Yay! Final chapter~! Now I can finally focus on my other fanfics~! XDD Also~ I'm pumped with the KnB EXTRA GAME and SEASON 3 XDD OH MY GOSH! The OPENING AND ENDING OF SEASON THREE IS AWESOME!
Ehe-Ehem~ I need to stop there or else it will be stupidly long and unnecessary XD
By the way thanks to those who reviewed for the last chapter:
Deugemia, fostine . foli, Sapphyre Lily, Frozensky, AokazuSei, Scarlet Aki-chin, Pri-Chan 1410
~ClockWorks~
…
…
~o0o0o~
"See you later… Tetsuya…"
…
…
…
Sounds of indistinct murmurs roamed around the air. They were whisper-like.
As if they were pointing at one person…
…
It's been a good few years for Kuroko—all alone… no Akashi, just him and some kids who love to hang-out with him, and yeah… that hybrid tree. Ever since Akashi came back to Kuroko's life, everything was in loops. The sun comes up, Kuroko does the usual routine for the day, he talks to his parents, then he plays more with the kids, after that he hopes that Akashi would reappear that day, since he doesn't reappear, he would just go back to bed and hope for the very same thing on the next day.
He just didn't want to lose hope but the constant waiting made him falter for a few times—almost falling for another guy was his most fatal sin, as Kuroko noted. He constantly repented for those actions that he did (although thank God Kuroko was very loyal to his love).
On a certain night, Kuroko was haunted by the same nightmare just like the rest of the other nights. He can vividly remember. The witch sabotaging the tree, Akashi dissipating into the sky, and Kuroko himself slowly being one with the earth… every time it occurred felt like it actually happened in real life. His heart pounded out of his chest and buckets of sweat poured down endlessly.
Painful… That was the first thing that registered inside Kuroko every single time.
Sei-kun… Kuroko mentally said. He got up from his bed and folded his knees up to his chest.
When are you coming back..?
That very instant, tears fell poured out of his eyes. It's heartbreaking. What am I supposed to do, Sei-kun? It hurts so much..! He wiped the endless tears forming in his eyes. Just the thought of not knowing when he was going back made him uneasy. I can't wait anymore..! My nightmares are eating me alive!
And just like that, Kuroko cried himself to sleep.
…
…
"Akashi-kun—"
"I already told you to call me by my first name!"
"It's long… and formal so I don't want to."
"I call you Tetsuya, so you have to call me Seijuurou!"
Kuroko lightly cringed at the name, "Its long, Akashi-kun."
"SEIJUUROU!—ahh, fine…" Akashi sighed exasperatingly then lightly scratched his head in dismay. "… then atleast call me by a nickname…" He muttered.
"Then how about… Sei-kun."
"Oh! I like that! Then from now on you'll call me Sei-kun and I'll call you Tetsuya!"
"Deal!"
…
…
Morning came by and Kuroko woke up from a sweet dream he most likely remembers. A dream of how they started to become closer; a nice memory for him… All the more reason for him to hope and wait for Akashi's arrival.
Kuroko's puppet shop was turned into Daycare for kids. Now that the children Kuroko knew were reincarnated, he was eager this time to watch them grow up into adulthood. He was responsible for their short lives in the past, now he had to make sure that it won't happen again. The teal haired male got out of his bed, feeling the cold floor with his bare feet then did his usual morning routine.
He ate breakfast, then brushed his teeth, cleaned his body, combed his hair then lastly chose clothes to be worn today.
The moment Kuroko opened the sign for his Daycare, children of different ages playfully dashed inside. For some reason, the people outside can remember the store but none of them can remember the owner. From the looks of it, the witch's curse was weakening to the extent of only him to be affected excluding his surroundings.
Some parents also came in as chaperone for the time being… probably because they couldn't sense Kuroko's presence. "Hello..?"
"Yes?"
"HIIEEE!" The parent jumped in surprise, clutching her heart in the sudden appearance of another person. "A-Are you the..?"
"Yes, I'm the teacher of this Daycare."
"Are you new here..?"
It would be weird if he said 'no' to that mother right? Since he is always forgotten so, if he said 'no' then that must imply that he has been here for quite a long time—which is true—but then, there is this witch…
"Yes, the previous teacher had to go back due to family reasons…" Kuroko smoothly lied.
"I-I see… that's why you look unfamiliar." The mother responded.
A stab to Kuroko's heart.
By all means, she was the very same mother who brought these children to his daycare for weeks now. And, Kuroko has been saying the very same lie for those weeks… same reaction as always.
Like always, the mother gave Kuroko the money for taking care of those kids and shall return at a later time.
The door closed and Kuroko went to occupying himself with those playful kids. It didn't take Kuroko a few seconds to register what people flashed before his eyes.
