The Color of Rain
Disclaimers: I do not own any piece of work deriving from the manga or anime adaptations of Kuroko no Basuke.
Bottled Violence
There was no way in hell that this man looked like he belonged within a place like this. With each passing moment, a certain bronzed skinned individual had to let out various whispers of abrupt apologies for brushing his gym bag over passerby's within each isle he passed. His eyebrows twitched in annoyance.
There was no way Aomine Daiki belonged within a library.
His eyes darted through each isle searching for a distinct mop of azure hair. Within this moment, Aomine was thankful for his height as he veered over the heads of everyone crowded over each section of the book isle. He cursed to himself, realizing that it was only the second week since the semester has started, so of course students were still ravaging through the school library trying to accommodate their materials together.
An exasperated sigh was released into the air as he sauntered to the opening of the library. I could've sworn he told me he was working today. Aomine shrugged his shoulders up to adjust his bag and now stared up toward the spiral staircase above the first floor. Indigo irises shifted into a dark gaze as he realized he still had two more floors to check within.
A 'do not enter' notice was placed over one isle of the library's third floor as rows of book were laid on the ground waiting to be placed within their respective shelf location of the bookcase. There was a sound of an adjustment of glasses being made, followed by a contented exhale.
The library was a sanctuary to Kuroko Tetsuya.
Today would mark a week's worth of work for him. The vacant faced male first started off checking each student's textbooks out for rental. However, a large unusual formation of a line would occur due to various students never acknowledging his presence to continue for check out. This posed a problem for him, therefore, moving him to return books to their shelves. Though he was always kind to those who rarely noticed his presence, he favored keeping to himself. He preferred this type of work.
Kuroko picked up the next set of books and began to arrange them in order on the shelf based on the author's last name. Before picking up the next set, he found his lips curling into a frown as dust crept unto the material of his grey long sleeve. He wiped it off of both the sweater and his buttoned up white shirt underneath it before checking the time.
Ever since the semester has begun, there was no room for outings with his friends. Each class syllabus was demanding with material to bring in as well as assigning multitudes of homework to be completed for the following lecture class. His eyes narrowed in slight.
There had barely been room to see Aomine Daiki.
Each morning, the navy haired male would meet Tetsu at his apartment before walking together to school. During the day, their classes revolved around opposite schedules, with one occupied with a current class as the other was on break. Even during tryouts, there was no time for interaction. Now today after practice, he had to bid Aomine farewell in order to make it on time for work.
Kuroko pursed his lips.
He was on the tip of his toes trying to place a book within the highest shelf of the bookcase. His eyebrows contorted slightly, internally cursing his height, but also frustrated at his thought just moments ago. The phantom player jumped lightly in order to place the book within the shelf, but even that momentum didn't work within his favor. He exhaled lightly before struggling again to place it overhead.
A large tanned hand from behind gently grabbed the book from behind and easily placed it on the respective shelf with ease. Kuroko turned his head to see Aomine behind him with a smirk. "Having some trouble, Tetsu?" He jeered, now taking a step back to allow some room for the other male to maneuver through. Kuroko pushed the glass frames over the bridge of his nose before turning his entire frame around toward Aomine.
"I already hold a grudge with these shelves." Kuroko deadpanned, glancing over the tall shelves before turning back to Aomine. "You're lucky for your height, Aomine-kun."
A small chuckle was emitted by the taller male before looking at the time above the wall across from them. "I start work today. I'll be heading to Teikō soon before their afternoon practice starts. " Aomine stated, signaling to the azure haired male that he was going to leave soon. Kuroko turned his gaze elsewhere, going back to his thought about barely having any outing time. "If you're not too busy after with studying after work, would you want to hang out tonight?"
Kuroko's eyes fastened back to Aomine's with a small glow of anticipation boring through his orbs. "I would like that very much." Kuroko released a small smile before turning to the side to pick up another set of books—books that he ensured that didn't have to be placed within an obscene height of a shelf.
There was something about the last novel that peaked Kuroko's interest. He took a moment to view the first couple of pages of the book before skimming through the first paragraph. The taller male didn't mind how his attention was easily shifted unto something else. In fact, he loved how Tetsu was always one to bury himself within a book, he loved how he looked forward to all the words encompassed in each novel. As intelligent as he was handsome, it just further amplified how mystifying Kuroko Tetsuya truly is to Aomine.
Sensing no one else approaching, Aomine brought his hand over the side of Kuroko's waist, firmly drawing the smaller male against him. There was a shift of surprise felt from Tetsu as his head began to turn. Aomine craned his neck down toward Kuroko with eyes almost lidding into closure to greet those slight lips with his own before a book was met with his face. Drawing his head back in surprise, he saw Kuroko's eyes in a glare too fierce for his own good.
"We're in the library. What are you, some dirty old man?" Kuroko spoke crossly, a hint of crimson making his way toward his alabaster skin. Aomine laughed lightly, releasing Tetsu to shift the bag over his shoulders before eyeing his partner up and down.
"I can't help it when you're looking like a scholar and all. That really gets me, know what I mean?" Aomine asked slyly, his lips widening in a crooked grin.
