Sorry for the late update!

Xx xX

Akashi was about to leave the music room after checking it, but he stopped short by the doorway when he saw Kotoha acting weirdly in front of him. She was crouching low on the floor, hands on her cheeks as she stared blankly into space. So he approached Kotoha to ask her what was wrong, closing the door behind him afterwards. The sound of his steps and the door being shut pushed Kotoha out of her trance, and that's when she realized that Akashi was already standing in front of her. He has that blend of surprised and confused expression on him certainly because of how she's acting right now, but before he could say anything, she spoke up. "Are you sure they're not mad at me?" she asked nervously. Well, she remembered that she was supposed to stay in the living room and wait for Shuuko and Shiori there but here she was, crouching low on the floor in front of Akashi, in panic. She was afraid that what she did would break the trust Akashi's mother has given her on the very first day that she'll be meeting her, and thus breaking her approval for their friendship too.

The boy's lips formed a smile because Kotoha was worrying about a stuff she shouldn't really stress herself over. "It'll be okay. Trust me," he said, giving her a thumbs-up, before he gestured that they should be going to the living room already. Kotoha frowned at Akashi's back, but anyway, she still rose from her position and trailed behind Akashi.

Should she really trust him? What if he was just making fun of her? Kotoha didn't think so, though. From what she heard (and what she has observed so far), Akashi's a good kid. Plus, he's a bit formal for his age so he won't do that most likely.

Kotoha hastened her steps to catch up with Akashi's pace, and when she was already walking beside him, the boy glanced at her and smiled again. "It's not like you did something so bad. Mom wouldn't mind. She'll understand," he said, sounding so encouraging that she somehow felt bad for doubting him a while ago. Nevertheless, what Akashi did relieved Kotoha from her stresses. First, what he said just now convinced Kotoha that she should not worry about Shuuko and Shiori getting mad at her. Trust me. After all, it was not that serious and offensive. Akashi himself said so. Therefore, she slowly nodded her head, muttering an 'okay' as a wide grin made its way onto her face again, brushing her anxiety off.

More importantly, she was so relieved and happy to see Akashi smiling wider—and more often—than the first time they've met, and maybe that's a good sign that her plans are working out somehow. Perhaps this visit actually helped Akashi in some way she doesn't know, but the results would most likely be the ones to speak in Akashi's place.

Now that Akashi has convinced her that worrying about what she did is not necessary, Kotoha is back to her usual gregarious self. While on their way, she asked Akashi a few things about his inclination to music. She learned that he often plays the piano and the violin, and that he usually plays for his mother especially when she's not feeling well. He said he invites her to the music room after he has mastered a certain piece so that she can listen to it and give him comments about it before his music sessions. "She loves it when I play for her. She said it always makes her happy," he said, and even without saying it, it was so obvious of him that he also loves playing for her. "That's why I always do my best during my practice, so I can play even the difficult yet beautiful pieces for her." Kotoha became silent when Akashi said that because through his words, she can tell that he truly, deeply loves his mother. And it amazes her. Maybe the music lessons weren't things that he intended to take in the first place but he was, in fact, enjoying it because by learning music, he has another way to make his mother happy. And he loves that.

He wasn't doing it for himself, but rather, he was doing it for his mother.

"That's amazing!" she said, giggling at how adorable Akashi was while talking about his mother. However, Kotoha couldn't help but wonder—what about the other things he is forced to master? Why was he doing them though, as what Shuuko said, he doesn't enjoy them at all? Kotoha was curious but she realized that they were about to enter the living room, so she didn't ask him anymore.

Shuuko waved at the two children as they entered the living room. She was standing beside Akashi's mother, who was seated on the couch with a glass of orange juice on her hands and who seems to be talking about something to Shuuko. The lady stopped and looked over Kotoha and Akashi's direction upon noticing Shuuko waving at them. A smile crept on her face at the sight of the two, and so she also waved her hand and beckoned the children to come and join them. Pretty much proved that Kotoha worried too much about something she shouldn't worry about.

"I told you it'll be fine," Akashi said with a low voice, raising a thumb at his friend, before he approached his mother. Kotoha was a bit surprised with what she saw, so she came into a halt because she wanted to observe Akashi as he went to his mother with an expression Kotoha hadn't seen before. Was it an expression of overjoy? Or an expression of gratitude for having someone who makes you feel loved? Either way, there is one thing that might be true about it—no one and nothing could ever make Akashi feel whatever he's exactly feeling right now other than his very own mother. Even Kotoha, as a friend, doesn't expect (and she doesn't believe) that she can make Akashi that happy the way his mother did right now.

The woman caged him into a warm motherly hug which is possibly their way of greeting each other every day. It was an utterly touching, picture-perfect sight for Kotoha that she found herself smiling widely. She has seen quite a lot of this scene in television shows, but she feels a more intense emotion today compared to all those that she has seen before. Witnessing something unscripted and genuine totally creates a difference.

