OF MUSIC AND BASKETBALL
Summary: After realizing that life was too short, Tachibana Akira goes back to Japan to fulfill a promise. What the music prodigy didn't expect was to meet a bunch of talented, idiotic basketheads along the way.
Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basuke belongs to Fujimaki Tadatoshi-sensei. (I couldn't make something that awesome, unfortunately. *cries*) I only own the plot and my OC(s). ^_^
A/N: This story is unbeta'd so kindly excuse my mistakes. Thank you and enjoy~
CHAPTER ONE: Nobody's Home
"She wants to go home, but nobody's home.
It's where she lies, broken inside."
- Avril Lavigne
Where am I? I thought, wandering about the brightly-lit area. This place seems familiar…
Suddenly, there was a door in front of me—a door I was very familiar with. Holding in a very large grin, I entered the room with my usual greeting. There, on the hospital bed, was the very face I wanted to see.
"Aki-nee! You've come to see me again?" he asked in his usual cheery voice.
"No. Actually, I'm here for your mom's cookies," I teased.
He pouted jokingly. "Tough luck, Nee-chan. I'm not sharing."
"Oh, is that so?" I quickly placed my fingers on his sides and began to tickle him.
"HAHAHA! Aki-nee, stop! I—HAHA—can't breathe! HAHAHAHA!"
"Give me my cookies first!" I growled playfully, barely keeping my giggles to myself.
"N—HAHAHA! Okay, okay! HAHA! Uncle!"
With that, we looked at each other, giving similar grins. Turning on the television as per the norm for us, we took turns passing the jar filled with his mom's delicious hot fudge chocolate cookies, enjoying the peace given by the sounds of nature from the outside of the hospital window and the familiar squeaks and cheers from the television. All was as it should be.
Or so I thought.
I was jolted awake by the sound of the intercom overhead.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at Narita International Airport [1]. Please make sure one last time your seat belt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you."
Holding in a sigh, I took off the headphones I've been wearing the whole flight.
It's been ten years since I've been to Japan. Ever since we moved to America when I was six, we never came back. I've been having mixed emotions about this move, but I have to fulfill a promise; a promise that can only be completed here—in the place where I began.
Stretching my sore muscles after the very long flight, I shuffled out of the airplane, light bag in tow, and searched for my luggage at the counter. Checking my phone, I saw a recent message from my aunt.
.
From: Oba-chan
To: Akira
I'll be at the coffee shop beside the airport. See you soon~
.
I let out a deep breath. Japan, here I come.
"Oh, my goodness, you're so grown up now! I can still remember when you were only waist-high," my aunt gushed to me as she drove away from the airport. Looking at her subtly, I can't help but notice how much she looks like my mother. From the ebony locks to the hazel eyes, I can see how people have mistaken them as twins at first sight. But that's where the similarities end. Whereas my aunt was filled with warmth and optimism, my mother was the complete opposite.
Though it sure didn't start that way, I thought to myself bitterly.
I looked more like my father—or so they say. Giving a quick look at the mirror, I can see that my strawberry blonde hair was slightly messy from the flight. There were bags under my eyes—proof that I've been losing sleep these past few days.
Well, how could I not? After all, it's only been a few days since…
I was startled out of my reverie by her sudden beep, her continuous stream of words suddenly entering my senses. "… really shocked when I heard that you wanted to come back to Japan! I mean, it's been so long since you've been here that I thought that you'd never come back here again. So when I got your call three days ago, I was so surprised—a good surprise, mind you. I can only imagine what my sister had to say about this. Was she surprised as well? I mean, I would think so, considering that you don't get to see her and Hideaki so much, what with their being so workaholic…"
My parents? Workaholic? That's probably one of the biggest understatements of the year. I mean, I can easily hand-count the number of times I see them in a year—five of which include the events that they require me to go to. It's not like they notice, anyway.
"So how did you tell them?" Aunt Sachiko asked me this time, giving me a side glance. "I don't want to pry, but I am curious."
I shrugged. "I just called them and told them that I wanted to go to Japan. And when they gave me the 'okay', I called you."
She blinked. "That's it?" After giving her a nod, she gave a disbelieving look at the windshield. "Huh. Well that was unexpected. I honestly thought my sister would at least blow a gasket. Guess I was wrong." I hid a wince at that statement. "Oh, well, you're here now and that's what's important," she said, giving me a smile. "Have you thought about what school you're going to attend?"
"I'll be going to Seirin High School, since it's closer to the house."
"'Seirin High School'? Is that a new school here? I don't think I've ever heard of it."
"Yes. It was only opened last year."
"Hmm…"
Her hesitant sound made me glance at her. She looks like she's contemplating something.
"Don't get me wrong, Akira; it's not like I don't support you or anything. But won't you be lonely in that house all alone? I know that that was your old home, but you know you could still change your mind—you can still stay with us in Akita."
Her words painted a lovely picture in my head—one filled with warm welcomes and fun-filled bonding moments with the rest of her family—a picture I quickly erased as soon as it came. I have a mission, and it's something that I have to do alone.
So, despite my inner desires, I declined her offer. "It's fine, Oba-chan. I'll be okay," I said, fiddling with the string of my hoodie. "I don't mind being alone."
After all, I'm all but used to it.
With a quick kiss and a reminder to call her, she hurriedly drove off to Akita in order to reach home before nighttime.
Home, huh, I thought. Must be nice.
