A/N: AU(ish) fic, set in a world of rainbows and misdirection. Watch out!
Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basuke will always belong to the respective owner(s).
A Family of Eight
~ Hello, Good-Bye ~
It was at his rarest time he would found himself alone inside the black void. Everywhere he ran, he only met darkness. Yet, he hoped that he would got away from this dream. Yes, Seijuro had somehow developed his consciousness and concluded that he was having a nightmare. If the form of the nightmares varied each people, then it was a normal thing to have stood alone at the black void, right?
"Hey, wake up."
Even though he said to himself that it was, having nightmares everyday for a while made him almost breaking a little inside. Today, he was glad that someone finally came up to him, even if his tone was rude. Seijuro needed few moments to adjust his sight before he gasped. This boy looked very much the same as him. With his red-colored eyes, he almost like his younger version. His clothes looked refine too and his tone was somehow befitting to be- No! Seijuro immediately closed those thoughts.
"What? Afraid of me?"
The doppelgänger was cocky enough to say it. He folded his hands in a way that Seijuro did too. Seijuro raised his eyebrow in an effort of scaring him like everyone did, but somehow it didn't affect the boy much.
"I don't. No one in Akashi family afraid of simpletons like you," Seijuro added harshly. "And it is not your business to meddle in."
"It is my business. After all, you're me."
Akashi stepped forward to the boy. He looked pretty angry. "Oh? Which part of you like me? I, Akashi Seijuro, am not so foolish to know that you're-"
"So you've given up."
The boy cut him sharp. The smirk had turned a very cold frown on the boy's lips. Seijuro maintained to be at bay, but he felt himself almost lost his cool. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Just say it!"
Shaking Seijuro's body hard, the doppelgänger boy looked at Seijuro straight at his eyes. Those flaming red eyes he used to have were now gone and one of it replaced with one golden eye. With everything he had gone through, he was somehow glad that the color changed. The color red always reminded him of his parents, bloods, and every remnants of his memories. Having no straight answer, the boy's exclamation somehow stuck inside Seijuro's mind deeply.
"You've given up being Akashi Head!"
February 13th
05:15 AM
Akashi Mansion - Seijuro's Bedroom
Seijuro woke up hastily at this futon, looking a bit tired. His hairs are in disarray, though he had no intention of tidying it now. Sweats were trailing down from his forehead to his cheek. He huffed few times before let out a long breath to end it. "...Huff."
Wiping those sweats, he took of his blanket and stood up, having no intention of go back to his dream again. Thankfully, he had rejected Tetsuya offer to sleep together with everyone yesterday night. It seemed that the boy who turned up just six now was suspicious of his strange behavior lately.
After tidying back his futon, he glanced at his room, reminiscing his few months of tranquility. He shook his head and walked towards the kitchen, wanted to fill his throat with something fresh.
However, that boy's exclamation still lingered inside his mind. Sighing, he stared at his hands.
[ is it alright if I stay like this? ]
05:35
Akashi Mansion - Kitchen
*CLACK*CLACK*
Seijuro let out a slight smile hearing the ruckus. Taiga was probably making something for breakfast with Ryota already yanked everyone to wake up. Ryota was a light-sleeper to begin with and he was on chores duty today anyway. Walking casually to the entrance, Seijuro made his way to the water dispenser. This caught the attention of both Taiga and Ryota.
"Morning, Akashicchi!"
"Hey, you're early today too."
Giving a slight glance to them, Seijuro nodded. He presumed his activity: drinking a glass of water. Looking back at each other which didn't escape Seijuro's attention, Taiga and Ryota whispered a little. Since he didn't want to worry them much, Akashi replied them dryly. "Good morning." He left the kitchen without saying anything but then added, "Taiga, your omurice is burning."
"Waaah-!" With their attention went to the omelet rice, Seijuro's weird greet in the morning was hoped to be forgotten. However, what he didn't know was they looked at him in a strange way when he left.
