The day went on slowly. For Kuroko at least. You know what they say; When you count time, as if mockingly, it will slow itself down.
When Kuroko first entered the school grounds, he already started on counting the seconds, minutes and the hours that pass by. It was devastating. To wait for seven hours to end. He can't help but look at the clock every passing minute. Nothing interesting is happening yet. Class was boring as always, and he didn't see his friends during lunch time, which is a rarity, for Kagami and Aomine would usually fight in front of the cafeteria lady on who would get the last chicken teriyaki and then getting smacked by the ladle soon after. He did not get glomped on by Kise either, which is a first, considering the blond seems to have a Kuroko-radar and would dash to him even though Kuroko was 100 meters away. Kuroko dismissed it though, thinking that the others might have had an important business to attend to.
Kuroko's becoming impatient. It is evident at how fast he taps his finger on his desk. He wants classes to end so badly. A meeting with the Literature Club awaits. When class actually ended though, Kuroko wasted no time and dashed to the club room. He has the biggest smile on his face. His hope might be more than just a small flicker of light in pure darkness. When he got to the clubroom however it seems that this small flicker of light would actually die out rather than flourish.
'We're sorry for the inconvenience. The Literature Club is facing certain circumstances and would not be able to operate as of now. We are contemplating whether to open up for next year but as of this school year, we are to remain closed'
Kuroko couldn't believe it. He was waiting for this. This very moment that he would be finally able to actually write something and not just appreciate what others wrote. Kuroko can feel his legs go numb. The feeling was overwhelming. None of his club members even bothered to tell him about the sudden closure. Kuroko put his hands on the room's knob and tried opening it. Maybe the members just does not want to be bothered inside so they've put something like this outside. Maybe this was all a joke.
But the door wouldn't budge.
Kuroko sighed. This is just great. He guessed he'll just go home for now, or maybe go to the library. He was about to leave, however a voice called out to him.
"Kuroko?"
Kuroko turned around and there he saw his fellow club member who is holding a rather large box.
"Furihata-kun. What happened here? Why was I not informed?"
Kuroko said and he saw Furihata tense up. What happened to their club exactly?
"Well... You see Kuroko..."
Furihata was hesitant. His eyes were looking anywhere besides Kuroko's intense stare. What is it that Kuroko does not know?
"Please tell me, Furihata-kun"
Kuroko pleaded. Furihata flinched, he's not sure on what to do. Though he guessed the guy had the privilege to know.
"Let's talk inside."
Furihata simply said. He put the box down and fished out the keys from his pocket and opened the door.
The air was heavy. Kuroko couldn't help but feel uncomfortable and he wants to head out now. But he wants to know why the club had a sudden closure.
"Sit."
Furihata motioned for Kuroko to sit down on the couch the club claims as their 'the talk' zone. Furihata then put aside the box down somewhere and sat down opposite Kuroko on an armchair.
"We're really sorry for not mentioning this to you earlier, Kuroko."
Furihata started to which Kuroko nodded. Furihata sighed and turned his full attention to Kuroko.
"Well you see, the reason behind the closure was.."
Furihata stopped midway, much to Kuroko's dismay. This seems to be a serious problem if even Furihata is acting this way towards it. He knows the guy only entered the club because he heard that girls nowadays like guys who are poetic and romantic. But then again Furihata also learned to like literature as time passed by.
"The reason is... Our club advisor..."
Now with the mention of their supervising teacher, Kuroko became sure that the reason will be something big.
"Fujimaki-sensei... He... He has severe illness right now and no one knows when he will be back or if he'll ever be back. Though even before the attack of his illness, sensei wished for the club to have a new advisor but then the principal refused to, saying that we are not actually worthy to become a club for we really aren't doing anything productive and honorable to the school."
Furihata managed to say in one breathing. He sucked in a lot of air after, and then he closed his eyes, he seems to be fighting back his tears. Kuroko knows that if anyone in their club was close to their advisor, it would have to be Furihata. Fujimaki-sensei practically opened the guy's eyes to the world of literature. Kuroko stood up and went to Furihata's side and patted his shoulder.
"I'm sorry. Should I be heading out now?"
Kuroko said. He knows that his friend needs to be in solitude. Furihata didn't answer and Kuroko just sighed on the inside. Guess he'll just leave him be for now. Kuroko went to the door and took a look back at his friend before turning the knob and going out. Kuroko gently closed the door, he didn't left immediately. Kuroko lingered for a moment, as he let the information he heard sink in, not long after he heard Furihata's pained sobs from the other side of the door. Not wanting to stay much longer, Kuroko decided to just find books that will help him in his writing and head for the library.
Not long after Kuroko made a turn at a corner, he heard something that was missing from earlier's lunch time. With matching rumbling sounds made by feet too.
"KUROKOCCHI!"
Even before Kuroko could look at the incoming disaster, it already glomped on him, making him fall on the ground with Kise on top on him.
"Thank goodness I found you Kurokocchi!"
Kise whined while rubbing his face on Kuroko's head. Kuroko does not appreciate it, but knowing he couldn't do anything against the blond's weight on top of him, he just kept quiet, but not before clearing his throat.
"Oops! Sorry!"
Kise immediately stood up after that and helped Kuroko stand up himself. That's when Kuroko noticed that Kise is wearing his soccer club uniform.