"Don't say things I don't understand." Kuroko replied impassively as he set the books down on the shelf to face Aomine head on, trying look displeased but not receiving the acknowledgement he was looking for. The taller of the two could see Tetsu's glasses once again slipping from his nose, and this time it was Aomine to adjust them for him. He gingerly pushed the joint shoulders of his frames back to his face before brushing pieces of his azure hair behind his ear. Kuroko shuddered, his expression now losing its firmness from just moments ago.
"Just call me when you're out, Tetsu." Aomine stated as he still wore his crooked grin and turned heel to leave. Persistence never failed when it came to Aomine Daiki dealing with Tetsu. He was brash, irrational, but the same time, fond of the vacant faced individual unlike ever before. After moments of calm deliberation, Kuroko shook his head with a small chuckle before picking up the next set of books.
You can be the most troublesome person at times, Aomine-kun.
An odd sensation swelled up within Aomine Daiki as he stood just feet away from Teikō. There was no explanation for this sudden tension within, but he digressed as he began making his way forward inside to the attendance office to check in. With his hand over the latch of the door, Aomine paused as he drew his head to the left. Beyond the building's infrastructure, he caught sight of the pathway leading out to the riverbed beside the gymnasium. The sudden feeling then hit him.
On that day years ago, it was also raining.
On that very day, he told Tetsu he couldn't do anything for himself. On that very day, he saw the way his azure eyes shrunk into doubt, with an expression showing the realization that in that moment, he lost Aomine. It was on that very day…
I've… already forgotten even how to receive your passes.
Aomine shook his head of the memory with pressed lips. If only he wasn't so selfish back then. If only he didn't lose his way. If only he'd listened to Kuroko those years ago, their separation wouldn't have occurred. Everything would've been different between both light and shadow if he didn't barricade himself away from him. Aomine drew in a breath now opening the door. With an exhale, he felt that nightmare of that rainy day pass through him. Right now, fate brought both partners together in ways that he'd never imagine, and he still had to remind himself daily that his Tetsu forgave him.
Checking into the main office, a rather disinterested woman was behind a monitor of a computer. Behind her tasteless glasses, she glanced up laxly at the bronzed male then back onto the screen before her. "Shirogan-kantoku, I'm assuming this was the individual you were waiting for?" She drawled as she kept her eyes on the monitor.
An enlightened hum was heard through the opening of the staff room just across the other side of the podium opening, and an older individual drew out of the opening, dressed formally in a business suit. His silver hair was slid back with no sign of a hair being misplaced. His face was calm even through the signs of profound aging. Even with the use of a cane, he held himself firmly as he moved through the hallway toward Aomine.
"It's been a long while, Aomine." Shirogan said pleasantly, extending one arm toward the former student. Aomine returned with a smile, and shook his hand in exchange.
"Yeah, it has been." Aomine didn't mean for the reply to sound so short. But it's been years since seeing each other face to face after he fell ill during his first year at Teikō. Aomine regarded the senior with much great respect despite the vigorous training regime he's put them all through years ago, and was surprised when he was contacted to help out with the team during basketball season.
Both males made their way through the hallway of the school, navigating themselves to the gymnasium just up ahead. "I appreciate you accepting this position on such short notice. I understand you've started school within Tokyo University?" The coach inclined, a grin warmly shaping through the corner of his lips. Aomine nodded his head with a shrug followed after.
"This works great with my school schedule. I should be thanking you for having me help out with the team." Aomine replied, now glancing over at one of the courts of the gymnasium. He was thankful that it wasn't the court that drew his thought back to that rainy evening.
"It's amazing how much time flies like a shoot of an arrow." The coach mused contently. They both continued to walk for a couple more feet before Aomine sensed the older man stop behind him. He turned around quizzically as he adjusted his bag over his shoulder.
Adorned over the wall of the corridor were framed photographs of previous seniors within the Teikō basketball club. Shirogan had his eye over one of the pictures in particular with a smile. Aomine squinted to view the particular picture of interest and recognized every individual within their first string team of his first year within the school. The center of the photograph featured himself with the familiar faces of the Generation of Miracles. He was so different back then.
The usual comical grin. The strut of anticipation of wanting to practice basketball.
To think Aomine Daiki almost pushed basketball away completely those years ago.
"I'm glad to see that you haven't lost your way, Aomine. I know you'll be a valuable asset to your new team." The sincerity of the coach's words shot Aomine's head back slightly.
"I honestly don't know what to say." Aomine let out in a murmur. Back then, he almost lost himself. Aomine blinked, immediately bowing his head shortly after what he stated felt was an embarrassing comment before adding, "Thank you, kantoku."
"I simply wanted to briefly catch up with you. I do have to get back to finishing up some paperwork for the team's last game I will have Sanada brief you on the student's performance. I hope you understand." Shirogan politely stated with both hands over his cane as he looked over his shoulder to see the other coach looking over at their direction. "Next week we'll talk some more." Aomine nodded abruptly before the older male turned to exit.
There was a sudden shift in change in the air that the young man felt now. Swarming through his head now were various memories that Aomine wished he could've changed from those years ago. Part of them was not giving Sanada such overwhelming anxiety once he was declared head coach. During that period was when his self-centered epiphany arose and he degraded everyone in his path.
