I disappeared. I'm gonna finish this. I don't deserve all these lovely messages and reviews. Welp.

Thirty Seven

„Take care of yourselves. I will cheer you on tomorrow."

Kozue smiled at the tall basketball players who were about to leave for their hotel. Eikichi bowed his head a few times sheepishly, still a little clumsy about his manners around someone as petite as her. But he tried in her company and that was admiring for someone like him. Reo had already exchanged his phone number with Kozue, reminding her that he'd contact her pretty soon since beside Akashi the rest of their team was way too rowdy for his taste – and Kotarō cradled the bento box she had prepared with a broad grin.

"Thanks for the snacks, Iiji-chan! We'll return your box tomorrow after the game, promise."

Eikichi nodded, giving her a thumbs-up. "After we have crushed them for sure!"

It was hard not to cheer them on if they were grinning like this. Kozue nodded; bowing her head while she wished them already good luck because she wasn't certain if they would be able to see each other before the game started. Their coach started to gather them around once more, leading them off the train station. Kozue watched them go with her bag in hand.

"Do you not have to go with them, Akashi-kun?"

Akashi watched his teammates disappear in the masses before he leaned down to grab his own bag.

"They can wait," he started slowly, "it is only appropriate for me to finally meet your parents, no matter how briefly that may be, isn't it?"

Oh, yes. Her parents. She hid her light smile behind her hand, trying to down play her surprise. She hadn't expected him to agree right away after she had mentioned it briefly in Kyoto, but especially her mother would be delighted.

"Is it really all right? Don't you need a little rest too, Akashi-kun?"

"This is more relaxing than going back to the hotel with my team."

This time Kozue laughed, causing his lips to curve upwards. He always expressed slight annoyance around his noisy school mates, and yet up until today, he had been patient with them nevertheless. She shouldered her bag after a second, offering the teen her hand to lead them down to the exit on the other side of the station. Her parents were going to wait there for her with their car.

"Shall we?"

He accepted her offer, making his way through the busy train station until they finally reached the end of it. Kozue wondered if her parents would be very surprised, she hadn't seen them too much these past few weeks. They had been back in Kyoto for two weeks during summer holidays – although her father had been still holed up in his office mostly since he had only been working from home instead of his office. But it had been nice to have them around, made her miss them a lot more. She was glad to see them again.

It wasn't easy to move through the masses of people though; they lingered in a wave of strangers until Kozue recognized the exit they were supposed to take. A small parking lot outside was stuffed to the brim with cars. People got off and on, cabs stood around the corner to take anyone who needed them. And in between the countless vehicles stood a couple who waved them over, big smiles on their faces.

"Kozue, dear! Here!"

"There we go." Kozue mumbled, nodding to Akashi who studied the older couple for a brief second.

He had only ever seen Hotaka and Kozue together; it hadn't been hard to connect their gestures or habits together. They resembled each other a lot, and the brief glance he had a few times on photographs of her deceased grandmother made it all the more obvious where Kozue had her looks from. Her father was a very thin man, black short hair, a pair of glasses – it was an average face you'd find in the city often. Her mother was shorter than him, even a little shorter than Kozue with a round warm face instead. She looked healthy.

They did share a few tiny traits, but Akashi had expected a little more, he believed. Maybe his mind was just deluded by Hotaka's heavy presence these past few months?

Her mother immediately caught his glance, growing curious. "Oh my, you must be Akashi-san?"

"It is my pleasure to meet you." He bowed his head politely. "I've already had the chance to enjoy the hospitality of your father these past few months back in Kyoto. I apologize for not introducing myself properly to you before."

"Oh, don't mind us!" Kozue's mother laughed, cupping her cheek. "We've only heard the best about you, Akashi-san. And what a polite young man you are! Right, honey?"

"Right." The father agreed, a more refrained smile on his face. "It is a pleasure meeting you too, Akashi-san."

"I hope we aren't disturbing any plans you had by showing up together, mother?"

Kozue tilted her head to the side, slowly pulling the attention away from Akashi. He didn't mind that too much, her father seemed to be little nervous behind that calm façade. It wasn't hard to guess why. He probably recognized Akashi's name. His father had his business roots everywhere; the main office was placed in Tokyo as well. It would be slightly uncomfortable though if that fact would keep Kozue's father on his toes around the teenager. He wouldn't want to leave such an impression on her parents on their very first meeting.

"Of course not, my dear! On the contrary, how about we go out? There is a nice restaurant not far from here."

"Would you mind, Akashi-kun?"

He shook his head, smiling politely. "Not at all."

