Kuroko is restless. He fidgets uncomfortably in his position at the school gates. He really did not plan to wait for Akashi since tonight is his most awaited night; the night when he'll finally know who Aka Hasami is, even though it is just through his television screen.
Baby blue eyes scanned the students who are flocking to get outside the school gates. The red head that the bluenette was supposed to meet was nowhere to be seen. Kuroko pushed the sleeve of his school uniform up to reveal his wrist watch that he kept just for today since he does not want to spend meaningless seconds into meaningless things. It's already 15 minutes past dismissal, and the red head still hasn't shown himself. Kuroko sighed; it's still an hour and a half till the special live broadcast of the awarding ceremony. He guessed he can wait for another half an hour before leaving and going on ahead.
And so he patiently waited.
He has his lips pursed and his eyes closed. He is a little bit irritated by his red headed friend. It has been 45 minutes past dismissal. Kuroko knows that he swore to himself that if Akashi is not going to show himself up after 30 minutes then he is going to leave. But as if there is an invisible force by the wall that he is leaning into, for his back is now resting comfortably at it, refusing to straighten up.
Kuroko, for the last time checked his watch again. He frowned as he let go of his sleeve to let it once again cover his silver watch. He sighed and grabbed his bag from the floor before turning to the direction towards his house. A swarm of sour thoughts filled his mind. Has Akashi only been playing with him? Was he just observing how easily manipulated Kuroko is? Or maybe in reality, Kuroko mattered not to Akashi?
His train of thoughts continues while he was walking. He was so deep in them that he did not even notice a speeding car heading his way. He was only awaken back to reality when the car swerved its way in front of Kuroko. The teen has a bewildered look on his face. Just mere seconds ago, the road was clear with any sort of vehicles and now, in front of him was a shiny, unblemished black car.
Kuroko stood frozen in place before snapping up and realizing that he might be in a dangerous situation wherein he'll be kidnapped. He cautiously turned his back to the opposite direction and carefully walked away. His whole body is shaking and he was prepared to run when he heard the car door opening; if it weren't for the voice that called him.
"Kuroko"
Kuroko was stopped in his tracks. He turned around and there he saw Midorima staring at him with an unimpressed look.
"Midorima-kun?"
The green head beckoned Kuroko to get closer and so he did. Kuroko has this look of confusion on the moment he saw Midorima.
"What are you doing here Midorima-kun? And why are you dressed like that?"
Midorima Shintaro is now wearing a very expensive looking tux, his hair being better kept than it originally is, and white cotton gloves covered his hands. If the Midorima from his school does not look smart, then what more of this Midorima standing before him?
"I was sent here."
The green head said as he reached for his glasses to adjust it. He then stepped aside from the car door and looked at Kuroko.
"Get inside"
He firmly ordered. The blue head was confused as hell. He moved closer to the car but he did not enter it.
"Why?"
He questioned as he looked up at Midorima. The taller of the two just stared back and pushed Kuroko rather harshly inside the car, which made the smaller guy to land on the seat with an 'oof!'.
Kuroko composed himself inside the car as he sat down properly. He heard Midorima getting in and the door closing.
"Just stay put and wait."
Was what Midorima said before the car started and sped up to a place where Kuroko was being dragged into.
Kuroko looked at his surroundings; just another turn and he'll be in his street. When the car did not turn however he frowned and turned his head to Midorima, who was just looking straight ahead.
"Midorima-kun, my house is just—"
"I am not your chauffeur to escort you home. You are not going home for the meantime. Your mother and father have been informed."
Kuroko's face scrunched up some more. If Midorima wasn't here to get him home, probably in Akashi's order because the red head wasn't able to come himself, then where are they going?
"Then where are we-?"
"Don't talk anymore. Shut up for a while and you'll know when we get there."
Midorima announced. Kuroko showed another face of disapproval before turning his head away from the direction of the green head, instead focused his attention to the passing scenery.
Kuroko became really suspicious now. They just left town a few minutes ago and are probably headed for the capital. Kuroko shifts in his seat uncomfortably; it did not bother the green head sitting beside him though. He wants to ask where they are actually going; but Midorima's tone earlier said to not pry anymore and he'll know eventually.
He lets out a sigh. If his parents know that he'll not be home for a while, then he guessed that it is okay to just lay low. Kuroko even considered having a shut eye in the car for he was tired from waiting and standing by the school gates for almost an hour. Then he remembered something,
He shop his droopy eyes open and turned abruptly into Midorima, clutching the green head's crease-free suit. Midorima was not startled however, as he just raised an eyebrow at Kuroko, waiting for him to speak up.
