"Generation of Miracles Juniors"

(c) Mei Evelyn

A Kuroko no Basket Fanfiction

Kuroko no Basket (c) Tadatoshi Fujimaki


Ch. 2: "Akashi Ryuuga Is A Genius, The Smaller Version Of His Own Father"

Akashi Seijuuro was having a relatively good day. Going to college early in the morning, managing several basic students council stuffs, taking care of some small troubles made by few delinquents, and passing the day smoothly. All things on his to-do list for the day checked. He admitted that it was one good day, but at the same time was one boring day as well. None was too chaotic to handle, and none was too fascinating to see. It was all the usual routinity, the daily interaction, the common people and place. Nonetheless, he still made sure to control his composure throughout the day. It was this being-a-Seijuuro thing for sure.

However, once he reached his apartment, the first thing he never failed to do recently was to openly sigh with his shoulders slightly went slump, all due to exhaustion, both his body and mind. Somehow, the last few months had been too taxing for him, neither because there were problematic affairs nor huge upcoming festival ahead, or any other things that could possibly be the case. It was all because there was nothing worth his interest as of late. In times like these that he became aware that he could miss his old loud high school teammates sometimes. Living alone might gave him many advantages, but it also gave him the few downsides.

But that point set aside, the next day would be a rare Saturday, since he actually had no plan for tomorrow. It was totally vacant list, one chance in a million that actually occured. When he realized that fact the previous day, he decided to randomly do things that he never got the proper chance to do since his college life began. Like having a stroll in the park, or sitting in a bench under a tree, or just simply observing kids on the playground. The point was, maybe he finally had the time to relax and calm his nerves.

He went to take a bath, and changed his clothes. In a few minutes, he took a seat at his room as he need to sort some last assignments. But before he could finish the task at hand, the bell to his apartment room rang. He stood and went to open the door.

The second he opened the door though, he swore that he was hallucinating. It was like he was facing himself, the mirror that magically appeared to show him the time when he was back in his early age as a kid. But the sight stood still by the next second, pulling him to realize the validity of the person standing before him.

Or a small boy to be precise.

Not older than ten he assumed. Only then that he noticed the different eye color from his own. They were deep brown, so very clear and innocent. He was wearing a simple black cap somehow, covering almost all of his red locks from mere view. Then the boy spoke up.

"Good afternoon, Akashi-san. May I come in, please?" the boy said politely.

Akashi stared curiously at the boy, before went down to reach the same eye level to him, and spoke, "Before I allow that, young gentleman, I need to clarify something first. How do you know me? And is there anybody with you? You look so young to wander alone around this place."

"For one thing, sir, I know you because we are related by blood, and I wasn't alone before, but now I am. Actually, it's a long story, so if you let me in, I will fill you in as well. It's uncomfortable talking in here. Oh, I almost forget. My name is Ryuuga, by the way," he was bowing at the end of his sentence. The boy was explaining with calm demeanor so rare to be found in children around his age.

The older red head was fascinated. It really felt like he was talking to his younger self, minus the eye color. "What an interesting encounter," he thought. He stood back up as he said, "So, Ryuuga. I'd like you to come in, of course."

In a minute, both of them were seated in the living room, at different couch with Akashi facing the kid slightly from the side. He began the conversation once they settled into comfortable position. "So, Ryuuga. You said that you are a relative of mine. I never know I have one before, so if you care to elaborate more on that. And your story too, I'd like to hear that. State your motive coming to me as well, Ryuuga."

The boy was overly calm, much to Akashi's curiosity, and began his story, "First of all, I'm going to say boldly that I am, in fact, a very close relative to you. My full name is Akashi Ryuuga, and I was named after you. Just to avoid further confusion."

At the mention of his surname, Akashi was furthermore brought to shock. But it was temporary, as it was soon replaced by the feeling of intrigued. There were hundreds of questions he needed to ask, but instead he said, "Elaborate your point, Ryuuga. I know there are more to that."

