Chapter 38 : Goodbye

I do not own KnB

That day was the last time they saw Kuroko so energized. Kuroko's condition has declined at a rapid pace. He has started to vomited and have nausea throughout the day. His appetite decreased critically where he only accepts water to eat his medicines. Almost every day, he had seizures and confusion. Double vision always disturbs him in the morning accompanied by the dizzy cycles. Worries about Kuroko's declining condition, everyone has stopped going to school. They kept accompanied Kuroko every single time by taking a turn.There a limitation access in one time which allows only 3 people able to stay. Akashi has rent a room near the hospital, thinking that it's easy for them to go in and out of the hospital. With Kuroko's declining condition, no one can sit leisurely now.

Kuroko is sleeping on the bed while Kagami, Murasakibara, and Momoi are silencing themselves ever since they changed their shift with Riko, Furihata, and Kise. Kagami is standing next to the window, Murasakibara is playing with Nigou's fur while Momoi is changing the withered flower with a new one in the white vase. They afraid to accept the fact that Kuroko will die as they keep on begging for another chance to amend their promise to him to play basketball with Kuroko again.

Momoi sits on the chair as she finished changing the flower. She observes Kuroko's face and her face brighten up when Kuroko's show the signs of waking up. "Tetsu-kun?"

A sudden sound from Momoi snapped Kagami and Murasakibara from their own thought. They turn to Kuroko, who starts to blinks his eyes.

Kuroko turns his head to the source of the voice and smiles tiredly "Ohayo". His voice sounds wet and raspy.

"Ohayo Tetsu-kun, how are you feeling?" Momoi reaches Kuroko's hand as warm smile plastering on her face.

"..Tired" Kuroko grips Momoi's hand but its lack of energy. His body keeps on fighting the tumor leaving him weaker than before. Even raising his hand is a hard thing to do lately.

"You should rest more" Kagami walks toward Kuroko.

Kuroko turns to Kagami and replies "But everyone will be here in the noon. I can't keep on sleeping"

"It's okay Kurochin. Everyone will understand" Murasakibara gets up from the chair and puts Nigou next to Kuroko. Nigou looks at his master with a sad look. It too has been quiet and well behaves by the time it inside the hospital. It doesn't want to cause any trouble for his master.

"Nigou.. come here" Kuroko calls Nigou to come closer to his face. Without any sound, Nigou obeys.

With hardship, Kuroko raises his hand and pats on Nigou's head. Nigou closes his eyes, enjoying his master's patting. However, after few seconds, Kuroko grips his fur harshly, causing the husky to whimper.

Momoi force Kuroko to open his grip on Nigou by opening one by one of Kuroko's fingers. Kuroko never has the intention to hurting Nigou unless he is in pain. She observes Kuroko's face and found that Kuroko is holding up his pain, proving her deduction." Tetsu-kun, is your head hurt again?"

Murasakibara picks Nigou back, brushes the place where Kuroko gripped while looking at Kuroko in concern.

Kagami lends his hand for Kuroko to grips it. Although it's giving him pain but for Kuroko, he will withstand it as this is one of the ways of telling Kuroko that he always be there for him. Momoi gets few pills and picks a glass of water for Kuroko.

Kagami helps Kuroko to get up by supporting Kuroko's limping body with his strong hand. Kuroko's eyes are still tightly closed, bearing the unbearable pain at the back of his head. A small whimper escapes from Kuroko's pale lips.

"You need to eat the medicine" Kagami whisper on Kuroko's ear. The bluenette nods his head weakly. When he opens his eyes, he could feel vertigo comes. Everything around him is spinning causing a bile rise up to his throat.

"B..bucket" Kuroko croaks.

Instantaneously, Murasakibara grabs a basket below the bed and place it in front of Kuroko. He puts Nigou on the floor and soothes Kuroko's back. "Calm down Kurochin, do it slowly"

Kuroko pukes on the basket with a harsh sound. Everyone looks at him in concern and worry. They know today is going to be a hard day. Basically, if Kuroko wakes up with a dizzy spell, the rest of the day will go bad. The doctor said that the medicines he has supplied before were slowly lost its effectiveness. Although the dose has been raised, it only helps for few days. At the end, they need to raise the dose again causing Kuroko to feel drowsier than usual. Not only that, he also tends to sleep and lack of response all day long.

