"Consider me." He repeated, whispering into the bluenette's earshell. "I could care for you. So much better than Akashi could." He pulled back further but kept his eyes on to the blue ones. "So what do you say?" His hand grasping Kuroko's in assurance, for himself. He could feel his own heart trembling on his light confession.

Kuroko stared into the blank eyes with a new light in them, his eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed. Thinking. He barely knew the person but this person had helped in a lot of ways even though they were not friends then, even though they barely knew each other then except for as rivals. Still Mayuzumi understands him and tries to comforts him.

And what had Akashi-kun done for him?

But, to except Mayuzumi just like that, he don't think he could do it.

"M-Mayuzumi-san, I think…you're disoriented for being in the cold for too long. Maybe you should go back." Kuroko immediately got off from the couch and waited for Mayuzumi to do the same and led the older teen to the way out. Just as they were standing at the front door Mayuzumi grasped again the bluenette's hands.

It made the bluenette who had kept his gaze on the floor to look up to him. "Will you please consider me? I don't need the answer now."

Kuroko stared at him and yanked his hand back slightly to open the door. "I'll think about it." And that was all the answer the other phantom had to hear to willingly leave the apartment. "Good night, senpai." Mayuzumi patted the soft teal hair.

"Don't let the bed bugs bite." He replied.

Kuroko nodded once before closing back the door. Another piece had returned to its rightful place in his hollow heart.

That morning Kuroko had woken up early. After having taken his bath he straightly went to the kitchen and started preparing to cook two lunchboxes. True when at Seirin he never cooked and it is true that no one could ever make a meaner hard-boiled eggs than him. But he never said he couldn't cook. He just disliked cooking although once upon a time ago it was his passion besides basketball. He just turned sour at it when his mother had left him. Left them for her dreams.

The only times he would cook was for Akashi-kun because somehow cooking for someone you love makes it very meaningful.

But this time though it was not for Akashi-kun. It was for Mayuzumi-san. Kuroko was a bit worried about the older teen's health, being out in winter at such a long period could make you fall sick. And also it was as a token of apology for worrying him and a token of thank you for helping him. For every little help he had received from the older phantom since the tournament of Seirin against Rakuzan at the Winter Cup.

Kuroko had even made a simple but special strawberry side dishes and desserts.

After having packed them he took his school bag and put them neatly inside before slinging it over his shoulders and went to wear his shoes before hitting on the road to Rakuzan High. Coincidentally, just as he was closing and locking the door to his apartment his neighbour had decided to come out, also ready to go to school. "Good morning, Mayuzumi-senpai." Kuroko greeted politely.

Mayuzumi nodded to him, walking out of the door before closing it back and locked it. Then he turned to look back at Kuroko who still stood unmoving, staring at him. He stared emptily at the bluenette whilst the bluenette eyes, though seems empty there was an aura of expectation around it. "Wanna walk to school with your senpai?" He asked.

Kuroko could be seen to generally light up and nodded once. He quickly stride over next to his senpai. When they got off their apartment area Kuroko opened his mouth and asked. "Ano…senpai didn't catch a cold or anything, right?"

The other replied without any feeling. "Just a little fever." Nothing to troublesome to him but it troubled the adorable bluenette greatly.

"I'm sorry. It was my fault." Kuroko looked down to his feet, downcasted.

Mayuzumi look at the bluenette and patted the blue hair. "I'm fine." He said, ruffling the soft locks in his hand.

They stopped at a red traffic light and waited for the walking sign to turn green. Unexpectedly someone had bumped forward to Kuroko without realizing he was there and being standing at the most front Kuroko was stumbling and falling towards the road that was bustling with cars. Blue and grey eyes widened.

But the quick reflex of a phantom player is not just always on court and Mayuzumi stretched his hand forward in an attempt to catch the bluenette. "Kuroko-kun." His ears caught his name and his immediately flew into Mayuzumi's who pulled him right into his arms and he collided softly against the other phantom's chest. "Are you all right?" He waited for the answer, waiting for Kuroko's heartbeat and breathing to calm down before receiving a nod from the tealhead and he let's go of the boy from his arm though not releasing away his grip on the bluenette's hand.

"Thanks." Kuroko managed.

"Careful, next time." He replied and tightened his grip around the pale hand, entwining their fingers for a firmer grip.

There was a visible blush on the younger's face.

"Ano…Mayuzumi-senpai…"

"Yes?"

"Well," He feels a little bit flustered although he knew not why. "I…made lunchboxes…as an apology and thank you for helping and causing senpai trouble!" He added quickly not wanting…..to be misunderstood or made the other read too much into it. "So um, would you mind if we have lunch together?" Kuroko finished with his voice getting fainter at the end, though his face kept bland.

Mayuzumi stared at the bluenette for a long long time. Surprised but also a bit pleased by the invitation. They were already arriving at the school gate and Mayuzumi stopped for a moment there before bowing a little and kissed the unnaturally white hand he was holding in a gentlemanly gesture. "It would be a pleasure," He said and let go of the teal-haired's hand. "Kuroko-kun." And with a small smile intended for the bluenette he walked off from the cute little teen.

And Kuroko realized that, was the first two times the other phantom had ever said his name.

See you guys in a month! Going back to boarding school!