Author's Notes: I am alive and back from the dead. First: I am so so so so sorry it has taken me this long to update. After the last chapter I just got stuck and really didn't know how to continue but Second: you guys are so incredibly amazing, and I would read your messages and reviews over and over until I finally got the inspiration to keep writing. Honestly, my most wonderful and dear readers are the sole reason I will power through to finish this fic.

To all of you who I've never responded to: please don't hate me. I'm simply terrible at messaging back and sometimes I get so immobilized by how sweet and encouraging your words are that I don't know what to say (but also because I'm ashamed I take so long to update)

To those who got the Ouran HS references: hugs and kisses and sweet treats galore!

I wanted to upload this quick so edits to be done later.

Chapter 16

Midorima stepped up onto the gazebo and took his place on one of the pianos, Kaworu following. "Are you familiar with the song, Baiser de Cerisier?" he asked.

Midorima paused to think. "It was popular a few years back."

Kaworu nodded. "Can you play by ear?"

Midorima flexed his fingers. His classical training had ended years ago, but he had yet to miss a day of practice. "I can do it."

Kaworu smiled again. "Lovely. I'll play the accompaniment." Once the live band was signaled to take a break, Midorima began the first notes of the song's sweet-sounding melody. Kaworu's accompaniment started slow at first, barely accenting Midorima's delicate waltz. But at the chorus, he matched the melody to not only emphasize but enrich the song into a whirlwind of sound that invoked wind-blown sakura.

The fervent playing took Midorima by surprise. He had already gaged the man's talent earlier but didn't know he could perform to such an extent. Kaworu moved passionately with the music and captivated the audience as if he was in the lead. Midorima glanced at the dance floor for a moment. Were there more people than before? At the edge of his periphery vision, he spotted a blue-haired figure dancing with someone. Midorima's fingers almost faltered. Kuroko was dancing with that guy from Zelo.

Kaworu briefly removed his eyes from the keys when he heard the slight hesitation in the music. "Would you like to switch? I can do the melody if you're tired."

Midorima shook his head, "I'm fine."

At this, the silver-haired pianist briefly looked at the dance floor to see Kuroko Terumi switch dance partners with a handsome blond. Kaworu grinned and continued to finish the song. His duet partner was playing the melody a little too fast it seemed.

After their performance had ended, Kaworu stood and offered Midorima a hand. "This was fun. I'd be happy to do it again sometime."

Midorima took the hand and nodded. "Sure."

"Well, I have to go. I'll see you around." And the beautiful silver-haired man left.

The shooting guard still didn't know what to think of his childhood hero, but right now there was something else he had to check. Midorima stepped off the gazebo and surveyed the dance floor for familiar faces.

He paused his search when the lights dimmed and a little girl spoke over the speakers. Midorima watched distractedly as they revealed the crystal sculpture and removed his mask at the count. The light show was an unnecessarily garish display he didn't care for. The butterflies, however, were an interesting addition. He counted about five different types of them, all native species to Japan.

Maybe it's about time I look for everyone, he thought when the display ended and the insects had settled into the gallery's lush garden. Midorima walked back in the direction of the entrance, hoping to bump into them somehow. He instead bumped into people he wasn't too pleased to find.

"Midorima-kun, right?"

Said person frowned. While looking around the gallery, Midorima had failed to look directly in front of him and so walked into a conversation between Rendou and Hiroto from Zelo. The latter had recognized him first.

"Good evening," Midorima greeted politely. "I was unaware you would be here tonight."

"Woah, you don't need to be so hostile," Hiroto said, raising his hands in peace. "You know, I almost didn't recognize you without the glasses."

Midorima could have said the same. Rendou and Hiroto looked ordinary in their well-fitted tuxedos. Hiroto even more so since he removed most of his piercings. "I'm sorry. That wasn't my intention." He turned to walk away. "Well, it was nice to see you." That last part was said as a formality.

Hiroto sidestepped to block him. "Hey, don't be like that. Why don't you join us for a drink and talk for a bit?"

A good fifteen centimeters taller, Midorima lifted his chin to look down on Hiroto. "No, thank you."

