Kuroko's cheeks remained a milky white despite the heat he could feel growing in them and listened as Akashi addressed the phone call, the first thing to leave his lips being a sarcastic call of a familiar name.

"Ah, Shintarou..." Akashi's eyes seemed to narrow and his smirk remained - it was dumb luck that allowed the tealette to remain in silence while processing what Akashi had said to him. Maybe Kuroko shouldn't have thought about it too much. He tried instead to focus on the call at hand - guessed at what was being spoken on the other end of the device that never left the redhead's side, "You seem to have caught me at a busy time. I don't have time to be talking with you."

It wasn't that Akashi disliked Midorima's company but in all honesty, he would have preferred not to be interrupted. Sometimes, though, the future and what it had in store could not be controlled. Ignoring his phone in public would have been worse manners.

His legs uncrossed from under the table as he made out the waiter heading their way. Midorima didn't sound too happy to be shot down immediately before even given a chance to explain the reason behind his call.

From the other end came a light but audible huff, "You always seem to be busy, Akashi. I was told that wasn't necessarily true though." From the sudden look he was shot, Kuroko could guess he'd been exposed for gossiping about the redhead because Akashi was not amused at all. But really, it wasn't fair... Everyone enjoyed Akashi's company despite the past they were still working on. So naturally Kuroko thought it would have been pleasant to try and get everyone to meet up again. It would make Momoi happy as well and she'd been feeling down lately. In Kuroko's mind, it all worked out. However, he'd only told Midorima because he knew the two were very close.

After a brief silence from Akashi, the older of the two waiting to order spoke up once more, "I see... Then I will call you later to let you know." A brief goodbye was exchanged and the heterochromatic eyes closed for a second too long to be considered a blink. It was then that the phantom considered that maybe he shouldn't have let the other know Akashi had free time. By the time Akashi hung up, the waiter had crossed the room and stood at the table with a small paper notepad and pen in hand, looking at Kuroko for his order since Akashi was busy tucking his phone back into his pocket.

It didn't take long for them to list off their drinks and were asked about snacks, but as usual both declined. Akashi still didn't induldge in snacks and Kuroko knew from experience he couldn't finish the sweet sides.

"I see you're trying something new today." Akashi picked up once the waiter bowed slightly and left them be. For some reason the sudden change in topics irritated the tealette who had wanted to try and get some answers from Akashi - but it was obvious they weren't going to be going back to his little confession any time soon.

"Yes. I am." He answered simply to be polite, "What did Midorima-kun want?" Kuroko's blue eyes glazed over like an innocent puppy and hoped Akashi wouldn't scold him for letting Mirodima know.

But it didn't look like such an expression would work against the ex-captain...

"Why did you tell Shintarou I wasn't busy?" There was no frown or coldness to his voice but the smaller male knew better than to assume he was calm under that facade. Most likely, he'd be very angry.

Well, all he could do was explain himself.

"Midorima-kun is good friends with Akashi-kun. So you two should spend time together while you both are free. I thought that would make everyone happy." His eyes returned down to the table that had no cloth to hide the natural wood used to make it - the patterns in it varied due to that reason but it was still smooth to the touch. With his attention undivided and down on the table, he didn't see Akashi look away. He was thinking about what Kuroko had to say and wondered if that was the truth of the matter...

It was no secret that Midorima could easily differentiate between his personalities and Kuroko always seemed concerned over Akashi's wellbeing. Therefore the redhead couldn't help but wonder if perhaps Kuroko was just making sure he was in a healthy state of mind by having Midorima check in on him.

... Maybe that was giving Kuroko too much credit for planning...

A small sigh escaped Akashi's lips who returned his hands to resting atop of the table, "Visiting Shintarou may be pleasant in such circumstances." After all, the two were always up for a game of shogi which calmed the pair. How Midorima didn't get rattled from constant defeat was a mystery. Akashi noticed Kuroko's prying eyes from atop the cup he sipped from, the froth giving him a snowy mustache almost.

"Then you should take a break with him." That was his response and Kuroko looked happy behind his deadpan expression; maybe he saw this as a victory for himself. Which was perhaps why he let the conversation turn to idle chit-chat. The pair talked about work, their friends, plans they had made time for. Nothing unusual in that respect.

As time passed by, the two slowly drained their coffees and people came and left the small cafe, until eventually it was their time to leave. Akashi felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders and felt it only necessary to thank Kuroko for the time to breathe and take another's perspective of his situation, "I hope the next time we meet isn't so far into the future." Akashi stated whilst sliding his unoccupied chair under the table they'd sat at, "Spending time with Tetsuya is most pleasurable." His eyes settled on Kuroko while he too neatened the space he'd been using, "Although... Seeing you with longer hair is quite unnerving."

The response to his somewhat ragged look caused a smile that was forced not to turn into a chuckle, "Maybe Akashi-kun should be the one to trim in." The pair set off to pay their bill and the redhead - without permission - paid in full for their table number 8. Which of course transformed the smaller of the two's grins into a furrow, "I can pay for myself..." He uttered but only after exiting the shop, the fresh air clearing their senses of strong coffee.

Akashi simply straightened out his jumper, "I wanted to treat you." His smile directed at Kuroko was warm and he chuckled lightly, "Next time I will allow you to treat me."

Because that was what Kuroko wanted to hear...

"I refuse." He said sharply, but the redhead knew that was just the other's humour, "Akashi-kun would cause me to spend a fortune." They'd walked down to the end of the path by then and needed to part ways, so Akashi pushed his fingertips into his pants pockets ready to retrieve his phone to call Midorima back once the two separated.

"How unfortunate. There was a new coat a really wanted for autumn." The two smiled and Kuroko was thankful for how things had turned out. For all they weren't perfect, they seemed a lot happier and settled. The phantom was happy most of all that the redhad had been stable, despite him being forced down a path he didn't want. It made Kuroko question what sort of choices his highschool friend would make in life had he more control over it himself.

A sudden goodbye caused Kuroko to snap back to the present, who returned the wave gestured to him, "Good bye Akashi-kun, I'll arrange to meet you at the orphanage sometime." The two agreed and went their different ways for the time being and Akashi dug out his phone; time to work around his pans and meet Midorima. It hadn't been as long ago it saw him as it had been with Kuroko. But perhaps that was not surprising. The redhead was torn because of how he felt about the phantom. Time with him meant the world to Akashi, but every good bye was painful, and he worried what silly things he'd say to the smaller male should his emotions get the better of him...

Looking through his log book, Akashi hit dial on Midorima's number.

"It's me. I have left the cafe now." No room for Midorima to say hello as always...

The cold air was nipping at Akashi's ears and he made haste down to the parking lot around the street corner, Kuroko's figure already out of sight in the opposite direction. Midorima's voice rang back, "And was meeting him so hard?"

It was like he was a therapist, not a doctor, "Meeting is never the hard part, Shintarou..."