PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING.
Hopefully that got your attention. Now, there are a couple of things I wish to say before proceeding to the actual story. First, the warning.
WARNING: NOT FOR THE WEAK-HEARTED. WILL contain heavy angst, horror, tragedy elements, paranormal elements, depressing, painful scenes, thoughts of suicide, unnerving events, mental instability - overall a horrible story. Do not read if you are easily affected by such things.
Seriously, this is not your regular light story which won't affect you in any way. I'm not saying it certainly will, I'm only talking from my perspective. I would never read such a thing, because I am easily affected by elements that will be present in this fic. I repeat: I myself would NEVER read such a story. So all of you, especially my regular readers, who read all of my other stories, think carefully before choosing to read this. This will certainly not be a happy story. It was my goal to make this story as horrible and tragic as I could and to inflict negative emotions. Why, you ask? Because I always wanted to try this and I am a horrible person. Why else would I write this for my most beloved character's, Akashi's, birthday? Because yes, I am a monster, not even hiding that. Nevertheless, I feel the need to warn all of you beforehand.
Now, if you are still reading this, let me explain a few things. First, how this is going to work. This story overall will have 7 chapters, last one being on the 20th of December, aka Akashi's birthday. In other words, I will post an update every day for a week. Some chapters will be longer, some shorter, depending on the events and the need to finish it at a certain point.
Second, yes, you understood correctly, this is my way of contributing to our beloved captain's birthday. You may not understand how this is relevant to his birthday, but that will be clear by the end of this story. I know, I'm a monster for writing such a 'contribution'. What can I say, I may have some issues.
Third, I believe if you read this quite a few questions will arise. I apologize, but I will most likely not answer any of them, since that is part of the story and I wish to retain the element of mystery and surprise as long as I can.
Fourth, for those who enjoy heavy angst and horror: I apologize if I don't meet your expectations with this story. I honestly tried my very best and this is the first story where I try such things. Sure, my other fics do include some angst, but not nearly as much as here. Again, I'm sorry if I don't meet your expectations. Please be gentle with me.
Fifth, about the whole idea. I'd be lying if I said that one of the elements of this story is an original one. I've been very into creepy pasta for a few months now, so naturally different ideas began blossoming inside my head, though I merely took inspiration from one of those stories. After the first chapter it changes quite a bit. The whole story will have multiple elements of horror by the way.
And sixth, feel free to hate me for this all you want. I knew fully well what I was getting myself into when I started writing this story. #noregrets. Still, I think the worst part of this is that I wrote this fic specifically for Akashi's birthday. I mean, how much more horrible can I get? Seriously, my dear readers, if you don't want to ruin your image of me, I suggest you don't read this. I wouldn't.
I hope I got my point straight. So anyway, if you still chose to read this, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter I
How many days has it been already?..
Akashi turned his head on the pillow and glanced at the calendar on top of his nightstand.
Oh right.
Exactly eleven months and ten days.
That day was nearing.
Ever since that eventful day, Akashi stopped celebrating his birthday. He never enjoyed doing so in the first place and only because he kept asking did the redhead do so. Only for him. Everything was for him. So then... Why should he continue celebrating?
There was absolutely no reason left.
'Father will get angry. You should get up already.'
'You're meeting Midorima today. You should get up already.'
'...The sun has risen. You should get up already.'
He needed reasons everyday. Every single morning he needed reasons why he should get up. It was so easy to lose oneself if there wasn't any meaning left after all. But he couldn't. He couldn't simply give up. As much as he wanted to... He-
The alarm rang. For the fourth time. No, Akashi didn't need six alarms to chase the sleep away fully, he needed them to keep track of time. It wasn't as if he slept all that much after all. Only stared at the red numbers, slowly changing, uncaring of the world around them. Uncaring of anything, simply executing their everyday duty. Just as the sun. The sun and those godforsaken numbers reminding him every second that time didn't stop. That it was still flowing as always. That such trivial matters as death had no effect on it. Morning came everyday, the sun rose everyday, the clock ticked everyday, despite him not being able to feel any of it anymore.
Akashi slowly lifted the covers from his body and groggily sat up on the soft mattress. He extended his hand to the clock and finally shut down the alarm.
The fourth one, huh?
At least he was making progress.
'Now, get up and head to the bathroom.'
