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Chapter 3
Having spent the morning sleeping in, Kuroko bypassed breakfast in favour for some fresh air and sunlight outside. Strolling aimlessly down the streets, his feet eventually led him to the shopping district. Walking around, he noticed several new stores that weren't there when he still lived in Tokyo. Peering at the scratches that decorated his basketball shoes due to the vigourous training, he decided that he was in dire need of a new pair. Spotting a sports shop displaying stylish basketball shorts, he made his way to it. After about 2 hours, Kuroko emerged from the district with a few bags of shopping in hand.
The sun shone brightly today. There was not a single cloud in the sky. Making his way to the park nearby, he noticed a group of suspicious-looking teenagers surrounding a smaller figure. From his angle, Kuroko couldn't make out whether it was a he or a she, but one thing was for certain: something was wrong. Widening his strides, his sense of justice urged him to hasten.
"Oi baa-baa* dont' kid me."
"Ya jokin' aight? Ya can't step outta the 'ouse without any money!"
"You boys should be at home studying instead of trying to mug an old woman!" An old lady cried not in fear, but in exasperation.
"Hah? What did you say baa-baa?!"
"Excuse me, don't you think this is unfair?" Kuroko popped up suddenly.
"AHHH! GHOST! A GHOST!" " Wha ... GET AWAY FROM ME!" Cries of shock could be distinctly heard as the teenagers cursed indignantly. One of them pointed a finger rudely at Kuroko and screamed, "WHO ARE YOU? WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? WHY ARE YOU HERE?"
The bluenette continued to stare and answered calmly, "I am Kuroko Tetsuya. I come from xxx-75-xxxxx Tokyo, Jap-"
"THAT WASN'T WHAT I MEANT!"
"Ja, what did you mean?"
"Who are you? Whe- OH NEVER MIND!" the taller teen huffed.
"... Kuroko-chan?" A soft voice intoned meekly.
Kuroko blinked and bowed to the elderly behind him, "good afternoon, oba-san."
"Maa if it isn't Kuroko-chan!"
The group of teens watched in confusion as the two greeted each other friendly. "Tche. So you two know each other?" Spotting an empty basketball court in the distance, the leader of the gang snickered, "let's settle this with a match!"
"Wow ... he's strong!"
A tall red-head lurking behind a wall gaped in awe as the petite boy walked away with an old woman. He looked back at the previously empty basketball court, now littered with bodies.
Kagami shivered involuntarily, 'he totally kicked their asses!'
Grinning like a maniac, his eyes gleamed with excitement. I want to play against him!
The match had ended with Kuroko single-handedly destroying the other team. (1) Initially, he had been a bit worried that he might lose since 1. it was 5 against 1 and 2. he is a shadow. This meant that his style of basketball was not the aggressive type, but a supportive one. Fortunately for him, but unluckily for the other five, the thrill of basketball had completely taken over him. Furthermore, his love for the sport as well as his misdirection had given him the upper hand.
"He told me you went to Rakuzan with your captain."
Turning to the old lady beside him, he waited for her to continue as they made their way back to her home.
"He sounded really worried, that boy. He didn't even buy his magazines (2) that day," she added meekly. "He said you didn't reply any of his calls." If she hadn't been waiting for it, she wouldn't have seen the brief flash of guilt on the other's face. "I'm sure you have your own reasons though, you do not need to explain them to me."
Relaxing his tensed shoulders, Kuroko kept silent. Climbing up the steps, they parted ways.
"He cares about you a lot, Kuroko-chan. I know he wronged you before, but he has changed. Deep inside, Daiki is still the compassionate and caring boy. So please, Kuroko-chan. Please forgive him," she pleaded, almost desperately.
Closing his eyes momentarily, he looked straight into her eyes and replied plainly, "There is nothing to forgive, oba-san. He has chosen his path and I, mine. As his friend, I will always support him." And with that, he bowed once and left.
It was dusk by the time Kuroko arrived soaking wet at Maji Burger. After he left had escorted Aomine's grandma home, he had walked away with a heavy heart. The weather had taken a turn for the worse not soon after. It was almost as if the sky reflected his thoughts and feelings - that it rained because the sky cried for him.
Deep in thought, he took the seat near the window, not noticing a pair of fiery red eyes following his every move.
Meanwhile, a figure could be seen waiting at the gates of Rakuzan. Getting out his phone, he checked the time. Fifteen minutes late, huh? Sighing dejectedly, he continued to wait patiently. At last, when he saw a familiar silhouette, he pulled back his hoodie that had shrouded his model face.
"AKACCHI!~"
Sauntering with confident steps, Akashi made his way towards the blonde. Even though he loathed being late, the prospect of making this cheerful demeanor descend into a frenzy greatly appealed to him (especially since the blonde was the reason he was skipping practice).
