AN : This chapter is really long, be warned. I just noticed this story has reached Chapter 16! That is way too many to my liking, and I'm just writing about a one week vacation. The time goes really slowly in my story, doesn't it? I plan to end it soon. So bear with me.
Midorima huffs while Murasakibara, Kise and Momoi are swarming Kagami with questions about what just happened to make Akashi that mad, Kuroko tags along since he is curious as well - they assumed Akashi is angry since there's no way he would get red from embarrassment.
He wouldn't even have the ridiculous idea about Akashi blushing if it's not for Akashi's trying to walk as fast as his legs can carry him out the door, remarkably with his head down, something a proud victorious individual would never do even in no one's presence.
He decides it's time to confront the guy about his off behavior ever since the trip started, the trip that changed Akashi drastically.
"It is very unlike you to run off in a hurry like that just so you can sit here by yourself, Akashi." He finds Akashi sitting down on the ground in the front porch, hands hanging from on top of his bent knees, eyes staring at the top sharp parts of the fence with mixed expressions.
"Am I not allowed to do that?" His usual facade is back almost instantly, one would think he can just change expressions to his liking with a simple switch.
"Something's been bothering you since the very first day we were here. And I don't like to think that you're not comfortable enough to tell me about it nanodayo." Midorima hesitates for a moment before joining Akashi on the ground.
"Hm, I don't remember I've ever confided in you, Shintarou." Akashi shifts and crosses his legs, since Midorima has been eyeing him for his previous 'improper' sitting manner.
He knew Akashi wouldn't spill something like this that easily. He sighs before continuing, "I want you to not keep everything to yourself nanodayo. I can't promise I'll be able to help you, but by simply letting it out can make you feel better."
Akashi finally stops staring at the fence, and tilts his head a bit to look at the guy next to him. "I've gotten all the help I needed, thank you. Are you being protective over me?"
"Akashi, those two are especially hard to deal with, even for you, and they know that. They see a chance, and they will take it." For a moment, he thought he's being too vague, after all, Aomine and Kagami aren't that bad of individuals.
"Are you worried that I might be bullied?" Akash's voice lowers it sounds almost sinister. Midorima doesn't fear him nor his habit of snapping into a violence being, but he can't help to shudder inwardly, especially since they're discussing about Akashi's inferiority in physical power.
"I don't think Kagami and Aomine would do something as stupid as that, but by the way you've been behaving, and acted earlier, they might be using a different method." Everyone knows Aomine's obsession with inappropriate magazines. Akashi may be raised to excel in every field, but if he's confronted with such vulgar things that he probably hasn't been exposed to, it might as well be his weakness, if it can be called a weakness. And Kagami would have been more than happy to make the taunting even worse. After all from what Midorima can tell, Akashi and Kagami don't get along that well.
"What different method?" Akashi is close to laugh if he didn't stop himself, he crooks a smile at his worried companion instead.
"Well..." He wonders how he can explain such a thing to Akashi, "You're not the type to indulge yourself in... reading what Aomine..." He can't bring himself to finish, but he assumes Akashi gets what he means.
This time Akashi lets himself express his amusement at Midorima, as he chuckles softly.
"What's funny?" It was anything but easy to say what he thinks bluntly, and now Akashi think it's laughable? Maybe he was worried for nothing, or worried for a wrong reason, the latter would very much embarrass him.
"I'm not as innocent as you think, Shintarou. Besides, just like any other people my age, I do need to know about that, the basic at the very least."
Midorima is frozen stiff in his spot. The conversation has taken direction towards something Midorima doesn't feel comfortable discussing about, especially with Akashi, or with anyone really. "That's good to know." He finally says.
"If you need assurance, neither one of them is mistreating me. I appreciate your concern, but to be honest I'm quiet offended by how you underestimated me." Akashi semi pouts. It's a rare sight but Midorima has a feeling Akashi is faking it, he can't think of a reason why he would have the need to though.
"That still doesn't explain why you haven't been acting like yourself this past week." Akashi may be trying to change the subject, but Midorima isn't a fool like the rest to easily forget his initial concern.
