Chapter 2: Decision
The whole atmosphere tensed. And at that moment, the whole of Seirin basketball team felt a shiver down their spines, not able to move a step, but just stare blankly at the person in front of them.
It wasn't fear, neither was it the feeling of being pressurized. It's just… natural instincts that told them that this guy isn't to be messed around with. The aura around him, the way he stands, just everything about him seem to be of a different league from them, from normal humans. A loud gulped could be heard from the whole Seirin team as they felt intimidated by him.
W-what's with this guy? Those eyes aren't kidding! Hyūga screamed mentally. I bet they are ready to kill if we irritate him just a little! Wait… what's with the scissors?! Apparently, Hyūga's eyes happened to land on the pocket of the person's blazer and what he found was a shape of something which resembles a pair of scissors resting in it. This is bad… This is one dangerous guy we're dealing with here… Hyūga concluded mentally.
"Tetsuya, it's been a while."
Kuroko flinched, but he quickly regain his composure. "It has been a while, Akashi-kun."
"Akashi-kun? I see! So you are Akashi! Nice to meet you! I'm Kiyoshi Teppei." Kiyoshi grinned.
"KIYOSHI! What are you doing just suddenly interrupting the conversation like that by introducing yourself?! Can't you read the mood?! Even Kagami knows how to keep quiet!" was what Hyūga really wanted to shout out to Kiyoshi, but he held back to not make things worse. The rest of Seirin could only just watch with their mouths agape, amazed that Kiyoshi dared to speak up even in this suffocating atmosphere.
"… Kiyoshi Teppei… I know you."
"Eh?! You know me?" Kiyoshi's eyes widened in surprise, while Akashi just stared back, uninterested.
"… Iron Heart Kiyoshi. If I remember correctly, back when we were in Teiko, we played a match with your middle school before. Your team displayed good willpower not giving up until the last second, but the result didn't change since the match started. In the end, your team was utterly crushed by us."
"Akashi-kun, please don't say things like that!" Kuroko tried to stop Akashi from continuing this conversation but to no avail.
"Tetsuya, don't forget, you were also part of this back in Teiko. We were all from the same team." Akashi smirked.
"I…" Kuroko was taken aback. Akashi was right. Kuroko was a part of the team too, the team that believes that 'victory was everything'. The team that wasn't even like a team at all.
"It's all right, Kuroko. It was true that my team and I weren't a match for you guys, but can you please don't say it so harshly, Akashi-kun? Even though I got over it, it still hurts if I hear something like that." Kiyoshi smiled.
"… Unfortunately, this is not what I came here for." Akashi quickly dismissed the topic and turned to face Kuroko.
"Hey hey! Let's talk some more, it's such a rare chance anyway." It was Kagami who interrupted this time.
"Kagami-kun…" Kuroko said as Kagami placed a hand on his shoulder.
Ahhh… I forgot Kagami was an idiot too. I'm sorry for believing that you won't do something as stupid as this, Kagami. Hyūga mentally cursed as he placed a hand onto his forehead.
By now, Akashi was getting more and more irritated. All this chit-chat wasn't what he came here for. "… Kagami Taiga. I just want to talk to Tetsuya now. Could you and your team back off now?" It wasn't a request, it was an order. Akashi's tone was so serious that it sent the trio freshman of Seirin basketball club trembling in fear.
"Come on~ Don't leave us out in thi-"
Scratch.
Blood came dripping down of Kagami's cheeks. Everyone's eyes widened in shock. If Kagami hadn't dodged in time, Akashi's scissors would have pierced right into his left eye. But they were also surprised that Kagami was able to dodge that; Akashi's hand was so fast that even the others couldn't see him swing that scissors towards Kagami.
Akashi's eyes widened as well, but it wasn't that of shock. He was obviously impressed with Kagami's reaction, evident with the smirk formed on his face.
"Wow. I must say I'm impressed you could dodge that, Kagami Taiga. But, don't make me repeat myself another time. My orders are absolute. Back off now."
"Why yo-"
"Bakagami! Just shut your mouth for now!" Hyūga couldn't take anymore of the idiot's rampage and when to cover his mouth to stop him from shouting further.
