Chapter 6: The story of the past and love letter.

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"Akashi? Is good to see you here."

Akashi is about to walk out of the school main building when he come across Kiyoshi. He was wearing an advertisement board that flank him, make him kind of look like sandwichman. It sems like he was take a part as his class personal walking billboard after he accidentaly destroyed the poster.

The older brunette beamed smiling face suddenly turn into frown when he realize Akashi prepare to leave.

"Aw, are you leaving already?" Kiyoshi asked, sounds a little dissapointed.

"Yes, it was fun, thank you for inviting me." Said the crimson haired male while smiling, expressing his gratitude.

"I wish you would stay a little longer…" Kiyoshi let out a sigh.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to miss my train. I have to go back to Kyoto for school tommorow." Akashi politely decline.

Kiyoshi eyes widened at the realization, he seems to forget that Akashi had to come all the way from Kyoto. "Ah, that's right! Sorry for the trouble of made you come all the way here…" The brunette scratches his head in apology.

It would be a two hours trip from Tokyo back to Kyoto with Shinkansen.

"It's alright, I have come here because of my own decision after all." Akashi shakes his head and smiling.

"Ah, Kiyoshi-san, Akashi-san." Furihata greet them when he saw them on his way back from the classroom.

"Ou, Furihata! You're also going home?" Kiyoshi waved cheerfully at his junior.

"Yeah, after I showed my classmate my regular check-up from hospital, they agree to let me go home early." Furihata nodded then turn at Akashi. "Eh? You're not going to leave together with Kise and Aomine?"

"No," Akashi shakes his head. "I am sure Kise will drag me along with them to random place, it'll be a waste of time and I need to get back to Kyoto soon, so I just leave them a message."

Certainly, judging from his behavior Kise had quite a list of plan to do today after he satisfied wandering around Seirin culture festival. He and Aomine probably will drag Kuroko and Kagami along.

"Want me to walk with you to the train station? My house it's in the same direction after all." Furihata offered.

"I'll be glad to have some companion, thank you." Akashi nodded, appreciating Furihata kind offer.

"Hmm…it seems like you two had become closer." Kiyoshi said when he saw the development between Furihata and Akashi relationship. The two of them was never talked with each other before the winter cup.

"Is that so?" Furihata and Akashi stared at each other. "Ah, probably because we meet often this past month." It's true, they've been met quite often.

"Then, we'll be on our way Kiyoshi-san." Furihata said as both of them headed toward the front gate.

"Yeah, see you on Monday, Furihata!" Kiyoshi waved cheerfully at them before resume his duty.

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"Ah… this park…is sure bring back the memories…" Furihata commented as they passed a park on their way to the station.

Like any other park in the urban area, that small park accessible to general public. Although it was too small for any physical activities, it served as a place to sit outdoors and children playground.

Considering there are many recreational equipment such as the seesaw, merry-go-round, swingset, slide, jungle gym, chin-up bars, sandbox, spring rider, monkey bars, overhead ladder, trapeze rings, playhouses, and mazes.

There are two vending machine and a trash can beside them installed in the middle of the park next to one bench.

"Memory?" Akashi raised his eyebrow in question after he heard Furihata statement.

The brown haired male nodded and start reminiscing. "Yeah, this is the place where I met him…"

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Furihata was on his way home when suddenly the snow start pouring down. They had to cancel their plan for playing outside today because of the upcoming snowstorm. For elementary school student, storm days was a very boring day. They stuck in the home doing nothing or being forced by their mother to do their homework.

The brown haired boy opened his blue colored umbrella to shelter himself from the snow.

"I hope it would be sunny tomorrow!" Said the young boy as he walked thorough the shopping district. If tommorow is sunny, they can play with the snow to their heart content.

When he passes the park, he was distracted by unusual view.

There, in the middle of the park, a figure of a lone kid sitting on the bench. He seems in his age or even could be younger.

The first thing young Furihata notice was the hue of crimson color hair the boy had. He wears a black formal suit, a suit with formal red tie and black short pants and black socks with leather shoes that seems really expensive.

Although, his clothes was covered with white subtances from relentlessly falling snowflakes from the sky above.

In one glance, Furihata can tell that he probably come from rich and prestigious family from the way he dressed

His was couching and his eyes covered by his long bangs, somehow he looks really upset over something.

But…why would someone like him sitting alone in the park bench in the middle of the heavily snowing day without anyone accompany him. It was pretty odd, thought the little boy.

Out of curiosity, Furihata decide to greet him.

"Are you…alright?" He asked after he gotten closer enough to put the umbrella over the red haired boy head, sheltering him from the snow. He flinched a little when Furihata greet him, either out of the cold air or the sudden greet of a stranger. Furihata goes with the later.

"…" Still he didn't give Furihata response but he slowly raises his head to meet Furihata face.

Lifeless red crimson orbs meet brown hue orbs twinkle with curiosity. His face was emotionless but tears running down from his eyes through his cheeks.

