Pairings: Viktor/Yuuri. Phichit/Tamaki

Warnings: AU Universe. Non-canon. Gender bend. Canon pairings. Same sex relationships. Implied underage sex. Some character bashing. Nicer Yurio. Little brother Yurio. More confident Yuuri. Older brother Chris and Viktor

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke and Yuri on Ice or any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me

Chapter Ten: Reactions

[extract from ON ICE! November issue]

'…Japanese figure skating fans and probably even those from outside the country would have no doubt known about the implosion that had been taking Twitter and even the Internet by storm for nearly two weeks now ever since a video had gone viral that showed an unknown teenager manhandling and threatening Kuroko Tamaki, Japan's top female figure skater who had also returned as a silver medallist from the recent Grand Prix series, thus bringing Japan into the international skating scene for the first time in over a decade.

To those that aren't aware, Kuroko Tamaki is also the pair skate partner of Nikiforov Viktor, or Viktor Nikiforov, currently the top figure skater in the world.

When we at On Ice! have approached the staff at the JSF for comments in regards to this confusing partnership, one of them only had this to say:

"This is something that is completely between Kuroko-san and Nikiforov-san. We at the JSF are only acting as the official liaisons for our Japanese representative and the ISU, as both pair skate partners hail from different nations."

And according to the ISU however, the JSF and the Russia Skating Federation have signed an agreement between them months ago even before Nikiforov and Kuroko have started competing as official pair skate partners.

Their first year as a pair skate is conducted entirely on a trial basis; as officials from the ISU, JSF and even the Russian Federation wished to view for themselves if the both of them could handle pair skate competitions as well as their own competitions for the singles series at once.

Admittedly, I was sceptical in the beginning when official news have leaked out about Kuroko's intention to take on both pair skate and singles competitions upon her return to the figure skating scene after over a year and half of hiatus due to personal reasons.

But she'd blown all our expectations out of the water when she not only won silver at the recent GPF Final at Beijing, China; but had also brought back a gold medal for Japan at the pair skate category! It is extremely impressive, considering that Kuroko is just a few points short of the gold medallist, Alissa Czisny; and this is also her senior debut.

In regards to the recent implosion happening all over social media however, it is revealed that during Kuroko's year and a half hiatus from professional figure skating due to her parents' unfortunate demise during what should be her second year of middle school, Kuroko had been assisting her cousin at his club as a basketball trainer of sorts during her break.

Teiko Middle School should be a name familiar to all of us in Japan, as it is currently the top middle school in Japan; basically the sister school to our Rakuzan High School. They currently held the record for holding the number one position in nearly every single tournament that they've ever participated in.

Thus, it might come as a surprise to our readers that Teiko didn't really start getting a name and reputation in terms of basketball until what is Kuroko's first year of middle school, and had steadily held that fearsome reputation until today, being the steadfast champion of three championship titles.

The teenager who had assaulted Kuroko Tamaki shall remain unnamed, as he is a minor, and we at On Ice! wished to protect his identity. However, it is clear that he had been a former teammate of Kuroko Tamaki during her basketball phase during her break, and didn't take the fact that she'd returned to the professional figure skating league too well.

As a skater representing Japan, I might add.

One who'd won countless medals and had also broken several world records.

An anonymous source that shall remain as such had also approached On Ice! in regards to the disaster that is the basketball scene at Teiko Middle, and why Kuroko Tamaki seems to be suffering from depression last year that many of her fans have expressed concern with, assuming that it has something to do with her parents' passing.

Apparently, the basketball regulars of Teiko Middle (save for the captain that is apparently Kuroko's cousin) have been really cruel to the then fourteen-year-old and even to every single one of their opponents throughout the entire year. There was also a rush of suicide attempts during that year too—largely caused by the actions of the basketball regulars of Teiko Middle School, also otherwise known as the 'Generation of Miracles'.

I might not know the circumstances all too clear, so I can't say anything. But I had once been a teenager myself; and even at the mere age of thirteen, I know better than to be cruel to people who have played the same sport, and who played because they enjoyed it and they loved it.

