The Art of Perceptibility
Chapter 7: Resolve
Kuroko glanced around the school grounds as he walked through the gates of Kaijo. He was almost eighty percent sure this was the correct path to take to reach the basketball gyms.
Since that failure of a date, Kuroko had patiently waited for Kise to contact him, as he had always done so previously, begging for catch up sessions. Kuroko had planned to accept Kise's next offer and ensure that, this time, his two best friends remained unaware of their meeting.
Kuroko had been alarmed to be on the receiving end of absolute silence from the blonde. He had grown increasingly concerned and had been about to send a carefully worded text when his phone had buzzed in his hand. Kuroko had almost dropped his phone when he saw Kise's name flash across the screen. The message had been a simple greeting, unadorned with the blonde's usual flamboyant emoticons, but it had sent sharp relief rushing through Kuroko's body.
The phantom player came to the tentative conclusion that things had returned to normal. But then he noticed that Kise's messages seemed to be slow to come and lacking in their usual enthusiasm and cheeriness, and three weeks down the track he had yet to suggest even a single meeting – Kise was avoiding him.
Kuroko had wanted to confront the blonde; he knew Kise's schedule and it would be easy to arrange for him to conveniently 'bump into' the model. But then the school year had started and Kuroko had been roped into training the new first years whom had joined the basketball team, and he just never seemed to be able to find time to implement his plan.
In retrospect, the pale haired boy had to guiltily admit that his willingness to let things go with the flow for so long was because in his heart he had always assumed that Kise would always be there waiting for him.
Then the texts between the two former teammates seem to change in tone.
Where the blonde previously spent paragraphs gushing about Kuroko's basketball prowess and how, 'awesome Kurokocchi'was, Kise now chattered endlessly about this new kouhai whom had joined his team. At first, Kuroko had paid it little mind but then this Tadashi-kun character started permeating every gushing sentence.
The text that Kuroko received the night before was the final straw. His hands had clenched involuntarily in irritation as he scanned the screen with narrow eyes.
Kurokocchi, you'll never guess what Tadashicchi did today! (ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ
I think he used MISDIRECTION! щ(゜ロ゜щ) It was only for one pass but STILL!
Tadasicchi was so amazing! I couldn't believe it! He reminds me of you so much! o(*^.^*)o o(*^.^*)o
Kuroko snapped his phone shut so hard he was vaguely surprised that the screen didn't crack. He gnawed on his lower lip and paced around his room, rattled.
'Tadasicchi? Since when did Tadashi-kun become Tadasicchi?!'
He scoffed, pushing his hands through his hair and tugged on the tufts in agitation.
'He reminds me of you…'
Those words ran continuously through his mind without rest for the rest of the night.
The very next day Kuroko approached his coach during the lunch break and informed her that he wouldn't be able to attend practice that afternoon. His distress and impatience must have shone on his face, for once, because she nodded her approval without any further questions.
The moment the final bell rang, he was out of his seat and was at the door before he remembered to wave a careless hand at Kagami.
After a train ride that seemed to take an eternity, Kuroko finally stood at the entrance of the Kaijo courts.
The practice seemed to be wrapping up, with the new captain shouting his last orders for the day. Kuroko's eyes zeroed in on the tall blonde figure shooting hoops. His heart skipped a beat and a fine shiver ran down his spine as he took in Kise for the first time in weeks.
Kuroko watched intently as dark haired boy holding a basketball approach Kise. The model turned immediately and crowed, "Tatdasicchi!" before shooting a glowing smile at the boy and engaging him in cheerful conversation.
Kuroko's jaw ticked as he watched Tadashi glance down shyly, cheeks pink, before replying. Pale blue eyes narrowed into menacing slits when Kise manoeuvred behind Tadashi and arranged the shorter male's limbs into a shooting position and guiding Tadashi's hands with his own to shoot a perfect basket.
Kuroko's teeth were beginning to hurt with how hard he was grinding them together. His tolerance broke when he saw the dark flush that had enveloped Tadashi's face and the coy, adoring way he was looking up at Kise through his eyelashes. He couldn't help but think darkly, "Get your unworthy self off of Kise-kun right this instant. I'm the only one Kise-kun is allowed to touch."
