A/N: I know, I know, there are still a lot~ of fanfictions I need to update, but guys, I know you've gotten tired of the same theme I always use in my fanfictions, especially in KNB ones, so a reader of mine courageously suggested and asked me to try a new theme, so…I want to dedicate this story to eL Aqruello. Thanks for the suggestion and for private messaging me!

By the way, people, please try reading my other KNB Fanfictions entitled: 'Everlasting Requeim' (completed), 'Butterfly Effect' (Sequel of ER), 'Myself From Once Upon a Time' (Ongoing), 'Something Lost Will Never Return' (Ongoing), 'A CRAZY STORY!' (Hiatus, but still going to be updated), 'Tick Tock' (Super hiatus)

[This is a flashback.

This is the character's thoughts.

This is what is actually happening and what is actually being said.]

PLEASE REVIEW! :D

Hugs, cuddles and kisses,

LFMH021

"Tell the Clock to Stop Ticking"

Summary:

Kuroko just died because of an accident, but he was given a second chance to make things right by doing an important mission given to him: Everyone forgot all about him, and the thing he must do is make them remember, make even just one of them –ehem, Akashi perhaps?- remember before a year pass without letting them know he's dead or else. Will he be able to do it? Read and Review!

Chapter One:

"No!" I shouted and suddenly a blinding light was in front of me.

I think I heard several familiar voices scream my name. They also shouted the words: 'Look Out!'

But it was too late, I had already been in the middle of the road and then…everything blackened. It was like the world turned empty, it was like I was inside a void wherein I couldn't find any light or exit.

Even as I ran, ran and ran…all I saw was darkness. That's when I took a rest and sat down on the ground which I also couldn't see. I was panting but I felt like the world where I was at turned wider, larger, bigger, but it was still filled with nothing but darkness.

That was when I covered my eyes and started to cry. I couldn't do this anymore….and that was also when I gave up.

"No! Tetsuya!" I heard someone scream, but I was numb already and I reclosed my eyes because there was no turning back now. "Tetsuya! Wake Up! No! Don't you dare give up! Tetsuya!"

"Kuroko! Oi, Kuroko! Wake up, you bastard!"

"Kurokocchi! Kurokocchi, open your eyes! Kurokocchi!"

"Kuroko! Not today, your horoscope didn't say today was your day! Kuroko!"

"Tetsu, wake up, you idiot! Wake up, I said! Tetsu!"

"Kuro-chin…! Kuro-chin…! Not today, please…! Not today…You'll make a lot of people sad…Kuro-chin!"

"Tetsuya, can't you hear us? Don't give up, not today. Not today, I beg you. Tetsuya, think about the people you'll leave behind. Tetsuya!"

Was that a

Sorry everyone. I am really sorry.

"Tetsuya Kuroko! Tetsuya Kuroko, I said!" An unfamiliar voice shouted right at his right ear. Kuroko opened his eyes in surprise and abruptly sat up. "Good, you're finally awake."

He rubbed his eyes and looked around the place where he was at. The place was…well, white. Yes, somehow, that was the only was he could describe the place because he couldn't see anything but white. The whole place was filled with white!

"Where am I?" He mumbled in confusion as he stood up and looked at his own body. He was wearing the clothes he had when he died. But right now, it was clean and it looked like it just went out of the laundry. For the confusing part, for him to be precise, he didn't have any injury. He was…well, well.

"Who knows." A voice from behind him replied.

He turned and found a guy with orange-colored hair and caramel-colored eyes behind him. The guy was as tall Midorima and had the same built as Kise. His eyes were quite sharp and his posture was as confident as…Akashi. He was also wearing white casual clothes with no footwear. He held a rolled paper between his palms.

"Who are you?" He bluntly replied.

The orange-head blinked then smiled. "I'm Jikan." He replied.

"That's the Japanese of time, right?" Kuroko wondered a loud.

Jikan nodded.

"…Jikan-san, am I dead already?"

"Nope." The orange-head popped the 'p'.

Ok…that answer made Kuroko blink twice, then thrice. "Then…where exactly am I?"

"I already answered that with: 'Who knows' earlier, remember?"

"But—"

Jikan snickered. "Ok, to end your confusion, you're not dead yet, well you were but then you were given a second chance to live. Don't ask me why, I also do not know why, I'm just a messenger here. Ok, back to topic. The High Above gave you another chance to live because your death yesterday was not really his plan, it was a sudden change of track of your fate. And he almost let you in, in heaven until he saw the sorrow-filled expressions your loved one have as they gaze on your lifeless body. So, he decided to give you another chance to live. Yay!"

