家出皇后
ーThe Runaway Empressー
*第36章 *
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— 木曜日 (20xx年2月12日) —
** Wakayama, Japan **
和歌山県、日本
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Akashi was conscious of the warmth emanating from Kimiko's bare skin underneath his fingertips, his hand at the small of her back as they stood at the top of the grand staircase leading to the magnificent ballroom down below. As their names were announced, he felt her mild hesitation at the way everyone seemed to pause and look at them with varying expressions.
"A moment please, Akashi-san," one of the photographers called, and Akashi adjusted his hold on her, wrapping his arm around her waist as they posed for the cameras. It was quick compared to the one they had to endure outside, where they were held up at the official photo booth longer than any of the other guests (it seems), and while Akashi was used to such treatment, he silently applauded the calmness of the chartreusette as she smiled at the lens.
(Thinking back, perhaps that was also partly the reason for the hold-up. Kimiko was such a dear, nodding her head and smiling sweetly at the media as they tried to catch her attention to look directly into their cameras. The main reason is that they recognized her from the magazine, and already he'd heard of some reporters requesting to have an interview with her later.)
An usher received them at the foot of the stairs and proceeded to show them to their table when he felt her tug on his arm. "Aren't you going to make your rounds?"
"In a little while," he replied, loud enough for her to hear him above the gay tune that the orchestra. "You should rest your feet for a while; you must be tired from wearing those heels for too long."
She shook her head. Of course, he'd worry about the well-being of her feet. "No, I'm alright. Don't let me hold you back."
"Are you sure?" They stopped walking while their usher waited patiently for them. Deciding for the both of them, Kimiko thanked the man and dismissed him politely before turning back to the still (fretting) redhead beside her.
Akashi sighed in resignation. "Very well." As if on cue, an older man dressed in a gray suit went up to them, holding a tablet showing what looks like a checklist.
A curt order fell from the redhead's lips. "Report."
A string of names were mentioned, some of them she recognized from the little research she'd done earlier, and as Akashi listened to his servant, Kimiko felt (he refrained from showing it on his face) the flashes of displeasure at several of the personalities that were mentioned.
"I see. Notify me when the rest of them arrives," Akashi said, and with a respectful bow of his head to the younger male, the man left them and resumed his post near the stairs to keep track of the arriving guests. Akashi turned to her then, his gaze flickering to the people around them then back at her questioning golden one. "Well then, let's get this started and over with."
One of the servers pass them by and Akashi eyed the drinks on the tray carefully before taking two glasses. Seeing how she was looking at the glass he was holding out to her, Akashi almost grinned. "They're non-alcoholic, Akumi. Of course, you don't have to drink them if you don't want to," he said as they approached the first person that Akashi has to greet for the evening.
She sniffed the contents mildly as she brought it to her lips. "You worry too much," she said with an amused tone, taking a tentative sip of the liquid. "I've tasted my fair share of wine and champagne on several occasions, you know. Just family gatherings," she added before he could even ask. Steering the conversation back to the present, she gestured with her glass at the tables. "So, how many are invited to this party?"
"Two-hundred and fifty, if everyone shows up," Akashi said, drinking from his own glass. For some reason, Kimiko couldn't look away as his throat moved as he swallowed his drink, and didn't realize that she was doing it until her eyes clashed with his.
And then he smirked. "You were staring."
"No," came her quick denial. "No, I'm not."
But what Akashi was about to say was lost as an elderly couple with regal looks approached them from their right.
"Seijuurou-kun! Looking dashing as always, my young man," the woman cried out, as if he was one of her favorite grandchildren.
"Yui-san," Akashi's smile was polite (and distant, Kimiko thought) as he shook hands with them. "Kobayashi-san." They looked friendly enough, but the man had the same expression as Akashi's, if a bit more hostile (or was it just her imagination?)
She adjusted her hold on her purse and the movement caught the man's attention. Glittering dark eyes shifted its focus, shrewd and judgmental. "Who's the lovely lady, Seijuurou-kun? I'm afraid I haven't seen her before."
The hand on her waist tightened imperceptibly. He was clearly not pleased with the look he was giving the chartreusette. "Kobayashi-san, this is Kimiko Akumi," his voice perfectly neutral, "and Akumi, this is Kobayashi Fugaku and his wife, Kobayashi Yui."
Two can play this game, she thought. "Pleased to meet you," she said and bowed her head slightly before one of them could offer their hand for them to shake, just to be safe. She'd rather bow than wait for them to do something first.
"A pleasure to meet you, dear," Yui said, but the words were oddly strained. "I believe we've taken much of your time, Seijuurou-kun. We haven't been to our table yet, but if we're lucky, perhaps we'll see you there?"
"We'll be going as well," Akashi replied, ignoring the rest of what was said in favor of placing his empty glass on the tray of a passing server. All of his guards were carefully in place, isolating himself from everyone, reminding her of the Emperor. "Have a good evening, Kobayashi-san, Yui-san. Let's go, Akumi." The group broke up, and once again, the two of them were alone.
"Are you alright?" he asked her as she took the last sip of her wine. He sounded more like the one she knew. Idly she wondered how it felt, donning masks and shedding them in the blink f an eye and then putting them back on in a heartbeat.
"I now understand why you always return with a foul mood from these gatherings," she grumbled as Akashi relieved her of her empty glass. She looked around them, at the magnificent ballroom and the well-dressed guests, "All this beauty, for nothing."
