Edited Jan 16th 2014.
Quick notice to everyone!
You've probably noticed but for a while, I was updating my OC fic because frankly, after certain chapters in the teiko and rakuzan arc, I was at a loss of what to write for TOUF (and since that was getting to the part I've been envisioning since last year, voilaaaaa)
The personalities of the characters, particularly Teiko Akashi v1 and Teiko Kuroko, were so different than what I wrote prior that each time I tried to write a new chapter for this, it felt wrong to follow the old formula (before we knew much about them)
As such, I've edited and revamped EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER THUS FAR
and will update Entry 8 Next week (you can send me never-ending pictures of Akashi Seijuro SLAM DUNKING to hasten this process JKJK /killed) for sure otherwise you can flame me for sureeee.
tld;r
PLEASE REREAD THE CHAPTERS and tell me what you think of the characterizations, particularly AKASHI FREAKIN v1 CUTIE SEIJURO BC I'VE NEVER WROTE HIM THIS WAY AND I THINK IM GOING TO GO CRAZY
your input is greatly appreciated
(ps if you reviewed before I suggest you go on guest because it might now display. or pm me, i just really need to see if it's okay for me to continue like this.)
Entry 7: Liar, Liar
On a day of clear blue skies, the battle commenced.
"Hey, hey Aominecchi, are you seriously gonna make me go through this?" A rangy blond called, wispy golden hair cascading down a wan long neck.
"Hah? Obviously you are gonna win those Lebron James for me," a dark-skinned male replied, eased up on a thin folding chair, watching in almost irritation at Kise's "metamorphosis. Well, he knew he needed Kise to look good in a dress, but why the hell did he have to look that good. There was something inherently annoying about this as Aomine mentally sent him death threats.
"Hah? Why do I have to, Aominecchi?!" Kise scowled. "I'm the one that has to do most of the work then!"
"Ah but most. Most is all you're doing." Aomine returned, as if that could ever be found fair.
"That doesn't make anything better!" Kise hectored, reaffirming the gall of the teen.
"Tch, your appearance isn't the only damn thing that's like a girl," Aomine huffed, plugging his ears.
"HAH?!
Aomine promptly sighed in resignation, before a smirk splayed playfully onto his lips. "Then...I'll tell you...about the truth." He nuanced as Kise raised a brow cautiously. Very cautiously.
God knows how he persuaded the blonde.
But of course, Kise wasn't the only one dolled up in a dress. A mere two rooms away, Midorima stared at a huge fluffy purple dress lavished in frills and ribbons with an evident grimace. "Murasakibara, are you sure you're planning on going out like that?" He confirmed as a purple giant, with hair in plump curls nodded. "It's a pain to change."
"That's not a reasonable reason at all!"
Yes nevertheless, his retorts went through deaf ears as the teen sighed and promptly let the chaos slowly worm through the cracks of sanity.
[=]
Rules:
Welcome to the Cross-dressing puzzle competition!
In order to show off your beauty, first you must have the teamwork and brains!
From you randomized starting point, you must use the riddles given to find your way to the secret venue stage
Your partner will be in a separate room where they will answer quiz questions and help guide you to the venue!
To monitor your movements, please attach the following mini-camera to you, specially designed by the computers club.
We and the audience will be the ones watching your movements at the venue.
You have a limit of 30 minutes to find the venue, if you do not, you're automatically disqualified!
Well then, good luck and it's...PUZZLE TIME!
With a one-sided ponytail slanted to the left, curling down in spirals, Kuroko Tetsuya firmly tucked the Rules Sheet inside the pocket of his school uniform, now reconstructed into a thin cardigan and skirt of all things as he strode down the hallway attempting to seem as nonchalant as possible.
Unlike the princess dress for the play, Kuroko could not even find the slightest comfort in these clothes. After all...the skirt was far too short.
Technically it only reached up slightly above his knees and was "very long" as Momoi had put it. But he could not help but be wary that in the end it was only a piece of cloth circling around his waist, with no protection or covering whatsoever.
