Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no basuke. All of the characters are originally made by Fujimaki Tadatoshi. Enjoy!
"Reaching for the Sky"
CHAPTER 3: "Words aren't enough."
The sun was going down; taking its break from the long day it stayed up. It was afternoon when the class ended.
"That's our entire lesson for today. Don't forget to study for the test next week." The teacher said before he left the room.
"Oh, Tetsu you're already leaving?" Aomine said.
"Ah, yes." Tetsuna replied. "I want to finish all my work today so I won't get busy in the next day." She said as she packed her things neatly. Shortly after she finished fixing her loads in her bag, Tetsuna bid good-bye to her friends and left the school.
As soon as Tetsuna took her departure, the others were thinking in their minds of leaving as well. But, they were cut-off by their captain. Perfect timing it is Akashi doesn't have to do it. He thought of making Tetsuna leave anyways to discuss about her in the class.
While Akashi was staring in the ceiling fan, "Hey guys..." he suddenly announced as all of his classmates immediately paid utmost attention to him. "What do you think of Tetsuna?"
"Eh, Kuroko-cchi?" Kise first spoke. "Umm, well, ever since we introduced ourselves to each other properly, I guess my first impression to her was wrong. She's kind and timid that's why I do want to be closer to her."
"Kise is right. I think it is fun to be friends with her. You think so too, Satsuki?" Aomine said.
"Yeah." Momoi agreed. "She's cute too!"
Atsushi only nodded in agreement as he cannot speak due to the stuffed caramel candies inside his mouth.
"What all of you think of her might be right, but I do not highly agree on those and think positively about a person that easily." Midorima grunted. "And, our blood types are different. Her blood type is A while mine is B. Both blood types are not compatible." He added.
"Come on, Midorima-cchi! She's not a bad person to deserve a comment like that from you." Kise demanded.
"Even so, you can't expect me to disregard my beliefs–nano dayo." Midorima said.
After receiving all of their comments, "Since Tetsuna is our new classmate; I want to launch a welcome party for her. But the problem is where we should celebrate it." Akashi suggested. "Whose house is available?"
None of his classmates replied and that made Akashi pissed off as he released a dark aura, until Kise saved them.
"Oh I know! Why don't we all go to a carnival? It is fun there and we won't get bored and hungry because there are a lot of rides, booths, and food stalls." Kise suggested.
Akashi smiled at that thought and agreed. "What time does that carnival open?" He asked.
"I think it opens at 9 in the morning." Kise answered.
"Tomorrow is our free day right? Let's celebrate Tetsuna's welcome party in there. I should not be expecting all of you to be late. Be there at exactly 8 in the morning. Partners should be decided tomorrow."Akashi said.
"Woah! That will be fun Akashi, Good job for picking a place Kise!" Aomine said as he slapped hard Kise's back that almost made the blonde choke.
"I think so too. Kise-chin said there's a lot of food stalls right? That means I'll taste yummy foods in there!" Atsushi said.
"Yosh– Let's all go!" Kise said in a loud voice due to excitement. "Midorima-cchi's going too right?" Kise asked, expecting for the green-haired guy to approve into his offer by the disguise of denying it.
"Of course I–" Midorima's words were discontinued when Akashi butted in.
"Shintarou is excluded." Akashi snapped as he crossed his arms.
"Eh–? Why is it Akashi-cchi?" Kise asked.
"That's right! Am I not allowed to enjoy in my own will?" Midorima protested.
"Didn't you just imply that you don't like Tetsuna? We're celebrating a welcome party for her and people who doubt her are not needed." Akashi said coldly.
"B-but-," Midorima stuttered.
"Then it's all settled. I now give the permission to leave." Akashi said as he stood up and left the room along with his team mates.
That night, Akashi sent Tetsuna a message through mobile phone in which they've exchanged replies.
Akashi: "Tetsuna, do you have plans for tomorrow?"
