Today is colder than yesterday. He mused as he gazed up at the sky.

He would have to find a temporary place to read his novel once winter arrived.

Yet on a second thought, he wondered why his usual guest wasn't here yet. No, he wasn't waiting for her, rather, he was only curious. After all, the second volume of the novel they had been reading finally came out and knowing how she was reading the first volume, a thought occurred to him that she might be happy if she saw that he already had one. But not that he worried about her. She was just a mere stranger enjoying the same book as him. As a fellow reader, he knew what she would feel.

What was he thinking again? Why was she in his thoughts anyway?

Mayuzumi quickly brushed it off.

It wasn't like him to wait for someone.

It wasn't like him to worry about someone's reading hobbies.

Was the story of the book influencing him somehow? Like how the main character was approached by this machine girl named Ringo? That it made him felt those giddy yet good feelings? Was he actually thinking it might also happen to him? That something might begin at this rooftop like the one in his LN?

No...

He won't be like that character. He won't be excited to have someone like her. He didn't even know her.

Moreover, such things like relationships, crushes, love or dating never impressed him.

In the end, he just continued on reading the volume 2 of his LN. But, just when he was about to get on the good part, he suddenly heard a new voice.

"Mayuzumi-san, is it? Hello there."

He blinked. Maybe having a guest wouldn't surprise him anymore but hearing a male voice all of a sudden was quite unexpected. Wait, thinking about it, he was his ex-captain?

And here he thought, rooftop wasn't even allowed to students.

"Aren't you being too friendly? Shouldn't it be "Nice to meet you." and not "Hello there." Either way, he continued on turning the pages of his book.

Truth to be told, he didn't like this freshman and yet there he was, acting too casual towards him when it was their first conversation ever.

"We were on the same basketball team until a few days ago."

Surprisingly, the third year didn't expect that. He dropped the book for a while to actually acknowledge his guest as he rose up his head to have a better look at the redhead. "That's unusual. There's hardly anyone who immediately remembers who I am."

"That's because... I know someone that resembles you very much." The redhead smirked before noticing the book that had been in the third year's possession since he arrived. "By the way, what are you reading?"

Without hesitation, Mayuzumi closed the book and handed it to the redhead. "A light novel."

"Light novel?" He mused upon accepting. He turned it on its back as he briefly scanned the summary written on there.

"You don't know that?"

It wasn't that he didn't know it. In fact, it was kind of familiar. He remembered reading the same title from before. Where could it be again?

"Are they good reads?"

"The story isn't as heavy as others, so they're easy to follow."

This time, Akashi turned in on the front cover. The artwork seemed familiar as well. He had seen this before. This character design, he remembered.

Wasn't this the one he saw from Hotaru's collection of books?

"If it's a matter of like or hate then you'll like it. It's worth a reading."

Akashi simpered, something that Mayuzumi didn't like. "You're making fun of the cover?" He asked in an ever monotonous voice of him.

"No. In fact, I've read the first volume of this." He dropped the hand possessing the book in his side,

"Anyway, you're actually similar to the phantom sixth man."

Mayuzumi snapped, "From Teiko Middle School... So that wasn't just a rumour?" Somehow, it earned his attention. He had been hearing about that but never once he confirmed the reliability of that sixth man, whether it actually existing or not.

So the generation of miracles wasn't the only thing that should ring a bell to anyone upon mentioning Teiko Middle School but also the phantom sixth man. After all he was real.

Then, he got it. He was real and so...what was he trying to get by talking to him?

"Yes. And here's the main part of the conversation."

Mayuzumi waited as the redhead delivered his next words. "Mayuzumi Chihiro, I'd like you to become the new phantom sixth man."

His eyes narrowed. He'd like to... Clearly, that was not him asking a favor nor requesting. He sounded like he just wanted him to do it just because he wanted.

This was why he despised geniuses like this person. As if they could get anything they wanted just because they wanted it.

He curtly stole the book back from him. "I decline." Wasn't the phantom sixth man only known in passing?

"I love myself. It would be boring to become a player specializing in passing the ball." He faced the redhead upfront, "It's not like I want to play in a game that badly. If I don't feel good, then there's no meaning to playing basketball."

Akashi smirked once again, but this time it was different. His eyes widened towards him.

What's with him? He suddenly feels different.

"Amusing, you interest me even more. You can become a phantom player that surpasses Tetsuya."

Oi... Oi... What's up with this freshman?

Although he clearly stated his disagreement, in the end he couldn't seem to proceed on declining.

For some reason, something about the redhead made it impossible for him to even repeat his reason.

He seemed like a different person suddenly.

Mayuzumi felt like he wasn't given an option, rather, it was a mere order that needed to be fulfilled.

.

.

.

.

.

It became a habit of him.

