*ahem* First of all, again, I'm very sorry for disappearing out like that, unfortunately I got real sick last week, and currently is still in the process of recovery from all the nasties I've been. But yeah, all is well. Before school starts again, I bring to you Chapter 17! Who is excited to know how the MV turns out? ASDFGHJKL I'm super sorry for everyone who waited for super long for the update! Anyways, first of all I have no idea how MV works, or how filming it and stuffs-I hope that doesnt bother you guys first. We are approaching very soon to all confrontation of almost all the characters, I know you guys are as equally excited to know what happens with MIDOTAKA and AKAFURI in this whole ordeal, and I swear we'll have them VERY soon now.
Before I leave you guys just wanna extend my thanks to everyone who is giving MtKB lots of LOVE, follows and fav, and especially to our lovely reviewers out there- Ern Estine 13624, NightmareD-Technolife and dragonfly1339! Thank you guys and I hope you like the update and please, pleasssse review. like pretty please *puppy eyes at you* I'm super happy to know your thoughts about MtKB and starting from this chapter, you may randomly leave a song title and it's artist on the review box and Kicchin will listen to it, and who knows it MIGHT be just the next title of the chapter update!
So yeah, thank you guys, hope you like the update, please do leave a review if you have time, ciaoooooooo~~~~
Chapter 17: Contours of Reminiscence
First a buzzing sound could be heard as the black screen blinks into what seems like an image of a city, and slowly as the buzzing eases out and so does the blinking and an aerial footage of Shibuya could be seen and the footage would zoom and slowly fades into Furihata looking down and strumming the beat on the drum, as Takao's voice filled the first part with his rap and the scene fades into someone's running feet, the camera shifted from the side quickly to the back and showed Kagami's back as he was running up a stairs in an empty establishment, his muscles was visible from the thin black muscle shirt. The scene shifted into Kagami singing in the crowd as Takao's rap ended, Kagami grinning and griping the microphone and reaching out to the crowd.
As the second verse took over, the scene fades the image of the floor and slowly the camera lifts into someone's foot and then up until the camera reaches Furihata's face as the drummer was busying himself with his phone. He raises his head and turns to his side with an unreadable expression and the scene fades with a complete black screen where a single glint materializes and slowly from that the black fades into an image of a tip of the sword and the camera quickly shifted to a full zoom out where a hooded figure stood in the center of dim lit room holding the sword. As the song reaches it's chorus the screen fades into Kagami again this time he just had to stop from running and he turned around as and paused there, the camera shifted from a whole body shot to a close up shot of Kagami's crimson eyes, then the screen blinks and changes Kagami's eyes to a silver blue eyes and the blinking stops and zooms out into Takao leaning behind an old rusty steel fence with a vacant lot behind him.
As the chorus booms the scene shifts into Kuroko and Kagami singing at the stage, Kagami looking back at Kuroko and Kuroko staring at Kagami with intensity and fire in his eyes, like an internal battle was going on silently within them. The scene fades again to the footage of Takao and Furihata running and numerous people behind him, Furihata looked back but Takao continued to run, as Takao passes the camera the image was slow motioned and the his strides were focused with the urgency and adrenaline in them.
When the strumming and short interlude for the next verse the scene fades into Kagami and the hooded figure standing face to face in the dim lit room, in Kagami's right hand is a sword as well matching almost with the other's however a red glow emanated from his while the other had a soft blue glow. The camera zooms into Kagami's sword as he lifted it up causing a trail of light that looked like a fire. The scene changes again and this time it was Takao and Furihata who were standing back against the other's back and black masked men surrounded them. The camera zoomed into Takao as a smirk mars his lips and his eyes narrows at the men, the camera then changes into Furihata who raised his right hand to the left side of his face holding a dagger that glinted with the light.
