Month 19 

The dateline for the album release is just around the corner, everyone was busy practicing diligently for their parts before the live concert arrives two weeks after the release. Night and day, they practiced non-stop. While Tetsuki was busy making sure all their parts are correct, she finally finished the fifth song for the album. 

A soft yawn escaped from the bluenette’s mouth that evening, as a small tear sprouts from the corner of her eyes. She blinked a couple times before she realized the time. She stretched a little bit before she picked up her pencil and once again focused on the music scores that were sprawled in front of her. 

"Tetsuki, we're done for today. We're heading home." Aomine appeared at the door with a guitar bag snuggling on his shoulder. He stopped his tracks for a moment, mesmerizing at the beauty of the bluenette that shines gently in the evening sunset. He formed a small smile as he walks towards the pianist in front of him. 

"BOO!" Aomine whispered into her ears. Tetsuki nearly fell off the chair, as her forehead twitched at the tan teen that was looming over her. 

"DAI-CHAN, DON'T DO THAT!" she shouted as she tried to stand up, while Aomine laughed non-stop at the bluenette’s reaction as he helped her stand up from the floor. 

"You didn't even notice I was here already, consider that as a punishment." Aomine grinned as he pats the girl’s hair. She pouted as her cheeks shows a faint blush. 

"Come on, let's go home. You need rest. Everyone is waiting for us in the lounge." He said as he grabbed the bluenette’s handbag, while Tetsuki quickly kept all her music scores back into the files and hurriedly run after Aomine who has already exited the room. 

"Dai-chan, I finished the fifth song for the album." 

"Oh? You did? When did you finish it?" He asked while his eyes looked at the elevator floor numbers on top of them. 

"Today, Sei-chan called me a few days ago; saying that he will give me the fifth song for myself as a solo song." she answered, as she looked at her folder that is held in her arms. 

Aomine looked at her. The moment he heard about Akashi calling her, he felt a pang of jealousy in his heart but decided to ignore it. After all Akashi’s merely doing his job for the band, it's only natural for him to call the composer. Aomine reminded himself. 

"Well all the four songs are ready, that means we're only waiting for your part left. Aren't you happy that you get your own solo?" 

She nodded, her blush got even pinker. Aomine grinned at his girlfriend as he took her hands into his before stepping out of the elevator. Yes they have been dating for the past three months after the trip to the beach. They have realized their feelings. They have been together since then. 

"TETSUKICHII!~" Kise immediately hugged the smaller girl the moment the couple arrived at the lounge. 

"Ryo-chan, sorry for making you guys waiting for me" she said as she looked at the rest of the band members that was sitting on the couches. 

"It's ok, Tsukichin~ it wasn't that long either way~" Atsushi said as he stood up, moving towards the pianist. 

"Where's Tai-chan?" she asked after she scanned the band, noticing another red head is missing. 

"He went off already. He said he has to meet up with someone so he told us to us to bring you home." Akashi looked at her, grabbing his guitar bag that was lying next to him. He paused for while when he noticed that Aomine was holding Tetsuki hands firmly. His heart winced. 

"He’s got a girlfriend?!" Kise asked in disbelief. Everyone shrugged. Kagami was never the type to talk much to others except to Tetsuki whom she referred him as Tai-chan pretty much, Kagami joined the GoM to watch over his childhood friend, while abandoning the rest of his job in another music company for her. She was never happy about it, but Kagami always insisted that nothing was to be worried about. 

"We'll see you tomorrow, Tetsukichii~" Kise and Atsushi waved her a goodbye before driving off, leaving the bluenette with Akashi and Aomine. 

"You wanna stop by somewhere before going home, Tetsuki?" Aomine asked as he gets onto the driver seat, while Akashi sat on the passenger seat next to home. 

"How about we grab dinner?" She asked, making Aomine nod as he slowly drove the car before leaving the building. 

"Sei-chan?" 

Akashi who was lost in his thoughts, snapped when Tetsuki tapped his shoulder from the back. 

"Hm?" 

"I finished the fifth song. I wonder if you could take a look at it later?" She asked as Akashi turns his head around to look at the bluenette who was searching for something in her bag. 

"That was fast, it was only a couple days ago I told you about it." He smiled. Aomine, who was driving listens to them both. He noticed Akashi only give a sincere smile to the bluenette. 

"You guys have been working really hard, it's not fair if it's just you guys." 

