Note: It was supposed to be posted two weeks prior but things didn't go as planned ^_^. But here it is. Thanks for reading!
It was Monday morning and like every other student do Furihata wake up to go to school with a big yawn hanging over his mouth. He settled down on his usual sit, talked and joked with his friends and classmates. Nothing happened that could make his day look unusual. Nothing. It was until lunch break arrived.
He felt it. The moment he stepped out of his classroom. He felt it rather than saw the eyes that were staring at him, and heard murmurs that was inaudible enough to understand whether directed to him or not. He could sense eyes following him like trying to capture his every action and mistake. To why, he had no idea. Those eyes just doesn't fair well with the brunette.
A creepy feeling slowly crawled its way through his entire system, making him shiver slightly. He could feel goosebumps over his nape. It wasn't good, really. Gladly, his friends didn't seem to notice his anxiety. He discreetly rubbed the back of his neck, sighing.
With all that, he deliberately turned his attention around to search for something - someone that gave him this eerie feeling, but it was to no avail. Furihata didn't find anyone that was looking at them...him or pay him any heed. If anything, the people around them were doing their own businesses and paid no mind at all.
'Was he imagining it?'
Letting it go, he put it at the back of his mind thinking it was all just a fruition of his active imagination. He played with his friends again who seemed to be oblivious at the lingering stare that they were getting...or was it just him? They then decided to take their lunch to the the rooftop.
—
The rest of the day had become uneventful. Until it happened again, and much stronger this time. That eerie feeling where everyone was watching your every move. This time though, he quickly halted his stretches to scan his eyes over the gym. But same as before, he didn't find anyone staring at him as everyone was doing their own work and helping each other for their stretches. This is really getting weirder.
He dismissed the thought and decided to return to stretching, but accidentally he met the eyes of one of the freshmen. The kid gave him a small smile, however force and awkward it look. Making nothing of it, he only nodded and smiled back.
"This is weird," he commented quietly but was enough for the person next to him to hear.
"What weird?" Kawahara asked him, startling him from his crouches.
Glancing at the other, he found him reaching for his water bottle. Feeling thirsty himself, he as well stood to get his own and drank from it.
"I don't know..." he answered, lips pressing in a frown. Before the other could respond a smart retort, he continued, "I know this is really weird and presumptious of me but it just felt like there were eyes following me."
"What do you mean?"
"I really have no idea. I mean it's like..." he scratched his forehead with a finger, "someone is...watching me."
A long silence ensued before a burst of laughter was heard.
"I knew it will happen. Why the heck did I tell you again?" he spat, glaring at his friend, though it was half-hearted.
Kawahara snorted, "Weew, what now Furi? Do you think it's someone that likes you and will confess her love for you at the end of the day. Well, for that I will congratulate you my friend to have that confidence," his friend said playfully and then laughed humuorously again. He's enjoying this, much to Furihata's chagrin.
He turned to his friend quickly and gave him scathing glare that would somehow wished for him to die, before resuming his work.
"I would never understand how your brain works sometimes - no crash that, all the time I mean," he mumbled in annoyance. "How did you come up with that idea is beyond me. Did I say anything about someone liking me? It's watching not liking," he grumbled frustratingly.
"I thought it's the same. You made it sound synonymous to being too-"
"Shut up! I'm being serious," he interjected, a little irritated.
"If you want advice then I can't give you one since you want me to shut up."
He could only stare at his friend with obvious annoyance in his face.
Kawahara, whose laugh subsided after noticing Furihata's face not laughing. Kawahara met the serious brown eyes of his friend.
"Alright, alright, I'm listening now."
Furihata resumed stretching while speaking his thoughts when his friend's attention was on him.
"I don't know I've been feeling it since this afternoon, lunch break to be exact. It feels like..." his face distorted in confusion, searching for the right words, "there were eyes following me...staring at me. I didn't bother at it at first but..." he shrugged, biting the inner of his cheek. "Especially now, don't you feel it?"
