A/N: Hey guys! I've come with the next chapter for B-Prince and I apologize if it's a bit filled with suuupppper impossible and overly-powerful moves and whatnot but KuroBasu is filled with that already (ex: magic disappearing passes/shots/impossible long range shots, intimidating eyes, etc.) so I thought, why don't I give Hiroto one as well or something like that? But of course, it's not to the point that it's really out of this world kind of moves/skills/magic techniques, okay? :D

This chapter is a bit too long, I made it that way as a sorry for updating so late again. Also! School is coming up so I may not have much time but do not worry, I'll make sure I'll still update when I can or when I'm not busy with projects and school stuff.

I do not own anything, except for my OC, the Prince, Hiroto.

This is self-edited, so forgive if there are grammatical errors/spelling errors/English in not my first language.

Anyway, enjoy.


Chapter 4: The Prince and the Practice Game (Part 2)

He loved to hear their joyous laughter, as well as the loud cheer of the crowd would make his whole being buzz in excitement and the courage to defeat the opponent. It was close already, the game was coming to a close, and just a little more and they would win.

'Hiroto!' the ball slammed with force as it met his hands, the opponent marking him growled his teeth and he could see the determination on his eyes. He felt his mouth twitch at the effort made. They were a good opponent, but not good enough to defeat them. His team. His beloved team.

0o0o0o0o0o0

"Kagami's powerless against Kise, but his weakness is..." Hyuuga started.

"Aside from passing, the weakest guy on the court, Kuroko-kun?" Riko supplied with wide eyes.

"So? It's true Kurokocchi's style is the only one I can't imitate. But what does that change?" Kise smirked at Kagami, before the redhead can answer, the whistle blew and the referee announced the end of the first quarter, giving them a two minute break.

"It changes everything. We'll bring you to tears in the second quarter." Kagami smirked, leaving behind the blonde.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Seirin: 27

Kaijo: 35

Hiroto stared at the score. An eight point difference. He heard the other coach scream something again to his team, but he could care less about him right now and just focused upon Taiga's suggestion.

"I see. Yeah, that could work." Riko nodded with a knowing grin.

"It looks like you've finally cooled down, Taiga." Hiroto smiled at the redhead, who raised a brow at him and he clearly was about to say that he was not—

"You were really pissed!" Both Izuki and Hyuuga stated before he could even say it out loud.

"But Kuroko-kun and Kagami-kun, your coordination will be the key. Can you do it?" Hiroto stared at the redhead's expression and snickered. As if the thought of coordinating with the blue-haired teen left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Well, we...we'll work—" Kagami flinched when Kuroko thrust his fingers up his rib. The redhead clutched his side in pain and growled.

"You bastard, what did you do that for?!"

"You want to beat Kise-kun, don't you?" Kagami frowned at him, before he turned and did the exact same thing to the blue-haired teen, thrusting his fingers up his rib as revenge.

"Of course I do!" Hiroto can't help but chuckle at their childish behaviors.

"Well, then. Take care of our counterattack!"

"Let the second quarter begin!" There is lot of cheering for Kaijo now, but it didn't stop the other first years to cheer for their team as well. The game went on as both team scored and scored one after another. If Kaijou scores a point, Seirin took it all back, determined not to let their score fall behind.

Seirin: 29

Kaijo: 39

'Kaijo's defense is still man to man.' Hyuuga passed the ball to Izuki who in turn passed it to Kagami who is being marked by Kise.

"Something's changed, right?" Kagami chose to ignore the blonde's statement and ran while dribble the ball on his left side, with Kise catching up on his right.

'Just another drive? Maybe another fadeaway?' Kise intently observed, waiting the redhead to do something but Kagami swiftly shifted the ball to his right and bounced it off the ground behind him, leaving Kise to stare after the ball only to catch Kuroko's hand meet the ball and just as easily, bounced it off into another side of the ground beside the blond, falling right into the redhead's hands.

