. I don't write my stories to please you and your standards. I wrote this because this is what I like. Thanks, if you're going to continue, please ready your tissues.
ENJOY READING!
"Kenma we need to move the roses on that side." Akaashi pointed to the right side of the backyard where it's sunny.
After receiving no response from Kenma, Akaashi looked at him who seemed to be thinking about something out of this world.
Kenma's been like that for two days. He seemed occupied every time, he's not even playing his favorite game as he used to do.
Akaashi sighed and removed his gloves and placed them on the table, he opened the door of their shop to circulate fresh air from outside before attending Kenma's company.
"Hey, Kenma. Do you have a problem? You can talk to me if you want."
Kenma slowly looked at his blue-greenish eyes and slowly shook his head. His pudding like hair swayed.
His hair looks like he didn't comb before leaving his house.
Akaashi meddled with Kenma's bag, Kenma didn't protest so he continued to find his comb.
He found a sunflower brush.
"You really like sunflowers?" Akaashi commented and went behind Kenma. He started combing Kenma's hair and to Akaashi's surprise, it's so soft and smooth.
"I don't want to talk about that." Akaashi can hear how bored Kenma is when he says that.
Come to think of it, Akaashi didn't see him watering his favorite flowers outside that he usually does every morning.
Something must've happened and when he thought of that, Akaashi remembered what he saw that day.
-
On Akaashi's way back to the shop, just a few blocks away, he heard the familiar sound of the bell from their flower shop.
He saw Kuroo get out of the door followed by Tsukishima who threw glances inside the shop.
They went in the opposite direction.
Akaashi walked his way inside but he stopped midway when he heard sobs.
He couldn't move when he saw Kenma crying, his shoulders are shaking while he's covering his face.
Akaashi stayed hidden while peeking at Kenma. He felt sad for his friend. Seeing his friend hurting and crying like this is hard, he wanted to comfort Kenma but he thought it would be a mess if he showed up while Kenma's still crying.
'Something must've happened.' Akaashi thought.
-
"You just spaced out." Kenma said that brought him back to reality.
He can't see Kenma's face because he's still combing his hair but Akaashi knew, Kenma's in his usual self.
"It's nothing, I was just thinking about buying Miya's Onigiri." That's what Akaashi's excuse is, a half-meant statement because he's been thinking about the Miya's Onigiri for quite some time.
Kenma nodded. "It's a bit far from here, isn't it?" He asked.
Akaashi continued combing his hair. "Yeah, it's near Kuroo-san's precinct. It's a bit far." He chuckled.
After saying that, Akaashi didn't hear a word from Kenma after combing his hair. He became surprisingly quiet.
Akaashi remembered something that'll lighten up the mood.
"I posted a job hiring on the internet, we have one applicant and he's coming today."
Kenma automatically tilted his head, his soft and smooth hair swayed.
"What? Why didn't you tell me?" Kenma asked.
Akaashi rolled his eyes. "I told you two days ago but you weren't listening." He said.
Kenma went silent again.
"Keiji..." It was Akaashi's first time hearing his first name from Kenma.
"Hmm?"
"On your own perception, how can you define love?"
Akaashi stopped brushing Kenma's hair. He was caught off guard.
"What's with the sudden question?" Akaashi nervously laughed.
Kenma set his innocent cat-like eyes on Akaashi's, "it's okay if you don't want to answer."
Akaashi sighed, "For me, love isn't all about rainbows. Loving someone doesn't require compensation."
"How do you know if you love someone?" Kenma innocently asked.
Akaashi looked at him intently. Kenma's eyes tell him that he's eager to know his answers.
"When you love someone, it's--" Akaashi didn't finish what he's saying.
"You know you love someone when you're feeling pain right there in your heart, whenever you feel pain while looking at the person you like, it's called love."
Kenma and Akaashi stared at the man who just entered. They didn't notice the man because the bell didn't ring.
"Who are you?" Kenma asked the guy who has bi-color hair and an undercut. He's wearing a simple sleeveless black shirt and black fitted jeans. His ears have multiple piercings.
"Yuuji Terushima." He introduces himself and offers a hand to Kenma. Kenma just looked at Yuuji's hand.
"Oh, you're the one who's looking for the job." Akaashi put the brush down and fetched the papers he had ready on the coffee table.
"Come here and sign the papers." Akaashi gestured his hand to Yuuji.
Yuuji stuck his tongue out on Kenma before following Akaashi and there, Kenma saw Yuuji's tongue piercing.
He dropped his chest bag on the sofa.
Kenma watched them, he tucked his hair in his ear. Akaashi handed him a ballpen. "Sign it here." He pointed to one of the papers.
Yuuji scanned the paper. "I didn't think the salary would be this high." He commented before signing the paper. His arm muscles flexed as he moved the ballpen.
He signed 4 more papers and he dropped the ballpen on the table. "All done." Yuuji stretched his arms like he's been working for a long time.
