Here's the third chapter. Enjoy.
Chapter 3
"What do you know about Chihiro's family?"
"Mah~ Sei-chan why not just admit that your interest lies with the brother?"
"Are you intruding me now, Reo?"
"I'm not! Shutting up now"
"You mean Kuroko-kun?" Two pairs of eyes gave the second stringer a questioning look.
"Isn't it supposed to be Mayuzumi?"
"Ah. No, you guys are mistaken. Those two aren't full siblings but more like, half... They also have an older brother, which in a sense is not related to Mayuzumi by blood. If I remember correctly, he also studied at Teiko."
"Name?"
"Nijimura Shuzo, he was born a Kuroko but started using his mother's maiden name starting middle school. I remember, he also played basketball"
"You know him, Sei-chan?" A nod.
"He was my former captain" Akashi spoke frowning. How come he missed this information? "What more do you know?"
"Ah yes, about Kuroko-kun..." Satoshi Aikawa bit his lips contemplating whether he should speak or not, it wasn't his business after all but then again... "He wasn't actually born blind as I've told you, he lost his eyesight a few years ago after a car accident. If I recall correctly, it was raining heavily that day and Mayuzumi-san hasn't come back from basketball practice so their mom went out to look for him. Kuroko-kun had insisted to come along despite their parent's protests and then it happened...the road was slippery and another van was speeding from the intersection and their mom did not manage to hit the break on time. Their mom was proclaimed dead on the spot while Kuroko was left in a comma for almost two months and when he woke up, they found out about his temporary blindness"
"That's so terrible, Sei-chan. Poor babies!"
"Continue" Akashi crossed his arms. "I want you to tell me every single detail that had happened."
"Ah, yes captain. Let's say that a lot of things began to gradually change. Their home wasn't as lively as it used to be. Their father buried himself with work in order to cope up with his grieving and he would rarely come home. Their older brother, whom I think was only twelve back then had to carry the responsibility of acting as a parent but had to leave the country after graduating middle school. I've heard that he's currently under scholarship in some fancy American school. He said he wanted to be a doctor, to help his youngest brother..."
Akashi thought deeply. Come to think of it, Shuzo never did elaborate his main reason for continuing his studies abroad. Akashi had formulated reason in his mind in passing but none of them were close to the actual reason.
"And Chihiro?"
"Mayuzumi-san also changed a lot. He was my playmate before and back then he was this energetic, playful kid who loves teasing everyone. He was outspoken and he's got that addicting grin in his face and he was always happy and smiling, a whole lot different from how he acts now. He actually blamed himself with what had happened that he started shutting people away, he no longer was that happy smiling kid we knew him for instead he had opted to just staying indoors and one thing we realized was his sudden interest to reading books. We soon found out that the books are being read by him to his brother every single day"
"And here I thought that Mayu-chan is just your typical bookworm. I never would have thought"
"As for Kuroko, I'm sorry but I don't really know much about him. Unlike his brothers, he was so soft spoken and timid as a child that I don't really get to know him well and he actually rarely goes out or he was never allowed to that much since he is born with a weak body and if you haven't noticed it yet; his presence is too low that people would often miss him if they don't pay attention well enough" Akashi raised an eyebrow. How is Tetsuya unnoticeable when he had seen him clearly, having been drawn like a moth to a flame?
"Would he be able to see again?"
"There is a possibility, actually but..."
"But?"
"For some reason, he's refusing any sort of medication" Akashi's eyes widened at the realization. Why would Tetsuya refuse treatment?
"Do you happen to know why?"
"I'm sorry but I don't, captain. If ever, Mayuzumi should be the one you need to ask"
"I see" Akashi motioned the player to go back to practice. With a quick nod, the player went back to his teammates.
"Sei-chan what's your plan, now?"
"I'm going to gather information of course"
"Hm? Aren't you being a little too into this thing? I don't mean that it's anything bad but, it's just a little weird seeing you act this way. It's not really an everyday occurrence for you to show interest on someone in a dare I say, romantic kind of way"
Akashi didn't argue with those words. It was true after all. He really is attracted with the boy he just met. He chuckled bitterly. How could it even be possible? He even tried denying but it's just not possible to do so.
It's funny how someone whose mere presence alone had changed the way he views the world.
...iOiOiOiOiOi...
