Chapter Text
Kuroko felt something suspiciously like nostalgia hit him like a tsunami; somehow, they had ended up at Maji Burger, all six crammed into a small booth, with barely enough space between them to unwrap the burger (or burgers in Aomine's case), and although their elbows and knees bumped at every movement, and there was no space left on the table to place his vanilla milkshake on, and he felt even more like a child by being crammed between Aomine and Midorima, Kuroko had never felt more at home.
This, the easy way in which they interacted, even with Kise and Aomine's bickering, Midorma and Akashi's staring contest (no doubt over the rejected handshake), and Murasakibara's obnoxiously loud chewing, this was what Kuroko had placed every effort, every cell that could still hope, every last bit of energy towards restoring. Because in Teiko, they had been teammates, and sometimes rivals on court, but they were friends off court too. And Kuroko desperately needed that back.
"-su! Oi, Tetsu!" Aomine's loud voice brought him out of his musings even as he subconsciously reached out to swat at the hand that his old light was waving in front of his face.
"My apologies, Aomine-kun; I must have spaced out slightly. Was there anything you wanted?" though his voice was just as monotone as always, he had still not dropped the small content smile that had been on his face since he left the sports hall with his old team beside him.
"Psh, stop being so formal, seriously!" the other snorted. "I actually asked if, you know, since you have beaten all of us here, was there any one of us you were surprised to have won against?" That was... oddly articulate for Aomine and he wondered how long the ace had been sitting on that particular question.
Kuroko paused, surprised, though he tried not to let it show, yet that became an even harder task when he realised that a hush had fallen over the others and all eyes were on him, clearly expectant. He sighed, "Hai, Aomine-kun, there was." and just because Imayoshi had brought out the side of him that enjoyed toying with people, he left it at that and went back to quietly slurping on his milkshake.
Three... Two... On-
"Well, who the hell was it?!" Kuroko had to hide a grin at the other's predictability. He raised his gaze from his milkshake, making sure to keep it as clueless and unassuming as he could (though from Akashi's raised eyebrow he could tell that the redhead had caught on to what he was doing and was mildly amused) and replied, "I had not realised that was part of the question, Aomine-kun." he stated blandly, chuckling inwardly at the other's frustrated groan.
"Daiki's incompetence at asking a simple question aside," Akashi interrupted, all eyes once again on him. "I, too, am curious as to who that person was."
Kuroko sighed. Well, it seemed as if he would not be able to keep that particular piece of information to himself after all. Feeling the weight of the others' eyes heavy on his shoulders, he looked up from his position between Aomine and Midorima; Kise was directly opposite him, Akashi on the blond's right and Murasakibara on his left. Kuroko's gaze travelled from one face to the next, before it dropped, seemingly finding the table before him very fascinating as he admitted this particular secret.
"It was Kise-kun, actually." he started, ignoring the sudden silence that befell; he knew the others were certain he was going to say Akashi. He decided not to look at the redhead, unsure what he would find on his face. A hesitant, though, genuinely touched 'K-Kurokocchi?' gave him the encouragement he needed to continue. "Kaijo has been good for Kise-kun. He has grown, probably the most out of all of us, both as a player, and as a person. Back in Teiko, with his style alone he was a force to be reckoned with, but now, that Kaijo had improved his individual skills and drilled into him the importance of teamwork, he really is a formidable opponent, because he learnt that he doesn't have to play alone. I had encouraged that development, but... even I didn't realise its potential. I think that, even if I had lost that game, I still would've been somewhat happy, because Kise-kun played with a smile on his face throughout the game, regardless of the score or his injury. And that was something I had missed, dearly."
Kuroko took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds then released it, finally daring to look up at his teammates. What he saw didn't shock him as much as he thought it would; Akashi had a calculative look on his face, but that was an expression Kuroko was familiar with. Murasakibara had stopped mid-chew, and was looking at the bluenette with something akin to childish curiosity mixed with irritation, but Kuroko had grown used to that look, because the two had rarely gotten on when it came to basketball due to their clashing ideals about what it stood for. Aomine, predictably, was gaping, but no harsh remark or sarcastic snort left his lips, and Midorima seemed to be contemplating something. But it was Kise who surprised Kuroko the most, because the blond had tears flowing freely down his cheeks, and the most open, grateful expression the pale bluenette had ever seen on his face.