The redhead forced his unwilling legs to stand up. His destination was just a couple of meters away.
'It would be bad if someone entered. Hurry up.'
Akashi complied. What else could he do?
Finally in the bathroom, the male turned to the clear mirror and looked at his own morning appearance. The same as always, nothing new. The same white skin. The same dark bags. The same pale lips. The same tousled crimson locks. The same blank, empty eyes.
'Now head to the shower. You'll feel better afterwards.'
Akashi noted he was running out of makeup. He should buy some more at the city today. Maybe some shampoo as well. The bottle was already almost empty. What a wonderful thing it was that he didn't live alone. What a wonderful thing it was he was still at the top of his university. What a wonderful thing it was everyone expected perfection out of him despite himself not feeling any motivation of continuing. The male doubted he would care for such trivial matters in his opinion otherwise. Why else if not the general opinion of him would Akashi now, fresh out of the shower, stare at his own reflection for a few seconds before taking out the dry concealer and neatly applying it over his face and neck. A perfect Akashi couldn't have skin as white as paper after all. Afterwards he applied an extra layer of it underneath his eyes. A perfect Akashi couldn't look tired after all. Then, he oh-so slightly powdered his cheeks with distant pink, gently painted a bit of mascara on his eyelashes and, to finish it off, applied a thin layer of dim color of red on his pale lips.
An Akashi- no, a human had to look alive after all.
'Great. Now, head back and dress yourself. You mustn't be late.'
Complying, the male, without another glance to the mirror, exited the bathroom. Today... today was a school day. That meant he had to wear a uniform. Perfect. At least he wouldn't have to think about his attire.
'Ten minutes left.'
More than enough time.
…
Makeup: check.
Attire: check.
Bag: check.
Bed: check.
Phone and keys: check.
Perfect, time for breakfast then.
Two minutes left. His father should be pleased with his punctuality.
...Why was he living with his father again?
Oh right, because the apartment he had bought-
'You're here. Remember your manners.'
The redhead opened the door and entered the dining room. After quickly glancing at the clock on the far wall he noted that he was right on time.
'So far so good.'
''Morning, father,'' the male spoke, closing the door behind him.
What a wonderful thing it was that Akashi was a master of concealing his emotions. No one could make up anything from that blank, monotonous voice.
Not that anyone cared all that much.
The one only one who did was now-
'Do not daze off.'
''Morning, Seijuurou,'' the man answered with a nod, observing the redhead as he made his way to the table.
For a good while the pair ate in silence, only the clanking of the metal forks and knives could had been heard. Akashi preferred it that way. It was much, much easier pretending everything was-
''I'll be leaving tomorrow for a month.''
-fine.
''...I see,'' the teen answered blankly, not lifting his eyes to the man on the other side of the table.
A pause.
''You will in charge of managing the company here while I'm gone.''
Another one.
''...Understood.''
''I expect only the best performance.''
''Naturally.''
''Also, I left a few files on suitable women for your marriage on your table at the office. Do look through them. Time is running out and money isn't waiting. The quicker we form a stable partnership with one of those companies, the better.''
Akashi paused the knife on his tasteless toast.
''I allowed you a year to mourn, but now we must get back on track. Honestly, it's a good thing that nuisance is finally out of your way, he only kept hindering with the company's work.''
The teen clenched the metal utensils to the point of his knuckles turning white.
He... a nuisance?
'Deep breaths, remember, deep breaths.'
'Don't expect him to understand.'
'Inhale, exhale.'
Listening only to the voice in his head, Akashi managed to calm his raging mind and loosen up the tight grip on the utensils.
Nevertheless, the male already imagined how all those files were going to the shredder.
No way was he marrying anyone. All thoughts of marriage were ripped to pieces ever since that day. Ever since he-
'Your breakfast will get cold.'
There was a clear reason why Akashi disliked meeting with Midorima.
''Now tell me, Akashi, how are you?''
He always saw through him.
''I'm fine,'' the redhead answered as if a broken record, lifting the steaming cup of bitter (tasteless) black coffee to his lips, not looking at the male in front of him.
''Mhmm,'' Midorima hummed, closely observing the other. ''From the fact that you are still wearing makeup and I assume that you are not.''
Akashi flinched almost unnoticeably. Only Midorima could notice his near flawless mask.
