Disclaimer: not mine.

Warning: grammar mistakes, misspelling, typos and OOC-ness.

"You seem to be improving well lately."

A ball head of red jolted awake of his musings upon hearing that monotone comment ― though the obvious satisfaction was hanging by it ― coming from behind him. Growling, narrowed eyes turned its sole focus to the suspect of his surprise.

"Not again you idiot. Stop appearing like a ghost, will you?" the words were gritted out between his teeth.

"I was here trying to get your attention for the whole five minutes but you seem too engrossed with your...situation in hand that you made no notice of my presence." Kuroko reasoned out, his baby-blue eyes clashed with the annoyed red ones.

For the starters of knowing the Phantom sixth man, his expression would look as blank as the unused paper. But, fortunately, he was Kagami. He wasn't a starter nor would he be deceived by that look. He fucking knew the bluenette very well that he could certainly distinguish and understand what that stupid glint in his eyes was supposed to mean. The almost invisible curled up of the corner of his lips to the right and the slight shrugging of his shoulders after speaking was an indication of his enjoyment. The idiot was obviously playing with him. The bastard.

"No way I'm buying that," he gritted his teeth, "I'm not stupid Kuroko. You're obviously doing it on purpose and enjoy every bit of it. That amusement in your eyes fucking says so, and damn if you deny that." he made a move of jabbing the other to his stomach and satisfyingly the smaller teen wasn't fast enough to dodge it. Kagami grinned in victory at his success.

"That hurts Kagami-kun," Kuroko rubbed his stomach to nurse the abuse part, "...and I have no idea what you mean."

The redhead's scowl deepened, "You've got a good bunch of people to deceive with that look but don't include me in that bunch. Your face is laughing Kuroko." his voice louder than he had intended. With that said, he then turned back to the paper in hand, not noticing the content and genuine smile imprinting on his friend's lips.

"Say whatever you want Kagami-kun." the bluenette remarked to fill the gap, "But please lower your voice since the attendant seems to be eyeing you closely."

Upon saying that, as if being struck by a brick, the redhead had right then remembered where he was at the moment. To say Kuroko was right was an understatement – I mean crash that; it's not an understatement, because Kuroko was wrong. Definitely wrong. Why? The library attendant wasn't eyeing him – not closely – but instead she was eating him with her look (and haha, not the 'eat' you've all been thinking, mind you). That lady was devouring him whole, like a lion seeing her prey. And that glare sent chills to Kagami's spine, making him shiver. The Seirin's ace could only sigh inwardly and paste a strain smile to her direction, which she returned with a glare.

A scraping sound beside him snatched back his full attention to his blue-haired friend and saw him pull a chair and sat on it.

"Tsk. She's not eyeing me, it looks like she wants to fry me dead with that glare." he spat out irritatingly. Kagami's voice lowered the next time he spoke.

"I couldn't agree more."

"Yeah, thanks for the support." he remarked sarcastically, his eyes not leaving the paper in his hand.

"Mocking me won't do you any justice." the blue-haired Shadow responded bluntly.

"Huh, I can only imagine."

The smaller teen didn't retort back and also focused his eyes on the paper Kagami held.

"I guess you don't need my help." Kuroko commented suddenly after a long silence.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Kagami turned to him for a quick glance before looking back again upon realizing what Kuroko had meant. He covered the paper with his huge, calloused palm, hindering it from the bluenette's line of sight, despite it being a little too late to do.

"Your kanji is improving Kagami-kun. It's not as messy like before though we still need to fix some parts for Furihata to understand you clearly." Kuroko attempted to extract Kagami's hand but it was to no avail, instead the guy stretched it out of his reach. "I've read it already." he added, deadpanned.

"Don't just blunt it out all of a sudden or someone might hear you." Kagami hissed in irritation.

"Other than the fact that we are the only people in this area, especially, in this table, no one will mind us since everyone knows another fact that the only topic that you could come up with is basketball and that is beyond them." the bluenette bluntly commented, trying to snatch the paper again and successfully this time he got it without problem.

"Plus, they were already aware of your brain's capacity, and I could assume it wasn't on the good side. I'm actually afraid that if stupidity is a crime you'll be behind bars forever. So you better not worry about them hearing your mistakes."

