a/n= Sorry for the late update! I've been slacking off- maybe because I write poorly in Chapter 8 *sulks*

ATTENTION- READ BELOW:

By the way kudos to Alyce Ochoa for reminding me the canon names for Akashi's parents! Akashi's father name is Masaomi, and his mother is Shiori. Just a little info: I already made the changes in Chapter 7 and 8, I hope you guys pay attention. Thanks a lot Alyce!

Please R&R! Reviews are well appreciated!

Knock. Knock.

"Excuse me, Midorima-kun?" Kuroko's muffled voice echoed behind the door.

Straightening his glasses, Midorima stopped writing his patient's journal and looked up at the door. "Come in."

The door flew opened almost instantly and Kuroko's figure appeared behind the door. The teal haired male strode towards the nearest chair and sat across Midorima.

Kuroko rested his elbow against the glass table and stared at Midorima expectantly. "I believe that you called."

"Yes I did," Midorima responded and fixed his glasses. "I just want to discuss ….How are you feeling?"

Kuroko couldn't help but let the smile spread across his lips. It was pretty rare to see Midorima's caring side, and to Kuroko's amusement, the green-haired male had been showing it often since Kuroko took Akashi's case last month. As a result, the two therapists, who never established a good relationship in the past, had gradually become closer.

"I am fine, Midorima-kun." Kuroko smiled at him reassuringly. "I have been taking care of my other clients quite well."

"That is a relief," Midorima nodded. He leaned against his armchair, relaxing his shoulders. "I heard Aomine is out of the clinic as well. Kise has done his job well."

Kuroko chuckled and said. "I am looking forward reading his report, after he goes back from Hokkaido, of course."

Kuroko and Midorima never knew how Kise healed Aomine, but some clinic staffs and witnesses claimed that it was a heart-wrenching ride; this made the two emotionless therapists quirked a brow—they never thought an airhead like Kise could survive from such emotional blow! Kuroko couldn't wait to interrogate the blonde until he goes back from his date with Aomine in Hokkaido.

Midorima hummed and continued. "So Kuroko, how is Akashi doing?"

"Akashi is doing fine." Kuroko sighed, relieved. "He is trying to adapt the absence of voices in his head. After all, he is now one only person. But it has been a month, and his condition is improving."

Finally, the tight line on Midorima's lips melted into a smile. "That is very good to hear. Keep it up Kuroko. Now that you're done, you may leave."

Midorima stood up from his seat to lead Kuroko to the door, but the bluenet grabbed his sleeve, stopping him.

"Wait Midorima-kun, we are not done yet."

Midorima flinched. Considering Kuroko's adamant personality, he didn't have to question where the conversation was going. He kept a neutral expression in spite of the swell growing in his chest. "What do you want?"

Kuroko responded without hesitation. "Kise and I are in good shape when it comes to our jobs. What about you, Midorima-kun?"

Clenching hand into a fist, Kuroko narrowed his eyes at the green-haired male. The bluenet had trespassed Midorima's personal space, but breaching into Midorima's comfort was the only way to get him to speak. Kuroko was aware of Midorima's tendency to keep everything to himself.

Midorima's shoulders stiffened, but his expression was void of neither discomfort nor hatred. After a long moment, Midorima finally spoke.

"Takao's diet is at stake," Midorima's gaze fell to the floor. "He forgets how to swallow. Not to mention, he spent the last six months immobile, so his muscle reflexes degrade as well."

Kuroko's jaw dropped and color drained from his face. Nutrients were essential for a human being, and if Takao couldn't afford to consume some, it would be a huge barrier to his health.

"Then…how is he going to eat?" Kuroko pressed the subject matter out of sheer concern and curiosity.

"We are trying our best to inject nutritious chemicals through his IV as much as possible." Midorima furrowed his eyebrows. "But it's not enough. We had been using NG tube to deliver food safely into his stomach and remove substances from it. Takao doesn't like it though."