What is it called, if not mere cruelty and heartlessness, when a group of teenagers—minors at that, are allowed to run rampart and destroyed the lives and hopes and aspirations of countless others just because they could?

A school, dear readers, isn't just a place to study and learn. It is also a place where the teachers and the headmaster are given the solemn duty to ensure that our children learn humility, kindness and respect; and in return, prepare them for adult life once they finish school and go out into the real world.

While this entire disaster could have been avoided if only the officials at Teiko have just done their jobs as educators, it is also as much the fault of the teens themselves, as they are also old enough to know right from wrong.

In regards to the video that had shown the teen manhandling Kuroko however, we also have other eyewitnesses that have stated that that apparently isn't the first incident. Kuroko was just lucky back then that it is her dog who had came to her rescue.

Imagine a petite girl barely reaching five foot matched up against a young male nearly twice her size? Dear readers, what do you think might have happened if so?

Kuroko hasn't been available for comment since the video had gone viral, with the JSF, Kuroko's coach and even Kuroko's legal guardian all requesting politely but firmly that we give Kuroko the space needed and also without the distractions for her to do well at the upcoming Four Continents as well as the World Championships.

And as a Japanese figure skating fan myself, my hopes and wishes are with Kuroko. And hopefully, it is enough to get her through this traumatic time. I know for one that if I had been in her shoes, I wouldn't have been able to deal with it as well as she did.

Until next time, dear readers.

- Morooka Hisashi'

XXXXXX

{Extract of November issue of On Ice! [LINK]}

{im crying. im literally crying when i read that article in the nov issue of on ice}

{ive never even seen a game of basketball, but i felt so bad for poor tamaki-chan! its bad enough that her parents passed away. then barely a year later she get all those assholes pretending to be her friends destroying her life?! what is this shit? where is the justice in that?}

{right? cant the jsf do something about this? this isn't sportsmanship at all!}

{isn't it as much tamaki's fault too? I mean, it is the ENTIRE team who had ruined the lives of dozens. Why wouldn't she say anything or do something if she really felt that it is wrong? Seems to me like she's just playing it up now because she's a known name #Hypocrite}

{hey asshole, don't make me hunt you down and punch you in the face! its easier said than done standing up to bullies! yes, bullies! because that's what they are! and im going to assume that you're not a teiko student or even an alumni and you have no idea how that fucking school functions!}

{and im assuming that you do? *annoyed face}

{my kid brother attends that school until last year. and he was also in the basketball club, so yes, i know a thing or two about that school! my mother actually have to intervene and pull him out of school halfway through his third year when he started suffering from horrible depression! #TeikoNotASchool}

{seriously guys, give it a rest. poor tamaki has been through enough! and so are all the ones that have suffered at the hands of those bastards! it cant be enjoyable for her, with everything coming out into the open like this! we should be there for her #SupportTamaki}

{right? anyone who calls themselves a fan of k-tamaki will know that she's a very private person, much like katsu-ki. I cant see her handling this very well with everything coming out}

{then why hasn't she come out and said anything about it? seems to me like she's a coward}

{OH. MY. GOD. can you give it a rest already? how would you feel if something that you've suffered through greatly in the past comes out to haunt you now through something you have no control over? #Asshole}

{yuri-plisetsky don't let me find you, asshole! I'll kill you for insulting k-tamaki like this! She's been through enough! Give it a rest already! And leave her the fuck alone!}

{omg! is that yuri plisetsky?}

{nice to see that tamaki-chan at least have some support amongst the Russian skaters}

{mila-baba big understatement of the year. It took all of us including our coach to hold v-nikiforov back from taking the earliest flight to Japan to find k-tamaki. And mind you, this is even with Tamaki being out of contact for over a week now}

{Japan Nationals is coming up. As are 4Cs and Worlds. She's probably training for it}

{and if she wants to take her mind off things, who could blame her?}

{heard rumours that the jsf are pretty pissed with the basketball association though}

{really? so chances are high that they might do something?}

{not sure how much they could do though, considering that it all happened during school tournaments and all}

