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Chatters filled the apartment of Kagami Taiga, where the birthday of Kuroko is currently taking place.
Takao, who'd been full from eating as much food as his stomach could take, decided it was the best time to have a little fun with everyone.
“Hey guys. How about we play the game “bring me” for a little liveliness.” He spoke. Catching the attention of everyone.
“Stop suggesting pointless games, Takao.” Midorima answered him with a glare, only to be ignored by the boy.
“So? What do you all say?” Takao asked with an excited raise of his brow.
The others looked at one another before answering with a chorus of why nots, sure, and sounds fun.
“Alright! I’ll be the one to do the asking!” Midorima’s teammate volunteered and stood up excitedly.
“Ah, would you like to join, coach?” Kuroko asked Riko when the girl was about to leave for the kitchen.
“Oh no, I’m fine. You guys can go on ahead and play.” She smiled at him then proceeded to leave.
In the kitchen, as Riko washed a few dishes, she could hear the others having fun in the living room. The girl smiled to herself, glad that Kuroko’s birthday was going well.
Suddenly, heavy sounds of footsteps entered the kitchen. The girl turned, only to find herself surrounded by the boys.
“What-”
“Back off Kise, I got here first.”
“You’re wrong Aominecchi, I clearly got here first!”
And while the two were busy arguing, Kuroko had gently wrapped his arm around Riko’s wrist and pulled her to the living room.
Riko was confused all the time. When they exited the kitchen and into the living room, Riko saw Takao waiting excitedly while Akashi and Midorima sat on the sides, the former offering her an encouraging smile while the latter refused to meet her eyes.
Murasakibara was too busy eating to notice.
The girl now stood in front of Takao who gave her a thumbs up.
“Oi Tetsu! That’s cheating, ya know!”
“Kurokocchi! How dare you steal Rikocchi away!”
The two approached them, words of complaints leaving their mouths, directing them to Kuroko who ignored them. The others who’d also come running to Riko decided to give up and watch them wordlessly.
Takao watched the scene while laughing uncontrollably, clutching his stomach.
Midorima stood up and walked towards them, he raised a fist and brought it down to the laughing boy, punching the side of the boy’s shoulder. Takao immediately stopped laughing and brought his hands up in surrender. Muttering obscenities under his breath.
“And the birthday boy himself has won this round! Successfully bringing me one beautiful coach!” Takao exclaimed while soothing his throbbing shoulder.
While Kuroko smiled and the others groaned at their loss, the girl stood in silence.
Riko looked at Takao in confusion.
Her? Did he just utter those words? Was she dreaming? They were asked to bring one beautiful coach and those boys thought she’d be the perfect pick?
No, Riko, stop flattering yourself. It’s because you’re the only option here. If Takao had said to bring him a beautiful basketball staff, the boys would’ve gone running for Momoi-san.
With those thoughts, the girl suddenly started feeling uncomfortable. She brought her hands to wrap around herself.
Riko had always been insecure about her appearance, she always thought she wasn’t feminine enough in the eyes of others. Although she always turned these negative thoughts down, there would always come a time when she’d think of such thoughts. Like when she comes across a woman who has a bigger cup size than her, or a lady who is naturally more beautiful than her.
However, thanks to basketball, Riko had given less concern about her appearance.
The girl finally turned to the boys behind her and offered them a strained smile.
“Thank you. I’m really flattered.”
Being sharp enough to notice small details, the boys noticed that the girl’s smile was one that’s forced. They can clearly tell from her body language that she’s feeling uncomfortable at that moment.
Midorima, who also noticed, approached Takao once again, grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him towards the kitchen, out of the others’ sight.
No one voiced it, but they already knew what was about to occur in that kitchen. They only hoped it wouldn’t go to the point where a visit to the hospital would be required.
“I apologize if we made you uncomfortable, coach.” Kuroko spoke to break the awkward atmosphere.
The girl turned to him in surprise.
He noticed?!
Immediately, the girl remembered it is his birthday and she hated to ruin his special day by making him feel guilty.
“Ah- It’s fine Kuroko! I’m really thankful to know you guys think I’m even attractive at all!”
“But you are attractive.” Aomine declared bluntly.
Riko then turned to him, surprise written all over her face.
“Why else would we come running straight for you, Rikocchi.” Kise said as if it was the most obvious thing.
“I agree with Kise-chin, although I didn’t follow the others into the kitchen, if I didn’t think you were beautiful, I would’ve already given a picture of my coach instead.” Murasakibara drawled, still busy eating but has stopped for a second to give her a nod before returning to munch on his food.
“They’re right, Aida-san..." Akashi started, catching her attention.
"...If we’re being honest, when we saw you leading Kuroko and the Seirin team, we were really surprised, and it would be a lie if I said that we never once had doubted you during our naivety. In the end, you didn’t just show us that you’re perfectly capable of leading a basketball team to victory, but you also showed that you can surpass even the greatest basketball coaches. Aida-san, not only are you skilled as a coach, but you are also a very kind and charming woman.” He finished with a soft smile.
“Honestly, Seirin is lucky to have you as their coach.”
“Aominecchi’s right. I would love to have you in Kaijou leading us, Rikocchi.”
“Yeah~”
Riko felt tears prick at her eyes. They genuinely thought all of that of her? But why? They didn’t even know each other that much yet they thought she was a really beautiful and skilled woman?
Riko searched the room, her eyes meeting those of Momoi. The pink-head gave her an encouraging smile.
“Sorry about that, Kuroko’s coach. Takao has a tendency to act without thinking.” Midorima entered with Takao behind him. The latter looks well enough.
Takao approached her and bowed.
“I’m really sorry for making you feel uncomfortable.” He said, scratching the back of his head.
“It’s fine. I’m fine. Thank you.” Riko smiled.
She then turned to the Generation of miracles’ former members.
“And thank you to all of you as well. I really appreciate the compliments.” She chuckled shyly.
They smiled at her in return.
Riko returned home that day with a big grin on her face.
It was Kuroko’s birthday, but Riko felt like she was the celebrant.
She owed it all to a rainbow.