Behind the Scenes

by Elohay Scarface

Bonds are formed and it's only a matter of time that it can also be broken. History sure has its way to repeat itself. A disturbing call breakthrough that day and hearing from the other line, these were definitely the wails of despair. Will Kuroko experience again the same sorrow? Or will Kasamatsu make a different route in their future? [Kasamatsu x Kuroko] [Almost All x Kuroko]

14. Point 12

A/N: Hello everyone, I'm back, and still dizzy from my life. So really, forgive my tardiness from my last chapter and this too. Don't worry, we have so many surprises in this point, I think. From here, I tried animating a quirky scene in our opening. Yeah, it's pretty bold right away. I hope you guys put on your imaginary suit and feel the fun. Here's another update for BTS...

[Disclaimer] I do not own KnB, just the plot of this fic.

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Let's Hear More of your Voice, baby

Complete absence of light on the current scene.

ORDER IN THE COURT! ORDER IN THE COURT!

.

Narrator in background speaks up, "This trial today will uphold the case for the incident called as Sexual Assault." The unknown voice cleared up his throat and continued, "Here are the participants for this hearing; The Victim: Tetsuya Kuroko, The Defiant: Tatsuya Himuro and The Witness: Taiga Kagami"

Lights started too lit up from the room as each character was presented from the picture. Narrator voice out, "Now, let's start off with the victim's view, Tetsuya Kuroko. Is it true that the defiant, Tatsuya Himuro, commit this sexual assault to you?"

Wait. That was kinda quick for a real court hearing. If there is one, then that would really save the time from the boring long speeches. But oh well, everything would be explain, later on.

"Ano~. I don't really know how did it come to this but for the sudden question, I think this is just a misunderstanding.", the teal haired guy responded.

Confident voice from the interrogator, "You think? Mr. Tetsuya Kuroko, adding that word in your statement would not justify anything. Please answer appropriately, your virginity is on the line."

"What the fuck! You're the one who's harassing Kuroko.", the red head scowled.

"Shut up, Mr. Taiga Kagami. You're presence has not been called.", the voice-over screeched. "Please refrain from speaking if we want to end this comprehensibly." The teal haired guy restrained his partner from talking back by holding his friend's wrist.

Back with the previous guy, "What do you say, Mr. Tetsuya Kuroko? Did you enjoy- ahem. Can you please provide your personal interpretation of the scene?"

Kuroko evidently draw some air into his lungs and breathe it out after. Without any dramatic pulses, he told his story...

XXX

Tetsuya's P.O.V.

It was sure a rainy Thursday. Kagami-kun and I were released from the nearest bus stand after our second match in Inter High. We've won it, actually. But one thing I noticed when we got out was the disturbing silence between us. The person beside me must be tired, I thought. Who would not be? He's playing both roles actively, the offensive and defensive. I tried speaking up, "Kagami-kun, did bring your umbrella?"

As expected from my partner, he forgot to bring his umbrella. I really don't know how he got from school without his clothes being wet but this time, for sure he will be if I haven't bring mine. I grabbed it from my packed bag and told him, "I have myself an umbrella, Kagami-kun. Let's share it."

When I looked at him, his face turned beet red. He just nodded. I tried reaching up on him to check his body temperature on his forehead but the difference in height is pretty difficult for me. I gave up entirely and handed over to him my rain protector. It was rather small and its color is the same as my hair. My father bought it for me when I entered Middle School.

Moving on, the trip to the department store was quite short. We managed to buy all the stuffs that we need for our little baking session at Kagami-kun's flat. Speaking of it, while we're moving to that direction, we got ourselves drenched from the never letting rain. Kagami-kun made a sudden move when he grabbed me closer to him. I didn't mind since it will help us lessen the water that get through our body, though it was rather hard walking. Oh yeah, his hands were shaking during the course of the walk.

*I wanted to touch his hands to check up on him and calm him down but I got my hands full from our groceries. Really, it was a pity.*

In front of Kagami's unit, that's where we start separating when he told me that he forgot something. He gave me his keys and arranged first our things beside the door. When I opened the entrance, the lights were already turned on. In there, an unfamiliar figure was registered before my very eyes. Getting back from his description, he has a slick black hair and has a nice build. The whole thing could really be seen because the guy in front of me is wholly naked.

I tried to conceal my amazement by hiding my expressions since I've been staring intently in his body. If you would asked me if I was shocked, then the answer would be no. I've seen many of them in our locker room, after a hard day practice in basketball.

He got those toned muscles from biceps, triceps, shoulders, and chest and up to his hamstrings and quadriceps. I mean, no, I'm not getting down there. I just imagined that his legs are all sturdy too. I did not look at it, I promise. Getting back, his coveted chiseled abs is something that any men would want. I think his back is very sleek and muscled too.

After a while, he must have notice my leering so he cornered me with his strong arms. He asked for a name so I replied honestly. I apologized right after for staring too much. He cut me off and gave his own name, Himuro-san. He also mentioned that he is Kagami-kun's older brother. After it, he apologized for his bold display of his hospitality. He leaned closer to my face with his own so I unconsciously called out his name. What he did was put his towel on top of my head. He smiled and to put it simply, it was rather seductive. That's when Kagami-kun enters the scene.

END of Tetsuya's P.O.V.

XXX

Back from the interrogation, Kuroko ended his speech, "Kagami-kun sure is loud when compared to his older brother, Himuro-san." The red head didn't react this time. He was completely rattled by his partner's intrepid statements. Like hell, he remembered it all. Even his selfish act in the rain event was announced from the whole party.

"That was pretty interesting, Mr. Tetsuya Kuroko. Thanks for telling your very detailed and honest observations.", the narrator said. The light focused on the petite boy suddenly disappeared and it abruptly emerged to the left-sided bangs guy who is fully clothed now. The speaker continued, "Now, Mr. Tatsuya Himuro. You've been smiling the entire time that our victim is speaking."

"Have you given up on the case and find yourself as guilty? Or is it because that you're confident and you have your version of yours that will revoke his statements? Answer us.", the voice over said loudly.

The older American returnee chuckled. He confidently said, "Ah, no. Everything that Kuroko-kun have said are all true. I have no objection on it."

"Just how are you serious about this? Are you fine being a sex offender?", the interrogator questioned back in a very curious manner. "Look at your injury. Do you think you deserve it?"

"Deserving or not, Taiga has a short temper and I couldn't blame him for his immediate actions.", Himuro followed back with an open mind.

The teal haired guy muttered, "Himuro-san."

Kagami's older brother speaks up again, "It's fine, really. I don't have any excuse for what had happened."

"Okay, you said it for yourself. There's no need to make this longer and ask our witness.", the narrator tried to disclose the matter. "This case is-"

"WAAIIT! What do you mean, I'm out of the question?", the red head complained. "Don't I have any say on this?"

Kuroko intervened, "Kagami-kun, what would you have said to help Himuro-san?"

No response, he continued, "You literally punch him in his face when you saw us together."

"It's not- No. Tatsuya, I'm really sorry about that.", Kagami shifted his attention to his brother when he mentioned his name. Next, he gathered up his breath and uttered, "The whole thing was just messed up."

He tried to reflect things in a more clear perspective.

"The truth is, I just saw Tatsuya using his towel to dry Kuroko's hair.", he resumed. "But when I saw him naked and had his thing all straight up, I got my mind black out and drag him away from Kuroko with a punch."

This time, the petite boy blushed when he heard the word 'thing'. So that must have been bothering him when something is poking his front and Himuro is so close to him. As what he have just said earlier, he wasn't looking at the lower part. He really swore it.

Himuro couldn't help but laugh from what has his brother blurted out. Really, Kagami could just say anything if he's just a little too honest with himself. The two other guys got his attention so he quickly regained, "Pft. Sorry about that. I got turned on when Kuroko-kun is looking at me intently."

The blunette make an apology and unconsciously lay his hands on him, "Ah. Himuro-san. I'm really sorry. I must have made you uncomfortable."

Himuro smirked, *This guy is so innocent. If only Taiga is not here, I would have tease him more.* He gestured back by putting his remaining untouched hand and lay it on top of the cutie's hands. He said, "Kuroko-kun, I'm the one here who's at fault. You can blame me, really."

"No. I can't do that.", the trickster declared. The two brothers got alarmed from his sudden reply. Though, Himuro got his interest piqued again. The curious guy got himself hooked up by this fascinating boy beside him. Whereas, Kagami is just focused at the hands of his two most precious men in his life.

He continued, "Everyone in this room is not innocent."

"What do you mean by that, Mr. Tetsuya Kuroko?", the narrator abruptly speaks up, out of nowhere.

"Just what I said. I've committed also myself, a sin.", the petite boy answered. "Is it not valid enough to call it as sexual harassment for me to look at Himuro-san's body? I mean, I desired it."

Kagami got stoned. But Kuroko already got himself cleared, "I want to have a body like Himuro-san."

It take seconds before anyone reacted. Himuro chuckled in amusement, "Kuroko-kun. How about Taiga's figure? Don't you want his body too?"

"I want it too. But I thought, it was impossible. He's too big for me.", the trickster played along with his deadpanned facade. As red as his hair, the basketball idiot turned his face into that hue and speak up, "W-w-what are you two s-s-saying? D-don't you guys have no shame in s-saying things like that."

The petite boy took a glance on him. He said, "How about you Kagami-kun? Don't you have no shame on punching your older brother in his handsome face?"

*Ah. I think, he's flattering me too much. Now, that's very naughty for him. Is he a sly boy like me?*, Taiga's older brother contemplated.

"You could be charged for physical injury, you know.", he finished.

"But Kuroko, I've already said sorry earlier. Isn't that enough?", the Seirin Ace appealed.

.

ORDER IN THE COURT! ORDER IN THE COURT!

From some unknown reason, well probably he doesn't really have any to begin with, the Seirin ace couldn't hold it in. He yelled, "(Uruse!) Shut up! There's no trial to begin with."

Something gulped and didn't react this time. Probably, it's time for things to move on.

"Where the hell does that voice coming from?!", and he yelled again. The whole place began to light up and the three guys were actually positioned around a quadrilateral table and sitting on a modernized chair. They must have been discussing what have happened earlier and taking every little piece of information on their possession, to have them all reconcile from their little misunderstanding.

