a/n= Hi guys I am back! Did you guys love the last chapter? Because I get lesser reviews than usual and I am so worried._. And what do you guys think the last episode of knb? I am pretty sure I will watch it more than once because it will help my story XD
Anyways, this chapter is going to have a little bit of humor though of course, this is where it starts. I hope you like it!
Please, R&R! Reviews are appreciated!
After he parked and locked his Mazda, Kuroko strolled towards the clinic entrance. Usually, an air of superiority flooded over his senses when he walked inside the clinic building, but now Kuroko felt nothing but hollow indifference, paired up with an interminable heartache living in his heart. The thought of dealing with other clients besides Akashi disinterested him. Kuroko felt guilty for thinking this way, but he couldn't help it.
As he dragged his reluctant footsteps into the clinic, he sighed inwardly when a hyperactive blonde sprinted towards his direction. Dealing with Kise was the last thing he wanted to do, but Kuroko believed he should give the blonde a credit to arrive this early.
"Kurokocchi!" Kise shrieked and opened his arms for a friendly embrace. "Happy birthday-ssu!"
Kuroko blinked, feeling clueless. Quickly, he peered at his blue, digital watch to see the date written on the upper right corner.
To his bewilderment, his birthdate stared back at him. The bluenet believed the whole drama with Akashi made him lost track in time.
Kuroko turned away from his wristwatch and smiled gratefully at the blonde. "Thank you very much Kise-kun! I don't even remember today is my birthday."
A small laughter bubbled on Kise's lips before he replied. "You're a hardworking man, Kurokocchi! I will always remember my friend's birthday!"
Kuroko giggled. "I'm surprised that you're early today."
"Of course! We are all here for you!"
"We?"
Tak!
Countless, tiny, and rainbow papers showered above Kuroko's head. A brief, trumpet sound played in the background.
"Happy birthday!"
Kuroko's eyes widened in surprise when all of the Seirin team members lined up before him. Each of them held heir respective gifts, and Kuroko tried to keep his laughter when he saw Hyuga and Riko's intertwined fingers. They already dated huh?
Kuroko's eyes brightened when he saw Kagami standing beside Midorima, who was holding a fresh cream cake with a light scowl on his face.
"Kagami-kun…" Kuroko uttered, shocked to see his best friend. "I thought you are in America."
Kagami's face broke into a wide grin. "Surprise huh? Well, Himuro had been nagging to go back to Japan to meet his titan boyfriend, so I joined him."
"Come on Kagami! You asked Hyuga to book a ticket last night! It was already late too!" Riko protested, placing her hands on her hips. The coach never changed, didn't she?
"So you guys spend the night together?" Teppei slapped Hyuga's back. "Congrats for losing your—"
Hyuga's face bloomed in red before he yanked the Teppei's hair and roared. "Shut up idiot! Can you sit silently for once?"
As usual, Teppei laughed it off, letting Hyuga and his girlfriend pondered on their own misery.
"Woah really? Did you use the condom?" Izuki suddenly asked out of the blue.
"Get your shit together, senpai!" Kagami spat at the eagle-eyed player, to Hyuga's defense.
Izuki ignored Kagami and declared with a wink."Cover your stump before you hump!"
"Oh Izuki, shut up!" Hyuga and Kagami chorused indignantly.
Suddenly, someone cleared his throat, demanding for attention. "I appreciate the reunion, but I believe we should save that for later because I haven't given Kuroko-kun my greetings."
Everyone froze. Everyone exchanged worried glances, and their anxiety rose when they noticed cold sweat pooling on Midorima's forehead.
The hospital's director, Kyoya, appeared behind Kise and crossed his arms. After a few moments of silence, the raven-haired male smiled like nothing happened and swiftly approached Kuroko.
"Happy birthday, Kuroko Tetsuya-kun." Kyoya patted Kuroko's shoulder. "I am looking forward to your future achievements."
Kuroko stammered, never got used by Kyoya's condescending nature. "T-Thank you, director!"
Kyoya nodded and took an involuntary step back. When he turned around, the Seirin members, Kise, and Midorima were flocking together, cowering in fear.
Kyoya sweat dropped. He was aware of his popularity among his coworkers, but a cold pang hit his chest when the same thing happened with strangers, Seirin respectively.
"Umm…you guys can use the patients' room to celebrate," Kyoya said awkwardly, scratching his chin. "I can fix the patients' hour to one hour late, so please enjoy yourselves…"
Everyone switched doubtful glances before Kuroko stammered. "Thank you, director! I appreciate your generosity!"
Like flipping a switch, everybody skirted off to the patients' dorm, trying to escape from the director's presence as fast as possible.
When their retreating footsteps subsided, Kyoya sighed and fumbled for his phone from his pocket. The moment the receiver from the end of the line answered, Kyoya dropped his cool façade.
"Sho-kun! They ignore me again!" Kyoya sniffed and started wailing.