Akashi found himself in front of a certain household the following weekend. And he also found himself prancing back and fort, for the first time in his life not even knowing if he should knock or not. What even is his excuse for being there? Discuss training menu with Chihiro? To think that it's not even Chihiro that he actually wanted to see.
And since when did nervousness get the best of him?
Just then, the door opened showing a rather pissed Rakuzan phantom player. "Just get in here already. He's upstairs in his room, third floor second door to the left"
Akashi's eyes widened How did he?
"Call it a man's instinct. I can smell your desire since your first visit" Mayuzumi shrugged nonchalantly. Akashi nodded with understanding. "Just so you know, if you try hurting him, I swear even if you're an Akashi, I will personally hunt you down. Trust me, you have no idea how protective of a big brother I can be"
With that, the phantom player left the other to focus back on the book he was currently reading before the silhouette of a certain captain had disturbed his activity.
Akashi made his way towards Tetsuya's room, knocking he heard a faint 'come in' and upon hearing those, he entered the room. There, he saw him and yet again, his heart started to flutter sending multiple butterflies dancing inside his stomach.
Being in love is so weird but it was a good feeling and yes, Akashi admits that he is indeed struck.
"Tetsuya" The younger one's eyes widened upon hearing the voice despite the fact that he can't see a thing. "Akashi-kun?"
"Am I interrupting something?" Kuroko slightly shook his head. "No but, why is Akashi-kun here?"
"Just thought I would drop by and give you something." Akashi walked nearer and gently took Kuroko's hand and hand him a paper bag. "It's a collection of some of the greatest classical piano music of all time."
"T-thank you, that's really nice of you." Kuroko smiled slightly with hesitation. Akashi, noticing the gesture looked at the other with concern. "Is there anything wrong? Are you all right, Tetsuya?"
"I'm fine, it's just that..."
"You can tell me, I'll listen." Kuroko seemed to have thought about Akashi's words.
"I don't think I want to play anymore." Kuroko's lips curved into a frown. Akashi simply sat besides the other. "Is that what you really wanted?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean by that?" Kuroko bit his lips.
"I used to feel happy whenever I touch the keys and play, it reminds me of mother and how she used to play for us but now, for some reason I'm starting to loose my drive. I would press on a key and make a sound but it feels empty."
"Then I think that you just need to have that drive back. Don't worry about it that much, I'll help you" Akashi helped the other to stand up and soon, both found themselves in front of the grand piano.
"Do you want to play with me, Tetsuya?" Akashi asked as he pressed on a few random keys.
"But I've never played with someone else before. What if I make a mistake?"
"Then it's fine. We'll just have to do it again until it's perfect" Akashi guided the other to sit before taking another chair and placing it besides the other. "For now, let's just do music together. It doesn't have to be perfect as long us we'll be able to find the melody back within you"
Kuroko simply nodded briefly as his fingers, slightly trembling found themselves on the piano keys. He tried hitting on some of them and it was beautiful. That is until he pressed on a key a little to hard, producing a slightly piercing sound to one's ear and everything was ruined. Kuroko cringed.
"I'm sorry" Akashi slightly shook his head, not bothered by the fact that the other can't see his reaction.
"It's fine. You'll just have to try it again"
"But what if it turns bad again?"
"You won't know it until you try. Here, this time I'll help you" Akashi stood from his chair to stand behind the other. With a swift move, he took both of Kuroko's hands and guided it with his own. All the while trying to not fidget and tremble as a deep blush resurfaced on his cheeks. Akashi took a deep breath, unable to notice that if only he had taken time to glance at the other, he would have noticed the same shade of red that tinted Kuroko's pale face.
"Let's try playing the piece together, Tetsuya" Kuroko simply nodded briefly and that's all it took for Akashi to properly guide the other, tuning him with his own hands.
And before any of them had realized, they were making beautiful music together. It was harmonious to the ear, giving a rather good vibe.
That kind of melody that people be willing to listen to.
A smile etched its way towards Kuroko's lips, knowing to him that he had found it back. The drive he thought he had somehow lost, it was back. Akashi had been right; all he had to do is to find the passion in him.
And so, years after simply playing the piano mainly to remember his mother, Kuroko found another reason to play. It was a nice feeling. Music never did sound so good.