Akashi's pout disappears and turns into a frown. The reaction pretty much indicates the reason why Akashi's been avoiding him. No one likes being interrogated by someone as persistent as he is.
"I see no reason to hide this from you, and since you're really curious I…. I know you won't speak of this to anyone." Akashi gives him a sharp look that slightly falters he then quickly looks away.
Under normal circumstances, Akashi usually can come up with a convincing lie, but Midorima is pretty proud of himself for being able to corner Akashi like this. This just shows how great of an impact whatever is happening to him has, and thinking about it makes Midorima even more worried.
"Ever since I saw Daiki by the river by himself, I thought to myself, I wish I could have as much fun as he does."
Midorima furrows his eyebrows in confusion. "Why would you-"
"Please, let me finish." Akashi cut him. "I've secretly wanted to try different activities, I just couldn't find any that interest me. Then Daiki asked me to join him since there were many crayfish to catch, he was excited, and I had nothing to do. I find it highly entertaining and I've been going to the river with him ever since. I didn't want anyone to know since it's something I wouldn't normally be attached to. Now, I've told you everything, are you satisfied?
"
His brain feels too slow to catch up with the story, but did Akashi just say he finds catching some tiny creatures in the river to be addicting? Wouldn't Akashi much prefer games that mainly involves thinking, since that's what he's specialized in? So why would this mindless activity capture his interest this much, it may be the reason why Akashi wants to hide it from everyone. It's something Akashi pretty much always looks down upon. Of course he wouldn't want anyone to know about it, it would change how people view him.
He thought it was a ridiculous lie for a second, but looking at it from that perspective, it makes a perfect sense. "I... understand. More or less nanodayo."
Akashi nods and he seems relieved to get it out of his system, even if it's only to one person. "Thank you for listening to me."
"I was the one who came to you, so of course." Midorima fixes his glasses before excusing himself and heads back into the house.
Akashi stares blankly at the door for a moment. To be honest, his thoughts were so disarranged he was almost in a panic state, fearing Midorima would find out about him and Aomine. He isn't sure if Midorima really did buy his ridiculous lie, but he's relieved the guy decided to drop the subject and leave him alone to his thoughts.
Kuroko decides it would be best to ask the person who's definitely responsible for Akashi's blushing, Aomine. So he left the group who still demand an explanation from Kagami, they especially aren't too pleased having to postpone their playtime outside.
"Aomine-kun, why are you sleeping on your face? You won't be able to breathe."
The tanned blunet mumbles a sentence Kuroko can't make out, so he pokes his ribs hard.
"Ouch! What the hell, Tetsu!?" Aomine unburries his face from the pillow and holds his ribs while cringing his face, Kuroko's poke really hurt.
"I couldn't hear what Aomine-kun said." Kuroko replies nonchalantly.
"I said I'm not sleeping. And you didn't have to poke me that hard, geez. It feels like you just stabbed me." He sits up to allow space for the other to sit next to him.
"Did you finally get Akashi-kun's first kiss?" He ignores his former light's complain.
"Hah!? How did you know that? Did Akashi tell you everything?" He scratches his head nervously. He thought Akashi was the type who kept everything to himself.
"Yes, he did." Kuroko sounds almost proud to Aomine, it was faint, but knowing Kuroko it's as obvious as he can get.
"And you, how about you and Kagami, huh?" He nods to Kagami's direction, who's getting more pissed by the second since Murasakibara decides to unleash his frustration for sabotaging his Aka-chin.
Kuroko widens his eyes briefly before looking down. "K- Kagami-kun has nothing to do with me."
"It's obvious, thanks to Akashi." Aomine leans back on his hands and smirks. It's maybe his first time seeing Kuroko being bashful about something.
"Akashi-kun did say you were trying to help me with Kagami-kun. But how did Akashi-kun let you know?"
Oh, so Kuroko doesn't even bother to hide his crush on Kagami anymore? Aomine chuckles, "Remember the game prize I got for you? You said it was for your girlfriend, turns out the girlfriend is that stupid head."
