First of all, let me just tell you how terrible I feel now. I feel as if I disappointed you with my absence, but still I have to apologize for that. My summer time has been crazy. I thought I'd be able to control my writing, but I got extremely busy with the summer job. And then it started... I had some health problems and basically was unable to do anything. After I came back to mu university I wrote next few chapters, cause the inspiration was back - the city is awesome for writing, haha. You may believe me or not, but as I got the internet connection, my laptop broke down. Now I've got a new one but it took some time too. So please forgive me, and thank you for staying with me. You're the best. Love you guys!
This time I'll let Chiara and Akashi have their a bit 'Teikou' moment. Let them know what you think! And this time I swear I will see you soon!:)

I was standing on the podium, holding the InterHigh Cup in my hands. None of us expectes such an easy win; we didn't even have to try too hard. All we had to do was keep an opponent in the eyesight and they had already lost their control in the game. Is that the future of Japanese football? If so, then thanks, don't sign me up.

"And the Most Valuable Player Award goes to..." the emcee has started, while I automatically closed my eyes, resigned. It's the same each year. "Chiara Attaviano!"

Man's voice disappeared in the applause's noises. I sighed quietly and brought the most beautiful and charming smile on my face I could offer then. I really have got nothing against those statuettes, nor the winning itself. But how long can I take pleasure in being the only drifting winner in the area? I started slowly understand Aomine and his dislikeness towards trainings. Still I have ten guys I am responsible for. They keep me in place. I owe them my life.
I received the award from event organizers and raised it in the sky, giving vent to audience's excitement. How could I forget about them? Japanese fans accepted us pretty easily. We really had to suit their taste; a team of Italians, doing their best in the country of blooming cherries. I bowed to all all of them and returned to my place.
Somewhere in the audience, in the blink of an eye, I noticed characteristic intense, crimson hair. Of course they'd come up to watch the ceremony. Theirs was about to start in two hours, in a nearby arena. After they smashed Touou Academy they had reasons to be proud. Especially because it wasn't even the first string. But you could say the same about their opponent; where was Daiki when needed?

In a few days everything came back to normal. Everyone, who took part in InterHigh, was busy with their school lifes. Our Student's Council also improved itself; the other members got strongly attached to Akashi. He, no matter what changes appeared during his last year in middle school, still was able to move the crowds with his irresistible charisma and self-confidence. As he often quoted himself: quick and decisive. I watched it all from the side, letting him rule in his own way. It didn't differ that much from mine, excluding the terrible problem of students class help. I cut back myself to polite greetings, which I threw straight from the door every time I entered the office. If someone was to compare me from then and me from the beginning of the year, they could say I became a different person. I stopped smiling with each step I took. Sometimes I forgot to answer to somebody's 'hi'. My mind drifted away during classes and, is it even possible?, I spent more time with books. As if I stopped caring about people surrounding me. Only the team was stable. They saw everything, but stayed silent. Also Sebastian quitted growling at Akashi when they passed each other in the hallway. He simply was in a bad mood if something made him impossibly angry. So I avoided those kinds of situations, staying in the office as long as possible.

It was one of those days when everyone had left their paperwork to me and decided to go home. I was sitting by the desk, having some difficulties with my letter of recommendation to university. It still seemed incomplete. Do I stand a chance with the grades I have now? Harvard is extremely strict, but also the best in the world. With their sport and study scholarships they rule over young, ambitious individuals. Including me. I had always wanted to study languages there, while experiencing different side of football. That's everything had to be perfect.
I was in the middle of writing strong arguments supporting my interest in social studies when the door opened quietly. The President entered soundlessly and reached for some papers from his drawer. I raised my head, watching as he scanned through the documents. His eyes were glued to one place, but it felt as if he saw everyhing. I shivered. This silence between us suggested nothing good. Ever since we came back from InterHigh Akashi was trying to talk to me. Whether it was exchanging the papers or shutting the classroom - he's been searching for a topic, where I'd say more than two words. Well, good luck then. I run away like a pro.
I resented him a lot. All this bet I agreed to do made totally no sense. The redhead behaved unfair towards me and I just couldn't bring myself to forgive him. It hurt like an insult.

"It's late. Aren't you going home?" he asked. I was waiting for this. I waited for him to speak. I rolled my eyes and returned to the letter.

"I still have some work. You can go, I'll do it."

"I do not doubt that. But does isn't it useless to do all the paperwork on a Friday evening?" he approached my desk, leaning on it's surface. With this move he cut away my exit. Oh yes, another part of his conversation. Making his interlocutor feel like in cage. All I had to do was fight back. I thwacked the papers with quite a power. I managed to surprise him.

"What do you want, Akashi? Why are you so interested in everything, that has anything to do with me? Don't you think it's a little bit over the privacy boundary?!" I threw questions at him, keeping myself from growling. I'd jump to his throat, if only I had fangs. He observed me, with raised eyebrows, not understanding my anger.

"Chiara..."