Kuroko just stared at him, emotionlessly.

The caramel-eyed frowned then pouted. "Geez, and here I was expecting any reaction from you. Anyway, I just want to add that there's a mission you must be able to do to truly gain your second and last life back."

"Mission?" The phantom-player repeated.

Jikan proudly nodded. "The Winter Cup has ended and the events that happened before will not repeat anymore. Unfortunately, this second life of yours…is not as similar as your first's."

"Why?" He mumbled.

"Everyone forgot all about you." Jikan soberly replied.

Now, that made Kuroko's eyes widen. "Everyone forgot all about me…? But then…how about being the sixth phantom player of Teiko, about being Aomine-kun's former shadow, about being Kagami-kun's current shadow, about being Seirin's phantom player, and about the Generation of Miracles being reunited after the Winter Cup…What about those things?"

"Yes, I did say that your last life will not be similar with your first's but that didn't mean that what happened before were all erased. Let's just say they all got amnesia. You were still Teiko's sixth phantom player but since you were a phantom player, no one, as in no one, ever knew you. They just remember they had a phantom player but forgot it was you. You were Aomine's former shadow but since he rejected your fist bump few months after you became partners…he forgot all about you. Kagami forgot you, he never knew he had a shadow, but he knew someone persuaded him to change his way of aggressive playing. You need to surprise Seirin that you exist. And yes, the MiraGen reunited again after Winter Cup, but they just did for an unknown reason and that unknown reason was you. It's just like you're a blank part or shadowed part of their memories."

"How about my relatives…and parents?"

"They remember you by name, but not by memories you shared with them." Jikan replied.

"It's like I'm starting all over again." Kuroko sighed in disappointment.

"Ready for the mission I was talking about?" The orange-head asked with a patient smile.

He nodded and listened attentively. "Yes."

"Well, this is what you need to do: You need to make even just one of them remember you and even just a memory they had with you in your first life. You need to make anyone among them to remember you existed before and that you shared memories with them. You need to make them remember you, Kuroko Tetsuya."

"…Make them remember…"

"Yes, but you have a time limit. You only have a year to do this mission or you'll really end up in heaven afterwards. No second chances if you fail this." Jikan elaborated. He placed a wristband around one of Kuroko's wrists. "This will let you know how much is left for you to complete your mission. It will also ring when you've already completed the mission given to you."

"I see." He mumbled as he touched it. It showed: 365 days.

"It's timer still hasn't started yet. It will when I drop you off back to Earth." Jikan explained and leaned closer towards the phantom player. "One thing you must remember: No one must ever know that you're dead. Yes, everyone forgot all about you, but your whole body is a little colder than a normal body does. You can eat, you can drink and do activities other people do…but the odd thing other people must not see about you is that you cannot go near anything too bright like fire, bright lights and etcetera because you'll be transparent especially when it's dark and there are only blinding lights. Remember Kuroko that you must not let anyone say the words: 'You're dead' or else your time will be up. Oh, to confirm that a person truly did remember you, he must be able to say the words: 'I remember you…you're Kuroko Tetsuya.'"

He gulped and nodded. "I fully understand." He replied.

Jikan smiled and patted his head. "I hope the best for you. Do your best. I'll be praying for your success. I hope I'll see you again not because you failed or because found out that you already died but because I'm granting you the second full life the high above gave you because you succeeded."

"I hope so too." Kuroko responded.

"Are you ready?" The orange-head queried as he held one of Kuroko's hands.

The latter nodded and he gasped internally when they were suddenly like inside an elevator which was so fast—it landed on the ground floor in a second.

Jikan laughed at Kuroko's bewildered expression. "Alright, your time starts now!"

~LFMH021~

He opened his eyes like an alarm clock rang loudly beside his ear. Kuroko then sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Was that just a dream…?" He mumbled.

He then noticed the weird and blank wristband around his right wrist and realized that no, he did not dream that. It truly did happen.

He looked around and found out that he was inside the public library, in the farthest and darkest part of it too. Now I know how great Jikan-san can be.

The teal-head closed the book which he was holding as he pretended to sleep. He blinked upon reading its' title: 'Please Tell the Clock to Stop Ticking!' by Anonymous. He stared at it before grabbing it and his things and walking towards the counter. "I would like to borrow this, please."