'He's coordinating with Kurokocchi!' Kise is left there wide-eyed and the redhead went off to make another score for the team.

Seirin: 31

Kaijo: 39

"Nice shot!" The others cheered.

Kagami had the ball again, dribbling in front Kise before bouncing the ball to the ground to the side.

'Again? It won't work this time!' Kise thought as he turned to follow the redhead as he went past him only to realize Kuroko had passed the ball towards Hyuuga instead and scored a three-pointer for the team.

"All right! A three pointer!"

"A five point gap!"

Seirin: 34

Kaijo: 39

"No. 4's really going for it." Kaijou's Koji Kobori commented.

"We should be worried about Kagami. He and Kuroko have started passing back and forth to each other." Kasamatsu narrowed his eyes.

"Kagami's just passing the ball instead of receiving it. Does it really change that much?"

"It changes a whole lot, dumbass! Kuroko's passing and Kagami's one-on-one were two separate offensive patterns. They only had two options. But now that they pass to each other, they both have more option, making their offense stronger." Kasamatsu huffed.

'And Kise cannot copy Kuroko, the linchpin of the play. It's his bane. Not bad, Taiga, Kuroko-kun!' Hiroto grinned but as soon as he saw the redhead comically bounced the ball to the ground behind him and realized Kuroko did not do anything to catch it. It just bounced off and chased after by a Kaijo regular.

'Uh, they'll probably just barely make it.' Hiro sweat dropped.

"…Kurokocchi." Kise is panting heavily now, looking at the blue-haired teen with narrowed eyes.

"Kise-kun, you're strong. I'm powerless, and Kagami-kun can't stand against you. But when we work together, we have a fight chance." said Kuroko.

"You really have changed, Kurokocchi. We never played basketball like this at Teiko, but you still can't stop me. I will be the winner!" Kise declared. Hiroto could faintly see sparks of lightning circulating the trio now; they are really more fired up at this point now. Hiroto could feel his whole self burn in anticipation, for some reason he suddenly wants to play basketball now.

"It's true that I can't copy your coordination, but since you'll lose your effectiveness after 40 minutes," Kise grabbed the ball in his hands. "You'll lose this game in the second half!"

"Not so fast." Kise stopped, holding the ball at his right and staring wide-eyed at the sight in front of him incredulously. Kuroko was marking him.

"Who's the guy on Kise?"

"Isn't he the guy that passes a lot?"

"I don't remember him doing anything other than pass."

So naïve. Kuroko clearly doesn't stand a chance against him at all.

"I never dreamed we'd play together like this, Kurokocchi."

"Neither did I."

"I don't know what you're up to, but you can't stop me, Kurokocchi!" Kise effortlessly went passed the blue-haired teen, only to be marked on none other than Kagami himself.

"Wrong. We're not gonna stop you." The redhead grinned.

"We are taking the ball!" Kise's eyes widened as the ball is smacked from his hand, he glanced over his shoulder to see Kuroko there.

'What? A back tip! They took advantage of the second I hesitated!'

"It doesn't matter how amazingly you play against us." Kise could only watch as the ball is snatched by Izuki. "We're trying to let you through!" and they earned another score.

"Nice shot!"

"Damn it, a simple double team would've been better." Kasamatsu grumbled.

'Not even Kise can react in time to an invisible guy coming up behind him' Riko smiled in thought.

"I just won't run by you, then. No one said I couldn't shoot a three pointer!" Kise moved in position for a three pointer but luck was not on his side as Kagami smacked the ball right away.

'They got me," Kise thought. "Kurokocchi's covering below, and Kagami's covering up top.'

'An outside shot takes too much movement. These guys are a pain! Kuroko's the one making this happen. He's the most worthless guy on the court, and he can't do anything by himself, but…I don't believe this!' Kasamatsu cursed.

"Fast break!" Kagami dashed off to go after the ball. Hiroto stood when Kise turned as fast as he could as well, intent to follow after the redhead but Hiro's orange eyes widened as he shouted.