Reincarnated children
Kuroko instant turned his back on the children. His hand covered the lower half of his face and closed his eyes. He had to regain his composure at the sight of nostalgia. He made deep breaths over and over.
"Onii-chan..?"
Kuroko slid down and his face behind his hand. That voice… Momoi Satsuki. One of the sweetest girls he met during his times as a child. This was a bad timing. Hearing the voice of someone he victimized was killing him alive.
"Onii-chan… I'm not mad…" Momoi gingerly voiced out. "So don't cry.. Or else, Sacchan will also cry!"
Just like that time when the children of the past reappeared before him, 'I'm not mad' they said. Kuroko hitched a breath. Why did she say that? Does she remember her past life? Kuroko lightly shook his head, his back still turned against them. "I'm not sad… and I'm also not crying" He managed to say with the second part being an obvious lie.
"Then why..?" An innocently curious question made by another familiar voice, Kise Ryouta.
A sad smile formed in Kuroko's face. Was this a punishment? Was he being punished for doing wrong things in the past? The teal haired male breathed deeply. "You guys re-remind me o-of—I'm sorry…" His voice was quivering. Drops of tears already fell on to the ground. The children can see that the teacher's back was shivering.
"Onii-chan isn't a bad person." Murasakibara Atsushi lazily mentioned. "That's why, you don't need to apologize."
Ah, Kuroko remembers these two children. Kise had a bubbly personality and can be innocent at crucial times like this. He knew what to ask during this kind of situation. Either way, he was a good kid who had a bright future. Murasakibara was lazy and extremely childish, and he had an incredible sweet tooth. He used to give Kuroko handmade candies during the past. Unfortunately, Kuroko was plotting something against Murasakibara during those times—witch's orders.
"I-Is that so..?" Kuroko weakly replied.
A child tugged Kuroko's shirt. He was reluctant to look at the child given his situation but he to look at the child otherwise it would be too rude. The child had green hair. The child of the doctors, Midorima Shintarou, stood behind him. He held out a flower. He puffed his cheeks that had a light tint of red, "Oha-asa mentioned that today's lucky item is a blue rose… but since you're sad, I guess I'll give it to you…" Midorima gently thrusted the blue rose up to Kuroko, who was surprised at Midorima's action.
The teal haired teacher wiped away his tears before showing his face to the kids. He gladly accepted the rose and smiled at them.
And there it was…
The most beautiful face…
With the most beautiful smile…
Tainted with tears shed especially for them…
…
"Waaahh!"
"Oi, Satsuki! Stop crying already!" Aomine Daiki, Momoi's friend, shouted.
"That's how Sacchan acts when papa is angry at her!" Momoi cried.
A tick mark on Aomine's forehead, "Don't be so assuming!" His shout only caused to Momoi to cry even more.
The little mayhem snapped Kuroko out of his emotional trance. Even though these kids were a part of his past, in the present they are still kids with no knowledge of that. The nursery teacher slowly walked to Momoi and knelt on one knee. He gave her a gentle pat, "I'm not sad, Momoi-san." Kuroko subtly said followed by a kiss on the forehead. "So you should stop crying…"
Unbeknownst to the nursery teacher, there were light sparkles that flashed before Momoi's eyes.
"A kiss to the forehead is my sign of protection for you… Thank you, goodbye, I'm sorry…"
The child of before still rested within Kuroko.
"Tetsu-kun..?" Momoi softly murmured. It was quiet but was clear enough for everybody to be heard. Kuroko was frozen in surprise. How did she know the nickname she used on Kuroko in her last past life?
"Tetsu-kun…" Tears formed in Momoi's eyes yet again. "Tetsu-kun! Tetsu-kun! Tetsu-kun!"
"What's wrong Momoi-san..?!" Kuroko worriedly asked. The children already circled the two all due to curiosity.
"I'm really, really not mad! You were being bossed around so I understand! I'm not mad!"
Realization struck Kuroko like lightning. She absolutely remembered her short past life. But how? Was it because of the kiss on the forehead? How is that possible?
A small smile formed on Kuroko's features. Perhaps this time, he can cherish these children until they grow up. He can watch them grow little by little.
With a kiss to the forehead, he can make them remember him. Only with one condition, in their past lives, Kuroko must've given them a kiss on the forehead. If not, that action will only be a mark as a first. Meaning to say, the kiss spell will only be effective by the time they enter the second reincarnation.
"Sacchin is being weird~!" Atsushi bluntly commented.
"Murasakibara-kun, would you like to know what Momoi-san knows?" Kuroko replied, ignoring the surprised face of Atsushi (which probably screams 'How did you know my name?'). The nursery teacher went this time to Atsushi and planted a kiss on his forehead.
The same thing happened to Atsushi. Light sparkles flashed before his eyes but not like Momoi, he just continued have a blank, lazy face.
