Chapter Text
Kuroko Tetsuya quit basketball.
Kuroko Tetsuya vanished without leaving a trace for his former teammates.
Kuroko Tetsuya was... is broken.
Kuroko Tetsuya hated basketball.
Kuroko Tetsuya wants his friends back.
Kuroko Tetsuya will get his friends back.
So when Kuroko decided to go to Seirin a part of him remained at Teikou, a part of him was left with his former teammates.
Seirin is not bad infact Seirin is a good school that has a team-oriented basketball team. Seirin's basketball team possesses the factor Teikou lacked and Kuroko longed for.
Teamwork.
He likes Seirin, he also like the scary looking red head whom reminds him of Aomine. He likes Seirin but Seirin will never be Teikou and his heart longs for the familiarity Teikou has. He feels like he belongs to them but Seirin can never be his home but he's trying, trying to learn to love Seirin, trying to learn to make Seirin his new home.
But when Kise Ryouta waltz in the Seirin Gym in the middle of their basketball practice Kuroko felt a wave of memories knock on his head. The happy memories he had with the blond and considering that the blond did a lot of good than bad to him, his heart melted.
Basketball was never the same every since Akashi announced his mentor's departure from their team. His life became dull when he couldn't catch a glimpse of the light blue haired boy during their school hours. His fake facade began to build up again as he cried in his bed every night and needed to smile as if he's not broken when the sun's up.
Kise Ryouta hated the truth, he didn't want to believe his Kurokocchi quit basketball.
Kise Ryouta tried his very best to find Kuroko but he couldn't, because if the phantom player doesn't want to be found he can never be found.
Kise Ryouta was... is broken, he felt something's missing ever since Kuroko left
Kise Ryouta stopped loving basketball, he loves it when he plays with his Kurokocchi because his Kurokocchi's passes excites him and without his passes basketball is boring for the blond.
Kise Ryouta wants his Kurokocchi back.
Kise Ryouta will get his Kurokocchi back.
And he finally came to get his Kurokocchi. He stands only two step away from the teal head, he looked at him longingly there's a smile on his lips a reserve smile only for Kuroko.
" It's nice to see you again " how long has it been since Kise last heard Kuroko's voice? The smaller haven't changed much but Kise noticed that his eyes became more duller, it looked more dead and his heart tighten at the sight of Kuroko looking at him blankly but his voice, Kise recognize a hint of relief on his voice. It's as if his Kurokocchi was waiting... waited for him or maybe not him in particular but Kuroko waited
" It's good to see you " Kuroko felt like drowning hearing the blonds voice, it has just been months but the blond changed. His voice became deeper and his looks became mature ( in a good way ). He looked at Kise, he scanned the blond in all ways he could. It's still there, the old Kise Ryouta he mentored it's still in... with him. The overexcited blond who's puppy like and an attention seeker. The teammate who plays basketball because he enjoys it. There's still hope.
" Give us Kurokocchi " and there it was, the word Kuroko has been waiting to hear and Kise has been dying to say.
Kise is prepared for the worst, he never got rejected not even once but as he looked into Kuroko's eye and he saw nothing but a blank gaze he knew he's going out of Seirin alone. He closed his eyes when he saw Kuroko's mouth twitching, he's ready for rejection. It's not like he'll ever stop trying afterwards? Now that he knows where his Kurokocchi is he won't let the phantom slip away from him again, he'll do his best to make amends and fix them. Whatever they had.
" I've been waiting, Kise-kun " Kuroko's voice was soft and gentle, it sounded like music to Kise's ears. His eyes immediately grew wide, not believing his ears
" Kurokocchi, what... what did you just say? " he asked, he can't believe what he just heard
" I'll transfer to Kaijo with you " and there was a small smile on his Kurokocchi's lips, a miniscule smile you'll only notice if you look closely but for Kise, for someone who gives his full attention to the teal head it's easy to notice the sudden change of expression. Kise felt ecstatic.
Of course the Seirin basketball club is not pleased, yes they might've underestimated Kuroko the first time they set their eyes on him but considering the little time they spent with the phantom player they know Kuroko is a valuable player, Kuroko's play style is focused on team play and that's Seirin's strongest attributes. They wanted to protest but when they saw the serene expression the said teen showed the moment he saw the blond model they knew that they lost so even if it leaves a bitter taste to their tongues they let their phantom go.
" Kise-kun are you sure your team will agree to have me in your team? " Kuroko asked as they walked towards the entrance of Kaijo High School.
The blond model looks happy and giddy, it's been long since Kise last felt this kind of feeling but he doesn't mind, he likes it. He likes how his Kurokocchi is walking beside him, how his Kurokocchi is giving him attention, he likes how his Kurokocchi is holding his hands as the bluenette is nervous. He likes this set-up, just like the old times.