Rendou tapped Hiroto's arm. "Knock it off. They're underage, remember?"

Hiroto shook his head. "Easy to forget when they're so tall."

The younger band member tittered. "He's just bitter you played a duet with Nagisa Kaworu. Nice performance by the way."

That caught Midorima by surprise. "You heard that?"

"Yeah, we saw you go up. Hiro's our keyboardist so he got a little jealous."

Hiroto scoffed. "Kaworu could've been a pro pianist, but decided to be an actor instead. Who does that?"

Midorima nodded in agreement. "He's talented."

"Are you guys gonna be at the after party?" Rendou asked, changing the subject.

"If I understand correctly, you have to be of legal drinking age to attend."

Rendou frowned, "Oh, right. Man, it really is easy to forget how young you are."

"Ren's sad Teru-chan won't be there." Hiroto took the chance to tease the other as payback.

"Shut up!"

Midorima cleared his throat. "Have you seen her?" He would pretend he didn't see them dancing before.

"Last I checked, she was with Kise-kun on the dance floor."

"Thanks." Midorima said, returning to his search.

Momoi found Murasakibara where they had left him, still stuffing his face with desserts. "Mukkun, we have to meet someone. Is Akashi-kun still talking to his dad's friends?"

He looked up from his plate and whined. "Ehh… we have to?" Clearly, Murasakibara wanted to stay as close to the food as possible.

"Yes we have to. Masamune-san is asking for us."

"Akachin is over there." He pointed to their former captain at a table with affable-looking people. But before they could call him over, a bell chimed for Ageha's announcement.

Temporarily paused in their task, the two listened to the little girl's speech and watched the unveiling of the annual showpiece. Momoi gasped at the display after the countdown. The gallery truly looked like something out of a fairytale. As Momoi removed her mask, a spotlight illuminated the crystal sculpture and refracted into thousands of rainbow shards throughout the immense gallery. Momoi headed towards the dance floor for a closer look at the display and spotted some familiar faces. Not fair! The pink-haired manager huffed. Why does Ki-chan get to experience this magical moment with Tetsu-kun? She took a step but froze in place. For some reason, Kise and Kuroko's faces were really close together.

That- Momoi reeled. Was that a…? No, Ki-chan wouldn't... From where she stood, Momoi could only see the back of a blonde head. But when Kise moved back to reveal a dumbfounded Tetsu-kun, the world spun in circles. Momoi covered her mouth to hold back whatever sound wanted to escape.

Gaining the smallest amount of composure, the manager swiveled around to find other witnesses to this scandal. She found Murasakibara had stopped chewing an eclair to let the it fall back onto his plate.

One…

At the edge of the dance floor, she saw her childhood friend abruptly pivot and stalk away in the opposite direction.

Two… Momoi groaned.

Three? Four? The manager looked around but neither Akashi nor Midorima were in her field of vision.

Momoi groaned again. What am I gonna do?

"You are really beautiful tonight." The words escaped Kise's lips easily enough, but when he moved back, heat rush to his face. The blond straightened up, expecting a harsh stab to his gut or a snarky comment…

But nothing happened. He met Kuroko's eyes again. The phantom player was speechless, eyes wide and mouth ajar. "Kise-kun," he finally managed. "Why…?" His voice trailed.

Kise's words failed him. "I- uh-" he coughed into his hand and forced a princely smile. "Kurokocchi, wasn't that a spectacular display?" He swept his arms to the butterfly-filled gallery, if only to have an excuse to turn his face away.

Kuroko tilted his head. "Yes, but-"

"Oh look, Momoicchi's calling us! We should go!" Kise interrupted, nearly sprinting in her direction. Kuroko followed with a frown on his face.

"I saw that." Momoi hissed when she was within earshot. "Tets- ru- kun, are you okay?" She flung her arms over her beloved crossdresser and covered his ears. "Ki-chan, I need to talk to you," she said, her voice a little lower.

