"It's age old pain, as I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge."

Chapter 4

Furihata noticed that after the first misfortune, nothing out of the ordinary had happened for the rest of November. He would break a plate or two, but that was out of his own clumsiness than of an ancient curse. Akashi had concluded that once a misfortune ends, they would be safe of the 'bad luck' that follows it for the rest of the month. He had no moment to rejoice at the news though, for he had to catch up with his studies for the mid-term examinations if he wanted to avoid taking supplementary classes during his winter break.

Even though Akashi said they would probably be intact; he still insisted on accompanying Furihata everywhere to make sure he would be fine. They'd fallen into this routine where they ate lunch together and walked each other to and from school. Akashi even went as far as waiting for Furihata to end his shift at the cafe and giving him a ride home. Akashi had made it clear that it was much more convenient to him that way, they couldn't take any chances with wrongly assuming their temporary safety.

And so the sight of them walking the hallways of the school together became a regular sight, even though everyone still commented on how different their characters were.

Furihata stretched his arms above his head. He'd just finished the final exam for this week. His head was still processing formulas and numbers even though he had turned his paper in. He shook his head, it didn't matter any more, he was so done with math.

He was never really fond of the subject, even though his brother was the one teaching the class. His brother was a good teacher and most students understood his teachings. He had tried to tutor Furihata more than once, but apparently Furihata's mind had something against math. It wasn't Furihata's fault, the formulas always looked the same.

Kasamatsu made his way to Furihata's seat after handing the test papers to his assistant. "You have work today right? Don't be late Ill be cooking Omelette Rice. Would Akashi be joining us for dinner?" He asked.

Even his brother has taken a liking to Akashi. With his polite manner and his passion for basketball, he was able to earn Kasamatsu's acceptance. While not sure if this was a good thing or not, Furihata liked seeing his brother's eyes glinting with excitement every time Akashi would tell a tale about his days as basketball team captain for Rakuzan.

"I don't know. I'll ask him after I'm done with my shift," Furihata said, happiness evident on his face at the mention of his favorite food.

"If he comes though, send me a text," With this Kasamatsu left the classroom.

Furihata began packing up his things so he and Akashi could walk to the cafe. The said redhead was called by a teacher and so Furihata decided to pack Akashi's stuff as well so they won't be late.

"So, Furi, do you wanna hang out at maji burger today?" Kawahara asked while leaning against Furihata's desk. Furihata smiled apologetically at his friend.

"I have work at the cafe today, maybe another time,"

His friends let out a grunting noise as their faces took on an obvious pout. "You're always blowing us off these days," Fukuda said looking at Furihata who was placing Akashi's book inside the bag.

"What? Are you his personal maid or something?" He commented bitterly.

"Stop it, Fukuda. Akashi is my friend too," Furihata said, his tone laced with little annoyance. Fukuda's glare was fixed on Furihata who returned his glare with one of his own.

Feeling the heavy atmosphere, Kawahara quickly stepped between the two. "E-enough, you two! What Fukuda meant to say is that you're always with Akashi and we miss you too."

Furihata's gaze softened and he felt a bit guilty at Kawahara's words. He was caught up with everything happening around him, that he was neglecting his friends. But, it was not like the matter of the curse was something he could talk to them about.

"Ne, Furihata. Perhaps the rumors are real and you and Akashi are dating?"

Furihata froze.

"Kawahara!"

"What? You were the one wondering about it, weren't you?"

Furihata was still trying to register what his two friends have said. He knew there was a reason for the weird looks those girls were always giving them, but he never thought they'd actually start to spread those false rumors around the school. Once again it was proven; girls are scary.

"W-What are you talking about? O-of course we're not dating!" Furihata said after gaining enough composure to speak. "He's a GUY for heaven's sake! I'm a perfectly healthy straight male, you know!" He had wanted to sound completely firm, but he couldn't stop the slight stutter or the vague blush on his face.

"See, Fukuda? What did I tell you?" Kawahara grinned as he placed an arm around Furihata's shoulder.

Fukuda looked away and Furihata could swear he saw hurt and disappointment in his eyes before he avoided his gaze. Furihata looked at him puzzled but was soon distracted by Kawahara. "Not that we won't accept you if you were gay or anything," He added nervously. Furihata sighed.

"Yeah, I know. But you don't need to worry about that!"

"Since this is the case, make sure you leave the weekend open for us to hang out," Fukuda said. His voice was normal and Furihata questioned if what he saw earlier was a fragment of his imagination. Furihata nodded with a smile.

"Furihata,"

Furihata's head turned to the door at the familiar voice. He quickly got out of Kawahara's grip and grabbed both bags in a haste. He handed Akashi his and he smiled at the friendly gesture that became quite common between the two.

"What did Kise-sensei want?" Asked Furihata.