"I need to go home. There is something important that I'm going to do."
Kuroko stared up at Midorima with pleading eyes. He just stared at Kuroko for who knows how long before prying Kuroko's hands off his suit.
"Apparently, I can't allow that."
At this, the blue head's face fell. He let go of Midorima's suit and just slumped in his seat.
His one chance at meeting Aka Hasami is now gone; for unknown reasons at that.
"There's still a chance."
He snapped his head to look at his green headed companion. He waited for Midorima to say something more, but the green head's mouth was sealed shut beyond this point. Kuroko once again averted his gaze towards the window of the car. Does Midorima know what he's thinking?
"Kuroko"
He heard his name being called.
'Not now… I'm tired… let me sleep.'
"Kuroko"
The voice is firmer and a little bit irritated now, but Kuroko does not care. He needs his peaceful shut eye.
"You will strain your neck if you continue to sleep like that."
Though yes he agrees that in whatever position he's in, it hurts to further sleep like this.
He stirred in his sleep and opened his eyes. He noticed that he wasn't staring at the brown ceiling of his room; instead, he's staring at a tainted car window. That's when he remembered that he wasn't home and Midorima and he are probably to where they are supposed to be. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and straightens himself from his seat.
"We're here now."
Kuroko nodded and got out of the car. He was confused as to where they are; partly because he just woke up and partly because it's his first time out of town since a few years back. He looked around while Midorima was talking to someone at the door. When he noticed a particular feature of the building, that's when he's back to his senses. His eyes went wide and he strode to where Midorima was. The green head was just done talking to whoever was on the door as Kuroko approaches, his mouth hanging open.
"Midorima-kun! This is—"
"Here."
Midorima cut Kuroko off by shoving a paper bag at the teen. Kuroko looked at it and raised an eyebrow at Midorima.
"Come follow me."
Was the last thing Midorima said before opening the door and entering, Kuroko was just closely behind him as they walked.
Kuroko looked at the paper bag in hand and all he can see inside is a patch of black and maybe a little light blue here and there, but it wasn't enough to decipher what the thing inside the paper bag really is. He stopped in his tracks when he caught sight of Midorima stopping by a door. It seems like a bathroom. Midorima turned to look at him and opened the door.
"I hope that you know how to put those on? Your school shoes are enough for now, no one will notice them anyways."
Midorima said as he pushed Kuroko inside the bathroom and closed it.
"If you're worrying about the size, then do not. It is especially made for you."
Kuroko does not know anymore. What was Midorima blabbering about? Has the green haired man gone insane? Nevertheless, Kuroko looked around the bathroom. There is a toilet stall in a corner, but what took more space was a full body mirror that is planted on the wall.
Kuroko looked at the paper bag in hand and puts it in the counter. He then began taking out the contents of said bag. Kuroko's eyes widen; all of what Midorima was blabbering about makes sense now.
Inside the bag is a suit set, with tie, dress shirt and pants. Sure Kuroko has yet to go to a formal party to wear such things, but he knows how to put them on properly; his mother made sure that her son is prepared for anything.
And so Kuroko puts it on.
He looked at himself on the mirror and noted that the suit was a perfect fit. Excitement begins to bubble up inside Kuroko. Maybe this is one way of Akashi to say sorry to him, that's why he had the green head escort Kuroko to the awarding ceremony and maybe the red head was just late.
The thought of this surprise as an apology made Kuroko smile and his heart to skip a few beats. He knows that Akashi does not like Aka Hasami but then again Kuroko's here, and he's sure that Akashi will show himself later.
A knock on the door was what made Kuroko stop thinking to himself. He snapped his head to the door and stared at it.
"Kuroko, we don't have enough time. Are you done?"
He heard Midorima's voice from outside. He hurriedly folded his uniform and shoved it inside the paper bag. He opened the door and was about to say an apology; if it weren't for the suffocating scent that intruded his nostrils. Kuroko coughed as he was greeted with multiple sprays of perfume from Midorima. The green head eyed Kuroko carefully. When he was sure that the teen dressed up properly and that he has the right amount of perfume on him, Midorima put the cap of the perfume back on as Kuroko heaved long breaths of air.
Kuroko was about to tell Midorima that he does not like what the green head did, but then Midorima grabbed Kuroko's wrist and turned it upright so the wrist was facing upward, he then gave Kuroko a piece of paper before turning around and telling the blue head to follow.
