00; amaranth

to be hypocritical | to be authentic

It had only been a couple of months since Akashi made his oath to his friends and that dreadful Haizaki. For the time being, he ignored the fact that Haizaki had partaken in the oath and pushed it the far depths of his mind. He decided he did not need to protect that fiend to the same degree he would with his friends.

Soon, however, he found himself scowling once more when his parents suddenly shipped his friends back to their respective homes and enrolled, more like tossed, him into some private school in the countryside.

He could never fully comprehend how adults were convinced that they had absolute control over children just because they were experienced with age. He scoffed at the excuse. He had seen plenty of children act more mature than the adults in the high court. He decided it would be something he would understand in the future, though the more he thought about it, the more he was convinced that was not the case.

Being at such a prestigious academy had its benefits and faults. The education supplied was something to be grateful for. He was learned more than he ever could back at the castle and it helped that the teachers were not particularly biased like the tutors assigned to him.

Besides that, everything else was perfectly bland. He was so used to his rambunctious life back at the castle when he was studying with his friends. Nevertheless, he could not blame the students here. There were sons and daughters of officials and royal families, so there was always some political tension in the air. One wrong move, and there goes a possible diplomatic association.

Moving down the lists of faults of attending said institution, students, even teachers, tried to win his favor since he was a prince. It as a static routine everyday; he had to resist rolling his eyes at the folly being spouted out of their foolish mouths. They swarmed around him as if he was a flower and they were bees. Still, he pitied those in the back who were too reserved to approach again.

There were those who caught his eye, but his interest instantly left as soon as it came. He had to admit it was interesting to see these people do his bidding time to time but at the same time, it was sad to watch them kiss up to him: a child, barely yet a grown man.

Just how far would people go to satisfy their ambitions?

One day, there was a knock on his door. For a moment, Akashi contemplated on whether to open the door or not but decided against it. People in the dormitory knew he did not like to be disturbed so they rarely came to him when he was in his room. Whatever or whoever caused the knock must have been by accident. Again, he heard a knock, this time, it was louder and he could hear his name being muffled by the door.

Sighing for the nth time, Akashi got up from his desk and walked over to the door. Not bothering to ask who it was, Akashi opened the door and was greeted with the sight of a brunet in front of him. If anything, the relaxed posture and the lop-sided grin, the boy in front of him was either an idiot or a laid-back fellow. "May I ask what I can help you with?"

The brunet blinked a couple of times before registering that the occupant of the room was talking to him. "Ah, sorry. I'm kind of nervous, first day and all. You are Akashi, right?"

The redhead lifted one of his eyebrows before nodding his head slowly. "Yes, I am," he answered cautiously. "What business does a new student have with me? If you're looking for your room, I don't mind helping you with that."

"Oh, that's good then," the brunet chuckled good-heartedly as he scratched the back of his neck. "By the way, I'm Kiyoshi Teppei, a second year in the third division. I'm your new roommate."

For the following couple of days, Akashi was somewhat surprised that he was not annoyed by Kiyoshi's presence. It was more like he actually enjoyed it. The brunet proved to be more than just an idiot. At times, Kiyoshi was rather clueless and forgetful but at other times, he proved to shockingly insightful.

There was one question constantly hovering over Akashi's head. Who exactly was Kiyoshi Teppei? From what Akashi was told, he was not supposed to dorm with anyone. For one, he was a prince and anyone he could have possibly paired up with could have been a potential enemy or harasser. And if he was going to have a roommate, then administration would have asked him first before leading the brunet to his door. And within a week, he got an answer.

"Teppei, who are you?"

The brunet looked up from the book he was reading before sitting up cross-legged. "Kiyoshi Teppei?" he answered with a slight confused look on his face.

Akashi sighed as he shook his head in disagreement. "No, what are you? We've been roommates for awhile and I feel like you know more about me than I do of you, so tell me more about yourself."

