Author's Notes: This chapter is looong overdue. Augh, I have no excuses. Well, actually I do...school has been extremely busy... (sigh) But I truly do apologize for the long lapse in update so I'll make it up to you with this longer than usual chapter. Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: All the awesome characters of Kuroko no Basket belong to Tadatoshi Fujimaki. I do not own or claim to own anything.

Chapter 4: Fall Album I - Suit Up!

Momoi sat outside the steps of a large photography studio. She took her phone out from her pocket and glanced at the time every now and then. When she heard soft footsteps approaching from behind, Momoi turned around to see a familiar photographer walking towards her.

"I received your message, Momoi-san." Kuroko said, holding up his own phone. He joined her by the steps. "You said that you wished to speak to me about the Generation of Miracles?"

"Yes I did, Tetsu-kun. I'll try to make this fast since I know you have a photoshoot very soon." Momoi sighed. "Well, how should I start? I'm sure you already know about the Generation of Miracles' weak point by now."

Kuroko nodded. "If you mean the lack of passion that Akashi-kun and the others exhibit in their modeling then yes, I know exactly what you are talking about. I had thought that you already knew about it as well, Momoi-san, given the way you acted when we met in the studio last time."

"Yes," Momoi sighed again. "It makes me really sad when I see the five of them like that nowadays. They really weren't like this before, you know. I know this might sound surprising, but there was actually a time when all five of them truly loved to model."

"That's what Riko-san and Hyuuga-san said as well." Kuroko noted quietly.

Momoi nodded. "It's true though. I mean, I've known the Generation of Miracles ever since we were all just fledgling models." She leaned her head onto her arms and smiled wistfully. "Back when we just started modeling, all of them couldn't get enough of the camera. It was like they were born to be in the spotlight. It didn't matter what jobs they took back then. They honestly just had fun just posing and advertising to the audience."

She smiled sadly. "But after a while, their popularity grew until it became what it was today. And then they changed. All of them changed, Tetsu-kun," she said softly. "The pressures of the modeling world got to them."

"It's understandable though," Momoi continued with a shake of her head. "Being as famous as they are, all of them are bound to have personal pressures they probably have to face every day. But what they're doing right now can't be called modeling anymore. Their passion is...gone."

Momoi sighed. "It's just...once more, I want to be able to see them truly enjoy modeling again, with genuine smiles on their faces. You can see where I'm coming from, can't you, Tetsu-kun?"

Kuroko listened to Momoi's story quietly. "So it's not that they have no passion for modeling, but they have just lost sight of it."

"That's right." Momoi twisted her hands together. "I believe that somewhere deep inside them, that passion, that spark, is still there. We just need to bring it back up."

Kuroko nodded thoughtfully. "I will try my best, Momoi-san. It also pains me to see Aomine-kun and the others act the way they do about modeling. I believe that a model without passion isn't qualified to model. It's a model's job to promote products and works of art after all. And if the model himself has no passion, how can he expect to make the audience be passionate about what he's supposed to be endorsing?"

"You're very insightful, Tetsu-kun." Momoi said with a small smile. "That's why I know that you'll be the one to bring back their love for modeling."

"Thank you for your confidence in me, Momoi-san." Kuroko said, giving a slight bow. "I will try my best not to let you down."

"I know you won't." Momoi got up from the steps and brushed off the back of her capris. "I suppose I shouldn't keep you from your photoshoot any longer. Thanks for listening to me today."

"Of course, Momoi-san. Anytime." Kuroko waved goodbye to the pink-haired girl and watched as she got into her red convertible and drove away. He stared up into the sky for a moment, heaved a light sigh, then turned to walk back into the studio.

Before Kuroko reached the models, he could already hear Aomine's grumbling from down the hall. "I can't believe I'm wearing a suit." The tanned model was heard saying. "A suit of all things." Aomine unbuttoned the first few buttons of his dark blue dress shirt, pulled the collar down so that his entire collarbone was nearly exposed, and loosened his tie some more. "Damn, this thing is itchy."

Midorima rolled his eyes. "Cease your complains, Aomine. You're a model. You've worn far worse things before." Kuroko silently noted that there was not a single button out of place or so much as a crease on Midorima's neatly pressed suit—unlike Aomine, Midorima's own suit jacket was properly buttoned and his tie was tucked neatly under the collar of his dark green shirt.

