Chapter 2 - Getting to Know Him Better

Furihata's eyes widened. He looked at his third year captain and his coach disbelieve. Everyone had started congratulating him. "I'm a… captain? Are you sure it's the right decision to do so?", wondering if he heard them right. He stepped forward, face flushing in shyness at his former captain.

Hyuuga nodded and ruffled his brown hair. "You deserve it, captain. After all I've seen how much you've always attentive to your teammates. How you become the support in the court. Not only that, your skill had become better and better. It's true that you tend to be nervous, but it'll disappear once you built more confident."

"Meaning, you have to bring your team into the match more often, Furihata!" Riko crossed her arms, smiling firmly.

Furihata bowed deeply. "Thank you. I will work hard to achieve winning back to back!"

His teammates gave him an applause, smiling and laughing.

"Even to Akashi? That's an awesome goal, Furi!" Fukuda chuckled.

Furihata only laughed nervously at him. Well, they've won the Winter Cup against Rakuzan, but of course, this year they will strike again to the stronger Rakuzan and practice a lot. It was his plan to lead the team into winning. At least that's what he hope for, until Riko told them the team will have a friendly match with rakuzan in the upcoming weeks. Furihata's soul almost slipped out at the reminder of Akashi and his fierce battle against him in the court. Not to mention that Akashi had… had splashed him with a cold water in that cafe bar. He looked down to his feet, wondering if the guy still found him unbearable to face against with. The brown hair boy clenched his fists, remembering the way Akashi talked down to him.

"You are pathetic. How can someone like you was chosen to mark me in the court? I'm ashamed to think so highly of you."

'I've practice a lot, I'm a better Point Guard this year. I'll do my best.' He promised to himself to make Akashi change his view on him.

The upcoming match with Rakuzan actually driven Furihata quiet timid. This time we was a captain, he couldn't just walked away and hide as a bench warmer. He needed to lead his team to winning. He started to feel the heavy burden perched on his shoulders.

"Captain, are you alright?" Kagami who noticed his stiff posture couldn't help but ask.

"More like, I want to throw up." Furihata sighed and rubbed his belly.

"It's your first time leading the team as a captain, just do like you normally do. It'll be alright." Kuroko patted his shoulder.

"Y-yeah… It's just that… Akashi…" He paused, wondering what might his friend said if they found out he fear Akashi the most. He didn't told them about what happened in the bar, but that didn't feel the need to blabbering about someone's attitude. He stopped thinking when Rakuzan walked inside the court to start warming up.

"I have to say that maybe he'll take it easy since this is a friendly match." Kuroko smiled when Akashi directed his gaze to him. Or rather… Furihata? For a moment Kuroko thought he was looking at him.

"I-I see… I hope so…" Furihata stuttered.

The match started. Akashi noticed that Furihata was standing in front of him with a timid look. Smiling at the quivering chihuahua, he extend his hand to him.

"So, you are a captain, now." Akashi smirked, he smirked while clenching at Furihata's hand.

Furihata nodded, forcing himself to smile. "Y-yes."

"Show me your best, then.."

The brunette in front him shivered, wishing that time will move forward faster.

The match began with Rakuzan claiming the first point. Even only a practice match with other time, they showed no mercy. Akashi dribbled his ball, having his way to the ring, Kagami blocked his attack. Smirking at Kagami who stole the ball and leading his team forward to the goal, Akashi's chased after them. He stopped when Furihata stood before him, guarding him with both of his hands up in the air.

"I won't let you have your way." Furihata leaned forward, blocking Akashi's path.

Seirin scored a three. Furihata smiled at his teammates.

"Heeh… are you sure you can defend me in full session?" Akashi smiled, catching the ball thrown to him.

Furihata gave him a look, gritting his teeth as he bend down in full guard pose. "This time, I will." He showed him his strength. This time, even if Akashi was doing his ankle-break technique, he won't give up. He will try to stand up as fast as he could, guarding him like a maniac. After all, this will be a start of him as a captain.

The ball was passed from Kuroko's to Fukuda. Akashi lurched forward, readying himself to steal the ball. Furihata gasped, knowing exactly his aim. He quickly run up to his front, blocking his steal. Akashi blinked when Furihata stood before him, glaring as if he won't even let his pinky touch the ball. Fukuda scored and Seirin took the lead.

