Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basket is owned by Fujimaki Tadatoshi

Pairing: KiKuro, AoKuro, AkaKuro [Main Pairing: undecided]; [Side Pairing: TakaMido, MuraHimu]

A/N: Thanks to my reviewers: silver woman, strongmayhem, ilovekikuro, AK47reloaded, kuroshiro19, Boom and TA-DA, Kandaka, booklover1209, xeyuxe20, GreenLavender, Pri-Chan 1410, Dark Cat Food Lover, Kichou, Tachibana, Kuroshiroryuu, percy44442, yoshan-chan, Churroko, deadlycute17, camel-3-0-0-9, fostinefoli, Scarlet Aki-chin, Lithium HK, EchizenRyoma, xXxOtAkU-444xXx, Assasin8, rouhagaze, oOScarletOo, Kuroko Lover, KinHiromi, AlohaSunday, Ikillatfirstsight, KurokoTetsuya101, Lunary, CloudCarnivore, BatJinx, EmeraldNettle15, as-in-now-nah, angelotaku99a99taioAZ, maddie24clover, TheCaptainOfShips, Gitali 'Aoirhue' Kuran, akakuro4ver, UraHime Hikaru, ReVeaLxMeMoRieS and 7 Guests. Thanks to the favorite and follow alerts, too!

THE KAIJOU ACT
SCENE 3
Cognizance

Kuroko's sky blue eyes widened in surprise when he opened the door and found a familiar tall blond leaning against the wall near the gate of the house he was staying at, waiting for him. "Kise-kun," he called, surprising the blond.

Kise turned his head when his name was called and found Kuroko walking out of the house and opened the gate, stepping beside him. He buried his hands further in his jacket's pocket and gave the teal head a cheerful smile. "Morning, Kurokocchi."

"What are you doing here Kise-kun?" asked Kuroko as he closed the gate and looked up at the blond inquisitively.

"I want to walk to school together with Kurokocchi," Kise answered as he pushed himself off the wall. "So I came here."

Kuroko tilted his head to the side, unsure of how to react. "You should have told me Kise-kun so you won't have to wait long. It's too cold, you know."

"I'm fine Kurokocchi," said Kise, waving a hand in dismissal. "Besides, I didn't wait that long." Plus, I'll endure any weather just to be with you. Woah, where did that came from? That was kind of sappy even for me. Kise snapped out of his musings when he felt a hand closing on his. He turned to Kuroko in wonder as the teal head clasped their hands together. Their gloves might be a barrier to their skin but the warmth of it was comforting.

"Um…uh, Kurokocchi," Kise stammered and he could feel his face warming up. He doesn't know if it was because he was blushing or from the cold. "What are you doing?"

Kuroko gazed at him candidly. "Doesn't Kise-kun already know about this? You are more experienced than me."

It took a few seconds before Kise finally understood what Kuroko was talking about. He was still kind of shock that Kuroko accepted his confession and agreed in dating him at least for a while, kind of like a trial. His face turned redder. "Y-Yeah," he stuttered and gripped Kuroko's hand tightly.

"Shall we go Kise-kun?" Kuroko suggested and pulled the blond forward. "We're going to be late if we stay here any longer."

Kise glanced sideways at the teal head to his right. He really couldn't believe that Kuroko was fine with his confession and was unfazed that it came from a guy. Then again, Kuroko is nice as he remembered Kuroko also agreed in going out on a date with Momoi in middle school. His case was kind of different though. Kuroko could have rejected him if he really wasn't interested in him—or guys in general.

But Kuroko didn't do that. Does this mean Kuroko is at least attracted to him? Or maybe he did it because of pity?

He sighed. He really was torn. He thought that confessing would at least lessen his burden but they kept piling up it seems. He wasn't this troubled when he dated girls but that was different as he wasn't in love with them.

"You seemed quiet today Kise-kun," Kuroko broke the silence between them.

Kise bit his lip as he couldn't hold it any longer and blurted out. "Why did you agree Kurokocchi? I mean, in dating me."

Kuroko looked at him blankly; no expression was visible on his face. "Actually, I don't know either," he answered before averting his gaze and looked straight ahead. "But I wasn't entirely against it. I don't know what to feel, it's too confusing. Adding the fact that this was the first time a guy confessed to me, it feels so surreal." His eyes shifted back to Kise's amber ones. "Even so, a part of me was happy to hear that Kise-kun likes me so I guess it was the reason why I agreed."

"If…If it wasn't me and…" Kise trailed off as he couldn't explain clearly. "I mean if it was another guy who confessed; would you have accepted or rejected him?"

