"Sei-chan, have you seen Shizu-chan?"

Mibuchi approached Akashi early in the morning with a worried face. The redhead titled his head to the side slightly and simply said no.

"that's weird..I checked the whole dorm and I couldn't find her.."

"I'm sure she just went outside for a walk. Do you need her for something?"

"well I need to confirm some things with her but…" the tall male shrugged and smiled sweetly at the shorter one. "I'll just do it later~"

"I see..tell everyone that practice will start at 9."

"sure thing~"

The raven haired mail went to the dining hall with the other tagging along behind him. Just as they were about to enter, something sloppy and wet landed on Akashi's face. Horrified gasps could be heard from every single soul available. Once the item— pudding —slid down from his face, the redhead gave a sickeningly sweet smile to the member that was fighting over the pudding with Nebuya and resulted in it flying to Akashi's face.

"Kotaro. Since I see you haven't had the chance to take a bite out of your food, run 10 laps around town."

"b-but Akashi—"

"now."

Reluctantly, Hayama went outside and did as told. Mibuchi handed his handkerchief to the captain which he used to wide his face. After that, breakfast continued in utter silence. Even Nebuya kept his mouth shut. Since there were only 3 days left before the match against Seirin, Akashi became kinda tensed— or maybe excited would be much more correct —and this really scared the members, excluding the Uncrowned Generals.

An hour after breakfast, Hayama finally returned from his long run and instantly collapsed at the main entrance. Akashi gave him permission to rest for a few minutes while the other Rakuzan members gathered in the training hall and divided themselves into 2 groups. One group was going to run a few laps around the field available while the other group was going to practice on their shoots. Nebuya, the leader for the first group enthusiastically went outside and ran the laps with the others behind him.

Mibuchi, on the other hand, was in charge for the second group but rather than the training, he was much more worried about the female manager who was still absent. He excused himself for a while and dialed her number but ended up in voice-mail. Every time he tried again, it was the same result. Oh dear..I hope nothing bad happened to her…

"Reo."

"Sei-chan!" The raven haired male turned to face the red haired boy who approached him from behind.

"I didn't think you would actually slack…"

"I'm not..It's just that Shizu-chan has not returned and she's not answering her phone.."

"She's fine." He coolly said without hesitation.

"but…"

"Don't worry. Now, return to practice"

"if you say so.."

The tall boy returned to his group, leaving the redhead to his normal observing business.

But still. he thought. It is rather abnormal for her to go somewhere without notifying any of us…don't tell me… Akashi shook his head slowly at the horrible thought that went through his mind.

"H-Hayama-senpai..don't waver!"

"Nebuya-senpai! Hang in there!"

"R-Reo-nee…what's the next one?"

"it's…." Mibuchi gulped. "left leg, blue!"

"gaaaah! It's too far!" Hayama whined. He was already in a twisted position and it was nearly impossible for his left leg to reach the closest blue spot way over the edge.

"Hayama-senpai, don't give up! We're betting drinks on this!"

A few minutes before, Akashi suddenly said he had some important business to do so he granted the team a period to take a break until he comes back. The team had been practicing ever since they came to Tokyo so a little resting wont hurt. So, they chose to play twister. Well, actually Nebuya and Hayama were the only two who were playing and the others were betting on who would win. The half that lost would have to treat the other half to drinks sold in a shop only in Tokyo which they were dying to taste.

"almost…there…got it!" The blonde male shouted happily once his foot barely managed to touch the spot.

"okay, Eikichi. Right hand, yellow. And please lose" The raven haired smiled. He was betting on Hayama because, quote, he would never bet on a gorilla.

"tch. A bit more— agh!" and that was it. Nebuya failed to reach the yellow spot and he landed hard on his belly.

Happy cheers could be heard and the opposite could be heard too.

"Alright!" Hayama jumped up and down happily. "We get free drinks tonight!"

"ye—" Mibuchi's words were cut off by his phone's ringtone and he cheerfully answered. "hello?"

[ "Shizune is in America." ]

"eh?" he blinked. "what are you- how do you know? And why?"

[ "did some investigating here and there. The reason is unknown. I don't think she'll be back in time for the match." ]

"is that so…where are you now, Sei-chan?"

The guys present instantly froze at the mention of Akashi's name. He's on the phone? Oh shit. Nobody say anything bad! Or just don't say anything! —was the mutual agreement from the guys in just one exchange of looks.

"I'm on my way back now. Tell everyone to head to bed now. We'll start early tomorrow."

[ "understood. Walk back safely~" ]

Click.

Akashi ended the call and re-read a text message which came before his call to Mibuchi.

