MARHABAN YAA RAMADHAN! UPDATE Fic! Waiting Chapter 9 (KagaKuro; Pg-13)
Waiting
Fandom: Kuroko no Basuke
Rating: T/Pg-15
Genre: Drama/Romance/Friendship
Pairing: Kagami/Kuroko
Summary: In which Kagami is sent back home to Japan because of health condition. He sees the GoM match and falls for the most invisible guy's play on court. He just can't wait to play basketball again, so he can stand in the same court as that amazing blue haired boy.
Disclaimer: Fujimaki Tadatoshi owns Kuroko no Basuke
Warning: shounen ai (soft yaoi), AU and AR, language, possible spelling mistakes and grammar errors, etc...
A/N: Sorry for the very-very long wait. I know. Bad me. Life and work happened, dear readers. Can't do anything about that. Also, happy fasting for all Moslem that celebrate Eid Mubarack! Ahem, so… this is the new chapter of this story. Hope you can enjoy this!
Chapter 9: Under the Rain
Kuroko walked around the station, looking for Kagami in the middle of the crowd. It was decided that he would be the one searching because Kagami stood out more than Kuroko, what with his height and his flaming hair color. Besides, it wasn't long before he spotted the red haired boy standing below the big clock just in front of the subway entrance.
Kuroko smiled slightly as he saw Kagami lean on the clock pole. One his feet rested on the ground while the other was bent on the knee, his sneaker nested on the pole buffer. He wore thick body-fit dark crimson parka with black fur trimmed on the edge of the hood and a pair of dark brown jeans which hugged his legs nicely.
Kuroko couldn't help noticing some people turn to stare at Kagami, either from wary, fear or fascination because of his scowling face. He wasn't sure why Kagami gave off a scary feeling at first glance, but if those people bothered to look closer, Kagami actually had a handsome feature, furthermore a very fine tall body, rather slender, but not lanky for a fourteen year old kid.
Well, Kuroko guessed that it was their loss. Moreover, he would be troubled if many people aside himself knew such pleasant traits about the red head. He didn't want to have so many rivals only to get Kagami's attention for himself after all. Though, he had to set straight the misunderstanding first about his non-existent romantic relationship with Aomine, before Kuroko could make a move on his actual intended target.
Kuroko just hoped that he could do it right, preferably as soon as possible… or better, today.
Kuroko didn't realize that he had been ogling him quite awhile before he saw Kagami look at his watch. Oh no. I have made him wait for too long. It is impolite to prolong the wait…-he hurriedly approached Kagami and even though Kagami didn't see or hear him the first time he called his name, Kuroko made attempt to pull at his jacket slightly to notify him.
Kagami visibly jumped as he turned down to meet Kuroko's infamous dead-fish eyes. "Ku-Kuroko?! Since when have you been there?!" yeah, he looked officially shocked as he gaped.
"I just got here, Kagami-kun. I apologize for making you wait," Kuroko answered tonelessly, even though he was quite amused as he added, "I have been staring at you for quite some time, though."
Kagami's face flushed pink prettily in reaction. "Hurry and say something if you've been here for awhile, idiot!" and his voice was loud as he shouted, surprising the passerby around as he was probably trying to hide his embarrassment which was quite adorable in Kuroko's eyes.
Kuroko just smiled inwardly, trying hard not to chuckle, as he made an apology once more. But, since he took pleasure in seeing Kagami's entertaining response when he surprised him earlier, Kuroko didn't feel sorry at all. "Where are we going, Kagami-kun?"
After Kagami was calm enough to talk without yelling obscenities, they started to walk towards the shopping district. "Shibuya," Kagami answered distractedly while he was fiddling with his cell-phone. "I heard that place is quite famous with the sport stores."
"If you mean the sport stores with complete collection, it should be in Ginza, not Shibuya," Kuroko corrected evenly.
"Really?" the red head turned aside slightly to face Kuroko, seemingly surprised. "Ah… but I still have an appointment with my sport trainer at Shibuya." He sighed then, scratching the back of his head slightly while looking upward and chewing the inside of his cheeks, as if considering something. "Well, I guess Shibuya is alright for today. I haven't yet taken my time to walk around there anyway. After that we can go buy some balls and then play some street-ball games in the nearest court," at the end, Kagami just shrugged before grinning slightly.
