As soon as Ogiwara whistles, Kuroko stumbles out of his bed in a rush, nearly falling to his face in his haste as he clings to Ogiwara, shaking him and bombarding him with questions that spill from his lips. Akashi jolts awake with a start, half kicking the blanket off. It only takes two seconds for Akashi to discern Ogiwara snickering, curses flying out of his mouth.

"What do you mean Kagami-kun's coming back, he never told me, he never said, he—he said he wasn't going to come back this summer!" Kuroko blurts, everything spilling out at once, his voice growing higher with distress and confusion.

"Hey, hey, calm down," Ogiwara reassures, resting a hand on Kuroko's shoulders. "Take a deep breath."

"Fuck you, Shigehiro," Akashi curses in the background, but he goes largely ignored. Unfortunately for Akashi, he's not half as threatening when he still looks half asleep and his hair sticks up in so many ways that it makes him look like a cat that had discovered static electricity. "Why do you have to go waking me up, as well?"

"You deserve it," Kuroko interjects, crossing his arms across his chest. "Do you not remember yesterday, Akashi-kun?" Piercing blue eyes stare Akashi down until the redhead finally caves in, huffing in defeat. "Why didn't he tell me, Ogiwara-kun?"

"He wanted to surprise you," Ogiwara shrugs, scratching his chin. "Come to think of it, I kind of feel like I shouldn't have told you at all. Would've made the surprise more grand."

"Liar," Kuroko breathes. "Why didn't I, why did he, oohh that kid is going to get it." Back before Kagami had left last summer and they had exchanged promises, sealing it with a fistbump, Kagami had told him: I'm going to Los Angeles, he had said. I won't be coming back next summer. Five summers together and Kuroko would have to spend this one alone...But now, hearing that Kagami would be coming back after all, his heart pangs with indescribable joy. "There's no way, is this for real...?"

"What the hell is going on?" Akashi mutters, annoyance lacing his tone. "Kagami?" His voice sharpens when he hears the name.

"Kagami's coming back! I'll finally have good company!" Kuroko sings gleefully, raising his fist in victory.

Crimson eyes narrow and Akashi purses his lips."Kagami — Kagami Taiga?" he asks. Surprised, Kuroko's nods his head tentatively. There was no doubt that the two red heads were talented, national level players that were both highly praised and sought after, but the two of them knowing and talking in real life seemed too weird to Kuroko.

"Huh," Akashi says. The sheets around him wrinkle a bit as his hands clench at the bed cover for a fleeting second "I met him at Nationals, last year."

Ah. That made sense. Kuroko hadn't watched Interhigh or the Winter Cup last year, nor had he bothered to research the opposing team that went against Kagami's school. He hadn't even touched basketball magazines, for fear of sentimentality and nostalgia striking too close to home. Had he only walked to the convenience store to pick up Basketball Monthly, flipped through the pages, scanning for red and have stopped at the a large glossy picture of a redhead that was not Kagami, but a boy with beautiful heterochromatic eyes and a piercing glare. Larger than life, Akashi Seijuro, the caption would have read, along with details about his natural basketball talent, how he had led his team to victory. Maybe, Kuroko would have even admired Akashi from afar, and longed to be like a player as good as him. But now, Kuroko can only nod dumbly at Akashi's words. There were so many things in the city that he had missed out on and that he had never bothered to catch up on. Did Kagami grow taller? Did he win games often? What number was his jersey? Could he jump higher now? Did he still eat twenty burgers? Questions spill in Kuroko's head and they don't stop.

Akashi continues, "It'll be interesting to see him. His team put up quite a fight in the Interhigh last year. Although, my school emerged victorious in the end. After all, I never lose."

"Yeah, yeah, you're absolute" Kuroko waves dismissively. He doesn't have time to listen to any of Akashi's self-proclaimed monologs about being the greatest. The only words that echo in his mind so prominently now are Kagami's coming back, Kagami's coming back. It meant staying up late watching Space Jam. Cooking a dinner that could feed four between the two of them. Eating ice cream cones and buying so much from the convenience stores that they've built a little reputation for themselves. All those little things that he associated with summer but had been impossible without Kagami's presence were suddenly all within reach again. "What time is he arriving?"

"Seven. In the morning." Laughing at the shock on Kuroko's face, Ogiwara claps him on the shoulder. "Well, you have one more hour until he comes. Aren't you glad I came to wake you up now?"

