UNTOLD

Chapter 1: Domino Effect

It's only the start of the week and Kuroko already found himself faced with a challenge. Their professor came in a little over 5 minutes after he had arrived and gave a surprise test. His classmates groaned and tried to convince the old man to move the test to another day but he didn't heed their pleas. When he got his copy, Kuroko did a quick scan of the paper's contents and silently thanked his brain for remembering most of their lessons. He twirled his pen around his fingers while reading the questions, an old habit he had since he was in middle school. Soon he started writing down his answers.

"Kuroko" he heard someone whisper. He glanced beside him and saw his friend, Kagami Taiga, pointing at his paper then holding up three fingers. He was ducking low to avoid getting the attention of the professor, who was in front checking other exam sheets. Kuroko rolled his eyes before lifting his paper and titling it just a little so that the red head could see his answer. It was not the first time he did this during exams, and he was sure it wouldn't be the last.

He tried not to laugh at him squinting to read what he wrote. Kuroko's handwritings were neat but they were also small. And Kagami was in panic getting the answer he badly needs. He sighed and flipped his paper over. The back part was empty so he got a pencil and scribbled down the answer in larger letters. He tilted it again towards his friend who immediately copied it. Once he was done, Kuroko erased the answer and went back on filling up the exam.

An hour and a few cheatings later, the professor asked them to pass their papers. One by one the students headed to the desk and left their exam sheets. Kagami handed his confidently which earned him a suspicious look from the man. He gulped and hurriedly went outside the classroom. Kuroko was next to him, leaving his paper on top of the others which went unnoticed by their professor.

"Thanks man, you just saved me from possibly repeating another semester."

"It's not for free Kagami-kun," he said nonchalantly.

The 'tiger' groaned, "I knew it!" He took out his wallet from his red and black duffel bag and counted the money he had. "I could only buy you no more than 2 cups. I think dad forgot to send my allowance again. Do I need to remind him every single time that his son is in another country…" the teen mumbled on.

Kuroko nodded, happy that he'll get a taste of his favourite drink again. It seems evil for the teen to do that to his friend, but this was a regular occurrence to them. Besides, Kagami is someone who rarely has a serious financial problem. One call and he'd get the cash he needs. And also, it is Kuroko's little way of aggravating the red head. He secretly finds the look on his friend's face funny when he's frustrated.

The two walked out of the building where students were starting to come out of their rooms. Following the usual grassy path to the university centre, they noticed a bunch of boisterous girls huddling over a magazine near the statue that symbolizes their school.

"Kyaaa! He's so handsome!"

"I know right! I can't believe he studies here too."

"I hope I'll have the same classes as Kise-kun..."

"Me too! He's too cool oh my god!"

Kagami was clearly annoyed with the noisy girls who already grabbed the attention of some passers-by, "Tsk, fangirls. I don't know what they get from drooling over some celebrity."

"I think you're just bitter because you don't have a fan club."

"I am not! Why would I even want people screaming and chasing me around?!"

"You might not like it, but some actually appreciate the attention given to them. It's better than being non-existent to people." He spoke based on his experience.

The taller grunted. "Yes, some attention is nice but not to the point where random girls would suddenly ask for your number or invite you to their houses," he said with a blush.

Kuroko noticed this and put on his teasing smile, "Ah could it be that Kagami-kun had been hit on by a girl before?"

"Shut up!"

"Though I think it's not a surprise anymore since you are quite good looking."

The blush on Kagami's cheeks darkened as he tried to hide it, pretending that he's mad at him. "Don't say embarrassing things!"

"But it's true…"

"Whatever. Hey just skip your library duties today and play with us. Coach wouldn't be there so we won't have any formal practice." The returnee, with his strong build and skills, is part of the school's varsity. Kuroko had seen him play for a couple of times already and boy was he good. Too bad the smaller teen did not possess the same talent, though he loves the sport as well.

"I can't. I do not want to disappoint Matsuoka-sensei."

"Oh come on, it's just this day. I want the guys on my team see your sick passes. Who knows, our captain might even recruit you."

"You know I'm not good at basketball," he then sighed.

When he was younger, he and his brother would go to the nearby court and play together. Although he wasn't able to shoot any score, Kuroko was happy to feel the rough leather ball against his hand. Sometimes he was envious though, seeing how good his brother was at playing. But then Akashi helped him discover his own style at playing and assisted him on honing it.

It was one of the best moments of his life. Running around the court and throwing passes here and there knowing someone would always catch it were what made him feel content and free. Once upon a time, he had played alongside his brother and three more talented people. Akashi was the light that guided the whole team while he was the shadow that assisted them from behind. And once upon a time, he felt the happiest while celebrating their victories together.

But as much as he had loved and missed basketball, Kuroko doesn't want to enter a team again. Partly because he thinks he can only be Teikou's phantom player. And also because he believes playing wouldn't be the same ever again. Sometimes a person can get satisfied by just remembering the past without really reliving it. Because hidden along the happy times is a darkness it can never be separated from. And it's enough reason for a person to fear the repeat of those moments.