Kagami places some pillow at Kuroko's back then pulls Kuroko's body smoothly to meet the pillow. Kuroko rests his limping body while stabilizing back his unsteady breath. The 15 minutes of vomiting series sure has worn him down.

"Drink this Tetsu-kun" Momoi moves the glass nearing Kuroko's lips, help him to drink carefully. Kuroko cooperates well although his movement is a bit slow.

Momoi pulls the glass from Kuroko's lips as he finished drinking half of water. "Here the painkillers" she gives Kuroko some pills while holding the glass for Kuroko. With trembling hand, Kuroko puts the pills in his mouth and drinks the water. However, when Kuroko tries to swallow the pills, he chokes.

"Hey, slowly okay. Take them one by one." Kagami says, trying to calm down the choking bluenette. He asks for Kuroko to try again with new pills. Murasakibara stands at the back of Kuroko and rubs Kuroko's back smoothly.

The second time Kuroko tries to swallow them he still choking although he does it slowly.

"I..I can't.. swallow the pill" Kuroko complaints between his cough.

"Eh?" Momoi confuses.

"I.. can't.My throat..feel different.." Kuroko repeats. It's not like he said it because he doesn't want to eat the pill. He could feel his throat work differently. It's getting hard to swallow.

"You can't swallow? Are you feeling pain? Want me to call the doctor? They can give you a shot to lessen the pain" Kagami continuously asks, worries of Kuroko's discomfort.

"No need..I'm okay" Kuroko replies, acting tough in front of his friend.

"You sure, Kurochin?" Murasakibara watches Kuroko in worry.

"Yeah. I'm sure" Kuroko smiles.

"If you don't want to see the doctor, rest and take your sleep more," Kagami says.

"But. I just woke up" Kuroko complains.

"No. Sleep now" Kagami adds then he help lowering down Kuroko into lying position back

"I agree with Kagamin. You need to sleep to recharge back. Maybe you feel better once you sleep" Momoi says as she pulls the blanket, covering half of Kuroko's body.

Kuroko nods his head as he closes his eyes, trying to make himself to fall asleep. The other starts to do their things, trusting that Kuroko already falls asleep that time. However after 20 minutes passed, Kuroko opens back his eyes.

"I want to take a bath," Kuroko says, looking at Kagami who is cutting the apples.

"Yarghh. Kuroko! I thought you have asleep" Kagami startles. Momoi and Murasakibara are turning back their attention toward Kuroko.

"Why aren't you asleep, Tetsu-kun?" Momoi asks, curious.

"I can't sleep..the dizziness disturb me" Kuroko voices softly.

"That's why Kurochin needs to let the check" Murasakibara sighs.

"Don't want" Kuroko turns his head to other places.

The three of them sigh. When it comes to Kuroko, making him change his decision is a tough task to do. He is a stubborn basketball freak!

"Now, can I take my bath? I stink" Kuroko smells his body.

"No one care about that. Rest back!" Kagami commands.

"No. Not until I get my bath at the bathroom" Kuroko stares at Kagami.

"Fine, we will help you bathing" Kagami sighs again.

"Let me pick you up, Kurochin" Murasakibara picks Kuroko up bridal style.

"Thank you Murasakibara-kun" Kuroko smiles.

"I will prepare his clothes," Momoi says as she opens the drawer next to Kuroko's bed.

Murasakibara places Kuroko atop of the toilet and Kagami proceeds on helping Kuroko removing his clothes. When Murasakibara picks up the pipe, Kuroko stops him.

"I can bath by myself" Kuroko pouts.

"You don't even have the energy to raise your hand, do you think you can do the bathing by yourself?" Kagami complains.

"But.."

"It's already good that we let you bathing here. The doctor already changes you with sponges bathing, remember? Because of what? Because your health has dropped to the point that you can't even do anything by yourself now. Depend on us just for a little" Kagami frustratedly says.

"Kagachin, don't be mad at Kurochin" Murasakibara advice Kagami with a firm voice. When he has shut Kagami out, Murasakibara turns back to face Kuroko with comforting smile "You see Kurochin, I will be glad if I can help you"

"...Okay" Kuroko thinking for a while and changes his decision so suddenly. Kagami gives an unbelief look toward Kuroko. "What the heck?! You agree just like that when that sweet addict asked you so?"

Murasakibara gives provoking smile to Kagami, which make Kagami furious. Kagami moves forward but interrupted by Momoi's question from the outside.

