#he looks smug at the fact that he gets to hold kuroko

[active-mind-15]

This art is adorable omg

[kurokonbscenarios]

GoM's reactions to being under a mistletoe with their shy and short crush who is embarrassed because they know what it means? Is this ok?

Hope you don’t mind me combining these two together and anon, who requested for Nash.. bless your soul and yes, in a way I’m in a writing spree before going back to work asdfghjkl Hope holidays were nice to you and of course to everyone celebrating Christmas today, Merry Christmas! Stay safe lovelies! -T-chan

Kuroko

He planned this all along from the shadows

Felt really upset whenever his crush was taken away from the place every time because everyone just loved to celebrate them for holidays and he doesn’t know if fate is playing with him or not, but he feels a bit disheartened

You only notice him when he’s ready to leave the room and you rush after him, stopping right on the doorway under mistletoe and no this time it wasn’t his doing

He’s both surprised and shocked cause suddenly you’re looking away and he realizes that you know what that mistletoe above means and he’s shaking from excitement before he leans down and just kisses them

Lots of cheering from the team and your friends like whoa Kuroko just kissed his crush and Kagami is panicking for no reason at all

Kuroko doesn’t want the kiss to stop, but he makes sure he catches you before you leave the party and go for second kiss, which you return this time with no hesitation and he’s satisfied and happy.

It honestly doesn’t last long until he asks you to be his partner, which is on New Year

He’s very bold and forward, with no running around the bush... or so he tries to believe while he’s shaking from nervousness, unsure if you’re going to say yes or no

Kise

What a ball of sunshine. He can’t keep still and keeps trying to get you somewhere you’re not sure where, but every time he’s dragged elsewhere by people and he’s sulking and feeling upset before Kasamatsu just pushes him your way, ‘cause he can’t stand those sad eyes like it’s the worst day ever - glares at every person that tries to pull him away

When he sees your cheeks dark and hot and look up, his eyes widen, because Kasamatsu pushed him there and he suddenly gets all nervous

He doesn’t know what to do, he’s stammering and his hands are all around the place, but you hold them and for some reason you feel brave enough to rise on your toes, but you’re a bit short and you only feel more embarrassed

Kise chuckles at your attempts and he leans down and kisses you

Lots of whines from other girls and guys, who tried to get you under mistletoe, but you feel fine with it and Kise’s back to being his cheerful self with cheeks giving him away

He doesn’t move from his seat for the whole night, thinking what happened and realization dawning on him that he kissed you, his crush and wants to bury himself under a tree in the room, but instead he swings his arm at the same time you want to give him drinks and he splashes it all over your clothes and he’s an apologizing mess, but your laughter makes him melt and he just loves you so damn much it makes his heart hurt

Doesn’t hesitate to ask you on a date, even though he later says that it’s an apology for spilling drinks on you. But you both know it’s a real date

Midorima

He doesn’t want to do it and even Takao dares him, but no, Midorima isn’t for that. He doesn’t care for mistletoe for all he cares and wants to go home, but he can’t, ‘cause he sees you having fun and he just can’t leave without at least wishing you happy holidays.

Which ends with both of you standing under mistletoe

Definitely Takao’s fault and Midorima will get at him later as he tries to ignore it, but you point it out by innocently saying that it’s hanging right above your heads and at the realization of what it means, both your cheeks turn dark and hot as you look away

Midorima can hear Takao whispering “kiss kiss kiss kiss” somewhere in the background and he so wants to snatch that mistletoe down and make him eat it Midorima no but when he sees you glancing at his lips as you’re leaning closer to him, he becomes nervous

Are you doing what he’s thinking you’re doing? You want to kiss him? Is he dreaming? He must be dreaming because why is he suddenly leaning down and oh ym god Midorima calm down it’s just a kiss OF HIS CRUSH and it’s taking every nerve of his to stay in that one place and just kiss you

The moment he feels you pulling away he dashes out of the room like lightning. You may feel disheartened, but Takao shows you a video of his dark face and neck and you feel yourself blushing and cover your face, because Midorima likes you

Aomine

He acts all smug, because hell yeah he’s gonna kiss you, but when you actually stand in front of him and under mistletoe, he wants to run away? His feet are cold and hands sweaty and he has no idea what he should do?

So confused like should he just go for it or should he ask you about or what ?? Why are mistletoes such complicating flowers?

But seeing your eyes avoiding his and he realizes you actually know of the tradition and he just gets bits of that smugness and confidence back and he wraps and arm around you and pulls you close.

You’re not sure what you’re supposed to do, so you just close your eyes and Aomine has to stop himself from blushing cause how the hell can you look so cute? He’s so not sure if he wants to kiss you or tease you and it’s not until he hears both Momoi and Kuroko tease him that he leans down and kisses you hard and he hits your nose

You whine a bit before you burst out laughing and Aomine follows because “screw it”, mistletoes aren’t his thing, he better kisses when there aren’t any and you don’t really mind it either

Murasakibara

He doesn’t really care, because free food.

And then he gets a dare that if he gets to stand by the Christmas tree he’ll get whole package of American candies send by Alex herself and he’s immediately up for it.

He doesn’t realize it until he spots you looking at him nervously and embarrassed like you want to tell him something, but you’re also looking above him and he follows your gaze and just freezes.

Atsushi doesn’t know what do to and he looks around the room, at his teammates, who are finding this situation amusing and funny and he realizes he was deceived and he wants to crush them now, but then he remembered you’re standing there beside him and he looks back at you

You’re facing the ground with fingers meddling together like you’re not sure if you should speak or not and he sighs and calls your name. With a startle you look at him and widen your eyes when he face is just inches from yours

His kiss is short and more like a peck on your lips, but his cheeks give him away that are dark red and all down his neck and he’s sputtering all kinds of threats to the team, who is now laughing

You just stand there all confused, but when realization dawns on you, you just want to hide, because you’ve been kissed and now whole school would know. And for some reason you don’t really mind

Akashi

He’s not sure if he should even lead you to the mistletoe or not, but before he knows it you’re both standing under it.

Neither of you knows what you should do, less alone say, so you just stand there in awkward silence.

Akashi’s the first one to break the silence, asking you if you know what it means. And for some reason he hopes you don’t, cause he can see you don’t really wanna be there but that’s not true and to his surprise you nod and tell him.

He a bit thrilled about it, but instead tells you to forget it if you don’t want to, but you shake with head and say that it’s tradition and that you don’t mind if it’s him. Akashi feels his heart burst into butterflies and he can’t hide the blush that spreads across his cheeks and you’re worried that he’s upset and just when you turn to walk away, he holds your hand like in all those soap operas and pulls you to his side before kissing you

What a gentleman, everyone says, but his head butts into yours and you both end up laughing instead. What dorks, now everyone laughs, but in all this mess,  you’re the first to close the distance and kiss him on the lips and he just freezes before he returns it.

Kagami

He’s so embarrassed just by the thought of it so when he finds himself and you standing under it, he doesn’t know what to do. He gets so nervous and shy whenever he’s around you, his crush on you ever so seen to everyone and you often tease him just to see his reactions

But this time it seems like you’re also embarrassed as you heard chants to kiss each other and you look at Kagami, all expectations on your face and he just can’t bring himself to walk away, so he does what he always wanted to do

He leans down and kisses you on the cheek

You feel a bit hurt, but you quickly find yourself speaking, saying how that doesn’t count and Kagami realizes that yes, you really do know the meaning of it and before he can do or say anything back,  you hold him for his collar and pull him down, pressing your lips against his

He’s stunned, ‘cuase wow his crush just kissed him his crush just kissed him and he starts working like HIS CRUSH JUST KISSED HIM and everyone teases you how you’ve broken Kagami and you can’t help but laugh, ‘cause he looks just so adorable, so stunned and shocked

It takes a lot for him to calm down, but when he does, he doesn’t hesitate to kiss you again, feeling much more confident

Kasamatsu

What a blushing mess that plans Kise’s funeral for teasing him the whole evening

“But senpai you’re standing under mistletoe with [Name]cchi. You have to kiss!” and Kasamatsu wan’ts to get at him, but when he spots you by his side he just goes all red and stammering and has no idea what to do.

He can hear everyone teasing him and god why does he have to feel so nervous when he’s around you?? The fact that you seem to know about mistletoe too makes him even more nervous and he doesn’t know what to do

You’re saying something, but he can’t hear over the loud beating of his heart in his ears and he feels like fainting so he just nods and why do you suddenly look so sad?? What did you even ask?

When he processes his thoughts back to your question, his eyes widened as you turn your back to him and without thinking he holds it and just leans down to kiss you, though the kiss is weird and so sloppy, but neither of you mind

He’s kissing you. He’s kissing his crush and his cheeks are only turning darker and when you pull away, you fear he might faint so you help him outside on cold air

Where this time you kiss him, without those prying eyes, but someone always sees it and you hear cheers from inside, but neither of you really care at that moment

Nijimura

What a smooth bastard. Honestly. You’d think this was all by coincidence, but it was all his planning. He even looked so innocent when the two of you stood under it, but no that was just his façade.

But you don’t really mind, because really how can you not want to kiss someone like Nijimura?

He just smiles at you before he leans down and kisses you softly on your lips and you want more and you lean closer to him to which he responds by wrapping his arm around your back

You feel like you’re melting before he pulls away and smirks at you. But deep down he suddenly feels so nervous because what if he messed up and what if you didn’t want this even though you smelt so good in that moment

But you just hide your face and he could see your ears dark and he chuckles before he tips your face up to look into your eyes and looks at you with those loving eyes, like it’s the only expression he’ll show to no one, but you

Without hesitation, you rise on your toes and go for second kiss that Nijimura doesn’t hesitate to return before he asks you out on a date

Nash

Seriously this guy is on whole other level

He may plan all this, but boy is he such a tease even when it comes to his crush. He’d want to hear it from your mouth alone to see if you know what mistletoe means and when you tell him, looking ever so embarrassed and shy about it, he just can’t help but tease you more

“Oh, so you want to kiss me? Is that what you’re saying?”

There’s no ending to his teasings and you feel like burying yourself in a hole and just stay there before he kisses you out of nowhere and stops all your arguments that were coming up

He smirks into the kiss before he pulls away. “You were saying?” there was that self-confident smirk on his lips that you want to wipe off his face every time he manages to catch you off guard. But now you actually came up with a plan.

You only smile and cup his face, suddenly making him confused, because you were definitely up to something. He just wasn’t sure what and before he could react by either pulling away or holding your hands,  you kiss him back.

He’s shook, ‘cause he never thought you’d do it.

Wants to kiss you back, but you move away before he does. It’s your time to smirk as you speak “if you want more, don’t act like a jerk who owns the world” you’re not really sure what you were saying, but Nash takes that as a challenge, definitely not wanting the chance to slip away.

[terriblesportsimagines]

Hellooo once again 😊 I was the anon who asked for the manager (more like a coach) female reader!! I was wondering if I could request for the same kind of reader? And for Haruichi, Kuroko and Akashi's teammates try to get them together but fail miserably? Can be scenarios or headcannons 💙

These got pretty long…  Especially Haruichi.  I hope this was what you were looking for!  I wrote them as kind of continuations of the previous scenarios

Cut for length.

Kominato Haruichi

The continued lack ofsubtlety shown by his teammates was enough to make him want to hide under hisbed and not come out for the next century.

He wasn’t even thatsurprised.  First of all, he was prettysure the only one of the involved lot capable of subtle was Miyuki, and hewasn’t even bothering to employ his skill in the matter.  He spent most of the time giggling behind ahand watching the others thoroughly embarrass him over and over again.  

His captain was not anally.

He’d thought that of themall, he’d at least be able to count on his fielding partner to back him up, butnope.  Apparently, Kuramochi thought thewhole thing as hilarious as their captain and so usually just waded in and madeeverything a bigger mess than it already was.

