Here are the bits of info of the four personalities as promised!
The Four Personas
Kuro (Black/Dark): A manifestation of Kuroko's anger and hate, has a short temper and a slightly foul mouth but is both reliable and responsible person most of the time. He manages the other personas in Kuroko's stead (a shadow leader would be best to describe him). Is overprotective of Kuroko and would definitely throw everything away to save him from any danger. He is often on bad terms with Ko since the latter loves to irk him the most out of them all, treats Tetsu like his own younger brother while rarely speaks with Tsuya, reason being of Tsuya's oddity and his unsociable personality making him seems a little unapproachable. Specialty: is a pro at handling weapons especially guns.
Tetsu (Steel): Possessed Kuroko's bravery, he is a bold and straightforward person and could be brutally honest at times. He cares for Kuroko and the other personas greatly and wouldn't think twice to jump between them and danger. Which is why his constitution is a lot more studier than Kuroko himself but he is a fragile person on the inside and secretly craves to be loved. Likes to be praised by Kuro and thinks of him as an older brother. On good terms with Ko and often sees him as a sister (yeah sister) figure. Admires Tsuya and wishes to be pampered by him. Specialty: his cheerfulness makes him well-liked by others.
Ko (Sin): As the meaning of his name implies, Ko is a very lascivious and lustful persona with some masochistic streaks in him and he himself openly admits it. He represents Kuroko's sexual needs and after being suppressed for such a long time, he develops the tendency to feel pleasure from pain and depends on human's touch or warmth to feel good, the rougher they are, the better. A happy-go-lucky soul whose intentions are often misunderstood due to his libidinous nature. He is afraid of and can only be subdued properly by Tsuya and likes to pick fights with Kuro for no reason. He is also often annoyed by Kuroko's fragility but mysteriously has a soft spot for Tetsu whose heart is as fragile as glass. Specialty: is a master of the art of seduction (and you know why).
Tsuya (Lustre): No one knows how his existence came to be. Has esper-like and clairvoyance abilities. He could also appear in other people's dreams. The mind-reading which Kuroko possessed was also lent by him, although his intentions remained shrouded in mystery. He was cursed with the 'shan't lie, lest lose one sense' curse from a long time ago due to a circumstance back in their forgotten past. He is a calm and graceful persona with a slight mental instability at times giving the condition in which Kuroko's mental state is in. Prefers to keep to himself and is capable of taking care of himself despite having a sickly constitution as opposed to Tetsu's. Revered by the other three and he too cares for them like brothers of his own. Specialty: is very perceptive of his surroundings, a formidable enemy when it comes to mind games. Has taken interest in Akashi Seijuurou.
Chapter 10: The Truth
Beep.
I hear voices. And a constant beeping sound every three seconds but why is it that I can't see anything?
"Akashi, you should get some rest."
"Ah, I'll be fine, Shintarou, and I appreciate your help."
"You haven't had a wink of sleep though. And don't thank me, I'm just doing what a doctor should be doing."
"I'll stay here for a while longer. Well, don't expect another thanks from me."
Beep.
"Is Kurokocchi going to be okay?"
"Shh, Ryou. Not too loud."
"But, Daikicchi- Kurokocchi is... why was such an awful thing..."
"Tetsu's fine, he's a lot sturdier than he looks. And babe, you just had a blood transfusion so don't thrash around too much."
"This is nothing compared to what Kurokocchi had to go through! Oh Daikicchi, why does it have to be him..."
Beep.
More voices and beeps. Although I can hear them, it's as if I am not here. I can't even feel my body. It feels like I'm floating. It's cold. So cold...
"Ehh~ Kuro-chin's not awake yet? Even though I brought his favourite vanilla shortcakes with me..."
"You can't just stuff them in his mouth, Atsushi."
"Why not, Muro-chin~?"
"Let's wait until Kuroko-kun wakes up and then we can eat the cakes together with him?"
