A/N: Short chapter! Sorry. Figured if I make shorter chapters, updates would be faster. This is an experiment though. =w= Enjoy. (I hope. XD)

Dedicated to him. :3 Check out his works! (Though they may not be KuroBasu related) They're awesome! XD

Votes, Comments, and Feedbacks are highly appreciated. :))

____________________________________

I clutched the groceries placed in a paper paper bag as I walked towards the apartment complex I was living in. Upon sighting the second floor where my room-slash-home is located, I let out a relieved sigh.

It seemed like he finally gave up. After three days of not letting his words get through my head every afternoon no matter how handso—er —-intimidating he is? I wasn't not surprised. I didn't even let him in to my little home. He probably got tired of dealing with me. Pissed, even. Despite being quite cowardly and paranoid, I'm simply just not the type of person who would back down so easily as long as I know I could get to be in the winning side.

I grinned in satisfaction as walked to my door, put down my groceries, and searched for the keys, thinking about what I should make for Yuki-chan when she'd visit tomorrow. Yuki-chan was a good friend in middle school. We went separate ways upon entering high school, but we never lost touch. So when she heard about my current situation, she made it her duty (though it wasn't necessary) to check up on me and visit once a week then stay overnight since she has club activities and a really rosy school life, unlike me. She also lives in Tokyo, which is a really long way from here. I didn't mind though; I loved her company. 

I turned the key then held the doorknob to open the door. Huh? It's locked? Did it lock when I turned the key? I was sure I opened it! Don't tell me. . . It was open from the start?! 

Once again, panic and anxiety settled all over my body. I took out the hard refrigerated butter from my grocery bag. It was hard; it might actually knock out the person I throw this with. Just in case. But I was really hoping that I just forgot and nothing really happened. 

I unlocked and slowly opened the door, peeking through the little space cautiously.

Through the darkness, I saw. . .

Nothing.

I let out a sigh of relief. I carried my grocery bag and went inside, turning on the lights.

"Welcome home."

I shrieked out of surprise and horror, dropping the paper bag. I fell to the floor, trembling. "Who's there?!" I shouted, raising the butter in my hand and preparing myself to take aim. I then met his eyes — those beguiling differently-colored eyes. 

Towering over me, he raised his eyebrow due to my reaction. "Who else?" He took the grocery bag then placed beside the refrigerator. He then sat on the small but sturdy couch facing the window and the television set and took an open book—a light novel, maybe—and continued reading it. 

I remained seated on the tatami floor, staring at him with disbelief. He just read oh-so-elegantly like some prince from a fairy tale, not minding the look I was giving him. Never did I expect that he'd actually get inside my house!

I opened my mouth, wanting to give him a piece of my mind, but no voice came with the words I wanted to say. Maybe it's because he intimidated me. Or the fact that he's gorgeous and he's completely out of my league. Or because he's simply superior than I am, like he's in this world where commoners like me aren't allowed to enter. 

Ugh. Great way to boost your confidence, Saki. Really great.

But I couldn't help it. He's just so—

Stop.

I took a deep breath, gathering all the small fragments of courage that's left inside of me just for one little word that drained them once again. "A...Akashi-kun."

He regarded me with a cold look which sent shivers all over my body. I gulped. "When are you planning to keep this up?" I asked softly, avoiding his icy gaze. 

He snorted then crossed his legs like a boss. He looked at me, his eyebrow raised, as if I asked one of humanity's stupidest questions ever asked. "Until you follow my orders," he answered with much authority; you could've seen him as Japan's next leader.

"There's no point. I'm not going back to school...," I mumbled, staring at the stack of manga beside the computer. "I mean, Akari-sensei gave up after two weeks of visiting," I explained. "I pass the requirements on time and go to school only for the exams... And I'm pretty sure I'm being a bother to you."

He shook his head dismissively, his crimson hair following his movements. Man, he could pass for a guy's shampoo commercial. My heart skipped beats. "True, you are an annoyance. But no excuses. You'll be following my orders no matter what." He sounded so sure, as if it would actually happen. 

I sighed exasperatedly, daring to look at him especially at his eyes. He didn't get it, did he? He was underestimating my persistence. "And what makes you so sure of it?"

He crossed his legs, slightly smirking and his red and yellow eyes almost glowing, which made my heart beat faster. "It's because I'm simply absolute."