Title: The Usual Birthday Troubles
Summary: It's Kuroko's birthday and he doesn't know that everyone knows it. But he does know that his old teammates remember and probably won't greet him. In the end, it's up to one stubborn and determined 'tiger' to get them to come to Kuroko's surprise birthday party.
Author's notes: Made this last year on June. Posted it up just now 'cause my sis tagged me in a happy bday Kuroko post and I was like, hey, didn't I have a fic about that? So, here it is!
The Usual Birthday Troubles
"Chapter Uno"
by LDJE
"Kise-san, to the next set please." His manager knocked on the model's trailer as he fixed up his appearance on the mirror.
"Hai!" The copycat said as he turned to follow after her, but then he paused when he caught sight of the calendar by the door. He blinked in surprise before smiling.
"What's wrong?" His manager asked, looking up from her phone to survey the model's suspicious expression.
Kise shook his head, "It's already the thirtieth, huh?"
She raised an eyebrow, "Yes. And?"
"Do I have any work for tomorrow?" The blonde asked his manager who began to scroll down her phone.
"Just one photo shoot and an interview-"
"Cancel all those. I'm booked for something else tomorrow." Kise smiled with a wink. His manager sighed.
"Basketball thing?" She asked in exasperation and Kise chuckled in response.
"Not really," He hummed as he made his way out of his trailer, "…more like a friend's…"
"…birthday?" Aomine yawned to his phone. "Whose? That creepy Imayoshi's?"
"Mou! Dai-chan, how could you forget? It's Tetsu-kun's birthday!" Momoi yelled on the phone. The ex-Teiko ace had to hold the phone away from his ear. "We have to get him something!"
"Isn't there something wrong with this picture?" Aomine said as he stood up and stretched, "Getting the guy who beat me in basketball a present for his birthday?"
"Geez, can't you stop thinking of basketball for one second? Outside of the court you and Tetsu-kun are friends!" His childhood friend insisted.
Aomine paused at those words and even Momoi seemed to have gone silent, the words she said finally processing to her. Blue eyes looked at the darkening sky.
"Dai-chan-"
"I think," The Touo ace said in a quiet voice, "That Tetsu and I stopped being friends a long time ago." And with that, he clicked his phone shut.
Why did you do that to Shige-kun?
Tetsu-kun has stopped coming to school.
Aomini frowned before lying back down on the ground. He covered his eyes with his arm, "This is so troublesome."
"Shin-chan! Isn't this cart too troublesome?" Takao panted as he pedaled through the highway. "Why can't we go to the station like normal people?"
"Are you implying something, Takao?" Midorima adjusted his glasses. "Am I somehow not normal for preferring this way of traveling?"
"Yes!" Takao shouted in victory when they finally arrived. "And that's a yes to your question too, by the way."
"Hmph, it's not my fault you lost in rock, paper, scissors. You must honor your promise as a man." The three-point shooter gracefully got off the cart.
"Mou, you take promises too seriously, Shin-chan." Takao puffed his cheeks playfully. "I only went along for fun."
"This is why you won't win in life, Takao." Midorima said as he neatly smoothed out the current month's page from the calendar. He looked down at the number 31 he had encircled that morning.
"Oh, I meant to ask, is there something special gonna happen tomorrow?" The Hawk eye specialist said as he looked over his friend's shoulder. "Is it your birthday Shin-chan? Ah, but aren't you a Cancer?"
The generation of miracle folded the page and pocketed it, "It's none of your business." He said before he turned and made his way into the house. "Park the cart in the storage room, don't let me tell you twice, Takao."
"You're so mean-" His teammate pouted. The four-eyed player did not pause or even slow his pace and Takao was forced to drag the cart alone, "Wait! Oi! Wait for me Shin-chan!"
"Atsushi, wait!" Himuro called out to the other ace of the Yosen team. The giant slowed his steps and turned just in time to see his teammate run up to him.
"Muro-chin," He acknowledged as he chewed on his favorite junk food. "Is something wrong?"
"Well, earlier, you borrowed my phone to text right?" The transfer student asked with a smile.
