Akashi Seijuuro

I was still unsure as to what compelled me to enter that convenience store that night. Some may liken it to destiny or fate or some other ridiculous notion, however I did not put my faith in such things. My entire life I had been taught that there was only one absolute thing that I should put my faith in; myself. A petty thing such as destiny had no hold over me. Which was why I uncertain what it was that drove me to that place, but before I knew it, I was telling my driver to stop and I was walking through the doors of 7-Eleven.

I noticed the emptiness of the store upon entering, but considering how late it was, I didn't find it odd. There was a strange lack of employees, however, which was a little bizarre. I assumed that someone would show up eventually, though, and went about my business; not that I had any particular goal in mind.

I simply felt the need to go there as we were passing by.

I wandered through the store a bit aimlessly, finding myself stopped in front of a large cooler off to the far side of the store that was filled with various kinds of drinks when someone walked out from the restroom. I assumed he was an employee, due to the uniform. He was a rather unassuming man; I could tell even from this distance. His hair was an absolute disaster of tangled brown perched upon his head, and his eyes looked the wrong size for his face. His uniform shirt was sporting a large wet mark on the chest where he had clearly attempted- and failed- to wash out the stain which I assumed was from some sort of beverage. He also looked like he could collapse from lack of sleep at any moment; the dark circles under his eyes were tell-tale signs of his exhaustion. All in all, I found him utterly ordinary, but for some reason I continued to observe him from my spot in the store.

"Welcome to 7-Eleven!" he spoke with false enthusiasm, greeting the man that had just entered. He looked highly suspicious to me, but the employee didn't seemed all too concerned, so I didn't bother speaking up about it. It wasn't any of my business, after all.

I watched from a distance as the man in the hood approached the counter, which the employee had made his way behind. When he reached it, he pulled out what I could only guess was a knife and held it in place, pointed right at the employee's chest. The employee began shaking so violently, I thought he might pass out from fright alone.

"Not a word," he man in the hood said. He demanded that the trembling man empty the register. The employee nodded, and with shaking hands began to reach out towards the register. His eyes were blown wide with fear, and his convulsions were only getting more and more severe. And for reasons unknown, it bothered me.

Like I had said, none of this was my business, but for some reason I began taking a few steps forward from my vantage point and begin to approach them.

"Stop," I found myself saying, feeling a strange and uncalled for rage begin to bubble up inside me. I felt a familiar sting in my left eye.

Stay in control, I warned myself.

The quivering employee latched his too-big eyes onto me when I spoke, and for some reason the sight of them almost shimmering with unshed tears was only adding to my growing animosity.

"Get out," I ordered.

The man in the hood turned around and sent me a glare, one which I knew I could easily outdo. He gave no signal of moving, and I was fuming; I was not to be ignored. I was not to be disobeyed. Especially not by some good-for-nothing who came in off the street; how dare he defy me.

Stay calm.

"I do not like to repeat myself," I warned, stepping towards him. My left eye felt almost like it was on fire. "I said get out." The man in the hood took off, not even bothering to look back, the coward.

The trembling employee all but collapsed against the counter, shielding his face in his hands and breathing rather deeply. I again watched him for a moment, trying to figure out why I had just stuck up for him like I had. He meant nothing to me, and it was unlike me to go out of my way for someone unless I knew they would be of use to me in some way. I had been raised that way, and I was growing irritated at my lack of understanding for my own actions.

I returned to the drink cooler and removed a sports drink, examining it for a moment before deciding to grab another. The burning in my left eye had finally subsided, which I admit I was grateful of.

Drinks in hand, I made my way to the counter where the employee still had their head down and placed my drinks in front of him. He was still shaking ever-so-slightly, and I found a strange concern filling up in my chest at the sight of it.

So I did something I don't think I have ever done before.

"Are you alright?" I inquired, shocked at myself for actually letting the question escape my lips.

He nodded his affirmation- which I could tell was not true in the least; he was clearly in distress- and looked up at me with those large eyes of his.

I felt a jolt in my heart as that flushed face stared up at me, eyes still carrying the tinge of fear in them. Somehow, he looked different to me up-close, and I couldn't help but begin to take in his features. The small upturn of his nose, the slight tremble that still remained in his bottom lip, his red cheeks; all of it. I even glanced down to examine the nametag pinned on his chest. "Furihata," it read.