"For how many days, Sir?" The librarian replied.

"For a week, if possible." He responded and handed money as a advanced payment for the renewal of the book.

The librarian checked the book out and let Kuroko sign something before handing it to the latter. "Thank you, Sir."

He nodded and went out of the public library. He inhaled the fresh air which he missed and moved his fingers to verify if he was truly alive again.

Kuroko then headed towards the Magi Burger which was just in front of the Library and entered. He was looking around in awe when he accidentally bumped into someone. "S-so—"

"Look where you're walking, idiot." Kagami, yes Kagami, scolded at him as he held a tray of burgers and fries in one hand.

"Kagami-kun…"

"HUH? Wait, how did you know my name?" Kagami gasped.

He truly did forget about me.

"I'm studying at Seirin Gakuen too. I'm also your classmate, teammate in basketball and co-freshmen." Kuroko elaborated.

"Really? I think I've never seen you before." Kagami replied in confusion and inspected him. "Hm, I really can't remember you."

"That's because I possess misdirection and have a very low presence. In the school, I am just known by name. In the room, I'm just known as the ghost. In the team, I'm known as the phantom player. As a freshmen, I'm known as a former student of Teiko Middle School which was so well-known." He explained.

"Ah, really? Weird, still couldn't remember you. Anyway, Kagami Taiga. Have you played with us before? I mean we're teammates just like you said." He asked as they walked towards an empty table. "And you look weak."

"…Well, yes, I have played with you guys but like I said I possess misdirection. And I am the one who usually taps the ball to pass it towards others. Kuroko Tetsuya's my name." He replied and sat before Kagami after he ordered a vanilla shake.

"HEY, why are you sitting with me?! This is my seat!" Kagami demanded.

"Your name's not written on it, besides I'm your unknown classmate. Don't be so stingy, Kagami-kun." He replied calmly and sipped on his vanilla shake.

The red-head glared at him, but surrendered afterwards. "Geez, whatever."

After a moment of silence, he spoke again, "Can't you really remember me, Kagami-kun?"

The power forward looked at him then shook his head. "You seem familiar, but I am forgetful person so I really can't remember you."

He sighed. "You're such an idiot."

"HOW DARE YOU?! We just met!" Kagami growled and threw a crumpled container of burger at him. He dodged it and instead, it hit the one behind him's head. Hard. "Gah…" Kagami gasped.

Kuroko continued sipping on his vanilla shake before turning his head on the poor victim of a crumpled container of burger.

"Who the hell threw that?!" A loud voice grumbled. That voice seemed familiar. The figure behind him stood up and there he was: Hyuuga Junpei and his murder face. "Ah, Kagami! How dare you throw that thing on your senior's head?! Want me to throw you at a dump? Huh? DO YOU?!"

Kagami gulped and shook his head. "NO, NO, NO, I don't, captain! Besides, it was Kuroko's fault! Not mine!" He protested and almost cried in fright as he pointed at Kuroko who was still busy in finishing his vanilla shake.

It was the latter's turn to gulp when Hyuuga turned towards him and his face scared the hell out of him. "Oh, it was your fault then huh?!"

Kuroko replied, "N-No, captain, it was Kagami-kun who threw the crumpled container at me…it was only natural that I would be dodging it if necessary right?"

Hyuuga's face lightened. "Great point. Now, I fully understand what happened." He mumbled and the understanding face he had on turned into a surprised one. "WAIT, when did you appear there?!"

"I was sitting behind you since Kagami-kun sat on his seat." Kuroko cooly replied

"Huh? Who are you talking to, Hyuuga?" Riko asked as she approached the other Seirin members' seat with a new bucket of fries.

"Him." Hyuuga replied.

"Who?"

Hyuuga held him by his shoulders. "HIM!"

Riko looked down at Kuroko and then, "KYAAAAAAAA! A ghost!"

"Where?" Koganei asked.

"T-There!" Riko stuttered as she hid behind Hyuuga and pointed at Kuroko with shaky fingers.

"Where—GYAAAAAHHHHH!" The others shouted and hid behind Hyuuga as well.

"You bastards! Why are you hiding behind me?!" The bespectacled man demanded.

"Because you're the captain?" Izuki replied.

Kiyoshi who didn't look a bit surprised laughed and approached the teal-head. "You seem familiar. What's your name, Kid?"

"I'm Kuroko Tetsuya." He replied.