For good measure he wore shorts underneath but...the mere thought of having to wear shorts that short also bothered him slightly.
...He better win.
Immediately taking note of the mini-camera pinned to his chest, Kuroko promptly spoke to the receiver by his neck.
"Momoi-san. Are you ready?" He affirmed.
"Yup! In fact, I just got won our first riddle, 'sitting at the edge of the world, it sleeps, lying asunder. Beneath the years of wood it waits for the sun.' Do you have any ideas, Tetsu-kun?" Momoi Satsuki excitedly asked.
Kuroko furrowed his brows, momentarily pondering this before he replied, "the edge of the world... what do you think that would mean Momoi-san?"
"...Urm... the separation between one place and another?"
Kuroko nodded. "Yes...and in that case, it would be the school gate, separating the festival from the "rest" of the other world.
"..AH! Then 'beneath the years of wood', must refer to the old coniferous tree by the gate! Tetsu-kun, when you get there, make sure to look on the left side okay? I think when Aomine-kun once fell from there he bent down a branch all the way to the bottom so there's always a spot that never meets the sun!" She cheerfully informed...while Kuroko blinked.
"Eh?"
Oh so that was why that tree one day began to seem malformed.
Never underestimate Aomine Daiki.
Kuroko quickly headed down the halls.
Meanwhile, it occurred to Kise that he should've never left brain work to Aomine. "Lying as-as...what does this Kanji even say?" Aomine murmured in confusion as Kise grew more and more irritated at their predicament.
"Why are you asking me?!" He disparaged into the receiver as he no-she, Ryouka was being gaped at from all angles due to his naturally tall and charming stature.
Moreover, as a model, he even had the feminine walk down pat that he wondered if he could take any more of the lovestruck gazes he received from males of all people.
He sighed. "Then next line..." he muttered...before receiving no response whatsoever. Something bubbled within his throat. "Aominecchi?"
No reply.
"AO-MI-NE-CCHI?" He attempted again before immediately, he was clobbered by a dangerously low voice.
"Oi...Kise." Aomine slowly began, sounding very serious.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Kise questioned, unused to such a tone.
"...We have more important issues now."
Kise raised a brow.
"I know...where we're supposed to go...but I want you to find that place, and then MAKE SURE to retrieve something from there for me."
"...Hah? Did you leave something there?"
"...Oh nah, just some porn."
"...AOMINECCHI!"
"Yeah, I thought it would be pretty bad if someone found what I dropped there last week so Satsuki wouldn't find it. But hey, if the schools finds it, what if they do fingerprint testing? So yeah. Make sure you're not wearing gloves when you find it alright?"
...Why. WHY.
It left Kise so exasperated that he could only ponder how Momoi managed to put up with Aomine for all these years.
Yet in effect, once Kuroko reached the tree, he found a gravure magazine skewered in one of the branches. Seeing the cover to be of Horikita Mai, there was a high possibility of whose it was.
Decided to momentarily obscure the camera, he quickly picked up the next clue card, much more visible in comparison to the thing dangling from the overgrowth.
[=]
The rest of the competition went quite smoothly, with both teams somehow managing despite Kise and Aomine's clear lack of combined brain power. But then again, Kise could always wave a hand at his lovely group of fans that only became more ecstatic once they saw him dressed up as a girl. He didn't quite understand why but shrugged it off.
Well, he must admit, he did look stunning after all.
Yet, an obstacle was soon met for the team who had been predicted to have the best chance...and it all started when Kuroko Tetsuya's camera...blacked out.
[=]
In the silence of a deserted stairway where not a single festivity took place, a grey-haired teen released a dull yawn, plopped down on the stairs, stretching his arms and legs up in the air with a smirk on his face.
"Oi, oi, what's this? I didn't expect you to still come and stalk me even after graduation, Nijimura-sempai," Haizaki Shougo drawled as he gazed at the person who had discreetly followed him, with the same dauntingly flat eyes as before.