Tetsuna: "I'm about to finish all of my work here that's why I'm not doing anything tomorrow. Why do you ask Akashi-kun?"
Akashi: "Is that so? Then, if you don't have anything to do for tomorrow, I'll fetch you around 8 in the morning. Fix yourself and wear casual dress before I get there so we won't have any discrepancy in the schedule okay?"
Tetsuna: "Pardon me Akashi-kun but I don't understand. Where will we be going? Why do you have to fetch me and why do I need to prepare?"
Akashi: ":)"
After receiving the last message from Akashi, Tetsuna sighed in confusion, but of course she'll do what Akashi said. She thought that it might be important that Akashi went as far as fetching her. After she finished her work and studies, she threw herself in the bed and fell asleep.
Akashi sent a group message to the generation of miracles into their respective mobile phones too.
Akashi: "If all of you don't grant a success into this plan, I'll make all of you run three times in a 1000 meter field until each of you vomit, especially Kise. If Tetsuna will not have fun in that idea of yours, I'll drop you in the pond full of worms. And, Shintarou... don't come if you love your life. My orders are absolute :)~"
The next day, a loud ring disturbed Tetsuna's slumber. She tried to define where the noise came from. It was her phone ringing and vibrating. She opened it and what showed in her face were 41 missed calls and 114 messages. It was all from Akashi.
"But its still 7:30 A.M., I thought he will fetch me around 8 in the morning?" Tetsuna thought. When she opened his messages, she saw how persistent yet caring Akashi is. Yes, it's annoying but at the same time, heart-warming.
Akashi: "Tetsuna, are you awake now?"
Akashi: "Tetsuna, do some side stretching, at least your body would not get struck if ever we walk long."
Akashi: "Tetsuna, be sure to eat properly and drink at least 3 glasses of water before we go."
So on and so forth; while Tetsuna was reading Akashi's messages, she did it one by one until Akashi finally reached her house.
As Akashi ringed her house's doorbell, Tetsuna expected it will be no other than him and immediately peeked in the door. She saw Akashi, his hair was brushed-up; a totally different style than the usual. He's wearing light blue polo with folded sleeves and a black tie, a wristwatch, black pants and white rubber shoes, as if he's a busy boss of a big company.
"Good morning, Tetsuna." Akashi greeted.
"Good morning, Akashi-kun. Please come in." Tetsuna said.
"No, its okay, I'll be waiting here outside." Akashi said.
"Umm, okay..." Tetsuna said as she left the door slightly ajar.
Akashi can barely hear Tetsuna's footsteps. It seems she was trying to get something. When he heard the sound of footsteps getting louder, he knew she was coming.
"Akashi-kun." Tetsuna said as she showed herself. She was wearing a white dress with ruffled square black collar, puffed short sleeves and a black lace criss-crossed in the middle of the shirt; it has a fair length pleated skirt gathered with ruffles trim and as a touch of conservativeness, she wore a below the knee leggings with short frills in the end and finally, a silver fair-heeled shoes.
Akashi was dazed by her appearance. "She's more like an angel than a ghost. People must have been blind not to see her beauty." Akashi thought as he stared at Tetsuna very long unknowingly.
Tetsuna got awkward in the situation Akashi staring at her. "Um, do I look weird?" She said catching Akashi's attention, sweat dropping and nervous of her attire.
"No." Akashi simply stated but deep inside, he wanted to compliment her. He wanted to say how beautiful she was and she has no awareness of it. "Let's go." He said as he walked beside Tetsuna.
They commuted using train. While inside,
"Akashi-kun, where will we go?" Tetsuna asked while she was staring at the window of the door.
"You'll find out soon." Akashi only replied.
Tetsuna didn't reply after that.
"It seems you're uncomfortable when you're with me, no? Don't worry, when we arrive there, you'll see the others so please bear being with me for now." Akashi said, breaking the silence, as he avoided the eyes of Tetsuna.
"Akashi-kun what are you–" Tetsuna wasn't able to finish her words as she was caught in surprise and tripped when the train suddenly stopped from running.
