A big thank you for the ones who reviewed for the latest chapter! : hitomi65, jessyjasmine7, Kurokage daisuki, and a certain guest: "Anonymouse"! Hope you like this chapter as well!
Big warning for this chapter: Your impression on Nijimura may change drastically, it's not yet late to turn back... (I don't want you to turn back though *smirks* face it head on people, it's fun to tease the KnB characters)
The days passed without a bat of an eyelash – all those days of hardwork and practice took a lot out of Kuroko – and so today was the first day of the school festival – the day which was to prove whether his hardwork would or wouldn't be put to waste – And not to mention this is one of my important school memories.
Their class – the Miracle class had to do something as well like the normal curriculum required – and since it pretty much wasn't a secret that they were gay – they decided to take advantage of it... or at least, the girls did.
They did a butler café – and all the chaos started when a girl decided to make quite a bold request which they didn't have the right to refuse – after all, they were the servants to obey their every command, albeit reluctantly in some cases.
"A-Akashi-kun..." A girl stuttered, Akashi bent down to look at the girl carefully – seeing she was flushed, he asked if anything was wrong with their services, to which the girl shook her head violently in return.
"Well then, what can I do for you, my lady?" Meanwhile in the background, the other miracles were basically snickering on how Akashi calling someone that was like giving away his pride as a king.
"C-Can you kiss Kuroko-kun for me?" The girl looked like she was about to wander to heaven just imagining the scene, while others could only open their mouths agape or salute her silently for trying to make the Akashi Seijuro do such a thing... in public too.
"...Kurokocchi isn't going to agree isn't he? NO WAY! Off with her head-" Kise received a slap from behind his back and he turned to Midorima who did so, complaining about how that was totally unnecessary – which in truth, was necessary.
"Idiot, it's not a matter of Kuroko agreeing... it's a matter if Akashi wants to do it, look," Midorima pointed at Akashi and they witnessed the scene unfolding, looking at Akashi, then Kuroko then back to Akashi once again – or at least, Kise did.
"Kisechin looks like an idiot..."
"M-Murasakibaracchi should just keep quiet!"
"Tsk, you forgot the word jealous Murasakibara." Aomine smirked, feeling rather smart which in truth he wasn't – how could he think of being smart when Akashi was going to actually wrap it up?
"Minechin, aren't you the one jealous?" Murasakibara had a point, they all turned to Aomine whose face was tinted slightly red on the middle – he was blushing, he wasn't denying it.
"... I might be." Aomine said quite louder than expected, the girls in the café squealed.
"Kyaa! I sense a major love triangle! Oh em geeeee!"
"Psst, Aomine-sama and Akashi-sama will hear you! Waaaah~" A girl fanned herself, it was so hot in there wasn't it? On the other hand, Murasakibara, Midorima and Kise could only think to themselves why they weren't included, better not to get involved though, they thought.
"Tetsuya, someone is requesting you." Kuroko turned to Akashi from taking someone's order from afar and went to Akashi's side quickly, asking who it was.
"...Silly, I did." The girls lost it – they lost their head, for they didn't mind about keeping it in anymore, someone even took out her video camera... not to mention someone's shoe went flying from the major kicks she did to the air while laughing out loud.
It happened so fast when Akashi's lips touched Kuroko's, satisfying himself with the bluenette's muffled noises as he continued, their mouths fell open, all of them. Kuroko pushed away, gasping, face asking why Akashi did that, to which Akashi shot an "apologetic" look.
"Everyone, please watch our batch's play, Cinderella : A Twist to the Tale." Akashi gracefully bowed and it was followed by cheers of agreement and people saying they definitely will.
"Akashi-kun, was that for fanservice and advertising?" Kuroko pouted looking at Akashi to take that back – to which Akashi slightly let out a chuckle and a face saying no take backs written all over his face.
Everyone agreed they were a good couple, except some certain people anyway...
"Damn it! Akashi beat me to it! Freaking ugh!" Aomine cried in defeat banging the wall with his fist, and the whole café seemed to tremble with him and his loud protests – which Akashi and Kuroko heard quite clearly. He didn't care though, it didn't matter now. Besides, he thought,Tetsu wouldn't even know what I'm ranting about... Akashi would though.