[ is it okay to ask him to lean on us? ]
[ why won't you tell us what's wrong? ]
06:05 AM
Akashi Mansion - Garden
Without nothing to do momentarily, Seijuro proceeded walking to the garden. With the vast empty spaces, he had somehow decided to make a mini basketball field. That way, Daiki could watch over the house while playing too. Sometimes, all of them would play a game or two with Satsuki being a referee. She always pouted that she couldn't play it, but understood the rules very much.
"...Akashi. Good morning." Someone greeted him at the garden. He was Shintaro, busily watering the bonsai(s). "What makes you here at this early?"
"Looking around things," Seijuro admired Shintaro's tidy work before whispering, "I guess."
Shintaro paused, looking at the right words to say. Knowing things, Seijuro smirked while patting the boy's shoulder. "The bonsai will dead if you put up too much water, Shintaro."
"W-Wha!" With Shintaro busily cleaned up his mess, he walked away to the bathroom. However, Shintaro shared a single sad glance to the red-haired boy who escaped Seijuro's attention somehow.
[ in the end, are we still no good to you? ]
06:14
Akashi Mansion - Corridor
"Ne, Mukkun!" Satsuki's voice echoed the room, it appeared that Satsuki was busy yanking Atsushi to wake up. Amused by this, Seijuro peek a little from the fusuma of Atsushi's bedroom. Unsurprisingly, the room was clean enough without any trashes, courtesy to the smaller girl. "Open your eyes, Mukkun!"
Yawning, the taller boy said lazily. "It's still 5 AM, Sacchin..."
"Jeez, you always say that..." Satsuki muttered with a pout before she turned to see Seijuro at the entrance. She chirped happily, "Good morning, Akashi-niichan!"
"Good morning, Satsuki." Atsushi replied plainly. He raised his eyebrow when he asked, "Are you still sleeping, Atsushi?"
"Y-," Atsushi turned his face to see the red-haired boy. "-No."
However, Atsushi was still staring at the red-haired boy at the eyes while the latter raised his eyes in question. Satsuki tilted her head to the side, unaware of their silent moments. Finally, Seijuro ended it up by saying, "Presume your morning routine or you'll be late for school."
"Aka-chin," Atsushi paused, his eyes narrowing. "Are you okay?"
Satsuki gasped hearing this and immediately exclaimed. "Mukkun!" She didn't definitely prepare for this outburst. She then turned to face Akashi who looked, however, no different like he usual. "Eh, umm, Akashi-niichan?"
"I am. Do not question me such a foolish question." The answer was practically coming from his mouth. Seijuro walked away and yanked the blanket from Atsushi. "Now get up and prepare yourself to go to school."
"Sure." Atsushi challenged him by saying this. "But I don't want to go to school today."
No one would ever replied Seijuro that lightly and even defy him since he was- no! Leaving contradicting thoughts behind, Seijuro glanced at him before leaving the place. "No one dares to defy me, Atsushi." Hearing this, Atsushi and Satsuki frowned after he left.
[ hey, are we needed in your world? ]
[ what should we do to make you see us? ]
06:25
Akashi Mansion - Living Room
"Aomine-kun, you have to go to school!"
"I want to confront him today. Come on, Tetsu, aren't you curious?"
"...Well, I am- But!"
There was another ruckus at the living room. Seijuro sighed while he was hearing another fights in his house. After preparing his school books and took a bath, Seijuro went to the living room to watch television. However, he was very curious when he heard that the most quiet children in their house was the one who was fighting now.
Sliding the fusuma, Seijuro entered the living room. There, he saw the tanned boy with towel on his shoulder and the children book author stopped arguing immediately. Instead, they turned their faces at him with tinge of uncomfortable feeling on the air.
"Akashi!"
"Akashi-kun!"
"Good morning." Feeling their uneasiness, Seijuro walked to them and asked. "What makes you two fighting?"
"...We're not fighting." Tetsuya said without any slightest change of expression. "Right, Aomine-kun?"
