Kuroko no Basuke (Various x Reader)

Elephants (Hyūga x Reader)

Staring off in amazement and adoration at the grey-big mammals, you sighed happily. Hyūga looked at you confused, why were elephants so fascinating to you?

Hyūga tugged your sleeve, saying, "Let's get going to another exhibit, we've been here for a while, (First Name)." you shook your head no, wanting to stay longer.

He sighed in irritation and confusion, he wondered, What's so good about elephants?

"Junpei.. Do you remember?" You asked, looking at a baby elephant grabbing ahold of it's mother's tail. He shot another confusing look, he didn't really understand what you saw beauty in.

You faced him, "Remember what...?" He tilted his head slightly, your eyes widened for a moment, but allowed your bangs to fall over your eyes, shaking your head. Turning back around, you stared at the elephants through your bangs.

"... It's nothing..." Before he could say any more, you wiped off the burning feeling in your eyes and interlocked your arm with his. "Let's go to the next exhibit, yeah?"

He wondered why you were all of a sudden emotional, but didn't question it.

The both of you next went to the lion exhibit. Once again, it was just you staring off at the animals in thought and traits. While, Hyūga was reading about them. "Junpei," You called over, still staring off in deep thought of the lions.

"Yeah, (First Name)?"

"Sometimes.. You remind me of a lion." You rested your chin on the back of your hand as you leaned on the ledge. "I do...?"

There was one male lion, ruling the whole pride. He was currently looking directly at you and Hyūga from the rock he was laying on. He was surrounded by female lions and there were a few cubs.

"Justice, dignity, courage, bravery, strength. I see you as a great leader, just like him over there." you sighed dreamily while explaining, clearly fascinated. "O-oh.."

The next exhibit you went to was the giraffes. Once again, it was the exact same situation. Except, before Hyūga went to go look at the signs, he stared at the giraffes first.

"You finally caught on. We're here to see the animals, not signs." You smirked, finally he got the picture. An irk mark appeared on Hyūga's forehead as he tried his best not to (literally) strangle you.

Hyūga observed the giraffes for longer, while facing the giraffes, you couldn't help, but to stare and smirk at Hyūga who was in deep thought of these six metre (and higher possibly) creatures.

"I know what you're trying to do, (First Name). And it's working." your eyes widened, you smiled at him, thinking he finally got it, what you've been wanting him to remember.

"You remind me of a giraffe. You're mysterious, elegant, patient, a b-beauty, intelligent and you have gentleness of a spirit." he complimented, your cheeks reddened a bit. But, this wasn't what you were looking for.

"This wasn't it."

"You're blunt too. Isn't a trait, but you're blunt!"

You sighed heavily as you shook your head. "I can't believe you don't remember, J-Junpei.." Your voice cracked a bit. "H-hey, (F-First Name), just tell me, i-i-it'll make things bet--I mean, I'll make things better, I promise."

"You see, Junpei. Those words.."

"Wh-what? 'I'll make things better'?"

"No.. 'I promise'." Hyūga thought back, but couldn't remember anything at all. "When we were small, you made a promise with me. That someday, we'll get married. You promised. And you don't remember?" You frowned, causing a bit of a scene around you.

"U-uh, (F-First Name), th-that's when we w-were small... We're-We're all grown up now, we can't marry now.. We're i-in high sch---"

"Just listen to what she has to say!"

"She's only remembering a promise that you made to her!"

That made Hyūga go silent, embarrassed that he was the one being seen as the bad guy in the situation. You whispered, "I'm sorry..." quickly just so he could hear, not meaning to embarrass him in front of a crowd.

"So, for my behaviour before, I was referring to the elephants. I feel that I moreover have the qualities of an elephant than that of a giraffe. Beauty, elegance, mystery is what you see in me, wrong. That's what you see on the outside," you grabbed his hand and placed it on your chest.

Of course he got flustered because you made him touch your chest (near your breast), but, then he realized, something was beating underneath. Your cheeks were slightly tinted, but you weren't embarrassed nor ashamed if what you were saying.

"Honesty, leadership, kindness. Is that not what you see inside of me?" Truly you were quite passionate about how you felt, "I don't have any bad connections, either than sometimes of those who threaten my friends. Intelligence..." you finished, Hyūga was dumbfounded, but then found his way back to your feelings. How you felt about everything was deep.

"Anyways, Junpei. One things about elephants is," you paused, "they do not forget."

The crowd clapped around you, the words you've used to express your feeling really hit them in the heart. Touching their feelings.

|| Zoo - Closed ||

After the long day, Hyūga was walking you home. The two of you did not speak, just the wind whistled throughout the airy night sky.

"(First Name),"

You hummed a quick reply, "Thank you." you shrugged, not knowing how to feel anymore after exposing how you felt. "I want to thank you for reminding me of what ever is on the outside doesn't count. Only the inside."

Hyūga stopped you, turning you to look at him directly.

"And I want to say, I-I'm stupid for not realizing sooner. I'm s-sorry." He quickly gave you a peck on the lips and blasted off ahead. You pouted disappointedly at him, "What! That's all I get for saying all those words?! Junpei! Hyūga Junpei!!"

But, I'm glad that you now know how I feel, in hope in the future that you won't forget. After all, lions don't forget their owners when they're small to big either. Even if we're away from each other for a long time, I won't forget you.. Like an elephant never forgets.

~~~~~

~HarukaTomoe~