On the other side, everyone started wolfing the fresh cream cake before Kuroko could blow his candle. Wild chatters and clanking plates filled in the room and drowned Midorima's consistent warning to keep the place clean.
"Please eat properly, everyone," Midorima grunted, adjusting his glasses. "We must keep in mind that hygiene is our priority."
"Midorimacchi, you're so noisy!" Kise complained while sucking the vanilla cream off his thumb.
Midorima made an indignant noise and groaned. "Oh please Kise! Wash your hands! You will get the germs!"
Kagami leaned in closer to Kise and whispered. "Why does this guy sounds like a children specialist than a psychologist?"
Kise nodded in agreement, giggling. "You're right! I was thinking the same thing!"
Midorima overheard their little gossip, but he quickly shrugged it off before cutting two slices of cakes and put them into a container. After that, he disappeared into the stairs, heading towards the second floor.
As everyone chattered happily without any care in the world, Kuroko smiled at himself. He couldn't help but to embrace the warm feeling furling in his chest. Spending time with his friends managed to wash his foreboding thoughts about Akashi, but the effect was momentary before loneliness crept into his senses and trapped him in his thoughts.
Speaking of Akashi, neither of Akashi and Seijuuro was around. He couldn't blame them though; he only met them for two weeks. They wouldn't know his birthdate—Kuroko hated himself for expecting too much.
Suddenly, the lights went out.
Kuroko gasped, bewildered. Everyone's groans and protests echoed throughout the room, and they traded helpless comments about the stupid electricity.
"Someone activate the power generator!" Riko commanded impatiently.
"What the hell happened?" Kagami asked petulantly.
Then, the lights blinked back to life.
Out of the blue, they saw a giant, chocolate fudge cake materialized in the middle of the room. Twenty-three candles stood and shone proudly in the center of the sugary dessert.
"Hey, who set this up?" Kise turned to the Seirin members accusingly.
Riko and Seirin members shook their heads.
Suddenly, the sound of violin screeched out of nowhere. It was playing a happy birthday song. Then, a group of violin players emerged behind the wall, confusing everyone even further.
Kuroko stood there, at the loss for words. He slapped a hand over his face, covering his reddening cheeks. Who on earth would set this silly setup for his birthday? Suddenly, Kuroko's eyes flew wide in horror— he only knew one person who would perform such shameless tactics in public.
And then finally, he came.
A crimson-haired male strolled into the scene, oblivious of the puzzled stares firing at his shoulders. His heterochromatic eyes twinkled lovingly the moment he saw his partner.
Kuroko cringed at Seijuuro's boldness. Kuroko respected that Seijuuro was madly in love with him but showing his affection like this made Kuroko felt nothing but the sheer embarrassment that he just wanted to dig a hole and hide forever.
A small smile played on his lips as he approached Kuroko and caressed his cheeks. "Happy birthday, Tetsuya. May our love may last until next year and even eternity."
The room fell silent.
Kise and the Seirin members exchanged terrified glances. On the other hand. The violin players scurried out of the room before they got any more attention.
Unfortunately, Midorima appeared in the wrong time as he descended the stairs.
"What's going on here?" he asked bluntly without reading the atmosphere.
Seijuuro picked up interest at the new figure from the stairs. Reluctantly, his hands left Kuroko's cheeks before he turned to Midorima.
"It's been awhile, Shintaro." Seijuuro leered. "I remember you rejected the request to heal Akashi Seijuuro to help Kise Ryota."
Midorima glared at him petulantly before answering. "That's because I have better things to do, Akashi."
Seijuuro didn't have any objections because he knew Midorima was telling the truth.
"Don't call me Akashi, you son of a bitch," Seijuuro growled, gritting his teeth. "My name is Seijuuro, and I am Tetsuya's one and only lover!"
A collective gasp exploded in the room.
Midorima didn't seem offended as he fixed his glasses.
Kuroko rolled his eyes and scratched an itch on his hair. He could feel questionable stares from his back, and Kagami's priceless expression screaming for an explanation. At the moment, Kuroko craved for the absence of the Akashis, for it would only startle his friends and ex- teammates if his sexuality was exposed...
Suddenly, Seijuuro clicked his fingers and squeezed Kuroko's hand. "Listen, everyone!" he announced in a patronizing voice. "I will announce you that Kuroko Tetsuya is my boyfriend and soul mate. I suggested if any one of you bear similar affection towards him like I do, please step forward, and we will have a discussion towards this matter."
Nobody said a word. Seijuuro smiled at this, and Kuroko just wanted Seijuuro to shut the fuck up.
"Nobody? Then good." Seijuuro said and planted a chaste kiss on Kuroko's palms.
The room broke into a frantic scream. Kuroko squinted his eyes, screaming internally. Then, a train of gossip started running as the Seirin members started leaning closer in whispers. Kise, the nosy brat, joined it.
Kuroko could afford to give them a valid explanation later. For now, the bluenet decided to steer the conversation to other topics with Seijuuro.
