So, here is another chapter - just like one time before, it is just a memory from Teiko the both of them share. I've been trying to keep up with everything, but the university has no mercy, lol. I thought I'd have plenty of time thanks to my awesome schedule, but it seems like I wanted too much. Hope you'll enjoy it though. So please, leave some love to those lovebirds who still cannot properly confess their feelings. Thank you so much!
She stood in the hallway, keeping last notes from the British Literature prepared by Elisabeth, not really bothered by the mess surrounding her. She was supposed to keep an eye on Artistic Club, which was responsible for Valentine's Day decorations. Red and pink hearts, streams and other fancy ornaments were hung on walls and ceiling, previously made during Art classes. Japanese people had completely different point of view on this holiday and brunette could do nothing but respect it. Valentine's Day was mainly known for girls mustering up courage to confess to their crushes, with home-made chocolates in their hands. Being here for the third year she often witnessed tears and sobs of rejection. That's why she always carried a pack of tissues with herself in a reflex action, just in case of becoming the comforter to broken-hearted girls. Not that she minded all those events.
Chiara wasn't dating anyone, so Valentine's Day didn't make her tremble from excitement. Just another holiday to celebrate. She got used to giving small presents to her closest teammates, as a sign of remembrance. They usually repaid her for that on White Day. So when she was asked to supervise preparations for the upcoming day she just nodded, leaning herself on the wall, checking from time to time with her Eye if everything was going according to the plan. More interested with another analyze of Byron's piece she barely noticed unpleasant move. In a second, a huge shadow covered her papers. She raised her head reluctantly.
"Whatcha reading, Chiara-chin?" Murasakibara's bored voice rang over head. She smiled lightly, letting herself smirk quietly. How this giant could function in such a small society? Purplehead was observing her with squinted eyes, holding an enormous bag of chips in his hands.
"I'm getting ready for another credit, Murasakibara." she answered, putting all the papers in the briefcase. She still had time for that. Everyone knew that he didn't like when someone wasn't paying proper attention to him.
"You shouldn't interrupt someone, who's busy, nanodayo. Farther, you ought to follow her example and start learning too, that would improve your grades. Hello, Chiara-senpai."
Midorima always made her laugh internally, often unconsciously. He mothered to all members of Generation of Miracles and Chiara always found it utterly cute. With his obsession over fate and luck he appeared as the weirdest member of basketball team, but she didn't really mind. He was a smarty, who never disappointed her with boring conversation. Besides, all members had a small place in her heart...
"Don't worry, Midorima, I can handle this later. You're not going home? Club activities should be already finished. " she asked, looking at them carefully. She tilted her head, getting better angle of view. Sometimes being short could be disturbing.
"We've just ended the practice, but obviously Kise and Aomine are still in the showers." The greenhead snorted, peeking at his watch with impatience. "I guess your President duties are chasing after you?"
"Oh, it's not that bad! But I admit that here in Japan you celebrate Valentine's Day with all the... pomp. It's not that sumptuous in Italy, but I like it. " she smiled at the memory of the amount of letters she used to receive. How many admirers she had to reject? Pictures from her motherland flew in front of her eyes and at one point she totally forgot about the basketball players standing next to her. They were waiting patiently, admiring work of their schoolmates. Even silence they were in was relaxing. She never commented on anything, and even if she did, it was always constructive and never invidious. Lost in thoughts she didn't notice another person approaching her.
"Chiara-senpai?" dulcet, low voice deflated her. She looked to the right; Akashi was standing still, holding some documents in stretched arms. Chiara took them immediately. "I've done congratulatory letters for all the students who had participated in competitions, together with letters to their parents and news for our notice boards. I also saw through the Volleyball Club's agreement and adjusted one of the paragraphs. Anything else left to do?"
"No, Akashi. You're dependable as always." she grinned. Redhead hardly ever smiled. If it ever happened, it was literally short and subtle gesture. But he couldn't stop himself whenever brunette shared with him those thankful, cheerful glances. Involuntarily he moved closer, feeling her aura pulling him. This magnetic side of her caused all resisting useless. Midorima cleared his throat, seemingly embarassed with this exchange of looks.
"Chiara-chin, who are you confessing to tomorrow?" Murasakibara asked, breaking the silence.
