Welcome to chapter 3, I hope you like it!
Artistic License
Chapter 3
"Kise-kun." Kuroko didn't have to say anything else for the blond to know he was in trouble. Kuroko's expression defied its usual inscrutability, he was clearly upset. Kuroko had woken up early that morning and once he'd had time to complete his morning routine, he'd asked Kise to come over. His friend had happily obliged, arriving in good spirits still held over from the night before. But on hearing the tone with which Kuroko said his name, Kise was aware there was a problem of some kind.
Kuroko and Kise were seated on opposite ends of Kuroko's couch, turned slightly to face each other. Nigou was in between them, his tail wagging slowly as he looked anxiously from one to the other. The atmosphere had become noticeably more tense after his master had spoken and Nigou wasn't entirely sure what to make of it.
"Don't look at me like that Kurokocchi! Why am I in trouble?!" Kise's anxiety was understandable, from his perspective Akashi hadn't posed a problem for Kuroko during the party. As far as Kise knew, he was blameless in whatever was disturbing Kurokocchi now.
"Did you tell Akashi-san about Ogiwara-kun?" The question was abrupt and Kise did a near double-take he was so unprepared to hear it. While he'd rather thought he might get scolded for not telling Kurokocchi that he'd let Akashicchi know about the party, this was an entirely different matter.
Kise shook his head in vehement denial. "What? No! I didn't say anything, Kurokocchi. I haven't even told Aominecchi or Momoicchi. I certainly wouldn't have told Akashicchi – there's no reason it would have even come up!"
Kuroko stared at his guest for a moment, his blue eyes thoughtful as he weighed Kise's words. It was true that Kise would have been unlikely to volunteer the information out of hand. But Kuroko had a keen appreciation for Akashi's deviousness and wouldn't have put it past him to somehow trick the story out of Kise from some subtle clue the blond had inadvertently revealed. Still…he trusted Kise, if the other was sure he hadn't said anything, it must have come from a different source. He sighed heavily before responding.
"Kise-kun, I believe you. But the fact remains that Akashi-san deliberately mentioned him to see how I would react and he implied that he intended to use it against me somehow. I'm not sure how or even why, but the threat was definitely there. So perhaps it is time you told me more about him." The request came out with a thread of defensiveness, a tone Kise picked up on as he rushed to try to reassure his friend.
"Kurokocchi…he can't do anything even if he knows about Ogiwara. It's not like it was any of your doing after all. If he thinks it's something to use against you, then clearly he was given faulty information. But I promise, Akashicchi isn't a rash person and he would figure out the truth of it before he tried to use it against you anyway. He's too thorough and exacting to do otherwise. I want to know why it came up between you in the first place."
Kuroko shrugged slightly. "He said something that made me angry and I told him he was being unkind. Among other things he said we'd see one another again soon because we hadn't discussed Ogiwara-kun. I was naturally surprised to hear that name from Akashi-san but he seemed to take it as an admission of sorts I think."
Kise bit his lower lip and furrowed his brow anxiously for a moment. "Well you could just explain the next time you see him. It isn't like there's really anything to hide, it was just an unfortunate episode."
Kurokocchi glared at Kise. "That's one way to put it, yes. But you didn't answer me, Kise-kun. Tell me more about Akashi-san. You've known him for a while but you've only mentioned him in passing, just to tell me about his credentials as a shogi player than anything else."
There was an uncomfortable silence as Kise shifted uneasily in his seat. "The thing is, Kurokocchi…I don't know a lot more about him than you do, really. Whenever we've encountered one another at a party or business meeting, the conversation was never personal. I can tell you he hates to be kept waiting and that he has no patience for incompetence. But aside from what is printed in the business section of the newspapers, there's not much information available about him. Even the gossip magazines only manage to get a photo of him arriving or leaving at an event – he keeps to himself."
Kuroko closed his eyes for a moment in temporary defeat. "Kise-kun, why did you even tell him about the birthday party if you aren't especially close?" He sounded ruefully resigned to the possibility this wasn't going to yield an answer he wanted to hear.
Kise brightened at this question, he had a good reason. "He called saying he knew your birthday was coming up and asked if there were plans to celebrate it. Since it was a semi-work occasion, I figured it wouldn't hurt for him to be seen there – a kind of...free publicity for you, I suppose?"
Kuroko laughed a little but it wasn't quite a sound of pure amusement. Of course Kise had meant well, that was usually the case whenever he caused trouble. He looked over at the blond and offered a small smile. It conveyed his understanding and Kise was relieved – he hated when Kurokocchi was mad at him.