"A-Aominecchi, let's do it too!"
"WHAT?! Dude, what the fuck are you saying?"
"...You know, the girls will love it – Aominecchi you aho! Don't jump to conclusions, I'm just saying we need to go with the flow," Kise narrowed his eyes as Aomine looked at him with disbelief, though with slight relief anyway, but still not convinced. "You don't want Akashicchi to kill you, do you?" Kise whispered, making Aomine consider.
On the other hand, Midorima ignored the scene, though he was jealous – he knew by now that defeat would only come to him if he bothered to chase Kuroko's shadow – for it would only end in vain.
So it seems too scary when fate brings him a certain raven... no... hawk to suddenly kiss him upon his entrance.
"T-Takao?!" Midorima carefully lowered down his tone, and the girls looked at him and Takao in question... if they knew each other probably, to which they accepted quite easily, this was not surprising by now, for Midorima knew how terrible and scary people could be when they saw something which caught their interest. I'm doomed.
"Shin-chan! I missed you sooo much, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Takao clung to Midorima to which he couldn't resist – for the wrap of Takao's arms around him was too strong to break free even for him... not to mention he honestly missed it a bit. Just a bit.
"It's been a while my a-" he ceased himself from using foul language, "I mean, we just saw each other more than a month ago Takao, there's nothing to be excited about." It appeared Takao still didn't know about the fuss they had caused – and Midorima knew it was going to take a while to clear up the misunderstanding, or was it really a misunderstanding?
"Oh come on Shin-chan, you're so mean!" Takao teased, and Midorima merely let out a "humph" in disapproval of his acquaintance's behaviour... he used to call Takao a servant though.
"Oh lookie, it's Midorima's boyfriend." Aomine snorted while pushing away a blonde who was trying to convince him, still.
"Yo!" Takao greeted, "How's your boyfriend?"
"Oi! Don't answer!" Midorima lightly reprimanded, with a matching scoff, no way in hell was Takao his boyfriend... right?
"Oh... uh... that's kinda complicated..." Aomine glared at Akashi's direction – to which Akashi was calmly looking at him, arms expanded out as if protecting Kuroko, Takao seemed to sense the problem and understood.
"Akachin kissed Kurochin... Minechin's jealous." Murasakibara faced Kuroko and Akashi – seemingly more interested at them then at his snacks – Takao decided not to ask who the purple giant was and turned to Aomine with a playful smirk.
"Mr. Aomine the seme got dumped huh? Wahahahahaha, that guy named Akashi definitely is nice! I bet he loves war!" Aomine agreed. Hell, you got that right, I kinda heard the term "seme" somewhere before... hmm...
"Kuroko," Midorima decided to use this opportunity to calm Takao down, or perhaps use it as an excuse to leave. "Our shift is over."
"Really? But Midorima-kun, isn't your shift dif-" Midorima covered Kuroko's mouth for a while and muttered an audible plea for Kuroko to keep quiet about it, to which Kuroko understood, he looked at Akashi for permission who permitted him – being in a good mood after all.
"If that's what you want, then so be it, Shin-chan – you are the master after all, but oh well, I'm looking forward to the play!"
Midorima scowled. Kuroko shivered. Akashi smirked. Kise laughed out loud. Murasakibara chewed on his snacks loudly. Aomine wanted to punch something.
And something told them the chaos was just starting.
"Hurry! It looks like the third years' play is starting! Waaah, I'm going for Nijimura-senpai though... I wonder what role he got?"
"I don't know myself... but I do know what their play is... "The Little Red Riding Hood". Ne ne, who do you think Nijimura-senpai is?"
"Hmm... the huntsman? That would be soooo suuuper cool!"
Akashi had gotten a hold of this amusing news from one of his customers, who were about to leave when he approached them, much to their surprise.
"Could you please tell me more details about this?"
Usually Akashi would text people for emergencies... and this seemed like one, kinda.
We're going to watch the third years' play, come, alone.
Why would Akashi suddenly want to watch a play was beyond Kuroko, but he knew better than to defy Akashi, he closed his cell phone and tucked it in his pocket safely – still, he stared at himself in his butler outfit, wondering whether he should change or not.
