Mythia: After all of Chapter 01 is up, it'll be difficult to publish the later chapters, I'm sorry to say. This project is very hard, since it's a canon. But you know... I'm always up for a challenge. :)
Enjoy!
01
I Am Kuroko
Boku wa Kuroko desu
[continued]
"Eek!"
My shriek alerted the teacher. Standing before me, he checked my twisted ankle. Some students groaned at me for being such a klutz, while others quietly snickered. This one girl peered at me, worried about me.
"It seems that you need to stay in the school infirmary," the teacher muttered. "You can't go to the gym like this."
"That's today?" a girl whined.
The teacher ignored her. "I'll have you take her, Kimiko."
Kimiko, the girl who fretted at my ankle, twitched a small smile. "Ah, okay sensei!" she chirped. Helping me up, I limped to the infirmary with the girl.
"You okay?" she asked me. She giggled. "Well, at least I don't have to go the gym anytime soon. I can stay with you!"
I laughed nervously. "I-I don't think you should do that," I remarked.
"Nah, no one would mind. It's only the first day of school after all." She looked at me. "I'm Kimiko Haruka. My older sister goes here, so I'm pretty familiar with this place."
"Is that r-right?"
"Ha! Well anyway, how bad is that ankle? I hope it's pretty bad, so we don't have to climb up those pointless ropes, or run indoor laps." Kimiko stuck her tongue out in disgust. But then she quickly stopped. "Oh, I didn't mean it that way! I hope you're okay! I just hope you... are a good actor. I'm sorry, I just hate the gym that much."
"It's okay, Kimiko-san," I said. "Many girls don't like the gym."
"Do you like it?"
I blinked. In all honesty, I wasn't sure what to say. "W-Well, I detest it sometimes, but not because I'm terrible... I like it on other times because it makes me feel like I'm in another world. B-But I wouldn't like if it was, um, shaped basketball court form."
"Eh? Why a basketball court?"
I didn't realize that I just randomly sputtered out words that were in my head until that question popped up. I flinched. "Oh, well—I-I don't really—well um, it's just that—"
I couldn't answer, and it felt like I was trapped.
"Uh, it's okay, Yuki-chan! I won't ask." Kimiko waved her arms around with an uneasy grin. "Sorry."
"No, i-it's fine."
We spent our entire gym time in the infirmary. I really... regret it all.
~The Basketball Which Kuroko Plays~
I looked at my paper for the umpteenth time. "I can't believe this..."
Seirin High wasn't big for a private school, but it was more like a maze. I passed through the same classroom numbers, and found myself in the cafeteria and the English room one too many times in the junior year's floor. How hard was it to find the gym room here?
My eyes wandered grumpily, and caught sight of a tall second-year with straight black hair and dark, narrow eyes.
Wait a second. I was in the sophomore year's floor now? How could I not have realized that sooner?
Trying to stay firm under a few second year students' gazes (though I was considerably failing), I walked up to him. "E-Excuse me."
The boy was looked at me quizzically. "You're looking for me?" he asked, glancing around to see if I was talking to him.
"Oh, I-I just assumed you knew where the gym was, since you're a second year and all. A-And to me, you look like a basketball player a bit." I wanted to smack myself at the last part said. Well, it was said.
He lit up anyway. "I am a basketball player! It's cool that you seem to tell. Is it my height?"
I uneasily replied, "S-Sure." Then, I quickly added, "I wanted to go there to watch."
The boy blinked, but smiled in understanding. "I'm Izuki Shun. I'm about to go to the gym; I had cleaning duties in homeroom. But wow, how long have you been looking?"
"It feels like days..."
He laughed at this. "Really? I'll show you the way then." He looked at the 'new student' lanyard hanging around my neck, and said aloud, "Yukishiro Mitsu. That's like a name straight from an anime!"
I smiled. "T-Thank you?"
He just talked and talked as we walked to the gym. "Well anyway, I heard from Aida that we had cool people signing up for the team. She has to take hold of these people, whoever they are. Oh, and there's this girl that's our manager. She used to go to Teikou you see, so she knows about the Generation of Miracles really well! You know the Kiseki no Sedai, right? Well anyway..."
I wasn't exactly listening to him. My mind was set on seeing Kagami again. Oh goodness, what should I say to someone like him? Was he the same as the Taiga I knew? Or did he change?
In my mind, I hoped he didn't.
"Hey, what's your first impression of your first day here? Do you like Seirin so far?"
I nodded. "Oh, yes. The teachers aren't as strict as the ones back in my middle school, so I feel relieved."
"What about the students?"
"T-The senpais are kind like you here."
Izuki blushed a little. "Ha, that's nice."
Sighing, I couldn't help but think of Kuroko. I wondered what it'd be like to see my best friend meet my brother.
"Here we are," Izuki announced. He politely opened the door for me, and I stepped in to smell that it was only a little used for the day. So it wasn't too smelly, like Teikou's gym after the basketball club would use it.
