Chapter 6: Successor of the Akashi Household

To say the Akashi household was wealthy was an understatement.

Hanging over the high ceiling, the chandelier dimly illuminated the spacious dining room where four servants stood, their gaze locked at their two masters savouring exquisite dishes on the long wooden table covered in a white linen cloth.

A deep voice broke the slow rhythm of utensils tinkling against the china. "What do you think of our partnership with the Nagamori family, Seijūrō?"

"The head of the Nagamori family seemed satisfied with the proposal you made during last night's dinner, so our family's partnership with the Nagamori family has a promising future if things go according to plan," said Akashi.

"Good. You should be able to handle this sort of business deal in the near future as the heir. But note that one must be aggressive and ruthless when it comes to seizing opportunities. We will be acquiring Nagamori's railway company when the time is ripe. Do you understand why?"

"Yes, father."

"Then that's fine. Also, I hear your team won the national championships."

"Yes."

"How is your schoolwork looking?"

"There is no problem regarding that."

"Hmm." Akashi Masaomi sipped his cup of Earl Grey tea. "Keep doing what you've always done with the two areas. Being versed in letters and arms, a man from the Akashi family must excel in all fields. However, even that is just a way to pursue your goals. The most important thing is the goals brought by prestige: they are also considered "victories". Do you understand, Seijūrō?"

Akashi's empty gaze stayed fixed on his clean plate. "Yes, father."

The dreary silence was suddenly broken the buzzing sound that came from Akashi's phone. He took the phone out from his pocket, his curious eyes travelling to the name on the display. He then pushed his seat away from the table.

"Please excuse my rudeness. I will be back."

Masaomi lifted one eye at his son's direction. "You're going to answer the phone call when dinner is not done yet?"

"It seems like it is an important phone call about the basketball club. Please excuse me then, father."

The four servants bowed at Akashi as he stood up from his chair and headed out of the door.

Masaomi wiped his mouth with the embroidered handkerchief lying on his lap, then raised his voice to Watanabe Hiroki, his long-acquainted butler, standing behind him. "When has he started behaving like this, Hiroki?"

"Pardon me, master?"

"You have noticed his slight change, haven't you? After all, you've been serving our family before Seijūrō was born."

"Y-yes." Watanabe made an apologetic bow. "I apologise for not answering straight away. The young master's slight change began since attending Teikō Junior High."

"Since attending the school that he chose himself, huh." His piercing gaze flickered to Watanabe. "He also ordered the chauffeur not to fetch him to and from school after the first day, am I correct?"

"Yes, master."

"And do you have an idea whom Seijūrō is answering right now?"

"Unfortunately, I do not know the answer."

Masaomi shut his eyes and ordered in a slightly disappointing tone, "Keep a closer eye on him from now on, Hiroki."

"Understood."

"Also," said Masaomi as he took another sip from his tea, "bring me the pile of arranged marriage proposals when we return to Tōkyo tomorrow."

"B-but," Watanabe stuttered, "may I dare say the young master is still far too young for this…!"

"Don't worry, Hiroki. It will just be an initial introduction that won't develop into anything more serious. It'll serve as a good reminder of how Seijūrō should behave and what he should be focusing on right now." Masaomi placed his cup of tea on the plate again, his eyes laid on the portrait of his son, his deceased wife, Shioi, and himself. "Seijūrō needs a reminder of his duties as a successor of the Akashi household."

"Akashi-san, sorry for calling you this late at night. Did I disturb your dinner?"

"No, it's fine," assured Akashi who stood alone in the corridor. "I was the one who asked you to call me when you're ready to talk to me about that day. So?"

He heard a chuckle from the other end of the phone.

"I called to give you a report of the basketball club."

"Oh."

"Oh?"

"I thought you would be finally willing to share what you were worried about that day."

"Ah, about that…Are you still concerned about it?"

"I am."

There was a moment of pause.

"It was nothing. Besides, it's been almost a week already. Please don't worry about that."