"You guys okay in there? I have prepared the clothes. I put it in the chairs, okay?" Momoi notes them. She can't help with the bathing since Kuroko is embarrassed with her and has requested that she don't ever come in whenever he is having his bath.

"We are okay, Sachin" Murasakibara replies.

"Good. I will wait outside" Momoi adds before going back to her seat.

Kuroko shivers as he could feel the cold air attacking his body. The only cover that he has is only his boxer. His dizziness increases so suddenly causing him to fall in silence, ignoring the two people in front of him. His face shows that he is in a great pain.

Kagami and Murasakibara notice this, looking at each other first before continuing their matters quickly. So that, Kuroko have his rest as soon as possible.

"Kuroko, please open your mouth. I need to brush your teeth" Kagami asks for Kuroko cooperation.

"..kay" Kuroko groans and opens his mouth. Kagami starts to brush Kuroko's teeth but when he pull the brush out, there's a string of mucus between the toothbrush and Kuroko's mouth.

"What is this?" Kagami mumbles in curiosity. He touches it to identify what is the things that come from Kuroko's gums

"What is it, Kagachin?" Murasakibara asks, wondering why Kagami stop.

"Mucus..? " Kagami asks.

Hearing that, Kuroko closes his mouth and looking at Kagami with a frown. He doesn't know about that. He did feel different with his throat but he didn't notice about the mucus. And what this mucous about? Is his health declining again?

Kagami notices Kuroko's change of expression. He could tell what Kuroko currently is thinking. The blunette always freak out when his body changed but always keep it down and cause himself to feel distressed. Kuroko once screamed to them, letting out his build up stress when he felt that the body he has now is not his anymore. Everything changed. That was the time when he had seizures 3 times in a day. That seizure was bad enough to cause him to injure himself as he bitten his tongue and grips his own skin tightly till it bleeds. Everyone tried to keep him calm down but nothing changed. When Kuroko conscious back, his friends' frustrated look, and his body condition was made Kuroko feel stressed and depressed.

Kagami puts the toothbrush away and immediately gives the water so that Kuroko could wash his mouth. "You will get cold if we let you naked too long. Let's get you clothes".

Murasakibara picks Kuroko up again and puts Kuroko on his bed.

"Do you feel refreshing after bathing, Tetsu-kun?" Momoi asks cheerfully as she brushes Kuroko's hair.

"Yes," Kuroko silently replies, looking only at his hand, which resting on his tight securely.

Momoi notices Kuroko's change of mood. Just what happen in the bathroom causing the bluenette to be depressed so suddenly? She turns her attention towards the dark red hair and purple hair with puzzles look. They just give a sign that they will tell her later.

Kuroko looks at the watch. "I still have few hours before they come right? Can I sleep for a while?" He asks them which the others reply with a nod. Momoi helps Kuroko to lie on the bed. Kuroko instantaneously falls asleep once he closed his eyes, feeling tired all of sudden.

When they sure Kuroko has fallen asleep for real now, Momoi turns toward Kagami and Murasakibara "What happen?"

Kagami rubs at the back of his head with a sigh "We will discuss it with the doctor"

***************************

30 January, a day left before Kuroko's 18th birthday. Kuroko has been given the permission to go back home five days before. There is nothing the hospital could do for him right now other than supplying the morphine to him to help with the pain. The nurse that in charge on Kuroko is also brought back to their home to assist with his medication things.

Lately, Kuroko was having nonspecific pain which he can't point out where he felt hurt other than kept saying he didn't feel good. He didn't have a headache but it seems like the rest of his body aching. He winced whenever someone touched him and it's become harder to changed his clothes. His sleeping course also changed. Most of the time he felt drowsy and he slept all day long.

Today's morning, Kuroko woke up with rapid and shallow breathing, taking the attention of others. Kuroko has lost his ability to swallow pills and solids. They connect him to the IV tube in order to put the liquid morphine in his dropper, which directly goes to his blood stream. He is no longer connected to the heavy medication stuff, not even the oxygen mask. His lips tend to get dry since he has stopped drinking. They put some lip balm in order to moist them up.

Everything in his physical has changed except for his hair which has grown back to his usual hair length, just like when he first enter Seirin. He looks so small in his own bed. With bony features, he looks so weak that people thought he could collapse any moment. But his determination in fighting the illness is still strong. He keeps smiling like nothing happened despite his pain and his struggling to stay alive for the rest of his remaining days.