"Ah," Murasakibara remembered, "I forgot to charge my phone but I had to reply to Aka-chin. Thanks by the way." He said, thinking he forgot to thank the other.
"So you were texting your old captain." Himuro said in amusement and then he held out his phone. "It's no problem, actually I came to tell you that he replied."
"Oh?" The violet-haired took the phone and thumbed through the message.
From: xxx-xxx-xxx
It's fine Atsushi, don't forget to charge your phone when you get home.
And I presume you're eating junk food again, you should eat something healthier.
It's like he's his mother. Himuro chuckled to himself when he remembered accidentally reading the message earlier, thinking it was for him.
"'P.S.'" Murasakibara read out loud, "'Don't forget about January 31.' Neh, Muro-chin, what's happening on January 31?"
Himuro shrugged his shoulders, "The message is for you Atsushi. I'm sorry but I have no idea."
"January 31, January 31…" The powerful center thoughtfully said as he ate some more and then he paused in surprise, "Ah, that's right!"
His teammate raised an eyebrow, "Have you figured it out Atsushi?"
"Kuro-chin." Murasakibara said simply as he turned to leave.
"Kuro-" Himuro blinked, "Are you talking about Kuroko Tesuya-kun? Atsushi? What about Kuroko-kun?"
"Kuroko?" Reo raised an eyebrow at their captain. Akashi flipped his phone closed.
"Ah, it's his birthday tomorrow and I thought of reminding Atsushi." Akashi said as he placed a towel over his shoulder. "He is often forgetful of these things."
"But what are you going to do, Sei-chan? You and Atsu-chan aren't even in the same Tokyo district. Are you planning to go to Seirin to surprise your old teammate?" The uncrowned general guessed.
"Don't be too naïve, Reo. I won't miss a day of training just for an old teammate's birthday." Akashi said as he wiped at his forehead.
"How about an old friend's birthday?" Reo teased and Akashi paused.
"I…" The ex-Teiko captain paused, turning his back on his current teammate. "I think we have long lost the privilege of being called Tetsuya's friends."
The dark-haired player watched his captain go in surprise, "Sei-chan…"
"See you tomorrow, Kuroko!" Kagami waved at his partner before heading the opposite direction to get to his apartment. The ex-Teiko player turned to go his own way as well. He took out his phone and stared at the date and time.
January 30, 6:57 pm
He flipped his phone closed and looked up at the sky. It was cloudless and cool just like that night last year.
What are you going to do on your birthday tomorrow, Tetsu-kun?
I'll get you your lucky item for tomorrow, so you'll have better luck. I-It's not like I'm getting it as your present or anything.
Neh, neh, Kurokocchi! Why don't you go with me to work tomorrow? I can introduce you to some famous people! It'll be fun!
Oi, bring us with you. It's no fun celebrating a birthday alone, Tetsu.
Mou, Aominecchi just wants meet Horiuchi Mako-
It's Horikita Mai-chan!
We should have lots of cake and candy for Kurochin's birthday.
Atsushi, it's Tetsuya's decision whether he prefers to have lots of sweets on his birthday.
Kuroko let out a cool breath, looking down at his phone. None of his old teammates had contacted him for a long time, aside from Kise who asked about Midorima's lucky test item- but that was more likely to bother him before exams than a friendly call.
Tomorrow was his birthday again, but the only people who knew about it were in five different places and his parents had already apologized because they wouldn't be able to make it.
Before he knew it, Kuroko was already sending a text to a certain red-headed teammate he just saw off not two minutes ago.
To: Kagami-kun
From: Kuroko
7:01:19 pm
Subject: Tomorrow
Let's go to Maji Burger tomorrow.
It sounded silly now that Kuroko reread it and he sighed before flipping his phone closed.
Ping!
The bluenette blinked in shock before reading the new message. That was fast.
To: Kuroko
From: Kagami-kun
7:03:01 pm
Re: Subject: Haaa?
Don't we go there everyday anyway? Aren't you tired of their vanilla shakes yet?
The phantom player huffed and typed out a quick reply that poked fun at Kagami's stomach and in the end apologized and told the other to forget it. He pocketed his phone and continued walking towards his house.