Akashi did not quite understand why he was disappointed at Itō's answer. "So, about the report…"

"Ah, yes. As usual, Kuroko-san is getting used to the training regime for the first-stringers. Midorima-san and Murasakibara-san are starting to accept Kuroko-san but Nijimura-san is still showing his concern about him...Akashi-san?"

It had only been less than a week since he had last heard her voice, and he had already missed the soothing effect her voice always managed to create.

"Yes? I'm listening."

He could hear another chuckle from Itō's side.

"It just seems rather quiet at your end. How are things going for you in Kyōto?"

"Everything's going according to plan. I'll be heading back to Tōkyo tomorrow."

"I see." Another moment of pause transpired. "I'm glad that you're coming back soon."

Akashi smiled. "Aa."

He was glad too.

"Akashi-sama."

He turned his head to a familiar figure standing behind him: it was Watanabe, the butler who had taken care of Akashi since the day he had been born and whose family had served for the Akashi household for generations.

"Was that—"

"Sorry, Itō-san," Akashi interjected. "I have to cut off the line now."

"O-oh, I see. I'll talk to you at school then."

"Yes. Have a good night."

"Goodnight."

The second Akashi flipped his phone, Watanabe spoke up. "Akashi-sama, I apologise for intruding, but your father is still in the dining room waiting for your return."

"I understand. Sorry for taking so long."

On the way to the dining room, Watanabe raised his voice once more. "Akashi-sama, may I ask whom you were previously talking to?"

"It was just someone from school. You don't have to be concerned about it."

"I understand..."

He gathered that his father must have been the one who had sent Watanabe to fetch more information about his life outside home, something that he would like to be kept private for now.

It was supposed to be another peaceful evening for the Generation of Miracles, along with Momoi and Itō, upon Akashi's return, with them leaving the school grounds and parting ways after taking a quick visit to the convenient store, but the sight of a limousine and a butler standing outside the gates disrupted their usual rhythm of life.

Aomine was the first person to comment on the unusual sight. "I wonder what kind of brat would put on such a flashy display at our school."

Murasakibara slipped a Maiubo popsicle into his mouth, his sluggish eyes fixed at the limousine. "I didn't know we have a rich student like that in our school."

"It's my first time seeing a limousine like this parked at our school," commented Momoi.

Itō nodded in agreement.

"You idiots," said Midorima as he raised his glasses up, "I can't believe you guys didn't know that—"

"Akashi-sama."

The five students flipped their heads to the butler who had just called Akashi with a prefix that they had only heard from his fangirls at school.

"A-AKASHI-SAMA!?"

Midorima was the only person who did not blurt out their vice-captain's name, and he certainly did not appreciate his line being interrupted.

Moving past the curious eyes, Akashi walked towards the butler who made a polite bow.

"Your father has sent me and the chauffeur to pick you up from school today."

"Aa. I know, Watanabe," Akashi stated, his tone flat and firm.

He turned his head to his still startled teammates and bid goodbye to them before Watanabe could reveal anything more than necessary. "I'm sorry but I can't leave with you all today. I shall see you all tomorrow then." Akashi smiled and took his leave, returning his teammates a peaceful afternoon that had taken a slight turn today.

"Hmm~ So Akashi's the rich boy. Nothing surprising there," muttered Murasakibara, his stare lingering on the limousine that soon disappeared in sight.

Aomine started shivering as he recalled what he had said when he had spotted the limousine. "H-he heard me call him "brat"…"

Momoi ignored her childhood friend's unease since he had brought that on himself. "What kind of family is Akashi-kun from…"

"You guys really are idiots." Midorima began to continue where he had been intervened. "I can't believe that you guys didn't know such basic facts about your vice-captain."

"Because we don't stalk Akashi like you do," Aomine blurted.

"I DON'T," Midorima shouted. He then cleared his throat to calm himself down. "Don't tell me there's no one here who hasn't heard of the family name "Akashi"."

