CHAPTER 10.

"Fujiwara-chan! There you are!"

A brunette came running up to them, whom Akashi recognized as the one in charge of the costumes for their class booth. She was panting as she finally reached the stage where Akashi and Mizuki was currently standing, having done their round inspection of the whole school in preparation for the actual fair two hours away.

"Ayako-san." Mizuki greeted the newcomer.

"Good morning, Fujiwara-chan, Akashi-san." Then turning to the chartreusette, she said, "Fujiwara-chan, let's go back to the classroom — we have to get you in your costume! Akashi-san, can I borrow Fujiwara-chan for a while?"

The redhead ignored the slightly fearful tone in the girl's voice as she spoke the last sentence. He nodded his consent. "It's fine. I'll go along as well — I have to check our class booth also."

— break —

Upon reaching the classroom, Mizuki was shoved promptly inside the makeshift changing room, along with her costume. She emerged a few minutes later, earning several squeals from the girls and wide eyes from the boys in their class.

"Kyaa~! Fujiwara-chan, kawaii~!" Ayako rushed over, fixing a few places that the chartreusette had overlooked. "You look perfect!"

Akashi, who was asking the one in charge of the menu, turned his head to look at the sudden commotion. He was about to get the class back to order when his eyes locked on her.

The chartreusette was wearing a black and white two piece ensemble consisting of a tube top and a skirt. The tube top was black laced together in the front with a white ribbon. It ended a few inches above her navel, showing her toned midriff and slim waist. The skirt is of the same color scheme, alternating black and white layer of silk and lace , short at the front but slowly lenghtening at both sides until it reached the floor behind her. Black heels with ribbons wraped around her slender calf completed her outfit.

At the moment, Mizuki turned her head and their eyes met. She walked towards him, hushing their classmates when they remembered that Akashi was there. She stood before him and fiddled with the ribbon around her left wrist. She was having trouble tying it up. As she struggled with it, she muttered, half to herself and half to Akashi, "This dress is troublesome."

Akashi smirked. That was the closest that Mizuki came to complaining. Technically speaking, this was not part of her job but then it was necessary to keep up with appearances.

"You look absolutely beautiful in it," he said before holding her wrist and tying the ribbon in an elegant bow. As he tightened the knot, Mizuki felt her heart race when he said those words.

Okay, so since when did she actually care if she is beautiful or not?

"Fujiwara-chan, come here over for a while! I still have to do your hair and make-up!"

Akashi suddenly had an idea. "Ayako."

"H-hai! What is it, A-akashi-san?"

"Focus on her eyes. Her lips is fine as it is. And curl her hair—" here Akashi twirled a lock of chartruese hair on his finger, "—like this."

"A-as you say so, Akashi-san! Fujiwara-chan, if you may...?" She gestured to a chair in front of the mirror.

"Go," Akashi whispered, along with a small shove at her. And for the second time that day, Mizuki found herself being dolled up once again.

— break —

Akashi was unable to see the greenhaired beauty to be completely made up as he had to oversee the start of the program to welcome all those who had came over to their school fair. It was during his speech when his eyes saw a rainbow among the crowd. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he thought, 'What are they doing here?

"Akashicchi!" A blonde young man with handsome features jogged to where Akashi stood, having paused at the sound of a certain someone's voice calling out his name with enthusiasm.

"Ryouta." He greeted his former teammate. He regarded Kise carefully, from the perpetual smile on his face and of course, that confident aura that he exudes — part of him being a model. Kise, as always, is dressed fashionably — nothing exaggerated, just your daily casual wear for day-to-day activities, but Kise always had a knack for making anything he wore to look good, even if it's just a simple long sleeved shirt over khaki pants.

However, said model is far from confident when subjected to Akashi's unnerving stare. He chuckled nervously. Akashi is not amused.

"What are you doing here, Ryouta? On a school day, nonetheless. Are you skipping classes?"

