Title: 90's Cliche Romance

Characters/Pairings: HanaKuro (Hanamiya Makoto and Kuroko Tetsuya), implied AoKaga, OgiMomo, and HyuuRiko

Challenge: 111- Rare Pair Battle

Summary: Kuroko is a normal, first grade teacher until he meets Hanamiya under unexpected circumstances ten years later.

Word Count: 20,000+ Words Total (Over five chapters)

This was the other fanfic I wrote for Basketball Poetry Society's rare pair challenge. There are four other parts that I will add daily until the last chapter. I didn't want to flood people who are following me - as an author - with multiple messages. That's why I am spreading them out like this even though it is a oneshot.

*~...~*

Kuroko did not have time to watch the news like he usually did before going to work, for he had woken up late. There was only enough time to slip into some fresh clothes and pat Nigou on the head before the cyan-haired man dashed out the door.

Everything about that day was peculiar besides his alarm clock not waking him up. Kuroko knew today would be strange when he noticed his colleagues' gazes were fixed upon him. While his students could sense his weak presence easily - probably one of the reasons the phantom liked children - the adults sudden stares were a little unnerving. Some had a glimmer of amusement in their eyes, but they did not approach him with anything or speak. Were they planning a surprise for the apparition? His birthday had passed so a party based on that event could not be it.

Still, if they did not wish to discuss it with him, Tetsuya would not pry. The former Seirin student turned off his cellphone and continued classes as normal. At least teaching class felt routine. He saw his children, taught them their lessons, and helped them with their assignments and reading, and would go home tired but satisfied.

But eyes, eyes were on him all day. The passing glances and looks from the other teachers had made the phantom almost forget that he had to get some groceries. He would not let some odd stares get in the way of Kagami, Aomine, and Murasakibara's visit back to Japan (after all, it was something their careers as professional basketball players rarely afforded them). Kuroko wanted to make sure that he had all the supplies - food and drinks - that Kagami had requested for their arrival.

"Ah, Kuroko-sensei!" The Seirin graduate had almost not heard it. It was from Yamazaki-sensei, another teacher at his school. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to the small market by my apartment and then going home to take Nigou for a walk. Why?"

"Oh... um..." The other teacher glanced around, as if looking for someone. "Never mind, sorry to bother you." Tetsuya nodded, too excited by the thought of eating his best friend's amazing cooking once again ten days from now to really pay attention to her erratic behavior.

This was much harder to do as he strolled through the aisles of the mini-market. Throughout his shopping experience, the phantom felt so many stares focused on his movements. It was like the teachers at work this morning; some of the people appeared just as mischievous and amused as the other faculty, others confused, and strangely there were some disgusted expressions. Was there something on his face or body? Kuroko glanced at every inch of his body he could - determined to find this offending error - and found that there was nothing for him to fix. Bothered by all the attention, the invisible man paid for his things and slipped out of the door without saying a word to anyone.

"Kuroko!" A familiar voice called out.

"Midorima-kun," Tetsuya blurted out, shocked to see the taller Miracle. He knew that Shuutoku's former shooting guard was still a resident, so to see the emerald-colored man was rare. "It is odd to see you here. Your work is rather far from this area." The transparent male pointed out.

"I had to come here. You were not answering your phone." Shintaro seemed annoyed. It must have been urgent if the doctor ran across town to speak with the smaller man.

"Ah, sorry, I turn it off when I'm at work. Did you need something from me?" Midorima stared at the sky blue man in disbelief. "Midorima-kun, what did-"

"I saw today's news program this morning." Kuroko was still confused. What did that have to do with him? "I need the truth Kuroko. Everyone is concerned. We understand that you do not wish for us to pry into your business because you are a private person, but we are concerned that you can be too trusting and forgiving." The Shuutoku graduate grimaced. Shintaro's mixture of disbelief and horror was similar to some of thee people at school and at the store. What could have possibly have been mentioned on the news that concerned the former Teiko trump card. "Is it true that you're-"