Kuroko commented, "Maybe it's Big Brother?"

"The fuck! This is my unit. I'll show that big shit who's the boss in here.", the basketball idiot stood up. "Come on out, you bastard!" He searched below the table with a face that wanted to pick a fight.

Himuro sighed from the situation. Whilst the teal haired guy took another guess, "Or maybe, a ghost, Kagami-kun."

Like any scared puppy or rather a flustered kitten to liven up his tiger soul, the power forward seems to be curling down in any more second. He panicked, "H-h-haaaaa?! W-w-w-w-w-w-what are you t-t-talking about, K-Kuroko?"

'Good job, cutie', is what maybe the approval sign of the white American returnee. He reacted, "Ah, Taiga. You're still afraid of them?"

"O-o-o-of c-c-course, n-not.", Kagami denied it completely and sat down again from one of the chair. He's completely shaken by the very idea of paranormal beings. "I'm n-n-no s-s-stupid kid to be s-s-scared with them."

The Phantom Sixth Man is not obviously convinced, "Then, why are you shaking, Kagami-kun?"

Kagami is almost trembling from his seat and even if his table is made of glass, it's creating a rattling shake from his movements. He's fidgeting, "W-w-what? I'm not s-s-shaking. That's probably, Tatsuya."

Kuroko stated some facts to counter his groundless allegations, "Kagami-kun. His hands are still laying on mine. I don't feel anything that's shaking from him."

"Oh sorry. I forgot about that.", the handsome brother of Kagami excused to the petite boy and finally removed his hand. Kuroko nodded in response.

Himuro turned his gaze to his younger brother, "Taiga, you're really hopeless."

But since he has his reason for showing up like out-in-the-blue, he stopped all his negative thoughts against Kagami in regards with their personal basketball feud. He thought that there is some other time to settle those things and since it's his younger brother's upcoming birthday. He's not some stupid ass to show his discontent in times like this. He honestly said, "Don't worry, I'll be staying for a while during this summer. You're cool with that?"

Nostalgic feelings, these are the emotions that suddenly developed in Taiga's welfare. He gasped, "Tatsuya. Eh- Wait." Then, in an instant, he recalled the most important thing that will be troublesome in his stronghold. He pointed his pointer finger and pointed out, "Before that, don't ever show up naked again. This is not America, for crying out loud."

"Why not?", his brother drew a face that he couldn't care less. He thought that Kagami has no time for girls and next to impossible is invite them to his unit. His silly younger brother only has basketball in his thick head, after all. He just went on with his tease, "Kuroko-kun seems to be not faltered."

When Himuro said that, the red head looked at his friend, *What if I'm the one who's totally bare-assed that time? Would Kuroko stare at me like what he did with Tatsuya? That would be, ugh, I'll probably get a boner too.*

Kuroko saw his friend staring at him and uttered, "Hmmm. Kagami-kun?"

No, he shouldn't think things like that, especially when his brother his around. He went back from his thoughts and decided, "No is a no! This is still my unit so you have to abide with my rules if you're planning to stay for a while."

The left-sided bangs guy whistled, "Okay, fine. Geez, Taiga. You're getting scarier the more you grew up." He continued on with his dissatisfaction, "You won't get a hot girl if you're like that. Taiga, that's quite worrying for me."

"I don't think it's a problem.", the trickster voiced out. Attention on him, he resumed, "Kagami-kun maybe like that but in reality, he's more of a gentle, caring and thoughtful man."

He didn't put more emphasis but instead, he just smiled, "I think I'll vouch for that."

*Now that's a sight to see. I was completely caught off-guard from that.*, Tatsuya considered. He looked at his younger brother and observed, *Taiga, why are you blushing so hard? Hmmm. Okay, it's clearer now from his previous actions. It's pretty obvious to begin with. Oh boy, he's really hopeless.*

He unconsciously put his one hand on his scarred cheek, *But oh well, this is kind of interesting. Kuroko-kun seems to be a different case.*

He's not on a roll with his chat but Kuroko remembered the casualty from the event earlier when he saw the real victim, touching his good-looking face. He exclaimed, "Oh right, Himuro-san. Let's patch that up before it gets infected."

He grabbed the medical kit from the table that the Seirin Ace provided earlier.

"I'm fine, Kuroko-kun. I can do it myself.", Himuro appealed.

With his determined look, the teal haired guy said, "Please let me do this, Himuro-san. My conscience would bother me if I didn't, at least, do this."

The black haired gentleman smirked. He provoked, "Then, should I take my shirt off?"

"WHAAaAT! W-w-what kind of crap are you speaking, Tatsuya!", he shouted undeniably. "Are you really mocking me?!"

Himuro let out a suppressed breath. He replied, "Calm down, Taiga. I'm just going to strip my top."

Tetsuya got concerned and spit it out, "Himuro-san. Does your body hurt too?"

"Ah, yes. If you wouldn't ask, I just came back from America.", the older brother replied and tried to tell his summarized tale. "The flight got worn me down so I took a bath right away, here in Taiga's unit."

He looked at the basketball idiot, "But who would have thought that my younger brother would greet me like that."

"Really, I was beaten down to a pulp.", he played with his voice. "If Kuroko-kun wouldn't have stopped you, I might be in a hospital right away."

Kagami muffled his very sorry statements. He really didn't like what happened. Seeing his crush being devoured by his own brother is not a very pleasing spectacle to see. He must have taken things too far but if such a thing could have transpired, he stopped.

He stopped thinking.

The case has already been resolved and it's all just a fucking misunderstanding. His assumptions – Tatsuya is just playing with his innocent mind. It must be some kind of punishment for harming his pretty face. After all, his older brother is very vain when it comes to his physical exterior.

For the final move, the white American returnee shifted his attention to the petite boy, "This might be selfish, but could I ask for a body massage after treating my face?"

Thinking that it's not a big deal, Kuroko tried to respond, "Oka-"

"I'll do it!", the red head made a bigger voice to stop his friend.

But Himuro literally declined the offer, "No, I don't want you."

"What! I mean, why? Are you still mad at me, Tatsuya?", Kagami complained, supposing that this might be their particular affair.

"If you're thinking of something else, that's not it.", the left-sided bangs guy disagreed. "Sheesh, it's just simple. You're hands are so heavy. That's it."

'Oh' was the single reply of the Seirin Ace and kept quiet. That seems to be a plausible reason, he thought. Then again, Tatsuya paced back to the bluenette, "So, Kuroko-kun, would you mind if I request for you service?"

No more violent reaction this time, the Phantom Sixth Man finally accepted the invitation, "Sure, Himuro-san. I might not be enough but I'll do my best."

.

Himuro didn't waste any more second so he took of his clothes, although his face hasn't been taken care of. Kuroko did the same and picked up the ointment inside the transparent kit. Kagami just watched them with his fiery red eyes.

The teal haired guy tried to warn before applying the fix with a very concern voice, "This might be a little stingy so if you can't take it, just look straight in my eyes."

Well, this is new to the black haired returnee so he riposted, "Eh. Where did you get that from, Kuroko-kun?"

"From Grandma. She told me that whenever you feel pain, just look straight at the eyes from the person who is treating you.", Kuroko reminisced. "It's kind of a way that this person can say to you that it's going to end very soon and that person got his eyes on you, so please bear with it."

Tatsuya chuckled, "Okay, now that's kind of reassuring."

It's now set to stone, "Kuroko-kun, I'm ready whenever you are." And so, the two other guys stared at each other intimately during the process.

So yeah, everyone is just on their own thoughts.

*Concentrate. Concentrate. Don't look at his body. I've already examined that earlier. Just look at his eyes.*, Kuroko is carefully spreading the ointment at the face of the left-sided bangs guy.

Himuro got his eyes on the petite boy, *Oh ho. He's not flinching from my enticing stares. But look at that, what a baby face. Everything on him is just so smooth. I think I want to touch his hair.*

*God damn it. I'm really jealous from this simple getup. Tch. How I wish I was the one who's beaten up. Just look at that, Tatsuya got all his attention. This is really unbearable for me.*, Kagami in the side line, playing in his chair.

The older teen tried to sever the sudden absence of human decibels by stating, "Oh right, Kuroko-kun. I remembered some kind of spell to make the pain go away."

He thought of it as a joke so he resumed, "Kiss the boo-boo."

THUD.

The basketball idiot fell from his seat. Gravity didn't participate from this meek phenomenon since it's pretty evident that the reason for it is his older brother. It's kind of really, really surprising.

Tetsuya got startled from his friend's tragedy, so he checked on him, "Kagami-kun, are you alright?"

"Y-yeah, I'm fine.", Kagami sought to get up from his own and quickly went back from his seat.

"Kuroko-kun, how about it?", Himuro get his attention again.

"Himuro-san, I'm sorry. I think that's too much from me.", the Phantom Sixth Man refused. He's now patching up the medical gauze in the victim's face and he speaks up again, "It'd be kind of like you're my boyfriend. But we're not right?"

Whoops. The power forward of Seirin High will most likely slip from his chair again. He's not really drunk to lose his balance but these two most important guys in his life are still in the zone for exchanging risky statements that are not good for his athletic heart.

"There, all done.", the trickster said when he finished the treatment, like he didn't say anything vulgar earlier. Himuro let it slide and instead, he gets a hand mirror in the vicinity and looked at the results. Thank God, he still looks cool, even with a bandage on his handsome face. Next, he grabbed some oil inside his bag that is near them and positioned from the sofa, calling over the masseur.

"Here.", he said when he handed over the item to the bluenette.

Taiga gulped as his friend topped himself on his older brother. This is the first time he saw Tatsuya in a vulnerable state. At most, he's more composed and never lets anyone outshine him. He always leads the way, most especially with girls; a gentleman to be precise if anyone wants to brand him. But watching at him right now makes him wonder.

SPLURT.

Well, that's not the sound when the oil has been splayed over at the back of the left-sided bangs guy. Himuro twitched from the foreign cold object behind him but got satisfied right after when he felt the warm hands of the masseur.

*Oh, he's using his full hands. Hmmmm, that's odd. His hands are not smooth but the softness is still in there. Is he playing basketball?*, the American returnee thought.