"Yeah!" Kise added. The blond model was wearing an partially buttoned suit jacket along with a dark yellow collared shirt. Hung around his neck was a silver pendant that complemented the silver chain that hung off his belt and the thin silver hoop earring that adorned his left ear. "Aominecchi, remember that time when you were covered in rose petals and wearing nothing but that tiny..." The rest of Kise's sentence faded off when Aomine suddenly advanced threateningly toward him.

"Don't ever," Aomine jabbed a finger into Kise's face, "bring that photoshoot up again. Unless you have a certain death wish."

"G-Got it, Aominecchi!" Kise quickly squeaked out.

Akashi's lips quirked up into a wry smile. "Traumatizing memory, Daiki?" He asked, recalling that particular photoshoot all too well himself. The redhead casually brushed some dirt off the shoulder of his neatly buttoned suit jacket. Underneath the jacket, Akashi also wore a dark gray pinstriped vest, a maroon collared shirt, and a slim black tie, partially left undone.

"Augh. Don't even remind me." Aomine groaned before dropping his head into his hands. "Man, sometimes I wonder why I even model."

"Because we're all extremely good-looking and have ten times more talent than any other model out there?" Akashi said. He shrugged when the rest of the Generation of Miracles stared at their leader. "What? There's nothing wrong with stating facts. Isn't that right, Atsushi?"

Murasakibara nodded obediently. "Aka-chin always has the right answers."

"You know, arrogance isn't really all that attractive, Akashi-kun." Riko reproached, crossing her arms.

Akashi quirked an eyebrow. "It's not arrogance, but confidence, my dear Riko." He smirked. "Besides, I am merely stating the truth."

Riko huffed a sigh and rolled her eyes, but said nothing to rebuke the model's statement. "Whatever you say, Akashi-kun. Anyways, has any of you seen Kuroko-kun? It's almost time to start the photoshoot."

"Excuse me, I am right here."

Again, every person experienced a sense of déjà vu of their first meeting with Kuroko—everyone gave a start as the blue-haired photographer seemed to suddenly appear out of nowhere. "Jeez, Tetsu, if you're here, just say something." Aomine grumbled.

"I apologize, Aomine-kun. I will keep that in mind next time." Kuroko observed the suited models for a moment before nodding. "You all look very nice. And Murasakibara-kun, that hairstyle really fits you. You looks very sharp."

Murasakibara casually raised a hand to his hair. His usually unruly shoulder-length hair had been slicked back and tied into a low, sleek ponytail. Several strands of wayward hair framed his face, brushing against the nape of his neck. A finely tailored suit jacket, a dark purple collared shirt, and a loose black tie completed his look. "Mm, you think so, Kuro-chin?"

Kise pouted. "Aw...I look good too, don't I, Kurokocchi?"

Akashi's eyes flashed. "Ryouta..."

Riko quickly cut in before everything could descend into chaos. "Yes, yes, you all look fantastic." She looked at the models again and nodded approvingly. "Truly dressed to kill if I do say so myself."

Hyuuga cleared his throat, hastily interrupting Riko when he caught the telltale glint in her eyes. "Well, Kuroko-kun, have you briefed them about the locations of the photoshoot yet?"

Kuroko shook his head. "No, not yet. I was just about to do that." He turned to address the Generation of Miracles. "After careful consultation with both Riko-san and Hyuuga-san, we have decided on several locations to shoot the photos at."

"We already reserved these places for today so we're free to use them for whoever long we want." Riko said.

"Sounds good!" Kise exclaimed.

"Shall we get started then?" Akashi said.

"So where exactly is our first location?" Midorima asked. "It better not be a place which will conflict with my luck."

"It's right ahead. Follow me, please." Kuroko led the models down a hallway and stopped in front a set of large double doors. Hyuuga retrieved a key from his pocket to unlock the room. "Our first photoshoot location will be in this conference room." Kuroko pushed the two doors open and allowed the models to step inside.

The Generation of Miracles stared in a moment of awed silence. The five of them were greeted by the sight of a spacious white room. A polished mahogany table stretched across the floor with plush, high-back black chairs lining up alongside of it. Wide ceiling-to-floor windows allowed a generous amount of natural light to pour in, illuminating the entire room with a soft, incandescent glow.

