Author's Note: It took me almost 2 months to write this one since I do not want to create an OOC Akashi. This chapter somehow gives a glimpse of Akashi's life outside Rakuzan and the basketball court. I want to show the life he had as the heir of Akashi family whose life is being dictated of high expectations and suppressed freedom.
14 Shades Chapter 3 : Imperial Red
A week later, the anxious butler of the Akashi family stood at a distant while watching his young master plays shogi alone. He can't help it but to check the grandfather's clock every minute and then glance to his red haired young master.
"Bocchama, pardon for interrupting your game but you will be late on your lunch meeting with the Wanazaki heiress if you will not leave now."
His statement is only met with silence as if Seijuro Akashi doesn't hear anything. The butler sighed and took his phone. But right before he dialed a number, Akashi spoke. "Don't call. Instead, I want you to do something."
Natsumi looked at the elegant imperial red furisode hanging near the window of her walk in closet. Right after she received a passed on message from Akashi that he will not meet her for lunch, an invitation and a box containing furisode with complete accessories was personally delivered to her by Akashi's butler.
"How demanding, scheming, yet enticing.." she told herself while admiring the embroidered white and pink peonies on the red furisode.
Her appreciation of the traditional costume was cut off when four maids entered the room to dress her up for the party. This is the first time that she will wear a kimono. She might come from an old rich Japanese family but she grew overseas so she never had the opportunity to wear one. Not to mention, her parents never brought her to events except twice when she was still a child.
On the other side of Tokyo, Akashi stands before the mirror fixing his necktie. As the sole heir of the Akashi conglomerate, great things are expected from him. He is aware that his mere presence in the annual company event means that his father wanted to introduce him to important people related to their business.
He knew that his father only tested him when he was asked to bring a girl at the event. Akashi could have asked Momoi Satsuki to accompany him since she is the only female friend he got. He could even asked a random sweet and beautiful fan girl to go with him.
However, his choice of girl should be somebody who will reinforce his bocchama status. The girl should be somebody who is smart enough and can take the pressure of being scrutinized by everyone. Choosing a girl that will pass his father's expectation of him shall never be based on romantic feelings.
At the Wanazaki mansion, Natsumi toys with the half empty glass of water in her hand while waiting for Akashi Seijuro to arrive. Will he be nice to her? But who cares. After the event, she probably won't see him. She doesn't need to be over friendly to him.
"Ojou-sama, Akashi Seijuro-sama has arrived." One of her attendant informed Natsumi.
A pair of heterochromatic eyes watched Natsumi as she walks down the grand staircase. Natsumi can't help it but to notice the formal stoic heir. She wonders what Akashi might have in mind while looking at her with those piercing eyes. It is dangerous. She cannot read him.
"I believe I haven't introduced myself to you before. I am Akashi Seijuro." the red hair get straight to business by introducing himself formally.
"I am Wanazaki Natsumi." The girl replied back. "Thank you for bringing me to the hospital a week ago."
They slightly bowed at each other and after their formality greetings, they headed towards the event's venue. On the way, Akashi oriented Natsumi on the guest profiles that are composed of businessmen, high ranking politicians and government officials.
Although Akashi treated Natsumi like a business, the girl doesn't care. She also has her own goal to achieve so even if she dislikes the red hair's action, she suppressed herself from blurting out how conceited he treated her as a date.
"Do you have any question?" Akashi asked while holding the girl's hand gingerly as walked through the crowded event's hall.
Natsumi feigned a smile good enough for everyone to catch as they passed though the crowd. "Why do you still choose me? You could have asked my step sister or cousins if you really insist on bringing a date from the Wanazaki conglomerate."
Akashi looked at her gently with those pair of heterochomatic eyes, "But isn't this what you also like to happen, Natsumi?"
A devilish smile forms at the corner of Natsumi's lips. The red hair is really dangerous. Akashi knew the crime she did a week ago. He is somebody that she shouldn't mess with yet she somehow loves the indescribable feeling of getting into trouble. Not to mention, Akashi even called her on a first name basis without any reservation.
Natsumi let out a little sigh and looked back straight at Akashi. "You really are something, Sei-niichan."