Kise visibly paled. Shit. How could he have forgotten? Even though they were no longer teammates, Akashi had always kept tabs on each and every one of them, and had reprimanded them if they did something that did not please the redhead. Sure, it was creepy, like having a stalker or something, but in a way, that was just Akashi showing his care for his friends and former teammates. If not for Akashi, Kise would have had difficulty passing their latest exams.

But back to the matter at hand. He scratched the back of his head apologetically. "Well... It's just for today! I was curious about Akashicchi's school and so when I heard that Rakuzan was having a festival, I decided to come to visit!" He pointed to where he came from. "And not only me — the rest of the Kiseki came along as well! And some people..." He trailed off.

"Some people" referred to Himuro Tatsuya, Kagami Taiga, and Takao Kazunari who had tagged along with their respective partners. Of course, Momoi was present, but as a rule, wherever Aomine goes, she goes, and besides, she was their manager back in Teiko which makes her somehow a part of the Kiseki no Sedai in a way.

Akashi frowned, displeased. Just what are they thinking? Skipping classes all for a school festival all the way here in Kyoto? When this is over, he'll make sure that they won't do this again in the future.

The group approached him and Kise warily, aware of the frown marring Akashi's regal features. Arms crossed, he faced them and said without preamble, "Just this once. Do this again, and I'll make sure you'll never think of skipping classes the same ever again."

All of them gulped and nodded at him, including the three who do not belong to the Kiseki no Sedai. And then, Akashi turned around and walked away, saying, "Well then, welcome to Rakuzan's school festival."

Being the student council president, it is Akashi's job to go on rounds to check on each booth if they are having any problems or difficulty. "To go on rounds" means that Akashi has to walk up and down all those buildings and visit each booth, ask a few questions, and proceed to the next one. It was supposed to be an easy job, but with the group tagging behind him, the redhead felt like he was a tourist guide to a bunch of idiots.

"Uwaaah! The ghosts here are very realistic! Sugoi!" Kise exclaimed as they entered the third years' haunted house.

"C-can we g-go out n-now, pl-please?" Aomine stuttered, trying hard not to hide behind Murasakibara.

"What? Aominecchi's afraid of ghosts?" Kise's eyes widened in surprise, before he burst out laughing. This angered Aomine, of course, especially when the rest of the group decided to join in teasing him.

"Aomine-kun thought I was a ghost at first, too. He even covered his ears and chanted some weird incantations at me that time," Kuroko said, taking a sip of his milkshake. He seemed unaffected, but to those who knew him well, he was actually trying not to laugh.

"Don't go telling that to everyone Tetsu!" Aomine yelled.

Just then, a cold hand laid itself on his shoulder. When he turned around, he came face to face with a pale face with blood dripping from its mouth.

"Boo." It said to him.

Aomine screamed bloody murder, which was when Akashi deemed it appropriate to intervene. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he stood next to Aomine, and motioned to Kuroko who was on the other side of the tanned ace. Understanding perfectly, Kuroko nodded to him then gave Aomine a jab at the side, like the one he gave to Kagami during one of their games back in InterHigh last year.

"Ow! What the hell was that for, Tetsu?!" He glared at the shorter male, who was sipping his milkshake, looking innocent as ever.

"Language, Daiki." Akashi said. "And I've had enough of your screaming. You are old enough not to be scared of these things. And Chihiro, you do not have to scare him."

"Mayuzumi-san." Kuroko greeted the other phantom standing in front of him.

Aomine turned his glare to the "ghost" that scared him earlier. Ah, so that explains why he didn't sense hin when he came up behind him. It was Rakuzan's phantom.

"I apologize. They are too noisy."

"Indeed." Akashi agreed. "Anyway, how is your booth faring, Chihiro?"

"Quite well. There are a lot of visitors, but since it's nearing lunch time, most have gone out to eat first." Mayuzumi replied, dusting off his shoulder.

"Good. Tell me if something happens." Akashi said. "Keep up the good work, then."

"Aa."

