Sometimes, Kuroko Tetsuya would dream.
He would dream and consider a life without basketball, without physical extortion, mental taxation, and the constant twang of despair in his heart when he saw them change.
That life, was always peaceful.
He would go to school, eat lunch, converse with classmates, complete his goal of reading every book in the library, make different friends—the ones he used to have—,and go home.
The cycle would then repeat.
Strangely enough, he never found solace in such dreams.
Without basketball, Kuroko would've never met the Generation of Miracles, never met Aomine, never met that hollowing despair after realizing that "basketball" stole away all he took dear.
What was wrong with not wanting to feel pain and return, to that ordinary life he once had?
Kuroko didn't know.
All he knew was that since he abandoned that Teiko jersey, he began to dream...of a life far away from the sport he loathed.
Yet...he was still playing basketball now wasn't he?
The clacking of glass to table resounded in the room as the Generation of Miracles were squished together on the duo loveseats, duos frantically pushing at each other for more room to sit "properly" in case those daunting heterchromatic eyes that watched them like a hawk would twitch—signalling a gory end.
"Now that you've all calmed yourselves, would you mind telling me why you've barged into this room as if you owned it?" Akashi perilously demanded, causing them to freeze.
"Well, it's not like you own this place eithe-"
"Yes Daiki? Did you happen to say something?" The autocratic sweetly asked, immediately silencing the Power Forward who was once known as the "ace" of the Generation of Miracles.
"Ngh! Tch, nothing..." Aomine grumbled, eyes darting as far away from Akashi's as possible. Shoot. He had forgotten how damn arrogant this guy was! (And scary...not that he would admit it.)
Being squeezed beside him, Kise could only shoot him a disenchanted glance, sighing at his long-gone chance of escaping this unnerving situation.
Should he be telling Akashi about the camera? Right in front of Kuroko? Wait, what if Kuroko already took a picture of Akashi and...oh no, if Akashi knew that he of all people was basically tricked then...AJKSDKAS!
Kise could no longer form words to describe his horror at such a situation. He turned hopefully to Midorima for refuge...only to find his looking clearly irritated to be squished down beside Murasakibara—who was munching. Yes, with crumbs tumbling down his mouth to Midorima's glasses.
Only Momoi, Kuroko, and Akashi got to sit on the high-end single armchairs.
"Well?" Akashi prodded, panchromatic eyes flashing dangerously at the group.
"The camera." Every pair of eyes landed on Midorima, the first to vocalize his thoughts. A mental gulp formed in their minds.
Akashi raised a brow. Yet, Midorima interpreted that as bemusement, especially when Akashi was practically smirking into the phone after he found out about Kuroko's camera. "We met Kagami who told us about the camera. We only came here to confirm something." Midorima vaguely explained in a fashion that should've still made perfect sense to Akashi.
But it didn't.
"A camera? Ah, you mean this? Other than this being an antique, what's special enough about it for all of you to come charging in here?" Akashi questioned sincerely, instantly causing Midorima to shoot him a confused look.
Akashi dismissed it, feigning innocence as Midorima raised a brow.
"Ah, that's because Kagamicchi said the camera could take pictures of our most important things!" Kise explained, earning a slightly surprised look from both Akashi.
Of course, only Midorima knew their erstwhile captain was simply humoring them...but for what? Akashi didn't need to humor others, his perfection made him beyond the need for any sycophancy.
However, whatever he planned to do did seem to work as ever so slightly, his golden eye lilted towards the phantom player, instantly bringing the shadow into the spotlight.
All eyes automatically landed on Kuroko; he seemed surprised, genuinely so before he smiled. Curt yet sincere; like the way he used to, the way all of them haven't seen him smile for so long.
"Ah...so that was what this was about." Kuroko murmured, voice deadpanned as usual.
"T-tetsu-kun?" Momoi gaped in shock. She wasn't the only one.
They all were, even Murasakibara who had taken a few moments to cease his rhythmic munching. To Midorima however, the sincerity of Akashi's widened irises and flat expression was questionable but for the issue's sake, he decided to dismiss it...for now.
"Um..." Kuroko began, scratching his cheek, his signature deadpanned way of expressing sheepishness. "So it seems you all figured it out. I met with you all to take those pictures...I'm sorry for doing it so secretively," Kuroko apologized with a polite bow.
