Omake 2: Kuroko's birthday
Takao knew he had to be stealthy to accomplish his mission. It wasn't every day that a cute girl from Too High asked him for a favor.
It was a chilly morning this last day of January and Takao shivered slightly under his thick winter jacket. Today he was riding his bike with the massive trailer.
He had been parked on a corner a few houses away from Shin-chan's own house for a good twenty minutes now. He grinned boyishly, knowing that it would only be a matter of time before Shin-chan called him to request for whatever ridiculous lucky item he needed for the day.
His phone vibrated inside his pocket. Ahh - there it is...
"Takao." Midorima's voice was a bit shaky.
"Hnnn?" Takao asked in a sing song voice.
"Bring me some dried mushrooms."
Because of his mission he had to download that stupid Ohasa Asa daily horoscope app to know what the lucky item was for today. Takao was not a believer of horoscopes. He found it very very silly that a piece of writing would determine your destiny on a daily basis. BUt his boyfriend was a sucker for that thing. So meh. Besides, he needed to be able to lure Shin-chan to the park, like what Momoi requested.
"I've got it right here. I'm waiting on the corner lot from your house."
Midorima was mildly surprised. "You do? How did you know I'd need dried mushrooms?"
Takao grinned cheekily over the phone. "It's not so bad knowing what you would need some days. Come on, move up that lazy butt and get over here. I'm on the corner lot near your house."
xxXXooxxXXooo
"Where are we going? This is not the way to the school," Midorima groused, while riding on the trailer behind Takao's bike.
"Oh would you just zip it? We're almost there," Takao shot back, his pedalling slow and steady. He loved MIdorima with all his heart but he was a 79 kilogram monster who was not easy to cart around on a bike.
After a few more minutes of biking Takao could see a girl witha pink pony tail, surrounded by two tall guys and one smaller boy. There they are!
Takao could see the pink haired Momoi handing Seirin's phantom Kuroko a pink scarf, most probably a gift for a special occasion. Something tugged at Takao's hearstrings. It would be nice if he could also give a scarf like that to Shin-chan, even in the middle of the day without anyone teasing them. Sigh, must be nice indeed...
He stopped pedalling in front of the group, the bells on his bike clinking noisily. "Hey hey hey!" Takao called out. "Thanks for waiting!"
Kise was startled. "Takao-kun and - "
"Midorin!" Momoi squealed.
And sure enough, Midorima was slumped unhappily on the trailer. "Oi, Takao. I only told you to buy me my lucky item."
Takao tried to hide his goofy smile, pretending to be annoyed. "Yeah, yeah. You're not getting it until you get out." Takao held out a plastic wrapped packaging of dried mushrooms. He turned to Momoi. "As promised, I brought him here."
A wide smile spread across the cute girl's face. "Thanks, Takao-kuuun!"
Midorima had to choice but to step out of the trailer and get with the group so he could have his blasted mushrooms. He scowled at Takao, who was grinning at him from ear to ear. "Why do you have Momoi's number?"
Takao shrugged. "Not important. Just go play with the guys and have fun, okay?" Absent-mindedly, he reached out and squeezed Shin-chan's upper arm. It was more of a reflex to do that, touching Midorima any way he could everytime he had the chance.
Instead of swatting his hand away, like what the other Miracle boys expected, they watched quizzically in the sidelines while Midorima stepped closer - very very closer to Takao and leaned down to him to say something to him.
Takao was alarmed. Midorima was getting waaay to close in the middle of broad daylight, while other people were watching. He leaned away as fast as he could. "What?!"
Midorima's glare was unrelenting. "Why do you have Momoi's number?"
"Whaaat?!" Takao was flabbergasted. He didn't have any idea why Shin-chan was asking him that right at that moment. Takao looked uncomfortable, sliding his gaze towards Momoi, Kise, Aomine and KUroko, all looking expectant.
Takao whispered furiously to Midorima. "What are you doing? You can't come near me like this when other people are watching."
Midorima was still glaring down at him. Finally, after another second, which felt like eons to the smaller point guard, he straightened and pushed his glasses up. "I'll call you when we're done playing."
