Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
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1st year – Too Academy
Mac had meant to talk to Taiga as soon as she could because she hated knowing that Tetsuya was upset and her cousin was the reason why. She wasn't sure what he had said, but he had said something. Though, she thought that Taiga was upset as well because the little she had seen of him had only shown him brooding and glowering at nothing. He barely stayed in the same room as her when she was home at the same time as he was.
Anyway, they were both upset and she had meant to say something to her cousin, but her busy schedule with both magical lessons and none magical lessons as well as more intense basketball practice had her exhausted and barely functioning as it was.
She was really starting to wondering if taking her OWLs was worth all this pain and she almost told Sato that she didn't want to do it, but then she remembered all the effort he had put into teaching her and that this was what she had agreed to when deciding to take her muggle school as well as her magical ones. So she gritted her teeth and poured over her books at every free moment she could find.
She barely noticed that her uncle was home again and it wasn't until the second breakfast the next morning after her return from Sato's house that she noticed him sitting at the table reading the paper.
"Oh," she said stopping up and stared at her uncle.
"Hey, Mac," he smiled at her. "How are you?"
"Fine," she said then she frowned. "When did you come home?"
"Yesterday," he said, "you don't remember seeing me?"
"Oh," she said again. "I guess not… I was trying to revise my Transfiguration notes, and then my charms notes…"
He nodded and folded the paper together.
"Come and get something to eat," he said and Mac sat down and grabbed some food before opening her textbook and glanced at the text about Vanishing spells. She read it while eating and barely noticed that her uncle was watching her.
"Do you have a test soon?" he asked.
Mac startled and looked at him. She had forgotten that he was there.
"Sorry," she mumbled embarrassed. "I didn't mean to be rude…"
"No worries," he waved her off. "So, test?"
"Professor Sato told me that I'm ready to take my OWLs soon," she said tiredly.
"OWLs?" Tarou asked.
"It stands for Ordinary Wizarding Levels," Mac explained. "It's exams that decide what subjects you can continue with and it will affect what jobs I can apply for if I decide to find a job in the magical world."
"Sounds like a challenge," he said.
"It is," Mac yawned. "I also have my regular school and basketball, we made it to Inter-High so our coach is demanding more practices as well."
Tarou frowned slightly.
"You better be careful not to wear yourself out, Mac," he said.
Mac smiled and nodded as she got up and made to grab her plate to put it in the dishwasher but her uncle stopped her and told her to go and get ready for school.
...
Mac was early to school and went to the library. She had charmed her books to look like regular school books so she could read her magical books at school without fearing to be discovered. She was so into the books that she didn't notice that the library started to get visitors and not until someone stopped in front of her desk did she look up and saw Fujimoto and Ueda standing there glaring at her.
"I bet you're happy," Fujimoto sneered.
Mac sighed and closed her books. She knew she wouldn't get any more done now. Besides, if they were here it must mean that classes would start soon. She didn't say anything as she gathered her books and put them in her bag.
"I was talking to you!" Fujimoto snapped when Mac walked past her without saying anything.
Mac just arched a brow before leaving the library and noticed that the hall was now filled with students. She noticed that Fujimoto and Ueda followed her and she sighed again as she wondered what they wanted right now.
"Hey!"
A hand grabbed her arm and Mac stopped as she was yanked back with surprisingly much force. She had not thought that Fujimoto had that kind of strength.
"What?" Mac snapped.
"Stay away from Aomine," Fujimoto demanded.
Mac snorted.
"I mean it!" Fujimoto said.
"I don't care what you mean," Mac said coldly and yanked her arm free from the other girl's grip. She was aware of Ueda standing right behind Fujimoto, but Mac didn't pay her any attention. "Daiki is my best friend and now he is my boyfriend. I won't let you threaten me; you have nothing to threaten me with. You should stop before you make a fool out of yourself, Fujimoto."
With a glare Mac walked away from them and huffed annoyed before she smiled as she spotted Daiki down the hall.
"Daiki!" Mac called out.
Daiki turned and smiled as he saw her. He waved waited until she reached him.
"You're early," Mac commented.
