Sorry for the wait! Here's chapter 8 ! ^_^ Sorry but I kinda wrote this all on a whim, but I'll try to update more frequently. Warning for grammatical errors and typos ^_^ Thank you for all the favorites and follows ^_^ Reviews are appreciated as well :)
Aomine Daiki was somehow weirdly pumped up this morning, he somehow felt rather... how do you call it... hyper.
Maybe it was because he was going to meet Kuroko Tetsuya in the mall an hour later, he didn't know why he was so happy about it.
It wasn't even a date... at least that much he knew, and he was slightly disappointed.
In the end, Kuroko Tetsuya had to call him because of something school-related, and he couldn't help but ask himself. Why did school work have to take his Tetsu away from him? The point of vacation was to take one's mind off homework, so he did not really see why Kuroko Tetsuya would call him because of homework. Can you believe it? Kuroko Tetsuya liked homework over him.
He sighed, it was better than nothing. He moved on to fixing his bag, a few money for some arcade gaming, some magazines to pass the time, along with his cell phone and lastly, his summer homework without answers.
He threw the bag unto the bed and couldn't help but smile when he saw the keychain which was hanging on his bag, it was the sign of his bond with Kuroko Tetsuya as mentor and student.
"Aomine-kun, hang on to this." Kuroko held out a keychain which looked like a monkey holding a book.
"Uh... Is it my birthday? I don't remember any occasions as of now." Aomine thought hard, could he be missing something?
"No, Aomine-kun."
"Then... is it your birthday, Tetsu?"
"No, Aomine-kun, this is a token of our friendship from today onward." Kuroko smiled, and Aomine couldn't help but feel himself flattered.
"Shouldn't you have like uh... picked something more reassuring? 'Cause this kinda reminds me of how I'm an idiot... Wait, what exactly is that holding the book?" Aomine asked suspiciously.
"But... that's you, Aomine-kun. Just when I worked so hard to make it..." Kuroko somehow pouted, and at this, Aomine was utterly shocked. That monkey was him?!He didn't know his mentor saw him as a monkey, was it a sign of human evolution or something? Or was he naturally a monkey? He didn't know anymore, but of course, how could he not accept?
"Yeah... I'll hold on to it, Tetsu. Really, thanks..."
"Tetsu, you're so complicated... Why can't I understand what you're thinking? Tss..." He balled his fists and loosened them when he saw the time. He did not want to be late on Kuroko-sensei's attendance, for there were only 15 minutes till the meeting time.
He felt his mind was all jumbled up just thinking about the boy, he didn't know what this feeling was.
Since when did I start going all fidgety over him?!
He didn't want to dwell on it any longer, it just made him drowsy. He settled for leaving immediately, the thought of Kuroko Tetsuya innocently waiting worried him... a lot.
After all, his mentor was totally innocent and arrogant to the fact that he had four other...persistent harem contestants. Who knows? While he's not around, they'll make a move.
It's a race against time, and time never waits for you.
"Aomine-kun sure is late... I wonder why I even expected him to be early..."
He looked at his watch and wondered if something happened to Aomine Daiki, judging these past few days have been very chaotic, he did not really find this surprising.
The sudden up rise of several fan girls was not really surprising to him either, he was aware that a celebrity was to arrive at this mall at this very day, he did not know who though. He got up from the bench and walked to the crowded area, refraining from squeezing into the rampage.
His petit figure did not help in him seeing anything at all, tiptoeing didn't even help him. In fact, the crowd was so violent he almost fell down to the floor when a random fan girl's hand hit him hard, if not for Aomine Daiki's excellent timing.
"Yo, Tetsu, sorry I'm late." Aomine shot Kuroko that usual not-so-guilty smile, and Kuroko was somehow glad that he was late. It was the perfect timing... was that pure coincidence? Perhaps not, but either way, he owed him one.
"Aomine-kun, are you aware who's coming? It seems the people here are going pretty wild..."
"Dunno... Well, if you really want to see..." Suddenly, Aomine wrapped his arms around Kuroko's waste and carried him up, commenting that he was really light.