{any basis to those rumours}

{[LINK] [LINK] [LINK]}

{damn, i feel sorry for tamaki-chans cousin now too! cant be easy being pulled in all directions like that! and to think that he is the one who had formed the team to begin with!}

{tell me about it. cant blame akashi seijuro for being so pissed that he'd declared war essentially on his old teammates at the interview with basketball monthly months ago [LINK] a-seijuro k-tamaki}

{srsly? is teiko really a school? what kind of fucked up school is that when they allow their students to get away with murder as long as they kept winning? #FuckTeiko #IHateBasketball #GenerationOfAssholes}

{my kid sister actually had an invitation to enrol in teiko the next school year due to her school results and her skill with music. after hearing everything about teiko and my own research however, I am rather tempted to send her somewhere else instead for my own sanity. I would rather she not turn out like a certain asshole #GenerationOfAssholes #TeikoNotASchool}

{seriously, just dont. send her somewhere else. you'll be much happier that way}

{after everything, I wont be surprised if teiko's reputation goes down the drain, like a certain legendary team}

{poor tamaki-chan! lets hope this doesn't affect her performances in the upcoming tournaments}

{im rooting for her! *icons with Japanese flags}

XXXXXX

The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks as well as the cries from the seagulls overhead are the only sounds that could be heard even as Kuroko Tamaki tightened the jacket around her shoulders, being seated at her usual spot by the seaside ever since she'd came to Hasetsu, with Aoi sitting loyally beside her, and with Vicchan on her other side.

She'd originally come to Hasetsu to enjoy the hot springs before the Japan Nationals. But with the entire hoo-ha over the video that'd gone viral, Tamaki had fled to Hasetsu to lay low for awhile, also shutting herself off from SNS entirely.

Shuji had understood her reasons. And when he'd came down for their training sessions, he had made sure to keep his visits discreet, as it isn't exactly a secret that he is Kuroko Tamaki's coach.

Kuroko Yuki had also made arrangements with Seirin for Tamaki to take online classes. Due to the entire fuss with Teiko and also the recent scandal, Seirin had understood, and had also offered the same thing to Shigehiro just so that he can keep Tamaki company.

The Seirin basketball team was understandably concerned, and had phoned Tamaki regularly. Izuki Shun for one had often made the trip down to Hasetsu with his father whenever Shuji had training sessions planned. Kagami had often tagged along with Shun whenever he did.

Tamaki stared out at the seaside, with the waves crashing against the sides again and again. For all that she hasn't been raised in Hasetsu the way that Yuuri is, she felt an unusual attachment to this place, and had gradually come to think of it as home—even though she had essentially been staying at Yuuri's family inn.

The Katsuki family had been very good to her, and had never asked any questions in regards to the entire hoo-ha that had caused Tamaki to flee to Hasetsu. Yuuko who runs Ice Castle Hasetsu with her husband is also more than willing to accommodate her whenever she felt the urge to skate. And her three triplet daughters who weren't anything more than babies at the moment somehow never fails to cheer her up with their antics, much to their parents' amusement.

It sometimes made Tamaki envy Yuuri. That he has family and friends that have been there for him throughout everything. Friends that he never had to worry about backstabbing him in the back. And seriously? What does this say about her if the people she'd once thought were her friends had basically stabbed her in the back?

She had new ones now, true; with Nishigori Takeshi and Yuuko being amongst them. But one just doesn't forget about the trauma just like that.

Though like what Viktor had told her when Tamaki had finally turned on her phone after a week only to be bombarded with messages and voice messages and had finally called back—it isn't her fault in the least.

They made their choice. Tamaki had made hers.

Tamaki didn't make Aomine grab her in the middle of the street, did she? And if Aoi hadn't bitten him, and if Viktor had actually been with Tamaki, Aomine would likely be in the hospital for broken bones by now.

According to Viktor however, it took nearly their entire team to calm Yuri down to stop him from flying to Japan. It wasn't until Tamaki had made a FaceTime call to the Russian team before the young blonde had calmed down.

Aoi whined as he sensed his mistress's sad mood, and nuzzled his wet nose into her hand. By Tamaki's other side, Vicchan butted his fluffy head against her hip. The small poodle gave a small yip.

