I took the liberty of writing a chapter about Akashi before the Vorpal Swords game. :)

(This was all supposed to go into last week's update...)

Ai and the guys walked all the way back to the gymnasium. They briefly debated whether to take the bus or call for a cab, but the group arrived before they knew it.

Ai had never been to the Aida Gym. It was a big facility, equipped to train professional athletes. There were rooms of weight-lifting machines, treadmills and cycling bikes, abundant locker rooms, and a big pool with many windows to let in ample light during the day.

Akashi led the way to the indoor basketball court where the others were still stretching or otherwise lingering.

Takao was the first to look up. "Oh hey, looks like they're back."

"Ai-chan!" Momoi gasped gleefully. "Tetsu-kun!" The pink-haired manager was about to throw herself to him in a hug but stopped short, noticing something was wrong. "What happened?"

"He was kicked in the stomach," Ai explained, since she had been there to see it, and looked around the gymnasium. Everyone was there except Riko and her dad, who wasn't back yet.

"Why were you at the clubhouse, anyway?" the other person from America questioned.

All eyes fell on her. Kagami was the only one bold and unknowing enough to ask, but everyone wanted to hear her response too, if she was going to answer.

"I saw them from the car on the way to Seijuro's house. I didn't plan on being there."

"Murasakibara, Aomine. Get some chairs out for us," Akashi commanded.

The two nodded and left while Momoi hovered over her crush. Kuroko almost stood straight now, but still leaned on Kise.

"You okay, Kuroko?" Hyūga asked, walking over to them. He and the players were all changed out of their sportswear into their normal clothes.

"I'm alright," Kuroko told his school's captain, but the shadow's voice was the slightest bit strained.

"Do we have a medicine box?" Ai would search for one herself, if it wasn't for Akashi still gripping her hand.

"I think there's one in the locker room," Momoi said, but she looked as though she didn't want to leave Kuroko's side.

"I'll get it." Wakamatsu walked out just as his junior and Murasakibara came back with the chairs.

They each carried two and unfolded them.

"Four's enough, right?" Aomine muttered as Kuroko sat down.

Akashi agreed and tugged her to sit on another one. The two additional seats remained vacant, with everybody preferring to stand. They crowded over her and Kuroko as if they were on their death beds.

Ai sighed exasperatedly. "We're not dying. You all can give us a little space to breathe."

At her sarcastic comment, they slowly backed up. Akashi was the only one who stayed put right beside her. At this point, people would have thought their hands were glued together.

Momoi kneeled on the floor to inspect Kuroko's injured abdomen, and Riko came back from sorting through the brand new uniforms and jerseys for tomorrow. The assistant coach quickly got to his treatment with the data analyst's assistance, rambling on about why he would do something so heedless the day before their precious match.

This got Kagami and Aomine riled up again, and Ai finally released Akashi's hand, but not before giving it an affectionate rub, to go ease their temper. Kise and Wakamatsu agreed to extra practice with the heated guys instead. They couldn't play for long — too much exercise would affect their health for the game tomorrow — but it was enough to let off some steam.

Soon, the same chauffeur came to pick up the imperial couple, and Riko deemed that Kuroko was okay to go home and rest.

Telling everyone that she'll pack the food for tomorrow, Ai and Akashi left in the car to go to his house.

.

The car's quiet engine was all she heard as they drove to Akashi's estate. She could read from the air around him that he was still upset with her actions. He'd hardly said anything since they left the club.

The gates made of metal bars opened automatically. The car rolled up in front of the porch of his now-familiar manor, parking temporarily. The driver came around the back of the black vehicle to open their doors. He placed a gloved hand against the roof of the car doorway so she wouldn't accidentally bump her head and hurt herself. Akashi got out first and offered a hand to help Ai out, still wordless.

She breathed in some of the night air. A few yards away, the heavyset, carved wooden doors of his house opened from the inside. A servant welcomed them in. Behind them, the driver got back into the car, heading to a garage somewhere.

Finally, she couldn't take the silence anymore. "Seijuro?"

He didn't respond, only nodding when the staff informed him that dinner was ready and waiting to be served.

Her voice echoed when they were left standing alone in the extravagantly furnished foyer. "I'm sorry."

Nothing.

"I don't know what else to do," she admitted.