A wave of nausea rolled into his stomach when Kuroko imagined Takao's nose connected with various wires extending all the way to his stomach. The sight was so horrendous that Kuroko was worried at Midorima's sanity.

He gave a gentle squeeze on Midorima's shoulders and smiled sadly. "Be patient, Midorima-kun."

Midorima nodded without looking at him. "Thanks. Have a nice holiday Kuroko."

"You're staying, right?"

"It's obvious," Midorima replied indignantly.

With a nod, Kuroko murmured an apology before he opened the door to leave. As he retreated, Kuroko took a brief glance at Midorima's table and saw a red, plastic mask. Kuroko smiled—whatever lucky item Midorima had with him today, Kuroko hoped it was going to protect the green-haired therapist to the end.

After changing into his casual clothes, Kuroko rushed out of the clinic and approached the red-haired male, who was waiting for him in front of his chauffeur.

"Sorry for the wait, Akashi-kun." Kuroko waved at him with a genuine smile.

Akashi's blank expression broke into a charming smile at the sight of his lover. "It's all right. Midorima-sensei is not taking a day off, isn't he?"

"He has a patient he needs to take care of." Kuroko smiled sheepishly.

"I see… that's unfortunate." Akashi frowned.

Grabbing the car's handle, Akashi pulled the door open and gestured Kuroko to step in. "This way, master."

Kuroko giggled and slid inside the chauffeur. "Thank you very much, Akashi-kun."

Akashi smiled at his lover. He hopped into the driver's seat, started the engine and wheeled towards the opposite direction.

"Kagami Taiga says to meet at the basketball court near Seirin high, is that right?" Akashi glanced at Kuroko while motioning the steering wheel.

"Ah, yes!" Kuroko stammered nervously. Kuroko would never get used to those eyes that captivated his heart. "He brings some friends as well."

"I see… it's going to be a good day." Akashi smiled good-naturedly before he steered the wheels and took a sharp turn to the left.

Comfortable silence overlapped them for the rest of the trip. Occasionally, Kuroko stole a few glances staring at the crimson-haired male beside him, and Akashi would always wink at the bluenet and said 'got you' with a teasing smirk. It never failed to accelerate Kuroko's heartbeat.

Suddenly, the screech of brakes snapped Kuroko out of his reverie. Akashi undid his seat belt and hopped out of the car before he opened the door for Kuroko.

"Akashi-kun, I'm not a kid anymore." Kuroko pouted at him.

Akashi stroke his cheeks and smiled. "You're always to me, Kuroko."

Kuroko felt blood traveled to his face and resisted the urge to scream. Before the brunet could offer another remark, Kagami's voice piped out from the corner.

"Both of you please get a room!"

Flustered, the teal haired male glared at Kagami Taiga, who flashed them a toothy smirk.

"It's none of your business, Kagami-kun." Kuroko pouted.

Kagami waved him off with a laugh. "It's not like you guys are the only ones dating. I bring Himuro and his titan boyfriend."

"Ah, is it Murasakibara-kun from Yosen?" Kuroko questioned.

"No, shit!"

Akashi peered behind Kagami's shoulders and saw a tall, purple haired male sat on the bench watching his raven-haired boyfriend performed some shots. He chewed some pocky sticks at the same time.

"They are a happy couple," Kagami grinned at their direction. "No, disorders. No, drama. Just simple and healthy homosexual relationship."

As Kuroko watched Murasakibara and Himuro across the court, his lips formed a wistful smile.

After landing another three-point shot, Himuro darted towards his titan boyfriend and pumped his fist in victory. Reciprocating his delight, Murasakibara grabbed his waist and lifted his tiny boyfriend into the air before spinning him around. Instead of looking dizzy, Himuro laughed as if he was the happiest man in the world.

They are so happy—it's almost unimaginable. Kuroko thought with a sad smile.