"Oh, why didn't you say so?" Kiyoshi closed his eyes and started to think about what he should tell Akashi. "I'm a knight-in-training. I'm from Teikou, specifically the Seirin province. I have a mom and a little brother?" Kiyoshi figured that was enough for the boy sitting across from him. "Unless you want to know more?"

Akashi was not surprised by Kiyoshi's bluntness. More or less, he tolerated it. "I'm sure even if you're what you say, you do not have that much power to influence the administration to make you my roommate out of all people. Not that I mind, of course."

Kiyoshi barked in laughter as he leaned back against the wall behind him. Akashi was really someone who did not beat around the bush just like a certain someone. Their similarities were just uncanny. "I don't take offense to that. I would be suspicious as well," he responded with a grin. "If you're thinking that I'm a spy for some official back at Teikou, be rest assured that I'm not. I'm just here to look out for you. She was right about you though."

Akashi's face twisted in confusion. As always, Kiyoshi would be one of the very enigmas in his life, waiting to be solved. "Who are you talking about?"

"Your aunt, she sent me to look after you and boy, was she right. You are way too mature for your age."

Akashi's eyes widened before softening, sighing in resignation. Only his aunt would do something like this. His parents would have never bothered. "That woman should really take care of herself before thinking I need to be watched over."

Kiyoshi lied back down on his bed and resumed reading his book. He did not disregard the soft tone in Akashi's voice and wondered how Akashi turned out the way he did. Turning his head slightly to the side, he did not miss the fond expression on the boy's face. "So you can make that kind of face as well, huh, Akashi?" He could not resist making fun of the boy.

Akashi instantly glared at Kiyoshi, who just laughed it off, and decided to leave the brunet be. He would rather have a companion that poked fun at him rather than someone who was submissive.

The scenario had been ingrained into his mind ever since he learned how to think independently and there were plenty of constant warnings, but still, it shocked him all the same. The whole ordeal felt surreal but he knew it was bound to happen one day; if not today, then surely the next. Politics were always associated with corruption. It did not surprise him that there were such people roaming the world.

His parents were killed in a failed coup d'état, however, life went on as usual with him. He was not particularly connected to of fond of his parents.

Kiyoshi had to leave his side for the time being and told Akashi that he would return to take him back to the castle for the funeral procession.

So, he was back to being alone in this large school. Regrettably, he grew used to Kiyoshi's presence that now, he was itching to walk out of the classroom without turning back on his heels. Having royal blood was a pain. People were coming up to him, trying to console him of his loss. Instead of sympathy, all he saw and heard was hoards of masks and words of conceited pity.

He never liked his parents, though he did hold his mother in higher regard than his father. She was always flipping back and forth between emotions so much that he became indifferent whenever she showered him with affection. From what he could perceive, that affection of hers was rather forced as if she was trying to atone for something. The only connection he truly shared with them was that he was a product of their martial union; nothing else, nothing more.

He was told that the moment he was born, he was shipped off to his aunt to be taken care of. His parents barely paid any heed to him. To them, he was only a tool for them to use and insurance if they happened to die. All in all, he was an instrument for the people around him to use.

"Blood is thicker than water."

Ha, such folly. The saying revolted him. It was an insolent little phrase that had nothing to do with him; never did, never will, and he was not going to start anytime soon.

In any case, he was somewhat grateful toward his parents for forcing his friends and him away from the castle. If they had not left, then they would have been lying in their own pool of blood instead of being alive. Resigning himself to his incoming chaotic life, he figured he could force a tear or two to appear at the funeral. It was the least he could do for these people.

Within a span of two weeks, Kiyoshi had come back for him. The brunet had dark circles under his eyes and it looked like he did not catch much sleep these past couple of days, but Akashi decided to keep it to himself. Apparently, being a knight-in-training was much more difficult than he thought.

"The way you look at me is irritating, Teppei," Akashi commented as he drew his attention away from the scenery and looked at the brunet sitting across from him in the carriage. "I had enough of people pitying me. I find it quite sickening."