Aomine voiced everyone's thoughts with one word. "Dang."

Kise gave a low whistle. "Wow, this is nice."

"Indeed." Midorima agreed.

Even Akashi could not find fault with it. "It truly is a fitting place for our first photoshoot." he noted approvingly.

Riko clapped her hands together. "Alright then, to your places, everyone."

The head chair at the front of the table went undisputedly to Akashi. Everyone else took a chair near him, with Aomine and Kise occupying the seats to Akashi's immediate right. Murasakibara and Midorima took up the chairs on the left side of the table.

Riko nodded approvingly. "Are you ready, Kuroko-kun?"

Kuroko adjusted the lens of his camera and gave his tripod stand an experimental tap. "Yes," He directed the camera at the models. "I am ready whenever you are."

At the unspoken signal, Akashi brought his hands together, held them under his chin, tilted his head slightly to the left and then smirked knowingly into the camera. To Akashi's right, Kise leaned his head against his arm and gave a small open-mouthed smirk. Aomine had his arms crossed as he leaned back against his seat, all the while throwing a piercing stare in the direction of the camera.

Midorima had his hands folded neatly in front of him and he stared expectantly into the camera over the rim of his glasses. Murasakibara casually ran a hand through his hair—a gesture similar to the one he did earlier—with his head angled to the side and his mouth slightly parted.

Kuroko worked quickly, snapping picture after picture, then repositioning the camera to shoot at different angles. After several photos, he cocked his head and examined the models for a moment.

"There he goes, Hyuuga-kun." Riko whispered, eyeing the photographer expectantly.

"Akashi-kun," Kuroko began listing out a string of instructions. "Angle your head more toward the side—yes, that's perfect. Kise-kun, lower your head just a bit more. Aomine-kun lean forward a little more...mm, just like that. Midorima-kun, place your left hand over your right instead and Murasakibara-kun raise your hand just a tad bit more."

Riko was not disappointed—again, Kuroko's changes created an almost immediate effect. The entire mood of the room seemed to change in an instant—the models' gestures became more defined and even their gazes seemed to sharpen into focus.

"Working his magic once again I see." Hyuuga murmured back to Riko.

Kuroko snapped a few more pictures, then nodded to himself. "This is good for now, thank you." As the models relaxed out of their poses, Kuroko turned to address Hyuuga. "Hyuuga-kun, please bring them out now. We will be using them for the next picture."

Akashi quirked an eyebrow. "Bring what out?"

Hyuuga smiled before retrieving a thin box from within his bag. "This. It was Kuroko-kun's idea, by the way."

"These were specially prepared for all of you for this photoshoot." Riko said, grinning.

Curious, Akashi took the proffered box from Hyuuga and opened it.

Again, he raised an eyebrow. "...Glasses?" Akashi said, peering down at the four silver-rimmed glasses that lay nestled in the box.

"These are non-prescription lenses." Riko explained. "You'll all be wearing them in the next picture, with the exception of Midorima-kun, of course, since he already has his own pair."

"Why glasses?" Aomine asked, wrinkling his nose.

"Don't you know how popular meganes are with the audience?" Riko retorted. Her eyes took on a familiar glint as her next words took on a dreamlike quality. "Glasses combined with hot bishies like yourselves will be a surefire hit! Fufufu...I can already imagine the audience's reaction..."

Hyuuga quickly cleared his throat again. "What Riko means to say is that these glasses will be an interesting addition to the picture. Kuroko-kun planned this out well."

Kise laughed. "Alrightie then, sounds fun!" He took out a pair of glasses and put them on. "Do I look good?" He asked playfully as he waggled his eyebrows up and down.

"Save it for the actual picture, Kise-kun." Riko said, chuckling.

Midorima crossed his arms. "Hmph. Even so, glasses like those won't make idiots like yourself look any smarter."

"Ehhh?" Kise looked distraught. "Don't be like that Midorimacchi!"

Aomine made a 'tch' sound. "Ah, what the heck. Might as well." He too went and grabbed a pair.

"This is interesting, isn't it, Aka-chin?" Murasakibara commented as he fiddled with his own pair of glasses.

"...If you say so." Akashi said after a pause. But there was a slight frown on his face and he looked most reluctant when he reached out for the last pair of glasses. "This would have been better if I were informed of this ahead of time..." he muttered under his breath.

