Kuroko turned in his resignation letter without trouble.

He gave it to the lead of the second string, Touya, who momentarily forgotten who Kuroko was before reassuring that he would delivered the form to the coach. And that was that. Kuroko spent most of his days avoiding the team, which again, was no trouble. He no longer wanted be found and no one wanted to find him.

He didn't know which part hurt him the most.

But Momoi waited.

She did not find him, because she already knew where he was, had already seen through his avoidance. He couldn't escape her attention like everyday people. It took a while before she managed to corner him, though. Momoi waited for him at the back entrance of the school he had been taking to get home the past few weeks. He paused upon seeing her, wondering if he should just continue walking but her eyes found his and his presence was known.

Momoi looked tired. More tired than he'd seen her before. A flash of a pleasant memory passed him—her wide smile and Aomine's disgruntle look, pulling him along while eating ice cream. But the memory was gone as soon as it arrived. Now Momoi is giving a painful smile, looking at him with tired eyes that spoke of sleepless nights and lots of crying. Her eyes looked at him resigned but expectant, somehow. Kuroko's mouth just felt dry.

She knew his answers.

"...you quit the team."

"Aa."

A faint giggle was heard, muffled by her hand.

"Dai-ch—" A painful pause, a heavy swallow, "...no. Aomine-kun. He is leaving to transfer his new high school soon."

'Already?' His throat closes in on him.

"...Tetsu-kun... I-I don't know what to do." Her eyes bared hints of tired desperation, her breathing becoming shallow as she choked out the words. "Everyone's deciding to spit up, going to different high school an-and... you're quitting!"

Momoi could no longer hold her composer, trying to wipe the pained tears from her eyes. Kuroko watched her, solemnly. He no longer had any right to comfort her—because it was exactly what he was doing. Quitting.

"I'll be your shadow! I'll make you shine!"

Kuroko inhaled noticeably.

"...Follow him." He whispered.

"E-eh?"

"Follow Aomine." Kuroko continue, straight-faced. But he was clenching his fist on his school bag. "Keep him on his game." 'Keep him in the game...' "Though I wouldn't go so far as to say that he hates basketball, but he resents it.

'Like I do.' He closed his eyes. Painfully.

"...I ... Momoi-san. I don't want anyone to hate basketball, especially Aomine. So like the others, I am not going to attend the same school. I'll keep playing." Kuroko inhaled sharply, swallowing his split second resolve. "For Aomine. I'll find someone who can beat Aomine, give him the challenge to play again. ...This. This is my play."

Momoi stood there in silence for a few solemn moments, her bright pink hair flowed gently with incoming spring air.

She then smiled, softly.

"Alright. I believe in you." She giggled but sadly, her eyes still wounded but now somewhat hopeful. "But then...this is where we depart. Isn't it?"

"...Yes." His eyes soften somewhat, looking at his manager of three years. He bowed deeply, almost ninety-degree angle, looking at the ground. He heard her gasp slightly. "Thank you for all your hard work, especially after all this time, Manager Momoi Satsuki-san. ...I appreciated your care."

"Yeah..." She whispered warmly and he raised his head to find her in tears again. But this time her eyes were bright with determination. "I'll see you on the opposition then, hm?"

"Yes." He said sharply, resolute finally making an appearance in his eyes. He stood tall as he walked pass her. "Take care, Momoi-san."

"Take care, Kuroko Tetsuya." She said teasing him, as he crossed her.

Momoi stood there long after he left.

To the empty air, she spoke aloud,

"I knew there was a reason I fell in love with you."