"Woah, this is a little big for a dining room don't you think?" Koganei stated as the group sat in the fairly large dining room. The chandelier hanging over the mahogany table was the room's only source of light, but provided an adequate amount. Nineteen seats were placed around the table, one at the head of the table which Akashi has taken, and were already prepped with utensils and glasses of water when the group had arrived. The table itself was decorated with three candles and flower-filled vases evenly spaced upon a silk table cloth.
"It's actually far larger when you removed the table. My parents also use this room when they decide to host meetings or parties with other agents and our occasional benefactors." Kuroko stated. If one was not used to the teal boy's monotone voice one might missed the small bit of annoyance that laced around his words. Akashi was surely one of those who noticed.
"Much to his displeasure and my enjoyment." Akashi stated as he smirked at the teal boy. Kuroko simply rolled his eyes at his former captain's statement, which only made Akashi's smirk wider.
"Oi, when is the food coming in, I'm starving." Aomine stated as he leaned back in his chair. Just as Momoi was about the scold him, two people had walked into the room.
"Your manners are as rude as I remember Aomine-san." Takashi stated as he and another person who appeared to be a chef entered the dining room. The chef was pushing a long cart that was filled with several plates for the guests. Takashi appeared to be carrying one of the plates to give directly to Kuroko.
"Ah, Takashi-san, what is for lunch?" Akashi asked.
"Today's meal have been specifically made to suit each person's favorite. For you, Akashi-san, we have tofu soup." The chef had placed a plate down and removed the lid covering it, revealing the tofu soup.
"Thank you, Takashi-san, and give my thanks to Chef Rin." Akashi stated, earning a bow from the butler.
"Wait," Fukuda pointed to the chef in the room, "isn't he the one who made the food?"
The chef chuckled slightly and shook his head, "Oh no, I'm not the main chef of the house." The newcomers quickly noticed the rough American accent, "I've recently moved to Japan and I needed a job and a place to live so Mr. Kuroko allowed me to stay as a part-time chef. He's helping me set up a restaurant in Osaka. I focus on any American entrée but I'm learning Japanese cuisines as well."
"The Kuroko family has about five different full time chefs, including the head chef Rin-sama." Akashi explained, "Tetsuya has a fickle appetite so the chefs do not usually know what he likes, except for those ill-nourished milkshakes he has become addicted to."
"I see no problem in having vanilla milkshakes." Kuroko stated as finished his third milkshake.
"He actually enjoys it when Hiroshi's son prepares his meals. He seems to be the most aware of Master Kuroko's appetite."
"Speaking of appetite, what is Kuroko's current lunch mood, nanodayo?" Midorima stated. Takao slightly chuckled at the green-haired man's response, earning an annoyed glare from the Shutoku shooter.
"Master Kuroko had requested Chef Katashi to prepare a sushi platter with a side of rice balls, suitable to the young master's serving size." Takashi then placed the plated down in front of Kuroko and removed the lid, revealing a platter filled with seven sushi of the three different kinds and two rice balls.
"Larger than the usual amount of food Kuroko consumes at a sitting but don't you think he should just a little more?" Riko asked.
"Master Kuroko is known for having an appetite change. One time we had fixed a large plate of curry, took three spoonful, and stated that he was no longer in the mood for curry but rather crawfish. Do not worry, no food goes to waste." Takashi added when he noticed several of the guests give questioning and slightly worried looks.
"So Kuroko does like steak?" Kagami asked, referencing back to the time Seirin visited that steak place after the practice match with Kaijo. Takashi nodded.
"Master Kuroko enjoys steak, sadly he is never capable of eating an entire one before his appetite changes and he is no longer fond of the food."
'So that explains why Kuroko doesn't eat much.' Seirin thought as they looked at their Phantom man.
"I knew there was something fishy about you." Izuki joked, earning a slap in the head by Hyuuga and groans by all the other members of Seirin except for Kuroko.
"This is not the time for one of your horrible jokes, baka." Hyuuga stated. Izuki appeared hurt for a moment.
"Horrible, I have you know that my puns are as fine as this lunch." Hyuuga attempted to choke the Eagle Eye player. Kiyoshi chuckled slightly at the scene and Riko sighed in slight irritation.
"My, you always bring in quite…interesting friends, Master Kuroko." Takashi stated as he looked at the scene in slight amusement. Kuroko sighed at his senpais' actions. The American chef proceeded to give each of the guests their specialized plates before he and Takashi bowed, returning to the kitchen with the cart.
