Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basket is owned by Fujimaki Tadatoshi
A/N: I FINALLY, FINALLY UPDATED (after half a year later)! I was supposed to update this last April and was almost done with it but when I was re-reading Regression for inspiration, I just remembered that Kise has only 2 sisters while I wrote that he has 3. Seeing that one stupid mistake really demotivate me since I have to rewrite half of what I already wrote so that's why it took so long. I am so sorry for the long wait but I hope that you'll enjoy this chapter.
Anyway, thanks to my reviewers: RyuVonBielefeld, MADStar529, AokazuSei, jessyjasmine.7, RisoleSoes19, Chamcha, Meitantei4869, ririnto, Finn Oxenstierna, Kuroshiroryuu, Sakamaki Hikaru, melodilove3, LyricoJ, WrittenWhim, Narutopokefan, Mist455, asyadreamer09, Kurariisu Takomo, newerher3, Kichou, miki565, imKimTheWriter, XxDeadSkiesxX, Faliara, Sakihinata, x10TIMEx, Independent Not in Love, Sheen-chan, Shinome Akira, Calico Neko, singheat1, ResyaAfhirsa00018, TrickToTricks, wakinyan, youmustbejoking, VLurica'143, CherryPop0120, TakedaEmo120, Obsessive Child, fiendishly, ReviewOnly-chan (5 reviews!), WasTiger, Kagamine Hikari, Artimes' Thorns, Lacking, animeLuv'Chuu, shindirulapura, sorarion, zuppercat, EchizenRyoma, Belanore, sexy Seren, RoseKeade56, JackFrost25, MisanthropicGoddess, StarDrop, AsianCutie93, Toukahana, Rhenellen, KanikiKyon, ScarletIsCool, sai-chan, mimi-chan, Jintan, Soul Empress, nshawol56, Lacila, animelover453 and 16 Guests (though I think there were some reviews that came from only one person). And thanks to the favorite and follow alerts as well.
Chapter 11: Model and Siblings
"We're home!" Kise cheerfully announced as he took off his shoes in the genkan and replaced it with indoor slippers and helped little Kuroko with his.
"They're here! They're here!"
"I'll greet them first!"
"That's not fair! I'm the eldest!"
The teal head boy blinked in confusion at the shouts he heard and looked up at the blond, silently asking what's happening but Kise only gave an innocent smile.
"My sisters were really excited to see you when I said that Kurokocchi will stay here for tonight before I left to pick you up in the park so they're very thrilled to meet you," Kise explained.
Little Kuroko was shocked when someone suddenly embraced him and gushed loudly close to his ears saying "You're so cute! You're so cute!" like a mantra.
"Ryouko nee-chan, you're suffocating Kurokocchi!" Kise chastised.
The mini phantom finds it ironic that his Kise nii-chan is now saying what everyone was yelling whenever he hugs him.
"Oops, sorry," Ryouko said before releasing little Kuroko from her hug but not from her grasp and instead picked him up in her arms.
Little Kuroko stared wide-eyed at the lady in front of him. Calling her beautiful is an understatement since he never saw anyone as good-looking as her with her soft delicate features; silky-smooth curly golden hair flowing up to her waist but what he likes the most was her gentle amber eyes twinkling in happiness as she gazed at him.
"You're so pretty onee-san," little Kuroko absentmindedly said.
"Oh my, cute and a flatterer," Ryouko said, smiling as she gently pinched the teal head boy's cheek and introduced herself. "I'm Kise Ryouko, Ryou-chan's eldest sister. Just call me Ryouko nee-san, okay Tet-chan?"
Little Kuroko beamed. "Okay, Ryouko nee-san!" He continued to stare at her, slightly tilting his head to the side. "Are you a model, too Ryouko nee-san just like Kise nii-chan?"
Ryouko giggled. "No, though I did model when I was young. Right now I'm a fashion designer."
"Ryouko-nee, don't hog Tetsu-chan all to yourself!"