"He was trying to get me to join his team, but I respectfully declined," Akashi said, "He did ask me to attend practices nonetheless,"

"That's amazing! Why did you refuse? You love basketball, don't you?" Furihata asked, a little confused. Akashi turned to look at him with another warm smile.

"I have much more important things to think about right now, like keeping you safe," Furihata's face instantly colored as he pushed Akashi outside the classroom. Akashi couldn't help laugh a bit.

How was he able to utter such embarrassing things with a straight face was beyond Furihata's understanding.

"Come on, you're going to be late for work," Akashi said after calming down his giggles. Furihata elbowed Akashi's arm, softly.

"Who's fault do you think is that?" he muttered under his breath. He sighed and waved his friends goodbye before catching up with Akashi who was already walking down the hall.

"He says they're not, but they totally look like fools in love, you know?" Kawahara commented after the two exited the classroom, which earned him a punch on the head from Fukuda.

"If he says they're not, then they're not!" Fukuda grumbled.

Kawahara shook his head at his jealous friend. Why was he surrounded by in-denial people? He wondered.

...

Furihata walked alongside Akashi in silence. Kawahara's words still circling in his head. Did they really look like lovers in the eyes of other people? There really should be a limit to their imagination. He and Akashi were not even friends, let alone lovers.

If Furihata was to describe their relationship, he'd say they were acquaintances of some sort. Two people who had a common goal, in this case escaping a deadly curse. Even though they nearly spend all their time together, it was spent in silence or idle chatter about school. Akashi was protecting him, yes, but he's doing so to protect himself, not because it was Furihata per say.

Moreover, even though Akashi knew nearly everything about him, Furihata didn't know anything about the guy aside from the few facts he said about himself. Akashi was clearly keeping his distance, always so faraway in a different world. It was honestly, downright frustrating!

It was just like Akashi has said, if you share the same fate with someone you'd want to know about them. But, unlike Furihata, who has always been an open book, Akashi is harder to deduce. It's like he won't allow just anyone to get close. And the fact that Furihata was among the people he didn't allow, meant he's not yet trusted and it hurt.

"Akashi-kuuuuun!"

Furihata's train of thoughts was interrupted by a high pitched voice. Next thing he saw was a girl with bright pink hair running towards them, only then does he register that they reached the school's main gate.

The girl stopped short of clashing into Akashi and she looked up at him with a bright smile. Akashi returned her smile and held her hand in his and gave it a kiss. All the girls present swooned at the action and the pink haired girl giggled softly.

"It's been a while, Momoi-san," Akashi said after letting go of her hand.

Furihata looked at this Momoi. She looked a bit older than them, her clothes were very stylish and she was certainly beautiful. Too beautiful if Furihata had to say, like a model or something. Their eyes locked for a second and he couldn't help but blush and fidget under the gaze of an attractive lady.

"I suppose Aomine-san is accompanying you?" Akashi asked in a knowing tone. Momoi nodded.

"Yes, he is. But you know Dai-chan, he's fallen asleep in the car on our way," Momoi said with a sigh, pointing to the sleek black car parked in front of the gate.

"Yes, that is very typical of Aomine-san," Akashi said with a small chuckle.

More and more, Furihata began to feel like a third wheel. Momoi and Akashi clearly knew each other from somewhere and Furihata felt like he was intruding. Akashi had a different look when talking to her, like he was letting his guard down and for some reason Furihata was unable to bear watching them together any longer.

"Ah, Akashi, I-I'll go ahead okay?" Furihata awkwardly said. Akashi's face returned to it's usual stoic nature as he shifted his gaze towards Furihata.

"Nonsense, Momoi-san and I can catch up at the cafe. I told you I'd come with you and I intend to do just that,"

Furihata wanted to protest, but one look into Akashi's eyes and he knew any attempt at arguing would be futile. He sighed and allowed himself to be led to the car, all the while trying to ignore the happily-chatting duo.

...

Furihata placed the drinks on the counter where Akashi, Momoi and the dark-skinned male named Aomine sat. Today was a slow day at the cafe, only a few tables were occupied, but the trio chose to sit there as Akashi wanted to be near where Furihata was working today.

From what he learned, Momoi was a personal stylist working for the Akashi family while Aomine was a bodyguard. Not that Furihata could understand why a family would need bodyguards and a personal stylist, but he figured it was something rich families had. He had also learned Aomine and Momoi were childhood friends who recently started dating and he felt quite silly for suspecting she had feelings for the redhead.

It wasn't like he was jealous of the possibility of Akashi having a beautiful girlfriend, rather he was a little envious of the close relationship they seemed to have, even now it was clear Momoi and Aomine knew about Akashi more than he would ever get to know.

"This place is nice. But it would be better if the uniform was cuter," Momoi commented while taking in the small cafe, then fixed her playful gaze at Furihata. "What do you say Furi-chan, shall I design you a special uniform?" She asked with a wink.

