Knights of Teikou
Genre : Adventure, Fantasy
Kuroko no Basuke is owned by Fujimaki-sensei. May included OOC. Hope u enjoy it minna! ^u^
Chapter 9:
The day after the squad battle between Squad 11 and Squad 12, all the sixteen freshmen were asked to gather on the field. Hyuuga ,as the captain, formally announced their promotion into the regular squad 11. They immediately joined the regular squad's practice right on that day, the practice went around physical training, spar, physical training and then spar everyday.
Kagami was doing great in the physical trainings, as he could follow the regular's standard. The regular's standard was totally different with the one they had when they were still a freshman, in these trainings he would always feel awfully tired and drained out everytime after the training.
As for the spar, the regulars were all good in their own specific way. Out from six matches, Kagami had never won once. Not because of his lack of skill, he could always find an opening for him to cut in but never once did it worked out for particular reason.
The other freshmen were doing quite good but most of them found it hard to follow regular's standard. On the other hand, the Kiseki no Sedai were following it without any problems and also no record of losing in any spar so far nor did they win. They managed to keep it in the equal situation as the spar was supposed to be exchanging skills. So instead of a one-hit K.O or the vital hit they used to do, they were merely having a spar.
It had been a week since they got into the regular, and as usual they were having their practices during the morning. They had finished their training menu for the day and now they would have their routine spar. Each of them was paired by Riko, the pairing would change every week. Different from before where there was only one spar at a time and the others watched, in the regular every spar were conducted at the same time on the field so there was no such thing as watching other spar.
Kagami stood on his position while waiting for his spar partner to come out. His first sparring partner for his first week in the regular was a young regular named Rinnosuke Mitobe. He was a quite boy, Kagami never heard him utter any words at all. But his skill was not something to be look down onto, Kagami had a hard time breaking through his defense everytime they spar.
Even though Kagami should admit he was having a hard time against him but after some times sparring with him, Kagami was adapting to his fighting style and was performing better himself. The most problematic problem though, had never changed.
CLANG
Kagami's sword flew away and stroke on the ground.
" Ah, sorry.", Kagami turned and ran to retrieve his sword while Mitobe was looking at his back in complete silent as usual.
Kagami pulled his sword out from the ground and stared at it. 'Darn it, I hesitate again.'
"Hey!", Kagami raised his head and met with a sword right on his head. Kagami's instinct took over, he slashed his sword upward in a lightning speed that even the one attacked Kagami couldn't see and pushed the other sword away.
" A-Ah, s-sorry. Are you alright?", the one who almost hit Kagami just now immediately approached him, also did his sparring partner Satoshi Tsuchida.
'He shouldn't have gotten away unhurt. Just now when he turned around, the sword was already swing down. I was sure he was going to get hurt so badly, not that it was intentional.', Tsuchida recalled himself dodging his partner's attack without realizing Kagami standing behind him. That's why when he dodged, the sword that was directed to him landed on Kagami unintentionally. Not to mention the timing left Kagami no space to run away. He would end up in a scratch in the least or maybe worst wounded so bad. Tsuchida examined the little boy thoroughly. 'But he got away safe and sound.'
'I can't even see when he swing his sword.', Tsuchida silently observed the boy.
" Are you really alright? I should have hurt you just now!", Furihata Kouki, turned Kagami around to check for any wounds.
" As I said, I'm okay senpai.", Kagami repeated his answer again, he was aware that some of them started to look at their direction.
" Don't panic, Furihata. I'm sure he is alright.", Tsuchida gave some distance between them and gave a signal to Kagami to go back. Kagami thanked him inwardly and ran back to his place.
Mitobe was standing there as silent as always but somehow Kagami felt he wanted to ask him whether something happened. " It's nothing, Mitobe-san. Sorry for the wait, let's continue this."
-After the training—
The training in the regular started from the morning and only until afternoon, all of them were given free time after that. So after taking a bath and changed into another white shirt, Kagami went back again to the field, right to the small forest there with another wooden sword on his right hand.
As usual he was doing his extra sword-swing training there, the place where he first told Akashi about his past. He stood there in front of a tree and swung the sword in a constant rhythm as he let his mind wander back to what happened in the afternoon, to the time when Furihata almost hurt him accidentally.
It was just a split second but in that instant his body moved without any hesitation, the fear he always had when holding a real sword vanished like it had never existed. He swung his sword right at his upperclassman without any hesitation. It might just be his self instinct to protect himself but after that, when he was aware of it, he didn't falter nor panic like he would do every single time.
