A/N: Here's the third chapter of 'Miracles'. Sorry if it's rushed and stuff ^^
Also I won't be able to update much - because I need to focus on studying this year. My grades had dropped == Ugh...
Anyway, thank you for those who reviewed, alerted and/or favourited this story! I really appreciate it! :D :D
Kuroko no Basuke" rightfully belongs to Fujimaki Tadatoshi, I don't own any of the original characters.
So here's the third chapter. Please enjoy! :)
~Miracles~
|Chapter 3|
-A Promise-
Kuroko Tetsuko stared at the thick folder with "Teikou High School" printed across it. She looked at her parents blankly, "This is the school I'm going to?"
"You'll love it," her mother assured her, "Not only it's close to our house, but also it has an amazing basketball team."
Tetsuko blinked.
Her father smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry – Teikou excels highly not only in sports, but also in academics. The principal called me yesterday, and said that you can start tomorrow."
Tetsuko nodded, and her eyes flitted back to the folder. On the bottom, Teikou's motto was written in italics and bold, 'Absolute Victory'.
Tetsuko didn't like it. Not one bit. It meant winning is everything. Losing…is not an option. She hated it. She glanced at her parents' beaming faces. "Alright," She tried to sound as optimistic as possible, "I'll go." She caught the relieved and happy exchange between her parents.
'Did I really make the right choice?' She questioned herself.
"Kuroko Tetsuko, am I right?" The principal of Teikou High School smiled at the petite blue-haired girl.
"Yes," Tetsuko answered.
"You sure gave me a shock when you walked it," the principal commented, chuckling softly, and removed his chin from his hands, and looked at her file.
"Your academics in America are quite…impressive, though your Physical Education…is…ah, rather lacking in comparison," He continued, as he turned the page over.
Tetsuko nodded, though her eye lowered slightly in annoyance. Back at her former school, Physical Education's grade came mostly from physical exercise. And her low stamina and physical ability didn't help… Not to mention those gold trophies winking in the sunlight had been rather bothering her now. Her eyes narrowed to the nearby cabinet filled with gleaming trophies. Above the cabinet, was a banner, with Absolute Victory sewed on it.
The principal glanced at the cabinet and smiled. "Teikou High has many trophies. Only those of the greatest achievements are placed in here."
Tetsuko strained a polite smile. "I see."
"Anyway, you better get started with school." He handed a folder. "Everything you need to know is in here. Have a nice day." He didn't spare her a glance, as she left the room.
Tetsuko's eyes narrowed slightly as she closed the door from behind her. 'That principal…' She thought angrily, as her bangs shadowed her eyes, 'His words had no meaning. He's so…arrogant. He only cares about victory. That's what I hate the most. I wish Alex was here, she would immediately burst into her lectures again.' At the thought of the former WNBA player, Tetsuko smiled slightly.
"Class!" The teacher called, over the loud, chattering students, "We have a new student! So please treat her kindly!"
"Aominecchi!" A blond model grinned at the tanned boy with blue hair next to him, "We have a new student!"
The tanned teen grunted, and placed his head between on his folded arms. "Not interested. And stop with that stupid nickname, Kise."
The blond model pouted, "Aominecchi – "
Aomine snored.
"A-Aominecchi – the teacher's going to get mad!" Kise scolded, though he sweat dropped when he received a light snore as a reply. Kise sighed. "Oh well…If Aominecchi is going to get detention and miss out on practice again, Akashicchi won't be pleased…" The blond shuddered, at the thought of the redhead's…wrath.
Heterochromatic eyes. Glaring. Scissors. Death. Goodbye. Life.
Kise gulped, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Quickly, he resumed his attention back to the teacher.
The teacher tapped on the board, where it was written Kuroko Tetsuko. Kise blinked and scanned the front. 'Where's the new student?' He thought, puzzled.
"Ah…" The teacher looked lost, "Where's Kuroko-san?" He opened the door, and stepped outside. A minute later, he came back in, "She's not in the hallway."
"Maybe she got lost?" A girl chirped in helpfully.
"Yes…" The teacher scratched his chin, "Possibly…"
"Um…Excuse me, I'm right here."