"Un, if Muro-chin says so~"
It's not... cold. The voices I hear... were warm and full of kindness. And the part where it's warm the most is...
Baby blue eyes hazily fluttered open and the first thing Kuroko saw was a mop of fiery red hair nuzzling on top of his chest, tickling his nose a little.
"A..kashi..kun?"
The redhead stirred a little, when the once lifeless heartbeats grew rapid by his ear. "Tetsuya, are you awake? I've seemed to have fallen asleep on you, my bad." He tiredly rubbed his baggy eyes, a sleepy yawn escaped his slightly chapped lips and Kuroko easily teared up as soon as their eyes met.
"Akashi-kun, this is not a dream, right? I'm... still alive... am I? And... And Akashi-kun is real, is he?" Kuroko shakily hugged Akashi just to confirm it, the IV needle on his wrist stung a little when he moved too suddenly but nothing could compare to the pain, to the suffocating heaviness weighing down in his heart, this was nothing at all.
"Yes, Tetsuya. You're alive, I'm real and this is no dream." Akashi cradled the trembling bluenette close to his chest, his shirt soon dampened by the rare tears of Kuroko's who seemed oddly vulnerable the last few days which was unsurprising really, judging by what he had to go through three days ago. Heterochromatic eyes softened at the sight of Kuroko's shaky hands clutching his back tightly, as if the bluenette was afraid he would disappear at any time.
Akashi ghosted his lips to the exposed milky white nape before lightly biting it, afterwards licking it with tender.
"...!" Kuroko instantaneously flinched, an audible gasp escaping his mouth. "..haa-!"
"See, that hurt, did it not? Then this couldn't possibly be a dream, could it now?" Akashi whispered low, his hot breaths made Kuroko's skin tingled badly and every hair on his body stood upright almost as if a jolt of electricity had coursed throughout his body.
"Y-you don't have to do that, I believed Akashi-kun in the first place." Sulked the bluenette, whose cheeks took a dark shade of red, redder than Akashi's hair colour even. And he didn't even realise at which point did he stop crying as he tried to pull away out of embarrassment when the redhead returned the embrace twice as tight, mouthing a; "I'm sorry."
Akashi pulled back as quickly as when he first embraced the startled bluenette, purposely clearing his throat after taking a seat next to the hospital bed. Meanwhile, Kuroko remained unmoved, looking like he had something to say but decidedly held back, waiting for Akashi to speak up first.
"I'll answer all of the questions on your mind. You've been attacked with a knife by a man named Hanamiya Makoto and I won't hide the main reason of his actions was to get me, so you have all the more reason to resent me or even quit your contract with me."
"Aka-..."
"The cut is approximately 3.5 cm long and 3 cm deep while the stitch added another 0.5 cm to the length but non were life-threatening except for the fact you suffered a great deal of blood loss and had to undergo immediate surgery to disinfect the wound and a blood transfusion was also done so-"
"Akashi-kun."
The redhead continued rambling on – yes, rambling – as if he couldn't hear the bluenette at all. "The paramedics along with the police arrived exactly two minutes after Hanamiya disappeared as I had shared our location with Daiki earlier that night and to top it off, they managed to catch the real culprit of the zombie bride case as I had planned-"
"Akashi-kun!" Kuroko called again, louder by a decibel this time. And he finally managed to get the detective's attention.
"What is it?"
"Akashi-kun, it's alright. I feel fine now really, thank you for explaining." Kuroko gently slipped the redhead's cold hand into his, baby blue eyes boring into mismatched ones. "But is Akashi-kun okay? The whole explanation can wait and you don't have to force yourself if you don't want to."
Akashi silently stared back before gripping the warm hand a little tighter. "And how am I forcing myself right now?"