"Not really," he shrugged and gave her a look. "It's just three minutes until class starts."
"Oh," Mac blinked.
...
Mac ignored the glares she received from Fujimoto the rest of the day and focused on Daiki and her homework. She wanted to get her homework done so she could focus on her Defence Against the Dark Arts when she got home.
"You're working too hard," Daiki frowned when she scribbled down answers to her maths problems during the break.
"No," Mac shook her head but didn't look up. "I have to get this done, Daiki. Or I will never be able to get all the work I have to do done."
Daiki didn't say anything else but Mac could feel him watching her closely.
When the last class was over she made her way to basketball practice and was surprised that Daiki was also making his way there. She glanced at him and saw his scowl, but she didn't ask him about it.
They listened to Harasawa talk for fifteen minutes and Mac took notes and did what she always did, but she couldn't help but blink tiredly and rub her eyes as she put her notebook down. She did feel tired but also excited because she was now able to let go and do something that was not involved in sitting poured over a book.
"Let's go!" Mac smiled at Daiki and the others who blinked at the smile.
"We're going to die, aren't we?" Abe moaned when he saw the smile.
"Most definitely," Yamaguchi nodded.
Mac rolled her eyes at them.
"Run around the gym," she told them. "Come on."
...
Nao was watching Daiki with suspicious eyes and Daiki was wondering why it was that the fox seemed to be threatening him.
"I think your fox is giving me the 'don't hurt you or else'-speech," Daiki said from his place on the sofa. Mac was in the kitchen getting them something to eat and drink.
"You can understand foxes now?" Mac asked amused as she came over to the sofa and put the tray with food and drinks down.
Daiki had come home with her after school and they were now alone at the apartment, Mac knew her uncle was at work but she had no idea where Taiga was. Hopefully, he was at practice.
Daiki shrugged at her question and Mac smiled and reached over to scratch Nao's ear fondly as she sat down. She switched on the television and put on some random comedy series but she was more than happy to just sit and enjoy Daiki's company.
After they had eaten she pulled out her Defence Against the Dark Arts book and started to read while Daiki worked on his own homework. Mac did help him as well despite her own work, and it was like this Taiga found them when he got back.
"Oh," Taiga said when he spotted Mac and Daiki sitting in the living room close together and Mac was pointing out something for Daiki.
"Hey," Mac smiled at him. "Did you just get back?"
"Yeah," Taiga nodded and walked past them into the kitchen.
Mac frowned slightly as she stared after him.
Daiki arched a brow at her but she just shrugged and smiled before they continued with the homework.
"Thank you for helping me, Kenzie," Daiki said and Mac looked up at him. "I know you already have enough to do with your own work…"
"It's alright," Mac smiled. "I don't mind."
Daiki smiled and leaned over and kissed her temple making her smile wider at him.
...
Mac was still studying when Daiki left and she was still sitting in the living room. She knew Taiga was in his room but she hadn't seen him since he got back. He hadn't even commented on Daiki's presence in the apartment or anything. She had expected him to say something about it, especially when Daiki had kissed her and she was pretty sure Taiga had seen it.
Yet…he hadn't said anything. Was it possible that he hadn't seen it?
She frowned and looked away from her Defence book and glanced toward the hallway and Taiga's room. She stood up with a sigh and went to the kitchen to get some food ready. She had noticed that he hadn't really eaten anything before and he had to eat.
Getting a light meal ready was easy and quickly done so she put it on a tray and put a bottle filled with water next to the food and grabbed the tray.
She knocked on the door to Taiga's room and heard the soft answer from the inside and pushed the door open. She noticed that the room was almost completely dark and found her cousin seated at the floor leaned up against the wall.
She felt worried seeing him like this and she swallowed the large lump in her throat that formed seeing him like this. Had she done that to him?
"I brought you some food," Mac said and he blinked at her.
"Oh," he said. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did," Mac said and stepped into the room and put the tray down on the floor in front of him. "You have to eat, Taiga."
He nodded.
"Thank you, Mac," he gave a small smile.