Gently, Kuroko started with the shoulders and from its well where there is an acupressure point in the middle of the tendons on either side of the base of the neck, he knead it. He only worked on it for a minute, thinking that the longer course would give the patient a headache, even though it's the real tension center. Then, next to his neck; Careful not to hit his spine since it might result to a neurological damage.

Following his arms, the petite boy used feather strokes in the two hotspots on the limb, namely the armpit and the crook inside the elbow. They may be both creases but he didn't know that they are erogenous zones, and as he tickled them from his light dragging of his fingertips, a certain sound was released.

Tatsuya moaned from the lingering pleasure.

Concerned all the time, Kuroko asked, "Ah, Himuro-san. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no. In particular, it felt so good, Kuroko-kun.", the relaxed patient muttered. "Please do me more."

The masseur confirmed, "(Hai.) Alright."

One head flushed is so many steams from his position. He excused, "I-I'll just open the t.v. to watch some n-n-news." Though he said that, his conscious is still on the massage activity.

Progressing on, the bluenette continued rubbing each arm and ended with a quick hand and finger massage. During those practice, he used the artistry called Effleurage wherein he castoff the soft and fluid strokes steadily applied with the palm of his hand. It's a way to get accustomed to his touch.

The passing specialist went back to his rear and put his misdirection on to control his mind, *Don't be distracted. Just think of it as my father's back. This might be a lot of flesh but I can do this.*

With his current knowledge, the Phantom Sixth Man performed various techniques on Himuro's back. First set are soft movements; the fan stroke – he slide his hands up to the shoulder blades with a bit of pressure. Next, move up and out toward the shoulders in a curve, and move back down along the rib cage to the initial position. Basically, he's drawing a coarse heart when he thought back hard; the circling hands - wax on, wax off for the nonviolent crowd. His right hand should be perpendicular to his spine with his fingers pointing to his left. He made counterclockwise semicircular motion with his fingers and always pointing in the same direction. Once he had gone a few inches, his left hand seamlessly take over. And so on. Before long, he had left-traced an entire circle.

*Kuroko is so serious. I can't just interrupt him when he's like that. Geez, I'm so pitiful.*, the red head moped. Himuro, in his space, is already drifting to another dimension. This could be the greatest pleasure that he can have in his teenage life. Thinking back, it's not bad to be beaten up when you're taken care of like this.

The teal haired guy is now on the last parts of his treatment and like what he did to his shoulder, he recommenced with the kneading to his back. It consists of rhythmically squeezing the flesh and muscles for approximately half a minute. He went slowly and didn't simply aim for the skin since he remembered that it's a massage, not a dungeon of pain. Next is the milking - similar to kneading, he used both hands to grab onto a single muscle group and squeeze, alternating between his right and left hand. Imagine that you are milking a cow, hence the name. Then roll the flesh between his fingers.

"Himuro-san, I think we're getting finished. Please get up so I can do the final touches.", the petite boy deadpanned. The patient moved slowly with a bit of stretching and he's kind of smiling happily.

Kuroko paid attention to his clavicle and hit his acupressure point called the Sea of Tranquility which is a heavy-duty relaxation trigger by pressing gently with his thumb and forefinger. He moved his hands to the center of his breastbone, right over the heart and felt the dimple in the bone. When he pressed his fingers, it'll ease the tension in the patient's chest. Another thing, the indention below the collarbone was considered as one of the unsung erogenous spots. Because of that, he heard the elder teen mewled again.

He ended the session with an ultraman hand gesture at Himuro's shoulders. He had wiped off the oil from a spare towel so that there's no extra lubricant will be left. It's over and Kagami can finally exhale after that long suffocation he had.

In the intervening time, Tatsuya did something unexpected to show his appreciations. He dragged the teal haired guy to himself from his position and kissed his forehead, "Thanks, Kuroko-kun. That was heavenly."

"TATSUYAAA! What was that for?!", Kagami shouted from the top of his lungs and quite displeased. Kuroko got no time to blush since he was more flustered by his friend's voice.

"A thankful kiss?", the white American returnee mocked.

"Thankful kiss, my ass. I already told you that we are not in America anymore.", Kagami is getting louder. "Don't you think you're now harassing my friend?. Please show some courtesy."

"Eh. We used to do that since we we're kids.", the elder brother is now playing the innocent mind. "Here I thought, we can take home your friend and make him as our youngest brother."

Hearing the last two words, he had his eyes wide open. The basketball idiot shut it down with a blazing 'NO!'

With his arms still intact with their visitor, Himuro complied, "Why not, Taiga? He seems to be playing basketball based from his hands." It's actually just an instinct. The trickster can hide it from his appearance but his hands can't lie if it's been exposed. This sport of theirs is their absolute connection, no one can't even deny that. So if they can distinguish someone, they'll probably know who's who right away.

"Besides, I like him now. I bet you feel the same.", the left-sided bangs guy winked at his younger brother. Kagami has no supporting lines from his sudden refusal so he tried to come up with his blank head.

Kuroko stepped up since his partner is not responding, "Likin' aside, what do you mean by labeling me as the youngest brother? Why did you connect it with basketball?"

"Oh yeah, you didn't know but we're not really blood-related.", Himuro answered honestly, this time. "Through basketball, we've just kind of make a bond called brotherhood."

He continued with a genuine smile, "Hehe. Kind of lame but that's how we felt as time goes on."

The older brother just forgot one thing; their symbol of their relationship is still in his pockets. He quickly put it on and he thanked God that his brother is not looking. He seems to be in deep thoughts. And with that, he put on his clothes since he's not a perfect exhibitionist to show off his hot body. His little play has already ended so better wrap it up before his brother got hot-headed again.

"Of course not. It's actually spectacular.", the petite boy reasoned. "I didn't know that you guys have something to hold dearly."

"No doubt, I can see that you two are so close."

Kuroko looked at his troubled friend and made his own assumption after a glimpse of quietness, "Ano~. Kagami-kun must have thought that it'll be bothersome if our relationship suddenly change, specifically when we're on the court."

Hearing those words, the two hot guys looked at him. He explained, "If we tried to clarify this to our team, we'll be complete laughing stocks and rumors might tried to spread. I personally cannot control that to protect our relationship. And I don't want that to happen between me and Kagami-kun."

"I don't want Kagami-kun to suffer because of some selfish brotherhood.", the trickster ended. He may have liked the idea but if it cost their established partnership, then he rather rejected it.

Now, Himuro and Kagami got a different view and hailed him in complete admiration. He got the balls to say something so serious. No normal person would speak up like that. Feeling the moment, Himuro hugged that adorable person and he said, "Shhh. Okay, we kind of get that. I won't force anymore self-centered requests."

"I'm sorry.", he's not playing with his sex appeal, this instance.

But from Kagami's perspective, he's feeling guilty. What he elaborated with his mind is something trivial when been discussed. The thinking of the dead; Mindless zombies walking around with a limp and hunch, saying stuff like 'You only live once'. He personally didn't want to regret his one life if their route has been changed in an instant. Lover is the term that he yearned for, between them. He desired Kuroko to be in his side for their rest of their life. Not a warm chain called brother since it'll be very hard to break off from that zone.

He tried to speak up, "K-Kuroko, I'm s-sorry. I-It's not that I don't want to accept you as our-"

Himuro stopped him and removed his cuddle from the petite boy, "S-stop it, Taiga. If you're still going to press the issue, t-then blame me."

"Blame your older brother for spouting insensitive stuffs. It's my bad, ok?", he said in a worrying voice. It's a waste that he released their visitor from his arms but the one who looks pathetic right now is his original brother. He already knew that Taiga got a thing from the teal haired guy but he set the meter too high and his younger non-biological sibling fell deep from his trap.

He moved closer to Kagami and whispered, "Hey, bro. K-knock it off already. You don't look good when you're sad." The red head nodded but with a least twist of worry. Silly brother, he's just always concerned with the physical aspect, but yeah, the red head can read between the lines. Tatsuya is not like Kuroko to say cheesy lines without even batting an eye. Also, he's now satisfied when he hear the word 'bro' since that's how they call themselves when they are comfortable with each other.

Meanwhile, the Phantom Sixth Man's phone vibrated. He got a call from his special friend but before that, from his picture perfect memory, he remembered one thing. He exclaimed, "Ahm, Kagami-kun. Haven't you forgotten something to buy?"

"Ah right. I'll get down for a while.", Kagami replied and regained his poise. "If you guys have anything you want to be bought, just say it now."

"Three Ladies Brand rice paper.", the trump card of Seirin requested. The power forward didn't asked back since it might be for their light meal this dinner.

Himuro also said his demand, "Pickles, Taiga. That's for me."

Kagami raised his butt from his place and patted the shoulder of his older brother, telling him that he's fine now. He said, "Yosh~. I'm getting out now."

He glared between the two lads inside the closed space, "Don't do anything weird while I'm out."

CLANK.

The door closed. Two guys got their one hand on their chest and looked at each other, 'Scary'. The petite boy speaks up, "Himuro-san, I'll just attend this call so if you may excuse me."

Tatsuya confirmed with his head and watched the interesting person went inside the comfort room.

*Ah, what a bust. I wanted to interact more with Kuroko-kun. Who would have thought that thick-headed brother of mine would make a fascinating friend like that. I must have underestimated his silly charm. Oh well, he got his own points. Now, now, what should we talk about after his call?*, he went down to the sofa and changed the channel of the wide, flat screen television.

XXX

Inside the open-spaced bath room of Kagami's unit, the petite boy finally answered the call, "Yukio-senpaii, hello." He didn't apologized this time since it's quite repetitive of him and he thought that his friend would understand.

Kasamatsu greeted his friend, "Finally. Hi, Tets-kun. What's good?"

The teal haired guy responded, "Hmmm, aside from hearing your voice, I think I'm fine."

"Great then. Oh yeah, by the way, I'm hanging out right now at Yoshitaka's house.", the raven haired captain said. He better say it since he doesn't want his friend, worry about him anymore. He's definitely not a lonely guy since he has family at home and that's enough for his social life.

"Yoshitaka?", Tetsuya asked.

Looking back, his friend only knows about his family so other than that, it's just Kise and Hayakawa. The point guard replied, "Ah right. You didn't know him by his first name. It's Moriyama, the shooting guard of our team."