Just a split second but it felt so real and Kagami couldn't hide how fast his heart beat when he remembered that sensation, to hold and use the sword freely as free as using his wooden sword. That was what he need here, that was what he need to continue his duty here as a soldier.
" Aa!", Kagami stretched both his hands and threw himself on the grass, making a THUD sound. His red eyes looked onto the bright blue sky above him, the white clouds floated there each with different and non-describable form, a light wind blew onto his body and blew up some of his red lock.
His heart was still beating fast from both exhaustion and excitement. 'I can do this. I can get over this. Yes, I can…', his body started retreating to the tiredness he got from the training, slowly his eyes closed and he fell asleep into his dream.
" I wonder where does he go… I never see him after training.", Maguchi walked around the field in search for the red-haired boy. From the first day they got into the regulars, never once did he see Kagami after the training. Kagami would only appear when the dinner time came, Maguchi had asked him before about his whereabout and Kagami said he was practicing in the field.
" But where is he?", Maguchi looked around the field where some of the regulars were still practicing, some of them were chatting in a group. He was too concentrate in finding the boy, without realizing someone was coming his way right now.
" Hey, you are with the little Taiga that day right?", Maguchi startled by the sudden voice coming from his side and he found himself stepping back three steps when he saw someone he though he wouldn't see.
The person calling him was slightly surprised to see such reaction but then he just remembered what might the boy had been impressed about himself, " Hahahha, hey hey hey. Why did you stepback? We are no longer enemy, remember?", Shoma laughed carefreely.
"Ah.", Maguchi indeed forgot that the squad battle had long finished a week before, now they were comrades who fight for the same kingdom. " But what are you doing here at Squad 11's barrack?", he knew that all the barracks here were near and the chance they met another squad was real high but he still need to ask.
" Can't you guess?", Shoma leaned his own wooden sword on his shoulder as he smirked. " I am looking for little Taiga."
Maguchi's eyes widen in surprise, " K-Kagami? F-For what?"
" Of course to finish our match, we haven't finished it that time. I can't rest well as long as this match is left unfinished.", Shoma looked around the field. " So where is he?"
" I-I don't know.", Shoma looked back to him with one of his eyebrow raised. "I-I'm not lying, I am trying to find him too. He said he will be here but I can't see him anywhere.", Maguchi averted his gaze away from the questioning one.
" Is that so?", Shoma's eyes wandered all around the field and indeed there was no sign of the red-haired he was looking for. Instead of Kagami, his eyes found five rainbow colored hair in the field. The six of them were aware of his gaze and all looked back at him. Shoma would like to try them on, but he knew his captain won't be too happy if he heard of it. His captain had restricted them to get into any fight with Generation of Miracles, not even a spar was allowed.
'But a greeting won't hurt, right?', Shoma grinned and approached the six young kids.
" Hello, my greeting for the great Generation of Miracles.", Shoma raised his free hand in front of his chest and bowed a little as a formality for the nobles' kids. "My name is Kanade Shoma from Squad 11."
"Yes, I remember you. You were one of the knight that participated in the Squad 11's team a week before.", Aomine calmly answered.
Shoma smiled more, "Yes, I am. It was such a misfortune that we couldn't have some exchange in that battle."
" Maybe we can do it later if there's an occasion.", Aomine calmly remarked.
'Hmm… Collected. They really live up to their names as a noble.", Shoma quietly impressed by the attitudes the younger kid was showing.
" So what brings you here in Squad 12, Kanade-san? I'm sure you won't come just to greet us, am I right? ", Akashi smiled politely.
" Of course no. I am looking for Kagami Taiga, do you know where is he?", Shoma asked as his eyes wandered around again, to find the boy.
' Kagami-… cchi?', "What do you need from him?", Kise asked curiously.
Shoma smirked and raised his wooden sword up vertically to his side, his eyes set on the sword while he swift it slowly, " As you see, I still have something to settle with him."
The aura the boy emitted that moment was dangerous, it made the six youngsters looked at him in wary and cautious. " Soo…", Shoma slowly turned to look at them, his eyes glinted dangerously. " Do you know where he is?"
" No, we don't.", Kuroko answered it short and direct. Shoma was surprised, the dangerous atmosphere vanished as he looked at Kuroko whom he didn't realize was there before. "Since where are you here?", he asked in complete surprise.