"Wha-mmff… Stop! Mmff! Capta-mmff… I've got-mmff –at guy-mmff!"
"Can you just keep quiet!" Hyūga glared at Kagami with a hint of menace and tightened his hold on Kagami. It's the captain's clutch time activated, everybody thought. Kagami's protests died out as he felt the captain's grip on him tightened and the deadly glare he received. This made Kagami calm down as Hyūga continued.
"Well then," Hyūga turned to face Akashi before speaking, "I'm sorry, but Kagami is an idiot."
"…" Akashi cocked up an eyebrow, and could only stare blankly at the exchange of words, or more accurately, actions between the ace and captain.
"Akashi-kun, what business do you have with me?" Kuroko asked as he regain his composure once again and found the opportunity to change the topic of the conversation.
"Business? I'm hurt, Tetsuya. Can I only come here to find you only for business?" Akashi sighed.
"… No. It's just unthinkable that Akashi-kun would just come all the way from Kyoto for some sightseeing."
"Well, I just want to take a look at Tetsuya and might as well, see what kind of team members Seirin's basketball club is made up of." Akashi said as he glance around to see the remaining members. "After all, we didn't see each other the past few months."
"Akashi-kun, you can easily get that kind of information without you coming here in person, right? What really brings you here?" Kuroko narrowed his eyes as he focused on Akashi's heterochromatic ones.
"As I've expected of Tetsuya; you really know how to read other people well." Akashi smirked. Kuroko only narrowed his eyes further. "Even though it's been a while, you haven't changed at all. Tetsuya, do you want to come with me to Rakuzan?"
"What?!" The whole of Seirin were shocked but didn't try to say anything, just waiting for Kuroko's response.
"… Akashi-kun, it's not like you to joke like this. After all, weren't you the one who told us to go to different high schools?" Kuroko responded, his eyes slowly turning into that of anger.
"… I'm not joking, as I can see that Seirin cannot bring out your full potential and skills as a 'shadow'."
"Wait! Why so sudden? And more importantly, what makes you think that way?" Hyūga snapped.
"… The reason is simple. It's because I know all about Tetsuya's powers, for I was the one who discovered Tetsuya's powers. And more importantly, it's because all of you are too weak."
While the others were more surprised about the part where Akashi was the one who discovered Kuroko's powers, Kagami was only irritated about the last part and snapped. "What?! Don't underes-"
"Kagami-kun. Calm down." Kuroko interjected by cutting him off and placing his hand over Kagami's mouth, violently. "I'm sorry, Akashi-kun, but I don't have any reason to follow you, for Seirin isn't weak at all. I would like to ask Akashi-kun to not underestimate Seirin."
"Kuroko…" The whole Seirin was so touched that Kuroko had so much faith in them.
"… You do have a reason, don't you Tetsuya. If you come with me, things will be back to the way it was. Isn't that what both of us really want? I hadn't forgotten what you said to me that day." Akashi said.
Kagami was really boiling with anger by now, and really wanted to shout at Akashi for saying these things to Kuroko but was fortunately stopped by Izuki. "Don't Kagami. Let Kuroko handle this." Kagami hesitated for a while and sighed, before stepping back a few steps to calm himself down.
Kuroko was really confused. It's true he wanted things to be back to how it was between them, but is this really what he wants? It was true that he enjoyed the days back in Teiko, and by going to Rakuzan with Akashi, thins might change between them. But will things just resolve so easily like this? Akashi-kun, he is still…
"Tetsuya, your answer?" Akashi asked once more, while the whole of Seirin was hoping that Kuroko will turn him down again. Seeing Kuroko hesitate in answering him really made them worried. But this is for Kuroko to decide for himself. If he wants to leave Seirin, nobody can stop him. They don't know what happened between Akashi and Kuroko in the past, and that's the reason they can't interfere. And because they trust Kuroko, they won't interfere. Kuroko has to make the decision himself.