"My parents —"

"—aren't here. Remember?"

"Oh." Caught off guard for a moment, he feels rather sorry for his parents. Having left for Osaka, they had unknowingly succumbed themselves to their worst nightmare: including Ogiwara, they had left four teenagers under the same roof, without adults.

"You're really not lying about Kagami-kun coming back?" Kuroko demands again, confirming the truth.

"Relax, Kuroko. Your light is coming back," Ogiwara laughs. "Who knows for how long. One day. Two days? I'm kidding, I'm kidding, he's staying for almost the rest of the summer."

"Oh my god—"

"Yeah, well, get dressed. You, too, Akashi, oh come on, no need to look at me like you want to murder me, I'm just trying to lighten the mood — okaaaaaaaay, I'll be downstairs making breakfast!" Ogiwara hastily walks out of the room after he sees Akashi's expression, giving a brief, cheery wave before slamming the door shut.

Akashi eyes the door in disdain before standing up and stalking over to the closet. Kuroko sits back down on the edge of his bed, and he can't stop the smile from stretching across his face until he's grinning himself silly.

Across the room, Akashi makes a noncommittal grunt and slams the closet door open, ripping his clothes off the hangers with more force than necessary.

"Is everything okay, Akashi-kun?" Kuroko asks, raising an eyebrow when Akashi takes off his shirt and flings it to the ground, almost angrily.

"Yes," Akashi replies evenly. It's almost impressive, how well Akashi can conceal things with his voice. Almost. To Kuroko, it hurts in more ways than one. "I'm just a bit unhappy at being woken so early in the morning for, for—"

"For?"

"A — an—" Akashi drops his shoulders slightly before finishing his sentence, as if there was something he had held back from spitting out, before picking up his shirt from the ground."Forget it," he huffs, "I shouldn't have said anything. Sorry. Forget it."

"Do you—"

"Hey," Akashi says, flinging a shirt at Kuroko's face. "What are you still chattering for? Get dressed. Your best friend's coming, right?" He offers an amiable smile and Kuroko drops the topic, seeing how quickly Akashi's mood had changed.

Kuroko holds up the black shirt in his hands and very carefully points out, "Akashi-kun, this isn't my shirt." Akashi freezes for a moment at his blunder before he reaches inside the closet to pull out a new shirt for Kuroko.

"Shit, well then, don't touch it. You'll contaminate it," Akashi jokes, flinging the new shirt at Kuroko. "Here, toss my shirt back."

"Your shirt is rather nice," Kuroko comments offhandedly, ignoring Akashi's comment. He runs his hands down the soft fabric and looks at back of shirt and rolling his eyes when sees 'Calvin and Klein' emblazoned on the tag. Trust Akashi to have a fancy wardrobe filled where even his t-shirt cost more than Kuroko's whole outfit. "Actually, can I wear this instead? It's much nicer than my shirt."

"It—It'll be too big," Akashi says, a bit too quickly. There's a tinge of pink splashed across his cheeks that's barely noticeable and Kuroko almost mistakes it for a trick of the light.

"You're only a couple of centimeters taller than me."

"Black isn't your color."

"I've been told I look fantastic in black, thank you very much."

"It'll be weird," Akashi lies. Kuroko narrows his eyes at how transparent Akashi was being.

"I don't think so," Kuroko shrugs. "Kagami-kun lets me wear his clothes a lot."

"I—what?" Akashi asks, swallowing thickly. He averts his eyes and stares resolutely at his closet. "Fine. Wear it, then, since you're so insistent."

A small smile adorning his lips at his victory, Kuroko changes out of his own shirt and slips on Akashi's own. It was very nice.

As he plays with the hem of the shirt, waiting for Akashi to finish changing, Kuroko glows at the knowledge that he'd no longer had to grit his teeth, counting down the days privately, wallowing in self-pity and loneliness without Kagami. It would no longer be a summer without someone to share ice cream with, to play basketball with, to...

His head snaps up when he sees Akashi walking out of the room and out of impulse before he can stop his mouth, Kuroko calls him back. Oh, he thinks, biting his lip.

"Yes?" Akashi asks, glancing over his shoulder, hand hovering over the door knob.

"I'm really glad," Kuroko says, beaming, "that you came this summer, Akashi-kun."

It's already six fifteen by the time Akashi and Kuroko walk into the kitchen for breakfast.