The boy continued as if on cue, "Well, it might sound crazy, unbelievable, or even stupid idea. At first I couldn't believe it myself, but with all the evidences I had gathered after the shocking discovery, I can assure you that the story I will soon tell you is not a lie at all."


By the time Akashi and Ryuuga arrived at the appointed place, which was a cafe near the city park, about ten minutes walk from his apartment, three of his former schoolmates were already waiting. They were Murasakibara, Kise, and Midorima, with the addition of Takao. There were also the mysterious children.

Akashi must admit that they chose the place to sit nicely. It was in the far end, more secluded area than the other space in the room. And somehow, Akashi found something amusing with the seat arrangements, though the people present didn't seem to notice. They were sitting around a rectangular table, sitting with their backs to the wall were Midorima, a young girl, and Takao. At Takao's side in front of him were Kise, a smaller boy than Ryuuga wearing a similar black cap, then Murasakibara who was holding a sleeping infant with ease, a candy stick stuck out of his mouth. It was actually the tense air that filled the place, like an awkward elephant stuck in that room and they had no idea what was going on and what was left to do.

Which might be just the case at that point, considering the sudden situation they were facing.

Akashi let out an amused, soft chuckle as they awkwardly greeted Akashi at his arrival. It was not only the current situation, but also the fact that it had been a long time since they last encountered each other. Honestly, Akashi couldn't find any better scenario to have them gather a reunion than the one they were currently having.

What made things a bit more interesting to see was the fact that Takao, out of all people, was the only adult that seemed nonchalant about it. He wasn't tense or in panic, instead he seemed to enjoy the sight before him. Akashi assumed that the guy had known the matter beforehand, it was more fascinating rather than a shock anymore. Akashi could say they shared the mutual impression on the matter.

Akashi took a seat right across Kise, the vacant seat at Midorima's side. He was followed by the smaller red head, that by the look of it, was more amused than anything a boy like him might should feel. They didn't need to wait for long, as the sound of the rest was approaching, even before they saw them coming.

"I told you, Tetsu. This brat is downright liar. He's deceitful, I swear! No way I'm having a son, a brat like him."

"Hey! The name's Ryou! R-Y-O-U!"

"Aomine-kun, you don't need to state that all the time. I get what you mean, and it's hard not to when I'm having the identical case myself."

"Hey, hey. Tetsu-kun, Dai-chan, stop bickering, will you? You make Shiro-kun uncomfortable."

"Ah? That girl's voice..." Takao trailed.

Just as Midorima wanted to answer the incomplete question, the last group arrived at the table. Just as expected, they were Kuroko and Aomine, with Momoi trailing close to them. Behind the female were two boys, one who was grinning cheekily and the smaller one clutching to Momoi's jacket.

Akashi greeted them first, "Good to see you here, Tetsu, Daiki, and Momoi as well."

While Kuroko greeted him back with short reply, and Aomine only grumbled with his face clearly pissed, Momoi gave them cheerful reply, "It's great to see you too! Akashi-kun, Midorin, Ki-chan, Muk-kun. Long time no see you too! Ah, Takao-kun, Ryuuga-kun, Hikarin, Hakuba-kun, and little Kane-kun as well! Wahh, it's so crowded today!"

"Momoi-cchi knew them already?" Kise wondered out loud the same question in everyone's head.

"Hai! They went to me before to get your address. We didn't spend much time though, 'cause I need to attend something. Ah, I should save it for later story, though. We're here for the complete explanation, right? I'm curious too!" Momoi answered excitedly.

"That's right," Akashi added, "We're here so we can clear up some confusion I know you're all having right now. I heard it already from Ryuuga, but he still need to explain it to you. Momoi, Daiki, Tetsu, you should have a seat along with the kids."

One boy who looked remarkably like Kuroko quickly sat next to Ryuuga, who only smiled to the boy. Then followed by Momoi at the end of the seat. On one side, from the closest one to Momoi, were sitting Kuroko, the so called Ryou, then Aomine. Once they were all seated, Akashi spoke again, "Well, anything you want to say first before Ryuuga begins the story?"