Now that's a more familiar name to him so he recalled, "Oh. Moriyama-san, the one who's always looking out at the girls from the audience." It's certainly a bulls-eye when Kuroko have described the unorthodox shooter. From it, Kasamatsu just replied with his very positive 'Mhmm'.

Tetsuya got curious from his friend's ebullient acknowledgement so he questioned, "Ano~. Mind if ask, what is your relationship to him?" Since he asked for it, Yukio got hyped up and returned his query, "Believe it or not but he's my first friend in high school. Really, I didn't know that we'll get along."

He continued, "It was not on purpose but that jerk always gets in my way and he doesn't care if I'll just yell at him. And there was this time-"

But what's this, the trickster felt disconnected and doesn't want to hear any more of his story about his friend, and so he mislead his friend by saying, "Is it just me but I think it's pretty quiet in your surroundings." He asked, "Don't tell me that you're also inside the C.R?"

The eldest son of the Kasamatsu household doesn't seem to be bothered by being cut off from his tall tale about his carefree friend and just answer his caller, "Oh, you're right. You too?"

"(Hai.) Yes.", the petite boy said briefly.

Kasamatsu chuckled. He thought of something bizarre and noted, "We're like secret agents if you ask me." Kuroko doesn't know why but after their petty fight yesterday, he felt like showing more feelings to him, and by that he snickered. He said, "That's funny, Yukio-senpaii. You got me one there."

'Wow, I'm feeling more powerful right now' is what maybe his conscience right now. Yukio just made his poker-faced friend to laugh without hesitation. It's not a full blown one but it's the first step. He thought of it as a good sign so he asked something that he contemplated which has a higher chance to deepen their friendship, "Hey, Tets-kun. I'm just wondering-"

"(Hai?) Yes?", Tetsuya asked shortly.

This is it. The disciplinary committee member wanted their relationship to be known so he did not hesitate more to ask, "Do you think, we should let my team know our friendship in our karaoke night tomorrow?"

Four seconds before Kuroko replied, "I think that's not a good idea, Yukio-senpaii."

"Why is that, Tets-kun?", Yukio wanted to know. He wanted to hear his honest opinions.

"Well, we don't want to ruin the surprise that Kise-kun and Moriyama-san that has setup for your birthday.", the Phantom Sixth Man reasoned. "We would also be disrespecting the girls invited if all the attention is on us."

Yeah, he's kind of disappointed. Kasamatsu just wanted a better connection. But his friend is right in all the points and he can't argue with that. He said, "I see. You're right about that, Tets-kun."

Kuroko liked the idea. He wanted it too. This twist of fate, as they call, has played an important role in their condition. He's just being too careful so that no one can ever ruin their budding friendship. For him, Yukio is some kind of rare light that he found during the time of his solidarity. He already made a mistake from losing its shine so he didn't want that to go away again. He mumbled, "I think there's a better time for that. For now, let's enjoy what we have together."

The raven haired captain just nodded in response. To avoid the subject matter, the teal haired guy speak up again, "Have you watched the weather news, Yukio-senpaii?"

Kasamatsu answered in normal tone to get away from the shallow reality, "Nope. We're just watching earlier about the videos of our next opponent."

Kuroko sighed. The point guard take it as the actual mood, *Wait, this is getting more depressing.*

"Hey, Tets-kun. What's wrong?", he asked away in a more fretting way.

"The thing is, we might not see again each other, tomorrow morning.", the petite boy took the cat out of the bag, well, not quite literally. It's just stating the very facts from the atmospheric conditions of their location and everything. "The weather news said that it'll still gonna rain during those time."

Yukio responded for another solution, "How about the afternoon? I think we can still catch up before our mixer."

"It said that there's a low chance of rain fall but if it proved wrong-", the passing specialist said and tried to help out from their missing sensation. "Let's meet up at my house."

Hell, he'll say yes. Kasamatsu said, "Sure."

"Promise?", Tetsuya and the usual confirmation message box. Immediate as any electricity tunneling through the cord of every household, the other friend inclined, "I promise."

"(Yokatta.) Thank goodness. I'm kinda disappointed when I felt that I cannot see you for a while", Kuroko said. "You know, we just finally made up so I thought we could hang out again."

Yukio replied, "Me too. I felt the same way, Tets-kun."

Both of them smiled. There goes a background with sparkling kind of things. Having someone with the same sentiments, same understanding or just the same intuition, feels just so awesome. It's like, hey we're at the top of Mt. Everest and it's just the two of us looking at the greatest view that anyone can ever see in their entire life. Of course, the two of them shared that unanimous feeling, happiness.

"Hey. I got some good new to you, Tets-kun.", the eldest son of the Kasamatsu household uttered in a more euphoric tone. But for the auditory composition of Kuroko, he went with his usual voice, "Really? What is it, Yukio-senpaii?"

"You know the guys that have been bothering Jirou?", the raven haired captain reported. "Well, they decided to leave my brother alone since they thought that Jirou is haunted for being alive."

The Phantom Sixth Man breathed out, "That's good to hear, then. Finally, Jirou-san can have a peace of mind." But his friend already countered his relief, "Ano~. Tets-kun. I'm sorry to break this but they're just a few people who has a grudge on my younger brother."

"There are still a couple of them outside."

Now that he has been aware of his brother's situation, he resolved, "I need to act now before it becomes worst. I'm really sorry for Jirou because I've been busy both with school and basketball."

"But this time-"

Tetsuya cut in, "This time, we're going to help Jirou-san. You can count me in, Yukio-senpaii."

The point guard muttered, "Tets-kun." Kuroko just said, "Hrmm?"

Kasamatsu attempt to convince his friend, "Tets-kun, I'm happy to hear that but I don't want you getting inv-"

"YUKIO-SENPAII!", but the petite boy raised his voice. Hey, that's just not right, he thought.

"(Hai!) Yes!", the raven haired captain heed.

Kuroko is succumbing himself more inside the field of persuasion, "I want to help. Please."

His only load for his friend, "But Tets-kun, you've already promise me not to do anymore reckless things."

"I-I will stay out if I sense that it's more that I can handle.", the trickster reasoned.

The other line went silent - thinking more plausible reason to save his friend from some tragedy that he didn't want to happen. He can't help but worry about his friend's fragile figure. Yeah, his buddy is great and all but when it comes to real life situation; it's very acceptable to have some spice of seriousness. Hearing no response from his responsible friend, Kuroko resumed, "Yukio-senpaii, please. Jirou-san is also important to me because he's your younger brother and he's also my friend."

"I think he needs help and it's not a job for just one people."

This time, he told what's really bothering him, "Do you want me to feel that I've been abandoned, then sit back and just worry about the two of you?"

"No. That's not what I meant and I don't want you to experience that.", Yukio reacted to reject his pessimistic notion on the subject matter. He flinched and admitted defeat, "Okay, fine. But on one condition, tell me everything that you will do."

Well, his friend is really stubborn when he knew that someone is in need of assistance. That reminds him of their encounter with their origin of their secret which is the little fur ball, *Geez, Tets-kun. You can hold back once in a while. Think for yourself first before anyone else.*

Then he thought selfishly, *Good thing, you have me. I'll make sure that you will not get away from my eyes. I mean, no one has the right to hurt you.* Getting back to his teal haired friend, Tetsuya confirmed but with a little side comment, "Yukio-senpaii, you're becoming someone like Papa."

The need to scratch his hair aroused, and Yukio replied, "Eh. I don't know if I should take that as a compliment." Acting like free from moral wrong, the trickster blurted out, "Hmmm? But I love my Papa very much."

Something click. Well, not his annoyance trigger but one of his hidden switch. He reacted in disbelief, "T-T-T-T-Tets-kun. W-w-w-w-what are you-?"

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Oi, Yukio. Are you not done in there?", Yoshitaka yelled. The two friends must have took a longer time on their greeting. "I couldn't hold this any longer. I wanna piss, damn it."

Still not cleared up but it's perfect timing also since he can't control anymore what he's feeling. The raven haired captain flustered out, "Ah. S-s-s-s-sorry about t-this, Tets-kun. But I g-gotta go."

"Okay, Yukio-senpai. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye-bye.", the petite boy deadpanned and not minding what he have just said.

From Kasamatsu's view, he's covering his face from his extreme blushing when he got out of the comfort room, *Straighten up, Yukio. It's just his way of saying that he likes me as a friend. He must have misinterpreted the word love. It's only for his Papa. Yeah, that's most likely the case. Why would he love me anyway. I'm a guy, for god sake. Calm down, Yukio. You don't need to get worked up from it. Right, Tets-kun said that I'm just overthinking everything. Ha-ha.* During that internalization, he was moving around in circles. He denied everything with his confused, twirling eyes. He just thought that friendship must come first before anything else.

XXX

Back to the living room of Kagami's unit, the teal haired guy sat beside his friend's non-biological older brother. The basketball idiot is still not back from his errand. From Kuroko's point, his words only registered just a while ago when he made his exit from the toilet, *What did I just said. Yukio-senpaii must have misunderstood that. I-I'm not a daddy's boy.*

Tatsuya looked at him after a split of seconds, "Hey, Kuroko-kun. What's with the red face? Are you sick or something?" Kuroko glanced back but with his usual demeanor. He replied, "Ah, Himuro-san. No. I'm fine, don't worry."

'Okay' was his internal mind's response. Himuro brushed it off with a different agenda, "Hey, hey. I've been meaning to ask this."

"(Hai?) Yes?", the petite boy asked.

The left-sided bangs guy asked in association with a spirit of enquiry, "Do you have yourself a girlfriend?"

'No' was the quick response. Though, Himuro plotted it, he continued with his play, "Eh. How come? By all means, you're quite good-looking."

"You think so?", Kuroko didn't know but he felt so flattered since the one who's praising him is someone who can be classified from the 'bae' industry. The white American returnee nodded in a calm manner.

Though he didn't threw a smile, the teal haired guy responded earnestly, "Ahm, thanks. But for your question, you might not have notice it but I got a low presence."

Well, he didn't get that so he asked, "Sorry but I can't understand what you're saying, Kuroko-kun."

"I'll show you later when Kagami-kun got back.", the petite boy answered. He thought that action speaks louder than words. He can't even perform it if the two of them are alone and their attention could only be shifted from each other. 'Okay' was his reply.

