Disclaimer: If I had owned Kuroko no Basuke, I would've made Takao kiss Shin-chan! X3
-**O**-
Hyuuga and Riko made their way through classrooms, both of them searching for a certain redhead and blunette amongst the students.
"Geez, I can't believe Kuroko-kun and Kagami-kun forgot about the meeting earlier." Riko grumbled under her breath. "Strauss-san wasn't there either…"
Everyone was making way for them. Which was unsurprising, considering the dark glower surrounding Hyuuga and his intimidating face. "Damn first years… I'll make sure to knock some respect and discipline into them next time…"
"Speak for yourself, Hyuuga."
"What?!"
"I do recall you bleaching your hair during the start of your first year, right?" Riko smirked, feeling smug with the dark blush that overcame her companion's face. She snickered, also remembering said memory. "And you looked so ridiculous with it too!"
"O-Oi!" Hyuuga half-shouted and half-whispered, embarrassment written all over his face. All of a sudden, as they rounded upon a corner, they were met with surprised red eyes that looked down on them.
"Senpai?"
"Ah, Kagami-kun!" Riko said, also slightly surprised by the encounter. They thought the light and shadow duo were still inside their classroom, which was supposedly their destination. But they certainly did not expect the redhead to be strolling around, especially without his shadow.
"So there you are you damned first year…" Hyuuga growled as Kagami gulped. "You and Kuroko were supposed to attend a meeting around minutes ago! Don't tell me you forgot- wait, never mind. You DID forget…"
Kagami sweatdropped. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Oh c'mon, we know you almost NEVER remember reminders unless it's about an upcoming match." Riko sighed, mentally facepalming at 'Bakagami's stupidness. "Kuroko is usually the one who- wait, where's Kuroko?"
"That Strauss girl wanted him to come with her somewhere; seemed important." Kagami scratched the back of his neck while trying to remember as many details as possilble.
"Strauss?" Hyuuga clarified. When his kouhai nodded, he continued. "Do you know where they went?"
"Uh… I think they went to the Music Room…?" Kagami said, eyebrows furrowing as he recalled what Mallorie had said.
"I see. We'll be off then!" Riko called out to the red-haired teen, already going towards the direction of said room. Then she suddenly stopped in her tracks, as if recalling something important. "Oh yeah! Kagami-kun, in two weeks' time, we'll be having a practice match against Kaijo."
Kagami's eyes widened in surprise and enthusiasm. "Really?! ALRIGHT! Be prepared Kise!" He yelled out to no one in particular.
Hyuuga smiled and sighed. "Seriously, he's always like this…" he mumbled to himself.
"Huh? Senpai, did you say something?"
"Nothing. Then, we'll be finding Kuroko and Strauss now." Hyuuga waved, running to catch up with Riko, who was starting to walk away already.
"See you later in practice!" The brunette coach also called out, turning back to face the redhead.
"Kay!"
As the two walked away, they both wondered what made Kuroko agree with coming along their new manager. As far as they know, no one in the team knew much about the brunette to trust her enough; except perhaps Kuroko. But the blunette's reaction yesterday worried them. What is it that made the shadow's strong and calm façade slip away so much?
Silence ensured the duo along the way. Whatever opinions they had about anything, they kept it to themselves at the moment. As they became closer to their goal, both of them vaguely noticed that they were soon the only ones around. They didn't mind it one bit. The blanket of silence was comforting, both teens content with being inside their own thoughts.
All of a sudden, a distant noise lifted the still air that was surrounding the two. The duo stopped, also noticing the same thing. The sound wasn't uncomfortable nor did it make them uneasy. In fact, it was soothing them down to the depths of their soul.
Hyuuga and Riko halted and both looked at each other in confusion. The music sounded like a piano, notes fluid and soft. The melody that was playing conveyed emotions that even they too, could feel.
It felt nostalgic, full of bright and flashbacks that brought a smile to anyone's face. It also felt a little mischevious, bringing into mind the works of innocent children who liked to pull pranks and play with everyone.
But most of all, it felt lonely, with a hint of longing for the memories of the past.
Tears sprang into Hyuuga's and Riko's eyes as they further listened to the nostalgic and heart-wrenching melody. It bore deep down their soul and tugging at their heartstrings. But despite the load of emotional feelings surfacing, they continued on, determined to find out the one person who could make such wonderful music.