I looked back up and saw his lips moving, as if he were saying something, but I was so lost in my own little world that no sound was reaching my ears.

"I would like to check out now," I said, finally regaining my focus.

His face twitched with something that resembled irritation, but it was gone as soon as it had appeared.

"Of course," he responded as he scanned the drinks. "Would you like a bag?" I removed my card from my wallet and handed it over to him.

"That will not be necessary." He swiped my card and passed it back.

I felt like wanted to say something to him, but I was unsure as to what it was. Was I perhaps feeling concern for this "Furihata?" Such a sensation was foreign to me, and I did not know how best to go about taking care of it. I saw the two beverages I had purchased sitting on the counter, and, making a quick decision, grabbed only one and began to depart, sending the cashier a small nod.

He called out to me, halting my footsteps. "You forgot one of your drinks!"

I felt a small tug on the corner of my mouth as I assured him that was not the case. He began to protest, but I interrupted him, the tug on my lips growing stronger.

"That is for you," I said, turning to catch his reaction. He looked utterly confused, mouth hung open and nose crinkled, and I felt a surge of something akin to affection rush through me. "I must be going now," I declared, my face now solidified in a small smirk. "Good night, Furihata."

The red in his cheeks brightened a bit, and I felt incredibly and strangely satisfied by the sight of it.

I turned away from him and finally took my leave, stepping out into the cold night where my driver was diligently waiting for me. I slid in to the backseat of the car and settled down in the cushy leather interior.

"You were gone for quite a while," my driver noted as he began to pull back out into the street. "Did something happen?"

I felt the smirk from before return to my lips and I turned the cold sports drink around in my hands.

"Yes," I replied, "something very interesting has happened. I am keen to see what else may happen in the future."


I found myself returning to the 7-Eleven again the following night.

I couldn't explain it, but I found something about that Furihata intriguing. When I had first seen him, I had written him off as someone plain and ordinary, but somehow I could not get him out of my head. He had captured my attention, and I felt the need to see him again.

The look on his face when I entered the store was priceless. He looked completely shocked that I had actually returned, and I found the expression to be quite endearing.

I sent him a small nod in response to his stuttered greeting, and walked over to the same cooler of beverages I had been lingering by the previous night. I chose two sports drinks, like I had before. I could suddenly feel the sensation of- what I assumed- were a pair of too-large eyes burning in to the back of my head. I turned my head and sent a glance back in his direction. When our eyes met, his face blossomed in a soft red blush as he quickly looked away, and I could feel that tug on my lips again.

I made my way over to him- he was still looking elsewhere- and set down the drinks on the counter. He looked back in my direction when I told him I was ready to make my purchase. He quickly scanned both beverages and then paused for a moment, as if he was contemplating something.

"U-um," he stuttered, "I just want to thank you for last night." The red in his cheeks deepened ever-so-slightly. "You really saved me… uh…"

"Akashi," I told him. "Akashi Seijuuro."

He looked puzzled for a moment- which was another expression I was coming to enjoy seeing on his face- before looking right into my eyes and thanking me.

My smirk returned. "Think nothing of it."

The small smile he showed me then sent a small spark of something through my chest. He was captivating. Every expression he displayed was so pure and real, and I couldn't believe that I had ever considered this person to be ordinary. I had never seen anything like him in all of my life.

I handed him my card once again, which he quickly swiped.

I wanted to know his name. A simple "Furihata" was not enough for me. I needed to know the identity of this man who had managed to catch the attention of Akashi Seijuuro after only having twice met.

"Well?" I asked him, knowing that he would not catch on to what I was asking about, as I hoped to prompt that confused look of his again.

"E-excuse me?" Ah, there it was.

"I told you my full name," I explained, "so it would only be polite to in turn tell me yours, don't you think?"

That blush of his was possibly one of the loveliest things I had ever seen.

"O-of course! I'm Furihata Kouki."

"Kouki, hm?" I repeated.

He nodded and returned my card to me, which I slipped back into my wallet.