Kuroko blinks his eyes weakly, trying to regain his consciousness despite his 10 hours restless sleep. His body feel so weak and tired. Somehow, sleeping also sucking his energy out since his body keeps on fighting the tumor in his head.

"Kuroko, are you awake?" Akashi is the first one notices that Kuroko has woke up. He always is the observer one.

Kuroko moves his eyes toward Akashi, his eyelid is half open. "A-aka shi- kun" he mumbles between his breaths. Aomine and Ogiwara walk toward him.

"Do you feel hurt anywhere?" Akashi asks in concern

"Aching" Kuroko mumbles under his uncomfortable breathtaking.

Ogiwara puts the back of his hand on Kuroko's forehead. "You're having a fever again. Want me to call the nurse? She can help easing your pain"

"Please.." Kuroko will only plead when he is in lots of pain. Today must be one of his hard days. Ogiwara immediately calling the nurse by using his mobile phone.

Aomine is gripping Kuroko's warm hand "Do you want anything Tetsu? Do you want to drink?" Aomine asks.

Kuroko changes his attention toward Aomine "C-can I have another blanket? It's cold" Kuroko requests.

Aomine looks at the room heater, he frowns when he notices it's already set to the highest temperature but Kuroko still feels the chill. The winter must be one of the reasons that making him feel so cold. "I will get them for you" He exiting the rooms in rush.

Kuroko nods his head.

Akashi brings out a cold compressor from the drawer and puts it on Kuroko's forehead.

"The nurse will be here in a minute" Ogiwara notes everyone.

Kuroko could feel his head start to throbbing. He moves his hand to his temples and massaged it weakly. He closes his eyes, trying to ease the pain as far as he can. Ogiwara sees this and moves toward Kuroko, massages the places Kuroko massaged before. Akashi is massaging on Kuroko's hand, thinking that Kuroko also having the aching throughout his body.

Aomine arrives and wraps Kuroko with another blanket, pulling it until it reaches on Kuroko upper chest.

A knock on the door took their attention, they turn to see the nurse already arrive with a bag full of medication that Kuroko need. They give the signal to the nurse gives her the permission to enter. She walks in.

"How are you feeling, Kuroko-kun?" The nurse asks with comfortingly as she is checking his pulse and taking his temperature. She notices Kuroko is in pain and having the rapid and shallow breathing.

"Aching and my head.. It's hurt" He replies weakly.

"I will give an injection to help you ease the pain and the fever. You will be okay after that" The nurse smiles and proceed on injecting Kuroko's arm with some medication.

Minutes later, Kuroko's body relaxing and his eyes look in a daze, affected by the medication.

Aomine makes a sigh as he sits back in the chair. "At lease, he is okay now".

"Do you know why his breathing change?" Akashi asks. Ogiwara and Aomine turn to the nurse too, waiting for an answer.

"It is called as Agonal breathing. From my previous experiences, the patient will have Agonal breathing when they at terminal stages" The nurse explains.

"You mean, he in his final hours?" Aomine asks terrific.

The nurse nods with sympathy look.

Akashi, Ogiwara and Aomine silent. No, shock actually. They could feel that they unable to breathe. The news shocking them till they don't even know what to response right now.

Akashi startles when the nurse put her hand on his shoulder. "He will slowly lose his consciousness and when the brain function failing, he will fall into a coma. Stay by his side, keeps talking to him although he is unconscious. Hearing is the last to go"

Akashi opens his mouth to reply but nothing's come out. He doesn't know what to say. His mind blank.

"I will wait outside. Call me if you need me" The nurse turns her heels toward the door and exiting the room. She knows, they need their time alone. After all, knowing that your beloved is going to die is the hard thing to be accepted

Aomine turns toward Kuroko, pain look change into tears. "Tetsu.. why Tetsu..Don't leave us" Aomine grips hard on Kuroko's hand. Akashi punches the wall, causing his knuckle to bleed. Ogiwara's tears fall and he falls to the ground as he heard Aomine screams, clutching his hand hard. Frustration engulfs them.

"Ogiwara-kun. I have a request" suddenly a memory appear inside Ogiwara's head. His eyes widen and get back his determination. He gets up and runs exiting the room in rushing.

************************

The flowers on Aomine's hand fall to the ground as the painful facts interrupt his thought again.

