The Generation of Miracles Reincarnated

Chapter 7

Akashi-kun was muttering to himself angrily as the rest of the team walked into the locker rooms. "Daiki, how can you even stand that former captain of yours? And that shooting guard of yours! He shouldn't even shoot if he was going to apologize!"

"A reason why I don't go practices," Aomine-kun grumbled. It was rare to see Akashi-kun so angry. Perhaps they had really done a good job getting on Akashi-kun's nerves. At the end of the match, you could see the other two teams crouching on their hands and knees, panting crazily.

Akashi-kun had increased the pace of the game so fast that no one could catch up, so Kise-kun was subbed in and Kuroko was taken out. Aomine-kun could catch up, Midorima-kun just grabbed the ball and shot, and Kise-kun just broke past defenders to dunk. Murasakibara-kun had just blocked ball after ball.

"Akashi-kun, don't you think that was a little… to harsh?" Kuroko asked timidly.

Akashi-kun smirked. "But it was a good workout and it was fun! They were two teams against us, remember? We should not go easy on them." The rest nodded slightly. "Let's change up. Anyone up for ice cream?"

Everyone's face literally lit up. They have finally accomplished one of their very lame Teiko quests: To make Akashi-kun like ice cream since he was the only one who would not follow them after basketball practice in Teiko for ice cream. "Yes! Gimme five!" Kise-kun cheered, giving everyone hi-fives. Akashi-kun just stared at everyone weirdly but dismissed it, changing into his Rakuzan uniform, ignoring the lame cheers of the others.

Once everyone was changed, they headed out of the large stadium.

"Ano… Akashi-kun, where is Akashi-kun heading off to now?" Kuroko asked his captain as the whole group walked once again to the convenience stall.

"Hm? There's training again tomorrow so I think I will get a hotel room then." Akashi replied. His family was rich anyway so his father had actually bought an apartment for Akashi during their middle school days but moved back in with his father in Kyoto when he went to Rakuzan. They had sold the Tokyo apartment.

"Ano… It would be troublesome and a waste of money. Would Akashi-kun like to stay over at my house every weekend? It would be more convenient for you. I am sure my parents would not mind," Kuroko offered.

"Are you sure? Otō-san does not like me asking for troublesome favours," Akashi-kun asked. Kuroko shook his head. "Uhm, I guess if you won't mind, yes it will be less troublesome. I will repay you another time. Thank you."

The team parted ways as the left the convenience store, each sucking on an ice cream. It was the normal light blue ones that they used to buy everyday. Kuroko and Akashi-kun walked in silence for a while on the way to the bus stop. When they reached, they threw their finished ice cream sticks into the dustbin.

The bus came and both boarded and headed to Kuroko's house. They arrived at a quite modern looking house with two stories. Kuroko unlocked the front door and went in. The sweet smell of delicious food cooking wafted to the two's noses.

"Ah, Tetsuya! You're home! Eh? Who's that with you?" Long teal hair peeked out from the kitchen, no doubt it was Kuroko's mother. Akashi-kun jumped a little, not noticing Kuroko's mother.

"Okā-san, this is Akashi-kun, my Teikō basketball team's captain and captain for the Olympic Games too. His house is in Kyoto, so I had offered him to stay over at our house since there is practice tomorrow. Is that alright?" Kuroko asked.

"Sure! He's even welcomed to stay for the whole weekend!" came the cheerful reply. "We've got enough for dinner since Tetsuya doesn't even eat much!" It was not often that Kuroko had a friend come over, let alone stay a night or two. Akashi-kun nodded politely before following Kuroko to his room.

"Apparently you had inherited your mother's invisibility and looks. I assume your over-politeness is from your father?" Akashi-kun asked, amused at the similarity between Kuroko and his parents. Kuroko threw him a pout.

When they opened the door a bark could be heard. "What the—" Akashi-kun could not even finish his sentence as the white and black blur pounced onto him, knocking him off his feet and slamming into the floor. Kuroko closed the door behind.

"Sorry, Akashi-kun. I picked up this dog this year since someone abandoned it. It has become Seirin's mascot of sorts and its name is Tetsuya Number Two, in short, Nigō. Do not worry, it is obedient," Kuroko explained, knowing full well that Akashi-kun did not like disobedient dogs. Glancing at Akashi-kun, he realized the taller teen could not answer as Nigō was apparently licking his face. "Nigō, that's enough. Come here," Kuroko ordered. The dog did as he was told.

