A/N: So much for enjoying myself making fluff! Thanks to this cute pairing, I guess this is a good refreshing for me XD all of my other fics are mainly hurt/comfort lool

I'm sorting the grammar by myself, so I'm sorry if I make any mistakes. You are free to point out the mistakes politely. Thank you.

Chapter 3 - The Kiss

Furihata's ears caught a ruckus near the entrance of the library. Who the hell was making such noise anyway? He frowned, tilting his head to peer at the entrance to check whoever was making the noise.

Stood up, getting ready to scold whoever it was, his eyes widened when Akashi came to view followed by several girls.

"Aka-"

"Furihata?" Akashi sent him a big smile.

"What are you doing here?" Furihata threw him a questioning look, noticing the girls were staring at Akashi. His red hair surely caught lots of attention… Well, not only his hair. The person himself was quite alluring. Furihata squinted his eyes at those girls who were staring shamelessly.

"I was going to meet Tetsuya, but looks like he is not here."

Furihata looked at the neatly wrapped present in his hand. "Oh, Kuroko was currently putting the returned books to the shelf. Any book you need help with?"

"Are you… also the library committee?"

Furihata flushed at the realization. "Y-yes…" he mumbled, looking down at his badge as if unsure it says otherwise.

"That's great. You never told me."

"You never ask." Furihata pouted. This conversation was normal. They had been practicing for almost two months every two weeks. Furihata had learn that Akashi was easy to banter with. "Do you need to give him that? If you are in a hurry, I can relay the message."

"No, I will wait for him. Anyway, you are right. I guess next time we're back to Kyoto, let's go around Kyoto instead of practice?" Akashi smiled.

"What?" the smile he received made him know that he heard him right. Who was he to deny that fun plan. "I guess…" Furihata nodded, returning the smile to Akashi.

"Akashi-kun?" Kuroko approached him.

Akashi greeted Kuroko, giving him a small box wrapped in a neat blue wrapping. Something about the promised book he had been wanting to have. Furihata watched the two talking. Somehow Akashi looked different while talking to Kuroko, politeness is number one, but there was a warm gaze that Akashi sent him. He couldn't put a name to those gaze but being in the same team during their junior high made them very close. He was distracted when Akashi waved a hand in front of him.

"Furihata, see you next time." Akashi waved at him.

Furihata nodded at him without a word. Kuroko waved at Akashi, then he took his seat beside Furihata and opening the wrapped book.

"What book did he gave you?" Furihata asked curiously. His eyes widened when Kuroko showed the book, Kuroko's face was shining brightly. "That's limited edition! How could he get that?"

"I know, right? Akashi-kun got so many connections. Apparently one of his opponent during the match of basketball knew the writer. So, I ask if he could get the book for me, I'm paying him back."

"Oh, man. I wish I knew about it. He didn't say anything about that book during our practice." he gasped when he let out some information.

"You mean Seirin's practice game in the other day with Rakuzan?"

"Y-yes!" He winced at his high-pitched tone. He couldn't say anything about their routine practice one-on-one . How should he explain to Seirin when he was practicing as a Point Guard with their opponent? Not to mention that Izuki had been teaching many things as well even though he was busy studying for the upcoming entrance examination. "T-then again, we're not that close anyway." He forced a smile.

"Do you want me to ask if Akashi got any extra book?"

"Eh? N-no, it's alright. I knew the book is expensive. I wouldn't be able to afford it at this time around." Furihata rejected softly while waving his hands dismissively.

Kuroko smiled. "I'll lend it to you after I finished it."

Furihata couldn't thanks him enough.

It's yet another day for Furihata to be in Kyoto. This time though, as promised, Akashi brought him around the city. They were walking near Kyoto's markets and Furihata brought several gifts for his family. They went back to Akashi's house during evening. Even if Akashi told them they were not practicing, they did one-on-one anyway.

Akashi spread his arms, not giving a change for Furihata to pass through. Furihata turned around while dribbling, he gasped when their face were an inch closer. Akashi's eyes widened. He was stopped on his track before Furihata moved to his side and passed him, scored.

"Yes!" Furihata jumping around in joy for being able to pass Akashi for the first time.

