Disclaimer: The Kuroko no Basket manga is the property of its creator, Tadatoshi Fujimaki. The other Kuroko no Basket media is property of their authorised owners. These stories are created by the author. All original settings, characters, etc., remain the property of the author.

Author's Note: This is a story that has been in preparation for years and finally I found motivation to publish it. This will also be my first long-story so, wish me tenacity (first ingredient for a writer) and patience (for editing it).

I hope you guys would like it. I will try to update it regularly, once a month.

One Foot in Front of the Other

A Kuroko no Basket fanfiction

by Galliechan

© Copyright 2017

Enter the Phantom

"Mayuzumi-san."

He looked up from his book and scowled. "It's you? It is -san now that the original phantom player is back, huh. Why are you here instead of gushing over him?"

"We will start training with Kuroko-san next week. The casualness was only as captain during extracurriculars. We're just a first year and third year now." Akashi nodded at Mayuzumi-san. "Thank you for all the hard work until now."

"Sure."

"Was it all right? Not attending."

He barked a laugh, "Who cares? Did anyone remember the copycat with the original around?"

"You were our teammate -"

"Yeah, yeah, save me the speech. Especially coming from you. Hah."

He stiffened, "I thought we -"

"I have no attachment to the team itself. Not like I had any particularly good memories either. But the last year wasn't all that bad, thanks to you."

"Right," he swallowed.

"So until I graduate, leave me alone. If we talk normally after all this, it kinda doesn't look cool and stuff."

Mayuzumi-san returned to his book.

Akashi was dismissed.

He narrowed his eyes -

(Who was he to dismiss Akashi?)

- until he remembered who he was dealing with. Mayuzumi-san was going to graduate in a few weeks, not to see Akashi again in his life.

They had a deal. Why did he enter the team, if not to play? If not to win?

Did he think he could achieve victory without giving all he had? That only misdirection would be enough? That he had to keep his part of the deal only until his misdirection ran out?

If Kagami's momentary glance was his worth, Akashi would use it. If being the fifth member for perfect rhythm was his worth, Akashi would use it.

(Akashi knew only the main line-up good enough to create the perfect rhythm with them.)

(It wasn't enough. Not for victory.)

Akashi looked at Mayuzumi-san when he turned a page. He didn't read at this pace. He still had a finger marking his previous page.

He agreed to be used until he was used.

Akashi turned to leave.

He wasn't willing to swim through Mayuzumi-san's bitterness to seek forgiveness for an issue he had already apologized for.

He preferred to choose his battles.

—

"I don't understand why we need an assistant coach when we have you, Sei-chan," Mibuchi said, crossing his arms behind his head and looking at the ceiling. Their steps echoed in the empty corridor. "Though I am curious about what a graduate can do."

"Coach Shirogane chose him. He must trust him."

"Coach Shirogane trusts you. This one won't even come every day - only two days of the week," he tutted.

Akashi was silent. He knew that preparing training programs was the assistant coach's job while scheduling practice games were the coach's. Akashi has been doing them since his last year in middle school. He learned that when it came to him, job descriptions could loosen a little and his teachers always trusted him more than should be to a student.

Akashi had always been victorious. He learned to carry its burden as well.

Changing Sato-san right after Akashi's defeat didn't sit well with him. Would Akashi be trusted no more?

"And another phantom player, can you believe it, Sei-chan?"

"Mayuzumi-san called him the original one."

"He might be better then."

"Mayuzumi-san has better statistics than Kuroko-san," he said. Mibuchi groaned. "Kuroko-san has little stamina and lower than average physical strengths. Yet he captained the Rakuzan team and won three consecutive championships."

Mibuchi glanced at him. "You will accept him?"

"He is our assistant coach, chosen by our coach."

He hummed.

Then hummed again, playing with a hair lock. Akashi slowed down to put distance between them and then took a step to the side.

Mibuchi closed his eyes before flicking his hair. He put his arms on his imaginary partner's waist and shoulder, and swirled.

Akashi walked to the door before resuming his watch. It was a perfect ballroom waltz, this time.

After one last swirl, he opened his arms wide and shouted: "Sei-chan will always be the number one in my heart!"

To the wall.

Akashi glanced at his watch - they had one minute to spare. Thirty seconds in, he cleared his throat. He turned back to the door when Mibuchi jumped to his feet.

