'Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…'
'Yosh, we did it!'
'You did well … Tetsuya.'
It was the final match of the winter cup, Seirin against Rakuzan. Many spectators came to watch the much awaited event; some cheering for both teams with all their might, while some came just to speculate or just wanting to be filled with adrenaline. The game itself was amazing but the feels it just brought to all those present in the stadium made it even more interesting. It somehow gave off vibes that ranges from positive confidence to dominance and despair, followed by hopelessness and finally one of comeback and triumph. All cheered, except for the defeated team, when the final buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the match. With just a two-point difference, Seirin became the new winter cup champion.
"I can't believe we really did it, we won!" Riko had never been proud with her team. All of their hard work, after all they've been through just to be this strong, it finally paid off ; and now looking at all of them exchange compliments and congratulations to each other while still sweating and panting hard made her smile … and proud. However their celebration was cut short when the five basketball prodigies, including the one they just defeated, approach them. Kuroko stepped up in front to defend his teammates if things didn't go well.
"Akashi-kun, Murasakibara-kun, Midorima-kun, Aomine-kun and Kise-kun" he said looking at them one by one as to acknowledge each. In return, he received nods from them. 'Okay, so far, so good. They don't look angry (yet) and I guess that's a good thing, right?'
"Tetsuya. We came here to give our humble congratulations to all of you in your victory. Apparently you won, but this will be the last time I will lose to anyone, especially if that anyone had dared to even defy me. I must say Seirin that all of you are great and therefore deserving of my respect, mostly you, Tetsuya and your so-called way of basketball. We all now see the flaws of our play compared to yours and came to accept your basketball. In behalf of all us, we would like to ask your forgiveness for all the pain we've given you and ask if you would like to still be friends with us." Akashi ended with a smile on his face and with eyes saying that he is indeed sincere with his intention. He glanced back to his companions, who again nodded and also smiled in utmost sincerity to their teal-haired friend. The said friend was trying his best not to cry in front of so many people, but immediately failed when he spoke…
"I…I forgive you all. Finally I can have peace again knowing that my friends had returned to me. Thank you…" then he fainted, with his lips slightly curved upwards and a tear rolling on his cheek.
"Kuroko/Kurokocchi/Tetsu/Tetsuya/Kuro-chin!" Luckily, the teen was caught by someone…
"I got you, Kuroko. Jeez… you should have just said something. You know that I will always be willing to assist you when you're already feeling tired." Kagami was the nearest to Kuroko and was the fastest to react, maybe it was due to the fact that he was used with his shadow's body reactions when it comes to training. He cared for Kuroko and he knows that his partner have weak stamina, that is why he always make sure that Kuroko is ok. He lifted him on his back, giving the shorter an almost like piggy back ride.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, Kagami-kun."
"It's alright, now hang on tight ok." The teen just nodded.
"Um… is kurokocchi going to be alright?" Kise was fearing the health of his former mentor. He looked at Akashi hoping that he would say something. The rest of the Miracles were still at daze with the scene their witnessing. Kagami was acting as if this was a regular occurrence for them. Does this mean that Kuroko also often fainted when he was still in Teiko? Were they really that oblivious to the pain and strains of their former teammate that they don't even notice when he is already in the brink of passing out? What kind of friends and teammates are they? And now seeing as how Kuroko's new light handle him with such care made them feel guilty.
"Would you like us to bring Tetsuya to the hospital?" The redhead finally said.
"There's no need. We could just head back to our gym and let Kuroko sleep and take his rest. That's what he just need really. And how about you join us celebrate our win after he regained consciousness. I know how important you are to him. In fact I wanted to thank you because if it weren't for his desire to change you, he wouldn't have gotten this strong to bring us to the top. So would you come join us?"
"Of course we will."
"Then let's go already. Let's not make Tetsu wait any longer!" and they were off. Their journey had been quite normal and slightly lively even with the prodigies with them. They were all just chattering with one another, with laughter here and there. No punches, no threats and no slightest feeling of dark aura among them. Kuroko woke up half way in their walk and later also joined in the discussions, smiling as he realized that he isn't really just dreaming.
"Oha-Asa's horoscope is real and trustworthy. I will always have luck with me as long as I follow her. What is your Zodiac sign? Maybe I can help you get luck too and have your shots be more accurate… not that I care or anything."
"Your smile is also stunning, Koganeicchi. Girls must really find you cute. Are you naturally born with those cat-like features? They seem like plus factors to your overall appearance. Hey, maybe you can be a model too and we can have photo shoots together!"