Haizaki smirked. He was no longer afraid. After all, he was no longer the captain—just a passing illusion trying to exert a presence that was no longer there.
Nijimura Shuuzo merely took a deep breath, expression obscured...before he slammed his palm down Haizaki's forehead, forcing the back to contact cement.
"OW! HEY!" Haizaki exclaimed in disbelief, only to face a near-glowering Nijimura.
"Ah?" He began with his signature lip curve as his eyes grew deadly. "That should be my line idiot! What the hell are you doing acting all cool like this? It's disturbing!"
"HAH?! Does that even make any sense?!" Haizaki retorted, immediately knocked back down with a second blow.
"No, of course it doesn't make any sense to your brainless head! In fact that might explain why you're messing up Teiko's reputation!" Nijimura continued, pushing harder and harder before his hand was suddenly gripped upon and lifted away.
Nijimura narrowed his eyes.
There, was Haizaki's expression, cold and accusing, layered with betrayal. "Teiko's reputation huh? So I guess you heard...about what I tried to do to Ryouta?" He asked coldly.
Nijimura paused.
"...Hah? Who the hell is that?" He returned without a shred of recognition.
Haizaki sweatdropped. "Hah?! What do you mean? I thought you knew?!"
"Nothing more than you were slacking off and hitting on girls. Oh, and that you tried to get someone beat up."
"That was him-"
"BUT." And Nijimura grabbed his tie, lifting his closer to eye-level. "We both know that doesn't suit you does it, Haiiiizakiiii?" He drawled with a smile as Haizaki scoffed, pushing him away.
Surprisingly, Nijimura didn't resist.
He let go of him, the tie fluttering down, whilst keeping the same fictitious smile. "So then, want to tell me, why you've stopped practising?"
And Haizaki Shougo was met with those eyes again. Those eyes that felt as though they could see through everything about about him, and his secret plea.
He scoffed. "Why are you making such a big deal out of this. From the start I've always been slacking haven't I?"
"Because you knew I'd come to get you."
Haizaki twitched. He parted his lips, ready to lash out a retort before realizing nothing would come.
God. Was he right?
He shook his head because either way, that didn't change a thing. Either way, in the end, even he had abandoned him.
Nijimura was never a man of patience. He merely sighed and said, "so you're not gonna talk? Then why don't I begin with a story...about a coward that ran away?"
Haizaki raised his head.
"In my perspective, you probably knew about the gap between you and the those guys. What are they being called these days, the Generation of Miracles? And even though you're supposed to be included in that group, in reality, you know you're not don't you?"
"Hah? What the hell are you saying?" Haizaki snarled, eyes knitted deeply with anger.
"Nothing. Since you're not talking, then I'm just speaking for you." Nijimura simply stated, taking another breath. "That's why, you weren't satisfied when that new kid came. I think his name was Kise or something, that model that's got our whole school squealing 24/7."
"Hah? I thought you didn't know him?"
Nijimura didn't even bat an eye. With a gall exceeding Aomine's he merely stated, "obviously I lied, dumbass." and Haizaki felt as though he was back to his 1st year self all over again.
"But anyways, that Kise kid supposedly had similar abilities to you and even though he came later, I bet you felt he was better than you didn't you? That's why you caused so much uproar and dissatisfaction, to fuel your own ego." Nijimura concluded, flatly stating out the facts.
An unnerving silence settled in the air.
Haizaki lowered his head, expression lost in translation, before a chuckle escaped his lips. "Ha..hahahaha! Who knew you of all people would be spouting stuff like this!" He laughed, Nijimura unamused, the laughter slowly echoing then fading as Haizaki uplifted his head, expression dulled. "But even so, I can't just let this slide. Oii, just because you were my sempai doesn't mean you still are now. Watch your mouth. What the hell do you know about me? And why, are you even concerned? After all, aren't YOU the one who decided to run and quit as captain? Aren't YOU the one-"
"That abandoned you?" Nijimura said, completing the sentence as he knelt down, eye leveling the teen's as he repeated. "Yes, I had abandoned you...because in the first place, I was the one who carelessly told the other third-years that you didn't have it in you, that one day, you'd probably be left behind. Isn't that right? Haizaki?"