Kuroko swiftly leaned forward, cupping Akashi's cheek with his free hand before bringing his index finger in between the red eyebrows. "This here. You're furrowing your eyebrows even further today, the number of wrinkles here noticeably increased. And then your eyes, they're lacking their usual mischievous glints. Lastly..." The bluenette trailed from Akashi's eyes to his lips and settled his fingers there. "This mouth here is also not displaying the usual Akashi Seijuurou-kun's trademark smirk... I wonder why?"
'Now who's the detective again?' There was mirth in those unique coloured eyes that finally met his calm gaze.
'I'm doing a mighty fine job at it, am I not?' Kuroko arched an eyebrow as if he was trying to crack a joke which was so unlike of him but the things he'd do to get the red-haired man back to his old self.
In return, the redhead brought Kuroko's fingers into his hand and softly kissed them. "How could I show such a contemptuous smile in front of you, Tetsuya, when I fail to apprehend the man who did such a horrible deed to you?" His eyes were dead, still not a flicker of light in them. Was this how it felt to fail so miserably in the line of work he was so confident in? Would this prove he was the same as the other humans as well?
It may just be a simple bad luck to others, but to Akashi, this was as bad as death itself.
"Akashi-kun hasn't fail anything since he hasn't started anything yet though?" Kuroko tilted his head to one side, there was genuine confusion in his eyes. He really meant each word he just uttered.
A quiet chuckle escaped Akashi's mouth as he temporarily closed his eyes. "You wouldn't let me win this conversation in the first place, would you now?"
You've always know what to say during times like this. Where was this immense strength coming from that frail body of yours? Akashi secretly thought to himself and was it just him or did Kuroko suddenly looked so dazzlingly bright all of a sudden? He was almost blinding.
Was it an act out of impulsiveness or was it just curiosity mixed with want that led to his current action of bringing his face closer to Kuroko's until their noses touched, Akashi wasn't so sure anymore. He caressed the smooth pinkish cheek, tucking the pastel blue strands behind an ear and gently murmured, "Tetsuya..."
"Hm?" Large almond-shaped eyes widened by a microscopic fraction when Akashi suddenly inched his face a little too close for comfort so that Kuroko wouldn't have the time to react, his chin was then locked in place by the redhead's icy fingertips. "...Akashi-kun..?"
The myriad of sounds ceased all of a sudden, along with the movement and smell of anything else aside from the redhead. It was almost like Kuroko had lost all five senses. Only he did not. More like he was overly conscious of Akashi and only him.
Exhaling a little, he willingly shut his eyes, his heart began pumping erratically against his ribcage. And yet another foreign emotion set in his very core. It was anticipation.
Could it be that... Akashi-kun is going to...?
Their lips were now only a few millimetres away when the door to Kuroko's room forcefully banged open.
"Oi, Akashi, I brought you some food...whoops." A certain tanned man stopped dead on his track as soon as his navy blue eyes fell unto the two men whose faces were so abnormally close and from his point of view, they may as well be kissing. "Sorry, I should probably come back later-"
"Nonsense. Come in, Daiki." Akashi calmly said with an uncharacteristic sweet smile on his face and the policeman instantly knew he had just dug his own grave.
Shit... I didn't mean to barge into you two, but you guys should know better than to be making out in a hospital geez.
He eyed the bluenette, secretly sending SOS signals to save his skin from the redhead who was now radiating a rare murderous intent. Kuroko apologetically shook his head while hiding his mouth with his hand so that they wouldn't see his expression at the moment. He was trying hard to contain his laughter, that was why. And just then, something crossed his mind.
Who? Me, laughing? How very peculiar.
"Should I pay you a visit then when Ryouta is around next time, Daiki?" When you two are 'busy', I mean.
Aomine knew what he meant in a heartbeat.
Oh, fuck no Akashi.
"I said I was sorry dammit. Oh, speaking of Kise... that sha la la blondie said hi by the way. He's performing at the theatre right now so he couldn't come here with me." Aomine said, passing the basket full of food (Momoi-san made them) to Akashi and lightly ruffled Kuroko's hair. "And how're you holding up, Tetsu?"
Tetsu. . . ?
