Chapter Text
The first time Ryouta heard of the Hanahaki disease, he was a kid. That mysterious disease whom only five percent of the population could catch. Yet all his four year old self could think of it was pretty flowers.
His mother had smacked him silly back then. "Over the span of three generations, almost half of the Kise family had experienced this disease before ! We are sadly, part of that five percent." She frowned.
The entire clan had gathered to see the small yellow rosebud wrapped across the boy's pinky finger.
Yellow roses - friendship / admiration
Kise's grandfather had sighed. "A foolproof way is to avoid falling in love. One-sided friendships could be dangerous as well. We have bought insurance for you incase you need the surgery. But still, be careful, my grandson. I can guarantee you that the feeling of flowers in your lungs is anything but pleasant."
So Kise nodded obediently, no falling in love, got it.
At first, Kise saw the hanahaki disease as a blessing. He liked the dandelions behind his ears. A symbol of respect for his favourite teacher. And the pink roses of gratitude for his neighbour who drove him to school whenever he missed the school bus.
It was a solid proof of his emotions, a sign of his affection. His teacher actually teared up when Kise told him that the dandelions were about him.
But there was a reason why his family were so wary of his carefree attitude. How Kise handed out smiles and hugs to almost everyone. Hanahaki was a curse, and Kise Ryouta would soon know why.
"Marigolds, seriously ?"
Kise plucked off the newly bloomed flower on his wrist. "It is kind of pretty though."
Midorima tutted. "Who cares ?"
"You're so mean Midorimacchi !!" Kise pouted. "I even have an ivy wrapped around my ankle that I think is for you !"
"Once again, who cares ?"
A spark of something flashed in Ryouta's golden eyes. And Midorima almost felt sorry. Almost.
The blond sighed uncharacteristically and left the locker room quietly.
Midorima, out of a mixture of sheer curiosity and spite, searched up marigolds on his phone. Green eyes widened.
Marigolds - Cruelty, Grief, Jealousy
Outside the locker room, Kise gasped as petals clogged up his throat.
Love was such an unpredictable thing. Puppy love, respect, admiration, friendships, family.
"S-shogo...please..."
Ryouta's voice cracked.
Yet the silver-haired boy refused to listen to him, walking away even faster. The marigolds grew, creeping across his chest and invading his lungs.
Kise knew that this was pointless. A one-sided love, the exact kind that his family warned him before. Marigolds, symbol of hatred, the concrete evidence that Shogo hated him more than anything.
Finally, Kise stumbled and fell. In front of him, he thought he saw Shogo pause, a flower escaped from the prison known as Murasakibara's super large sweater. He borrowed it with the help of his mother's hand made ohagi, in a desperate attempt to cover up all of his flowers.
Ryouta was powerless to stop the marigolds from fluttering to the ground. Spots swarm in his eyes. What a nightmare...
A pair of arms hauled him up from behind and dragged him aimlessly around the school. Kise's eyes fluttered around his surroundings, but it was not like he could move freely. His lungs...
"Gemini has the worst luck today."
Was Midorimacchi here to rub salt on his wound ?
"-So I bought an extra lucky item for you. A pair of heart-shaped goggles."
"S-seriously ?" Kise stared at Midorima like he was some kind of newly developed alien chicken.
Midorima bit on his lip to hide his smile."Seriously."
Kise's laughs were really nice, Shintaro decided.
And two hours later, Akashi Seijuro found two of his best players huddled together in the art room discussing the healing properties of heart shaped goggles.
Shogo bent down and picked up the flower.
To be continued~