"That's not the point though!" Kise suddenly piped as the bluenette turned, meeting those golden eyes meshed with hurt.
He blinked. "...Kise-kun?" Kuroko blurted, knowing that such an expression was uncharacteristic of him. However, his composure was never lost. Instead, something clicked, the cogs of cognition whirling inside his brain until the pieces fit together. Kagami said something...something more than just his photography excursion. Something more, than what Kuroko told him. Something he figured out, all by himself.
Kuroko wasn't sure to be angry or glad. It was the first time he felt this mix of emotions within him after he graduated. Yet, he couldn't say he disliked it.
He looked into Kise's eyes, soul-wrenching blue pouring into the gold as Kise parted his lips, ready to say something with utmost demand yet...he stopped.
It wasn't something he could say.
Something, he couldn't bear to say.
For himself, and for Kuroko.
"Do you really hate basketball? Why? Did we-"
It was nearly self-explanatory. But Kise didn't want to say it, didn't want to confirm it...that he was part of the reason why the person he wanted to play basketball with quit the sport, hated it.
"Kise-kun?" Kuroko repeated, surprised by the blonde's crestfallen look. When riled up by emotions, Kise was always blunt and honest with himself yet, what was this? What did Kagami tell them?
The blonde didn't respond.
Nor did the rest of the colorful members.
They didn't need to, they knew Kise wouldn't say a word, since they wouldn't either.
They couldn't.
A tense silence surrounded the room, making its way down their throats, coiling around to induce a choked discomfort.
Akashi simply watched, eyes speaking nothing of his thoughts...before a hand shot up.
Immediately all eyes settled on a wisterian-haired giant, Midorima scowling after Murasakibara's hand had slightly whacked him by the shoulder as it ascended.
"Murasakibara-kun?" Kuroko questioned, eyes now level with those lethargic orbs.
"Ahh. Kuro-chin, I'm not really getting this but did Kuro-chin take that camera around and showed it to them?" Murasakibara summarized simply.
Kuroko blinked. "Yes." He vocalized.
Murasakibara's dead eyes didn't budge. With lassitude, he simply stated, "then isn't Kise-chin trying to ask why you ran around and took pictures of us?"
...Kise gaped at him in horror. Okay, technically that was the other question he wanted to ask, one rivalling the former in importance.
But...that was even more of an awkward question to ask! It was like calling Kuroko a stalker!
Kuroko Tetsuya however, was dense at the strangest of times. He simply blinked, before as evenly as usual, he replied, "ah. I just wanted to confirm something."
"Oh. Is that so?" Murasakibara acknowledged, noticing that his chips were gone as he got up from his squished spot beside Midorima to the counter top, shuffling through its drawers for more snacks.
The rest stared at the two in silence.
Aomine however, looked strangely surprised, before his expression fell flat.
"Eh?" Kise breathed, noting how easily the crisis was resolved but...wasn't it solved too easily?! That wasn't an answer at all! "No Kuro-"
"Ahhh. Kise, stop squirming around already," Aomine scowled with a yawn, pulling his arms forward and up into a stretch that purposely whacked the side of the model's money-making face.
"Ow! Aominecchi?!" Kise demanded in confusion as the tanned teen proceeded to remove himself from the seat.
He turned to a quizzical Kuroko.
His eyes narrowed. "Oi Tetsu, then did you manage to confirm it?" He asked.
There was a pause as Kuroko stared back at him, as if unsure of the meaning behind his question. Why was Kuroko Tetsuya taking pictures? He was quite sure Aomine Daiki didn't know the answer, he couldn't know but...they were not partners for nothing.
Something clicked. An instinct, intuition, something perfunctory—there were many names one could call their level of understanding for each other, understanding...while not at all. Aomine Daiki didn't know a thing, yet, he knew exactly how to react to it, just like...whenever the two played basketball together.
"...Yes." Kuroko returned softly.
"Huh. Then that's good." Aomine returned unceremoniously before he lifted his head and stared over at where Murasakibara stood. "Oi, Murasakibara. If you're getting snacks, gimme some too. I didn't get to eat a thing ever since this woman dragged me out." Aomine lazily complained, one hand in pocket while other, pointing at a still-shocked Momoi.