"Kuroko-kun! Watch out!" His voice as well as the sound of Kise's hand meeting Kuroko's forehead echoed throughout the gym as everyone's eyes turned upon the blue-haired teen slumping down the floor. Hiroto cursed loudly.

"Referee time out!"

"Kuroko!" the said teen looked up, blood ran down the side of his face dripping down unto his uniform and stained it.

"Are you okay, Kuroko?" Hyuuga worriedly went towards the teen, inspecting the injury.

"I feel lightheaded..." he replied nonchalantly, despite the blood that was oozing out the wound on his forehead.

"Get the first aid kit!" Riko ordered and the other first years rushed to get what she wanted. Kagami followed suit and went to see Kuroko.

"Are you okay?" he asked, worry visible upon his features. Kuroko turned to the redhead as Hyuuga let his head go.

"I'm fine. The game is just getting started." Before anyone else can react, a blur of orange caught the invisible player before he collapsed into the floor again.

"Kuroko!"

"Ichinose!"

"Hiro!" Hyuuga and Kagami stared as Hiroto caught the invisible teen in his arms. The other players stared wide eyed at him. How the heck did he get over there so fast!?

'Ichinose?' the Kaijou coach blinked at the name. Where had he heard that name before? It seemed really familiar.

Even Riko didn't realize that the orange-haired male had left her side. Hiroto lifted the blunette in his arms, carrying him in his arms, keeping a close eye at his injury with narrowed eyes.

Kagami can't help but stare at his friend. He knew Hiroto can get a little overprotective but this is the first time he ever seen him this shaken before. Hiroto gently laid the blunette down, as Riko tended to him. His eyes were covered by his fringe but Kagami noticed the way his pale hands shook.

"You're finished. It's not what should have happened, though. Without that first year duo, the score difference will only grow." Kasamatsu wiped himself with his shirt as he said so.

'Kurokocchi.' Kise stared worriedly at the other teams' bench.

"What are we gonna do?" Kagami took a glance at Hiroto, he was just sitting silently on the bench, his hand clasp together and he refused to look up at all. The redhead raised a brow at the strange behavior, for the long time he had known him; he had never seen the Prince act like this before.

"Kuroko-kun can't play anymore." Kagami turned at the coach, "We'll have to make do with the members we have left."

"Make do?"

"Isn't this gonna be tough without Kuroko?" the first years can't help but worry.

"The second years will be our offensive core. It's only the second quarter, but we can't let them get too far ahead of us. I know it's early, but its game time, Hyuuga-kun." said person nodded at the coach.

"Kise-kun will just copy you, so don't play offense, Kagami-kun. Focus on defending. Do everything you can to stop Kise-kun from scoring."

"Are you sure that will work?" Kagami asked.

"It'll be fine. Have some faith." "Hyuuga raised a brow at him.

"But..." Kagami went to argue some more but the look on the captain's face cut him short. Hyuuga smiled at him, giving off a rather pinky aura around him but his words said otherwise.

"I said it'll be fine, dumbass. Listen to your seniors once in a while, or I'll kill you." Kagami nodded stupidly at that and then the whistle blew again, indicating that the game will resume.

"First years should show more respect for your seniors!" Hyuuga grumbled to himself.

"You're showing your true colors, Captain." Izuki said, eyes following the retreating back of the said captain before he turned towards the redhead.

"Don't worry about him, He's always like that during clutch time. When he speaks his mind, he won't miss many of his shots. Leave the offense to him. You just defend like your life depends on it." he explained to the bewildered Kagami.

The games starts off with Hyuuga marked by Kaijo's Moriyama, he quickly passed through him and Koganei blocked off the Kaijo regular, serving as a screen. Izuki, who had the ball passed towards him, as Mitobe blocks off another Kaijo player from stopping Hyuuga from scoring a three pointer.