"Ehh… Momoicchi that was just…" Kise peeked over to see if Kuroko was reacting at all. His face was a placid mask in Momoi's arms. "Uhm…

"Teru-chan," Momoi cooed, "I'm gonna scold this one, okay?" Her smile was near angelic as she pulled Kise's earlobe. "Masamune-san wants to talk to us over there," she said, pointing to the direction of the terrace while dragging the blond in the opposite direction.

"Ow- ow- ow- OW! Watch out for the earring-!"

"Momoi-san…" but the pair was already gone.

When they moved to a relatively secluded part of the gallery, Momoi turned to Kise. "Why?" Kise didn't meet her eyes. "Hey, look at me. What were you thinking?"

"Momoicchi…" he said, still avoiding her eyes. "I- I like him. I like Kurokocchi…"

Momoi sighed. "Well… I can't say I'm surprised." The people around them had been warning her for awhile now.

Kise's gold eyes met Momoi's rose ones. "It's hard okay? He's so beautiful, and the moment was so perfect, and it's so hard to look at him and want him so much-"

"You." She smacked his arm lightly. "Have you even told him yet?"

"No…"

Momoi covered her face, mumbling into her hands, "Ki-chan… what are you thinking. You have to at least tell him. Don't you know how dumb you're acting right now? Idiot idiot idiot-"

Kise stood there, unsure of what to say before Momoi snapped her head up. "Ki-chan, telling a person that you like them is scary, but you still have to do it."

"How can you say that so easily? He's my friend. I don't want to ruin that. What if he doesn't talk to me again? What if he never wants to play basketball together?"

"Do you honestly think Tetsu-kun is that kind of person?"

"Of course not…"

"Besides, if he stopped talking to you it would be for some other reason like you annoying him too much."

"Mean!"

She giggled and started walking back into the gallery. "I'll see you in a bit. I have to find my idiot childhood friend and talk to him too." Momoi always had the inkling that Aomine liked Kuroko as more than a friend. And ever since they started modeling, he was more obvious about it than before. I have to get him to tell me in person. But what about everyone else? Nagao and Masamune's questions resurfaced. Do they all like him? Are they all in love with him? Momoi wanted to deny it. She really did, but… honestly watching how they act whenever her dear Tetsu-kun was around made it so difficult to say they weren't completely smitten. If that was the case, then what would happen? It's not like Zelo's music video. They wouldn't actually fight over him…

"Wait, Momoicchi," Kise interrupted her thoughts. "Aren't you bothered?"

"What do you mean?"

"You like him too."

"Of course I do!" Momoi turned to face him again. "But… even I can tell he just sees me as a friend or a little sister, even. I want him to be happy. So if that means letting him go then I'm okay with it." And to herself, But with someone I approve of.

Kise admired his friend a little more now. "You're strong. You know that?"

"Thanks. At least I've had the guts to confess. Better than you, right?" she smacked his arm again.

"Momoicchi, that's so mean…"

"He what?" Akashi's voice turned as cold as his eyes. He had excused himself from his father's acquaintances after Murasakibara called him over.

Murasakibara was unfazed. "Yeah… I saw Kisechin kiss Kurochin~"

Akashi's gold eye flashed brightly before subsiding to its normal hue. He drew out a long sigh.

"Akachin?"

The captain ran a hand over his bangs. "So it's finally happened…"

Murasakibara tilted his head. "What are you talking about Akachin? Aren't you going to do something? I'm really bothered." He furrowed his eyebrows. "Eh… Why does that even bother me?"

Akashi glanced at the purple giant before answering the rhetorical question. "You like Tetsuya." He decided to give up trying to convince him otherwise. "Tell me, can you imagine yourself in Kise's position?"

"Hah?"

"Would you kiss him?"

"Ehh…" Murasakibara stopped chewing to think. "I want to eat him."

Akashi considered this. "Perhaps I was wrong then. That's not what it means to 'like' a person."

"Akachin I don't understand…" the giant whined.

Akashi pulled up his sleeve to look at his watch. "It's about time I should leave. Goodnight, Atsushi. "

"Eh~ Aren't you avoiding the subject? And Sachin said we have to find Masa-san." Murasakibara complained.