Akashi had turned to leave, then stopped midstride as he remembered something. "Chihiro," he called out.

"What is it?"

"Since I have guests, we'll be having lunch out back by the garden. Meet us there when you're done with your shift."

"Okay." Mayuzumi nodded, and Akashi finally walked away, with the group behind him. Mayuzumi stood there for a moment before going off to the restroom to fix himself up for lunch.

Akashi sent a message to his other teammates about the new arrangements for lunch, as well as an order to some of his servants to prepare the place for them and to bring additional food for his unexpected guests. He then went to the second years' building and headed for his own classroom to pick Mizuki up.

He could see her already, standing by the doorway as she ushered the costumers in and thanking those who were leaving. He saw her bow and gave thanks to a pair of first-year girls who looked at her in admiration. They smiled back at Mizuki before they finally went on their way. When they passed him by, he heard one of them say, "...Fujiwara-sama looks so beautiful in her dress..."

Behind him, Momoi said, "Isn't that Mi-chan?"

It was Kagami who answered her. "Probably. No one could have that kind of hair color aside from her."

"Eh? Who's Mi-chan, Momoicchi? Is she your friend? But why does Kagamicchi knows her also?" Kise asked, curious.

Before anyone could reply to the blonde's questions, the group reached their destination and Kise heard Akashi speaking to someone.

"Mizuki."

"Oh, Akashi."

Now, this doubled Kise's curiousity, as well as those who haven't seen or heard of Mizuki before. The one Akashi was talking to is obviously a female. Stepping out behind Midorima, Kise looked to where Akashi is, and that was when he saw her. About Momoi's height, she had a fair complexion, a slim build, gold eyes that resembles Akashi'd Emperor Eye, and hair that was the color of lime.

"I came here to get you for lunch. Your shift's nearly over."

"I've ten more minutes to go." The girl shook her head. Akashi raised an eyebrow at her reply.

"I'm sure they won't mind your absence. I'll tell them." And then he was gone, into the classroom to tell the one in charge of the booth that he's taking their "mascot" away.

Of course, they had no choice but to let her go.

Meanwhile, outside, Mizuki was being smothered by a hug from Momoi. The moment Akashi stepped inside, the pinkette immediately dived for the chartreusette.

"Mi-chaaaan~!" Momoi greeted her. "Nice to see you again!" She released her and looked her over, then squealed. "Mi-chan, you're so lovely in your dress! Kawaii~!"

"Ah. Arigatō, Sa-chan." Mizuki simply replied. Her attention was on the group of people before her. "Nice to see you again, Kuroko-san, Aomine-san, and Kagami-san."

The aforementioned greeted her in kind. She then looked to the other people in the group. "Nice to meet you, too. I assume you are friends of Akashi, am I right? I'm Fujiwara Mizuki, hajimemashite."

They introduced themselves to her after she greeted them. All in all, they were an odd group, and it made Mizuki wonder how Akashi seemed to fit in that mess.

Akashi returned just then, and after knowing that they were already acquainted with the chartreusette, he took her hand and led them to where their lunch awaits them.

When they arrived at the back garden, Mibuchi and Mayuzumi were already there, sitting on a gigantic picnic blanket that's spread out on the ground. On the side are several baskets of food and a cooler that contained the drinks. Inviting them in, each of them sat on the blanket in a sort of a circle. Mizuki found herself between Akashi and Mibuchi.

"Mi-chaan~!" The raven-haired shooter said as he plopped himself beside her. "My, imouto's looking so pretty today, hmmm?"

Mizuki ignored him as she rearranged her skirt. It was only then that she realized that the skirt was a bit short, and that doesn't help when her midriff was already exposed as it is. Realizing her predicament, Akashi removed his blazer and spread it out on her lap.

"Use it for the meantime." He said to her when she looked up at him with questioning eyes.

"Arigatō", she said quietly. All the while, everyone was watching that brief exchange between her and the feared emperor in rapt attention.

It was Takao who broke the silence. "Say," he started cautiously, "are you two... dating or something?"