Sawamura had somehowreached enlightenment with regards to the situation with you, and Haruichi’sfeelings for you, and had made it his mission to get you two together.  None of them seemed to understand that hewas fine with the way things were and fine with you not knowing how hefelt about you.  His opinion, of coursedidn’t matter.

Frankly, Haruichi wasmore surprised that Sawamura hadn’t just blurted his feelings out to youalready.  That was certainly his speed, andtruthfully, that seemed where things were headed.  The schemes the other boy came up with to push you two togetherwere so outlandish that Haruichi was pretty sure you’d already figured out whatwas going on, you were just too polite to say anything.

When you left withnothing but a smile and a wave after his teammates’ latest attempt to set youup, Sawamura complained bitterly. “Harucchi, it’s like you don’t even want ___!  You’ll never get her to go out with you withthat attitude!”

“Would you just stop,”Haruichi replied, voice like the blade of a knife.  “Leave it alone!”

Unfortunately for him, hedidn’t see the familiar pink head lurking just around the corner, which was toobad, because then he might have expected what was coming for him later thatweek.  

He’d been happy when hisbrother showed up for practice one day. The third years were pretty busy studying most of the time, so it was atreat to have them around.  Haruichi wastoo busy trying to learn from the older boys to notice the particular shape ofhis brother’s smile – a classic, foolish mistake, and one that he paid forwithin a few hours.

He’d been minding his ownbusiness, heading towards his dorm in order to change and head to dinner whenhe was ambushed.  Kuramochi grabbed himby the arm and dragged him away, aided by Zono and Shirasu, who both bore widesmirks.  “What the-”

“Sorry Haru, orders areorders, kyahaha!” Kuramochi cackled, grip firm.

Haruichi might have askedwhat the hell he was talking about, except they came into sight of anothergroup of boys just down the way, standing in front of the closed door of acloset.  His brother was at the helm ofthem, looking like some kind of yakuza boss, despite being shorter than all therest of them.  

The elder Kominato’ssmile was as terrifying as it always was. He inclined his head in greeting, and in acknowledgment of Kuramochi’sservice, then motioned to the closet. “Be sure not to shame me now, Haruichi,” he said, amused and more than alittle smug.

Toujou, who was closestto the door, opened it and before he could even react, Haruichi found himselftossed unceremoniously into the closet and the door slammed closed behindhim.  He’d made it no more than twosteps into the tiny room when his body collided with something soft and warmand he flailed, yelping as the pair of you fell into one of the shelves at theback of the coffin-sized space.  “I’msorry!” He said, praying he hadn’t hurt you.

You took a sharp breathin, but shook your head.  “It’s okay,Haru… It’s not like you had any choice either.”

Haruichi decided in thatmoment that he had the worst brother on the face of the planet and he didn’teven know why he had ever looked up to him.

“What do you suppose theymean for us to do in here?” You asked, and though he couldn’t see your face, hewas pretty sure you were blushing as brightly as he was.  “Maybe we should find the light switch…”

Haruichi knew exactlywhat they meant for them to do, and he was pretty sure you knew too, you werejust pretending not to.  He wasn’t surewhat this meant – were you trying to spare his feelings?  Were you just being shy?  You weren’t that shy naturally, youshouldn’t be and practically be another coach for the team.  But this kind of thing was different…

“I… think I would preferif it stayed off,” he said, not wanting to give light to the shade in hisface.  It was humiliating enough.  “I’m sorry my brother has a terriblepersonality.”

“It is pretty bad,” yougiggled.  “He just does whatever hewants to…”

“Yeah.”

You stood like that forwhat felt like ever, neither one wanting to address the obvious in the tinyroom.  Haruichi wished he could bebraver, but this was not how he wanted to tell you how he felt and damnit, he would not be rushed or pushed into it by the idiocy of histeammates.

“Hey Haru?”

“Yes?”

“I’ll help you bury thebodies if you want.  I can make them rununtil they die, that way they suffer too.”

Haruichi couldn’t helpthe soft laugh that bubbled up at the comment, and he was pretty sure he justlost his heart completely.  “Thanks,____-chan.  I’d appreciate that.”

When the door openedeventually, some ten minutes later, it was Kanemaru that opened it.  His face was bright red, and he lookedpained.  “Dinner’s started, so you’dbetter hurry back, ____-chan.”

You smiled at the blondboy and hurried away, sparing only a single glance back for Haruichi.  Haruichi, irritated, scowled.  “Gone, of course.”

Kanemaru sighed.  “Kominato-senpai wanted me to tell you thathe’s very disappointed in you.”

Of course he was.

Kuroko Tetsuya

Kuroko was pretty sure hewasn’t late.  He was never late – infact, he made it a policy to be early. This was why when he arrived at the designated meeting point and foundonly you, he assumed that no one else had shown up yet.  Except, you looked at him in relief, smiledshyly and said, “Oh good… I was starting to think it got cancelled and no onedecided to inform me.”

He glanced at his phone –it was just barely one, so why were you worried?  “We were supposed to meet at one, is everyone running late?”

You blinked at him,confused.  “One?  Riko-senpai said twelve thirty at practiceyesterday… I think you were getting water with Kagami-kun though.”

That was the momentKuroko realized that he’d been set up. Not by you, of course, but by the rest of the team who was conspicuousin their absences.  He had to admit, itwas at least a little clever, practically ensuring the two of you would end upon a date, alone.

Or was it a date if onlyone of you realized that’s what it was supposed to be?

Kuroko sighed.  It’s not that he minded, exactly, but hewould have rather have asked you himself instead of having the team employdeception.  “I don’t think anyone’scoming, ___-san,” he said, eyes moving over their surroundings.  He really wanted to go to the bookstore, andwhat did it matter if it was only the two of you?  “Why don’t we-”

But he never got tofinish his question, because out of nowhere a man on a skateboard appeared andknocked straight into your back, pushing you out of the way so that he couldgrind along the lip of the fountain you were standing beside.  The force of the crash was enough to sendyou slamming into the ground with enough force to cause you to scream in pain.

Kuroko watched the wholething in what felt like slow motion, time only speeding up once you were on theground and the man with the skateboard gone, laughing as he went.  “___-san!” Kuroko said, immediately droppingto a knee beside you to try and help you up.

You whimpered though, andhe could hear your breath coming on harsh pants.  “K-Kuroko-kun…”

As he got you sitting up,he realized you were holding your right arm. His eyes widened dramatically as he caught sight of the arm.  Not only was there sluggishly bleeding scrapesall up the outside of the arm, but it was painfully obvious that your wrist wasbroken.  “It’s okay, ___-san,” he saidgently, hand touching your head hesitantly as if to comfort you.  “I’ll call an ambulance.”

Later, as he sat in thewaiting room of the hospital, his phone rang and he looked down to see Kagami’sgrinning face on the screen.  Sighing,he swiped to answer.  “Hello?”

“Hey.  The others want to know how your date’sgoing.” The taller boy said, like it was an imposition.  Kuroko could hear the others in thebackground.

“Great.” He repliedblankly, with a tiny bit of bite.  “Wespent the afternoon in the hospital. ___-san broke her wrist.”

“WHAT????”

Akashi Seijuro

He knew from minute onewhat his teammates were trying to do. Thus, it was easy to side step their, frankly, laughable efforts.  He didn’t need help winning youraffection, and he certainly didn’t need his bumbling teammates trying to setthe two of you up.

The only one of them thatpossessed any shred of subtlety or finesse was Mibuchi, and he had to spendmost of his time corralling the others. Of course, Mayuzumi could be clever when he wanted to be, but he wasn’tabout to get invested in the state of Akashi’s love life and didn’t see thepoint in interfering.  Akashi respectedhim for his restraint.

But their clumsy attemptsto push him at you and you at him meant that Akashi had to play an exhaustinggame of keep you unaware, because he didn’t want you realizing what hewas about until he was ready to make his move. And sadly, the more they failed miserably to get the two of you together,the harder they tried, which distracted him from his ultimate goals.

Plus, you were smartenough to pick up the on going trend. You watched them all more carefully, lifting an eyebrow when one of theidiots said something super obvious and winked at you, and frankly, Akashi wasstarting to lose his patience with them. Apparently they couldn’t get the message to back off, and maybeit was time to use force.

The Winter Cup tournamentdistracted them somewhat, especially when you became extra ruthless in yourappraisal of their play.  Hayamacomplained bitterly as you worked them harder than you ever had before, but youmerely stood over him, looking down your nose and told him to suck it up ordie.

Honestly, Akashi hadnever been more turned on in his life.

He tucked that memoryaway, to remember when he was alone, and threw himself into conquering thelesser mortals in the tournament.  Hisformer teammates proved to be worthy opponents, mostly, and he had to work hardthan he ever had before.  He wasn’t evensurprised when it was Kuroko that proved his undoing – that quite, almostinvisible boy that had more fight in him than the entirety of the Generation ofMiracles combined.  He never thoughthe’d see the day when sheer tenacity overcame raw talent.  But it was a learning experience, and onehe’d use to get even better in the future.

It was in the aftermathof their loss to Seirin that you came to him and completely upset his planswith regards to you.  Smiling pretty athim, you took his sticky face between your hands and pulled him down into asoft, shallow kiss that sent his normally sharp mind into a tail spin.  “Now they can stop trying quite so hard,ne?” You laughed, winking cheekily.

Akashi sighed, smilingfondly as he returned your kiss with a slightly deeper one of his own.  “Indeed.”

[recentanimenews]

Bookshelf Briefs 9/5/17

Super mega briefs!

Aho-Girl, Vol. 2 | By Hiroyuki | Kodansha Comics -This is a 4-koma gag comic, so does not really rely on character or plot development. You just need funny gags. In this case, the gags rely on the main cast being absolute idiots. And to the manga’s credit, they are. If the cast were even a tiny bit less dumb, the whole series would merely be tedious. But everyone, especially the title girl, quadruples down on the stupidest possible outcome to any situation, and it just works. We do see a new girl here, who seems to like cute girls but may simply be as eccentric as everyone else. As for Sayaka, even given the fact that every gag comic needs a straight man, you still feel bad she’s in this series. Maybe she can go hang out with Nanase from Book Girl. – Sean Gaffney

Anne Happy, Vol. 6 | By Cotoji | Yen Press – Once again, there are hints that while the rest of the class has some random bad luck, Hanako’s bad luck—as well as her terminal case of Pollyanna optimism—may have a more sinister origin. I also get the sense, given the various hints we’re given in this volume, that their teacher is a former student of the unlucky class. In any case, we get the usual vague mixture of amusing and heartwarming, as Hibari thinks too much, Botan tries a bit too hard, and Hibiki is an absolute mess. I admit that I’m grateful for the hints of an ongoing plot regarding Hanako, mostly as otherwise this series doesn’t quite get along entirely on pure charm. You want it to be going somewhere, and for now I will trust that it is. – Sean Gaffney

A Centaur’s Life, Vol. 12 | By Kei Murayama | Seven Seas – Once again, I get the feeling that A Centaur’s Life is just a thin excuse for the author to do whatever he feels like doing every chapter. We get more action-packed dramatic flashbacks with death and maiming, framed as the cast visiting a natural history museum to look at their ancestors. We get romantic comedy hijinks, with crushes on guys and the like. We get more chapters that examine how typical Japanese events would work in the Centaur’s Life world, such as idol groups and faked ghost stories (or is it fake?). The best chapter in the book involves the cast having a mostly serious discussion on the concept of heaven, and why if you try to dig too deep to analyze heaven it just gets disturbing. As variable as ever. – Sean Gaffney

