**Tetsu is being pronounced as tehts. Or tête with an s (which is a weird way for me to think of it). The u is tsu is basically(almost)
silent like the Kanto pronunciation of desu.
Separation
Chapter Two: Declaration
"Tetsu-chan."
Kuroko ignored Takao who had walked up to his desk after class ended. He put his notebook and pencil into his bag and began to leave the room.
"Don't leave me Tetsu-chan." Takao placed a hand on Kuroko's shoulder who looked up at the taller teen.
"Tetsu-chan?" Didn't he already have enough ridiculous nicknames? "I'd rather you not call me that." Even though he stated his displeasure, he doubted that he would be able to escape it.
"Nope. It's a symbolism of our friendship now." The black hair teen smiled as he headed towards the gym. He had a feeling that Kuroko didn't like the nickname. Whether because it used his given name, because of his shortened name, because of the –chan, or multiple reasons, he couldn't be quite sure, but nonetheless it bothered the boy. It has become a goal of his: to get Kuroko to be more expressive. "You can give me a nickname too if you'd like," he said pointing to himself.
"I'd rather not, Takao-kun."
"At least use my first name."
"Takao-kun is Takao-kun."
.
Takao couldn't help but freeze when he saw Midorima in the gym. Of course knowing he was at Shūtoku and seeing him there in front of him were two different things. He'd make his declaration later when there would be less people. He didn't want to make a spectacle of it.
When Nakatani Masaaka, a middle-aged man who happened to be their coach, said they would be running laps as the first part of their warm up, Takao stood beside Kuroko on the track. He glanced at his friend who still seemed void of emotions. But now that they were in the club something was almost different about him. He couldn't say what, because he remained as nonchalant as he had been the rest of the day. He would see what the quiet guy had in store. He didn't look like a typical basketball player and appearances cold be deceiving, so Takao was interested in what kind of player Kuroko was.
Ten laps. They were supposed to run 10 laps as a warm up.
Kuroko started at the same pace as everyone else, however, as always it didn't last long as he got further and further behind.
Takao began his sixth lap. By this point the students were a little more dispersed, but all within a third of the track. It was then that he noticed that Kuroko was a little ways in front of him. Takao felt the burn in his legs as he picked up the pace to close their gap. "You're pretty quick for a little guy—" Takao looked at the teens whitened face then came to a conclusion. It wasn't that Kuroko was faster. In fact "—I'm lapping you?" Hadn't Kuroko said that he had played in games? At the very least he would have been a bench member making him a first string. Or maybe he had played in games but not official ones?
Kuroko just nodded, using all his energy on his concentration and will to keep going. Akashi had made him do similar things in Teikō. It wasn't that his stamina improved, even with the constant push. No. It was more like he learned how to stomach the nausea, the muscle burn and pain, and the light-headedness long enough to complete the drill. He didn't even throw up anymore after being pushed… usually.
Kuroko was now in the middle of his eighth lap when Takao had passed him again along with the rest of the members. They were just about done while he still had another two laps after. He mildly wondered if he could just use misdirection and make them all think that he had completed all of his laps, but he wouldn't skip out on his training and Midorima might be suspicious that he was done so early.
When Takao finished his laps he was glad to finally be able to catch his breath. Looking back at the track he noticed the few people behind him were finishing as Kuroko started yet another lap. It was hard to watch and Takao felt bad for him. He soon got ushered in with everyone else, though, to begin other drills leaving Kuroko alone.
.
Takao did not just see that. The people around him gapped as well. Then it happened again. That was just insane. The coach had been curious about the limitations of Midorima's shot. It was insulting to Midorima actually. He no longer had limits. The court was his. A few people had spoken against such reassured arrogance so the shooting guard made them eat their words with his actions. Seven full court shots perfectly scored with a swish. Not the slightest tough to the rim. That was in no way natural.
Kuroko had just re-entered the gym to see the shot. It didn't surprise him. Midorima had been able to achieve his full court shot just before their middle school club stopped their activities in time to prepare for their exams—so about six weeks ago. He was slightly concerned that he was having a dizzy spell and his stomach turned.
Midorima seemed to take notice of Kuroko as he moved to stand with the rest of the members. That paleness. That slight sway. He knew that it couldn't be good. "Oi. If you're going to throw up, do so outside."
The fact that it had really been the first time Midorima had willing spoken to another player, without being prompted, they looked among each other to see who they were talking about.
"Tetsu-chan!' Takao noticed that it had been Kuroko the green hair teen had been speaking to. He look ready to collapse.