Ten seconds left, he raised his fist. Five seconds left, Mibuchi appeared next to him, straightening his hair.

Right on time, he knocked.

Coach Shirogane was sitting at the head of the table. The club room looked as how Akashi left it yesterday: Clean, pristine and orderly. No sign of a prior meeting the Coach was supposed to have with the assistant coach.

Who wasn't at the table.

Akashi looked into Coach Shirogane's eyes, gave a small bow with "Good morning Coach." After Coach's nod, he scanned the room.

Kuroko-san was nowhere to be seen.

Akashi took one step into the room and stopped. Mibuchi had to slide between him and the door frame to greet the Coach.

Akashi looked around again and again.

Kuroko-san wasn't in the room. Yet Akashi knew Coach Shirogane: He wouldn't start a meeting without all the members present, wouldn't come early to wait for them and wouldn't trust someone who came late or made him wait.

He shivered.

"Good morning Kuroko-san," he called to the room, much like calling a ghost.

"Good morning Akashi-kun, Mibuchi-kun."

A man appeared on the empty seat at Coach Shirogane's right.

Akashi knew his expression didn't change, but he couldn't stop his hands from jerking.

Mibuchi shrieked.

Akashi didn't take his eyes off Kuroko-san until he took his seat in front of him. His expression didn't change at their surprise or Akashi's staring. It showed nothing.

It seemed that getting used to Mayuzumi-san's presence wouldn't gain them any advantage in their interactions with Kuroko-san. The man who introduced misdirection to basketball; the infamous phantom player.

As soon as Mibuchi took his seat, Coach Shirogane started the meeting.

"Next year, we will have different people for two key positions on our team, our manager, and assistant coach. Manager Higuchi won't take part in club activities anymore. Captain Akashi, I want you to take over the new manager's training."

Akashi nodded.

"You have until the end of the term to get used to Assistant Coach Kuroko's training style. I want especially the starting lineup to get acquainted with him. It is your job, Captain."

Akashi nodded.

"You will continue your responsibilities as usual until the end of the term. Assistant Coach Kuroko will observe team dynamics and players in the meantime. Any changes, we will discuss later."

Akashi nodded.

He was still trusted. At least until the new term.

He had to gain Kuroko-san's trust until then.

"Does Assistant Coach Kuroko have anything to add?"

"Let's work hard together."

"Does Captain Akashi have anything to add?"

"Is Kuroko-san available after the practice to meet with the lineup?"

"We can meet then."

Akashi nodded. "I don't have anything else to add."

Shirogane-san stood up. They stood up after him. "The meeting is over. Captain, start the practice."

Akashi nodded and left the room, Mibuchi behind him. On the way to the gym, with two long strides, he reached next to him.

"They gave you more jobs, Sei-chan. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Thank you for your concern, I can manage them, Mibuchi."

"Of course it is my concern, I am your vice-captain," he huffed.

And can do at least one thing that his previous vice-captain couldn't. "Can you warn Hayama and Nebuya about our meeting with Kuroko-san?"

"You give the hardest jobs to me, Sei-chan." Akashi opened his mouth to take it back, "Consider it done," he winked.

Akashi nodded.

—

Rakuzan basketball team had low acceptance rates, as befitting its elite name, and with the third years gone for the exams, their squeaking shoes echoed sadly in the half-empty gym. It took manic levels of enthusiasm from Hayama and many loud "Muscle" cries of Nebuya to motivate the team.

Akashi would give motivational speeches but mindless exclamations to fire up the team wasn't his style. Nor was it Coach Shirogane's style.

Akashi never expected it from Kuroko-san, the phantom.

(The hype about him died already. Was it his weak presence? How can a fan not notice that he stood a few steps next to idol?)

Misdirection depended on forgetting the player. Mayuzumi-san did it by ignoring others, in turn being ignored himself. It seemed like Kuroko-san did it simply by being silent.

It was disturbing how many times he had to remind himself there was someone next to the Coach. That Shirogane-san wasn't talking to midair.

He still jerked when Kuroko-san appeared next to him after the practice.

