Disclaimer: Characters' names and some references are originally made by Fujimaki Tadatoshi-sensei. I do not own anything aside from the story itself.
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An Angel's wish: 天使の願い
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- ― - CHAPTER IV - ― -
From Me to You: 君に届け
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Morning came and the pale sunlight peeked in the dark room where Tetsuna sleeps. The gap of the two red curtains became an opening partition as the harsh solar radiance woke the sleeping angel into her deep slumber. Tetsuna gently opened her eyes, adjusting itself to the brightness that destroyed her repose. "Nn…", she groaned as she turned into the dim side of the bed, feeling dizzy. Tetsuna stared into the cold blank marble wall as she failed to catch her drowsiness, thanks to the dazzling brilliance of daylight. Suddenly, she thought of something, it's been days since she ran to the red-head emperor. It was something both of them never anticipated. Akashi Seijuro, he is the man who saved her at the time where the bleak weather was slowly freezing her weak body, he is the man who let her in his domain when he knows nothing on her, he is the man who gives her new memories when oblivion is the only content of her mind. As Tetsuna pondered over those, she buried her face to the soft pillow slightly as her cream-white cheeks caressed the velvety cushion and clutched the bed sheet with her slender fingers. This coziness and comfort, she can feel it because of him. Reflecting to that thought made her smile and blush. Grateful, is what she is feeling ever since Akashi came to her life. Although both of them are still unfamiliar with each other, Tetsuna hoped they will get along until the end. "Akashi-kun saved me, that's why; I want to at least give something to him. But, how?" Tetsuna thought as she sighed. Those cold eyes. "What could make Akashi-kun happy? It seems everything for him is… facile and perfunctory." Tetsuna frowned with the dogmatic fact.
Her cogitating was disturbed when she heard a knock from the door. The sound resonated into the whole room, as if it is telling her to stand up now since she's already awake. Of course, it wouldn't be any other than Akashi waking her up. Only the emperor knows her, only Akashi. She removed the warm blanket covering her and stood to her bed. With tiny footsteps, her bare foot walked into the furry carpeted floor towards the door. Twisting the cold golden knob, she opened it and saw the red-head standing before her and inviting her to eat breakfast with him as per usual.
"Good morning," Akashi simply greeted.
"Good morning, Akashi-kun." Tetsuna replied while peeking at the door.
"Did you have a good night sleep?" Akashi asked.
"Yes," Tetsuna replied as she nodded.
The red-head paused for a while, scrutinizing her from head to toe. Akashi always keeps Tetsuna comfortable to what she wears and strictly requires her dress code. Tetsuna's clothes are fine: a thick jacket, a white fleecy night dress, and a knee-length pajama, except for one and Akashi easily noticed that.
"Just how many times will I remind you that do not forget to wear bedroom slippers? Or at least wear foot socks. The floor is still cold even if it has carpet." Akashi said in a stern voice. "Do you think I will overlook you on that?" he continued in a strict manner.
"I forgot. I will do it next time." Tetsuna answered.
"What happened… to your hair?" the red-head questioned again as he averted his eyes to the unsightly mess.
"Ah- I don't know. It's been like that every time I sleep." Tetsuna said as she gently patted her hair so it'll go down, but to no avail, it's still messy as it is.
The red-head, bothered by the bluenette's atrocious hair entered the room without hesitation.
"Akashi-kun?" Tetsuna uttered, surprised by his entrance.
"Can you sit there?" Akashi ordered as he pointed the chair facing a mirror attached to a large drawer and rummaged something from the wardrobe cases.
"Okay." Tetsuna said as she nodded and obediently sat into the chair.
As Akashi found what he is searching for, he went to Tetsuna and the bluenette flinched upon seeing him holding something toothed.
"A-Akashi-kun, w-will that hurt?" Tetsuna stuttered anxiously as Akashi put his hand on her head. She only squeezed her eyelids shut and then peeked upon feeling something brushing her scalp. The red-head gently fixed her messy hair by combing it from the shaft to the tip.
"So that's why it's easily messed since your hair is cottony soft," Akashi commented while combing Tetsuna's silky light blue hair strands.
"Is that so…" Tetsuna replied. "Then, can you please do this every morning so it won't be messed up?" she asked with a smile.
"…" The emperor did not reply as he thought of it more as an order rather than an entreaty. But, even without Tetsuna asking for it, it will become an everyday schedule for both of them.
After Akashi finished brushing Tetsuna's hair, they went to the dining room to eat their first meal for the day. Akashi gentlemanly pulled the chair where Tetsuna will be sitting first as Tetsuna curtsied gracefully as a sign of gratitude in return before going to her seat. The fragrance of the food presented on the table tickled the smelling sense of the angel, connoting that the savour is mouth-watering and delicious.
"Itadakimasu." Akashi and Tetsuna said in unison.
After a while, as Tetsuna was near in finishing her food, she heard another order from Akashi.
