a/n= Hello guys! It has been a long time since I upload the last chapter. The reason I am taking awhile because I am having a mini writer's block, not the plot but the execution part. I'm glad I'm able to do it today. Very Sorry for the long update! Don't worry I don't plan on abandoning this story I promise!
3 more chapters to go yay! and happy new year guys!
Please tell me what do you think in the review! Please R&R! Reviews are appreciated!
Rakuzan High
"Oi, Akashi. Please come back. You're in high school now."
Silence.
Heaving a deep sigh, Seijuuro tilted his head upwards, his eyes glued towards the roaming clouds on the sky. He was aware Akashi still felt guilty towards his action in Teiko, but Seijuuro never thought that Akashi would disappear completely from his own body. In spite of all the things Seijuuro had gone through in Teiko, he wasn't willing to antagonize Akashi.
After all, without Akashi's approval for living in his body, Seijuuro wouldn't be able to be the person he was today.
For a host, he was already too lucky. He was not even a host anymore; he was a goddamn parasite.
"Akashi," Seijuuro gulped, his words hung on his throat. "You know. You don't have to worry about Kuroko anymore. I think he is happy right now. If I'm not mistaken, I heard he is in Seirin."
Obviously, the faint rustle of wind and chirping birds responded Seijuuro. The voice inside him was nowhere to be heard.
As seconds ticked by, frustration squeezed the strength out of his heart. Suddenly, the memories in Teiko rushed into Seijuuro's mind like a runaway train. Everything flashed on his mind in a gray scale memory, reminding Seijuuro of the sins he had in the past, mainly the Generation of Miracles.
He did everything for Akashi's sake. In the end, Akashi begged him to erase Kuroko's memory to forget his actions.
Now that Seijuuro reflected on everything that had happened, he realized everything was so fucked up.
Guilt and embarrassment nailed on his chest. Clenching his jaws, Seijuuro was about to open his mouth to call for Akashi again until a new voice pulled him out of his foreboding.
"Stop making that face in the middle of the day. It's creepy you know."
Seijuuro's eyes went wide. His head followed the voice and saw a silver-haired boy sitting beside him with a light novel in hand.
"I don't even know why you're on my territory. If you want to daydream, please go anywhere but here." he spat before Seijuuro could reply.
Seijuuro's jaw dropped, dumbfounded. This boy had low presence that Seijuuro wasn't able to acknowledge him in first notice.
Suddenly, Seijuuro's dual-colored eyes dilated wide, reflecting the eyes of a discovered revelation.
"You remind me of someone." Seijuuro put on a fake smile and spoke with an airy voice. "Do you mind to tell me your name?"
The silver-haired boy stared at him skeptically and scowled. "Mayuzumi Chihiro. What the heck do you want?"
As Seijuuro conversed more with Mayuzumi, he learnt that Mayuzumi was part of the shadow members of the basketball club. Seijuuro decided to join Rakuzan Basketball Club and was willing to lead them to victory, and his lust for victory ignited more intense when he met Mibuchi Reo, Hayama Kotaro and Nebuya Ekichi.
Seijuuro believed if he was able to gain the exact achievements he had in Teiko, Akashi would be proud of him and will be able to return. After all, who doesn't want a fruitful high school life? It was the dream of a stereotype teenager. Seijuuro was willing to go that length for the return of his beloved host.
Unfortunately, fate wasn't willing to answer Seijuuro's pleas.
Like they said, things were easier than done.
Early October, Rakuzan High:
After scribbling on the chalkboard, the homeroom teacher faced towards the class and scanned his students with a keen look.
"It's time for us to pick our class representative," the lecturer declared while playing with his chalk. "So, who wants to volunteer?"
Instantly, the silence broke into a swept of low murmurs as students started whispering and discussing among themselves. When the muttering had slightly died down, a few heads stiffly turned towards the crimson-haired boy sitting on the back of the classroom, who was oblivious at his current surroundings.
The lecturer noticed the heads converged upon Akashi's seat. Smiling in relief, the teacher cleared his throat and called for the boy.
"Akashi-kun. Do you hear me?"
The teacher's voice pulled Seijuuro from his trance. He raised a brow, mildly shocked. "I'm sorry sensei. I was daydreaming. What did I miss?"