His question was met with silence. He said, "Good. Now Ryuuga, you may begin."

With the given permission to finally speak, Ryuuga said, "First thing's first, I'd like to say that it's a really interesting encounter to meet all of you. I know it must be confusing, because we were too at the beginning. I don't know how you might think of this story, but what I'm going to say is what we really have gone through. I must say that we, the six of us here, were just experiencing a very bizzare escapade we never thought is possible. We are actually from the future, accidently travelling back to the past, which is to say your current present."


-Flashback-

"Ne, ne, Ryuuga-aniki~ Why do they always tell us to play outside when they have this 'secret meeting'?" a small blonde boy asked his fellow friend while walking in group.

The six small individuals were going to the park in the resident area, walking by the sidewalk. Ryuuga was leading in the front with his hand holding onto Shiroya, Ryou and Hakuba behind them, and Hikari at the back with both her hands keeping Kane safely close to her chest.

The red head answered his friend by saying, "I don't know, Hakuba-kun. I asked them one time about it, but they said it's because they cannot tell anything that it is called 'secret'. It makes sense, don't you think?"

Hakuba bumped his fist into his open palm as he exclaimed, "Ahh! So that's why! I get it, Ryuuga-aniki~"

Ryou, who was having his hands behind his head all the time, jumped in as well, "It doesn't matter to me though. I like playing outside! It's fun, especially with all of you! Hehe."

"You only love playing around, after all. It's no wonder," the only girl in the group joined in their little conversation.

They were having their own little chat, until they finally reached the park. Or more specifically, the park's playground center. The place was filled with other children, but it wasn't so crowded like in holidays. Ryou was the first to immediately skip his way through the gate and play around like he owned the place. Hakuba quickly joined in, with high spirit almost on par with Ryou.

"Be careful, Hakuba! Ryou, play safely, okay?" Akashi called from behind them, getting a wave of hand and a playful "Hai, hai" from the little blonde. The other blue haired boy was nowhere in sight in matter of seconds.

"So, what are we gonna do, Ryuuga?" Hikari asked, who was standing beside the calm boy. Hikari was the oldest one among them and a bit taller than the rest of them by far, but when it came to their little group, Ryuuga was always the one to choose the final decision for them.

Ryuuga, instead of answering outright, looked into Shiroya's eyes and asked him, "What do you say, Shiroya? You want to play inside?"

The petite boy only nodded his head and hummed softly. Both Ryuuga and Hikari only smiled sincerely at the boy's response. Ryuuga said, "Come on then. We'll accompany you there."


By the time Ryuuga and the others approached Ryou and Hakuba in a space under the sliding section, it was almost an hour since they went out. They had been told to come back after an hour, and Ryuuga was given the responsibility to remind the rest about the time. He promised to do that, so he should get the group to go home soon.

"Ryou, Hakuba, it's time to go home," Ryuuga said when he was two steps away behind the kneeling boys.

The sudden presence startled the two kids, that they let out a small shriek.

"Ah! Ryuuga-aniki!" Hakuba cried, slightly pouting at the smiling red head.

"Woah! Ryuuga-aniki! You gave us a shock there. Fyuh, it's lucky that I don't have a lung attack," Ryou said, letting out a deep breath of relieve.

"It's 'heart attack', Ryou-baka," said Hikari as she corrected her younger friend.

Ryou was close to retort back, but Ryuuga was quick to intervene the conversation, before it might get out of hands. He said, "Well, you heard what I said, right? It's time to go back."

The two younger boys looked at each other before they were giggling, like they were sharing a silent secret between themselves. Then Ryou spoke up, "Ryuuga-aniki, you like interesting things, right?"

Ryuuga was eyeing the boys before he answered, "Yes. Something the matter?"

"How about mysterious things?" Hakuba joined in.

Ryuuga sighed. He knew something was going on behind the two boys before him, so he said, "I also like mysterious things. Such as this one where the two of you seem to hide something from us. Will you tell us soon or should we go home after all?"