"I'd like to thank you for your assistance. It'd be good to get a fresh perspective of the team." The coach had greeted, signaling Aomine to line up beside him to introduce him to the students in front of them. Aomine nodded his head, bringing his hands over his hips to glance down at the children. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to Aomine Daiki. He will be working with you all for this upcoming season. Years ago he used to play within this same team, just as you all are right now. I implore you all to treat him with the upmost respect."
The students broke out in various whispers among each other about the man in front of them. Aomine could see flashes of intimidation from some, while others gawked in admiration that they were 'graced' with his laxly presence. Aomine cleared his throat, drawing their attention to him. "Hmmm…" He began, not sure if how he took this whole 'assistant coach' role. "Let's set up a mini game, just so I can see how your play is. We'll follow up with critique after, I guess." All the students nodded their heads, now with Sanada distributing the jerseys out.
Aomine's eyes fell to one boy in particular. A raven haired boy who seemed absentminded in the way his gaze fell to the hardwood floors beneath him. There was no interest. No motivation. Looks like we got a prima donna on our hands.
Many thoughts swirled through Aomine's head as he sat within the bench observing the mini game of the students within the court. Thoughts of nostalgia. Memories of various practice games. His past interactions with his team,—he thought, glancing over to Sanada who was seated beside him—whether good or bad.
"Shirogan-kantoku and I have monitored your progress ever since you've left Teikō." Started the older male beside him. Tensioned silence filled the air between the two. Years ago after Sanada accepted Aomine's overwhelming potential and allowed him to miss practice, their relationship had stood at a standstill. At that time, Aomine considered himself above all else; and through Sanada's silent disapproval, all he could do was watch Aomine's foundation fall ever so slowly. Falling to the point where there was no light within him after reaching victory. "You've came a long way."
Aomine slouched forward, hunching his forearms over his knees as he studied the footwork of the students in front of him. He opened his mouth with brief hesitation before replying, "That means a lot coming from you, kantoku."
Sanada, with his deep brown hair with specks of silver lining now kept in a slid back fashion, and his appearance aging from years before, smiled at the reply Aomine presented. The air seemed to lose its rigid atmosphere, and Sanada relaxed his hands over the clipboard in hand. "I was very pleased when Shirogan-kontaku agreed with me that we should have you assist."
Aomine's brows arched up with curiosity. To find that this position was the idea of Sanada's surprised him greatly.
"These past years with the basketball club have been phenomenal for our school. As victory is still our main focus, so is teamwork. I believe it would benefit greatly by having you present." Aomine tried his best not to snort. He was the last person out of their old team to be considered. "It was your last couple of games during the last Winter Cup that led me to this decision. I was very impressed with your performance with your team. Even with Tōō's loss toward the end, there was something about your last play that intrigued me."
Aomine let out a thoughtful exhale, blinking his eyes. Now that he thought about it, this was the very gymnasium where he met Kuroko Tetsuya; the supposed ghost of the basketball courts within the late evening. "I guess it was just finally realizing that I couldn't do this all alone." Aomine began, recalling back to that realization after the first year's Winter Cup. The navy haired male could feel a sudden shock arise from the senior's expression. "I also had a little help from an old teammate along the way. Guess you could say that I started on a clean slate with my basketball."
The coach continued to stare agape at his former student. The man Aomine Daiki was now differed greatly to how he carried himself years ago. Sanada could see a small smile curve from the corner of Aomine's lips as his gaze was absentminded from the play at hand. This old teammate. Sanada understood the help he received was in fact from Kuroko Tetsuya.
Aomine had to admit that their first interaction was somewhat of an awkward passing. With Kuroko's transparent presence to his quiet demeanor. Aomine perceived him as an odd, but interesting individual. Out of everyone within the team, he was the one to validate Kuroko as an actual person—not some student who fell within the third string of the basketball club. The navy haired ace admired Tetsu's hard work, he admired it so much that he trained with him each evening after practice. He encouraged Tetsu further in the midst of him giving up on basketball, and practiced with him until they were actually able to share the same court together. They practiced until the day Aomine was starting to change, to lose his love for basketball.
Aomine's eyes softened. In the midst of being alone, Tetsu was the same person to pull him out of that loathing and help him return his love for basketball. He was so weak back then; always the one to turn the cold shoulder toward his teammates, always the one to ridicule all in his passing. But Kuroko helped him stand tall again- not alone anymore, but with others beside him who shared the same love of basketball as he did.
Aomine shifted his eyes forward out of his recollection, now focusing on the student's once more. "All the players have very good footwork." Aomine commented, shooting the senior's gaze back to the game in front of them.
Navy brows rose questionably at one boy in particular. Out of all the students, he could sense that his mind was elsewhere with his delayed movements of passing, and executing the further play. "That black haired kid is in another world though."
"Ah, that right there is Nishino Hideaki, and I've already pulled him aside recently. He's experiencing some personal issues within his home." Sanada commented with a sigh. "He told me that he would come back from his sudden funk, but I know he needs more time to get his mind straight. We're only human after all."
Aomine remained his gaze over that particular student throughout the rest of the game.
A box of practice jerseys were left to the side of the bench by Sanada as the closure of the gymnasium was near. Exiting the locker room was Aomine Daiki who held the door open for the other two students before shutting it behind him. After recapping their mini game with Sanada, and having Aomine cover quick tips to improve their play, all students were able to place all the equipment away before showering to leave for the weekend. Aomine rested his bag next to the bench, shaking off the rest of the shower water from his short hair before casting his eyes over at the students next to him.