If Midorima and Takao was a match made in heaven, Murasakibara and Himuro was like a match approved in heaven. A perfect match made in heaven meant nothing if they never ended up being together. A perfect couple was just the heaven's toys to amuse the gods, watching the humans they created to tangle up in a maze with no way out. The idea itself unnerved the bluenet.

Then Kuroko believed his encounter with Akashi was a match made in hell because no matter which route Kuroko took, none of them felt right and only caused suffering.

Kuroko loved Akashi, but he also loved Seijuuro, but in the end, Kuroko loves Akashi Seijuuro— present tense—no matter who he was.

Everything seemed so unfair.

So, Kuroko and Akashi resumed their day and hung out with Kagami and his friends. Kagami challenged Akashi one-on-one, and it turned out to be a tie after a long thirty minutes. Kuroko and Akashi even challenged Kagami and Himuro on the court, but Akashi's team won easily thanks to Kuroko's misdirection. Murasakibara never played.

When the sun kissed the horizon indicating the end of the day, Kuroko talked to Himuro and Kagami while Akashi was having a deep conversation with Murasakibara.

"Kuroko," Himuro patted him on the shoulder. "I didn't know much about the DID issue, but I hope you can cope with it."

"Yeah, don't worry Himuro-kun. I will be fine." Kuroko smiled at the raven-haired in assurance.

After a friendly exchange with Himuro, the raven-haired left the court with his tall boyfriend. Murasakibara regarded Kuroko with a small nod.

Finally, Kuroko turned to Kagami, who was surprisingly quiet. "Kagami-kun. Is something wrong?"

Kagami smiled at him stiffly. "I know you're still baffled from the whole DID thing, but I just wanna say, I don't think Seijuuro is going to disappear that easily."

Kuroko's eyes widened at Kagami's words. Nodding, the bluenet forced out a small laughter. "I know Kagami-kun, that's why I'm so scared."

Akashi drove Kuroko back to his apartment. The couple stopped by at the local bridge for some fresh air while watching the sun set.

Since Seijuuro's departure, he barely had time to grief. Distracting himself from grief, Kuroko dealt with other patients and Akashi's daily checkups.

Kuroko made a vow with himself that he was going to love Akashi Seijuuro unconditionally. No matter which Akashi he ended up, he was going to love this Akashi deeply and compassionately even if it meant hurting himself.

Now, Kuroko and Akashi were happy; Kuroko couldn't ask for more. Yes, he missed Sei, a lot, but Kuroko knew he had done the right thing for the sake of Akashi Seijuuro, his friends, his colleagues and himself.

But what was thing uneasy feeling tugging at his chest every single day?

"Akashi-kun, there's always something I wanted to ask." Kuroko started.

Akashi didn't look surprised and regarded his lover calmly. "Just say it, Kuroko."

"Why are you afraid of me back then?"

Akashi blinked just slightly, Tightening his grip against the metal railing, the scarlet haired male huffed a deep breath and turned at Kuroko.

"I'm afraid to hurt your feelings, sensei," Akashi admitted. "Seijuuro has been controlling my body since the first year of high school. He leads the basketball team to a chain of victories, at the same time excelling his academics."

Kuroko said nothing. He started at Akashi for a long time, demanding a clearer explanation.

Akashi continued. "Before Sei took over, I failed everyone. My family and friends, and ended up hurting them. I feel like Seijuuro is stronger than I am in terms of mind and capability, and he is the 'Akashi Seijuuro' the world needs."

"When did Sei start taking over your body completely?"

Akashi was silent for a moment before he replied. "Second year of junior high school."

Kuroko nodded in response. "That early, huh?"

Akashi clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. Turning to Kuroko, he squeezed Kuroko's hand and declared. "I know all of this sounds like a lame excuse. I'm sorry to doubt you, Kuroko-sensei. I don't want to hurt you and be an inferior; it would be disrespectful of me."