"You should eat those fruits in your plate." Akashi said as he wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.
"B-but, Akashi-kun, I'm quite full already." Tetsuna reasoned.
"You're always like that, eating half and leaving half." Akashi said, stating her premise is invalid.
"But Akashi-kun makes me finish it all by the end, so that won't make it half." Tetsuna replied.
"If you're saying that, then you probably know that you should finish your food now whether you like it or not." Akashi scoffed as he smirked.
"M-mou…" Tetsuna grunted in defeat as she picked the sliced apples. After she finished eating those, she noticed some vegetables left on Akashi's plate. "You said leaving food is a waste right?" she asked. "You should eat those wakame in your side dish." Tetsuna talked back with a smirk. She knew Akashi doesn't like it, and she took that chance to accost him.
"I do not want to." Akashi simply answered.
"You're making me eat all the foods in my plate while you yourself don't do it, are you defying your own rules?" Tetsuna mocked.
"It's not even a food. It's a decoration in an aquarium. How can you make me eat something like that?" Akashi reasoned.
"But it's edible." Tetsuna replied.
"It's unpalatable for me. That means I'm not fit to eat that." Akashi reasoned. "If you don't want to waste it that bad, then why don't you eat it?" He continued with a teasing smirk.
Tetsuna just sighed. She knew she can't win against him. As she picked her fork to prong the food, to her surprise, Akashi picked it with his own fork. "A-are you going to eat it now?" Tetsuna asked anxiously.
"I'm not." Akashi said with a grin. "I picked it up so you can eat it in my place." He continued as he fed Tetsuna with the vegetables in his plate.
"Akashi-kun is unfair." Tetsuna grunted before the emperor hushed her and continued to feed her more.
After that long feeding procedure, the two went to the living room. This time in day is Tetsuna's favourite. She will choose a book from the library and sit with the emperor at the couch. Akashi will either teach her the contents of it or read her the story. The bluenette loves to read books, or to be more accurate, she loves to learn. And Akashi isn't bothered by that since he can review too as well. It's been always like that ever since Tetsuna came. It seems to them that that is their way to avoid boredom. Sometimes, Tetsuna or Akashi or both of them falls asleep and they wouldn't know that a day had already passed by.
Suddenly, a knock disturbed the emperor and the angel's time together. "Bocchama," one of the maids in the house suddenly called Akashi. "Goshuujin-sama is here." The maid announced as she gave notice for the arrival of Akashi's father.
"W-what?!" Akashi said as he abruptly stood up in disbelief that he'll encounter unexpected difficulty.
"Akashi-kun? What's wrong?" Tetsuna said, seeing Akashi in panic.
"This is trouble." Akashi thought as he tried to think for the most convenient solution.
"Akashi-kun, you haven't finished reading the story yet." Tetsuna said in a pleading voice as she tugged Akashi's shirt, asking him to continue.
"Tch," Akashi said as he pulled Tetsuna. "Kuroko, I have something to tell you," He continued as he opened the nearest wardrobe and pushed Tetsuna in. "Stay in there. Don't make any sounds and don't leave unless I told you, do you got it?" Akashi urgently said.
"W-wait!" The phantom did not have the chance to ask what's going on as she obeyed Akashi's order and stayed inside the dark and cold wardrobe alone. Right on time as Akashi hid Tetsuna, his father went in the living room.
"Seijuro," Akashi's father summoned. Tetsuna heard that exigent voice. If Akashi was authoritative, the other voice introduced to her hearing is oppressive. To the point Akashi can cower to that sound. The angel, out of curiosity, peeked in the gap between the doors of the cabinet. She can barely see the face of the other person but, she can sense that a heavy aura started to surround the two. "How are your studies doing?" Akashi's father asked. Uncommon for parents but for Akashi's father, it is like that. He didn't even mind to ask his son's condition or how he feels about him. It's just straight interrogating how his son performs.
"It's going smoothly." Akashi answered.
"Did you win the winter cup tournament?" Akashi's father asked.
"Yes," Akashi replied again.
"Hmph, then I have nothing to argue with you then. But, you must always put in mind that excellency in all areas is your top priority. Otherwise, you're not deserving to be called… a part of Akashi household." His father stated in an onerous voice.
"Understood." Akashi said.
"Since everything goes well, let me tell you the reason why I went here. I might introduce you a candidate for your future fiancé sooner. But, I'm still examining if she'll be on par with your abilities, if not, I'll reject her and find another one that will suit perfect my expectations. I suppose you must accept her whether you like it or not." Akashi's father stipulated. "If the sole purpose is for the good of Akashi household, then you don't have the rights to refuse." He continued.
"…" Akashi didn't reply. Even though it's a matter that he should refuse, he's locked in his father's principle and orders. He doesn't have freedom at all.
Suddenly, with all the dust dispersed from the dark wardrobe where Tetsuna is hiding, the phantom, even with her fingers pinching her nose, involuntarily sneezed a bit. And that small sound couldn't escape from the ears of Akashi's father.