"He's usually a normal guy, but when he gets going, he's amazing! Also scary! He's multiple personality clutch shooter, Hyuuga Junpei!" Riko started introducing them with a fond smile.

"Take that." Hyuuga grinned as the ball went inside the hoop.

"Calm and collected, he never loses his cool! He may seem cool and in control, but he has a sense of humor! Izuki Shun!"

"Nice icy hot Salon-pass! Oh man, that's a good one!" Izuki muttered to himself.

"The hardworking unsung hero, a man whose voice no one has heard, Mitobe Rinnosuke!"

"..."

'He can do everything and nothing. A jack of all trades, master of none! Koganei Shinji!'

"You're so mean!" Koganei cried.

"Coach, isn't it a bit too late to introduce them now?" the first years, Furihata, Fukuda and Kawahara sweat dropped. Riko merely smiled.

"Unfortunately, every last one of them never gives up!"

0o0o0o0o0o0

Along the path towards Kaijo Private High School, a teen desperately tried to pedal as hard as he could, despite the sweat dripping down his forehead. They passed by a kid on the street who incredulously stared after them.

"Damn it, we were supposed to trade at the signal. You haven't pedaled once!" he whined at his companion, groaning as he pedaled once more.

"Of course I haven't. Today's "Oha-Asa" horoscope predicted the greatest of days for Cancers like me." his green-haired companion replied with a cocky smile.

"What does that have to do with this? Anyway, if we're coming all the way out here to see a practice match, your middle school teammates better be good!"

"It's the copy cat and the invisible man."

"Are they good?"

"Hurry up, or the game will be over."

"It's your fault for reading horoscopes!"

0o0o0o0o0o0

'They're not as good without Kuroko, but their offense team isn't bad. They're putting No. 4's shooting ability to good use.' Kasamatsu thought as the game went on as there is a minute in a half left in the second quarter and the score is...

Seirin: 48

Kaijo: 52

The continuous sound of shoes squeaking against the floor echoed throughout the gym as Hyuuga shoots another point.

'This isn't easy.' he thought, panting heavily. 'On top of that, we lost power when we lost Kuroko. I'm starting to lose focus. I don't think we can make a comeback.'

"Coach, isn't there anything we can do?" Kawahara asked, feeling a wave of pity for the players. Riko took a glance at the orange-haired player, he still wasn't moving nor saying anything, staying in a hunched position and his eyes covered with his long fringe. Riko contemplated to using her trump card. She turned away and looked back again to the game.

"They don't have any energy left for plays after the first half's pace. If only we had Kuroko-kun."

"Very well." Riko jerked at the sound of the blue-haired teen's voice. She turned to see Kuroko stand, still a bit wobbly and blankly greeting them good morning after waking up from a short nap.

"I'll be going, then." Kuroko declared, despite wobbling as he forced himself to stand up.

"Hey, wait! What are you talking about?" Riko stood in front of him, stopping him from doing something really foolish.

"But you just told me to go."

"I didn't tell you to do that. It just slipped out."

"Then, I'm going."

"Hey!"

"Hey." Kuroko felt the world turn as he is lifted and set down on the bench. Riko stared wide-eyed as Hiroto let the blue-haired teen sit forcefully in the bench. The other players stared as Hiroto stood in front of both their coach and Kuroko.

"Ichinose-kun," Kuroko blinked, the orange-haired teen did not have the usual smile on his face. He looked very serious, his countenance far from the usual sly and teasing grin he had grown accustomed to seeing.

"You stay here. You are injured, you shouldn't be up." Hiroto's countenance turned that of worry as he took a glance at the bandage around the invisible teen's head before quickly disappearing and replaced with blank one.

"But, Ichinose-kun, I need to—"

"No, I said you won't be going Kuroko-kun." Hiroto's eyes were narrowed now. Kuroko and the others were wide-eyed at his expression; they were not used to seeing him look so scary.

