~Chapter IV~

December 9th

''...shi... kashi... Oi, Akashi!''

The redhead slowly opened his heavy eyelids as that distant voice began reaching his consciousness. At first his vision was blurry and he couldn't make out a single thing apart from that strange blob of green. Slowly, however, his sight began clearing and after awhile he could identify the person kneeling down above him.

''What happened, Akashi? Why are you on the floor?'' the man asked with a frown on his lips, concern managing to break through his stern voice.

''Shintarou?... What are you...'' the redhead weakly began, trying to remember anything that could have led him to this situation. When realization finally, yet slowly dawned on him, the male's eyes widened.

''What time is it?'' he asked urgently, groggily trying to sit up.

''It's one pm,'' Midorima answered as he closely observed the other's efforts.

''The computer...'' Akashi murmured, glancing up. It was turned off, but that didn't reassure him one bit. With difficulty he crawled under his desk and quickly unplugged it from the outlet.

''What are you doing?'' the green-haired male asked, sounding taken aback.

''The computer... It has to be turned off...'' he kept mumbling, as if unaware of the other's presence or still too out of it to care.

''Why?''

''Why...?'' Akashi repeated distantly, finally turning his head to the confused male's direction. He blinked a few times before a frown formed on his lips. ''Shintarou, what are you doing here?''

''I should be the one asking you that question,'' Midorima replied, helping the other to stand up. ''What happened, Akashi? I've heard you've been acting strangely these past few days.''

''I... What did you hear?'' the redhead asked as he allowed his friend to lead him to his bed, still trying to clear out his dazed mind. And that headache was not helping at all.

''Well, for one, Kise called, sounding very worried, and told how he thought something happened to you, so he reached out to one of your... accomplices I suppose to ask him to check on you, but you seemingly freaked out and threw him out when he came. Is that true?'' Midorima asked seriously as the other was laying down. ''You also hadn't been picking up your phone for two days and now I find you laying on the ground unconscious. Something is going on, Akashi, that's clear as day.''

''That's... I... How did you get in anyway, Shintarou?'' Akashi murmured, getting into a half-sitting position on the pillows.

''I contacted your head maid and asked for her to let me in. Don't turn the subject away, Akashi.''

''Argh, God...'' the redhead grunted in pain, closing his eyes and bringing two fingers to his temple in order to massage it. ''There is nothing going on, Shintarou. Now please, leave me be. My head feels as if it's going to split up, I don't need any more distractions.''

''Akashi...'' Midorima sighed and knelt down next to the bed. ''I've known you for ten years now and it's only the second time I'm seeing you look so terrible. I can tell something is wrong. Perhaps I could help you?''

I sincerely doubt that.

'But there is no foreboding feeling this time. Midorima's presence doesn't seem too unwanted. Maybe because he was his friend?'

That's... No, stop talking like that!

''Shintarou, leave me alone,'' Akashi spoke through clenched teeth, not opening his eyes. ''I seriously don't need any more trouble. My hands are full as it is.''

''...Is it somehow related to him?''

The redhead's breathing hitched as his heart skipped a beat. Being reminded of those events was the last thing Akashi wanted. No, he couldn't be reminded.

God, where are those pills when you need them?

Taking the smaller male's silence as confirmation, a worried expression crept onto the other's face. He wouldn't usually do something like this, but if what was bothering Akashi was concerning him, then even Midorima had to do something.

''Don't keep it all to yourself, Akashi. Perhaps we could come to a solution if you would tell me what's bothering you.''

Akashi couldn't contain all those emotions any longer. They were driving him mad.

''I... I can't take this anymore, Shintarou,'' the redhead murmured hoarsely, his voice shaking terribly. He bent one of his legs on the bed as he painfully bit his lower lip in that short pause. ''I just c-can't. I feel as if I'm going crazy,'' Akashi reopened his eyes and looked up at the ceiling, bringing his free fist to his mouth as quiet whisper left his lips. ''Perhaps I really am becoming insane.''

''Explain, Akashi, I can't understand anything.''

''You wouldn't believe me even if I told you,'' the smaller male shook his head weakly.

''Try me.''

''You'll just say I'm going insane. And that won't help me.''

''Akashi, have more faith in me.''

''...Fine,'' the redhead murmured, too exhausted to argue. Besides, it was obvious how this was going to end. Midorima will simply call him crazy and call a psychiatrist. Perhaps that wouldn't be such a bad thing. Perhaps that doctor would give him some pills, so if he overdosed them- ''Would you believe me if I told you that he started messaging me?''