"I will inform him then. My train back to Kyoto leaves in the morning, and I would like to get some sleep before then. Your train also leaves around the same time so I suggest you do likewise."

"But I wanna eat more…" the giant said, taking another plateful of desserts.

Akashi shrugged. "Do as you like."

He was led back to the office buildings where they had gotten ready. While removing his tuxedo jacket, Akashi thought again of the recent interactions between the Generation of Miracles. They were certainly enraptured by the phantom player. The sudden awareness of Kuroko's attractiveness must have acted as a catalyst. Their feelings of admiration and mutual respect were developing into something more. It was little surprise that Kise would be the first to make a move, and Akashi didn't doubt it would set the others in motion. Troublesome, Akashi mused. He could already see everything playing out like some corny high school television drama.

Akashi thought again of the phantom player. Dressed as a girl, Kuroko really was lovely to behold, pale skin, soft voice, and eyes capable of drawing you into their depths. But even before that, Kuroko in his basketball uniform, wiping sweat from his brow and desperate for victory, that was the version Akashi admired most.

He finished changing back into his casual clothes and got into a taxi bound for Iris Model's employee housing where some models could stay temporarily while working in Tokyo. As the Dulcinea shrunk out of sight, he thought again of the situation they had found themselves in. A bunch of high school students doubling as high fashion models. Absurd. If it was up to him, they should all be playing basketball again.

At the same time, he wouldn't have been able to see Kuroko and the rest of the Generation of Miracles as often as he did if it wasn't for the job. "I guess it's a little fun," he mused.

"Did you say something, sir?" The driver glanced to the rearview mirror.

"No, nothing."

Left alone once again, Kuroko maneuvered his way through the crowded dance floor. He touched his fingers to his lips and wondered what that was about. Kise has always been flamboyant and over-the-top. Maybe this was just another weird quirk of his. He probably flirted with girls like that all the time. Kuroko frowned, slightly miffed Kise could have actually mistaken him as a girl. It was a joke, Kuroko concluded. And on a different note, My superhero disguise has reached the point where even my friends can get tricked too. I am getting better at this.

Recalling Momoi's instructions, Kuroko headed towards the terrace and wondered what Masamune wanted to talk to them about. He barely took a step forward before a walking tower bumped into him and made him to lose his balance.

"Kurochin?" the walking tower said. One hand held a plate stacked with desserts. The other hand gripped Kuroko's wrist to prevent him from tripping.

"Ah, Murasakibara-kun," Kuroko said, straightening up. "Thanks for that." He tugged on his wrist.

But Murasakibara didn't let go. "Kuro-chin's wrists are so thin." He remembered holding them during their first photoshoot and applied some pressure. So small, so fragile, yet so powerful.

Kuroko twisted his arm and pulled harder. "Let go," he said firmly.

Violet eyes slid sideways to an indignant face. He never liked it when Kuroko pulled that face. "Okay." Dropping his plate onto a flowering bush, he pulled Kuroko into a bear hug and placed his chin over Kuroko's head.

"What are you doing?" Kuroko tried in vain to escape from the giant's clutch.

Murasakibara held him a little tighter to lessen his attempt to struggle. "Ne, why did you kiss Kisechin?"

Kuroko's words came out muffled, his face pressed against Murasakibara's chest. "I didn't. Kise-kun is the one who did that."

"Ah…" his grip loosened enough for Kuroko to break away. That made sense in Murasakibara's mind. Earlier, Kise and Aomine were talking about liking someone. Were they talking about Kurochin? "Hey-"

Kuroko stepped back. Murasakibara was acting strangely. And he didn't want to be pulled into another bear hug.

Murasakibara, on his part, was pissed Kuroko had flinched. He just wanted to ask a question. Taking a long stride forward, he lifted the small figure into his arms and held him there.

"Murasakibara-kun, what are you doing? Put me down!" Kuroko kicked and squirmed, but the giant gripped him tighter than before.

"Kurochin, if you make a fuss, everyone will look at you," Murasakibara drawled low, bringing Kuroko close enough to say in his ear. "Are you sure you want to embarrass yourself here?"