" I have been here all the time.", Kuroko answered politely, an answer that he himself had become familiar to.
" Really? I didn't realize you are here until you talk.", Shoma observed the teal-haired boy, he looked like an ordinary kid in appearance but you could still sense a nobility out of him like the rest of the rainbow kids. 'Interesting…'
" Okay, if you find him please pass on my word to him. I will come back again for him tomorrow.", Shoma smiled then turned to walk away. The six of them were looking at his back still in cautious before suddenly Shoma stopped and turned around. " Ah, by the way, I am curious about this.", he started. " But do all of you by any chance have some sort of relationship with Kagami Taiga?"
That question caught certain teal-haired and blonde-haired off guard but Akashi had given a reply, " Isn't it obvious? He is our comrade of course. We are all in the same squad, aren't we?"
Shoma seemed to consider the answer for a moment before he countered, "Of course I know, but I'm asking it another way… Out from the army, do you all know each other?"
" No, we first met him here.", Akashi answered politely. " Why the sudden question, Kanade-san?"
" Hahahaha, just curious. People said this year there will be six young nobles joining the army, but never did them heard about another seventh boy. They mistook his joining as a mere luck that came along with the six of you but I know better not to mistook it just as a luck.", Shoma grinned, the friendly atmosphere he gave them now was totally different with how he was a minute before.
" So okay then, I need to go back or else my captain will scold me. Remember to pass my words to him.", and with that Shoma left them.
" He is also a dangerous man.", Midorima stated after the said knight was out from their sight. " Just like the knight I and Atsushi fought with in that spar… The title 'Knight' is indeed given to those who qualified."
" Of course it is, or else we won't be practicing so hard to be one of them.", Aomine turned and walked to the direction of the small forest there.
" Daiki-chin, where are you heading to?", Murasakibara intended to follow him but Aomine stopped which made him stopped too, " I'm sorry but give me some place, I would like to be alone." ,then Aomine continued the walk.
Kuroko was looking at his friend's back in worry. " Daiki-kun has been acting strange ever since the squad battle ended.", he stated his worry out.
" Yeah, he become more quiet than usual. ", Kise hummed in worry. 'Is it because of what I saw in the squad battle before? Those images of his old self…"
" Give him some time, I'm sure Daiki can handle it.", Akashi reassured them, even though part of him denied what he had just said.
All of them knew too well that their tanned friend was not someone as quiet as how he was now, they knew his problem and they tried to help him but nonetheless the tanned had closed his heart to anyone. It had always been a regret for the five of them for not being able to do anything. All they could do now was to always be there for him, anytime he wants, anytime he wishes, anytime he needs them.
Aomine put both his hands inside his pants's pocket and followed his steps slowly through some trees, his mind was thinking of nothing yet his heart seemed to be in a mess. He couldn't express what was wrong but he just knew something inside him kept squirming uneasily.
Aomine stopped abruptly as he saw someone was lying on the grass a little far from where he was standing, that person seemed to be sleeping since he could hear a light snore coming from him. Aomine was confused whether to go away or continue, since he didn't want to interact with anyone in his squad at the moment, it's not like he ever interact much with them though.
But somehow his leg brought him forward to where the person was sleeping, he tried to minimize the sound of his footsteps as low as possible. And now there he was standing right above the dark red-haired boy that he knew, ' So here he is.', Aomine squatted down and his dark blue orbs observed the boy quietly.
The first thing that caught his sight was the wooden sword that was held tightly in the boy's right hand. It amused him that the boy could sleep so soundly yet still holding his sword so tightly like it was dear to him. Unknown to him, a small smile unconsciously formed itself on his face. He knew all too well about Kagami's antic since he used to do it in the past too.
'He must be doing some sword-swing exercise here after practice. He should have been tired yet his face looks so peaceful, he looks so content.', Aomine knew the reason why though. The memory from a week ago came back again to him, when he just stood at the side watching the boy fight with the other knight, the excitement that he had while watching them.
Aomine looked up at the bright sky, his blue orbs seemed so distance, "How long has it been since I last felt like that when I watch a fight?"
It had been such a long time until he almost couldn't recognize it. He was happy for it was the feeling his inner self was yearning for but as happy as he was, he was also afraid when that feeling resurface again. He was afraid if his enthusiasm risen up again then he would be disappointed again by those feedbacks he had everytime he won. He couldn't bear to feel it anymore, not when he had learnt to be used to it.