Akashi turned to her then, and she met his eyes.

"You were reckless."

"I know," her voice came out small.

"I explicitly told you to stay away from them."

She bit her tongue. "Did you expect me to just leave them be? To simply stand back and watch?"

"What if we had gotten there even a moment too late?" he shot back. "You were defenseless against them. Who knows what they could've done to you." He cared for her, deeply; she knew that. This was his worries speaking.

"Kagetora-san was there to handle it if things got out of hand."

He shook his head, refusing to accept that argument. "I can't always be there to save you like today. You have to have a sense of danger around people like them."

She stared bravely into his eyes, standing her ground. Ai wanted to tell him that she wasn't all weak and feeble, but he had a point. It wasn't as if she knew martial arts to be able to fight back, nor had she had a plan for when the Jabberwock players decided to attack her instead of Kuroko.

For a short moment, Akashi paused. Then suddenly, he closed their distance in a swift, swooping motion. He captured her in an embrace, cradling her head with one hand while his other held tightly around her back, until the air escaped her lungs. Although it was enough to make someone flinch, she didn't. She trusted him more than that, and his strong arms were nothing but gentle.

"I will never forgive myself if anything happened to you." He pulled her closer, tangling his fingers in her hair. His voice became inexplicably soft, but it hardened to stone again in his second sentence. "I can't lose you, too. I will not."

Akashi had lost his mother when he was young. In elementary school, if she remembered correctly. Only a couple of years before they'd first met. From the few stories he shared about his childhood, Ai knew that his mother had been a person of tremendous support. She could only imagine how traumatic it was for him, and the hardships that followed, when she passed away with an illness.

At that moment, Ai felt full of longing. The kindness inside her tickled to reach out and comfort him, as he often did for her.

It was hard to suppress her yearning when he trusted her to be vulnerable in front of her. She held on tightly and pressed her face to his shoulder, feeling him rest his cheek against her head. His embrace made her feel that she was wanted, needed, and cherished. His arms felt like home, toned biceps and all. It made her believe that he wasn't going anywhere. That she wasn't alone anymore, and she would never be, as long as she was with him.

Her heart ached as she hugged him back, but she couldn't help but breathe out a small laugh. "You're exaggerating. You won't lose me."

She pulled back after a solid minute to meet his somber eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you like that. I promise, I won't put myself out on the line like I did today again." Ai held his gaze and gave a little smile. "But, I'm not as dainty or fragile as you think."

Akashi's grip on her waist tightened for a second, and his right hand moved from behind her head to cup her face. "You mean the world to me. You'll always be the person I want to protect most."

Ai searched her mind for something to relay the emotions she felt for him. He had to know that he meant just as much to her. She had to tell him. Taking his hand from her jawline, Ai twisted it over and guided it to her mouth so she could press her lips against the back of his palm. The chivalrous gesture that he always did for her. It was with the utmost sincerity. "I missed you."

Nothing was as special to Akashi as this moment. They had nowhere to be except in each other's arms. There wasn't a time limit, either. His maroon eyes could hold her captive for eternity. He leaned in, kissed her soft lips, and whispered, "I missed you more."

.

A few minutes later, Ai found herself dining supper in Akashi's castle. They sat together again at the table and conversed between bites of the delectable dinner.

Akashi smiled at his plate, not because of the food, but because he was with her to share the mundane happiness. Using the proper silverware, he had an impeccable posture and manners when he cut the roasted vegetables into bite-sized pieces. The clatter of silver against porcelain was overshadowed by delightful conversation as their voices filled the room.

"How is practice coming along?" she asked after nodding in thanks to a servant who cleared the soup plates away.

"It took us a few hours to get coordinated, but our plays were synchronized smoothly by the end of the second day." He had a captain's aura when he talked about the team; strong and reliable.

"As expected, from such talented players," she said simply, sharing a grin with her boyfriend. It felt nostalgic to be around geniuses again. This was where her high standards came from.

Although the Generation of Miracles had experience playing on the same team, they heavily lacked teamwork and cooperation. Playing together — yielding the shot to teammates at the optimal timing, passing to others in rhythm, and forming multiperson combination strategies — was something the guys had thrown out the window in Teikō as they prioritized victory.

