Chapter 5
Coming out of the shadows.
The gym wasn't far, just a couple of blocks down the road, but the walk to there was silent and that made the three people at fault nervous for what was to come once they entered the building and all three of them wished that the gym was much farther or that their teammate would give up on this talk but they knew that wouldn't happen and sooner than they thought they found themselves right in front of the building.
Kuroko quickly started searching for the keys in his bag and he unlocked the doors right after finding them but then his phone ringed and he looked at the screen to see who was calling him, the caller made his eyes widen for a minute but then he turned to his coach.
"Can I pick this? The conversation won't last long and the gym is right in front of us, down the corridor." Kuroko pleadingly said as he pointed at the door on the other side of the long corridor and he got wordless approval as Riko nodded her head and led the team down the corridor while Kuroko picked the phone.
"Hey, Akiko-sensei." Kuroko said as he held the phone to his ear.
"Hello to you too, Tetsuya-kun. I am sorry for calling right after a match, but I wanted to talk things out with you regarding the matter you asked me to research about." The caller said gently and Kuroko smiled hopefully.
"Thank you for doing this, sensei, so did you find anything useful that could help my sempai?"
"I first researched all his files in the hospital and found what his condition is but as it is true that his ankle is severely damaged, it's not true that he can't be healed. After finding his condition I called a few people and found out that there is a way to treat his ankle and in a way that he wouldn't have to give up on basket or need to have a long skip of it because of the treatment. I found out also that you have a month long window between today's match and the next one and that's the reason I am calling. The treatment your friend would have to go through has to be done in Los Angeles, USA. The treatment would consist of one small surgery, from which he would have two weeks to recover from and for two weeks he would stay with a friend of mine that would be able to get him on his feet and ready for a match." Akiko explained on the phone and Kuroko smiled brightly, he had hoped that she would find some way to help but he hadn't thought she would do so much.
"So you are saying that Kiyoshi would be healed for one month, but then why didn't the doctors say anything about that to him?" Kuroko asked in wonder.
"Because the treatment he would have to go through is not one that the country is going to pay for. The tickets, the surgery, the fees… your friend doesn't have the needed money for that kind of treatment. Before calling you I called your father and consulted with him about the needed money. Daisuke-san said he is going to pay for it all and I decided to tell you everything, so you could inform your friend while I will call I few people and have the hospital ready for him by the time he would have to arrive in USA and it's best to be in the day after tomorrow." Akiko said and Kuroko had a wish to jump up and down from the news.
'I have to thank father when I go home.' Kuroko said as he said goodbye to Akiko and went down the corridor to the gym, stopping short at one of the doors and entering it to take some restaurant books with himself and as he stood in front of the doors of the gym he breathed out and opened it.
The whole team except for Kagami and Kiyoshi were seated down on the benches, while the other two stood in front of them, not knowing from where to start and both look glad to see Kuroko enter, just like he was their savior.
"I don't want to keep you all here overnight, so I will try to make the explanation short but I think it's best if we first order a take out from the closest restaurants." Tetsuya started as he passed down to everyone different menus.
They quickly choose different meals and drinks and ordered them. Right after ordering everything a silence filled the room and everyone's eyes were locked on Kuroko, who looked a bit uncomfortable from getting this much attention. For years he made it so people's attention was directed anywhere but at him and getting the attention now felt so different and made him even more nervous than he already was.
"So, Kuroko-kun… I don't feel like standing in silence while waiting for our diners, so how about you start with your explanation…" Riko said as she stared at Kuroko.
'I guess it's time to tell my story…' he thought and then sighed.
"When I was small I loved watching my father play basket and I ended up loving the game. When I entered elementary school and found out that there was a basketball club I entered it right away. I was younger than everyone but I had a crazy kind of style and in no time I was pointed as the ace of the team and when the matches started my team continued to win game after game. But then with each game we played the opposite team was stronger and stronger and then we faced Hanamiya Makoto's team and we were close to losing. They were forcing us into false fouls and I felt like we didn't have a way out, but I wasn't going to take it easily and with my desperation of wanting to win I entered the zone and went out like crazy. I played like mad, not taking note of myself and I didn't even notice that I was injuring myself but once we were pointed winners and I left the zone I remember losing consciousness and when I woke up I was in a hospital with one leg sprained and the other with torn meniscus. I had to stop playing basketball but I couldn't stay away from the court for long, so for a while I played on a court close to my home with a friend of mine, but then we had to part because he had to leave and then I joined Teiko. I couldn't play my old style, but thanks to Akashi-kun I started playing a different style, a style that gave me the chance to once again play in a match but after we lost to Aomine I couldn't take being useless anymore, so I went to my doctor and after going through some exams it was found that through growing up I had healed and could start retaking my old style. Ever since then I have been training…" Kuroko explained and as he looked at his teammates and they were all looking at him with wide eyes. They didn't know what he could say to explain himself but this kind of story was not the one they expected.
