The Promise

Thirteen

"THAT IDIOT!" Riko's piercing tone almost echoed among the halls of the court.

"He must've confused America's time and Japan's," Koganei said.

"THAT BAKAGAMI!" Riko said then sighed. "If he shows up late before the game, I will definitely kill him!"

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be here before the game," Shizuka said.

"He better be!" Riko said.

"Excuse me," Kuroko said, "But... can I leave for a few minutes?"

A vein appeared by Riko's forehead as she smiled devilishly at Kuroko while making her knuckles pop. "You first years seem to wander off anywhere you want, huh?" She said.

That made Kuroko back up. "Sorry," he said, "But... I've been summoned,"

"Summoned?" Hyuga asked.

Kuroko glanced at Shizuka then nodded.

"Who summoned you?" Koganei asked.

"I... I can't really say—"

"Is it Seijuro?" Shizuka asked.

Kuroko nodded.

Riko growled. "Fine, just be back before the game," she said.

"Yes," Kuroko said, "Excuse me,"

When Kuroko was out of earshot, Riko sent Furihata to go after him.

"Actually, coach," Shizuka said, "Can I go instead?"

"Hmm? Are you sure?" Riko asked.

Shizuka nodded. "I haven't said hello to my brother,"

***

"Kuroko-cchi!" Kise greeted as soon as Kuroko arrived.

"Hey, Kise, you're too loud," Aomine groaned.

"Murasakibara, stop stuffing your mouth with chips," Midorima glared at the violet-haired center.

"What's with the scissors, Midorima?" Aomine asked.

"It's Oha-asa's lucky item for today," Midorima said, "Doesn't it look obvious?"

"Midorin, can I borrow your scissors?" Murasakibara lazily asked as he struggled to open his third bag of chips.

"No," Midorima said.

"You really shouldn't walk with those around, Midorima-kun," Kuroko said.

"I agree, you might hurt someone," Shizuka said, appearing just behind Kuroko.

"Oh?! Shizuka-cchi! When did you get back?" Kise asked.

"Damn it, Kise! I told you to shut up!" Aomine scolded.

"Sorry for not telling you soon, Ryo-chan," Shizuka said, "But... I've been busy lately,"

"Hmm? You're wearing Seirin uniform!" Kise said.

"Damn it, Kise, I swear—"

"That's enough, Daiki," a voice entered as the Generation of Miracles' point guard and captain, Seijuro Akashi entered the scene.

"Took you long enough," Aomine muttered.

"It's nice to see my former teammates, "Shintaro, Atsushi, Ryota, Daiki, Tetsuya, and..." Seijuro said and laid eyes over Shizuka. "Shizuka,"

"I was your team manager, Seijuro... Technically, I'm not your teammate," Shizuka answered and she hid the confusion and startled reaction she was experiencing the moment she and Seijuro saw eye to eye. This was not her brother.

Seijuro scoffed. "Fine then," he answered in a calm and cold tone. "I only wish to speak with the five of them. You can leave now since you're technically our teammate like you said,"

Shock filled Shizuka's thoughts at what Seijuro said and she had a strong urge to shout at him, to make him snap out of it... to bring the real Seijuro back.

But her thoughts vanished when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Yo, don't you think it's rude to tell someone to leave?" Kagami said.

"Kagami-kun," Kuroko said.

"Sorry I'm late," Kagami said then turned to Seijuro. "Let us stay for a while, I'm sure you won't mind,"

Seijuro however, expressionless as he is, approached Midorima. "Shintaro, may I borrow your scissors?"

"What are you going to use them for?" Midorima asked.

"My hair has been bothering me for a while," Seijuro said, "I've been meaning to cut them, but I've been busy,"

Midorima reluctantly handed him his scissors where Seijuro cut a bit of his hair as he approached Kagami.

"Perhaps I've not made it clear, I wanted to speak with my former teammates only," he said then with a quick and swift move, stabbed the scissors at Kagami, who (in instincts) dodge it, grazing his cheek with the blades.

"Kagami-kun!" Kuroko said.

Up close, Shizuka couldn't do anything but stand frozen in front of the monter inside her brother's body. She'd seen him angry, but her nee-chan wouldn't do anything as drastic and as dangerous as stabbing someone who refused to leave at his orders.

"I will forgive you for that graceful display of alertness," Seijuro said, "However, the next time, I wouldn't be so merciful. My orders are absolute. No one who dares to defy me will suffer my wrath, even if it is my parents,"

That was the final blow. Shizuka was totally devastated, seeing how Seijuro have changed.

Not even glancing at Shizuka, Seijuro turned his back against his teammates after giving Midorima's scissors back. "I'll be going ahead now,"

"Wait, Akashi!" Aomine said, disregarding the shock he felt the moment the blades grazed Kagami's face. "That's all you've got to say to us?"

"I felt really moved upon seeing all of you," Seijuro said, "And have determined that you did not forget our promise,"

Promise.

Seijuro smiled. "Of course, mother!" He said, "I promise I'll take care of Shizuka from now on,"

"That you'll continue to take care of Shizuka when you've both grown in the future... continue to watch over her and prove them wrong about Shizuka not making it to high school with her condition," Ayako said.

"I promise, mother,"

"We'll wait for you," Seijuro answered when the rest couldn't speak.

"And we'll play together again," Tetsuya Kuroko, the Generation of Miracles' Phantom Sixth Man, said.

How Shizuka grew to despise the word. If promising something meant nothing to him... to them... maybe she doesn't mean to them as well.