Faster update than last time.
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Psst! This chapter contains my other OC in MTHE.
I do not own PoT.
Sapphire eyes examined the grip tape that hung on one of the shelves in the sports center. Lips curved up in a smile of satisfaction before purchasing it. Yukimura went out of the shop, a small plastic bag in tow. He decided that he'd go to the greenhouse to check some new plants and have some time with his cousin.
Summer vacation started and the heat was becoming unbearable as usual.
New plants of different species arrived, much to Yukimura's delight. The greenhouse was well ventilated, making it just suitable for the flowers to grow well.
"There it is! The new flytraps!" The black haired girl beamed with delight as she poked the plant's predatory leaf from behind.
The blue haired boy could only chuckle. "Avery, I don't know why you are fond of such plants." Who would even want to tend such plants? That's why, Yukimura liked hanging out with his cousin. He felt that if he understood how her mind works (because honestly, it's randomly working), then perhaps he could understand others better.
Avery raised the potted Venus fly trap almost a mere inch to his face. Yukimura took a step back, just in case a fly decided to choose that moment to pass by. "It's cool!" She beamed happily as if the plant's odd evolutionary adaptation didn't bother her. "Plus, insecticides contribute a lot to global warming. This can be a natural insect killer, don't you think?"
"But, wouldn't that look like you're insulting Atobe-kun?" Avery blinked in confusion, and waited for Yukimura to continue. "Someone like him will make sure that his house is well sanitized, don't you think?" He explained, and the girl's answer was a childish laugh. As if he was told that he was ridiculous.
Yukimura only smiled back. He never really understood her at times, but he liked it that way.
Avery placed the pot on the table beside her, a small smile forming on her lips. "But you know," Yukimura's attention was caught once again. "Though these things are hideous, he would still accept it."
And there was something genuine in her smile, unlike the half-hearted ones she usually gives. "Ne, Ave, how about inviting him to our summer festival?"
And that was how Yukimura spent his summer afternoon for the past days. In the greenhouse, tending some plants and having a small chat with his cousin, and then playing with his younger sister afterwards.
O~O~O
Emerald eyes focused solely on the red dot fifty meters away from her. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail to prevent it from obscuring her vision. She pulled the string with enough force as she gripped on the arrow's end tightly to prevent it from falling. She licked her lower lip in anticipation. When she deemed it was right moment, she let it go.
The arrow was launched at an amazing speed, and went straight towards the target. It hit the spot a few inches away from the red dot.
"There's still a long way to go, Kirihara." Makoto-sensei patted the girl's shoulder before going to the other station. "How about calling it a day?"
Akira wiped the sweat on her forehead and heaved a sigh. It was so close, and yet so far.
"That was close, Akira." Akira suddenly flinched when she heard the familiar voice coming from behind her. He wasn't supposed to be here. She turned to face the new comer with confused eyes. "Puri~" He added to his sentence amusedly.
"Masaharu-kun? What are you doing here?" She asked, almost in a hush whisper.
"Just dropping by. Yagyu and I agreed to meet thirty minutes from now." The silver head informed her. He examined her carefully, as if he was trying to convince himself that the girl before her is Akira, the same Akira that he hangs out with, the same girl that he usually tease, and the same girl who has an undeniably brother complex.
Akira let her hair loose, letting her hair cascade freely. She ran a hand through her locks with her free hand. "Masaharu-kun, do you want to get some drinks downstairs while waiting for Yagyu-san?" She offered, and Niou couldn't possibly say no to that.
Twenty minutes later, the two sat outside where an umbrella shielded them from the scorching sun. The seats inside the shop were occupied by people who wanted to get away from the heat.
Akira leaned her head against the cold surface of the glass table to cool off. She played with the ice of her mango juice, feeling sluggish.
Niou stared at her with amusement. There are times when he saw Akira focused, to the point that he would reluctantly approach her. However, he saw a different Akira when he decided to watch her archery lessons. It was as if she wasn't the Akira that he usually sees. It was a bit different. Her determination from that time was something far from the usual her. Her eyes were intimidating, fierce, and burning with passion. Even after she had released the string, everything about her was new.
But then, he decided to break his string of thoughts. "Contrary to popular belief," Akira looked up, eyes staring at Niou in bewilderment. "It's not in the temple where you can view the fireworks more beautifully." He stated out of the blue.
Akira sat straight, blinking in confusion. "Well, if you're the solitary type, the temple is perfectly fine. But the riverbed is really the best you know." She responded using her own logic. "The water reflects the fireworks, but it tends to be not appealing anymore if you can't enjoy the view all by yourself. Thus, the temple is preferable. That's part of being human... selfishness, perhaps?" She pointed out, and Niou was left speechless. He stared at her with his mouth hung agape, eyes widened by a fraction.
