TAKE XV.

    “R-reo-nee….” Kotarou gasped. “I-isn’t that too much?”

    “Very much no,” Reo answered and gestured at Akashi’s face. “See that? Sei-chan doesn’t care, right Sei-chan?”

    Akashi turned to Reo and smiled creepily; I can almost see dark clouds surrounding them all, Akashi’s murder vibes with the greatest intent to kill Reo right now is surfacing even more. I gulped. Let’s just hope he won’t shove a fork in his eyes. “Of course, Reo…. Chan.” He replied, emphasizing the word ‘chan’ and I could see he’s annoyed.

    They flinched. “Uh…. Reo, I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Eikichi said.

    “W-well, since Sei-chan said it like that, then I guess it’d be alright,” Reo said then turned to me. “Right, Kazu-chan?” he asked.

    “U-uh, well…. I don’t know.” I responded, shrugging.

    Kotarou gulped nervously. “O-okay then….”

    Akashi glanced at his wristwatch. “I guess it’s time for you all to go.” He said.

    Kotarou stood followed by Eikichi and Reo. “Alright then, we’ll go first Akashi-ku~n!! You can follow us when you finished your father’s paperwork~” Kotarou said.

    I frowned. “Paperwork?” I thought out loud, forgetting the fact that Akashi is still sitting on the chair.

    “Yeah, paperwork for the company.” Akashi replied.

    I looked at him then went to the table and sat on the chair, opposite of the redhead. “Wow, what else are you good at? Your father trusted you with the company already? You must be genius!” I commented.

    “Like you don’t know me.” He responded.

    “Oh? What? The ‘I’m absolute’ quote of yours?” I asked.

    He chuckled then changed the topic. “I heard Shiori was attacked. How’s she?”

    “Fine now. I bet she’s watching the television at the moment.”

    “I see. Well, you better be careful too. There’s no guarantee that the attacker won’t come to you as well.”

    I grinned. “Worry not as I have mastered myself in the world of arts during my middle school.” I boasted.

    “What if they have guns?” he queried.

    “Uh…. Surrender??”

    “Scream for help, you idiot.” He said.

    “I’ll get shot!”

    “Exactly.”

    “Hey! You’re so mean!” I pouted.

    He stood. “I am not, Kazuto.”

    “You are! You wanted me to get shot!”

    “I said scream for help.”

    I rolled my eyes. “Ugh!”

    He chuckled then walked out. “Remember to be careful.” He reminded. I nodded and he went out of sight.

~~<3~~

    It was a chilly night, around 8pm and Shiori had ordered me to come home immediately. I locked all the windows and doors before walking along the road, humming some songs. When I passed an old alley, I heard an argument between a girl and…. bunch of men..? I turned my heels and headed into the alley. I know it’s dangerous for me but my heart told me to do this.

    “Otou-sama will never pay you!”

    “Sorry, Eru-sama but we are ordered to do all these. We had no choice or your father would kill us. We can’t get killed! We have parents and our own families!”

    I frowned. It was surprisingly dark and I managed to walk without making any sound.

    “Go now.”

    “We’ll be going, Eru-sama. Good evening.”

    Footsteps were heard then it faded. I took out my phone and turned on the flashlight.

    The girl’s voice gasped. “Who’s there!?”

    I blinked. “Inoue?” I voiced.

    “A-Akihiko-san!?”

    San? She’s calling me with ‘san’ at the end? Am I dreaming?

    “Yeah, I am.” I called back. She walked towards me and I could see her face clearly.

    “What are you doing here?” she asked.

    “Um, I heard you shouting with some other men just now so I thought you were in trouble.” I replied.

    She frowned and turned her gaze away. “Trouble? Huh, I guess you’re the one who’s in trouble now for targeting Akashi-kun! He won’t look at someone like you! He’ll look only at me!”

    “Uh….”

    “You….!” She trailed off and the look on her face gave me an intuition that she’s about to cry. “You better…. S-stay away f-from Akashi-k-kun!!”