Akashi-kun wiped his saliva-covered face. "He sure is a friendly one. If he's obedient, then I do not mind." Standing up, he proceeded to wash his face with water in Kuroko's bathroom. Once out, Nigō was sitting near the bathroom door, wagging its tail enthusiastically. Akashi stared at the hyperactive dog. "I think I know why you named it Number 2. He really looks like you."

Kuroko nodded sheepishly. Many people have observed that both their eyes looked the same colour and shape. It was hilarious. Without changing out, Kuroko lead Akashi-kun down to the dining table where five bowls of Japanese curry were laid out.

"I hope I am not imposing," Akashi-kun said as he took the seat beside Kuroko.

A man with dark brown hair sat down opposite Akashi-kun. "No, it certainly is not! Thank you very much for coming to stay over, Akashi-kun," the man said. Akashi-kun assumed that he was Kuroko's father, with the same over-politeness as Kuroko.

The teal-headed woman came to sit down, followed by an older woman, presumably Kuroko's grandmother. "Itadakimasu!" everyone said before digging in.

While eating, Kuroko's mother asked, "Tetsuya, what made you ask Akashi-kun to stay over? You don't do that often."

"Akashi-kun is the one that invited me to be part of his Olympic team. It is the least I could do to thank him for the favour. Since he lives in Kyoto, it would be easier for him to stay over for the weekends," Kuroko replied. His parents nodded understandingly.

"Oh! I just noticed! Why are your eye colours different? It's amazing!" she piped up again.

Kuroko's father, noticing the awkwardness, just said, "Do not pressure the boy! Come on, let's continue eating. Once you boys are done, go bathe and sleep. I heard you have practice tomorrow. May I ask what time it is?"

"It starts at seven in the morning and ends at five in the evening. There will be a lunch break for an hour in between," Akashi-kun replied. Throughout the dinner, Kuroko's mother made most of the conversation and Akashi-kun was surprised in the drastic difference between the characteristics of mother and son.

After excusing themselves and going to bathe, Kuroko laid an extra tatami mat on the floor beside his bed since the house did not have a guest room. "Akashi-kun, I can sleep on the—"

"No. I am already imposing on your family. I will sleep on the floor. Do not worry," Akashi-kun cut off Kuroko's sentence. Knowing that nothing could change his captain's mind, both of them settled in for the night with Nigō on a cushion at a corner of the room.

The night went through peacefully. However, when Kuroko's alarm clock rang at six, he realized Akashi-kun was not in the room. "Akashi-kun?" Kuroko asked. Just then, the door squeaked open and the sound of a dog panting could be heard. The said teen walked in causally in his Rakuzan basketball clothes.

"Oh, sorry I forgot to tell you. I woke up at five thirty to go for my morning jog and your dog just insisted on following," Akashi-kun replied with Nigō wagging his tail at Akashi-kun's feet. Kuroko shrugged and proceeded to make his bed. "Tetsuya, what happened to your hair?"

Kuroko felt his hair. He totally forgot about his notorious bed hair. "I will go fix it," Kuroko answered, but not before hearing Akashi-kun chuckle. It was rare to see his captain smile, but ever since he changed, he had been opening up more to the other members of his team though he seemed a little wary of strangers still. But he was progressing.

Kuroko went to the bathroom to change up and fix his bed hair. When he walked out, he saw Akashi-kun sitting on the floor with his right hand out, petting Nigō on the head. Kuroko smiled and said, "Let's go for breakfast. We have training later."

"Is Nigō coming along?" Akashi-kun asked, surprising Kuroko.

"If you allow, yes," Kuroko replied in which Akashi-kun said that he allowed. The two then went down for a small breakfast so as to prevent a stitch later on while practicing. Kuroko placed Nigō in his basketball bag to smuggle him on the bus since pets were not allowed on the bus.

Akashi-kun gave him a weird look but did not comment. Nigō looked like he understood his owner's situation and obediently did not bark for the whole trip to the stadium.

It was six forty-five when they arrived and the sun was just starting to peek out of the horizon. Kuroko let Nigō down and the dog followed the two of them into the stadium to prepare for their second practice with the Generation of Miracles.