Sorry for the wait! The new chapter is here. The long awaited chapter where Kirimi meets the one and only Akashi Seijuurou. I really hope I've done his character justice. He's such a difficult character. It'll be even more difficult to write about him in the future. But I have some thing planned, don't worry!

I can't believe the amount of favorites and follows I'm getting for this story. Really, a great BIG THANK YOU to ALL of you, my dear readers. Each follow, favorite and review make me so happy! Please continue to support the story. Just one little request. Could you review some more? :D I want to hear more of your thoughts about the story!

Recap:

Kirimi felt the sense of loss in her evaporate when she saw Kise's expression. She felt extremely happy now, possibly as happy as the moment when they had won the match.

She smiled widely at Kise.

"I'm really glad to hear that," said Kirimi, smiling genuinely at him.

At that moment, the sun shined through the window and it illuminated Kirimi's face. Her green eyes shining like real emeralds, her bouncy lavender hair which looked as soft as silk and her smile which stretched a thousand miles, it was breathtaking. Kise was only now looking at Kirimi's features properly.

Then Kirimi looked at her watch.

"Ah, I'm getting late! Well, see you" said Kirimi, exiting the room.

Kise stared at the exit long after she had left. The girl…Kirimicchi…was actually pretty cute. He wasn't jealous of Kirimi having Kuroko anymore. If anything, it was the opposite. He wanted an adorable little personal coach too!

End of Recap

Kirimi soon met up with the others who chided her for being late. She gave the precious smart phone to Riko and after a few words with the other team members of Kaijo, they finally departed. The first stop was Sasaki General Hospital, which was to check on Kuroko. Thankfully, his injury was nothing serious. The team, especially Kirimi breathed a huge sigh of relief.

It was then decided that the team would have some food to celebrate their win. They didn't have enough money, and in the end, each team member ended up having to eat a huge 4kg plate of steak, but the catch was that they had to eat it in less than half an hour or they'd have to pay 10,000 yen. Kirimi had to wonder how Riko came up with such a risky plan. In the end, the team was saved thanks to Kagami's bottomless pit of a stomach.

"Huh? Where's Tetsuya-kun?" asked Kirimi, who had just come out from the rest room, a while later.

"Ah, he just stepped out for some fresh air," said Tsuchida.

"Wait! He's not outside!" said Koganei.

"Huh?" exclaimed Riko.

Just where had he gone?

The evening sun was shining brightly on the small park. It was neither too bright, nor too dark; it was a perfect evening for having a nice stroll.

"It's been a while since we last talked like this," said Kise, walking towards the park. "How's your injury?"

"I'm fine," replied Kuroko, who was behind him.

They both approached a bench in the park where Kise seated himself.

"I saw Midorimacchi," said Kise.

Kuroko looked down, a bit uncomfortably.

"Honestly, I don't get along with him very well,"

Kise chuckled.

"Now that you mention it, you're right. I think he just came to watch today's game though," said Kise. "Anyway…"

Kuroko looked up at him.

"First Kirimicchi turns me down, then you turn me down and then I lost today's game," said Kise.

Kuroko blinked.

'Kirimicchi?'

He smiled. It looked like Kirimi had made a good impression on Kise.

"That girl," continued Kise. "Honestly, when you first said she's your personal coach, I thought I was having some weird nightmare. Someone who was closer to Kurokocchi than I was! But then as the match went on, I understood. And then…after the match as well,"

Kise smiled fondly. Then he looked up at Kuroko.

"She's a nice kid," said Kise. "I finally understood after the match. There's no way you'd say yes with Kirimicchi around, huh?"

Kuroko looked down again.

"I'm sorry," he said to Kise.

"No problem! More importantly, I wanted to ask you the reason. Why did you disappear right after the middle school championship game?" asked Kise, passing the basketball in his hand to Kuroko.

Meanwhile, Kirimi and the rest of Seirin were all searching high and low for Kuroko. Kirimi went along with Kagami.

"Does he always disappear like that?" asked Kagami.

Kirimi giggled sheepishly.

"Actually, this is the first time it's ever happened since I got to know him," she answered.

She paused and looked around. Some high school students were playing street ball in a little park next to them. They looked like they were having so much fun. Kagami agreed with her. Suddenly, Kirimi gave a loud gasp.

"What is it? What happened?" asked Kagami, alarmed.