"Y-Yes." Daiki stuttered when he said this, but he came up with another lie quickly. "Tetsu and I just...arguing about who will take a bath first."
"Then," Seijuro concurred, "I suggest that you go first, Daiki."
Sighing, the tanned boy nodded. "...Fine."
"Good." Seijuro turned to the smaller boy, "Though, you might tell me what are you two discussing before. Don't give me another lie, if you may."
Hearing this, Daiki jolted uneasily. Seijuro stared at him before he made his way to the bathroom reluctantly.
[ aren't you one of my family member? ]
When Daiki had gone to bath, only Seijuro and Tetsuya remained in the living room. Tetsuya felt that he didn't have to say anything about his late conversation with the teen.
"Tetsuya." Seijuro folded his hands interrogatively . "Why won't he go to school?"
"...I don't know." Tetsuya started a bit slow which interpretated as hesitation. "Why are you so curious?"
"Atsushi said the same." Seijuro stated calmly while Tetsuya troubled by this fact. "He isn't the type who says anything without any persuasion. Are the teachers scary? If yes, then I can-"
"That's not the point!" Tetsuya cut him with a shout. He flinched when he realized that he was shouting at him. "...I'm sorry, Akashi-kun."
"If that's the case, then, why?" Akashi ignored his loud outburst. If it came from another person, he would glare at them in the eyes until they were gone. But Tetsuya wasn't anyone and so did everyone in the family. They were, right? But why they were hiding something from him?
Sensing his uneasiness, Tetsuya's expression softer. Tetsuya reached Seijuro's cheek with his hand, calming the red-haired boy. "It's not about school. Everyone is very happy to start school again, in fact. Especially Midorima-kun."
"Tell me the reason."
"...You are." Tetsuya continued which made Seijuro raised his eyebrows. He was the reason. "You see-"
"Everyone, let's have breakfast!"
A loud echo was heard from the dining room. With the cherry tone, Seijuro could easily guess who was the shouter. Apparently one by one, they shouted in reply.
"Wait, be careful at what you bring!"
"Don't shout out loud, Kise!"
"Right, Ki-chan!"
"Okaaay~"
"Wait for me, I'm still in bath!"
"We're coming!"
It was completely unethical, but Seijuro enjoyed their echoing shouts. However, he never took any part of it since he thought that it was useless. Though, usually if he was still in his study room, one of them would reply by 'I'll go check Akashi' or something like that. Grabbing Seijuro's wrist, Tetsuya walked to the dining room. Without himself knowing, he felt that he was safe and needed. However, his thought changed again too fast.
[ this time, we would guide you to the bright world, surely ]
06:33
Akashi Mansion - Dining Room
Saying it a dining room would be an understatement. The room was very vast and empty, except the short tables that were lined up untidily. A month ago, he felt that the tables were too high for some of them, but now he felt it was too short. It seemed that everyone grew very fast these days. On the tables, there were a plate of omurice with a spoon and a fork sitting nicely next to the plate, a glass of milk, and a cup of pudding with different colors each other.
Akashi Seijuro, as de facto leader, sat in the middle of left side. Murasakibara Atsushi and Midorima Shintaro followed at the left and right side of him. Next to Atsushi, Aomine Satsuki sat nicely and next to Shintaro, Kagami Taiga sat after releasing his striped apron. Next to Satsuki, there was Aomine Daiki who looked fresh after taking a bath and across him, Kise Ryota who was aready holding the spoon and the fork. Across Seijuro, Kuroko Tetsuya sat without any slight of expression.
"Itadaki-!"
"Wait!" Taiga suddenly stopped them. He offered a bottle of sauce. "Aren't we suppose to decorate it first?"
"...Decorate...?" Satsuki and Tetsuya tilted their heads before the girl exclaimed, "Oh! Like that one at Maid Café!"
Her brother, who drank a glass of milk immediately spluttered all inside his mouth. "What the hell did you just say, Satsuki!?"
"If I'm not wrong," Kise pointed out, unaware of the tanned boy's anger. "Satsukicchi once said that she loves to watch a shoujo maid story..."