Tamaki gave a small smile down at the two dogs who have came along with her when she'd woken up at the crack of dawn, and had decided to go for a walk by the sea to clear her head—especially after she'd seen the angry stream of Twitter messages in response to the article that had came out in On Ice!

Tamaki knew that she likely isn't making things any better by being out of contact. But like what Akashi had assured her, it isn't her responsibility, and it isn't her fault. And if everything comes out in the open, then so be it. They've done nothing wrong, and have nothing to be ashamed of.

Tamaki smiled as Aoi pushed his head beneath her hand and looked up at her with adoring concerned eyes, tail wagging frantically. Dogs are such magnificent creatures. They don't care about what you are and who you are and even what you've done. Just pay them a bit of attention, and they'll be your friend for life.

Aoi and even Yuuri's Vicchan have probably helped to heal her more than they've actually realised.

"…I'm fine, Aoi." Tamaki whispered, patting her puppy on the head gently. Aoi gave a light bark before snuggling by her side, acting as her hot water bottle.

Tamaki smiled before she turned her attention back to her laptop that is currently on her knees, having gone to update her writing blog for the first time in months. This time however, she isn't writing an update to one of her short stories posted there, but just a diary extract of sorts.

Honestly, Tamaki should really think about making a public statement of sorts, if only to soothe the worries and concerns of her fans. Even still, it'll only be a matter of time, with the Japan Nationals coming up and all. Tamaki knew for one that Hayato and Nanami were both concerned as well.

They're probably the only ones apart from Seirin and even the Russian skaters that Tamaki didn't cut off all contact with, and thus, knew what is going on in her life right now.

'…I'm tired. People are probably right when they call me a coward for running away. But what else could I do? I can't change the past. And even when I don't want to play basketball anymore—even when I wish to continue on as a figure skater instead, they still refuses to leave me alone. Especially a certain someone. I'm tired. I really am. And seriously… Just what is causing these rains to pour? I just want to do what I want to do from now on. I've adhered to others' whims for too long. I just want to live for my own sake, and do things for myself from now on. Is that so wrong…?'

Tamaki sighed even as she didn't even bother to look through her words before posting it on her blog and closing the top of her laptop, thus putting her laptop in sleep mode. She then looked down on either side of her at the two dogs snuggled by her sides.

"Come on, you two. Let's go back," she said, getting to her feet and dusting the sand particles off her clothes. Aoi gave a bark and Vicchan wagged his tail frantically. "Shige-kun is likely just getting up. And I feel like skating today."

She's moving on. She promised herself all those months ago during the GPF.

There was a beep from Tamaki's phone just then, signalling an incoming message. Curious, the teal head took it and saw that it is from Christophe whom she had been in contact with since the GPF banquet when they'd exchanged numbers and even followed each other on their social media accounts.

chris-giacometti I read everything on SNS, and Twitter as well as Instagram is blowing up. Are you okay?

Tamaki gave a small smile even as she tucked her laptop under her arm and started the trek back to the inn, with both Vicchan and Aoi bouncing happily next to her, with both dogs also happy to be getting their morning walks.

k-tamaki I'll be fine. I just need some time to think things through. But I think I'm through moping.

chris-giacometti Yeah, you'll do fine. Do your best at your Nationals and even the 4Cs. I look forward to meeting you at Worlds.

Over seven thousand miles away, a certain Thai skater felt as if he's about to cry when he read a certain blog post on his favourite blog that is often full of content about cute animals and beautiful pictures of Japan. It even had entries of short stories and skating content and videos that he'd often read to improve his language repertoire on something other than Thai, especially if he's hoping to go international as a skater.

Hell, Phichit Chulanont had often used that blog as references to learn most of his skating skills just by imitating what he saw there.

It almost makes Phichit sad when he saw the unhappy post written there.

Sticking his tongue out in concentration, Phichit then started to type a message to the administrator in English, a language that he is still struggling with.