There were times when Mayzumi would go on and off randomly in a train station that he wasn't familiar just to kill time.

Most of the time, he just wanted to spend his free time strolling around or might as well as observe people.

It became too interesting to wander around places he didn't know, crossed paths with people he didn't recognize while studying their movements, how they looked like when they were waiting to reach their destinations. Were they in hurry? Was there at least someone like him from them who actually had no particular destination in mind?

It was interesting.

He felt like he could get to understand someone by just that, words or a conversation wasn't really needed. He only needed to look thoroughly while trying to read them.

Just like now, he just went off from another station, yet again.

After what happened last time at the rooftop with a certain freshman, he wanted to give it some thinking before making any decision.

Though he wasn't really given an option, still, Mayuzumi didn't want to be kept in a situation that he didn't like.

Well, he might be that intimidating but no way he would let a mere freshman dictates what he would do with his school life. In the end, it would only be a matter of whether he wanted it or not.

[...will arrive from Yamashina station.]

Here it was, the next train that he would use.

Wherever it might take him was up to this train now. He just wanted to think while sightseeing around.

As he stepped inside the train, before he could position his self on the corner, his eyes suddenly caught a familiar figure.

A black hair in a bob cut, wearing the female uniform of his school. She was currently holding onto the long steel near the corner where he planned to stand.

She seemed to be busy looking outside. That was nice, he thought. At least, for now he knew she wasn't yet aware of his presence. He could still change his plans and proceed on the next cabin somewhere far from her.

Conversing with her was the last thing he wanted. Well, that was until he heard her voice. He knew it was her and he knew it was aimed towards him.

Her face suddenly lightened up after catching his eyes.

However, he just had his expressionless face while eyeing her as well.

Was he supposed to greet her in this situation?

Her lips quickly formed into a smile. "Mayuzumi..."

Aren't you being too casual?

She blinked, shaking her head for one second. "Mayuzumi Chihiro-san."

Now, that's too formal.

She leaned forward as if wanting to start a conversation. Though their distance to each other was like a meter or two, it didn't stop her from aiming to initiate a conversation. She looked on both sides before eyeing him back.

A slight frown came visible to his face.

She smiled, and seemed to be informing him that her sides were both unoccupied and that he could stand beside her.

No matter how he looked at it, it didn't seem right.

They were like...—still—...strangers to each other. So what was that look? He didn't have to stand beside her. They weren't even friends or something.

However, the people around them already read the situation, completely considering them as if they were together. They moved a bit for a while so he could shift beside her.

The people around gave him that kind of look as if waiting for him to step inside at once so they could position their selves comfortably in the crowded train. And that they were only doing him an act kindness for giving a path towards his supposed acquaintance.

Such a misread for his part. Did they think he was her some kind of bestfriend or what?

But what could he do? He had no choice but to go along. It wasn't like he could just ignore these people, he didn't want to gather attention at all cost.

Now, he was standing beside her. He leaned his back against the wall of the moving train.

Hotaru just smiled.

Just what are you smiling about?

Mayuzumi put his hands inside his pocket as the awkwardness engulfed him. He never had this much closeness from an opposite gender from before. Well, wait, maybe he already did, but to have it to someone you didn't know but at the same time know... was a different story. In fact, it was too complicated to even explain.

What does one do in such situation?

Suddenly, he felt her elbows touching his arm.
He winced, human interaction was really something he wasn't used of. More or less, it only made him frown. Had he always been this weak to the opposite gender? Meh, maybe he just didn't like the drama that they liked to create.

"S-Sorry." she mumbled.

He nodded just a little.

Then there was silence again.

A minute passed before it stretched to what it felt like 10 when she broke it once again. "Am I troubling you?" Hotaru whispered, slightly leaning forward to meet his eyes.

He averted his eyes from her before answering. "Not really."

For some reason, the short answer of him made her giggle. "Your reaction is telling the opposite though." she teased, putting one palm in front of her lips.

I get it. That falls on her category of jokes.

Should he laugh though?

No thanks.

And then she leaned back.

She didn't seem to be really asking for any deeper or longer conversation than what they were already having which made him somewhat thankful. Small talk had never been his forte anyway. And neither the girl.

Mayuzumi's eyes trailed on his bag, suddenly remembering the volume 2 of his light novel. He glanced at her wondering if he should tell her that information. But how would he start that topic anyway? Of course he just had to open his mouth and say it, right? But it wasn't as easy as that, was it?

However, she wouldn't know unless he say it. Judging her, she didn't seem to be the type who actually checked bookstores to see if there was a new volume released.

This was him offering a kindness for a fellow reader, he thought.

