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

[M.6] Middle School: Diary Entry Six

You spent the following day in a pensive state. Since you were the manager of the second string, you were stationed in another gym; therefore, you were never able to witness any this rumored bullying. Nijimura never spoke about it either, which meant that he didn't want you to know or was probably handling it fine enough that it wasn't worth mentioning-- but it still irked you. You felt like a horrible friend for not knowing about his troubles.

And to relieve yourself of that guilt, you decided to confront Minato about these rumors. If there was something weird happening, might as well ask the guy who confessed to you... It sounded like a solid plan when you had decided on it during practice but now, not so much.

You exhale loudly to replenish your determination as your eyes scan each person leaving the gym. When they land on a particular group of seniors, you steel your nerves and approach them. "Minato-senpai," you call out. The boy breaks away from his friends and focuses his attention on you with a shocked expression. "Can I speak to you for a moment?"

His friend, who you recognized to be the vice-captain, gives you a look of disgust. "Oh, it's Nijimura's girl--"

Minato pushes the boy's shoulder to silence him. "Ono..." he growls out. 

Ono grunts and rubs his shoulder as he glares at Minato. They ensue in a glaring match, but it's Minato's overwhelming authority that wins over. "Fine, I'll see you later." 

Minato sighs as he watches his friend leave. Once he's gone, he directs his attention back to you. "Sorry about that."

"... It's okay."  

"Uh, why... don't we talk over there?" He points to an area between the two gyms, which was hardly ever occupied. It was only used as a short-cut to get to and from the gyms, as well as a storage area for maintenance supplies. 

You don't think anything of the hidden destination and follow him towards the alleyway. The sunset's low tones paint the area faintly; there's enough light to see your faces but it's not lit enough to make you comfortable. However, you have this innocent belief that nothing bad will happen.

"How's the first string coming along?" you attempt at small talk.

The air is tense between you two, and he takes his time in answering. "...It's good. The first years are pretty amazing." He rubs his neck, "How's the second string? I'm sure you're doing a good job managing them."

"Ah, thanks," you blush. "They're good. The third string is especially putting in tons of effort."

Another pause of awkward silence.

"You look pretty today."

Your face heats up, "T-Thanks."

"You know... I don't believe the rumors about you and Nijimura."

"Thanks?" you blink a few times. "We're just friends... which is something I wanted to talk to you about."

There's a look of worry on his face. "What?"

"I... I hear that you guys have been rough with him," you speak in a low voice. You didn't want to sound accusing, especially after he just told you that he wasn't paying attention to the rumors concerning you. You should be returning the favor, but after sensing the hostility from the vice-captain, you knew something was off.

"Rough?" He sighs in defeat. "Yeah, Ono already got demoted because of it... He took it too far."

"What did he do?!"

The severity of your concern appears to have annoyed the usually calm boy. His eyebrows knit together as he walks towards you, pushing you closer to the wall. "Hey, you promised to date me after basketball season was over."

A sense of dread crawls up your spine and seeps into every pore of your body. "I... did."

"Yeah, so why are you so worried about him? Are you really dating him?" His tone is low and threatening, the only strand of reason in his body now broken and nonexistent.

Your heart squeezes in anticipation, "N-No! I'm just worried ab-bout my friend." Your voice is shaking with fear.

"See, this is why there are rumors about you two. You act like you're a couple," he venomously spits out. "You know what they call girls like you? Sluts."

Your back presses against the wall, and you feel tears sting the tips of your eyes. You've never been called a slut before... And you didn't think that you conducted any behavior warranting that title. To be called one at the tender age of fourteen, well, you didn't know how to handle it.

"I... What?" Your tears spill as you try to comprehend what was happening.

"Why are you crying?" he growls. "Hey, I was just stating the truth. You go around pulling along every guy and get their hopes up." He pushes your shoulder closer against the wall, forcing you to painfully stay and take the verbal abuse. It might have been an act of comfort on his part, but all it does is instill terror in you. "Stop crying!"

You can't respond, a few hiccups and whimpers escaping your trembling lips.

"You're... Stop," he pleads in a broken voice. He then covers your mouth which causes more tears to escape you.

"Senpai?" a familiar voice floats down the alleyway, and it eases your nerves slightly. Your eyes flit over to the sound of the voice and spot Kuroko standing from the distance with a panicked stare. 

Minato is taken out of his angered trance and backs away from you. "This isn't what it looks like."

Kuroko doesn't think twice and rushes over to your side, wedging himself between the two of you. He doesn't possess the same strong physique like Minato, but you feel a bit more comfortable with him as a buffer. Though Minato doesn't share the same sentiment.

"Hey, I'm not doing anything to her," he continues to defend himself. "She just started crying."

"I cannot accept what you're saying, captain. You clearly did something to make her cry."

Kuroko's unwavering stance aggravates the captain, and he begins to bitterly laugh, "H-Hey... Is this other guy also part of your string of boyfriends? Haha, you really are a slut."

Kuroko narrows his eyes. "Don't call her that."

"Shut up, you little brat," he growls as he shoves Kuroko, though he puts too much strength behind his action and throws Kuroko to the ground.

It might be an exaggeration of a reaction, but fear consumes you, causing you to scream at the top of your lungs. "STOP IT!"

Your high-pitched shout startles him and captures the attention of some that are leaving the gym. "What's happening over there?"

Relief overwhelms you when you spot one of the coaches and Nijimura coming towards you three. When your friend notices your tear-stained face and frightened expression, there isn't a sane person in the world who would go near him.

"What the fuck did you do, Minato?" he snaps, fists clenching, upper lip curling with anger.

"Enough," the assistant coach cuts in. He scans the scene-- a crying student, another on the floor, and one looking way too guilty--and is quick to grasp the situation. "... Minato, follow me."

The boy sputters out a few words but acquiesces. With his head hung low, he trails behind the assistant coach. He doesn't utter an apology to you or Kuroko, but if he had tried, there wasn't any guarantee he'd finish his sentence without Nijimura socking him.

Once they are out of sight, your body collapses to the group and you begin to cry uncontrollably. Nijimura rushes to your side, but he's shaking with unbridled fury. His violent tendencies are trying to surface, but he prioritizes you over them and remains rooted to his spot to keep you company as you sob.

Meanwhile, Kuroko watches you both as he lingers in the corner. He feels a strong need to protect you as well, but he's aware of his lack of power to do so. He isn't strong enough to help you just yet.

But maybe one day...