God, this took me forever to write. I seem to be getting a lot of writer's block lately and it's pissing me off.
But I still have the chapter with me, so that's good news, and I really hope you like it. I just started summer vacation and I can't wait to write my heart and soul out during my free time. I still have to study and everything but it's nice to have some time alone :)
Nothing else to say except to check out the poll I made for A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words and other KnB stories I've written (I'd recommend Memento Mori)
So, without further ado, here is the next chapter!
Note
- Italicized words are words spoken in English
- Though it is summer vacation in Japan, let's just pretend that school is still in session in the States and won't be vacation until after (AKA when the plot demands it)
- Kuroko's school will be modeled after my own, as well as experiences I've had in real life, so I apologize in advance if the things I put aren't relevant in the States (I live in Mexico, by the way)
It was official. Midorima hated airplanes. Especially 11 hour flights where he couldn't hear anything but terrible english, irritated sighs, and gibberish coming from the iPad.
The moment the seatbelt sign turned off Akashi immediately called Murasakibara to sit next to him, as well as making Aomine come closer to where they were at. Midorima took the time to sit next to Kise, who was still on the first episode of Finding Carter. His brow was furrowed as he tried to repeat words and phrases coming from the show. It wasn't long until he paused the episode and sighed heavily.
"Akashicchi, this is too hard." Kise whined but Akashi was a bit preoccupied dealing with the two dumbos who couldn't understand anything.
"Keep watching Ryouta." Was the only advice Akashi gave him. Kise ran a hand through his hair and pleaded to Midorima to save him from the torture that was English. Midorima pretended not to notice him and looked out the window, his view being blocked by the white clouds and the small glimpse of the airplane wing.
"Atsushi, repeat after me. 'How are you today?'" Akashi said in perfect English and Murasakibara visually looked scared to try it.
"Wait, what? Say that again. Slower. Much, much slower." Aomine told Akashi, unable to comprehend even the first letter of the phrase. Akashi was not a patient man, but this was just God playing with him.
"How. Are. You. Today." Akashi repeated slowly, just as Aomine had asked, but even then, both Murasakibara and Aomine could not try it.
"We'll try something easier then. Try saying hello in English." Akashi decided to change, a bit irritated that he couldn't teach something as easy as this.
"I forgot. What's hello in English?" Aomine asked dumbly and Akashi felt his eye twitch.
"Hello. Now try it."
"Hel-lo-u. Like that?" Aomine slurred and Murasakibara ended up mashing the words into an incomprehensible blob. Midorima could see Akashi's patience reaching the top.
"How are you?" Akashi then tried to teach again. Aomine and Murasakibara looked at each other for a split second, knowing so well that Akashi was close to exploding.
"Ha-u ah yu." Aomine said, the same time Murasakibara did. Akashi took a deep breath and a big sigh escaped his mouth.
"I am assigning you two a series of words and phrases common in the States. I will not allow you two to eat anything until you can say it perfectly. I also expect you to know the meanings to it. Do you understand?" Akashi threatened and Murasakibara's eyes went wide.
"Aka-chin!" He cried in exasperation but Akashi didn't relent.
"I suggest you start quickly, Atsushi. And Daiki, because I know you do not care for eating as much as Atsushi does, I will only allow you two to eat if and only if both of you pass. Am I making myself clear?" At that, Murasakibara shot Aomine a ferocious glare, making Aomine gulp and nod. A hungry Murasakibara was an unhappy Murasakibara. And an unhappy Murasakibara meant a Murasakibara who would most likely crush anything in his way, starting with him. Aomine still had a lot of years to live. He did not want to die here.
Akashi took out a notebook and started writing the most basic phrases in English, ones that were used in elementary school textbooks. Once written, he then added the meanings to each in Japanese, as well as the basic pronunciations.
"Akashi, if you're going to let us off on our own, at least give us a recording on how to say it or something." Aomine protested and Akashi considered it for a second.
"Fine, then." He agreed and took out his phone. He recited the phrases and made sure to enunciate them slowly and clearly.
"Tell me when you are ready." Akashi said before leaving his seat and leaving the two English-complex students behind. Murasakibara took the phone and immediately set it to repeat.