"Wait, there's only one maid story that aired." Tetsuya eyes narrowed to Taiga dangerously. "However, it's a high-school story. Not suited for a children."
"Kagami!" Shintaro pointed his finger accusingly. "What did you let her watch!?"
Satsuki tilted her head in wonder, so she asked Atsushi who was munching a pocky. "Ne, is it wrong for me to watch it?"
"No." Atsushi ruffled her hairs while shrugging off. "But Kaga-chin is really at fault by letting you watch it."
"I- I- I did nothing!" Taiga said defensibly while waving in hands several times dejectedly. "We only watch it at the omurice part! I swear!"
Seijuro immediately ceased the fight by clearing his throat. Everyone turned their faces to see the red-haired boy. Seijuro stated simply, "We can punish him later by letting him do triple housework than usual." Taiga flinched hearing this and wanted to retort back but Seijuro cut him sharp. "So now, why don't you do something with that bottle of sauce on your hand?"
"Ah, yes!" Taiga cheered up quick apparently, had forgotten the reason he was mad. "You have to decorate it before eating it. Look, I can write my name!" He presumed by writing his first last name, a 'Kaga' kanji.
"So Kagamin-niichan wants to write everyone's kanji on it!" Satsuki added before she snatched Daiki's plate. Daiki raised an eyebrow. "At first, try Dai-niichan!"
"Yosh!" Kagami tilted his head a little, as if he was thinking something hard before writing a 'Ao' kanji on the omelet. Everyone praised him after he had done Daiki's. "So, next?"
"Try me!" Kise gave him his plate. "Can you? 'Ki' kanji is almost the same as 'Ao'. But of course, 'Ki' is more awesome than 'Ao'!" Daiki pinched the boy's cheek after this exclamation.
"...Almost the same. Oh!" Kagami immediately wrote it easily.
Atsushi pushed his plate to the returnee. "Why don't you try my name next, Kaga-chin?"
"Yo- Don't eat snacks now, Murasakibara!" Kagami snatched his barely opened marshmallow wrap. "'Murasaki'...eh?"
Atsushi frowned, "Is it too difficult?"
"Don't worry, I've taught him well, right, Kagami?" Midorima fixed his glasses position, seemingly a bit proud because he succeed in teaching Tiger. However, the said boy only cringed at this but finished it anyway.
"If you're okay with this, you can write my name next, Kagami-kun." Kuroko gave him a plate. "The kanji isn't too easy to write."
"Jeez, thanks for your encouragement, Kuroko." Kagami retorted but finished it with a passing mark. "Next!"
"Midorin-niichan, it's your turn!" Satsuki snatched Shintaro's plate quickly, something she learned from the quick-reflexes tanned boy. "Oha-Asa said your lucky item is a carrot today!"
"Fine, I'll draw a carrot too." Kagami finished writing 'Midori' on the omelet. Before presumed in drawing the carrot. Though, it ended up being a weird-looking stick, anyway.
It was Satsuki's turn next but when he wanted to write 'Ao', Satsuki exclaimed. "Mu, I don't want to have it the same with Dai-niichan. It's embarrassing!"
"What was that for, Satsuki!" Daiki pinched his sister's cheek. "Just write it, Kagami."
"If she doesn't want it, why don't you try another kanji?" Tetsuya suggested.
Kise beamed at this, "Why don't you write 'Pretty'?"
"Rejected!"
"Lame."
The duo Aomine replied with plain tone before presumed in fighting again. Kise cried hearing this and hugged the poor little boy who sat near him. Shintaro sighed before he suggested, "Why don't you try to draw again?"
"Rejected! Kagamin-niichan doesn't have any talent in drawing!"
"Ha, I doubt he could draw anything! I mean, look at that carrot!"
Aomine duo gave another statement before they fought again. It was Kagami's turn to sulk, he mumbled weakly. "I'm sorry that I'm not good at drawing..."