"You okay Daichan?" Momoi asks in a smooth voice. Momoi's eyes look so puffy after few hours of crying. Kiseki no Sedai and Seirin are currently decorating Kuroko's room, silently. Everyone have been silent ever since they heard Akashi and Aomine's explanation on Kuroko's condition. Kuroko will die any moment from now and they still want to have a celebration on Kuroko's birthday. At least, that will make him happy before he leaves this world for real.

Kuroko once again in a daze, didn't even hears or notices everything around him. He has been given another morphine with higher dose when he had a bad headache one hour before. The morphine with the same dose didn't help him at all this time.

Kuroko's condition has declined spectacularly rapidly. By mid-afternoon, he could no longer talk and swallow. They put an ice cube to moist his mouth and lips and keeps massaging his body to help out with the aching. The compressor on his head has been changing every two hours, helping lowering down his fever. This is the last thing they could do to lessen Kuroko's suffering.

Ogiwara has been missing since then. They don't know where has he been. They are curious but didn't ask more because they thought Ogiwara might want his time alone, just like what they need right now. But they stay tough, they can't cry in front of Kuroko.

"We have done here," Kise says unenergetically. He too has lost his spirit.

"I just need to put this flower on the decoration and I'm done with my part," Aomine says as he continues his work

"Done..Let's start it" Aomine smiles tiredly.

All of them cornering Kuroko. Akashi wants to call for Kuroko but stop suddenly when the door opens so suddenly. Revealing huffing Ogiwara. "I managed" he sighs in relief.

"Ogiwara. Where have you gone?" Aomine asks.

Ogiwara didn't reply but he brings out the projector and connects it to the camcorder. He setting up a little more and smile as he done.

"Kurochin's camcorder?" Murasakibara asks in curious.

"Yeah. Kuroko once asks me to do this" Ogiwara explains as he pauses the player for a while. He then proceeds to Kuroko and tries to wake the brunette up.

"Kuroko-kun.. can you hear me? I have done what you requested" Ogiwara rubs Kuroko's hand softly, tries to make Kuroko consciousness come back.

Kuroko's eyes shine again and he turns at the people around him with a very slow movement. He lips forming a smile.

Kuroko's trembles hand pats on his bed, asking for everyone to sit together. Good things that they can easily understand what Kuroko is trying to say and do so. The Kiseki no Sedai, Kagami, and Ogiwara sit together on the bed. Although it looks full but Kuroko feels alright, he just wants to be by his friends' side. Kuroko then raises his hand and grips hard on Aomine's shirt. He tries to get up but his body trembles so badly, causing him to fall back. Aomine helps Kuroko to sit up and use his chest to support Kuroko's limping body. He could hear the loud sound of Kuroko's breathing. It's worse than before, Aomine couldn't help but frowning. His body feel cold too despite four blankets being wrapped around him.

"Do you want another blanket Tetsu? You're so cold" Aomine asks. Kuroko shakes his head and keeps his eyes on the screen, waiting for the video to be played.

"We can close our gap. So that we can share our body heat with Kurokocchi" Kise suggests.

"Good idea, Kise" Midorima compliments Kise. Kise grins.

They close their gap until there is no more space between Kuroko and them. Kuroko is lying on Murasakibara's chest as he seating on his thigh. Aomine and Midorima are leaning on Kuroko's shoulders. Kise is in front of Midorima, holding his hand tightly. Kagami on the other side. Ogiwara, Akashi, and Momoi sit next to Kuroko's legs. Nigou is on Kuroko's lap. Seirin are sitting next to them, on the chair but making sure they are close enough. They give the priority to the closest to Kuroko first because Kuroko will need them more than them.

Ogiwara push play button on the camcorder. The recording start.

First scene being played is a scene when they play block together in the hospital, how Aomine and Kuroko lose to Midorima and Akashi, how Kuroko sulking with Kise. Not escaping the scene when Nigou appears from Mitobe's bag, how happy Kuroko was and how Kagami was horrified that time.

They laugh, how they missed that time. Everything looks so normal.

A scene of a blushed Riko, and how they joked about that played (chapter 9). Riko is actually feminine but tends to act like she is tough like a guy. She quite sensitive to begin with.

Next scene is about Midorima was being a tsundere, saying he accidently buy Kuroko's lucky item for that day (chapter 11). Kuroko's chuckle makes them feel so nostalgic.

