Author's Note: I should be focusing on the other stories I have pending, but whoops *slips and falls into the Kuroko no Basuke fandom*. It's too late. I fell in love with the candy-loving giant and this happened. I was going to make this into a full story, but that would be a mistake so instead you get five, cute, little chapters. Like a one-shot, but cut into pieces. I call it: The Short-Shot

* It's important to note that the character in this story is older, more mature and a lot shorter than Murosakibara.

** Isn't his name just a mouthful? XOD You could probably stand it up next to him and it would be the same height. How cute and fitting.

1/5: She is a No-Nonsense Kind of Girl

The bag crackled open as Murasakibara reached in.

"..." Pocky was a pretty great snack.

"Atsushi...that's the twentieth bag of junk you open." The giant continued munching, sparing him a small glance. Himuro was tired of sitting outside in the heat. He was only doing this for moral support.

"Muro-chin, why is no one coming?"

"Maybe because they don't like kids so they're coming late on purpose."

"How mean." The purple-haired giant turned around and looked at the sign he made.

In big, ugly letters, (courtesy of Murasakibara) it read:

Atsushi Murasakibara.

Yosen Basketball Academy

Waiting for Roomate

and snacks

He stared at it and shoved a few more sticks in his mouth.

"I think I'm okay."

"Too bad no one agrees." Himuro rolls his eyes and fanned himself. Clicking his tongue, he stands up. "It's too hot, I'm going inside. Tell me if anyone comes... I doubt that..." He mumbles the last part to himself.

They had been sitting outside for about two hours now just waiting for someone to even mull over the offer. Sadly, anyone who came would be thrown off by Atsushi's intimidating looks, but he would keep his head up.

Truthfully, Atsushi would have preferred to live alone, but according to his scholarship requirements, in order for the apartment to be validated as his home, there would have to be at least two residents. The scholarship was a full ride at a prestigious university known for making basketball legends and he was scouted for being, well, himself. The downside was being forced to room with someone. Something about "teaching him to work with others on a team" or whatever.

Quite possibly the biggest problem was the fact that they had to be a "legal adult". What reasonable adult would want to live with 6'10" 16 year-old that did no work and lazed around? No one.

Or so he thought.

A tap on his head made him groggily wake up. Atsushi yawned and scratched his head.

"Excuse me?" Hearing the voice, he looked up to find a rather petite girl. By rather he meant half his size. Almost literally half his size.

"What is it, Chibi-chin?"

"Chibi?" She sighs. "Are you the Yosen student I'm supposed to be with?"

"Yeah."

"My name is Takeru Hikari."

" 'Kay... Kari-chin."

"I'm your new roommate. This is a great opportunity that I can't pass up. I'm getting quite a few volunteer hours." He nodded.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Won't you show me around?" She crossed her arms.

"Oh. I forgot." Standing up to his full height, she gasped.

"Wow. You're very tall, Murasakibara-san."

"And you're short, Chibi-chin."

"My name is-"

"Yeah, yeah. I know." He gently patted her head. They went inside and sat down in the living room.

"Atsushi, I heard someone. Did you find your roommate yet?" Himuro stepped out.

"Oh hello. It's nice to meet you." She quickly stood up and shook Himuro's hand.

"Hi. It's nice to meet you, too." The brunette stared at Murasakibara questioningly.

"So, any luck?"

"Yeah. You're looking at her, Muro-chin."

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"It's nothing. I'm often mistaken for a minor because of my height." A bag of Pocky seemingly materialized in Murasakibara's hand and he munched on it loudly.

"Do you always eat so much?"

"Only always." Himuro rubbed his neck.

"I see. Are you a friend of his?"

"Yes. I was helping him, but it got hot so I went inside for a while." He paused. "Do you mind me asking your age?"

"I'm 21 and turning 22 in December."

"Your Zodiac sign?"

"That's irrelevant, but I'm a Capricorn."

"Atsushi is a Libra. You two aren't exactly compatible." Murasakibara stopped eating and thought about that very seriously. He's always believed in the Zodiac... In fact, that's how he determined most of his friends. She started laughing.

"The Zodiac is nothing but a constellation. I'm not superstitious whatsoever."

"Good answer, good answer." Himuro nodded in approval.

"Very...adulty."

"Murasakibara-san, that isn't a word." He shrugged and went back to his snack.

"Next question, do you enjoy cooking?"

"Yes. I love to cook. I'm in the culinary program in my university."

"Do you bake?"

"Not in particular. I hate sweets." You could hear Murasakibara's heart breaking.

"Don't worry, Atsushi. That's good for you. You won't have to share." Himuro reassured.

"Good."

"Do you clean?"

"These questions are somewhat pointless. Basically, what you're asking me is if I'll be like a second mother for him." The brunette rubbed his hands together.

"When you say it like that..."

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't accept the terms and conditions." They all looked at each other and silently agreed.

"Welcome home." Murasakibara said in a bland tone as he stood up and stretched his arms out.