Now, with a new additional team member, the guys had to learn how to play with Kagami as well. Hopefully, there were no hard feelings of being beaten by him and Kuroko in the last Winter Cup.

"Is everyone getting along with Taiga?" she wondered.

"You address him by his first name?" But he didn't sound too surprised.

A giggle left her lips. "I had a feeling you were going to say that. It's an American thing, nothing more."

"And how does he call you?" Akashi questioned, drinking water to clear his throat.

"He doesn't. I've never heard him say my name directly."

Her boyfriend hummed thoughtfully but amused. "What about the Karasuno team members?"

"Usually only by my given name, except for the first-years." He already knew that she preferred to use her first name, ever since she moved from the states.

"It was mostly just the eight of us when we were at Teikō, you know? With Kuroko-kun, Satsuki, and myself in addition to the five of you. This is my first time to really have juniors, and they're all adorable." One look at her fond expression told him that she was happy, at Karasuno High School, with her volleyball and sadō clubs.

As long as she was happy. "Anything else I should know about?" His eyes glimmered.

She smiled. "Just that they're all great friends. And I've missed our little group of friends, too." Nothing about the huge basketball players was little, only that there were fewer people than her volleyball club, and she liked the juxtaposition.

"I can't count how many times Kise asked me when you were coming to watch our practice. Everyone including Takao-kun did at least once, although he might have only been teasing Midorima at the time." Akashi sighed in faux distress. "Momoi and I noticed that Kise and Aomine were more restless than usual. They were all going to text you multiple messages if they didn't hear from you soon."

"I guess I have you to thank for not letting them overload my phone, Seijuro," she grinned.

He smiled back. "I think Kuroko was a bit worried that you'd forgotten about us."

"How could I forget? You're my only basketball team, and my first ever sports team." She tapped his forearm eagerly in a rapid sequence, like an impatient child begging for attention. "Tell me about tomorrow's game plan."

The two continued eating as Akashi explained to her the different formations he and Coach Kagetora had created. The balanced formation with the five prodigies from Teikō Junior High, the defensive form with two power forwards, and a case where Kuroko was the small forward and Kise acted as the point guard.

Ai nodded along thoughtfully at every strategy he expounded in detail. Again, she admired his skills as a captain and point guard. "I'll have to swap notebooks with Satsuki sometime," she mused.

They finished eating, and a maid brought a tray of jasmine tea to relax to after the meal.

Akashi placed the gorgeously painted teacup back on the accompanied saucer. "I'm sure she's overjoyed to manage the team with you again. I think being Tōō's only manager was lonely for her, even with Aomine there."

Ai's lips turned into a twisted smile. "You're right. I'll have to make it up to her."

Akashi met her magenta eyes to speak honestly. "She isn't upset about it. Nobody is. Midorima's gotten over you going to a nameless school, like Kuroko did, a long time ago. And, everyone else is an open book. Vorpal Swords is an opportunity to be a team again."

"A second chance," she hoped.

They smiled. "Exactly."

.

Afterward, they went their separate ways to their rooms.

Ai entered the bedroom suite from before, with the deep pink comforters and cherrywood coffee table where they played shōgi on the glass tabletop. The sofa, where they'd shared their first kiss, was still there, as were the rest of the dressers and furniture. Nothing was rearranged. It felt a little as though this was her room, out of all the others in this maze-like estate.

She spent about half an hour mulling over her notes, simultaneously waiting for her turn to borrow Akashi's kitchen after the staff was finished.

The kitchen was two levels downstairs on the first floor. It was squeaky clean and very spacious. Ai quietly guessed it to be about the size of a full volleyball court. The chefs had all gone home for the night, leaving her with shiny granite countertops and countless cooking tools.

Two hours into her work, there was a soft knock on the wall as Akashi rounded the corner to the kitchen entrance.

She looked up to see him peering in.

"How is it going?" He'd come to check on his girlfriend.

"Well enough. I'll have to continue tomorrow before we leave since I haven't had much time, but the menu is planned." Ai gestured to the two open notebooks on the wide counter: one with a black cover and the other crimson.

Akashi walked over, his eyes scanning her handwriting on the pages of the red one. The black notebook contained numbers and calculated nutritions. "That's a lot of dishes."

"I thought I'd accommodate to everyone's favorite foods. I still added vegetables even if Atsu-kun doesn't like them. Fewer carrots for him, though."