The redhead ace could do nothing but stare at his team mate with disbelief. He doesn't know how Kuroko do it; how he could throw insults without changing his blank exterior. Kuroko was the best at that, which Kagami cursed and applauded indignantly.

To explain his part, that wasn't what Kagami meant when he said to 'don't blurt it', he was referring to Furihata's name that Kuroko shouldn't speak off so easily in a public place that could possibly be heard by someone and lead it to revealing his secret to Furihata. But with his teammate's blunt comment he couldn't compose a coherent sentence to defend his abused honor. For all the words that crossed his mind, a curse went out of his lips instead.

"What the – "

"Ah, we've got some problem here Kagami-kun." the Phantom continued, not caring about the ace's rigid state.

" – fuck."

In the end of his sentence, he grabbed Kuroko's blue head and clutched it as tightly as he possibly could do to hurt his friend. "Kuroko..." he said in a growl and narrowed his eyes in remorse.

The bluenette only held his wrist and attempted to break it away from his head but his effort was in futile. The redhead's strength was much stronger than his.

"That's painful Kagami-kun."

With no other option in mind, Kuroko plunged a jab on Kagami's side partly for the guy to take his hand off his head and mainly to implement the same pain he was feeling at the moment, and thankfully he succeeded for the guy hastily pulled his hand to rub his side.

Kagami sneered at him.

"I wasn't referring to my brain that you skeptically and critically insulted idiot." he spat the words with pure venom, "What I meant was Furihata's name, don't just say it freely." he could feel warmth crawling up to his face after mentioning the boy's name.

"Ah, I'm glad you explain it clearly. I won't say his name anymore." Kuroko easily said in his monotone voice. Although the amusement was evident in his voice, Kagami didn't say more.

"Explain your ass..." he grumbled inaudibly, 'you obviously know it' he continued in thought, still scowling at his so-called shadow.

"What was that?" Kuroko asked.

"Tsk, none your fucking business." he hissed.

"Your language Kagami-kun."

"Shut up."

The Phantom sixth man had then moved closely to him to get his attention and point something on the paper.

"Everything was good except that you have problem here, I can't seem to understand what you're trying to say in this verse. I have a vague idea but I'm not sure if it was correct." he glanced at the red-haired teen with an almost invisible crease on his brows, furrowing in confusion.

The redhead looked at the mentioned part. Ah. He almost forgot his first agenda of coming to the confinement of these countless boring books. Kagami's face reddened in embarrassment. Wordlessly, he read to where his friend's index finger was pointing.

"Aah, I suppose to write 'You're adorable' in here, was it wrong? I remember that was how to write it."

Despite Kuroko always helping him with the phrases he usually left on Furihata's locker, he still found it hard to write the Kanji.

Right. You read it right.

He'd been giving Furihata letters and acted as an anonymous a-admirer for months.

He doesn't know when but he felt this emotion all of a sudden. All he could remember was that he just woke up one day wondering why and how it happened. It just happened in just flick of fingers.

And how Kuroko find out? ― haha, stop. He doesn't want to remember it.

The phrases started after Kuroko urged him to make a simple note; he elaborately explained to him that if he couldn't say it personally – instead of hiding it and let it explode inside him – he could just write it in a stationary to convey his thoughts and emotions. But he didn't expect Kuroko to send it on Furihata's locker. But the moment he discovered it, it was already too late. And thus, with Kuroko's oh-so generous (did it sound sarcastic?) help, the next thing happened, and continuously happening up until today, which he had a big problem.

Furihata was asking to meet him. He didn't say an exact date but the letter seems to be saying as soon as possible. Kagami still had no idea what to do, afraid of what will be Furihata's reaction about his true sender's identity.

"You wrote it incorrectly. Do it this way." Kuroko's voice pulled him out of his thoughts and watched the guy in question. The bluenette wrote the exact kanji of his sentence and showed it to him. For a second, he scanned it and nodded understandingly, forgetting his embarrassment for a moment.

"Ah, yeah, thanks."

"So Kagami-kun, is your decision final?" he paused to look at him with a little smile, "Then I am very happy for you."

Kagami could do nothing but purposely thumped his head on the table and sighed, murmuring.