"Midorima-kun, we're watching a play."
"What's with the suggestion all of a sudden? Even for you Kuroko, that's just too rando-"
"Akashi-kun's orders, Midorima-kun," Kuroko monotonously interrupted, knowing the greenette would agree – he asked about his worries.
"Midorima-kun, should I change to my unfirom to watch the play or should I just go there wearing this?" Midorima asked worriedly, and Midorima wondered what he was even deciding on. you look cute in that so why should you change? Tss.
"N-No, you're fine as you are," Midorima muttered.
"What was that Midorima-kun?"
"Nothing, I meant that no one would care whatever you would wear into watching a play – as long as it's something presentable – and you are presentable enough, it seems."
He just wanted to say Kuroko was cute – what was so hard about that?
"Shin-chan's such a tsundere~"
Indeed, perhaps he was.
"So... why are you all here?!" Akashi wanted to kill someone – or some certain people in this case- wondering who he should kill first, he decided to snip away in preparation – his scissors in his hands, testing it on the chair – no one dared protest it was school property – Akashi wouldn't care, and whoever dared would get himself killed.
"Akashi-kun, please don't do that," Kuroko lightly reprimanded, "It's school property."
"Kuroko!/Tetsu!/Kurokocchi!/Kurochin..." they all screamed mentally, which thankfully Akashi and Kuroko didn't notice.
"...Very well, I'll stop." Akashi retreated his mighty scissors – handle the same colour as his hair, for a moment they thought it would be stained by blood as well – blood of one of them.
"Tetsuya," Kuroko's attention turned from his fellow Miracles who were acting rather suspiciously to Akashi who somehow managed to get a seat beside him... directly on his left side, on his right was Aomine... this felt like hell honestly.
Hell he wouldn't feel for a while after these days pass. Would he miss it?
"I demand an explanation. Now!"
"Well..." Kuroko trailed off, "The answer is quite simple," he paused, and no one saw the sense in his answer, how was an answer to calm a demon incarnate going by the name the "Red Scissors"/"Emperor" looking quite ready to snap in any way simple? They never really would understand Kuroko Tetsuya.
"The more the merrier."
In the whole history of their current stay in Teikou – it was noted that only Kuroko Tetsuya was capable of doing that – while taming the Miracles' feared leader.
Also one of the most oblivious people to study at Teikou and be part of the Miracle Class - making it alive till this day.
He truly didn't understand that Akashi just wanted them to be alone for god's sake, the others did though.
Not that anyone would ever hear their silent protests.
"Lookie lookie, the play's starting!"
The moment Nijimura stood on that stage – he knew it meant immediate utter humiliation.
The moment the Generation of Miracles laid eyes on their former captain – they gagged, mouths agape – since pictures and videos were allowed for more people to watch – Midorima did not hesitate to take a video... for "blackmail" purposes he says – no one holds him back... it was interesting enough to want to see their former captain's reaction.
"Oh – my – god – that so suits Nijimura-senpai wahahaha~!" Kise giggled, and as if they would reach the ends of the Earth, they tried to stop him for the sake of not ruining (or disturbing) the play, but they couldn't help but be perturbed – they found themselves laughing as well.
Nijimura tries to not let it get to him, hell no – he was not letting this bring him down – surely Akashi wasn't watching right? He couldn't possibly be interested in some-
Holy crap. Nijimura caught a glimpse of mismatched eyes – a shade of familiar red and gold, the red of his hood he didn't mind anymore – for he looked at the different lustrous red in recognition, Akashi had answered with a nod, and he was looking straight at him with an equally straight face.
And wait, is Kuroko actually leaning on him?
"Nijimura-kun, lines." His supposed mom whispered, and so he continued on – let's not forget to mention how he had to kiss his mom – one of the girls who he recognized had a crush on him, thank god – it was the first time he had been thankful about that
Simply prancing down the path leading to his, or should I say her grandma's house looking like a dense child (which he was supposed to be acting as) definitely stained his pride, and whatever would be left of his school life he would live in shame. He was sure of it.
He liked basketball baskets better than straw baskets holding bread – and he so didn't like acting like a little girl, surely he was still Nijimura Shuzo to this people right?