"...I'll take that as a compliment." Kuroko did get a good view, a bit too good. He realized that it was a runway, whoever was coming must have been a model.
"Why does this feel so... creepily de ja vu?" Kuroko wondered.
Suddenly, a person came out from backstage and declared that the event was to start shortly. Not long after, the MC announced that the special guest was to make an appearance at this very moment. The audience took this with great joy, and the fan girls screams were probably powerful enough to be a declaration of war.
"Hello folks! Let's all welcome Kise Ryouta! To be featuring the latest of our fashion line!" The MC took his leave and of course, a star shining brightly among many obviously stands out more than those stars overshadowed. It seemed that the stage was his and only his, and even Kuroko sensed this.
Kise, making his grand appearance, started walking on the runway, fans were literally trying hard not to grab or take any of him. His open bright demeanor just reflected his very self in those clothes, now even Kuroko wasn't sure whether the Kise Ryouta on the runway now was the clingy basketball player / somehow annoying noisy yet kind friend he knew.
"So, Kise-san, do you have any words to say for your fans here in this very mall?" The MC pointed the microphone at Kise, and the words after were probably ones said by the real Kise Ryouta who had feelings for Kuroko Tetsuya, and not the model Kise Ryouta.
"Today, I shine brighter than before here in this stage because of a certain someone who's been by my side for all these years," Kise paused and glanced at Kuroko for no longer than a second. "And that person's right here at this very mall right now. Whether you hear me or not, I'll say this."
"Oi, Tetsu, it's not a good idea to be around here now, is it?" Aomine was starting to think of predictions on what Kise said next, and none of those did the two of them any good.
"I agree with you, Aomine-kun, we should go..." Hearing the blunette's words, Aomine put him down and they prepared to get away from the scene, until Kise Ryouta had to be all daring and point a finger at them.
"I'll always, always watch over you, no matter where you go!" The model said a bit too cheerfully, he did not necessarily point at them directly, close to them at least. Hearing this, the fan girls started looking around on to whom the finger was pointing to. Too bad people, an unlucky old man with his dog had to pass through there at where Kise Ryouta was pointing.
"I-It couldn't be... you mean..."
"Kise-kun likes old geezers?" They could honestly hear several fan girls sobbing, faces looking aghast.
"I'm sorry, stranger, to think you had to suffer because of that idiot..." Aomine muttered and said sorry silently... not that sorry could help with anything at all.
"Aomine-kun, now's not the time for that. Let's go..." Thus, they found this a great opportunity to escape. They'll have to worry about the old man later, for the meantime, they had to prioritize getting away from that place.
As if not minding the people around them, they were connected by that firm grip of each other's hands. Merely running and wildly doing things they didn't get to do before, Kuroko actually found himself having fun.
"Tetsu, you know what..." Amidst the noises heard within the mall, Kuroko could not hear Aomine's voice clearly.
"Aomine-kun... I couldn't quite hear you..."
"Tetsu, I'm really..." The rest of the words were buried in noise, and the large amount of voices made Kuroko remember other things...
From the distant past...
"Wait, Aomine-kun, can we... stop for a moment?" Kuroko panted. He shoved the thoughts of the past away and concentrated on the present. He looked at Aomine Daiki, towering above him as if protecting him from harm.
"Yeah, sure... Sorry, that must have tired you out. We'll pretty much be safe here." They stopped in their tracks and considering it was a bit late, they decided to have lunch. Kuroko merely agreed, he was slightly hungry, food sounded like a great idea.
Due to the fashion show, most people were too busy. There weren't any people falling in line at all, even better...
Kuroko and Aomine were alone in the restaurant.
There was a moment of silence, until the waiter arrived and gave them menus, asking for their order.
"Yeah... I'll have this, holy sh-" Aomine stopped himself, but he couldn't help but think it was the worst day ever. Just when he got to be alone with "his" Tetsu, the waiter just had to be... Midorima Shintarou.
"Is there something on my face, Aomine?" The bespectacled youth said firmly, though he was aware of why Aomine had –almost- cussed.
