Bokuto crossed his arms, staring at the heavy rain outside his apartment as he tapped his foot in impatience. He wasn't one to worry, but Akaashi was an exception.

Akaashi may be a tough person, but in Bokuto's eyes, he's fragile. Really, really fragile.

Bokuto had seen more of Akaashi than anyone else. Bokuto knows about the scars on his back, about the bruises that appeared every so often, about his dislike on alcohol. Akaashi loved photography, he bought his own camera and it was all filled with pictures of nature, volleyball, and the two of them. He also loved music, he has a violin and he always play, especially when he's feeling down. He hated it when people watched, unless it's Bokuto.

Even after highschool, after college, they still stayed in touch. At least once a month, they would meet to talk and eat together, sometimes watching movies or just taking a walk.

Even after all those years, Bokuto knew nothing about Akaashi's personal life. He admitted that he never ask, but Akaashi never spoke about it, either.

So, when the doorbell finally rang, Bokuto rushed downstairs and opened the door immediately. He was faced with Akaashi, soaking wet from head to toe, with his violin case in his hand.

"Akaashi!! You really came!" Bokuto exclaimed happily, immediately hugging the smaller man tightly, while Akaashi didn't even resist. Once Bokuto released him, Akaashi entered the place, taking off his shoes and walked further inside.

"Just go to my room and get changed! I'll make some hot chocolate!" Bokuto said, as he walked towards the kitchen.

"Yeah," was Akaashi's short reply, as he did as he was told.

A few minutes later, the two was already seated on the couch, watching a documentary video about owls (Bokuto's request). Akaashi was eating all the popcorns, while Bokuto was grinning wide, doing his best to mimic the bird of prey.

After the movie was over, Bokuto somehow managed to drag Akaashi back to his room. He closed the door, with a look that said, 'We need to talk'. Akaashi didn't complain, he sat on the chair while Bokuto threw himself onto his bed.

"Hey, Akaashi..."

"Yes, Bokuto-san?"

"If I ask, will you tell?"

Akaashi nodded, tapping his fingers on the desk. Bokuto let out a huff, turning to look at Akaashi, and finally decided to give his question.

"... When we were in highschool... I saw those scars. Those bruises. Where did they came from?"

Akaashi frowned. "My parents."

"... You were abused?"

"Yeah. Mostly my father, but my mother sometimes did, too. They already left he country, so it's alright."

"Ooh... Well, I'm glad you're okay now..." Bokuto trailed off, "By the way... I thought you hate playing in public."

Akaashi nodded, "I did. I'm used to it now."

"... You didn't do it for the money, right? You did it for fun, right?"

"I was fired, Bokuto-san. I don't have any other choice."

Bokuto's eyes, and he abruptly sat up, "What?! How could that happen?! How can you pay your rent? What about your food?! It's-..."

"I stayed with a friend, Bokuto-san."

"... You could have asked me..."

"I don't want to bother you. Your job is not easy, I don't want to be a burden."

Bokuto shook his head, "You'll never be a burden."

Akaashi didn't reply, so Bokuto decided to change the topic, "Can you play for me? It has been a while."

Akaashi smiled, and rose from his seat, taking his violin case and opened it. He took the instrument, and Bokuto couldn't help but to adore how gentle Akaashi treated his favorite possession, like it was worth his whole life.

"What do you want to hear?"

"Anything's fine."

Akaashi lifted the violin and rested it on his shoulder. But as his arm was raised, the sleeves of the baggy shirt was pulled down.

Revealing a small tattoo on his left wrist.

Bokuto let out a small gasp. It was only for a split second, but he managed to see what the tattoo is. The outline of a cat, walking on the top of a text "the golden cats" in cursive lowercase.

Akaashi seemed to notice this, and he froze as well, eyes wide in shock. Bokuto slowly let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head as he stared at Akaashi's eyes.

"Please tell me you're not a part of them."

Akaashi stayed silent.

"Answer me."

"I don't want to lie to you, Bokuto-san"

"How can you do this to me?!" Bokuto yelled, standing up as he stomped towards Akaashi, and grabbed the collar of his shirt, "Why did you even join them?! Why didn't you tell me?! If I had known sooner, I wouldn't have acceped the mission!"

Akaashi stayed still in his grip, his eyes getting teary but he didn't say a thing. Bokuto's whole figure started trembling, as he gritted his teeth.

"And you know damn well what's my job. How far do you want to keep this up, Akaashi?" his tone was cold, angry, but his gaze was broken. And Akaashi hates that so much, he was ready to pull out the gun he brought to shoot himself on his head.

"Say something!"

"... It's a part of me. A part of my life. And I can't change that."

Bokuto growled, "So what do you expect me to do? Keeping this a secret? Or just report all of this to my superior? Act like nothing happened?!"

"It's your choice."

"You're so-..." Bokuto paused, and harshly released his best friend, as he turned and looked away, "Just-... Just play for me."

"... Bokuto-san... I-..."

"No." Bokuto raised his hand, "Don't say anything. Just play," he said, as he sat back down.

Akaashi didn't react, and Bokuto clenched his fists as he leaned his elbows on his thighs, looking at the floor.

"Please, just play for me. Just one last time," he begged, voice hoarse as he was ready to cry, "Please, Keiji."

Akaashi's breath hitched, and slowly, he lifted back his violin, raising the bow.

"You don't have to forgive me, Bokuto-san."

And then he started to play. Akaashi closed his eyes, as his fingers danced, holding the strings, moving the bow gracefully as the melody filled the air.

It was a completely different tune than anything he has ever played, than what Bokuto has ever heard. He was now quietly crying, tears fell and hit the cold floor, while he tried to keep his breathing silent and steady as he listened to the violin.

