When lunchtime break was announced by the bell, Murasakibara responded to the sound and stood up from his desk like on instinct. He patted his right thight, checking that he had the most important thing in his pant pocket at this time of the day – his wallet. Then, his legs brought him to the door that flew open without him touching it. Two buoyant girls barged in the classroom, clutching their lunch boxes near their chests. Murasakibara frowned as one of the girls bumped into him and didn't even have the mind to apologize while she was skipping towards a blond boy.

"Kise-kun! Let's eat lunch together~!"

Murasakibara didn't care in the least to cast a look at the source of the commotion and escaped it instead. Making his way to the cafeteria, he was already wondering what menu he would choose. But during his little reflection, a faint ring mixed up with his thoughts. He took out his cellphone and checked the sender's ID which was Asaka Ritsu, a girl with whom he got acquainted these past days.

His purple eyes skimmed through the message. Ritsu was telling him that today was a good day to invite Akashi for a meal since he didn't bring a lunch with him. As he finished reading, Murasakibara raised up his nose and nonchalantly continued to walk down the hallway, feeling unconcerned by the matter. He put the device back in his pocket but still asking himself why she sent him this email just to say this.

«Let's exchange numbers. That way you'll know when I need your help.»

As those words came back to mind, Murasakibara reduced his walking pace for moment as he realised what Ritsu expected of him – she wanted his help – before taking up his initial pace. At the thought, he should probably ask the girl where she was to hear her plan and meet her but he only shrugged the idea off. Truth to be told, it didn't change his heart one bit. His destination was the cafeteria, and there he would go. It's not like he didn't want to help her, however, he had his priorities, which were, at that instant, to have lunch at the cafeteria.

Speaking of the place, Ritsu and Akashi would definitely head there to eat. He just had to get there first to intercept them and help the girl if she still needed a hand.

But on his way, what he didn't expect was to run into Akashi. The small silhouette of the redhead was coming out of a room.

"Murasakibara, it's rare to see you around here." Akashi said, noticing his presence a few meters away.

Murasakibara stared at the sign above the door for a few seconds, then his purple eyes went down to his teammate.

"What were you doing in the student council room, Aka-chin?" He asked. Given the message earlier, he thought Ritsu was with him, trying to persuade him to have lunch with him. Maybe she was waiting for him in front of the cafeteria.

"Completing some formalities for the upcoming festival."

"You're really busy..."

"I only do what needs to be done."

The purplehead shrugged his shoulders with little concern. Since the day they made acquaintance during practice, whenever he looked at him, Akashi has always been like that. He dealt with and was thorough in everything that was asked of him. A thing he thought quite odd was that the fellow athlete never complained once. Not once, in spite of the great amount of work, like most people would. Akashi just spared no effort in everything he was doing.

Anyway, even if Murasakibara took it as plain odd, he wasn't giving any real importance to this thorough nature of Akashi's. In fact, it was because he didn't have much to complain about him that he didn't feel the need to talk or say anything further.

"And you, what brings you here?"

Murasakibara's eyes roved around the hallway, almost empty. At this period of time, only a handful of students were wandering in this part of the building, where some of the administrative facilities were located.

"Nothing. I'm heading to the cafeteria." Along with his reply, a sudden idea sprouted in his mind as he took the empty corridor and the fact Akashi was alone with him into account. He could help Ritsu right now.

Murasakibara examined the boy, looking for some wrinkles in his uniform that indicated where Akashi had his wallet. Without it, he would have no choice but to accept Ritsu's offer if he met her at the cafeteria. However, no matter how bold his plan to steal Akashi's wallet was, he wasn't stupid enough to go through with it head-on.

"Aka-chin, you're going there too?" He asked with an intense stare. For now, he would just keep him in sight.

"Yes, I didn't bring anything today. I heard Tofu soup was on the menu."

A delighted smile that could almost be mistaken as a smirk surfaced on his expression. He was seemingly very happy at the prospect of eating that particular dish. Murasakibara gawked at Akashi. It was as if he especially didn't bother to bring a lunch for that reason.

"Let's not waste time."

Walking alongside the redhead, Murasakibara often cast furtive glances at him. Now that he managed to keep Akashi with him, he still wondered how he would force him into taking out his wallet in order to snatch it. At this rate, they would reach the cafeteria before he would even have a chance. Well, he could wait until they were actually there to steal it from him since Akashi would surely take his wallet out to pay. However, doing so in front of hundreds of witnesses sounded really troublesome for many reasons – and dangerous for him.

"Murasakibara."

Suddenly drawn out of his thoughts, he flinched. The purplehead gave a nonchalant yet wary look at Akashi, but his wariness soon dropped as the latter wasn't even looking at him, his red eyes fixed straight on the way.