"Ne, ne, does anyone want to eat peach chips?" Atsushi asked, though a bit irrelevant. He was eating potato chips but with extraordinary taste, it seemed. "Oh well, if there's no one-"
"Wait, Mukkun!" Satsuki exclaimed, halting her fight with his brother. "What did you say?"
"If there's no one-"
"No, not that, Atsushi." Amused by their fights, Seijuro intervened. "She meant by peach. Taiga, wrote it."
"'Momo'?" Taiga inquired before he wrote it easily. When Satsuki took her plate back, she seemed happy by this. "Just say so. Last is your turn, Akashi."
"I doubt you can write it." Seijuro folded his hands, challenging him. Taiga flinched but he took the plate, anyway. "Try your best, anyway."
"Ha! I can write it easily, 'Aka' isn't that difficult to write, you know?" Even though Taiga stated it easily, Seijuro frowned by this. His name should be written as 'Akashi' the existence, not 'Aka' and 'Shi' the Red King. However, when the plate had been returned, it said only 'Aka'. However, everyone except Tetsuya, Shintaro, and Seijuro didn't realize it before saying it cheerfully.
"Itadakimasu!"
07:30
Akashi Mansion - Entrance Gate
"Are you sure you're going alright, Akashi-niichan?" Satsuki asked worrily while using her shoes. Everyone was doing the same, while Shintaro was already waiting outside. "You know, I can accompany you-"
"You can't do that, Satsuki-san." Tetsuya shook his head, "Akashi-kun would be troubled if you catch his cold too."
"Akashi, there's an instant cold plester inside the refrigerator." Taiga reminded Akashi who nodded in reply. "At the third row, okay? Make sure you take it."
"I'll buy another one after school is over." Daiki looked in thought. "Don't forget to lock the doors and windows. We've brought the spare keys, so don't worry."
Ryota continued sheepishly, "I've cooked a bowl of porridge though I don't know if it's as tasty as Kagamicchi's, but please reheat it if you want to eat it."
Atsushi then ruffled the boy's head. "Aka-chin, don't study too much." He took the boy's hand and encircled their pinky fingers together. "Yup, it's a promise."
"You guys take a lot of time." Shintaro walked by the entrance, reminding them to wear their shoes faster. He nodded then, "We'll see you again after school. Be better!"
Without any spoken reply, Seijuro nodded before they closed the entrance door. Well, after eating finished eating their breakfast, somehow Seijuro realized that he felt a bit dizzy. Although, everyone exaggerated by dragging him to his bedroom again.
Ryota took liberty of making the porridge, Daiki prepared the bed with Tetsuya's help, Taiga prepared the cooling pads, Atsushi gave him healthy snacks he had, Shintaro threatened him to stay at the futon, and Satsuki said that she would search variations of healthy foods since eating porridge wasn't tasty.
Even though Seijuro's temperature was only 37 degree celcius. He was amused by this, before he gone back to his room. That was before he heard the sounds of opened door. At first, he thought that it would be one of the children who forgot something, but the sight made him shocked. He wasn't one of his new-found family, he wasn't Eiji too. He was the infamous uncle of his, Akashi Juushiro.
[ somewhere along those days, I always know that those peaceful days will be gone, someday ]
07:37
Road to Ashinaka Elementary
There were several rules if they wanted to go to school. Those rules were far more important than school's rules and had to be mastered if you wanted to be one of them. Them meant the family that consists of eight children plus one butler.
Rule #1: Do not walk together with the same start.
Simply, if they did that every morning, they would be questioned at of where were their home be. Of course, saying that would be bad, since their secret of living together would be revealed. Since Seijuro once said that it would be bad if the school found out that they lived together without any parents noted.
Rule #2: Meet up at one point.
Even though going straight from home was forbidden, they were allowed to meet up at some point one by one. That way, they could go to school together without everyone noticed. Thus, they could go to school together.
Rule #3: Do not address everyone casually. This rule is not applied if there is no one around.