"You worked hard enough, Tetsuki. You composed and stayed up all night just to write songs for us to sing, so don't worry about it, alright?" he said as he pats the girl’s head gently. 

....

At the café, the flat screen television that was put on the wall advertised something when the three of them entered the place. 

"The GoM will be releasing a new album, consisting 5 new songs! Apparently it will be different this time; they have a guitarist as well! From what we have gathered, he was from the States. Also from what rumors that has been spreading around, the GoM has combined with the Mysterious Composer, called HEAVEN. No one knows who HEAVEN really is neither no one knows how HEAVEN looked like! The next album and the live concert will be a blast!" 

Tetsuki blinked at the screen while the other two has already went ahead of her to order some burgers and fries. 

"Oi Tetsuki! Come here!" Aomine waved at the bluenette that was still rooted to her spot earlier. 

"In less than three weeks, we will get to see who HEAVEN is at the live concert! Book your tickets early!" The announcer in the television stated as Tetsuki quickly went towards the table near the windows. 

The people around them were staring at them, of course the other two were in disguise with a hat and glasses but that only attracted more attention. Tetsuki can only sigh. 

"It'll be your first live debut. Isn't it, Tetsuki?" Aomine asked while he munched down the burgers in front of him, while Tetsuki was blinking at the set Aomine and Akashi bought for her. She sweat dropped. 

How am I gonna eat all these… She thought to herself as she looked at the other two. 

"Yes, people will finally get to see who HEAVEN is." she said as she poked into her burger. 

"I wonder if I'm up to the people’s expectations… I mean I'm just a normal looking girl and all…" She trailed off. 

"Tch, what are you saying, you looked fine to us, of course your boobs size ain’t that big but it ain’t a problem." he said that without thinking. 

Tetsuki looked at her chest, feeling even more depressed, while Akashi was ready to murder the tanned baboon right there using the fork. 

"You're hopeless, Dai-chan." 

"Tetsuki, ignore that idiot’s remarks. You looked beautiful as you are, don't look down on yourself." Akashi assured her as he smiled to her, while a fork is now poking into Aomine’s burger bun. 

....

That evening after Aomine and Akashi sent her back to her house, she went to do some laundries and took a shower before she took her seat on the piano chair. The night breeze flows into the room; it was a cool yet gentle breeze. 

As she was setting up the scores, her hands froze. It was not moving to where she wanted it to move. Her eyes are widening in fear as she stares at her hands. 

She can already feel it, her body is slowly deteriorating, it would not listen to what her brains wants her to do. Sometimes she tripped over nothing, only to be lucky her friends were there to catch her before she hits the ground. What was worst is that when she was playing the piano… 

Silent tears escaped as she slowly puts her hands on her chest, held it so dearly. 

"Please…give me more time…" she said as tears fells onto her piano keys. 

 ....

A week has passed by, it was just a few days before the album was released. The television, the newspapers, the magazines, everywhere, there was an announcement regarding the Live Concert of the Generation of Miracles and the First Live Debut of the Mysterious Composer, HEAVEN. Tickets have been released; apparently the Album will be released on the same date as the Live Concert as they want to keep HEAVEN’s identity ‘till the very end. 

"I heard HEAVEN is singing with the GoM as well." 

"Recently, all the scandals happening in GoM are gone. I wonder what happened." 

"I wonder if HEAVEN is a guy or a girl." 

"Aomine-sama is having a duet with someone?!" 

"This Live Concert’s gonna be crazy! I'm sure as hell everybody will go and watch them. I wanna see HEAVEN!" 

Tetsuki who was passing by the crowds of people who was watching the announcement can only sigh. That day she was having an day off that she does not want; except Akashi kept on insisting her that she should take a break since he noticed how pale she was these past few days. 

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"Tetsuki, you should go see Midorima for a checkup, you don't look so well." Kagami said as he took a seat next to his childhood friend. 

"I'm fine, Tai-chan, I'm just a little tired." She waved dismissingly, trying to hide her worries. 

Kagami looked at her annoyingly before he let out a heavy sigh. "Look Tetsuki, I didn't join the GoM just to see you get overworked. I will have Midorima set an appointment tomorrow; I'll get Akashi to let you have an off day tomorrow." He said as he took out his phone and dialed a number. 

Tetsuki knows she can’t fight on what Kagami just said. It was true she has been working non-stop. 

"If only I'm not weak…" she thought sadly as Kagami seems to be occupied on the phone. 