"What's for breakfast?" Kuroko asks, surveying the kitchen.

"That is a good question," Ogiwara agrees, folding his arms.

"You didn't make anything," Kuroko deadpans.

"Well," Ogiwara starts. "I actually just wanted to get out of the room before Sei-san killed me."

"Don't call me that."

"I think it's cute," Ogiwara supplies unhelpfully. Akashi looks like he wants to strangle something.

"Anyways," Kuroko says, pulling Akashi back a bit. "Breakfast. We can do this. I have pancake mix and fruit and eggs."

In the end, they decide that Kuroko's in charge of the eggs, Akashi the pancakes, and Ogiwara, the fruit.

"I want my eggs sunny side up," Ogiwara says.

"Okay," Kuroko agrees.

"I want mine scrambled," Akashi calls, flipping a pancake in an annoyingly perfect fashion.

"No," Kuroko says.

"Wh —"

"Rejected!" Ogiwara shouts, tossing an apple core into the trash can.

"I'll make Akashi-kun's egg sunny side up since he's always such a frowny brownie," Kuroko mocks, cracking an egg and watching it sizzle.

"What?" Akashi asks incredulously. "I'm not a sad dessert!"

"Smile, Akashi-kun, it makes you look so much better," Kuroko laughs.

"Excuse me," Akashi grumbles, pouring more batter onto the pan. "I always look good."

"Say, Kuroko, I just noticed this but," Ogiwara says, peering at Kuroko. "That shirt's kind of big on you. You sure you bought the right size?"

In the middle of flipping the pancake, Akashi jerks the pan back and the half ready pancake falls on the stove with a splat. Akashi stares at the half sizzling pancake, the back of his hand pressed to his mouth as he looks down.

"Sei-san, don't be so clumsy — hey, are you ok? You're, like, really red—"

"Ogiwara-kun," Kuroko chimes in warningly, although his voice is laced with amusement.

"Oh my gosh, are you blushing, Sei-san —" Ogiwara raises an eyebrow, eyes darting between Akashi and Kuroko and he sees that both of them seem equally embarrassed; Akashi's face red and Kuroko seemingly very focused on making eggs. A smile unfurls.

"Shigehiro, I'll personally see to your murder if you don't shut up right now," Akashi growls, turning the stove off and peeling the pancake off the surface of the stove.

"Sooorrrrry," Ogiwara drawls, returning to the apple he was cutting and whistling.

By the time they're done cooking, it's six forty and Kuroko was getting restless in his seat. He pokes at his breakfast, shoving the food around but refusing to eat any of it. His stomach's making tumultuous flips and with each passing second, he's sure his heartbeat is growing louder. Every few seconds, he throws a not-so-furtive glance at the clock until Ogiwara finally butts in that time wasn't going to move faster if he kept staring the clock down.

Kuroko half inhales his breakfast in the end, shoveling pancakes and eggs down his throat in such a fashion that even Ogiwara looks concerned for his health. By the time it's six fifty, Kuroko all but throws his plate into the sink with a clatter, washing his hands hastily and running into the living room where he plants himself in front of the bay window, looking outside at the driveway.

"He's that excited?" Akashi says in disbelief, glancing over at Kuroko from the dining table.

"Yeah, they're like...the bestest of friends," Ogiwara shrugs. "Kagami's helped Kuroko through some of his hardest times, you know. Kuroko was heartbroken when Kagami said he was going to pursue basketball at a high school in the city...but he would never hold Kagami back."

The two of them are quiet, except for the scraping of forks against the plates before Akashi clears his throat and breaks the silence.

"Did they ever," Akashi asks, fork halfway to his mouth before he sets it back down as if having second thoughts, "uh. Date."

"Hmm," Ogiwara hums. "I'm not sure."

"Oh," is all Akashi says at first. And then: "Is Kagami going to be staying here?"

"Yeah, probably," Ogiwara says, draining his glass of orange juice in one go. "He has his own apartment and everything, that his parents never really sold, but it gets lonely. Plus, Kuroko's parents adore him."

Suddenly, from the living room, Kuroko gives a half-suppressed shriek of excitement, rushing to the door and unlocking it in a haste. Akashi and Ogiwara exchange glances before following Kuroko to the door, where he had run out without shoes, colliding with a tall, red-haired figure making his way up to the driveway with a suitcase in tow. Kuroko flung his arms around Kagami, hugging him tightly and Kagami grunts in surprise, chuckling as he hugs back.