When that sentence left his lips if sounded so wrong.

There was a long pause as Midorima processed what Akashi just said before he slowly replied, sounding very unsure.

''That is a bit hard to believe.''

''Of course it is, because it's impossible,'' the redhead mumbled quietly, his voice trembling. He closed his eyes once again and placed a hand over them. ''Just tell me I became insane and be done with it. Or lock me up in a mental hospital. Do what you want, I honestly don't care anymore as long as it ends.''

Midorima seemed to think over Akashi's words carefully for several seconds. While the most logical assumption would be that the redhead had in fact lost his mind, Midorima didn't want to write it off so easily. There was this... uneasy feeling in this room that made the male want to believe the other's words.

''...Would it be possible to show those messages to me?'' Midorima finally asked.

Akashi lifted his hand from his eyes and reopened them, glancing at the other a bit surprised. Then again, it shouldn't be so surprising. Who wouldn't be interested in his claim?

''I... I suppose, but...''

Perhaps I shouldn't push my luck too far.

However, a sudden pang of fear struck Akashi. His eyes widened in terror as he sharply sat up, gripping the sides of his head roughly, hitched breaths leaving his parted, shaking lips.

''No, no, I can't,'' he began mumbling, his voice cracking. His eyes were as wide as dinner plates, a crazed from horror look in them. Words like spilling beans left his mouth without him even realizing it. ''I can't turn it on, he might write me again, I can't, I can't, I don't want that, I don't want him writing me again, I can't take this, I can't take this, I can't take this-''

''Akashi!'' Midorima loudly cut him off as he quickly gripped the other's shoulders and shook him. ''Calm down, get ahold of yourself!''

The redhead stopped his nonsensical rambling as his friend's words reached his dazed mind. He had to control himself, he couldn't break down like this. Nothing good will come out of him continuing to act crazy. Besides, he was not alone.

''...I-I'm sorry,'' Akashi mumbled through frequent hitched pants. He loosened his grip on his red locks and slowly lowered his hands to the sides. The male closed his eyes and tried taking deep breaths in the hopes of calming down.

''This is worse than I expected,'' Midorima murmured, concern breaking through his mask. ''I understand that you're distressed, but you'll need to show me the source of that so I could help you, understand?''

''Yes, I do,'' the redhead breathed out, trying to control his trembling voice. He took one more deep breath and exhaled before reopening his eyes. ''Okay. Hand me my phone from the counter.''

Nodding, Midorima did as told, but before he gave the other the device, he noticed the burnt area.

''What happened to your phone?'' he inquired puzzled. It was an odd damage after all.

''Don't know, don't want to think about it,'' Akashi murmured in response, getting the device out of the other's hands.

All he had to do was to install a simple program. Nothing too difficult. Nothing would happen. Besides, it was daytime. He never got any of those messages when the sun was out. So there was nothing to worry about.

Nevertheless, Akashi hesitated for a few moments before opening the app. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes momentarily before clicking on it.

With trembling fingers he opened that chat-room and handed the device to Midorima.

''And just so you know, that account is non-existent,'' he said in a hushed voice, not looking at the other.

The green-haired male glanced at him oddly before shifting his eyes to the screen.

What he saw made a him frown deeply.

Akashi had been serious – for the past week he had been receiving very strange messages from an account that didn't seem to be existing. And the content was, indeed, extremely uneasy. No wonder Akashi was so distressed. Anyone would be. And gived Akashi's already unstable mental state...

''This is very unnerving,'' Midorima commented quietly. ''What is the chance that this could be a bug or a hacker?''

''You tell me yourself whether this seems like a bug,'' Akashi whispered, his voice miserable. ''And I doubt any hacker would be able of such... of such...''

Midorima remained quiet for a few moments, continuing to read over those disturbing messages. If truth be told, on any other occasion he would try to look for other possible logical explanations for such an occurrence, but this case was different. From the moment the male entered this manor something seemed off. That feeling intensified when he got to this room. It had this strange, uneasy aura that sent a cold shiver down his spine. Something seemed so wrong that the moment Midorima entered this room he immediately wished to leave it. This feeling could drive anyone insane.

''Akashi,'' the male slowly started, lifting his concerned eyes to the other. ''I think you should leave this place as soon as possible. Something doesn't seem right here.''

The moment those words left Midorima's mouth Akashi felt how immense dread bloomed inside of him. That terrible foreboding feeling was back at full force and it was choking him. He had to do something, this could end horribly otherwise, he just knew it.

