Previous on Chapter 16

"No one supposed to know just yet."

"So, Taiga. What are you gonna do now that you both came back to L.A?"

Hibiki hummed. "Not for long. After all, Kuroko-chan needs to get her voice back."

"No problem. Are you alone?" 

"Thank you for attending our concert. We didn't expect to see such renowned bassist such as you to attend it." The guitarist approached him.

 He scooted a little closer to his sister, "Listen, do not get close to him." He warns.

"My real name is Kuroko Hibiki." 

________________________________________

“You go in first. I’ll be right behind you.” Kagami said as he opens the door of the CRV. The bluenette nodded. The bassist watched his sister silhouette disappears into the house. He pulls out his phone. He must confirm something immediately. He bit his lower lip as he the call rings.

..

"My real name is Kuroko Hibiki."

 “Besides, we get to know her more that way.”

“You will never know when someone will take her away from you.”

..

He frowned. “If he’s truly Tetsu’s brother…” his throat felt dry. He was getting impatient when the number still on ringing. “Answer the damn call, Tatsuya!”

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Himuro was already sounding asleep when Maria heard the endless ringing from the other side of the bed. At first, she just let it go, but the phone of her fiancée kept ringing. She sighed as she gets up from the bed and go to the other side of the room where the nightstand is. She picked it up.

“Kagami?” when she saw the caller ID then she quickly shook her fiancée, forcing him to wake up. “Tatsuya, its Kagami.” Himuro mumbles something incoherent and continues to sleep. Maria knows it is almost impossible to wake the detective up but for Kagami to keep calling and calling late evening, it must be important.

“Come on, wake up. It must be something important if he’s calling you at this hour.” She puts a little more force in shaking his shoulder. Himuro sighed as he gets up, he looked at the clock as he frowns, and he grabs the phone. “You know, everyone needs some sleep including me.” He answered as his eyes follow his fiancée womanly figure that is moving around the bed.

“It’s important. I really need you to check something for me.”

Himuro pulls his leg out of the bed. “Can’t this wait for morning?” Maria looked at him, worried of why his old friend calling him at this hour. After exchanged several words, Himuro hangs up the call. He turns around, he peeked a kiss on his beloved fiancée cheek. “You go to sleep first, I’ll join you later” he smiled. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

The detective got up as he stretched a bit, “There’s something I gotta do for Taiga. Now you get some rest, all right. Goodnight, babe” he left the bedroom after giving his fiancée a last glance before closing the door as he’s making his way towards the home office where he and his fiancée often spent his time working on paper works or on the computer searching for data If they’re away from their main office downtown.

“Let see, if I remember it right…” his orbs focused on the computer screen as he keys something. Usually, it would be Maria who do all the hacking and what not when they need information immediately. His fingers swiftly key in what he needs to find in the agency database. He hummed as he blinks a couple time at the large warning – Please Enter Your Identification Access.

“Ah, here I was thinking I wouldn't need to do any hard work.” Even though he is a detective, he is always a well-trained hacker. One could never find any traces of his hacking nor Maria’s. Another program screen pops up. He swiftly clicks on the icons and what not, as if he has done this countless of times in his life. He rested his chin on his palm as he waits for the program to generate the access while his finger taps on the mouse.

The house was quiet and dark, the only sound that echoes throughout the place was the ticking from the clock in the living room. A small beep from the computer snapped him from his trance. He smiled, “Finally.” His eyes focused onto the screen details. “As expected, only the president of the RENEGADE agency has access to it.” Diligently he key in the access, “Infiltration completed.” As the database began to load on his screen.

Several lists show up, most of them are the agency-contracted artists. Details of each musician/actors in RENEGADE agency are there. If this info were to fall into the wrong hands, Himuro was so sure that the artists’ reputation goes down the drain. He scrolls down until he saw a name that Kagami wants him to investigate. He clicked on it. As the details began to unfold, his eyes widen.

“This is…”

He began printing out the details. Even though he already got what Kagami needed but something tells him, he must look into this more. “If Minoru Hibiki truly is Tsuki-chan’s brother then why he has been hiding his true identity from her?” he mumbles. It just does not make any sense.

He worked in front of the computer straight until dawn. By the time Maria woke up at 7 am, he was already fallen asleep on the computer keyboard, slouching against it. She sighed. “He’s gonna get a real back ache like that.” Even when she said that, she does not have the heart to wake her love up. She grabs her cardigan and drapes it over his shoulder. She looked at the pile of folders and papers printed from the printer. From the looks of it, Himuro has been staying up all night working on something.