Kuroko was silent for a while. "You're talking as if I get confessed a lot. And by guys, no less," he noted. "But to answer your question, I think it depends on who it was. If it was a person that I'm not particularly close to, I would have rejected him."

"And if it was someone you know, like really know and even friends with," Kise suggested, "someone…someone like me?"

Kuroko stopped, halting the blond from walking, too. "It feels like Kise-kun is insinuating something," he stated as he stared up at Kise.

Kise flinched and tried to dodge Kuroko's prying and observant eyes. "I-It's just a hypothetical question Kurokocchi. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"I don't know," Kuroko truthfully answered and just left it at that as they resumed their walk, unconsciously squeezing Kise's hand tighter.

Ah, Kise should have just kept his mouth shut. He wasn't the only who had a lot to think over. Kuroko has a lot to contemplate, too especially since he sprung this up to the teal head without any warning. "Sorry Kurokocchi."

Kuroko blinked. "What for?"

"I mean, you know," said Kise, scratching the back of his head nervously, "asking those things."

Kuroko let out a small smile, surprising the blond. "It's okay Kise-kun. For now, let's not think about the whys and just see where this road will take us."

"Yeah," Kise beamed and as if compelled by an unknown force, he leaned down and softly pressed his lips to Kuroko's forehead. He hastily backed away when he finally became aware what he had done. He gazed down at Kuroko, readying himself for his scolding. But he wasn't prepared at what he saw; Kuroko's cheeks turning to pink and his eyes reflecting bashfulness. An unusual expression coming from the teal head. "Ku-Kurokocchi…"

Kuroko frowned though he doesn't know it looked like an adorable pout. "Kise-kun, please give me a warning if you're going to do that."

Kise chuckled at the teal head's timid reaction. "Sorry Kurokocchi but you're so cute, I couldn't help myself."

"Don't call a guy cute Kise-kun."

"But you are cute Kurokocchi."

Kuroko didn't retort and just lightly glared at him. Kise was having fun bringing out this hidden side of Kuroko. "Oh yeah, Kurokocchi said I should give a warning, right?" said Kise. "Then, prepare yourself Kurokocchi. I planned on doing that throughout the day!"

"What?" Kuroko choked out, gaping at the blond.

Kise winked. "You could say I'm making up for lost time."

"Kise-kun!"

Kise laughed off Kuroko's objections and tugged the teal head with him as they started to run towards Kaijou High, their hands still woven together.

[3]

"What?!"

The Kaijou regulars gawked at the couple in front of them with their eyes widened comically in shock and their jaws were dropped open, their fingers pointing back and forth at Kuroko and Kise as well as the clasped hands between the two.

Kasamatsu was the first to respond though he still looked stunned. "Wh-What…How did this happen?" He frowned at Kise. "You told me only two days ago about your feelings and then…and then this…What the hell happened?!"

Kuroko blinked at Kasamatsu's words before looking up at Kise in question. Kise smiled at him reassuringly before turning to his captain. "I already told senpai that I'm going to confess to Kurokocchi, right? So that's what I did. I confessed and Kurokocchi agreed to date me."

"And so, what now?" Moriyama said as he stared confusingly at the couple. "You two are together, like in a relationship? As in like a lovey-dovey couple?"

Kise looked hesitant. "Um…"

"No," answered Kuroko, discerning Kise's trepidation. "Kise-kun asked me to give him a chance to show his feelings and I agreed but we're not together. I'll give him a proper answer when I figured out my own feelings."

Kobori seemed to be the only one who first calmed down. "I see," he said and then gave them a small smile, patting Kise on the shoulder encouragingly. "I hope it works between you two."

"Kobori-senpai, you're so nice!" Kise cried.

Kasamatsu finally noticed how Hayakawa haven't stopped gaping at the two, his mouth opened and closed like a fish. He smacked him upside the head. "Snap out of it already!"

"That hurt senpai!" Hayakawa yelled and for once it was clear and understandable, not the usual incomprehensible gibberish he usually spat out. That's just goes to show how surprised he was. He rubbed the back of his head before looking at Kise and Kuroko again. "But what about your girlfriend Kise?"

Everyone watched Hayakawa in disbelief until Kise broke the awkward silence. "Um, Hayakawa-senpai, I haven't had a girlfriend since Winter Cup started."

"Leaving Hayakawa's idiocy aside," Kasamatsu sighed, ignoring his underclassman's nonsensical protests. "It's kind of a shock to see this but, well, we'll respect your decision. And just like Kobori said, I hope this goes well."