"Mine-chin, if it's your fault I can't eat, I'll crush you." Murasakibara commented darkly and Aomine nodded hesitantly. Then, they set to work.
Akashi moved to Kise, who was still pausing and starting the first episode to try and understand what they were saying.
"Akashicchi, I don't understand anything!" Kise blubbered as soon as Akashi arrived to their seats.
"I thought you were confident with you English, Ryouta." Akashi replied, recurring Kise's words before the flight had taken off.
"Ok, I admit it. I'm not that good in English. But Akashicchi, I can't do this anymore! It's too much English for one person!"
"You will have to get used to it, Ryouta. We will be staying in a place full of English for a whole month." Kise blanched out at Akashi's words and then overreacted to Midorima.
"Midorimacchi, what are we going to do?" Kise begged while clinging onto the green haired man and he, in return, shrugged the golden puppy off.
"How am I supposed to know?" Midorima responded, annoyed himself, and Kise gave up.
"Wait, why isn't Midorimacchi watching English programs, too? Why's it only me?" Kise asked Akashi and Midorima's eyes widened.
"Idiot, what do you think you're doing?" Midorima hissed as he slapped Kise's arm. Akashi seemed to ponder about this and then came to a conclusion.
"Shintarou, take one of the earbuds and watch the episode with Ryouta." He ordered and Kise looked very smug as he took out his left earbud and gave it to Midorima. He tsked angrily and glared at Kise as he put it on. Then, Kise unpaused the episode and both watched it intently, trying to understand what was happening.
With the four preoccupied with their English studies, Akashi took that time to sit where Murasakibara had been sitting and started to think.
What would they do once they got to Los Angeles? He didn't have to worry about a place to stay at because he had a summer house in LA and he had been there a couple of times to know which places were where. It also helped that one of his drivers was currently there as well, so destinations weren't a problem. He didn't have to worry about finding Kuroko either. He had done his own snooping around to know at which house he resided at and which school he went to, and if the information was correct, school was still in session for him.
What he was worried about most was what Kuroko would do once they met. It had been almost a year since Kuroko disappeared and Akashi had no clue as to how much Kuroko had changed over that period of time. He would never admit to anyone but secretly, Akashi was afraid.
Would Kuroko be surprised at the sight of them? Disgusted? Would he pretend to not have seen them? Or worse, would he just ignore them?
Honestly, Akashi had no idea why he wanted to bring Kuroko back to Japan with them. He was useless back in Teiko when everyone's abilities grew, so why did he want him back? Was it because Kuroko was testing Akashi's skills as the all knowing emperor? Or was it because he just wanted his friend back?
They had one month to persuade Kuroko to come back with them, or this trip would be for nothing. Akashi had practically forced the others to come with him by using fear and fear alone. He was more than sure about what they must have been feeling with this whole fiasco, starting with Midorima, who had been glaring at that nothing for the past hour.
Akashi sighed and rubbed his forehead, a massive headache creeping up. He was overthinking this. He was going to get Kuroko back, whether he liked it or not. He was the emperor, and he was absolute. Everything would be to his command.
"Oi, Akashi! We're done!" Aomine called out and Akashi whipped his head to where Aomine and Murasakibara were at. He then stood up and calmly walked over to them, face emotionless. He took his phone and the notes away from them and Murasakibara moved from his seat to give it to Akashi. He sat and immediately started the test.
"You may begin." Aomine went first.
"Hello. How are you today?" He recited slowly, trying his best to get the pronunciation correctly. Akashi nodded his approval and Aomine raised his fist in the air in triumph.
"Hell yes! Fucking took me forever to get that!"
"Keep going." Akashi said and Aomine's face turned more hesitant.
"Uh, I feel happy?" Akashi nodded. "Can I order a - Uh, wait I got this. Ham-buh-gur?" Aomine tried to say as he looked at Akashi carefully. He, in turn, narrowed his eyes at Aomine but still nodded.
"Keep going."
"I uh -"
"My turn." Murasakibara suddenly butted in and quickly said the next phrase while Aomine shouted an annoyed "Oi!"
"What is today's menu?" Murasakibara said confidently and Akashi nodded approval and was a bit surprised at how well Murasakibara said that phrase. But then again, if it was anything related to food, Murasakibara was a master.