Furi-chan? Furihata gaped stupidly at her for a second, not quite sure of what to say. Aomine's glare, though, sent a shiver down his spine. He laughed nervously.

"Although I am happy to see the both of you, I have a feeling you didn't come for a cup of tea," The seriousness in Akashi's tone caught everyone's attention.

"As expected of Akashi-kun," Momoi said with a sad smile that alarmed Furihata a bit.

"Your old man sent us here," Aomine said, leaning back in his chair. Akashi's eyes darkened for a moment.

"I suspected this much," He said as he rested his chin on his hands. "Any particular reason he did so?"

Momoi and Aomine shared a glance before they looked at Akashi. "He...he wants to throw a party in Tokyo on your birthday," Akashi sighed.

"Eh? You're birthday is close?" Furihata asked, confused. Momoi smiled at him.

"Akashi-kun's birthday is in two weeks. You didn't know?"

"No..." Furihata replied, his voice barely audible.

"Tell him I'll attend. I obviously don't have a choice, though," Akashi said with a bitter smile. Aomine shrugged. Momoi fidgeted in her seat.

"Actually, Akashi-kun. There's one more thing he wanted us to tell you..." She paused before continuing. "He wants you to bring Furi-chan with you,"

Furihata was startled at the mention of his name. Akashi's eyes narrowed at the duo, and all of a sudden his left eye turned yellow. Momoi tensed.

"No," Akashi said firmly. "I won't allow Kouki to attend such an event,"

The previous friendly atmosphere was completely gone and was replaced by a heavy one. Furihata couldn't understand why the mentions of him attending a birthday party would cause such an effect. They were speaking of it, like it was a life sentence rather than an enjoyable party.

"He wants to meet the reason you left to Tokyo so suddenly," Momoi added after a minute of awkward silence.

Akashi stood up from his seat and glared down at Momoi. "My words are final, I don't want to hear another thing on the matter, Kouki will not attend," He said in the coldest tone Furihata has ever heard him use.

Aomine grabbed Akashi's collar as he, too, stood up from his seat and glared down at him. "Don't speak to her that way! If you've got anything to say, then get your sorry ass back to Kyoto and talk to your own damn father!"

Akashi's glare intensified and even though it was scarier than Aomine's, the blue haired male didn't flinch.

The commotion grabbed the attention of some of the other customers and Furihata felt the need to stop the two males before anything bad was to happen. Momoi seemed to share his thoughts as she too stood up and grabbed Aomine's hand.

"Dai-chan, that's enough," She said, softly but firmly. Aomine tsked before he forced himself to calm down and let go of Akashi's collar, but he didn't abandon his glare.

"Akashi-kun," Momoi said, her gaze now on Akashi. "If he doesn't come, then your father would find another way to meddle in your affairs and I know you wouldn't want that to happen," Her stern tone was different to her previous playful one.

Akashi didn't comment as he thought deeply about what she said.

"I'll go,"

Furihata's voice interrupted his thoughts. If attending this party would put an end to their quarrel then he didn't mind. The party couldn't be that bad, could it?

Akashi was about to protest, but Momoi had already squealed and jumped at Furihata and engulfed him in a hug. Furihata stumbled backwards at the sudden impact and he bumped into the waitress that was walking behind him.

The waitress lost her balance and the steaming coffee pot she was holding fell off the tray. It was about to hit Momoi, but Furihata managed to twist her just in time, placing himself in the hot liquid's way. The pot opened as it hit Furihata's hand and it poured its contents on it.

Furihata cringed at the pain as he stood up, pulling Momoi along with himself. He turned to the waitress and offered her his uninjured hand and pulled her to her feet. She was still quite stunned as everything had happened so fast.

Before anyone could say anything, Akashi pulled Furihata by the wrist and ran behind the counter and into the kitchen, ignoring the weird stares they got. He turned the tap on and placed Furihata's hand under the water current.

The cold water did sting a bit, but felt nice against his flushed red skin...It was gradually beginning to feel less painful and Furihata wonders if the water was really that effective, that is until he noticed the burn on his hand was fading. His hand slightly trembled as he watched the burn slowly appear on Akashi's hand.

He grabbed Akashi's, now, injured hand in his own trembling one and placed it under the water current.

"I'm...sorry," His voice was shaky. Akashi sighed and pet Furihata's head with his other hand.

"It's not your fault. We let our guard down and forgot a new month had begun already," Akashi said, but the tremors in Furihata's hand didn't stop.

Furihata knew his injures would transfer to Akashi. He had seen it before. If only he moved a second faster...If only he wasn't such a stumbling idiot then maybe none of this would have happened. Tears of frustration and guilt started streaming down his face.