"If I can change anything by going out there, please. Besides, I promised Kagami-kun I would be his shadow." Hiroto's eyes widened the slightest bit at his words.

'You really want to honor that promise we made…but I can't let you do that while you're injured…' thought the orange-haired teen. At that moment, he had come to a decision.

"No, Kuroko-kun." Hiroto said firmly.

"But, about the game—" Kuroko tried to argue again but Hiroto shushed him, he watched as the orange-haired teen scratch his head.

"Don't worry about the game, I'll go."Hiroto turned towards the coach, his eyes full of determination. The other players on the bench with Riko and Kuroko gaped at the Princes' suggestion. "It's fine, right? Aida-san."

"Fine. But you have to promise you won't show too much." Riko stated, and Hiroto completely understood what she meant for he nodded and finally let out a grin. The team needed him; he's not going to let them down that easily.

"I understand." Hiroto's grin turned into a sly smirk that sent uneasy shivers down their spines.

"Fine." Riko nodded and turned to the referee to announce a switch of players.

Hiroto then turned to Kuroko, seeing him staring back at him.

"Ichinose-kun..."

"Don't worry about it, Kuroko-kun. I'll be sure to knock some sense into that arrogant teammate of yours. I'll show him how there is no 'I' on the word 'team'." Kuroko's eyes widened at the statement, before his lips bloomed into a small smile.

The referee then blew his whistle, signaling that there will be a change of players. Hiroto then, turned and walked to the court his other hand arranging his wristband properly.

Kagami turned wide-eyed at the sight. No way, there was just no way that—you're joking right? Even the upperclassmen looked shocked seeing the orange-haired Prince finally, finally standing with them on court. Hiroto smirked at the look on their faces and can't help but snicker in amusement.

"Ichinose?" Hyuuga gripped his hair in shock.

"Whoa, you're finally here, eh, Prince-sama." Izuki smirked.

"…" Mitobe merely nodded at the Prince with a little smile on his face.

"What's wrong? Taiga, please wipe that stupid grin off your face, it's giving me the creeps." Hiroto wrapped his arms around himself and faked a shiver and made a face as if it disgusted him and as he expected, the redhead glared at him.

"What did you say? Hiroto, you bastard!" growled the redhead, grabbing the orange-haired teen's collar who simply laughed, much to the redhead's annoyance.

The Kaijou's regulars raised their brow at the new face. There was a lot of commotion as they stared at him, did they have a player like that? He was a player too? The girls who were Kise's fans turned upon the handsome player and squealed.

"Kyah! Isn't that guy hot!?"

"Uwah! He looks so handsome! Just like Kise-kun!"

"He plays basketball too!? How cool!"

The Kaijou's coach narrowed his eyes upon the new player, he can't shake off the feeling that he had seen the teen from somewhere before. He just couldn't remember where and it frustrated him.

"Eh, so they finally let you in?" Kise smirked as orange eyes met his. They both stared at each other, intently observing one another.

"Well, I thought I could give my team a helping hand." Hiroto smiled, and the redhead beside him snorted, muttering something about how he could handle it himself. The orange-haired prince turned to him and playfully pinched his cheeks. The two Seirin players bickered, leaving the blonde to contemplate.

"You know him, Kise?" His captain asked, suddenly appearing beside him, eyeing the bickering duo with a raised brow.

"No, I only met him once when I went to visit Kurokocchi, he seems to be new student." Kasamatsu snorted at that, a first year too?

"Huh? They let a new student play? Is Seirin truly underestimating—"

"No, senpai." Kasamatsu turned at Kise after he had done telling him about what he thought about the other player. He watched him put on a very serious look on his face, his usual happy-go-lucky smile gone.

"I think we shouldn't underestimate him." Kise muttered, remembering that one move that caught his eye the other day. It was not just any simple move. Kise himself tried to do that once, but he was just not fast enough, not fast enough to actually imitate what the orange-haired teen did and it was a move that would strain your shoulder if you're not used to it. This is going to be troublesome.