Kuroko bit his lip. Of course he didn't want that. How humiliating would it be for people to see him being carried like a child? "I got it. I won't fight, so put me down."

The giant thought about this for a moment. Kuroko had lowered his head and made himself as small as possible. Cute… The phantom player was so light in his arms.

"Nope." Murasakibara decided. He walked away from the gallery to the balcony outside.

"What? No! What are you doing? Put me down. Murasakibara-kun." This time, he didn't care if people saw him. Kuroko shoved against the giant's shoulders and kicked his legs held by the firm grasp. The struggle didn't faze Murasakibara in the least. He only held tighter and kept walking into the cool outside air.

Anxiety flooded inside Kuroko as he kept using all his strength to struggle out of the grip. He had never felt so vulnerable against someone stronger and powerful enough to render him physically helpless. "Let go!" But Kuroko stopped struggling when the grip relaxed, and he felt himself being lowered down.

"Kurochin, relax." Murasakibara set him atop the balcony's stone ledge overlooking the Dulcinea's gardens. His arms were still wrapped around Kuroko's waist to keep him from falling.

Kuroko snapped, "How can I relax when I asked you to put me down and you didn't?" He once again pushed against Murasakibara's chest to slide off the narrow ledge. "Hey-"

Murasakibara clutched Kuroko's waist and pressed forward to make him lose balance over the edge. Kuroko panicked and clutched the giant's shoulders. "Ne, does Kisechin like Kurochin?"

He didn't answer the question. "Don't do that. Put me down," Kuroko demanded again. His heart beat fast. That moment he really thought he would fall.

"I won't let go until you tell me." Murasakibara looked up into Kuroko's face.

"What are you talking about?" Kuroko was losing patience, but he resigned himself to the fact that he needed to entertain Murasakibara's questions before he could be freed.

"Kisechin kissed you." He gripped tighter around Kuroko's waist. "I think he likes you."

Kuroko sighed. Was that what this was about? "You're wrong. That kiss was just a joke. You know him."

"I don't think it was a joke."

"Well, you're thinking wrong." Kuroko tried again to shove Murasakibara away. This time carefully so he wouldn't be caught off guard and accidentally pushed over the edge.

Murasakibara didn't budge. "I think I like you."

Kuroko stopped and took this time to scrutinize the purple giant. Unlike Kise, Murasakibara wasn't the type to make that kind of joke. "What?"

"I told Murochin and Akachin that I wanted to eat you. They said it means I like you. Well, Akachin said he was wrong later-"

"Wait-" Kuroko held up his hand trying to process the words. "This isn't funny, Murasakibara-kun. Stop joking around already."

Murasakibara took Kuroko's hand and squeezed lightly. "What if I'm not joking?" His voice dropped lower, his tone different from usual.

Kuroko's mouth opened, then closed. Violet eyes stared clearly at him. Kuroko realized it was because Murasakibara's hair was tied back. He opened his mouth again. "What do you mean Akashi-kun said he was wrong?"

"Ehh… Akachin said wanting to eat someone doesn't mean you like the person. But I was bothered when Kisechin kissed you. So that means I like you. Probably."

That didn't make sense at all, Kuroko thought, closing his eyes. "Murasakibara-kun, I don't think your logic works. Anyone would be bothered by two guys kissing, right? And you always say you want to crush me. So that just means you want to play basketball again. "

Murasakibara frowned, unconvinced. "Then what does it mean to like a person?"

Kuroko looked away, collecting his thoughts. "It means wanting to spend time with them; wanting to see them, even if it's only for a little while; wanting them to be happy and smiling…"

Something in Kuroko's voice changed. Murasakibara lifted Kuroko's chin towards him, gazing once again at indignant blue eyes. "Then I guess it's different. When I see Kurochin so small and cute, I wanna gobble him up."

"Don't say it like that. It sounds dirty."

"Ehh… but it's true~"

Kuroko sighed, "Listen, you'll know you like someone when you put their needs over yours. At least that's what I think."