The teacher shuffled through her notes. "She'll turn up sooner or later," He said brightly. A finger tapped on his shoulder. "Hm?" He turned his head, to be meant with a impassive face with blank blue eyes staring holes right into his.
"AHH!" The teacher leapt back, and placed his hand over his rapidly beating heart, "H-How did you get there?!"
"I'm Kuroko Tetsuko, the new student," She spoke, remaining inexpressive, "I was here the whole time."
"EHHHHHH!?"
"She was there the whole time!"
"I never saw her!"
"Is she some kind of magician!?"
"A-Ah, really?" The teacher managed to gasp out. 'How was she there the whole time? I never saw her!' He thought. "Um…anyway, everyone. This is our new student, Kuroko Tetsuko. She recently came to Japan from America. So everyone, treat her well!"
Kuroko Tetsuko blinked blankly at the class. "My name is Kuroko Tetsuko. Nice to meet you," She bowed.
"I'm your homeroom teacher, Mizuki-sensei," The teacher smiled slightly at the girl, "Your seat will be…" He scanned the room, "At the back – next to the window."
"Thank you," The blue-haired girl replied, and walked to the back of the room to take her seat. She ignored the whispers and stares that were shot her way.
But she was soon forgotten.
"Ne, Aominecchi," Kise glanced at the yawning tanned boy next to him, "I'm surprised that you didn't get in trouble for sleeping in class again."
Aomine grunted.
"Out new student is pretty interesting too," Kise chattered on, as they made their way to the rooftop, "She seems invisible – no one noticed her when she walked in!"
Another grunt.
"Ne, Aominecchi, are you even listening?"
Grunt.
Kise sighed.
Momoi Satsuki heaved a sigh as she flicked through the pages of her notebook. 'There's a lot of data to take about those five… Who knows what their potential and skills could hold in the future?' She thought. She turned over the page, and examined a graph. 'Kise Ryouta… it's hard to believe that he only started basketball when he was a second year in middle school… And the – ' "Oomph!" She bumped into someone, and stumbled backwards.
Momoi quickly closed her notebook, "Sorry about that, I wasn't watching where I was going…" She blinked. There was no one in front of her. She looked to the left. Then to the right. She blinked again.
She heard something rustle near her feet, and looked down. There was a light blue haired girl with matching eyes rising to her feet, and dusting off her skirt. "Ah, sorry," She apologised and bowed to Momoi.
"No, no, no!" Momoi exclaimed, waving her hands in front of her, "It was my fault for not looking where I was going!" Momoi studied the girl in front of her. Light blue hair. Pale skin. Petite. Momoi creased her forehead. 'This girl…she looks familiar,' She thought. Slowly the girl raised her head, revealing her face. Momoi gasped. ''K-Ko-chan!?' She thought, her eyes widening.
The girl blinked up at her, her eyes remaining impassive and blank. Momoi swallowed, a lump in her throat. "K-Ko…" She managed to croak out, before her voice died on her.
Momoi cleared her throat and licked her lips nervously. Her heart was thumping abnormally fast, and her palms grew sweaty. 'It's her…Ko-chan!' Momoi thought, with mixed emotions, 'I thought…I would never see her again! And she's right here!'
"Um…" A voice broke Momoi out of her thoughts. "Are you alright?"
'She doesn't recognise me?' Momoi thought, 'Well I have changed quite a bit…' "Y-Yes!" Momoi managed to speak out, and smiled. She opened her mouth and took a deep breath, ready to approach her childhood friend.
"If you'll excuse me," The girl bowed, and walked a few paces –
"Wait! Tetsuko-chan!" Momoi cried out and grabbed the petite girl's arm.
Tetsuko turned her head, her eyes slightly wide. "How…do you know my name?" She asked, as a puzzled expression flitted across her face.
Momoi ran her hand through her pink hair. "It's me! Momoi Satsuki! Sa-chan! Remember?" Her pink eyes quickly scanned the other girl's face, hoping for some kind of emotion. But Tetsuko's face remained the same – blank. "Remember? We're childhood friends – Dai-chan, Ko-chan, Sa-chan – those were the names we called each other!" Momoi rambled on, somewhat desperate, "And basketball – "
"Momoi-san, I know," Tetsuko interrupted, her blue eyes staring straight into Momoi's pink eyes, "You were talking too fast and too loud. The other students are staring at us now." Her blue eyes trailed to the other students staring.