Ping!
To: Kuroko
From: Kagami-kun
7:09:28 pm
Re: Re: Re: Subject: Idiot
I didn't say I didn't want to go. I'll meet you there, my treat. You eat too little anyway, it won't be too expensive at least.
Kuroko blinked in shock and a small smile lit his face as he typed, Kagami-kun is too kind. He couldn't think of anything else to say. All he wanted was to celebrate his birthday with a friend but no one knew it was his birthday. However, Kagami was unknowingly giving his company to him for tomorrow. It was better than he hoped.
To: Kuroko
From: Kagami-kun
7:19:11 pm
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re Subject: Idiot
It's a thank you for the last game. Your pass really saved us that time so it's no big deal and-
-And the text rambled on more excuses and Kuroko's smile grew as he walked home and read through it. He exchanged texts with Kagami for awhile and before he knew it, he was home.
In the end, that night didn't turn out as cold as he first thought.
January 31, 02:17:55 am
Kagami was woken to the light vibration beside his pillow. He cursed lightly and picked up his phone in annoyance.
1 New Message
The Seirin ace blinked several times and saw that the number was unknown. Annoyed that he wouldn't be able to give the sender an earful of his annoyance, he proceeded to read the message.
January 31 is Kuroko Tetsuya's birthday, idiot.
Kagami blinked in surprise as he looked at his alarm and noted that yes, today was January 31 which meant-
"EH? KUROKO'S BIRTHDAY?" Hyuga yelled, his voice echoing throughout the court. The other members of the team turned to their captain in equal surprise. It seemed like no one knew it was Kuroko's birthday.
"Hai, desu." Kagami nodded seriously.
"He didn't tell us at all." Izuki said, still blinking in surprise.
"It's more our fault for not asking him." Kiyoshi laughed sheepishly, "I mean, it's sort of weird to suddenly go saying your birthday's tomorrow right?"
"Still, that idiot should have said something!" The Seirin captain grumbled as he crossed his arms. "We're unprepared."
Koganei nodded, "It would have been great if we had more time to prepare for a surprise party. I bet Kuroko's expression would have been interesting."
"Who says we have no time to do that now?" Riko said with a shine to her eyes. "If it's okay for everyone, we could cancel practice now to prepare for Kuroko's birthday. Does he have any special plans today Kagami-kun?"
The Seirin ace looked taken aback, "Why are you asking me, desu?"
"Well, you two are basically attached to the hips-"
"We're not!" And then Kagami cleared his throat to change the subject, "Yesterday he invited me to go to Maji burger."
"Eh? But don't you two go there everyday anyway?"
"I thought it was strange too…" The light said, "…desu."
"Ah, maybe that was Kuroko's subtle way of saying that he wanted company for his birthday." Tsuchida concluded thoughtfully. "Cancelling practice for this is okay with me, what about you guys?" He asked currently present members. Mitobe and the two other first years weren't here yet.
"Yeah!" Everyone else said.
"It's fine, but," Furihata said as he scratched his cheek, "Wouldn't Kuroko notice if we suddenly cancel practice for no reason?"
"Leave it to me." The coach said confidently, "Teppei and Koganei-kun will go and prepare the things we need while everyone else stay here and keep Kuroko distracted by pretending that practice is going on. I'll just say that Kiyoshi had a check-up and I sent Koganei-kun out on an errand. Then Hyuga will go to check on them during lunch period."
"Ah, that sounds good." Hyuga nodded as he turned to their team. "Any objections?"
"Ano," Kagami focused all the attention on him, "Actually, I also have an idea."
Riko blinked in surprise and nodded, "Go on."
The red-haired player looked away and scratched at the back of his neck, "You see-"
"Kuroko!" Fukuda greeted their fellow first year when he entered for morning practice. Furihata had texted him and Kawahara about the team's plan. Even Mitobe was already there, pretending to take a break at the side but was actually texting Koganei the ingredients needed for a cake. Buying one seemes less sincere than actually making one and besides he already had half of the needed ingredients.
