The Color of Rain
Disclaimers: I do not own any piece of work deriving from the manga or anime adaptations of Kuroko no Basuke.
The Road to Reconcile
Rustling trees resounded through the glass windows of Seirin, shifting Kuroko's attention to view the outside of the classroom's glass windows. Cherry blossoms that hung by a thread on the tree branches finally broke off, fluttering into the wind passing Kuroko's line of sight. He propped a fist underneath his chin, ignoring the chatters of his classmates who were anxious about finally finishing their high school career in just a matter of weeks.
Three weeks have passed since his encounter with Aomine within his home. The Winter Cup of their last year had finally drew to a close days ago, and behind the impassive exterior of his being, he couldn't be more pleased with the results.
The final matchup of the Winter Cup was between Seirin and Tōō Academy. The first quarter was spent with Kuroko anxiously being benched due to the recovery of his ankle. Seirin fell short of five points at the end of the quarter. However, once the shadow player was placed in the lineup for the rest of the game, the atmosphere remarkably changed.
The flow of their opponent's play was miraculously different than the practice game held weeks prior to that moment. There was no room for rest, not even during half time break as both teams had to strategize how to gain solid ground over the other.
Unity between both teams had shined over the entire game over the court. A spark emerged from Aomine, one that was greater than his abilities when in touch with The Zone. Throughout the entire game, Kuroko took notice of Aomine and how his presence differed on the court than from weeks before. The full potential of Tōō was finally brought out to the table, and this was very dangerous for Seirin.
All the sweat, tears, and tension were released unto the basketball courts within that final game. The fourth quarter ended with a score of one hundred and five, to one hundred and three in favor of Seirin. This was a night to remember by not only the players, but the entire audience who were lucky enough to witness the game.
Kuroko smiled at his recollection, hoping to remember it this vividly until the end of his days.
He remembered the lineup after the match drew to an end. There was no malice, or no regret shown through the opposing faces of Tōō. He remembered the smile Aomine presented to him; his lips curling into a full grin with teeth exposed. The fist bump of relief they both shared, the gratitude expressed by the navy haired man toward the other—all these thoughts were keepsakes that Kuroko held dear to him inside.
"Oi, Kuroko!" Kagami called out, veering the shadow's attention back to the classroom setting. The crimson haired ace stood over him with a grin spread across his face as he motioned with his shoulder over to the classroom door. "Let's get going, you're free tonight, right?"
Kagami Taiga was just as ambitious as he was within their first year within Seirin, carrying himself with his head held high no matter the task at hand. His features were still just as distinguishable such as his partner's; with his hair worn in a two toned fashion of burgundy but now just a tad bit shorter than his previous years for the sake of deviating from pushing his hair back during basketball. His maroon eyes were naturally sharp and held such determination just as ever before, and the change on hair length in hair now exposed his thick eyebrows even more, therefore making his features bolder than ever. Being a power forward for his team, his body had definitely changed in mass due to the add-on of constant strength and conditioning training after usual practice. His features were slightly broader than before starting from the width of his neck and shoulders all the way down to his calves.
"I'm going home to take Nigou outside, but I'll be free after that." Kuroko stated, now standing up from his chair to exit the classroom with the ace.
Kagami closed the classroom door behind, now turning heel to exit out of the building with Kuroko beside him. "That works out for me then, I wanted to change clothes anyway. When you're done, just meet me at my apartment." He turned toward the windows outside, noting the trees dancing lightly with the wind outside, and he looked down at his opened gakuran with only a white tee shirt underneath and he frowned in dismay knowing that this article of clothing was insufficient for the weather this evening. "It's probably going to get a lot colder later tonight."
Kuroko nodded his head in agreement, now pushing the double doors open to leave the school. Kagami grinned down at is partner, ruffling the shorter male's azure hair rather harshly. "Think of it, soon we'll never have to walk through these halls ever again. It's like finishing a challenge and moving on to the next."
Kuroko narrowed his eyes to a fraction of a millimeter and swatted the taller man's hand away from his head. He's always hated how easy it was for the others to tease him due to his height disadvantage. "The next challenge is seeing if you can even pass the college prep test coming up shortly." Kuroko impassively replied, instantly shutting down Kagami's determined composure.
"I'll show you, baka. We're definitely pulling all-nighters for the next couple of days." Kagami retorted with a snort. He continued down the next couple of blocks with Kuroko, until it was time to turn toward different paths. Kagami raised his brows, with his hands dug into the pockets of his uniform. "Hey Kuroko, you know there are others from another school coming out to meet up with Hyuuga and the others for studying, right?"
Before making his way toward the subway station, Kuroko paused in curiosity, blinking in surprise. "Who might they be?"
Kagami shifted his weight to the side, scoffing at the thought of one of the individuals in mind, but shook it off with a slight smirk. "You'll see soon enough."
The chimes outside of the café rang continuously, darting peach orbs to look over its direction. Momoi Satsuki enjoyed the simple settings such as this. She watched the orange setting of the sunset shine unto the wavering chimes beyond the outdoors. The calm atmosphere bore Momoi into such a gaze that she didn't realize her companion venture to the other side of the table, sliding the chair over to sit.
"What gives, Satsuki?" Aomine asked curtly, cutting her attention from the view and back to him. He removed his black bomber jacket and placed it over the back of his chair before seating himself. "You called me out here saying it was important."
Satsuki crossed one leg over her thigh, sitting up with a sly grin on her face. On the table were two small cups of expresso, and she pushed on toward her friend before her. "You're going to need this for tonight." She replied with a mischievous tone in which the navy haired young man frowned, already not liking where this was going.
The ace of Tōō watched with one eyebrow raised as Momoi rummaged through her bag sitting on the ground next to her, and with such speed, she slammed three large books down on the middle of the table, her face showing a tender smile, but holding wicked intent to it.