"I feel a lot better now, thank you for asking. And Aomine-kun even went out of his way to come here. I do apologise for the inconvenience." The bluenette bowed a little, some of his longer bangs fell down to his eyes. All of this wouldn't have happened had I took care of myself better.
"What're you sayin'? I'd visit you as much as I want, it's no inconvenience at all." Aomine grinned, but secretly thought to himself, 'but maybe I shouldn't have come today'. Akashi was without a doubt, still staring daggers at him like he wanted to bury him alive.
The redhead finally redirected his gaze to the bluenette who grew silent and he quickly knew something was on his mind.
Tetsu. Aomine-kun started calling me that a while ago but...
I remember now of the name Tetsu which wasn't even mine to begin with.
Tetsu-kun was...
The sound of static pulled him back out of reverie. It was coming from Aomine's walkie talkie strapped neatly to his waist. 'Aomine, where the hell did you go? Get your ass back to the station asap!' His superior, Nijimura Shuuzo, barked through the talkie and the tanned man cluck his tongue in response. "Tch, I got it already. Be there in five."
'Did you just click your tongue at me?! And don't you dare talk back to your superior or I'll triple your shift's hours, damned obnoxious brat!'
"Yeah, yeah..." Aomine exhaled an exaggerated sigh before getting up on his feet, only then did he took notice of two pairs of eyes quietly staring at him. "Welp, duty calls so I gotta go." Akashi and Kuroko alike blankly nodded, the bluenette's eyebrows furrowed in concern whilst the redhead smugly raised an eyebrow.
Good riddance.
Aomine scoffed at the major difference in personalities of his two close friends. What was someone as good-hearted as Kuroko doing with a jaded person like Akashi? Unless... he might be able to change the redhead for the better..? Wouldn't that be a sight to see.
As soon as Aomine left the room, Akashi pulled the pale blue curtains close and sat beside Kuroko, with a plan in mind.
"Are you in there, Tetsu?" Akashi said out of the blue as he stared straight into sky blue orbs and Kuroko unconsciously nodded as soon as he heard the very name rolling off the redhead's tongue, his eyes closed and when he reopened they took a darker shade of sapphire blue.
"Yo, you called?" Tetsu showed a toothy grin, slowly stretching his sore muscles after he pulled the IV drip from his wrist but winced in pain afterwards. "Ow, that shitty Hanamiya sure didn't hold back did he?" He rubbed his bandaged abdomen, insensitively saying, "This is definitely gonna leave a scar, huh? Oh, wait I mean-"
Akashi was already on his feet, standing directly in front of the straightforward bluenette, flicking his forehead without restraining the force used in his middle finger.
"Ow-! What are you..!" Tetsu whimpered in pain, immediately covering his now reddened forehead. "Why did you do that for?!"
"That's what you get for being so brutally honest (when you already knew I was the one who allowed him to get hurt in the first place). Pleasure meeting you by the way, Tetsu."
"Well, pleasure's not mine definitely!" Tetsu whined like a little kid who had just been scolded, still rubbing at his swollen forehead. "You hit me too hard... I hate you..."
The redhead tiredly sighed. He just couldn't stay mad at the bluenette any longer, not when he resembled a certain purple-haired man a little too much. Murasakibara and him would definitely be the best of friends had they met. He then pulled Tetsu's head closer and apologetically (read: awkwardly) kissed his forehead. "There, better? I'm sorry for hitting you too hard." What was he doing, dancing to the other's tune again?
Tetsu's sea blue eyes instantly sparkled, his once scowling face now glowed in happiness. "Sei reminds me so much of Kuro-nii! I like you!" He glomped at the unsuspecting detective, literally radiating kitties and bunnies and all illegally cute things while Akashi readily welcomed the contact of their bodies, gently patting the slightly longer teal hair. Well, they even thought of the same thing. As expected of Tetsuya's other personas.