The tab was closed, suddenly and before Furihata knew it, his chin was raised by delicate, pale fingers and he was now staring at a pair of dichromatic eyes. Akashi's gaze was softer than it was a few minutes ago. His thump traced his cheek as it wiped away his tears. Furihata stared at Akashi, his mouth opening then closing, not quite sure of what to say.

"The curse is the one attracting this bad luck, not you. Don't stop helping people because of it, if one of us is bound to get hurt, I'd always rather it was me,"

Furihata's heart clenched at Akashi's words. Words died in his throat when he tried to respond, for he was elated at Akashi's deceleration, but still felt guilty and scared for his well-being. All those conflicting emotions poured down his face in the form of tears.

He heard Akashi let out a soft sigh before he leaned down and started kissing his tears away. Furihata was so bewildered, his tears seized.

"You finally stopped crying," Furihata could hear the smile in Akashi's voice.

The sound of hurried footsteps inside the kitchen took him out of his trance. Riko came to his side, followed by a worried Momoi.

"Are you okay, Furihata-kun?" Riko asked, grabbing his shoulders.

Furihata was still feeling a bit overwhelmed that it took him longer than it should to reply. "Y-yes! I-I'm fine...I think,"

Riko raised an eyebrow at him, not totally convinced.

"I'm so sorry, Furi-chan, it's all my fault!" Momoi said as she engulfed Furihata is a hug.

Furihata wanted to tell them that he was fine, that it was Akashi they should check on, but no words came out. All he could think of, was the fluttery feeling in his stomach and the memory of lips on his skin. His face heated at the thoughts and he lowered his head as to not catch Akashi's stare.

What was that about?

...

Akashi let out an exhausted sigh as he threw his bag on the floor, not even bothering to hang it in its place like he always does.

The rest of the evening could only be described as a disaster; Furihata kept avoiding him and abandoned his post at the counter and started waiting the tables. It was clear he wasn't focusing on his job as he kept stumbling on nothing but air and would flinch every time Akashi would offer to help. In the end his manager had given him the rest of the day off.

The car ride wasn't any better. Furihata never spoke a word to him as he wished Momoi and Aomine goodnight.

And it was all because of him!

"You are making things quite awkward between Furihata and I, I'll appreciate it if you stopped," Akashi said addressing his younger brother in the part of their conscious they shared.

His brother had a smirk on his face before he turned his back to Akashi.

"Protecting Kouki is my responsibility, I only wished to ease his burden. I hardly believe it's any of your business," He said in a smug tone. Akashi's eyes darkened at him.

"It is, we are sharing the same body. Furihata doesn't know you exist,"

"That's harsh, Aniki," His other self let out an amused snicker. "Why not tell him then?"

Akashi felt himself tense.

"You're afraid you'd drive him away, aren't you?" His tone took on a sad note. Akashi looked away as the words had hit its mark. His younger brother sighed.

"I'm sure you noticed, but my Kouki is not like most people we encountered, he understands..." His tone wavered at the end of the sentence. Before Akashi could comment his brother disappeared.

Akashi was surprised at his brother's words. Sharing the same body meant they could know what the other is feeling and thinking, and Akashi knew his brother was almost always shielding his true self behind that confident front, but he never expected him to voice a compliment of the mousy boy they came to know in a month.

Akashi could feel it, that day at the train station when his brother launched into saving Furihata without a second thought. The slight shake he felt throughout his body, the tightening arms around the boy's frame and that...kiss. It all meant the boy was something special to him and what happened today confirmed his theory.

Just who was Furihata Kouki to his brother? Who was Furihata Kouki to himself?

...

Furihata threw himself on his bed the moment he entered his room and buried his face into his pillow.

He had barely touched his dinner, his worried older brother was even about to drag him to a hospital, because a normal Kouki would never refuse omlette rice! It took a while to convince Kasamatsu that he just ate at work and wasn't hungry. All lies, he knew, but he didn't want to worry his brother.

He had meant to forget about the accidental-brush-of-lips on his neck that day at the station, as both he and Akashi were too close to one another and it was probably all a mistake. Akashi had acted normal afterwards so he was able to let it go.

But today...Were friends supposed to kiss your tears away in such a manner?

His face took on a dark shade of red at the memory.

He now lied on his back and stared at the ceiling. Even more that his surprise at Akashi's actions, he was surprised at himself for he felt no disgust of revulsion. Rather what scared him is that he didn't mind it at all, but was just embarrassed.

He shook his head. He was letting what Kawahara had said today to get to his head! Of course it meant nothing! Akashi probably had done so to other people to calm them down!

But even when he told himself that, he couldn't stop remembering Akashi's kind gaze as his warm hand cupped his cheeks.

Ah...This is bad.

His heart skipped a beat.

Next chapter it's Akashi's "Birthday party" which is not exactly a birthday celebration XD Thank you for all the lovely reviews I've so glad you're liking the story so far! :D