Akashi's New Job

By: Stupiak Kitty

A/N: Last chapter, I promise. Thank you for the people reading this and liking it. I appreciate it all. I know I update my story as slow as an injured snail, but it's not because I neglect my story or anything. I have no pc, and the only way for me to write is on my phone. (When I wrote this ww)

Nah, what am I saying. This isn't a bad thing. I had worst. ;)

Yes, a writer will always be a writer no matter what tools she has or has not.

xXx

"Shin-chan...I like you."

Midorima clutched the bouquet in his hands when Takao said that, his eyes as wides as plates as he tried to control his breathing.

He tried his best not to tremble. He knew in his heart Takao didn't mean what he just said. He was aware how playful and mischievous this hawk player of Shutoku, maybe he was saying that to test his reaction; or just telling that just because this is their fake wedding.

Midorima knew this was only a game. A booth, a wedding with irrational reasons. It was his very reason why he was so reluctant to do this.

With a glare that could scare a rabbit, he said to Takao, "Do not be absurd. You do not like me."

Takao only looked at him, determined. "Trust me if I say I do."

"You do not like me," Midorima repeated, but this time his voice was hard. "You're only mistaking your feelings with something akin to that. Do not let this fake wedding influence you, Takao."

Takao managed to look shocked. "B-but I do, Shin-chan. Maybe it's beyond like, even. I had felt it way back before we became team mates. I thought it was just for revenge, I couldn't stop thinking about it; I can't stop thinking of ways on how to get my revenge, to imagine you crying and kneeling in front of me while I look at you with smugness. To let you know that I'm a basketball player with unique skills, not some kid who plays basketball just for the heck of it.

"You made my team feel like we're just a bunch of kids who doesn't know how to play basketball," Takao went on, unblinking as he explained. "The GOM made our hearts broken, especially me, when you regarded me as though I was a junk and nothing important. I trained myself to become the best because of that. There were no days where I didn't think of you, or how to get back to you when we were to face each other again.

"I had memorized your face inside my head, it was even etched inside me. How could I forget the person who never looked at me after he sealed his win?" Takao sighed. "To be honest, Shin-chan, the first emotions you stirred from me is hate. You have no idea how I hated you back then. You have no idea how I cried because we lost, that the Teiko team had treated us like kids, with the score that wasn't even near half. You have no idea how my entire days after that dreaded competition were filled with nothing but you and revenge. But, you do remember how I told you that it made me laugh when I saw that the person I vowed to have revenge with was standing few feet away from me, and was bound to be my team mate?"

Midorima couldn't find his voice as he listened to Takao's confession, so he only nod. There was a lump on his throat that was so hard to get rid of, he wasn't sure this is real in the first place.

Takao, confessing to him inside the wedding booth Akashi organized.

"You know why, Shin-chan?" Takao said. His silver-blue eyes were shining, almost as if he was trying his best not cry. "Because I first thought it was fate. That it was a sign to let go of the hatred living inside me, and make you as my friend instead. And really, having you as my team mate is really laughable you know? Like someone was telling me it was not hatred that I had felt when I lost to you. It was hatred because you never looked at me, and regarded me as nothing.

"I'm not into horoscopes, and I bet you know that, but when I knew how you strong you are to believe about fate and those things, I was really convinced that it is our destiny to have one another as team mates and not enemies.

"Those times where I couldn't stop thinking of you, that was when I realized that you had me smitten, and you had me bad," Takao said, his voice almost wavering. It was not an easy feat to tell this in front of everyone known and unknown. But there was something in Akashi's eyes telling him that this is the right thing to do. "I really like you."

Takao blinked as he finished his confession. Midorima was looking at him as if he had lost his mind. Oh, he knew that his feelings are one-sided, and he already accepted it. That's why he was contented on keeping it a secret, he might not be able to take it if Midorima were to reject his feelings and tell him how disgusting he is.

He tried smiling when Midorima didn't move or speak and said, "Shin-chan, I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable, and for hiding this to you. I only thought that Akashi is right. I don't want my feelings to rot inside me without telling this to you first."

The silence around them made everyone, not only Takao, uncomfortable. It took him a moment before he broke the thick silence.

"I do," Midorima said, which started Takao.

"W-what?" He squawked.

"I do," Midorima repeated. This time, he bowed as he looked at the bouquet. He was refusing to look at Takao. "T-The...the feelings are the same. So I do."

