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

Kuroko – Murasakibara

Kise – Akashi

Midorima – Kuroko

Aomine – Midorima

Murasakibara – Aomine

Akashi – Kise

...

Chapter Twelve

"What the deuce is going on?" groaned Nijimura.

Akashi was watching the events with a strange expression on his face. Sensing his agitation, Momoi tried to laugh it off.

"Ahaha! Looks like Nijimura is stressed about practice!"

Akashi's silence was not encouraging.

In the meantime, Kise was sweating buckets; Nijimura was looking at him weirdly, and Kise knew his senpai suspected something amiss. He had to try to throw dust into his senpai's eyes.

Mustering all the authority he could, Kise commanded, "In positions, everyone!"

Aomine rubbed the back of his head slowly. "Wait… who's in my team again?"

"Murasakibara-kun and Nijimura-senpai," confided Kuroko in a whisper. "Try to remember, Aomine-kun."

"Right. Thanks, Tetsu."

The game got off to a rocky start. Intending to catch the opponent by surprise, Kise charged through the court, but he was foiled by Aomine's instant appearance.

"Yo," grinned Aomine. "It's been a while since we've gone at it, Kise. As much as I hate to admit it, Midorima's body is way easier to adapt to. I'm not losing today."

Kise didn't want to admit it either, but he had never won in a one-on-one against the Ace. Still, he wasn't about to go down without a fight.

Working the ball furiously, Kise darted around, but Aomine was always a second quicker. Kise found himself doubling back again and again; finally, the ball was knocked out of his hands. He gave chase. Aomine was sprinting toward the hoop so fast it was hard to believe he was dribbling. The Ace jumped; the ball was about to roll off his palm but a large hand knocked it away.

"The heck?!"

Kuroko had appeared out of nowhere and smacked the ball out of Aomine's possession.

Kise caught the ball with a grin.

"Nice one, Murasakibara-cchi!"

"Tetsu! I thought you're on my team!" exclaimed Aomine.

"I said Murasakibara-kun is on your team," replied Kuroko in surprise.

"Goddamit! You were talking about the real Murasakibara?"

While Aomine was worked up, Kise had tossed the ball to Midorima. The Vice-Captain leapt up, the ball soaring out of his hands –

– and landing on the inside floor.

Midorima cursed. Just as he'd thought – Kuroko's physical limitations were impeding his shooting ability.

The real Murasakibara, who was standing beneath the hoop, picked up the ball almost lazily.

"Aomine!" shouted Nijimura, running over to his teammate.

Murasakibara threw the ball to his senpai. With the ball in his possession, Nijimura drove toward the basket. When Kise intercepted, Nijimura passed to Aomine, who tackled past Midorima and drew in for another shot.

Bam. Once more, the ball was knocked out of Aomine's hands.

"Damn it, Tetsu!"

For the second time, Aomine had failed to see the Phantom Miracle. While Aomine was distracted, Kise swiped the ball and passed to Midorima. The Vice Captain attempted another three, only to miss the hoop completely.

"Not again!" groaned Kise, when Murasakibara caught the ball and pitched it at Nijimura.

Meanwhile on the bench, a dumbfounded Momoi was watching the game.

"This… is not good, is it?" she said, as Nijimura went for the basket again.

Akashi didn't reply, but his eyes had narrowed to mere slits.

Meanwhile, Midorima had intercepted Nijimura. The third-year tried to weave his way around, but Midorima caught up with his every move. Nijimura was startled by 'Kuroko's' sudden agility.

"You really have improved, Kuroko," smiled Nijimura. "It's admirable that you're attempting to make threes, but this isn't your style."

Midorima was well aware of this, which was why he was sticking to normal plays.

"You don't need to tell me nanodayo," he told his senpai shortly.

Nijimura blinked. Nanodayo?

Hold on, thought the third year, his gaze slicing to 'Kuroko's' left hand. Has Kuroko always played with his left hand?

"Nijimura!" yelled Aomine, moving into his senpai's view.

Nijimura ducked and spun, bringing the ball around as he did. Midorima moved to intercept, but Nijimura was already passing to Aomine. The Ace caught the ball and dribbled toward the basket, all with his right hand.

Nijimura paused, confused. Wasn't Midorima supposed to be left-handed?

And now that he thought about it, why wasn't Midorima attempting to land any of his threes today? Or yesterday, for that matter? All he had been doing was employing the run-and-gun method. In fact, the way he was playing now was highly reminiscent of Aomine's style.

Nijimura thought back to yesterday. Akashi's amateur performance and the fact that no one had noticed him in the middle of the game; Kuroko's unnatural advancement; Kise's glasses and three-point range; Murasakibara's sudden fast plays; Midorima's insistence on staying under the net; and Aomine's new ankle-break ability…

"Akashi," said Nijimura sharply.

Kise, who was standing nearby, turned with a nervous look.

"Yeah?"

"Have you been coaching Aomine?"

Kise tilted his head puzzledly. "Coaching? Not that I know of… I mean, no! No, I haven't."

Kise didn't like the look on his senpai's face. It was a deep and analysing look.

"You haven't?" repeated Nijimura.