The mini phantom peeked from Ryouko's shoulder and saw the other sister of Kise pouting at them while crossing her arms over her ample chest, her blond hair cut just above her shoulders, her gold eyes having a sharp glint on them and was wearing a simple white t-shirt and red shorts. And just like her oldest and youngest sibling, she was stunning as well.
"This is my other sister, Reiko nee-chan," Kise introduced. "She's also really good at sports like me."
Reiko gave a sweet smile at little Kuroko and waved at him. "Nice to meet you, Tetsu-chan."
"Nice to meet you too, Reiko nee-chan," the teal head boy greeted back.
Ryouko finally put down little Kuroko and clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Now that introduction is now over. Let's have dinner!"
xXx
"Do you like your dinner Tet-chan?" Ryouko asked as she gently wiped the sauce in the corner of little Kuroko's mouth with a napkin.
The mini phantom nodded eagerly. "Un! They're really delicious Ryouko nee-san."
"Say ah~ Kurokocchi," Kise prompted as he held out a piece of chicken with his chopsticks to the teal head boy.
Little Kuroko did as he was told and widely opened his mouth. The Kise siblings take turns in feeding him which he didn't mind and was content at the attention they were giving him. He never had any siblings and his family wasn't this overly affectionate so he was basking in it as he could. He knew that if he had Kise, Ryouko and Reiko as siblings, he would grow up being too spoiled because of their overindulgence.
The teal head boy drank his water as both Ryouko and Kise cleared up the table after their dinner was over and Reiko took out the chocolate cake for dessert. He smiled when Reiko handed him his piece. "Thanks Reiko nee-chan!"
"Do you like chocolate Tet-chan?" Ryouko asked as she took her slice of cake from her sister.
"I like them but I like vanilla more," little Kuroko answered before taking a bite of his dessert. He looked up at Reiko sitting across from him. "I haven't asked yet but Reiko nee-chan, are you in college?"
"Yup," Reiko replied, taking a bite of her chocolate cake. "I'm taking accountancy in Tokyo University."
"Really? That's so cool! That means that you're pretty smart, right Reiko nee-chan?"
Reiko shrugged. "I guess so."
Ryouko arched an eyebrow at her sister. "Modesty doesn't suit you Rei-Rei."
"Don't call me that," Reiko hissed, giving Ryouko a cold glare but her older just smirked at her.
Kise decided to interrupt before the two women could argue. "Reiko nee-chan is also good in martial arts like judo, taekwondo, aikido and jiu-jitsu."
"Reiko nee-chan must be so strong!" the mini phantom said, grinning and Reiko just smiled back at him in response. Little Kuroko then turned to Ryouko beside him. "What about Ryouko nee-san, you said that you're fashion designer, right?"
"Yup, she is," Kise answered. "She started from being an assistant to a boutique owner after a few years because of her hard-work, perseverance, her passion in what she does and her analytical business mind."
"And don't forget using her looks to get what she wants," Reiko sardonically added.
Ryouko flipped back her soft golden hair haughtily. "Of course, there's no harm in using everything in your arsenal to reach your goal."
"Jeez, arrogant much," Reiko mumbled.
"Ryou-chan, on the other hand, seems to inherit everything from both of us," Ryouko said, glancing at her little brother across from her and reached out to pat him on the head. "A famous model and a prodigy in basketball, right?"
Reiko smirked. "Don't forget the talent to fail at exams, too," she added.
"Reiko nee-chan that wasn't necessary!"
The teal head boy giggled. "That's what Murasaki nii-chan said, too."
"Kurokocchi!" Kise cried.
Ryouko chuckled as Reiko and little Kuroko teased her little brother. "You're so fun to tease Ryou-chan," she remarked.
"I agree!" the mini shadow added with a mischievous grin on his adorable face.
"Why is it always me?!" Kise whined which only made little Kuroko, Reiko and Ryouko laughed.
xXx
"Kurokocchi, I promised you that I'll show you my photobooks, right?" Kise said as he sat down on the couch and picked up little Kuroko, placing the boy on his lap. He gestured at the stack of magazines and photobooks beside him. "Let's look at it together!"