This rule was stated by Shintaro, but then added by Ryota who didn't see the need of faking their close relationships if there were only them around. Of course, Satsuki and Daiki didn't have to do it, since they were brother and sister at the first place.
Rule #4: Do not talk about home. This rule is not applied if there is no one around.
This rule was stated by Shintaro, before added by Ryota. Sometimes Taiga needed to know what would they like to eat for dinner, breakfast, or even bentou. Or sometimes Satsuki would remind everyone who was on chores duty that day to re-stock supplies.
Rule #5: Do not go back alone to home, yet do not go inside at the same time.
This was to avoid confusion from everyone who might see them went inside a mansion with different family names. Taiga and Daiki sometimes went to play basketball, Tetsuya and Midorima stayed at library to read or write in Tetsuya's case, Satsuki and Atsushi went to a shopping district first, Ryota went to the photo sessions, and Seijuro went straight home. Though they would shuffled their roles several times.
Rule #6: Approximately at 6 PM, they have to be at home already. This rule is not applied if they are going out together at several occasions.
Even if Ryota gave him a plea, Seijuro still wouldn't let the boy did any photo sessions after 6 PM. Fortunately, every jobs he did never passed that hour, since Seijuro had declined every offer past that hours. Well, it was different when they were going to the shrine together at the new year celebration or even a dinner outside sometimes. Even though it was not more than 8 PM.
Rule #7: Do not talk to strangers in any kind of way. You should scream if they went too close.
This was one reason on why Seijuro stated firmly that they aren't supposed to be alone when they were going school, home, or somewhere. Maybe that was one reason why they started to learn martial arts. In few months they had received their own belts; yellow for Satsuki, orange with white stripe for Atsushi, purple with red stripe for Shintaro, brown belt with white stripe for Daiki, brown belt for Taiga, black belt with one yellow stripes for Tetsuya, black belt with seven yellow stripes for Ryota, and somehow, the highest of all, black belt with ten yellow stripes for Seijuro. Seijuro had learned it in the past, Tetsuya seemed enthusiastic to improve his weak body, and Ryota who could copy difficult moves easily.
Rule #8: Never talk about their relationships to anyone.
This rule was firmly stated by Seijuro and immediately agreed by everyone.
08:30 AM
Ashinaka Elementary - Class 2-A
After Shintaro commanded them to stand and bow, they sat themselves. Seijuro had apparently decided to put them in the same class, except Satsuki who was one year younger than them. It wasn't that late of February, but when their teacher announced a new transfer student, everyone cheered except Shintaro. However, when the new student came in, he felt oddly familiar.
This didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the family. Even though he looked no different like usual, somehow the children knew it.
"Good morning! My name is Takao Kazunari." A brown-haired transfer student said cheerfully which almost rivaled Ryota's. "Nice to meet you- Ah, Shin-chan!"
Daiki's eyes immediately opened up, Taiga turned his head abruptly, Atsushi was tilting his head, Tetsuya's expression was slightly changed, and Ryota apparently shocked by this. However, the rest of the class shouted 'eeeeeeeeeehh!?' which didn't help lowered the tension.
10:15
Ashinaka Elementary - Library
"Eeeeeehh!? Midorin-niichan's long lost friend!?" A loud exclaimed was heard; it came from a pony-tailed girl. Of course, the normal reaction was to immediately cover her mouth. Thankfully, the librarian was a bit daft and there weren't anyone but the six of them.
"Shhh!" Atsushi hushed her, but it seemed that he was still eating which resulted in snack crumbs were all over the place. Everyone shrugged it off like usual, though.
"But, but!" Satsuki whined. "Why don't Midorin-niichan said it to us?"
"Probably," Tetsuya spoke up, startling them. His expression was translated as 'I've-been-here-since-the-very-beginning'. "Midorima-kun isn't the type who would talk about the past."
"But, why that kid glued around Midorima since the first subject!?" Daiki gritted his teeth angrily.
Ryota frowned and looked a bit sullen too. "Yes, he didn't talk to me when I asked him too."
