Author: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke or its characters, they all belong to Tadatoshi Fujimaki. The only thing that belongs to me is Shimuzu Aiko and the story plot.
Thank you and enjoy!
While everyone was busy with their interview, Aiko was watching them from the second floor, not wanting to be part of it. While buying a drink from the vending machine, she felt a strong presence surround the area she was in. Looking behind her, she saw Rakuzan.
'Damn, they've got some presence'
Even though everyone has some intimidating presence around them, her eyes focus on a certain red hair on the team. She still doesn't remember him that much, but she knows deep inside her that he has a huge part of her life, seeing that he's always involved every time she remembers the others.
Their eyes connected when he was close to where she was standing. She was secretly wishing that he'd just pass by, not wanting to confront him just yet. But of course, like any other people who wishes for something, she only receives the exact the opposite. He stopped right in front of her; she kept her face neutral while he has a small smile on his face. Others might see it as a kind and friendly smile, but for some reason, she felt like his smile was forced and practiced to perfection. She doesn't know how she knows that, but one thing is for sure, his presence is comforting and yet she's afraid of that comfort, it felt unnatural.
"Aiko, it's nice to see you here." Any reaction given by his teammates are thoroughly ignored. It felt like they were the only one there and it's making her claustrophobic.
"It's been awhile, Akashi-san" She saw a very small twitch in his eye, but he became composed immediately.
"What are you here all alone?" She felt uncomfortable in his gaze, but she knew she couldn't get away from this.
"My team is busy with an interview right now, so I'm just waiting for them to finish."
"That's unfortunate. On a different note, how much do you remember? Seeing how Atsushi hugged you earlier, it seems you remember him now." She doesn't know how he knows that, she was sure he wasn't anywhere near the court.
"I do, but there are still a lot of things that I don't know. When I do remember every single detail, I'll let you know." Glancing behind her "I should get going, I think they're finish already. I'll see you around, Akashi-san." She bowed slightly before walking away. Even though she can't see him, she can feel his stare on her.
Aomine and Momoi are chilling in the cafeteria while waiting for the next game. He didn't notice it earlier but Momoi has been pretty quiet ever since the end of Seirin's game.
"Oi! Satsuki, why are you so quiet?" He's not used with the girl being so quiet and down.
"I'm just worried with Ki-chan's game and for Ai-chan." He glanced at her when she mentioned Aiko.
"I don't know why you're worried about Ai but Kise will win the game easily."
"Haizaki will be playing against them."
"What? Haizaki will be playing in the next game?" Momoi nodded "Tch…Didn't that bastard quit already?"
"He's one of the main players at Fukuda Sogo in Shizuoka. You know how terrified Ai-chan was with Haizaki for what happened before."
"Jeez, remembering pisses me off. To think such a disgusting guy is back." Both of them are quietly hoping that Aiko will not remember him.
As soon as Kagami returned when he went after Himuro, he sat down next to Kuroko. He noticed the serious vibe going with Kagami but made no comment and patiently waited for the game to start.
"Welcome back, how did it go?"
"Kuroko, do you know a guy named Haizaki?" Kuroko's face didn't feign its surprise when he heard that name after such a long time.
"How do you know that name?"
"I just met him." Kuroko softly gasped and know that this may not be able to end well. He thoroughly explained who Haizaki was and obviously the others are surprised that someone like that existed in Teiko.
"He was selfish and simply uncontrollable. But even so, it's a fact that he was a starter on the main team. There's no doubt that he's a powerful player. Nonetheless, please refrain from mentioning his name in front of Aiko-san."
"Why? Was there a rift between them?" Kiyoshi asked, curious about the middle school life of his little Kouhai.
"It's safe to say that she does not have a pleasant memory of him and actually afraid of him. I don't want to trigger her memories with something highly traumatizing, to say the least."
Even though they have a lot of questions, they refrained themselves from asking when Aiko arrived from her bathroom break. Finally, the game began.
She doesn't know why but for some reason watching the game with Kaijo and Fukuda made her uncomfortable. For some reason, she's worried about Kise and his team, but she feels unease with Fukuda's #6. That sickening smile he has filled with confidence and arrogance, seeing it all made her feel like she wants to run away.
She was in daze as she walked towards her classroom that she didn't even notice the person standing beside the door until she felt a hand on her wrist.
"Ai, are you okay? You look tired." She felt like she wanted to tell him everything that is happening and cry her eyes out. But she knows that she can't, it will just make things worse.
"Nothing, Sei. I was just studying late last night." She felt his hands go around her waist, suppressing a wince as he touched a bruised area.
"You should know when to rest, Angel. You're going to collapse at this rate."
"Sei, why did you make Shogo quit basketball?" She felt uncomfortable with his Akashi's piercing gaze; she knows that he's studying her right now.