"Waaah, I wish Nijimura-sama could just stay like that FOREVER! I mean, look at Akashi-sama's face," He saw the mentioned redhead look to the speaker, and it seemed to be a long desired silence on Nijimura's part, I could hear that.
Damn, no way was Akashi gonna look at him the same way ever again after this – was he going to make it out alive, he didn't know.
Let's all skip the meeting of the wolf and Little Red Riding Hood – for the sake of Nijimura, shall we?
The lines... the lines...
"Grandma, how are you?" he tried to pull through with his most feminine voice, which sounded rather eerie, if he remembered right, a version of "Little Red Riding Hood" was supposed to be gory, well he still had a chance to turn the tables-
"WAHAHAHAHA, that's supposed to be the famed captain who made Akashi look like an obedient child, damn, I've lost it!" It had come from one of the newest member of the Miracle class he had heard about – Aomine Daiki. Oh yeah right, he hasn't met me yet – so much for a good first impression. Let's just hope Akashi kills him later.
No, he must be enjoying my humiliation right now.
"Seeing your face puts me at ease, my beloved granddaughter, come closer."
"Grandma, your voice sounds rather coarse today, maybe if I make you some food, it'll make you feel better."
This is stupid, it's a wolf in disguise you dim-witted brat in red.
"The better to greet you with, my dear."
"Grandma..." Nijimura looked up at the topper area of the guy dressed in the wolf costume – of course, he had a fellow actor who wasn't suffering as much as he was, he was in a costume for god's sake – a not so obvious one, at least he looked like a beast who was supposed to scare the girl to death. "Are your ears upset? They seem... rather... pointed today, perhaps this soup will help you – shall I make you some?"
This is stupid, it's a wolf in disguise you dim-witted brat in red.
"Why thank you dear, but aren't these better to hear you with?"
"Oh, indeed grandma," he just hoped he wouldn't go into sarcastic mode – for the sake of all the hardwork and humiliation – for all the energy he had wasted – not to mention they had all worked hard up to this day – his fellow classmates that is.
"Here, grandma, drink this soup – aaah." He was actually spoon-feeding someone, not to mention the "wolf" was actually one of his fellow batch mates, was this even legal?
"Oh my, grandma, what big teeth you have!"
This is stupid, it's a wolf in disguise you dim-witted brat in red – or wait, how many times have I said that? This is getting repetitive, so cliché.
"Why, the better to seduce you with, my dear!"
Wait, that's kinda out of script-
"I just wanna eat you my dear! You look sooo yummy in that costume!"
Wait – that voice... did they change the role casting? He had heard nothing about this!
And so the play ended with the huntsman – or should I say the huntswoman killing the girl in a wolf costume for trying to seduce Little Red Riding Hood – though they still saw the Nijimura they adored for so long within the costume.
"... Is Little Red Riding Hood a love story, Akashi?" Midorima was starting to doubt his knowledge, though he found it amusing, he had wondered if this was a different version of Red Riding Hood from what he had read amongst many fairy tales in his childhood – not to mention sometimes he wished to be in them too.
He took that back now.
"I bet Midochin just wants to try that costume on~"
"Of course not, there's no way such a... disgusting piece of red cloth would look good on me."
"Hmm... it is quite appealing, the idea of Shintarou acting as 'Little Green Riding Hood'. Perhaps we should change our play while we have the chance-"
"Akashi-kun, surely you have to consider how hard we have practiced for days," Kuroko's wise words saved Midorima, much to his relief – he was thanking Kuroko from the bottom of his heart now, he had misunderstood Kuroko, maybe he was a nice person after all.
"Besides, I think Akashi-kun would look better in red."
... Oh right, there always had to be a catch.
"Is that so?" Akashi said in a tone of consideration, and they couldn't believe he was actually taking Kuroko's words by heart – it was a joke, it was so obvious.
"No, of course my Tetsuya would look better in a dress – there's no escaping your fate Tetsuya, that attempt is futile."
Is that an attempt to escape? Who was Kuroko kidding?
"Let's go, it's our turn for the spotlight this time – we'll be up soon, be prepared."