Before the teacher could reply, Seijuuro's eyes flew wide at the pairs of eyes fired at his direction. To his dismay, he could hear low rumbling mutters from the distance.
"Isn't it obvious? He is going to be the captain for sure."
"Yeah duh. Mr. Perfect..."
"I don't think I have a chance..."
"Just give it up.."
A strong sense of nausea gripped his abdomen and wretched his gut. Seijuuro had gotten used by this treatment, so he clenched his fist and pursed his lips to deflect his classmates' criticism.
"We are electing you to be the class president. Do you want to hold that responsibility?"
Cold ache clustered on his stomach. Seijuuro could barely breath, as if he was trapped underwater. At the moment, he felt his body separated from the world, and the world bleached into monochrome shades. In spite of all the chilling illusions in his mind, Seijuuro said 'yes' to that offer.
All for Akashi's sake because he knew this was the position his host belonged.
End of December, Rakuzan
With his thumb, Seijuuro rubbed his temples while groaning.
Even though daylight had faded into orange evening, Seijuuro remained in the classroom. As the Rakuzan students slowly filled out the school grounds, Seijuuro doggedly scribbled his notebook before closing it and placed it on top of the pile before him. Sucking a deep breath, Seijuuro cracked his knuckles and let out a long yawn.
Supposedly, all of the first year class representatives should have a meeting about the upcoming cultural festival, but unfortunately, half of them weren't able to make it today. In the end, Seijuuro ended up doing all the dirty work. Of course, the mighty Akashi Seijuuro would never say no to extra work.
After making sure there was nobody but him, Seijuuro leaned against his chair and huffed.
"Hey Akashi, remember the time when you are busy with class president duties in middle school?" Seijuuro's voice was trembling. "I helped you, remember? Do you mind if you lend me your energy?"
Of course, the voice inside him had still yet to speak.
Slowly, annoyance swelled inside him. His determination and respect towards his former self was slowly etching away, like a wave pulling the sand off the shore. Exhaustion corroded his bones, and Seijuuro wanted nothing but to sleep inside the familiar darkness in Akashi's soul, not the soft and luxurious bed in the mansion.
"What exactly can I do to make you forgive me?"
Basketball Court, Rakuzan:
When the whistle rang across the court signaling the end of practice, the burly basketball player crashed to the ground and bellowed. "Dammit! I am so friggin hungry! Oi, someone let me borrow some cash."
A guy with kitten-like eyes and messy orange haired uttered a snort. "What the heck? I thought you had a bento before practice, glutton."
"Shut the bloody hell, Kotaro." the hungry and beefy male spat. "That practice drains my energy. Someone buy me a donburi!"
"Fat piece of shit." Mayuzumi mumbled in the corner.
In the midst of the conflict, the guy with the longest hair in the court clapped his hand and beamed at his teammates. "Calm down everyone. Nebuya, if you want some donburi, let's get it at the convenience store on the way home. Sadly, I can only buy you one bowl or two, is that okay with you?"
The previously angry Nebuya's face glowed and he grinned. "As expected of Reo-nee! It's cool bro. I owe you one! I will buy your lunch tomorrow."
Mabuchi Reo sweat dropped and swallowed that offer. He knew Nebuya would break the promise anyway and finished his money on his own lunch, but Reo smiled anyways. "Your welcome."
While Mayuzumi was tidying up his bag, he fumbled for his novel and put it on the bench before shoving the wet towel inside his backpack. Kotaro noticed it and nosily approached the moody silver-haired dude.
"Woah...I don't know you read To Aru Majutsu no Index!" Kotaro exclaimed and snatched the book off the bench.
Usually Mayuzumi would scold the boy for touching his property, but he was too shocked at Kotaro's knowledge inside his usually dire brain.
"Yeah..." Mayuzumi uttered. "Don't tell me you read it too..."
"Hell yeah!" Kotaro pulled his fist upwards. "I mean, this Touma guy has a powerful right hand right? I wanna see if he can surpass my lightning dribble!"
Mayuzumi shrugged. "I'm shocked that your boneheaded brain is able to comprehend the concept in this novel."
Too oblivious to pick up the insult, Kotaro grinned. "Hey, who is your favorite character in the book? Mine is Mikasa-chan!"
