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Chapter 3 The Arrival and Forgotten Treasure
Italics - Thoughts
Italics & Bold - Past/Flashback or Dream Sequence
Normal - Present
IMPORTANT NOTE: In this fanfic , Momoi and Taiga were married. And Momoi has a big role regarding about Kuroko and she went with Kuroko at the same school not with Aomine . That's all, Thank you!
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It's already April and cherry blossoms surrounds them which gives a surreal and nostalgic feeling but at the same time it remembrance of a broken bonds between the Teikou Basketball club.
Momoi Satsuki, The basketball club manager runs all over the school property in order to search a certain teal head, The former phantom six of Teikou, Kuroko Tetsuya.
After an hour of fruitless searching, she finally spotted him standing in front of gigantic cherry tree; eyes staring blankly at the beautiful yet seemingly sad view before him. She waited for few moments to calm her breathing and heart beat before calling out the teal head boy with a low and soft voice as if she's scared that he will break which is true at the moment.
"Tetsu-kun?"
Kuroko snapped from his musing and turned at the uncertain, meek yet soft voice called out him back to reality which he clearly knows who is the owner of the voice and smiled slightly at her but his eyes remained void with any emotions. "Ah, Momoi-san. What are you doing here? Should you be in the gym now as I believe they're starting the practice at this time."
"It doesn't matter." Momoi gritted her teeth without hiding the hurt and anger from the boy which clearly not directed at him but to the others. "What matter is did you really quit the team?"
"Yes, I quit the team." He answered bluntly. "If you were here it only means Akashi-kun already inform the others. I'm quite surprise to see you searching for me just to confirm about that and sad that they didn't do anything about it but don't get me wrong, I'm really gald Momoi-san, Came and Search for me it only means my existence is precious to you."
Momoi wanted to cry at the painful and apathetic expression showing at the emotionless face of the teal boy. He looks like he was about to cry but refrain from doing so. It hurts her to see the person she loves like this but she can't do anything for him at their current situation. All she could offer is the warmth of companionship and silence which she given to him as she enveloped him in a warm embrace as the boy silently weep and break down from everything that transpired during the past and now.
"They've all changed, don't they?" Momoi started and as expected Kuroko remained silent about it so she continued. "Not in a good way but the worse. But, I still believe someday they will revert to their old selves, when everything isn't about winning and friendship still exists. I really want us all to stay together forever—"
"But, it seems impossible now." Kuroko finished for her. "I'm the same."
"I'll stay by your side, Tetsu-kun. I know that it will be you create that miracle to happen once again."
"You'll only get hurt."
"I know but it doesn't matter."
Kuroko didn't answer only tightened his grip at her shirt.
"Ne, Tetsu-kun. What is your wish aside from getting back the others from their former self and give them a snap call from reality?"
"I want to be child again."
"Why?"
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"To start over..."
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"It seems like Momoicchi is back." Kise exclaimed.
"Huh?! Seriously?! Satsuki's back?!" Aomine jolted awake, shouting near at Kise's ear.
"Aominecchi, stop shouting from my ears! You'll break my eardrums ssu~" Kise whined but his voice sounded bitter.
"I don't care about your damn ears! Tell me, it's true that she'sback?" Aomine grabbed Kise's shirt and started shaking him while demanding answer from the poor blonde who's starting to see two Aomine.
"Please, stop shaking me. Aominecchi!"
"So noisy~" The purple head complained.
"Shut your mouth,moron!" The green haired smacked the police officer from the hair, causing the latter to let go the dizzy blonde pilot.
"That hurts! WHY Y—?!" Aomine was about to hurled at his secret attacker but when he saw who it was he backed off and sense the deadly aura emanating from the other. Facing a furious Midorima is not nice at all. It's like facing the red haired's wrath. In short a death sentence.
"Thanks, Midorimacchi" Kise leaned at the sofa as his vision is still not focused.
"Hmph, I didn't help you. It just that this idiot is loud that it will awaken Tetsuya and Akashi." Midorima retorted lamely. " So, mind telling me why are you so loud in the morning Aho-mi-ne?"
"Didn't help my ass." Aomine scoffed, completely disregarding the latter's inquiry.