"Alright, Kise-kun. I suppose it wasn't your fault he mentioned Ogiwara-kun, it probably would have happened sooner or later since he knows about him. But please, on the odd chance anything related to me comes up again, refrain from sharing anything else about me with Akashi-san, okay?"
He nodded as he agreed, "I won't, Kurokocchi. I promise."
"Thank you, Kise-kun. Alright then, let's hear it. How badly did Momoi-san and Aomine-kun question you last night while I was outside?" He asked this deliberately – he wanted to know how the other two had reacted to the unexpected guest once he was out of their sight.
Kise shuddered. "I am very glad I haven't committed an actual crime. I don't think I would survive that process if they got really serious." He carried on with a detailed, but most likely exaggerated, account of the questioning he'd endured.
Kuroko smiled, but his suspicions were confirmed by Kise's words. Akashi had registered as dangerous to both Momoi and Aomine, that was why they'd pounced on Kise to see why he was there. Kuroko wasn't sure if it was particular reassuring to know others had the same reaction to him. But he did know one thing, he couldn't let Akashi think he had leverage over Kuroko with whatever rumor he'd uncovered. His only real choice would be to meet with Akashi again and explain. It left him wondering why he cared enough to want to correct whatever impression Akashi held at the moment, but no matter what, he hoped it would somehow resolve things between them.
Kuroko turned his attention back to Kise, the other man had moved on from his story about Momoi and Aomine to launch into a discussion of his upcoming contracts. Kise was an extremely popular model, he often had his pick of work but his agent was being very careful to only forward strategic offers to him. Kise had once, on a whim, accepted a direct offer for work and ended up being the face of a disreputable travel agency. His career had taken a slight dive from this until his manager, Kasamatsu Yukio, had very judiciously selected a number of public appearances and charity events to redeem him – Kise was in good hands.
Kise had to leave soon after to finalize a new contract but before he left, Kuroko reminded him of his promise. Kise had pouted in mock-offense but then renewed his intention to not discuss Kuroko with Akashi. He'd paused on the way out, looking back at Kuroko for a moment before he spoke.
"I wouldn't have recommended that you meet him if I thought he was genuinely dangerous to you, Kurokocchi. I don't know what he's planning or imagining, but I do think that since you are basing a character on him at least in part, you need to speak to him again. I won't interfere beyond this, but if you need me, you know where I am." He winked and set off with a wave, leaving Kuroko to smile and shake his head after him.
Although it didn't happen often, Kise was right, about this issue anyway. Kuroko did need to meet with Akashi again, if only to ensure the other didn't have the wrong idea. And perhaps he would apologize to Akashi, he had been rude after all. He thought it over for a long moment before furrowing his brow. Was there a way to do this without making it seem as though he were trying to hide something?
He reached for his phone and considered dialing the number he had for Akashi's secretary. It was the weekend so he could just leave a message explaining he'd like to set another meeting. He doubted Akashi had much availability anyway. It would probably be quite a while before he was able to see the busy executive, he could prepare himself. Feeling optimistic, Kuroko made the call.
It quickly became plain that the universe hated him. He had two significant pieces of proof to support this claim. First, Akashi's secretary apparently worked weekends, because Akash evidently worked weekends. She'd answered the phone in a welcoming tone that didn't give the slightest hint of peevishness at being on duty during hours most people would be gratefully relaxing. Second, she was only too happy to inform him that Akashi actually had availability that very afternoon, if he could come in on such short notice. If not, she could offer him an appointment in three months, her boss was a very busy man after all.
Kuroko was sorely tempted to take the later appointment, but he didn't want it hovering over him for so long. He expelled a breath in quiet resignation before confirming he would be there later that afternoon. The call was disconnected with brief pleasantries from them both. Kuroko's hand gripped his phone tightly in momentary frustration before setting it carefully down on the cushion next to him. He smiled ruefully to himself, well it looked like he would be making Kise-kun happy at least, he'd certainly followed the blond's advice. With that thought he picked up his mobile again and sent off a quick message to Kise that he would be meeting Akashi later that day.