I felt a low hum resonate in my chest, and I picked up one of the two beverages I had purchased, purposefully leaving one behind as I had the night before just to draw out more reactions from him.

He once more tried to stop me and inform me of the item I had abandoned, but he refrained when I in turn informed him that he should have it.

He thanked me- sounding as puzzled as he had before- and I hummed once more in reply as I began to make my way out.

"It was nothing," I said. The automatic doors parted in front of me and I paused just before stepping out. "Good night," I felt the smirk return to my lips, "Kouki."

How I wished I had turned around then to see what kind of reaction he had to that.


For the remainder of the week, I found myself returning to the store over and over, just to get a chance to draw more expressions and reactions out of him. I wanted to learn everything I could about him.

He had me completely entranced, and I dared not even deny it anymore. Every time I saw his face, no matter the expression, I felt something stir inside me. It was a sensation that was completely foreign, and I could not get enough of it.

Kouki was completely unlike anyone I had ever met before. My whole life, I had been surrounded by cutthroat, deceitful, selfish businessmen; each only with his own self-interest in mind. I myself was much like them. I was trained to excel in all that I did, no matter what it took; by any means necessary. I was absolute, my words were law, and I was unwavering and detached emotionally. Things such as emotions only became weaknesses. But Kouki, he was different. He was passionate; even in the short time I had known him I could tell. He worked hard, and he gave off an air of innocence that was extremely rare to find, especially in the world in which I lived. He was pure, untainted, and so full of life that I couldn't help but desire to observe him as much as I could.

I was inexplicably drawn to him, so every night, I wandered back in to that same store, I bought the same two sports drinks, always leaving one behind for him- to which he still seemed puzzled at each time. When I left, I would always bid him a good night, sometimes catching the small blush that would fill his cheeks. It had become routine for us, and I found myself looking forward to it every day.

When Friday rolled around again, I woke up eager to move on with the day, so I could sooner return to Kouki and the little world of ours I had fashioned, but I should have known that I could not keep up my secret refuge forever.

My father called me in to his office just as I was about to depart from the company for the day.

"Have a seat," he demanded as I entered.

"What is it, Father?" I asked as I sat, thin irritation lining my tone. I wanted to hurry this along.

My father shot me a warning look and lifted a large envelope off of his desk and handed it to me. There was a wary feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I ignored it was I opened the envelope. Inside was a photo of a dark-haired woman clothed in traditional dress. She was lovely enough, I supposed, but my mind couldn't help but compare her to a certain brown-haired someone that I wanted nothing more than to go and see.

"Father, what is this?" I asked.

"She is the daughter of the President of the Yamada Group. I have decided that you will wed her."

The edges of the photo crinkled as I clenched my fists. "Excuse me?" I snapped. I could feel the heat in my left eye, but I didn't care to keep myself in check. Not when my father was proposing something so utterly ridiculous.

"You are to wed her to solidify the good relations we have with her family's company." My father's gaze was stern, but I was boiling with so much annoyance at that moment that it barely phased me.

"I refuse," I insisted, standing from my seat and turning to leave.

"This is not a choice, Seijuuro," my father snapped back. "You will marry her."

I stopped just short of the door, knuckles white from how tightly I held my fists. I spun my head to face him, my eye burning with such an intense ferocity that I had never experienced before. My voice was surprisingly calm, but venom dripped from each and every word.

"Like hell I will."

I had never slammed a door with so much force before.


My body was shaking. I was so furious I could hardly breathe. My left eye felt like fire, and I was sending glares to anyone who dared get in my way. Never in my life had I felt so completely livid.

I had refused my driver's offer of a ride, deciding instead to walk to the convenience store that night, hoping maybe the cool air would help be regain my composure. I wanted to see him; I needed to see him. I had a feeling that Kouki would be the only one who could help me calm down, whether he realized it or not.

He was obviously insecure and somehow completely unaware of the effect he had on me. I couldn't explain it myself, but he was becoming a bigger part of my life each and every day. And right now, all I wanted was to see him and step back in to that world where he and I existed together.

The last thing I intended to do when I walked in the door was kiss him, but the moment I saw his face, a small smile lighting it up as he greeted me, I was so completely overwhelmed by emotion- a feeling so completely strange and new to me- that I could stop myself.

