(No one's pov)

   "Aominecchi!" Kise whined. "Why can't we play once more?"

   "Because I have to get up early tomorrow, baka," Aomine answered. "We've already played all day. Do you even have enough energy to stand anymore?"

   "Yes!" Kise stood, but wobbled a little.

   "Go home, Kise! We can play another time!" Aomine went over to the bench of the street basketball court and grabbed his bag. "If we ever see each other again." Aomine walked away, leaving the one he loved behind.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

   Aomine Daiki loved Kise since middle school. He purposely hit the blonde on the head with a basketball just to get his attention. He had seen Kise in magazines, but seeing him in person made him fall head over heels.

   He never talked about his feelings with anyone. Nobody ever asked. Everyone though he loved basketball too much to focus on anything else.

   Soon after his second year of high school began, he got a gall from someone in America asking him to play for the NBA. Kagami was already there, and he wondered if he'd get to play people as strong as him.

   Naturally, he accepted, but didn't tell anyone. He spent most of his time talking to Kise and the other Generation of Miracles. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with his friends. Almost every day after practice he would meet with Kise and play one-on-one late into the night. He played the latest the day before he left. He didn't want to leave his smiling blonde haired friend.

   Kise Ryouta loved Aomine since he joined the Teiko basketball club. It wasn't love at first sight, but his feelings blossomed soon after. He joined the team because of him. Being with Aomine made him happy.

   Kise talked with others about who they liked, but always avoided the topic when it was about himself. He didn't want anyone knowing his feelings. He didn't want it to ruin his friendship with Aomine.

   When Kise attended a different high school than Aomine, he was heartbroken. But after a while, he didn't mind being away. It made the time they had together more special. After his second year began, Aomine started saying he would do anything Kise wanted for the next few months.

   Of course, Kise asked to play one-on-one as many days as possible. After practice most days, the two would meet up and play. Kise was always so happy when he saw Aomine. He cherished their time together.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

   "Flight 205 leaving for New York City is now boarding!" a woman announced as Aomine made his way to the boarding area. He yawned, knowing he got less than 4 hours of sleep last night. He would never admit it, but he cried himself to sleep last night.

   He gave the security person his passport and boarding pass, and after scanning them, the person handed them back. He had already dropped of his suitcase, and had a large backpack with all his other essentials. His phone, computer, chargers and pictures of himself and his teammates playing basketball.

   Once the plane started moving, he looked out the window at the only place he called home.

   Stepping off the plane and up the ramp to the America airport, he saw everything in English. Cursing to himself, he got out his guidebook and started translating. After getting on a bus that would take him in the general direction of his hotel, he thought only of Kise.

   It was dark out, and Kise was in front of his school, his phone against his ear. Practice was over and he had already tried calling Aominecchi with no answer. It was still dialing, and wondered if she would pick up.

   "Ki-chan!" Momoi's voice exclaimed. "Why are you calling?"

   "Do you know where Aominecchi is?" he asked. "He's not answering his phone."

   "He didn't tell you?" Momoi's asked slowly. "I'll scold him later!"

   "Why?"

   "Ki-chan... Dai-chan left for New York City this morning."

   Kise walked home that night, trying not to cry. Once he stepped inside his room, he let the tears fall. How could Aominecchi go to America without telling? He's so mean! Checking the time, he saw it was 11:30PM. Flipping open his phone, he decided to call one last time.

   It rang once...

   Twice...

   "Do you know what time it is, Kise?" Aomine asked, answering his phone. Kise waited a few moments before answering.

   "You're so cruel, Aominecchi," he whispered, hanging up. He felt his phone vibrating in his hand, but didn't answer. He didn't want to answer and hear his voice again.

He just wanted to be left alone.

"I messed up, didn't I?" Aomine asked Satsuki over the phone.

"You didn't even tell Ki-chan," she responded. "Of course he would be upset. He's probably sulking because of you! How can you be so selfish!?"

Except he wasn't being selfish. Aomine knew if he told Kise, Kise would've tried to stop him, or go with him. He knew it would hurt them both in the end, but he did it for Kise.

Or at least he thought he did.

"Tell Kise I'm sorry," Aomine said to Satsuki before hanging up.

And he was.

He was sorry for everything.