DAY 5 (April 15*) - Teiko AkaKuro Day
Transience | Exchange | Mirage
Bonus: "You didn't forget, did you?"
A/N:Teiko era is very difficult for me to write but I wanted to try. ( >Д<;)
Summary: Kuroko transfers to Teiko, Akashi is deputized to give him a tour of the school.
Beginnings
Akashi was standing on the front steps of Teiko Junior High, waiting for his appointment to arrive. He was not normally an impatient person, but it looked like the transfer student was running late. Not seeing fit to indulge in anything so childish as a sigh of exasperation, Akashi merely kept his gaze trained on the walkway, waiting for a sign someone was on their way.
"Excuse me, are you Akashi-kun?" The voice was soft and polite, but Akashi would have sworn he was alone. He did not quite jump in surprise but he felt himself stiffen as he looked around for the source of the question. It wasn't until he looked behind him and saw a stranger with blue hair patiently standing there that he realized he had not been by himself as he'd thought. The boy wore the Teiko uniform and he seemed to be the same age as Akashi, but Akashi did not recognize him. Was this the transfer student?
"Yes. I'm Akashi. And you…you're real, then?" Akashi asked it suspiciously, not entirely convinced the person standing in front of him wasn't a figment of his own imagination. He had not heard the other person arrive and Akashi himself had been early to ensure he did not miss the transfer student. He should have noticed this person approach. He'd read somewhere that people saw hallucinations during times of stress – perhaps this other person was simply a mirage brought on by something like that.
Blue hair waved in the slight breeze as a small smile passed quickly over an otherwise inscrutable face. "I'm real enough, Akashi-kun. As real as you are anyway."
Akashi shook his head. "I assume you are the transfer student, Kuroko Tetsuya, correct? If so, I was told to meet you here for a tour before you start classes tomorrow."
Kuroko nodded agreeably. "Thank you for looking after me, I know you are very busy. The principle told me you are the vice-captain of the basketball team?"
"Yes, but the captain can manage without me today. Do you play?" His eyes moved over Kuroko's form curiously, he didn't seem particularly athletic.
The simple reply, "I love basketball" was stated with a kind of pure conviction that told Akashi this was someone who took the game seriously.
"Hmm. Well, our club is very competitive, but please do come for an evaluation test. We are always on the lookout for new talent." It was the best Akashi could offer, he would not want to falsely raise Kuroko's hopes.
Kuroko's, "I understand," was quiet but filled with optimism.
Nodding, Akashi waved to encompass the school grounds in general. "Well then, shall we get started?"
After receiving Kuroko's agreement, they took off. Akashi showed Kuroko around, explaining where things were and tossing out general bits of advice. Transfer students had to adjust quickly and Akashi was often called upon to give this type of tour – he didn't really mind, but it was still another obligation to attend to.
Perhaps it wasn't so strange that they ended up at the gymnasium where basketball practice was indeed taking place. Akashi watched Kuroko as he observed the practice from the doorway. If Akashi had ever seen anyone yearn for something so clearly, he couldn't recall it. It was a strange contradiction to see the intensity on what had been an otherwise inscrutable face. But it vanished once Kuroko realized Akashi was watching him – the transience of that expression telling Akashi more clearly than words that Kuroko had seen the level of skill the first string possessed and understood what it meant.
Kuroko didn't say anything right away, just gazed into the room with something that was between wistfulness and determination. Then he turned to look back at Akashi and he smiled, "I look forward to the day we can play together, Akashi-kun."
Akashi didn't mean to, but he knew his eyebrows raised in surprise.
Seeing it, Kuroko gave a small shrug. "I will need to improve; I can see that. But if I set my sights any lower than that, it's admitting defeat before I even start."
Akashi was impressed despite himself. He had a moment of internal debate before he offered, "You didn't forget, did you? I'm the vice-captain, so I know a little something that might help." He looked out at the others before he gave a small hint – an idea that he'd been toying with for a while now. "We are overrun with strong talents that need the spotlight. I'm in that number myself. We lack someone that possesses a subtler skill, something that gives us an unexpected edge. If you can find a niche like that, you might find a place with us in this gym." It was not much, but it was the beginning of something that Akashi himself did not quite expect.
Kuroko listened intently. He understood, he didn't know exactly what he would do about this yet, but he had gotten Akashi's hint as intended. He expelled a brief sigh before replying. "Thank you, Akashi-kun. I will work hard to find something."
Akashi's shrug wasn't dismissive, precisely, but it was meant to convey that Akashi considered this matter in Kuroko's hands, not his own. Still…Akashi was not one to let a talent go to waste. He held out his hand in a demand as he spoke, "Please get your phone, Kuroko. We need to exchange contact information – when you think you're ready, let me know."
Startled, Kuroko blinked in confusion before he processed what Akashi had said. But then he smiled and nodded obediently, extracting his phone. It was the work of moments before Kuroko's phone had a new entry, with Akashi's following suit soon after.
Putting his phone in his bag, Akashi stared contemplatively at Kuroko for a moment. "Welcome to Teiko, Kuroko. I hope to see more of you." It was a reminder and encouragement, but it was a mandate as well. Akashi had placed Kuroko on a path, he expected the other to follow it to excellence.
There was nothing else for Kuroko to say except, "Thank you, Akashi-kun, you will. You definitely will see me again."
It was a promise between them, sealed by the gently flowing air that carried the scent of cherry trees and springtime. They parted paths, each to attend to their own responsibilities, but each hoping for that promise to come to fruition.