"… Akashi-kun, I really do want things to be back to the way it was between us. But I don't believe that by having me enter Rakuzan with you would allow things to be back to the way it was. After all, it isn't what I really want. What I want is for things between us, no, not only us, but also Aomine-kun and the others to be back to the way they were when we were in second years. And I love Seirin the way it is. That's why, I will have decline your offer." Kuroko bowed slightly as the rest of Seirin sighed in relief.
"Hmmm… When we were in second years? That's impossible." Akashi smirked, leaving Kuroko stunned with his eyes widening. "But I guess Tetsuya is still Tetsuya. Never changing and always believing in your own beliefs. I guess I was right from the start that I can't change your mind." Akashi sighed. "And that's what I really loved about you. Just to let you know Tetsuya, I hadn't given up on you yet."
And that tightening feeling came again.
Sensing something, Akashi narrowed his eyes. Why are you torturing yourself, Tetsuya? Why are you torturing the both of us? What are you waiting for to happen? Akashi thought.
Kiyoshi smiled, while Hyūga was confused about the conversation they were having. What really happened between them? Hyūga thought.
Akashi sighed. "… It was really nice seeing you again, Tetsuya. I will be going then." Swiftly, Akashi picked up his bag that was on the floor right from the beginning and went off, towards the direction of the station.
After they were sure that Akashi was no longer within their sight, the whole Seirin sighed in relief. "He scares me." Koganei bluntly said, while the first year trio nodded in agreement.
"Seriously that guy pisses me off!" Kagami gritted his teeth in anger.
"Well, everything seems fine now, right?" Kiyoshi said.
"Well, I don't really get what happened but let's quickly get to the restaurant." Riko gestured the members to quickly get to the store for their dinner.
Kuroko was still uncertain and confused. He decided he will change everyone back to the way when they were second years, Akashi, Aomine and the others. But why did Akashi say that things between them can't be back to the way they were when they were second years?
"Kuroko! Everyone's going already!" Kagami urged Kuroko to follow along, seeing that Kuroko wasn't moving even though the rest already went off and he had been silent ever since Akashi left.
"I'm sorry Kagami-kun, but can you tell everyone I would like to go home for today? And please enjoy yourselves." Kuroko bowed before he went off, leaving a stunned Kagami behind.
"Oi Kuroko!" Kagami shouted after the teal-haired but Kuroko had already left.
"KUROKO!"
"Yes? Hyūga senpai-Ouch…" Kuroko yelped in pain as he received a punch to his head from Hyūga.
"Don't just 'yes' me! Why did you suddenly leave last night? Do you know how worried all of us have been?! Really, first years these days show no respect to their seniors." Hyūga sighed.
"I'm sorry." Kuroko apologized while rubbing his head to ease the pain.
"Mm, as long as you get it." Hyūga nodded his head in acknowledgment. "If you have anything bothering you, be sure to talk to us about it!"
"Yes, thank you."
"Oi Kuroko! Are you all right?" Kagami asked.
"Yes. I'm all right, Kagami-kun." Kuroko smiled. "Sorry for worrying everyone last night."
"All right, everyone gather!" Riko clapped to gather the team's attention. Everyone swiftly gathered around Riko and suddenly, fear enveloped all of them.
"Um… Riko… What's with that creepy smile?" Hyūga cautiously asked, having a really bad feeling about what might happen.
"Eh? I am?! Well nothing to worry about because I've got really good news. For this summer vacation starting this weekend, we are going to the beach for a training camp! I call it, 'Seirin's First Annual Hell Training Camp'! You should know what awaits you there~" Riko grinned, evilly.
"EH?!"
Note: Beach? That sounds really familiar. :P Sorry for the wait. :) I tried writing with the normal P.O.V, but as you can tell, I'm still inexperienced. Please do review and comment! :)
Haha! I had a hard time writing this chapter. :0
I have a feeling there might be some mistakes there, like the conversation not flowing smoothly and correctly. I tried my best, I assure you guys! I could only write this at night because of my part-time job so there might be a few mistakes here and there. Sorry! :X (Ok, I feel like I'm making up excuses.)
Any similar stories are purely coincidental.
Thank you!
