Ever since that fateful day, Kuroko's relationship with both Aka Hasami and Akashi greatly increased. More often than not, Aka Hasami would be the one who would engage them in a conversation every time almost immediately after school ends or sometimes, straight off after he and Akashi part ways, which was sometimes unsettling since at a good distance, Kuroko could see Akashi holding his phone and texting someone and when he's done, Kuroko would instantly receive a new message from Aka Hasami, it seems as if Akashi is Aka Hasami, but Kuroko thought that he's just being too observant on things. Speaking of the cellphone thing, Akashi would not let Kuroko take a look at his phone and when Kuroko asked for them to switch numbers, Akashi would straight out refuse and would move on to a new subject of their conversation. This did not bother Kuroko at first because he knows that Akashi wants to know him better before giving any actual information about him; though when they are close enough to actually pass as best friends, Kuroko began his doubts. Kuroko began to question himself; has he done anything wrong? Does he look like he cannot be trusted with something as simple as a cellphone number? He's frustrated with himself and his way of venting these out was by messaging his second most trusted friend: Aka Hasami. Despite being just friends in a virtual sense, they are friends nonetheless.
To: Aka Hasami
From: Kuroko Tetsuya
Can I ask you something? Can you tell me what your view of me is? Am I enough to be considered your friend? Have I done something to offend you at any time and you're not just telling me anything? Am I too demanding at times? Am I annoying because I message you a lot? Were you irritated by me when I first messaged you? Am I really not that good of a friend? Please answer me, Aka-kun.
Kuroko did not look over his message because he's sure that he will not be able to send it if he were to check and reread it. Kuroko sighed, he hopes that Aka Hasami would not take that he's crazy or probably someone who's touchy and emotional by something as simple as his situation now. Just moments after he sent the text, Aka Hasami immediately replied.
To: Kuroko Tetsuya
From: Aka Hasami
That's an awful lot of questions. Well nevermind, I am going to answer them anyway. My view of you is that you're someone who's straightforward, very observant, understanding and probably one of the best people I've met throughout my life, even though we really haven't met in person. Yes, you are considered my friend, a good one at that. No you haven't done anything to offend me, have I done something to offend you? You are not demanding in anyway, if I had to put it, you are quite patient. I am supposed to be the one asking you this next question, I am the one who messages you first. How many times am I going to tell you that I was fascinated by you and not irritated? You are a good friend trust me. Why do you need these questions to be answered by me? Aren't there any other people who could answer this for you? Do you really trust me that much? I am happy about it if that is the reason. Though, are you having trouble with anything?
Kuroko smiled warmly at this. He never thought that Aka Hasami would go as far as to answer all questions in detail. Instantly after reading, Kuroko worked his fingers on the keypad, typing out his reply. His day just got a little bit better again.
To: Aka Hasami
From: Kuroko Tetsuya
Thank you for answering all these questions, Aka-kun. I have to honest and a part of that heavy weight I feel inside just got lifted. You are probably one of my most trusted friends that's why I feel like you should be the one I ask these to. Sorry if you are bothered by it. Well earlier, I started to question myself. Since this one friend of mine, Akashi-kun, you've heard of him right? I've mention him to you before. Well, he won't give me his phone number. Now, before you tell me it's not big of an issue, it's just a little bit unsettling that after all these weeks that we've been spending time together, he seems like he still can't trust me with his phone number. I just thought that maybe I've done something wrong and I'm not a good of a friend that's why he refused to give it to me. Though with your answers, I can somewhat say that I am relieved that I am not a bad friend to you.
Well then this is a first. Aka Hasami actually took a minute to reply to him and this has not happen since today.
To: Kuroko Tetsuya
From: Aka Hasami
Maybe it's not like he hates you or anything, maybe he just doesn't want you to know whatever his secret is inside his cellphone. After all, everyone has a secret not even their closest friends know. Well, Kuroko, I just have some urgent business to attend to so I have to go.
These are all firsts for Kuroko. Usually Aka Hasami would reply instantly and would not make him wait for a whole minute no matter how long his text is. Usually they would be lengthy and would make him really engage in conversation. Usually it was Kuroko who would end the conversation because it was late or if he'll be doing his assignments. Usually Aka Hasami would not stop messaging him even if he himself has something to do. Kuroko did not question this though, and instead texted Aka Hasami goodbye and an until next time and closed his phone. Apart from the weird refusal of Akashi to give his phone number to Kuroko, Aka Hasami is acting quite weird himself. Kuroko concluded that they are both weird.
"I thought that you might want to exchange numbers?"
"Yes, but why do you have to buy a new phone? What happened to the other one?"
"... Things."
Akashi does not make sense. As soon as they met, this was at the school gate at nearly the time of 6 AM; Akashi approached him with a new phone in hand. Kuroko knows that it's a new phone because despite the fact that Akashi does not show his phone to him, the device did not go unnoticed whenever the red head pulls it out.
Silence overwhelms the two as Akashi did not know what to say and neither does Kuroko.
"So, are you going to exchange numbers with me?"
The red head once again asked. Kuroko reluctantly reached out for his phone and nodded. He knows that something is off in Akashi since after all this time of asking for his number, the red head always refused to give him his number and would always find an excuse for him to not let Kuroko have his number. But now, Akashi was just in front of him, new phone in hand and is now the one asking for his number. It was as if he knew what Kuroko is thinking about and the conversation he had with Aka Hasami. But nevertheless, Kuroko still pulled out his phone and said his number to Akashi to which the other did too. Akashi smiled once he got Kuroko's number.
"You know, you are the first contact of this phone."
