POV Akashi
"When you went sat out, the fans almost lost their minds," Furihata said as he sat next to Akashi on the sofa in the Midorima house. Kazu kept checking his watch nervously even though every time he moved, he disturbed Shintarō's right hand elevated on an ice pack resting on the back of the couch
"They came to watch the Generation of Miracles clash, not five ego-driven Americans stumble over themselves," Akashi agreed, frowning at the way Kazu was obviously not in the conversation fully, yet sitting right there in front of him. What's more important than this? He wanted to ask, but doubted that Kazu was aware of his actions. This is one of those times Kōki always says I should try to show more empathy.
"Well, at least you'll get to play Japan again. Maybe the next time it will even be for a medal," Furihata suggest.
"Although, from what you said – the way the team behaved – it doesn't seem like Team USA deserves a medal," Kazu offered, finally joining the flow.
"Be that as it may, we aren't going home without a medal," Midorima said. "With a one game rest and a lot of icing, I'll be back before we get to the quarter-finals."
"Nigeria doesn't look very good this year," Koki said. "Satsuki gave me a scouting report on them and they haven't won a single game in the preliminaries."
"I may sit the game out as well," Akashi offered. "Another day of rest before we play Australia might benefit my ankle and give the rest of the team a different perspective without either of us on the court. We can't win on our own, but this may have taught them an invaluable lesson. It hurts to be humbled, as we've learned the hard way," Akashi agreed.
"They are stupider than Aomine on his worst day," Midorima said, looking away as the front door bell rang. Midorima's mother went to answer it and after a few seconds Mitobe, Kasamatsu, and Imayoshi entered the room with trays of coffees and a large box of pastries from Les Délices de la Justice.
"If you've come to brag –" Akashi began.
"Not at all; we're here on official Point Guard Poker Player business," Imayoshi told him, pulling the large recliner over closer to where the four of them were seated. Kasamatsu pushed Kazu over closer to Midorima so he could squeeze in next to them and Mitobe perched on the arm of Imayoshi's stolen chair. "Although," he said, snickering, "that last shot was audacious, Midorima. If Murasakibara had been any slower on the block, ya would have landed the most audacious shot in Olympic play. You're the talk of every basketball player at the games."
"In the end, it means nothing," he said, hiding behind his hand as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "Without the points, the attempt was worthless."
"Ya sell yourself short. Everyone is wary of what ya could do. That's a psychological advantage I can't even begin ta describe."
"So," Akashi interrupted as he recognized the annoyance on Midorima's face. "As an Olympian, I'm finally eligible to join your senseless organization?" But do I say yes and join them, or say no and teach them a lesson. Kōki will be disappointed if I don't take their offer of good faith...
"No, sorry, Akashi-kun, ya'll never be a Point Guard Poker Player, but your boy, Furihata, has been nominated by two of our members," Imayoshi explained.
"Never… Furihata…," Akashi stuttered, his golden eye flashing for a second. "Ridiculous…" What just happened? he thought, panic rising in the back of his throat.
"We're already members of the Kiseki no Sedai, Seijūrō," Midorima explained. "Now that Kōki can admit that he's with you, he'll need all the support he can get."
"Socialite's right, Akashi," Imayoshi said. We all have our place in this world and ours is ta support those who support the Kiseki no Sedai. It took us long enough ta figure that out."
"Socialite?" Akashi's head spun. Pouting, he looked away, unsure of what was happening. "Of all the Point Guards we know, I am the only one excluded from this group. It is unfair, considering one of your members is a Center…"
"It ain't about being a Point Guard, Akashi, it's about needin' ta bitch about our personal Miracles. And count yourself blessed, 'cause we're gonna give ya and Socialite a special behind the scenes tour of our group, as a courtesy, since it wouldn't be right ta ask Furihata ta leave your side, not while your ankle is still healin'."
"Socialite? There's that title again. Who is Socialite?"
"That would be me," Midorima offered. "From my dealings with the group over the last eight years, I've learned that their nicknames are always ironic."
"Yeah, we've always called ya Peasant, Akashi, so ya'll need ta live with that."
"Peasant?" Akashi his brow furrowed. Peasant? Socialite? When had everything spun out of control so badly?
"The opposite of Emperor?" Furihata asked as Mitobe nodded confirmation. Kasamatsu handed him a coffee cup from the stack he was holding.
"I don't drink —" Furihata began.
"Don't worry," Kazu said, "I know you don't do caffeine, so I had them order you a decaf Dark Mocha Frappuccino, just like you had in New York. And, Akashi, here's your green tea." Kazu continued to hand out the beverages from Kasamatsu's tray. "Shin-chan gets a red bean soup, of course…"
"That's not even close to coffee," Kasamatsu complained. "You could have at least pretended you didn't know all our secrets, Socialite. This is a horrible idea, we won't be able to talk freely with them here."