Mayuzumi's face wrinkled in disgust. "Oh brother. Let me tell you why Mikasa is such an overrated character..."
On the corner, Seijuuro watched his interacting friends with distant eyes. It reminded him of the days in Teiko when Akashi hung out with his friends. If it wouldn't be for Akashi's generosity and kindness, Seijuuro would never encounter lovable people such as Kuroko, Midorima and the others.
As a spirit living inside a human vessel for roughly sixteen years, Seijuuro never socialized with anyone except Akashi. Seijuuro was able to gain his place in Teiko because of Akashi's considerable reputation.
He gazed at his friends for a long moment. Slowly, he felt his body was separated from the scene, and like a running water, thousands of red question marks poured all over his mind, filling his vision. How could a spirit communicate with a human? That question gradually consumed the red-haired male.
Seijuuro passed out.
A few hours later:
"Sei-chan!"
"Captain!"
"Calm guys, looks like he regains his conscience."
"How can you just stay calm like that? Damn Mayuzumi!"
Seijuuro stirred, a cold headache pulsed behind his ears. A few blurred faces slowly faded into clarity, followed by familiar voices dragging him into his senses. His lips quaked, vulnerably uttering the name of his teammates.
"Mayuzumi...Mibuchi...Reo...Hayama..."
A surge of warm sensation melted across the cold peak of his chest. A bead rolled over his cheeks, slithering his freezing cheeks with hot tears. When he heard a distant voice reverberated under his ribs, crystal teardrops overflowed from his heterochromatic iris.
"You finally have friends Sei. They care about you."
Seijuuro wanted to rejoice Akashi's return, but his lips twisted into a snarl when he processed his host's words. He was doing this all for Akashi's sake – high academic performance, a disciplined captain and a good reputation among his friends. Then why was Akashi praising for his own achievements, not for all the things Seijuuro had died to fight for? Sheer rage billowed in his stomach like a wave rolling in the storm. On the other hand, confused and terrified faces stared down at him.
Reo was the first one to speak. "Why are you making those scary faces on those beautiful features of yours?"
Gulping, Nebuya crossed his arms and huffed. Surely, he was trying not to look afraid. "Are you hungry Akashi?"
Instead of thankful for his friend's plain concern, Seijuuro roared and savagely tackled his teammates' figures one by one. Eyes blazed wild in fury, Seijuuro bit his tongues until a hot trickling liquid seeped into his teeth, soothing his anger with the mild pain. The fact that his teammates witnessed his vulnerable side was a disgrace to him and the Akashi household.
How could I screw up? He schooled himself petulantly.
"Oi, what's with that attitude, shorty?" Mayuzumi spat, regaining his balance after Seijuuro's violent shove.
Seijuuro flashed a glare at him and snapped. "Shut up. All of you, don't play nice to me."
"We are just worried, Sei-chan!" Reo protested. "At least don't pay us with that attitude!"
Nebuya and Koutarou nodded in agreement. Cracking his fist, Nebuya gritted his teeth and narrowed his gaze the ruby-haired male. If Seijuuro was careless playing with Nebuya's fuse, the burly man would assault him with no hesitation.
Ignoring his friend's complaints, Seijuuro sauntered towards the center of the court, picking up the basketball under the net. Dribbling the object in a dramatic manner, he turned to his teammates.
"Enough with the sentimental act." Seijuuro said coldly. "Let's have a four-on-one."
Nebuya's eyes flew wide and he barked. "Are you crazy?"
"I want to make it up for you guys to see my weak side," Seijuuro replied airily. "For now, I will show you how I am worthy."
Even though Seijuuro longed to embrace the feeling of unity, he chose to stand firm with his goal. Until Akashi was able to acknowledge and thank him for his actions, Seijuuro didn't need the compassion of others. He would do anything to gain Akashi's recognition and forgiveness.
A few months later:
White flashes and camera clicks incessantly clustered around the Rakuzan team, who had just secured the winter cup championship of the year.
In the middle of the group was Akashi Seijuuro. Setting up a fake and noble smile, Seijuuro acknowledged the camera with a thin smile and a firm nod.
"Being a champion sure feels good." Reo commented good-naturedly.