And Haizaki widened his eyes, as if slowly absorbing the information before another laugh erupted from his lips, a smirk of disbelief in his eyes. "Then what, is this supposed to be a form of repentance?"
Nijimura paused momentarily. "I wasn't aware you knew that word but yeah. In fact, oi, the newbie with the low presence, come out already! When there's nobody around you're not as hard to spot."
And in effect, came Kuroko, stepping out from the shadows in a cute skirt revealing smooth legs, and a face accentuated by a curt side-ponytail and mascara lined eyes. "I think I've been here too long to be still referred to as a 'newbie'" Kuroko denied. "But, I would like to apologize for eavesdropping."
Yet, instead of receiving a reply, both males promptly coughed up blood.
"WHO?!"
[=]
It was never Kuroko Tetsuya intention to eavesdrop but rather, head to the location of the final clue, one that could be found in the more secluded area of the school. However, never did he expect to find Nijimura casually tailing Haizaki on the way and as a result, he cut his connection to be safe.
He could only pray they wouldn't stand there and take half and hour, making it impossible for him to pass unnoticed, particularly with the atmosphere that had been built.
He sighed. Momoi was probably getting worried.
Yet, he still had found it impossible for him to leave. Since the incident with Kise, the team had become quite wary of Haizaki yet Kuroko personally, knew it wasn't that easy to break the trust they had built for a year.
In fact, Haizaki wasn't actually the obstructive type until quite recently. In fact, despite his constant antics, he was always quite the amicable person. Kuroko didn't have a negative impression of him until recently, since Nijimura's graduation. Perhaps because Nijimura had always kept him in check but conversely put, Nijimura's powers were only there because Haizaki wanted it to be.
Now...he had confirmation of this, along with a new side of Haizaki Shougo...one where he was clearly guffawing at Kuroko.
"AHHAHAHA What the hell Tetsuya, what the hell are you wearing?!" He screeched out uncontrollably as Nijimura groaned, a "oh not this again," appearing on his face.
Kuroko momentarily wondered if Nijimura had seen the play. He inwardly sighed.
"...It's for the cross-dressing contest." He blandly returned, deciding there was nothing left to hide.
"Then what's this supposed to be? Are you here to seductively lecture me to change my ways?"
Kuroko twitched in irritation.
Nijimura promptly slammed his fist back into his head. "Oi, I didn't know you were disabled as well. Can you not function if I don't have a fist in your head?" He smiled menacingly as Haizaki threw both hands up in laughter with an "okay, okay!"
Watching the nostalgic scene, Kuroko momentarily wondered if he had returned to being a first-year again, when Nijimura was still the captain. He released a curt smile, one highly accented by as make-up as both males scowled at him.
"Oi, what's so funny?" They both demanded.
"Nothing. It just seemed a bit nostalgic...which makes Haizaki-kun even more incomprehensible than ever."
"Hah?!"
"Well, on that day, I really thought you meant to cause Kise-kun serious harm but looking at this, I'm starting to doubt it again. I don't understand Haizaki-kun, why you did that." Kuroko replied more seriously.
Haizaki frowned. "Of course you wouldn't understand Mr. Goody-too-shoes, your fake justice makes me sick."
The blank-faced one blinked. "Fake?"
"Exactly. You took the hit for Ryouta didn't you? Because to you that was justice that you could see at the time. But, your justice was only for when things concerned your friends personally. You knew didn't you, that in this system, it couldn't have only been him that was ostracized. But because you didn't see it, you pretended it didn't exist." Haizaki scowled.
