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Chapter 2

Kuroko watched as Kagami practically stormed off after classes were done. The other had been acting like that since he had snuck back in the classroom during the quiz earlier, after making a quick visit to the bathroom.

He gathered his things as quick as he could and tried to catch up with his friend.

"Kagami-kun!" He tried to call out while panting. His head pounded and for a moment the world tilted causing him to bump into a student. As he was sure he was about to hit the floor, a hand caught him by his arm. He looked up to see Kagami, still looking pissed, though he wasn't looking at him.

"Why are you upset?" Kuroko couldn't help but ask rather than apologize.

Instead of answering, Kagami pulled him roughly on his feet and continued on his way. Kuroko frowned and followed either way, "Kagami-kun—aksh!"

Kagami turned to him with a frown on his face. This time however, it didn't seem like he was frowning out of anger but more from worry. As soon as he noticed this though, he quickly looked away and said, "Come on, coach will kill us if we're late."

Kuroko was a little relieved to hear the lack of anger in his tone, "Hai—ksh!"

KnB

-Gym-

"Overslept, huh?" Riko said with a sickly sweet smile.

Kuroko felt his sweat trickle down the side of his face. As much as the team was relieved to see one of their aces okay, Riko wasn't merciful at all, "I guess you'll just have to make up for this morning's practice."

Kuroko couldn't help the wince at what Riko was trying to imply.

"Make five laps around the gym. Outside."

Kuroko tried not to remember how cold he was feeling at the moment and tried to ignore the splitting headache and his painful stomach.

"Maybe that's a little too much, neh?" Kiyoshi appeared next to her, "The weather outside is freezing."

Riko looked like she was contemplating his words. Her eyes then softened, "Alright, inside the gym then. But make that seven laps."

Kuroko let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, "Hai."

As he left to do his laps, Hyuga appears next to Kiyoshi, "Seven laps? I thought you'd give him at least fifteen or something."

"We both know he won't make it." Riko huffed; she knew better than to push her players too much. She then turned to Kuroko and watched the other start his laps before making a concerned look, "Kuroko-kun… he seems a little off don't you think?"

"Aksh!" Kuroko stumbled a bit at the sudden sneeze.

"What was that?" Murasakibara asked looking far from curious. He looked back, as he jogged.

Kuroko wiped his nose, "Sumimasen, it was me."

"Eh? Kurokocchi?" Kise turned to him while jogging backwards.

"Hm? Don't tell me you're coming down with something."Midorima adjusted his glasses.

"I think I caught a cold."

"Hn…" Aomine gave him that dull look, "…don't let it pull you down."

Kuroko shadowed his eyes at the memory. Riko's whistle echoed and he looked up to see the team dividing into two groups from the sticks they drew. The purpose, the coach lectured, was to learn how to be in sync no matter whom you were playing with.

The phantom player sniffed as he wiped his nose with his shirt.

Riko's whistle echoed throughout the gym once more and his eyes widened as the scene before him changes all of a sudden.

"If you're sick, suck it up." Kuroko stared up at the coach as his eyes remained blank, "If you want to be strong, you have to learn to set your weaknesses aside."

He tried to ignore the worried look of Momoi and the blank stares his teammates gave him.

"Teiko does not tolerate weak players."

He ignored the emptiness that grew within him.

"Our goal is to be on top of everyone else and to always win."

Another whistle pierced through his hearing and Kuroko winced at the headache that accompanied it. The world tilted once more and he held on to the wall for balance. He listened to the sound of the ball dribbling and the squeaks of the players' shoes.

Slowly he straightened himself as the uncharacteristic anger grew within him and gave him the temporary strength to keep him on his feet.

"If you want to be strong, you have to learn to set your weaknesses aside."

How could he have let the coach… the school manipulate him like this?

What quiz? What practice?

Who was he kidding? He could've excused himself with ease from that test and Riko would've understood. He should've seen it—the real reason why he went to school and kept hiding to Kagami about how awful he really felt.

He was merely proving to no one… that he was strong.

"Teiko does not tolerate weak players."

The sudden pain that shot up in his stomach got him on his knees. He balanced one hand on the ground while the other was wrapped tightly on his stomach. The blank stares of his previous teammates flashed beneath his shut eyes.

"Our goal is to be on top of everyone else and to always win."

He listened to the game that continued and tiredly looked up. He didn't know if he should be relieved or worried that they haven't noticed yet. His eyes widened as he thought Kagami turned to look at him.

