Miracles || Kuroko no Basuke Oneshots ✔

1. Shadow [Kuroko Tetsuya]

During my second year middle school I once went to see a basketball match with my friend.

Our school went against the strongest middle school Teiko Junior High at the nationals quarter finals and although I wasn't much interested in basketball, watching my own school's scores getting doubled by the famous Generation of miracles wasn't the greatest feeling. When I saw my friend who was previously brimming with excitement and enthusiasm before the match started sulking beside me, I decided to take the matter in my own hand.
A high school preliminary match was going on the next stadium and both of us decided to watch that match to shake off the gloomy feeling of defeat at least.

And that one match changed my previous bitter perspective towards that sport named basketball and for once I wondered how fun would it be to be a part of a team like Seirin High. I couldn't help but compare this match with the previous one. They weren't overwhelmingly strong like Teiko but it seemed like they truly loved basketball with their heart and soul and earned their victory through teamwork rather than playing by themselves like Teiko.

And that was the day I made up my mind to enroll in the Seirin High after I graduate from middle school.

And that I did.

After getting admitted to Seirin High, I took a month for contemplating my choices and abilities and finally made up my mind to join the basketball club.

Before the first period had started, I decided to look for the gym and submit my application form to the basketball club when I suddenly bumped into someone and fell down on my butt in the seemingly empty hallway.

"Ittai!"

I winced and looked up, rubbing my sides in pain.

"I'm sorry. Are you alright?"

In front of me was standing a short, teal haired, blank blue eyed boy with outstretched hand towards me. Apparently he was standing right in front of me and I didn't even notice him. I exclaimed in surprise as I was never the clumsy type.

"Oh! I d-didn't see you there!" I took his hand gently and got myself up promptly. I dusted off my skirt and smoothed it. "I apologise. I'm okay though."

He smiled a little. "That's okay."
He peered at the form in my hand and asked, "If it's alright to ask, are you on your way to the basketball club?"

I glanced at the form in my hand and smiled gently. "Ah, yes. I'm looking for the gym for some time but I couldn't find it."

"If you want, I could show you the way. It's on the left wing of the building."

I waved my hand quickly. "No, no. It's alright. I don't want to be a bother."

"It wouldn't be a bother really. I'd be glad to show you the way." He said politely. "Besides I was on my way to the gym too."

"Is that so? That would be great then." I smiled at the boy and started walking along with him leading the way.

"Are you a first year too?" I asked, wanting to continue the conversation.

"Yes." He looked at me and smiled a little. "I'm in your class."

I exclaimed in pure surprise and pressed my palm on my gaping mouth. "What?! You're in my class?! I never noticed you though!!"

As soon as the words tumbled out of my mouth carelessly, I regretted it. "S-sorry. That was rude. I d-didn't mean it like that..."

"It's alright." He said smiling softly but I still felt bad. "I'm Kuroko Tetsuya."

I told him my name.

"I know." He replied. "I sit two seats behind you."

"E-eh?!" I exclaimed once again but laughed out loud in the end. I really never noticed him in the class. Because if I did I definitely would've remembered him.

He was guy of short stature- though with a kind of expressionless face. He was good looking, I'll admit that and kind of weird- not in a bad way or anything. But he was very polite and gentle too- which really couldn't be said about much high school boys these days. He had this mysterious aura around him that I couldn't help but get curious and wanted to get to know him.

Then I remembered that he was going to the gym too. "Are you in the basketball club too?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, I am."

I looked at him closely.
Honestly, he didn't really seem like a basketball player at first glance, noting his strange lack of presence and short stature. But then again, you never know. Height was a great factor in a sport like basketball but there were a lot of good players who were short built. As much as I remembered, the captain of the famous Generation of miracles- whatever his name was- wasn't very tall either but he was one of the prodigies of this generation too, along with his Teiko team mates. Wish I could remember his name though.

"Do you play?" He asked me, snapping me back from my train of thoughts.

"Oh, no." I answered waving my hand in dismissal. "I'm applying for the manager post. I love watching basketball but I'm not really good at it. But I really wanted to be a part of the club after seeing one of their matches during my middle school and contribute to the team as much as I could so I decided for the manager."

"Oh, I see." He said smiling gently. "You can contribute to the team even by not playing on the court directly. In my middle school, the manager of our basketball team helped the team with the data analysis and strategy many times whenever we were in a pinch."

"Is that so? I'm so glad to hear that!" I grinned in relief. "I wonder if they'll take me in. What if the position is filled?"

"Don't worry." He stated staring at me. "Coach will be glad to take you in since she had to do all the work from data collection to making strategy and practice schedule. And,"

"And?"

"And I have a feeling that you'd make a dependable manager."

I flushed hearing the compliment but regained my composure in a second. "What makes you say that?"

"Because you really love basketball with your heart. I can say."

Again, my face reddened as I kept my face downwards. "T-thank you, Kuroko-kun." I didn't even realise why I was feeling so flustered hearing those words from him when this was my first time talking to him.

Unknown to me, he peered at my flustered face while my eyes were glued to the floor and smiled softly when he heard my shy thank you and blushing face.

I looked up when I heard him call out my name.

"Yes?"

"We're here."

_

Words count: 1155