He glanced at the clock, he had plenty of time, but that worked to his disadvantage in some ways. He hadn't expected to see Akashi so soon, yet he still had several hours before the appointment. Kuroko wasn't one to waste time so he threw himself into a whirlwind of activity to distract himself until it was time to go. He tackled a list of outstanding chores with single-minded determination and soon Nigou was exhausted from following Kuroko around as he tidied up. It wasn't until Kuroko was vacuuming the floor of his closet that he realized he truly was nervous. His stomach dropped at the thought – he had nothing to hide after all. But he turned off the machine and sank into a tired huddle on the floor. He looked around and took in the fruits of his labors; it wasn't that he was messy by any means, but he had shined and buffed surfaces that were usually omitted from his regular routine.
But the work had served its purpose, he had filled the hours productively at least. He stood and stretched slightly, working out the kinks from his muscles. Kuroko grimaced as he caught sight of himself in a mirror – he looked rather the worse for wear with a smudge of dirt across his face and his hair had gotten mussed during his activities. He headed for the bathroom and showered quickly, but it was not lost on him that he was making an effort simply because he was going to meet with Akashi.
He considered his clothing options carefully. He didn't want to make it seem as though he had dressed up for the other man, but Kuroko wasn't so impolite to show up in his sleeping clothes, either. He dithered for a moment, uncharacteristically at a loss for what he should do. He had just started to reach for a familiar plain white shirt when his phone rang. Startled, he almost tripped over his own feet as he reached to answer it, seeing Kise's name on the screen.
"Hello? Kise-kun?" His voice sounded bewildered; he'd already spoken to Kise that day.
"Kurokocchi, don't do it!" Kise sounded frantic and Kuroko's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"What are you talking about? It was your suggestion I meet with Akashi-san again!"
"What? No, of course go meet with him. I mean don't wear that shirt you always use for these occasions – that lifeless white thing you insist is professional. It washes you out Kurokocchi, and you're pale enough as it is, no need to look spectral."
Kuroko closed his eyes in a bid for patience. "Did you really call me to lecture me on my fashion choices, Kise-kun?"
The urgent sincerity of Kise's reply was endearing, if still irritating. "KUROKOCCHI, you need to feel confident and dressing to advantage helps with that! I'm looking out for your best interests here! I just saw your text and I KNEW you would be reaching for that shirt if I didn't hurry. And you WERE, weren't you?!"
There was no point in denying it. Kuroko shrugged despite the other not being able to see him and admitted he had been planning to wear it.
"I KNEW IT. You were probably going to pair it with those shapeless black trousers of yours, too, weren't you? Honestly Kurokocchi, you're not going to interview for a job." Kise's triumphal tone was short lived as he immediately switched to a more businesslike manner. He was familiar with Kuroko's wardrobe, having tried at various points in time to get Kuroko more interested in clothing that suited him better.
"Okay, Kurokocchi, just listen to me. You see the brown sweater with the textured pattern? Wear that over the cream shirt with the collar and cuffs that I gave you last year. No, cream is not the same color as white; it is warmer. Pair those with your skinny jeans. Yes, jeans are perfectly fine, it is the weekend and again, you aren't going for an interview."
Kuroko held up the items Kise recommended with a dubious scowl in place – he was slightly on edge from Kise's assumptions about his predictability. It didn't help that he'd been right as Kuroko looked a little guiltily at the black pants he most likely would have grabbed with the white dress shirt.
"Kurokocchi, not to be indelicate, but you know you can't wear boxers with those jeans, right?" Kise's voice was teasing now.
"Kise-kun, it better be a while before I see you after making such a remark. I am not a child." Kuroko was gritting his teeth as he spoke. As limited as his fashion sense was, he knew from a standpoint of sheer pragmatism that the excess fabric of boxers wouldn't go well with the form fitting design of the jeans Kise wanted him to wear.
"But you're not as nervous about the meeting now, right? So my job's accomplished." Kise spoke softly and somewhat reassuringly.
Kuroko smiled, Kise's tactics were strange but he had to admit they were effective. "Thank you, Kise-kun. I will let you know how it goes."
Kise's grin was practically audible he sounded so pleased with himself. "Absolutely, Kurokocchi. Good luck! Oh, I wasn't kidding about the boxers though – you'll ruin the lines of your jeans with them." But he hung up before Kuroko could scold him, his laughter as he rushed out a good bye leaving Kuroko with a sense of fond exasperation.
He got dressed, following Kise's advice. He knew enough not to blatantly clash when left to his own devices, but Kise had a much better eye for these things. Kuroko left after giving Nigou a treat, he didn't want to be late.