'Now, I know what it is that have been troubling me these days.', Aomine stared back at the sleeping boy below him.
" I shouldn't be feeling these anymore. A noble should be collected, I shouldn't let these trivial things affect me. This is not a house-playing game so I can have fun, the point of being a soldier isn't about enjoying these. I have a goal, along with Tetsu and the others, we will protect our country. I shouldn't let my own desire disturb it. Come on Aomine Daiki, get a hold of yourself.", Aomine scrunched his eyes shut and when he opened it, he was surprised when he was faced with a pair of dark-red eyes staring up at him.
" W-W-WOAhh! ", Aomine was too surprised until he fell behind on his butt.
Kagami sat down and stretched his hands up, still holding the wooden sword in his right hand. After he finished, he turned around and stared at Aomine. Aomine was so embarrassed until he didn't know what to do or say, his mind was busy guessing whether the boy heard his words or not. It would be bad if he did, what if. No, he needed to act calm now and observed the red-haired's reaction first.
" Aomine, what are you doing here?", Kagami asked curiously.
Aomine blinked, ' He didn't hear me?' " Ah, I-I was taking a walk around here.", Aomine coughed once, " What are you doing here, Kagami?", Aomine asked in the composed way as usual.
As a clue, Kagami grinned and showed his wooden sword to Aomine, " I'm practicing sword-swing but then uhm… seems like I fell asleep. Hehehe…", Kagami rubbed his neck nervously.
'As expected.', Aomine already knew the answer from the start though, he just wanted to change the topic away from himself.
" Hey, Aomine.", Aomine looked at Kagami in response. " Wanna have a spar with me?", Kagami handed the wooden sword to Aomine without waiting for his answer. He then got up and ran into the forest. Aomine was left there confused by the sudden invitation, not long after that Kagami was back with another wooden sword.
Seeing Aomine who didn't move from his position, Kagami thought an explanation was needed, " Well, I often came here to train and sometimes I left it here intentionally since the captain won't allow anyone to take any equipments after five in the evening.", Kagami explained as he did some swinging.
" Oh, so you took away these without permission?", Aomine finally stood up and made some distance in between them.
" Urr, well y-you can say so… but only two though! The one I'm holding now is mine!", Kagami realized that he just shouted out too loud so he lowered his voice and continued, " The army might mistaken my sword with the other sword, that's why I hide it here.", Kagami swung the sword twice.
Aomine was silent for a second, " It reminds me, could it be it is the same sword you have during the test?"
Kagami smiled, " Yes. 'Kon'."
" Kon?"
" Yeah, its name. This is the first sword I got and I decided to give it a name. Kon is its name.", Kagami told him happily but then Kagami's smile turned into a confusion when he realized the other boy was staring at him without a blink. "W-What is it, Aomine?", and maybe the other boy didn't realize it but it made Kagami nervous to be stared like that.
" So you give your sword a name?", Aomine asked in a slow motion, getting a nod from Kagami directly.
" So are you going to stand there and stare at me, or maybe we can start it?", Kagami joked a little and it indeed brought Aomine back.
" You got too cocky, Kagami. Be careful, cockiness will bring you no good.", Aomine readied his stance.
" I already know it, thanks for the reminding.", Kagami readied his stance too. Both of them stared at each other intensely and attacked at the same time.
They attacked and defended, exchanging some clashes from a slow tempo and start to get faster. Aomine was facing Kagami calmly as usual, while Kagami faced him with those red eyes burnt in determination as usual.
Their pace got faster and faster, Aomine was having the advantage and finally after some minutes he landed a clean hit on Kagami's left cheek. Just when Aomine thought he had scored one, suddenly Kagami countered him right after and hit him on his arm real hard.
Both of them jumped away to take a momentary rest, each engulfed with their own thought. 'As I thought from the first day we met when he suddenly attacked me, he is really strong! So this is the prodigy that Hiroma told me? So strong! Amazing!', Kagami was smiling from admiration, respect and excitement.
'He is not an easy opponent, from the first time I test him I already sensed he is not an ordinary twelve years boy. That he might really survive in this army in his young ages, like us. His physical trainings are performing good, there are times when he even rivaled me in it. And to think he will be this good, I think I can be more serious than usual.', Aomine smirked and take the initiative to attack first..
