Weeks and months passed by, Maya finished her community service and Akashi and the rest of basketball club continue on to win the Inter-high. The entire school celebrated their victory and with Akashi being named the MVP, his whole class was the proudest.

They were chanting "MVP! MVP!" the day he first walked in after being named MVP of the Inter-high. Even Maya was clapping and shouting, but when they changed the shouting from MVP to "Akashi" for some reason, her mouth suddenly got zipped.

She doesn't understand why but as a fan of basketball, she can 100% admit she admires his talent, leadership and just all his basketball persona. But when he is outside the court, the realization that he is a person too and he is in her class and he had talked to her, gave her a gift, played chess on her house, ate on her dining table, along with many other natural, normal, and weird interactions, it all makes her feel like they are not the same person, making it hard for her to cheer on his name. 'Is it hatred? Do I hate him, that's why I can't mention his name? No, I don't believe I hate him. Is it shame? Because knowing he's just a person like me but is too far above my league makes me feel so small? Or am I still beaten up that he crushed me at chess? No, I believe that's given. It was only a matter of how long I'll survive. I survived long, didn't I? Or do I remember it wrong? Did he downplay his skills back then? Did he make a fool out of me and intentionally prolonged the game? No, he doesn't have any reason to do that? Wait, why am I still thinking about that night? It's been 2 months! Stop, Maya, stop! Why did I hug him? Why did you have to hug him, Maya? He thinks less of you now. He thinks you're easy. So what? He could think whatever he likes. Maybe he doesn't even think about me. I don't care. I don't. I-"

"Maya, are you coming?" Charlene snapped her out of her thoughts.

"What, where?"

"They're throwing a victory party for Akashi and the basketball club. Just a karaoke session and dinner after school. Let's come together."

"A party?"

"Just this once, please come. You never bond with us anymore."

"What? I always invite you to the lab to do experiments with me. You always reject me."

"You know I hate the lab"

"And you know I hate big parties."

"It's in Cafe Laura. The food there is so good."

"Sounds fancy, I won't fit in."

"But Akashi will treat the whole class! He rarely makes a display of how rich he is, let's take advantage of it!"

"I would love to but...have lots of work to do. Mr. Furiwata tasked me to do something for his class tomorrow. I'm really sorry, Charlene. I'll make it up to you."

"You already said that before."

Maya just smiled widely. Charlene seemed to accept it since she smiled back then get back to the others who will be joining their class party later.

Akashi was busy talking with the others about their championship game with Kaijo. Some of the girls were still swooning over Kise and were asking Akashi of his phone number which Akashi gracefully refused as he could not do that kind of betrayal to Kise, just right after he had beaten them. He might still be heartbroken by the defeat and he knows that feeling well. He will have to check with Kuroko on what he should do with Kise's admirers.

Though it was very loud in their classroom, when Akashi saw Maya talking with Charlene, he knew exactly what the conversation was about. He knows Maya won't come.

On a Friday night afterschool, Akashi's class went out and had dinner and karaoke. Kotaro sang 5 times. Even Nebuya sang 1 song, but Akashi was able to dodge the microphone 3 times. At 9 pm, the party had ended and they went home. Akashi also decided to go straight home after eating. But when they said their goodbye and he and the basketball club were about to walk home together, for some unexplained reason, he turned around to the direction of the school.

"You go on ahead. I just need to check something at school."

"Are you gonna practice? But we are still on a break, right?"

"Don't worry. I'm not gonna practice tonight and I won't ask you too. We've earned this break. I just need to check something quick. Rest well. We resume practice tomorrow." And turned around and ran.

"Wah, that punk really is something else. He just wants to practice alone." He heard Kotaro said in the background

He ran back to school. He doesn't even know where he is going but he ran up two flights of stairs. 'What are you doing, Akashi?' he asked himself thinking the other him would answer. And he did. 'You know where.' it answered. Then he found himself on the third floor, looking at the only room with lights turned on. He walked slowly to calm his breath and found the thing, the one, who had somehow drawn him to the school laboratory.

"I figured you'll be here." He said as he walked in.

Maya almost broke the stirring rod she was holding. She was hovering over a boiling pot, mixing its contents gently.

