Title: Regression
By: revenanttrickster
Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basket is owned by Fujimaki Tadatoshi
A/N: Thanks: Fumus000, asyadreamer09, jessyjasmine.7, WinterRaineeDay91, miki565, mysticzephyra, Calico Neko, Ice LunaWolf, Shirouta Tsuki, imKimTheWriter, newerher3, Kuroshiroryuu, kh07gl, Chamcha, Crossroader32, Faliara, XxDeadSkiesxX, thecoldforest, yuiyutikaisy, Myadorabletetsuya, Narutopokefan, teemo-kun, Master-of-Masters, gypsydancer529, Marianne Flash, Usagi323, Kichou, x10TIMEx, Amywxue, Sakihinata, RisoleSoes19, Ayazanekokeke, GUest, AngelDemonSakura, CrimsonQueen24, Eleoopy, mm, Guest for the reviews! And thank you for those who follow and favorite this story!
Chapter 10: Amusement Park Surprise
Little Kuroko blearily opened his eyes when he felt the warmth of the morning sunlight flickering through the window, waking the little phantom up. His azure eyes wandered around the room as he slowly sat up from the bed. It was a typical bedroom (except much bigger than Kagami or Momoi's) with a study table near the bed, a bookshelf full of novels and reference books on one side and another shelf beside it that was filled with odd (or weird as Kuroko would like to think) things. When he asked Midorima what those things are, he only said that it was his lucky items from Oha-Asa, whatever that meant.
Now that he has the time to think about it, he still doesn't know what Oha-Asa is. For some reason whenever the green head would start to explain, either his father, mother or little sister would interfere which he found strange but shrugged it off.
The teal head boy yawned and stretched his tiny arms in the air as he shook off those thoughts aside. He carefully got out of bed, fixed it up (since his Midorima nii-chan likes to keep his things neat) and stood on his tippy toes to grab the doorknob as he opened the door. He roamed on the hallway soundlessly and proceeded to go downstairs when he heard noises coming for the kitchen. He peeked in the kitchen with only half of his body showing and saw Midorima sitting in a chair and reading the newspaper while waiting for his mother to finished making breakfast.
The green haired teen first noticed the little phantom peering at them. "Oh, Kuroko you're awake."
"Good morning Midorima nii-chan," little Kuroko greeted as he moved to sit beside Midorima. "Good morning Manami-san (1)."
"Good morning Kuroko-kun," Midorima's mother—Manami—greeted back and smiled at the boy.
Although the teal head boy already met her and the rest of the Midorima family last night, he was still amaze that Manami was Midorima's mother considering she looked so young (actually, she could passed off as Midorima's older sister). She was as tall as his Momoi nee-chan and was wearing a white summer dress with a dark green apron on top of it, making her sage green hair much lighter and her aquamarine eyes sparkled in warmth. He was really tempted to ask how old she was but was too embarrassed about it, not to mention, rude.
"Here you go," Manami said as she placed their breakfast which consists of rice, a bowl of miso soup and some side dishes like grilled fish, tamagoyaki, onsen tamago and tsukemono pickles on the table.
"Thank you for the food," both little Kuroko and Midorima said the former with gusto while the latter was much more neutral.
"Where's Yuu-san (2), Manami-san?" the little phantom asked when he noticed that her husband wasn't in the kitchen or anywhere in the house.
"He left early for work but he sends his regards," Manami answered.
"That's too bad. I haven't said goodbye yet."
Manami tenderly patted little Kuroko on the head with his bed hair sticking up in all places. "Maybe next time, dear." She watched the teal and green head eat their breakfast for a moment before leaving the kitchen to wake up her daughter as well as to turn on the television on the way since it was almost time for Oha-Asa which her son religiously listens to every morning.
"—everyone! First rank for the day is Aquarius! Today Aquarius will have a good and fun day. So go outside and enjoy the day Aquarius! To ensure that you'll have a nice day, be sure to bring your lucky item—a nekomimi!"
Midorima paused when he heard the broadcast and glanced at little Kuroko beside him, who was busy eating his grilled fish. Do I have a nekomimi? And would Kuroko wear it? he silently pondered.
"…And the fifth rank for today is Cancer!"
When his sign was announced, the green head snapped from his musings and concentrated in listening.