"What do you think of Haizaki?"

"Eh, who's that?" He tilted his head.

A flicker of a smile passed on Akashi's lips.

"The newcomer in the first string. A week ago he's been promoted from the second string by the head coach." the redhead explained.

Truth be told, he didn't recall that event nor the name of that newcomer. However, in spite of having trouble with his memory, there were some echoes of a particularly bothersome player in his mind. Now that Akashi brought up the subject, basketball practice had really been a real pain to attend the past week.

"Oh that guy. I don't like him. He talks big and complained most of the time about nothing. Because of that, Niji-chin always takes it out on the rest of us while we did nothing wrong. And I hate to make extra efforts when it's not needed."

Unknown by name but Murasakibara remembered impressions. Haizaki's name or face may not be printed in his mind during the first day he joined the first-string but a few small events concerning him had clearly been stored in his memory. Some that had irritated him. Like the day before, Haizaki decided on a whim to end his practice earlier. As a consequence, Nijimura punished all the members, with the coach's approval, saying that this would serve as a lesson for those who dared to take practice lightly next time. In the end, because of Haizaki, their practice became tougher and ended very late. Much later than usual.

"That guy only creates problem for us."

"And what about his basketball style?" Akashi asked, glancing at him curiously.

"...It's good..." He answered in a barely audible voice, leaving any details aside. He didn't want to admit it to be a compliment or as a sincere acknowledgement of Haizaki's talent for basketball. "Say, Aka-chin, if he turns out to be not good in games, there's no reason for him to stay on the team, right... ? When I play with him, it doesn't feel like usual. Somehow, the mood in the club's been a bit tenser than before."

Akashi lapsed into a thoughtful silence before his red eyes studied him.

"...If this eventuality arises one day, there'll be no reason for him to remain on the team. However, the same goes for all of us, Murasakibara. In sports, nothing can be taken for granted. Unless someone stronger than Haizaki comes around, his promotion to the first string is as legitimate and definitive as ours."

To put it bluntly, he had to cope with Haizaki for the mean time. Murasakibara didn't try to approve or disapprove of his vice-captain's words. In either case, it wouldn't change the fact that he could barely get along with a guy like Haizaki.

Both Akashi and him continued to walk silently and this naturally closed the debate.

His full attention back on their way, the purple-haired boy took notice of getting closer to their destination as they were going down a flight of stairs leading to the first floor. A scowl darkened his expression. In quick reflection, Murasakibara looked for something in the long corridor that could help him gain some time.

Then, his half-lidded eyes stopped. In his line of sight, a vending machine! And since a miracle never came alone, a plan to steal Akashi's wallet sparked in his brain.

"Aka-chin, I want to buy something before." He lifted and pointed his finger to the machine.

Akashi raised an eyebrow in surprise more than suspicion, his gaze landing on the object in question.

"Snacks...? Why do you want to buy snacks now, of all times?" He enquired, quite perplexed of his teammate's behaviour.

"I'm hungry. I'll eat them along the way." Murasakibara saw the redhead open his mouth to retort something but he didn't let any suspicion arouse openly, preferring to say silly things than being questioned by Akashi. "It's to work up my appetite before lunch."

The red-haired boy's mouth shut silently, sealing away unspoken remarks.

"Your eating habits really aren't what I'd call healthy for your body, Murasakibara." Akashi let him off the hook with such familiarity and simplicity that to unfamiliar ears it seemed he actually gave up on trying to discern any logical reasons behind his behaviour.

In front of the vending machine, both boys glanced over the wide array of selections. In the middle of it, Murasakibara took a glimpse at the redhead's profile. Now that he convinced Akashi that he was buying snacks, he had to go through one last step in his plan and the wallet would be his for the day.

After faking a short time contemplation on what to buy, Murasakibara brought his hand to his right pocket. His fingers grazed the leather of his own wallet and some change, but then in a swift movement, he removed his hand, empty. For a moment, his hands ran through and palpated his body in fake yet nonchalant agitation. All under Akashi's stare.

"Ah, I don't have my wallet with me, Aka-chin." He lied.

"You forgot it?"

"In the classroom."

He gave a nod of the head, then he slowly turned to face Akashi. Following the plan, that was where everything was playing out.

"Aka-chin, can you lend me 200 yen? I want those potato chips."

The red-haired boy stood silent.

"I'll pay you back when I get my wallet. Is that okay, Aka-chin?" He pressed, expectantly fixing his purple eyes on him. He just wished his teammate would show his wallet.

"No need." The two curt words took the wind out of his sails. "You said you forgot your wallet in your classroom. In that case, it'll be faster if we go fetch it now. You'll need it to buy lunch, as well as the snacks."

Akashi smiled at him, unknowing that he just ruined his whole plan.

