HOHOHOHO! MERRY CHRISTMAAAAAS AND ADVANCEEE HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYOOONEEEEE! Sorry for updating Mizuiro to Beni Koi! rather late, as we are all were quite busy this holiday festivity, and I didn't have much time to have this update-BUTTTT there is no need to fret my friend, I am with my outmost capabilities is trying my best! Soooo how was your holiday, guys? Ahahahaha I got a concert ticket from my mom for a band I dont really know, unfortunately she did this for my younger sister who has some fangirlism over Brit bands whom she gave the same ticket to, meaning Kicchin was given a ticket to a concert that Kicchin isn't interested on so Kicchin would be her sister's chaperon, oh well might as well start listening to their songs anyways so at the very least yours truly could enjoy the ticket. Well aside from that I went from good vibes to bad, some stuffs happened in my circle of friends and I just can't help but go quiet. Honestly, that was the most surprising thing that has ever happened.
AAAAAAANYWAAAY, enough about Kicchin, let's head back to MIZUIRO TO BENI KOI! I was really amaze by the number of reviews on the last chapter, I MEAN WOW, ahahaha, btw about the song used last chapter, I only found that out through finding random MADs on Youtube and NicoNico-I must confess I am an avid fan of these MADs, they're like some kind of one-shot moving fanfics for me with music and stuffs-ahaha Kicchin sounds like a kid. Dear Mr Ms Picarasque was something that really took my attention, it kinda displays the face of love most people wouldn't want to show, the destructive side of it, and though personally Kicchin would rather not have that, its kinda inevitable that it exist in some relationships and since Kuroko was the one depicted as the song writer for that one, let's just say Kicchin sees Kuroko as someone who would rather unravel the ugly parts and live with it that to drown in a self serving beautiful fantasies. So yeah, that's kinda my reason why I chose the song. The song aside, ohohoho who is curious about the AKAFURI ship here, lol there is actually an AKAFURI ship sailing behind and for all AKAFURI fans there *wiggles eyebrows at you* ahahaha! AND LET US NOT FORGEET MIDOTAKA, ahaha I probably had been thinking of that kind of relationship between Midorima and Takao since after MONOGATARI, I thought, ah what if I make this AU where Takao is head over heels to Midorima and Midorima towards Takao to whom he haven't seen or spoken to yet, and I thought but how will that happen? I have been wrecking my brains since then trying to get the idea across because I LOVE IT ahaha, then it only occured to me while I was starting out with Mizuiro to Beni Koi. My best friend who used to draw doujins for me suddenly popped the idea on my head saying "have you ever thought what if one day your favorite mangaka finds out about you and fall in love with you?" and thus MIDOTAKA my dear friends ahahahaha!ANYHOOOW let's start thanking our lovely reviewers last chapterrrr~ OOOh I hope they had a great holiday, is it cold there guys, it is here LOL, to TheRandomSekihanFan, Ern Estine 13624, suntan140, Stars of the light and to AJ-san! AHAHAHA I HOPE TO READ YOUR REVIEWS AGAAAAIN I LOVE YOU GUUUUYSSS FIVE-EVER, BECAUSE IT'S MORE THAN FOREVEEEEEEER AHAHAHAHA! HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE IT AND REEEVIEW pleeeaseee! ps. thanks for everyone who wished Kicchin a happy birthday!Chapter 7: One Step Forward
"And the winner for this annual battle of the bands is—"
It happened not so long ago, Kise Ryouta stared at the figure before him. Despite his gap with vocal skills among the rest of the class, the four prodigy of Teiko acknowledged him. Kise didn't understand at first, until he heard him and Aomine sing for the first time. And that was when he fell in love with music. It wasn't as simple as holding a microphone and using your vocal chords to produce sound. Performing is a complex art.
However, he was stagnant.