Certainly he's not a cat to be killed for his curiosity so he asked, "By the way, Himuro-san, how about you? Do you have any girlfriend?" The gentleman smirked. He knew for a while that he'll be asked since it's one of the most normal conversations that any man can plunge in. He toyed with his voice, "Curious are we?"

"You may not believe it but I also have none.", he voiced out confidently.

"Now that's shocking.", the trickster deadpanned. Tatsuya's eyelids fell from the very center that it can reach and copied his voice, "You don't look like you're shocked."

"But I really am. Himuro-san is very handsome to not have a girl around.", with a little effort on it, the Phantom Sixth Man said that. Now that's what the left-sided bangs guy wanted to hear. To be commended by this very cute person, ooohhh, it's quite appealing to him. He contemplated, *Taiga, this is something you can't handle. This is too much for you, I tell you. Why? Simple, he's giving me the chills to desire him. Now that's new to me. I haven't found any girl that would get my attention like this. That's why I'm not making a move to anyone. More like, I'll just give courtesy.*

Since the black haired guy is not responding, the passing specialist tried to pull a joke, "Sorry but is it not what I am thinking - you're not growing a pair to ask one?" He succeeded in getting the consciousness of the guy beside him but something's bothering him, his eyes drew a different stare. He is glaring, all over his body. Himuro never knew that he'll be hearing those words. Words that came out from a natural enigma. 'That's very American-ish', he thought. This guy just insulted his perfect manliness and he doesn't look like he's sorry for it. Well, that's kind of funny. Because of that, he got only one option in mind, and that is to attack. He muttered, "Why you."

Kuroko moved away quickly from the sofa and his plan is to get out from the unit. He must have went too far, he thought. Well, he didn't really know. His body just reacted on its own like some kind of defense mechanism. From the other perspective, the gentleman went on a rampage but not on the furious one, he's still composed as he approached the biggest offender, "Come here, you little devil."

The teal haired guy tripped when his hands has been grabbed by the other guy. Tatsuya took the opportunity to overwhelm him and gripped his two hands upward. He topped over his brother's friend and expressed, "You should show some more respect with your older brother."

This could be probably the time to counter calmly since he really didn't mean it seriously, "Ah. Himuro-san. It's supposed to be a joke." Nevertheless, it didn't reached the previous defiant, yet his intentions are not of his original case. He wanted to see some other expressions from this fascinating boy. Since this is one rare chance, he's going to tickle him to death. He devilishly said, "Is that your last words, Ku-Ro-Ko-kun."

Tetsuya gulped, one of Himuro's hands is inside his shirt. He may not looked like it's the end of him but the petite boy just stared the perpetrator. Saving faces until the final move, he saw him smirked when he got discordance in his respiratory system.

Until - CREEK.

One thing led to another. Kagami finally got back and this is most likely the second time he's gonna snap again. Phase 2: His anger evolved into a much higher tier. His eyes went dead and blood ran cold. He dropped the merchandise purposely.

Even his voice reversed to dullness as he said, "Ahem. I thought I told you guys not to do anything weird while I'm out." The two guys got creep out. His aura is different from the first encounter they had earlier.

"Taiga, this is not what you think, it is.", the older brother tried to reason out and went back from his veracity. "You know, I'm just playing around with him. Right, Kuroko-kun?"

The passing specialist conformed for their life.

However, Kagami will not be convinced. His brother's hand is lurking on a place that it shouldn't be and when he saw some of Kuroko's skin is revealed, he tugged the two guys from his bare, large hands. Kuroko and Himuro didn't fight back since they don't know what's gonna happen if they resist.

Acting as the middle man, the red head positioned themselves on the sofa. His arms resting on either one of their shoulders. He said lifelessly, "So tell me, what it is this time?" No rooms for excuses, the two other guys revealed their five-minute banter that led them to this ordeal.

.

The Seirin Ace didn't utter another word when they finished their statements. Nobody speak up for another ten minutes. They waited for the mad man on his turn and restrain themselves from putting oil in the fire. Only two words were release from the witness, "Tatsuya, (Hentai.) Pervert."

The elder brother got struck from some painless lightning and was petrified from his seat. This might be the time to reflect on his wrong doings since he didn't know how to calm the soulless tiger. The thick-split brow guy removed his resting arms on the two and tugged his partner, "Let's go, Kuroko. Leave him be."

Well, Himuro really lost his cool. Not only that he seemingly defiled his brother's friend-slash-crush but also angered Taiga in the process. He could have just let things be and swallow his humongous pride on this thing so-called boy-next-door image. He sighed. He deserves better punishment than this. He just watched them from his distance and stayed from his position.

Kitchen as their destination, the basketball duo prepared their light meal for their dinner. Kagami is talking to his friend normally and not batting an eye to his perverted brother. Moving on, he told Kuroko that he saw another guy on a nearby supermarket that has a same color of hair as him. He didn't approach them since he saw a little puppy by his leash and dressed in a blue raincoat. It's too frightening, he said. The teal haired boy just patted his back, thinking that it must really be his father. The mindset that his Papa is spying on his night out is rejected because he didn't get to see Kagami in full flesh. They might be really just passing by from that area.

After thirty minutes, they served pressure cooker pork belly and arugula, fennel & navel orange salad from Kagami and Chicken Spring rolls from Kuroko. It was the petite boy who called the left-sided bangs guy from his seat. It was also him who started the conversation when they're having their meal, "How was it, Kagami-kun?"

The red head uncharacteristically ruffled his hair and replied, "It was delicious, Kuroko. I love it." After that, the trickster complimented also his western dish. Feeling part of the blame, Tetsuya tried to interact with the other guy, "Himuro-san, what do you think?"

Tatsuya looked at his brother but was snubbed so he just said, "It's delicious, alright."

Taiga grunted. When Kuroko detected his friend's agitation, Kuroko thought that he didn't like this. Never mind the praise for his cooking but a dispute that is dished up in front of him, is much, much more of a frontal issue. He's trying, alright. But it's not enough. Forcing them to talk is not a good idea. While he's trying to rack his brain out, the left-sided bangs guy tried to start with his own topic, "Hey, Kuroko-kun. Thanks again for the massage earlier."

From that, two guys became grew of his attention in an instant. He continued, "You sure know how to hit the spots. Say, are you trained?" Not minding his hidden scheme behind his sudden talks, the teal haired guy answered appropriately, "No. It was self-taught."

"Eh? But that was like any professional can do.", the eldest teen exclaimed. "Do you have someone you're practicing it on?" The petite boy went with the flow and answered again, "Well, I have my Papa. I usually do it to him after his business trips and make it back at home."

"Your Papa must have been so happy to have your exquisite massage, Kuroko-kun.", Tatsuya said.

Suddenly, an image of his Papa thanking him pops up in his head. Just seeing his son can make this father of his to be filled with overjoy. He just replied, "I don't know how to comment about that but I think he do look like one."

Call it diversion or what, but now that he saw his brother looking at him, he seized that opening and summoned him, "Hey, Taiga!" Unfortunately, the red head wore back his stubborn mask and look away. Himuro didn't falter and insist on his presence, "Oi, bro. I'm talking to you."

"Look, I'm sorry bro.", the white American returnee feeling really sorry for the second time around. He even moved closer to him and patted his shoulder. "I never thought that I'll lose myself from your friend's gag."

"Don't touch me, perverted brother.", the Seirin scowled in return.

"Hey, don't say that.", Tatsuya contained himself. For some unknown cause, he touched him again nonchalantly. "I'm trying to make peace in here."

Kagami is not holding back and pursue his ignorant heart, "I said don't touch me, dirty old man."

Okay, end of the line. Himuro tugged his brother's shirt upward with so much force and strike back, "Oi, oi, oi, bro. You're taking it this, way too far. Do you want a piece of me?"

Taiga preferred it this way so he didn't bottle up and yelled at him, "Bring it on, Tatsuya. As if I'll back-"

"KAGAMI-KUN!"

"HIMURO-SAN!"

From Tatsuya's mind, he thought, *Woah, when did he get there?*

The trickster elevated his voice to get their attention. Ill-advisedly, he didn't come up for a resolution from the quick turn of event. Whatever he's going to say might probably just on the spur of the moment. "Please, stop this already.", Kuroko started his appeal.

He created his stance and declared, "If you guys don't want to make up, I'll leave right away."

The red head using his special ears for his crush, he heard it loud and clear. From every pitch and low tone that has registered, he found himself in disbelief, "Oi, Kuroko. What are you saying?"

"You're not the one who's in fault in here."

Taiga pointed out his older brother, "It's still this dirty old man right here."

"Kagami-kun, please stop that.", the Phantom Sixth Man is really disappointed. All he could just say is stop and say whatever what's on his fricking mind. "It's not funny anymore."

"Himuro-san is not a dirty old man."

He may get back to life, but Kagami does not like his friend's treatment. Seriously, who should his friend side with? It must be him. They already have established their partnership, break their sweats together, hang out in their usual place and made his promise. There's no way he should lump himself from someone he had acquainted from almost just two hours. It's truly unfair. So he said, "Kuroko, you're not fair. Why do you keep on defending him?"

"I'm not defending anyone, Kagami-kun.", the petite boy pronounced. "As a matter of fact, I thought that Himuro-san's going to strip me naked earlier for pulling out a bad joke on him."

He said in a monotonous voice, "I was scared, you know."

The left-sided bangs guy took part in his can't-believe-this-guy-on-taking-things-out, "Huh? But you don't look like one." Still with the same façade, Tetsuya responded, "But I am. It's actually written all over my face." Himuro face palm for his defeat. He's really a great mystery that he can't solve in just one day, he thought.

Going back to the unsatisfied red head, he exclaimed, "Then, why? You won't gain anything from shielding him." Kuroko took a deep breath and spouted, "Kagami-kun, it's not about that."

"It's about the two of you. You're brothers, right?", he indicated them both with a very strong emphasis. "I don't want you two fighting over each other. It's painful for me to watch."

"You're really unfair, Kuroko.", Taiga is still on it. He's using the sibling kind of thing as an excuse to have a bridge over them. He resumed, "You have a way with your words."

He recalled someone who would fit from what he have said, "Kagami-kun, I'm not Mohammad Gandhi." However, now that he landed back at the cold footing of his unit, it also meant that his idiocy went back also, "Huh? Who's that? A basketball player that you have always admired?"

