A/N: 1,000 reads. Yay. XDI only updated because a certain someone told me to. XD (Dedicated to you. XD)

The Mashiro Yuki in this chapter is the same Mashiro Yuki from another KuroBasu fanfiction of mine (She's a Fujoshi!). Do read that too if you have the time. XD [Someone slap the sense into this self-proclaimed author this instant for advertising her stories! XD]Um... yeah. I know you people don't really like long a/n's so... XD

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Yuki-chan shrieked like a child seeing a ghost when the red-haired visitor emerged from the doorstep and into the room. Akashi-kun, on the other hand, stared at her as if she was some kind of extra-terrestrial creature from outer space. Summing it up, both of them did not expect anyone else to visit that very afternoon.

"Is he your boyfrie—?!" Yuki-chan was about to ask when I covered her mouth with my hand. I gave her a look that meant "No way!" accompanied by a glare for her to watch her words. Who knows what his reaction would be? I was not brave enough to know.

She pulled me further into the apartment room—into the kitchen—for some privacy while the redhead remained standing idly by the doorway, an unreadable expression visible on his face.

"Why is the...," she glanced at him to make sure he wasn't listening before continuing, "...red Ice King," she added the nickname we gave to Akashi-kun during our middle school days a little softer (we gave a nickname for each member of the Generation of Miracles), "...visiting you?"

"Just like Akari-sensei," I whispered.

"But why him?"

"Rakuzan's Student Body President," I answered, as if the position was equivalent to the king of the world.

She nodded thoughtfully. "Just like Yankee-kun to Megane-chan, huh..." she muttered, mentioning the shounen romance manga where the female protagonist, appointed as their school's student council president, had to get two students-turned-NEETs like me to get back to school in the manga's earlier chapters. Come to think of it, I stopped reading it years ago.

I nodded, confirming her idea.

She then turned to Akashi-kun, smiling one of the most friendliest smiles I've seen on her face, then introduced herself. "I'm Mashiro Yuki, Ki-chan's friend. Nice to meet you, Akashi Seijuurou-kun!" She bowed then grinned at him.

Akashi-kun nodded, looking at her. He didn't even seem surprised that she knew him; it was as if the fact that people knowing him was already natural to him.

With that, it was Yuki-chan who welcomed him into the apartment like he was some valued guest and she was the one who was living here. They talked on the couch; Akashi-kun was the one who was always in the receiving side. I heard them converse about Yuki-chan's current school in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kaijou High, and Kise Ryouta, who was currently playing basketball for that school. I was surprised how my white-haired friend didn't seem the littlest bit intimidated by the red-haired guy's presence. She was talking to him so casually!

I made tea for three and prepared what I had made for Yuki-chan's arrival. I served the snacks on the short wooden center table in the middle of the living room. Like a delighted little girl, Yuki-chan ate the chocolate chip cupcakes I made. Akashi-kun sipped the tea and ate one of the cupcakes, not saying anything regarding the taste. Even his expression is completely unreadable. Not like I cared or anything.

"I shall take my leave, then," Akashi-kun announced when we finished snacking. He stayed for a shorter period of time than usual. It was probably because he found out about our weekly arrangements through Yuki-chan. She volunteered to escort him to the door, to which I agreed. They talked a little more outside, with the door closed. I played Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep on my PSP while waiting for my guest. Either they talked about something I shouldn't hear (like something about me) or it was just Yuki-chan being over-friendly to a person she just met. It took her a while before she returned.

We went on with our girl bonding, fangirling, and goofing around in the internet. She also listened to the new song I uploaded days ago, which, I'm proud to add, received a fair amount of praise. She also asked if she could bring her microphone next time to cover the song. Seeing the determined and passionate gleam in her eyes, I couldn't refuse. I could relate.

She left after breakfast, starting her two-hour trip back to her home. I escorted her to the train station. And with that, I went back to my dull gray home.