"Tetsuna!" Akashi said rather loudly due to panic. He pulled and embraced her to keep her from falling as Tetsuna held out from the taller boy.
"We're sorry for the inconvenience, the train got technical errors and will soon recover, please wait for a moment." the speakers inside the train announced repeatedly.
"Tetsuna, are you alright?" Akashi said worriedly, his arms, safeguarding, were still wrapped around her.
"Akashi-kun, I'm okay." Tetsuna replied.
"That's good." Akashi said as he exhaled.
"But not in what you said earlier." Tetsuna added.
"What?" Akashi said in surprise.
"Akashi-kun, please don't make assumptions that I feel uncomfortable when I'm with you. Or rather, you're the one feeling that towards me, I'm sorry." Tetsuna said as she frowned and pulled away from him, her face down.
"I'm not, Tetsuna. Please disregard what I've said earlier." Akashi said. "I was just thinking that you'll get along with others rather than me."
"That's not true Akashi-kun. I want to be friends to all and that includes you." Tetsuna said firmly. "So please have fun with me."
Akashi petted her head and pinched her cheek.
"A-Akaa-schi-kun!" Tetsuna mumbled.
Suddenly the train started to run again.
"Thank you for waiting, we'll be able to reach the destination for a few more minutes." The speaker announced.
"Sooner we'll be able to meet the others." Akashi said.
"I'm so exicted, I'll get to see Kise-kun, Aomine-kun, Momoi-san, Murasakibara-kun and Midorima-kun!" Tetsuna said with a smile in her face
"What did she say? She's expecting to see Midorima?" Akashi thought as he hurriedly grabbed his mobile phone and texted Midorima.
As Midorima received the message, upon looking at it made him pale.
Akashi: "Shintarou, go to the carnival before we arrive there. Your punishment will be doubled if you don't arrive on time and obey me. My orders are absolute~"
He quickly grabbed his lucky item, a jacket and wallet as he fetched for a taxi and rode there.
"Midorima-cchi! What were you thinking? Do you plan killing yourself? Akashi-cchi told you not to come here. And what's with that haggard-look? You look like you were chased by a chainsaw." Kise said.
"I don't have a choice–nano dayo! Look at this." Midorima said as he showed Akashi's latest text message.
"Hm, what would have changed Akashi's mind?" Aomine said.
"Really, why is the person who called us here the last one to arrive?" Momoi complained.
"Sorry for the wait." Akashi and Tetsuna said as they arrived in the meeting place.
"A-Akashi! Why didn't you invited me earli –" Midorima didn't finish when Tetsuna spoke.
"I'm so glad everyone is present!" Tetsuna exclaimed with a smile on her face.
"What?" Midorima said. "Even though I was uneasy of her, she was glad that I was present as the others were." He thought as he felt shame on his self.
"Yosh! Let's all go!" Kise said.
"Wait, I mentioned that partners should be decided today right?" Akashi said while he was getting something out of his pocket.
"Then, I'll be partners with Kuroko-cchi!" Kise cheerfully exclaimed.
"I'll go with Tetsu." Aomine said.
"No fair! I want to be with her too!" Momoi protested.
"No. We'll decide by this." Akashi said as he showed 4 sticks. "At the end of each stick are the names of your partner. One of us must get two sticks."
"Ohhh.. It looks like fun! Let me try!" Kise said excitedly as he grabbed two sticks. "If I grab two, then there's a higher possibility I'll be with Kuroko-cchi!"
"I'm gonna pick too!" Momoi said. But, before she gets the stick, Aomine got it.
"EHHH? Murasaki-cchi and Midorima-cchi's my partner? I thought I was so close in getting Kuroko-cchi!" Kise said sulking.
"What! This woman is my partner?" Aomine complained while pointing Momoi. "If Kise got Midorima and Murasakibara and I got Satsuki, then that means the one who got Tetsu is..."
