Summary: It's hard to believe that it all started with a simple note. Just one little piece of paper had the power to turn his life upside down, for better or worse, it has yet to be decided. Shounen-ai/Yaoi, Pairing AkaKuro.
Disclaimer: Un-betaed so sorry for any missed grammar mistakes and any OOC-ness but since they're not originally my characters that's bound to happen. Like everybody else writing fanficts . . I DON'T own Kurobasu and never will! -_-
AN: Well, its been awhile again. I tried to write this quicker, but well...procrastination took its toll on me. So, this was to be the last chapter but it ended up being a lot longer than what I thought so instead of having one really long chapter (this one is long too, but well...) , you get to have two! This means that there'll be one more chapter after this which will come out soon, I mean it this time. Also next chapter will show the winning results from the poll *wink wink* (thanks to those who voted in it, it really helped me).
~Chapter 6 - The Beginning ~
Kuroko was unable to move from the spot he was still standing at, as his knees had grown weak from the kiss earlier. Unable to support his weight any longer with out Akashi there to support him, his legs buckled from under him and without anything around for him to grasp in an attempt to stay on his feet he soon found himself sitting on the ground. His mind was a muddled mess unable to think of anything other than replaying what happened mere minutes ago, as his body still tingled with the feeling of being held. The feelings and sensations that lingered in him confused him greatly. Remembering the warmth that emitted from the other's body, the feeling of his hands weaving through his hair as they gently tugged at his blue locks, and the feeling of his soft lips against his. His face flushed a bright red from these thoughts as his mind and body refused to let go. He was desperate to get himself together, to forget of the feelings and the man who coaxed an unquenchable lust to stir up inside of himself.
Trying to get up, but still unable to get his legs to cooperate with him, having no other choice he continued to sit on the floor. Thankfully it was highly unlikely that anyone else would wonder outside and him in such a pitiful state, he allowed himself some time to relax and hopefully his leg muscles will start to work again.
The memory replayed in his mind, different scenarios of what could have been if only the moment hadn't ended and it would've continued came in and out causing him to want to experience all those sensations again and more. This was another first for him; for these feelings of want to emerge from the depths of his heart, to course through his veins, all brought on by this man, a man that he had just met. Besides knowing so little about this man, and the short amount of time that they were able to spend together that night, he couldn't take his mind off of him.
The way he made him feel, the way he looked with his red hair contrasting against his pale skin and seeming glowing in the darkness that enveloped them on the patio. He wanted to meet him again. But he has no way to do so, no way to contact him and the chances of them crossing paths again is slim to none at best. He always wanted to be able to meet someone who would light a fire in him, able to make him feel more. After seeing everybody else doing so, from strangers on the street to his own friends, he wanted to have someone special like that as well; but maybe he was being a little too desperate in this situation. Was he being to attached to this stranger? So starved for attention and affection that he can willingly cling to this person or what he thinks this person to be? It's too soon to think of anything else in regards to feelings and emotions that he was feeling at the moment as this experience was a first for him.
Being around a pervert like Aomine or someone like Kise who was constantly surrounded by countless fan-girls (and the occasional fan-boy), he never felt as he did with him. He often thought that maybe he hadn't met that right one or he was just emotionally repressed some how, or just asexual. But this man that he had hardly met, was able to stir feeling in him that no one else had. Maybe it was just a result of hormones that had yet to become active during puberty and reacted to the slightest touch, or maybe he was genuinely attracted to the man. He never considered himself as being gay, or even straight for that matter, he appreciated the attractive qualities of both genders, but never were really attracted to either of them.
'I really should be leaving soon. I think that I can make it now. I have to leave before they close the event down for the day.' Kuroko thought to himself as he tried once again to slowly ease himself off of the ground; however, those plans changed when the door leading to the patio opened and out came a familiar face that he had caught sight of earlier that evening and wanted to avoid if possible, which seemed to not be the case.
