TAKE III.

It was way too early when I arrived at school. It was a big mistake though. I met Akashi on the way to class. I tried hard to ignore him as we walked past each other. But suddenly, he grabbed my arm and forced me to look at him. I controlled my panic as he stared into my eyes. If stare could kill, I’d been cut into million pieces right now.

    “You....” he trailed off.

    “What?” I asked, knowing he'd ask about the incident yesterday. I wore the same fragrance everyday so I bet he'd know by smell.

    Before he could voice his answer, a teacher came to us. “Akashi-san, I’ll need you to help me with the paperwork. Can you?” he asked politely.

    Akashi released my arm as he replied, “Of course, sir. I’ll come right away.” And he followed the teacher to wherever. I sighed with relief and continued my journey to my class. As I was about to enter, someone bumped into me and I hit the door frame with my shoulder.

    “Ow!” I groaned and turned to the girl who fell to the ground. I helped her up.

    “Uh g-gomen! Are you hurt somewhere?” she asked. I narrowed my eyes. I know her.

    “Shiro?” I blurted out her name. SHIT. I wasn’t supposed to know her.

    She frowned. “How did you my name?”

    “That’s your name? Oh, a coincidence! My cousin has the same name as yours! I thought you’re her since your hair is similar to her.” I lied.

    She grinned. “I think I saw you before. What’s your name?”

    Don’t tell me she knew I was working at the bakery. “Akihiko Kazuto.” I replied.

    “Nice to meet you Kazu-chan, I suppose you’re a new student.”

    “Yeah, I am. Which class are you from?”

    “1-B.”

    “Oh, see you later, then.”

    “Yeah, of course!” she smiled and walked away. I entered the class. During recess, I met her again at the rooftop.

    “Kazu-chan?!” she seemed shocked by my presence.

    “Hey there.” I smiled.

    “You’re actually not allowed here.” She said.

    “Really!?” I backed away slightly. “Sorry.”

    She pulled my arms. “No, it’s okay.”

    I went to sit with her at the edge of the roof. “Heard you’re from Sydney.” She spoke.

    “Um yeah, great country.” I replied.

    She smiled at the sky. “Wish I could be there. It’d be fun.”

    “How’s Rakuzan like?” I changed the topic.

    “Hmm, it’s chaotic but at the same time, peaceful. It gives out that aura where you always wanna come to school,” she laughed a bit. “A demon arrived in our school earlier this year, he’s a freshman but a total monster. Former captain of the Kiseki no Sedai, he became the student council president and the captain for our basketball team. He made a great success.” She continued.

I think I know who she’s talking about.

    “Don’t mess with Akashi Seijuurou, is the best warning when a student comes here, I suppose,” She giggled. “Akashi-kun is a good guy. He does his work patiently and carefully. He never misses out any details. It’s just that he’s strict. I’ve seen him teach basketball to some juniors. He appeared to be kind and gentle. Wish I could see that side of him a little more.”

    “You like him?” I questioned.

    She gasped then laughed. “No.... I don’t like him that way. I like him as a friend. I got a crush anyway.”

    “A crush? Who?” I was eager to know.

    She smiled nervously. “Um, I’m a regular at a bakery shop down the road. Spero is the name. Well days ago, I walked in and found a charming guy, a new staff, sitting behind the counter with that megane and the smile he had.... Ah! I’ve fallen in love with him!” she day-dreamed.

    My smile faded. She’s talking about me.

    “Wanna meet him?” she turned to me. “Let’s go there after school!”

    I quickly shook my head. “No no! I have some other works to do! I-I’ll pass for today!” I faked a smile.

    She pouted. “I’ll go by myself then.”

*  *  *  *

It was 5pm when the bell chimed. I almost suffered a heart attack when the figure walked in.

A-Akashi! What is he doing here!?

    I tried not to panic and act normal. He approached. “May I ask some questions regarding this bakery business?” he questioned.

    “U-uh, yeah. Why not?” I replied, shrugging.

    He looked around then his gaze fixed back at me. “During the previous party of Akashi Corporation, a girl from this bakery bumped into me, ruining my clothes and everything. May I know who is that?” he said.

    I faked a smile. “I’m sorry, sir. But I’m afraid there’s no girl working in this bakery except for the owner herself, Miss Shiori.” I lied. How many times have I lied today? Two. Screw me.

    He feigned a chuckle. “I’ll buy an egg tart.”

    He changed the topic.... I reached out for the egg tart, handed it to him as he gave me the money, I gave him the receipt and he walked out, giving me the final glance before he went out of sight. Somehow, I just get this weird feeling when with Akashi. We won’t be good. But we won’t be that bad either.

*  *  *  *

CCA time! I rushed to the soccer field, shoving students out of the way. They must’ve been waiting by now! Suddenly, a student who’s running too, hit my shoulder with the most velocity+acceleration+momentum he had; we fell onto the ground.

    “Ow! Why do I keep bumping into people—“

    “Kazu-chan?”

    I stopped babbling to myself and looked at the person I bumped into. My eyes widened. “R-Reo!” I gasped. We stood together. “You’ve grown much taller!” I added, grinning widely.

    He hugged me tightly. “It’s been a long time! I missed you!”

    I hugged him back and we pulled away. “How come you’re here!? I thought you’re in Sydney!” he exclaimed.

    “Shiori took me in.” I replied.

    He frowned. “Eh? Why?”

    I smiled bitterly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Mum and Dad passed away two weeks ago.”

    He gasped. “Oh my, I’m sorry! H-how did that happen?”

    “The plane was shot at the border of Ukraine. They mistook it as the Russian plane. I was in it but managed to get away with the help of some Ukraine soldiers. Well, it’s not worth talking about it now, I just don’t want to remember the past.” I smiled.

