((A/N: Before everything… I just want to say… Happy birthday to our Momoi-chan and Natsuki-kun! .… By the way… I still can't believe I've gone this far! XD… I just wish I could update this story as fast as I can… but because of my busy schedule… my time was very limited.. =_="… Oh well… Enjoy as always~ ^o^))

oOo

Chapter 5: The Search for Cinderella

((At Tetsuki's Room))

Tetsuki placed her things properly to her study table as she enters her room. She changed her clothes from her school uniform to her usual clothes. After changing, she slammed herself to her bed. She covers her eyes with her arms. As she was about to fall to sleep, an image of her and Natsuki's face being an inch close to each other appeared to her mind. This made her rise from her sleeping position. She puts her hands to her face as she slapped it with a little force.

"Why do I always remember that part?!" Tetsuki said to her mind. Suddenly, her phone rang. She checked it first before answering. It was Daimi.

"Good evening, Aomine-san." Tetsuki greeted.

"Yo, Tetsu." Daimi replied. "Tomorrow's Natsuki's birthday and we're planning a surprise for him." She added.

"Oh. Could you tell me the details about it? I can help." Tetsuki said.

"I won't. But don't worry… you'll have the biggest part of it." Daimi said. "And oh! I'll borrow your stuff for a while. It'll go back to you after tomorrow." She added.

"Eh? What do you mean? And what are you going to do with my stuff?" Tetsuki asked in a confused tone.

"You'll know it sooner. Bye~" Daimi said as she hanged up. Tetsuki stared at her phone because of confusion.

"What was that?" She asked to herself.

((Time Skip: The next day…))

Regular practice will be held today. Since its Natsuki's birthday, his energy is at its best. The regulars are now going to change to their training clothes. But when Natsuki opened the door of his locker, he saw a shoe inside. It was too small to be his. Thus, it's a female shoe. Also, the other pair is missing. Out of confusion, Natsuki gets the shoe and stared at it.

"Who will put a girl's shoe inside my locker?" Natsuki asked. As he looked around his locker, he saw a folded piece of paper. He gets it and read its contents.

"The one who owns this shoe will be your Cinderella. But for you to find her, you must follow the rainbow." The note said.

"Eh?!" Natsuki shouted a little in shock. "For real?! But I suppose there are many students here having the same shoe size as this?! How could I suppose to find the owner of this shoe? Besides… Cinderella? Wait.. this might be a prank! But who might it be? Uwaah! I'm so confused!" Natsuki thought. He ruffles his hair vigorously. His teammates' attention pointed out to him.

"Are you okay, Momoi?" One of his teammates said. Natsuki stopped ruffling his hair. His face became red because of embarrassment.

"A..ah! It's nothing!" Momoi said wryly. His teammates finally removed their attention to him. Natsuki sighed heavily as he successfully avoided his teammates' questions.

"I've almost forgot that there are other people around me!" Natsuki thought. He then brings his focus back to the shoe.

"Hm.. Maybe bringing this shoe back to its owner won't hurt." He thought. He then put the shoe back to his locker and started to prepare for practice.

((Time Skip: Lunch Time))

It was now lunch break. Natsuki finally has his time to search for the shoe's owner, or rather his Cinderella. But he doesn't know where to start. He doesn't know who to ask first. Natsuki was thinking for a possible person to ask for. Luckily, an idea popped out from her mind.

"Follow the rainbow…. Ah!" Natsuki said. A few minutes ago…

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.

.

.

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"You're searching for the owner of that shoe, right?" Sayaka asked as she turned her chair so that she can fully see Natsuki. They're inside the student council room.

"You're right. Let me ask directly. Does this shoe belong to you?" Netsuki directly asked. Sayaka giggled, making Natsuki confused.

"Of course not. But I know who the owner of that shoe is." Sayaka said with a smile. Natsuki's eyes widened.

"Really?! Who is she then?" Natsuki asked.

"You'll find it out if you go to the gym." Sayaka said.

"Okay… Thank you, Akashi-chan!" Natsuki said as he leaves the room. While he's on his way towards the music room, he thought of something. "Why at the music room? Something's odd here." He thought. As he arrived at the gym, he saw Ryoko standing.

"Ah! Momocchi!" Ryoko said as she waved her hands.

"Ki-chan? What are you doing here? Anyway.. do you know the owner of this shoe?" Natsuki said as he showed Ryoko the shoe.

"Oh~ Of course!" Ryoko happily said.

"So… it's you?" Natsuki asked.

"No." Ryoko said. "Go to the music room. You might find her there!" she added.