Sanada approached him from the side, placing a hand over his shoulder before stating, "Nishino's mother has requested for him to be picked up after daily practice, so if you could stay until everyone is dismissed with me, I would greatly appreciate it." Aomine nodded his head reluctantly before the senior proceeded to make sure that all the surrounding area was polished properly.
The time read past six in the evening, and Aomine was sure that Tetsu would be off work within another hour. He sat down, shifting his legs within his dark denim jeans in anticipation with the soles of his Air Jordan's bouncing unconsciously.
Aomine was the type of man not to plan ahead for anything. It wasn't his character to set up a time, or place. Whatever Tetsu wanted to do, he would just go with it. Aomine was just fine having Kuroko's company for all he cared, even if it was just leisurely speaking about anything and everything in particular over Maji Burger, or in between a one-on-one at the park courts. But if there was one thing that he would like right now, it was just for the night to make haste.
Suddenly, he felt a pair of eyes watching him, and Aomine stopped all movement, fastening his eyes unto the dark haired boy he kept watch over during practice.
"You know you don't have to stay here. Itsuki will be here too since we're hanging out when we get picked up." Nishino spoke out in a mutter. Aomine's brows twitched at the boy's attitude already and he rolled up the sleeves of his black cardigan before crossing his arms.
"We got to make sure you're all properly sent off, it's part of the job." Aomine replied, noting how boy didn't return his stare. Aomine's eyes lost a bit of firmness as the student pursed his lips in dismay.
"This is embarrassing." He spat with his hands clenched in a fist side by side. Aomine remained silent, waiting for him to continue his thought. "Even after my parent's separating, my mom is still doing embarrassing stuff like having to pick me up after practice. It's like she thinks dad is lurking around every corner. It's so uncool."
"She's just worried about you, gaki." Aomine interjected with slight annoyance. Calm down. He had to remember that he was once twelve years old as well, and that this was the prime year of having extreme attitudes.
"I get it." The raven haired stated abruptly, losing his grip with his clenched hands. "I'm not stupid though. I was never on the best of terms with him anyway."
Aomine lifted one eyebrow in curiosity. He found it odd for this kid to just volunteer personal information such as this. But now that he knew of his attitude from earlier before, Aomine sighed lightly. Kids always want to confide in someone other than their parents. "Sounds like you're dealing with a lot right now. I don't know what you're going through, but if it helps, I could always make room to stay behind for extra practice if it helps get it out of your mind."
For the first time tonight, the bronzed male saw a shift in the boy's brooding attitude. Brown eyes blinked, before returning with a smile. "You really mean that, Aomine-senpai?"
Aomine's brow twitched at the familiar he placed. Right. Assistant coach role. He had to get used to that. "Sure, I've got time on my hands. We'll shoot for next week, how about it, Nishino?" Aomine bluntly replied, now looking at the time on his phone once more. Almost time for Tetsu to get off.
"That's be great, thank you so much." Aomine was almost sorry for not reacting as merely as excited as the younger boy beside him. He couldn't be blamed though. He never saw himself at any point in time in his life ever having to actually teach students. He was sure he'd adjust to all this by next week.
Opening the gym door, one of the staff approached Sanada in quick strides, whispering over to him before turning to Aomine. He ushered for him to come forth away from the two students.
Once clear from their line of hearing, Sanada sighed, pushing his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. "There's apparently an adult within the main office trying to pick up Nishino, but wasn't in consent of his mother. He did leave shortly after being denied countless time, but now the police have been contacted, they should be here shortly. I'll be heading to the front if you could stay with the children."
The coach as well as the faculty staff member stepped out of the gym, leaving Aomine with a feeling of sudden worry. He turned to the students who were staring at their line of sight and he scratched the back of his head with unease. "He'll be back so hang on tight." Aomine stated, trying to sound so assure himself.
Minutes seem to pass with no return, leaving the two students to chatter echoing through the gymnasium while Aomine fidgeted with his phone to check the time.
A piercing rent of gun fire had resonated outside of the hallway of the gynasium, turning all heads to the double doors ahead.
Aomine stood up quickly, with constricting eyes.
"Hideaki! I know you're here!" A muffled voice beyond the double doors boomed. Aomine could tell they were close to the entrance. His eyes fastened down to the boys beside him who shaken to the very bone—especially Nishino.
"Fuck!" Aomine seethed through gritted teeth. He fixed his gaze to the door leading outside, remembering that Sanada had already locked it before leaving to the main office. He turned to the boys, now directing them to another corridor that connected the gymnasium to the school's infrastructure. "Now's not the time to get cold feet, let's move!" He barked, leading the students into an empty hallway `before shutting the door quickly. He crouched down with the boys toward the wall, careful not to show their image over the glass windows of the door in front of them. Lights were dim. Tension rose.
Aomine proceeded to cut the corner to the corridor of the hallway until heavy footsteps were heard from the opposite side end. He paused, unable to conceal his heavy breathing, waiting to see who would appear from the other side.