"Hm," he agreed silently. Suddenly, the idea of bringing her here is turning up to be a big mistake on his part. Kimiko does not deserve to be subjected to their judgmental thoughts.
But Kimiko, as if hearing his unspoken sentiments, quickly reassured him. She accepted the invitation; it's not like he forced her into it. "I can handle it, so just go on with what you have to do," she looked up at him. "I'm alright. They'll have to try harder to intimidate me, you know."
"Are you sure?" He can escort her out back and go back, no problem.
"Don't be silly, Seijuurou," she chided. Squaring her shoulders, she put on her best immaculate facade worthy of a court lady. "Let's get this show on the road, eh?"
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For the next half-hour, Akashi led her in a whirlwind of introductions, with Akashi giving her short lectures about certain individuals. Her mind reeled as Akashi exposed the other side of them – the dark and disgusting parts of them. Stories of murders and cover-ups and infidelities and other kinds of evil things she'd never guessed about them.
("I wouldn't blame them if they want to cover themselves with anything that shines or sparkles enough to blind even their own eyes," Akashi murmured as he passed by a certain group of people. "They probably can't bear seeing their own reflection in the mirror; it must disgust them so.")
The Kobayashis had been talking about them, as Kimiko noticed the rest of the guests – those that Akashi had deemed insignificant to approach and greet personally – sought them out to see the 'exotic beauty' that the Akashi-heir had brought with him tonight.
(It sounded like she was a mere possession than an actual person.)
Kimiko was forced to shake hands with the younger males, bow her head to the older ones, and exchange cheek-to-cheek kisses with the females, even when some of them looked like they would rather ignore them in favor of getting the attention of the red-haired male beside her, who was keeping a close watch over her, his arm or hand never leaving her waist or the small of her back. All of them harbored feelings of suspicion and wonder at her rather sudden appearance among them, some of them hiding it behind social niceties while others are not subtle about it. She met the other scions of major companies (who had the audacity to try and flirt with her much to her chagrin and Akashi's irritation), shook hands with the Crown Prince (whom she discovered was Akashi's rival in shogi as well as in horseback riding), and the worst of them all, the jealous heiresses and daughters who felt like she stole Akashi from them. She dealt with them the best as she could, smiling pleasantly and conversing with them amiably until Akashi decided that it was enough banter before pulling her out of there and starting the whole tiresome process with another group of people.
("Really, the whole point of going to these parties is to maintain relationships and spy on one another," Akashi told her. "And of course, to show that you are better than the others. No one really cares about the 'charity' part." After he told her the huge sum that the Akashi Corporation had donated for the cause, a bitter smile formed on his lips. "People think that we are generous when everything is just a tax write-off.")
Despite him telling her how much he despise doing it, Kimiko saw how Akashi exchanged witty banter with the other guests, playing them like puppets, controlling the flow of conversation masterfully, accommodating everyone so that no one won't be left out – the ever-perfect host. It mesmerized her just as it crept her out and saddened her at the same time. It's a given that Akashi is a very charismatic person, but this, Kimiko thought, was not his natural charm, but one that's sinisterly manipulating other people's will to cater to hi whims and needs.
It was an awesome performance, how he convincingly played the part of the young debonair who was eager to please and impress while still maintaining the air of authority of an Akashi.
There were questions aimed at her and her relationship with Akashi (these she deflected expertly – Akashi is not the only one who has an edge when it comes to wordplay, and if it comes down to it, Kimiko was confident that she can parley with the best of them), and then there were personal questions, asking her about her parents, their profession, until one of the celebrities in attendance – and a known fashion icon by those in their age group - (who was actually just passing by and caught a glimpse of her unique hair color) suddenly glided over and fawned over her like they were long lost friends.
"Oh my god oh my god oh my god! I thought they were joking but here you are! In the flesh!" the actress who was older by seven years to Kimiko's sixteen (and married to one of the owners of Japan's biggest entertainment industry), hugged her dramatically.
"Hotaru-san," Akashi said, stepping between the two of them and shielding the bewildered chartreusette from the hyperactive lady.
"Ah, Seijuurou-san! Will you do the introductions? I didn't get her name," Hotaru pleaded with puppy eyes that hardly had an effect on the redhead.
"Hotaru-san, this is Kimiko Akumi. Akumi, Hotaru Fujiko – I'm sure you know her."
"Oh, and a pretty name to match the pretty face! You know, I really love your pictures with that other model, Kise Ryouta! You were so beautiful in all your shots, but in person, you're much, much prettier!" she gushed, holding Kimiko's hands and shaking them like a fan girl.
"Thanks, I guess," was all Kimiko can say, not knowing how else to respond (and can she stop doing that to her hands?!)
By then, Hotaru's loud mouth had done its job. The word 'model' had been mentioned in the same sentence along with her name. Already those who heard it were talking about her in hushed whispers and she had to stop herself from facepalming in the middle of the room.
While Kimiko was occupied with Hotaru, Akashi barely heard the annoying voice that had called his name so happily.
"Seijuurou-kun~!"
The brown-haired beauty that came barreling from Akashi's other side and attaching itself to his arm was the one that she recognized as Inoue Hikari, looking absolutely stunning (revolting, in Akashi's opinion) in her gown in black velvet, with a plunging neckline showing the middle of her chest and a slit along the side of her leg up to her thigh.