The scene change again. Riko asked Kuroko to eat and end up made the porridge spilled on her skirt. Hyuga acted gentleman that time but can't stand when Riko made a cute look on him. (chapter 12)

"You like coach, am I right captain?" Kuroko bluntly says. He observes Hyuga, who suddenly look shocked with what he is saying.

"W-what are you talking about? Y-you're talking rubbish." Hyuga stuttering, confirming what have Kuroko guess

Kuroko just keeps on silent. He turning his head to his right side, and as he sees the red blinking on the camcorder on the table, he can't help himself not to chuckle.

"Good luck Captain. Win coach's heart okay" Kuroko whisper at the camcorder, seems that Hyuga didn't notice at all, still hiding his blush.

Everyone turn at Hyuga.

"You like coach?!" Seirin screams unbelievable.

"W-what? It-it's not like that. Kuroko, how dare you?!" Hyuga is blushing hard. Kuroko chuckles although it has no sound.

"You do like Riko. I thought so" Kiyoshi grins.

"No..no. I-I don't.." Hyuga tries to deny. He turns looking at Riko, he thought Riko is going to be angry but startles when he sees how red Riko becomes.

"Hyuga.. you baka" Riko closed her face with both her hand.

"Riko. I'm sorry. I don't mean that. It's okay if you didn't like me back but please forgive me. I'm sorry" Hyuga begs at Riko, panics arise when he saw how cute Riko is right now. 'Control yourself Hyuga!' he shouts in his head.

"You should tell me sooner, I thought you only like a girl with big boobs. So I have given up already" Riko confess, looking at Hyuga shyly.

"Y-you mean..You mean you like me too?!" Hyuga's eyes widen in disbelieve.

"Since long ago, since you starts changing you blond hair back to its black color" Riko blushes so hard.

"I-I love you, Riko. I love you" Hyuga confess as a tint of red shed forming on his cheek.

"I love you too" Riko grips on Hyuga's hand hard.

"Way to go, captain, coach!" Koganei shouts.

"Congratulation!" The others shout as the claps their hand. Both Riko and Hyuga blush madly as they realize the others heard them. But then they looking to each other with a big smile.

"Thank you Kuroko.." The two of them thanks, Kuroko. Kuroko replies with a beautiful smile on his lips.

"Let's continue back!" Ogiwara says to them as he starts to play the recording again.

Next scene is about Kuroko and Momoi's date. They watched Dolphin performance and enjoy their moments together. The others see the scene when he giggled so happily as he teased Momoi and how Momoi makes Kuroko blushed so hard (chapter 15). The others dumbfounded as they saw how easily Kuroko showing his feeling when he is with Momoi. Deep in their heart they know, Kuroko really does love Momoi but what happened next few week after the scene was recorded has caused him to shut his feeling up. Aomine feels so guilty at this, he is the reason of Kuroko's sorrow.

"I'm sorry Tetsu. I am so jealous that time, I didn't even think about your feeling and your health worsening is because of me. I'm sorry Tetsu" Aomine grips hard Kuroko's bony hand, crying on in as he asking for Kuroko's forgiveness.

"You are not the only one who at fault Dai-chan. I'm sorry Tetsu-kun. I should say my true feeling from the start but I don't know that my feeling for you just a crush. I'm sorry Tetsu-kun. I'm sorry" Momoi cries as she tries to reach Kuroko's other hand.

The others keep silence as they observe the three of them. They do feel angry but knowing Kuroko, when he did with his decision, there's no turning back.

Surprisingly, Kuroko still having that warm smile on his face. He still looking at the screen, waiting for another scene to play. He can't talk but the recording can tell them what he truly is feeling. He didn't blame them at all. He loves both of them.

"Aomine-kun" Kuroko's voice comes from the camcorder, startles them all. They turn looking at the screen again, Kuroko's face is currently being played.