"I like sweets. And you?" With one more nod, Akashi lowered the notes to look at them carefully.
"Now, tell me the definitions to each of the phrases you just said." Quickly, the two collaborated to answer each statement and it went on like this for about another hour before Akashi finally decided it was time for them to rest.
"You may now eat." He declared and Murasakibara looked like he wanted to sing hallelujah. He quickly called the stewardess, who seemed to be a bit intimidated by Murasakibara's height, and he ordered almost half of the menu. Aomine ordered a bit as well, not as much as the giant had, but he also looked like he wanted to cry from joy.
In the meantime, Midorima and Kise had finally finished two episodes of Finding Carter and were at the point where they were sweating from the intense focus. With much concentration, they finally understood most of the dialogue and where the plot was going. Kise had memorized most of the slangs at this point and was currently reviewing them with Midorima, making sure to get the right pitch as well. Seeing those two, as well as Aomine and Murasakibara, Akashi felt himself switch to his real self for a mere second, and in that mere second, he was glad to have such friends who sacrificed so much for his selfish alter ego.
The flight was long. Way too long. Everyone, even Akashi, was at their limit. They were cranky, jetlagged, and utterly done with English. They all felt like puking if they were to see another English word and wanted nothing more but to go back to their homes in Japan, but they all knew it was too late. Everywhere they walked in the airport, they were bombarded with English, from the directions on the billboard signs to the people talking around them.
"Aka-chin, I think I'm going to be sick." Murasakibara muttered as he covered his mouth with his hand. Akashi was in no mood to be dealing with this and only ordered the purple haired giant to hold it until they made it to the summer house.
Maybe it was their appearance as Japanese, or their abnormal heights, or their even more outrageous hair, but the five attracted a lot more attention than they had anticipated. It was uncomfortable for them, especially with the whispers surrounding them, and they couldn't even breath right until they met Akashi's designated driver who was holding up Akashi's name on a sign.
"Kamijou-san." Akashi greeted and said person bowed.
"Akashi-sama, how was your flight? Was it pleasant?" He asked they all started moving to the parking lot. Aomine snorted while Midorima sighed. Akashi ignored the two and replied that it was fine.
"Where to, Akashi-sama? Would you like me to take you to Melisse? Your father recommended it after nodding his approval on the sushi."
"No restaurants, Kamijou-san. Take us home for now. We will have dinner later." Akashi answered and the others looked visibly relieved at those words. Kamijou nodded and they rode away in the foreign city.
The ride was quiet as everyone except Midorima and Akashi fell asleep the moment their heads fell in contact with the car seat. It took a while before Midorima could ask.
"What are the plans?" He asked.
"Depends. If you are all tired, we can skip going to Melisse and just have a light snack at the house, or we can go to the sushi restaurant afterwards."
"No, I'm not talking about plans for today. I meant plans for tomorrow. If I recall, today is only Tuesday. Kuroko will definitely be at school tomorrow." Midorima said and Akashi was quiet for a moment.
"We will go see him. What else?" Akashi responded simply and Midorima spluttered.
"That easily? How are we going to see him? What if we don't even find him?"
"Are you questioning my handling things, Shintarou?" Akashi narrowed his eyes and Midorima only shook his head.
"What I'm saying is that you're not explaining your plan thoroughly enough. How are we going to get there? Do we even know where Kuroko's school is? What it's even called? What if we can't find him? What if he can't find us? What if -"
"Shintarou." Akashi cut off and it was then that Midorima realized that he had been babbling completely unlike himself.
"Sorry. It must be the jetlag." Midorima muttered and Akashi sighed.
"If you must know, I already have all the information we need. I checked the bus schedule Tetsuya will most likely be at and fortunately, its route stops nearby the summer house. We can take the bus and hope to see Tetsuya there."
"You want to go on the school bus?" Midorima asked skeptically, knowing for a fact that Akashi never used buses to transport.
"It is the best choice. If we take the same bus as Tetsuya, we have a far better chance in meeting him. We can't be sure that his misdirection has faded in the States."
"True. But even still…"
"Is something the matter?"
