Author Note: Here's a new chapter~ Since it's valentine's day, I'm updating this fic. Happy Valentines everyone. I hope ya'll enjoy your dates (if you have one). XD
Credits to Ame-chan (amehanaa)
Beta by Aokazusei and The lucky bell
Disclaimer: I don't own knb.
Chapter One
Akashi
I'm miles from where you are,
I lay down on the cold ground
I, I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms
- Set fire to the third bar (Snow Patrol ft. Martha Wainwright)
My story didn't start with "once upon a time" or "long ago, far away" like a child's fairytale story. No, my story starts with me sitting on my bed, glasses reflecting the light of the computer screen. My eyes focused reading a several comments while a cup of already cold coffee sat idly on my table.
My life was anything but a fairytale. I might not have an evil queen nor was I locked in the tallest part of the castle. There were no villains in my life, nor was I am orphan, but with the amount of attention my parents gave, I might as well be one. Nearly all 24 hours of the day were spent on work, and while I did not lack material things, I did not once feel parental love.
My name is Tetsuya Kuroko, seventeen years of age. I was born on the 31st of January on a snowy night in Tokyo, Japan. I lived in Japan until I was ten years old, which was when my parents had to migrate to London due to work, both successful business tycoons, owning several companies in countless regions over the world. However, overseeing their companies with busy schedules, they paid little heed to me, both busy with meetings and business trips. Their life revolved around their work that I sometimes pondered if they forgot they had a child. If by the rare chance they were home, their attention was directed to either the phone or their laptop, leaving proper conversations out of the question; the longest discussion I held with them regarded my allowance.
Even though I may not have a memory of my parents loving me, my grandmother loved me. Unfortunately, when I was sixteen, she passed away because of cancer. Ever since then, I have felt so hollow and cold, easily slipping into the greater depths of depression and crying whenever I remembered that she's gone. It has gotten severe enough to the point where my parents brought me to a therapist, yet after months of treatment, I still couldn t feel anything.
To drive my attention away from my depression, I decided to read books since whenever I read one, I liked to picture myself in the book. I can feel the excitement. I can feel the thrill. I can feel what it means to be loved and to be in love. Because books, at least, let me feel emotions.
But even I know that they are only temporary relief.
It's been three months since I had my laptop, a birthday gift from my parents. It's been two months since I have used it, and I daresay that there was never a day that I didn't touch my laptop. Whenever my class was done for the day and no interesting books to read, I always end up opening it.
After a month of surfing the internet, I found a particular website that got me really hooked. Before entering the homepage, the website asks you to sign up first, enabling me to create my own account. I chose my first name as my username and just filled out the rest of the form. When it was done, it redirect you to the homepage where you can see what the site was all about, letting you navigate wherever you want. The website contained written works from different genres created by amateur writers. There were many talented people on the site, based on how most of the works were really good; I couldn't help but give them my support. I have no talent in writing, so it made me respects their accomplishments. However, due to my silent nature, I haven't reviewed a single story, only following the fiction and bookmarking the ones I liked to read. Luckily, it also hosted several group chats where some of the writers interacted with their readers to talk about critics and listen to their reviews. And among the group chats, I belong to the chat named 'Kiseki'. A romaji translation to the japanese kanji "奇跡", meaning miracle.
I don't know if it was in pure luck or coincidence, or perhaps miracle but the person I really admire on the site was in the same group chat I was on. His username was Akashi, and I liked every single work he wrote. Whether it was a drabble, a simple draft, even a short poem, I love it. His works captivated me and before I knew it, I am craved for more. His writing was easy to understand, and the flow is so smooth; his skill was on par with a professional author. I was able to connect to the protagonist in his every work, paralleling their emotion.
I won't deny that I have been stalking him. He was really popular on the site and even gained a lot of readers; if there was a ranking, he would definitely be on top.
Like my usual routine, I checked the group chat, which was already bustling with comments. I just watched them interact, discussing new books and the similar like. It went on for a while before I noticed the green dot on Akashi's avatar, a sign he was online. I check my clock; it was 7 pm. Despite not knowing where he lived, I knew that he didn t usually come on at this time.
Everyone immediately greeted him, to which he returned with a polite "Hi". The people on the chat started conversing with him, while I, again, just watch his replies, filled with politeness and grace. Akashi seemed like a serious type of person, and although he was a popular writer, Akashi was not a snob. He would give advice about writing and even revise other people's work; he was a good person.
"Akashi, do you have a new piece?" one of the random reader asked.
"Yes I do. I just finished posting it," he said. I reread the line again before I immediately change tabs. The homepage took some time to reload before it directed me to the new posts. Eyeing the screen, I immediately spotted Akashi's work and hurriedly opened it.
As expected, it was very good. His sentences were structured in a way that only fluid could describe it, accurately conveying every emotion that the protagonist felt. At the end, my eyes were slightly teary, though that was quickly solved with a quick swipe of my sleeve.
I immediately go back to the group chat and smiled a little when I noted the flood of positive compliments. Some even said they cried at the end, also able to relate and empathize with the story.. Akashi thanked everyone and was grateful that they like it.
"Is there anyone you dedicated that story to, Akashi?" one random user ask.
I waited for Akashi's answer, also curious about his reply. Usually, he always dedicated his work to one of his readers or co-writers in the group, but even I was surprised when I saw his reply. In disbelief, my eyes widened as they scanned the five words repeatedly. Cleaning my glasses nor the repeated attempts to read changed what was on the screen. It made my heart skip in joy.
"I dedicated it to Tetsuya."
I breathed in as my slightly shaking hands started to type a reply.
"Me?" I wrote, brimming with a giddy happiness. It must have been a mistake. He have meant another person with the same name. Possibly someone he knew in real life.
"Of course you, my dear ghost reader." He said.
My cheeks flushed in pink while my chest fluttered at the reply. I didn't mind his nickname of me since it was pretty much true.
"Thank you Akashi-kun," I replied, my heart still flopping in delight.
"You're welcome," I read, a smile impulsively gracing my face.
Our conversation didn t go that much further since I wasn't a very social person, even on the internet. The chat resumed to its previous activity of tackling Akashi with more compliments. Even if it was a short while, I was happy he noticed me. I decide to reread his work again, grinning at the thought that this very work was dedicated to me.
Who knew someone could make me feel this happy.
To be continued
End notes: So tell me what you think. You can lend me some suggestions about long distance relationships if you want. It could be on how to keep the love alive. What would you do to not want to fly to the next country to meet your love one. Basically anything. XDD
Anyway thank you for sparing your time on this fic. Thank you for reading. I appreciate it.
Love lots,
Shiori