Enjoy

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next several school days were busy preparing for the big sports day festival. The generation of miracles did their best to keep an eye on Kuroko, but he seemed more normal again. Akashi still couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with their phantom player and if Midorima was being honest with himself, he felt the same. Kuroko would flinch when others got near him and he always seemed to be on the lookout for something. Still, he was eating lunch with them again, or just sitting with them when he supposedly forgot his lunch money, and acting mostly like his usual self. By the time sports day rolled around, they were almost convinced nothing was wrong and it had all just been some misunderstanding. Almost.

The morning of the sports festival arrived and the basketball team gathered in their spots for the morning parade while their captain and vice-captain, Akashi and Midorima, shouted out orders and organized the group. They finished just as the signal for the parade to begin sounded over the loud speakers.

"Try to behave today, Daiki, Ryouta." Akashi whispered as he fell into place with the other generation of miracles and the group began moving. "And where is Tetsuya?"

Kuroko sighed. "I'm right here Akashi-kun." He spoke from behind Akashi's left shoulder before turning to the startled bluenette beside him. "And yes, Aomine-kun, I've been here all morning."

"I…I know that!" Aomine defended.

Midorima huffed. "No you didn't."

"Shut up!"

"Did I not say to behave yourselves just moments ago?" Akashi warned.

"But…"

"No buts Daiki."

"Aominicchi likes boobs better anyways." Kise joked and erupted into a fit of giggles.

Akashi sighed and turned back to the tealnette slowing his pace so they could walk side by side. "At least I don't have to worry about you misbehaving."

"Of course not Akashi-kun." The tealnette assured.

"You're always the good one." Akashi offered a warm smile. "Don't forget the club is having lunch next to the courts this afternoon."

"Ano…"

"Something the matter?" Akashi turned his head and looked at his suddenly very pale teammate.

"No…I just, my father is here and…."

Akashi raised his eyebrow. "And what?"

"He wasn't here last year. He was on a business trip until a month ago and.."

"You want to eat lunch with him?" Akashi asked casually.

Instead of giving a verbal reply, Kuroko bowed his head slightly then met Akashi's gaze with a pleading eyes that held the slightest trace of fear. Akashi wondered what that fear could be of. Was Kuroko afraid of him? Afraid he would get mad at Kuroko for not wanting to eat lunch with them?

"Its fine, Tetsuya. He can join. Everyone's parents are invited."

"Hai." Kuroko muttered and Akashi swore there was a look of disappointment mixed in with the fear on his face now.

"Tetsuya, is something wrong?" He asked gently.

"I…I'm fine Akashi-kun." Kuroko replied without meeting Akashi's eyes.

Akashi knew Kuroko was lying. Unfortunately, this was not the time or place to push such matters so he would just have to let it go and he did. The two walked the rest of the way in silence and split off to their classes at the end.

The morning events included a speech from the principal, singing the national anthem, group stretches, dodgeball, Frisbee, and tug of war between classes. Naturally, Kuroko, Kise, and Aomine's class was among the winners of the dodgeball games due to Kuroko's low presence. It's hard to hit someone when you can't see them and hard to dodge a ball you never saw coming. Akashi and Midorima's class won everything and Murasakibara's class won at tug of war. Every once in a while, Akashi watched Kuroko for any signs of the earlier uneasiness, but it seemed to be completely gone.

Then it was time for lunch. The basketball team and their families gathered in the corner of the field on multiple blankets spread out. The Generation of Miracles and their families took up a couple of the blankets on the side. When Kuroko appeared with his father, that air of uneasiness around him was back, stronger than it had been before.

"Hello." Kuroko announced his presence.

"Kurokocchi! Is that your father!" Kise exclaimed pointing at the man beside Kuroko while giving the tealnette a fierce hug.

"Don't point at people, Ryouta. It's rude." Akashi scolded while standing up. "Hello Kuroko-san. I'm Akashi Seijūrō, captain of the team. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Akashi bowed to Kuroko's father as he introduced himself politely.

"Pleasure to meet you as well." Takeshi responded with a nod of the head before turning to his son. "Are these your friends?"

