Chapter Text
It was the year 2015. Crown Prince Kuroko Tetsuya ascended the Camellia Throne of Teikou as its 104th Emperor after the untimely death of his mother the Empress.
The young prince was told at an early age that he will rule their good empire after his mother - but never this unexpected. He treasured his mother the Empress because he was the only parent the young prince has left; his father the Emperor Consort died when the young prince was only a child.
He understood that he was supposed to learn everything there is to know about their empire from his father's trusted advisors: the heads of the Great Houses of Teikou, and some other noble men. The prince, always has the penchant fot unknowingly disappearing due to his low presence, loved going out of his little palace called the Azusa Hall and seeing the empire he so loved.
While his adventures outside the palace are understandably piquing your interest, it's important to retrace our steps and go back to the situation at hand: Kuroko Tetsuya is now the Emperor.
However, there's a little problem: he can't be officially crowned the 104th Emperor yet.
According to Teikou law, the Emperor, upon ascending the Camellia Throne, must form his Imperial Harem exactly a month after his ascension. The Imperial Harem must contain 5 individuals; no more, no less. The Emperor's present counsel may submit names to His Majesty, but he alone can make the decision. After the formation of the Imperial Harem may the newly ascended Emperor be crowned.
Another problem: Kuroko doesn't know who to pick for this harem. He has been out, yes, but not to socialize and form acquaintances. What a pain.
A week into his rule, Kuroko was already stretched. Despite being only a ceremonial ruler (thanks for doing all the work, Prime Minister Tachibana), Kuroko was swamped with meetings. He was all around the news, each and every TV station wanted an interview with the new Emperor, but both the Imperial Palace Guards head Kiyoshi Teppei and the Imperial Internal Palace Affairs Office head Aida Riko refused.
He understood that they were only protecting him from the media's speculatory eyes, but he also sees the importance of being seen in public. The public's interest of him was so high because 1) nobody outside the palace has seen him as the new Emperor, and 2) the public was curious as to who will he pick to be part of his Imperial Harem.
The thing is with the Imperial Harem, it can be composed of men, women or both. The good part about Teikou culture is that it doesn't have any preference - having a reigning Empress wasn't so much as a problem. Going back to the Imperial Harem, anyone can be picked. From celebrities to college students, from white collar employees to CEOs - however, if the Emperor wants you, you leave everything behind. Furthermore, the Imperial Harem is also where the Emperor chooses his Imperial Consort who will assist him in performing various ceremonial and symbolic duties.
The previous Empress' consort was a top-ranking pastry chef, whom she met in an awarding ceremony where she represented the Imperial Family.
And speaking of the Imperial Harem, Kuroko has to attend a meeting specifically set by the Imperial Secretary and his best friend, Kagami Taiga.
"What a pain," Kuroko complains to himself while walking towards his largest conference room in Azusa Hall.
"His Majesty The Emperor!" The guard by the door announced. Everyone in the room stood up and bowed low.
"Wataru, I told you, I'm not officially the Emperor yet. It's fine if I'm called the Crown Prince or whatever," Kuroko commented.
"But Your Majesty--"
"Whatever. At ease, Wataru."
Kuroko walked to the head of the table, where his favorite red plush sofa was located.
"You've been telling Wataru off about the Imperial Address, Kuroko. It may be best to get used to it," Riko suggests.
"Alright," Kuroko gives up.
"So, after a week into the throne, and I've come up with at least 20 choices for the Imperial Harem, Your Majesty," Kagami opened.
"Kagami..."
"Ahem, I mean, Kuroko."
"Good. You were saying?"
"As I was saying, I've got 20 people listed for this Imperial Harem thing for the top bachelor in Teikou. Only the best for my best pal, right?" Kagami smirked.
"Get on with the list, Bakagami," Hyuga Junpei, the head of the Imperial Communications Office, commanded.
"Okay, here goes."
1) Nanase Haruka. One of the top Olympic swimmers. Quiet, but full of sass. Absolutely loves mackerel.