"Today Cancer will have a normal day but if you stick to an Aquarius you will have the best of luck."
It's a good thing that Kuroko is with me today, Midorima thought as he resumed eating his breakfast.
"But be warned Cancers! Sticking to an Aquarius means encountering a surprise! Your lucky item, or should I say place, for the day is an amusement park. Have fun Cancers!"
A surprise? Maybe Kuroko would turn back to normal or something along those lines, the green head thought, uncertain. And I guess we're going to the amusement park. He turned to the teal head boy. "Kuroko, do you want to go to the amusement park today?"
Little Kuroko looked up at Midorima in astonishment. "Really Midorima nii-chan? We can go there?"
"Of course."
"Yay! We're going to the amusement park!" the teal head boy exclaimed as he threw his hands up in the air due to excitement.
The green haired teen's mouth slightly curved upward in a smile at little Kuroko's eagerness.
i.
Midorima stared intently at the teal head boy sitting in front of him, who was wearing a pair of brown shorts, a light blue shirt with a dark blue jacket on top of it and a pair of white socks with his shoes already prepared at the genkan, ready to go.
Does Kuroko need it or should I just buy one in the amusement park? the green head contemplated. He already searched for a nekomimi in his collection of lucky items but only found a rabbit one. He even rummaged their attic but to no avail.
"What's wrong onii-chan? Aren't you and Tetsu-chan going to the amusement park?" Midorima's younger sister—Tomomi (3)—asked when she saw the two of them still in the living room.
Midorima turned to his younger sibling by seven years, who was wearing a long sleeves black shirt and a maroon skirt with her green hair (same shade as his) tied in a half-ponytail and her blue-green eyes—which she got from their mother—was staring up at him curiously.
"Lucky item," the green haired teen said as if that explains everything which it does judging by Tomomi's reaction.
"I see," Tomomi said. "A nekomimi, huh? I think I have one."
"You do?"
"I'll check my room. Wait right there!" Tomomi said and went upstairs to her room. After a few minutes, she came down holding a light blue colored nekomimi and excitedly put it on little Kuroko. She surveyed he work. If the teal head boy looked cute before he became much more adorable now wearing a nekomimi especially when he gazed up at her while slightly tilting his head to the side. "You look so cute Tetsu-chan!"
"Thank you Tomo-chan," little Kuroko said even though he doesn't understand what's going on since Midorima didn't explain why he needs a nekomimi.
"I guess we should go," the green head said.
"Onii-chan, wait!" Tomomi yelled, holding out her right hand to stop her brother from leaving with the teal head boy.
"What?"
Showing her camera which she got before looking for the nekomimi in her room, Tomomi said, "I want to take pictures."
"And why do you need to take pictures?" Midorima dryly asked.
"To commemorate this moment of course," Tomomi said and ensued snapping a lot of pictures of little Kuroko. "Pose for me Tetsu-chan! Yes, like that! So cute!"
While this was going on, Manami walked in the living room, towards her son and stood beside him, watching her daughter and the teal head boy with a gentle smile on her face. "Tomomi seems to be having fun."
"Too much fun if you ask me," the green head grumbled. "That's enough Tomomi."
"Okay," Tomomi said as she turned to her brother. "Why don't you try carrying Tetsu-chan, onii-chan?"
"Why would—"
"Just do it!"
While muttering his complains under his breath, Midorima carried little Kuroko in his arms. He was startled when the camera suddenly flashed. He angrily whirled to his younger sister. "Stop taking pictures Tomomi!"
"Don't want to~" Tomomi nonchalantly said as she continued taking photos of her brother and the teal head boy.
Manami giggled at her children's behaviors but didn't tried to stopped them while little Kuroko was confused at the siblings' actions but let them do what they want.
"Okay, I think I have enough pictures," Tomomi said as she looked at the shots she previously taken.
"Delete those pictures Tomomi," the green head ordered.
Tomomi didn't even look up at her brother when she said, "No." Besides I'm going to sell these pictures to Momoi-nee and Kise-nii. And maybe Akashi-san, too.
"Tomomi!"
Ignoring her brother's outburst, Tomomi spoke. "Hey onii-chan, I heard from my friends that there's a stall in the amusement park that sells Oha-Asa lucky items." Her distraction must have worked since Midorima was more interested to what she just said rather than the pictures.