Kagami was slightly surprised at how fast the other boy moved but immediately back to his sense as he received the impact and both of them got into their intense clashing again. They both kept on going, Aomine would always increase his speed higher everytime Kagami was on par with him. No one could hit the other one, which meant they were completely in par for meantime.
'Nice nice nice! Since you can keeping up this well, I'm going to go real serious!', Aomine increased his speed more and his movement started to change. That calm face of him was started to loosen up a bit, without him noticing it.
When Kagami saw Aomine's attack coming from left, he lifted his sword to the left to block it but suddenly Aomine changed his path and attacked him from below. Kagami almost couldn't get on time to block it. He didn't have the time to re-think about it as Aomine's attack came again, Aomine swirled his body around in a real fast movement and attacked him from the side. Like the last time, Kagami could barely get on time to block and the strength was strong enough to push Kagami a bit.
Kagami was struggling real hard at Aomine's formless attacks, Kagami could only describe it in three words 'Fast, strong, hard to predict.' Kagami kept on getting hit and hit at times but he didn't back down, instead he tried harder to defend himself as well as finding an opening to attack.
The undying determination that flared in those red-eyes only fueled Aomine more, his movement getting more and more better. Finally after the countless hit, this time Aomine hit Kagami right on the face until Kagami fell right on the grassy ground.
Aomine was sweating from the overheat, his breathing was fast because of the adrenaline that boiled inside him. 'This feels so good, to think he can keeping up with me until this far.', Aomine smiled in satisfy, he then looked up to see the condition of his current opponent, the red-haired was panting so hard on the ground, some visible red marks on his face and arms. There was even one that has started to swell on his face.
'I think I go too far.', Aomine was ready to help him up and apologize but then the red-haired boy suddenly laughed, which stopped his intentions and confused him. " Huh?"
Kagami continued on laughing softly, his body hurt when he did so, moreover his swollen face but he couldn't stop himself for laughing, Aomine was totally confused for the reason he laughed. Kagami's laugh started to slow down and he sat up on the ground, holding his stomach." S-Sorry, sorry Aomine. I'm just too happy.", Kagami explained while trying to stop his laugh completely.
Aomine was surprised to hear such words, ' He could say he was happy when his body was full of wounds? Him losing makes him happy?'
" You are so amazing, Aomine. Really cool!", Aomine was surprised to hear it. He was even more surprised that he didn't get offended by Kagami's words. Him, who had built up dislike for people praising him.
" You still can go more?", Kagami stood up again and pointed his sword to the surprised Aomine.
Aomine pushed any thoughts he had away and smirked, " I am afraid you are the one who can't continue on."
" Hahahahha. Of course I still can continue this!", and so both of them resumed their fight.
This time though, Kagami was doing better than before. He could follow strictly to Aomine's speed and his strength by every swing is getting stronger and stronger. All along the exchange, the dark blue orb shone brightly with joyful while the red one flared with determination.
" Where did Daikicchi go to? He missed the dinner!", Kise walked out from the dining hall in haste. The day had turned into night and everyone had had their dinner and yet their navy haired friend didn't show up at all, Kise was also aware that neither did Kagami show up at the dinner.
The five of them all walked to the field in haste and no sign of anyone there. Kise just intended to go to the small forest that Aomine went to this afternoon but he stopped when he saw two shadow coming out from the forest.
There was only the light of moon there to help their visions, so from far Kise couldn't determine who is it. " That's…"
The two shadows walked out from the shadow and showed themselves, " Daiki-kun. ", Kuroko was relieved to find his friend but then he was surprised to see who the other shadow was. "And… Kagami-kun?"
The five of them ran to the both of them. Aomine was helping Kagami to walk, their shirts were dirty and also did their faces. Kagami's left cheek was swollen and many other red marks and some cuts on his face and arms. Aomine also had some cuts on his face and arms but Kagami's were worse. And one thing had caught their attentions from the start.
" W-What happened to both of you?", Kise asked in extreme worry.
" You two are wounded, what happened?", Kuroko looked at their condition.
Kagami could only grin weakly while Aomine smiled nervously, " Can we save the talk for later? And get Kagami some treatment first?"
The five of them looked at each other and seemed like they all thought the same thing. Something happened but whatever it was, Aomine looked much better now, no more gloomy atmosphere. Instead of the calm gaze Aomine had been maintaining for years, they could see the old Aomine in front of them now from the way those dark blue eyes shone and the way he smiled. The five of them smiled inwardly and help both of them. Murasakibara helped Kagami while Midorima helped Aomine, the other three following behind them.
