A sharp sound caused by the porcelain cup hitting its saucer rang inside his head.
"Please take a short break, Seijuro-sama. I've prepared you a drink."
There was a girl formally bowing to his front. The wooden desk with pile of documents scattered neatly on top separated them.
He looked at her as he leaned his back to the chair and exhaled a breath as if that short sigh released all his tiredness.
Take a short break? That was something he could never allow his self to do. Resting, taking a break, even if he did, how long should he do it before it could be considered a waste of time?
It seemed he had to be aware of every minute turning into waste just by doing that. If it was just his self, he wouldn't even consider it. Yet, there she was, again, always appearing, asking him to take a rest. He needed it, yes, but he must not.
Almost 5 seconds had passed just to acknowledge her presence, take a nod from her offer, and he was back to his works.
The pen from his grip started producing the scribbling sound as his eyes moved left to right, on and on, following the direction of the hand that would transform his thoughts into written notes.
"Seijuro-sama" Then, there it was again. It wasn't just her calling him. It was her reminding– take a break, have a breathing.
He lifted the tip of his pen, for a while, he was hesitating if he had to do it. He stared at his notes before gradually travelling his mismatched eyes to the girl.
It was still so early in the morning yet works were already consuming him.
To that, as if satisfied to finally get his attention, the girl smiled.
His gaze fell flat on the porcelain cup, watching the stillness of the dark green water. He took his way to bring the cup to his mouth, carefully sipping the liquid.
Their morning had always been like this, no matter where they were, be it in Rakuzan High or at the mansion.
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His finger kept tapping the skin of his chin as he read the paper in his file board. It was that time when Akashi Seijuro had to observe the other members of his club, not only in the first string but also those in second and third string.
Much to his interest, he found this necessary to add more useful players even though he knew that just him would be enough to bring victory. But basketball was a team sport so he really had no choice.
He started at second string.
As he scanned the documents that contained everyone's name, basic statistics as well as images, he couldn't just seem to find what he was looking for.
Most of them were too normal and natural.
He wanted someone unique. Someone who would defy the basics of this sport, something the opponents wouldn't expect. A player that would break the norm, just like his one old teammate in Teikou, but better.
"Seijuro-sama" He heard.
When he looked at the owner of the voice, judging the reaction of her face, he could tell that she had been calling him for a while.
She let out a sigh of ease, for finally catching his attention.
"You're on it again." she uttered, under the smile she had on her face, slightly tilting her head sideways.
He didn't have to ask what she meant, he already got it.
It was one of her casual remark every time she would notice him in deep thoughts, busy analyzing, comprehending a lot of things. And every time, she would call him as if breaking the concentration he had gathered just to point out what he already knew.
And as if nothing happened, she would go back to what she was doing, leaving him staring at her caused by the interjection.
But he understood the meaning behind that action.
The girl merely wanted to break away his thoughts. As if this wasn't the state he should be at, as if she was just doing him a favor, as if this was what he needed.
When would she realize? As an Akashi, he could never allow his self to be on that carefree state. All the time, his mind must do something.
The girl was already in deep with her own duties, scribbling today's report. The outcome of her daily patrol around the campus, that may or may not contain suggestions. It became her task ever since, to do the physical works instead of Akashi Seijuro who was too busy to even do these things.
His finger slipped onto the skin of his chin as he swiftly made his way to sit down, to the chair at the middle, near the tall glass window where he could get the scenery of the whole school area, the sole position that indicated what his role in this school.
He blinked, averting his sight to focus once again to his file board.
Finally on the third string, the redhead scanned all the names. Same, everyone was all the same.
Until, his sight fell flat on a certain name. He looked at his profile statistics before eyeing the image attached at the top corner right.
He could sense right away that this person was not like the rest. At least, among all the names in this list, he was the one who slightly caught his eyes.
Name: MayuzumiChihiro
Height: 182 cm (6' 0")
Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs)
All of a sudden, a glint of amusement crossed his face.
He smirked, mouth slight parted.
He might be that person.
It echoed inside his mind until, again, a voice interrupted.
"Please have a look, Seijuro-sama." the girl said, as she handled pieces of paper on top of his table.
He read the content, the mismatched orbs moving way too fast as it scanned the characters.
He nodded upon reaching the end statement, satisfied. After all, daily reports didn't have to be extravagant. It was just something created by the teachers to make the student council appeared busy and have something they could call as 'works'.
