Hello again minna-san~ Thanks for all your reviews, favorites, and story alerts *sob* Really I didn't expect such a great response *bow*. First of all, I need to make a note here.
First, from now on the song lyrics will be using bold and italic font style. Also I decided to use the translation of the original song instead of the romaji version, so it's easier to blend the song with the story. Character's thoughts will be using italic font style.
Second, Kuroko as the main heroine here now is disguised as a boy, so if the story are told from another character's point of view, whenever he/she refers to Kuroko, it will be written as 'Kuroya', her stage name. But if the story were told from the character who has known the fact that Kuroko is a girl, it will be written as Kuroko, not Kuroya. As example, when it is in Riko's thoughts, she will say 'Kuroko' and using 'she' as subject pronoun . But if it is in Kagami's thoughts, he will say 'Kuroya' and using 'he' as subject pronoun.
Okay. That's all notes that I need to inform to all of you readers, just in case if someone will be confused later when he/she reads this story. I hope this changes will not affect much with the story but instead it will increase the convenience in reading this story, especially when you read it from mobile.
Jaa, happy reading minna-san~ Feel free to review ;-)
Disclaimer :
I do not own Kuroko no Basuke. All characters except the OCs belong to Fujimaki Tadatoshi-sensei. Maybe OOC. Sorry for bad grammars.
Chapter 2 :
A certain red haired boy with double unique eyebrows had just arrived to the Seirin Management's office. After mumbled 'ohayou' to some people, he went to the practice room. His digital single had been released yesterday, and he was pretty sure that in no time he would be handed a schedule of live performance in some TV stations and soon he would get the second live tour too. He remembered last year, when he had his first live tour to 10 cities all across Japan, he often messed up with his own performance due to the nervousness and lack of ability in playing guitar. He was not only the one who sang, but also the guitarist. It's no doubt that he got the talent in singing, but his skill in playing guitar is not to be underestimated though. But that time was his first live tour, so he messed up his performance, unable to play and sing at his best. This time he would definitely pay the shabby performance. He took his guitar for practice, adjusting his guitar strings, when suddenly he felt a presence of someone beside him. He gasped, turned his head straight to the right side and found a short boy with aquamarine orbs was looking straight to him with a book on his hands.
"Gwaaah! Don't pop up suddenly like that Kuroya!" shouted Kagami Taiga, the redhead boy, nearly having a heartstroke.
"I'm not suddenly pop up. I was here before you came into the room, Kagami-kun," answered the shorter boy, still with his usual blank facial expression.
Kagami only sighed. Almost every day he got surprised by sudden appearance from his partner. Yes, now he had a partner. He was pretty shocked three months ago, when Riko told him that this boy would be his partner in his second album. What had made him thought that Riko was crazy is, that this skinny boy named Kuroya was just recruited for 2 days and his debut had already decided, also with a strange concept called 'phantom voice'. He was singing with Kagami, but his face wasn't going to be revealed. Seriously, how would he sing when we had a live performance later? Kagami just couldn't understand this plan, and at first he looked down arrogantly to Kuroya. But after he spent his days, practicing for the new album, he then slowly acknowledged his talent. Kagami had to admit, even Kuroya's voice was too soft for a boy, but he could feel a relaxing, calming voice echoing through his mind when he listened to Kuroya's voice. It's a rare talent.
"What are you doing here? Waiting for me heh?" asked Kagami as he continuing with his guitar.
"Yes, but the other member of the band haven't arrived yet, so we must wait for another minutes to practice."
Kagami only have a short hum. He started playing the guitar, "Say Kuroya, why did you accept Riko-san's plan? Isn't it fun to sing, without anybody recognize you?"
Silence.
Kagami was still playing his guitar, "Oi Kuroya? You didn't hear me?" asked him as he turned his head.
No one beside him.
"That bastard Kuroyaaaa!"
Riko came in when Kagami and his band were practicing for their new album. They are now playing the song titled 'SHOUT!'. Kagami looked very happy while singing and playing the guitar, and Kuroko singing wonderfully beside Kagami. But something was wrong there. Riko sat on nearby bench, waiting for them to finish the song.
...
(I SHOUT!) Become (YOU SHOUT!) a bigger power!
(WE SHOUT!) Not just relying, first,
(LET'S SHOUT!) Every single one of us (BIG SHOUT!) should become a power!
(KEEP SHOUT!) Vow to evolve even further
Don't hesitate until we reach our dreams
-End-
"Okay, that was good!" Riko stood up and clapped her hand, "but wait Kuroya-kun, can you sing with at least a happy facial expression? Don't go singing with put up that blank face as usual!"
Kuroko still panted after singing, "I'm sorry Riko-san, but my face is always like this."
