The following list can be interpreted as Original character - Body that character is inhabiting

Kuroko – Akashi

Kise – Kuroko

Midorima – Kise

Aomine – Murasakibara

Murasakibara – Midorima

Akashi – Aomine

...

Chapter Three

Four Days Ago...

"As you all know, we have an upcoming match against Kaisei next Saturday," announced Akashi, during one of the Teikou team's training sessions. "Although it's only a practice match, they are still one of the best-calibre teams in Japan. As such, we will be having a training camp over the weekend. Momoi has agreed to facilitate the necessary arrangements."

"To hell with it," said Aomine disdainfully, twisting a pinkie in his ear. "We cinched the last two championships without a hitch. This match will be a piece of cake."

Murasakibara looked round at once. "Eh… ? There'll be cakes at the match?" he asked hopefully.

"I said, it'll be a piece of cake, you dolt!"

"Nevertheless," said Akashi calmly, "we cannot let our guards down. Being the best means giving our best. I will see you in court this Saturday, everyone."

Present Day...

"He's late," complained Aomine, arms crossed impatiently. "What's he doing – bawling his eyes out in the bathroom?"

Kuroko frowned. Concerned, Kise peered askance at him.

"What's up, Kuroko-cchi?"

Kuroko shook his head. "Nothing. It's just that… I can't picture a crying Akashi-kun."

Aomine snorted loudly, but he stopped almost immediately when the court door slid open, revealing their team Captain in uniform.

The team gathered in a semicircle. Momoi sat on the bench, listening to the conversation with her brows puckered.

"Listen up," said Akashi shortly. "Until we figure out how we can revert back, we have to assume that we are playing against Kaisei in this state."

"And yesterday's training was going so well, too," lamented Kise, running a hand through his hair and sighing.

"Our first focus for today will be to find out how much and how well we can utilise our abilities," continued Akashi. In spite of having Aomine's eyes, his gaze pierced the group like ice, and they couldn't help but stiffen. "Having a different body is no small matter. It could bring about drastic changes to your gameplay."

"Speaking of which… " said Momoi, with a puzzled glance at Kuroko, Midorima and Aomine. "Didn't the three of you notice anything? I mean, you had to have come across a mirror at some point."

"Ah…" said Kuroko softly, "it's because the bathroom lights were out of order."

"Finding the flush handle was a challenge in itself, let alone realising we had transformed into our teammates," grunted Aomine, recalling the troublesome experience.

"But Midorin was carrying a hand mirror right? Didn't you get a glimpse of your reflection?"

"It was a lucky item nanodayo," said Midorima, as if this settled it.

When they continued to look perplexed, he added exasperatedly, "I do not purchase hand mirrors for grooming nanodayo."

"Akashi-cchi is right, though. Our plays will be different now that we have this whole body-switching business going on."

"Midorima-kun should be fine," said Kuroko, with an upward glance at the Miracle. "He managed to score a three-pointer earlier."

"No," said Midorima. "I was able to make the shot because Kise's body is not so different from mine, but I could still feel an imbalance in my shooting form."

"Come to think of it, you haven't taped up your fingers," observed Aomine.

"I had intended to start training early nanodayo," said Midorima, pushing up his non-existent glasses.

"Ya know, you gotta stop doing that. It makes it look like your nose bridge is itching."

"Midorin, shall I buy you a pair of non-prescription glasses?" offered Momoi.

"That… would be ideal," said Midorima, after some consideration. He was too used to his glasses, and shooting hoops without them felt odd. Midorima disliked feeling out of place.

"Alright. I'll buy Mukkun contacts too, while I'm at it. I don't think he knows how fragile spectacles can be."

"What's up with him anyway?" said Aomine, lifting his chin in Murasakibara's direction. Murasakibara had been sulking in a nearby corner since they'd entered the court.

"Mukkun's still moping about the new rule," said Momoi sympathetically. "Honestly, I don't know how much more of this he can take. Hey Akashi-kun, what about letting him eat fruits instead? At least he'll have something to get his teeth into."

