Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basket, or any of its characters.
Oha! Here's the 4th chapter of Violeta, the updates are fast because I'm not that busy at work right now, so I have extra or free time to write! Which is good! As always, I don't know how the story will go but I'm just writing it by ear (笑)
Enjoy!
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Chapter 4: Forest Green
It's been a week since Kuroko started going to Teikou Gakuen, and so far, he's been enjoying his school life, which is a first for him. Kagami and Kise have been really good to him, the classes were also challenging which kuroko actually prefers, the teachers were all nice, and his classmates were nice as well. He forgot why he was so scared and nervous about attending Teikou at first, but overall, he was happy about how things were going smoothly for him.
"The pages from 15 to 22 are all going to be included in next weeks recitation, so be sure to read up on these items", his teacher, explaining to the class their weekly readings for an upcoming class recitation.
"Ha~~~I" the class replied grumbly, Kuroko was not a big fan of class recitations, or class reporting, or really anything where he had to stand up alone and having everyone's attention on him. Nevertheless, he still does a pretty good job on whatever school work he does, he's just not that comfortable being the center of attention.
"Gaaaahhh I'm bad at these things, it's so boring and I hate reading to people" Kagami frustratedly turned to Kuroko while he was whining about the assignment,
"It's because you're lazy, that's why you don't like it" Kise teased.
"I'm not! Japanese is just very difficult to read ya' know" Kagami, who grew up in the United States, admittedly replied.
"All Kanji's have so many different readings, it's hard to know when to read it in On-yomi or Kun-yomi" he gumbled.
"Sou da nee~~~ I guess you could say that, given that you did grow up in America, English alphabet is pretty hard for most Japanese though, since it's not read per syllable" Kise replied who was low key trying to cheer Kagami up.
Kuroko, as usual, watched in amusement with the exchange that has been going on with the two. He always admired how they can go from bickering to encouraging each other really quick.
"I can help you with your Japanese if you'd like kagami-kun" kuruoko finally spoke up.
"Maji de!? Sankyuu!" Kagami grinned at kuroko.
"ping pong pang pong, pong pang pong ping-"
"See you all next week!" the teacher bid farewell as the lunch bell rang.
Kagami, Kise, and Kuroko were all sitting together, Kuroko had been making Kagami and Kises's portions as well, and the latter two were always excited for kuroko's bento.
"Nee~ let's eat somewhere else today Kurokocchi" kise asked.
"Yeah, I think it would be a good change of pace" Kagami added.
"Ii yo", as kuroko agreed, the three stood up and decided to eat their lunch on the rooftop.
Making their way to unfamiliar hallways for Kuroko, he softly bumped into someone while he was eyeing the place.
"Sumimasen.." said Kuroko.
"Iinanoda, just be sure to watch where you're going so you don't bump into anyone else." Replied the tall person.
Kuroko looked up to see forest green eyes staring at him with grass green hair.
"Ahh~ midorimacchi! I see you've met Kurokocchi, he's a new student in our class, and we were about to eat lunch together, he made us a bento box! Do you want to join us?" Kise chirped in on the two.
"I politely refuse, I will be going to the library to sort out a few things, plus, Oha-asa said my lucky item today is books, so I will be spending my time there nanoda, but it was nice to meet you Kuroko…..?."
"Tetsuya, Kuroko tetsuya desu, pleased to meet you" kuroko finished Midorima's sentence for him.
"Pleased to meet you, I am Midorima Shintaro, I am in class 2-4, Kise is a lot of work, so is that tall red head monkey idiot over there, so if you want peace and quiet, you're welcome to visit the library"
"NANIIIIIIII!" Kagami screamed, offended by Midorima's statement on him, "calm down Kagamicchi, no need to get so worked up" kise trying to calm kagami down, grabbed him and kuroko so that they can head to the rooftop, "Ja nee midorimacchi!"
Kuroko bowed his head as a sign of good bye to Midorima as the trio headed for their lunch destination.
