Hello again everyone, I'm baaaack \(^o^)/. I'm very flattered to all of you who support my story. So without further ado, here's the next chapter. Enjoy (/^o^)/

Disclaimer: I do not own KnB.

"Speaking"

'Thought'

Chapter 3

Another day has arrived in the Akashi manor. Inside, you could hear the happy chatters of the maids as they do their own chores, when suddenly; a ticking clock was heard, a signal that it was time for one of the maids, the head house-maid, to wake up their beloved young masters. Unlike the other maids who wore their uniform in a knee length, she wore hers in an ankle length one. She was also the oldest among the other maids who were in their late twenties or early thirties, while she was already in her early 50's. She went up to the 2nd floor of the manor, where she woke up young master Seijuro, young master Shintaro and young master Atsushi.

After she finished helping them with everything they needed more likely brought Shintaro his lucky item of the day and Atsushi a pack of maribo, since it was nearing breakfast he was only allowed to eat little of his snacks. She then went to the 3rd floor where she wakes young master Ryouta then young master Daiki. Gladly they do not need anything in the morning since it always took her some times to wake them up. After she made sure that they really woke up, cleaned up and went downstairs for their breakfast and not return to their beds she went to their last and newest young master, young master Tetsuya. She had a sad smile on her genuine face. She had heard from their mistress what had happened to their precious young master and it broke her heart into pieces. She breathes and knocked on the door genty.

"Young master Tetsuya?"

Tetsuya was awakened from the repeated sound of gentle knocking on his door. He climbed down on from his enormous bed and went to the door and opened it. He was greeted by a gentle smile and soft voice.

"Good morning, young master Tetsuya. I'm glad you had already awakened"

Tetsuya nodded his head in greetings.

"Have you had a good night rest?"

Tetsuya once again nodded his head. Her smile widened.

"That was wonderful. Now you go get dressed since everyone was to be present during meals. And if you would need anything you could always ask me or anyone around here"

Tetsuya nodded his head for the umpteenth time but this time stayed his focus on the floor. The lady in front of him was very nice. She also has somewhat the same aura like his beloved mother. He could feel home and assurance around her. He looked up at her and smiled a little.

"T-Thank you"

He whispered softly, this action made the older to brighten up.

"Anything for our young masters"

After she made sure that Tetsuya needn't anything, she then left and went downstairs. Tetsuya went to the bathroom to wash up and prepare. After changing clothes he went downstairs and headed to the dining room. He was then greeted by his step father at the farthest edge of the long table, his mother on his step father's right. And his other brothers already in their seats, he went to his mother's side which is empty and sat there.

"Good morning Tetsuya"

Akira and Tsukimi greeted their youngest with a smile, a small smile in the redhead's case. Tetsuya looked at his plate and whispered softly.

"Good morning Okaa-san… Good morning Otou-san"

Both Akira and Tsukimi smiled in return. The 5 young masters looked at each other in disbelief well, most likely a certain blonde who looked at his 4 other brothers in his 'Am-I-imagining-things-or-did-he-just-smiled-and-talk' look. Since he is Ryouta no one really cared much. Finally, the food was served, a traditional American breakfast; consisting of eggs, sliced bacon and sausages, toasted bread, pancakes, corn flakes cereal, coffee for the adults and juice for the young masters.

After they have finished their breakfast everyone went to their respective businesses. Tetsuya went straight to his room, he picked up a book in the book shelf and sat on his study table and started to read. He got the hobby of reading from his step father who would always read him books when they were still living in their house. The day had ended normally; he had not left his room except lunch and dinner. His mother would come up to his room to check on him from time to time.

Tetsuya looked at the clock hanging on his room. It read 8:48. Tetsuya then looked at the stacks of different books on his study table. He had read some and now it's already late. He went to the bathroom, had a quick shower and changed into his pj's. He climb on his huge bed and tucked himself when suddenly the door opened, revealing Akira. He walked towards Tetsuya ad sat on the side of the soft bed.

"Going to sleep already aren't we?"

Akira smiled softly and ruffled his young boy's messy hair. Tetsuya nodded his head and wiggle under his blanket. Akira looked at Tetsuya and snorted, no. No Akashis ever snort. Tetsuya laughed softly under his thick and comfortable blanket. Akira pouted, and seconds after laughed also. After the laughing had died, Akira stood up and repaired the blanket on Tetsuya. He then kissed him on the forehead.

"Oh, I almost forgot"

The read-headed put out something behind his back and showed his son a gift from him.

"This is for you my son. So that, even though Okaa-san, me or your brothers are not here beside you, plushie here will accompany you for the time being. Until we came back to you"

Tetsuya looked up at the plush toy his father was holding; a Siberian husky stuffed animal. Akira put the plush toy beside Tetsuya, who hugged it closer to him.

"Did you like it?"

Akira asked, even though he already knew the answer from his son's reaction and glitter in those huge oceanic eyes, he still needed confirmation.

"Yes, I loved it. Thank you Otou-san"

Tetsuya put the plushie down and hugged the older man. Akira smiled and hugged back. He tucked his son back on his bed along with his new plushie. He once again kissed him on his forehead, ruffled his hair and whispered a soft 'goodnight'.

