Chapter 3
The ride to Akashi's house took around thirty minutes. Since Kuroko would often drop by Akashi's house during their Teikou days for tutoring with lessons he couldn't understand (from Akashi), the route and the structure (of the house) weren't too unfamiliar to him. In fact, as they passed by familiar grounds and after seeing Akashi's house again, Kuroko felt quite nostalgic.
The cherry blossoms along the road, the shrine a few blocks away from Akashi's residence, everything—We've changed, yet nothing much changed around here. I'm not sure whether that's a good or a bad thing, or whether I should feel envious or proud.
Only half-opened, Kuroko's eyes ran through the cherry blossoms along the way through the windowpane. Silently, he reminisced the good times he shared with his former captain under that very same type of tree.
It was spring of three years ago, after a tutor session with Akashi, as the redhead walked him to the train station when Kuroko asked his captain:
"Akashi-kun, what we've discussed earlier…it was probability, for Analytic Geometry, wasn't it?"
Akashi's red eyes glanced up to him, "Yes. Do you have any question about it? Something you've realized that you don't understand perhaps?"
Maintaining his poker face, Kuroko shook his head gently. For a split second he was silent, until suddenly, he stopped walking and started, "Probability is the chance of a possibility to occur, isn't it?"
Stopping himself, Akashi turned to Kuroko with head slightly tilted, "Yes. It is." Although his statement did not contain any question, Kuroko could tell that he had a question in mind. This made the bluenette allow a small, near-invisible, knowing smile cross his lips.
"Then between zero to one, what is the probability that you'd fall for me if I fell for you?"
They fell into silence. Only the sound of the wind gushing and the leaves (branches) hustling could be heard. With their hair bouncing in the wind, they stared at each other in the eyes—seriousness was in Kuroko's whilst surprise was in Akashi's.
The moment was eventually broken by Akashi recovering from the shock. He sighed.
"Tetsuya, stop joking around."
Kuroko snorted
Kuroko snickered quietly at the memory. Akashi's expression at that time was just plain priceless.
As he mused and tried to vividly recalled how Akashi looked like at that time, suddenly, the person occupying his thoughts called, "Tetsuya."
He rolled his eyes and slightly turned his head towards Akashi's direction.
"We're here."
Oh.
Oh.
Oh shit.
Suddenly, Kuroko began to feel nervous.
"A—Seijuurou-kun," he almost slipped.
Akashi arched his brow, "Hm?"
"I apologize for the inconvenience, but I suddenly feel like throwing up."
There was silence with the exceptions of the singing of the crickets.
"…It's going to be alright, Tsuraiya." (which translated to: "You're not allowed to back out, Tetsuya.")
Akashi's house was just like most of the houses in Kyoto—it had a traditional touch to it. It was just that compared to the other houses, his was bigger, wider and just downright grand (just like how Kuroko remembered it was).
Sitting in the living room, at the short (Japanese) table located right in the middle of the room, Kuroko could feel his stomach hurling (his face was still—sort of—blank though)—goddamn it, what if Akashi's parents recognized him? They should probably have consulted other people before doing this (like asking their opinion, if they could recognize him and such).
You're our only hope—Momoi's words vibrated in his mind.
Ahh.
Ahh.
Ahh crap.
Not helping.
In the midst of his inward panicking, suddenly, he felt a hand rest on top of his.
"Tetsuya," Akashi whispered softly, just enough for Kuroko alone to hear. He paused then squeezed Kuroko's hands before continuing, "If this fails, do not blame yourself. Do not be afraid either. I will protect you. I will make sure you will be left out of this and will be sure to not to get you involved in any conflict that may arise."
There was a second of deep silence.
Akashi's grip began to loosen. Turning his head away from Kuroko, he muttered, "I will take full responsibility of you."
For a reason he couldn't exactly lay a finger on, Kuroko felt some sort of relief. Lightly, he snickered, "I honestly almost forgot. Thank you for reminding me that, Akashi-kun."
Pulling his hand out of Akashi's, he broke out into a small smile.
For a moment, they were silent, until Kuroko caught a glimpse of a cherry blossom tree and decided to relive a moment.
"Akashi-kun," he started, slightly tempted to snort in amusement, "Do you remember probability, the topic in Analytic Geometry?"
Akashi glanced towards him, brows slightly arched.
"Yes, what about it?"
Maintaining his blank demeanor, Kuroko supplied, "Well…Probability is the chance of a possibility to occur, isn't it?"
"Yes. It is."
Kuroko could've sworn, this was just like some sort of an exact replay of what happened three years ago—well almost exact.
Shrugging the thought, he continued, "Then between zero to one, what is the probability that you'd fall for me if I fell for you?"
Just like how they did then, the two fell into silence. However, unlike then, there was no wind effect, no falling cherry blossom petals—just the two of them, sitting right next to each other, staring at each other's eyes. Curiosity was reflected in Kuroko's while astonishment was in Akashi's.
Really—
"Tetsuya, stop joking around."
—it was exactly just like how Akashi reacted then.
Almost.
Suddenly, Akashi scoffed.
"However, if you really insist then…" he paused, "I'd say five tenths (0.5). Fifty percent."
Because of that statement alone, the tables had suddenly turned—now it was Kuroko who had a startled look in his eyes.
Was Akashi kidding? Was he serious? Was he doing this on purpose?
"Akashi-ku—"
Akashi snorted. Turning away, he cut off, "Just kidding."
The words made Kuroko look down. A soft sigh crossed his lips.
"Figures."
"Some jokes are half meant though."
Kuroko shot him a sharp look.
"Are you implying something, Akashi-kun?"
Akashi looked away.
"Perhaps—"
Before the discussion could get any further, suddenly, two familiar figures entered the room (one of a female's and the other of a male's).
"We apologize for the wait—Oh? I didn't expect Seijuurou's lady to be this beautiful. It is a pleasure meeting you, miss…?"
Standing beside a tall man who possessed black hair and golden eyes was a woman with red hair and red eyes, who was wearing a small diplomatic smile—her name was Kyouko Akashi:
Akashi's mother.