A/N: So I've decided to skip preparing stuff for tomorrow's class and do this instead. LOL. Even though I said I'd be busy and all, I just got so overwhelmed by the number of people who tuned in to the story since the first chapter was up. So I'm repaying you guys with this third chapter. Enjoy!

"Like I said, you just disappeared without a trace last night!" a man who had wild red hair exclaims exaggeratingly at the blue-headed one.

"Ugh… I just don't know anymore," the smaller of the two grumbles as he slowly places his heavy head on the table.

After getting back home just an hour ago, Kuroko Tetsuya had quickly changed into one of his everyday clothes and called his roommate at his workplace to talk about what happened last night. His home-partner and long time best friend slash confidant, Kagami Taiga, luckily just started his three-hour break then. The redhead offered him coffee, and Kuroko just instantly said yes to his own relief. He needed coffee. Tons of it.

So here they are now, still getting nowhere in the conversation for Kuroko's whereabouts last night.

"So? Where'd you end up?" Kagami asks, taking a sip of his vanilla macchiato. Vanilla wasn't exactly his favorite, but living with someone who loved vanilla got to him eventually.

Kuroko freezes at the question.

"Don't tell me you were with another woman?" he asks in a rather joking way, taking another quick sip.

Kuroko scratches his head fiercely as he takes the question to heart. "Don't make me look like a troublemaker. I'm not. It's only happened once; twice if you include today – and both accidental."

Kagami laughs silently. "That woman was crazy. It was during college, right? She got dumped by her boyfriend and managed to get you drunk at a party, if my memory serves me correctly."

"Enouuuuuugh," Kuroko grumbles, squeezing his face weirdly in his hands.

Kagami just smiles.

He knew better than to let his friend get cornered. He'll wait, just like he always did. Kagami knew Kuroko was the type of person to open himself up if the time was right. So that's why, for now, he'll be quiet. He'll enjoy the café music, look at the passersby outside, and patiently wait for-

"She was someone from middle school."

"Well that was fast," Kagami says to his honest surprise. He rests his back on the comfortable chair and then places his right leg on his left one. "So? What's with this person that's got you so worked up?"

"She's one of them."

"Them?" he repeats.

"The guys I used to be with during middle school… You know…."

"Oh…"

And then silence.

"So?" Kagami breaks Kuroko's tension. The blue boy raises his head at him, looking quite confused. "So what are you going to do about it? It's not like you can run this time, right? After all, you said their going away to different high schools was lucky enough, but this time… This time you can't hide or run away anymore."

Kuroko grabs his own cup of sweet vanilla macchiato and takes a quick sip to hydrate his dry mouth. He sighs. "You're right. I can't run anymore. And I knew this day would come anyway…"

Kagami smiles and places a hand on his friend's shoulder. Kuroko's downward eyes level at Kagami's and he sees the expression his friend was wearing. It was so radiant and pure that he almost forgot his own dilemma.

"I'm here anyway," Kagami says comfortingly, "I'll help you face them, if you want."

And from there, all the worries just blurred momentarily.

During his last year in his middle school, Teikou, Kuroko had quickly looked up for schools that his former teammates didn't sign up for. Luckily, Seirin was one of the available choices and was conveniently close to his home. For obvious reasons, he didn't join the basketball club, nor did he attend any of the competitions of the said club.

But one afternoon, Kuroko found himself wandering around the school's basketball gym. He heard the squeaking of quick footsteps and got curious. He peered through the doorway and saw this tall redhead running around dribbling and afterwards, shooting basketballs in the ring, one after the other. His form was beautiful and so was the smile on his face as he played. It was radiant… just like…

He shook his head at the coming thought.

Later on, despite Kuroko's very weak presence, the redhead had noticed him and talked to him about the sport. Kuroko was silent about the topic, but talked about many different things with him… After that, everything was history.

That is why, even after six years of being together, Kuroko couldn't still help but be captured by his smile and his kindness. He found comfort and escape in his friend's company. It was just so… relaxing and free to be with him.

Kuroko takes Kagami's hand from his shoulder and holds on to it tightly.

"I'm very lucky to be with you, Kagami-kun," Kuroko smiles a bit weakly, but truthfully at the man across him. Kagami couldn't help but display shades of red on his face.

"Y-Yeah, well… What are friends for, anyway?" Kagami mumbles shyly.

Kuroko smiles and releases his hold on his friend's hand.

Just right after doing so, Kuroko's phone vibrates in his right side pocket. He takes it out and answers the device. "Hello? Yes, speaking. Mm… I see… I see… No, I'm available right now… Yes. I will. I'll be there in a few minutes. Thank you."

Kagami questions him about the phone call. "Work?"

"Yeah," Kuroko sighs, "Seems like my co-teacher suddenly got sick. I need to substitute for her."

"Oh, can't be helped then, huh?" Kagami says a bit disappointingly.

"Yeah…" Kuroko says in agreement. "See you later then."

Kagami nods and waves him goodbye. Kuroko waves back and walks on out of the café. He passes by Kagami's way and hurries on without looking back again.

Kagami's smile quickly fades away that instant. He sighs and takes his phone out of his small backpack. He stares at the object with lowered brows and contemplates his next move. But as if he had no choice, he dials a number and places the phone beside his ear.

"Yo," Kagami starts, "It's me."

He takes a moment for the person on the other line to acknowledge him and ask his purpose for calling.

"So we were talking just now… Kuroko's noticed," Kagami says, tapping the arm of the chair. "Anyways, I'm not against your plans or anything, but drugging him and your best friend was a bit too much, wasn't it?"

"What are you talking about?" the man on the other line says with a snort, "For all I know, Satsuki loved it. And anyway, he's all ours to share. Don't worry. You get a share of him too, Kagami. He's a kind person after all."

Kagami can't help but just huff a laugh at the man's comment.

A/N: Length of the chapters varies to the cliffhangers and or surprises I'm leaving you guys. 'Til next chapter!