"Are you sure?" the green head asked.
Tomomi nodded. "I'm sure."
"We have to go then," Midorima said as he put down the teal head boy. "Say goodbye Kuroko."
"Bye Manami-san, thank you for taking care of me," little Kuroko said as he bowed to Manami and then turned to Tomomi. "Bye Tomo-chan!"
Tomomi engulfed the teal head boy to a bone-crushing hug. "I'll miss you Tetsu-chan!"
After Tomomi's suffocating embrace, Manami hugged little Kuroko as well but this time much gentler than her daughter. "Take care Kuroko-kun."
"Let's go Kuroko," the green head said as he took the little phantom's right hand. He turned to his mother and younger sister. "Bye Mom, Tomomi."
The two women waved at Midorima and little Kuroko. "Have fun!"
The teal head boy waved back as he and the green haired teen left the house.
ii.
The little phantom's cerulean eyes elatedly wandered around the amusement park, at the heart-stopping and wild rides and even the fun rides for kids and considering it was Sunday there's a lot of people crowding the area, to couples on a date, families enjoying the day and groups of friends hanging out.
Midorima could feel little Kuroko's excitement and glanced at him. "Haven't you been in an amusement park before Kuroko?" he asked.
"No," the teal head boy said as he shook his head. "Otou-sama and Okaa-sama are busy with their work and it's not like I can take Obaa-sama here with me."
"…Oh," was all the green head could say since he doesn't know what to say to that. "So what do want to ride first?" he asked to divert the boy's attention.
"That one!" little Kuroko eagerly said as he pointed at the carousel near them, making the teen want to groan at the choice because it's full of kids but he already decided beforehand to just go with the teal head boy's wishes and endure it.
The two of them went to the carousel with the green head helping little Kuroko climbed the horse and rode the one next to it so that he could be near him. Some kids stared at Midorima questionably but shrugged it off seeing as some children have their guardians with them.
Next, the shooting guard and the mini phantom sixth man of the Generation of Miracles continued to try some rides. Like the teacup in which little Kuroko might have spin the teacup a little faster than Midorima would like and only slowed it down when the teal head boy noticed that the teen was almost as green as his hair. Little Kuroko doesn't know whether to laugh or pity the green head for this but refrained from doing so and just handed him a bottle of water.
After Midorima reassured the teal head boy that he was alright and wasn't feeling sick anymore, they tried to ride the bumble bee, the alibaba, the zipper, the kite flyer and even went to the fun house.
Midorima ignored the weird looks that he got from kids and some of the parents or guardians as he rode the kiddie train ride with little Kuroko. The attendant of the said ride actually forbade the green haired teen to ride it since it was for kids but Midorima was insistent and paid no heed to the attendant's protests. The teal head boy doesn't seem to mind since he was happy that the green haired teen was with him and just enjoyed the ride.
After trying the rides and was now strolling around, little Kuroko noticed some stalls all lined up and pulled Midorima there. They first tried the shooting game since the green head said that he was an expert at it.
"Pick the one you like Kuroko," Midorima said while preparing the toy rifle that the shopkeeper handed him.
"I want that one!" the little phantom exuberantly said.
The green head turned to the prize the teal head boy pointed at. He left eye twitched in annoyance when he saw the stuff toy the boy picked for it looked like Kuroko's dog (even the eyes looked the same). He still couldn't forget how that dog dared to pee his rickshaw.
"It looks like Nigou," little Kuroko pointed out.
Midorima chose to ignore that. "Do you really want that one Kuroko?"
The teal head boy smiled. "Un!"
The green haired teen has no choice but to relent to little Kuroko's request. He easily got the Nigou stuff toy in just one try and gave it to the teal head boy, who immediately hugged it in happiness. Midorima played some more as he saw some prizes that could be a potential lucky item and winning a rabbit hat for little Kuroko.
After the shooting game, they tired the dart game where the green head won two firefly glasses which he decided to give to his mother and little sister. They also bought a candy apple for him and the teal head boy.
Midorima persuaded the little phantom to play at least one game. Consequently, he found out that Kuroko's good fortune is still intact even if he reverted to a kid as he watched the teal head boy win lucky dice three consecutive times.
As they were near the Oha-Asa stall that Tomomi said, Midorima and little Kuroko decided to go there. They were walking leisurely when the green head heard someone shouting his name and that someone was the last person he wanted to see that day.