"I never said it was for my girfriend. Aomine-kun just assumed so." While Akashi tried to make a situation awkward for Aomine and Kagami even for a short time just for fun, by simply placing the doll Aomine earned in Kagami's bed, since it was intended for him in the first place. He was maybe subtly helping Aomine realize Kuroko's secret crush. Kuroko has to confront Akashi about this later. "I really want to give it to Kagami-kun. So when I saw you choking my present-"
"I wasn't choking or doing anything to your present, Tetsu! You should know what Kagami did, or almost did if I wasn't there to stop him." Aomine defends himself, Kagami did throw it across the room. And he almost threw it away too.
Kuroko quickly buries his face into his hands.
"Oi, T- Tetsu?" Aomine glances at the doll to check if it looks okay, maybe it doesn't look okay in his eyes since he's acting all sad like this.
"Aomine-kun. I'm scared."
"Why? What's wrong?" He approaches Kuroko and proceeds to squeeze his shoulder gently. He wish Akashi was there with them, he would know how to comfort someone better.
"Kagami-kun likes Akashi-kun a lot." Kuroko speaks softly Aomine almost didn't catch it.
"Are you... jealous?" He promises himself he will punch Kagami so hard until Akashi is out of his mind, and replaces it with Kuroko.
"I don't know, maybe. But I'm more worried than jealous. Kagami-kun will hate me if he finds out I like him."
"Nah, he won't. Trust me." Aomine puts his hand around the shorter guy's shoulder, giving him more assurance then his words can.
"It'd be best for you if you don't act too friendly with me. What if Akashi-kun sees you hugging me like this?" Kuroko then slips away from Aomine and distances himself.
"If he doesn't trust me yet, at least he trusts you wouldn't do something like that with his boyfriend, right?" Aomine raises an eyebrow, smirking while the thought of Akashi blushing like earlier pops up. He wish he could catch Akashi before he could run off on him like that, and kissed him in front of everyone. He doesn't really mind letting the others know about their new relationship.
"Akashi-kun's boyfriend? Are you guys already a couple?" Kuroko glances over his shoulder in worries the others might be able to hear their conversations. But he doesn't find them anywhere, not in the room at least.
"I didn't ask him yet. But he confessed to me already, that makes him mine, doesn't it?" Aomine shrugs.
"I don't think Akashi-kun will like hearing you speaking like you own him."
"Really? Well then, he'll have to tell me that himself." Aomine is getting ready to get out the door but Kuroko stops him in his track.
"Be careful, Aomine-kun."
"Why? What do you mean?" Kuroko is looking down so he can't really make sure if he's serious or not.
"Akashi-kun can be as dangerous as you are."
Aomine reaches Kuroko's head and pats it gently, "I know. Don't worry, I won't make him cry."
"Aomine-kun… Don't make Akashi-kun hate you."
"You should be worrying about yourself, Tetsu. You've helped us enough." He bends down and gives the shorter guy an encouraging smile, "Just let me know whenever Kagami is being a jerk to you, I'll beat him for you." With that he leaves.
"I swear if ANY ONE of you disappears on me again, I will give you a punishment you won't forget. And that includes you too, Akashi-kun." Momoi points her finger to the guy who seems unfazed, while everyone almost faints worrying about Akashi going berserk again.
"I apologize. I'll make sure that won't happen again." Akashi sounds sincere.
Momoi nods in satisfaction, and a bit of shock as well, then she announces it's finally time to depart, Momoi wants everyone to dedicate a day to exploring the beach, especially at night since there are very few people to none there at that time, and spend the night outside with nothing but a beach towel to sleep on.
"Oi, it's cold at night, you know. You wanna kill us or something?" Aomine was expecting to sleep with Akashi again and maybe take it a step further. But that won't be possible now, will it?
"Ah, don't worry about that, Aomine. I'll make sure you're warm." Kagami wraps his arm around Aomine's shoulder and pulls him closer.
Momoi clears her throat as loud as she can, and that silences Aomine's angry protest to Kagami's disgusting gesture.