"If all of you have received your glasses now, would you please return to your former seats? We will begin the next picture shortly." Kuroko said.

The five models moved back into their original positions. "Once again, whenever you all are ready." Kuroko said.

Akashi folded his arms across his chest. This pose, combined with his glasses glinting in the light, made him look every bit the imposing leader he was. Kise chose a more playful look, raising several fingers to the side of his glasses and shooting a wink toward the camera. Raising a hand to his neck, Aomine threw a sideways glance at his camera, with his lips slightly parted.

Midorima opted for his usual pose, using a single finger to push up at the bridge of his own glasses. Murasakibara tilted his head to the side and peered over the rim of his glasses.

Kuroko studied all of them for a moment before rattling off some more changes. "Akashi-kun, if you could lower your glasses just a little more, that would be good. And Aomine-kun..."

"The glasses really were a good idea." Riko whispered in between Kuroko's instructions.

"Mmhmm..." Hyuuga nodded. "It really helps draw the focus to their eyes."

"Okay, those were some good pictures." Kuroko said several photos later. "I think we're just about done here."

"So are we quite ready to move on to our next location yet, Tetsuya?" Akashi cut in.

Kuroko blinked. "...Of course, Akashi-kun. We will head towards there right now."

Akashi gave a curt nod and, without saying another word, walked out of the room. There were more than a few raised eyebrows at Akashi's abrupt departure.

"Akashicchi?..." Kise said uncertainly.

"What's going on?" Hyuuga asked Riko quietly.

The manager frowned. "I'm not really sure. But whatever the reason, Akashi-kun doesn't look very happy..."

"...So, stairs?" Midorima said. "This is where our next picture will be?" The five models eyed the set of decrepit-looking stairs with some trepidation. The flight of stairs they currently stood in front of looked exactly like the type of stairs you could find in any underground parking lot, complete with run-down steps and paint-chipped hand railings.

Kuroko nodded. "These worn-out stairs will contrast nicely with your neat suits and further add an air of mystery to the pictures."

"Huh. You sure come up with the strangest places, Tetsu." Aomine remarked.

"But it's interesting, isn't it?" Kise said.

"Hm. It certainly is a different take." Akashi allowed. He began to climb up the stairs, intent on standing on the highest step.

"Ah, actually," Kuroko's interruption stopped Akashi in mid-step. "If you don't mind me saying, I have already pictured the positions that will give the best effect in this type of setting. Akashi-kun, please stand over here in the front." Kuroko gestured to the middle spot of the lowest steps. "Keep your back to the camera, but turn your head to look over your shoulder."

"Aomine-kun, take off your suit jacket, sling it over your right shoulder and lean against the railing over here," he gestured to a spot several steps higher to Akashi's right. "And place your right foot at this lower step. Midorima-kun, please stand on the same step as Aomine-kun, but on this side instead. Place your hands into your pockets and lean against the railing as well."

"As for Kise-kun and Murasakibara-kun..." Kuroko pulled two fedoras out of Hyuuga's bag and handed it to them. "Put these on, then stand several steps behind Aomine-kun and Midorima-kun, but move closer toward the middle."

"Cool!" Kise exclaimed excitedly when he was handed his fedora.

"Hmm...I guess Kise-chin and I are special." Murasakibara said as everyone filed to their positions according to Kuroko's instructions. Akashi stared unblinkingly at Kuroko for a moment, unmoving, before he walked down the steps to his assigned position. A small frown was set on his face all the while.

When everyone assumed their spots, they created a sort of inverted triangle, with Akashi as the tip in front. Kuroko nodded as he lowered his eye to his camera. "This is perfect. Stay like that please."

The unmistakable frown was still present on Akashi's face even as Kuroko snapped the picture.

"I must admit, I did have some doubts about choosing a remote location like that staircase for the photoshoot." Riko said to Hyuuga as they all walked toward their last location. "But Kuroko-kun has done it again. He really has an eye for these things. I mean, those last pictures felt like they were shooting a scene out of an action movie or something."

"I know what you mean." Hyuuga agreed. "That specific setting really added an extra dimension to the pictures and helped enhance the overall mood."

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone." Kuroko said to the Generation of Miracles. "This here will be our last photoshoot location of the day." The eight of them currently stood inside a fancy bar room. The main centerpiece of the room was a large, velvet plush couch, matched with a low cherry wood tea table.