"Oh, now I remember." The founder of Seirin Basketball Club mumbled.

"You know him?" Tsuchida asked.

He does? Kuroko mentally gasped then realized that…why didn't his wristband ring—

Kiyoshi laughed. "Of course…Not."

He was then kicked out of the Magi Burger by not only Riko but also Hyuuga.

Kuroko sighed in disappointment.

"Geez, that bastard!" Hyuuga grunted then turned towards him. "YOU!"

"Y-Yes?" He gasped.

"TELL ME YOUR NAME! YOUR SCHOOL!YOUR SECTION! YOUR YEAR! YOUR CLUB TOO! HURRY IT UP!"

"I-uh-um, I am Kuroko Tetsuya. I'm also from Seirin High School. I am from 1-D (A/N: Not sure with that) I'm a freshmen. I am also part of the basketball team." He mumbled.

"YOUR VOICE WAS TOO LOW, TURN YOUR VOICE-WAIT, WHAT?! YOUR PART OF OUR TEAM?!"

And then next, Hyuuga was kicked out of Magi Burger because of his loud voice. Yes, by the manager himself.

Riko cleared her throat and then inspected Kuroko. "You're really part of our team?"

"Yep, and he said that he had played in games too." Kagami replied as he chewed a bite of his burger.

"Really?" Riko gasped and glanced at Kuroko for the second time. "I let it a weak-looking guy in the team…?" She mumbled.

Kuroko dishearteningly stared at her. "I heard that, coach. And it hurt."

The brunette blinked and bowed. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean it like that…I just…couldn't remember you."

No one does.

"Well, he said that possessed misdirection and that must be the reason why." Kagami filled in.

"Ohhh, my mind must be quite stressed with all our works that's why it temporarily couldn't remember you. Anyway, Kuroko Tetsuya right? Surely you know all of us so, uh, nice to meet you?"

He nodded in agreement and continued sipping his vanilla shake.

The others then grabbed the freshmen duo to chat with them. That's when Nigou went out of Koga's bag and approached him. "Arf!" He barked and licked Kuroko's face.

"Oh, Nigou likes you." Izuki mumbled.

Kuroko lifted the puppy and petted its' head. "Good dog. I missed you." He whispered and Nigou whimpered.

"Wait, now that I thought about it…why was his name Nigou anyway? Doesn't that mean number 2? I mean whose number 2 is he?" Koga mumbled which made the others think.

"You idiots! Wasn't it-wait, um…" Hyuuga, who secretly sneaked inside, grunted then trailed off.

Then they all just stared at the oblivious Kuroko as he played with their team's mascot. He looked so innocent, so pure, so carefree, so cute…and yet so familiar.

Why…?

Why does…?

Why does he…?

Why does he look…?

Why does he look so…?

Why does he look so familiar…?

"PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE STORE! GET OUT!" The owner of Magi Burger yelled and dragged them outside one by one.

~LFMH021~

Kuroko turned to a corner and stopped in front of a house with the sign: Kuroko Residence. He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

He almost sobbed upon seeing his mother. "Oh, Tetsuya! You're home early today! How was school-EH?" She gasped when Kuroko launched himself at her arms right after she opened the gate. "Hey, what happened? Are you alright, son?"

What surprised her more was when the teal-head started crying as he leaned his head against her chest and his hug tightened. "Mom…Mom…I missed you…" He sniffed.

She blinked, hugged her son back and smiled gently. "This is quite surprising but, I missed you too, Tetsuya. Come on, let's go inside and I'll prepare my dearest son his favorite dish." She whispered and walked with Kuroko as he continued sobbing on her chest.

Right after dinner with his parents, who apparently remembered him but didn't remember who his teammates, friends and anyone outside of their family, he headed towards his room which didn't change even just a bit.

He put his bag on the bed before approaching the bedside table wherein three frames were standing. A picture frame of him with his family. A frame of him winning their first nationwide tournament with his former Teiko Basketball Team Member, or simply the members of the Generation of Miracles…and a frame of him with Seirin when they won the Winter Cup just weeks from now.

But in the last two frames…he was magically erased. Supposedly he was beside Akashi on the Teiko photo but no one was beside Akashi and on the last one, supposedly he was beside Kagami but he disappeared on that photo as well.

Even the secret photo of him with Akashi…he magically vanished on it too and the one remaining in the picture was his former captain. He clutched it on his chest and silently wept.

