Warning: This is a purely serious fiction. Also, this is supposed to be a Dark!Kuroko thingy. You've been warned.
I'm still really amused that the lack of announcement about 'The Hitman' has a huge impact in reader confusion. I'm really sorry to my 'The Hitman' readers. I did not expect such a thing to happen.
Anyways, I'm beginning to lengthen my resting phases in writing. I mostly post an update in weekly, but I'm stretching it out a bit. I hate my heart.
And here is another chappy of Tip Off! It's the penultimate chapter, by the way. Many, many thanks for those who have faved, followed and reviewed this one! I love you all! :D
Warning (2): All writing errors are all my sin!
Disclaimer: Meh...
Tip Off
The Mercenary: Kise Ryōta
Chapter 4 – Success and Misinterpretations
Midorima Shintarō said that 'Winning is everything.' Kuroko Tetsuya said that 'Winning is everything.' There is no doubt that Aomine Daiki also knows that 'Winning is everything.' But as Kise Ryōta, will I ever see that 'Winning is everything?' Then what is 'everything' after I 'win'?
—until that point.
"I will be submitting the reports to Midorima-kun," Kuroko maintained, as he looked back at Kise. One by one the printed pieces of paper went into the stack, with a clean white folder nearby ready to be filled in. The teal-head continued to closely watch Kise's reaction those seconds, while he expertly leafed through the papers in exact precision. Even though he remained entirely silent about the ordeal that happened not too long ago, Kuroko was not totally oblivious of its aftermath. The pale-skinned detective intern knew that the cotton gauze now plastered upon Kise's face was not something intentional.
"What do you mean, Kuroko?" Kise quickly asked, sounding surprised at Kuroko's declaration. The blond almost stood up from his chair that time, if not of the pain that reeked over his face and the overall fatigue he felt. He unconsciously brushed the gauze with his fingers, fiddling its hem while he gave out a strained look at Kuroko. "I don't think that the investigation is finished." He said. "We still have many things to do. We can't possibly just make a judgment from the few details we have right now." Kise added, trying to tell the other DI that the evidences weren't enough.
"Even though you did not like my earlier attempts of honesty," Kuroko said, indirectly reminding Kise of his outburst inside the fast food restaurant they ate in earlier, "I will have to say that you did an exceptional performance in this case, Kise-kun." The teal-head said, to Kise's dismay. At that point, the blond felt totally peeved by Kuroko's every statement, even though his words were entirely normal or it had a different meaning under. It had taken a lot of effort, but Kise had managed to calm down in a certain degree. "Even if I am to pass these right now, the case will be solved right away."
"You bastard," Kise seethed under his teeth. Kuroko gave out a curious expression, despite the derogatory call. "How can you call for the end of the investigation? We have not done everything to clear out the questions!" He pointed, raising his voice louder. The blond slammed his hand over the table. "This investigation has been clearly shortened because of your ways, Kuroko!" He had finally dropped the honorific, since he felt that the man he was talking to did not worth any of his recognition. "I can't possibly accept any of this!"
"We have a deal, Kise-kun." Kuroko strongly reminded. "I hope that you uphold your end in our agreement." The teal-head DI said, as he placed a stern gaze at the blond. He had stopped working on documents in front of him and finally settled his attention upon Kise. "Until the end of this case, please have the responsibility and the courtesy to remain cooperative." He told Kise, eyeing him in the same way when the blond was first introduced to him. Of course he would not forget their first encounter back then, before it was decided for them to lump together for a case.
"And then I'm simply pushed back to that deal," Kise said, sounding incredulous. He stared back at Kuroko with brave eyes, not even minding how staggering the other male's orbs could be. The battle of wits that had begun that night had finally been elevated into a battle of wills; Kise was determined not to lose this one. Apparently, he had started to believe that even evil existed in the domain of justice, and now he particularly saw Kuroko as a villain. In the end, what was good would remain. "I can't accept someone like you working as a police detective."