"E-eh?" Momoi gawked in confusion. She was still out of it enough to not try and hiss at Aomine's comments.
Yet, momentarily, she slammed her socked foot onto Aomine's, as a low "OW!" rang in the room.
"Stupid Aomine-kun! I TOLD you to eat before we left!" She reprimanded, regaining composure as she jumped up, now angrily eyeing the teen.
"Hah?! And eat YOUR HOME-MADE BREAKFAST?! Did you want me to die?!" Aomine retorted.
"I can totally cook!"
Aomine's expression fell flat. "...Sure." He lethargically replied before he promptly joined Murasakibara on his snack hunt.
"...HEY WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!"
The rest stare at the sight, mainly Kise who was simply dumbfounded by the situation. What was that just now? It was as if nothing had happened at all and they were simply acting the same way as usual.
"Ah right. Atsushi made a cake right over there. We barely started on it so you should try some Daiki," Akashi smoothly pointed as he himself seemed to have lost interest on the subject.
"Ah really?! Midorin, Ki-chan! Let's go try some!" Momoi urged at the yellow and green duo who were the only ones left seated.
"E-eh?" Kise blurted, about to comply before Midorima sniffed, scowl emerging once more.
"Murasakibara? Cook? Like I'll eat whatever atrocity he makes—Mhhmp!"
Immediately Midorima found a spoonful of cake shoved into his mouth.
"No Midorima-kun, it's actually quite good." Kuroko blankly stated with his hand on said spoon.
Midorima gulped it down angrily. "Oi! Kurok—mhhmp!"
Another scoop was shoved in. "Isn't good Midorima-kun?" Kuroko repeated innocently.
Yet, Kuroko's blank demeanor as he continued this routine with an increasingly incensed Midorima only brought shivers down Kise's spine.
For some reason, he was starting to act like Akashi whenever Kuroko couldn't finish his food during training camps!
"Ryouta." Kise immediately froze.
Oh great. He forgot the actual person was there!
"You should eat some cake as well." Akashi suggested, or again, demanded with nonchalance.
"E-eh? Well yeah but..." Kise began, rising from his seat. Although the mood was much cheerier than before as he moved towards the rest of the gang, he still couldn't shake the unease. He wanted to know. They wanted to know. That was why they travelled all the way here yet...why the subject so easily dropped then?
He stopped.
"Um, Akashicchi...don't you want to know what's happening?" Kise suddenly asked.
Akashi paused, golden eye lilting up at him. "About what?"
"About why Kurokocchi is here, with that camera."
The red-head stayed silent, eyes trained on Kise like a hawk...before he smiled.
It didn't have that same effect as when Kuroko did it.
Kise could only wonder if he was going to die soon...very soon.
"If Tetsuya wanted to tell us about it, he would have done so."
"But...aren't you curious?"
Akashi raised a brow, as if the answer was completely obvious. "...No."
Kise squinted...before he was perpetually whacked in the head...again.
"OW!"
His golden eyes flashed open, meeting a dark, sea blue pair of eyes that stared lazily back at him.
"Oi Kise, you're thinking too much. Idiot."
Kise gawked at him. Says the person who never thinks! No, he was actually trying to be serious for once, as this greatly concerned Kuroko, one of the enigmas that colored his life back in middle school. He respected Kuroko and...to think that Kuroko became so troubled because of him just tore him apart. Yet, he thought it was the same for them! So why?
"Because it's Tetsu." Aomine simply replied, practically reading his mind.
Kise stared.
"If he said it's fine, it's fine. It's just as simple as that. If he's fine, there's no need to pry right?"
"But how do you know if he actually is?"
"Because Kuro-chin is strong." Suddenly, Murasakibara joined in, whip cream smeared on his lips.
"M-murasakicchi?" Kise murmured, surprised that he would join in.
"Kuro-chin is strong. He's mean when he gets mad at me." Murasakibara added with a pout, reminding them of the times Kuroko would fearlessly argue with the giant over his attitude. "Ah. Kuro-chin is pretty strong now too. Is Mido-chin dying?" He suddenly asked as Kise's gaze followed his until it finally settled on a Midorima who was violently choking on cake while the phantom player simply gave him a comforting pat: one Midorima slapped away and began an angry yell, only placing himself in more choking misery.
