Chapter Text
The Reaping
I
“One more game!” The redhead’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Hey Aomine! One more game please!” He shouted once more with a look of desperation in his face while dribbling the basketball into the concrete pavement.
It’s been a year since he gave the ball to the redhead. A parting gift, during the day he was chosen as a tribute. They were fifteen years old back then but it feels like many years have passed.
“It’s almost curfew Kagami.” He rolled his eyes. “Besides, tomorrow’s the reaping.” He sighed in defeat. As the past year’s victor, he had no choice but to become a mentor this time.
“But you never have time for basketball anymore since you became a big shot victor!” Kagami pouted in defeat. “It’s so lonely playing alone.” This made him laugh. The audacity of the lad beside him to say these words.
“What’s more important than you anyway? You know you could be chosen-” He stopped at that. Biting his tongue to interrupt the horrific thought.
“Or not.” Kagami stated confidently. “You know, my father will…”
“It doesn’t matter who your father is, Kagami.” He answered silently. He cannot even hide the fear in his tone. “Besides, the moment they call your name, you’re fucked up, you know.” Aomine meant this as a joke, but there is reality in what he said. Children from their district are trained to be victors. “Survivors” is what their teachers always say. “The career tributes have a higher chance of survival in the games.” That is why, at a very young age, they learn how to survive. Killers. Aomine thought. That’s the right word. He nodded to himself.
But Kagami hated every bit of it. He seldom joins the training, he always sneaks out to play basketball. An occurrence that made the other kids mad at him. “If my name will be called tomorrow-” Kagami started.
“It won’t.” Aomine interrupted, fearing for his friend.
“If!” The redhead started once more. “If, Aomine, if! Anyway, If my name will be called during the reaping tomorrow, I am ninety per cent positive that someone will volunteer!”
Aomine Daiki raised his eyebrow at that. “Okay Mr. Positive, there is still a ten per cent chance that no one will.” But it can be true. There are tons of kids, a few years older than them, who would actually volunteer for the sake of fame and the possibility of a life changing event. The life of a victor. But still…
“Don’t be such a negative asshole, asshole.” Kagami elbowed him. They are slowly walking out of the basketball court now. “Besides, there’s a perk of being a mayor’s son you know.”
“And what is that?” He asked humorously. “The fact that your name’s only listed a few times in that fishbowl?”
“Yeah.” Kagami smiled confidently. “But I’m more confident that there will always be someone who wants to volunteer, you know. Some of our seniors might not want their hard days of training to be put to nothing.” He shrugged.
“No one did when my name was called last year.” He said blatantly.
“That’s because everybody knows that you will win!” The redhead rolled his eyes.
It’s true. Aomine Daiki, the miracle boy who excelled in every physical activity there is. He’s number 1 in his batch when it comes to swimming, hunting, hand-to-hand combat, spear throwing, sword fighting and a lot more. Added to that, he’s fast. That has always been the reason why he became the victor. His speed, whether in water or on land, no one can catch him, and no one can run away from him.
“Well, unlike me, you never attended any training session our district offers. All you have in your tiny little brain is the thought of playing basketball. And you get away with it because your a big shot son of the mayor.” Aomine sighed in defeat, elbowing his friend in return. “Tell me, how are you going to survive if you’re going to be chosen as a tribute Kagami?”
There was a lingering silence after that question. Aomine stopped in his tracks and shook his head. Erasing the thought in his mind. Kagami Taiga is the mayor’s son of District 4, there is ninety per cent that he will never be called in the reaping until they’re old enough to be exempted from it. But there is also the remaining ten per cent.
“Then I’ll have to pray as hard as I can that there will be someone volunteering for me.” Kagami laughed. “Or else I’m dead.”
If there is a God out there, Aomine prayed silently as he watched his only friend laugh innocently, please don’t let his name be chosen ever. Because he knew that the moment Kagami Taiga’s name, mayor’s son, was chosen, no one would volunteer. No one, except maybe for him but he’s not allowed to do that at all.
“The kids hate you.” He joked. “They always envied your carefree attitude, you know.”