Kuroko went straight to the point. "Sei, how is Akashi doing?"
The sudden mention of Akashi's name put a light scorn on Seijuuro's face. "He is fine. Stop talking about him."
"I need to know his well-being, Sei," Kuroko kept his voice calm. "I am doing my job."
Seijuuro inhaled sharply and flew his arms, exasperated. "Akashi is all right, Tetsuya," he hissed, staring intently at Kuroko. "There is no need for you to meet that coward."
Kuroko grinded his teeth in frustration. He couldn't believe after everything he had been through with Seijuuro, the dual-eyed male still stick with his selfish tendencies. Ever since their planetarium date, Kuroko tried to believe Seijuuro bear a kind side behind his sturdy, cold mask.
He was wrong.
Kuroko lost his patience and rose his voice. "Sei, I need to meet him!" We already have enough love games! I need to know his well-being in order to..."
"That's an excuse!" Seijuuro retorted with a snarl. "You missed him, didn't you? You belong to me Tetsuya, and that is final."
Shaking his head in exasperation, Kuroko finally yelled. "I am doing my job, Seijuuro! That's why we meet in the first place! I need to heal your DID!"
To Kuroko's surprise, Seijuuro instinctively took one step back. His face trapped in a baffled expression.
"Heal?" Seijuuro snorted. "What to heal Tetsuya? You can just choose one of us and that's it!"
"That's not healing, that's killing!" Kuroko snapped, his voice edging.
The Seirin members looked taken aback; they had never seen Kuroko so angry before.
Kuroko didn't care anymore. He continued, his voice on the verge of tears. "How many times should I tell you? I don't want both of you to disappear! If I managed to heal Akashi Seijuuro, then you guys will not disappear in the process because both of you are part of his personality! Don't you get it?"
Something glowed behind Seijuuro's eyes when Kuroko said those words, but Seijuuro sunk back into his cold demeanor and shrugged. "Then, why don't you just kill me?"
Kuroko looked at Seijuuro incredulously. "W-What are you saying?"
"Kill me Tetsuya," Seijuuro said with finality. "Ask me to leave."
Kuroko shook his head, voice tainted with despair. "I-I can't do that!"
"If you love that coward," Seijuuro inhaled deeply before he continued. "I would rather die than living under your projected affection, Tetsuya."
After that, Seijuuro stalked out of the room, leaving Kuroko alone, speechless.
Before Kuroko could gather his thoughts, Kyoya suddenly appeared from the wall and commanded. "Kuroko Tetsuya. Come to my room, now."
Kuroko shook his head, amazed by the sudden turn of events. He laughed inwardly at his so-called birthday party. Even in his birthday, god didn't give him a break, huh? Takao was right; god is cruel.
Without taking a glance at his friends, Kuroko wheeled out of the room in shame and frustration. He even ignored Kagami when the latter tried to call his name.
After Kuroko had disappeared, the Seirin members started discussing among themselves.
"Akashi… isn't he the one from Rakuzan?" Koganei's cat like eyes looked at his friends expectantly.
"Yeah, we beat them in the Winter Cup a few years ago!" Izuki added, nodding his head.
Suddenly, pain flashed on Teppei's eyes as he spoke. "But obviously, at that time Akashi, I mean Seijuuro, he..."
Kagami suddenly rolled his fist and slammed it against the nearest wall. "I can't stand this! Someone has to tell him..."
"Calm down, Kagami." Midorima cut him with a frown. "We just need to wait for the right time."
"But Kuroko is suffering!" Kagami protested.
"Please, I beg you Kagamicchi." Kise strained a smile and turned to the rest of the Seirin members. "And you guys too, please."
After a moment of thought, Hyuga nodded half-heartedly. "All right."
Midorima took off his glasses and rubbed his lab coat against the glass frame. "It's about time, honestly. The director will tell Kuroko to..."
Before Midorima finished his statement, a fist flew across Midorima's face. Everyone gasped, and his glasses slide across the floor. Midorima stumbled, but he managed to grab the nearest stool to steady himself. With his impaired visions, he glared at the blur of red hair standing before him.
"Not so fast, Shintaro," Seijuuro smirked before he grabbed Midorima's collar for another good punch.
Replies to guest reviews:
Guest: Thank you! I will make sure to keep updating!
Namless: Thank you so much! Your review is very kind, and I will be sad if oreshi and bokushi will disappear;_; I will keep continuing this work until the end, I promise!
Hana: Welcome back Hana-chan! I really love your long review! First of all, thank you for praising the planetarium date. I am quiet happy because you actually liked it and that chapter is frustrating to write, especially because I never went to a planetarium before. And Sei's theory of assumption is just like what you said! I'm glad someone get it! I read your review for 10 times to be exact ^.^
And when you say Tetsuya will change the bitter truth into a truly beauty love, I believe Kuroko will be able to do that...but in his own ways of course :D
Thank you for your kind review Hana-chan!