The gym doors opened revealing Sei, Shin-kun, and the purple giant. "Aomine. We've been looking for you."

"Mine-chin, we heard yelling. What's going on?" the giant lazily eyed Aomine-kun, munching on his chips. Where exactly does he get them anyway?

"It's nothing. I just had an argument with Tetsu." he answered, a bit nervous.

"Is this the 'Tetsu' you've always talked about during practise?" Shin-kun asked, looking around. Then all eyes were focused on Aomine-kun.

This is the right time to escape.

But Sei's eyes were fast enough to catch me before I succeeded on slipping away. "Tetsuya."

I froze, turning to them. "Hello Sei-kun, Shin-kun, Mr. Giant-kun."

The purple giant blinked. "Oh, Tetsuya, this is Murasakibara Atsushi. Murasakibara, this is my twin, Tetsuya."

"Yoroshiku, Murasakibara-kun." I bowed, he nodded. His name's a little too long.

"Wait, Tetsu, you have a twin? And of all the people in the universe, it's Akashi?!" Aomine-kun exclaimed, now shivering, backing away from us. I guess Sei went a little rough with him. I jabbed his side to shut him up for a bit.

"Yes, you're just an Aho to not notice."

"Huh. Now I get where your sadistic side came from." he ignored my comment, rubbing his side.

"I am not sadistic, Aomine-kun." he rolled his eyes. Before he could cast another 'witty' reply, Sei cleared his throat.

"So you have been gone these past month, training with Aomine." his eyes narrowed, and the something that flashed in his eyes last time reappeared and disappeared the second it registered in my mind.

It scares me to think that he was losing control again, but I pushed those thoughts away to the back of my mind before it could evolve quickly like a Pokemon. Even if he loses control, I will not let anything like last time happen again.

"Hai. He's been taking good care of me Sei-kun. You don't have to worry." I said, half heartedly.

"Is that right? Then what is this argument I've heard about?" Sei looked towards the navy blue haired ace, who was currently as pale as a ghost. He looks like he's drawn, literally.

I sighed. They'd know eventually either way.

"I'm quitting basketball." Sei turned back to face me, not believing his ears. Although his face may seem calm, the shock and confusion was clearly readable like the words in a bed time story book.

"Tetsuya-"

"Sei-kun, I've made my decision already. You cannot convince me to change my mind because of so lame excuse. I also had handed in my resignation letter."

Suddenly, Sei gripped my wrist tightly and pulled me to the door, before turning to his teammates. "I apologize but I cannot join you three for later."

While walking in silence, Sei still hadn't let me go, probably thinking I'd slip away like always. But right now, I'm thinking of the exact opposite really.

"Tetsuya. Give me one good reason for you to quit."

"The coach is kicking me out." he halted and raised a brow.

"Why?" even in that one word, there were a series of hidden words behind it.

What father had imprinted in our minds ever since we can remember, 'An Akashi must excel at anything and everything. Victory is everything. The victors are acknowledged, and the losers are forever vanquished from history'. And I had failed him. Truly, I am ashamed, that's why I will gratefully receive my punishment.

"Don't quit." he commanded. I stayed silent, he took that as a signal to continue. "Shintarou and I were talking about the team earlier. We both agreed that something was missing in the team." I nodded, we began walking again.

His grip loosened, I thought he was going to let me go. But then his hand slipped to mine, intertwining our fingers. It felt different, this is the first time he held my hand like this in years. I didn't question it though, it felt good I guess.

"I was thinking, 'what if we had a phantom sixth man? Someone who can bring the strength of the team to its fullest?'" he paused, turning to me. "I know someday you will find your place in the team. Your lack of presence will be of good use someday. You just have to hone the ability that is yet to be discovered. And when you find your answer, let me know."

The door to the mansion opened, revealing a silvery grey haired man with dark blue eyes I've never seen before. Funny how I know everyone who enters and exits our mansion.

He bowed, Sei asked for his name. Something was odd with the man. It feels like I've met him or he's been around me before, I can't quite put my finger on it.

"My name's Takumo, I'm your new butler, young masters." He stepped aside and let us in, taking our coats and bags with him.