"Y…yes sir." Kuroko stuttered a bit earning a glare from Akashi. "The blond is Kise-kun."

Kise bowed from his seat. "Hiya."

"The bluenette is Aomine-kun."

"Yo. Nice to meet ya."

"The greenette is Midorima-kun."

"It's a pleasure sir." He gave a slight bow.

"The purplenette is Murasakibara-kun."

"Hello." Murasakibara waved his hand lazily.

"And the girl is Momoi-chan, our manager."

"Hello Kuroko-san. It's a pleasure to meet you." Momoi bowed as well.

Takeshi nodded to Kuroko. "Very good." He stated in a hardened tone. He then turned to the others and smiled. "It's nice to finally meet you all. My son has said many good things about you." He said taking a seat on the blanket.

Kuroko took a seat between him and Akashi who was alone since his father couldn't make it. Up close, Akashi noticed how tense Kuroko was and how quiet he became. While Kuroko-san occasionally joined the conversations with the other parents or students, Kuroko stared at his food barely even touching it.

"Are you alright." Akashi leaned over and whispered.

Kuroko flinched and his eyes darted to his father before continuing to glare at his food. "I'm fine." He whispered in return. His voice shook slightly and he glanced back at his father nervously as soon as he spoke.

Akashi didn't believe he was fine at all. He was acting like he was terrified of something. Plus, Akashi felt like Kuroko-san was acting strangely too. He never spoke to his son or smiled at him, but he smiled at the others and joined conversations with everyone else. Akashi was no stranger to strained relationships with fathers, but even his father didn't ignore him.

With a quiet sigh, Akashi pulled out his clipboard from his back pack and handed it over to the tealnette. "Do you think you could look over these notes? I was hoping to get your opinion on them." He asked. He hoped it would distract Kuroko and maybe make him look better in front of his father. If nothing else, it was more productive than staring at food that he obviously wasn't going to eat.

Nodding tentatively, Kuroko took the clipboard and began reading through the notes. "Do you have a pencil I can borrow?" He asked sounding a bit more relaxed than before.

"Sure." Akashi pulled out a pencil and handed it over.

Scribbling down a few notes as he went, Kuroko continued to go over everything on the papers silently till the lunch period ended. He returned the clipboard and packed up his things. Quickly giving his father a formal good bye, he followed Akashi and the others to the locker room. The next event was a competition between clubs and they had to change into their uniforms for it.

After they were out of sight of the parents, Akashi took Kuroko's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Kuroko glanced at the joining of their hands and blushed.

"Wh…what are you doing?"

"If anything is bothering you, you can talk to me." Akashi said rather matter of factly.

Kuroko's blush deepened and he squeezed back. "Thank you, but I'm really okay. Just nervous about the next events…"

Nodding, Akashi unhooked their hands. "Just know you can come to me." He replied before speeding up a bit to catch up with Midorima.

"Oh, hello Akashi." Midorima pushed up his glasses as the red head approached. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Is it about Tetsuya?" Akashi guessed figuring Midorima had probably picked up on the same things he had during lunch. To confirm his assumption, Midorima nodded.

"Yes. Something seemed off."

"I agree."

"It's not like I care…but if that was his father…why did he look so…"

"Afraid?" Akashi finished the sentence. "I don't know. I have my theories though."

Midorima nodded. "Care to share?"

"No. Not till I know more."

"I figured." The greenette shrugged. "Well, shall we?" He held the locker room door open.

Akashi passed through and went about changing into his uniform with the rest of the team. Once they were all changed, he gave a quick speech and reminded everyone of their tasks before they all headed back to the fields.

Once the afternoon events started, Akashi noticed that once again, the air of uneasiness around Kuroko disappeared for the most part. In fact, he was rather relaxed hanging out with the team. It didn't return until he rejoined his father at the end of the day to go home.

And that was enough for Akashi to decide, whatever was going on, the father was involved. For now though, he would keep his thoughts to himself. Even if he was almost sure without a single doubt that Kuroko was scared of his father, there was still a small chance it was a misunderstanding. As much as Akashi wanted to interrogate the tealnette and find out what was going on, that could be dangerous. He would wait till he had more solid proof.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Feedback/comments/ideas appreciated!