"But, aren't you being a bit too wishy-washy? It's hate with you and then like the next." The redhead lightly reprimanded Kuroko's other persona who was still stuck to him like superglue.
"Isn't it fine? If Sei reminds me of Kuro-nii then Sei could never be a bad guy." Pouted Tetsu, staring up at him from his chest.
"And who is this Kuro-nii again?" Akashi asked, partly interested in meeting such persona and partly because he wouldn't get too much information talking to Tetsu, as pure and adorable as he was.
"Kuro-nii's like a brother to me! He's kind and gentle but he can be really scary when he's angry... You can't meet with Kuro-nii yet since he's having a major fight with Ko-nee. Again." Tetsu reluctantly admitted, almost as if he shouldn't have told the redhead about this matter.
"Ko-nee? Is there also a female persona?" Asked Akashi, at the same time making a small mind map in his head linking everything he knew of Kuroko's peculiar case.
The long-haired man, Tsuya who seemed to have the mind-reading and telepathy abilities, perhaps the curse lies within him as well. The child-like man, Tetsu whose name meant steel so it's appropriate to assume he is the courage or strength of Tetsuya. Kuro and Ko whom I haven't met yet... That's four of them. Perhaps there are more? Was this just another rare case of DID and nothing else?
"Nah, Ko-nee is a guy and uh, he's quite the oddball... But I'm sure Sei would've liked him if you met him too!" Tetsu enthusiastically said when he remembered something. "I know! Why don't you meet Tsuya-niisama! He did say he wishes to see you!"
Akashi showed no signs of shock but hearing the familiar name again brought his usual smirk back on his lips. "Just what I wanted to hear."
I could definitely find out more about the different personas of Tetsuya and how they came to be from Tsuya. And properly investigate what he meant when he said 'I'm the only one that could save them all.' Why me?
"We're here~" Murasakibara slid the curtain open without a warning and Kuroko immediately went limp, having to be caught by the redhead before he could end up with a bump on the head. The bluenette quickly regained consciousness seconds later and tiredly rubbed his eyes. "I hear Murasakibara-kun's voice..?"
"Ah, Atsushi. And Himuro-san." Akashi drawled, keeping a calm facade but he was giving off a dangerous aura once more. What was with him and these pesky little interruptions where he would be well off without?
"Hn, what's Aka-chin doing? Is today Hugging Day? Let me in on it too~" The huge man loomed over the bed before slinging his arms around them while Himuro watched with great mirth the three cuddling close together which was undoubtedly a sight to behold.
"No, Atsushi. Today isn't Hugging Day or anything equivalent to that. Tetsuya is simply lightheaded and mustn't be disturbed." Akashi pinched the bridge of his nose before heaving a long sigh. The insane timings of these guys. It may as well be part of a plot against him.
"That's quite a heavy sigh coming from you, Akashi. Is anything the matter?" The doctor walked further inside after shutting the door behind him, carrying a cream-coloured bag in one hand. Judging by just the smell, the keen detective instantly knew they were the cavity-inducing freshly baked vanilla shortcakes.
"Aka-chin, we need some tea with those cakes, don't you think?" The lilac suddenly said, already pulling the redhead out of the room. "We'll get one for Muro-chin and Kuro-chin as well~"
"Why do I have to-!" Akashi grumbled and his voice slowly trailed away from Kuroko's room as he and his two-metre companion made their way to the cafeteria.
"And how are you feeling, Kuroko-kun? Still lightheaded?" Himuro took a seat by the bed and the bluenette shook his head. "I'm feeling better now, thank you for asking. Is everything okay for Himuro-san and Murasakibara-kun as well?"
"Yes... It couldn't have been any better, Kuroko-kun. I'm so happy and contented right now, I'm afraid it might all be nothing but a dream, this fleeting happiness of mine. Do I deserve such blessings while Louis had already..." The older ravenette admitted, clasping his two hands into a tight knuckle, they trembled a little. He looked tremendously overjoyed but awfully sad at the same time.
