Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no basuke. All of the characters are originally made by Fujimaki Tadatoshi. Enjoy!
"Reaching for the Sky"
CHAPTER 4: "I don't want to assume."
"Ringgggggg!" the alarm clock rang as Tetsuna got half awake.
"Uhhh..." She mumbled as she slammed the off button of the annoying buzzer and returned to her peaceful slumber, pulling the thick blanket more as she felt warm and lulled.
With that, when Tetsuna got awake for the second time, she saw the clock displayed that she's late for school. She had to fix herself quickly. After she wore her uniform, she searched for her new identification card in her desk. It was renewed so that the school's database wouldn't get confused of her student status. As she took it with her, she saw beside it her old I.D. – the ones Akashi found and returned.
Tetsuna smiled. Akashi was the one who paved way for her to have friends.
"Akashi..." Tetsuna thought. For heavens sake! He's the person who always preternaturally notices her even though she's got a weak presence. And yes, he's the one who bothers her to find an excuse for her tardiness. These memories ran wildly in her mind as she ran in full speed towards the school, not minding to even eat a breakfast. Well, how can you find to eat if you're desperately trying to hurry?
When she got in front of the door of her classroom, she was panting due to exhaustion. She carefully opened a small amount of space in the door, peeking if there's a teacher inside. To her surprise, the door swept open and she thought her life was over if she was caught by her teacher late in class. But it was only Akashi.
"G-good morning, Akashi-kun," Tetsuna stuttered.
"Oh, you're late," Akashi said with a low voice. "Sure it was fortunate of you. Our class teacher was not here today, or rather you have guts to be late in class, knowing that no one will notice your presence?" Akashi sternly said.
"Ah, I-I'm sorry, this will not be repeated again," Tetsuna said as she bowed. "He's really sharp," she thought.
"Hn. Just make sure of it," Akashi said as he left the room.
As Tetsuna entered inside and took her seat, her classmates greeted her.
"Yo, Tetsu," Aomine said. "Eh, what's with that sad face?"
"Mou, Tetsu-chan. Just keep in mind what Akashi-kun told you, okay? He just doesn't want any discrepancy, that's all," Momoi said as Tetsuna nodded in reply.
"By the way, where's Akashi going? He left the room." Tetsuna asked.
"Akashi-cchi's going to the teacher's faculty room. He's going to ask what happened to our teacher, and might ask for a substitute one," Kise said.
"Geez, why doesn't Aka-chin just leave the classroom as it is?" Atsushi complained.
"Don't be lazy–nano dayo. We'll suffer in the end if we don't catch up in lessons," Midorima said.
"But it's boring and troublesome if there's a teacher in here," Atsushi said.
There is no teacher that went to their classroom and Akashi came back only to go to his seat and read a book. Tetsuna remained quiet the whole morning class time. Perhaps she was shocked about Akashi's words.
When the recess bell rang, they all went to canteen except for Akashi, saying he has some work to do. As they ordered their foods and went to their respective seats,
"Ne, Aomine-cchi. Doesn't Kuroko-cchi seem more silent than the usual–ssu?" Kise whispered to Aomine.
"Yeah, whatever her problem is, let's try to cheer her up," Aomine replied.
"Ne, Tetsu-chan. Do you have a problem? You're gloomy today," Momoi said as Tetsuna only looked at the vanilla shake blankly.
"Tetsu-chan?" Momoi repeated, catching Tetsuna's attention.
"Ah, Momoi-san. Did you say something?" Tetsuna said.
"You're spacing a lot–nano dayo," Midorima said.
"Eh? I'm sorry," Tetsuna said.
"Tetsu-chan, if you are thinking about what happened earlier–" Momoi was interrupted when Tetsuna asked a question.
"Since you guys were with Akashi, there's no doubt you know his personality. What kind of person is he?" Tetsuna asked meekly.
Upon asking those, the whole group made a synced, cowered face as if there was a storm that suddenly passed by.
"..."
"Akashi-cchi, is the feared captain and most respected person in Teiko Middle school." Kise said.
"Even Mido-chin and Mine-chin are scared of him," Atsushi added.
"We're not!" Midorima and Aomine shouted in unison and denial.
"Eh, I-is that so?" Tetsuna asked. "I suppose he has a good side too, so please tell me what it is,"
The whole group were silenced in her question and that made Tetsuna inwardly exasperated.
"Sigh, if that's the case," Tetsuna stated while she stands up. "I'll just have to investigate by myself for me to get an answer to my own question."
"Eeeeeeeeeh?" they all exclaimed due to Tetsuna's reaction.
"I'll be going then," Tetsuna said.
"Ah, wait Kuroko-cchi-ssu," Kise broke in before Tetsuna leaves.
"What is it, Kise-kun?" Tetsuna said.
"Umm," Kise mumbled as he looked to others, saying in his eyes "Are you fine with this?"
Midorima sighed. "It seems she made a firm decision. Accompany her, Kise." Midorima said as he patted Kise's right shoulder.
"W-why only me? We're team mates right?" Kise stuttered.
"I do not want to get involved–nano dayo." Midorima said.