Kenma looked at Akaashi who opened the drawing. He took a yellow folded cloth and gave it to Yuuji. "Here's your apron. You'll start today." Akaashi said, he grabbed the gloves he put on the table earlier. He threw Yuuji a pair of gloves.
"Come with me, let's move the roses to the right side of the backyard." Akaashi wore the gloves while Yuuji wore the apron and the gloves given by Akaashi.
Akaashi looked at the pudding head who's observing them. "Kenma, you're in charge here while we're in the backyard." With that, Akaashi left and Yuuji remained where he was standing.
"What?" Kenma asked with a bored tone.
Yuuji shook his head and smirked, "so your name is Kenma." He chuckles and waved his right hand. "See 'ya later, Kenma."
Kenma followed Yuuji with his cat-like eyes and sighed after Yuuji disappeared from his sight.
'Akaashi hired a lunatic one.' He thought.
-
"Put the last one there." Akaashi pointed to an open space in the backyard.
Yuuji lifted the pot and effortlessly put it where Akaashi pointed.
"Phew! So much work for my first day." Yuuji wiped his forehead using his muscled arm. He let out a loud sigh.
"Sorry about that, Kenma supposed to be the one helping me but he seemed he had a lot of problems." Akaashi removed his gloves and wiped his face with a clean face towel.
The both of them looked at the opened door of the backyard where they can see Kenma who's outside watering his favorite flowers with his natural emotionless face.
'He looks normal but I know he's not.' Akaashi thought.
"Does Kenma like sunflowers?" Yuuji asked, Akaashi nodded while wiping his sweaty neck.
"Yes, he likes them so much." Akaashi said while his eyes are still on the glass wall of the flower shop.
A little smile formed on Yuuji's lips while looking at the pudding head who's quietly watering the sunflowers.
"I like 'em too because they seem like happy flowers." Yuuji combed his hair using his fingers.
-
The time flew fast, at 7 in the evening, Akaashi already bid goodbye. '
"I'll be off then, I have errands at home." Akaashi removed his apron and folded it neatly.
Yuuji was sitting on the sofa and Kenma was playing games with his Nintendo Switch while coughing.
He cleared his throat before speaking. "Take care."
Akaashi frowned as he carried his bag, he looked at Kenma. "Did you hurt your throat or something? You seem like you'll catch a cold."
Yuuji glanced at the two who's talking.
"No, I'm fine. I was just clearing my throat. It's a bit itchy." Kenma said without looking at the one he's talking to.
Akaashi sighed, "gargle warm water with salt when you get home to be sure." He reminded him, Kenma nodded without looking at him.
Akaashi looked at Yuuji. "You, you're still not going home?"
Yuuji shook his head. "It's too early and besides, I live alone."
"I see, then help Kenma in closing the shop." With that, Akaashi left the Belle Fleur.
The entire room filled with deafening silence after hearing the bell.
Yuuji sighed and spoke. "Would you mind if I sing a song? I absolutely hate silence."
Kenma glanced at Yuuji who's looking at him, he shook his head. "It's fine, go ahead."
Yuuji chuckled, he placed his feet covered with brown waterproof boots from Timberland on the coffee table. He leaned his back on the sofa and placed his both hands on his nape as his pillow.
He looked at the ceiling and saw the small sunflower chandelier that lights the whole shop.
Yuuji cleared his throat and closed his eyes as he started singing the song "Passenger Seat" by Stephen Speaks.
"I look at her and have to smile
As we go driving for a while
Her hair blowing in the open window of my car, and
And as we go the traffic lights
Watch them glimmer in her eyes
In the darkness of the evening..."
Kenma noticed how cold Yuuji's voice is. He has a baritone voice that suits the song.
"Oh and I've got all that I need... Right here in the passenger seat..." Yuuji sang the chorus.
He looked at Yuuji, he seemed comfortable with his position, his eyes were still closed as he continued singing.
"Oh and I can't keep my eyes on the road
Knowing that she's inches from me..."
He hummed after finishing the chorus, he opened his eyes and looked at Kenma. "How's that?"
"You have a great singing voice." Kenma complemented without taking his eyes off his game. He continued pressing the buttons in his Nintendo Switch.
"I heard you like sunflowers."
Yuuji smiled when he noticed how Kenma stopped pushing the buttons on his gadget. Kenma looked at him frowning, "what do you care?"
"Don't worry, I mean no harm. It suits you, especially your hair." Yuuji pointed his index finger to Kenma's pudding head.
Kenma paused the game and turned off his Nintendo Switch. "Should I thank you?"
Yuuji shrugged his broad shoulders and went back to his last position but with his eyes opened. He heard noises outside that caught his attention. Two men of the same height appeared on the glass wall of the shop, looks like the two are talking. The black haired one looks like he's irritating the blonde one.
Yuuji followed the two with his brown eyes. The black haired one opened the door and the bell rang. The both of them entered inside the shop.
"Yo, good evening." Said the man.
Kenma was not really surprised anymore. He's expecting the unexpected but he can't hide the fact that knowing they're together gives his chest a ton of pain, especially his heart. It's like something was gripping on his heart.