"Fine," said Akashi, "but keep it at that. It is unlikely that Shintarou's body can withstand Atsushi's appetite."

"Though a flabby Midorima would make an interesting sight," grinned Aomine.

"Be quiet nanodayo," scowled Midorima.

"As I was saying," said Akashi, "our main focus today will be on acclimatisation. We will simulate a court match and stick to our game styles. Momoi shall be reviewing our plays."

Akashi had altered the training pattern. They would be split into two teams, with Kuroko, Kise and Aomine being on one team, and Midorima, Murasakibara and Akashi being on the other.

As everyone but Murasakibara made their way to the left end of the court, Aomine glanced back at the others.

"Damn… playing against myself is beyond weird, and the fact that it's Akashi makes it even worse..."

"I feel strange too. It's like playing with a twin," agreed Kuroko, staring intently at Kise.

"Don't do that, Kuroko-cchi. It makes you look more like Akashi-cchi," shuddered Kise.

Kuroko blinked apologetically.

"Sorry, Kise-kun. Please don't let it affect your play later."

"What? That's mean!"

Murasakibara looked distinctly unhappy. He had taken his usual position under the net, but he pouted like he was having indigestion, and his arms were crossed so tightly they had to be cutting off his blood circulation.

"Murasakibara looks more like Midorima now," commented Aomine, as they waited for the others to catch up. The Teikou ace couldn't wait for the game to start – body-swapped or not, he was confident he would play just as well.

Kise, being the designated game starter, took his position behind the midcourt line. Although he had been overjoyed to find himself in Kuroko's body, as he stood facing the court and his teammates, the more negative implications hit home. Looking around, he was suddenly fully aware that everyone towered above him.

So this is what it's like to be Kuroko-cchi, he thought a little nervously. Akashi was right – being in another's body was not something to be taken lightly. When it came down to it, would he be able to retain his style of play?

"You may begin." Akashi tossed the ball over to Kise, who caught it, startled. He stared at the hands gripping the rough rubber. Unfamiliar hands.

Would they betray him in the game?

"Damn it, Kise! You crystal-gazing or something?" snapped Aomine impatiently.

Kise shook his head to clear it. He was being stupid. Stop worrying and start rolling, he told himself.

Kise let the ball drop. It bounced once, twice, gaining rhythm. His breathing grew steadier. The transition from middle school teenager to basketball specialist stoked his confidence, and he tensed his muscles.

Akashi was in front of him, taking a defensive stance. The blond Miracle lunged forward, streaking past the Captain like a whirlwind. It surprised him how easily he could pass Akashi, but he pushed on determinedly. He was halfway past the inside when he found his way barred by Midorima. Before Midorima could execute his defence, Kise raised the ball, preparing to shoot.

Then he hesitated. The net wasn't too far off, but being in Kuroko's body, he wasn't sure if he could land a shot with both feet on the ground. Thinking fast, he pushed off, switching rapidly to a fadeway.

Even before he left the floor, Kise felt the dip in his jumping power.

Midorima leapt up, arm outstretched; watching his own body rise before him, Kise had a brief moment to take in the bizarreness of the situation before the ball left his hands. Again, he noticed that its speed was relatively weaker. No sooner had it taken flight than Midorima caught it in mid-air and dropped down after him.

"Stop," called Akashi clearly.

Everyone relaxed their stances, and Midorima shifted the ball so that it was pressing against his side, once more adjusting his non-existent glasses.

"Ryouta." Akashi approached the blond Miracle, his face almost impassive. "You missed."

Kise fixed Akashi with a long stare.

"Akashi-cchi," he said at last, "you let me pass just now, didn't you?"

"I wanted to see how you would do," stated the Captain. "It is just as I predicted. You're in Tetsuya's body now, so your overall strength is significantly reduced. You're still fast, but no longer have the power to perform up to your usual standards."

The words hit him hard. Kise studied his hands, eyes hidden by his blue fringe.