"But I'm hungry..." He said back in a pout but it had no effect on the clueless Akashi.

"Regardless, you shouldn't eat too much before meals. Going on like this, you'll have an upset stomach." Akashi added without reproach.

The friendly piece of advice went into deaf ears. Murasakibara knitted his brows in frustration, his smart plan fizzled out and there was nothing he could do or say to change the situation. Akashi wasn't inclined to be a generous heart.

"...Stingy."

He swung round and dragged his feet to the stairs, hearing Akashi falling into step behind him.

Back on the first-year floor, Murasakibara almost reached his classroom when Aomine flew out of another one. In his hurry, he bumped into a small teal-haired boy to whom he sent rushed apologies.

"D-Dai-ch...Ah! Aomine-kun! Y-You...You're on duty! Where are you ruuning off? A-And what about Midorima-kun...We can't leave him li-like that!" Momoi called him out, stricken by laughter and shock at the same time. She ran after her childhood friend.

A minute after the duo disappeared in the distance, Midorima stomped out of the classroom and gained astounded gazes from students lazing around the hallway. He was covered with chalk dust from head to toe. He removed his glasses and swept the dust with his jacket.

"I'll remember this, Aomine." He said under his breath.

"What happened to Mido-chin?"

"Ask Aomine for the details." The green-haired boy spat, putting his glasses back on his nose. His vision clear again, he glared at his two teammates. "You two, what are you doing together?"

"We're planning to go eat at the cafeteria." Akashi replied, paying little mind to the glare and to the story behind his surprising appearance.

"I see. Why are you still loafing around here then?" He asked them, but he expected to be answered by Akashi, not even trying a little bit to pay any attention to his other teammate. "Knowing Murasakibara, you should already be eating by now."

Midorima narrowed his eyes even more, a reaction certainly not due to his bad sight. But his hostility seemed to be specifically destined for Murasakibara. The latter returned the gaze in a casual way, he didn't remember doing anything to him to deserve such a dark look. But well, given how their characters didn't seem to match with the other, anything could be of reason to pick a fight.

However, Murasakibara no longer cared how Midorima saw him. It didn't mean he accepted every reproache and remark of the greenhead with a smile or complete indifference. In fact, they could fight like cats and dogs about everything and nothing but to most of the members of the club, their arguments only looked like childish quarrels about who's wrong and who's right.

Thus, overall, his presence wasn't something that bothered him to the point of disliking his grumpy teammate.

"It's unusual." The greenhead mumbled, as though he sensed something going on in the air. "Seeing you two together and having Murasakibara especially waiting to eat with you..."

Listening to the meditative mutters, Akashi blinked in a quizzical manner. "He forgot his wallet. We had to—"

"What? Isn't it the second time this week?" Midorima flew off the handle and jerked his head toward the laid-back purplehead, no longer listening to what Akashi was currently saying. "What are you up to Murasakibara?"

"Why me?"

"Because your behaviour is suspicious."

"Aka-chin is strange too."

"There's a difference between being strange and suspicious." Midorima countered, though he barely denied the comment about Akashi. "I can't believe you forgot your wallet not once but twice this week!"

"I didn't do it on purpose." Murasakibara furrowed his brows. The accusing tone began to get on his nerves.

"That doesn't change anything. Last time, you went to see Momoi and me to help you out. Now it's Akashi's turn? Are you trying to leech off Akashi because he buys you snacks? Don't think you can get treated everyti- "

"I'm not, I just forgot my wallet in my bag..." He cut him off. "I came to get it with Aka-chin since we're eating at the cafeteria."

Midorima suddenly fell silent and gulped as he realised he misunderstood the whole situation.

"If Mido-chin had taken the time to listen to Aka-chin, you'd know." Murasakibara rubbed it in.

"You seem very uptight today, Midorima."

The quiet remark made him flinch.

"I'm not." He said, regaining a semblance of composure. But it all crumbled when a loud growl added color to his serious face.

"Eeh, I get it now, Mido-chin."

"Get what?" retorted the bespectacled boy, both embarrassed and irritated for the awkward moment.

"You're in a very bad mood because you're hungry." Murasakibara smiled, pleased with himself for noticing it.

"Most likely. We better hurry ourselves to go eat." Akashi simply followed.

"Don't listen to him, Akashi!" Midorima shouted back, yet only confirming his teammates' assumptions.

"Let's go or Mido-chin will lose all his energy by getting angry at everyone."

The redhead agreed with a nod.

"Hold on. I can't join you."

The two boys ignored him and resumed their tracks, thinking it was just out of stubbornness.

"I said I can't. I forgot my wallet at home this morning." With that, Midorima managed to stop them.

"...Mido-chin admonishes others but he's not better." Murasakibara condemned him, sending a glare at the greenhead.