Kise dramatically wiped the tears in his eyes. "I have the best upperclassmen ever! Kasamatsu-senpai, don't graduate and just stay here at Kaijou forever!"

"There's no way I'll do that, you idiot!" Kasamatsu yelled, kicking the blond ace hard on the back.

Kuroko silently watched the scene in amusement and happiness. Kise was right, Kasamatsu and the rest really complements Kise's happy-go-lucky trait. They respect and treat each other as more than teammates, like they're family. Kaijou is really the best place for Kise. He was really glad for Kise to be at this school and team.

"Um," Kuroko spoke, startling everyone since they almost forgot he was there as he hasn't said anything from the beginning. "I don't want to interrupt but I think Kise-kun and I need to change so we can start practice. Coach Takeuchi wouldn't like it if he finds us dawdling here."

That sentence jerked the others into motion as Kasamatsu ordered the rest of the regulars to start practicing (the rest of the basketball members weren't there yet as Coach asked the regulars to come earlier) while Kise led Kuroko to the locker room to change.

Fortunately, Coach Takeuchi arrived a little later so he didn't see the regulars gossiping like girls and the rest of club members slowly arrived as well. Morning practice went smoothly like usual though Kuroko's presence slightly altered it as some members screamed every once in a while when the passing specialist made his presence known and Kise being overly enthusiastic and clingy to the phantom player (to Kuroko's annoyance since he's practicing).

Kise released the ball in his hand, watching as it sailed perfectly in the air through the net. He grabbed another ball from the basket and positioned himself to shoot but stopped when he noticed Kasamatsu beside him intently staring something at the other side of the gym. He followed his line of sight and saw Moriyama explaining his unique three point shot to Kuroko (with Hayakawa yelling at the side which the two obviously ignored).

"You know, senpai, if you keep staring at Kurokocchi like that I'll get jealous," Kise commented as he coolly dribbled the ball. "I already have enough rivals. Please don't add yourself."

In any other time, Kasamatsu would kick the blond hard at the remark but he let it slide and turned to Kise. "Be thankful I'm ignoring your comment," he said. "And the reason I'm looking at Kuroko is because I'm surprised he agreed to date you. I never pegged him as a guy who accepts confessions from another guy."

"I already asked Kurokocchi that but he said he doesn't know either," Kise answered as he glanced at the teal head (and if Moriyama-senpai doesn't stop touching Kuroko, he'll snap). "Kurokocchi said he accepted my confession because it came from me."

Kasamatsu crossed his arms over his chest. "This is great, isn't it? You got over the first and important step. All that's left to do is for you to show your feelings to Kuroko, to make him fall in love with you. Shouldn't be hard to do, you got experience."

"It's not that simple, senpai," said Kise, shaking his head. "This is Kurokocchi were talking about. And have you forgotten that I'm not the only one who likes Kurokocchi?"

Kasamatsu narrowed his eyes at the blond. "What, you mean they will confess, too?"

"Maybe, maybe not," Kise shrugged. "But if they do, Kurokocchi has a lot to think about. He might get overwhelmed so I'm a bit worried."

"Well then, all you need to do is steal Kuroko's heart before anyone could," Kasamatsu advised.

Kise smiled widely. "Of course!"

Kasamatsu then sighed. "Still Kuroko is practically a saint if he has you as a boyfriend."

Kise made an indignant noise at the back of his throat. "I'll have you know, senpai, that I'm a very good boyfriend! I always take care of my partners. And I'll be very attentive to Kurokocchi if he reciprocated my feelings. I'm going to shower him with so much love!"

"That's what I'm worrying about," Kasamatsu muttered his breath so the blond wouldn't hear. "Whatever. Get back to practice Kise."

"I was practicing! Senpai was the one dallying around."

Kasamatsu ignored the blond ace and bellowed out to the others to practice seriously.

[3]

Kuroko attentively listened to the Classical Japanese teacher all the while studiously taking notes. He got distracted when he heard a soft clattering noise to his left. He turned to Kise, who was indiscreetly rummaging through his bag as to avoid the teacher's notice. He stared at the blond silently asking what he was doing. Kise just shook his head and mouthed "nothing" to him before going back to his bag. Kuroko narrowed his eyes but left Kise alone and returned his attention back to the teacher.

"They won't stop," Kuroko heard Kise exasperatingly muttered.

In his peripheral vision, Kuroko watched as Kise scrolled through his phone with a concentrated look on his face, mumbling the word "delete" over and over again. He wondered what's so special that the blond had to check his phone in the middle of class. He was about to ask Kise when the school bell rung, signaling lunch time.

