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Chapter Ninety-Six: The Phantom Sixth Man
At a restaurant near Tokyo Gymnasium, the Ryonan players were digging into their meal when the curtain suddenly swung open.
"Well, if it isn't Ryonan!" Kise's characteristically bright voice rang out. "What a coincidence!"
"Looks like there aren't any empty seats..." Kasamatsu beside him scanned the room.
Between Ryonan's coach, starting players, and bench players (plus support staff), they'd already occupied fifteen spots in the restaurant.
"If you don't mind, join us." Sendoh smiled, pulling out the chair next to him. "We just started eating anyway."
"Thanks!"
Kasamatsu first pulled Kise over to greet Coach Taoka, then sat down across from Yagami and Sendoh.
"You doing okay, Yagami?" Kasamatsu asked first. "We watched this morning's game..."
"Mm, should be fine." Yagami smiled. "Thanks for your concern, Kasamatsu-senpai."
"Little Sorato, when I saw you fall like that, I broke out in a cold sweat!" Kise made exaggerated gestures.
"I didn't expect those Kirisaki guys to be that crazy either..." Yagami took a sip of barley tea, speaking calmly.
After chatting briefly, the conversation naturally turned to the afternoon's game.
"So, even though you beat Seirin in a practice match, then lost to Shohoku in your prefecture semifinals," Sendoh set down his chopsticks, interest glinting in his eyes, "you still think Seirin will win this afternoon?"
"I don't really care. Kise's the one who thinks so." Kasamatsu said coolly.
"Eh?! Kasamatsu-senpai, you're not even on my side?!" Kise's face dramatically fell before he turned to Sendoh, explaining seriously. "I have my reasons for this prediction. After all, Seirin also has a member of the 'Generation of Miracles.'"
"Hm?" Sendoh's movements paused, rare confusion crossing his face. "I thought there were only two Generation of Miracles members in Tokyo? Shutoku's Midorima Shintaro, and the one who just beat you guys from Touou—Aomine Daiki."
"You didn't have to add the 'beat you guys' part." Kasamatsu muttered quietly.
Sendoh counted on his fingers. "Plus the ones I've faced—you, Murasakibara, and that one I've never met... Akashi Seijuro? That's five total, right?"
"It's Akashi Seijuro." Yagami corrected calmly while thinking things over.
"Ahaha, close enough." Sendoh tried to gloss over it with his signature smile.
"Actually," Kise leaned forward conspiratorially, lowering his voice, "beyond the five of us, there exists a 'Phantom Sixth Man.' He's currently with Seirin—Kuroko Tetsuya!"
"A sixth man?" Sendoh's confusion deepened. "But the 'Generation of Miracles' has always been said to be just five people, hasn't it?"
"That's not really strange though, Sendoh-senpai." Yagami looked up, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone. "Things like 'the Four Heavenly Kings having five members'—isn't that basic common knowledge?"
"???"
Sendoh's gaze turned skeptical as he looked at Yagami—he was absolutely certain this was the first time he'd heard of such "common knowledge."
"So because of this sixth person's existence, you think Shohoku will lose to Seirin?" Yagami asked on Sendoh's behalf.
"Exactly!" Kise leaned forward excitedly. "Little Kuroko has a thin presence, but his passes are like magic! If Little Sorato faces him, you'll definitely be shocked!"
"Thin presence? Passes like magic?" Sendoh felt like he wasn't quite following.
Yagami rhythmically tapped his fingers on the table. He'd already been very interested in this game—after all, this was a clash between two "protagonist teams."
But now, after what Kise said, Yagami was filled with curiosity about Kuroko Tetsuya. What was his performance on the court actually like?
"Sorato, your phone in your bag has been ringing nonstop!" Aida from the next table called out while Yagami was lost in thought.
Yagami took his bag in confusion and pulled out his phone.
The screen lit up, clearly displaying "12 Missed Calls" and "16 Unread Messages"—all from the same name: Chinatsu Yui.
"Well, looks like someone's really worried about you." Sendoh's sharp eyes caught the screen, his lips curling.
"Sorry, I need to step outside for a moment."
Yagami ignored Sendoh's teasing. Walking toward the exit, he opened the most recent unread message:
[Chinatsu Yui]: Sorato! Are you okay?! I saw the game! How's your foot?! Answer your phone, idiot!!! (T_T) Reply to me!!!
A smile unconsciously spread across Yagami's face. He immediately called back. The phone was answered almost instantly—alarmingly fast.
"Sorato! You finally picked up! How are you? Is it serious? Is your ankle okay? Will it affect your future games?" Chinatsu's voice carried a strong crying tone, questions bombarding him. "I saw those two bastards knock you down, then you landed on one foot on someone else's... The replay looked so painful! Why didn't you answer my calls?! I was so worried!"
Chinatsu's words became increasingly incoherent, her voice nearly choking by the end.
Yagami caught the worry and tension in her tone, as if he could see her in some corner of the school building, hand covering her phone, eyes red-rimmed, anxious and frustrated.
The noisy street sounds and traffic of Tokyo seemed to fade away. Yagami's smile disappeared as something warm and soft seemed to gently touch his heart.
"Yui," his voice came out softer than usual, carrying a soothing quality, "calm down. I'm fine."
"Really? Don't lie to me! That bastard..." Chinatsu clearly didn't believe him. "On TV when they helped you off, you looked like you were in so much pain! And your foot was wrapped like a dumpling!"
"I'm really fine." Yagami repeated patiently, his tone certain. "The doctor examined me. Bones and ligaments are all okay. Just twisted it a bit on landing and got some swelling. The bandage is just wrapped extra thick... looks scarier than it is."
"...You promise?" Chinatsu's voice stabilized slightly, but still carried uncertainty.
"I promise." Yagami's answer came quickly and definitively.
"...Okay, I'll believe you for now." Chinatsu finally relaxed, but her tone immediately became indignant again. "Those guys are awful! It was obviously deliberate! Sorato, you have to be more careful facing teams like that! Actually, better if there's no next time!"
"Mm, I know." Yagami responded gently, listening to the girl on the other end launch into a tirade about Kirisaki Daiichi's despicable behavior now that she'd calmed down.
"So... what are you doing now? Have you eaten?" After her complaints ran their course, Chinatsu changed topics.
"Having a meal with my teammates."
"Ah! Am I interrupting then?"
"No, we were just finishing up anyway."
"That's good... Are you watching another game this afternoon?"
"Yeah. Shohoku versus Seirin. Worth watching."
"Then make sure to rest! Don't move around carelessly! You hear me?!"
"Mm, got it." Yagami's voice was warm. Even the pain in his foot seemed to lessen.
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