He bit his bottom lip and hugged it tightly. "Akashi-kun…"

Tears continued streaming down his cheeks as he remembered each memory he possessed with each person in the pictures he possessed.

"Tetsuya!" He heard someone shout from meters behind him.

He blinked and turned. His face registered shock when Akashi suddenly approached him. "Akashi-kun…?"

"Iloveyou!" The red-head suddenly shouted. Good thing, no one was passing that road right now.

"…What?"

"I said I love you!" Akashi grunted and unexpectedly took hold of his hands. "Kagami Taiga told me that he was about to confess to you tomorrow and you know how competitive I am…and besides I don't want to lose you…so I ran here to tell you that I love you."

He stood there, speechless. "Um…? I'm speechless."

Akashi sighed. "I really hate how unresponsive you can be. Here, let me help you." He grumbled and pecked a kiss on the teal-head's lips. "How's that?"

For the first time of the red-head's life, he saw Kuroko's face turn beet red.

"Akashi-kun, you idiot." Kuroko grunted as Akashi laughed at his expression.

"Akashi-kun…" He continued to sob as he knelt on the floor in despair. Tears covered the frame of their picture but he didn't care. Not like anyone cared. Not like anyone remembered.

It was just his first day, would he survive?

It was a question that filled Jikan's mind as he watched what the teal-head was experiencing through the wristbands that secretly connected both of them.

He resisted the urge to encourage the teal-head as the latter started crying hard, not only in pain but in sorrow, despair, sadness, loneliness and emptiness he was feeling. It was prohibited for him to do anything that wasn't ordered to him by the high above. He just hoped Kuroko would survive, especially when there was the chance one of his friends would remember him. But it would take time.

That friend of his would likely be him.

~LFMH021~

"—cchi!" Kise screamed as he sat up and woke up in a dream he couldn't remember.

He was shivering and trembling badly, and he was confused that he didn't know the reason why. As he remembered, his dream was not really a nightmare. It was just that his dream was so sad, so empty, so lonely that it made him shiver and tremble.

He touched his face and dang, he was still crying. He gulped and tried to stop from sobbing, but more tears trickled down his face. "Why…was I crying? What was in that dream…? W-who…wait, was it a dream…it seemed so real…" He hiccupped and covered his face.

His chest hurt. It felt like a very important person to him just disappeared out of nowhere. But who was that? He couldn't seem to remember even how much he tried to do so.

"Kise-kun! Pass the ball to me!"

"Please stop or I'll tap this ball towards your face, Kise-kun."

"It was a good game, let's play again next time, Kise-kun."

"I'll help you with Aomine-kun, Kise-kun, don't worry."

"Eh? What I love to do in my spare time? Well, I think my answer would be…to play basketball with you guys. It's quite simple, isn't it, Kise-kun?"

"I'm a shadow and you guys are my light, remember? And, don't worry, you're also one of my light, Kise-kun."

The memories seemed to haunt him more and more as he tried to remember the speaker's face. He tried to imagine and picture him, but the copycat just continued failing.

"—cchi…? Who's that person that I called with cchi as well? Who is he…?" he mumbled and cried more as he failed to remember that person again.

"WAAAAAHHHH! I really can't remember him!" He sobbed.

~LFMH021~

Aomine woke up with wide eyes. "T-That's weird…" He mumbled and sat up. He rubbed his eyes and a single tear dropped into his cheek. "The heck-? Why am I crying?"

He looked down at his clothes and found out that he was still wearing his uniform, so he lazily went to his drawer to get some pajamas and started undressing.

"You're such a bully, Aomine-kun."

"Eh?" The blue-head mumbled as flashbacks of voices haunted his mind.

And he unconsciously started crying like in front of him was lifeless body of a valuable person for him. He weakly fell on his knees as the same voice started saying words in his mind again.

"I'll be your shadow from now on, Aomine-kun."

"Stop hiding it, not like it's not obvious enough how much you really like Kise-kun, Aomine-kun. You're way too obvious actually."

"You're such an amazing player, Aomine-kun."

"We will win and we'll beat you, Aomine-kun, remember that."

"It's quite annoying how easily you can shoot. I wish I'm as good as you, Aomine-kun."

"Aomine-kun, thank you!"

"Shit, why am I crying?" He cursed and covered his face.

"Aomine-kun! Let's meet again!"

He silently cried more as he saw the picture frame of Teiko on top of his bedside table. They were complete but also incomplete in a reason Aomine couldn't pinpoint and he felt so hopeless, helpless and lifeless as he gazed on it.