"Stand up." Akashi's hand suddenly appeared in front of him.

He was greatly mistaken as he realized his partner was just staring at the ball that Izuki had passed to Koganei. He tried to stand, but the pain was unbearable that he had to double over and gasp.

"Stand up, Tetsuya." Akashi said, sounding a little more firm.

He felt like puking, but there was nothing else to throw up. Cheers suddenly erupted right after hearing the loud slam of a certain slam dunk.

"Kagami's pumped!"

Kuroko heard one of his fellow first years spoke. He felt a small twitch at the side of his mouth. At least Kagami was able to release some frustrations from the test earlier. His stomach lurched once more and his sweaty hand tried to find support on the ground as he started heaving.

"GO KAGAMI!"

Cold mismatched eyes bore through him. "Stand up before you disgrace yourself further."

Disappointment washed over him as he shut his eyes tightly. It must be the fever getting to him as he randomly thought of how pathetic he was for thinking he could be strong. The real strong player here was the one making the shots at the moment, not the one who was practically on his knees dry-heaving.

He was… weak.

Cheers echoed the gym as the winner was finally decided. Kuroko couldn't move because the pain just kept getting worse when he tried to.

Deep inside, he hoped no one would notice him. That no one would see him and would momentarily forget him. He had been able to hide his presence easily without talking or moving, so if he was lucky—

"Aksh!" The jolt that accompanied the sneeze got him clawing on the ground. The arm around his stomach tightened and he listened for his friends if they noticed.

"You were so cool Kagami!"

"You were really pumped up, weren't you?"

"Tch! Of course I was! The stupid teacher pissed me off!"

Kuroko breathed heavily. Good. They didn't notice him yet.

"Stand up, Tetsuya."

The light-haired boy winced at Akashi's words and made another attempt to stand, but failed miserably. He caught a slight movement somewhere in front of him and he looked up to see a certain orange ball roll to a stop.

I once hated basketball.

His blank eyes stared coldly at the ball that laid a couple of feet in front of him. He blamed the sport for changing his friends… for every good things he now lost… but…

A pair of red shoes approached the ball and in the background the chatter and cheers continued.

Truly, the ball held more presence than him. How humiliating…

"What was that?"

"If you're sick, suck it up."

"Eh? Kurokocchi?"

"Teiko does not tolerate weak players."

"Hm? Don't tell me you're coming down with something."

"If you want to be strong, you have to learn to set your weaknesses aside."

"Hn… don't let it pull you down."

"Our goal is to be on top of everyone else and to always win."

"Stand up before you disgrace yourself further."

He watched as Kagami kept his eyes trained on the ball before reaching to pick it up. He still hasn't noticed him yet.

Good.

No…

Not good…

It never had been. Keeping things from Kagami… from his team… he let out a shaky breath and slowly reached his hand out to touch the icon of the sport he loves.

There was a soft tap as he managed to hold it just as Kagami's hands appeared at its sides. He watched as those hands stiffened in surprise and looked up to see his light turning to him in confusion. He opened his mouth—probably to say his name—but left it hanging as his eyes widened in shock—shock that he never got to see no matter how many times he had surprised the other with his lack of presence.

Time seemed to pause between them and the noises seemed to have been shut out for a moment. Kuroko couldn't help but wonder how horrible he must've looked for his light to look like that.

He tried to smile through the pain, "C-Congratulations, Ka…gami-kun."

And just like that, he lost his strength and fell forward. He braced for the impact of the floor but was surprised to feel arms support him. He cringed as Kagami shouted with so much panic, "Coach! Captain! I need help! It's Kuroko!"

"What? What happened?!"

"Kuroko-kun?!"

"What's wrong with him!?"

"Call the school nurse! Quick!"

"Oi, Kuroko! Answer me!" He felt Kagami shake him and he tried to voice out how uncomfortable it felt being shook like that, but much to his surprise, different words came out of his mouth instead,

"Gomen… for not standing strong."

He felt the other stiffen and he could immediately tell his consciousness was fading.

"Kuso, why didn't we notice before?"

"Kagami…" Hyuga's voice sounded distant, "Can you move him— Kagami?"

And just as he was about to completely black out, he felt a huge hand push his head to lie down on broad shoulders. Kagami's fading voice was the last thing he heard,

"What the heck are you talking about?! You idiot!"

TBC

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