Everything she did was out of consideration for others. He pursed his lips, but not long enough for her to notice.

Akashi pushed the thought away for now. "Two batches of honey lemons?"

"I was afraid Atsu-kun and Daiki-kun would eat them all. Better to have extra to go around for everyone."

Listed next were other fruits to bring for snacks during breaks in between the match, plus the handmade lunch.

"Teriyaki meatloaf with cheese, onion gratin soup, cream stew, squid ink pasta, yakisoba, qing jiao rousi with celery, steamed vegetable salad...," he read off. "Who likes kimchi?"

"Kazunari-kun. I asked what he'd like for lunch when he took me back to Nekoma the other day."

"Hmm," Akashi hummed before turning his attention back to the menu. "Homemade cold shiruko and seasonal fruits for dessert." They happened to be sweet, ripe peaches, melons, and mangoes; she planned to pack them with ice so that they would stay cool in the summer heat.

Ai nodded, going back to cutting green peppers. The sooner she finished, the sooner they could go upstairs together.

Akashi knew how much she loved fruits, as well as her disappointment of their high prices in Japan compared to America. Strawberries were her favorite, not to mention they went very well with azuki delicacies. Unfortunately, the red berries and Momoi's favorite food, cherries, weren't available in August.

"Is there anything you need for these?"

She smirked, shaking her head. "Your fridges and cabinets are all stocked. It's almost eerie. Your chefs do use this kitchen, don't they?"

He chuckled. "Of course. Where else would they cook our dinner?"

She giggled back. "I feel bad for Hyūga-san, but I don't think I'll add natto to our bento lunchbox this time. I hope he'll have some at his house for breakfast instead, and I'm sure Shintarō-kun would be relieved that he wouldn't have to smell it."

"Our stomachs will be too full to play. Your cooking is too delicious to pass up."

She waved his compliment off like it was nothing and changed the subject. "Oh, could we have tofu soup tomorrow morning?"

"I thought you would've wanted an American breakfast." He trailed a hand over the ingredients on the countertop.

Thinking back to her previous stay earlier in the month, before the preliminaries, Ai remembered that they'd had a European breakfast then. She shrugged. Scrambled eggs and toast had always been her go-to meal, mostly out of convenience and a habit that she'd brought with her from Vermont. "I like traditional Japanese food, too."

He knew she only suggested it because he liked it, but Akashi nodded anyway. "I'll tell the cooks, and we'll have them prepare matcha chiffon cake, too." Her other favorite.

She had to bite her lip to contain a grin, slightly embarrassed. "I should get this done beforehand," she murmured, returning to the recipe.

A warm hand wrapped around her wrist just before she turned on one of the two stoves; they had six burners each. Two of them already had pots simmering above to make broth for Kise's gratin soup. Akashi waited until she met his gaze before he spoke. "What you should do and what you want are two different things."

She replied earnestly. "I want to."

"Because you're our manager?" he tested, though he knew the answer.

"Being a manager for Vorpal Swords is just a title. I would do this for you and Satsuki and Ryōta-kun, Shintarō-kun, Daiki-kun, Kuroko-kun, and Atsu-kun, regardless." Smirking, she added as an afterthought, "And Taiga, Kazunari-kun, Hyūga-san, and Wakamatsu-san, too."

He grinned for a moment, and placed a hand on her cheek. "You're the epitome of benevolence." His lips brushed against her forehead next.

Her height was perfect for those kisses. Ai was used to looking up at people, effects of spending most of her middle school days with Aomine, Midorima, and their resident two-meter giant, Murasakibara. Her boyfriend was no different. She liked that he was taller than her, as it gave her a sense of protection, safety, and that she was endeared. She could rely on him whenever she needed him.

.

Ai worked in the kitchen for a little while longer, with Akashi's help to speed up the process. He was quite deft with a knife, skillfully cutting and peeling vegetables.

The volleyball teams thought Ai could do anything, but they clearly didn't know the captain of the Generation of Miracles very well. And, as clichéd as it was, he would do anything for his girlfriend.

When they were adequately done and the clock ticked towards ten o'clock, they cleaned up the place. Ai checked the gas stove, making sure that it was turned off all the way, and hit the light switches.

Akashi carried her notebooks and took her hand in his. He smiled. "Come with me."