"Ah, it's true Midorima. No need to bother Kuroko about it." Instinctively, the Seirin graduate froze. Within seconds, Hanamiya Makoto confidently strolled towards the unnoticeable teacher and curled a possessive arm around the shorter male. Tetsuya sucked in his breath in shock, but did not protest or express panic. He wanted to know what was going on, and how the Uncrowned King he had not seen in years apparently was a part of this. The shadow stayed silent and observed. "Kuroko and I are dating, and the Children's Hospital has nothing to worry about. As new owner, I'll still honor the moral integrity the hospital was built upon, and you and your colleagues have nothing to worry about. I'm as harmless as Kuroko. Honestly, bothering him while he is shopping with such trivial questions... what an inconsiderate friend you are." Makoto cooed with fake sweetness before slithering his tongue along the diaphanous man's ear. The intimate act made Tetsuya's cheeks bright red and a tiny whimper escaped from his mouth. He was in such shock from what he heard that he stood still and flushed against the bad boy of basketball. Midorima blushed and mumbled that the display-of-affection was vulgar. Kuroko swallowed and did his best to calm himself down. "Hm, are you embarrassed? Did you want to tell your friends at a later time?" The genius asked about the shorter male's silence.

"I refuse to believe it. Why would you call him by his family surname if you were dating?"

"It is a bit forward to do so when we just started dating. Then you have to consider our history... going slow seems like the best option for both of us." The bad boy answered. At least with this information, the sixth man of the group of prodigies knew - somewhat - what was going on. But he wanted to confront Hanamiya first, and try to resolve this discreetly. He also wanted to know everything before exposing the bad boy.

"Midorima-kun, do not worry about me. Please tell everyone else that knows to do the same. This matter is between me and Hanamiya-san, so I would like to ask you to return home." Kuroko's dismissal visibly upset Midorima. "I promise that things will be better explained at a later date, but I must first discuss something with Hanamiya-san before this happens. Now please, go get some rest. I know many residents do not get the proper amount of sleep due to their schedule." Shuutoku's former student was hesitant, but the green-haired man reluctantly nodded. He shot an intimidating glare in the direction of the Uncrowned King, before saying a quiet good bye to his former teammate. Both passing-and-stealing specialists watched as Shintaro turned around and walked back to his apartment, waiting for the doctor to be out of sight and hearing range. As soon as he was, the ghost of Teiko unceremoniously shoved Makoto's arm off of his thin frame. "You have not changed at all Hanamiya-san." The vicious look in the younger prodigy`s eyes made the bad boy laugh.

"Oy, oy, such hostility in your tone and posture. Don't you even want to hear what caused this before judging so harshly? I thought that was what good kids like you do." Kirisaki Daiichi's former point guard taunted the younger man. Kuroko's hands balled into fists. "Do you really think you could win a fistfight with me?"

"Coach Riko's training is very effective."

"Even ten years later?" Hanamiya briefly checked their surroundings and then leaned forward to whisper directly into Kuroko's ear. "You live nearby, correct?" Seirin's shadow nodded. "Look, I'll explain everything there but we're being watched right now. For now, just hold my hand and take me to your place." The unnoticeable man scanned the area and spotted the cause of Makoto's concern. There was a man in black, hiding behind a tall shrub with a camera in his hands. Tetsuya was annoyed, but if he wanted the truth, he would have to follow the devious point guard's orders.

"You better tell me everything Hanamiya-san." The phantom demanded and laced his left hand with the bad boy's right.

"Yeah, yeah brat," The elder whispered. "Now take me to your place."

*~...~*

Nigou greeted his master with his usual, happy bark, and immediately ran to the shadow's side. Kuroko dropped the groceries he had and patted the now fully-grown dog's head affectionately.

"Sorry, but you have to wait a little bit more for your usual walk Nigou." The demure teacher sighed. He was going to cuddle with his beloved pet until Tetsuya realized that Makoto had not let go of his hand. "Would you mind letting go of my hand? That man is probably not going to be able to extract any information now that we're in my apartment." The dark-haired male nodded and slowly released his hold on the smaller one's hand. Kuroko wondered why the genius had not thought of that as soon as they closed the door. "You can continue your story in the living room." But the Uncrowned King did not pay attention to his words. "Hanamiya-san?"