"Kurokocchi... Thank you!" and judging by the tone of his voice, Kuroko was certain that if it hadn't been for the table separating them, he would've already long been subjected to Kise's embrace. Kuroko smiled at the blonde and gently laid his own hand on Kise's outstretched one, fingers wrapping around his and squeezing once for comfort.
"So the way to bring out Ryouta's full potential is by physical violence. Hm. Interesting." Kuroko's head swivelled to Akashi, who had been the one to have spoken, and did nothing short of gape at the redhead, because how on earth do you arrive at that conclusion from what he'd -
Oh. Kasamatsu.
And before he realised the bait for what it was, he saw red. "No, Akashi-kun, that's not what I said." he replied, and he saw Aomine freeze beside him at the sickly sweetness of his voice; it seemed that his impression of Imayoshi was getting rather good, based on the bluenette's reaction. "In fact, it is so far from what I had said that I'm surprised something so foolish even left your mouth." Now it was Midorima's turn to freeze and he heard Aomine choke from beside him, but all he did was grip Kise's hand tighter, as if that would somehow be enough to stop whatever crazy schemes were currently brewing in Akashi's mind. "Kise-kun's full potential was brought out by his teammates' trust in him. Trust not because he was Kiseki no Sedai's Kise, or because he is Kise Ryouta the famous model, but because he is Kise-kun, and that is enough, and his views and skills and him as a person are valued and respected and encouraged to grow, because even if he stumbles or gets lost, his team will be there to guide him down the right path. And although Kasamatsu-san does raise his hand at him occasionally, he does so to all of them, and it's just how he works; besides, he doesn't just abuse, he nurtures and cares, too. Like a real captain should." when the haze of red has cleared and Kuroko realised what he'd said, he was certain he'd pushed his luck, but he was too stubborn to take his words back, and, frankly, seeing how Kise's hand was trembling with emotion from where it was still encased within his own, he didn't want to take those words back.
And then, Aomine was laughing, Murasakibara joining shortly after, and even Midorima let out something that sounded like a pleased chuckle, and when Kuroko looked at Akashi, the redhead did not seem angry - he seemed pleased, and a small, proud smile graced his face.
"It seems Seirin has been good for you too, Kuroko." Midorima murmured from beside him, a strange tone to his words.
"Now Kuro-chin can actually back up all those weird claims of his." Murasakibara acknowledged, going back to his dessert now that the situation had been diffused.
"You've grown some serious balls, Tetsu." Aomine added, ruffling his hair. Kuroko grew confused, turning to Kise, who was just smiling serenely at him, then to Akashi who was watching him curiously.
"I don't understand. You're not angry." though he had meant to make it a question, the words came out sounding more like a statement than anything else.
A small smirk graced Akashi's face. "I am not. You were right, Tetsuya." Kuroko was sure he was resembling a fish at that point. "What you described was true in Ryouta's case. I just needed to make sure that you were as convinced that I was wrong as I was that you were right. And you did not disappoint." Kuroko's stoic mask lay somewhere, broken and crumbled in the dust, and he felt a familiar burning behind his eyes for the second time that day. "In fact, after this, I wouldn't mind going to the courts to see how our basketball fares against each other's, particularly after your influence. Three on three should be sufficient."
Kuroko sat in silence for a few minutes til Aomine calmed down enough to glance at him and- "Why the hell are you crying, Tetsu?!" he barked out, clearly surprised. But his shadow merely turned to him with the most disarming smile on his face, tears still coming freely, and mumbled "I'm just so happy, Aomine-kun." and he saw his smile mirrored by the five around him, yet before anyone could reply, a commotion drew their attention to the entry doors to the restaurant and Kuroko's eyes widened when he saw that nearly all the teams which had Generation of Miracles players in their teams, his own included, were suddenly trying to cram themselves into the small space between the door and the counter, overwhelming the cashiers with the sheer size and rowdiness of the group.
