Betrayal In Its Most Simplest Form
Chapter 8
Seirin's basketball team crowded at a small table in a comfy restaurant. Each player was jittery, nervous, and expectant. They were expecting Shogo Haisaki.
After Riko's expert researching, they had managed to track down Haisaki from Teiko. Apparently, he was attending the high school they would be competing against, soon. The picture they found of him was frightening. A tall, grey-haired teen that looked violent at first glance. His past records show that he had been expelled from a number of schools for fights.
Kuroko was hanging around a guy like that? They all wondered.
Haisaki had replied hours after Seirin's coach emailed him. He agreed to meet at this small restaurant.
"He's late!" Teppei exclaimed.
"By an hour," Kagami grumbled.
Hyuuga glowered. "Be patient."
Suddenly, Koganei jumped up and pointed, "Hey! Isn't that him?" Everybody turned to the front door.
Sure enough, Shogo Haisaki appeared at the doorway, clearly intimidating the stuttering waiters. He glared at him, and they quickly shooed away with a squeak. The violent teen scanned through the crowds in the restaurant, until he landed his eyes on them.
"Are you guys Seirin?" he growled.
~Setting Skip~
Kuroko stared at the meal before him in disgust. Though the aroma around the room smelled delicious, the contents told a different story. It was an American meal: A fat, juicy steak cut into small pieces, a serving of spinach on the side, a small portion of mashed potatoes, and a cup of iced water. That's right; there was no tea, which was usually served with lunch or dinner, which was supposed to help with digestion! On a small plate beside the disgusting main dish, broccoli and peas were served.
Akashi stared amused at the expression on the smaller boy's face. He sat on the edge of the bed, Kuroko in the middle of it, with his arms and legs crossed. A large tray sat on top of Kuroko's lap. "I've heard American food helps you gain weight," he said, "While I disagree with some of the food selection, I do see how this can be more nutritious than a standard Japanese meal."
Kuroko pushed the tray away from him. The sight of it made him nauseous. "I don't want to eat it," he muttered.
Akashi narrowed his eyes and forced the tray back onto his lap. "You will eat everything," he commanded. "No excuses."
Kuroko almost pouted. "Everything?" he touched the foreign meat to see if it would move. It didn't.
"Yes, everything. I expect not to see a single crumb on both those plates." He glared at Kuroko. "It is also part of your . . . punishment for disobeying me."
Kuroko's face pinked and he looked off to the side in shame. When he had woken up this morning, Akashi had been waiting at the foot of the bed. He had immediately gone into detail what his 'punishments' were for going against his orders and sneaking out. He was to not, first of all, under any circumstances, get out of bed unless if it was for the restroom. It didn't matter if his legs were numb, if his muscles ached, or if he was simply bored, Kuroko was not to get out of the bed. If he did, one of the Generation of Miracles would drag him back.
Akashi stayed true to his word. Just two hours ago, when Kuroko was feeling restless from simply staying in bed all day, tried to sneak out of the bedroom just to get some fresh air. Unfortunately, before he could even make it to the living room, Akashi appeared behind him and carried the poor boy all the way back to bed.
Then, an hour later, Kuroko tried again when he was sure Akashi had gone out to go grocery shopping. It was Murasakibara who stopped him that time.
Now knowing it was useless, the teal-haired boy stopped his little escapades.
His second "punishment" was that he had to eat everything Akashi cooked for him. Everything, to the last crumb. It was simply torture to the skinny teen. Akashi tended to serve in large portions, and he purposely made foods he did not like, but were healthy for him. He had also been refused of his favorite vanilla shakes, which almost killed Kuroko then.
And finally, his last retribution from his torture list was to apologize to his father, which Kuroko was going to do anyway. He knew his father worked hard for him, and he hated to always be a burden. For him to skip work to come for the sake of his health made him guilty.
Kuroko had made sure to call at noon because he knew his mother would not be home at that time. His father picked up, and the two of them had a quiet and long and relaxingdiscussion.
"I don't think I can finish this, Akashi-kun."
"You will finish it," Akashi said firmly. "I made sure to give the right amount of servings for you."
Kuroko glumly started eating. The red-head fought against a smile at the childish expression the passer had on his face. He leaned over and ruffled the teal locks. Kuroko looked at him with wide, puppy-like eyes. Akashi only shook his head and pointed to the meal.
Forty-five torturous minutes later, Kuroko managed to eat everything. He had also finished his iced water, but that was more due to the fact of desperately drinking it to get rid of the disgusting taste of spinach, broccoli, and peas.
"Good job," Akashi praised, evilly flicked Kuroko's forehead and picked up the tray to wash it in the kitchen.
