Maya woke up at 6 am. It took a minute for her to recall last night's event and how she ended up in a hospital bed.

She saw a much neater bandage on her wrist. Her mother came right after.

"Happy birthday, my dear daughter."

She competely forgot. It was her birthday. Damn. She forgot to invite friends to a birthday party her mother and 2 sisters will throw for her. But will they? Would it be right when a catastrophe just hit their town? Their country? Maybe that earthquake was actually a way out for her. She does not like other people going to her house. Especially that most of her classmates are filthy rich. She's not actually embarrassed about their home but she does not want to give anyone more cards to throw at her that involves her home and her family.

She's not exactly bullied at school. Because if that happens she knows she's gonna fight back. But maybe it's also because she tries to keep a low profile at school. She excels at academics (that's why she's a scholar) and has a kind of like nerd personality, minus the glasses. So that's to say, she doesn't have much friends. So even if she wants to, she doesnt know who to invite.

"Thank you, Mom. Where's Dad?"

"I told him to sleep at home."

"Are you all okay?"

"Yeah, turns out it wasnt that strong of an earthquake. Just minor damages to properties and no casualties reported"

"Really?", she surprised herself with how disappointed she sounded so added," I mean that's good news. But... I don't know I really thought I was gonna die last night.", she remembered being so afraid and felt like she wanted to cry, but she held her tears back.

"Oh my baby" her mother hugged her. "Ready to go home and celebrate your 16th birthday? What time will your friends be coming?"

"I don't know. I'll text them."

(at home)

"Let's see. Okay, Charlene, Yui and Mikasa That should be enough." she texted her 3 classmates.

Her phone suddenly beeped with a new text message. "Happy birthday. Thanks for inviting me. I'm with Levi senpai right now. Should I ask him to come too?"

She hadn't talked to Levi that much since she quitted the chess club. She would never admit it but if asked if she likes someone, he pops in her mind. But romance is not really Maya's thing.

She was little disappointed at how he abandoned her with Akashi during their chess match, she still holds him at high standards. When he learned that she needed to get stiches that day, he texted her to check on her and said Akashi will pay. "I'll challenge him again and wipe the board with his face.", one of his text message reads.

"Okay, sure. But tell him it's just a simple celebration. It might be too sloppy for him."

"Wait. He hasn't even greeted me. Why am I inviting him." Maya said as soon as she hung up the call.

Still on the subject of invitations, she thought if she should invite the boy who saved her last night. 'I wasnt able to thank him yet.' She recalled last nights events.

It's Saturday today so she wont be seeing him at school and she has no contact of him.

'Well he almost killed me last November so maybe we'll just call it even', she thought.

"No that's not right. But I don't have his number so I'll just thank him at school."

'Should I withdraw my complaint against him? Maybe I don't have to. I have reported in November but still, there's still no action. It's really different when your opponent is rich and powerful.'

Her birthday was celebrated simply with her family and the 3 girls from her class that she invited. At around 6 pm, Levi arrived.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Happy birthday."

"Thank you, senpai. Come in."

Maya and her visitors talked about the earthquake last night and wherr they were when it happened. They talked about other stuff about school and movies. They then decided to watch Maya's favorite movie, Lord of the Rings:Fellowship of the Ring. Just when Sam was swimming towards Frodo, someone knocked on the door. Maya's father came to get it while Maya's mother shouted "Who is it?" Maya's father said, "It's the boy from kast night"

"Good evening. I'm A

Maya almost choked on her popcorn. Levi and the 3 girls were confushed at what Akashi was doing there. Maya hadn't told them the complete story about her wrist injury, purposely leaving Akashi out it. For what reason, she doesn't know.

"Akashi!" Maya's mother exclaimed. "Maya, the one who saved you last night is here!" To Akashi she said, "Come in! Come in!"

Maya came to the door. "What are you doing here?"

"Maya! Is that how you greet the one who saved your life last night? I invited him."

"You invited him? When?"

"Last night! At the hospital while you were passed out. Now go get him some food."

Maya was still stunned.

"Maya! I needed to complete some work so be a good host. Akashi, make yourself at home"

"She's kidding. Don't do that... but do come in."

4 pairs of eyes from the living room follows Akashi and Maya as they disappeared to the dining room.

"That's the captain of the basketball team!" Yui remarked.

"More importantly, Maya's sworn enemy!", Charlene added.

"What the hell happened last night? Besides the earthquake, i mean.", Mikasa said.

Levi was still staring at the direction of the dining room. Confused at how Akashi got invited the the birthday of the girl he almost killed last December.

(On the dining room)

As Maya laid out dishes for Akashi, he said, "I'm sorry. You don't have to attend to me right now. I'll excuse myself and tell your mother I had something urgent."

"No, don't do that. You came all the way here." It was quiet for a while so Maya added, "I'm sorry at how I reacted on the door. I just, I didn't know my Mom invited you. And I think even if I know, I still would have bet you wouldn't come."

"Me, too."

"What? So why did you come?"

Akashi eyed the food Maya's preparing.

"I'm sorry. But I heard you were rich? Was that not true? So you're here because of free food?"

"Not free food. Home cooked."

Maya's eyes narrowed.

"I live alone."

"You have a butler."

"That's still different if it's cooked by a mother."

Maya was a little strucked. She feels like she needed to be careful for her next few words. Akashi sensed it so he said, "How was your wrist."

"It's fine. I could move my hand a little. Can you believe it, they all said it wasnt a strong earthquake."

"I heard it from the news."

"Right? How could they say it's weak? I thought I was gonna die for sure!"... "But thanks to you, I didn't".