"You're Kurochin."
"AH~! No fair! I want a kiss too~!"
Kuroko only smile good-naturedly as he instructed the children to form a line so that they can also receive a kiss. Kise remembered as he started to call Kuroko by his version of a nickname 'Kurokocchi'. Aomine and Midorima were a bit embarrassed of getting a kiss from someone older but they still wanted it nonetheless. The tanned boy called him 'Tetsu' and the boy with the eyeglasses called him plain 'Kuroko'. Though it might sound informal, both parties agreed to just use it anyways.
…
…
…
The chaperone parent came back by 5:30 p.m. indicating the early close of the daycare for today.
A warm, fuzzy feeling welled-up inside Kuroko. It was as if his burdens were lifted up from his shoulders. The best part was that now there were children who CLEARLY remember him.
He locked the door to the entrance and went back further in to the room.
The sun comes up… Check
Kuroko does the usual routine for the day… Check
He talks to his parents… Check
He plays with the kids… Check… I think…
He hopes that Akashi would reappear today… Check
Since he doesn't reappear…
Since he doesn't…
Kuroko slowed down on his tracks. Akashi didn't… appear today…
Or so he thinks…
Light steps gradually came in louder and louder. A part of Kuroko urged him to match those steps and meet halfway. He also briskly walked to an area where the two can meet.
The door to his bedroom.
A light of hope grew bright in Kuroko's chest as he saw that very door open ever-so-slightly.
His eyes glistened like there was no tomorrow. He was instantly filled with happiness the moment he saw it.
That red hair, those red eyes, and that endearing smile.
Words couldn't possibly explain his feelings right now.
He's back.
His beloved Akashi Seijuurou is back!
Kuroko didn't let anything stand before them as he dashed to his lover waiting at the other side of that door. It swooped open and he engulfed Akashi in a welcoming hug.
"I missed you so much, Sei-kun!"
Akashi returned the hug, "Same here…" His eyes were hidden behind his fringes. His hands were still wrapped around his lover. Akashi tightened his hug around Kuroko.
"Sei-kun..?"
"If… If I go away for a long time… Will you wait for me..?" Akashi uncharacteristically said. His voice was unusually weak and quivering.
Kuroko let out a small chuckle, "Why are saying tha—?"
"Just answer me!" Akashi sternly said, causing Kuroko to be surprised. The red haired male loosened his hug and softly added—as if pleading, "… please…"
"There was never a day that I'd stop hoping that you'll return, Sei-kun." Kuroko closed his eyes, "What made you think like that..?"
"I got impatient… I wasn't allowed to go back until those children came back to you."
"You reincarnated them?"
"The creator did. He's one great person, I tell you. All I had to do was wait until those children reach to you." By then, Akashi already pulled away and gave Kuroko a light peck on the lips. "I just got scared, can you believe that?" The red haired male scratched his head and chuckled. "I thought that I might go back with no one waiting for me… Waiting to return to you gave me unbelievable hallucinations… Every single day was a loop to me. I wait and wait and wait… days became weeks. Weeks became months. And months became years! The wait was unbearable, Tetsuya!"
Akashi's words resonated with the ones Kuroko's.
"I also thought of the same thing, Sei-kun…" The teal haired male covered his face with his two hands. "I thought that you weren't coming back..!" He placed his head on Akashi's shoulder, "I didn't want to accept that thought so I kept waiting… All this time..!"
A hand was gently placed on Kuroko's head. The smaller male continued to sob at the meeting of those two after 10 whole years of waiting.
The smaller male felt something warm land on him.
"I'm so sorry Tetsuya, but can we stay like this for a little longer..?" Akashi quietly suggested.
Akashi was also crying, Kuroko just knows it.
He nodded his head.
There, the lovers stayed like that until both of them had calmed down…
…
…
"Please make me understand that this is real and not an illusion!" The princess shouted at her beloved, who was slowly being engulfed by the light. Despite the intense sadness in the princess' eyes, the prince only remained calm and smiled at her. His hands were gently clasped within the princess'.
The prince leaned forward and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. "I shall return… though I cannot guarantee the time of my arrival…" He dearly caressed the princess' cheeks then gave her on last peck on the lips. "See you later, my princess…"
By then, the princess only had a doll resting in her arms… She cried and cried, over and over in hopes of getting a respond from her dear prince.
"My love! Promise me that you shall return!" she shouted at the doll, only to get no response from that doll. She whimpered as she tightened her hug on the item. "I don't like the ending of Romeo and Juliet, and I don't want ours to end like that as well! So, don't pretend to die because I just might kill myself thinking that you are also dead!" She muttered to the doll.
Tears continued to roll down the girl's cheeks as she muttered more incoherent words although most of them were definitely words for her beloved.