"I don't know Kuroko. But I hope it's the right decision."

"It is."

Furihata didn't want to but he couldn't fight the feeling of disappointment lurking inside him upon seeing the locker; it was missing something, to be specific, the paper where the phrases were written. If this happened several weeks ago he would never be feeling this way, perhaps he would be elated for being out of the shackles of those phrases. But instead of getting all relief and happy he felt none of those.

The brunette released a sigh. He didn't know why he was feeling this way. He should be happy right?

It'd been seven days, exactly one week, since he last left a reply to the sender about his decision of seeing him but since then he received no reply. Even a little answer of refusal was nothing. He should've told on his letter that he doesn't like to be left in the dark, having lots and lots of questions on his mind that couldn't find even one answer.

Strangely enough, he missed the phrase that kept on lodging on his drawer. It somehow made him rather...happy whenever he could read one. But now, there is nothing.

He should forget about that stranger now rather than be distracted by these alien feelings he was experiencing. He had to do just that.

Taking another deep breath, he took the pair of shoes off the drawer and put it on the floor to change his pair. He rearranged his things first before walking away, out of his locker's vicinity.

Upon stalking the stairs, he bowed down his head, not looking on where he was walking. His mind was in chaos.

And due to his bothered mind, he didn't notice another person going down the stairs and collide with the said person hardly. The brunette could feel his body falling off the stairs weightlessly. With all his might, he tried so hard to save his body from the pain by clutching anything to brace himself but it was to no avail. His hands held nothing but thin air. Closing his eyes, he waited for the pain to come while wishing for his body to bear it.

But strangely enough, nothing came. Instead, he felt two strong arms encircled around him with a puff of air lingering on his cheeks. Furihata felt his back met the concrete wall a little too hardly with a heavy weight on top of him. Letting the minute pass, he tried to control his heart that was beating erratically, as if wanting to come out of his ribcage. After about a minute or two, he decided to open his eyes when he felt he was okay. Furihata's eyes saw a face and meet the eyes.

Moments later, as his mind done processing what was happening, Furihata's eyes widened comically. Quickly, he pushed the guy, covering his lips in shock.

"It was an accident." blurted the guy quickly across him. No, he wasn't just any other guy, but a guy he certainly knew – Kagami Taiga, their ace. The redhead teen stepped back, also in shock.

"K-Kagami-kun...?" he whispered under his breath while his thumb unconsciously traced the corner of his lips where K-Kagami's own settled a while ago.

Seemingly awake by the sudden mention of his name, the taller teen moved closer to him again, his expression morphed into concern.

"Wait, are you alright? You hurt somewhere?" Kagami seems to be frantic.

Furihata blinked upon seeing the worry look etched on his team mate's face, waking up from his own surprise when the male touched his cheeks and inspected him closer for any possible injury.

"I'm alright Kagami-kun, nothing's wrong with me and thank you for your concern." he eased his anxiety.

"You sure? I can bring you to the infirmary if you want."

"Yes, you do not have to worry. Again I thank you for saving me." he replied softly, genuinely thankful.

The redhead ace sighed in somewhat relief and stepped back again to give him some space to breath.

'Man, his heart was pounding abnormally which he doesn't know the reason.', the brunette thought glumly.

Standing nervously, Kagami turned his face away, covering the redness on his face.

Kagami seems to be hesitating but chose to let the subject go.

A pregnant silence passed before Kagami broke it.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to –"

"I-It's not your fault Kagami-kun, I was to blame as well as to why it happened which I should humbly apologize. I wasn't looking on my way." he cut Kagami's words, his heart still drumming inside him.

The smaller teen heard Kagami sighed loudly for the second time and watched him scratched the back of his head before combing his vibrant red hair, messing it more.

"Nah, I guess it's no one's fault then since I wasn't looking myself." the redhead cleared his throat. "And, uh, about the...uhm...kiss. Sorry, it was an accident." Furihata could see the subsiding red hue from before painted again on Kagami's face.

Thinking was different when saying it out. It was much more embarrassing and nerve wrecking.

He smiled a bit and just nodded in understanding. His fast pacing heart wasn't helping him at all.

