Furihata Kouki

"Furi, that's the fourth one. Are you feeling alright?"

I looked down at the splintered remains of the pencil I had just snapped in half with my hand. I sighed and dropped the pieces onto the table along with my three previous victims.

I was definitely not feeling alright. As for the reason why… let's just say it wasn't something I was quite ready to discuss with Fukuda and Kawahara.

It wasn't that I didn't trust them; out of everyone I knew, I probably trusted them the most. But even so, how exactly were you supposed to tell your best friends that you had been confessed to by the filthy rich male heir to one of the largest companies in the country? Not to mention that said rich male heir had for some reason moved into the apartment next door? It wasn't exactly something that you brought up in casual conversation. You couldn't just be like "oh hey, how did your math test go? By the way Akashi Seijuuro moved in next door and is apparently in love with me. Are you going to eat that sandwich?" No, no. I definitely couldn't do that.

So I had begun to take out my frustrations on poor, defenseless pencils.

I smiled softly at Fukuda who was sitting across from me at the table, and I was trying to be as convincing as possible. "Y-yeah. I'm fine."

Since I'm a crappy liar, he didn't seem like he really believed me, but he didn't press it.

"Furi," Kawahara spoke up from beside me, "are you going to eat that?"

He gestured to the lunch lying untouched before me. I was so emotionally stressed, I didn't have much of an appetite.

I shook my head and he gladly slid the box from in front of me.

"How's the drawing going?" Fukuda asked as I took yet another pencil out of my bag.

I frowned a bit at the question.

Since I couldn't get myself to eat, I had spent most of my lunch break doodling in my sketchbook, trying to get something, anything done. Everything just turned into the same rounded shape I had drawn the other day. Something about it was bugging me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.

"It's not going too great right now," I admitted.

"Maybe you just need some inspiration," Kawahara suggested, swallowing a large clump of rice.

"He's got a point," Fukuda agreed. "Maybe you should try sitting outside and taking in the scenery? Nothing is more inspiring than nature."

I nodded. Maybe they were right. I'd have to give that a try. "Thanks, guys." I smiled, sincere this time, and my grin was quickly returned by them both.

I glanced down at my watch and noticed the time. "I've got to get to class," I muttered, slipping my belongings into my bag.

"See you later!" Kawahara called as I stood and began to take my leave. "And thanks for the food!"

"Bye, Furi," Fukuda said with a wave. I waved back and started to walk away. "Oh, and Furi?" I turned around to face him. "Whatever it is that's going on, we're here for you, okay? You don't have to be afraid to tell us. We've got your back, no matter what. Don't forget that, got it?" Kawahara nodded in agreement with Fukuda's statement.

How in the world did I manage to find such amazing friends?

"Got it," I assured them with another small smile. "See you guys later."

I would tell them. Soon. But not yet. I still wasn't quite ready yet. I did feel like I needed to talk about what was going on with somebody, but who?

Lightbulb.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and quickly tapped out a message.

From: Me
To: Kuroko
hey are u guys busy later? Is it ok if I drop by if youre free? [Sent 12:53]

I slipped my phone back and continued on towards my class. I had just settled down in my seat and started emptying my backpack when I felt it buzz.

From: Kuroko
To: Me
Sure. How about around 6? [Sent 12:56]

From: Me
To: Kuroko
sounds good. see u then [Sent 12:57]

I didn't know why I hadn't thought of this before. They were the perfect people to talk about my… problem with. You know, considering they were… anyway, I'm sure they wouldn't mind hearing me out and maybe giving me some advice or something.

Kouki, you are a genius.

I was such an idiot. I had been so excited about getting the chance to finally vent some of these frustrations I was feeling that I forgot one teeny, tiny little detail.

He would most likely be there when I got back. I still hadn't quite recovered from the incident this morning, and I just wasn't ready to deal with him yet.

I mean, it wasn't like he was a bad guy; sure, he was terrifying and sometimes demanding and stole the chastity of my lips without my consent, but there were moments when he seemed… different I guess. Like when I had come out of the dressing room in the suit he had picked out for me. Or when he had taken me to that restaurant and told me of his feelings. Or when we parted at the park and he managed to plant one on my forehead. Each of those times, he had looked at me with such a- dare I say- loving expression, that even just thinking of it now made me shiver a bit.