The mini phantom looked in awe at the pictures of Kise as he flipped the pages. "Kise nii-chan looks so cool and mature here!"
A huge smile blossomed on Kise's face at the compliment. "Thanks Kurokocchi! But it's mostly the works of the photographer and make-up artists. All I have to do is stand and pose."
"That's not true," little Kuroko retorted, looking up at the blond. "Sure they help but Kise nii-chan gives life to these pictures. That's why you're a model."
Kise looked a little teary eyed. "Kurokocchi, you're so sweet!" he exclaimed and rubbed their cheeks together. "I wish you could stay like this forever."
"I have to grow up sometime Kise nii-chan," the teal head boy deadpanned.
Both Kise and little Kuroko looked up when they noticed a flash and turned to see Ryouko holding a camera, taking a picture of them. "Sorry if I distracted you two," she said. "But both of you looked so adorable together that I couldn't help myself."
Reiko walked to the two boys and crouched down, raising an eyebrow at the bundle of magazines featuring her little brother. "Is Ryou showing off his photos to you, Tetsu-chan?"
"I wasn't doing that!" Kise mumbled, pouting.
The teal head boy stared up at Reiko. "Were you a model, too Reiko nee-chan?"
Ryouko and Kise laughed out loud at the suggestion while Reiko glared at her siblings and threw cushion pillows from the couch to both Kise and Ryouko. "Stop laughing, both of you!"
The mini phantom watched the scene in confusion. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Reiko is a tomboy at heart so she doesn't want to do any girly things like modeling or so she says anyway," Ryouko explained, amusement visibly evident on her face.
Reiko crossed her arms over her chest. "As if I would wear those frilly dresses," she scoffed.
Kise's amber eyes glowed in mischief. "But Reiko nee-chan, you owe a couple of those frilly dresses."
"Those are for formal occasions!" Reiko objected, her face all red. "And stop ganging up on me!"
"It's because you're so easy to rile up Rei-Rei," Ryouko commented as she rifled through a cabinet, looking for something. "Ah, found it!" She took a couple of old magazines and carried them towards little Kuroko. "I told you I was a model before, right Tet-chan?"
The teal head boy nodded his head and looked at the magazines that Ryouko picked up. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw a young looking Ryouko in a sophisticated evening red dress, posing seductively on the cover. "Is that you, Ryouko nee-san?"
"Yup, that's me!"
Little Kuroko's sky blue eyes glittered in astonishment. "Wow, you really are pretty Ryouko nee-san!"
"If you keep complimenting her Tetsu-chan," Reiko interjected, "her head's going to get so big, it won't fit our house."
"Ha ha," Ryouko laughed sarcastically and rolled her eyes. "Very funny Rei-Rei."
Reiko glowered at her older sister. "Stop calling me with that ridiculous nickname!"
"Ooh, scary~"
Kise sighed as his older siblings bicker like children and smiled apologetically at little Kuroko. "Sorry about that Kurokocchi, they always fight."
"It's okay," the teal head boy said. "They fight like Kagami-kun and Aomine nii-chan or you and Aomine nii-chan."
Kise sweatdropped at the comment. "That's a good comparison…I guess."
"It's bath time!"
Kise was shocked at Ryouko's shout and clutched little Kuroko tighter. "Wait Ryouko nee-chan, Kurokocchi will take a bath with me!"
"No, can do," said Reiko and took the teal head boy from her little brother, heading to the bathroom with Ryouko leading the way. "It's your turn to wash the dishes Ryou."
Kise hurriedly catch up to his sisters, whining, "But I want to take a bath together with Kurokocchi!"
Ryouko smiled at her younger brother innocently. "Better luck next time then Ryou-chan," she said before slamming the bathroom door.
"There is no next time!" Kise wailed on the closed door. "No, Kurokocchi!"
xXx
After his bath, Kise went to the living room where he could hear the excited chatters of his sisters. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw little Kuroko wearing a mini three piece suit and even his teal hair was slicked back to make the boy looked more formal.
