Small Intermission: See 'Awareness' via Verdancy of the Green.

When Kuroko arrived home after his talk with Momoi, he went straight to his room and collapse onto his bed, dumping his schoolbag to the floor. He had ignored the note that was on the kitchen table and his mother, who was quietly preparing dinner with the television humming in the background. She didn't notice his arrival but Kuroko wasn't surprised. Not anymore.

There was once a time when Kuroko would crave for attention—do stupid, irresponsible things so his parents would notice him—so his parents wouldn't forget him.

The most drastic thing he had ever done was dyeing his hair the blue color he was now known for. It was the first time his parents' entire attention was on him, and only him. Fussing and scolding him but never for a single second did Kuroko regret it. It was best moments in Kuroko's rather quiet life. No one at school seemed to notice the rather alarming change with his hair but occasionally people would do a double take—something that had never happened before. Even so, no one would still fully acknowledged him.

But that was alright, he would think. It was good while it lasted.

He buried his head into his pillow for a while, pseudo-suffocating himself, listening to his own breathing. He kept repeating his declaration with Momoi in his mind again and again, berating himself. He had lost hope in the game. Kuroko knew he was going to give up, he'd been preparing himself for it since the end of the finals. He wasn't going to play basketball anymore. He promised himself wouldn't—!

Kuroko turned his head to the poster on his walk, trying ignore his thoughts. One was of the foreign basketball player Micheal Jordan and the other was Wataru Misaka, "Kilo Wat". He liked them both for completely different reasons. Micheal was for the obvious—a player that became successful through hard work. But Kilo Wat was for a personal reason. Sure, he was one of the first Asians to enter the NBA but it was his career that made Kuroko admire him. It was short and unseen. His teammates said he was a great support to the team, even though he vanish after only three games.

He's part of the reason for Kuroko's playing style—

He was—

Was.

He buried his head again. But try as he might, he couldn't ignore the way his fingers twitched.

With the urge to grab a basketball. With the urge to play again.

With the urge to have fun.

He promised himself he wouldn't—!

Kuroko looked at the slowly setting sun with blank eyes that held a held thirst—for what, he didn't know. But—

"Some promises are meant to be broken."