Akashi sighed as he pressed his palm against his hammering heart. 'Darn it, Kouki… That's not fair…'

"Furihata, I heard there's a festival going. They are opening a new temple, it's not that far from here. We can walk." Akashi told him once Furihata had stopped jumping in delight.

Furihata agreed to come. They walked back to Akashi's room to rinse off their sweat. Akashi was the first to get in.

Much to his surprise, Furihata's eyes stared at Akashi who came out of the bathroom with a yukata. He gaped at how well those fine fabric hugged his body.

"You should wear yours too. The maid should have prepared one for you." Akashi checked the basket under his hanged clothes. He was right. Prepared for Furihata was a new yukata Akashi had asked them to buy. Picking up the yukata, he walked to Furihata and pressed it against his chest. Furihata knew better than to denied such expensive looking yukata. He was too enthusiastic to object him. The brown haired boy excitedly nodded. Akashi was jolted when Furihata carelessly pulled his shirt above his head, showing the start of growing abs of his.

"I'll rinse up quickly!" He ran into the bathroom, absolutely letting his guard down.

"He is… being pretty comfortable around me lately." Akashi mumbled to himself, brushing his palm over his flushed face. It was a good thing he'd managed his cool.

Furihata came out with a big grin. He had wore the yukata and ready to go. Akashi's lips curved up, nodding in approval of his yukata being wore by Furihata.

"Looks good on you." Akashi passed him the bamboo fan.

The two of them quickly went to the temple by walking.

"I heard there will be fireworks tonight."

"That will be awesome! Oh, Akashi-san, look!" Furihata pointed at the mask stand as soon as they entered the entrance of the festival lampions.

Akashi followed him, eyeing the dog mask.

Picking a fox mask and held it in front of Akashi's face, Furihata grinned. "Why don't you wear the fox mask, Akashi-san?" Much to his surprise, Akashi wore it upon his request. That made the brown haired boy laughed at him.

Behind the mask, Akashi smiled. He couldn't help not to chuckled, knowing how much Furihata was enjoying himself more than he should have. He pulled the mask away from his face, and gave it back to Furihata. "I'll wear it if you wear the dog one."

"Why dog?"

"Because you look like one at the moment, running around and wagging your tail in front of a stand."

Furihata pouted again and put the mask back. This time though, he got a pinch on his left cheek, surprising both of them of how frontal Akashi was. Furihata blushed at the contact.

"I'm sorry, I act out of my mind." Akashi quickly retract his hand away.

Furihata shook his head, not trusting his voice to answer him. Rubbing at his cheek absentmindedly, he felt from the tip of his finger that his face had turned very warm.

"Shall we search for something to eat?" Akashi extended his hand, asking for Furihata's hand.

Furihata nodded, walking hand in hand before Akashi was pulled to a sweet snack stand. Akashi protested that it was not the kind of dinner they should be having, but Furihata bought one candy apple anyway. He happily munched the candy, sometimes licked on the sweet caramel around the apple.

"Don't you like sweet apple?" Furihata asked after he swallowed and took another bite.

"I never taste it."

The answer made Furihata choked on his apple. He coughed several times before regaining his composure.

"Eat slowly." Akashi stared with one eyebrow rose.

"I'm shocked that you've never taste it."

"Well, my mom did bought me one before she passed away. I don't remember the taste anymore."

Furihata smiled sadly. "I'm sorry."

"Don't mind it. It's fine."

"Do you want to have a taste?" Furihata turned to go back to the stand.

Akashi stared at the half bitten apple. He pulled Furihata's hand that was holding the candy stick and leaned down and took a bite. Furihata stay rooted on his spot, gaping in shock. Never in his life he'd dream of seeing Akashi eating from his hand. Even share half of his food was beyond his imagination. The most shocking thing was that Akashi was willing to eat from someone's food. Watching him munching the sweet snack he offered, Furihata waited for his reaction. He pressed his lips together, suppressing the urge to jump inside a hole in embarrassment. They were acting like a couple.

Akashi eyed him. "It's like we are on a date." He smiled after he swallowed his share.

Furihata blushed, wondering if Akashi could read his mind.

"It's good." Akashi nodded, licking his lips clean.

Furihata's heart started hammering in his chest. He kept telling him that Akashi didn't mean anything by his act and that's that.