It's already been a week since Tetsuya and Tsukimi had stayed in the manor. Tetsuya would always have the stuffed animal given by his father beside him all the time. But his relationship with his step brothers had not yet improved even a tiny bit. He would always trap himself in his room and would immerse in his books. When suddenly when he was in the terrace of his room reading he accidentally dropped his stuffed animal and it stuck on a tree. He immediately went outside the house and stood in front of the tree. Since the tress is not that high, he thought of just climbing the tree. He needed to get it back. He tried to climb the tree but miserably failed. He had tried again and again, and again and again he failed. Tears had begun to form on the corner of his eyes. He was about to try but was about to climb again when he heard someone spoke.

"What are you doing?"

A deep voice was heard, but not deep enough to come from an adult. He turned around and was met by none other than Akashi Daiki. Tetsuya stepped back and shifted his gaze on the floor.

"You know if you will not talk and not tell me what's wrong. I couldn't help you. And here I am being nice to you too"

Daiki said as he walked closer to the silent boy. Tetsuya took a secret glance on the intruder then shifted back on the ground.

"M-My plushie"

Tetsuya silently said. Daiki raised an eyebrow.

"Ohhh, the one you always brought with you. So, where is it now?"

Daiki asked the teary eyed boy. Daiki just happened to passed by when he saw Tetsuya tried on climbing the tree countless of times but miserably failed, he was about to leave when he saw the tears forming on the corner of his new brother's eyes yet, he still tried.

"Tree"

Tetsuya softly answered. Daiki didn't heard what the other had said and asked once again. After Tetsuya had repeated, Daiki looked at the smaller boy in disbelief.

"Are you serious? How did it even end up in the tree?"

The dark skinned was amused. Tetsuya shifted uncomfortably.

" I-I was playing with plushie in my room's terrace, when he fell on the tree"

Tetsuya told him sadly. The taller kid stared at the sad bluenette, he put down the basketball he was carrying and started climbing the tree, and Tetsuya just watched the climbing Daiki. Once he got the plushie he then climbed down the tree. Tetsuya walked closer to his bog brother.

"Here, don't lose it again okay?"
Daiki gave the plushie to Tetsuya who grabbed it and hugged it tightly.

"T-Thank you Daiki onii-san"

Tetsuya stuttered, Daiki's eyes widened as he looked at the beautiful w-wait, he didn't thought that the younger boy was beautiful, but wait. He was kinda. Tetsuya was smiling at him gently yet shyly, cheeks tinted of pink. Daiki felt awkward for the first time and take not an Aomine never and shouldn't feel awkward. The darker shade of blue scratched the back of his neck.

"H-hey, you're always stuck in your room. It must be boring. If you want, I could teach you play basketball it's hella fun"

Tetsuya stared at Daiki, assessing whether he would take the offer or went back to the safety of his room. But, then he remembered that the older kid had helped him get plushie back, so maybe he could repay him by just that. Tetsuya nodded his head which made the taller kid grin happily. After he picked up the basketball he left under the tree he pulled Tetsuya towards the basketball court located at the back of their manor.

"Watch me first, and then I'll let you play after"

Daiki dribbled the ball a few times then run towards the net, he spin around took a step and jumped for a dunk. Tetsuya's eyes sparkled as he watched Daiki's graceful moves. And it looked fun.

"Basket...ball"

Tetsuya murmured. After the dunk Daiki run towards Tetsuya grinning happily.

"Did you see me?"

Daiki asked somewhat cheerfully. Tetsuya nodded his head.

"Hai, Daiki nii-san is so cool"

Daiki blushed and looked away as he scratched the back of his head.

"I'll teach you, come"

They both went to get the ball. Daiki taught Tetsuya first to dribble, but before so, they put plushie on the bench to not dirtied it. Time flew by as Daiki helplessly taught Tetsuya the basic in basketball; dribbling and shooting.

"Arghh, you really suck"

Daiki whined as he watched his little brother shoot, and the ball didn't even touch the ring. Tetsuya looked at Daiki and shifted his gaze to the ground. The dark skinned sighed and patted his younger brother's head.

"Don't worry I won't give up on you. You'll be good at it sooner or later. Oh, it's getting dark already and I'm hungry as fuck. Let's go inside"

Daiki started to walk Tetsuya following suit after he got plushie. It was the first time again that Tetsuya spent a lot of time outside. Tetsuya fastened his pace as he grabbed the hem of Daiki''s shirt. The taller kid stopped and turned to look at the shorter one.

"U-um. Thank you for today Daiki nii-san"

Tetsuya hugged plushie tightly from embarrassment. Daiki grinned and shuffled his younger brother's surprisingly soft hair.

"Don't mention it. Tomorrow, let's play basketball again, okay?"

"Un"

Tetsuya nodded happily. Both continued their walk towards the manor. Daiki went straight to his room to change shirt so did Tetsuya. He just hoped his mother won't be mad at him for taking his afternoon outside than to read books. After dinner they went back to their own rooms. After reading some pages of his book, he changed into his pj's and went to his bed. Today was so much fun. He really enjoyed basketball with Daiki nii-san a lot. He closed his eyes and went to sleep. And instead the usual dreams of nightmares or his mother and him only. Tonight he dreamt about his Daiki nii-san playing with him in a basketball court. Both of them are smiling so widely and having a lot of fun. He unconsciously hugged plushie tighter and a smile crept on his soft lips.

Thanks for reading it. It was kinda long but hoped you enjoyed it. Daiki and Tetsuya has a moment here. The others will soon come after. Until next time see you (^_^)