HELLO GUYS AND WELCOME TO MTKB'S UPDATE AFTER 148 YEARS OF MY ABSENCEEEE! Ahahahaha! *drops low on the floor and bows head* I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING FOR SO LOOONG, please dont get mad at me and I hope you didn't stop waiting! Also, I'm very happy to annouce that THIS will be a double update! Yes! It's my compensation for you guys for making you wait too long TT v TT
For today's update the title is a song that has stuck in me since I was in high school when one of classmate had me listen to, I recommend you listen to Itou Kashirou's cover of the song because his voice is VERRRRY close to Akashi(Kamiya Hiroshi)'s voice! Plus, the music video is very touching-i suggest you bring some tissues if you plan on watching the MV because-FEELSSSS! Ahahahaha anyways, before I start to make this AN into a nine page essay on why you should listen to From Y to Y by Itou Kashirou, I wanna thank you-YESSSS YOU, who are reading this! Thank you for waiting and thank you for reading. I hope to hear from you guys!
You know the drill guys! ENJOY ANDDDD maybe reviewwww, pleaseeee?
PS. I made a page on Facebook for all the stuffs I write here and if it's not much maaaaybeee you could give it a LIKE? Aahahaha and say hi too! You can find the link on my BIO-pretty please visit us!
Chapter 27: From Y to Y
Kuroko stares at the tall green haired man standing in front of him. He knows for years, Midorima Shintarou, though he the man is not among his most favourite person, he considered him an important part of his life. Despite his sharp tongue and sometimes insensitivity, Midorima has his own ways of showing his care to others, ways that many would sometimes see as inconsiderate, prideful and invading.
Midorima is so much like the typical child born in a family with fortune. He found conceding as weakness, triumph as the greatest glory, and emotions to be burden. However, as time pass, Kuroko slowly understood this part of him.
It wasn't as if he chose this.
It was just that he had become so used to it that it felt natural. Somehow it reminded Kuroko of Stockholm Syndrome, ah yes, maybe he had become like that. Those very shackles that held him down had become his security from his fears of the outside world.
With those shackles he wouldn't have to feel anything aside from what he had until then, with those shackles he wouldn't have to be rejected or turned down, there would only be one way to go. Kuroko understood him in that sense. However, just as much as he understood him, he understood as well the implications of this.
The things we fear does not disappear when we close our eyes, we simply don't see it, but it's still there. It doesn't necessary make it leave, we just are ignorant of it's presence. It doesn't make it any better.
Midorima has too many fears that he would rather choose to close his eyes on. It had become his escape for a very long time. But recently, Kuroko found this wounding the other more than before.
Takao.
Takao was everything Midorima wasn't. Kuroko didn't see it coming. They were poles apart, Takao is a fearless free spirit, while Midorima was a stick in a mud that had too many layers of skin to hide himself from the world.
Takao was everything Midorima Shintarou feared.
Kuroko feared for Takao, the man despite all that was Midorima in true form, still found him as a very endearing person. Despite knowing Midorima outside the frame of the television and camera, Takao still admired him like the stars in the sky, like the calm meadows of spring.
But even if Midorima knew that, even if he saw it, what are the chances he would open his eyes and run after that warmth?
Takao had become a very important person for Kuroko.
Takao is like an older brother he never had, and that is why it broke him to see how helpless he is when it comes to matters such as his heart. All Kuroko could do is to support him, hold his hand as he cry and shake in his seat.
Takao is family, that is why at this moment he found himself staring with much determination in front of Midorima.
"Kuroko." Midorima starts, his green eyes were brighter than ever.
"Midorima-kun if you are asking for an apology, please save it." Kuroko says coldly, "There's no need to create a noise over such—"
"That's not what I came here for."
Kuroko stays still and waits for him to finish his words.
"What is said and done is in the past. I know for one that cannot be changed." Midorima says, "I too have not yet forgiven myself for that. I came here not to ask for your forgiveness, it is futile. There is no point."
