[A/N: This is Kuroko's point of view during the last half of the previous chapter, and a little beyond the ending. When I was writing this, I realized that I had no idea where everyone was. So I'll just tell you know now that I'll leave it up to your imagination.]
Kuroko P.O.V.
"Are they together?" I asked the redhead. He seemed a little shocked, and unable to answer. He just studied me closely, reminding me of a cat whose prey had fallen into their paws.
"No, Aomine does not swing that way." The green Skittle sighed, answering for the redhead when it was obvious he was not going to say anything, "Even though he was the best and handling Kise's energy level." I watched Kise obviously-fake-wilt under Aomine's harsh voice. How were they not together when they're quarreling like boyfriend-and-boyfriend right now?
"I see." Was all I said. I didn't really understand, but it was the polite thing to do. Besides, this was just one of those things where you'd have to know them for a while to understand. One of their little quirks. Did I have any?
"Mine-chin was really good at handling Kise-chin when you went away." The purple one said seriously. My stomach clenched. Did I have that big of an impact when I went away? Did my friends really miss me that much? Did I cause them that much pain?
That was the moment when I realized what I should say.
"I apologize for making you worry." I gave them a smile that I hoped was reassuring, "But I have come back here with intentions to make up for my absence." The green Skittle smiled slightly, and the purple Skittle just nodded. The redhead looked at me intently, neither negative nor positive emotions displayed on his face. I wonder what he's thinking.
Was he judging me for not coming back before? Or was he happy that I had simply come back eventually? Maybe he was drinking me in. Before I could properly decide, a small smile flirted over his mouth for a second before quickly vanishing.
"Hey, aren't you that man from a few days back?" My heart jumped in surprise when Aomine's voice was suddenly right next to my ear. I nearly socked him in the face! I kept my reaction under wraps, a tiny blink of shock notwithstanding.
"I believe so, yes." I replied as calmly as I could manage, "Why do you ask?" Aomine have me a look, like, 'don't play dumb.' I gave him a blank face to piss him off. Think of it as a little bit of revenge for somehow taking me by surprise.
"That was really impressive, by the way." Aomine gave me a couple begrudging nods. I returned it curtly. "What's your name?" I fought down a smile. I had a few friends back in America who were extremely blunt and straightforward like Aomine.
"My name is Kuroko Tetsuya." I half-bowed in my seat as best I could politely, "Nice to meet you." I pushed down a laugh with all my willpower (though I couldn't keep my lips from twisting into a smirk) at Aomine's bewildered expression. For several minutes, nothing happened.
Then pulled himself together. He glared at me full force. I hadn't met someone who is brave enough to glare at me like that in a while.
"No, seriously. Who are you?" Aomine asked. I sighed. The others were so much more believing. This would be annoying. I'll have to explain everything to him.
"I am Kuroko Tetsuya. When I was 15, I got in an airplane crash when I was flying from Japan to America. This resulted in me getting complete amnesia." I explained. Aomine's expressions kept shifting and diving. All his emotions splayed over his face like black ink on a new book.
I saw doubt with the smallest hint of realization first. Aomine couldn't believe what I'd just said, though he trusted his friends and deep down, he believed them. But that was deep, deep down. Then he looked at Kise's face. The minuscule realization exploded like recorded water splattered on water-paint on high speed.
Now there was shock and hope. I didn't really understand why there was hope there, but I was glad that he believed me. Can you imagine how troublesome it would have been to convince him somehow? Not mention... I really wanted to have him believe me. That meant that my Before friends might accept me. I think. Maybe?
"Te-Tetsu..." he breathed. I might not have caught it, if I wasn't listening hard. Kise and Midorima (not really) discreetly slid away. I was grateful they gave us privacy to talk. About what shit I'd been doing.
"Yes?"
"I... I just... I thought you were dead..." he breathed. I motioned for him to sit across from me. He plopped down, still in a daze. I lower my gaze. A pang of guilt vibrates inside of me like a shriek in a hollow cave.
"I'm sorry."
That snaps him out of it. He looks a little surprised, though still lost. He smiled at me. A bittersweet smile. Like he's coming to terms with the loss of a loved one. The pure loss in his smile makes me squirm.
"Don't be. I... no, I shouldn't have given up on you." He gave a humorless laugh, "You're Tetsu. The amazing Phantom Sixth Man of the Generation of Miracles. There's nothing you can't do." I blinked. Was I really that amazing? If that's the case, then how am I going to live up to that? I don't want to disappoint anyone. But how can I not?
This is like being asked to climb a sheer cliff with no gear. I have never felt more insignificant in my life.
"I guess it's not fair." Aomine hung his head so his face was shadowed, "Amnesia, right? You're practically a different person. It's not fair for me to expect something like that from you. Sorry." My stomach sinks slightly at his disheartening words. In another case, I might protest, I'm totally up for the challenge! Don't underestimate me!
But here, he's completely right. I'm practically a different person. Kuroko Tetsuya died. And I was born in the ashes. How can I possibly disagree with something so obviously right?
The redhead's spacing out. His eyes are glazed and his posture is relaxed. Is he okay? What's he thinking about?
"Akashi-kun?" No response.
"Akashi-kun, are you okay?" I ask again. Midorima seemed to realize Akashi was not responding.
"Akashi! Akashi! Akashi! Are you okay?!" He cried, leaning closer to the redhead with each cry. Akashi jumped and looked at Midorima in surprise. It took a few moments for Akashi to respond.
"Ah, Warri, yes." He gave a reassuring smile. No one was convinced, so he quickly added, "Just thinking about how to deal with some disrespectful first-years." For some reason, I shivered. Disturbing images passed through my mind, like a bunch of young high schoolers hung upside down and gutted like ducks... that's all I'll share for now. There was more but... for the rating's sake, I'll keep it as that.
Midorima and Kise relaxed and let it go, Aomine too. But I my gut told me Akashi was lying. I didn't let my gaze drop from the redhead, as if I pressured him with my gaze enough, he would speak the truth.
As if he could sense the intensity of my stare, he stared back. Feeling like a butterfly underneath a magnifying glass, I let my gaze wander back to Aomine and just watched Aomine scarf down his teriyaki burgers. But my mind was with Akashi. Why did he lie about what he was thinking about?
[A/N: Sorry if this chapter makes it seem like an AkaKuro fic, it's not.]
