"Alright, class!"
The classroom door suddenly bursts open, silencing the students that are buzzing about. Their homeroom teacher took her place in front and pulled out a fishbowl filled with little pieces of papers.
"Since Christmas is coming up and not soon we will have our winter break, I've decided to have a little fun inside this classroom until the time we separate for the time being!"
She said enthusiastically. All the students are now facing in front, except one. The blue head phantom teen paid no attention to his teacher with what she is blabbering about. He just kept on staring outside the window and thinking about a certain red headed president that he refused to stare at, he won't be seen or noticed anyway.
"This activity is called gift giving. No, see this bowl?"
She held the fish bowl using both her hands and checked if her students followed, which they did with little nods and mumbles of 'yes'.
"It contains all of your names. I based these on the record book and not by memory so this is complete. Now everyone will come in front and pick a piece of paper. I will tell the next details later. President, please lead away."
She motioned for the class president and also the top tier of the class to go in front and pick out from the fishbowl. The said president sat in front of the whole class, with fiery red hair and equally red eyes. Akashi nodded and stood up.
Once he was in front of the class, he inserted his hand inside the fishbowl and picked out the paper that was at the very top. His teacher gave a nod of approval.
"Thank you, Akashi. Don't open it yet. Okay, next student please!"
The students then formed a straight line and the picking of papers are continuously ongoing.
"I hope I can get Akashi-sama's name"
"Me too"
"How I wish"
Hopeful females murmured to themselves as their classmates picked out a paper one by one. Although Akashi pays no mind to them, he just hopes that none of them will get his name. It would be time consuming to see a girl fidget in front of you, stutter and when they give you the gift; they would expect something in return or just run. It is a tiring activity which Akashi grew out of. Being in the same school for almost three years, confessions are not a rarity. At first, the red head finds it amusing but when it became repetitive, he now refused to entertain them and just make up an excuse. Besides, there is already someone that he likes.
The line gradually came to a stop but then there was still a paper inside the fishbowl. A lone paper sat inside and it made the teacher wonder,
"Alright, who didn't pick theirs out?"
Everyone turned to each other inside the classroom and found no one who did not have a piece of paper with them. However, Akashi did notice someone when he turned his head around and so he raised his hand to voice it out.
"Yes, Akashi?"
The class president stood up, grabbed the piece of paper inside the bowl and went up to the very back of the classroom, right beside's the phantom's chair.
"Kuroko-san"
He called out. This caused the classroom to murmur. How come they had not noticed that their invisible classmate did not even picked out his own?
When he heard his name be called out by the voice that he was just thinking about, he couldn't help but snap his head towards the other direction and what meet him was an outstretched hand with a piece of folded paper inside.
"You're the one who didn't pick out any paper from the bowl. Please take it and listen to the teacher."
Kuroko seemed surprised for a moment that someone like Akashi could actually know his name, even though they are classmates. The blue head nodded and picked the piece of paper from the red head's hand, careful as to not graze his skin to the other's palm. Kuroko said thanks in the quietest of voices and nodded. The red head then left after that, sitting back on his chair. Their teacher then clasped her hands together and beamed at her students.
"Okay next up is the actual activity!"
She then turned to the chalkboard to write something. The students were very confused when she finished writing;
"Something Simple"
She said aloud as she faces her students.
"The names that you've got will be the person that you will give a gift to for the day after tomorrow and the theme will be 'Something Simple', meaning, the gifts would be either small, handmade or those that you think suit the person you got in the most simplest way."
The students nodded as they followed what their teacher is saying.
"However, no one is allowed to let anyone other than themselves to know who they'll be giving a gift to."
The teacher said in a wink. Kuroko paid attention and he thought that he really did not want to participate in the event but since that another person's happiness in on the line, he should at least makeup something.
"Oh and, don't open those papers until you got home okay?"
A chorus of 'yes Ma'am' can be heard. The day went on as a regular day with the students anticipating the time when they get home; except for two individuals.
Kuroko plopped down on his bed as he stares at the ceiling. He has the piece of paper in hand as he's scared to know whose name it belongs to. Sighing a deep breath, Kuroko decided to open up the folded paper and the name that is written on the piece of paper is the name of the very person he didn't think he'll have a chance to socialize about.
