A/N: Thanks for all the follows and faves! I'll try to update often.
BlazeMary: Thanks for being the first to review :D I am only midway through Season 2 of the anime so, not sure if Kagami actually starts calling him Tetsu. But that's what I imagine as their friendship grows deeper.
"That little bitch!" Riko Aida's voice echoed fiercely off the gym walls as Team Seirin cowered in terror. "I can't believe this!"
Kuroko spoke first. "What was on the note?" Riko flung the crumpled note towards him. He caught it and smoothed out the wrinkles before reading aloud: "If you want to see your data sheets again, tell Kagami Taiga to meet me outside the school gates today at 5pm. Yours, Takei."
Kagami's face went white at the mention of his name. "No way." He snatched the note from Kuroko, read it, then read it again.
"Gee, Kagami-kun," Koganei looked at him curiously. "What did you do this time?"
"I don't know! I already tried my goddamned best to avoid her – "
Kuroko let out a little sigh, wondering if his friend knew this was probably the reason for Mitsuki's little stunt.
"Did you know how long it took me to put together that data?" Riko whispered, a psychotic smile on her face. "MONTHS AND MONTHS!" She took a deep breath and attempted to calm herself. "Here's the plan." She narrowed her eyes at Kagami. "You will go meet her later today. You will apologize, beg, or do whatever it takes to get that data back. And after you get it back, you tell her that she will be sorry she pissed me off."
"Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "But Testu comes with me."
Kuroko looked up. "I don't think she would be happy to see me."
"Aha!" Kagami exclaimed triumphantly. "You pissed her off at the party, didn't you? I told you not to go."
"If you had just gone to the party, we wouldn't be in this position."
"Ah, I get it," Koganei chipped in. "Takei-san actually likes Kagami, but is angry that he didn't go?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Embarrassment coloured Kagami's cheeks, and he turned to Kuroko. "Don't think you can get out of this. This all started because of you."
Kuroko shrugged impassively. "I think it would be better if you went on your own, but if you insist…"
Two hours later, both of them stood idly outside the school gates waiting for Mitsuki to appear. Kagami shifted restlessly; he was supposed to be at basketball practice now, damn it- not wasting time waiting for some crazy girl.
"Eh, Tetsu."
"Hmm?"
"Do you think she really…" he hesitated.
Kuroko considered for a moment. "Yeah. I think so."
"Damn." He stuck his hands in his pockets and stared down at the pavement. For a guy who thought about nothing but basketball, this was some seriously confusing stuff. "What should I do?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to make her go away." Kagami said this without hesitation. He had no time to deal with girls and their silly feelings. He supposed eventually he would have to get a girlfriend and do the whole growing up thing, but at the moment he was perfectly happy with the way things were… or rather, the way things had been, before she'd shown up. "What happened during the party, anyway?"
"Well…" Kuroko's mind flitted back to that evening.
Six days before, at the Mandarin Oriental hotel
Kuroko stared blankly at the doors to the Presidential Suite, firmly shut and guarded by burly men in black suits. He shuffled uncomfortably in his T-shirt and jeans, a small gift in his hands.
"You here for the party?" One of them asked.
"Yeah."
They exchanged a glance before walking towards him, and Kuroko suddenly felt like this had been a very, very bad idea after all. One of the guards pat him down while the other ran a metal detector up and down. "You're clear."
"Uh, thanks."
The doors swung open and Kuroko's senses were suddenly assaulted by a million things at once. The very air itself seemed electric; young people were everywhere, dressed to the nines, drinks in their hands and laughter on their lips, the liquor and dim lights making everyone look like more beautiful versions of themselves. Music blared from gigantic speakers and there was a small dance floor where some rather suggestive activities were going on.
"Go on." He was shoved into the thick of it, and the wooden doors swung shut.
And so, there he was on a Saturday evening, surrounded by people yet acutely alone, as he always was. He moved through the crowd with practiced ease, ducking every now and then to avoid a stray glass or elbow, looking for the host of the party.
At last he found her alone on the balcony, gazing out into the night sky. Her silver dress fluttered lightly in the breeze, giving her an almost angelic appearance marred only by the cigarette between her lips. She drew in the poison heavily before exhaling, the smoke dancing around her like a veil. The sight and smell of it sickened him.
Then she was holding up her right hand, examining her wrist with a slightly sad, quizzical expression. Not wanting to startle her like before, he cleared his throat to announce his presence.
She cocked her head towards the sound, and when she saw him her eyes came alive. "Kuroko-kun!" She flicked her cigarette carelessly into the night. He opened his mouth to say something about her smoking, but she beckoned excitedly unto him. "Come here and look. Isn't it beautiful?"
Kuroko took a step forward and looked beyond the railing, and the breath caught in his throat. "Yes, it is," he whispered. The bright lights of Tokyo stretched out magnificently before him, each one its own little star that lit up the night sky, and from there he felt like he was on top of it all. It was a million dollar view.