The traffic cooperated with him, his bus was on time and moved smoothly through the busy lanes to reach the stop he wanted in record time. Kuroko was inside the building and getting cleared through Akashi's security almost before he knew it. When he arrived at the outer office, the secretary smiled welcomingly at him and motioned him through with a polite nod, he was expected after all.
Somehow, when he pushed open the door this time, it felt entirely different from when he'd been here in December. There was a certain edge to the air and it felt rather like he was entering the den of a very patient but no less hungry predator. This was confirmed when Akashi raised his head away from looking at a document on his desk and smiled at him – there were quite a few teeth to that otherwise cordial gesture.
"I didn't expect to see you quite this soon, Tetsuya." Akashi stood and walked around his desk, waving Kuroko to one of the seats. "May I offer you something to drink?" He sounded for all the world like the world's politest host, but Kuroko wasn't fooled.
He took the same chair he had last time and nodded. "Water, please."
Akashi went to a small wet bar that was tastefully concealed behind a sleekly modern screen. It took only the work of a moment to fix two glasses of ice water, he returned and handed one to Tetsuya before resuming his seat.
Kuroko waited only until Akashi had set his glass on his desk before he spoke – he didn't want to get distracted. "I don't know what you've heard about Ogiwara-kun, Akashi-san. But I would like to set the record straight, if I may. I was surprised when you mentioned his name last night, as not too many people know of our connection. I think that might have given you the wrong impression. I'm going to tell you about it in an effort to protect his privacy, rather than mine."
Akashi listened impassively. He was inwardly surprised; he hadn't expected Tetsuya to be so direct. He indicated his permission with a negligent wave of his hand.
As he took in a shallow breath before he spoke again, Kuroko realized that he really hadn't planned this particularly well. "Ogiwara-kun and I met when we were children. He's the one that first taught me how to play basketball, which is how I eventually became friends with Kise-kun. Although he moved away, we kept in touch. As it turned out, he placed into the same high school as Kise-kun and I did and we all hung out. There was an…unfortunate incident…at school and he suffered for it. I don't know what you were told about Ogiwara-kun, but it isn't really a secret. His privacy deserves to be protected, but it's not a cover-up, Akashi-san."
Although he hadn't interrupted Kuroko's speech, Akashi wasn't satisfied with the explanation. "That seems a little…tame…compared to what I was told." He said this in a neutral tone, but his skepticism was plain to hear.
Kuroko met his eyes. He shrugged, a movement that resonated his inability to force Akashi to believe him. "What were you told then?"
Akashi's eyes gleamed for a moment. "I was told you were responsible for his incapacitation." He didn't go into the details, waiting to see how Tetsuya would respond.
Kuroko didn't look away. "That is only half-true. I didn't hurt him, but he was hurt because of me."
"A curious distinction, if I may say so." In all honesty, Akashi didn't particularly care if Tetsuya had hurt someone. He simply wanted to retain an advantage; it was a condition he preferred to have. He was beginning to have doubts this was something he could use though; Tetsuya wasn't exhibiting the usual signs that someone under pressure would show – there was no sense he was rushing to assure Akashi of his innocence.
A brief smile flashed across his face before he responded – it was tight and much closer to a grimace than an expression of amusement. "You saw Mayuzumi-san last night, yes? I am sure if you know of Ogiwara-kun, you probably came across rumors that we don't get along. That is true. Mayuzumi-san also attended school with us, however he is our elder and we had little to do with him. But gradually he began to see me as a rival – we were in a writing class together and frequently our works were compared. At some point, the school sponsored a pool party at a large waterpark nearby. Mayuzumi-san had heard a rumor about me and was teasing me. I was embarrassed but there was nothing really to be done. Ogiwara-kun tried to distract Mayuzmi-san and unfortunately in the confusion he was pushed rather strongly – he fell and was hurt. Ogiwara-kun was unable to finish the school year because of it."
Akashi didn't blink. "Why does this incident require protecting him, then? If it is as you say, then it was certainly unfortunate but there is no need for either of you to have any backlash. I would rather think Mayuzumi would be the one who wished to keep this quiet and that you might simply have let the matter drop."
For the first time, Kuroko couldn't meet Akashi's eyes. "Ogiwara-kun doesn't remember it, Akashi-san. He hit his head hard enough to suffer some memory loss. He knows who I am, but he doesn't remember why he was hurt or our friendship before high school. He's aware there are blank spots and it causes him distress when he tries to remember. It would be painful for him, if that time was made public. I can't imagine what you intended to do with the information you uncovered, but please understand that while this incident was an accident, it isn't anything to revisit now. There's nothing to be gained."