"We'll be studying tonight, Dai-chan." She chimed, spreading out the books in front of her for Aomine to view. He grimaced, now sinking back into the chair slightly. "I knew you wouldn't come if I just texted you about it, so I thought I'd surprise you with the news when you got in!"
She was way too excited for this. Sure, he shouldn't be slacking off for the college exam, especially since his didn't do so well on the mock portion, but it was a Friday night, and more than anything he wanted to just practice some basketball on the courts for the evening. Aomine shook the cup lightly in his hand, watching the black substance swish side to side. He hated expresso. "Well, let's hurry up and get this over with then. All I got to do is work on a couple things from the mock test and I'm good to go, right?"
"A couple? You barely got anything right in every subject!" Momoi exclaimed, now turning heads toward their direction. Aomine clicked his tongue, turning his head to the left and right before shaking his free hand toward her direction to ask her to quiet down.
"I'll make sure I pass it, so hurry up and get started." He snarled lightly, taking a sip of the warm beverage he was nursing. Momoi recovered the books back into her bag leaving Aomine perplexed.
"We're waiting on Sakurai-kun, and then we're heading out to meet up with everyone else."
"Ryō? And I thought we were studying here." At his point, Aomine was irritated not having concrete plans established. "Who else is going to be coming along?"
Momoi set her bag down on the ground once more and took her cup in hand. She still wore her smile on her pale lips, but the wicked intent diminished. "Kagamin, and Tetsu-kun are applying to Tokyo University as well."
Aomine's sharp eyes widened in surprise. He was glad Momoi was in the process of taking a swig of the caffeine so he could recover to his firm expression. He chuckled lowly, now gulping the rest of the expresso down before placing the cup down to prop his chin over the palm of his hand.
"This is just too rich." Though his reply was spoken coolly, inside, he was excited that fate was bringing the two old partners together once more.
"Did you go see Tetsu-kun finally?"
Aomine blinked, his attention darting toward the pink haired girl who seemed a bit too curious with her large questioning orbs gauging into his line of sight. "Yeah, we talked."
Momoi relaxed her eyes, relieved that he finally made the choice to see him. "Are things better between the two of you?" She questioned with a smile. "The way you acted toward him within our last game was almost like the old days."
At this, Aomine shifted his eyes down to the empty cup beside him. While tracing the hint of coffee grounds still left within it, he thought back to how close they were that evening. The smell of vanilla from the azure haired male's breath. The way their lips faintly touched one another—"You could say that." Aomine murmured, not wanting to say any more about that evening to her.
Though Kuroko didn't deny Aomine's advances, he didn't speak of the events any further to the light haired male. Starting over was Aomine's priority, and if he felt the same feelings as that intimate moment shared together in the future, then he would then pursue it.
Right now, there was much more he wanted to talk with his old partner about. Through text, it was asking how he was fairing, and sending him links on how to properly tape up an ankle injury. In person, it was congratulating him on Seirin's recent win despite biting back the defeat felt on the inside. Now tonight… he wish he would've seen this coming to better prepare himself.
"Momoi-san, Aomine-san." Sakurai's subtle voice called out approaching the two of them. Both turned heads to face the timid young man who had too much on his plate to carry with notebooks and study planners barely secured in both arms. "I didn't know which ones to bring with me since I took so many notes, so I just brought all of them." Aomine pushed himself out of his seat and secured his bomber jacket over his heather grey long sleeve. He held out one hand to help out his classmate to which Sakurai gratefully accepted.
Momoi dug through the pocket of her sweater and removed a pair of keys and flashed the two a grin. "You two can ride with me over to Kagamin's. This will be the first time driving around town!" As ecstatic as she was, she failed to notice the looming faces of both males as they slowly retracted back from her.
"What's a graduation present if you didn't even graduate yet? Plus, I'd rather live. I'll take my chances going on the subway." Aomine sneered, picking his ear with his free hand at the same moment Momoi countered with a pout.
"Ahomine! Walking in this weather and wasting more time to catch a subway? Just come on!" Momoi huffed, securing the large back over her shoulder.
Aomine began to make toward the exit of the café with a yawn trailing past the two. "Let's just do the damn thing so I can go home and sleep at a decent hour." Though his comment came off as a retort, his excitement inwardly rose in anticipation to see Tetsu again.
Loud yelling was echoed throughout the plaster walls of the apartment complex. Those who were unfortunate to walk by the door only quickened their pace, dreading that whoever was torturing the poor soul would not make their way outside on a rampage.
Inside, Kagami soothed his back tenderly with his hand, feeling the sharp pain of the slaps just inflicted moments ago. "Damn it! It's been awhile since we've seen you, can you lighten up a bit?" He seethed through his teeth, staring down at Aida Riko, Seirin's former coach, who still seemed to act as one from time to time.
"As happy as I am for winning your last Winter Cup match, this doesn't mean you should compromise your education!" She fumed with one hand over her hip. With her hair now slightly below her shoulders, she flipped her hair back in annoyance as her eyes loomed over Kagami. "If your prep exam results were just as good as Kuroko-kun's…" Her voice trailed off, darting her eyes left and right. "Actually, where did he go?"
"I'm right here, as I've been this entire time."
With wide eyes, Aida turned to her left, meeting with vacant cerulean orbs and instantly shrieked, almost tripping over her own two feet when a lengthy brown haired male caught her fall effortlessly. Aida looked up, her eyes meeting brown eyes with a pair of glass frames over their sun kissed skin. "You think after years of knowing him, you'd detect a little bit of his presence." Hyuuga chuckled with a smile.
With a slight blush, she immediately straightened herself up once more, adjusting her maroon cardigan she wore. "Thank you, Junpei." She acknowledged softly, fixing her hair before turning back to Kuroko. "And you!" She started, going from zero to sixty in just seconds that even Hyuuga shrank back from the two. "Don't go scaring me every time I see you! Geez, I didn't get out of work early to have a heart attack."
