The best time of the day for Haruka was undoubtedly yoga time. It was the one time of the day she was able to fully relax herself. While doing her meditation, the doorbell rang but Haruka ignored it, humming softly to herself. However, whoever was at the door did not leave her alone and continued ringing the doorbell. "Om...om, I'm not here please go away. Om, please stop ringing my doorbell. Om, I'm going to kill you if you don't go."

As if the person could hear her, the doorbell finally stopped ringing. Haruka opened one eye and smiled softly to herself as she continued her meditation. That was until...

"Rukacchi!" Haruka twitched and frowned but ignored the familiar voice. "RUKACCHI! MATSUOKA HARUKA! Akashicchi, I think she's in trouble! Let's call the police!" Kise shouted and Haruka could hear the panic in his voice.

While Akashi was stopping Kise from calling the police, Haruka sighed and got up from her yoga mat, turning the relaxing music off and walked onto her balcony, looking onto Akashi's balcony where Kise was stood. Well...sort of. He was half way across the railing, trying to climb over onto her balcony. "Akashi-san, please call the police. Someone is trying to break into my house."

"Rukacchi! Oh thank god, Rukacchi! Can you please open your door and let me in?"

In the end, Haruka had no choice but to let her yoga time be disrupted and open her door for Kise. However, he was not alone.

"And why did you have to invite my neighbour over?" Haruka asked, glaring at Kise who just didn't seem to understand the situation. "Should I call the police on you?"

"Rukacchi..."

"It's Haruka. I prefer Matsuoka-san but if you must, Haruka-san will do so stop calling me by that ridiculous nickname."

"I can't call you Haruka," Kise said, drumming his fingers on the coffee table and smiled at Haruka, leaning in closer to her. "Akashicchi banned us all from using your name," he whispered and pulled away, grinning. "Aominecchi was lucky that he can keep his nickname for you but I heard from someone that Akashicchi wanted to call you princess. He didn't in the end because it wasn't original enough."

"I don't know where you heard that from, Ryouta," Akashi said. "And I would prefer if you didn't spread rumours about me. And also, my house isn't another doorway to Haruka's house for you so don't think that you can come in next time just because Haruka wouldn't open the door for you."

Ignoring Akashi, Haruka took a sip of her coffee and looked at Kise, licking her top lip. "So, is your team playing in the tournament?" she asked. "The one for charity."

"Indeed we are! And I've chosen Ki-chan's charity to support! I commented on her blog and Ki-chan is so happy about it! How I wish she will come and watch our matches..." Kise sighed. "Rukacchi, do you think you will know Ki-chan? You're both celebrities after all."

"Your Ki-chan is an online celebrity. If anything, she's not a real celebrity. Only idiots like you are so obsessed with her," Haruka stated. "So no, I won't know your Ki-chan."

Kise pouted and stared at Haruka but she didn't spare him a single look as she sipped her coffee, enjoying the drink. "Rukacchi..."

"Haruka-san."

"Well...if we're supporting the charity she works for, surely she'll come and support us in return at the matches, right? If that happens to you, Rukacchi would do the same, right?"

"She gets paid to make an appearance," Akashi said. "Haruka will be at the opening ceremony of the tournament and will start the first game off."

Haruka glared at Akashi, the first eye contact she had made with him since he entered her home. "I didn't know that Akashi-san has turned into my manager and has to report all of my schedules to everyone else," she said. "But yes, I'll be there at the opening ceremony and no, I don't know if your Ki-chan will be there so stop asking me. You're just as bad as Ao asking if I know Horihata Mai..."

"Do you?" Kise asked.

"NO!"

~Few Days Later~

"Thank you for coming to our practice, Miss Matsuoka," Shirogane said, taking her to the court. "You may sit here and observe the practice. I'll let the members know that you're here."

Haruka smiled and nodded, sitting by the side and pulled her phone out, checking her messages and schedule for the day. She sighed heavily, staring at her schedule for the day. She really hated her manager for not scheduling anything in for the entire day except for visiting Rakuzan basketball team. It meant that she would have to spend the rest of the day in the presence of Akashi.

She sighed heavily once again and put her phone away, putting her handbag down next to her chair and watched the practice going on. Just like in high school, Akashi stood by the side and observed the practice rather than participate. Akashi felt eyes on him and turned his head slightly in the direction of Haruka's. They made eye contact and Haruka looked away first.

Akashi looked away too and focused on the members practising instead but when he finally looked back, Haruka was no longer in her seat. Akashi frowned, looking around the court but couldn't see her anywhere. "Looking for Matsuoka-san?" Kotaro asked, panting a little and joined Akashi's side. "I saw her leaving. Maybe she has another schedule she has to get to. I mean, a celebrity like her won't actually stay for a stinky and sweaty basketball practice, right?"