"N-No, nothing at all... You look as -ahem- handsome as ever, with the waiter's suit and all..." Changing the topic just made it all the more suspicious. Ignoring Aomine, Midorima moved on to Kuroko.
"It's nice to see you, Midorima-kun... you have quite a nice workplace... this seems like a good restaurant." Kuroko looked around, only now did Aomine notice they actually entered a restaurant for rich people. It looked like what you would call as "high-class fine dining". With the candles and all, he felt like he was melting.
"Yes, be reminded though that this is only my part-time job. It's not like I'm experiencing certain unfortunate circumstances... or anything..."
"Yeah, yeah, we get it... so..." Aomine looked at the menu again, and he couldn't even read the menu. It wasn't in Japanese at all, but... English or some foreign language. "How the fudge do you read this?"
"Midorima-kun, I'll have ..." Aomine could only stare at his mentor who was pronouncing the order without difficulty at all, he couldn't help but somehow feel useless.
"Understood. Is that all?"
"Yes, and also... Midorima-kun."
"What is it?" asked Midorima who seemed excited to leave.
"That suit suits you." At this, Midorima Shintarou blushed, much to Aomine's disbelief. Midorima left, and the two were left alone again. When Aomine asked Kuroko what he ordered for him, he was surprised to hear that his mentor knew all his favourite dishes.
"How on Earth-?"
"Well... let's just say Aomine-kun's food preference is easy to predict."
"Yeah, yeah... Mr. Unpredictable." Aomine rolled his eyes, but in the end, both of them found themselves laughing over the joke.
Damn... he's so cute when he's smiling...
"You really should smile more..." Aomine blurted out loud. Hearing this, Kuroko smiled sadly.
"Aomine-kun, why would someone smile if... one's not happy?" The atmosphere suddenly changed, and Aomine could somehow feel awkwardness between them.
"Yeah... you have a point... So wait, so that means you're happy that you're with me right now?"
"Of course, Aomine-kun is a fun person to be with. Though I have to admit..."
"Admit what?" Aomine was suspicious with the sudden pause, it was probably going to be something negative.
"You're not really the best student one could have."
Bang.
That just hit his heart's target.
How much more hits can he take till it's game over or happily ever after?
"Akashi, just as you said, the plan is going smoothly." Midorima Shintarou could sense the pleasure of the person on the other side of the line, and he did not treat this as safe.
"So then... it is true that Tetsuya and Daiki are on a date?"
"That does not seem like the case here... Though the chaos Kise caused might have proved otherwise. I have witnessed the scene when Kuroko and Aomine ran together secretly unnoticed." Midorima took a glance at Aomine Daiki and Kuroko Tetsuya, who seemed to be talking to each other nonchantly and without worry.
Why was he worried that it really was a date? Was he jealous?
"I see... He has fulfilled his role as well. You have done well, Shintarou, I'll take care of the rest from here on."
"What do you mean by that, Akashi?"
"Oh, that'll have to be a surprise. We all love surprises, don't we?"
"Only you do," Midorima knew better than to say this aloud, for he was well aware of Akashi's Seijuro's wrath, what his anger was capable of doing.
He found it extremely rude however, that his captain hung up without even saying a simple "thank you" or a simple "good-bye".
"People these days..." was all he could utter. Since when has it been really, since he actually said what he wanted to say honestly without hesitating?
He did not like people calling him a tsundere, for there was a practical reason on why he was acting like that.
He didn't want to be judged by his words, for words are not everything that comprises a person.
"Kuroko..."
The mere act of saying Kuroko Tetsuya's name felt so awkward, it left an awkward sensation. It's not necessarily the first time he's felt like this though, it is something rather similar to what he felt with Kazunari Takao, but something deeper...
"Humph, no, I must not give in to my emotions. I must not-"
He was stopped when his cell phone ringtone rang, only to see a message from an unknown sender.
He flipped his cell phone open, only to see a certain message which resulted to his confusion.
"I'm coming for you, Shin-chan~ I'll get to see you again very soon."
Only one person in the world called him that, it was somehow really really... traumatizing.
"You never fail to annoy me..."