Kuroko sat completely still, hesitant to even breath, afraid that even the slightest movement would alert the other of his presence. 'Maybe the ground will open up and swallow him whole, or a meteor will strike him down before he notices me.' Nothing happened like he hoped, so he relied on his lack of presence to work on him again and allow him to go undetected. It was working as Kise turned his head from side to side, trying to peer around the vicinity in an attempt at locating Kuroko. He had no luck inside the venue as he couldn't catch sight of the familiar blue head of hair and no one else he asked was able to help out, as they too had no luck in locating the mysterious phantom. Just as Kise was about to give up and go home, as Kagami and Aomine had done so earlier after (they found the whole thing to be a stupid waste of time, thinking that Kuroko had probably already left and went home for the night), he caught a glimpse of the person that he had searched for the past hour sitting on the ground looking as though he wished to be anywhere but there at the moment.
Relief washed over him as his eyes landed on the small teal-haired man, but that turned to worry seeing that his friend was on the ground. "Kuroko-cchi!" Kise exclaimed as he made his way out of the door way and towards his friend. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" Kise asked in a flurry as he got closer, thinking that he was hurt in some way as to being the reason that he was on the ground for some reason.
"Kise-kun.." Kuroko started, before Kise could continue fussing over his well-being and not wanting to have to deal with him and his over-reacting personality at the moment. "I'm fine, its nothing." He continued, while attempting to prove his point on the matter and to dissolve the worry clearly showing on the other's face by getting up; however, as he got to his feet he soon found himself falling back to his earlier spot. He would have fallen on the ground again, if Kise wasn't there to catch him.
"Did something happen? Something is wrong, right?" questioned Kise, with concern lacing his voice, not understanding what could have happened to his friend.
"It's really nothing, my legs just fell asleep."
"That's not true! There's something wrong and you're not telling me! Did something happen, Kuroko-cchi?" he said really trying to get a response from the man in his arms that had fallen silent, not wanting to talk.
With a sigh he gave up on trying to get an answer from the man, he learned well enough over the years how stubborn Kuroko can be and if he doesn't want you to know something then you will probably never know. Kise then did the next best thing that he could think of, given the situation; he picked Kuroko up bridal style and walked away, ignoring his protest of being put down and that he was fine. He wanted to believe him, he truly did, but there was something in the way he acted and the look that flashed across his face when he first found him that led him to refuse believing what he was saying.
Nearing the road near the venue, Kise was able quickly hail down a cab, that was luckily parked along the road not too far away. Opening the door and placing the now sulking Kuroko inside the cab, he got in aswell, ignoring the strange look that the cabbie flashed him, and gave directions to his flat since it was closer and he didn't think that Kuroko should be alone at the moment. During the short ride Kuroko was silent and oddly enough, so was Kise, as he was too caught up in his thoughts to attempt to start up a conversation, and he doubted Kuroko would talk even when prompted.
Arriving at their destination minutes later, they both exited the vehicle, this time Kuroko walked on his own with Kise right by his side if he stumbled or almost fall like what happened earlier. Kise, however, continued to ask if he was already every so often during the short trip which annoyed Kuroko, but he let is slide as there was only a short elevator ride to the third floor of the building which Kise's flat was located. Kise opened the door, once the arrived, and they both entered.
" Would you like to take a bath first, you must be tired, or would you like some food?" Kise asked Kuroko as they made their way inside. "I can make something real quick if you want."
"I'm not really hungry, I'm still full from the food at the event; but I guess a bath would be nice."
"Great! Make yourself comfortable and rest some, while I get the bath ready for you," Kise said as he scampered off to ready the bath and fetch something that Kuroko could change in afterwards.
Not having anything else to do, Kuroko sat on the couch looking around the flat, which hadn't changed a bit since the last time he was there. It was still a mostly open space with minimum decorations and furniture, but it all reflected well on Kise's personality and job with the tasteful modern look of the furniture and decorations and colorful ascent pieces that were scattered around to liven up the place.
A few minutes later had Kise came bounding back to the living room to tell Kuroko about the bath being ready for him. He then proceeded in helping him up and showing him the way to the bath and where he could find the extra clothes; after which Kuroko had to practically force him out and lock the door, as saying that he was okay apparently was not good enough for him and that he didn't need any help with washing as he was perfectly capable of doing so himself.
