Chapter 9: Can't forget
I had always loved his form.
It's always so beautiful.
Not just when he's playing. Even just him standing alone there in the middle of the court is enchanting.
His posture straight, the aura surrounding him full of charisma. Every practice, I would always find myself staring at him.
Even before I joined the basketball club, even before we met each other in the library... Ever since the first time I saw him outside the school gates, I find myself staring at him.
I wonder what was it that made me feel so attracted to him.
His blazing red hair?
His clear red eyes?
Or maybe it's because he looks so perfect even though we have almost similar physique, he wasn't weak like me at all. Whatever it is, my eyes kept following him.
I knew at that time that he was someone very different from me. Someone I definitely can never become.
He is someone special... someone unique...
Someone I can only admire from afar,
and can never stand alongside him...
"W-why are you here, Akashi-kun?..." Kuroko stuttered, dumbfounded as he laid his eyes on the now approaching former captain of his.
A moment of silence, deafening for not only Kuroko but for his teammates behind him as well.
"Why, you ask... I believe it's quite obvious since I have mentioned it the previous time we met." Akashi stopped a few feet from the teal-head and only smiled, menacingly. "Let's talk."
Instincts kicked in and Kuroko took a step back to avoid the red-head, only to have his hand grabbed tightly. "Don't defy me, Tetsuya." Red orbs narrowed at blue ones and Kuroko felt suffocated. How long has he last felt such immense pressure from Akashi? But before he could do anything to escape the intense grip of his former captain, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry to interrupt but we are in quite a rush to get back to our school right now, do you mind telling whatever it is you want to talk about to Kuroko on the phone with him later? We have a train to catch." Kiyoshi butt in and pulled Kuroko back away from Akashi, his comforting hand never leaving Kuroko's shoulder.
Akashi surveyed the second-year with slight amusement. "Strong-willed I see, but are you sure you want to interrupt us? I believe the better choice for you lot-" he eyed the other Seirin members who were watching him with menace, including Kagami who was unexpectedly quiet and just observing, "that you leave right this instant."
"Kuroko is our teammate. We have the responsibility of seeing him home safely and not with someone as dangerous as you." Hyūga hissed, "And-"
Face him... It's all right..
"It's all right... Hyūga-senpai... And thank you." Kuroko cut the captain off as he smiled gratefully at him before turning to Akashi. "Actually I also have something to talk with Akashi-kun."
Hearing that, Akashi smirked once again as the Seirin members threw worried glances towards Kuroko.
"But not here..." Kuroko added and turned to face his teammates. "Sorry, please go on without me." he bowed and Akashi began leading the way as Kuroko followed behind him.
"Wait Kuroko!" Izuki tried to stop but before he could grab Kuroko, Akashi turned to glare back at him. Seeing the deadly glare from the red-head, he pulled back his outstretched hand. "... We will wait for you here."
Kuroko nodded his head and soon the two left and the tense atmosphere vanished.
"Damn it! We shouldn't have came here!" Izuki banged his hand against the wall as he shouted after Kuroko and Akashi left.
"Izuki-kun... " Riko muttered while trying to calm the raven-head down.
"He will be fine Izuki. Don't worry." Kiyoshi reassured him with a pat on a shoulder although not without thinking 'but he sure is taking quite a while...'
"I think I will go and look for him."
"Wait Izuki!"
Izuki started sprinting off towards the direction Kuroko and Akashi had taken before the rest of his teammates could convince him no to. Kuroko was like a younger brother to Izuki, having a family full of girls after all led him to treat the younger male as a brother.
"Jeez! Each one of you doing your own things!" Hyūga grumbled as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"Erm... Captain...? Izuki-senpai isn't the only one..." Furihata stuttered and laugh timidly as he pointed at the now running red-haired ace of the team.
Everyone including the normally oblivious Kiyoshi started to flinch and tense as the whole corridor seemed to envelope in the wraith of the Seirin basketball team captain.
"KAGAMI!"
Although they had been walking silently, the overwhelming aura around them clearly didn't help but earned glances from the other people in the stadium. Finally coming to a stop at a corridor with no one in sight, they both turned to face each other. Kuroko was the one who started first.
"Akashi-kun, I know what you want to talk about. You... want me to go to Rakuzan with you, right?" Kuroko spoke softly, eyes staring right into the red orbs without any obvious emotion. But Akashi knew better. These are ones that contain a hint of confusion and yet determination.