"You're crying! What's wrong? Is your stomached hurt? Are you hungry?" Furihata automatically became worried and asks him many questions despite know nothing about the boy before him.

The red haired boy raises his palm and stroking his own face and then he seem a little surprise when he found running tears there. "Eh…? Why…?" He whispered in hollow voice. Apparently, he was not noticing it himself that he had been crying.

He return his glance once again to Furihata "Why am I crying…?" he asked once again with lost and insecure appeared on his feature.

That event was happened on the summer of his fifth grade and until now, even he can't clearly recall the boy face anymore. He still remembers him.

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"It such a long time ago…I've never seen him again though…" Furihata closed his eyes and put his hand inside his pocket. "I wonder where is he and what is he doing now…"

"If what you said is true, then…the boy you've met at that day would be me."

"Eh?" Furihata slowly turn at Akashi give him a confused expression at his sudden remark.

"It's true, I clearly remember the event of that day."

"You're got to be kidding me…" Furihata frowned."How can that possibility exist?! We're not living in a small world!"

"It's more like coincidence," Akashi lightly chuckle. "I did remember a boy talk to me but I can't recall his physical appearance clearly."

"But, why are you sitting alone that day in the middle of freezing cold weather?"

Akashi became silent when he heard Furihata question. "Are you…running away from home or something?" Furihata asked, thinking that maybe the reason and Akashi was ashamed to admitted it out loud.

"Well…you can say so…" The crimson haired male nodded after a while.

"Heeh…" So rich kid can actually run away from home too? Furihata thought a little surprise. "Why? Are you having fight with your parent?" He asked again, make it sound like light jokes.

He remembers around that time, many kids are often runaway from home whenever they had fight with their parent only to end up in their friend house and stay overnight there.

There are bunch of immature kids like that. Furihata felt good to know that Akashi was also facing the same problem as the rest of them. Rich or not, kid will always be a kids.

"It's not…exactly a fight…" Akashi murmured faintly almost in whispers. "That day…was the day of my mother funeral…"

I was wrong! Furihata become really nervous and speechless at Akashi sudden confession. He never thought the reason would be something that heavy! Now he felt guilty for what he said before.

Akashi inhale a deep breath before said.

"Hey…"

"Y-yes?!" Furihata immediately answered although the surprise in his tone sounds like he's been spaced out for quite a while.

"Do you remember when you asked me the question the reason of why I wanted to play basket in the first place?"

Ah…that time… Furihata blinked when he remember they're conversation in the hospital ground.

"I want my mother to praise me…" the crimson haired male smiling sadly as he stared to the sky. "That was the reason why I decide to play basketball in the first place…"

Akashi-san…always seems so strong. Furihata thought back at the moment he witness him standing on the court.

He somehow give an impression that he is invincible…At first sight, Furihata can't believe that someone like him was the captain of generation of miracle. His build seems smaller compared to the others except Kuroko.

But he quickly understand how much fearsome Akashi can be the moment he laid eyes on him. Because of that Furihata came to respect him, even admire him.

However…when he remember Akashi crying face, he seems so fragile, like he would break on slightest touch.

How can someone look so strong but also fragile at the same time?

It was the question that Furihata somewhat understand he wouldn't ever get the answer.

Given his position, Furihata know almost nothing about Akashi Seijūrō. This person had multiple personality, he knew that much. From what he heard from Kuroko, Akashi came from good family. His father was one of the top director in a foreign capital company and although he is really rich he wasn't snobbish at all. At least in middle school he doesn't discriminate and treat everyone equally well.

That mysterious side of him probably the reason that spark Furihata curiosity.

And now, here he stand. Hearing the confession that Akashi probably never told anyone else before.

What was he suppose to reply? Is it alright for him to reply?

"Then…that means you really love basket ball." Furihata muttered. He understand, compared to Akashi reason of playing basket ball his reason sounds pretty mundane, even insignificant.

He suddenly feel like an idiot for being depressed that much just because his love confession was rejected.

Furihata raised his head and found Akashi stare at him with unblinking eyes.

"You're playing basket because it held a memory of your mother, isn't?" The brunette began scratching his nape, suddenly felt nervous when Akashi stare intently at him.

"I…I think…that must be really precious to you…so you shouldn't just give it up like that…" Furihata took a deep breath and close his eyes. "Kiyoshi-san said to me that I'm a precious member of Seirin basket ball team,"

He remember the talk he had with Kiyoshi when the male visiting him in the hospital.

"I'm really happy, I am glad that I decide to join basketball club. Because of that I can meet with everyone, all of them really a kind people… they consider good-for-nothing me as a precious member…"

Furihata opened his eyes and turned toward Akashi with a wide grin. "You also had people that you consider as precious team member aren't you? They were waiting for you."

Furihata words had struck him speechless. The brown haired male already turn his back and moving forward saying that 'it's getting late and they should arrive to train station soon' so he didn't saw the dumbstruck expression on Akashi face.

*Thump*

Akashi blinked and put his palm before his chest when he feel his heartbeat slightly faster. He slightly confused for he never felt anything like that before as he watch Furihata backs getting further and further away. The feelings was disappeared within a second make Akashi wonder was he only imagining it?

