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 waiting at the locker room, Aiko briefly informed Kiyoshi about what she remembered. Of course Kiyoshi very happy that she's finally remembering her memories in Teiko, he can finally see life slowly returning to her eyes. With this happiness, he gave her a hug and put his arm around her shoulders. Knowing that the others might listen, he leaned in to whisper to her ear.
"So, you're telling me that you might have a potential relationship with Akashi?" She smiled and chuckled a little. Of all the things she said, that's the one he wants to confirm.
"Probably, I did remember few scenarios where he was sweet and a bit clingy"
"In that case, if he plans on taking you back, make sure that he'll go through me first before you agree."
"That will never happen. If we did have a relationship before, we probably broke up. For what reason, I don't know; I mean I don't even know why I left the club." She excused herself in order to watch the game, but before leaving, Kiyoshi lend her his jacket, seeing that her light clothes. She wanted to refuse but Kiyoshi was adamant to let her wear it. It was not like they can see her undergarments; she was just wearing a simple plain black shirt that is a bit loose and skinny jean paired with sneakers. With Kiyoshi bugging her about the jacket, she wore it and left, silently enjoying the heat and manly natural scent it gives.
The game started with a very intense pace, Shutoku has an obvious bloodlust going through them. But for some reason, Rakuzan doesn't seem intimidated. Do they have some trump card hidden or are they just that confident that they'll win no matter what.
Aiko is having trouble getting the reference book she needs. Why does everything have to be in high shelves?
A hand reached from behind her and took the book she was trying to reach; she was about give the person behind her a piece of her mind when she saw Midorima giving her the book.
"Here, this is the book that you want right? Why do you have to be so short?"
"Hey, I'm practically average height!" she was offended at the comment about her height.
"The fact that you're still shorter than Akashi is saying a lot." She was fuming with that comment.
"First of all, I'm only an inch shorter than him, not that much of a difference and secondly, not everyone is like you and others. You four-eyed goliath." She saw a twitch in Midorima's eyes, and she finds it entertaining.
"Akashi is looking for you in the empty classroom." She let out a sigh, tired of Akashi making people his errand boy just to find her.
"Why is he always looking for me? It's not like I'm going missing." She mumbled to herself, but it was loud enough for Midorima to hear.
"Anyway, just go to him before he finds you himself and drag you there." She looked at him with scrutinizing eyes.
"He said that, didn't he?" Midorima nodded and was startled a little when he heard her growled before she borrowed the book from the librarian, he knows that she will go to where Akashi is.
When the half-time break started, Aiko immediately went down to the court to help and by the time she got there, she saw Kagami on the floor with Akashi standing on his side. She immediately went to Kagami's side.
"Kagami, are you okay?" Obviously, he was shocked from whatever happened but he nodded and stood up. Aiko looked at Akashi to see him, studying her and scanning the jacket on her. The moment his red and gold eyes stared at her grey eyes, nostalgia and fear consumed her.
'In case you forgot, Aiko. You are mine.'
'No, Seijuro. I was yours. I'm no longer something that you can claim as yours.'
"Kagami, Tetsuya, let's go. You guys have to warm up for your game." Once again, she walked away without saying a word to him and yet, she can still feel his gaze. As crazy as it sounds, she felt like he was always watching her ever since they met at the staircase during the opening ceremony.
If the first half of the game was intense, then the second half was practically on fire. Seeing that Akashi was the one marking Midorima was something unexpected but since the members of the Five Kings was unable to suppress Midorima, it was safe to say that it was the only option. Once everyone finally watched on the sidelines, everyone was shocked with what they are seeing. Aiko clings on Kiyoshi's shirt, her heart was beating fast as she watched the game, observing and studying both Akashi and Midorima.
Being in the library made her feel at peace, it was a bit far from the certain place she was avoiding, so she felt safe. Until she felt someone behind her, she turned around and noted that this was not a lucky day for her; first she met with Murasakibara and now Midorima.
"Is there anything I could help you with, Shintarou?" It was hard for her to act nonchalant, but she has no choice, it was what she felt that is for the best.
"I'm here to know why you quitted the club." She sighed, already tired of hearing that questions.
"I have things to do, Shintarou; and being in the club is consuming my time." Obviously, he didn't buy as he sat down in front of her.
"That's a crappy excuse from someone who's smart. You managed ever since first year, what changed?" Is she willing to be honest to him? Yes, she is.
"Seijuro has been too demanding and controlling, whenever I excuse myself to the coach because of the things I have to do. He would do whatever it takes just to make me come to practice and games. I am my own person and I have a life to live, but I can't do that with him hovering."
"But did you really have to quit?"