" Did you see what I see?", Akashi asked amusingly. Kuroko and Kise smiled, of course they did.
" Ouch ouch ouch."
"Stop whining every single time, Kagami. Bear with it.", Midorima tried to put on some ointment onto Kagami's swollen face but the boy kept whining and shifted away from him.
"But it hurts, Midorima. It hurts.", Kagami said it twice to show how much he meant it.
" Whose fault is it? Bear with it and don't move.", Kagami stopped shifting and remained in his place. He winced again when Midorima's touched his swollen face, he scrunched his eyes shut and he could hear a soft chuckle somewhere, he then glared at the blonde who had been chuckling, " Don't laugh, Kise.", and it made Kise chuckled more.
" S-Sorry Kagami-cchi but you looks like you want to cry.", Kise said playfully.
Kagami was embarrassed and he humph-ed away from Kise, 'Tatsuya used to laugh at me too when he or Auntie treat my wound, saying I'm a crybaby. Ah.' Suddenly Kagami's didn't look as energic as he was the second before, now he was thinking of his figure big brother and the mother figure for him. 'I wonder how they are doing now…'
Just when Kagami was deep in his thought, suddenly Kise appeared in front of him and surprised him. "What's wrong, Kagamicchi? Are you angry because I laughed at you? I apologize if I have offended you in some way. I didn't mean to offend you, Kagamicchi.", Kise said it all in a really polite and elegant way, just like a noble.
" Hah? Of course I'm not angry, why should I? And Kise, you look weird like that.", Kagami looked away from Kise, right on time for Midorima to press the swollen face with a rectangle cotton that had some ointment on it. Kagami stiffen at the sensation and it needed some time for Kagami to react to it, which was enough for Midorima to stick some plaster to hold the cotton at the place.
" Hahh, it's just a treatment. They are being too noisy.", Aomine sighed as Kagami's whine filled his ear once again.
" There you go, Daiki-kun.", Kuroko stick the last band-aid on and his job finished.
" Thanks, Tetsu.", Aomine smiled at the teal-haired boy genuinely. He turned to where the noises came and shook his head, he then realized that his teal-haired friend was still looking at him. " What's wrong, Tetsu?" Kuroko said nothing and just looked onto each small plasters the tanned boy had on his body. " Did I make you worry? Don't worry Tetsu, these are just some small scratches.", Aomine patted Kuroko's head once softly. " Sorry."
" Don't apologize, Daiki-kun. None of us blame you, it just that…", Kuroko looked up at the tanned and smiled. "It has been a long time since I last treated your wounds like this." And that's when Aomine realized what Kuroko implied to, his eyes soften and he smiled too.
" Done.", Midorima put on the last band-aid and then moved to put all the things back to the medical box. Kagami touched the last band-aid lightly, " Thank you, Midorima. I'm still wondering though why don't we directly go to the infirmary for the treatment?", Kagami asked while he touched another band-aid he had.
" We won't like any commotion, Captain will ask about what happened.", Midorima explained shortly.
Kagami was going to ask more before Kise cut in, " Uhmm. Actually Kagamicchi, we wouldn't like it if our families are to hear of any appropriate actions coming from us. If this was to known by the other, it will surely spread around the army and somehow the rumor will vary in many ways and in the end reaches our family's ear. "
" Ah, I didn't mean to say we are special or what, but since we are the youngest generation ever, people tend to pay more attention to our actions. Remember what Captain told us in our first day?", Kise tried his best to ensure the red-haired boy since all of them thought the boy still didn't know who they are.
"Hmm... Well, I can understand.", Kise was relieved but it didn't stay long as Kagami's next sentence surprised him. " You guys are from the nobles family, you need to maintain a good image." Suddenly the room was silence and Kagami realized that all four pair of eyes were looking at him, just one already made him nervous moreover four?
" You know, Kagami-kun?", Kuroko was the first to say something.
" Ah, y-yeah. I knew it in the squad battle a week ago. I don't know the six of you are the noble's kids, and prodigy? Cool! The King even given you the title 'Generation of Miracles'! I also heard the reason for this year's sudden change of age ranges are you guys. Hahahaha, I was surprised when I heard all of that.", Kagami laughed naturally, completely oblivious of the atmosphere the other four boys were emitting now.