Mac had planned on talking to him about Tetsuya. This would be the perfect opportunity to do so, but she couldn't get herself to say anything. He was not okay either and she was worried.
She observed him quietly for a moment before she left the room and closed the door behind her. She wasn't sure what to do anymore. Besides, they weren't on her team so she probably should let them deal with it on their own.
...
Despite her decision to let Taiga and Tetsuya work it out on their own or at least let Seirin deal with it as they saw fit, Mac couldn't help but worry, especially when she saw Taiga over the next couple of days still being withdrawn and silent.
"Just forget it," Daiki told her when she voiced her concern to him.
"Why?" Mac asked.
"Tetsu is a big boy," Daiki said, "he can take care of himself and so can your cousin, I'm sure."
"I know they can," Mac frowned at him. "But that doesn't mean that I have to like watching them be upset and not talking…"
Daiki pulled her closer and pushed her hair away from her face as he watched her.
"I love that you care so much, but you can't go and fix everything," he said.
"I know that," Mac pouted.
She allowed Daiki to distract her momentarily by kissing her and she must say that she didn't find that distracting method all that annoying really.
"I still don't like it," Mac said when he pulled back and they had stood there in silence for a moment.
Daiki sighed.
...
When Mac entered the living room that morning she found Taiga seated in the living room staring at a basketball but it was like he was far away in his thoughts. She thought about what Daiki had said, about how she should let it go and forget it but…how could she?
She was tired of seeing him sulk when he should be out playing basketball. It was like seeing Daiki at first when he started to give up on basketball and Mac hated it. She knew that this must also be why Tetsuya was upset, or at least part of the reason.
"Why aren't you at practice?" Mac asked.
Taiga looked up at her and shrugged.
"Honestly, Taiga," Mac said. "What's wrong with you lately?"
"Nothing," he said.
"Something is wrong," Mac protested. "Did…did losing to us really make you want to quit?"
Taiga blinked shocked and he stared at her.
"What?" he asked shocked. "No!"
"Then why aren't you going to practice? I know it's not because of your legs," Mac frowned. "Your legs are fine, but Tetsu let slip that you haven't been at practice. He's worried about you and you haven't talked to him at all, have you?"
Taiga stared at her and then he looked away from her.
"I…I just thought we needed to get some distance between us;" Taiga muttered.
"Distance?" Mac frowned. "Why?"
"We weren't strong enough to beat you," Taiga said not looking at her. "I knew you were strong and your team was strong. It wasn't really that surprising, but I thought we would be able to fight you better. That we could give more of a challenge, but you and Aomine were too strong for us. I wasn't good enough."
Mac wasn't sure what to think or say so she just stood there watching her cousin.
"I know that Kuroko isn't stopping here," Taiga said. "Kuroko has saved me so many times up until now and that's why I think we need some distance right now. I need to become stronger so that I can help him too."
Mac stared at Taiga and she felt divided in wanting to hug him or hit him. Hug him because he was (surprisingly) kind and awkward, hit him because he was awkward and doing this the wrong way.
She settled on grabbing his shirt and pulling him to his feet.
"Hey!" he protested but she knew he didn't use his full strength to get lose from her.
"Honestly…" she muttered under her breath as she made way toward the door and passed a surprised looking Tarou who had just entered the living room. "No thought….should have told him…seriously…"
She didn't say anything as she dragged him with her and ignored his questions as she did so.
...
Kiyoshi was practically bouncing in his seat at the breakfast table and ignored the amused looks from his grandparents as he ate his breakfast. He was finally ready to attend basketball practice! He had finished with the rehabilitation for his knee and the doctors were astounded by the recovery. They had not expected him to make a full recovery like this. They had thought they had only given him a year or so before his knee would either need another surgery or give out for good and he would have to give up basketball.
But that wasn't the case. His knee was perfectly fine. Just like before it got injured and the doctors were a little stunned at how it had happened.
Kiyoshi didn't care. He was just happy he could play basketball again. He looked forward to going and meet his team again and see them during practice and not in the room at the rehabilitation centre. Not to forget meeting the new teammates that had joined them. He had met Tetsuya, of course, but the others he hadn't met yet. He had heard a lot about them all, of course, Riko (and Hyuga at some degree) and filled him in on the new players.