"Shin-chan!"
Midorima opted to feign ignorance and continued on his way as he gripped the teal head boy's right hand in his. "Let's walk faster Kuroko," he urged to his charge.
Little Kuroko blinked in confusion but did as he was told.
"I know you can hear me Shin-chan! Don't ignore me!"
The teal head boy took a peek behind him and saw a raven haired teen wearing a white polo and black cargo pants running after them. "I think that person is calling you, Midorima nii-chan," he noted.
Midorima didn't say anything and was considering to carry little Kuroko so that they could go faster. As he was deep in his thoughts, he was shocked when someone suddenly tackled him from behind, making him faceplant to the ground. It was a good thing that he relinquished his hold on the teal head boy's hand before his charge could be dragged into his current position.
"Opps…are you okay Shin-chan?" the green head heard asked above him.
And with an angry vein popping in his head, Midorima shouted, "Get off me Takao!"
Takao laughed nervously as he moved from Midorima and helped him to his feet. "…my bad, sorry Shin-chan."
"If you're sorry then don't do it in the first place!"
"But you were ignoring me," Takao sulkily said as he pouted.
The green head gave his teammate a cold glare as he dusted his clothes off. "Don't pout at me Takao! It's unsightly."
"Are you okay Midorima nii-chan?" little Kuroko asked as he looked back and forth between Midorima and the raven head.
"I'm fine," the green head automatically answered and then froze right away when he remembered who asked.
"Whoa!" Takao exclaimed as he finally noticed the teal head boy beside his teammate and crouched down to his level to stare at the kid disbelievingly. He looks like Kuroko of the Seirin team. Exactly like him.
"Hello," little Kuroko greeted the newly arrived teen, who seems to be a friend of his Midorima nii-chan.
"Hey, do you know me?" Takao asked as he pointed himself just to make sure his assumption is right.
Little Kuroko shook his head. "Onii-chan are you friend of Midorima nii-chan?"
"Yep!" Takao grinned as he responded. "We're actually teammates in our basketball club. I'm Takao Kazunari by the way, nice to meet you!"
The teal head boy beamed. "Nice to meet you, too Takao nii-chan! My name is Kuroko Tetsuya. Midorima nii-chan is taking care of me today!"
Takao gave Midorima a sly look as he smirked. "Oh, really?"
Annoyed at the remark, the green head stared at his teammate in irritation. "What are you doing here anyway Takao?"
"I was supposed to meet up with my former classmates in middle school but they cancelled at the last minute," Takao nonchalantly answered.
Midorima raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "All of them?"
Takao just shrugged in reply.
Trying to get the green head's attention, little Kuroko tugged Midorima' sleeve. "Midorima nii-chan I'm hungry," he said as he rubbed his stomach in gesture.
"How about we go and grab lunch then?" Takao suggested to the little phantom. "I know a good place not far from here."
Midorima gave the raven head an impassive stare. "Who invited you?"
"It's fine, right?" Takao looked at the green head complacently. "And you owe me an explanation Shin-chan~"
"Fine," Midorima sighed. "Let's go and have lunch."
iii.
"Seriously, a vanilla candy did that?" Takao whisperingly asked Midorima beside him in bewilderment as he watched the mini version of the phantom sixth man of the Generation of Miracles eat his lunch contentedly. The green head had just finished explaining Kuroko's situation.
Midorima glared at his teammate. "Yes. How many times do I have to repeat myself?"
Takao shrugged his shoulders. "It's just, you know, surprising." He took a sip of his soda. "So Seirin and all the Generation of Miracles knows about this?"
"Yes, as well as my family and Momoi's and also Aomine's mother."
"Will you tell our teammates?"
Midorima pushed his glasses on top of his nose. "No. Besides, they don't know Kuroko all that well anyway so don't tell anyone about this Takao."
Takao grinned. "I won't!"
The green head stared doubtfully at his classmate.
Takao raise his right hand. "I'm telling the truth! I won't tell anyone. I promise!"
"Good," Midorima said. Or Akashi will skin you alive, he finished in thought.
Sensing that the two teens were done with their conversation, little Kuroko asked the raven head. "Is Takao nii-chan joining me and Midorima nii-chan in exploring the amusement park?"
