I am temporarily back just to post this chapter! You don't know how much effort I took just to write this. As you know, my laptop died and I can't really type anything with my phone—my fingers are somehow to big to press just one button—so I ended up using my cousin's desktop. I use it to do some school work but I tend to add sentences and paragraphs to this chapter every time.

So, after months of trying not to get distracted by Yuri on Ice, sneaking into my cousin's place to use the desktop for 4 hours, and celebrating the holidays, I've finally finished the chapter! Please do read and enjoy!

Forget-Me-Not

Chapter 9: In Which Akashi Becomes the Captain

They had somehow avoided talking to each other all day. It was easy during classes considering they were in different years but somehow, they managed to do it during basketball practice too. It helped that they had their own work to do.

That said, he kept wondering whether he overreacted or not but he was so angry, so incredibly infuriated that he couldn't help but walk out of there. The most maddening thing about it was that he knew. He knew that Nijimura was hiding something from him. He told himself that he would wait until Nijimura confided in him but he didn't expect that aching feeling in his chest. It came out of nowhere and it consumed him as if a tidal wave washed over him, taking under, dragging him deeper and deeper. Was it because he thought that they were at the point where they could tell each other everything? But, he understood that. Nijimura couldn't tell him about everything and vice versa. So, why…? Why did he react that way?

There was a yell and something flashed before him. Instinctively, he stepped back, blinking as he turned his head to see a basketball bouncing past his feet. Midorima approached him and Akashi could see the concern in his eyes. The others noticing what happened started looking at their direction.

"Are you alright, Akashi?"

Akashi pressed his lips together in a polite smile. "I'm fine." he said, yet he could feel something stirring in him. The same feeling he had when Nijimura told him that he was falling behind everyone, behind Aomine, behind Murasakibara, behind Midorima...

Midorima furrowed his brows, "Are you sure?" he asked, wary.

Akashi gripped the clipboard tightly in his hands. "Yes, continue practicing." he ordered, addressing it to everyone, before he busied himself with the clipboard, staring at names and statistics. He could still feel their eyes on him, feel their concerned looks, hear their conversations.

Is he alright? He looks out of it.

Akashi seems different today.

Akashi almost got hit by a ball, that's weird.

Is there something wrong with Akashi?

Maybe he's tired. I mean, he looks tired.

Nah...he kinda looks...

Weak.

Akashi jerked back at that. The voice was familiar and yet, as his eyes scanned his surroundings for its owner, he couldn't pinpoint whose was it. Akashi barely stopped his hands from shaking.

An Akashi could never be weak.

He could never be weak.

After a while, Akashi decided to search for Nijimura.

He needed to talk to him.

Akashi found himself standing in an empty hallway, staring blankly at the door before him. His hand, poised to knock, was still hovering in the air. Minutes passed before he managed to take a few steps away, his hand falling to his side as he went to position himself near the doorway, against the wall. As if on cue, the door opened, hiding him from view.

The door closed and he could see Nijimura, his back towards him as he faced the other side of the hallway. Nijimura took a couple of steps before stopping, making Akashi close his eyes as he breathed in. There was a moment of silence.

"So, you heard." Nijimura stated rather casually, as if nothing was wrong, as if nothing had changed, as if things between them were fine. Akashi felt anger crept inside him, the stiffness of Nijimura's shoulders preventing it from bursting out which managed to make him maintain a certain amount of calmness to respond.

"Yes."

There was no need to hide the fact that he had unintentionally eavesdropped, heard every word.

"I see." Nijimura responded, voice nonchalant. "So…?"

Akashi pressed his lips together. "So, what?" he asked in a clipped tone, hands curling into fists, well-trimmed fingernails digging in his palms.

Nijimura didn't answer, didn't even show a hint that he had heard him, and for a while, Akashi thought that Nijimura would leave him standing there, staring at his back as he walked away. But Nijimura moved, slowly turning around to face him. Akashi stood still.

"You know, I never planned on telling you."

Head Coach and I had a talk and we noticed that you're falling behind. He told me not to tell you but I figured that telling you would be better so you could prepare and catch up to the others while the gap is still isn't as big as it would be.

Akashi shook his head. Whatever he thought Nijimura would say, this was not it. He didn't expect that Nijimura would bring up what happened yesterday, didn't expect Nijimura to try and redirect their current conversation. It wasn't like Nijimura, who was always so direct and blunt, and it couldn't help but anger him in more ways than one.

"Don't change the subject." Akashi replied, voice nearly shaking. He breathed in. "You're recommending me as captain after what you told me." It was a statement rather than a question but Nijimura answered it nonetheless.

"Yes."

Akashi didn't understand. It was always like this with Nijimura. Every time he thought he figured Nijimura out, something would throw him off and it made him feel emotions he never really felt before—never allowed himself to be put in a position that would make him experience such emotions. Anger. Embarrassment. Confusion. Shame. He hated this. This was weakness that should immediately be rectified.

"Why would you do that? Explain." Akashi demanded. "Do you pity me?"

Nijimura furrowed his brows. "No. Never."

"Then, why?" Akashi asked, feeling rather desperate. He was trying so hard to compose himself—remember what he had been trained to do. It was incredibly hard though, he was seething. The fact that Nijimura was currently managing his own emotions better than him right now was another blow to him.

"You said so yourself, I'm falling behind the others. If so, than I'm not qualified enough to be the next captain. If I'm going to lead, I can't be weak. I must be stronger than everyone." He didn't know why but he couldn't stop, couldn't help himself as he went on and on, voice rising in another octave. "I must be faster than everyone. I must do better than everyone. I must be better than anyone. I must be perfe—"

Weak.

"Akashi!" Hands grabbed his arms roughly, shaking him lightly. Akashi stared at Nijimura, eyes wide. His heart pounding hard against his chest as he panted with heavy breaths. Akashi realized what just happened and a sudden numbness washed over him. His breaths returned to its usual pace as he took a step back, removing Nijimura's hands from his arms. He straightened his back, composing himself.

"It appears that I've overreacted, Nijimura-san. It would be agreeable if we could forget that unwholesome display." Akashi stated impassively.

Nijimura blinked, looking briefly baffled before he narrowed his eyes. "I see. That's fine."

Akashi let out a small smile and nodded. "I believe this conversation would be better held in another time and location." He turned around and started walking away. "I'll see you tomorrow, Nijimura-san."

"Akashi, wait."

Akashi paused, his back still facing Nijimura.

"I recommended you as captain because you deserved it. I told you about your situation yesterday because I wanted you to know in advance. I know that you won't let that hold you back and instead, it would drive you to do better. You work hard more than anyone I know."

"I see." Akashi responded after a moment of silence. "Is that all, Nijimura-san?"

"…Yeah."

Akashi nodded and walked away.

Woooshhh! I really enjoyed writing this, despite the problems. It looks like I rushed the chapter but it's already actually longer than the first draft AND I did everything deliberately.

I bet you all know what happened during the conversation with Nijimura. It's kinda obvious but feel free to ask questions if you're a bit confused.

Anyway, thank you all for reading! I don't know when the last chapter would be updated so for a while, I hope you guys are satisfied with just this. Just one chapter to go!

Please do tell me what you think! Meanwhile, do you guys like Yuri on Ice? I have plenty of ideas for fics and I was wondering if you guys would like to read it. I think after this fic, I would be focusing more on that fandom~ Feel free to request something!