"Wrong," Akashi said, staring at the entrance to the court as if hoping that Haruka would walk in once again. "Haruka's not like that. She's different from other girls. She loves watching basketball practices and wouldn't leave until the very last players had left. She used to run around as well, doing little things for us."

"Oh? You're talking as if you know Matsuoka-san," Kotaro mumbled. "Which reminds me...you got really angry last time we met Matsuoka-san... Do you really know her, Akashi?"

"That's none of your business. And what do you think you're doing standing here? Get back to practice!"

"Yes sir!"

Half an hour later, Haruka returned to the court with many bags of snacks and drinks. She set them down on the floor just as Shirogane called for a break. Kotaro smiled, going over to Haruka. "Hello, Matsuoka-san! Sorry that we haven't greeted you properly!"

"It's okay, you're busy with your practice, I understand," she smiled and handed him a towel for his sweat and a cold drink. "I didn't know what you guys like to drink so I just bought one of everything. And I bought you some snacks too but don't let your coach know," she smiled and leaned in to whisper. "He seems like the uptight type."

"He's not that uptight around pretty girls," Kotaro joked and laughed, sitting down next to her. "Reo-nee! Come and join us! Matsuoka-san bought us drinks and snacks!"

Nebuya and Reo joined the two and thanked Haruka for her generosity. "What about him?" Haruka asked, pointing at Mayuzumi who was still practising his shooting. "I bought enough drinks for everyone."

"Ah...Mayuzumi doesn't really talk to others," Kotaro said. "I'm surprised you've noticed him. Akashi though...Akashi! Are you coming to join us?"

Akashi looked over to them and walked over. He picked up a drink, thanked Haruka and walked away. Haruka stared after him before giving Kotaro a smile. "He's still the same."

"You know Akashi? He talked a lot about you too. It's a surprise since Akashi is never really interested in any other girls."

"We went to the same high school, did he not tell you?"

"Eh?!"

Even Nebuya and Reo were getting interested as they looked up, listening in on their conversation. "Well actually, Aomine Daiki of Too, Kise Ryouta of Kaijo, Murasakibara Atsushi of Yosen, Midorima Shintaro of Shutoku, Akashi-san and I went to the same high school, Teiko. I'm friends with Aomine Daiki and I have some work with Kise Ryouta so I used to watch their basketball practices all the time."

"Ah...no wonder Akashi said you didn't mind watching."

For the rest of the day, they just sat in a small circle with snacks and drinks, talking about Haruka's time in Teiko with the top players of the other teams, including Akashi. Shirogane decided to let it slide that they had skipped practice since Akashi hadn't said anything about it. Akashi just stood by the court, watching them.

It was the first time ever since seeing Haruka again did Akashi see her so happy.

~.~

Akashi tossed and turned on his bed, frowning slightly. This was unlike his normal self. Akashi was normally a very disciplined sleeper and would fall asleep almost as soon as he gets in bed, rarely moving about. However, the storm going on outside was very distracting.

It wasn't that Akashi was afraid of the storm. He was distracted because another person who lived next to him was afraid of thunder and lightning.

In the end, Akashi sat up on his bed and got out, going to get change. He somehow ended up in the hallway, walking toward Haruka's front door. He hesitated a little but thought that it was nothing wrong to check up on his neighbour. He pressed the doorbell and waited for a reply. No one came to open the door and Akashi frowned, listening in for any movements.

"Haruka?" Akashi asked. "I know you probably don't want to see me right now but please at least let me know that you're okay."

Silence was his only reply.

"Haruka?" Akashi frowned, knocking hard on the door. "Haruka, are you okay? Are you even conscious? Haruka?!"

When he heard no reply, Akashi tried the door. It opened and Akashi frowned but ignored it, going in. The entire house was dark and Haruka was nowhere to be seen. Thinking of what happened in the past, Akashi climbed the stairs and went to the master bedroom. Sitting in the corner was terrified Haruka who was hugging her knees while covering her ears at the same time.

For a while, Akashi just stood there watching the helpless Haruka. It broke his heart to see her like this.

He went up to her and touched her gently on the shoulder. Haruka jumped and screamed, moving away from Akashi. Akashi hushed her, trying his best to calm her down. When she was somewhat calm, Haruka recognised Akashi and without thinking, hugged him tightly. Akashi held onto Haruka tightly and stroked her back gently.

"It's okay, I'm here," he whispered and carried her onto her bed.

