Just a Fairytale [Kuroko Tetsuya x Reader x Nijimura Shuzo]{KnB}

[C.36] College: Diary Entry Thirty-Six

A/N: Long chapter alert! An old character appears and more drama :,) 

[x]

Anger does not begin to describe your current state. Once informed of the resurrection of Ikeda-sensei, your first sentiment was dread. Why must he return when you are at your happiest? When you finally feel at peace with yourself? When you finally moved past it?

Second was annoyance. Mariko had reached out to express her concern since the scandal broke out with a vengeance. Your projects had always been blessed with notoriety, hence a successful result each time. However, notoriety comes with its cons such as the hunger desire to see you fall. You can only assume that the most rabid of Jung fangirls to be perpetrating the idea that you may not be so innocent. It doesn't hurt that Ikeda-sensei is handsome and charismatic. Of course they'd fall for his charms, just as much as they've fallen for Jung.

Now, you stand here indignant at a hotel hallway beside the banquet room, ready to address the rumors and clear your good name.  Much to your relief, Kuroko, Aomine, and Kise have joined you to corroborate your story. Murasakibara was also supposed to be here, but last you heard, he got lost.

As you pace around the hallway awaiting for the clock to touch the 1, you hear Aomine pick up a phone call with a dull tone. "Yo." Silence follows, more silence, and then Aomine's gaze slides over to you. "Here, Akashi wants to talk to you."

Anxiety bubbles at the thought of talking to your kohai, who was once your captain. You haven't spoken to him since your second year of high school when you accidentally bumped into him. The trauma of your younger years begins to surface in the form of sweat, but you hold steady.

"Hello?"

You are met with two seconds of silence before you receive a response. "Ah, [L.Name]-senpai, I want to wish you luck in your conference today. I wish I could be there to support you." His voice sounds as professional as always, but there is a hint of compassion in those words.

The group did mention Akashi's change in persona in high school, but you hadn't experienced it yourself until now. "It's okay, I appreciate the sentiment." You send Kuroko a confused stare to express your absolute bewilderment of the situation.

"We all know that the type of person the media perpetuates you to be is not the senpai we have come to know."

You did not paint him as someone to express such comforting words though you welcome the kindness. "...Thank you."

"It's why I..." The line goes quiet with apprehension then he exhales a sigh. "Well, I suppose now is not the time for such confessions. But I do know you will get through this."

Swirls begin to loop around your mind as your mind becomes frazzled with more confusion.

"Good luck, senpai."

The call drops and you hand Aomine the phone. The boy stares at you with an arched brow though his expression still signifies his lack of care. "I don't think the phone call made things any better."

"C-Certainly not!" you exclaim.

Kuroko presses his lips together as he tries to assume what could have transpired. "Have you ever been close to him?"

"No, not really. We did talk a little when he was vice-captain and then captain, but I was never close to him." 

Kise shrugs his shoulders. "I suppose it's just Akashicchi taking care of us all. He does consider you part of our beginnings after all, the same for Nijimura-senpai. Which reminds me, why isn't he here?"

You flinch at the question but then a nervous smile appears. "To be honest, I asked him to stay behind. He was quite belligerent when he heard the news. I'm afraid he might attack a reporter if they continue uttering slander."