"You're okay to play for real now?" Kuroko was a little bit taken aback at the news. He knew Kagami's leg was getting better, but he thought Kagami's rehab was going to last a few more weeks before he could do a real basketball game.
Kagami made an okay sign with his right thumb and index finger. "My doctor gave me a green light. As long as I continue my muscle training with a professional sport trainer as an extension of my rehab, he said I could fully play a game by the end of this week, which means today."
"Congratulation, Kagami-kun," Kuroko was happy for him. At last, he could really see Kagami in action on the court. Even though he still needed to be careful so he wouldn't get injured again, Kagami would finally show Kuroko his basketball play. Kuroko couldn't wait to watching him play in team soon!
The shopping date went without a glitch. Kagami and Kuroko went to Aida Sport Center at Shibuya, and met the man that would be his instructor. There was a girl with dark brown hair and eyes in the front desk that kept staring at Kagami in such indiscreet manner, but Kagami didn't seem to realize that he became her center of attention until Kuroko purposely mentioned it. As the red head turned to look at her, she looked away.
Kagami claimed that he didn't know her personally, but he did say she was kind of familiar, like he had seen her once, but he forgot when and where. "I see…" Well, apparently it wasn't just Kuroko who noticed Kagami's 'potential'. Form the assessing way she fixed her gaze on Kagami, he knew she was kind of measuring how Kagami was built past his jacket and shirt.
After discussing some kind of schedule for the rehabilitation to get back in shape with the instructor, a man in his early forty with a gruff look, Kagami and Kuroko left the sport center to go find some basketballs for Kagami before he claimed he wanted a pair of new shoes as well since tomorrow was his big day and he needed to look pristine for that.
Kuroko could only chuckle at the ridiculous reason, but he relented anyway. As long as they could stay together a little bit longer. He already got a new pair of wristband in the previous sport store where Kagami bought his ball. He had free time.
"It's always hard to find my size," Kagami admitted while sighing slightly after they tried the fourth store, but hadn't yet found a pair of basketball shoes in Kagami's size.
"Big foot," Kuroko just couldn't resist teasing and Kagami blushed again, this time apparently more from annoyance that Kuroko made fun of his complex rather than from discomfiture.
"Shut up!"
Well, at least when they hit the seventh store, Kagami found a pair in his size and his favorite brand. All in all, after Kagami bought the shoes, they went off to the nearest street ball court in Shibuya to play some three on three. Then, at the evening, they had dinner together in Majiba. It was sailing smooth too because both Kagami and Kuroko were immersed in their conversation of the upcoming preliminary.
Alright, there was a tiny bit accident on the way to Maji when Kuroko was bumped by someone that didn't 'see' him because of his usual thin presence, and that Kagami had to catch him before he fell down, and as the red head pulled Kuroko close to him, Kuroko's heart started to race at their very close proximity and the way Kagami's face leaned into him to ask if he was okay.
Kuroko could only nod as he tried to look away. Kagami seemed to realize that he had invaded Kuroko's personal space and instantly stepped back. "Sorry, bad habit," he said sheepishly.
Kuroko didn't mind it one bit, but he felt rather embarrassed now that Kagami maintained a certain distance afterwards. Too bad when the sun began to set, it also signaled the end of their 'date'. Kuroko was determined to regard it as a date no matter what other people said. Unfortunately (or fortunately in Kuroko's mind), the sound of pitter-patter on the glass window indicated it was raining outside.
That way we can stay even longer together inside Majiba-Kuroko hummed in low tone as he sucked his vanilla shake and savored the sweetness slowly in secretive delight.
"Ugh… it's raining! I don't bring any umbrella today," Kagami grunted slightly in annoyance as he looked outside the glass window, scowling at the darkening sky. "Crap. Yama-jii will start calling any second now…"
It was truth to be told as a few minutes later a shrill of ringtone roared, coming from Kagami's clothes. He sighed in resignation as he fished his vibrating and ringing cell phone out of his jacket pocket and answered the call. "What?"
