Chapter 3

*Slam*

"If that locker door breaks, you'll need to pay for it." Midorima muttered. Aomine scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Whatever."

"Maa, don't be like that you two. We had a good game today." Kise said.

"Good game? Don't make me laugh. Those losers couldn't do shit." Aomine scowled.

"It was boring." Murasakibara crunched on a snack.

"Calling them losers though, isn't that a bit much?" asked Kise.

"Then what would you call people who don't win?"

Kise just chuckled awkwardly and didn't answer, only proving Aomine's point.

"That's enough. Get your things and go home. We have early morning training tomorrow." Akashi said.

""Hai,""

Kuroko went up to Aomine and tapped his shoulder.

"Aomine-kun,"

"Ack! Damn Tetsu, can't you show up normally?" Aomine scowled. "What's up?"

"Do you wanna get some Maji Burger today?"

The room stilled all of a sudden as they all turned to look at the phantom whose face was as blank as ever. Aomine blinked and rubbed his ear.

"Eh? I think I misheard you."

"No you didn't. I'm asking if you'd like to get Maji Burger today." Repeated Kuroko. "I'll shout you."

Gasp. Now this was completely unexpected. For one, Kuroko never made an effort to invite out anyone, and second, he'd never once offered to shout their meal. At this moment, Aomine was feeling a sense of fear.

"T-Tetsu? Is that you?" he reached out to touch Kuroko's head. The smaller boy slapped his hand away.

"Is my offer that odd?"

"O-Of course!! You – who the hell are you?!" Aomine stumbled back and pointed at the boy.

"I am Kuroko Tetsuya."

A hand made its way to the boy's head and he looked up to see Kise staring at him with a worried look.

"He doesn't have a fever. Are you feeling okay Kurokocchi?"

Okay now Kuroko was feeling a tiny bit irritated. He sighed and looked back at Aomine.

"If it's that disturbing then I will retract my offer. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

With that, he disappeared out of the door.

.....

The room was silent before....

"I think he's mad." Murasakibara said. "You made Kuroko angry, Mine-chin."

"Shame on you Aominecchi."

"That was inconsiderate Aomine."

"Go and apologize Daiki."

"EH?! Why the hell are you all attacking me?! You were just as shocked as I was!" Aomine defended. "And it was Ryouta who made him mad!"

"But hasn't Kuroko seemed a bit...different nowadays?" Midorima asked.

"You noticed as well? I thought it was only me." Kise said. "It's like he's opening up more right?"

"What are you guys talking about? Tetsu is the same Tetsu, aside from today that is."

"No, they are correct." Akashi spoke with narrowed eyes. "It seems like he's being influenced by someone."

"Eh? That can't be it. Kurokocchi doesn't have any friends aside from us because his presence is so low."

"That's right Akashi. I highly doubt Kuroko is talking to someone other than us." Midorima said.

They finished up and left the locker room before heading outside the gym.

"Ah you guys are here!" Momoi jogged towards them with a wave. "Eh? Where's Tetsu?"

"Aominecchi pissed him off."

"OI!!"

Momoi turned to glare at her childhood friend. "What did you do?"

"Wha – nothing! Maybe overreact a little but nothing else..." Aomine murmured the last bit.

"Overreacted?"

Kise took it upon himself to explain the situation and at the end, Momoi's mouth was gaping like a fish.

"See! She's just as shocked as I was!" Aomine pointed. But Momoi slapped his arm.

"You idiot! Why didn't you just accept? Oh, I wish Tetsu asked me. It would have marked our first date."

Aomine rolled his eyes. "Then go ask him."

"Hmph! It's not the same Dai-chan." Momoi said. But then she looked up and saw Akashi staring to the side. "Hmm? Is something wrong Akashi-kun?"

"It seems I was correct." The captain stated. "Tetsuya has been talking to someone."

"What?"

Soon, the group turned their attention to where Akashi was looking and saw their shadow in a conversation with a tall, dark-red headed teen with a delinquent-like face.

"Eek! Kurokocchi's getting picked on!" Kise exclaimed. He was ready to march over there when a hand pulled him back.

"Fool, does it look like Kuroko's being threatened?" Midorima muttered. "Who knew Kuroko was acquainted with that guy."

"You know him Midorimacchi?"

Now, the eyes were on Midorima who frowned – not liking being the center of attention. "I only met him briefly yesterday. He kicked the vending machine which ate up his coins and mistakenly ended up with two drinks. He gave me the can of red bean soup."

"Eh? That's...nice of him."

"Hmph. He's a rude fellow though and lacks proper formalities." Midorima added.

Akashi looked at the red-head with interest. "Momoi, do you have information on him?"

"Only from what I've heard from rumors." Momoi said. "He's a transferee from America. Kind of a loner and people keep their distance from him but he's not a delinquent. Average grades aside from English which tops the class, no doubt thanks to his study in the States. He just recently joined the cooking club and makes delicious food and the teachers neither like nor hate him."

"But that's not all there is to him. For one, he seems to have taken an interest in Tetsuya. Secondly, he is the person that's been influencing him and Lastly, he's got the right build for someone who plays basketball." Akashi stated. "Find out all you can about him and if I'm correct about the last one, perhaps he can become another asset to the team."

What? The group looked at their captain with wide eyes.

"Oi oi, you can't be serious Akashi." Aomine exclaimed.

Akashi just gave him the side-eye and chose not to respond.

'If I'm correct, he'll be an excellent addition to the team.'