Takao had to roll his eyes. Way too out there to announce that he would be calling. That earned a snicker from Aomine. "Oi oi oi, you'll call Takao after our game? How clingy can you get, dude?"
Before Takao could feel his blush creep from his neck to his face, he turned his bike around and waved. "Have fun, guys!"
Midorima watched his lover's retreating back affectionately, his eyes soft.
When Takao was gone, Midorima faced his former team mates, a hard resolute look on his face. He adjusted his glasses. "Well, as long as I'm here, I suppose I must participate."
Aomine quipped, "You're a difficult one, aren't you?"
Midorima just glared at him.
xxxooXXXooo
Takao knew he didn't have anything better to do today. He was not in a mood to go to school to practice, since it was their break from school club activities. And besides, Midorima was not there. Thinking back now, he supposed he could have stayed at the park to watch the Miracle players play against each other. How cool would that be, to be able to watch Shin-chan play a magnificent game with talented players like him?
But Takao opted to give them their space and privacy to enjoy their exclusive match. Besides, as Midorima had so nonchalantly announced to the world, they would talk again later.
As he was biking he came across a clothing store with a huge glass window, where so many jackets and other articles of clothing were displayed. Takao was honestly not interested, until his eyes landed on a piece of cloth.
At once, Takao remembered what he saw Momoi give Kuroko as a gift. Even without meaning to, he pressed the brakes of his bike in front of the store.
It took him very painfully long to get the gift wrapped, slightly blushing at the counter. Good thing the cashier was not nosy enough to ask him if the scarf was for his cute little girlfriend. It was blue gray in color and anyone could simply think it was something Takao was buying for himself. But the scarf already came in a set gift box, so obviously, anyone who could see would know he would give i gift to another guy.
Takao wished he didn't look too self conscious, buying another guy a gift like that. If anyone asked him, Takao would say it was for his brother.
When he was satisfied and his gift was safely tucked in a paper bag on his trailer, he went on his way.
After a while, he saw a tall figure from a distance, staring intently at a city map, unmoving. Takao squinted, realizing that he had already seen this stranger somewhere.
Clink! Clink!
He stopped right behind the tall guy with the long black jacket. "Huh? I knew you looked familiar. You're Himuro from Yosen, aren't you?"
Yōsen High's second year shooting guard turned back to the boy on his bike with the gigantic trailer. "You're Shutoku's Takao, right?"
"Yeah." Takao was curious. "What's a guy from Akita doing out here?"
Himuro sighed forlornly. "As you can see, I'm lost."
"Lost?"
Himuro suddenly looked at the strange looking trailer. "What are you doing with that thing?" he asked, pointing at it.
Takao laughed. "I had a delivery to make."
That earned him a snicker from Himuro as well. Takao straightened on his seat. "I know this area well. If you're lost, want me to show you the way?"
"Thanks. Taiga's explanation was a bit rough," Himuro said gratefully. He showed Takao the funny looking map where Kagami's address was supposedly sketched.
Takao could very well understand why the Yosen's guard got lost. The little map was utterly useless. Kagami might as well have given him a math scratch paper.
Midorima had one heck of a great time playing with all the members of the generation of Miracles. They were all there! He may never admit it to anyone but he did enjoy playing with these guys. They brought out the best in him, and he did get a crazy work out, which he knew would benefit him in the end. A good practice always made perfect.
Even when Momoi requested for a silly group picture, no matter how much of a hassle it was, his good mood was not dampened.
As the get together was winding down, and everyone was talking about their plans, Midorima reached for his phone to call Takao. He waited after hearing several rings. But Takao did not come to the phone. Eyebrows crossed, he turned off his phone. Strange. Takao would always take his call no matter where he was or what he was doing.
Midorima did not know how sullen he looked until Aomine barked, "What's with the long face? Your boyfriend Takao is not picking up?"