I really didn't get it. Why was I suddenly thinking about him like that? He was basically a stalker, for God's sake. Not to mention he was a man, and not just any man, he was Akashi Seijuuro. He was rich and successful and everything I could never imagine being, and truth be told I was a little jealous of him.

Was that where this animosity I was feeling towards him came from?

That was what this feeling was, wasn't it? That's why I didn't want to see him. It definitely wasn't the fact that sometimes he could make me blush or make my heart race or anything like that. Surely not.

I didn't want to see him.

I checked the time on my watch and noticed that I still had a bit of time before I was supposed to meet Kuroko, so I decided to plop myself down on a bench and take in the scenery, like Fukuda had suggested.

The sky was beginning to change color with the oncoming nightfall. Sunset was such a beautiful time of day. There were so many colors, all swirled together and streaked across the sky; it reminded me of a paint palette. I suddenly found myself itching to create something. Fukuda had been right, nature really was inspiring.

I pulled my sketchbook out of my bag along with a set of oil pastels. I looked up into the sky, which was growing more and more vibrant by the minute, and let my fingers go to work. They smoothly brushed across the page, coating it in smears of pink and red and orange and gold, swirling together and mixing just above the horizon.

The colors of the sunset vaguely reminded me of something that prickled in the back of my mind, but I ignored whatever it was. I hadn't felt so inspired in such a long time that I didn't want to think about anything else but the art before and above me.

If I had to define my style or art, I would say it had sort of a Van Gogh-esque quality to it. I was a huge fan of the Post-Impressionist era, and out of all it his artwork probably inspired me the most. His expert command of color always fascinated me, and I found all of his works to be so incredibly, breathtakingly beautiful. I was definitely a huge nerd for his stuff.

I smudged together the red and orange in a swirling motion in one part of the sky, and found myself doing the same with the orange and gold in another. It was an explosion of color, the sky perfectly melding in to the place where it met the earth, which I had made a smooth combination of green and brown. My fingers were moving on their own, just gliding and dancing across the page leaving streaks of color in their wake. I hadn't created like this is so, so long and it felt amazing.

With one final slide of my finger, it was finished.

And I couldn't believe it.

It was beautiful, even I would admit, but it was just so… wrong.

How did my drawing of the sunset turn into Akashi Seijuuro's mismatched eyes?

It wasn't incredibly noticeable, I'm sure if you didn't know you would miss it, but there was no way in hell that I could. I could hardly believe it, but there they were, hidden in the swirls of red and gold and looking up at me with that same loving expression they had the night before. But why? How? I didn't understand.

And I was scared to.

I, thankfully, managed to avoid Akashi-san when I returned back to the apartment complex, though I had a feeling he knew I was there. I guarantee he had some sort of "Kouki sense" or something. How else could he have known where I lived? It was too uncanny for him to just "show up" next door. He had to have known something. He had to.

I took a quick glance in both directions, just to make sure he wasn't lurking around somewhere, and tapped my knuckles against the door of Kuroko and Kagami's apartment. I heard the doorknob turning and then I was suddenly face-to-face- although, face-to-chest might have been more accurate- with a huge man.

"Hey, Furi," he greeted. "Kuroko said you'd be stopping by. Come on in."

"Thanks, Kagami," I replied, shifting my gaze upward to catch his face.

Kagami was a deceivingly kind person, which is something you'd never guess just from his appearance. First of all, he was huge, and not just in a height kind of way either; he was also very well built. He also had a permanent almost-glare on his face- which I had thought was the most intimidating one I had ever seen until just recently. He could be kind of intense sometimes, but Kuroko had a way of keeping him in check. Seriously, sometimes Kuroko scared me more than Kagami did.

I stepped through the door and removed my shoes. The layout of their apartment was very similar to mine, only theirs was much more… domestic, I guess? There was just something about it that seemed really couple-y to me. It was definitely a lot cleaner and more organized than mine was, that was for sure.

"Hello, Furihata-kun," a voice said suddenly from seemingly nowhere.

If I had jumped any higher, Kagami might have had to catch me so I didn't kill myself when I came back down.

"Damn it, Kuroko!" Kagami yelled, obviously startled by the blue-haired man's abrupt appearance as well. "I told you not to jump out like that!"

"But I was standing here the whole time," Kuroko replied in his usual calm tone.

Kagami lightly hit him on the top of his head. "Whatever," he said, and I caught sight of the small smile on his lips. "Just don't do it anymore."