"Wh-What did you do to Kurokocchi?! How could you!" he cried to which his sisters turned to him in confusion.
Ryouko frowned at her youngest sibling. "Don't you like it? Tet-chan looks so handsome."
Kise with his eyes hidden behind his bangs and was visibly shaking. "Why? Why did you start without me?!" he wailed and proceeded to glomped the mini phantom. "Kurokocchi, you're so cute!"
Little Kuroko looked up at Ryouko and Reiko as Kise continued to smother him in a hug. "Um, Ryouko nee-san, Reiko nee-chan why am I all dressed up?" he asked as his cerulean eyes glinted curiously.
Ryouko and Reiko glanced at each other before turning their stare back to the teal head boy. "Because we want Tet-chan to experience being a model," Ryouko said with a smile.
"You have this longing look on your face when you were staring at the magazines," Reiko added, patting little Kuroko on the head affectionately. "So we decided to have a little photo shoot for you. We know that it's not the same but we hope that you mind Tetsu-chan."
The mini shadow blinked and regarded Ryouko, Reiko and Kise, who beamed at him after releasing him, thoughtfully. His mouth curved up in a wide smile and said, "I don't mind. It sounds like fun!"
The Kise siblings laughed at little Kuroko's exuberance and proceeded to start their impromptu photo shoot with Ryouko as the photographer, Kise guiding the teal head boy in making poses and Reiko rummaging through the costumes that she and Ryouko scrounged up from their rooms for little Kuroko to use.
After taking pictures of the mini shadow in a three piece suit, the next costume that they decided to wear for him was a ninja and told little Kuroko hand seals which Reiko gladly taught him (watching anime about ninjas had its perks). They even have a fake scroll and handed it to the teal head boy. Kise wondered where his sisters got that but didn't dare voice it out and besides he was busy watching little Kuroko in his black ninja outfit.
Next, they dressed up the teal head boy in a doctor costume. Kise was surprised when Ryouko abruptly gave him the camera, saying that she has a nurse costume and wants to pose together with little Kuroko and quickly ran to her room to change. Neither he nor Reiko questioned why their older sister even has that kind of outfit. Kise helped Reiko in putting the white coat on little Kuroko; he then grinned when Reiko showed him the mini stethoscope and prompted both Kise and Reiko to play as his patients while waiting for Ryouko. Once Ryouko came back, she and the teal head boy posed while Reiko took pictures and reminded Ryouko not pose indecently which made Ryouko to vehemently protest that she wasn't doing any of that sort.
Kise then chose the next costume which was a vampire outfit and loudly gushed that he wants to be bitten by a vampire Kurokocchi. Little Kuroko then stared at him like he was crazy and said "Weirdo" in his monotone voice, backing a few steps away from him. Reiko and Ryouko laughed at this and while Kise sulked on the corner. But when the mini phantom posed dramatically by covering his lower face with his cape, Kise immediately revived and encouraged little Kuroko to do more of those poses which the teal head boy gladly obliged.
Since they were doing western for a while, Reiko suggested that they try Japanese next which Ryouko and Kise promptly agreed and picked the shinsengumi costume. The color of the light blue haori truly complimented little Kuroko with his teal colored hair and eyes which made the three Kise siblings to cuddle him for a few minutes because of his pure utter cuteness and innocence. After that, Reiko showed the mini shadow how to properly hold a sword like a true shinsengumi warrior with the plastic sword accompanying the outfit. With the determined expression on little Kuroko's face, the elegant way he's holding the sword and the cool, calm and collected aura that he shown through the pictures that Ryouko had taken, it gave her the idea of sending all of those to the model agencies that she knew. Kise kindly shut down the plan though since it would be impossible as Kuroko would return to his teenage self in a couple of days so sending the pictures would be pointless. Once Ryouko remembered that, she suddenly captured more photos of the teal head boy since it's going to be first and last chance that she'll have to do that.