"Where were you? Were you avoiding me?" she asked in that cutesy voice that made everyone around them want to puke.
Akashi pulled his arm out of her hold (and none too gently at that) and glared at the girl who was gaping at him like a fish out of water. "Inoue-san, how long will you continue calling me in such a disrespectful manner?"
"But Sei-" Akashi's glare just turned murderous. "Akashi-kun..." she said, "let's go to our table! The ceremonies are about to start! Come on, come on, come on~!"
She was right, though. A single pianist had taken over the music as the orchestra took a break, and the rest of the guests were already settling down. Akashi looked behind him and saw Kimiko still talking with the noisy actress. Perhaps it's time to save her, then.
"You're a model?" One of the ladies asked her with a slight raise of her eyebrows.
Kimiko shook her head, and would've used her hands as well if only Hotaru wasn't clinging to them like a leech.
"You're not?" Hotaru pouted, her amethyst eyes (contacts!) shining.
Kimiko sweatdropped. "Ah, that was a one-time thing, actually. It's a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, nothing more..."
"Too bad," the violet-eyed beauty (finally!) released her at the sight of the approaching Akashi heir. She rummaged in her purse to take out one of her business cards and handed it over to her, smiling when Kimiko accepted it with both hands, "There. I like you, you know, and your beauty is a rare one. If you ever change your mind, just call that number, okay?"
"I'll give it some thought. Thank you, Hotaru-san."
"I won't keep you much longer – your dear prince is getting impatient~" The older woman winked at her playfully before rejoining her much older husband who had been waiting for him patiently at a distance. "I'm hoping for a favorable response from you, Kimi-chan! See you around!"
Kimiko blinked. Prince?
A familiar arm reclaimed its position around her waist, and Akashi's smooth tenor spoke directly in her ear. "Akumi," he said just as an usher approached them to lead them to their assigned table, the same time that Inoue Hikari caught up with the redhead after he just abandoned her abruptly.
"Sir, -"
"Who the hell is she?!" Inoue screeched like a banshee, and the poor usher blanched beside her.
Akashi merely stared at her apathetically, while Kimiko tilted her head curiously.
"Another of your acquaintances, Seijuurou?" she asked.
When Akashi didn't correct the chartreusette, Inoue was thoroughly scandalized. She stomped over to the two and stopped in front of Kimiko. She recognized her from the magazine – she was, after all, a fan of Kise (secretly—part of her, the prideful one, still considers the blonde model as beneath her despite Kise's looks and popularity). The girl was indeed eye-catching, Inoue accepted that, but damn this girl – Akashi is hers! "You!" she cried out, pointing out a dainty finger at the unflinching girl in front of her.
"Yes?" Kimiko shot back coolly, not at all bothered by the appendage that was threatening to poke her in the eye.
"What are you doing with Sei—Akashi-kun?" she hissed. Why does he allow her to call him by name?
At this, Akashi decided to intervene. As much as he want to let Kimiko bully Inoue (he knows better than to trust that mischievous look on her face as she baited the brunette on purpose), they really have to go to their table because in ten minutes, the program will start.
"She is my date, Inoue-san, and I strongly suggest that you show respect to her, or at the very least, to yourself," and with those biting words, he left her there a second time, signaling the usher to get moving.
However, before they got out of earshot, the chartreusette actually turned to look at her.
"Nice to meet you, too, Inoue-san."
The hell-? Inoue stood dumbfounded as Akashi hurried the girl along. Her own date, whom she had ditched the moment she caught sight of Akashi, rejoined her and offered his arm to her.
"Hikari-"
"Shut up," the brunette glowered, and gathering her skirt in her hands, she stalked to her table angrily, her ego bruised greatly by a no-name girl that came from nowhere.
Suddenly she remembered – that dinner she had with the redhead..
"Who is she, Akashi-san?" she demanded. "What does she have that I don't?"
And his scathing reply.
"Inoue-san, it seemed to me that you didn't hear me the first time." He glared at her this time. "Her identity is of no concern to you. As for your second question," he looked her from head to toe, a mocking look in his mismatched eyes, "she's everything you're not."
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Whoever decided that lumping in the young adults in one table was clearly asking for trouble.
Ah, so that's what she meant, Akashi thought when he saw Inoue heading to the same table, escorted by a brown-haired boy that he recognized as Kawada Jun, the second son of an esteemed politician.
Inoue flashed Kimiko a dirty look, refusing the help of her escort and pulling her chair out for herself instead.
How unbecoming.
"Hey, Akashi," Kawada said with a wave of his hand. He's one of those mild personalities, the exact opposite of his egotistic older brother.
"Kawada," Akashi returned, with a cordial nod of his head.
Once they were seated, Akashi took in the others in their table for ten. There was raven-haired Irino Kagura accompanied by her cousin Kyouya, who was shares the same traits as her except that he was just as loud and brash (just think of Kise and Aomine combined), the silver-haired Fujiwara Shin, a terrible flirt and pervert, with his date, the equally flirty Fumio Aya, with her bleached blonde hair and garishly red lips, and last but not the least, Fukada Megumi, the niece of Japan's prime minister, and with her was Hirohito Shino, the third in line to to the Imperial throne.
(The seating order was, going clockwise, as indicated by the place cards on their table: Kimiko—Akashi—Kawada—Inoue—Fukada—Hirohito—Fujiwara—Fumio—Kyouya—Kagura.)