    I blinked repeatedly.

    She dropped on her knees. “I…. can’t do this anymore….” And then she started to tear up.

    I bent down to her. “I-Inoue, why are you crying?!” I went panicked.

    “I’m sorry, Akihiko-san, I can’t trick anyone else anymore.” She said between the sobs.

    “What do you mean?”

    “….Help me….Akihiko-san, I need to confess something.” She said.

~~<3~~

    “Initially, Akashi-kun was never my type. But it was father’s decision to have me marry him. He said it’s for business. And I wanted to have Akashi-kun, so that he could help me pay for my mother’s treatment. My mother caught a cancer and now she’s in the hospital. Father refused to pay anything and I had to get help from my other relatives. Mom was never one to sigh. She braves it all herself. The reason why I push everyone away and act all mean is because I don’t want anyone else to discover my life. I don’t want anyone to know about my connection with father.

    “And father found out you went to Sydney with Akashi-kun that day. Akihiko-san, do you like Akashi-kun?”

    I nearly puked. “Me?” I pointed to myself. “Me liking Akashi will make the world crumbles! We’re never compatible! You know how he likes to order people around? That’s why I feel like shoving a cucumber in his eyes! So bossy!” I grumbled.

    Inoue laughed softly. “You guys are actually cute being together. You know…. I have someone I like, too. But one day, he just…pushed me away and I never knew why—it’s like, I’m dreaming a nightmare!”

    I thought for a moment. “Hibiki?”

    She seemed shocked. “H-how do you know him!?”

    “Uh, I sorta met him during my stay in Sydney.”

    “Kanazawa Hibiki,” her expression turned sad. “Did he say anything? How did you meet him?”

    I shifted my gaze elsewhere. “Um…. I got lost in the shougi tournament hall and met him. He kinda tried to attack me or something when Akashi-kun came and they talked about the past. And…. He mentioned you.”

    Her eyes widened. “R-really!? I lost contact with him after a few years. I couldn’t get through! He won’t answer my calls and messages! I felt worried and decided to let it all go.”

    I don’t know anything about this kind of problem. Love. That’s quite troublesome to have feelings for people. Not to mention when it’s one-sided love. “Well…. To me, if you really like him, then you wouldn’t go and give up on him. What if you tell him the truth?” I said.

    Inoue dropped her gaze elsewhere. “He won’t look at me anymore. Everything’s gone down the drain now.” She responded.

    “I could ask Akashi for his number or something!” I blurted out and regretted it 2 seconds later.

    “Really!?”

    “Uh….”

    “Th-thank you, Akihiko-san!”

    “You’re welcome but I prefer you calling my first name.” I smiled. So, what we all assumed was Inoue being the villain here but here’s the plot twist where she’s actually not mean at all. It was all her father’s orders; to make everyone bow down to her, to make everyone fear her. And she needed Akashi to help her pay her mother’s hospital fees. Being her must be hard.

    “And also, Kazuto….” She spoke.

    “Yes?”

    “You might want to be careful. Father is not a person with patience. He might attack us all someday. I will do my best to help you but I can’t promise anything. I’m merely a daughter; a tool for succession.” She said.

    I patted her shoulder. “You’re the light of your parents and I’m sure nothing will happen to me. I’ll survive.” I grinned.

    “I envy you for being so carefree.” She smiled sadly.

    “You’ll be like me someday.”

    She gazed up at the sky. “I hope so.”

~~<3~~

    I was gazing, staring at the beautiful, clear blue sky with fluffy clouds light up the panoramic landscape that unfolds into the outback, wondering why can’t I be a butterfly instead.

    “Where are they!?” I grumbled to myself, irritated as to why there’s no one in the field when I thought I am late 5 minutes for practice.

    “HEICHOUUUU~~!!!!”

    I turned my head and saw Yuta running towards me with full speed. I managed to dodge his deathly hug and he fell face-first on the ground. The others arrived.

    “Heichou, where have you gone to!?” Aki asked.