The small teen leaned back against the large pillows, rubbing the attacked part on his forehead. He felt so full, the thought of food made him sick. Kuroko groaned quietly and put two pale hands over his face. Why did he disobey Akashi? Nothing got through the red-head, so why had he even think of sneaking out the other day?
Akashi smirked at Kuroko's antics. Looks like Tetsuya's starting to regret his choices, he observed. Good. He slipped out of the bedroom and walked back to the kitchen to place the dishes in the sink. "Daiki," he called.
The tanned teen appeared at the front of the kitchen. Embarrassingly, Aomine actually had housemaid clothing on. He wore a cleaning apron, and a "bandana" was placed on top of his head. In his hands, he held a mop. "Yes, Akashi?" he asked tiredly.
Akashi studied the obviously exhausted teen before taking pity on him, "Clean those dishes, and then you're done for the day."
Relief filled Aomine's eyes. "Thank God," he muttered. He slipped passed the red-head to prepare to wash the dishes. His day had gone spiraling down since morning. Akashi had him first vacuum every single room in his ridiculously large complex, then to dust every corner in the living room. After he cleaned all the windows until you could see your reflection in daylight. He knew he got it easy, today, though. Akashi had yet to give him bathroom duties.
At one, he was forced to attend the Yoshiro's Kindergarten. He had come in with a confident spirit, firmly believing little kids weren't all that bad, and came out broken, tired, and horrified. Troublemakers, as Akashi called them, was an understatement. It was more like Devil's Little Helpers with their little "cute" uniforms" and their "cute" yellow hats. He was spat on, climbed on, complained to, snacked on, and kicked.
How will I survive a whole week volunteering there? Aomine groaned.
Akashi left Daiki to do his final job for the day and went back to the living room. School was tomorrow, so Shintaro, Ryouta, and Atsushi all went back home. Daiki would be going home soon, too, after he finished with his task.
Kuroko and I will be the only ones here, Akashi analyzed. Which means I only have this time now to finish my business.
He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed in an unknown number. The receiver picked up on the first ring, "Seijuro-kun."
"Kaoru," he replied to his long-time acquaintance. "I have a question I want you to answer."
Yoshida Kaoru, a young man introduced to Akashi through his parents. He was the only person-when they were young-to actually not obey any of the ridiculous orders Akashi usually gave to his "friends". That was not to say that the man was not afraid of the red-head, but that was more due to the fact Akashi's parents were connected to Kaoru's parents. Being six years older than Akashi, the young man was well on his way to owning his small branch of the large business incorporation.
"Yes?"
"Who is your boss?" Akashi asked bluntly.
"My boss?" There was silence before, "Seijuro-kun, you know my parents are my commanders for now."
"No. I am asking about the owner. You are about to own a small branch, correct? Who is the owner of all the branches, including the main branch?"
Kaoru didn't answer for awhile, and all Akashi could hear was the shuffling of papers. "That would be . . . Suzuki Akihiko," he answered. "He's the owner of the whole business."
He. Hm, it must have meant Kaoru had yet to see his "boss" if he thought the owner was a he. "Interesting," Akashi murmured. He took out a notepad and pen.
"Akashi, I'm heading out," Daiki announced as he left the kitchen in his normal clothes.
The red-head only nodded absently. "Kaoru, will you spell out the name for me?" Kaoru read out the letters, and he wrote down each Japanese character of the name. He studied the name.
A curved smirk became present on his face. Yet another male given name.
~Setting Skip~
Kuroko tried hard to sleep. It was the only thing he could really do, besides reading. The books Akashi brought him were incredibly dull and boring. He could hear some murmurings through the closed bedroom door and assumed Akashi was busy with someone.
He lied back down with a deep sigh. How did this happen? Again, he depended on the Generation of Miracles. Since the very first time he was injured during his first year of middle school, every one of the members of the first string helped him; protected him; healed him. For once, he wanted to do something for them. For Midorima-kun, Murasakibara-kun, Aomine-kun, Kise-kun, and most importantly, for Akashi-kun, who has done so much more than he deserved.
Kuroko blushed at the thought of Akashi. Lately, the former captain had been affectionate—more than usual—to him. Despite what he says, Kuroko did care deeply for Akashi. He was the first to hold out his hand in the midst of his beatings, the first to discover his talent, and the first to figure his relationship between his mother and him.
A vibrating sound next to Kuroko make him jump. He grabbed his phone, wondering who could be calling him at this time. He stupidly did not check the caller ID and answered the phone: "This is Kuroko."
"Tetsu-kun," a dreaded, familiar voice purred through the line. Kuroko's eyes widened. His body movement stilled. "Good boy, Tetsu-kun. You picked up your phone. I've missed you so very much."
