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“You, are you busy this weekend?” Kagami asks his friend, gulping down half of one of his many burgers. He stares at his quiet friend in anticipation, awaiting an answer.
Looking at Kagami straight in the face he bluntly replies, “no, my father is returning from his trip. I haven’t seen him in months, so I’ll probably be busy all day hanging out with him.” He avoids eye contact, trying to hide his satisfied face.
“How long has he been away?” Kagami asks with a curious expression. Slightly concerned but more happy for his friend, the mood begins to lighten, contrary to the silence from before.
“Almost four months, longer than usual actually.” Kuroko frowns, now keeping eye contact with his friend.
“So you’ve been in the house alone for four months?” Kagami’s happy thoughts quickly disappear at his friend's reply. Saying it a bit too loud, people begin to stare at the two.
“No, my grandmother lives with us. She has been for a few years now.” The once concerned Kagami calms down at his friend’s words. Kuroko makes a soft expression, calm at the thought of his grandmother.
Gulping down the other half of the burger, Kuroko’s calm face changes into one of confusion and disgust. Staring from the unethical amount of burgers on the tray, and back up to Kagami’s satisfied face.
“Does your stomach ever hurt when you eat like that?” He asks Kagami, breaking the short silence.
Kagami swallows, thinking for a moment before responding, “no, not really.” Kagami examines Kuroko’s medium vanilla shake, “does that really keep you full?” He asks, with much more curiosity than concern.
“It does.” Kuroko replies bluntly, taking a sip of said shake. “I’m not abnormally large like you.” He insults Kagami, looking back down to the table.
“Excuse me? I just think you’re abnormally small.” Kagami snaps back, picking up another burger from his tray.
“No, you’re just big.” Kuroko responds in an oddly chill tone. “You know if you keep that expression you’re going to make the people around us uncomfortable. Japan isn’t like the United States after all.” He mentions looking around to the few people surrounding them.
“I’ve lived here for two years already, I’m aware of the basic manners.” Kagami looks offended by Kuroko’s words, changing his expression nevertheless.
The two sit, in an on and off silence. Taking sips and bites out of their food and taking breaks to converse. Due to Kagami’s abnormally large appetite, they had to stay longer than they should’ve. Kuroko stares directly at Kagami, in a quiet way he tells Kagami to hurry up, as his patient attitude has run short.
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“Kagami-kun, how do you afford to eat like that?” Kuroko asks out of the blue, making Kagami jump as he did not notice his friend so close behind.
“My dad is really rich, so what I spend on food doesn’t even make a dent in his fortune.” Kagami brags, looking at Kuroko with unknowing eyes.
“Is that why you live alone?” Kuroko asks a more personal question, causing the atmosphere to become tense.
“Uh, what? I mean I guess. It’s not his fault though, his money makes him work a lot.” Kagami begins to get uncomfortable as he begins to adjust his duffleback.
“Do you ever get lonely? Living alone like that.” Kuroko looks to the ground as they talk.
“I mean at first I was, but after a while you get used to it. And it’s not like I’m alone that much anyway. I usually play street ball or hang out with you or whoever else is available. Plus like three times a week Alex stops by to hang out, and even sometimes Tatsuya.” Kagami thinks, looking at Kuroko from above.
“And you don’t miss your father at all?” Kagami’s face drops at his words.
“I still see him of course, only on holidays or birthdays. But there’s definitely times where I miss him, why?” Kagami questions his friend.
“Do you ever feel selfish when you miss him? Like you want him to come back but you know he’s working for your sake so it would seem rude-.” Kuroko begins to rant, but is quickly cut off by Kagami.
“Hey, are you okay?” Kagami asks, now concerned for Kuroko, rather than himself.
“I’m fine. I’m just wondering if it's something universal.” Kuroko clarifies, in an attempt to clear the odd atmosphere.
Kagami looks at Kuroko with trusting eyes, “well, it definitely is then, if that’s what you’re looking for.” He looks back up, not facing Kuroko anymore.
Silence fills the night as the last of the sun falls behind view. The two walk in a mentally agreed agreed silence. Walking under the dim street lights as they begin to turn on.
“I’ll see you on Monday.” Kagami says his goodbyes to Kuroko as they begin to part ways. Disappearing into the night, Kuroko watches as Kagami slowly seems smaller and smaller. Not moving until he’s completely out of sight.
On Monday, Kuroko doesn’t attend school.