Kise sweatdropped.
He sighed in defeat.
Well, that was definitely true. It was Kuroko. He was strong, blindingly strong despite his small physique. Kise knew that very well but...even if it was just a bit, he wished that Kuroko would rely on them—on him.
But, to Kuroko Tetsuya, his very existence was more than enough. As time passed and the group grew rambunctious again, Kuroko retreated to the side as he watched the rest of them gang up on Kise as usual, comparing their KISEKI figures made by Murasakibara.
For the first time in a while, Kuroko felt content.
He watched as Akashi took a seat beside him, releasing a slight sigh.
"Akashi-kun, are you tired?" Kuroko asked as his former captain turned.
"Hmm? Well, I suppose it's because I had a few meetings this morning but I don't believe this noise is helping much." Akashi replied.
"Is that so? I thought Akashi-kun was already very used to this." Kuroko returned, noting how this used to be their everyday.
Akashi sighed. "Yes, although this isn't a very good thing to be used to." He nonchalantly stated as he sipped on a glass of lemonade.
Kuroko tilted his head. "Then...do you dislike it Akashi-kun?" He wondered, knowing that out of all of them, Akashi was like Aomine, one of those who had changed the most. No, he was beyond Aomine as even now, Kuroko didn't have a grasp of his intentions.
The only thing he knew was that he had changed.
Akashi Seijuro was much kinder back then...until Kuroko sees a soft smile on his lips.
He releases a light chuckle, soft and so surreal that Kuroko widens his eyes for a fraction of a second.
"No...I don't dislike it." Akashi murmured.
Kuroko realized the camera, though long forgotten and abandoned, was still on the table.
SNAP!
He automatically took a picture of the red-head.
Akashi immediately whirled back, eyes landing on the contraption with nearly threatening alarm...before his eyes softened. "Tetsuya." He said sternly.
Kuroko smiled, taking a glimpse of the photo, where all of them stood on the court, with Akashi out in front, wearing his Teiko jacket in his signature billowing style over his jersey, arms crossed and all.
However, it was not of him and the Generation of Miracles' usual daunting figure but instead, he was slightly to the side, releasing a slight sigh as his body faced behind him, to where the rest of their Teiko regulars were bickering with each other again. Murasakibara with his hand threateningly placed on Kuroko's head, Midorima angrily reprimanding an "Ahh-can-I-go-already?" Aomine while pointing to his broken frog toy on the floor, and Kise trying to make amends in futility.
"...Yes?" Kuroko asked, feigning innocence.
Akashi paused...eyes cold before he smirked. "You haven't changed much at all Tetsuya." He stated.
"...Akashi-kun too."
Perhaps...Akashi didn't change as much as he thought.
Strangely, he found solace within that thought.
Much more than his dreams of a world without basketball.
Yet, that didn't mean he loved basketball.
Although said dream was supposed to have been a thing of the past, back before he decided to enter Seirin basketball team, when he saw the empty photo, it occurred to him that it might not have been entirely out of love for the sport that he decided to play.
After all, he quit basketball but...it was never because it would never favor him. He overcame that and played and played. It didn't get too hard. The challenge was what helped him find his worth, so...why did he quit?
It was because it stole what he treasured—his friends.
They changed because of basketball and one by one, he lost them until he turned into a shadow again; a shadow without a single light.
But...he never admitted that. Not once.
His goal, when stating it before Kagami was: "to make Kagami-kun #1 in Japan." And later revised to: "make Seirin High #1"
Only Kagami stated that he wanted to defeat the Generation of Miracles, something Kuroko agreed with but, never listed in his personal goals.
Like how they pushed him away, in almost self-defence, he did so as well.
He quit the team without a word, cutting ties with their crumbling bonds and quitting basketball altogether.
Yet, he never blamed that on basketball, no matter how subconsciously instilled it became. He started basketball with Seirin because of that, saying he "loves basketball" and continued to play, practically beating that belief into himself but now that things changed, that bonds were made with Seirin and...he saw that photo, he realized it wasn't half the truth.