"Back to the topic, Why are you so loud early in the morning?" Midorima asked then he added silently under his breath. "Though, I shouldn't be surprise from your stupidity."
"True."
"HEY!"
"Indeed." A new voice decided to joined in. It calmness brought a sudden chills straight into their backs. "I also wonder why Daiki making such noise early in the morning when he should knew better to keep quiet down as their is a child living among us that needed rest for him to recover."
Aomine slowly turned his at the direction where the voice coming from. "Ah! G-good morning Akashi! Tetsu!" He greeted with a stutter.
"Good morning, Akashicchi! Tetsuyacchi!"
"Mornin' Aka-chin, Tetsu-chin ~"
"Good morning, Akashi, Tetsuya."
The red haired greeted them one by one while the teal haired boy remained silent as he just nodded slightly, an indication of returning their greetings. It's been a week since the child staying with them and things running smoothly aside Tetsuya's avoidance of company, lack of trust, emotionless behaviour and muteness. According to Midorima it was expected as the boy was traumatized due to the passed happenings. It would be a shock if the boy is cheerful and smiling as if nothing happens because there is. But it doesn't mean they couldn't do anything about it, they just need to take things slowly and let the boy opened himself from them as he did with Akashi. Yes, that's right by some unknown reason the boy is too attached with the red haired sadist which made some envious of him but they knew it should not be a surprise as he was the one who saved the teal haired boy.
Akashi returned his gaze at Daiki after he's done greeting the rest and greeted him back. "Good morning, Daiki. Now, mind telling me what's the commotion about?" His voice seemed snapped back the tanned man from his stupor.
At his question, Aomine lazy and lack of interest expression turned grim and reluctant. It's obvious he was contemplating whether he should tell them or not as the result might be disastrous.
The others was curious as well as they only heard someone's back and they want to find out who is this person to make Aomine lose his composure. While
Kise removed his eye contact during Akashi's question which didn't go unnoticed by the red haired lawyer.
Kise knew what is Daiki keeping away from them no doubt about that.
"Daiki, Ryouta." He called them with a silent warning but the two remained silent and avoiding eye contact with the rest of them.
"Kise you knew what's going on here?" Midorima asked but he was meet the same answer. Only silence.
Akashi figured that this conversation won't ended well so he asked Tetsuya to leave the room and he was glad the boy didn't object at all especially at this crucial moment as he was certain the boy is out of range. He was about to deal with Kise and Daiki then surprisingly Kise spoken with a tone of disdain but it only added the curiosity of the rest as the words escaped of his mouth is suspicious.
"Akashi, Please stop asking question and forget about it as it won't do us any good knowing it. Believe me." Kise expression is grim liked Aomine and he didn't add any suffix to the red haired name which only shows the topic is deadly and would hurt them but it won't stopped them from wanting to know the answer.
"Daiki. Ryouta. Tell me, What's going on now!" Akashi's patience finally snapped.
Kise clenched his fist tightly that his knuckles turning into white and slowly a blood starting to drip off from his close fist showing how hard and strong he held them. "Momoicchi is back!"
As those words finally left out from his mouth. Nobody moved nor breath for seconds as time seemingly stopped upon those revelation. Yes, they're in a state of shock in the moment except from Aomine and Kise who both gritted their teeth. The atmosphere around them turned dark and heavy. At last after the long heavy silence, they seemed finally recovered from their shock.
"Kise-chin is that true? Sacchin is back?" Murasakibara was the first person took the initiate another conversation though his voice sounded small and far away as if he is both scared and reminiscence a past he forced to forget.
"Yes."
"How?" It was Midorima who asked this time. His voice lack emotion as usual but if you paid attention enough you'll notice it's quivering just a little. It means he is affected as much as the rest.
"When I was buying clothes for Tetsuyacchi, I've saw Momoicchi together with Kagamicchi at the park but they didn't see me and Tetsuyacchi but at first I thought I might be imagining things but I did not as I saw them again at food court." Kise explained.
Akashi remained silent for a few moments. The others looked at them weary as they knew he was the one who is affected from all of them about this news.