Kuroko watched in mild amusement at the sullen figure in front of him. Kagami wore his emotion clearly in his expression. It was very entertaining observing him when Kuroko could tell how Kagami felt just by from his facial look. Right now, he seemed bored out of his mind as whoever called him, probably indeed Yamamoto, talked from the other end of the phone line.
"No, I'm with Kuroko eating dinner, Yama-jii. Stop being such a worry wart, sheesh." Kagami cursed under his breath. "I was at the sport center in the afternoon, getting to know my sport trainer and no, I wasn't forcing myself playing basketball."
That wasn't a lie. After all, Kagami wasn't serious at all when he played at the street ball court earlier. Although his body was a bit stiff since he needed to protect his leg, he could still kick the other players' ass in a three-on-three game. Of course Kuroko knew all of that because he played as his partner. It was fun, playing with Kagami like that.
"Alright, but it's raining and no! Don't you dare bring out a car or such! I can walk home alone! I'm not a fucking cripple!" Kagami raised his voice slightly as he hung up, looking furious now.
"Kagami-kun, that was unnecessary, was it?" Kuroko frowned slightly as Kagami stuffed his cell phone back on his pocket.
"You have no idea," Kagami rolled his eyes. "He's been acting like a mother hen since the past few days. Apparently something happened abroad, and my parents got concerned. Imagine him breathing on my neck all the time! Enough is enough!" Kagami huffed.
"Something happened abroad?" Kuroko blinked, his curiosity piqued.
"It's my parents' work. It doesn't involve me," Kagami's answer came in a second too quickly, but his expression and tone were quite nonchalant, so Kuroko dismissed the odd timing. "Anyway, how will we go home? Apparently, it will be raining all night." He sighed again slumping his body forward and planting the side of his head on the table surface.
"Eh?" Kuroko raised his eyebrow. Kagami just pointed at the television that was airing the weather prediction for tonight and tomorrow morning. "Ah..." that would be a problem, indeed. Well, it was good that Kuroko was always prepared, especially for this kind of occasion. "I bring an umbrella, though. Do you want to share mine until the subway station?"
Kuroko knew he had to offer. Who would waste an opportunity to walk under the same tiny umbrella with a person they liked? It was probably childish, but it was of course allowed for him, since he was still a teenage boy and all. Besides, it could be a very good excuse to stay close to Kagami's warm body while avoiding getting rained down.
Kagami was staring at Kuroko with disbelief in his eyes. Well, there was always a chance that Kagami would feel uncomfortable with such embarrassing bordering suggestive offer, and then refused, but to Kuroko's wonder, he asked instead, "Is that really okay?" and he looked officially pleased as Kuroko nodded. "Then, let's go!"
Kuroko and Kagami rose from their seats and then moved to the entrance. The shower of rain immediately greeted them before Kuroko opened his umbrella and stepped outside, followed by Kagami that bent slightly to accommodate Kuroko's height under the thing. Kuroko immediately raised his hand so Kagami could stand and walk properly without having to lower his head.
Kagami seemed to notice that such position was inconvenient for Kuroko's smaller form, so he raised his hand and grabbed at the handle, above Kuroko's gripping hand. "Maybe I should hold it. It's tiring, right?" the red haired teen offered.
"Eh, but…" Kuroko looked upward slightly to the side at Kagami who looked down at him as well. Then he shifted his gaze at Kagami's bigger hand that was gripping the handle an inch above his own. Kuroko gradually released his own handle, letting Kagami's hand take his place.
"Yosh," a small smile grazed Kagami's jagged feature as he lifted the umbrella higher before raising his face to look ahead.
Kuroko didn't know what to do with his own hand at this point, but he certainly didn't want to get wet by maintaining appropriate distance from Kagami. Suddenly feeling unimaginably brave, Kuroko wormed his hand around Kagami's forearm and held it close to his body, obviously surprising Kagami for a moment because the taller teen stilled slightly at the added warmth.
"Kuroko?" Kagami sounded unsure, but he didn't make any attempt to shake him off.
"I am a bit chilled and I do not want to get drenched by the rain. Kagami-kun is so warm. It feels very good like this," Kuroko closed his eyes leaning his head and body a bit closer than it should, but he didn't really care. It was an opportunity after all, and Kuroko would take whatever he could to stick more to Kagami.