"Chiaki!" The little girl broke away from her thoughts when she heard her name. And she was surprised when she realized that it was actually Akashi's mother who was calling her after Akashi and she pulled apart from the hug. She was beaming at her as though she has known her for a long time. It made Kotoha feel overjoyed too, and so she, without a bit hesitation rushed towards them and introduced herself in front of the mother of his dear new friend.

Kotoha's visit has been pretty much a "getting to know each other" visit between Akashi and her, and Akashi's mother and her. She definitely cannot learn everything about them in about an hour of interacting with them, but at the very least, she has somehow gotten to know both of them better.

Akashi may have a strict father, but thankfully, he has a caring and understanding mother who does her best to make the loads of his son lighter for him to handle. She even cancelled Akashi's scheduled activities until lunch time so he will have time to relax himself and be just like any other child in the short span of time that his mother can give him. (Except for his violin session because he particularly enjoys that one.) No wonder, Akashi is willing to do everything for her because Shiori herself does everything she can for her son. Her husband might disapprove of what she did, but she still did it for her son's sake.

"Well, it's just for today," she whispered to Kotoha as they headed to the dining room for some snacks. Akashi was walking ahead of them, so Kotoha saw that as an opportunity to ask Shiori questions that she didn't want Akashi to hear. "He'll not like it, for sure, but it's okay," she glanced at the girl beside her and smiled so she won't have to worry. "Sei's enjoying. That's what matters."

"Does that mean I can't visit him often?" Kotoha asked. If she were to visit every week, that wouldn't be good for Akashi and his mother.

Shiori was silent for a moment until she nodded her head and heaved a sigh. "Yes. Akashi's father will become suspicious if I'd cancel his activities weekly. But,"—she paused—"I'll try to come up with something, okay?" she said to Kotoha, putting her hand on her shoulder and patted it to assure her that things will be fine sooner. Her words also has this "trust-me" message wrapped around them, and no doubt, she really is Akashi Seijuurou's mother. Their alikeness speaks so much about how close their hearts are. "Anyway, let's not think about it and just enjoy this day."

Akashi's mother has shown genuine kindness and interest towards Kotoha in her short visit and she treated her like Kotoha wasn't at all a stranger to her. That particularly helped her feel comfortable around Akashi's mother. Hence, despite being in a "danger zone" where any minute Akashi's father might appear and see her, she felt safe knowing that Akashi's mother is there for her... and for Akashi, of course.

Their worries set aside, they all let themselves enjoy the remaining hours of Kotoha's visit ahead. Kotoha is having so much fun that she wanted to stay here until afternoon, but given the circumstances, she can't.

After having snacks and an hour of chats, Shiori told the two children to use the remaining hour for play time. She told Kotoha that Akashi doesn't have that much time for playing given his hectic schedule, but he's still a child and he needs to go have fun sometimes to balance things. "Okay, leave it to me, Shiori-san. I'll make sure Akashi will have fun!" she cheerily said, with only one game in mind that will make good use of the lawn.

"Tag, you're it, Chiaki," Akashi said with what can be called a grin after he has tapped her right shoulder, and then he stopped from running and waited for what would be Kotoha's reaction.

It wasn't Akashi's first time to play the game. Probably second or third as what he told Kotoha when she asked if Akashi has ever played Tag in his eight years of existence. Though experience-wise, Kotoha still got the advantage, since she has played this game for countless times with her cousin and her friends. With all her "experience" in playing Tag, she thought it would be easy playing the game with Akashi. Not until she remembered how good he was in basketball and, though Tag and basketball aren't exactly the same, both games involve running. Therefore, in terms of skills, Akashi totally had Kotoha at a disadvantage, so regardless of how "inexperienced" Akashi is in Tag, one cannot label him as a beginner or an amateur.

Kotoha stopped and turned around to face Akashi, frowning. She was so wrong for underestimating Akashi even in this simple game of Tag plainly because he often spends his time studying and learning stuffs that Kotoha doesn't even know. "That's it. I quit," she said, raising her hands up in defeat and pouted at Akashi. "You're a pro. You can tag me within thirty seconds."

Akashi let out a chuckle, and Kotoha somehow saw it as an act of mocking her for her skills in Tag. "Then I'll tag you after a minute next time," he said, not too teasingly but teasingly enough to make Kotoha extend her frown downwards. "Anyway, you quit too quick. I'm only starting to enjoy the game."

"Of course you do, since you enjoy tagging me back a little after I tagged you," Kotoha said, crossing her arms across her chest. "But I don't enjoy that. It takes me so long to tag you back again. And I'm tired. Let's just continue the game next time," she said and turned her back to Akashi again.

Nonetheless, she was happy that Akashi told her that he is enjoying. Whether or not he is serious about it, even jokes are half-meant. And the grin on his face is the clear evidence of what Akashi is feeling. She tried to keep herself from giggling or grinning too, but she couldn't help but smile. "Next time," she looked over her shoulder and grinned with confidence at him. "I won't let you tag me back easily." Akashi's orbs widened for a moment but he was able to compose himself immediately. Perhaps he still isn't used to Kotoha's cheerfulness, to how she can manage to give everyone a smile every time.