"Thank you for coming to assist us." Kuroko replied, his poker face not fazed by her strong personality… at least not yet. At this, her body language softened, and she shook her head with a small laugh before returning to her bag beside Hyuuga's feet. She could never stay upset with her old classmates for too long.
"Well let's head over to the table so we can set up everything." She chimed, leading the three individuals to the living room of Kagami's apartment to which one more person was setting up the elongated table. Kuroko frowned, this seemed to be too much for just five people alone, and Kagami still hasn't told him who else would be joining…
"Ah, well that takes care of everything!" A bright male voice exhaled with smile that never faltered. He turned around swiftly, his length exceeding everyone's own in the room. His thick brown eyebrows stuck out more than any other facial feature as he gave a wink alongside a thumbs up to the others.
"Kiyoshi, why did you place the table all the way toward the hallway, blocking the restroom for everyone..?" Hyuuga started with a twitch of his eyebrow. His glasses held a gleam that concealed the annoyance within his irises and he stalked past the taller of the two with a sigh.
"Ah, I didn't think about that part." Kiyoshi chuckled, scratching the back of his short brown mane with one hand. Though Kiyoshi grew taller by another inch, he still remained the same since their first year of Seirin. Just last year, he returned to Japan after a successful knee rehabilitation. Though his first year of collage he would simply train with the basketball team, he didn't participate in any games, wanting to ensure that he was fully recovered. "I thought it'd be nice to have more room for when a break comes along."
There's no room for breaks tonight!" Hyuuga barked, now clasping each corner of the table with both hands. "We have to make sure they understand what they're dealing with on the exams! Now help me move the table to the center."
Through the laughter of Kiyoshi Teppei accompanied by the polar opposite of Hyuuga Junpei, Aida couldn't help but chuckle at their odd friendship. She smiled warmly, determined to make sure that Seirin's duo would succeed on passing the college exams so they could be together once again. After the commotion settled, Seirin's former coach dropped her bag unto the table and dumped over a series of textbooks piling up high.
"Don't you think this is overkill?" Kagami shuddered, inching back slightly as Aida turned with a menacing smile. Kuroko, who was not at all alarmed, sat down picking up one of the books to skim over the sticky notes that decorated the inside of the books.
Aida plopped down across Kuroko's side of the table and spread out the books accordingly, her voice now stern. "The test is just in another week, and hearing from what Kuroko had to say, he told me you weren't putting enough effort into your studies." Kagami shot Kuroko a sharp gaze, now slamming one hand over the other male's tussled hair before sitting next to him.
"How could you sell me out, baka?" Kagami spat with a large sigh, continuing to nudge his head with a fist. Kuroko swatted his arm away and adjusted himself before passing the textbook to him.
"If you don't pass, then who's going to sit in front of me while I try to take my naps?" Though meant to be a joke, the others only took in his flat tone of voice, not sure how to respond to his statement.
Hyuuga settled beside Aida, opening each book to their respective start pages with various highlights drawn in by their former coach. "After these couple of days of studying, I'll make sure you ace the exam." And there it was, Hyuuga's clutch trait making an appearance as his eyes glowered toward Kagami's own. Kagami gulped, uncrossing his arms in fear of how the next couple of nights were going to turn out.
Suddenly, breaking the heated tension of Hyuuga's, the doorbell sounded off, perking Kiyoshi's attention to the entrance. "I'll go grab it, Aida. Just go through the breakdown of what's to be expected." At that, he exited the area, leaving Aida to pull out a spreadsheet of the marks the two were to keep an eye out for. Kuroko listened attentively more than he should for he did exceptional on the prep test. There was always room for improvement.
"I'd figure tonight we'd go over the statistical portion of the exam first, seeing how there are a couple more questions on these that I'm sure Kagami-kun needs a refresher on." Aida glowered at Kagami's direction pointing at the notes taken below. She pushed the book to the burgundy haired male for review. Kuroko leaned over, viewing the example questions at hand, failing to notice a trail of footsteps from behind.
"Ah," A low voice idly chimed in, footsteps coming to a stop behind Kuroko's seated figure. "I should probably go over that too. Any type of math is always a pain in the ass for me." Cerulean eyes widened, and he turned his neck around, his cheek being greeted with a cold Maji Burger foam cup. Kuroko paused, looking up at the figure holding it out for him
"Aomine-kun." Kuroko announced with his voice trailing off at the end unconsciously. If his expression wasn't the epitome of shock than he didn't know what else it could be.
"Here, I got this for you while we were out. Don't tell me you don't like vanilla shakes anymore, Tetsu." Aomine stated with his brows rising, noticing the surprise within those bright blue eyes of Kuroko's. After a short moment, Kuroko accepted the shake with his light hand, and Aomine proceeded to the other side of the table.
"Thank you." He replied, adjusting the straw on the cup, and watched Aomine remove his jacket before sitting down. Following suit to sit beside him was Momoi with a bright smile flashing before everyone.
"As soon as I heard from Riko-chan that you all were planning on going to Tokyo University, I'd thought we should all get together to study." Momoi chimed a little bit more excited than she should be. She tilted her head to the side, her smile growing wider as her eyes met with Kuroko's. Within the past two years, the fuchsia haired manager had accepted the platonic relationship her and Kuroko held. "It makes me happy to see some of us together again, right Tetsu-kun?"
Kuroko held the shake gingerly in his hand and nodded with a smile cast over his lips. "Right, Momoi-san."
"Where's my food, bastard? After all, you're in my apartment." Kagami added crossly, arching one furrowed eyebrow in annoyance. Aomine propped one hand underneath his chin before rolling his eyes.