I chuckled softly at their antics. They really did make a nice couple.

"So, Furi," Kagami said, finally turning away from a slightly grinning Kuroko, "have you eaten yet?"

"No, actually," I replied. "I haven't."

"I made curry for dinner," he explained, "and there's a ton left. You want some?"

I tried not to start drooling. Kagami's curry could make full-grown men weep, it was so good.

"Yes, please!"

He nodded and headed off in to the kitchen.

"Come sit, Furihata-kun," Kuroko suggested, leading me towards the dinner table. He took the seat opposite me and started me down with those blank eyes of his. Chills.

"You've come to talk about Akashi-kun," he stated, not a single hint of question in his voice. He knew.

"Bu- I- You- He- Huh?" I managed, intelligently as always.

Kagami returned and set a warm plate of curry down in front of me before taking a seat next to Kuroko. I just stared at them, waiting for something, anything that would explain what was going on here.

"I guess now would be as good a time as any to tell you," Kuroko said finally. "I am well acquainted with Akashi-kun."

"But how?"

"Eat," Kagami demanded. "He'll tell you the whole thing."

I nodded and spooned a bit of the curry into my mouth and good God it was tasty.

"Akashi-kun and I met a few years ago," Kuroko explained. "He was my kouhai in middle school-"

I almost did a spit take of the bite I had just taken.

"Did you say kouhai?" I asked once I had managed to swallow the food. Kuroko and I were the same age so… "You mean he's younger than us?"

Kuroko nodded.

"How much younger?"

"He's 18 now, but I think his birthday is in a few months."

Oh. My. God.

Not only was he infinitely more successful than I was, stupid wealthy, (admittedly) attractive, had stolen my first kiss from me, had made me think weird thoughts about him and make me subconsciously draw his eyes in my sunset, he was also almost two years younger than I was.

It might not seem like a big deal to most, but to me, it was a big blow to my pride.

This had to be a joke.

"It's not a joke. I can't joke very well," Kuroko replied to the question I had apparently said aloud, which was definitely becoming a problem for me.

"This is crazy," I said, leaning back in my chair and abandoning my meal. My appetite had suddenly left me again. "So you've known him a while then?"

Kuroko nodded in reply. "I have, and you are the first person he has ever been like this with."

I definitely did not blush at that. "W-what do you mean?"

"He talks about you often," Kuroko explained. "I have never heard him talk about someone like he talks about you."

"So, you guys talk about me?" That kinda freaked me out a little, honestly.

Kuroko's lips twitched every-so-slightly into a miniscule smirk. "I knew of his feelings for you before you did. Maybe even before he did."

I just sat there with my mouth hanging open, which seemed to be becoming a more and more common pose for me these days.

Kagami suddenly cleared his throat and sent Kuroko a pointed look, which Kuroko adamantly ignored.

"Kuroko," Kagami warned, "you better tell him everything."

"I don't know what you mean, Kagami-kun."

"Kuroko."

"What do you mean?" I interjected. Kagami's gaze flickered to me before going back to the man beside him.

"Akashi moving in wasn't just some kind of freak coincidence. Someone tipped him off that there was a vacancy, and that it would be worth his while to check it out," Kagami finally explained, still giving Kuroko a look.

"…Kuroko?" I started.

"I was just helping out a friend," was his response.

I let out a long groan and slammed my head down onto the table, being wary of the position of my unfinished plate of curry so I didn't end up with a face-full of it.

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered into the table, though the sound was heavily muffled by the wood.

"Kuroko is actually evil," Kagami said. "He looks all cute and innocent, but he's got a devious little mind in that blue head of his."

"This is too much," I sighed. Although I should have guessed that it was something like this. I knew there had to have been no way that he could've tracked me down on his own. I whipped my head up from the table. "Wait," I asked, "does this mean you're the one who gave him my phone number, too?"

Kuroko shook his head. "No. I'm guessing he used some other source for that."

Well at least he hadn't sold me out completely.

"I still can't believe this," I mumbled, taking in a couple big breaths. "I think I should probably get back to my apartment…"

"Look what you did, Kuroko! You scared him off!" Kagami scolded.

"No," I explained, "it's okay. I'm just tired. And I have a lot of… things to sort out." I sent them both a weak smile. "I'll see you guys later." I stood up from the table and went to leave. "Thanks for the food."

