I’ll do my best in this chapter.

For all of those who have reviewed, I truly appreciated them! Thank you!

Ready For the next chapter? Here it comes:

Chapter Seventeen:

“Didn’t I already tell you to process those documents? Why are half of them still left untouched on my office table?” That was the first thing Kuroko heard when he woke up.

He quickly stood up; opened his room’s door and ran downstairs.

Kazuhiko, his father, is pulling his mother’s hair. “You’re not even doing any right job as my wife! Be more useful!”

“I-I has a meeting with one of my sponsors; i-it was a rare opportunity so I had no choice but to meet with them…” Nuriko murmured, wincing with the pain she’s feeling.

Kazuhiko pulled her hair even more that made her groan in pain. “Stop making excuses!”

Kuroko ran to the living room and pulled his father’s hand away from his mother’s hair. “Stop it.”

“That damn woman needs to be beaten up so she’ll learn, so get out of the way you worthless garbage!” Kauzhiko shouted.

“Don’t call him like that, Kauzhiko!” Nuriko defended.

Kuroko’s father gritted his teeth and raised his fist. Kuroko quickly shoved his mother backwards and took the blow. It was just coincidence that his father hit his chest, the specific area where the heart is placed.

Kuroko gasped and tried to catch his breath.

Kazuhiko huffed. “That’s what you get if you’re interfering upon what I want to do.” He grunted and went upstairs.

In some way…the phantom player suddenly felt like that coincidence will be much more trouble than what they are expecting.

Kuroko woke up in jolt and sat p immediately. He’s panting so hard and clutching his chest as he tries to catch his breath. It was like it wasn’t a dream; like it really happened again and he felt like he’s drowning.

He took a deep breath and looked outside of his window. The streets are covered with snow and the people outside are wearing almost five layers of clothing. He stretched and then fixed his bed. He then took a hot shower and put on four layers of clothing before going downstairs.

Takumi Kuroko, his hardworking brother, is reading a document while highlighting some important details. He narrowed his eyes and then highlighted something again.

Kuroko blinked. “Onii-san.”

No reply.

“Onii-san!”

Takumi gasped and turned towards where his brother is and made a surprised expression. “T-Tetsuya—since when—?”

“About a minute ago. You’re so concentrated towards your work, what is it about this time?” The phantom player replied and went to look for the key of the gate.

“It’s a message from Kamura Hideki. I heard he already sent you a message. We’re currently finding some ways to gather evidences against Isshin and his allies. He gave me some suggestions and I’m still considering them because they might bring you some danger.”

Kuroko grabbed the key which is placed on the hook behind the door and smiled slightly. “Sorry for bothering you with these things, Nii-san. Thank you for being there.”

Takumi shook his head and smiled widely. “I’ve spent most of my life ignoring you and abandoning you; not this time Tetsuya; I’ll never do that again. Oh by the way, are you heading somewhere?”

The teal-haired teen nodded. “Why?”

“Can you buy me a new Record Book? You can find them in Nagi Bookstore.”

“Blue one, right?”

Takumi handed his younger brother money and nodded. “Yeah. Be careful on your way, Tetsuya. I don’t want to lose you.” He mumbled and patted the blue-eyed’s head.

Kuroko flushed before nodding. “I’ll be going out now.”

As the phantom player walks in the street towards his school, he remembered his brother’s words earlier.

“I don’t want to lose you.”

~LFMH021~

The blue-head isn’t really planning on going anywhere. He just wants to breathe fresh air and relax even just a bit. Only few more hours and it’s Christmas, but he doesn’t really get the feeling of the special occasion.

Few days has passed since his parents left home again to go to their works. His mother went to USA to meet up with a frequent costumer and his father went to Austria for another business meeting—he’s going to make another branch in that country that’s why he’ll be long gone again.

The phantom player sneezed and looked up. He’s surprised to read the words: Seirin Gakuen High School Gymnasium.

He doesn’t know how he ended being infront of this facility and how he even passed the securities guarding the school gates.

The blue-eyed took hold of the doorknob and blinked upon realizing that the door is unlocked.

He pushed it open and his eyes widened. Almost every member of Seirin Basketball Team are inside and having fun playing basketball.

“Why…”

Since he accidentally kicked the empty bucket for cleaning and the thing made a lot of noise; the Seirin Basketball members couldn’t help turning his way.

They all became quiet at first them screamed.

He blinked then looked down at his clothes. He’s wearing nothing but white clothes. Even his scarf is white and his hair was covered with snow.

He went inside and the members crawled for their lives.

