KISEKI KISS

Kuroko Tetsuya: Meeting II

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Kuroko Tetsuya: Meeting II

To overstep one's boundaries.

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The sound of rubber bouncing against the squeaky gym floor could be heard through the cracks of the double doors. You could hear the repetitive rhythm as you passed by the gym. Practice had ended long ago and most of the club members were already getting changed in the locker room or had already left. You wondered who could still be practicing this late.

You push open the double doors and see the phantom player from earlier this afternoon. Sweat dripped down the side of his forehead and his eyes were calculating. You watched as he raced across the court with full determination. The dribbling of the basketball from his hand to the floor matched to the tempo of his steps. He launched the ball into the air, making the basket. You stirred in excitement for a while, but when you realize how close he was to the basket, the illusion broke and you muttered a small, “Oh.”

He turned to face you with his concentration now broken. He wiped the sweat from his face. “Oh, you're —”

“Huh? Wait, does he remember me?” You thought to yourself. Your lips curled into a warm smile and you approached the boy. “I'm (l/n) (f/n). We met earlier today. I'm the manager —”

“— the manager that isn't Momoi-san,” Kuroko said.

You were speechless and for some odd reason, you felt the urge to deal a considerable amount of pain to the boy. “Well,” you said, “I suppose you can say that...” You took in a deep breath and ignored what he had said. “What are you still doing here?” you asked. “Everyone else has already left.”

“I need to practice. I am a starting member after all.”

“Oh.” You had almost forgotten that he was a starting member with his lack of abilities. “Okay...”

“(l/n)-san, would you mind taking a few steps back?” He asked.

“Oh, sure.” You relocated to the bleachers and continued to watch as he practiced.

Repeatedly, your anticipation is lifted and then let down. “What the heck?” You thought to yourself, annoyed. “Kuroko-kun!” You called out, stopping his movements. You shuffled over to him with a smile on your face and placed your hands on his shoulders with his back facing you.

“What is it, (l/n)-san?” He tried to turn around, but your grip on his shoulders didn't let him. “(l/n)-san—” You knee bumped him.

Kuroko loses balance and falls forward. “(l/n)-san?” He stared back at you in bewilderment. “What...”

“I don't get it,” you said, “How are you even a starter? In fact, how are you even in Teikou's basketball club? You... You suck. I don't see anything that is good about you. You're not a giant like Atsushi, you can shoot from far distances like Shin-chan, and —”

“That's enough, (l/n)-san.” You froze. That was the first time you heard the gym doors creaking closed since your outburst. You heard faint steps that grew closer and closer in distance. You turn around to see Teikou's captain in front of you. “Just as each member of the basketball club has his own talents and usefulness, so does Kuroko, which is why I do not appreciate the tone you took up with him.”

An invisible grip tightened around your heart. You felt uncomfortable under Akashi's piercing and unfaltering gaze, like a child being scolded after having been caught for doing something wrong. You wanted to disappear. It would have been fine if it had been anyone else who had come along, but it was Akashi. You didn't want him of all people to see you in such a way.