“No they don’t.” Kagami huffed. “I don’t care about them anyway, they suck at basketball.” He pointed it out. And they started walking slowly once more, kicking a few pebbles along the way and talking about what to eat before the reaping tomorrow.
“How long are you going to be gone again?” Kagami asked after a while.
“A few months…well it depends whether our tribute will win or not.” Aomine answered nonchalantly. How in the world is he going to be a mentor at sixteen. Although he’s not the only one coming from their village, to relive once again the horrors of the game… “Man, I wish I could just stay here and play games with you.” He felt his face heat up from that statement, but he couldn’t hold himself. He barely got time with this idiot, who is as dense as a tree log, and tomorrow, he’ll have to leave again.
He took a glimpse at the redhead who refused to meet his eyes. “Well, not so dense after all.” He said more to himself than the redhead who is now blushing and trying so hard to avoid his stare. “Will you miss me, Kagami?” He teased and laughed when the other lad tripped and almost lost his footing.
“What the hell?” Kagami turned as red as his hair and walked faster, leaving his laughing friend behind.
“Hey wait!” He laughed louder when Kagami increased his pace. They stopped in front of Kagami’s house. A fancy manor, bigger than the victor’s houses in the victor’s village. Probably one of the reasons why some of the kids really hated the redhead.
“You and your rich ass.” Aomine said. He does not know how to part ways. They’ve done it over a thousand times after playing basketball. But somehow, today feels so hard. “I don’t want to hear your name tomorrow.” He said seriously.
The redhead smiled at him. “You won’t.”
Aomine Daiki’s world stopped.
One innocent smile and he’s lost. I am so lame. He said to himself. I am going to regret this. I am District 4’s champion, Capitol's newest hero, and also the lamest person there is. He took a few more steps forward, closing the gap between himself and the redhead, took a deep breath and peered at the curious look of his friend and then kissed him on the lips.
“That’s for good luck.” Aomine said. His voice cracked, he could feel his heart beating rapidly, his palms were sweaty, and yet he stood still. “Good night Kagami.” He said, cheering himself as he saw Kagami’s reaction. “You’ll be waiting for me after this year’s hunger games right?”
Kagami blinked a few more times as if contemplating whether Aomine Daiki really did kiss him or not. “Of course.” He said, blushing once more. “We still have a basketball rematch, you know. I’ll win next time.”
And for the second time that day, Aomine Daiki laughed genuinely. No one in this world can make him happy except Kagami Taiga. After all this time, even after the games and the horrors of the Capitol, I’m so glad you’re here to keep my feet on the ground, Kagami.
–
He had breakfast with his parents. But everyone’s so quiet. He may have survived the game, they may have lived in Victor's village now after winning, by killing everyone, their family may have been safe for the rest of their lives but the reaping will always hunt them down.
Last year, when he heard his name and his mom and dad were hugging him goodbye, they never thought that they’ll have to deal with the reaping once again. Although this time, he’s going to be a mentor. Someone so young and yet will be important to the survival of the chosen District 4 tributes this year.
They were in the middle of a quiet breakfast when the emergency broadcast sound filled the room. “Good morning everyone!” Said a cheerful voice coming from the projected screen. “This is Kise Ryota giving you updates for this year’s hunger games!” His voice, so high and happy at the same time made Aomine hated him more.
“What do they want now?” He clicked his tongue. Trying to swallow down his breakfast.
“This year, the Capitol will choose two names from each District.” Kise, the official host of the annual hunger games, winked at the screen. “And here’s the catch folks!”
They waited for the drum roll sound effect to stop.
“There will only be one bowl to signify the unity of all of Panem. All the names of the boys and girls will be mixed together! Isn’t that wonderful?” The host laughed. “Because here in Panem, we do not discriminate!”
The announcement was already over a few minutes ago and yet the Aomine family is still staring at the afterimage of the happy host. It was Aomine’s father who found his voice first, saying something about washing the dishes.
There was a dreadful feeling to the lad. They’re going to pick two names in one bowl. Two times, they’re going to pick names in the same bowl two times. Two times. He felt cold, empty and...scared?
“Daiki, son, finish your breakfast.” His mom said and he was thankful for the interruption.