"Maa, he might have a reason." Taiga concluded before pinching both Daiki and Kise's cheeks. "It's not like you guys, frowning and fidgeting about."
"That's right. It's Midorima-kun we're talking about." Tetsuya reasoned. Satsuki had hugged him from the side. "...What I'm worrying about is Akashi-kun."
Frowning, Satsuki said sadly. "...Akashi-niichan... Why won't you tell us something?"
"That he's hungry?" Atsushi tilted his head. He was now eating potato chips.
"That isn't the case, Murasakibara!" Taiga retorted back which ended up being hushed with everyone. "I notice it too. He...isn't just sick, right?"
"No." Ryota answered automatically. Maybe that was because he was a good observer to begin with, though not as good as Tetsuya's. He continued sheepishly, "Well, I get a feeling that he's troubled by something."
"Jeez, at least tell us a bit clearly, Kise." Daiki folded his hands. "I'll confront him, then. Maybe he'll tell us if I ask directly."
"That's not good, Mine-chin." Atsushi replied flatly. "He won't answer it."
*TING*TONG*
"The bell." Tetsuya sighed before he continued. "Let's go back before everyone noticed."
"I haven't eaten anything..." Taiga mumbled weakly.
"Damn, I haven't eaten either!" Daiki ruffled his blue hairs wildly. "We'll continue discuss it after school. Kise, let Midorima knew about it!"
"Okay!" Ryota hesitated when he continued. "But what if he refused?"
"He'll go against us." Taiga replied him instead, added something in English. "A family of eight!"
Tetsuya corrected him immediately, "It's supposed to be 'the family of eight', you know?"
Everyone broke out laughing, hearing this innocent statement.
12:30
Ashinaka Elementary - Entrance Gate
"Hey, why are we here?"
"That's because you said that you want to spy on them, Aomine!"
"I'm hungry, can I go eat something?"
"You just ate something, Murasakicchi!"
"Ne, Tetsu-kun, why Midorin-niichan doesn't tell us anything about going outside?"
"I don't know too, Satsuki-san. But it's weird for Midorima-kun keep silent."
Unbeknownst to them, the two boys that they were spying now were already knew about their whereabouts. Chuckling like usual, Kazunari poked Shintaro's shoulder. "Hey, don't they know that they have been spotted since a while ago?"
"No," Shintaro mumbled then, a slight smile escaped his lips. "Since they're idiots, anyway."
"Hee, so they're important people to Shin-chan, eh?" Takao tilted his head. "Hmm, I'm glad, though."
"Don't call me 'Shin-chan', Takao." Shintaro stated coldly. "Why are you glad for someone you've met for just 2 months?"
Smiling sadly, Takao didn't answer his question. Though, he latter asked him. "Why does your last name still 'Midorima'? Do you get adopted?"
"N- Yes. He let me use my family's name." Shintaro almost said 'no', since he was picked up by Akashi with being adopted by Shirogane Eiji as the cover. Remembering the faces of the family, Shintaro couldn't help but smiling. He let out a brown paper with green ribbon on it. "I'll give it back to you, that paper from last year's tanabata. You left it," Shintaro hesitated by this, "For purpose, aren't you?"
"As expected of Shin-chan! Though, I don't know that you're still have it with you." Takao tilted his head, "Is your wish being granted by Kami-sama?"
*WOOO*WOO*WOOO*WOO*
Before Shintaro could reply him, the loud sounds of fire truck siren was heard. Somehow, his body trembled hard. Seijuro was still at home alone without anyone to watch him, but where was the fire anyway? It didn't come out from the fourth block, right? The old Akashi mansion was there, but that wasn't where the fire, right? Apparently, the children who were hiding just now had gone out. Their faces indicated worry as well, but none of them had a cellphone except that yellow-haired boy who looked frantically doing the call. Apparently the teachers went out to see the situation too.
"Hey, what is it?"
"Why is there a fire truck?"
"There's a fire at block 4!"