He lifted his hand to give the paper back at her but noticed her sight was attached on something.
From the looks of it, they were aiming at the same file board he had a while ago. Akashi watched her, waiting for more reactions to come.
What was it?
Her eyes were too wary, as if surprised to see whatever she had seen in there.
She blinked before gracefully lifting her black eyes to meet his'. As much as possible, trying to act oblivious and innocent which she undeniably failed because just who exactly was the person in her front?
Akashi Seijuro could see right through anyone. His eyes could see it all, even the slightest movements of the muscles on the face.
"Do you know him?"
The girl parted her sight from the file board. "No." Not entirely know, she thought.
Would that be a lie? The girl was unsure, after all, she really didn't know Mayuzumi Chihiro formally.
She took the paper from his possession and planned to leave and submit it to the teachers. "Thank you."
His gaze went back once again to stare on the profile of the third year student.
Mayuzumi Chihiro
For a second, he wondered if he would be able to amuse him.
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The sun was charming and chilling as it hid behind the cirrus cloud, whisking across the azure sky.
In somewhat enough temperature, the wind contradicted the supposed warmth of the afternoon.
All these calmness tempered his senses, as if it was the only he could feel.
Mayuzumi Chihiro positioned his self just beside the entrance door of the rooftop, back was leaning against the slightly washed-white wall concrete, while his hands were tucked properly inside his pockets.
This time was different. It was one of those rare days when he would just spend his free time doing nothing instead of reading, all because there was no available title to read. He had already finished the latest volume of his LN.
So that brought him to this situation.
He was there, blankly staring at the gentleness and calmness of the sky while feeling the breeze of the air that made the strands of his bangs danced swiftly. This could go on for as long as the lunch break ends, he thought. He liked how refreshing it felt on his forehead when suddenly, that sensation disappeared.
The door beside suddenly opened up, causing disturbance to the flow of air.
His eyes moved to the corner just to have a glimpse. But really, he already knew who would appear behind that door.
Ha...
He was right. It was that person again.
As she entered the area, Mayuzumi noticed how her eyes checked immediately the spot he would normally used, at the corner, near the railings, exactly the opposite where she would usually sat herself.
Seeing it empty, a quick formation of small "o" came visible to her mouth.
Mayuzumi sighed. Did she really not sense him beside the same door where she came from?
And somehow, maybe it was the sound of his sigh, or maybe it was her finally sensing the presence of another person that made her turned around.
Her eyes widened a bit, startled with the sudden realization that he was actually with her in the rooftop.
This reaction supported his idea. She was indeed oblivious of his presence for a moment there. Regardless, he wanted to point out that she was improving on noticing him a bit faster compared to the previous times.
When their eyes locked, she blinked twice.
Mayuzumi remained unbothered with the situation.
The newly arrived girl recomposed herself while contemplating the situation. Who came first, him or her? This person's aura really was something else... she thought.
Just accept it already. There's a human being breathing right exactly here.
Seriously...
Anyhow, the girl went on to her usual spot.
Not that he was looking, but she was walking exactly in the direction where his eyes were at so he could clearly see what she was doing. Also, it wasn't like he had other things to do.
She stopped besides the railings, opposite of where he was.
Always this way, he thought.
She would always position herself on his opposite but this time was different.
The usual scenario was only the sides of their body would be facing each other.
This moment, however, it was their actual faces that were directed, as if they were watching each other.
She clamped the fabric of her skirt all from the back before locking it on the surface under her knees to sit down.
He nonchalantly watched her as she had gotten comfortable on sitting. For a few seconds, she froze in that position, as if she was checking the surrounding especially the surface of the floor, checking if she wasn't causing any disturbance around her.
Just what she would cause disturbance to? Like a line of busy and hardworking ant? He supposed.
Blankly, without really expecting that she would start a conversation, he just silently paid her a gaze.
Until she blinked, and the next thing he knew was her eyes focused at him too.
Their locking eyes appeared to be doing the casual hi and hello of two people meeting.
A pair of black orbs just like her hair – as those facts registered to his brain, his senses awoke, quickly averting to stable his eyes to the other direction.
Why was he even looking at her that long?
What was he exchanging gazes for?