"Me? Well, I'm not suitable for that I guess, I can't talk about my feelings. Omitting my incoherent stuttering and mad blushing. Anyway, in Europe it would be me being confessed to. Still, it doesn't mean I'd accept them." she folded her arms, striking more comfortable pose. The wall behind her back wasn't cold anymore. Her job as a supervisor was coming to an end and she kinda couldn't wait till she gets home. Having a look around she noticed that there's only her vice-president left.
"You don't enjoy Valentine's Day?" he asked. She shook her head.
"I don't particularly mind it. But it's annoyingly making people say things, they'd never say. I prefer hearing nice 'I like you' everyday, than forced 'I love you' on Valentine's. Nevermind, are you ready for tomorrow's confessions?" she nudged him lightly in the arm. Akashi only lifted his finger in pretended threat.
"There's a long way in front of me till I become as popular as Kise."
"But you won't tell me you're not a heart-throb!" Chiara answered. The president of Artistic Club gave her a sign. All was done. She took her bag, waving at him; they were both satisfied with their work. Thankful for everyone's collaboration, brunette smiled at them and said some nice words. Just one last glance at decorations and she was gone, shouting short 'goodbye' to Akashi. She left the building in a slight rush.
***
Sitting in her office she was looking through last piece of documents. Everything was almost done. If it wasn't for Akashi, she'd probably be working this out for longer than a week. Now she just had to leave her signature in all the right places. Noises from behind the door were finally becoming quieter. Those Valentine's Day were intensive. She had already comforted two girls sobbing in the toilet; she also found one on the rooftop, throwing away with anger each small piece of chocolate made with her own hands for the crush, who decided to reject her. Chiara almost got a spanking too.
Office turned out to be a perfect place to hide from surrounding endearments and confessions. Some guys had already handed her some sweets, she even received a poem and three letters. She hid them all in the locker, reading earlier that beautiful calligraphy. Most of her admirers knew that Chiara wouldn't return their feelings; getting into relationship usually brought some consequences. She wasn't ready for that yet. Enjoying the silence she put down penultimate paper when someone opened the door with sudden move.
She didn't bother to raise her head; intruder's heavy breathing came to her hears. He really had to tire himself from this unexpected running. In a second, after few loud steps, Akashi sank into the chair next to her, panting noisily. Chiara knitted her brows and without a word suggested jug of water and glass. He nodded with acknowledgment and started drinking greedily.
"How did you do that?" he asked. The look of consternation appeared on her face. His hair was unkempt, blazer creased and tie undone. Some creepy scenarios came to her thoughts, but she immediately threw them away.
"What do you mean?" Akashi stood up and went to the window. He was gathering his thoughts, preparing to express them. She saw him gulping spit.
"Yesterday you mentioned that supposedly I have a group of admirers too. I barely managed to run away from two incredibly fierce girls. Can I be honest? I would find this whole situation amusing if they had some manners. It was really hard to separate from them." redhead coughed up, and she felt the urge to laugh.
"It was pure coincidence..."
"I hate Valentine's Day. Stupid, commercial holiday." he interrupted her. Brunette fell silent, feeling that the smile upon her face was disappearing. She didn't expect this statement leaving his lips. Was he that much disappointed with his popularity? Akashi was a true gentleman, always behaving respectfully toward girls, but never looking for their consideration. He sacrificed his spare time to basketball and Student's council. Wasn't he aware that his activity in social life would bring him curiosity from other students? Maybe he didn't take it to heart?
"Even lovestrucks need their attention." she answered, not really believing in the power of her argument. Could she name it an argument anyway? Akashi turned to her and snorted.
"Feelings toward beloved one should be presented daily, no matter what the day is." he blurted out.
"Your girlfriend will be uncommonly lucky. Exactly! It's White Day in a month, you'll have a chance to properly talk to your crush!" Chiara smiled bitterly. She hated the idea of a girl from Teikou getting his attention. He was so perfect, both in appearance and personality, she just couldn't find a suitable option for him in junior high school. Or maybe you don't want to find, cause you'd like to be that person? A voice in her head whispered slyly. She placed fingers on temples, trying to get rid of unwanted thoughts. Chiara's plan up to now seemed to be out of place. How will she do that now?!