"Excuse me~ Is a green-haired tsundere named Shin-chan around?" A cheerful voice asked. The chimes ringing meant someone had just entered the restaurant, and that new person was no stranger to Midorima Shintarou.
And of all people, that guy had to approach Aomine Daiki and Kuroko.
Why is this happening to me of all people?
Midorima could not help but think he deserved more, he deserved to be luckier. Ever since Kuroko came into his life, he always, no not really always, misfortune almost always befalls on him.
"If you mean the green-haired waiter, I think he's right there. Why?" Aomine Daiki deemed this as suspicious, it had to be a set-up. It had to be.
He really needed to dye his hair for safety measures immediately.
Too bad he had not thought of this beforehand, for he was too late. The not-so-stranger to him person had already realized his presence.
"Shiiiiiiiin-chan~ Long time no see!" The black haired boy lurched at him. This guy always had some sort of radar that knew where his green-haired... friend was.
"Get off me. Now." Hearing this, the seemingly playful boy got off the serious and not so amused, Midorima Shintarou. "What are you doing here?"
"Huh? Just when I though Shin-chan would be happy to see me... I'm so sad..." He tried to look genuinely sad, but Midorima was experienced enough to see through the mask of human emotions.
"Wait... Midorima, you know this guy? Is he your boyfriend or something?"
"No, you all misunderstand." Midorima immediately dismissed the matter, he did not want Kuroko to misunderstand (Wait, why did it even matter to him?). "He's-"
"Huh? But Shin-chan is my boyfriend~! Distance didn't break our relationship at all! Isn't that right, Shin-chan, you used to send me love letters and all-"
"I do not remember anything of the sort," Midorima did not find it necessary for Takao Kazunari to continue. "Do not listen to this person, nothing but lies come out of his mouth."
"Is this the guy you told us about, Takao was it? Wow... that sounds so... sweet." Aomine sarcastically commented. "Good luck with you love life, Midorima, I didn't know you were that roman-"
"Aomine-kun, please stop that habit of yours. It is not good to tease others. Please do not treat this as Midorima-kun's weakness." Kuroko somehow chastised, and he was returned a not-so-sincere apology from Aomine.
"Aomine was it? Thanks for putting up with him, he can be so annoying sometimes, I hope you can forgive his weirdness. He's just not too good at expressing his emotions, he really doesn't mean anything he's saying." A certain green-haid was gaping in the background, wishing everybody could just... vanish.
"I totally agree, he can be really annoy-" Aomine didn't continue, for Kuroko bumped his fist onto Aomine's head, it didn't hurt him physically though.
It had hurt him mentally and emotionally... in a way.
"Oi Tetsu! What was that for?" Aomine snapped.
"Aomine-kun, we're being a bother. I'm truly sorry about Aomine-kun, he can be rather frank and blunt sometimes, he can sometimes not be aware that his words inconvenience people, please don't mind him." Kuroko bowed in apology.
"Yeah... Kuroko-kun, was it? Let's talk about our oh-so-annoying boyfriends right there and have some bonding ti-"
"Eh? But Aomine-kun's not my boyfriend..." Kuroko said in denial, Aomine was somehow disheartened. He didn't even know why he thought he stood a chance with this hard-to-get guy.
"That's right, you don't know what you're saying, Aomine's not Kuroko's boyfriend. Stop being annoying Takao, let's bring this somewhere else." Midorima said in agreement to Kuroko's statement, trying to desperately change the topic and bring Takao out of the restaurant, the other workers were starting to talk. They had caused quite a fuss, it seemed.
"Hmm... Shin-chan, could it be... you're jealous?" Takao mused in a teasing tone, Midorima felt he was about to snap.
"No, why would I?"
"Yeah... why would you? You're my boy-"
"No, Takao. How did you know I work here anyway? I do not remember contacting you, nor do I remember telling you nanodayo."
"Well... I met this nice guy named A-"
"Now, Kazunari Takao, that's quite enough now. I would like to speak to Daiki, Tetsuya, and Shintarou alone." The voice sent chills down their spines, and they all feared he was the owner of the voice.
