Author's Note: HAPPY AKAKUROWEEK2015 I thought I wouldn't make it but I did xD Sorry for the very late update. I was busy last month due to my finals. I was supposed to write after I was done with finals but I got sick and was not in the mood to write. Anyway I hope you'll like this chapter. I personally feel meh for this one. I'm sorry for giving you a shitty chapter. Thank you for the reviews from the last chapters, I appreciate it very much. I hope you still like this one.

Another beautiful revision by AokazuSei

Chapter 4

AkaKuro

"If I lay here,

if I just lay here,

would you lie with me and

just forget the world?"

-Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol)

As soon as Akashi and the others logged off, I went downstairs to eat dinner. As usual, the dining room was empty, leaving me alone to eat silently, metal clanking against each other to accompany the deafening silence of the room.

Was it normal to be used to this? I didn t want to think of such depressing ideas, so I diverted my thoughts back to Akashi. It was strange, but every time I thought about him, I couldn t help but smile. We just met, and even though I haven t seen him in person, he was already a large part in my heart.

I finished my meal as soon as I could, wanting to take a nap so that I could stay awake later; I didn t want to sleep when I could be talking to Akashi instead. Washing the dishes before heading back to my room, the alarm clock was set to 12 AM, a time I was certain Akashi would be awake.

I climbed onto my bed and settled comfortably before dozing off.

~.~.~.~.~

My alarm clock blared incessantly, forcing me to open my eyes. Rubbing my tired eyes, I groggily stared at the glowing numbers, frowning. I picked up my phone frantically though it took a while to register the red number one, as appose to the twelve I was expecting. I couldn t believe it. How could I mess up the alarm?

I hurriedly grabbed for my laptop and powered it on before rushing to the bathroom and washing my face. When I returned, the loading screen was finally done, so I immediately typed in the url and waited once more for it to redirect me.

The five of them were on, teasing each other as always, though it was always enjoyable to watch them. It was amazing to see them playfully joke around, and even with the large distance between them, they shared such a strong bond. I dropped a simple hi, and everyone greeted me in return.

There's a flutter in my chest as I saw Akashi replying too.

"I'm surprised Kuro-chin's still up," Murasakibara said.

"I promised Akashi-kun to be up at this time," I replied. "Don't worry, I took a nap earlier."

"You really did keep your promise Tetsuya. I thought you wouldn't be on," Akashi said.

"Of course I do. I want to talk to Akashi-kun. I love talking to you." Before I realized what I wrote, I hit send. I suddenly blushed at the reminder we were in a group chat.

Akashi replied. "Same for me too."

"Ants r crawlin on my screen!" Aomine suddenly said. His usual typos are still on.

"Ants Aomine-kun? Were you eating at your computer?" I asked. It would explain why there are ants on his screen, though that would still be weird.

"Tetsu you idiot. I mean u n Akashi r too sweet!" My eyes widened as I suddenly realized what Aomine meant, my cheeks immediately heated up once more.

"We are not!" I immediately typed.

"Even if Aomine is stupid sometimes, I agree with him. Get a room you two." Midorima said.

"Midorima! U bastard!"

"Daiki, Shintarou, do you want me to fly to Tokyo? Don't tease Tetsuya."

"No! God no! Stay away Akashi!" Aomine protest. It made me laugh a little. Is Akashi that scary? What is he like?

"I think Kurokocchi and Akashicchi are cute together," Kise chimed in. "Kurokocchi must be smaller than Akashicchi!" This was so embarrassing!

"Lmfao wat if Tetsu s taller dan Akashi? LOLOLOL" Aomine said. "Liek Murasakibara! The giant and the midget!"

"What did you say Daiki?" Akashi replied and yet I somehow managed to feel an ominous aura.

"Mine-chin so mean," Murasakibara said.

"How tall is Murasakibara-kun and Akashi-kun?" I asked. I suddenly felt curious about their heights.

"Atsushi is 208 cm and I'm 173 cm," Akashi answered.

"I'm definitely not 208 cm!" I typed. Murasakibara-kun was really tall, like a giant! To think that we're at the same age. "My height's a little lower than Akashi-kun."

"How tall r u den Tetsu?"

"I'm 168 cm," I answered honestly, remembering my general checkup in the last month.

