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

[M.4] Middle School: Diary Entry Four

"Stop. Doing. That."

NIjimura returns his gaze to you and spots the frustrated look on your face. He knows it's not because of his assistance in helping you with cleanup duty. That sort of job belongs to the first years; what he's doing is charity work for the sake of his best friend.

But his benevolence is forgotten in the midst of the boy's new annoying habit. Throughout the week, Nijimura had begun to unconsciously stare at the captain. Though Minato's title did garner the attention of all, Nijimura's staring was for a different reason. 'HE likes YOU?'  It was odd to see his friend from kindergarten being the object of someone's interest.

You, of course, caught those gawking stares and tried to shut them down every time. You knew his reasoning behind it all, and it was downright embarrassing. Especially now that Minato began to notice.

"He's going to ask you something, and then what are you going to say?" you harshly reprimand him.

He ignores you and returns to staring, leaving you to give up with a sigh. You kneel on the floor and reach out for the nearest basketball, only for it to disappear under your touch. Letting out a low screech, you lose your balance and fall onto your bottom.

"Where'd it go?!" you ask yourself, eyes wandering everywhere in search of the ball. 'It literally was in my hands! How could it disappear?!'

"Uh, senpai?"

It's as if a ghost had solidified and appeared before you. You're quick to recognize the perpetrator, and relief washes over you. "Y-You're good at stealth, you know?"

"I am aware." He extends his hand to help and you accept it, though he struggles to pull you up. When you finally get back onto your feet, you're handed a ball to throw into the cart. 

He's silent as helps you pick up the rest of the balls. Most of the freshmen dwindle in numbers as time passes; Nijimura leaves for the day once he notices most of the chores have been done, so it's just you and the ghost boy picking up.

Once you two finish, you notice the apprehension on the boy's face. "Um, aren't you going home?"

"I've received permission to practice after hours," he speaks up. Reaching into his pocket, he takes out a key to provide evidence. "I promise to pick up afterwards."

"Yeah?" you tilt your head. "You're a first year?"

He nods, "I am part of the third string as well."

Your confusion intensifies. "And you want to do extra training?"

He nods his head again without hesitation.

"Okay... I guess it's fine just as long as you pick up after yourself," you shrug. "Good luck... Umm..."

"Kuroko Tetsuya."

A smile graces your lips. "Yeah, good luck, Kuroko."

You turn on your heel to leave, but he speaks up suddenly to grab your attention. "Thank you!" You glance over your shoulder to see him desperately trying to keep you around. "Thank you for not laughing at me."

"...I would never laugh. No one should laugh at someone who's trying their best." Your cheeks burn at the cheesiness of your statement. "Well uh... Good luck."

You can't bear the embarrassment and scurry off, leaving the boy a blushing mess as well.