Midorima looked at Takao. He'd only even heard Momoi call Kuroko that that girl gave everyone ridiculous nicknames, just like Kise or Murasakubara would.
It was only because of Takao that others seemed to finally notice Kuroko.
"Eh? Did you see him before?"
"Is he even suited for basketball?"
"He used to be in Teikō?" said the captain. He knew Kuroko already had a low presence from the registration incident but this was ridiculous. "How did he play in games?"
The coach, who stood beside Ōtsubo, looked surprised. "Teikō?" It didn't matter what string, that school took their motto 'Ever Victorious' seriously. "What's his name?" Something about the lack of presence was rubbing him the wrong way like he should know something but couldn't recall whatever it was.
"Um…it was…" The captain searched through his memories. Giving up looked through the registration forms he had been about to give the coach before Midorima started shooting at full court. That had been crazy enough to gain the attention of everyone at the expense of what they had been doing previously. "Kuroko Tetsuya. Year one. Class two. Student 28. Teikō Middle School. Specialty is passing. Joined because he wants to play. Aside from the Teikō name nothing really stands out. Even Kimura and I didn't notice him at registration until Takao pointed him out," he said pointing at the one who called Kuroko "Tetsu-chan".
The coach had a bent finger pressed against his lip as his thumb was beneath his chin. He stared at Kuroko who was between Takao and Midorima from his line of vision. He wondered. . .
.
Kuroko grabbed the metal bucket and puked in it. Wait. Why was there a metal bucket on the side of the gym?
"My lucky item!"
Ah. That explained it.
"Lucky item?" Takao asked as he stared at the angered champion. "How is a metal bucket a lucky item?" Was this guy loony? When he thought of lucky items, he thought of those little trinkets that girls would buy because if would bring them luck in some aspect of life.
"Don't question Oha Asa," Midorima said to Takao before turning back to Kuroko. "You want to destroy my luck don't you? This is why our signs aren't compatible."
"Shouldn't it be the other way around," said Kuroko. If he was going to say they were incompatible it was because of the sign and blood they were born with, not they had their signs and blood because they didn't like each other. Not that Kuroko believed any of it.
"I'll wash it."
"It won't do. Aquarius is ranked 9th today. You've contaminated my luck."
"Then I'll buy you a new one."
Takao gapped. Why would Kuroko buy one when the one in his hand was perfectly good? None of this was making any sense, but he had a feeling if he asked right now he was getting into something over his head.
"It'll be too late—"
"Get back to drills!" The captain yelled startling everyone who had been watching the oddity whom was Midorima.
The coach called Midorima over. "What can you tell me about Kuroko?"
Midorima blandly responded while pushing up his glasses that began to slide from sweat. "Aquarius and type A blood. We're a horrible match."
The coach was exasperated. That wasn't what he meant. Why did they choose someone so difficult to deal with?
"I meant basketball related."
Midorima froze momentarily before brushing it off like it never happened.
"He played as our sixth player." Our referring to Teikō. The vagueness was only partially due to the conceitedness of the Generation Miracles. None of them even felt the need to describe their skills or positions. It was obvious and they all implicitly knew their roles. And while they didn't have loyalty to Teikō per se, what they speak about of the other members was always kept to a minimum. "We don't get along, but I do respect him.
The coached hummed and Midorima dismissed himself.
Maybe the rumors were true.
.
Kuroko asked to practice more after the club was let out. The coach had been surprised because with Kuroko's physique and the struggle to keep up with basic skills, he should have been exhausted by now. Well, he did look tired, but if he wanted to practice more he wasn't going to deny that. Midorima had already asked anyway. He didn't know if it was from being former Teikō students or if they were just oddities.
"Shin-chan."
"Don't call me that." He looked for the one who had called him the ridiculous name. It was the person who had mocked his lucky item earlier.
"I think I will, Shin-chan." Kuroko looked over at the two. He felt Midorima's pain. "I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Takao Kazunari and I've decided that if I can't be you… I'll make you respect me."
"Why?"
Takao felt crushed. Did he not even remember their encounter?
Kuroko glanced at the two. Takao and Midorima continued to speak. Kuroko shrugged and went back to practicing on his own.
He didn't honestly know if Takao could get Midorima to make him respect him or not, but he had a feeling that Midorima would be using this to his advantage. Or maybe Takao's willingness will just make it come across that way.
I'm thinking of making chapters longer now... what do you think?
Also I have a popularity poll between my 3 KnB stories if you want to partake.
