Hey guys, here's another chapter :) Sorry it took so long, but I had everything prepared and by an accident closed the wrong tab and my whole text disappeared, haha, had to write it again. Anyway, hope you'll enjoy it. I leave you to Chiara, Akashi and Reo, let them know what you think! And I believe I will see you guys soon!
PS Thank you so much for 10,000 views, you are so amazing! I can't believe it's happening :) Love you love you love you! :D
"Please take a look at this, and afterward try to get a signature from your hometeacher." I heard above my head. I looked up just when Akashi was putting the briefcase in front of me. I glanced at the title. The conference about human resources management, Akita. Confused I turned my gaze to the President, who was still standing beside my desk.
"What is this?" I asked, reaching for the documents. Inside was a colorful brochure inviting young, ambitious representatives of Student's Councils to participate in lectures in north of Japan. All this would take few days. Two teenagers were smiling friendly in the picture, but somehow they didn't seem extremely cheerful. I snorted quietly, holding myself back from making a comment. The briefcase included also a detailed schedule, which truly got me curious. Especially the idea of classes with personal trainers and coaches sounded good to me. "Do you really think we should apply for a permission to take part in this trip?"
"No, Chiara. Invitations for this party are sent only to the most prestigious school all over the country, for their President and his standby. I highly doubt if there will be more than thirty people. And about the permission, well... we already have it. Those offers are irresistible, even our headmaster is aware of that. I have let myself book the hotel and tickets. I just need some signatures from you."
During his monologue I opened my mouth unconsciously; I probably looked rather silly, staring at him with this expression. Akashi was serious though, and by his eyes I understood he wasn't joking.
"Why am I the last one to know about such things, hm?" I asked.
"You're not going to discuss? Refuse?" he was astonished. Usually I sassed him on every opportunity. Only to make him angry. And maybe a little bit to hear some nice arguments.
"And accidentally miss this event? I can't say I am satisfied with the way you presented it, but..." I sighed quietly. "It's a chance to meet new people. I could use it in my recommendation letter for university. So against what you've been probably thinking I agree, I will take care of this after I finish correcting festival's budget."
The redhead smiled indistinctly but didn't leave his place. He was standing there, with his hands tucked into his pants' pockets and observed me with curiosity. I didn't want to raise my head and tempt my luck. It could end for me tragically. So I tried to finish reading an announcement from Literary Club, but his gaze constantly made me loose my focus.
"Anything else?" I added.
"You look good today." he stated in the same time. I frowned. Well, that was unexpected. I sat more comfortably in my armchair and folded my arms.
"The originality of your compliments has always surprised me, Akashi."
"You misconceived my words, Chiara. What I meant is that I can finally see you well-rested and simply content." he bent over the table. "You know, this sight of you reminded me why I had liked spending my free time in Teikou's Council's office so much."
I got up from my seat reddened and throwing papers at him rushed out of the classroom. I managed to catch a view of his amused face when I was closing the door. This idiot will go over the top one day, I swear. I regained the calm beating of my heart and looked at the brochure held in my hands. Akita sounds good. Even very good, if we're going there just the two of us. The pulse sped up again and I couldn't hold back my stupid teenage giggle. I bet he wouldn't know how to react to my expression. I went down the hallway, without noticing how quickly my normal steps turned into small jumps of joy.
Reo caught me in the canteen and dragged toward a small table, where we sat together. Even Hayama decided not to comment on it, waving at us cheerfully and running after Akashi. I laughed lightly and agreed for everything that brunet had to offer.
"I've heard about the trip." he started. I raised my eyebrows. "Did you get the signature?"
"I didn't even have to ask for it." I answered. "I barely managed to get to the staff room, when the headmaster run out and demanded the brochure from me. Akashi really had to interest them with this conference, since they care so much. But to be completely honest, I am impressed too. Rakuzan has never been invited to such a thing, even before my reigns."
"It's not only to Sei-chan's merit, sweetie." Reo reached to his bento and took a piece of meat. "Our school has always been awesome, but it got the greatest prestige when your team decided to come here. Our captain only continues your work. Even if you didn't switch positions, you'd still get the invitation."
"And where does that certainity come from?"
"Sei-chan told me himself; besides he never speaks of you differently than in superlatives." he added, winking at me. I lowered my eyes and snorted. Did he really have to?! Reo-nee is a shrewd person. He's sensitive to things that normal people never care to notice, so the relationship between me and Akashi couldn't slip away just like that. Still, he could have stopped himself from commenting.
"Are you also on the other side of a barricade?" I whined, pushing away salad made by Marianna. Suddenly I stopped feeling hungry.
"Oh, honey, just don't get angry! I can't bear seeing the two of you. You've go this animal's instinct you know? You'd jump to each other's throat for a smallest thing if you could. But also you'd sacrifice for the second one. God, the chemistry between you is so intense I can see the sparks!"