"Ne, Mito-chin your food are tasty. They're not as yummy as maiubo though, do you have more? I like you. You don't talk much, so you don't annoy me and you give me new tasty food that I haven't still tried yet."
"Who would have known that the mighty Ahomine was scared of ghosts, hahahahahahah!"
"At least I'm not like some scaredy cat who jumps at the sight of dogs, Bakagami!"
Yes, all is finally well (or is it?)
**************!****************
They arrived shortly in front of the locked gym. Thump. Screeeeech. 'Wait up for me guys!' 'Not so loud, Natsuko.' Are they hearing things? Why would there be children in the gym if it was locked up in the first place? 'Hey, no fair! I thought that we are playing tea party and not hide and go seek, I wasn't prepared!'
"Maybe the ghosts of the children who died 3 years ago wanted to play with us. I think they are calling out for you, Aomine-kun." The others decided to play along; imitating ghost sounds while some tried their best to hide their chuckles.
"Ts…tsk. I …I'm not a…afraid of them, Tetsu." Aomine replied trying not to let his voice break. If it weren't for his pride, he would have shivered and screamed at the top of his lungs crying out for his mom the moment he heard the 'thump' sound coming from the supposed locked gym. He is a man and definitely not a coward after all.
"Enough games. Let us just open the door and meet our deceased friends already. They might get impatient." Riko chuckled. She was also curious as to why there is someone in her gym. If she ever finds out who dared to sneak into her precious gym, she will make sure that that someone does not go home without a painful souvenir from her. She slowly opened the door as not to startle their 'guests'. What they saw were neither ghosts nor thieves, but 4 children running around. They were not easily acknowledged as the girls were busy chasing and dodging one another. Not until Kiyoshi approached one of them.
"Hello little lady, I'm Kiyoshi. Um…I was just wondering why you and your friends are here. This isn't a place where princesses like you should be at." He smiled at the girl and picked her up. The girl in his arms just giggled and looked at the other three signaling them to also approach the teen. Then in unison, giggled once more. "Is there something on my face? Why are you laughing at me? Did I did something wrong?" He said pointing to his face. When he didn't received a proper reply from them besides their giggling, he became nervous and looked at his teammates and new found friends from behind to seek their help.
"Giggle" "Silly Uncle Kiyoshi, we know who you are! No need to say your name again to us, you know." The girl he was holding knew him, no, all of these unidentified girls knew him. But he knows for sure that he does not know them. 'Okay, relax. No need to panic in suddenly becoming an uncle. Just try to play along, yeah that would do.' "Of course I knew that. I was just playing with you, that's all. How about all of us form a big circle over there and play 'getting to know you' so that I and my other friends be reminded of how um…awesome you are, alright."
"Alright!" The three girls already went on ahead racing one another while he mentioned the others to come also. Then he noticed that the generation of miracles plus Kagami were nowhere to be seen.
"Ah, Hyuuga, where are…."
"If you're asking about the miracles and that baka, they were sent off by Riko to get something for all of us to eat." He nodded. After confirming where their whereabouts are, he proceeded to join the group and placed the girl in his arms next to him. "Okay let's start with you." He pointed at the red-head across from him. The girl have indeed red hair, tied in two low buns and was matched with wide cerulean orbs and pale skin. She wore a red spaghetti-strapped shirt with a small light blue ribbon on the top middle and a jacket of the same color. It was paired with white puffy shorts and brown leather boots.
"Domo" she started, taking a deep bow. "My name is Kagami Mitsuko. I am 4 years old. I like playing dolls with mommy and pretend chef with daddy. Daddy is the one who always cook for us since mommy does not know how to cook. I also like playing basketball with them too. Daddy can jump sooooo high and dunk the ball in the hoop and now I'm practicing to also jump higher. My favorite drink is vanilla milkshake because they are just so delicious and tasty. Mommy also thinks so!" all the while, Mitsuko did expressions as she spoke.
"Well your quite hyper aren't you, Mitsuko-chan." 'Her last name is also Kagami and have red hair too. I wonder if she's related to him, maybe a younger sister, or a cousin perhaps.' Izuki thought to himself. Curiosity becoming the best of him, he decided to ask the girl.
"Ne, Mitsuko-chan. Um…I was just wondering if you know someone named Kagami Taiga" He eyed the girl and was surprised when he saw her bounced and answered him with a big smile.
"Of course I know him. He is my…" Suddenly a certain someone entered the gym.
"Hey guys! I sort of lost the miracles on our way when a girl came to take my picture and I don't even know which store they are going, so I guessed that I should just head back here and…" Kagami was cut-short when he saw a red haired girl dashing towards him.