She puts the folders and papers properly into one stack each, after that, she turns off the computer. She gave him a last glance before leaving for work. After all, the two of them runs a firm.

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Kuroko took a stroll downtown after she got the permission to leave the house from Alex for a few hours. She looks around the place, she has been staying in Los Angeles half of her life, some things have changed, and some has not. The busy streets of the renowned town of California never changed.

It has been over two weeks since they went to EUTERPE concert and Kagami has been acting strange ever since. He has gotten more protective and paranoid but for the next few days, Kagami would be busy. He has a performance coming up and he cannot afford to let down his fans nor the band member’s he is working with.

As she was walking down the streets towards the bakery, she caught something at the corner of her eyes. No one seems to take notice of it. She bent down and blue orbs met another pair of blue orbs except in a version of a small adorable Siberian husky, currently in a small box with no foods or water, just a thin piece of newspaper at the bottom of the box. The puppy looked so thin, even its coat covers with dirt. It looked hungry too. She went into the bakery, bought a small piece of meat bun, and went back to where the puppy is. She gave it to the husky, which he ate it in just a matter of minute.

She smiled. ‘I wonder who left him out here…’ then she felt a cold water drips onto her hands then to the ground. She looked up as she frowned. She did not notice the sky turns dark. She looked back to the puppy, feeling bad if she were to leave him here under the rain.

The rain began to pour down; she took the puppy into her arms and ran to the nearest shade she could find. With the small handkerchief she has, she dried off the husky despite she began to feel the chillness of the rain crawling underneath her skin as she shivers. She looked at the sky, ‘It’s really pouring down…’ she hugged the husky closer.

“Kuroko-chan…? Is that you?”

Someone stopped nearby, ‘Minoru-san…’ There, stood the guitarist for EUTERPE, disguising with his glasses and a hat, on his shoulder straps his guitar bag. Clad in a normal attire of a blue t-shirt, a black jacket and a jean, it seems no one noticed he is Minoru Hibiki except Kuroko. In his other hand is holding an umbrella. “What are you doing here?” he saw the Siberian husky in the bluenette arms.

Then he remembers that she does not have a voice when he noticed the bluenette was struggling to grab her notepad and a pen from her handbag with the husky still in her arms. He stopped her, “Come on, let’s get you out of this rain. My apartment’s nearby.” He grabs her handbag, letting her carry the puppy in her arms. She hesitated. He smiled “Don’t worry; I won’t do anything to you. We’re friends, remember?” she blinks, and then she went underneath his umbrella.

The walk took a little bit over ten minutes. They reached an apartment area where its security protected. They went to the 10th floor, where Hibiki’s penthouse is. It was large, extremely large for a guy at Hibiki’s age. She stand rooted at the door of the living room, she was awed at the place. Everything is in place and properly arranged, there is not a single peak of dust in sight.

The guitarist shows up with a couple of dry towels, he drapes one onto the bluenette head and then another onto the small husky. “You’re gonna catch a cold if you don’t dry yourself” he helped her drying her long locks while she wiped the husky. He made her a cup of hot cocoa and a plate filled with kibbles. She grabbed her notebook and wrote – Thank you very much. I really appreciated it, where did you get the kibbles. Did you have a dog?

Hibiki hummed as he sat down on the couch opposite her, “Used to, but he died a year ago. It’s a habit of mine to buy kibbles every month even though I don’t have any dogs left” he looked at the shelf that has several pictures of him and a golden retriever. His expressions soften, “I kinda missed him. It feels all life has been sucked out of this place after he died…” it was an expression that Kuroko seen for the first time ever since she knew him. It was gentle, sad, and lonely.

She wrote – I’m sorry to hear that but he is in a better place now.

Hibiki smiled, “Yea, in heaven.” He looked at her. The look on his face was puzzling. She felt uncomfortable when he pressed on the word ‘Heaven’. She looked away. He stood up, “Seems the rain won’t stop pouring any soon, and maybe we should get you out of those clothes before you catch a cold for real.” He grabs her wrist and pulls her to the second floor of the penthouse.

“Here, you can use this room. No one ever use it even though it’s a guest room.”  He pushed her into the room as he holds the doorknob. “There are some towels in the shelves of the bathroom if you want to take a warm shower, you can use them.” He closes the door. She blinks. It was 20 minutes ago when he met Hibiki and now she’s in his penthouse, in his guest room no less with a new companion, the nameless Siberian husky, which is now sniffing the room.