"Good luck today, Teppei," his grandmother told him as he was leaving the house.
"Thank you!" Kiyoshi beamed at her and with that, he was out of the door.
He almost ran to the school. He didn't even care that it was a Saturday. He was playing basketball again!
He should text Mac and let her know, he thought as he walked up in front of the school. He frowned slightly and wondered if Mac was alright. He hadn't talked to her in a while, but she had been upset over Daiki the last time he'd seen her and he worried.
He decided he would call her after practice and check on her then, and fill her in on his first day back at basketball practice. That would cheer her up. He knew she was still worried about him and his knee. He smiled.
He was the last one there, by the looks of things. He looked around the locker room and smiled at the familiar feeling of being back here. The others must be in the gym already, but he had no real rush to join them. He wanted to enjoy being in here and getting ready for a moment.
He couldn't resist pulling on the jersey. He just had to do it and he could not keep the smile off his face as he thought on how Hyuga and Riko would react seeing it. They were sure to provide much amusement for him when they saw it. Besides, he enjoyed having it on again.
...
He walked to the gym door and paused outside for a moment and closed his eyes. He could hear the noise from the inside signalling that the others had already started. The familiar sounds of several basketballs bouncing off the parquet floors, the shouts and whistle filled his senses and he smiled.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Hey!" He called.
The gym fell silent almost immediately. Riko smiled widely before it froze and he could practically see the tick in her jaw.
"Good to see you, Kiyoshi," Koganei said but his voice trailed off at the end.
"Don't give me that!" Hyuga glowered as he approached him. "What's with this? Why are you wearing your uniform?"
Kiyoshi just smiled as Hyuga grabbed him by the collar of the jersey and shook him lightly.
"I missed having it on," Kiyoshi said after a moment.
"Are you serious?" Hyuga yelled.
"Yeah."
"Are you…" Hyuga deflated.
Kiyoshi side stepped Hyuga and grinned at the others.
"Hey! Nice to meet you all!" Kiyoshi beamed. "I'm Kiyoshi Teppei!"
"Hello, Kiyoshi-san," a soft voice spoke up and Kiyoshi jumped slightly and looked to his side and saw Tetsuya standing there.
"You still got it, Kuroko," he smiled.
Tetsuya just stared back at him and Kiyoshi hid his frown as he felt more than saw that something was different about him. Had something happened?
"So, you're Kiyoshi," another first-year said and Kiyoshi looked over at him.
"Yeah," he smiled. "I've been in the hospital since last summer because of a knee injury."
"How is your knee?" Izuki asked.
"It's completely healed," Kiyoshi beamed. "But…aren't we missing someone?"
Riko scowled and Hyuga jaw tensed as a shadow fell on his face darkening his expression. Kiyoshi noticed this with curiosity and also noticed Tetsuya look away from them and he frowned.
"Kagami hasn't been at practice since our match against Too Academy," Riko growled annoyed.
Kiyoshi arched a brow.
"When I get my hands on him…" Hyuga said darkly.
"Oooh, Hyuga is in clutch-mode," Koganei muttered warily.
Before Kiyoshi could say anything they heard noises from outside the gym and they all blinked. It sounded like someone was being dragged or pushed or something. They could hear a faint voice that seemed to be complaining but they couldn't hear what it was saying for a while, but then…
"…why are you…"
"…I can walk on my own…!"
"…fine…"
Kiyoshi wasn't the only one who stared at the door.
"Isn't that Kagami's voice?" Furihata asked.
"I think so," Tsuchiba nodded.
The door opened and Kiyoshi blinked before he smiled as he took in the scene in front of him.
...
Mac was entering through the door and was dragging Taiga by the back of the collar of his shirt making a very odd sight given that he was taller than Mac and he had to bend in what looked like a very uncomfortable way given her grip of his shirt. Nao was walking beside them and was growling at Taiga when he tried to get loose.
"Mac," Kiyoshi grinned.
"Teppei!" she blinked surprised and looked like she lost grip of Taiga for a moment but she caught him again before he could get away from her. "You! Stay!"