"Do you know where it came from?"
"Oh! The firefighter said from the old mansion!"
When they heard this statement, they started running without useless arguments after slight glances at each other. They need not to be told by, their family member and the one who gave them his hand was in trouble now.
Reply for Reviewers:
YAOIfangirl1996: Thank you as usual for reviewing :D Welcome back and sorry for the late update. I gave you a lot Kagami's mode on: mother hen this chapter, I hope you like it. Please enjoy :D
Gort: Hello! Welcome back as per usual~ :) Thank you for reviewing and yes, there will be only 8 chapters in this story. Well, I have a lot of stories that I have to finished by and such (it's still around GoM+Kagami). Though, I'm really glad that you like this story :D
Uchizaki: Hey, welcome to the Family~ Of course, they're not a normal family! They're already the family of eight plus one absent butler :D Not really, since the red-haired boy seemed reluctant at that :p But I think he'll let them on several occasions (which is often!).
vanillabeast: hello, welcome back! haha, but the baby one isn't just Kuroko, though :3 they're 8 of them~ hehe, please enjoy this chapter!
aschidnosekai: welcome back to the Family as always~ yosh, he is the father of Hyuuga, I hope you like him~ glad you like that chapter. after all, it was a giddy-giddy stuff so I thought that no one would like it ;) so! I made this another angst-giddy chapter, I hope you like it, though. who says that Kagami likes being taught by that killer teacher? lol, he's thankful at some point, though~
cancer718: welcome back to the Family! it's been a while, though :3 and nooooo, not yet the end, it's two more to go~ but seriously, your review made my day XD enjoy this chapter!
el Cierto: uwaaaaaaaaaaaah, welcome to the Family and thank you for reviewing (4 chapters, seriously!) I hope you enjoy this chapter~ I'm very happy to hear the long feedback (and unconditionally, your compliments!)~ This story is centered from Akashi's point of view, oh well, not too much, but yeah~ how about his characterization in this chapter? I hope it turned out fine too :3
Seicchin: sorry for the late update! thank you for reviewing and welcome back! this chapter had some school interactions just like you want~ lolol, you have to pass Satsuki's 'Trial for Marrying My Brothers' first~ I hope it turns out satisfying enough!
Went: welcome baaaaaaack~ okay, maybe not so fast, but here is the update! of course they're adorable~ though, I hope I have them as my brothers and sister XD well, that's the consequences of not being fed for several days. I hope I clear the confusion why Murasakibara ate too much. enjoy reading~
HelenMayson: he-eh, welcome back and thank you for reviewing as usual~ they are adorable indeed and I won't stop the giddy thingy until this chapter, though. the last conflict, I swear! hehe, please enjoy this chapter!
Shirotsuki: welcome to the Family~ and please don't cry :') it seemed that I've made everyone suffered too much, eh? this, I'm really sorry! I didn't do it on purpose, blame this mind of mine! DX well, at least Eiji (even though he always absent) was there to adopt them~ thank you for your well wishes, though :D sorry for the late update and enjoy!
Guest: welcome to the Family and aaaaaaa, I'm sorry for the late updaaaate :''( but I'm very thankful of your review, since I didn't know that there is people who checked it everyday like you. next chapter would be around 2 or 3 days from now, so you don't have to check it everyday :') enjoy reading!
For everyone who is reading:
Finally, it's done! Sorry for the late update, though. I'm sorry, but the exams had barely finished so I spent two days for holiday. I'm really sorry. And yes, the Family only consists of 8 chapters. This chapter mainly told you about Akashi's inner conflict and all. You know, staying in peace for a while would let him forget about his revenge. Next chapter would be very most important. Hehe, please wait two or three days for that chapter. At first, I'm going to add Himuro, but I'm conflicted by the word counts, so I didn't put it... Maybe later? And Akashi is in pinch! How can they help him, being mere six(s)? Pardon me if there are typo(s) or weird grammars (tell me the mistakes if you want!). Please review, if you like.