"Of course. Although I can't speak of my reasons now, but it would be wise for you to listen as I say." Akashi smirked a little and slowly narrowed his eyes before continuing, "And... Judging from your looks, I suppose there's nothing I can do to have you come to Rakuzan with me right?"
"Yes. But, to think that Akashi-kun was the one who said that we should attend different schools, I am quite surprised Akashi-kun wants me in Rakuzan now."
"I told you, I have my reasons. But," A hand made its way to Kuroko's teal locks and landed on his cheeks as the red-head moved closer to him, much to Kuroko's discomfort. Backing away and to only have his back hit against the walls, Kuroko flinched, but the hands never once left him. "Since you refused, I have no choice but to do it the painful way."
Painful?
"What are you planning?"
Two pairs of eyes widened at the sudden intrusion and both teens turned their heads towards the source of the new voice.
"Shintarō."
"Midorima-kun..."
The two said in sync.
Smirking, Akashi removed his hand from Kuroko's cheek and turned his body to face the green-head.
Pushing up his glasses, Midorima continued, "To think that you are asking Kuroko to attend Rakuzan now of all times, just what are you planning Akashi?" His eyes squinting at the smirking teen, as if trying to figure the man out.
"Nothing that you should know about. Nothing important. I guess that you can say I just want things back to the way it was."
A hint of sadness in his eyes, Kuroko noted, a little different from now but he still wasn't the same Akashi as before.
"Akashi-kun, I too, really want things to be back to the way they are. But..."
"Seeing things as they are now, I don't believe things will be like how it was in the past." Midorima continued in Kuroko's stead.
Eyeing Midorima from the corner of his eyes and then returning to look into Kuroko in the eyes. Hesitantly, Kuroko nodded his head as their eyes met, agreeing with Midorima. Akashi, now with an unsmiling look on his face, stated harshly.
"Until now, I regretted how things had ended that way for him, but I haven't once regretted what I've said to him. The victors write history. The losers are wiped from it. He is of no exception. He had just simply lost and thus there was no way for him to change anything."
"Wrong! If you had just given him another chance- if he just had one more chance, I'm sure he would be able to change and definitely be able to-"
"No, you are wrong."
A sudden movement and both hands were brought to each side of Kuroko on the walls.
Trapped.
Flinching, Kuroko tried to back away only to remember his back was to the wall. Grabbing Akashi's left hand, he tried to wiggle out of his position but Akashi just moved closer and lifted his hand. Kuroko shut his eyes tightly as he braced for the impact but Akashi just lifted the teal-head's chin.
"Ak-"
"Shintarō. Stay where you are."
Scarlet and golden eyes glinting menacingly in the dark, Midorima could not help but just halt his movements and retract the foot he initially wanted to take a step towards the two of them with. Kuroko opened his eyes in response to his former captain's actions and their eyes met once more. Unconsciously, Kuroko's body started shaking.
Akashi frowned at the sight of the smaller male trembling.
"Why are you so scared of me?" He whispered as his hand trailed up from Kuroko's chin to his blue locks once again. "Is it because I'm not who you expect to be? Don't get me wrong." He said the rest with much more intimidation.
"I am Akashi Seijūrō, nothing more, nothing less. We are the same person."
An image of the once gentle smiling Akashi flashed through Kuroko's mind and he shut his eyes to clear that image away.
"No..." Kuroko pushed both hands onto the larger male's chest in attempt to push him away. Opening his eyes and staring right back at those heterochromatic eyes, he continued. "What you are doing right now is not what the Akashi-kun I used to know would do. I-"
"KUROKO! Where the hell are you?!" A roar cut across the hallways, interrupting Kuroko. Midorima looked to his left and widened his eyes in shock as he saw two teens running towards him.
"It looks like," Akashi glared towards the entrance of the corridor where Midorima was and narrowed his eyes. "We have some uninvited guests."
Seeing Midorima, Kagami as well as Izuki skidded to a halt beside him. "Yo Midorima have you seen Kuroko? He..."
Kagami trailed his eyes towards his right and finally saw the teal-head.
"Ah! FOUND Y-" Kagami cut his words as his jaws dropped and mouth wide opened.
Seeing Kagami gaping, Izuki followed the ace's gaze and soon stared at the two whom they were trying to find, dumbfounded as well. Even Midorima joined in and couldn't blink his eyes.
Kuroko's eyes widened in shock as Akashi's lips ghosted around his before fully pressing them together. Gasping, Akashi took advantage of the moment and slid his tongue in. Kuroko hitched a breath and gripped onto Akashi's uniform tightly, as he tried to comprehend what was going on.