Kise realized this as they grew and dwelled further into the show business. It wasn't intentional, Kise moved and along with the rest, but he couldn't. They didn't bother to look around and ask , thinking of it, Kise felt it would have been partly his fault. If he wasn't scared and such a coward then, if he wasn't blinded by the light before him, would he have turned around and tried to reach out to him? Would he still arrive at the same decision?
If he did try defending him that one time, that time he knew he was right…would it have been different? Deep inside Kise knew he had regrets, Kise knows he didn't want to leave, but he replaced and covered his heart to be able to move on because he knew he was better off, Kise knew that as well, yet he refuse to believe it was his fault. Kise refuse to admit it, that honestly it was them who was at fault. Because they never look back.
And he had to become strong in their stead, he tried to prove his point, to become strong despite not knowing how it is to be bare in front of the cruel world.
"K-Kurokocchi!"
He turned towards Kise with a soft smile, he never said it was their fault, he never blamed any of them. But Kise knew that the reason those eyes refuse to shine were them.
"Kurokocchi, w-why? Why are you leaving?"
"I need to go Kise-kun."
"B-But y-you cannot be alone, i-if you're alone you—"
"This wasn't what we were before Kise-kun. This isn't…what I wanted."
What Kuroko wanted was to perform for the people, not simply the glamour and fame. He wanted to enjoy what he was doing…and they failed to give him that simply pleasure.
That was how…he left.
"—HIKARI NO OU!"
The loud cheering noises and music boomed in the halls, Kagami's eyes widen as he heard their band name getting announced. His eyes slowly darted to his side, where Kuroko stood with huge eyes staring right at the crowd. They…won. Kagami couldn't believe it until Takao suddenly tackled Kagami and punched his shoulders cheering happily.
"WE WON KAGAMI!" Takao cheered happily.
"Kagami-kun, Kuroko-kun!" Furihata said grinning widely.
As the thought sank, excitement filled his senses and without thinking Kagami grabbed Kuroko's arm and pulled the other in a bone crushing hug.
"WE FUCKING WON KUROKO!" Kagami exclaimed loudly.
Takao cheered happily not even listening to whatever price they won and joined the hug, soon Fuirhata joined the group hug. The crowds cheered loudly, Kuroko couldn't believe any of this at all. It felt surreal, he won the very first time he tried to join a competition. He could hear the muffled noises of the people calling their band's name. The stage was calling to them, the stage wanted them.
Kagami let go and grinned in triumph at Kuroko before giving a thumbs up, "I told you, right?"
Kuroko nodded feeling excited, and elated for so many reasons. His heart felt jumping out of his rib cage and Takao, Furihata and Kagami's smiles felt like hundred little kindled flames to his soul. When was the last time he had ever felt this way? When was the last time he actually been this happy? It felt like the first time he walked up on stage, if not even better. His hand unconsciously reached to his necklace, the cold metal did felt surprisingly comforting, and he could hear Kagami's voice in his head telling him whatever he was doing is a job well done.
"And here to congratulate our winners is the panel of judges." The host said, the four stopped and turned towards the judges. Kagami's eyes furrowed towards the tall blonde walking up to them. With Kise was three other judges. As the host introduce the panel of judges, Kagami watched Kuroko's reaction. However instead of showing his earlier anxiousness, Kuroko was back to his deadpan expression, with a hand clutching the necklace Kagami gave him like it was his lifeline.
One by one the judges went to shake their hands, to Kagami's surprise, the blonde didn't went to Kuroko, instead was offering his hand to Kagami. Despite the shock, Kagami appreciated the gesture and took Kise's hand. Kise then pulled harder into Kagami's hand and leaned to Kagami's ear—
"Backstage, later."
Kagami's eyes remained passive as Kise pulled back with a smile before turning to the crowd with a wave of hand.
.
.