‘Well, since I’m here, I might as well do that.’ She went to the bathroom; she turns on the water tap, filling the bathtub with warm water as she looked for the said towels. The husky followed her; she smiled when she felt his coat against her legs. ‘Might as well give you a shower too’

Hibiki knocks on the door of the guest room, “Kuroko-chan, I brought you some clothes,” he said but no one opens the door, so he slowly took a peak in. He can hear the sound of the water splashing in the bathtub from the bathroom, he smiled, and he thought, ‘She’s probably giving that puppy a bath too’.

He puts the clothes onto the bed, “Kuroko-chan, I’ve put your clothes on the bed. Please go downstairs after you’re done, alright?” he said, he could hear the water stop splashing. He chuckles. He left the room and closed the door. He hummed happily, as he went down the stairs, “She’s still adorable as ever.”

She puts on the clothes that Hibiki left on the bed. It seems Hibiki turns on the room heater when she was still in the bathroom. She walked to the mirror, looking at herself. Her locks were let loose on her shoulder, the white long simple dress fits her nicely except the sleeves is a bit long by a few centimeters. ‘I wonder why Minoru-san has this’, then the husky barks at her. She smiled, ‘Well aren’t you a handsome little one, now that you’re all clean and shiny’

She then, heard the ever so familiar melody of a piano. She left the room, followed by the husky; she follows the sound of the piano. The melody was sad, whoever plays it, must be hurting inside them. ‘Why does it sound so familiar…as if I’ve heard of this melody before…?’ She then stopped at the door where it leads to the sound.

There, Hibiki’s playing the piano. He didn’t notice her presence at all, as he kept playing the piano as if he had played it for a very long time. However, the look on his face was sad…Kuroko believes that a melody/song can convey ones feelings at the time but it felt as if…Hibiki’s heart is crying…

‘...but why…?’

When Kuroko noticed the melody is ending, she quickly left the door and to the living room, pretends she just got there. Hibiki who didn’t noticed her, came to where she is with his usual smile plastered on his face. He rubs the head of the husky, he grins. “Hey there, lil buddy. You looked nice and shiny now. Did Kuroko-chan give you a bath?” the dog barks as an answer. He looked at Kuroko, “The dress fits you. It looked good on you,” he praised. She wrote a reply - Thank you, the dress is very beautiful. Was this dress belongs to someone?

“Mhmm, it was Nana-chan’s. She kinda left it here and forgotten all about it when we had to use my place as a rehearsal place for our concert years ago. Didn’t think it’ll fit you well, though” he stood up as he walks towards the kitchen. “Are you hungry? Coz I am.” He looked into the fridge. She nodded. “I can’t cook fancy stuffs so omelet rice, alright?”

She went to the kitchen with her notepad – I’ll help you. The guitarist shook his head, insisted she is his guest and guest should wait in the living room. She refused; Hibiki sighed in defeat and lets her do whatever she wants. It was only minutes ago when they both squabbled about it… well you don’t really call it a squabble when it’s a fight between a notepad and words.

Hibiki sea blue orbs widen, “its delicious…” he took another spoonful of the omelet rice. Kuroko smiled. She poured a cup of water for the guitarist. “I can’t believe there would be a day that I get to taste your cooking, Kuroko-chan.” She was glad that Hibiki feels a lot better now. She ate her share of omelet rice, while the husky is asleep by the side of the table on the floor.  The dinner was quiet, but they enjoyed each other company.

“I’m stuffed! It’s been ages since I last taste someone else home cook meal. Thank you for the meal.” He grins. As she was about to gather the dishes, he quickly stopped her. “I’ll clean them up; you get some rest in the living room. It’ll be rude of me to let you do all the work” he gathers all the dishes as he made a small dash to the kitchen.

She looked around the well-furnished living room. She’s not surprise for someone like Hibiki to own such a place but to live here alone, must have been lonely. “Do you want me to help you call someone to pick you up? I’m sure your brother would be worried if you’re not back by nighttime.” He came from the kitchen as he grabs the phone. She nodded; she quickly wrote Kagami’s number and gave the paper to him. She didn’t notice this but his gentle blue orbs turns into a sharp cold when he saw the number, then it replaced with a smile.