When he saw that the members are almost crying in fear, he sighed and took off his scarf and removed the snow on top of his head.

“K-Kuroko?!” They all gasped.

The blue-head smiled a little, as if he’s amused. “It was such a waste that I need to remove them already. You’re faces were so funny that it made Riko-san cry while laughing.”

The red-head with two eyebrows ran to him and shook his shoulders. “You bastard! You want me to die already?”

Kuroko blinked. “Maybe.”

The red-head was about to grab his head when he lifted Nigou and faced the dog towards Kagami. “Come on Nigou, kiss Kagami-kun. He missed you.”

“No, I didn’t!” Kagami protested and ran for his life as the blue-head chased after him with Nigou in his hands. “Go near me and I’ll make you bald!!!”

“Such threats won’t have an effect on me. If it was Riko-san or Akashi-kun who said that, I would have stopped already.”

“Are you saying that I’m not fearful enough?!” Kagami demanded and stopped to face him.

“Perhaps?”

“Why you—Oomph!” Before Kagami could even finish his protest, Kuroko took the open chance and made Nigou lick the red-head’s lips.

“Oh my, they kissed.” Riko teased.

Hyuuga couldn’t help laughing. “Don’t say that was you first kiss, Kagami.” He added.

Seirin-‘s captain stopped laughing at what he just asked when the red-eyed suddenly turned into a stone and fell on the floor. His soul coming out of his mouth.

“Waah! To think captain was right! It’s a miracle!!!” Koga shouted.

“What do you mean with that?! I’m always right, you dumbass!” The glasses-guy demanded and ran to chase after the cat-mouthed member. “Get back here!”

The blue-head ignored all the chaos going around him and approached their coach. “Looks like we all really are work-a-holics.”

Riko smirked. “Yep, you’re right. So, are you gonna join in?”

Kuroko removed his coat before nodding. “This time I want to fight against Kgamai-kun, so can I be teammates with Hyuuga-senpai?”

Hyuuga stopped from running and made a sly smile. “That’s a very good choice, Kuroko.”

~LFMH021~

“To think Kagami’s quite weak when his shadow’s not there.” Riko mumbled with a disappointed look.

“That’s because I didn’t play basketball for few days that’s why I’m still adjusting!” Kagami defended.

“Eh? Really?” Their coach asked with doubtful look.

“Really!” The red-head shouted.

Kuroko nodded at Izuki who was holding the ball. The blue-head received the ball Izuki passed and tapped it towards Kagami. It ended hitting the red-eyed’s head. “OW! What the hell?! Kuroko!”

The blue-head was about to disappear using misdirection but he ended not doing what he’s planning when he started to feel a bit tired than he should be. Even his light stopped mid-tracks when he saw blue-head painful expression.

“You’re sweating more than you usually do, Kuroko.” Hyuuga commented. “Only 10 minutes has passed.”

Kuroko wiped his sweat with his jersey and panted. “Um, I also do not know why.”

Kagami touched his forehead. “You don’t have a fever though.”

“Maybe it’s because of unusual weather?”  Izuki mumbled.

“There’s nothing unusual about the weather, you idiot! It’s December and it’s cold, what’s unusual about that?” Hyuuga demanded.

No, it’s not the weather or fever… Maybe all the stress, and fear I’ve been feeling because of my father is filling up, that’s why I’m feeling a little more tired than usual.

“Be prepared. Few days from now; you’ll be mine. You’ll scream until you die.”

The words echoed in his mind and his heart suddenly thumped loud. He suddenly remembered where his father punched him earlier and he felt like he’s drowning.

“Let’s restart!” Hyuuga shouted.

The others followed behind their captain and started, but he couldn’t move.

“Oi, Kuroko!” Kagami shouted. “Hurry up.”

Can’t breathe…

He tried taking a step forward but his body suddenly collapsed into the ground.

“KUROKO!”

It was like his heart is being torn into pieces and he’s being strangled because he couldn’t breathe. It’s like he’s…dying. 

~LFMH021~

Kuroko opened his eyes and blinked upon seeing nothing but white. He tried to squirm and get out. After he pulled his head out from the tight hug he realized that the white thing-y is Akashi’s shirt.

They didn’t do anything on the night of the red-head’s birthday. They just chatted with each other and slept while in each other’s arms.

Akashi’s still sleeping soundly beside him and he easily removed the red-head’s arms around him so he could stand up and took the call from his phone.

After he succeeded, he flipped open his phone and answered the call with a sleepy, “Hello?”

“Ah, just woke up, Tetsuya?”