"It's Tetsuya-kun!" said Kirimi, pointing beyond the fence. "He's over there, with Kise-kun!"

They quickly rushed over to the other side of the fence and Kirimi was about to call out to Kuroko when she heard his conversation with Kise.

"-If you think so highly of Kagami because of his attitude towards basketball, someday the two of you will part ways," said Kise.

The breeze started blowing as Kirimi and Kagami's eyes widened. Kirimi glanced at Kagami.

What? What did he mean by that?

Kise went on to talk about the other Generation of Miracles and then about Kagami. He spoke of how just like the Generation of Miracles, Kagami had a unique ability, something that even Kise couldn't copy but that someday he would achieve the level of the Generation of Miracles and grow apart from his team.

"Something like that will never happen!" said Kirimi loudly, startling everyone.

Kagami looked at Kirimi, surprised that she was speaking up for him. Kuroko and Kise turned towards them.

"Kirimicchi?"

"Kirimi-san?"

It was frightening. Kagami becoming like the Generation of Miracles? No. That would never happen. She would not let that happen. Kagami was now an important friend to her. She would not allow herself to lose him like she lost Shizuo.

Kirimi took a deep breath.

"It's true that Kagami-kun's hot headed, an idiot, and really, really stubborn sometimes as well, but he won't become like the other Generation of Miracles. Tetsuya-kun and I will never let that happen!" said Kirimi sincerely.

Kise stared at her with a slightly taken a back expression. His eyes turned mellow. She wouldn't allow Kagami to become like that, huh? Kise smiled. Well, if it was Kirimi, maybe she could just do it. She'd certainly surprised him today after all. He turned to look at Kagami.

"Were you two listening, then?" he asked.

"We sure as hell were!" shot Kagami.

Kagami and Kise started talking to each other while Kirimi approached Kuroko.

"Geez, Tetsuya-kun! Why did you have to disappear when I went to the restroom? That's the only time I can't keep my eye on you!" said Kirimi, pouting.

"It seems I can't keep my eye on you either, Kirimi-san. Did you go off wandering around Kaijo when you were searching for the coach's phone?" asked Kuroko with a small sly look.

Kirimi gave a start and then looked at him, a bit embarrassed.

"S-Sorry about that. I was just thinking about some things about the game and I ended up finding Kise-kun and…well…" mumbled Kirimi.

Kuroko rubbed her head.

"Eh? You're not mad?" asked Kirimi, surprised.

"No. Well, I was worried about where you'd gone but then…"

He looked at Kise.

"…like I thought, something good happened, didn't it?"

Kirimi stared at Kuroko.

"Well, I guess you could say that," she said, giving Kuroko a tiny smile.

Kuroko smiled back at her but then he noticed something unpleasant. He noticed some thugs beating up some innocent basketball players on the basketball court on the opposite side. He approached them and was about to get beaten up but fortunately, Kirimi being Kirimi noticed his presence at once and told Kagami and Kise who teamed up with Kuroko and beat the thugs up in a game of basketball.

"Te-tsu-ya-kuuuuuuun!" yelled Kirimi pounding Kuroko's head with her little fists, once the game was over.

Kise and Kagami berated Kuroko as well for getting into trouble like that.

"I just thought those guys were terrible. I just wanted to tell them that," said Kuroko.

"You should've considered the consequences!" yelled Kagami.

"…I forgot to," said Kuroko deadpan.

"Don't give me that! I was seriously worried!" huffed Kirimi. "Geez!"

As she was panting, she felt someone rub her head. It was Kise.

"Kise-kun?" said Kirimi.

His hands went on to play with a lock of her hair.

"You're an interesting girl, Kirimicchi, probably the most interesting girl I've met in years. I was worried about Kurokocchi earlier but now seeing him with you, I know that he's in good hands. Take care of him, ok?" he said gently.

Kirimi smiled back at him and nodded.

"Yeah! I'll make sure to do that," said Kirimi.

Kise's hands then slightly lifted her chin and then he looked straight at her green eyes.

"What is it?" asked Kirimi with a puzzled face.

"Hehe. Nothing much. Just wanted to see if the mark on your face was gone," chirped Kise.

"Huh? Oh. Well, that healed pretty quickly," said Kirimi matter-of-factly.

Kise's shoulders slumped and his face broke into puppy tears again. This girl certainly wasn't a fangirl. Nope, definitely not.