"I hardly put all those presents in my locker. Not mentioning every girl's heart I had to break today. You were right, rejecting can be painful for both sides. I hope it won't happen next year with such a intensive insanity."
She clenched her fists under the table. She lost interest in the document laying in front of her. The only thing that mattered was discontented Akashi. Finishing him off would be too cruel. Unless... Brunette raised head, looking at him. He had absent sight, as if he was wondering about something. Chiara took a deep breath and took out of the drawer a small package. She approached redhead, feeling her heart trying to escape the chest. She held hands behind her back. It motivated her to stand still. Akashi looked at her gently. He grew taller during last months and the difference between them was more noticeable. He wasn't Murasakibara, but she would never call him short one.
"I know you didn't take a liking in Valentine's Day, so you can only imagine how foolishly I feel right now. But I still think that you can take this holiday in your own way." she stretched arms with present toward him. It was her favorite chocolate, brought by her father from Swiss. "Confessing any kind of feelings to anyone has always been hard for me. However, I wanted to thank you. You're always beside me, whenever I need you. I find you the greatest support I could ever dream of, not only as a President, but also as a friend. I guess you probably feel like vomiting at the sight of sweets... yet you're that kind of person who can have anything. And choosing perfect present for you is like searching for a needle in a haystack; still I wanted to give you something close to my heart. Please, accept this chocolate as the expression of my unspeakable gratitude. For every day when you prove your worth without basing on opinions or connections. Stay like this. I like you the way you are the most."
She smiled, ending her speech. Red of embarrassment, she almost forced him to take the sweet. Brunette was afraid of looking into his eyes. She didn't want to see dislike or dilemma. That's why she immediately stepped back, catching all her stuff into the bag. The break was coming to an end and she still had classes.
"If you don't want it, just share with the rest of basketball team. Murasakibara will surely appreciate it." she murmured and headed toward the door.
He stopped her with a tight grip on her wrist. Chiara turned her head uncertainly. Akashi was holding his gift close to his chest, as if he wanted to hide it under the shirt of his uniform. Redhead pulled her to himself quite abruptly. She almost crushed the chocolate with her face. He wrapped his arms around her waist lightly. It seemed like he didn't want to cross the border. Akashi bent to her and placed his lips next to her ear.
"I'd be a fool, giving back something that precious. Maybe I'll like Valentine's Day? Thanks, Chiara." the way he mentioned her name made her shiver. This warm breath tickling the skin of her neck, overwhelming smell of perfume, steady basketball arm providing the feeling of security... She maintained to stand with willpower. She smiled shyly. "I think no one could now spoil the mood. It'd be better if I received your gift at the beginning. I am truly sorry for my previous statement. I didn't want to offend you in such an infantile way."
"You shouldn't apologize for honesty, Akashi. Now please forgive me, but I have to go. My duty hours are over and I still need to attend my classes. See you later. Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you won't have to run any more." Chiara chuckled, squeezing his hand in a parting gesture. If she stayed any longer it would be the end of her. Some nose bleeding or driveling on. When brunette was round the corner she stopped walking, barely breathing. It wasn't supposed to look like that. His fans destroyed all her confidence within a few hours and there ain't nothing she could do about it.
Akashi was still standing in the same place, looking at the chocolate. It was petite, covered by a green paper. If he understood well, it was a coconut flavor. He couldn't help but smile. She was amazing. Her words stuck in his head, especially the last sentence. Inwardly he believed that she'd say something else. That there was a second meaning in her words, which he wanted to hear. Those numerous confessions didn't kill the atmosphere of Valentine's Day because he wasn't able to break somebody's heart. They killed the vibe for not letting him spend some time with Chiara. In his bag was still a present for her. He found on the Internet, that it's a man's responsibility to confess his feelings. He tried to break through his shyness. Inappropriately chosen words could destroy their friendship. And he couldn't afford losing brunette.
"Next month, Seijuurou. You'll make it then." he whispered to himself. She belonged to him from the very first time he laid his eyes on her silhouette. Being unaware of the whole situation she had him captivated from the start. He's never known this kind of feeling; a warmth pouring all over his body whenever she came to his mind. He decided to be clear with his intentions.
Akashi looked at her desk. She left a small, paper flower with a quote from book. An idea popped into his head. He grinned, leaving the Student's Council Room.