Entering the two-storey, westernized house I used to live in, I saw that everything was fixed and squeaky clean, just like what Oba-chan told me. The brown sofa sat in the middle of the living room, facing the flat-screen TV that was placed against the far left wall. A coffee table was placed in front of the sofa, some magazines placed on the shelf underneath it. Picture frames and other ornaments were scattered plainly across the room, giving a bit of a homey feel. But what really caught my attention was the grand piano that sat on the corner of the room.
Removing my red and black Converse, I headed towards the instrument, not minding the feel of the carpet beneath me nor the slight breeze from the open window. Memories flashed through my mind like a worn, old movie as I tested the keys. My curious fingers pressing the black and white keys, my mother teaching me how to play the piano, my father checking up on us and smiling at our bonding moment, our family singing to the tune of my mother's playing…
Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I played a quick melody on the piano to test it. Just as I thought, the piano was in a good condition. I guess Oba-chan really wasn't kidding when she said that everything was fixed.
Heading up to my room after a quick glance at the kitchen (even the pantry was filled to the brim), I immediately crashed on the light blue duvet before being whisked away by sleep.
Stifling a yawn, I stepped out of the house with the intention of exploring Tokyo this fine Sunday morning. Since school starts tomorrow, I decided to familiarize myself with the place so that I won't get lost. Well, here's to hoping.
Ignoring the sarcastic tone of my inner voice, I failed to notice that there was someone in front of me before it was too late. I let out a quiet 'oomph!' before hitting the ground.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Are you hurt? I thought you'd see me standing here before crashing to me—not that I blame you! I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry! I—"
"Woah, woah! Hold up!" I said, raising my arms in a 'surrender' pose as I lifted myself up. "I'm fine. No harm done." Seeing as the guy looked like he was about to cry, I kept talking to him, ignoring the slight pain in my butt. "I'm Tachibana Akira. I just moved here yesterday. What's your name?"
Seemingly less guilty, he responded shyly. "S-Sakurai Ryo. I live next door."
"Oh! Well, hi, neighbor," I said, smiling at the brunette. "So, why were you standing there earlier?"
This seemed to make him guilty again (and I thought I was doing fine calming him down!). "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't think I was bothering anyone! I was just thinking about the things that I have to buy in the grocery! I'm really sorry! I'm—"
I put my hands on his shoulders. "Hey, calm down. I wasn't accusing you of murder or anything. I was just curious. You don't have to say sorry."
My touch appeared to have surprised him, judging by the slight blush on his cheeks. Placing my hands in my pockets, I quickly change the subject.
"So what do you want me to call you? Since we'll be neighbors and all, I suppose we should get to know each other."
"Anything's fine," he mumbled, still not meeting my eyes.
"Well, 'Nandemo-kun' [2]," I grinned playfully. "What do I need to know about this place? Any ghosts I should be aware of?"
He blinked at me before giving me a small smile. Thank goodness.
The tiny bell on the door rang as we exited the store. "Thank you, please come again!"
"So what school are you going to, Sakurai-kun?" I asked him before he could even apologize for making me go with him to the grocery store.
"I'll be attending Too Academy for my first year."
"Really? I'll be going to Seirin High. Is Too Academy near here, too?"
"I guess. But Seirin's a lot closer." He seemed a bit hesitant answering that question, so I subtly looked around me to change the subject. Just as I was about to ask him something, I saw him staring at the basketball court in front of us intently.
"Do you play?" I asked him, jolting him out of his reverie.
"Uh—yes! Yes! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for spacing out!"
I held up a hand. Boy, can this guy be tough to handle. "It's fine. Calm down." Glancing at the court once more, I asked, "Will you be trying out for your school's basketball club?"
"Y-Yes," he answered, giving me a quick nod.
"Oh, okay. Good luck on your try-outs," I said, stopping a grin from forming on my face. I guess I'll be seeing more of you, Sakurai-kun.
Entering the household, I saw that it was almost 7 PM. Right after our quick stop at the basketball court, Sakurai-kun toured me around the area, telling me about the landmarks and such. Turns out, he's a pretty cool guy—if you could just factor out the unnecessary apologizing from time to time.
Glancing at the time, I shrugged my shoulders and decided to head to bed. Changing out of my clothes this time (waking up this morning was hard enough), I thought about what would happen tomorrow.
Maybe, everything will turn out okay.
Hopefully.
End of Chapter One.
E/N: I know, I know. I must be out of my mind, starting another story without even finishing my other stories first. I'm really sorry for not being able to update like I promised (especially "The Teacher's Apprentice"). I've had a lot of free time, but I'm lacking the inspiration. Fear not, though-one of these days, I'll be posting a new chapter of The Teacher's Apprentice; perhaps sooner rather than later. ^^
Anyway, some notes on this chapter:
[1] Also known as Tokyo Narita Airport, which is the primary international airport serving the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan.
[2] Nandemo means "anything" in English. It's kind of a pun, I guess. (Sorry for the pun. I need more lessons from Izuki-sensei. /shot)
Anyway, did you guys enjoy the story? Chapter one's kind of a filler, but it's kind of important in order to get to know more about Aki. Sorry if it's kinda lame (*cries*).
CHAPTER PREVIEW
Oh, dear. Here I go.
"My name is Tachibana Akira. Nice to meet you."
"I'd like to join, please."
"P-Pardon?"
Has he been there the whole time?
"I've been wondering about something, though..."
SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?!
"Ah. She snapped."
"Whose fault do you think it is?!"
Chapter Two: Franklin
Read and review, please! Stay tuned for chapter two~! ^_^