"You live rather plainly." The elder commented before going inside further.

"It is all I need since I live by myself, and I rarely have company."

"Then why do you have so many groceries with you? They're going to spoil if it's just you and the dog."

"Kagami-kun, Aomine-kun, and Murasakibara-kun are going to visit within two weeks from America." The shadow wondered why the bad boy would care to even ask. He set the food gently on the counter in the kitchen and quickly gestured to the couch. "Please Hanamiya-san, my patience is running thin."

"I wouldn't really know. Your face is pretty expressionless, unless I'm taunting you." Makoto teased but took a seat at the only couch in the room. Tetsuya ignored the comment and sat opposite of the former point guard.

"Where did this rumor about us having a romantic relationship come from? Why are you supporting it?"

"Ah, it came from me." The entrepreneur admitted. "Well, at least I made strong implications. The one who filled in the details was that vulture that was spying on us. He's been bugging me since this morning." Oh yes, Midorima had mentioned something happening this morning. "A few days ago, the owner of the Children's Hospital had confided in me that he had terminal, stage four cancer, and asked me to purchase it from him because he didn't trust any of the vice presidents. Since he was a friend of my mother's and the hospital actually runs at a profit despite its charitable work, I accepted his offer." Kuroko found it surprising, yet he felt like he could believe Hanamiya. "This morning, I had just announced my ownership and gave a speech to most of the staff at the Children's Hospital. It was to assure everyone that under the exchange in hands that nothing would change and the integrity of the hospital's mission would stay intact." The Uncrowned King's eyes sharpened in annoyance. "But some journalist who I played against in High School put a damper on the ceremony."

"What does your karma have anything to do with our relationship?"

"Hey! Jeez, your patience is thin. Never would have expected that from a goodie-goodie like you." Makoto growled. Tetsuya fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Anyways, this reporter remembered me from High School. Apparently I injured his ankle when I played against his team and he questioned my morality and ability to keep my word. He said the only reason I had not doomed more to the same fate he had was because Seirin stopped me with their amazing teamwork and sportsmanship. He vowed to expose me for who I was." The bad boy's face twisted up in anger.

"Actually, it was Hyuuga-sempai's renewed concentration that led to our victory."

"Che, does it matter? Anyways, that bastard is just holding onto an old grudge against me. The other hospitals I own are the best in this country. I'm not stupid enough to jeopardize the health of our patients, especially when they pay a huge price for premium service and speed. But that idiot's stupid rantings caught everyone's interests." Makoto's huffing made the unnoticeable man roll his eyes. Why was that so preposterous? The bad boy's sins coming to haunt the elder later however should have nothing to do with him. Where was his involvement coming from? Before Seirin's phantom could interrupt, Hanamiya spoke again. "So to silence that moron, I responded back with a 'Oh, you admire Seirin so much? Perhaps you should follow in their example. Seirin's trump card, Kuroko Tetsuya, is not only a well-respected elementary school teacher, but someone I associate with frequently and would back up my claims of doing no harm to our patients.' When the crazy guy pressed further and said that no one like that would be friends with someone like me, I retorted back that Kuroko Tetsuya would however date someone he trusts. From that statement, the reporters made the rumors that we were lovers and I never corrected them." Of course they were going to make that assumption! Who would be confused by those lines?

"What time was this speech given and televised?"

"8:00am," It was the time that Kuroko had left the house to go to work, that was why the phantom did not know or see this. This was why the other teachers were looking at him funny. They must have watched the program in the staff room. "You do realize that we have to continue this facade until everyone is convinced."

"No, you need to have more confidence in yourself Hanamiya-san. If what you are saying is true, that your sadistic nature has not seeped into your work, then you should have stood your ground and answered the man honestly." Tetsuya reasoned. Makoto laughed. "This is not a laughable matter Hanamiya-san."