"This is the police, show yourself!" Shouted a husky voice over the emptiness of the corridor before relaying on the intercom there were others within his line of sight. Aomine shook the shoulder of Nishino who failed to comprehend what was going on through sheer panic overtaking his body. "I said to show yourself!"
"It's kind of fucking hard when I've got kids with me!" Aomine spat, internally kicking himself after for sounding like a jackass. He didn't know else to say, much less, what else to do. He could barely keep calm himself. At that moment, he could hear the static of the intercom sounding off as the man ahead of him on the other corner of the wall stated that he had children with him.
Double doors within the gymnasium slammed opened, turning all heads to the entryway just beyond the door ahead of them. Now the individual was inside the courts. Aomine darted his eyes back to the children, his brows now contorted in anger and fear. "Get moving, god damn it!" He whispered briskly, shoving the kids out of the corner of the wall into the hallway. Leading the way, Aomine drew his hands up, cautious of the officer's shadow reflecting the floor. "I've got the kids here, this gunner is coming this way." Aomine informed, now revealing the officer from the other corner of the wall. There he was, dressed in blue uniform with a bullet proof vest over his torso.
This was the first time Aomine has ever felt this shaken up.
Lowering his gun, the officer informed the other police force of their location and descriptions of each of the individuals in front of him. He signaled for the children to move forth, with Itsuki moving in first. Sudden clash of the door being slammed opened was heard and Aomine jumped, gritting his teeth.
"Go on, Nishino!" Aomine growled, frantically shaking the boy who was breathing heavily with his hands clutched over his head. Footsteps were drawing nearer to their location. It was a matter of moments before they would turn to the hallway to meet them.
"I… I can't move." The boy quivered with tears welling up within his eyes. Aomine clicked his tongue in return, the individual approaching closer. "He's here… Dad is actually here." The end of his sentence trailed off in sobs.
Aomine bent over to show himself at eye level. "Nishino, I need you to stay with me. We need to get out of here now." Breathed Aomine sharply, tightening his grip on his shoulders. Nishino saw right through the older male; his mind enveloped in panic. Aomine snarled in defeat, seeing the shadow of the gunner just about to turn the corner. "Fucking move it!" Aomine yelled, now shoving the boy to the other side of the hallway. Aomine took a step to proceed with them when the cock of the gun was heard just feet in front of him.
Aomine froze. Terrified beyond belief.
"Don't you dare move."
Absolute panic.
The officer readied himself, one arm securing his gun while the other while he mouthed for Aomine to leap over. Aomine lost all sense of command within his body. He was trapped, only able to stare with wide eyes as he recognized that this was actually happening to him right now. Sweat trailed down the side of his temple. The navy haired male took in a large breath, squeezing his eyes shut before reopening them with focus reflecting his indigo irises.
"Get the kids to safety." Aomine stated sternly with shaken breath, now turning his body to face the intruder with his arms slowly raising up.
"God damn it!" Cursed the officer, now frantically pulling out his intercom. "We need back up! Children are secured, but now a civilian is at risk!"
Just thirty more minutes.
Kuroko drew his phone back into the pocket of his jeans before gathering a stack of books left behind at the checkout section of the first floor's desk. Time was not on his side as it seemed to pass at a low grueling place. Typically his work days flashed from start to finish, but behind the stoic expression, he was relieved to finally have plans with his significant other after.
Passing by the librarian's office, he stole a glance inside and saw others huddled around the television hung over the wall in front of him. Curiosity took the best of him, and he stopped in place trying to view the screen over the various heads watching as well.
"Out of all places for a gunman to target… a school?" The manager drawled, shaking her head ever so slowly before turning back to her work on the screen. "Just unbelievable."
There was an odd lump within Tetsu's throat.
He was nervous to find out where the news report was taken place. He was sure it had to be some other school within the Kanto region. Any other school but what he thing about.
"They just confirmed a civilian in there with the gunman as well." One of the staff murmured to the other individual in a low voice. Kuroko was now behind them, finally able to view the screen in close proximity. A long haired brunette was shown over the screen, with the camera so close to her profile that he couldn't make out the location behind her. A sudden headliner appeared just beneath her.
Teikō Junior High School shooting: suspect currently within school parameters.
Echoing through the first floor was clash of books hitting the floor.
All heads turned to face Kuroko, who stood paler than ever before. Oval eyes were wide with pupils in slight shake if one were to really observe him up close. He felt immobilized, reading the text underneath the news report over and over.
Police had just confirmed another officer heading in to secure the two children outside of the gymnasium to safety. However, there is still a young man within the gunman's reach. So far, there has been no other signs of hostility just yet. Back up troops are in order outside accordingly waiting to proceed in. Now—
He's still in there.
The rest of her words trailed off into a blur. Time seemed to land almost at a standstill. Kuroko could feel a hand over his shoulder. He could hear the muffle sounds of someone trying to grasp his attention.
Aomine is still in there.
"Please…" Kuroko stated, his voice hitching slightly. His eyes met with the librarian who was shocked by his sudden comeback to reality. "I apologize, but I must leave. Please understand." He trembled fiercely, unable to hide the fearful expression from anyone in front of him.
