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Chapter Four: Together Part II

Kuroko didn't attend school or practice for the next three days. It felt like middle school over again as the events with Kise repeated over and over in his head. Of course those memories led back to the ones involving the rest of the Generation of Miracles. To put it simply, he didn't want to face anyone so he locked himself in.

His family worried for him, but there was nothing they could do to help him. They called the school for him to stay home to have time to deal with whatever was troubling them. He was thankful to their silent support. They didn't try to pry into his life but made it known that they were there for him if he needed them.

.

"Kurokocchi," Kise whispered to himself solemnly when he saw for the third day, Kuroko still didn't show up. He worried that Kuroko wouldn't come back. Not when he just got him back. He didn't want to lose him again.

"If you're going to pout, then just apologize so that you can practice properly!" Kasamatsu had to watch Kise practice half-heartedly. He didn't even know if the blond was at practice because the ghost kid snapped some sense into him or because they had a practice match next week.

"But he hasn't been answering his phone or responding to my texts," cried Kise.

Kasamatsu stared. Kise acted like a desperate girlfriend that was so common in many films and novels. "Then go visit him after practice. However, right now we're in practice so you better be pushing yourself until you're covered in sweat."

"I would but I don't know where he lives ssu."

"You knew each other in middle school, right?"

"Yeah," Kise replied confused. What did that have to do with anything?

"And you don't know where he lives?"

"Kurokocchi doesn't let others over to his house," Kise whined. He had asked before. Several times even. Kuroko just doesn't let people over.

Kasamatsu was exasperated. He didn't know what was worse: a condescending player or a whiny model? Now that he thought about, it was probably smart of Kuroko to not tell Kise where he lived.

"If there's nothing you can do then get back to practice." Kasamatsu kicked Kise repeatedly.

"Ow. Ow. Ow. I'm going ssu!" Kise went back to practice, harder than ever if only to escape his captain's abuse.

Kasamatsu sighed. Kuroko needed to come back. He was lenient but at this rate he was going to revoke his decision. Plus, Kise was more bearable with him around. At the very least he didn't have to deal with his antics as often as they were directed towards Kuroko instead. "Kobori."

The vice-captain stood next to the captain. "You want me to get Kuroko?"

"Yeah. You're the soft one. It's probably better if you don't let Kise know. He might make it worse right now."

Sometimes being vice-captain was a heavy burden. Some people easily forget about the vice-captains. Their position wasn't as flashy as the captain's position. The vice-captain had baggage to support the captain and issues that the players had that didn't warrant the captain. Essentially, he was a middle man and had to help everyone. Now was one of these times. "Understood."

.

After practice, Kobori went through the member files in search of Kuroko's personal information. He tried calling the listed number, but as Kise said, the call remained unanswered. He knew this would happen from the start. He looked at the address and blanked. He'd have to go into Tokyo. He'd be home late tonight. So much for homework. He'd have to try and do it on the train.

It was about an hour later that Kobori finally found the house he was looking for. He knocked on the door and waited patiently. The door finally opened. He was about to greet the person who took the time to open the door when he saw no one. That meant Kuroko was there, right?

"May I help you?" That voice was definitely not Kuroko's.

He finally took notice of the woman. She shared Kuroko's eyes and colourings. Even their face shape was almost identical. Definitely related. She even had that low presence.

"Sorry to disturb you so late, Kuroko-san." Kobori bowed. "Is Kuroko in?"

She glanced at his school uniform before looking back to his face. "Tetsuya?"

He blushed as he came to the conclusion 'yeah, the house is filled with Kurokos'. "Yes."

Her soft expression turned worried. "I hope you're not going out of your way. It's late. Come in." Kobori entered and Kuroko's mom closed the door. "Feel free to sit. I'll ask Tetsuya, but I don't know if he'll come out."

"Come out?"

"He's locked himself in again."

"Again?" This has happened before?

She seemed to realize the slip and asked him not to ask about it.

"It's nice to have someone come visit him." Kobori looked over to the new voice. It was an old lady.

"Sorry for the intrusion."

"Don't worry about it."

Kuroko's mom descending the stairs. "Well he won't leave his room, but you're welcome to go up and see him. It's the first room on the right."

"Thank you." Bowing he walked up to the room and knocked to be polite.

"You can come in."

He hadn't been prepared to see the sight that welcomed him. Kuroko had bad bed head. His hair wild and parts stuck straight up that most were probably only capable with hair gel. His skin was pale and he looked so tired.

"Sorry," Kuroko said though the vice-captain didn't really know what for.

He had come here for a reason but before that— "Are you okay?"

"I'd rather not speak of it." That was a dismissal if he's ever heard one.

"Ah—right."

"Is there a reason you're here senpai?" Kuroko's tired eyes reminded him of a doll's that are used in horror films. The ones that are possessed. Frankly it scared him.

Was there a reason he was there? Kuroko's state was distracting Kobori. "Reason. No reason." Kuroko's eyes were piercing. "Wait yes there is." He opened his bag and reached in to grab a uniform still in its packaging. He held it out to Kuroko who seemed utterly surprised. "Kasamatsu said you can have this as long as you come back by the time of our practice game with Seirin next Tuesday; otherwise, he'll be taking it back. He also said that while you have until then to gather yourself, you'll have extra training when you get back to make up for lost time."