Kuroko paused, eyes widened. There Haizaki was, somehow directing the blame at him yet he couldn't completely deny his statements.
Technically, it was true. Kuroko had never dabbled in such affairs before, in fact, he never even thought that Haizaki might've changed until now, because it was never in his "perspective".
He wondered what else was in that other perspective...like the mysterious letters...that never detailed such an important event.
Suddenly, Kuroko found himself unable to answer.
Nijimura frowned." Oi, you do know that the only reason I called you out was because I wanted you to say something right?"
Kuroko blinked. "Eh?"
"...Why are you speechless at the strangest times? But, even if you are a bit strange in some ways, at least unlike him, you're not a coward."
Haizaki darted back to him, "What? Oi, why the hell are you siding with him?"
"Because the idiot who still can't make a single basket is still trying while you ran away. Hell, you even went as far as to get people to punch him in the gut."
"That was an accident!"
Yet, that was enough to help Kuroko formulate something to say. Ah, so what Nijimura was trying to get at, was that Haizaki was the same as him, the two less than extraordinary, constantly at facing the pressure of the surrounding geniuses.
Yet, Nijimura was giving him too much credit. Kuroko wasn't standing because he was strong, but because the geniuses had supported him, because Aomine did...yet, what would happen if he didn't have that support? What would he become?
Exactly the person Haizaki Shougo was today.
And...something about him wanted to change that, something about Nijimura wanted to change that, because they were after all, still a part of the "normals" of life.
"...Haizaki-kun. I think in the near future, you'll quit the team." Kuroko bluntly decided.
"HAH?! Why did you decide that so quickly?!"
"Because Haizaki-kun is a coward." And once again, Haizaki felt an urge to retort before Kuroko added, "and I am one too. If I didn't have the chances I was given, I would've done the same and in that sense, I do understand."
"So you're saying I'm a hopeless cause."
"You got that right. Since you've actually managed to beat people up, Akashi will definitely do something about it." Nijimura answered, raising his arms up against his neck. "And you knew that. Because Akashi... isn't nearly as nice as before. That's something I made sure of...and why I made him Captain."
Haizaki frowned.
"Given Akashi-kun's nature, he may do that. But even so, I'm saying that at the very least, please don't give up on basketball...because at the same time, running away is a terrible feeling." Kuroko returned.
Haizaki laughed. "Oi Tetsuya, do you think everyone in the world is good? There are bad people like me too. I don't give a damn about running away."
"...Then why did you always try your best to improve, like the rest of us?"
And Haizaki bit his lip, unable to counter before a hand slammed onto his head, pushing it down while ruffling his hair.
"Yup, he's too stupid to be a bad person. Do you hear that Haizaki, get it into your head and stop running away already. I didn't spend a year of hassling you for you to quit basketball. You're literally talented, dumbass." He smiled.
Kuroko stared. As he thought, he was amazed at Nijimura's abiility to appeal to the pathos in the strangest of ways. He wondered if Nijimura had expected something from him as well. Did his words actually get through to Haizaki, or was it all a base for Nijimura to build on.
Kuroko didn't know if he had enough ability to convince others in contrast and instead, Haizaki had affected him. What if, saving the Generation of Miracles, also required things similar. With his persuasion abilities at the moment, would he be able to do anything. In the first place, as Haizaki mentioned, his perspective was much too narrow to see the whole truth. Could he save anyone at this rate?
Yet, Kuroko didn't have time to dawdle any longer. The time limit for the pageant was almost reached.
He promptly manoeuvred down the hall and retrieved the final clue, turning his speaker on camera back on to meet Momoi's frantic voice.
"You're almost there, the last riddle! Under a day of clear blue skies in a place as vast as the sky itself, lies a stage under stars."
...The planetarium!
[=]
On a day of clear blue skies, Kuroko Tetsuya won a great prize. It was not as if he wanted it for himself but rather, because it was for someone he cared for, someone who supported him. He was so glad that he could finally return a bit of the happiness he gave him.