Momoi cringed. "A-Ah! Sorry!" She bowed, and tightened her grip on Tetsuko's arm, and ran of the building. She didn't stop, even when Tetsuko's feet kept stumbling awkwardly behind her.
"M-Momoi-san…" Tetsuko gasped out, "We're out of sight from most students – and can you please release my arm?"
Momoi stopped, and she immediately dropped her hand from Tetsuko's arm. "Ah…sorry about that, Tetsuko-chan," she apologised as she turned around. Her eyes bulged at the sight. Tetsuko had her hands on her knees, and was breathing heavily. 'We didn't run that much, and she's out of breath!' Momoi thought, sweat dropping.
Tetsuko straightened, and stared up at Momoi. "Um…Momoi-san – "
"Satsuki," Momoi corrected with a big smile. "Aren't we best friends?"
Tetsuko blinked. "That was a few years ago," she deadpanned.
An arrow pierced through Momoi's heart. "B-But Tetsuko-chan!" The pink haired girl wailed, "We were – and still are best friends!" She sniffled, "You know how much I missed you! It's been eight years! Eight years without you, and eight years of putting up with stupid, stupid Dai-chan without you!"
"Ah – "
"And Dai-chan changed so much!"
"Um – "
"Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid – "
"Er – "
" – Pervert old geezer! Dai-chan also got interested in celebrity idols! Mou, he's likes – ugh! He's a big pervert!"
"Momoi – "
"And, back in the last year of middle school, he kept on skipping basketball practice! He's so unreliable!"
"Sa – "
"Not to mention he keeps on calling my cooking rubbish! He's so ungrateful! I spent six hours on making a bento for him! And he just looked at it and at then my face and said 'No way'!"
"Satsuki-san," Tetsuko interrupted, poking the girl on the forehead none too gently, despite having to stand on tippy toes, "Please calm down."
Momoi blinked. And sighed. "Sorry, Tetsuko-chan," She murmured, "But…I really missed you."
Tetsuko gave a small smile. "Me too."
Momoi's lips tweaked into a smile. Then into a grin. "You're so cute, Tetsuko-chan!" She squealed, and glomped the poor girl.
Tetsuko sweat-dropped.
"Are you going to join the basketball club, Tetsuko-chan?" Momoi asked, "The girls team's try outs are coming soon. Maybe today."
Tetsuko blinked, "Ah. I see. Are you trying for the girls team, Satsuki-san?"
"Nope! I'm the manager of the boys' team already!"
"That's impressive."
"Thank you, Tetsuko-chan! You know we already decided the regulars last week! The new captain is really…scary, but he does gain a lot of respect from many people in a short period of time, and also has really good leadership skill!"
Tetsuko nodded, though her eyes slightly hardened.
"Anyway, here's my class. See you later, Tetsu-chan!" Momoi waved cheerfully to the blue haired girl before stepping into a classroom.
Tetsuko nodded to Momoi, and continued to walk on till she reached her classroom. She stepped in, unnoticed by the chattering students, and she made herself way over to the back.
She sat down on her chair. Unnoticed. Never seen until heard. That's how it always is. Tetsuko sighed, but her thoughts drifted back to her cheerful, pink haired childhood friend. Tetsuko smiled slightly. At least she had a friend. She gazed out the window, ignoring the commotion around her.
"Kyaah!" A few girls squealed, "Thank you, Kise-kun!"
A blind boy with golden eyes smiled at the girls. "No, thank you!" Kise grinned, "For buying the latest magazine that I was featured in!"
He waved to the girls as they left the room, giggling happily.
"Tch," A tanned boy with blue hair grumbled, looking annoyed, as he rubbed his ear, "They were annoying."
"Aominecchi!" Kise scolded, "That's not nice!"
The tanned teen rolled his eyes. "Whatever. They screamed loud and girlishly. They stink. And they were flat."
"You stink after basketball practice. Though, those girls do wear…heavy perfume. And I'm not going to say about your last comment."
"That's only sweat – Akashi had us go through all this training, so it's normal. On the other hand, the girls stink like a flower bomb, Kise."
