A/N: Ratings and settings will change at some point

Chapter 1

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The rhythmic sound of a bouncing basketball echoed across the street court. Two boys stood against one another, absorbed and focused on their match. One boy had so thin a presence that none would have noticed him at all, the other brightly standing out and definitely better at the game. Enjoyment was clear on both of their faces, round cheeks flushed and sweaty.

"Come on, Kuroko!"

Light blue hair swayed as the pale young boy shifted, eyes of the same vibrant hue as his hair darting around to find a way past his talkative opponent. Kuroko Tetsuya did not have the build suited for such a physically demanding game, but what he lacked in experience and physical ability, he made up with his eye for detail and instinctive grasp on reading body language.

Ogiwara Shigehiro had a considerable advantage over him, height and physical ability and all, but the other boy was in the same boat as Kuroko as far as age and experience were concerned. Spotting an opening in Ogiwara-kun's defense was not hard, but executing the needed maneuvers to get past it was unnecessarily so. For Kuroko anyway.

Taking the risk, Kuroko tried for a crossover and then a drive. He'd never get better if he didn't try.

And he was right.

Despite knowing what to do and how to do it, despite having tried and failed lots of times before, Kuroko stumbled. His hand fumbled with the ball, tried to get it back in control, and for once he succeeded.

Unfortunately, Kuroko wasn't the fastest nor did his left hand have the best coordination, so Ogiwara-kun managed to catch up and steal the ball.

Internally sighing, Kuroko ran after Ogiwara-kun as the chestnut haired boy dashed towards the hoop and—

Thunk. Swish.

"Yosha!"

—scored another basket for himself.

That was his eighth and Kuroko still hasn't scored once.

Panting, the light blue haired boy used his shirt to wipe away the sweat that threatened to drip down his eyes. Ogiwara-kun continued cheering, and though disappointed with himself, Kuroko was unable to resist a fond smile tugging at his lips. It was hard to remain feeling down in the face of such enthusiasm.

He and Ogiwara-kun had known each other for a while now. A friendship sparked by their shared interest in basketball with the winds of spring nipping at their skin. A friendship maintained by sunshine smiles and blinding optimism, of which thawed the chill Kuroko had always lived with. Past seasons and a turn of another year, their friendship remains.

It made him feel like– like a person. Like he actually existed.

Kuroko went to pick up the ball, the two friends having played for long enough that scoring also meant allowing themselves time to catch their breath. Hands brushed and pressed against the smoothened ridges of worn leather, the scars of being used everyday since it was bought and gifted to a wide-eyed child.

"Don't worry, Kuroko!" Ogiwara-kun assured, all bundled excitement as if they hadn't been running around for about half an hour. "You'll definitely do better next time!"

Kuroko hid a smile behind the ball in his grasp, pleased by the encouragement, still disbelieving and so grateful that such a person like Ogiwara-kun chose to befriend him. That he stayed when most of Kuroko's own classmates often forgot. But perhaps that was just Ogiwara-kun's character.

Ogiwara-kun is not unlike the sun that shone brightly whose rays never failed to reach, reach, and reach out.

(Sometimes—a lot of times—Kuroko wanted to be the moon that reflected that brightness, the gentle illumination where Ogiwara-kun could not because he was needed elsewhere.)

"Ara?"

Kuroko blinked and followed the direction where Ogiwara-kun was staring at, surprised to see a boy leaning by the court's entrance, an odd looking skateboard tucked under an arm.

Even from his position, Kuroko could tell that the boy was troubled, his thin lips pursed into a flat line and blue eyes dark behind glasses that engulfed a good portion of his face. The boy seems to be about their age, dark hair neatly combed yet still with a cowlick and a distinct tuft. He seems to have stopped walking without realizing it.

Something about this boy was familiar. Perhaps Kuroko had seen him in passing before? He tried to remember, to chase the memory that seemed to be stuck at the tip of his tongue. But while Kuroko had quite a good recall, it still eluded him.