I hid my face in hands, quietly praying for this day to end. Even Lena didn't complain about us so much, and she had more opportunities. I wonder if Akashi has to listen to Reo's babbling too.
"Now please explain what has this conference to my relationship with Akashi." I changed the topic a bit. I won't get out of this easily, but I can control my words and avoid unnecessary confessions. The shooting guard smiled mischeviously and little did I know I got myself in trouble. A big trouble. Bad idea, Attaviano, but you can't undo what's been done. Now suffer.
"C'mon, you know!" he came loose, moving his hands in a theatrical gesture. Some students looked our way. I snuggled into my chair, wanting to curl up and die right then and now. What an embarrasment! "You are going there alone! For a few days! Do you think I am not aware of what happens during those trips?"
I smacked his arm really hard, seeing the suggestive move of his eyebrows. I also cut the discussion by turning my head away from him and reaching for a book. Great, now I will look at this trip through the prism of Reo's words. And I was looking forward to it. Truly. Akashi isn't this type of a person, me neither... My cheeks tinted with red involuntarily. The brunet smiled victoriously. He knew what was going on in my head.
"Alright, Chiara, I'm sorry. You never cease to amaze me. You could have been a couple for so long by now..."
"Sorry to disappoint you, Reo, but we won't be. Me and Akashi have changed a lot during last year, we see things differently. We cooperate, because it's up to us to keep this school in its place. Don't count on anything more."
"It's your opinion, because you put him on the last place in your set of priorities. Don't deny it, it would be a terrible lie. You both deserve better." the boy got up, taking an empty box with himself. "It's high time for the two of you to stop letting off steam and finally talk honestly. What are you, kids from primary school? It doesn't work like that. You rule people so easily, actually you two are the first to do so, but yet you can't order your own hearts."
With those words he left me alone, ashamed and feeling guilty. There was a lot of truth hidden between the lines, but he didn't know the whole story. I threw leftovers to the bin and exited the canteen.
The same day, in the evening, I was laying in my bed, with laptop on my legs and searched for some information about Akita. I had some basic knowledge about this place after geography lessons, but I guess I've never been there. At least I couldn't recollect any concrete memory. The weather forecast suggested warm clothes for that week, though it's been only September. We were supposed to leave in three days and stay there for almost five, what seemed like an eternity. Who would take care of school and clubs? I rarely handed over my power to Sebastian, and not because he wasn't good. Actually, as a vicecaptain he was perfect. I was too attached to my role to just stop giving orders. I had to prepare a proper plan for him. And of course notes for Student's Council. I wonder if we find Rakuzan whole or in pieces when we come back.
The strayed kitten that Marianna decided to take under protection has grown up quite a lot, but still was a furry ball of sunshine, ready to cuddle. He loved sleeping in my bed, on one of the pillows. It wasn't different this time; we were laying together. He purred quietly, sleeping, while I was drinking hot milk with honey. Brochures were scattered around me, and soft sounds of Chopin's concert were seeping from the laptop. Somewhere downstairs Marianna was finishing her work, with a little help from maids. I was comparing the schedule, to have a chance and visit the city, when my phone rang. I looked at the screen. New message.
"Did you inform you parents about your leaving? I would like to avoid your father's anger."
I snorted, reading the message from Akashi. Och, you're so precautionary. I haven't received any texts from him for some time...Almost as if I turned back in time. After few minutes of procrastination I decided to write back.
"Yeah, they got the information. Nothing to worry about."
"It's weird, isn't it? I haven't used my phone to contact you since Teikou... Almost like the old times, huh?"
I rolled my eyes, already dreaming about coming back to reading Akita's newspapers. Or maybe not? Waiting for his text was kinda... exciting.
"If you try to sound funny, Akashi, then unfortunately it doesn't work."
"My apologies, Chiara, we've got different senses of humour I suppose. For the sake of latest information: my chauffeur will come for you on Monday, six in the morning. Please be ready for this hour. You will go with us to the train station."
"But I can ask my own chauffeur to do so, then what's a problem?" I was tapping the keyboard, trying to ferret out the plan hidden behind those words. Akashi is a gentleman, but I'd rather see him going for my suitcase than this.
"Chiara, please... Let me do this small favor and don't argue with me. Don't we both crave for some peace now?"
"If your chauffeur is a minute late, I will go to the train station on my foot." I answered him and was ready to throw the phone on the pillow, when it vibrated for the last time.
"Don't worry. I'll see you on Monday, then. Goodnight, Chiara."
I wrote something similar as an answer and looked at the clock. It was quite late and I really didn't want to waste my sleeptime. So I turned off the laptop and took care of papers. I could still read for the whole weekend. I snuggled under the bedsheet and closed my eyes.