"Sorry for glomping on you so suddenly, Kurokocchi! But can you please grant me a favor? It's a matter of life and death!"
In a quick motion, Kise was down on his knees and is clasping his hands together. Kuroko became curious as to what Kise would ask of him that is a matter of life and death for the blond.
"What is it Kise-kun?"
Kise brightened up for Kuroko actually wants to listen to him and his request. Kise stood up once again with a bolt. He rummaged through his bag and got something out of his pencil case.
"Can you please... Give this to Modorimacchi?"
Kise held the object in his hands to Kuroko, to which the other accepts. Kuroko looked at it and he realized it was one of Midorima's Rolly Pencil. He knows the blond usually needs it but then again Midorima wouldn't let him.
"Has Midorima-kun finally lets you borrow it?"
Kuroko asked out of the blue. Kise stood frozen in place as he was trying to think up of excuses but then none came so he decided to tell Kuroko the truth.
"Well... To be honest, he still does not let me borrow it so I..."
"You stole it"
Kuroko finished for him. Kuroko is wearing his usual poker face but now it held something akin to irritation. Kise raised both his hands and made cross out motions with it as he was shaking his head.
"Of course not, Kurokocchi! I just borrowed it without his permission"
Was what Kise mumbled next. Kuroko couldn't believe him. Kise took the risk and, as Kise would call it, borrowed Midorima's Rolly Pencil without his permission.
"In other words, you did stole it Kise-kun"
Was Kuroko's blunt reply. Kise then faked his tears and acted like he was deeply hurt.
"You're so mean Kurokocchi!"
Kuroko just stared at his friend unemotionally. Seriously, Kise never changed. Kuroko sighed and it got Kise's attention back.
"You want me to return this right, Kise-kun? I think I might-"
"Thank you Kurokocchi! You're the best! Well I have to go to soccer practice now! Coach is being extra cranky today! BYE!"
And with that, Kise ran off faster than the speed of light, leaving Kuroko to deal with the Rolly Pencil.
'I just said I 'might' though'
Kuroko thought to himself as he stared at the pencil. Well he has nothing to do now anyway so he pocketed the pencil and went hunting for Midorima.
First stop: His classroom.
Kuroko knew the green head is always left behind for he is the class representative. But what greeted him upon opening the classroom door was, an empty classroom. Kuroko sighed, maybe it's one of those times where the teacher does not actually want the daily record.
'Maybe he's in the library, but then again, he only cares for books if it were his lucky item or if it is a horoscope magazine.'
Upon thinking that, Kuroko closed the sliding door and was about to walk away, until he collided with another body. Surprised by the sudden collision, Kuroko lost his balance and ended up on the floor. It seems like his luck is the worst today.
"I'm sorry, I didn't noticed you earlier. Are you alright?"
The stranger reached out to Kuroko and help him up to which Kuroko accepts the offer. The stranger that helped him up is someone that he hasn't met before, but then he sensed a great feeling of familiarity to him. The one who collided with him has fiery red hair and equally red eyes and his aura gives off a sense of authority. Kuroko didn't even notice that he was staring already, and he hasn't even withdrawn his hand from the stranger's hold. Almost immediately after realizing, Kuroko lets go of the stranger's hand and bowed down.
"Sorry about that. I wasn't looking where I was going"
Kuroko apologized though he knows that it is not his fault but because others could not notice him immediately, resulting to disasters like this.
"No, don't say sorry. I did not notice you earlier. May I know your business here? Why were you standing in front of our classroom door?"
The stranger asked. His eyes were sharp and authoritative and yet it holds gentleness too. Kuroko raised his head up and picked out the pencil that was in his pocket.
"I would like to speak to Midorima-kun, but it seems that he's not here."
Kuroko said in his usual monotone voice. The red head raised his eyebrow at this.
"Ah well, Shintaro is having a talk to the principal right now. If you want I can pass to him the message?"
The stranger offered. Kuroko contemplated for a moment. Should he? Should he not? Well, the way how this guy addresses Midorima in his first name without difficulty made it seem like he is a close friend of Midorima. Kuroko held his hand out and showed him the pencil.
"My friend borrowed this from Midorima-kun and would like to return it now."
Kuroko said. Midorima's friend raised his hand and took the pencil from Kuroko.
"I can return it. We will meet up afterwards. Ah, may I know your name? It would be a hassle if Shintaro asked who is it from, considering this is probably not 'borrowed'"
The guy said as he looked at the Rolly Pencil intently. He knows that Midorima does not easily let anyone borrow this pencil of his.
"I am Kuroko Tetsuya. The one who stole it was Kise Ryota. He was just too afraid to face Midorima-kun so he passed the job to me."
Kuroko answered truthfully and the stranger nodded at this.
"This will be returned safely. You can go now. It is getting late."
The stranger suggested. Kuroko then looked at the window and noticed that the sun is almost halfway set. Kuroko then nodded and bowed.
"Thank you for your offer. I'll be heading off then"
Even after Kuroko left after that, the stranger is still looking at the path Kuroko took, as if observing it.
"So he's one of them, huh"
A/N HIIIIII~~~~ So I bet all of you now know who 'The Stranger' is... In this AU they are all schoolmates and are in different clubs. Nope sorry, no basketball here XD Well I actually have noting more to say to you guys except to uhh... Read and review!