"Fukuda-kun," Kuroko greeted with a nod and he turned his head, looking for his partner and a few of their seniors. "I'm not surprised that Kagami-kun isn't here yet, but where are Koganei-senpai and Kiyoshi-senpai?"
"A-Ah, Kiyoshi-senpai was scheduled for a check-up this morning." Kawahara answered, trying not to look too suspicious or unsure. "I don't know about Koganei-senpai though."
"I know! Coach sent him out for an errand or something." Fukuda laughed uncomfortably, "Right Furihata?"
Furihata seemed more at ease than his other friends and nodded, "Anyway, let's go and start the training menu. Have you texted Kagami? Maybe he overslept again."
"But I thought Kagami was-" Kawahara began to whisper but he was jabbed in the ribs by Fukuda who whistled innocently. Thankfully, Kuroko was too busy extracting his phone to notice.
"Ah, he may have stayed up late last night watching some NBA games again." The phantom player said as he sent out a message. Several seconds later he got a reply.
To: Kuroko
From: Kagami-kun
7:33:47 am
Re: Subject: Practice
Ah, tell Coach I can't come in today. A relative of mine asked me to come over because of an emergency. It's in the next town over so I'm gonna be gone the whole day.
Sorry about Maji burger, I'll treat you to 5 vanilla shakes next time.
Kuroko tried to ignore the pang in his stomach at the last part of the message. He typed out a quick It's okay, before flipping his phone closed and pocketing it.
"He says he can't make it. Something about an emergency." He hoped his voice didn't sound as down as he felt.
"A-Ah," By the worried tone from his friends, he could tell he didn't succeed in keeping his depression out of his voice. He sighed internally, "Maa, maybe we can hang out with you at Maji burger after practice today."
Kuroko looked up in surprise, Eh?
"I mean," Fukuda said with a hesitant smile, "Since Kagami won't be there to hang out with you today, if you won't mind our company-"
"I don't mind." Kuroko said neutrally. Fukuda, Furihata, and Kawahara looked relieved.
"Oi! First years! Stop slacking off!" Riko's shrill whistle echoed throughout the gym. The first years tensed.
"Hai! Gomenasai!"
"That didn't feel like pretend warm-up at all." Kawahara panted as he sat on the floor and leaned against the bench.
"Oi, keep your voice down, Kuroko might hear." Hyuga hissed to the first year who apologized.
"Riko's more pumped up than normal." Tsuchida commented as he drank a bottle of water. Mitobe nodded, wiping at his forehead. "Might be because of later."
"She's excited to celebrate Kuroko's birthday." Izuki smiled and then he got a thoughtful look on his face, "I should prepare some gags for the party."
"Idiot!" The Seirin captain hit him on the head, "Don't get ahead of yourself, it's not a kid's party!"
"Kuroko's coming!" Fukuda warned them so they could stop talking about the surprise.
"Good job." Furihata said as he handed his fellow classmate a bottle of water. Kuroko nodded in thanks, unable to speak due to his panting. He drank down the water as Riko approached them.
"I guess that's all for this morning, you guys should shower and change, then head to classes. I'll give you the result for this morning's menu later and we'll see where we can improve from there." Riko said as she wrote down on her clipboard. "Dismissed!"
"Arigatou guzaimasu!" The team said before all heading for the showers.
"Ah, Fukuda-kun, you're free for the next hour right?" Riko asked the freshman before he could head off.
"Yes."
"Can you go check on Koganei-kun?" Riko saw that Kuroko was not far off and added hastily, "He hasn't come back from his errand yet and I thought there may be some trouble." She gave him a piece of paper that specified specific instructions on what to help with Koganei. "I'd really appreciate it."
"Oh, okay." Fukuda said taking the paper. Kuroko, who had been listening on the conversation turned.
"I can go with you if you like. My class doesn't start until later-" Kuroko began but was cut off immediately by Kawahara.
"Ah, no- It's fine! I'll go with Fukuda." Kawahara laughed, placing an arm around his friend.
"Uh, actually Kuroko, I needed your help with one of our homeworks in Japanese History." Furihata said, "Let's let those two handle it."