Koutaro was too busy flashing peace signs and grinning at the camera lenses to respond Reo's statement. Nebuya elbowed Mayuzumi in a friendly manner, and surprisingly, Mayuzumi flashed him a brief sided grin. Nobody said anything to the captain.
"Akashi Seijuuro, please explain us the secret behind Rakuzan's chain of victories!"
"Can you tell us your practice routines?"
"Akashi-san, do you have anything you want to said about your team?"
Seijuuro tilted his head away from the microphones shoved at his face. He simply regarded them with a polite smile and inwardly scoffed.
Suddenly in the midst of his self mockery, he saw some of the paparazzi skittered to the other side. Seijuuro's gaze followed the swarm and shocked to see that they were approaching a new group of team coming out from the Winter cup hall. His eyes widened when he saw an unfamiliar team filtered out of the hall – the black horse of this year's team, Seirin High.
In the midst of the a throng of people, his eyes flew wide at the sight of a familiar, teal-hair floating on the sea of dark-haired Seirin players. Suddenly, the voice that had been warded inside his soul emerged from his conscience.
"Kuroko!" Akashi's pristine and jolly voice piped up on his head. That was the first time Seijuuro heard Akashi's voice since the Teiko incident. Confusion laced around his brain, blocking certainty from his following actions.
Even though Seijuuro was responsible for Kuroko's amnesia, he could feel the stain on his heart for inflicting pain and suffering on the person he loved after Akashi, heck sometimes Seijuuro thought that he loved Kuroko more than his host. It was not a surprise for Akashi to accept him, for Akashi was part of him and vice versa, but Kuroko was an outsider who embraced both Akashi and Seijuuro for who they are as whole.
Suddenly, a jolting sensation pulsed into his legs, urging his limbs to move and approach the bluenet who was grinning and chatting with his Seirin teammates. Seijuuro hesitantly halted, contemplating whose recent action belonged whom – Akashi or him.
"Sei look! It's Kuroko!" Akashi's joyous statement rang inside Seijuuro like a chiming bell. "He is all right! He is happy! Come on Sei, let's approach him!"
Seijuuro died to celebrate this occasion with his former self he had missed, but then he realized how much effort it took to bring Akashi back into his mind.
He just needed to call Kuroko.
Humiliation dragged Seijuuro's ego on his knees.
All his effort for summoning his former self meant nothing. All his anger, suffering and anguish. All the friends he rejected just for the sake of discipline to maintain Akashi's name. All the loneliness he carried on his shoulders. All of them were nothing. He just needed to call Kuroko, the person he had destroyed in the first place for Akashi's sake.
The realization tied a knot on his stomach, dreading nausea billowed on his abdomen. Instead of approaching Kuroko and obeyed to his host's wish, Seijuuro took a sharp turn to the other way, ignoring Akashi's helpless and heartbreakingly loud pleas.
Seirin vs. Rakuzan, Winter Cup
Narration:
A few months later, Seirin slowly climbed up to victory during the course of the Winter Cup match. After overcoming Touou, Yosen and Kaijo, the final match between Seirin, the 'black horse' of the tournament, and Rakuzan, the victorious team, finally happened.
As usual, Seijuuro still had a hard time dealing with his inner conflicts. Even though Akashi started talking to him again, Seijuuro ignored him, especially when it came to issue about Kuroko.
Seijuuro hated how much Kuroko's existence meddled with his prominent decisions. In spite of his feelings towards the shorter male, he knew he had no right to love Kuroko because he belonged to Akashi, and Kuroko's being was Akashi's sole weakness, which would keep Akashi from succeeding. It was like grabbing an apple from a tree just a few inches away, but you refused to take it because it was a forbidden fruit.
Seijuuro invested a lot of energy to practice for the upcoming match. He strongly believed that winning against Seirin would eliminate Kuroko the most effective way as possible.
However, the events in the game took an unfortunate turn.* Seijuuro ended up summoning Akashi into his rightful body to win the game, but of course, the effort was futile. Rakuzan lost against Seirin.
Lots of things happened during the match, and in the end, Seijuuro realized his true feelings that would lead his following actions that would spin the wheel of fate to another turn.