"I figured a brute like you already went through a ten course dinner, so I didn't bother." The navy haired male sneered before Kagami slammed both hands over the table top now sending Kagami into a raging fit all the while Aomine picking his ear to avoid listening.
Aida watched with half lidded eyes. This definitely wasn't a reunion party of any kind, and she fumed even more with the wasted time passing. She whirled her head to Hyuuga in hopes for him to chime in with her for an intervention, but even Hyuuga seemed irate at another issue at hand.
"Well if it isn't the apologetic mushroom." He retorted, eyeing Sakurai with sharp chestnut eyes. When it came to facing the previous shooting guard of Seirin, Sakurai's fragile persona diminished.
"Good evening." Sakurai responded abruptly with a small purse of his lips. He placed himself beside Kagami, and let out a huff before removing the contents of his bag. "As much as I'd like to catch up, I'd rather get started studying."
Finally, someone with sense to actually take this seriously. Aida sighed inwardly in relief, waiting to see the notes that the self-blamer had compiled. Rolling from his hand unto the long surface of the table was a spreadsheet of a manga adaptation of formulas and key definitions for each segment, causing everyone to pause to view the paperwork. "You can't be serious…" The former coach of Seirin drawled in venom, bringing her hand to her forehead in frustration. "Reunions over now, let's back to work here!"
Within seconds, everyone was attentive toward the senior before them as she explained the breakdown of how the next couple of evenings would consist of for their studies. Though he seemed observant to her lecture, Kuroko's mind was fixed on the fact that fate can work in mysterious ways of bringing former familiars together.
He drew the straw of the vanilla shake to his lips, taking in the last couple of drops of the shake and glanced over to the other side of the table where navy eyes were set on his own. Aomine Daiki's lips smirked lightly when he caught his stare, his chin continuing to rest underneath his bronzed hand. Those same soft lips were the ones that almost caught his own completely just weeks before. Kuroko's face blossomed a soft hint of red at the thought, and batted his oval eyes to turn away from his old partner.
Bringing his focus back to the accumulation of books scattered along the table, Kuroko Tetsuya could already tell that this was going to be a very long night ahead of him.
Red.
Bloodshot red eyes were the only thing registered within Kagami's eyes as a multitude of papers were sprawled out across the table before him. What started off as light practice work became a night of purgatory for the crimson haired male. His strained eyes darted over to his company where everyone to which most of them seemed transfixed within their book while their seniors acted as a spectator in the event they saw the problem being formulated incorrectly.
The clock read past ten at night. Three grueling, painful hours have past they've been at work with the study guides provided.
"I don't think I can take much more of this." Kagami seethed, raking his hair with one hand as he pushed his notes to the side.
"Oh no," Aida chided curtly, digging the heel of her foot toward his backside with crossed arms. "We're not having another episode of you running away from studying." Kagami slouched forward with pressed lips at the sight of his chicken scratch of notes he produced. Aida sighed, now dropping her arms. "Don't you realize if you're not accepted, that there's no chance of you playing college basketball?"
"I know that-" He scowled turning his head around to a looming Aida glaring at him. "…ma'm." He added toward the end, ceasing her hostile demeanor. "There are other things on my mind besides working with numbers. I'm just excited, I was just recruited the other day by their captain so all I can think about right now is playing."
"Eh? Did you know about this, Junpei?" Aida shot at him from across the room, curiously.
Hyuuga adjusted his glasses in speculation before shaking his head lightly. "I didn't hear that from Hajime at all."
"Ne, how did someone like you get scouted as well?" Aomine drawled flatly with the bridge of his nose within the book, now peeking his eyes out from the cover to glare at his rival under his lashes. All three individuals now turned to the indigo haired man with a gawk, though Kagami was more so of a piercing glare.
"You mean Hajime spoke with you as well?" Kiyoshi asked, turning away from the problem Sakurai was solving and leaned back toward the wall.
Aomine laid sprawled out over the black leather couch beside the table with one leg crossing over his knee. "Are you all that surprised? Even if we weren't scouted, we would've tried out until he got it." Aomine breathed lazily, turning the page of the book until Momoi snatched the book from his hands. She huffed pulling out the latest basketball monthly issue that was hiding inside the book. At least it wasn't porn this time.
Her cherry eyes darted to her companion as she laid out the book away from his reach while handing the textbook back to him. Aomine snatched the textbook, still leaving it to tip over his nose. "Just as Aida-chan said, what is the point of getting scouted if you don't get accepted?"
"How about playing a quick match of streetball?"
Almost all eyes turned to Kagami, who seemed to pull himself out of the inner purgatory he was trapped under just minutes prior. Aida hummed lightly to herself, viewing all of the work that they've accomplished tonight splayed out across the table.
"Well we're ahead of schedule… and it's been awhile since I've gotten to see you all play." She mused, with a defeated shrug of her shoulders. Why not let them have their fun?
"Don't worry about this test, we'll destroy it. Then you'll see all of us on the court soon enough." Kagami declared, now standing up from his current position to fetch his basketball.
Everyone seemed to be sunk into a chatter of relief outside of their studies. All but Kuroko chimed in to the conversation just held, and Aomine took note of his odd silence. Outside of his lax position with the book firmly lying over half of his face, Aomine eyed Testu with half lidded eyes, observing the cerulean haired male fixed into his book with pressed lips and darting irises skimming over each text, almost as if there was an underlying issue within the shadow's mind.
Each breath exhaled left the excess carbon dioxide dancing along in the wind until dispersed into the frigid air above. At this time of hour, no one dared to be seen in within the basketball courts, especially not in this cold weather
"Well it's three on three, let's make it a ten minute match since it's already late in the evening." Aida proposed briskly, clasping unto her jacket for warmth. She as well as Momoi took a seat on the bench where everyone dropped of their belongings, and Momoi went through her phone to set up a timer.