As Akashi looked at the remaining stick, Tetsuna's name was written at the end of it.
"Damn it! Why is it always him?" Aomine thought irritatingly as he broke the stick into halves.
"Do you have any complaints, Daiki?" Akashi said with an evil smirk which made Aomine freak out.
"N-nothing at all, Akashi." Aomine stammered.
"Then, let's go." Akashi said as all of them part ways.
~Aomine & Momoi~
"Ne, Dai-chan. I want to go there!" Momoi said as he grabbed Aomine's arm.
"Oh, Swings?" Aomine said. "So what am I going to do? Push you there so you can swing to and fro?"
"Baka! The swings are automatic so you don't have to push me." Momoi said. "All we gonna do is ride there."
As they got in the swings and the ride started,
"Woah, this is more fun than the usual swing!" Aomine said as the swing got higher and higher.
"Seems nostalgic isn't it? When we're at the playground during our childhood times, other than basketball, we used to play swings but now, we don't have to exchange places because we both can ride a swing at the same time." Momoi said.
"Hn, Yeah." Aomine said with a smile.
~Kise, Midorima & Murasakibara~
"Oi Kise, where are we going–nano dayo?" Midorima asked.
"Murasaki-cchi, after you finish eating let's take a ride in there!" Kise suggested as he pointed the Drop tower.
"W-what! Why are we going there?" Midorima asked.
"Areh? Don't tell me Mido-chin is scared?" Atsushi teased.
"Of course I'm not–nano dayo!" Midorima denied.
"Mm? Okay." Atsushi said lazily.
As they got in the queue area,
"Oi Kise, how much long do we have to wait? I'm getting bored–nano dayo!" Midorima complained.
"Don't make excuses when you're scared Midorima-cchi." Kise said grinning at Midorima.
"Oh, we're next!" Atsushi said.
The three went to their respective seats, as the tower slowly ascends to the top,
"Oho, Midorima-cchi, you might pee in your pants." Kise teased. "This is getting more and more exciting!"
"This is troublesome–nano dayo." Midorima said.
And then, when the tower almost reached the peak,
"Midorima-cchi!, I'm sorry! I should've realized this ride is scary at the first place-ssu! I think I'm going to die!" Kise cried.
"Stop blabbering dumbass! You want to be a pilot and you're scared of this!" Midorima said.
"But slow and fast landing are way too different!" Kise replied.
"Ah, I wish we would drop soon." Atsushi said nonchalantly.
"Don't wish for it!" Midorima yelled.
"Whooosh!"
As the gondola dropped down fast, the only sound heard were their screams except for Murasakibara. After the ride,
"Whoo! That was awesome right Midorima-cchi?" Kise said. "Haha, what's with that pale face of yours?"
"S-shut up–nano dayo! I won't be agreeing on your crazy ideas next time!" Midorima said.
"Mido-chin, you look weightless. Let's eat." Atsushi said as they went to the food stalls to buy snacks.
~Akashi and Tetsuna~
While Akashi and Tetsuna were strolling around to find some amusement ride, they happen to pass by a haunted house.
"Come ladies and gentlemen. Go inside and let your courage save you from the depths of fear." The man with a costume of necromancer invited the two as the other costumed-monsters pushed them inside.
"I think this is not a good idea." Akashi said when they finally entered the horror mansion.
"Why Akashi-kun, are you afraid?" Tetsuna asked.
"I'm not. But do you think you'll be able to enjoy yourself here?" Akashi asked.
"I'll be enjoying as long as I'm with Akashi-kun." Tetsuna said.
"Hold unto me so you won't get lost." Akashi ordered.
"Okay." Tetsuna said as she held into the hand of the other.
As they went inside the house, they encountered a white lady trying to scare them. Akashi was expecting Tetsuna to be scared that's why he tightened his grip to the girl. But what surprised him was that Tetsuna was just staring at the ghost. It was the same stare and same monotonous expression happened in the day they met Tetsuna was giving unto the white lady. More monsters attacked as a devil and a zombie appeared. Still, the same face was kept into Tetsuna.