"What's with that guy! Always feeling high and mighty, that smarty pants glasses!" Kagami gritted his teeth while chewing on his lunch.
"Midorimacchi does have a sharp tounge haha!" Kise laughed at Kagami's irritation.
Kuroko continued eating his lunch, when he suddenly remembered something.
"Kise-kun, I noticed you call me, Kagami-kun, and Midorima-san in a different manner"
"ahhh that~" Kise was able to catch on Kuroko's train of thought.
"Well~ I add 'cchi' to the names of those people whom I consider my friend, and those I respect! I like you and I respect you, so… I call you Kurokocchi!"
"yeaah don't mind it too much Kuroko, Kise's always been clingy like that" Kagami retorted.
Kuroko was happy, but then he thought to himself, "what's so respectable about me? I don't have any talents in particular, nor am I outgoing in any way.."
"I think Kise-kun is the respectable one here, working while studying, and Kagami-kun has a sports scholarship, you both are really amazing" Kuroko praised the two.
"Kurokocchi, I think you need to have more confidence, your grades are at the top of the class, even though the curriculum here is different than other schools even though you've only been here for a week, and! You're a great cook!" Kise happily praising Kuroko.
"Sou da ze! You should be more confident" Kagami added.
Kuroko blushed and smiled warmly at the two "Un! Arigato…"
Kise and Kagami were left in awe as they saw Kuroko, it was their first-time seeing Kuroko smile like that, and he looked absolutely beautiful!
"Kurokocchi! You're beautiful!" Kise sparkled at Kuroko.
"Beautiful?... I don't think that would make me too happy though…" blushed Kuroko.
"You are you are! And it's something to be proud of! The other members would fawn over you! But I won't allow that!" Kise was proudly stating.
"members? What members?" that had caught Kuroko's attention.
"Ah, you probably haven't seen the rest of them since this is a pretty big school, I'm sure you've heard of them? Kiseki no Sedai, I know they're pretty popular even outside of Teikou" Kagami explaining it to Kuroko.
"ah, I think I have heard of Kiseki no Sedai… from my previous schoolmates." Kuroko thought.
"Sou da yo kurokocchi! I am a member of Kiseki no Sedai! Midorimacchi as well!"
Kuroko was surprised, he has heard of that name, Kiseki no Sedai, a group of Elite students from the elite school of Teikou Gakuen, the members of that group were all exceptionally excellent students in different fields, no wonder Kise was so popular, and really good at his job to boot.
"Isn't kagami-kun a member?" Kuroko was curious, he thought Kagami was also fit to be a member.
"Naah, too much drama and hassle for me, I came to Teikou mid last year, almost the same time as you did, and was pretty shocked to hear about them, coming from America and all. But there's too many drama in it, and I don't want in." Kagami explained.
"Kagamacchi would be perfect though, his basketball skills are one of the best!" Kise praised kagami, which was a rare occasion.
The three continued to chatter away until they heard the dreaded school bell to remind them that lunch time was over the day.
Afternoon classes were the same as usual, math, science, history, and English, Kuroko always thought that the hard subjects were clumped together in the afternoon which made those hours more draining than the morning schedule, although he did enjoy that kind of challenge.
The school bell chimed at exactly 4:00 in the afternoon.
"Giritsu-" called out the class representative, everyone stood up at the same time.
"rei-" and bowed at the same time.
The teacher has left the classroom, and the students on duty started their clean up.
Kagami was on clean up duty, and Kise had another modelling job so he had to leave early.
Kuroko bid farewell to kagami and walked home alone for the first time in 5 days. He was already getting used to the feeling of always having someone to hang out with and go home with, so it felt like an unfamiliar feeling, being solemn like he used to be, deep in thought again, he softly bumped into someone for the second time for the day.
"sumimasen—ah" Kuroko looked up to see Midorima, who he apparently bumped into again.
"It's you again, I told you to walk carefully nanoda" the green head reminded Kuroko.