"Akashi/Akashicchi/Aka-chin?"
"Did you call out them?" Akashi finally looked directly at them as he lowered his head from the rest when Kise revealed that so they won't be able to see the expression he's making at the moment. His face devoid with emotions and eyes are the same but they know him from a very long time that they were able to read his emotions without him showing any of it. Akashi was hurt and angry not from Momoi or them but to himself.
"No, I don't have any courage to do so." Kise admitted with shame as he lowered his head.
"Heh. The same as me, I see. Perhaps I would do the same as I can't faced her after what I did from her and Kuroko." Akashi let out mirthless laugh as his eyes started to glaze.
"It's not only you! Akashi! It goes the same with us!" The others immediately protested.
"Then we're all both pathetic and coward."
Kagami still talked at them but it didn't mean he had forgiven them especially Momoi and Kuroko who cut their ties long time ago.
The bond between individual and trust is like a mirror once is broken it wouldn't never be fixed. You can try but it would never be the same as the cracks were proof that it's already broken. It will not disappear as it's permanent. Forever. A symbol of broken friendship and past.
XxX
"I was surprise that they made a move to talk with you." Kagami started as he finished to eat another burger from his plate with ease.
"Me too. I didn't expect them to invite me after all the horrible things they had done. But it won't changed anything as all of them were bunch of pathetic and coward creatures." The pink haired woman said with so much venom, her pink eyes blazing with unchecked rage and hatred buried deep within her as she recalled something from the past.
"Tetsu-kun!" She gasped out of pure horror and shock, she's trembling very badly at the sight presented before her.
A curled figure slumped down on the floor covered with blood, eyes filled with remorse yet empty at the same time.
She rushed in at his aid by crouching down. "Tetsu-kun! Are you alright? Wait a sec, I'll call the ambulance!"
A small voice stopped her from dialing the ambulance for a second when those cruel words escaped from the pale lips of the boy.
"I want to die... Just kill me, Please."
Hopelessness and Anger bubbled within her chest at her friend's state. It's breaking her as well to see him like this.
Momoi was snapped back from her reverie when a warmth enveloped her trembling hands out of rage which calmed down just a bit when it's engulfed by that warmth. She looked at her hands then to Kagami, who's avoiding her gaze, cheeks ablaze out of embarrassment. She chuckled lightly with mild amusement at her lover's antics. Even they're already married he still act liked a shy high school couple or newly weds. She knew he can't helped it as he wasn't the first person she loved to begin with and now they're going talked about him. Of course. Kagami can't helped but feel jealous and uncomfortable at the topic.
"I love you." She assured him as she kissed his knuckles making the fiery head flushed even more when she made her laugh a little bit loud. "You're so cute,my big tiger. Thank you"
"S-shut up!" Kagami grumbled with annoyance. "It just that Kuroko won't be happy seeing you like this."
"Indeed. But I can't forgive them and never will. It's their retribution"
Kagami was silent then he finally spoke after a moment, eyes serious as he looked straight as Momoi's eyes. "Have you heard about what happened within Kuroko's family?"
"Yes. There's only one idiot would possibly something that obvious." She nodded.
"Right. It's Haizaki isn't it?"
Momoi nodded and sighed tiredly. "It seems like It's not only Akashi and the others I need to deal..." But what bothered her most is that it said there was a child spotted in the crime scene or more precisely it was said that the Kuroko residence has a child but can't be found its body anywhere. It's impossible as Tetsuya was the only child so to said something like that is absurd and ridiculous.
"I know what you're thinking" Kagami drawled. " You find the whole story impossible and absurd."
"It's true. I met and went to see Tetsu-kun's house and family but there's no child aside from him!" Momoi scowled.
"Well, it might be a distant relative or something. Still we need that child to clear some things for us."
"You sounded sure he's still alive somewhere."
Kagami smirked at her. "I'm sure because if he's part of the family then he's too stubborn just to die like that."
Momoi smiled at that. "Yes, they're all stubborn especially him."
XxX
There's an awkward and heavy silence between the two of them.