"She cried and cried and cried, knowing that she had to wait for an indefinite span of time for the return of her beloved..! She-She had to be faithful and loyal to her love as she promised to wait..!" Kuroko had to maintain strong infront of the kids who were also in the verge of tears. He held the book as if his life depended on it and continued to read the remaining sentences.
"H-However..! She was just a human..! She had to wait and wait… only to find herself lying in a bed of flowers..! She couldn't move let alone trying to lift a finger. That was when it finally hit her… that she spent her whole life waiting for someone she knew who wouldn't come." By then, Kuroko already had the same face as the children who were eagerly listening to the story.
"Upon realization of her foolish actions, she started to cry again..! There was no way someone could wait for a person such as her, she scolded herself… Tears ran down to her wrinkled face. There was no way a guy such as him would actually come back into her arms…" Kuroko's voice was already wavering at that moment. His own memories would collide with the story he was telling.
"She waited for death to make his appearance… Until someone did came. But it wasn't death..! It was her prince who didn't seem to have aged since the day they have parted…" The audience (the kids) suddenly had their eyes filled with hope.
" 'My love… time has already depleted you yet you still waited for me.' The prince worriedly said. He held the lady's hand and placed it near his heart, 'I am sorry to have done this to you…' The princess only shook her head. 'I just loved you with my soul… there's no need to apologize…' with her last breath, the princess gave a heartwarming smile before she finally closed her eyes."
"WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PRINCE?!"
"WHY DID SHE DIE?!"
"YOU SAID SHE WON'T DIE, ONII-CHAN!"
Kuroko only placed a finger infront of his lips, "Now, now… while the princess did die, that doesn't mean she won't come back to life…" Cue the question marks on the children's heads. "She will reincarnate and the prince has to look for her again."
"But wouldn't that be sad..?"
"It wouldn't be just as sad if you know who you're looking for."
"AH! Tetsu-kun!" Momoi shouted, pointing at a certain figure hesitant of whether he was going inside or not.
"Excuse me… but there are worried-sick parents outside." As if on cue, Akashi entered the daycare.
"AH! IT'S THE PRINCE!" The children chorused. *cue the adorable pouncing*
— SHIT! Unable to fight back, Akashi was pressed hard on the ground. In the background, a certain teal haired male was mentally grinning from ear to ear. Of course, who wouldn't? Will there be a person who would refrain from grinning like an idiot if they saw someone they love being adored by little kids? Well… there are those jealous types—oh well.
Akashi shot a brief glance to his by-standing lover. 'Quit looking and help me, Tetsuya!' seemed to be the meaning.
"I love you." Kuroko mouthed out followed by a flying kiss, which certainly felt so out of place. Did Tetsuya do this on purpose? For some reason unknown, this action was taken as a mock for Akashi.
'Stop doing that!' was the meaning of Akashi's second glance (although it clearly looked like a glare).
Yet another flying kiss.
"You are so not cute Tetsuya!" Akashi accidentally blurted out.
The children stopped on their tracks and stared at the red haired male.
"What?"
"Apologize to Kurokocchi!" Kise cutely reprimanded.
"Shouldn't you little kids be apologizing to me first?" Akashi retorted back.
Noticing that something incredibly childish was going to happen, Kuroko stepped forward to stop. "Now, now..! I don't think there is anything wrong here, so let's all be friends..!" Kuroko got Akashi's hands and Kise's hands and joined them together, "Let's make up, alright?"
Although Kise and Akashi weren't up to it, they just had to do it since it was Kuroko doing the 'Let's be friends again' routine. And so, they became friends (?) again.
"Also, you're parents are looking for you, so it's bye-bye for today." Kuroko also announced, only to be responded with multiple complaints by the children. "Don't be like that; we'll get to meet tomorrow!" He enthusiastically added, and the children responded with cheers of joy.
The children went out to greet their parents and waved at the teacher good bye.
Kuroko also waved good bye to the children and waited for them to be out of sight before closing the blinds of his window and the locks of his door.
"What's up with the flying kiss, Tetsuya?"
"I just wanted to try something new."
"Is telling our story with that kind of twist also something new?"
Kuroko accidentally tripped on his feet. Akashi got that right.
"I-I don't think there is anything wrong with that, Sei-kun..!" Kuroko spluttered.
Cute, Akashi noted.
"Well, In any case…" Kuroko slung his arms around Akashi's shoulder, "Welcome home, Sei-kun."
Akashi kissed Kuroko's forehead, then down to the lips…
"It's good to be back, Tetsuya."
~o0o0o~
'Clockwork'
It means to happen regularly without delay…
Akashi sends a soul to heaven…
Kuroko waits for his return…
The cycle continues…
~o0o0o~
…
FIN