"There's something called deodorant, Aominecchi! And you really smell after practice!"
"Well, I'm sorry if I don't smell like a flower bomb, Kise."
"You don't sound sorry at all…"
"Whatever."
"At least be more polite, Aominecchi! Stop sleeping in class and making rude comments! Akashi won't be pleased."
"Tch. If Akashi makes us go through those kind of training again, I'm going to jig it."
"Akashicchi will force you to do more training, Ahoumine."
"A-Ahou!?"
"Ahouminecchi~"
"Kise…I'M GOING TO MURDER YOU!"
"Kise…I'M GOING TO MURDER YOU!"
The loud shout followed by a bang brought Tetsuko out of her trance. Her chin raised from her palm, as she turned her head slightly to where the angry shout came from.
A few rows in front, a blond boy had his face planted into the table. The boy with blue hair next to him glanced at him, and sat back down. He yawned, and slid down further in his seat.
Tetsuko blinked. 'Weird people,' She thought, and resumed her attention back to the window.
"Everyone! Sorry, I'm late! Head teacher wanted to talk to me about a few certain matters! Ah! Kise-kun, stop sleeping!"
"Um…excuse me," Tetsuko said, to the tall girl in front of her, "Are you the captain of the girls' basketball team?"
The girl jumped in fright, and spun around. "Where did you come from?" She snapped, clutching her clipboard to her chest.
"I was standing here the whole time," Tetsuko replied bluntly.
She sighed, calming herself down. "Y-Yes, I'm the captain. Yukawa Junko."
"I would like to try out for the basketball team. I transferred to school today."
Yukawa scanned the list, her forehead creased in annoyance. "We have quite a lot of girls here today." She jerked her chin to the people behind her. "Most of them are here to gain the attention of boys from the basketball team." Her lip curled, "I believe one of those boys is a popular model. You better not be one of those crazy fan-girls. I already decided on about thirty girls to be in the third string."
Tetsuko blinked. "No, I'm not."
"Good. What's your specialty? Attack, defence, shooting?"
"Stealing and passing."
"Hn. Not good enough. But we'll see. Change into your P.E clothes – or just into shorts and proper shoes will do. You'll be tested on shooting, dribbling, stamina, and so forth. And maybe a mini game."
"Thank you."
Yukawa stared. And kept on staring.
She shook her head, and blew her whistle. "Alright girls – that's enough! Take a break!" She ordered, and took out her pen.
Shoji Kiku. "Her height is an advantage," Yukawa muttered, glancing quickly at the girl, "However, she's only good a shooting closer to the net than further away… Hn, second string."
Her skimmed the next few names. "Fan-girls. Third string." Her lip curled as she recalled the pathetic dribbling they performed. And not to mention their annoying complaints about broken nails.
Kuroko Tetsuko. Yukawa stared at the name, then shot her head back to the petite girl, who was watching a mini game – watched over by the vice-captain, of course.
Yukawa pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "Her stamina and strength is below the charts. Her physical ability and technique is…bad. She can't shoot – and she has such little presence – making her teammates think she's not even there…"
She shook her head. "But…" Yukawa could recall how the ball strangely was passed to a girl – and who knows how it got there. But the girl was too shocked to even register that a ball was right in her hands and allowed the opponent to steal it. Yukawa suspected it was something do to with that girl…
But… Yukawa closed her eyes. Her principal.
Absolute Victory.
.
Flashback
"Congratulations on leading your team to victory in the Inter High preliminaries, Yukawa-san," The principal of Teikou High congratulated, smiling.
"Thank you," Yukawa beamed proudly, "This is my first year as captain, and I hope that my team will win all of the games thrown at us."
"No," the principal said suddenly, "Not hope, will. Will win. Do you remember the school's motto, Yukawa-san?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Well, what is it?"
"A-Absolute victory…sir."
"And what that mean, Yukawa-san?"
"Winning…is everything."
.
"You lost at the Winter Cup."
Yukawa opened her mouth. And closed it. She didn't know what to say. "I-I," She fumbled for words, "The opponent – "
"I have very high expectations in basketball for both the girls and boys' team. And my expectation of the girls' team grew when you won the Inter High."
"S-Sir – "
"Tell me, Yukawa-san. What is our school's motto?"