As always, Akashi had been the last to arrive, and it only heightened the attention directed at him and Kimiko. Barely had they taken their seats when Fujiwara leaned forward in his seat (and thank kami that he was seated at the side, not directly across or next to him or Kimiko) and asked for an introduction to the golden-eyed lady.
"Who cares about her?" Inoue asked from her seat across Fujiwara.
"Inoue-san, you're being rude," Hirohito admonished firmly. "I apologize for her rudeness. Inoue-san is in one of her moods," this he said to Kimiko with an apologetic smile. "I'm Hisahito Shino, and just call me by name and none of that 'Your Imperial Highness' stuff, at leat for the duration of the party. It was nice to meet you…?"
"Kimiko Akumi, pleased to make your acquaintance, Hirohito-san, and you too, Fujiwara-san."
"Please, just Shin, Akumi-chan," he punctuated his sentence with a wink. Kyouya roared with laughter, Kawada gave a troubled sigh, while Hisahito dropped his forehead to his hands. It seems that they knew each other well enough to know each others personalities and behavior.
Fukada giggled when she caught sight of Akashi's expression. "Oi, Fujiwara-kun, stop that before Akashi-kun here kills you."
"Psh, we all know he wouldn't~"
Akashi movements were deliberate as he picked up his glass of mineral water. Peering at the insolent male through the rim of his glass, he asked casually, "Shall we put it to the test?" before taking a careful sip. His words sounded serious even though his actions were of nonchalance, but almost everyone in their table froze as they recognized the silent threat in the redhead's question.
Personally, Kimiko prefers being called by her first name, but for the sake of everyone on their table (yes, including that bitch Inoue), she had to clear the tension in the air. "It's either 'Kimiko' or 'Kimiko-san', Fujiwara-san; or Seijuurou might really have to go through with it," she said evenly.
"Not even 'Akumi'?" he asked, pouting for effect.
"You're pushing your luck, Fujiwara," Akashi replied. The table knife suddenly looked fascinating to him, but before he could pick it up, a hand came up and covered it.
"No flying knives tonight, Seijuurou," Kimiko said in silent mirth.
Flying...knives… What? Kawada, who was seated right next to the redhead, heard her and stared at her hand blocking the redhead's access to said silverware. Seriously? But if it's Akashi-
Most of the time, it's nice to have someone who can understand you without having to speak a single word, but sometimes, it's annoying. Right now would be a perfect example of that, Akashi thought.
(And like most of the time, when they were having a conversation, everyone and everything cease to exist – just him and her – thus they failed to see the faces of their companions when they finally understood just what they were going on about – and why the chartreusette's hand was covering the gleaming knife on Akashi's table setting.)
Thankfully, the main coordinator of the gala, who was Fumio's father, stepped up on the podium to give the welcome remarks.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Lampe Rogue Ball, the annual charity ball dedicated to helping cancer patients all over the country. Tonight, we will be raffling five of Japan's best jewelries to five lucky ladies in attendance, where they will have the chance of a lifetime to wear them for the rest of the party." Here, the audience claps in anticipation. "Of course, I would like to thank you all for gracing us with your presence, especially our most honored Crown Prince Naruhito," Hirohito's father stood up and waved at everyone from his seat at the central table while everyone applauded, "Thank you. Special mention to the Akashi family – I believe the heir is here – there he is!-" Akashi stands up and gives a graceful bow to everyone- "who have been with the organization since its inception. Thank you." Fumio bows in the direction of their table before continuing with his speech. "I feel that's a long enough speech, and we have a lot to do later – an auction, dancing, and of course, the food! I believe everyone's starving right now after all the socialization-" the crowd laughs "So let's get to it. Once again, thank you and good evening."
Kimiko claps her hands politely as Fumio descends the stage as their emcee for the night takes over. "Everyone, please be seated. Dinner will be served shortly."
The orchestra resumes their playing as servers emerged from the kitchens carrying trays laden with food. As they wait, Kimiko picks up the gold-embellished menu that was customized according to their age (and thus the absence of wine or any alcoholic drinks) and skims over it.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Lampe Rouge Ball
MENU
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Saltimbocca
Grilled chicken wrapped with Basil, Italian Fontina and Prosciutto, drizzled with Pesto
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Cracked Spice and Sea Salt Rub
Paired with
Shrimp and Sea Scallop Brochette
Accompanied by
Red Wine Pan Sauce, Herb Whipped Yukon Potatoes and Sauteed Brussel Sprouts
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Pear and Apricot Crostata
With Creme Anglaise and Fresh Homemade Whipped Cream
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Freshly Brewed Columbian Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Fine Tea Assortment
Sparkling Water and Juice
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"Do you have any problem with the food choices?" Akashi asked quietly so only she can hear. Kimko places the menu back on the table just as their servers arrive.
"Nope. I don't know half of what was written there," she mumbles jokingly, making Akashi laugh under his breath as their starters were served.
As they ate, conversation flowed around their table, although for the most part, Kimiko participated little, speaking only when directly spoken to or when it was Akashi who was talking, opting to make idle chatter with the quiet girl on her other side. Akashi is in a philosophical discussion with Kawada and Hirohito – just a friendly debate about their beliefs – but still pretty intense and amusing to listen to. Inoue had decided to exchange seats with Hirohito just before the main dish was served, saying that she'd rather rather talk to Fujiwara than to be caught in the crossfire of the three (after three failed attempts of joining their conversation that was too intellectual for her to comprehend).