"Ahhh, it still hurts me that you rejected my autograph before! I know! How'd you like a signed copy of my new photo book? It's a limited edition!" said Kise excitedly.

"Why would I want that?" asked Kirimi, confused.

Kise broke into puppy tears again. He recovered pretty quickly though.

"Well, I should get going then," he said looking at Kuroko. "I finally got to play with you, Kurokocchi,"

Kuroko stared back at him.

"And don't think I've forgotten about my revenge, Kagamicchi! Oh and Kirimicchi, I'll definitely make you get my autograph next time!" he said as he left.

"Kagamicchi?" spluttered Kagami.

Kirimi blinked.

"Wait a second, I just realized it, but he's been calling me 'Kirimicchi' for a while too!" said Kirimi in surprise. "Why did I only realize this now?"

"Kise-kun adds that name to those he acknowledges," said Kuroko. "That's great for you, Kagami-kun and Kirimi-san,"

Kagami protested but Kirimi felt fluffy in her chest. A nickname…she had never had one before. That was something friends had. So, Kise was her friend? Kirimi smiled happily.

Kirimi reached home and opened the door. As soon she did, she felt herself being sucked into a tornado. The maids were scurrying up and down and side to side. This was much worse than the other day when Kirimi had first learned about the guests.

Flashback:

"Okaa-sama, what's going on?" asked Kirimi.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? We have very important guests visiting us in a few days. We have invited the prestigious head of the Akashi family and his son to tea, as they are visiting our city. They are in the same social standing as we are, Kirimi. This is an excellent opportunity for us to strengthen our ties with them," said Mayu.

Oh. So it was just another 'social standing' thing.

This Akashi family must be something special since Kirimi's family never went to such lengths to make things perfect. Wait a second. Kirimi had just realized something. The head of the Akashi family and his 'son'? Oh wonderful. Kirimi disliked it when these so called 'esteemed' families visited or when had to visit them with her parents. She had to pretend and have this sweet little girl like voice and act like a little doll, as the respected daughter of the Ayasaki family. But there was a 'son' in this family. Kirimi felt her eye twitch.

Her mother seemed to be reading her mind in relation to the 'son' part.

"The son, Seijuurou-kun is four years older than you, Kirimi. He's an extremely intelligent and charming young man. You will be expected to entertain him. You know that, don't you?"

Sure, sure. Oh well, at least he was older than her, and Kirimi wouldn't have to play the role of babysitter.

"Yes, okaa-sama, I will be do my best to make sure Seijuurou-san enjoys his visit to the Ayasaki family house," said Kirimi diligently.

End of Flashback

Kirimi wondered why there was such a to-do in the house when the guests were only arriving the day after tomorrow. Not to mention, the house looked perfect as it is. So it came as a surprise to her when she saw her mother already decked up and ready. It seemed that there had been a small change of plans and that the guests were visiting them this evening, an hour from now.

Without a minute to spare, Kirimi was ushered into her room by three maids and she was scrubbed, combed and powdered so much that she felt like a real porcelain doll. She felt especially uncomfortable in the new dress her mother had bought for her. It had too many frills and too many sequins. They itched like crazy.

"I-I'm ready, okaa-sama," panted Kirimi, at last.

Kirimi's father was also ready and he nodded at her approvingly. Kirimi's mother adjusted a little frill on Kirimi's front. She looked at Kirimi. Kirimi knew what that look meant. Kirimi was not to disappoint her parents today, no matter what.

Soon, the guests arrived.

"Welcome to our humble abode, Masaomi-san," said Kirimi's father, shaking the hand of the head of the Akashi family, as he and his son stepped inside the hall room. The second he did, Kirimi felt a pang in her chest. She found herself looking at the Akashi family head's son, Seijuurou. Kirimi had to struggle not to widen her eyes. The boy had two different eyes. Hetreochromia? She had studied about it but had never seen a person who actually had it. She soon tore her eyes away from him. Was he the source of discomfort in her chest?

"A pleasure, Hiro-san, a pleasure. Thank you so much for inviting us," answered the man.

He had crimson red hair, though there were some gray hairs here and there. He smiled at Kirimi's father and then at her mother and then Kirimi herself.

Kirimi bowed courteously at the man and his son, trying to regain her composure.

"It is a great honor to meet you," said Kirimi with as much politeness as she could muster.