A shadow created by the clouds when the sun went behind the clouds surfaced the area, Mayuzumi looked up. He leaned the back of his head to the wall. He could see more if there were other things present above the sky aside from those cottony like object and plain-blue sky.
His mind had been travelling on and off from the sky, his surroundings, to the girl and vice versa.
After a while, the girl finally broke the long silence between them. "...You're not reading today." Of all, he could almost feel the smile present on her face when he heard it.
Nevertheless, she never expected a reply so she continued.
"The weather is so nice, isn't it?"
It was, indeed.
He was just complimenting the weather earlier.
"It's like you're in deep thoughts." He heard her again.
Since when did she become capable of observing him?
No, not exactly. He was just looking at the sky. That was all.
Still, it echoed inside his head and made him ponder.
Was he? In deep thoughts? Why would he be?
Not really.
After all, there wasn't much or any special thing that had happened that would require that state.
Everything and everyday were all the same.
Most of the time it was just LNs and his monologue that filled his mind.
So he wasn't...in deep thoughts per se.
He sighed and tucked his chin upfront, as he gave the girl a quiet stare.
"You're really quite something else. No wonder you earned his interest." She said in a slightly low voice as if commenting it for herself yet enough for him to hear.
She was holding a book, caressing the sides like how one would do to their beloved copy.
He blinked as a small curiosity developed inside.
He knew he could ask her. Who was she referring? What she meant with that? Yet to put it bluntly, he didn't really care.
This was how Mayuzumi Chihiro perceived things and situation around him. He was the embodiment of the words carefree, unbothered, uninterested, and the likes. Perhaps this feeling would remain until he graduate, he was sure of that.
He saw her as she flipped the pages and noticed the slight changes that occurred on her face upon seeing a page. It was still the same LN as his'.
Mayuzumi blinked and thought, an unknown girl, cluttering his favorite place during his free time, reading the same book as him, won't be significant to concern oneself. The so called tranquility was no different than these feelings—carefree, unbothered, uninterested, and the likes.
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Why is an amazing, almost perfect player like him doing that? As if he's so thirsty for victory.
If Mibuchi Reo would be asked his first impression to their freshman captain, it would be that.
He wondered why that person was practicing so much, to the point where he couldn't lift his hand anymore due to exhaustion.
The first time his eyes landed on Akashi Seijuro was when their old captain introduced all aspiring freshmen to the first string.
An emphasis was given to the redhead at that time noting that he was the captain of the famous Teikou's Generation of Miracles.
There was also a rumor of him coming from a wealthy family which became a fact after further introduction.
The Akashi Finance Group, that big conglomerate in Japan, he was actually from that family. In short, Akashi Seijuro was pretty much insane, in terms of background and personality. He was also a total genius, be it in academics or extra-curricular activities.
I wouldn't want to associate myself with a guy like him. He heard once from one of his co-player.
In an instant, the newbie actually entered the first string. Definitely the fastest promotion any member had ever since the club formation.
By then, Reo already knew something was off. The way he carried his self was what stood out among others.
Save the greetings, the getting to know stage, the first words he heard from the redhead was a game play invitation. Not just for him but for the other regulars while proclaiming that if he ever beat them in a 3 on 1 match, they would have to accept him as their new captain.
Don't joke around. Just who do you think you are?
It was so hard to believe unless you experienced it yourself.
The guy was outrageous.
For the first time, the regulars of the well known champions experienced defeat in the hands of one freshman. It was ridiculous but that was the truth.
He wasn't just all talk, indeed.
Reo couldn't comprehend the situation at first. Was he really just a freshman? It was too unreal if he gave it a deeper thought. And of all school, why did he choose this one?
But what was the point of wondering the answer when he already know the pride of Rakuzan High.
This institution was the overall basketball champion for five consecutive years in the Interhigh and Wintercup tournament.
With three uncrowned generals and one generation of miracles, it made the current team their strongest line up ever since it was founded.
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"Neh, Neh, Reo-Nee..."
Upon hearing, the taller player couldn't stop the sudden formation of furrowed brows on his face, slightly glaring at the owner of the voice whom he wondered why couldn't keep quiet and see the outcome himself.
"How long is Akashi gonna practice? I wanna go home. Ahhh, I'm super tired." Hayama Koutaro complained, sluggishly.
"Koutaro, stop whining." Reo said, veins comically popping.
"Right, this is just how he is."
