A/N: I remember where I'm supposed to end up for this story and in most sense, the events that'll happen are mostly cliche ones which had me thinking. Should I continue or just drop this? Don't have to think for long though as you can see, I managed to update (after a really f*cking long time). Cliche writing is part of who I am as a writer, you see.
On with the chapter.
~Attraction~
What does it take for someone to make such an impact to another one's life?
"What are we going to do now?" Kagami broke the deafening silence. Kuroko is currently out and the three decided to talk about Himuro's latest finding whilst they still can without having to worry about their friend eavesdropping or overhearing their conversation. "One more thing, how on earth haven't you even noticed that it was Akashi when you handed the sketch, Tatsuya?"
"I don't know, I blanked out that day for some reason" Himuro sighed as he helped prepare dinner. "But, this is a serious matter not only for Tetsuya but yours as well, Shigehiro"
"Yeah, what are you're plans?" Kagami looked at the other. "I mean, it's Akashi we're talking about. You've got some nasty encounters with that guy"
Ogiwara stopped whatever he is doing and faced his friends. "Honestly, I don't know personally but if I have to consider Tetsuya's feelings for this matter, I'm willing to let bygones be bygones or at least form a tolerable relationship with Akashi. I can just act civil, right?"
"Are you sure you can do it?"
"You know, if we talk to Tetsuya about it he'll understand your feelings"
"Who says I'm not going too?" Two pair of eyes stared at the boy with looks akin to bewilderment. Ogiwara simply shrugged them off. "I will when the timing is right. For now, things are rather running smoothly for Tetsuya and I just don't want to ruin things up"
The other two nodded in understanding.
"That guy, he's already in too much pain so if that person can make him happy then so be it"
"Speaking of which, where is he?"
"Kiyoshi-senpai's family cafe. He's meeting Akashi for dinner" Himuro shrugged at the look of disbelief from the two.
"A date? Isn't that like too fast?" Kagami asked as he sat up the table. "I guess that's one plate less for dinner then"
"It's just a dinner not a date"
"Are you even agreeing with yourself, Tatsuya?"
"...actually, no. So wanna join forces and go officially bridge the two together?"
"Since when are we the three fairy godfathers to Tetsuya's love life?" Kagami asked shaking his head at his friends "I mean, aren't we imposing a bit too much?"
"Shut up, Bakagami. This is a precious opportunity! I'm in!" Ogiwara smirked with a thumbs up.
"Trust us, Taiga. After all this, Tetsuya will be thanking us"
"Fine. I'm in. This better be worth it"
...iOiOiOiOiOi...
"You're really good" Akashi stated truthfully as he browsed Kuroko's art folder. "You can even put up your own gallery if you want too"
"Thank you but sketching is just a hobby" Kuroko nonchalantly drew circles on his plate using his chopsticks.
"A hobby? You should really take things to a professional level"
"I don't think I'm capable, Akashi-kun" Kuroko's gaze did not met the other "Even if I pursue it, in the end it wouldn't really matter. Not everything in this world lasts a lifetime"
"Are you being doubtful of your own skills?" Akashi raised a brow.
"No. Let's just say that thing are much more complicated than that. Me making a career for it will just be worthless anyway. Things like making a career out of something like this, in the end they're all just going to be futile attempts" Kuroko deadpanned as he gathered his materials and carefully placed them inside his bag leaving his art folder out afraid to have folds in it. Akashi stared curiously at the other as worry for the boy he barely knew seemed to have surfaced. Those words, they were just to negative for Akashi's liking.
"Basing on your words, you seem to be deeply thinking. Is there something wrong, Tetsuya?"
It took the bluenette seconds before he was able to find his voice. "There's nothing wrong. Please don't think too much about it"
"You're hiding something from me"
"We all have secrets Akashi-kun. I'm entitled as to whether I'll share it to you or not" A deafening silence engulfed the two until Akashi nodded a few moments later. It wouldn't help if he'll try pushing the other into talking since he's currently trying to gain more of the bluenette's trust.
And he's not stupid to try ruining it just because he can't shut up. Yes, for the first time in his life, Akashi Seijuro found someone he's willing to submit to without even having to be asked.
Funny how he ended up taking a liking to someone he barely even know.
"My apologies, Tetsuya. I didn't mean to ruin your night"
"Akashi-kun is forgiven, then" A small, barely even there smile grazed Kuroko's lips and yet Akashi thinks it's one of the most precious thing he's ever seen in his life.
Akashi found himself warming up at that.
...iOiOiOiOiOi...
"So? How did it go?" Kagami asked once Ogiwara had put the phone down. The teen grinned and did a two thumbs up.
"Details?" Himuro asked as he sat down on the couch.