Wasn't someone supposed to be beside Akashi there…?

Wait…

He bit his bottom lip and clenched his hands into fists before punching his right on the wall. "DAMN IT!"

~LFMH021~

Murasakibara blinked in surprised as Himuro woke him up. "Atsushi, Atsushi!"

He opened his eyes fully this time and sat up slowly. "Huh…?"

"Are you alright? It seemed like you had a nightmare."

He blinked again and realized his vision was blurry.

"Atsushi, eh? W-Wait, why are you crying?" The dark-head gasped as he panicked to get a handkerchief or even just pieces of tissues.

He hiccupped and wiped his tears in surprise. "I'm crying…? But why…?"

More tears poured down his face. "Here." His partner offered him a clean handkerchief. He accepted it and wiped his tears but more continued to flow down his cheeks.

"Atsushi, what was in your dream? Was it really that scary? You can tell me anything, remember?"

He tried to remember…but he saw nothing but emptiness. "I can't…"

"Huh?"

"I can't remember my dream. I can't remember who was in it too. I can't remember who it was I cried to. I can't remember why I was also crying in my dream. But it seemed like a very sad one that…that everyone in it cried." He mumbled and sniffed. "Muro-chin…"

"Yes?"

"I—I—"

And then he started crying again.

"A-Atsushi?!"

"Stop patting me like that, Murasakibara-kun. I'll shrink even more."

"How's the new flavor of pocky, Murasakibara-kun? I hope you liked it."

"W-Waah. Put me down, Murasakibara-kun. T-Too high."

"Can you be my light today, Murasakibara-kun?"

"Let's play again next time, Murasakibara-kun."

"Who was that…? Who is he…?" He mumbled and sniffed. "Who…?"

Himuro couldn't do anything but to rub his back and stay beside him because even he, himself felt like something was odd.

~LFMH021~

"Shin-chan…Shin-chan! Shin-chan!" Takao cried as he shook Midorima's shoulder. The green-head had been sleeping since about two hours ago in their class and he seemed so pale.

"Teacher, p-please help me take Shi—Midorima-kun to the infirmary! He's so pale and he's also crying in his sleep." He pleaded as he raised his head.

Their subject teacher inspected the miracle shooter before nodding and ran towards the infirmary. After awhile, two assistant doctors lifted the unconscious Midorima towards the infirmary.

"Shin-chan…" Takao mumbled as Midorima stayed as he was even after an hour.

Midorima then awoke when the dream suddenly ended. He blinked and turned towards the dark-head. "Takao…?"

"Shin-chan!" Takao gasped in relief and hugged him tight.

Midorima placed a hand on his partner's head but then he, himself, also started crying. "What…?"

"Shin-chan…?"

"I can't remember him, Takao." He mumbled.

"Who?"

"I can't remember him!" He panicked and clutched Takao's hand tightly. "Takao…I.."

"Shin-chan, calm down, what was in your dream that it had scared you a lot?"

"I…don't know. I can't seem to remember anything about it. But…" Another tear dropped. "I…It was so sad. It felt like my heart crashed inside my chest. It felt like I just lost something that was so precious but I also can't remember it. It…it's too lonely. And everyone was screaming…I think. And crying…I was also crying for someone…? But who…?" He whispered.

"Midorima-kun, that was a nice game."

"You found a great partner, Midorima-kun. I'm happy for you."

"Mr. Rolly Pencil helped me a lot yesterday. Thank you for such a nice gift, Midorima-kun."

"Don't even try opposing Akashi-kun, Midorima-kun. You'll only regret it."

"I'll reunite the Generation of Miracles again, just you see, Midorima-kun."

"Midorima-kun, thanks for the lucky item."

The green-head fell back into the pillow. "I…I can't remember him…Who was he…? Who was that person…? Who…?"

All Takao could do was grow silent and squeeze back Midorima's hand as the latter continued sobbing helplessly beside him.

~LFMH021~

Akashi jolted up awake when he felt something weird. It was like six in the morning and he rarely woke up this time, but he just couldn't continue sleeping.

"No!"

"Shut it!"

"But—"

"Akashi-kun!"

Who was the other one who was shouting at him. He couldn't seem to remember. That's odd, he had a sharp memory since he was a kid, be it from a dream or from reality, he would instantly remember it if he wanted to.

But it seemed like something was blocking that memory from his mind.