Fast as a blur, Kise disorderly put his notes back to his bag and quickly took his lunch box and then grasped Kuroko by his arm, dragging him out of their class and started to sprint passed the students while dodging them and ignored some who called him. Kuroko thanked his lucky stars that he had the time to grabbed his bento or Kise would suffer an ignite pass (maybe even kai) to the stomach.

Taking the lead, Kise took him first to the home economics room and then hastily slide the door close when he saw students mingling there. Next was the rooftop but the door was close so Kise tugged him to another place. Kuroko was getting irritated as he was being hauled around unceremoniously until Kise found the music room free of anyone. Kise watched if anyone was following them before they stepped inside and the blond swiftly slide the door close even to the point of locking it. He leaned against the door with a heavy sigh as he closed his eyes.

"Mind telling me what's going on Kise-kun?"

Kise flinched when he saw the annoyed expression on Kuroko's impassive face. "Uh, you see, Kurokocchi…"

"Spill it out Kise-kun." Kise mumbled something that Kuroko couldn't quite catch. He sighed. "Kise-kun, I can't hear you if you keep whispering."

"I said, everyone may have…uh," Kise trailed off and the sighed in defeat. "I think everyone from the club knows about us."

Kuroko raised an eyebrow. "Everyone knows we're friends and former teammates Kise-kun."

Kise blinked and then stared at him hopelessly for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I mean about us as in they all know we're kind of dating."

Kuroko tilted his head to the side as he gazed at Kise thoughtfully. "Is that so?" was his only response before casually walking to a nearby desk, pulling the chair for him to sit and placed his lunch box on the table.

"Wait, aren't you mad Kurokocchi?"

Kuroko turned to his former teammate. "No, not really," he said and gestured for Kise to sit across from him which the blond involuntarily obeyed. "What about you, Kise-kun? Are you mad at your teammates for spilling the beans?"

"I don't think it was the seniors who spread it. They wouldn't do that to me," Kise stated as he unwrapped the furoshiki of his bento box and opened it. "I think someone heard our announcement this morning and told everyone in the club."

Kuroko picked the octopus shaped sausage in his lunch with his chopsticks before looking at Kise. "Isn't it bad for you if this spread throughout the school?"

"What do you mean Kurokocchi?" Kise asked, taking a bite of his karaage.

"Have you forgotten that you're a model Kise-kun?" Kuroko reminded the blond. "It would be bad for your reputation if anyone found out that you're dating a guy especially your fan girls. You know how they feel towards you, they will surely be crushed."

Kise's chopsticks froze, hovering over the rice and then stared wide-eyed at the teal head. "I forgot about that."

"Kise-kun," Kuroko sighed. He should have known.

Kise shrugged his shoulders uncaringly. "Well, it doesn't matter. But I'll give my manager a heads-up. She's going to scold me really hard though."

"Don't you care about your modeling career Kise-kun?"

Kise blinked and paused in mid-chew before swallowing. "I do, I guess," he answered. "It's fun and I met a lot of different people though there are drawbacks sometimes. But I really don't mind if I get fired or quit."

Hearing that, Kuroko felt guilty. He knows Kise was just being blasé talking about his modeling work and even if he doesn't love it as much as basketball, it's still important to him. It was in the tip of his tongue to say they should forget about this dating thing. To end this before it became a huge mess particularly in Kise's side. But…

It wouldn't be fair.

For him and for Kise.

And seeing the resolve in Kise's amber eyes, Kuroko knew the blond made his decision and all he could do now is to accept and respect it. "If you say so Kise-kun," he acquiesced. "Is that the reason why you were checking your phone earlier?"

"Yeah," Kise nodded, chewing some rice. "They've been sending me texts since morning."

"They don't approve?"

Kise chuckled at that. "On the contrary, they whole-heartedly approve. They've been sending me well-wishes and 'I support you' messages. They're very nosy though and been asking me questions why I like you, or since when did I like you, or how did I confess, you know those things."

Kuroko pensively gazed at the blond. "I'm surprised they didn't bombard you with that in morning practice."

"It's not like they could, they'll get in trouble since Coach and Kasamatsu-senpai was there."

"Well, I hope they put a lid on their curiosity in our practice this afternoon."

"Yeah," Kise agreed as he switched his tamagoyaki (it was too sweet for him) for Kuroko's teriyaki. "I wonder why they only bug me. They could ask Kurokocchi, too."

Kuroko pushed the rest of his bento to the blond as he was already full which Kise didn't mind. "It's because they don't know me all that well. And it will be weird to ask someone you just met about their private life."

