A/N: I realized that many of you were saying that you didn't understand Murasakibara's sudden affection towards Kuroko, so I thought I'd explain that in this chapter a little. For those that thought drama was pouring in previous chapters – no worries, this chapter is a little calmer. You can relax your waterfalls and just read.

From hereon, the 'first' persona of Akashi would be referred as 'Akashi', and the 'second' form would be 'Seijuro' in my narrations. But the two would address each other differently – 'Akashi' would refer to the other as 'Seijuro', and 'Seijuro' would refer to the other as 'Akashi'. As you all know, the second persona of Akashi has the habit to address others as their given names, and I just thought that he probably wouldn't call himself by his given name… so yeah, the second persona of Akashi calls previous Akashi 'Akashi', vice versa. It'll probably make more sense when you read it.

P.S. – The true reason why our adorable giant receives so much attention is because he is my favorite character. But hey, I'm human! It's normal to give your favorite character some spotlight!

I would ask for reviews, but to be honest, I don't have the nerve to. This chapter is so… I don't know, this chapter is like me spreading a fine layer of backstory so that everything would make more sense in the sequel – it doesn't affect the current plot too much. I hope you guys would enjoy the process of the revelation of Midorima's family.

But anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 18

"There was only so much I could do. Only so much… only so much."

The rain had stopped.

It was eight in the evening, and the school gates were closed.

Murasakibara Atsushi was in luck that it was a Friday.

"Hey, you!" The guard yelled out, "What are you doing? Hurry up and get yourself home! Geez, middle schoolers nowadays…" He grumbled, seeming like he was in a rather foul mood – but the same could be said about the purple head.

"Right." Murasakibara mumbled, his right hand's grip tightening around the clasp of his bag. "I'll be going, sorry." Taking a step forward, he began walking out of school. He had lost track of time in the locker rooms, after his terse conversation with Midorima as practice ended with a thick air of discomfort.

"What have you done?" Midorima demanded – he was not satisfied. Akashi had suddenly proclaimed the permission of all proficient players being allowed to skip practice when desired – if they could still produce top-notch results. "I thought you said you were going to stop Akashi, not cheer him on."

The purple head didn't utter a single word.

"You worsened the situation. You didn't even leave it as it was – you made it worse. Now Akashi's acting all out of personality, and I have no clue what is going on. Can't you see? You triggered this, Murasakibara." His words were as sharp and piercing as a well-made blade.

Gritting his teeth, Murasakibara fought back the desire to argue. He had no right. What Midorima was saying was nothing but correct and perfectly reasonable. He did make it worse. He wasn't expecting in the slightest that Akashi's ability would backfire his plan. No, it wasn't even a well-thought out plan in the first place. He didn't possess the type of intellectual insight like Midorima – he should've known that the chance of success was 50:50.

The green head, appearing to be slightly infuriated, balled his fists and departed the locker room.

"I messed up…" Covering his thin eyes with his enormous hands, Murasakibara stood in front of the bus stand. "I messed up hard." His lengthy purple hair tickled his jawline, and his uniform jacket hung heavily on his shoulders. He believed he never felt this much regret over something he had done – ever. Sure, he had felt guilt, he had felt sorry, and he had felt all kinds of apologetic forms of emotions regarding a situation like this. But this had been classified on a wholly different level – he was feeling regret, remorse, repentance, shame…

It was incomparable to all emotions he had experienced previously.

This wasn't like stealing a pencil from a convenience store. It wasn't like blaming someone else for the wrongdoings you did. It wasn't like forgetting to do something that someone asked.

It was about breaking someone, completely transforming someone, and shattering a relationship.

Murasakibara Atsushi had so determinedly accomplished those all in one day, for six different people, including himself.

"Hey, aren't you getting on, boy?" A familiar-faced bus driver tipped his cap upward, frowning.

He blinked his eyes about twice, until he finally realized what was going on. "Sorry, yes. I am." Staggering up the steep stairs, he released the coins he held in his left hand into the plastic box, and took a seat next to the window, at the way back of the vehicle. A lot of businessmen were standing around, but he was the only student present.

Suddenly, his phone went off – the purple head considered the option of ignoring it, but cancelled the thought after glancing at the caller ID. It was Murasakibara Soji – the second eldest. "Soji nii-san?"