Niou chuckled, amused by the deep words she uttered. "Heh, I didn't know you're that philosophical, Akira."
Akira pouted. "It's not being philosophical, it's just simply stating facts." She murmured before she put the straw in between her lips and played with it.
Niou rose from his seat, a smirk adorning his lips. He fished out something from his pocket and casually threw it towards Akira. The small paper bag hit her head painfully and landed on the table. "Wear that on the festival. I'll be waiting by the temple."
Akira removed the item from the bag. It was a small box. Inside lies an intricately designed stick. Flowers and some jewels hung on the tip, making it more appealing. All that's left is the person who would wear it. "But you know I'm not the-" When she faced Niou, no one was there.
A sigh escaped her lips.
O~O~O
Akira was running late for her archery. She glanced at her watch as she turned to the corner only to stumble upon that slightly lifted tile that was always ignored. She closed her eyes as she shielded her head with one of her hands from the impact. The fall, however, didn't happen. She felt a hand grabbed her hand and pushed her back, preventing her fall.
"That was close," A familiar gentle voice entered her ears. Akira faced the owner of the voice, only to be welcomed by a familiar warm smile. "Kirihara-san."
Akira blinked as her mind registered the events that occurred. A smile made its way to her lips, greeting the man in return. "Yukimura-san!" She beamed happily.
Yukimura let go of her hand when he saw there was no need for his assistance. "You seem to be in a rush."
Akira glanced at her watch. "Archery has started." She simply told him as she turned her back on him to rush to the dojo. "Thanks for the help, Yukimura-san!" She was about to cross the street when a thought crossed her mind. She turned to the blue haired teen again. "Ne, Yukimura-san, would you like to watch?" She offered.
Yukimura blinked, considering the idea of actually seeing her hit a target again. The first time he saw her skills in archery was when she reacted without thinking and focused on saving a senpai from the archery club. The way her eyes changed was something that intrigued him. It wasn't like the time when she pointed at him and accused him of having been guilty on hitting Akaya with a metal door of the rooftop. There was something burning within those emerald orbs. Perhaps it was because something she loves so much was insulted.
And Yukimura wanted to see how far those eyes could intrigue him, so he nodded and caught up with Akira.
Akira went inside in a hurry. "There's a place designated for guests." She simply pointed at the area behind the row of archers.
When Yukimura turned to her once more, she had gone to change to a more appropriate attire.
He didn't notice when she had entered the dojo. The three kids on the far end of the row took his interest for a span of time. They were competing with each other, and none has any intention to lose. It was when an adult shouted her name that he was aware of her presence.
"Yes, sensei!" Akira stepped forward, raising her bow with one hand while the other pulled out an arrow from her quiver. She pulled the string towards her ear, still within eye level. She let out a breath, eyes focused only on the target, forty meters away from where she stood.
Yukimura went closer to her. She may look tensed at first glance, but he knew better. His eyes were good enough to notice that she was relaxed in a lot of ways. Her fierce expression was of pure determination, not even an ounce of hesitation was there. He did not dare blink at such a crucial moment.
And then she released it. The arrow flashed towards the board, and towards the side of the red dot.
The archers stopped with their chit chats and stared at the result. After they have realized that a few centimetres were still needed for it to be called a bull's eye, they went back to their own business and completely forgot Akira's existence.
"Almost near, Akira-chan!" The older person beside her said as she patted her shoulder.
Akira released a sigh. "Seems like it, sensei."
And Yukimura stared at her with bewilderment. His gaze travelled towards the area where the arrow landed and then back to Akira. She was the kind to be disappointed whenever the results didn't meet her standards. But then looking back at her, she wasn't showing any signs of it. Yukimura was sure that there weren't any a hint of regret in those eyes.
A smile reached his lips. He was glad that he accepted her invitation.
O~O~O
They sat by a well conditioned cafe that noon. Akira cracked her knuckles and leaned against the couch, letting the cool air take over her system. She took in the scent of the coffee beans, finding solace in it.
Yukimura peered at her from the magazine he was reading. A small content smile grazed his lips as he observed her. She hates the heat, much like someone he knows.
"Kirihara-san," Akira turned her attention to him. "Would you like to go to the aquarium with me?" He offered.
This time, it was Akira who nodded in approval.
An hour later, they were gazing at a cylindrical aquarium where jellyfish of different varieties floated. Akira poked the cold glass where a jellyfish lost its orientation.
Yukimura stood beside her, eyes focused on the varying colors in the water. He considered painting this particular moment. He glanced at Akira who seemed to be having fun. He intended to go with his little sister, however, their mother had other plans for her.