___________________

“Why did you let Tetsu went out all by herself?!” Kagami grabs his phone. He came to check on his sister at their mentor house but only to find Kuroko’s not at home and it’s getting late. What’s worse is that, they don’t know where Kuroko went other than, ‘I’m going out for a stroll downtown’. The bassist was about to head out to town when his phone rang, he frowned at the unknown caller.

“Is this Kagami Taiga?” the bassist orbs flares dangerously when he heard the ever so familiar. “What do you want and how the hell did you get my number?”

He heard a chuckle at the other side of the call, “Your sister’s here with me. Found her stuck under the rain, figured I should help her since she’s a friend. She’s safe, so don’t worry. Come to this address and pick her up. It’s been a long day for her; I’m sure she needs some rest.” The call went dead and a text message came in a few second after the call, Kagami grab his jacket and hurried to downtown.

________________________

Hibiki looked at his phone, and then he puts it away. Kuroko was playing with the husky when he turns around. He rested himself on the couch as he looks outside where the rain pours down endlessly. He sighed, ‘It’s just like that day, when they took me away…’ he closes his eyes, feeling a little tired.

Then he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder, he looked to his side – Minoru-san, are you okay? He ruffles with her soft locks, “Yea, I’m okay. Just a little tired. Your brother should be here soon.” He straightened his back. She looked worried, he felt nostalgic. His expression softened; “If only we could go back the way we are back then…,” he thought aloud. Only then he realized he was saying his thoughts aloud, when he noticed the questioning look on the bluenette face. Before Kuroko could write something, the sound of the doorbell resonates throughout the apartment.

“Ah, that must be your brother.” He quickly stood up. He could feel his sister empty sapphire orbs bores holes into his back, wanting him to explain what that was about earlier.

The moment he opens the door, he was greet by a death glare by none other than the bassist of Seirin Agency, Kagami Taiga. “You’re here. She’s been waiting for you.” Hibiki said calmly.

“I came as soon as I can, where is she?” Kagami looked over the guitarist, looking for his sister. On cue, the bluenette shows up behind Hibiki. The red head gave a glare that he only shows to her when she made him worried sick. She hangs her head low. “Come on, let’s go.” As he was about to pull her away from the guitarist, a bark sent a shiver down his spine.

He looked down at the pianist leg, where there is a husky next to her, looking ever so bubbly at him with its tongue sticking out. “What is that?”

Hibiki chuckles, “She found the pup somewhere in the streets, it seems it gotten a like of her quite a lot.” He explains for the bluenette. Kagami stepped backward as the puppy went closer to him, he sweat dropped. “No, we are definitely not bringing the damn dog home.” He glares at the dog. Kuroko gave him a pleading look, “No means NO.” the bluenette sighed.

“Kuroko-chan, how about if you let the puppy stay here with me?” Hibiki crouched down in front of the puppy, as the husky licks his fingers. “You can come over any time if you want to play with him, or you could give me a call if you want me to bring him to you.”  He suggested.

.

.

“Used to, but he died a year ago. It’s a habit of mine to buy kibbles every month even though I don’t have any dogs left” he looked at the shelf that has several pictures of him and a golden retriever. His expressions soften, “I kinda missed him. It feels like all life has been sucked out of this place after he died…”

.

.

Remembering what he said earlier made her nodded quickly. ‘Minoru-san could use a companion in this lonely and empty home of his.’ She thought. He smiled, as he grabs the husky into his arm and he ruffles with the bluenette soft locks, “Thank you, Kuroko-chan.”

For some reason, whenever he ruffles with her hair with his large rough calloused hands, it felt so nostalgic, as if she had felt those warm hands long ago in her life. From the side, Kagami expression soured at the scene in front of him, and then he looks away.

___________________

The journey back to Alex house was quiet. Kagami drove carefully through the streets, while Kuroko slowly falling asleep next to him. Her eyes flutters, trying to stay awake as her brother took a quite glance at her. He then focused on the road.

He bit his lower lip as his brows knitted into frowns. His grips tighten on the steering wheel.

.

.

Kagami received a call from Himuro, later in the evening, wanting to meet him. After his band rehearsal, the red head left the agency in a hurry. For some reason, his heart is beating fast; it felt as if it is beating against his rib cage. When he arrived at the café where Himuro wants him to meet up, the detective was already there waiting for him with a cup of coffee. On the table, there are two folders.

“Taiga, even though you’re my best friend, it doesn’t mean you have to wake me up at an ungodly hour,” he complained as the bassist took his seat in front of the detective. “Sorry, but it was important to me…” he mumbles.