"Hey man," Kagami greets, patting Kuroko's back. "It's good to be back. You smell like the country." Kagami laughs, as he lifts Kuroko up slightly so that the other boy's feet dangled off the ground. Tears prickle at Kuroko's eyes for the briefest moment before he blinks them back, welcoming Kagami's embrace.

"Yeah, well, you smell like home," Kuroko says, smiling so wide it hurts his face. Kagami lets go of Kuroko and the two of them exchange a small fist bump before making their way back to the house where Akashi and Ogiwara stood at the door frame.

"Woah. Akashi Seijuro. In the flesh. Here, in the country," Kagami says in surprise, peering at Akashi. "Still can't believe that you're here with Kuroko. I thought he was lying when he first messaged me."

"Kagami Taiga," Akashi greets smoothly, holding out a hand that Kagami takes. "I didn't expect to see you again until the next tournament, but you're full of surprises, aren't you?"

"Hey, thanks. You're freaking amazing at basketball. I'm glad I got to play a game with you during the Interhigh. Woah, Ogiwara! What's up!"

"We've missed you, Kagami," Ogiwara grins, all teeth. He knocks his knuckles against Kagami's own as well.

"Yeah," Kagami says, taking a deep breath. "It's good to be back."

"Now there are two city boys," Ogiwara says, nudging Akashi a bit too hard.

"Ow! — Oi, don't jab me in the ribs for no reason—" Akashi hisses, kneeing the back of Ogiwara's own knee.

"Yikes," Kuroko says, watching Ogiwara buckle slightly and try to regain his balance before falling down. "Kagami-kun, come in, and please don't step on Ogiwara-kun."

"Man, even spending all that time in the city, I really do prefer Japan's countryside," Kagami says, stepping into the house. "Maybe even over Los Angeles, and they have In-n-Out."

"Speaking of which, what did happen to going to Los Angeles?" Kuroko queries. "I thought you were going to get extra training."

"I did go," Kagami corrects, "I only stayed for a month, though. And then Alex kicked me back to Japan."

"Fancy that," Ogiwara says, jumping back on his feet. "I thought you would have wanted to stay in America as long as possible to play more basketball."

"Yeah, well, I told her—" Kagami glances at Kuroko out of the corner of his eyes with a warm smile, "—that I had to go see someone. She followed me here to Japan, though."

"Alex, huh?" Akashi muses, leaning against the door frame and crossing his arms, "Your coach?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah," Kagami confirms, looking over at Akashi at surprise. "You're the first person that hasn't assumed she was my girlfriend, or something."

"I have a friend who moved to Los Angeles, who knows Alex. He's told me about her," Akashi says with a shrug. "I must admit, I'm envious that you're able to receive such high level training."

"Hah, me and Tatsuya practically had to beg her back when we were little kids...Come to think of it, oi, you're enough of a monster without being trained by a NBA player. Hey, I won't lose to you again, you know!"

"Do you ever think about anything other than basketball and food," Ogiwara mutters.

Akashi's eyes flicker, traveling across the room for the briefest second before returning Kagami's gaze coolly. "Rest assured, I have no intention of losing either," he says, his lips curling into a small smile. "I look forward to spending the summer with you, Kagami Taiga."

"There are three of us and two beds," Kuroko says, as the four of them stand in front of the bedroom. "One of us sleeps on the floor."

"I'll sleep on the floor," Kagami offers, scratching the back of his neck. "I don't mind. It's summer anyways."

"But—" Kuroko protests, wringing his hands at their predicament. "I can sleep on the floor. You two are the guests after all."

"There's a couch downstairs," Akashi says, crossing his arms. "I'll sleep on that. Okay?"

Kuroko blinks at Akashi's selfless offer. His eyes narrow when he sees Akashi digging his nails into his arm the tiniest bit.

"Akashi-kun."

"I wouldn't want to intrude on your reunion," Akashi clarifies, smiling almost painfully.

"You wouldn't be," Kuroko says firmly. "I'll sleep on the floor."

"Two people could share a bed," Ogiwara says."Although, that would kind of be uncomfortable...trying to share a twin bed."

"I'm fine with the floor," Kuroko says in exasperation. "It's alright."