"Enough bantering!" Hyuuga stopped the tiger and the prince from ripping each other's throats out and focused more upon how they'll win the game. Kagami snorted at that, wrapping his arms around Hiro's shoulders in a friendly manner and grinned.

"It's going to be like in America."

"You better not fall behind me, Taiga." Hiroto grinned.

"I ain't gonna fall behind, idiot."

"Also, I have something to say to you Taiga, listen." Hiroto smirked, earning a raised brow of the redhead but chose to listen to the Prince this time, because by the look on his face, he had something planned. And then, the whistle blew again and finally the game began again.

Kasamatsu raised a brow in annoyance at the grin on the orange-haired boy's face. He was marking the new guy as he dribbled the ball after he received it from Izuki, as Kise still marked Kagami. He can't help but doubt what Kise said to him about this guy's not being weak and to not underestimate him. But that stupid smile on the other's face makes Kasamatsu want to rip it off.

"So naive, senpai." Hiroto grinned as his notice the rival teams' captain relaxed his muscles a bit and that was just the opportune moment for him.

"Senpai!" Kasamatsu blinked as he's called, feeling an orange blur rush at the corner of his eye. Riko and the others can't help but dropped their jaw, so fast! Kasamatsu's eyes widened, turning over his shoulder to see the person he had marked, dashing towards the other side of the court. Kasamatsu quickly turned his feet and followed after him.

"Like I'll let you!" Kasamatsu rushed to block the orange-haired teen and reached out a hand to steal the ball on the orange-haired male's right but—

"Senpai!" Kasamatsu's eyes widened as the ball is flung around the Prince's back and into his awaiting left hand in a very fast manner that he barely realized that it had been transferred to the other hand and he could only watch as the orange blur jumped and tossed the ball into a beautiful arc, falling into the hoop with a loud sound.

"Yes! Nice shot! Ichinose!" the loud cheering of the first years earned a dazzling smirk from the teen.

"Yosha!" the clutch shooter, Hyuuga's hand collided into Hiroto's back with a loud smack.

"Nice shot! Ichinose!"

"Nicely done, Hiro." Kagami praised his friend.

Kasamatsu panted heavily, glaring at the orange-haired teen. You're joking right? This guy—this guy's way too fast. Kasamatsu could barely have time to react before the orange-haired teen is already ahead of him, just what is going on?

Kise narrowed his eyes, wasn't that move that one he copied before? It was even faster than before. You're joking right?

The Kaijou regulars and even their coach can't believe what's happening right now, is this, and is this Hiroto's skill? They may have underestimated him before but, he's totally just easily slipping past Kaijo's defenses, casually passing the ball to Hyuuga to shoot three pointers. He's even coordinating with the others to slip past the other team's defenses and keep making shots. Riko turned to look at the score now.

Seirin: 80

Kaijo: 82

"Whoa, seriously?"

"Eighty to eighty-two?"

"They're catching up!"

The ball is in Hiroto's hands again, but this time in front of him is…

"Hey! Kise is marking that new guy!"

"What?! I thought he's marking that number 10!"

Hiroto grinned at the sight of Kise in front of him, his hands splayed out, his golden eyes narrowed as he marked him. At the corner of his eyes, Hiroto could see that the blonde and his captain had exchanged marks, Kasamatsu is marking Kagami.

"I won't let you get past me!" Kise declared. The Kaijou regulars stared at the two, there was this tension around the two. Kasamatsu eyed the two with narrowed eyes as he remembered what Kise said a little while ago.

'No, I only met him once when I went to visit Kurokocchi, he seems to be new student."

'Huh? They let a new student play? Is Seirin truly underestimating—'

'Senpai, I remember his one-on-one against Kagami. The way he moved, is eerily similar from an ex-teammate of mine.' Kasamatsu raised a brow, what?