"I think it's mostly because of your weak presence Kurokocchi," said Kise, sweatdropping. "They can't ask someone they can't find." Those guys are tactless when it comes to these kinds of gossips.

Kuroko shrugged indifferently before taking a sip of his lemon tea. He watched as Kise ate both of their bento and wordlessly handed a bottle of water to Kise when the blond choked for eating too much. He leaned back against the chair as he quietly observed Kise, who sighed satisfyingly after finishing their lunch.

"Now that I think about it, if Kise-kun tries to kiss me that would be my first," Kuroko admitted without any warning.

Staring at the teal head incredulously, Kise dropped his bottle of water to the table; the clanging noise it made snapped Kise out of his shock as he clumsily tried to catch it before it fell on the floor. He thanked the gods above that he wasn't drinking or else he might have choked, or worse spewed his drink all over Kuroko. "K-Kurokocchi, please don't surprise me like that," he said, averting his eyes from Kuroko's amused ones, "dropping that kind of information out the blue."

Kuroko hummed thoughtfully. "Shouldn't Kise-kun already know that?"

"I-I know Kurokocchi haven't had any relationship before," Kise stuttered, his face flushing red. "But I didn't know that y-you have no experience. I thought Momocchi perhaps kissed you in middle school."

"Momoi-san isn't that forward," Kuroko disagreed.

This would have been a good time to ask the teal head's true feelings for their former manager but Kise was having second thoughts. It isn't his business to pry since it was between Kuroko and Momoi and he respects the two of them to ask something private. Moreover, Kuroko addressed an interesting topic than that. Kise placed his chin on his hand as it rested on the table, smiling playfully at the teal head. "So, does this mean I have Kurokocchi's permission to kiss?"

Kuroko blinked. "I didn't say that."

"Hmm…" Kise hummed, hiding his wide grin as he stood up and moved closer to Kuroko with his right hand at the back of Kuroko's seat while his other hand was on the table, blocking the teal head from escaping. He bent down until their faces were only inches apart.

"Kise-kun," Kuroko breathed out as a warning or something else, no one knows.

Kise stared at the confusion and clouded anticipation in Kuroko's sky blue eyes. Then he trailed his gaze from those beautiful eyes to Kuroko's lips, making his desire known. "I already warned Kurokocchi before, didn't I?" he said, not waiting for the teal head's answer as he leaned forward, watching as Kuroko's eyelashes slowly fluttered close in acceptance.

Kise closed his eyes as their lips touched softly and when he was ready to give Kuroko a proper kiss, the school bell unexpectedly rung, rudely interrupting their moment. But neither of them made a move, their bodies so still until Kise brushed his lips to Kuroko's lightly as if apologizing for the disruption. Kuroko opened his eyes and looked at Kise's amber eyes hooded with unconcealed yearning.

Kise straightened up and took a step back, cleaning up their bento boxes and passed Kuroko's lunch box to him, no words exchanged between them. He could see that Kuroko was still unmoving and helped the teal head to stand up by taking a hold of his hand. With a smile, he tipped his head down and chastely kissed Kuroko's lips for a sweet peck much to the teal head's shock.

Kuroko eyed in the blond in astonishment, a hint of pink tinting his pale cheeks. "What was that for Kise-kun?"

"I couldn't give you a proper first kiss but I just couldn't help myself," Kise explained as he brought their clasped hands together to his face, kissing the back of Kuroko's hand, his gaze still on the teal head. "You don't mind, do you?"

Kuroko silently regarded him, his stare shifting from his face to their hands. He let out a small but pleased smile. "I guess not."

Kise returned the smile with his happy and genuine one as they left the music room and towards their classroom hand in hand.

[3]

Kuroko blew out a soft sigh, his breath coming out like a puff of smoke as he secured the gloves he's wearing n his hands in place and tugged his scarf closely to his face. He buried his hands deep in his coat pocket and turned his head back to look at the gym door, waiting for Kise and instead saw Kasamatsu and the rest of the regulars leaving. As usual, they didn't notice his presence.

"S-So cord!" Kuroko heard Hayakawa complained (if he got it right since sometimes it was hard to understand him) as the second year's body shivered when they stepped out, hugging himself. The third years ignored Hayakawa as they fixed their own coat and scarf.

Kuroko took the chance to announce his presence which of course surprised the Kaijou regulars. "Kasamatsu-san, may I ask where Kise-kun is?" he asked.