"I'm not a dog," Taiga mumbled.
"Silence," She ordered and much to the others amusement he fell silent but that might also have something to do with Nao who yapped at him and Taiga shot him a nervous look. She turned back to Kiyoshi again. "I didn't know you were back at practice!"
"My first day today," Kiyoshi smiled. "I was going to call you later today."
Mac was smiling and nodded.
"Um, what's going on?" Riko asked breaking in and seemed to remind Mac on what she was doing.
"Oh, sorry," she said looking over at Riko. "I didn't mean to interrupt your practice, but I need to borrow Tetsu from you."
"Borrow Kuroko?" Riko repeated surprised and looked over at Tetsuya who was staring at Mac but hadn't said anything.
Mac nodded.
"Yes," Mac said. "It's important."
Riko looked from Mac (and Taiga) and over to Tetsuya before she gave a small nod. Mac smiled and marched over to Tetsuya with Taiga still dragged behind her (Kiyoshi was kind of surprised that he was still upright).
...
"Tetsu," Mac said shortly. "Follow me."
"Why?" Tetsuya asked.
Mac gave a tired sigh and rubbed her eyes for a second before she simply just grabbed Tetsuya by the arm and dragged him too with her. But she wasn't walking out of the gym again like Kiyoshi had expected but walked to the storage room that was connected to the gym in the corner and pushed Taiga and Tetsuya inside.
"You two," she said sternly. "Talk."
"But…" Taiga scowled.
"No protests!" Mac snapped at them. "You're both being stubborn idiots! Talk together and actually listen. Taiga, you have a point but you should tell Tetsu why you act like you do and not just think he would understand what you want without saying it. I won't have you hurt my friend even if you are my cousin. Tetsu, you need to listen and not jump to conclusions because sometimes there are reasons for acting like a prat."
They stared at her but she looked at them with a blank face.
"I'll let you out when you've finished talking," Mac said and closed the door.
She turned and saw the rest of Seirin staring at her with looks that varied from shock, surprise and amusement. She ignored this as she turned to Kiyoshi who was grinning and she ran over to him and threw herself at him and hugged him.
"I'm so happy you are back in practice, Teppei!" she beamed at him when she pulled back.
So, okay she knew Daiki probably wouldn't like this greeting of Kiyoshi but she couldn't keep the excitement at bay. She had waited so long see him back on the court.
"I know you are," Kiyoshi said.
Mac suddenly was aware that they were being stared at and she looked over to find the rest of Seirin watching them.
"Ah," she said. "I forgot you were there."
"Sorry, but did you just lock Kuroko and Kagami in the room together?" Koganei exclaimed.
"Yeah, I did," Mac said a little defensively.
"Why?" Hyuga asked.
"They need to talk," Mac said. "The problem between them can easily be solved if they just talk together. Taiga's reasons to act as he has are good, but he doesn't understand just how that affects Tetsu. So, I got tired of watching Taiga sulk at home and decided that something had to be done."
Kiyoshi laughed.
"Um, I am sorry for interrupting your practice, though," Mac said suddenly shy and aware that they were all staring at her. "Also, interfering in your team…I did hold back for a while because I know it's not any of my business, but…well, like I said, I got tired of watching Taiga sulk and brood away and when I saw Tetsu a while back I could tell he was upset and…well, I always hate it when Tetsu is upset."
Mac was aware that she hadn't told Kiyoshi about Daiki yet, and she should. She knew he deserved to hear it from her and not anyone else. But right now wasn't the time to say anything, so she was prepared to wait until later, but…
"So," Kiyoshi said making her look at him. "You look better than last time I saw you, Mac."
Mac shrugged and smiled.
"You and Aomine work things out?" he asked.
Mac stilled and looked at him surprised. He smiled and laughed slightly.
"I…" Mac said, "um, I was going to tell you after you'd finished practice…"
Kiyoshi nodded.
"I'm happy for you, Mac," he said and she could tell he was honest.
"Thank you, Teppei," Mac smiled at him.
