Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basket belongs Tadatoshi Fujimaki-sensei.

This is my first contribution to the fandom and to my OTP so it might suck but please do give it a try.

fingers crossed* I do hope I was able to give justice to my babies, AoKise!

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Anomaly

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27thSky

Kise Ryouta hated the concept of soulmates. He didn't believe that one can be happy with someone that somebody else chose (specifically the universe or fate whichever one prefers, either way Ryouta hates both) rather than the person itself. Though if he was being honest his disagreement with the universe's choice might be due to the fact that Ryouta knows he has met his yet the universe didn't agree with it because he wasn't the one chosen for him.

Living in a world where a timer on one's wrist gives a countdown towards the meeting of one's fated one, Kise Ryouta, was an anomaly. He didn't have a timer. For as long as he could remember, his wrist stayed empty. It did not have those red numbers that signified hope and happiness for everyone else. In Ryouta's case, those numbers just seem to be a reminder of his defect. People mostly covered their wrist uncovering it only until seconds towards their 'fated' meeting. Ryouta blends in by covering his wrist despite the fact that it did not contain those mocking timers.

There was a time in his life where he wondered if fate or the universe simply forgot to give him his. Ryouta really thought it was unfair. After all, who wouldn't want him as a soulmate. He knows he's good looking given his job as a part time model, his academic skills are mediocre but its still good enough and the trait he's most proud of would be his athleticism. He's almost done trying out each one of the sports club his school has to offer and Ryouta can proudly say that he was able to master these sports enough that the routine became monotonous. These facts are what made Ryouta question fate's decision but it was only before he met him. Afterwards, Ryouta didn't care enough to ask for his soulmate as long as he can stay beside him. If there was anything Ryouta might thank fate for, it would've been allowing him to meet Aomine Daiki.

_—_—_—_

It was like any other day of Ryouta's monotonous life when he was whacked in the head by a stray basketball as he was passing through their school gym. Turning around, he was ready to rip the head of the culprit.

"Sorry, sorry. It was an accident." Ryouta heard the culprit say as he was turning around. The one who came after the ball was a boy his age with a tanned skin and blue hair. Forgetting his anger, Ryouta was intrigued with the smile that was plastered in the boy's face. It was pure elation and happiness despite the sweat that covered the boy. His musings were cut off when the boy spoke again.

"You're Kise Ryouta-kun, right? The model." Absentmindedly, Ryouta passed the ball back staring at the boy who simply stared back at him still smiling.

"Yeah."

"Thanks, man." The boy said as he caught the ball and simply walked back towards the gym.

Basketball. He hasn't tried that one yet. Given that he heard their school has a strong team, Ryouta thought he might give this one a shot. With that thought in mind, Ryouta followed the blue haired boy towards the gym.

Looking inside the gym, Ryouta was mesmerized with what he saw. The blue-haired boy just made a dunk. To Ryouta, it was not a simple dunk it was the challenge that he was looking for. The grace, skill and sheer talent. It was all of it and more. And for the first time in a while, Ryouta finally thought that he might not be able to master that boy's technique.

Had Ryouta been paying more attention, he would've seen the satisfied smirk that the blue-haired boy sported as he landed.

In that moment, Ryouta made a decision. He was going to play alongside that boy or his name isn't Kise Ryouta.

Somewhere in the far distance, it was also the moment where a clock made a final tick whether it was to signal an end or a new beginning was yet to be seen.

_—_—_—_

Teikou's basketball club was indeed strong but with Kise's talent, climbing through the ranks was relatively easy. It was when he reached the first string that he realized that he belonged there. Aomine Daiki is indeed the challenge he's been looking for but he wasn't the only one anymore. Every member of the starting team was stronger than Ryouta. And it delighted him all the more.

Playing basketball simply did not give Ryouta the challenge he wanted. It also gave him friendship and when Ryouta was being sentimental, he likes to consider it a lifelong bond. He got along well enough with the members of the team despite their penchant of picking on him. Spending his days with their team made him feel whole because when it came to basketball, his empty wrist did matter.

Teikou's starting five made Ryouta see just how naïve he was. It was really true that there will always be someone better than oneself. This fact was not enough to discourage the blond. It pushed him even more. Being the underdog, meant that the only way to go up was to learn. And Kise Ryouta has always been a sponge, eager to absorb everything he sees and recreate them as his own. Driven by the desire to learn from the best and to gauge his own strength, Ryouta developed the habit of challenging Aomine into one-on-one. He's lost count of the number of times he played with Aomine and sadly it was also equal to the number of times he lost against him. Despite this, Ryouta still continued to play and it was the best feeling he's had since forever.

As he continued to build a friendship and rivalry with Aomine through one-on-ones, team victories, convenience store hang-outs and shared moments, Ryouta did not realize that all these only increased the countdown of his own clock.

_—_—_—_

"Geez, Kise! Your fans are really annoying aren't they? The next time something like this happens, I'm leaving you behind."

"That's mean, Aominecchi! Aren't we friends!? Besides I owe my fans a lot. They might be too much at times but they're usually very supportive and understanding. They're amazing!"

The two teens were currently hiding in an obscure alley trying to catch their breath after almost getting mobbed by Ryouta's fans. His newest photobook just came out so he was still a hot topic around. Its just bad timing that they were spotted as they were making their way to a street court for their one-on-one. Normally, they'd play on the school gym but Momoi forbid them tonight because their volleyball team was going to have their night practice.