"It is entirely your choice whether to accept me or not, Kise-kun." Kuroko replied. "I am merely concerned about the completion of this case and the interns' interaction with one another. As this case's lead detective, it is my responsibility to promote cooperation," the teal head said. His tone was neutral, but Kise perceived a challenging character from his fellow DI. His glance narrowed more against Kuroko. "And I want to do it in any manner I see it fit," he continued, stressing that, until then, he was still Kise's superior.
"Perhaps being a part of the Generation of Mercenaries does have its perks," Kise answered back. "But, right now, I absolutely don't accept you as one of them. You can threaten me all you want, but I'm certainly going to crush you, Kuroko." The blond declared, now less fearful of the repercussions of his deliberate challenge. At first, it was because of courtesy. But now, nothing would prevent him in stopping Kuroko Tetsuya, a detective intern who framed up suspects by planting evidences that would lead to their false judgment. "I will make sure that you can't continue becoming a detective."
"I am not going to stop you, Kise-kun." Kuroko responded, still appearing calm. "Like I said, it is your choice." The teal-head finally cut off the heated glance with Kise and refocused in working on the papers he had in hand. The blond was still annoyed that Kuroko could ignore him that easily, and he felt belittled by the other male. "However, do not think that I am not mindful of your words, Kise-kun." Kuroko stated while his eyes drifted over the documents. "If you are sure to 'crush' me, then please do show me." He paused for a while after he said that. "But please bear in mind if you really could,"
Kise Ryōta's golden orbs flashed wide at the retort. It was one of the clearest statements Kuroko had told him at that time. It held no other meaning but the sheer challenge that was offered in those words. Kuroko Tetsuya seemed to have finally recognized Kise's misgiving against him, and the former had used the opportunity to challenge Kise. Nevertheless, the blond had never been so incensed in his whole life after hearing those confronting words. Generation or not, Kise was going to topple Kuroko down hard.
"By the end of this case, I will obtain your position and have you thrown away,"
"The position is on the line, yes," Kuroko said. "But I'm not sure of the second one," he commented. Seeing that Kise was not pleased with his statement, Kuroko said and continued, "But I'm going to consider what you said before passing this document." The teal-head looked at Kise. "Please be ready after this. We may be called in to report our findings for this case."
"What are you going to do then, Tetsu?" Aomine asked, bothered by the fact that his 'shadow' was still working on the case he was assigned to, despite the fact that an extremely heated exchange just happened with the cause deeply related to the teal-head. The tanned male knew he did Kise rather strongly than he anticipated, evidenced by the dull pain that remained on his knuckles. As he repeatedly curled his fist, Aomine also reasoned that it was merely impulse that caused him to slug the blond down; he was not – as an excuse – in any position to hinder himself at that point.
After all, the matter was almost personal, in Aomine's terms anyway.
Kuroko did give a small glance at Aomine, but it did not last for more than two seconds, as he yet turned again his attention back at the papers and printed documents upon the table. He was silent at that point, to which Aomine had no other reaction but await for any semblance of response from his friend. "Well, knowing Aomine-kun, perhaps I am going to send a formal letter of apology and explanation to the higher-ups," he finally said, making Aomine freeze on his place. The apparent lack of reply from the tanned detective intern made Kuroko look back at him again. "You did do something to Kise-kun, Aomine-kun?"
Kuroko Tetsuya asked that in a way that made Aomine Daiki shiver in slight terror.
"B-But he was t-telling trash!" Aomine defended. "I can't simply let that pass!" He added, trying to convince the teal-head that it was just because seemed to have provoked his anger. The truth was not far from that; it was the exact reason why Aomine had let Kise kiss the cold floor of the Investigation Department's office. Of course, Aomine felt a little curious as to why Kuroko didn't appear troubled as he was supposed to be.
"But, Aomine-kun, you cannot just resort into violence every time you want to," Kuroko chided. The teal-head detective said with a small frown. That time, his expression was not blanketed by the usually inexpressive countenance; Kuroko simply meant that he was upset because the matter between him and Kise had extended beyond them. Even Aomine had taken action and it led to a physical assault. Who knew what could even happen if this went beyond their control? "I will have no choice but to submit an explanation about this." He emphasized.