Looking down she said again "Thank you."

"I'm glad I went to check to lab."

"And I'm thankful you did. Go eat. My mother cooked it. It's no steak or caviar, or- or- I ran out of fancy meals."

Akashi chucked as he takes a bite of pasta

"It's good"

"I know. My mom cooked it and it's free."

He laughed softly.

"Won't you eat with me?"

"No, we just ate. Go ahead, I'll keep you company."

Maya's mother came to the dining room, "I'm glad you could come, Akashi. But we are going to turn in early as we have to get up early too. Maya, be a good host."

"Okay, Mom. Good night". She stood up and kissed her mom on the cheek, "I love you. Thanks for preparing it all".

"I love you, too. Happy birthday."

"Thanks for the delicious meal." Akashi added.

"Enjoy yourselves kids. It's Saturday." then Maya's mom went up to their room.

Akashi had finished eating and Maya had put away the dishes when Levi entered the dining room.

"So what happened last night?" Levi asked.

"An earthquake, which you all said you barely felt." Maya answered.

"Yes, and is that why he's here?"

"He was invited.", Maya answered again. Feeling tensed like air suddenly became thinner with Akashi and Levi both in the room, like how it was during their chess match.

"Why?"

"Because my Mom invited him.".. before Levi could say 'why again' Maya continued "Because as I told you I was at the chem lab when the shaking happened and electricity went out. I hurt my wrist on one of the broken glasses that fell. I couldn't get out until I got rescued."

"You didn't tell us it was Akashi."

"Well, you didn't ask."

That silenced Levi for a while.

"So he saved your life and suddenly you're best friends with him?"

"Uhm. No. He saved my life and as a gesture of gratitude, I invited him?"

"Didn't your mom invite him without your permission?"

"Yes, but I ratified it." Maya said like she's challenging him to know what it means.

"Does your mom also know that he almost killed you too?"

"Senpai!"

Silence filled the air then Akashi said:

"Maya, even you first thought it was weird that I came to your birthday. I don't hold it against you. I did hurt you. I didn't save your life to make up for it, it was just the right thing to do. Any man, in their right mind, would have done it. I camr here today to apologize for how I acted during that chess game. I would pay for my crimes if you tell me how?"

"Hahah. I know how. Report yourself for violence at the school board."

"Okay. I would do that"

"No, don't."

"I should. What happened last night doesnt absolve me of what I did-"

"No, because, I- I already reported you."

Silence filled the space between them.

"So you see where I'm coming from? It's weird to see you too together, like this, laughing, looking like friends. When you almost killed her and now she's stabbing you on the back" he was laughing again.

"You did the right thing." Akashi said turning to Maya. "I'll comply with whatever punishment is just for my actions. I won't hold a grudge to you."

She just nodded.

"I'll get going, Maya. Thank you for the meal."

"Us too Maya." the three girls said. "The movie's been over for quite a while. It was really nice. We'll go now. Happy birthday."

"Thank you!" when talking about her favorite movie, Maya forgot for a moment that Alashi and Levi exists. "Let's see the sequel together too." She saw them to the door. She just left them. Levi followed.

Then the four of them left but not before Levi said "Happy birthday. Congrats on your new best friend."

"Maya almost slammed the door.

She was really annoyed at how Levi acted. She has been a good junior and a friend to him, especially while in the chess club and she has high regards for him, but not this night. 'Why does he feel he has a say on who gets to be invited?' But turning around, she saw Akashi, and knew the answer.

Levi considers him his rival. He being the king in chess was never questioned, until that day. But another reason that involves Levi being jealous tried to surface from her mind but she buried it away immediately. She would never assume such a thing. It's enough reason for him to be irritated when he unexpectedly sees his rival at his friend's birthday.

"So that was why you couldn't greet me last Christmas."

"Huh?"

"You even greeted Kotaro, and he's been calling you a witch."

"Kotaro's just dumb."

Akashi chuckled.

"But yes, that's why I couldn't greet you. Because I know I reported you. I couldn't act like I don't hate you when I'm doing something that could ruin you. And you, you were acting kindly and I saw you at Church so I was just- it was just really weird for me to see you like that after... after.."

"I know. It's okay. I understand" After a while "It's late. I should get going too."

"Yes. It was weird but thank you for coming."

"Hmm."

"And thank you for saving me life. Don't worry, I'll drop my complaint"

"Don't do that." he almost shouted. "Don't"

Maya knows it's the pride that's talking now. And she don't really want to argue with it.

"Here. Before I forgot", handing her a box wrapped in pink with a blue ribbon.

"You got me a present?", Maya received gently with a little disbelief.

"It's not much, since,... we are not friends...yet. It's obligatory and I also don't want to come empty-handed."

She admired the wrapping for a while, smiling. This birthday was when she received the most presents. Five!

"Well then. Here comes an obligatory thanks." She said smiling. "Thanks." she said straight but not completely without emotion.

"Happy birthday. See you at school."

Then Akashi went home.

Maya went up to her room and opened Akashi's present. It was a lamp in the shape of an Erlenmeyer Flask.

Akashi had his butler buy a gift for Maya. It's not the first time he's going to attend a birthday party of someone who used to be his enemy. He just recently did it with Kuroko, the one that Kagami organized, and that was weeks after he cut Kagami with Midorima's scissors. He thought if he could make it okay with Kagami and Kuroko, she should make it okay with Maya too. But he felt he needed something to do or to give her as a peace offering. Afterall, they go to the same school.

When his butler asked what should he buy, he told him the only thing he knows about her, she likes chemistry.