Kiyoshi forced a chuckle out of his tired body. "I'm sorry, it's just everything has been so taxing lately. The castle has been quite in a state of confusion for awhile." He leaned back into his seat and looked out the window, crossing his arms across his chest. "Ne, Akashi, do you want to know more about my family?"

Akashi raised his eyebrow in response. "Alright, if that will help ease your mind a bit. You have a mother and a young sibling, correct?"

"Yeah, I was not entirely honest to you about that," Kiyoshi admitted solemnly. "I'm actually adopted."

Akashi merely nodded. "I see…" He could not understand where this conversation was going. "Well, you can say I was adopted as well. I see my aunt and my cousin more as my family than my actual parents."

Kiyoshi tiredly smiled as he looked back at Akashi. "Then you can say that we're related. Your aunt actually adopted me. I don't think she would have sent just anyone to look after you, right?"

Akashi's eyes flickered in surprise but contained his shock. Well, that would explain why he was so comfortable being with Kiyoshi. In more ways than one, the brunet acted like his aunt at times. Soon, an amused glint appeared in his crimson orbs as he buckled over in his seat, bursting in laughter. It made sense. Everything made sense now.

Kiyoshi was slightly taken back by Akashi's reaction. He was somewhat irked since he was tremendously tired but he did not reprimand the boy for his reaction. It was possible that the redhead finally cracked from all the pressure and tension. "Is there something the matter?" he asked in concern.

Akashi eventually stopped laughing when he heard the soft tone in the brunet's voice. He was bothered by it but there was still amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude. It's just that you've proven to be quite in interesting person, Teppei. I thought you were familiar but it did not occur to me until now. You're that slave my aunt took in, aren't you? Because she saved you, you're willing to do anything she says, right?"

Kiyoshi looked away from the window and uncharacteristically had a slight frown on his face. "Does my background amuse you or something?" he asked tiredly, ignoring the redhead's second question. The young prince was just as straightforward as ever.

"Not particularly. I don't like to judge others by their past. Some information would suffice but other than it, it would cloud judgement. I think the present is much more important and you make a good example. Someone who was about to be enslaved is now someone who is now rising through the ranks."

Kiyoshi gave a small smile but shook his head. "No, please don't compliment me. I don't deserve it."

Akashi shook his head, somewhat irritated that the brunet did not accept his compliment. Not many received them and he did not give out many. "No, I must. From what I heard from Tetsuya, my aunt is now not as down as before because a boy she took in. I'm quite fond of my aunt, so it calms me that she is doing better now. She is such a delicate woman." Any hint of amusement was erased from his face as he bent his head forward in a slight bow. "I would like to thank you for taking care of me, my aunt, and cousin thus far. It is nice to know that there's someone like you by our side, Teppei."

Kiyoshi inwardly grimaced at Akashi's words as he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "You should really stop that and lift your head. I don't deserve it."

Akashi sighed at Kiyoshi's modesty as he lifted his head. He could see how his aunt influenced the brunet. "I give credit when it's due," Akashi justified, "I'm not that egotistic to not appreciate good work when I see it."

Kiyoshi sighed as he looked away from Akashi, staring out the window with a serious, solemn expression. "You must really stop complimenting me. It's nice to know what you think of me, but I don't deserve any of it."

Akashi let out a low growl in reaction. Not once had met someone as difficult as Kiyoshi. Did the brunet really have that much low of self-esteem? "And exactly why's that?"

"Your aunt has passed away… and your cousin has been declared missing."

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And that was just part of the beginning.

Author's Notes:

Ah, I have to apologize to my readers. I was going to update last week, but I managed to hit a wall since this chapter was going to be much longer but the second part proved to be too much, so I had to split it into two. I was going to add some fluff, but it's not working for me at the moment, gah...

If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. If anything, thank you for reading and please review.