"Are you trying to tell me to apologize to Kise?" Aomine replied. It was hinted in Kuroko's words; Aomine did not find it hard to understand that part. Nevertheless, even if it was a discreet suggestion from his partner, Aomine was not in the mood to say sorry. He still strongly believed that it was Kise who wronged Kuroko. The tanned male's lips curved down into a grimace. "No way, Tetsu." He said. "He's the one who's mistaken in the first place. If he doesn't get it at all, then there's no way for him to remain in the First Division." He added.
The door of the interrogation room opened, with Aomine and Kuroko quick to look. Momoi Satsuki had an anxious look when she entered and gave out an exasperated sigh as she closed the door behind her. After noticing that her fellow detective interns were looking at her, she plastered a weak smile over her lips, brushing her pink locks from obscuring her face. "Well, Midorin still looks displeased," she said, chuckling a bit. She stepped further inside and sat near the duo inside. "It's rare to see him act that way,"
"At least Midorima-kun is more modest and less aggressive in dealing with such situations," Kuroko quickly replied; Aomine quickly turned to the former with a defeated look. Kuroko merely observed Aomine's frustrated expression, which seemingly looked to him like a child having a tantrum. The teal-head kept some additional comments to himself, knowing that Aomine would not stop bugging him if he added some unnecessary remarks. "I would want this matter to be settled immediately. Kise-kun is a good detective intern; a really good one." He said, making Momoi and Aomine look at him quizzically.
"But on the way he just acted, Tetsu…" Aomine replied. He only stopped when he noticed that Kuroko was looking at him with those ever-sure orbs. It was unusual for those light blue irises to convey much emotion, but, clearly, Kuroko was expressing some through them. Instead of being disheartened about Kise's misgivings about Kuroko, the teal-head appeared more determined than ever. It seemed that he wasn't daunted by what just happened, instead he seemed to be more interested and amused by it. Aomine couldn't understand sometimes. Even though their mutual love for detective work bound them close, there were still many more things he and Tetsu were dissimilar with.
"He has talent," Kuroko said. "I do not even need to say that to you." He told Aomine and Momoi, who nodded curtly at the statement. "If he has talent, then I do not want that to go to waste." He continued. "Perhaps I do look like that I am tolerating him despite his attitude but I did not simply offer my position in the First Division to make him motivated." He explained. "In truth, I can even say that I am simply harsh on him, as his personal instructor."
"Harsh?" Aomine repeated, tone doubtful. "You are just doing what you are supposed to do, Tetsu."
"Yes," Kuroko replied. "But we do overlook the fact that we have different perceptions of the truth." He reasoned to Aomine's assertion. "I am not particularly worried of any truths, but I forgot that Kise holds a sense of truth he believes himself. We know that the truth is always a good thing, but do we even try to see how this truth will be accepted by others?" He rose. "The truth is not always sweet; sometimes it is a bitter pill to be swallowed. How can we truly say that the truth is always a good thing?" He added.
"If he can't accept the truth," Aomine spoke again, "about how you work and how you do your thing in this line of work, then I'm sorry for him." He declared. "But there's no way in hell he'll remain in this division,"
"The first point is to make him cooperate smoothly," Kuroko responded. "I already feel that Kise-kun can be someone who you can work with perfectly. I only thought that if we become truthful with ourselves, then it will help us work with no problems at all." He stated at first. "The truth is the only thing that I can offer, but he sees them differently."
"Then that just proves it," Aomine replied. "Our works as detective is never a simple one. If Kise can't understand the term 'as necessary', then he won't end up being a detective." He concluded. "Even if you say that he is good, then it's no better for him still,"
"Then I wonder why he has been partnered to you, Tetsu-kun," Momoi talked next. "I'm sure Kise Ryōta has the skills for him to be promoted in the First Division, but I can't see the reason for him to be paired up with you."
"That's obvious, Satsuki," Aomine scoffed. Momoi only pouted at her tanned male's jeer. "It's a pain in the ass to be a personal instructor; I won't take up someone to become my tail." He first stated his overall displeasure of having a responsibility over a new member. "Midorima's just a moody intern. Even though he's usually calm, I don't think he'll remain calm until the end. That fortune-crazy brat got too many things to worry on," He said, targeting the green-haired DI next. "Murasakibara's too lazy–" he made a 'shut up' remark when Momoi said that he was as lazy "–and Akashi's too… scary."
