Disclaimer: All applied materials belong to their respective owners.

Warning: Female Kuroko, spoilers.

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皇帝の提案

Emperor's Proposal

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Step II : 微妙な感情

– Subtle Emotion –

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– Fourth Glance –

It was a Surprise

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Does he know me?

Kuroko mulled over the question in the hushed darkness of her room. Surrounding chilly air bequeathed cold to the marble windowsill she sat on. Her fingertips dented concave prints on silky beige curtain. Flickering silvery contours of moonlight saturated the opaque floor as her wrist swayed feebly.

Picturesque pieces of earlier encounter awakened, flashing an accentuated memory of a peculiar skip of heart at the sight of his eyes. She could not decipher the message beneath his unnerving gaze. It was detached, parched of any emotion, but seized an opportunity to pluck at her heartstrings at the last second, the moment her breath betrayed her and slunk away in silence.

She had broken off the three magical seconds then left school afterward, toting confusion on her way to local market a couple blocks away from her house complex. The uneventful trip failed to shake off the growing confusion from her cluttered mind. It clung to her consciousness even after dinner and massive amount of homework.

Kuroko slid down the windowsill, bare soles pressed down onto immaculate tiles, furtively treading to her bed. The enigmatic captain was beyond her comprehension. Or she might be digging too much into the matter…

Midnight-shaded blue orbs dimmed out in the midst of her jumbled thought.

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"Good morning, Sugawara-san," Kuroko greeted her fellow Library Committee's member courteously.

"Whoa!" Sugawara patted her chest dramatically. "Good morning, Kuroko. You gave me a fright there!"

"I apologize." Kuroko walked by her left side toward school gates. "Thank you for the novel. I finished reading it."

Sugawara could not believe what she just heard. "Did you just say you actually finish that novel?"

Kuroko eyed her friend from the corner of her eyes. "I did."

Sugawara bumped her palms together, a loud smacking sound attracted nearby students' stares. "How was it? The innocence of pure young love is so sweet, isn't it?!" She squealed at the blue-eyed girl, gaining more conspicuous stares. "I'm glad I gave a copy to you!"

The stoic girl turned her gaze to the pathway, refusing to regard the flimsy subject. "It was boring," she added.

Sugawara's cheerfulness depleted at the flat voice. "Is that so?" Being used to the bluntness, Sugawara frowned at Kuroko's remark for another reason. "Why did you finish it then?"

The light blue-haired girl seemed to take the question seriously. A slight knit of brows was all the sign she gave away. Recalling a part of the novel she had taken a liking to, she muttered, "There were these six phases mentioned in the novel…"

Sugawara chuckled. "It's sweet and fluffy alright." Her forefinger made a windshield wipers' motion. "But there's no way it'd happen in real life!"

Kuroko's thin brows ironed out into her usual blank expression. "I must be imagining things."

Sugawara's ears perked up at the murmur. She grabbed Kuroko by the arm, detaining her from escaping. "Is there anything I missed, hm?"

"…" Round blue eyes darted to vast sky in attempt to avoid the mischievous look the brunette shot her. "Nothing in particular."

Sugawara squinted in suspicion. "So, there is something going on, eh?" She grinned at the quiet girl. "Don't worry, I'll find out eventually!" She patted Kuroko's upper arm twice. Her mocha eyes caught a glimpse of someone as she was about to turn to front.

"Please don't," Kuroko blurted. "As Sugawara-san said, it is fictional." She insisted on not meeting the brunette's eyes to minimize unnecessary slip of tongue. Bringing up the six phases was a miscalculation on her part. She should have known it would catapult right back at her.

"Kuroko, you went to our school's basketball practice game, didn't you?" Sugawara asked, her soft tremulous utterance disrupted the once bland atmosphere between the two.

The random change of topic piqued Kuroko's interest, granting her an excuse to hook her attention onto her jittery friend. "I did, since I was free of library duty on that day." Kuroko was inwardly astounded by the abrupt change of attitude. "Is something the matter?"

The brunette protruded her hand from under Kuroko's right arm and linked their elbows together. Her voice lowered several volumes, "We're going to run for a bit. On three, got it?"

Kuroko blinked. "Eh?"

"One–" The brunette gave their elbows a small tug.

"Sugawara-san, what are you–"

"Two–" Her hold morphed into a vice-grip.