Kuroko stared at the paper and he almost fainted.
Almost.
He does not want this moment to pass. He just got a VIP pass to this ceremony. Not only is he going to finally see Aka Hasami but he'll see him from the front. Kuroko would be able to clearly see his face. A whole new level of excitement made its way on Kuroko's face as he caught up with Midorima.
Kuroko cannot keep still from his seat and it was irritating Midorima. Why was he the one who has to accompany his friend's person of interest? He wished he knows. At every person that comes in the hall, Kuroko would look their way and observe them, and then he would have this disappointed look on his face as if saying that 'It is not them'.
The both of them were seated at the first row and they could clearly see the stage. Midorima was not one to be impressed by such, but Kuroko, despite having only a slight bewildered face, cannot contain his happiness as he kept on gazing at the glamorous stage and at the same time observing people.
If only Akashi was here now, then Midorima can finally rest on babysitting. Then as if on cue, the red head walked in front of them, well, more like in front of Kuroko.
"Were you surprised Kuroko?"
Akashi said with a smile. Kuroko however, smiled brighter.
"Very much, Akashi-kun!"
The blue head beamed. That has got to be the first time Akashi has seen Kuroko become this hyped. Kuroko took notice of his friend's attire and blushed because he looks really good in it. Just like Midorima and him, Akashi was too, wearing a suit and Kuroko swore that he has not seen anyone look this good in a suit before. Kuroko then realized that he was staring so he averted his gaze for a while.
"I'm glad that you like the surprise"
Akashi said as he took the seat of the other side of Kuroko. The blue head nodded and thanked Akashi.
"No problem."
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen-!"
The program then started. Kuroko snapped his head to the stage and he certainly awaits the part when his favorite author emerges from the crowd.
This was painful. Who knew that programs like these are painfully slow. Kuroko probably want to have his shut eye right then and there, but the fact that the prize that Aka Hasami were to receive was still not given, he cannot afford to close his eyes. His internal clock is probably screaming at his system to shut down for the day, but stubborn ol' system wants to see, hear and feel Aka Hasami on that stage. He even had to pinch himself a couple of times, because one woman's speech was definitely ear piercing and overly dramatic it made him almost want to go to dreamland.
'Maybe a little rest wouldn't hurt…'
Was what he thought while the speaker was rambling things he could not understand. He was on the verge of dream and reality when,
"And now, the rookie that everyone is waiting for! He, who won the Readers' choice Awards for Best New Romance Novel, Best New Drama Novel and Quick Rising Popularity Award; Aka Hasami! Let's greet him a round of applause everybody!" (A/N I dunno how people say the winner's names so…please forgive me)
As if he ate a huge amount of sugar, Kuroko's blood began to pound into his ears as he eagerly awaits each person on their seats. His sleepy state was nowhere to be found on his face now, for he is busy searching through the crowds, guessing who'll stand up. He was so busy in checking the top boxes to even pay attention to the two people besides him.
"Akashi"
Midorima said, looking at Akashi. The latter nodded and sighed,
"I guess this can't be helped."
Kuroko then paid attention to what Akashi said. What cannot be helped?
Akashi then stood from his chair and a chorus of claps echoed throughout the room. Kuroko's eyes became wide as his mouth slowly drop in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
Kuroko covered his mouth when he realized that he said that out loud. Akashi heard and he looked at the bluenette with a smile,
"It is the truth though."
And with that, Akashi walked and ascended to the stairs then onto the stage.
'You've got to be kidding me'
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen—"
'Is this some kind of joke?'
"I would like to thank everyone who supported me until now,"
'What kind of twisted joke is this, Akashi-kun?'
"Most people know me as 'Aka Hasami' and I would like to introduce myself properly"
'ARE YOU SERIOUS!?'
"My name is Akashi Seijuuro, and I would like to express my utmost gratitude."
Kuroko's mouth had been open the whole time and he does not know when will it close, or when will a fly enter and possibly choke him to death and might awaken him to reality. Oh how he hoped that he was just seeing things.
A/N I truly apologize *bows* This story has hit me right in the kokoro when I read the first few chapters, depicting Kuroko and his disappointment with how slow the writer updates and I just—I'm sorry! Well it seems like, Kuroko is escaping reality…. Just believe that your hubby is also your favorite author demmet—anyways!~ Thank you for putting up with me guys ;w; I cannot thank you enough!~R&R
*The poll on my profile is still ongoing; I will close it two weeks after the final chapter :)