"You have known Momoi-san longer than me. I was shocked when you told us what your true feeling toward Momoi-san. I should have known that from the start. You love each other but you guys still didn't realize it. I'm sorry for being an intruder. Aomine-kun, I return back what yours but please take care of her for my sake"

"Momoi-san, that day I've realized that the one who you are truly in love is Aomine-kun and not me. I am not capable of protecting you. I'm a sick man and one day I'll die before you. So, please go back to Aomine-kun and please forgive me for hurting you with my harsh words and sorry for my lies. I love you but Aomine-kun is more suitable to be with you. He is strong and has a long life to live to compare with me. Please be happy with him"

"I love both of you and that's why I'm okay to change back our relationship to turn back as a friend. However, I can't stand if I lose both of you. I love all my friends and you guys are the most precious thing I ever have. I feel that I'm the luckiest person in the world to have all of you around me. Thank you"

Tears fall on Aomine and Momoi's cheek. How grateful they are to have Kuroko as their friends. Although there are so many bad things happened to him, he still thinks that he is the luckiest person. Did he know how innocent he is? But still, why is he always blaming himself for other mistakes?

Kuroko rises his hands on Momoi's and Aomine's hand, grips in warmly although his hand feels so cold. He smiles at them, signing that he is okay and he approves them to be together.

They smile as tears keep falling from their eyes. "We are the one should be thanking you Tetsu" Aomine smiles.

"Thank you so much" Both Aomine and Momoi say.

"You're so kind, Kurochin" Murasakibara smells Kuroko's hair as he compliments the sick man on his lap.

Kuroko closes his eyes as he smiles with a peaceful look.

"Next scene!" Ogiwara plays the next scenes.

The other scenes are about when they live together, their daily routine life and how they reunion back. The scene when they're playing together also being played. Everyone is enjoying the scenes being played. How fast time has passed in these past 8 months. They are happy with their life that time. Kuroko always makes their live brighter although he was suffering in his illness.

They keep on laughing so happily as one by one of the scenes changed. Kuroko keeps on smiling, hearing everyone laugh is comforting him. His eyelid dropping as drowsiness engulf him and his jaws slightly open. He didn't realize there's mucus flowing down from his nose and mouth. He only could feel he is having a hard time breathing the air, its feel like he breathing under water. But he didn't care, as long he is with his beloved friends. He is happy.

His eyes close as his last energy gave up and never open it again. His head limping to the side.

Murasakibara notices this.

"Kurochin?" He asks as he moves Kuroko's body to the side, using both his hand. Alarming Aomine and Midorima first before the others start to change their attention toward unconscious bluenette.

Everyone move out of the bed, changes Kuroko's body position into lying as they keep on calling the bluenette but not even a single movement from the blunette they received, only the labors and mucous breathing.

"Kuroko? Hey, wake up!" Midorima slaps slowly on Kuroko's cheek, hoping the bluenette regain his consciousness back.

"There's something creamy coffee color coming out from his mouth and nose" Furihata notes them.

"Mucous?" Akashi startles as he figured out the substances when he touches the liquid that oozing out of Kuroko.

"He still not responding!" Aomine shriek out, his panic level rises.

"Tetsu-kun. Tetsu-kun.." Momoi cries. Kise wipes the mucous with trembling hand, scare of what will happen next.

"I'll call the nurse," Riko says as she and Hyuga run exiting the room.

"Kuroko-kun. Don't die now. Not when we still didn't tell our feeling for you yet. Please give us the chance to tell you everything" Ogiwara is begging and hugging Kuroko tightly as it was his lifeline.

Still nothing. Kuroko lying there unresponsive, his breathing has starts to slow down although it still labor and mucous. His jaw widely, gaping as much air as he can.

"Kuroko.," Kagami mumbles as his eyes watery and later a drop of tear fall on his cheek.

*******************************

Thirty minutes left to 31st January. Kuroko still holding on although he had slipped into a coma state. The nurse helps in removing the mucus by using Yankauer suction tip in order to help him feel comfortable to breathe. However, the mucus keeps on coming back and they need to repeat the procedure every 15 minutes.

Kuroko breathing changes for the third time today. His breathing starts becoming a kind of "fish out of water" reflexive gasp. His arms and legs became bluish as his body became paler. They wrap him with 5 blankets, hoping that will give him some warm but it still didn't change. The nurse said that was because Kuroko oxygenated blood is not reaching his arms and legs anymore.

They cried so much as they still couldn't accept that Kuroko is in his final hours. The time flew so fast because just a few hours before, they are laughing and smiling together. Now they know why Kuroko really wants to watch it together, wanting to be surrounded by his friend so much. He knew his time will come. It's just like a final goodbye from him since he can no longer speak even a single word of goodbye.

"He still can hear you. You may say your last words for him. He can't go on as long as you're not letting him go. He really loves you guys and making you guys cry is what he hate most. Let him pass away in peace" The nurse comforts them, who are currently crying at the bedside. Even Nigou keeps licking Kuroko, hoping that its master wakes up.

