Here’s what you’re waiting for; I hope you’ll like it as much as you liked the previous chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter Fifteen:

Kagami bit the footlong he made as he waited for Kuroko to start the story he’ll tell. The latter is still painstakingly eating the stew he made, so he’ll recover faster.

“I apologize for the trouble I brought you, Kagami-kun.” The blue-head mumbled.

“That’s already the tenth time you’ve said that to me, Kuroko and this will also be the tenth time I’ll say: ‘It’s alright. It was just luck I was passing by that time’.”Kagami grunted and took another big bite from his hotdog sandwich.

Kuroko took the last spoonful of his stew and took a deep breath before thinking how to start.

“Ready to start, Kuroko?” Kagami asked. The red-head suddenly felt his heart sink with sadness upon seeing how painful Kuroko’s expression is. Like it’s so hard for him to say what he’s going to tell out loud.

“In the middle of my 2nd year in middle school, I have a very close friend of mine named Rio Natsuhiko. He’s a very cheerful person and one of the people who can truly understands me. He’s been my best friend since we started our 2nd year life. But between October to November…an unbearable and indescribable incident happened to both of us. Something we –I especially—will never forget.” Kuroko started with a voice Kagami can barely hear.

“What accident was that?” Kagami blurted out.

His shadow raised his head and looked back at him with painful eyes. The next words Kuroko mumbled made Kagami freeze. “I was the cause of Rio’s death. And I lost my ability to trust people and to even talk to strangers. Supposedly, I’m pushing you away right now.”

“W-Wha--?”

Kuroko took a deep breath. “I think it was October 15 when that happened…I was left with the other regulars for training and Rio waited for me so we could go back home together. I excused myself for the members of Generation of Miracles’ plans for that night. Since the usual path we use was closed due to construction matters, we were forced to use the other route, which was the start of my dark past…”

(AUTHOR: I will just use flashback to portray what really happened in his second year in middle school. When I used both ‘bold’ and ‘italic’; it means those scenes were flashbacks.)

“Tetsu! Here!”

Kuroko looked where his light was and quickly changed the direction of where the ball is heading. Aomine received it and quickly ran to the opposite court and shoot it in the hoop.

“That’s all for today!” Akashi shouted, also panting.

“Good work, everyone!” They praised to one another.

“Ryouta, Shintarou and Daiki, you’re in duty for today to fix the equipments and pick up the balls. Be sure there will be 50 balls in the basket, you three.” Akashi ordered, took the towel on top of his sports bag and wiped his sweat. His eyes saw a glimpse of indigo-colored outside the gym’s door. “Tetsuya, Rio Natsuhiko’s already outside.”  He informed.

The teal-haired teen bowed a ‘thank you’ to his captain; grabbed his uniform and ran towards the locker room to change.

After about 8 minutes, Kuroko went out of the locker room, took his bag and faced his captain. “I’ll excuse myself now, Akashi-kun.” He bade.

Akashi raised his head –because he’s sitting—and raised an eyebrow. “That’s rare. You won’t hang out with us in the usual place today?”

Kuroko shook his head. “I’m so sorry, but I’ll pass today.”

Akashi nodded. “That’s alright. I understand; besides, as I remember Ryouta wants us to accompany him in a new place he discovered—it’s quite far so it’ll really be better if you go home first.”

The phantom player bowed before going out of Teiko’s gym.

Rio Natsuhiko, his classmate, and his best friend—is already standing outside waiting for him. His indigo eyes and indigo hair shining under the bright moon.

“Let’s go?” Rio enthusiastically asked.

Kuroko nodded and kept the same pace as the indigo-head.

They were chatting about the greatest mystery books when they came into a dead end. “Eh? But this route was just open the day before yesterday…Geez.” Rio grumbled.

“We can use the other route.” Kuroko suggested.

Rio grimaced. “Eh? But that’s a dangerous path, Tetsu-kun.” He mumbled.

“It’s just 8 in the evening. I think it’ll be alright.”

“Er…”

“We can’t just stand here and wait for the route to be opened.” Kuroko pointed out.

Rio sighed. “You’re right. Fine, let’s go. Since you’re my best friend, if something comes out of nowhere and attack us, you should protect me, alright?”

“As if that would happen, but, yes, of course, I will do my best to protect you.” Kuroko replied and started the topic this time about what’s the good school to attend to on their High School.

Their laughter was turned into gulps as they got into the dark part of the route they’ve taken.

“Are you sure about this, Tetsu-kun?”

“There’s no other way. The other path is blocked.”

“But still…You know the rumors here.”