Kise shook his head. "Not at all."

"Then perhaps you could explain how he came to use your ability yesterday."

Kise gulped. "Oh… that? Mu – I mean, Atsushi just happened to trip – "

"'Atsushi?' Weren't you calling him Murasakibara-cchi just a while ago?"

Droplets of sweat ran down Kise's forehead.

Not good! This is not good!

"Is something wrong?" asked Aomine, suddenly appearing between them. "We're in the middle of a game, in case you've forgotten, Captain."

"That's a pretty interesting right hand, Midorima," said Nijimura, gazing at the ball pinned between Aomine's arm and waist. "It's been doing all the work for you."

"Huh?" frowned Aomine. "The hell are you saying?"

"Mi-Shintarou," hissed Kise, trying to signal to his teammate to stay quiet.

"Speaking of which, you guys have all been acting wacky since yesterday," continued Nijimura suspiciously. "Calling each other by the wrong names, Akashi disappearing for half the game without anyone realising, Midorima, staying under the net the whole time. And now Kuroko is the one wearing glasses and aiming for threes, while Aomine holds the inside fort. It's as if, as if you've become each other or something!"

Akashi was on his feet now. Momoi and the rest of the Miracles were watching the scene as if glued to the floor.

"Well, Akashi?" prompted Nijimura. "I'd seriously like to know what's going on."

Aomine's scowl deepened.

"Is that the way to speak to your Captain?" he demanded, secretly nudging Kise as he did so.

Catching on, Kise tried to look affronted as well. He drew himself up and said remotely, "You should not question me in that tone, Nijimura. How we play is no concern of yours."

"Um… is everything OK?"

The three of them jumped. Kuroko had just popped out of nowhere, his face full of concern.

"Murasakibara?" uttered Nijimura, blinking. "When did you get here?"

"I've been here for a while," said Kuroko, just as Kise and Aomine covered his mouth.

Kuroko-cchiii! You're blowing our cover!

"There! That's exactly what I'm talking about," said Nijimura angrily. "No one but Kuroko can just appear out of the blue like that. Yesterday it was Akashi, and now it's Murasakibara! And what about Akashi's new pet names for everyone?"

"Pet names?" protested Kise. "It's just a form of respect!"

This time, it was Aomine who slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Kise, you planning to die early?" he hissed.

Nijimura folded his arms.

"Alright. Are you guys having me on?"

"You would not believe the truth even if we told you, Nijimura," said Akashi quietly.

It wasn't only the Captain who had finally approached the scene; the rest of the Miracles had gathered around as well.

"What do you mean?" asked Nijimura, now facing the Captain with a bemused look.

"I had hoped to keep it from the others, but it seems we are unable to hide it from you. You are not our previous Captain for nothing."

Nijimura found this impassive Kise rather unsettling. Warily, he asked, "What do you mean by 'the truth'?"

"Aka – Kise, are you sure this is a good idea?" questioned Midorima uncertainly. "Who's to say he'll even believe us?"

"Believe what, Midorima-cchi? That I have been coaching everybody on how to Copy each other's styles?"

The others blinked in unison.

WHAT?

Nijimura was astonished. "You've been doing that, Kise? Why didn't you say anything?"

"It is not my obligation to inform others of my doings."

Huh? That was totally something Akashi would say, thought Nijimura in alarm. Why is he speaking so differently? Everyone's acting so creepy. Even Akashi…

He glanced sidelong at the Captain, who had an uncharacteristically edgy look.

He does not seem to be convinced, observed Akashi. Does he doubt my words? Still, even if he suspects it, there is nothing he can prove.

Looking pained, Nijimura finally reached a decision.

"Very well," he said at last. "In that case, I won't ask further."

Akashi nodded.

Over on the bench, Momoi breathed a sigh.

Phew! I thought we were in for it…

"Then, let us resume," said Kise, trying not to let his relief show. Akashi had saved the team for now, but the rest would be up to them.

Unfortunately, the Miracles' minds were still a little jumbled.

A Misdirecting Murasakibara is a double whammy, thought Aomine. He would have to bring the real deal into the fray.

"Oi, Ak – I mean, Mura – no, Aomine, damn it!" Aomine almost bit his tongue trying to properly address his teammate. "Step out and give us a hand! They're not scoring points, but neither will we at this rate!"

With a yawn, Murasakibara came trudging over.

"It's because you're letting Kuro-chin steal your thunder, Mine-chin," he said impatiently.

Now he's calling people by their real names?

Aomine glanced hastily at Nijimura, but the third year didn't appear to have heard.

"You dolt," Aomine hissed at Murasakibara. "Stop using our real names already. Besides, whose body do we have to thank for it?"

After making certain that Nijimura was out of earshot, Kuroko asked Midorima, "Midorima-kun, are you OK? I apologise for giving you trouble."

"There is no need for you to apologise nanodayo.

"OK. Thank you, Midorima-kun."

"There is no need to thank me either nanodayo."

"Ah, Midorima-cchi! Ever the tsundere," grinned Kise as he threw an arm around Midorima's shoulders.

"Kise, unhand me nanodayo," frowned Midorima.