"Ah. It's been a while, Ryōta."
"I've missed you Akacchi! Thank you for replying to my message!~" Truthfully, behind his ecstatic exterior Kise was still in shock. He had shrieked and fallen off his chair when Akashi replied affirmatively to his request. His manager had screeched in horror when Kise had turned up the day after with bags under his eyes. Naturally, the shooting was cancelled.
Akashi, on the other hand was just taking pleasure in seeing the other fidget under his gaze. He had already known what Kise was thinking about when a flicker of bafflement crossed his face not a second ago. His former teammate distrusted him, he doubted Akashi's intentions. But he was right to think so. After all, Akashi was not, and never will be a good Samaritan.
Flashback
... Having already anticipated the text, Akashi skimmed it half-heartedly. 'AKACCHI! IS IT TRUE? IS IT TRUE THAT KUROKOCCHI IS AT RAKUZAN WITH AKACCHI?' Not even five seconds after he had replied with an affirmative, another vibration alerted him immediately of an incoming call. Akashi knew that no one, absolutely no one had agreed with his decision to enroll Kuroko in Rakuzan. But ... it doesn't matter. It does not concern them.
He smirked as the other's voice rose another octave higher, '-HEARD THAT RAKUZAN HAS A PRACTICE MATCH TOMORROW~! ...'
Kise's 'request' was, of course to attend the match. Akashi had no qualms about it, so he had conceded with indifference. As the blonde chatted away charmingly with the crowd of fangirls that circled him, Akashi was beginning to regret it already.
Sipping on his vanilla milkshake, Kuroko concluded that his short visit was destined to thwarted sooner or later. Well, this particular day at the very least. His peace was eventually interrupted when a flying burger missed his face by inches and skidded to a stop on the table behind him.
"OI WHY DIDN'T YOU CATCH THAT?"
Turning his head, he watched as a red-head storm up to his table muttering curses under his breath. Passing him another burger, the red-head dropped a mountain burgers onto the other end of the table and sat down heavily. Tilting his head to the side slightly, he held up the burger, silently questioning the other's actions.
The only response he received was a grunt and an insult along the lines of 'won't grow with only milkshake.' Digging in, Kuroko regarded the teen before him. Even though he stood about 190cm tall, he does not give off any aura that screamed 'maturity.' Instead, his presence was flickering and fluctuating - growing and dimming, growing and dimming. Glancing down at the other's basketball shoes, he smiled inwardly. With this development, Kuroko realised that the teen in front of him, feasting on two burgers at once was strong.
"Thank you ...?"
"Kagami Taiga"
"Thank you Kagami-kun," Kuroko breathed politely. Nodding, Kagami hesitated before biting into his fifth burger. Should I ask him?
Clearing his throat, he voiced his question aloud. "Uhh ... what school do you play for?" When he saw the confusion on the other's face he clarified, "I mean basketball, which team do you play for?"
"Aa. How did you know I play basketball?"
Scratching his cheek, Kagami laughed weakly. "Well ... you see ... today ... you know? at the park?" Kuroko blinked, lost. When it finally hit him, Kuroko froze. He noticed him? He stared at Kagami, amazed.
His potential is unlimited, his growth is beyond imaginable.
Composing himself, Kuroko inquired, "What about you Kagami-kun? What school do you play for?"
"Me? I play for Seirin!" Not expecting this, his breath hitched in his throat. Unaware of the bluenette's reaction, Kagami went on, "... beat the Generation of Miracles and become number 1 in Japan!"
Generation of Miracles? "... become stron-"
BUZZ~ BUZZ~ Fishing out his phone, he noted the sender. Akashi-kun?
'Be back before classes start tomorrow. We have a practice match, don't be late.'
"... that's my dream!" Smiling at the red-head's enthusiasm, Kuroko excused himself hastly.
"I apologise but I must leave now or I would be late for my train," he stated regretfully.
"Oh .. well, it was nice meeti-" he faltered when he saw the other already gone, "-ng you."
Staring out the window, Kagami watched boredly as rain water slid down the glass. ... I want to play him soon! He nearly knocked over his chair when he sat up abruptly, realising that he didn't even ask for his name.
Congratulations to all those who guessed Kise! (too easy...?)
Baa-baa*: Grandma (informal)
(1) I wanted to make Kuroko stronger than how he appears in the anime/manga. In my opinion, everyone seriously underestimates his abilities.
(2) Aomine's *erm* Mai-chan *cough* porn :D
Next Chapter:
"Let's go Seirin!"
"KUROKO!"
"... You couldn't sleep again, Kagami?"
"You're annoying."
As always, thank you for reading! Please review :)