Around him, the people looked fearful for him and started praying for his soul. Midorima elbowed him and said harshly, "Takao!"

Off to the side, Mayuzumi felt his eyebrow twitch.

Emperor Eye met Hawk Eye as he stared Takao to submission. "Do not go making assumptions, Kazunari."

"Akashi-kun and Mi-chan are just close friends, Takao-kun." Momoi supplied helpfully. Truthfully, she was also thinking that there might be something more — Akashi's actions are surely not just an act of friendship... Or was it?

"Mi-chan and Sei-chan are just like that, please don't mind them," Mibuchi added jokingly.

"Heh, sorry..." Takao laughed awkwardly. He looked at Mizuki. She didn't even react at his statement. He had half expected her to blush or protest, but what she did was nothing. Just sat there and looked at him with one eyebrow raised.

"Oi, Chibi! What are you doing dressed like that?" A booming voice announced Nebuya's arrival, a grinning Hayama beside him.

Akashi heard Mizuki tsk-ed beside him. Her snarky side seemed to be reserved just for their center. When Nebuya was within hearing distance, she said, "At least it's better than what you're wearing yourself, Kyojin."

Nebuya was wearing something that looked like a blanket draped on him to create some semblance of a Greek toga but didn't look right on his buff body. He grunted as he took a seat next to Mayuzumi. "Heh. Too lazy to change. Anyway," he gazed at the group seated on the picnic blanket, "quite a party we have here."

"Indeed. Now that we're complete, let's have our lunch." Akashi ordered.

Since they were the ones nearest to the food baskets, Kise, Himuro, and Mayuzumi were the ones who set up the food while Hayama handed out the drinks. There are spaghetti, sushi, tofu, even milkshake and oshiruko for Kuroko and Midorima.

And of course, there's pizza.

"Hey, Chibi, mind if I take a slice?" Nebuya said midway in their meal.

"No, I don't. Just as long as you don't inhale everything, Kyojin." Mizuki replied.

Rakuzan's center laughed loudly. "Don't worry, just a slice. No need to get all worked up."

Mizuki huffed at that. She picked up her can of juice, only to realize that it was already empty. "Mayuzumi-senpai, can I please have another of this?" She held up the can for him to see.

However, it was Kise who turned to get her juice. "Let me, Mizukicchi!" After a brief rummaging in the cooler, he found the one she like and handed it to her, smiling brightly all the while. "Here it is!"

"Ah. Arigatō, Kise-san."

The blonde laughed. "You're welcome, Mizukicchi! Ano, you don't mind, do you?"

Mizuki opened her can of juice and gracefully took a sip. "Mind what, Kise-san?"

"Me calling you Mizukicchi. "Fujiwaracchi" is a mouthful." He chuckled.

"What's with the '—cchi'?" Himuro asked.

"Kise being annoying, that's what." Aomine said.

"Aominecchi!" the blonde protested.

"Kuroko said that Kise adds '—cchi' to the names of the people that he respects." Kagami said to Himuro.

"I see." Himuro nodded thoughtfully.

"No, I don't mind." Mizuki answered. "It's just a name."

The group spoke of random topics while they ate. Most of it was basketball-related, of course. A brief squabble erupted between Aomine, Kise, and Kagami, and Akashi had threatened them to behave themselves or else. When they were through with lunch, they rested for a while before Akashi stood up and straightened his clothes. He held out a hand to Mizuki, who took it as she too stood up, his blazer slung over her arm. He checked the time on his wristwatch.

Ten minutes before one o'clock.

"You better hurry up now, Reo, Kotaro, Mibuchi, Chihiro, Eikichi. Your shifts are about to start."

They nodded and stood up. Thanking Akashi for the meal, they bid their goodbyes to the rest of the group. Mizuki got special treatment, of course.

"Bye, Chibi! Drop by our booth later, I'll give you some pizza chips!"

"Bye bye, Mizuki-chan!"