"Ten minutes is more than enough to beat you, Aomine." Kagami sneered lightly and removed his flannel draped over his white long sleeve shirt. Aomine snorted at his comment, now throwing his bomber jacket to the bench next to the women seated. The ladies chuckled slightly at their jest of an awkward friendship.
All six men were huddled together within the center of the court, the lamp post lights illuminating on their figures just above. "How's your leg, Tetsu?" Aomine questioned, not looking down at the shadow beside him.
"It's fine." Was Kuroko's subtle reply, zipping up the light fitted heather gray sweater he wore and glanced up to the taller male who kept his sharp eyes focused on the now former team of Seirin. A smirk appeared on the corner of Aomine's lips and he pat the azure haired male's shoulder lightly.
"Good, then you're with me."
Aomine's statement was said in a matter of fact tone, and Kagami raised his eyebrow in objection. "Who said you could make the decisions with this game?" Kagami challenged in a low emphasis in his voice, annoyed by his rival before him. Both former senior of Seirin stood beside Kagami, and Hyuuga nudged the burgundy haired male on the shoulder roughly.
"There's nothing wrong with having us on the same team, right?" Hyuuga asked, almost in a nice manner but failing to conceal the clutch trait to him. "It's been awhile since we played together, especially against him." Hyuuga's eyes darted to Sakurai who was taken aback by his sudden change of mood. Kiyoshi gave a hearty, but sharp slap to the ace's back and smiled brightly down at the Kagami beside him. God, was Kagami already pissed and the game hasn't even started yet.
"It'll be fine, let's just have a good time." Yes, Kiyoshi still hasn't changed his high spirited attitude from years before, so it was hard for Kagami to still remain upset with him.
"Well, that's settled then." Aomine stated firmly, glancing at both Tetsu and Sakurai with a nod of his head. He stepped forward to the very center of the court with Kagami approaching as well for the tip off. Momoi clasped the ball in hand, lowering it to her knees to get ready to deliver the orange ball sky high.
Aomine's smirk grew wider to the point where he was baring his teeth at Kagami. Though not phased externally, Kagami was still taken aback by the tanned man's intensity on the court. Momoi counted down the seconds, and off went the ball into the air.
Despite the overwhelming confidence Aomine bore, Kagami was the successful of the two to connect with the ball to swing toward their behalf. Aomine clicked his tongue, watching Hyuuga clamp the ball firmly before moving in with Kiyoshi to the opposing side of the court. Heading to Hyuuga's direction was now Kuroko. He felt the crisp air burn through his lungs with every breath inhaled.
Though he was almost within reach, Kiyoshi's large frame ceased his advances. "I know you can do more than that." The Iron Heart chuckled. He smiled down at Kuroko with his large arms lifting from his sides to propose a full guard. Kiyoshi always seemed to have some angle within his mind when it came to interacting with those before him.
From behind, he could see Aomine dashing through the court. His agility was so on point that it seemed as if he was almost gliding through the area at hand. Even with grand precision, Kagami was also quick to come up beside him and take guard. The navy haired man's eyes darted over to Hyuuga who stood lateral to the basket over the three point line.
It was up to Sakurai now. Now at a one-on-one, Sakurai drew in a large breath, watching the clutch player draw the basketball closer to his frame. He assumed that a barrier jump was about to take place. Seeing a sliver of movement toward Hyuuga triggered the self-blamer to drop ready himself for the jump.
Sensing no pivot from Hyuuga's foot, Sakurai went for the jump. However, after the slight spring of the knees Hyuuga withdrew from the action and sunk his hips in once more. Sakurai gasped at the notion as he was already airborne and falling closer to him. Another second later, Hyuuga sprung his large frame up to fully execute his throw.
"The earth shooting form." Momoi whispered as soon as the ball released from Hyuuga's grasp. Illuminating over the night sky, the ball gracefully landed within the basket of their opponent's side with a nimble swish of the net. The contact Sakurai placed on Hyuuga wasn't enough to make him fall over, but the notion was enough for Aida to propose a foul with a clap of her hands.
Lining up to the opponent's basket, Sakurai shrunk his head slightly in the presence of Aomine making his way beside him. "Sumimasen, Aomine-san!" The chestnut haired male blurted out with a bow of his head. Aomine chuckled and nudged Sakurai lightly now turning the shooting guard's attention to the ace beside him questionably.
Aomine bore a sinister grin that their opponents could view through the shadows the lamp post. "Don't worry about it, the game's just started, Ryō." Without a blink of an eye, Aomine observed Hyuuga readying himself for the free throw shot. Just as expected, the shot was performed effortlessly with a smirk residing on Hyuuga's face. Aomine darted his eyes down to both Sakurai and Kuroko with a nod of his head before turning his head back to the three before them. Another low chuckle was emitted before Aomine added through his teeth, "We're going to take it back from them easily."
From across the other three point line of their basket, Kagami could see Aomine's grin grow more, in turn causing the adrenaline in the crimson haired male to rise over his cold exterior. Things were just getting started.
Starting off the play was the former ace of Tōō who was quick to calculate every possible opening held within the court in front of him. Just as quick as a snap of a finger, Aomine made haste to make his way toward the center of the court before being encountered by Hyuuga's stern demeanor.
Just as expeditious as he was to bolt off, his deceleration was also very punctual. He paused with the ball dribbled toward his left hand. Aomine lowered his eyelids and shoulders to the senior before him and drew out a laugh from underneath his breath.
Now began Aomine, maneuvering the ball in multiple crossovers that Hyuuga couldn't predict the break he was trying to enact. Though playing against his former foe plenty of times in the past, the way the levels of speed changed with Aomine's ball handling was still unimaginable to process. Finally sensing the delay within Hyuuga's movements, Aomine broke past the shooting guard with Sakurai following up to guard after.