"You suck at shooting, but still your passes are incredible. Plus you might improve once you join an official team."

Kuroko shook his head. His friend didn't know that he had once been in an official team. And he doesn't plan on telling him soon. It would be too much to explain. "I would only be a liability in the long run with my weak stamina."

"Fine, believe what you want to. But if you change your mind just go to the gym." Kagami stopped at a corner. "I gotta run. Meet me at the gates later." With a final wave, the red head went to see his team.

"Ah." He watched his friend's retreating back before heading to the library. And so his first job for the day begins.

Kuroko placed the book back to the shelf and pushed the cart along. His part time job at the university's library was a good idea after all. When his classes are over he could easily go to work. And not to mention it was a peaceful place. He could also read any book he wants when there's nothing left to be done.

Sadly though, the salary he receives wasn't enough to keep him through, leaving him with no other choice but to work in a small restaurant as well. Being a college student with no parents or relatives to help you is very hard. Kuroko has to make sure that he has enough money for his everyday needs, school expenses, and rents. Thank God he was a scholar or he would've needed to pay the expensive tuition fee. Living in the capital was not cheap, but for him, it's better than being in his old home.

He continued walking through the aisles until he reached the end where he noticed a fluff of blonde hair. Thinking it was another student trying to steal some sleep in the library, he quietly strolled towards him. What greeted him was a handsome young man crouching with his back against one of the shelves. But even when he was almost beside him, Kuroko still went unnoticed thanks to his very weak presence.

Feeling a tad concern, Kuroko decided to get his attention. "Um...Excuse me?"

The blonde didn't respond, either because he didn't hear him or he was just being plain rude. The blue haired teen placed a hand on his shoulder. Apparently it wasn't a very good idea for it took him by surprise, causing him to fall on his back. He accidentally leaned his whole body on the bookshelf, which caused it to topple on to the next one.

The golden eyed stranger watched the domino effect in horror, while Kuroko's eyes only widened and his mouth formed an 'o'. When it all stopped, everyone looked at their direction, especially the fuming librarian, and only then did the blonde realized how fucked up everything was.

"I'm really sorry! He surprised me-", the blonde tried to explain but the librarian quickly shut him up.

"Quiet! There's no use in hearing your reasons. Tsk, now this area would have to be temporarily restricted." She then turned her attention to Kuroko who was quiet the entire time she confronted them. Her glare softened a little, "Kuroko-kun you know that if there are damages, the costs would be split to the two of you, right? Please be careful next time."

Even though he was sure it wasn't even his fault, Kuroko bowed and apologized to the older woman. He mentally calculated the possible damages and deducted them to his salary, making him wince from what could be left from his pay.

"Now you two fix this until every single book is back on its proper place." And with that, the librarian left him with the stranger.

The small teen immediately went to work. He tried pulling one of the fallen shelves back up but failed as it was triple his weight. The other noticed this and helped him. "I'm sorry, though I really think you're at fault too. You shouldn't sneak up on people like that."

"I was not sneaking up on you. I tried calling for your attention."

"Were you? Jeez, I must've been really spacing out." Kuroko decided not to tell him that it was probably because of his weak presence too. "By the way, what's your name?"

"It's not proper to ask for a person's name without telling them yours." The two continued with the other shelves.

"You don't know me?" the blonde was shocked.

"Should I have?" Kuroko paid little attention to him. Honestly, he is quite mad at the other male for what happened. He was just answering him for the sake of being polite, or at least he's trying to be polite.

"You seriously don't know me? Kise Ryouta. Does that ring a bell?"

He stopped for a moment and tried digging his brain for any memories of hearing that name before. "I think I heard some girls talking about you, but no, I don't know you."

Kise pouted at him. "I'm a model!"

The blue haired teen gave him an overall look and nodded his head. "Ohh I see..."

"So what's your name? I told you mine already." He looked at him with a big smile on his face, waiting for his answer. At that moment, an image of a golden retriever flashed in Kuroko's mind.

With a sigh, he said "Kuroko Tetsuya."

"Hmm...Kuroko…" Kise said as if testing his name. "What were you doing here? Of course, this is I library so you might be borrowing some books but then again you might actually be stalking me-"

He sighed once more and decided to cut the teen off, knowing that his mouth won't close soon, "I am a student worker here at the library. And why would I stalk you if I didn't even know who you were?"

Before the blonde could reply, Kuroko moved away from him and picked some books from the floor, placing them on his forgotten cart. He read the code on their sides and, one by one, placed them back on their correct 'home'. But the hope of working quietly was thrown out of the window when Kise began trailing behind him, carrying a stack of books as well and placing them on the cart.

"But I haven't seen you here before. I sometimes go to the library when I want to hide from my fans. Maybe you're new?"

"I have been working here for a long time already."

"Ohh...By the way, I'll just pick up the books and leave the arrangement to you. I kinda don't know how and where to place 'em back." He said while shyly scratching the back of his head.

