Mischievous Fate (Kuroko no Basket: Midorima Shintarou)
Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basket. Fujimaki Tadatoshi does. Well of course, except for the OC.
Introduction: With incomparable beauty, superior IQ, bountiful luxury, and flawless attitude, Chano Shizuka was renowned to be Teiko Middle's Yamato Nadeshiko. But, despite her unmatched attributes, these didn't make her an exception to Oha-asa. Finally, after 2 years of having secret admiration to Midorima Shintarou, she confessed on their Graduation day, only to get rejected. Why? The reason is simple. Because their Zodiac Signs are incompatible.
Having her Middle School days end with a notable rejection, Shizuka was determined to start anew in Shutoku High. However, little did she know that their paths will cross once again in High School. Indeed, what a mischievous fate.
Entry 03: I've Been Watching
Lunch break was almost over and the sound of scattered voices soon filled the classroom. While most of the students were huddled in groups and engaged in idle chit-chats, a certain bespectacled greenhead remained silent on his seat.
Midorima Shintarou was too engrossed in his usual grooming routine—filing his nails and re-taping the fingers on his left hand—that he failed to notice the quizzical stares that the nearby students threw at him (not that he would have cared even if he was aware).
He soon started preparing his books and notes for the next subject, but accidentally knocked the goat plushy off the table.
Yagimura! He inwardly hollered and hastily got off his seat to save his precious lucky item.
While swiping off the dust from its cotton fur, Oha Asa's morning forecast suddenly flashed in his mind.
"Good morning! We have some big news for you, Cancer! This day will be a big turning point in your life so make sure to be more mindful of your actions and decisions! Unfortunately, you have the second to the worst luck today, but it can be compensated with a lucky item which is an animal plush toy! It can help drive away misfortune and harm. Good luck!"
He sighed in thought and whispered, "What are you trying to tell me, Oha-asa?"
A sudden clatter from the back door brought Midorima back to reality. He glanced behind and his usual sharp gaze wandered among the newly arrived students. Upon sighting a familiar hazelhead, his emerald eyes slightly widened.
"And, you know, the game was so interesting! The star players were so fired up that they ended up having a dunk contest," exclaimed Takao.
"Really? That's awesome!" Shizuka cheered excitedly. "I'll watch it later!"
The ravenette flashed his new basket-buddy a big grin. It made him absolutely delighted to meet someone whom he could share his interests with, yet was surprised altogether since said friend was a girl whose knowledge of the sport surpassed that of an amateur!
They were about to return to their seats when Shizuka stopped to glance at a certain man, who almost snapped his neck in a haste to look away. Midorima sighed in relief and was thankful to his honed reflexes. His pride was sure to crumble if she had caught him staring at her even if that act of his meant nothing!
Unbeknownst to him, her gaze lingered on his figure even after she had returned to her seat. Shizuka was resolute on moving on, but she couldn't help worry for his well-being. She noticed that the seats around him were still empty. If only she knew he would eat alone, she would have invited him to lunch!
Soon, everyone had returned to the classroom.
"Listen up!"
The teacher tapped the chalk on the board. "We have to sort out the seating arrangement. To be fair, this will be decided through lottery."
Most of the students had no objection except for a few who felt regretful at being separated from their newly-acquainted neighbors. Shizuka, on the other hand, was haunted by mixed feelings. She could already feel her resolve crumbling as another part of her wanted to be seated beside Midorima!
Same school, same section? She wouldn't be surprised if they would become seatmates!
It was definitely fate in the works. The gods were trying to make it up to her for not putting them in the same class for the past three years!
"Hope we can become neighbors again," whispered Takao with a small smile.
"Sure, that would be nice!" Shizuka nodded. Of course, the ravenette was more than welcome to occupy the other nearby seats.
Afterwards, the students were asked to line up outside the room and wait for their turn in the lottery.
"What..."
Shizuka gawked in disbelief as she stared at Midorima's back. It seemed like her luck had ran out!
She was placed on the farthest seat beside the window. The student assigned next to her was also absent. Worse, she was separated from Takao and he was the one who got to seat near the greenhead!
She released a heavy sigh and rested her head on the table. "This is what I reap for getting my hopes too high."
The teacher clapped his hands to regain their attention.
"Next is the assignment of class executives," he announced. "Is there anyone who would want to volunteer for the representative positions?"
Instantly, everyone looked down on their empty desks as if they were reading an invisible book. The teacher chuckled tiredly, accustomed to the students' actions. He looked around and was almost surprised to meet someone's gaze.
"Midorima-san, are you interested?" he asked.
Midorima simply readjusted his glasses. "I don't mind taking on the job."
A feeling of relief washed over the male students. The teacher smiled and called him to the platform. "Then, please take over the assignment for the remaining candidates."
The moment he stepped forward, all of the girls avoided his gaze except for one. The teacher caught Shizuka watching Midorima with mouth slightly agape and eyes glistening with awe. He misunderstood her actions, yet again, and assumed she wanted the same position.
He smiled at her. "How about Chano-san?"
The hazelhead flinched upon hearing her name and was brought back to reality. He added, "It might be easier for the two of you to work together since you went to the same middle school, right?"
