A/N: Finally updated! Hohoho XDIt was a relief that what happened the past chapter kind of piqued your interest. Ureshiii~ *happy dance*

Dedicated to Tsuntsunii-sama because she's one of the writers I admire here in Wattpad~ XD

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In the end, I didn't go to school as he commanded me to.

It's just that I wasn't ready. My mind got used to studying by myself, not needing a teacher to help me figure it all out. I may not seem like it, but I've got great studying skills. Being in a room with more than fifteen people for eight hours every day? Nuh-uh. That's above the level I'm comfortable with. I'm not ready to face them, especially those people. Since I'd also return after months of absence, I know I'd be getting attention—one of the abstract things I hate. And, most especially, something really important to most people and the society, appearance. I'd be surely mistaken as the lead antagonist ghost in a horror movie if I went. Or at least a potential Drama Club member who always plays a large part on horror and animal-themed productions.

I know it's most probable that I'd get into trouble. A big one. Bigger than what happened yestetday. He could be fuming. But I did prepare myself for a lot of scenarios (excluding death). I had been clinging on to the little hope held by his small apology note if it really meant anything or if he actually wrote it and not some wandering ghost who's just getting my hopes up.

I heard the doorbell ring just as the sun was setting—a little later than usual. Does that mean something? I hid my laptop under my bed and any other thing that would show any disrespect I have for him. I opened the door, not even sure if I did something right or if I just dug my own grave. He went in then walked straight to his usual seat on the couch, an unreadable expression visible on his face. My heart rate only accelerated out of fear and anxiety. He's definitely mad!

I served the traditional rice cakes I made all afternoon and the Jasmine tea in the highest quality. Yep, I splurged on my money for this one. I set the articles neatly and elegantly on the table, like how a high-class cafe would arrange it. After that, I sat on my legs on the floor facing him but I didn't dare look at his face. My heart was beating so rapidly the whole time. I stared at the table instead, discreetly fiddling with my fingers to hopefully ease the feelings trapped in my chest.

A few agonizing seconds passed and he didn't seem to move a single muscle. My heart felt like it would burst out of my chest. I was definitely expecting the worst when he called my name, "Akiyama Saki."

Out of impulse, I bowed with my forehead almost touching the ground and I rambled on with my apology. "I'm so sorry, Akashi-kun! I didn't mean to annoy you yesterday... or any other day! I just had to distract myself to be calm! And I'm sorry for keeping it up for more than a week! I don't think I have the courage to finally get back to school! I know it's cowardice but... the idea of going back to school... it's scary! But I promise to give it a lot of thought and make myself ready for... school..." The last words came out as a soft mumble.

He remained silent. Say something! I beg you!

It seemed as if my inner pleading was heard when he spoke, "Look at me."

"Y-Yes!" I stuttered, looking at him. Wrong move. My heart rate only accelerated. What choice did I have? He could be angrier if I didn't.

And how come he still looked so attractive despite the current heavy tension? I couldn't help but be distracted. This is so unfair.

Oh, come on, Saki. This isn't the right and appropriate time to be thinking of such thing!

His face was expressionless as always. I noticed his eyes look at the direction where the wound on my neck should be, only it was concealed by a Band-Aid. I automatically covered it with my hand, looking down. I hope it didn't give him any ideas. I did my best to keep calm and wait for what he has to say or do.

"You actually mean what you said, don't you?" he asked, his mesmerizing differently-colored eyes bore into mine as if they were looking straight into my fearful soul.

I felt like a deer in the headlights.

I broke the gaze I shared with him, directing my sight to the seat's throw pillow beside him. Taking a deep breath that helpfully calmed me a little and hopefully increased the little bit of confidence to face the redhead with the demeanor of a ruthless emperor from the olden times, I looked at him straight into his heterochromatic eyes, my heart throbbing in my chest. "I mean it," I answered with pure honesty.

He exhaled a deep breath. "Then could you promise me that you would go to school tomorrow?"

And that's when the miniscule amount of confidence I had for a really short period of time was flushed out of my body. 'Tomorrow' sounded so soon! And I couldn't say I'm emotionally, mentally, and physically prepared for school. But if I wouldn't agree with Akashi-kun's question, would all this apology and promising lose their worth? I stared at the floor, unable to give him an immediate response.

"So you couldn't." I could hear the tinge of disappointment and annoyance in his voice.