Ignore. Everyone should not be shunned from his magnificent response. Good thing, he's not on an interview. No, don't picture that. It would totally be unbelievable. It's not going to trend if it has been recorded. It's nothing but World War III. Whoever believed that figure man is a basketball player will rise up from the very pits of hell and make the world upside down. The Saints of all Saints would be crying from tears when this phenomenon would happen.

Kuroko moved closer and hold his hand, like it's not the end of the world. There is still a way to save the Robotic Era. He earnestly said, "Trust me. It's better if you two are getting along. It'll make me happy." Breaking the picture of a global tragedy, he imagined what happened yesterday. The art of eternal brotherhood, wherein the artists are Jirou and Yukio, he thought that it was really, really beautiful. He didn't expect it but his eyes are twinkling in front of Kagami's face which leads him to say, "Fine, I already get it."

He directed his gaze on his older brother, "Oi, Tatsuya. Let's forget what happened earlier." The white American returnee was more likely to agree so he replied instantly, "Sure thing, bro. It's really pathetic of me."

.

And so, they reconciled. Everything went back to normal and they finally started with their baking session. Himuro was even suggested to be a taste-tester so he remained as the spectator watching over the two, doing their thing. While on the wait, he's scrunching over his pickles that he demanded from his brother. All the time he was smirking since his brother always got a reddening face when he got a chance to be very close to his crush. Instructing his friend requires physical contact since they need to measure accurately all the ingredients that should be used. Careful not to be so sweet because they're athletes to begin with and they should be aware of their food intake.

One time, the trickster dipped his forefinger in the syrupy solution and directed to his partner, "Here, Kagami-kun. How's this?" Realizing that they're both guys, the power forward don't have any reason to decline his innocent request. He made it quick and sipped that delectable finger in two seconds. He didn't play with his tongue so that he would not be caught from his blissful, yet corrupted mind. He uttered, "V-vanilla chocolate."

Tetsuya deadpanned, "Kagami-kun, that's just chocolate." Taiga stuttered and he's really back to himself, "Ah, r-right. What did I just say? Aha-ha-ha. I said it's fine."

The left-sided bangs guy made a rough sound from biting his pickles. In a way, this is some kind of torture to him. Yeah, he got his own time earlier but seeing those two getting all chummy in front of him is kinda annoying. So this must the feeling that his brother had when he's just staring on their massage therapy session. This sucks, he thought.

Second time, when they're building their second layer, it was the basketball idiot who plunged his most sensitive finger in the different mixture. He moved to his partner and pronounced, "K-Kuroko, could you taste this one?" Unlike himself, the teal haired guy didn't think twice and sucked his finger wholly. Kagami must have not notice it but he released a pleasurable sound when his friend used his tongue. He thought it was too erotic for him.

Tetsuya answered, "Mmm. It's the right vanilla that I want. I think we should go with that."

CRACK. Himuro doesn't like this. He's being left out from the fun. Pickles is not enough to satisfy his inner desire. He wants the boy too, God damn it. When he touched his injured face, he thought of a good idea. He seems to be in a disadvantage from his previous case but he still raised it, "Taiga, Kuroko-kun. Why won't the three of us take a bath together after this one?"

"I don't mind having another one since I want to clean my face.", he continued.

*A b-bath with Kuroko. T-t-that would be a dream come true.*, Taiga contemplated.

Himuro added some supporting facts with it, "Besides, it would serve as a great bonding for the three of us. It would be fun, right?" The teal haired guy internalized, *That's right. Himuro-san and Kagami-kun should interact more with each other. I think I must help them at all cost.*

"I'm fine with it, Himuro-san. As long as Kagami-kun agrees to it.", Kuroko answered.

Knowing his partner, he would not back out from his decisions. The red head took this as a chance and immediately riposted, "I'm in, Tatsuya."

"Yosh~! Now that's what I'm talking about.", Tatsuya said calmly and wanted to make his exit. "I'll go prepare our bath right now. You two can continue on your cake." From that, the basketball duo picked up where they left off with their baking session. They pour butter about one fourth of the way full in the remaining cake pan. Add in the seven Oreos, and top with remaining butter. To ensure efficiency, Kagami tapped the pan lightly to remove any air bubbles. While waiting for it to bake, they moved on with the vanilla frosting and chocolate ganache.

.

.

Thus after all of it, the three-layer cake was created – a towering monstrosity of chocolate and vanilla, with Oreos baked into each layer, in the frosting layers and topped with a chocolate ganache and crushed Oreos. This confection is usually called as Cookies and Cream Oreo cake. Himuro with his vain personality, he took a picture with the three of them using his smart phone. He put a caption, 'Hanging out with my bro and Mr. Cutie'

"Himuro-san, are you gonna post that in a social site?", the Phantom Sixth Man asked. Still not pushing the post button, the left-sided bangs guy replied, "Why not? It would be a waste if not."

"I think it's embarrassing.", Tetsuya muttered. Himuro examined again the picture and tell him what his impression, "Eh? We look like a family in here. Isn't it?"

Kuroko moved closer to him and pointed out his concern, "Yeah, being you in middle makes you the birthday boy." He saw the cutie on his caption and shrugged it off this time. He's not going to throw a tantrum since he remembered his special friend from his explanation. Maybe he's praising him for his cooking, he thought. The petite boy resumed, "Me on the right with a blue apron and a stern face makes me the father and Kagami-kun to the left with a red apron and a happy face makes him the mo-"

Taiga tugged his partner from his arms to stop him for finishing his sentence. He exclaimed, "What's that? Are you telling me Kuroko that I'm the mother?"

Breakout, that's how the eldest teen laughed hard from Kuroko's joke. He didn't mind his own face for not being cool because it's too much for him. When he think about it, his brother do resemble as one, for being the nagging type and his craft for being thoughtful. And looking at his idiotic face on the picture, it's all hands down.

The red head saw him so he yelled, "Oi, Tatsuya. What are you laughing at? It's not funny!"

From the remaining vanilla frosting, the trickster sweep from his one finger and put it on his friend's face to escape from his strangle, "There." The red head released him, alright. He scowled back to his friend, "Kuroko, you bastard. That's sticky."

Another behind attack, Himuro licked the newly planted frosting and he just uttered, "Oi, Tatsuya. What are-" He stopped because when he cupped his face, a large scoop of frosting has transferred from his hand. He screamed, "Ah, damn it. You put in even more."

He saw his brother snickered again but what surprise him is that his friend betrayed him and put some icing on his chin. Himuro is another stubborn guy so he cupped another cake coating and threw some on the bluenette's left cheek. Kagami got annoyed since he saw them not pulling back. He shouted, "Oi, you two! Stop this now."

Like any kid that has been yelled at, they stopped. But no, they're not about to cry. Just a little bit scared, or maybe not. The Seirin ace sliced some cake and handed over some for the two. He wanted to finished things out so they could finally take a bath and removed their little mess on their face. He thought, *Sheesh. I really don't what Kuroko is thinking. Now, I'm more reluctant on expressing my feelings to him. I don't know if he would really understand what I want. Ugh.*

All his negative thoughts were annihilated when he got to taste their prepared cake. The product that they made together, it tastes extremely good. He's definitely not a sweet tooth but the way that the chocolate, vanilla and Oreo blended in his mouth is just so magnificent. Somehow, he thought that their relationship would be like this – that, it would work out despite their different personalities.

"Kagami-kun, this turn out really great.", the petite boy announced. The receiver was happy to hear that. He's really confident that his partner would make it in just one-try. From their last session, they already made desserts and he didn't have a hard time in creating some of it. So this time, it would really just be piece of cake.

The eldest teen also praised them for a job well done. If he could just score it, he would qualify it on the perfect mark. Not only that it was created from the intriguing person beside him but also, his brother helped out on it. There's no other score for this work of art.

.

.

After their mess, they finally took the time to bathe. Everyone got their thin towel for their bottom. From their setup, the two tall guys are staring intently at the slender body of the teal haired guy. This made Kuroko to speak up, "Ano~. Is there something funny on my face?"

"Ah. No, Kuroko. Please don't mind me.", the red head replied but with a notion, *Crap. He's way too sexy. This is my first time seeing him like this. He's so defenseless and I can't help but be captivated by him. Oh nose, please cooperate with me; we can do this.*

*Stupid, Taiga. I know he looks hot tonight. But boy, he's way being too obvious.*, the left-sided bangs guy thought while taking simple glances on the bluenette. He initiated the activity, "Kuroko-kun, mind if I washed your hair? Treat of it as thank you for massaging me earlier."

"Sure.", the petite boy answered briefly. When he looked at his partner, he called him, "Kagami-kun, come here. I'll wash your hair." The Seirin Ace followed unconditionally. He's completely been hypnotized by the Phantom Sixth Man's charisma.

SPLASH. SPLASH.

Facing each other's back, they started cleaning their designated hair. The Phantom Sixth Man commented, "Kagami-kun, you hair is so sticky. Are you putting a lot of wax in it?"

"If you ask me, you still look good even if your hair is not spiky."

The basketball idiot is not reacting. He must have probably entered the Comfort Zone. The way his partner stroke his hair made his spine so tingly, resulting for it to send pleasing waves all over his body. Poor guy, he already got a boner.

"Don't mind him, Kuroko-kun. He must have been tired.", the eldest teen noticed his brother's sluggishness. It's a different case, but oh well, they're still the same output. He remembered something he should have asked so he uttered, "Oh right. I'm quite curious how the two of you got befriended. Would you mind sharing your story?"

"Okay, but it's really not that cool.", the petite boy riposted.

XXX

Tetsuya's P.O.V.

Now where should I start? Oh right, the opening ceremony. Everyone was so busy handing out fliers to recruit some member from each respective clubs. From the usual flock of people and as I walked by, I was not perceived by the normal, naked eyes. Remember what I told you when I said I have a low presence, I've already demonstrated it earlier when the two of you are arguing. You must have asked 'how did I get there?' That's most likely my case with this world. If I did not speak up or not in front of somebody, I could be thought as hiding from an invisible curtain and nobody can see right through it.