Present:
After slipping into a pair of new fresh jerseys, Seijuuro slipped out of the changing room and paid a visit to the Seirin locker room just a few rooms away. Rubbing his palms in anticipation, a genuine smile spread across his lips. It has been a long time since Seijuuro smiled. Akashi rejoiced with him, but Seijuuro made sure that it wouldn't last…
To his delight, Kuroko appeared on the doorway and was about to stroll to the bathroom before Seijuuro stopped him in front of the entrance. Kuroko acknowledged him with a smile.
"It was a good game, Akashi-san." Kuroko's angelic smile beamed at the crimson-haired male. "Seirin is very honored to have a fair match with you."
Seijuuro chuckled and proceeded with the formal conversation. "It was my pleasure. Seirin managed to surpass my expectations. It has been a long time I feel excitement in a match."
Brows raised in momentary surprise, Kuroko answered. "I'm happy to hear that."
"But I'm very impressed with your skills, Kuroko Tetsuya."
Kuroko's eyes flew wide. "Excuse me?"
Seijuuro heaved a deep sigh before speaking, his heterochromatic eyes twinkled as he spoke.
"During the match just now, you teach me the meaning of striving to the end. In spite of all your flaws, you managed to climb up to the top and able to surpass me. This tells me that you possessed an unconditional resolve to everything you do. Your zealous commitment impressed me, and that's why I'm attracted to you...unlike someone I know."
Silence blanketed over the two males for a good ten minutes before Kuroko blinked and inquired. "Well...you're right about everything you said. Have we met somewhere before?"
Smirking, Seijuuro closed the distance between Kuroko and him and tapped their foreheads together. Kuroko blushed at the close proximity. Seijuuro knew Akashi would hate him, but that's the decision he had come in terms with.
"We will restart everything from zero," Seijuuro said, his left golden iris blazed like a spark. "You will retain your memories with Seirin and all the match you had with our former teammates, but you will forget about me."
Seijuuro's dual-colored iris shrunk like a cat's eye, and gradually, Kuroko's deep blue eyes were clouded with weakening consciousness as the bluenet parted his lips and closed his eyes. When Kuroko's body was about to touch the ground, Seijuuro grabbed his hips gently and placed the sleeping Kuroko by the doorside.
Seijuuro rebooted Kuroko's memories. Twice.
"What are you doing?!" Akashi roared.
Hearing Akashi's anguish scream, Seijuuro scoffed and replied. "It has come to the time I do this, brother. Kuroko Tetsuya is mine. I won't tolerate your dramatic and cowardly behavior anymore. I am going to use your body to reach my target. If you want to get Tetsuya, then fight for this body."
As he recited his mocking speech towards his host, Seijuuro pulled a letter out of his pocket and smirked in satisfaction.
Present:
When all the images gradually faded away from his consciousness, Kuroko's eyelids fluttered open like a landing butterfly.
"Kuroko!"
With blurred and hazy vision, Kuroko's stiffly tilted his head to meet the voice. He could see a faint shade of green sitting a few meters away from him. Midorima.
"Midorima-kun…" Kuroko's hoarse voice spelled his friend's name, but his eyes flew wide when the events in Teiko injected into his mind. "Midorima-kun! I remember...everything...I..."
Midorima briskly approached the panicking bluenet and rubbed Kuroko's shoulders. "Kuroko...we will explain to you later, for now all you can do is..."
Kuroko cut him. "Why did Akashi has to disappear when Seijuuro is in Rakuzan? Why did Seijuuro keep denying his concern for Akashi? Why did you all never said anything?"
Midorima stared at the pained look on Kuroko's face for a long moment before he turned back against the stressed therapist and pulled his drawers.
"About us...Teiko and Seirin, we can explain it to you in another time." Midorima fumbled something from his desk. "But for Akashi Seijuuro's, I think you need to ask themselves for that. One at a time."
A few minutes later, Midorima tossed an object at Kuroko. The item landed right on Kuroko's laps. The moment when Kuroko's eyes fell upon the thrown object, his fingers trembled like shivering glaciers.
"That's the only way to rescue Akashi Seijuuro." Midorima fixed his glasses. "You do know what's that thing, don't you?"
Between Kuroko's palms, it was the white mask Kuroko had purchased for Akashi during the festival. However, it was painted in red, because Seijuuro preferred the latter color. It was the first gift Kuroko had given to the Akashis.