"How can we live without him?! Tell me!!" Aomine screams frustrated.

The others cry becoming louder. All of them thinking the same. Just how can they live without Kuroko after 8 months staying together, after 2 years playing together, after 4 years depending to a single shadow who always kept remind them who they truly are? How can they ever let their precious friend go leaving them?

"He can't go on living with the body he owns now. He has suffered for so long. Let him go, let him get his uncollected peaceful life" The nurse adds with a sad tone.

Their eyes widen in realization. It's true, they never want Kuroko to suffer in his life anymore but they don't want to lose him.

And again tears of frustration and sadness shed on their cheek. But that was the last tear. They collect their will, get up and looking Kuroko with new determination. Determination of wanting to give Kuroko his peaceful death, to let him go from his suffer and to stop shed tears because of Kuroko death.

One by one of them take turns in giving Kuroko their last words for him by whispering at Kuroko's ear.

"Kuroko-kun, thanks for being my brother. Although we have been lost contact for a long time, you always remember me. I never angry at you when your team defeats me. Don't blame yourself anymore. I am sorry for leaving you before. I love you, brother. Say hello to our parents okay?" Ogiwara grins at the last sentence.

"Thanks for loving me, Tetsu-kun. My bad that I'm confusing over my feeling. You always be my precious person. Thank you for being next to me when I need someone. I hope we will meet again in another life Tetsu-kun. Rest well," Momoi giggles as a tear of happiness falls from her eyes.

"Tetsu, I'm sorry again for hurting you. I'm so relieved when you forgive me that day, Tetsu. You always care about my feeling and I feel so bad for making you feel that way. I will take care Satsuki as you wanted me to. I'm still logging to play basketball with you again Tetsu, but I know you are more needed there. Go, claim back your peaceful life" Aomine rubs Kuroko's head as he smiles warmly.

"Kuroko, I'm glad that I meet you. You change my life, you bring me back, and you change my opinion about friendship. Don't worry about me anymore and thanks for everything. You're free to go now" Akashi's face look so peaceful, he smiles.

"Hey Kuroko, if you ever meet another light, don't ever forget about me. You will always be my only shadow. Remember that!" Kagami grins. "Oh yeah, I forgot about this" Kagami holds Nigou in his hands. "I'm starting to like this little guy over here, just like you wanted me to"

"Arff" Nigou barks and excitedly moving his tail.

"I will miss calling and hugging you, Kurokocchi. Thanks for teaching me how basketball work best. One day I will able to copy your technique, for sure!" Kise smiles hugely.

"Oha Asa does say today is not a very good day for Cancer and Aquarius. I think it quite accurate because losing you today is the worse event I ever want. But your life will be even better there. So, you may go now" Midorima says and put Kuroko's lucky item for today. He smiles before giving Murasakibara a space to speak to Kuroko.

Kuroko's breathing starts to slow down.

"Kurochin is the sweetest person I had met. Your vanilla scent always making me want to eat you. Surprisingly, I have starts to love vanilla milkshakes too. I going to miss making you a vanilla milkshake. Goodbye Kurochin and thank you" Murasakibara plays with Kuroko's cheek which has started to turn blue.

Sensing Kuroko will not stay long, Seirin gathers around Kuroko, ready to say their last words for their dying teammate.

"Kuroko, we looked at you as a weak person the first time we saw you. How wrong we are that time. You are the most amazing person we have ever found, although your body fragile not like other people but your will and determination are the strongest among all. You are brave, you are tough and you are the best. Thank you for being our teammate although it's just for a while. We love you" Riko says as tears of happiness fall from her eyes.

"Be a good man. You have reached your 18th birthday" Hyuga adds as he saw the time already reach 12 am.

"You don't need any treatment anymore Kuroko. You're free now. Have a good life there" Kiyoshi smiles warmly.

"Goodbye and Thank you Kuroko" The others of Seirin member bow.

Kuroko takes another breath and no more come.

TBC

I'm had a hard time doing this chapter just to make it real. Don't be mad at me because I've make Kuroko die. Next chapter is coming soon! 2 more chapters left. Please wait patiently, okayy.. 

Here one of the example patient with brain cancer having their last moment. credit to Denis Courchesne and Youtube. 

https://youtu.be/n0xUa3R-sN4