Kasamatsu clutched his chest, his heard beating fast and wild like the rest of his teammates. He glared at the phantom player. "Don't come out so suddenly!"

"But I've been here for a while," Kuroko retorted. "You just didn't notice me."

Kasamatsu could feel his annoyance bubbling. Why do these Teikou geniuses have to be so troublesome? He wondered how the upperclassmen of these brats handled them. "Kise, right?" he said. "He's still changing. That guy is always so slow."

Kuroko knows that. Kise sure does take his time showering and changing when they were in middle school. It seems the blond hasn't cured that habit of his. "If Kise-kun takes any longer I'm going to leave him behind."

"Wait, Kurokocchi! I'm here! I'm here!" Kise called out, having heard what the teal head had just said. He stopped just beside Kuroko and with his hands on his knees; he took a deep breath as he ran fast from the locker room as he knew the teal head would definitely leave him behind if he took too long (it happened often times in Teikou).

Kasamatsu raised an eyebrow at the blond ace and looked between Kise and Kuroko. "You're going home together?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Kise-kun insisted on it," Kuroko simply answered.

Moriyama put his hand on Kasamatsu's shoulder, steering him away from the couple. "That's good, that's good. Deepen your bonds and advanced your relationship further," he said. "Show your affection to one another. Initiate more skinship. Start the progress of your connections like roses blooming on spring."

"O-Okay," Kise feebly agreed, wanting his senior to stop.

Moriyama's eyes turned serious and grabbed Kise's shoulders, surprising the blond. "Okay is not enough! You have to do your best Kise. What you usually do with your ex-girlfriends isn't going to work on Kuroko. You have to use other tactics, techniques. I'll call you later to give more advice—"

Kasamatsu's hastily covered Moriyama's mouth interrupting the shooting guard from his ridiculous and humiliating monologue and put him on a headlock, dragging him away. "We're going ahead," he said after nodding his goodbye to Kise and Kuroko and gestured for Kobori and Hayakawa to follow him.

That left Kise and Kuroko watching the Kaijou seniors' retreating figures in various emotions, to Kise confusion and secondhand embarrassment while for Kuroko it was amusement. "You have interesting seniors Kise-kun," Kuroko remarked which only made Kise groaned.

Kise shook his head before turning to the teal head and gave him a smile. "Shall we go Kurokocchi?" he asked. "Or is there some place you want to go first?"

Kuroko thought about it for a second. "Not really, no. What about you, Kise-kun?"

Kise's amber eyes twinkled in delight. I'll use this chance to have a date with Kurokocchi, he thought, excited. "There's this small coffee shop near here that I know. They have the best crepes. I'm sure Kurokocchi will love it!"

Kuroko wasn't a fan of sweets that much (that was obviously Murasakibara) but seeing Kise's enthusiasm it was hard to say no. And giving the blond a soft expression, he said. "Okay, let's go there Kise-kun."

"It's a date then!" Kise exclaimed as he grabbed Kuroko's hand and happily pulled him along out of the premises of Kaijou.

The walk to the café was filled with idle chatters for Kise's part anyway, Kuroko was just nodding along, listening though he answers every once in a while. Kise must have used this route too often as some shop owners they passed by greeted Kise. Kuroko wouldn't mind if the blond stopped for a while to talk to them but Kise insisted that it was their date and that he should focus on him.

They stepped inside the coffee shop with its quaint décor and homely ambiance, and to Kuroko's surprise, shelves full of books were situated in a corner of the shop. Customers, some alone, other couples or group of friends, read novels, a cup of coffee and other kinds of pastries on their table or just causally talking to each other were occupying inside. Most of their attention then drifted to them particularly to Kise which the blond took no notice of (or maybe he did but paid no heed to it).

A brunette waitress greeted them and at the sight of Kise, she smiled widely and silently gestured them to a private corner of the café, away from prying eyes of the customers. The waitress handed them their menus and said that she will be back when they were ready to order and soon left thereafter.

It wasn't a farfetched idea for Kuroko to realize Kise was a regular in the establishment judging by the behavior of the waitress, some of the staff and even perhaps the other regulars of the shop. He opened his own menu, looking over the foods listed, wondering what he should order. "What do you suggest I order Kise-kun?" he asked. "Maybe I should try that crepe you recommended?"

"Eh, so Kurokocchi noticed I'm a regular costumer, huh?" Kise said which only made Kuroko to look at him coolly. "Okay, how about strawberry crème crepe, maybe the cream cheese one or the chocolate filling? There's so many to choose from!"

"I'll just have the strawberry crème crepe," Kuroko decided.