"Then why?"
Midorima takes a deep breathe, Kuroko notices the way the other has clenched the hands in his side in a fist as if he's gathering all courage he could summon.
"Takao sees you as a very important person, I know that you value him as much. Perhaps you see him as a family, or such. I understood your anger and frustration with the choices I made." Midorima says. "Takao has no family in the city, he moved away from his parents at a very young age and perhaps that is why he seeks the feeling of a home from others, from his friends, from you and the rest of your band."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I've hurt that person." Midorima says making Kuroko's eyes wide at the admission. "The person you value as your family, I've hurt him. There is no effort enough to heal that wound I caused for my own cowardice."
Midorima bows his head towards Kuroko.
"I ask you to give me one last chance to prove myself to Takao, just once will be enough please let me know where he is."
A small smile spreads in his lips.
He has changed too.
"There is no need to ask like you're asking for my son's hand in marriage Midorima-kun."
.
.
.
"Wow, so Midorima has some romantic bone is body, huh?"
Kuroko holds back a laugh at the other's comment. Kagami is seats in Kuroko's couch holding a tablet in his hand watching the live broadcast of Midorima's video. In a span of minutes right after the broadcast was made, streams of news pops out about Midorima's mystery lover. Many had speculated that it was his fiancée, the very same reason he had turned down many projects to focus on.
Of course they don't know what Kuroko knows.
It ruins the fun.
"So do you have any idea who is it?" Kagami asks lowering the tablet to see Kuroko who is setting a pitcher of juice in the coffee table and two clear glasses.
"Yes."
"Really?" Kagami quickly puts the tablet aside, "Who?"
Kuroko smirks and turns to Kagami before making a zipping gesture over his lips.
"That's cheating!"
"No." Kuroko says before taking the space beside Kagami. "I'm not obliged to tell you."
"Okay, okay I get it." Kagami says as he leans in the arm rest of the couch, "You're his friend and blah blah blah."
"You're just envious that even Midorima-kun can think of something romantic like that."
Kagami grumbled and frown, "I took you out on a date though."
Silence.
"W-What?"
Kuroko felt his face turns bright red at the word, the same happens in Kagami clearly taken aback with what he said. Kuroko brings a hand over his lips as he looks away.
Kagami doesn't know what had gotten over him that made him blurt that out. Yes, he intended that to be a date, but obviously he didn't mean to say it out loud. What would Kuroko think of him now? He should say something to salvage the situation. There has to be something rig—
"I-I liked it then."
Kagami's trance state induced with panic is cut when he hears Kuroko's voice. He looks at Kuroko who has turned away from him, he could see the tips of his ears were red. He didn't know that stoic and calm Kuroko Tetsuya could actually blush like that.
"I-If…if it was…a date, I-I liked it."
Oh god, Kagami swore to all the Gods in his lists, he could die from this sight of Kuroko Tetsuya blushing like a teenager. He could hear his heart drumming in his chest. Kuroko is fine with the idea of dates, he liked it. He wondered what kind of good deed he did in his past life to deserve this.
"Y-You're…you're fine with, uhm…you're not d-disturbed?"
Kuroko shakes his head without looking at Kagami. Kagami swear his soul left him. He feared Kuroko would think his growing feelings and concern for the others would deeply disturb and bother him, unlike Kuroko, Kagami grew up in America where sexuality isn't much of a big deal anymore. Japan and America are two different countries, the norms are different. And after all, Kuroko is public figure.
He never thought he'd be so quick to accept it.
"You're not pulling my leg right?"
Kuroko shakes his head again.
"Why aren't you looking this way?"
"I look silly."
Kagami raises an eyebrow, "Seriously, you get self-conscious right now?"
"It's not funny Kagami-kun."
Kagami sighs and pulls Kuroko by the upper arm forcing him to turn aand look at him. And, another swear in English escapes his lips as he saw the blushing mess Kuroko is. His lips were quivering and his usual blank eyes are stained in a swirl of emotions, his pale white cheeks are painted in red, he looks like he's going to explode or something like that.