The next outfit that they selected to dressed up little Kuroko in was a prince costume. The dark maroon jacket fitted nicely on the mini phantom and even the white trousers and black boots looked good on him. Reiko brushed up little Kuroko's hair again while Kise added a sash over the boy's shoulder. They made little Kuroko sit on the chair that Ryouko aptly decorated to match the costume (both Kise and Reiko wanted to find out how she did that in such a short time but didn't bother to try and ask) before taking photos of little Kuroko.
Kise decided the next outfit that the teal head boy will wear which was a costume of a police officer. The navy blue uniform and trousers really suits on little Kuroko and adding the cap on his head tipping downward, almost covering his eyes and his weak presence made him more mysterious with a hint of danger. Kise absentmindedly commented that he wouldn't mind being a criminal if Kuroko was the one catching him. Both Ryouko and Reiko raised an eyebrow at him for that and Ryouko retorted that she didn't raise her younger brother with a dirty mind. This, of course, made Kise spluttered and yelled that that wasn't what he meant but the two women ignored him though and just focused their attention on the teal head boy.
Kise watched as his sisters searched for more costumes for little Kuroko to wear and pondered what everyone's thoughts will be if they saw the teal head boy in in various costumes. He chuckled mischievously as an idea sprouted in his mind. He quickly took his cellphone from his pocket and took pictures of little Kuroko while being outfitted in costumes. He grinned as he pressed send and whistled as he pocketed his phone. He briefly wondered what their reactions would be but just shrugged the thought off since he could totally imagine it.
xXx
Kagami sighed as he collapsed down on his bed to rest a little before taking a bath. He groaned weakly when his phone vibrated and groped for it on his nightstand. He was about to ignore it when he saw that it was from Kise but decided against it when he saw Kuroko's name on the subject.
He opened his mail and abruptly sat up when he saw a picture of little Kuroko in a witch outfit. The violet dress with silver linings on it reached just above his knees and a black cloak on top of it, he was also wearing black and white stripes socks that reached up to his mid-thigh and a matching black mary janes shoes and completing the outfit was a tall black pointy hat on top of little Kuroko's head.
"What the—Kuroko?!" was Kagami's eloquent response.
xXx
Aomine was lazily perusing his gravure magazine while lying on his bed when Momoi burst through his room all of a sudden with an accompanying loud scream. He immediately sat up to cover his ears and glared at his childhood friend. "Satsuki! Don't go into someone's room unannounced to just scream!"
Momoi doesn't seem to care about what he just said and shoved her phone to his face. "Look, Dai-chan!"
Aomine pushed the phone away from his face without looking at it and scowled at the pink head. "I don't have time for your nonsense Satsuki."
"Eh? But Dai-chan, didn't you received one, too?" she asked as she stared at him in confusion.
Aomine furrowed his brows. "Received what exactly?"
Precisely after he said that, his phone chimed. Momoi quickly took the phone before Aomine could and opened his mail.
"Give me that Satsuki!" Aomine grabbed his phone from the pink head's hands and look at it, only for his jaw to drop in shock when he saw a photo of little Kuroko in a dress, a very frilly dress. The pastel pink Victorian dress almost swallowed the mini phantom with all the light blue lace ribbons adorning it and even his teal hair was tied in a blue ribbon.
"What the heck is this?!"
Momoi peeked at Aomine's phone and squealed. "Tetsu-kun is so cute in that too!"
Aomine whirled at her for that. "What do you mean "too"? You have a different one?"
"Yup! Here," Momoi said and handed her phone to the blue head.
Aomine stared wide-eyed at the picture of little Kuroko in a cute pink bunny costume, his head tilted to the side and one of the ears flopping down adorably.
"The heck are you doing to Tetsu, Kise!" he shouted, uncaring that it was late at night and one of his neighbors was yelling at him to shut up.
xXx
Murasakibara was eating his second packet of potato chips when he saw his cell phone vibrating. He languidly picked it up and blinked when he saw that it was from Kise. He blinked again when he saw a shot of little Kuroko in a white fairy costume, a white ballet shoes and a tiara on top of the mini phantom's head.