"Really, I can't believe she'll only stare at them like they are drawings." Akashi thought. Well, that's good, at least Tetsuna was not horrified and that made Akashi at ease.
When they got into the deepest part, the whole cast of the haunted house came and suddenly cornered Tetsuna. "Oi! Why are you not frightening this man? That's part of your work dude!" the man costumed in zombie complained.
"Pardon me but I'm not a part of your crew. I'm just a mere visitor in here." Tetsuna said.
"What?" The white lady said.
At first, the whole crew was dumbfounded, but as they realized that Tetsuna was not a part of them, they ran and screeched as if they were the visitors of the haunted house.
"Akashi-kun, let's go." Tetsuna said. "I want to get out of here. You're right. It's boring and non-sense."
"I told you." Akashi said.
As the two got out, the necromancer asked for the fee for getting inside the house and that made Akashi pissed.
"You're asking for payments when your crew didn't even know who to scare; on top of that, they got scared themselves! Do you think it's worth paying?" Akashi said in a vexed tone, his eyes flaring in anger as the necromancer cower in fear.
"I-I'm sorry! You may take your leave! I-It's free now!" the necromancer stuttered.
The two searched for a bench to take a rest. After a while, they strolled around again and Tetsuna saw a game booth wherein the main prize caught her attention–a stuffed toy dog.
"Akashi-kun, I want to win that!" Tetsuna said as she dragged Akashi towards the booth.
"An arrow shooting game?" Akashi asked.
"I want the prize!" Tetsuna said as she pointed the stuffed toy dog. After Tetsuna bought tickets and played the game, however, each of it was wasted because she always misses shots.
"Haha, Hey miss, if you can't make any shots, you better give up! There are many people waiting for their turn and they got stuck up forever in the waiting line because of you. Better fuck off for your own good!" the man running the game booth said.
Tetsuna frowned. She wanted the prize but the man's right. The others were stuck up because of her. "Let's go, Akashi-kun." She said.
"No." Akashi said in an angry tone. "I'll win it for you."
"Oh? You're doing it for her by proxy? Are you her knight-in-shining-armour? Hahaha! This is stupid. Bring it on; after all it's just a waste of time. The more you try, the more I get money." The man said.
"Mind to keep your mouth shut? I'll crush that pathetic target board of yours." Akashi said as he aimed at the center.
At his first shot, he swiftly made it to the bull's eye, the next one made the first arrow cut into half.
"And for the final shot." Akashi said as he propelled the arrow. The third shot was so strong that the target board was broken into pieces, like what Akashi had promised. The game operator had his jaw hanging and his eyes popped when he saw his own booth was destroyed.
"I guess you do not have any complaints regarding that, right? You said we have to make shots. Now, can I have my prize?" Akashi said as he glared at the man with his pair of red eyes.
"Y-yes, I'll be happy to give it to you." The game operator said while crying as he handed the stuffed toy dog to Akashi.
It was already evening and the last ride they went is the Ferris wheel.
"Tetsuna, here's your stuffed toy." Akashi said with a smile.
"But it's your prize Akashi-kun and you worked hard for it." Tetsuna said.
"I didn't even sweat on it."Akashi replied. "Tetsuna, I only played the game for me to earn this prize for you. And now, you're refusing to have it."
"It seems I can't refuse you. But anyways, thank you very much Akashi-kun." Tetsuna said as she kissed Akashi in his cheeks and accepted his gift. The Teiko captain blushed hard, and had his face turn into red–the same color as his hair.
"What's wrong Akashi-kun?" Tetsuna inquired.
"N-no, it's nothing." Akashi said, surprised of what happened.
After they rode in the Ferris wheel, Kise sent Akashi a message about the fire works performed before the carnival closes.