The melody became louder as they got closer to the Music room. Tears were freely cascading down their cheeks by now, both teens making no move in order to wipe them away. The music was almost too much to bear; neither could even make a noise, much less a comment. It just simply left you speechless. Once they arrived in front of Music Room, they stared at the twin doors that served as the barrier between them and the identity of the person playing. But even without looking, they had a good idea who was playing.
After all, Kagami did say that Kuroko and Mallorie were in this very room, right?
Despite this knowledge though, no one opened the door. Mallorie was still in there. And besides, who knows that they might still talk about things after whomever one of them stops playing?
Hyuuga managed to finally wipe the tears off, as well as Riko. The music wasn't finished yet though, so they were met with another wave of nostalgia. Fortunately, they were prepared this time, so no tears came anymore. But there was still that heart-wrenching feeling inside their chests. It felt like your heart was getting squeezed as you feel a great longing for the things you've lost, and for those you could never get back.
The melody soon then slowed to a stop, leaving behind a faint wisp of unquenched longing in the air.
Neither captain nor coach moved an inch. Straining their ears, they could hear a faint sobbing noise inside the room.
"Strauss-san, please don't cry."
Riko placed her hand immediately on her mouth, muffling a gasp when she recognized Kuroko's monotone voice. More sobbing noises could be heard as well as hiccups, and Hyuuga could safely assume that this was Mallorie.
"B-because… It *hic* I-it's your fault y-you m-ma*hic* made it so *hic* damn p-p-painful to *hic* li-listen to…!"
Now Hyuuga was confused. Sad and nostalgic was one, but painful? Exactly what could've happened in order to make her feel that way? Riko on the other hand, had her suspicions, for she knew the relation of the two.
They both had the same father, yet different mothers. Anything could've happened between them.
"I'm sorry. That was the only song I could think of at that moment."
"A-at least try t-to LOOK *hic* sorry d-damn it! *hic*"
Silence could only be heard afterwards; unless of course, you count Mallorie's hiccups and sobs. Seconds passed by, and soon her crying was already starting to pipe down and turn into helpless sniffing instead.
"Do you have a tissue?"
"No."
"Argh! Damn, how am I supposed to reveal myself now? This is going to reflect badly on Dad you kn-"
A loud and sudden BANG was heard, and Hyuuga and Riko couldn't help but flinch back in surprise. It was obviously the blunette who had done that, but it was too surreal that they almost couldn't believe it.
"DON'T YOU DARE MENTION THAT MAN!"
Riko considerably backed away from the door. She had never heard Kuroko this mad before. There might be that time with Hanamiya, but he was nowhere as enraged as this. Venom laced the blunette's voice, and she shuddered. Riko certainly did not want to face the younger boy's wrath. Heck, if his voice made her feel fear, then how would it feel if she was staring right at his face? She definitely did NOT want to imagine it. A glance towards her companion and some eye contact was enough to deliver the message.
They needed to get out of here.
It was not their place to eavesdrop on personal matters. If there was something that Kuroko wanted to tell the team, he would tell them himself. They were already treading on dangerous waters and they knew that fact very well.
With a few quick strides, they were out of there in no time.
-**O**-
Mallorie looked up, shocked. Kuroko had suddenly stood up, banging his fists on the piano's keys. His head was bowed, hiding his eyes with his bangs. He was gritting his teeth and shaking all over: a way of trying to prevent as much hatred from coming out.
But then again, everyone has their own limits.
"DON'T YOU DARE MENTION THAT MAN!" he shouted out. The brunette violently flinched back, fearful of the display of anger. She had seen him scream a few times, including that time in the gym, but this was the only time that he had shouted with such venom in his voice. It was such a scary twist from his usual gentle character. She did expect some sort of reaction when she said 'Dad' aloud, but certainly not that violent.
"It's all his goddamn FAULT!"The blue-haired teen growled out, putting extra emphasis on the last word. Mallorie flinched again, hearing Kuroko swear for the first time. She shakily reached out to the blunette, wanting to comfort him. But she hesitated, and then pulled back. She decided to leave him be, for it was time for the other to let off some steam.
After all, Kuroko has been keeping his entire feelings inside for nearly six years now.
"HE was the reason why everything fell apart! I-If only… If only he didn't come up to our FUCKING door…" The blunette had already removed his hands from the keys. His arms were at his sides instead, both hands balled into a tight fist. Mallorie shut her eyes, expecting a more violent reaction than earlier. But intead, she was surprised when she heard a soft thud. She opened her eyes and froze at the sight in front of her.