Chihayafuru, Vol. 4 | By Yuki Suetsugu | Kodansha Comics (digital only) – I love how Suetsugu-sensei uses Chihaya’s continued passion for karuta to get Arata to admit that he still loves the game. When they were kids, he was the one who introduced her to the game, and now she’s the one who brings him back to it, first by sending him updates on Mizusawa High’s progress through the Tokyo qualifiers, which has him refreshing his inbox every ten seconds for the results, and then by moving on to nationals at a venue that brings up memories of his grandfather. We learn more about what happened with his grandpa’s health, and it’s awful and sad, but learning that others look forward to seeing his grandpa’s style through him begins to clear up his guilt somewhat. Perhaps he can honor his grandpa best by continuing to play? I love this series so much. – Michelle Smith

Drifters, Vol. 4 | By Kohta Hirano | Dark Horse Comics – It has been three-and-a-half years since the last volume of Drifters came out in North America. That said, with a series like this I’m not sure it matters much. Sure, I’d forgotten literally everything going on in the previous books, and we don’t even get a ‘what has gone before’ page at the front. But I mean, this is Kohta Hirano. Is there lots of fighting? Oh yes. Some bloody killings? Definitely. Insane grins? By the bucketful. The whole manga is just an excuse for all of those things, and therefore it seems churlish to criticize the fact that the plot doesn’t really go anywhere, or that female characters are either absent or objectified. Recommended if you loved Hellsing, otherwise easily skippable. – Sean Gaffney

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, Vol. 19 | By Yuto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki | Viz Media – This volume is interesting, but it does give off a bit of a sense of filler, as we slowly advance through Azami’s plan to remake the school in his twisted image. Much to my surprise, Ryo’s battle does not go the way I assumed it would, and this leads to a number of satisfying scenes. There’s also the confirmation, which I think most readers have guessed by now, that Alice was in fact trying to contact Erina all along, and her letters were blocked all these years. The most dangerous battle may be the new one Soma has with #1 seat Tsukasa. They turn out to work very well together, almost like a well-oiled machine… which leads to Tsukasa offering to let Soma join Central. Some, of course, refuses… but will he regret it? Always good. – Sean Gaffney

Giant Killing, Vol. 5 | By Masaya Tsunamoto and Tsujitomo | Kodansha Comics (digital only) – East Tokyo United has lost the first several games of the season, and fans and management are starting to voice their displeasure. Now ETU is facing Nagoya, a team with three talented Brazilian players. But Tatsumi has spotted Nagoya’s one weakness and worked out a plan to exploit it. Seeing the team working together and their defense holding strong is a lot of fun, but their faces when they finally manage to score are the best bit. Tsubaki has talent, but he’s been inconsistent so far. Now, he seems to be playing without hesitation, and when he scores first ETU’s first goal, his expression conveys both his relief and a sense of atonement for past mistakes. There just seems to be more on the line than is usual in sports manga, and I was thoroughly caught up in the action until it was abruptly over. Highly recommended! – Michelle Smith

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 27 | By Karuho Shiina | VIZ Media – Inspired by Sawako’s ability to honestly discuss her thoughts and feelings, Kazehaya tries a similar approach with his gruff father concerning his university plans. The situation remains unresolved until Kazehaya’s mother tells him about a special drawer wherein he discovers that his father has saved everything Kazehaya ever gave him. “You do make your dad happy. You really do. He just doesn’t show it.” Sniff! I didn’t know I needed to see them achieve an understanding, but apparently I did. After Sawako makes her decision about where she’s going to school, the focus shifts back to Ayane and her heartache over Pin, who she is convinced will never look at her romantically. It’s great to see her feeling love, after she doubted that she could, whatever the outcome. This is still such a great series! – Michelle Smith

Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl, Vol. 3 | By Canno | Yen Press – Shiramine and Kurosawa have entered their second year and evidently still aren’t a couple, despite the occasional smooch that transpires between them. Shiramine is still not particularly likable, but she’s a bit more tolerable this time around, and has managed to defeat Kurosawa by one point on an English exam. There’s some question about whether she herself is special, or whether Kurosawa would take anyone who could make her feel like a regular girl, but this question is answered when Kurosawa is roped into the gardening club due simply to sheer proximity and not for her talents. She ends up staying, and dragging Shiramine into it, but mostly the second half of the volume deals with the other two members of the club. Although it’s still not as good as some schoolgirl yuri I’ve read recently (Bloom Into You), I think this series might be improving. – Michelle Smith

Kuroko’s Basketball, Vols. 13-14 | By Tadatoshi Fujimaki | Viz Media – Seirin vs. To-Oh is the main thrust of this volume, and it’s just as exciting as you might imagine, even if it’s tough to find words to describe it. As with most sports manga, you tend to define it as “good sports happens in these pages,” so even in an omnibus I struggle to say much more than “wow, he really got stronger!” or “did you see that shot?”. There is a hot springs section at the start of the book, which gives the teams a chance to casually taunt each other before the game, and also some primo fanservice, exactly the sort that young boys will want to see. There’s also some flashbacks to Kuroko’s middle-school days, mostly to give more depth to Aomine. Basketball happens. But it’s really good basketball. -Sean Gaffney

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, Vol. 25 | By Shinobu Ohtaka | Viz Media – Well, we do get some Morgiana, my wish from the previous brief, but not a lot. Instead, Harukyuu is the focus of this 25th volume, which is both good and bad. Bad in that he turns to darkness, letting his anger rule him, mind-controlling soldiers and deciding murder is the best solution. Good in that the way this is handled turns out to be some of the best writing in the series, and a highlight of the volume. And honestly, if you’re going to try to murder someone, it’s hard to go wrong with his mother Gyokuen, who is smug in the best possible way, and even gets a few Higurashi faces here. (That’s her on the cover.) As for Alibaba, well, he’s headed over there, and I expect he and Harukyuu are going to clash horribly next book. – Sean Gaffney

My Love Story!!, Vol. 13 | By Kazune Kawahara and Aruko | VIZ Media – There are many shoujo romances that end with a reunion after a long separation, but My Love Story!! tackles this a little differently, showing us how tough the time apart was for Yamato and how hard she and Takeo are working to be able to get into the same college. Their romance stuff was nice, but honestly, the hero of the volume is Sunakawa, who keeps Takeo on track with studying, personally taking charge of his tutoring, and making good on a promise to smack Takeo if he ever does something really stupid. I loved that the creators took the time here at the end to emphasize what a special friend he is. I’ll miss this series, but Kawahara-sensei did say “it might be nice to write more of this story someday” in her final author’s note, so make of that what you will! – Michelle Smith

Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn, Vol. 8 | By Shirow Masamune and Rikudou Koushi | Seven Seas – Not as many amusing cameos this time around, and wrapping up one plot and starting another means there’s a lot of awkward transition in the middle. Also, we get more than one “activation” sequence, because kids these days can’t get enough of faux vaginal fingering. Still, I would hope kids these days would not be allowed anywhere near Pandora. The main cast does get to show off, and Nene in particular shows that she’s really something special even among this cast that seems to have a lot of special people and/or machines. Oh yes, and we also get a glimpse of the big bads, who combine Nazi imagery AND Illuminati imagery. If you like saying “wtf?” a lot, Pandora is for you. – Sean Gaffney

Vampire Knight: Memories, Vol. 1 | By Matsuri Hino | Viz Media – I will grant you that Vampire Knight left some open endings, and it’s nice to see those gone into. Still, when you see an author’s next series after their huge hit cancelled after two volumes, and then they return with a spinoff of that old series, it’s hard not to cringe. The best part of this book, even if it’s really bittersweet, is between Aido and Wakaba. It’s clear they both have deep feelings for each other, but it’s also clear that Wakaba does not want to be a vampire, and therefore this romance just isn’t going to happen. It’s an interesting look at the issues semi-immortality brings. The chapters with Yuki interested me less, mostly as they deal with her post-vampiric personality. VK fans will like this, most others will find it superfluous. – Sean Gaffney

By: Michelle Smith

[kyahgamis]

of kissing and cuddling

“Have you ever thought of kissing anyone?”

[belated happy valentine’s day @jacknoahkerr]

It was a quiet evening. An intense game of streetball and a delicious, home cooked dinner at Kagami's apartment later, Daiki feels at peace. Basketball, food, and Kagami: the three factors that filled his day were most of the things, and the person, he liked (unfortunately, there weren’t any boobs or Mai-chan or it would’ve been the perfect day) and he felt quite content as he lounged at Kagami’s couch.

That is, until the other suddenly spoke up and asked him:

“Have you ever thought of kissing anyone?”

Daiki spits out his drink and looks at Kagami. Kagami’s giving him a disapproving look so he wipes the liquid dribbling off his chin with his shirt. “Why suddenly mention kissing, of all things, tonight?”

He pretends to not see Kagami’s judging eyes at his now wet shirt. “I just realized it’s February 13th today. Tomorrow’s valentine's day.”

“So what’s that got to do with it?”

“Well...” Kagami glances away. In Aomine’s lovesick eyes, he looks quite adorable as he did so. “It’s just a thought, but doesn’t it feel nice if you have someone to be lovey dovey with?”

What? Were his ears deceiving him or did he actually hear Kagami say he wants someone to be lovey dovey with? Wait, he’s actually a little touched that Kagami considers him a friend close enough to talk about these kind of things. He should answer properly. It was the least Daiki could do for the person he assumes he’s in a one-sided love with.

“... Didn’t think you’d be a sap, Bakagami. Also, lovey dovey? ”

Kagami’s cheeks flush slightly as his brows knit together in that amusing way it always did whenever he teased Kagami. C- cute! No, wait! Daiki messed up! He wasn’t supposed to make him annoyed!

“I’m not a sap! And shut up, i don’t know what else to call it!” he says heatedly.

Daiki clears his throat awkwardly and says, “Uhh, you were saying stuff about lovey dovey stuff being nice?”

Scowling, he drops himself a cushion away from where Aomine sat on the couch. “Yeah. You gonna make fun of me or something?”

He quickly shakes his head. “Nope. Just didn’t expect you to talk about those stuff.”

“Yeah, well… It’s not something I usually think about.” Kagami’s expression softens and the creases on his forehead disappears. “But I do think about it sometimes.”

Kagami’s opening up to him. He feels a sense of pride at this fact. “Yeah. I get what you mean.” Daiki often thought about Kagami but it rarely was in the context of the two of them doing cutesy stuff. “And I guess valentine’s day kinda makes you think of it more today, huh?”

Sighing, Kagami nods. “Yeah.” he leans on the couch’s backrest and sighs one more time. “I see couples in school doing stuff like flirting, hand holding and spoonfeeding and it’s kind of gross. But sometimes, I can’t help but kinda think I don’t mind doing those gross things.”

But I've been flirting with you for the past few months and it just goes over your head! Daiki's lips twitch downwards slightly. Hand holding and spoon feeding? True, he wants to try holding hands with Kagami. The closest he'd been to holding the other's hand was when he was trying to chop vegetables after losing a bet and his hand was shaky; Kagami guided him hand with his own over Daiki's and that definitely didn't count. Or did it?

Spoonfeeding was something they've done before, or rather, something Kagami's been doing for Aomine whenever he creeps up being the other boy as he cooked to ask for taste tests. That, and Kagami's occasional bouts of stubbornness where he picks up vegetables with his own chopsticks and waves them at Aomine's face until he eats the leafy greens.

Wait, Daiki thinks. Doesn't that mean we're kinda lovey dovey in our own way?

As he pondered on their relationship, Kagami continues voicing out his woes. “Then there's also kissing and hugging. Cuddles and stuff. I want someone to do those stuff with.”

“There's sex too,” Daiki points out. Kagami makes a choking noise and he coughs. He laughs as he watches the redhead try to get his composure back. “What? It’s true.”

The other boy settles down and he mutters, “Well, yeah… Eventually, I guess.” … Shit, Daiki thinks. I volunteer myself, Kagami. Hurry up and notice me.