Reo eyed his bulky co-player, silently agreeing to what he added.
It had been like this all the time.
Their practice was already over and yet he still wouldn't budge from the court.
The team's small forward who was way too carefree with his life, something that annoyed Reo often— once again, blasted. "Anyway!~ Zaki is probably on her way now."
Reo couldn't help but frown at the rowdiness of their blonde member.
Still oblivious of the annoyance of other players, Hayama grinned, before pulling out his mobile phone from the pocket of his jersey. He turned on the device while speaking. "Ahaha!~ Reo-nee, you look like my old-man with that kind of face. Ah! See it's time!" he beamed, quickly eyeing on the main door.
And he was right, the girl suddenly appeared.
Mibuchi could only hiss from the accuracy of Hayama.
Like a ball of sunshine, Hayama's amusement was visible on his face and tune.
He tapped the shoulder of the shooter beside and continued. "This happens like...ahm, "he looked up as if searching the right continuation of his words "almost every day, right?"
As a matter of fact, that was correct.
Hayama was already used to it. Like a non-failing schedule, the girl would always appear at the same time to fetch Akashi which would also hint their club activity's dismissal.
Of course, they just couldn't leave their captain alone in the gym, and not like they could tell him to stop so they had to wait patiently. Good thing, Akashi Seijuro's so called secretary would always come right on time to save them from the seemingly endless club duties.
The other player —Neibuya Eikichi— joined Koutaru from standing while heaving a short sigh of ease. "Alright, time to go."
"Eh, wait you two—!"
"My... Reo-nee, Let's go."
The blonde took his bag, sliding it on his shoulder, "Akashi, we're going now.~"
That remark made the redhead paused. He was about to aim another shot, probably his 100th shot for the day, but had to postpone it and be contented with his 98th for the meantime.
He wiped the lower part of his cheek with the back of his arm before sending a slight nod to his teammates.
Koutaru smiled, one tooth visibly peeking. "Yo!~ Zaki!~" he aired one palm towards the visitor.
The girl bowed politely in return. "Hello, Hayama-san, as well as Mibuchi-san and Nebuya-san."
Finally, a gentle face, definitely the opposite of his co-player faces, Reo thought.
A hearty smile replaced the wrinkling in the black-haired player's face. "Formal as ever, I already told you that 'Reo' is fine—"
"Or Reo-nee!~" Hayama interjected, grinning from ear to ear.
To his dismay, Mibuchi grimaced at the blonde caused by the rude interruption, the nickname was fine though. "You're so noisy Kotaro!"
"Both of you actually." Nebuya sighed.
The girl smiled. The relationships between the members of this club never failed to amuse her.
"Well, see 'ya!~" Hayama uttered as he walked past her together with the other two regulars.
Every day, after her club duties, she would always come to fetch the red head. Knowing him, she knew he would always spend extra time to practice so she didn't really have to worry about being late. She could take all her time in her own club and still be able to do other task.
"Your teammates are lively as always." she smiled, followed by a bow in respect.
He had his towel wrapped around his neck as he approached the girl.
On her view upfront, she saw his feet stopped. And that was when she took the opportunity to straighten her body with her hands clasped firmly on her front, "Thanks for the hard work, Seijuro-sama."
"I already told you. You don't have to come here all the time." he muttered.
"I'm afraid I might not be able to follow that."
He crossed his arms.
Suddenly, she pulled out a file board that contained documents regarding his schedule for the night.
His eyes narrowed, directing them at the girl. Her loyalty was getting on his nerve sometimes. Some days, he just wanted to do it himself, organizing the schedules and tasks.
Her eyes travelled from right to left as she read the contents for him.
After that, it was silence that filled the two, stretching until the moment they reached the car.
The expensive-looking black limousine was parked in the front of the school. Only at times like this when he would allow the car to be parked in front of his school, this time when the students were already out of the school's premises.
Without any ado, the two went in.
She sat in front, at the passenger's seat, while Akashi Seijuro owned the back seat, all for him. When they finally found the comfort in seating, sooner the driver proceeded on driving.
And just like that, their usual day at Rakuzan High came to end.
Quick note:
Man~ I used to write this on my phone via Notes. It's really hard to cut the parts when i had wrote everything randomly whenever the idea sparked.
WARNING: This story is super slow-paced(kind of , especially in the beginning) ..
anyways,
thnk you if you're here.