So. I already have three KnB Chinese fanfics on other sites but then I thought it would be interesting if I did one in English and so… Here it is! =D
Note that not everything I write will follow the manga or anime one hundred percent. Personally, I have not read the manga (it's too long, seriously) and since both manga and anime are not finished yet, I'll just write whatever I come out with.
As is with the rest of my stories, I have no plot. I write what I think when I'm typing so… *shrugs* We'll see. XD
This is an AkashiXOC story (I know. I'm a big Akashi's fan and I don't know why.)
Lastly, I do not own anything related to Kuroko no Basuke.
Warning: 1. I don't know how often I'll be updating this. Seeing as I have a LOT of fics to complete. So this probably will be updated whenever I have that 'surge' of inspiration. 2. I'm still debating how I want Akashi to be, but he most probably will be nice (with a hint of his dark personality) 3. I'm experimenting with writing in present tense so… it might be a little awkward in places.
Enjoy~
Chapter 1- A New Beginning
'There is only one wish that I have: That one day when I die, there would be someone who remembers my voice.'
- Amekawa Shiori 雨川 詩織
It is the first of April. Sakura trees could be seen blooming wildly on either side of the road that leads to the most prestigious private school in Kyoto- Rakuzan High. Today is the first day of a new term and new year. First-year students, clad in their pale blue and white uniforms could be seen walking in groups of twos and threes, talking animatedly about their new chapter and status in life, forming cliques even before they arrive; second and third year students are more subtle, greeting everyone they know politely.
A girl with long raven hair trails behind an energetic group of freshmen, her pale pink lips curving up wistfully as she listens to their conversation. They seem to be so full of life, so full of curiosity and anticipation that is almost contagious.
"Shi-chan,"
She stops in her tracks as the familiar nickname reaches her ears. A large hand rests on top of her head and she turns to see a male with long black hair which reaches his chin looking down at her from his tall frame with a smile in his gentle eyes.
"Good morning, Reo," she says, with a small smile of her own. Her voice is soft- with a slight bell-like undertone that is pleasant to hear.
Mibuchi Reo stares at her for a moment before wrapping an arm around her thin shoulders, steering the both of them in the direction of their school.
"It has been so long since we last met each other. hasn't it?" he asks her as they resumed their pace.
The girl tilts her head slightly to the side as she glances up at him with faint amusement lighting up her grey eyes, "It was just a couple of weeks ago,"
"And that, is a couple of weeks too long," he states with a firm nod, "It was so lonely coming to school for practice everyday and yet to be unable to see your face…" he complains with that smooth tenor voice of his, though, the teasing glint that's apparent in his eyes tells a different story.
"Did anything interesting happen during spring break?" she asks as they arrive at the school gates.
He thinks for a second, "Nothing much, other than the fact that the captain of the Generation of Miracles appeared during one of our practices," he turns to her, "You know who that is, don't you?"
"Yes, I've heard of them- or him, rather," she says. "By the way, Reo, we're in the same class right?"
He nods in affirmation, "2-B. I guess I should say 'please take care of me this year too',"
"How about your friends from the basketball team?"
"Kotaro and Eikichi will be in 2-F. I honestly pity the teachers in their class," Reo says, "Having one of them is tough enough but to have the two of them together-" he shook his head in exasperation, "There will be nothing but disaster."
Supporting his chin with his left hand, Reo let his eyes sweep across his new classroom before finally landing on the girl sitting in front of him.
From his angle, all he could see is her waist-length hair and her small, almost fragile-looking, figure. She has a book open on the desk in front of her, opting to read quietly in her own seat when all the others are chatting away, exchanging stories about their spring break, socialising with new classmates and so on.
As he taps his finger against the wooden surface, he couldn't help but wonder about her-
Amekawa Shiori.
She is, for a lack of better word, different from the others. The first time she caught his notice was one month after their entrance ceremony last year when all of them had to decide which club they wanted to join. While the rest of the students in their form headed off to check out the more famous and popular clubs of Rakuzan, she had turned in her application letter to the Student Council- and got herself the position of a assistant secretary. She refused- and refuses still- to participate in any club activities.
Rakuzan is a place where only the strongest survives. As harsh as it sounds, it is how the world and society is. They are merely being trained in this mentality earlier than most.