When they were down to eating dessert, the emcee went on stage and began to explain the mechanics of the raffle. A large crystal bowl perched on a low pillar was standing near the podium, and there were little rolls of paper tied with little silver ribbons. The rolled papers, he explained, contained the names of every female attendee in the room, five of which will be chosen to wear one of the five jeweled necklaces that will be shown to them in a short while.
"Gentlemen, kindly take the place cards of your lovely dates and remove the sticker paper at the back. There will be a number from 1 to 5 written underneath. Remember those numbers because we'll need them later."
Akashi followed the emcee's instructions and the number 4 in gold ink revealed itself to him.
Kimiko was craning her neck to take a look. "What's my number?"
"Take a guess," Akashi said, hiding it from her.
"How many tries?" she asked, rising to the challenge.
"Just one."
"Just one?" she echoed incredulously. "Eh, fine. Your jersey number then." It was the first thing that came to her mind.
Akashi couldn't stop the grin that was coming. "Correct."
The voice of the emcee came once more. "Now then, I present to you the Kojiki jewellery series, five exquisite necklaces inspired by five of the greatest deities in the Shinto religion!"
Five holes opened on the floor of the stage, and there rose from underneath, five glass cases mounted on gold pillars amid the polite applause of the crowd. The emcee then proceeded to give a brief description for each piece.
The first one was the Inari piece, based on the god of rice and agriculture. It looks like a vine with the main stone, a brownish-yellow diamond, hanging from the stem, where crystals shaped like rice grains in gold setting dangle from the chain.
The second one, the Izanami, was a magnificent creation with pink diamonds, with each pink diamond highlighted by a cluster of white marquise and pear-shaped diamonds set in platinum and white gold. The placement of the diamonds creates a floral effect making the necklace look like a leigh of flowers, signifying feminity in honor of the goddess.
The third one, Susanoo, after the god of the sea and storms, features a heart-shaped blue diamond as its pendant, bounded by white diamonds on the edges and hangs from a string of white diamonds.
The fourth is the Amaterasu, after the sun goddess, and perhaps the most elaborate piece of the five. It has two yellow diamonds and a bloodred ruby lined vertically in the center, accentuated by small diamonds set in platinum. A big red diamond acts like an anchor and pulls the chokers down to fully emphasize the overall shape and style of the necklace.
And lastly, the Tsukuyomi for the moon god, with it's large pear-shaped diamond linked to a smaller round diamond hanging off a simple chain of white gold.
"Now, remember your numbers, ladies and gentlemen. May I request our Crown Prince to come onstage and do the honors of picking the five lucky ladies for tonight?"
When all five rolled papers were chosen, the emcee opened and read them in the order that the Crown Prince has picked them.
"All the ladies with the number one, kindly stand up," the emcee said a he stood next to the Inari display. In their table, Fumio got to her feet. "The lucky lady to wear the Inari necklace is...Koharu Rin!"
Heads turned to see the first winner of the night. Koharu Rin, with her strawberry blond hair and svelte figure was escorted by her husband to the stage, where the creator of the Inari did the honors of getting it out from the case, then turned it over for her husband to put it on her.
"Lucky Koharu-san!" the emcee said as the clapping finally receded. "Ladies with the number 2, please..."
The Izanami was given to Hotaru, who almost cried tears of joy when her name was called, while the Susanoo was won by Kagura, who can barely walk properly while her cousin practically dragged her to the stage in excitement. In the end, the creator of the Susanoo was the one who put the necklace on her, as he did not trust the hyperactive teen to handle such a delicate accessory.
"Number four, please," the emcee called out. "Let's see whose the lucky lady to wear the elaborate Amaterasu necklace!" Slowly, he undid the ribbon and unrolled the small piece of paper. His eyes widened as he read the name. "Ohoho~ Two winners in one table… Lucky—very lucky indeed!"
Akashi squeezed Kimiko's hand. "It's going to be you."
"Nah," the chartreusette was completely at ease with her head leaning on his chest. "I'm not getting my hopes up."
But barely had she said the words when the emcee looked in their direction and pointed at her. "Kimiko Akumi for the Amaterasu!"
Clearly, the girl was not expecting her to have her name chosen – not when Kagura had been called before her. "What? Did he just say my name?"
Akashi pressed a kiss to the side of her head fleetingly. "He just did. Now come on, let's claim your prize."
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"What is it with you and dancing?" Kimiko muttered as Akashi led her in a slow waltz in the middle of the ballroom. After the last piece, the Tsukuyomi, was given to a middle-aged woman with graying hair, the five of them were made to assemble in the middle of the ball room for the first dance of the evening.
Akashi smiles down at her with a faraway look in his eyes. "Mother loved dancing… She was the one who taught me how to."
"And now you're passing them on to me?" Kimiko asked.
"Hm. You're a fast learner," and they turned, swaying in time to the music. She was yet to make a mistake, and the song they're dancing to is already nearing its end.
(And perhaps he shouldn't have complimented her because a few steps later, when her face was burning red as the ruby on her throat, her heels dug into his left foot.)
To his credit, Akashi didn't even flinch. Kimiko's eyes were wide with mortification. "Oh, sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to-"
And Akashi (damn his perfect self) chuckled at her apologies and kept dancing.