His heart sank. “H-H-Helden Nomaki?”

The other line chuckled. “You still do not want to become my experiment toy? You’ll earn a lot of money and then you’ll enjoy it. I promise you.”

“No.” Kuroko growled.

He heard Helden huff. “Just few days from now, you’ll agree towards my terms whether you like it or not.”

“I already said no. When I say no, it means no.”

The other line laughed. “Be prepared. Few days from now; you’ll be mine. You’ll scream until you die.”

He doesn’t know why but he just has the feeling that what Helden just said might be true.

He quickly hung up and went back to bed. The red-head opened his eyes. “Tetsuya?”

Kuroko shook his head and snuggled to the red-head’s chest. “It’s nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded, lying. “Let’s go back to sleep.”

Akashi stared at him for awhile before taking his hand then squeezed it. “I love you. I’ll always protect you. Always, whatever it costs.”

~LFMH021~

Takumi sighed as he watched over his little brother who is sleeping soundly while wearing an oxygen mask and quite few wires attached on his body.

“Tetsuya…” He murmured and clenched the fists which are on his laps. “Where are Mom and Dad on a time like this…?” He grunted and made a full-of-pain sigh.

There was a knock on the door and the doctor came in. “Excuse me for the intrusion.”

Takumi shook his head. “It has been awhile Dr. Konohita.”

The doctor blinked. “Looks like you’ve changed a lot since you were just a little bit young.”

“I wasn’t this worry-wart about my brother and always ignored him, is that it?”

“Well, kinda.” Dr. Konohita replied with a shaky laugh and looked at his records before making a sad expression. “8 years have passed since Tetsuya-kun has had his heart surgery…”

“Yes. Direct to the point, what has happened to him?”

Dr. Konohita exhaled. “Looks like because of too much pressure…abuse…psychological problems…his heart couldn’t bear all of his kept emotions anymore. The hole in his heart has opened again and he needs to undergo surgery once again. He must take it or he’ll suffer much more.”

“If I take that surgery, how long will I need to rest?” Kuroko suddenly mumbled.

“Tetsuya—don’t push yourself—“

“Answer me, Doctor! How long will I need to be off the court?” Kuroko demanded in a whisper.

Dr. Konohita gulped. “One and half year.”

“I will not take it.” Kuroko, with full eagerness, replied.

“Tetsu—“

“Basketball is my life, Nii-san!” Kuroko shouted and closed his eyes.

Takumi and Kuroko’s doctor looked at each other. “Well, it’s true. Basketball is his life…”

~LFMH021~

Akashi, along with Murasakibara, Midorima, Kise and Aomine walked inside the hospital and went to the Third Floor of the building using the elevator. They waited in silence and right after the elevator opened on the third floor, the chilly atmosphere turned into chillier atmosphere when Akashi Seijuro, former captain of Teiko, and Kagami Taiga, current ace of Seirin, faced each other.

“Gaah…This is quite…er…” Kise mumbled and hid behind Aomine.

“Yo! Bakagami!” Aomine made the move to stop the infinite silence.

The red-head smirked. “Don’t call me baka, Ahomine.”

“So, what happened with Tetsu? You overexerted him, didn’t you? Wanna get killed by me?” The dark blue-head threatened.

“Of course not, you idiot!” Kagami shouted.

“Where is he?” Akashi demanded.

“I don’t know. Find it yourself.” Kagami retorted and went inside the elevator.

“You better make wise decisions, Kagami Taiga or I’ll kill you myself.” Akashi warned right before the elevator’s door closed.

That single warning made Kagami gulp.

Wise decisions…Was agreeing upon Helden Nomaki’s conditions the right decision?

~LFMH021~

The door opened and Kuroko turned with sliced apple in his mouth. “Hm?”

“You really love getting into trouble and ending up going to the hospital, don’t you?” Midorima scolded and handed him a paperbag.

“Minna-san…Thanks for visiting me.” The teal-head mumbled and looked inside the paperbag. “Milk shake? Fruits? Hamburgers? Fries? You’re spoiling me, Midorima-kun.”

“I’m not. Those are your lucky items for today, I just don’t want to end up visiting you in the hospital again so I gave you all your lucky items for this week.”

“You cannot know your lucky item until the very day itself, right?” Kise asked, but he earned a smack on the head with that. “OW! Midorimacchi!!!”

“Silence, Ryouta.”  Akashi ordered and the yellow-head quickly shut up. Akashi approached the teal-head on the bed and patted his head. “How are you feeling?”

“A lot better now. I just pushed myself too far.” Liar. Kuroko Tetsuya, you liar.