"Well, if it isn't that nice guy from earlier! I didn't get to say thank you, I was too excited to see Shin-chan..." Takao chuckled.
"Wait... by nice guy... you mean..." Aomine Daiki was trying to comprehend on how Akashi Seijuro and nice were related.
"Aomine-kun, what do you mean by that? Akashi-kun is nice... most of the time." Kuroko added, for even he knew that his first words were untrue as they were.
"Yes..." Akashi approached Kuroko and gave him a hug, at this, Kuroko couldn't help but feel awkward, yet somehow pleased at the gesture. "That's my good boy... If only all people were like you, I wouldn't have to worry about having to erase another's existence ever again." While saying this, Akashi was looking at a certain person in the room, and Aomine averted from Akashi's cunning gaze.
"Hey! Won't you just let him go?! You're choking him..." It was an attempt of Aomine's to avert the blame, hoping Akashi was going to forget... not that it's even possible.
"Well..." Akashi had let go of Kuroko, and he let out a sigh. "I suppose... Putting that aside, I would very much appreciate it if you leave, Kazunari Takao, if you'd like, take Shintarou with you. In fact... it's more convenient that way."
At this, Midorima said sorry with a hint of sarcasm... Even if it was only for just a bit, Aomine knew this guy had the guts. They had bid farewell, and that guy named Kazunari Takao was basically dragged out of the restaurant.
They were left alone, and there was a moment of silence. That is, until Akashi took something out of his bag and threw it to Aomine, He caught it of course, and seeing what it was, he could hardly believe it.
"Su-summer homework! Shit, this is gold." His eyes glimmered at the sight, and he felt the light being emitted from the homework rather frightening. He started taking out his completely clean homework and his pen, however, Akashi Seijuro took his pen away speedily.
"Hey! What the fuck what that for?"
"Those are the answer keys for the summer homework, and you need not worry, those answers are flawless. You may have them under one condition."
Even if Akashi Seijuro hadn't said his say in this yet, Aomine somehow knew what the redhead would say. He did not have any intention to give in though.
"Heck no, today's my day with Tetsu. You don't just barge in into somebody's da- *cough* personal life. Besides, you don't dare-"
"Oh, I do. And you don't dare talk back to me. Come on Tetsuya, you need not involve yourself with this person any longer." He took Kuroko's hand, only to be spanked away.
"My my, Tetsuya. You have become quite the disobedient one..."
"I choose who I want to be with, Akashi-kun." the blunette said firmly. Akashi sighed at this, wondering how much one day could change one person.
No... maybe he was like that all along, and he had failed to notice.
He liked things this way though...
He had always wanted something interesting entertainment in his stereotypical life...
But the simple truth was that... he wanted him now.
"Fine... if that's what you want, Tetsuya, then I have no choice. However, remember that you are mine and only mine. I will do whatever it takes... to make you come to my side." He once again let out a sigh in defeat, only Kuroko Tetsuya was permitted to win over him in times like these. No... Kuroko Tetsuya had already won over him, for his heart was already his.
As he pushed the door open, he felt something within him open as well, yet his heart wasn't free of those chains that binded him to the fought over Kuroko Tetsuya.
Maybe it was too late to break free after all.
"So... yeah. That was creepy. Damn Tetsu, didn't know you were that brave." Aomine scratched his head and gave the pale blunette a gentle pat on his shoulder. At this, the pale blunette's head dropped onto the desk, he didn't bother to look up at Aomine at all.
"Oi, Tetsu, you... okay?" That was a really stupid question, of course Kuroko wasn't okay. At least, he didn't seem okay. Aomine just wished he could be a bit more understanding about other people's emotions, to him, it always seemed like a random event would occur, and he couldn't understand a thing at all.
Well he had to, he had to try to understand someone for once, it was a good time to start.
"Aomine-kun... I'm not brave." Kuroko rubbed his temple, and then followed a sigh. He just felt so confused right now, what exactly were his true feelings? Where did they lie?