She turned to him with a warm smile. "I'm so glad you came. Ah, what's that in your hand?"
"I heard it was your birthday." He handed her the package. "Happy birthday."
She tossed back her pretty chestnut curls and laughed. "It's not my birthday."
Kuroko frowned. "Kagami-kun told me it was."
"He's not here, is he?" Kuroko shook his head in response, and she lowered her eyes as if to hide her disappointment.
"Why did you tell him it was your birthday?"
"Can I get you something to drink?" She snapped her fingers twice before he could decline, and a waiter sprang out of nowhere with a tray of champagne. She passed him a flute and plucked one for herself before dismissing the waiter with a languid wave of her hand. "Come." She took his hand and led him back inside the chaos, and finally into the quiet of the bedroom. Before he had time to protest, the doors were closed and locked behind them.
She kicked off her heels and walked lightly across the room before curling up leisurely on one of the huge armchairs. "Sit with me," she said, waving a pale hand at the opposite armchair. It was not so much an invitation as a command, though it was a very alluring one.
Kuroko took a tentative sip of champagne and planted himself opposite her. "Something on your mind?"
He noticed that her eyes flitted to her wrist for the briefest of moments. "Nothing in particular."
"So… it's not your birthday?"
"I just thought he would be more likely to come if it were." She laughed airily and took a sip from her flute. "I guess it wasn't enough."
"Why the party, then?"
She shrugged. "Why not? Everyone's having a good time."
"Are you?"
"Of course I am." She leaned forward and gazed into his eyes earnestly. "I'm in good company, aren't I?"
Kuroko wondered how many less perceptive men before him had fallen for her wiles. She had a way of making someone feel special and wanted, but alas he saw them for what they were – empty gestures and flattery. Perhaps ignorance was really bliss.
He decided to change the subject. "How's your wrist?"
She held up her hand for him to see. The bruise had turned into a garish purple colour, the only imperfection on her porcelain skin. "Beautiful, isn't it?" She murmured, and somehow he knew that she hadn't meant for him to hear it. Even though he had the dubious pleasure of knowing some very disturbed individuals, her fascination with the injury was still… disconcerting to him.
"Kuroko-kun," she began uncertainly, fingering the pearl and diamond necklace hanging from her dainty neck. "Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" It was a perfunctory question. He already knew what it would be about; could smell it coming from a mile away.
Her face lost all traces of amusement. "Why didn't he come? It was supposed to be my birthday." Her usually cool voice trembled slightly with childish anger, as if she had been denied her favourite toy.
"But it isn't."
"That's not the point," she snapped impatiently. "He doesn't know that."
"Well… Kagami-kun is not very knowledgeable in these things. I mean, I'm no expert either –"
She narrowed her eyes at him, as if he had said something that displeased her. "In what things do you mean, exactly?"
"You know, boy-girl stuff – "
"You think I'm in love with him?"
Kuroko blinked. "Well, you seem to like him a lot…"
She burst out laughing. "You're so funny, Kuroko-kun. I find him amusing, sure, but that's it."
"That's not what it looks like to me," he said gently, confident in his own observations. Behind her flippant manner was someone who had a huge crush on his best friend, he was sure of it. "I can help you win his heart."
"You must be joking," she whispered, furiously fingering her necklace. "Am I not beautiful enough? Not rich enough? That I would need your help?"
Once again, he got the impression of a petulant child. "You're very beautiful, but that's not important. Kagami-kun isn't that kind of guy."
There was a brief silence before the necklace snapped between her fingers, and all the pearls and diamonds clattered mournfully to the floor, each one worth a small fortune. They stared at each other, her stubborn hazel eyes meeting his cool blue ones.
"I'm tired," she announced finally, standing up. Without another word, she dragged her feet towards the bed and climbed onto it, curling herself up into a ball.
Kuroko thought she looked very small, and very sad. "Good night," he murmured before leaving the room.
Back in the present
"Well?" Kagami tapped his foot impatiently. "What happened?"
Kuroko thought hard about how to explain it all to his friend – that she lied about it being her birthday just so he would come, the way she tried to hide her disappointment, how she looked at the bruise on her wrist like it was something to be cherished. He needn't have bothered for at that moment, a familiar black Rolls Royce pulled up before them.
The tinted window wound down to reveal Mitsuki, a broad smile on her face. "You're early."
Kagami stared at her incredulously. "This- this car belongs to you?"
"You like cars? I can show you my garage." Upon seeing Kuroko, however, her smile faltered. "Kuroko-kun's here too?"
"If I'm going to hell, I'm dragging him down with me."
She merely laughed. "I'll show you heaven before the night is done. Get in."
"Just give me the damned data sheets," he said gruffly. "We're not going anywhere with you."
"Hmm. Want to know something interesting?"
"No, but you're going to tell me anyway right?"