Again Kuroko was guarded by the uncrowned king, Kiyoshi. Their obscene difference in height absolutely gave the senior an advantage over his own. Kiyoshi's eyes momentarily darted over to the bronzed man closing in the distance on the basket before them. "Kagami, he's coming in!"
That was a mistake.
The phantom player took the opportunity to break from Kiyoshi's guard and closed in to both ace's line of sight. Kiyoshi stared back at his former teammate, from a surprised face, to one that registered that he could break through any wall before him.
Aomine once again was halted by his rival before him. Just as always, Kagami looked hungry for a good challenge. Wanting to return the favor from the first play, Aomine's sharp eyes turned to Tetsu and he immediately passed the ball underneath Kagami's arm before breaking through his guard to advance further.
With a swift turn of his head, Kagami stared with wide eyes on Aomine's delivery. If they were to return to years ago, not in a million years would Aomine have relied on his teammates. Kagami now understood Kuroko's words of seeing the change in the ace, and he immediately snapped out of his daze to recover.
Under the basket stood Kiyoshi awaiting Kuroko's next move watching the ball being dribbled underneath his porcelain skinned hand. Footsteps were heard from behind, and Kuroko was quick to curve his knees into position to shoot. Kuroko furrowed his brows, for what he was about to perform was solely based on a whim.
Just as back in Teikō, he recalled the synchronization of the former light and shadow's plays vividly in his mind. If he remembered correctly, with plays such as these, Aomine would come around from—
The azure haired male threw the ball swiftly to the right hand side with his eyes still locked unto Kiyoshi's now surprising brown orbs. Catching with such elegance was indeed Aomine Daiki who was quick to execute a dunk from behind the center's large build. Kiyoshi and Kagami veered to Aomine, who released the rim of the basket swiftly and landed easily unto the court.
Kagami shrugged the surprise from his crimson orbs and shook his tee shirt lightly to release the cold sweat falling. "Like you said, now we're going to take it back."
As the opposing team turned tail back to their respective side of the basket, Aomine was paused underneath the rim of the basket, peering down at his hands in an absentminded glare. Everything about that pass felt as natural as they used to feel back in Teikō. The delivery, the momentum of the catch—everything about the small execution hit Aomine like no other.
He felt light.
Just as if he's finally broken free of the inner shackles holding him back from years before. Aomine turned to his companion before him with his lips parted slightly. Kuroko smiled gently and nodded his head at their succession.
Tetsu has saved him.
And Aomine doesn't know if Tetsu will ever realize what the shadow player has done to him. Now he broke out of his thoughts to approach his companion with a warm smile and held out his hand for a fist bump in which Kuroko returned. The exchange was brief, but this meant more to Aomine than anyone would have ever known.
The indigo haired man now chuckled as he turned toward their opposing team with a crooked grin, "Ikuzo, Tetsu."
Heavy breathing was heard throughout the entire basketball court outdoors as all six players gathered toward the center after the time finally rung to a close. Kagami exhaled heavily while peeling off the sweat filled shirt stuck to his stomach.
"Bastard, you only won because you had Kuroko on your team." Kagami snapped while grabbing his basketball off the ground. At that comment, Hyuuga chopped his hand down over his head, upset for not considering his teammates before him who tried their best. Momoi and Aida paced toward the center of the court as well with the former manager holding out her phone to show a three point lead that was in favor of Kuroko's team.
"Oi, don't go using Tetsu as a crutch. After the last Winter Cup, there's no way in hell I'm going to let you beat me again, Bakagami." Aomine scowled and went to the bench to slip on his jacket. Everyone followed suit, ignoring the curse Kagami threw at his rival tenfold.
"Seems you both forgot that you'll be on a team together, not against each other." Momoi chided with a pointed finger marked on the two aces. They both retracted their heads and glanced at one another with sharp eyes. They didn't particularly loathe each other, but through the course of their high school careers, the thought of losing to one another sent their blood boiling.
Aomine cocked an eyebrow up, still presenting a stern expression to the crimson haired male. That's right. They'll be playing on the same side soon. Aomine blew out a sigh and adjusted his jacket before strutting laxly over to the rival ace. He nudged lightly at Kagami's shoulder with one hand and threw a smirk at him. "We'll still keep tabs outside of the games then."
Kagami nodded his head firmly to accept his challenge. He returned the smirk and placed his hands over his hips. "I'll be looking forward to it then."
Aida smiled widely at the truce between the two. She had a feeling that their teamwork will fall into place quicker than expected. Shortly after, she let out a yawn and checked the time within her phone. "Some people have to work in the morning, so I think it's time for me to head out." She stated, confirming with a nod to Kiyoshi and Hyuuga. Her eyes loomed once more to the others in front of her as she crossed her arms. "But don't you dare think that the next couple of days will be one streetball match after another."
Kagami raised his brows and took a step back from her slowly before flashing a grin. "Once we're accepted, we'll play more often before school starts up." Aida had to admit, that despite of any type of odds laid out on the table, Kagami was quick recover from any negative notion. Kagami, as well as Seirin's former seniors bid farewell before going their separate ways. Momoi yawned as well, gathering her keys in hand before guiding the three players in front of her to go. Everyone but Aomine complied and he dove his hands into the pockets of his bomber jacket.
"If it's good with you, Tetsu, I'd want to take to subway home. How about it?" Aomine asked in a low mutter. Everyone turned their heads to the ace quizzically. Tetsu's cerulean orbs blinked, considering Aomine's request for a few seconds.
Indirectly speaking, Aomine was asking for him to join him.
"If that's what you'd like, Aomine-kun." Kuroko's velvet voice answered. He adjusted his bag and turned to the others standing beside him. "Momoi-san, Sakurai-kun, it was nice to see you both." He expressed kindly.