Sky blue eyes travelled down to Himuro's hands and Kuroko gently brought them into his when suddenly, flashes of the ravenette's past momentarily flowed into him.
'I'm sorry, Louis...' Himuro said, guilt apparent in his platinum eyes.
'Don't be, Tatsuya. We wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for our parents to begin with.' Replied a woman with shoulder-length luscious blond hair, smiling understandingly.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be truthful to you completely, Louis. That I already fell in love with someone and that someone is a..."
.
.
.
'My name is Francesca Walker, I'll be your new junior surgeon from now on.' A maroon-haired lady with equally maroon eyes introduced herself and although Himuro couldn't exactly point it out, she reminded him very much of Louis. Even though they looked nothing alike. Her demure perhaps?
'Likewise. I'm Himuro Tatsuya.' He took the offered hand into a handshake, unaware of the intense stare the other was giving.
"He's mine... Only mine. And no one else could take him away from me. Not even you, Louis. You stole everything from me. I hate you. I HATE YOU. I WILL KILL YOU."
.
.
.
Bzzt.. bzzt..
Himuro blearily blinked in search of the source of the sound. Sleeping right next to him was the person he held very dearly in his heart, snuggling close to him. Smiling, he grabbed his phone and was already swiping the green icon when Louis' name popped up. 'Hello, what is it, Louis?'
'Tatsuya? It's about Louis..! She- She's..! Come back home please..!' A different voice greeted him back, frantic, anxious and panicky, almost hysteric. It was Louis' housemaid, Jane. A sick feeling settled in his stomach right then and Himuro immediately knew, something very bad had happened.
'I-I'll be right there..!'
.
.
.
"...!" Kuroko rapidly retracted his hand, looking a lot more whiter than before. Himuro was slightly astonished by his action, but didn't question why the bluenette acted like he had just seen a ghost.
Perhaps it was just that. Kuroko was what you would called gifted. The ravenette may be a man of logic due to his occupation but it didn't stop him from believing in spiritual powers as passed down in his distant family lineages back in the past.
"Kuroko-kun. Are you... interested in listening to my story?" He asked instead when Kuroko had seemingly calmed down. And to his surprise, the lithe person in front of him nodded curtly. There was no longer fear nor hesitation in his voice and clear cerulean eyes. "Yes, I would like to."
The older man raked through his hair and sighed a little before he began, "Louis and I were engaged at the tender age of ten, which was of course predominantly determined by both of our parents. And I met Atsushi five years later, he was a junior below me in middle school, you see."
Gray-black orbs gleamed as Himuro recollected the first time he met the purple-haired boy who may seemed cheeky to others but in his eyes, Atsushi had everything he didn't. The courage to speak his mind, his overwhelming presence and most importantly, he possessed that very freedom to do anything as he pleased. The one thing Himuro yearned to have for so long.
Sixteen years ago...
"I'm done with the worksheets distribution, Mr. Smith." Himuro, in a white top, black long-sleeved coat and a stripy red tie with matching black slacks, was about to enter the Physics cum Disciplinary teacher's office when the man flung himself out of the room, looking like a madman. "Where did he ran off to?!"
"Um, who is it are you referring to again?" The ravenette faked a smile when his teacher finally gazed his way.
"O-oh! Tatsuya, you're done? Excellent work as always." The middle-aged man pulled out a hanky from his pocket and furiously wiped off the sweat on his drenched face. "Ah, I was talking about a new transfer student- wait, he's also from your country if I'm not mistaken."
"A student from Japan? Really?" Himuro's ears easily perked up at the mention of having another Japanese student in a foreign country so far away from their homeland.
"Unfortunately, he isn't as well-rounded as you are, Tatsuya. Academically-wise, yes he is top-notch but he's very notorious for his laziness. He's been skipping classes for the tenth time since he arrived here last week. Can you believe it!" The British briefly crinkled his nose.