Everyone shook their head unanimously.

Midorima heaved a sigh at his teammates' level of ignorance. "Fine, I'll enlighten you all. Akashi is the only family in this neighbourhood that is descended from one of the four noble clans that still remains today. This family is well-known here for not only that but also for being the owner of a well-known financial group."

"Huh. So Akashi has been keep his background low-key," said Aomine. "Well, whatever. It's not like it's something that I'd care about."

"Heh~ I always knew Akashi-kun is amazing, but not like that," Momoi commented.

Itō remained silent, her eyes tilted down to the bag that contained a knitted scarf that was incomplete.

Throughout the car ride, Watanabe observed his young master, whose pensive eyes were laid on the hazy buildings beyond the windows running in loops. The atmosphere between him and Akashi had always been quiet, comfortably so. However, Watanabe fully understood that the quiet air shared between them in this car ride was not the usual, comfortable one.

"Akashi-sama, please understand why your father—"

"Yes, I understand."

Watanabe could sense Akashi's unusual annoyance seeping through his tone.

"He has noticed your slight change in behaviour lately."

"That, I know too, Watanabe."

Watanabe let out a soft sigh. He should know by now that both Akashi and his father never liked speaking out their observations and thoughts. Although he had always wondered whether his two masters realised that they bore a very close resemblance with each other in this aspect.

"Your father is willing to overlook your behaviour and allow you to continue and travel to and from school by yourself if you go to an arranged marriage meeting that he has just accepted."

"An arranged marriage meeting?" Akashi finally tossed his head to Watanabe's direction. "I thought father has declined all of them since I'm not of age yet. Besides, I cannot see how they would aid me in achieving the goals that father has in mind either, at least for the time being."

While Akashi's answer was sensible and logical, it was not one that considered factors in the long-term. Watanabe could tell that the teenager still lacked experience and a vision, both of which he would develop in time. Whether the teenager would become as ruthless as his father when it came to achieving goals and protecting the interests of the Akashi household would depend on himself.

"Your father did not directly decline them; he only postponed them. I told your father that it is far too early for you to meet a potential suitor."

Judging by the look of Akashi's faltering eyes, it was indeed too early for him to accept an arranged marriage proposal. But seeing how Akashi had always accepted and respected his father's decisions, Watanabe was certain that the teenager would not make an exception for this time either, especially when he understood that further declining a proposal that his father had already accepted would bring shame upon the Akashi family, staining its prestige and reputation.

"I will go. When is the meeting?"

Watanabe was right.

The arranged marriage meeting took place in a rainy afternoon. The soft tap of raindrops could be heard inside a luxurious hotel lobby where the current descendents of the Akashi clan and the Fujiwara clan met—for the second time. The two families greeted each other with a polite bow and took their seats on opposite sides of the lounge table.

"Thank you so much for accepting our proposal." The father of the Fujiwara family bowed again, this time much lower.

Masaomi bowed in return, though not nearly so deeply. "I should be the one thanking you. I apologise for not being able to reply to your proposal for so long."

"No, no. Please don't say that! It's our honour to be able to meet the Akashi family again, especially in a meeting like this."

"Don't be so formal, Kunimitsu. We have known each other long enough to drop the formalities."

"But everyone has looked up on the Akashi family. Besides, this meeting means a lot to us. It would be rude of us to talk to you so casually like we used to in the past." Kunimitsu turned his direction to Akashi, the fine lines on the corners of his mouth folding as he smiled gently. "And I'm glad to see your son again. I still remember how he was only an elementary student but already behaving so maturely in our social event a few years ago."

Akashi greeted Kunimitsu once more with a bow. "It has been a while, Fujiwara-san. I hope you have been doing well."

Kunimitsu's deep laughter resonated in the damp air. "Your child has been raised well, Masaomi."