"O..oh.. I'll go ahead then." Natsuki said as he started to leave.

"Good luck for your search, Momocchi!" Ryoko shouted. As he arrived at the music room, he saw Shizuka playing the piano. She stopped as she noticed Natsuki standing near the door of the room.

"Ah. It's Momoi." Shizuka said as she adjusted her glasses.

"Midorin!" Natsuki said.

"I'm searching for the owner of this shoe and Ki-chan told me to go here. Do you know who she is?" Natsuki asked with a serious face.

"Yes. But she's obviously not here. Go to the cafeteria if you really want to know her." Shizuka said.

"Eh? Is that so? Okay then. Thank you, Midorin!" Natsuki said as he leaves the room. While he's on his way, Shizuka went to the entrance of the music room. Ryoko and Sayaka suddenly appeared beside her.

"The plan seems to work!" Ryoko said.

"Hmmp. I guess so." Shizuka said.

"Well… let's just wait for the surprise." Sayaka said. Meanwhile, as Natsuki finally went to the canteen, he saw Daimi eating at a table.

"Dai-chan!" Natsuki shouted to call his childhood friend's attention.

"Oh. Yo, Natsuki." Daimi greeted.

"I don't understand. I've been searching all along for the owner of this shoe but I can't find her." Natsuki complained as he showed Daimi the said item.

"Oh! If you're looking for your Cinderella, go to the rooftop now." Daimi said as she stuffed her mouth with her food.

"Eh?! Just how many places do all of you want me to go? Are you playing with me or what?!" Natsuki said as he burst in anger.

"Calm down! We're not playing around, ok?! You want to know her, right?" Daimi said. Natsuki froze a little then he speaks.

" Somehow… yes." Natsuki said. Daimi smiled.

"Then go!" Daimi said.

"Okay!" Natsuki said with a little smile in his face. While on his way towards the rooftop, he suddenly thought.

"Come to think of it… the note says that I must follow the rainbow in order for me to find the owner of this shoe." He thought. He stopped moving as he realized the situation. "That's it! By this chance, Muk-kun might be the last person I have to ask. Then… I can finally found out who she is!" He thought. As he finally arrived at the rooftop, he saw no one.

"Eh? But…" Natsuki's thought was cutted when he heard a familiar voice.

"What are you doing here, Momoi-kun?" Tetsuki said. Her eyes widened as she saw the item Natsuki's holding. "That's…" She said as she point out the shoe.

"Ah! Maybe I must ask Tetsu-chan first before Mu-chan." Natsuki thought. "Uhm.. I'm actually searching for the owner of this shoe. Do you know who she is?" Natsuki asked.

"That's actually mine." Tetsuki bluntly said. Natsuki's eyes widened. His face became red.

"S..so.. you're… Cinderella?"Natsuki said in a trembling voice.

"Cinderella?" Tetsuki asked, confused.

"A…ah! It's nothing! I saw this shoe inside my locker and I just want to bring it back to the owner. I don't know it was yours." Natsuki said as he gave the shoe to Tetsuki.

"Inside your locker? But how will it go there? But… thank you for bringing it back to me." Tetsuki said.

"Y..you're welcome! Hehe…" Natsuki said in a shaking voice.

"Momoi-kun…" Tetsuki said.

"Hmm?" Natsuki asked. Tetsuki get something from her pocket and handed it to Natsuki.

"Happy birthday, Momoi-kun." Tetsuki said with a smile while her face was still red. Natsuki looked at the thing Tetsuki gave to him. It was a basketball keychain. Natsuki's eyes widen in joy.

"T..thank you, Tetsu-chan!" Natsuki said happily as he hugged Tetsuki.

"I… can't… breathe..Momoi-..kun…" Tetsuki said as she was about to pass out. Natsuki noticed it and released her from the hug.

"Ah! Sorry, Tetsu-chan! I got carried away." Natsuki said as he scratched the back of his head.

"It's okay." Natsuki said with a blushing face. While the two are talking to each other, the five girls are watching them behind the door.

"Alright! Our plan's a success!" Ryoko said.

"Be quiet, Kise!" Daimi said.

"Don't talk that loud, you two!" Shizuka scolded the two.

"It's Momoi's birthday so it's fine with me. " Sayaka said.

"Let's just leave them alone now." Atsumi said.

"Right~" Everyone responded.

CHAPTER 5 END

((A/N: Finish! .… I'm so sorry for the late update! Too many things are getting on my way… I'm really sorry! *bows*… Oh well… Just how will this story end..? Any thoughts? :D… Ah! Don't forget to R&R guys! ^o^))