“And still is. Tsuki-chan’s your only sister; I understand why you want to look into this as soon as possible.” Himuro added. He looked at the taller man. He sighed, and then he pushed folders towards him. “I’ve checked out this Minoru Hibiki as you wanted and well…you might wanna read those.”

Himuro sipped his coffee as he looked at Kagami, “Minoru Hibiki real identity is Kuroko Hibiki. Apparently, he replaced his family name by using his mother family name, Minoru Setsuna who came from the Minoru family, a traditional old family I might add.” He puts down the coffee cup.

“His mother, Minoru Setsuna was the mistress to the Kuroko head family, Kuroko Kenji who is also the father of your sister, Kuroko Tetsuki and her blood brother, Kuroko Hibiki. Which means Kuroko Hibiki is Tsuki-chan real brother.”

_______________________

Hibiki puts down the husky onto the floor as he turns off the lights of the apartment, leaving the dim light from the kitchen. He went to the living room and he looked outside the window, where the rain has finally stopped and the moonlight shone down to the earth. He looked into the dark sky, “Back to the way we were back then…huh…” he sighed.

He made his way to the couches and lay down on the long ones while the husky made himself comfortable on the other couch. The guitarist closes his eyes.

.

.

“Nii-sama! Nii-sama! Wait for me!” the smaller girl ran after him as Hibiki smiled at her, keeping a slow and steady pace, enough for his baby sister to run after him without falling. That’s right, those were the days he cherished the most.

He was 12 when he found out, he has a sister, he was happy. He was probably the happiest brother in the world. His father brought him to see her. She was only 3 years old when he met her. Her name is Tetsuki, she has the most beautiful sea blue eyes in the world, her soft pale skin was still beautiful, and her bubbly personality fills in the emptiness of his heart of being alone.

He loves holding her soft small hands in his, he loves looking at those eyes that often shows the shines of admiration towards him. He loves carrying and hugging her small body in his arms. He was the one who shows the beauty of music and piano to his beloved sister. Even though their age was far apart, but their bond as brother and sister was closer than anything else in the world.

She was his light, the light that shines ever so bright yet so gentle in his life.

It was until one day, his sickly mother fell extremely ill. Everything went downhill from there. He found out that his mother was a mistress to his father. When his father’s wife found out the truth, they were banish from the house where they have been living. His mother brought him back to where her parents are. Ever since then, he never saw his sister ever again. However…his mother sickness took the best of her, when she gave her last, and final breathe in the hospital. He lost his beloved mother at the tender age of 15. It took a toll of him, he began to skip school, he began to smoke, and he was completely wasted.

“Hibi-Nii-sama!” one day he heard the voice he loves. He turns around and saw the familiar bluenette in the nearby limousine. He still remembers those sea blue orbs and soft teal locks he used to adore back then. He quickly went towards the car; the bluenette left the car and went to hug her dear brother. “I missed you, Nii-sama…Where have you been?”  He hugged her tightly, it has been years since he met her and now everything is falling apart in him.

He smiled at her,”Nii-sama has been…busy with school. I’m sorry for not being able to see you anymore…” he held his tears back. Kuroko shoulder fell, “I see…I thought something happened to you and when I asked papa, he wouldn’t answer…” a pool of tears formed at the corner of her eyes. Hibiki wiped it gently, “Shhh…I’m here aren’t I? So, please don’t cry…” he hugs her small frame into his arms once again. He bit his lower lip in frustrations. He noticed someone else was standing nearby the car, a red haired boy around his sister age.

“Minoru-sama, you are not allowed to be near Kuroko-sama!” a group of black suited men appears around them. Hibiki protectively held his sister closer. “Nii-sama, what’s happening?” Kuroko panicked. As Hibiki was about to make a run for it, they caught him and pulls both of them away from each other.

“HIBI-NII-SAMA!” Kuroko burst into tears as her small hands trying to reach for her dear brother. Hibiki struggles from the firm grips of the bodyguards. “LET ME GO! SHE’S MY SISTER!” Two bodyguards shoved the bluenette and the boy he saw earlier into the limousine.

“TSUKi-CHAN! DAMN IT! LET ME GO, YOU IDIOTS!” he struggles even more but the car began to drive away, he manage to escape from the bodyguards, and he ran as fast as he could. The window of the limousine went down, “HIBI-NII-SAMA!!” Kuroko calls out for him as one of the bodyguard held her back and tries to pull her back inside.