"I'm aware of that, Aomine-kun. We are going to build a bonfire!" She exclaims enthusiastically, grinning at the thought of everyone sitting around the warm fire and chatting, and sitting next to Kuroko then perhaps falls asleep on his shoulder.
"Why do we need to explore the beach? Is there something special nanodayo?" He thinks this activity is silly and a waste of time, sure they can bond over it but there are other better activities as well, like playing a similar game they did on the first day.
"It's alright if you don't want to participate, Midorin." Momoi turns around and leaves with a small bag in her hand, while humming on the way.
Everyone follows suit and Midorima is tailing closest to Momoi. "May I ask what you're really up to?"
"I thought some of you would disagree. I've hidden one belonging of yours, and everyone else's. Your task is to find it, that's a good motivation, no? She receives fierce glares from most of the boys.
"The hell Satsuki!?"
"It better not be my lucky item for tomorrow!"
"That's why I couldn't find my umaibo anywhere…"
"I thought I lost my sunglasses-ssu!"
"I didn't take your sunglasses, Ki-chan."
"Why did you take one of my shoes!? Couldn't you take my socks or something!?" Kagami has been wondering if he left his shoe somewhere, or if Aomine burned it.
They keep complaining until they reach their destination, then Momoi turns around, hand reaching inside her small bag."Guys~ before I start the game, I have a little surprise. And just in case you haven't noticed, Akashi-kun, I took your cell phone." The guy has been quiet all this time, not that he's the type to whine all the way like some of the loud mouthed just did. She got the rare chance to take the object because it was lying on a table unguarded.
"I noticed." The redhead replies.
"Alright then! The rules aren't as complicated as last time.
Rule number one - You have to go solo.
Rule number two - You aren't allowed to take your own belonging.
Three – You can't tell anyone of the location if you do find it. I'll be sure to watch every single move you guys do just to make sure none of you cheat."
"Sounds like a pain in the ass, this time." Aomine still has no idea what Momoi took from him, but he'll go along anyway. He doesn't understand Momoi's obsession with games though.
"Patience, Aomine-kun. I'm not done talking." Momoi proceeds to walk around in circles in front of the group, before continuing, "I'll have you guys take a piece of paper from inside my bag." She holds up the small bag she's been holding. "I have written your names on it."
Once everyone has taken one, Momoi smirks, "You have to search for the object belonging to the person whose name is in your hands."
"This… This will be way harder than I thought…nanodayo…"
"Momoi-san, I don't think this is a good idea. It may take us all night if we aren't allowed to help each other." Even Kuroko protests.
"Don't worry~ I'll stop the game after two hours. Besides, you can always help each other." She takes out a long black wig from the same bag.
"What is that!?" Kise gapes at the sight. A wig isn't something someone would carry around in their purses!
"You'll just have to wear this all day tomorrow. With a matching outfit, of course. And by that, I mean cross dress." She announces happily, much to everyone's horror.
They did not sign up for this.
"Why do you think I'll have to follow your rules, Momoi?" Akashi finally speaks up, sparking everyone's hopes he will be able to cancel this game and just enjoy the bonfire already.
"Akashi-kun.." Momoi approaches the boy, then takes out her cell phone. "You wouldn't want anyone to misunderstand this picture, would you, Akashi-kun?" She slides her phone into his view, while covering her mouth with her other hand.
Kagami mutters an 'uh oh' inwardly. Now he knows why Momoi told him to fetch this new couple and to take a picture of them in the backyard that time, while the two were tangled with each other intimately. It is so he can blackmail Akashi.
AN : I like to think Akashi isn't all that intimidating and perfect. I want him to have flaws. Sorry for not being able to write IC Akashi (or anyone really haha).
Feel free to let me know if you find some parts to be confusing. I don't have anything planned out, the ideas flow as I write so my story always tends to not make sense.
And I'm so overexplaining the doll incident. I just couldn't explain it good enough and I'm not satisfied with how the 'surprising incident' I planned didn't work out well.
Feel free to review.