With a bright expression Kozue's mother ushered them into their car. It took a little while for them to leave the parking space behind the train station, the traffic was just as terrible as Akashi remembered it to be. But Kozue's father managed just fine to leave the busy corner behind and moved them back into the narrow streets of the city. With his bag on his lap Akashi eyed the scenery outside, calmly listening to Kozue and her mother who exchanged a few pleasantries. The well-being of Hotaka was one of them, a topic which brought a familiar kindness into the car as her parents curiously inquired about his health and habits.

Even he, as a stranger to this constellation, could add to that.

He had a good impression to make after all.

"We're going to rock this!" Kotarō repeated for the third time.

His teammates only offered him a deadpanned stare. His first time had been encouraging, earning him a few cheers. The second time only got a light hummed answer in return. By now they were all staring at him, pausing their changing.

Today was going to be their first match. Kotarō rolled his shoulders, losing his muscles while Eikichi was still putting on his basketball shoes beside him. Akashi had come back pretty late yesterday. Reo had already bored him with countless questions – meeting your girlfriend's parents is one of the most important things after all – but their captain had brushed him off. Now the redhead was quietly staring at his open locker, a blue wristband in his hand.

"Neh, Akashi – what's that?" Kotarō pushed his hands into his hips, stretching his back.

"A present." His captain stated without looking at him.

"Oh, is it from Kozue-chan?" Reo became suddenly interested in their conversation, joining them with a light smile.

Kotarō rolled his eyes while Eikichi had the mind to ignore them. He was trying to quietly stuff a few rice balls into his mouth, he was never really as loud-mouthed as his teammates but the bright haired teenager at his side had hoped for a little hype. They were going to face Seirin High again! They had trained lots of times; they were ready to wreck them this time.

And then Akashi would finally stop looking at them with that certain cold glint in his eyes.

He would be satisfied with them. He would be proud. And Kozue would be cheering for them, too.

He would never have to face a cold Akashi again…right?

Kotarō's grin faded as he dared to glimpse into his captain's direction. He had put the wristband on by now, plainly ignoring Reo's gentle nudges to tell him more about his date yesterday went. Only after Akashi finally lifted his mismatched eyes, Reo became quiet. Kotarō couldn't see the redhead's expression but no matter how it looked like, it was enough to shut the chatty basketball player up. They definitely had to win this. Not just the Nationals, but this match.

"We're going to rock this!" Kotarō yelled once again, his voice booming throughout the dressing room.

And this time no one answered. His teammates sighed, feeling a lot less hyped than before. But the spares hadn't met Akashi's wrath for real yet. They wouldn't know why the core members of their basketball team checked their shoelaces twice. Their fingers itching to hold onto something, anything – most preferably a basketball which was aiming for the hoop…

Eikichi finally gulped down his snack, hitting his comrade's shoulder roughly.

"Let's do this."

Kotarō's lips spread into a grin again.

"Hell yeah!"

The warm-up went smoothly. One team was jogging and stretching on the one side of the court, while the other passed the ball around. Aiming practice, Kozue remembered. She had asked Akashi a few times about the sport, listening to him explaining every detail she was curious about. He never seemed to get tired of it either. The girl remembered his pleased smile as she correctly recalled a few things he had explained from their last match.

The small stadium was well visited. Unlike the first Interhigh match she had seen in summer, it seemed that the first match of the Nationals was more popular. How exciting. It must be really encouraging for the basketball players to see so many people sitting here. Not only family members or friends, Kozue recognized a few groups of high schooler as well. Some had come in their casual outfits, other wore jerseys themselves.

Maybe Midorima was somewhere around here, too? The green haired teenager she had met at the Interhigh, one of the friends Akashi had in middle school. She still didn't know exactly what had happened to them. They had split up after they all graduated from middle school and yet – Akashi's replies were a little vague at times.

Kozue folded her hands in her lap. Akashi was calling his team, lifting a single hand into the air. The teenagers immediately stopped what they were doing, gathering around the young captain like a herd. She couldn't hear them, but he gestured around. Firm nods replied in return, no one seemed to object to whatever he planned.

A true strategist, she thought with a small smile. It was as if he was playing shōgi. And he wore the blue wristband she had given him as well. Kozue couldn't help but hide her smile behind her hand, a tiny giddiness tugging at her nerves. He was always giving her presents, she was glad that she could give him something in return, too.

"Hopefully you will be happy, Akashi-kun."

Whatever was gnawing at him, whatever caused his eyes to stop glowing, grow distant before returning to the presence yet again…

A bell resounded in the hall, the announcer introducing the teams to the audience.

"Seirin High versus Rakuzan High!"

Kozue could recognize the light blue haired from the other team. He had been on the photo Rie had showed her once. He had been going to Akashi's old middle school as well. He stood in the back of his team while Akashi and Seirin's captain shook hands in the front.

If only she had known the long story between them which was knocking upon the door behind them, threatening to break through the wood without a second thought.

But she didn't.

So she could do nothing but watch the match unfold right in front of her eyes.