Momoi returned a smile to Kuroko with a nod of her head before changing faces when meeting with Aomine. "Well don't go calling me when you're sick, Dai-chan." Momoi huffed and flipped her hair over her shoulder before turning back around. Sakurai bowed his head before turning heel to exit with Momoi.
Kuroko was curious as to Aomine's proposal. He shifted his bag once more over his shoulder before looking up at the ace whose features were softened from the creases of his brows to the firm closure of his lips. Aomine was first to make his exit out of the court, waving for his companion to follow suit.
The crisp wind of the air blew through the empty space of the station before two individuals waiting near the edge of the tracks. With every light breath exhaled through the nostrils, one could still see the carbon dioxide trail out of their bodies unto to the late night before them. Kuroko shifted uncomfortably in place, diving his hands into the pockets of his light sweater.
He was unbelievably cold.
Aomine tilted his head to the side, observing the shadow's fidgeting figure and shook his head lightly. "Baka, you're definitely going to catch a cold wearing that thin sweater." Aomine stated who was now removing his bomber jacket and handed it over to Kuroko. "Here."
"I didn't think we would be outside on a night like this." Kuroko replied lightly, accepting Aomine's gesture. He now secured the jacket over his frame and noticed how loose it was over his stature. He smiled tenderly, seeing Aomine stare straight ahead awaiting the train's arrival. "And I also didn't think I would see you like this either. You always continue to surprise me, Aomine-kun."
Bronze skin flushes, and Aomine peers his eyes down at Kuroko before shoving his short hair behind his head to turn his eyes away in slight embarrassment. The station intercom sounded off with the next train arriving shortly. This announcement sent both heads veering toward the lights trailing through the station tracks over to their direction. The rattles of the tracks came to a stop with the train's automatic doors opening for the two of them. Artificial fluorescent lights from the inside of the train shined brightly overhead causing the two to squint slightly before entering to be seated.
The vibration of the train resonated through the entire train cart. As late as the evening was, Aomine and Tetsu were the only ones within that particular cart of the subway. He crossed his broad arms over his gray long sleeve shirt lazily. Through the glass of the train cart, Aomine could see droplets of rain hitting the glass. He batted his eyes, his sharp lids lowering slightly.
The rain reminded him of that evening within Kuroko's home. The memory was so clear to him; from how small Tetsu was underneath him, the way Tetsu placed his hand over his chest ever so gently, and how warm his lips were under his own at that slight touch.
"Let me be clear," Kuroko started as he dug his hands into the sleeves of Aomine's jacket for warmth. His eyes were fixed below to see his dark denim of his jeans compared to Aomine's olive cargo pants with one leg crossed over his thigh leisurely. "As surprised as I was to see you, I'm also happy. The thought of going to the same school together somehow feels comforting. Even if it's not together with everyone, at least some of us will be side by side again."
Aomine darted his eyes down to the shorter male next to him with his lips parted open. He seemed to have trouble arranging the words to say to him. His eyes only caught the ruffled blue hair of Tetsu's but also a soft smile from the corner of his fragile lips. Aomine shifted slightly in his position, turning his eyes back to the glass window before him. Through the raindrops he could see the reflection of both of their figures.
"Our play tonight felt like everything we used to have back in Teikō." Aomine replied with his arms still crossed. He could feel the turn of Kuroko's head to see his own. The indigo haired male shifted his head to the side, not wanting to show Tetsu the heat he felt rising to his face. He opened his mouth to continue, feeling his voice grow rather husky when he stated, "I think I've found my answer to this problem… and I think I found it within you."
Seconds have passed with no response. Curious, Aomine shifted his head down to Kuroko's whose alabaster skin was tainted red with fluster.
"That was quite embarrassing, Aomine-kun."
Aomine scoffed at the simple response and removed his crossed arms to nudge the phantom player harshly to the side. "For all the times I've counted all the embarrassing shit you've ever said, I think I have a right to throw one in there." His tone was flat, but he held no malice to those words. Kuroko turned his face away toward the glass of the station with a small chuckle escaping his lips.
"Thank you, though you're giving me too much credit. Just like the end of our first year, you've found your love for basketball again. You just had to break down that wall of taking on everything by yourself." His voice was honest, and very subtle.
"I want to start practicing with you again, Tetsu."
Kuroko's head shot up to face Aomine with parted lips. He could see the taller man stare down intently at him. His mind withdrew to memories of the two staying after practice to train together. As exceptional of a player that the ace was compared to Kuroko, he never doubted his talent, or love for basketball that they've shared.
Now bringing himself back to reality, Kuroko shifted his eyes away from Aomine's gaze in dismay before replying, "As much as I want to relive those days shared with you, I wasn't scouted, Aomine-kun. Regardless of that fact, I'll still practice basketball with you, even if it's just leisurely."
So that's what was troubling Tetsu earlier this afternoon.
"So you're going to give up just like that?" Aomine started, his head slightly tilted over to the side. He kept his eyes loomed over the fair skinned male beside him. After seconds of no reply, Aomine pursed his lips. "That's not like you, Tetsu."
"I'm not like you, or Kagami-kun though-"
"Ah, that's such bullshit, Tetsu." Aomine seethed, not meaning for it to hold so much venom like the words sounded. "I believe in you, and I'm sure as hell that Bakagami, and everyone from your old team do as well." Kuroko turned his gaze back to those navy irises darting his own. There was a fire within those eyes; ones that were so honest with Tetsu, and even if he wanted to, Kuroko couldn't tear away from his gaze. "Come to tryouts." A hint of a demand slipped off Aomine's tongue with the request.
Kuroko let out a sigh with a slight sink of his shoulders. Aomine never gave up on him back then in Teikō, even when he gave up on himself. The thought of playing college ball with everyone sounded nice, and of course it wasn't what he had in mind for the future—"I'll consider it, Aomine-kun."