Kuroko looked taken aback by Akashi's outburst. Smiling, Kuroko closed their distance and whispered into his ear. "Inferior? You're not an inferior to me! I will always love you unconditionally, Akashi-kun."

Then they kissed. Akashi cupped Kuroko's cheeks in his fingers. As his tongue started traveling into Kuroko's cavern, the teal haired male tilted his head for a better angle.

After a long moment later, they broke apart and thin saliva bridged between their bottom lips.

As Kuroko panted for breath, Akashi stifled a small laughter. "Back then, I believe in the saying 'you can not always trust the person you love, but you can always love the person you trust.' Pretty weird, huh?"

"Back then, I must be the former," Kuroko mumbled with a pout. "Then who is the latter?"

Akashi chuckled before responding. "Seijuuro, of course. His actions might be rash and unreasonable, but deep down, he is very humble and sensitive."

Despite everything that happened, Kuroko revered at Akashi's contradicting statement towards his violent another half. "I know that, Akashi-kun."

That is why I loved him so much, even though he was just a fragment of your personality.

Akashi decided that Kuroko should spend the night with him.

At first, the bluenet stammered nervously that he wasn't ready, but Akashi suggested they would simply sleep together like a pair of innocent children.

The idea seemed too pure to Kuroko's head, but the brunet agreed anyway. Masaomi didn't seem to be around tonight, so it was a golden opportunity.

Kuroko slid himself under the covers and turned to the redhead sleeping beside him.

"Thank you very much, Akashi-kun."

Akashi gave him a sideways smile and intertwined their fingers together. "Your welcome. Have a nice night, Kuroko."

After giving his boyfriend a chaste, good night kiss, Akashi's dozed off, his hand left curled around Kuroko's fingertips.

Kuroko smiled. He was about to drift into his dream before Akashi suddenly jerked to a sitting position.

"Akashi-kun?"

Stiffly, Akashi turned towards his lover. It was dark, so Kuroko could hardly see anything.

"Why…"

"Huh?" Kuroko tilted his head to the side, confused. "What is it, Akashi-kun?"

"Why are you doing these things with him?"

….

Kagami smiled at him stiffly. "I know you're still baffled from the whole DID thing, but I just wanna say, I don't think Seijuuro is going to disappear that easily."

Kuroko's eyes flew wide at Kagami's words.

Before Kuroko could comprehend, he saw a faint glow of silver from the dark before the metal slashed across his shirt, ripping his clothes apart, showing off his pale torso.

"Eh, so you guys have been doing these things while I'm gone for awhile…"

Kuroko's cheeks turned red almost instantly, and his body trembled. "Don't tell me…you're…"

Akashi positioned himself over the half-naked Kuroko, and to the bluenet's dismay, the crimson-haired male lifted his own shirt and tossed it somewhere in the dark. He held out his scissors and leered.

"Do you think we can have some fun, Tetsuya?" his eyes opened and revealed a pair of the heterochromatic iris. Using his scissors, he sliced Kuroko's pants open, revealing his pale thighs glowing in the dark.

A/N= Yeah, he returns to the stage faster than we expected! I never intended Sei to dissapear forever! This fic still has a long way to go for it to end!

Don't worry I have a logical explanation for his immediate return in the next chapter :D

And maybe, next chapter might raise up the rating for this fic!

Please review guys :D

Replies to guest reviews:

Hana: *shoves you huge box of tissue* there there...calm down. Yeah, you're right when you mentioned Seijuuro will not dissapear just like that! I feel bad that everyone is crying that Sei is gone, and I make him return so fast, but that's part of my plan and I hope nobody feel offended. There is a definite reason why he return tho, and maybe some reviewers might find the answer :D (Clue: the answer is pretty clear if you search the tiny bits of the whole plate :p ) And I hope you like how Sei reappears in this chapter :)

Thanks for your usual reviews Hana-chan! Your reviews are always refreshing to read!