He rubbed his eyes and that's when he realized that dry tears covered his cheeks. He touched his cheeks and found out that he was still crying. Tears still poured out of his eyes and invaded his cheeks. His heart ached as if he just lost something very precious. He never felt this way, never except when his mother died because of a plane crash years ago. But he promised to never feel that and never cry again after that incident…but why now?

What urged him to cry this much? To cry as if something inside him just vanished.

"Akashi-kun!"

"Please let me play today as a starter, Akashi-kun."

"Thank you for the time yesterday. I had fun. Let's do it again, Akashi-kun."

"That's unfair. I don't even know the rules. You're so unfair, Akashi-kun."

"I will win and bring you back to your old self, Akashi-kun. Even if it kills me."

"Take care heading back home, Akashi-kun!"

"Akashi-kun, you idiot."

"Fine. I love you too, Akashi-kun. Happy now? I said it."

"Akashi-kun!"

The red-head threw the glass of water on his bedside table against the wall before his bed in irritation as he continued to cry. "Damn it."

"Akashi-kun, Akashi-kun, Akashi-kun! Who the hell was that who continued calling me by that name…Who was that…? Why can't I remember him? Why…?" He snarled at himself and covered his face full of tears in annoyance and emptiness.

~LFMH021~

Kagami wiped his sweat as Riko blew the whistle which indicated the end of the game between the sophomores and freshmen. "Damn, was that enjoyable." He mumbled in bliss then turned towards Kuroko, who was sweating a lot as well beside him. "I never thought I would say this to someone who looked as weak as you but your vanishing drive, phantom shot, misdirection overflow and invisible passes are amazing." He complimented and raised a fist.

Kuroko blinked and bumped his fist with Kagami's. "Thank you for the compliment. By the way, Kagami-kun."

"Yeah?"

"Will it be alright if I become your shadow?" He bluntly asked as he followed behind the red-head as the latter walked towards the bench.

"HUH? Shadow? As in, literally?" Kagami exclaimed.

He mentally laughed at that. "No, as you saw, I am not as strong as you and the only thing I possess is misdirection and I would like you to be light in a way that we will support each other. I know we already won against Rakuzan and we'd fought against opponents who almost had the same abilities as we do but…I would still like to team up with you."

There was a pause between the two. "…I think I heard that kind of thing before as well. I just couldn't remember when and from whom it came from."

Bakagami, that was also me.

The two stared at each other until Hyuuga smacked the red-eyed's head. "BAKAGAMI! Answer him already, geez!"

Kagami glanced at him again before sighing and lifting a fist. "Fine. I think it's not such a bad idea anyway…Partners."

Kuroko bumped his fist again with Kagami's. "Partners."

After being dismissed by their tyrant coach, Kagami and Kuroko headed towards the nearest convenience store they could walk to and Kuroko stared at it as memories flooded back at him.

This was where we usually hanged out when we were still in Teiko. Not that anyone among the MiraGen remembers.

"Oi, Kuroko, hurry up! It's so damn cold and I want something warm!" Kagami complained from inside the store.

"Yes, coming." He sighed and was about to walk towards the red-head when he accidentally bumped into another's chest. "S-Sorry, I wasn't…" He trailed off when he looked up and found one crimson and one golden eyes staring back at him. "…Akashi-kun?"

"EH? Why are the Generation of Miracles here?!" Kagami exclaimed as he glared back at Aomine.

"You got a problem with that, hah, Bakagami?!"

"NO! How 'bout yah, Ahomine?!"

But Kuroko took no heed about the others as Akashi stared back at him in surprise. Was that recognition he saw in the other's eyes?

Akashi approached him and he took a step backwards. "You're—"

A/N: The end. And they lived bitterly ever after.

LOL. Kidding. Anyway, I hope you liked this new fanfiction of mine. I'm currently in process of updating 'A Crazy Story' and I beg your forgiveness for being in long hiatus.

Guys, what can you say?

PLEASE REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!

Muah, muah, tsup, tsup and loves,

LFMH021

Sneak Peek? Me? Give you a sneak peek? –laugh-

Okay, I'll just leave you with this then:

SNEAK PEEK:

Akashi Senjuuro stared at him before smiling widely and hugging him tight. "I love Tetsuya-niichan! Even though…"

"Even though…?" Kuroko prompted as carried the small red-head in his arms.

Senjuuro paused before replying, "Even though you're already dead."