"Kuro-chin looks sweet enough to eat," he mumbled before resuming eating his snack and texted back to Kise, saying that Kuro-chin was cute.
xXx
Midorima dropped the orange—his lucky item for the day—that he was holding in his left hand as he gaped at his phone.
He narrowed his eyes at the picture of little Kuroko wearing a long white dress, a golden belt fastened on his waist and a fake halo on his head. His left eye twitched in suppressed anger as he grasped his cellphone in a tight grip.
"Kise, that idiot!"
xXx
Akashi smirked as he stared at the picture of little Kuroko from his phone. The mini phantom was wearing a vermilion kimono with pink sakura petal adorning it and tied with a light blue obi on his waist. His teal hair was also decorated with a hana kanzashi complimenting his pure sky blue eyes.
All in all, it was an enchanting sight.
"Hmm…red seems to suit Tetsuya," Akashi nonchalantly commented before saving the picture.
xXx
Momoi decided to call Kise when she went back to her house and into her own room after calming Aomine down when Kise refused his call over and over again. It seems that the blond had an idea on why the blue head was calling him. But she was sure that Kise won't reject her call and hid that little tidbit from her childhood friend since she has a different reason for calling the blond.
"Ki-chan!"
"Ah, Momocchi! Wait— Aominecchi isn't there with you, right?"
"Nope, so you're safe Ki-chan."
"Whew! That's a relief. Both Aominecchi and Kagamicchi kept calling me and sent me texts about killing or castrating me. It was scary Momocchi!"
"You knew that they'll blow a fuse when you sent those pictures of Tetsu-kun, Ki-chan. Speaking of pictures, send me more of those! Tetsu-kun is so cute!"
"Hmm…okay. But in exchange, I want the pictures of Kurokocchi wearing a frilly apron in Home Economics during second year."
Momoi pouted. Those were one of her treasures since she had to bribe one of Kuroko's classmates to secretly take a picture of the teal head which really isn't that easy considering his weak presence. She sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine. You drive a hard bargain Ki-chan."
"Glad doing business with you, Momocchi."
"Anyway, where's Tetsu-kun?"
"One of my sisters is trying to dress Kurokocchi in a pirate—wait, Reiko nee-chan don't add that!"
Momoi giggled. "It sure is lively there Ki-chan."
"It is, my sisters are really having fun and Kurokocchi doesn't seem to mind in wearing all these clothes."
"I wish I was there. Seeing a cute and chibi Tetsu-kun wearing all those costumes…" Momoi said in a daze and imagined the teal head boy in different outfits.
"I'll send you more photos if you want Momocchi."
Momoi narrowed her eyes. "What's the catch?"
"Kurokocchi's pictures during our school trip in Okinawa."
"But you have pictures of Tetsu-kun during that time, right?"
"Not those pictures. I meant the pictures of Kurokocchi that you took during our test of courage in a cave."
Momoi remembered what Kise was talking about.
It was only chance that she found Kuroko alone in the cave since he didn't have a partner and hers ran off scared and left her alone. They teamed up and reached the end of the cave and were surprise to find an underground waterfall there. The peaceful expression on Kuroko's face as he watched the waterfalls was so captivating that she unconsciously reached for her camera and snapped a picture. The flash startled both of them and she was about to apologize to Kuroko for taking a picture without his permission but Kuroko just smiled and said that it was okay. So she asked if she could take more pictures of him to which the phantom player acquiesced.
That was one of the moments between the two of them that she really cherishes.
Momoi let out a deep sigh. "I don't know Ki-chan. That's really important to me, you know."
"Momocchi really, really likes Kurokocchi, huh? It's okay. I'll still send you more pictures in return just send me group shots of our Teikou team, okay?"
"Alright, I can do that. Tell Tetsu-kun I said hi, okay?"
"Sure. Bye Momocchi!"
"Bye Ki-chan."
