This is unedited because I'm having a fever right now and I'm too lazy to check XD forgive me mortals. I'll find a time to edit no worries.

TAKE XIII.  

    Hibiki and Akashi stared at each other for quite a long time. I blinked repeatedly.

    “I have no other business with you,” Akashi stated.

    “But I do. You know where’s Inoue right?” Hibiki said.

    I frowned. “Inoue? You mean that Inoue?”

    Hibiki turned to me. “You know her?”

    “If you’re talking about that Inoue, then I know.” I said.

    “I don’t think Inoue still want to see you after what you did to her.” Akashi told Hibiki.

Okay, what is happening?

    Hibiki clenched his fists. “You don’t know anything, Akashi.”

    Akashi turned his gaze away. “I know everything, Hibiki. And I’m sure Inoue still loves you.”

    Hibiki’s eyes widened and before I could do or ask anything, Akashi had grabbed my arm and walked away, leaving the clueless Hibiki staring at the wall.

    We left the place and exited the hall. Akashi pushed me to the bench roughly, looking down at me as if he’s ready to eat me anytime soon. “Why did you leave the mansion?” he questioned.

    I gulped nervously. “Um....”

    “This is your slave week, you should listen to my every command. I think I told you this but guess you might have forgotten about it considering your poor memory. I’ll murder anyone who disobeys me, even if it’s my parents. And since you’re merely a plain peasant, I guess your punishment should be heavier than anyone else. Are you ready for this, Akihiko Kazuto?” he said, his voice as menacing as ever.

    I began to stutter, “N-not really, I—“

    “Ready or not, now you come with me back to the mansion.” He said and turned away as the limousine arrived right at time. I followed him.

~TIMESKIP DESU~

    When we entered at the mansion, he was silent. Niji and Sora were waiting at the front door, their faces plastered with worried expression. “Seijuro-sama, please don’t—“ Sora begin to speak but Akashi held up one hand and she shut her mouth, and then looked at me with an apologetic frown.

    I raised an eyebrow as in ‘what’s wrong’ then I realized I was going to be punished. He brought me to the place I don’t want to step in the most. The basketball court. I frowned.

    “If you’re going to force me to play, I would rather die.” I simply stated and turned to walk away. But he snatched my elbow and gripped it so tight I thought he would fracture it for real. I winced and struggled to break free.

    “You sure you’d rather die?” He whispered.

    I gritted my teeth. “Don’t make me like this.”

    “I’m trying to help, Kazuto.” He said.

    “Help?” I narrowed my eyes. “This is what you call help?! You’re torturing me!” I shouted and tried to hit him but he stopped me.

    “Stop arguing and follow my orders.” He said.

    “Aka—“

    “I said stop arguing.” He repeated fiercely and I fell silent as his orbs gave me a dangerous aura. He took a ball and threw it to me. I caught it with one hand and started to dribble it. Akashi stood in front of me and made a guarding stance.

    “The first to score three points, wins.” He said.

    “Fine by me.”

    I dribbled and ran past him, fast enough to get away before he could steal the ball. And by the time he reached out his hand to me, I had already done the three-pointer. He ran to the ball, took it and dribbled.

    He eyed me. “I see. So your specialty is being fast.” He mumbled.

    I blinked. He moved to the left, then right and got through. I cursed mentally and ran to him. I tried to steal the ball but he made his shot. He took the ball again and I managed to steal it. I ran to the basket and made a three-pointer. He slammed the ball away and made his three-pointer instead.

    I thought hard and took the ball. As I dribbled, I looked for the way out from him. I eyed his hetero orbs start to strategize his way to the basket. When he stepped forward, I purposely moved a bit to the right and let him steal the ball. But before he could run away, I stepped forward and stole the ball back from him. He tried to chase after me but I ducked under his arm and threw the ball from my crouching position. The ball went in perfectly and Akashi caught it.

    “Hm I see….” He muttered.

-w-

Akashi almost smiled, as he knew her abilities. No wonder Reo said he’d be happy to have her in the team. Well, to Akashi, not until he found out why she’s acting like this. Maybe he could do something to lure her out of her secret. He purposely threw the ball out of the court and let her take it.

    She sighed, “Are you like trying to give me massive muscle sores?”

    She threw the ball back to him. As it went past his head, he raised his hand and his finger touched the ball, pushing it further when it’s supposed to stop at him. Her eyes widened as the ball bounced to the street.

    He smirked and spun on his heels to catch the ball that is now lying on the empty road. He knew there won’t be any cars as this is a private mansion; he just wanted to test Kazuto.

    He stopped and crouched down. “AKASHI!!!!” she screamed and pushed him to the other side of the road, with her trembling legs and both of them fell down to the ground. She was clutching his shirt tightly, her breath hitching.