As the beat braces for the chorus, Kagami's face is shown again, his eyebrows squinted with an expression of confusion and something else. The camera zooms out and Kagami is shown to be turning and stepping back and finally raising his hand with a weapon with it as pointing them to someone. The scene fades again and showed Kagami singing again in the open crowd. And as the beat raises, the scene fades again from Kagami as he bared his swung his sword and the light trailed it's path again and from the light the image of the hooded person appears and zooms. And the camera skilfully gave the fine details as the person slowly lifted the hood off his head and revealing the mop of the most beautiful blue hair with matching eyes. The camera zooms into his eyes and with the added luminosity they glowed like glow sticks in a concert night.
As the chorus entered, Kagami was shown as he flew into the air with the sword in his hand ready to strike his opponent as he was lifted into the air the camera went slow motion showing the movement even the wave of his hair, as he landed on the floor and made a strike a black masked man was standing there instead of Kuroko. The scene changes into Kuroko who made an elegant spin before landing a clean slash to the black masked man. The camera zoomed into his eyes with his electric blue ones. The screen splits in a swift showing Kuroko's left eye and Kagami's right eye. The screen blinks again and the scene changed into the back of a man getting blown out of his feet and Takao who seemed to have landed a punch to the man eyes narrowed and glinting with feral excitement, then the camera shifted back to Furihata who made a swift slices at the man, at the last movement the camera went slow motioned again focusing on the movement and the intensity in the brunette's eyes as the song slowly eases down into the bridge.
As the bridge comes Kagami is shown with part of his back facing the camera and the rest showed the image of Kuroko standing in front of him, the blue haired member raised his sword that created a tail of blue glow in a defensive stance. The camera zooms out showing the two standing as Kagami started running towards Kuroko nearing his sword the camera slow motioned briefly before zooming out as the two clash and the image fades into Kuroko singing with Kagami holding Kagami's upper arm and the taller male looking straight into those blue eyes.
Before the song starts into the bridge the screen blacks out and the loud claps resounded in the room. A female news reporter sat on the other side of the studio in a beige loveseat as she smiles into the camera.
"To watch the whole official music video of Solution by Hikari no Ou please tune in to the official website of Seirin Entertainment Records." The woman smiled and turned towards her side where four boys shifted uncomfortably in the couch. Takao was the first to wave to the camera with an awkward smile. "Today we have the rising stars of the Seirin Pro and the champion of the annual Tokyo's Battle of the Bands, Hikari no Ou, how are you guys?"
"W-We're fine I guess." Takao answered smiling as Kagami nodded. "Everything felt new and all but yeah, we're fine I guess."
"So tell us about the music video which had been, I had to say, the hottest topic in social media for the past few days, not to mention the anime which this song will be used is quite popular."
"It was a roller coaster," Takao started.
"Understatement." Kagami added making Furihata choke his laugh and the female host chuckle.
"Really, yeah. It was everything, it's our first MV which makes us nervous about it." Takao continued.
"Oh, but I heard one of you have a bit of experience with acting, is that true?" The host asked as she picked up her cue cards and nodded confirming her question.
Takao turned towards Kuroko who was sitting on Kagami's side shifting uncomfortably under the cameras and the lights. The raven haired bassist turned to Kagami who quickly picked up the tense air from Kuroko and sneaked his hand to the other's wrist and finally earning his attention.
"Y-Yes." Kuroko answered meekly.
The host almost yelped upon hearing Kuroko speak, "A-Ah oh my, s-sorry I almost forgot about K-Kuroko-san!"
"It's alright." Kuroko said before calmly taking a breather in and out. His muscles relazed as he felt the warmth of Kagami's palms against his wrist as if pulling him out of the goo of some otherworldly anxiety back to reality. "It happens."
The host chuckled again, "So how was it, I mean doing your first MV, no previous acting roles or works?"
"It was awful." Takao said chuckling.
"I have no idea what exactly I was doing the whole time." Kagami answered.
"I wasted so many reels of film." Furihata admitted.