"That doesn't right Kuroya-kun. You should have more expression, especially when you had a live performance."
"What? Didn't you plan to made him a 'phantom singer'?" asked Kagami.
"Do you think I intended to keep Kuroya-kun forever? This is only for some time. Later, when he will have gained much more attention from people by his voice, I'm going to make your appearance in front of public! This will lead you to another stage of being a popular entertainer!"
"Whaaatt?" every one in the room shouted, surprised by Riko's announcement.
Kuroko couldn't help but felt happy. Even her face was lit up and her eyes shining brightly. She was happy. Her dream to be an acknowledged actress was getting closer. Riko pointed her finger to her face.
"Ah yes! That expression Kuroya-kun! I want to see you singing with that expression!"
Everybody turned to see Kuroko's expression. They were surprised. Kuroko's face looked so happy. His aquamarine orbs resembled the sparkling water in the ocean, his mouth slightly agape with the corner of his mouth was a little pulled upward, made an appearance of a faint smile. His face just like emitted a warm and shining aura.
Kagami couldn't hide his shock, he continued at staring Kuroko. He's somewhat so cute. His teal blue hair, combining with the same color orbs. His pale skin and pointy chin made him even cuter.
Huh, what was he thinking?
Kagami slapped his own face, surprising the entire room, "What, what was that for Kagami? Why did you slap your face?" asked Furihata, who is the bassist in the band.
"Bakagami! How could you slap your face huh? You have another schedule of photoshoot session after this and you slapped your face? Idiot!" Riko was completely angry.
Kagami only mumbled, "Sorry, I thought I saw a mosquito on my cheek, so I automatically slapped it."
Riko and the others only sighed, "Really, Bakagami."
"Kagami-kun, you sure are stupid," said Kuroko.
"Not you too Kuroya!" Whose fault is this, put up that cute face, Kagami thought.
"Okay, now come here every one! I want to show you something," said Riko as she turned on her notebook, showing some articles.
"Here is the response of Kagami-kun and Kuroya-kun's digital single!" Everybody peeked up to read some titles there.
Released! Kagami Taiga's New Digital Single!
Surprise! Kagami Taiga featuring Kuroya's Digital Single 'Onaji Vanilla No Kaze No Naka'
Who is this Kuroya in Kagami Taiga's New Digital Single?
Kuroya, New Seirin's Debutant With Cute Voice
Unexpected Duet from Seirin, The Rising Star Kagami Taiga featuring The Cute Rookie Kuroya
"Whooa! There are so much articles about our digital single!" shouted Koganei, who is the drummer in the band.
"They all surprised by Kuroya's voice! They even said cute here!" added Furihata.
"Whaaat? They didn't bother to comment about my song! All they said here is only Kuroya!" grumbled Kagami.
Riko clicked on one of the articles and scrolled down to the page to see the comments from netizen.
Asari-chan : Finally Kagami-kun's song released. A good song to hear overall, ut what surprised me is this Kuroya! His voice so calming!
Anonymous : This is the best duet with the best song! I bet this song will be on the top 5 for Oricon's chart this week!
Anonymous : Why is Kagami's lines less than his partner lines in this song?
Mai-chan : Kyaaaaa, Kuroya-kun's voice is so cute. I wonder if he has cute face too for real. I'm his fan now~
"Uwaaa, almost every comment is about Kuroya!"
Kuroko only blinked few times after seeing all those comments and articles about her. Then she smiled, 'so it's one step closer to reach my dream'. Then she bowed in front of Riko.
"Riko-san, it's all thanks to you that I can reach up to this stage," said Kuroko politely.
Riko smiled, "It's nothing, Kuroya-kun. It's thanks to all your efforts and hardwork. And this is only the first step, it's not time to be happy yet. So, congratulation for your new released digital single, and as a reward, Kuroya-kun will be coming with me tonight to the Kagami-kun's photo shoot session!"
"Whaaaaat? Why is he coming with us? It's nothing to do with him!" Kagami protested.
"It's important for Kuroya-kun. He's still newbie in this entertainment industry, he needs to know how his senpai doing his jobs," Riko shutted down her notebook, "now let's prepare for your next photo shoot, Kagami-kun. Kuroya-kun too, and meet me at my Dad's office. We will go together," Riko closed the door.
Kagami, Kuroko, and Riko arrived on the studio where the photo shoot took place. It is a commercial photo shoot of a guitar company, and they chose Kagami as their model, considering Kagami's popularity, which increasing from time to time. Beside, Kagami had just released his digital single three days ago, so it also a perfect way to increase his popularity by accepting this job.