In a way, it is one of the reasons why they have some of the best scholars and athletes in the whole of Japan.
He- along with many others- used to wonder why she was- and is- so against entering a club. After all, she had done marvellously well in their entrance exam, scoring a 789 over their total score of 800, ranking third among the two hundred who had taken the exam with her.
As everyone knows, one could enter Rakuzan through three different ways:-
1. Extraordinary brainpower
2. Outstanding physical abilities
3. Rich family background
It is obvious that Amekawa Shiori has the first one, and it was only until later that they learnt that the third requirement applies to her too. Her family is one of the riches in Kyoto- and, unlike most which accumulated their wealth through business ventures and political positions, the Amekawa's riches is passed down to them from generation to generation. In short, they are a traditional family which has its roots in the Meiji period, with their founder as one of the generals in the Emperor's courts.
"Amekawa-san, your presence is required in the student council."
Reo snaps out of his thoughts when the girl in front of him stands up. He watches as she leaves the classroom without much of a hesitation.
"I wonder if this is the reason they like her so much," he mutters to himself, "That girl is too helpful for her own good."
It is a common knowledge among everyone in the student body that Amekawa Shiori is a good worker- efficient and willing to go out of her way just to get something done. He has even seen her staying back in school until late evening, finishing up the work that's left behind. It is no wonder that despite her low profile, she is respected by their peers and teachers alike.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Shiori stops outside the Student Council office with a hand raised to knock on the door but hesitates when she hears the solemn voices coming from the inside. She could differentiate the voices of her fellow council members but there is one voice that she hasn't heard of before. They seem to be talking, with the stranger taking control of the flow of their conversation.
"Amekawa?"
"Mizuno-senpai," she greets the senior with a small bow.
Mizuno Hideki （水野 秀樹）,the current Secretary, raises his brows in question, "What are you doing outside? I thought Haru was the one who sent for us?" having said that, he pushes open the door without even bothering to knock.
The occupants in the room, who are sitting around the long table, turn at the sound of their entrance.
At once, Shiori catches sight of the young man with scarlet red hair sitting at the head of the table. He has both hands crossed in front of his chest, his gaze calm but piercing as he looks up at Mizuno who is standing in front of her, seemingly sizing him up as he does so. An analysing and calculative look flashes across his eyes as he nods slightly to himself before he lets his eyes fall on her.
- A queer combination of gold and rose red.
Shiori meets his eyes unwaveringly, even as quick recognition runs through her.
She knows who he is. Akashi Seijurou, captain of the Generation of Miracles Reo mentioned earlier.
She catches Mizuno's inquiring gaze that is directed at their president who is seated with an inscrutable look on his face, his lips thinly pursed into a tight line.
It would be a lie to say that they could not guess that something which is amiss.
Their president finally lets out a long sigh before he addresses them, "Mizuno, Amekawa, meet our new president- Akashi Seijurou."
There is a short moment of silence as that sentence sinks into their minds. Mizuno blinks once, then twice, before asking- "Why?"
The now-ex-president sighs with a resigned air, "Akashi-san here will do a better job than I what I can do. The school has all come to a mutual agreement that he will be in charge of the student council starting from today, and he is entitled to make suitable changes in matters which he deems necessary," he pauses for a second, "That being said, I am officially retiring from my position starting now."
"Please, the two of you, have a seat,"
Shiori inclines her head at the sudden invitation voiced by Akashi who has kept his silence until now. She walks over to the table and sits down in her usual seat at the end of the table, Mizuno doing the same. The usually kind and quiet senior seems to be still bothered by this sudden turn of events. It isn't hard to understand, though. Mizuno is close friends with their ex-president, being in the same class, working alongside each other for more than one year, it is only normal for him to feel conflicted.
"Haru, are you sure?" she hears Mizuno whispering to his friend.
The dark-haired senior shrugs, giving him a reassuring smile, "There's nothing more I can do. Though, you don't have to worry, Akashi really is capable of leading."
"So, Shi-chan, what was your meeting about?"
"What meeting?"
Shiori replies without looking up at the boy who has settled himself comfortably in the chair in front of her. Her eyes gluing onto the pages of her paperback novel.
"That student council meeting. That was the reason they summoned you, wasn't it?" Reo says, genuine curiosity showing in his eyes.