"Kagami," Kuroko calls, "why is he naked?"
"That's a photo of him after swimming," the Imperial Secretary scoffed.
2) Gino Weinberg. World-class race car driver, and part of the nobility. Can you guess which clan?
“Whoa.”
“You got that right, Riko-san.”
“If you reject him, can I have him instead, Your Majesty?”
“Who’s saying I’m rejecting him?”
“KUROKO!”
3) Kise Ryouta. Top model for five consecutive years, who's to think that this blondie plays basketball? He's also studying Aeronautics in Kaijou University.
"Oh my god, Kise Ryouta never fails to be beautiful in every angle!" Riko-san says while struggling to control herself.
"I'd not be surprised if you'd take him from me, Riko-san," Kuroko commented.
"O-Of course not, Your Majesty!"
4) Kozuki Kallen. A common college student, majoring in Robotics in Seirin University. Girl has the goods.
"Her big breasts make me remember why I'm preferably gay," the Emperor deadpanned.
"Your Majesty," Shinji-san scoffs, "breasts are awesome."
"Please shut up, Shinji-san."
5) Momoi Satsuki. Another college student, majoring in Criminology in Touou. Girl has a knack for investigations and research.
"My god, is there no one on this list who's a woman but doesn't have such..." Kuroko tries to find a suitable word. "Features? God."
Teppei-san and Junpei-san both stuggle to control their laughs.
6) Aomine Daiki. Momoi's childhood friend and he shares her major. He was his middle and high school basketball team's ace.
"Kagami-kun," Junpei-san warns, "why is everyone looking like they're going to seduce His Majesty?"
"I want him to choose based on the physical appearance and the things I'll be describing them with," Kagami replies nonchalantly. "At least, if Kuroko chooses hot people for the harem, he can forget—"
His Majesty wacks his secretary on the head to shut him up.
7) Midorima Shintarou. Promising doctor from Shuutoku. Has a weird kink for lucky items and horoscopes. Basketball player too, with 100% shooting accuracy.
"I heard he's a horoscope freak," Junpei-san comments.
"What's wrong with that? Luck and fate is an important factor in everything, Hyuga," Teppei-san interrupts. "Especially in hanafuda."
8) Kurihara Mari. Budding politician; she's the lone representative of Imperial City's South District. Infamous because of her pet crows and her long, silky, black hair.
"Her black hair is impeccable," His Majesty notes. "And finally, a woman with a breast size that doesn't scare me for life."
"I hear her hair is as dark as her soul," Junpei-san comments.
"I hear you're quite the gossip monger," Riko-san snaps. "Shut up, Hyuuga-kun."
Kagami sighs. "Okay, here's next."
9) Murasakibara Atsushi. Otherwise known as the gentle giant of Yosen University Basketball Team. He's lazy and gentle with his sweets and everything else except basketball.
"Oh," Kuroko spouts. "I like his hair. It looks soft."
"I'm going to bet he's going to think that your hair looks like cotton candy," Kagami comments.
"How do you know?"
"I just do," Kagami replies nervously.
10) Kururugi Suzaku. Grandson of the previous Prime Minister. Now he's just a regular student in Rakuzan University majoring in Literature.
"Too stiff looking," Junpei-san comments. "Bet he'll become a soldier."
"Huh?" Teppei-san unintelligently replies. "He's no more stiff than you, Hyuga."
"Shut up, idiot!"
"Children, please," Kuroko scolds.
"Kagami, I'm tired. Are there more?" Kuroko complained.
"There are at least 8 more but, I promise, you're gonna love the next one."
"Go on, then."
11) Akashi Seijuurou. Our Emperor's former lovebug back in Teikou Imperial High School. He's now the President and CEO of the Akashi Conglomerate, but he's still small.
"Oh."
"Yeah, idiot, oh."
Kuroko was never seen to have rose from his seat and ran out of the room as fast as he did when he realized who Kagami just described.