The second time Furihata got the ball, Akashi jumped to block his path. Furihata also jumped, they accidentally smacked their forehead, sending them tumbling down to the court ground.

"C-Captain! Are you alright?" Kagami shouted. Kuroko who was just passing the ball to Furihata quickly help him up.

Reo was offering his hand but Akashi shook his head, standing up on his own.

"I-I'm alright. Akashi-san… are you alright?"

Chuckling at the concern tone, Akashi smiled. "I'm alright. It was quite a fight, huh? Good job."

Furihata's eyes widened at the praise. He grinned sheepishly at the red hair boy, mumbling a thanks. Seirin got another score, the payment of Furihata's bumped forehead. He was a bit creeped out when Akashi threw him a smile ever since the incident happened. It was throughout the game, but luckily he didn't lost his performance as a Point Guard.

They won the game by one point difference. Seirin was winning, Furihata couldn't help but feeling the surge of power overwhelming him. They happily handshake with Rakuzan's team, chuckling and laughing.

Akashi extended his hand, firmly shaking Furihata's cold hand. "You did great." Akashi admitted.

Furihata stiffened. "Ah, it's nothing. I was doing a lot of practice lately."

"You really should be more confident about yourself." Akashi frowned.

"Umm right…" Furihata mumbled. His opponent still didn't let go of his hand. "I… Can you let go of my hand…?" He smiled awkwardly.

"Of course," Akashi immediately let go. They didn't say anything for a few seconds before Akashi break the ice. "Can I talk to you in private?" He pointed outside the baseball court.

Furihata shivered. He quickly looked at his teammates. They were too busy with each other and talking with Rakuzan's team, discussing their game and learning from each other. Furihata was sweating hard. He had no choice but to obey. He gave a nod before his mind agree. 'You idiot! Why did you agree?' 'But he will kill me if I don't!' And his inner turmoil started as his feet following Akashi's lead. Upon arriving at the more secluded part of the bushes around the building, Akashi turned around, fully aware of the horror on Furihata's face. He opened his mouth, paused and watched as Furihata slightly trembled below his gaze.

"I'm sorry."

Furihata blinked, mind went blank as he tried to register what the boy in front of him was saying. "What?"

"I wanted to apologize the way I act towards you that time at the bar. I'm sorry."

'Ooh… oh!' Furihata quickly bowed down. "It's alright! I shouldn't have act like that either. I was drunk and-" He looked up to when the red haired boy pulled at his hand.

"Thank you." Akashi stopped his speech.

Furihata stared into his red eyes, stop talking before his lips curved into a smile. The smile brought Akashi stunned and stared, admiring his smile.

"I wish you'd smile more, Furihata. For me." Akashi chuckled as soon as the brown haired boy realize what he meant. The blush adorning his cheeks made him cuter, mixed with his stuttering and nervous behaviour. As much as he wanted to cares those cheeks, Akashi hold himself from doing so.

"Say, do you have some plan for next week? It's the start of Golden Week."

"Ooh… ummm… no, I think. Except for the team, I guess we'll be having another training camp."

"I see… I'll be going back to Kyoto at the start of Golden Week. I was thinking of inviting you over to learn more about Point Guard."

"EH?! Aah no, it's okay, you don't have to do that!" Furihata waved his hands in front of his face, flustered by the sudden invitation from the Emperor.

"Please do accept it as my apology."

"No, no, you don't have to." Furihata flusteredly shook his head, stepping backwards.

Akashi smiled. "Please, I insist. I'd be very disappointed if you didn't want to."

Furihata closed his mouth, lowering his hands. "Uhh… I guess I'll have no choice, then." He mumbled, rubbing the back of his head with a smile. "I'll come." He extended his hand to shake Akashi's, shaking his hand firmly.

"Good then. I'll be looking forward to it. I'll let you know where I'll pick you up the day before we go." Akashi nodded, looking somewhat overly enthusiastic.

Furihata rubbed the tip of his nose, half embarrassed over the simple invitation. He gave a nod of agreement.

"Furi! Are you sure you aren't going to join us? I mean… we are going to have a street ball and all stuff before the training camp started." Fukuda tried to convinced him over the phone.

