Author's notes: Hello my beautiful and wonderful readers. Please accept this chapter as my declaration of love to you.
So I read the raws (even though I can't understand it) for KnB right? And omgggg Kuroko bb is so effing precious ;=;
Unedited (as usual, will fix grammar and stuffs later)
Disclaimer: Nope.
Chapter 11
Kise checked his watch. There was still some time to kill before the game. He was walking out of the classroom building when he heard voices. Unwilling to be held up by screaming fangirls, Kise instinctively hid behind a corner.
"Hey, did you see the lead girl for the MV?"
"Yeah! Don't you think she's weird-looking?"
"Oh my god, I thought the same thing."
"Her face is creepy! Not cute at all."
"I heard her talk! She totally sounds like a man. And she says 'boku' instead of 'atashi!'* So gross."
"Maybe she's a tranny."
"Eww, they'd pick a tranny for Zelo's music video? That's gross."
He had enough. Kise stepped out to meet the group of prattling girls. There were four of them, extras from the basketball game no doubt, and could probably be considered cute in a different context. They gasped to see the handsome blonde approaching.
"Kise-kun!" She's the one who called Kuroko weird-looking.
"We saw you playing basketball earlier. You were so cool!" said the one who called Kuroko's face creepy.
A smile donned the model's face, a mocking, contemptuous smile. The girls failed to see this and blushed in obvious delight. "You know," Kise dropped his voice seductively. "I absolutely adore my fans. I think they're the cutest things in the world." He ran a hand through his golden hair. The girls squealed in the annoying way girls did when they tried too hard to be cute. Kise loosened his tie. "But I don't think I've ever seen such ugly-ass pigs in my life." Their squeals stopped.
The girl who called Kuroko a tranny asked, "Ki- kise-kun, what did you say? I think I heard you wrong."
Kise's voice turned to a purr as he finally stood over them. "Did I stutter? You all look like ugly pigs-"
She slapped him across the face.
Kise touched his cheek where it stung. "Oh my, ruining my face the day before my filming with Kurokocchi. Disgusting."
"How can you say that to us?!" asked the girl who called Kuroko gross. She raised her hand to slap him too, but Kise caught her wrist before it reached his face. She yelped when he squeezed it a little too tightly. Her friends froze.
"Look your wrist's so squishy. You must be fat as well as ugly."
"Asshole!" the girl screamed while trying to pry her wrist away.
Kise just pulled the girl closer, his golden eyes darkening, "If I hear you talking about Kurokocchi again, I swear I'll rip that ugly mouth off your face." He let go, and they ran off.
"Kise? What are you still doing here?" Aomine came up from behind, yawning into his hand.
Kise turned around, his face reverting back to its sunny disposition. "Nothing~ I was just heading to my game," he singsonged. "I thought Aominecchi was teaching the kids how to play basketball."
Aomine rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, their parents didn't let them."
"Hah…" Kise wasn't surprised. The guy practically exuded a suspicious person aura. Definitely not someone you wanted to leave your kids with. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Hey-" Aomine grabbed Kise's arm as he walked past.
Kise's smile could outshine the sun. "Yes, Aominecchi?"
Aomine frowned and let go, "Nothing. See you tomorrow." The blonde shrugged and went away. He had been too far to hear anything, but Aomine had seen everything starting from when the girl slapped Kise. The looks on the girls' faces did not seem like those of infatuated fans. What happened?
Scene 22
INT. CLASSROOM
Kuroko has stayed behind to finish painting a poster for what appears to be the school festival. Her hair is disheveled, and her arms are splattered with paint. She puts down her paintbrush to hold her stomach, obviously hungry since she skipped lunch working on the poster.
From behind, Murasakibara places a bento in her hands. She gives him a questioning look. He points to his own bento, and they eat together.
"Kuro-chin~ what's that?" Murasakibara used his chopsticks to point at something in Kuroko's bento.
"It looks like a dumpling. Do you want to try, Murasakibara-kun?" Kuroko reflexively picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks and offered it to the other. Murasakibara leaned over and promptly chomped it down. Kuroko felt like he was feeding a child.
"Waahh it's yummy! I didn't have that in mine." Murasakibara looked down at his already finished lunch. The giant usually ate a lot more than the meager bento prop.
"Here," Kuroko placed his barely touched bento in Murasakibara's lap. "I'm not very hungry."
"Kuro-chin doesn't eat enough." Though he gratefully accepted the extra food.
"Hmm… It's okay isn't it? Models have to watch their figures."
Murasakibara stopped chewing; his violet eyes narrowed. "I don't like that, Kuro-chin."
"Which one?" Sky blue eyes looked up at him.
Murasakibara abruptly shoved a dumpling in Kuroko's mouth. "You're too small already. Eat more." His childish voice almost sounded parental.