"Itadakimasu!" they all stated before eating. Aomine and Kagami were plowing through their large pile of teriyaki burgers and cheeseburgers, respectively.
"I think it would be best if I continue with the story." Akashi stated after taking several spoonful of his tofu soup and wiping his mouth elegantly with a napkin.
"No fair, Akashicchi, I wasn't-"
"What was that Ryouta?" Akashi interrupted with a smile that promised suffering and death and the blonde model dared to continue. Kise gulped nervously, feeling a chill travel down his spine as he shook his head.
"Um, nevermind, I'm sure Akashicchi will tell the story better." Kise stated and hoped that it was enough to appease his former basketball captain.
"As I thought." Akashi stated with a smirk, causing everyone except Kuroko to sweat drop at the interaction, "Anyway, there was nothing else interesting about the interrogation. The man confess everything he knew about his employers, though there was only one name mentioned during the whole ordeal, Tamahato Junichi."
"Did you find anything yet, Momoi-san?" Akashi questioned as he looked over Momoi's shoulder to look at the screen.
After waiting half an hour for their captive to be picked up and sent to consolatory confinement, the group had Takashi pick them up and drive them to the Kuroko manor. They were currently in the meeting room on the second floor. Aomine was attempting to take a nap on one of the beanbag chairs. Kise was informing his agent that he was unable to attend that day's photoshoot and asked for it to be rescheduled. Murasakibara was once again eating snacks from the secret compartment in the wall. Midorima was quietly reading in one of the corners furthest from the other Miracles. Kuroko was downstairs, stating something about preparing a room, though the Miracles and manager perfectly understood what that meant. They felt a little sorry for Tamahato, thinking he would have to suffer through Kuroko's sadistic interrogation methods.
"Ah, got it." Momoi stated as she scrolled through the organization information, "I knew that name sounded familiar. Tamahato Junichi was of the organization's scientist that help create several gadgets and weaponry. He was later found out to have performed illegal experimentation and to be involve and other illegal acts, but had escaped before he could be 'interrogated' for it." She pointed out Kuroko's name amongst the information. Akashi quickly understood that if the man wasn't trying to keep low because of his crimes, he was trying to keep low to avoid being tortured from the infamous Phantom, "The search for Tamahato was suddenly dropped, but he still remains as one of the organization's wanted criminals."
"Any information pertaining to his past life before the agency, or anything that he was connected to during the time of the crime?" Momoi began scanning through the information before stopping at something that caught both her and Akashi's attention.
"The Prodigals." Momoi stated in slight confusion.
"I believe they're a group that were often involved in the kidnapping of prodigies, typically child prodigies. I believe Ryouta had a run with them in the past." Akashi stated as he looked back to the Kaijo ace.
"Ryouta," Kise looked up from his phone to see Akashi walking up to him, "do you remember running into someone from the Prodigals group or anybody talking about being a potential prodigies?" Kise rubbed at his chin before he snapped his fingers in remembrance.
"I think so," He stated as he dug into one of his pockets, pulling out what appeared to be a business card, "I don't remember any mention of the Prodigals, but some man I met during my first photoshoot came up to me again a few days ago and handed me this business card and said to call him if I ever decided to change my modeling agent."
Akashi took the card from Kise and scanned the card for any reliable information. Akashi's right eye started twitching in slight annoyance as he noticed the name placed on the card. "Ryouta, did you not realize that it was Tamahato Junichi who had given you this card?" He stated as he pointed at the name on the card. Kise eyes widened before sheepishly rubbing his head. Akashi sighed before retuning back to Momoi and handing her the card.
"Momoi-san, could you find the call logs of this number?" Akashi asked as he Momoi looked at the card.
"No need." Heads turned to see Kuroko enter the room with a folder.
"And what do you mean by that, Tetsuya?"
"I had a fellow agent infiltrate the Prodigals after Tamahato pulled the same stunt with him right before the Winter Cup Semi-Finals."
"Who is this 'fellow' agent of yours, Tetsu?"
"It's highly advised that you avoid him to prevent from causing conflict, especially Aomine-kun and Kise-kun. He's Hiroshi-san's son and technically a childhood friend and one of the first people I worked with when we both came a secret agent. You guys actually already know him." Before Aomine could continue to question Kuroko, Akashi interjected.