"Ja ne, imouto-chan~!" Reo hugged her then patted her head lightly, chuckling when Mizuki irritatedly swatted his hand away. "Sei-chan, you won't mind going to our booth with Mi-chan later, would you?" When Akashi raised an eyebrow at him, he waved at them, "Well then, see you later~!"

Mayuzumi was the quietest of them all. "I'll be going." He laid a hand on her head, but unlike Mibuchi's, she didn't remove his hand. "If it's not much of a bother, please visit our booth. It's a haunted house, if you're interested." He shoved his hand in his pocket, then nodded at Akashi.

And they were gone.

Meanwhile, Akashi's servants are already cleaning up their lunch, and soon were gone also. The Kiseki no Sedai and their companions gaped as the servants bowed to Akashi before they departed. Yes, they are well aware of Akashi's wealth but witnessing it is another thing.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Takao asked no one in particular.

"We're obviously going to visit the booths. Isn't that what we're here for?" Midorima said. It looked like he was in a hurry to go and do just that. Of course, Akashi knew why.

"First floor, freshmen building," Teikos former captain said. Midorima nodded, then headed off.

"Let's go, Takao."

"O-oi! Shin-chan!" Takao yelled as Midorima kept on walking. "Sheesh, what a troublesome guy," he grumbled. "Gotta go now, Shin-chan and I are gonna go hunting for his lucky items!" And then to Mizuki, "See ya later! Nice meeting you, by the way!" And then he ran off to where his partner was, calling out to the green-haired shooter to wait for him.

"They sure get along together," Himuro said, watching the two walk away.

"Mido-chin is a tsun-tsun," Murasakibara said as he tore open a new bag of chips.

"Tsun-tsun?" Kuroko asked, oblivious.

"Mukkun means that Midorin is a tsundere." Momoi answered, chuckling.

"It's a great wonder how Takaocchi puts up with him. Kami knows how difficult it is to deal with Midorimacchi at times."

"I wonder about how your teammates deal with you, too."

"Aominecchi, why do you have to be so mean to me?" Kise whined.

"Because you're annoying."

Kise complained loudly, and Kagami clicked his tongue. "You guys argue too much. You're like a married couple."

At his statement, the group minus Kuroko, Aomine, Kise, Akashi, and Mizuki burst out laughing. Murasakibara pointed at the two and said in a bored yet amused tone, "Mine-chin, just propose to Kise-chin already."

"What the fuck are you saying Murasakibara? This is your fault, Bakagami!" Aomine roared.

"Eh? Aominecchi doesn't want me? I'm hurt," Kise played along, placing a hand dramatically on his chest, pretending that he was hurt. "And I thought that you loved me..."

This freaked the tanned ace even more as the group laughed even louder. Kuroko's eyes shone with amusement. Even Akashi was smirking as Kise played the part of a rejected lover. "Shut up, Kise!"

"Mou, Aominecchi..." Kise moved closer to him, and Aomine took a step back for every step forward that the blonde took. However, looking at Aomine's face, it was getting harder for Kise to maintain his act and soon he gave up and burst out laughing.

"Hahahahaha! Aominecchi's face is priceless! Hahaha!" Tears formed in Kise's eyes as he laughed out loud, clutching his stomach and pointing at Aomine who was glaring at him.

"Kise, you bastard...!" He glowered.

"Oh come on, Dai-chan, don't be mad. It was just a joke," Momoi said to her childhood friend as she finally forced herself to stop laughing. God, that was the most funny thing she saw. Even more when Kise played along as well.

"Hmp. It's not funny." Aomine said, crossing his arms and walking back to the group. "Bakagami."

"You saying, Ahomine?" Kagami countered.

"And now, you two are the ones who act like a married couple," Mizuki said, standing there with her arms crossed, watching them.

"Make your choice already, Daiki. Taiga or Ryouta?" Akashi sighed, shaking his head disappointedly, joining in the fun.

And a new round of laughter and teasing directed to a certain ganguro commenced.