After chewing and swallowing Kuroko replied, "But I'm really not hungry."
"I don't like Kuro-chin modeling if it means he won't eat." Murasakibara moved closer, his enormous figure looming over the smaller boy. Kuroko didn't move, but simply stared up at the purple-haired giant with his usual placid face.
"Cut. Alright, let's move to the auditorium for the next scene and then we can call it a wrap for today."
Scene 7
INT. AUDITORIUM
Murasakibara is alone in the auditorium adding last-minute touches to a set design. He's been working since lunchtime and hasn't had time to eat. Kuroko notices this from the back of the auditorium. Murasakibara holds his stomach, implying his hunger. He sighs realizing he still has to go out to buy something to eat.
As Murasakibara walks away from the set, he finds a large bento on the edge of stage. "For you," a small note reads on cute stationary. He eats the bento happily beside the finally finished set.
Scene 16 (from scene 7)
INT. AUDITORIUM
Murasakibara finds a large bento on the edge of stage. "For you," a small note reads on cute stationary. He eats the bento happily beside the finally finished set, Kuroko sitting by his side.
Just as the script dictated, Murasakibara found a large bento with a cute note sitting on the edge of the stage. Unlike what the script dictated, a mound of vending machine snacks also sat beside the lunchbox.
"Nagao-san, is that okay? It wasn't in the script." Momoi read through the booklet once again to make sure.
"It's okay, it's okay. It was Kuroko-chan's suggestion," Nagao said from his chair. He was pleased with how smoothly the filming had gone so far. Tomorrow's scenes shouldn't be a problem then…
"Tetsu-kun's idea?"
"What's this?" Murasakibara picked up a bag of popcorn from the stack. "These weren't in the script."
Kuroko sat a little ways away from him. "You don't have anymore because you gave them to the kids, right? Sorry, it was my fault for bringing them."
"Did you buy these, Kuro-chin? Waahh thank you~" Murasakibara sat down and scarfed down the bag of popcorn before touching the lunchbox.
Nagao allowed the camera to roll for a little longer before yelling, "Cut! Alright we're good for today. Murasakibara-kun, Kuroko-chan, I'll see you two tomorrow."
"Did you see her?" A guy with wavy brown hair asked.
His companion sported an undercut and multiple piercings on his ears. "Yeah, she's even cuter in real life."
"What about those guys? I bet she sucks their dicks," said a third guy with bleached hair.
The last guy with a fauxhawk chuckled, "Lucky bastards."
Mr. Undercut and Ear Piercings shrugged, "They're pretty good at basketball I guess."
"Yeah right. I bet I could take 'em." said Mr. Bleached Hair.
"Dunno man, they were owning the other team pretty bad."
"Whatever. I just wanna see the girl." Mr. Fauxhawk looked to the classroom building where the filming was taking place. The sun was setting on the high school campus, painting the sky in reds and golds.
Mr. Wavy Hair rolled his eyes. "At least tomorrow will be interesting."
Scene 4
INT. CLASSROOM – MORNING
Early morning light shines through the windows. Kise is at his desk fiddling with a pencil between his fingers. He looks distracted, obviously unable to pay attention to the lesson. Kuroko is in a different desk at the far end of the classroom. She smiles fondly and takes out a piece of paper.
A paper airplane lands on Kise's desk. He's surprised; it flew from behind him. He looks around the classroom to see who could have thrown it but can't see anyone. Kise opens the paper airplane to find the words 'Pay attention!' and smiles.
Scene 13 (from scene 4)
INT. CLASSROOM – MORNING
A paper airplane lands on Kise's desk. He's surprised; it flew from behind him. He looks around the classroom. Kuroko sits at the back and watches as Kise opens the paper airplane.
Scene 19
INT. CLASSROOM – MORNING
Kuroko is nervous. The teacher is handing out a test she hasn't studied much for. Kise can see her from his desk up front. He takes out a piece of paper and begins folding it.
A paper airplane lands on Kuroko's desk. The teacher hasn't noticed, so she opens it and reads, 'Good luck!' with a large heart drawn next to it. Kuroko looks over to find Kise grinning and giving a thumbs up. She smiles and waves back.
"Kurokocchi~" Kise sang as he sat next to the other. It was day two of filming, and Kise was the first to have his scenes shot for the day.
"Good work, Kise-kun," Kuroko praised, he fiddled with the paper airplane on his desk.
Kise grinned, "Did you like my drawing?" There was a kiss mark drawing on the airplane where a heart should have been. "Ow! Why'd you do that, Kurokocchi," Kise whined, rubbing the spot where the pointy edge of the paper airplane hit.