"Atsushi, are you on your way home?"

"Yeah…" He trailed off, running his fingers through his sticky hair. The humid atmosphere of the bus wasn't helping. "Why?"

"Toshi-aniki ran off. Mom and dad are furious right now, but Shibuki… well, you know Shibuki, don't you? He's off with his friends to study, because the finals are coming up in a few months' time. I'm busy here with my essay, and Miyuki's with her boyfriend. So I was wondering…"

"If I could go fetch Toshi-aniki." Closing his eyes, Murasakibara finished the dreary sentence. "Got it."

"You should. I mean, just think of it as another chore. That's one of the only things you're good at, right? Doing chores. Oh, I guess you're okay at basketball too –"

"Soji nii-san." His head ached. He wasn't in the mood to simply play along with his brother's mocks, or to play hide-and-seek with his eldest brother. "I got it. Can I go now?" Peacemaker. I have to be the peacemaker. Silently convincing himself of the role, Murasakibara repeated the sentence in his head over and over again.

He could hear nothing for a while at the other side of the line. Finally, after about fifteen seconds, Soji replied.

"… Alright. I'll leave it to you."

Turning his phone off, Murasakibara wished he had never picked up the phone. No – actually, that wouldn't help anything – his family would've found some reason to send him outside to go search for Toshi. Because everybody else was preoccupied, because he was the youngest, because he had the least to deal with, because looked like he had absolutely nothing to do, because he somehow held responsibility for Toshi's dissolute behavior, because it was a Friday, because they were a family – all those, even.

"This station is Akiba Shrine. For those that are getting off, please use…"

Pressing the buzzer, Murasakibara stood up groggily from his seat. The bus driver raised a brow.

"You getting off here today?" He asked curiously, habitually tipping his cap once more. "You usually get off at the clinic, don't you?"

He felt appreciated in a sense, that the driver remembered his usual destination. He could bet all his saved money in his bank account that even his family didn't care that much. "Special day." Smiling weakly, the boy stepped out of the bus, nodding at the driver as the older man waved.

In all honesty, even the boy himself was uncertain why he chose to get off at this particular station. The main defense for his arbitrary action was probably because there were many bars nighttime business stores around the area.

Flamboyant lights flashed in all colors as the boy entered the sinful district. Poppy music was playing on the highest volume in the background, and varieties of men wobbled on their feet, at least one woman with one piece too less of clothing giggling at their sides. He stopped walking at the closest store called Tsuki Yume and tried to censor everything that was occurring in his surroundings.

The manager eyed the boy suspiciously, before he opened his mouth. "Lad, if you're going to come here, at least try to look convincing for an adult."

"I'm here to get someone." His voice digging into the suffocating vicinity, the boy continued to speak. "By any chance, is there a customer that goes by the name 'Murasakibara Toshi'?"

Flipping through the list of names, the manager scanned it – and nodded. "Yes, there is. Are you his…" Trying to make a smart guess, the man thinned his eyes. "Brother?" Murasakibara had to hold back the urge to just drag his brother out of that damned place and barge back home.

"Yes." He said, impatiently. "Can you go get him for me? Relay the message the mom and dad are pretty mad right now."

Stifling a humored chuckle, the manager gave him another compliant nod. His nametag read 'Yusuke'. "Very well. I'll go talk to him. In the mean time, please, make yourself home at the couch over there. A pretty small home we can offer for underage students." Murasakibara did as he was told, upon waiting for his brother's arrival.

A family. Was this what a family was supposed to be doing? The fleeting image of a certain girl swept past his mind, like a shot of electricity down his back. Squeezing his eyes shut, Murasakibara swatted the image out of his head. Did he have the right to consider her situation? It was all like a funny amorphous idea – Kuroko Tetsuya.

"Atsushi, why'd you come here?" The drawling voice of his brother sent a cringe throughout his whole body. Oh boy, he was drunk. "I (hic) told fucking Shibuki to not tell (hic) on me…" His head dangled on his neck, a wet cigarette soaked in beer in his mouth.

The youngest Murasakibara sighed. He wrapped his brother's right arm around his lean shoulders, and dragged him out of the bar. "Let's go home. Mom and dad are not happy." And I don't want to be involved in your shit. He mentally added, not daring to say it aloud. Toshi burped and hiccupped continually – it almost seemed never-ending.