'I might not have met you before, and I had mostly been a silent viewer and reader of your stories and even all the skating content that you put there; but trust me when I say that you're not wrong in wanting to be selfish for once…'

XXXXXX

It is probably a good thing for once that Aomine Daiki barely noticed anything outside of basketball and his gravure idols, or he would have realised that his entire class have been giving him dirty looks all week.

Momoi probably noticed it, but as she is still reeling from Hirata's revelation all those weeks ago, she didn't even dare to voice her opinions.

Hirata Rikyu had however been glaring at Aomine since that day when he'd blown up at the arrogant teen. And honestly, ever since a certain video and article have taken the internet by storm, Sakurai and even Momoi are just waiting for the teen to explode.

Thus, the entire class are just waiting with bated breaths as Rikyu stormed into class on a Friday morning before homeroom had begun, making a beeline straight to a sleeping Aomine who had probably been dragged by Momoi to class to get here this early.

"Um… R-Rikyu…?" Sakurai squeaked even as he watched Rikyu remove his extremely thick Biology textbook from his book bag.

"What are you planning to do to Dai-chan?"

"Waking him up," came the statement of the year answer. The book was then slammed down atop Aomine's head at that, causing several to wince, as it is done none too gently. "Wake the hell up!"

"Ow!" Aomine was rudely aroused from a pleasant dream where Mai-chan is feeding him grapes, and scowled at an equally scowling Hirata Rikyu who is currently holding his Biology textbook like some weapon. "What is your problem?"

"Coach Harasawa wants to see you and Momoi." Hirata said curtly. "Now." Aomine grumbled something and seemed to be pondering if he should just return to sleep when Rikyu slammed his book onto the surface of Aomine's desk once more, silencing the entire classroom immediately. Rikyu was practically glaring daggers at Aomine. "He also did not specify the state of health that you must be in. I suggest you comply peacefully."

Aomine gulped at the dangerous look in his classmate's eyes.

"Y-Yes sir."

There was a knock on the office door.

"Coach Harasawa, I've brought them. I'm coming in."

Harasawa Katsunori's face is as black as thunder even as Rikyu entered his office with a yawning Aomine and a worried Momoi close behind him. The basketball coach looked extremely thunderous even as Momoi closed the door behind them, with both childhood friends standing before the basketball coach, fidgeting uncomfortably. Rikyu on the other hand stood by the side, having been asked by Harasawa to be present due to being the freshmen student representative for the Student Council.

"U-Um… Is there something wrong, Coach?" Momoi was the first one to break the uneasy silence.

"I never thought that I'll ever be as disappointed in you as I did today, but you've just about broken all expectations I ever had of you." Harasawa said in a low dangerous voice.

Momoi glared at her cringing childhood friend who's wondering what he did wrong again. "Dai-chan! What did you do this time?"

"I-I didn't do anything!" Aomine protested, trying to defend himself. "At least, I don't think so…"

"Silence!" Harasawa barked, slamming a rolled up magazine against his desk, and the bickering pair silenced themselves, turning their attention back to the upset basketball coach. Harasawa took several deep breaths to calm himself down before turning a glare at Aomine who cringed. "I just got off the phone with the head of the Basketball Association, screaming at me for not keeping you on a leash!" Harasawa barked at a startled Aomine. "I know that the basketball season is over and all, but are you truly that bored that you actually went and attacked a girl for no reason at all?!"

The basketball coach slammed down the recent issue of On Ice! on his desk, and both Momoi and Aomine flushed scarlet, knowing what this is about now. But both have assumed that nothing would come of it.

"I didn't attack her—"

"The several eyewitness accounts along with the video that is making its rounds didn't seem to think so!" Harasawa barked, slamming both hands down onto his desk. "And thanks to your impulsive actions, I've just gotten off a highly unpleasant two hour phone call from the head of the Basketball Association. It took me everything that I had to calm him down enough to not ban you from tournaments for your entire career! So instead of a lifelong ban, you're getting banned from tournaments for an entire year starting from next spring!"

"B-Ban?"