She followed him upstairs, thinking they were going to his room or somewhere else, but he stopped in front of the bedroom she was borrowing. He opened the door and ushered her inside.

A different nightgown lay on the rouge duvet, with a matching shawl on a hanger nearby. Those weren't there before, and it made her wonder where he got so many women's clothes. They looked new and of the latest fashion for them to be his mother's old dresses. Which meant only one thing. "What happened to the one I wore the last time?"

"It's in the dresser." He motioned to the second drawer from the top of the wooden furniture. "Did you like that one in particular?"

"I don't have a preference." She stared at the floral design of the new sleepwear. "They're both so beautiful."

"I'll buy whatever you'd like. All you have to do is tell me." As stereotypical as it sounded, she didn't think he would offer so much. But, the longer he was with her, his resolve to spoil her with anything she fancied grew stronger. All she did was take care of her team in every spare moment, and they rarely got the chance to thank her properly.

Instead of pouting like she wanted to, Ai crossed her arms to appear as mad as she could. "Seijuro, I don't need new clothes each time I stay over."

"Let me." Akashi squeezed her hands. He wanted to dote on her, his only girlfriend, the only person who truly mattered. If he could spoil her with materialistic things, he would buy the entire department store and more. The only thing stopping him from giving her a gold credit card under his name was that she might be offended if he did. She deserved to be the most pampered empress in the world.

"Seijuro, you can't just..."

"They're all yours. The nightgowns, the pink evening dress from our first dance together, the bracelet, that silk robe," he pointed to the article of loungewear hanging in the armoire. "You can take it home with you, or keep it here for future sleepovers." He grinned at his girlfriend. "Your choice."

Ai blushed like it was the only thing she knew how to do, getting a taste of her own medicine. Now she understood what Sugawara and her other volleyball clubmates felt when she helped them with even their littlest problems. "I'll... take back this one. Would you leave the others here for me?"

He raised her hand to his lips, keeping eye contact. "As you wish."

.

Kenma: thanks for the time and address. everyone from Nekoma's going.

Kenma: is it ok if akaashi and bokuto-san come too?

Ai: Of course. I'll reserve 12 seats for you in the audience. Shall I text Keiji-kun?

Kenma: it's ok i'll do it. kuro wants to know if you're gonna meet with us before the game

Ai: I probably will. Thank you, Kenma.

Kenma: it's nothing. see you tomorrow

She could almost hear the setter speaking through his messages, and it brought a smile to her lips.

.

After changing into the new nightgown and shawl, Ai trotted to Akashi's bedroom door, as her boyfriend had asked if she would sleep over in his suite again.

Knocking thrice on his intricately carved door, she waited for an answer. When it opened, she did not expect to see him just out of the shower, shirtless, and a towel draped around his shoulders, presumably to dry his hair.

"Am- Am I early?" She didn't mean to stammer, but Ai felt much like Tanaka or Taketora at the moment.

He smirked lightly. "You're right on time. Come in." He opened the door wider.

At least the towel hid some of his body; she didn't think she could handle the embarrassment of seeing his bare chest while they were alone in his room.

Since they had a big day tomorrow, the two of them compliantly got ready to go to bed.

"Do you want to switch with Momoi on the bench?" he asked, finishing the last two buttons of his pajamas. "You're as vital to the team as her."

She remained turned around, giving him privacy despite his comfort with changing shirts in front of her. "Thank you, Seijuro, but I'll watch from the stands. Satsuki's practiced with you this past week while I was with the volleyball teams at training camp, and I trust her to page me if she needs anything." After Midorima voiced the tribulation earlier that evening, she made small efforts not to call them "her" volleyball teams anymore, to avoid further jealousy. "I might have some friends over to watch the game with. Besides, my work with the team is far from recent. I hate to admit it, but I've been out of touch with basketball for a while."

Coming up to her from behind, he gently tugged on her shoulder so that she would face him. "Are you being humble?"

She hooked her hands delicately on the curve of his neck. Gazing into his eyes, she admired the color and his heart hidden behind them like she's always done before.

"No," Ai answered honestly. "I'm sure she's the better manager and more suited to care for you in the game tomorrow."