Akashi's expression grew calculating. "What of the rumor that provoked the fall in the first place?"
Kuroko answered calmly, he wasn't going to be baited into going on the defensive. "I was infatuated with another student, one that did not return my affections and probably didn't even know of my existence. If you have any memories at all of high school, you must remember how devastating a secret something like that can be. It certainly felt world-shattering at the time, as such things will. But facing the inadvertent consequences of Ogiwara-kun's injury made it pale in importance."
Akashi's mind filtered through the information at his disposal. He was inclined to accept that Imayoshi either had incorrect information or had deliberately skewed it for some purpose known only to him. However, he didn't think Tetsuya was being entirely honest either.
"Why did you want to come here today, Tetsuya?" His question was curious but inwardly, Akashi was already speculating.
Kuroko shrugged, he wasn't entirely certain of the answer to that himself. "Kise-kun thought I should come explain sooner rather than later. I have no control over what you do, but I can't imagine I have anything so worthwhile you need leverage over me, Akashi-san. My hope was to clear the air since you did me a favor last month and I do not want Ogiwara-kun disturbed."
Akashi's smile was so blindingly gentle in response that it instantly set Kuroko on high alert. "I am not after your friend; you may rest easy on that score. It doesn't sound as if I would get very far trying to pursue such an avenue, anyway. I'm not so ready to ignore you, however."
The silence that ensued was heavy and Kuroko was unsettled. "I don't know what you mean by that, Akashi-san."
"You will." It seemed he might not say anything else but Akashi's eyes were reflecting both amusement and something that seemed to be searching for an answer of his own. He sat back more easily in his chair and lightly folded his hands over his abdomen as he looked at Kuroko. "I imagine that you didn't abandon your quest to learn about shogi merely because you didn't ask me anything else about it. Tell me what you've learned." It was a demand that came out of nowhere, and Akashi was gratified to see Kuroko's look of confusion.
"I know enough to be aware that I have a lot more to learn. I have been watching local tournaments and reading up on the game to obtain a better insight into the character, but I think my editor picked a very complicated hobby for him."
"Shogi is a game that rewards patience, if you understand that then your character should turn out believably enough." Akashi slipped into silence, staring thoughtfully at the folder on his desk. It contained the report Imayoshi had given him. He would be following up with that man in short order, Akashi did not care to be cast as the fool.
When he spoke again, Akashi's suggestion was mild enough, but it somehow put Kuroko on edge. "Would you be interested in a match? I keep a set here and it might help you to actually play rather than only observe."
Kuroko was no coward. But he wasn't a masochist either. He would be thoroughly trounced by someone of Akashi's caliber and he knew it. Hell, he'd be trounced by someone with only a small fraction of Akashi's skill. He tried to get out of it. "Ah, no thank you, Akashi-san. You must be very busy and I can't offer you anything close to a real competition, it would not be fair to you."
Akashi slid his eyes over to Kuroko's and without speaking a word somehow forced the other man to meet his gaze. When he responded, his voice held a careful blend of amusement and intent. "I am aware that you are a beginner, Tetsuya. I am not such a bully that I need to crush your morale when you are still learning." He leaned down and slightly to the side, opened a drawer and extracted a shogi set. "Play a game with me."
Kuroko really didn't want to. He knew Akashi was a brilliant opponent, but even more than that, Kuroko was still a little shaky on the rules. He was prepared to lose, but he didn't want to look ridiculous while doing it. However, apart from simply taking his leave, Kuroko did not really see a way out of the match. The slightly arrogant tilt of Akashi's head as he acknowledged Kuroko's dilemma was infuriating, but Kuroko just nodded.
In short order, Akashi had the board set up between them. His desk was a substantial piece of furniture, but it wasn't so massive that they both couldn't reach the pieces during their respective turns. The match proceeded mostly in silence, with only the smooth rasp of pieces sliding or being removed to break the quiet.
Akashi won quickly. Of course he did. As he held the last piece he'd taken from Kuroko, he stared appraisingly at his opponent for a moment. "You have potential." It was a statement that could have sounded condescending, and even would have been in most other circumstances. Yet shogi was not an area that Akashi took lightly and Kuroko understood it was meant sincerely.
That did not mean he had to enjoy having lost the match in so resounding a fashion. He shrugged. "Perhaps. I can see why you enjoy the game, but I don't think it is for me."