"OMG KUROKOCCHI SO CUTE! I WAS RIGHT HE IS SMALLER THAN AKASHI!"

"No need for caps lock Kise!" Midorima responded immediately.

"Akashi's not the shortest anymore! LOLOLOL" Aomine continued to joke.

"I'm really considering going to Tokyo now," Akashi replied.

"Oi! I am joking! Fly to UK instead!"

"That's a good choice too." Akashi's answer made me smile, though it was still embarrassing.

"If Akashi-kun comes here, I'll give him a tour," I said.

"B careful with dat redhead devil Tetsu. DON'T BE ALONE WITH HIM!"

"KUROKOCCHI'S PURITY IS AT RISK!"

"I would appreciate it if you stopped feeding Tetsuya's innocent mind with your dirty thoughts Daiki, Ryouta."

I could only sigh out a laugh; what were they even talking about?

"Scary~" Kise whined again.

"By the way, how tall is everyone?" I changed the topic.

"I'm 189 cm Kurokocchi~".

"I forgot my height," Aomine replied.

"You're 192 cm Aominecchi!" Kise answered instead. "And Midorimacchi's 195!"

"How the hell do you know my height Kise?"

"Secret~~ ^w^"

"Kise you better are not stalking us!" Midorima immediately answered.

As they entered their own conversation, I was left to wonder how they were so tall. "I wouldn't be surprised if you all played basketball."

"We were once the strongest team in Middle School before Kurokocchi!"

"For real?" That was a surprise.

"Yep! We won three consecutive championships in Middle School!"

"The only one who can defeat me is me!" Aomine wrote proudly.

"Don't be so cocky Aomine," Midorima said.

"Shut up four eyes! Your shots r boring~"

"Your form is ugly. Like you!"

I sighed as Aomine and Midorima continued to argue.

"Your achievements are amazing!" I said to break the two up. "So who's your captain?"

"I'm the captain," Akashi said. I blinked. Akashi-kun, the smallest amongst the five, was the captain?

"Amazing," What would Akashi looked like when he leads them?

"Speaking of basketball, I believe Daiki and Shintarou's team is going to participate in Winter Cup," Akashi said.

"Winter Cup?" I asked.

"Yes, it's a basketball tournament for high school. My team's going to play as well."

"Tch, I wouldn't be surprised." Aomine wrote. "ill definitely beat u Akashi!"

"That s assuming that you defeat us Aomine? Don't get your hopes too high," Midorima said.

"Oi oi, you two calm down. No basketball feuds here," Kise said.

"I'll welcome all your challenges. I won't go easy on you," Akashi replied, though he seemed like he was serious.

"You better don't," Aomine replied.

"Fair enough," Midorima said.

"I miss playing basketball!" Kise suddenly popped in. "I want to have one on one with Aominecchi too!"

"What kind of one on one Kise?" If I could see him, there would be without a doubt that Aomine was smirking. Kise s reactions weren t helping the situation either.

"Aominecchi pervert! I meant basketball!"

"We can go many rounds baby~"

"Stop it Aominecchi! It's embarrassing!"

"Ugh you two get a room!" Midorima said.

"I agree!" Murasakibara added.

It was so fun to watch them tease Kise-kun and Aomine-kun. I laughed and completely lost track of time, watching as they kept on chatting as the topic constantly changed.

"Kurokocchi they are bullying me again. Comfort me~"

"Have Daiki comfort you Ryouta. Don't come near Tetsuya," Akashi said.

"No fair Akashicchi! A I wanna hug Kurokocchi!"

"Stop it Kise-kun, you're creeping me out." I typed.

"No not you too Kurokocchi!"

"God I'm glad Kise's in NY I hate hearing him whine."

"Midorimacchi s so mean!" There was a pause before Kise continued. "Speaking of...I wanna hear Kurokocchi's voice!"

My eyes widened at his message, "Why do you want to hear my voice Kise-kun?"

"Oi Tetsu be careful. Kise s a creep."

"It would be interesting to hear Tetsuya's voice," Akashi replied. I wonder how Akashi would sound like.

"I ll agree to do it if everyone else does it too," I typed.

"ANYTHING TO MAKE ME HEAR KUROKOCCHI'S VOICE!"