Momoi looked at Akashi who's looking down at his drink. Obviously avoiding an eye contact with her. It's been three days since she received an invitation of hanging out with the group and she accepted it which made Kagami anxious about what may happen during their meeting but she assured him she will not do something drastic yet. Then Kagami begrudgingly let her go while warning he would followed them which she knew he can't do as he's busy with his job. Now, that's the reason why she's here at a fancy restaurant with Akashi eating dinner.
"How's life?" Akashi started.
Momoi gives him a credit for starting the conversation so she decided to entertain him as well. "Fine. Where's the others?"
"They're busy at work so they couldn't come with me." A lie.
Momoi knew the others don't have the enough guts to faced her so they decided Akashi will go and meet up with her as he was the bravest amongst them.
"Oh? Such a shame then." Momoi take a sip of her drink calmly.
A silence spread then Akashi asked awkwardly. "So you were already married to Kagami,huh? Why? I thought you'll marry Kuroko..." He trailed off.
Momoi's facial expression darkened at a moment but it's so fast if you're not watching closely you'll missed it."Tetsu-kun doesn't see me as such. Don't get me wrong I'm not using Taiga to forget about Tetsu-kun. I answer him and married him because I loved him. I'm not that heartless to used someone Akashi for my own interest." She answered bluntly and her words strung him more that he would admit.
Another silence passed between them and Akashi seems already loss with his words so Momoi decided it's her turn to break the ice.
"Tell me, Akashi. Why did you invite and meeting me here? Do you honestly think I'll forget about your wrong deeds by bringing me here at some fancy restaurant? I'm not that stupid and low." Her tone of voice is both mocking and taunting Akashi.
"It's not like that!" Akashi interjected, slamming the table in the process of his protest.
Everything went silent then there's a silent whispering around them. Akashi finally noticed that his action caught everyone's attention so he slammed the payment down in the table and grabbed Momoi's wrist. "Let's talk somewhere else." He whispered as he dragged her out in the restaurant.
Momoi let Akashi dragged her somewhere they could continue their conversation without any interruption. At last they spotted a perfect place for their little spat. The park.
She let Akashi captured his breath and calmed his self before resuming. Once she's certain the red haired is one hundred percent ready for another round she continued. "If it's not like that. Then what is it?"
"I just wanted to talk with you ."
"Why would you want to talk with me?" She arched her eyebrow with curiosity.
"I wanted to know how Kuroko's doing after he disappeared..."
That's the cue for Momoi to snapped as she laughed but it sounded empty and bitter. She laugh after a few minutes and she shown no stopping which made the latter's worried.
"Momoi?"
Momoi slowly removed the hand covering her face as her laughter finally ceased and she looked at Akashi, tears brimming her pale cheeks. "You wanted to know how's Tetsu-kun after all of you've done to him? I'm surprise you still remember someone worthless and useless like him?"
Akashi grimaced at the word worthless and useless. It's the word he had used to tell the former phantom sixth man.
Momoi stared at Akashi with pure disgust and hatred as the other struggled with his words. Then a movement caught her attention she followed it, her eyes widened as she saw what it is. No, who it is..It's impossible but it's happening. The figure smiled and said something to her which she completely understand before it goes back to the darkness.
Akashi's explanation fell deaf to her ears. A small smile spread at her lips then she cut Akashi's babbling nonsense, bringing back his attention to her not in the ground. "It seems like fate had decided to play a trick with you guys."
"Huh?" Akashi blinked owlishly at her.
Momoi turned her back against him, preparing to leave. "Say hi for me to your adopted child."
Akashi eyes widened at her statement. "H-how?!"
"Prepare for the break down, Akashi. Fate had decided to play with your lives." Momoi waved at him before leaving an astonished Akashi.
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"I wanted to play with them..."
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Momoi glanced at the spotless night sky. "Tetsu-kun...What are you planning on doing?"
To Be Continued...
A/N: Sorry for the late update! I hoped you enjoy it. Does anyone wanted to be a beta reader of this story? Please inform me if you want as I really needed it as my grammar is quite horrible. Anyways, What do you think of this chapter? Reviews/Comments, Favs/ Votes and Become a Follower were very welcomed and appreciated. Love and Cheers to everyone ^_^ Till next time!