Kise kept his promise, and Kaijou beat Rakuzan. It was super close, one point, just like the match against Seirin. 100-99. It was hard, but it wasn't as much fun as the match against Kuroko.
It was a little bittersweet knowing it was the first game he'd play that Kuroko wouldn't be part of the competition.
Kuroko's birthday was pretty much a repeat of last year, only more crowded because there were more Seirin boys, and Kise had brought the Masaki twins with him because, apparently, Masaki Hayato had developed a friendship with Yagi, Kuroko's protege, despite the two having opposite personalities. Masaki Takeshi tagged along because Kise wanted someone else to ensure the pain in his ass behaved himself.
He had also also invited Kikuchi so he could meet Furihata, but Kikuchi had claimed prior commitments in a tired tone, which Kise knew meant family.
Kise was talking to Furihata, who was much less nervous this year than last year when he got a ding from his phone. He laughed at Furihata's anecdote and pulled his phone out to look at the text, thinking it was one of his sisters. It was Kikuchi. You made the news it said, followed by a link. This was published 20 mins ago. Thought you might want to know.
Kise opened the link, brow furrowed. And there was a picture of him and Kuroko huddled together against the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium; it was apparent Kuroko had been crying, leaning into Kise's hand, and had been taken the exact moment Kise had kissed Kuroko's forehead.
He scanned the ariticle. It was actually pretty nice, talking about good sportsmanship, and the friendship that goes beyond being on opposing teams, using him and Kuroko as a example. The author had dug up that Kuroko was the phantom sixth man from Teikou, and that he and Kise, according to sources, including his coach, that the two had always been close and enjoyed challenging each other to push past their limits. The article continued, talking about other friends on seperate teams, including a pair of brothers.
Okay, that wasn't bad. But the picture was ... something else. The caption was neutral, 'Kise Ryouta puts friends before celebration' but the photo was... it was.
It looked romantic. With the way Kuroko's face was flushed from crying, the way Kise cupped Kuroko's face.
"Oh shit," he said. He looked around for Kuroko, hoping he could tell him about the aritcle before someone else did.
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It was a little bittersweet knowing it was the first game he'd play that Kuroko wouldn't be part of the competition.
Kuroko's birthday was pretty much a repeat of last year, only more crowded because there were more Seirin boys, and Kise had brought the Masaki twins with him because, apparently, Masaki Hayato had developed a friendship with Yagi, Kuroko's protege, despite the two having opposite personalities. Masaki Takeshi tagged along because Kise wanted someone else to ensure the pain in his ass behaved himself.
He had also also invited Kikuchi so he could meet Furihata, but Kikuchi had claimed prior commitments in a tired tone, which Kise knew meant family.
Kise was talking to Furihata, who was much less nervous this year than last year when he got a ding from his phone. He laughed at Furihata's anecdote and pulled his phone out to look at the text, thinking it was one of his sisters. It was Kikuchi. You made the news it said, followed by a link. This was published 20 mins ago. Thought you might want to know.
Kise opened the link, brow furrowed. And there was a picture of him and Kuroko huddled together against the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium; it was apparent Kuroko had been crying, leaning into Kise's hand, and had been taken the exact moment Kise had kissed Kuroko's forehead.
He scanned the ariticle. It was actually pretty nice, talking about good sportsmanship, and the friendship that goes beyond being on opposing teams, using him and Kuroko as a example. The author had dug up that Kuroko was the phantom sixth man from Teikou, and that he and Kise, according to sources, including his coach, that the two had always been close and enjoyed challenging each other to push past their limits. The article continued, talking about other friends on seperate teams, including a pair of brothers.
Okay, that wasn't bad. But the picture was ... something else. The caption was neutral, 'Kise Ryouta puts friends before celebration' but the photo was... it was.
It looked romantic. With the way Kuroko's face was flushed from crying, the way Kise cupped Kuroko's face.
"Oh shit," he said. He looked around for Kuroko, hoping he could tell him about the aritcle before someone else did.