Once done with his bath and dressed in the clean clothes that Kise had laid out for him, Kuroko made his way out of the bathroom and looked around in search of Kise who, in the time it took Kuroko to wash and dress, seemed to disappear to who know's where. Not feeling up to searching for the elusive blond, Kuroko took a seat back on the couch in the living room to wait for him to show up once again. As he sat waiting in the quiet environment on the soft couch, Kuroko began to doze off, but he tried to fight it. Sleep ended up winning in the end as the fatigue that had built up all day finally crashed down on him now that he was warm and relaxed from the bath he just took. A few minutes later, in came Kise, walking over to the couch after spotting Kuroko sitting.
"Hey, Kuroko-cchi-" Kise then drifted off as he seen that Kuroko was fast asleep on the couch, earning a small chuckle from the blond male.
Deciding that it would be best for Kuroko to sleep in the futon he prepared in his spare room instead of the couch, he gently picked the teal-head up and carried him off to the spare room, which wasn't a problem for him as Kuroko has always been small and weighed less that most people their age. Arriving at the room, Kise continued to the futon and gently laid Kuroko down on it; when going to pull up the blanket to cover him, he hesitated.
Looking at the male sleeping, though not an unusual sight (as he had seen him asleep from time to time over the years), was oddly transfixing this time. It might be the way he seemed to be sleeping so soundly, or the way the clothes (though were the smallest size he could find) were baggy on him and hung off of his frame at just the right places that he considered it alluring. The way that he slept, with his mouth slightly parted allowing small breaths to pass through his light pink lips, and the way his hair was slightly ruffled added to the sensuality that Kuroko exuded. The fact that they were in his house, it was his clothes the other was wearing, his soap and scent on the other, and it was his futon the other was sleeping on added to arousal that was building up with in the blond model.
Unable to restrain himself any longer, Kise leaned down and captured Kuroko's lips gently in a kiss. Relishing in the feel of the lips pressed against his, Kise pressed forward a little more, it was just like he had imagined, the way Kuroko's lips were soft and molded against his own was causing him to want more; however he pulled away, stopping now before he took advantage of his friend. Reaching one hand out to gently caress the side of Kuroko's face as the other brushed his bangs off to one side. Looking down at the man as a soft look appeared on his face, one of utmost love and affection, Kise then began to speak to him; he wouldn't have to courage to do so at any other time that now when the other wasn't aware of the words he was about to say. "Kuroko-cchi..." he started softly. "I love you."
"I've been meaning to tell you all this time, but the time never seemed right; you were either busy with a project or I was, but I wanted to let you know of my feeling so badly. Everyday I would wake up and think today's the day or I can do it, but that day had yet to come. You always say how you're jealous of my confidence, but I'm really a coward. I can't even tell the one I love, that I love them. I constantly push my feelings off to the side, not wanting to push them on you, and yet when I'm finally able to get the words out and tell you how I feel, you're asleep. It took until that day when you said that you had that admirer, for me to truly realize my feelings for you. I always thought that it was just platonic feelings, but thinking that someone else found you, seen what good qualities you posses, it took until then for my feelings to make full sense to me; realizing that they weren't feelings of respect and friendship, but those of amour. I love you. I know that you'll never see me as anything other than just a friend. No matter how many times I say this to you, nothing will change; my feelings won't and your's won't either, and honestly that hurts. I love you. I would rather have you in my life as a friend than to not have you there at all, which is why I'll keep these feelings to myself for now. Maybe one day I'll have to courage to tell you at a different time, but for not this is all I can do." He finished off, as he placed a tender kiss to his forehead.
Taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself some after having spilled his feelings, to the object of his affection, Kise slowly got up. Sparing one last glance toward the futon, Kise made his way to his room, after softly closing the door behind himself.
Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes belonging to the one in the futon opened as the door shut. He heard every word of Kise's confession, heard the serious yet soft tone the other used while addressing his feelings. Hearing the sincerity behind his words made his heart heavy. "How could I have not known of his feelings? I think of myself as being observant of others and yet I didn't know about someone who I am as close to as Kise-kun...I caused him so much pain over the years unknowingly. He really is a great person and deserves someone who'll love him back. I love him, yet I only see him as a friend like I always had, I can't reciprocate his feelings. If he can remain my friend despite his longing, then I can stay his as well."
"I'm sorry Kise-kun," he whispered into the quiet of the room, as he rolled back over with tears in his eye.
Despite how tired he was and how much he wanted to sleep, it would not come to him and instead he opted for at least trying to close his eyes in some semblance of sleep. Yet no matter how hard he tried to get his much needed sleep, he couldn't and just ended up tossing and turning the night away without any rest as his mind would not let him. Events from the past day kept repeating themselves in his mind, from the encounter on the patio at the art gallery to the confession he received from Kise. After hours of trying, he finally just gave up on the thought of being able to sleep that night.
He got up, fixed the futon, and went to collect his clothes (he would have to remember to return the borrowed clothes one day, after he washed them). Afterwards, he saw himself out of the loft, but not before finding a scrap paper and leaving a short note to express his gratitude to Kise for helping him. He didn't want to leave without saying anything, but he didn't want to disturb Kise's rest and he didn't think that he could face Kise just yet as the words and memory was still fresh in his mind. Easing his way out, he made his way out of the building and continued on home.
Since it was still so early in the morning, the majority of public transportation was unavailable, and having one of few cabs driving around notice him would be impossible, leaving the only choice left to him being to walk back home on his own. Luckily no one would notice him to mug him, and he didn't have much on him in the first place.
The walk back was pleasant, due in part to the nice weather which was mild despite the earliness of the hour and the quiet that surrounded him on he trip allowing his mind to wander and ease some of the tension that was still present in his body.
Finally after awhile of walking, he finally made it back to his apartment building, tired but otherwise unharmed. It was oddly quiet this time of the morning when he arrived, but not un-expectantly so, as most if not all the people who lived there would still be asleep. Opting to take the elevator this time, as all the walking really tired him out, he soon found himself on his floor. Coming to his door and locking it, he made his way inside and proceeded to his bedroom; after the walking he now felt that he could actually get some sleep this time around and went on to do just that. After laying down in his bed and getting comfortable, he had no trouble falling into a deep restful sleep, now that his body was worn out and his mind cleared up.
Several hours later, a small ray of light made its way through a small part in the curtains covering the large windows in the room. Grunting he turned over to try to avoid the glare from the sun that was threatening his continued rest. But it was in vain, as his stomach let out a loud grumble also deciding it was time to wake up; which reluctantly he did. Judging from the brightness of the sun, Kuroko guessed that it had to have been around noon, and looking at the clock on his bedside table confirmed this. Thinking that, that was enough sleep for one night, he got up and decided to do something about his grumbling stomach, as he figured out what he should do for the day.
After taking care of his usual morning routine, including taming his wild hair and getting dressed, Kuroko found himself in his kitchen trying to find something quick that he could have for breakfast, or well it would be considered lunch now. Looking around at the various things available, but not finding anything to his liking, he simply grabbed a piece of toast and decided to make a small trip to the convenience store around to corner to pick up some more food that he could eat that would satisfy his growing hunger.
Throwing on a pair of shoes he made his way to the store, after checking to make sure he had his wallet and keys. Showing up in the lobby of the building, he spotted Tanaka-san and her latest victim; catching her eye he threw a quick nod in her direction and continued on his way before she decided to change victims.
Outside was another nice day, as every day seemed to be this time of year, as the temperature was neither too hot or cool and the gentle breeze that blew softly ruffling your hair was nice and comforting as the sun's rays danced down warming you up. Enjoying his walk to the store as he felt refreshed that day, a lot better than he had for a while. That was probably due to the stress that had accumulated from fretting over the art gallery, but now that it was in the past, he can focus on other things. Those other things primarily being the previous night. Akashi and Kise; both of them weighed heavily on his mind, both for different reasons. With Kise he was worried about how their friendship might change, over the years it had remained the same, yet now that he shared his feelings, unknowingly, with him, he's not sure if he can go on like he used to with out his mind going back to the words that were quietly uttered with such emotion. Then with Akashi, the feelings that the other stirred up within himself had lessened some but his mind and body refuse to completely let go. If he lets his wonder for too long, the memory comes back and he's unable to think of anything else. He's not used to this, only being mostly ignored and just being one of the thousands that surround him on the streets, going through his daily life without having anyone take a glance his way; and now these troubling emotions are forced on him changing his look on things and although he can be somewhat happy over the situation, it's admittedly troublesome nonetheless.