That's why he lied.
No, basketball was not his everything.
"Make Seirin High #1?"
No, that wasn't the full truth either.
He stared at the band of rainbow-haired basketball players before him. Midorima with his permanent scowl, Kise with his irritating whines, Murasakibara and his chips, Aomine lounging on the sofa, Momoi trying to get Midorima to stop trying to kill Kise, and Akashi, silently sipping on tofu soup that he got from who-knows-where.
Kuroko smiled.
He understood now.
Their photos said it all.
What he truly wanted...the true reason he started basketball again...was simply to see them again.
He thought he loved basketball but...the scars of the past made this questionable.
So what did he treasure?
Nothing...according to the photo.
But, perhaps he was afraid to treasure something.
If he gave basketball a second chance, would it turn out the same way as before? Will it be even more painful? What would happen?
Subconsciously, despite playing, he was cautious of the sport, always requiring signs to know that it was okay with Seirin...that it wouldn't turn out the same way as before.
But...even so, his photo still said he treasured nothing. So...what about the other thing?
The Generation of Miracles?
The people he couldn't save back then?
It was a lie to say he no longer cared about the past. He did. A lot.
No matter how much he denied it.
But, Kuroko didn't think of himself as a good person. He thought he was a bit selfish, slightly possessive, as really, the true reason he bothered with all these photos was to confirm that he wasn't the only one that treasured them.
That they, despite taking their bonds and unintentionally smashing it to bits still felt something; that they still cared.
For the first time in his life, Kuroko Tetsuya found it to be painful to be alone even though, that was how it always was, especially with someone as transparent as him. In turn, that brought him so many foreign emotions that he became slightly xenophobic, unsure of what to do with them, denying them.
Basketball was what brought that. It brought to him joy, passion, them and many more that despite the hardships, Kuroko couldn't find the heart to hate it yet, couldn't find the heart to love it either.
He can now.
Both his bonds and basketball.
In the end, Kuroko seemed to have found in answer, albeit in silence. Although Kise couldn't say he was completely satisfied with the outcome, that was fine.
Kuroko smiled, that was enough...but...he could still try.
"Hey Kurokocchi!" Kise exclaimed as the gang headed outside the hotel, Murasakibara and Akashi escorting them out.
"Yes Kise-kun?" Kuroko acknowledged.
"Can we get the pictures back? The ones you took of us? I want to see what my most important thing is!" Kise exclaimed.
The group blinked in astonishment.
Wow, he said something good for once.
"Hmph, well as it is mine, I do suppose I should have it back." Midorima demanded, left-hand already outstretched to take it.
"Hey! No fair! I want it back too!" Momoi quipped. "I-it's no fair that Tetsu-kun gets to see mine before me!" She exclaimed, mostly due to embarrassment over whatever could be in there.
Pretty soon, the whole group was gathered around their former phantom player again as Kuroko, for a nanosecond, narrowed his eyes.
This...was troublesome. He had no intention of letting them see them—not yet.
"...I'm sorry, I left them at home today." Kuroko intoned.
"What?! Why Kurokocchi?!" Kise cried in disappointment.
"I'm sorry." Kuroko apologized. "But...although I do have Murasakibara-kun and Akashi-kun's photos, I have no intention of giving them back." Kuroko stated.
At that, the group looked surprised.
"After all, I think it would be more interesting to win them back. The Winter Cup does start tomorrow." Kuroko reminded, surprising them.
Aomine snickered. "Ah? So you're saying that Seirin can beat all of us?" He dangerously smirked.
Kuroko's expression never waned. "Yes. That is what we intend." He confidently refuted as suddenly, everyone grew serious.
"What?! Kurokocchi...that's seriously mean you know? Kaijou...is definitely going to crush Seirin this time," Kise slyly smiled.
" No, obviously Shuutoku will come out top," Midorima digressed, confidently pushing up his glasses.
"Mhh? No, I already said I was going to crush Kuro-chin." Murasakibara innocently drawled before soon it became a banter over who would first defeat Seirin. Even Aomine's retort of Touou playing against Seirin first seemed to be useless as it turns out that amongst the Generation of Miracles, many doubted that.
Aomine scowled, hollering something back before a male...cleared his throat.