''What do you expect me to say, Shintarou?'' the redhead momentarily glanced at the green-haired male.
A pause.
''Akashi, it has already been almost a year and yet you're still just... existing. You may fool everyone else, but I can see you are not living.''
''Again, what do you expect me to say?''
''Your health is worsening, isn't it?'' Midorima's voice sounded grim. ''You seem more frail by the day. This cannot continue any longer, Akashi.''
''I do not wish to discuss this any further.''
''Take a vacation, Akashi,'' the male continued, completely ignoring the other's blank, though with a hint of irritation words. ''You need time to properly mourn. Otherwise you're never going to get over this. He would be devastated if hesaw you like this.''
''Don't you dare mention him,'' Akashi snapped angrily, sudden emotion flowing into his expression. ''No one knows what he would have thought, because he's dead, he's gone, so don't you ever mention him again.''
Midorima was slightly taken aback by the other's sudden outburst. His voice was full of dark venom, usually dull eyes burned with rage. However, just as quickly as those emotions appeared, they were wiped away from the redhead's features and that blank mask once again returned. Akashi averted his eyes from the male in front of him and only stared out the clear window, not seeing anything.
''Take some time to yourself,'' the green-haired male started once again, this time softer. ''Be alone for a few weeks. You should have done that from the beginning, but since you went to your classes the very next day, no wonder you're still like this. You didn't have time to properly mourn. Believe me, it'll help. I would also suggest a therapist, but I doubt you'd listen to that.''
'He's right you know.'
Seeing as how Akashi wasn't answering anything, Midorima sighed and, as if on instinct, fixed his spectacles.
''We all grieved his death, Akashi. I know it was... is the worst for you, but we all mourned. We managed to accept it and move on. You should do so as well. It's time to put this behind you. I know you don't want me to talk like this, but... I know he would want you to move on. To be happy again. You know that as well.''
'He's right, you know he's right.'
'To be alone... Doesn't that sound nice?'
That did sound nice.
'Just for a bit... Not too long.'
He always wanted to cut off the outside world ever since then.
'Besides, now would be a perfect time.'
His father was leaving on a trip... He could dismiss all servants for a few weeks and have the mansion all to himself.
'Wouldn't that be nice?'
Just for a bit.
December 2nd
It was rather odd being in such a huge mansion all by himself. Not a single footstep, not a single crack, not a single sound could have been heard in the whole house besides Akashi's quiet rummaging in his room. Finally alone he decided it would be a good idea to tidy up his room, maybe throw away some unnecessary things or rearrange them. He barely touched anything for almost a year, so it was about time.
Of course, that wasn't such an easy task.
Not long after that day, Akashi took all the things associated to him and randomly threw them in his drawers, anywhere out of sight. As long as his eyes couldn't lay a single look on anything that could remind the redhead of him, Akashi believed he wouldn't hurt as much (not that it helped). That being said, he now had to reopen those still painfully throbbing wounds and remember all those hurtful to the heart memories. In best case scenario throw all those painful things away. Midorima was right, he had to try and move on.
However, that proved to be harder than expected.
The first thing that Akashi found in one of his drawers that clenched his heart painfully was a music box. A music box that played such a beautiful song, Strauss' Blue Danube Waltz. The male remembered how he used to listen to it all the time, even if it was a bit rusty due to being an antique item. How could he not? It was gifted to him on his eighteenth birthday by the one he loved so much. Akashi remembered how he seemed very unsure of his gift, since he thought it wouldn't be enough or Akashi wouldn't like it, but the latter assured him he loved it. Oh and how he did. He used to play it over and over again, the memory of his beloved always bubbling up in his mind...
Akashi's hand clenching the music box hovered above the trash bag for a few seconds before the redhead lowered it to the ground. He couldn't do it. As much as the mere sight of it sent burning pangs to his heart, he couldn't throw away his gift. The box was most likely was all dusty and held painful memories, but Akashi couldn't just simply get rid of such an important thing that had been to him. That was to him.
With that thought Akashi heavily stood up and walked over to his bed. Kneeling down, he with difficulty fished out a small, wooden box from underneath it, covered in a rich layer of dust. Carefully opening it, the male as quickly as possible placed the music box inside it and closed it once again. He didn't wish to see the other contents of it. He was still not ready.