"B-But you need him to win—"

"I'll rather that we lose every match and tournament that we had than have a reputation like the one that Kirisaki Dai Ichi had!" Harasawa thundered, slamming the rolled up magazine in his hand repeatedly against his desk, and Momoi almost jumped. She had never seen Harasawa this upset before. "And it isn't just because of this assault case! The Japan Skating Federation got in contact with the Basketball Association over a month ago right when the video went viral! They are pissed! And all because you had it in your head to go and attack one of their top skaters for no reason at all!" Harasawa barked at a cowed Aomine, pointing a finger at the tanned teen. "Are you even thinking at all? Do you even think about things before you actually do them?!"

"They're the skating federation! They shouldn't be able to interfere in basketball affairs—"

"The JSF don't rule over school tournaments, you foolish boy!" Harasawa thundered, making Momoi jump again. Standing at the side, forgotten by all three, Hirata Rikyu is counting himself fortunate that the coach's anger isn't directed at him. "They're the Japanese league for professional figure skating!" Harasawa slammed his rolled up magazine against the surface of his desk, wishing that it's Aomine's face that he's hitting. "And after you very nearly put their best skater out of commission, they're pissed! They want something done! And if the Basketball Association or Touou don't do anything, the JSF are threatening to sue for assault and sabotage!"

"Dai-chan is still a minor!" Momoi protested. It is as much the same argument she'd used back then when an upset sister of one of their past opponents had threatened to sue Teiko when a failed suicide attempt had landed her brother in a coma. "Japanese sports laws dictate that—"

"Don't you go and start dictating Japan laws to me, young lady!" Harasawa thundered. "I know them back to front, thank you very much, seeing as I've been coaching for over ten years! And this is out of my hands now! The JSF is demanding for things to be done before they take this straight to the international council. And if that happens, you can kiss any possible professional basketball career you might have goodbye." Harasawa told Aomine who had paled. "And putting aside the fact that you've attacked a girl; you've also attacked the JSF's top female skater—their only female representative officially recognised by them to compete and represent Japan on the international stage! Count yourself lucky that it's only a year long ban! They wanted to ban you from all basketball tournaments for the rest of your school career! I managed to talk them around! If you had actually managed to injure Kuroko enough that she wouldn't be able to participate in the upcoming 4Cs or worse, the World Championships, the JSF will skin you alive!"

"Nothing happened, so—"

"Dear god, just listen to him." Harasawa muttered irritably. "I understand why skating fans are so furious now. I'm actually astonished that no one had came down to Touou yet for your skin!" He thundered. Considering the number of enemies that the Generation of Miracles had made throughout the course of their career, it is a miracle indeed. "And you listen to me, Aomine, I had quite enough listening to Wakamatsu complaining about you all year! This is the last straw. You put another toe out of line, and losing your position on the team is just going to be the least of your worries. And honestly, I'm not even sure that I want you in my team anymore!"

"You can't do that—"

"You'll find that I could!" Harasawa thundered. "And one more word out of you, Momoi, and you can join him!" Momoi paled. "And you can be sure that I'll be requesting for a full investigation into whatever had transpired in Teiko! I'm sure your former captain will be quite happy to tell me everything. And it's also high time for you both to learn that your actions have consequences. Teiko might have protected you from everything that you've done in middle school, but not here." Harasawa thundered. "You're no longer a child, and we will not treat you as one. There are consequences to your actions, and it is high time you take responsibility for it!"

XXXXXX

To: Akashi Seijuro
From: Hirata Rikyu
Subject: Warning

Hey Akashi, the basketball coach at my school is requesting for a formal meeting with you in regards to whatever that had happened at Teiko. Aomine had been slated for a year long ban due to his attack on Tamaki. Not sure what you'd heard about it, but the video has gone viral apparently, and skating fans in Japan are furious. Actually surprised that none have come down to beat the shit out of him yet. What are your thoughts about this?

A/N: I found this chapter a little difficult to write, as I'm writing the reactions of the public and everything as the main focus. A heads up, but Phichit won't exactly be Tamaki's first relationship of sorts, if you get what I mean. The skating senior division seems to have lots of political play involved, from my impression, and I'm entwining this into my story as well.

I hope that you like this chapter, and please read and review! Reviews give me inspiration to update!