"Ah, Furihata-kun is right. Besides you're still tired from the training menu right? You should rest." Riko said with a smile. She turned to the seniors who had also lingered to see what was up, "The rest of you hurry up and shower or you'll be late for class."
"Yes!"
Meanwhile at Kaijo…
Kise hummed thoughtfully to himself as he walked briskly to the gate. Today was Kuroko's birthday and he managed to get a day off to go and visit his old mentor.
"Oi." A certain red-head by the gate made him pause before breaking into a wide grin.
"Kagamicchi! What are you doing here?" The model-slash-basketball-player greeted enthusiastically as he bounded over to the Seirin ace. "Is Kurokocchi here with you? Neh, you do know it's Kurokocchi's birthday today?"
Kagami frowned at him, "Yeah, I know. He didn't tell us and I only found out today. I told the rest of the team though and they're planning a surprise party for him."
"Wah! That sounds interesting! Did you come here to invite me, Kagamicchi? Aw, how sweet!" Kise said with a smile. "I was actually headed to Seirin to greet Kurokocchi. Some of the fans managed to get hold of my phone though and I don't have his phone number memorized so I couldn't text him a happy birthday." He sheepishly scratched the back of his head and then his expression lit up, "Actually can I borrow your phone? You of all people must text Kurokocchi a lot, so you must have his number!"
Kagami sweat dropped, "What do you mean by that? And no, I can't lend you my phone. Kuroko will realize I'm not visiting my relative. Actually, he doesn't know that the team knows it's his birthday."
"Eh? Wow, you really are taking surprise to a whole new level. Are you actually out doing birthday errands right now? Are you the one in charge of the cake? I know some good bakeshops-" Kise began to say excitedly but Kagami interrupted him.
"No, actually I'm on a solo errand." Kuroko's current light said as he crossed his arms, "And I need your help."
The copycat blinked in surprise before asking, "What do you need?"
Kagami pursed his lips and said, "You see…"
"Ah, it's almost time for classes. Thanks for helping me out again, Kuroko." Furihata said to his teammate who only nodded.
"You actually didn't need my help, from what I saw you already knew the answers to most of it." Kuroko said with his usual impassive face. Furihata sweat dropped.
"Ah, no, that was mostly guessing. Anyway, see you later? I have History right now." The first year said and the phantom player waved him off before heading to his own classroom.
As always, no one noticed the ex-Teiko sixth man enter the classroom and Kuroko slipped towards the seat behind Kagami, undisturbed. No one greeted him or asked him how he was and it was just a normal school day only without his light to notice the shadow.
Wah! How long have you been there?
Kuroko smiled to himself at the thought of the expression on Kagami's face if he was here. The red-head probably wouldn't notice that his partner was behind him until Kuroko poked him or said something. But then again, the other had become really good at sensing his presence lately.
The teacher for the first subject entered and began to start his lecture. He was the type that didn't record the attendance, so Kuroko was free to be as invisible as he wanted. The Seirin trump card looked out of the window quietly.
It was going to be a long day.
"Oi, why did you suddenly become quiet?" Kagami said as he and Kise boarded the MRT. Several girls turned to them, a few giggling when they caught sight of Kise.
"Ah, you see…" Kise scratched at his cheek with a sheepish expression. "I mean, it's great that Kagamicchi's doing this for Kurokocchi's sake," At this Kagami sputtered and flushed, "But I don't think everyone else would go along with it. I mean, sure maybe we could convince Midorimacchi but the rest…" He trailed of unsure.
"Ha? Why wouldn't they want to go and celebrate an old friend's birthday?" Kagami asked with a frown.
Kise laughed, "An old friend, huh? I don't think Kurokochi sees us like that anymore."
The Seirin ace raised an eyebrow, "Oi, what do you mean? Weren't you the one cheeky enough to introduce yourself as Kuroko's best friend the first time you came to Seirin?"
"That was a joke. I knew Kurokocchi would respond that way so I played along." The model said, "And besides, the others would agree with me too. We've all been changed by Kurokocchi and maybe deep inside the others might want to come and celebrate his birthday again but-"
"But?"