A new butler, that's new. All the staff in this home has either been here for decades, or their family are born servants of ours. I wonder why father needed a new one. It's not like we needed him too.

I excused myself, heading towards father's study. He won't be back for a while, he's currently in America for business trip, as always. Sometimes, he wouldn't be home for special occasions, like new years and birthdays, claiming it has important meeting schedules. Bull crap.

He hasn't been home every year for seven years during our birthdays. If only mom was still here...

Grabbing another random light novel, I made my way towards his desk. I finished a total 254 novels this year. Just a few more more and that's a new record. I'm running out of options too. I might go shopping for a few other Mangas.

I suddenly felt motivated by Sei's words, forgetting about my resignation letter in my bag, me myself was curious as to why. I told him nothing can change my mind, when he himself did. I face palmed. I have never backed out on my words, have I?

I banged my head at the table, earning a soft thump. Sighing, I turned back to my book. Even this mansion and company thinks of me as a ghost.

I glanced at my novel, realizing its not a novel, but a documentary(?) book. All about misdirection. I remember mom used to read something like this one. Another reminder of her.

I was about to put back the book, but I realized what the title read. Misdirection is what Sei called my ability to disappear and appear out of nowhere, using distractions.

I read more of it in the book, having a thought come to me. I'm terrible at shooting and dribbling, but if we were to play by teams, then passing would be useful even by itself, I only have to practise more to get used to the it and to the feel of the ball. I would have a purpose to the team, even if I can't score, I'll help the others score.

Its only the points that counts to them anyway. No matter who or what you are, as long as you're useful, you're in.

After all, winning is everything.

I got so lost in the book and my thoughts combined, that I never realized it was midnight until Sei came to get me. I change into my pyjamas quickly and crashed in the bed with no other thoughts but sleep.

Oh, did I mention I accidentally pushed my twin off the bed?

Three months. That's all it took to master my new style. And I think I'm ready to make a comeback. It's been half of the year, but I can still make it.

I continued practising late with Aomine-kun, though not with the third stringers. During those times, I have learned a lot of things, too. Like how you can learn to endure Kise-kun or avoid his death hugs or escape him, though its pretty easy to distract him, just let him keep rambling about literally everything, then leave him talking to a ghost. I'm pretty sure everyone knew that. I also taught just a little to Aomine-kun on how to escape Sei on a foul mood, or when pissed. Only a bit, cause that'll be my little secret.

Most times, I would watch games, just so I can observe the flow of the game and the passes. Momoi-san, the manager of Teiko basketball club, agreed to help me because she had a better observant skill, only she's been pretty clingy ever since the day we met. I've also been recording facts and training to increase my stamina and endurance. Last time I played with Shin-kun and Sei, I only lasted for ten minutes before having to trip on my own feet.

Shin-kun insisted that it was because that day was my worse, credits to Oha-asa's predictions. Sei wasn't the tiny bit affected to his religious beliefs, I had been foolish to do so once, just once. It was funny though actually. He once stated that Sei and I need to bring neko ears and tails to keep our bad luck away.

Right now, I'm about to have my revenge on the never-ending prank wars I have with my twin.

"Takumo, please guide Sei-kun to his destinations after he finish breakfast."

"Hai, is there anything else young master?"

"Just check and make sure all is functioning well. You may take your leave now." he nodded, before sending the message to the other staff. Sei took pretty long in eating breakfast today, but this'll be worth the wait. I took out my phone and unlocked it, waiting patiently in the front door.

Alas, after a few decades, a glittery adventurer had arrived. I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach and holding on the door frame for support.

In front me stood a really foul mood Seijuuro Akashi, in his sparkly uniform, and some flowers in his hair, that if arranged nicely and neatly, it could be a flower crown. He looks like a showman. I took a photo of him, making sure to duplicate it and save in my secret files in case he thinks of stealing my phone and deleting it. This'll add to my photo collection of the glamorous Sei-kun. A lot of which involving him in a flower crown or made over with markers. Shin-kun will sure flip when he sees this.