“TSUKI-CHAN, I PROMISE I’LL FIND YOU! I WILL FIND YOU NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE!” he shouted but he was losing his pace and his legs were giving out. Kuroko struggles to escape but she was too small and the adult was bigger and stronger than she was.

“HIBI-NII-SAMA!!” that was the last he ever saw her before he collapsed of lacking oxygen and exhaustion. His tears fell, he has lost his mother, and now he lost his only sister right before his eyes.

“I promise…I’ll find you no matter what it takes.”

....

It was 5 years later, when Hibiki met Chihiro and Nana. The three of them formed a band; they slowly made their way up to the music industry. They faced many obstacles but they went strong. They never gave up. Chihiro was the only person who ever found out his past but the bassist never pressed or poked into the matter, he was there to listen, lend a help, and shoulder whenever the guitarist is in a slump. A true friend, Hibiki said.

As time goes by, EUTERPE began to forge its name in the industry as more agencies began to acknowledge their songs. Hibiki used the opportunity of connections around the agencies and his friends to help him find for Kuroko Tetsuki. However, he never reveals who is Kuroko Tetsuki really is to him.

One day, he found out things has went bad for his sister. The boy she was engage to, caught in an accident and the parents of the boy forced the Kuroko’s company to a bankruptcy. Apparently, his sisters’ parents have disowned her and her whereabouts were left unknown. It took Hibiki a lot of effort and searching until one day, Hibiki could not believe his own eyes.

He knows what he is seeing; he immediately stopped his car when he saw a familiar bluenette at the side of the road with an older red head wandering aimlessly. Their clothes were torn up and from the way, they looked like; they have not eaten in days. He quickly ran towards the two and tries to persuade Kuroko that he’s her brother but it seems her sister memories were scattered all over the place, she doesn’t remember who he was to her. The other boy, who he known as Kagami Taiga protectively brought Kuroko away from the stranger.

“This can’t be happening…”

He grabs his phone and calls for one person whom he knows he can depend on when he really needs to. “Alex, ya there?” the moment someone answered the call, Alexandria Gracia his old mentor.

It took them several days to locate the two children, however this time; Hibiki lets his mentor do the talk while he watched them from afar. After an hour of persuading, the two followed the blonde haired violinist to her car. However, bad news did not stop there. His sister, Kuroko Tetsuki has a weak health due to lack of nutrition’s and what not for years. She was admitted to the hospital not long after Alex brought the two of them back to her house. Her fever went up dangerously.

Hibiki bows 90 degrees down to his mentor, “Please, I’m begging you, Alex. Take them under your wings. I’ll pay for everything.” He begs, he ignores all the eyes that were watching them. Alex sighed as she sat down on the plastic chair. “Hibiki, money is not the problem here and you know it.” She folds her arms on her bosom.

Hibiki looked up, “The problem here is, what you are going to do once Kuroko-chan is all grown up. Are you going to keep watching her from afar, keeping your identity away from her?” she asked. She could see the look of lost on her apprentice face.

“I don’t know…I just want Tsuki-chan to be somewhere safe and sound. Seeing her on the streets like that…” he trails off.

Alex frowned. “I don’t mind bringing them under my wings and trained them to be talented musicians just like you. However, there will be one day to come where you must let her know that you are there for her.” Hibiki knows what his mentor just said was true.

One day…he must let her know…

Four years later, the guitarist of EUTERPE rushed to the hospital in Los Angeles, all the way from Australia when Alex gave him a call while he was on his band tour. Kuroko has collapsed in the piano room of the house and is diagnose with Spinocerebellar Degeneration, an incurable disease. The news hit Hibiki very hard when all he could do was to watch her from afar. He did everything he can to find a cure around the world, but all news came in negative. There is no cure for it. Which means, his beloved sister life has will end…

He also found out that Kuroko has forged her name in the industry as HEAVEN. Why she refused to reveal her identity to the public was a mystery to him. She is an amazing composer, even RENEGADE Agency has tried recruiting her into theirs, but she refused. Hibiki was nevertheless; very proud of her regardless he could not gather his courage to confront her yet. Apparently, Kuroko and Kagami returns to Japan after a while, what happens there remains unknown to Hibiki as he was away for his tour but when they returns, he never expected to see his beloved grown up sister at the same restaurant he’s meeting with his band mates.

However… what shocked him was…Kuroko has lost her voice and now she is an empty shell. He was determined to find out why and what happened. Of course, he did found out what happened and he will never forgive a certain Akashi Seijuro for destroying what was precious to his sister.