"A clock—"

"I'll be taking off from here." She informed all of a sudden just before he could finish his own words. Her forefinger was airing and pointing at the direction of the door, outside. When her eyes fell on him, she noticed how his face seemed interrupted over something, Hotaru blinked, "Were you saying something?"

As smooth as he could, he pretended to be eyeing the person behind her instead.

"Must be your imagination." he mumbled, looking away to the opposite direction, somewhere where she was out of his sight.

The girl looked around, noting how crowded the train was. Therefore, it might be really her imagination.

"I see." She stepped forward and tried to pass in between of the people around. Just a few seconds and the door would be opening but before that, she turned her head to face him once again. "Then I'll be going now. See you again." She uttered while wearing a smile.

That smile again...

He sighed inwardly afterwards.

See you around...she said...?

He wouldn't admit it but that was the first time someone other than his family said that to him, like he was expected to be seen the next time.

Mayuzumi looked outside trailing his eyes on the figure of the girl who was walking her way to the exit.

She seemed to be in a hurry though.

As the voice over inside the train informed its departure, he lifted his eyebrows while thinking the possibility that maybe it wouldn't be that bad to at least answer that remark.

"Well...see you." he mumbled to his self.

.

.

.

.

"First, fix your language. Casualness is a no-no. Always keep it formal. Second, Seijuro-sama, doesn't like seaweeds. Third, don't be too loud when you're with him. Try to understand that even though you're at the same age, his responsibilities are way too high compared to you so don't give him too much stress. Fourth, your loyalty should only be—"

"Yes, Aoyama-san, I got it all already." she chimed in, raising one arm to steal his attention.

"No. I need to tell you this everyday just to be sure."

"But I've already memorized it all. Please, Seijuro-sama is my superior. My loyalty belongs only to him, yes? It really is, in fact." The young girl stated.

Aoyama tapped her desk, somewhat irked with her constant interruption. Though, if she understood her task then that was all that he needed. "Then do it, especially the third one."

Third one? What was the third one again? Was it the 'don't be too loud whenever she's with him'?
Oh...

Hotaru snapped, as if she wasn't aware that she had been unconsciously doing a mistake. "B-But...he doesn't seem to mind that..."

"That's what you think! Seijuro-sama is just too busy to correct you but you must know that he particularly didn't like noisy people! Alright let me teach you how to read the expression of his face."

There were times when Hotaru would remember the lessons she often had with Aoyama— the lead attendant of the Akashi household.

Most information she knew about Seijuro all came from the old man, while the other facts were gathered as the years passed by as she got to know him better.

Several years had passed as well and he was now a retiree. But that didn't stop the connection she had with him.

There were times when she would visit him just to remind him that he wasn't alone and that he at least had a family, just like this time.

Maybe it was her way to payback the guidance and support he did for her especially when it was getting tougher due to the changes that happened to the young Akashi when he was in middle school.

It was also something that they liked to talk about from time to time. Aoyama had known the child even before his mother died up until his last year at the mansion. At least him, he knew how the kid was like before she entered his life.

"He used to smile more when Shiori-sama was still here." Aoyama would often say while shaking his head in dismay due to the outcome of her life. "Why must it be that short?"

It was the information that never left her mind. She liked to imagine how the young Akashi was like during that time. She liked to use the old attendant's story to visualize it herself.

"After the tragedy, Masaomi-sama didn't let him mourn. He only added more pressure to him by giving more lessons and educational tutoring."

As he narrated it, the girl would always lend her ears all quietly.

She was aware of the fact that she would never ever know the weight he was carrying during those times. Yet, she wanted to understand. And as much as possible, she wanted to hear more stories from that time.

"It was so sad, if you'd ask me. What a poor child."

Hotaru glanced at the old man. "Who do you think was at fault then?"

She noticed how the color of his hair had turned all white. It really had been a long time since those times when she used to run in the hallway of the mansion which would always be followed by him chasing her before hitting her head all the time.

"I can't say for sure. I understand Masaomi-sama, he only wanted the best for his son." He sighed wistfully and shook his head once again before reaching the package that the girl brought for him.
While opening it, he continued his words. "Maybe he didn't want Seijuro-sama to fall on his feet and be consumed with that loss ...so he tried to divert the young master's attention." He scrunched his nose as he smelled the bun that was inside. "Oh, isn't this..."

She nodded with a small smile, "The bun you used to buy for us."

Another memory...A kind of memory where Akashi Seijuro was included, the old man recalled.

"Ahh. How nostalgic." Aoyama smiled, a visible pattern of aging was visible even in the surface around his mouth.

It seemed like every time Hotaru visited him, they were only multiplying.

"Actually, that time, I was only buying this for you. After all, Seijuro-sama wasn't allowed to eat unless it was from the chef of the house." He remembered, mesmerizing the days that were long gone as he carefully looked and inspected the smoothness of the white bun. The smell, the texture, they were all bringing those times.