''No, no, I won't,'' the redhead choked out a bit louder than needed. His eyes were once again wide, a clouded, crazed look in them. Be began backing away on his bed as words continued spilling from his mouth unconsciously. ''I can't leave, I can't, you don't understand. No, you must go now. Leave right now, leave. He'll get upset if you don't, he doesn't want you here anymore, leave this instant!''

Midorima was right – anyone could get insane under these circumstances. And Akashi was on the brink of it.

However... The male could feel that intensified dark aura in the room, a sense of danger entering him. He could understand from where Akashi's crazed commands were coming. The sense of dread was indeed incredibly heavy.

Nevertheless, Midorima couldn't just leave Akashi here like this. The male seemed as if he was close to breaking. He critically needed to leave this place and this atmosphere as quickly as possibly.

''Alright, alright, I'll leave,'' Midorima spoke slowly, standing up. ''But I'm taking you with me.''

With those words he quickly grabbed the smaller male and threw him over his shoulder before the redhead could understand what was happening. When he did, however, they were already by the door, and he, horror-struck, began wildly dashing in the hopes of getting out of the other's tight grip.

''No, release me! Let go of me right now!'' he kept yelling as Midorima was jogging through the hallway to the main entrance. However, the green-haired male had no intentions of complying. His goal was now to leave this manor as quickly as possible. Perhaps outside Akashi's mind would clear.

Midorima was so glad when he finally reached the doors and, without hesitation, left this gloomy household. The rather chilly winter breeze and the bright sunlight greeted them, for what the male could sigh in relief as he slowed his pace and finally set the struggling redhead to the ground.

''We're out, Akashi, you can calm down now.''

It took a few moments for those words to sink in in Akashi's mind. It was still quite dazed from before, but now those clouds were slowly clearing away. After a few seconds his rigid pants slowed down to a more-or-less steady breathing and that crazed look washed away from his heterochromatic eyes.

Fresh air did wonders it seemed.

''How are you feeling now?'' Midorima asked cautiously, eyeing the other closely for any kind of signs of pain.

''I'm... fine,'' the redhead breathed out, blinking a few times to clear out his vision. He lifted his wide eyes to meet the other's green ones, though immediately afterwards hissed in pain and instinctively gripped his red locks. ''Just... my head...''

''I see, we need to get you some medicine,'' the green-haired male nodded. ''Can you walk?''

''Yes, I think so,'' Akashi murmured and tried to take step, but if not for Midorima's quick reaction he would have hit the cold ground. He swiftly caught the weak redhead and threw one of his arms over his shoulder.

''Right... Well, my car is just up ahead,'' Midorima announced as both of them began slowly walking down the concrete staircase. ''Like it or not, you're staying with me for a couple of days, at least until you get back on your feet.''

''How frightening it is to see you so caring, Shintarou.''

''It's not like I have a choice,'' he snapped in return, irritated by the other's remark. ''We'll continue this conversation when we're further away from his place.''

Akashi remained silent. He simply didn't know what to say.

But now that he was out in this fresh winter day, he felt how glad he was that Midorima came and forcefully got him out of that forsaken place.

December 14th

''Okay, now listen. I think it's time we discuss what happened.''

Akashi's grip on the warm mug tightened as he closed his eyes for a moment and slightly lowered his head.

''What exactly do you wish to talk about?''

Midorima exhaled and subconsciously fixed his spectacles.

''I've been thinking about this whole situation for awhile and I'd like to share my thoughts with you. So, let's make an assumption, I repeat, assumption, that whatever is happening to you isn't natural or could be explained by the laws of physics.''

''You mean the paranormal?'' Akashi murmured quietly, not looking up at the other.

''Yes, let's talk under that assumption. It's a good idea to form some sort of theory, any kind, and then try to explain certain events. At least it's better than thinking about this blindly. Now, hear me out and I'll want you to tell me whether my thoughts could be correct under such an assumption,'' Midorima intertwined his hands on the table and looked at the redhead seriously. ''Would it be possible that... when he... left, he had a strong enough regret that would keep him bounded to Earth, and specifically you?''

Akashi took a shaky breath and closed his trembling eyelids before he quietly responded.

''That is a possibility.''

A pause.

''I did some research and learnt that when the spirit of a deceased, that left the world with a heavy regret, might not leave the world of the living until it is appeased. And I fear... that if my theory is correct... such a thing happened to him. And to you.''