"Sure, why not?" Takao smiled at the teal head boy. "The more the merrier, right?"
Already knowing that this would happen, the green head simply let his objections left unsaid.
iv.
"How about this Shin-chan?" Takao asked as he put a noh mask on his face and spun towards his teammate to show it to him.
"Stop putting every masks you see Takao!" Midorima scolded for the nth time, he forgot how many times Takao tried the displayed masks in the Oha-Asa stall and even the shopkeeper was already scowling at them.
Little Kuroko tugged Takao's sleeve. "Look Takao nii-chan, the namahage!" he exclaimed as he put the namahage mask over his face.
Takao gave the teal head boy a thumbs up. "Good job Kuroko!"
Midorima sighed exasperatingly and had a sudden urge to face palmed. He doesn't know how little Kuroko and Takao got along so well considering they just met (allegedly) a while ago.
"You must be in heaven Shin-chan with these entire lucky items," Takao teased the green head.
"Shut up Takao!" Midorima grumbled.
"Shin-chan is so moody," Takao whispered to the teal head boy even though Midorima could hear him, too, chose to disregard it and instead paid for his purchase.
"Midorima nii-chan only became like that when Takao nii-chan arrived," little Kuroko straightforwardly said.
Still blunt as ever, huh? Takao sweatdropped. "By the way Kuroko, what's with the nekomimi?" he asked as he reached out to touch the said item on the boy's head.
The teal head boy shrugged. "I don't know. Midorima nii-chan insisted I wear it."
"It's his lucky item," Midorima butted in at their conversation holding his bag of merchandise.
Takao knowingly looked at the green haired shooting guard. "It's a good thing Kuroko is a kid, eh?"
"Are you done Midorima nii-chan?" the teal head boy asked as to distract Midorima when he saw him giving a chilling glare to Takao.
"Yes," the green head answered. "What do you want to do next Kuroko?"
"Rides!"
"We should try the Water Slide!" Takao suggested.
Little Kuroko gazed at Takao in wonder. "I want that!"
Midorima looked a bit hesitant though. "Are you sure Kuroko?"
"Don't worry Shin-chan, kids can safely ride it," Takao assured his teammate.
"Hearing you say it made me more uneasy," the green head said as he gave his classmate a bland stare.
"Now, now," Takao said as he pushed Midorima towards the Water Slide attraction and beckoned the teal head boy to follow, "it's what Kuroko wants just indulge him."
"Fine," the green head muttered. "And stop pushing me Takao!"
After riding the water slide, the three of them decided to try more rides like the kamikaze, shoot the chute, a mini roller coaster, freefall, bump cars (little Kuroko rode with Midorima), the gondola and many more attractions.
After exhausting themselves with all the rides, they decided to have a break and sat on a bench drinking some water. Midorima stood up and excused himself to go to the comfort room. He stared intently at Takao. "I'm leaving Kuroko in your hands so you better make sure he's safe."
"Relax Shin-chan," Takao said as he waved his hand dismissively. "I can take care of Kuroko for a few minutes so don't worry."
"Just a warning Takao. Don't let anything bad happen to Kuroko because if something did happen even just a tiny scratch," the green head paused for effect. "You'll answer to Akashi."
Takao gulped nervously at Akashi's name. He already knows how scary the red haired captain of Rakuzan is when they played against them in the Winter Cup semi-finals, what's more if he finds out that something dire happened to his former teammate. Midorima once told him that Akashi may appear cold but he always takes good care of his teammates in his own way. "I-I know that Akashi is pretty intimidating and all but he wouldn't something like kill me on the spot if Kuroko got hurt, right?" he falteringly asked.
Midorima chose not to respond and only said, "You haven't yet seen Akashi mad, Takao."
And with that ominous note, the green head went to the direction of the comfort room leaving the petrified Takao with the little phantom, who seems to be in his own world and didn't hear the two teen's conversation.
Takao turned to little Kuroko, who was taking the nekomimi off his head since it was starting to get uncomfortable and will wear it again when Midorima comes back. "Hey Kuroko," he tentatively started, "you've met Akashi, right?"
The teal head boy tilted his head. "Sei-nii? Yes, I did."
Takao blinked in puzzlement at the nickname nonetheless he continued. "He's a scary guy, right?"