"I want to hear Kuro-chin's voice too."

"Well if everyone's doing it, I won't mind," Midorima said.

"I would love to hear Tetsuya's voice."

"Alrighty~ let's do this!" Kise typed excitedly. "We can use the voice chat function here, and record our voices before sending it." Kise explained. I didn't even know there was an option.

"Oh yeah, there's that function we never get to use," Akashi said. "If you don't know where it is Tetsuya, you can long press the send button and click voice chat. It will redirected you to a new button." I tested it out and found the said button.

"What are we going to say?" I asked, clicking the button again so I could send a message.

"Name, something about yourself, and something you love." Kise said.

"I see."

"Troublesome."

"Shut it Aominecchi!"

"So let's do this. Everyone, record your voice. Brb!" Kise said, and he fell silent. It seems everyone was doing it as well since the chatbox fell silent.

I looked at the said function and clicked it before the symbol changed, indicating that it was ready to record. I inhaled deeply before I went to get my headphones, which were unused until now. After testing the mic, I went back to the group chat and started recording.

I felt nervous before I start and inhaled deeply. "Hi everyone, my name is Tetsuya Kuroko. I'm 17 years old and I come from London. I love to read books..."

My message trailed on until I stopped the recording. I didn t know what else to say, so I immediately sent it without checking the audio.

The others appeared soon after. I clicked Aomine s, who was the first to finish. There was some strange rustling, coupled with curses as I heard something fall. He did a mic test and that's when I heard a deep voice. "Yo, Aomine Daiki here. The only one who can defeat me is me, and it's obvious I love basketball!"

"Deep voice," I commented.

"Tetsu you sound so boring."

"I'm sorry for being boring Aomine-kun."

"No I disagree with Daiki. Tetsuya has beautiful voice," Akashi suddenly popped in. Was he done with his recording? I want to hear his voice. Before I could type, three voice chats popped it.

I clicked on Kise s and was thoroughly surprised. He sounded calm, not loud and whiny. "I'm Kise Ryouta, and I'm a model. I have special skill in Mineral water tasting, and I can also copy any skill in sports the moment I see it. I like playing basketball, but the one I love the most is Aominecchi!"

"Oi Kise don't say something so embarrassing!" Aomine replied.

"Don't you like my confession Aominechi?"

"Ofc I do but it's embarrassing!"

"Disgusting," Midorima said.

"Get off Midorima! Oha asa freak!"

"I'm not a freak, ganguro!"

"Don't fight, Daiki, Shintarou." Akashi reprimanded them once again.

Instead of responding, I listened to Midorima s next. "Midorima Shinatarou. Cancer. I attend Shutoko high school. My life motto is 'Man proposes God Disposes . And Kuroko, don't forget to bring your lucky item every day."

I chuckled at Midorima's words, I don't know what lucky items he was referring to, but his voice was also deep and levelled. He seemed like a serious person.

The next one I listen to was Murasakibara. For someone who has the height of a giant, he sounded like a needy child. "This is so troublesome...but for Kuro-chin, I'll do this. Murasakibara Atsushi, and I love food~"

It was a brief message, but I didn't mind.

"Everyone's voice sounds good," I typed. But there's one person missing.

"Where's your recording Akashicchi?" Kise asked, saving me the trouble of asking.

"I'm sorry. My microphone is broken. I can't send you an audio." The moment I read his message my heart sunk a little. I was looking forward to hearing his voice.

"It's alright Akashi-kun. I understand." I said.

"Aawww you made Kurokocchi sad."

"I'm really sorry Tetsuya. I really wanted to send you one."

"It's alright."

"Bad Akashi, u made him sad. Tsk." Aomine wrote, almost mockingly bullying Akashi.

"Akashicchi is a meanie."

"Aka-chin meanie! Making Kuro-chin sad!"

"No really, I understand. I'm sure Akashi-kun didn't mean it," I said.

"Don't worry Tetsuya, I'll buy new headphones. I'll send you the audio someday Tetsuya," Akashi said. I smiled at his comment. It wouldn't hurt to wait.

"I'll wait for it then."

"I'm very sleepy now. I'll log off," Murasakibara said.

"Good night Atsushi. Sleep well."

