One last shot. That's what it all takes now, a single shot that will decide which team will win between Rakuzan and Seirin. The once predictable game relit its flames when Kuroko's resolve was received by his team mates, standing up from the bench of despair desperately reaching for the droplets of hope left and due to that few hope he managed to grasp, Kagami along with the others successfully made their score tie with Rakuzan but the most unexpected follows, a foul just as the time ends and now the last point, the last free throw depends on our shadow, Kuroko. The shadow stood in the limelight as the whole gymnasium sat in silence anticipating either failure or victory.

"Can he even shoot especially with all this attention?", asked Imayoshi.

Momoi commented, "His presence in the court was just starting to weaken again but now he's back in the spot light."

"But this is their highest and probably the only chance to win. Akashi can't control the game anymore it's all in Tetsu's hands now. A tie breaker is no good either." Aomine replied.

Drops of sweat flowed down Kuroko's pale skin as the pressure from the people gets to him. The shadow isn't sure whether he would make it or not, but he did it once and he will do it again, throw the ball along with everyone's hope unsure if Kuroko's basketball will be able to catch those feelings.

"I will melt those cold eyes with the help of everyone's feelings." Kuroko muttered to himself as he positioned himself ready to strike the ball. Everyone watches in silence, the suspense unbearable that it was as if time had slowed down just for that shot.

Agape mouths and widened eyes can be seen from the crowd as the ball was fired. Kuroko slumped into the ground as tears fall down his face, he couldn't believe it, he couldn't believe everything. His gaze fall on Akashi, those scarlet locks reminded him of the time he first saw him, those fierce and scary eyes reminded him of the lost kind ones that once gave him hope. It's now over.

Kagami and the others ran to their teammate and helped him stand up from the ground. Kuroko was met by the cheerful faces of his teammates.

"You did it, Kuroko." Kagami said as he put the other's arm around himself for support.

"Y-yes, I did it Kagami-kun. I did it." Kuroko replied, he said it as if it was a mantra to make himself believe.

The whistle of the official snapped Seirin out of their little celebration and was made to fall in line for the bowing between the two teams. Rakuzan accepted their trophy even with the absence of their captain. Of course this aroused the curiosity of the avid Rakuzan fans, the other teams and most definitely the members of generation of miracles.

After the ceremony, Kuroko decided to find his former captain while his teammates prepares their things. He was strolling along an area not much people were present when he heard a familiar voice, a strict yet compassionate one, Akashi's predecessor as Teikou's basketball club president. Nijimura Shuuzo.

"I watched you and the other guys'(GoM) game… I always did when I have the time. This is the first time isn't it, Akashi?" It was a question that didn't ask for an answer but rather it was to ask how the other was doing.

"Yes."

"I've told you before, any ruler, mighty or not, will reign but for a certain amount of time. This is it, Akashi. It's time to step down the throne."

"Leave me alone. I am absolute."

"Stubbor—"

"Leave me alone. I must do something." Taken aback, Nijimura decided to do what he's told for now, giving the teen his space. He was not surprised for the powerful voice even after losing but for the barely visible trembling of the usually firm and confident back.

He bumped into Kuroko just as he he turned to the corner. They shared a meaningful look , he patted the younger boy's shoulder before he leaves.

He walked towards Akashi who now faced a tree with his back facing Kuroko's direction.

"Akashi-kun.."

"Finally you're here, Tetsuya. I want you to stop right there, don't come any nearer than that. I want you to do something for me."

Kuroko was taken aback, it wasn't that his arrival was expected that surprised him most but it was the fact that Akashi took his lost quite better than what he expected, it was if nothing had changed unlike how Too's lost left a huge impact on Aomine. He was speechless, not knowing what to say, what to do but follow what he's told.

A glint caught Kuroko's attention, due to his sharp instincts and quick reflexes he was able to move, but unfortunately he was a second too late to stop him. And now there he lie, broken, wounded and lost. His pale face was illuminated by the moonlight as his blood flow down his face, it was a breathtaking moment and definitely a heart wrenching one. The usual composed and assured façade Akashi wore around finally stopped its suppression and showed its true colors, pure and untainted emotions painted his whole being as Kuroko held him in his arms wasting no time when he pulled out his cellphone to dial a number he never dared wish to use.

Akashi woke up to the sound of sirens however opening his eyes took him a lot of effort, in the end he opted to slowly open his unwounded eye. Suddenly, he felt heat and warmth embrace his left hand and hazy as he is, he could only see blurry images at the moment with swirling colors of blue and black occupying his line of vision before he once again lost his consciousness.

"He's left eye is beyond hopeless, it's already fortunate that his right was not affected. I'm sorry there's nothing more we can do sir.", the doctor said before he went out.

"What a failure of a child."

"I beg to differ sir. Akashi-kun was my former captain and he's done everything to be victorious, all to be worthy of the name 'Akashi". Failure? Yes he was one but that was before he lost, before he felt defeat. True victors aren't undefeatable, aren't absolute and aren't always right , that was stupid of Akashi-kun to think of.W hat makes them a victor is how they accept and use their failures as an asset and as a way to get stronger.", said Kuroko.

"You insolent boy. Despite being in a prestigious school I have not the idea that my son is surrounded by the likes of yo-" Akashi's father was cut off by a ringing sound. He took out his cellphone from his pocket and went out the hospital room.

"Tetsuya." Akashi called out and immediately Kuroko went to stand by his side and proceeded to help him sit up.

"I deeply apologize for my Father's manners. I'll talk to him. However you shouldn't have said those words, I'm a bit insulted too."

Unable to speak, Kuroko covered his mouth, his tears immediately followed, they fall like waterfalls of relief. He's back. Those kind crimson orb, gentle yet demanding voice, oh, how he missed them. The Akashi that once helped him pull himself up from the pit of despair he fell into is back. Kuroko knew, he knew he melted those eyes, he knew beneath those coldness lies the Akashi that he initially knew.

No words were exchange, there's no need to. Kuroko was pulled into a hug by Akashi and a moment after then they shared a sweet chaste kiss. The two shared a meaningful glance for a moment, it was their little reunion as friends, as the way they are with each other before 'that(when Akashi changed)' event. Finally no more cold eyes and no more barriers between them. As they say only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart.

Omake

After an hour

"Akashi-kun, if I remember you want to ask me to do something weren't you?", Kuroko asked as he peel an apple.

"Ah yes. My eye. Give them(Rakuzan) my eye just like what I promised."

"…" With that, Kuroko face palmed so hard he thought he saw stars.