She wanted to object, but froze upon meeting Midorima's gaze.
"Do you want to take the offer, Chano?" he asked.
CRACK. The sound of crumbling resolve filled Shizuka's ears! That was the first time he called her name. It was enough to push her to tears of joy!
"Sure," she answered almost immediately and rose from her seat.
What happened to her image change? To moving on? Chano Shizuka couldn't care less! She was but a simple woman-a slave to love just like any other person!
"Okay. Please continue the election with Midorima-san," said the teacher. She happily walked to the platform with a smile.
The hazelhead tried her best to retain her composure despite standing excruciatingly close to her unrequited love. Midorima, on the other hand, was oblivious to her predicament as he watched her impressive performance.
As expected of the Yamato Nadeshiko. He silently mused to himself.
Shizuka had always been elected as her class' female representative for the past three years. Her human management was so perfect that she could make people submit to certain propositions through subtle encouragement! Indeed, in just a short time, the committee was completed. After each member gave a small speech, the election was finished and everyone was dismissed.
Before they could leave the classroom, the teacher called Shizuka and Midorima. "Can I ask you a favor?"
"Yes, sensei?" asked the hazelhead.
"Please make a class roster for each of the subjects. It's for taking attendance. You can share half of the work with each other." He handed her a stack of paper and a large notebook.
"Understood," she nodded, and the teacher left them alone in the room.
Shizuka stared at the papers blankly. Her expression remained calm, yet her entire soul was shaking to the core!
What do I do? It's just the two of us! What will we talk about? I have to think of a topic or else-!
The weight of the papers was suddenly lifted from her hands. "I'll be doing this one. You can go home now," Midorima said and walked to a nearby table.
"Eh?" She was about to protest when he cut her off.
"The committee election was settled faster due to your efforts. At least let me repay you by doing this one, nanodayo."
She nodded hesitantly and muttered, "I see. O-Okay then."
Shizuka was about to exit the room, but stopped on the door. With a troubled expression, she walked back to the greenhead. "Actually, I can't. I'll feel bad about it."
He sighed in defeat. "Fine. Suit yourself."
Silence filled the room. Her racing heartbeat was all that resonated in Shizuka's ears and she could only hope that the man seated across her wasn't hearing it. Alone with Midorima, the hazelhead wasn't able to concentrate at all! Her eyes continuously wandered between his taped fingers and his beautiful and long eyelashes.
Ah, I wish time would stop.
Indeed, it felt like time did stop when he caught her staring at him! She immediately averted her eyes away.
"We would be working a lot together from now on," he started with a grunt. "So, if ever you're uncomfortable being around me, just quit the position. Or I can do you a favor and forget about that day."
Shizuka instantly felt her heart drop to her stomach. Was she hearing him right?
"Choose," he insisted and added flatly, "I can't have you acting like this. It's bothersome, nanodayo."
She lowered her head in an attempt to calm herself. With hazel fringes casting a shadow on her face, Midorima was unable to discern her expression.
"...I'm sorry. I'll be more wary of my actions from now on." Shizuka gave him a smile, but it was painfully obvious that she was hurting. A pang of guilt hit Midorima and he groaned, annoyed that he wasn't able to properly convey his thoughts.
"In the first place, do you really have feelings for me?" he stated more harshly than planned.
He was curious because he, himself, found it absurd! He knew that many hated his eccentric and tactless attitude. Then, out of the blue, he received his first confession from a girl who was easily considered the queen of the school! She was friendly to everyone and a smile almost never left her face. However, it was the complete opposite for Midorima! Whenever their eyes would meet, she would look away. He noticed that she tended to quiver around him as if he was some vicious beast. Her usual composed expression would collapse whenever he would approach her. It would have made better sense if she actually disliked him!
"We're not close. We hardly talked, nanodayo," he declared confidently.
"How could you possibly like someone you barely know?"
His eyes widened in surprise when Shizuka suddenly stood up and flashed her right palm towards his left cheek. He narrowly managed to avoid damage by letting his goat plushy take the fall.
It was his first time to see her angry. Midorima was surprised; and, by the looks of her face, it seemed that she was too.
"Barely know?" she repeated in disbelief. "I've been watching you way before you completed that half-court shot!"
The green-haired man instantly froze in his seat. He didn't know whether to be afraid that he was being watched or be elated that someone had been harboring romantic feelings for him since his first year in Teiko Middle. Embarrassment soon overpowered his confusion and he was reduced to a blushing mess!
Sadly, Shizuka did not get to see the rare spectacle due to the tears that blurred her vision.
"I accepted your rejection because I have respect for your beliefs, but you're being too much. I was stupid to think that you were a kind and respectable man!"
She then grabbed her bag and stormed outside the room, leaving a dumbfounded Midorima.
Author's Note:
1) Midorima likes to name his toys. Remember Kerosuke, the frog toy he brought to Kaijou? Yagi means goat in Japanese, by the way. That's why it's Yagimura.
2) There are two student represtentatives in each class: one boy and one girl. It's a real thing in Japan, not something I made just for the plot.
Long time no update! Authorcchi is back! Hope you liked it! ( ･ω･)ﾉ