It’s Trust
Akashi chooses his vice-captain. It is not Midorima.
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When Akashi picked his vice-captain, it was a surprise when he chose not Midorima, but Kuroko. After all, his authority was, just like his presence, nearly non-existent. Often times Kise or Aomine had to remind other members of his presence.
"Are you doubting me?" Akashi asked in honest confusion, when Kuroko asked him why it was him and not Midorima.
"Of course not," Kuroko replied, "But I don’t think I am suited for this position."
Akashi looked thoughtful for a moment. “You won’t know until you try, right? Just try it out for a few days. I have high expectations for you.” Kuroko nodded.
The next days, he spent trailing behind Akashi, who instructed him on his new duties concisely. Kuroko worried that he would fail his duties, but he still tried his best nevertheless.
#
"I don’t know what you are thinking, but stop that. Akashi made his decision, and I fully understand and support it." Midorima told him outright, having noticed his blatant staring.
"I am sorry, Midorima-kun." Kuroko apologized. But it just did not feel right; Midorima spent more time than anyone else with Akashi and it was fairly evident that he was not only hard-working but also very capable.
"If you think we have an argument or anything of the sort, we do not. We still meet up frequently for shogi matches, and he told me of his decision in advance." This surprised Kuroko. Thanking Midorima, he left the locker rooms, feeling motivated to do his best today too.
#
It just happened that Akashi had to leave on short notice, leaving the club in Kuroko’s hands.
"Why didn’t you pass me the ball?! I was free and you were in a difficult position!" Midorima shouted angrily. Murasakibara looked equally annoyed.
"Does it matter? It went in, so it’s good."
"That was a dangerous move! You could have lost the ball!"
"Sheesh, those two…" Aomine muttered. Kise looked like he did not know what to do.
"Midorima-kun, Murasakibara-kun, please stop fighting. Being on bad terms will only hinder your teamwork." Kuroko tried to break their fight up. Both turned their eyes (and anger) on him.
"Kuroko, stay out of this."
"Kuro-chin.. why should I listen to you? You can’t do anything by yourself."
"A team can only work if everyone cooperates. In your current state, even I can beat you." Kuroko said bluntly, trying not to throw up. Neither Murasakibara nor Midorima believed him, obviously.
#
They agreed on a match, Midorima and Murasakibara against Aomine and Kuroko. Whoever scored ten points first would win.
Thanks to their teamwork, Aomine and Kuroko scored easily. Though Midorima and Murasakibara did not get along, they soon realized that they had to cooperate in order to have a chance. They were tied at 8-8 when the match was halted - Kuroko started throwing up.
"I guess everything is resolved now?" Kise asked. Murasakibara and Midorima still had sour looks on their faces, but at least they did not seem to be angry at each other.
"You really need to work on your stamina." Midorima stated. Murasakibara yawned.
He really was not suited to being a vice-captain. Once Akashi returned, he would ask him to reconsider.
#
When Akashi stepped inside the gym later, he immediately noticed Kuroko sitting on the bench alone. He walked over and handed a Pocari to Kuroko. Kuroko just stared and thanked him when he accepted the gift.
"I heard you broke up the fight between Murasakibara and Midorima earlier." He inquired.
"Akashi-kun, I-"
"Good work." Akashi said, smiling, and patted his head. This time, Kuroko strangely did not mind it.
He supposed he could stay vice-captain a while longer.