Despite seeming to be lost in thought, the boy's eyes snapped towards them the moment their attention turned towards him.

Blue met blue. (Sky met the sea). One so sharp and piercing, the other surprised.

Perhaps his confusion and surprise was an overreaction. An exaggeration. But Kuroko was very hard to notice. No one had ever seen him so fast without Kuroko having to intentionally call attention to himself. Even then, it took a couple of tries.

It didn't help that that azure gaze felt as though it was seeing through everything he was.

Kuroko felt… vulnerable. Exposed and laid bare.

For someone who had always been overlooked, who had been passed over so much that he had come to enjoy the solitude and the privacy, it was disconcerting.

But–

Someone saw him without Kuroko having to make himself known.

The more childish, lonely part of himself was excited. Even Ogiwara-kun confessed to losing sight of Kuroko every so often despite being quite adept at knowing the general area where Kuroko is.

But this. This didn't feel like a fluke. Couldn't be one.

The air around them felt tense, heavy, and it all centered on the gaze that picked Kuroko apart.

"Hello! Come join us!"

Of course, Kuroko thought in exasperation, Ogiwara-kun would bulldoze over it.

He was reminded why, out of all the metaphors he had rifled through, Kuroko had chosen Ogiwara-kun to be the scorching, blazing sun that tortured them during summer.

"Ogiwara-kun can be so dense and forceful," Kuroko belatedly noticed that he said that out loud, but internally shrugged before deciding to continue, "and impolite. Please stop being so demanding."

Ogiwara-kun made an offended noise and whined, "Kuroko! I'm just trying to make friends."

"Then introduce yourself first and rephrase your demand into a request."

With a slap on Kuroko's back, Ogiwara-kun grinned at the silent boy, "I'm Ogiwara Shigehiro and this–" another slap and this time, Kuroko stumbled causing the smaller boy to narrow his eyes at his friend, "–is Kuroko Tetsu-chan!"

Eyebrow twitching, Kuroko jabbed Ogiwara-kun's side like his grandmother often did when his father stepped a toe out of line. Ignoring the spluttering Ogiwara-kun, Kuroko introduced himself with a formal bow, "Please excuse Ogiwara-kun. My name is Kuroko Tetsuya. Nice to meet you."

The boy, at least, had an amused look on his face, a lip quirk that slowly grew into a smile and—

Were those flowers?

Yes, Kuroko can see apparitions of flowers blooming as the boy smiled. "Edogawa Conan."

Ogiwara-kun quickly recovered from the jab and squealed, pointing at Edogawa-kun and grabbing Kuroko, "He does the same thing you do, Kuroko!"

"What?"

"Pardon?"

Ogiwara-kun flailed, dragging Kuroko to stand beside Edogawa-kun. Kuroko shared a bemused look with the other non-hyperactive boy.

"The smiley flowers thing! Sparkles! I swear, it shouldn't be possible." He continued some more but Kuroko elected to ignore him. Ogiwara-kun can speak such nonsense at times.

Turning his attention to Edogawa-kun, Kuroko ran through a list of possible things to say to initiate small talk, dismissing the more generic ones like what brings you here, how has your day been, are you from around here. Kuroko wasn't quite interested to know about those right now anyway. So what he started with was:

"Does Edogawa-kun play basketball?"

Because when it came down to it, that was the most important question in Kuroko Tetsuya's heart. And also because Kuroko was holding a ball and they were in a street court.

(He was not quite at Ogiwara-kun's level of being a basket-baka just yet, thank you.)

(Ha!)

"Well," Edogawa-kun tilted his head in consideration, emitting a quiet cheeriness as if he hadn't been so troubled just a few moments ago. "I can dribble and shoot, though I'm definitely better with my feet." Edogawa-kun grinned, conspiratorial and mischievous. "Although I might be able to help you score against Ogiwara-kun. Eight to zero, is it? Definitely more since you play every day."