"What are you doing here?!" though those words shoot up a dejavu moment in her head. This was the fourth time she said those words to him. First, her birthday, second, on the school bus, third, that night he showed up at her house to play chess.

"I've always wanted to visit the lab." He said as he looked around.

"What are you saying? You've been here already." Maya replied, eyes still on the boiling pot she was stirring.

"Yes, but it was too dark to see anything back then. Except for broken pieces of glass and someone who needed saving."

Maya sighed loudly but then looked at him and said "Are you cashing in again your one great deed? Ask me whatever but I'm not playing chess with you ever again."

"Why not?"

"It's the most nerve-wracking experience of my life. Every move I make I feel like my heart's gonna explode."

"It's just a chess game. Why would you feel that?"

"It's a chess game with you!"

"What's that supposed to mean? I play board games with myself all the time."

"Yeah, yeah, you're a lunatic" Maya thought but zipped her mouth. She then covered the boiling pot and faced him. "I know for sure I'm gonna lose because I'm not as crazy as you or Levi for board games, but chess is a mind game. Strategic game. A game for intelligent people. And I'm in this school because some sponsors think I'm smart and I'd like to believe that too. But playing with you...I guess...if I lose in a matter of seconds because of some idiotic move, you'd think I really am garbage. And I would think I'm garbage."

Akashi suddenly felt the burden of the sins of his past just came back. Ten times heavier. He didn't know that that single mean statement of him, back in that day, had that much effect on her. Make her doubt herself when she is one of the smartest students in the school. 'Maybe the worst thing I ever did, when I was not myself, was what I did to her."

"I'm sorry." He said. "I'll forever apologize for saying the things I said to you back on that day we first met."

Maya suddenly felt cold. She didn't mean for the conversation to go this way when she just wanted to reason, to him and to herself, why her heart was so chaotic that night. She doesn't really need more apology from him for that day. What he did when he saved her life was more than enough redemption.

"Why are they suddenly like that?" She slapped his back. "I am not some weak-spirited human who'll crumble just because you crushed me at chess. I just explained why I was so nervous that night. But, I lasted long, didn't I? Were you impressed?" Maya said jokingly to lighten the mood.

"I am. You even pulled some tricks on me I did not see coming."

"I don't know any tricks. I just make the moves up as I go. Now tell me the truth, did you downplay your skills for that game?"

"No, I didn't," he lied. If he played at his level, he could have beaten her in 10 minutes.

"You're lying." Maya saw through it. "You could have beaten me in 10 minutes if you played at your level. You just enjoy seeing me suffer."

"Five, actually." Akashi was not surprised anymore that she almost read his mind. So he teased her a little.

"No way. Really? So I'm garbage afterall!"

"No you're not. I'm at the level of a grandmaster in Chess and Shogi. You had no chance at all. But for what it's worth, I don't think you give yourself enough credit. With a little more practice, you'll be at my level in no time."

"No, no. I'm not doing it again. Please don't make me."

"Don't worry. I won't pull that card again. At least not tonight."

"So what are you really doing here?"

"I just had extra time since we just won the championship and were on a short break before we resumed practice. I'm not used to going home early so I thought I'd pay a visit here."

"Well, I haven't come to the lab at night for so long too. I just finished my community service."

"Congratulations. The windows were very clear. Though it is so clear that a bird might fly to it and..." Akashi thought if his next word would be alright, but when he saw the concern in her eyes, he swallowed it.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's clean and clear. Good job."

Maya is not sure how to respond but she said "Thanks."

"What are you doing? Your cooking apple peels?"

"Boiling. Mr. Furiwata asked me to make some natural PH indicators for his students tomorrow."

"Oh, so that is what chemistry club is up to. Just when I thought I might join.

"What!?" Maya almost shouted. "I'm sorry. I mean, but we are so lame. Not the members but what we do...it, uhm, there's no winning here. So, you won't really enjoy it. Here, have some apples. They've turned a little brown because of their potassium. They're clean, I washed my hands while peeling.

Akashi was quite full from dinner in Cafe Laura but when Maya handed him the plate, he instinctively received it. "Thank you."