With a nod of his head, Kuroko turned back to the glass windows ahead with a small smile crept from the corner of his lips. Aomine's eyes softened before turning away from his companion. Though it seemed Tetsu wasn't one hundred percent convinced, Aomine wasn't going to give up just yet. For now though, both individuals were tired, and Aomine was too lethargic to continue the debate.
The rain continued to fall outside. The sounds of the droplets hitting the metal plating of the train cart were the only substance breaking the silence between both individuals.
Through the calm between both males, Aomine enclosed his gaze unto the shadow player noticing the bat of his eyelashes as he stared off to the glass window. Kuroko rubbed his arms together through the jacket as he was still searching for warmth within the cold interior of the train cart.
Though his mind told him he shouldn't, Aomine ignored logical thought and drew his left arm over the smaller male with his lengthy arm hanging over his shoulder. He gave a small tug to draw Kuroko closer before turning to the windows to catch the light drizzle of raindrops from outside.
Oval cerulean eyes widen at the gesture for a brief moment, but he kept his composure just the same with his irises still keeping its gaze at the glass window. There were many times back in middle school where this gesture was expressed, but tonight felt different than what was felt years before. The grasp seemed more intimate than just a friendly notion.
It was almost as if the two had this unspoken agreement about being with one another without actually pursuing it yet. They were still on the road to reconcile, and both had understood without having to say anything to each other. With that thought in mind, Tetsu sunk his head into Aomine's broad chest with a sigh and closed his eyes contently. Aomine suddenly lurched internally at the motion, shifting his eyes below to catch the smaller of the two nestled beneath him with his arms crossed.
Suddenly, it seemed everything around the bronzed man grew warmer. Tetsu didn't fully understand the light he's shed unto Aomine, and that was fine with him. Years before, he stood knee deep on a sea of loathing and was unable to come to terms with the guilt he's forced unto himself with his old companion. Right here, right now, those burdens have almost vanished, and it was more than the ace could ever hope for.
Minutes have passed within the train cart with no words exchanged. Just the sound of the metal rattling through the tracks of the subway. This was a comfortable silence for the two. Their destination was almost reached, and Aomine wanted to atone for the last bit of burdens he still seemed to have buried within his chest.
"I'm sorry for everything, Tetsu." Aomine stated somberly, watching to see Kuroko's reaction from the water stained windows of the train. Though the raindrops impaired the features of Kuroko's, Aomine could tell his eyes remained closed and possibly he may have already fallen asleep. Aomine let out a dim chuckle, feeling the slight lurch of his chest move with Kuroko's head still laid upon it. "I don't know how you're still able to even stand just looking at me, especially after I pushed you away. You're too kind for your own good. That's something that shouldn't be wasted on someone like me."
Minutes passed after the words were spoken with no reply. Suddenly, an eerie screech of the subway resounded through the cart as it was coming to a halt. The automatic metal doors drew open at their designated station and Kuroko slowly lifted his head off of Aomine's chest. He looked to Aomine with half lidded eyes. Meeting his gaze was the bronzed man with a small smirk over his lips. The ace removed his arm from Kuroko and stood up from his seat, turning halfway to wait for Tetsu to follow.
Exiting the subway and sauntering into the empty street blocks was Aomine and Kuroko. Thankfully the rain had ceased, but damn was the wind just as cold as ever. Aomine aired out the collar of his grey long sleeve with one hand. He was determined not to let the other male see he was freezing. He glanced down at Kuroko, thinking of how nice he looked in his jacket despite it being oversized, and he chuckled to himself.
Kuroko looked up at him curiously while Aomine dismissed his thought. "It's nothing, I think being this tired it getting to me." Aomine mumbled. He shifted his eyes over to the street ahead. Almost home. Tetsu's block was just coming up, and they would separate for the night.
"Aomine-kun." Kuroko called out gently. He seemed to be at a distance, and Aomine turned around to see that Tetsu had indeed stopped feet behind him.
Just when he was about to ask what was on his mind, Tetsu approached Aomine with his head slightly lowered and encircled his arms around the broader man's waist. The indigo haired male froze with sharp eyes widening.
"There's no reason to continue to carry your hardship anymore, Ahomine." Tetsu gingerly stated, his head buried into the shoulder of Aomine's long sleeve. His head was turned away from the taller male. Aomine relaxed his shoulders.
So Tetsu did hear him on the subway.
The ace lifted his arms to return his gesture. He enclosed one long arm fully around Kuroko's waist rather tightly. His other hand was placed over unruly azure hair, and he caressed those light strands under his lengthy fingers gently. He laid his chin over Kuroko's head, with eyes shut tightly.
All the last remaining guilt was released into this embrace. Squeezing out the last bit of anguish with his arm draped around Tetsu's slim waist. His bronzed hand grazing away the last speck of grief over the back of the shorter male's head. Aomine finally pulled himself out of the loathing entrapped inside him. He was finally liberated.
Kuroko was the first to pull away from the embrace, now looking up at Aomine with his face flushed. Aomine's hardened expression seemed to lose its harsh creases for a brief moment. No undertones of remorse were seen within those indigo eyes any longer. Aomine patted the light hair of Tetsu's before draping his arm around his shoulder once more to continue on down the block.
"Let's go home, Tetsu."
The brisk wind of the night seemed to be less harsh on Aomine that evening, just as long as he had his Tetsu by his side.
Note: I've probably re read this chapter about twenty times before deciding to finally post it. Sometimes I feel like that I may put in too much detail, but I don't like to keep things simple. I'm excited to include these other characters and their own progression as well throughout the story. I believe that there's enough depth to say that things between Kuroko and Aomine are mended. I'm excited on where I want to take this story, and I hope you all are as well. Thank you for the read, and feedback is always appreciated!