The certainty was what made the simple statement unnerving. Not for the first time, Kuroko wondered exactly how long Edogawa-kun had been there to be able to make such remarks.

"Not that long."

Can he read mind–

"And no, I can't read minds. It's just obvious in the way you look." Edogawa-kun crossed his arms, amused. Kuroko doesn't know whether to feel insulted or not. "For someone who doesn't emote much, you're oddly expressive. So? Basketball?"

It was apparently the magic word for Ogiwara-kun to snap out of his bubble. He didn't get any less…passionate(?) but he finally remembered conversations weren't supposed to be one-sided. "You play?!"

Edogawa-kun nodded. Kuroko didn't miss how humoring the gesture appeared.

"Can't say I'm good at it though," added Edogawa-kun, "I prefer a different sport."

Anyone else would have gasped at the utter blasphemy that basketball isn't the best sport there is, but Ogiwara-kun was open-minded and Kuroko was too quiet and calm to start a conflict.

"That's fine!" Ogiwara-kun answered with enthusiasm, moving to drag the other two boys back into the center of the court. Edogawa-kun hurriedly placed his skateboard by their bags. "You can be in a team with Kuroko. Two-on-one sounds better than a free-for-all, and Kuroko is already tired."

Unsaid was that Ogiwara-kun didn't want to make anyone feel left out. Kuroko only hoped Edogawa-kun wouldn't be the same as Kuroko's fellow basketball club members. It was hard to play if your teammates often forgot you were there in the first place.

Then again, Edogawa-kun had been staring at Kuroko pensively as Ogiwara-kun explained the rules with great exuberance. Edogawa-kun seemed to have a good grasp on the rules anyway, just needing a few clarifications, so it didn't take long before they started.

"Alright!" Ogiwara-kun declared, holding the ball as it was decided he would first play offense, "Best of three. We don't really count by normal points, so no need for three pointers."

Edogawa-kun whispered to Kuroko, "Concentrate on stealing and passing. I'm great at running." With that, he went into position to mark Ogiwara-kun.

Kuroko stared at his hands. Stealing and passing. Skills that were heavily reliant on teamplay. It wasn't that he couldn't do it, it was just that he barely had the opportunity to try it, one more than the other. Another hurdle in being such a forgotten presence in the court.

As if sensing his apprehension, Edogawa-kun glanced at him with a grin and a thumbs up.

Well. No time like the present. Who knew when he would meet another person like Edogawa-kun who never forgot Kuroko's presence?

With a determined nod, Kuroko got into position.

When Edogawa-kun said he wasn't good at it, he definitely didn't mean he was bad at it.

He was fast. One moment he was at the half-court line, the next he was on the paint and all Kuroko had to do was steal the ball from Ogiwara-kun and pass it as best as he could towards his teammate.

Edogawa-kun would catch it, adjusting if he had to when Kuroko didn't have enough strength for the ball to reach him properly, and then take a shot. His aim was good, usually going in if Ogiwara-kun didn't distract him, but it was obvious he doesn't have the muscle memory of someone who regularly played basketball.

Sometimes though, he caught the ball with his foot or knee or, at one time, even headbut it (towards the hoop and actually scored as if the ball wasn't heavy enough to cause a concussion at that strength), and it never failed to send Ogiwara-kun laughing. Whenever that happened, Edogawa-kun would say a sheepish, "Sorry, instinct," while scratching his head.

"Ah," Kuroko declared in realization, "Soccer."

Ogiwara-kun brightened as it, too, clicked in his mind. "So that's why you're so fast."

Edogawa-kun smiled, eyes burning and secretive. "It's been a great help."

And at some point, "A chest pass doesn't mean literally using your chest!"

It was no surprise that Edogawa-kun's dribbling and ball control were great, considering how well coordinated and spatially aware he is. One time he even did this weird, sleight of hand thing that confused the other boys and allowed him to pass with ease. It was like the ball flickered and it was suddenly in Kuroko's hand.