Little Kuroko looked surprised. "Really? But Sei-nii is so nice and cool."
"…A-Ah…" Takao sweatdropped, he couldn't imagine the red haired captain as nice. Are we talking about the same Akashi here or is there another Akashi I don't know about? he thought and brushed those aside to more positive things. "Anyway, Kuroko want to hear stories about Shin-chan?"
The teal head boy nodded. "Un!"
And so, Takao told the boy some stories about Midorima in Shuutoku like the time when the green head didn't hear what his lucky item was except for the color red and was bombarded all day with all kinds of unfortunate events such as getting snugged by a truck, fell in a manhole, tripped over a dozen of times, almost got hit by a car twice and many more instances of misfortune (4). He also told how diligent Midorima is with basketball practice, stories about some of their matches (he was careful not to mention Seirin as to not confused the little phantom) and how the antisocial shooting guard opened up to his team a little and learned to trust his own teammates.
Takao leaned back on the bench as he stared up at the clear blue sky. "He wasn't like that at first and it's not like he changed entirely but those little changes were something I'm proud to see and I think our teammates think so, too. We became a much more solid team because of him." He turned to little Kuroko who was aptly listening to him. "I guess it's all thanks to you so thank you Kuroko."
"Eh? I don't understand," the teal head boy said as he tilted his head to one side in confusion. "Why are you thanking me Takao nii-chan? I didn't do anything."
Takao just grinned and ruffled little Kuroko's hair affectionately, opting to not answer the mini phantom and continued telling more stories about his team in Shuutoku to Kuroko.
He was in the middle of narrating to the teal head boy about Midorima and something about a cat (the green head hated them apparently) when someone whacked him over the head. "Ow! That hurt Shin-chan!" he cried as he clutched his head, already knowing that it was Midorima.
"Stop telling exaggerated stories to Kuroko about me!" the green head indignantly shouted, he just got back and heard Takao revealing embarrassing stories about him to the little phantom.
Takao pursed his lips. "I wasn't exaggerating! It did happen."
"It did not!"
"Did, too!"
Little Kuroko tried to hide his laughter as he watched the two teens bicker. He was really glad that he got to meet Takao today since it became more fun and lively with him around and he like seeing his Midorima nii-chan squabble with his teammate as well as seeing him more relax and less uptight even if he was always scolding Takao. He likes this side of Midorima but he doesn't mind his serious side, too. Either way, he was glad to see a different part of Midorima today.
v.
Since Takao hasn't had the chance to play some carnival games yet, he dragged the two members of the Generation of Miracles with him. They tried out some games in which he and Midorima easily won and only when they played the ring toss game that the raven head found out that Midorima wasn't good at it (frankly speaking he was terrible) and teased the green head when he didn't win after his fifth try. He, of course, won and gave the prize which was a teddy bear to little Kuroko.
They also tried the whack-a-mole game where Takao and the teal head boy high-fived each other when the raven head won several times and then ate some takoyaki when they decided to rest.
The three of them picked up where they left off and resumed wandering around the amusement park when Takao thought up of something and directed his gaze to little Kuroko. "Hey Kuroko, do you want to stay with me tonight? My parents won't mind."
The teal head boy looked up at the raven head. "Thank you Takao nii-chan but I'm afraid I have to refuse. I already decided to stay with Kise nii-chan tonight."
"Really? That's too bad," Takao said, a little disappointed since he looking forward to spending time with the boy (as well as telling more embarrassing stories of Midorima). He kind of wondered when Kuroko goes back to normal will he remember what happen when he regressed to a kid?
"Are you sure you want to stay with Kise, Kuroko?" Midorima asked since he doesn't trust the blond to take good care of the boy.
Little Kuroko nodded his head.
"I guess I have to call him then," the green head said, clearly not wanting to do it since he doesn't want to hear Kise's aggravating voice. Maybe I should just text him but he's going to call me regardless when he sees it. How annoying. Better to get this over with. He turned to Takao and gave him a hard stare. "Remember my warning," he said and walked a few feet away for some privacy, ignoring his teammate who became pale as a sheet at the reminder. He dialed Kise's number and waited for the blond to pick up.
"Hello?"
"Kise."
"Midorimacchi?! This is a surprise! It's rare for Midorimacchi to call me. What can I do for you?"