.
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"Is the band working you to the bone?" Midorima asked as he turns back to his young patient. 

"No… Why?" 

Midorima sighed at the result of the tests as he looked at the girl in front of him, unsure if he should tell her or not. 

'Her body is collapsing slowly; she should have been staying in the hospital at this rate'" he thought as he stared at the girl. 

"Just make sure you get enough rest alright? You'll get sick easily if you don't get enough rest every now and then." He said, deciding he will leave the matter for later as he stood up and walked towards the bluenette. She nodded in silence as her eyes focused on the blue file on Midorima’s table. 

"I heard that you and the GoM members will be releasing a new album in a few weeks" he said as he leaned against his table facing the blunette. Upon hearing it, Tetsuki eyes shines back to its usual happiness. 

"Yes, five songs! I have my own parts too." she said as she quickly searched for something in her bag. She took out a card-like paper. 

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"This is for you, Tetsuki. You can give this to anyone that you want to come and watch the concert. It's a VIP seat."  

Akashi handed over 5 piece of tickets that was decorated in several colors with the GoM’s pose on it and a blue shadow in the middle, most probably it indicates HEAVEN. 

"Thank you, Sei-chan!" she said as she looked at the tickets. 

.
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"It's for you, Midorin! I want you to come and see it!" she said as she handed over a piece of ticket to Midorima. He took it as he examined the ticket. A small smile was plastered on his lips as he closed his eyes. 

"I'll be sure to come." Midorima said as he looked at the bluenette. Inside him, he lets out a sigh. The bluenette then excused herself as she exited the doctor’s room. Midorima then looked at the ticket in his hand. 

"An evening with the GoM and HEAVEN…huh…" He mumbles the title on the ticket before he kept it in his pocket, as he looked at the tests result. He frowns at the results written on the papers. 

Everything is deteriorating, he was sure that Tetsuki herself noticed it by now. Her movement starts to slow down as well. How long can she stand by herself before it goes bad? 

_________

Tetsuki, who was on her way home, noticed her cell phone ring, she blinked at the caller on the phone. 

"Tai-chan?" 

She swiped to answer and placed her phone in her ear. In a small voice, she stated.”Hello, Tai-chan.” 

"Did you go and see Midorima yet?" Kagami interrogated with a tint of worry in his voice. 

"Yes I did, you worry too much. I'm only exhausted that's all." She laughed it off as she heard someone else’s voice growling at each Kagami at the other side of the line. 

"Oi, Bakagami, give me the phone, I wanna talk to her!" 

"Hell no! Go use your own phone, Ahomine!" 

"JUST GIVE ME THE DAMN PHONE!" 

Tetsuki giggles upon hearing her two closest people brawling at each other. 

"OI TETSUKI! I'LL DROP BY YOUR PLACE WHEN THE PRACTICE IS OVER!" Aomine shouted to the phone, hoping that his girlfriend heard what he said. 

"Tetsuki, just be careful when you go home okay, call us if anything happen." Kagami then hangs up the call even before she could say yes. 

She smiled, everyday was fun for her. Her friends are always at each other’s throats but somehow it kept her cheerful. 

"Boys will be boys" she chuckled, and then she looked at her reflection on one of the stores she stopped at when she received the call. She sighed. 

Her complexion was so pale; she was losing more weight lately no matter how much she ate. Her eyes averted to her reflection desperately. 

"Sooner or later …I won't be able to…" she shook her head immediately before she can finish her words as she quickly walked away from the place. 

"I'll be fine as long as everyone is here with me" she said to herself, trying to keep those hopes lit in her heart 

....

"Tetsuki, are you done yet?" Aomine asked as he knocks the dressing room. That day they were supposed to prepare for their outfits, making sure everything is intact and in perfect size. The boys were in another room, while Tetsuki was in a separate room. 

"Almost~" her voice echoes in the room as she quickly changed into her dress before hearing the door opening. 

"OUCH! WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR!" Aomine groans in pain as his hand touched the back of his head. 

"WHY? Can't you use your brain for once, she still might be changing!" Kagami’s voice growled at the tanned teen. 

"You're both too loud. Keep it down." Akashi said as he appeared behind the two baboons that was about to start another fist fight. 

"Owh yeah...Tetsuki~ you done yet?" he slowly peeked into the room with a sweeping head, noticing Tetsuki was making sure her dress is tidy on her. 

