The sound of squeaking sneakers and the lingering smell of rubber were good indications that Kotone was nearing Rakuzan's stellar athletic facility and also her impending doom.
Hesitantly, she opened the heavy double doors and peeked into the gym wondering if basketball practice was in session yet. Surprisingly, she didn't catch a glimpse of the red haired tyrant. It appeared they were just starting practice, since the first years were doing some laps around the court.
"But where's Akashi-san? Hm…maybe the arrogant prick is playing hooky." She wondered aloud before brusquely snorting to herself, "He's skipping his own club. Ha."
"Kono Kotone."
She almost choked on her saliva, she was so startled by the voice. Slowly, she forced herself to turn around and look into the mismatched gaze of Rakuzan's basketball team's captain.
"Uh...ah. Hello, Akashi-san..." She nervously waved and tried to backtrack, "I'm a bit early, aren't I? We were supposed to meet after practice, right? Gomen, I'll come back when you finish..."
She hastily tried to sidestep him and make a quick retreat down the hall but Akashi was not having it. His hand shot out latching onto her shoulder. He stepped forward and quite roughly shoved her into the wall next to the gym door.
She was more than surprised, in fact she was in shock at how fast it had all happened. There was an unbearably heavy silence as she stood there looking into his heterochromatic eyes. She felt a shiver run down her spine when she saw the cold cruelty in his gaze.
He was the very emulation of displeasure.
"I will not tolerate disobedience from those below me." His voice was icy and his words piercing. Kotone felt herself shrink under the sheer authority of his tone not to mention the way he seemed to loom over her even though somewhere in the back of her mind she recognized that they were about the same height, she may have even had an inch on him.
Somehow, even without him changing his expression, Kotone's blood ran cold and she had to avert her gaze from his as he said his next words. "Know your place."
He stepped away from her and whisked through the gymnasium doors. The doors made a quiet click and Kotone was alone.
Shakily, she lowered herself down onto the floor and leaned heavily against the wall as she tried to pull herself back together.
"What happened...?" She murmured quietly. She knew Akashi was rumored to be quite intense but she didn't think his scolding would have that sort of effect on her. That presence was no ordinary intimidation.
She was broken from her thoughts when a light weight settled on her shoulder. Her gaze snapped up to meet concerned gray-blue orbs.
"Are you okay? Do you need to go to the nurse?" She didn't answer. Instead, she studied his form. Chin-length black hair, and a pretty face. Also, he was tall. Super tall, as in basketball tall. He was wearing the Rakuzan regular uniform which told her he must have some relation to Akashi. And right now, that was the last thing she needed.
"Can you stand?" He spoke again and she realized she had been staring. She quickly nodded her head and pulled herself to her feet.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She mumbled bitterly. Her pride was bruised and she was shaken but she was fine.
"Ah. Were you waiting for someone?"
She shouldered her bag and glared out the window. Was she still waiting for him? The teacher would probably put the packet online. It wouldn't be a hard task to just do it herself. She was smart after all. And after her last encounter with Akashi she didn't feel like seeing his face again.
"You seem upset. Are you sure you're okay...?" Kotone finally snapped back to attention when the pretty boy placed a worried hand on her shoulder. Well, she had been pretty much ignoring him for the last few seconds. She'd be worried too.
"Yeah. Just a little burned out. I'll be okay." She looked up and tried to smile but it more likely looked like a grimace. "I'm taking my leave."
Before he could say anything else, she turned around and stomped down the hallway mumbling obscenities to herself.
He stared after her for a second, "I wonder if she's really okay..." He murmured before shrugging and pushing the gym doors open. He had to get to practice after all.
-
"Oi, Sei-chan."
Akashi turned to see the familiar tall-haired boy walking towards him, a look of concern on his face.
"What is it, Reo?" Akashi turned back to the hoop, easily throwing the ball in with a quiet swish. He got back into position to repeat the action.
"Did you know that girl out in the hall? She looked like she was waiting for someone..."
"Yes, Kono Kotone. I will meet with her after practice." Akashi threw another ball in from the free throw line, producing another swish that signaled he hit nothing but net.
He picked up another and readied to shoot when Reo started talking again.
"Ah, well, she just left."
Akashi paused for an almost imperceivable moment, but still he paused, before releasing the ball straight into the net, listening for the satisfying swish. "I'll rectify the situation tomorrow."
"Hmm, hai." Reo's lips tugged upward a little in amusement. It seems Kono Kotone was quite fearless to blatantly disobey the red tyrant.
"Start practice, Reo."
"Hai~"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Kotone hopped off the train and made her way home she began to get a little scared.
Initially, her anger and humiliation was fueling her decision to just leave practice but now that she'd calmed down a little she started to get a little worried about the consequences of her actions. If Akashi had gotten angry, he would surely lose it tomorrow. At least she thought he would. She honestly had no idea what to expect with the red head.
She groaned, and smacked a palm into her forehead, "I need a break…"
She decided to take a quick little detour and eat before she got home. She walked until she got to a convenience store so she could pick up some pocky and chips. She paid the cashier and quickly took her exit.
"Hm…I guess I might as well get dinner too since I'm buying all this junk…" Kotone hummed, a little cheered up by the prospects of eating out.
She glanced up and saw a fast food joint she didn't recognize. Maji Burger…well it didn't seem particularly appealing but she always did like trying out new places and she had never even noticed this one before. It was worth a shot.
She pushed open the doors and briskly walked through but was quickly stopped when she ran into someone. Hard.
"Ow…" She rubbed her nose in irritation and stumbled back a little.
"Ah. Gomen." She frowned and looked up to see a very tall male with red hair. Not only did he look kind of intimidating, he didn't looking not-the-slightest-bit-sorry.
Red hair. Unapologetic. Ugh.
It was unfair but instantly she was irked. The bad day she had just had didn't help her irritation either. "Whatever…" She mumbled before shoving past him to get to the register.
From behind her she heard the male mumble, "Geez, what's her problem? I said sorry…"
She whipped around prepared to snap back at him but the bell sounded signaling that he had already left the establishment.
She just growled to herself and turned back towards the front of the store. She'd let it go. There was no point chasing the boy down, he obviously had been raised in a barn and had no manners anyway. Instead, she'd enjoy her meal and then go home and hope this day would end sooner or later. It's not like she'd ever see him again anyway, right?
She just growled to herself and turned back towards the front of the store. She'd let it go. There was no point chasing the boy down, he obviously had been raised in a barn and had no manners anyway. Instead, she'd enjoy her meal and then go home and hope this day would end sooner or later. It's not like she'd ever see him again anyway, right?