"Yeah... I guess you're not the wild type of brave, more of the strong type I guess? I mean look at it this way, you have four other fucking clingy creepy guys chasing after you at every moment of the day, and you have to put up with them. You're really patient, I'll give you that. I doubt anyone can survive all that for a lifetime, except you I guess." Aomine blurted out, though it was all undeniably true, he just felt it didn't make anything better.
"Aomine-kun," Kuroko finally raised up his head, and their eyes met. Aomine didn't know if it was his imagination, but Kuroko seemed to have a different look in his eyes. Something fiercer, something surer, something unhesitant was present in them.
"Do you believe that... change can be for the better or for the worse?"
"You mean... like how you change an answer in your test paper and it turns out the previous answer was the correct one? Yeah... I guess?"
"No, Aomine-kun." Kuroko smiled warmly, and at this Aomine was relieved Kuroko had smiled even though he wasn't trying to be funny. Wait, was what he said funny? "I'm properly referring to people."
Kuroko looked at Aomine with those eyes again, those of high expectations. Aomine just didn't know what answer Kuroko was expecting, so he decided to be frank and honest.
"Well... it depends on who you're talking to and who you're talking about. But well, let me give ya' this, Tetsu, I won't change. I'll continue being the sentimental genius person I am for your sake, and I'll keep on going." Aomine pointed his thumb at himself with high self-esteem.
"I'm glad to hear that, Aomine-kun..." Kuroko breathed out in relief, and at this, Aomine felt himself blushing... just a bit though, just a bit, but that was something... right?
"However, you have forgotten something." Kuroko pointed out.
"...Really? Well, how do you people say it? Oh yeah that's right, enlighten me." Trying to stifle his laughter for saying something so unlike him. What exactly was like him, he never knew. Who knows? Maybe other people know him better than he does.
"Aomine-kun, you're not a sentimental genius person, you're a sentimental intelligence-impaired reckless and ruthless beast." Kuroko teased, and at this, Aomine mouthed the words, "You naughty bastard." He meant them as a joke though, and in the end, he always wanted them to end up laughing.
"You're so mean Tetsu, go easy on me."
"The world doesn't go easy on anyone, Aomine-kun." Kuroko stated, as if sounding like one of those people with noteworthy quotes, which Aomine usually found really dull. However whenever Kuroko said them, he just felt so... what was it? Oh, enlightened.
"Well, you did go easy on me. I'm supposed to be a sentimental intelligence-impaired reckless and ruthless idiot of a beast, yeah, you forgot the key word. Bad teacher, bad bad bad." Aomine waved his finger in amusement, making a "tsk" sound.
"Aomine-kun... that's it, I'll give you more homework starting the second term." Kuroko had taken out his trump card, he knew he had succeeded, for at this very moment, Aomine Daiki was already begging for mercy.
"Damn it, not that! Anything but that, I'll give you something for compensation!"
At this, Kuroko became somehow interested. Not because his student had actually cared to buy him something, but because he was more interested on what Aomine Daiki would actually want to convey in his gift.
"Aomine-kun... it's not a bomb, is it?"
"Of course not idiot! Consider it as a gift... You know, I don't know what to do with you. One moment you're all thankful and happy, the next moment you're all gloomy about someone else... Damn, this was supposed to be a date between the two of us."
"Aomine-kun... this is... a date?"
"Wait... it wasn't?" Aomine Daiki seemed flabbergasted. He didn't get his hopes up from the very start, and he knew very well it wasn't a date, but of course, this was his way of showing he had actual feelings for him. He was properly human you know, being all jealous now.
"Aomine-kun, it's too early for that. Before we could do that, you should really do your homework first."
"Yeah yeah..." Aomine dodged the topic. "I'll do my homework later. But I'll get you that thing I promised you first."
"...Okay." It sounded like a sensible enough idea for Kuroko, though he had to keep an eye on Aomine, for maybe he would end up not prioritizing his studies again if he wasn't paying attention to him.
Wait.
Only now had he noticed, Kuroko's words...
Had he actually acknowledged him as someone worthy of having a relationship with him?
If only he could hear those words again for a thousand times, and he'd be the happiest man in the world.