"If you're sure..." Kagami trails off when he sees Kuroko's expression. "Okay, okay, we get it."

"We should do something," Kuroko suggests, changing the subject "Staying in the house will be pretty boring."

"Let's go to an arcade!" Ogiwara pipes up, eyes brightening.

"We could play basketball," Kagami chimes in.

"Going to the park wouldn't be so bad either," Kuroko muses. "We could play frisbee or something."

They lapse into silence, no one wanting to give up ground on their proposed activity. Finally, Akashi breaks the silence, impatiently suggesting that the three of them play rock paper scissors. Kagami grins, cracking his knuckles and Ogiwara even rolls up his sleeves in preparation. It takes several competitive games with cursing before Ogiwara emerges victorious.

"You cheated, didn't you. You had to have!" Kagami says, staring in disappointment at Ogiwara's palm and down at his closed fist.

"Kagami-kun, you always throw in a pattern," Kuroko sighs. "Rock, scissors, rock, paper."

"I do?" Kagami blinks in surprise, glancing at his hand. "Fancy that."

"Arcade it is!" Ogiwara shouts, pumping his fist in the air. "Who's bringing money?"

"Idiot, don't go proposing to play games if you don't have money to spend on them!" Kagami grumbles, still disgruntled from losing in rock paper scissors to both Ogiwara and Kuroko.

"Heyyyy, Kuroko, my bestest friend, friend of friends—" Ogiwara sidles up to Kuroko.

"Nice try," Kuroko says. "Go find someone else to kiss up to."

"No worries," Ogiwara says, refusing to be put down just yet. He walks over, linking an arm with Akashi. "I have Sei-san."

"What the hell?" Akashi gapes, looking scandalized. He tugs his arm out of Ogiwara's stubborn hold. "Do I look like some kind of a sugar daddy—"

"You know," Ogiwara interjects casually, "Kuroko, the other day Sei— "

He doesn't get to finish his sentence as Akashi knees the back of Ogiwara's knee, yet again, this time much harder. Ogiwara crashes to the floor with a yelp as his leg gives out on him.

"Ouch, twice in one day?" Kuroko says, voice devoid of sympathy.

"You were saying?" Akashi says sweetly, looking down at Ogiwara, his voice dripping with threats and malice. Ogiwara merely laughs.

"What were you saying, Sei-san?" he fires back. Akashi purses his lips.

"...That I'll pay for your stupid games," Akashi relents and Ogiwara beams.

"Oh my god, a crane game!" Ogiwara shouts, ushering the other three boys towards the small game in the middle of the store, filled to the brim with stuffed animals. A group of kids were situated around another one right next to it, inserting coins into the slots and shaking the joystick everywhere that every attempt ends in a comical fail, the jaws of the crane missing every time.

"You act like it's your first time seeing one," Kagami snorts, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Nobody wins these things."

Stuffed bears with black button eyes stare at the teenagers through the glass, as if daring them to try their luck. Eventually, Ogiwara silently slides a coin into the machine and it lights up red and blue, the claw ready to move and the countdown clock starting.

"Go, Sei-san," Ogiwara cheers, pushing Akashi to the front. "You never lose, right?"

"Unfair," Akashi grimaces, though he takes a hold of the joystick.

"No way he can do it. These things are rigged," Kagami says confidently.

"You're just upset because you lost seven hundred yen at these machines last year," Ogiwara dismisses.

"Yeah, but you lost a thousand!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, you rice cracker."

Forty five seconds later and a few curse words uttered under his breath for the consideration of the kids right next to them, a teddy bear tumbles out of the machine and Akashi holds the toy up smugly.

"Ugh," Kagami says, looking rather peeved. "I'm pissed that I'm actually quite impressed."

The kids crowding around the machine next to them stand, shocked, as they look enviously at the bear in Akashi's hand.

"He got it in one try!" one of them squeals, peering over her friend's shoulders.

"Did he cheat?"

"Maybe he can do like, magic, or something," a boy grumbles. They shove each other around, poorly attempting to hide behind the machine, out of Akashi's sight, each of them coming up with 'fathomable' explanations for how Akashi had won the crane game so easily.

Kuroko coughs, catching the kid's attention, and he pushes Akashi forward, towards the kids.

"I'm bad with kids," Akashi protests quietly, trying to give the bear to Kuroko. Kuroko immediately pushes it back into Akashi's hands, giving him another shove.