"I-I told you, I-I'm still trying to process what you said."
"You're…blushing so much." Kagami's blush is nothing compared to this.
"O-Obviously, and please don't mock me I'm all new to this."
"You've never been confessed to?"
"O-Of course not."
Oh.
Oh.
Kagami's eyes widen in realization, obviously this is not the first time Kuroko has been confessed to. He is a member of famous boyband back then, surely a few people or two had confessed to him. And then there was Aomine. But…this is different, he just know.
Kagami laughs, his refreshing smile made Kuroko's heart flip in his ribcage.
"Sorry." He says with a grin, he didn't really mean that Kuroko tells himself. "I didn't mean to embarrass you or what."
"I-I can't think straight."
Kagami laughs again at the confession. He reaches up to ruffle Kuroko's teal hair.
"Yeah, me too."
"You don't seem like it."
"I guess I'm better than you are."
"Don't be so full of yourself." Kuroko says before weakly swatting Kagami's hand off his head.
"Is it okay?"
"W-What is?" Kuroko asks, his voice had gone softer, almost like a whisper.
"Liking you?"
Kuroko feels his face heat again, "How can you say something so cool." He says before playfully punching Kagami in the chest, "Stupid Kagami-kun."
…..
Furihata's eyes were fixed on the television screen in their convenience store, his jaw were slacked at the scene. It has been the second replay of the live stream of Midorima's video on the evening news and he still couldn't digest most of it. For someone to be able to push him out of his comfort zone, into singing out for one audience in front of so many, and practically tell the whole world he loves that person is just like the kind of things Takao wrote. It was like a fairy tale.
The brunet could imagine Takao would be blushing from head to toe right now, he knew deep inside Takao is a sucker for romantic gestures like flowers, love letters and serenades. And seriously speaking, who would have said no to something like that?
Furihata smiles and whispers a congratulatory to his friend.
There goes his fairy tale.
"You know him?" Furihata nods meekly at the store owner's question.
"Ah must be nice to know lots of famous people?"
Furihata laughs, "It has it perks."
The owner laughs and proceeds to walk to the back of the store to retrieve some refill of the steamed buns. Furihata remained standing before the screen watching as the news anchor debates on the reason behind from Midorima's sudden display of affection towards a mystery person. They started flashing pictures of people the green haired male has been seen with, none of them were correct.
Furihata hears his manager returns and the door of the store opens.
"Ah welcome!" he hears the man says.
Furihata decides to continue mopping when he felt someone standing behind him.
"Ah, they would be wrong."
Furihata almost jumped out of his skin upon hearing the familiar spine chilling smooth and husky voice. He quickly turns to face the other and came to face with none other than Akashi Seijuuro with all his glory.
"W-What are you—"
"Good evening." The other says before he finishes his sentence, he flashes him a smile.
A smile. No, not the eerie, I'm-going-to-kill-you-for-looking-at-me kind of smile but rather the hello-I'm-a-friend kind of smile. Furihata felt his breathe was caught in his throat at the sight. Is he dreaming, or is this the kind of smile he gives before stabbing people in the neck? Oh God, he whispers to himself before turning to look at the store owner who has busied himself in the cashier.
He grips the mops handle tightly. Is this because of what he did to him last time, oh yes, definitely, that would be it, right?
"Too bad I wasn't able to see it live." Akashi says as he looks up at the screen.
"I-I see—"
Akashi steps a back leaving Furihata's personal space. Then the brunet finally noticed something, his eyes. His eyes were both red.
"Midorima is quite surprising. I would never think he'd do something like that." He says before going around the aisle for chocolates and sweets.
Furihata remains in his spot while internally debating if he should go run to the owner and beg him to call the police or something or he should call a priest because this is obviously not the normal Akashi Seijuuro, this is not the guy who had underhandedly told him he'll do everything to pull Kuroko down with him. Before Furihata could make up his mind he finds the red head emerges from the aisle with a familiar can of coffee and two chocolate bars. He didn't take him for someone who liked sweets.