“But I thought you Americans were big on kissing and stuff?” he asks casually. If Kagami’s anything like his kissing machine of a basketball teacher, Daiki would call foul since he’s yet to be kissed. Then a thought occurs to him. Maybe Kagami had kissed someone already. “Have you kissed Tetsu?”

Kagami makes a disgusted face and Daiki’s suddenly hit by the possibility that Kagami might not like men. “What? No! Why would I even kiss Kuroko? That’s gross!” I should’ve known, he thinks miserably. Kagami doesn't even try to hide the fact he's disgusted; his face contorts into a grimace.

“He kisses Nigou on the snout. On the snout . Kissing him means indirectly kissing the dog. It’s gross on so many levels.”

Oh. Oh. Daiki lets out a relieved sigh and shakes his head. You’re killing me, Kagami. “Dogs aren’t gross, bakagami.”

“They drink out of toilet bowls. And sniff their own poop.”

He wrinkles his nose. “Well, yeah, I guess...” Kagami gives him a triumphant look. Daiki wants to kiss that smug smile away from his face. “Who would you kiss then?” he finds himself asking.

Kagami thinks. “I don’t have anyone in mind, actually.”

“Then why bring up wanting to do lovey dovey stuff if you have no one to do it with?”

“That’s exactly why I mentioned it in the first place, you dumbass. I want someone.”

Pick me then. Kagami continues, shoulders slack and his back slouched against the couch. “I want someone who would be there to invite me out spontaneously to hang out and play basketball. Or eat burgers at Maji.”

I already do that though, Aomine thinks exasperatedly. It's me you're looking for! Just ask me out already! “You want a guy?”

“Guy, girl, it doesn't matter.” Kagami says, expression softening. “I just. Really want someone to like.”

You can like me. Then the feelings would be mutual. And we can hold hands, kiss, and cuddle.

“Let's list down your choices then,” Daiki mutters, ready to shove the idea of him being Kagami's sweetheart into his head. “Tetsu is a no-go because of dog germs.”

He sees Kagami sit up a little straighter as he nods.

“What about Kise?” Kagami's brows furrow slightly and he seemed to consider it. Wait is Kise his type? Damn, I should've started with Midorima!

To Aomine's relief, Kagami shakes his head. “He's too… cheery? It's almost annoying. Plus isn't he a model?”

“What about him being a model?” Daiki asks.

“Well, wouldn't he be chased down by fans? The first time we met he was delayed by some of his fans at Seirin.” The redhead sighs. “He's nice to look at, that Kise. But being with him would be too tiring and I think he has a thing for his captain.”

“I guess you're right.” Bless Kagami for noticing all those details about Kise. “Midorima?”

The other boy snorts. “Are you serious?” Daiki shrugs.

“For all I know, you like stick in the mud kind of people.”

“Haha, very funny.”

“Okay, okay I'm being serious again. Either Murasakibara or Akashi then?”

Kagami makes a face. “Tatsuya has a thing for Murasakibara. And Akashi… Don't you think he's kinda too high up there? And they both kinda scare me.”

He supposes those two were scary in their own way. “Anyone from Seirin? From your class?”

“Not really,” Kagami sighs. “Maybe I should have started thinking about these things earlier.”

Well, Daiki still had yet to mention himself. And he feels a little bit irate at the fact that Kagami seemed to have forgotten him! What the hell, Bakagami!? What am I, chopped liver? I'm right here!! Ready to cuddle and shit!!

“Think harder,” Daiki says, trying to, as patiently as possible, get Kagami to remember that the one and only Aomine Daiki was right in front of him and was the right guy for him. “We've probably forgotten about some people. Someone you've been seeing a lot of lately.”

Kagami's eyes widens in realization. “O- oh!” Daiki watches as the other boy’s cheeks turn pink and looks him in the eye.

Finally. Took you long enough to realize, Bakagami.

“You mean Momoi.”

… What the fuuuuuuuuuuck?!?!

“Well I did think of her, but she has a thing for Kuroko.” Kagami sighs as Daiki stares at him in disbelief. “Maybe if she wasn't into Kuroko I'd pursue her…”

Then Kagami gives him a confused look and says, “Wait, no. Aren't you and Momoi dating?”

What the actual. Fuck. Kagami, you massive idiot.

“We're not dating.” Daiki snaps. “Why does everyone assume that?”

The other boy gives him a scowl. “There's no need to get all snappy. You two look good together and are often together.”

He thinks of Satsuki as a potential girlfriend, even though he thought we were dating but he didn't even consider me. At all. I kinda wanna cry.

Daiki sighs dejectedly. Well, that's fine. As long as Kagami hangs out with him like he usually does, Daiki would be happy. Except that now that Kagami mentioned him wanting to find someone to date so he can kiss and cuddle them, he's less happier and feels a bit more bitter.

He doesn't notice Kagami looking at him thoughtfully. “Y’know, since you've already said that you and Momoi aren't dating, that clears up a lot of things.”

Daiki looks at him, wordlessly prompting him to continue with a slight twitch of his eyebrow.

“I mean, it means Momoi's single.” Kagami says. Duh.

“So what's your point?” Daiki asks,trying not to get snappy.

Kagami hesitates a bit. “She isn't dating you. You're single.”

“So? I know that.”

“Well, I thought you weren't. And you're kind of… my first choice.”

… Daiki's starting to like where this is going. He leans towards Kagami and asks, “First choice for what?”

Kagami glances away and mutters, “... First choice to ask out?”

Too cute. “Then why didn't you?” asks Daiki, inching closer and closer.

Kagami seemed to notice what he was doing but he doesn't budge. “Like I said, I thought you and Momoi were dating. Asking you out would've been so wrong. And I kinda thought you wouldn't be interested.”

“You're thoughtful like that, huh?” He's already shoulder to shoulder with Kagami. A little bit more and Daiki could probably kiss Kagami's cheek. “How about now that you know I'm single?” And very obviously interested?

“Ah…” Kagami flushes slightly and clears his throat. “Well… wanna date?”

Yes, yes, hell yes , Kagami!!! I thought you'd never ask!

“Sure,” he says nonchalantly. “We can cuddle now if you want.”

Daiki knows this was kind of too fast but hey, it was just cuddles. And Kagami looks quite interested. He opens his arms wide and the redhead awkwardly leans into him with his back first, breath hitching slightly as Daiki squeezed him in an embrace.

This is nice. Very nice. Extremely nice. The nicest thing ever. I might cry for real this time.

“Don't be too tense, Bakagami.” he says in a soft voice.

“Can't help it,” Kagami mutters. “This feels so surreal.”

“Does it feel nice too?”

He nods. “And you're being surprisingly nice. I don't think I could get used to this.”

Daiki frowns and pinches Kagami's nose. “What's that supposed to mean?” No take backs now that we're dating!!

Kagami grunts and shakes the fingers off his nose. “Nothing! I'm just surprised that you could be gentle like this.” He rolls so that he's face to face with Daiki and says, “I'm surprised you like me back.”

What's not to like about you?

Daiki’s gaze softens and he strokes the other's cheek. “I like you. And I'll cuddle and hug and kiss you whenever you want so you don't have to wonder about kissing people next valentine's day.”

Scarlet eyes seemingly sparkle at his embarrassingly cheesy words and Daiki inwardly pats himself on the back. “So… wanna try kissing?”

The redhead blinks at him twice. Then he laughs. “I thought you were going to say something sweet again.”

“You can't expect me to spew out cheesy stuff all the time. I'd run out of swoon worthy material quickly,” Daiki grins. He really loves hearing Kagami's laugh. “And you said you wanted to be lovey dovey. Kissing is very lovey dovey.”

“Fair enough.” Kagami sits up and smiles. “Now come here and kiss me.'

So Daiki kisses him.

[weirdgrammar]

again

Series: simple expedient of... (1st work, one-shot)

Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basuke belongs to Fujimaki-sensei.

Pairing: KiKasa

Summary:- Kasamatsu knows what transpired last night even if it's all blurry, but he doesn't regret it—not even the slightest bit as he runs his fingers along the marks. But what he regrets is that he can't find any sign of Kise everywhere.

Rated: T

Warning: Yaoi, implied sex, time skipping

Link: AO3

Their reunion is nothing special. It's simple, normal and quite accidental; things Kasamatsu never associates with when it comes to Kise Ryouta—because Kise is anything but. It happens when Kasamatsu is waiting at airport baggage claim. He doesn't even notice Kise approaching him from behind, too rapt in staring at the carousel until Kise taps his shoulder.

"Senpai?" Kise asks, surprise written on his face before it melts into happiness.

Kasamatsu should be surprised, he really should, but having received one of many Kise's ridiculous expressions brings a neat little frown he's spent ages perfecting without meaning to, coupled expertly with a raised eyebrow. It's a look that says, very clearly, "how is this my life," and Kasamatsu has used it hundreds of times with Kise.

It has never backfired on him this way.

"Senpai," Kise sighs, his grin faltering, almost resigned, "I find it difficult to believe you find me annoying still, even after the years we left behind."

And before Kasamatsu even has a chance to open his mouth Kise is hugging him, swooping in swiftly, like his reflex hasn't depleted despite having left the basketball world for years, like it's been only yesterday Kise stepped in to take revenge on his defeat against Jabberwock.

"But I guess it's okay since I know that you haven't changed much from the last time we saw," Kise says, happiness evident in his tone.

Back then, Kasamatsu would've kicked Kise all the way to the moon before Kise had a chance to close the distance between them. But since there's a large gap of years in their relationship, Kasamatsu finds himself dumbstruck in Kise's embrace. His luggage in a firm hold of his right hand is jostled, bumped by a passerby and run-away carry-ons and his own racing pulse. Kise's pilot uniform smells of airport and airplane and coffee, and it should make Kasamatsu feel uncomfortable.

It feels nostalgic instead.

"Uh," Kasamatsu manages, sobering up when Kise breaks away. Then Kasamatsu allows himself to really see it, to notice Kise's more defined jawlines, to take in those rich honey-colored eyes, darkened over years and experience.

Time does change Kise—except for his endless chattering, obviously, because the next second Kise is asking him, "What brings you here in London, senpai?" with an eager expression and all.

"Work," he answers, relieved that there's some part in Kise he's familiar with still. Kasamatsu can't imagine Kise otherwise.

That doesn't mean he can maintain their eye contact, though. The awkward atmosphere accumulated from the years of separation showed in his short response. But Kise doesn't seem deterred by it. "I see. How long are you going to stay here?"

"A week. More or less."

"That's cool. Have you booked a hotel? If you haven't, you can stay at my place. It's just around here," Kise offers, grinning. "I'd really love to catch up with you, senpai."

That prompts a collection of pictures flashing across Kasatmasu's mind; a picture of them catching up with each other over bottles of beer, a picture of them commenting on their silly picture posted on Twitter and Facebook, a picture of them talking about their present, future, and maybe their past; Kaijou, Strky, Vorpal Sword, Jabberwock—and the Winter Cup, and then his crush on Kise that he's been buried since forever if they were drunk enough.

It seems like a good plan.

Except that he's here for work. So, Kasamatsu says, "Thanks, but no, thanks. My company has booked me a hotel. It was… nice to see you again, Kise."

There's no tad of guilt in Kasamatsu's voice. No apology, either. It's even, just a matter of fact although it sounds too cruel to his own ears that he has to bite back his wince.

And Kise, being his perfectly self, keeps smiling away. He winks and says, "Well, next time then," and then he's walking away, cutting through the crowds with his bag in his right hand, his cap in the other, and Kasamatsu is wondering if he could wash his thickening guilty away with alcohol.

…

Turns out, there is really a next time.

Kasamatsu has some suspicion that Kise's managed to copy Kuroko's ability somehow because he hasn't noticed Kise's presence until Kise pokes his head into his vision, with a wide smile and all, and Kasamatsu is a second away from bashing the soy sauce into Kise's head before his mind's caught up.