The host laughed reservedly, "That bad?"
"Kagami-kun sustained lots of bruises."
Takao scoffed at Kuroko statement and turned to Kagami who showed his knuckles to the host, then his arm where there were small purple patches of bruises.
"Oh my, what happened?" The host asked.
"Well one thing's for sure, never fight Kuroko Tetsuya." Kagami said and caused Furihata and Takao to laugh. "For a small guy he knows how to take you down, I swear."
Everybody laughed this time except for Kuroko who made a frown which appeared more like a pout.
"Also, there is a scene where I had to look really strong and firm but that took us so many takes, I was really shaking and scared, I don't know what should I do or how will I make myself look tough." Furihata said meekly with an awkward smile remembering how many times he made the Director almost roll over the floor from desperation.
"But you really look cool Furihata-san." The host said making Furihata bow in gratitude of the compliment. "Everyone looks very stunning in black."
"Kagami-kun looks most stunning."
There was a brief silence between the five until the female host started shaking and making this shrill noise while clutching her cue cards. Kagami turned to Kuroko with wide eyes while the blue eyed musician just stare blankly like whatever he said was so normal. When the host collected herself she turned her attention to the two, "And I totally agree to that Kuroko-san!" Kagami blushed to his neck at the woman's words who supported the blunt compliment of the other.
"Did you know that you're the most popular member of the band Kagami-san?"
Kagami blushed darker, "N-No, I-I mean I-"
"Oh my you're stuttering, how cute of you!"
Furihata and Takao laughed while Kuroko just made a small smile as they watch Kagami put a hand over his lips in vain attempt to salvage his masculinity over the live television audience.
"You made Kagami-kun blush." Kuroko said flatly making Kagami grumble something before he pushed Kuroko's face to face the other side with his ridiculously big hand.
The host chuckled before asking, "So who is close with who?"
Both Furihata and Takao pointed at Kagami and Kuroko making the host laugh even more.
"Well I expected that." The host said shuffling into her cue cards, "Its been a talk over the social media, I mean Kuroko-san and Kagami-san's chemistry whenever they perform, how long had you known each other?"
The two looked briefly at each other wondering to themselves until they turn to the host. Kagami answered, "Not exceeding probably half a year."
The host's eyes widen, "Really? That doesn't seem like it."
"That's true." Kuroko answered, "We just met a few weeks before the Battle of the Bands."
"Wow then that's more amazing, right? I mean not even a year and you work flawlessly on stage."
"It's a mystery to us too." Takao added, "They just click you know."
"But they argue a lot." Furihata said chuckling awkwardly.
The host smiled and turned to her cue cards again before asking, "So a few days before the start of the shoot for the MV, is it true that you guys went to see Aomine Daiki's Live?"
The four exchanged look and Takao nodded which was seconded by Kagami muttering a small yes.
"And on the same date, he and musician and model Kise Ryouta had a confrontation, did you witness it as well?"
Everyone exchanged a look before Kuroko decided to take the question, "Aomine-kun and Kise-kun are great people, we went there to watch as friends it was a coincidence that Kise-kun came later as well."
The host hummed, "So tell us about you guys' incoming projects."
"Oh okay." Takao smiled and turned towards the camera that signalled to them. The four of them looked at the camera waving and smiling enthusiastically on the screen.
"We'll have a Live at—"
.
.
.
"Thank you very much!" The host squealed at the back stage clutching in her arms what seems like black shirt with the kanji for King of Light printed in white.
"It's no problem." Kagami said scratching the back of his neck. "I-It's another first time for me, n-no had asked for my sign before."
The woman chuckled and handed Kagami a white inked marker before handing the shirt to the taller male, "I'm so sorry for asking for this, but my sister is a huge fan of you and your band! She has pictures of you in her computer."