"There are no less than 15 fireplaces in my house," she said in a bored voice, "and I feel like starting a fire tonight… or several. Won't it be a pity if all that data went up in flames?"
"We'd better go with her, Kagami-kun. Riko-san will kill us."
She examined her nails with disinterest. "It's your choice. You have 3 seconds."
Just the thought of Riko's punishment was enough for them to get into the car immediately. Inside, Kagami tried his best to look unimpressed but took a few discreet moments to admire the car's luxurious interiors – full leather and solid rosewood, and every bit as beautiful as the outside. It was truly the car of his dreams, and he was in it.
"Kuroko-kun, why don't you sit in front?" Her voice was all innocence. "I don't think there's enough space at the back."
"What are you talking about?" Kagami stretched out his long legs enthusiastically. "There's loads of space."
"Three people at the back? You can't be serious."
"Why don't you sit in front then?"
"It's fine," Kuroko cut in. "I'll sit in front."
Mitsuki leaned back with contentment, pleased at having won their little skirmish. The car was designed such that passengers at the back had complete privacy, and this was the perfect opportunity to speak to the big oaf. Since the party, she'd been secretly praying every day that he would look for her to wish her a happy belated birthday, even if just out of courtesy. Of course, he did no such thing. Her little ploy had failed, but that just spurred her determination.
It was a game she feared she was beginning to take a little too seriously.
She let her gaze linger unabashedly on the strong lines of his face, lines which she was beginning to find strangely attractive. He looked nothing like the refined gentleman of her girlhood dreams – quite the opposite, in fact. Everything about him was wild and unruly, from his hair and brows right down to the way he slouched, but that only seemed to excite her.
Mitsuki could see that her stare was making him uncomfortable – he had unconsciously scooted to the edge of the car, and his nose might as well be glued to the window. It was funny that such a big, strong lad seemed so afraid of her.
"You haven't apologized for this," she said abruptly, sticking her right hand in front of his face.
He winced upon seeing the bruise up close. "Does it still hurt?"
She nodded. "Have you thought about how to make it up to me?"
Her tone had been light, almost playful, but he still reacted with strong indignation. "Isn't it enough that you stole our data sheets? How unreasonable are you?"
"That was for not showing up to my party," she replied evenly.
"Why was it so important that I go to your stupid party?"
Her mind raced for a response, some witty retort, anything, but for once she found herself stumped. She bit her lip and looked away, and they fell into an uncomfortable silence.
He was the one to finally break the silence. "I'm… I'm sorry about your hand," he said hesitatingly. "Let me have a look at it again." She was surprised to catch the hint of concern in his voice, and when she looked up at him she saw that he was blushing. "Your hand," he demanded impatiently.
She held it up to him, the tiniest of smiles on her lips. All her life she had been the one meting out demands, but now it felt oddly satisfying to do as he bid. "It still seems slightly swollen," he observed. He ran his fingers over the purplish bruise, prodding at it gently for confirmation. "Let me know if it's still swollen in a couple of days." She nodded meekly in response, her skin still tingling from his surprisingly delicate touch.
"Kagami-kun?"
"Hmm?"
She hesitated for a moment. "Do you hate me?"
"Hate is a pretty strong word," he replied with a frown. "I can't say that I really hate anyone."
"Then if someone tried to bully me, would you defend me? Like you defended Kuroko-kun?" It was the one thing that had stood out from their first encounter, and Mitsuki often found herself replaying it over and over in her mind.
"Of course."
"Does this mean we're friends, then?"
"Friends don't steal from each other," he said coldly. "Why did you have to do that?"
She folded her arms across her chest. "Firstly, it's not stealing if I'm going to return it."
"You –"
"Secondly," she went on heedlessly, "you forced me to."
"Please explain how exactly I forced you to? Did I put a gun to your head?"
"You wouldn't have met me otherwise. I tried asking you nicely for the party, but you disregarded me completely. So really, this is all your doing."
"Wow," he muttered in disbelief. "This is why we can't be friends."
"Why?"
"Because you're a devious, manipulative little – " She leaned forward suddenly to give him a quick peck on the cheek, and he fell into a stunned silence, face turning a deep red. She knew what people called her behind her back, and they were certainly welcome to do so – god knows she deserved it. But she didn't want to hear it from him.
She tilted her head and looked at him with an amused smile. "You look so cute when you blush."
"Wha- what's your problem?" he spluttered furiously. "Do you always go around kissing guys you barely know? Is that what you do?"
Mitsuki pursed her lips thoughtfully. "No, not really. Just you." She decided to toy with him a little more. "Besides, we'll get to know each other tonight. Then we can be friends, can't we?" He immediately turned an even deeper shade of red at her suggestion. "Don't let your mind wander too far," she purred knowingly. "We're just going to have a little fun, that's all."
"My mind wasn't wandering," he protested. "Where the hell are you taking us, anyway?"
A sly smile spread across her face. "You'll see."