"So Tetsu-kun's chosen because he isn't like the four of you?"
"Might be," Aomine said. Afterwards, he and Momoi shared a look and both turned their heads towards Kuroko, who tilted his head in curiosity. Aomine shivered before he pulled his head away. "I don't k-know," he added, making Momoi laugh a little. "He can be a little—"
"I have an idea as to why I was chosen to work with Kise-kun," Kuroko said, snatching Aomine and Momoi's attention. The teal-head wore a slightly amused expression that time, making Aomine look at his friend sagely. "I do not think it is for any simpler reason alone, just like what Aomine-kun assumes." He added, sounding a little impish. The tanned male's cheek darkened up a bit; flustered at being ridiculed. Momoi only chuckled. "Perhaps, in a way, there is a particular reason for this partnership. Kise-kun may need to face the reality." Kuroko just said, a very thin smile now over his lips.
"I am sorry for the short notice, Kise-kun." Kuroko apologized as soon as he saw Kise walking towards his direction. The blond was obviously calmer than he was before and the noticeable disgust he held in his expression minutes ago was already wiped off from his face. Although he remained reclusive and gave a standoffish aura, Kise Ryōta seemed to be more tactful than in his hostile state. Kuroko knew that it would have been the better mood for them to converse once again, but work appeared to intervene in that chance. "And after this, I want to inform you that we will go straightaway to Midorima-kun to submit this report."
"Kuroko-kun–" the teal-head noted the reappearance of the honorific in the blond's speech "–didn't I tell you that we still lack the necessary evidence to provide a detailed explanation of this case?" He quickly inquired as the frown on his face deepened. "And I certainly don't approve of your ways, to remind you," he added. "There are still problems in the scenario that we don't know the answers to," Kise stressed. "If we are going to push through, then we won't have enough evidences." The blond looked at Kuroko.
"I will take responsibility for that, Kise-kun." Kuroko declared, which mildly surprised Kise. "Even though I reconsidered your point, Midorima-kun told me that the reports will have to be submitted right away." Kuroko finally admitted, making Kise's eyes wide in horror. "I am not saying that I cannot go against Midorima-kun's wishes." Kuroko looked up with a slightly worried mien. "But he told me that if Kise-kun is confident enough to say some things against a detective intern of the First Division, then probably you are definite in solving this case." Kuroko continued. "Kise-kun, did you say something to Midorima-kun?"
Kise only remained silent, still stunned however. Now he was sure that he had pulled an unexpected trigger, a trigger which was ultimately turned against him. Aomine Daiki's reaction from before Kise had understood, since he knew that the tanned DI appeared always ready to give into aggression. He was just so angry back then that it slipped away from his reason; he was slightly unaware that he already badmouthed Kuroko. Nevertheless, Midorima Shintarō now stood differently from Aomine. He thought that he was more logical and level-headed than Aomine, but it seemed that he had a different way to deal with the problem.
"Kise-kun," Kuroko called out again. "Please tell me if you have said something to Midorima-kun." He asked. "The deal we have is just between you and me, Kise-kun. If Midorima-kun made the decision for something personal, please tell me." Kuroko continued to say. "Perhaps I cannot do something about the meeting we will have to join later, but I can speak to Akashi-kun about this matter and settle it with our terms alone." The teal-head assured, while he observed Kise's listless expression. "It seems that you are not going to trust me, after all."
"Please don't misunderstand," Kise responded. "I'm doing this to prove my worth and my skills as a detective intern."
"Then we won't have any problems then," Kuroko answered. Kise looked at him confusedly. "Now, Kise-kun, you stand at the very edge of our deal. You have made your answer when I first ask you." Kuroko spoke, eyes pondering deep against Kise's golden irises. "'I will not be able to solve this case alone, but Kise-kun will not be able clear it on your own.'" He repeated the sentence, those words which stood as the core of their deal. "Perhaps this is the time for you to discover the real answer."
"This is not the time to talk about this," Kise retorted.