"Shut up, I ain't done yet." I snorted. Ouch, I overdid. But all emotions were erupting and I couldn't hold them back anymore. "You won Akashi, I officially give up. I can't mentally stand you and the state you bring me to. 'Cause I don't know what I want from you anymore. After your visit in Rakuzan I'd expect everything, but surely not that. Where had I made a mistake, tell me! My heart is in pieces, my soul in shreds and mind at the edge of abyss. I'd never wish that to my worst enemy. Look what's left of me! And that's all because of you! I really wanted to challenge you in this bet. Yet you just treated me with contempt and nonchalance..."

"Stop, now. Explain, please, what you mean by those words." I breathed deeply; my pulse was crazy. The cheeks were tinted with red.

"You were supposed to win InterHigh, Akashi." I folded my arms. I got up from my seat and headed toward the window. Cold air was blowing into the class, helping me to calm down.

"Hadn't I done that? It's just the way I wanted. So you are obliged to my wishes for one evening." he answered, coming closer. I stretched my arm, wanting him to stand in place. Surprisingly, he followed my order.

"You didn't win the InterHigh, Akashi, but your team. That's a big difference. It's you I wanted to see on the court, I desired the showdown between you and Aomine. I needed it more than you imagine. I've been to all your matches. And what did I get in reward? Repeat from last year. I'm sad, because you didn't take me seriously. Well, I guess that's how much you care about my honor and pride."

"If you wish, we can cancel the bet, Chiara. But I will not let you put those words into my mouth." he lowered his voice and, ignoring my order, approached me. We were standing few centimeters from each other. I could hear his breathing.

"No, Akashi. You may break me as many times as you want, but I will not bow to you. I lost the bet, so the punishment is on me. No matter what it is. Because as long as I am Attaviano, I will stand up after each defeat." It's the first time ever I made the rules in our argument and I couldn't not feel the euphoria overflowing my body, blooming in me. And even though Akashi's eyes shot daggers and his cheeks were sick pale, he didn't seem dangerous anymore. He just was. And I didn't want to stop.

"Fine, let it be. Now, there's one small problem left..." he started, and before I noticed, I was pinned against the wall. I turned my gaze away. This position could make miracles sometimes, crap. "Those accusations you have against me are invalid. Never, ever, would I let you feel that way. Why am I the bad one in this relationship? Have you ever thought about my feelings? I aim for absolute win, because that's what matters in this world. Being strong and holding sway. Since I win, I am always right. You taught me that. I just learned it by heart. Chiara..." he whispered, moving his face close to mine. His fingers played with my hair strands. Someone from aside would never understand the topic of our conversation. I swallowed, cause the control was slipping off of my hands. "Where did we stray in our pursuit of perfection?"

"You're doing it again." I muttered. "You make me go crazy and unstable. I'm honestly sick of it. I'm not in control of anything, and whatever I'd prepared without you turns into dust. The more I want to move you aside from my life so much, the more I am attracted to you. What kind of situation it is?!"

Akashi was listening to me in silence, still touching my hair. He stroked it on his face, twirled on finger and even placed under my nose.

"It's not sick, Chiara, it's normal. You see, those things work reciprocally. You're extremely, how to say that, disturbing. You don't let me focus on more important things. At least I see them as so. But when I look around, you're there, and so I loose concetration and the will to fight. The challenge between us was supposed to be something different. You being stubborn turned it around. This thing now... It's called magnetism, ya know?"

My heart beat faster; oh, if only I could I'd hide in his embrace immediately!
As if redhead read my mind, cause he opened his arms, giving me an access to himself. I sniffed, but I didn't give in. I glanced at my shoes, folding my hands. His hand easily found its way to my hip. He brought me close.

"I'll only ask you once, Chiara" he whispered right into my ear. "Since you know what happens to you in my presence, then why are you still by my side. You can tell me to go definitely, and if that's what you want, I am willing to do it. Cause I had promised you, not so long ago, that I would make you happy. So? Will it work for you?"

"I also made a promise, Akashi" I whined, holding back the tears. With shaking fingers I caught the collar of his shirt. "I promised to be there for you, but I didn't manage to do it. Look how desperately I'm trying to fix it. Who am I to change the world?"

"Even if you push me away, Chiara, I won't let you go so easily. Making mistakes should never be a human feature. I believe in second chances. You're the base of my personality, I wouldn't be me without you. Cutting away from me, you deprive me from everything that's important."

I was crying onto his shirt, nuzzling my face into the crook of his neck. Doggone it! I proved to myself that I still may have feelings for him. No, not may. For sure. But where will it get me to.

"Our talks look terrible lately." I muttered. Akashi's chest shivered a bit; was it a laugh? I've missed it so much.

"Then coming back to the bet..." he said. I moved away quickly, cursing under my breath.

"Oh no, Akashi, not this. I've got no power for that, there's still a lot to do. You use my times of weaknesses too easily." I gathered all the papers. I was sitting here long enough though. Before I left, he took my hand.

"Tell me it's not over."

I shook my head and left the office, not exactly sure how to interpret his statement. That was the reason I started the argument, right? To cut him off forever. I was ready to give up my position and take care of myself. We both know the power of words we use; we know how to manipulate. Word-juggling is probably Akashi's favorite game, right after basketball and shogi. But it turned out like that. We were still at the starting point. But nevertheless, after I left the bulding I felt better. Because some part of my Akashi was still there. I only needed to push more.