"We have more important matters to attend to, Daiki." Akashi stated, quieting the ganguro. Akashi then looked back to Kuroko, "What were you able to learn?"
"Tamahato will be returning to Tokyo tomorrow evening to retrieve a package at the post office closest to the mall."
"Isn't that where many people who are too impatient to wait for the mail man to drop off their orders go to anyway." Aomine stated in slight confusion.
"People don't send a briefcase with information on us through the mail and expect a mailman to deliver it." Kuroko added, causing many of the Miracles to widen their eyes in surprise.
"I see," Akashi stated, "by putting the briefcase through the postal service, Tamahato can avoid bringing suspicion upon himself for picking it up since it is a public facility and many people do so. A perfect cover-up for the transfer of information while maintaining a low presence."
"And because of the company's policy, unauthorized personals are unable to check the briefcase to see what exactly is inside." Akashi nodded in agreement before be began to address the group.
"Alright, so tomorrow evening we are to meet near Tokyo's Postal Office and wait out Tamahato when he receives the briefcase. We are not to engage with him until we ensure we are in a low populated area where civilians will not interfere or be injured. Daiki and Ryouta, you are given the task of capturing him, but our main priority is the suitcase. If we must remove him we will."
"Hey Akashicchi, if we're done now can I go, I might still be able to make the photoshoot?"
"Yo me too, the new issue came out and I need to go buy it so I have something to do in school tomorrow." Akashi sighed at Aomine's remark.
"You are dismissed. And Daiki, it would be better that you pay attention in class rather than look through those disgusting magazines of yours." Aomine gasped at the redhead's statement and Momoi chuckled.
"You can ask Takashi to give you a ride the studio, Kise-kun."
"Thanks Kurokocchi," Kise stated as he glomped the teal boy, "you're the best." He then ran out the room to search for the butler.
Aomine simply grunted, knowing that he couldn't say anything back to his former captain without risking his own life and walked out the room.
"You don't believe those two will catch him, do you Akashi?" Midorima stated after a few moments of silence.
"If the Prodigals are aware of our identities then it would be no surprise if he decided to remain in large crowds if he were to spot Daiki. Ryouta is easy to notice because of his popularity as a model. I simply need them to carol Tamahato into an alley where we can trap him."
"Shintarou, I need you on the rooftops in a position that you can keep an eye on him at all times. Bring your sniper rifle in case he causes more trouble than expected." Midorima nodded.
"Atsushi, I need you keeping close on the other side. You simply need to keep the alley's other entrance blocked."
"Ah, but that so much work." Murasakibara stated as he opened his forty-seventh chip bag, "But if Aka-chin says so."
"Tetsuya, you're with me. I need you to block the front entrance when Tamahato runs in to dodge the Daiki and Ryouta." Kuroko nodded, "And when this matter is resolved, I would like for you to tell me of this insider of yours."
"I'll ask him to come Saturday afternoon. Promise me you guys won't overreact."
"How bad can he be?" Akashi stated with a slight smirk.
"He's and absolute jerk, but he get things done when he has to." Kuroko stated. As he pushed aside his plate. Much to Seirin's relief Kuroko had managed to eat all but 3 pieces of sushi and a rice ball, over half of the plate's original content.
"Uwah!" Kise whined, "That's so mean Akashicchi."
"Anyway, it went as I expected. Daiki and Ryouta had chased Tamahato into one of the alleys where I had everyone positioned at. We retrieved the suitcase; however, Tamahato had attempted to threaten me and made a movement to strike before Kuroko killed him."
"Master Kuroko," Takashi stated as he entered the dining room, bowing slightly to Kuroko, "your guest has arrived and I brought him up here as you requested."
"Arigato Takashi-san." Kuroko stated. Kise was practically bouncing in his seat.
"Ooh, we get to see Kurokocchi's friend and inside informer-ssu."
"It's only been a few seconds and I already want to punch you in that pretty face of yours Ryouta." A familiar voice stated in irritation as he walked past the butler.
Kise gasped.
Aomine glared and squeezed the burger in his hand.
Midorima adjusted his glasses but many could tell that he was agitated.
Murasakibara stopped eating and glared at the newcomer.
"Haizaki." Akashi murmured as he narrowed his eyes. Haizaki grinned as he licked at his finger.
"The one and only, jackasses."