"Nothing, really. I just can't imagine you taking the bus."
"Is that so?" Akashi hummed and finally, the jetlag took a toll on Midorima as he laid his head on the comfy seat. He yawned profoundly and slowly started to close his eyes.
"You know, Akashi," Midorima started to say sleepily, "you've changed a lot, up to the point where I just can't seem to know who you are anymore." And with that comment, the car fell silent, Akashi's eye flickering color every now and then.
When they arrived to the summer house and Kamijou had woken everyone up, they all took their luggage and the maids greeted them inside. A few of them left their spots to show the five in which room to go to and the others got back to their chores.
"This place is awesome!" Kise chirped as Aomine absentmindedly nodded. Murasakibara had his eyes on the kitchen and Midorima just looked around, obviously impressed. After they got settled into their respective rooms, Akashi gathered them around the recreation center.
"I'm assuming everyone is settled in?" He asked and everyone nodded.
"Hey Akashicchi? Isn't it a bit too much for us to be living here? I mean, you know, aren't we kind of intruding?" Kise asked hesitantly and Akashi raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly how is it intruding if this is my house and I invited you all in here?" At that, Kise closed his mouth, unable to retort back.
"Aka-chin, when are we eating?" Murasakibara asked, his stomach growling loudly.
"Would you like to eat outside or here?" Akashi responded and Murasakibara shrugged.
"Anywhere's good with me." He slurred and looking at the four faces, Akashi concluded that eating outside would be too much for them, especially since eating outside meant speaking English.
"We'll have dinner here then." Akashi decided. It wasn't long until the food was ready to eat. Murasakibara gorged himself as always while the others took their time. Then, Akashi gave them the plan for tomorrow, the others listening intently.
"Wait, so we're taking the school bus? Can we even do that? We don't even go to that school!" Kise exclaimed and the others looked uncomfortable as well. Akashi, however, looked unfazed as he kept eating his meal.
"Visitors can take the school bus if they wish. We just have to make something up. Naturally, I have everything ready to say." He explained.
"You must have researched a lot to know all this." Kise said in amaze.
"Of course. Naturally, I am absolute and I know everything."
"Question. Exactly what are we going to do when we actually meet Tetsu?" Aomine then added and Kise nodded enthusiastically. The others were listening intune as well and Akashi looked around, obviously unimpressed.
"Isn't it obvious? We're going to make Tetsuya come back with us." He answered simply and Midorima couldn't help but sigh.
"Is there a problem, Shintarou?" Akashi raised an eyebrow and Midorima knew he was going to regret it later, but right now, he had to say it.
"Akashi, people don't work that way. If Kuroko came here on his own will, how do you know if he'll come back with us to Japan? It's been almost a year and Kuroko's never even bothered to contact us. What makes you think he'll listen to us? To you?" The tension visibly grew as the spectators looked down at their foods but occasionally sneaked a peak at Midorima and Akashi.
"Are you doubting my ability, Shintarou?" Akashi asked, his golden eye flashing. Midorima gulped and shook his head as calmly as he could.
"I never said that. You know what I mean, Akashi."
"Oh? And what do you mean?" Akashi raised one eyebrow and Midorima took a deep breath.
"Kuroko may not be the same person he was a year ago. That's what I mean."
"I fail to see the problem."
"The problem is," Midorima suddenly raised his voice, tired of having Akashi not understand, no, not wanting to understand what was happening, "that you can't just force someone to leave their place using only fear." The dinner table grew unbearably quiet as Midorima and Akashi unconsciously started a staring contest. Even Murasakibara stopped eating, finally interpreting the situation.
Midorima broke the contest first, not able to stand his gaze against those of Akashi any longer. Akashi, on the other hand, was silent. Then,
"I will tolerate this kind of behavior because we have had a long flight and everyone is still tired. However, if this happens again, I will be merciless." His eyes flashed as he stood up and started to walk away.
"We will meet tomorrow at the recreation center at exactly 6:30. The bus will come at 7. I expect you all to be ready by then. That is all." He ordered before disappearing to his room. Midorima let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and he fell to his seat, his legs shaking horribly.