" Ofcourse they will, you're an amazing player Kurokocchi " He threw himself towards the smaller, he can't contain his happiness.
So they walked towards the Kaijo Gymnasium. Kuroko can't help but be awed by the capacity of the school it's big, way bigger than Seirin and the complex of the whole school clearly screams sports based school.
" Oi Kise you're late again " Kuroko heard a loud voice, it sounded angry and the moment he looked to where the voice cane he felt the emptiness beside him. He looked back and what he saw was Kise on the ground, rubbing the sore spot of his head and there a black haired boy is yelling at Kise for being late
" Kise-kun are you okay? " Kuroko asked worried as he walked past the scolding boy to nurse Kise.
The boy who now noticed Kuroko's presence shouted in shock " AHHHHH " his voice was too loud that it gained the attention of the other people inside the gym
" What's with the commotion? " A man that seems to be Kaijo's coach asked as he walked towards their direction
" This brat is late again " the boy said as he pointed an accusing finger on Kise
" And he brought someone with him and I haven't notice his presence until just now " he added as he looked at Kuroko with a horrified look
Their coach looked at the boy with confusion, Kuroko sighed knowing so well that the coach failed to notice him
" Hi, I'm Kuroko Tetsuya " he introduced himself and the coach's eye grew wide as he heard the teal heads introduction, he snapped his head towards Kuroko's direction and Kuroko wonders how his neck wasn't broken with the speed exerted on that certain action
" You, since when have you been here " he asked alarmed
" I've been here the whole time " comes Kuroko's immediate reply
" Coach, Captain " the blond stood up and held Kuroko's hands as he called the attention of the two guys Infront of them
" This is Kurokocchi, the phantom sixth man of the Generation of Miracles and he will be playing for us " he announced
Silence
It was the captain who first snapped out his dazed
" Did you just say the phantom sixth man? " He asked and Kise nodded
" You mean, that person really exist and it wasn't just a myth! " The captain exclaimed as he looked at Kuroko in disbelief
" Oi, oi what's happening here mind to fill us up? " four more player walked towards their direction and it seems like those four are part of the first string, one has prince like visual, one has weird eyebrows and he looks like an over excited puppy, one has glasses and ash gray hair and one has big built he looks like the center
" Kise here brought the phantom sixth man of the Generation of Miracles " Kasamatsu stated and the other four looked at Kise in disbelief
" Wasn't it just a myth? " they asked
" It wasn't, Kurokocchi is here to prove it to you!!! " Kise excitedly said
" Kise-kun, maybe I should comeback tomorrow. It seems like I'm interrupting your practice " Kuroko whispered to the blond
" Nonsense Kurokocchi!!! We won't leave this gym until you claim your spot in the regulars " the blond stubbornly stated as he looked at Kuroko with a determine gaze
" Kuroko-kun, right? " Their coach finally snapped out of his reverie
" Hai "
" Do you want to join Kaijo's basketball team? " He asked to which Kuroko nodded
" Then can you show us your plays? " he looked at Kuroko with expectant eyes
" Can I do it with Kise-kun? " Kuroko looked at the coach with unreadable eyes and when he noticed the coach raised his brows in question he sighed and proceeded to elaborate
" I need a partner to show my plays " he answered
" Why is that? " Kise noticed Kuroko's uneasiness so he chose to speak up instead
" Me and Kurokocchi versus the other Kaijo regulars " the blond confidently announced
" We know you're a prodigy but aren't you overestimating yourself now Kise? " Their captain looked at Kise with an annoyed look
" Don't get me wrong captain, I'm not overestimating myself and I'm also not underestimating you. You said you wanted to see Kurokocchi's play right? I know you have heard the rumor about the phantom sixth man and now here he stand Infront of you, why not show you how amazing he is, right? " Kise's voice is full of conviction. He won't falter on the intimidating aura his senpai's and coach is showing, he wanted to play basketball with his Kurokocchi and he will.
" 5 vs 2 it is, clear the court we will have a match " the coach announced and almost immediately the court is cleared. The other players stand on the sidelines. The 5 Kaijo regulars immediately went to warm up while Kise and Kuroko went to change.
" Kise-kun sure is confident " Kuroko commented
" Because I believe in you Kurokocchi " it was a sincere answer. Kuroko felt his heart clench hearing the blonds words, the nervousness he's feeling is immediately washed out
" And I haven't forgot yet how to receive your passes " when Kuroko turned to looked at the blond there was a beautiful smile on the models face. Kuroko doesn't know what to say his thoughts brought him back to that one moment with Aomine
' I don't remember how to receive your passes anymore '
His heart ached, he closed his eyes to calm his breathing down. A hand reached out to his and intertwined their finger. He looked up and he saw Kise looking at him with concern but the blond didn't ask anything, instead he squeezed Kuroko's tiny hands a silent message ' I'm here Kurokocchi, I won't leave you '
They walked out the locker room and proceeded to the gym. For the first 5 minutes of the gym, Kuroko remained low-key as he is still observing their opponents and his soon to be teammates but Kise is not letting the seniors to slip away that easily.