The other boys laughed good naturedly. Midorima knew this group was a bunch of good guys, and if he slipped with that information he could count on them to not be prejudiced towards him. But he knew Takao would never get over the embarrassment. Takao was always the extra conscious one in their relationship, always afraid that someone would misconstrue their skinship as something more. Although, admittedly, Takao was the touchier of the two, Takao always made his touches look gruff or brotherly.
But sometimes, when Takao would squeeze him or touch his shoulder, Midorima would forget and he would lean down on Takao, just to be able to sniff the cologne he was wearing. So Takao was forever pushing him up and away from him. Takao may be the one to instigate the skinship, but Shin-chan did not shy from making sure he also got a good squeeze, or a brush of his nose on top of Takao's head.
Midorima rolled his eyes at the boys. "I'm going home."
Kuroko raised his hand towards him. "We're going to Kagami's house today. I'd be happy if you could come with us."
The green haired prodigy looked around at everyone's encouraging faces. They all sincerely looked like they did want him to come with them. "Hn." Midorima looked at the phone in his hand. He had already called, but Takao did not call back, nor send a message. Where was he?!
xxxoooXXXooo
Takao was enjoying himself in Kagami's apartment, surrounded by the Seirin team and the newcomer Himuro. He watched in amazement as Kagami and Himuro did a cook off, filling the table with their sumptuous dishes. Especially the guard from Yosen, he was impressively skilled in making carpaccio. Not only was he an ace in basketball, he also made sure to give everyone a good show of his cooking.
After he was done, he asked Kagami, "By the way, how's Alex?"
Kagami searched on his phone for Alex's photo. "She really seems to have taken a liking to Japan." Then he showed everyone a photo of a naked blonde submerged in the waters of a steaming hot spring.
Naturally, all mouths drooled and all eyes bulged as the boys rushed to Kagami to ogle the photo on his phone. It was not everyday that naive high school boys could actually see a photo of a woman - an actual woman naked in the hot springs.
It was only Takao who did not join the ruckus, not even remotely interested in looking at a naked girl, when he would have a perfectly naked body waiting for him at home -
Takao fell from his seat. He forgot about the game and Shin-chan. He was having a grand time here with the guys and he forgot about the time. His phone was in his jacket which was hung on the coat rack. Midorima hurriedly searched for his phone. His face blanched.
Five missed calls and a few messages.
Takao scratched his head. No one in his lifetime would ever believe him if he said that among the two of them, it was Midorima who was actually the clingy and needy type. Oh, he would never hear the end of it when Shin-chan caught up to him.
The door bell rang. It was the goofy Furihata who answered the door.
And fairly fainted, upon seeing the generation of Miracles lining up outside the door.
Kuroko casually announced, "I brought my friends."
After that was pandemonium as everyone greeted everyone else. Akashi introduced himself to the Seirin bunch, as if the boys from Seirin did not spend every waking minute of their lives during the Winter Cup, thinking of ways how to beat him and his team at Rakuzan. Akashi could be charming at times, when he felt like it.
Takao gasped when he realized Shin-chan was among the new comers who stepped into the Living room. There Midorima was, the most perfect and handsome guy to ever walk this side of the planet, scowling darkly at him. Takao bit his lip, knowing his gigantic needy boyfriend needed some pacifying.
"Takao, what are you doing here?"
"Shin-chan, you're here. Boy, this is great! So chaotic."
Midorima simply glared at him. Takao walked over to his gloomy looking Miracle and intentionally bumped his shoulder. Only, because Takao was so short, he was only able to bump Shin-chan's arm. In a low voice, he whispered, "Sorry I didn't pick up the phone. It was on silent and it was in my jacket."
Midorima awkwardly adjusted his glasses. "Fine. As long as you're okay."
Takao frowned. "Why wouldn't I be okay?"
"You didn't answer and I thought you and your bike crashed onto something - "
"Awww, that's one sweet way of saying you care about me. And that I'm stupid and clumsy." Takao was grinning up at him like an idiot.
Midorima would never be able to hold his mild annoyance at Takao over not picking up his calls. One smile from the smaller guy and Midorima could forget his name. Reaching down, he ruffled the top of Takao's hair affectionately. "Don't make me worry again."