"Me too. Let's go," Aomine said.
"No! Midorima-cchi. Don't leave me behind-ssu. No one wants to do it with me!" Kise begged with puppy eyes as he grabbed Midorima's shoulders.
"Shut up, Dumbass." Midorima said as he shoved Kise's arms
With that, Kise had an idea and made an evil smirk to make the two stay. "Ohh, so Murasakibara-cchi states the truth after all." Kise said which made the two turn towards him with confused faces.
"Huh? What are you saying–no dayo?" Midorima said.
"Both of you don't want to come with us because you're afraid of Akashi-cchi, am I wrong?" Kise playfully said.
"Bakayarou, Of course, we're not," Aomine said.
"Then, prove it and come with us," Kise demanded. "If you dare."
"You want a match, blond!" Aomine yelled. "I'll go for it!" Aomine said as he grabbed Midorima.
"O-oi!" Midorima stammered.
"Momoi-cchi and Murasakibara-cchi, help us here, okay?" Kise said wherein the two only nodded.
"Yosh, Then, let's make a plan!" Kise said as he punched the air upward using his right fist.
While inside the gym, Tetsuna and the others managed to find a hide-out, and it was inside a box container of basketballs. It was big but the space became congested at their number. There was a little amount of hole to see what's happening inside the gymnasium's court and Tetsuna had the only chance to peek right through it.
"Really, I can't move!" Kise complained. "Oi, give enough space for Tetsuna!"
"Don't move, idiot! You're blocking my face with that foot of yours!" Aomine said.
"I don't particularly mind," Tetsuna said.
"Be quiet–nano dayo!" Midorima ordered. "Momoi already went to the teacher's faculty. She stayed individually so one could have a summary of the report for this "activity-but-merely-than-excuse". Extra curricular activities allow you to any places, and then, you'll submit reports from what you've learned outside. Originally, other than Akashi no one was permitted to have extra curricular studies outside the room. But since Momoi got us an excuse, we could observe Akashi's schedule at this rate." Midorima said.
"Why Akashi-kun was the only one permitted?" Tetsuna asked.
"Because he has high grades, so teachers are okay with it," Midorima said.
"And Midorima-cchi's competing with him but he always ends up being a second placer," Kise added.
"You don't have to mention it, Kise!" Midorima said.
"Really, this is troublesome," Atsushi complained. "But I'm interested in how Akashi does his everyday schedule."
"Okay this is the first plan. This is where Akashi will be having a meeting with other basketball team captains. I think they will be discussing basketball practice schedules." Kise said.
"Eh? Isn't coach responsible for that?" Aomine asked.
"You know coach has the great confidence in Akashi's decisions that much," Midorima grunted. "It's like, let alone Akashi decides for this manner."
"Uhh. Even the coach seems to be terrified of him," Atsushi said.
Tetsuna remained quiet. Imaginations on how Akashi was like seemed to occupy her.
"Wait! I have something to show," Midorima said as he pulled a couple of sunglasses in his bag.
"What's that for, Midorima-cchi?" Kise asked.
"Isn't it obvious? It's a disguise." Midorima said.
"That's not needed!" Kise said. But, the group ended up wearing one too.
In the court:
"So, who can take up our team?" Akashi asked with a smile, which even made the other team captains freak out.
The other school's basketball captains pointed at each other as if they were a small animal offering each other for a lion's lunch.
"No one's interested? Hm, Maybe I'll just have to pick, no?" Akashi playfully said. "Well, that doesn't matter at all. In any case, whoever we'll be fighting will just lose so I think picking opponents not necessary anymore."
"Don't be so cocky! Short-sized freak," One of the captains stuttered in vexed tone.
The other generation of miracles who are observing Akashi along with Tetsuna inside the box got goose bumps upon hearing those insulting words directed to the most terrifying Teiko captain.
"That idiot, had he lost all of his sanity?" Aomine said. "Saying words like that to Akashi."
"He'll get killed," Midorima continued.
"Ahh, we should stop Akashi-ssu," Kise said worringly.
"You know, I agree with you that size and height are main factors in basketball, but that doesn't measure on how you will win." Akashi calmly said. "Shall we have a mini-game? I'll take you all at the same time. I'll show you how a short-sized freak plays basketball. However, if you lose, please think carefully of the consequences. Oyakoro."
"Bastard, he's looking down on us!" One of the school team captains said.
"Fine. Let's play!" They've all agreed.
After a short match of 5 different school captain against Akashi alone, as the usual thing, Akashi had a flawless victory and made his opponents run crying due to misery.
"That should teach them," Akashi thought as he left the court.
After Akashi left the court,
"Poof!" the sound of the basketball box container opened as the generation of miracles went out of it.
"Waah! I finally had a breath!" Kise said. "Kuroko-cchi, are you alright?"
Tetsuna only nodded. "Let's proceed to the next place." She said.
When they proceeded to the next place where Akashi went, they saw Akashi was sitting on a bench and was listing something in a notebook. They were hiding behind a building few meters away from him.
"Hm, what could that be?" Aomine said.
"Might be his schedule book?" Atsushi said.