My trembling hands steadied and secured themselves on his arms, and my left eye continued to burn, only now it felt different to me. It wasn't the burn of anger, but rather of something else I had yet to find a proper definition for. I pulled him in close to me, and the moment my lips smashed against his, I felt it. This was the same burn as the one I was feeling in my eye, only it started in my lips and filtered down until it filled my entire chest. This was what complete and utter adoration felt like.

Unfortunately, this epiphany of mine was rather short lived, because the blushing boy in my arms suddenly went limp. I couldn't contain the small chuckle that escaped my lips when I realized he had passed out. My Kouki really was something else. I tightened my grip on his arms a bit to make sure he didn't fall, and I leaned down to whisper in his ear.

"This is going to be fun, Kouki."


As much as I wished I could have been able to stay with Kouki until he awoke, I decided to leave him in the care of this manager, who had walked in shortly after Kouki had lost consciousness. I explained to him that Kouki had passed out, spinning with some falsehood about how it was due to lack of sleep, which could have been a conceivable reason. The manager seemed to accept it, and mentioned briefly that he would be able to catch up on his rest since he did not have to go in to work the day after next, a comment which I took careful note of.

After making sure Kouki was alright, I bid farewell and set off towards home. I had many things which I needed to sort out, namely these newly discovered feelings. I had somehow fallen for him in such a short amount of time, which was something I had never considered possible for myself. I had been trained that such feelings were forbidden, but Kouki had captured me, heart and soul, and I had no intention of letting him slip through my fingers. He was the first person I had ever felt anything even resembling affection towards, excluding my late mother. Honestly, I did not know exactly how to go about courting him, and for the first time in my life I felt as though something would actually prove to be a challenge for me.

And that was the reason I found it all so aggravating and so thrilling all at the same time, but I had a feeling Kouki was worth it.

I felt a small smile curl up the edges of my mouth and I slipped my phone out of my pocket. I pressed a few buttons and held it up to my ear as it started to ring.
"Hello?" I said once the person on the other end had picked up. "It's Seijuuro. I need you to look someone up for me. Yes. Their name is Furihata Kouki."


I had arrived in the park a bit earlier than I had intended too. I held my phone tightly in my hand before taking a breath and selecting Kouki's name on the screen. The phone rang and rang, but he did not answer. I felt annoyed at that. Kouki or not, when it is I that is calling, being ignored is not acceptable. Slightly aggravated, I tried a few more times without answer. One final time I tried, satisfied when a sleepy voice answered.

"What?" Kouki said, sounding a little irritated himself. Well, you should have answered my call the first time, Kouki.

"Kouki," I greeted him. I could imagine him freaking out on the other end when he realized who had called, an image I found rather amusing.

"A-Akashi-san?!" he stuttered. "H-how did you get my number?"

I snorted at the question. "I have my ways, Kouki."

Kouki then started babbling on and on, completely in utter nonsense. As amusing as I thought it was, I had business to get down to.

"Kouki," I interrupted him.

"Yes?"

"Meet me in the park in 25 minutes," I instructed.

"Excuse me?" I heard him say, but instead of responding, I hung up the phone.

I had not specified the exact park I intended to meet him at, but I was well aware of that. Had he answered my call the first time, perhaps he would have gotten more information. Teasing him really would never get old to me.

However, as time passed, I found myself growing irritated that he had not yet arrived. When half an hour had come and gone, I was starting to become slightly concerned, not that I would admit that to anyone. I definitely was glad when I saw a tangled mess of brown hair coming my direction. Had I been a lesser man, I would have released a sigh of relief and perhaps even waved as he approached.

My left eye warmed with the same pleasant burn as before as I took in his lanky form running towards me, which I found odd. Usually it never happened unless I was angered on under great stress. In such a short time, Kouki had already begun to change me, I could feel it.

I decided to keep on teasing him as he began to draw near, and I formed my face into a look I'm sure he would take as condescending. I was positive this encounter would draw out so many kinds of interesting reactions from him.

He reached me a few moments later, his faced flushed and skin shining with a thin layer of sweat and he stopped to catch his breath.

"You're late," I said.