"I'll be frank," Kuroko raised an eyebrow as he heard a familiar voice. After the formal ceremonies, somehow Kagami was able to slipped from the group and the media came flooding over the new talk of the music industry—them, Takao who noticed Kagami's absence was frustrated by the fact that the red haired giant didn't get a share of their demise thus asking Kuroko the only who could possibly slip pass these people to find the missing member. Kuroko blinked, he was at the back of the studio away from the eyes of the media and camera, silence engulfed the serene place with the exception of a familiar voice resounding, "give Kurokocchi back to me."
Kuroko's eyebrows furrowed at the statement, Kuroko turned to find where the source of the voice was and his former band mate and classmate standing there along with the back of Kagami. Kuroko was about to interject when he heard Kagami's firm response—
"No."
Kuroko decided to stand back and hear the rest, see how this unfolds.
Kagami stared at Kise's eyes with a firm resolution, after getting called at the back stage in secret, Kise led him there in the garden which with all honesty was a better place to have this kind of conversation. Kagami wouldn't want Kuroko to hear this anyways, who knows how Kuroko might react seeing Kise again. It wasn't as if he does not trust Kuroko to keep his word, it was just simply the fact that Kise and the memory of his past experience with his former band mates still lingered to the teal haired musician and Kagami didn't know if he could take it once more seeing him like that. Kise chuckled and smirked clearly trying to make a stand.
"No?" the blonde asked in sarcasm, "Do you even know us? Kurokocchi's former band?"
"I know." Kagami replied.
"Then you should know by now that compared to you guys now, Kurokocchi's better off with me."
"No still means no." Kagami replied clenching his hands in his sides, "I won't hand him back to any of you."
"Compared to what you have right now, I could give him so much better all I'm asking you—"
"I AM NOT FUCKING ABANDONING KUROKO!" Kagami exclaimed finally having it from all the dill-dally Kise was spouting. Kagami gritted his teeth as everything washed over him, the words Kuroko told him, the pictures he saw, the way Kuroko fidgeted in fear. As if a plug was pulled, Kagami's contained composure all for Kuroko's sake just exploded. "Is that what Kuroko wanted? Have you ever thought if what you want is the same as him? Have you considered him just a fucking bit? YOU SELFISH BASTARD DON'T KNOW A SHIT!"
Kise's eyes widen at Kagami's exclamation. A moment ago he looked totally composed but the mention of the issue made him burst out like that, Kise's eyes darted towards Kagami's clenched fist, he was doing his best to be calm…but why, no one would see if he punch him now. Why?
"Kuroko…still thinks of you."
The statement made Kise's eyes widen in shock. His amber eyes turned towards Kagami's crimson ones as if looking for any hint of lies in there, because surely…Kuroko wouldn't…after all that has happen, Kuroko would have loathed him, Kuroko wouldn't—
"Kuroko still fucking respects you that is why…even if I hate your fucking guts…" Kagami swallows a lump forming in his throat, "Whatever happened back then, I don't care about that. I…I'm not like you, I won't abandon him. I refuse to. Even if I have to do it by force, I won't let you take him from us. We'll fight you tooth by tooth, nails by nails if necessary. The only reason why I'm letting you go this far is because of that respect Kuroko has of you…so don't you dare test it or I might lose that minimal respect I have of you."
Kise's lips pressed into a thin line…what if back then…back then, if he only said this words to Kuroko. If he had only been this brave as Kagami and turned back at the music hall, told Akashi what he really thought, if he had only stopped Aomine, if he had only spoke these words to them…would he still be begging for Kuroko to come back to him? If he had fought for the friendship they had then…would this day have come? The blonde choked at his own dry and humourless laugh, how stupid of him, he thought painfully.
Ah, and yet…Kuroko still respects him—ah, the humor indeed.
If they had been only this little sensitive of what Kuroko wanted…if they only have listened closely at the small pleas of the teal haired boy drowned by the screams and loud music. If only.
"Kagami-kun."