"Me too, I got to go. My sister wanted to have a movie marathon today so I have to go." Kise said. I didn't know he had a sister.

"Goodbye Kise-kun, and enjoy your movie."

"Since everyone's going. I'll log off too. I have to go for lunch." Midorima said.

"I guess me too," Aomine typed next. I didn't question why they are leaving.

"See you tomorrow everyone. Have a nice day," I sent the message.

"So I guess it's you and me then," Akashi said. I felt myself flush again. It had been a while since I talked to him alone, but to be honest, I was looking forward to chats between the two of us.

I heard a ding and noticed that Akashi sent a message on our private chat.

"It's pretty late for you now," Akashi messaged.

"Yes it is, but I promised to stay up with you," I said.

"No need to push yourself, Tetsuya," I smiled at his concern.

"No worries. I slept earlier, that's why I don't feel sleepy."

"Alright."

"It's noon for you right? Have you eaten lunch?"

"I'm about to."

"You're going to leave me alone?" I joked.

"Of course not. Hold on, I'll power up my laptop so I could chat with you downstairs," Akashi said.

"Are you not using a laptop?" I asked.

"No, I am using my desktop. I use my laptop for school, so this would be the first time I ll use it to chat with someone."

"Should I feel special then?" I didn't know what came into me, but I send it to him.

"You are already special to me." I could feel my cheeks warm at his statement. The strange pounding in my cheat seems to grow erratically, and I couldn't compose myself.

"Akashi-kun is special to me too! You're my favorite author."

"Just your favorite author?"

"No!" I instantly replied. "As a friend too. Akashi-kun is a good friend."

I waited for him to say anything, but Akashi didn't reply. Did I offend him? I couldn't help but feel anxious as I wait for his reply.

It came moments after, but I let out a sigh of relief as I read his message. "Sorry, I went downstairs and prepared my lunch."

"It's alright. What do you have for lunch?" I asked.

"Tofu soup," he answered.

"You like tofu soup?"

"Yes, my favorite dish in fact."

"Oh I see." It was nice to find out what Akashi likes.

"What's your favorite food?" He asked me.

"I don't have a particular favorite, but I love food with vanilla in it."

"Do you have a sweet tooth?"

"Not really. I just can't resist vanilla flavored food."

"If you come here to Japan, I'll treat you to a vanilla milkshake at Maji Burger. I think you ll love it."

"That sounds good. I used to love vanilla milkshakes that my grandmother made."

"'Used to?'"

"She passed away So, I won't be able to drink it again."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's alright. She passed away last year." I said.

"Well, at least you have your parents." I grimaced.

"Yeah but...my parents are always busy at work. I'm always alone in our house."

"Don't they have a time for you?"

"No. Their work is their main priority. It s almost like I m nonexistent," Memories of the previous time came up; it really was like I wasn t there.

"Have you told them about your feelings?"

"I never got the chance. It s always been like this ever since I was a kid. I don't even remember them spending time with me."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"No don't be. It's nothing new."

"But something tells me you still care."

Something about Akashi's words struck me. I didn't respond, but the single tear that fell reminded me that I didn t want this. I wanted my parents to treat me differently, like I was their son. I wanted them to feel like my parents, not use a person who took care of someone out of obligation.

"My parents both died when I was young. My mom died with a terminal disease when I was 8 years old, and because my father couldn't handle my mother's death, he overworked himself and died. I was left in the care of a butler whom my parents trust with their life." Akashi sent to me when I didn't reply. I was honestly surprised to hear about his past. I pegged for him as someone who have a perfect life, this was far from what I expected.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I trust you." Akashi answered. I let out a sad smile. Why was this person so kind to me?

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents." I meant it.

"I still wish up to this day that my mother didn't die. If she lived my father wouldn't have died either. Our family would still be complete. But there's nothing I could do. I was up to something irreversible. I decided to accept it all and move on with my life. It was hard, but I got used to it."

After I read his reply, I started to compose a reply. I didn't bother to reread it and sent it before I changed my mind. "You were right. I still do care about my parents, and I wish they would notice me more. I want them to treat me like I'm really their child."

"Then why don't you tell them how you feel? They won't know until you tell them."

"Would they listen?"

"They're your parents. Even if they won't, at least you tried. Who knows what could happen."