"Oh no, he heard us," one of the boys says fretfully. "Is he mad at us for thinking that he cheated?"

Akashi crouches down to get eye level with them, and he gives them a soft smile.

"I'm not mad," Akashi clarifies, and he holds out the bear to the boy. "Here, you can have it."

"O—oh...are you sure, mister?" the boy glances at the bear tentatively, hand half outstretched before he decides to double check Akashi's confirmation. When Akashi nods, the boy squeals in glee, snatching the bear and hugging it close to himself. "Thank you, nii-san!"

"Nii-san?" Akashi blinks. He's momentarily speechless. "Well, it's no problem. What are your names?"

"I'm Takeshi," the boy says. "That's Ruri-chan and Kenta-kun." He points to the boy and girl half hiding behind him, who give shy waves in return.

"Hey, do I get a toy too?" Kenta pipes up, hopeful. Akashi turns his head back towards Kuroko, mouthing 'help, what do I do' and Kuroko giggles. He had forgotten that there were three kids and only one bear.

"Of course," Kuroko says, bending down next to Akashi.

"What," Akashi and Kenta ask in unison. "Really?"

"Akashi-nii-san is more than happy to win more toys for both you and Ruri-chan," Ogiwara chimes in, his voice teasing.

"I—" Akashi interjects, only to be cut off again.

"Thank you!" the kids chorus, eyes wide in excitement.

"Right," Akashi deflates, defeated by a couple of eight-year-olds, giving them a small smile. "Of course."

He turns back to give Ogiwara a death glare before walking back to the crane machine.

"Kagami, why don't we have a competition?" Akashi proposes, brandishing another hundred yen coin from his pocket and tossing it to Kagami. "First one to get a stuffed animal wins."

"You're on!" Kagami grins, stepping in front of the game. "Ready—"

"—set—"

"—go!"

A minute later, both of the red heads were holding teddy bears, hotly debating who had won the contest. Kagami looked considerably proud, having finally won the game on a whim and refused to back down. Ogiwara and Kuroko refused to interfere with their own opinions.

"I got mine in seconds before yours," Kagami protests.

"Mine came out of the machine first," Akashi retorts. "Which means I'd have to have dropped it in before you."

"Shh, it's ok," Ogiwara says placidly, patting the two of them on the shoulder. "We're all winners!"

"Ew," Akashi says, crinkling his nose. "That's so—"

"—did you hear that, we're all winners. Wait until my dad hears!" Takeshi beams to his friends, relaying Ogiwara's words. Something softens in Akashi's eyes, and he shuts up after hearing Takeshi's words, effectively ending the argument.

"Here you go," Akashi says, handing the bear to Kenta who cheers in joy. Ruri receives her from Kagami and she immediately unties the ribbon from her hair to tie around the neck of the bear. The kids thank them again, before dashing off to some other section of the arcade. The teenagers were left, standing there and arguing over where to go next. They cycle through the different options: video games, carnival games, ring toss, before finally settling on basketball. While Kagami and Ogiwara attempt to race each other to the mini game, Kuroko strolls along with Akashi.

"You're pretty nice after all, you know," Kuroko says. Akashi furrows his brow.

"If only I was as good as of a person as you think I am," Akashi shrugs. "Ow! Did you just pinch me?"

"No self-deprecation today," Kuroko scolds, jabbing Akashi in the ribs. "Or ever, preferably. But we'll start out with baby steps."

Akashi lets out a breathy laugh before flicking Kuroko on the forehead. "You're too good for me — ouch! I'm complimenting you!"

"You can do that without degrading yourself," Kuroko sniffs. "For instance: you're really kind. Or something like, I think you're really cute."

"I think you're really cute," Akashi echoes.

"Ah, I didn't mean to repeat after me..." Kuroko trails off. "Oh, whoops, come on! We're losing Kagami-kun and Ogiwara-kun." He pulls Akashi along and wills himself not to turn back because he doesn't think he can take the humiliation if Akashi was to catch the faint blush on his cheeks.

"You're really kind," Akashi repeats, talking to Kuroko's back, as he follows him through the arcade.

"Stop mimicking me," Kuroko murmurs, ears red. Akashi places a hand on Kuroko's shoulders, stopping him in his tracks.

"I wasn't," Akashi says, his low and serious. "I meant it."

"Which part of what you said?"

"All of it."