"Yes sir – I mean, Akashicchi!/ Very well./ If you say so, Akachin.../Darn, I'm pumped up."
"Akashi-kun, can I go somewhere to meet someone first?" Kuroko's different answer surprised them – even Akashi hadn't seen this coming, and he could not refuse the bluenette's plea – though he didn't like the idea of leaving the bluenette to someone else... alone and vulnerable.
"...Very well, but make sure to come to the ball in time."
"Oh I will Akashi-kun... I will."
Did Kuroko just... smile?
Nijimura Shuzo was surprised when Kuroko had suddenly approached him of all people after the play was over.
And he did not forget that he still had to change into proper attire.
"Kuroko, can we talk about this later? I have to change-" He knew he was being selfish, seeing the look in Kuroko's eyes, seeing it was important, he waited for the bluenette to speak up and stop him.
But nothing came.
"...Nijimura-senpai... it's important... please, could you give me some time? It's all I need..." Desperation, fear, sadness, reluctance – it had almost every expression Nijimura could bring out from a sad person, and he could no longer bring himself to refuse – he found himself determined to pull the brotherly "senpai" role this time – after that display, he had to at least convince Kuroko that he was reliable right?
"Very well, I have to ask though, why didn't you bring this to the Generation of Miracles?" He had chosen the wrong words, for he had only made it worse, whatever this was – it was serious, Kuroko wasn't the type to speak for himself and talk to others about his problems, at least that much Nijimura knew – he had always been a stranger to Nijimura, the enigmatic miracle Kuroko was.
"...I can't, you're the only one I could turn to, Nijimura-senpai... the only one I can turn to without hurting anyone..."
"...I see," Nijimura manages, finally getting a hold of the situation – most probably, this concerned the Generation of Miracles – and everyone dear to the boy.
Looking into those deep round blue orbs near tears, he could no longer tell who the more feminine one here truly was.
"Fine, I'll listen to what you have to say – though I have to warn you, it's not a hundred percent chance that I can give you concrete advice unless it's a situation I'm familiar with."
"...Senpai, what would you do if good-byes were inevitable and you just couldn't stop them? You know... like how you might never see them again..."
"Ah," Nijimura didn't know about what could make him like this though, Kuroko normally wasn't this emotional, was it truly that grave?
"Well... you know, someday we all have to part ways – besides, if this is about graduation or things like that – then don't let it get to you," he knew it wasn't though, he just had a feeling, "You still have your life ahead of you, but I'll give you this piece of advice."
"If you truly hold them dear – then do what you can to make part ways with a smile on your face – no matter how painful it is, you're wise Kuroko – you'll know what I mean when the time comes – sorry, but other than that, I have nothing to say – I'm not you after all."
"...I see," Kuroko nods, "Thank you for listening to me Nijimura-senpai, I couldn't thank you enough."
"Nah, don't mention it, it's the least I could do for my kouhai."
"...You don't really sound convincing with that outfit on though." Nijimura is relieved to see a smile forming in the corner of Kuroko's lips but...
What was that supposed to mean?!
Ah, youngsters – is that how you say thank you? Oh wait, I'm sounding like an old lady... man... or wait, wha-?
They had not stayed faithful to the original Cinderella content – and what was weird however, was how the princes didn't have a script, simply speaking – Kuroko didn't know what Aomine and Akashi had in store for him. They said it would "turn out fine" but he just couldn't sit still for long, but it wasn't easy to move in this dress either – a black frilly dress with roses crimson red, and if in case the gown would be breezy – they had to stay faithful to the glass shoes, oh he felt for his two feet. No wonder Cinderella was soooo excited to get away.
"Un deux trois, Tetsuya, un deux trois."
"...Akashi-kun? But wasn't the prince for the first day Aomine-kun?"
"Don't mind the minor details – you need only follow my lead."
I know, this was screwed up – but I PROMISE that things are starting next chapter... why?
There's this time skip which jumps to the third day of the performance... and so... I figured we should take our time and have fun, before all the drama starts. I know, pretty invalid-sounding that came out as.
Hope you liked it! Please review (if you feel like it... I'm not forcing you... ^_^)
-BerryBliss