Momoi smiled. It looks she'll have more pictures to add in her collection.
xXx
"Was that Momoi nee-chan, Kise nii-chan?"
Kise glanced down at little Kuroko, who was now wearing a kindergarten school uniform, and looking up at him with an adorable expression on his face. He mentally gushed at the cute image and crouched down to pat him on the head.
"Yup, she says hi by the way," he answered.
"Um, Kise nii-chan why did you answer Momoi nee-chan's call but not Aomine nii-chan and Kagami-kun's?" the teal head boy asked and looked at the phone in Kise's hand that exactly rang at the time, showing Kagami's name.
Kise gave a shaky and nervous smile and hit the ignore button on his phone. "It's, uh, a bit complicated Kurokocchi."
Thankfully, little Kuroko accepted his excuse and removed his white student cap. "Ryouko nee-san said that I can change into my pajamas now, Kise nii-chan."
"Okay, let's change your clothes." Kise smiled and grabbed the mini phantom's duffel bag to look for his pajama. "Where are they anyway?" he asked while helping little Kuroko change.
Kise turned towards the kitchen where the teal head boy was pointing at and sweatdropped when he saw Ryouko and Reiko chuckling deviously with the camera between them.
After done changing, Kise carried little Kuroko up to his room while his sisters cleaned up the clothes and costumes they used. He and the teal head boy offered their help but the two women just waved them off and said that they can handle it.
Kise put down little Kuroko on his bed and sat beside him. "Kurokocchi where you going to stay tomorrow?" he asked.
The teal head boy looked up at him in uncertainty. "I want to stay with Sei-nii but…" he trailed off.
Kise smiled in understanding. "But you aren't sure if he's busy or not, right?"
Little Kuroko nodded and uneasily fiddled with his fingers on his lap.
"Then we should call Akashicchi," Kise suggested. "Maybe he's free tomorrow. We won't know unless we try."
"Okay," the mini phantom agreed.
Kise took out his phone and dialed his former captain's number.
"Ryouta."
"Good evening Akashicchi! I'm not interrupting you, am I?"
"No. I'm just playing shogi. Do you need something, Ryouta?"
"Ah, yes. Kurokocchi and I wanted to know if you're free since he wants to stay with you tomorrow."
"I am. I can take care of Tetsuya tomorrow."
Kise smiled at the red head's answer and gave a thumbs-up to little Kuroko, who smiled at the confirmation.
"By the way Ryouta, about the picture you sent…"
"Oh! Did you like it Akashicchi? That one is especially for you."
"…I do. But Tetsuya wouldn't like it if he finds out that you dressed up his younger version in different outfits when he reverts back to normal. I'm sure you still remember how Tetsuya is when he gets mad."
Kise gulped at the reminder. Yes, he still remembers how scary the passing specialist can be when angered. He still has nightmares every time he thinks about it.
"A-Akashicchi, please! Don't tell Kuro—"he stopped and gazed down at the teal head boy, who staring up at him with an endearing and innocent smile. "Don't tell him about this, please Akashicchi! I'm begging you!"
"I'm not the one you should be worrying about, Ryouta. You send pictures of Tetsuya to the rest of our former team and, I presume, Kagami as well."
"But if Akashicchi decides to keep it a secret then that means that none of them can say anything about it since they will all listen to you, even Kagamicchi."
"Even so, Tetsuya will know after the candy's effect wears off unless…"
"…unless?" Kise asked when the red head trailed off.
"Nothing. Alright, I agree but on one condition."
"Of course! I'll do anything you want Akashicchi. Name it and I'll do it!"
"I want all of the pictures of Tetsuya that you and your sisters have taken."
Kise stared blankly at his phone for a minute before saying, "…So Akashicchi has a—"
"Finish that sentence and you won't only have an angry Tetsuya to worry about."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
"Let me talk to Tetsuya."
The teal head boy took the phone that Kise—who was pale and visibly shaking—handed him. He ignored his Kise nii-chan's mutters of "I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die yet!"
