3rd Person POV
Kuroko
"Akashi-kun, this is a surprise, I wasn't expecting a call from you so late in the evening." Kuroko said as he looked at the clock that was now almost 7.
"Tetsuya, I suppose I could have called earlier or at least sent a text before calling out of the blue."
"No it's alright. Is something wrong? Are you calling a meeting?." Kuroko asked a bit nervously. Akashi hasn't called a meeting among the GoM in quite some time.
"No, just you." Kuroko felt a mixture of relief, disappointment and confusion.
"I'm sorry?"
"Just you Tetsuya, meet me tomorrow at the Tokyo airport." Kuroko paused for a moment before sighing.
'Old habits die hard I guess.' He thought.
"What time?"
"7am."
"I'll be there."
It was quiet on the other line for a minute before Akashi changed the subject.
"Do you know what college you'll be attending?"
"Not yet, I'm still applying, I was actually just about to call one before you called me." Kuroko said as he moved his mouse around to prevent his laptop from going to sleep.
"Oh, which one was it?" Akashi asked a bit intrigued.
"KGU." He said without missing a beat. He couldn't help it, it just rolled off his tongue.
"Hmm, if I'm not mistaken that's where Satsuki will be attending is it not?"
"I believe so. She said it was her dream after her parents told her about it." Kuroko said, resting his head on the armrest on the couch behind him.
"Yes, she did. Well Kuroko, I'll let you go and allow you to call KGU, best of luck."
A bit surprised, Kuroko could only say a weak 'ok' before Akashi had hung up.
Kuroko had looked at Nigou who was still happily munching away on his pizza.
"Well that wasn't odd."
Kuroko had meant to say it sarcastically but it didn't, because it's actually just like Akashi to call out if blue on such late notice.
He just shrugged his shoulders before calling the college.
He did what he was told to do and emailed his transcripts and other documents that would help him get into KGU.
"Thank for choosing KGU as your choice of college, we will call you tomorrow evening to let you know whether or not you've been accepted."
"Tomorrow? That early?" He was surprised, he assumed it would take at least a week, if not longer to get some kind of answer.
"Yes, we take these things very seriously here KGU. We try to get your answer as soon as possible that way if it's unaccepted the student can focus on a different college."
"I see, well, until tomorrow then."
Without another word the lady on the other line hung up.
'Well.' He thought. 'Might as well finish eating and take a shower and go to bed.'
He had no idea what was going to happen tomorrow but he might as well rest up for it. But first things first.
Kuroko stood up and grabbed the red dog leash and clipped it on Nigou's matching collar and grabbed a doggie bag, not that kind of doggie bag, the nasty one.
"Let's go Nigou, before it gets too late."
Akashi
After hanging up the phone with Kuroko, Akashi had made a call to KGU himself.
"Thank you for calling KGU, for enrollment please press 1 and wait while we transfer your call. To speak to the headmaster please press 2. For- ."
He pressed number two.
"Please wait while we transfer your call."
Akashi sighed as he leaned back into his chair. He wanted to help out Kuroko, because despite everything that had happened, Tetsuya had always been there for him. Now he wanted to return the favor. It was small in his opinion and he still had a lot of making up to do but it was something. He could use his status for his friends in the right way. He had done this for the others as well when he had figured out they wanted to study abroad in something else other than basketball.
"This better be important." The headmaster spoke as he answered the phone.
Akashi raised and eyebrow.
He couldn't help but think. 'Well this is going to be unpleasant.'
"I can assure you it is Sir."
"May I ask who is speaking?" He grumbled out.
"Akashi Seijuro." Akashi heard him take a quick intake and choked before coughing and clearing his throat.
He began to stutter rapidly. "A-Akashi Seijuro! Oh! It's such an honor to be speaking to you!" Akashi used two fingers to rub his temple, this was definitely unpleasant for him. He sat there and listened to the principle talk. "I was under the impression that you were attending school on a cruise ship, but if you're calling to enroll we would love to have you."
"No, I believe you've misunderstood what I've called for. I am still attending school on the cruise ship. I'm calling for recommendations."
"Of course Sir! But here rules are rules. I'm sure you wish to recommend a friend but to recommend one you must recommend two others. Three in total."
Akashi was surprised, The other schools only wanted money and they'd put them on the list, which money was no problem for him, but this makes it seem almost, honorable.
'That's Japan for you.' He thought.
"I understand, is there anyone who impressed you that you'd suggest?" It was starting to get less unpleasant.
"Yes, I do believe we got a few that were impressive, but in this school its first come first serve. If you recommend them it would surely be beneficial."
"What are the most two impressive of the bunch?"
Akashi heard the principal hum before the tapping noise of the keyboard echoed through the speaker.
"There's Hiruma Yoichi, Kobayakawa Sena, Sakurai Ryo, Taki Hikari-"
"The last two." Akashi cut him off.
"Huh? Sakurai Ryo and Taki Hikari? Alright then, and the one you wanted to recommend?"
"Kuroko Tetsuya."
Next Day
Ogiwara and Haizaki
3rd Person POV
Both boys woke up in the same hotel room. Ogiwara on a full size bed on one side of the room and Haizaki on the other bed on the other side of the room.
"Well, let's get this day started, I'm not sure about you but I'm in serious need of coffee and breakfast right now." Ogiwara said as he stood up from his bed to go to the restroom.