“I’m your best friend, remember? You’re the first one to talk to me and know what I’m really feeling without asking me –beside Akashi-kun though—You always protect me and I’ll do the same whatever happens, Rio-kun.”

“A-Alright then.”

Their heart thumped loud when their mouths were covered with handkerchiefs and laughter of a bunch guys could be heard behind, infront and beside them. They were suddenly dragged into a dark part of the street, the part where bodies of killed, raped persons were being founded.

“So, these are Tetsuya Kuroko and Rio Natsuhiko…” a guy mumbled.

“They look like the ones in the pictures ‘he’ gave to us.” Another one replied.

“’He’ said that we should make them suffer and we could even kill them…but that’ll be boring. What if we have fun first?”  Another one suggested.

Kuroko and Rio met each other’s terrified eyes.

Kuroko heard rattles and then he can’t move his hands like…their chained. One’s also pinning him so he can’t struggle and escape.

“Don’t even try to shout for help because people rarely pass by here, so no one will technically help you.” The first one warned.

“You.” The second one pointed at the third one. “You keep Tetsuya Kuroko from struggling as we have fun with this guy first.”

“Sure. But let me have fun when it’s already Kuroko Tetsuya’ turn, alrighty?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Kuroko tried to shout but no one came. The one holding him just laughed. “We warned you.” He mumbled and pulled the teal-head teen’s hair.

“Tetsu-kun, help…No…don’t come near me!” He heard Rio shout from few meters away.

“Rio!”

Kuroko heard rattles and unzippering of zipper. And unbuttoning of buttons.

“No! Don’t…I beg of you! Don’t! Just kill me!” He heard Rio yell.

He then heard laughter and then thrusts. Groans, moans, cries, screams.

“Mmmm…”

“Hyyaaa…N-No…” Rio cried. “Tetsu-kun!” He sobbed.

“R-Rio!”

“You said you’ll do anything to protect me?!”

“I—“

“Try making another step, my Tetsuya and your throat will be cut into two.” His guard whispered.

“Rio—“

He heard sounds of rattled of handcuffs and gasps.

“No! Let me go! Tetsu-kun! Tetsu-kun! NOOO!”

“…Aaah…That was nice.” One of their prosecutors moaned.

“Rio-kun!” Kuroko called out.

“Tetsu-kun…you liar…” He heard Rio cursed and then saw the hatred at the eyes of his best friend. Hatred being thrown at him.

“No…I...”

He froze when he heard a scream of pain and then a pool of blood few inches away from his feet.

The ‘leader’ –Kuroko thinks—approached him and raised his chin up. “Now, what should I do with you next?”

Kuroko tried taking a step backwards. “NO!”

He gasped when he felt fingers tracing his chest and his buttons being unbuttoned.

The one behind him was the one who unzippered his pants’ zipper. “No, I beg you!”

“Yum~” The first one snickered.

“No…NO!!!”

“You were a good choice to toy with after all.”

The pain overwhelmed his body and he can feel blood coming out of him. What he wants to happen this instant is for him to die.

Almost an hour passed but his body just wouldn’t want to die yet.

“I beg you…Please stop already…”

“No.”

THRUST!

“Mmm…Hiyaaa!” Kuroko cried and squirmed.

“Ooh, look…He’s coming~”

“Stop it…No more…I beg you…” He sobbed.

THRUST!

“Nnnnggghhh! No!!! No…I beg you…No more…” He cried.

THRUST!

He heard laughter and he suddenly remembered his teammates.

“Kise-kun…Aomine-kun…Midorima-kun…Murasakibara-kun…and Akashi-kun…will I ever see you again?” He murmured as he cannot feel anything else but pain.

~

“…Then, Aominecchi suddenly threw the box of magazines at him that made him fall in his knees.” Kise chuckled.

“You idiot, that was because he’s being an ass.” Aomine defended.

“Mine-chin, you’re such a sadist, maybe that’s why your parents won’t give you money.” Murasakibara teased.

“SHUT UP! Why do you know that?!”

Midorima sighed. “It’s so obvious, Aomine. And your mother even went to school just to scold you for stealing 10 bucks from her wallet.”

Aomine’s face turned red. “Ugh! Shut up!”

Akashi couldn’t help grinning with how childish his members still are. It’s unbelievable they are also the ones being called members of the Generation of Miracles.

The red-head suddenly felt an unusual sensation from the part where accidents usually happen. His sharp ears heard cries and pleas. Cries of a familiar person.

“Akashicchi?” Kise asked.

Akashi’s brows furrowed and he changed direction and went towards where he hears ‘his’ voice and cries.