He will do anything to get Kuroko’s voice back and those shines into the orbs he loves so much in his life, even if he has to turn into the devil himself.

.

.

Exhaustion finally got the best of him as he fell asleep on the couch. His long jet-black locks fell to the side as his breathe came in steady rhythm. The sound of the clock chimes in the whole apartment while his new companion, the husky sound asleep near him, seeking for warmth.

The day was long but it has been great for him. He gets to spent time with his beloved sister.

________________________

Akashi shifts uncomfortably in his bed, from side to side. At the right side of him, lays an asleep Suzuki Luka. The only piece of clothing or sheets that is covering her body was the blanket of his bed. He gets up and grabs his sweatpants on the floor and left the bedroom.

He lets out a long heavy sigh as he slumped onto the couch in the living room. It was last night, when he came home drunk and forgotten to lock his door. His fiancée intrude his apartment and found him in his room. He did not remember what happened after that, by the time he woke up with a major hangover, he found her next to him on the bed, both of them naked.

Things really went downhill for him. He could not do anything to escape from it. As long as he holds the name of the family, he will be cursed to it forever.

The day he has been dreading over was just around the corner of the week. Invitations to the wedding have been delivered across the globe, however his friends was nowhere in sight. He could not contact them for over a month. Never in his life, had he felt so alone.

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“Kuroko-chan, can I ask you for a favor?” that day, Hibiki received a message from Kuroko that she wanted to see the husky. Hibiki did not waste a second, he immediately agreed to it. She turns around with the husky in her arms. “Would you accompany me to a friend wedding in three days? I can’t really ask for Nana-chan out since Chihiro is gonna be accompanying her to the wedding.”

She tilted her head, ever since she knew this man; he never asked her for anything other than a stroll in the park or accompany him for dinner. She nodded. “Great! It will be held in New York and we must leave in two days. Don’t worry about the expenditure; it will be all on me.” He grins.

Kagami will not allow her to go unless he follows as well and so, Hibiki let him tags along. Although, Kagami was seen sitting alone at the side, staring somewhere else whenever Kuroko and Hibiki’s with each other.

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They have finally arrived at New York; Hibiki has already booked rooms for them in the Hotel Marriot Marquis nearby the Times Square of the city. It seems, Hibiki has connections to the hotel that he manages to book several rooms for each of them easily. Kuroko’s ones next to Kagami’s, she was awed by the room. It was very well furnished, it screams wealthy. She walks towards the windows,

She could see the busy streets of New York from the building; the sky was blue and peaceful. She heard a knock on the door, “Kuroko-chan, this is for you.” Hibiki hands over a large pink present box covered with blue ribbons around it. She puts the box onto the bed and opens it while Hibiki watched her at the side with his smile on his face.

Her orbs widens at the content, a one piece white dress her size. She turns around, “You’re welcome, Kuroko-chan.” He said without her saying or writing anything. He just knows what she wanted to say. “Alright, now that’s done, I’ll see you at 5 pm. Get some rest by then, Kuroko-chan.” He waves at her as he left the room.

Her smile fell, for some reason…she felt uneasy…

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The limousine finally arrived at the hotel where the function is. However, Kagami immediately frowned when he found out whose wedding dinner it was. “We’re leaving. NOW.” He grabs Kuroko’s wrists, as he was about to pull her away from the reception, they bumped into someone.

______________________

Akashi stood froze at the hallway in his black tuxedo. His hetero orbs widens at the sight in front of him. Time seems to freeze for him. “Tetsuki…”

How long has it been since he last seen her. It feels so many things have changed. He felt pangs of guilt when he noticed the pianist sapphire orbs looks so empty. She looked so empty…

“Minoru-san, you’re here!” Suzuki high-pitched voice broke the tension as she walked down the hallway towards where Akashi is. Hibiki gave her a smile.  “Thank you for inviting us to the dinner and congratulations to the both of you.” The brunette nodded, “You’re welcome. I’m glad to see the renowned band EUTERPE is here attending my wedding reception no less as I can see you brought several more guests along with you tonight.” She looked at the two uninvited guests.

“Yes, I hope you don’t mind. Kuroko-chan will be accompanying me.” He held the bluenette by her shoulder, protectively took her away from the bassist who gave a low growl at him. “No, of course not. In fact, I would be very grateful if Kuroko-san would attend this.” She smirked at the bluenette.

