Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroko no Basket and any characters in it.

Prologue: Basically a written summary of how Akashi and Chihiro met.

I didn't need basketball. I kept repeating the words in my head in a pathetic - and useless - attempt to convince myself that I didn't care. About quitting basketball that is. I sighed, it's not like I was actually needed (or noticed) there in the first place. Perhaps I could've changed something had I practiced more?

I scoffed at myself and pulled out a light novel to distract me. Life was a bitch; there was no point in getting my hopes up and in the end having the said hopes crushed in the end. Honestly what was I thinking? With three of those uncrowned whatever's and that monster prodigy on the team, there was no way I could even hope to get on the bench. Besides, I should be focusing on grades and graduation-

"Are you Mayuzumi-san?"

The voice stopped my train of thoughts and made me look up from my novel. While the owner of the voice had bright red hair, what really stood out were his mismatched eyes. Two different shades of brown - one that was dark, almost red even, while the other was a much lighter brown - were looking down and right at me. Speak of the devil, said prodigy was standing before me. Life really was a bitch wasn't it?

"How are you?", he asked after a few moments of not receiving a response.

I internally scoffed at the casualness of his tone. "...That's overly familiar of you. Shouldn't you say something along the lines of 'Nice to meet you' instead?", I stated with no emotion whatsoever, looking down at my book.

I looked at him from the corner of my eye and saw that he had this look on his face and his head was tilted a bit as if I said something stupid or something. After after awhile he broke the silence, "But up until the other day, we were in the same basketball club, were we not?".

Now that made me look up again. "You actually remember me? ...How rare.", I muttered the last part to myself more than anything. I paused for awhile before continuing, "There aren't much people who remember who I am..."

"Ah that's probably because... You remind me rather strongly of an acquaintance of mine.", his eyes dropped.

Before I could ask about it, he quickly changed the subject. "By the way, what are you reading?", he asked.

The look on his face... It looked as if his eyes had dulled after our previous topic. "...An L.N.", I said after a few seconds of trying to read his expression. "An 'L.N.'?", he asked, face still blank.

This kid is super weird. Well, at least he was trying to keep conversing. "A light novel. You've never read one before?", I asked holding the small book up for him to see.

"Are they interesting?", he took the book from my hand with a curious look. "Well, they're like normal short stories, their content isn't too heavy and you can read them at your own pace. There are some that you like and some you dislike, but if you like them, they're usually interesting.", I explained. To be honest, I feel like I just explained how people have different opinions. I mentally facepalmed.

Rather than making some sarcastic remark like I had expected him to, he looked more amused than anything and let out a soft 'hmph'.

Wait. Was he making fun of me?

"...Are you making fun of me because of what's on the cover?", I asked a 'bit' annoyed. I'm pretty sure this runt wouldn't approach a senior to judge what he liked reading, so why the hell was he talking to me?

Before I could tell him to cut to the chase and stop wasting my time, he spoke up. "No... I was just thinking that you really are quite similar to that acquaintance of mine."

"You just said that now, too...", I said, trailing off. Then I got a bit curious. "What was he like?", I asked.

"'The Phantom Sixth Man'. That was what he was called."

I was shocked to hear that. "Teiko Middle School's... So he wasn't just a rumour then...", I just sat there - still surprised and all - until I remembered what he mentioned earlier.

"We resemble each other?", I couldn't help but ask.

"Yes,", came his reply, "and the real reason I'm here is...", he looked at me directly in the eyes before continuing.

"Mayuzumi Chihiro, I want you to become the new 'Phantom Sixth Man'."

All I could manage was a dumb 'Huh?', before he continued explaining, "You possess the same qualities as him. If I were to oversee your training, you would develop the same abilities as him. I will initiate you in the same techniques, and then we'll tear up your resignation form.", he stopped to extend a hand to return my book before adding, "You'll be brought into the first string. How does that sound?".

The offer was extremely tempting. And I get to be in first string? I would've agreed instantly had I not thought about how unbelievable all of this sounded.

"...I refuse.", I simply said.

He looked genuinely surprised after that, and I went on, "I don't know what I seem like in your perspective, but I... really like myself.", and I don't need some title to prove that, I thought to myself.

I felt like I had to explain myself even more, so I kept going. "If the rumours are true, I heard that the 'Phantom Sixth Man' is a player that specialises in passing.", I looked away, "Just passing is boring. I don't think I'd like to play in a match if that's all I'd be doing."

"If I had to be that kind of specialist to play, then I'd rather prefer to stay useless. After all, that's just the kind of guy I am. If I don't find any enjoyment in playing, then it's absolutely meaningless for me to go back to basketball.", I finished. I don't know why I had to explain how I felt to some stranger - not a complete stranger though - but I felt like I had said the right thing.

I met his gaze again, and saw his eyes had widened from what I had said, but something felt off. I heard him release a small laugh that made my own eyes go wide.

What was with this guy? The atmosphere around him suddenly...

"Interesting.", he started, "From the start, I didn't intend for you to have the exact same skills.".

"I am all the more pleased with you. Someone like you can become a 'Phantom Sixth Man' that surpasses Tetsuya."

I was too confused to say anything else and I knew from that moment on that I had been played. How could I refuse an offer like that?

Looks like I won't be throwing my jersey out after all.