Kise: "Akashi-cchi, Momo-cchi already contacted the employees in the carnival. They approved about the fire works for Kuroko-cchi. There is a wide plain at the back of the carnival. I think this is the best spot to see the fire works, and there are no people here other than us. All you have to do is bring Kuroko-cchi here."
Akashi took Tetsuna into where Kise said. In there, they saw everyone and a picnic mat.
"Tetsu-chan!" Momoi shouted as she waved her hand.
"Kuroko-cchi!" Kise said.
"Guys!" Tetsuna said as she ran towards them. "What's this all about?"
"You'll find out soon when –" Midorima were cut-off when Aomine let the cat out of the bag.
"It's a welcome party for you, Tetsu!" Aomine exclaimed.
"Ahomine!" Kise, Midorima, and Momoi said in unison.
"Huh? A welcome party... for me?" Tetsuna asked.
Tetsuna's confusion was cleared at the same time the fire works blazed in the sky. It was shown there: "Welcome Tetsuna!" followed by another sparks with different colours. She looked at it with teary eyes; an over-flowing happiness filled her as the fire works didn't only enlighten the sky, but her heart as well. As she turned towards them, she saw a cake held by Atsushi. Written on it was: "A sweet welcome for our new classmate. –from: Kiseki no Sedai"
"I bought the most delicious cake for you, Kuro-chin!" Atsushi proudly said.
"Here's your lucky item for today, Kuroko." Midorima said as he gave Tetsuna a small bear hugging a heart, embroidered on it was her own name.
"Midorima might not admit it, but I tell you, he's the one who sewed your name inside that heart-ssu." Kise added.
"K-kise! You don't have to say it!" Midorima said embarrassingly.
"How was it, Tetsu? Do you like the fire works? I got them for you!" Aomine boasted.
"Thank you very much everyone!" Tetsuna said as she bowed to them.
"Mou, Tetsu-chan, you don't have to be so formal. We're all friends here!" Momoi said.
"I think you should be thanking Akashi, Kuroko." Midorima said.
After hearing what Midorima said, Tetsuna turned towards Akashi. She was about to bow to him but Akashi stopped her.
"No need to thank me. Seeing you happy with the preparations I made is more than enough. And besides, I would've done all of this without the help of everyone." Akashi said as he patted Tetsuna's head.
Tetsuna only beamed a smile at Akashi in which the taller boy returned it.
"Let's eat the cake!" Atsushi exclaimed.
They spent the night in the fields having a picnic together as they ate the cake and watched the fire works that enlightened the sky. It was the best day ever.
~Omake~
After the whole weekend, when they all got back to the school, everyone was in uproar as they forgot about the test.
"Ahh! I haven't reviewed any of my notes yet!" Momoi said.
"Eh? Kuroko-cchi, you're not gonna review?" Kise asked.
"I already reviewed it before we went into the carnival. It was the reason why I got home early." Tetsuna said.
"Midorima-cchi! I haven't reviewed any of my notes! Lend me your miraculous rolling pencil-ssu!" Kise whined.
"Shut up–nano dayo! Aomine, the teacher might get here soon and you haven't even reviewed yet! Wake up! Don't you care about your grades?" Midorima said as he shook Aomine's shoulder.
"I don't care." Aomine said lazily.
"Munch, munch, munch." That's Atsushi. And what do you expect from a man who's apathetic even when riding a heart-pounding drop tower?
"Really, this class is so noisy. I can't concentrate in reading. That's right, I'll return the punishment and make them run a 1000 meter field three times." Akashi thought while he's reading a book.
And thus after the test, even though the plan in the carnival was a success, Kiseki no Sedai ended being punished by Akashi.
Author's note: Hello everyone! Haha, this chapter's quite long isn't it? [I made Akashi OOC (TAT) *cries*] Well, um, to start, I have a bad news and I'm sorry for that. I won't be updating sooner because I have to review for our mid-term test and there's a lot of school project. Just let me finish all of those and I'll update again! Thanks for the reviews and watch out for the future chapters! :)
Credits to: LunaOdette for proofreading my work! :)