Chapter 5

Yuukari grasped the bag in her hand tighter as she mustered the courage to ring the doorbell of the grandeur structure that housed the red king. A little swallow was heard before the nervousness began to ease up. The possibility that the redhead was not home never hit the girl. But before that idea situated itself too comfortably in her heart, the slight creaking of stairs from within the house cut all thoughts of escaping out of her mind.

The front door cracked open and within seconds, the two Rakuzan students were staring face to face. Akashi's wild heterochromatic eyes continued to stare at Yuukari's less attractive ones. His gaze pressured the girl to the point of speechlessness.

Akashi heavily shifted his weight to open the door a little wider to see the girl in full view. Yuukari was not in her usual blue and white outfit. The gray shirt she donned was utterly dull and her shorts didn't match the trend. The boy didn't spare another look and took the bag out of her hands. With a slight dip of the head, Akashi proceeded to closing the door when a sharp piercing voice broke in.

"Akashi-kun!"

Akashi turned slightly to look at the girl. His eyes moved lazily, quite unlike his usual wild personality.

"Leave," he responded gruffly before shutting the door. The doorbell sounded right after and once again, the door cracked open. "What?" Impatience was apparent in his tone.

"You should at least thank me for coming all the way to bring your things." Yuukari didn't understand why she was still trying to make conversation with such a hermit.

"Leave."

But before the door was shut, Yuukari impulsively stuck her shoe and took one step in the house.

"You have been absent for a week. Ever think about letting the school know or telling someone?" Yuukari asked frustratingly.

"I'll catch up even if I don't ever show up."

Akashi casually walked back up to his room, wordlessly beckoning the girl to follow if she dared. Upon entering the more lighted area of the house, Yuukari scanned the boy. Other than being a little pale, he was quite his usual arrogant self. Positioning himself comfortably on a chair, he crossed his arms across his chest and looked tauntingly at her.

This extremely bothered her. While everyone at school worried about him, he was here, relaxing without a care. And much against her will, being the mentor and all, she was chosen, among the many willing "candidates" to bring his majesty his royal service.

"The bag has your homework and your blazer from last time. The girls in your class also had me bring over some letters for you. That's all." Yuukari turned to leave, but before making a swift turn, a cold hand gripped onto her wrist.

"What's this supposed to mean?" Akashi used his other hand and emptied the bag. The carefully arranged papers were sent flying through the air along with the pile of letters wishing for his rapid recovery.

Yuukari's eyes widened at the sight. The time his classmates spent in organizing the papers and assignments was wasted with such an act of contempt.

"I don't even know why anyone even tries being nice to you." The girl flung his hand away. "Stop playing sick. It's disgusting."

Pain shot through Akashi when he heard those hurtful words. He had waited an entire week for her to visit and it turned out like this. Where had he gone wrong?

"Why do you not trust me?" Akashi asked weakly. He didn't have the strength to hide his feelings from another betrayal.

"And why should I?"

"I love you." Akashi's eyes never wavered as he let his words be spoken aloud.

Yuukari blinked a few times as she let his words process. There was no way Akashi Seijuurou would say that to her. No way. He was playing her. He's toying with her. He had to be. When was he going to stop with his games?

"Someone who has never been loved will never know how to love others," she responded.

But as soon as the words slipped out of her mouth, she was brimmed with guilt. She bit down on her lower lip as she silently prayed that Akashi wouldn't take too much offense from her last comment.

…

I'm sorry. I never meant that. Those words, they probably wouldn't change anything, would they?

But before I could say even the slightest word, I was shoved down. I fell back first to his bed. I tried coming back up, but a strong hand held me down. His other hand clamped down hard on my chest, making it difficult to breathe.

"You…"

I could feel his hot breath on my collarbone. I swallowed hard. When we were in public, there was at least the chance of having someone there to stop something like this. But this was different. We were in his house. On his bed. It's over.

I shut my eyes tightly and tried to pull away as he leaned closer to my face. I waited. But when nothing happened, I opened my eyes slowly to see the contemptuous look on his face.

I surprised myself when the only expression I saw on his face was one filled with sorrow. Innocent sorrow.

Chance.

The second I sensed that he eased the tension in his grip, I gathered all my stored strength and with both hands, shoved him off me.

"What the hell are you doing?!" I barked. "Why do you always commit such shamelessness?"

I was enraged. What does he take me for?

"I'm proving my love." He answered with no signs of regret or guilt. He felt completely justified in his own little messed up thinking.

"That's not love."

I really wonder. What's the point of arguing with him? It's not like my words are ever going to reach him.

"Then define love!" There was anger and rage in his eyes.

I can't back down. If I let him know my feelings, it'll just be his win. I can't cry. I'm not going to cry. Yuukari. Throw him down. Now.

"Everything I don't want to feel about you!"

…

Akashi was taken aback. He hadn't realized that she despised him to this point.

Gloom struck him unmercifully. But he continued to wear a grin. A grin of a good defeat.

Yuukari swallowed hard and blinked away welling tears. She headed straight to the door but was stopped when Akashi began to speak.

"I promise...If it is what you want, Yuukari Tooru. I will leave you alone."

Yuukari turned the knob, swung the door open, and headed down the stairs.

What are you thinking? Akashi Seijuurou. What do you mean you'll promise? Akashi Seijuurou. You don't even know what I want! Akashi Seijuurou. What's wrong with you? Akashi Seijuurou.

Yuukari stopped in her tracks. Was this all it took to end this net of confusion? This wasn't right. After all these years, it wouldn't be this easy, would it?

Akashi Seijuurou.

Without further dallying, Yuukari dashed back up the stairs with only one thought circulating around in her jumbled mind.

Akashi Seijuurou.