"Well, grandma's strict-talking as ever and she's got some ground rules for the three of us" Ogiwara held a hand out a hand and started counting "First, there should always be at least one of us for each of Kuroko's subjects. Two, he's not allowed to join any physically exhausting activities so no sports whatsoever. Three, he needs to be home by 9pm sharp. Four, Kuroko's health is topmost priority and Fifth, if something goes wrong he is to be immediately pulled out of school and going to be sent to Europe"
"We can pull all that off"
"Considering how strict and overprotective grandma is, I was quite surprised she actually agreed"
"She's maybe like that but his grandson's happiness is still top priority"
"And now that we're done convincing grandma, what's our next step? I'll personally take care of Tetsuya's transfer documents so you guys can rule that one out" Himuro added as he briefly glanced at his wristwatch.
"Talking to Akashi Seijuro and convincing him to be Tetsuya's tutor" Ogiwara grinned as if he had already carefully planned every possible scenario in his mind.
"Tutor? Tetsuya's already smart enough even without the usual interaction since he had been homeschooling for a long time. He doesn't need a tutor"
"Well, Akashi's only going to sort of refresh everything to Kuroko and make him adjust to things. I think he's capable so why don't we give him the benefit of the doubt?" Himuro countered his brother-like figure.
"Besides, Taiga don't you think it's going to be the perfect opportunity for us to get them interacting more with each other?" Ogiwara added slyly into which Himuro readily agreed to.
"You two scare me too much sometimes"
...iOiOiOiOiOi...
"Are you sure about this?" Kagami asked as he and Ogiwara walked the hallways inside the Business Administration building the next day.
"Yes I am. This will be the perfect opportunity actually. Besides, haven't we already agreed to doing this last night?" Ogiwara stopped in front of a certain room. "Let's just do this. We barely have twenty minutes before our next class"
"Fine. I get it but if that guy does something bordering not so nice I'll punch him in the face" Kagami spoke in a dead serious tone.
"I'll be fine. Anyways, operation AkaKuro commences now!"Ogiwara smiled as he opened the door. "Excuse me, is Akashi Seijuro here?"
"What do you want with Akachin?" A rather tall purple haired student 'towered' over the two before a rather bored expression formed on his face. "Oh it's you"
"Who is it Atsushi?"
"The guy who didn't make it into the basketball club, Akachin can I crush him?"
"Ah, Shigehiro isn't it?" Akashi stood from his seat. "To what honor do I get from someone whose not that equipped for a sport they like? It must have been rather frustrating when you lack the talent, isn't it?"
Ogiwara clenched his fist.
"However, I am starting to like your drive and passion. I can consider using you as a pawn to further achieve what victory I want to gain" Ogiwara bit his lip inwardly to stop himself from madly confronting the emperor, reminding himself of the sole reason why he was there. This guy, he didn't even try to watch his own words or how it'll affect people's self esteem.
The teen briefly wondered if its even worthy going to all this trouble. Kuroko owes him big this time.
"We're not here to talk about basketball. So drop it"
Ogiwara stated with a firm tone whilst Kagami didn't bother to hide his annoyance. "Watch your words, Akashi!"
"Oh? Are you threatening me now, Taiga?" Akashi asked in a taunting voice, eyes not even faltering
"What if I am?" Kagami doesn't seem like backing out until Ogiwara motioned him to shut up. With one last glare, the other backed away and let his friend do the talking.
"Ah, I'm sorry for Taiga's attitude. Listen, I still am not in the best terms with you but I'll overlook things" Ogiwara spoke as he mouthed Kagami to not speak a word. Kagami rolled his eye in annoyance but did as he was told. "Look, we came here to ask a favor from you"
"A favor? Are you aware as to whom you're trying to ask a favor from?" Akashi asked with amusement. "However, let me here whatever it is that you two have to say"
"We need you to tutor our friend prior to his transfer here"
"And what gain will I achieve if I ever agree to your proposal? As I can see, you are not even beneficial to my plans for victory or are you even a useful piece of pawn unless I use you on a way I deem necessary"
"You!" Kagami clenched his fist, unable to stop himself at those words and is about to latch towards the other but was stopped with Ogiwara's hands. "Taiga, stop!"
Ogiwara then faced Akashi, eyes looking rather serious. "I'm fine not being useful to your plans. I am my own person anyway, Akashi and as a matter of fact, I'm not even going to gain anything from asking you that favor. I'm simply doing this for a friend"
"What if I'm not the least bit interested in tutoring someone, most likely if he is as you've said a friend of yours?" Akashi spoke, getting bored with the current conversation. "But, do humor me Ogiwara Shigehiro"
"What if I tell you then that the two of your are pretty much already acquainted?" Akashi raised a brow as he awaited for the other to finish speaking. Ogiwara simply looked at Akashi dead straight in the eye and smirked.
"Does the name Kuroko Tetsuya ring a bell?"
In the end, whatever that trigger is, just hold on tightly and seize the moment.
Seriously Himuro, how can you not recognize Akashi? [Yes, let us all pretend that he 'blacked out' that day and didn't realize it was Akashi]
Akashi is kind of a jerk for this chapter. Three fairy godfathers who acts OOC compared to canon.