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!
Everyone gathered at Kagami's apartment to know, to know what really happened in Teiko. She's not sure if she's ready to hear this as her mind and heart is in turmoil but if knowing the story is where the answer is, she'll have to do it.
Aiko managed to find the court, she never went in this area of the school, and it was always Classroom, library, cafeteria and bathroom for her. But Daiki have been texting her non-stop to save him from the monstrous thing called Momoi's cooking. They were just about to go on break, so her timing was just about right. The moment she was on view, Momoi immediately tackled her with a hug.
"Woah, Satsuki, careful." She giggles and let her go.
"Why are you here? Did you finally want to join the club?" Aiko grimace at the statement.
"Ugh! Goodness, no! You're the only female I know who enjoys being surrounded with sweaty teenagers and squeaky shoes. Is Daiki inside? I need to give him something." Momoi nodded and pulled her towards the entrance. She leaned on the door frame ignoring the stares she's receiving.
"Oi! Ai, what are you doing here?" everyone was 'subtly' observing the interaction that is happening, obviously interested if there are any tease worthy events.
"Just here to bring the cure for your constant stomachache." She handed him the paper "The blue lunchbox is yours and the pink one is for Satsuki. There are also a few pieces of chocolate chips cookies and cupcakes. As well as the protein shake you wanted and some honey-soaked lemon." Aomine's face brightens as she listed down the contents of the paper bag.
"Ai, you're the best." He tried to hug her, but she kept pushing him away.
"Do not even think of hugging me with your sweaty body." He gave them distance and started to ramble how horrible the food Momoi made, and how she forced him to eat. As he continued, she was observing the players in the background.
"Ai, are you listening?"
"#20's foot work needs some work, his feet do not grip well on the floor, one mistake and he'll slip or trip. #30's dribble is good, but his grip needs practice, he should try curl wrist and wrist weights. #17's wrist is not flexible enough, that's why shooting threes are only by chance. You should also check #25's right knee, if he continues to do this extensive training, the small damage might get worse. They are only second string, right?"
"Yeah, but how do you know all of that?" She shrugged like she said nothing important.
"Observation, I guess."
"Daiki, I didn't know that you have a girlfriend." They both looked at the silver head walking towards them.
"I apologize for the misunderstanding, but I'm not dating this blockhead." She heard Aomine's complaint about being a blockhead but the moment her eyes landed to some red eyes; everything went blank. It was not some cheesy chick flick where the protagonist felt like they are the only people in the room, no, it was not like that. She legitimately felt discomfort under his studying eyes. She raised her brow, acting like she's not affected, before facing Aomine.
"Anyway, I need to go. I still cannot stand the scent of a sweaty gym. Bye Daiki!"
After showing up at the gym, she kept on seeing that red hair everywhere. A few weeks of being bugged and constantly dragged to the gym by Aomine and Momoi, their coach Shirogane Kozo asked her to be their assistant coach. Not good at handling adults, she couldn't refuse.
She was already close to the team even before she joined, so she had no trouble fitting in. Things went well for a while, Akashi even managed to ask her out before the end of their first year. By the time of their second year, she was slowly seeing the changed in the team, all of them are slowly evolving into their natural talents.
They were walking in the park hand-in-hand, it was just a little detour they usually do before going home.
"Is there something wrong, Ai?" She knew she couldn't lie to the man. No matter what she does, he can always read her.
"I don't know, I feel so sad lately."
"Why is that, Angel?"
"It might sound dramatic and stupid, but these past few weeks, I feel like I'm going to lose you and everyone else." He held her hand tighter and they both sat down on the bench. He hugged her sideways and patted her head.
"I don't know about the others, but you know I'm here to stay and to ensure that, I'm here to give you this." She was shocked to see the red velvet on his hand. She immediately stood up and panic was rising within her.
"S-Sei, T-This is—"
"No need to panic, Angel. This is just a promise ring." He opened the box and saw the rose shaped ring inside. She looked around to see if anyone was around because it will be controversial to see middle schools with a ring box on their hand.