Akashi quietly walks up to the cashier and pays for his purchase, he whispers something the owner in which the made the older man's eyes widen and practically sparkled in delight. The older man nods his head enthusiastically.
"Furi!"
Oh God. Furihata tries to force a smile in his lips, "Y-Yes, sir?"
"This young man is your friend, why you didn't tell me?"
Oh holy cows and unicorns. They were barely in speaking terms, and a few days ago he just slapped the guy in the face—when did they ever become friends?
"Come on here, you never introduced me to your friends."
The brunet hastily walked up to the older man with a meek smile, "Ah, t-this is…uhm, h-he's A-Akashi Seijuuro-san. A-Akashi-san t-this is m-my g-guardian h-he's the owner of this place, Tomohiko Usui."
The older man bows his head with a smile and the two exchanged casual greetings. And Furihata swore to all Gods present because Akashi Seijuuro's smile looks so genuine and true he could outshine all the lights in the room. Definitely impossible, right?
"Wow, nice meeting you." the older man says, "Ah, Furi doesn't have much friends he brings here so I'm happy to meet you."
"Is that so?" Akashi cocks his head to the side, he turns to Furihata soon, "You haven't brought Kuroko and the others here?"
"N-No…not yet."
"You should." The two said in unison.
Akashi chuckles and Furihata's heart shatters, Akashi Seijuuro's laugh should be illegal.
"My, my we think the same Usui-san." Akashi says.
"Ah, he's quite a shy kid, right?" The man replies.
Akashi nods.
"Ah, Furi you should accompany your friend, it would be quite a waste if you would not."
"Eh?!" Furihata exclaims, "B-But I'm sure Akashi-san is bu—"
"That's wonderful." Akashi says, "If it's alright with him, that is."
Akashi looks at Furihata, his red eyes were tender and calm. The brunet for a second felt a familiarity in them. Like they've looked at him, like Akashi is looking at an old friend, which isn't making sense.
"It's alright." The older man says to Furihata, "You never take your day off. Hang out with your friends like a normal kid, okay?"
Furihata couldn't bring himself to meet Akashi's eyes, he nods. If worse comes to worse, he'll just call Kuroko.
.
.
.
"You didn't bring your car?"
Akashi scoffs, "No." he replies as they continue to walk in the empty neighbourhood.
It's past eight and there aren't much people in that part of the streets anymore. The closest establishment from the convenience store are five blocks away which is a small ramen shop, the school is another two blocks away from then and it is a primary school, meaning no more students or kids walking at this hour. Furihata likes this silence, it allowed him to think about some things. For a moment the world is his, his thoughts only his.
"Why are you here?" Furihata says in a small voice.
Akashi sighs, his breathe fogs up in the air.
"Do I make you uncomfortable?"
Furihata couldn't answer, he glanced at Akashi who is walking beside him.
"I do, don't I?"
He doesn't answer again.
Akashi reaches to the plastic bag in his hand and took out the chocolate bar he bought. He peels the wrapper and takes a small bite. Furihata watches him with interest, the cheap chocolate looks so foreign in the hands of the elegant and graceful Akashi Seijuuro.
"I-I didn't know y-you liked chocolates…especially that kind."
Akashi smiles, "A childhood friend used to bring them to me secretly."
Furihata blinks, "Would it be Midorima-san?"
Akashi laughs, "Oh, no. He was the one who had warned me not to take food from people."
"Oh."
"That child liked this chocolate so much, he sneaked them because he wasn't allowed to have them."
Furihata's eyes widen. He stares at the candy wrapper.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
The boy chuckled and took the candy offered to him by the brunet.
"Don't tell my mom, okay?"
"Why?"
"I'm not allowed to have them."