"I'm sorry, I have to go outside the city for two days. I will come back and join you guys in training camp later." Furihata ended the phone call. As much as he'd like to join his friends, he couldn't reject Akashi's invitation. He was in his way to the train station now. Akashi had prepared his ticket for the trip to Kyoto, it seems like the boy had prepared to go back home. Still, the invitation was nothing he could reject that easily. Akashi was not a person that simple to deal with. Furihata sighed. 'I wonder if this is a good decision.'

"Furihata!"

Furihata raised his head, his eyes immediately found the red boy waving at him with a smile. He was very well dressed even with a tie, Furihata stared at him dumbstruck.

"G-Good morning. You are… very neat." His forefinger pointed at Akashi, eyes staring at him up and down. Now he was ashamed of how casual his clothes are. He was just wearing jeans with a yellow-blue striped polo shirt, and a back pack enough clothes for three days.

Akashi blinked and smiled. "I'm sorry, if this make you feel uncomfortable. Shall I buy a casual clothes like yours, then?"

"What?! No, no, that's a waste of money! I-I mea-" Furihata choked on his words while Akashi chuckled at him.

"I hope you don't mind me wearing this clothes until we found our seats. I was just having a meeting before I came back to Kyoto. I think I have a more casual clothes in my bag. I'll change in the train later, if that's alright with you."

Furihata just nodded meekly, he didn't trust his voice. He was relief when Akashi gave him the ticket and lead him inside their seats. Though, he should have known that Akashi was a rich person. He knew he shouldn't be surprise when Akashi lead him into a business compartment. Now he felt out of place when the compartment only have the two of them.

"I'm sorry, I actually want the first class one, but this is the one available in such a short notice."

"What? No! No, it's alright." Furihata waved his hands nervously. "Uhh… Akashi-san… where shall I seat?" Furihata looked at the several empty seats.

"Everywhere is fine. I heard there's no one else in this area other than us." Akashi nodded while pulling on several decent clothes. "Just make yourself comfortable, I will change my clothes."

The casual clothes that Akashi was talking about obviously not very casual in Furihata's eyes. The boy in front of him was used to some fancy and wealth stuff. He could see that they were in a very different level. Not only that, Akashi's basketball was even much better than he was. Furihata's heart started to clenched painfully in his chest. "I guess… we are very different, huh?"

Furihata spend the day reading the basketball tabloid, picking some interest from Akashi. They started talking about none other than basketball, Akashi started to point out the Point Guard important things to do list when they were in the court. He told Furihata he got a good defence on protecting the ball.

They lost the track of time to realize they finally arrived in their destination. Furihata stepped out the train, Akashi lead them to the exit and told him to wait until his car arrive to pick them up.

Furihata thought he'd have enough surprise for the day. He was gapping when they arrive at the gate of Akashi's house. He was about to get out of the car on his own, surprised when the chauffeur opened the door for him. Smiling awkwardly at Akashi who stood beside the chauffeur waiting for him, he slowly get out from the car, following Akashi's lead to the entrance of the house. Furihata eyed the garden they passed through, His house was very large Japanese traditional house. He gulped when the door opened from behind and several maids greeted them, asking to take his bag.

"No, it's fine. I can bring them myself. Thank you." Furihata bowed so low that almost reached 90 degree. Akashi smiled and pulled his hand, helping him out of his embarrassment.

"It's alright. Leave him alone. You've prepared my bedroom for him as well, right?"

The maid bowed. "Yes, young master."

Akashi nodded and Furihata was dragged to the young master's room upstairs.

"Young Master, huh…" Furuhata mumbled.

Akashi looked at him just in time the brown haired boy slapped a hand to his mouth. The emperor chuckled and pushed him inside his room. "Well, you must have heard it wrong. Make yourself at home."

Furihata's eyes swept to the room. It was very spacious, too large for his liking. He could fit in he whole Seirin's and Rakuzan's team inside and still not enough to make it full.

"Am I going to sleep here…?" He managed to let the question out.

"If you want to. Have you never have a sleepover with your friends?"

"Huh? Of course I have, but… I've never sleepover in such a big room. This is too big, I'm not sure if I can even sleep tightly."

Akashi smiled. "Do you want to sleep somewhere else? I can provide an empty room for you."

"What? Oh no! I'm sorry, I'm alright with this. It's alright, you don't have to! I'm sorry for being so demanding."