A hitched breath left the redhead's lips and his knuckles on the mug turned white at those words. He painfully bit his lower lip to the point of breaking the soft, though slightly chapped tissue.

Akashi knew what Midorima was going to say next even before the other opened his mouth.

''And if that is the case, I'm afraid you will have no choice but to find out why he is so distressed and change that.''

...Of course.

Of course I'll have to do that.

Not only because I doubt I would ever be able to sleep again otherwise...

...but also to finally put him to rest.

Akashi's throat clenched painfully with unshed tears.

''But, the most important question is, will you be strong enough to accomplish such a task?''

The redhead lifted his distressed eyes to the other.

''If this is, if fact, the work of the paranormal, I doubt those disturbing occurrences will go away on their own and will most likely only increase in caliber. Do you think your mental state would handle that if that were to happen?'' Midorima asked seriously.

Akashi honestly didn't know.

He said so to the other.

How could he answer such a question after all? How could anyone?

''Of course,'' the green-haired male sighed heavily and stood up from his chair. ''But that is only under the assumption that whatever happening isn't normal. And the chance of that is very slim. Nevertheless,'' Midorima went to the counter and retrieved two small bottles of presumably medical pills. ''I managed to acquire some sedatives and sleeping pills for you. Use them wisely and do not overdose them. I'll be calling each day to check on you.''

''I do not need a babysitter,'' Akashi muttered, taking the bottles from the other.

''You seem very unstable at the moment, so it's better safe than sorry. I'd also advice you to bring back your maids-''

''No,'' the redhead sharply cut him off and cast a death glare at his friend. ''No one is entering that house besides myself.''

Midorima remained silent for a few moments before he deeply sighed. When Akashi was this stubborn, it was impossible to change his mind.

''Alright, do as you wish.''

''Then, I'll be taking my leave now,'' the redhead announced as he stood up. ''Thank you for your hospitality, but I must be on my way now.''

''Will you head back home now?'' Midorima asked, following the other to the hall.

Akashi stopped putting on his borrowed coat from the green-haired male (neither of them were too enthusiastic of heading back to the Akashi manor to get the redhead's winter clothes or a change for that matter, so Midorima lent some of his own, even though they were a bit too big for the other) momentarily. Without glancing at him, Akashi spoke.

''No, I'll visit his mother first.''

''...Oh. Why so suddenly?''

The redhead sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.

''Because... if your theory is, by some chance, correct, I may find a lead to this mystery there,'' Akashi said in a slightly quieter voice than usually as he continued dressing himself. He dropped the bottles of pills into his coat's pocket before he continued. ''Besides, it's been a long time since we last met. I've been acting a bit unfair, don't you think? She is... was, after all, his mother. I shouldn't cut off all contact with her.''

''I suppose that's true,'' Midorima murmured, crossing his arms. ''Tell me later how it goes.''

''Right...''

With a couple of quiet good-byes, Akashi left his friend's apartment.

If truth be told, here was one of the last places Akashi wished to be. No, he had absolutely no desire to be in front of his old house. Too many memories. Too many formerly pleasant, now painfully distant memories. How many times had he been here? How many times had he driven here to pick him up for various reasons, mostly dates? How many times had he brought him back and, occasionally, when his mother wasn't home, stayed overnight? How many times had he visited him here, for the most random reasons, such as 'I missed you'?

Fuck, I can't.

With a slightly trembling hand Akashi took out that bottle of sedatives, quickly opened it and dropped one pill into his throat. If he was going to speak to his mother and to most likely relive some heart-clenching memories, he'll need it.

Taking a deep breath, the redhead approached the front door and, after hesitating for a moment, knocked on it.

After about half a minute muffled footsteps could have been heard from the other side and soon after a lock clinked and the door was opened by middle-aged short woman with the same goddamn hair color.

''Good evening, Kuroko-san,'' Akashi bowed politely to the stunned woman. ''I apologize for coming without a notice.''

''A-Akashi-kun, what a pleasant surprise,'' she spoke, shock breaking through her voice, though she nonetheless tried to form a small smile. Is it really, though? ''It's alright, please, come in.''

''Sorry for the intrusion,'' the redhead murmured as he entered the oh-so familiar household. However, he tried to keep his emotions at bay to his best efforts, that wasn't what he came here for after all.

After he undressed his coat and took off his shoes, the woman led him to the living room, even though he knew the path like his own five fingers.

'You're getting distracted again.'

''Would you like some tea or coffee, Akashi-kun?'' the woman asked as the redhead took a seat on the sofa.