With Coach Kagetora, his daughter Riko, Momoi, and the three backup players, the bench was full. Both of them knew this, and the fact that she had the least amount of experience with the newly formed Team Vorpal Swords left little room for argument. There were only so many chairs available.

Akashi rubbed his hands on her back affectionately. This was a reluctant decision for him, too. "This time," he relented. "I hear Mibuchi is coming to watch with Hayama and Nebuya. Perhaps you could sit with them."

"I would if I could, but I think the stadium will be packed tomorrow."

Speaking of, her phone chimed with a text from Himuro.

Tatsuya: Will you be on the bench tomorrow?

Ai: No, I've entrusted Satsuki with the manager's position.

Tatsuya: Then, maybe we can find a seat together.

"Who is that?" Akashi read her texts when she let him see. "English?"

"It's Himuro Tatsuya-san, from Yōsen. He lived in Los Angeles, California. Like Taiga."

"Hmm..." He was quiet. "And?"

"We met when I visited Atsu-kun, and he came to Karasuno in Miyagi once, accompanying Atsu-kun, of course."

Ai: I think the stadium may be too crowded for an arrangement tomorrow, but I promise to meet you with Atsu-kun and Taiga after the game.

Ai sensed his jealousy and didn't tease him about it. She knew their boundaries. Akashi would probably lock her up in a tower and keep her to himself if he could. Her disappearance would be a tragedy for both Nekoma and Karasuno teams.

She clicked her phone off. "He's nothing but an acquaintance, a friend at most. You're my boyfriend, Seijuro." She touched his cheek. Her other hand held the necklace against her collarbones as evidence.

He sighed. "Your infinite kindness towards others gets me anxious sometimes," he admitted. "But, I can't deny that it's one of your greatest talents."

He pressed their foreheads together before closing their distance. "I don't doubt you would've exceeded what I imagined. You already have, with that lunch menu of yours. And you bring out the best in people."

She giggled into the crook of his neck. "You make it sound as if I were some Great King."

"Great King?" he repeated, quirking a brow. "Why not a queen or empress?"

She pulled back to arm's length again, her hands still on his shoulders. "Karasuno has a talented setter with the alias of 'The King of the Court'. He's the rook you met and suggested I choose for Ryota-kun to copy at the barbecue in Saitama. Anyway, one of his teammates calls his mentor 'The Great King'." She lowered her gaze and rested her head on his chest. Her voice became soft. "It was his team that we lost to at Interhigh."

Akashi wondered if he had mistaken his words. "Sorry. I didn't mean to reawaken painful memories."

She picked up her head and shook it. "No. If anything, I'm grateful for his influence. It's given the team valuable experience." She smiled a little. "As proof, we did well at the Spring High Preliminaries." Thinking back to Kageyama telling her about his encounter at the Kiddie Volleyball Class, Ai added, "And, I learned he's not as bad of a person as was my first impression. He's a third-year, like Reo-san, so a year older than we are."

He smiled, too. "He's not trying to bribe you away, is he? If what you say is true, as fellow royalty, I can't have either kings stealing my consort."

She laughed. Ai knew that he was joking, but his cold tone could make everyone think that he was all too serious. "I promise, nothing they do will ever persuade me otherwise. The younger sovereign is family at most, and our relationship is stronger than that."

"I'm glad to hear." He smiled charmingly.

She waved a hand between them as he led her to sit on the sofa. "Enough about me. How is Rakuzan? I can't be the only one gathering attention at school."

"I've received a few confessions," he said, not giving it any meaning. "I don't count how many."

Honestly, the truth left her a bit unsettled. But, Ai thought she should find comfort in the fact that he'd declined all of the other girls.

"Will you tell me about them?" Her voice was quieter. It felt a little like she was prying into a secret.

Akashi seemed surprised by her question. "You want to know?"

She nodded slowly. Wasn't it better to know? "Yes."

He sighed through his nose. "There seems to always be whispering in and out of the classroom. I don't give it much thought, but I've heard rumors about myself."

She nodded, listening, so he went on.

"Shiō Mizuki asked for a relationship multiple times. She's in the same class as me, and I've gotten letters and small gifts from her. I never accept anything, of course." He turned toward her. "Mibuchi says that I'm infamous for being distant towards all females."

Ai smiled at his light joke. "I don't know whether to feel relieved or sorry for taking away the chance for you to make female friends."