"So you mean to tell us that you have a totally different kind of style under your sleeve and you didn't tell us a thing!" Koganei exclaimed excited and Riko, who was right next to him, hit him on the head and then turned towards Kuroko with serious eyes and he flinched slightly.
"This kind of thing is something you are supposed to tell your coach, Kuroko-kun. What if your leg had gotten injured? And then again if you have been training to retake your style shouldn't you have told us so we could have helped… I am not your coach for nothing, you know?" Riko scolded Kuroko and then smiled gently. "But thanks for telling us now." She said gently and Kuroko blushed slightly at her change of speaking and nodded then murmured quietly.
"I haven't been training alone…"
"Yeah, I think all of us could guess that Kagami has been helping you and thanks to him busting out Kiyoshi, we know that he too has helped." Hyuuga said as he slightly glared at Kiyoshi who smiled widely.
"I can't say I have helped because I feel like I gained more than I gave… that guy ended up training me more than I did him." Teppei stated as he smirked at Kuroko who sweat dropped, while the other members of the team looked at them in wonder. "He is good at pointing your weak spots and also damn good at telling you how to handle them and actually turn your weakness in your strong spot."
"I guess it's pretty much the right time for you to come out and tell us everything, Kuroko-kun, because your help would be even more needed in the one month we have to train." Riko said with a smirk but then Kuroko turned to Kiyoshi and then at the team again.
"I think you would have to count Kiyoshi-sempai down from the people who are going to be training." Kuroko started but right before they asked him what he meant the doorbell rang and he went to open it with Kagami right behind him.
At the door stood the deliverer with their orders in hand and while Kagami took them back in the gym Kuroko quickly paid and went in the gym too. They quickly game each the meals they had ordered and all of them looked from their meal to Kuroko who tried to ignore the staring eyes.
"Just eat quietly so you won't choke and I will tell you whatever you want after it…" Kuroko murmured and they all stopped staring at him and eating quickly.
"So what did you mean when you said that Riko would have to count me down from the people that would be training?" Kiyoshi asked as he looked pointedly at Kuroko, who in return smiled happily.
"I asked my doctor to research the situation with your ankle and if there is a possibility of healing you… just now at the door she called me and told me what she had found. There is a way for you to be healed and then even ready for a match… you would have to go through a surgery but there is a way for the treatment to last for two weeks and then for the next two weeks you will stay with a friend of my doctor that would be able to get you back on the court on time for the next match. By the way the surgery is going to be in LA, USA and there is no way I am going to let you back out from it for any reason." Tetsuya stated happily and everyone looked at him wide eyed but then Kiyoshi hugged him tightly, Riko felt tears making their way down her face, while Hyuuga and everyone else felt like hugging the smaller boy too.
"Thank you, Tetsuya-kun." Kiyoshi said and then let go from Kuroko to look at the person who had patted his shoulder to come face to face with a little agitated Kagami. 'Jealousy boy…' Kiyoshi thought and smirked at Kagami while stepping away from Kuroko.
"You could have said that earlier!" Riko exclaimed but then she dashed forward to Kuroko and hugged him too. "But thank you for doing this." She whispered as she tightened her hold.
"So when am I supposed to leave? Wait a minute how am I supposed to pay the surgery?" Kiyoshi asked as his eyes widen once again and for a minute he felt like the new coming hope in his heart was crushed again.
"The problem with the money had been taken care of and you are leaving the day after tomorrow." Kuroko answered with a smile.
"How?" Kiyoshi asked as he looked lost of words.
"My father decided to foundate a promising basketball player…" Kuroko answered with a smile and everyone looked at him surprised.
"Just how rich is your father and come to think of it you said this is one of your father's gyms…" Hyuuga started as he looked dumbfounded at the blue haired boy… the surprises were getting too many for one night.
"My father owns an advertising agency and he likes spending his money on good causes." Kuroko said like was telling the weather.
'Said like that… it makes it hard to feel angry or jealous.' Thought most of his the teammates.
"Okay guys, it's getting late and I think all of us should start going home. It has been a long day filed with too many emotions, so let's go home. Tomorrow I have booked a one night stay in a hot spring, so get up early." Riko said and with that they quickly parted their ways.
On the way home Kagami, Kuroko and Kiyoshi were walking together for a bit.
"Thank you, Tetsuya-kun." Kiyoshi said sincerely as he ruffled the blue haired boy's hair and got a scolding look from Kagami.
"You have nothing to thank me for, sempai. I just hated the idea that this could be your last year playing, I love playing with you and I want to play more than just one year with you." Kuroko said as he smiled and the other two smiled too.
"You two indeed make a good couple…" Kiyoshi said and laughed as the two boys blushed scarlet, they had tried to hide their relationship but it seems to be not hidden well enough. "Don't worry, I don't think the others have found out yet and I won't tell anyone but even if they know I don't think their point of view of you two would change… Well I will be going this way have a nice night you two…" Kiyoshi said and left the two blushing boys in the middle of the road.
