CHAPTER TWELVE

Kuroko~

Cold air conditioned air blasted through, pushing my hair back as I walked into the supermarket. I let out a silent groan as I trudged towards the shopping carts and started pushing it, trying to control its broken wheel. I cursed Onii-san's amazing skill for rock-paper-scissors as I pushed the cart into the cereal aisle. I smiled wickedly as I spotted Onii-sans least favourite cereal, and that was putting it nicely. I tossed it into the cart, and was about to continue my revenge on Onii-san, when someone called my name.

"Kurokocchi?"

I've never heard anyone call me that before, but for some odd reason, I turned around. The man standing behind me had bright blonde hair, like the colour of the sun. His slim fitting black slacks showed off his figure, and he sported a black blazer with a white dress shirt, his grey tie hanging loosely around his neck. He finished it off with black Italian leather shoes, and a fancy watch decorating his wrist. He looked at me with surprised eyes, and a hint of hope behind them. He was hot, I'd give him that, but who was he?

"You don't remember me, do you?" He asked, taking a step closer to me, while I took a step back.

"No, I'm sorry. Who are you?"

Pain was evident in his golden eyes, and he let out a small chuckle. He stuck his hand out, and put on a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"I'm Kise Ryouta. It's nice to meet you."

"So, how are you now?" Kise-kun asked, as he stirred his black coffee.

After our awkward introduction, he invited me for coffee, and I didn't have the heart to say no. We finished grocery shopping, and were now sitting at a small café in the middle of town. Kise-kun swore on his life that they had the best cheesecake in the world, and he wasn't joking.

I had just told him what had happened over the past couple of days, with the accident and Kagami-kun. Something about his cheerful and kind aura made me want to tell him my life story, and it felt like I had known him my whole life. With Kagami-kun, it was like I had everything wiped away about him, but with Kise-kun, my heart knew him, even if my mind didn't. And that scared me.

"Kurokocchi?" He said, waving his hand in front of my face.

"Sorry, I must've spaced out again." I said sheepishly, as I took a sip of my vanilla milkshake.

"That's alright." He paused, as if he was thinking about what he should say next. I raised an eyebrow, in the few hours I had gotten to get to know Kise-kun, again, I could tell he wasn't someone who held back what he was thinking.

"What is it?" I asked.

He scratched the back of his head, "Well.."

"Just spit it out!"

"Are you still with Kagamicchi?"

I stayed silent. What was I supposed to answer? I couldn't say yes or no, because both of them didn't fit me and Kagami-kun's relationship.

"It's complicated, I guess?" I said, and he looked at me with a smile on his face.

"Well, are you allowed to see other people?"

That made me silent again. He didn't control my life, I wasn't his. But I could tell it would hurt him deeply. I opened my mouth to say no, but when I looked at Kise-kun, I stopped myself. His eyes were full of hope, and I saw the black rings under his eyes. He was my friend, right? And what Kagami-kun didn't know, won't hurt him.

"Yeah." I said, and Kise-kun's eyes lit up like Christmas. The smile that appeared on his face could light up and entire town. I couldn't help but smile back, making him grin even wider.

"Well, can I take you on a date? Movies? Tonight at 7?" He said with so much excitement that I almost didn't catch what he was saying. I smiled at his enthusiasm.

"Okay."

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Otouto?" Onii-san said for the 100th time since I told him about my date with Kise-kun.

I rolled my eyes, "He's my friend, Onii-san. I can't just shut him out of my life just because I forgot him."

"I know, but it's no secret that he likes you more than a friend. What about Taiga?" Onii-san asked, worry lines creasing his forehead.

"Kagami-kun has nothing to do with this, this is my choice."

"Taiga has everything to do with this, and you know it. He's your boyfriend and-"

"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!" I yelled, my voice echoing across the room. Onii-san's face changed from surprised to grim to angry in a matter of seconds.

"Try putting yourself in his shoes, Tetsuya. How would you feel if the boy you loved went out with someone else, when you were trying so hard to win him back?" His voice sent chills down my spine, and he turned away before I got the chance to answer. I heard a door slam and a click of a lock, leaving me alone standing in the middle of the room.

I let out a frustrated breath, as I ran my fingers through my hair. Suddenly the doorbell rang, signalling that Kise-kun had arrived. I knew I couldn't back off now, and I looked at my reflection to make sure everything was in place.

I wore black skinny jeans and a maroon cotton long sleeved shirt, with a single black breast pocket and red converse. I realized that my sweater was the exact same colour as Kagami-kun's eyes and a dreaded feeling came over me. But I shook it off, Kagami-kun wasn't my boyfriend.

I walked to the door and opened the door to reveal Kise-kun wearing dark blue chinos and a bleach white thermal shirt under a matching navy vest. His hair was combed to perfection, not a single strand out of place. He looked so neat and professional, so different from Kagami-kun who just looked effortlessly hot. He wore shiny loafers, when I expected to see Kagami-kun's worn out Nike shoes.

Stop comparing him to Kagami-kun.

"Hey, handsome" Kise-kun said with so much confidence that it made my cheeks burn.

"Hi. You look nice." I said, internally grimacing at my pathetic comment.

He chuckled and peaked inside, "Is your brother here? Shouldn't I say hi?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea." I answered, my voice hard. I was still angry at Onii-san for reacting the way he did, even though he was right.

"Oh, okay then" Kise-kun said, and he scratched the back of his neck, before extending his arm.

"Shall we?"

I took a deep breath, telling myself that it was okay, that I had a right to find the guy of my dreams, despite the fact that Kagami-kun thought I was his. My heart contacted in pain when I thought of Kagami-kun. His tough guy act, his warm eyes, his contagious laugh, and his beautiful smile. But I pushed it all away and took Kise-kun's arm.

"We shall."

HELLO CUPCAKES! Sorry this is a day late, and it's kinda short. I was originally gonna put in Kuroko and Kise's date in here as well, but it would've been too long.

So, Kise. Yeah. Don't hate me. And did you see Akashi being the best KagaKuro shipper? He's like my brother from a different mother. I adore him, even if he is a bitch in the anime ((i've only read to Teikou Arc, no spoilers please))

I'll try to get the next chapter up as fast as possible, but no promises. I'm gonna be swamped with graduation party committee duties and stuff so, yeah.

Y'all know the drill, leave reviews, favorite, and follow! Love you guys

lila xx