Kenma forced an emotionless face and greeted the both of them.
"Welcome, what can I do for you?" Kenma said, maintaining his emotionless face and without quivering his lips.
Yuuji was just observing his fellow worker.
"Now, now... We dropped by on our way home." Kuroo inserted his hand inside his pocket and pulled something out of it.
"But your house is near the precinct, isn't it?" Kenma frowned, not minding his pounding heart.
"I'll sleep at Kei's house." Kuroo grinned from ear to ear and looked at Kei who's looking at him with full disgust.
"I see..." Kenma trailed off. He felt his chest tightened.
"Why are you boasting about it, Kuroo-san? This will be the first and last time you're gonna set foot on my house." Tsukishima flicked his glasses as he distant himself from Kuroo.
"Hey! Why are you being salty all of a sudden?" Kuroo pouted.
Kei didn't bother to answer his partner. It's just getting on his nerves.
Kenma chuckled, pretending that he's liking the view and the conversation but the truth is, he really hates it, he wants to throw them out and shout at them.
Seeing the one you like, flirting with his partner was really heart-breaking. Kenma sighed silently.
Kuroo got something from his pocket. "Here, a sunflower a day drives the sadness away. Remember that." Kuroo winked at him.
That quote was rusty. It was dull, it has no effect on him anymore.
He looked at what Kuroo dropped on the counter. A personalized sunflower keychain with his name on the seed.
Kenma picked it up, he didn't smile because he's in pain. "Thanks, Kuroo. You don't have to bring me this kind of stuff anymore."
Yuuji was just there, watching them converse. His chin is resting on his arm while the arm was on the sofa's backrest.
Tsukishima notices Yuuji's presence but chooses not to speak.
"Iyah, it's fine. You're a friend." Kuroo shook his head.
A friend, huh?
Kenma smiled bitterly, "but I already have the sunflowers outside, I don't need these kinds of stuff."
Kuroo's face became serious, "it's from me so treasure it."
He chuckled nervously and gripped on the key chain. "Okay..."
"Good! We'll be going then, goodnight!" Kuroo pulled the door but before he left, he looked at Kenma. "Take care of yourself, Kenma." A smile formed on Kuroo's lips, he saluted.
"Goodnight, Kenma-san." Kei said and bowed before leaving.
The bell rang, it's like the starting point of his tears. It rolled down from his cat-like eyes.
Yuuji was shocked, he stood up from his seat and succor with Kenma.
"Hey, are you okay?" He asked as he gently massaged Kenma's back with his calloused palm.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine... I guess." Kenma wiped his tears with fingers. His hair is getting on his face.
"Who are they? Did they do something to you?" Yuuji asked as he tucked Kenma's hair behind his ear.
"No, they didn't. That's Kuroo and his..." Kenma paused for a while and looked at the key chain, "and his lover."
Yuuji notices the hatred in his voice when Kenma introduces his friend and his partner.
Kenma suddenly gripped on Yuuji's sleeveless shirt. He looked at the pudding head, his breathing is abnormal, he's sweating and his lips are pale.
"Kenma?" Yuuji called him. He held Kenma's hand, it's cold and trembling.
"T... take me to the bathroom." He almost whispered.
Yuuji panicked and carried Kenma to the bathroom, in a bridal style.
"W... why did you carry..." Kenma covered his mouth because he felt something from his throat was about to go out of his mouth.
"Damn it... where's the bathroom?" Yuuji cussed.
Kenma pointed to the blue door with his trembling hand.
Yuuji immediately followed the direction, he kicked the door open and put Kenma down.
Everything in his sight was spinning, his feet were wobbling. Good thing, Yuuji caught his frail arms.
At that moment, Kenma vomited. He closed his eyes shut and let himself vomit everything.
Yuuji was worried he'd get his Timberland shoes dirty because Kenma wasn't vomiting in the toilet but on the floor.
'Ah, great. Just great.' Yuuji said in his mind.
Yuuji looked away as he heard a vomiting sound from Kenma. He looks like he's in pain. So he doesn't want to watch. Kenma coughed really hard so he patted his back.
But Yuuji was wondering why he's not hearing some water splash since Kenma was vomiting. He looked at the floor, he was hoping to see disgusting liquid but there wasn't any drop of it.
Yuuji was shocked that he almost released Kenma's arms from his hold. Instead of seeing disgusting spew on the floor, he saw a pile of sunflower petals scattered on the floor.
With his eyes open, he saw Kenma coughing some petals of sunflower from his mouth.
"L...let go..." Kenma said with his weak voice. Yuuji obeyed and Kenma flopped on the bathroom's floor.
His breathing is still abnormal, he looked at the petals of the sunflower on the floor.
"D.... don't you ever dare to tell Akaashi about what you saw today, Yuuji." His cat-like eyes glared on Yuuji's brown ones.
Note: I hope I lightened up the story's atmosphere with Yuuji and Kenma's moment. Also, Yuuji is a requested character, I didn't argue with my friend who suggested it because they have good chemistry, lol.