"He caused too much trouble; he will drag the Teiko name down if it continues. Besides, Kise will replace him sooner or later whether he leaves or not." She just nodded and placed her head in between his neck and shoulders, taking in his natural scent. She's enjoying this moment, knowing that she'll get in trouble for just simply being close to him.
The third quarter began and while she was watching, she can't help but think about what she remembered. They were watching the game quietly until Aiko spoke.
"Tetsuya…Fukuda Sogo #6 player, do I know him?" He knew that she would remember at some point, but he never thought it would be this fast.
"Yes, he also went to Teiko and one of the starting players before Kise." She went quiet and continued to watch the game.
She feels weak as she leaned on the wall; she tried to stand when she heard footsteps from the hallway. She forced herself to look okay but she really felt weak on her knees, she almost fell when the door suddenly opened and saw Haizaki, with that sick grin on his face.
"Woah, they really did a number on you. You must've done something to piss them off; the agreement was to slightly hurt you but not this."
"You knew about this?" Disbelief and fear fill her eyes as she watched the man standing in front her.
"Of course I knew, I'm the one who made the plan."
"Shogo, why did you this?" She never trusted him ever since she met him but the pain of betrayal was still there, she never thought that he would go to such underhanded resort
"First, they're so blinded with their attraction with Kise and Akashi that they easily took the bait to give you wounds where no one can see, and second, I'm just playing a little revenge game with someone, you just happened to be a good pawn."
"You sick bastard" she muttered under her breath.
Things went that way for a few days until Aomine and Momoi witnessed some girls pushed her down the stairs. After her admission to the hospital with a couple of scratches and hidden wounds and bruises, she gave the list of names of those who are involved with the bullying and her parents forced the school to expel those girls. With the help of witnesses who were once afraid to talk came through to confirm those names. No one can confirm about Haizaki's involvement with no actual evidence or witness and the girls are refusing to speak about it.
She watched her every move knowing that Haizaki was still in school, seeing that she's afraid to go around school, Akashi and the others made sure she was not alone.
The ended with the expected result, but Aomine knew that Haizaki has something planned and he will make sure that Haizaki will not lift a finger. Like what he predicted, he saw Haizaki, obviously waiting for Kaijo.
"If you're waiting for the Kaijo guys, they won't be out yet. If you're thinking about seeking revenge on Kise, forget it."
"Daiki" Haizaki said, obviously pissed at his presence
"I'll let you go if you keep quiet and turn back right now."
"Heh, like I care, moron? I can do whatever the hell I want." He has to admit, Haizaki has a lot of bark, but he's not sure if he has the bite.
"If it's basketball, nobody will complain about whatever you do. But don't use some other stupid tactic to disrupt their battle." There's an obvious taunt coating his voice.
"That makes me laugh. Were you always this much of a goody-goody?"
"You simply lost to Kise, Haizaki. Do you realize how much he and Tetsu have been training till now? Don't do anything stupid."
"I see, that's all the more reason to crush them down. I told you I didn't care, right? Unfortunately for you, I don't give a rat's ass about basketball, unlike you guys. Besides, Kise isn't the only one I'm waiting for." Aomine knew where this is going, and he knows that he's not going to like it. "I saw her in the audience earlier. She looked pretty before, while she was covered with bruises and wounds. I've wanted to see if I could see it again and maybe this time, while I make her mine. Do you think Akashi still puts her in a pedestal? I would love to see his reaction when he finds out that I took something he can't have. Now Daiki, if you want me to stop, you have got to stop me by force!" Haizaki ran forward to punch him, but it was a pathetic attempt of an attack knowing that he can easily dodge it. Aomine retaliated with a single punch, enough to knock him out.
The most awaited battle for Midorima and Akashi has finally arrived; this was the confrontation they were waiting for knowing that Midorima swore that he'll make Akashi taste defeat.
"I'll take the win, Akashi." Confidence was obvious in his voice.
"That's impossible, Shintaro. Have you ever had me resign even once before?" the mocking tone was enough to piss someone off but Midorima remained composed.
"Shogi and basketball are different." He tried putting some sense on the shorter man in front of him.
"They are the same. I have not once in my life said anything in error. I win in everything and everything I say is correct." Becoming irritated, Midorima said something knowing that is a low blow.
"If that's the case, then why did you lose her with your words? Check the audience now; someone did defeat you with something." Midorima walked away without even caring to see his reaction. While Akashi looked around the audience area and saw where Aiko sat, and what he saw was not pretty. Aiko was in the front audience wearing a Seirin jacket twice her size, it may seem like it was nothing to others, but he knows the girl, he knows that she does not randomly wear guy clothes. She didn't even wear Daiki's jacket before, and she rarely wore his jackets. Even from a distance, he could see the comfort that is lingering on her face. As much as he's curious about her relationship with the owner of the jacket right now, he has a game to win. He can satisfy his curiosity when he takes her back.