“Kurokocchi,” Kise said softly. Then a heart beat later he said, “Tetsuya.”

It felt odd to say Kuroko’s given name. Even in his fantasies he only called him Kurokocchi. “You don’t have to apologize. Everyone has doubts. Even I do.” He reached out and gently took his friend’s hand.

“Even if you do fail, I’ll always think you’re amazing.”