"W-wait...Shin-chan..."

"What?" Midorima chose that moment to look at him, but he looked at him with a frown.

"I'm just confessing," Takao said, but Midorima could see the mirth in his eyes. "You only say that right after Akashi questioned us if we accept each other as husband and wife."

"What do I care about it? This wedding is not real, so if I say I do, accept it," Midorima said.

"Whoa, Shin-chan, is that you?" Takao laughed. "Where did you hide my easily embarrassed Shin-chan? You're not him!"

"Shut up, Takao," Midorima pushed his glasses up and looked away. Despite the belo, Takao could see the faint pink on Midorima's cheeks.

He couldn't help but grin. Midorima accepted his confession, now he was sure that he's not straight as a ruler.

"Now that the groom and bride was now aware of their feelings for each other," Akashi interrupted, making the both of them look at him. "Shall we now proceed to the main ceremony?" When the two nodded, he then said, "The groom may now seal the confession with a kiss. You may now kiss the bride."

"What?!" Both of them exclaimed.

"A-Akashi," Midorima said. "I thought we were going to proceed to the main ceremony?"

"This is the main ceremony," Akashi answered. "If you're not aware."

"What...what happened to the vow?" Takao said, a deep crimson hue was evident on his cheeks. "Isn't that how the wedding is about?"

"The confession of yours is more than enough. I'm giving the rings after the ceremony," Akashi answered. Then he cocked a brow, "or do you want to hear Shintarou's own confession instead?"

"Let's get this done, Takao," Midorima said as fast as a light.

"Eh? But Shin-chan, I want to hear why and how did you like me," Takao said. "I'm sure you didn't say that just because I told you that I like you."

"Does it really matter?" Midorima retorted. "Just accept it and let this ceremony be done."

"That's unfair!"

"You don't have to worry, Kazunari, I am very sure Shintarou will soon tell you how he fell in love with you."

"A-Akashi!"

"I am also sure that his feelings aren't spontaneous," Akashi told him. "He's been harboring this feelings for you, the entire time. He was only shy to share it to anyone."

"Really?" Takao beamed. He heard Midorima groaned.

"Shall we proceed then?" Akashi smiled a little. "If you are all ready, Kazunari, you can now pull the belo up."

Takao's heart drummed inside him when he heard that. Sure, he liked Shin-chan, and he felt like he is the luckiest person in the universe when he liked him back. But kissing him right after the confession, with all of the people watching them is too much.

He inched closer to Midorima, his hands moving up to hold the silky translucent cloth with both hands, but before he could move it away from Midorima's face, he looked at Akashi.

"Am I required to kiss him on the lips, or cheek is fine?"

"You should ask the one you're giving the kiss to, not me," Akashi answered.

Takao gulped and looked back at Midorima who was looking at him with almost frantic eyes.

He moved the cloth away from the ace's face and he almost gape when he noticed that just like him, Midorima had light make-up on. He gulped again when he noted the pinkish pale hue of his lips. It was shining against the lights of the room, so he guessed they made them wear lip-gloss too.

Takao was tempted to kiss him there, but he stilled himself.

"Is it..." Takao trailed off. He couldn't control the frantic beats of his heart. He couldn't believe he was about to kiss the man in his dreams.

Then he blinked when Midorima tutted and made a movement that it surprised him when green locks filled his vision. It took him a moment before he realized that Midorima made a move to kiss him instead.

Takao blinked, and blinked again before he felt the Shutoku ace moved and pulled away, then he looked at Akashi and told him if the ceremony is done. Takao noticed how Midorima's hands trembled and how pink his cheeks are.

It was a chaste kiss, but Takao could still feel the pressure of Midorima's lips. It was moist and soft against his; a faint peach flavor flooded his nostrils, and it took him all the effort not to die from the twirling feelings that teased inside his belly like a retarded butterfly.

He just shared a kiss with Midorima. Their very first kiss.

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife," The cheers and applause erupted the moment Akashi said that. They could hear Kise's cheer the most, telling how perfect they are for each other and how cute Midorimacchi is with his wedding suit.

It made Takao feel jealous a little.

But the words Akashi said just now felt perfect in his ears.

They are now husband and wife.

xXx

A/N: Agh! Finally, it was done. All of the chapters are open for editing.

Thank you for reading.