“That’s good news. Don’t worry us like that again. I literally threw my laptop on my bed when I heard the news and went here!” Kise cried and hugged the phantom player. “Kurokocchi, I missed you!”

“I-I can’t breathe, Kise-kun…”

As he’s being hugged, he looked at the scarf around the red-head’s neck. “Sei-kun…that’s…”

The red-head looked at the thing around his neck. “This? Yes, I brought it along.”

Kuroko made a warm smile that melted everyone inside the room’s heart.

~LFMH021~

He opened his eyes. And saw something crimson sitting on the chair. “Sei—“ He cut himself off upon seeing Kagami peeling one apple and slicing it into bunny pieces. “Kagami-kun…”

His current light stopped peeling and looked at him. “Howdy?”

“Better.” He whispered with the oxygen mask on. “Anou…”

“If you’re looking for the Generation of Miracles, they went out to buy food. Not just for you or for them, they volunteered to even buy food for our teammates.”

“Teammates…?Are they outside?”

“Yeah, of course. They’ve been worried about you and decided to stay outside in case you need something.” The red-head replied and started slicing the apple.

“Kagami-kun…you look like you want to say something. What is it?” Kuroko pointed out as he removed his oxygen mask and breathed the air around the room instead.

The red-head froze before laughing. “Well, you see, I still haven’t bought or made any present for you…and I’m kinda embarrassed to ask if it’ll be alright if I’ll just give it to you on the 27th?”

“That’s not something to be so bothered about. I’m not really waiting for any present. As long as I’m surrounded by people important to me…it already makes me happy.”

The red-head grinned. “Then, on 27th, let’s meet on the park at 10 in the morning. I still want to give you my gift.”

Kuroko nodded. “If you say so.” He replied, took one slice from the plate and ate it as he gazed outside the window.

Kagami looked at one bunny slice between his palms. Is this the right decision?

~LFMH021~

He got awake when he felt the oxygen mask being placed back to cover his nose and mouth. He opened his eyes and looked up.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up.” Akashi apologized and wore the oxygen mask on the blue-head sleeping on the bed.

“No, it’s alright.”

There were few moments of silence but then Akashi made the move to cut the silence.

“So, what’s the deal, Tetsuya? What really happened to you?”

His eyes widened. “I…”

“Don’t even thinking of lying to me, Tetsuya. I know you, you’ve never been good at lying.”

Kuroko sighed and rolled to the opposite side. “8 years ago, we found out that my heart has a hole and if I don’t go into surgery, it will become bigger and it might cause my death. Few days after that check-up, I had my surgery and ended up having home-school for two years, unlike most students, because I needed rest. Earlier, my doctor said that it had opened due to too much stress, psychological problems, exhaustion and abuse…He told me to have another surgery, the earlier, the better...But no, it’s not as simple as that, after that surgery, I must rest for one and half year again and—“

“Quit playing basketball.” Akashi cut in with cold tone.

He gasped and turned towards the red-head.

“Sei-kun—“

“Stop playing basketball, Tetsuya. If you don’t, you’ll only bring burden to your team and might even cause their defeat. Quit basketball, you must know that it doesn’t suit you from the first place.” Akashi, with commanding eyes and cold tone pointed out bluntly.

“If you don’t, you’ll only bring burden to your team and might even cause their defeat.”

A/N: Sorry if, this time, it’s shorter than it usually is.

I just love cliffhangers! XD

Thanks for the continuous support! I beg your pardon for all the errors and mistakes I’ve done.

PLEASE REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!

Arigatou gozaimasu!

Sneak Peek:

“Sei-kun!” Kuroko shouted as Kentarou dragged him inside the van.

“Tetsuya!” Akashi called out and was about to chase after the van when Kamura Hideki grabbed his arm and shook his head. “What—“

“It’ll be better if you just let them go. We can get more evidences this way.” Kamura pointed out.

“But—“

“He might die!” Aomine yelled.

Kamura just looked at the ground.

Sei-kun!

Akashi looked where the van was but it already disappeared. “Tetsuya…Tetsuya!!!”

“Aka-chin…”

Kagami averted his eyes when Midorima looked at him.

“You asshole!” Aomine grabbed Kagami by the collar. “You idiot! You bastard!”

“Daiki.”

Aomine huffed and released the tall red-head. “Be thankful Akashi told me to re—“

Everyone froze when Akashi’s fist made contact with Kagami’s stomach and the latter ended up falling on the ground. “You’ll pay for this.” Akashi threatened with voice filled with anguish, anger and fierceness.