He soon found the store to be really busy, as it seemed that many people happened to have the same idea that day and were looking for something quick to grab for lunch to then rush back to their hectic routine, as did he.
Returning back at his apartment building, he would've quickly made an escape to his apartment in hopes of evading Tanaka-san again, but remembering something he forgot to do the day before prevented him from doing so. Scanning the area quickly and not spotting the little old landlady around, he made his way to the mailboxes and grabbed his mail; which was quite a few letters present as it consisted of a two-day supply, which he would have to go through once in his apartment.
Entering again, he made his way to the living room, to finally be able to put some real food in his stomach, the toast earlier helped some, but was nowhere near enough for him. Sitting down he grabbed the bento out of the store bag and proceeded to eat it while the tv was playing a popular daytime show he's never scene before but didn't feel like changing the channel. After finishing up the food, he moved on to the letters, some weren't so important, just random circulars, and others were more so; until one caught his eye once again.
Again it happened, the letter that he had grown somewhat accustomed to seeing on occasion over the past few weeks. There standing out against the other mail in the pile was another letter from his admirer, still the same writing on the front, only this time it was thicker hinting that more was written this time other that the usual little slip of paper which consisted of a simple sentence or two at best. He carefully opened the envelope, curious about what the contents would say. Unfolding the papers that were present in his hands now, revealing that it was several pages long. Figuring that he had plenty of time to kill, he settled him self back and began to read the letter:
Tetsuya,
It was a pleasure in meeting you again, I hope that you found pleasure in our meeting as well. However as I write this letter to you, we have yet to meet, but now is as good a time as ever to write these words out in hopes of you later reading them. As you read this, I'm not sure if you'll have known my identity or have remembered me at all. I'm sure it has been strange for you to have received these few letters over the past few weeks without knowing who it was on the sending side of this. I want to explain it all to you now.
If you remember to what I wrote in the first letter I wrote you, I said something on the lines of :'We have yet to formally meet, yet I am drawn to you'. At the time of that I thought that it was the first time that we had met and I was taken in by you immediately; however that wasn't exactly the case. I didn't notice it at the time, but thinking back on it now I realize that we may have met before and never really took notice of the other, to us we were just another person, one that blended into the countless other face that were around.
We would often be at the same location as our work would overlap from time to time, but it would be that you were in one room and I would be in the one next door, we were often so close to one another, yet neither of us were aware of the other's existence. Even now, I'm the only one who knows of the other; but hopefully that would've changed by now.
The paths that our lives were on took a different track that would never intersect, they would run parallel but not cross until that one day. I often think now that what if we were to meet under different terms would things still turn out this way? Would I have still fallen for you, or would we already be together if we paid a little closer attention to the other, but I digress.
You are probably wondering about the day in question, it was awhile ago now, but I can still remember everything clearly, the day that you changed my life so to speak; that day started off as any other for me. Every day was the same, repeating endlessly, the same people, the same meaninglessness that I have grown so accustomed to with life. I wished for something to happen that could bring some change in my life, something that could add color to this monochrome world of mine that has a singular track; and that is in which I was able to meet you, not just the little almost encounters that happened in the past.
~Flash back~
'That's the last of that,' Akashi thought as he was finally able to put down his pen for the first time all morning. Stretching out his hand that cramped up some from all of the signing that he just got through, no matter how many times he does the same thing, he still found it tiring; maybe he should invest in a signature stamp, that would surely cut down on the time it took to go through all of the contracts that constantly piled up on his desk everyday, a never-ending mountain of paper.