"Uh," he began nervously, "I wasn't sure exactly which park you meant so…"

I gave him a small "humph" in response. His eyes widened a bit at that, as though startled. His reactions were too wonderful.

I let my eyes wander across his body, taking everything in. He was wearing a simple t-shirt and a pair of jeans; clearly not appropriate for what I had in mind. His hair was also much messier than normal, I noted. He hadn't even tried to make himself look like he hadn't just rolled out of bed for our outing together, which perturbed me a bit.

"What are you wearing?" I asked him.

He looked at me with those big, confused eyes. "Huh?"

My eyes narrowed and I sent him a soft glare, nothing compared to what I was truly capable of though. "I don't like to repeat myself," I stated. Which was indeed true.

"A t-shirt?"

You should know better than to answer me like that, Kouki.

I added a little more fire to my gaze and I saw him shrink back a bit. "Is this what you always wear on dates, Kouki?"

It was difficult even for me to conceal the amusement I felt when I saw his face. His eyes widened, becoming impossibly larger, and his mouth was flapping between open and close as he tried to form a response.

"What?" he finally got out.

I, as always, ignored his meaningless questions. "We must find you an appropriate outfit," I said.

"But-"

I silenced him once I grasped his warm hand in mine, ignoring the ping in my chest at the contact. He followed behind me willingly, but the confused and shocked look never left his face.


There had been very few times in my life where I found myself unable to speak; I always had some sort of retort or comment ready with ease.

But when Kouki exited that dressing room, I could not find any words.

He looked stunning. The suit I had selected for him was a dark gray that complimented his skin tone very well, and it hugged the subtle curves of his body in just the right way. The emerald green of the button up really brought out his eyes; they looked so unbelievably bright just then. The white silk tie I chose to complete the outfit hung untied around his neck; clearly he had been uncertain how to tie it properly.

I stared at him, feeling so much adoration for him that I felt myself wishing this moment to end. I wanted him to stay with me, like this, forever, looking confident and captivating, but still glancing up at me so shyly. I had fallen for him impossibly hard.

"Kouki," I finally managed to say, though my voice was much softer than normal.

I felt myself being drawn to him, like a magnetic force was pulling us together. He blushed at the sudden closeness, and this time I couldn't stop the fond chuckle from leaving my lips.

"You're hopeless," I said quietly, grabbing the hanging ends of the tie and tying it up neatly. I felt a smirk form on my face as I took in the completed look.

Absolutely stunning.

"We'll take it," I decided, speaking to the clerk that I knew was nearby.

"Of course," he replied, helping to get us ready to check out.

Kouki was shocked by the price, and I could tell he wanted to protest but I would have none of that. I insisted on purchasing it for him, and I also ordered that he wear it out of the store. I had bought it for him for a reason, after all.

I took his hand once more- beginning to enjoy the feeling of our fingers intertwined- and began to lead him off in the direction of our final destination.


If I had thought the sight of Kouki coming out of that dressing room in his suit was stunning, the vision of him sitting across from me at a small table- the light from the candles illuminating his face in just the right way and making his eyes shine- was nothing short of beautiful.

He looked nervous and confused, especially when he picked up his menu and attempted to read the names of the French dishes. He looked completely relieved when I offered to order for him, which I did. When the waiter had left, my eyes wandered back to Kouki, catching him staring at me, eyebrows furrowed as if he was thinking very hard about something. I smirked back at him.

"Who are you?" he asked. Although it was uttered so quietly, I was sure it was not his intention to actually ask.

However, I was going to respond despite that.

"Akashi Seijuuro, I already told you that, Kouki."

His face bloomed red. I was right, he had not meant to speak up like he had.

"But," he continued, "the suit, this restaurant, all of it, this must be costing you a ton of money. I mean, how could any normal guy off the street that frequents a 7-Eleven in the middle of the night afford something like this?"

Now, this question did catch me off guard. Was it possible Kouki had yet to realize who I was? I had assumed that most everyone knew the Akashi name and would recognize me almost immediately.

"You honestly don't realize who I am?"

He stared me down, and I could practically see the gears in his mind struggling to get themselves turning. His eyes trailed across my face, and I actually enjoyed having so much of his attention focused on me. Suddenly, his eyes widened and I could tell that he had just realized. It was yet another lovely reaction from him.