After shoving the box back under the bed as far as possible, Akashi straightened up and plumped down on his bed. Even such a simple task seemingly took so much energy. He didn't wish to continue anymore, he wanted to take a break. However, he doubted he would get any sleep if he tried, so in the end he decided to perhaps surf the net for a bit, maybe calm down his throbbing heart.
The red-haired male took his laptop from the counter next to his bed and, after making himself comfortable on soft mattress, turned it on. The first page that popped up in his browser was, for some reason, a social media one. Well, might as well see if there were any news. It had been such a long time since he last logged in to this site after all.
Akashi blankly scrolled down the page for a few minutes, his eyes not really registering anything before he leaned back and released a deep sigh. This was useless, he wasn't interested in the lives of others at all. They held no meaning to him. The only life that did was now-
The male's eyes traveled to a certain profile, one that hadn't had a green bubble to it for almost a year now. As if he were a robot, his hand directed the mouse to it and clicked. A newpage popped up. Akashi instinctively brought one hand to his mouth as he bit his lower lip painfully.
'Calm down, calm down. It's about time anyway.'
With shaking fingers, the redhead began slowly scrolling down the profile. It had been so long... So long since he saw him. And yet, nothing seemed to change. All those photographs remained, frozen in time. From them a pair of clear, blue eyes, softly smiling at the camera stared seemingly right into Akashi's soul. The same as always. As if nothing had happened. As if the owner of them could still look like that. As if the owner of them could still-
There weren't only photos of him though. Many of them contained other people, either his former classmates, friends from middle school and high-school and Akashi. He hadn't been a big fan of such websites, but, nevertheless, most of his pictures contained Akashi in them, no matter whether the redhead had given his permission or not. Not that he minded. He always secretly enjoyed being in the center of his attention and would always grow jealous whenever he would post a photo with some other people, not that Akashi would have ever admitted.
The male's eyes landed on a specific picture which he knew all too well. That day the two of them had a date, but he was very late and, since he didn't pick up his phone, Akashi grew very worried. So when he finally showed up with an excuse of ''There was a sale on vanilla milkshakes'' in his favorite cafe, naturally Akashi got angry at him for making him worry so much. Not that it affected him that much.
Kuroko Tetsuya
2015, September 6
'Akashi-kun is being grumpy again' – with Akashi Seijuurou
There was a photo of a clearly sulking Akashi, who refused to look at the male besides him, who had been clinging to his arm for the past few minutes. Even though he usually displayed a blank expression, this time a small, almost invisible smile was playing on his lips. He always knew when Akashi was honestly mad at him and when he was just trying to get his point across. That had been one of those times.
Akashi brought his shaking hand to his closed eyes and pressed on them painfully. He had been bitting his lip so hard that he even started feeling a metallic taste in his mouth. Not that he cared about that. The redhead was trying his best to control that stinging sensation in his eyes, that burning feeling that wanted to escape. He wished to feel something, anything rather than that immense pain clenching his heart, threatening to tear it apart (again) at any moment. There was nothing he could do, it was hopeless, every thought was useless now. Oh what Akashi wouldn't do to be able to bring back all those times when he was mad at him and tell him over and over again that he wasn't, that he never was and never will be, that he-
Oh God, Tetsuya. I miss you so much.
What he wouldn't do to be able to-
A single beep resonated through the room. It had taken Akashi a few moments to realize it was his computer, indicating a new message. Whoever could be writing him at this hour? Everyone should have been asleep by now. He didn't wish to speak to anyone right now. Maybe he should just simply close his laptop and try to head to sleep?..
However, curiosity got the better of the male and he removed his hand from his eyes, opening them in the process to look at whoever was messaging him.
When the redhead did, however, his blood ran cold.
As if every single function in his body stopped working.
He could only stare at the red notification next to a name that never again should be able to say anything.
There wasn't any green bubble next to the name, but the red one, indicating one new message was still there.
Akashi could feel his heart racing in his throat.
'Calm down, someone must be simply using his account. There is no reason to panic.'
Yes... Of course.
Akashi shook his head.
All those movies were really getting to him.
Nevertheless...
It said his account wasn't active though.
The male slowly, with slightly trembling fingers started to direct the mouse to the name in order to open the chat before a second beep rang, indicating another message. The number 2 was now present next to the name that shouldn't be active.