"Are you alright with sharing bed?" Akashi pulled Furihata's bag off.

His opponent blinked, then widened his eyes. "I… i-is it alright if- if I'm sleeping on The ff-futon? I mean…" he trailed off when Akashi eyeing him confused.

"Are you sure you don't want to share the bed with me? The bed is more comfortable than sleeping on the floor."

Furihata shook his head, too embarrassed to look at Akashi.

"... If you want to. I'll ask the maid to prepare it for you then."

Furihata breathed out in relief when Akashi walked outside his room to call one of the maid. He didn't know if his heart could take anymore surprise today. Much to his relief though, Akashi lead him outside to have one-on-one with him. If anything, basketball was the only way he that could take his nervous mind away.

"Ah!" Furihata once again being passed and Akashi leaped up another score. He watched as Akashi dribbled a few time and stared at him, smiling, giving him a challenging look. His heart started to trembled with excitement. Maybe this isn't so bad after all.

"Awesome, how can you actually move so fast?" Furihata caught the ball thrown to him. He blushed when his enthusiastic showed blatantly on his face.

Akashi didn't seemed to mind. If anything he was glad Furihata was starting to look more relax around him. He learned more thing about him, basket was the one which can make him at ease. "More like I'm used to it. If you practice with me, I can help you increase your agility."

Furihata dribbled, defending his ball before Akashi steal it easily from his possession. Furihata gasped, stepping backward to balance himself he lose his footing. Akashi caught him by the wrist, eyeing him in concern.

"T-thanks…" Furihata smiled softly. His stomach growled as he stood straight. Blushing, he rubbed his belly, earning a chuckle from his opponent.

"Well, we shouldn't hurry. We got the whole day tomorrow. Let's eat dinner." Akashi leaded him back to the house.

"Do you build your basketball court from a long time ago?" Furihata eyed the court.

"Yes, my mother was the one who made it for me when I was little. I've been practiced a lot since then."

"I see…"

Akashi was very serious about basketball since he was a kid. No wonder he was very good at it.

Dinner was pretty tense with Akashi sat across Furihata. Apparently, his father was out of the country. The dinner was only the two of them, but having so many dishes and dessert made Furihata full. He'd forgot about his nervous as soon as he taste one of the beef stew. He'd never taste such a delicious meal before. It's true that once in awhile he was able to be in a fancy restaurant, but Akashi's meal was in another different level.

"Thank you for the meal!" Furihata clapped his hands together. The maid suppress her giggle and bowed at him after taking his empty plates. Akashi smiled at the antique of the boy before him.

That night though, being surrounded by fancy stuff in such a big room made him unable to sleep. He stared at Akashi who was fast asleep. Furihata silently tiptoed to the balcony. He breathed in a fresh air of summer. The wind gently blew his face, Furihata shivered, wrapping his arms around his body to block the cold wind. Something wrapped around his shoulder made him jumped in surprise.

"A-Akashi-san!" he quickly made distance, flushing as he was found standing in the balcony.

"At least keep yourself warm. The wind is pretty cold even in summer in this area." Akashi pointed at the blanket he just put on Furihata's shoulder.

Furihata looked down, he chuckled awkwardly. "T-thanks…" he pulled the blanket around his body, making himself warm. "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

"I'm easy to be awake by a small sound. Don't worry about it." He leaned to the barrier of the balcony, staring at the night sky.

"I see…"

"Can't sleep?"

"I'm always like this during the first night in different place aside my room."

"I see… You'll need to wake up early for morning run though."

"Wait, what?" Surprised by the order, Akashi chuckled.

"Before we practice. I usually do morning laps and practice on my own."

"I see." Akashi practice a lot. He was shaping himself up. He was just a normal high school student with more experience than he was. He seemed pretty normal.

"What are you smiling about?"

Furihata jolted, he brushed his palm over his face, embarrassed of being caught staring. "Just thinking that… you are normal, like each of us…"

"That's rude, Furihata." Despite his words, Akashi chuckled at his new companion.

Furihata laughed. Akashi welcomed the sweet laughter ringing on his ears.

Tomorrow's practice will be more fun than usual. Akashi felt like the boy in front of him might be able to fill in the hole he'd been trying to close within his heart.

TBC