Hai! Pinky here, as said I will no longer put romanjis cuz what I placed were wrong in the first place -_- sorry for the confusions in this and all my other stories for the Japanese inputs. I hope I still have your trust to be worthy of the time and reads you guys give :)

2. For the first time in forever

Tetsuya paled at the decision made by Shuzo as pale hands trembled at the paper he gripped.

"What is this?" He says, trying to remain calm.

"Exactly as it is written." Teiko's king answered with confidence. It has been hours since their confrontation and the king did not know whether to feel mad, upset, shocked or, well you get the picture. But upon knowing his father went through measures to protect these two from harm of their curses; he might as well bring out the fruit of that labor.

"Heika, with all due respect, this is not a wise idea." The teal head did his best as to not yell. "The coronation in TEIKO is upheld by the KING of Teiko." He emphasized but the king in his throne remained composed.

"I am the king, and therefore, I can change the rules when I want it and how I want it. I have already recognized Akashi's kingship this year and I think he can handle the role well." He cringed at the thought of acting like the 'I am absolute' personality of the said red head.

"Heika!" The thread of patience snapped. "This is not for you alone to decide!"

"It is now." he stood up whilst his velvet cape falls on the floor. Shuzo made his way the carpets and levelled looks at aquamarine eyes with intensity. "I want you to show me, how effective this act you've put on these years."

"Act? You think what I went through was an act?!" Control your emptions be dammed, Shuzo went too far. "I lived in solitude and fear not knowing of my limitations just for Sei-kun to live in the light. What can someone like you who lived in the light understand?!"

Though Shuzo was taken aback by the teal head's sudden outburst, he stood his ground. "Then what about Akashi?! You think he lived blissfully being ignorant, casted away without knowing the real reason?" he retorted and Tetsuya flinched. "Everything I did is for his safety. What do you think people will do when they find out about the prophecy coming true? They'll burn-"

"That is not for you to decide! I am the king, and therefore I want, no, I order you to show me the results! Show me that you avoiding him were worth all the trouble that has been spared!"

The teal head grit his teeth in anguish and let out a long exhale. It was one of the things he learned to extinguish his anger. "Sei-kun is easily overwhelmed by the emotions around him and me, who had been warned by your father the late king and the trolls, seems to be the one who did the ulterior damage." The last part came as a whisper. "That's why this request is impossible. If I unconsciously trigger unwanted emotions, who knew what state he'll get himself into? "

"Though you're sudden change of taste will definitely make them wonder."

"Why of course, this will be the last time we're all together in Teiko, I want it to be a memorable one."

"Hmmm.." the king walked back to his throne with a slump. "Okay, I'll cancel the request then-"

"HEIKA!" Shugo immediately entered the throne room. "A message!"

"You don't have to shout, Haizaki-kun."

"Gah! Since when we're you here?!"

No matter these years; Tetsuya hated the noisy ones and wondered again how he had ended up with Taiga in the first place. Shuzo reached for the letter and was shock at the Rakuzan insignia. Perhaps they had already rejected his request?

But alas, it was the opposite. "I'm sorry, Kuroko."

"Don't give me that!" again, another outburst which surprised the king's guard.

'Who knew the brat can be vocal?'

The uncrowned generals shivered in fear at the murderous aura the red head gave them. They were on their knees, trembling pathetically. Chihiro on the other side was enjoying this.

"Which one of you pathetic imbeciles did it?" He says, emphasizing his insult deeply.

The three kneeling flinched but Chihiro smirked deeper. "That would be me."

All hell broke loose.

"Why?"

"Why not? You attended everyone's coronations, why not his too?"

"He is not an exception. It's not like he even wants anyone there in the first place. Obviously he was forced to give these out."

'Denying that he recognized the handwriting, huh?'

Chihiro shrugged. "You said you two weren't close yet those pictures of your first year in Teiko says so otherwise." Seijuro mentally cursed himself of not being able to hide those pictures in his office.

"That was a long time ago."

"Hmm, it's not like Heika to reminisce the past."

"Oi Mayuzumi!"

"That's going too far!"

Their words were not enough to break the tension between them.

"My personal matters are and have been NEVER your business, Chihiro. To pay for your foolish act of accepting Kuroko Tetsuya's invitation without my consent will doom you into coming with me and entertaining the Seirin dukes and duchesses."

Now the silver head flinched. Crap. How he hated the Seirin aristocrats since 1) they have 2 left feet for dancing and 2) they are plain weird. Take example that guy who look like a cat and is the only one who can understand that mute giant's sign languages. "Fine." He grumbled. "Just know Heika that this is your last reunion in Teiko Kingdom. Once Prince Kuroko is crowned, I doubt there'll be reasons to go back there again."

Every word hurt and Seijuro could feel his finger tingling under those white gloves. "Do I look like I care? You are all dismissed." He says coldly, turning his back whilst his royal red coat. 'What do they know?!' He mentally screamed, biting his lower lip. Seijuro had not been in contact with Tetsuya for at least a year and a half and now and the crowned prince of Seirin was suddenly, well, open. To invite Seijuro for his coronation was an understatement. In HIS handwriting no less. Sure he had come to theirs but he was barely there. Seijuro after all these years had learned to accept it… Yet he found it in his heart to yearn for him, just a bit. The other part of him had warned not to expect so much or it'll be a door slammed in his face.