Riko was watching Kiyoshi with a concerned look but he seemed to be oblivious to it.
...
"They seem close," Furihata commented as he watched Mac and Kiyoshi talk.
"Yeah," Fukuda nodded. "They do…"
Kawahara nodded as well and looked curiously at the girl they had just lost against and had seen a few times before they had played against Too. They weren't sure just how she had gotten to know the team in the first place.
"They used to date," Izuki spoke up behind them.
The three first years stared at him and he smiled at them.
"Really?" Kawahara said.
"Yeah, they broke up at the start of this school year actually," Izuki nodded.
"They still look close, though," Furihata said.
"They're friends," Izuki said simply. "They've been for a while now."
...
Mac glanced at the clock before she walked over to the door and opened it.
Taiga and Tetsuya were both standing there looking at the door as it opened and she could see that they had obviously talked it out because both seemed more relaxed and didn't have that sulky air around them.
"Looks like you've talked," Mac said.
"Yeah," Taiga grumbled. "It's not like we had a choice."
"No, you didn't," Mac smiled. "Come on."
They got out of the room and Mac smiled amusedly.
"I'll let you get back to practice," Mac said. "I need to get back. Daiki is probably waiting. Teppei, call me tonight, ok? I want to hear how your practice goes and we'll talk some more."
Kiyoshi nodded and grinned at her.
Taiga blinked then frowned.
"Wait," he said making Mac pause right before she reached the door.
"Yes, Taiga?" she asked.
"You…." He said looking like he thought about something very hard. "You and…Aomine…"
Mac arched a brow.
"What?" she asked.
"He kissed you!" Taiga exclaimed angrily.
Mac groaned and shook her head, while the others stared incredulously at Taiga.
"You're really slow," Mac deadpanned. "You know its days since he was over, right?"
"Well, I was distracted," Taiga defended himself but he blushed slightly, "but that's not the point. You and Aomine!"
"Yes? So?" Mac asked. "I don't see the problem?"
Mac glanced at Kiyoshi who was smiling still but she didn't feel like this was a conversation to have in front of him.
"We can talk later, Taiga," Mac said. "I should get going."
She nodded and waved at the others and left.
...
Mac was in her room reading the chapter on counter curses when she heard someone enter the apartment. She knew it had to be Taiga because Tarou was already home. She didn't think any more on it as she continued to read.
"Mac!"
She sighed and looked behind her to see her cousin and her uncle behind him looking curious.
"What?" she asked tiredly. She really needed to get this chapter done and she was still waiting for Kiyoshi to call.
"Are you really dating Aomine?!" Taiga asked.
Tarou's eyebrows shot up as he looked at Mac who was trying really hard not to blush as she frowned at Daiki.
"Well, yeah," Mac said as casually as she could manage.
"Since when?" Taiga scowled.
"Since the day we played you," Mac said. "After the game."
Taiga was silent as he stared at her and she waited for him to say something. She was not sure what he was thinking.
"You and Aomine," Tarou commented and Mac looked at her uncle who was smiling. "I did think you might start dating."
"You did?!" Taiga asked his dad.
"Yeah," he said. "They remind me about me and your mum, Taiga. I think Aomine really cares for Mac."
Mac smiled at her uncle and Taiga frowned.
"Still don't like it," Taiga muttered.
"Invite him over soon, Mac," Tarou told her and she looked at him. "I would like to get to know him better seeing that he is important to you."
He reached out and patted her shoulder before he turned and left the room. Mac blinked after him. She was suddenly hit with the fact that she had a family that cared. She had not expected him to show any interest in her relationship with Daiki. She knew that had she still been with the Dursley's they would not care to get to know Daiki at all. She couldn't help the smile that stretched across her lips as she looked down and felt warmer inside.
Taiga was staring at her and when she looked at him she saw him looking thoughtfully at her and she arched a brow at him.
"If he hurts you…"
Mac sighed.
"Then you have to get in line," she said as she rolled her eyes. "I don't know what it is with you and everyone else who thinks they need to threaten him. I can take care of myself!"
...
...
AN: Thank you for reading! :) Inter High will start in the next chapter! XD