They automatically froze.
Somehow, Akashi Seijuro was standing at the top of the stairs...as usual. "Know your place. Although I am well aware of your capabilities but victory belongs to Rakuzan. It has already been preordained." Akashi declared rather provocatively.
They sweatdropped.
Well, Akashi always did have a streak of being right but...
"Hmph. Akashi. It seems you do not understand."
They inwardly gasp. Wait, did Midorima just say that to him?
"Obviously, this is debate over who will defeat Kuroko first. You'll have lost if one of us defeats Seirin." Midorima rationalized.
There was a collective newfound appreciation for the male...which Kuroko used to his advantage.
"Hmm I see." Kuroko murmured while Midorima nodded proudly. "Then...if things are going to be this way then, how about I give whoever that beats Seirin the photos? You can use it as blackmail material if you'd like." Kuroko offered.
Kise gaped. "E-eh?! No way Kurokocchi! That's so unfair! That means Aominecchi might get my photo!" He cried.
"Hmm? I don't see anything wrong with that." Aomine hummed as all of them with the exception of Akashi and Murasakibara now looked threatened.
"Ooh ooh! If Touou wins then I get them too right?! That'll be perfect for my data collection!" Momoi asked, now sparkling.
Midorima and Kise flinched.
Oh god no. Aomine was bad enough but...Momoi?!
"Kuroko!" Midorima demanded.
However, the blunette simply shrugged. "Then I guess you'll have to cheer Seirin on." He slyly revealed.
They gawked at him.
"K...Kurokocchi! That's so mean!"
In the end however, they did manage to come to a consensus, saying that there was to be no mercy during the Winter Cup, that they will be victorious.
Kuroko smiled inwardly throughout that.
Yes. He wasn't going to lose either.
He still had much to do. And firstly, he would start off with Aomine, winning to make his precious friend love basketball again.
The Winter Cup...was going to be fun.
Suddenly, as he headed to the station with Momoi, Aomine, Kise, and Midorima, his phone began to ring.
It was from Kagami.
"Um, please excuse me." Kuroko bowed, leaving them first.
"Hah? You guys actually knew about it?!" Kagami gaped at the Seirin gang began walking back from the school, finishing their practice for the day.
"Hmm? Of course. Teppei told us everything. Besides, we could tell Kuroko had to go and sort something out. Why else would we let him skip on the day before the Winter Cup?" Aida Riko announced.
Kagami had to admit. He was actually impressed. Although they didn't know of the details either, they knew Kuroko was meeting with the Generation of Miracles.
"Besides!" Aida continued, a dark and mischievous grin dancing on her lips. "If Kuroko's out to meet them then that means they're not going to be practising! Ahh! Aren't you glad we got to use this chance to make you get some extra training time?" Aida winked as Kagami sighed.
Okay nevermind. He was no longer amazed.
"Ah but...Kuroko that jerk. Geez, in the end it's still the Generation of Miracles isn't it?" Kagami heard Koganei sadly sigh as he took out Kuroko's photo from within his pocket.
There was a collective silence at his words.
It was true. In the end, they weren't treasured as much at all.
Yet, Kagami was too awestruck to listen.
Did the tab grow wider? Immediately, he placed his thumb on the tab, easily stripping it off as it smiled. "Nope Sempai. You're wrong. Maybe we do have a place after all." Kagami smirked as they all ran to meet the contents of the photo.
It was a photo of a pure orange sky, tinted with the colors of the sunset, portraying an outdoor basketball court with people, playing and passing the ball.
They were all there.
Be it the Generation of Miracles, Momoi, Aida, and the rest of Seirin, they were all there, playing and laughing in the sunlit dusk as there, in the centre of the photo, showed the back of a boy his white school uniform, running towards them, joining in on the game.
His face was hidden yet...the sky was his expression, expressing explicate joy, fun, and passion. It was simply beautiful and...in the corner of the picture, where a time stamp would usually be placed, were the words,
"The Basketball Which Kuroko Plays"
It was a wonderful kind of basketball.
Absolutely wonderful.
Already, the Seirin team was starting to tear up.
"You see? This is what I call a basketball-related treasure! Learn from this!" Hyuuga reprimanded angrily at Koganei to hold back that wave of emotion.