Hesitantly, Akashi opened the chat to see whatever was written to him.
2016, December 2, 23:45
Kuroko Tetsuya: Hello? Akashi-kun
23:46
Kuroko Tetsuya: Hello? Akashi-kun
Whoever was writing him was seemingly trying to act like him. However, the male was still too shocked to actually feel angered by that.
23:47
Akashi Seijuurou: Who is this?
The reply came right away.
Kuroko Tetsuya: The weather is cold today, you should bring a jacket
Kuroko Tetsuya: It's just around the corner
Kuroko Tetsuya: Trust me, the bus will be arriving shortly
It took Akashi a few moments to realize that whoever was writing him was texting him old messages from their chat. The male could remember all the conversations these messages were from and it only clenched his heart harder.
Whoever was doing this was sick.
23:48
Akashi Seijuurou: Who the hell is this? Do you realize who you are messing with?
There was silence for a couple of minutes.
23:50
Kuroko Tetsuya: I didn't want to, Akashi-kun. Kise-kun made me
Kuroko Tetsuya: I didn't want to, Akashi-kun.
Kuroko Tetsuya: I didn't want to, Akashi-kun.
Alright, this was beginning to creep the red-haired male out. By this point he was already boiling with rage that someone dared to mess with him like that and now this..?
23:52
Akashi Seijuurou: Whoever this is, I will find you. Stop this immediately or you will face the consequences.
Kuroko Tetsuya: It's just around the corner
Kuroko Tetsuya: Trust me, the bus will be arriving shortly
There was obviously no use in continuing this any further. The person on the other side was obviously so idiotic and foolishly daring that Akashi doubted they would actually answer or listen to him. The only option he had was to track the IP address tomorrow, since today he was far too tired and emotional. And then...
Whoever decided it would be fun to mess with him would pay the price.
With that thought Akashi shut down his computer without replying anything and placed it on the cabinet next to his bed. He didn't have any energy to continue this any further.
And to think such sick people actually existed.
December 3rd
…
December 3, 01:28
Kuroko Tetsuya: He said not to come, you should listen
…
02:54
Kuroko Tetsuya: Akashi-kun is always right, isn't he
…
04:13
Kuroko Tetsuya: is always right
…
In the morning Akashi had hoped that last night was just a bad (horrific) dream. Of course, such a thought occurred to him every single day the moment he opened his eyes, but, unfortunately, this time, as any other, all his hopes were thrown away the moment he took his phone and turned it on. Just as he feared, last night events were not just a sick nightmare. A bubble with a picture of a person he once loved so much (still do, until the end) had popped up on his main screen, displaying a small red bubble with the number 3 next to it.
Akashi quickly checked the sick messages, but it was still nonsense. Why the hell did that person text him at such hours?
However, this time the male decided he wouldn't write anything. He wouldn't give this bastard the satisfaction of witnessing his frustration. No, he'll wait until he tracked him down and skinned him alive. Akashi had set his mind on making this person's remaining life a living nightmare for messing with him like that.
Unfortunately, professional hacking wasn't in Akashi's skill set, so if he wished to track down whoever was using his account, he'd have to hire a professional. Those were never cheap, but the redhead had more than enough money. The only problem was finding a reliable person.
Akashi spent the whole day on his task. He couldn't pick up some random person off the street after all. Besides, he wanted the job to be done as quickly as possible.
At least it seemed that bastard decided to give him a break with those damned messages.
It was approximately ten in the evening when the redhead finally received the so-awaited phone call. Those texts had shaken him up so much that the male couldn't focus on anything else that day. He wished to solve this mystery as quickly as possible and hopefully try to get back on track. Those messages were the last thing he needed these days.
So, naturally, as soon as his phone rang, displaying an unknown number, he immediately picked up.
''I have your information,'' the person on the other end spoke before Akashi had a chance.
''I'm listening,'' the redhead replied seriously, a hint of venom painting his voice.
''The account you asked to track has been inactive for almost a year. No one was using it for exactly eleven months and fourteen days.''
…
''What? That's impossible,'' Akashi snapped, an unknown emotion suddenly welling up inside him. ''Someone messaged me last night using that account, several times even.''
''I apologize, but there is literally nothing to track. You may ask other professionals to confirm it, but I can guarantee you this information is reliable. It must have been a bug.''