(Even when it hurts, he didn't—wouldn't—let go of her.)
When the next song began, Kimiko stopped for a moment, then abruptly gave a small bark of laughter.
"What?" Akashi asked her, wondering what it was that she found amusing all of a sudden.
"I know this song!" she beamed as he guided her in a twirl. The light from the overhead chandelier reflected off the gems around her neck in crimson and gold. She began to sing the lyrics softly in that sweet and soothing voice of hers.
Anata to no ai ga kono mama zutto yozora ni negau no
kono te wa mada hanasenai
I wish that our love will continue like this forever to the night sky
I cannot release this hand of yours just yet
They held each other in that standard ballroom position (her left hand on his right shoulder, his left hand on her right side of her waist, their free hands with fingers intertwined), yet he felt like they weren't close enough.
As a child, Akashi was never showered with physical affection – his mother can only do so much with his strict father around. He was made to believe that to feel is to a weakness, and weakness has no place for an Akashi heir. When his mother died, he didn't know what or how to feel – his emotions were that out of sync during those years, and only when he enrolled in Teikou Middle and met these colorful bunch of people that he started to feel human again. However, it was not that easy to reverse the damage – he never let himself fully relax even in the presence of his trusted teammates (there's a distance, not much but it's there), still hesitant to open himself to others (there's always something that holds him back, a voice in his head that whispers the possible consequences of getting close to another human being) until this chartreusette came along, invading his personal space like she has every right to be there and breaking all his walls with abandon.
He himself wondered why he didn't stop her then (he could have—should have—but he didn't) instead, he let her do as she please. The first few times, he'd spent hours overthinking about it but eventually gave up on making sense of it. Unlike others, her touch was not unwelcome – and before he knew it, he was already returning the gesture.
Nanigenai hibi kurikaeshiteta nani mo kowakunakatta
Futari de ashita wo mukaerareru koto ga atarimae datta ne
In the casual repeating days, I wasn't afraid of anything
It seemed obvious that we'd be able to greet tomorrow together, right?
Kimiko was still humming to the music, unaware of where his thoughts had been. She didn't even question him when he transferred the hand that he was holding so that she had both of her hands on his shoulders, while he placed his other hand on her waist. He only saw her lips curl in a smile as she continued singing.
Tsuyoi hitomi ni mamorarete iru kono toki ga tomareba ii no ni
Takusan no hikari ni terasareta yokogao miteitai
Being protected by your strong eyes, if only this time could just stop
I want to be able to see your profile lit by lot of lights
Her eyes met his, and he felt her hands move to the back of his neck, as she interlaced her fingers and bringing their bodies closer, her chin almost resting on his broad shoulder.
Anata to no ai ga eien de aru you ni yozora ni negau no
Kono te wa mada hanasenai
I wish that our love will be eternal to the night sky
I cannot release this hand of yours just yet
Akashi rarely shows genuine emotions in hostile environments like the one they were currently in, but in that moment, as she sang of love and eternal promises to his ear, he shed the mask he wore, choosing to hide his face in the curtain of her hair.
Out of sight, the Akashi heir smiled.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Kimiko stumble into the room and throws herself into the couch, simultaneously flinging the cloak off her shoulders into the adjacent love seat. "I'm sooo tired..." she groans as she tries to rest her head against the backrest, only to be hindered by her hair. Akashi follows behind her, shedding his jacket and flings it to where her cloak lay in a crumpled heap. When he sat down next to her, they both look at one another and as if on an unspoken order, Kimiko reaches towards him to loosen his tie while he leans forward to release her hair from the barrette that was holding it up, threading his fingers through the tangled curls of chartreuse as they cascade down her bared shoulders.
"Sorry for making you go through all that," Akashi murmurs, and Kimiko lets her head fall to his shoulders none too lightly.
"It's not that bad – even though the menu was hard to comprehend and that they failed to mention that the Amaterasu necklace weighs a ton..." she laughs, and Akashi joins her with his quiet chuckle.
"No one could have worn it better than you," he tells her, and she slaps his arm jokingly.
"I've had enough compliments from you to last a lifetime, Seijuurou," she says, "unless you're fishing for one from me?"
Akashi snorts. "Now you're being absurd. Get your feet up," he pats his kneecaps. "Come on, Akumi."
She eyes him suspiciously. "What for?"
Without replying, Akashi dropped to his knees on the floor in front of her and grabs her right ankle and takes off her sandals, one after the other. Placing them under the coffee table, he looks up at the startled girl and asked her simply, "You either get your feet up there, or would you rather have me sit down here while I massage your feet?"
"Eh? Massage?" she exclaimed. "You don't have to-"
Akashi cut her off with a frown. "You limped all the way back here," he said. "You've danced in those heels for hours and I'm sure that your feet are hurting by now. A massage will help relieve the pain."
"But Seijuurou–"
Akashi, in his Brioni pants, sat on the carpeted floor and reached for her foot.
"Fine! Just get up here or you'll ruin your pants!"
"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Akashi teased when they were settled comfortably in their positions. Kimiko had her back to the armrest, legs straight on the couch, her feet resting on Akashi's lap.
"Aren't you worried about my feet being dirty or something?"