Masaomi cast his sceptical eyes to his son, then quickly rested them on Kunimitsu's daughter. "And your daughter has grown into a beautiful young lady. Fujiwara Katsumi, wasn't?"

The daughter of the Fujiwara family nodded coyly. She was undoubtedly a beauty, with her delicate features blending well on her pearl white skin and under her long, black hair. Although what awed Masaomi was the poise she displayed at such a young age—it was polished and refined, like that of a perfect Lady, and befitting the heir of the Akashi household.

"Thank you for your kind words, Akashi-sama." Fujiwara's black eyes flew over to Akashi. "I hope you still remember me…" She hesitated for a moment, and said softly, "Seijūrō-kun."

"Of course I do. It's been a while, Fujiwara-san."

Fujiwara blushed, the corners of her lips curling slightly upwards and her head tilting down to face her small fidgeting fingers. "B-because of your usual accomplishments, your name has even spread to our school. People kept on asking me about you. Everyone is looking forward to what you'll accomplish next." She lifted her head up and put it back down as soon as her eyes met Akashi's. "I-Including me…"

"Is that so."

Masaomi glanced at Akashi, his expression showing a slight disapproval at his son's response. With victories come compliments and expectations, and Akashi had always known how to correctly answer them. So why did he choose to respond in such an unrefined way now?

Suddenly, a warm smile formed on Akashi's cold face, as though he was recalling a memory that Masaomi did not know. He had never seen his son radiate such a smile ever since his beloved wife, Shioi, had passed away. He had always thought Akashi would share the same grief from which he had been feeling the past two years. What exactly happened at school that caused his son to smile in a way like he had used to during the time spent with Shioi? Or rather, who was responsible for Akashi's change and provoked Masaomi's mind to recall the memories with his son and wife that he had tried so hard to lock away? There was no doubt this bothered Masaomi.

"Seijūrō-kun?"

Masaomi turned his attention to Fujiwara, who blinked a few times in surprise at the side of Akashi that the both of them were not familiar with.

Unbothered by the startled looks on their faces, Akashi responded, a warm smile still hanging on his face, "Thank you for your kind words, Fujiwara-san. I didn't know that my name would spread to other schools when I haven't really done much."

Fujiwara shook her head. "You certainly have, Seijūrō-kun! Ever since elementary school you've been dominating in all sorts of competitions with your victories!"

Kunimitsu let out another heavy laugh. "My child has been admiring you ever since she first met you in our social event."

"Father!"

Masaomi smiled faintly. "It's certainly our honour to hear such a beautiful and accomplished girl like Katsumi-san complimenting Seijūrō."

Kunimitsu caught his daughter flustering once more. "My, my. Katsumi is certainly beyond joy right now."

"Father! You don't have to say that…!" Fujiwara threw a quick glimpse at Akashi and Masaomi, her red cheeks showing her embarrassment of her father's words. "I-I'm sorry for my rudeness just now..."

Masaomi's smile grew wider at the amusement Fujiwara provided. "Don't worry about it, Katsumi."

"Ah, right." The creases at the corners of Kunimitsu's eyes folded further again as he grinned at his flustered daughter. "Katsumi, isn't there something that you'd like to ask Akashi?"

"A-ah! Yes..." Fujiwara bent her head down, twitching her fingers once more. "Seijūrō-kun, your birthday is coming soon, right?"

"Yes, it is."

She raised her head and spoke to Akashi in a passionate voice, "If you don't mind...I-I would like to host a party for you on your birthday!"

It was an unexpected idea that Masaomi welcomed.

"Thank you for your offer bu—"

"But we'll gladly accept your kind offer, Katsumi-san," Masaomi interrupted Akashi's sentence, fully knowing that his son would decline the offer. "Seijūrō and I shall look forward to it."

Perhaps only the former.

On the night after the arranged marriage meeting had taken place, Akashi was as his usual self, remaining silent during the entire dinner until Masaomi finally spoke.

"Do you understand why I accepted the arranged marriage proposal even though you're not of age yet, Seijūrō?"