The two raised their head as they heard Kuroko's voice slicing the excruciating silence, Kagami turned and was shock as the teal blue haired singer walked towards him with a confident stride he had not seen him with since he first met him. It was so different from the cowering figure against the mob in Ginza, nor the fragile boy sitting in the corner with his knees pulled against his chest, he looked glowing in the lights of soft yellow lights of the garden, and his blue eyes looked wider, fuller, alive—braver.
"Kagami-kun." Kuroko repeated as he suddenly grabbed Kagami's wrist with his cold hand. Kagami couldn't help but remember the very first time they met.
"How fast can you run?"
Ah, but this time, Kuroko's eyes was not towards the other way but in front of them. Kuroko was bravely facing ahead. It wasn't as if he had forgotten his fear, but that does not mean he was any reluctant facing it. Courage exists when there is fear and yet one chooses to move forward. Kuroko had become courageous, Kagami could tell by the way he tightened his grip in Kagami's wrist, and a small smile spreading in his lips, his eyes flickered a kindled fire. And with another confident stride, Kuroko took a step never letting go of Kagami's hand.
Kuroko bowed his head towards Kise, "I do not plan to leave the band, whatever you say…I will humbly decline."
"K-Kuro…kocchi?"
Raising his head, Kuroko turned towards Kagami before facing Kise again, Kuroko raised a fist towards Kise before placing it in right where his heart is, "I have found that light as promised, and I will keep my words…tell that especially to Aomine-kun and Akashi-kun."
Kise's mouth flew open, this Kuroko…was clearly different from that boy he met years ago. This definitely…was a stronger one. There was no mistaking it. He wouldn't let them have him now. And somehow despite the regret, Kise felt a smile spreading his lips. The past Kuroko…would have been very proud of his current self. Kuroko bowed once again before tugging Kagami along with him. The past Kuroko would be unable to speak his mind, the past Kuroko would have waited for everything to escalate into the worse before feeling everything breaking down to speak, but this Kuroko would marched bravely tell them to stop and grab that hand and ran away.
Ne, Kurokocchi…have you noticed…you've grown up so much?
You no longer need us, you no longer…fear us.
Kurokocchi, have you noticed you no longer are afraid of taking that hand?
Kurokocchi's back…has it ever been this small…ah, maybe I didn't know because I never looked.
.
.
I'm sorry…Kurokocchi…
.
"It's alright Kise-kun."
"Eh…" Kise blinked, Kuroko shook his head and walked passed Kise.
"This is my decision after all…"
.
.
.
Kagami couldn't help but took at Kuroko's hand on his wrist as he was practically dragged by teal haired boy inside. To think that he had underestimated Kuroko, how stupid he can be, this guy suddenly appeared in their life and decided to become a part of it, and he dare underestimate him? Kagami felt a smile spreading in his face as he remembered Kuroko's brave words then, it must have been hard to speak upfront to Kise, but yet he did it. How admiring of him.
Suddenly Kuroko stopped making Kagami mimic him, as Kuroko's hand slipped from Kagami's wrist the musician turned to face him with a new profound beauty in his eyes. Somehow the way Kuroko stared at Kagami's eyes made the taller male a bit self-conscious, his blue eyes were really…well, it can't be helped, they were just really pretty.
"Kagami-kun said a lot embarrassing things earlier." Kuroko said making Kagami flinch.
"Y-You heard?"
Kuroko nodded, however instead of Kagami feeling embarrassed on the words he said that the smaller male pointed out, the effect seemed opposite. Kagami found Kuroko's eyes darting everywhere except Kagami, his mouth opened in close in dire search of the right words to fit whatever he was trying to express. To Kagami's surprise he found Kuroko lifting his small fist and punching Kagami lightly in the chest, "D-Don't you…get embarrass at all? That's…quite unfair." Kuroko said hiding his face from the red head's eyes by lowering his head and staring at the tiled floor. "Next time…next time I'll be the one who will stand up for Kagami-kun."
Kagami's eyes widen at the other's words, somehow his chest strummed loudly, he felt his heart skipped a beat and he couldn't tear his eyes away from Kuroko. So much for not being embarrassing.