Up at the rooftop where the 4 contestants managed to meet, Aomine and Kise sullenly ate their loss away. "Augh dammit Kise, why couldn't you have been faster?"
"Maybe if YOU COULD READ THE KANJI PROPERLY I WOULD HAVE?!"
"So now it's my fault?!"
"YES."
Yet either way, both of them sighed, because the prize they had longed for could not be obtained. After all, the whole ordeal was underwent because Aomine suggested they give the shoes to Kuroko as a present. Aomine the shoe freak noticed how Kuroko's were getting worn.
"Ah but Aomine-kun, I have something to give you." Kuroko suddenly stated, walking over to him before presenting a box wrapped with a ribbon.
Aomine recognized it anywhere. "Huh isn't this-"
"The basketball shoes?!" Kise completed for him.
Kuroko smiled, nodding. Yes. Because I planned on winning it for you. Lebron James usually costs too much for me to afford so it was good fortune that I managed to come across this as a contest prize."
"Eh? why?!"
"Because I'm very grateful towards Aomine-kun, that encouraged me through everything." Kuroko smiled and Kise swore he somehow saw flowers forming between the two.
He shuddered, feeling cheated. "Ehhh but what about Kurokocchi, did I not bring you any happiness at all?!"
"...Will a ribbon do?" Kuroko asked before ripping the ribbon off and promptly handing it to Kise.
"NO!"
"Ehh but I think Ki-chan will look cute with a ribbon on!" Momoi exclaimed.
"My image would be different though?!"
And everyone laughed...until slowly, the door to the rooftop swept open, revealing a verdant haired youth who visibly scowled once he saw the aggregate.
"Midorimacchi!" Kise exclaimed cheerfully, the sentiment avoided as he strode up, eyeing Aomine's prize.
He knitted his brows. "Oi, did Murasakibara participate in the competition as well?"
The quartet shook their heads. "Murasakicchi? No I didn't see him?"
Midorima frowned. "...Is that so?" He murmured. Akashi had asked him to retrieve a Lebron James so he assumed that for sure the wisteria giant would have complied but...?
"Competition? What competition? Obviously I wouldn't waste my time with that." A nasally voice drawled.
Midorima turned, and found Murasakibara towering the doorway, with a wrapped shoebox in hand as before him, was a boy with sharp crimson eyes.
"Akashi-kun, Murasakibara-kun, good afternoon." Kuroko greeted.
Akashi nodded, wordlessly returning greetings as the duo stepped forward, joining the group.
"Hah? What do you mean? Where did you get those shoes then?" Midorima frowned, eyeing the item sitting in his hands.
"Oh~ I bought it...or well, my brother did. I think he worked part-time at a sports shop once so I got him to pick it up for me," Murasakibara replied with a smile.
Midorima sweatdropped...so he wasn't doing anything absurd after all?
But...that notion itself was absurd?!
"Here you go, Aka-chin," he said, handing the goods to the red-head before adding, "but isn't the size a bit small for you?" shocking Midorima with his sudden attention for detail.
Akashi smirked as he strode towards the confused bunch, isolated from the conversation, slowly meeting the boy with the sky-blue eyes.
"Yes, because this is for you, Kuroko."
"Eh?" Kuroko blurted.
"EH?!" Aomine and Kise joined, mouths agape.
"Because I noticed your shoes were getting quite worn and as a token of thanks for contributing to Teiko's team, I thought this might be to your liking," Akashi said, a smooth glib echoing out while the two Forward players stayed deep in shock.
HE WAS CLEARLY TAKING THEIR LINES!
"AKASHICCHI! THAT'S NOT FAIR! THAT'S WHAT WE WERE PLANNING TO DO!" Kise exclaimed.
"Oh? How unfortunate. I wasn't aware of that. But you should know that the early bird gets the worm." He declared quite flatly.
Kise sweatdropped. "But-"
"Oh, Tetsu, ain't this great? Now we have matching shoes!" Aomine grinned ear to ear as he slung an arm around the boy.