[ From: Kudo Shizune
Subject: sorry.

Before you start scolding me about suddenly disappearing, I'll tell you that I have a good and perfect reason for it. Dad's condition isn't getting better and mom is barely keeping it together so with the help of my mom's connections, I made it all the way to America. I don't think I'll make it to the match so…I wish you guys luck and sorry…

-Shizune ]

The male flipped his phone close and returned it to his pocket. It looks like my bad premonition was right. Nothing to be surprised about but…

"you're- Akashi.."

In front of him stood Mouri Ren and his friend, Suzuki Sousuke. In their hands were a few books about places. Ren clicked his tongue at the sight of the redhead male and let out an irritated sigh while Sousuke was wearing a rather sly grin.

"heeh…so this is how that Akashi guy looks like. Short for a basketball player~"

Akashi's eye twitched and he glared at the headband-wearing male. Even though they were about the same height, the redhead somehow felt shorter than the two.

"tsk. Out of all places, we had to meet here.."

"that's my line, Mouri."

"now, now, Ren-chan." Sousuke started to say, obviously enjoying the way his best friend is acting around the other male. "Don't get mad. I know your jealous about—"

"who's jealous!?"

"you are~"

"Sousuke! Urgh, never mind that…Akashi, where's your school's dorm? I need to talk to Shizune."

"Kudo is currently unavailable."

"don't give me that kind of crap."

"I am not. She's in America now."

"wha-"

"it's quite pitiful." Akashi suddenly said. "I, who is just her normal classmate, knows more about her whereabouts more than her own childhood friend. Ironic, isn't it?"

"bastard..are you picking a fight with me!?" Ren didn't understand. Why is he getting so riled up with this arrogant guy? He usually succeeds at keeping his calm but with him, he can't. Another was why didn't he know about her going to the States? Why didn't she tell him? This…wasn't the first time…

"I am not. I'm just stating the facts."

"you-!"

"Ren." the blonde held his friend back from using his karate against the other. He wouldn't want a commotion to start.

"tsk. I know…" The male brunette exhaled and calmed himself down. Sousuke removing the '-chan' meant that he was being serious so reluctantly, he has to give up on beating his hated person up. "oi, Akashi. If she returns, tell her to give me a call."

"we'll see if I would relay that message to her."

Ren gave a glare to Akashi before leaving with Sousuke. He pulled his scarf to cover the bottom half of his face, the scary expression still on his face. His friend sighed and proceeded to give a light smack on his head with the books he was holding.

"ow- what was that for?"

"that's my line. You never lose your cool. Don't tell me just because you're jealous you—"

"like I said, I'm not…"

"whatever. By the way, why is Kudo-chan in America? Did something happen?"

"if I knew, do you think I would be attempting to beat Akashi up for knowing?"

"point made. Well, let's go and karaoke all night!"

"…yea.." Shizune..what happened?...

Cerulean eyes opened and scanned its surroundings. It then landed on a woman's sleeping figure. Her eyes were obviously worn out from crying too much and the words "Yusaku…please be okay" kept on escaping from the lips of the woman. A small hand stroked the woman's hair in comfort and the dull orbs went to a patient lying on a bed, motionless. He breathed through the oxygen mask provided and the machine beside him beeped steadily.

The girl leaned back on the wall, careful not to move her legs which would disturb her mother who was sleeping soundly with her head on her lap. She didn't get much sleep worrying about her husband so she needed the sleep. She stared at her father and unconsciously clenched her fist. According to the doctor, he was stabbed multiple times around the chest area. The reason for the attack is still unknown and Shizune, for once, felt like she understood the hate most murders felt. Even so, murder or revenge isn't an option for her.

The stagnant atmosphere continued for a long time and Yukiko woke up, slightly refreshed from her nap. She lifted her head from her daughter's lap and cutely stretched then leaned on the girl's shoulder. The blonde solemnly watched her husband on the white bed, praying that he will wake up and show her his warm smile she loved so much. Shizune held her mother's hand as a sign of assuring her that he will be okay.

Beeeeeeeeeep.

The long, ear piercing beep was a sound of horror to the two females in the room. The older one rushed up to her beloved and started shouting his name with tears flowing down like a huge waterfall while the other ran out to get the doctor. A doctor and some nurses rushed in the room and requested the two to wait outside. Yukiko's tears couldn't stop flowing and she buried her face in her daughter's chest, her body shaking in fear of losing her dear Yusaku. The brunette slowly stroked her mother's hair trying to at least calm her down and anxiously watched them try to revive her father.

Dad…

thanks for reading!