Furihata's hands in his side trembled as the familiar memory fills him. He looked at Akashi whose expression doesn't change, he still look calm and collected.
"Aren't you cold?" Akashi asks, he looks at him and notice the flush in his cheeks and the red of his nose. "You're wearing thin clothes for this weather."
"Oh I-I…"
Akashi doesn't wait for him to finish his words, he stops and removes his coat and drapes it on Furihata's shoulders. Furihata feels his face flush as Akashi invades his personal space yet again. He couldn't help but notice the faint scent of his cool perfume, and the thick lashes framing his red eyes.
"You will catch cold." Akashi says before pulling away.
"T-Thank you, y-you didn't have to."
Akashi shakes his head. He returns to the brunet's side with a tiny smile.
"Do you think you can sing for me?"
Furihata almost tripped on his own legs at the other's words. His eyes go as huge as saucers and he looks up the man beside him, he's smiling.
"I'm serious."
"P-Please, I-I'm n-not."
"I know you can."
"I-I can't."
Akashi raises an eyebrow, "Or won't?"
Furihata doesn't answer. He stops walking and fiddled with his hands. He shuts his eyes and floods of memories filled him from his childhood. He is unlike his brother and sister who excelled exceptionally in music, they were gifted like their parents but he isn't. He is just…he's barely even average.
The brunet's eyes opens when he feels a warm hand takes his. He finds a pale white hand holding his calloused hand.
"You'd sing me a song in return I'll let you hear me sing."
Furihata's eyes widen.
What was happening?
He swallows a lump growing in his throat, he stares at Akashi's eyes. He couldn't look away, it's impossible to. His scent is like a chokehold, like a spell binding him from inside out. He feels his lips seems have dried, and he felt the urge to lick them—or maybe that's a bad idea.
"Come with me?"
No.
Bad idea.
"Y-Yes."
Furihata gasps at his own answer. Akashi chuckles and he feels he tightens his hold in his hand, he looks at him with his bright red eyes that were illuminated with the street lights.
"I know you wouldn't able to refuse me."
.
.
.
Furihata wish the ground would crack open and eat him whole now. He remained looking down as the Akashi opens the door to his home. They took the last train, Akashi promised he will have driver take Furihata back home. He didn't know why he believed him instead of thinking he will probably murder him in his home.
"Ah, Akashi-sama welcome home."
Furihata looks up and finds a maid in a uniform, she has is a middle aged woman in a uniform, she bows at the two and steps aside allowing the two to come in. The brunet follows behind quietly. The house is lavish and nothing compared to the small apartment unit that Furihata has, he could probably fit eight of his room in the first floor alone. The house is designed with beautiful western minimalistic designs, with wide and tall windows and lots of space. The expensive vases served as an accent to the corners of the house that seems a bit too quiet for Furihata's comfort.
Akashi leads him to the second floor into a room. The man opens the door revealing a slightly dim room full with a grand piano inside.
"Come in." Akashi says as he steps in, the brunet follows behind him.
Furihata looks at the room and notices the tall shelf of albums of all sorts of music. Approaching the said shelf the brunet notices a frame set in the third level of the shelf, he blinks and realizes the picture encased in it is a picture of the Generation of Miracles. Kuroko is obviously very young, with very short hair and youthful smile, beside him is Kise and Aomine who seems to be talking, next to them is a tall purple haired man and Midorima, then there was Akashi…with the very same red eyes.
"W-Why…did you bring me here?" Furihata asks quietly.
He hears Akashi's footsteps against the floor.
"I am very interested in you."
The brunet's eyes widen, he turns and faces Akashi who sat on the piano's stool facing the brunet. His red eyes were bright under the room's light. He smiles again at him making Furihata's heart leap.
"M-Me…that's…how…I mean why?"
Akashi tilts his head, "If I would enumerate them it would take us until tomorrow, I don't think I have that much time."
"W-What?"
"Kouki."
Oh god, Furihata internally curses, he gasps audibly, how someone can call his name like that. It sounds so sultry, so…sinful.