“Aka-chin?”

The others followed behind him and he quickly stopped few meters away from where he hears the cries.

“No more…Please! No! Nnngghh…Augh! No…”

“Isn’t that Kuroko’s voice?” Midorima gasped.

Akashi bit his bottom lip, took the pair of scissors in his bag and threw it on the one holding Kuroko Tetsuya.

“Gyaah! W-What was that?” One gasped.

“S-Scissors?”

“Che, it’s the Generation of Miracles. Run!” The we-can-call-now-murderers tsked before running towards the other direction.

“Atsushi, Daiki, try catching those three. We’ll take care of Tetsuya.”

The two quickly complied and disappeared.

~LFMH021~

“Are you still listening, Kagami-kun?”

Kagami closed his open jaw and nodded. “I unconsciously imagine what you’re saying and…”

Kuroko looked down. “I know it’s disgusting but should I continue?”

“Yes, please do so.”

~LFMH021~

Unfortunately, the trio disappeared and Aomine and Murasakibara weren’t able to catch them.

Right after the Generation of Miracles found Kuroko in the dark street, he suddenly fainted.

After about 6 hours of sleeping, the teal-haired teen opened his eyes and looked around. “This isn’t my house…”

He painstakingly sat up. “I-I’m still alive…” He murmured and clenched his fists. “I shouldn’t be alive…What..happened?”

There’s no one around so he stood up and painfully went downstairs.

“Whose house is this?”

Memories of what happened several hours ago started to flood Kuroko’s mind that he suddenly started screaming.

His teammates which were sitting in the couch in the living room gasped and quickly ran towards him.

“Tetsu, are you alright?” Aomine tried reaching for his shadow’s shoulder but Kuroko slapped his hand away, stood up and ran towards where the room where he came from. He slammed the door shut and covered himself with blanket.

“W-What’s happening, Akashicchi? Why does Kurokocchi looks at us with scared eyes? Like he doesn’t know us and like he’s…afraid of us.” Kise mumbled.

Akashi narrowed his eyes. “Looks like due to the traumatic experience he just faced…he lost the capability to trust people and open his heart to other people. His heart built a barrier against strangers. He built a fear of strangers.”

“But we’re not strangers.” Murasakibara pointed out.

“As of the moment, we are, Atsushi. He doesn’t know anyone but himself.” Akashi clarified and clenched his fists. “If only I didn’t allow them to walk alone…If only I was more careful…If only I could erase his memories of what just happened. If only I have the ability to change everything…If only…Tetsuya…”he murmured.

~LFMH021~

Kagami was waiting for more as he stares at the ground.

Instead of understandable words, what Kagami heard from the blue-head’s mouth is…

.

.

.

.

Snore.

The red-head shook his head in disbelief. “He must be still tired from all of that.” He took a blanket from the drawer and placed it on top of his ‘shadow’ before touching the latter’s cheek. “It must have been hard dealing all of those. Especially facing your molester one on one on court and your life in the edge of death everytime you go out.” He took Kuroko’s hand and kissed the back of it. “After that…what happened? I wonder how he overcame his fear in strangers.”

“They saved my life.” He remembered Kuroko’s words back when he still doesn’t trust Seirin enough to let them help him.

“He didn’t literally mean ‘life’, did he?” He whispered and looked at his partner’s peaceful face. “Sleep tight. Sweet dreams, Kuroko.”

The said boy rolled to the other side and mumbled, “Sei…kun…”

Kagami’s eyes darkened into a color you’ve never seen in his eyes before.

~LFMH021~

“Last one!” Hyuuga shouted; he tried getting the ball which is going nowhere but Kuroko suddenly appeared and tapped the ball towards his ‘light’s’ direction. “Gaah…” Hyuuga mumbled.

Kagami grinned, received the ball, jumped and dunked it.

Riko made a long whistle after the dunk.

“Yeah! We won again!!!” Kagami celebrated with his co-freshmen. He raised a fist.

Kuroko also raised his and bumped fists with his partner in crime—I mean, in basketball.

But the red-head received a smack in the head afterwards. “Wha—“

Riko’s tapping her feet. “Don’t you know anything but dunking the ball, Bakagami?!” She demanded. “You could have just made a three-pointer from where you were!”

Kagami scratched his head. “Well…”

“You’re still no good with long range shots?” Riko guessed.

Kagami just looked away.

“AH! Geez, Bakagami!” He earned another smack in the head.

“Ouch! Hey! Stop it!”

“Are you commanding me?” Riko demanded with a sly smile.

“Uh…er…” He hesitated. “Oi, Kuroko, help me.”