The seriousness was evident on his tone. He could sense the brunette's uneasiness regarding this subject. But he didn't really sense any weird 'eyes' that were 'looking' at them.
"Honestly, nope. I don't feel anything at all," he replied in bewilderment. "Was it the reason why you're distracted earlier?" Kawahara doing his own stretches waited for the answer.
Furihata nodded but seeing Kawahara not looking at him, he spoke, "Yeah, it'd been bugging me."
"Then why didn't you tell us?" Kawahara scanned their surrounding, trying to find what his friend was talking. If it was weirding him out, then it must have been grave and serious for him. However, he saw nothing but his basketball team mates running, playing or doing the same as them.
"And what? Bother you with this petty problem?"
"It's not petty if it's bothering you," Kawahara sideway glanced at him.
"That's not what I remember you said earlier," the brunette countered with a playful scoff.
"Well, I never thought it was serious, but it does seem to be that way. So, yeah, does it happen often?" Kawahara inquired.
"Just today."
Kawahara frowned at that. He didn't feel it at all. In fact, he always felt the norm - being ignored. But to calm his friend, he stood slightly from his position to scan the area the second time, but just like earlier it was still the same. More likely his team mates were doing the usual drills.
"I'm not sure Furi but I really don't see anyone and it seems like nobody is giving us any attention. Maybe it's just your imagination?"
Furihata pressed his thin lips in straight line, "I know and I really hope it's just that, but I can't whisk off this weird feeling."
"Do you think you're having a stalker?" Kawahara blurted suddenly as if he just answered the puzzle.
The brown haired teen was about to glare again at his friend, but backed out at the last minute after realizing his friend's seriousness. Instead he gave him an expression of 'Are you an idiot?' with a shake of his head.
"I'm sure it's not," he opted to say.
"You can't be so sure Furi. There are some dangerous stalker that I hear from news that did nothing good to the person they were stalking. Don't take it lightly..."
"I'm not taking it lightly or what," he immediately interrupted Kawahara who he was sure would probably make a huge list of reasonings of why he should take this seriously. He almost smiled at the obvious concern of his friend but Kawahara was taking it more problematic than a simple dilemma of eye-watching. "and I'm sure it's not a stalker. What I really feel is that, it's like someone or everyone knows something that I don't and is talking behind my back," he remembered the murmuring just this afternoon.
"If it's not stalking then what is it Furi? Did you do something wrong or fantastic to be talked behind your back?" his friend asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That's why I said it's weird, and I'm telling you this because I have no idea what was happening," he was getting irritated the longer they discussed about this odd sentiment that settled quite fully on his back.
"But I really don't feel anything..." Kawahara mumbled softly, "Perhaps it's really just your imagination. If you didn't do anything wrong and it's not a stalker, then don't duel about it. If they need something from you, they'll come eventually," he patted the other's shoulder, "Sooner or later. But still, be careful." He stared straight at him, concern lurking in his eyes. Probably still thinking about the stalker possibility.
The brown head sophomore bit his lower lip, consuming what the other had said, but before he could respond a loud whistle echoed through the gym signalling the start of practice. Resigned, Furihata pushed it at the back of his head and tried to dismiss the feeling, forcing himself to think it was just his weird imagination doing tricks on him.
However, the question that was hanging on his mind was then answered the very next day with Furihata not knowing what to do and remaining flabbergasted at the appalling revelation.
—
Tuesday came, the brown haired teen arrived at school early. He idly stretched his arms in front of him, bag swaying together with his steps. Yawning, he swiftly turned the corner towards his room and settled his arms back on his side.
"Good morning Furihata."
A cool voice greeted behind him, halting him from yawning. Mouth hanging open, he turned around wanting to confirm the owner of the voice only to immediately close it after seeing who it was. Akashi Seijurou was standing in front of him with a small smile and cherry-red eyes staring straight at his chocolate-brown ones.