It took him a whole minute of silent treatment to realize it, " W-What's wrong?"
Midorima turned and continued his activity, he took Kuroko's into the box too and proceeded to the bathroom. Kise turned away and walked to the sash to look out to the night sky. Aomine laid down on his bed vertically and stared onto the ceiling, only Kuroko remained at his place.
" K-Kuroko?", Kagami smiled in awkward, hoping that the teal-haired won't show the same weird actions like the other three. Kuroko smiled a little at him, yes, only a small curt smile. And it was enough to show that something was indeed wrong.
'Great, whatever I did, I had ruined the mood, again? Great Taiga.', Kagami felt like he want to face-palm right now, as he thought he was not good at these things. 'I better leave now.'
" Uhmm… I-It's already late, I should go back.", Kagami stood up from his place and walked to the door without waiting for any response.
" Kagami-kun, why don't you wait? Seijuurou-kun and Atsushi-kun will be back soon.", Kuroko was the only one that followed behind him, the other three only glanced at him from their places.
" Ah, i-it's oka-", the door was opened right when Kagami wanted to reach the doorknob and there they were, Akashi who opened the door and Murasakibara who was holding two plates of dinner.
" Kagami-san? Where do you intend to go?", Akashi asked in pure surprise.
" Ah, it's already so late. I will be taking my leave.", Kagami tried to go pass them but Murasakibara stood on his path.
" But how about your dinner?", Murasakibara showed the larger portion of dinner at his right. Kagami took the plate from the boy, " Ah, thank you so much. I'll be eating downstairs. See you all tomorrow.", and with that he left, leaving the confused Akashi and Murasakibara.
'Just when I thought I have found another friend…', Kise thought solemnly as he walked to his bed and laid down, face first to the pillow.
" What happened?", Akashi asked as Murasakibara gave Aomine's dinner to the person.
" Kagami-kun already know our identity.", Kuroko answered simply even though his face showed quite unhappy.
Akashi looked at his other friend's expression and huffed, " So what if he know?", all of them looked at the short young boy. " Does he behave differently compared to his usual self, before and after he know who we are?"
All of them, except Murasakibara widen their eyes. The answer they had in their head was the same. " He does not, right?", Akashi said out the answer they had in their head.
'That's right. If Kagamicchi knew from the squad battle then it had been a week, and he didn't show any different attitudes toward us and also anything. If he really would act different after knowing who we are, like all the others did and would do, then he wouldn't ask Daiki-cchi for a spar, whining and complaining to Shintarou-cchi and joked with me so casually.', Kise smiled as he realized it now.
" You're right, Seijuurou-kun.", Kuroko started for them. "We have always been treated differently because of our background and status, that's why we think when Kagami-kun know it, he would act the same as they did. But we are wrong…", Kuroko smiled. "At first, the reason we don't want him to know is because he is different from the others, he treats us as those same ages as him."
" We forget the fact that Kagami-kun is not the same from the others. I think he doesn't even care too much about it. Knowing him…", Kuroko finished with a soft chuckle.
"Hn…", Midorima nodded and smiled. Kise laughed and agreed too.
" Seijuurou and Tetsu are right.", Aomine raised his hand up and stared at it." He is different. I can tell from how he sparred with me today… He isn't someone that will change himself because of some status. I think he is what people called an air-head.", Aomine chuckled.
" Daiki-chin~ That is an insult, isn't it?", Murasakibara plainly said as he laid on his bed. Aomine laughed, while the others chuckled.
Kise sat down on his bed and looked to Aomine whose bed was beside him." Nee nee, Daiki-cchi. How is your spar with Kagami-cchi? This is the first time I see you wounded so much in a spar. And both of you are wounded so much, just what kind of spar you both were having?", Kise asked curiously.
" About that, I just remember.", Midorima crossed his hands and frowned at Aomine. " You shall not go too serious in a spar, Daiki. What if you and him suffer serious injury? Captain will surely ask about it. You're lucky this time it's just small wounds."
" Shintarou is right, usually you will act cool-headedly and avoid unnecessary spar. I was surprised to find both of you wounded like that.", Akashi sat on his bed and crossed his hands too.
" Hmm~ Is Kagami really that strong? Until Daiki-chin, you got injured like this."
Aomine only grinned and apologized for it, " I can only say one thing from our spar today, he is kinda cool."
-To be Continued-