'He's better than Kagami, I can tell.' Kise rarely acknowledged anyone that is why Kasamatsu is surprised to know that just for a little moment that Kise observed the orange-haired player, he is already saying that he's good.

"I think we shouldn't underestimate him."

Hiroto smirked at the challenge. Aw, it was just too fun. But he promised the coach he won't show too much. But just a little is fine, right? He could use that move again to see if he can catch up, test him.

Kise felt a chill run down his spine. He did not let a single muscle relax as he waited. Hiroto carefully plans his next move, seeing Kose make an effort in stopping him is just too exhilarating. It just tickled that sadistic glee in him.

His orange eyes met golden ones and he sees them widening when the other realized he was going to spring. Kise, moving as his instincts tell him to, rushed to his right as where he saw the orange-haired teen is going to pass him but to his surprise.

'A fake?!' Kise grumbled as the orange blur passed to his left.

"Woah! What was that?!"

"A fake!?"

"Shit. That was fast! I thought he was gonna got for it!" Neither can the other players in the court. The Kaijou regulars could not stop themselves from being amazed.

'Even I thought he is actually going to move right. Such an amazing fake…' Kasamatsu watched as a blonde blur followed after the other player and everyone else started moving as well.

Kise immediately caught up upon the orange-haired teen.

"I won't let you!" he attempted to make a steal when the other player stopped when he was in front of him. Kise's golden eyes widened when his hand didn't meet the orange ball as it is flung around the back of Hiroto's into his other hand.

'This move…' Kise's eyes widened as he knew he fell for the orange-haired teen's trap. Hiroto passed his defense when he was frozen in shock at how fast it just happened. It was that move! The same move Hiroto made against Kagami in their one-on-one. But he didn't expect it's actually that fast, he was just a spectator then but now, it was being used against him. He just can't react. He was just too fast, definitely like him.

"What the heck?!"

"He passed Kise?!"

"You're kidding right?!"

"Kise!" The blonde could only turn over his shoulder and saw Hiroto jumped to score before Kise's teammates could even stop him.

Seirin: 82

Kaijou: 82

"They're tied!"

"Seirin finally caught up!" A lot of cheer was heard from the entire gym, and the Seirin team laughed and gave praises towards the person who had made this all possible, Hiroto.

"Nice shot, Ichinose!"

"Good job, you guys! Keep it up!"

'We're tied?' Kise was wide-eyed as he couldn't believe the score between his team and Seirin's before his countenance broke into a serious one. Hiroto felt his skin prickle, his eyes narrowing. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"KISE!" His eyes followed as he saw Kasamatsu pass that ball towards the model. The model blasted through Kagami's defense in a flash, leaving the redhead in a slight daze before managing to shout.

"Hiroto!" The orange-haired Prince blocked the blonde's path.

'He caught up to Kise? Impossible!' Kasamatsu and the others stared wide-eyed at how fast the Prince got over there so fast. Kise grumbled something under his breath and Hiroto's eyes narrowed in concentration.

Hiroto reached out to steal the ball within the blonde's hands but just as fast, Kise exactly copied his own move. He made a quick fake to the left and flung the ball to his other hand as Hiroto reached out again to steal and he immediately dashed towards the Prince's right, breaching past his defenses.

'He's even stronger? Did he see through Hiroto?' Kagami thought in shock.

'I'm surprised how he can catch up and imitate that move of mine.' Hiroto couldn't help but narrow his eyes when the blond finally landed to the floor after scoring a dunk against them. He felt his entire being shudder at the overwhelming feeling, yes, this is it. It has been a very long time since the Prince felt like this. The look upon the blonds' face sent shivers down his spine. Yes, that's it.

"I won't lose." Kise growled. "Not to anyone. Not even you."

'Now, that's more like it.' Hiroto grinned as the blond glared at him. Oh, scary. The Prince can't help but snicker inwardly.

'This was too amusing. Oh well, that's all for now. I already got what I wanted.' Hiroto thought with a little smirk in mind.