"Yeah, you're welcome but you have to eat them all. I already ate 4 whole apples."

"4?"

"Where do you think all these peels come from? I have to boil it for quite some time so that it can become more accurate. I started late because I had to go to the market to buy red cabbages, onions, and beets. Why do they need so many! Why can't the students do it themselves!"

"Maybe boiling in front of students is not very efficient."

Maya rolled her eyes over that obviously correct answer.

As Akashi was eating the apples, Maya finished placing the boiled apple water into a container and stored it with others. She then cleaned up her work station and washed the dishes. The pot fell twice and the water from the faucet sprayed on her twice. Akashi finds her clumsiness a little annoying. And just a tiny bit charming.

"Science fair will soon be taking place. What was your club preparing?"

"Oh, uhm, we won't be joining as a team this year. The Robotics club got all the budget. But as for me, I'll be making snowflakes." She turned to smile at him, her excitement clear in her face.

"Snowflakes?"

"Yes, I'm gonna make snowflakes in the summer. I'm gonna make them fall like a real snowflake and I'm gonna preserve it. I'll leave those children in wonder. I'll build a contained space and make artificial clouds to make snowflakes and preserve them with superglue and sell them"

Akashi notices how her eyes light up. "How far are you in that?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." Maya said, implying that not much has been accomplished yet. "I'm done. I'm going home. Why are you really here?"

Akashi was asking himself about that too.

Before he could answer Maya continued "Are you gonna do some experiment here? We have new supplies of chemicals. But you're not a member. You can't use them. Also, we'll be demonstrating to elementary students next week so I'll be practicing so I'll need them too. Sorry."

"Too bad. Maybe I'll join your club afterall"

Maya thought for a second "No, you won't." Then they went out. Akashi watched as she locked the door.

Silence follows as they both realize they will be going home together.

"Are you not afraid of being the only one in the building at this hour?"

"The astronomy club is still on the rooftop. Those losers waiting to discover a new comet or something. But most of them don't even know how to position a telescope."

"And you do?"

Maya smiled, pointed and winked at him with "Tsk" and added "These days, you can learn whatever you want to. There are video tutorials of everything."

"But not many people have the will to really do them."

"Yes."

They were both silent again as they reached the second floor.

"I am not afraid of staying late, even alone. This is a pretty safe town and our school has security cameras everywhere. And you were always staying later than I do so I know I'm not the last one at the building." She smiled at him again. Akashi's getting fond of her smiling.

"But not tonight."

"Is that why you checked up on me?"

Akashi was flustered at her question, as he also questioned himself. But he calmly answered, "I do stay later than you. Maybe I just don't want that record broken yet so I came back."

'Of course' Maya thought. 'Did I sound like I assumed he came back for me?'

"So it was a competition for you. There was one night I tried to wait until you went home, so I'd be the last one. Then I heard basketball dribbling so I gave up.", she said.

Akashi remembered that one time past 10 pm and the lights at the lab were still on when he was about to go. Then he decided to practice some more.

"Did you really come to the lab because you wanted to do an experiment at such a late hour? I mean I understand sometimes you just have to test your hypothesis and you can't rest until you do. But was there some other reason?" She continued.

Akashi tried to remember when he said he would do experiments. Oh, that's right. He didn't. She was the one who made up that reason in her head. So he answered, "Everyone came to the party earlier, except you. As the class president, I wanted to check up on you. Are you okay?"

Maya felt flustered. "Huh? I'm okay. I was just really busy."

"Yes, boiling fruits and vegetables."

"That's not all I did!"

He chuckled a little.

"I have treated everyone as thanks for their support. I would like to thank you too."

Maya looked at him fondly, "I'm still not used to you being so kind."

"Call it character development."

"It's okay, you don't need to worry that you were not able to treat me like the others. I'm happy you got to celebrate. And you're gonna win again this winter cup."

"Is that another witch's prediction?"

"No, it's my declaration. I'll get going now. Bye. See you on Monday."

She started walking home, then realized Akashi was still tailing her.

She turned around as if to question him but he immediately said, "This is my way home too."

And so Akashi Seijuro and Hyuga Maya walked home together for the first time.