"O-oh," Kagami barked out a laugh, sounding slightly higher and unnatural. But his voice was still very nice, so Kuroko didn't mind it. "Jeez, taking a chance in intricacy, huh? You bad, bad company," it was humorous. Kagami was being careful and Kuroko realized that he probably was worried how they looked like at that moment in the eyes of others.
Kuroko liked to imagine that they looked like a lovey-dovey couple walking hand in hand under the same umbrella. But, that was just a wishful thinking since most people probably didn't realize he was there in the first place.
"I am? Then Kagami-kun is an idiot for asking me out on a shopping date," Kuroko countered evenly and Kagami froze on his spot, stopping their walk.
"A-a what?" the red head squeaked, his face reddening and Kuroko had a hard time to hold down his amused chuckle.
"Is it not? A shopping date…" Kuroko just couldn't stop teasing. Kagami was so much fun to mess with, especially when he was so self conscious like that.
"You- you're really…!" Kagami seemed about to blow a fuss any moment, probably very annoyed and extra embarrassed, but before he could start anything, someone else beat him to it.
"What in the world do you think you're doing, Kuroko?"
Both he and Kagami were startled at the deep voice and Kuroko turned around slightly only to be faced with Midorima's disapproving glare. The green haired teen was also under an umbrella in green color with frog pattern and he was walking with a little girl under cute pink raincoat, probably his little sister.
"Midorima-kun?" Kuroko was surprised to see him.
"Huh, who?" and Kagami seemed curious.
Midorima's sharp eyes shifted to Kagami for a moment before it fell on Kuroko's hand around Kagami's arm. "To think that you swing that way…" he grumbled slightly before making a conscious effort to cover his little sister's eyes from the thwarting sight in front of them. "Be more discreet or people will look at you disturbingly."
"Huh?" Kagami made a disgruntled expression and noise, frowning deeply as he heard it. "What the fuck-!?"
"Midorima-kun, it is a misunderstanding," Kuroko immediately tried to explain before Kagami could start yelling there. "Kagami-kun is just a friend. This is not what it looks like. I just did not want to get too wet, so I walked closer to him. It is easier to walk for both of us if I hold onto him like this." He showed his hand to Midorima before he released Kagami's arm.
Midorima scrutinized both Kuroko and Kagami, still protectively covering his sister's sight. "Your friend?" there was a skeptical tone in his voice.
"Yeah, I am," Kagami growled slightly. "Don't just draw bizarre conclusion without all the facts," he glared at the bespectacled teen, sounding completely offended and defensive.
Ah… that actually hurts a bit-Kuroko thought as he felt the pinprick feeling in his heart at the indirect rejection. Kagami even didn't want to look like remotely together with him in the others' perspective. Kuroko should stop teasing him before the red haired boy hated him for it.
"I see… So, who are you again?" Midorima narrowed his eyes at Kagami now.
"Who are you then?" Kagami challenged, apparently not wanting to lose as figurative electricity clashed between their eyes.
"You should really teach your friend manners, Kuroko," Midorima stated coldly without releasing his wound up gaze from Kagami and Kuroko sighed slightly.
"Don't blame Kuroko for your lack of confidence, Green*-kun," Kagami scoffed.
"What did you say?" Midorima almost snarled, almost.
"Please, both of you, calm down," Kuroko didn't know why they started to bicker with each other. They even hadn't known each others' name properly. "Midorima-kun, your sister will be frightened," he continued, reminding that Midorima wasn't alone right then and the green haired boy immediately looked at the little girl beside him who seemed confused of why she was blindfolded with her brother's palm.
Midorima harrumphed after he released his palm from his sister's eyes and once again glared at Kagami and Kuroko. "You should pick your friends better, Kuroko," he said before he turned around and pulled his sister to walk away, leaving Kuroko and Kagami to their own device.
"What the hell is his problem?!" Kagami shouted in total annoyance at the retreating back of Midorima.
"I apologize. He is not usually that prissy… well, not as much anyway," Kuroko muttered lowly, "Maybe his horoscope today is not good," he shrugged.