The two boys grinned wider, then Ryou said, "We'll tell you, don't worry. Come on!" He moved out from the spot toward the door, followed by Hakuba and the rest of them behind him. Ryou was leading the group toward a less crowded area, until they reached the end of the long hall that was empty of people. There was no one aside from the six of them there.

While Hikari was taking her time to look around, Ryuuga spoke up, "So, what is it that you want to show us to?"

This time Hakuba was the one to reply cheerfully, "We're not there yet, Ryuuga-aniki. You'll be surprised, we're sure you'll be interested though!"

Ryuuga was rising his eyebrows, but didn't said anything. He noticed earlier that at the end of the hall was hanging an ivory-colored curtain, almost resembling the color of the wall. There wasn't anything special with it and the fabric was so plain. When they reached the place, Ryou was standing in front of the curtain, facing the rest of them while smiling knowingly. He suspected that 'the mysterious thing' they stated before was lying behind the curtain. So he waited them to move on their pace.

"Well, are you ready?" Ryou asked them, stepping a bit to the side while one of his hand clutched to the fabric.

Hikari answered for them, "Just get with it already, Ryou," she said, faking a bored tone.

Ryou pouted at her, but said nothing nonetheless. Instead, he let a moment of stillness between them to give a theatrical effect, then yanked the curtain fully. The movement revealed something that should've been expectable to exist in the palace, but the sight told them otherwise.

Behind the curtain, was a small empty room. The room almost looked like a perfect cube, without anything inside. Only six walls painted in the same color as the curtain, with an opening that served as a door. However, at the wall across them was another door, but in circular shape instead. It was open, but what laid beyond was unseen from where they were standing, still gathering outside the room.

"Hehe, it looks interesting and mysterious, right?" Ryou said, almost sounded proud of their little discovery.

"Hmm. It's so plain and uncommon for a playground center, but mysterious indeed," Ryuuga commented.

"Ne, ne, Ryuuga-aniki. We should go inside, there's something more interesting to see!" Hakuba said excitingly.

Ryuuga exchanged glance with Shiroya and Hikari, who gave him a bland look and a shrug respectively. Kane, who was awake at the moment, was playing Hikari's hairs while in the girl's hold.

"Fine, then. We should at least check it out before coming back," Ryuuga decided. Ryou and Hakuba seemed so determined to show them something, so the least thing he could do was to comply to make them satisfied.

Ryuuga took steps forward, but as soon as his foot met the floor, something totally unexpected happened. From the spot he was standing, appeared mysteriously swirling orange lines that seemed to brush the floor like it was being painted, moving by itself and making circular-like motions, filling the plain surface with finely etched lines. On second glance and a quick inspection around, he realized that the lines didn't emerge from his spot, but from the opening he was passing through. The lines went to all directions, the floor and the wall slowly but sure covered with curving lines that resembled artwork of some kind. It even covered the ceiling as well.

As the other, aside from the grinning Ryou and Hakuba, was taking in the sight with awe on their expression, Ryuuga managed to notice the details. The lines, still moving endlessly, were moving in a slow but steady pace. By the time he was looking, the lines were covering half of the room already, and by the look of it would eventually reach the other door across the room. Upon further observation, he noticed that the color shimmered in a soft manner and slightly changed into another shade, the different so delicate that people wouldn't be able to tell if it hadn't change into another significant color. The width of the lines were varied, from a single hairline into a painting brush stroke. The lines were constantly moving too, like they were leaves under the mercy of lazy wind. Oddly enough, there were no line that overlapped with the other, as it swirled endlessly.

"It's amazing, right, right?" Hakuba stated excitedly from his spot behind the mesmerized group.

Ryou, who was standing at his side, added as well, "What do you say? Isn't it cool?"

Hikari was the first to say her thought, she said, "I'm not sure what's the right word to put it, but... I think this is oddly beautiful."

Ryuuga couldn't deny the truth in her words. It was odd, from the fact that there was a mysterious empty room in a playground center, to the appearance of the strange moving lines on the room's surface. It might be a new technology related to room decoration or something alike, but he couldn't be sure. It was also beautiful in a way, in spite of its simplicity, but they somehow found themselves captured by the sight. What made it more astounding, it was the first step into the room that became the trigger of the emerging 'lively' lines. It almost looked like the room greeted their arrival and invited them over to explore until the further end of the place.

