The Lost Shadow

4

{Kagami POV}

"Kurokocchi...?!"

I turned to the blonde, and then to Kuroko.

They know each other?

The blonde guy pushed past everyone and ran over to him.

"What are you doing here, Kise-Kun...?"

"I should be asking you the same thing!" He said. "You joined THIS school?!"

Kuroko looked away, and our eyes met.

Help, His eyes seemed to scream.

I walked over and put a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"You know Kuroko?"

"Of course I do! He was my friend in middle school! We played basketball together!"

Kuroko bit his lip.

"Together?" I asked. Then I realized what he was saying. "Wait...You're part of the Generation of Miracles?!"

He rubbed his head, sighing. "I guess..."

Then he grabbed ahold of Kuroko's wrist. "Hey, we need to talk. Right now."

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked, grabbing Kuroko's shoulder. "He doesn't look like he wants to go. And we have a game soon."

The blonde...Kise? He glared at me. "Let go."

"Oi, Kise?!"

He flinched and turned around. His Senpai walked over to us. "What's going on over here?"

Kise released a sharp exhale and let Kuroko go. "Nothing. Let's go, Senpai."

"What—"

Kise grabbed his wrist and pulled him away to the locker rooms.

I let Kuroko go and looked over at him. "You okay? Wasn't he your friend?"

Kuroko swallowed, and his breathing calmed. "I'm...Alright. Thank you, Kagami-Kun."

He didn't answer my second question, but he walked over to the court to greet the other players.

{Kise POV}

"Oi—!" I opened up the room to the lockers and slammed the door shut.

I let Senpai go and slumped to the ground, covering my face. Senpai was quiet for a bit.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He asked. "Was he someone you knew? What're you so upset about?"

I didn't reply.

"Oi—!"

I grabbed his ankle before he could kick me.

"Not...Not now, Senpai. Please."

He set his foot down and I sighed. He slumped down next to me.

"Seriously, what's wrong? We have to get our game started soon. We can't have you in a bad mood right now."

I felt my eyes burn, but I quickly blinked it away.

"It's nothing, really. Just someone close..." I stood up, and helped Senpai up. "Alright, Senpai! Let's go win again!"

He had a look of concern on his face, but ignored it by rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

(Time skip)

Kurokocchi changed a lot throughout the time we haven't seen each other. He's a bit taller, and looks much more mature. Though, of course, his poker face is still intact.

"Bow!"

"Let's have a good game!"

Tweeeeet!

The ball was thrown, and Senpai managed to snag the ball first.

.  .  .

In the end...They won.

The overwhelming feeling of loss brought tears to my eyes.

This is...so unfamiliar. It hurts, a bit.

"Oi, stop crying!" Senpai lightly kicked me. "It's alright, just win next time, ya doofus!"

I smiled, nodding, and looked over at Kurokocchi. I found him already staring at me.

We lined up.

"Good game!"

I was changing in the locker room with Senpai a few minutes later.

"You sure you're ok?" He asked.

It was the first time he's ever asked me that question. It sounded weird.

"Yes, Senpai! No need to worry about me!" I said, jabbing my thumb into my chest.

He sighed and zipped up his bag. He got his index finger and poked my shoulder.

"I'm just saying, if there's anything you need to talk about, spill it...We'll be waiting so hurry up."

"Hai!"

He left the room and I sighed, changing into my shirt.

"Kise-kun."

I flinched and turned. The door was open, and there stood Kurokocchi.

"K-Kurokocchi!"

"Let's...talk."