Looking at the small clock that set on his large desk, he noted that it was now almost noon and he would soon be free for an hour for lunch until he would once again be back at the same thing and a few meetings with some of the clients that he had lined up for the day. A knock soon resounded through the office that he was in, alerting him to the presence of someone at the door; and in walked his secretary/personal assistant. He was a young man of around 25, who has been with him ever since he first started working in his current position at the head of a major advertising and media company, a few years ago. During those years, he proved his worth and was able to do any and all the tasks that Akashi requested of him, that he himself could not be bothered with, easily and efficiently. His name was Mayuzumi Chihiro, a tall man with gray hair and blank eyes of the same steely color. He was a serious yet plain man, who when not working, could often be found hauled up somewhere reading a book of some kind.
"Akashi-sama," Mayuzumi spoke monotonously as he bowed his head, after entering the office. "I came to gather the contracts that were sent to you this morning."
"As you can see, they're all done." Akashi offhandedly. "Has there been any changes to my schedule for the rest of the day?" he then inquired.
Mayuzumi paused in his collection of the neatly stacked papers, to retrieve his work PDA from his suit jacket pocket. Quickly opening up the day and scanning what was typed up for the day. "There are no major changes so far to your schedule, but the meeting with the Yatogami Group will have to be postponed to next Friday."
"Ah, is that so," said Akashi in response, making a mental note for later. "Then I'll be taking my lunch now."
"Yes, Akashi-sama. Have a safe trip." Mayuzumi said as he took his leave with the papers that would need to be filed away later.
After making sure everything was in place, Akashi took his leave aswell. Leaving his office he was greeted by the sight of many of his workers, still hard at work scurrying off here and there trying to finish work before deadlines were due. The few that noticed him in their haste, stopped and gave a small bow or words of greetings to the red-head as he walked, only to continue back at what they were previously doing.
Once outside of the building, he made his way to his lunch destination. Since this day was especially nice, he opted to just take the short stroll to one of his favorite nearby restaurants instead of taking his car as he would usually do. Ignoring the countless people that crowded around him, he made his way to the restaurant. People would stare at him as they passed or would purposefully part for him to pass as to not get in his way; he was used to such behavior as his imposing aura would often make people quake under his presence alone.
He found himself uncharacteristically not paying attention to his surroundings on his walk, as his mind wandered off to his work and thinking of the meetings to prepare for and what would need to be done later. It was during this time that he was reaching the end of the sidewalk and failing to see the 'do not cross' signal that was flashing red, he would've walked straight into traffic if it wasn't for a single hand tugging him back into awareness.
Snapping back to the present, Akashi took in his surroundings and looked down at the hand that he felt was still on him. Quickly brushing it off, the turned around to face the owner of said hand to demand an explanation for their actions and felt his anger leaving him as he came face to face with the bluest eyes he had ever seen. He usually would not pay much attention of people unless he needed to for an important person or for future reference; but he couldn't help but try and take in as much of this person's appearance as he could. Quickly scanning over his petite frame covered with smooth, pale skin, soft baby-blue hair gently resting atop fluttering gently in the light breeze, his small heart-shaped face, which added to his slightly feminine appearance, containing full lashes that framed the two jewel like blue eyes that captured his interest at first glance. Looking closer he appeared so emotionless, similar to that assistant of his, but not as blank as there were emotions swimming behind the emotionless façade; mainly being slight concern and questioning. Noticing this, he figured he must have stared for too long; just as he was about to open his mouth to say something, a soft melodious voice floated from the other male's parted his lips.
"I'm sorry to have bothered you, but it seemed as though you weren't going to stop and would have kept walking towards the traffic."
"No, it's quite alright. I didn't seem to be paying attention at the time, you have my gratitude." Akashi replied back, trying to sound genuine.
"It's fine, I'm just happy that I was able to help." The other said as he was about to continue on his way. Not knowing exactly why, Akashi reached out and grabbed him by the arm, much like the other did to him. As the other stopped and looked at him with a questioning gaze, Akashi let go of his arm not sure why he just did what he did, but knew he didn't want to part from the other like this. This was a first for him; he just met this person under strange circumstances and yet he wanted to remain with him, if only for a little while more. "If you don't have anything else planned, would you mind joining me for lunch?" he asked. "I want to express my gratitude for you that I'm not sure my words were able to convey."