Feeling awkward at the sudden contact, he evaded the redhead's eyes to look elsewhere.
"Ah...good morning Akashi-sa - er kun," a bit embarrassed at being caught yawning. He sweatdropped at making a mistake of using the 'san' instead of 'kun' that Akashi prepared for Furihata to call him, explaining that it was too formal if he was going to be Furihata's tutor.
Looking back at Akashi, he smiled. Furihata almost frowned seeing how Akashi's uniform look so regal on him that he felt disappointed at his own appearance knowing he doesn't look as good as the other despite having to wear exactly the same uniform. It's unfair.
The man only nodded and walked pass him as if telling him to follow. So, he did just that and paced beside him, awkwardly biting his lips. He was a bit nervous.
A thick silence enveloped them as no one bothered to break it. Or Akashi for that part since Furihata failed to notice for his attention rearing back to his surrounding. It was back, a heavy feeling that crept through his system.
Quickly, he took a glance around expecting to find an answer to his queries this time. He sighted several students gazing at them, some even stopped their movements just to stare. He met one of the eye from the crowd - a black haired girl with petite body - but she only scowled, ignoring him afterwards and overlooking his shoulder with her 'awe-stricken' eyes, if he can call it that.
And then, it clicked. Oh, it was not him. They weren't staring because of him but because of the red haired school president beside him. Akashi.
Wew, that was embarrassing. This 'odd' feeling really is starting to get him. He got nervous over stupid things again. He should stop overthinking. His heartbeat slowed down a little and sighed a long breath in the process.
He turned to Akashi who seemed to have not realize the attention they were getting.
'He sure must be used to this.'
The urge to leave Akashi's side has been stronger than before. Not wanting to be look upon with those prying eyes.
Fortunately, they've reached the entrance door of his classroom. He stopped his tracks, "Well, uh, this is my room...so uhm, I'll be going inside Akashi-kun," he excused himself. He surely heard a gasp somewhere close to him but disregarded it as nothing.
Akashi stopped as well and smiled.
"Alright but be sure to arrive on time later Furihata," Akashi reminded in a calm voice.
This made the brunette visibly frowned. Late? To what? Are we seeing each other later? Why?
Somehow, Akashi sensed his unasked questions, and thus proceeded.
"It does seem you forgot. We'll meet at the library later, need I remind you about our plan."
It was more of a statement than question. Akashi's tone holds calmness but bites by its sharpness, like a very deep river unsoundly flowing but dangerously fatal. Silent but deadly.
In immediate, a mysterious lines and nerves connected to click the memory of their study lecture. They both came into agreement to meet at the library before going to wherever they decided to study.
His eyes widening upon comprehension, "Right!" he yelped a bit too loudly to his liking. "Er, I mean, yes I won't be late. I never forg..." he shut his mouth to stop himself from making any stupid excuses he could think. It was obvious he forgot the lesson. "I'm sorry," he mumbled in apology. He wasn't proud of it. "But I promise Akashi-kun I won't be late," he grinned assuringly.
"Precisely, I wouldn't want it any other way Furihata," the redhead nodded in undestanding. His tone never changing though.
Gulping secretly, he forced a smile, "Uh, I'll see you later then."
Nodding, the redhead resumed walking without looking back.
He composed a deep sigh as he entered his classroom only to be stopped mid-step by the looks he was getting from his classmates, specifically from his friends. All of them are giving him strange looks. Some were frowning, while others were smiling, a knowing grin, some seems displeased and other seems to be...blushing? What the heck?
Intentionally, he cough loudly to cut the thick atmosphere that rotated them caused by the undivided attention he was receiving, quietly slipping down his chair which scrapped the floor in process.
All of his friend were near the window, looking at him and stepping closer as he settled down. Kawahara and Fukuda, both seemingly to have something to say with lips crooked in a smile as if trying not to laugh. On the other side, Kagami was wearing a huge scowl, looking like he wanted to sneer at him and obviously very displeased of something, and lastly, Kuroko who, well, blankly stare at him waiting for him to talk. They formed a circle in front of him, cornering him. He have no idea what they want to know though.