"This is like a reminder, to remind you that I'm here to stay, that I'm yours." He took the ring and places it in her right ring finger before hugging her tight.
"I'm yours, as long as you'll have me, my angel." She cried silently, melting on the heat of his warm body, enjoying the comfort of his natural scent. It was, to say the least, a relief to hear his words. And yet, she feels like it wouldn't last long.
But by the time they were in third year, the team was drifting apart; they were slowly becoming bored with every game. Murasakibara and Aomine started skipping practice and Akashi was no longer the man she knows.
His treatment to her didn't change, but it felt like he was obligated to treat her right. It was not because he wants to; it was because he NEEDS to. And all of the affection, every kiss, every date, and every time they spend together, it felt like it was scripted. The moment his gold eyes appear, everything they do in their relationship was already meticulously planned. She never liked that feeling, and yet, she stayed.
Everything has a limit and ending point as they say. She reached hers when she heard something unbelievable. She didn't want to believe it, but she knows what Akashi is capable of. Now, she's standing in front of the man she needs to confront.
"You knew about what happened earlier in game, right?"
"Of course, what kind of a captain will I be if I didn't know about the little plan my team are planning. It was a nice entertainment for them."
"By manipulating the scores? You call that entertainment?" He didn't reply, she was starting to feel nauseated. She can't stand it; she was numb all the way to the core. She thought when the others changed; she'll be fine, as long as Akashi stays. But in the end, it was him she lost first.
"You know, when I visited your father along with Mayu-nee last weekend, I heard interesting things that the staffs are talking about."
"And that is?"
"The marriage that will happen once we are of age, in addition to that marriage is the merging of one or two companies both families built. Is that the reason why you asked me out, to secure that merger? Was everything planned by you or by your father? Was it fun to see me fall right into your trap?"
"You really shouldn't listen to what people are saying, Aiko. Those are just baseless facts."
"Then why did you ask me out? Did you even love me or even care for me?" He stayed silent, and her heart felt constricted. Right now, all she wanted was the truth and yet, he still couldn't give it to her. It was laughable.
"There is no need to answer that, I think I get the idea. Just merging a company under Shimizu Corporation and Akashi Group would have a lot of benefits." He was about to retaliate about that statement, but she didn't let him "I'm done, Seijuro. I'm done with the club and I'm done with you. I'm submitting my resignation letter to the Head Coach first thing in the morning."
"No, you can't do that. You are not leaving me."
"You said before that you're mine as long as I'll have you. Well, I no longer want you, Sei. We're over."
"In case you forgot, Aiko. You are mine, and you're staying to where I am, you're not going quit the club and we are not over."
"No, Seijuro. I was yours." She forces her voice to be calm yet firm.
"I'm no longer something you can claim as yours. I refuse to be under your control. Goodbye, Akashi-san" She left with determination in her eyes but as soon as she was safe in her bedroom, she cried her eyes out; she cried for the loss of her friends; she cried for the loss of her first love; and she cried for the loss of herself.
It was in middle of her senior year when she avoided everyone, which was easy as they were all busy. She was on her way to Kyoto for a vacation after graduation when a pick-up truck collided to the back seat of the car she's riding. Drunk driving was the case, her driver and the pick-up truck driver had minimal injuries, she took most of the damage as it was where she was sitting took the most hit. Her injuries healed by a month or two, but her memories were not. Along with physical therapy and psychiatric therapy, she was home schooled in Kyoto for a while until she felt like she was ready to go to Tokyo. She went alone in Tokyo because she will study in a university in Tokyo, so she needs to get used to the life of Tokyo. Knowing that her parents and siblings have jobs from all over Japan, so her parents provided an apartment of her own, and her life in Seirin started.
Everyone was having fun scolding Kuroko, after feeling like everything was his fault when his friend quit. She was enjoying the view; this was the team she was looking for. Finally remembering everything, no longer feeling the turmoil of her heart and mind, she now knows how to face Akashi. Her happy moment was ruined with a sharp pain in her head, it didn't fade away, and it kept becoming painful. The bright room of Kagami's apartment suddenly became black.