"Anyway, you have a pool, right?" Kotoha averted the topic, her eyes sparkling with interest of wanting to go to the pool and soak her feet in the blue water. She heard it from Shuuko as they were on their way to the mansion, but she wasn't able to see it yet. "Can we go there?"

"Sure. Follow me."

The pool is located behind the mansion and when they arrived there, she was then again astonished by the beauty of the place. She was about to run towards the pool in excitement but Akashi warned her not to. "Careful. Someone once slipped there and fell into the pool." Hehe, oops.

Her steps slowed down and she carefully put one foot ahead of the other until she got to the lower right edge of the pool, a part where the tiles are a little dry. She was wearing knee-length shorts and slippers so it was less of a hassle to dip her legs in the water, and so she did and a wide triumphant smile crept onto her face. Then, she waved at Akashi, telling him to walk faster so that he can allow his feet to enjoy the cold water too.

"Your place is awesome, Akashi!" she energetically opened the conversation when Akashi was about to sit beside her. "You seriously have everything I could ask for."

Akashi's orbs met hers with the joy on his face fading away as if it was being erased by the summer breeze. His smile was still there, but it wasn't anything like the smile that he had earlier. It was unexpected, and Kotoha wondered if she shouldn't have said that though she didn't mean to cross the line. "Yeah, I guess" was Akashi's reply before he broke the eye contact between them. Kotoha became nervous when Akashi's mood changed. He was already there—Kotoha can already see a spark of joy in his eyes but now, she had a sense of guilt for letting the spark grow dim again, though unintentional. She wanted to bring it back. It was the sole reason why she befriended him. However, she doesn't know how to do so anymore, so she took off her gaze at Akashi and directed it to the pool in front of her instead.

Even without looking up, Kotoha can see the reflection of the fair blue skies on the pool water. It's still as beautiful as ever, but she will always prefer to lift her gaze at the skies. So she looked up and smiled and that's when she surprisingly came up with something that could possibly cheer her friend up. "Whenever I feel sad, I always look up at the skies and stare at it," she said, taking Akashi's attention as she felt his gaze back on her. "I feel better when I do that."

"What if the skies are dark or what if it's raining? Do you still feel better looking up at the skies?" Akashi asked.

Kotoha turned and beamed at him as though he has asked something with the answer right in front of him. "Yeah! I'll just... imagine that the skies are crying for me too," she animatedly told him to make it more convincing, pointing at the fluffy white clouds up above them. "That way, even if I'm alone, I will not feel lonely anymore since the skies are there for me."

"'I should always try to find reasons to be happy because I can surely find one,' right?" Akashi quoted her as he smiled again, a little less forcefully this time.

"Yeah," Kotoha said, nodding her head in agreement. "I don't know if the skies can make you feel better, though. But your Mom... You can go to her when you feel sad," she said as she kicked the pool water with her feet. "I saw how happy you were when you saw her a while ago."

The splashes of water almost got them soaked so Kotoha stopped kicking the water since she doesn't want to receive any scolding from her mom. "Yeah," Akashi spoke up. "She always tells me that too," he said, the edges of his lips curving up more into a closed-lipped smile. Did that make him feel better?

"By the way," he added, changing the topic because it seems like he doesn't want to open up about everything about him yet. He really is mysterious. "Your surname fits you."

My surname fits me? Kotoha stared blankly at Akashi as she tried to process what he meant by that. Akashi must have noticed so he chuckled and said, "The meaning of your surname pretty much describes you. You seem to never run out of smiles."

Realization showered upon Kotoha and she gasped in awe. "Ah!" she exclaimed, followed by her signature laugh. "My grandfather told me what my surname means and—hehe—I also think it suits me well." She remembered that time clearly. She was about four years old when her grandfather explained to her what her surname means, and she was so happy to learn about it. It was amazing to have a surname that completely suits about what kind of person you are. "It means 'a thousand times cheerful'."

Her relatives always tell her that when she was a baby, Kotoha smiled like there's no tomorrow. Like her life depended on her smiles. At the simplest things—anything colorful, people smiling and kissing her arms, people making funny faces in front of her, her most loved skies—she smiles and giggles. As she grew up, this part of her remained. The only difference is that she wanted to use this quality of her to help other people. She wanted to share her joys and smiles to other people, the way she did when she was still an innocent baby. That's why she's here beside Akashi. That's why she's willing to cross danger zones—she was willing and she really wanted to help that fear wasn't able to stop her.

In the remaining minutes of Kotoha's visit, they stayed by the pool talking about things that will help them have a better grasp of each other's personality and traits. Later on, Shuuko arrived and told her that her father's already waiting by the gates. Good things do come to an end, and so does this visit of hers. Once again, she wished she had the ability to extend the minutes she has into hours of fun and joy in this place that she will never forget in her whole life. She badly didn't want this to end. Nevertheless, she believes that this will not be the last time that she'll set her feet in this place. Maybe this is just the beginning. She totally had fun, but she wished, more than anything else, that Akashi had too.

Xx xX