AN: This is late, because as usual, I am horrible at updates. Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day! xoxoxo I'm so happy to see that people alerted, faved, and reviewed. Thank you for your interest in this story~ Shout outs for last chapter!
hitomi65, itachisgurl93, jenna, Shattered Teacup, AnimeXMangaAddict, Strangerr, Marianaa, BloodRabbit Sapphira (Vanira is Kuroko ^^, sorry if that chapter was misleading somehow?), iKitsuNeko (Oh my gosh I'm so happy you caught that! I have a secret bias for Aokuro, shhhh~), Returnwithno, Crayons, Esperanz, forgetmypassword, Kuroshiroryuu, BlackCatAnimeGirl, luckyschoolgirl, KyGazer (I hope your exams went well!)

You guys are so nice. Thanks for reviews and faves, too!

Wait also! Guys, I was wondering, would anyone be interested in reading a male!Momoi x Kuroko story? Because I keep thinking that Momoi as a guy would be so hot… Ah, I don't know, I'll just stop rambling now. En garde!

Summary: AU. Five actors. One mysterious writer. All drawn together in the makings of a brand new movie that was written anonymously under the name "Vanira". Fate does have a strange way of bringing the most unlikely people together. GoMxKuroko

[DISCLAIMER] Kuroko no Basuke does not belong to me.

Generation of Acting

Chapter Three: For You

The sudden flux of talented actors in Japan, all around the same time, became known to all as the Generation of Acting. However, the name was actually created from the discovery of five young prodigies, nicknamed the "miracle actors", because of their natural talent and passionate acting.

The movie business has been on the rise since the miracle actors first debuted. There was one person, however, hidden in the shadows of this flashy business, whose name has been spoken by every top actor in all of Japan; whose movies—every single one of them—broke box-office records. And that person went by the name of "Vanira".

.

Kuroko, panting heavily, braced himself on his thighs. He had just rushed over from his part time job at Maji Burger's, his apron still hanging from his waist.

"Tetsuya!" a cheery voice called, waving him over. Kiyoshi Teppei, his longtime senpai and friend, waved from his spot on a nearby bench at the edge of the pool. His hair was damp, and a fluffy towel was draped around his neck.

"Senpai," Kuroko greeted with a barest hint of a smile. He moved to his side as Teppei patted the spot beside him in invitation.

"Wow, look at your hair!" the older boy exclaimed, lifting a strand of light blue hair in wonder. Kuroko nodded at the unspoken question.

"It was necessary for my new role."

"It suits you," Teppei said with complete honesty, before gasping. "Tetsuya! You look thinner! Have you been eating properly?"

"… Yes, I—"

"And those bags under your eyes! You've been over-working yourself again, haven't you?" he accused, fussing over Kuroko, whom he thought of as his little brother. The boy did look thinner, his collarbones jutting out unnaturally and his cheekbones the slightest bit more pronounced.

"I am fine," Kuroko assured, and changed the topic quickly. "How is your leg?"

"It… It doesn't hurt so much. But they said that at this point, I really will need surgery," Teppei admitted with a light laugh that didn't reach his eyes.

Kuroko looked down at his lap and they both fell into a tense silence.

"You don't have work here today," Teppei suddenly realized. "Why did you come?"

"I will be busier these days and I won't be stopping by as often. I wanted to let you know."

The taller boy grinned, ruffling the soft blue hair affectionately. "Aw, Tetsuya was worried about me?" He didn't pause long enough for a reply. "I already knew that, of course. I'll be going to visit you really often, to make sure you're not getting bullied~!" He was referring to their time in middle school together, much to the bluenette's chagrin.

Kuroko's face melted into a scowl as he pushed the hand away. "Please don't do anything embarrassing, senpai."

"I would never!"

At a chilling blank stare, Teppei swallowed. "Alright, alright, I won't. What time are you heading out?"

"It starts in half an hour," Kuroko said after a brief glance to the clock. "I should be heading out now… Ah." He blinked owlishly as the apron was yanked from his waist.

"First impressions are important," Teppei teased with a wag of his finger.

"… Yes."

.

"Alright!" Director Tadatoshi Fujimaki (1) clapped his hands sharply, calling for attention. "Is everybody here? Can we start?"

Akashi slid off of his perch on the director's chair and folded his arms. He glanced through the sea of faces haphazardly assembled around the set.

"It seems like everyone's here," Izuki Shun offered.

After a quick headcount, director Fujimaki pulled out the script to scan through the listed names. There was one missing, but who?

"Who could be missing?" Kagami Taiga mumbled, glancing around.

"Is Kuroko here?" the director shouted through the actors' mumblings.

"Kuroko?" Akashi narrowed his eyes. 'As in, Kuroko… Tetsuya?'

Unbeknownst to him, two other pairs of eyes widened in recognition of the name.

"I-I don't think he's here yet," Sakurai Ryō stammered, unheard by the others.