He smirked. "Maybe I should announce to everyone that I already have an irreplaceable girlfriend."

She blushed again, for how many times that night, she wasn't counting, but it felt like a lot. "You keep teasing me with those sweet words, Seijuro," she complained.

"And, I adore your reactions." He tucked her hair behind her ear.

Ai smiled bashfully, but she had to ask. "Do you ever feel swayed? Like, you'd want to be with them instead?"

"Never. As I said, no one can replace you, Ai. And there's no one better." By the look in his eyes, she knew he was serious.

A timid smile formed on her lips. "I'm glad."

"And, you? Have you met anyone of interest?" Akashi asked in turn.

Her teeth grazed her lips nervously. "Do you remember Nekoma's captain?"

How could he forget. Another captain, but a different shade of red. "Your childhood friend?" He was afraid she would bring him up.

"Yes... He and his team are coming to watch the game tomorrow, with Kōtarō-san and Keiji-kun." She tried to recall her memories from when she was a little girl. "Although, I don't remember much. I think I was five or six when he moved away." Ai was perceptive and had sensed that Kuroo wanted to be more than close friends.

"Would you have left me for him?"

Ai doubted her hearing for a second and openly flinched. "No. Never."

"What if you weren't dating me? Would you have chosen him? Or perhaps Aomine?" For once, Akashi didn't meet her eyes.

"No,..." She was shocked, almost achingly so, that he would say such a thing, and it showed in her expression. From the moment she had begun dating him, she never saw anyone else in that way. Did he think she would choose anyone other than him?

When he snuck a glance in her direction, he knew one thing. He never wanted to see her look like that again.

"Seijuro, what..." She racked her mind. Why would he think those things? "Was it your conversation with Daiki-kun? Back in Saitama?"

Perhaps that had influenced his thoughts, just a bit. Unlike his grades or basketball or shōgi matches, he had no control over her heart. It scared him more than he could believe to think that she could fall out of love and leave so easily.

Her touch brought him back from his thoughts.

"You don't have to worry. I'm not going anywhere." Ai held his hand, promising. She wanted nothing more than to stay up with him and talk all night, but she knew they should be going to bed soon.

Akashi seemed to have thought the same thing as he kissed the corner of her lips. "Let's rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

They got into bed, sharing a thin summer blanket. However, after snuggling in his arms for an hour or so, Ai found herself somehow still awake.

Perhaps it was the anxiety of the revenge match with Team Jabberwock in place of Strky, or it could have been worries for her Karasuno team that went back to Miyagi before her. She simply couldn't relax.

To get some air, she slipped out from under Akashi's arms and beneath the covers. Tiptoeing to the balcony window, Ai clicked the lock open and slid outside. She closed the glass door behind her so as to not let the humid air inside.

Ai rubbed her arms; with a breeze, the night air was cooler than she'd thought it would be. She supposed it was to be expected at the end of August. Staring out into the dark backyard that stretched for half a mile, she gazed at the outlines of trees and the trimmed landscape in the moonlight.

The door opened behind her and someone stepped out to join her. A thin robe covered her shoulders and draped down her back. "You'll catch a cold."

Ai tugged the clothing securely around her frame. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"No, it's fine."

Akashi remained standing behind her, so she turned around to face him. "I'm sorry again for being ignorant of your feelings today."

His hands gripped both sides of her waist. "I won't let anyone hurt you again."

"He didn't."

He stared into her eyes, searching for a lie. He didn't just mean physical pain, but emotional discomfort, too. Then, he patted her head. "We'll show them tomorrow. Let's sleep for now." As if to lure the drowsiness, he dropped a kiss on her eyelids.

His arm held her back as he escorted her back inside. Akashi took the robe that he had given her and draped it over the back of his couch. They climbed into bed again and slept soundly until the morning alarm.

Author's Note:

I just randomly made up a name for this part, so it's not a reference and you don't need to remember it or anything.

For anyone who didn't know, this past Thursday was Haikyuu!! Day (819 Day), on August 19!!

Even if the date's already passed, we can still celebrate it! And mark your calendars for next year!

(I'll do a favorite foods list, for both anime, later when I have time!)

Total Word Count: 6222

(I guess I should start shortening chapters if I'm going to be publishing late? Haha...)