"Please wait–"

"Three!" She dashed off dragging her puzzled companion. She did not have the courage to turn and confirm a certain someone's presence.

"Ah–" Kuroko stumbled on her first step but managed to keep up with her kidnapper. "Sugawara-san, why are we running?"

The addressed girl huffed out a breathless reply, "I don't know what you did to that person, but… He's been staring for a while!"

That person?

"I can't stand his intimidating stare!"

Intimidating?

It can't be…

Kuroko whirled her head to search for his presence, her stride breaching the main gates' grey linings. A few meters from her, a mop of distinguishing red hair narrowed her focus onto him. Strolling into the school ground was the very same person that had been occupying her mess of a mind for the last two days, the first person who identified her among rows of crowds.

The only person who could find her from distance apart.

"That's Akashi! Akashi Seijuro from the basketball team!"

Kuroko's barreling stride distorted, dislodging her arm from the brunette's grasp. She ignored her friend's call, eyes colliding with his equally blank ones. Her lips molded a silent greeting.

"Good morning."

The male paused in mid-step. Tiny surprise nullified his impassive composure.

That morning marked their fourth clash.

The day she learned of his name.

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– Fifth Glance –

It was a Secret

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Dazzling sun ebbed away as tick-tacks of passing seconds escorted daylight into late afternoon's embrace. A secluded reception desk by the door housed a light blue-haired girl in the barren library. Her pale fingers flipped through pages of a thick supplementary math book for clues to her unsolved problems. Her mind chanted colorful equations and formulas she found in the book to no avail.

This isn't going anywhere…

She stood up to get a drink from nearest vending machine to refresh her singed nerves. Her math workbook was left opened on the desk. After one last look at the extensive library, she closed the door quietly without locking it. A five-minute walk would be sufficient for her errand.

There should be no more visitors at this time.

Little did she know, a certain red-haired captain intruded the library after her departure. He had intended to fetch a drink after today's practice but the slightly ajar door roused his curiosity. Vividly he remembered his object of interest had a penchant for reading from this morning's encounter. He was unabashed by the fact he was caught staring. Though, he was rather surprised by her greeting despite it being within his calculation.

She was, indeed, peculiar.

Akashi stepped inside. His sharp eyes scouted every corner of the room before settling on a book to his left. He reached for the workbook and scanned the content, definitely not impressed with the result. There were too many mistakes to his liking. Tearing a sheet from a memo notepad on the desk, he jotted down important points and practical ways to deal with the problems.

Prior to returning the book to its former position, he inspected the front page. It read:

黒子哲美 – Kuroko Tetsumi

He set the book down with the note on top of it. Judging from the unlock door to books and lights in the room, she should be back soon. Akashi walked out the library, minding to close the door firmly before proceeding toward his original destination. In a few more steps, he would see her figure around the corner. It was normal to be able to deduce that much about her, for the future plan he designed would involve the girl after all.

It was still a secret.

That's why...

The fifth time he gazed into her soul from that pair of sunset-tinted blue eyes, he concealed them.

This plan.

Foreign emotion.

And unsettling foreboding.

When unforgiving future unfolded, he wondered if she would hate him for his ruthless scheme.

Obviously, he knew the answer.

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– Sixth Glance –

A Seal

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There was no mistake.

Kuroko lifted the white piece off the book, marveling at the neatly-written equations.

His handwriting.

He had been the sole presence she captured in the otherwise empty corridor. The note must be from him. She put it in between pages of her workbook, exactly where he had laid it upon. She was not sure why she suddenly had an urge to decamp from the library. She did not know, but…

Somehow, she wanted to see him.

Kuroko gathered her scattered books from the desk then flicked off the lights. Soft clacking of her shoes deserted the library after a resounding click of door locking. An impeccable desire to hear his voice was bubbling inside her.

It was out of her character.

To be this desperate for a sight of him, it was absurd.

It should be absurd…

She deposited her indoor shoes and set out to search for him. The school ground was engulfed in serenity, simmering under golden light. The usually active gymnasiums were eerily quiet, no sign of living beings. Cold breeze prodded her alabaster skin, prompting her to leave immediately.