Kuroko was still amazed that he was being given a jersey. That and both the captain and vice-captain were considerate enough to actually think about him and visit.

Akashi nor Midorima visited him when he quit Teikō's team. The implication and memories hit him all at once and Kuroko rushed to cover his ears as if the action could stop his thoughts.

The sudden movement surprised Kobori. Kuroko definitely wasn't alright. Had this all been because of Kise? "I won't ask but we're here if you need someone. Hope to see you around, Kuroko."

Kuroko watched Kobori leave, leaving him by himself again.

.

He was probably a failure of a mentor. Kuroko hadn't taught him any basketball when he was designated as Kise's mentor. He made Kise clean with the others, but that was protocol. There was only one thing worthy of notice of his mentorship. Kuroko wanted to teach Kise that he needed to find a way to fit on the team in a way which was needed. It was his only lesson, but even that didn't seem to sink into the model's brain.

Was Kise's attitude his fault?

.

The gym was being prepared for their practice game. It was just against Seirin so they would only be using half the court. The coach and he had already made training preparations for the rest of the members.

More importantly…

Kasamatsu looked around the gym. Why did he have to be so hard to find. It was the last day so where was he. He frowned remembering how eager Kuroko had been to join the team. Was he even coming? It'd be a waste if he didn't.

The captain looked over to Kise. He hadn't been the same the past week, yet his personality wasn't any more manageable.

He could only hope that Kuroko would show up.

.

"Ohhh~ So big. The energy they put into the sports clubs here is on a different level after all," said the Seirin captain as they wandered Kaijō's campus trying to find the right sport's building.

"Which building is it?" Riko looked at all the building and couldn't tell what each one was used for from the outside.

"Are you looking for the basketball gym?"

"Yes. Could you—ahhhh!" Riko yelled as she noticed a boy standing right next to her. Her team looked at her in concern the moment she began screamed.

The boy seemed unfazed. "It's just over here." They followed the boy to the gym, but before they could thank him he vanished.

"G-G-Ghost!" Kagami hadn't slept all night, he had been so anxious (he was excited because Kaijō had some famous strong player). Now that he had just seen a ghost he was bolted awake.

Meanwhile Kuroko changed into the new uniform that had been giving to him. Instead of going onto the court, he headed up to the upper level. It was easy to hide his presence among the girls who had no doubt came to see Kise.

Kuroko hadn't been impressed. Had Kise rubbed off on the coach and captain? They were treating Seirin how they hated to be treated by Kise. And Kise… was gloomy because he was being told he couldn't play. Had no one learnt anything?

It was because of this that he had been thoroughly amused that some tall red head on the other team destroyed the hoop making the coach angry. He called Kise onto the court as second string members prepared the nets for the full court.

"So you're Kise, huh. You're from the Generation of Miracles." It had been la long time since he had seen someone so eager to face a member of the Generation of Miracles.

"I don't really care about those titles, but that's me ssu."

"Heh." Kagami could tell. His instincts were telling him a strong player was before him. "Then I'm glad that I'll get to beat someone so strong."

"Win?" Kuroko could hear the mirth of his tone. "You're delusional. Ah. But if you think so, I haven't been in a good mood lately ssu. Crushing you might blow some steam."

Kuroko couldn't watch this. Kise really did learn nothing.

Kagami and Kise's conversation continued but he missed some of it as he made his way down to the court.

"I'm Kagami Taiga. You better remember it."

"You'll have to make me remember it. I don't remember weak players."

"Why you—"

"OW!"

Riko punched Kagami in an effort to cool him down. Even with his shirt on she could tell his stats were high. Higher than Kagami's and Kise didn't gain a reputation for nothing. (They were giving nicknames because he was a model but that's beside the point.)

Kise cried out in pain at the same time for a different reason. Kuroko jabbed Kise in the stomach with his elbow.

Wait.

Kuroko jabbed him in the stomach.

"Kurokocchi!"

Seirin's team was amazed how quickly the blond's atmosphere changed. And wasn't that the student that guided them there. He was wearing a jersey now. He was a player? But his stats were so, so, so average.

Kagami stared at the person he had previously called ghost. He was a player. He was getting nothing from him. Literally nothing.

"I'm disappointed. You haven't learned anything Kise." Kise froze remembering why Kuroko hadn't been at school or practices. The other Kaijō members who took notice of the scene and Kuroko stared on. The event were as clear in their minds as the other.

What is this tension? The Seirin members wondered as the energy shifted once again.

"And I thought of Captain Kasamatsu better than Kise but you're being just as arrogant." Kasamatsu didn't like being compared to Kise. "And so is coach." Kuroko eyes each one of them down accusingly.

"Kurokocchi."

I thought I would get it done it 2 parts but it seems it'll have to be 3. Sigh. So tired. Now to sleep and then study. Sorry for any grammar/spelling errors. One of these days I'll dedicate a day to just editing my stories. I'm sure there are plenty of errors.