"Akashi Seijuuro"
Kuroko covered his face with his hands at how easily embarrassed he is at just stating the name of his long time Middle School crush. The blue head forced to calm his racing heart down and think up of a gift to give the red head; this might be a golden opportunity to actually talk to the perfect class president. This is surely something challenging for the blue head. He does not know the guy that much and even though he kept this secret crush for who knows how long, he's not the type to stalk people even though he has the ability to magically disappear without a trace.
Kuroko sighed as he bases his gift with how the red head acted inside the classroom.
Usually, he would be the first one at the classroom and is always the one organizing the things that were left the other day. Usually he would leave the classroom during lunch and not come back until 15 minutes before time. Usually he would be the one who is always left behind after class ends to record the day's events.
Kuroko felt hopeless. He knows little to nothing about the redhead and even if he does, it's only basic information that most of his classmates know. The blue head stood up from his bed and went to his desk. He then picked up a random book from atop his desk and inserted the piece of paper in one of it's leaves so that it would not be lost.
And that's when it hit him.
Most often than not, Akashi would have a new book in hand every time he goes inside the classroom after lunch and not once has Kuroko noticed the red head having a bookmark with him. Smiling at his own idea, Kuroko decided to work early and look up on the internet for ideas. Of course his inspiration is no other than the person that he'll give it to.
The next day went by fast, and before he knows it, it is now the day that they will give their gifts to the person written on paper.
When the teacher entered and announced to give the gifts, students stood up and gave their classmates the gift that is something simple.
Kuroko cannot move from his seat and give his handmade bookmark to Akashi because the red head is surrounded by girls, probably being interrogated. He can talk to the red head later.
"Akashi-sama, I know that you are not the name that I picked but I still have a gift for you"
A girl from the circle stated and the others followed suit, handing out their various gifts to the redhead. Kuroko only observed them from the back, not really minding the fact that no one has handed him his gift yet. He's too focused on Akashi to care.
Kuroko saw how the red head flashed the girls a smile and it hurt the blue head, but what he heard next is something unexpected.
"I'm sorry all of you, but I cannot accept those. I've been waiting for my gift still and I know that it is among those."
The red head said apologetically. Even though he refused them, the girls still swoon and just obeyed however, they still have a heavy heart. When Kuroko thought that it can be his time now that no one is all over the president, he decided to stand up and give his gift but then another group of girls approached the red head with their own set of gifts. The blue head sighed and waited once more. It went like that for the rest of the day and even other students from other classes went to Akashi to give him gifts because they heard of the gift giving activity their teacher proposed. Akashi refused them all which bothered Kuroko; what if he also refused the bookmark he made him? Kuroko shook his head to take those negative thoughts today. Later he will not leave the classroom immediately and talk to the red head.
The bell signals the end of classes. Students rushed to the door to get home or maybe to go somewhere fun but it's always the class representatives that are left behind. Kuroko just sat at the back and not moving, observing Akashi who was filling in the record notebook to be given to the teacher later.
They stayed like that for a moment, no one talking and the only things that can be heard are the scribbles of the pen that Akashi was using. The red head paused in writing and sighed, this caused Kuroko to pay a little more attention to him.
"When are you going to speak up, Kuroko-san?"
Akashi suddenly stated. Kuroko was taken aback and he did not know what to do, he was so fascinated at staring at Akashi that he forgot his main objective why he let himself be left behind. Kuroko rummaged to his bag, stood up and walked over to where the red head was. Akashi was standing by the time Kuroko managed to be in front of him. The blue head's face was red all over and Akashi was amused by it.
"Well?"
Akashi started and raised an eyebrow, Kuroko has something on his back but the red head will not pry to it for awhile.
"W-well, uhh… You haven't received your gift yet, right Akashi-kun?"
Kuroko started but he has his head turned away from the piercing look the other gave him.
"Yes, why do you ask?"
Kuroko gulped as he shakily brought his hands to his front and presented the red head the handmade bookmark.
"I- I was the one who got your name and I really don't know what to get you but since you always have a book with you, I thought that bookmarks would be nice…"
Kuroko was still shaking but he managed to say what he wants to say. He was half expecting for Akashi to refuse his gift but instead, all he heard were a chuckle and the feeling of the bookmark being taken away from him. Kuroko snapped his head to meet the gaze of the smiling red head and his face could not be redder than it is now.
