(note: About Akashi's attitude in this oneshot, I have this belief that Akashi would return to his original self (the caring one xD) if he experiences defeat and yeaaah.)
judaiteito – Hi. HAHA. Sorry for this, actually. I don't ship AkaKuro then it became like this sooo… Hahaha but don't worry AkaMibu is at the end~ (I fear this wouldn't satisfy you. I found this difficult to right xD)
Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. - James Baldwin
Façade
"Ninety-five to ninety-four, the champion of Winter Cup is Seirin High School! Bow!" The two teams, namely Rakuzan and Seirin bowed as the cheers of the crowd racked the arena. But then, despite of those deafening screams, Akashi Seijuro could not hear anything.
I lost?
With his mind not functioning the way he wanted it to, he approached Kuroko, who was celebrating their victory with Seirin.
Akashi just stood there, unable to say anything.
"Akashi-kun." He heard Kuroko say, "Do you know understand?"
Kagami wrapped his arm around Kuroko for his shadow cannot stand upright without any support due to exhaustion.
Why does it hurt?
"Ne, Kuroko-kun…"
Kuroko's eyes widened at the words he perceived. His features softened, and a warm smile escaped his lips. "Welcome back, Akashi-kun."
The feeling of the fleeting bliss…
"C-can I talk to you outside, Kuroko-kun?"
[~]
The deafening silence was all they heard. The winter breeze kept the awkward atmosphere unbearable. No one dared to talk, or more correctly, Akashi didn't dare to talk, because he knew everything would end after this silent conversation.
Akashi wanted to hug the boy in front of him, to never let him go, but this was the first time he didn't feel absolute. He knew he would face defeat.
It was getting late and the temperature was not getting any higher, but still Akashi couldn't say anything. He wanted to be with his angel for a little longer.
All of his thoughts and debates with himself halted when Kuroko heaved a deep sigh.
He doesn't want to be with me…
"What do you exactly want to talk about, Akashi-kun?" Kuroko had the ice broken, with his gaze darting so far away.
Akashi chuckled, "I guess I came back way too late…"
"What do you mean, Akashi-kun?"
Akashi shifted in his position, finally looking at Kuroko, straight in his eyes.
"Let me tell you directly; ever since middle school, I've always wanted to be yours…"
Kuroko stared at his with his usual dead pan expression, but this time, Akashi knew something was hidden deep in that expression.
"I don't want to hurt you, Akashi-kun…"
Should I prepare for the painful impact?
"I felt the same way, "Kuroko stated as Akashi's eyes widened, though he was hurt about how used the tense of the past in his words. "But that was before… All I knew was, you're gone, and I do not know what to do anymore…"
"But I am back, Kuroko-kun. I'm already here."
"Yes. Yes, you are definitely back Akashi-kun, but those feelings, they're forever gone…"
Those words were enough to kill him, to send him in his greatest despair. But despite all that, his features remained calm, straight, unfazed.
I wouldn't easily accept defeat. Winning is everything.
"Can't you give me a second chance?"
Silence.
"I can't, Akashi-kun. I already love someone else."
"Kagami-kun, isn't he? What does he have that I don't?"
Kuroko heaved a deep breath. "He's different. Kagami-kun is different. He was always there. He never left my side. And like the light, the shadow was always there too. Kagami-kun is unlike you. All of you, you left me in the shadows alone."
Akashi's eyes widened. Never in his life had he been told all this. All those words hurt; he couldn't accept it. The only reason was because it was the truth.
The awkward silence continued to flourish, but not until then heavy footsteps neared their setting. Kuroko looked at where those footsteps were coming from, and Akashi swore he saw Kuroko's lips twitch into a faint smile.
"Kagami-kun…"
"Kuroko, it's time to go… Coach said we'll be eating out."
Kuroko looked at Akashi before he turned his back to him, "Goodbye Akashi-kun. I'm sorry…"
The winter breeze is chilly
Love shuddered with loss
And an empty heart prevailed
[~]
"Sei-chan… Sei-chan… Sei-chan!" Reo called out to Akashi, who was completely acting weird at the moment.
They were in the hotel's restaurant to eat their dinner in Tokyo. Despite being the first runner-up in the Winter Cup, the atmosphere was heavy. No one rejoiced, no one was happy…
"What is it, Mibuchi-senpai?" The shooting guard interrupted the captain's train of thoughts.
All heads turned to their captain. Mibuchi smiled and shrugged it off.
"Well, you haven't touched your food and you kept staring at nothing. Something's off?" Mibuchi asked the redhead as he tilted his head towards him and rested his chin on his right hand.
"It's nothing…" Akashi said, and after that he took small bites from his dinner and stood up. "Please excuse me…"
[~]
Mibuchi went back to the hotel room he shared with Akashi after dinner. He immediately searched for his presence inside the room, worrying that the boy was not inside.
Fortunately, he was there, standing at the balcony, looking at something so far away…
Mibuchi walked towards the balcony quietly, probably the redhead hadn't notice his presence by now. He was sure something was bothering his kouhai.
Upon arriving, he looked at Akashi's moonlight bathed figure, admiring his perfect red locks and small body build, though his face, even though he knew that beneath those intimidating stares and composed expressions, something was wrong.
He was seeing that now. Mibuchi can see tears streaming down Akashi's face. He smiled. He was amazed about how Akashi can put up his strong yet fake façade in front of other people. Surely, this man was a resilient person.
Mibuchi spoke up; he cannot stand seeing his adorable Sei-chan cry. "Ne, Sei-chan. What's wrong?"
"Senpai… You're there…"
"Of course. So can you please tell me what's bothering you? I know it's sad to lose but I don't think you would be acting like that at that trivial matter."
Akashi sighed. "Senpai, do you know the feeling of loving someone who doesn't love you back or loves someone else?"
"Yes, no? Maybe? I don't know."
Akashi chuckled. "But you're good, senpai. You knew that I was not fine, despite all that…"
"That's because you will always see through the person you love."
The next thing Akashi knew, he felt soft lips on his own.