Kuroko forcibly uncrossed his arms which had locked defensively across his chest, and stepped forward, clearing his throat slightly. He was gratified to see Kise's head whip up in surprise, eyes widening with wonder before softening and becoming infinitely more tender.
Kise bounded across the gym without sparing a glance at Tadashi, who looked increasingly sullen by the second.
"Kurokocchi~!"
Kuroko thought he was used to Kise's clingy and tight hugs by now, but this time he found himself frowning and wishing for the hug to be just that much tighter and clingier. He promptly remedied that by curling his own arms around Kise's waist possessively and pulled him a touch closer. Kuroko felt Kise stiffen slightly in shock before the blonde melted into the embrace and took advantage of Kuroko's uncharacteristically demonstrative mood and subtly nuzzled into the soft pale blue strands that were situated at the perfect height.
"Kurokocchi has never hugged me back before," Kise murmured into his hair.
Kuroko squirmed a little and shrugged, slightly self-conscious.
Kise chuckled lightly before withdrawing slightly and beamed down at the phantom, "So what's brought Kurokocchi to Kaijo?"
Kuroko could feel heat blooming at the tips of his ears threaten to engulf his entire body under that sunny smile. He turned his head and coughed a little.
"I wanted to make sure Kise-kun wasn't slacking off. You promised me that we would see each other at the Inter High this year," Kuroko raised his eyes to meet golden ones that seemed to sparkle with amusement and determination.
"Of course I remember! How could Kurokocchi accuse me of forgetting a promise I made to him!" Kise clutched at his chest dramatically. "In fact," a sly smile making its way across his face, "Since Kurokocchi is here, why don't we play a match?"
Kuroko was about to refuse, that wasn't the aim of his visit. But then he saw Tadashi, (the little eavesdropping bastard) light up at the thought of spending more time with Kise. Irrational fear lanced through Kuroko and he found himself blurting, "Alright, Kise-kun. But on the condition that we're on the same team."
Kise paused before turning a disbelieving gaze onto Kuroko.
"Kurokocchi?" Incredulity melted into concern and the blonde raised a hand to Kuroko's forehead. Kuroko forced himself to remain still and not to give into the urge to lean into the warm, calloused hand. "Are you feeling ok? First you come all the way to Kaijo and now you want to team up with me?"
Kuroko huffed, brushing off Kise's hand, "I'm fine, Kise-kun. Let's begin."
Kise shot one last lingering look at Kuroko before jogging over to his captain to explain the situation. Kuroko could see the Kaijo leader brighten at the idea of pitting the phantom sixth man of the Generation of Miracles against his players. Reassured that things were in order, Kuroko returned his gaze to Tadashi only to find the dark haired boy's eyes already on him.
Tadashi was studying him intently with the air one had when judging the worth of a rival. The first year must have found Kuroko lacking as he turned away dismissively, a sharp smile splashed across his face. Kuroko's shoulders tensed as he felt anger roil in his stomach. He was used to his opponents' disdain and through the years had learnt to ignore it but something about Tadashi grated against his very being and Kuroko found himself wanting to show the haughty freshman just what he was capable of.
A gentle hand on his shoulder broke Kuroko's train of thought. Turning, he found Kise smiling down at him, as he urged, "Come on, Kurokocchi! Captain said that we can only play a half game, but" his voice bubbled over with excitement, "We haven't played on the same team since that streetball 5-on-3 game last year. I'm looking forward to working with Kurokocchi again!"
As the players settled into position waiting for the tip off, Tadashi planted himself across from Kuroko, his gaze focused on the pale boy. Kuroko closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, his expression was once again impassive and calm.
The whistle blew and the coach threw the ball in the air.
Kuroko disappeared.
The phantom couldn't help but let his mouth curl smugly into the smallest of smiles. He had caught Tadashi's gobsmacked expression right before the first year had lost track of him.