"Wait, are you telling me you're that Akashi Seijuuro?" he asked, still looking completely shocked. "'Heir to the Akashi Corporation and filthy rich,' Akashi Seijuuro?"

I chuckled and allowed a small smile to appear on my face. He really was too cute. "You really didn't know? Oh, Kouki, you never cease to surprise me."

He blushed at that, and my fondness for him only deepened at the sight.

"What would the Akashi Seijuuro want with me of all people?" Again, I could tell he hadn't meant to ask it, but still I didn't care and chose to answer.

"Isn't that obvious?"

The look on his face told me that it wasn't. "Uh, no, not really," he confirmed.

This was the moment. I had secretly been hoping that this opportunity would present itself sometime tonight. I leaned forward, placing my elbows on the table, and I felt the small, pleasant burn appear once more in my left eye.

"I am besotted with you, Kouki," I admitted, "and I intend to make you mine."

The waiter caught him before he hit the floor, for which I was grateful.

Oh, Kouki, you really, really were something else.


When I finally returned to the estate that night, I was more than satisfied with how things had turned out. Sure, not everything had gone perfect, but Kouki had allowed me to at least walk him back to the park where we had met up, and I managed to give him a small kiss on the forehead before bidding him farewell. I was actually feeling something close to happiness when I left, which was unprecedented for me.

However, upon returning home, my father ambushed me and insisted that we continue the discussion we had begun a few days previous, namely the issue of my so called "engagement." I wanted absolutely nothing to do with it, or him, and refused to listen.

"Seijuuro!" he snapped. "As long as you remain under this roof and are dependent on me, you will listen to what I have to say."

I curled up my fists and held them firmly at my side. Of course he managed to ruin my pleasant night.

"Well then," I retorted, "perhaps I will just have to find elsewhere to reside."

That silenced him rather quickly.

"You wouldn't dare," he said finally.

"Just watch me."

"Seijuuro! If you step one foot out of this house, you will regret it."

I sighed, looking up at him with burning eyes. "Do what you will," I replied harshly. "Frankly, I don't give a damn."

I turned and left him without looking back. He might not have taken my seriously, but I had every intention of carrying out my threat of leaving.

I had almost returned to my room when my phone began to buzz, signaling an incoming call. I held it in my hand and looked down to see it was that was calling.
I smirked a bit and answered.

"Hello, Tetsuya."


I had known Tetsuya for many years, and he was one of the only people I would ever consider calling a friend. I would occasionally confide in him when I felt the need, but it was not often. In fact, I never really had to say anything for him to understand exactly what I was thinking or feeling. He was incredibly perceptive.

For example, he had already figured out my feelings for Kouki, and although I would have liked to, I found it difficult to deny him an explanation.

I told him of Kouki and how we had met, I even mentioned the events that had just taken place. I even went so far as to discussing my father's demand for my engagement and how I had threatened to leave his estate if he did not give it up. It was then that Tetsuya mentioned something interesting.

"If you really are considering leaving," he said, "there is an empty apartment just a few doors down from mine. Perhaps you should look in to that."

I considered it for a moment, but I wasn't sure whether or not I would really follow through with my threat.

"Akashi-kun," Tetsuya urged, a strange tone present in his voice as if he was trying to tell me something without actually saying it, "I would really think about it. It's a very nice apartment complex, and I guarantee you'll love the neighbors."

At that time, I had no idea just how right he would be about that.

I owed Tetsuya a very, very big favor.

A/N: This chapter turned out absolutely nothing like I meant for it to.
Honestly, I'm not too happy with it, but I've written it about 3 times now and I just need to move on with my life.
So, I apologize that it's kind of weird and awkward and Akashi is kind of OOC a bit, but I tried my best so don't hate meeee.
Anyway, I super appreciate you guys for taking the time to read this and commenting and favoriting and following and such. It means bunches too me.
Again, I tumble at chasingstarfall if you guys want to drop by. You're welcome to ask me things about this awkward fic, or really anything. I'm always up for a chat.
Thank you guys again! Next chapter will be back in the mind of Furi (which I can wrap my own mind around much easier), and should be much more exciting and entertaining. Bye bye for now!