The girl racked her brain for an idea of his whereabouts as she walked. The city was bustling with fabricated noises. Lights lit up alongside busy streets, casting molten pools of artificial sheen on solid surface. She paid heed to none, until a white building with flowerbeds barricading the open terrace permeated her train of thought. She pushed the door open, allowing herself an entrance into the restaurant. Her eyes swept over groups of students and stopped at four shades of colorful hair, minus a familiar red-head.

"Dai-chan! That's mine!" a pinkette fumed.

A tanned teen she recognized as Aomine Daiki drawled in reply, "Get more, Satsuki. I'm still hungry."

"Mou! Dai-chan! You just had teriyaki burger, didn't you!" the pink-haired girl protested, but ordered another serving of yakitori nonetheless.

Kuroko observed the two started to bicker like an old married couple. She tuned them out as she settled comfortably in a table two rows behind them, her back facing the group. A silhouette sauntered closer, a phone in his clasp. Red hair, white blazer and black pants defined his profile from afar.

There he is.

She fixated on him. Even though she was sure he wanted to convey something through series of exquisite glances, she was not sure if it were wise to gauge for a clue willingly. An edgy inkling as if she were lured into unforeseen abyss was disturbing.

Akashi halted a couple steps away from her seat, his bright ruby eyes bored into her crystal clear aquamarine orbs. A split second flutter of icy blue eyelashes intoxicated him to entertain the girl. It might be too early to execute his plan but the temptation to test the water was irresistible. Perhaps, instead of water, he might be playing with a passionate fire.

"Good evening, Akashi-kun," Kuroko greeted formally out of habit. "If you do not mind, please take a seat."

Akashi nodded in agreement, easing himself into a chair across from her. "Good evening, Kuroko-san. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?"

She leveled her own expressionless mien against his unreadable one. "I know they were not coincidental," she cut to the chase. "Please enlighten me of your intention."

Akashi stared at her intensely. "Interesting," Akashi calmly replied. "I have never seen a girl as interesting as you."

The girl was stunned. The way he phrased the statement was undoubtedly fishing for misunderstanding. It sounded like a sort of ambiguous confession.

"That did not make sense, Akashi-kun," she retorted. "We know nothing about each other."

A waitress interrupted their constant staring competition, requesting their orders. Akashi decided on Uiro, traditional steamed cakes and green tea while Kuroko opted to have a vanilla shake.

"Is that all you have for dinner?" Akashi questioned with a hint of disapproval.

"It is fine. I am not hungry." Kuroko dismissed the waitress. "I see Akashi-kun is not eager for dinner as well."

Both resumed their staring contest. An awkward silence descended between them until the previous waitress arrived with their orders, setting them down respectively before excusing herself with a timid bow.

"Eating out is not my preference," Akashi revealed after a while.

Kuroko swirled her vanilla shake. "There is a good reason for Akashi-kun to be here then."

"Indeed." Akashi nudged the Uiro toward the light blue-haired girl.

Kuroko peered at the delicate confectionery served in six bite-sized cubes dipped in three different colors. "Akashi-kun should be responsible for this," she reminded.

"I refuse to be the only one eating." Akashi sipped his green tea.

Kuroko sighed at the red-head's discreet stubbornness and picked up the relish fork. She punctured a pink cube, offering it to the red-head. "If that is the case, Akashi-kun should have the first bite."

"…" Akashi was caught off guard by her impulsive act. Fortunately, he did not choke on his drink. "Fine." He landed his drink on the table and gripped her slim wrist, guiding the small cube into his cavern.

Kuroko stayed silent as the red-head savored the flavor, acutely aware of his warmth seeping through layers of clothes.

"It is my turn now." Akashi switched the possession of the relish fork to his right hand, releasing her wrist from his hold in the process. He motioned the girl to accept the deliberately chosen green cube.

Gingerly, Kuroko leaned forward to let the cube glide past her lips. As she was about to lean back, Akashi's left fingers reached out and gently tucked her stray strands of hair behind her ear. The gesture froze her movement.

"Green signifies possessiveness." Akashi presented her a small smile for the first time. "It is impossible to attempt an escape now."

Kuroko stared bewilderingly at the male across from her, a new-found tingly sensation budding inside her.

The continuation of third glance rang clearly in her subconscious…

Four hailed a surprise…

Five enclosed a secret…

Six bestowed a seal…

This person… would be the death of her…


Author's OTL Note: Uh... Fail chapter? D':