Hotaru smiled. "I really liked the thrill it gives whenever I sneak inside Seijuro-sama's room to give him a piece of that bun."

His eyes widened, "Really, you used to be so careless." but still laughing at the end. This was what memories were supposed to be like. There should be no regrets in reminiscing, even the bad ones.

"...but he liked it, Aoyama-san. —'Be grateful, this is the food of the low-class human being!' — I remember saying that to him." The girl took her portion from the box.

The sound of the leaves swaying outside, from Aoyama's garden, accompanied them. The shoji door that was kept opened gave them enough brightness as well as cold air. It was indeed getting colder nowadays, Hotaru noticed.

"Of course, I'll never forget how you were both scolded by Masaomi-sama when he found it out." Aoyama clicked his tongue.

"But do you really have to bring that up, Aoyama-san?" The girl slightly narrowed her eyes. The sad memories were something she would want to forget at all cost. She sighed as she trailed off her eyes outside. The bun in her hand was already in half, revealing the flavored fillings in the center.

"I wonder why he changed though..." she mused.

The older man lifted his brows, still munching some bits of bun but this didn't stop him from retorting. "What do you mean?"

Hotaru blinked towards him to meet his nonchalant face. She wondered, ever since then, why did it seem like she was the only one who noticed that changes that took place during his middle school years?

It was true that she never knew how he was like when Shiori was still alive. There was no comparison to rely with except the stories she would often hear from the head attendant and pictures she saw from before.

Akashi Seijuro used to smile a lot. He used to be a carefree kid.

They said his mother was always there for him despite the workload that his father was giving. It was the reason why even though there was already pressure in the young Akashi's studies, he was still able to cope up with everything.

But after she died, it all changed. Hotaru knew him by then so she was aware of what he was like.

Hotaru had been there, since then, all the time. Maybe at first, she was only fooling around but really, her eyes never left him.

She knew, he was having a hard time but he could still find time to enjoy his youth.

In his club, when he was in middle school, even though they went on a different school (because Teiko's tuition fee was beyond her capabilities), she was still aware of his school life. There were times when she would ask him how his day turned out and he would always willingly tell her stories about his club.

Basketball club, he liked to talk about that. This was why she knew how much he enjoyed that sports and Hotaru could assume he was having a good time at the school as well.

He had friends, he would mention one time. They were all nice and liked the same sports just like him.

The school was also known as the champion every year which earned the approval of his father.

Masaomi let him did that sport as long as it wouldn't interfere his studies. Knowing Seijuro, she knew he could do it without a fail.

Everything was all fine and normal until she started noticing the gradual changes happening to him.

Some days he would arrive without uttering anything. Despite asking like the usual, he would just say nothing.

As day passed by, she noticed how the calmness he used to have was slowly drifting away. Somehow, his face was turning more serious than ever, like he was always in deep thoughts, like he was growing too fast than her. Sometimes, she couldn't almost follow what he was saying.

He became more and more absorbed with his studies that most of the time he was just inside his room. He refused to go out anymore to socialize with the staffs of the household. It was like he was carrying more pressure everyday which piling up from time to time. Sometimes though, she wanted to hit his head hard and tell him 'Breath.' But of course that was something she could never or would never do to him.

Until one day, as if everything happened way too fast, the moment he arrived at the mansion from school, he looked at her with cold eyes and she knew right away that he wasn't the Akashi Seijuro that she used to know. He was not the Akashi Seijuro she grew up with. He was not the Akashi Seijuro she used to watch. She wanted to ask why or what happened but no words left her. She couldn't bring herself to do that because she knew whatever it was that he was carrying inside his heart and mind, whatever the reason why he suddenly became like that, there was nothing she could ever do. And ever since that day, she never heard him play the same tune in the piano. Although he still touched the instrument during his lessons, it was all different. They were just like a noise but still an art as what his tutor would said. But no, for her, it wasn't him. It was just some other person who looked like Akashi Seijuro that was playing the piano. He was only following those difficult notes written in the musical sheets. He was only turning them into a song. It wasn't the Akashi Seijuro she knew. It wasn't the person she heard before.

Of all these thoughts running inside her mind, she only let out one word to use as a reply from the old attendant's question.

"Nothing..." There was nothing...

Aoyama shrugged his shoulder. "Well..." he sighed before making a short smile. Who was it that was there as she grew up? If she claimed to be the one always watching over the red head then it would be Aoyama towards her.

Ever since...

"...I guess that 'Nothing' has more weight to it than just how it sounds."

And he was just right. It does...

.

Quick Note:

It's true! Mayuzumi likes to do that, it's in his bio. haha :))

here's that,

He spends his free time getting off at train stations he isn't familiar with, just to wander off.