"I'm sorry," I apologized out of sincerity, not daring to look at his probably irritated face, "I don't think I'll be ready that fast."

He sighed, massaging his temples using his thumb and index finger."It's surprising how a daughter of Akiyama Hiroto could lack so much self-confidence." 

Eh?!

I automatically stared at him regardless of my earlier nervousness, surprised with what he just said. It seemed like my chest forgot all of the anxiety I should've felt. I've been hiding that fact since I got here in Kyoto! "How did you—"

He crossed his arms, staring me down as if I'm a worthless little creature. "Akiyama Saki, daughter of Akiyama Hiroto — CEO of Sunny Records and Miyamoto Tsukiko — a renowned world class pianist. Has a brother named Akiyama Shin, a business management student at Tokyo University," he recited facts about my family as if they were written on a high school textbook to be studied in history class. I gaped at him in utter disbelief.

I did my hardest to hide those facts and stay as plain as a girl my age of normal economic standing. The only proof of the family I'm in is in the documents submitted to the principal and the faculty of Rakuzan High. I didn't think a student should be able to access those files. Did he use his power as the student body president? People with authority these days...

"Just because he is my father doesn't mean that I have to be oh-so-high and mighty as he is," I responded with the mask of self-esteem I trained myself for when I was younger, sitting up straight and looking at him straight in the eye. Whenever it comes to things like this, it's as if some other persona takes over my body yet it still feels like myself. I don't know...

Is it just me or did his expression soften? But it immediately went back to its usual stoicism. It must be my imagination.

"It's a disgrace to your family, Saki," he pointed out firmly, saying my given name which made my heart skip a beat. It's the first time he ever mentioned my name (without being so formal) since he started going to my home. He didn't even start calling me by my surname. It must be normal for him to call people on a first name basis. There were only a few people who calls me that way, my family (who I really don't want to talk about) included.

I pulled myself together, hiding the effect of him calling my name as if it wasn't such a big deal for me. "It doesn't matter while I'm here in Kyoto," I said softly. Apparently, my father and my brother lives in Tokyo. The company was based there, and that's where my brother also studies. Mom has always been overseas for her concerts. "All that matters for them is the outcome, not how stuff are done." I hated their shared belief.

Akashi-kun let out a surrendering sigh, giving up and dismissively shaking his head. Though he didn't agree with my ideals, I figured the matter didn't really concern him. I heard him mutter something I wasn't able to hear properly. When I asked him what he just said, he told me that it was nothing I should concern myself with. I wonder what it was? Since I'm pretty sure he wouldn't give me the answer I want, I didn't ask.

"Go to school next Monday," he finally announced. I stared at the redhead, not believing what he just said. I may be delusional or something, but it felt as if he considered my little condition. Of course, I shouldn't assume anything and just be grateful for the additional days he gave me.

I looked at him, my old bashful self taking over again. I forced myself to make the most grateful smile I could ever make (but I was pretty sure I failed). I didn't know what's gotten into him nor what he was planning but I was definitely thankful. Those days should be enough. I took a deep breath and said, "Thank y—"

"But you're not going to have it your way for those days."

Huh? 

He fished out a piece of paper from his pocket then placed it on the table. Standing up, he took his bag and looked at me the way an ally of justice would look at a law violator. With his eyebrows slightly crumpled, he spoke in a low warning tone, "Be there on time, or else." He went straight outside without letting me say another word, closing the door behind him.

He had this planned, didn't he? And what's with him and his paper notes? He didn't mention anything about his apology note yesterday which only made me doubt if he really wrote and meant it or if he actually meant to do that almost killing action (but I think I deserve it... a little). He didn't even touch the peace offering I had prepared for him.  

Sighing, I stood up and sat comfortably on the couch. I should be relieved now that he's gone but the schedule I expected to be written on the paper gives me some kind of anxiety without really knowing what it was. 

I definitely hated being outdoors but it doesn't mean I'm incapable of going outside. The only place I've always been other than this apartment is the convenience store. Never had I expected that I'd be forced to do stuff I usually didn't do just because of that crimson-haired visitor. 

Taking a deep breath, I took the paper and read the words written on it through Akashi's neat font-like handwriting: 

Thursday - Kyoto Library - 4:30 pm 

Saturday - in front of the nearest mall - 1:00 pm 

Make yourself look decent and presentable. 

-Akashi Seijuurou