Spark | Kuroko no Basuke x OC

Driven to a Corner

"Let's go, Tomo-chin~"

"I'll see you guys later," Tomoko waved at her brother and Keiko with a small grin. "And um, congratulations!"

"Wait, Tomo—"

Ichirou stopped Keiko with a hand to her shoulder. It was a rare moment that he looked so serious with her and she didn't pursue further as the three made their way out of the locker room.

"What is it?" she turned to him with a careful look. "Did... I cross the line?"

Ichirou shook his head. He knew when his sister's brain couldn't compute certain processes and this was one of them. Tomoko had always been oblivious with romance and it was one of the reasons why keeping boys away was always so easy. Keiko's questions was forcing her into unexplored territory.

"No, but you saw her blank look. You're asking her questions that even she doesn't know the answer to," h explained. "We'd be here all day and it would only overwhelm her. Tomoko doesn't do romance."

However, Keiko felt there was something more than a 'lack of romance' in the girl and she furrowed her brows. She was always good at reading people, and she definitely wasn't wrong about her impression of the situation.

"No... I think she does have someone in her heart," she relayed when she thought back to the flash of expression Tomoko's face. "She just doesn't know it yet."

-----

"Thanks, Himuro-kun," Tomoko said as they walked out, though she wasn't sure if she was thanking him for reminding her of the match or if it was also for something else. The poker-faced male only gave her a slight nod.

"Of course. I'm sure Taiga and the others would get too restless if we kept you longer. It was partially my fault for not being able to stop Atsushi and his sister from interrupting, anyway."

On the other side of the girl, Mursakibara merely hummed as they walked down the hall of the gym. "Let's stop at the vending machine to get some snacks," he declared. "I ran out."

"Oh, sure," Tomoko agreed since there was a little bit of time before the final quarter. She wouldn't be able to get back on the court until the third quarter buzzer sounded, anyway. However, as she felt a tug, she became aware that her hand was still behind held by the giant. "Mura-kun, I'll follow so you don't have to drag me around."

"Hm?" he blinked and looked down at their conjoined hands, but he didn't make a move to let go. "I want to stay like this."

The girl can only let out a small giggle and allowed the giant to do as he pleased. He had always been very physical with her, whether it was literally picking her up or dragging her around by hand. "Mura-kun, you're like a child sometimes, but it's cute."

She was jolted to a stop when the purple haired miracle stopped walking. She thought it was because they were near the vending machines, but the look in Murasakibara's eyes didn't reflect his normal eagerness for snacks. Instead, he was glowering down at her.

"I'm not a child."

She remembered that last time he was also upset when she commented that he was the "baby" of the family and immediately regretted it. "I'm sorry! I forgot you don't like to be called that—"

"Does Tomo-chin only see me like that?" his question cut her off and she froze at his expression because it looked almost threatening.

"M-Mura-kun, are you okay...?"

Himuro tried to get between the situation once again but the giant merely moved so that he was blocking the male while he held onto Tomoko's hand with a tighter, almost desperate, grip. After hearing his sister's questions, it made him realize that there was something going on.