"Let's see other stand." Akashi leaded them into the nearest stand.

Tailing Akashi, Furihata's hand trembled as he bite his apple near the place where Akashi just bite. Akashi wouldn't notice, would he? Akashi'd be creeped out by him if he knew. He could felt how hot his face was that it reached the tip of his ears.

"Have you ever… you know, going to this kind of festival alone?"

"Of course I have. I was merely looking around, though. Last time I came together with the other Generation of Miracles, but that's that. It was such a nice day if one of them hadn't share their pickled ginger to me."

Furihata laughed after hearing the way Akashi deliberately add pressure on the mention of the food he hate so much. He was learning new things every time he met Akashi.

"I see. What's your favourite, then?"

"Tofu soup."

Furihata blinked. "That's pretty simple."

Akashi chuckled. "Why Furihata, I'm a normal teenager just like you. Enough of me, what would you like to eat? Don't tell me that apple candy is enough." He glanced at the almost finished candy.

"Omelette rice might be nice, but… I wonder if they sell it around here."

They did found them though, much to Furihata's delight. Akashi ended up buying it as well. They sat near the fish pond and finished their dinner without chatting much. Akashi was fascinated when Furihata told him he could make his own Omurice.

It was reaching midnight when Akashi told them to go to the shrine. "Let's go to watch the fireworks from the shrine." Akashi leaded the way.

Furihata smiled, seeing the fireworks lightened up, forming a giant flower before dissipated.

"I know I'm not a small child to be overly excited by it, but it's still fascinating to watch them glowing and dissipated."

"It's not childish. Its beautiful, isn't it?"

"You are right."

Akashi smiled warmly at Furihata's grin. The boy quickly looked up when there's another explosion coming. Akashi stared at his glowing face. It's been two months since they kept practicing every 2 weeks, the boy's nervousness was still there but it's not the same as their first encounter. Akashi never knew since when he found his training partner more attractive each time they met. Akashi sighed, picking Furihata's attention.

"Is something wrong, Akashi-san?"

Akashi didn't answer, instead he brought his hand gracing Furihata's cheek. The brown haired boy stared at him questioningly, blinking in confusion.

"A-Akashi-san?"

Akashi pulled Furihata's chin up, surprising the boy by kissing his lips. Eyes widened in shock, he stayed rooted in his spot. Akashi's lips was surprisingly warm, slightly chapped yet he kissed him softly. Furihata took in a shaky breath, he didn't push him away. He slowly shut his eyes, tilting his head slightly to deepened the kiss. When Akashi pulled away though, he reluctantly chased his lips. His eyes fluttered opened to find Akashi's eyes staring into him deeply.

"I'm sorry." Akashi whispered.

"Eh?" Furihata's stomach churned, the butterfly inside his stomach disappeared.

"I don't know why I lose my head two times today."

Furihata shook his head mutely.

Akashi turned around, licking the remained sweetness from Furihata's lips. He could still felt Furihata's soft lips against his own.

"Let's go back?" Akashi suddenly asked with his back still facing Furihata.

Furihata's eyes widened in disbelief. To think Akashi was cutting them like this...

"Yes." He looked down, avoid meeting Akashi's eyes.

The red haired boy threw him a hurtful look, but he didn't say anything.

The trip going back to Akashi's house was awkward. None of them tried to break the ice. They talked shortly about tomorrow's plan. Furihata told him that he had to go back early because he needed to caught up with Seirin's training schedule. In fact it was just him wanting to avoid his training partner as soon as possible. Akashi only replied with a nod of acknowledgement.

The next morning was still awkward between them. Akashi was being gentle as usual though, but Furihata noticed the change. It's obviously that he's trying to create some distance. Despite the awkwardness, Akashi still accompanied him to the train station.

They separated by a simple waving hand. As soon as the door closed in front of him, Furihata looked down to his feet. When he raised his head, Akashi had walked away. The train started to move.

Furihata touched his lips with a trembling fingers. His legs gave out before he crouched down, hiding his face inside his arms. He gave a choked of sob, biting his lip at the lingered feelings of Akashi's soft kiss. It was his first. It was stolen yet it was a mistake. At least that's what he assumed from Akashi's apology.

'Why? I thought there was something between us.'