He ranted on for half of the trip. About his life, his honor, his problems, all the riots he was involved in previously, and how his parents were a bother… things that Murasakibara precisely did not care about in the slightest. But then his brother went absolutely silent, his head hanging low. Then he began talking, his voice groggy.

"… Hey, Atsushi." It was an almost unrecognizable tone. "Are you going to leave this house?"

The purple head contemplated on this for a while. Was he going to leave this house? He's been living here ever since he had recalled. It was technically his only physical home in existence. Did he want to leave? Finally, he was able to answer. "I don't know." Gulping, he took in a deep breath and continued walking.

"You should leave." Toshi grunted, his breath reeking of traces of alcohol and remnants of the cigar. Murasakibara tried to ignore the lipstick marks that were surfacing the collar of his button-down shirt. "There's nothing good about this family, Atsushi… Nothing good…" It was quite sardonically comical, hearing this from his brother that had received all the loving attention from their parents. He was the supposedly perfect genius that was proficient at everything he did. "It was never a family." He went on, "So tattered…" Hiccup. "So messed up. Do you know what the sad thing is? That we're also used to it. We don't try to pursue a new relationship – a rejuvenated bond… Like Soji. He's given up long ago… don't blame him. He has a lot on his shoulders…" He rambled on like that until they reached their destination.

As soon as the parents caught sight of the half-conscious Toshi, they started throwing a rampage on how insane the son was. Shibuki was back home in his room, and Soji was just watching television in the living room – Miyuki was texting her boyfriend, and nobody seemed to care about Toshi's dire circumstances of things.

Tattered… huh. He stumbled up the stairs, passing his siblings' rooms, opening the door to his own room, still able to hear the chiding of his parents. Sitting down in front of his laptop, he searched up 'High schools away from Tokyo'. Scrolling through the page, he scanned the variety of schools.

I'll go far, far away from this place… Tilting his head to the side, he leaned on the support of the chair. Where I won't need to come here everyday, the blurred family picture passed through his tracks of memories. Where I won't seek a new place, the Generation of Miracles – he put in so much effort. It was the first place where he felt like he was at home, and he tried to protect it – guard it from all dangers, all kinds of adversaries and obstacles. Unfortunately, there were issues and conflicts that simply couldn't be protected just because of how tall you were, or how much effort you put into it. Where I won't need to glue someone's feelings together so that they won't break… He opened his eyes and stared at his rough palm. Kuroko Tetsuya – he had never in his life, seen someone that appeared so fragile, so vulnerable, but someone that just gave their all in whatever they did. She remained positive and enthusiastic and passionate, even when all the others had lost all interest. He admired that. It was something he would never accomplish. Glue it… and shatter it myself again…

He fumbled through his bag with one hand, looking for his phone. The rectangular object felt oddly small in his hands. He clicked on his contact list, and scrolled downward until he found the name 'Kuroko Tetsuya'.

[Do you really want to delete this number?]

Exhaling a rather hot breath that contained more than just carbon dioxide released from his lips.

[Yes.]

"Sorry, Kuro-chin…"

I messed up.

Again.

"Shintaro."

Click.

"What school are you thinking about attending after your graduation? Visited any?"

Click.

"I'm going to Shutoku." Midorima answered stoically – high school was much less of his current concerns. He was confident about passing the qualification exam of the said high school, and was more focused on resolving other problematic issues he was forced to face. "Mother, where is Shizuka attending after she graduates?"

"Shutoku Junior high."

"I see. Good decision." An awkward pause flew between the mother and son.

"Will you visit the hospital sometime?"

Pursing his lips together to form a thin line, Midorima averted his eyes to his door. "Not soon."

"That was incredibly rude of me to ask you, wasn't it? You have important matches and finals and prep exams coming up… sorry, Shintaro. I'll go now. Please take good care of your father." The line went dead, and he tossed his phone back down on his sheets.

It wasn't that he didn't want to visit his hospitalized mother. It was just the location. If he did go, then inevitably, he would encounter his father. And he didn't want that to occur – such tiresome events were better off avoiding.