"For this last picture, I'm aiming for sophisticated type of mood to match with the ambiance of this bar." Kuroko explained. "So I was planning to have Akashi-kun hold this glass of wine here and..."

"Tetsuya," Akashi suddenly cut in. "If you just keep telling us what to do, we would be nothing more than your dolls to show off as you wish. Shouldn't we, the actual models, be able to have some say as to what we might want to do?" The intensity of his stare matched the obvious displeasure in his voice.

"Akashi-kun!" Riko immediately admonished. "How can you say that? Kuroko-kun's only trying to help!"

Kuroko was silent for a moment. "You're right, Akashi-kun. I overstepped my boundaries and for that, I apologize. Please feel free to position yourselves however you feel fit for this last photo."

"As I should have the right to." Without another word, Akashi picked up the glass of wine and sat himself confidently down right in the middle of the couch.

This tense moment brought everyone on edge and seemed to severely affect the mood of the rest of the Generation of Miracles—the comfortable work environment of before was destroyed in that brief instant.

"Tch." Aomine grumbled. "Whatever." He plopped himself down on the couch as well, looking bored as he crossed his arms across his chest.

"How troublesome. I knew I should not have left my lucky item at home today." Midorima said. He angrily shoved up at his glasses before he, too, stiffly took a seat down next to Akashi.

Murasakibara silently made his way over to stand behind Akashi. Kise threw an uncertain look back at Kuroko and chewed nervously on his lip as he took the last available seat on the couch.

"Okay, whenever you're ready..." Kuroko started.

"We're ready now, Tetsuya." Akashi cut in. Riko and Hyuuga exchanged apprehensive glances as the tense atmosphere of the room lingered on.

Kuroko was just about to snap the picture when a loud voice suddenly interrupted them from behind.

"Ha! You call that modeling?'"

Shards of glass went flying into the air when the glass of wine suddenly exploded, crushed from the sheer pressure of Akashi's tight grip.

"Akashicchi!" Kise exclaimed, horrified.

But Akashi paid no heed even as droplets of blood-red wine ran down his hand. "What did you say?" He demanded. Everyone turned to stare at the two newcomers who stood by the mouth of the door.

One of the newcomers, a tall redhead, raised himself to his full height and said tauntingly, "I said, you call that modeling?"

"Taiga!" The other person, a slender black-haired teenager with parted side bangs, said. "You shouldn't just say that outright to them!"

"Huh? What's wrong with calling them out if they really do suck, Tatsuya?" The tall redhead demanded.

"Oh? So you think our modeling is less than satisfactory?" Akashi asked calmly. But the anger was evident on his face. His mismatched eyes flashed dangerously and his hand moved toward his pocket, as if itching to grasp hold of a familiar pair of scissors.

"Well, yeah." The tall redhead smirked. "I mean, you guys are the famous Generation of Miracles, right? Stars of the modeling world and all that. Well, I don't believe that for a second." He shook his head and sneered. "And what I saw just now confirmed it. If that was the true level of the Generation of Miracles, I'm extremely disappointed."

Everyone stared wordlessly at the bold redhead, frozen in shock and disbelief at his sudden appearance and completely unexpected words.

The newcomer gave a most condescending smirk as he delivered his final words. "I guess the reputation of the Generation of Miracles is just a fluke after all."

Author's Notes: And Kagami takes the stage! ...Along with Himuro, of course. Bet you didn't expect him to just suddenly appear like that, did you? Don't worry, it will all be explained in the next chapter. For now, just stare in shock over the fact that Kagami actually dared to call Akashi out on his 'bad' modeling (gasp).

Anyways, if any of you was wondering what the heck is Akashi's problem in this chapter, well, Akashi's always been the type of character who always has to remain in charge, as confirmed by the most recent chapters of the KuroBasu manga. He's the type that doesn't bode well with taking orders from someone else because that makes him feel like the other person challenging his own authority. I thought it would be fitting to introduce this side of Akashi to this story. At least, it makes sense to me.

So what did you all think of their first photoshoot? Did you like the GoM's outfits, poses, and photoshoot locations? And was Akashi being totally unreasonable? Please let me know of your thoughts! Thank you!

-Bird of Dreams