"Ah...yes...we do don't we?" Kuroko smiled as both Akashi and Kise sweatdropped.
Akashi sighed, a bit of content on his lips. "Well, there certainly was also the saying the early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese"
"And there's no third line?" Kise asked, hopeful.
"No."
"UNFAIR!"
But in the end, every member had a great time, as they snacked on food brought by Akashi in his mystery sack of prizes, smiled and took pictures together.
Kuroko somehow wished that Haizaki would've been able to see this too, but felt that was too selfish of him. Although he would not call Haizaki a bad person, he did admit that they were walking divergent paths. But...Nijimura seemed to know just exactly what and once again, Kuroko began to admire their past Captain.
"Hey everyone, say cheese!" Momoi cried, setting on the automatic camera and snap!went a portion that would forever be engraved in their memories.
Kuroko wondered if his future self recalled this too. If, a few years in the future, he still treasured this moment as much as now.
In fact, no, he knew his future self would treasure it...because this place had everything he loved.
[=]
After the festivities, Akashi Seijuro silently walked down the halls. At the corner of an intersection however, he paused in his steps as from beside him, came a man in a janitor's uniform.
"Did you guide Nijimura?" Akashi asked.
The janitor nodded. "Yes. Everything worked out nicely. Did you have a fun time at the festival?"
Curtly, Akashi released a half-smile. "More of less. But..." he continued, eyes turning flat and cold, "you'll be approved now won't you?"
"Yes. The paperwork is all done."
Akashi smiled. "Then...nice to meet you, Coach Akira." He greeted as the janitor took of his cap, revealing matted black hair and light blue eyes.
He smiled, an indiscernible mix of sincerity and deception. "The pleasure is all mine."
[=]
In effect, the week following the festival, Haizaki Shougo quit the team, his locker handed over to an uncaring Kise. After all, he never got along with the guy, there was no need to be remorseful.
Yet, instead of showing any emotion of grief, Haizaki also merely shrugged when Kuroko spoke to him for what seemed to be the last time.
"Hah! Me, regretful? Nooo Tetsuya. Remember what I told you about bad people?"
Kuroko tilted his head.
"There really are bad people out there—and there are some that are downright terrifying as well."
"What do you mean?"
"Heh, that I'll really start to pity the people who do stay." Haizaki laughed as he walked off, carrying his basketball shoes with him.
Nevertheless, Kuroko shrugged his words off because nothing he said was predicted in the letters. Therefore, the incident with Haizaki would've most likely not have affected the future.
Strangely enough, he was wrong.
Two years into the future, during a certain Winter Cup, Kise Ryouta's leg injury was not stepped on by Haizaki. Instead, the two continued a fair match before Kaijou won, rising to the semi-finals before an unprecedented loss.
However, even so, Kise Ryouta still managed to play. All in all, he wanted to give his teammates one lasting memory...before Kasamatsu and the others would graduate. He wanted them to be proud of their ace.
So in effect, someone granted his wish as against Shuutoku, Kaijou won.
It was the greatest present Kise could receive given the current situation.
Being barely able to stand, Kise released a bright grin as his team members tackled him.
It was something so great, that changed something so much, so then why wasn't it predicted in the letters?
Of course, Kuroko Tetsuya had yet to notice that. After all, all he noticed was that the following day, another irregularity came.
To: [黒子テツヤ]
From: [Phantom]
Something unexpected occurred in the timeline.
Today, you will be receiving a new coach.
His name is...
Akira Kagerou.
[End]
Preview:
Light and Shadow- Akira Kagerou, the supposed janitor of the school was somehow assigned the position of coach. Together with Sanada, he crafts a new training menu that strengthens each of the regulars' individual skills. Yet, Kuroko cannot help but wary of his presence, particularly with a name meaning "light and shadow". Moreover, what happens when Kuroko also realizes that in this timeline, he may have an enemy after all?