"Daddy!" The girl shouted as she raced to hug the teen. She didn't even realized that her outburst had made the whole court filled with silence. And as she finally reached him hugging his legs, everyone was showing expressions of shock and confusion (except for the three other girls). Mitsuko finally noticed this when she didn't received a response from her 'father'.
"Daddy? Is there something wrong?" she raised both of her arms wanting to be picked up. He was at first reluctant because he knew that he didn't know this girl and was pretty sure that he was still a virgin, so how come there is this girl claiming to be his. The girl was beginning to cry, so he picked her up immediately and bounced her up and down. This eventually made her smile again, which for unknown reasons, made him smile also.
"I'm sorry kid but I think you had the wrong guy. I'm not your…you know." The child was about to cry again and this startled him. He tried to make her calm again by bouncing her but it did not work. Actually, it just made it worst. The child's tears began to flow and came rolling to her cheeks. The other girls noticed this and immediately went over to where Kagami was. He is not quite sure as to what they are planning to do, but it seems that their angry at something. 'Are they angry at me?' his thoughts were soon confirmed when suddenly one of the girls yelled angrily at him.
"Uncle Bakagami! You're really a baka for making Mitsukocchi cry!" the girl had her bright yellow eyes piercing at him. He noticed that this girl have dark blue hair tied in two short pigtails with two loose parts at the sides of her head. She wore an off-shoulder shirt, the same color as her hair, with yellow frills and a denim skirt paired off with black boots. She is cute, even if her eyebrows are knitting together in frustration.
"Look, I'm sorry. But there's no way I'm her father. Heck, I am only just 16 and have no girlfriend in the moment. How can I possibly father a child?!" Mitsuko cried even harder. Who wouldn't at her age when suddenly your supposed loving father do not know you and denies to even be related with you.
"No, no, no! YOU are her father! You're not 16 but… I think 24 and the reason you have no girlfriend is because you already have a wife. You are her father, can't you see that your hair color is the same?" the girl persisted.
"It does not matter if our hair color is the same. You do not simply determine one's parentage just by comparing the color of their hair. There's tests and other stuff." He defended, but it seems that the girl is not convinced.
"Of course it matters! My hair and my papa's hair color is the same." Then she pointed to the two girls behind her "Even Hoshiko and Sachiko have the exact hair color of their dad! It matters."
"Alright. I have red hair and she have red hair, and that makes me her father. So I'm guessing, that because you have dark blue hair and a certain 'friend' of mine have dark blue hair too, that makes you his kid?" he said just trying to humor the 'confused' child.
"Well that depends. Who is your friend?" she actually bought it. The girl just waited for the teen to respond, hands on her hips. The others who were left to just watch at their conversation were actually pretty interested as to where this is going. Some were feeling pity for these little girls while others are to amused with Kagami's reactions and humiliation from someone younger than him to actually care.
"Well… you probably don't know him, but I guess saying his name won't hurt anyone, so… his name is Aomine Daiki." He scratches the back of his neck. He was actually quite embarrassed that somehow he manage to get his rival into this mess.
"Then yes. I am his kid." She said with a confident nod.
"Okay… are you from the future or something or is someone pulling a joke on me?" He looked at his sempais and the freshman trio, who were still seated at the floor, as to ask if maybe one of them was behind this. All shook their heads no.
"How about this, you tell me first how you came here, with the doors being locked and all, and maybe I can come to actually believe all of this craziness." He gently placed his 'daughter' to the ground to be with her friends.
"We're not actually sure." One of the purple haired girls started. Her hair was in a single French braid and had eyes the same color as the forest. 'She and the other girl looked alike, maybe they are twins.' He thought to himself as he continues to observe them. They both wore purple denim overall skirts with seaweed-colored short-sleeved shirts underneath. They also wore white knee-socks and purple rubber shoes. Between these two girls, it seemed that no difference can be spotted. A perfect replica or clone of one another. The other twin, then, continued her sister's statement.
"We were just put into sleep by aunt Satsuki after eating some of her delicious home-made cookies and then when we woke up, we're already here. We thought that maybe mom and dad went to play basketball again with our other aunts and uncles and left us here to play and come back later to come pick us up. We don't know that we are already in a different um…world, I think."
"Okay. If you're saying that all of you are from the…future, may I ask something?"
"We'll try our best to answer." Mitsuko said with determined eyes.
"Who is my wife?" A blush began to form across his cheeks.
"AuntTetsu/Tetsuya; Mommy Tetsuya of course, who else!"
"Kuroko Tetsuya?" the girls shook their heads no. He sighed in relief.
"Kagami Tetsuya!" he fainted on the spot.