"Yes, I'm done. You guys can come in now." She said as she took a seat in front of the dressing table. The tailor was keeping her measuring equipments in and hangs the dress on a mannequin. 

The rest of the band enters the room, looking around. As they notice their bluenette is combing her hair that fell swiftly on her shoulder. 

"It grew longer…she's beautiful..." Akashi reflected in his head as he leaned against the wall, his scrutiny fixed only at the bluenette. 

"Tetsukichii, let's go for a vanilla milkshake, my treat!" Kise said as he took a seat next to Tetsuki. Atsushi was looking at the dressing table as his eyes blinked at the many make up set and combs and some other materials on it. 

"Tsukichin~~ you use all these?" 

Tetsuki blinked then she shook her head. "No At-chan, I only used few of them, the mascara and lip gloss." 

"She looks better without those make-ups; it’ll ruin her skin!" Kise said as he pushed away all those make ups away. 

"Yes she does, here's a picture of her that we have taken during the shoots for the album a week ago. She's beautiful isn't she?" the makeup assistant showed a picture to the boys. They all gathered around to see it as Aomine took it from her. 

"Wow, you're right! Tetsukichii looked so beautiful!" Kise exclaimed as he tries to get a better look of the picture. 

In the picture, Tetsuki was dressed in a pink dress with frills on each corner; a red ribbon was tied at her waist as her hair was decorated with flowers. Her dress exposed her small frame shoulder as her neck was decorated with a choker that has tiny flowers at the center. The dress length was just perfect for her till her knee as she wears a pair of pink high heels. The dress fits all her curves at the right place. 

"Tsukichin looked awe-inspiring just like that pink cupcake~" Atsushi complimented. 

Aomine who was proud of his girlfriend could only smirk as he lets the rest of his friends look at the picture. Tetsuki now is completely red upon the compliments she received from her friends. 

"You're a natural at this Tetsuki-chan, the photographer took a liking to your pictures!" the assistant said as she combed the bluenette’s hair and tied it to a twin ponytail. 

Akashi, who was leaning at the wall, walked towards the bluenette as he smiles. 

"You're beautiful. Don't hide it." He said he brushed her bangs on her eyes, Aomine who noticed this just ignored it for the time being. 

"Alright everyone, listen up, the live concert is in four days. Everyone make sure to have proper rest, and there will be no more practice until the pre-concert for a rehearsal at the Dome. That's all for today, have a good rest and day everyone!" Momoi said as she hurriedly left the fitting room for another meeting for the concert. 

"So we have three days for rests, what ‘ya wanna do Tetsukichii?" Kise asked as everyone eyes focused on the girl. 

"Hmm… I don't know really…" 

"We’ll think of something, but for the time being let's go for dinner. I'm sure you're hungry" Akashi suggested as everyone nodded. It has been a long day after all; they have not had their lunch yet either. 

"Yea, let's go Tetsuki" Aomine said as he grabbed her handbag that lies on the table, Tetsuki nodded as she took a last look at the mirror and then smile. 

As she was about to exit the door following her friends, she loses her balance as her sight blurs. Just before she can hit the floor, a strong pair of arms caught her, she looked up. 

"You okay?" Aomine asked as his face shows how worried he was, everyone stopped and went back to see what happened. 

She then slowly gets back on her two feet with Aomine’s help as she looked at her feet. Then she realized everyone was worried as they look at her, waiting for her to reply. 

"Silly me, I just tripped over my own foot!" She said as she laughed, trying to hide her thoughts. 

"Maybe you should rest when you get home later, Tsukichin~" Atsushi suggested. 

They all let out a sigh of relief; they continued their way out of the place, Tetsuki followed quietly behind the five boys as they waited for the elevator. She was lost in thoughts as she stares at the everyone's broad back. 

"It's getting worst…" she then raised her head to look at Aomine who stood tall in front of her while talking to the rest. 

"How am I going to tell everyone about this…" she thought as one hundred and one thoughts flooded though her brain at the moment. Akashi, who noticed the silence of their composer, can only look from the corner of his eyes. 

"Her body is slowly giving up…" he thought. 

DING! 

The elevator reached the floor as everyone gets in,"TETSUKI! What you standing there for?" Aomine shouted for her as she quickly snapped from her thoughts. She quickly ran into the elevator while Aomine and Kise held the door for her. 

As she enters the elevator, her thoughts were pleading to the heavens. 

"Please give me more time!"