"hai, sumimasen" the latter replied.
"You don't have to keep apologizing you know" Kuroko could tell Midorima was trying to be friendly, but his stern and serious voice was just too overwhelming.
"sumima- hai" kuroko almost forgetting what midorima had just said. Midorima fixed his glasses and looked at Kuroko.
"You're alone today? Kise and Bakagami are not with you noda?"
"Kise-kun had a schedule today, and Kagami-kun is on cleaning duty" Kuroko replied.
"Then would you like me to accompany you?" Midorima asked.
"If it's okay with you Midorima-san"
"No need for Keigo, we are in the same year" Midorima said.
"Alright, Midorima-kun" Kuroko replied.
Midorima sighed, but he just let things be for now, he had an idea that Kuroko was the polite kind of person, so removing the polite speech must be difficult for him.
The two of them walked side by side, with Midorima matching Kuroko's pace, Kuroko was not used to being with someone who is as quiet as he is, so he had no idea what to talk about, he was used to just answering any questions Kise or Kagami had, or just listened to their bickering most of the time, but he felt comfortable with Midorima, solemn, and relaxing. Midorima broke the silence first.
"How are you finding Teikou? Is it living up to your expectations?"
"So far I am enjoying classes, it is harder than I thought, but I do enjoy these kinds of challenging subjects or school work, everyone is also really nice. I thought it would have a more menacing aura or that maybe everyone is really competitive." Kuroko answered honestly.
Nodding, Midorima understood what kuroko was talking about, he was expecting the same kind of competitiveness wherein people don't really get along and that everything in this school is a competition, but he was proven wrong, and he was happy that Kuroko was experiencing a positive Teikou apart from his first impression.
"That's good to hear, I do hope you are aware though, that even though everyone is nice and friendly, students in Teikou are more competitive compared to other students from other schools, and that means, I won't lose to you in terms of intellect, I know that you're a smart one." Midorima said in a monotone voice.
Kuroko a bit shook with what he heard, smiled inwardly to himself.
"I won't lose too"
Midorima, satisfied with Kuroko's response, bid him a silent farewell. Kuroko responded with his hand waving bye bye to Midorima.
Kuroko arrived at his doorstep, as he unlocked the door, "Tadaima" he called out.
As usual, his mother will be home late, he can't really blame her, she is working double time for the two of them to live comfortably. He set his bag aside in his pale blue room, changed into his house clothes, and decided to prepare for dinner.
As he was setting the table, he heard the doorbell, "I wonder who it could be… mom should have her keys with her." Kuroko thought to himself.
As he opened the door, he was surprised to see a blonde person standing by his front gate.
"Kise-kun"…
"Yo! Kurokocchi, mind if I visit?" Kise asked Kuroko with a huge smile on his face.
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Otsu! And that's it for this chapter, Midorima was introduced in this one, and I tried to stay true to his character, and that includes the Oha-asa lucky item, and the "nanoda" expression he's using in the series.
I also tried introducing the Kiseki no Sedai in terms of "rumors" about them. More will be revealed in future chapters.
今日の日本語 / Today's Japanese Corner!
Wakatta : I understand
On-yomi / Kun-yomi : two different ways to determine when to read a kanji character in a specific way. Kanji's are read differently depending on the context and how they are written.
e.x
新しい – This is the Kanji for "Atarashii" (New), you read it as Atarashii.
However, if this Kanji is a stand alone or is combined with a different Kanji
新川 – the same kanji used for "Atarashii" is now read as "Shin" which also means new.
This specific Kanji is read as "Shin kawa".
Giritsu : Stand / Rise (said in class when a teacher is leaving or entering the classroom, the entire class stands)
Re-i : Bow (everyone bows at the same time)
And that's it for this one! I'll try to be more educational too, I'll be adding a Kyou no Nihongo （今日の日本語）or Today's Japanese Corner for every chapter!
Otsukanyon!
nyonsama