"Yes! Basketball simulation games no longer count!" Koganei returned.
"...Basketball simulation games?"
A completely deadpanned voice spoke.
Everyone jumped.
"WOAH!" They yelped in unison as their eyes fell on a wave of blue before then meeting bottomless azure eyes.
"K-kuroko! You gave me a heart attack!" Koganei huffed.
"Ah, you're back!" Kiyoshi greeted warmly.
"Ah yes." Kuroko bowed. "Oh and here is your camera Kiyoshi-sempai. I'm very thankful for letting me borrow it."
Kiyoshi beamed. "Mhnn? No problem! So, did you have a fun time with photography?" He questioned.
Kuroko nodded. "Yes."
"Oh right! Kuroko!" Kagami instantly recalled as he handed Kuroko the picture. "Here, the picture of you changed!" He exclaimed, recalling that he hadn't actually told his partner about its metamorphosis.
"Ah. Thank y-"
Kuroko suddenly stopped, immediately when his eyes fell on the picture, the sunset and the people there.
He blinked, blank blue eyes growing wide...until it grew rapid, faster and faster...when something wet plopped onto the photo.
Everyone froze in shock.
Wait, was what's happening what they think was happeneing?!
"K-kuroko-kun...are you...crying?" Aida slowly choked out.
This wasn't possible! Not him! Not the mono-expressive and silent 1st year!
Kuroko's lowered his head, his free hand promptly wiping what was covered by his bangs.
When he lifted his head up, they saw something even more amazing.
It was a beautiful smile. Small when compared to the rest of them yet...more mesmerizing than anyone's.
"Maybe. After all, it's a camera that makes you cry."
And like so, the story ends as the next day, Kuroko Tetsuya stands once more with the Generation of Miracles, preparing to defeat them at the Winter Cup.
However, this is simply the end of his part of the story as, there was something he overlooked.
Akashi. Seijuro.
From here on, everything is a secret,
Akashi's secret.
Unbeknownst to Kuroko, Kiyoshi Teppei watched as the group joined their first-years, crowding around their phantom player in joy.
He released a wide grin. It seems the mission was accomplished.
Deciding that the camera was no longer needed, he began pocketing the antique into his bag. Yet, once his eyes fell on it, he blinked. His grandpa had placed a white slip stuck between the broken adjustment lens.
He told Kuroko to let it be yet...it wasn't there anymore.
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
He immediately pressed the shutter.
Nothing happened.
It was broken.
Even though, Kuroko was always careful towards things he borrowed...
"Huh...this isn't my camera."
Midorima Shintarou accidentally left the frog: his lucky item.
Mood now thoroughly incensed and complaint towards the "Aquarius" who just had to send his rationality to vertigo, Midorima ascended the cement stairs that led to the hotel.
Yet, as he did so, he passed by two students wearing the Rakuzan blazer. "Oh! Akashi seriously makes no sense sometimes!" One of them exclaimed.
Midorima paused.
Akashi? Were they his teammates?
"Hey, what do you think Reo-nee?" The same student, with cat-like eyes sighed.
"Well...Sei-chan is a bit eccentric. I mean, I wonder why he would make us go all the way to his house and get an old camera." "Reo-nee" pondered.
Midorima raised a brow. Wait camera? No...that camera?
"Mhmm! And, the strangest part was that he told me to break it and make it so that when someone presses it, the photo he snuck in there would come out!" The cat-eyed guy frowned.
The bespectacled teen nearly forgot to breath.
Damn, Was he going to get asthma again?
Immediately, he rushed into the hotel, eyes wide in bewilderment.
Akashi. Seijuro.
He did something. He HAD to do something.
And...Midorima was right.
Back in the hotel room, Akashi Seijuro was twirling a camera with one hand.
It had a white slip stuck between the lens.
Akashi smiled. "You haven't changed at all Tetsuya." He murmured, aiming the lens at himself. "Still naive as always...hmm?"
*SNAP!*
A photo came out.
Akashi Seijuro smirked.
"As I thought..."
A/N: Oh, Kuroko's photo described in the story is currently used as the cover. If you have a hard time visualizing it, just click on the story cover cuz I'm sorry, I suck at descriptions ;A;