There was a soft noise and it took Kuroko a moment to realize that Akashi had chuckled. It was brief and over almost before Kuroko could truly believe he'd done it. "Let's play again. I'll walk you through what you're doing wrong."
Kuroko's internal response was "everything" but he kept it to himself. Instead he was listening as Akashi patiently coached him through the pitfalls and consequences of his choices when he hesitated. He still lost, but he moved his pieces with more assurance this time.
Akashi put away the board after that game. He'd wanted to play for a number of reasons. Among them, the simple curiosity of wanting to know what the other man had learned. A more pressing reason was that he wanted to see Tetsuya's strategy and style of playing, Akashi had often found it revealed a great deal about a person.
It was perhaps unfair; Tetsuya was so obviously a novice that his technique couldn't quite be called a strategy. Yet Akashi had watched as Tetsuya observed his own moves, reconciling it with the advice he'd doled out, to form something that approximated a style he'd grow into if he kept playing. It told him two things. First, while Tetsuya was both intelligent and competitive, he was mostly handicapped by inexperience. Second, although Tetsuya was usually a straightforward player, he wasn't above trying to set a trap. Neither of those things disappointed Akashi.
Akashi toyed with an idea for a moment, considering the potential implications, before he shrugged and murmured, "I owe you an apology. I am…not accustomed…to someone telling me I might be in the wrong. It would seem I was misinformed about your connection to your friend and let my temper get ahead of me last night."
Kuroko froze, wary of Akashi's sudden concession. He narrowed his eyes slightly and accepted the apology cautiously, "It's nothing to worry about, thank you for apologizing. I'm glad you believe me though."
He quirked his lips at Tetsuya's response. "Indeed, but it has given me another task. I'm going to have to check in with my source to determine why I was directed in such a misleading fashion. It's not a condition I enjoy experiencing."
While Akashi had said this pleasantly enough, Kuroko felt something almost like fear shoot through him – Akashi's source had better have a good explanation. Kuroko tried to redirect.
"I am sure it was just a mistake. But I am pleased it is cleared up now. I should get going though, Akashi-san. I've taken up enough of your time recently." He stood and offered a tentative smile.
Akashi stilled, his gaze oddly intent. "You asked what I hoped to gain by having leverage over you, Tetsuya. I'll tell you a secret…I don't know yet. It is simply a manner of best practices for me. Ogiwara might not be the way, but I'll find something, I always do."
Kuroko shook his head. "Akashi-san…I have nothing that would be of value to you; the only possible thing I have that you might want is my friendship. And I have to say, if that's what you want, trying to uncover leverage over someone is not the way to make friends."
Akashi smiled his acknowledgement. "You're right enough about that, leverage definitely puts a damper on a friendship. The trouble is…friendship isn't precisely a relationship category I tend to pursue. I suppose you might become something of a novelty in that regard, but I don't know that I would be content with that. For now, I would be truly hurt to find you don't keep in touch with progress about the shogi playing character at the very least." He said this lightly, giving the impression that it was nothing to him either way, but that he expected Kuroko to follow through regardless. To emphasize this, he pulled out a business card from a slender case he took from his pocket. After glancing at it briefly, he turned it over and scribbled something on the back, then slid it across the desk toward Tetsuya.
Kuroko was aware this breach of etiquette was significant for some reason, but he wasn't sure why. He leaned down and picked up the card, seeing the public contact details for Akashi on one side. On the other, was a different e-mail address and phone number.
Akashi shrugged, but the gesture seemed somehow impish rather than conveying he was at a loss. "For convenience, if nothing else."
Kuroko angled his head slightly to look at Akashi, his expression readily exhibiting suspicion, but he tucked the card into his pocket for safekeeping. "Akashi-san…I highly doubt anything about this will be convenient. At least until you make up your mind about what it is you think you want from me." He offered a small nod before he walked out of Akashi's office.
Akashi watched him go, a half-smile in place. Tetsuya had no idea how right he was. But speaking of inconveniences…there was a rather irritating matter he now needed to address.
He pushed the intercom button and when his secretary answered, he said only, "If you would be so kind as to get Imayoshi for me, please." She agreed, pleasantly and professionally, just as he knew she would. And then he sat back in his chair, fingers steepled as he contemplated the past twenty-four hours. He had new questions for Imayoshi. Once Akashi was done ensuring the other man understood his displeasure with Imayoshi's first effort, he believed he had a new task for the bespectacled information broker. There was definitely more to the story than what Tetsuya had conveyed, he would find out what was behind it, one way or another.