No further questions were asked by the senior in front of Kuroko. With a nod of affirmation from her, the azure haired male wasted no time to dash out of the building. His throat was dry, with pants exhaling out that burned his lungs with each breath. He was lucky that there was a station close to the campus. Just in time, the next train opened the automated doors to let him proceed inside the train cart. Sweat dripped down the widow's peak of his forehead. Hands shaking unconsciously.
Two more stops needed to be passed in order to reach his destination.
Frantically, Kuroko dove through the pocket of his jeans to grab his phone. He wished for a message from Aomine, stating he left just before it all occurred. He wished for him to just be at Maji Burger, waiting for him to get off work. Pressing on the home button of his phone, artificial lights reflected no messages, no calls from anyone. His body began to shake. His heart racing unlike ever before.
Lidded hazel eyes bore unto the indigo eyes in front of him. The individual sauntered from side to side, barely able to keep his composure straight on. A scent of alcohol made itself known to Aomine, and his eyes narrowed in slight as he tried to calculate how to proceed further.
"Let's take a deep breath here." Tried Aomine, fighting his nerves with his hands firmly overhead. He had to try and calm this man down. "There's no reason to have a gun pointed at me."
The man in front of Aomine was short, with unkept dark hair from what seemed like days of not tending to it—or tending to himself for that matter. His face contorted to an expression of anger but shone undertones of sadness within each crease of his face.
The gun pointed began to waver in hand. The intoxication took over him tenfold. "Hideaki is here…" A slur of a statement was barely formed as a reply. "Where is he, gaki?" The man took a step forward with his arm still at full extension in front of Aomine. His bronze skin flushed with fear, and he took in a gulp.
"Look at what you're doing." Aomine said in a low voice. "Your son is absolutely terrified. Do you think this is what he wanted? Just—"
"Who the hell are you to question me about my son?!" Interrupted the unstable man. Aomine shut his mouth firmly, now hearing the sounds of footsteps from outside the building with instructions being shouted outside. "Don't you get it, asshole?! I will shoot you if you don't bring him here!" He prayed for this to be the reinforcement officers.
"Listen, do you really want to live with yourself being a fucking murderer? Do you want your son to remember you like this while you're behind bars?" Aomine softly asked with tension slipping off the tip of his tongue. Aomine could see the gunman falter slightly at that thought with his gun wavering out of his range. After moments of careful consideration, Aomine took a step forward, his chest beating rapidly. Aomine spoke, his voice now louder with no waver. "He wouldn't want this."
"I know that." The older man managed to let out hoarsely. He was losing his composure, his shoulders shaking with each sob. "What the fuck am I supposed to do?"
Aomine's lips were pressed in a tight line, unable to come up with words that would suppress the sudden grief he was releasing. Aomine opened his mouth to speak now, not faltering from his approach. "Let's just put the gun down."
From the corner of the wall, the officer stood with one hand fastened over his firearm. Appearing from the entryway of the door behind the officer was another authority figure. Glancing his eyes back to him, he nodded for him to withdraw the children out of the premises.
While Itsuki complied easily, Nishino stood with heavy breaths. Though unable to see what was going on within the other side of the hallway, he could hear the pained voice of his father and Aomine trying to lessen his panic. He could feel his wrist being grasped, and his attention turned to face the officer. "We can't just leave Aomine-senpai there." Nishino managed to let out, his voice trembling.
"You've got to move out, kid. We'll take care of this." The first officer whispered to him before turning his attention back to the fray just beyond the hallway. He could see the man's figure shrink in proximity as he was being pulled away from the building. This was an absolute nightmare. Not knowing was else was going to occur between both individuals alarmed Nishino.
The boy managed to see the officer with one hand was tightly grasping the grip of his gun with the other hand holding the intercom close to his mouth before opening his mouth to speak before the double doors closed, leaving the confrontation behind him at a state of unknowing.
Standby. The civilian seems to be attempting to calm down the suspect. Keep everyone within position until my mark.
"Roger that." Replied another officer outside of the building. Multiple vehicles were pulled up beside the gymnasium along with various new reporter buses. The officer turned to both coaches in front of him whose eyes were fastened over the gymnasium within. A sudden trail of footsteps were heard close in proximity, and all three heads turned to see a flash of cerulean hair making their way toward them from underneath the street lamp. Though a shadow was cast over their facial features, Sanada could make up the identity of the individual quickly.
"…Kuroko?" Sanada questioned slowly with arched eyebrows. The young man stopped in front of them trying to catch his breath before darting his eyes toward the gym. There was no room for catching up at this moment, and he balled his hands into clenched fists. "Aomine is still in there." The coach commented slowly, turning his eyes back to the building where one officer quickly unlocked the double doors with the key presented by Sanada just moments ago.
A wave of anxiety emitted from Kuroko like no other. Knuckles were clenched white. Oval eyes wider than ever before. He couldn't hide the shake in his breathing.
"Please, tell me what is happening." Kuroko managed to let out through the dryness of his throat. The officer held the intercom close to his face for further update, but glanced over to Kuroko's shaken form.
"He a friend of yours?"
"He's very dear to me." Kuroko replied with no hesitance. There was a brief moment of silence between all four of them. Sanada's eyes darkened toward the pained expression over Kuroko's face. He only wished if he returned sooner, this whole ordeal would've been avoided.