"Midorimacchi, why did you do that?" Kise whispered worriedly and Midorima just shrugged, not wanting to answer him. Midorima didn't know why he did it, honestly. Maybe it really was because of the jetlag, or maybe it was because he just wanted Akashi to understand how much of a tyrant he had become.
Or maybe, just maybe, he just wanted his old friend back.
The next morning was torture for the four miracles. For one, the time scheme was a pain to tackle because they couldn't sleep at all. It was probably still afternoon in Japan and they were still accustomed to Japan time. Some ended up just twisting and turning in their beds until it was time for them to get ready for 6:30. Others gave up almost immediately and spent their time reading like Midorima or, in Aomine's case, taking a glance at the new edition of Horihata Mai, his favorite gravure idol.
As 6 hit the clock, most started to get ready, starting from washing their faces to changing into casual clothes. When it became 6:30, everyone was ready and waiting in the recreation center, the only one not present being Akashi.
"Tch, why is it that Akashi's the one who summoned us but he's the only one who's late?" Aomine complained.
"It kind of feels like deja vu, don't you think?" Kise added, remembering their meeting at the start of Interhigh.
"I don't care." Aomine hissed. "He should at least have the decency to get here on time."
"What were you saying, Daiki?" They heard a familiar voice say and they all whipped their heads to the entrance of the recreation center. Aomine said nothing but had a fierce glare on him. Akashi pretended not to notice and gestured them to come with him. They soon met with Kamijou and led them to the car.
"Wait, I thought we were going on the bus?" Kise said.
"We are. But the bus stop is a few miles away from here. We could walk, of course, but I doubt you all have the strength to do so, seeing as though most of you couldn't sleep." Akashi explained, looking at the four's dark circles. "If you don't sleep in the afternoon and wait until night time comes by, it'll be easier to accustom yourselves to the time scheme." They all got into the car and most rested their heads, not having enough energy yet, seeing as though it was early in the morning and they hadn't gotten any of sleep.
It took about roughly 10 minutes by car to arrive, and when they did, it was close to 7.
"Would you like me to pick you up afterwards?" Kamijou asked and Akashi shook his head.
"In the meantime, no. However, if something were to come up, I will call." Akashi said and Kamijou bowed before leaving. A few minutes later, the bus arrived.
Akashi entered first and a short woman who seemed to be in her mid twenties with a bright red uniform stopped him.
"Excuse me, unauthorized people cannot ride the bus." She said in a stern tone but Akashi didn't look fazed.
"We're not unauthorized people. We're actually visitors who are planning to take a look around the school." Akashi lied swiftly in English and the woman looked skeptical.
"And your parents?" She asked.
"Unable to join us. My father is away on a business trip and my mother has been admitted into the hospital. They told us that the bus would be lenient enough to let us use it." He said. The woman looked behind Akashi and saw the four looking curiously at her.
"Are you all from the same family?" She asked incredulously and Akashi chuckled.
"Not from the same parents, obviously. We're cousins."
"Oh, really?" She said in a somewhat sarcastic tone but Akashi kept smiling.
"Is that so hard to believe?" He asked her and she shrugged.
"Somehow yes. Do you always dye your hair so thoroughly? Even your roots seem to be colored expertly." She then commented.
"Would you believe us if we said it's our natural hair color?" Akashi asked and the woman seemed a bit taken back by it.
"A bit, yes. Anyways, back to the topic. I'll let you guys in for today. Next time, though, if you're going to use this bus, get a note from the principal or an email telling me." She ended and the five got on the bus. The students who were already there glanced curiously at the five.
"Aka-chin, the roof is too small." Murasakibara whined as he crouched down even further to not hit his head.
"Bear with it, Atsushi." Akashi replied and reached the back of the bus that had five empty seats.
"That took way too long." Aomine grumbled and Akashi ignored him.
Kise, who was at the very end, wasn't paying attention to where the others were going to. Everything about a school bus fascinated him immensely. In Japan, he mostly walked to school so the whole concept of it was so new to him. He ended up sitting in a random empty seat. But somehow, the empty seat didn't really feel empty. It felt as if someone was sitting next to him. He turned his head towards the window seat but saw no one.