Kagami almost choked out of his breathe from the information and decided to smile it off—just like what Aida told him. The crimson haired vocalist started signing on the shirt and ignoring the female host's sparkles in her eyes. Kagami had never been asked to sign anything before and this was the first he wasn't really sure if he was doing alright but he decided that it's alright. Kagami handed the shirt to the woman with a forced smile.
"I-I hope I wasn't awkward just now. I mean during the interview." Kagami muttered.
"Oh no, you did fine." The host said before putting a hand on Kagami's arm.
"Really, tha—"
"Kagami-kun I've been looking for you."
"Jesus Christ what the!" Kagami cursed in straight English, he felt his spirit almost slipping out of his body. He turned around and saw Kuroko standing there unblinking at him. Somehow something told Kagmi the shorter man was frowning. "I told you stop sneaking on people!"
The host on the other hand looked equally surprised as Kagami. Kuroko shifted his eyes from Kagami to the woman, to her hand, the same hand that reached and touched Kagami's arm.
"I wasn't sneaking on you, but I apologize nonetheless." Kuroko said as to Kagami before turning to the woman and bowing his head in apology, "I'm sorry if I surprised you."
"I-It's perfectly fine K-Kuroko-san."
Kagami sighed and run his hand through his hair not minding if he would ruin it, "What's up?"
"Takao-kun had been asking me of your whereabouts, I was looking around for you…and I found you here." Kuroko said with his usual monotone voice.
"Uh, oh yeah, sorry 'bout that." Kagami said before gesturing to the host, "I just signed something."
The woman stared at the two as they exchanged words casually; Kuroko's eyes were focused on Kagami as the other spoke, while Kagami spoke with something lacing his movements. Whenever someone passes them, Kagami would hold Kuroko's arm and gently pull him to the side or hold the side of his head when someone passes with equipment. Small gestures, movements almost impossible to see, but it's there. The host was suddenly reminded of the music video, their eye contact, and suddenly the woman was a struck with a realization—
"You're interviewing Hikari no Ou, Onee-san?"
"Yeah."
"Oh my gosh! You gotta get me at least Kagami Taiga's sign! Kagakuro to the highest level! I gotta tell my friends about this!"
Kaga…kuro…Kagami and Kuroko?
"Are you two together?"
Kagami felt as if he was hit by something, he turned to the woman with his cheeks red as his hair, why does everyone has to imply that! First Aida, then there was the idiot duo of Aomine and Kise and now, the host as well?
"N-No. I-I mean n-not like that. I-I mean, no, j-just no." Kagami quickly answered, "What even made you say so?"
The woman chuckled ashamed of her loose lips as well, what was she thinking blurting something like that anyways. She is spending way too much with her sister and her obsession with bands and anime.
"I-I'm sorry, I was just joking I mean you two are just really close you know." She said waving hands in dismissal. However her joke doesn't seem to have landed her on Kuroko's good side, she could feel the cold stares of the musician's cold azure eyes.
"We've been told." Kuroko answered plainly.
Kagami whipped his head to Kuroko and somehow despite his blank expression, Kagami could see a cat hissing with it's hair raised to it's tips. He is totally pissed and for some reason Kagami doesn't know. Was he not comfortable with jokes about them together? He was cool with it when Takao and Furihata do it sometimes, and even with Aida and the idiot duo, so what's wrong this time a round?
"Please just return to the dressing room, Takao-kun is worried." Kuroko said plainly, "I would have to excuse myself."
Kagami was speechless when Kuroko turned his back and left just like that. He usually understand Kuroko's gestures, the smallest of his twitches, but right then it was something that didn't click any alarm to him. Did he say something, was it something he said?
"I think…I made him angry." The host muttered with an awkward smile.
"Huh?" Kagami asked raising an eyebrow. "No way."