"Tsk. Tetsuya, lets go before I punish you."

"What kind of punishment, Sei-chan~"

Heh. As long as I'm not part of the basketball training, there's no other way he can punish me. Unless of course, he doesn't care about witnesses in a crime scene.

"Sei-kun, I think I'm ready to re-join the club."

"You never even quit in the first place." He rolled his eyes, climbing in our limo. Oh, how I missed this, but it's kinda still useless since he asks the driver to stop miles away from the school.

"True, but I wasn't training with the others. Was it really ok with you and Nijimura-san?"

"What's done is done."

Right after school ended, I found myself standing in front of the gym doors and I felt nervous. Questions began to form in my mind, that soon led to doubts, that I had almost backed out or peed myself if it weren't for my inherited pride and dignity from my ancestors.

A weight was felt on my shoulders, the infamous Aomine Daiki clinging on me like a bag full of fifty pound textbooks. "Yo, Tetsu. You mastered that style yet?" he pulled me inside, my feet refusing to move on its own.

"H-hai."

"Good, cause I can hardly wait to play with you." he grinned, pulling me to the locker room as well.

Once were done changing, I immediately head to the court, spotting an all too familiar red heap of strands, with glitters still, leaning on a wall watching the current game. I approached the deeply concentrated red head, silently leaning beside him carefully to not disturb the vice captain. Of course, I hadn't gone unnoticed.

As soon as the second versing teams finished, Sei asked the coach to let me join in the next round. The coach still had his doubts, but did anyway. He made one of the players bench and took me in. Sei, Shin-kun, Aomine-kun, and Murasakibara-kun are all eyes on me, waiting for my next move.

Once I was in, I couldn't help but keep shaking. I sent Sei a pleading glance, he understood some part of it. He diverted the other three's attention as he spoke to them about something, but still had their eyes on the ball. When I was convinced they were distracted enough, I hid behind my mark, waiting for the right time to make my move.

One of my teammates was cornered, I appeared in his line of sight, and he passed the ball. I made sure not to touch the ball that long, and passed it to a third year, who was near the hoop. He shot it, and was surprised that the ball had been in his hands so suddenly. People around the gym began whispering about magic and cheating and many more. Think what they like, I'm the phantom of basketball, and as long as I'm here, I'm not going to lose. Though I wish I hadn't attracted too much attention.

I looked over to Sei's direction, it seems he was the only one who knew. He observed me while carefully anticipating my next move. He nodded to me before smirking, and the game continued. As predicted, our team won in 23-20. The coach and Momoi-san seem to be the only other people who saw through my technique. The coach let me join basketball again, but now with Sei in the first string.

As I approached my sparkly twin- which I still couldn't get a move on about -he ruffled my hair and said "good job" while smiling. Shin-kun, being the tsundere he is, only congratulated me, along with his infamous lines. Murasakibara-kun offered me a Vanilla flavored candy. Aomine-kun put his weight on me, grinning like an idiot, and rambling about playing our first game, which made me flinch a bit. Momoi-san tackled me, saying about her 'boyfriend' having to finally join the team. They're a bit crazy, but they're fun to be with.

This is one of the days where I hadn't regret not quitting, and I'm glad I joined the team.

"Young master, your father wanted to have word with you." I nodded and headed to his office. I knocked once, hearing a faint but firm "come in," before entering.

"You wanted to talk father?" he said nothing, gesturing me to sit on a leather chair in front of his desk. It took him a while to look up from his paper works. As he did, he put his pen aside, placed his hands on top of the desk, as I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"Tetsuya, you're coming with me to America." father stated firmly, leaving no room to argue. "We will be leaving tomorrow evening."

"May I ask, for how long?" I'm still not sure if I want to, but since it's my father, I cannot refuse.

"Two months. A lot of events will be occurring there, and you will be my subordinate and representative as my son for the time being."

"What about Sei-kun?"

So we're just leaving him here for two months? That sounds unfair. I get to go with him, leaving my twin to what, die out of loneliness? Well, I'd die of loneliness first, Sei's got Shin-kun and the others, but still. Two months is too long for our liking. If only father would be more considerate and understanding. When was he ever anyway?