The officer turned back to the target area, waiting for any kind of signal before stating, "He managed to drive the kids away from the gym when the gunman made his first shot. As one of our own in there tried to get them all to safety, the man already had his weapon fastened on him." He paused momentarily, heavy wrinkles over the man's face deepening into a dark crease. "The fool couldn't move and is now trying to play 'hero'."
Both coaches turned to Kuroko. He lost his voice. He was unable to register any type of reply whatsoever.
Jaw was clenched.
Eyes were constricted in fear.
All he could do was pray that no harm would be brought to Aomine Daiki.
A sudden sob was heard through the older man inside the building with Aomine, and he began to shake. His arm holding the firearm losing his visual on bronzed man in front of him. "You don't understand…" He spat, inhaling and exhaling his breath through his mouth nervously. "I've lost everything. And now I'm going to lose my son too? No one understands—"
"You're right, I don't understand. But what you're about to do will just make everything worse for yourself." By now, Aomine was just feet away from the older man in front of him. Aomine could hear clamors of footsteps approaching the entryway of the double doors beyond the two. He couldn't imagine what the man was going through. But if it was enough to get himself in a drunken rage and storm the halls to find his son, then it was unimaginable.
"Just put the gun down…"
The gunman's arm began to lose its waver against Aomine. Hesitantly, he took another step forward, feeling as if he finally got through to the intoxicated man. He still had his arms raised over his head, making sure the older man understood he meant no harm.
And just as a flick of a switch, a snarl was heard before slamming the handle of the weapon against the side of Aomine's head. A loud yell resounded through the air by the young man.
Fuck.
For a couple moments, Aomine saw vertigo as he tried to regain his composure. His vision wavered, seeing blurs of the individual's form swirl in front of him as he was coming in and out of focus. Not having any second to recover, Aomine began to fish his hand toward the man's own, managing to corner the older man against the wall. A fist slugged against Aomine's face head on, connecting to the bridge of his nose. Shaking off the sharp pain, Aomine shoved his other forearm underneath the man's throat to hold him in place with his arm trapped underneath his lean frame.
He could feel a trail of liquid fall from his nostril slowly. With how heavy his breathing patterns were, the substance flew over the wall from his nostrils, now masking the white colored walls with specks of red. He glanced over to the wall before back to the attacker in front him. This was no time to think about a bloody nose. Aomine's jaw clenched as he tried to gain solid ground over the other. His other hand battled for control of the gun's aim-
Another gun shot cracked through the air.
What the hell is going on in there?! The intercom sounded off inside the building. The officer inside the vicinity finally pulled out of the corner, viewing the firearm on the ground as Aomine wrestled to keep the man detained. The man could see a chip in the wall from the shot's connection before turning back to both individual's fighting for control.
"Hurry up and get his gun!" Aomine spat, now sweeping the man to the ground with his leg before holding mounting his weight over the older man. Aomine dug one arm over the back of his head, holding him face first on the ground.
"Move in! The suspect is immobilized!"
Aomine breathed heavily, hearing the door slam open as the authorities stormed their way inside. The side of his head was throbbing painfully from the grip contact of the weapon, and his eye twitched at the ache. He noticed the other male's clothes were stained with red, and Aomine came to a halt. Now finally noticing a warm liquid trailing down his temple, sliding down his face slowly. The cold surface of the floor shown drops of crimson falling toward the cold surface. It was his own blood. And quite of bit of it as well.
Muffled sobs were heard below the young man, and he could make out the pained pleas from Nishino's father. From every break of words in between. From every gasp of air he took to recover his composure. Aomine felt a set of hands secure underneath his arms to hoist him up to stand. His eyes didn't leave the fallen man in front of him. Aomine's eyes narrowed to a fraction of millimeter. He didn't want Nishino to see his father in his state—he didn't even want to see how Nishino's face looked like when he stepped out of Teiko. He wanted for this pain to go away.
Double doors opened as the gunman was immediately escorted to one of the authority vehicles to be restrained. Aomine followed behind with two officers, his expression beyond fatigued. He tried to ignore the throbbing ache over his head, but the flashing red and blue lights of the vehicles in front of him only seemed to worsen his physical state. He clicked his tongue, gently placing one hand over the side of his head and felt a warm substance from the roots of his shirt navy mane. Pulling back his hand, his fingertips were soaked in red. Just great.
His paused, now fishing out for his phone with the other hand. He didn't know how he was going relay all this to Tetsu calmly, but through the headache he now received with the injury, he would try to make sense of it all somehow. After the dial of his number, he pressed the phone against his ear all the midst hearing the receiver ring.
After moments of hearing the ringing sound off and darting his eyes through the night ahead of him, he immediately caught sight of a familiar shade of azure hair feet away from his own. Aomine blinked, now withdrawing the phone away from his ear.
"Tetsu…" Aomine drawled. He could see Kuroko with his phone in hand, the flashing light of Aomine's name appearing on the caller ID. Light hair was splayed over his face. He could see the quiver in those slight lips, unsure of how to respond, whether it was with speech or movement. Tetsu was stunned at the sight of the blood marred face of Aomine Daiki. "You won't believe the day I've had—"
"Sir, you need to get your wound treated right this instant." A female voice spoke out beside him. Aomine blinked, turning down to face a stern faced paramedic who signaled him to follow. Aomine paused, wanting to approach Tetsu, but was now called forth once more.