The purple giant loosened his grip, finally letting Kuroko back down onto the floor. "Kurochin… who was that person you said you liked before?"

Back on solid ground, Kuroko tapped a kitten heel on the marble tile. "Secret," he muttered.

Murasakibara studied the phantom player again before shrugging. "Whatever. I'm gonna go home now." He tousled the sky blue wig before heading in the direction of the gallery. "See ya later, Kurochin~"

"Midorima-kun, over here." Masamune waved him over to a standing table on the terrace. Next to him was Kise. "Are you by yourself? Where are the others?"

He stood there, confused. "Was I supposed to be with them?"

"I thought I asked Momoi-san and Aomine-kun to get everyone."

"Ah," Kise interjected. "Aominecchi uh- he suddenly had a stomach ache from all the desserts, and Momoicchi had to take care of him."

Midorima glared at the blond with a look that said, Are you in middle school? Do you think he'd fall for such a transparent lie-

"Is he okay?" Masamune fell for the transparent lie.

Kise nodded. "Momoicchi said she'd send you an email later."

"That would be good. Akashi-kun messaged me too saying he and Murasakibara-kun would leave early so they could catch their trains in the morning."

"What about Kuroko?" Midorima asked.

"I haven't heard from him either. I was hoping one of you would know."

"Are you asking about Kuroko-chan?" Natashou Yuna popped up at their table. "I saw him as he was leaving. Sweet child said he was really tired and wanted to go home."

Kise frowned. "Masamune-san, didn't you say you wanted us to meet someone? We're the only ones here."

Their manager sighed. "That's right. I meant to introduce you all to the producer of the Evangelion series for a gig in their tenth anniversary celebration, but we can talk about that later. It's my fault for keeping you kids out too late. The party ends at eleven-thirty, but you can go ahead and head home now."

Kise wasn't convinced. "Are you sure that's okay? This guy sounds like a big deal." As a professional, he couldn't forgive himself for being rude to a potential employer.

Masamune waved him off. "It's fine. He's a man of few words and the meeting would have only lasted five minutes knowing his antisocial tendencies. Go home."

After Midorima and Kise said goodbye and left, Natashou offered Masamune her camera, viewfinder pointed towards him.

He took the camera and absentmindedly scrolled through pictures of the guests. "You just can't put your camera down can you?"

"Mmm…" She tilted the camera down to see which image he was on. "Keep scrolling," she said.

Masamune huffed while still looking through the images. She captured the moment the butterflies flew up and into the gallery amid the blinking lights, a truly magical sight. Natashou had even managed to get the bokeh effect in the images. He recognized some figures in the crowd, one with blond hair, the other blue. Their faces were conspicuously oddly close to each other. Kise seemed bent at a strange angle. Masamune squinted his eyes and brought the camera closer to his face. "Is this…?"

Yuna sighed and plucked a mini-quiche from a passing waiter's tray and a glass of white wine from another's. "Young love is nice don't you think?"

"Sure… But you know, it's not advisable to stalk underage kids on their love-lives." He scrolled through more pictures and saw a petite girl being carried by a two-meter giant.

"Oh shush, think of it like gossip. Like, at family parties when your aunties ask if you have a girlfriend or boyfriend. Like that."

"You're too young to be an aunt," he chided. Still, Natashou was being uncharacteristically quiet about this new development from the kids she was so obsessed with. "Is something wrong?" Masamune asked.

Natashou looked at Masamune, her eyes glassy, "Tasuku-" his name came out whiny-er than intended. "They're growing up too fast make them ssttttoooppp!"

Masamune's concerned face broke into a chortle. "Yuna-san, I think you've had too much to drink." He lifted the wine glass out of her reach. "I don't think you'll make it to the after party."

End of Chapter

I am absolutely determined to finish this. As of now, my goal is 23 chapters.

Also, it's so hard reading back on previous chapters because now I look at them and think how childish they sound. I wanna rewrite it all but I'll probably just do some minor editing...

Also, the good thing about taking such a long time to update that the series finished is all this new source material. the bad thing about it is all the new source material. OTL