The tune was overwhelming. It was soft, gentle, it turned cheerful, but then it went fast, it turned angry. It changes every so often, into a slow and calming tune, into a sorrowful one, a desperate one, it was so emotional, but Bokuto enjoyed it.

Akaashi didn't say much, but Bokuto knows. With the violin, with his music, Akaashi was telling him all about himself. His feelings, his emotions, his thoughts, his concerns. His sadness, his frustrations, his anger, all into a heartbreaking melody.

The tune sood faded, going quieter and quieter until all that was left was silence. Bokuto raised his head, and met the sight of Akaashi's slightly trembling figure, his back facing him, as he put his violin in its case.

He stood up, and as Akaashi turned around, Bokuto immediately placed his hands on Akaashi's shoulders, staring straight into his eyes.

"Keiji. Please listen. It may be temporarily, or even forever, but you mist never forget this."

Akaashi hummed in agreement.

"I don't know you, you don't know me. We are strangers, we never knew each other. My job is to catch you, your job is to run from me. We are foes, and never friends."

Akaashi nodded, and Bokuto released him. The smaller man made his way towards the door, but stopped for a moment.

"Thank you for everything, Koutarou."

As Akaashi left, Bokuto fell onto his knees, and began to sob.

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Kenma knew all his members really well. Their habits, hobbies, personalities, he understood really well.

So, when he received a text from Keiji, he immediately went to his jeep and drove off.

'Ken. Pick me up at the park.'

When he arrived, he wasn't that surprised. Keiji was sitting on a swing, his violin case on his lap. He was wearing what seemed to be Bokuto's shirt, seeing the size, and he had a frown on his face.

"Let's go," is all Kenma said, before the two went back into the jeep. The car was silent as Kenma had his eyes on the road, not asking a thing to his 2nd in command.

It only took a few minutes before they reached the Bungalow. They entered the lounge, where every other members were gathered, waiting for their superiors. Keiji took his seat on the couch next to Hajime, while Kenma stood beside the table, where Kiyoko had placed a stack of documents for him to check.

"Keiji-san, what happened? You looked gloom," Shoyou commented. Keiji only clicked his tongue, turning away as he scoffed.

"Please don't talk to me."

"But there's something important we have to discuss," Yuu reminded, "Koushi was captured so we need to do something."

Keiji cracked his fingers, "I don't care."

"Keiji, control yourself," Kenma warned, but much to everyone's shock, Keiji stood up and glared at the leader.

"How do you expect me to behave right now? I get it that one of us is in danger, but don't you see that I don't care anymore?"

"Is this about Bokuto?" Hajime asked suddenly, closing his book, "Were you busted?"

"What's with that tone, Hajime?"

"Nothing," Hajime replied sarcastically, "Just trying to hold back my laugh. At least you get to say goodbye, right?"

"It doesn't fix anything. At least without a goodbye, you might be able to stay with him again. Bokuto told me to forget everything we had gone through together, and I really wish I could leave secretly."

The other members were now watching in caution. Never had their leaders ever fought. Not even once.

"Sorry to break the news," Hajime growled, leaving his book as he stood up, "But my departure wasn't my choice. I was ordered to. I was forced to."

"If you didn't do it, more of us might be found as well. You will be caught, and tortured, interrogated, I was doing it for our own good," Kenma defended himself.

"Our own good, or your own good?" Hajime asked, "You don't want The Golden Cats to crumble and fall. That's all."

"What's wrong with that, Hajime? What's wrong with trying to protect you all?"

"You may say that you want to protect us, but the reason is clear enough. Everyone should have realize it. If you lost us, you're done for. We are all you have."

Keiji nodded, "I do know that you are our leader and all, but unlike you, we have lives outside the gang. We have friends, we have family, we have someone else we care for. You don't understand, because you never have someone like that, right?"

Kenma was surprisingly calm, despite all the insult that were thrown at him, "Forgive me for never having good parents. Forgive me for having no fmaily. Forgive me for being unable to trust anyone to be my friend. Do you want me to say that? Do you want to blame for that?"

"It's your life, you could have changed it," Keiji replied.

"That applies to you, too," Hajime snapped, "You could have hidden your tattoo or even lie to him. Instead you reveal yourself and left."

"Can you bring yourself to lie to Oikawa, Hajime?"

Hajime fell silent, and as Keiji waited for his answer, Kenma looked at the two in disbelief, "I never forced you to stay."

"I know. I didn't leave because I pitied you, Neko."

Keiji's words stung, Kenma will admit.

"Pity, huh? That's a lie," Kenma stated, "You don't pity me. You envied me."

Keiji froze, but Kenma didn't stop there, "Bokuto became friends with Kuroo. We both lost our best friends. And you were depressed, until you realized that even with Kuroo by his side, Bokuto trusts you more. But you envy me, because you saw me being able to keep myself sane without Kuroo. After losing Kuroo."

"And that's exactly your problem," Hajime added, "You depend too much on Bokuto. Although, Kenma, I'll say that any sane person would be broken if they lost their best friends. Instead, you were angry. That time, I remember holding you back from killing him. You're the heartless one here, Neko."

"What do you expect? The pain already numbed my heart, I'm sorry if my lack of emotions insults you. But the two of you had forgotten one important detail."

Keiji hardened his glare, while Hajime clenched his fist. Kenma's golden eyes glistened, seemed to be teary but no one knows for sure.

"Unlike you, I never exist in his life. For Kuro, I am just Neko. His enemy, the one he had to kill."

Kenma turned away, and began to make his way towards the exit, walking past the other members, who were staring at him warily. Kenma shrugged, taking a glance at all The Golden Cats' members, before he once again turned away.

"Unlike you, Kenma Kozume was long forgotten."

And the leader left.

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