He calmed himself, "I should better get going." he said, he just hope his voice didn't sound like he wanted to escape.

Kagami watched him, surprise but then nodded after a second or two. "Sure but are you really alright?"

With another forced smile and a nod, he answered, "Yes, I assure you Kagami-kun. Excuse me."

Without looking back, he started pacing the stairs upward to where his classroom was located. Somehow, for the meantime he had forgotten about his disappointment towards the secret sender.

The redhead smiled as he watched the retreating figure of Furihata vanishing out of sight. He clutched his hand to feel the warmth that still linger there when he encased Furihata with his arms, the tingling feeling of his lips as they remember the soft tan skin that planted on them. He unconsciously lifted his fingers to touch the used part. He could still smell Furihata's unique scent.

'That sound so perverted Kagami,' he thought and inwardly shook his head.

Well, accidents happened in the most unexpected way but still the result was in a good favor of him.

"Geez."

"That's horrible Kagami-kun."

He almost yelped in surprise by the sudden voice. He turned to scowl at his blue haired friend who stomped out of its hiding place, in the corner.

"What did I do now?"

"You did that on purpose. You purposely kissed him."

"What?!" he sputtered incredulously. "It was only an accident. I never think of anything like that." he denied the accusation with pure conviction.

"That last smile tells me differently." Kuroko pointed out.

Kagami bit his inner cheek, "You saw it yourself Kuroko I was distracted and I didn't notice him. A mishap is a mishap. I'm smiling because...well, you know." he tried explaining his part, knowing Kuroko could get it quickly.

"Because you're a pervert." the bluenette answered bluntly.

"You know that's not it, and I'm not a fucking pervert." he refused quickly, too fast to almost sound defensive.

The shorter teen just advanced to where his locker positioned. "That's not how I saw it. You did it with an ill intention of taking advantage of his innocence and that's terribly unacceptable Kagami-kun."

The red-haired teen wore a shock demeanor and followed his friend in rapid strides.

"Hey! I told you I didn't do it on purpose. It was an accident, an ACCIDENT. And despite how deep is my feelings for him I wouldn't make a stunt as low as intentionally bumping him on the stairs that may cause us injuries and k-kiss him when he was vulnerable like that. I'm not that low to corrupt his innocence and use it on my advantage." his seriousness colored on his voice, full of conviction. Kagami was grateful that there were no other students around. "I'm just glad that I was on time to save him from falling. That is all Kuroko."

Of course, that was the main reason why he felt so contented, to the point of smiling on his own.

Wordlessly, Kuroko faced his shoe locker and grabbed his pair of shoes, putting it down and changed. The taller teen did as well, though he was scowling after he heard the reply of his friend.

"If you say so." the bluenette said it with no expression.

A growl emanated from the redhead as he felt insulted by that but didn't say more.

Before Kuroko took a step on the stairs, he said something to cut the silence.

"Corrupt. That's a big word coming from you Kagami-kun."

The male's lips twitched in annoyance and throw a glare at him. That's too much, you know.

"Shut up."

Kuroko left with a small smile tracing on his lips, letting an annoyed Kagami to follow him.

Exhausted, Furihata forced his body to move to change his clothes; he was dead tired. When he was ready to step outside (he'll be walking alone today since his friends ―Kawahara and Fukuda― were surprisingly absent for reasons unknown), the Seirin's tall ace walked beside him and asked.

"You don't mind if I join you?" the redhead scratched his cheeks.

Startled, Furihata looked at him. The brunette wasn't sure if it was only his imagination but somehow he saw the redhead's cheeks a few shades of red.

Furihata fought the urge to blush himself upon recalling the incident just this morning. Uh, forget it.

Taking a glimpse at the redhead, he couldn't help but wonder where Kuroko was since it was him who usually walked with Kagami.

He nodded, "I don't mind at all. But just wondering where's Kuroko-kun?" he asked to cure his curiosity.

Simply, Kagami turned his gaze at him before it went back to the road, his bag on his left shoulder, hanging.

"He went home quickly saying something about important matters that I didn't bother to ask further knowing how secretive that idiot when it comes to his personal problems. That baka really." Kagami said with a chuckle, face never leaving the road.

The no.12 player took a glimpse at Kagami and nodded, chuckling as well.