"What happened to your face?" Kuroko asked. The small forward had walked in that morning with a ruddy cheek. The makeup artists went into a frenzy scolding him for not taking care of himself better. Thankfully, the foundation powder hid the bruise quite nicely.
On the other side of the classroom were the same four girls from yesterday. They whispered among themselves and kept stealing glances at Kuroko and Kise until the latter casually glanced in their direction. They left the classroom as Kise turned back to Kuroko and shrugged. "Mah, I just didn't look where I was going I guess."
Something of apprehension showed behind Kuroko's blank stare. "You should be more careful, Kise-kun."
Kise let out a mock gasp, "What's this? Kurokocchi's worried about me?"
"Kise-kun's face is his only redeeming feature," Kuroko said as he got up from the desk.
"Haah? That's so mean!"
"Kuroko-chan, if you can get dressed for your next scene with Aomine-kun." Nagao said after reviewing the filmed scenes. "Kise-kun, your next scene will be after lunch with the rest of the guys."
Kise nodded and watched Kuroko leave the room with the rest of the filming crew. Why did I do that yesterday? There were probably better ways to handle the situation. But they just made me so mad talking about Kurokocchi like that… Kise slumped in his desk as Kuroko and the rest of the camera crew filed out of the classroom. He really wasn't good at using his head.
"For being observant towards other people's feelings, you're pretty dense about your own." Kasamatsu's words ran through his memory.
Kise sat up.
"Oh," he said to the now empty classroom.
"You'll figure it out soon enough."
"Oh," Kise repeated, looking at the airplane that been left behind, the kiss mark drawing bright red against the white paper.
Scene 6
EXT. SCHOOL STADIUM – AFTERNOON
Aomine is stadium running. He runs up and down almost every section before plopping down in exhaustion. Kuroko watches him from underneath the stadium; she looks concerned. Aomine lies at the top of stairs looking up at the sky. He covers his eyes with an arm, and his tears mingle with sweat. A cold drink is pressed to his cheek.
He opens his eyes, but no one is there. Nonetheless, he sits up and chugs the cold beverage. Aomine tosses the empty bottle and wipes the grin on his mouth. He stands up and continues running through the stadium, all the tiredness gone.
Scene 15 (from scene 6)
EXT. SCHOOL STADIUM – AFTERNOON
Aomine lies at the top of stairs looking up at the sky. A cold drink is pressed to his cheek. He opens his eyes and looks up at Kuroko. Aomine chugs the bottle and wipes the grin on his mouth.
"Why are my scenes the only ones outside?!" Aomine complained after they finished filming. Due to the nature of his scene, Aomine had to run up the stadium stairs multiple times to get the best shots. But even a seasoned athlete like him felt the fatigue of climbing thousands of stairs.
"Because Aomine-kun isn't suited for classroom settings." Kuroko tilted his head at the tan figure lying on the cement.
The power forward grimaced. He couldn't really deny that statement. Sighing, he leaned his head back and watched the clouds drift by. They had a few minutes to rest since Nagao was still reviewing the scenes just filmed.
"Aomine-kun?" Kuroko knelt beside him.
He grunted something that sounded like, "What's up."
"Why are you doing this?" Kuroko couldn't let it go after all. The Generation of Miracles' motivation to suddenly become models was a curious question that wanted an answer.
Aomine raised an eyebrow and turned his head to Kuroko. The boy's eyes were the same color as the sky behind him. "Why are you asking?"
"It's just… unlike you. Or everyone else for that matter."
The figure on the floor shrugged and closed his eyes. "Who knows? Extra money probably."
Kuroko frowned. "But-"
"Tetsu, shouldn't you be more worried about our next scene than useless shit like that?" Aomine rolled forward and stood up. Why indeed? He had a vague idea of the answer. Only he wasn't willing to admit it just yet.
Scene 21 (from scene 7)
EXT. SCHOOL STADIUM – AFTERNOON
Kuroko has just finished running laps around the track. She's lying on the grass panting. Aomine appears above her and presses a cold drink to her cheek.
She gratefully accepts while he heads to one of the stadium sections. Aomine bolts to the top of stairs, turns back to Kuroko and waves, a large grin on his face. She waves back.
"You're still terrible at running I see," Aomine noted while placing the Pocari next to Kuroko's face.
"I'm not," Kuroko frowned up at the other. Strands of Kuroko's wig clung to his beaded face.
Aomine scoffed, "You're panting after fifty meters!"
Kuroko took the Pocari, "But I'm definitely better at running now." Aomine watched a trickle of liquid miss the boy's full lips and trail down a slim jaw, pale neck, and below the thin fabric of the workout clothes. A part of his mind screamed to see the rest of the skin under that blasted shirt.
"Aomine-kun?" The voice was Nagao's.
"Wha- huh?" Aomine shook his head and turned around.
