Four days had passed since the bar incident, and Kuroko was blissfully in denial. He smiled too often, laughed too hard, and insisted he'd never met Akashi at all. Kagami was the only one that seemed to see through the bluenette's mask, and he certainly didn't like it. It was true that he was glad Kuroko could smile now, but he didn't want it to be fake. He could see another piece of his friend break off every time he forced a smile, which was a lot lately.

It was on this day that he decided he had to take action. Though he didn't know exactly what he was going to do, or how it would end, he trudged all the way to Kuroko's apartment, knocking loudly on his door.

Kuroko opened the door sluggishly, but grinned up at Kagami as soon as he saw who he was. "Kagami, what are you doing here?"

"Spare me. Put your shoes on, we're going out."

Kuroko's face went blank as he blinked up at him for a moment. "Eh, sorry, Kagami, but I don't like you like that."

The redhead huffed, rolling his eyes. "Not on a date, idiot! Just, come on!"

The smaller man smiled lightly at the reddened cheeks of his friend. He silently ducked back into his home, putting on his shoes and making a half-hearted attempt at fixing his hair. In a matter of minutes, the two were on their way to wherever Kagami's feet would take them.

It wasn't until they were in the middle of town did Kuroko speak up. "What made you decide we were going out today, Kagami?"

The tanned man breathed out a sigh, his hand scratching the back of his neck as his eyes wandered about his surroundings. "Just thought we could both use a little fresh air."

The bluenette smiled again, also looking around curiously. "Where are we going, exactly?"

"Eh, I didn't get that far." Kagami's eyes widened as he heard the small giggle come from the man beside him. He glanced over at him, and was very relieved, not to mention shocked, that Kuroko's lingering smile was real. Pure and true.

"Ah, Kuroko, there's this new place that just opened up on this street. Want to check it out?"

Kuroko paused, his smile fading as quickly as it had come. "That sounds nice, Kagami, but I don't have enough money for that. I can barely pay my rent." He smiled up at the taller man, shrugging sheepishly.

Kagami returned the shrug. "My treat, just this once."

"… Alright."

Kagami never would have suggested it if he'd known, but it was too late for that.

By the time the two had made their way into the aforementioned restaurant, Akashi had just been seated at a table, with his fiancée. At the mere sight of the man, Kuroko's breathing became shallow, his eyes glassed over.

Kagami frowned at the bluenette. No matter how hard he'd tried to deny his feelings, it all came crashing down when he saw Akashi.

"Kuroko, we can leave-"

"N-no, I'm fine."

The redhead frowned worriedly, his gaze never leaving Kuroko's face. After what felt like forever, but was really a matter of seconds, Kuroko's expression returned to a state of calm, and he turned his big blue eyes to his friend.

"Let's find a seat."

Kagami, still nervous, nodded and followed the bluenette to the only available table. Luckily, it was on the opposite side of the room from Akashi. Unluckily, the bluenette could still hear every word he and his date said.

"Is that him?"

"Yes, Chiyoko. What are you going to order?"

"You actually like him?"

"Love. What are you going-"

"I'm going to go say hi~"

Kuroko held his breath as he heard the distinguished sound of a chair being pushed back, followed by the clattering of heels. His face showed no emotion as he turned to the pretty blonde beside him, but his hands clenched into fists beneath the table.

"Hiya~ You're Kuroko Tetsuya, right? I'm Shizura Chiyoko." She grinned, "But you can call me, Akashi Chiyoko."

XXX

Kuroko was in a daze. He couldn't remember how he'd gotten home. All he could think of was that woman. That evil, pretty woman, in all her 4' glory. He didn't even realize Kagami was still with him until the man spoke.

"That was really low."

The bluenette jumped, turning his wide eyes to his friend. "A-Aka.. shi Chiyoko…"

Kagami frowned. He knew Kuroko had been spaced out ever since that comment. He probably didn't even remember Kagami telling her to fuck off, or the redhead practically pulling him out of the restaurant, away from her melodious cackle.

But to see the smaller man still going over that one sentence in his mind, it hurt him. And it angered him. If that girl had been a boy, he would've knocked her teeth down her scrawny throat.

"Kuroko, don't pay any attention to her."

"Aka..shi…"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. What was he supposed to do? Kuroko was obviously too out of it to even listen to him, and it was getting really late. He looked at the clock, just past ten. "Kuroko, let's get you to bed."

The bluenette didn't move, didn't even seem to register Kagami's words. He simply stared into space, Akashi's broken name still on his lips.

Kagami grimaced, unsure of what to do. Finally, he turned to face the smaller man more directly. "I'm not sure you're listening at all, but I'm going to take you to bed now." Seeing as there was no response from the bluenette, Kagami gently slipped his arms around his small body, lifting him into the air with ease as he made his way to his bedroom.

XXX

Akashi had kept a calm face all the way through dinner, even on the way home, but as soon as he was in the confinement of his home, he turned his narrowed crimson eyes to the woman he was regretfully meant to marry.

"What the hell was that, Chiyoko?"

Chiyoko laughed, seemingly unaware of the redhead's anger as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "What? I can't have a little fun~?" she whispered, her breath dancing on Akashi's neck.

He quickly shoved her off, and it was none too gentle. "No, not with Tetsuya. I let you get away with almost anything, but the moment you-"

"What does he matter anyway, Seijuro? He's just a pesky little speck of your past life. I'm your life now! I'm about to be your wife!"

"Against my wishes!"

Chiyoko crossed her arms across her chest, glaring at the man before her. "That doesn't matter. You're marrying me, not him. So get used to the idea."

Akashi watched as she stormed out of the room. His heart was racing, aching, and his fingers twitched by his side. With a loud scream of emotional agony, he picked up the nearest object, Chiyoko's cell phone, and threw it at the opposite wall. But seeing it snap into a hundred pieces was not enough to make him feel any better, and he collapsed onto the floor, pulling at his hair as he cried silently to himself.