—
From where he was sitting in front of the stage, together with his fellow mentors, he could see the pool of boys and girls line up. Most of them have a confident look on their faces, except for the younger ones who were experiencing the reaping for the first time. He immediately spotted the redhead at the back.
Even though he’s not the oldest there, he’s still one of the tallest boys in their district. Kagami is wearing a long sleeved light blue polo shirt, tucked in his faded denim jeans. His usually messy redlocks are brushed up with wax. He looks good, elegant and good. What can you expect from the mayor’s son?
They locked eyes for a few seconds, the redhead smiled but averted his eyes, face blushing, remembering the kiss that they shared last night. Aomine smirked at that. He wanted to keep on teasing the other boy but he’s not really in the mood. The fear and dread that he’s been feeling since yesterday feels so much more this time.
The ceremony began upon the arrival of Momoi Satsuki, District 4’s escort. She always does this every year. Trying to cheer everyone up, being so happy about the start of the Hunger Games. After the anthem, and President Snow’s recorded speech about the past rebellions, Aomine tuned everything out. He remembered his kiss with the redhead last night. He kept playing the image in his head. Oh, how his world stopped when the redhead smiled and he can no longer restrain himself from doing that one thing that he always wanted to do since he realized he had a crush on him during 5th grade.
The look of shock in Kagami’s light reddish-yellow eyes when he finally did it. Their faces were so close that Aomine saw the faint freckles in his pale cheeks, another indication that the redhead rarely spent his time in the ocean.
“Haizaki Shougo!” Momoi’s voice brought him into reality. There was a shout of celebration coming from the chosen tribute himself. “My, my, what a confident young man you are!” Momoi added.
Haizaki is two years older than Aomine. This is his last chance to become a tribute as well. Just like Aomine, Haizaki is one of those who really stand out because of his physical attributions. The moment they heard his name, the majority, if not all of the people present in the reaping, knew that they had another victor in the making.
Aomine searched once again for Kagami, never really caring about the speech that the chosen tribute was saying. The relief that he felt when his eyes met Kagami’s. If there is a God, he prayed again silently, trying to calm his heart, please don’t choose his name.
When all this was over, he promised to himself, I’ll play basketball with you everyday. “One-on-one?” He mouthed to the redhead. And just like that, Kagami was elated. His shining so bright, he can even feel his happy energy from where he was. Oh how he wanted this to be over with so he can finally talk to the redhead, even just for a few minutes, before he left.
“Kagami Taiga!” Wait what?
Did Aomine hear Momoi correctly? He blinked and shook his head, not really contemplating what he had heard.
“Kagami Taiga, come here dear.” And silence.
It took him a few seconds of realization when it finally sunk in. When he looks up, Kagami is already staring at him. This can’t be happening, he felt his whole body shake in fear. Today’s temperature is high, the sky is clear, and yet he feels so cold.
Aomine Daiki’s world stopped as he watched Kagami Taiga’s confident walk to the stage. Head held high, not showing any emotions at all.
“No.” He whispered to himself. This cannot be happening. The redhead is only a few meters away from him but he cannot do anything. No one volunteered? He looked at the other tribute, Haizaki was already looking at Kagami like he was his first prey. Of course no one will volunteer if they’ll be fighting Haizaki.
He wanted to cry.
He wanted to shout.
He wanted to just grab Kagami’s hand and run away as far as they can, where Capitol can no longer harm them.
I will keep you alive. Aomine said to himself in a silent plea. I’ll do anything to keep you alive.
—
II
As a mentor, they went to the train first to settle their belongings while the chosen tributes said their goodbyes to their families. Four of them are going back to the Capitol this year. Aomine is the youngest, being the Victor of the Hunger Games in the previous year. The other three were Riko Aida, Midorima Shintaro, and Akashi Seijuro. It is a perfect balance of mentors.
Riko Aida won 15 years ago at the age of fourteen, making her the youngest female victor. She won by pretending to be a weak and cry baby girl, where everyone left her alone and by the end, she showed no mercy at all with her axe that was double her size.
Midorima Shintaro won 7 years ago at the age of 18, was a careful tactician who was very good at using his bow and arrow. He always kept his distance, knowing where to hide and bid his time.