"What's with that surprised expression?"
"I halfheartedly expected for you to refuse my gift."
Kuroko murmured and Akashi raised his brow
"Why would you?"
"Well you refused the others' earlier so I thought—'
Kuroko was interrupted by a laugh. Kuroko became more embarrassed and he just wants to run away and so he did, but a firm grip stopped him from doing so. Kuroko spun around and saw the smiling face of the redhead in front of him,
"Why would I refuse your gift?"
Akashi said as he let go of the other's arm. This caused Kuroko's eyes to widen as he stared at the red head. Akashi was admiring the bookmark as he looked at it from top to bottom.
"It's really nice. Did you make it?"
Kuroko only nodded and the other hummed in appreciation.
"You're very skilled, I like it. Thank you"
Kuroko blushed at the compliment but he only nodded as a response. The bookmark was then placed at the newest book the red head was reading.
"W-well then, I'll be taking my leave. I'm glad that you like it Akashi-kun—"
"Tetsuya"
Kuroko's breath hitched at the way how Akashi addressed him so suddenly. The blue head was frozen in place but he refused to meet the other's gaze. He felt the other getting closer to him but Kuroko stayed in place.
"You haven't received your gift yet have you?"
Kuroko wondered at that and yes, now that it is mentioned. The blue head turned to look at Akashi in the eyes and nodded, this only made the red head smile.
"I'm sorry for not giving it to you earlier but I couldn't find timing."
Wait. That means that the one who got his name was actually Akashi? It's almost like destiny, although Kuroko does not easily believe in all that. Kuroko gulped and shook his head.
"It's okay, I didn't even thing that people would remember me enough to give me a gift."
Akashi placed his hand on the blue head's shoulder and looked at him in the eyes.
"How could you say that? For me, you've been invading my mind ever since we met."
Kuroko cannot will his heart to stop racing and be calm, the things that Akashi is saying is not making it better. Kuroko only kept silent as he could not find the words to say.
"Is it okay if it's only a very simple gift?"
Kuroko stared at the red head's apologetic eyes and nodded. It made Akashi smile. Kuroko was expecting for him to reach something in his bag to reach for Kuroko but what happened next was what he did not expect. The red head leaned in closer but Kuroko did not have enough time to react and so their lips met in a perfect mold. Almost as if they were puzzle pieces compatible with each other.
Kuroko's eyes shot open at what the other did. He cannot think straight and his mind is in a mess. When Akashi pulled away with a satisfied smirk, that's when it got down to Kuroko what they just did. He jolted back a few feet away from the redhead while covering his mouth,
"W-w-w-what was that, Akashi-kun?"
Akashi suddenly has this serious aura around him as he approached the blue head once again, Kuroko cannot move away, too tense to actually do something. The redhead pried Kuroko's hands from his mouth and then squeezed them. Kuroko cannot look at Akashi's eyes but then the other used his other hand to lift Kuroko's chin up.
"I've wanted to ask you a question for a while now."
Kuroko gulped as Akashi spoke, he cannot look away even though he wants to. When there was no response, Akashi took it as an okay. He squeezed Kuroko's hand against his again and stared into those sapphire orbs.
"Will you go out with me?"
Kuroko thinks that his heart might explode. His alarm clock needs to alarm any time soon now so that he'll wake up from this impossible dream. Kuroko thinks too much that it worried the other when he received no response. Akashi placed one of his hand on Kuroko's cheek and lightly tapped it waking Kuroko out of his reverie.
"Your answer?"
Kuroko cannot believe that it is actually happening, it is not a dream but the real Akashi is actually asking him out and kissed him. Kuroko's eyes watered as the blush that crept to his face reddens. He nodded frantically before attacking the red head with his own initiation of a kiss.
It startled Akashi at first but he then smiled to the kiss and returned it. Their shared kiss was short and sweet but they never did let go of each other. Kuroko looked up at Akashi when he felt the other poking his cheek,
"I love you, Tetsuya."
The blue head smiled and wrapped his arms around Akashi.
"I love you too, Akashi-kun."