3rd Person's P.O.V

Back in the locker room, Kaiga's father stood before them with arms crossed and face hard. Mikka and Momoi are beside him as the whole Teiko team freshens up.

"Okay, this is the second half and we need to be more aggressive yet careful. We don't know when they are going to do the Living Stars tactic," Kaiga who was taking a short nap on the corner, opened one eye to glance at his father, "they are best to do it at the last 3-2 minutes of the game, but we don't know how much they'll risk."

"We still haven't found something to counter this tactic and even the inventor of the tactic has no clue on how to," Mikka said, glancing at the brunette who now opened both of his eyes.

"But before that," Akashi said and all eyes landed to the red head, "Won't it be better if we use Kaiga's skills?"

Kaiga shot up from where he is sitting and stared at his cousin with disbelief.

"You're not serious about that, are you?" Kaiga asked, eyes wide.

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Akashi asked back as Kaiga suck his breath.

"But...where's the thrill in the game if it's going to be a sure win? Not that I'm bragging, but..."

"Kaiga, none of the opponents knows your real strength. Even the team doesn't only our family and Mikka know it. Maybe it's time for its big debut," Akashi said standing up. Kaiga looked over his father and to Mikka and then back to his teammates who are looking at him with a questioning look.

"Your real strength, nanodayo?" Midorima asked as he clutch a green Christmas ball.

"So you mean, whenever Kaigacchi has an intense one-one with Aominecchi, he's still not using his full strength, ssu?" Kise asked looking over Aomine who glares at Kaiga.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"Sorry, guys. I just want to hold back. What you see everyday, that's not my real capability. I can be much more stronger if I want to, but it just sucks out the thrill because it's gonna be a sure game," Kaiga said with an apologetic look. He's been keeping this from the team and even Kuroko, his childhood best friend doesn't know it and suddenly, his cousin blurts it out of nowhere and sends confusion in the team.

"So you're saying you've been faking all this time, Kai-chin?" Kaiga looked up behind him to see Murasakibara munching on his chips.

"Look, I'm sorry if I had to hold back and it confuses you, but trust me. It's for the best," Kaiga assured as silent fell into the room until Aomine decided to break it by standing up.

"We still have a game to win," Aomine interjected as Kaiga's father sighed.

"For the third quarter, Kaiga is subbed by Kise," the two said players nodded, "Okay. Now, Kaiga." Kaiga glanced at his father and Mr. Kudo smirked, "I think what Seijouro is really pointing out is... When they decided to use the tactic, go use your triumph card."

"What?"

"We're gonna counter the Living Stars with Kaiga, so when the time comes, Kaigan will be on the court and the ball must be always with him," Momoi said making their eyes wide.

"What?! Are you serious?" Kaiga exclaimed.

"Kaiga, no need to be hold back this time. You made that tactic. You destroy it," Kaiga's father said firmly as the brunette sighed.

"Yes, dad," he knows he's the only one who can counter that tactic. Because.... Everyone in this team is slowly changing....and he doesn't like the change.

---

The their quarter started with Kuroko and Kaiga benched. The line up for Seijoh is still the same and Kaiga clenched his fists together. Kuroko noticed it and decided to speak up.

"It's okay, Kaiga-kun," Kaiga glace at him in his peripheral vision.

"Tetsuya."

"Hmm?"

"If this team fall apart, what all you do?" Kaiga asked as he watching the two teams play, creating more tension and excitement in the game. This is how he want a game to be. Exciting and thrilling and a sure win will only make it dull and boring. That's why the first round of the tournament is the most boring and the finals is the most exciting.

But what he hates the most--something more than dull and boring is...

"This team is starting to fall apart. They're starting to forget about teamwork," Kaiga said as Aomine made a shot, a grin on his face. Kaiga laughed, "Daiki didn't smiled like that earlier when I was inside the court. Haha"

'Kaiga,' Mikka clutched the clipboard she was holding.

"They are slowly changing, Tetsuya. What will you do if they fully change?" Kaiga asked as Kuroko just stared at him.

"I'll change them back," Kuroko plainly said as Kaiga smiled and chuckled.

"Then let's do it together," Kaiga grinned as Kuroko smiled.

~~~

Kise caught the ball as Yamamoto appeared in front of him.

"Kise-yan. I envy you because Kaiga-yan is close to you," Yamamoto said as Kise's eyes widened, "At the same time, I respect you as a fellow copier."

Kise's eyes widened and took a step back as Yamamoto tried to steal the ball from him. He was trying to copy Kaiga's stealing style. Distract then steal.

"Ara, I didn't stole it."Kise remembered what Mikka told them

"As long as he didn't get to use the move correctly, the original owner is still able to use it. So as long as you prevent Kira from doing the move..."

"...Kaigacchi can still use it," Kise said and dribbled the ball towards the hoop and made a shot, although Mitsuchi blocked it. The Seijoh Center passed it back to Yamamoto who is already on his way towards the ring. Kise caught on the blonde and Yamamoto took a slight step back.

He dribbled the ball between his legs two times and drives pass Kise. Kise turns around and guarded him again. Yamamoto's lips twitched into a smirk and passed the ball to Mibuichi whose behind him. He was about to release when Midorima stood before him, making him pause.

"Ara, Midorima got hang of Tadashi's moves," Alejandro said as he watched the two Shooting Guards battle. Mibuichi turned his heels to the side and made a shot, but Midorima jumped allowing his finger touch the ball, ruining its momentum.

"Rebound!" Kaiga screamed and Murasakibara was readying to jump along with Mitsuchi. The ball bounced off the hoop and the centers jumped, Mitsuchi getting the ball. He spotted Luciano free from Akashi and passed the ball to him, but Aomine stole it with a grin.

He ran towards the ring and was free to make a shot when Alejandro showed up.

"Tch, why do you have to show up?" Aomine asked annoyed and made a shot without any particular form. Alejandro outstretched his arm and blocked it, annoying the bluenette even more. He caught the ball again and instantly made a shot and it went it.

"Next time, don't mess with me," he warned but the Spaniard narrowed his eyes.

"No can do."

"Tch."

Luciano caught the ball and was rivalling Akashi this time. The Italian dribbled the ball and passed it to his other hand and then to the other and back again, trying to confuse Akashi. However, when he tried to move again, Akashi stopped him, by knocking the ball off his hand.

"What the--"

"Face it," Akashi raised his head and he dribbled the ball on his hand, "You can't win against me."

His left eye flickered slightly into gold, shocking Luciano. But it stayed red as Akashi walk pass him leisurely. It was too late for him to notice he was falling to the ground.

Kaiga's eyes widened as the Italian fell down and his cousin making a shot into the hoop. He noticed it. He noticed the sudden change in Akashi's eyes. It returned to being red, but seeing the golden eyes, Kaiga knows something is going to end up wrong.

"Ehh? Kai-chan is making that face again," Mitsuchi said, catching Murasakibara's attention. The purple barney looked at the said brunette and hummed.

"I hate when Kai-chin does that..." Mitsuchi looked back at him with a relax smile.

"Yeah, me too," suddenly, Mitsuchi got the ball which was passed on by Alejandro. Murasakibara suddenly turned aggressive and guarded the fellow giant, "Ara. You looks scary."

Mitsuchi jumped as Murasakibara followed. Seijoh's center was about to make a dunk when Murasakibara slapped the ball off his hand.

"I hate you...I'm gonna crush you," the purple head said as Mitsuchi just smiled. Things started to get serious around the court.

"Tch, they're not passing to each other more often."