The One that Got Away

"Are you going in or not?" Kuroko Tetsumi turned around hearing the question, she saw a smiling orange haired doctor. She was previously taking the time of her life standing outside her parent's joint room, when she was startled by the doctor's cheerful tone.

"I knew you were going to come. I came as fast as I could when I heard the news. Grandma is inside; I was going to check upon her when I saw you standing here. I see, you did not change a bit still small as ever" the man grinned and rambled on and on but Tetsumi only blinked at him. This man acts so familiar with her. He then took notice of the lack of response of the teal head. He looked at her as if expecting something, which only confused Kuroko even more. She felt like she knew this man, yet she could not put her finger on it. Then like a lightning hit him he froze, realizing the obvious factor from the start.

Disbelief written on his face "Don't tell me… you… you forgot about me?!"

Now, Tetsumi felt bad to this man seeing his expression, it was somehow funny though.

"Heh, I guess it can't be helped, neh Kuroko-chan?" he smiled positively yet getting a little teary eyed, with some crumbs on the corner of his mouth. Tetsumi paused, crumbs , now that gave this man identity away. There is only one person clumsy enough to leave it like that. She smiled inwardly, this man haven't change at all. Due to the encounter they did not heard the quiet opening of the door, an elderly lady came out.

Tetsumi was about to call her childhood friend on his given name when someone beat her into it, a familiar voice she haven't heard in years.

"Shige-kun, you're here, who are you talking to?" the old woman's vision turned to her, their eyes locked.

"Ah! I better go first" Ogiwara bowed, leaving the two, but not before sending Tetsumi a comforting smile.

Tetsumi was sporting her ever famous poker face but no one could miss her welling up. No word said her grandma captured her in a fierce hug.

The hallway was filled with sobs and cries, Ogiwara Shigehiro, standing at the end of the hallway, smiled sadly. Even if he was a bit of an airhead, he has some sensibility to leave the two. He let them have their family moment, knowing Kuroko's grandmother had so many things to say. What happened became a horrible nightmare, her mother entered comatose state and her father had a lot of broken bones, rehabilitation would take years before he could walk again. At least Tetsumi was there now , and he really hope they could complete their family again. With renewed determination he resumed working. He flipped the file of the patient and headed out to his next stop. He and Tetsumi could chat next time, she would not go away again right. Shigehiro looked straight ahead to the elevator, in dinged and he entered. He pushed the button with label 4 a level higher than the Kurokos floor. He reached his top and walk through the quiet hallways. The floor is reserved for VIPs or wealthy patients. He found room number 14 and knocked twice before entering.

"Hello, Oono-san" Shigehiro greeted.

:::

Tsuji is terribly intrigued of the figure in front of him; he felt some strange connection to this man, which was the reason why he was standing out in the open instead of hiding. He ditched Kagami in the car, after his mother entered the hospital. This was their third day in Japan and they haven't done any sightseeing, and he was told that they were in for a vacation. But of course of the genius he was, he was fairly aware that something is going on. He was supposed to trick Kagami but in the process of searching for a hiding spot, some strange force made him study the red haired man sitting on a bench. When the man stood, hetero chromatic cat like eyes took notice of him. He noted that they had the same calculating eye as his and that got his attention even more. But he figured that the man was seeing something else.

Akashi was taken off guard of those cerulean eyes that is looking at him, studying him. For a second he thought he saw Tetsumi, no one could blame him though this kid is the exact replica of her. Though having the same eyes, this kids eyes seem to be sharp and Akashi know that this kid is really something else. Neither of them spoke, until the kid pointed his phone, on his phone strap to be exact, which is a shogi piece.

"Do you play Shogi?"

Akashi nodded, predicting the next question.

"Can we play a round?" Tsuji asked without any hesitation.

"Not a problem, then we must go to the lobby first, we do not have a board with us" Akashi agreed nonchalantly, walking towards the hospital entrance, which surprised the young man a bit.

"You accepted, even if you do not even know if I could even play. You are the first mister, you are not kidding with me, are you?" he asked while following the older man. Akashi looked down briefly to catch the little teal head's accusing expression, which he finds quite adorable. They were already inside the hospital when Akashi replied.

"You challenged me and I accept. Unless you're backing out" Akashi smirked.

Tsuji puffed his cheeks "I never backed out on a challenge before, especially when I'm the one who issued the challenge." Tsuji crossed his arms on his chest.

The medical receptionist who was handing Akashi the shogi board nearly slips the item to Akashi, hearing the teal head's declaration. He looked incredulously at Akashi who returned the look with the look. That shut the receptionist mouth. They walk back to the bench and began arranging the pieces.

"Hn, mister I suggest that you do not underestimate me, I have never lost in any board game before." Tsuji informed the red head.

"Then be prepared to experience your first defeat."

"You might be a hard one but my victory is absolute." Tsuji announced confidently.

Akashi look calm but inside he was surprised with that statement. This kid resembles him a lot. If he didn't know better he would say that this kid is his and Tetsumi's kid. He feels like he is talking to himself, he had the behaviour of an Akashi and they were so frighteningly alike even his shogi moves. Akashi felt like he was fighting himself but different. His old self returned around this kid.

'Clack'

Fiery cerulean blue eyes looked at red and yellow, and then turned sideways crossing his arms on his chest.

"Round one was only a warm up. Do not get cocky, only because you defeated me once, hmp"

Akashi was fighting his urge to smile, knowing full well that the other is frustrated.

"You put on a good fight, that much I can say." that was an understatement Akashi knew, the match was probably the hardest one Akashi had taken on, up until the end he could not predict who will win, not until his opponent made an opening. He won because of experience, but if the other had more of that, he might have lost the match.

"Those are only sweet words, but thank you nonetheless" Tsuji finally looked at him, after a moment of sulking. "Ah! I better go now mister. I hope we could play again." Tsuji ran away from Akashi "Next time I won't be so merciful, be ready." he shouted before waving and sending him warm smile.

Akashi waved a little, truthfully he wanted to talk some more with the kid. The kid had the same effect on him as Tetsumi a feeling he felt after a very long time. He sat on the bench calmly putting back the pieces in the board. When he finish he sat calmly.

"What do you want?" Akashi said out loud. His warm hetero chromatic eyes turned blank as men in black suits entered his line of sight.

"Satorou-sama asked for you, young master, he is at the main house waiting for you." They bowed.

Akashi stood and walk towards one of the men

"Return this to the lobby" he commanded handing out the shogi board; he hesitates a bit and looks at where Tsuji disappeared.