"Uh, what?" he asked uncertainty marring on his voice, "Did something happen that I don't know of?" Forming a grin, he then whispered to Kagami who was closer to him, "Why are they looking at me like that?" his head discreetly pointed to his classmates. "I wasn't even aware I became popular," he joked but his friend didn't laugh, so the chuckles that left his mouth slowly dissolved.
Kagami che'd at him.
"Really, what now?"
"That is what what I want to know Furi...we want to know," Kagami commented, the growl was clear on his voice.
"Ah...I'm not sure I follow."
"What the fuck are you thinking dating that guy?"
"Don't be hasty on your assumption Kagami-kun. We promised we're gonna ask first, not growl at him. Your irritation is not helping at all," Kuroko stepped in, staring at his boyfriend with his expressionless face.
"But you saw him Kuroko, he was with him just a while ago."
"I did but that doesn't mean it's true. We hear his answer first before you react. Plus, what is it to you if they actually are?" patiently Kuroko said again, but the monotonous tone Kuroko was using was hardly patient at all. A hidden meaning behind that question somehow made Furihata shiver.
"You know what I mean Kuroko. It's that psychopath we're talking about here," Kagami remarked in clear irritation.
"I said he's not bad, and it will still be Furihata-kun's decision if he wanted to date him."
"I believe it when I see it. I'm not gonna let him get his hands-"
But Kagami couldn't continue his retort as Kawahara and Fukuda couldn't contain their laughter any longer as they bursted out laughing.
"This is so fun," Kawahara blurted between laughs.
What is so comical about this situation, the brunette had no idea. Furihata looked towards the crowd, remembering they were in the classroom and his classmates were looking at them. But gladly his classmates ignored them this time. He was still wondering about the looks though.
Thus, before anything become more heated, or comedy act, (or confusion for him), he voiced out his question, "Dating? Who's dating who? And what is it that you wanted to ask? You're making me feel nervous suddenly," he stared at them, making eye contact at each.
"Well..." Fukuda forced himself to stop laughing but a mirthful smile still remained on his lips. He retrieved something under his desk. "Look at this Furi, is this true?" the taller guy offered him their schools newspaper.
He heard Kagami scoff and mutter something 'Better not be true' but ignored it. Taking the paper, he blinked at his friends once questioningly before doing what they want him to do. He scanned the page first. His eyes slowly widened as the words written registered on his mind. Apprehension reached him.
'CONFIRMED! Akashi Seijurou and Furihata Kouki are dating!' written in bold letters. Below them was a picture of him grinning while the student council president was looking at him with a small smile, as if listening intently to what he was saying. Akashi does look content, and his own face bubbles with clear happiness. The image's atmosphere were simply shouting 'They're on a date', and worst his and Akashi's hands were on the surface of the table, fingers close enough to meet.
If he didn't know any better and it was not him on the picture he would very much believe the news. But he knew and it was him, so he gaped at the paper for the entire three minutes, trying to take everything that was being read. He was appalled at this horrible, unbelievable, impossible news! What the heck?!
"Everyone has been aching to know what's the real score between you two, but were too afraid to ask knowing who your partner is. They're dreading Akashi might do something if he discovered that they're talking about you're relationship when you're obviously hiding it. I knew some who firmly believe it's true though," Fukuda explained in one long breath, the gleam in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by the brown head sophomore who was jerked out of his frozen state but no words still leave from his mouth.
"...And their doubts has been proven correct by witnessing your interaction with Seijurou-kun just minutes ago," Kuroko preceded Fukuda's explaination, pausing for a moment to let the brunette consumed the information. "If anything, it has strengthen their beliefs that you both are dating."