They proceeded towards the pool where a dolphin's show will be held. Yukimura glanced at Akira who was squirming on her seat with uneasiness.
Yukimura poked her cheek, and Akira gave a grin. "Is there something wrong?"
Akira shook her head. "No, it's just" She looked towards the pool where trainers were feeding the seals and dolphins for the show. "It's childish excitement, if you put it that way." Yukimura blinked in confusion. "You see, I haven't been in these places. There's a joy in knowing what you might experience and at the same time fearing what the outcome may be." She explained to him.
Yukimura chuckled in which Akira pouted. "I never thought of it as that when I came here the first time. You see," He leaned his arms on his lap and gazed straight ahead. "It was always the excitement that comes first."
"Aren't you scared that the outcome may not be what you wanted it to be?" Akira wondered.
Yukimura laughed, as if he was mocking her. "So you're that kind of kid, huh?" Akira's brows furrowed in anxiousness. "You're the type who only enjoys the experience based on the outcome.
Akira's mouth hung agape, eyes widening by a fraction. "Weren't you scared when you have to undergo some sort of operation, the what ifs bothering you as that fated day approached, Yukimura-san?" She asked, peering at him. "Isn't it the same?"
And Yukimura became more intrigued with her because at that time when he saw that there was a slight misdirection with her aim, she didn't look disappointed with the result. "But I saw the opposite when you were holding a bow and arrow." He pointed out, and Akira stared at him with confusion. "You weren't actually disappointed that time when your shot almost missed the target."
Akira opened her mouth to say some sort of rebuttal with regards to his last statement, but she couldn't find any reasonable response to it. And she'd be lying if she would say that she was feeling disappointed… because she didn't.
"I remember the first time my father took me here." Yukimura reminisced. "That was the first time I saw the loving side of him."
Akira casted her gaze aside, fists clenching on her lap. "So you were wary towards your father, Yukimura-san?" He nodded. "My father never really took me in places where a father would take their kid." She told him, leaning her head up and stared at the cloudy sky. "He would take me in his office, and sometimes to the meetings he would attend for me to observe after I turned six. He has a lot of expectations that he would like me to meet, so I have to work hard."
Yukimura stifled a laugh, covering his mouth with the back of his hand.
Akira glared at him. "It's true!"
He stopped laughing and whipped his head to the side to face her. "No, it's just, I'm amazed that you didn't have a lot of demands as a child, Kirihara-san."
His words bothered her more than it should.
O~O~O
One minute, Akira and Yukimura were walking under the heat of the sun with no choice but to bask in its heat. The next thing, however, was a downpour none had anticipated. Both were running to seek refuge to a nearest shade that could be found.
And Akira leaned her head up and stared the gray sky as she let the raindrops hit her skin, tickling her bare flesh with each drop. If she had been paying attention to her surroundings, then she would have noticed that her companion was already under the canopy of the shade of the bus stop. It was a refreshing feeling. She wondered why she didn't try to do this when she was a kid. She would only watch from her window how the kids in her neighbourhood enjoy the rain.
Yukimura's brows furrowed when he noticed that he was alone when he reached the bus stop. He looked around and found her, in the middle of the side walk with her eyes closed as if she was waiting for this moment to come. She was already soaking wet, and the rain was starting to get stronger. "Kirihara-san!" He called.
Akira was snapped out of her reverie. She shook her head, and jogged towards the shade. It was pointless anyway. She was wet even before they could seek refuge, so why bother rushing?
Five minutes later, Akira regretted doing something that kids do. Nowadays, one won't even see kids playing under the rain. It was all ridiculous, because she was shivering from the cold, and she wished that she should have done it at their backyard.
She embraced herself as she watched the paddles formed by the rain. "Damn it." She hissed as she tried to warm herself. She sat on the bench and blew warm air on her hands. Sleeveless shirts are useful in summer, but it won't be if there was an unexpected rain.
Yukimura glanced at her worriedly. "Kirihara-san," He sat beside her and did what she least expected him to do. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer to her to keep her warm. "This might not be a proper way of doing things but at least it will keep you from getting hypothermia." He stated, keeping his eyes off from her.
Akira looked down, cheeks heating up with mixed emotions boiling up inside. She was blushing madly at the contact. This was the second time she was embraced by someone who is not related by blood. "Will an angry mob who planned to go fishing attack the poor weather man because of this just like in the cartoons?" She asked, trying to let herself forget that she was being hugged by Yukimura Seiichi, her school's heart throb.