"We need to shoot the next scene."
Aomine blinked and looked back at Kuroko, "Yeah… right."
Scene 24
INT. SCHOOL GYM - AFTERNOON
Kuroko watches as the boys play their basketball game. They can't see her from where she's watching. Her face falls as they start fighting.
Scene 10
INT. SCHOOL GYM - AFTERNOON
The gym is empty except for the six friends; the boys form a half circle around Kuroko. She stands under one of the rims while they shout at her. From their hand gestures and body language, they're asking her to choose. Kuroko shakes her head and runs away.
Nagao coughed into his hand. "And now the moment you've all been waiting for. The scene where everyone fights over Kuroko-chan!" and under his breath, "-kind of." He grinned at the apprehensive looks on his actors' faces. Momoi handed them another sheet of paper with the script.
He allowed them a minute to read and comprehend the material before speaking again. "Now scene ten is short, but it is probably one of the most important scenes in the music video because it's a turning point of sorts. I need you all to try your best for this." When he was met with silence, he continued on, "Remember that music videos don't have the luxury of dialogue. So a crucial thing to remember is that your body language and facial expressions need to convey what words can't. If you don't do this right then the story will be incomprehensible."
"And how exactly are we supposed to portray, 'asking her to choose' with body language?" Midorima asked.
"I'm glad you asked, Midorima-kun," Nagao flashed his white teeth. "For this scene especially, it's best to become the characters you're portraying and feel their emotions. And then when we begin filming, you improv your lines."
"Ne~ How do we become the characters? Don't they already have our names~?" Murasakibara chewed a licorice stick.
"That was for writing purposes since the names of the characters aren't explicitly stated in the video. Basically, I want you to become the group of boys who are madly in love with their friend and simply can't take it anymore. These boys are willing to ruin their childhood friendship for the sake of a girl. "
"The hell- would that even happen…" Aomine muttered, scratching the back of his head.
Nagao smiled, "First, imagine that you're confessing to your best friend. You've known each other since you were children, and now you like them more than a friend. Do you tell them and risk losing your friendship? What about your other friends? You will risk losing their friendship too if you confess, knowing that they like the same person you do. Imagine throwing all those doubts away because no matter the cost you want that person in your arms. No one here's had that feeling?"
"It'd be like Aominecchi confessing to Momoicchi!" Kise exclaimed. "OW!" Aomine and Momoi hit him in the head and gut simultaneously.
"Who'd want to go out with him/her?!" They yelled in unison.
"I know that feeling." Kuroko's voice was soft.
"Eh? Tetsu-kun has…?"
Kuroko looked down at the floor. "Seeing that person everyday, hanging out with that person, enjoying everything with them, yet unable to tell them your feelings for fear they might hate you, and all the happy times you had will disappear." He lifted his head to reveal calm azure eyes. "Although I never did confess to that person."
Nagao eyed the individuals present. They looked as clueless as he was. So Kuroko-kun had a crush and didn't tell anyone. This is getting interesting indeed. "Right. So I'll give you guys about an hour and a half for lunch. That should be enough time to get into character and prepare some things to say. Good luck!"
"Kurokocchi!" Kise cried, "You had an unrequited love? Who was it? When was it? Why didn't you tell me?" They were eating lunch at the school's cafeteria.
"Tch. You should have told me, Tetsu," Aomine chomped an eggroll, "I could've helped you."
"Tetsu-kun!" Momoi's eyes brimmed with tears, "Who was this person?"
Kuroko sighed, "It was a long time ago."
"I don't recall Tetsuya having many friends in middle school beside us," Akashi mused.
"So before middle school?" Midorima must have been curious too.
"A long time ago," Kuroko repeated.
"Why didn't you confess, Kuro-chin?" Murasakibara scooped a large spoonful of fried rice into his mouth.
Kuroko poked his food before pushing it away and standing up, the chair screeching against the tile. "I suppose they broke my heart before I could." He left the cafeteria with his former teammates staring after him.
"Nagao-san, are they really going to be okay with this scene?" Momoi asked after finishing her lunch.
"Don't worry it'll turn out fine!" Nagao was writing some notes in his copy of the script. He was actually excited for the next scene.
Momoi frowned, "What about the other scenes? When Tetsu-kun 'dies'? "
Nagao flicked his wrist, "We'll worry about that later. Let's just focus on getting this scene right first."
End of Chapter
*boku – masculine 'I' / atashi – feminine 'I'
Paperman reference anyone?
After 10 chapters I'm finally hinting at Kuroko's feelings?! Who do you think it is? ;D
Edit: the wonderful thing about the pronoun 'they' is that it can be used as a plural pronoun or "as a singular pronoun to refer to a person of unspecified sex" muahahaha