Kuroko started picking up the balls. “I didn’t hear anything.” He said.

“Kuroko, you bastard!” Kagami protested.

“Guys, only Bakagami’s on duty for today! You can now all rest!” Seirin’s coach announced.

All of Kgaami’s teammates grinned at him before turning towards the locker room. “Ah, so tired! Good thing I’m not on duty today!” Hyuuga teased.

“Eh? Hey!” Kagami protested.

“Let’s meet after five minutes outside! Let’s go eat in Magi Burger!” Izuki followed.

“What about me?” Kagami insisted.

Everyone pretended that they didn’t hear him.

“I should go change clothes and go visit Kise-kun today. I wonder how he is.” Kuroko mumbled and turned too.

Kagami made a face before grabbing the teal-head’s wrist. “Oi, wait.”

Kuroko turned. “Yes?”

Kagami’s face turned beet red. “…I just want to ask something.”

The phantom player blinked.

“…We’re officially…you know…now right?”

Kuroko tilted his head in one side that made Kagami blush more. “Maybe?”

Kagami grabbed his ‘shadow’s’ head. “You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?”

“No. I’m not.” The blue-head replied.

The red-head released his head. “Seriously though, Kuroko.”

Kuroko smiled slightly. “It’s up to you, Kagami-kun.”

“Then, I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Then, it’s a ‘yes’.” Kuroko clarified and turned.

Kagami grabbed his arm this time. “Last!”

“Yes?”

“Promise me, Kuroko, that you won’t leave me.” Kagami –while blushing—mumbled.

Kuroko couldn’t chuckling with how embarrassed his light is. “I promise.”

Kagami looked around before kissing Kuroko.

“Oi, Kagami! Clean already or we’ll leave you! Kuroko, hurry up and change!” Hyuuga shouted/

Kagami grinned at Kuroko before going back to the court and started picking up the balls and arrange the equipments. Kuroko touched his lips. It felt different. He didn’t blush. His heart didn’t race. He didn’t feel...that happy.

~LFMH021~

“Hey, Kuroko, where are you going?” Koga asked when he noticed that their phantom player’s going to the opposite way.

“Uh, I’ll pass for today. We have many assignments and I missed some lessons, so I need to catch up.” He excused and bowed. “Thank you for today.” He bade and went back to walking.

Kuroko looked at the clear sky and then remembered the song which he and Akashi usually listen to when they don’t have anything to do.

‘Your heart is too dazzlingly bright,
Walking down this empty road,
I knew this was the end.’

He suddenly remembers the times when Akahsi shows his rare smile to him when they win a game against a team with older members.

‘The distant, far away future,
I wander to the edge of the world,
Stretching out my hand for the longest time.
Please, someone take it.’

Yes, he agreed upon going out with Kagami but that was what his mind wanted, not his heart.

For the very first time in his life, he listened to his brain.

‘That won’t happen, I know that.
It becomes all the more painful.
With only my desires left,
I say goodbye.

Forever…

When I want to cry, I recall you
Looking up at the big blue sky,
Please, I ask
That your smile
Will continue for all eternity.
I hope one heart with you.’

Yes, this time he’s sure that he won’t be hurt again—we’re talking about Kagami so he’ll probably have no problem with him.

Tears unconsciously formed in his eyes.

I won’t be hurt again? How sure am I? How sure am I, that right now I’m already crying, missing Sei-kun? Missing everything that we’ve shared? Missing our special moments when he became my light?

The sun started setting and then the clear sky turned into an orang-ish color.

‘Now, existing here,
I can see the blue sky.
I feel happiness,
From just loving you.’

He stopped from walking and continued crying.

I’m still crybaby until now…it’s humiliating. It’s a good thing no one’s around.

“Sei-kun…”

~LFMH021~

Akashi knows what he’s feeling.

He has a fever due to looking for Kuroko under the heavy rain yesterday.

He’s currently inside their car, and on the way towards their house.

He cancelled practice because he’s not feeling well…and because he’s emotionally unprepared today.

He saw everything yesterday, the way Kagami saved Kuroko. The way the other red-head fought Isshin just to save Kuroko and the way Kagami cared for his ‘shadow’. It’s 100% love.

All he could do was watch and assure that Kagami safely bring Kuroko home. That was all he did. Watch.

‘To need me,
Out of joy, I wouldn’t be able to speak.
I want to be useful to you, even if only a little.

For all of eternity…’

The words of the song they usually listen to resonate in Akashi’s mind and he just couldn’t stop it.

For him, crying is a weakness, that’s why he hates tears being shed.