"What the hell," Kasamatsu says, forcing himself to relax before he lowers the sauce into the basket. "Don't scare me like that."

Kise grins, "Fancy meeting you here, senpai."

"Why? Is it a strange concept to see me doing some grocery shopping?" he questions, already moving on to another section. By the way a playful humming drifts from behind, steady, Kasamatsu knows Kise's taken his own initiative to follow him around—just like how he always did back at Kaijou High.

"I might or might not have expected to see you with someone. You know, being a working adult with a stable economy and all," and there's a teasing smile in Kise's voice.

That prompts Kasamatsu turning around with a quizzical look. "Your point?"

"A girlfriend, perhaps?" Kise shrugs. "Better yet, fiancée? Wife?"

"That—" and Kasamatsu cuts himself off, unable to find his words, brain tangled up in embarrassment. While he prides himself on having a stable, quiet life and being a dutiful son to his family, he has no confidence in the relationship department. Talking to the opposite gender seems to be a permanent problem to him. Regardless of how many self-help books he's read or websites he's browsed through, none of them can help him fix his confidence.

That, and his crush on Kise.

"Senpai?"

It snaps Kasamatsu out of his depressing thoughts. Kasamatsu whirls around and stomps away, muttering, "It's none of your business."

"I see," Kise drawls out his words, and they're loaded with amusement. "Say, senpai, do you still have problems talking to women?"

"I told you, it's none of your business—"

But Kise is already at his side. His expression is bordering on macabre, bright and smug and too close by half. "C'mon, senpai, it's been years! You can't be that bad."

Kasamatsu scowls and meets his eyes, which turns out to be a mistake. The mischief sparkling in Kise's eyes is more than a little distracting. In order to cover this, Kasamatsu demands, "Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be working somewhere? I heard pilots are a demanding job."

"It's demanding, alright, but I'm still a human, senpai. I do need some rest, you know," Kise pouts, which looks ridiculously good on his supposedly mature face. "And I'm with someone today."

"Who—"

Before Kasamatsu can even finish his question, a woman comes curling her dainty fingers around Kise's arm. The woman is beautiful, too beautiful, Kasamatsu thinks, even without heavy make-up caked up her face. Her long hair flows past her shoulder, framing her oval face perfectly. Her clothes are decent, not too flashy but trendy enough that it gives her an impression of someone's following the trend. And when she smiles, Kise brightens up at that, returning it with a smile of his own.

And seriously—seriously—if Kasamatsu can't kick him (anymore), then someone else had better because this shouldn't be allowed. People you bond over a sport in the high school and then leave forgotten in favor of moving on with your own life shouldn't be able to make you speechless when you see them with their significant other. People you meet in an airport baggage claim and then don't talk to for thirteen months shouldn't be able to exist, let alone make your chest do the things Kasamatsu's chest is doing.

"Ah, and who's this cutie?" she asks.

And then his panic spiral seizes him up. Kasamatsu can't even wrangle a word out of his throat, too embarrassed, too confused, too speechless, but Kise seems to pick up on his predicament because he's answering her question on his behalf, "He's my senpai from my high school. My basketball captain, when I was in the first year."

"Ah, I remember, Ryouta's precious captain," she exclaims happily, inching closer towards Kasamatsu. "Ryouta talks a lot about you, Captain-san."

It doesn't make sense to feel cornered when there's no wall behind Kasamatsu, but essentially, that's what he's experiencing right then. Kise's girlfriend—his confused brain supplies—hasn't made any move to stop her advance, and he's on the verge of passing out already, suffocated by his own nervousness.

"We should get going. I'm pretty sure senpai's got something else to do," Kise says, winking at him from where Kise's girlfriend can't catch it. "See you again, senpai."

And just like that, Kasamatsu is left alone, dumfounded, conflicted, as he watches Kise drag his beautiful girlfriend away.

…

The third time, he's at a pub drinking himself stupid, and Kise is there to have a taste of the nightlife again after months of traveling across the globe.

Maybe his work has taken a toll on him—workloads, pressure from his boss, evaluation coming in a few days, humiliation from getting rejected by a girl he likes, wild rumors about him being an asexual because he's the only person in the office who hasn't had a girlfriend, or maybe he's plainly missed affection from anyone, or maybe it's just Kise, Kise whom he's been harboring his feelings for, Kise who he wished he could have since the Winter Cup, because he catches himself having a hot making out session with Kise in a dark alley by the time he's in the right frame of mind.

There's alcohol in Kise's mouth, in Kasamatsu's mouth, now. It's sour, almost sharp and vile against his teeth, and there are circles of color bleeding into his vision but Kasamatsu can't bear to close his eyes and blacks out—and perhaps it's just the alcohol talking but he doesn't want Kise to stop, hasn't ever wanted Kise to stop.

"Don't—don't go," he practically sobs and chases after the sour taste in Kise's mouth when they pull away for a breath. He's probably hurting Kise by the way he's clenching Kise's hair, hard, but he doesn't care, he needs this so badly—his touch, his kiss, his everything, just Kise, Kise, Kise.

"Senpai," Kise whispers and that's all to it.

He takes a hissing breath and kisses back because there's a first time for everything, and he hears Kise's rattling gasp and feels more alcohol seeping into his mouth and god—god, he's going to black out like this if he doesn't black out from this. Kise is making terrible noises and breathing into Kasamatsu's mouth, so unromantic but everything's on fire and all Kasamatsu can think about is not surrendering as his back is pushed up against the dirty wall behind him and his heart stutters but doesn't quite stop and he keeps kissing and kissing and kissing until all he drinks and remembers is Kise's warmth.

When he opens his eyes, it's already morning and he's in his bed. There's convincing evidence of yesterday's event littered around the room; the back of his jacket is dirty from scraping against the wall, the room reeks of alcohol and sex, his half-naked state when he woke up, with only his shirt and blanket as barriers of his dignity, aches in the places where it shouldn't be, and there are suspicious marks on his neck and collar bone and inner thighs.

Kasamatsu knows what transpired last night even if it's all blurry, but he doesn't regret it—not even the slightest bit as he runs his fingers along the marks. But what he regrets is that he can't find any sign of Kise everywhere.

…

The fourth time, it's a disaster.

No, it isn't a disaster caused by him. Or Kise, or anyone, for that matter. It's a natural disaster, which isn't too bad actually, but enough to force the authorities to put all flights on hold. After sending a text message to his boss to inform him of his current whereabouts, complete with the picture of the information board to chase away any doubts in his boss' mind, Kasamatsu navigates himself through the crowd at the waiting hall of JFK Airport to have a look at the café—he doesn't like coffee, how can people handle its bitterness is beyond him, but the working life is a bitch without caffeine in his system.

There, he finds Kise, still in his pilot uniform, chatting in English with one of the baristas. For some reason, anger flares up in his chest.

Kise perks up once he catches him from the corner of his eye. He pulls himself away from the counter and waves enthusiastically, "Senpai."

"You're such a disgrace," Kasamatsu says, gravely, by way of greeting, before he can even stop himself.

"That's… sudden. Where's the fire?" Kise asks, blinking.

No, he doesn't get affected by Kise's nonchalant response or obliviousness. No, he doesn't get affected by that lonely morning he woke up to after the amazing night he spent together with Kise. No, he doesn't get affected by Kise's one-sided decision to move on after that stupid mistake.

No, it's nothing to do with him at all. He's simply annoyed by Kise's flirtatious tendency even though he's got a girlfriend already. So he tells Kise this, "How dare you flirt with another girl when you have someone waiting for you at home?"

"Pardon me?" Kise blinks again.

"Your girlfriend, asshole, the one I met at the supermarket a year ago," Kasamatsu grits out.

"Ah, that," Kise makes an understanding sound and then laughs out loud before he gestures to the barista to put his order on hold and drags Kasamatsu to the nearest round table. Although he's older between the two, it's obvious that Kise has the upper hand due to their height difference.

"Let me go, you little twat! It's rude to manhandle your senpai like this," Kasamatsu yells, haphazardly flailing his briefcase he has in the other hand in Kise's direction, with no success.

At last, Kise releases him. He smiles, resignedly, "Senpai, you're really adorable, you know that?"

That causes his hackles to rise. Kasamatsu scowls, "The hell you're on this time?"

"Senpai," Kise sighs, taking a seat on the round stool. "She's not my girlfriend."

Kasamatsu stares at him stupidly.

"The girl you met the other day, she's not my girlfriend. She's my sister," Kise says, almost whispers like he's very fond of this—of seeing him get worked up over a misunderstanding. Then he keeps smiling away. As if he's waiting for the realization to sink in. As if he's waiting for Kasamatsu's reaction.

"What," is all Kasamatsu manages once he finds his voice again.

"Yes, senpai, my sister. The eldest one, she doesn't always come home, so you've never had a chance to meet her before."

So, that warm smile…

Oh.

"Oh." And Kasamatsu trails into silence then, too embarrassed to even meet Kise's eyes across the round table. He waits for something to break without even realizing it—a mocking reply from Kise, or a stupid laugh, even, anything from Kise, because Kise is loud and boisterous and offensive and impossible—things he's grown used to back at Kaijou High but it feels so foreign now.

Still, he receives no response from Kise. Unsure of what Kise has on his mind, Kasamatsu continues his silence treatment. After three minutes of silence, Kasamatsu thinks enough is enough and steels his nerves to check if Kise has left his seat already.

Kise is still in his seat, looking straight in the eye. For someone who's two years younger than him, Kise looks so mature, so confidence, so sure of himself, and Kasamatsu feels his cheek warm up under his scrutiny.

"I think you owe me an apology, senpai," Kise starts again.

That snaps him out, "Why should I apologize to you? I'm your senpai, you little twat."

"Senpai, you did say something not nice to me in front of that kind barista," Kise pouts. "Would it kill you to say sorry for accusing me of doing something I don't even do in the first place? Poor that lady, she probably thought it was directed to her."

"Fine," he huffs out, averting his eyes away, "I'm sorry, and I'll tell that to her later, satisfied?"

Kise chuckles. "Insufficient, but I'll gladly accept it. Now, do you mind telling me why you're so grumpy today?"

Kasamatsu gives him a dark look. "You should know by now this is my default mood, especially when I have to deal with you."

"Annoyed, yes. But grumpy? I don't think so. Do you realize there's a big difference between annoyed and grumpy, senpai?" Kise shoots back. When he refuses to answer, Kise carries on—and to Kasamatsu's horror, with a simple demonstration by placing his finger between Kasamatsu's brows, "Here. When you're annoyed, only one or two lines will appear there. When you're grumpy, they're knitted so close like they're bound to be glued together forever."

"You—" he doesn't finish his saying. Instead, Kasamatsu swats the hand away.

"It's true, after all," Kise grins triumphantly, "Wanna tell me about it, senpai?"

"I thought we've established that I got grumpy because I misunderstood you? Look, one apology is all you get, okay?"

"It seems that there's more than a simple misunderstanding," Kise leans in. Now that he's blocking the warm light streaming from the round bulb on the ceiling, half of the shadow plays across his face, menacingly, mischievously. "Say, senpai, does this have or have nothing to do with that night?"

His heart thumps loudly in his chest. Kasamatsu backs away a little, and if his voice is wavering, he chalks it up to Kise invading his privacy bubble, "What the fuck you're talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about, senpai."

While he regrets that Kise left him to wake up alone in the morning, regrets that he wished Kise stayed, even, regrets every selfish desire and feeling he's harboring from Kise, Kasamatsu hopes it remains buried down in the back of his mind, hopes that Kise, of all people, doesn't bring up that topic again, because it makes all the pain and frustration and humiliation real.

The pain in the morning after when he discovered he was alone in the room. The humiliation he felt when Kise decided to discard him like a trash.