"What a charming young lady," said Akashi Masaomi smiling at Kirimi. "Don't you think so, Seijuurou?"

Kirimi glanced at him and then felt herself twitch slightly. Why was he staring at her so intently? It was a bit frightening.

"Yes, father," said the enigmatic son, his eyes never leaving Kirimi's face.

Kirimi tried her best to hide the discomfort in her chest. She beamed back at them.

"I am most flattered by your praise," said Kirimi, bowing again.

When they were all seated around the dining table, he adults started chatting to each other, about various things; the weather, the economy, life in general. Kirimi could occasionally smile and give her opinion but Masaomi's son, Seijuurou stayed quiet. This did not go unnoticed by Masaomi.

"Seijuurou? What is the matter? You don't seem to be participating in our discussions at all," said Masaomi, with a very slight edge to his voice.

Kirimi inwardly gulped in nervousness. It was taking every bit of her strength not to squirm in a manner less way. All throughout the discussion, Kirimi had felt the son's eyes on her. She couldn't understand what he was doing but her mother would never forgive her if she spoke out about it. She wondered what he was going to say now.

"Ah, forgive me, Father. I was merely entranced by young Kirimi-san's eyes. They shine just like real emeralds," said the younger Akashi, his eyes still on Kirimi's face.

"Oh, Seijuurou-kun, how very sweet of you!" said Kirimi's mother, tinkling with laughter. "Did you hear that Kirimi?"

Kirimi delayed response by two seconds. She was forced to look at the younger Akashi's face now.

"Thank you very much for your extremely kind words, Seijuurou-san," said Kirimi, struggling not to stutter.

"Now, now Seijuurou, don't tell me you're already smitten?" joked his father. "Teenagers these days!"

The adults laughed again while Akashi smiled, not saying anything else. Kirimi strained her lips but she couldn't smile. Then, Kirimi's father said something that nearly made Kirimi completely lose her balance.

"Kirimi, why don't you and Seijuurou-kun walk around the garden and chat a bit, getting to know each other better? You mother and I have some important matters to discuss with Masaomi-san,"

Kirimi finally put on a smile, with great difficulty.

"Of course, Otou-sama. I would love to," she said, trying to sound eager.

Soon they were both outside. The night was a bit chilly, and the crickets in the garden seemed to be chirping in harmony. But other than that, the only sounds to be heard were Kirimi and Akashi's footsteps on the little path, where Kirimi was trying to engage in small talk with Akashi. Akashi didn't seem very interested as he only mostly gave her one-word answers. It was an irony, considering that earlier, he had never taken his eyes off her.

Kirimi and Akashi continued to walk together, with Kirimi point out each flower in the garden and talking about how flowers were so very fascinating. This was a complete lie. Kirimi had no interest in flowers whatsoever but she had to try and make a conversation somehow. This continued until Akashi stopped walking when he spotted one particular flower.

"And this here is…Akashi-san?" said Kirimi, wondering why he'd suddenly stopped.

His mismatched eyes were staring at the carnations in front of him. Kirimi smiled at him.

"Do you like thenm? Those carnations are very beautiful, aren't they? Otou-sama had this breed specially ordered from-"

"-They're a puzzle," said Akashi, speaking a full sentence at last.

Kirimi blinked.

Eh?

"Did you know? Carnations are a puzzle, rather, they are fascinating," continued Akashi, still looking at the flower. He plucked one flower from the plant.

Kirimi blinked.

"Oh, no, I didn't know that. I thought they meant admiration or innocence," she replied.

Finally, something they could talk about!

Akashi nodded.

"Yes, they do mean those things too, but, to me right now, they mean fascination,"

Akashi turned towards her and placed the flower in Kirimi's hair and then proceeded to give her that long intent stare again. Kirimi's face finally showed her true expression. She wasn't fooling anybody now.

"A-Akashi-san?"

His hand was still touching the carnation in her hair.

"Yes, they are a fascinating puzzle, much like you, Ayasaki Kirimi,"

Kirimi's eyes widened as she felt Akashi's face coming closer and closer…

I know, I'm evil! xD I ended that in a big cliffhanger, didn't I? Do you guys think they're going to...ufufufufu~ What in the world is Akashi thinking? Has he really fallen for Kirimi because of her eyes? Find out in the next chapter!

P.S Review? Akashi will place a flower in your hair if you do! ;)