"Kuroko is with me today and he decided to stay with you tonight." For some unknown reason, Midorima silently added.
"…"
The green head raised an eyebrow at the silence. Did he hang up? "Kise—"
"KYAA! Kurokocchi picked me! Kurokocchi picked me!"
Midorima glared at his phone, he was considering on how to murder someone over the phone since the blond almost got him deaf with his scream. "Stop yammering Kise!"
"Sorry Midorimacchi! I'm just really excited! Where are you and Kurokocchi anyway?"
"We're in the amusement park."
"Okay. Then we should meet up at the children's park near there."
"Alright, I'll tell Kuroko."
"KUROKOCCHI! Kurokocchi is staying with me! Kurokocchi pick—"
Midorima promptly hanged up. He had enough of Kise and his incessant prattles. He walked back to Takao and the teal head boy. "We're meeting up with Kise later in the children's park," he informed them. "The amusement park will be closing soon and we can at least ride one last attraction. Choose whatever you want."
Takao and little Kuroko looked at each other and seem to have a silent conversation going on with just their eyes.
The green head furrowed his brows. Since when can they do that? he silently mused.
"Yosh! We already made a decision!" Takao cheerfully exclaimed as he and the teal head boy turned to Midorima at the same time with their eyes sparkling in eagerness.
The green head couldn't help but take a step back due to their stare. "What?"
"That one!" Takao and little Kuroko said in unison as they both pointed at their chosen ride.
Midorima looked at the direction they were pointing at and watched as the Ferris wheel slowly rotated. "A Ferris wheel?"
"I really want to ride the Ferris wheel Midorima nii-chan," the teal head boy said as he imploringly gazed at the green head. "Can we, please?"
Midorima sighed in defeat, no one can say no to that face. "Fine, we'll ride it."
"Yay!" both little Kuroko and Takao exclaimed and took Midorima's hand. "Let's go!"
The line to the Ferris wheel was short so they didn't have to wait that long and gone in it. Midorima and the teal head boy sat side by side while Takao took the sit across from them.
They were almost at the top when Takao motioned the boy over. "Look Kuroko!" he boisterously said as he pointed at the window to the boy's right.
Little Kuroko looked over and gasped in astonishment. "Wow!" He entrancingly regarded the vibrant and bright city lights sparkling over the twilight eve.
"I can see my house from here!" Takao exuberantly said, pointing at some random direction.
No, you don't, Midorima inwardly scoffed.
"I don't think you can see your house from here Takao nii-chan," the teal head boy candidly said what was on the green head's mind which made Midorima almost smirk.
Takao playfully clutched his chest in pain. "So blunt Kuroko!"
The three of them were surprised when they heard a loud boom all of a sudden and watched in amazement as the different colorful and dazzling fireworks light up the combined color of the indigo and orange sky.
"Wow!" Takao blurted out.
Little Kuroko watched the fireworks in fascination. "It's so pretty!"
Even Midorima faintly smiled as the fireworks continued to brighten up the starry evening sky.
vi.
"That was so much fun!" Takao said as he grinned and clasped his hand together at the back of his head, they just got out of the Ferris wheel and about to leave the amusement park.
The teal head boy gazed up at the raven haired teen. "Takao nii-chan, are you coming with us to meet up with Kise nii-chan?" he asked.
"No," Takao said as he shook his head. "My house is in the opposite way."
Little Kuroko looked disheartened. "…Oh…"
Takao friendly ruffled the little phantom's teal locks. "Hey now, don't look so down," he said and grinned at the boy. "I don't want to see a sad Kuroko when I go home so smile, okay?"
The teal head boy nodded and smiled widely. "Bye Takao nii-chan!"
"Bye Kuroko! Hope we meet again soon!" Takao regarded his green haired classmate. "Bye Shin-chan!"
"Bye Takao," Midorima neutrally said.
Takao happily waved at them one last time before taking the opposite direction from them and head home.
Midorima glanced at little Kuroko when he was sure Takao had left. "Kuroko I have a favor to ask."
"What is it Midorima nii-chan?" the teal head boy asked as he looked up at the green head beside him.
"Can you not tell anyone that you met Takao today?"
The little phantom was mystified. "Eh? But why?"
Midorima pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. "…it's complicated," was the only reason he could come up with.