Enough with me, as straight as an arrow, I handed over my application in the basketball club without anyone noticing. I was about to leave when I saw another guy applied for the team. He was, yes, Kagami-kun. So tall and fierce, his back tells him all that he's something to be watch out for. When I said that, I actually observed him for the next coming days. From classes until our practice, I did not take my eyes off of him. I really don't know from that time if he got enemies because he looks like he's always angry. But that's not the thing that stands out for him, when he played his basketball, that's when I realized that I have found my new light.

Light, yes. That's the term I used from my old partner. My precious friend that I always enjoyed playing with and the one I supported with all my breath, he's also great when it comes to our favorite sport. He's the best of the best if you would ask me. And if you haven't realized, the one I'm talking about is one of the Generation of Miracles. They're talented people who have exceeded their level from our generation. I know all of these because I was also a former member of the Teiko basketball club.

Now that I found my new light, I waited for him in the front gate of our school. I challenged him from a one-on-one basketball fight. Before starting, he commented, "What are you? You're different from most people. I don't smell anything from your aura." Basically, I didn't respond. What kind of normal man would say that bluntly? I think it's kind of rude to be treated like that. Of course, I'm a human being. I've got here in my top, a hair and below it are complete set for our mortal senses. And to end it, he's smelling people. What kind of weirdo is he? Is that how warped, the great people of his planet?

Anyways, as expected from Kagami-kun, he won the game. He was clearly astonished from my skills. I just leave it to your imagination how Kagami-kun reacted. During that time, I told him that I wanted my previous teammates (GOM) to notice my basketball. I asked for his help on some other time and promised to him that I will make him the No.1 best player in the whole Japan. He liked the sound of it so agreed to me as his new light. That's how we started communicating with each other.

END of Tetsuya's P.O.V.

XXX

"You sure had it tough with my bro.", the left-sided bangs guy laughed. "Stupid, Taiga. He's still spouting that non sense smelling of auras."

Kuroko is now cleansing Himuro's back and he complained, "Kagami-kun. I think you should be scrubbing my back now." But the power forward is still in hibernation after his turn for his hair and back. He must not have been listening the whole time. The eldest teen exclaimed, "Oi, Taiga. Snap it out already. Kuroko-kun is waiting for your hands."

ZOOOOOOM.

His soul went back when he heard that. He's going to touch his crush so he suddenly muttered, "Sorry, Kuroko. I just enjoyed your scrubbing too much." The petite boy eyed him and for a few seconds, he let it go. He mumbled, "Okay, please be gentle with my back, Kagami-kun."

Kagami gulped. His blood started to get active again. He thought how milky, how smooth and how he wanted to lick his partner's back. He's clearly shaking when he landed his fingers on the aforementioned back. He tried doing it gently like what his friend told him to. However, it was epic fail since the teal haired guy protested again, "Kagami-kun, my back is not a piano. Please do me more in a normal way."

Tatsuya snickered from his position. The trickster might really be a sly boy as he inserted his finger below the eldest teen's armpit and started tickling him. But the snickering fool did not respond and mocked him from his humming, so what he did was he went down, and down, and down until he's really down there – the feet. When he started touching it, he felt the needed reaction that he wanted. Himuro started moving nonchalantly from each direction and resist his laughing box. He just uttered, "K-Kuroko-kun."

Tetsuya acted as the dominant role, thinking that nobody should mess with him for a lot of time, "Himuro-san, should I also wash this? I think it needed attention." The white American returnee tried to convince him, "I think you should not trouble yourself with that. Kuroko-kun, I can do-"

NngggNnnhh..

It was too late. The teal haired guy is already playing with his sensitive skin. It didn't need any kind of rhythm to let him squirm like that. He doesn't want to look pathetic so he didn't use his voice from his discomfort. Instead he used a face that is in par with a sexy Casanova and rested his head on the petite boy's shoulders. He muffled, "K-K-Kuroko-kunngh, s-ss-top."

The charm did not affect the bluenette. He's used to this kind of face, count Kise from it and voila, his attempt is completely nullified. He went from his usual tone, "What's that, Himuro-san? There's no 'Please' in there." Kagami swallowed in there and thought how scary his partner can be.

Kuroko with his mood that has been soured, he discerned his partner too. He deadpanned, "And, Kagami-kun. My back is getting cold. Are you by any chance, slacking off?" The red head got flustered and obeyed willingly, like he wanted it too.

.

The bonding never stops as the three of them found themselves inside Kagami's room. Forgetting what happened in their bath time, more like; it has been etched in their heart of how merciless the teal haired guy can be. The Seirin ace voice out, "Tatsuya, why are you in here?"

"Don't be so cold, bro. It's a night out, right?", the vain kind-of-guy answered and didn't want to be left alone in the sofa. "Besides, your bed can accommodate the three of us."

Kuroko didn't bother joining their conversation since he's busy texting back with his father and friends. One, he told his father that he's doing fine and accomplished his task. Two, he congratulated the two Kaijo players, Kise and Hayakawa, for winning the second match. Three, Ryu Sanada for checking up on Nigou, he told him that his pet is as cute as ever. Four, a 'fighting' kind of message to Jirou, he told him to hang on. And last but the most important, he texted Yukio with the sincerest good night and a P.S. that he'll call him tomorrow morning.

The messages that he sent were just brief but it has been a before-going-to-bed routine. His nights have now been lively inside his phone. It's really new to him, this kind of feeling. Not thinking that it's only Kise who is mailing him before, but with these many characters to talk about, it's not a bad thing after all. The only person that he always thanked for is Yukio. If he hadn't barged into his life, he had always thought that he should not be in here. A night out is really out of his line. He had no reason to socialize with other people, no reason to do other stuffs and no reason to explore the vast environment around him. He's just there in their expected basketball court playing alone.

Unexpectedly, he smiled. He did that because there are still many happy experiences that he can have, together with his special friend. And that there are still many flags out there that he had to encounter. The left-sided bangs guy saw him and commented with a satisfied grin, "Look, Taiga. He's happy. I bet he's in for it too."

"Fine.", the Seirin ace drew a smile too. "Kuroko, where do you want to position?"

"Middle.", the petite boy answered fleetingly. As he anticipated, he is, indeed, selfish in his own ways. Attention, yeah, he wanted that also. It's pretty normal, anyway.

The left-sided bangs guy commented on his quick reply, "Oh-ho, that's our youngest brother for you."

Notion on it, the commenter must have no idea how to identify him. They're already acquainted for some hours but that guy is pursuing for a dissimilar category of closeness. The trickster, then said, "Himuro-san, you can start calling me as your friend."

"For real?", Himuro asked like he meant it. The Phantom Sixth Man nodded.

Getting back from his eloquent figure, the white American returnee said, "Then, I'm glad to have you." Tetsuya played along but kept his voice on the normal, "The pleasure is mine, also."

"Hey, let's exchange emails and numbers.", Tatsuya is in the moment. And the bluenette didn't even hesitate for a second, "Sure."

Kagami is not irritated. He's grateful, in fact. The string of brotherhood has now been dismissed between his crush so the trouble behind it has finally subsided. He can finally move on and think of a better way to strengthen their relationship. After the two exchanged their information, he exclaimed, "Oi, bro. Kuroko. Let's go to sleep already. I'm beat."

.

"With that, everyone position themselves and faced each other's bac-"

"D-d-d-d-did you h-h-h-hear that K-Kuroko?", the red head freaked out.

Oops, some misplacement. The next scene has been quoted and been explicitly narrated.

The teal haired guy is not on the frame of mind anymore so he replied, "Kagami-kun. There are no such things as ghost. You're just imagining things."

"B-b-b-butt-"

Kuroko hugged his sturdy back, "There. I won't leave you, okay?" Taiga unconsciously calmed down and his panic heart melted away. The wild tiger has been tamed and no tools were used. Just a gentle touch from his crush could put him down. The dragon, woah, where did that come from? Well, Himuro's first name is depicted like that in Japaneses terms. So anyways, back with the dragon, he joined their sandwich position and extended his arms until it reached Kagami's shoulders.

He said, "That's right, bro. We won't leave you."

Kagami doesn't have the luxury to fight back since he's already chained from his crush. He's going to drift to dreamland, in no time. When the two guys felt that the red head is not talking back, they decided to stay still on their position and just shut off their eyes. Better follow him since they're all tired from their roller coaster of happenstances earlier.

XXX

BLINK. BLINK. BLINK.

Those were three shutters as the teal haired guy woke up from his slumber. Kagami is facing him like last time. He can't deny it, his partner is attractively handsome and with his hair down, he actually looks adorable. Now wait, that is not the time to wonder about him, he need to get up and travel home. Good thing, the other guy is already awake so he asked him sheepishly to drag the red head out of him. They succeeded but the basketball idiot is still asleep. 'What a dead log' is what maybe they're thinking.

The petite boy didn't waste any other time since it's already five in the morning. He sent his regards to the left-sided bangs guy and before he performed his take-off, Himuro hugged him and whispered, "Hey, come back at Taiga's birthday."

Tetsuya stared at him earnestly and nodded in compliance. 'Cool' was his only response. With that, the bluenette went home, with his father waiting from some place to pick him up. During their travel, he called his special friend that he'll be handing over their packed lunch from his house.

.

With a little frying here, and cutting there, Tetsuya is finally getting a hang of it. He provided extras for his father from the three sets that he prepared. He even whipped up some for their breakfast on their household. Yuichi ordered him to eat and take a bath already since he insisted that he'll do the packing and other stuffs.

.

As discussed from the phone, the Kuroko household stopped by at the Kasamatsu stronghold. Masami was so happy seeing them exchanging items, packed lunch for Yukio and homemade protein shake for Kuroko. She thought that it's like any couple could do but she did not speak that out loud since the worrywart is in there. The cutesy maniac held it in from her corrupted mind.

However, she got even more hyped up from the sideline when the petite boy uttered, "Yukio-senpaii, let's do our best today." Doki-Doki. Her heart couldn't take all of it so she just turned around and thought that she got another job to do.

.

TUN-TUN.. TUN-TUN.. TUN-TUN TUN-TUN..

The sound of paradise resonated throughout Seirin High.

Kagami got his lunch and as he opened it, the vibrant three colors were perceived from his red eyes. The bento includes ground chicken seasoned with the slightly sweet soy sauce flavor, served on top of steamed rice with scrambled egg and lastly, the flaked salmon. He devoured it right instantly because of his extreme happiness. Seeing all the guys around him, he knew for a while that they want it too.