The woman shook her head. Her sister can be wrong about a lot of things, her sister is wrong about the price of the eggs on sale on the supermarket, she's wrong to use chi-square in comparing a variances, but this time, she could swear her sister is right about this one. She thought it was stupid, all her fantasizing since this band won on the Battle of the Bands about Kagami Taiga and that Kuroko Tetsuya, but now she could say for herself, she is the one who is stupid not to have seen that coming.
"It's okay, I-I think you should follow Kuroko-san." She said.
Kagami sigh, "Yeah, I should, sorry and yeah thanks again."
She nodded and waved to Kagami as the man excused himself. As Kagami was out of sight, the female host took her mobile phone from her pocket and sent her sister a mail—
I believe you now.
Kagakuro, is real.
.
.
.
"Kuroko!"
Kuroko ignored the tempting voice of Kagami as he continues to walk towards the dressing rooms. If Kagami is looking for answers for the actions he did he couldn't give him that either, not because he would rather not, but because he can't, he can't because he doesn't know either. He didn't understand the way his heart felt like it just dropped out of his chest to the pits of his guts as he saw the woman smiling and touching Kagami casually. He didn't understand the way his chest constricted when the host asked if they were in a relationship. He didn't know why it felt painful when Kagami stated the truth, that they weren't together, that they were not together.
Kuroko continued to walk despite the sting in his eyes, this was stupid. Why does he even feel like crying over something like this? Since when did he become so selfish like this, so greedy, so in need of attention?
"Will stop for a second?"
Kuroko felt a strong and familiar grip pulling him into a corner in the narrow halls of the studio. He felt his back pressing against the wall and his arm pressed and griped with Kagami's hands as the taller male stood in front of him trapping him in the small space.
"You leave me no choice." Kagami said sighing, "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing." Kuroko said plainly praying that his tall and thick wall of defense would not crumble beneath the feet of this man before him. Kagami's eyes bore into him like fire melting his ice blue eyes.
"Bullshit."
Kuroko looked away knowing lying to the man would be useless. He could practically smell his lies.
"I don't know." Kuroko almost whispered. "I…don't really know."
Kuroko looked down, he could feel his tears threatening to fall. It was ridiculous. Of course he knows this feeling, but this was thousand and way more different from others. It was complete pure need, it was selfish almost pathetic, it was so greedy that it made him sick, and yet it was so him, this was the true him. It wasn't just the want, it is a need, a carnal desire. How can he have such feeling?
"Hey." Kagami's voice became softer this time, the taller male let go of Kuroko and he inched a way. "I know it's been a heck, but you got us, remember?"
Kuroko nodded, he understands that, and that's what the painful part of it as well. He knows that they will be there, Kagami will be there.
"If something is up, you could tell us." Kagami said sighing and muttering something about him sounding sappy. "I know you've been keeping up with us since the morning, and there's a lot going on, but you need to let us know if you're tired and all. That's what we are for, you understand?"
Kuroko nodded again like a child. Kagami sighed and run his hand through his hair again, he didn't intend to force himself to kuroko, or raise his voice on him, but sometimes the stubborn little shit needs it. Everytime he sees Kuroko like this he remembers the first time he reacted at the mention of the Generation of Miracles. The industry had fucked up Kuroko Tetsuya, the people he believed in taught him what mistrust is, and that thought did something inside Kagami Taiga.
Kagami took off his black coat leaving him with his plain red shirt before draping the coat over Kuroko's head completely covering him from the eyes of the rest of the world. Before Kuroko could look up to him and wonder what the red haired vocalist was doing, he pulled him to his chest with an arm wrapped around Kuroko's head.
"If you need to cry, don't show it to anyone else please." Kagami's whispered as he soothed a hand over the coat where Kuroko's mop of teal hair would be. "I'll hide you from them."
A/N:
Contours of Reminiscence or 追憶の輪郭 is one of the songs included in Punky Funky Love single, if it sounds familiar to you, yes, Punky Funky Love is one of Kuroko no Basuke's opening song on Season 3, the album is the 24th single of the band GRANRODEO .