Phantom Queen's Festival

Encounter with Fifth Man

Nakbin, Kuroko Tetsuya's sister got lost again. This time, however, she feels less anxious since it is midday and she knows how to get to Maji. Yoon and Tetsuya will surely find her there.
She looks around warily, waiting for more people to cross the streets since she is smarter than her brother not to cross the highway by herself, as she is invisible, per say and peaches, she did not even bring her cape.
She suddenly bumped into someone causing her to almost fall behind if it wasn't for the stranger who caught her hand and pulled her up.
"Thank you." Nakbin politely said as she looked up at her savior.
"Hmm? Nakbin, is it?"
"Shougo-sama! Ohayo!"
"Cheerful as always, huh?" The gray head smirked as he leaned forward, moving his face closer to hers.
"You're really different from Tetsuya."
The oblivious Nakbin did not even bother to move away, as if she is used to with this kind of advancement.
"I am for who I am."
Haizaki chuckled as he scratched the back of his head.
"You always speak in riddles. I don't even get what yo mean. Anyway, what are you doing here by yourself?"
"I'm actually waiting for everyone else to cross."
"Huh?"
"My brother will not like it if I ended up in the hospital."
Haizaki arched his brows then realised what she meant. He gave out an audible sigh then smiled to himself.
"Where are you heading?"
"Maji Burger."
"Eh? That place again?"
"Aniue will easily find me there."
"Let me take you somewhere else then I'll bring you to Maji's."
"But Aniue will look for me!"
"You'll be scolded either way, so come on."
"That's rude." Nakbin frowned.
"But I'm right, am I not?"
Nakbin huffed in annoyance.
Haizaki pulled her hand. Nakbin, although hesitant, went along with him.
"Where are you taking me Shougo-sama?"
"Be quiet!"
"You sound like Daiki-sama."
"Tch. Don't compare me with that ganguro!"
"It's not nice to call people names."
"Shut up! You sound like my mother. Yosh! We're here."
"Eh? Shougo-sama, why are we here?"
Nakbin looked around. They are currently in a plain basketball court with just two of them.
"What do you think, phantom girl?" Haizaki tossed a ball to her. Nakbin catched it with ease and tilted her head in confusion.
"Baka. Let's play."
"But!"
"Just shoot. I want to see it up close."
"Hmm? Why?"
"Just do it!" Haizaki is starting to get annoyed. She asks too many questions if only she is as quiet and perceptive as her brother.
"Okay. Here it goes."
Nakbin shoot the ball with her signature dragon claw, forming an arch from across the court probably as wide as Midorima's perimeter. A loud swoosh was heard as the ball went through the basket and landed on the court.
"Hmm, impressive." Haizaki smirked as he got the ball and copied her position and posture, shooting the ball right through the basket.
Nakbin looked at him in awe and clapped her hands. Haizaki irked when he did not get the reaction that will satisfy him.
"What are you being happy about? I just stole your move, you know?"
"Right."
"Don't look at me with a straight face!"
"Hmm, what's your trick?"
"Huh?"
"I want to learn your secret so I can also steal Yoon's moves and finally defeat him in shogi."
"What?"
"Come on. You learned my shot. Teach me yours. Fair is fair, Shougo-sama."
"Stop making fun of me!"
"I'm not." Nakbin deadpanned.
"Tch!"
"I tried asking Ryouta-sama for help but he doesn't know how to play shogi."
"Of course! He is an idiot!"
"You sound like you dislike him a lot."
"I don't dislike him. I HATE him."
"Tsundere."
"What did you say?!"
"Tsundere."
"I heard that."
"But you asked me to repeat it."
"I did no-! Man, this is getting ridiculous. Let's go somewhere else. Don't ever mention his name again."
"Why?"
"I said stop!"
Nakbin looked at him intently as if waiting for him to speak and that is until Haizaki told her how he was Teiko's fifth man until he was replaced.
"My brother was right for stopping you from quitting. I don't know why you should anyway. And I think you shouldn't hate Ryouta-sama. Shougo-sama is Shougo-sama. No one can replace you or him or anyone else."
Haizaki was stunned. For a girl who is so innocent and knows only a little in basketball, she speaks well.
Haizaki smiled. A genuine smile which he never shared to anyone.
"You want to go to Maji's?"
"What time is it?"
"About 10 o'clock in the morning."
"Hmm, please take me somewhere else first."
"What?"
"You're right. I will probably be scolded anyway so I want to go somewhere where Aniue won't allow me."
Haizaki laughed harder than he ever had before.

"Let's try that one! Come on!" Haizaki pulled her hand excitedly. He never felt so happy his entire life. He used to go to the arcades himself but he never felt satisfied even if he always win. Neither does he enjoy basketball, or does he? He glanced at the girl beside him. She really looks so pretty and innocent as she looks around her excitedly. They sat down on a roller coaster together.
Haizaki chuckled. "We will see how hard you scream."
"What?"
And so the roller coaster started moving forward and then faster and faster. All riders stared screaming except for the girl who rode it for the first time who is obviously awed, which annoyed Haizaki. It would be good if she screams however, she only smiles and giggles.
What kind of girl is she?
Nakbin laughed as the ride went upside down. "It tickles!"
What?
"Shougo-sama, why are they screaming?"
"Huh?" This is girl is so stupid.
Haizaki ignored the girl as he looked away, very much pissed.
"Shougo-sama?"
Haizaki sighed and looked back at her, faking a smile. He is obviously twitching. "Neh, Nakbin-chan, let's do what they are doing!" He raised both of his hands as she mimicked his actions. Haizaki inwardly groaned. He doesn't even know why he is so disappointed.
Nakbin asked him to take her to the other rides as he complied. Slowly, he finds everything enjoyable. He was starting to have fun when someone grabbed the girl from him.
"Oi!"
"What are you doing to Nakbinchii!" Kise looked at him dangerously as he wrapped his arms protectively around her.
Haizaki smirked at his rival.
"It must be a misunderstanding, Ryouta-sama. Shougo-sama is only-"
"I'm obviously kidnapping her. What will you do then, Ryouta?"
"Bastard!"
"Heh, you want a fight? Ugh-!"
Haizaki dropped down on the ground when someone jabbed him in his ribs.
"Aniue!"
"We will discuss about this later, imoto-chan. Kise-kun, please take care of her."
"But wait!"
"Come along Nakbinchii, I'll show you the cotton candy store I found."
Nakbin glanced at Haizaki worriedly as she was forcibly pulled by the blond.
"Tetsuya teme..." Haizaki glared at the teal head as he groaned in pain.
"Please stop acting like the bad guy all the time Haizaki-kun."
Haizaki' eyes widened then pursed his lips. He is smart enough not to utter a word. No one has ever won an argument against the monotonous Kuroko Tetsuya.
"See you at the tournament tomorrow, Haizaki-kun." Kuroko deadpanned as he walked away. Haizaki noticed the challenging look in his eyes and smirked.