Hyuuga moved over to his place and exclaimed, "Oi, Kagami. Slow down. We want to have a taste too."

Yet, the red head did not pay attention and continued with his pace. Hyuuga got pissed already and was about to tugged him when the eagle-eyed player stopped him, "But Hyuuga, you already have yours, the vitamin packed Onigri."

"I already ate Aida's prepared lunch for me, Izuki. I just wanted some real food, damn it.", the four-eyes captain was about to cry when he said that. The Seirin Ace saw his partner looking at the pathetic guy so he interfered, "Kuroko, if you can't finish your meal, you can give it to me."

The Seirin captain knelt down in defeat. Their Ace is such a greedy person when it comes to his crush. He grinned when he thought that his love is unrequited because their trump card is as cold as ever when you look at him right now. He doesn't even know that the red head is fawning over him.

Well, Kuroko is thinking about his special friend. He got a text a while ago that he liked his prepared lunch and got some compliment for his improved cooking. That's maybe the reason why he is not watching his surroundings, *Stupid, Kagami-kun. All he cared about is food. I'm so lucky, I had Yukio-senpaii to praise me.*

xXx

Shifting to Kaijo High, Moriyama commented on his friend's food, "Yukio, your bento is different from the usual." The raven haired captain dropped his chopstick from his space, "H-how did you know?"

It was a careless move, really. He didn't realize that he'll be caught like this. His friend didn't look like one but he's actually observant from some other things aside from girls.

"Man, the strawberry! Your bento has strawberry as a side dish.", Yoshitaka suddenly blurted out and he's really feeling it when he told that. "That's from your girlfriend, right?"

Or not. He's still a blockhead, after all. The said fruit will complete the nutritional balance in his bento. Good job, Kuroko for this one. Yukio uttered, "Ha-ha, you're wrong."

"Then, who?", was his friend's reply.

"It's a secret. I won't tell you anything, dumbass.", the raven haired captain proclaimed. "Figure it out on your own."

Seen disappointed, the shooting guard muttered, "Lame."

Then, suddenly, he recollected something, "Oh yeah, have you heard the rumors?"

"Don't tell me, you got it from your girls.", his friend scowled. Proud as ever, Moriyama confirmed it without any hesitation, "Of course. I love girls, damn straight."

"Okay, I get you. Now what's in store for you?", Kasamatsu said.

"Ah right, you know the rumored basketball court, that there's a ghost in there.", Yoshitaka is really full of feelings that he can be thought of as a member of the Drama Club. "Just the other day, it attacked a group of delinquents for entering its territory."

"And what's more, your brother Jirou is involved."

The point guard finished his last strawberry and exclaimed, "So?"

"He's the spotlight from our school and he's being talked about on other schools too.", the unorthodox shooter spread his arms when he said that. "Well, the thing is, everyone is staying away from him because they don't want to be cursed too."

"Talk about curses, I bet he's agonizing because he can't hit on girls."

*This is more than I expected. This is more than good news to me. What's this? An early birthday gift? Ha-ha. Jirou doesn't need anyone. I'm right here, his brother. We also had Tets-kun on our side. I think that's enough for him. He already told me that, actually, that he is fine with just me and Tets-kun. Sweet, this is just so cool. I got to tell this to Tets-kun when we meet up.*, Kasamatsu internalized on his own and ignoring every words that his friend who is talking about girls again.

XXX

And so, they meet up. They shared stories on how they won their previous match. The Seirin team won two games for this day. Tokyo prefecture sure is large. Good thing, the petite boy had his protein shake from his special friend so he lasted longer from the said bouts. After their talk about their match, the raven haired captain told him the good news. Kuroko was happy to hear it too. He resigned himself to always look out to his friend, Jirou. They finished their conversation when they saw the time.

Yuichi checked on them one last time before they leave, "Be safe, guys. Tetsuya, I've already confirmed that you got your favorite umbrella in your bag. Just in case, it rain again." His son nodded but with faint of pink tints on his cheeks.

.

When they arrived at their destination, there's a big sign and named as "Holy Cow!"

They were about to enter when someone from their back called them, "Kurokoc-! Are~. Why are you two together?" Kise is dumb founded how close they are. Just a few more, they could be holding hands.

.

.

TBC

---

Next piece: Kasamatsu meets Kuroko's surprise

---

BTS! NG-SHUU! Specials:

He moved closer to Kagami and whispered, "Hey, bro. K-knock it off already. You don't look good when you're sad." The red head nodded but with a least twist of worry. Silly brother, he's just always concerned with the physical aspect, but yeah, the red head can read between the lines. Tatsuya is not like Kuroko to say cheesy lines without even batting an eye. Also, he's now satisfied when he hear the word 'bro' since that's how they call themselves when they are comfortable with each other.

Meanwhile, the Phantom Sixth Man's phone vibrated. He got a call from his special friend but before that, from his picture perfect memory, he remembered one thing. He exclaimed, "Ahm, Kagami-kun. Haven't you forgotten something to buy?"

The left-sided bangs guy whispered something to him, "Oh-ho, Taiga aren't we the aggressive one. Is that a condom that you forgot to buy?" Steam came out from the red head and blushed hard from his brother's hunch. He stammered, "T-T-The f-fuck are s-saying, Tatsuya!?"

Tatsuya continued teasing his younger brother, "So if I'm not here, you could have done the hanky-panky with him." The Seirin ace countered it already, "O-of c-c-course, not. S-shit, I just forgot to buy some of my branded toothpaste."

"That's right. Toothpaste had a cooling effect. You can use it as an alternative to lotion. Aren't you the informed one, Taiga?", the white American returnee is not yet finished from his kinky lessons.

Kagami really imagined it and he heard his partner saying, "Ahhhmmnh. Kagami-kun, put in one more finger. My bottom –nggh is freezing if you leave it like that." From that fancying, he fainted.

"Himuro-san, what happened to Kagami-kun?", the bluenette worriedly said.

The eldest teen tapped his brother's face but he didn't get a response so he just said, "Ah. Maybe Taiga also forgot to sleep."

END OF BTS! NG-SHUU! Take 7

---

Rejected ideas from the current chapter (Skipped this if not worth reading):

Miscellaneous section:

1. Put a pairing meter at the top Author note - well, I think it would ruin the surprise factor if I revealed the hints of other pairings to Kuroko at the start of a chapter.

2. Word counts.

Second night out in Kagami's unit:

1. Kuroko noticed Himuro's mole when he's treating him and tell him that it's kinda looks sexy – I'll be killing Kagami in this chapter if I added another flag.

2. Kuroko offered to massage Kagami.

3. Cooking show segment. - I might reach another 10k words, maybe next time. *Whistle

4. Kagami is still pissed to his brother and never lets Himuro joined their sleeping arrangement.

4.1 Anger resets after taking a rest. Kagami reconciled with Himuro like nothing ever happened.

Friday, finally:

1. Aida would like to taste Kuroko's bento.

1.1 Hyuuga got jelly again since Aida liked the meal – maybe he should start learning how to cook.

2. A practice game after the two meet up – nope, they need to be prepared.

---

Omake:

After Moriyama got out from the comfort room, he saw his friend circling around. He asked, "Hey, are you hiding something from me?" The raven haired captain eyed him and still confused about his special friend. He just replied, "The heck, what are you, my mother? Of course, I won't tell everything for you."

"You know, Yukio. You've been really cold with me, as of lately.", the shooting guard just spouted what he want. "Don't tell me you got a girlfriend and you're just shy to tell me."

"I don't have any, you dumbass.", the point guard scowled. Yoshitaka moved behind him and swiftly get his phone, "Oh-ya."

Pieces of annoyance suddenly darted at the face of the eldest son of the Kasamatsu household, he yelled, "Give that back, you moron!" However, the unorthodox shooter is quick with gadgets so he saw the last caller from the phone, he read it aloud, "Tets-kun. Hrrrmm. That's weird. Who's th-?"

The offender was punched to his stomach, like so hard. Yukio was palpitating in so many weird ways and declared, "Fuck, don't ever do that again. I already told you that I don't have a girlfriend." He thought that he doesn't need one for the meantime. He's just really careful with his special friend.

Cough. Cough.

"Maybe, that's just a boy's name and it's actually a gir-", Moriyama stopped midway when he saw his friend is really serious and is readying for another beat up. "Or maybe not. Aha-ha-ha-ha."

.

Part 2

*Achoooo.

RUFFH! ARRHF! – Nigou checked up on his master's father.

"I'm fine, little doggie.", the worrywart father said. He stretched out and felt that his body got so worn out from the week. Their morning activity is really something; he couldn't even imagine how his son finished them. Now that he thought about him, he muttered, "Tetsuya hasn't massaged me from my comeback."

Right, there was another person when he got back. Yukio was his name. But the place that he went off today goes with the name of Kagami-kun. He gambled that it's a surname. Anyways, his son described him that his friend has a red hair. That's right, red hair. He saw one earlier but the stranger looks like an idiot who is trying to get away from them. To think that his face is much scarier, really, what is happening to kids these days? 'Is that dude, high or something' is what maybe his last impression.

If his son would make a friend, it should be straight like Yukio; someone that his son can introduce to him. He just hoped that the stranger that he met earlier is not Kagami-kun. He's way too suspicious, he thought.

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A/N: Boo! The site went down for two days last week. And because of that, the story didn't move during those times. I got it saved from the copy-paste format inside the webpage. Stupid, me. I didn't get a back-up. Hehe, that's probably my reason for extending two days of writing this chapter. And yet, I got some work to do so I only got free time on the next Saturday. But unfortunately, the internet acted stupid and I didn't manage to update for the day. *Sigh.

So there goes our first scene, if it has flaws in it, well expect it since it's just for fun. If anyone would like to ask who is the narrator, ahm, that's pretty obvious that it's me. Teehee. Also, I insisted on putting the line of Onika on Kuroko's call since I felt like adding it. For Tatsuya's personality, I added some playful traits on him when he's just around with Kagami. And-. And-. Ahem, I'll shut up now so please post your review if you feel like it and let me know your thoughts. Thanks for dropping by. See you next time.

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