"I told you, I don't know what you're talking about," Kasamatsu is all but growl, defensiveness thick in his voice.

Kise stares at him for a while, and then for a long moment, probably for the longest silence moment in Kasamatsu's life. Kasamatsu is starting to fidget under his stare before Kise straightens his posture, sighing, "If you say so."

A simple sentence but it contains so much disappointment, the one that Kasamatsu doesn't understand its reason to be there, and yet it almost makes him flinch. He sees a flash of hurt in Kise's honey-colored eyes, and there's a sinking feeling in the bottom of Kasamatsu's stomach.

And then Kise gets up, and that sinking feeling is balling into a knot, hard and cold, almost too painful to bear that Kasamatsu panics. He gets to his feet, too, and grabs a hold of Kise's wrist out of pure reflex, mouth moving but there's no word produced. Apprehension has gathered in his throat, so thick that he can't even say things he wants to say.

Kise has a hopeful look on his face, bright and promising of something in the future.

No, he can't leave it like this. He has so much to tell Kise, so much to say, "Kise—"

An announcement breaks off his saying, loud and clear that it rings around the hall and robs away Kasamatsu's courage, and he's stumped into silence once again.

"Senpai?"

He opens his mouth. Closes it. And grimaces. "It's nothing."

With that little smile that holds disappointment, the one appears only when Kise doesn't want people to know how much in pain he's in, Kise gently pries his fingers around the wrist and says, "It was nice to see you, senpai."

It sounds very much like a goodbye, and it strikes him hard, so hard that he blurts out, "Stay, please."

Kise's eyes widen in surprise at that.

"Stay, please," he says again, eyes dropping to his leather shoes, unable to decide whether he simply doesn't want to be alone in this foreign country or he doesn't want to be alone, alone anymore. "I, uh, I'm all alone here, and I have no one to talk to and I—please, stay with me."

There's a beat of silence between them while the sounds of people milling about and orders calling out from the bar serve as the background music. Kasamatsu still has his eyes lowered, and he doesn't know if Kise has left, which is probably the best decision Kise could've picked since he's not worthy of Kise's patience at all.

And there's an arm around Kasamatsu while the other is cradling his jaw, urging him to look up and that's it, clashed with the most intense gaze he's ever encountered, the one that's used on the court to learn his opponent's moves, the one's filled with so much concentration and intensity, Kasamatsu's pulse jump.

"Kise—" is all he manages to say before the rest of his words get swallowed by Kise's kiss.

The kiss is painful, full of teeth, and their noses keep bumping, but all discomforts are thrown out the window once Kise sweeps his tongue in. It turns out Kise really has been holding himself back for a very long time, because when he lets out all his pent up emotional, it's like a hurricane, and Kise is kissing him fiercely and there are hands on Kasamatsu's ass—and oh, Kasamatsu is surprisingly okay with that.

"Kise, Kise, Kise," he chants when the kiss finally ends. They're panting a little, breath clouding around their faces, warm and endearing, "Stay, please, with me—"

"Yes, yes, yes," Kise says, winding his arms around Kasamatsu's waist, possessively. "I'll stay, I'll stay with you, for you—but, but not now."

Kasamatsu pulls away and blinks at him, fear crawling up his chest. "What—"

"No, no, no, senpai, not like that," Kise shakes his head frantically. "It's just—that," and he points at the ceiling with an apologetic smile and another announcement chimes in.

Understanding settles in, and Kasamatsu makes a sound, "Ah, I see."

"Yeah, duty call. Sorry about that."

"No, it's okay," Kasamatsu tells him, forcing himself to relax. It doesn't take long for him to calm down now that he has Kise's warmth and scent around him. "Someone's gotta fly that gigantic, wing-y thing, right?"

"It's airplane, senpai. Airplane," Kise chastises him.

Kasamatsu can't help but chuckle at that and fails to notice a look passing over Kise's face that earns Kasamatsu a sweet kiss on the lips. Kasamatsu waits a minute and then throws caution and propriety and common decency to the winds, not really caring about the various reactions around them, and returns the kiss just as sweet.

They kiss until another announcement pipes up. Kise rests his forehead on Kasamatsu's and breathes out, "Until next time, senpai."

This time, Kasamatsu is able to reply back, "Until next time," with a broad smile.

…

It's been seven months, and Kasamatsu hasn't heard a word from Kise since.

His life is sailing just fine, not too smooth but it's nothing that Kasamatsu can't handle. He still stutters a lot in the mixers, and his boss hasn't promoted him. His work is piling up high on his desk, and his colleagues keep teasing him mercilessly with remarks about his pathetic love life, and it grows worse since Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

By the time Valentine's Day arrives, half of the office is empty. Only the sound of keyboard clicking fills the room. While Kasamatsu appreciates the silence, he feels a little empty inside when his eyes drift over to the empty table diagonally across him.

The day feels way too long for a single man like him. The moment the clock strikes five, he goes straight home, annoyed by the couples pouring into the street, or the special promotions for couples they advertise around as if they're mocking him for being alone on this glorious, romantic day.

With a careful plan on his mind; drink, eat, warm bath, and sleep—not necessarily in that order, Kasamatsu is stepping out of the elevator when he finds someone curled up against the door of his apartment, hands around his middle and half of his face framed by his black cap. Surprised, Kasamatsu slows down his walking to almost a halt.

Instead of feeling alarmed, it brings a smile to Kasamatsu's lips. Even in the distance, he recognizes that posture anywhere, and that blonde hair peeking out of the cap.

Kasamatsu crosses the hallway in a few, long strides, and the man remains in deep sleep, unperturbed by the heavy footfalls of Kasamatsu's shoes. He places his hand on top of the drawn-knee, carefully as not to startle the man, and says, "Kise."

It takes a while for Kise to be awake, but Kasamatsu enjoys watching it, nonetheless. It's like watching a sunrise, he thinks.

Kise rubs at his eyes, all bleary and childish-like, "…senpai?"

"Yeah, it's me."

A smile on Kise's face mirrors his own, if not brighter in a way that only Kise's smile does, "Happy Valentine's Day, senpai."

Screw the plan; he's going to do whatever Kise wants to do with—to—him that night.

-fin 1st work-

[transientutopia]

apostasy - first fragment

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOONIE! I’ve written notes on the AO3 upload of this, so I won’t repeat them here, but happy birthday and I hope you have the best day!!!! ♥

Read on AO3 here (recommended)

The lives of those who work in the police force aren't particularly stimulating.

Regular patrols. Missing person cases without any deeper motives. The occasional murder.

Where other cities are alive and bustling at night, this city is dead.

It had always been--

--until the day they arrived.

Kuroko Tetsuya: a twenty-four year old with light, celeste-hued locks and dark cobalt-eyes, working as one of the top detectives in the police force. He is twenty-one when he finally completes his courses at the Metropolitan Police Academy in Tokyo. He is twenty-two and a half when he becomes world-renowned as the "phantom detective".

It is one year later when he gets sent to a different location in Japan, a city long abandoned and inhabited by those who claw their way through blood and grime, doing everything they can if only with the hopes of escaping someday. It is a sea of illicit drugs, crime and black lies that he swims through.

He is not looking to save these people, as much as he had argued with his superiors. This place is far too corrupted and his hands are far too clean, they had drilled into his head before giving him the job. You're the only one who can do it, they had said. The Phantom is a man unknown by both name and appearance.

Scuffed, leather soles tracking up dirt, Tetsuya tilts his rusty hat up to get a better view of the city before him.

All he sees is blight.

There are many rumours -- too many -- that surround this city. A disease that zombifies those contaminated has been spread to all its citizens. A nuclear bomb fell upon this area during the world war, and it has been forgotten since. People who visit are cornered and drawn into the endless network of human trafficking.

There are many rumours that surround this city.

But rumours make leads, and leads hold cause for investigation.

Tetsuya is twenty-two when he first hears of them. Amidst making a name for himself as he flawlessly concludes yet another case, his peers invite him out for drinks at the nearby bar.

He agrees.

He goes with Aomine Daiki, a high-ranked police officer, and Kagami Taiga, an intimidating yet friendly fireman. Daiki is tanned, with hair and eyes both an exotic, midnight-blue. He is often accused of being a foreigner. Taiga, on the other hand, has two-toned crimson locks -- bright towards his crown, blacker at the tips -- and eyes of a similar, dark shade. He is never accused of being a foreigner, despite being practically half-American, much to Daiki’s chagrin. They are both Tetsuya’s best friends. They had met in university and clicked straight away, much to the surprise of many others. They frequent the bar owned by Taiga's brother figure, Himuro Tatsuya, and are often treated drinks as a "thanks" for always helping out.

There are many fights in the bar, after all.

Nobody ever mentions Tatsuya's standing in the underworld. The less knowledge they have when they assist him, the better.

He is a mysterious man with eyes as black as his hair -- albeit, nobody has ever seen his left eye. It is permanently obscured by his tresses. The beauty mark beneath his right eye is also a common topic for conversation.

Tatsuya's best worker is a man named Nijimura Shuuzou, who is a plain, yet attractive man with dark hair and eyes -- though, rather than being the best at bartending, he's really only there to terrorise punks and thugs in the vicinity who think they can extort his boss whilst he waits on tables. He also makes the occasional cocktail.

(Tatsuya's high salary and fondness for Shuuzou also definitely do not stem from the fact that they are, none-too-furtively, hooking up. They try to hide it, but Shuuzou rushing to work with hickeys littered across his collarbone in a shirt that Tatsuya was clearly wearing the week before does not make for much of a secret, unfortunately -- much to their coworkers' and friends' amusement.)

Alongside Shuuzou work another odd pair -- Midorima Shintarou, who is as good at smiling as he is socialising -- he's atrocious at both, by the way -- and Takao Kazunari, the only person who can deal with him for extended periods of time. Kazunari also has onyx-coloured hair and eyes -- but Shintarou, for some reason, has natural forest-green hair and eyes of a near identical hue.

(Tetsuya supposes he cannot point out that fact without sounding hypocritical.)

They are, also, going out with each other. Tetsuya is quite sure that it extends beyond physical relations -- if the blush on Shintarou's face is any telling factor, that is, from what he can see at the moment.

Exhaling, Tetsuya sips on his cocktail. He is the sole person who actually drinks the concoction labelled "EXTREMELY MYSTERIOUS SWEET JUICE!!!! ♥", to everyone's horror, on a regular basis. It is a running bet on how long it'll take for him to contract diabetes.

"What's up, Kuroko? Why the long face?"

"That's his regular face," Daiki points out, slinging an arm around the aforementioned detective. Taiga rolls his eyes.

"He was sighing!"

"I was breathing," Tetsuya corrects, swirling his glass around absentmindedly. He likes watching the bright colours mix.

"Who breathes that loudly?"

"I was exhaling."

"Well I, for one, am glad that Kurokocchi's breathing!" Kise Ryouta calls out as he takes a seat next to Tetsuya by the bar, winning smile plastered onto his chiseled features. He works as a full-time model -- it isn't a surprise, with his silky, bright-golden tresses and piercing, aureolin eyes.

"Shut up, Kise, nobody asked."

"So rude, Aominecchi!"

Ryouta whines, turning his gaze on Daiki like a hopeful puppy. When he doesn't react, the blonde wilts sadly.

"It's okay, Kise-kun," Tetsuya says softly, "Aomine-kun is just grouchy; he got yelled at by the higher-ups today."

"Dammit, Tetsu--"

"Also," he adds as an afterthought, eyes sparkling with mischief, "you aren't Kagami-kun, so your teary-eyed attack won't work on him."

Daiki promptly chokes on his beer.

"W-wait, what-- how did you--" Taiga splutters.

"Everyone already knows you’re together."

"Hah?!"

"More importantly, how long have you been going out for?" Kazunari pipes up eagerly. Taiga is confused, but answers regardless.