I closed the door behind me as I walked out.

So much for getting a chance to vent my frustrations.

It wasn't like I was angry at Kuroko. I really wasn't. I was just surprised and a little confused as to why he would do something like tell Akashi-san to move in. Knowing Kuroko, he probably has some super secret plan or reason behind it, but I had never known he was that devious.

I was the tiniest bit impressed by it.

But that was mostly hidden under the irritation I was feeling. This day had gone absolutely nothing like I had hoped it would. From Akashi-san moving, to that drawing I had created, to finding out Kuroko was actually an evil mastermind; everything was crazy. All I wanted now was just to curl up in my bed and try to get as much sleep as possible. I had to go back to work tomorrow, and I knew sleep was going to become scarce for the rest of the week.

However, since apparently the entire universe hates me, my plans came to a screeching halt literally five seconds after I had laid down.

I grabbed the buzzing phone off of the nightstand where I had put it and sleepy glanced at the screen. No, no, no. Please be dreaming. Please tell me that Akashi-san hadn't just sent me a message.

How did he always catch me right as I was going to sleep?

I groaned and slid my finger across the screen and pulled up the message.

From: Stalker
To: Me
Hello, Kouki. [Sent 9:17]

I was not dealing with this right now. I set my phone down and closed my eyes. It buzzed again.

From: Stalker
To: Me
I know you're there, Kouki. [Sent 9:19]

From: Stalker
To: Me
Do not ignore me. [Sent 9:19]

From: Stalker
To: Me
If you do not answer, I will come over there myself. [Sent 9:20]

From: Stalker
To: Me
Fine. Here I come, then. [Sent 9:21]

I don't think I've ever typed out a message so fast in my entire life.

From: Me
To: Stalker
no no no no dont come over sorry i was in the bathroom [Sent 9:21]

It was a lame excuse which I was positive he wasn't going to buy, but it was the best I could come up with in such a short amount of time.

From: Me
To: Stalker
did u need something? [Sent 9:22]

There was a short pause and I thought for a moment that I was off the hook, but nope, it went started a-buzzing once again.

From: Stalker
To: Me
No. Never mind. Good night, Kouki. [Sent 9:24]

I went to set my phone down but it went off yet again.

From: Stalker
To: Me
Also, I would not lie to me in the future. Moreover, your grammar is horrendous. That is all. [Sent 9:25]

Yep. He was just as scary as before. How did I keep convincing myself otherwise?

Class the next day was rather uneventful. Like disgustingly boring. I found myself napping more than once throughout the day. Which I had no problem with. I had to work all night and I was going to squeeze in as much rest as humanly possible before then.

From the moment my shift started, the only thing on my mind was whether or not he was coming tonight. And if he was, when? Thankfully, my uncontrollable paranoia helped keep me distracted- and awake- most of the night, and before I knew it, my shift was just about up. And there was still no sign of him. Maybe today wasn't so bad after all.

I was just about to head into the back and gather my things to leave when I caught sight of an unforgettable head of red hair coming down the sidewalk, getting closer and closer with each passing second. I wasted precious time frozen in fear, but I made up for it with my mad dash out from behind the counter. I honestly don't think I've ever moved that fast before as long as I've been alive.

I sprinted into the back of the store and grabbed all of my belongings as quickly as I could. Maybe, if I was really, really lucky, I could somehow sneak past him and make it out before he even knew I was gone. I knew I was definitely overestimating my escape skills, and probably grossly underestimating his observation skills, but it was worth a try. I wasn't going down without a fight.

I peeked my head out into the store to get a lookout, and I found it strangely empty. Had he not arrived yet? Or maybe he came in, saw I wasn't there, and then left? Maybe that last bit was wishful thinking, but I didn't have time to just sit around a wait all night to see if he showed up or not. I had sleeping to do, dang it.

I gave the store a final once-over, and when I deemed it safe, I took of out of my hiding spot and bolted to the door. The cold air stung my face as I exited the warmth of the store, but I didn't care because I was successful! I couldn't keep the grin from my face as I gloated to myself about my great achievement.

That was until I passed the small alleyway next to the store and suddenly found myself unable to move.

It was definitely him, I could tell even from behind. He was hunkered down near the ground and seemed to be doing something with his hands. I felt myself inch a bit closer to see what was going on. Curiosity killed the cat, they say.