"There are far more disgusting things in the world compared to your feet, Akumi," and to prove his point, Akashi picked up her right foot and trailed his finger down the sole of it, while Kimiko was trying hard not to react to the ticklish sensation it produced. Akashi noticed this of course. "Oh, so you're ticklish here?"
Golden eyes glared at him. "Don't you dare."
His eyes were shining with mischief. "I'm just asking, Akumi. No need to get so worked up about it."
"Just get on with the massage, Seijuurou," she sighed in exasperation and rested the side of her head on the couch's backrest.
Akashi adjusted his hold on her foot and began squeezing it from top to bottom in even, circulating movements. A soft hum of approval came from Kimiko's lips when he pressed a thumb into the arch of her foot, her eyes drifting close as his hands worked over her foot, rubbing her heel with just the right amount of pressure. After a few minutes, Akashi switched to her other foot and repeating the process as she relished every squeeze he made, relaxing all the tense muscles and tendons.
"Kimochi ii," Kimiko murmured, followed by a deep breath.
It was faint, but Akashi's ears were sharp enough to catch her whispered words. His stomach clenched at the sound of her voice, breathy and dazed at the pleasure overload.
His hands stilled.
"Seijuurou," came the sleepy voice of the chartreusette. (Does she have to sound that way?) "Are you done?"
Akashi blinked, clearing his thoughts. He glanced at his hands that were still holding her feet captive. Releasing it, he nodded at her, unable to look her directly in the eye just yet.
A sudden reminder gave him the perfect excuse to move away from her. He stood up to wash his hands and went to his bedside table, pulling open the topmost drawer and retrieving the items that Jeanne had promised him would be there. When he returned to the couch, Kimiko had taken her legs off the couch.
"What's that?" Kimiko asked him, reaching for the bottle on the coffee table. She silently read the label.
"Jeanne gave it to me for you to use." He tore open the pack of cotton balls and took the bottle of makeup remover from her hands. A thoroughly soaked cotton ball later, Akashi sat down next to her and held her chin gently with his thumb and forefinger. "Close your eyes."
Another round of protesting from the chartreusette started but ended with her huffing in annoyance as Akashi left her no choice but to comply with his orders. She grumbled as he gently swipes the cotton over her eyelids to remove the black eyeliner and mascara.
"Why are you being so attentive to me right now, Seijuurou?"
Akashi discarded the first cotton ball and prepared another, wetting it generously with the liquid remover. Moving to her other eye, he replied, "Is it wrong of me to want to take care of you?"
The blush on her cheeks seemed redder than before. "Th-that's not what I meant."
"Since it was my idea to invite you to the ball, it is my responsibility to take care of you before, during, and after," he replied with amusement. "However, to say that that was the main reason would be a lie."
Deeming it safe to open her eyes, Kimiko watched as the fearsome captain of Rakuzan readied another remover-soaked cotton ball, not bothered by the fact that he was doing something as feminine as removing makeup from another person's face.
"Then why?"
"My bounty is as boundless as the sea,/ My love as deep; the more I give to thee / The more I have, for both are infinite," Akashi replied.
"O blessèd, blessèd night! I am afeard, / Being in night, all this is but a dream, / Too flattering sweet to be substantial," countered Kimiko, whose heart was beating too loud and fast far too much for her liking. How she managed to remember the next stanza of that particular play was a miracle in itself.
Or maybe not.
She gulped when Akashi dropped the cotton ball on the table with his eyes locked on hers. Shattered red and gold darkened in an indiscernible expression.
It was the wrong answer, after all, she thought, dismayed.
"Doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar, but never doubt I love," he all but snarled at her before he lowered his mouth down to hers for a kiss – one that she'd been denied earlier.
It started off as a chaste kiss, lips merely brushing each other. She started to pull away to respond, but Akashi suddenly took control once more, his fingers finding their way through the tangled mess that was her hair, kissing her with an aggressiveness as if he was staking his claim on her all over again. Not wanting to be outdone, she reached out and tangled in his crimson locks and this time, she was the one to pull him down to her as her finger traced a path from his head to the back of his neck.
Smirking, Akashi retaliated by trailing his hand down the curve of her spine, and her reaction – a surprised gasp – was what he was truly after.
A whimper escape her as she the lack of oxygen made itself known, and Akashi (reluctantly) pulled away by a mere inch. Their breaths mingled as they panted from the intensity of the kiss. Gazes locked as they gauged each others reactions with their hyper aware senses. Wanting to clear the misunderstanding (or so she thought), Kimiko spoke up.
"Seijuurou, what I said earlier… It's not that I am doubting you—how many times have I told you that? I just said that part because, it's what Romeo said in answer to Juliet, right?" she explained with a pout. "You just have to go Shakespeare on me… Look where it took us."
"I happen to like the end result very much," Akashi told her. Again with the impulsiveness—if he was not careful, he'll get obsessed with her lips. She was that intoxicating, and Akashi doesn't want to stop once he started kissing her.
"Hey."
"Hm?" They'd calmed down from the euphoria and had taken to just sitting there and enjoying each others presence.
Kimiko narrowed her eyes at him. "This has been bugging me since that time we first did it, you know..."
"What is?"She sounded serious, so it made Akashi sit up a little straighter (as much as his tired body allowed him to—that and snuggling up like this is so comfortable than anything).
Of the hundreds of possibilities that his mind could made up, she said the one thing that he hadn't thought of.
"Since when did you learn how to-" Her eyes flit to the side. "-k-kiss like that?"