"Hmm, looks like there is another photo shoot on the other set," said Riko, glanced to the other photo set in this studio. Apparently, the studio was so large, and it was divided into two photo set. And beside Kagami-kun's photo shoot session, there was another photo shoot session on the next photo set. Since the room was divided by only a thin screen in half, it was possible for Riko to take a glance there. Seems like a photo shoot for jewelry brands, thought Riko.
Riko saw Kagami was preparing for his photo shoot with the staffs. They handed some clothes to Kagami. Riko just stood there, in front of the photo set. The photo shoot concept was not special though, only doing some poses while holding the guitar. Kagami-kun's surely can handle this, it's not difficult to do, thought Riko. She assumed that the most important thing was to make sure that Kuroko could learn how to make various expressions in front of the camera. So she turned her head to her side, "Kuroya-kun, make sure that…" Her words were cut when there was nobody beside her.
"Wh-where is Kuroya-kun?" she said panickly.
"Please let go of my hand, I'm not a model," said Kuroko, while her right hand was pulled by someone she didn't even know. It seemed he didn't hear Kuroko's voice. Kuroko had just arrived at the studio along with Kagami and Riko when suddenly a man pulled her hand, grumbled how late she was to the photo shoot set. She dragged into the wardrobe room. The staffs there looked so busy. Some of them were choosing the right clothes for the models, and the others were busy with fixing the models' make-up.
"You should wear this. Go, go, we don't have much time left," said that man, pushing Kuroko into a tiny changing room. Kuroko looked at the clothes and a pair of high heels on her hand. It was a one-shoulder midnight blue gown, with many swarovski scattered on the chest area, and a rose corsage on the shoulder. It was a knee-length, silky dress. Kuroko gasped. Did they knew that she was a girl?
But Kuroko wore it anyway. She came out from the changing room, and now the staff pulled her and made her sat in front of the mirror. A female make-up artist put a natural make-up on her face, light blue eye shadow and peach lip gloss, also mascara. It made Kuroko's eyes looked bigger. A female hair stylist did Kuroko's hair, leaving Kuroko's hair on natural-messy-look. And for the final touch they put a diamond necklace around Kuroko's pale neck.
"Wow, you look gorgeous!" said one of the staff.
"Arigatou," mumbled Kuroko shyly, unsure, "Anoo… I'm not…"
The door slammed open, "The main female model, please go to the photo shoot set."
"There you go," said the make-up artist, held Kuroko's hands and dragged her to the photo shoot set. Kuroko wanted to protest, but even she did so she didn't hear her. Kuroko looked at the photo set. A tall boy with a handsome face was standing there, speaking with an old man. Kuroko assumed that the boy with the blond hair and a piercing on his left ear is the main male model, considering his flashy outfit. He wore a black expensive suit, the two upper buttons were left unbuttoned, showing his fair yet muscular skin beneath, and a golden chain necklace. And the old man, Kuroko assumed that he was the photo shoot director. That man didn't have any distinct features that made him looked like a director, but Kuroko just knew it. The two men turned his head upon Kuroko's appearance, and the blonde-haired boy approaching her.
"So, you are the main female model for this photo shoot. I'm Kise Ryouta, nice to meet you," said him, holding Kuroko's right hand, "what's your name? I haven't known you, are you a newbie model?"
"No, I'm not a model," answered Kuroko bluntly, that resulting Kise in confused look.
The director approached them, and he frowned when he saw Kuroko, "Who are you? You're not Asakura Yumi-chan right? Who had brought you here?"
Kuroko was about to answer the director when suddenly she heard Riko's voice, "Kuroya-kun! What are you doing here?"
They all turned their attention into Riko. Kuroko pulled her hand from Kise's and walked to Riko, "Riko-san…"
Riko said to the director politely, "My name is Aida Riko. I'm sorry, Sir. But he is my staff. We are from Seirin Management, our talent Kagami Taiga are having a photo shoot session on the next set. He is not taking a part in this photo session."
The director smiled to Riko, "My name is Takada Soichiro. Yes I know. Looks like someone had mistaken him as our main female model," he turned his head and shouted to the staffs, "hey, who is the one brought him here?"
The man that pulled Kuroko's hand earlier walked to them, and confusedly said, "Takada-san, didn't you said that the model has a skinny body with a short blue hair, and usually dressed in androgyny style, so I thought that it was her," explained that man.
"You moron! It's not her! He is a boy, moreover he is this young lady's staff. Apologize to him!" the director poured his wrath to that poor staff.
"Ah I'm sorry for mistaken you as our main female model, I'm really sorry. I'll take you to the wardrobe room so you can change your clothes again and clean the make up from your face."