Perhaps, it was childish of him to place such hatred within the roots of the relationship with his father. However, he wasn't much of an arbitrary person – he had proper reasoning of why he felt so strongly. It was merely a typical story of how a workaholic father cared less about his spouse, and left her when she needed him the most. His mother was always weak and fragile to begin with, and his incessant departures had left her stressed, having to raise two kids on her own. Not to mention, the Midorima family was a prestigious family that had maintained the title of medical fame for ages. To keep up that reputation must've put immense pressure on her shoulders. In the end, his mother fell, and it was concluded that she had been suffering with osteoarthritis. She had difficulties moving around by herself – and she had been soon transported to their hospital. Just then, his father had decided to divorce his mother, saying that he didn't want her to be a major disturbance in his work.

Despicable. Midorima heaved a sigh. Suddenly, his phone rang again.

It was Murasakibara.

"Mido-chin?"

It was rare for the purple head to contact him during the weekend. "Murasakibara, what is it?"

"I want to talk to you shortly. Can I meet you at the café we were at last time?"

"Café?"

"You know, the one where we met at Christmas Eve or something." Midorima thought about it for a while – he was free, and had completed all his workload for the day. He couldn't see or create an excuse of why he could not go, as much as he desired to refuse the giant's request.

"Fine." His voice strained, the green head replied. "But make it short."

Murasakibara didn't even respond to that, and hung up.

Pulling his light brown sweater from his closet, Midorima changed into his white turtleneck shirt and black pants. Silently closing the door to his room, he stole a glance at his father's office, and exited the house without another word.

It was pretty chilly outside, despite the fact that it was mid-summer. A considerable amount of time had passed ever since the complete breakdown of the Generation of Miracles had occurred. Akashi seemed like a new person in existence, and Murasakibara had isolated himself from the rest of the group (as if he wasn't isolated enough). Kise had drifted on, switching sides every now and then, as Aomine just disappeared from practices and games. Kuroko no longer talked to any of them unless absolutely necessary. Everything flowed this way, as if it had always been so.

Pushing open the door of the café, Midorima stepped inside, his hands in his pockets. Murasakibara was easy to spot in the unoccupied area, with his height and appearance. He had already proceeded to ordering a cup of mocha, as he had ordered something for Midorima. In which the green frowned, because he disliked other people choosing what he ate.

"You called?" Midorima sat down, and drowned his words of complaint as he saw that Murasakibara selected the month's special red bean soup for him. "It's so uncommon, for you to invite me in such mannerisms."

"I'm aware of that." Murasakibara grunted, leaning back down more comfortably on his chair. "I just… felt the necessity to report something to you."

"Is that so." Sipping his soup cautiously, the shooting guard savored the sweet, traditional flavor of the beverage. "I never realized that we were so close, you and I."

Twitching, Murasakibara held his chocolate milkshake tightly in his hands. "We aren't." But then his shoulders relaxed, as if the anger and infuriation was seeping out of his skin. "It was an inclination of the sort. It was Mido-chin who suggested the idea to me, after all."

Midorima listened, which the latter took as a signal to continue.

"I decided to cut ties with Kuro-chin." He said, and Midorima frowned. "The reason of me wanting to defeat Akashi lied in the core of my desire of wanting to bring the Generation of Miracles together. Kuro-chin was supposed to be the mere glue that stuck us together, and yet…" He twisted his lips to the side. "I got her involved too much in the process. I knew I needed to take responsibility somehow, which was why I…" He trailed off a little. "Well, anyway. I decided to cut ties with her."

"What do you gain from that?" Midorima inquired, not able to comprehend the purpose of his actions.

"Nothing, I guess." Murasakibara exhaled a breath of exhaustion – it was evident he had been stressing over this issue for quite a while. "I give up on trying to bring us together. It's not going to work anyway." Pause. "Ne, Mido-chin, I'm thinking about moving to Akita next year for high school. Yosen high school."

"Akita?" Midorima furrowed his brows. "That is quite far from here, isn't it?"

"It's five hours by train." Gaping, Midorima doubted his ears. "But I'm going to move. Of course, this incident is not the only cause of why I made such a decision, but after thorough contemplation, I decided this was for the best."

"But that's not solving anything." Midorima objected, "Focus on the problem, Murasakibara – what does eluding do?"

Now Murasakibara looked irritated. "Like I said, it does nothing. That's my point. I have no plans on making up for this, yes, it is my fault that Aka-chin's like that right now, and I apologize to downright tell you this, but I can't care any further. I don't think I'd able to handle more of this situation, as stupid as that sounds."