"So... yeah, sorry if it's cheap but, here." Aomine hurriedly took out something from the plastic bag he had been carrying the whole while, and inserted it into Kuroko's palm. Kuroko then opened his hand to see a wrist band, which properly had Aomine's name on it, it came with a certain message.
"Keep on going, fight!" Was embedded on it, clear enough to be seen and read instantly.
"Thank you for this, Aomine-kun... But... I have a question."
"Yeah? Go ahead, ask on." Aomine said confidently, he had already received a thank you, what more could there be?
"Is this... supposed to be me?" Kuroko pointed at the sewn face beside the lettering, showing his head in chibi form, except it seemed a bit deformed and... unlike him.
"...Yeah. Sorry, I sewed it in a rush. I planned to give this to you on Christmas but well... I guess now's a good time. Better early than never." Aomine said, not bothering to check his words.
"Aomine-kun, you're slightly wrong about that. It's better late than never, not better early than never." Kuroko grimaced.
"Yeah yeah... don't mind the small details..." Aomine felt slightly embarrassed, he felt like he was being mocked here.
"Aomine-kun, thank you. I'm sure you've put a lot of effort into this, it's... quite obvious."
"Is... that a compliment? Aomine sighed, he just wished his mentor would stop being all foreshadowy in the true meaning of his words.
"Yes, very much so."
Suddenly, Kuroko tapped Aomine's shoulder which he had to tip-toe to even reach, and Aomine looked down at the smaller blunette, who was now wearing the wristband at his right wrist, much to Aomine's delight.
"What is it?"
"Aomine-kun, when we get the chance... I want to be able to spend time with you again like this, alone." It seemed like a simple request, which sounded like music to Aomine Daiki's ears. He just wished no one would screw up the volume.
"You mean... alone alone? As in, only the two of us?" It seemed like the greatest thing he had heard in years, his ears perked up, he couldn't believe what he was wearing.
"Yes... if it's okay with you, that is." Kuroko replied in consideration.
"Yeah..." Aomine said in an unlike himself manner, as if he were out of this world, drifting into unknown space. "I'm TOTALLY fine with that. You'll make me the happiest guy in the world if you say that to me every day, Tetsu, I'm serious."
"Well, if that's all it takes to make people happy... Then life wouldn't be so hard."
"Gee, Tetsu, don't go all gloomy..." Aomine cut in, not wanting them to delve into the "lonely zone" again. "So, when's this gonna be?"
"I'm not sure... when are you free, Aomine-kun?"
"Anytime you are." Aomine shrugged, though he had almost forgotten that Kuroko was actually busy with those other guys.
Speaking of the other guys...
I wonder if they're mentally trying to kill me right now?
Well maybe they are but... what's important is that...
Yes, Aomine Daiki knew what was truly important.
It was Kuroko Tetsuya's happiness, and that's all he needed to feel safe, to feel welcomed into this world, and to finally feel like a normal person who actually felt feelings for others.
"Hey Tetsu, we really need to renew our promise."
"Anything I could do Aomine-kun."
"Say... if I do well on the pre-tests this term... Will you grant me a request?"
"Yes... anything in my power, Aomine-kun." Kuroko smiled, and at this, Aomine internally cheered.
"But Aomine-kun, don't go thinking about anything dirty, or our deal is off." Kuroko had to add, and Aomine merely stuttered that he promised he wasn't thinking about anything like that.
But well, sometimes lying is for the good of others, and it usually ended well anyway.
All's well that ends well, but somewhere in him, Aomine knew he and Kuroko wouldn't be that lucky the next time.
But well, who ever said he was lucky anyway? Was he even considered lucky to have fallen for Kuroko Tetsuya?
Well, one thing's for sure. He was secretly really happy that his feelings were returned, even if it were just a bit.
That officially concludes the vacation arc! Phew! The ending was inspired from ep. 18 of the anime (For manga readers, it's the conclusion for Touou v.s. Seirin), "All's well that ends well, Aomine and Kuroko got along again! YEHEY!
Next will be the arc of the second term ^_^ I have a lot planned out already *smirks* and there'll be some twists and surprises. Well then, this is all for now! :)
-BerryBliss