Tetsuya.

He has always been our favorite. Ever since he met him in the fourth gym and he exceeded all his expectations, he has been ourfavorite.

He looks cold and drenched from head to toe that I can't seem to distinguish between his sweat or the rain. He looks tired, he looks pale, he looks absolutely full of expression. This can't be the true Tetsuya, the emotionless Tetsuya that I had groomed to be, unless…

"Akashi-kun…" He calls out tiredly, seemingly surprised that I am still here. Understandable. I'm also curious as of why the phantom of my team is still here.

"You're still training? The others have gone to change quite some time ago." I explain to the teal-haired boy, who doesn't change his anguished expression. I see him shiver slightly before throwing my towel to his direction. "Dry yourself, it would be bad if you catch cold, after all."

The tealhead catch it wordlessly, but he doesn't use the towel at all, only standing straight and looking at my direction with an expression I do not teach him to have. I close my eyes before opening them again.

"Judging from your expression, it didn't work, yes?"

Tetsuya's eyes flits to the floor and stayed there, I can see tears threatening to pool in his blue eyes. Poor Tetsuya. "Yes…" He mumbles almost inaudibly.

"I see…" I exhale. "Well, there's nothing else we can do then."

Tetsuya didn't lift up his head, nor does he respond my words. He must be shaken up right now.

"Give up on Aomine." I say, finality seeping through my words as Tetsuya's eyes widens with disbelief. "Eh?" He gapes out.

"But the one who tells me to chase after him is Akashi-kun yourself…!" There is a barely heard high tone that I've never heard Tetsuya display. Not even before. "Yes, that is the last chance. But no matter how much we try to repair a broken porcelain, it will never be like how it was before. Although it can still be used. I'll definitely use him to my best capabilities…" Tetsuya's face was full of sadness, and somehow, it makes me uncomfortable.

"However, there's no need. We'll use him as he is now." Tetsuya trembles, his face is that of fear. "That's why, my dear, it must have been hard on you…" I step closer to my phantom player, but he takes a step back. "A-Akashi… kun?" Fear. He is fearing me. Why? Isn't the the same boy who had told me of his everlasting gratitude? Isn't he the same boy who always looks me in the eye and believe whatever I tell him to do? Isn't he my favorite? Mine not his.

"Wha… what are you saying, Akashi-kun…?" Another step forward, another step back. I see no respect that always linger in his eyes whenever he speaks to me. The very reason that he is my favorite… "No…" He stops, finally letting me close to him. "Who… are you?" His face is full of fear, full of disbelief, full of anguish. And I consider it beautiful.

Truly, Tetsuya, you are my absolute favorite. I find it very insulting that you even asked me who I am. Aren't I the one who lead you to your basketball? You belong to me!

A wide smile make its way to my lips as I put my hand on top of my chest. How insulting. But Tetsuya has always been our- and now my favorite. So it's all right.

"Of course I am Akashi Seijuurou," See me, my favored one. "Tetsuya."

Yes. Because you are no longer his Kuroko. You are my Tetsuya.