He mollified himself that it was nothing compared to Hayama, Mibuchi and Nebuya's reactions. Once they calmed down, they took their place one step behind Akashi. He watched as Kuroko-san studied at each of the Generals before focusing on Akashi. He didn't take his eyes off the emotionless stare until Kuroko-san turned around and started walking. They followed.

In the club room, Akashi took his usual seat: Left of Coach Shirogane's place at the head of the table. The Generals sat next to him, starting with Mibuchi. Kuroko-san, who waited until all of them were seated to move towards the table, took place in front of Akashi.

He, carefully, didn't show any satisfaction.

"I wanted Captain Akashi to arrange this meeting with the lineup to get to know them." He nodded at the Generals before focusing back to Akashi. "We shall start with Akashi-kun. Why did you start playing basketball?"

Such an interview question.

"I saw kids playing on a street court when I was young. It looked fun."

Kuroko-san nodded. "What about now?"

Akashi paused. "I don't understand the question," he said.

"I mean, why are you playing basketball now, Akashi-kun?"

He hesitated. He could feel Mibuchi and the others turning to look at him when he didn't give a smooth answer at once.

He had answers. The one he gave to his team, the one he used to give to his middle school team. The one his coach wanted to hear and the one his father wanted to hear. And the one he repeated in front of the mirror, over and over, to himself.

Which one did Kuroko-san want?

He shouldn't have waited for a simple answer. In a few seconds, Mibuchi was going to ask 'Sei-chan?', Hayama was going start blabbering, Nebuya would huff, and they would try to change the subject. In front of them, he should give the team's answer, right? But what if Kuroko-san carried it to the Coach? Would they see the difference - of course, they would. What would they do?

(He got defeated. He needed to earn their trust back.)

Time was ticking. A captain shouldn't show hesitancy, victory comes with certain steps.

He opened his mouth -

"Sei-chan?" Mibuchi said.

"Akashi is the best -" Hayama started.

"It's alright," Kuroko-san interrupted, his eyes blank but intent on Akashi. "I am not going to judge you, I just want to know you. I can see this question upset you Akashi-kun, but it is so important that I can't take it back. I can only offer to ask in private."

"I don't want to hide anything from them."

Kuroko-san brightened.

Oh. Team player.

Logical, after his game in the finals.

(He needed to find another trigger to get into the zone.)

He knew Kuroko-san's answer.

(He could have gone with the Generals'.)

Start with the reason for his hesitancy. A typical story. Avoid eye contact and bite lips. "In middle school, my team consisted of talented individuals that didn't bother with team play." Show sincerity, look into his eyes. "It wasn't right." A heartbeat. Lean forward and, "high school is my new beginning. I want to be part of a real team with my brilliant teammates. This is the reason I play basketball."

At cue -

"Sei-chan!"

"Akashi, you are the best!"

"Hah! You do good."

Akashi nodded at them without taking his eyes off Kuroko-san.

Did he pass the test?

"Good reason," he said. Then he turned to Mibuchi and changed the subject.

For all his silent demeanor, Kuroko-san maneuvered rest of the conversation with ease to keep it light, interactive and informative. At the end of the hour, Nebuya talked about his sumo wrestling, Hayama about skateboarding and his sisters and Mibuchi about the random stuff he bought at his last shopping spree. Then promised them a tarot reading. Even Akashi talked about Yukimaru and some of the go tournaments he entered.

The Generals were laughing and talking to each other when they left the club room. Kuroko-san caught his eye before he joined them.

"You coming, Akashi?"

"I will catch you at the gates," he called before closing the door. Kuroko-san stood in front of him.

He knew what was coming.

"Good reason but it is not yours," he said.

Akashi remained silent. Made sure his expression didn't show anything.

"Because someone with such a reason wouldn't behave like you did in the finals. Actions show our intentions better than words." He waited. Akashi didn't react. "I don't know what made you hesitate, but it doesn't show in your captaincy."

"I am the rightful captain as long as I am the best." He looked straight into Kuroko-san's eyes. "I am the best."

"You are," he said. "You are also growing, which you can do easier without your title. Do you like being the captain?"

"Yes." No hesitation. "I like leading the team."

Kuroko-san paused. His stare was dissecting yet dispassionate.

"You like the responsibility."

"Yes."

"Even when their eccentrics need special attention?"

He cleared his throat. "Yes," he said slowly.

Kuroko-san sent him a knowing look.