"You don't have to apologize for him, you know. It's not your fault that he's so uptight. Who is he anyway?" Kagami demanded, still looking pissed off, but apparently didn't blame Kuroko at all for the unpleasant meeting.
"Ah, that is one of my teammates in Teikou basketball club. His name is Midorima Shintarou," Kuroko answered slowly, but he couldn't elaborate further of what Midorima could do because that would violate one of the rules.
"Midorima Shintarou… one of the Generation of Miracle, huh?" the red head looked thoughtful for a moment.
Well, look at that. Kagami had done his home work. He probably had looked for the information about the GoM since he knew that Midorima was one of them. Kuroko didn't even have to open his mouth or nod to confirm it.
Though, Kagami sighed slightly after that. "I hope he won't misunderstand our relationship because it can be troublesome in more ways than one."
Ah, so Kagami was more worried about that. Of course he was. What was Kuroko thinking?
"No worries, Midorima-kun is not that kind of person," Kuroko smiled apologetically. Well, Midorima was kind of dense in the obvious area, but who knew if he could be sensitive in the subtle one? Hopefully he wouldn't say a thing to Akashi because it could become a disaster if Akashi asked Momoi to look into Kagami's life.
Kagami's private life was his own, and Kuroko didn't want anyone to upset him unnecessarily.
"Well, if you say so…" Kagami shrugged. "I just don't want Aomine to misunderstand as well. If he thinks you're cheating on him, it will be bad, right?" he scratched the back of his neck while looking away slightly, seeming rather nervous.
Kuroko was silent with a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek. I wish this guy wouldn't be so clueless as well-he let out a defeated sigh. He should just explain it right there and then.
"You see, Kagami-kun… about Aomine-kun and I…" Kuroko was about to say it when this time, another bothersome person showed up, distracting both him and Kagami.
"Arara… isn't that Kuro-chin?"
Kuroko jerked slightly as once again he turned to look at the owner of the familiar tenor voice that called him. "Murasakibara-kun?" he didn't expect to see the purple haired boy there. After all, why was he out at a time like this without an umbrella? He had a plastic bag filled with his usual snacks on one of his hands while the other was holding a red colored lollipop, so Kuroko guessed that he had just finished hunting for snack stock.
"Whoa! So huge!" Kagami looked surprised and slightly awed as he stared at the tall figure. Well, Murasakibara was indeed very tall, taller than Kagami; probably than any other middle school kid, Kuroko might add.
"Thank you," Murasakibara seemed to take that as a compliment as he gazed intently at Kagami in unreadable expression. "Your friend, Kuro-chin?" now, he looked down at Kuroko, a glint of curiosity in his amethyst eyes.
"Yes, this is Kagami Taiga," Kuroko introduced Kagami to the purple head before he turned to face Kagami and introduced Murasakibara to him as well, "-and he is Murasakibara Atsushi."
"Nice to meet you," Kagami greeted before he looked upward at Murasakibara with a slight frown in his gruff face. "You're getting soaked," he commented, pointing at the dripping water from his hair.
"This coat is water proof," Murasakibara shrugged indifferently.
"You should wear the hood," Kagami slowly reached his hand out to Murasakibara before he touched the upper coat and pulled up the hood to cover the purple haired boy's head. "There."
"Ah, no wonder my head felt cold earlier," Murasakibara looked upward a little at the hood before his hand went up to play with the edge of the material while his mouth held his lollipop.
"Murasakibara-kun is slow as usual," Kuroko chuckled, but he couldn't help glancing fondly at Kagami who was actually concerned about Murasakibara's well being. He was very kind. It was Kagami's nature that stole Kuroko's heart in the first place. If only he could tell Kagami how he felt.
Murasakibara stared at both Kagami and Kuroko for a few seconds, gaining Kuroko's awareness that his teammate was probably picking up something even though it was uncanny. It was Murasakibara after all. But still, it could get wearisome if he breathed a word about Kagami to Akashi. Kuroko really didn't want to deal with the other red head for this matter.
Akashi and his rules… sheesh, Kuroko didn't want to get lectured by the captain for getting too close to another team's member. It wasn't like he didn't trust Kuroko not to reveal something, but… one couldn't be too careful, especially someone like Akashi Seijuurou.