The people were inside, and then it struck me. My heart pounded all of a sudden, ringing in my ears. I felt frozen and shy, seeing a whole bunch of guys in the room with their eyes on me.
Well, all except for one person.
Hyuga was acting tough, speaking in a strict and rough tone that slightly scared three of the people who signed up. Only four people showed up. Oh, there were five. My eyes were adjusting to Kuroko.
"Don't mind the people. Look at me!" Hyuga snapped. The distracted first-years were looking at Izuki and I, quickly turning their heads back to the irritated senpai.
Izuki casually jogged up to Hyuga. "A girl's here to watch us, I guess," he said to him.
"I know. She's supposed to be here."
"Wait, she's the girl?" Izuki glanced back at me. "Really? Whoa, okay."
My grey eyes were slowly widening at Kagami's presence. He really was there, with his dark red hair. He certainly grew, but that wasn't surprising, knowing how much he'd eat in one sitting. But I was stunned to the spot.
Aida, standing near the benchers, caught me staring in half-registered shock. I shook my head vigorously, trying to find a seat. When I did, I was quietly observing them all.
In all honesty, Kagami was like the guy in the spotlight, while the others awkwardly stood there like they had a pointless role in the play. And these weren't my thoughts because Kagami was my friend. Anyone would've agreed.
Kuroko wasn't even noticed until Aida called him up. Before that, Kagami was called, and he left an intimidating impression. But back to Kuroko—
As I thought, they all had doubtful faces. He confirmed that indeed he was part of the Miracles. However, Aida was ticked and slightly glum at the invisible boy. "Are you kidding me?" her aura seemed to drawl.
They only did introductions that day. Kagami seemed to have something in his mind when he was packing to leave.
My heart was racing; I wanted to go to him. But sadly, my body was paralyzed and wouldn't move. My mouth whimpered pathetically.
Did Kagami even once glance my way? He should've noticed my white hair by now. It always looked like it was glowing!
"Tai-kun?"
Red eyes peered up. Kagami's face scrunched up, then he proceeded to tie his shoes, and zip up his bag.
He didn't notice me. Before I knew it, I had lost my chance.
Kagami Taiga left the gym room.
I sighed. I mean it, I saw him look my way! But why didn't he see me?
Izuki was still here, and he frowned when he saw a stray tear slip past my cheek. "Are... are you crying?"
I hastily wiped my eye and hiccupped. "N-No." Why would I cry like a pitiful wimp, when there was not a reason in this world to? I sat down, rubbing my eyes. I knew it was going to redden, but who cared?
Izuki sat down beside me. "Um, I'm just wondering something. After a while, Aida thought you left. In fact, the others thought so too, including me. Did you go out sometime while we talked and came back to speak with that tall guy?"
"I d-didn't leave," I replied. Well, I couldn't say that didn't baffle me.
"Huh. Really? Hey, is it something you and that Miracle man can do? Look like you disappear and—"
"I can't do that," I interrupted. "Only Kuro-kun can do that. No other person I know can try and not fail at it."
Izuki looked at me. "But we all thought you disappeared," he insisted. "Huh, that's weird."
Thanks to him, I was too busy being confused to cry anymore. So I laughed, gracing a puzzled expression over the basketball player's face. "T-Thank you, Izuki-kun."
"For what?"
I smiled, and patted his shoulder, standing up from the benchers. "I stopped crying because of you. But now, I need to do two things: track down Tai-kun, and wonder about my supposed 'invisibility.'"
I didn't believe him. He was probably just messing with me.
Izuki blushed again. "It's fine, really. Don't thank me."
Patting down my pleated skirt, I said my goodbyes to him and left the school.
I was walking home that evening. The sun was setting beautifully, but the sounds of cars and afternoon traffic ruined the peace, to my disappointment. Then, the sound of a basketball was heard in my ears.
I stopped walking. My ears didn't do that ever; as in hear things that weren't really there. Sighing, I followed the sound, not really needing to be home too soon.
It led me to a street basketball court not too far from Seirin. Though, to say that I was shocked at the two people playing one-on-one was an understatement.
"T-Tai-kun? Kuro-kun?"
The both of them stopped for a moment. But then they resumed playing.
Inside, my head spun. It was only the first day of school! All I wanted for my high school life was for it to be normal, maybe above average grades, and some college credits at the most, nothing too great! But instead, I get to be manager of my high school's basketball team, with my American brother and my best friend that I'm still questionable about. After all, I hated my middle school life.
Please don't ask why.
Watching them felt weird. I never did a one-on-one with Kuroko before, so I never experienced his effect with just him against only me on court.
And in all honesty... not to be mean, or anything...
A five-year-old could win against him.
Kuroko hadn't even gotten a ball in when he shot at rare times, and his defensive abilities were to his disadvantage because of his height. So, not even scoring once, it was Kagami for the win by a landslide.
"You're terrible! And you call yourself a Miracle? Stop joking around, kid!" Kagami shouted. He was obviously disappointed. "I need to find a real opponent around here. Miracles should be easy to defeat if you're as puny as them."