He shakes his head to dismissed that peculiar thought before raising his pace to followed the brunette ahead of him.

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"Thank you for accompany me to the train station, Furihata." Akashi turn at the brown haired male when they finally arrived on his destination.

"It's not a problem, be careful on your way back." Furihata waved at the crimson haired male who smiled in reply at his gesture.

"You too, becareful on your way home." Said Akashi before he walked past the station gate.

"Then, see you next time."

"Yeah, good bye."

With that short conversation, they exchange farewell.

But Furihata stayed on the place he standing, watching Akashi's back until he out of his sight.

He raise his hand toward his chest. He felt that strange feeling of pain again, the similar feeling he had back then when he being interviewed by the reporters.

What…is this throbbing feeling inside?

He decide to shrugged it off, mostly because he confused and didn't dare to asks himself further.

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Few days later on Monday

Furihata still feel sluggish from morning drowsiness, he yawning as he walked over his shoe locker to change his shoes.

Today we have a P.E class in second period huh? What a hassle… He about to reach his indoor shoes and his eyes widened at the sight of pink envelope inside his locker.

This…

This is…

This is Love letter isn't?!

With trembling hand Furihata took the letter out of his shoe locker. No one ever confessed to him before, he examine it closer as he walked toward his classroom.

Wait! Don't get too riled up! There is still possibility, this is only a prank from someone! Someone want to mess with me! First I need to discuss this with Fukuda and Kawahara!

"You've got a love letter?!" Both Fukuda and Kawahara shouted at the same time, seems incredibly astonished by the fact Furihata receives a love letter.

"Keep your voice down!" Furihata muffled both their mouth with his palms so they won't make any more ruckus. He doesn't want the whole class know he got a love letter.

"S-so, what it's say?" Fukuda seems very eager to find out about what kind of girl that actually send his friend a love letter.

"E..eh…I haven't read it yet…" Furihata shakes his head nervously. To tell the truth, he embarassed if he had to read it by himself.

"Then, let's read it together!" Fukuda snatched the letter from his hand and opened it.

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Dear Furihata Kōki-kun

The first time I've notice you was when I saw you at the Winter cup against Kaijou. I think that you're really cool back then. After that I've begin to take notice on you and slowly start liking you.

I've been trying to find a way to express my feelings for you so I decide to write it in this letter. I want to meet with you and confessed properly after school in the rooftop. Will you meet me there?

Sincerely,

Tanimura Kyoko

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"So…it's Tanimura Kyoko, isn't?" Furihata raised his eyebrow at the unfamiliar name. He don't remember ever meeting someone like that in his class.

"She is the girl from the 1-b class right?" Kawada asked.

"I heard she is quite pretty, you're so lucky!" Fukuda elbowed Furihata sides playfully.

"You know, I think this is a fake love letter…why would this girl suddenly confessed to me? We never met or talk even once! It might be a prank from some guy from their class using her name!" Furihata seems really determined to find the culprit behind the fake love letter.

"Don't you think there is possibility the love confession turn out to be real?" Kuroko sudden appearance startled the three first year as they're literally standing from their seat.

"Uwaah! Kuroko! Where did you come from?! Don't startle us like that!" Furihata stare at the light blue haired male with wide eyes and gaping mouth.

"I've been here the whole time." Kuroko instantly replied and Seirin three bench-warmer members can only sigh at his nonchalant reply.

"She asked you to come and meet her, right? Why don't you see her for yourself before you decide it's fake or not?" The blue haired male throw a casual remark when Furihata got back to his seat.

"B-but…what if it turn out to be a joke? I'll make a fool out of myself!" The brunette greatly disapprove the idea. He don't want to take a risk if this event turn out to be some type of bullying.

"It's alright, Kagami-kun will beat up the culprit." Kuroko assure him with a firm tone.

"No…I don't think it's a good idea to involve him in this matter…" Furihata shot down the idea. He doesn't want Kagami getting suspended because he got into a fight that doesn't have anything to do with him in the first place.

"Just do it, if this confession turn out to be real you'll get your long awaiting girlfriend." Kawashima said, agree with Kuroko opinion.

"That's right Furihata, you should consider it! And if it turn out to be real, can you ask her to introduce some of her friends to us?" Fukuda asked, his tone filled with hope.

Furihata seems confused, but the temptation of the possibility of getting a girlfriend is too hard to resist. After a while he took a deep breath.

"Then, I'm going to see her in the rooftop after school!" Furihata finally decided.

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End of chapter 6

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A/N :

Yes! Finally, I can write this plot twist! It's been in my head for 3 months already! I'm glad I can finally write it ^^

Furihata finally got his long-awaited love confession! I can finally bring this story to enter the beginning of the climax part!

I'm sorry that their first encounter is not a romantic one, I've been planning this from the start. Furihata and Akashi first meeting is taking place at the day of Akashi's mother funeral.

Thank you very much for everyone that followed and support this story until now ^^