"Sorry!" laughed Kise, obliging. "You look so much like Kuroko that I can't help behaving like this."

"Kise-kun, be careful," warned Kuroko.

Kise smiled and waved a hand airily. "Don't worry. Look, our senpai is currently talking strategy to Aomine-cchi and Murasakibara-cchi."

In fact, Nijimura was touching on a far different subject.

The third year had folded his arms as he gazed upon his teammates. "It's hard to believe that you've all learnt how to Copy each other, but does it have something to do with Aomine calling Murasakibara 'Kuro-chin'?"

Crap! So he did hear that!

Aomine feigned indifference by scratching the back of his head.

"Look, we've wasted enough time," he said. "Let's get on with the game, alright?"

Nijimura wasn't fooled, but nevertheless, he let the case drop for now.

As the third year took up position at the midcourt line, Murasakibara said, "You know, I'm surprised that Nijimura swallowed Aka-chin's words so easily."

Aomine, who was getting tired of the subject, said irritably, "Oh, who cares?"

With Midorima in Kuroko's body, even if Aomine were to beat the Vice Captain, it wouldn't be a fair match. But Kuroko himself was proving to be a challenge, and Aomine disliked being on the losing end.

"Listen up, Murasakibara – we're going to double-team Tetsu," he instructed. Never thought the day would come when I'd be saying this. "So Murasakibara, if I lose the ball again, you'll be there to retake it."

"OK," said Murakibara idly.

Aomine sighed; having to witness a lazy version of himself was shaping up to be another challenge.

The game began.

As if to make up for his lack of threes, Midorima was defending Nijimura to the death. Watching himself playing so expertly, Kuroko was filled with a deep sense of awe. He sometimes forgot that shooting wasn't Midorima's only forte.

Unable to find an opening through Midorima's aggressive defence, Nijimura was forced to pass. Aomine caught the ball running and made it all the way to the hoop.

As expected, Kuroko dashed the ball from his hands at the last second.

"Not this time, Murasakibara!" shouted Aomine.

The real Murasakibara, who had been on the brink of grabbing the ball, stopped short at the Ace's words.

"Eh?"

Quick as lightning, Midorima stole the ball and was off before either Aomine or Murasakibara could react.

Aomine made to move, but a human screen appeared in the form of Kuroko.

Aomine skidded to a halt, but he couldn't avoid crashing into Kuroko. If the Phantom Miracle had been in his real body, Aomine would have knocked him down flat.

"Move it, Tetsu!"

The delay bought Midorima enough time to reach his end of the hoop unscathed.

"The real Kuroko is here nanodayo!" yelled Midorima, leaping up.

The ball sank through the net in a magnificent arc.

"Wow, he did it!" gasped Kise. "But it's.. a two?"

Kuroko's eyes were sparkling.

"Wow," he said softly. He had no idea he could look so cool shooting a basket. "Midorima-kun, you really are amazing."

"But because it was a normal shot, he didn't have time to turn around and walk away," chortled Kise.

"Hmph," smiled Midorima. He was glad he had made the shot despite his terrible luck. As always, basketball never failed him.

"Murasakibara!" fumed Aomine, stomping toward his teammate. "Why didn't you take the ball? It was right in front of your nose!"

"But you told me not to," protested Murasakibara, pouting in annoyance. "Mine-chin, you shouldn't be so fickle-minded."

Aomine didn't even have the energy left to argue.

"Captain, I would like to make a member change," he told Kise.

"Eh? Oh, OK. Switch with… Tetsuya, then."

It took Aomine a second to work out what he meant.

"You mean Tetsu – I mean, Kuroko or Midorima?"

Kise also looked confused. "I meant Shintarou."

"Huh? What are you talking about, Akashi?" frowned Nijimura.

Yikes! Not again.

"OK, Kuroko it is!" exclaimed Aomine, hurriedly shoving Murasakibara forward and pulling Midorima toward him.

"What? I didn't give you my consent nanodayo," protested Midorima.

"Captain's orders, Kuroko," returned Aomine.

"Whoa, I don't look as tall as I thought," remarked Murasakibara, gazing up at Kuroko languidly.

"Please be careful of what you say, Kuroko-kun," reminded Kuroko.

"Oh, right," said Murasakibara, as though it was something anybody would forget. "I'm kind of disappointed that Aka-chin isn't playi – I mean, isn't using his Emperor Eye. I wanted to see his Bottom Buster."

"His what?" said Nijimura, convinced he had heard wrong.

"It's Akashi-kun's new technique," explained Kuroko.

"No, it's the same technique but with a different name nanodayo," said Midorima exasperatedly. "Wait! That's not the problem here. Since when did we acknowledge it as an official term?"

"OK, OK, break it up. We've got a game to play," said Kise heartily.

Aomine was exhausted with this whole business. Nijimura noticed his expression.

"Don't look so glum," said Nijimura, clapping him on the back. "It's unlike you to be dispirited, Aomine."

"Ha… " grunted Aomine. Then he did a double take.

Did Nijimura just use my real name?

"Back in positions, everyone!" called Nijimura. "Akashi, it's all yours!"

Huh, Aomine frowned at the third year pensively. Maybe I was imagining things.