"Hmm, 'kay," Takao replied, enjoying the touch so much he came close to purring like a cat.
The two of them were oblivious to everyone present in the room. In the midst of the loud rambunctious reunion of rival players (outside the court), Midorima and Takao had a private joyous celebration of their own, lounging farther in the room, away from the others, Shin-chan's big palm resting on the small of Takao's back.
With soft expressions on their faces, they watched as introductions were made; Kagami and Aomine squabbled over some hentai magazines and everyone fussed over Seirin's puppy Nigo.
XxxooxxOxx
They all greeted Kuroko happy birthday and ate their hearts out. Even when Shin-chan found out that his lucky item was missing and that Himuro used the dried mushrooms in the hotpot, he did not erupt in white hot anger, seeing that Takao had a great laugh over Himuro's error. Grudgingly, Shin-chan kept quiet, trying to calm himself as the other boys completely poured the mushrooms into the hotpot.
"Sssh, you don't need that anymore, do you?" Takao whispered to him. "It's gone and we're still here. Everything's cool, Shin-chan."
The giant rolled his eyes. But he couldn't help but agree. He would trade all his luck in the world just to be able to have this kind of peace in his life. With Takao.
After the party, all the guests thanked Kagami for his food and hospitality. They were all high school kids so everyone was sober when they went home.
Shin-chan plopped down on Takao's bike trailer and Takao happily wheeled him away to his house.
In front of the Midorima's residence, Takao parked his bike, gesturing his passenger out. It was a lovely evening. Chilly but bearable. "Sooooo... See you at practice in school tomorrow?" Takao called out.
Midorima stepped closer to him. "Aren't you coming inside?"
Takao shook his head. "Naah - it's late. Your mom wouldn't like it when I'm always here almost everyday."
Midorima's lip actually curled in a pout. "Tskk... She won't mind."
"Shin-chaaan," Takao objected, his resolve crumbling.
Midorima looked back at the rickshaw. There was a small paperbag sitting inconspicuously in the corner. "What's that?"
The smaller boy frowned. "N-nothing." Giving a scarf to another boy, after thinking on it, seemed really girly so Takao had decided against it. He just decided to take it home and use it himself.
Midorima narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend, crossing his arms on his chest, waiting for a more plausible explanation. "Well?"
"Tskk!" Takao muttered, reaching for the paperbag. He grimaced as he took the medium sized box out of the paperbag and gave it to Midorima. "I was passing by the store and saw this. It's just that - I saw Momoi giving Kuroko a scarf earlier... And this one, when I saw the color I knew it would match your eyes..."
Shin-chan reverently held the box with his nimble fingers, unsmiling, but his green eyes were shining with unspoken elation.
There, in the dim light of their front porch, Midorima's arm snaked around Takao's waist and pulled him closer to his hard chest. "Come inside," he grated out to Takao.
"W-we can't..." Takao whispered, as heat crept all over his body, his heart hammering inside his chest.
Midorima brushed his thumb gently on Takao's sweaty upper lip. "I want to kiss you."
Takao could not help but blush all the way to the tip of his hair. Shin-chan's eyes were so earnest with affection that it was making him feel all gooey inside. Shin-chan could turn his mind into mush with just a few words.
But Takao wanted to hold his ground. It was bad enough that he was embarrassed by the fact that he was always staying in Midorima's house, he also did not have a change of clothes.
"Please." It was the barest of whispers, but that one request coming from Shin-chan shattered his weakening resolve.
Takao hung his head. "Fine. Where should I park my bike?"
Midorima showed him where and the two boys went inside the gate.
Today was time spent well with former team mates and new found friends.
But the night. The night was solely theirs to enjoy and savor.
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Hello guys. It's been 10 years hahaha. I just wanted to know if I've still got it. I don't know, I'm older now but none the wiser. I just re-watched Kuroko on Netflix and thought about writing another omake. I still get reviews and kudos and likes up to now for this fanfic and I will be forever grateful to you babies for enjoying my work. Thank you ~~~~