Little Kuroko was curious but decided not to pursue any answers and just gave his affirmation. "Okay, if that's what you want Midorima nii-chan."
Midorima breathed a sigh of relief. Good. At least no one will know about this, except probably for Akashi. He and his uncanny ability to know everything, he inwardly indicted. "Shall we go Kuroko?" he asked.
The teal head boy nodded. "Un!"
vii.
"KU-RO-KO-CCHI~!" Kise unreservedly greeted in exhilaration as he rushed to little Kuroko and proceeded to hugged him to death. "I'm so happy you chose me Kurokocchi!" He rubbed their cheeks together as he cuddled the teal head boy tighter to his chest (oblivious to little Kuroko's action of trying to escape from his grasp with little to no success).
Midorima, who noticed this, reprimanded the blond. "Let him go, you idiot! You're suffocating Kuroko."
"Oh!" Kise immediately freed the teal head boy from his embrace. "Sorry Kurokocchi."
Little Kuroko greedily inhaled his much needed air after he was released.
"Maybe you should choose a different caretaker Kuroko instead of this idiot," the green head suggested.
"What?! No!" Kise vehemently protested. "I can take care of Kurokocchi. I was just excited that's all."
"It's okay Midorima nii-chan," the teal head boy said, reassuring the teen. "I want to stay with Kise nii-chan tonight."
Kise gazed at little Kuroko in wonder, awe shining in his golden eyes. "…Kurokocchi."
"And besides," the little phantom continued, "I can just call Sei-nii if Kise nii-chan did something."
The blond ace's happiness instantly shattered like a fragile glass. "Kurokocchi is being mean! I won't do anything!"
Ignoring his former teammate, Midorima agreed with little Kuroko. "That's a good idea Kuroko."
"Midorimacchi, too!"
"Stop whining Kise," the green head scolded and turned to the teal head boy to say goodbye. "I have to go Kuroko."
"Okay," little Kuroko said and smiled at the green head. "I had fun today Midorima nii-chan!"
"Me, too," Midorima said as he gave the teal head boy a small smile and then glared at Kise when he noticed the blond was giving him a teasing look. "Bye Kuroko." He patted little Kuroko on the head.
"Bye Midorima nii-chan!"
Midorima nodded at Kise, who smiled at him, and made his way out of the children's park.
Kise turned to the teal head boy and held out his left hand. "Let's go home Kurokocchi?"
"Un!" little Kuroko nodded and took the offered hand.
"My parents are overseas so they're not at home," Kise informed the boy as they left the park. "But my two older sisters are there. They're excited to see you actually."
"Really? I can't wait to meet them!"
"They'll love you, I'm sure!"
The two of them continued their way to Kise's house in which the teal head boy related the blond with his day in the amusement park.
Next Chapter: Model and Siblings
A/N: If you're wondering about Midorima's favor to Kuro-chan, it was because Seirin and the GOM had an agreement to not tell the GOM's team about Kuroko's situation to avoid confusion.
Notes:
(1) Manami - Mana (愛) means "love or affection" combined with Mi (海) which means "sea or ocean" because of her eyes.
(2) Yuu - Yuu (悠) means "distant or leisurely" just like the Ma (間) in Midorima's name which means "distance".
(3) Tomomi - Tomo (朋) means "friend" since she's very friendly and Mi (美) means "beautiful".
(4) Midorima Shintarou's Extremely Unlucky Day - the second chapter in Replace 2. You can read it here (just remove the space): grimmfeather . wordpress . com
Announcement:
1. Forgot to say this last chapter but please check out my another story titled A Day in the Life of Miracles. It's about the GOM in their Teikou days.
2. It seems a lot of people wanted to see Akashi's reaction in Kuroko's gift in chapter 9 and I was thinking of writing it as an omake since it's almost Akashi's birthday (Dec 20). So do you want me to write it? Please leave comments on your reviews :)
3. NEW STORY
Tentative Title: The Phantom Trade
Summary: Kuroko was chosen by Seirin to be an exchange student but instead of going abroad he'll have to stay in different high schools in Japan for a week. Kuroko was alright with it until he found out which schools he'll go to.
Paring: GOMXKuro
(I already written half of the prologue and I was thinking of posting it and chapter 1 on January. New year, new story. So what do you think? Should I write it? I would love to hear your opinions :D)