Looking at the other with a gaze that made it seem as though he could see right through you soul. "I'm sorry, but I have important business that I need to tend to at the moment. Your words alone are enough of a thanks and no other actions are needed, I didn't do much." He replied giving a small bow, "now if you'll excuse me, I must be going." and he left, crossing the street leaving Akashi behind.
Akashi continued looking after the other who quickly disappeared into the crowd of those rushing to cross before the light turned again. He too had crossed the road at this time, not to follow the other, as he was headed the same way as well. I would be nearly impossible in this amount of people to spot the young man and nothing about the man stood out too much; he wore simple plain clothes, he doubt he would spot the other in a crowd like this, but he tried his best to keep an eye out in hopes of catching a glimpse of him again. Every time he would pickup the slightest hint of blue in his periphery, he would get his hopes up, yet it was all for naught.
After little more walking, he finally made it to he restaurant of choice. It was an American styled restaurant, one of many that popped up over the last few years, but this was one of his favorites. It was always quite busy, but seemed to have a table free whenever he showed up. Walking inside he was promptly seated at one of the single tables that lined the windows at the front of the restaurant, giving him ample view of the whole establishment and the street outside. Taking his seat, he waved off the menu and ordered one of his usual, which could recite by heart; a fillet of grilled mackerel on a simple side salad tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette with a green tea. The waiter wrote down his order and bowed before leaving to get his order filled.
A few minutes later, the waiter came back with the tea for him to sip while his food is being prepared. Sitting there waiting, Akashi thought back to the young man he met earlier, unfortunately, they didn't exchange names and would most likely never meet again; or that's what he thought until he caught a glimpse of a familiar head of blue hair in the corner of his eye. Turning his head slightly, he saw that he was right, It was the same male as earlier sitting at the bar sipping a drink while talking with a tall red-head with split brows; they were both talking and laughing, something he didn't think the blue haired man could do but was thankful that he could see the look on his face when he did so.
Thanking his luck, he was thinking about to getting up asking the other to join him, since they were in the same establishment, it didn't seem like it would be a problem; but the waiter chose then to come back with his plate of food, dropping it off he left with a small 'please enjoy the food' and left. Looking back at the bar where the other was, or at least should've been but noting now that the space was empty as both the blue and red-headed men have already left in that short period of time. Cursing his luck, he proceeded with eating. Resounding himself to eating his lunch alone, and finished to return back to his normal routine for the day, even though his mind would frequently travel back to thoughts of the blue-haired man when it could allow it.
~Flashback End~
From then, no matter how much I tried I couldn't get my mind off of you.
Looking at the sky that your eyes mirror, just little things like that was all it took to have my mind go back to thoughts of you; shortly after my heart would follow, beating faster as butterflies danced within my stomach. That is what led me to write the letters. At first it was just ment to be one, only one to get the feelings off of my chest and to help clear my head; but it soon turned to more, as you are aware.
I was never a patient person, far from it in fact, but for you I tried to change. I tried to become more patient, less commanding in hopes that when we meet again you would fall for me as hard as I've fallen for you. I've never been one to prioritize romance, never thought twice on the subject as things like 'falling in love' and 'love at first sight' were merely things from stories and movies, nothing that could happen in real life; I've lived my life until this time with that in my mind, but you managed to change all of that, you made me into the person that would give up everything just to have you by my side.
I can and have waited for what seemed to be the right time to make my feelings known and to have this interaction with you in hopes that you would remember me and develop some feelings towards me as well. I'm used to getting what I want and knowing what to expect next, but now, with you, I haven't a clue as to what you're thinking, how you feel, what you want to do. After reading this I can only hope or well assume that you'll feel things towards me as I do with you. Now it's up to you as to what happens next; and just know that:
Until the day we can speak face to face, I'll await your reply. So, until then, just know that I love you.
Akashi Seijuro