"Sei-chan, there you are!" Mibuchi Reo made his way to their table, followed by the other Generals from Rakuzan, Kasamatsu, Takao, Imayoshi and Seirin trailing behind, while the rest of Kaijo, Touou and Shutoku were trying to place their orders. Mibuchi's eyes flitted over to Kuroko who was still crying, and he had enough time to watch the other's eyes widen before he was unceremoniously yanked from his seat and pulled into the shooting guard's deceptively strong chest, one of his arms going round his shoulders while the other stroked through his pale blue locks, much like a mother would. "It's no news you can be harsh, Sei-chan, but how could you make him cry?! That's mean, even for you!" the other kept up with his tirade, arm tightening around Kuroko's shoulders til the bluenette was slightly struggling to breathe, ignoring the snickers of Aomine and Kise, torn between elbowing Mibuchi in the ribs so he would let go and staying to enjoy the gentle hand carding through his hair. He was saved from his odd predicament by Kasamatsu, who somehow managed to extract him from Mibuchi's grasp without getting in the cross-fire that was currently taking place with Mibuchi rebuking Akashi for 'making his teammate cry', Akashi trying to glare Aomine and Kise into silence, Kagami's indignant shrieks that 'Just because you were his bloody teammates does not give you the right to just whisk him away without telling anyone where you're going, damn it!' which finally got Kise and Aomine to stop laughing enough to argue with Kagami, and Kuroko managed to slip away, unnoticed save for Kasamatsu, Imayoshi, Takao, Himuro and Mibuchi (who somehow escaped from the scene that was unfolding in the restaurant) who followed him out.
"Thank you, Kasamatsu-san." Kuroko bowed to the Kaijo captain, patting down his hair from where Mibuchi had ruffled it. At the other's gruff 'don't mention it' he turned to Mibuchi with a small frown, wiping his tears away. "I wasn't crying because I was upset, Mibuchi-san." he clarified, surprised when the other laughed and waved him off.
"Oh, I know, Kuroko-kun. But riling Sei-chan up is just so much fun, wouldn't you say?" he grinned, exposing a set of perfect teeth and a small dimple. Kuroko reciprocated the smile, albeit with a much smaller one, but there was a mischievous glimmer in his eye. "Indeed, it is."
Takao snorted. "You really have been hanging out with him recently, eh, Kuroko?" the Shutoko pointguard asked, jerking his head at Imayoshi who had yet to say anything since leaving the restaurant.
"Hai, Takao-kun," the pale bluenette replied. "Shouichi-kun taught me a great many things."
"Even about yourself." Imayoshi finally spoke, smirking, arm going round Kuroko's shoulders, who, to Takao and Himuro's surprise, made no move to shrug it off, and merely parroted the words back at the bespectacled teen. Instead, Kuroko's grin grew, until it morphed into a wince as the unmistakable sound of shattering glass reached their ears and he sighed.
"Excuse me. It seems as if I have to educate my friends on proper restaurant etiquette." the phantom player murmured, extracting himself from Imayoshi's grip, and walked back into the restaurant, the laughter of Takao and Mibuchi following him.
The four left outside watched through the glass windows as the chaos that had erupted in their absence was stopped the second Kuroko announced his presence.
Aomine, who had been giving Kise a noogie while the other cried and wailed to the ones around him to help him grudgingly let go, muttering to himself while Kise tried to glomp Kuroko in thanks, but the other gracefully side-stepped the blond. Kagami and Midorima, who had been engaged in a staring contest broke it off, nodding at each other and looking away the second Kuroko neared them. Murasakibara, who had been glaring at Hayama as the other had stolen a piece of his cake, reluctantly got up to order himself another one, while Akashi, who was being yelled at by Riko (if any of the four had to hazard a guess as to 'what for' they would most likely say it was for dragging Kuroko away from his new team) casually got up from the table and bowed to Riko, murmuring something that immediately quietened her rage. The members of the Generation of Miracles huddled around Kuroko for a second, before they all went to rejoin their respective teams, clearly by the bluenette's request.
"He has them all wrapped around his little finger, doesn't he?" Takao chuckled.
"To think that Sei-chan would be the one being manipulated, for once. Huh." Mibuchi commented.
Himuro stared at Imayoshi with a calculating look in his one visible eye. "I wonder..."
Imayoshi chuckled, understanding what the other was getting at. "Oh, no, not at all, Himuro-kun. I didn't have anything to do with that. No, this," he waved his arm in a grandiose gesture to indicate the scene in the restaurant, "this is all Tetsuya-kun, and I'm pretty sure it's not a new thing." he was grateful when he realised the other three knew he was referring to Kuroko's sudden control over the five most impossible to control people they'd ever stumbled upon. "Although I will admit that Tetsuya-kun is quite similar to someone I already know, so perhaps it had something to do with how I guided him along..."