A quick and soft kiss it was and soon Akashi pulled away. Kuroko snapped out of his trance as he panted and faced down towards the ground, face flushed. Further tightening his grip on Akashi, he composed himself.
"What do you think you are doing?" Kuroko hissed at Akashi face finally facing the other teen, flustered.
Akashi seemed amused at the response he received from the other and brought his mouth to Kuroko's ear.
"What the Akashi you knew would do. And I found out something interesting... You kissed back."
Kuroko felt sick.
With that, Akashi removed Kuroko's hands from him. "I will see you soon then, Tetsuya."
He smirked and made his way towards the two, still rather in shock teens, and Midorima who finally got his senses back.
"And I supposed I will see you soon too, Shintarō."
"Y-yeah..."
"Oh that reminds me." Akashi smiled towards Kuroko. "During my time in Rakuzan, I've met someone who is very much like you, Tetsuya." His gaze never once leaving Kuroko, as if he wanted him to understand the meaning behind his words.
And then he stode off.
"KUROKO!" Izuki and Kagami shouted as they saw the falling figure of their teammate. Dropping his hands to his side, Kuroko blinked as he slid down the wall he was leaning against and sat on the floor. Tears began to form in his eyes and Akashi's words kept replaying in his mind. They were relieved to see Kuroko was just sitting on the floor and not harboring any injuries, but worried as they watched their youngest teammate crying with no intention of stopping soon. Kagami was stunned and was at a lost of what to do, never seeing his partner this vulnerable before, while Izuki went ahead and pat the younger's back and hushed and comforted him to stop crying.
Midorima then walked towards the crouching teal-head, thoughts still on his former captain whom he can never figure out what he was thinking. Placing a comforting hand on Kuroko's head, he muttered the teal-head's name under his breath.
"Kuroko..."
"I hate myself..." Bringing a hand to cover his eyes, Kuroko mumbled, supposedly directing his words to Midorima. Izuki stopped his hushing to allow his younger teammate to continue speaking. "I hate myself for being like this. Even after so many months- after so long, I just... can't seem to forget about him..." Ending with several hiccups, Kuroko continued crying as Midorima put more weight on his hand on his former teammate's head. He ruffled the teal locks gently and didn't know what else to say. He had told Kuroko to not run away anymore... but this, although he may have expected, he didn't want it to happen. He was quite sure Kuroko would be able to forget about the things that happen between him and Akashi. He hadn't think this would really happen.
Maybe Akashi really had a big influence in his life. He was the one who sought out Kuroko and notice his abilities as a basketball player after all.
Or maybe he just didn't knew the teal-head well enough.
Whatever it was, he believed that only time will tell. The most important thing now is what Kuroko will do, since two of his teammates had witness the... unintended scene.
But, would Kuroko tell them the truth?
"ALL RIGHT! WE WO-"
"Shut up, Wakamatsu." Imayoshi said coolly as he sprayed water onto said teen's face from his water bottle.
"But what a close shave we had!" Wakamatsu said as he wiped his dripping wet face with his towel. "Even Aomine had hardships this time round!"
Everybody in the room glanced towards the dark-skinned teen sitting on the benches of the locker rooms. A towel over his head, and once he finished packing his stuffs, he got up and with a "I'm leaving", he walked out of the room.
"Ah wait Aomine-kun!" Momoi huffed as she saw her childhood friend disappear from everyone's sight and the door slammed shut.
Confused members just started blinking in response to their ace's departure. Although it was the usual behavior their ace had displayed several times, where he will always leave right after the match, this time there was an air of uneasiness around him. Well, at least they concluded that that was the closest word they could describe the Aomine now.
"Get ready to leave." Imayoshi broke the silence and the other members hurried in the packing of their belongings.
They had a long day and Imayoshi just wanted to go home.
"Midorima-kun." A soft murmur escaped Kuroko's lips as he look at the green-head walking in front of him. Kuroko had finally calmed down and they were heading towards the direction of where the other Seirin members are waiting at. With the sound of his name called, he stopped and turn around to face the teal-head.
"What?" He asked softly, unlike the usual uncaring and arrogant tone he often used.
"Just what did I do wrong? Akashi-kun he wasn't- he changed." Kuroko ended heavily with his body slumped forward a little.
Kagami and Izuki eyed towards Kuroko worriedly. They didn't really know what was going on, moreover about the meaning behind those words. They knew too little about their teammate. It irked them.