Out of nowhere, Akashi was hit with a burst of hilarity.
"Oi, it's not funny!" Kimiko growls at him, flicking his nose none too gently with her finger.
Akashi drew away and snorts. "What is there to be bothered about it?"
"How many have you kissed before-?" she blurted out, then clapped a hand to her mouth when his hands fell away. "Ugh, forget it. It's not important."
She moves to stand up, but Akashi grabs a hold of her arm. "You're upset."
"I'm not."
Her head was bowed as she looked down. "I'm sorry."
He pulled himself to his feet. "There was no one before you, Akumi. Only you." Without her heels, the top of her head reaches his ear. "What made you think otherwise?"
"Because—Ugh! Stop smirking! You're making it worse!"
"You don't know that. You're looking at the floor, not my face."
"I just know, okay? You didn't even bother to deny it."
"Hm. Perhaps I am, perhaps not."
She glared at him. "Smartass."
He only raised his eyebrows at that.
Kimiko threw her hands in the air. "I give up," she said, then stormed off to the bedroom, with Akashi following her carrying his suit and her cloak in the crook of his arm.
They carried on with their own business – Kimiko taking out her nightclothes while Akashi was putting away the used garments properly. As she passed him on the way to the bathroom, Akashi chuckled.
"Was it really that hard to believe, Akumi?"
A roll of her eyes was all he got in reply. When she was gone, he changed into his sleeping clothes as well. After she had stashed the gown safely in her closet, Akashi joined her in the bathroom as they brushed their teeth in front of the porcelain sink.
It was amusing to watch their reflections in the mirror, a disgruntled girl and a very dignified boy doing the same thing yet so differently. Kimiko's movements were lazy, sluggish. Akashi's were refined, precise, almost robotic. Seeing her peek at him every once in a while, Akashi gargled water in his mouth without a sound then turned to the chartreusette who was trying her best to ignore him.
"Is there something you want to say, Akumi?"
She picked up her glass and gargled the water in her mouth loudly, as if the sound will somehow distract her from the redhead beside her.
Only to spit it out in a second when Akashi had the audacity to poke her in the side of the ribs, knowing that she was ticklish in that area.
"I could have drowned!" she complained, wiping the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.
"I would have resuscitated you, then," he simply replied, and then noticed her choice of clothing. "Tokoro de, Akumi, whose shirt is that you're wearing?"
Kimiko picked at the orange shirt that she was wearing. "This is from Ryou-kun."
Akashi imagined the blonde wearing such bright colored shirt with his golden hair. "Being a model, I thought that Kise would have a proper fashion sense to not wear something as hideous as that."
"It's not his fault that the manager of the soccer team in Teikou back in our first year has an undying love for all things orange. He provided the players with this as training clothes."
Akashi was not really listening as he finished brushing his teeth. While he waited for her, he leaned on the door frame and promptly declared, "You look like a carrot."
"Tell that to Shintarou." she said, puffing out her cheeks as she dried her face with a towel.
"You're the neon-version of him in Shutoku' uniform."
"I'm the what?" she turned to him, lips twitching.
"A neon carrot."
Kimiko was torn between cracking up in laughter and blushing in embarrassment. "How the hell can you say that with a straight face?"
"A neon carrot," Akashi said again. Kimiko tries to look indignant but couldn't stop the laughter coming out of her mouth. She drops her face into the towel in her hands and lets out a groan of frustration when Akashi suddenly ducks out of the room after telling her to "Wait here. I'll be back."
She huffs at the empty room. What is he up to now?
He returned with one of his wine-red long sweatshirts and tosses it to her. "Get changed in that," he said as she fingers the high-quality cloth.
Was the shirt really that damaging to his eyes? She snickered in her mind.
When she realized that he was still standing by the door (probably waiting for her reaction), she was provided with the opportunity to get back at the redhead who'd made her experience a riot of emotions the entire evening. With a cocky curl of her lips, she asked,"Well, you're not going to watch me change, ne, Seijuurou?"
How she wished she had a camera with her at the moment! Akashi's eyes widened and his mouth opened, then closed, as if he wanted to say something and not at the same time.
Never had she seen him look so scandalized in all her life.
Deciding to push him further, she took a step forward, and added, "Or are you?"
He was gone faster than she could blink.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
The lights were already dimmed when she emerged from the bathroom. As she pulled back the covers of her bed, she turned to the person lying on the other bed, his back turned to her, blankets pulled up almost all the way to his head.
She knows he's still awake, though, which made it all the more amusing.
Akashi Seijuurou is ignoring her.
She giggled.
"Good night, Seijuurou," she said cheerfully as she laid her head on the pillow. She closed her eyes, knowing that he won't be responding as long as she's awake to hear it, and went to sleep.
Ten minutes later, Akashi reached out and turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the room in total darkness.
"Good night, Akumi."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Reviews are greatly appreciated!
(Just wondering—not complaining—just that it's funny how no one review yet when I check the Story Traffic Stats, the numbers are steadily increasing… I hope that there really are people reading this and not just, you know, clicking it and then closing it without actually reading it.)
Special thanks to Mighty Empress, nicoleAne, AeriKuroba and Annalise93 for your reviews! I'm glad you loved the last three chapters! I'll do my best to keep it that way!
Thank you – a thousand times over!
Bonus points to those who can tell the song I used :3