"What."

Again, Edogawa-kun just smiled. "I know someone who knows some things."

"Edogawa-kun must relish in being difficult."

"That was amazing!"

"I don't think I can do it again."

Meanwhile, Kuroko was getting the hang of the role assigned to him. It was easier, somehow, to just find opportunities to reach for the ball and trust that there was someone he could pass it to. Figuring out ways on how to get the ball somewhere that wasn't vertically higher than he is had been a lot less difficult but no less challenging. Though unlike shooting, there was a sense of accomplishment because he was actually able to do it.

"And you've never gotten the ball in?" was Edogawa-kun's incredulous observation.

Kuroko shook his head, disappointed at yet another failure.

"But that's statistically impossible. You should have been able to score at least once by now."

"I'm honestly starting to think it's a curse. He can't even do it with trash cans."

Edogawa-kun looked at them funny before shaking his head and muttered, "This must be what Hattori was on about."

Playing with Edogawa-kun was fun. He never hogged the ball, always mindful that Kuroko was his teammate and acting accordingly. He liked messing around, making Ogiwara-kun run and Kuroko to think.

There was some sort of lesson happening here. A subtle push that Kuroko was able to confirm when he spotted the self-satisfied smirk that stretched Edogawa-kun's lips as he watched Kuroko and Ogiwara-kun face off.

They ended up playing until the score was 5-2, with Kuroko and Edogawa-kun winning.

The moment they finished, Kuroko fell flat on his back, panting and gasping for air. Sweat soaked through his shirt, and he was already fantasizing about taking a shower but maybe he could also just pass out here, cleanliness be damned. He was just so exhausted he couldn't even properly appreciate that they won.

Ogiwara-kun was no better, collapsing beside Kuroko like a dying man. Edogawa-kun had been absolutely ruthless in making him run around for the ball.

And the devil himself, Edogawa Conan, remained standing, looking fresh as a daisy as if he hadn't pushed and pushed until they were playing full court rather than the half they started in. Arms crossed, eyebrow raised, he watched the souls he had just tortured in the pretense of playing. Basketball wasn't even his sport!

Kuroko wanted to comment, something snide and sarcastic, but he couldn't even find the energy to speak.

Ogiwara-kun, however, wasn't as far gone as Kuroko. "How can you just say you're not good at it when you clearly are?!"

Sly little thing that he is, Edogawa-kun put his hands behind his back, oozing such deceitful innocence that Kuroko would have believed it had he not just experienced what he did, and shrugged. "But I'm not. I'm not bad, but I'm not that good either. I keep messing up with kicking."

Yes, and somehow his kicks always made their target. Even the hoop.

"Yeah? Well," Ogiwara-kun weakly threw dirt in Edogawa-kun's direction. "Next time, me and Kuroko against you. I will never again be fooled. I feel like my legs are gonna fall off!"

Kuroko had an arm draped over his eyes so he didn't get to see his reaction, but Edogawa-kun's hum had something to it that made Kuroko peek in question. The boy had this odd look. Something bleak and dark and unknown, before it was quickly replaced by something lighter.

Sadness.

And then he's smiling, sweet and innocent, and Kuroko knew it didn't bode well for them.

"Time to get up," Edogawa-kun chirped, "Do some cool down exercises. You don't want to be more sore than you have to be for tomorrow, don't you?"

At the mere thought of moving, Kuroko wanted to play at ignorance, but he knew he'd be better off listening. Ogiwara-kun, on the other hand, didn't hesitate to whine. "Noo! I can't even move a muscle."

"Okay then," Edogawa-kun responded calmly, "I hope you have someone to drag you around tomorrow when you can't even crawl out of bed."

Knowing some truth to that statement from experience, Kuroko did his best to push himself up and at least do some stretches. He had the habit of pushing himself so much that there were days Kuroko literally had to crawl out of his bed.

