Oh man, look at all these new faces...thanks for all the support! No matter what you're here for, welcome aboard!

A few of you have asked to see Kuroko deal with a confession, but that isn't quite this chapter (sorry!)
We will get there, if you've made a request I've vaguely outlined your chapter.

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Kuroko is heading towards the gym when he hears it. Someone's crying.

He really doesn't have time for a detour, especially when he's already spent so much time looking for Murasakibara, but it wouldn't be right to ignore someone's tears. Especially when it's a girl, since his family raised him to be a gentleman. So without even a sigh of complaint to himself, Kuroko chooses to pass the gym doors and continues down the hall to stop in front of the custodial closet, where it sounds like the source of the crying is coming from.

Kuroko knocks on the door. "Are you alright?"

Her breath hitches. "Um. I-I'll be out in a minute. Pl-Please Le-eave."

Kuroko blinks in surprise. "Yukimura-san?" He recognises her voice, even if distorted by sorrow and the barrier between them. She's one of the assistant managers, usually responsible for helping Momoi and handing out fresh towels. She's a nice girl, usually quite hearty.

Her voice is barely audible through the door, so Kuroko has to press an ear against the surface to listen. "Ah! y-you're- you're on the ba-basketball team, aren't you?"

"Yes. I'm number eleven, Kuroko Tetsuya."

"...First-string?"

"That is correct. What's the matter Yukimura-san?"

"...You should...g-...go. Akashi-san will give you extra laps for...for every minute you're late."

A lenient punishment, since he's not a repeat offender. Haizaki has been forced to do a whole set of sit-ups for each minute, and he came almost an hour late. "It will be worth it if I can help you feel better. If we're late together, then they can't be too mad right? So please tell me what's wrong, you're usually very enthusiastic." He keeps his voice warm and soothing, the same tone he uses to comfort Momoi after Aomine says something stupid.

For a while it's silent and he's almost convinced she won't answer when the door clicks open. He takes a quick step back, but the door only cracks open by a sliver. "I-Its stupid. I knew it was going to happen." He can hear her a lot clearer and it's obvious that she's just barely holding back more sobs.

"It's definitely not stupid if you're this upset. I promise to listen without judgement Yukimura-san."

"...I was just...re...rejected by the boy I like."

She sniffles and Kuroko is suddenly reminded of the packet of tissues he carries around for Kise after he finishes his theatrics. "Here." Kuroko offers her the whole pack and Yukimura gratefully accepts it.

"Thank you Kuroko-senpai." She mumbles gloomily as she cleans her face.

"It's only natural to feel awful when something bad happens, even if it's expected. When Aomine-kun yelled heads-up, it still hurt when it hit my face right?" Yukimura giggles at the reminder of yesterday's blunder and Kuroko counts that as a win. "It's okay to be sad. It's best to work through these feelings and move on. Only then can you give yourself to the right person whole-heartedly."

It's silent again, and for a moment Kuroko is worried he said something ridiculous before the door swings fully open, revealing Yukimura's awestruck face.

"Oh. There's something in your hair." Kuroko notes rather blandly. He plucks it out with deft fingers, painlessly untangling it from its confines to hold it in front of her face. "Think of it as turning over a new leaf." Kuroko flashes her a smile as she accepts it with trembling fingers and flaming cheeks.

Kuroko is hit with a strange sense of déjà-vu.

"U-Um. Thank you Kuroko-senp-"

"Kuro-chin, there you are."

Yukimura squeaks at the sound of Murasakibara's voice, and she's glad she's still hidden inside the dark closet.

"Ah. Murasakibara-kun, I was looking for you as well."

"Aka-chin's gunna kill us for being late." However, as far as Murasakibara is concerned it's worth the pocket-full of snack cakes he procured from some underclassmen.

Kuroko looks back at Yukimura with uncertainty.

"I'll be there in a moment, please go ahead Kuroko-senpai. I'm feeling much better thanks to you." She keeps her voice down to a hoarse whisper as to not be discovered by the taller male, but smiles as sweetly as she can at Kuroko in gratitude.

Kuroko hesitates before returning the expression, lighting her whole face cherry red, which he attributes to her crying spell. "Alright. Let's go Murasakibara-kun."

She ducks further back as Murasakibara passes the door, almost falling into a mop bucket in her haste, but he doesn't even waste a moment to glance in her direction. "Hey Kuro-chin, after practice do you wanna get some cake?"

"Did Kise-kun insist you take me on a date again? Because it's really not necessary." Kuroko says in exasperation.

"No. I just like cake and Kuro-chin."

"Oh. Then I would be delighted."

Yukimura hears the gym doors clunk open, and after a pause click shut.

She feels her heart break all over again.

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( ╹ਊ╹)。・:*:・゚ OMAKE! 。・:*:・゚

"I know that look."

Yukimura jumps in surprise as Momoi puts a hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay. Even Kise-kun and I were victims of his charm. Tetsu-kun is a gift that no one can have." She says tearfully.

"You and Kise-senpai too!?" she yells in disbelief. If such perfect people couldn't capture Kuroko for themselves, then perhaps she shouldn't feel so bad.

Momoi pulls her into a tight embrace, resting Yukimura's head atop of her chest, and begins carding her fingers gently through her hair. "It'll be okay Yuki-chan, Momoi-senpai has you now."

...Perhaps Kuroko was right.

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I couldn't give Lemon-chin a Bad End.

I imagine Aomine's formless shots weren't always so accurate.
There were casualties, and several people avenged Kuroko.

Still taking more requests!