"Then, I'll have the chocolate one," Kise chose and waved for their waitress, giving her their orders. The wait was short as the waitress came back with their order and with a soft smile, left them to enjoy their desserts.

Kuroko took a bite of his crepe, the tartly flavor of the strawberry blends well with the sweetness of the cream. It suits his tastes as it wasn't overly sweet. He glanced up at Kise, who looked ecstatic as he blissfully consumed his own dessert. "Kise-kun, can I ask you a question?" he asked.

Kise blinked up at him and then nodded, gulping down the chocolate filled crepe. "Sure Kurokocchi! You can ask me whatever you want," he said as he took a drink of his coffee.

"Why did you fall in love with me?"

Kise almost spat out his tea and coughed wildly, trying to gulp some air. Kuroko handed him a tissue, expecting this would happen and waited for the blond to settle down. Kise exhaled heavily as soon as he regained his breath. He looked hopelessly at Kuroko. "Kurokocchi if I didn't know better I would think you're doing this on purpose."

"I don't, Kise-kun," said Kuroko, still straight-faced. "I'm just curious, is all."

Kise sighed as his eyes wandered around the shop, acutely aware of Kuroko's gaze on him. "Frankly, I'm not sure. I just woke up one day and realized that I fell for you." He shifted his eyes back to Kuroko, gazing at those impassive sky blue eyes. "I can't explain it very well. It's like there are no words to describe what I feel for you. All I feel is just too much, too consuming but at the same time quite peaceful. Saying 'I love you' seems inadequate but it was the only words that could somehow capture my feelings."

Kise let out a nervous and listless laugh. "Sorry, I know I don't make any sense."

"No," said Kuroko, staring at Kise. "I think I get it."

Kise slowly, uneasily reached out his hand towards the table and took Kuroko's hand on his own, their hands moved, their fingers entwining together until their hands clasped each other. "How do I make you fall in love with me?" he whispered, more to himself rather than to Kuroko.

Kuroko answered nonetheless. "Just be yourself Kise-kun. That's all I want."

[3]

Kise's grip on Kuroko's hand tightened as they walked down the street with the dim glow of the light posts as their guide, the crunching of the snow on the ground beneath their shoes echoed dimly in the starless night sky accompanied by fleeting, falling transiently white snow as they continued to pile up on the road.

The two of them were quiet which was unusual from Kise since he always talked about something. But there was something in the stillness of night and the serene atmosphere that it was too invasive to break. So they let the silence encompassed them while they were linked together by their joined hands.

The silence was then soon got broken when they heard a group of girls accompanied by high-pitched giggles drifting their way. With his keen observation, Kuroko immediately noticed that those girls recognized Kise and judging by their excited and thrilled expressions, he knew they were big fans of the blond.

It was automatic, sort of a reflex that Kuroko instantly shook off Kise's hold of his hand and willed himself to hide behind Kise's overwhelming presence. Kise was, of course, surprised at his actions but soon realized why when the group of girls approached him, overlooking Kuroko beside him entirely.

One of the girls opened her mouth to probably greet the blond but Kise put up his hand to a stop and gave them a brittle smile (though they didn't seem to take note of it). "Sorry, I would have liked to entertain you but I'm quite busy right now," he said and as if to emphasize his point, grabbed Kuroko's hand. The girls were stunned when Kuroko suddenly came out of nowhere. "So if you'll excuse us."

"Wait," one of the girls said, rudely pointing at Kuroko. "Who is he?"

"He's my boy—"Kise got cut off when Kuroko elbowed him in the stomach. He shockingly turned to the teal head as he rubbed his stomach. "Kurokocchi!"

Not even taking a glance at the blond, Kuroko answered the girls. "I'm his friend."

Kise blinked in confusion (and perhaps a bit of frustration) at the teal head's answer but it wasn't the time to confront Kuroko so he went along with it. "Yes, he's my friend. And it's been a long time since we spend time together. So we're going ahead. Maybe I'll see you girls next time."

Kise didn't wait for any of them to respond and with his hand still on Kuroko's, yanked him forward, waving at the dumbfounded girls in goodbye. His pace was hurried and brisk as he tried to relinquish the anger and annoyance bubbling inside him.

"Kise-kun," Kuroko called out to the blond since he couldn't keep up with Kise's long stride.

Kise had enough and suddenly stopped, swiftly hurling Kuroko to nearby wall with his placed on either side of Kuroko's head, caging him without any chance of escape. He stared at Kuroko's widened sky blue eyes and watched him tensed when their eyes connected. He doesn't know what Kuroko sees, all he knows is this infuriation and disappointment clouding everything in him.