Suddenly, a crowd of girls appeared in front of Akashi.
"Ano ne, Akashi-kun can you help us study please?"
"Akashi-kun, please lend us your notebook!"
"Please date with us, Akashi-kun."
These are what the girls pleaded coquettishly which made Akashi annoyed.
"Please accept my apologies but I have no time for that," Akashi said sternly as he stood up leaving the crowd crying for his presence.
One of the girls tried to catch up with him but Akashi gave a warning.
"What I've said should be done. You shouldn't dare to try following me," Akashi said with a dark aura as he went off.
"Scary!" all of the girls thought.
"Ack! Here he comes! Hide!" Aomine said as they pulled off.
"Tetsuna! Run!" Midorima said. "If you don't escape, you'll be caught by Akashi too! You heard his order; none should be following him,"
"What? B-but I'm the one who started this. And I don't want to leave you guys!" Tetsuna protested.
"We'll be fine, Kuroko-cchi-ssu! So go now!" Kise said with a smile as he pushed away Tetsuna for her to escape.
"B-but," Tetsuna stuttered.
"We'll be okay-ssu!" Kise said with an approve thumb as Tetsuna got his signal and ran away.
"It's pointless." Akashi suddenly said as he got nearly in their place. "Do you think I didn't notice all of you inside the gymnasium before?"
As Akashi said that, the members of Kiseki no Sedai showed themselves one by one.
"That's all? Where are Satsuki and Tetsuna?" Akashi sternly asked.
"They were doing their extra-curricular activity somewhere-ssu. Hehe," Kise said with a crooked smile.
"So, if the two were doing their assignments, then why not the four of you do as well rather than observing what I do today?" Akashi said strictly. "Shintarou, I can't believe you joined them for this kind of stuff, Atsushi as well. Do all of you know what punishment awaits you by doing this?"
As they heard the word "punishment", they knew torture awaits them as they gulped hard. Suddenly, Momoi and Tetsuna came in to save them.
"Hai! Hai! Akashi-kun, you don't have to punish them for stalking you. They've done their reports, see?" Momoi said as she showed piles of documents. Each one it was scanned by Akashi.
"I see. I'll let this one slide since Satsuki said you've done your respective assignments, though it's a bit unordered," Akashi said which made the others exhaled due to safety.
"But there will be no next time." Akashi added and that made the group straight themselves.
"Oi, Satsuki, great timing in there. How did you know were in trouble?" Aomine whispered.
"Oh, Aside from preparing from this circumstance, Tetsuna told me what's happening so we ran and saved you all on time," Momoi said.
"Guys, I'm sorry from the trouble I caused." Tetsuna said.
"No problem-ssu, we're saved anyways," Kise said.
Tetsuna smiled.
After the long day where Kiseki no Sedai almost faced their imminent punishment, everyone bid their goodbyes and went to their respective homes, except for Tetsuna.
"Tetsu, we're going now!" Aomine said as he waved his hand.
"Kuroko-cchi, aren't you going home?" Kise asked.
"Ah, I have many things to do here, so please go ahead without me," Tetsuna replied.
"Bye, Kuro-chin!" Atsushi said.
Tetsuna was left in the classroom alone because Akashi assigned her to arrange the piles of reports done by Momoi. After finishing her work, she stretched her arms and decided to rest for a while. She looked at the windows and it was already late afternoon. Suddenly, Akashi dropped in.
"Oh, good, you're still here," Akashi said.
"Akashi-kun, I thought you left already?" Tetsuna asked. "Here, it's already arranged." She said as she showed the documents.
"Otsukaresama," Akashi said with a smile as he handed over a can of vanilla drink.
"Mm? I know Akashi-kun; it's a vanilla drink in a can." Tetsuna said.
"It's for you, idiot." Akashi said, irritated of Tetsuna's reaction.
"Thank you." Tetsuna replied as he accepted and opened the can.
"Ano, Akashi-kun, sorry about what happened earlier," Tetsuna said.
"Hm? Nah~ don't worry about that anymore." Akashi said.
"O-okay." Tetsuna replied. "If you said so,"
"I'm just concerned that if you got accustomed with that habit of yours, you might fail your grade and go back to your former section," Akashi said, his bangs covering his eyes. "We don't want to lose you Tetsuna."
Tetsuna smiled to Akashi's words. How naive she was, she didn't think that behind that stern reply she had from him earlier, there was a hidden concern unto it. "I don't want to lose my friends and Akashi-kun too." she said.
"Changing the subject, it's getting late. We should go home now, Tetsuna," Akashi said. "I don't want you to be late tomorrow in class, got it?"
"Hai," Tetsuna replied.
The two headed together in the exit gate, they parted ways and bid good byes.
"As I thought, Akashi-kun has a soft side after all." Tetsuna said with a smile.
Author's note: Hello everyone! Hisashiburi! I missed you guys. How are you? Haha. My hell week just ended and as I promised, I'll update after I finish all of my school works, so here it is! :) I hope you enjoy reading this chapter. Reviews please. :)
Credits to: EternalPandemonium for proofreading my work! :))