"At least you know it." Folding his arms, Midorima grumbled. "You're not the only one that's feeling distressed. Every one of us is. Just suck it up and –"

"I'm trying." The usually infantile male argued. "I tried. I endured all this time, just because I had a goal. You know it's impossible Mido-chin. You're smart enough to figure that out by yourself."

Painstakingly, Midorima agreed somewhere deep beneath. It was true. It was impossible to revert to their old selves. They have all come too far. "So you're saying, that since it's impossible, you're just going to chicken out of this dire situation?"

Murasakibara went wordless at that. It was not until after a few good seconds that he responded. "… It's not my business anymore."

Rage flashed within Midorima's eyes. He stood up, the chair violently screeching against the floor as he did so. "It was a mistake to take up your invitation today." He murmured under his breath. "I'll be going." His voice was cold, like a layer of ice. The lukewarm red bean soup was still in the mug, as Murasakibara placed his milkshake on the round table.

"That's another tie cut..."

Are you satisfied?

"Satisfied?" A somewhat chilly laugh echoed throughout the mansion. "Satisfied, indeed! I've finally obtained what I desired for so long, Akashi. Do you understand?"

I wouldn't. I can't comprehend your thoughts.

"That's pretty comical, considering the fact that we are the same person." The red head smirked, "I mean, it's paranormal, judging by this mere circumstance. Any sane human being would think you'd gone mad… No, would it be me? Us?" The rectified Akashi – his second persona – smiled discreetly.

We may physically be the same person. But otherwise, I refuse to accept the fact that you are me. Because you are not, Seijuro.

"Oh, but we are, Akashi." Seijuro slumped down on his leather chair. "You and I are very much the same person – even mentally. I'm just your different persona… Like I said, you just need to stay put, and everything will go as planned. I am stronger than you, and you are aware of that."

I acknowledge your strength, but not your personality as an individual.

"Says the me that has been undergoing daddy issues." Rolling his eyes, Seijuro twisted on the chair as he placed his wrist on the armrest. Then he paused for a second, as if he had remembered something. "By the way, who's that girl you have a crush on again? Tetsuya?"

… Why would you want to know?

"Well, it is bothersome if there is a physical reaction when I see her. But I have met her throughout practice and nothing of the sort occurred, so I suppose we are fine." Tapping his finger on the plastic surface, Seijuro closed his eyes.

Darkness enveloped the other. Another red head – another Akashi Seijuro.

No, was it the 'previous' Akashi Seijuro?

"What do you want?" Akashi mumbled quietly, a shadow looming over his head as he crouched in the corner. "If you wish to converse with me, just do it naturally. Just like you took over my body."

"You mean our body?" Seijuro stifled another laugh. "Sorry, that was rather ill-humored. I just find your reaction incredibly hilarious."

The other Akashi was silent as his newly revealed persona now spoke to him, him being the one in the spotlight, and now him in the darkness. The trap was that they were both Akashi Seijuro, and that was all what people seemed to care about.

"If you're concerned about what I'd do to Tetsuya, no worries. I won't touch her, or mess with her. Your desire is my desire, after all." Seijuro shrugged, but Akashi still remained quiet in the pitch-black vicinity. "Although, it is rather unfathomable to me of why you liked her, out of all girls with high intellect and grace in this school. So many better options were present, so why her?" Then he added, "You are like a me that I do not recognize."

"I can say the same thing back to you." Akashi replied, his head still stooped low. But then he looked up to face his other self.

"She was my Light."

"And?" Tilting his head to the right, Seijuro raised his left brow. "What else is so significant about her existence?"

Akashi did not answer.

A/N: Terrible place to end, I know. But hey, I tried.

This chapter was supposed to provide some small clues that would assist the plot of the sequel to this story. For example, if you are still like, "So… how did Murasakibara get to care about Kuroko?" Don't worry, you aren't supposed to know fully yet. In fact, I don't plan on uncovering many secrets until the sequel, so please stay tuned!

As I said above, I don't expect a lot of feedback from this chapter. But trust me, this chapter does matter. It'd be great if you guys can tell me how it was, even just a little.

Anyway, thank you!

Meiko