"We're aware of your agreement about 'treating' him Furi but our classmates don't so we cannot easily justify to prove it otherwise. We know little," Kawahara proceeded, placing his head on his crossed arms that settled at the back of the chair he was straddling.
"But we're not dating..." was the only sentence he could utter to clarify his situation.
"Thank God, you're not!" Kagami suddenly exclaimed upon hearing his response, catching the attention of some of their classmates.
"You're being loud Kagami-kun," the bluenette chidded.
Kagami didn't comment but grinned at his boyfriend. He was happy to know his best friend was not trapped in a relationship with that crazy bastard who call himself absolute. It will really feel weird if he knew a block like Akashi would feel something as emotion.
Kuroko might be expressionless most of the time but his boyfriend is different, and he knew very well how to entice those emotions out of him. Though, it will be all in private. The urge to kiss boyfriend just then has been grave. It was tempting, but he needed to restrain himself. Later, he'll do it later. Kuroko just stare at him.
Seeing nothing important, their classmates ignored them again, but a few took a glimpse at Furihata. No one in the group noticed though.
"You're way too happy Kagami-kun."
That stopped Kagami's grin upon noticing the aura that illuminating the bluenette. He might not be expressing any emotion on his face but the chilling feeling that crept up his spine didn't really feel comforting. Why is Tetsuya angry now?, his mind exclaimed loudly. He frowned confusingly at him, asking him.
"Why does it suddenly feel cold?" Kawahara asked, he was beside Kuroko.
It broke the ice between the duo, both swiftly shifted their attention back to their friend.
"Is it?" Fukuda inquired, but noted the redhead and the bluenette's staring competition for a second that he almost believe that it was just imagination. But Kagami's expression says otherwise. Interesting...
"Yeah...whatever, it's prolly the wind," Kawahara shrugged, "Hey Furi, what would you do now?"
"We're not dating..." he remarked again, seemingly unaware he already said that, "I was only taking him on a dinner as a 'Thank You' nothing more," disbelief was apparent on his voice.
"Yeah, but nobody knows except us Furi. The image says differently, and that's what the other see," Kawahara noted.
He groaned. Why has it become so annoying?
"But what's with that 'See you later' Furihata-kun? Are you meeting him later?" The bluenette inquired, as a sudden memory popped to him.
Furihata grimaced, "Well..." he started as he conveyed the events that happened on their date. "We've planned to meet in the library after class every Tuesdays and Fridays until the examinations were done. That's the only deal we made," he finished, scowling at the newspaper in hands and clenching the edge tightly it scrunched loudly.
"You can cancel it to stop it if you want," Fukuda suggested.
"And get killed?"
"Don't scare the guy," Kagami chuckled. "That is if Akashi could do that."
"Seijurou-kun's not a killer," a pause. "but I can't assure you of things he'll do if you bail on him. He doesn't want people cancelling deals without proper reason. I might say he won't be pleased, rather it would anger him."
The hidden meaning behind those words made the group shivered, goosebums on their body. Just what will the redhead if angered? He doesn't want to think about that.
"The problem here is not Seijurou-kun," Kuroko continued, rearing back to the main problem.
"True," Fukuda agreed, chuckling, "Let's forget that suggestion."
"Oh right!" Kawahara all of a sudden blurted out as he realized something, surprising the group. "Don't you think this was the reason why you felt being watch yesterday? There's a big probability.
Furihata looked at his friend, comprehending. The other though, waited for them to explain. Kawahara told them about the events yesterday and came up with the same conclusion.
"It's possible," Kuroko commented afterwards. "Rumors have been spreading rather fast."
"But how will you convince the entire school Furi to believe in your words? The image is their proof. It's gonna be hard and a big hassle to let them believe otherwise," Kawahara wore a teasing grin.
"You're gonna be in trouble," Kagami spat.
"Why don't you talk to Akashi regarding this? Don't you think he know?" Fukuda asked.
He made no response and instead moaned, "Why the heck is this happening?"