Our English Summer [AoKuro] [Kiyoshi x Hyuuga] [Kuroko No Basket] [WinterRaineeDay's May 2015 Competition Entry]

Chapter Two

He loves England, Kuroko had decided despite the fact they've only been here for a day and hadn't done much. The weather isn't as cold as Japan's coldest weather and isn't as hot as Japan's hottest weather. It was perfect, in his opinion. Obviously, Aomine complained that England's summer wasn't warm enough and that holidays were meant to be nice and warm.

The school holidays were different here in England. The students here got less summer holiday time as they had more half terms while Kuroko and his friend are used to longer summer holidays and less half terms. English students wouldn't finish school until the end of July and so there, unfortunately, wouldn't be as much chance to mingle with English students as Kuroko had hoped.

Kuroko had hoped to improve his English with people his own age as he found it easier to talk to them. Even Aomine spoke better English than him and that was rather modifying considering that Aomine had a reputation as a... less than academic individual. He was grateful for Kagami and Akashi, who were both fluent in the language and happy to translate for him if he didn't understand anything (although, he understood most of the language pretty well – he just couldn't speak it).

Yesterday, after landing, they all went to Akashi's cousin's – a charming woman in her early twenties that had the same red hair and eyes as their friend – house which was large but they'd all expect nothing less of the Akashi family. There were enough rooms for them to have one each but Hyuuga and Kiyoshi chose to share. Kuroko admired the pair for being able to so happily announce their relationship. They'd eaten together and had a peaceful evening in before going to bed, only to be woken early the next morning by Akashi and his cousin who announced they'd be taking a trip into London.

Now, Kuroko walks between Kagami and Aomine, struggling to stay awake as they walk. They round a corner and Kuroko's eyes widen. In front of them, albeit slightly in the distance right now, is the iconic London Eye.

"Akashi-kun, are we going on there?" Kuroko questions, suddenly more awake.

Akashi looks back at the blue haired boy before looking to the London Eye and then back again. "Later, we can, yes. We have tickets booked for the London Dungeon." 

"The London Dungeon?"

"A famous tourist attraction." Akashi answers. "You'll see. Let's not give any spoilers."

Kuroko nods and looks up at the London Eye in awe as they get closer and closer to it, walking right beside it before heading down a street to the left to reach the London Dungeon. There's a very long queue for the London Eye and Kuroko sees a sign that says it's an hour wait. It sounds exhausting to wait that long but he suspects that it will be well worth it. After all, he may never visit England again.

It does take around ten minutes of walking down the crowded street to reach the London Dungeon.

A set of stairs lead up to the dungeon. Kuroko hadn't expected it to look this way – he'd been imagining an old, dull concrete room below the surface with an aging, grumpy man or woman telling them about the various people that had been locked down there in a monotone that would make Kuroko sleepy all over again.

Instead, men and women in full costumes from what Kuroko believes is the Tudor and Victorian era stood outside, greeting people and handing people that passed a flyer or two. Either side of the entrance stood two large statues of a hooded figure. The sign looks like blood has been used as paint to form the words 'The London Dungeon'. Above the entrance, below the sign, there's also what look like those large iron gates you see protecting a castle in films. The points at the end look like they'd hurt if that fell as you passed under. It's all very ominous.   

"Akashi-kun... Is this like a haunted house kind of experience?"

Akashi nods. "Yes, but better funded and educational in regards to the history of London."