Kuroko followed Akashi to school the next day, close on his heels. He was eager to see what he could do with his new strength. Once they'd arrived, he quickly found Aomine and explained what he'd done.

"So, what exactly are you going to do?"

"I don't know. I want Akashi to notice me, but I don't want him to hate me more…"

Aomine sighed and karate chopped his hand on top of the other's head, ignoring his mutter of 'pain.' "Akashi hates everyone but you, Tetsu."

Kuroko sighed. He didn't believe that, but he knew by now arguing with Aomine was always useless. "What do I do though?"

Aomine closed his eyes as he breathed out a heavy sigh, thinking for a long moment. "You could start with something simple," he said finally, "like moving a book or something."

"There really is no way to prove to him it's me, is there?"

Aomine frowned, his expression almost apologetic. "Probably not until you've regained enough strength to do something more dramatic. I still don't understand why you don't just flip the switch though."

"Why don't you?"

He froze, blinking. "Well, y-you know…"

Kuroko stared at him in silence, his expression unwavering, yet Aomine could feel the smugness radiating from him.

"Fine, I get it. You don't want to hurt him anymore. But Tetsu, you're the only thing that made him happy to begin with!"

"And I ruined it, Aomine. Until I hear Akashi's current feelings toward me, I will not show him my face."

Aomine grit his teeth and looked away. "So stubborn," he muttered.

Kuroko nodded. "Yes, I am. And I believe for good reason."

XXX

In the end, nothing Kuroko had tried that day had gotten Akashi's attention. He was saddened, but he didn't give up. For the next two weeks, he repeated his ritual of rummaging the ghost realm's "kitchen". Every day, he could feel more and more strength flowing through his spirit body. Aomine had also begun attaining sustenance, and he was well on his way to being stronger than Kuroko had ever been.

One day, whilst the two were watching the basketball team's practice, Kuroko turned to Aomine and said, "I think I'm ready now."

Aomine only glanced at him from the corner of his eye before looking back to the practice game. "What do you plan on doing?"

Kuroko's eyes narrowed as he steeled himself. "I'm going to play."

Aomine suddenly turned to look at him, his expression entirely confused and shocked. "You're going to do what?"

Kuroko nodded. "I'm going to play. Only for a moment."

Aomine could only stare in shocked silence as Kuroko crossed the court and positioned himself beside Akashi and the ball. Akashi dribbled slowly, his eyes dead. Kuroko could tell he was bored, and a pang shot through his hollow chest. He ignored it, however, just before he reached a hand out and stole the ball.

Akashi and the others stared at the ball in disbelief, but Kuroko didn't have time to read their reactions. He wasn't through yet. In one swift moment, he'd stolen the ball, turned, and shot it toward the basket. The ball hit the rim and bounced off, the echo loud and eerie in the newfound silence.

Kuroko turned to Akashi to see his dumbfounded expression, but it didn't last long. His face quickly grew into a scowl, and he huffed out a heavy breath as he turned to retreat to the locker room.

Kuroko, exhausted already, went after him, passing Aomine on the way.

"Tetsu," the larger male said softly, "you suck."

Kuroko smiled at him. "That's how he'll know it's me."

XXX

In the locker room, Akashi kicked a bench with all his might, sending it across the room. When Kuroko came in, the redhead was fuming. He felt bad for having caused this, but he couldn't allow himself to think about it now.

He walked closer to Akashi, building his strength in case he'd need it again in a moment, but Akashi quickly put an end to that.

"Whoever the hell you are, cut it out. I don't want to be friends or whatever. I have all the friends I need, so just leave me alone!" Kuroko frowned, watching as Akashi sank to the floor, his head cradled in his hands. "I don't want anything to do with ghosts."

And with that, Kuroko's deadened heart broke into a thousand pieces, as did his spirit. "Okay, Akashi," he muttered, his eyes stinging as if he were about to cry, "I understand."

XXX

Aomine watched Kuroko with a wary eye. Even after Akashi had come back, cool and collected, Kuroko had stayed behind for quite some time.

"What happened?" Aomine asked, uncharacteristically hesitant.

"He doesn't want anything to do with me."

"What? That's crazy!"

Kuroko shook his head. "He told me point-blank."

"Wait, did he see you?"

"No… But he said he had all the friends he needed, and he wanted nothing to do with ghosts."

Aomine frowned, whilst Kuroko simply stared off into nothingness. His expression was completely blank, but Aomine could feel the hurt resonating from his ghostly friend.