Kise maintained a wary stare with the orange-haired teen as he merely turned away from him, as if unimpressed, what the…?

"This isn't good." Hyuuga wiped a sweat. "Give it your all, everyone. This'll be just like the first quarter from here on out. A back and forth run and gun game!"

Seirin: 82

Kaijou: 84

"Defense, hurry!"

"Hyuga-kun, hurry! Mitobe-kun, post up!"

"Kagami! Ichinose!"

"Go, go!"

"What are you doing?! You're slow getting back!" Just as the same as the first quarter, each team didn't let up at all. Every score made by the other team will be returned by the other. Hiroto and Kagami shifted to defending since Kise was known to just copy them if they tried to play offence. But the Prince was the core of letting the team that gets back scores with his coordination with Izuki and Hyuuga as well as defending with Kagami, kept the Kaijou players in a tight spot as well.

Two minutes and eleven seconds left and the score by now was—

Seirin: 91

Kaijou: 93

Everything continued on until the scores tied again.

Seirin: 98

Kaijou: 98

"These resilient bastards! Finish them!" Kasamatsu passed on the ball and the game resumed.

"There's no time left! Get them! If we don't take the ball here, it's over!" Hyuuga ordered. Kagami growled to himself.

"Taiga," the redhead turned towards the other teen, Hiroto. "If we can get the ball, there's one more thing we can do that blondie can't copy. It's a simple strategy that will only work once, though." Hiroto went off and told the redhead of the plan who looked the teen as if he was crazy but seeing that determined look on his face, told him that he will make this happen. It will work. They will make this work.

"There's less than ten seconds left. We don't have the strength to play in overtime." Riko eyed the time remained and frowned.

"Good defense!"

"Don't let them score!"

"You can't just defend! Take the ball!" Riko shouted out and Hyuuga heard out her call. He stopped a bit as his legs shook, glaring down at them.

'Worthless piece of shit!' his eyes widened when he realized Kasamatsu had jumped to make a shot. 'Crap!' he cursed.

"Taiga!" Kasamatsu's eyes widened as the redhead blocked off his shot.

"Ah! He got it!"

"Seriously?!" The ball landed into the hands of Hyuuga and he immediately threw a pass.

"Don't let them through!" Kasamatsu shouted as the ball is caught by Kagami and was now making his way to the other side of the court, blocked by no other than Kise himself. Kagami, seeing an orange blur ran pass the blonde, he passed off the ball.

"Hiroto!" The Prince caught the ball and Kise can't help his eyes from widening. Shit! His golden eyes followed the ball as the teen released it. He was outside the three-point line arch! There was no way that would but still…

'He still shot the ball?'

"No! It's an alley-oop! KISE!" Kasamatsu shouted, realizing their intention when he saw the redhead caught the ball in air.

"I won't let you do that!"Kise jumped behind the redhead then his eyes widened when he realized that Kagami was still climbing. They jumped at the same time, but the blonde was falling first.

'He's still climbing? How far will he go? We jumped at the same time, but I'm falling first. How can you stay in the air so long?!' Kise thought as the number on the back of Kagami's uniform flashed before his eyes.

Hiroto watched the scene with wide-eyes. Taiga...could it be?

It's just a simple strategy that will only work once. Kagami remembered Hiroto's words.

"I don't need you to return the favor! Because…" Kagami's hand caught the ball in the air.

We just have to score a buzzer beater.

"This ends now!" Kagami slammed the ball into the hoop the whistle blew, ending the match.

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...to be continued.


Extra Notes: As usual, thank you so much for your support and for reviewing/fav/follow this. I love you guys! :D

So, Hiroto, in this game, still didn't show his true powers. :D Sorry, sorry, to disappoint! Did it come out fine!? I was really worried about this chapter, I kept erasing the scenes and typing again then erasing another scene! I really think I should research more more and more! I hope it just came out fine! I'll hide now! *wraps blanket around self in shame*. Tell me what you think...