32-15 in favor of the senior's.
They all looked at Kise and Kuroko with a smug expression and the duo couldn't care less
" Phantom player sixth man my ass " Kasamatsu spat
" I can't believe how Kise is boosting about him but he sucks so bad " the ash grey haired player said
" He looks fragile and delicate he suits more in the sideline cheering " the prince like player stated
" I am fi(l)Ed up but he i(l) (l)o bad " Kuroko couldn't fully understand what the hyper brunette said
" Kise-kun " he called out and it was enough for Kise to know that the teal head is ready.
Kuroko fixed his wrist bands as the game proceeded.
Kaijo's coach who's watching at the sidelines noticed the sudden attitude of the duo especially the blue haired teen, he was snapped out of his deep thoughts when he heard a gasped of surprise from the players on the sideline. He quickly snap his eyes open only to see the other Kaijo regulars frozen as Kise made a basket.
" Nice pass Kurokocchi " Kise cheered
The regulars retrieved the ball but as soon as they reached the half court the ball immediately gets stolen and sent flying to Kise's hands to make a basket.
To say everyone is shock is an understatement, some are gaping like a fish who freshly got out of the water, some are frozen on their place not knowing what to do or say and the Kaijo regulars playing are in panic they don't know what's happening. Their coach isn't doing well either, he can't help but to think what's happening. He squinted his eyes to focus on the court until his eyes caught a glimpse of a light blue hair and there the said phantom player stood in the middle of the court with calculating gaze, the ball was passed from Kasamatsu to Moriyama but before the prince like shooter can get a hold of the ball the blue haired player stole it and send it flying to Kise's hands. He stared at the said boy wide eyed, the boy held the ball for only a second if you blink you won't notice he had the ball. He stood front his seat in shock.
" Stop the game " he shouted and everyone stop from their tracks
" Coach? " Kasamatsu asked in confusion
" You " he pointed an accusing finger to the blue haired player
" You were the one responsible for the magic like passes back in Teikou, right? " he asked his tone was desperate
" Ofcourse he is, he isn't called as phantom sixth man for nothing. He's like invisible on the court that people often mistaken him as a ghost " the blond laughed
" I'm still lost, what's happening here? " Kasamatsu said annoyed
" Aren't you curious who's responsible of the steals and passes when I am staying on our side of the court? " Kise says with a raise eyebrow and then realization came like a wave, Kasamatsu turned to looked at blue haired player with admiration and shock and the other four did the same, Kuroko only tilted his head to the side not accustomed to the sudden attention he's receiving
" You're in, you're part of the team " without hesitation the coach affirmed
" Yay!!! " Kise ran to where Kuroko is standing and wrapped the smaller into a tight bear hug, he can't contain his happiness.
Kasamatsu noticed the already pale teen growing more paler in the embrace of Kise, raking pity he immediately kicked Kise to separate him from the smaller
" Are you planning to suffocate our newest player? " He scolded Kise as he held his arms in an open to help the bluenette
" Thankyou, senpai " Kuroko bowed politely
" Oi Kise where did he came from? Why did you bring him just now? " The player with glasses asked
" Oh, I actually stole him from Seirin " Kise smiled toothily and Kuroko jabbed his side completely annoyed at the blonds answer
" So Seirin huh? " Moriyama smirked
" Kise-kun, I might as well go back to Seirin if you won't keep your mouth shut " he said blankly and the thought of losing their possible trump card made the regulars stumble on their feet
" You're already part of Kaijo, there's no turning back " said Kobori
" And don't worry about Kise, we have Kasamatsu to take care of him " Nakamura added
Kuroko watched how the Kaijo player's bickered Infront of him. He watched them fondly and when his eyes landed on a whining Kise, his heart felt at ease.
I found my new home, he smiled to himself.
But he failed to noticed that the gaze of the Kaijo regulars were already on him. Today they made a discovery, smiling Kuroko Tetsuya is a sight to behold and it became their mission to make their blue haired player smile everyday.
" Kise-kun " he called out softly
" Yes Kurokocchi? "
" You do realize that you're my light now, right? " Kuroko is looking at him thoughtfully
Kise froze, he blinked and then blinked and then blinked. He opened his mouth the close it, then open then close it.
" You broke him " Kasamatsu commented as he looked at Kuroko with amusement
" Should we continue practicing now? I want to know how it feels to be at the receiving end of your passes " Moriyama excitedly suggested which the others immediately agreed.
They walked back towards the court leaving a broken Kise behind. The blond still can't fully register what his Kurokocchi just said.