The only captain to show empathy towards him was Nijimura-sempai.

Kuroko-san had also been a captain. Of Rakuzan.

He looked into his eyes and nodded. Then nodded again.

"You are a good captain and player. You don't need to lie to me."

How straightforward. He could see why Coach Shirogane liked Kuroko-san.

On the other hand, did he expect Akashi to apologize? How bothersome.

Kuroko-san bowed his head. "I apologize for delving into a private subject and upsetting you. It was never my intention."

Akashi jerked a step back.

"I am sorry," he yelped and then bowed from the waist down. "It is just - you know - I used basketball for victory. Then I lost, yet I am still playing, because - well - I don't want to give it up. But now I also don't have a reason."

"I don't know is always an answer."

Akashi took a deep breath to regain his calm.

(How unfitting.)

Kuroko-san waited.

Akashi wanted to scream, carve his intent stare off his face and choke him with his kind voice. He also wanted to thank him.

"I would like to know your answer when you find it."

He nodded.

"I see that Akashi-kun is a private person. Would your teammates ask about our meeting?"

"I would answer them."

"Let's give them a basketball related answer. I am planning a mini-tournament to have an idea about next term's fifth man. It would also motivate the team. What do you think?"

He answered affirmative, but his stomach churned.

Akashi didn't need help. As warming as it was.

—

Hayama's cackling warned Akashi of the scene he would find when he approached the school gates: Mibuchi and Nebuya were arguing about their lunch place.

(Their restaurant choices told so much about their personalities that Kuroko-san could have just asked it instead of talking with them for an hour.)

Akashi chose Hisako's Ramen Place over Le Creme Bordeaux. Mibuchi whined about Nebuya's food taste until they started bickering again. Hayama's complaint about his hunger flew over their heads.

"It is about style, I tell you. Soft music and delightful food."

"You will love the ramen. It is good."

"It is about presentation!"

"You will eat it anyway."

"Look at yourself, is this how you represent the basketball team?"

"Boring. Don't they eat?"

"They don't eat snacks, nanodayo! Kise, don't encourage him!"

"They are just snacks-ssu!"

"Nebuya, let's arrange good looking ramen to Reo-nee-san!"

Akashi barely stepped over a stumble. He shivered as a sudden coldness spread his insides.

They were still on his mind.

"Stop calling me that!"

"Reo-nee! Reo-nee!"

"You little lightning beastie!"

He knew seeing and speaking to them at the Winter Cup wouldn't be good for him, although all it amounted was some taunts and a declaration of war.

Wasn't it ironic that none of them won the war?

(And that his hateful defeat was more stabilizing than their presences?)

"Muscle!"

"What is this nonsense shouting for?"

"Why muscle?"

"Why does it matter?"

"I like muscles."

"How is that a reason!"

Akashi took a deep breath and released his bitterness with it. His middle school teammates were the past. It was over.

Look ahead.

(You are an Akashi.)

He was going to crush them with his new teammates.

"Is this the place, Nebuya?"

Their bickering stopped mid-sentence. Nebuya gruffed affirmative. Akashi entered, the rest followed behind him, finally silent.

"What did Kuroko-san want to talk about?" Mibuchi asked when they finished eating.

"Was it about...that question?" Hayama added.

He didn't want to hide anything from them.

At the final game, he hadn't trusted them, preferred to play on his own, only to stumble and fall. Instead of kicking him when he was down, they had accepted and relied on him to play like a team. In the end, even with their faith on his side, he still hadn't brought them victory. Because they didn't abandon him, he owed them the truth.

Yet, he was a private person and this was too…personal.

He was both thankful and cursing that Kuroko-san gave him an easy way out.

"I explained my answer."

"It didn't need explanation -"

"We will be a team like you imagine -"

"Then we talked about preparing a tournament within the team."

A moment of silence.

"Yay! A tournament!"

"What are the rules? Five people teams? Will Sei-chan play? Ah, so exciting!"

"Muscle! Tournament!" Then he burped.

Mibuchi made a horrified gasp, started chastising Nebuya while Hayama made an exclamation at the number of bowls Nebuya has eaten and started making towers with them. They grinned at each other as Mibuchi tried to take them off his hands without stopping his monologue.

Akashi leaned back and watched them.