Chapter 14: Apologies
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Aomine Daiki's POV
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The blue-head turned around and our eyes met. I blinked once, twice, trice… Strange… Somehow Tetsu looked different from when I saw him at Inter High, though I couldn't really put my finger on what had changed.
"Aomine-kun." He greeted me with a bow of his head.
"You're skipping school?" I asked, I must say I'm quite surprised, I'd never picture Tetsu skipping school. Something flickered in Tetsu's eyes before he answered.
"I overslept and missed my train."
Our eyes met again and Tetsu quickly broke it again. Maybe he remembered his lose at Inter High. I gritted my teeth in annoyance, he hadn't only grown weak but also a coward.
"What's wrong?" I said. "Too scared to look me in the eye?"
Tetsu's head snapped up and he glared darkly at me. I inwardly grinned. That's better.
"What about Aomine-kun? Why are you skipping school?"
I shrugged. "I'm going to take a nap somewhere."
"At least that didn't change over the years." Tetsu remarked.
A surprised chuckle escaped my lips. Ah, I had forgotten how easily Tetsu could make me laugh.
"Oi, Tetsu, I got a question for you."
He eyed me suspicious. "Yes?"
"That day… Why did you leave?"
His baby blue eyes first grew bigger, then narrowed before he averted them. "That… I'm not ready to tell yet."
"Wha – "
"Bye Aomine-kun." He interrupted me and smiled sadly. He turned away and crossed the street.
"Tetsu!" I called after him but either he didn't hear me or he ignored me, the little bastard. I heaved a deep sigh. Why must that kid always be so damn mysterious?!
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Riko's POV
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~At Seirin~
I crossed my arms and sighed deeply. Next to me stood Setsuna-chan with bowed head and across of me stood Teppei and Hyuuga with cheeks that reddened each time they glanced at Setsuna-chan. She had changed her bandages that had been ripped after her confrontation with Kagami-kun and looked like a boy again. But seriously… A C-cup?!
I managed my best commanding face and glared at the two boys. "You do understand no one is to know about this, don't you?"
They nodded, glanced at Setsuna-chan and blushed.
"But really, Kuroko, why'd you do something like this?" Hyuuga asked, adjusting his glasses.
Setsuna-chan, though she wore a blank expression I could tell she felt uncomfortable, I don't know how I knew so call it female intuition. "She has some good reasons, that's all you need to know." I answered in her stead. She shot me a grateful glance.
Teppei shrugged. "Well, I guess if Aida says they're good reasons, they probably are." He smiled friendly at the bluenette. "Now we know your secret, you can come to us when you're in trouble."
Setsuna-chan nodded. "Thank you, Kiyoshi-senpai."
Hyuuga glared at his friend. "Stop flirting with her now you know she's a girl." He whispered. Teppei pulled an innocent face. "I wasn't flirting."
Annoyed I cleared my throat and the boys guiltily looked down at the floor, I looked at Setsuna-chan to apologize for the boys' behavior but it seemed she hadn't noticed as she was looking at the floor to with a slight smile on her lips. "I'm really lucky to have such helpful senpais."
"Eh?" the two basketball players exclaimed.
"Well, you help me with keeping my secret and with my basketball style, I'm very grateful for that."
"Ah, your new style…" Teppei nodded.
"Have you told Kagami-kun about it already?" Hyuuga asked.
Setsuna-chan shook her head and let her shoulders slump.
"You two should make up already." I said and placed my hands on my waist. "You make a good team after all, both on and off court."
Setsuna-chan nodded. "Indeed, I should talk to him…"
The three of us looked at her with raised eyebrows.
"Eh? Right now?" she asked surprised.
"The sooner, the better." Hyuuga remarked.
"I see…" She muttered, she bowed slightly. "Then, I'll be leaving first."
"Good luck, Setsuna-chan!"
The bluenette waved goodbye and left us.
"Setsuna-chan?" Teppei repeated.
"Kuroko Setsuna, the twin of the Generation of Miracles sixth man."