''No, thank you, I'm fine,'' he declined politely. Honestly, he didn't wish to be here longer than needed.

''Okay then,'' she nodded and sat on the other side of the couch. To any person with a pair of eyes it was obvious that she was quite on edge. ''So, what brings you here so unexpectedly, Akashi-kun?''

The said redhead remained silent for a few moments and only thought about his next words.

This will not be easy.

''If truth be told,'' the male started slowly, averting his eyes to the small coffee table in front of them. ''I did not come here on pleasant business.''

''I figured as much.''

Of course she has. She's his mother after all.

''Then I'll get right to it,'' Akashi paused for a moment. ''However, I apologize, but I'll have to ask of you not to ask any questions regarding my own. I understand that such a request might be difficult, but,'' The redhead lifted his distressed eyes to the woman. ''I sincerely wouldn't be able to explain. Not now at least. Please, you would help me greatly.''

His mother didn't answer anything immediately and only looked over the male in front of her sickly white as a sheet of paper skin, that frail frame, those chapped lips and those suffering, pleading eyes...

''...Okay,'' she finally said quietly. ''I'll try to help to my best abilities.''

''Thank you,'' Akashi breathed out and closed his eyes. The woman could see how those eyelids of his trembled oh-so slightly, indicating great distress.

He hadn't healed at all it seemed.

''Around that time, a year ago,'' the redhead started and she immediately felt how her heart already clenched painfully. ''Do you remember... T-Tetsuya acting somehow strange? Not like himself? Regarding, I don't know, university, work, me, anything. Even the smallest of detail would be of great help,'' Akashi finished with a slightly trembling voice, reopening his eyes and looking at the woman in front of him. How long had it been since that name left his lips?.. Quite awhile. It was incredibly taxing after all, he preferred not mentioning him after all. But out of respect for his mother, the male pushed over his boundaries.

The tealnette stared at the male for a good minute, thinking about his words. Of course, all those memories were unbelievably painful, stabbing her already frail heart, but there was obviously something wrong that would make Akashi suffer so much, so she had to try her best to help him however she could. And while curiosity was eating her alive, she respected the redhead's wishes and didn't ask anything. He sincerely loved him so much after all.

''...I... suppose he did seem a bit... off for those few weeks leading up to...'' she started quietly, trailing off. Composing herself, she continued after a moment. ''He seemed so... upset. At first he refused to talk, but one evening I managed to get out of him about his troubles. He said that... he was fearing that your relationship was breaking apart. He told me that for the past few weeks you had grown colder, less affectionate, less... loving. I don't know what exactly was happening between you two, but he was fearing you might leave him soon.''

...What?

What?

No

No, what?

I would have never...

God...

Akashi never thought he took his behavior like that.He hadn't even realized he was so distressed about it. Last year's December was an incredibly difficult month. His father's company was facing critical hardships at that time and it pulled the redhead into that whole mess as well. With only a couple of hours of sleep each night and that never-ending paperwork on top of his studies exhausted Akashi to no end. He had become like a zombie, irritated at everything, so naturally that somehow affected their relationship. But Akashi's mistake was not telling him about his troubles, which led to such misunderstandings. He simply didn't want to bother him with his problems.

Never did such a thought of leaving him cross his mind in those four years of being together.

''I would have never...'' Akashi finally spoke in a hushed voice, eyes wide. ''There was a misunderstanding, I would have never even thought about-''

''I know, it's alright,'' the tealnette interrupted him with a shake of her head. ''I understand, you don't need to explain yourself. When I saw you so... devastated after the news were spread, I knew that you- Anyway,'' she lightly coughed and continued. ''But... I will never forget that last evening. It was quite late when I noticed him getting ready to head out. When I asked where he was going, he cast me this bright smile and said that he was going to run one last errand before the next day. He said that... everything will be okay tomorrow. He said that tomorrow you'll come back to him. Those were his last words before he left and never came back.''

…

God, I really can't take this.

Fuck.

My head...

I have to get out.

I don't want to be here anymore.

Goddammit, my head is going to split up.

''Thank you for everything, Kuroko-san,'' Akashi spoke after a long pause, his voice blank. His eyes were telling a different story though. ''I'll be on my way then. Thank you again.''

With that he stood up and politely bowed to the tealnette. He had to get out of his this house as quickly as possible, so he wasted no time in that. He couldn't stay there any longer.

Fuck. This seems like a fucking tragedy movie rather than real life. It just keeps getting worse by the fucking minute.

I really can't do this anymore