He searched around while letting Haruka hold on to him. He finally found her phone and earphones, plugging in and put the earphones in her ear. He played the music on her phone and turned the volume up then pulled the duvet over her head so she couldn't see the lightning. While Haruka was curled up against him, Akashi wiped away her tears for her.

And so, Akashi stayed by Haruka's side the entire night to make sure that she wouldn't be woken up by the storm.

~Next Day~

Haruka rolled onto her side and opened her eyes, frowning slightly. The light was pouring in from the window, brightening up the room. She sat up and frowned even more when she noticed that the other side of the bed was slept in. While trying to remember what happened, Haruka's face went bright red as she recalled that Akashi was with her last night because of the storm.

She got out of bed and grabbed her robe, leaving her room. As she stepped down her stairs, Haruka could smell breakfast cooking. Akashi looked up from his cooking, standing in the open kitchen as Haruka descended from the second floor. "Good morning," he greeted, putting the breakfast on two plates and set the table. "Do you want orange juice or milk?"

"Coffee."

Akashi looked at Haruka and nodded, making her a cup of coffee. "Did you have a good night sleep?"

"Did you sleep last night?" Haruka asked, sitting at the dining table and picked up her chopsticks and bowl of rice, eating breakfast that Akashi made. "You didn't stay up all night again, did you?"

"I had about two hours of sleep," Akashi said. "I slept when the storm stopped. Here's your coffee."

Haruka ate silently and took a sip of the coffee. No sugar was added but Haruka somehow could taste the sweetness in it. Akashi sat down opposite to her and ate breakfast as well in silence. Haruka soon finished and checked her phone for any messages while listening to the voice messages left on her home phone.

"Haruka-san, the filming today has been postponed. You have a free day today but tomorrow will be packed. I'll call you again tomorrow but please pick up next time."

"Ruka-hime, are you okay? There's a storm going on right now but I can't come to you. You remember what I told you, right? Just hide in your closet with your duvet and play music loudly. Everything will be okay. Call me back when you get this message."

"Rukacchi! Are you okay?! I heard that there's a storm going on! I'm not in Tokyo at the moment but I'll come and check up on you as soon as I get back! Wait for me, Rukacchi!"

"Ruka-chin? I suppose you're hiding right now. Call me back to let me know that you're alive. Bye."

Haruka frowned a little and deleted the messages. She then dialled Aomine's number on her phone, waiting for him to pick up. "Ah Ao...yeah, I'm fine. Yeah, don't worry about me. No, it's okay. Yeah...okay. Thanks for checking on me." After she hung up, she called Kise's phone. "Stop calling me that," she frowned. "I'm fine...No! Oh god...please don't come...it's fine, just stay at your shoot. I'm not going to die just because you're not coming to check on me. That's it, I'm hanging up."

Akashi watched her and couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Not of Haruka but of all his friends who kept in touch with her. Akashi hadn't seen Haruka for six years at least so who was there for her when there was a storm? Who hugged her and stayed up all night to make sure she wasn't scared? Was it one of the three who called?

"Hai, Mura-kun...I'm fine...Yeah, Aka-chan was here...you don't have to worry. Thanks for calling. Next café trip is on me."

After calling everyone to let them know that she was fine, Haruka collapsed on her sofa, turning the TV on. Akashi cleaned up the table and was about to wash the dishes when Haruka stopped him. "Just leave it. Someone else will do it, don't worry," she said. "If there's nothing you need, can you please leave? Thanks for everything."

"Can we talk?"

Haruka sighed softly and closed her eyes. "So that time has come..." she mumbled softly. "What do you want to talk about? I didn't think that we would have anything to talk about."

"Remember when you shouted at me?" Akashi asked. Haruka nodded without looking at him.

How could she forget that? She lost control of herself and cried in front of Akashi while shouting at him, telling him how much Akashi had hurt her and how he was the reason why she wasn't the Haruka Akashi knew anymore.

"You asked me what is anger. Anger...is what I feel about myself. I'm angry at myself for hurting you like this. You asked me what is sadness. Sadness is what I feel after you broke up with me. I was wrong to let you go. And lastly...you asked me what is happiness. That's when I'm with you. Not even that...just seeing you smile is more than enough to make me happy."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Haruka frowned.

"I've never cried myself to sleep or wake up crying but I have stayed up all night thinking about you. Thinking about how I should have never let you go. Thinking about how I should have treated you better. I know that these words mean nothing to you now but I really just wanted to tell you them."

"Are you trying to get back with me, Akashi?" Haruka asked, looking at him.

Akashi was silent. He opened his mouth but closed it again, not answering her.

"Ask yourself one questions before you answer me," Haruka said, looking him in the eyes. "Will you ever give up basketball for me?"