We are about halfway through the story. The Winter Cup may have ended, but not this story. Please read on! -Soranryu

Beeeeeeeep! "Seirin!" Hearing the referee's declaration, everyone burst into cheers. The Seirin members even had tears in their eyes. We lost, was what running through Akashi's mind, so this is defeat…How horrible…It pains the heart indescribably…I don't think I can keep my calm when we line up. He then started walking to Kuroko, However, that is why I think…I'm glad I've been playing basketball, and I'm glad I was able to cross paths with you…

Raising a hand out towards Kuroko, Akashi offered a smile even as tears rolled down his cheeks, "This is a victory for you…No, for all of you. Congratulations. And prepare yourselves…Next time, we are the ones who will win." Kuroko stepped up and took his head, "Yes. Let's play again. Next time, the time after that…many times over."

After the lining up and award ceremony, they all headed back to the waiting room. ""Bummer, we lost…" Kotaro said dejectedly. "Well, but it was fun, wasn't it? And there's still next year," Reo patted him on the shoulder. Kotaro nodded and he perked up again, "Right!" Then, they just went ahead to talk about the game. It was frustrating that they lost, but it was a game they really enjoyed, so they can't help but talk about it.

"Where's Flame?" Mayuzumi's voice suddenly cut in, pausing their conversation. Nobody knew, so they started panicking and picked up their pace. When they opened the door of their waiting room, they saw her there smiling at them, "Good work!" She then quickly offered the coach a seat before turning back to them, "Go and shower while we pack up."

Knowing that they won't have much time to stay in the stadium, they quickly headed off for the showers. When they returned, Flame briefly massaged their limbs to reduce the aches. Once she was done with each of them, she gave them a hug, "I'm sorry that you guys didn't get 1st place." Her words were all they needed to turn on their water works, and soon each of them was crying their frustrations out silently.

Flame alternated between them as she comforted them, offering them brief hugs before moving to the next. Even though Akashi is her boyfriend, the other four are her friends as well, so there's no way she could leave them alone. She just silently switched between them until their tears dried up. "Thanks a lot, Flame-chan!" they thanked her, wiping their tear tracks away.

She gave them a brilliant smile, happy that they were feeling better. When she went back to Akashi, he grabbed her and sat her down on his lap, clasping his hands tightly around her. "Seijuro, let go!" she laughed as she struggled. "No," he stated, "Tell me why you cheered for Kuroko." She stopped and looked down, "You know very well why I did."

Hearing the sadness in her voice, he relaxed his hold and rested his chin on her shoulder, "You're right; I do know. I'm sorry, Flame." Accepting his apologies, Flame turned and leant her head against his chest, "Welcome back, Seijuro…" "I'm back," he whispered back, planting a kiss on the top of her head. "Aww, you two are so cute," Reo gushed, looking like a proud mother. "Reo-nee, hurry and take a picture!" Kotaro urged, already taking out his phone.

Click! Just like that, the pictures were taken before the couple could react. "Guys…" Flame whined, "delete those, please?" "No way! They're precious!" Reo and Kotaro refused, clutching their phones close. "Send them to me please, Mibuchi," Akashi joined in, already taking out his phone. "Sure thing, Sei-chan! Oh, and it's okay to call us by our first names!"

"Seijuro, not you too!" Flame huffed, "I hate you guys." "We love you too, Flame-chan!" Reo shot back, tapping on his phone, "Okay, sent!" Akashi's phone vibrated a second later, "Alright, I got them." Just then, the coach cleared his throat to get their attention, "Is now the time to be fooling around?" Hearing his words, they all quietened down, "Our apologies, Coach." The coach sighed, "Apologies accepted. We just have to be better next year."

He then stood up slowly, "For today and tomorrow, I guess you guys can have a break." They looked up in surprise at his words before cheering, "Thanks, Coach; you're the best!" With that, everyone quickly left the stadium to grab dinner. After a quick dinner of fast food, they went their separate ways, Flame following Akashi.

Leading her to a nearby park, he decided to take a night stroll. "Aren't you tired, Seijuro?" she asked softly. He shook his head and led her to the pond, where they sat on the bench. "Seijuro…" Flame murmured as she leant against him, "Your father's not going to be happy…" "I know," he simply said, staring into the water. On cue, footsteps sounded from behind them, "You have failed, Seijuro."

"Father," Akashi greeted without turning around while Flame stood up quickly to offer a bow. The older male ignored her and focused only on his son, "You will withdraw." At that, the younger Akashi stood up and faced his father, "I will not." "Do not disobey me, Seijuro. I say to withdraw and you will," the older Akashi demanded, a trace of anger in his voice.

The two of them stared at each other, neither are backing down. "I will not. Basketball is something Mother left behind before she left; I will not give it up," Akashi spoke steadily, his voice controlled. "I am your father, so obey me! Or else, you will no longer be my son!" the older male raised his voice, angered at being disobeyed by his son.

"So be it," Akashi said nonchalantly, "When did you ever played that role?" At that question, the older Akashi fell silent. It's true that he hardly spent any time with this son of his. Being the head of the Akashi family meant a lot of responsibilities, so he hardly has time to spend with his wife and son. The only thing he ever did was provide Akashi harsh lessons, a shelter over his head and money. But all these were necessary because he only has this one son who would carry on the Akashi name.

"That's it!" Flame exclaimed, "I'm sick of this!" The rage in her words shocked both males. The older Akashi looked at her and he vaguely remembered her as the senior of the Generation of Miracles. She was his son's lover as well. "Akashi-dono," she turned to him with hate-filled eyes, "Is this what a father should do? A father is the pillar of the family, providing support to the family. Sure you did that, but where's the emotional support?

"All you did was force Seijuro to do what you want him to do. Have you ever asked him for his opinions? Even if Seijuro accepted everything quietly, does it give you the right to rob him of his freedom? He is a person too, one with flesh and blood, one with feelings! He isn't your doll, so stop treating like he is! He gets tired and craves for freedom as well, so why don't you let him rest?! Nobody is perfect, not even you. So stop trying to make him! If you really want a perfect son, go and find a robot to take over Seijuro and let him off!" At the end of her outburst, she panted hard with tears rolling down her cheeks.

She then stepped in between them and spread her arms wide, "If you aren't going to treasure him, I will take him away, even at the cost of my life!" "Flame…" Akashi muttered, love filling his heart. "You sure are brave, aren't you, to stand up to me. Fine, do whatever you want, but if you fail once more, I will have the final say," the older male turned away after saying and left.

As soon as he was out of sight, Akashi pulled Flame to him and kissed her deeply, conveying his love for her. "You really are the best, Flame," he smiled at her after breaking off the kiss. "I'm serious," Flame stated, looking into his eyes. "I know that. That's why, thank you," he said and embraced her. "We won't ever let you go," both he and his alter-ego promised.

In the car, the older Akashi looked at the embracing couple. How dare a commoner stand in his way. Even though her words were the truth, he wouldn't let it slide. Enjoy this while you can, Seijuro, he thought in his head, before instructing his chauffeur to drive away.

So Akashi's father is the "antgonist"...since I'm not that smart to come up with assassination attempts against the Akashi heir. I'm sticking to the more logical problem heirs like Akashi tends to face. -Soranryu