He went to his office and removed his gloves before slumping at his chair with a huff. This will be the last time Teiko will open its gate to the other kingdoms; he might as well make it worth it.

Laying on his study table was a letter with Seirin's black and red insignia that caught his eyes. Mayuzumi accepted the invitation so why was there another? He bet his money Tetsuya was probably going to take the invitation back.

'To Akashi Seijuro'

His eyes widened at the handwriting.

'His highness of Rakuzan,

I am honored that you have spared your time for my coronation. I hope you will enjoy your time in Teiko and the theme of decors will suit your taste'

Formal yet it made his heart flutter.

'Also I am grateful that you have accepted the role of being my accompanist though I know it is a lot of trouble to be the one to officially announce of my status. I will do my best not to trouble you. Take care on your journey.

- Kuroko Tetsuya'

Accompanist? The one who will help him walk the altar to the priest and hand him the scepter and ball... "CHIHIRO!"

For the first time in forever; Kuroko Tetsuya wrote to him. And for the last time in what will seem like forever; Mayuzumi Chihiro will never push his majesty's buttons again.

2 WEEKS LATER

"I can't believe it, Kurokochii actually invited me!" Ryota grinned, spinning around Teiko's ballroom floor but his back hit a certain green head's shoulder, and almost dropping what seems to be a head or whatever he's holding. "Watch it, fool!" He spat.

"I'm sorry, Midorimachii." The blonde apologized sheepishly. "I'm just so happy that he actually invited us. And look how he had the place decorated! So, so unlike him!"

Shintarou admits he was quite surprised with how the teal head was immediately acting. The place was joyful, no dull decors like he was expecting and for Tetsuya to have the gates open on his coronation was surprising. Heck, none of them had the gates opened on theirs. What was the teal head thinking? He couldn't have possibly been forced to do this since he was adamant to flat out refuse and no one had guts to disobey him.

"This way, Dai-chan!"

"Shut up, Satsuki, I know my way around here."

"Liar, you got lost on your way to the bathroom." Just then, a pinkette dressed in light green ruffles came in the ballroom, pulling one Aomine Daiki in a messy cobalt suit. "Ah, everyone's here."

"Momoi-chii, Aomine-chii!" The two overrated king and queen reunited which was another reason why Daiki had prepared ear plugs.

"Ha, Tetsu outdid himself." Daiki's eyes wandered at the place, a bit stars truck. "Doesn't seem like any of these were his taste."

"Of course. But then again Kuroko is unexpected-"

"Uwah! Look at these curtains, they're golden! Kurokochii must've thought of me-" Ryota was twirling blindly with the curtain warpped around him when he suddenly bumped into Shintaro, his head figurine flying into a velvet cake. "AHH! My lucky item!"

"My… cake." Out of the blue, a tall man with violet hear looming over the two responsible emitted.

"M-Murasakibara-chii"

RIP!

The golden curtain was down and the other decors followed.

Screams echoed and the red head waiting who was in the verge of coming to the ballroom hesitated and walked away. 'I'll meet up with them later.' He thought.

Maids and servants were running around the place with sweat and glee, carrying whatever food or plates they can. Some rushing to clean and other's opening the stained glass windows at the same time. How light blinded those heterochromatic eyes in wonder. How he had forgotten, how Teiko looked like in sunshine. Eagerly (something out of character), he went out and waited for the gates to open before running out like a madman.

He inhaled the sweet fumes of the flowers, walked by the bays to see and time to time stroke the horses at the decorated stables. It felt like a festival, nostalgic, like that one time he and Tetsuya managed to escape the castle-

"OOPH!"

He made an inaudible sound upon being knocked down by a flash of white and black. Seijuro glared at whatever pounded him but his heterochromatic eyes met with familiar blue ones. "What the…?" how did a dog look so much like Tetsuya?

Though the teal head had planned everything and was prepared in so many ways; he could not escape his nervousness. From the top floor; he can already hear everyone (Ryota most especially) followed by glass breaking and things falling out of place. He sighed. Riko will not be happy about this.

He walked towards his desk and took a candle stand by his right hand a black jewelry box, straightening his posture as if copying the late Teiko king's portrait. "One mistake and everyone will know." He says to himself and blue flames crept up and lit the candle against his will. Hastily, Tetsuya placed the items back and exhaled a deep breath. For a moment he felt jealous of Seijuro for being unable to remember of …well, this. Being conscious of the curse made the teal head live in fear and carefulness. If only there was another way-

"Kuroko." A man dressed in dirt ridden white clothes entered. The orange hair was already unmistakable by Tetsuya so he immediately forced up a smile. "It's time."

"Okay." The agony waits. "Tell the guards to open the gates, Ogiwara-kun."

The orange head gave out a toothy grin. "Sure thing, love."

"By the way, why are you covered in dirt?"

"Ah, this? Your pet Nigou ran away again."

"What?"