"Is this not the best opportunity for you?" Kuroko said. "Prove me that you are really already skillful enough as detective intern for the First Division and prove Midorima-kun that you are a worthy man for the Investigation Department." Kuroko challenged, but not in a deliberate one. It sounded more like Kuroko was motivating Kise, and it made the latter really, really confused. "You will achieve both if you take on our deal seriously. At the end of it, you will be regular," Kuroko said.
"What are you telling me?"
"Winning is everything, Kise-kun. Just like how I use my skill to bring light to a case, you need to do everything to obtain success."
"Are you—"
"Let's go inside, Kise-kun." Kuroko cut him off and opened the door in front of him. They were back at the interrogation room at that point. Kise was reluctant, but entered nonetheless, with Kuroko following him as soon. Things were still the same inside as they left it a while ago, except that someone was already sitting in the center of the room. Kise quickly whipped his head to the teal-head. "Please let us work together again, Kise-kun." Kuroko just said after seeing Kise look at him.
Kise slowly moved in the center of the room and took the free seat in front of the man. The person only gave Kise a small smile, to which Kise was slightly surprised with. It was atypical for witnesses or subjects to give out any semblance of pleasure inside the interrogation room. Instead of resting his hands over the table, he chose to place them over his lap. "Uh, good morning…?" Kise sounded unsure. Heck, it was the first time he saw the man and he was not even given any briefing before he sat together with the person. Protocols were clear about the detective-witness/suspect communication, but he just bypassed all of it. "I'm sorry for my rudeness,"
"It's fine," the man in front of him said. "I'm Kawaguchi Akito," he identified himself.
"Kawaguchi Akito-san is a student studying in the nearby university." Kuroko's voice reverberated that time. "You are studying–" Kise saw a document he swore he didn't see Kuroko hold minutes ago "–Emergency Health?" He looked at Kawaguchi and saw him nod as an affirmation. "I suppose it is the reason why you look so calm right now, Kawaguchi-san," Kuroko added.
"Perhaps, detective-san," Kawaguchi chuckled. "I'm a little used with stressful situations,"
"I see," Kuroko just said. "Kawaguchi Akito-san is a witness we just called in, Kise-kun." The teal-head now addressed the confused blond. "He is the one that can clear out the hole you are still concerned about, Kise-kun." Kuroko said, which made Kise look at him. "I do not need to point that one, so please ask Kawaguchi-san some questions."
Kise tried to compose himself before he gave a good-natured smile, in order to create a less tensed atmosphere. "Kawaguchi-san, I know you are already aware of the crime that happened." He said at first and saw that Kawaguchi nodded in acknowledgement. "Can you please tell me if you are acquainted with Hisaya Kasaharu-san?" The blond asked first, discreetly scrutinizing Kawaguchi in order to read some nonverbal cues.
"I don't know him by name," Kawaguchi answered. "But when I saw him, I discovered that he is the same person I always see at the fifteenth and the end of the month."
Kise looked curious. "Can you please clarify?"
"Perhaps it's already his routine," Kawaguchi voiced out. "But I always see him with a woman at those dates. I don't know where they go, but I can only assume that it is the bus station nearby." He said.
So far it's still close to the previous statements, Kise mentally said. "Last night, were you able to see Hisaya-san go out again with the woman?" Kise probed.
"Of course," Kawaguchi said cheerily. "It's become a habit, I guess." He started. "I was studying last night for my studies so I was still wide awake that time. I opened the windows from the apartment I was living in and saw him again." Kawaguchi was scratching his chin sagely. "But unlike always where I saw him and the woman going to wherever they went, he was already returning from that place." He added. "It's weird since it was too early, if I'm going to base it in previous points."
"At what time did you saw him coming back?" Kise asked another question.
"It's 10:45 that night, I'm sure." Kawaguchi answered.
Kise Ryōta's eyes were wide in realization. He spun to his back and looked at Kuroko, who sported an almost similar reaction. At that point, everything was already clear. The perfect alibi that Hisaya had brought up crumbled down into the ground. At that point, there was no escape for the suspect, since the truth had been uncovered. After he and Kuroko shared a look, Kise turned his head back at Kawaguchi and smiled – a grateful expression – at him. "Kawaguchi-san, thank you for your cooperation. You are a great help for this case."