"Same here man, in the mornings it's all about the coffee." Haizaki could distinctly hear Ogiwara snort before he closed the bathroom door.
The hotel they were in was pretty small but still luxurious, they even have complementary breakfast, and the best part? It was affordable for one night, just 45 dollars.
A few minutes later Ogiwara stepped out of the bathroom looking completely ready for the day.
"It's all yours man." Another twenty minutes later both men were in the room next to the lobby where they served breakfast, chowing down food and guzzling down coffee.
"We really should be going to the school now, I'm sure it's open and we can get a tour of the place."
"Alright, sounds legit."
After paying for the night they spent at the hotel they began their slow walk to the University.
Kuroko
Kuroko woke up around five in the morning to get ready for whatever it was that Akashi was planning. If he was planning something. One thing that Kuroko knows about Akashi is that everything he does it has a purpose.
ring ring
Kuroko picked up his cell phone to look at the text message he just received, slightly surprised to see that it was actually Momoi instead of Akashi.
"I don't mean to be a bother but I was just wondering if you had found a college, I never got a chance to see you after your graduation, I got caught up."
Kuroko frowned a bit.
"Momoi, you know you're no bother to me, and it's OK, I didn't even stay for my own graduation, I also got caught up, mostly in trying to find a college. I've applied to a few places but so far, no response."
Ding ding
"I see, I hope you find something. Anyway I also messaged you because apparently no one can get a hold of Akashi. Have you heard from him?"
Kuroko froze.
"What?" He said out loud before realizing that she couldn't actually hear him.
"No, I haven't, sorry." He replied anyway.
"Alright, thanks anyway."
Kuroko Looked at his phone.
"Again... what?!"
Kuroko all but ran out of his house, Nigou following right behind him.
He had to get to the airport.
Momoi and Sakurai
"You know, you didn't have to lie like that. Kuroko is probably worried about Akashi now." Sakurai said as he looked to his pink haired companion.
"Well it's not all a lie, I really can't get a hold of Akashi right now. And I know you're just as curious as I am!" Momoi said with her hands on her hips and a small pout on her lips.
"Well, yeah I guess. But why would Akashi recommend me for KGU?" Sakurai asked, beyond confused.
"That's just how he is now. Anyone who played basketball with a member of the GoM, on their team or against, he's tried to help. Either as an apology or a thanks. Even if it happened way back in middle school. He partially blames himself for the way they all changed in their last year of middle school and would do whatever it takes to help someone, even a little."
"I see." Sakurai said as he stared at his phone in wonder as he re-read the email on his phone of KGU accepting him into their college thanks to the help of Akashi.
Sakurai didn't know what to feel, but grateful outweighed everything else he felt.
"Well, now that we know you've been accepted, let's go check out the campus!" Momoi said happily as Sakurai nodded in agreement, and they both left to go to the campus of the college they'd now be attending in a few months.
Kuroko and Akashi
Kuroko was at the airport with Nigou at 7 o'clock sharp just like he said he would, a bit worried why no one but he had been in contact with Akashi.
"Tetsuya." Kuroko snapped his head to the side to find Akashi standing in front of him with his suitcase in hand. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Mm." Kuroko hummed, silently breathing a sigh of relief knowing that Akashi was OK.
"Come with me." Akashi said as he began walking in the opposite direction.
"Where are we going?"
"To the porting docs in Kobe, it's where I'll be studying for the next few years, the ship is leaving a few weeks earlier than planned." Kuroko froze.
"So, this is your last day in Japan?"
"Yes, it is..."
Both walked in silence until reaching the terminal.
"This is as far as I can go Akashi."
"No it isn't." He said before handing him a plane ticket, further shocking the blue haired boy. "Your coming with me to Kobe."
"Wait what?"
One hour later
Kuroko and Nigou who had also flown first class with the two teenagers stood with Akashi at the main docs where his cruise ship would be leaving within the hour.
"Why am I the only one here Akashi? What about the others?" Kuroko asked as he stared into a pair of red eyes.
"They were too busy, all of them had to take tests to get their visas and passports in order to leave the country." Kuroko hummed in acknowledgment.
'So he did try to call a meeting.'
"But I'm glad you were still able to come, Tetsuya." Kuroko couldn't help but smile. Akashi was practically the only one who sook redemption, the rest of the GoM just did what they did best, they were a little better, but not by much.
They both stood in comfortable silence until the horn from the ship wailed loudly in the or ears.
"Well Tetsuya, I guess this means I'll see you in a few years."
"Hopefully before that." This time Akashi smiled.
"That would be nice." Akashi said as he backed up slowly to the soon to be departing ship.
"Make sure to keep in touch."
"You as well Tetsuya."
The two of them waves at each other till Akashi raised his hand higher, still waving. Kuroko wonder just what Akashi was doing until he heard it for himself.
"Bye Akashi-kun!" Kuroko turned around so fast he could have sworn he heard his neck pop. Nigou ran right passed him and into the awaiting arms of Momoi.
She was also waving good buy to Akashi, but what surprised him the most was the three males standing behind her waving as well. Sakurai, Haizaki, and Ogiwara.
"What are you waiting for Kuroko? They're waiting for you." Kuroko couldn't help but feel as though there were more to his words than he let on. But he walked anyways.