Suddenly, he gave a forced laugh. "Seems like I'm out of my league, huh?" He rubbed the back of his head, grinning rather widely.

Akashi gazed at him contemplatively. "You can be of use yet. Make use of this practice session to work your way around the problem."

Kise executed a two-finger salute and winked. "Roger that, ol' Cap."

Kuroko and Aomine exchanged looks. Akashi glanced sharply at Midorima, who nodded and positioned himself on the line, looking grimmer than usual as he let the ball bounce back and forth.

In a flash, Aomine was in front of him.

"Not so fast, Megane," he said, eyes narrowed.

Midorima regarded him warily. Having the ace of the Miracles in Murasakibara's body was like handing a panther a suit of armour.

Or was it?

A ghost of a smile appeared on Midorima's face. With deliberation, he lunged to the right and then doubled back, beaming past Aomine.

The Teikou ace's eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, Midorima had landed his second three-pointer of the day.

Kise's jaw dropped. "No way! Midorima-cchi got past Aomine-cchi?"

Aomine couldn't believe what had just happened.

"Damn it!" The Teikou ace stormed toward Midorima, glowering. "Midorima! Since when were you so bloody quick?"

"You are the one that has slowed down," said Midorima critically. "Having a larger body compromises your agility. Surely you should have realised such an important drawback?"

His words were like a blow. Aomine balled his hands. Slowed down? Was that what had happened? He couldn't believe it; such an undermining phrase did not exist in his dictionary.

"Aomine-kun, please don't worry. The point of this match is to help us learn how to adapt to these bodies. Now that you've found out your weakness, the next step is to eliminate it. Don't lose heart," said Kuroko assuringly.

"Ah, mo." Aomine swiped his hair furiously. With a huge sigh, he forced himself to regain his cool, and stared at Kuroko wearily. "It's weird getting advice from Akashi."

"Don't lose heart, Aomine-cchi," repeated Kise, smiling consolingly. He watched Midorima dribbling the ball and added thoughtfully, "Midorima-cchi sure is lucky to get a body he can work with."

"I'm sorry, Kise-kun," said Kuroko, feeling bad. "Being in my body must be hard…"

"Don't say that, Kuroko-cchi. I get what it's like to be you now. I still can't believe you can pull off those incredible passes. You truly are an amazing guy!"

Kuroko's remorseful expression gave way to a rare smile. "So are you, Kise-kun."

Kise laughed, throwing an arm around Kuroko and squeezing his friend affectionately. "Great minds think alike, huh?"

"Quit spooning, weirdos. Everyone's waiting," said Aomine irritably.

"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" teased Kise mischievously, elbowing Aomine.

The Teikou ace snorted scathingly. "The only green guy around here is Murasakibara."

There was a whooshing noise, and Aomine whipped round to see the ball dropping through the hoop.

"That was for me," said Midorima aloofly.

Kise gave an admiring whistle.

"Nothin' but net!" he said, shielding his eyes with a hand. "Man, I looked good."

"Don't encourage him!" exclaimed Aomine, infuriated. "Or rather, if you saw him shooting why the hell didn't you stop him?"

Kise shrugged, grinning. "I wanted to see how I'd look dropping a three."

"It's your fault for not paying attention nanodayo, moron," said Midorima curtly.

"You damn Megane – !"

"Instead of throwing a futile tantrum, why don't you focus on making up for the six points you lost?"

"You bastard! Just you wait – I'll take you down, taped fingers and all!"

"Good work, Shintarou," said Akashi, as Midorima jogged past him. "It would seem you have no trouble maintaining your three-point range for now." The Captain paused for a moment. "'But your form was a little off. Will you be able to keep this up?"

Midorima halted.

''i will do my best," he said, after a moment's pause.

"Very well," nodded Akashi approvingly. "Hand over possession to Atsushi next; I want to see how he fares."

Side note: Heaps of gratitude to the anon who pointed out some of the incongruity in the story! I do apologise for any mistakes made (-_-)ゞ゛