"It's – "
"Absolute Victory." The principal gestured to the cabinet beside him. The trophies gleamed behind the glass – all polished and proud. His hand rose higher and pointed at the banner above the cabinet. Yukawa's mouth grew dry. Absolute Victory. Absolute Victory.
"I expect that your training be…ah…harsher. You can't afford to lose, Yukawa-san. Otherwise, I'll be extremely disappointed in you."
"Yes…sir," Yukawa croaked out.
End Flashback
.
Yukawa Junko gritted her teeth. She couldn't afford to lose this year. She can't have 'weaklings' – her team needs to score as many points as they could – to beat their opponents. They can't lose.
She pursed her lips. The style that Kuroko Tetsuko played…and the way how she is won't contribute well enough to Teikou's victory.
She closed her eyes. And opened them. Her pen scribbled on the paper.
Third string. ?
"Kuroko-san!"
Tetsuko looked back. "Ah, Yukawa-san," She gave a polite bow.
Yukawa nibbled her lip. "Are you going to join the basketball club? You're placed in the third string – but if you train hard, you can be put in the first string, you know."
"Yes…but, I understand Teikou's expectations for the basketball teams," Tetsuko replied, "Absolute Victory…isn't it?"
Yukawa winced. "Yes…"
"To be honest, that's one of the things I despise the most," Tetsuko said without any hint of emotion in her voice.
"So…you won't join the club," Yukawa confirmed slowly.
Tetsuko nodded slowly. "Yes, I won't be. I apologise for wasting your time." She bowed.
Yukawa scribbled a messy 'X' next to Tetsuko's name, "No – it wasn't…" She looked up, and a puzzled expression crossed her face. "Where did she go?"
Kuroko Tetsuko sat on a bench, dropping her school bag next to her. 'Third String…' She thought, 'Even though I passed the ball around – everyone seems to never see me, and always get surprised when the ball is passed around."
"How can I achieve my dream now?" She murmured softly as she stared up at the clear blue sky. She closed her eyes.
"Tetsuko. Promise me, that you'll keep playing basketball."
Tetsuko opened her eyes.
.
Flashback
Kagami bounced the basketball lightly on the ground. "You're leaving for Japan tomorrow, huh…"
Tetsuko nodded. "Yes."
Kagami scowled and whacked her on her head. "At least show some more emotion about it, idiot!" He sighed, looked away and muttered a small apology.
Tetsuko blinked, her face blank as she stared at the redhead boy next to her.
"Hey. Tetsuko."
"Yes?"
"Tetsuko. Promise me, that you'll keep playing basketball," Kagami said, turning his head away from the blue haired girl.
Tetsuko raised her eyebrow. 'This isn't like Kagami,' she thought as she creased her forehead.
"As long as we keep playing basketball – we'll definitely meet again, right?" Kagami continued, placing his hand over his eyes. "We'll meet again someday. You, me, Alex and Himuro."
"Yes. Definitely," Tetsuko agreed.
Kagami smiled slightly. He removed his hand from over his eyes and looked at Tetsuko. "…Keep on playing – and next time we meet, let's play again. After all…" Kagami bit his lip, and screwed his eyes shut. "A light can't be brighter without a shadow." He held his clenched fist to her.
Tetsuko stared at Kagami. 'He's trying his best not to cry,' she thought, as tears prickled her eyes. "Yes," She said and bumped his fist with hers.
"Argh! What's wrong with me!?" Kagami yelled. He stood up and pointed his finger at Tetsuko. "Tetsuko! Let's play basketball!"
"Bakagami, you stupid idiot," Tetsuko deadpanned, "I already know what you mean."
End Flashback
.
Tetsuko smiled. "I need to keep on playing basketball," She murmured, and pulled out her necklace (well, more of a ring on a cord), and stared at it fondly. "We'll definitely meet again!"
"Dai-chan!" Momoi tossed a towel to the tanned teen's face.
Aomine grunted, and pushed himself in a sitting position. "What is it, Satsuki?" He asked tiredly. "You seem very…happy."
Momoi beamed, her pink eyes sparkling. "I found my best friend!"
Aomine grunted. 'Girls,' he thought, and wiped his sweat off his face with his towel.
"You'll never guess who it is!"