“Luka.” Akashi interferes. His fiancée merely gave him a sickly smile. “Shall we go, Seijuro? We don’t want to keep the guests waiting, do we?”

“I hope you all will have a great time this evening.” The brunette left along with her fiancée.

It was the beginning of hell for Kuroko.

They were seated at a table especially for EUTERPE and their companions for the evening at the front row. It was then; she felt someone tapped her shoulder gently. She turns around. “Tsuki-chin…” the giant of the Generation of Miracles stood behind her, looking sad as his head hung low.

“I missed you…” he hugged her gently. She forced a smile. She was about to write something on her notepad until the sound of the M.C began the evening functions. Murasakibara retreats to a table at the other side of the hall, where Aomine, Satsuki and Kise were seen sitting there. Kise seems to noticed her but the other two did not as they were seated having their backs facing her.

The wedding congratulatory speeches and wedding gifts took place for a whole two hour and for that, whole two hour feels forever for Kuroko. She wants nothing more but to leave the place. Kagami noticed that his sister felt uneasy as he was about to stood up and bring her away from the hall, Suzuki went up to the podium.

“Thank you, everyone for coming today, both me and my husband, Seijuro truly appreciate it but before we continue with the dinner, I would like to invite the renowned musician, up to the stage as today she said she would perform here for us as a congratulatory piece for us. Give a round of applause to Kuroko Tetsuki who is also known as HEAVEN.” Suzuki smirked as all eyes focused onto the bluenette the moment the light focused on her. Akashi hetero orbs widens as he turns around, looking where Kuroko seated then to Suzuki, he glares at her. Round of whispers began to spread across the hall.

“Eh? Kuroko-chan’s HEAVEN?!” Nana looked at her favorite bluenette. Kuroko orbs widens in fear. Everywhere she looked, everyone was looking at her, waiting for her to go up the stage. Her hands trembles.

“Kuroko Tetsuki-san, if you please.” Suzuki pressed more pressure on the pianist. She knows Kuroko has lost her voice and she wants nothing more but to put the pianist to shame in front of these many people. Kagami growled, “Why you…” then he felt a soft tug on his tuxedo coat. Kuroko shook her head.

He watched her standing up and walked towards the stage. When she is already up there, she went towards the black grand piano. Kagami wanted to go up there and bring her down but Hibiki stopped him as he smiled, “She will get her voice back.” The bassist frowned and looked at Kuroko who is on the stage.

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The hall was silent; everyone waits for her to perform. She took a deep breath as her hands trembles. She looked at Akashi then she looked away. Her slender fingers began pressing onto the piano keys gracefully.

“The faint scent of tears on my rain-soaked cheeks...” her melodious voice resonates throughout the hall. Kagami and Kise were caught surprised.

“The gentle look on the face of the travelers...” Suzuki was dumbfounded as she looked away. ‘Impossible, she’s supposed to be muted!’

Kagami looked at Hibiki who has his eyes close as he listens to his sister voice for the very first time, “The music from our childhood faintly echoes in the background...” he looked at her, he noticed her sapphire orbs begging to regain its shine, “The memories that I hopelessly try to remember wander aimlessly…”

Akashi watched the pianist performed, he noticed pearls of tears was falling down those soft cheeks of hers, “You light up the way for me in the darkness of night…the gentle look on your face…” the melody began to slow down as her voice caught the hearts of many.

She opens her eyes; her sea blue orbs met the hetero orbs, as her cheeks were soaked from her tears. She sang the last verse of the song,

“I want to see you...”

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And that's for Chapter 17 and the third update for this week! I'm sorry it took so long as I had to fix some parts of the scenes and as you can see, details of the Hibiki's past has been revealed and Kuroko doesn't remember him at all. And he truly meant it when he said - He will be the devil itself to get Kuroko voice back to her. Now that Kuroko gotten her voice, how things works out for everyone around her and Akashi. 

Since Kuroko was still a child in the flashback, she often calls Hibiki as Hibi - Nii- Sama. While Alex used to be the guitarist mentor before she brought Kagami and Kuroko under her wings. She also kept Hibiki identity away from Kuroko. 

It seems some readers wants some MayuKuro moments, should I put some in it? Who do you think Kuroko will end up with? 

Song Used in this chapter is - If You Are My Love by Yui Kajiura

Please review it means a lot to me if you do. It'll give me more push to put up chapter 18 in a few days.  Other than that, thank you for reading ~