A/N: I was supposed to write a single chapter for both days but then it became really long to the point that it's possible I'd get really lazy if I continued it. So, yeah... I chopped it into two chapters. Sumimasen~ *bows*

Comment and/or votes are greatly accepted~ Onegai~ XD

__________________________________

I let out a sigh as I fiddled with my phone's little composing application, pressing random guitar chords as the sounds made their way through the headphones and into my ears. Upon finding a good combination of notes that made a nice melody, I went with it and continued. I hid the phone inside a book standing upright. 

Since I was definitely scared by Akashi-kun's simple threat in his little note, I didn't dare be a second late in the library. Heck, I was even an hour early! It actually seemed like I was excited for it rather than threatened. Thus, here I was killing time with my phone.

As for his 'dress decently' command, I wore a simple oversized white shirt, some dark denim jeans, and my trusty comfortable black sneakers. I also tied my rough unhealthy hair up into a high ponytail and kept my unkempt long bangs in one side of my face using some hairpins I found at home. I wasn't even aware I had them. Despite those preparations, I still looked like a zombie trying her best to fit into modern human society.

At that time, I didn't know why I should even go to the library. Though I was certain the red-haired guy had a plan in mind, I couldn't stop thinking what was to happen. The only guess I was utterly hopeful to come true was that we're going to study. Or I was going to study. I wasn't even sure if it was him I was to meet.

After ten or twenty minutes of composing for the first verse, I checked the time. It was already five minutes before the time set. I put away the phone and the book then sat up straight.

He arrived the exact second the clock ticked to the time he set. I swear, I was watching the clock's second and minute hands move slowly each passing moment out of boredom when he arrived. In science fiction, if I were a zombie, he was an android of the highest technology with a strictly set program. 

 I stood up for him to see me, nervousness suddenly filling my chest. His differently-colored eyes fell on me as he nodded at my direction, probably greeting me. With that never-changing stoic expression on his face, he walked over to area where I was and placed his bag on the table with not a single word. Akashi being Akashi, he didn't beat around the bush and took out a few books obviously used at school from his bag. I was right. We were going to study.

He sat in front of me as I sat too. He took one of the books —- probably English —- then opened it to a page which was the lesson before I started not going to school. He turned the book around and pushed it gently towards me. He took a pencil. "Do you still remember this lesson?"

I nodded. He underlined a sentence and pointed it to me. "Translate it to Japanese," he said a little silently.  

I stared at the sentence and read it twice, registering what each word meant and how they made up a solid thought. I then composed the nearest possible Japanese translation I could form on my mind. I recited it.

He nodded a little, probably telling me that I was right. He then flipped a few pages and skipped to the next lesson. 

I decided to tell him that my knowledge was keeping up to the pace of my classmates back in school. As I've said before, I have great study skills. I was even certain I could do well by myself. "Akashi-kun... I study at home to keep up with what everyone else learns."

He stopped flipping the pages to look at me with his usual unreadable eyes. "I see," he replied flatly yet I could sense doubt in his voice. I couldn't blame him; you couldn't possibly expect a hikineet to actually study at home. He turned a lot of pages and stopped on a certain topic. "What about this?"

A little hesitant, I nodded. I kind of studied the topic but I wouldn't say I mastered it. 

His brows slightly furrowed upon my reluctant response, he let out a sigh as he closed the book and took another of a different subject. "If you say so." He turned the pages and stopped upon finding the lesson he was looking for. He confirmed if I actually knew the lesson by asking me questions about it. This went on until we reached the last two subjects—Science and Math, the fields of knowledge I liked the least. I wasn't able to study the latest lessons for those.

I told Akashi-kun about this, earning a look of disdain from him. "You shouldn't have said you 'keep up with what everyone else learns' when you haven't even learned these." His emotionless mask hid the scorn aimed at me from his face and his voice. I looked away timidly. I felt completely humiliated.

He took a science book and flipped it to the page of the latest lesson. The student body president discussed the stuff for the subject area like a total expert; I kind of understood the stuff he was talking about. Most of it, anyway. The problem was I kept getting distracted. It was like trying to study in the living room while the television shows your favorite show. Or doing chores while getting side-tracked by something you'd rather do.

It was just that there was some weird quick hammering in my chest as I couldn't help but stare his stoic but calm face, his topaz and ruby orbs, his blood-colored hair that sometimes covered his eyes, and his deep voice. It was the first time I could come close to him (not counting my almost-death moment).

"...Saki." His stern voice pulled me out of my reverie and made my heart almost leap out of my chest. I realized I wasn't listening. I looked at him apprehensively. He was glaring at me, obviously annoyed. "You're not paying attention."

I looked down, fiddling my fingers, the apologized softly. He didn't reply and went on with the lesson. Of course, I did my best to pay attention but I still get sidetracked with the high and mighty creature in front of me once in a while. I made sure he wouldn't notice it though.

After an hour of studying, we were finally done. Akashi-kun closed his book and started returning them to his bag. I did want to help since I was the reason he did all these but I stopped myself. What if he doesn't want anyone else touching his stuff? It wasn't worth the risk.

When he was done, he stood then slung his bag over the table. He pushed the chair back to its proper place and started walking away. I bolted up from my chair and grabbed his sleeve. He looked at me with a frown. I took my hand away and bowed really low. "Thank you for today!" I told him.

For a moment, he didn't respond. I slowly looked up at him. Was that unnecessary? I just thought that it was common courtesy to thank him. I mean, I bothered him though I didn't really ask him to.

He sighed, probably thinking that he should reply. "You lack concentration but... good work today." He walked away and went straight out of the library.

Blood quickly rushing to my face and my heart throbbing in my chest, I stood up straight and watched his every move as the wooden double doors close behind him. For some reason unknown, I felt incredibly happy. There wasn't even a pint of fear in my chest.

It's the first time he complimented me.