But that motto of his was proven wrong when he met Tetsuya Kuroko, the blue-head who cries because he cares. Who cries because he can’t keep all his emotions bottled up anymore. Who cries because sometimes even strong people break. Who cries because he’s happy. Who cries because he’s sad. And someone who cries because that’s his way to show how he feels and his way to show his love.

‘ When I am happy, I recall you,
Looking up at the stardust of the night,
I ask
Are you happy? You must be.
Your heart, your dream.
I hope one heart with you.’

“Seijuro-sama?” Their driver called out.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine.” He lied with husky voice.

On the other hand, he cries because he misses him. Misses the only person who breaks his mask, mask of coldness and aggressiveness. Misses the only person he loves with his whole life.

He looked outside the window again and caught a glimpse of teal-colored. A very familiar teal color.

“Stop the car!” He ordered, opened the backseat’s door and ran towards where he saw the glimpse of teal-colored thing.

He ran faster and proved his hypothesis true. “Tetsuya!” He shouted.

‘When I want to cry, I recall you
Looking up at the big blue sky,
Please, I ask
That your smile
Will continue for all eternity.
I hope one heart with you.’

The phantom player gasped and slowly turned his head. Before he could even fully see if he’s just imagining things; he’s already being wrapped with warm arms of Akashi Seijuro.

“S-Sei-kun?” He whispered.

“Tetsuya…” Akashi whispered and hugged him tighter.

‘When I am happy, I recall you,
Looking up at the stardust of the night,
I ask
Are you happy? You must be.
Your heart, your dream.
I hope one heart with you.’

“Sei-kun!” Due to so much happiness, the teal-haired teen unconsciously hugged the red-head back and smiled. Smiled a smile that reaches his eyes and came from the bottom of his heart.

Akashi stood up after awhile and offered a hand. “I don’t feel right now, so just come back to our house with me, Tetsuya.”

Kuroko took the hand and clumsily stood up. “Don’t feel well?” He touched the red-haired’s forehead and blinked. “Y-You have—“

But before he could even finish his statement, Akashi already dragged him inside the car. But, nevertheless, he won’t complain about it, this time.

~LFMH021~

Currently, Kuroko’s regretting that he even thought about the idea of being Akahsi’s nurse for just few hours before the clock strikes 7 in the evening. 7:30 is his curfew due to his father’s orders.

“No. I will not drink my medicines.” Akashi stubbornly insisted and rolled to the other side.

Kuroko sighed. “Sei-kun, please. How will you recover if you’re being as stubborn as that?”

“No. I will not take them,” Akashi repeated.

“What am I supposed to do then, for you to take them?” Kuroko demanded, feeling a little impatient now.

Akashi faced Kuroko with such a red face and determined eyes. “Say that you love me. Say that you still love me. Vow that you’ll come back to me.”

“Promise me, Kuroko, that you won’t leave me.” Kagami –while blushing—mumbled.

Kuroko couldn’t chuckling with how embarrassed his light is. “I promise.”

Kagami looked around before kissing Kuroko.

“Oi, Kagami!” Hyuuga called out.

Kagami grinned at Kuroko before going to where their captain is. Kuroko touched his lips. It felt different. He didn’t blush. His heart didn’t race. He didn’t feel...happy.

Kuroko averted his eyes and removed Akashi’s hands. “I apologize.”

“Tet—“

He bowed his head and clenches his chest. It hurts but he needs to say the words, “I…”

“You what?”

“I…” He hesitated.

“I can’t say ‘I love you’ anymore…” He whispered.

“And why?” Akashi demanded.

Kuroko gulped and bowed his head more. “Because, I…I…love…Kagami-kun.”

LIES. LIES. LIES. I AM a liar.

SLAP!

His eyes widened when Akashi’s palm made contact with his cheek.

He raised his head but Akashi won’t meet his eyes. “S-Sei-kun—“

“It was just like yesterday when I met you. It was just like 23 hours ago when we became the Generation of Miracles. It was just like 20 hours ago when that accident happened. It was just like 18 hours ago when I saved you and you trust no one but me. It was just like 15 hours ago when we parted ways. It was just like 10 hours ago when we’re smiling with each other. And it was just like 5 hours ago when you met Kagami Taiga. And it was just an hour ago when you were hugging me tightly, crying my name. I never expected that you would also lie to yourself, Tetsuya. Just answer this question, Tetsuya.”

“W-What question?”

“Do you love me or not?”

“That’s—“

“Just answer the question, damn it!” Akashi cursed and threw the vase on his bedside table to the wall.

Kuroko gasped. “I—“