Despite not having teamed up for a year, Kise and Kuroko worked flawlessly. They ran circles around the opposing team. The ball flew across the court, boomeranged around the players, yet always returning to Kise's waiting hands. Kuroko felt his breath catch in his throat when he glanced at Kise; the blonde player seemed to be luminescent as he laughed and cheered as they scored another dunk.
As the game went on, Kuroko found himself grinning involuntarily. He had forgotten how right it felt to pass to Kise. The blonde's constant awareness of his presence meant that not only would Kise never be taken by surprise by the trajectory of the pass, he could also place himself in the best possible position to receive Kuroko's uncanny passes.
Kuroko immersed himself fully into the game and allowed the pure joy of being Kise's partner wash over him.
They won 78-33.
The Kaijo players came up to Kuroko after the game, patting him on the back with newly formed appreciation and respect, with the glaring exception of Tadashi who was sporting a sour look.
A particularly tall boy shook his hand and stated admiringly, "No wonder Kise-senpai is always spouting praise for you."
Kuroko blinked. Kise talked about him to his teammates?
His confusion must have slipped through because another boy took over the conversation, "You should hear him." He shook his head in fond exasperation, "Every practice, it's Kurokocchi this, Kurokocchi that."
"Before I met you, I wanted to murder you. I heard your name so often it was beginning to feature in my dreams," a bespectacled boy chimed in.
Kuroko flushed.
"Oi, oi! What are you all doing, crowding around Kurokocchi?" Kise manhandled his way through the crowd before slinging a protective arm across the smaller male's shoulders.
The Kaijo team smirked at their ace and gave Kuroko knowing smiles before bidding their farewells and leaving the pair.
"So Kurokocchi~," Kise hummed. "Want to grab a milkshake on the way to the station?"
Kuroko perked up, "Vanilla?"
Kise laughed affectionately, "Of course."
As the model moved to collect his bag, Kuroko nibbled on his lip indecisively before steeling himself, "It's a date then, Kise-kun."
Kise stopped dead. His eyes flashed to Kuroko.
"W-w-what?" he asked haltingly.
Kuroko met his gaze squarely, stating firmly, "I said it's a date."
The blonde became as still as a statue, not even daring to breathe.
"K-kuro…ko…cchi…"
Kuroko waited patiently.
Finally Kise moved, stepping one foot forward tentatively before hastily retreating again. Kuroko rolled his eyes. If he didn't know better he would think Kise was acting like he was approaching a flighty, wild animal.
"I'm not going to run away, Kise-kun," he intoned dryly before closing the distance between them with two quick steps.
He could hear the quick intake of breath from the male in front of him.
Funnily enough, seeing the normally confident Kise dissolve into a nervous wreck because of him, bolstered Kuroko's courage.
He slipped his hand into the blonde's, lacing their fingers together. He allowed himself to admire their interlocking digits for a moment before looking up at Kise.
"Let's go, Kise-kun."
Kise nodded numbly, gaze fixated on their hands.
Kuroko tugged at him gently, leading him to the exit. He wanted to burst out laughing at the glazed look Kise's eyes had taken on. The laughter died immediately when he saw Tadashi waiting outside the gym.
Tadashi's expectant expression crumpled when he saw them holding hands. But despite that, and the hot glare that Kuroko directed at him, Tadashi forged on, "Kise-senpai? You said that we could stay back and work on my dribbling today."
He sent Kise a carefully practiced pout. He needn't have bothered. The blonde only had eyes for the boy standing next to him.
"Hm? Oh…I'm sorry, Tadashi-kun. Maybe…tomorrow? I have a…date today."
It seemed saying it aloud himself did the trick of snapping Kise out of his stupor. An overwhelmingly dazzling smile appeared on his face. He tossed back his head and laughed giddily, crowing, "I have a date with Kurokocchi!"
Suddenly eager, Kise proceeded to haul Kuroko towards the school gates. The shorter male went willingly enough. Kuroko couldn't stop the self-satisfied smirk directed at the defeated dark haired boy though.
It seemed the message was finally received loud and clear.
Kise was his.
And we're almost there, one more chapter and I think this will be complete!
Thank you to everyone who's followed, favourited, and reviewed thus far, the feedback really encourages me to keep writing.