"Well I guess we aren't very good in hiding…" Kuroko said as he looked at Kagami who smiled and then kissed him.
"I don't really care if we are found out or not. I am not ashamed of being with you. Having you by my side makes me happy, so if someone doesn't like it he can get lost because I wouldn't care about what he thinks! I pretty much told you once that I am ready to fight the world if I have you by my side." Kagami stated and then took Kuroko's hand in his hold and moved forward toward the blushing blue haired boy's home.
Soon they arrived to Kuroko's doorsteps and after a quick goodbye Taiga headed to his own apartment.
The next day they were all sleepy and thanks to that the traveling to the hot spring was quiet one. After each were given keys to their rooms they went to leave their bags there and quickly after made their way to the hot spring.
'And I thought I would finally see Kuroko naked but he was more like cotton candy than naked…' Kagami thought as he went to buy Kuroko's sports drink.
No one had expected to meet Touou in the hot spring but they made them even more agitated to win the next game, especially knowing that they would be facing the team they had once lost against.
"Thanks for appearing when you did, Taiga-kun." Kuroko said when Aomine left the two alone.
"You've nothing to be thankful but I have something to beg you for…" Taiga said as he looked at Tetsuya with all the seriousness he could master.
"What is it, Taiga-kun?" Kuroko asked curiously.
"Can you let Aomine to me…? I want to beat him myself. I think that if I don't face him myself but count on you I will never become a better player. I know you said you were celebrating knowing that Aomine is our next opponent but can I ask you to hold back one more time for me?" Kagami pleaded as he looked Kuroko in the eyes, who in return smiled gently.
"You don't have to beg me, Kagami-kin. I myself don't think its good idea for me to get out of the shadows from the very first match but I would still face Touou with my misdirection and I have a trick or two up my sleeve, waiting to be tried on someone… I told you I will stop playing this misdirection style once it's run its cause and I am planning to run it all in this match, so don't worry the ring is all yours but I will try and make a way for you to it, too." Kuroko stated and Kagami smiled.
"Thanks Kuroko."
The next morning came soon and they started gathering in front of the hot spring.
"All right, everyone's here… don't wonder why Kiyoshi isn't… he went to his flight earlier." Hyuuga stated.
"Excuse me… Kagami-kun's been missing since this morning" Kuroko stated as he looked at his captain.
"Your bed head is ridiculous!" Hyuuga exclaimed as he turned towards Kuroko.
"Kagami's missing…" Tsuchida started talking but was interrupted.
"Starting today we will be practicing without Kagami-kun for a while. I will explain later." Riko said as she emerged from the hotel behind them.
"Okay, let's go home." Hyuuga said but was quickly stopped by Riko who told them they would be training in the gym right next to the hot spring. There they met Kagetora, who was going to be train them for that one month.
'He is kindda scary…' Kuroko thought as Kagetora pointed a gun at them but then they were send running in the mountain.
'He makes the training kind of fun… by far funnier than the one with my father… But it's good to have already gone through the same training once. It's a lot easier now.' Kuroko thought as the team entered the gym once again. Then Kagetora started explaining what they would do through the one month training.
'That move is certainly a good one, but Momoi would easily find a way to counter it after the first couple of times she witness it…' Kuroko thought as Kagetora showed Hyuuga the barrier jumper. 'But what feels my mind more is… Kagami where are you?'
"That aside…" Tetsuya started wondering just how to ask where his boyfriend went without calling.
"Huh? By the way, where is Kagami?" Koganei asked the question Kuroko wanted an answer for.
"Kagami went to America together with Kiyoshi. Apparently there he has a teacher who taught him basket." Riko explained.
"Teacher?" Furihata asked.
"I haven't heard anything about this!" Hyuuga stated a bit surprised.
"I found out last night. This year's first years have really been coming and going as they please. It's like they are messing around with me." Riko said as she roughly ruffled Kuroko's hair.
"Why me? Ow, ow… I am sorry." Kuroko complained as he was trying to move away from his coach.
"Well… if he is going to come back stronger, I can't complain…" Hyuuga said as he smiled.
'Well I can complain… I am his boyfriend and he decided to up and leave without telling me a thing! That, Bakagami!' Kuroko thought a bit angrily as Riko finally let him go.
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So here is the chapter… sorry for the chapter being this small and for taking a while to publish it… I have been a bit busy.
I will start writing the next chapter tomorrow but I am not very sure when it would be done but I would to my best to publish it before Friday because then I would be going home and I don't feel like bringing my laptop with myself.
I don't know if you like this chapter… I kindda left some things out that I am planning on using in the next chapter but we would see what my mind would come up with…
So I finally come close to Touou vs Seirin… I am not sure what I would make out of that match but we would see in the next chapter…
See ya ^_^