Furihata wheezed, he lurched to take the passing ball from Kuroko, missed, stumbled on his feet and fell down. For a second he laid on his back, there were splotches of black before his sight and it disappear within a few seconds. He blinked and saw his friends staring at him with full of concern. Furihata moaned, pressing his palm on his forehead.

"Captain, are you alright?" Fukuda poked his ribcage, grinning.

Furihata glared at the calling. "I'm sorry. I didn't get enough sleep last night."

"We noticed you are getting more agile lately, but..." Kawahara pointed out.

The brown haired boy stiffened.

"But today, you are a mess. Did something happened? " Kagami butt in.

"Did you practice too much? Don't tired yourself out." Kuroko added.

"Love problem?" Riko's question send Furihata stuttering. He was digging his own hole.

"So, Furi really did have a girlfriend. Every two weeks he disappear to nowhere. This must be it!" Izuki exclaimed.

"Is that true, Furi?!" Hyuuga kicked in.

"Okaa-san! Our children had finally found love!" Kiyoshi exclaimed.

"Who's okaa-san?!" Koganei blurted out.

Mitobe and Tsuchida only smiled.

Now the captain of Seirin facepalmed.

"Furihata- kun ? Are you not coming home yet?" Kuroko peered inside the changing room. He was quite surprised to see him still spacing out on the bench.

"Kuroko. I'm still thinking about some matter." He offered a smile and sighed.

Kuroko closed the door, racking his mind if he should ask the matter that's troubling his captain. He jolted when Furihata stood up.

"I'll be alright, thanks." He send him a nervous smile while rubbing the back of his neck.

Kuroko pressed his lips together, knowing that Furihata was also the one who's smart to see people's gestures.

"If there's something that bothers you, please do tell me about it."

"If… someone kissed you and you start thinking that things might work out…" Furihata paused after seeing Kuroko's surprised look. "And then that person started backing out and told me he was making a mistake, what will you do?"

"So, it's not a girlfriend then?" Kuroko smiled.

Furihata chuckled, rubbing his warm cheek.

"I'll say that he was just confused as you are. Why not try to work things out? Have you two talk since then?"

"We rarely meet, the only time we met was only for practice. He is a basketball lover as well. But now I'm not sure if he'll want to meet me after that."

"If you two had been together for sometimes, then I'm sure he'd want to do something about this. Do you think he is a person who'll do that?"

Furihata shook his head. "You are right…" Furihata frown. Knowing Akashi, he wouldn't leave things hanging. Maybe he was just… giving up on the thought of having him as a lover. Furihata ground his teeth, fists clenching in frustration.

Kuroko sucked on his breath when Furihata's eyes filled by the glossy tears. "Furihata- kun ."

"I'm sorry, never mind that." Furihata quickly wiped his tears away, forcing himself to smile. He knew for sure, the last apology was meant to be over. There will be no more of them together.

"Was he someone I knew?"

Furihata slowly shook his head. "Sorry." He chuckled. He couldn't tell him.

"It's not a problem at all. I'm sure things will work out." Kuroko patted his shoulder.

'I wish the same thing…'

Akashi stared at the ceiling. He rolled to his side, remembering the view of the futon that was spread beside his large bed made him wince. How could he act so shameful toward his new partner. The next time they met again, he have to apologize. Knowing Furihata, he wouldn't want to receive any things as an apology. He was different from other people. Akashi was used to give out an expensive things or a large amount of money to people so they'd forget their business and pretend like nothing happened. Furihata had wrecked that habit of him unintentionally. He was different. He did not want any fancy stuff. It's true that he bought Furihata something sometimes, Akashi could sensed his uneasiness. The chihuahua was just an ordinary looking boy who seek friends and basketball dork who love to practice a lot.

Now Akashi was confused on how he should apologize to him. He have to admit that it's his first time being so confuse on how to treat someone without having to give the other some luxury stuff or spend out money. Other than a trip to Kyoto and that's that.

He shifted his gaze to the photo stood on his nightstand. 'Mother, what should I do in a time like this?'

Absentmindedly, he brought the back of his hand to cover his lips. His eyes closed as he recalled the feeling of Furihata's soft and warm lips against his. How he wish he could taste it again. It's much sweeter than the apple candy he ate.

TBC