"Nothing." Midorima said flatly. "People changed." He said it with little confidence; he was unsure if he said the right thing. Heck, he was in no position to say that. After all, nobody knew if Akashi really changed, or that was his true personality.
The atmosphere turned heavy and Kagami couldn't take it anymore.
"ARHH! All this serious stuff is really tiring. I am just going to say this, Kuroko." Kagami looked into Kuroko's eyes and said. "You have to tell us what's going on later when we get back all right?"
Kuroko widened his eyes a little while Midorima closed his with a silent sigh, already anticipating this and Izuki nodded as Kuroko glanced towards him. Seconds later, Kuroko fell into his normal emotionless face and replied, with a sad smile.
"I am sorry. But I promise I will tell everyone when I am ready. Please wait until then."
He had come to not trust people easily. He hated himself for that. Kagami, Izuki and the other Seirin members were clearly worried about him and had been looking out for them ever since he joined the club. They were clearly kind hearted and cared for him. He knew he could trust them but... But he couldn't-
He didn't want to feel betrayed a second time. He didn't want to lose them.
As if sensing his unease, Kagami and Izuki just nodded at Kuroko's words and they continued walking towards the exit. At least he promised to tell them soon.
Exactly what kind of past was haunting him.
Aomine scanned the whole place before his eyes rest on a group of teens walking towards him. He looked harder and he could see the red puffy eyes Kuroko had. He had been crying. He noted.
Why?
"Like I said, exactly how long are you planning to follow us, damn Midorima?" Kagami growled as his eyes twitched at how the other party looked at him.
"This stadium doesn't belong to you. I have the perfect rights to wander wherever I want to." Midorima scowled at the raging teen and pushed his glasses up. Izuki just rolled his eyes over the two's usual antics while Kuroko brought his hand up towards his mouth chucked lightly.
And his eyes landed on to the tanned teen standing at the exit.
"Aomine-kun..."
Hearing that, all eyes swept across towards Aomine who just stood still even though all attention was on him. Hands tucked into the pockets of his school pants, Aomine looked at Midorima before looking towards Kuroko. And then he just turned around and left, not giving any word nor any gesture towards the group of teens.
"What's with him?" Kagami grumbled as they continued out of the stadium.
"Then I will be going as well. Bye." Midorima said as if he didn't notice Aomine.
"See you soon, Midorima-kun." Kuroko smiled and Midorima nodded before he walked towards the other direction from Aomine, possibly to find the other Shutoku members.
"Jeez. Today has been a long day." Kagami exclaimed.
"Really, I couldn't even agree more." Izuki sighed.
Piong! Piong! Piong!*
The other members winced as they witness the three receiving a punch to their heads by none other than their to-be-feared and all-time violent coach Riko.
"That's for running off without our consent and for taking so long! We were worried you know!" Riko huffed as the three groaned and rubbed their heads gently to ease the pain. They muttered some incoherent apologies, and Kiyoshi tried to calm the angry coach.
"Really, you guys are such a handful." Hyūga exhaled loudly. "Let's get going. It's getting late." He said as he gestured the members up the bus when it had arrived.
Everybody had noticed how red and swollen Kuroko eyes were but nobody pried or tried to question him; Kuroko just looked too tired to be able to deal with all of their curiosity. And what's more, Izuki had given each of them the don't-ask vibe and just shook his head whenever someone tried to opened their mouths to speak.
Well, they kind of guessed that Kuroko will tell everything to each of them soon enough.
Now they just have to concentrate on getting to the Winter Cup.
Note:
* - I don't know how hitting in the head sounds like so I just made that up. HAHAHA! :P
Anyway, firstly, I AM SO SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE THIS! D:
I really didn't have a lot of time to update as things have been really hectic. I had to worry about the promotion in my studies and my exams and all, oh gosh I was just so busy. I really tried finding time to update! I really did!
I am really thankful to all of you who stuck to this story even though I hadn't been updating lately. You have my sincerest thanks and apologies! And my assurance that no matter how long I am gone, I will definitely finish this story and will definitely update!
I am also very thankful for you guys for being so patient with me and never once 'forcefully' urging me to quickly update and such. (Every time you guys did was always with a 'please do update' and that really touches me! :D You guys are so kind! TAT)
I do have some time to update now so I will try my best. So make sure to look out for it!
I regret that this chapter isn't that long to make up for the waiting time you guys had endured so please do forgive me! I am sorry! D:
And also thank you for the wonderful reviews yet again! And thank you to those who took the time to favorite and follow my story! :D
Any similar stories are purely coincidental.
Do comment and review.
Thank you.