Himuro on the other hand, was quietly listening to his teacher, his interest in the new student only piqued more and more. He wanted to meet him. "What's his name, sir, if I may ask?"
"I think it's Mu... Mura-something... A... At... Atsushi! He's in Year 9, just a year below you." Mr. Smith's face went very red whenever he tried hard to remember something and Japanese names were more of a tongue twister to him than anything.
And Himuro smiled apologetically for troubling him in remembering, he couldn't blame him for that as for himself, some English names or words were pretty hard to pronounce too.
'...Atsushi, huh? Sounds like an interesting person.'
The next day...
It was lunch time. Himuro strolled to his favourite spot for lunch carrying his usual lunchbox of rice balls, chicken karaage, prawn tempura, some salad and cherry tomatoes and a flask of hot green tea. Upon arriving, he halted. Someone else was under the blooming cherry blossom tree, sleeping. Not sitting against the tree but legit straight up laying on his back and curling up like a cat.
The ravenette walked closer to the mysterious student whose long purple bangs were covering his closed eyes, a light snore escaping his parted lips. And he was mumbling incoherently every few seconds, something that sounded like a chant of Japanese noodles; 'udon soba zzzz... ramen somen shirataki zzzz... harusame yakisoba zzzz...'
Himuro unconsciously giggled at that and violet eyes blinked open almost instantaneously, rolling towards his direction. He quickly covered his mouth and bowed a few times, whispering,"...ah! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
The lilac was now sitting upright properly, he was a lot taller and bigger than Himuro originally thought he was. They were about three feet away from each other. The boy eyed him without a word when he suddenly snatched the smaller arm causing the ravenette to buckle over in front of him, clutching the broader shoulder for support. "...!"
Himuro felt waves of hot breaths tickling his right ear and soon realised the other was sniffing him. "...may I ask what are you doing right now?" His voice was muffled by the black blazer rustling close to his mouth and nose. And the shocks kept on piling after the initial one.
The other boy took a few more sniffs before settling his chin on the lean shoulder, simply saying; "You smell pretty good..."
"W-what..." Himuro furiously blinked, flustered now by the lilac's words and that was when he heard it. A loud grumbling noise of an empty stomach. Silence ensued for a whole minute before he politely asked, "Are you hungry..? Would you like to have some of my lunch then?"
"Uhuh... um... wait... can I~?" The purple-haired boy drawled one by one and Himuro couldn't help but smile warmly. Was it wrong to think of another boy around his age as cute?
"What's your name by the way? I'm Himuro Tatsuya, Year 10, pleasure to meet your acquaintance." The ravenette finally introduced himself when they were just about to finish eating. The lilac languidly turned to his direction right after taking a large bite of the dried plum rice ball, swallowing only after a few chews. A grain of rice somehow stuck at a corner of his mouth and Himuro automatically picked at it with his hand.
Before he could do or say anything, the lilac grabbed hold of his wrist first and licked the rice grain off his fingers like it was the most normal thing to do. "...it's Murasakibara Atsushi. Nice to meetcha, Muro-chin~"
Now, Himuro had an inkling on who this person might be but hearing the very name rolling off Murasakibara's own tongue sent shivers down his spine. At that instant, he became strangely aware of the lilac's actions no matter how small and everything he did inexplicably made his heart beat a tad faster.
"So you're... Atsushi."
An arrow shot through the heart. A heartbeat skipped. Faint blush spreading across cheeks. At the age of fifteen, Himuro Tatsuya experienced his first love.
To be continued...
To those who're wondering: the bold and italic fonts during the flashes of Himuro's memories seen by Kuroko are one's thoughts at that time. Year 9 is equivalent to 8th grade (14 years old).
Ahhh but the direction this chapter is taking is killing me. I did wanted to finish Himuro's story in one go but I'm all out of brain juices (and will be so for a while) so please bear with me just a little more, loves. Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you in a week or two (new term's starting soon yikes). Best of luck to you guys as well! :)