This is the the last second chapter. All we have left after this is the epilogue.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basket and its franchise!

"Let's go home, boy." Kuroko balanced the bags of groceries he was carrying in both hands, with Tetsuya #2 walking by his side.

"Arf!"

The sun was now setting, dying the streets a warm shade of orange. It has been a long afternoon for Kuroko, especially after meeting so many people that he usually wouldn't have met on a regular basis, even less when it happened to be on the same day. All he wanted now was to collapse onto his bed and sleep to his heart's content.

And tomorrow will be the start of another hectic week of school and basketball.

Speaking of basketball, it has been ages since he played with Kagami-kun outside of practice. One would think that they spend hours practicing their combination on their own, but in fact they didn't. It felt more natural to practice their act during a match itself; especially since the flow for each and every match is always different and unpredictable.

Turning his head to his left, Kuroko spotted the basketball court where he had first played one-on-one with Kagami on they had met. He would usually walk past it on his way home from school, watching the people play. A small smile crept onto his face. He had played with Aomine there before, that is, before he changed.

He stood, by the wired fence, watching a familiar redhead dribble the ball along the court with monstrous speed, stopping to take off into a powerful jump as he threw the ball with practiced ease, shooting it into the net.

Kuroko loved basketball; and he still does. If he hadn't started playing basketball, he wouldn't have met all the wonderful people he had met today.

Izuki-senpai.

Kise-kun and Kasamatsu.

Coach and Captain.

Midorima-kun and Takao.

Aomine-kun and Momoi.

Kiyoshi-senpai. (There was that guy Hanamiya as well, but Kuroko would never consider that snarker a 'wonderful person'.)

Murasakibara-kun.

Akashi-kun.

Kagami-kun.

And of course, Tetsuya #2; since Koganei-senpai was the one who had bestowed the name onto him.

Not to forget the rest of the senpai and everyone else at Seirin.

Kuroko set the groceries down on a nearby bench as he scooped up Tetsuya #2, approaching the person who he had named his light slowly.

"Good day."

"Arf!"

"GAHH!" The taller boy almost shrieked, dropping the orange ball in his hands. Kagami Taiga spun around to spot two identical pairs of eyes staring straight at him. "What the hell; it's just you, Kuroko."

"Practicing on a Sunday, Kagami-kun?"

"So what if I am? Besides, don't scare people like that. You'll decrease their lifespans if you continue to do it on a regular basis."

"It's not good to overwork yourself, you know. At least relax on a weekend."

"Basketball is relaxing to me."

"I see."

It was silent for a while between the two teammates before the taller of the two spoke.

"Wanna play a game?" He asked, spinning the ball and balancing it on one finger.

"I must decline. I have a duty to bring home tonight's ingredients."

"Not even for five minutes?"

"Nope." Kuroko paused. "Unless…"

"Unless what?"

"Why don't you have dinner at my place and we play after that?"

"Hah? Why should I have dinner at your place?"

"You live alone, don't you? Besides, it would make my mom happy to finally have a friend over."

Kuroko was speaking the truth. Being as quiet and reserved, not to mention almost invisible, as her son has always been, the woman was always worried that her son would often spend his childhood growing up alone. In fact, no words could describe her happiness when her son decided to take up basketball, a team sport, in Middle School.

It delighted her to know that her son was finally making the effort to make friends.

"That has nothing to do with me living alone. How old do you think we are; anyway? High schoolers just don't invite friends over on a whim."

"If you don't come, I'll just continue scaring you as I please."

"That's blackmail, you sadist! And don't say that with a straight face; it's even scarier than being blackmailed!"

"It is? But it's normal, isn't it?"

"Like hell it is, moron!"

"Arf!" Tetsuya #2 barked in rare agreement with the other boy.

"Since when do you and #2 get along so well?"

"Like hell we do!"

"You know, you sound like Aomine-kun when you speak like that."

"I do not have anything in common with that guy!"

Kuroko raised a skeptical, silent eyebrow at the exclamation.

"I beg to differ."

"Arf!"

"Oi, #2," Kagami glared at the pup. "Whose side are you on, really?"

"Obviously mine."

Bali was just beautiful. But time to get back to reality.

I didn't expect Afternoon Coincidences to end so soon; but looks like I'll be starting Parallel sooner than I may plan to.

... I don't think I have anything else to say this time.

I hoped you have enjoyed this chapter! The epilogue will be posted on Thursday!