"And here I thought you two were unbreakable." he playfully commented, trying to eliminate the awkward atmosphere that confined them.

"So I've been told several times." Kagami replied with the same manner, "Sorry to disappoint though, but you're all wrong with your assumptions. We both are still human and have our own lives to live." he shrugged.

"Human? I find it hard to believe that." Furihata scrunched his nose, which Kagami noted as adorable. "No way you're human Kagami-kun, with your basketball skills and capacity to jump I highly believe no normal humans can do that. You're a monster same with that scary Generation of Miracles that gives me chills whenever I encounter one." he shook his head in disbelief, though with a smile pasted on his lips.

"Oi don't compare me with those idiots! They're just bunch of insensitive bastards who knows nothing but treat us low and useless. It irks me really badly for the comparison." he ranted, his eyes blazing with pure disgust. "Plus, I don't know if you're trying to compliment or insult me."

"You can take it however you want Kagami-kun."

"I prefer compliment then." the redhead snorted.

They both laughed at that, which somehow dissipated the tense atmosphere that had consumed them just minutes ago.

"That's stupid." the no. 12 player commented after a minute.

"Tell me about it." Kagami agreed, murmuring under his breath. Upon his laugh subsiding, he looked down at the shorter male. "Hey wanna visit Maji before going home?... Well, my treat."

Furihata returned the taller teen's gaze, letting his confusion passed for about a second or two before it cleared out with apprehension.

"Sure. I won't let free food pass."

And so they trekked their way to Maji burger.

The visit in Maji burger was built with companionable silence, making Furihata's discomfort fly off elsewhere, and it was as if the incident that happened earlier this morning was nothing but only a little piece of his imagination. Though it would still frequently popped in his head whenever he would take a glance at the redhead, but in a little bit of shame than before. Thanks to Kagami's good company the whole evening hadn't gone boring and awkward, he even forgot about the passing time. The tall ace was easy to talk in a conversation, different to how he assumed he was before.

In only one night, he had found out a lot about Kagami. Somehow, they had a lot in common. Whether it was from classical and Rnb music (which he find hard to believe at first but believed he did), to movies, television shows and they even favored the same brand of sports drink. Honestly, he never thought he would enjoy Kagami's company until tonight.

If possible, he wanted to talk with the redhead still but it was already late, which they then decided to retire for the night.

Strangely enough, they didn't notice that they already were on the intersection where they would need to separate to go on their own respective homes.

They said their farewell to each other and left. But before Furihata could fully turn his body around, a warm hand held his left arm to halt his movements. Confusingly, he faced Kagami again to ask him what was wrong but the taller male beat him to it.

"W-wait Furihata." his voiced stammered.

"What is it?"

"Uh..." the redhead's face coloring a deep shade of red and he seems to be avoiding his eyes. Okay, that piques Furihata's curiosity. He stayed silent for the time being, waiting for Kagami to speak.

The Light drew a deep sigh while fishing something out of his pocket. Kagami coughed and looked at him with pure determination in his fiery red eyes. Startled, Furihata watched as Kagami grabbed his hand and opened his palm, putting something on it. When Kagami released his wrist, he found a small black box on top of it.

Furihata's forehead creased in question.

"What's this?" he stared at the unsuspected object.

"A box." Kagami's curt answer. He sounded nervous.

"I can see that. But what is this for?"

"Ah...a gift, I guess." the ace scratched his nape.

"Ah...alright. But today is not my birthday." the brunette tried to remember each date of every holiday he knew that may help him analyze Kagami's sudden generosity.

"I know."

"You know?...But then what's the occasion? Can I –" he was about to open the box when Kagami stopped him...again.

The redhead evaded his eyes; somehow the redness on his face wasn't subsiding.

"Uhm, open it when you got home." Kagami requested, which made him raised his eyebrows but nodded.

"No problem. But seriously what is it for?"

"You'll know when you got home. Then I shall go. Se yah!" Kagami hastily ran to the different direction, leaving the brunette in a confuse state.

Following Kagami's advice, the brunette opened the box in his house, specifically in his room, which he so gratefully thankful for after he found out what was inside the box.