"Good evening, Sei-nii!"
"Good evening Tetsuya. How are you?"
"I'm good! But Kise nii-chan is mumbling about not wanting to die or something like that."
"Ignore him Tetsuya. Did you have fun with Shintarou and Ryouta today?"
"Un! I had fun playing in the amusement park with Midorima nii-chan and…"
"Takao, right?"
"Eh? You know about that Sei-nii?"
"Yes. Did Shintarou buy you souvenirs?"
"Yes, Midorima nii-chan did! He was really good at the shooting booth and gave me lots of toys, there was even a stuff toy that looks like Nigou and then we rode lots of cool rides. It was really fun!"
"I'm glad you have a good time Tetsuya."
"Un! And then after that Kise nii-chan picked me up and I met his older sisters and they're all very pretty and nice. We even played dressed-up!"
"It sounds like Tetsuya had a very busy day."
"I did. Oh yeah, how was your day Sei-nii?"
"It wasn't as fun as Tetsuya's day is but it was a good."
"You're not busy anymore Sei-nii?"
"No, I'm not. So I'm available to take care of Tetsuya for the whole day tomorrow."
"I can't wait to stay with you, Sei-nii!"
"I am, too. Tell Ryouta that I'll pick you up in the street ball court near his house by mid-morning."
"Okay, I'll tell Kise nii-chan. Good night Sei-nii!"
"Good night Tetsuya."
After handing Kise's cellphone back to him, little Kuroko was then picked up by the blond and settled themselves on the bed with the teal head boy on Kise's lap. Little Kuroko urged the blond to tell stories about his teammates which Kise gladly indulged and told the teal head boy about his senpai in Kaijou; like how Kasamatsu always kicks him or how Moriyama tried to flirt with any girl only to fail miserably, Hayakawa always shouting that none of them sometimes can discerned and Kobori pacifying them all.
"You seem to be having a good time with all your senpai Kise nii-chan," little Kuroko noted when he noticed the pure happiness on Kise's face while he talked.
Kise smiled. "Yeah, I guess. I never thought I'll have this so much fun playing basketball with them. It's all because of…" he trailed off and gazed down at the teal head boy, who was looking up at him serenely. "…because of that person."
Little Kuroko blinked. "Eh, 'that person'? Who was it Kise nii-chan?"
Kise carried little Kuroko in his arms, hugging him so tight and buried his face on the boy's soft teal locks. "I never thought that I'll feel this way again; this happiness while playing basketball with my team, excitement for a new and unpredictable challenge and a thirst for victory. When I started playing basketball, I didn't know that it will change my life but it did. I found friends who shared the same love with basketball and playing alongside with them was very enjoyable. Then everything changed, our team broke apart and then basketball became boring."
He paused, taking a deep breath. "I thought that it will stay that way when I entered Kaijou but that person broke through that with his stubborn will and determination and showed me that there's more to basketball than what I believed in. And then suddenly I just found myself happily playing basketball again with my new teammates."
Kise closed his eyes, a drop of tear spilling on his face as he held little Kuroko tighter. He could feel Kuroko's tiny arms wrapping around his neck, laying his head on his shoulder, comforting him with his embrace. "I haven't thanked that person yet so I'm taking this chance to do just that," he murmured. "…Thank you Kurokocchi."
"Kise-kun…"
Kise opened his amber eyes in surprise and glanced down at the teal head boy in his arms only to find little Kuroko already sleeping with a contented smile showing on his face.
Kise smiled a relieved smile and carefully put little Kuroko on the bed. After turning the lights off, he settled himself beside the teal head boy. Clutching little Kuroko's right hand in his, he slept peacefully with a smile on his lips as his most important person was right beside him.
NEXT: Omake 3 & 4 - Emperor and Light
Notes:
(1) Ryouko – Just like the Ryou (涼) in Kise's name it also means "cool or refreshing" and Ko (子) means "child".
(2) Reiko - Rei (麗) means "lovely" while Ko (子) means "child".