"As a concerned citizen, I'm just doing my part for the society." Kawaguchi said. "My father who is also a doctor says that it is important for a normal citizen to even have his part to help others." He stated, to which Kise agreed to. "Now I can't help but think about. It was even really cold last night…"
. . . . . . . . .
"The victim was Kagome Katsumi, female, 20 years old," Kise started the report. "She was a local internet figure and was already on the path of becoming more famous." The blond let his vision jumped at the three pair of orbs – an aggressive deep blue, a calculating green and a downcast violet – who watched him deliver the necessary information about the case. "However, she was killed in a crime done last night, which was first thought to have happened between 10:52 and 11:23 in the evening." The projected image by the white board was changed after Kise clicked on the keyboard of the laptop.
"You believed first that it was that time frame," Midorima Shintarō fixed his eyeglasses, "because that is the period between the victim's last known activity and the time when her body was found." He said, summarizing the point made by Kuroko's investigation team. "But according to your assumption, the murder case may even had happened before 10:52 because the supposed to be Kagome-san's tweet was not hers but of the suspect who tried to cover up the evidence." He continued to read the copy of the report in his hand. "I see how you were able to make that theory."
"The motive is too simple if it's just theft," Aomine said, following up Midorima's words. "Stalker cases are not really new. After all, Kise provided us the necessary evidences that point at how it can be a possible stalker case." The tanned male gave a positive remark about the blond's intuition, although the look he gave Kise was still grim and hostile. "The internet has a lot of traces that couldn't easily be covered. The suspect's, Kasaharu's, IP address has told us how frequent he views the victim online." He explained. "Obsession is a scary attitude, after all."
"The single alibi Kasaharu Hisaya-san is that he was with his cousin at the time when the murder happened." Kise continued. "It was, in fact, so strong that it could have completely removed him from the equation." The blond expounded. "Nonetheless, the point that can make the alibi break is about the time frame when his alibi and the murder happened." Another keyboard click. "According to Kasaharu-san himself, he and his cousin was away until 10:50 that night. But our latest witness has said that Kasaharu-san was already on his way back at 10:45." He paused. "That is the turning point,"
"In short," Murasakibara Atsushi, who had returned not too long ago from his case in a separate police headquarter, stopped munching on his chips for that second, "we cannot deny the presence of a companion–" he nibbled on another piece that he pushed in his mouth "–but in respect to time, his alibi can't excuse him." He said in a lazy tone. "And in short, he is the only person who was capable to execute the crime." He said as his eyes drifted at Kise. His gaze lingered at a moment before he looked at Kuroko at the background.
"Even though how much you look at it," finally Kuroko made his voice heard. "Kasaharu Hisaya-san is the suspect." He said.
"As the team's lead detective, I can only conclude that it's a bias deduction, Kuroko." Midorima was quick to retort. Aomine and Kise looked at the green-haired DI with similar estranged expression. "Please refrain from making any unnecessary comment." He said.
"Oi, oi, Midorima," Aomine spoke beside him. "Are you still mad?"
"That is a different matter," Midorima just said. "Remember that this is a case of the Second Division, and we are just here to make sure that this will be solved." He reminded the tanned detective. "Plus, it is Kise's first case for the First Division. Leaving Kuroko out of the case, it is only logical to assume that this is an evaluation of Kise's skill." He explained to them. "Now, looking at all this information, let us decide if Kise's work is enough to prove his worth in the Investigation Department of the First Division."
"A pass," Murasakibara quickly answered. "I don't need to explain,"
"It's as it look like, Midorima," Aomine said next. "He's good, even though he's rude," he added, narrowing his glance against Kise. "We can submit this Oreki-san right away,"
Midorima leveled his stare at Kise. "At your own way, you seem to have the meaning of 'winning is everything," he stated at first. "Even though I don't like how you are distrustful of the necessity of our actions, you're still able to fill in the gaps of this case." He stated. "I'm not going to beat around the bush; your skills are enough for you to work in the First Division, especially in the Investigation Department. However," he suddenly stopped speaking when he looked back at Kuroko. "The endpoint comes with your personal instructor."