When Ogiwara-kun still didn't move to get up, Kuroko prodded him with his feet as Edogawa-kun listed out reasons on the importance of cooling down after a rigorous exercise, the list getting morbid and graphic the more he talked.

By the time Ogiwara-kun lugged himself up, Kuroko felt sorry for even thinking of skipping a cool down. Ogiwara-kun looked rather green.

When they finished, the sun was already setting and it would soon be nightfall. They quickly grabbed their things and started their way home. They did stop by a convenience store to buy some freeze pops, as per Kuroko and Ogiwara-kun's tradition.

Having let the idle talk of which iced dessert was the best pass, Kuroko finally asked, "Where does Edogawa-kun live?"

Edogawa-kun didn't look up from where he was tapping at his phone, freeze pop dangling by his teeth. "Beika."

"That's pretty far," Ogiwara-kun remarked. Which was true enough. If Kuroko remembered correctly, Beika was at least a 30 minute train ride and some bus travel away. "Should you really go home alone? It's late. What were you even doing all the way here?"

"Occhan met with a client around here and I tagged along, but I guess he already left by now."

Kuroko frowned, but was unable to find the correct words to voice his concern. He shared a look with Ogiwara-kun, and he was glad he wasn't the only one confused and concerned. And maybe a little bit disappointed that Edogawa-kun lived far enough away that regular meetups wouldn't be easy.

"Client?" prodded Ogiwara-kun.

"Un," Edogawa-kun nodded, slipping his phone into his pocket and finally gripping his freeze pop with his hand. "Occhan's a private detective."

"A detective?! That's so cool!"

Edogawa-kun blinked, a bemused smile on his face. "I guess. It's an honorable career. I think I want to be one when I grow up." Then his smile turned wry, "Or maybe a critic."

Kuroko wondered, "A critic?"

"A friend of mine insists that he's an artist." The tone was amused. An inside joke, Kuroko noted. They must have been close friends.

Ogiwara-kun hummed, "An art critic isn't bad either. Not as cool as a detective though. My parents want me to become a doctor. What about you, Kuroko?"

"Hm?" Kuroko tilted his head, considering his options. "I haven't really thought about it. A writer, maybe?"

"Oh yeah! You like reading all those books, don't you? I think you'll be the best writer."

"Oh?" Edogawa-kun turned his attention towards Kuroko. "What kinds of books do you read?"

"A bit of everything," Kuroko responded easily despite the weird discomfort at being subjected to such intense focus. "I've been reading a lot of mystery books lately."

A twinkle entered Edogawa-kun's eyes.

Soon, the conversation devolved into book recommendations (Edogawa-kun swears by Sherlock Holmes, Kuroko had been in the process of reading through the Night Baron series) and harsh criticism on some titles that had been particularly bad at presenting their cases. Kuroko learned that Edogawa-kun had quite the sharp mind, able to break down plots and offer better alternatives that even Ogiwara-kun was pulled into the conversation.

It felt a bit like they were being presented a lecture, but Kuroko was willing to soak up the knowledge being imparted. Ogiwara-kun was just fascinated by hearing such clinical reasoning.

Before they realized it, they had to part ways. Kuroko and Ogiwara-kun's homes are in the opposite direction of the train station, so they had to bid Edogawa-kun farewell.

Unlike Edogawa-kun, neither of the two boys had a phone to exchange numbers with, so they just extracted a promise that Edogawa-kun drop by the street court if he passes by again. They spent most of their time together there anyway.

"It was great meeting you, Kuroko-kun, Ogiwara-kun."

"Call me Shigehiro! There's no need for formalities, we're all friends here."

Edogawa-kun looked surprised but seemed to accept it with grace. "Shigehiro-kun, then."