"Ryouta, what are you doing?" Kise heard Akashi call out and it was then that he saw the four sitting in the back seat, Akashi in the middle.
"Ah, sorry! Didn't see you guys there!" Kise exclaimed and immediately left the seat, the feeling never really leaving him. The bus still wasn't moving and the bus lady looked really irritated.
"Are you serious? You know what? John, let's just go. Mr. Phillips obviously isn't coming anytime soon." She commented with distaste and the bus driver, John, was about to close the door before they both saw a silhouette running towards them.
"Wait!" He screamed and when the person reached the bus, the bus lady pulled him up forcefully. An African-American student was huffing and had red tinted on his cheeks. His cornrows settled down as he took his breath and stood up, facing the bus lady.
"Easy there, Muriel. I just ran a marathon, you know?" The student said with an easy smile but the bus lady, now known as Muriel, glared at him.
"Fifth time, Mr. Phillips. Once more and we're leaving without you." She threatened but the student just laughed it off.
"Got it, got it. And it's Eddy! I told you to call me Eddy, not Mr. Phillips! That's cruel, Muriel. You call everyone else by their first name. Why am I the only different one? Could it be that you love me?" Eddy teased and Muriel looked close to exploding.
"Just take your seat, Mr. Phillips." She sighed and Eddy gave her one more easy smile.
"Eddy! It's Eddy." He said once more before finally walking away. "Oh, Muriel?" He then added and Muriel looked like she wanted to murder him greatly.
"What is it now, Mr. Phillips?" She asked tiredly.
"Is TK here today? I heard he was sick yesterday so he couldn't play basketball with us."
"He is. Now go to your seat, please." She pleaded and Eddy looked happy with the response. Muriel looked visibly relieved when Eddy started walking again and told John to step on it. Eddy purposely walked slowly to spite the bus lady even more but stopped for a moment when he laid his eyes on the five newcomers that were at the back of the bus.
"New kids?" He muttered to himself and waved, wanting to be friendly. Akashi, who had been watching the whole scene, merely stared at Eddy. Kise, on the other hand, waved back and Eddy smiled at him.
"Mr. Phillips, sit down!" Muriel yelled and Eddy turned around and winked. Muriel's face lit up like a Christmas tree and Eddy chuckled to himself. He then proceeded to sit where Kise had been sitting before and started to lie down, tired from running. He jumped when he fell in contact with another body.
"What the -" He started to say when he finally saw who he bumped into. His face broke out into a big grin and hugged the body.
"TK! I didn't see you there! How you doing buddy?" He asked with a tone of worry.
"I would be quite fine if you would let go of me." A voice responded and the five turned their gaze to Eddy and mysterious but familiar voice simultaneously. Their eyes widened significantly as Eddy let go of the body and the mystery person stood up straight.
"No way. It can't be him." Aomine breathed as the smaller boy readjusted his headphones to make them lie on his neck. His teal hair was unruly as always and his skin was still as pale as snow. He directed his baby blue eyes to Eddy and though his face was still as stoic as ever, the five could see a hint of annoyance.
"I would prefer if you stopped doing that whenever we meet, Eddy." He said and Eddy laughed.
"Sorry,TK. We were worried you know? Tiger was ranting on about how unreliable of a partner you were even though we could all see his concern. It was actually very hilarious to watch."
"I remember texting him about it. It was just a normal cold. It was nothing to be worried about." He deadpanned and Eddy smiled.
"Same old TK, huh? You never worry enough about your body." Eddy commented as he ruffled the smaller boy's hair. He shrugged Eddy's hand off and turned his neck to loosen it up a bit. Then, time stopped as his baby blue eyes met red and gold. His eyes widened a fraction and he froze in his place, unable to believe what he was seeing. The bus slowed down to a stop to pick up the next student, and it was then that the teal-haired student unfroze and opened his mouth.
"Akashi-kun?"
So how was it? Good, bad, meh? Remember to tell me in the reviews!
Not a lot of stuff going on this time, I know, but like I said before, I've had writer's block so I had nothing else to write. This ending will give me something to write about for next chapter luckily, but it'll take some time before I do upload.
Anyways, I have nothing else to say in these footnotes (which is a first lol)
Peace,
FlyAndDontLookBack