"Why did you do that?" Kise asked, his voice so, so quiet.

Kuroko tried to even his composure. "Kise-kun, I—"

"Don't lie," Kise gritted out, his eyes hidden behind his bangs. "Are you ashamed to be with me, is that it? If that's the reason then you shouldn't have agreed to date me!"

Kuroko unconsciously clenched his fist. "Don't presume anything Kise-kun," he retorted. "I didn't do it or said it because I was ashamed. I did it to protect you."

Kise slowly looked up at Kuroko. "What do you mean protect me? Protect me from what?"

"To prevent you from a tarnish reputation," Kuroko answered. "You said you didn't care about your status but I do. I can't have you throw away what you have just because of me. I can't be that selfish."

"Did it occur to you that it was me being selfish? That I'll throw everything away just to have you? That I won't care what anyone will say just as long as I get to be beside you? I don't care about reputation or status if it means you want to be with me." Kise's fingers pushed hard at the wall as he pressed he lowered his face, pressing his forehead to Kuroko's. "Because you're the most important thing to me, Kurokocchi. Because I love you. So much. So, so much."

Kuroko's breath hitched at Kise's revelation and his closed his eyes as he took grasp of his emotions, feeling engulfed by the longing and love Kise had for him. He didn't know Kise's feelings were this deep, so true, so impassioned.

His heart started to ache.

Kuroko wanted to say sorry but his mouth couldn't form the right words and it was only then that he felt his body shaking. He didn't why or how. "Kise-kun," was the only thing he breathed out.

Kise slightly backed off, his hands reaching out to touch Kuroko's face, gently cupping his cheeks. And for the first time, he could see so many emotions flickering in those sky blue eyes. Kuroko's lips parted and that seemed to snap Kise's control as he dipped his head down and captured Kuroko's soft lips.

Tasting Kuroko was sweet, so, so sweet that it took everything in him not to ravished him. He nipped his lower lip, sucking and biting it and he made a low sound at the back of his throat when Kuroko timidly kissed him back. Kise slanted his head to kiss Kuroko deeper, fiercer as he couldn't get enough of him, of his taste. He was half-aware of Kuroko's arms wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer. Kise's hand trailed down Kuroko's body up to his waist and tugged him until not an inch of space separating them.

Kuroko broke off the kiss and looked up at Kise with unveiled desire as panted for air, their breaths forming mists. He closed his eyes again when Kise's head dipped forward and their lips connected again. Kise kissed him unhurriedly, so sweet, so gentle; it was like his heart will burst out of his chest for feeling too much.

It was Kise this time that broke off and Kuroko felt so drained and hid his face to Kise's chest, burrowing his body closer to the blond. He felt everything and nothing at the same time. Kise must have known what he was feeling as he hugged him protectively.

It must have been long or maybe it was short when Kuroko's heart finally calmed down, when his breath started to even out. When he felt he wouldn't cry anymore. He stepped out of Kise's embrace, his head down, not ready to face the blond yet.

"Let's go home," Kise whispered, his voice a bit hoarse but there was something in his tone that Kuroko felt everything will be alright.

Kise gently took Kuroko's hand again and quietly led the way to his temporary house. The walk was eerily silent as both of them were in their own minds. Kuroko glanced at the blond to his side and then surprisingly said, "I'm sorry."

Kise's hold tightened slightly. "I know."

There were no more words after that and soon they arrived where Kuroko was currently staying at. Kise didn't want to let go of Kuroko's hand. He didn't want to let him go. But he pushed through those thoughts and slowly released Kuroko's hand.

Kuroko took a step forward and opened the gate. He was about to stepped inside but then stopped and bravely faced Kise. The sharp glint in Kise's eyes was his only warning as the blond leaned forward for another kiss. He closed his eyes and willingly let Kise kissed him. He grabbed at the rail gate behind him to steady himself as he drowned in their kiss, drunk in sensations. He opened his eyes when Kise backed off and saw Kise's eyes clouded with repressed desire which he knew was mirroring his own.

Kise's mouth (red and swollen just like his) slowly formed into a knowing smile. "See you tomorrow Kurokocchi," he said, waving at him before turning around.

Still in a daze, Kuroko wordlessly waved back and watched Kise's retreating figure. He almost laughed when Kise turned around again a few ways off, waving his hands wildly before veering at the street to the right.

With a smile plastered on his face, Kuroko closed the gates and went inside the house. As he took off his shoes in the genkan, one thought came in his mind.

His first kiss was better than he expected it to be.