Kuroko, polite almost to a fault, didn't know if he should offer the use of his first name or not. A knowing look and a reassuring nod from Edogawa-kun left Kuroko relieved. He'd never asked someone to call him by his first name and it felt uncomfortable to do so now. Kuroko liked the idea that they were friends, though.

"I should get going," said Edogawa-kun, checking his wristwatch.

"See you!"

"Take care, Edogawa-kun."

As they watched their new friend walk away, Kuroko could have sworn he heard something like, "No one died, that's new," but maybe he heard wrong.

Their journey back to their own homes was silent, which Kuroko was content with. He usually responds when spoken to, and Ogiwara-kun was able to hold a conversation with minimal input on Kuroko's part. However, today he was exhausted, drained both physically and emotionally.

It seems Ogiwara-kun had quite a bit in his mind too. "Ne, Kuroko."

Not even bothering to verbally answer, Kuroko merely looked at his companion inquiringly.

"What do you think about Edogawa?"

"Edogawa-kun is…" Kuroko paused, thinking of the correct words to use. "Nice." Which he seems to be, really, despite making Kuroko question a lot of things. But maybe Kuroko is biased. Edogawa-kun saw him and that was enough to put him in Kuroko's good books.

Though something had been bothering him about the other boy, about his easy-going, amiable nature. It seemed…unstable, for the lack of a better term and missing context.

Ogiwara-kun considered Kuroko's words, uncharacteristically thoughtful and solemn. Kuroko could practically hear the gears turning.

"Well," The chestnut haired boy tucked his hands behind his head. "I think he needs some friends."

"Ogiwara-kun is so presumptuous," came Kuroko's dry reply, "Edogawa-kun already has friends."

"Doesn't mean he has to stop making new ones!" The grin on Ogiwara-kun's face was enough to light up the entire street. "The more the merrier, right? And besides, you can't tell me that you don't want to be friends with him. You were practically glowing whenever he smiled at you."

Kuroko didn't deny it, instead hugging the ball in his arms tighter. "It was nice to be recognized."

There must have been something that gave him away through his usual monotone because Ogiwara-kun paused. Then, in a blink, Ogiwara-kun's arms wrapped around him. Kuroko startled, unused to the sudden physical affection, but it didn't take long for him to sink into the comfort it offered.

"I'm always at your side, Kuroko." Ogiwara-kun pulled away, the smile on his face gentle, somehow brighter than his grins. "And I'll make sure you never forget that."

Kuroko stared, at a loss on how to respond. The sting in his eyes and the utter warmth in his chest told him what he felt. Made it clear what he wanted to do.

"Tetsuya."

"Hm?"

"You should call me Tetsuya, Shige-kun."

The following ecstatic outburst had Kuroko smiling, pleased and happy. He had always been grateful for Ogiwa– Shige-kun's presence in his life, who brought along basketball and the indescribable pleasure of friendship. But it took one strange boy from Beika to make Kuroko see the wall Shige-kun had been trying to scale when Kuroko should have been waiting by the gate.

(And that there was a gate at all.)

Chapter End

Some bullet points for the future of this fic:

Pairings: Akashi Seijuro/Edogawa Conan|Kudo Shinichi; Uncertain: Kise Ryouta/Kuroko Tetsuya (feel free to suggest Kuroko's ship)
Main Characters: Kiseki no Sedai | Generation of Miracles, Edogawa Conan | Kudou Shinichi, Kuroba Kaito | Kaito KID

-Will explore relationship dynamics but will not be ship-centric. Slow burn because age issues.
-Will attempt to balance the basketball and the mystery despite mainly functioning in the KnB world (NOT isekai) so expect DC and KnB standard angst
-If it helps, I favor Arthuria_PenDragon (AO3), Mayweetok (AO3), and SapphireMoons (AO3) when it comes to GoM dynamics, but I have my own ideas.

If this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, feel free to treat this first chapter as a one-shot. Hope you enjoyed reading!

5/1/22 Edit: Just minor adjustments to narrative voice