Kuroko was slumped on the floor, his knees already giving out on him. His head still hung limply and his bangs still were still covering his eyes.
Mallorie swore she saw a single tear cascade down his cheeks at that moment.
It was gone as soon as she saw it, for he had covered his face with his hands, intent on hiding away any proof of his weakness. He was still shaking, but the brunette could tell that it wasn't from anger this time.
It was because of shame, helplessness, and guilt.
"None of that would have happened!" It hurt Mallorie to hear the other cry out with such a weak and frail tone. She dropped to her knees beside Kuroko and patted his back, finally giving him the comfort she needed. He leaned into her slightly, and she immediately embraced him. He still covered his face, afraid of showing his tears to anyone. Mallorie knew why, and tightened her hold on him.
The last time he had done so had ended up badly.
Kuroko's tears were starting to become uncontrollable, but he didn't utter a single cry. His weeping didn't consist of sobs and hiccups just like Mallorie earlier, just very few whimpers that you could hear now and then. Her face twisted in a grimace. It was even harder to listen to someone trying to hold back tears. She continued to stroke his back, trying to ease his shaking and the tense muscles that had been building up. Earlier, he had been yelling about how it was all their father's fault. But the brunette girl knew the truth.
"It's not your fault, Tsuya-chan."
She felt arms wrap around her and a head resting on her shoulder. This gesture made it more comfortable for both of them. Mallorie felt tears threatening to fall and held them back. While it could be argued that Kuroko only released his hands from his face because the brunette wouldn't be able to see it anyways, she knew that it wasn't the case.
That gesture meant that Kuroko had already forgiven her.
She held on to her brother tightly.
"Thank you…" This time, she did not hold back the tears anymore.
-**O**-
… In the end, Mallorie was bawling her eyes out again.
Seeing as Lunch break was almost over, they hurriedly went to the cafeteria ("I still haven't gotten a milkshake."). Mallorie, who eats as normally as any other person, had to quickly stuff her whole luch into her mouth quickly or they would have been late for class. Kuroko on the other hand, quietly sipped on his beloved milkshakes ("Are you sure that's all you need?" "I will be full by the time I finish this." "… A bird as ever, it seems…") , watching the other with an amused expression.
When they hurried back to their classroom, they almost gave Kagami a heart attack when Mallorie opened the door so suddenly at the same time he was supposed to do so.
"WE MADE IT!" Mallorie yelled as she slid the door open with such force that Kuroko almost had to cover his ears at the sound. A yelp was heard, and when the brunette looked up, she was met with the tall figure of one Kagami Taiga, who had stepped back in shock when the door opened. "Oh? Kagami-san?"
The redhead stayed still for a few seconds. Then- "What the hell?! You almost scared me SHITLESS dammit! AND WHERE THE FUCK IS KUROKO?!"
"Need I remind you of your language again, Kagami-kun?"
"WAAAHH! Kuroko you bastard! I said stop scaring me!" Kagami almost fell back due to surprise at Kuroko's sudden entrance.
"I did not scare you. I merely reminded you." The blue-haired teen said, monotone voice hiding the amusement that he felt. If he was normal, he would have dropped to the floor and rolled over in uncontrollable laughter. Mallorie's snickers in the background then turned into full-blown laughter. Kagami glared at the brunette for a while, and then turned to Kuroko. The taller male shot the shorter one a worried look. The blunette just smiled reassuringly and nodded his head a fraction. Kagami grinned.
"Everything's alright."
"Good for you then."
"Okay class, settle down now!" the teacher said upon arriving. Mallorie tried as much to stifle her laughter, only succeeding in toning it down to helpless giggles.
Once everyone was seated, Kagami turned back to look at Kuroko. It took only one look, but he was already satisfied with it.
Kuroko was smiling genuinely.
-**O**-
Phew! That must've been the longest chapter I wrote... =v=
BTW, classes are starting soon, so please expect slower updates for the next chapter or for the chapter after the next. TwT
Anyways, i just wanted to thank everyone who's supporting this story. I really appreciate your kindnes and IT MAKES ME WANT TO GLOMP ALL YOU GUYS! QAQ Thank you so much!
And as usual, please don't forget to review~ :D