    He blinked repeatedly. Now he knows why. Something like this must’ve happened in the past. “Don’t…. do that again!” she rasped and he could see her trembling hands.

    He patted her back. “This is a private mansion, Kazuto. No cars would pass here.” He said.

    “W-what if…. There’s a car….?” She asked.

 -w-

    I almost died as I watched Akashi ran to the street for the ball. What if a car passed by and hit him? What if the history was to repeat again? He’d have been killed!

    “There won’t.” he replied simply.

    Ridiculous. Then why was Kazuki killed? Why did the car passed by our house even it’s a private area? “T-then tell me why Kazuki d-di..ed..” I blurted out unconsciously.

    I thought I saw him smirk but pushed the thoughts away. “It was the car’s fault for intruding your private area. It has nothing to do with you,” he said. There it goes again. People saying it’s not my fault and such. Why’s it not my fault when it’s clearly me that threw the ball out of the court? “But if you were to involve in that situation, it’s partially your fault.” He said.

    I looked at him.

    “But even though it’s your fault, there’s nothing you can do, no? The past is history, you just have to move on.” He added.

    I blinked and dropped my gaze elsewhere.

    “Kazuki never did blame you, did he?” he queried.

    “H-he said the pain is nothing compared to seeing me cry. He said he’d watch over me….”

    “He is watching over you. Hold this basketball, close your eyes and feel his gaze,” He said. “He’d want to see you happy with his passion.”

    Indeed, he’s talking the truth. “Either way I still won’t play it anymore. I like soccer better.” I said.

    Before he could say anything, I stood and walked back into the mansion, locking myself in the bathroom.

*  *  *  *

    That night, it was breezy as the rain poured down softly, droplets slamming on the glass window. I was thirsty and decided to take a drink in the kitchen. It’s 2am and I’m sure everyone’s asleep. So I went down and drank some mineral water. When I was about to take my step upstairs, the sight of the basketball lying on the court outside made me halted. Quietly, I exited the mansion and made my way towards the court then held the ball in my hand.

“Kazu, when you grow up later, I’d want to see you in Winter Cup as a winner! How’s that?”

    I dribbled. The sound of the ball bouncing at the court made me feel nauseous. I quickly put it back into the container and ran upstairs.

-w-

Akashi stood, watching her dribbling the ball carefully. But the look on her face says it all. She won’t go back to playing basketball. But if Akashi wants her to, then she’d have no choice to play.

He’d find a way.

-w-

    “Akihiko-sama! Your flight is due at 11! Please wake up!”

    I hugged the pillow tighter. “Mngh—give me 10 minutes!” I mumbled.

    “No, Akihiko-sama! It’s 10.30 right now! Seijuro-sama is waiting for you in the car!” Sora’s voice echoed across the room.

    “Just let him go back alone.” I replied.

    Niji sighed. “Guess we should call him after all.”

    I’m scared at what Akashi might do but I am super sleepy like DAMN SLEEPY I CAN’T HOLD IT BACK ANYMORE! Footsteps appeared and my heart ran faster.

    “Kazuto,” Akashi’s voice spoke.

    I pretended to be still sleeping.

    “I guess you are still in cloud nine ever since I came here sleeping with you yesterday night when you’re asleep. That’s why you can’t wake up, is it?” he said.

    My eyes sprang open and I jumped to my feet. “YOU WHAT!?” I shrieked and flinched.

    “Akihiko-sama!” Sora gasped loudly.

    “What!? I did nothing! And when did you even come into my room!?” I screamed.

    Akashi let out a small smirk, his orbs gleaming with amusement. “Ah…. Now you’re acting shy, yes? Perhaps you’d like to try it once again?” he said.

    “What!? No—“

    “Indeed, I heard some noises upstairs when I was sleeping.” Niji cut in.

    I gaped and my heart pounded. Wait…. That really happened? OHMYGOD MY VIR—

    “I was kidding, Kazuto. Now if you don’t take shower in less than 5 seconds, I’ll do what I said for real.” Akashi threatened.

    I sighed with relief. “Whew! I thought that really happened….”

    “5..4..3..2..”

    “OKAY OKAY I’M GOING!” I yelled and ran into the bathroom.

    “That did that. Seijuro-sama you’re genius.” Sora chuckled from outside.

    I opened the door, “YOU GUYS ARE SO MEAN!” I shouted and slammed the door close. Niji and Sora laughed.

    “Now if she wouldn’t come out of the bathroom, tell me.” I heard Akashi said.

    “I’LL BE FAST AKASHI! NO NEED TO WORRY!” I said from inside the bathroom, my voice echoing throughout the space.

    “60 seconds, Akihiko-sama.” Niji called out.

    “I. GET. IT! NOW LEAVE THIS PLACE!” I screamed. I heard their laugh once again before the sound of the door-slamming close, indicating that the room is now empty.

    I sighed. “Back to Japan, huh.”