"Amazing, my ass! Of course I'm more amazing." The tanned ace bragged as the two of them walked out of the alley after deeming the coast to be clear.

"Aominecchi, you're big ego is showing. Can't you at least keep it out of the way when we're off the court? How can you be the amazing one when we were talking about my fans," the blond pouted a little exasperated with his friend.

"Well, you think I'm amazing, right? And they idolize you, right?" the blond was confused to where the ace was going with this. "Yeah, and?"

"Since their idol thinks I'm amazing won't that mean I'm more amazing, right? Anyways, I'm hungry. Since its your fault that I ran around, you're paying. Let's go."

The blond was stunned with the ace's words. A blush spread in the model's face upon understanding what the idiot walking ahead of him just said. "Stupid Aominecchi! Stupid ganguro! The last one to Maji's pays!" Ryouta shouted while running past the stunned ace to hide his still tomato red face. Despite the embarrassment, the blond can't control the smile that bloomed in his face.

It was a little embarrassing but it does mean that Aominecchi does see me, right? He does acknowledge that he's my goal.

"Stupid Kise! You're the stupid one! And you're definitely paying!" the tanned ace shouted back easily surpassing the blond despite the head start.

_—_—_—_

"Aominecchi, can I tell you something?" Ryouta was currently sprawled in the gym trying to catch his breath after the strenuous one-on-one with Aomine who was currently at the bench drinking water.

He heard a grunt from the ace and Ryouta took it as a yes. "Don't stop playing your best, okay? Just wait a bit because I'll definitely catch up." Ryouta looked up at the ace as he was handed a bottle of water. The blond sat up and continued to look at the midnight blue eyes of his teammate.

"Isn't that more of a promise rather than you telling me something?" Aomine looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Promise it to me then!" the blond perked up at the prospect of a promise with his idol. "You do know that you're still a hundred years behind to catch up to me, right?" Smugness was evident to the other's voice. Automatically, a pout was seen to the model's face. "Well, yeah. Maybe. But you'll never know!"

"Come on, Aominecchi!" the blond insisted childishly. The ace remained silent. Looking at the model, he saw that stupid puppy dog face that the blond liked to use to get his way.

When he heard a sigh, Ryouta knows he's won. "You know that I'm not a patient person, Kise. You better not take too long."

"Yes!" The blond actually pumped a fist in the air in happiness. "You bet, Aominecchi! I won't make you wait too long."

_—_—_—_

Aside from Aomine, Kise Ryouta's favourite in the club would be Kuroko Tetsuya. He adores the teal-haired boy. Kuroko was unlike any athlete he's ever met. As someone who's tried a lot of sports, it meant that he's met a lot of players but none of them were quite like Kuroko. And his uniqueness made him so interesting.

Ryouta found a best friend in Kuroko Tetsuya though Ryouta has a feeling that his sentiments might not be returned but it didn't matter because the passing specialist treasured his friends equally. Kuroko was the first person to know about his 'soulmate situation' aside from his family.

It happened during their last practice before Ryouta's first Nationals game. Ryouta and Kuroko were the last one's in the locker room and Ryouta was still buzzing with excitement for the upcoming games. He didn't remember what he was talking about at that time but his chatter was cut off when he noticed Kuroko's stare towards him or more specifically towards his empty and blank wrist. In his excitement, Ryouta forgot to re-bandage his wrist. He was normally careful to always keep it covered because no matter how complete he felt when he was with the team, on or off the court, his defect was still hanging over his head. His first reaction was trepidation but getting a hold of his thoughts he knew that Kuroko was his friend and being honest was the only solution he saw.

Chuckling mirthlessly Ryouta remaked, "Odd, isn't it? It has always been empty as far as I know." Ryouta finished changing clothes and simply sat at the nearby bench waiting for Kuroko's reaction. To say that he was surprised was an understatement, Ryouta was stunned and oddly touched at Kuroko's reply.

"You're quite lucky then. It means you aren't shackled to fate's whims." Ryouta simply stared at his teammate. And as his words sunk into his thoughts, he laughed. He laughed like the time when he received his first bike on 3rd grade, or when he beat the final boss that he's been trying to defeat for weeks in his favourite game or when he successfully pulled a prank to his best friend that involved fireworks and paint. For the first time in Ryouta's meagre existence he was finally free from the sword of Damocles* that he has always believed hanged above his head. Kuroko simply looked at him with a small smile gracing his face and Ryouta saw the fond and understanding look that his friend directed to him.

After finally catching his breath, Ryouta whispered, "Thank you, Kurokocchi." Kuroko simply gave a single pat on Ryouta's head as an indication that the gratitude was well received.

Their moment was cut off by an impatient Aomine who came back to fetch them. "Oi. Tetsu! Kise! What's taking you both so long? Even Akashi is coming with us this time, you know. Since you guys are the last ones, Kise you're paying for the popsicles." Ryouta simply stood and walked towards their exasperated teammate with a smile that could light up a room plastered on his face. "Sure, Aominecchi. I don't mind paying."

The ace was surprised with the easy acceptance of the blond and the happiness that was evident in his countenance. "What's up with him?" Aomine asked as the blond was a few feet away from them to which the shadow simply replied, "Kise-kun is happy."

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