"Why did you do it?" Akashi added with his eyes still on her. "Why did you intentionally get hit by a car just to get my attention?"
If Natsumi would be asked, she doesn't like Akashi's straightforwardness and perceptiveness. She was about to take another step to avoid the confrontation but Akashi stopped her by the wrist so she decided to tell the truth.
"My father decided to deport me as a punishment for failing to meet up with you. Therefore, I set up a plan to gain your attention in a way that you won't notice." Natsumi confessed. "Unfortunately, it seems that you found out the crime that I committed."
Akashi tightens his grip on Natsumi's wrist. The insolent girl really did it. First she ditched him then she tricked him. He blamed his quick reflex of going out of the car instantly when he saw a familiar face got caught in an accident.
"Let me summarize your crime, Natsumi. You get an accomplice to hit you on the road the moment my car passed by in order to get my attention." The red hair narrated still looking at the girl eye to eye.
Natsumi was about to speak but Akashi interrupted her.
"You are also aware that you could get broken bones and bruises but you still do your stunt because it will guarantee the success of your plan."
The girl nods.
"How heinous. Unforgivable." Akashi continued as his eyes started to change from soft gaze to piercing glare.
Natsumi break her eye contact with the red hair. She tiptoed and leaned her hand on the red hair's shoulder. Then she tried to reach the level of his ear. "Stop glaring at me, your father is walking towards us."
"I know." Akashi replied and released the girl's wrist. He needs to keep his guard up. He should not underestimate the genius girl beside him.
Akashi Masaomi arrived not so long and Akashi introduced Natsumi to him. After exchanging pleasantries, Masaomi invited the two teenagers to join him for dinner in an exclusive room together with a group of prominent businessmen. To Natsumi's surprise, his father was also present at the room.
After being introduced to the small group, the two teens act perfectly as they observe the people on the table. The scenario before them is the glimpse of their future; a world where wealth and power is all that matters. The thought of childish play of retaliating with each other was set aside. The weight of being successors of Japan's big conglomerates has filled their minds.
Natsumi lift the sleeves of her furisode to check her arms for rashes since she is feeling a bit itchy. This happened since all the foods served during the dinner are those that can trigger her allergies.
"Did you enjoy the dinner, Natsumi?" Akashi asked while scanning the girl from the other side of the limousine.
"How cruel of you Sei-niichan." The girl frowned. "We just barely met and you already wanted to kill me by food poisoning."
Akashi casually crossed his arms and secretly enjoyed watching Natsumi's discomfort. "Don't worry. You will be fine."
"If I didn't drink anti-allergy medicine before we left the mansion earlier, I will now have difficulty of breathing." Natsumi replied.
"That is exactly the reason why I said you will be fine. You will only have skin rashes." Akashi pointed out.
The girl pretends to be hurt but deep inside she was enthralled to meet someone who can see her through. The car stopped and Akashi stepped out of the car. He ushered Natsumi towards the door of the Wanazaki mansion.
"You know Natsumi, you didn't have to get hit by a car for me to still choose you." Akashi said before they part ways. "The moment you ditched me at our scheduled dinner, I already made up my mind to have you as my escort tonight."
"Why are you doing this to me?" Natsumi asked as rashes became evident even on her pretty face.
Akashi smirked and looked down at the girl. "Because nobody who defies Akashi Seijuro goes unpunished."
4 hours ago…
"Wanazaki, keep your guard up around that Akashi bastard. He found out about your staged accident." Natsumi's accomplice warned her over the phone.
"I'll keep that in mind." Natsumi replied as a maid put a glass of water and anti-allergy medicine on the coffee table.
"Anytime you need my assistance. Ya-ha!"
A/N: I didn't tailored fit the OC just to match Akashi's character. I have written a one-shot story of this OC a decade ago for another anime and she is already described as an ojou-sama with manipulative, ill-mannered attitude; not to mention she got many love interests and Akashi is not one of them.
By the way, can you guess who is Natsumi's accomplice? Here's a clue.. he is a quarterback from an American football anime. Though he won't appear anymore in this story, Natsumi relies on him to do dirty and sometimes illegal tasks.