Aomine tried his best to shoot Tetsu a crooked grin, the smile instantly faltering when a shot of pain rose from his head from the muscle movement. "I'll be right back, Tetsu." Aomine stated, shaking the wince off from his face as he turned to follow. The worry of Kuroko's face burned through his mind, and he was sure to make it up to him tonight somehow.
Ice was always unexplainable in a sense how the substance can freeze over you, but burn at the same time in a couple moment's passing. Aomine kept that thought in mind reluctantly with an ice bag over the side of his head. He made his way to Tetsu, who was seated toward one of the benches with his elbow propped over his knee. His hand was brushed through his hair as he faced the ground below, concealing his face from anyone around him.
"Aomine-senpai." Nishino called out from feet away. Aomine turned his head to the side, meeting the dark eyes of the boy. His eyes were a look of relief, an opposite turn out from what Aomine expected. "Thank you." He spoke softly, placing his arm around his mother who was still recovering from the tears escaping her eyes. Aomine nodded his head in return, relaxing his shoulders. This nightmare was finally over.
Weight shifted over to the spot next to Kuroko on the side of the bench. His eyes remained pressed closed, still trying to calm himself down. He left his hand over his forehead with strands of cerulean hair slipping between his fingers.
"Tetsu." He heard Aomine say softly. Kuroko held his breath momentarily, still picturing the blood over his partner's face. There was a beat of silence before Aomine spoke gently, "Tetsu, look at me." With great hesitance, Kuroko withdrew his hand away from his forehead, now shifting his upper body upright. With eyes fluttering open, he turned his head now facing Aomine head on.
He was greeted with a somber expression. Dry blood was still present toward the corner of his temple, causing the other's jaw to tighten. Aomine's sharp features lost its rigidness, with heavy navy eyes lowered toward his companion.
"You look awful, Aomine-kun."
There was a small pause. Aomine snickered lightly at the comment, slumping back toward the fence behind their seated form. "Please tell me you had a better day at work then I did." He chuckled flatly. Moments passed with no reply from Kuroko. Conversations between the officers were the only sound to break the silence between the two. Aomine shut his eyes momentarily. He could hear the slightly shaken breath emitting from Kuroko. Tetsu's fearful expression burned through is mind, and his brows contorted unconsciously.
"Aomine Daiki." A low husky voice called out just feet away. His eyes shot open once more to a man approaching the two. He was an older man dressed differently than the other officers he's encountered today; a white button up dress shirt tucked into black slacks. Though dressed professionally, Aomine could see an intercom secured to the side of his belt along with his gun holster. He grimaced lightly. Just the thought of guns made his head pound even harder. "Saigou Tatsuma, Chief of police. I understand you've just been through a rather traumatizing ordeal. Give yourself a breather, and in a couple minutes we're going to request your assistance at our station with a victim report of the entire situation. We don't want the press to be all over you in your state."
Aomine nodded his head, placing the ice bag down on the bench before crossing his arms. "Yeah, I'll be right here." He replied laxily. The chief drew his hands over his hips, letting out a snort on how unusually calm Aomine carried himself right now.
"What you did back there was just out of pure recklessness." Saigou commented firmly. Aomine sniffed involuntarily, wanting to ignore the lecture he was sure that was coming. "Besides that idiotic move though, people like you are what we need in this line of work. You're a brave kid. You should consider it someday."
Aomine's eyes shot up toward the chief, the brows of his sharp eyebrows arching up in astonishment. Behind the dark facial hair of the older male standing before him, he could make out the smirk being presented through the lamplight dimming over his features. As the man turned to the rest of the squad toward his vehicle, Aomine slowly sat forward with his eyes viewing the constant flashes of red and blue emitting from the vehicles in front of the school.
"Me as a police officer…? I never gave it much thought before this shitstorm of a day." Aomine asked himself. He debated the question in mind momentarily, now turning to Kuroko beside him. He would keep that thought toward the back of his mind for now. He flashed a half smirk before picking up the ice bag to place over his head again. "Still want to hang out tonight, Tetsu?"
Through the glass frames of Kuroko's glasses, he faced away from Aomine, drawing out a long exhale before his cerulean eyes fell toward the flashing lights that kept the night at length. Aomine was truly unbelievable. He spoke as if there had been no life threatening event take place at all. He stole a quick glance toward Aomine and tried not to picture the image of his blood stained face from minutes ago. Hell, what was the use? At this point, that face was burned into his retina. "Ask me in a couple minutes after I'm done hyperventilating." Kuroko managed flatly.
"I'll take that as a yes then." Aomine replied with a hint of jest.
The pair turned toward the multitude of flashing lights in front of them. A wave of calm now emitted through the air. Washing away slowly was the strain within Kuroko before he leaned back toward the fence to align with his companion's posture.
"You can be the most troublesome person at times, Aomine-kun."
Note: So what do you all think? I've always wondered what would've triggered Aomine wanting to be an officer. With how lax his character is, I figured a serious scenario such as what I thought up would've been a good background to that. Anyway, the next chapter will be a continuation of this chapter. As always, reviews are appreciated of your thoughts or corrections if something seems wrong or misplaced.