    He ruffled my hair. “I’m sorry, Kazu-chan. Sorry.”

    I slapped his hand away. “Nah, it’s okay. Let’s go meet Shiori after school, ne?”

    He nodded. “Why not?”

    We started to walk together. “You still playing soccer, Kazu-chan?” Reo spoke. I nodded once. “Why won’t you go back to playing basketball?” he asked.

    I stopped walking. “Let’s not talk about that.”

    “But Kazu-chan, you’re so talented I’m sure Sei-chan would—“

    “I don’t like basketball, Reo! What part of that did you not understand!?” I started to yell.

    He gritted his teeth. “You were always angry whenever I bring up the basketball topic!”

    I clenched my fists. “Like you don’t know why!”

    “I do! But you just have to swallow it and move forward! Why won’t you accept the fact that he died!?”

    “He’s not dead!” I yelled.

    “He is! Wake up, Kazuto! Open your eyes and face the reality!!”

    I punched the wall beside him. “I. Hate. Basketball. Just understand that!” I said.

    He grabbed my collar, pulling me closer. “You just can’t move on, that’s why!”

    Tears started to well up in my eyes. Don’t cry, Kazuto. Don’t cry! “HE WAS MY BROTHER HOW CAN I JUST MOVE ON!?” I screamed.

    Reo released me. “Your brother wouldn’t want to see you like this.” He said.

    “Like hell I care!” I responded.

    “Should I put up the notice not to argue in front of my room, too?” a familiar voice spoke. We turned our heads.

    “Sei-chan....” Reo muttered.

Sei-chan?

    “Kazuto, aren’t you late for soccer? Reo, didn’t I tell you to warm up before I come? Why are you two here arguing in front of my room?” Akashi spoke. I couldn’t control my feelings. P.M.S.

    I went to Akashi. “Shut up when you don’t understand the situation, redhead!” I said grimly.

    “Kazu-chan, no don’t—“

    Akashi pushed me to the wall, his forearm on my neck, his gaze pierced right through. “You don’t speak to me that way, Kazuto. Did I not warn you about going against me?” he said. I ignored the chills along my spine as the tears slowly released itself down my cheek. Akashi frowned. I pushed him out of the way.

    “You don’t know anything.” I muttered and walked away, fast.

Forget about that incident. Forget it. Forget it. Forget it.

    When I arrived at the soccer field, my tears had dried up, thankfully. There were about 20 balls on the field and Aki, Yuta with Ren waved their hands happily when they saw me. I faked a smile and waved back.

    “Hey,” I said, arriving before them. “Stretched?”

    They saluted me Western-style. “Yes, milady!”

    I laughed. “Don’t call me that. By the way, I’m gonna show you continuous free kicks. Please arrange the balls horizontally.”

    They did as I told them. I took a deep breath and shoved all my feelings at the tip of my head. As I kicked each and every one of the ball, I released my anger, sadness, sorrow, pain, memories towards the ball.

    “Akihiko-chan, are you okay?” Yuta spoke. I kicked, kicked, kicked, kicked and kicked again. I heard whispers, murmurs, gasps and soft squeals. I didn’t bother to turn to look, I just kicked whatever in front of me. The last ball was kicked by me, tossing the ball upwards before front-flipping and kicked the ball, mid-air.

-w-

Akashi and Reo walked together towards the gym. However, they saw Kotarou, Eikichi and Chihiro(dragged by them) ran outta the gym, towards the soccer field, not far from them. Reo insisted on seeing what happened so they went together.

When they arrived, they saw Kazuto, kicking 20 balls carefully; each and every one of it entered the goal space. There were many students gathered around, watching her. Reo knew what she was doing; releasing her sadness, anger and pain in her mind.

Akashi seemed interested when he saw how much she loved soccer, how much she is determined to fight back.

“She’s your childhood friend, Reo?” Akashi asked.

Reo nodded proudly. “Yup! If that didn’t happen.... Sei-chan, you’d love to have her as one of the team member, she’s awesome!”

“What happened?” Akashi asked, slightly interested to see why she turned her path from basketball to soccer.

“Ah that.... maybe next time.” Reo faked a smile.

-w-

    I panted when I finished. Suddenly, I heard claps. I turned my head and saw students crowding the field. I felt happy and nervous at the same time. They were watching me releasing all my anger all those while? How embarrassing.

    “Captain, you’re amazing!” Yoshio patted my back and they clapped again. I laughed a bit.

    “I have a friend who’s better than me.” I said.

    “Woohoo! Now I can brag to my mother!” Yuu grinned.

    I smiled watching their reactions.

    “Hey, I still think the basketball team is better than the soccer team.” A voice said and it’s from the crowd.

    Aki, Yuu, Yuta, Ren, Takeru, Yoshio, Kei, Shou, Shun and Tatsuya turned their heads to the crowd. “Who said that?” Aki called out. “Hey! We’re obviusly better than the basketball team if we try harder!” he added.

    I looked around and saw the whole Rakuzan basketball team on one corner. They watched with complete respect. “I wonder how fun it will be if the basketball team compete with the soccer team in both games.” Another voice said.

    Yuta, who couldn’t control his damned mouth spoke, “Soccer team versus Basketball team in Basketball and Soccer! Let’s see who wins!” he spat out.

    “Really!? They’ll do that!?” another exclaimed.

    “Yuta, wait—“ I tried to stop him but Ren and Shou covered my mouth from behind and let Yuta spoke.

    “BASKETBALL COURT NEXT WEEK, THURSDAY, 3 TO 5PM! SOCCER FIELD NEXT WEEK, FRIDAY, 3 TO 5PM! SOCCER TEAM VERSUS BASKETBALL TEAM, DEAL!” Yuta announced and all of them clapped.

WAIT! NO! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!