    “Sydney and some business with my life, how’s practice?” I said.

    “We did nothing but kicking the ball into the goal space with some being the defender.” Yoshio answered.

(A/N: Okay guys I know the soccer players are too many for you to memorize their names so if you can’t remember, just ignore it XD *whispers* because I can’t really remember them all, too XD)

    “Hmm then let’s practice more. You know the Winter Cup is coming right?” I said.

    “Winter Cup??” Shou frowned.

    “I thought it’s for basketball only..?” Takeru said.

    “Not really. It’s for most sports like volleyball, badminton, tennis and also swimming.” I replied.

    “Whoa! So we’ll get to play in the Winter Cup, too!?”

    “Yeah, if you guys practice harder. We have to get into the final round of the Winter Cup preliminaries then only we can play in the Winter Cup, which is four months later.”

    “We need to get this right! Let’s do this!” Shou said.

    “OH!” they said in unison.

~~<3~~

    The next day, I was taken aback at how much students gathered at the notice board early in the morning. Is it about the issue where soccer will take part in the Inter-High coming next two weeks? Well if that’s the case then congratulations me.

    “OHMYGOD! HERE COMES THE GIRL!” someone shouted and pointed at me. I blinked in confusion.

    “What’s the mat—“ I trailed off as my sight fell on an embarrassing picture clipped to the notice board. I gasped and my eyes widened in surprise. It was a picture of me…. and that midget—Akashi Seijuro! The one in the shopping complex where he dragged me from school to buy stuffs for the school festival! Akashi was leaning forward, wiping some cotton candy from my cheek, he was slightly chuckling and I was grinning with my eyes closed. Our faces are just inches away! Seriously?!

    All eyes centered on me. I was utterly dumbfounded, a chill of apprehension coursed through my body. My heart palpitated aggressively.

    “Kazu-chan!”

    I turned my head and saw Shiro’s worried face. “Th-this must be the work of that Inoue!” she said.

    I frowned. “No she did not do this….”

    “What is the meaning of this!?” someone screamed. I turned my head and saw anger in some of the girls’ eyes.

    “Could you all not make a ruckus early in the morning?” the long-awaited person spoke.

    We turned our gaze and there’s Akashi walking towards us with both hands in his pockets, his hair are messy locks yet perfect, his eyes glittered with slight annoyance, his face calm as ever, his posture like a wise man.

    “Akashi-kun! Are you dating her right now!?” someone asked.

    Akashi turned his head towards the notice board and I saw the flash of shock across his eyes. He didn’t mention anything.

    “Akashi-kun?” the same girl queried.

    He sighed, looking at the audience we’re having. “This is all merely a misunderstanding. As the image viewed, I was just removing some stains on her stupid face, nothing else. Could you all not make a scene just for only a picture? And by the way, who did this?” he replied.

    I cleared my throat loudly. “Hello! Stupid face you say!?” I went to him with hands on my hip.

    He peered his eyes down on me. I narrowed my eyes and had to lift my head a bit because he’s taller. “I am not as stupid as you say! My face is prettier than yours!” I boasted.

    He smirked. “You really don’t know your place, huh, peasant?”

    I clicked my tongue. “Peasant? Peasant? PEASANT!? WELL HELLO PRINCE CHARMING! I’M THE PRETTIEST AND THE MOST AWESOME PEASANT YOU’LL EVER SEE IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE! JUST LOOK AT ME WHEN I WIN THE INTER-HIGH!” I blurted out.

    We exchanged death glares.

    “Uh, Kazu-chan…. L-let’s go back to class.” Shiro tried to grab my arm but I wouldn’t budge.

    “Oh? Someone looking at Akashi right in the eyes, defying him completely?” a voice spoke.

    Akashi and I turned our heads. I frowned.

    “Hibiki!?” I yelled. Hibiki who was wearing a simple black shirt and dark blue pants waved at me.

    “Wh-what are you doing here!?” I questioned.

    He smiled. “Searching for the last piece of my heart.”