"Hikari is right in a way. For me, I'd be lying if I say I'm not intrigued. How did you find this, Ryou, Hakuba?" Ryuuga said with obvious curiosity, albeit his composure stayed calm the entire time.

"Hehe, we kinda found it by accident. Hakuba said he wanted to pee, so we went to the toilet. But after that, we were wandering around the place, and then we found this room!" Ryou told the group, keeping the wide smile of his all the time.

"At first Ryou didn't want to accompany me, though," Hakuba provided his side of story as well, slightly pouting at the boy beside him.

"Well, that doesn't matter now, right! We found this place in the end," Ryou said as he tried to argue.

Then Ryuuga intervened by saying, "So, what do you suggest we do, then?" He would always ask their opinion in order to know what they thought concerning some matters. It was a trait that his parent taught him personally.

Ryou's ears immediately perked at that, and he went to stand at Ryuuga's unoccupied side, and said, "What about we check that door, Ryuuga-aniki?"

"That's right, Ryuuga-aniki. Let's go there!" Hakuba quickly joined in at Ryou's side.

Ryuuga then turned his head a bit to face Hikari who was standing slightly behind him. "What do you say, Hikari?"

Hikari was thinking for a few seconds, until she spoke up, "I honestly don't know. But what if we're intruding people's property by going to this room? Who knows that we're supposed not to be here. And actually, we should've been going home by now. That's what I think, but you're the one to decide, Ryuuga." At the end of her sentence, the youngest among them, the little Kane, managed to let out a happy squeal of delight as to show his joy being inside the room.

"You're no fun, Hikari-neechan~ Who knows there's something more interesting in there? Isn't it sounded like an adventure to you? Aah, I know! You're girl, that's why you're not interested in adventure," Ryou said, eyeing the girl knowingly and acting like he just hit the point.

Hikari scoffed a bit, a standard 'duh' look sent to Ryou as she said, "Me being a girl has nothing to do with that, Ryou."

"Then how about we check the place before going back home? Just a quick adventure, and if Ryuuga-aniki says we need to come back, then we will go immediately. Can we go then?" Hakuba suggested.

Ryuuga could only smile at them. He expected no less from the daughter of one of the best doctor in Japan, and the other two were just as eager as usual when the word 'adventure' was involved. Then he turned to face the last person, the baby blue-haired Shiroya that was still holding onto his hand. "What about you, Shiroya?" he called to him, catching the boy's attention.

However, they didn't exchange anymore words between themselves as they were only staring into each other's eyes. Well, Shiroya wasn't exactly vocal on daily basis, and he usually just followed what the others were doing. Ryuuga could simply not asking the younger boy, but he still tried everytime. He wished that the boy would say what he really wanted in mind, but he couldn't force him to do so.

After ending the eye contact, he stared at the door across them. The door-like hole was undoubtedly open, without anything to close it. But he failed to see anything beyond that. It was pitch dark, not even a silhouette to be seen. And just like Ryou and Hakuba, Ryuuga was a curious boy. But his curiousity had always been guided by careful consideration. He always made sure his decision wasn't opted by hasty choice, something that he learned by observing his father's works.

Ryuuga finally said, "I think we can check the place out. However, like Hakuba said, if I say it's enough already, then it's time to go back. Are you all fine with that?"

"Yesss!" Ryou exclaimed while punching his fist to the air.

"Yeay!"Hakuba joined in the happiness.

"Well, if you say so," Hikari said. Beneath her nonchalant attitude, Ryuuga knew that the girl was probably curious too. He never said it to her though.

The room was finally covered in lines completely, the end being the only other opening in the room. The waves of lines were still moving ever so slowly, and the shade of color still changes from their side into the other side. Ryuuga was the only one to notice these.