Panicked gulps started to develop. Kuroko's hand turned white from holding the cell phone too tight. He couldn't even shake from fear because he was too afraid to move. His mouth refused to open, and his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. Kuroko looked like a statue; frozen, sitting up against the pillows, with a cell phone glued to his ear by a hand.
"How are your injuries?" Ibuki hummed, not bothering an answer from her son. "I saw you limping the other day when I came to see you practice. My poor baby, are you all right?"
You don't care, you don't care, you don't care, Kuroko chanted in his head. Hang up. Hang up. Hang up—
"By the way," Kuroko's mother turned her tone into something dangerous. "There was a teenager that rudely defied me the other day . . . He even threatened me, your dear mother. He should be taught a lesson—"
"Don't hurt Akashi-kun!" the small teen finally cried out. At the thought of Akashi, all movements were available to him, and the only thing on his mind was to defend and protect the red-head. "He has nothing to do with this!"
Ibuki stayed silent, contemplating on what her son just protested. "Oh? You actually ordered me to do something?" she finally hissed. "It looks like this "Akashi" is important to you."
Kuroko didn't get to answer. He never got the chance. The bedroom door slammed open, and out appeared the devil himself: Akashi. "Tetsuya, what was that? Who are you talking to?"
The said teen turned to look at Akashi. Then the shaking started.
"Aka—shi-kun," Kuroko whispered. "Okaa-Okaa-san—hurt—phone—threat—I can't," the distressed boy couldn't form a complete sentence. Akashi stood still, startled, before he strode in the room. His eyes were on the cell phone.
"Is Tetsu-kun crying?" Ibuki taunted. "Oh, how I want to see those beautiful tears—"
The phone was yanked out of Kuroko's hands. A strong arm wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him in against a muscular body. The warmth was inviting. With Kuroko cradled next to his body, Akashi put the phone to his ear and announced loudly, "Kuroko Ibuki. How do you fair?"
Ibuki immediately screeched on the other line, "It's you, isn't it? Isn't it? You're that unruly brat who dared to defy me! And threaten me! How dare you take Tetsu away from me, you will pay!"
"Me? I, Akashi Seijuro, will pay? You poor woman," he murmured silkily into the phone. "You will be the one to regret your decisions, Kuroko Ibuki. I do not care of your power nor your influence. A single secret from you is all I need to destroy you."
Kuroko's mother refused to let her fear show in her voice, "What are you going to do, boy? You're just a brat. Akashi Seijuro, you say? Your parents are acquaintances of mine."
"It would not do you well to involve my father and mother," Akashi warned. "No matter how many connections you have, my parents are most powerful in law. They will not fall for your schemes." When Ibuki didn't reply, he said, "I do hope you are prepared for the long battle I prepared, Kuroko Ibuki. I do not intend to be brought down that easily." He hung up.
"No, Akashi-kun," Kuroko said, alarmed. "You'll get hurt." Akashi, now finished with his business, turned all his attention Kuroko. He scooped him up easily and sat him down in front of his open legs. Kuroko sat quietly, studying Akashi with confused eyes. Akashi's eyes stared back, inviting.
Instantly, Akashi's arms were engulfed by him. Tears soaked his red shirt as Kuroko cried onto his shoulder. He tightened his hold on the broken teen, and felt the back of his shirt being clutched. Unlike the other times, Kuroko's sobs were not loud and painful, but soft and quiet, almost as if he were holding everything inside. Akashi unconsciously patted the teal-colored head.
Do you know how much pain you cause, Kuroko Ibuki? Akashi asked bitterly in his mind. Or you are aware, but you simply relish this pain as your entertainment.
"It's all right," he said quietly. "You are safe. She is not here. And will not be for the next couple of days." Kuroko's cries did not stop. In fact, the hold Kuroko had him in tightened. "Tetsuya." Akashi decided to change tactics. His controlling, authoritative figure would help in this situation. He physically pried Kuroko free from his arms and grabbed the wet chin. "Look at me."
Kuroko did. The expression on his face made Akashi swallow, but he stayed firm. "Stop crying." Two thumbs went over Kuroko's cheeks to wipe away the tears. This process repeated over and over until the tears stop flowing. What was left was a very exhausted Kuroko. The thumbs were replaced by hands. Akashi's large hands went to both of the sides of the boy's pale face. Kuroko leaned into the hold. "No one is allowed to make you cry. I am the only one allowed. I am the only one who is allowed to cause you pain, cause your tears, and cause you your suffering. No one else. You are mine, Tetsuya."
Kuroko didn't protest.
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