Kuroko frowned a little but nodded his head anyway. Kise threw questions here and there which made him even more annoyed. He didn't elaborate his answers to the blonde and sometimes just shook or nod his head. Yet the model just kept on talking. Kuroko thinks he's either too dense to notice his lack of interest or he's aware of it but chose to not care at all. But what bothered Kuroko the most was the fact the blonde seems so comfortable around him, telling him stories, some even personal, a stranger shouldn't actually know about.

The nearly one sided conversations went on. "…There was also a time I had to miss an important exam because of a magazine pictorial. My mother was so mad but then my manager handled the situation well. In the end, the teacher gave me a special exam but I think it was harder than the original."

Kise babbled as he mindlessly stack books. "So how 'bout you?"

"What?"

"Tell me something about yourself."

"…" The blonde looked excitedly at him. "I don't want to."

"Not fair! I told you a lot of things about me already!"

"I didn't ask for it though."

"But I want us to know each other more. I want be your friend!" The model's eyes became teary as his face showed sadness.

"Are you an actor too, Kise-san?"

The other did not expect the question but nodded his head. "Yeah, sometimes I guest in TV shows. Why?"

"Because you are quite good in acting and faking your emotions." Kuroko didn't hold back.

"So mean! I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult!" Kise began to shed crocodile tears, already forgetting the work that needs to be done.

Kuroko reprimanded him that they were in a library and they should be quiet but he continued wailing and telling him he should be nicer towards him. His right eye twitched as he suddenly felt like taping the blonde's mouth shut. Taking three big breaths, he calmed himself and just returned to the task at hand.

Sensing that it'll take more time before they finish, the teen decided to cancel his plans with Kagami, sending him a text to let him know not to wait for me. He'll just have to sacrifice his break before his second work. There's a nagging voice at the back of Kuroko's mind telling him that the tiger was right and he should've ditched work today. But what's done is done.

'So much for vanilla milkshakes…' he thought with a sigh.

With almost half of the fallen books gathered, it was easier for him place them back. One shelf was almost full, tomorrow he guessed that he could fill two or three more. All in all, Kuroko plans to finish the task at three days most.

His turquoise eyes darted at the clock on the wall. Realizing that he only has less than two hours left to prepare for his next agenda, Kuroko set aside what he was doing. He approached Kise and tap him on the shoulder, surprising the blonde again. "I have to leave now."

"What? What about these?" he gestured his hand towards the mess.

"Just place them properly at a corner or anything. I will put them back in the shelves tomorrow."

"But how about the librarian?"

"She knows about my schedule. Goodbye."

Kise had a dejected look on his face. "If you say so...Good-bye, see you tomorrow!" He waved at him but Kuroko had already turned around and went to the glass doors.

Kuroko reached the bus stop which was already occupied by students like him. It seems that the buses were quite delayed considering the number of waiting passengers. He thought about walking it off but decided that that will consume too much time. The pale teen could only hope he won't be late for his next shift.

He knows he's not her real child. From the way her ivory locks and orbs differ from his blue ones, he knew that he wasn't related to her, or at least not closed enough to be considered an immediate family member. Some of his friends at school asked him about this but he just shrugged. He was only five then, but he's smart. He's aware of everything around him. Tetsuya is a perceptive child.

So when the day she told him the truth he was not surprised at all. He only stared at her with curiosity. "Where are my real parents then?"

They were watching a show earlier which featured a celebrity family. Tetsuya noticed how the daughter resembled her parents so much. She had her mother's eyes, nose, and mouth. While she had inherited the shape of her father's face and colour of his hair. Tetsuya asked his mama why they didn't look alike even though he already knows the answer to that. And to confirm his suspicions, she had admitted that he was not her biological son.

His 'mama' shook her head, her eyes slightly teary, "I don't know Tetsuya. The people who took care of you for a while didn't know as well."

Tetsuya's mouth curved downward, "Maybe they didn't like me that's why they gave me away. Am I bad mama?"

His mother immediately crouched in front of him and hugged him while combing his hair with her fingers, "No baby, don't think that way. You are an angel. You are God's gift to me. Tetsuya is and will always be a good boy."

"Will they take me back someday?"

"I'm not sure, baby. Why? Don't you want to be with me anymore?"

The boy shook his head fervently, "No! I don't want to be separated from mama ever!" He then buried his face on his mother's chest, causing the woman to smile lovingly at his son.

"Then don't worry about anything else. I won't leave you, Tetsuya."

He nodded, but he was still curious about something, "Are we a family?"

She looked a bit taken aback, "Of course! Why did you ask?"

"Because at school they said a family is where there is a papa, a mama, and a baby. But I only have you mama." He frowned as if thinking deeply.

His mother chuckled at him and rested her hand on his head. "Tetsuya, a family is where you are happy. It doesn't matter whether you are only two in a family, what matters is you protect each other and love one another unconditionally."

A bright smile appeared on his face after what she said. "Un I love you mama!"

"I love you too, Tetsuya."

Haruhi loved Tetsuya like he was her real child and he had loved her like she was his real mother. Both had been enjoying their little 'family', not knowing someone would enter their lives soon, someone that would scar Tetsuya for life.

CHAPTER END