Earlier
Imayoshi was just leaving the sports hall after the Generation of Miracles had disappeared and the other teams had also started leaving, the rest of Touou in tow, when a familiar voice called out from one of the shadowed corridors. Excusing himself, Imayoshi slipped away, joining the other in the alcove with two armchairs tucked away in the corner, where the speaker was already lounging comfortably.
"Anything in particular you want, Makoto-chan?" he asked sweetly, knowing how annoyed the other tended to get at the nickname. The same was also true this time, as Hanamiya's brows scrunched together, a scowl marring his alabaster face.
"I hear you found yourself a new shogi partner, Shouichi." he spoke, voice mocking as always.
"Is that jealously I hear, Makoto-chan?" Imayoshi crooned, smirking. "Don't worry, you'll always be my favourite adorable kouhai."
He could see that Hanamiya was struggling not to snap at him or flip him off, but the other's allure had always been his infallible charisma, and for someone as jaded and brutal at heart as Hanamiya, pulling off that charismatic farce required a great deal of great quality acting. And just like that, Imayoshi saw as the other settled into a persona like one would slip on a pair of gloves.
"I'm just worried that he's not challenging enough for you, Imayoshi-kun." the younger murmured, the honorific sounding acidic when uttered by his lips. "How could one as cunning as you be challenged by someone as vanilla as him?"
"Though you might find it surprising, Makoto-chan, Tetsuya-kun actually plays quite similarly to you." Imayoshi announced, not at all thrown off when the other merely laughed in his face, the façade of the concerned kouhai breaking apart like a shattered mirror.
"Oh, please, as if he is anywhere near my level." he snorted derisively.
"If you had been listening, Makoto-chan," Imayoshi began, tone no less pleasant than before, "you'd have realised that I was not comparing your 'level' or intellect, but merely referring to the way you both approach shogi." at the other's raised eyebrow (rare, because Hanamiya rarely asked for others to elaborate, so Imayoshi counted that as his win in their little mind game) he elaborated, "You play basketball the same way you play shogi; you try to convince your opponents that there's only one threat, whereas in reality you're piecing together something that separately looks like nothing special, but the big picture when all the pieces join together is even more dangerous than the original threat. Tetsuya-kun has the same approach in shogi, hence why I've been able to win against him every time. I do, after all, have a lot of experience in dealing with sneaky bastards trying to get me to underestimate them, ne?" he murmured, even though his tone never lost its sickly-sweet quality. "Besides, it's like you said; your styles may be similar but he's nowhere near your level, chan." Imayoshi parrotted back at him in a tone dripping with condensation and Hanamiya glared.
"Whatever. Just make sure you don't get too attached. If he's anything like me, this win was just a piece to a puzzle and you were merely a means to an end; soon enough, he'll get bored of you. Just like I did~!" and the other's mocking laughter was all that was left as he walked off, leaving Imayoshi alone with his thoughts.
Pieces to a puzzle, huh? He thought as he watched the Generation of Miracles yet again huddle around Kuroko, this time with their phones in their hands and tentative smiles on their faces.
He nearly laughed out loud when he realised what the big picture was; Kuroko just wanted his old team back to how they were in middle school - oh how innocent his big picture was in comparison to what Hanamiya would've come up with!
Nearly laughed out loud.
Because he did not feel like laughing when he thought back to what the single pieces looked like when separate, and he suddenly viewed the bluenette in a new light, Hanamiya's words repeating in his head like a broken record.
Perhaps I should introduce him to dear Makoto, but this time let their battlefield be a shogi board instead of a basketball court? He mused, thinking that they might just get on off-court.
He shook his head, this time chuckling quietly, earning a weird look from the Kaijo captain. Who was he kidding? He knew how it would turn out:
They'd either try to kill each other, he thought, realistically this time, or fuck.
And as he looked back inside the restaurant, eyes trained on the self-proclaimed shadow, Kuroko turned and, as his blue eyes sought out his own, he saw the unsettling victorious glint that shone clear as day for a few seconds in the bluenette's eyes and that look sent a shiver down Imayoshi's spine and forced him to reconsider his earlier assumption.
Or, he thought, an unpleasant feeling niggling at the back of his mind, they'd work together and ruin everyone else.
He smirked as he slowly made his way back to his own team, eyes never leaving Seirin's shadow.
Kuroko Tetsuya was a much more interesting phenomenon than people gave him credit for.