"…!" Akashi's heartbeat thumped hard upon hearing Tetsuna's noise, his face tried to show no emotions at all so he won't be too obvious.
"Seijuro," his father called his attention again. "Is there something… I didn't know about you?" he continued.
Akashi's sweat dropped from the intense question of his father. "Nothing." Akashi answered with a poker face.
With that, Akashi's father turned his back without even biding him good-bye.
"Itterashai, Otou-san." Akashi politely said as he bowed even though his father didn't reply.
As Akashi looked at the window patiently, he sighed in relief as the car where his father rides left and slowly disappeared into the white sheets of snow.
"Achoo!" another sneeze came from the wardrobe. This time, Akashi doesn't have anything to conceal since his father already left. As Akashi went to the wardrobe, he opened it only to see the angel about to cry.
"W-what's wrong?" Akashi said, flabbergasted in Tetsuna's reactions. "A-are you hurt somewhere?" he stuttered as he pulled Tetsuna out.
"N-no… I-it's just. I failed to comply with Akashi-kun's orders." Tetsuna stammered.
"It's fine. My father doesn't seem to notice you're there." Akashi allayed the teary girl.
"R-really?" Tetsuna asked.
"Hai. Don't overthink about it, okay?" Akashi said as he patted Tetsuna's head in which the angel nodded. "I apologize for stocking you there like a hoard. It's really unexpected so…" his sentence was cut off when Tetsuna shook her head.
"N-no, it's fine. After all, I'm not important to be Akashi-kun's prior that's why please don't worry about me." Tetsuna said which made Akashi think.
...
Night fell and Akashi stood while staring on the windows, watching the snow fall again. Tons of expensive birthday gifts were dumped into his house, but none of them interests him. It's just for the sake of giving something to the heir of a prominent tycoon so they'll also get something in return. His mind thought nothing but Tetsuna's words as it struck him straight. "I'm not important to be Akashi-kun's prior that's why please don't worry about me."
"If you're saying it's like that. If father doesn't worry about me, then that means I'm not important to him, right?" Akashi thought as he stared blankly into the freezing windows. "Heh," Akashi released a small laugh. "What's that to be anxious for? Isn't it the reality? Why am I wasting my time thinking about it? I'm always alone. I know that." Akashi thought when he suddenly snapped out of his cogitating as something poked him at the back.
"Akashi-kun," Tetsuna called out as she held something at her back.
"Hm? What is it?" Akashi said. As the emperor turned, Tetsuna showed him a drawing, a drawing which can be perfectly compared to that of a child. But it's different. Sketched on the paper was a red-head boy wearing a party hat and a blue-haired girl holding his hand with a cake beside them. Written on the lower part is: "Let's celebrate your special day together."
Akashi stared astounded at the drawing. This is the first time he received something that came from a heart's content. He can only remain silent as he was overwhelmed and it's taking time before Tetsuna's gift can be registered to his mind.
"H-happy birthday, Akashi-kun." Tetsuna continued with a smile. "I-I'm sorry. That's the only thing I can give. And it's not pretty as I imagined, t-that's why, please bear with it." She said in embarrassment as she faced down. Akashi smiled a bit and Tetsuna missed that miraculous part.
"Thank you for this. I appreciate it." Akashi said as he expressed his gratitude.
"Eh? I-it's nothing." Tetsuna said.
"I'm sure you're quite hungry now. And it's dinner time. Let's eat the cake on the table." Akashi said as he opened the drawer beside him.
"Ah- but isn't Akashi-kun who said that you don't like eating too much sweets?" Tetsuna asked.
"I said that. That's why you're going to feed me." Akashi said as he took a scissor and card board and made an instant party hat like the ones in Tetsuna's drawing.
"That's troublesome." Tetsuna whined.
"Are you going to refuse me? It's my day today." Akashi said with a smirk.
Tetsuna sighed. "It's always your day inside this house." Tetsuna grunted and that made both of them chuckle.
.
.
.
"This is probably, the first time I've been happy on my birthday." Akashi thought with a smile.
Author's notes: Wohooo! At last, I've wrote a long one. ;w; It took me several hours to write this chapter, so I hope you enjoyed it. Anyways, tomorrow is Akashi-sama's birthday! *throws confetti* I posted this right away since I'm too excited, no slash that. I have many works to do. OTL And I might have no time in posting this if I do it tomorrow.
About the "wakame" mentioned in this chapter, it is an edible sea weed and it is stated that Akashi hates that food.
Ohhh, and... I really find it sad whenever GoM's subject is about parents. :( Akashi is the only child and he doesn't have a mother. Moreover, his dad have high expectations for him so he must be feeling pressured, but that's what makes Akashi-kun perfect. ;wwwww;
Thank you for reading! :DD And advance happy birthday to Akashi Seijuro-sama! All hail the emperor! :)))
