Chemistry {HanaKuro}

Chapter Four

Hanamiyas p.o.v.

The Inter-High preliminaries started as usual.

Ah. Were sorted in the same block as Seirin this year, should be fun. Yamazaki said, and I chuckled.

Then we better make sure we dont lose until we get to them. I said, and we took our seats in the stands and scoped out the teams playing.

We didnt play until the next day, so really just being here was because it was better than just lazing around all day. After a few games, Seirin was up against some middle tier school. It was an easy win, but there was something bothering me.

Why the fuck is the phantom wearing the #4? I asked and Furuhashi spoke up.

I believe he is the new captain. He said, and I clenched my fists before smirking.

Alright. I said and stood up and walked out. I waited in the hallway, knowing the game would be over soon. I smirked when I heard the familiar sound of Hyuuga critiquing the team. Suddenly there was a shout.

What are you doing here?! Hyuuga yelled, and I looked up.

Why Hyuuga, dont you remember? You beat us at the winter cup, we arent automatic qualified for Inter-High yet. I should ask you that question, you went all the way. You immediately qualify to play against the other blocks. I said and looked at the first years to evaluate them.

We decided-

Shut it four eyes, im talking to your captain. I snapped and leaned down to the shadow. Well? I asked, and he looked at me.

The decisions I make for this team are none of your concern. He dead panned, and I shrugged. Soon my own team joined me, and Hara popped his signature bubble.

Captain, we should negotiate. Itsuki said, and I nodded.

Good idea. I said and thought for a minute before smirking.

Alright shadow boy, I have an innocent deal for you. We wont use any dirty tricks when we play each other, but you have to play me in shogi. I said, and Hara whined.

Thats cruel captain, youre unbeatable. Hara said, but there was no remorse in his voice. You could see the third years seething.

Listen here you-

Hyuuga, be quiet. He isnt challenging you. The phantom said and looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Plus, he doesnt play shogi with Akashi. He said and held his hand out. Pick a time and place.

I looked at Hiroshi, and he nodded before pulling a shogi board out his bag with the pieces. Right now.

We cant play shogi in a hallway Hanamiya, pick a place.

Theres a book store not far from here.

Then we go. The shadow said, and it left Seirin shell shocked. I chuckled and began leading the way, Hara bothering the shadow the whole way there. When we set up, the shadow toke his seat, and shed his jacket. Both teams were crowding so I decided this would be a good time to see how far he would.

Alright shadow boy, we already wont play dirty tricks during our game, but what do you say we put stakes on who wins Shogi. I said, and he cocked an eyebrow as he set up his pieces. I propose that if I win, we take home a member of Seirin for the night. I said because I knew he wouldnt agree. This kid always managed to surprise me though.

Fine, ill agree to that under one condition. Cannot be one of the first years. Theyre still training to be starters and we cannot afford to disrupt that. He said, and I smirked maliciously.

Deal.

And if I win, Kirisaki Daiichi wont pull any accidental fouls for the rest of the preliminaries. He said, and I thought for a minute before agreeing. You can go first Hanamiya. The shadow smirked, and a void settled into my stomach. Bad vibes.

That day I tasted defeat at Shogi, barely. The phantoms play was a lot like my own, so he knew what traps to not fall into and fully utilized all of his pieces. I have to say I was impressed.

Fuck guys, the captain lost. Seto said and I stood.

Hanamiya. The shadow said, and I looked at him. Youre playing style is your own. While I dont enjoy it, I wont stop you from pulling fouls on other teams. Just keep to the agreement we had on ours. I like walking off the court without the help of a stretcher. He said and stood himself.

It would also do you well to remember my name. Its not shadow, or phantom. My name is Kuroko Tetsuya and that is how you will call me. He said and walked out the store. We started packing up, and Hara picked up a slip of paper.

Its shadow-kuns number, seems he wants to play again. Hara said, and I growled. Of course, he wasnt lying. Nonetheless I put the number in my phone and went home.

To cut things short, we minimized our fouls to only genuine accidental ones per our agreement in all our games. Except when we got to Seirin and didnt pull a single foul. Seirin won with a score of 82-79, and we sighed.

Of course, the shadow stood across from me when we bowed.

Whats bothering you?

You still havent explained why youre wasting time with prelims. You already have a ticket to the finals. You only had to play three games. I said, and he shrugged.

We had nothing better to do, and by letting the first years see the teams we play now can help them prepare more effectively for our fight through prelims at the Winter Cup, assuming we arent one of the finalists here. He said, and I growled.

I call a rematch of Shogi, same place tomorrow afternoon. Im keeping my stake, I can think of a few ways to break you. I demanded, and the phantom nodded. They won our bracket, so they wouldnt have to play until the others were finished.

Alright Hanamiya, Ill play you again. He said, and we went our separate ways. Hara accompanied me to the bookstore the next day, and I could clearly see a pink haired girl next to the shadow as they walked in.

I know yours, but if I win again, Im going to need your help studying. Im not the brightest student when it comes to sciences and I am aware that you are. Please excuse the mild stake, but I cant find a tutor who isnt worrying about their own proficiency exams. He said, and I chuckled.

Yeah, okay, whatever. I said, and we played.

He changed his way of playing to resemble someones who I hadnt seen before, but it wasnt hard to manipulate.

Are you underestimating me? I asked, and he merely shook his head.

Im trying to see why Midorima-Kun uses this style of shogi when it is so easily manipulated. I can see why he is always forced to secede. Very well, its a losing game. He said, and ultimately lost.

I smirked, and Hara did too.

Who do you want? He asked, and the answer was simple.

You.

Very well. Momoi-San. He called and he girl came bounding in. Please contact Midorima and tell him to adapt a new form of shogi. Here are the keys to my apartment. Please dont kill Nigou. He said and handed her his keys before standing.

She looked confused, but he didnt elaborate.

I dont know where I am going, so I would appreciate it if we could go. The phantom said, and I blinked before chuckling. This guy had some serious balls.

Okay then. I said, and Hara grabbed his arm, practically threw himself on the shadow.

We can do whatever we want to him, right? Hara asked as we left the bookstore. I clicked my tongue.

Dont take his clothes off, thats the only rule. I said, and we toke his back to my place.