"Ignore us, you often do anyway," Midorima offered.
"Alright, which game should we play while we decide on Furihata's new nickname?" Kazu asked. Mitobe stood and pulled the small glass table into the center of the seating arrangement as the others moved their couches closer.
"How is it that Jiro has a nickname, but not me?" Furihata asked.
"Not Go Fi—" Kasamatsu began.
"Because we've all complained about Akashi in the past," Kazu interrupted Kasamatsu to answer Furihata. "So, he had to have a nickname."
Complained about me? I probably deserved that, Akashi lamented, but didn't let it show in his features. Shintarō is Socialite, Kasamatsu is Pacifist. What about the others?
"What are the other Kiseki no Sedai nicknames?" Akashi asked, trying to pretend this didn't freak him out.
"Sorry, that's classified information," Kasamatsu said with a smirk.
"Perfect idea, Pacifist, Go Fish it is!" Imayoshi declared, pulling Mitobe down to share the large chair he'd settled in and taking the deck of cards out of his jacket pocket.
"Peasant," Imayoshi closed eyes appeared over the top of his cards. "Do you have any threes?"
I wonder if the Emperor's Eye would be any use against them. "Absolutely," he answered, handing over the single card. This… Saint hasn't missed a single call of the cards. Saint, Bat, Chatterbox, Pacifist, Socialite, and Peasant. Yet poor Kōki still doesn't have a nickname. He piled his discards and checked the back sides for some sort of distinguishing mark.
[He's not cheating] the text came only to Akashi's phone. [As long as he doesn't go first, he never misses. It's uncanny, and sometimes disturbing, but you'll get used to losing to him.]
Akashi read the text and missed some more snide remarks.
Mitobe held two fingers up and pointed at Furihata. While he was distracted with his turn, Imayoshi reached over and took up Mitobe's drink, downing the last sip of the cream with a splash of coffee in it. Imayoshi's eyes opened for a second as he tried to force down the cold, unappetizing liquid.
"Serves you right for stealing his drink," Kazu teased.
"Um, I..." Furihata fluttered his cards and searched through them.
"Do we scare you, or somethin'?" Imayoshi asked. "You hooked up with the guy who terrified each and every one of us durin' high school. I think he'll protect ya from us scary guys playin' a kids game, ya know?"
"Sorry," Furihata stuttered. "I'm not good with..."
"You're good at everything," Akashi finished. "Have more confident in yourself, after all, I do."
"That was so sweet, I think my teeth are rottin'. Answer the man; do you have any twos or not?"
Furihata consulted his cards again. "No...Wait; yes. Here's a two." He handed the card over to Mitobe, who discarded them both into the tumbled mess on the table. Furihata put his cards face down and straighten them into a pile. Imayoshi eyed him silently as the game continued on. He composed a quick text and showed it to Mitobe.
[Has he always played by the rules so closely? Or is it OCD?]
Mitobe nodded as he rearranged his cards, holding them loosely. He took the phone away from Imayoshi and added another line of text. [That's why Riko-chan put him in against tough opponents. His textbook style was so different from the rest of the team, he'd throw them all off their guard.]
"Do you have any fours, Socialite?" Kasamatsu asked.
"No, no fours," Midorima looked relieved as he continued to hold a single card close to his chest.
"Are you sure?" Kasamatsu asked.
"Of course he doesn't have a four," Imayoshi boasted. "Anyone who's been payin' attention would know he's got a Queen."
"Do you have any Queens, Shin-chan?" Kazu asked, next in line.
He smiled and handed his card over to his partner, ending the round.
"Why did you do that, Saint?" Akashi asked.
"Because sometimes, contrary ta popular opinion, I'm not a bad guy."
[It's the same reason he hasn't asked me for a card, despite the fact that he can see mine wedged into this chair with me] came the text to the group.
Furihata laughed and gathered Akashi's discarded cards, adding them to the pile on the table. "Whose deal is it this time?"
"That would be you, Rebel," Imayoshi said without missing a beat.
"Rebel? I like that," Kazu said, smiling. "I think it fits."
Akashi pinched the bridge of his nose and looked down at the scattered pile of cards. He closed his eyes and counted to three. Maybe this isn't such a bad idea… I can live without being one of these men. Rebel? he thought. They don't even know the half of it, but Kōki hasn't laughed this much in ages. Yes, this is perfect.
A/N: Chapter 20 will be the last chapter of this story. It's about 75% done and it is sort of a mess right now, but hopefully I'll have it up by the end of the year. Thanks for sticking with me on this story. I hope you enjoy how it concludes.
Also, if you don't know about the Point Guard Poker Players featured in this chapter, make sure you check out Gentlemen, Place Your Bets.