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Kagami's POV
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~At a basketball court~
"Kagami-kun!"
My body perked at hearing the familiar voice and I lost control over the ball. I turned around to find my blue haired teammate behind me, panting from running.
"What is it?" I asked, grumpier than I had intended to but seriously did Kuroko really have to catch his breath like that, with red cheeks, heaving chest and parted lips? I cleared my throat and averted my eyes. "So? What is it?"
"I… I wanted to apologize." He breathed. I waited for him to speak further since I wasn't really sure what to answer. "I did not understand Kagami-kun's words after we lost our game against Touou but now I do." He smiled. "They were not parting words but a promise… to get stronger separately and then form even a stronger team."
A serene silence filled that air as we both looked at each other. After several seconds I spoke again. "Kuroko… Why did you choose me as your partner?"
Hie blue eyes widened in surprise, if I were completely honest with myself I would have admitted I feared his answer. Kuroko guiltily, at least I guess it was guilt in his eyes, avoided eye contact.
"Again, I have to apologize…" a cold feeling gripped my heart. "At first, I was just planning on using you to win from the Generation of Miracles. You were just a tool to reach my goal but now, I'm really glad to have chosen you because of other, personal reasons. Now I really want to make you, us, the best of Japan." The cold in my heart melted away. "I've been lying to you and I'm apologize for that… I… actually I'm… I'm not…"
"You don't have to tell me, Kuroko."
He sighed unhappily. "I'm afraid I'll lose your trust if I you this."
I swallowed my worries away and grinned. "Then don't." I shrugged. "I don't care 'bout your secrets, everyone has them, even I." Like crushing on you… GAH! Why am I thinking such distasteful thoughts!?
The former sixth man smiled happily. "Thank you, Kagami-kun."
"Y-yeah, whatever." I could feel the heat creep up my neck.
"Let's go home, shall we?" he said, smiling up at me.
"Yeah, let's go."
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Kuroko Setsuna's POV
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~At their apartment~
I waved Kagami-kun goodbye as the elevator's doors shoved close. I yawned and rubbed my eyes. Today had been a busy day. Hyuuga-senpai and Kiyoshi-senpai had found out my gender and I made up with Kagami-kun. Though the senpais' discovery of my secret was actually a bad thing, I rather liked the idea of them knowing and supporting me. Though it would be bad if Onii-san were to find out.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened again. A familiar blue haired head and familiar blue eyes – so familiar I saw it every day in the mirror – was revealed.
"Setsu…" My brother smiled. "It's been awhile."
"Tetsu-nii!" I breathed surprised, I dropped my schoolbag and threw myself in his arms. He immediately returned my hug, we didn't need words to express how much we missed each other.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice muffled by his scarf.
"I got worried when you didn't text me back after your match against Aomine-kun."
"Texts?" I repeated, I broke the hug, took out my cellphone and checked for messages. "Oh…"
Onii-san chuckled. "Idiot."
I smiled fondly. "I'm just as much of an idiot as you." I opened my apartment's door. "Come on in. Are you staying for dinner?"
"Yes, sure."
Belelle: Because a certain awesome reviewer ( Thank you for reviewing, The Crimson Red Rose - nice nickname by the way - ) seemed to really like these author notes I'm going to try again!
Setsuna: Welcome Back.
Kagami: No! Go away again! Shoo! Bad!
Setsuna: That's not very nice, Kagami-kun...
Kagami: But she makes me look like some gay guy! ( no offence to gay people)
Belelle * After recovering of Kagami's mean words*: actually I'm thinking about pairing two guys (Don't worry Kagami, it won't be you) together or is there someone amongst the readers that wouldn't like a gay relationship in the fanfic? Then I won't.
Setsuna: You're Always so considerate, Belelle.
Belelle *Narsistic laugh*
Kagami: If she really were considerate she would leave right now and never come back again.
Belelle : If you don't shut up Bakagami, I'm going to pair you up with another guy! Who would annoy you the most? Kise? Midorima?