"Yes, what's the point of supporting an unstable team?" She gathered her things and was about to walk away but she made one last comment before leaving completely.
"If you can even call it a team" The moment Midorima reacted; she was already out the door.
Aiko was still in the corner looking at Midorima and Akashi talking. Now she understands, she left the club when the team fell apart. She was losing her team, her friends; she was not just going to stand there and watch them drift away. She was also being suffocated because of Akashi. The puzzle is almost complete, the only missing thing are her memories with Kise Ryouta and Akashi Seijuro. Her guess was right; Akashi does play a big part of her life.
Aiko was leaning on the wall, waiting for Shutoku at what she likes to call 'the tunnel'. She doesn't know why she's always doing this, but she really wanted to see and to talk to them after regaining her memories about them. Waiting just feels so wrong. Otsubo was the one who first noticed her.
"Aiko, what are you doing here?" She and Otsubo got close after they spoke during summer camp. She looked up and scanned them, seeing that Takao and Midorima had their head down, obviously crying.
"I just came to congratulate you and your team for a job well done, Senpai. Win or lose, you gave your all." She smiled gently and walked towards them. Otsubo patted her head like what a big brother would, as well as Miyaji and Kimura. Midorima was still not looking at her even though she was in front of him.
She gently patted his shoulder "You did well, Shintarou" She can see his eyes widened behind his glasses, he slowly took her hand his shoulder and he bent down, crying on her shoulder as he held her hand. Her free hand gently strokes his hair. This was the first time his team has seen Midorima vulnerable in front of a girl, in front of anyone, in fact.
"Thank you" he held her hand tighter "Thank you for remembering" She smiled a single tear fell from her eyes.
"Of course, though I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything and I'm sorry that it took a while."
"As long as you're back" He whispered before he broke into a sob. She was just there consoling him.
Seirin vs Kaijo made Aiko feel unease, knowing that Kise has Perfect Copy where he can be any member of the Generation of Miracles. Sure, it has a limit, but that limit can widen the gap in scores until Seirin can no longer keep up. Observing the Kaijo team before the game start, she heard one of the team members complain.
"Can you stop looking for a girl that is your type, Moriyama?" She let out a giggle from what she heard but it seems it caught the attention of Moriyama. He stared at her intently before smiling and waving. Highly entertained at her senpai, she smiled and waved back, for some reason she thought she saw flowers bloomed around the guy. She looked at her own team and saw Hyuga, Kiyoshi and Izuki looking at her, obviously not happy with what she did.
"Oi! Ai-chan, you should focus on your own team." Kiyoshi said with a slight, very subtle pout.
"He's right, Shimizu-chii." Kise appeared on the side "You shouldn't entertain Moriyama-senpai's flirtatious tendencies." Aiko once again giggle at the comment.
"But I find him interesting, Kise-san" No comments were made as the referee prepared for the tip-off.
As soon as the game started, everyone gave their all; Aiko's unease feeling doubled when Kise started the game with Perfect Copy. She was holding her breathe as the game proceeds.
Break time like this is what she wanted, where she doesn't spend in sweaty, squeaky and noisy courts. It was the time for her to relax and enjoy her alone time, it was just perfect.
"SHIMIZU-CHII!" She takes it back; it was not perfect.
Looking up from the book she's reading "What is it, Ryouta?" He sat down beside her and hugged her sideways.
"Shimizu-chii, why is everyone so mean to me?" Kise always does this to her, complain and whine like a child, and search for comfort with her.
"Maybe you've done something or said something that is stupid to the point that it annoyed them?"
"Eh? I haven't done anything like that; I was just being my usual self." She sighed; sometimes this guy is too slow.
"That's the thing, Ryouta. Some people find that personality of yours annoying." He seems shocked at the revelation, if he can still call it that.
"Are you annoyed at me personality, Shimizu-chii?" Knowing that she will not be able to read any time soon, she placed her bookmark, closed the book and set it aside.
"Sometimes yes, I do find it annoying" He was about to whine again but she cut him off "But you're not Ryouta if you're not annoying. I quite like your upbeat personality over the serious yet bored attitude you have when we first met." His whiny-depressed-kicked-in-the-rain-puppy look became happy and bright puppy. He pulled her towards him and squeezed her with a hug.
"Kise, let go of my girlfriend before I make you." Hearing the menacing voice behind him, he immediately let go.
"Sorry, Akashi-chii" Taking a deep breath and glance at her book, seeing that all of the members of Generation of Miracles along with Tetsuya and Momoi are here, she really won't be able to read for a while. So much for peace and relaxation, Akashi sat beside her and took her hand and intertwined it with his, she smiled at the contact as they watched the commotion in front of them.