(A/N) Thanks so much for sending your votes in! I had such a hard time choosing a path, but you guys decided on... KISE AND DA MILKSHAKE

Don't Take Me for Granted

Kise vs Akashi Route

Part – 2

Kise's POV

The rain is warmer now that the sun is out, the clouds having decided that anywhere is better than here. It has slowed to a mere drizzle, far calmer than before. My hand feels a little numb from carrying the frosty vanilla treat, but I pay no mind. Kurokochii... I wonder why he doesn't say anything... well he was never one to share his personal feelings. Yeah, he loves to pop out of nowhere and say things in a pretty blunt manner, but he never talks about himself. A blinking light distracts me from my thoughts, and I look to the side to see a big sign. Heh, a candy store. I haven't been in one of these in a while. While it's a little more fancy than a corner store, it's still candy. I move to walk by, but somehow, my feet end up trailing through the shop's door. A pleasant bell greets me, and I see a head pop up from behind the counter.

"Hello, are you looking for anything in particular?" the lady asks. She's pretty average in hight, with chocolate colored hair and eyes, and wearing a white apron with the store name printed on it. Looking around, I take note of the store. The walls are a light cream color and the floor tiles are a dark cinnamon. Little shelves line the walls, filled with treats. Turning back to the woman, I smile.

"Pretty much anything vanilla flavored." She blinks at the request and tilts her head.

"For yourself?" She asks. Shaking my head, I sigh.

"No, it's a gift." I reply and she smiles knowingly.

"Vanilla is a very romantic scent..." I hear her mumble while looking through a catalog. A certain item grabbing her attention, she looks up, eyes glittering. I lean back a little, at her sudden change in demeanor.

"I know the perfect thing. Give me a second?" She asks and turns to walk down the edge of the store. While waiting, I prod the fluffy pen at the desk, entertained by watching tiny pieces of floof drift onto the counter. This goes on for a little while before I feel a tap on my shoulder.

"Is that fun?" I look up, and the store woman is back to standing behind the desk. Moving away from the pen, I rub the back of my head.

"Sorry, I got distracted by the floof." I say quickly. Her expression lightens.

"Floof? Is that even a word?" She quips. Shrugging my shoulders, I look at what she had brought, eyes widening. What is this?! It's a gift basket, filled with exactly what I need... but the wrapping... has... hearts on it.

"It's for your girlfriend, right?" She asks confidently. Looking to her, I shake my head furiously.

"N-No, uh h-he's not-" I stammer over my choice of words for some reason, confused as to why my mind is so jumbled by this.

"Ooooooohhhhh. So it's for your boyfriend~" She giggles behind her hand at my flushed expression. She moves to ask something else, when my pocket vibrates. Slightly startled, I fish it out and look at the ID. My expression must have shown something, because the woman grins, mumbling something about, speak of the devil. Accepting the call I sigh.

"Kuroko? Hey, do you need something?" I ask, shocked that he would call me. He never does. I think I annoy him sometimes.

"Hello, Kise-kun. I was wondering if you could come over to my house soon. I'd like to talk to you, if that's alright." His voice is the same bland tone, but it doesn't sound like he's very calm. More like anxious, or something. Frowning, I reply.

"Of course, I'll come over in a second, I'm just buying... something." I hear a sigh on the other side.

"Something? Just don't do anything dumb, as Midorima says." He says before hanging up. Rolling my eyes at the thought of the green haired team mate, I look back to the store woman.

"Sorry about that. My... friend is not doing too well." I apologize, and she dismisses it with the wave of her hand.

"Don't worry about it. Now, is this item okay with you?" I look back to the lovey-dovey wrapping and nod. I'll just take out the sweets and put them in a different bag... yeah that'll work.

"Yeah, this is fine, thanks." I confirm. She grins and rings up the candy as I pull out the money from my wallet and hand it to her. Pushing the receipt into my back pocket, I grab the basket from her.

"Thanks for shopping here! And good luck with youknowwho~" I hear her call out as I exit the store. Clearing my throat, I rub my face, trying to relieve the heat. I sigh in relief as I step into the mist outside and head towards Kurokochii's house.


Kuroko's POV

Hanging up, I toss my battered cell phone onto the cushion beside me. Why, out of all people, have I decided to call him? Gnawing on my lower lip in thought, I look around. It looks disgusting in here. I really didn't like letting Midorima in with the house like this, but I had no choice, right. But then Kise-kun showed up. And he had chosen THAT time to finally be aware of his surroundings. Sighing, I get up and head to the kitchen and grab the broom. Well, now is as good a time as ever to finally clean up around here. I'm still tired, and my muscles protest, but it's a nice change of pace. Dragging the broom across the floor, My eyes widen at the amount of dust that accumulates. Jeez. I didn't think it was THIS dirty... oh well.

I make my way across the living room, taking care not to stress my wrist. When all is said and done, I have created several little mounds of dirt. I decide to take a break from the broom and head back to the kitchen. I grab a rag from the counter and turn the sink on. By some miracle, the water turns on, and I wet the rag. I walk to the small dresser in the corner of the room and kneel down. Looking to the dust photo and the burned out candle, I frown.

"Sorry I haven't been keeping up with you." With this, I wipe down the picture and the dresser, tossing the rag into the trash. Opening the first drawer, I take out another candle and replace the old, melted one. Lighting it, I smile and stand. Soon after this I've swept up all of the dust and stand in the living room with a bucket of water and the mop.

"Well, this is the last thing I'll have to do." I mumble as I look to the changed room. Forgetting the injury to my wrist, I shift the bucket to my other hand and reach for the cleaner liquid. As I grab it, a sharp pain runs down my arm, and I drop the bucket, a couple choice words leaving my mouth. I wince as I feel water soaking into my socks. At this time, the front door swings open quickly, and someone steps in and yells.

"Kurokochii! I'm so glad to see you again!" Startled, I take a step back, and slip on the spilled bucket water. I see a flash of yellow, and before I know it, my (uninjured) wrist is grabbed, holding me up. I open my eyes and find golden ones staring back at me.

"Are you alright?"