Kuroko no Basuke belongs to Fujimaki Tadatoshi

When they decided to go separate ways after two years of happily dating, they made an agreement:

"If the two of us, by the summer ten years from now, weren't attached to anyone, let's meet again; in this place, at this time, and let's get married; it doesn't matter who's going to propose first. But, if by then one of us, or even both of us, had someone by our side already, then let's just meet to give each other blessings."

Kuroko wasn't some naive guy who believed that the promise they had made was going to happen; that ten years after their painful break-up, their sacrifice would be paid off once they got to meet again, and that their feelings would still remain the same after those lonely years had passed, because in the end, he knew that the promise would be going to get broken eventually.

"It's nice to meet you again, Kuroko."

He hadn't changed; his voice, his facial features, his way of speaking, the way he looked at someone else, and the aura of authority he tended to hold—he was still as handsome as he was back then. Perhaps, he'd gotten a bit taller than the last time Kuroko remembered, but then again, he himself had grown a few inches over the past few years that their height difference wasn't that noticeable, just like the old days.

"It's nice to finally meet you, too, Akashi-kun."

Kuroko didn't know if they were already destined to meet again by accident, or their cruel fate decided to play dirty in making them reunite because three months before their childish promise could be fulfilled, they'd got to run into each other again.

He hadn't prepared for it; his heart hadn't prepared to meet Akashi again, with someone clinging onto him; someone else had already taken his place by Akashi's side.

She was beautiful; an elegant woman. She was definitely a perfect match for someone like Akashi, Kuroko should've known it from the start; their worlds were indeed different.

He wasn't going to ask who she was; it wasn't important, really, as he'd already known the answer.

"Is this your friend, Seijuurou?" she asked instead as she looked at him, judging him completely; it was as if she didn't believe that Akashi would know a plain-looking guy like him.

Friend? Were they friends? Kuroko himself wasn't sure. What were they? Ex-boyfriends, nothing more.

"Yes, Koharu." Akashi had replied indifferently, and he failed to notice Kuroko's stiffened figure.

Of course, Akashi would say that. He probably had erased all the memories about him—it wasn't like they were that important, anyway.

But, still, his heart ached upon seeing him act as if they were only acquaintances; as if he was only an old friend—even though it wasn't entirely wrong.

"What are you doing in there, Kuroko?" he continued, motioning at the kindergarten Kuroko had just walked out.

With a soft, low voice he hoped would cover up his sadness, Kuroko answered, "I'm working there, Akashi-kun."

"Really?" Akashi looked momentarily surprise, but not even two seconds later, a small, sincere smile appeared on his face. "Congratulations, Kuroko. You've wanted to be a kindergarten teacher for so long, haven't you?"

"Yes, thank you, Akashi-kun."

Kuroko wasn't stupid. Even after ten years had passed, his heart was still beating for Akashi.

But, it seemed like Akashi had forgotten their promise, as he'd had someone by his side already, and Kuroko wasn't one to meddle in other people's relationship, so it might be the best for him to let go of Akashi.

And the feelings that'd always remained in him.