Uh— I forgot about Momoi last chapter, so— she'll get one later on ahaha.
Akashi's Cat (Rakuzan)
Akashi Seijuurou had a fat, ugly cat.
Everyone in Rakuzan knew it. If one looked closely, they would catch glimpses of the round, white bundle of short fur turning a corner, or lazing about on the school walls. It was even weirder when it occasionally hissed at the air. Pets were not allowed on campus, and yet none of the staff or teachers could manage to get the cat off the school grounds. It just— stayed at a pretty fair distance, away from everyone but one. It was oddly close to Akashi.
It would watch basketball practice underneath a bench (before someone would spot it and chase it outside). It would trail Akashi from the courts to the dorms. It would somehow perch its large body on the windowsill outside of Akashi's classroom. Sometimes, someone would catch a moment of Akashi talking to the cat with such a scathing tone that they could've sworn that cat glared right back.
(Although, all of them immediately thought that they were hallucinating and would rather believe that it was a fever dream— no, they definitely believed they were imagining things.)
Needless to say, a majority of the student population believed that Akashi hated the cat with some sort of disdain.
Well— that was until after the Winter Cup.
Something changed— everyone noticed.
Before the Winter Cup, Akashi Seijuurou was terrifying - no one was brave (or foolish) enough to stand against him. He literally had every plan, and knew how to exploit every weak point without hesitation. Sure, he smiled— but more than half the time it promised absolution. He literally became the school president not just because of his insanely perfect grades, but his extraordinary ability to lead.
After the Winter Cup, Akashi Seijuurou was terrifying, but not in the same way. He smiled more; he laughed more; and carried that weird always-on-campus cat in his arms (no, half the school would "never" admit wanting to be held the same way). His grades were still absolute, and his leadership skills were kinder than before (still perfectly dazzling). Yet, it was his random jolts and strangled yelps at nothing or people that made him terrifying. He was always quick to wave off others like nothing was wrong (when in reality he lied).
Kuroko Tetsuya may be the master of misdirecting eyes, but Akashi Seijuurou was the master of misdirecting words.
But.
It was his cat.
Mayuzumi didn't care much about club graduations, especially the basketball's. He was still a bit bitter about the Winter Cup, but things did change for the better.
Ish.
He was shocked to start the final game with their absolute captain, and end with— with... Well, Mayuzumi had no idea what to really think about this Akashi. Oddly enough, he seemed warm, and actually very caring despite his straightforwardness (for lack of better wording). He even encouraged others with the right words. Mayuzumi could possibly grow to like this Akashi.
Possibly.
On the day of the club graduation, he accidentally fell asleep on the school roof. He only woke up to the sound of someone talking.
"—ou made us wait a long time, brat."
Strangely enough, the voice sounded like an annoyed old man. What the heck was a teacher doing on the roof? Or rather, a teacher wouldn't be calling student a brat— Rakuzan had respectful teachers.
"Do you know how much work you made me do? Don't you dare think a mere meat bun will pay your two year ignorance!"
Someone muffled a laugh. No— That sounded suspiciously like Akashi. It was almost jarring to hear how light it sounded.
Curiosity (or utter shock, it could've been the combination of the two) got the better of Mayuzumi, and he creaked open an eye, peeking under the book over his face. At the sight he was greeted with— he struggled to pretend that he hadn't woken up.
Akashi Seijuurou knelt on the middle of the roof, giving his fat cat (it was blaring obvious by now that the cat was his) a generous scratch around the ears. There was a smile on his face, but it seemed oddly sad.
"You can scold me later, Sensei," he muttered, "Someone is going to hear you."
"Baaahhh, like you couldn't stop that with the blue one."
Mayuzumi froze up.
Wait.
What the hell—
"Don't bring Kuroko into this."
Akashi picked up the cat, tucking it comfortably against his chest like a soft, round stuffy, and looked over to Mayuzumi. In any other situation, it would've been hilarious to watch Akashi's eyes widen like saucers and the smile slipped right off. His perfect posture faltered when a thousand different emotions clearly crossed his face before settling with quiet horror, "Ah."
Mayuzumi couldn't pretend anymore. Let his light novel fall from his face, clattering to the rooftop. His own eyes blown wide, and mind still struggling to comprehend the last few moments.
Then he breathed, sharing Akashi's quite horror for another reason completely, "That thing talks?"