Yukimura chuckled. "I'd bet that those who were stranded like us would be the majority of the angry mob." He entertained her conversation starter. Besides, what sort of twisted world would permit a bunch of angry mob with stakes and torches to attack a poor weather forecaster if everything in this world cannot be proven by science alone? "Would you like to start forming one now, Kirihara-san?"
Akira laughed. "Nope, I'd rather not." She answered.
O~O~O
Akaya scratched the back of his head as he looked at Niou warily. "Yes, senpai."
Niou's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Akira is not the type to carelessly let herself be sick." He stated, as if Akaya doesn't know about that thing. "She loves her grades so much that she'd protect herself from getting sick." A sinister smile appeared from his lips.
Akaya was getting afraid every second. So he did what his human instincts told him to do. He slammed the door shut. "Nee-san is really sick, senpai! When buchou brought her here, she was sleeping and with a high fever!" He shouted.
Niou blinked in confusion, and knocked twice. "Akaya, let me in, I want to see her."
Akaya calmed down when he heard Niou's request. "Okay." He opened the door and stepped aside to give him way. He led his senpai to Akira's room, knocking twice on the door.
"Nee-san?" He called, waiting for an answer. "Niou-senpai came to visit you." No answer. Akaya opened to door of her room. Niou peeked from behind Akaya.
Both men came inside the room only to find her lying on her bed, a small wet towel on her head and her blanket in disarray.
Akaya rushed towards her bed and arranged her blanket for her. "Nee-san's fever went down this morning. If she gets enough rest, she could recover by tomorrow."
Niou was disappointed. The festival will be held tonight and he got things planned. A sigh escaped his lips. "I will be watching the fireworks alone this year, huh?"
"Sorry, Masaharu-kun." Akira whipped her head to the side, holding the towel on her head to prevent it from falling. "I promised you and yet,"
"Nee-san!" Akaya exclaimed in surprise.
Niou gave a smile. "It's all right. Don't worry about it. Just focus on getting better, okay?"
Akira smiled as she watched him leave the room.
O~O~O
Niou sat on the temple stairs, head leaned up and waited for the fireworks display. He planned on going home already but then, Marui and Yagyu plotted something to make him stay, and still, he can't believe he can't do anything about it.
But then, he doesn't have anything better to do at home, so what the heck. A bag of sweets lay beside him and two teddy bears that he won in one of the target shooting booths.
The team decided to watch fireworks by the river, and Niou negated, telling them that it's better if they watch by the temple. Marui came up with a stupid idea of compare and contrast, and he found himself alone in the temple, because they preferred watching it by the river.
If Akira didn't catch a cold, then she would be sitting beside him. If she wasn't sick, then he wouldn't bother buying those sweets and wait for tomorrow to come to give those to her. If she was able to come to the festival, then he would have known what prizes she would like to have and not rely on his knowledge on her preferences.
Because he planned everything for that night… for their date that everything was different without her by his side. He couldn't even buy something for himself because he would think of buying something for Akira.
Niou heaved a heavy sigh. He glanced at his watch, impatience overwhelming his senses. He just wanted to get this night over with, and go home to sleep. Just five more minutes and the fireworks will end his suffering.
Four minutes more, and Niou was tapping the screen of his phone, expecting some sort of call or what so ever.
Three minutes to go, and Niou looked up the starry sky with boredom.
Two minutes and Niou already decided to ditch watching the fireworks.
One minute and he was leaving the temple but stopped midway when he saw someone running towards him. A blue yukata, with the familiar head dress glistening in the moon's light. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Masaharu-kun!" Akira waved at him as she hurried her pace. "Sorry I'm late!"
Niou didn't know how to greet her. Feelings of happiness, surprise, disbelief, anger, and confusion were bubbling up inside his chest. She stopped in front of him, panting. "Akira…" She looked up and he got a better view of her. Her usually cascading black hair was tied up in a bun held by the crafted chopstick he gave her. Her blue floral yukata was stunning.
It was a wish come true… but still. "Are you out of your mind?!" Niou snapped, holding on her shoulders. "You should go home and rest!"
Akira pouted. "That's it?" She snarled. "After all the trouble I have gone through, all I get is scolding?" She crossed her arms stubbornly, and huffed. "I'm not stupid enough to go out of the house if I am still not feeling well, you know!" Then, she faced him with a smile. "A promise is a promise, isn't it?"
Niou's gaze softened. He let go of her shoulders and he laughed. Yes, he thought as he clutched his sides. "You're out of your mind." He stated.
Akira opened her mouth to have her comeback but was interrupted when different colors burst out of the night sky.
Again, thank you to lilybunnyboo18 for checking this chapter (what will I do without you?)
Oh, and check out my new oneshot dedicated to lilybunnyboo18, Merit in a Canvas (Otori Kyoya x OC) if you have time.