''What do you mean 'must have been'? Shouldn't someone like you be able to tell?''
Akashi was slowly getting enraged.
''...Actually, no. I tried hacking in that account, but all it shows me is a blank page. No information, no photos, no chats, nothing. A page, yes, but completely empty. ...If truth be told, I've never come across anything like this. When you check that account from another one, everything seems fine, but when I hacked in... nothing. As if that page doesn't actually exist. Must be a serious bug. If you wish to fix it, I suggest you contact the company itself.''
''...And any other professional would tell me the same?''
''I can guarantee you that. I'm no amateur, I know what I'm doing. And I can say this for sure: no one was using that account for a long time. Those messages you got must have been a bug.''
''...I see. In that case, would it be possible to deactivate that account completely?''
''Of course. Do you want me to do it?''
''Not yet,'' Akashi bit his lower lip and thought for a moment. ''For now send me the details of it so I could log in myself.''
''Understood. It will arrive shortly.''
With that, the call ended.
Akashi lowered the phone from his ear and stared at the black screen for a few moments. If truth be told, he didn't expect such an answer.
'A bug? Just a bug? Just a very disturbing bug?'
That was a bit hard to believe.
'Nevertheless, just a malfunction, right?'
…
After a few minutes his phone vibrated in his hand, indicating a new text message. Quickly opening it, the redhead found the information he needed to access his account.
For some reason this felt wrong.
Such a thought rang inside Akashi's mind as he turned on his laptop and opened up the main page. It felt as if he was disrupting his own privacy. It felt... sickening. Nevertheless, the male wished to solve this. Secretly he hoped that it really was just a bug and he wouldn't see that damned red bubble ever again next to his deceased lover's name.
Quickly entering the information, the redhead, with a deep breath, pressed log-in.
…
Something was wrong.
He couldn't access the account.
It didn't simply say Incorrect Password or Username.
It accepted the information.
However, the page was completely disheveled.
As if a virus had infected his computer. Akashi couldn't make out a single thing with all those straight horizontal black and white lines across his screen, he couldn't even see the mouse.
Suddenly, without warning, those lines began cracking, faster and faster, until, with a loud beep, the browser completely shut down.
…
Akashi stared at the computer screen, feeling his heart racing in his throat.
His mind was spinning, a dull ache began forming in his head.
He had to remember how to breathe.
It's just a bug, it's just a bug, it'sjustabug, IT'SJUSTABUG
*beep beep*
Akashi sharply flinched at the sound, that cut through the deafening silence like a knife. A sound he knew all too well.
With shaking fingers the male reached out for the phone on the nightstand next to his bed and unlocked it.
To his horror, there was that godforsaken red bubble next to HIS picture.
22:28
Kuroko Tetsuya: I told you, didn't I?
A pause.
22:29
Kuroko Tetsuya: Akashi-kun is always right
Kuroko Tetsuya: is always right
Kuroko Tetsuya: I don't think that's a good idea
Kuroko Tetsuya: I don't think
Kuroko Tetsuya: is always right
Kuroko Tetsuya: Akashi-kun should listen to me more often
Kuroko Tetsuya: listen to me more often
Akashi quickly shut down the Internet on his phone. He erased the app from his phone. He erased every app he could. He restarted the device.
After a couple of minutes, the male's swiftly, yet with trembling fingers dialed a certain number.
Not even the second ring it was declined.
After exactly a minute his phone rang again and Akashi immediately answered.
''Delete that account,'' the redhead spoke urgently, not giving the person on the other line a chance to speak. ''Delete it right now.''
''Hey, calm down. If you say so, I'm on in. Did something happen?''
''No questions. Just. Delete. It. And as soon as possible, I do not wish to sleep knowing that account is active. I'll pay you as much as you need, just delete it right now.''
''I told you, I'm on it. It will soon be done.''
''Great. Good night.''
With that Akashi ended the call.
He cast a glance at his motionless, innocent computer before shutting it down.
Damned bugs.
And that's the first chapter. Your thoughts? How is it so far? It may not have enough horror elements so far, but I tried my best changing that in the future chapters. Again, I apologize if I'm not and will no be meeting your expectations. Nevertheless, I would still love to hear your thoughts (if anyone is reading this horrible excuse of a story).