Speaking of cats, the one I had just caught sight of curled underneath Akashi-san's hand as he gently stroked it was incredibly small. It could probably fit in the palm of his hand, if he picked it up. Which he did. And then he was standing. And turning around. And there was that smirk.

"Kouki," he said as he cradled the kitten closer to his chest.

"H-Hello, Akashi-san…"

The kitten mewled and curled up snugly between Akashi-san's chest and his hand.

"It appears to have been abandoned," he explained, petting it gently with his fingers. "I seem to have a soft spot for small, cute, defenseless things." He looked down at the small animal with a surprisingly fond look on his face. He then glanced up at me, but the fond look did not falter. I felt my face heat up just a bit. "The apartment complex allows small animals, does it not?"

"Huh?"

"I intend to take this animal back to the apartment," he explained.

What was this, a scene from a Shoujo manga?

"Yeah," I answered. "Small pets are okay."

He smiled then. Like full on smile. With teeth. And I was surprisingly blown away by it.

No. No, no, I wasn't. I was cold and tired and needed to go home and sleep.

"Good," Akashi-san said, relief lining his tone. "Shall we go then? We are headed to the same destination, after all."

I couldn't really argue with that one.

The walk back to the apartment was surprisingly… nice. Neither of us said anything, the only sounds being the clacking of our shoes against the pavement and the occasional purr from the small cat still cradled so carefully in Akashi-san's arms. I never imagined he could be so gentle. This was a completely new side to him, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't find it the teensiest bit intriguing. Not that I'd tell him that, of course. He'd probably take it as a confession or something. Which it wasn't.

We arrived at the apartment complex in no time, and since Akashi-san's apartment was (slightly) closer, we stopped at his first. Not that I had any reason to stop, I mean, mine was right next door, but I was trying to be polite.

He managed to fish his key out of his pocket with one hand, as the other was still occupied by a now sleeping kitten. He swiftly unlocked the door and wished me a soft good night before stepping inside and closing the door behind him. Which was something I found to be a bit interesting. I had half expected him to grab me and try to plant another kiss on me or something before he left, but he didn't. It wasn't like I was hoping he would, it was just odd to me that he hadn't is all.

I decided that I was probably thinking about things too much again- as I had a tendency to do when he was concerned- and took the few steps down the hall required to reach my front door. And that was when I realized. I was in such a hurry to get out of the store before he caught me- a plan which had clearly failed epically- that I had forgotten to grab my keys when I picked up my things. I was locked out of my apartment.

Universe, what did I ever do to you?

I tried calling the landlord, but he didn't answer; it was pretty late, after all. I also tried calling Kuroko and Kagami, and when they didn't answer either, I even went and knocked on their door in person. Nothing. I knew I only really had one option left, but I was dreading it so very much.

With a deep sigh (and a small prayer), a lightly knocked on the door of the one person in the entire world that I actually wished wouldn't answer. But of course, he did. With that damn smirk.

"Kouki," he greeted, "it's barely been ten minutes. Did you really miss me that much?"

He was younger than me, why in the world was I so intimidated right now?

"I'm locked out of my apartment," I started. Crap, I was shaking. Pull it together, Kouki. "I've tried everyone else I can think of, but no one is answering so…"

"So…?" he urged.

"C-could I s-stay with you tonight?" Just kill me now.

"Why, Kouki, how forward of you," he teased. "But who would I be to turn down such a request?" Akashi-san took a step to the side to give me space to enter. "You are most welcome."

"T-thank you," I mumbled, hanging my head and stepping through the doorway.

The moment I heard that door click closed behind me, I knew I was doomed.

I had a feeling I had just walked straight into the lion's den.

A/N: Aaaand, we're back!
Can I just take a moment to say that you guys are all so incredibly amazing? Seriously, I'm in awe. All of your sweet comments really meant a lot to me, and I just can't thank you guys enough. I guarantee you're the best readers out there. Hands down. I'm inspired to keep writing because of all your support, so thank you so, so much. :)
Also, someone mentioned to me that I should make a tag for this on Tumblr. I don't know what you would tag to it, or if anyone even would want to tag anything to it, but I'm keeping my eye on the tag fic: for your convenience so have at it.
You guys know my Tumblr already, so I won't mention it. Anyway, I think that's all my mind has for now. Again, thank you guys so much. I would give you all cookies and hugs if I could. See you all soon. :)