"Uh... We started a little while before I went to America for the incident with my old man. Remember that?"

"Ah, rather than remembering, it was more like we weren't allowed to forget," Ryouta grins, elbows on the counter. "Aominecchi was complaining for weeks right after you left, after all."

"S-shut up!"

He smirks cheekily, but his mirth fades once Tetsuya turns in his direction. Puffing up his cheeks a little, the model yields.

Shuuzou sighs, muttering a small "fuck".

"This is why you don't add a detective into the mix," Shintarou shakes his head, pushing his glasses up haughtily. Kazunari nudges him with too much force, making him spill some alcohol onto the floor.

"You still went with it though, Shin-chan!" he cackles.

"Shut up, Takao."

"The hell are you guys going on about?" Daiki grumbles, downing another glass. Taiga's jaw drops as every member of the group -- other than himself, Daiki and Tetsuya -- subsequently bring out two thousand-yen bills from their wallets. They pile up in front of Tetsuya, who has the decency to keep his face expressionless in lieu of looking smug.

"You -- you bet on us?!"

"Shitty bastards," Daiki says without bite.

"Damn, can't believe Tatsuya lost," Shuuzou voices, disgruntled, "I thought this time he'd be able to win."

"I'm no match for him, Shuu," Tatsuya chuckles, "despite watching the lovebirds every odd day, I still lost. How did you figure out the date, Kuroko?"

"I figured Aomine-kun would have to get his hands on Kagami-kun before he left for America," Tetsuya answers without remorse, "because Aomine-kun was starved for action for too long."

"Oi-- Tetsu!"

"K-Kuroko!" Taiga quite literally squeaks, mortified. Tetsuya tilts his head cutely, blinking his large, deep-azure eyes. It is an instant kill for Ryouta, who seems close to headdesking and drowning in his own nosebleed -- but alas, Tetsuya's two colleagues are much too accustomed to his sly ruses. He shrugs, and continues to tease them without mercy.

After the bar is cleared out and they are the only remaining patrons, Tetsuya speaks. The door is locked, the "CLOSED FOR BUSINESS" sign swaying softly in the wind.

"I heard my superiors at work today discuss a particular place in Japan," he begins, gaze resting on Tatsuya, whose lips quirk up subtly. The bar owner continues wiping down the counter without any further notion to signify that he is following the conversation.

"As the rumours there go, there are two criminals that have been set loose in separate parts of town. Both have been deemed serial killers, and nobody knows where they came from."

Lacing his fingers together, Tetsuya leans forward a little. His eyes narrow imperceptibly at Tatsuya's form.

It is their usual game.

"They say one is like the mist, and the other a demon."

"The ashen-haired invisible man -- some say he isn't real," Tatsuya hums, wrenching out the cloth between his hands, "but he definitely exists. Like the mist, he moves, disappearing without any evidence. Gone. His victims vanish with his own person."

"But there is always a trace. Run your hands through a cloud of mist, and you'll know it was there. You'll feel it on your fingertips."

"Yes," Tatsuya agrees, "but akin to every other being, you require an incentive."

Tetsuya stares at him, eyes blank. The latter's smile widens.

"The mist is a spirit of vengeance," he murmurs softly, "if your anguish rings out loudly enough, he will come -- and he will aid you. But nothing comes without a price. For people who dip their hands into poison, what do you think happens?"

'Ah,' Tetsuya thought. Watching the comprehension flit through his friend's eyes, Tatsuya chuckles.

"What about the demon?"

"The red demon," he says. "The Reaper. The devil. Diablo... The death god."

He lists them off like they are synonymous to one another, but Tetsuya knows better. His eyes widen.

"...No."

"Yes," Tatsuya inclines his head a single time, "shall we chat a little while longer?"

"No, this is enough," Tetsuya answers lowly, "thank you very much, Himuro-kun."

"It's no problem," the bar owner replies cheerfully, "I'm always indebted to you. Now, Shuu, Midorima-kun, Takao-kun, shall we begin cleaning up?"

"Already on it," Shuuzou hollers, spraying antiseptic on the tables.

"Hell yeah! Let's go, Shin-chan!" Kazunari grins. Before leaving the bar, however, he pauses and leans over to whisper conspiratorially into Tetsuya's ear.

"Don't get yourself killed, alright, Tetsu-chan? We'd all be horribly lonely without you."

"I'll try my best," Tetsuya offers him a rare smile, "thank you, uhm... Kazunari-kun."

With that, Tetsuya leaves; Taiga, Ryouta and Daiki in tow. Shuuzou stands by the unlocked door as they go, and they listen to the door's closing jingle before resuming their post-work clean-up.

"Ah~ Tetsu-chan is so cute. He's still embarrassed to use my first name," Kazunari says dreamily, sighing like a lovesick, high school girl. Shintarou tells him so, and Kazunari simply roars with laughter in response.

"Ahahaha! Shin-chan, don't worry, don't worry! You know you're the only one for me~"

"Shut up, Takao."

Walking outside, Daiki abruptly elbows Taiga in the ribs, earning a grunt from said male. Taiga shoots him a withering look.

"What?" he asks gruffly.

"This is where we split," Daiki points out.

"Eh, isn't this too early? Well, whatever."

"See you, Tetsu, Kise," Daiki waves lazily, seizing Taiga by the hand. Turning a bright red, the redhead stutters out a short farewell to Ryouta and Tetsuya before allowing himself to be tugged away.

Once they're alone, Ryouta sighs. "I can't tell if Aominecchi did that on purpose, or..."

"Kise-kun."

"I know." he looks frustrated with himself. "You don't have to do this, Kurokocchi."

"I know," Tetsuya echoes, "but I want to."

"Why?"

"Because they're harming people."

"What if they're harming people who deserve it?" Ryouta argues, knowing it to be nothing but futile. Tetsuya shakes his head, a small smile tugging up his lips.

"Kise-kun, nobody deserves to be killed. It only makes for a vicious cycle."

"...You don't even know if you'll be put on the case," he refutes weakly. Tetsuya only stares up at him with determination blazing in his gaze, and Ryouta lets his shoulders drop.

"...Please, don't throw yourself into danger as recklessly as you always do. Akashicchi... Akashicchi isn't somebody who lets people get away with defying him."

"I know," Tetsuya affirms softly. Ryouta shakes his head, and for the briefest of moments, Tetsuya can see it again.

He can see a boy, just old enough to be fresh out of high school, with blonde locks covered in filth and soot.

He can see his eyes, narrowed, dull and golden with a lackluster shine, practically unrecognisable to what they are now.

He can almost smell the blood covering the boy's hands, blood that isn't his own, whose blood is it--

He can remember it vividly -- almost too much so.

There is a boy, painfully young, backed into an alleyway. With his brows drawn together and teeth gritted, he growls like a cornered animal. He is bruised and bloody. Tetsuya speaks softly to him, holding his palms up in a placating manner.

It takes a long, long time...

...But it is nothing less than "worth it" as tears well up in the boy's eyes when Tetsuya finally holds his hand out to him.

There isn't a single day Tetsuya regrets his choices for a second: and he never will, he thinks, as the boy sobs, throwing his gun down to launch himself into Tetsuya's arms.

For the first time, the boy sees the world in colour.

It's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.

The memories are much too fresh in their minds.

(He'll never be able to escape from the hands that curl around his wrists, from the nails that maul down his arms, his legs, his back. He'll never be able to escape all the lives he's stolen. But even so, he continues trying to mend what he's done. He continues trying to find a reason for himself, trying to live for something that isn't his father's bidding. Tetsuya gave him a chance, and he took it.)

Ryouta clenches his fists as he glowers down at the concrete.

"You don't," he says with so much emotion that Tetsuya can't do anything but flinch, "you don't, Kurokocchi. These are two assassins you're up against. I was different."

"You were," Tetsuya agrees quietly, "but I don't plan on trying to save them, either."

"You're going to get yourself killed."

"Perhaps... But more people will be killed if I don't try."

"...What a Kurokocchi-esque answer," Ryouta laughs bitterly.

He looks up, finally, and Tetsuya feels a chill run down his spine.

Those eyes--

It's the same expression Tetsuya has seen on him countless times. There is nothing but ice and pure, pure malice in his gaze.

"I'll tell you everything I know about Akashicchi. But, if either of them lay a single hand on you... I will find them myself."

Ryouta's bloodlust is suffocating--

--and Tetsuya silently thinks to himself that, rather than being afraid of the two assassins...

...It is much more viable to be afraid of the man standing before him.

After all, he is the heir to the infamous King of the Underworld.

At twenty-three and a half, Tetsuya finally gets his hands on the very case that he has chased after for over a year. Scuffed, leather soles tracking up dirt, he tilts his rusty hat up to get a better view of the city before him through his dyed, black locks.

All he sees is blight--

--and blight can be purified.

But he isn't here to do that just yet. If he does not get a proper, tangible lead on either the Mist nor the Demon -- as everyone had begun calling them -- within a month, he will likely find himself mixed into some of the many, precarious situations that the citizens of this city are tangled in. Tetsuya knows this better than anyone.

So, he stays alert.

He blends in with his surroundings, slipping in through crowds, through abandoned buildings, through areas that reek of nothing but blood and sex. He turns a blind eye several times to illegal trades, and quietly exhales, repeating "soon" over and over in his head like a mantra.

Perhaps it is the only thing that helps to keep him from falling into the atmosphere of sheer depravity and impurity.

Perhaps it is the only thing that helps to keep him from noticing the eyes that follow his back wherever he goes.

When he turns around, senses heightened, all he sees is a blur.

And then, black.

His throat constricts, and all he can taste is black.

...

...Black.

"Nn..."

Blinking his eyes open blearily, Tetsuya sits up.

"..."

He jolts awake faster than he ever has throughout his entire twenty-three years of living, and jumps to his feet. He shoves his hands into his pockets.

Gone.

His phone is gone, and so are his capsules of water and liquid vitamins. His wallet and passport are in the safehouse on the outskirts of town, beneath two layers of floorboards in a locked safe, along with emergency supplies and a back-up phone -- but there's no way he's going to rush for them now.

'Is it still the first day? How much time has lapsed since I arrived?'

Tetsuya rubs his dry throat. His head is still ringing, and his senses are all dulled, but he can think.

He has to think.

'Who knocked me out?'

He was unable to catch a single glimpse of his attacker. Had it been a common thug? Or--

Hands reaching deeper inside his pockets, Tetsuya can feel the packets of drugs that the police force supplied him with prior to arriving. He had been ordered to hang onto them at all times, for both blending in and potentially getting him out of risky situations if necessary.

For those to have not been taken... Tetsuya swallows.

He isn't tied up. He's been thrown into a warehouse of sorts, but it is empty. There isn't a single crate in the area -- just dust and insects, along with a large, ceiling light that flickers on and off, despite being daytime still; if the midday sun outside is any indication. The metal doors are unhinged, and he can see the crummy, sandy environment outside. Unlike the rundown and dilapidated, almost cyberpunk-like city from before, it seems as if he's in the middle of a desert.

There isn't a single clue...

...Or so it appears. Tetsuya does not know where he is, but he begins to search.

The place is empty, but there are marks. There always are -- and it is his job to find them.

He scours the floor first. Whoever apprehended him has erased all evidence that could potentially lead to them -- stray hairs, lint... Without a full team working to gather the possible traces of DNA left behind, there is no way Tetsuya will get anywhere by staring at the ground.

So he continues. He presses his gloved fingers onto the smooth, cold floor. If he can't test for fingerprints, then it won't matter if he smudges over places his attacker could have touched.

'I won't leave a single speck of this area uninvestigated,' Tetsuya thinks as he glances off to the side.

...

...?

There's something there.

It's barely visible, but it is undeniably there. Eyes narrowing, Tetsuya inches towards it slowly.