***

I was in the middle of reading some fluffy fanfiction of the fandom I was currently in when the doorbell rang. Sighing, I left the presence of my beloved laptop to open the door to let the daily visitor in. Yes, I've started letting him in since the day he got in without my permission. And no, I didn't do anything anymore to make my appearance presentable (he might finally wouldn't be able to stand my horrible appearance and stop visiting).

I poured tea into a cup and served it to him. Don't get me wrong; I made too much this morning and it's still warm. After that, I went back to my laptop. This time, I wore my headphones and listened to the songs of SCANDAL, an all-girl rock band, in the highest volume while I visited some forums and socialized with those who were online. I get rid of the uneasy feeling of being with the intimidating guy by distracting and having fun myself.

I was enjoying the band's rock music when the headphones were jerked off my head. I angrily faced Akashi-kun. I hate it the most when I'm forcefully stopped doing something I like. How impolite...!

But my anger easily subsided upon seeing the expression he was wearing on his face. His eyebrows were furrowed, his red and yellow eyes were almost glowing in the afternoon's darkness, his lips were narrowed, and his fists were tightly clenched. He slammed close the laptop, threw the headphones on it, and grabbed my wrist. He pulled me forcefully into the bedroom and harshly pushed me to the soft spring bed, making me lose my balance and lie on it. I tried to get up but he was immediately on top of me, pinning my wrists with one hand to the supposedly comfortable seat. His other hand held a small knife which was suddenly slightly touching my neck.

I couldn't do anything. My body was frozen into place as if the icy sharp metal spread its coldness all over me, finding no strength but to stare at him and make my heart rate accelerate. The look on his face made my blood run cold. With one wrong move, it's most probable that I'd die.

I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared.

"Someone like you who dares to defy my commands does not have the slightest right to act in such an irritating behavior," he uttered calmly in the most intimidating way possible, the knife almost piercing my neck's flesh.

I held my breath, ready for the inevitable pain. I wanted to plead for my life and beg for his forgiveness as if I lost my all my pride and dignity but not the smallest bit of my voice came to my throat. 

"You're wasting my time, being in the way of my victory. It might be better if you just disappear." His grip tightened on my hands, his eyes piercing through mine and the blade he held wounding my neck. My whole body tensed. I tightly shut my eyes close, beads of tears falling from them involuntarily. I couldn't breathe. Maybe I did too much. But if there's one moment I have to gather all my strength even just do the littlest thing, I thought it should be now.

"A...Akashi-kun... P-Please stop... I-It hurts..." I squeaked softly with the only strength left in my body, praying it'll waver his murderous intent. Deep down within me, I knew it was a hopeless effort. I probably took all of his patience with him visiting me every day, selfishly hiding inside the walls of my home. I prepared myself to die.

As if a miracle occured, his hand left mine, the cold metal left my neck, and the feel of his legs and pants left my limbs. But relief didn't replace the fear I felt. It remained in my chest until I heard the sharp metal clang on the floor and the door close gently.

My whole body trembling with fear, I hugged my legs and rested my head on my knees to cry. I seriously expected that today would be my last day in my regret-filled life.

The sun was already setting when I found the enough courage and energy to get out of my room and check if Akashi-kun was still inside. I was going to apologize to him. And maybe decide if I would get back to school tomorrow.

One step at a time, I crept my way out of the bedroom. My knees still felt weak but I managed to do part of what I was planning to. I slowly turned the doorknob and opened the door. Taking a deep breath, I made my way outside the bedroom. I didn't see Akashi-kun.

I let out a relieved sigh. I then noticed the sheet of notebook paper placed on the dining table beside the kitchen area. I took it and read the small piece of handwritten text on it.

Sorry.

-Akashi Seijuurou

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A/N: Please tell me what you think! XD I need to see or read your reactions! XD Comment / Vote~ I'm not sure if I'm writing Akashi properly. 'u'