And then Akashi Seijuro, just like Riko, he won at the age of 14, five years ago. While everybody was busy playing the game, Akashi was busy playing the Capitol. Aomine said to himself.
“I can’t believe Kagami was reaped, out of all the names.” Riko commented. “It doesn’t really matter whether he was the mayor’s son after all.”
“Was?” Aomine’s anger was so palpable that everyone in the room looked at him. “He still IS.” He emphasized.
“Aomine, cool your head will you?” Midorima said, sipping his tea from the corner of the dining area. “Your crush is showing you know.” He stopped at that. It is not a secret, especially not to his mentors, that he had a crush on the redhead in the first place.
Not when he talks about Kagami the entire time last year. “I have to win, Kagami is waiting for me,” was the statement that he repeats so often. “I promised someone that we’ll have a basketball rematch when I come back after winning the game” That was his statement during the interview with Kise last year.
“What are the odds?” Riko smirked at him.
“You think this is funny?” Frustrated and mad, he covered his face as he sat down beside Midorima. “He’s so innocent and pure and…”
“He won’t survive?” Midorima added which earned him a death glare from the lad.
“I won’t let that happen!” He shouted, fisting his hands, trying to control himself from punching his mentor.
“Showing favorites already.” Riko sighed. “You know Aomine, as a mentor, you should get used to it. Sending kids to the games until you’re old, watching them die, trying to help them survive. In the end, their survival will depend on the circumstances.”
“Haizaki…” Akashi started. Even though he’s younger than the two, he had this aura of command and authority in him. They all stopped arguing and looked at him, waiting. “Like you Aomine, his physical strength is undeniable.” He closed the book that he was reading and looked him straight in the eyes. “When they called his name, everyone thought that District 4 would be having another Victor.”
Aomine snarled at that. “So who is playing favorites now?”
Akashi raised an eyebrow and snorted. “Taiga on the other hand, is the rich boy who never even held a knife in his hand.” He paused. “Or does he? I am not actually sure about that.”
“Spit it out. What do you want to say?” Aomine whispered. Yes he was scared. Yes, he knew Haizaki’s skills. They went to the same school, fought a few times. And unlike him, Haizaki has always wanted to live the life of a victor. Unlike him, Haizaki has always been thirsty for blood. “I’ll do anything I can to keep him alive. Taiga will be the Victor this time.” He said firmly, stood up and walked out of the dining area.
“Hey Aomine-” Midorima sighed.
“Let him be,” Akashi said as they all watched the retreating back of the lad. “The reason why Aomine won the Hunger Games last year is one of this year’s tributes. He tried to survive, and now he is forced to mentor Kagami.”
—
“You finally settled down?” He knocked at the redhead’s room.
“I’ve never been anywhere as fancy as this train.” Kagami scanned his surroundings, sitting down at his bed.
“Well, you’ll be shocked once we’re in the Capitol, you country bumpkin.” Aomine tried to make a light joke, flicking his friend’s forehead. The redhead had been so brave, never actually showing any emotion of fear.
“Aomine…I-” Kagami started but he couldn't seem to find his words.
“I won’t let you get hurt.” Aomine said instead. “Don’t worry. Leave everything to me. Just these few weeks, you’ll have to train as hard as you can. You have powerful legs, you can jump high and can run as fast as I can. You’re also strong.” He reassured Kagami or himself, Aomine was not sure. “Yeah, you’ll be the victor this year Kagami.”
“I-” Kagami stopped, closed his eyes. Searching for the right words. “I’m a goner, Aomine. Just like you said yesterday. The moment that they called my name during the reaping, I’m a goner.” He smiled, as if accepting his fate.
“That was a joke!” Aomine yelled. “A fucking joke! Why are you taking it seriously now?”
The redhead shook his head. “I’ve been so carefree my whole life, I never actually feared hearing my name being called during the reaping.” He sighed in defeat. “To be honest, I never even imagined that I’d be hearing my name. It’s not yet sinking in.” He laughed at that.
“What are you laughing at?!” Aomine said.
“Just a defense mechanism I guess.” Kagami shrugged. They both sat in Kagami’s bed in silence, listening to the distant voices from the other cart. Haizaki laughed so confidently, making Aomine’s stomach feel sick. He thinks he’s the victor already.