"Kuro-chin, on a date?" apparently, Murasakibara caught more than he appeared perceiving.
Kuroko almost turned red, but Kagami combusted spontaneously. "It's NOT a date!" he denied hard, and the blush on Kuroko's face was instantly wiped off even before it bloomed.
Another pinprick feeling in his heart bothered Kuroko a great deal. Stupid Kagami for being so blunt about it. Couldn't he at least sugar coat it a little? Well, it wasn't Kuroko's place to talk because seriously, it was only his imagination that it was a date.
"We just hang out together sometimes, Murasakibara-kun," Kuroko couldn't help supporting the denial, even though he didn't really want to.
"Oh…" Murasakibara nodded nonchalantly. "Well, I have to go," he said, resuming eating his candy slowly. "Mom said dinner will be ready. If I'm not fast, my sisters and brothers will eat all of it." Then the purple haired giant was gone.
"So… why is he eating snacks before dinner?" Kagami asked a few seconds after Murasakibara left, dumbfounded. Kuroko held down an amused titter at the ridiculous curiosity.
"I believe it is his hobby," Kuroko sneaked on and latched his hand around Kagami's arm once again. "Shall we continue our not-date?" he couldn't help smiling faintly at that and Kagami flushed again brightly.
"You really should stop joking about that, you know… I might take it seriously," Kagami grumbled in a bothered tone as they also resumed their walk to the station. He wasn't looking at Kuroko, but there was something in his expression that drew Kuroko to look closer and harder.
Kagami didn't seem to hate the idea of them on a date when they were alone, but… he probably thought of it as a joke. It was funny at first, yet every time Kuroko thought that it would always be a joke, he couldn't help feeling the sweet ache in his heart.
I do not want it to be just a joke or a pretense-Kuroko thought in his silence. If only he could say it out loud.
The journey came to an end too fast for Kuroko's liking as they arrived at the station. Kagami folded the umbrella before giving it back at Kuroko. "See you in court," he said with an encouraging smile.
"Yes," Kuroko smiled back at him in determination.
It wasn't the time to think about romantic feeling. They had promises to fulfill. One of them was to meet in finals. Kuroko would be there and he believed Kagami would be there as well to meet his team. To finalize the deal, Kuroko offered his fist to bump, just like how Kagami had offered his own that one time in Kagami's house. Kagami seemed surprised for a moment before he raised his fist as well and bumped Kuroko's in confidence.
If Kagami felt Kuroko's knuckles linger on his a moment longer than necessary, he didn't say anything about it as they parted ways. Kuroko could only touch his fist heartwarmingly as a pleasant smile flourished on his face, watching Kagami's strong back after he turned around and walked away.
"I really do like you, Kagami-kun…" he whispered as he recalled the sweet feeling he had when he held Kagami's arm.
One day… one day he would tell Kagami about his feelings. As for now, Kuroko would wait… until the right time came.
End of Chapter 9
Tbc…
Additional Note:
*Green-kun: Kagami called Midorima 'Midori-kun', it's a word play shortened from Midorima's name to mock his hair color as well as to call for an inexperienced man (green). I found this very amusing *lol*
A/N: I have no idea what to categorize this chapter as. I mean… it can be sweet and fluff and yet at the end it can be called depressing as well. Man, I wish Kuroko would just say the word, but apparently, interruption always comes in the worst timing ever *lol*. Oh, and I just found out that Akashi has multiple personality disorder after I read the latest chapter. Damn. How will I include all of the canon facts in this canon-divergence thing when the crack happened right after the tournament? And I can't believe the principal is so mean! I mean… poor Aomine, damn it! It's like their feelings don't matter as long as they win! And all of that is just for publicity of the school, seriously?! Too bad the new head coach can't do a thing against the principal… even though the coach feels really bad after betraying Aomine's expectation. Crap, I'm ranting aren't I? I can't help it. That old jerk of a principal pisses me off so much. Thanks to that everything starts to fall apart as well *sighs*. Alright, enough with my rant… see you guys in next chapter!
Chapter 10
Chapter 8