"You're still much too innocent. Defend myself honestly? And what happens when the aces of the other teams I played against testify and agree with that man? No, this was the most effective way to put him and the others down. Use his unreliable, childhood memories and heroism of Seirin against him." The Uncrowned King sighed. "But I knew as soon as I said that, I would have to hunt you down as soon as possible. Your nosey friends were probably watching the program and would ask you. Thankfully Hiroshi's sister works at the same school as you do, and asked the staff to not bother you with questions as soon as I called her. She then called me when you left for the store so I hurried. Good thing too, that damn Midorima almost ruined everything." The businessman leaned back on the cushions of the couch, but the invisible, sixth man was not convinced. He needed some proof.

"While I know this was bred out of panic, I simply cannot allow you to falsify things about me Hanamiya-san. Please retract the rumors by tomorrow in however you see fit, before I say my piece to those reporters." The ebony-haired man chuckled loudly at the cyan-colored Miracle's words.

"Do you think I would be foolish enough to believe you would help me without any conditions set in place? You must think I'm an idiot like your partner." The Uncrowned King spat back before pulling out a check and waved it around Tetsuya's face. "Your school's district is cutting funds again according to Hiroshi's sister. Sometimes it is hard to get even basic supplies for the students. It would be such a shame if the school missed out on significant, additional funding because you don't want to play pretend with me for a while." All of it was true, but the offer was not tempting to the first-grade teacher (even if it was for his pupils). If he wanted money, Kuroko could just ask his mother, Kagami, Aomine, Murasakibara, or Akashi if it was urgent.

"You are still the fool. I told you, I don't desire money. I live comfortably here." The shadow snapped. But still, there was something that was bothering him about this. "You say that you don't let your tendencies slip into your work, but I want to know why."

"I already told you. I don't let anything get in the way because I don't bite the hand that feeds me-"

"No, that is not enough." Kuroko crossed his arms and his bright-blue eyes stared straight into Hanamiya's murky green ones. "You went to Kirisaki Daiichi, and grew up rich. Money doesn't mean anything to you. You wouldn't change or be so sure if it was money alone."

"Ha... so like you. Alright, there is another reason dumbass, why I wouldn't harm any of my hospitals clients." There was no gleam of mischief like at Winter cup when the Uncrowned King tricked him before. The smaller boy nodded and waited for the answer. "Love," It made the phantom's mouth drop. "Good enough for you? Now, are you going to go along with this?" Did the former point guard say that just to get under the younger boy's skin, or was he being serious? Even though nothing about Hanamiya's body language or eyes told Kuroko that there was deceit.

"I will go along with your facade... for now. What do I have to do?"

"Simply trust me." The order made the sixth man uneasy. Trusting the bad boy was what he was afraid of. Nigou's whining broke the tension. "Seems like you have responsibilities to your mutt. We'll be in touch." Hanamiya said. Kuroko politely followed him to the door and closed it with a soft sigh.

"Ah, I should probably turn on my phone." The Seirin graduate thought out-loud. Tetsuya sighed when he saw how many messages he got from Akashi and Kise especially, and how they threatened to go to his work tomorrow if he did not answer him. Midorima had made several calls like he testified, and all call attempts stopped an hour before the green-haired man encountered the shorter man at the miniature market. Ogiwara made a comment about his best friend being a 'sly dog' for hiding the philanthropist from him, and even Haizaki expressed shock to his former Teiko teammate being in a relationship with the bad boy. But the strangest thing was that he only received one from Momoi, who only questioned if he got pickled plums for Aomine (a hard to find treat in the USA). It was impossible for her to not be informed if Ogiwara and Haizaki knew. Perhaps she was trying to be nice? The data specialist did have feelings for the phantom, so was the young woman just trying to be polite, grin, and bare it? "Well, tomorrow is sadly going to be as eventful today Nigou if these messages are correct." Kuroko fetched for the leash and called out to his dog once again.