"It's true that it's quite unusual for you to forget important things."

"Today is a very bad day for Cancers. So I would ask you to leave me alone." His clutch around his lucky item ‒ a hairdryer ‒ tightened, as if he was calling in the luck that was supposed to be stored in it for the day. "I'll take my leave, I must remove the dust."

"You're not coming with us?" Murasakibara asked.

"No, unlike you I don't take advantage of the situation to be treated to a meal. I can manage on my own."

"Aka-chin sometimes buys me snacks but I've never asked him to do that. It's just that I'm just smarter than Mido-chin to know when to be honest and accept other's kindness."

"M-Murasakibara, you...!" Midorima cast a dark look as Murasakibara tried to outsmart him.

"Stop. In any case, I can't let you leave with an empty stomach, Midorima." Akashi intervened. "I refuse to deal with someone that can possibly pass out at any moment during basketball practice due to stubbornness."

"You can't force me to comply." He retorted in the spur of the moment.

Akashi raised an eyebrow and examined him in a silent manner, creating a certain tension between the two. Midorima had his lips shut tightly, he got carried away by the situation and had to run his mouth, but he was, nonetheless, convinced that he wasn't in the wrong. But the red-haired boy's silence was not a good omen either. Akashi surely had something in the back of his mind to make him comply and if he moved that would be the end of him.

"... True, you're free to go as long as I know you'll have something to eat." Akashi conceded while Midorima sighed discreetly in relief.

The redhead grabbed his wallet from his left pant pocket and opened it. Murasakibara's eyes opened wide and fixed the object with great intensity. The golden occasion he awaited was right before his eyes. He couldn't miss the chance, and after this, he could finally go eat.

Drawn to the wallet, he got closer to the redhead.

"What is it, Murasakibara?" The perplexed voice of Akashi called him back to earth. He stiffened on the spot.

Under the suspicious look of his teammates, Murasakibara lowered his hands guiltily and kept looking at Akashi's wallet as his chance just slipped through his hands. "Nothing..."

Midorima, who also distinguished a strange glint in those purple eyes, didn't take his own off the giant boy. But as the latter became awfully quiet, he felt the need to let Akashi in on something very important about their nonchalant teammate.

"Akashi." He began.

On his side, Murasakibara didn't pay attention to the two boys after that second failure. He was short on ideas; the only and the easiest way to deal with the wallet, was to snatch it from Akashi's hands and flee like a robber. But a hunch told him that it was too easy that even Akashi would manage to react to it without a blink. His little teammate had extremely good reflexes - he could react to the slightest movement. He had the ball stolen many times during basketball practice due to a second of inattention that he learned not to underestimate his sharp reflexes.

On this account, unless someone caught him off guard, he needed something else to delay his counters...Maybe by faking to see a UFO.

The silly thought crossing his mind was soon erased with the sight of an ash-blond-haired girl walking out of a classroom.

"Ah! Asa-chin, here!" He waved at her.

The girl responded and walked up to the group of boys.

"I must warn you..."

When Ritsu stood near them, Akashi greeted her, half-listening to Midorima's warning. Murasakibara saw in her the perfect occasion to go through with his plan and exchanged a conniving look with her before his body moved into action.

Ritsu looked bewildered, not comprehending the reason for such confidence shining in Murasakibara's eyes ‒ until she witnessed the impossible.

"...Sagittarius' have to watch out for Libras tod‒ AAH?!" Midorima's eyes flew open in shock.

To everyone's surprise, Murasakibara tore the wallet from Akashi's hand. The next instant, he flung himself to the hallway windows, opened one and, like a professional baseball pitcher, he threw it away. All of them watched the wallet shrinking in the distance before it vanished completely on the horizon in a daze.

Speechless during the whole thing, nobody dared to utter a single word even after there was no longer something to watch in the clear blue sky. Everything had gone too quickly, but all could agree that what just happened was utterly absurd.

"Murasakibara." Akashi broke the silence which not only made the culprit flinch, but also Midorima and Ritsu. Beneath the poised voice, something dangerous charged the air. "Care to explain why you did that."

Murasakibara stood frozen, only realising now in what kind of mess he had dragged himself into by removing the object with such a bold move. Nevertheless, he faced his fate like a true yet stupid man. He managed to take Akashi off guard and helped Ritsu.

"I don't know." The vague answer hardly softened the vice-captain's features. "I'm going to bring it back."

"I-Isn't that obvious?" Midorima burst out after the shock. "You threw his wallet out of nowhere! What has gotten into you?!"

Murasakibara avoided replying and chose to run for his life as soon as possible.

"Hey!" Midorima cried after him for an answer but he soon lost sight of the purplehead. "Tsk, he can run fast if he wants to."