"Y-You're the one who's embarrassing!" Kagami growled, damn, what the hell is wrong with him, what's with his heart?! Kagami almost bit his tongue when those two powder blue eyes stared right up at Kagami's, damn—he can't possibly think that those eyes are really pretty? Kagami groaned and settled with ruffling Kuroko's hair. "Like hell I'll let you protect me, I'm your light, that's what I do. And you…well…uh…you just stay strong and…whatever!"
Kagami sighed in frustration and started walking away. Damn, that wasn't supposed to happen. He…can't possibly…be falling for him of all people.
.
.
Takao growled in frustration, if he saw those two seriously, he wont let them off the hook easily! He had to answer everyone's question all by himself while Furihata fidgeted beside him like the earth was going to eat him whole any moment, he asked Kuroko to look for Kagami, and now those two were both missing! Takao clicked his tongue in frustration as he looked at his wrist watch, it's been thirty minutes since he asked Kuroko to look for Kagami. Where could those two possibly be? If that isn't the worst part, Aida Riko was practically fuming in anger due to the fact that numerous calls has been arriving to ask for an interview to the whole band and she couldn't say yes when two of them is missing.
Takao took a sharp turn only to be—
BUMPED
"Ah!" Takao gasped as he saw his sight blurring and feeling his foot slip from the tiled floor, well the luck, Takao's thoughts filled in sarcasm until he felt a hand grabbed his arm and everything stopped. He was pulled up again and he felt his feet flat against the ground again. "Wow…that was…almost." Takao muttered to himself as he placed a hand over his chest still a bit shock from the sudden movement.
"Next time look where you are going."
Takao frowned at the voice, he turned to reprimand the other about manners and saying apologies when his eyes fell to a sight he had never imagine he would ever lay his eyes on. His eyes widen and his throat felt dry, in front of him, standing was the very will. A tall figure stood holding in his other hand a penguin plushie and wearing white sweater which was rolled up just below his elbow, he couldn't possibly mistake that green hair and long lashes hiding behind those thick glasses. Takao darted towards the man's hand, his fingers were tapped…just as he knew he would.
It was…Midorima Shintaro for crying out loud. Takao almost gasped at the sight.
"What?" The man snapped.
"I-I…Y-You are…M-Midorima…Shintaro, right?"
"What of it?"
Takao wanted to squeal and scream his lungs out—first they won as champion in the biggest band competition in Tokyo for the first time, and now he come face to face with the greatest joy of his life, his idol standing in front of him—and he just frigging touched him! Takao wasn't sure anymore if he would want to take a shower from now on, no, maybe he should have his skin framed in a glass where Midorima touched him. "I…I…" Takao stuttered, damn, the perfect time isnt now! He has to say something! Takao looked around trying to find a small clue to what he should say when suddenly he noticed something from the floor that made him blink in surprise—wasn't that—
"Tsk." He heard the taller man click his tongue and before he knew it, Midorima bent down and reached the fallen item on the floor. Takao was surprised as he watched Midorima dusted the manga free of the invisible dirt. When he noticed the raven haired stranger staring at Midorima, the musician scowled, "What?"
"E-EH? I…I…uh…n-nothing." Takao fidgeted, was he dreaming? Midorima is holding his book, his manga! What was he doing with it, could it be owned by his friend or something?
"If you don't have any business with me then—"
"Do you like that book?" Takao bravely asked making the taller male raised an eyebrow.
"Yes."
Takao's eyes widen…a guy…bluntly admitting that he likes a shoujo manga is…rare. Takao couldn't even tell his high school friends about his work as a shoujo manga artist, but this guy…he can simply tell anyone that he likes this kind of things. Takao couldn't help but admire him even more, the man didn't say anything anymore and simply walked off. His broad back slowly retreating from Takao looked strangely venerable, Takao couldn't help but to remember the first time he saw him.
.
.
.
"I swear…one day…you'll look at me too."