"Yes, father."

"And why I accepted Katsumi's offer to host your birthday?"

"Yes. It is to solidify our relationship with the Fujiwara family."

"Then that's good. The Fujiwara family has a large share over the Bank of Mitsubishi and may be of help to our company's investments in the future." Masaomi reached for his usual cup of tea, his eyes locked at his own reflection on the pitch-black surface of the water. "Continue with whatever you're doing at school. As long as you understand your priorities as the heir of the Akashi household…" He lifted his face and looked at his son. "And that the extra-curriculars are, as they stand, extra activities that you may engage in as long as you continue winning."

"I understand."

"Also," said Masaomi, recalling the unfamiliar smile his son had showed during the meeting with the Fujiwara family, "know your place. Even though I allow you to attend a normal public school as you requested, that does not mean I could tolerate you being influenced by children who are from a different class."

The dining room became quiet again as Masaomi sipped his black tea, awaiting his son's acknowledgement.

"Yes, father."

The only sound that followed Akashi's reply was the soft clinking of Masaomi's teacup and the saucer. Masaomi's gaze was still on Akashi, whose blank eyes were rested on his plate as they usually did every night.

"While this arranged marriage proposal will not be progressed further for the time being, do bear in mind that Fujiwara Katsumi is an appropriate candidate for you to continue the legacy of the Akashi household."

Again, Masaomi waited for his son's answer, but he did not receive one this time.

"Seijūrō?"

"I understand, father."

Akashi did not walk home with his teammates ever since that day.

After the basketball club ended, he would always either be the first or last person to leave school. Other than that, he believed that his attitude at school was not that much different than normal. Even if someone else had noticed his slight change, he convinced himself that they would simply push aside their confusion and not give it much thought.

This was what he wanted after all.

But the familiar soft voice that called for him in the empty corridor reminded him that there was one exception in the back of his mind. The voice called for him again, this time louder and accompanied by hastening footsteps.

"Akashi-san!"

Akashi turned around to confirm his suspicion. "Itō-san."

When was the last time he called her name? He did not remember. When did he last see her face? He also did not remember. Had he been avoiding her lately? He was not sure. Strange. Akashi had always been certain about his thoughts and actions and able to retain his memories accurately. So why did his mind decide to rebel against its usual behaviour when it came to Itō?

Also, why were her hazelnut eyes staring at him with such concern?

Akashi did not know, and this bothered him.

Before he could excuse himself and brush these unsettling feelings aside, Itō spoke up.

"Are you free right now? There's something I'd like to show you."

"Sorry, but I—"

"Just follow me."

What Itō did next took him by surprise. In a blink of an eye he found her fingers wrapped around his wrist, deepening the folds on his sleeves. He blinked at Itō, who lifted her head up and looked at him with a welcoming smile. She then turned around and began walking at a brisk pace, her hand still on his wrist, leading him the way. He followed her every step, his confused eyes locked on her ash-brown hair bouncing in gentle waves above her waist. The magical moment came to a halt when she pushed open the door that led to the rooftop of the school building.

"This is…"

The evening rays glided through the door gap and entered Akashi's scarlet eyes, causing them to twitch. He hovered one hand over his forehead to shield against the strong rays, and took a long gaze at the sky soaked in all gradients of orange that were separated by the thin streaks of clouds.

"Isn't the sunset beautiful? I've always wanted to show you this, but I never got the chance to...especially these days."

Akashi bent his head to Itō's side. "You wanted to show this to me?"

Itō pursed her lips into a soft smile, her face still facing towards the sunset. "I see that you've been unusually deep in thought lately, so I thought this scenery might ease your mind for a bit."

Akashi swung his head back to the sunset, contemplating its beauty in silence.

"Was I wrong?"

"No." The corners of Akashi's mouth curled upwards. "It's just...I don't remember how long it has been since I last thought a sunset was beautiful."