There is a very, very subtle shift in the ground. A trap sensor, a bomb trigger--

--it could be anything.

But Tetsuya did not get his fame from being a coward, and he isn't about to start now. Sucking in a breath and then exhaling, he pushes down gently.

He hears a click--

--and then, the irregular expanse of concrete dips downwards ever-so-slightly, before retracting.

A hidden trapdoor.

Inside it is a small compartment--

--but before it even opens, Tetsuya already knows what is inside.

He had realised the very moment that the concrete moved--

--after all, it is nearly impossible to hide the scent of a rotting corpse...

  ...Even if it is just a head.

[yoursalwaysfics]

I honestly don’t know if you would even consider this an option but whatever; YOLO! Right? Could you please do an scenario where the GOM, Kagami, and Kuroko are celebrating christmas/ New Years with Kagome? There could be a kiss scene but that’s up to you.

The way this is worded makes me think you’re looking for something like what the different fandom scenario blogs do? Like mini-fics/reactions of [scenario] featuring individual characters x, y, and z? At least I hope that’s what you meant because that’s the way I’m doing it lol (fun fact: I ran one of those blogs for about 2 years, so I don’t mind doing these). If you meant for them to all be together like a party, just let me know. I’m also going to do a mix of Christmas and New Years scenarios

Kuroko

Having spent the night at Kuroko’s house so they could get ready together in the morning, Kagome would swear that Kuroko’s bedhead was infectious. But while Kuroko was left to deal with his hair himself, his mother was more than happy to help Kagome deal with her inky tangles. It still amused her to no end just how much Kuroko’s mom had taken to her, Kagome suspecting that her ability to always feel her and her son’s presences played a fairly large role. They’d decided to all pay their first shrine visit of the new year together (to Higurashi shrine, of course), and Kagome, being a little more used to wearing traditional clothes, had offered to help Kuroko with his kimono. As she made a few last tugs and smoothed everything into place, Kagome smiled at her boyfriend just as his parents and grandmother joined them in the living room. “Oh, let me get a picture of the two of you,” Kuroko’s mother spoke in a soft voice as she searched her bag for her phone. The two easily fell into place next to each other and Kagome could see the proud, borderline smug look that his grandmother was giving them. Quietly so that it would stay between them, Kagome whispered, “Are you ready for another round of ‘told you so’s?” Kuroko sighed with a small shrug. Honestly, they were both used to it by this point. It was an unfortunate side effect of having your grandparents, who just happened to be old friends that insisted they knew someone with a nice grandchild who would be a perfect match, set you up on a date that went wonderfully. “Hopefully we’ll only have to hear it for another few years before they let it go,” Kuroko whispered back.” “Okay,” Kuroko’s mother spoke again, holding up her phone to get a picture. “On three. One…two…-” Just as the flash went off, Kuroko leaned down to peck Kagome’s cheek. The resulting picture, mid-kiss with Kagome’s eyes wide and cheeks rosy, would surely be used as more fodder by their grandparents for years to come.

Kagami

Kagome was taking a break on the couch after cleaning up all of the discarded wrapping paper when Kagami flopped down on the cushion next to her. His weight hitting the couch made her bounce in her seat before he wrapped one arm around her and tipped his head back with a sigh. “Kitchen’s clean,” he told her, obviously tired from the day’s activities and tidying up. Kagome knew that he hadn’t really planned on doing anything for Christmas apart from the two of them hanging out until his father had announced he’d be visiting for the holidays. Then it had turned into decorating Kagami’s apartment with whatever spare decorations the Higurashi’s had and finding something to cook for dinner. It had been a bit of a whirlwind, but everything was fun and turned out nicely in the end. “Where’s your dad?” Kagome asked. “He’s already asleep,” Kagami said as he lifted his head and looked towards the spare bedroom. “I think he’s still a little jet-lagged.” Things were quiet for a moment before he gave her a slight nudge. “Hey,” he started, a little unsure and avoiding directly looking at her, “I’m sorry it wasn’t just us. I know this wasn’t what we planned.” “Don’t apologize,” Kagome laughed as she took his large hand in her smaller one and gave it a light squeeze. “I still had fun and you got to see your dad. Sounds like a pretty good Christmas if you ask me.” Shifting so that she could lifter herself a little higher, she gave Kagami a quick kiss before she smiled and softly spoke, “Merry Christmas, Taiga.”

Aomine

It was the repeating music that woke her up as the DVD menu screen started over once again. Kagome stretched out her back and tried to get her bearings on where she was before everything snapped into clarity and she bolted upright. Aomine was still dozing next to her stretched out over most of the couch and groaned when she started fumbling around in the dark for her phone. “What are you doing?” He finally asked, voice groggy and slightly irritated at being woken up. When Kagome finally found her phone and checked the time, she let our a groan of her own. “We missed it!” “Missed what?” Aomine asked still half-asleep. “Midnight,” Kagome answered. “You’re supposed to kiss someone at midnight of the new year, but we fell asleep watching the movie.” Without missing a beat, Aomine pulled Kagome down to where he was for a kiss, slightly awkward as it was with him fighting sleep and Kagome trying to catch her balance so their faces didn’t smash together. “There,” he sighed when they separated. “First kiss of the new year. Still counts.” Pulling her again so that she was laying against his chest, he patted her head as he started to doze again while mumbling, “Now shhh. Sleep.”

Kise

They’d decided to go on a date for Christmas instead of exchanging gifts. At least, that’s what Kagome thought they’d agreed on. “Kise,” Kagome whined softly when he presented her with a cutely wrapped gift as they waited for the dessert they’d ordered after a nice dinner. “I thought we weren’t doing gifts this year. Just spending the day with you was plenty.” “I couldn’t help it, Kagomecchi,” he practically beamed at her, telling her just how not sorry he really was. “But to be fair, I only bought it earlier today when I saw you looking at it. You liked it so much that I ran back to the store for it when you stepped away to talk to your friends. The girl at the counter even wrapped it for me!” Gently pulling the paper away, Kagome saw the scarf she’d been admiring earlier in the day, a light green and incredibly soft knit. Even though she was a little irritated he went back on their agreement, she said, “Thank you, Ryouta. You shouldn’t have done it, but this is very sweet.” When a thought hit her, she perked up and quickly told him, “Oh, I know! Close your eyes for a minute.” Kise followed her directions without protest and happily waited, even through the temptation to peek. He could hear Kagome rummaging through her bag and their waitress bring their dessert, but still he waited. When he was finally told he could open his eyes, he saw Kagome holding out a little bundle of small sheets of paper, all tied together with the ribbon from his gift. He eagerly untied the ribbon and saw that Kagome had written on each page Coupon for (1) kiss. On his feet a second later, Kise was pressing one of his coupons back into Kagome’s hand as he leaned down to kiss her where she was seated, ignoring the fact that they were very much in public. Pulling away, he smiled at Kagome’s bright blush and said, “I think this is my favorite gift ever.”

Midorima

It was freezing outside and they were both exhausted from staying up all night, but the sky was finally lightening to a dim gray so sunrise wasn’t far off. Seated on the little stone bench near the god tree, Kagome and Midorima sat close together with a blanket wrapped around them. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Kagome asked with a yawn from where her head was resting against Midorima’s arm. “It’s going to be busy. It always is. You can still back out.” Midorima had offered to help out around the shrine during the rush of visitors they always got after New Year’s, so he’d opted to just stay the night at the Higurashi’s. But when Kagome had suggested that they watch the sunrise together, he should have known that it would be a bad idea. They were going to be busy and running on no sleep. “I’m not going to leave,” he assured her. “I said I would help and I intend to.” As the first rays of orange and pink began to tint the sky, Kagome squeezed Midorima’s hand and smiled. “Thanks Shintarou.” They sat quietly together for another few minutes as the sky grew brighter before Kagome stood from the warmth of the blanket and stretched. She shivered a little as she pointed towards the house, “We could probably get a small nap on the couch before breakfast.” Even if it was just a nap, Midorima was willing to take it and nodded before he started to stand only for Kagome’s hands on his shoulders to stop him. Before he could ask what she was doing, Kagome planted a quick kiss on his lips and told him “Happy New Year” just before turning tail and running to the warmth of the house. With how fast his heart was beating, Midorima wasn’t sure if he would even be able to get to sleep for a nap now.

Akashi

It was still a little surreal to see Akashi casually hang around her family. Kagome had seen him in his own home and around his father, times when he needed to maintain a certain level of decorum, when he was just a little more serious, almost icy. But in her home, around her and her family, that shell he wore melted a little. His eyes were softer, his smile more sincere. He looked like he was genuinely relaxed. She and her mother were just returning from the kitchen with hot chocolate for everyone before they opened gifts, and when Akashi spotted her watching him, he smiled and motioned for her to sit beside him on the couch. Taking his drink with one hand while draping the other behind her shoulders, Akashi told her, “It’s a good thing you came back when you did. I think Souta was getting impatient.” “Well!” Souta pouted even as he licked chocolate and marshmallow foam from his lip. “They took forever!” “If you complain, you have to give up your cocoa,” Kagome warned. “Besides, we’re here now, so go ahead and open your presents.” Rolling her eyes as Souta tore into one gift in particular he’d been itching to open for weeks, Kagome leaned forward and picked up one of the presents from the coffee table. She handed to Akashi as she said, “Here, this is from me.” Setting his hot chocolate aside, Akashi carefully tore open the paper to reveal a hand-made scarf in his school colors. “Do you like it?” Kagome asked, a little nervous that he hadn’t said anything yet. Akashi draped it around his neck and ran his fingers over it before saying, “I love it. I can’t wait to wear it out. Thank you, Kagome.” Leaning over, he pressed a soft kiss to Kagome’s kiss only to grin into her hair when a noise of disgust was heard from across the room. “Ew,” Souta said with a scrunched nose. “Go be gross somewhere else.” Akashi simply chuckled as Kagome balled up the wrapping paper from his scarf and chucked it at Souta’s head.

Murasakibara

“Kago-chin,” Murasakibara whined as he bent down to gently rest his forehead against the top of Kagome’s head. “I don’t wanna make new year’s mochi.” Kagome tried not to laugh at the way her abnormally tall boyfriend had to brace his hands on the counter far out to either side of her so that he didn’t hurt his back bending over so far. “But we told your mom we’d make them this year,” she argued as she continued to mold the mochi into shape. “Besides, we’re almost done.” “I’d rather eat it now,” Murasakibara mumbled into her hair with a low grumble. Peering into the bowl they’d made the mochi in, Kagome told him, “Well, I have the two cakes we need for the kagami mochi, but we have some left over. Do you have any fillings for them? We can have some tonight. Your brothers and sister would probably like some too.” “Mmm, no,” Murasakibara hummed as he straightened and began to rummage through the cabinets and refrigerator. “I don’t want to share with them.” “Of course you don’t,” Kagome laughed to herself as she set the round rice cakes on a tray to take to Murasakibara’s mother later. Opening the freezer, Murasakibara stared at the contents before asking, “Which one, Kago-chin?” “Which one, what?” “Which ice cream?” Kagome walked over to look in the freezer only to see multiple cartons of ice cream, all in different flavors, stacked in the freezer. Tipping her head back, she looked up at Murasakibara in disbelief. “Really?” She asked. “Do you really need that many flavors?” Muraskibara shrugged as if it were completely normal to have nearly a dozen different ice cream flavors on hand. “Can we do one of each?” “No,” Kagome told him immediately. “You can pick one.” At her boyfriend’s deep pout, Kagome sighed and rolled her eyes. Even when he was being petulant, he was still pretty cute. “Fine,” she said. “You can pick three, but that’s it.” Dipping down far just as he always needed to, Murasakibara kissed Kagome where she still had her head tilted back to look at him. “Thanks, Kago-chin. You get a chocolate one.”