"Sing me a song." Akashi says, "If I play for you tonight, promise me you'd sing for me."
"W-Why would you want that?"
Akashi smiles again, however this one is very different…like a nostalgic smile, like a smile to a long lost friend…or lover.
"Save me."
Furihata's eyes widen. His heart started beating very loud in his chest. He couldn't move or speak, it was as if he went numb. He watches as Akashi turns his back to him and face the piano. A soft tune starts to fill the room as Akashi begins to play.
As the tune continues, it sinks into Furihata's heart like a nail drilling into his heart down to his soul. He knows this tune, very well. His whole body starts to tremble in a strange sense of nostalgia. He stares at him, in his back and the familiar sight of the red haired boy playing.
He couldn't…that's not possible, right?
"Why don't you play for me?" The boy asks him.
Furihata stares at him incredulously, "I-I can't—I-It's impossible."
"Who said so?"
"M-Mother…"
"I say you can." The boy with red eyes says, "I believe you can. I see that you can, I just know."
The boy smiles and puts his small hand in his back urging him to sit in the stool and play—
Furihata could feel his legs slowly losing its strength, tears threatening to fall in his eyes as Akashi begins to sing.
"Senaka wo mukete kimi wa arukidashita
Kawasu kotoba mo nai mama
Yureru kokoro no naka kodomo no youni sakenda
Ikainaide ikanaide nee
Senaka wo mukete boku wa arukidashita
Namida ochiru mae ni ikanakya
Shiawase sugiru no wa kirai da to itsuwatta
Tsuyogatte tebanashita risou no mirai
Torimodesuru negai…"
He swallows a lump in his throat, he heard of it before. He remembers this tune very well…it was the only thing he could do then—remember. He closes his eyes as he remembers, a boy slightly taller than him with red hair and matching eyes, a joyous smile spread across his lips as he told about how fascinating his talent is. Right then he didn't understand him, there was nothing special about a kid who could simply mimic people's ability to play instrument by listening. His parents thought so too. But that boy he smiled and told him they were wrong and that he is special.
There were very little number of people who are able to play musical instruments purely by listening, the boy told him so. And despite the flaw and what other people called musical dyslexia that boy firmly believed that he has talent.
This song was one of the first he played. He remembers very well when he sat on that stool with merely the memory of the tune playing in his head as he puts his fingers on the tiles of the piano.
"I composed it myself."
He remembers that was what the boy said to him.
Furihata feels a single tear escapes his closed eyes rolling down his cheek, then down to his chin.
"Negau koto sae yurusarenai sekai nano ka na
Tatta hitostu no uso de sae mo
Kimi no namida wo unde shimau
Kazoekirenai hodo no tsumi kasanatekia
Sono te ni fureta koto
Kimi no tonari de sotto ikiyou to shitta koto."
Akashi finishes playing finally. He doesn't move from his seat nor did he look at Furihata. He stays there quietly. Furihata trembles in his spot, a part of him wanted to go there and confirm his theory from Akashi himself.
The boy whom he had only known as Sei, the boy who suddenly disappeared and never came back, the boy who first believed in him…were they the same?
Finally he finds Akashi leaving his seat, he walks up to Furihata who is staring at him with his wide brown eyes. A soft smile plays in the other's lips as he reduces the space between to mere inches, his red eyes drinks the sight of him, his brown eyes, his sun kissed skin, his trembling lips and even the glistening tears down his cheeks.
"S-Sei…" Furihata's voice finally escapes the hold of his soul and reaches to the other.
"You still look the same Kouki."
Furihata trembles, his heart aches, when did he learn of it? When did he find out, why…how?
"Kouki…" Akashi whispers his name as he leans closer, their noses touching, Akashi's eyelashes lowers. "Save me…"
The clock suddenly resounds in the room as the hand strikes twelve and before Furihata could look at them he finds Akashi falling forward into his arms…unconscious.