Spark | Kuroko no Basuke x OC

Only Those Who Know Defeat

Thank you for all the kind comments! I'md glad that many haven't abandoned this story :) It always feel so good to know that people awknowledge and support something I love and devote my time to. 

-----

"YOUR SHOE FELL APART?!"

Riko was yelling into the poor device just seconds away from being thrown across the living room. In the background, Aida Kagetora sat calmly while his daughter expressed her anger. It was no wonder the girl was mad; this was the second phone call within five minutes of each other and it was only nine in the morning.

"You idiot! Why do you only have one pair?! You two are sure in sync at a time like this!" She hung up angrily to leave the redhead to wonder what she was talking about and Kagetora adverted his gaze when she turned back to him. He wondered if he should say something...

"Both of them at the same time, huh?"

He decided to say it.

"They're idiots, I tell you," she sighed. How was it that she had both Kuroko and Kagami call to inform her that their shoes are no longer in a wearable condition and would have to take some time to shop for a new pair? On the day of their match with Kaijo?

"Well, it looks they took my advice seriously," Kagetora took a sip of his coffee. That much was true, at least. Riko knew how serious the light and shadow duo have been with preparing for the Winter Cup and each of their opponents. Having their shoes worn down only showed how much they practiced even on their own time. "You have a match today, don't you? Will they make it?"

"Our match is in the evening so they should be okay on time..." Riko sat down again, calmer now that some of the anger was gone.

But before the Aidas could go back to their breakfast, the cellphone on the table rang for the third time. Riko's eyes twitched before snatching it up and Kagetora buried his face back into the newspaper he was reading.

"Don't tell me your shoe fell apart, too!"

Three times was not the charm for his daughter. He wondered which brave soul dared to call.

-----

"Um, my shoes are fine... I think?" Tomoko blinked in wonderment at the older girl's accusation. She took a quick peek at them anyway, just to make sure, and found that they were indeed intact. "What happened? Is there an isshoe?"

The line went quiet for a few moments.

"...It's too early in the morning for this, Okuma-chan!"

"Sorry, sorry," she giggled. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine. Why did you call?"

"Oh! I was going to ask, do you think peanut butter protein cookies will be too heavy for the palate? I made some trial ones last night and it felt a little dry. Should I go with something lighter after all? I'd originally wanted to do sliced fruits, but it won't stay fresh that long—"

"Ah, even you get nervous sometimes, huh? If the guys heard that you asked for my advice on what to make for them, they'll cry."

"Eh? Well..." Tomoko thought sheepishly. Did she sound that nervous? "It's just that Seirin finally made it to the semifinals of the Winter Cup with three other really strong teams... So I want things to go as smoothly as possible for them. Like what if Taiga-chan chokes, you know? He scarfs down food like a vacuum!"

"I guess you have a point there... That idiot, along with Kuroko-kun, didn't even realize their shoes were falling apart until this morning."