"It's alright," said Kuroko, and then he followed the man to the changing room. The director once again apologized to Riko, "I'm sorry, that man is our new staff, so he doesn't know much about models, that's why he had mistaken your staff as a model. But your staff is a real cute boy. At first I didn't know that he is a boy. He looked like a real cutie!"
Riko sweatdropped. Crap, this is bad. "Ah, it's no problem. Thank you for your help and excuse me," Riko bowed and walked to the wardrobe room, waiting for Kuroko. She was shocked when she recognized that a cute girl on the blue gown, stood in the center of the next photo set, was Kuroko. It's bad, no one supposed to know that Kuroko was a girl, except for her and her father. After Kuroko had done changing her clothes, Riko whispered to her, "What happened? Why did you suddenly disappeared by my side?"
"I was not disappeared on my own, Riko-san. Right after we arrived here, that man pulled my hand, saying that I was late for the photo shoot session. I was given the gown and high heels, and they didn't hear me even though I protested that I'm not a model," answered Kuroko.
Riko sighed, "Okay, next time I will hold your hand so you won't disappear again. Now let's go to Kagami-kun's photo set. They should be done in half an hour."
Kuroko followed behind Riko. But they didn't realize that a pair of golden orbs from the next photo set were watching on them. Yes, the model Kise Ryouta, had something on his mind.
Kuroya-kun, she said? From Seirin Management? Kagamicchi is having photo shoot session here too? Then, that cute girl in midnight blue gown was… thought Kise while he was doing some pose for the photo shoot.
A red haired boy with mismatched color orbs came out from a black car. He stood in front of a building. So this is Seirin Management's office, thought him. His mind was recalling the time when he had a conversation with his cousin last night.
"So what is your point, Seijuurou?" asked a young man, with the same red locks, but had a pair of orange orbs, staring straight into his younger cousin. In front of him is Akashi Seijuurou, Teikou Management's top actor, also known as his cousin. Although he looked much more 'tame' than Akashi Seijuurou, somewhat he emitted an intimidating aura, even when he was doing nothing, only sat behind his desk. Maybe his tone of voice, which is always serious, made him a scary person. Perhaps that was something that every Akashi possesses.
"He is not mature yet, still like a green young leaf. His voice is exceptional, and my intuition say that he has more potentials within. We can't miss someone like him, Kazuya-nii," said the younger Akashi.
Akashi Kazuya only nodded, "Do as you please, Seijuurou. After all, you never missed your intuition. All of our top talents are all from your recommendation. However," paused Kazuya, "I didn't have much time to scout this new talent named Kuroya, so everything about him will be your responsibility. Do you accept?"
Akashi smirked, "I gladly accepted. Leave it to me, Kazuya-nii. Shall we make a move as soon as possible?"
Kazuya smirked too, "As you wish, my cousin."
Akashi Seijuurou stepped into the building, met the security on the front door. He asked the security, "Excuse me, can I meet Aida Kagetora-san? I'm from Teikou Management, apparently we are having some business issue. Show me the way to his office, please?" His voice sounded like a command, even he didn't intend to do so. It just like a nature for him. The security man, surprised by the sudden appearance of the top actor in front of him, but managed to hide his surprise and led the way to Aida Kagetora's office.
It was 7 pm now. Riko, Kagami, and Kuroko had just arrived at the Seirin's office, when the security passed the message from her father to Riko, "Riko-san, Kagetora-san said to me earlier that when you have arrived, you are supposed to go to his office right away. There is something that he want to discuss with you."
Riko nodded, "Okay, thank you Harada-san, he is in his office right now, isn't he?"
"Yes, but the guest from that popular agency haven't came out yet from Kagetora-san's office."
Hm? That popular agency? Riko's curiosity popped up, "Okay, Kagami-kun and Kuroya-kun, you two can go home."
"Hah? Didn't you say that we should evaluate the earlier photo shoot session with Kagetora-san?" asked Kagami.
"But, well, he is now are having a guest," Riko thought again, "Hm, maybe it will be alright if we all go to Dad's office. We can wait there. Maybe the guest from another agency is offering us a great business deal because of your new digital single, Kagami-kun! So let's go now!" chirped Riko, walking to her father's office.
"Excuse me," said Riko as she opened the door. They all went into the room, and what was in front of Riko nearly made her having a heart stroke. Isn't he that famous actor Akashi Seijuurou?
"Good evening, Aida Riko-san," greeted Akashi, "good evening also to you, Kagami Taiga-kun and I assume… Kuroya-kun?" Akashi tilted his head. His tone of voice was somewhat low and husky when he said 'Kuroya-kun', sent the chills down to the spine.
They all shocked.
Okay, what is Akashi's offer to Seirin? Wait for next chapter minna ;-)