"Yes, Tetsu," Aomine remembered. "You do have that deal between you. And we get to know the answer after the two of you solves this case," he retold the condition. He waited silently as Kuroko went nearer their group, glancing between Midorima and Kise as he walked forward.
Kuroko Tetsuya finally stopped when he reached Kise Ryōta and stood in front of him. Midorima, Aomine and Murasakibara, who was curious about the deal they were talking about, held their breaths as the air around them seemed to become heavier. Kise felt the worst at that time when Kuroko appeared to gaze down at his very soul, as if skimming through his entirety. At that point, even he did not have any thought about what was inside Kuroko's head. He was simply stunned at the depth of the light blue orbs.
"I am sorry, Kise-kun," Kuroko finally said. Kise was shocked at that word. "But the transfer is going to be a hassle." The teal-head held a smile, which made the blond even more surprised. Aomine stood from his seat, as he looked at Kuroko with a distraught expression. "I am going to file for the transfer right away, as soon as Akashi-kun finishes up with his duty. Midorima-kun, I apologize but I need you to clean up Kise-kun's papers for him to become a regular of the First Division."
"What?!" Aomine snapped. "What is this, Tetsu?!"
"A deal is a deal, Aomine-kun." Kuroko answered. "Kise-kun's answer is correct after all." He said. "The statement I have made for Kise-kun to answer… it is in fact a lie. It is far from the truth." He explained.
It's done? Kise said in his head. He was still too flustered, too shaken to speak out what ran in his mind. It's that simple?! He was doubtful, even that in the end he was the victor between them. What the hell just happened?! Even he demanded for an explanation. It was not the scenario he expected, it was far from the reality he had wished to see. This was just too easy to be true, as if all that had happened earlier were just scripted acts; they were forceful scenes but empty nonetheless. It was too simple to end that way… there was something in it!
"I will make sure that by seven o'clock this morning, Kise-kun will replace me as regular," Kuroko continued. He began to walk towards the door of the meeting room. "I will take my leave and rest then," he informed the others. "Thank you for your cooperation, Kise-kun."
"Wait!" Kise yelled out. "Kuroko-kun, I can't a-accept this! This is too easy!" He continued to shout, which made Kuroko stop in his steps. "Did you purposely make yourself lose so that you can motivate me to work on this case better?!" He asked, now feeling betrayed. Yes, it was betrayal. Yes, he was mocked until the end. He thought that he was being taken seriously, that was why the deal even took the regular spot as a bet. Kise thought that the whole farce was a real thing; no deception, just clear-cut path for someone to win. But he felt betrayed because it appeared to him that he was just toyed in order to solve the case. "The deal was unfair from the beginning!"
"Someone has to win," Kuroko said, not even looking at Kise. "I do not mind being in the losing side, but all of it has been done in order to solve the case." The teal-head continued. "After all, it achieved not only that, but it revealed how skillful you are, Kise-kun, and how worthy you are to be in the First Division." He said. "I have no problems with that. In fact, I am glad that we have brought another genius in this division."
"But there is something more, right?!" Kise yelled back. "This is too simple!"
"That is not what I want to tell you," Kuroko responded. "Kise-kun, you solved the case. You found the suspect." He finally faced the blond again. "But there is one thing I want for you to learn yourself. It is a knowledge that I may know, but cannot teach it to you as is." He explained. "You need to understand it yourself."
"What?! Tell me?!" Kise spat.
"The reality," Kuroko answered. "Even though different, truths and lies are both realities in their own way," he explained. "The reality is that you solved the case. But the reality also is…" he paused as he gave Kise a menacing glare. "…everything is wrong. Kise-kun, you solved the case wrongly."
- End of Chapter -
How can you even solve a case wrongly? Is that even possible? I think Kuroko-kun's just joking us in this point. LOLJoke.
To those who have read 'The Hitman', you may have recognized the name 'Kawaguchi Akito' (the paramedic!) in this chapter. I just gave him a cameo role. :P
Thanks for reading! :)
Post-publish note(s): Edited on 03/20/2013; corrected minor grammar errors.