Kuroko felt honored but at the same time that doubt that he feels does not leave him still. They both put their phones back in place and once they were done Kuroko couldn't help but ask again.
"So, what really happened to your old phone Akashi-kun? It was fine yesterday, I saw you using it."
"I think I may need to go. It is my turn to clean the classroom before the bell rings. Well then,"
And with that Akashi just left, leaving Kuroko to once again wander with his thoughts. Wait, isn't Akashi yesterday's room cleaner of their class?
Akashi could not risk it. He knows how observant of a kid Kuroko is. Just the slightest bit of suspicion might lead him in being found out. As if he weren't suspicious enough to Kuroko right now. No wonder he messaged 'Aka Hasami' about the cellphone matter. Akashi sighed while on his way to his classroom. Truth be told, he was a Tuesday cleaner and today is a Wednesday. Lying was not really his forte but he just can't risk of Kuroko finding out that his old phone was okay and it was for the sake of getting Kuroko's number that he had to order an express phone to his house just last night.
Once Akashi was inside his classroom, he pulled out his old phone and began texting as 'Aka Hasami'. Oh how he wished that he could just be Aka Hasami and not Akashi Seijuuro. The guy seems to be making Kuroko enjoy himself more if he's with that damn author than with him. Akashi stopped midway while typing and sighed, there's no use feeling jealous with your other personality now is there? Then Akashi thought; what is there to be jealous of really? It's not as if he like likes Kuroko, it was just plain fascination.
Keyword: Was. Past tense
Akashi banged his head to his desk and grunted. How could he, The Akashi Seijuuro, miss the fact that it was not just mere adoration for the blue haired teen that he feels, but something more? And the worst part, Kuroko likes his nonexistent self more than him. Well something more to grimace for.
The red haired teen raised his head and breathes in a long breath, well now he knows where this determination to befriend the quiet teen came from, and if he wants to know more about Kuroko without him thinking that he's weird, he'll have to use Aka Hasami. It seems that Kuroko is willing to talk to Aka Hasami about almost everything.
Akashi went over his unsent text again and revised it before sending it. If he wants to make a move on the quiet Kuroko, he needs to know more about the boy without making him feel uncomfortable, and so he made his move, right then and there.
To: Kuroko Tetsuya
From: Aka Hasami
Good morning to you, Kuroko. How was your day so far? Mine has been the usual mundane morning that I am always having. I suppose that you are in the classroom right now? May I ask if you've met that Akashi guy that you've mention before, this morning? I haven't asked before but you've been mentioning him quite frequently and I just want to know what he's like to you? I am just curious as to why you talk about him so much. Oh and another one, I've decided to continue my story and pursue being a writer for even until 'From Beyond the Stars' is finished. How about that?
Akashi knows that the announcement will overshadow his first request to 'get-to-know' Akashi, though as of now, he does not know how he can get off his father and for the man to not know that he's planning to continue his career after all. Well, he'll just have to find out if his old man will know about it. As of now, his main concern is how to make Kuroko Tetsuya of Class 2C, age 16, a bookworm and a natural beauty fall head over heels for him. To do that, he needs his other self and then Akashi realized something. In order to text accordingly as Aka Hasami, he needs to be Akashi and if he wants to impress Kuroko with himself then he'll need to be Aka Hasami. Akashi nodded, it sounds simple and making Kuroko fall in love with both him will only make him assured that no matter what front he will put up, Kuroko will still like him.
His self confrontation was cut short with his phone's message alert going off. He knows that it's Kuroko, it can be no one but Kuroko, so without anymore further ado, he then read and replied the message.
To: Aka Hasami
From: Kuroko Tetsuya
My morning has been good so far Aka-kun. And you've just made it better by saying that you'll continue the series! Thank you Aka-kun! I am most probably going to await the new update! Is it that you've solved your problems already? I would be glad if it was the reason that you're coming back. Yes, I am in the classroom right now; I am just currently waiting for our teacher to arrive. Why are you asking about Akashi-kun? Yes, we've met each other at the school gate and this time he was holding a new phone and then asks for my number. I thought that he might've had a gist that I am kind of sulking that he ignores me with the cellphone business thing. Am I making you uncomfortable by mentioning Akashi-kun a lot in our conversation? I just can't help it though; I can somehow sense that you two are somewhat alike that's why I kept on mentioning him and comparing him to you. I'm sorry if you're bothered by it. But if you're curious, then Akashi has been a good friend ever since we made up, he's the one I usually talk to at school and he's an overall good guy for me. I take it that you're in your classroom too and you can't do anything so you texted me?
Upon reading, he could tell that Kuroko knows him, er, Aka Hasami, very much now and could probably tell others of his likes and dislikes. He's just slightly happier that Kuroko treats him as a good friend and an overall good guy, though he knows that he's far from it. He then replied the message with the most innocence regarding the topic of 'Akashi Seijuuro', and just like that, their whole day went on. Akashi knowing more on what to do in front of Kuroko and Kuroko anticipating every reply Aka Hasami return to him, not knowing that the one he's talking to is, in fact, Akashi Seijuuro.
A/N Hello once again! Welp exams are over and now I am free of anything~ (well maybe except that one English project that I have to cram in school cause too lazy to do tonight LOL) I hope that you guys like this chapter~ Ahah~ I like Akashi in this one! w He's such a cutie, don't you guys agree? Oh and other people who are waiting for my other stories to be continued and are wondering why this is the only one getting updated, I am planning to finish this other one first before moving on to the other ones. Once this CN is finished, 'Seeking What's There' will have my full attention, that's why I am sorry for those who are reading SWT and Undercover too! But don't worry, I won't abandon anything! Even that hard-to-write story of Monochrome Dream!