This, by far, is my favorite chapter! You can tell because I wrote it so well~~ hahahahah I might have to rewrite the last chapter though, I just cringe at it.

Anyway, please enjoy!

Forget-Me-Not

Chapter 7: In Which Akashi Worries

Apart from Haizaki's departure from the club, to which Nijimura threw a fit at, everything went on as usual. Akashi did his duties as vice-captain, he made sure that all members were in top condition, finding time to monitor each string's training as much as possible. He assisted the coach and captain wherever and whenever he could in running the club. He was more than positive that they would claim another victory for Teiko in the upcoming tournament.

That said, there was an unsettling feeling in his gut that warned him of troubles.

They sat in the library in silence, both of them busy doing their own work. Akashi didn't stop even as he discreetly observed the older teen sitting across him. Lately, he had noticed that Nijimura looked more tired than usual. His skin was paler, he had bags under his eyes, and sometimes he had caught him yawning or sighing from time to time when he thought no one was looking.

He was worried but at the same time, he knew how exhausting this time of year was. Club activities have been put on hold and with good reason, examinations week in Teiko were grueling that even he felt a little fatigue despite his training. He wished there was something he could do for Nijimura, but he knew that anything he offered would only serve to irritate the older teen.

Nijimura was strong, he never forgot to remind Akashi of that. If it were anyone else, Akashi would make sure they knew they were wrong, but this was Nijimura-san.

Akashi ignored the cheering of the crowds as he watched Aomine retreat back to the locker rooms. Many thoughts whirled in his mind interrupted only when a hand suddenly clamped down on one of his shoulders, successfully startling him out of his stupor. He glanced up to see Nijimura staring at the same direction he was looking at a moment ago.

"Don't worry, Akashi." Nijimura directed his gaze to the redhead as he offered a comforting smile, the hand on Akashi's shoulder tightening its grip. Akashi withheld a wince. "I'm sure it'll work itself out."

Again, Akashi couldn't help but stare at Nijimura. And again, he couldn't help but feel that he was hiding something, but there wasn't any time for that. They had more important things to do, so he nodded in response. Nijimura gave his shoulder a last squeeze before leaving to speak with the coach.

Akashi's gaze flitted towards Kuroko then to the locker rooms again. If the situation persisted, he would have to take action.

He arrived home and to his surprise, the butler had informed him that his father wanted to have dinner with him. It was rare for them to actually have time to eat together. For his father to wait for him despite his busy schedule, it was heartwarming. Akashi tried to hold back a smile as he informed the butler to prepare him a seat.

Dinner itself was the same as usual, they sat on opposite sides and barely talked. His father decided to question his decision regarding basketball again, never failing to mention that if his performance started slipping he would have to stop the nonsense.

Basketball was a way for him to honor his mother. His father would never say it out loud, but he approved of it…to an extent. As long as it would not sully the family name and would not distract him from his studies and work, his father would allow it. That was why, despite of everything, Akashi was grateful for his father and would do everything to make him proud. After all, if his father truly didn't want him to play basketball, he wouldn't be playing basketball at all.

All his father asked in return was perfection.

And so, he would give him perfection.

Later that night, Akashi dreamed.

Various scenes played in his mind, of Midorima's accuracy and self-confidence, of Aomine's speed and agility, of Murasakibara's strength and power, of Kise's growth and potential, of Kuroko's unpredictability.

There was a flash of long hair flowing through the wind, a smile and a soft laugh as a hand reached towards him.

His small hands reached out, running towards the warmth that he ached for when he suddenly found himself standing on a stage in front of a crowd, holding a trophy in his hands as he won for the umpteenth time.

The trophy flashed gold as a voice similar of his own echoed in his head, repeating the same words his father said.

The Akashi family is absolute.

A man from the Akashi family must excel in all fields.

Winning is everything.

The victors write history.

The losers are wiped from it.

Always win.

They don't have any game this week so Akashi found himself in the meeting room with Nijimura. The coach left earlier than them, having decided to let them finalize their strategy for their next game. Everything went as usual until Nijimura's phone rang.

Akashi continued staring at the video they were watching to study their opponent and waited until Nijimura was at the other side of the door for some privacy before he paused it. He tried to be discrete as possible as he observed the taller teen through the small window of the door. Akashi couldn't hear what was being said, but he could see. Whatever conversation Nijimura was having, it was frustrating him. His eyes followed Nijimura as he paced, disappearing then appearing again and again as he passed by the window.

Moments later, when Nijimura opened the door, Akashi already resumed the video, acting nonchalantly as he took notes.

"Hey, Akashi." Nijimura called out, still standing.

Akashi paused the video to look at him, noting the furrowed brows. "Yes, Nijimura-san?"

"I'm going to leave early today." Nijimura informed him, a little bit distracted as he picked up his bag and started packing up some of his things. "Something came up so I'll leave everything to you, just email me anything new you've come up with, okay?" Nijimura straightened up, hanging his bag on his shoulder.

Akashi stared at Nijimura. He wanted to know, he wanted to know so badly what Nijimura was hiding from him. He could ask him, force him, and Nijimura would tell or he could find out on his own, he had plenty of connections for that, but Akashi wouldn't do that, not to him. This was Nijimura-san who he respected so much. So, he merely nodded and bid him farewell. If he wanted privacy, then he would give him privacy. Nijimura would tell him when he was ready.

Akashi would wait.

The next day, Nijimura stood beside him, looking like his usual self with his teasing grin and sarcastic comments. Akashi responded in turn, making sure he answered back as biting as possible because that was what Nijimura liked best. Nijimura didn't bring up what happened but that was fine as long as Akashi got to see him like this.

Later, he watched as Aomine turned up with Kuroko for practice, all smiles and laughs as he played basketball with his fellow members, Kuroko supporting him with a small smile of his own. It seemed that the two had a much needed conversation.

"It seems that we don't have to worry for a while…" Akashi whispered to himself.

Little did he know how much everything was about to change.

Please tell me what you think!