"It wasn't really a meeting; just to announce that Akashi Seijurou will be taking over the post of the president."
"What?" Reo asks, unable to come out with a more decent response.
"That captain of the Generation of Miracles," she rephrases, finally sparing him a glance, "He's decided to come here, didn't he? Apparently, he's appointed directly by the executive board…" she trails off as she flips a page of her book.
Reo breathes in disbelieve, "And just after he knocked over the captain of our basketball club too…" during recess. He stares at the girl who appears to be unaffected by everything, "Aren't you the least bit perturbed, Shi-chan?"
"… No. Why should I be?"
And, there it is. Reo thinks to himself. That feeling that nothing could ever disrupt that calmness around her. No, calmness sounds so much nicer than what it really is. Nonchalance.
Even after one whole year, he still could not solve the mystery Amekawa Shiori is. She helps people as if she has all the time in the world, yet when something happens that being concerned would be the most logical reaction, she shows none; she is one of the most popular female student in Rakuzan, and yet, he has never heard anyone but himself call her by her name- though, he got that privilege only after six whole months of relentless persistence; she is the only daughter of the highly-esteemed Amekawa family, yet there has been another rumour circulating that she lives by herself- not that this is proven.
All in all, she is a walking contradiction.
But then-
He smiles to himself as the bell rings for dismissal. One of the reason why students like the first day of school: No lessons at all- at least, for Rakuzan that is.
"What are your plans after this?" he voices his question as she remains in her seat while the others begun packing.
"I'll be helping out Kiriya-sensei with her class-plans for this year."
Oh, right. She's the class representative this year too. Reo reminds himself mentally as he returns to his seat, picking up his school bag and the basketball that has been under his desk this whole while. "Well, I'll be going for practice now. See you tomorrow, if not later."
A light smile surfaces, "Of course, Reo. All the best with your training. Tell Hayama-san and Nebuya-san the same for me."
"Kotaro will be complaining why it's me and not you telling him that," he teases, "And Eikichi will probably just ignore me in favour of his meal… that glutton."
"Should you be calling your teammates that? The last time I checked, all three of you were part of the Uncrowned Generals," she said lightly, in the same joking manner.
"Please don't remind me of that," he grumbles, covering his face with his palm, "They could be so embarrassing at times."
"But you like them," she concludes simply.
Mibuchi Reo ruffles her hair at that as he chuckles. "You're right." he admits easily, a fond look entering his expression.
-But then, one could not deny that she is one of the nicest soul alive. Once you get to know her.
"That'll be all for now, Amekawa-san. Thank you so much for your help."
"You're welcome, Kiriya-sensei,"
Kiriya Satomi looks at the girl in front of her with approval. It truly is a blessing to have a student like her in class.
"You should head home now, Amekawa-san. It's getting late and I'm sure your parents ail be worried."
Shiori smiles, "Then I'll be going now," she says, excusing herself before exiting the staff room.
Walking along the sun-tinted-orange corridor, the empty walkway seems deserted. Echoes of her footsteps seems to grow louder with each passing moment, her lone shadow trailing behind her, stretching longer and longer as the sun sets further down the horizon.
Her grey eyes, unnervingly clear until this very second seems to grow darker, until light vanishes completely from their depths.
Storm-like grey.
This is the new colour that took the place of the former one.
A silver white car meets her at the front gates of the school, a man in his forties with a dark suit steps out from the driver's side to open the door for her.
"Shiori-sama,"
She climbs into the back seat and watches with impassive eyes as the driver starts the car and begins driving away.
The silence in the car is heavy. Uncomfortable. Yet, it seems to be that both of them are used to it.
Fifteen minutes later, they arrive in front of a traditional looking mansion. The words '雨川'- Amekawa- are skilfully crafted into the brick walls that surrounds the building, announcing its owner proudly for the world to know.
"ただいま。" I'm home, she says.
...
Her only response is the sound of her own breathing, and the hushed footsteps of the servants bustling about in the house.
...
'People always tell me that a new beginning signifies Change and Hope. I never believed them. New beginnings mean nothing to me... Nothing at all.'
-Amekawa Shiori (age 10)
Ah, I finally got this out of my system. =D I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed typing it out.
Leave a comment and tell me what you think~