"He'll be fine on his own. I trust he can manage everything for a while on his own. He's an Akashi after all."

He will do everything on his own? He's barely fifteen. At least he can get help from the staff here. I will entrust Takumo to take car of him, I'll make sure of that. Out of all the staff here, he's the nicest on in my opinion. He's a better dad than mine.

"Pack your things, Tetsuya, be ready when the time comes."

"Understood."

"Tetsuya, get dressed." Sei ushered me to our bedroom, like a kid excited to get his reward for being a good child. He was smiling too for some unknown reason. "We're going to a training camp, at the beach house." And there's the reason. Even if we're going to the beach, it'll be double the work, and the stamina needed to train in a beach was just too much. Given that we're playing basketball, it's twice- maybe thrice the effort needed to complete a game in the sand.

"A training camp?" Not that I mind, I actually want to be away for a while. It's just that I can't.

"Yes, now go pack your things or I'll cut off your daily milkshake intake."

I pulled my hand from his grasp. He looked back with questioning eyes. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't go." He narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth, I cut him off before he can speak. "I will go with father to America for two months."

"You're what?!" I pulled him back as he was starting to stomp to father's office. He stared into my eyes, me at his, and it seemed like we understood each other with just that, its an effect of twin telepathy. We have super powers.

"Sei-kun, please. It's just two months." I made a puppy dog look, one of which always works. "I promise I'll go to the next camp with you." he sighed, as I know he's planning to try to change my mind, again. It won't work this time though.

"Fine, but keep your promise. Or else no more Vanilla. Not only milkshake, but any Vanilla." my eyes widen, none the less agreed. No way I'm losing vanilla. My sweet, sweet vanilla. "Also, can you walk me to the limo, just until there?"

I rolled my eyes, here he goes again.

"Sei-kun, I know you too well to know that your planning on kidnapping me to force me to join you." I stared blankly at him, who was smiling innocently, like a child caught red handed.

He's done it before, a lot actually, one time when Shin-kun was with us too. They were planning on taking me to the clinic's dentist with them, to Shin-kun's dad's hospital, but when I didn't agree because of my fear of doctors. They asked me to walk them to the entrance, then Sei asked our previous butler / driver to get me in the car. I even ended up traumatized for a few day then. And I am never trusting him with things like this ever again.

"Ok fine. But don't even think about trying anything funny on me. How long are you staying there anyway?"

"Probably two weeks or so. I have also scheduled a practice match with Ao Haru Middle school. It's a bummer you can't join."

Accompanying him to the limo, I waved him farewell, for this'll be the last in two months. Now I'm starting to rethink my decisions if it was the right one. Oh well, at least he'll still have fun. That's all that matters.

"Good luck, and be safe."

"Yeah, call me once you get there. And don't go anywhere without body guards, stay with father as much as possible." I glared at him to shut up and get in the car. He hugged me tight one last time, almost too tight for my liking but it's fine, I'll let him have this at least. "Ok, fine. Bye my vanilla loving twin."

"You don't have to worry about anything, Sei-kun, I'll be fine. Oh well, bye my height lacking twin."

Before he could protest, the limo took off, leaving me to thank the gods and goddesses above, or else he might've continue rambling on and on. Plus, he's always pissed whenever anyone talks about his height. Boy, Shin-kun and the others sure will have a good time now that he's on the mood.

When the car was out of sight, I looked up at the sky.

Two months can go by pretty quickly for all I know. Before I knew it, I was riding a plane to another continent.

OMAKE:

"Shintarou, Aomine, Murasakibara, am I short?" Seijuuro, frustrated, asked his teammates on a shooting practice.

Of course you are. Thought the three. Compared to us, yes.

None of them was brave enough to answer his question, for they knew the consequences.

"I might be short but at least I can dunk." he queried, then dribbled from across the court to dunk on the other. Sadly, his jump was too low, accompanied by his height, and he didn't make it in.

Aomine was the first one to laugh. Technically, he was the only one who laughed.

An ear-piercing scream was heard in the city that day.