Murmurs rippled through the actors yet again. Generally, there was a consensus of, 'How can the main character be missing?'

"Um… Tadatoshi-san?" The director reeled back in shock. Who said that? "Tadatoshi-san?"

Suddenly, as if he materialized, a short boy with pale blue hair appeared before him.

"Geh!" director Fujimaki choked. Yells of surprise echoed through the set.

Kuroko stood before the older man with an impassive expression, as usual.

"Before you ask, I was here the whole time," he deadpanned.

"That's freaky!" Kagami complained to no one in particular, wondering who the tiny, scrawny boy was. A stagehand, perhaps?

The director cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. He was flustered that the boy was standing in front of him and he hadn't realized it. Then again, he wasn't the only one.

"A-Ah, it's good that you're here, Kuroko." Kuroko's face remained stony. Kagami gaped like a fish. 'This guy's Kuroko Tetsuya?!'

The director continued in a louder voice, addressing the whole group. "We won't be doing any filming for a while, of course. But the promo photo shoot will take place next week. The schedule will be mailed to you by tomorrow night at the latest. For today, you will each receive the script and are expected to run the lines and become familiar with your roles so that the filming goes smoothly. Any questions?"

"… I have one."

"Yes, Midorima?"

"When will we be receiving our filming schedules? I wish to know in advance."

"Those will be sent along with the photo shoot schedule, don't worry. Anything else?" A few shakes of the head and mumbled "no's", and he shrugged. "Alright, well, that's it then. The schedules are over there, just take one for yourself and you're free to do whatever. I suggest you introduce yourselves to each other, though, as you'll be working together for quite a while. It's best to get acquainted early."

With that, they were dismissed, and Kuroko slipped through the other actors and got his script first. Papers in hand, Kuroko glanced around at the mingling actors. He didn't know anyone here personally, besides Momoi Satsuki (who was away on a modeling excursion), so he wasn't sure who he should run lines with...

"Kuroko-cchi!" Kise exclaimed, waving as he ran over. He threw his arms around the smaller boy enthusiastically.

"Kise-kun," Kuroko bowed in greeting as soon as he was released.

Kise pouted. "Don't be so formal. Call me Ryouta! Ryo, tah!"

"… Kise-kun."

"No fun," the blonde laughed in surprise. "Anyway, I didn't know you were an actor! And in this movie, even! Why didn't you tell me?"

"You didn't ask," Kuroko replied bluntly.

"Eh?" Kise began crying crocodile tears.

"Ryouta."

The blonde looked up in shock, but much to his disappointment, it was not Kuroko who called him. Akashi stood, with his default 'hell-hath-no-fury' expression on his face, and an irritable looking Midorima at his side.

Ah… Kise pondered what he had done wrong this time. Akashi could be so mean.

"A-Akashi-cchi," he greeted weakly before perking up. "Have you both met Kuroko? Isn't he so cute?" Kise gushed, pulling the unresponsive bluenette up to his body and tucking the light blue head under his chin.

Midorima's eyes bugged even as he shifted his glasses and tried to maintain his professional appearance, because, well, he really was cute.

Of course, he was too much of a 'tsundere' to ever admit that.

"I am Midorima Shintarou."

"Kuroko Tetsuya. It is nice to meet you, Midorima-kun," Kuroko responded, looking unperturbed at the blonde's actions. If one looked closely, however, they would notice his brow twitch ever so slightly and the corner of his lips tilt downwards.

Akashi's eyes glinted.

"Ryouta, do unhand Tetsuya before an… accident happens."

Swallowing, Kise did as he was told.

Kuroko bowed slightly. "It is nice to see you again, Akashi-kun."

Miraculously, Midorima and Kise witnessed as Akashi's face softened and he nodded.

"Akashi-cchi, you know each other?"

"We've met once. Was the stain removed?" The seemingly random question was directed to Kuroko, who frowned.

"… No. Not completely."

The redhead nodded again, a smirk lifting his lips. "I am always right."

Midorima was just glad that he was not the only one confused by this exchange, if Kise's expression was anything to go by.

Before Kuroko could reply, the back of his shirt was yanked by a large hand.

Blue eyes looked up to meet the scowling face of Kagami Taiga. "I'm gonna steal this guy for a bit. To run lines," he growled. Kuroko figured that was his normal speech habit. Then, as if remembering his manners, Kagami added, "Excuse me."

Kuroko was promptly manhandled away by the 'American Tiger'… or so he was called.

An ominous aura enveloped Akashi, and Midorima and Kise were tempted to back away. They knew they couldn't. Akashi was like a feral animal in that sense; show fear, and you're dead meat.

"Kagami Taiga," he whispered. "He has some nerve. Come, Shintarou, Ryouta. We have much to do."

The two followed him away meekly.

Kagami had better watch himself.

(1) It's only natural that Tadatoshi Fujimaki, the author, should be the director of the movie! Right?

Well, thanks for reading! I hope you all enjoy Valentine's Day/Single Awareness Day; I know I won't.