He heard a light chuckle escaping from her mouth.

"Well, you've always been the sort of person whose mind is always on something else even when looking at sceneries like this."

Akashi pondered over the possibility of anyone else he knew making an observation of him and telling him the way Itō had been doing the past months. The answer was clearly a "no". He remembered what she had said the first time they had met in the small unused room, that it must have been lonely for him to be strong. The realisation that that was truly how he had been feeling the past years only hit him during the arranged marriage meeting when Fujiwara mentioned how everyone had high expectations of him, leading him to smile and take his father and Fujiwara by surprise.

"It seems like whenever I'm with you I realise things that I haven't before."

Akashi understood fully now: it was Itō who introduced him the conflicting feelings of uncertainty and comfort, unknown feelings that oozed through him whenever he was around her.

"Is that a good thing?"

His eyelids closed calmly. "That I can't answer."

The two teenagers shared another moment of silence, their attention still focused on the sinking sun.

"I've been worried about you, Akashi-san."

"Me?" Akashi turned to Itō once more, his widened eyes noticing her nod.

"Did something happen recently?"

"Nothing in particular."

She let out a light sigh. "It's not something related to basketball, is it?"

The redhead remained silent.

"You've been distancing yourself from your teammates since the day we saw you leaving in a limousine."

There was no sign of hesitation in her tone; it was straightforward and unembellished. He knew Itō would have noticed his change, especially when they had stopped playing shōgi together the past weeks. Or rather, he had wanted her to notice his change.

"You've always been carrying so many expectations and responsibilities at school...and it seems like that's the case at home too."

The two teenagers twisted their heads to each other for the final time, their gaze locked on each other—one slightly bewildered, and the other soft and penetrating.

"It's okay to rely on us. And if you need someone to talk to...I'm always here." Itō smiled; it was a warm and comforting one that reassured him that it was okay to be with her and his teammates everyday, spending time with each other like they had always done.

Because things would be fine as long as he had her and his teammates.

And this was enough for him.

But why was his heart yearning for more? What was his heart exactly craving for?

All he knew for now was that he needed to stop this nonsense.

After all, he was the successor of the Akashi household.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke written by Fujimaki Tadatoshi-san. All credit to the wonderful people that contributed to the creation of the manga and anime for this series, and to the translation team for their hard work in putting on subtitles for the anime that are used in this fanfiction. There is also one scene in this chapter that is very loosely based on a high-quality Japanese fanmade Kuroko no Basuke otome game called Restart! made by Brilliant-colors. Thank you for the inspiration!

Author's Note:

Happy Belated Birthday, Akashi!

And Merry Christmas, my dear readers!

Thank you so much for the follows, favourites, and reviews! They really are my greatest motivation! :)

I wanted to post this chapter on Akashi's birthday but gaaah I've been terribly busy so I didn't even manage to proofread it; I will soon though! I've finally arrived at this chapter where I could show how the way Akashi has been raised greatly affects his behaviour and way of thinking, and how he has already been developing a split personality at school and at home as suggested by the manga.

I refer to the fathers of Akashi and Fujiwara by their first name (Masaomi and Kunimitsu respectively) because it's easier to differentiate them that way. I hope it wasn't too confusing.

Reviews!

Wikked: Aaaaah Thank you so much for your support! I'm back and I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter because it is my favourite chapter by far :D Things will go a bit messy (and sad) in the later chapters, especially the next one.

OneWhoReadsTooMuch: Hehe I'm very glad you enjoyed their subtle moments! This chapter contains moments that are still relatively subtle (but sweet!) since you know Akashi as a character :p Plus he has other priorities right now to take care of. Although I don't guarantee that the moments they'll share in Rakuzan to be as subtle. *wink*

P.S. Next chapter will be mainly in Fujiwara's perspective and revolve around Akashi's birthday party. It'll be an interesting chapter! Plus I'll reveal to you all why Fujiwara addresses Akashi by his first name. *wink*