"We're not sure if… Kurokocchi has forgiven us for middle school." Kise licked his lips and looked down, "I mean, looking back on it, we were jerks. No wonder why he left after the championship-"
Kagami scoffed, "That's stupid. There's no question why Kuroko left you, I heard from the seniors what you did and yeah you were all a-holes."
"Hey!"
"But what's even stupider is the fact that you're letting the past ruin Kuroko's birthday." The light huffed in annoyance, "I mean Kuroko went through all this trouble to get all of your heads straightened again and the least you can do is show up for his goddamn surprise party. The way I see it, is either you go or you don't, no dramas from the past, no basketball, no nothing. Just a bunch of friends celebrating someone's birthday. If you want to go, you go, period."
Kise's eyes widened. "Kagamicchi…"
"So much for being called geniuses," The redhead muttered, "You're all idiots."
The model blinked once more in surprise before bursting out laughing. Kagami turned to him in shock and slight worry that he might be losing his head.
"O-Oi…"
"You really are a big softie Kagamicchi," The copycat wiped the tears that had formed at the corner of his eyes. "Okay, since we're doing this, let's do our best to convince the others."
Kagami blinked in confusion for several seconds before grinning, "Ah."
Break time…
The door to the gym creaked open as Kuroko peeked inside. As expected, no one was in the gym during break and so the bluenette entered feeling more at ease now that he was on the basketball court. He walked towards the place where they kept the basketballs and took one. He slowly began to dribble and run towards the basketball ring before shooting.
The ball disappeared before going through the hoop neatly.
A clap resounded throughout the supposed empty gym and Kuroko turned in surprise. Kiyoshi had just come out of the locker room looking impressed.
"You came to practice during break again, Kuroko?" The Seirin founder asked with a kind smile. The phantom player nodded slightly.
"Kiyoshi-senpai," He acknowledged, "I didn't see you during this morning's practice. How was your appointment with the doctor?"
Kiyoshi blinked, "Appointment?"
"Kawahara-kun said you had a doctor's appointment scheduled this morning." Kuroko nodded.
"Hm," Kiyoshi rubbed at his chin, "I didn't know I had an appointment with the doctor-" And the he paused, remembering what Riko said earlier about him pretending to have a doctor's appointment. "Oh right, yeah, that one! Oops, I seem to have forgotten. I met a neighbor of mine on the way there and got sidetracked. I guess I'll have it rescheduled to this afternoon." He laughed.
The phantom man sweat dropped, "You should really take your appointments more seriously. Senpai should take better care of himself so you can play with us again in the future."
Kiyoshi paused, "Kuroko…"
The ex-Teiko student turned and shot another basket. But he didn't use his special stance and just shot like a normal average player. As expected, the ball bounced off the rim and to the ground.
"Senpai, I'm really sorry about middleschool." Kuroko said, his back still turned.
The center blinked, "Eh?"
"I heard from Hyuga-senpai that because of the Generation of Miracles, you, him, and who knows how many other people began to hate basketball for awhile." The sixth man said quietly as he picked up the ball that rolled to him. "I know how painful it must have felt to hate something you loved. And the fact that we were the cause of that-" He shot another basket and it hit the board and bounced off. "On behalf of my former teammates, I'm sorry."
Kiyoshi watched the younger member before sighing, "It's not your fault Kuroko. The Generation of Miracles were strong and Hyuga and I were just overwhelmed by that. Actually we should be thanking you, it's because of the Generation of Miracles that we began to love basketball even more and try even harder. You, a member of the Generation of Miracles, were what brought us back together as a team, Kuroko." He grinned at Kuroko whose shoulders were tense in surprise. "So, thank you."
The shadow didn't say anything as he picked up the ball and shot again, this time with the stance Aomine taught him. The ball sailed through the air and smoothly went in the basket.
Kiyoshi didn't miss the smile on the other's lips when it did.
Author's notes: This is a two-shot. I repeat, TWO-SHOT. So, review, follow, and favorite at your will XD Thank you for reading ;3