A keychain. It was a simple ornament of a tiger with its black stripes perfectly outlined the body of the chain. Simple, isn't it? Nothing so surprising, right?

Right. The keychain wasn't really what cause him to barely compose a word and turn him mute for a good one minute or more.

It was the paper. A stationary that was very familiar and that he couldn't even forget. Actually, he had missed it for a week. He opened the folded piece hastily to verify his questions and doubts, which was answered quickly upon reading the contents inside.

So it was...Kagami-kun...?

... The sender of those phrases.

With the confirmation revealed, his eyes widened like saucers.

The redhead watched his watch.

11:05

'He's late.' Kagami thought gravely.

He waited with questions inside his head. Will he come? What if he was disgusted? What if he doesn't show up? What would he do? What if... What if this... and What if that... But no answer came.

He threw his head backward to stare up the leaves that shaded the bench he was currently settled in.

Did he make the right decision?

'Uh. I wish I could turn back the time and didn't give that to Furihata, probably, he wouldn't have this problem. What now idiot? Uhg.'

The leaves danced with the wind.

'It's not the time for regret Kagami. Be positive. He'll come.'

But no matter how many times he told himself that he couldn't whisk the grave feeling that kept on eating his heart.

Disappointedly, he checked his clock for the tenth time ever since he arrived an hour ago, and yet he couldn't see a figure of a man coming closer to him.

11:15

Fifteen minutes.

Closing his eyes, he rested his mind.

'I'll wait for another fifteen minutes and if he doesn't –' his trail of thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling his name.

"Kagami-kun." the redhead's eyes flew open immediately upon recognizing the soft tone. He wasn't mistaken, the person he's been waiting for the whole hour was standing across him.

It was Furihata wearing a simple red printed shirt with a black line outlining on the hem and a pair of black jeans, a baseball cap adorning his head to complete the outfit. The guy was looking down, evading his eyes. Furihata's red face deepened after meeting his gaze for a second.

"Oh." he got up from the bench and smiled. He could feel his heart pumping in happiness.

A long silence stretched for a good ten seconds after being broken by brunette who thinks of other way to convey his thoughts.

"So it was you?" he mumbled in an almost whisper.

"Yeah." Kagami drew a deep breath; face contorting in unhidden worry knowing today will be the day to analyze what will their relationship become from here onwards. "...So..?"

Furihata only smiled slightly and took something inside his pocket. Opening his palm, he showed the keychain, now with a key.

Kagami's face brightened upon seeing that, which made Furihata's smile broaden upon detecting the genuine affection emitting from those blood-red eyes.

"You mean...?"

Looking elsewhere but Kagami, Furihata only nodded in response. "I guess I want to give this a try." he shrugged.

Kagami's smile brightened even more. The redhead clipped his index and thumb fingers on his chin to force him to meet his eyes. And kissed him.

'Do you know that you're sweet...

You're kind...

You're nice...

You're adorable...

You're pretty...

You're sexy...

But there's just one thing wrong about you...

YOU'RE NOT Mine...

Furihata, I know when you're reading this you already know who I am. Yes, I am Kagami Taiga, your team mate, the one who've been leaving you phrases in your locker. I have so many things to say but I can't say everything in a piece of paper. I want to say it personally. Yes, I like you, that the only thing I can say.

I read your reply Furihata and I accept it. I hope to meet you on Saturday 10 pm at the Meguro River.

Hope to see you there Furihata.

P.s I hope you'll give me a chance and not get disgusted by this. If you put a key to the key chain, I'll accept that as a positive answer

Note: ooops! I was busted. Yeah! Busted, especially by A-j Machado (guest), Calico Neko and 96rui. Thank you for the reviews everyone. I really appreciate it. Regarding this chapter, I don't know. I'm not really sure about this. Frankly speaking, I'm not satisfied with this chapter. The words are repetitive; even though it usually happens in my stories but this one seems to be a bit too much. Uhgg I don't know but I hope you like it.

Edit: So yeah, I proof-read it myself and found it painful to read. I deleted what I thought wasn't very important. Still, don't expect a good grammar, I just corrected some of the misspelled word and change some but nothing too much to change the story. It's the same. Another, I deleted the omake since I found it unimportant.

Thank you so much for reading!