Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroko no Basuke!
CHAPTER 14:
"I don't wanna! Why must I call him? You're the one who suggested asking Akashi!"
Takao winced. Kise's howls were loud and headache-inducing. Aomine simply ignored his outburst and carried on staring at Kise, his impatience clearly showing.
Kise's howls turned to whines.
Takao was beginning to have second thoughts about Akashi Seijuurou. What kind of person was he to have made Kise so averse to meeting him?
Kise was clinging fearfully onto Aomine's waist now, and it would have made an adorable sight, but his pitiful sobs made Takao feel a little guilty for causing him such distress.
Perhaps he shouldn't create trouble for the two after all... They had already helped him a lot.
He opened his mouth, intending to decline the pair for their offer, but closed it on seeing Aomine's disapproving glare.
I know how to handle him. Aomine mouthed.
Seeing Aomine's confidence, Takao backed down.
After much persuasion (and a little threatening on Aomine's part), a sobbing and reluctant Kise was forced to call Akashi. His hand shaking as he brought the cell phone to his ears, Kise glanced at Aomine pleadingly, his puppy dog eyes seemed to have been magnified a million times. It was too late though, the call connected.
"Ryouta."
"Akashicchi... Aominecchi's bullying me..." Kise started but cut off his speech, feeling the intensity of Aomine's glare increasing. His expression turned serious.
"Do you know Takaocchi?"
There was silence. Akashi seemed to be contemplating on whether to dignify him with an answer.
"Yes, I've heard of Shintaro's partner."
"He has a serious problem... *sob*... We desperately need your advice... *sob* Can we come over to your house, please?" Kise hiccuped, his sobs gradually subsiding.
"... I don't see why not."
Kise gave a brief nod at the pair to indicate Akashi's permission and Aomine grinned.
Aomine didn't know what to make of roping Akashi into the plan, but it was definitely going to be an interesting experience.
He did hope that Akashi wouldn't make things worse though.
On a train...
The train ride was really long. The three of them had sat in awkward silence from the very first stop. Takao found it rather nerve wrecking; it wasn't as if they had become best friends all of a sudden and would start holding hands and stuff. He would rather wear the bunny suit again than hold hands with them anyway. The only one he wanted to hold hands with was Shin-chan!
The time passed and all was silent except for Aomine's sonorous snores. Takao felt himself being lured to sleep as well.
He was halfway through dozing off but was rudely awakened by a jab to the ribs. He hissed in pain and turned to his left. Kise grinned innocently and scooted closer to him.
"Is Midorimacchi your first crush?"
Takao blushed furiously and nodded, silently cursing Kise for being nosy and disturbing him from his beauty sleep.
Kise nodded in approval and patted Takao's shoulder.
"Ahh~ First loves never work out..."
Takao frowned. Realising his slip, Kise tried to retract his words.
"It'll work out, I promise! Aominecchi and I will do our best to help you! Right, Aominecchi?" This time, he gave a jab to Aomine, who leapt out of his seat with a yelp.
Aomine's angry curses were drowned out with the other two's laughter.
This is fun.
That was what ran through Takao's mind, as he laughed along with Kise.
Being alone for the past few weeks must have hit him harder than he thought. He missed being in the company of people.
He could get used to this.
Rakuzan High...
Akashi's school was definitely special. It was one of those high-class boarding schools only the elite could afford to go. The trio gawked in amazement at their surroundings. To call this place a school... That was really understating it. There was even a security checkpoint for goodness sake!
The trio headed for the lift lobby after wandering around like lost puppies for what seemed like forever. Rakuzan High was enormous! Akashi had given Kise directions to his room, clearly expecting them to find it themselves but it was impossible to navigate the vastness of the school. It was only with the help of a kind soul, a mousy little girl, that they managed to find the dorm Akashi was residing in.
The lift door opened and the trio stepped out. Something caught Aomine's eye and he headed in the direction of one of the rooms. He stopped at a certain room, how he knew it was Akashi's room, Takao didn't know.
He understood when he saw the room.
Akashi's room... was different... It was easily noticed simply because the door was different. While other dorms had usual wooden doors, Akashi's door was... a screen door, the kind that was usually found in traditional Japanese homes.
Well, that was strange. Takao felt like he was in front of a portal to an other-worldly dimension. The door stuck out like a sore thumb, its presence making the other doors pale in comparison.
Kise and Aomine stood outside the room tentatively. Both exchanging glances and daring the other to do something in a silent battle of wills.
It seemed that Aomine had lost, for he sighed and opened the door. The trio stepped in the room and stood at the entrance, waiting for something to happen. Takao took the time to scan through the room, slowly taking in the surroundings.
Akashi's room was, just like his door, Japanese-styled, and like most traditional homes, it eluded a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The room was dim and filled with posters of scissors but Takao paid no heed to those. All he cared about was to catch a sight of his idol.
Soft footsteps sounded against the floor as the owner of the room appeared, dressed in the casual uniform of the school.
"Daiki, Ryouta."
Akashi Seijuurou looked at the pair, his impassive face not giving any indication of his thoughts. Despite knowing that he was being ignored, Takao's heart sped up as he drank in the sight of his idol. In his excitement, he went forward and clasped Akashi's hands, shaking them up and down vigorously.
"Hello, er... how should I address you? Er… Akashi-sama? I'm Takao Kazunari from Shutoku High and I'm a huge fan of yours! You are just too good a point guard! It's always been my dream to meet you face to face!"
Aomine slapped his palm to his head and Kise let out a strangled cry.
Trust Takao to be so straightforward!
Akashi seemed to have gained an interest in his self-proclaimed fan and smiled, clearly amused at him. Removing his hands from Takao, Akashi headed into the back of the room and sat himself at the table. Aomine and Kise sat down as well, so Takao followed suit.
Pin-drop silence at the table ensued, as Akashi looked off in the distance. He seemed to be in deep thought. To Takao's surprise, Aomine and Kise remained silent, their heads even bowing slightly.
After what seemed to Takao like eternity, Akashi returned to reality and opened his mouth to speak:
"Kazunari, since you are such a great fan of mine, I have no issues with you dating Shintaro."
A/N: Ahhhhh I have no idea if I made Akashi too OOC here since his character is still much of a mystery… I hope it doesn't deter you all from reading though...