My eyes widened. I stepped up, quite loudly, causing two pairs of wide eyes to look at mine for the first time since the club introduction.
"Now look right here! I've been standing here the entire time, watching most of the game, and I know Kuroko. Offense... or defense... they aren't his forte! However, he's a valuable addition to Seirin's basketball team. I've known him for how long. Yes, he needs to improve, but you do too Tai-kun! You've been slacking when you could've aimed at better at stamina, o-or, or strength. Both of you, I didn't expect you to be here." My brows furrowed. "Tai-kun, that wasn't nice of you to say such hurtful and stingy words. Yes, I'm here. Yes, you're not seeing things. But no, things aren't going to be the same between us. You... I have nothing to say now!"
Kagami just stood there like a gaping fish. No ones escaped his mouth. He was stiffly staring for what seemed like hours, looking at me as if I was a ghost. "T... Tsu?" was all he could utter.
I fixated my gaze to the concrete floor, glancing around from time to time. "Tai-kun, welcome to Japan. I go to Seirin as well, a-and I know Kuro-kun—erm, Kuroko Tetsuya. Kuro-kun," I looked up to meet his indifferent blue eyes, "this is Kagami Taiga, or Tai-kun, my b-brother from America."
Under my shirt, my hand found the ring in the chain necklace, and I pulled it out. "I didn't like Japan. But because of T-Teikou and their basketball, I began liking it. But then... well, I don't want to talk about it. We split apart, end of story. So in Seirin, I was hoping not to get involved in basketball anymore, but... now I'm Seirin's manager for the basketball team."
I mean it when I say that I've never said a longer monologue in my life. But the other two were silent, so I had to keep babbling.
"I just don't really k-know anymore—"
"Tsu. Shut up."
I squeaked, tentatively looking up at Kagami's face. He looked more intimidating and strong, like a beast. He was no longer the person I knew back in America years ago. He was a Taiga (tiger).
"I've been sick when you left. Tatsuya and I aren't the same. You and I aren't the same either. I thought it'd just be best if we just forgot about each other and our past."
"I-I tried that."
Kagami blinked, not expecting that from me. He continued, "You meant a lot to me, you know. And for you to leave without wanting to tell me made me pissed."
"I f-figured, Tai-kun."
Kuroko watched us, as we awkwardly spoke.
"And now that you're here... hell, I don't break promises."
"H-Huh?"
Kagami groaned, "You forgot our promise?"
"No, I-I didn't! It's just..." I trailed off. But then I finished, "I'm wearing a skirt."
The wind was the only thing heard.
"A-And it's late, I don't have a change of clothes and—"
"Seriously? A little skirt's what's pulling you down? You said that the first thing we'd do is to play a one-on-one!"
"We were in sixth grade! Did I know any better?"
"Here." Kuroko plopped a shirt and shorts on my head. I blinked when it fell onto my hands.
"Kuro-kun, I can't use your clothes. That's just ridiculous," I stammered.
"Yeah, her waist is really small."
I huffed lightly at Kagami, "How would you know?"
He simply looked away.
I began folding the clothes given to me, and carefully arranged it inside Kuroko's bag. "Kuro-kun, I just can't use these. It'd be big on me, so I'll just work with what's on me right now."
"What?"
Almost shamelessly, I pulled down my skirt and threw my top off. With wide eyes, the two stared. Kagami was blushing madly at first, but then he was red in anger at me. "Tsu, are you kidding me!?"
Underneath my school uniform was a pair of shorts and a simple tight tank top. "I can't wear a skirt with nothing underneath, Tai-kun," I teased. "I have modesty."
"T-That's just sick, Tsu."
"I'll lose against you though, you know that?" I still had that recently twisted ankle, which is in much better condition, but it could still act up anytime during the game. I had to be aware of that.
A ball was already being bounced up and down. My body moved into a simple position, not exactly warmed up but Kagami wasn't that warmed up either. Kuroko was barely an opponent to him; that I knew.
Kuroko stepped back. Kagami smirked. "Don't care. Your play, Tsu."
Mythia: It's official. I love Kuroko no Basuke. Hahaha, then again, I've always loved it. XD
As I revised this on the fanfiction thingamajigger, I realized that Yuki's monologuing was, well, long. Please don't skip that part. Unless you don't really care. In that case, you didn't have to read it.
And yesssss. Sibling reunion, amiright? :D
Thank you for reading! Please tell me if you notice any mistakes, or if you have any suggestions/requests you want to see in this story.
Preview? Preview!
Aida's eyes widened. "That's really..."
"I was surprised too when I first knew. I had no words to describe his play either. But I'd say now that it's cunning."
Aida crossed her arms, impressed. "Shrewd."
"Sneaky."
"Sly."
"Nifty."
"I'll say," agreed Aida. "I can't underestimate this guy anymore. He's wimpy, but he might be useful. Hey, write in more detail about Kagami and Kuroko."
