Title: Things Said
Summary: Kagami accidentally comes across a conversation between Hanamiya and Kuroko after their match with Yosen.
Word Count: 1018 Words
Darkness and Shadows, and Dorm Life of Teiko Academy will be updated soon; I promise! I have been busy with work lately. D:
Seirin's power forward was looking for the exhausted shadow after resolving the conflict between Tatsuya and himself. Generally, the ace of the rookie combination has his eyes focused on finding the annoying, Alaskan Malamute - who seemed to be getting bigger with every day that passed - rather than the puppy's owner to due Kuroko's invisibility. When there was no sight of the black-as-white animal inside the stadium (and the dog was not weaving through the Seirin teammates' feet), the Japanese-American decided to venture on the outside grounds. The master and pet might have wanted to take a short walk after their long match and before the basketball game between Kijou and Fukuda Sogo because.
He was barely outside of the exit when he heard the cringe-worthy, familiar bark and whine, and Kagami slowly approached the source of the sound. As he was about to call out to the shadow, the freshman ace heard a deep voice that made bus stomach churn uncomfortably. But that was not possible; Kuroko would not bother to spend time with such an awful person, no matter how kind and considerate the cyan-colored man could be. Taiga kept his presence hidden behind a thick gathering of trees and peeked at the shadow's meeting with someone...
"I'm surprised that you desired to watch our match again." Tetsuya challenged.
"Oh really, is it that surprising, considering the history I have with Seirin..." No, his ears were not deceiving him earlier. Kuroko was having a conversation with Hanamiya Makoto. The power forward was about to charge in and defend the phantom from the devious, bad boy, but Nigou barked happily and the sudden sound immobilized Kagami's large form. "I must say, I was shocked at how angry you were to see me. You were the one to end things; don't tell me that you pathetically regret that decision? It clearly doesn't suit you. In fact, if I still remember correctly during that time, I even commented that you were not as boring or disappointing in comparison to the other Miracles. But back then, a lot of lies passed through my mouth." Did the Uncrowned King just compliment/say something nice to someone? Even if it was hinted in a backhanded way, the words made Kagami shudder uncomfortably. "It could have been truthful though; we're both very similar, aren't we Kuroko? Or should I say Tetsuya, if we are talking about that time?"
"I don't think we are very similar anymore. I don't remember you resorting to those tactics when I came to watch your games or when you played against me during Middle School." They knew each other in the past? The light shrugged. It did make sense. They were basketball prodigies that were barely a year apart in age and their Middle Schools resided in the Tokyo region, so it would only be reasonable that they had encountered each other before their match in the Winter Cup Preliminaries. Kagami continued to listen.
"Heh, I thought it was obvious." Hanamiya huffed. "Even people like me don't fucking attack their boyfriend or his teammates, and sometimes, we even have the curtesy to supress that part of ourselves when other people are around. Besides, Imayoshi was watching me at every turn and step." Kagami bit his hand to muffle a gasp. The two men that were - in his mind - complete opposites of each other, had an intimate relationship? "Not that we had a real relationship. I just did that so you wouldn't complain. I already had that annoying, mind reader reminding me to not do anything because he doesn't want our team to get caught, and I especially didn't need that from some brat who couldn't even shoot or back up his own words on his own." The bad boy spat. The venom and anger in the words made Taiga flinch. "We are alike, no matter how much you try to deny it. You only wanted someone to burn some time with until Aomine showed up again, and I wanted to burn some time instead of wallowing around in boredom." Pain, questioning, and humiliation... that could not be Hanamiya Makoto's voice.
"Akashi-kun said our relationship would cause more of a rift between my teammates and myself if I did not terminate it. Aomine-kun hardly ever attended practice, Murasakibara-kun's harsh remarks towards the non-regulars were becoming more frequent, and I did not know-"
"Are you still spewing that stupid excuse? I would have thought you would have come up with better lies by now." There was a tense silence. Kagami's hands felt cold, sweaty, and were nervously twitching against the air as if it had it's own pulse. "At least I will give you one thing, the lies we exchange are more amusing than most."
"I never lied to you, then or now." Makoto rolled his eyes and stepped forward until their faces were just inches away. Murky green stared down at placid, light blue. Taiga thought they were going to kiss until the Uncrowned King scowled and briskly walked away. The second year, Kirisaki Daiichi student did not notice the hidden, Seirin ace as he left. If the freshman had not eavesdropped on the conversation, he would have the idea of the foul-playing Captain biting his lip to refrain from crying, quite laughable. The power forward turned to his shadow and heard a quiet sniffle; it was heartbreaking to see the smaller man use the long sleeves of his varsity jacket to wipe the few tears that escaped, and the soft whisper of "I really did mean every word."
Kagami quickly left his partner alone, and kept the secret to himself. This was not his to pry into, but it did not shock the red-and-black, first year to see Hanamiya watching their match against Rakuzan. He just hoped that he did not imagine the genuine smile on the bad boy's face when Seirin won the game.