Grunt.
"It's Tetsuko-chan!"
A/N: End~
I think I've kind of left you guys on a cliffhanger again... ^^; Sorry - you might have wanted to see Tetsuko's first meetings with the Generation of Miracles members... Haha... Whoops.
Well, at least she met Momoi again...
Anyway, some of you want GoMxFem!Kuroko. So here's my thoughts on it.
Sorry, but no. I really dislike it when there's 2 guys (or more) and they're over heels in love with some girl. I can't help but feel really sorry for the guy (and sometimes more guys) who doesn't end up with the girl. And half the time, they're the caring, kind-hearted guys. That's somewhat personal... Also, I don't think Midorima would get along well with Tetsuko - just like the original. Maybe they're good friends...but probably not into the romance thing. And also Murasakibara...he doesn't seem to be interested in romance at all.
I'm really sorry for those who want GoMxFem!Kuroko. But to be honest, I currently have zero ideas on romance right now. Let's just go on with the flow. ^^;
Oh yeah. I'm planning for Kagami and Alex to come to Japan, and Kagami's obviously going to Seirin. Also, do any of you want Himuro to be in Seirin as well? Just asking for your opinions. I'm kind of debating, because I want the GoM to lose in an official match at some point... So...yea... ^^; Still thinking about it.
I seen stories when GIRLS play in BOYS' sports team. To be honest, that's just ridiculous, not to mention Mary Sue-ish. Also, I'm not going to have Tetsuko cross-dress as a guy to play in the boys' basketball team. Not to mention, when everyone finds out that she's actually a girl - then she and maybe the boys team as well will be disqualified. And that sucks.
Even if Tetsuko not going to be in the girls' basketball team, she's still going to play basketball lol XD So don't worry ;)
I don't know why, but I wanted Tetsuko to be in the same class as Aomine. But I felt like there should be one more person - so I chose Kise.
Anyway, thanks for reading! :D :D If you have any questions, just review or message me :)
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AnimeFreakoLover: Lololol, thank you so much!~~ :D :D Yosh, I'll try my best to update!
cancer718: Yes, in the words of Bakagami - "Be a man!" I'm not sure which high school which Himuro will be in. What high school would you like him to be in? Yes - Kagami is going to move to Japan with Alex - as far as I had planned, but things might change :/ Thank you!~ :D
hitomi65: Thank you!~ :D :D
F .Akane: Sorry, but I won't do GoMxFem!Kuroko :/ I'm really sorry about that. Thank you :)
Kuroshiroryuu: Thank you so much!~ :D :D Really - Takao? It does? o.o Thank you for the advice! They're really good ideas! :D :D Currently, I going with the flow XD Yes, I'm planning to add more people from other schools - maybe "coincidental" visits, bumping into each other lol XD Thank again! Have a happy new year too! :D (late in saying this == )
BlackCatAnimeGirl: Yes, I will :) Thank you!~ :D
Lady Syndra: And she did. Well, not much. You'll find out soon XD Himuro is already in Japan, and he doesn't know that Tetsuko is moving to Japan. :) Thank you so much! :D :D
ErmaBach: Yup! There's a second season of Kuroko no Basuke anime! :D :D Thank you so much!~ :) I'll try my best to update!
fangirling-girl: Thank you! :D Ahahaha, I have strange ideas XDD Sometimes, I don't feel like following the original plot line, and I also want to be a tad bit different XD Really? I want to explore the characters' personalities more, so I chose to do that XD And I think you'll have to wait longer because their meetings could be in later chapters. ^^; Thank you so much!~~ :D :D (Yes! Akashi is awesome XDD )
Crystalux. blu: Yes, I'll try my best to update! :D Thank you! ^^
asada xinon: Sorry, but I won't have GoMxFem!Kuroko :/ I'm really sorry about that. Thank you though! :)
1m-pr1n7: Thank you! :D
gigi323: Haha XD I don't plan on ditching this story yet XD You'll might have to wait a bit longer for everyone else's reactions XD Yes - I love the brotherly/sisterly bond they hand QAQ Lol, currently with 'romance' - I decided to go with the flow for now XD Akashi does? o.o Thank you so much!~~ :D :D
MintLeafeon: Thank you so much!~ :D :D