"Let's go then. The faster we check it, the faster we can go home. We will make our parents worry if we don't come home soon. Come on," Ryuuga said as he led them going toward the circular opening. Once they were standing right before the opening, they had to line with Ryuuga and Shiroya in the front, Ryou and Hakuba in the middle, and Hikari standing behind them while carrying Kane. The opening wasn't big enough for adults to stand up straight, but with their heights no one needed to bent over, but it still wouldn't fit for three of them to line together.

One thing bothered Ryuuga. Even though they were standing right before the open entrance, he still couldn't see anything. It was like he was seeing the void itself. He realized that maybe his decision this time wasn't a very good idea, but with the practically skipping friends right behind him, and his nagging mind that pulled out the most of his curiousity, and the urge to be bold had gotten the best of him at the moment, he knew he wouldn't back down. "I need to be extra careful this time," he thought to himself.

"I need you to wait behind me as I look for a way. Don't initiate any move before I say so, alright?" Ryuuga said without looking behind. He heard his friends said their reply as he let go Shiroya's hand. He took a step forward, still seeing total blackness. For a second he wondered if he was just facing a black painted wall, but as soon as the idea came he dismissed it right away. He wasn't sure why though. Maybe the chilly steady wind that seemed to come from the empty space before him. Maybe his gut as a mere kid that told him so.

The five other kids, or four to be exact, was focusing their eyes to their comrade. There were the feeling of excitement, curiousity, anxiety, and a mix of other feelings. But Ryuuga had told them to wait, so that was the only thing they could do.

Ryuuga took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then he moved his right foot into the entrance, and like what he half expected, it didn't met any hard surface of a wall. It went through, and when he put it down slowly to look for surface, he actually found his foot on a solid ground.

It was still in pitch darkness. He dared himself to move his hands, to touch something in order to make himself sure. He ended up grasping the sides of the entrance, his fingers meeting the still unseen hard wall. He braced himself for the last food he was yet to move. When the tip of his left food touch the floor, or a surface he deemed as a floor, another unexpected thing happened.

A bright light engulfed his sight. If he hadn't had the subconscious to shut his eyelids tight, he might've been gone blind.


Omake:

Aomine : Oi, brat! Stop running, will you?!

Ryou : It's not 'brat'! It's Ryou, you hear me?! (laughing)

Aomine : Whatever! Stop running or I will—aaakh! (crouching on the floor while holding his foot)

Ryou : (stop running about ten steps away) Hmm? What happened? Did you hurt yourself?

Aomine : (grumbling lowly) I think I just kick the wall too hard.

Ryou : The wall? (tilting his head a bit)

Aomine : Yeah, it's so painful. Hey, can you get me something from the kitchen? I don't think I can walk in this state.

Ryou : Hmm? (tilting his head into another side)

Aomine : What're you doing? Get me a medicine quickly!

Ryou : You know what, Dad?

Aomine : I'm not your—

Ryou : (ignoring) That's very obvious.

Aomine : What?

Ryou : Your acting.

Aomine : Huh? I'm not acting! It's—

Ryou : How can someone accidently kick the wall when he's running after someone that goes another way? Were you running into the wall by yourself?

Aomine : That's—

Ryou : And medicine? But Hikari-neechan told me that if I ever hurt myself by collyding with a hard surface—

Aomine : It's 'colliding'.

Ryou : —then I should get a pack of ice to the place it hurts. So it's not medicine, right?

Aomine : (quiet, his hair covering his eyes)

Ryou : You know, Dad, if I haven't seen you before doing the same trick like this on me, I would've fallen for it. It was lucky Ryuuga-aniki and Hikari-neechan told me how to know the trick! Hahaha! That won't—

Aomine : Run.

Ryou : —work again! I'm the—

Aomine : Run, brat.

Ryou : —super Ryou of all time! Yoohoo!

Aomine : Gerrrraaaaa! (suddenly running from his position and roaring loudly)

Ryou : HUWAAAAA!


05/17/2016

Edited: 01/11/2017 (fixed for a trivial mistake I let slipped)

-Mei Evelyn