“That ten per cent sucked.” Kagami once again tried to lighten the mood. “No one volunteered. I miscalculated.”
“Well, you’re always bad at math.” Aomine snorted. They both laughed at that, clearing the pressure in the air. “I would’ve volunteered, you know.” He said softly after a while.
“I know.” For the first time after the reaping, Taiga looked at him straight in the eye and smiled. “You almost raised your hand from the stage, I saw it.” He giggled.
“I did not.” Aomine was not sure.
“Sure did!” Kagami elbowed him and sighed in defeat. “I’m scared Aomine.”
“I am too.” He took the redhead’s hand and intertwined their fingers.
“I am more scared for you, you know.” The redhead closed his eyes and finally let a few tears fall down from his cheeks. Tears that were long overdue. “If I’m gone, it’ll be fast. Instant. But you, you will be left here alone. Who will play basketball with you?” His voice was shaking.
“Stupid.” Aomine reassured him. “Don’t leave me.” He pleaded.
Please.
“I won't.” It was a promise.
–
They all ate their lunch together.
The two tributes are taken aback from the different foods that are now displayed in the table. Colors of different kinds. Clearly, this is their first time seeing such dishes. They stuffed their mouths full, especially Kagami who always eat nonstop, like a hamster.
“So, Aomine…” Haizaki started. “Any tips for me? Or are you just going to give all your attention to Taiga-chan here.” He pointed a bread knife at the redhead.
Kagami shrugged, he already knew Haizaki’s antiques. Aomine on the other hand is feeling a bit sensitive lately.
“Stop being an asshole?” Aomine said, clearly irritated.
“What? You were an asshole when you were a tribute you know.” Haizaki sneered.
“I am an exemption.” He answered back. “Besides, other than your physical strength Haizaki, you’re ugly as fuck. How are you going to get sponsors when you’re an asshole and no one likes you?” He retaliated.
“Fuck you!” The other lad threw his glass at Aomine’s direction, missing an inch. “You are far worse than me, you know!”
“No thank you.” He said. “And like I said, if you’re as strong as me, you don’t need sponsors.” He rolled his eyes. No one objected to his statement at all. All of them know that he’s telling the truth. That’s how strong of a survivor Aomine is.
“If I can’t survive, how is this piece of trash here going to be?” Haizaki said, refering to the redhead.
“Oh he will.” Aomine sneered with a finality. “Because whether you like it or not Haizaki-chan, this is the type of guy the Capitol will go crazy for.”
“What do you mean?” Kagami asked. “I’m just a city boy who plays basketball.” He winked at Haizaki and then held his gaze. The other lad blinked. It took him a while to recover and when he realized it, he’s already blushing.
“What?” Haizaki asked, clearly confused at his reaction.
“That’s what.” Aomine Daiki sighed. “Stop being so flirty, you sassy asshole.” He kicked Kagami’s legs slightly under the table.
“Interesting.” Akashi said from the other side, witnessing what just happened.
Interesting indeed. Aomine thought. He’s like you. He knows how to play the audience. He always gets away with the teachers and instructors during training. He always gets what he wants. He’s such a manipulative bastard, I like him so much. He cleared his throat. I have to focus.
“Hey Taiga-chan!” Haizaki, finally getting hold of himself said. “Want to have a one-night stand? My bed or yours?” He wiggled his eyebrows at that, riling up Aomine. “What, you look like you just swallowed a whole horse, dear mentor?”
Riko and Midoram choked at the statement.
“If you can promise me that you’ll protect me in the arena, why not?” Taiga answered a few tones lower than his usual voice, making all of them blush.
“Owww! That hurts Aomine!” Nursing his head from Aomine’s hard knock, “I’m just joking!” He received another one.
“Fuck off Haizaki. Don't let this silver-tongue get into your head or you’ll be a goner in no time.” Aomine huffed. Kagami Taiga laughed at that statement.
“Manipulative bastard.” Aominwe whispered, he received a not so innocent blink from the redhead for that. “You do know what you’re doing.” He pointed it out.
“I know.” Kagami smiled.
Oh he really knows. Aomine rolled his eyes.