"I'm a coward."

"If everything goes wrong. I'll be here to cheer you up." Those simple words made me smile, and my heart thumped like crazy. No one had ever made me feel like this. It was amazing how Akashi could easily make me feel happy.

"You're so kind." I replied with trembling fingers.

"Anything for Tetsuya."

I feel my heart beat so fast as the tears streamed down my face. This is bad. I would have never thought that I would feel this emotion, but it was apparent to me now. I was falling for Akashi.

"You sound so cheesy."

"I'm a writer. I'm bound to use clichés."

"You might lose some readers if you become too cheesy."

"I don't care as long as I have you."

"Is this how you get the ladies Akashi-kun?"

"Does it work on you?"

"Who knows? Well then, since you're writer Mr. Akashi, how about making me a short poem?"

"Hmm...I'll do it if you ll do something for me." I chuckled as I wiped my tears.

"Deal. But what would you want me to do?"

"Record your voice and say "Akashi-kun is my favorite person. I love him the most.""

"I'm not gonna say that!"

"Yes you will Tetsuya. You already made the deal. I m already making the poem, there s no backing out."

"Aren't you eating?"

"I'm postponing it so I could hear your love confession." I laughed again.

"Stop that! You're creepier than Kise-kun."

"You still love me right?"

"I don't love you."

"You hurt my feelings."

"Akashi-kun is a creep. Bakashi!"

"Bakashi? That's a weird combination Tetsuya."

"Bakashi~" I could imagine Akashi smiling now. He didn't respond for a while before he sent another message.

"I posted the poem, now do your end of the deal."

"That was fast! I'll check it out."

I went back to the site and checked on the new posted stories. Akashi s was the first one shown, and I immediately opened it up.

The second I read his short poem, my heart beat so fast. It spoke about love and friendship that are miles apart and the longing of the two people. The poem hit me harder than it should have, and I could feel the butterflies in my stomach fluttering. It was amazing how Akashi could write such an amazing short poem in such little time.

Several people have already voiced their approval with hundreds of hits and likes, and I soon joined, bookmarking it and adding it to my favorites.

I decided to check on the group chat since I was on the site. It was overcrowding with compliments to Akashi again, and I saw him reply.

"Looks like someone hit you hard Akashi-san," one commented.

"It seems so," he replied. My eyes widened. Who was he talking about? I asked myself. But as I asked the question, a voice in the back of my head answered: He meant you!

"Any dedication?" Another one asked.

"It's for Tetsuya."

"Again?"

"Yes."

I heard a ding on my private chat and I saw Akashi sent a message. "Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful." I commented.

"I'm glad."

"Brb I'm gonna do that recording," I said. The process was much faster since I still had my headphones on.

I started recording my voice, repeating the said words. Though, I slightly paused at the last part. I didn t want it to be insensitive, but at the same time, I wasn t ready to let him know that I fell for him.

"Akashi-kun is my most favorite person and I...love him." I clicked send, getting rid of it as soon as possible. As I listened to it, I realized how my voice sounds a little different on the last part. It was almost like a confession.

"I love you too." My heart skipped at his reply. He was probably joking, but my heart couldn't comprehend that and continued to beat hard.

"Whatever."

"I just finished my meal."

"Finally!"

"What's the time for you now?"

"4 am."

"Go to sleep."

"Are you dissing me now after I confessed? How mean."

"As much as I love talking to you, my love, you need sleep. Let's talk tomorrow." He said.

"Fine. I'll go to sleep." I pouted as I typed. I would have stayed a little longer, but the drowsiness that was in the back of my mind was starting to make itself known.

"That s good to hear."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Alright. Don't forget to dream about me." Akashi said, and I smiled again.

"I won't," I chuckled as I hit sent. "Good night Akashi-kun, have a good day."

"Thank you."

I logged off afterwards and turned off my laptop. I took off my eyeglass and headphones, setting it on the bedside table together beside the laptop.

As I lied down on the bed and closed my eyes, I thought of Akashi, wondering what his voice would sound like before drifting off to sleep, dreaming of him

To be continued

Author's Note: I think it was kinda rushed (?) Anyway, your thoughts? Please leave a review if you want.

Love lots,

Shiori