Edited some parts~
Kuroko no Basuke is copyrighted by Fujimaki Tadatoshi-sensei. Give him the best regards for creating this great manga!
The OCs are mine.
Warning: Akashi x OC. Later on it will be Midorima x OC, but the main story is focused on Akashi.
Alluring Gaze
Chapter 02
Vague Hint
The bell rang. Lunch time is over. After reading some pages of the book, Akashi decided to go back to his class. He also decided to borrow the book and exited the library. When he passed the bulletin board earlier, he still saw the poster of 'The Next Miss Rakuzan' hanging there, with one missing torn-out candidate. The candidate is none other than a well-mannered girl Urenomiya Sakuya. Apparently, the said-girl never joined from the start, and she suspected the photographer from student council was the mind of her dismay. Mibuchi; the one responsible for the event, promised her to settle the business and will tell her the final decision tomorrow after-school. But he forgot that he had basketball practice tomorrow, too, so he asked Akashi's help to tell her about it.
While walking through the hall, Akashi still remembered Mibuchi's words about he was wrong for accusing Sakuya doesn't have redeeming qualities.
"Let's see it ourselves. Will she show us her true form? Time will tell~"
And indirectly, Mibuchi actually made a bet with him which is of course gladly accepted. Once the time will tell, Akashi will show him the answer.
"Be prepared, Reo."
When Akashi stepped into his classroom, silence filled the room in seconds. It's like a warning to keep your mouth zipped when the king is coming. Akashi ignored the sudden silence; continued his way to his desk which is located at the back row near the windows. After he sat, he eyed his classmates one by one. The students are all tensed when he did that. They hope nothing bad will happen.
"Strange. Where is she?" Anywhere he looked, he couldn't find Sakuya's presence. None of the seats there are empty. She was like disappeared from humans' sight. "She's not Tetsuya."
Mibuchi's voice then lingered to him. "What was it? Hm… it's like she didn't recognize you at all."
If that's the case, then he will spot someone who's not tensed up like the others. She didn't recognize him, right? So probably she will act normally unlike her classmates now. It's just… why it's difficult to locate her based on that fact?
"Come on, now. She's not Tetsuya." Akashi repeated that in his head. "She's different from Tetsuya. Tetsuya has weak presence; he has to 'surprise' people so they will acknowledge him. As for her, even Reo noticed her arrival back at the library."
These thoughts made Akashi frowned yet amused. How can there be another unique being like Kuroko Tetsuya? And he had to repeat it again, she's not Tetsuya.
Suddenly, someone dropped a thick book to the floor; shocking everyone in the class with its noise except for Akashi. The owner of the book then took it again and apologized to everyone. "I'm sorry for making you all shocked."
It was a man's voice. Akashi shrugged it off until one of his classmate yell jokingly to the voice. "You almost made my heart popped out, Sakuya!"
So, the man's name is Sakuya.
Wait, Sakuya?
Akashi then looked over to the front row and he spotted Sakuya is sitting at her desk again continuing her readings. Her desk is near the classroom door, yet he failed to spot her when he got here. He was almost bewildered to himself, until he realized the reason he failed to spot her from the start.
Sakuya is reading her book closely to her face, and so covering her face entirely. Her reading position is definitely odd. It's not a very comfortable position to read a book.
Takano who is sitting behind Sakuya is sweat-dropped at her friend. "Jeez, Sakuya-chan. That's how you read? It's ridiculous."
"I can't help it." Sakuya peeked from her book to glance at Takano. "I felt someone is watching me, so I must cover my face."
"Huh? Sakuya-chan, don't scare me out, please. If there is a person like that in class, he's such a creep."
Akashi twitched. He felt someone is talking about him. Just who's the one dare to talk about him behind his back?
"Anyway, it's such a miracle you still focus on your book when Akashi entered the class." Takano continued on. "Didn't the sudden silence bother you?"
"I didn't mind. Actually, it's relaxing. And, why did you say that? Isn't it normal for Akashi-san to enter the class? This is his class."
Takano only sighed. "Sakuya-chan, you really don't know anything about him?"
Sakuya blinked at her friend. "He's our class representative, right?"
"Not that…" Takano waved her hand slightly in front of Sakuya. "He's the well-known Akashi Seijurou from Generation of Miracles! You know, that legendary basketball team!"
"I see." Sakuya's brief answer only make Takano sighed again. Her friend really doesn't know anything about Akashi, yet when she mentioned about Generation of Miracles, Sakuya didn't act like interested. Takano only hoped her friend will be fine when one day Sakuya will know what Generation of Miracles are, especially Akashi.
After done conversing with Takano, Sakuya put her book back to her bag after their teacher came in. The moment her teacher came, she didn't feel that feeling of being watched again.
"I guess I must thank Yana-sensei later for saving me," Sakuya thought with gratefulness.
Their teacher had given his students a group task where they will do a presentation about a certain topic given by him. Each group consisted of three to four students. Now, the class is quite lively because all of them are searching for partners. As for Akashi, he is waiting in his place. He will join one of the groups after they all assembled. After all, they are too afraid to ask Akashi to join in. He doesn't mind, actually. It's been like that since his first group task.
But it changed when Sakuya approached him, with Takano behind her.
"Excuse me, Akashi-san. Are you in any case still not finding your group yet?" she asked politely.
Akashi looked up to her, and locked his eyes to hers. It's the third time they glanced to each other's eyes, and still Sakuya doesn't waver at all. It's also rare for someone to approach him like that. "Yes, I am."
Sakuya turned her gaze to Takano; who nodded at her, and turned her gaze again to Akashi. "Do you want to join our group, then? We only have two people, and with you, we are officially partners."
"Fourth time." Akashi smiled at Sakuya. "I gladly accept your offer." So he can use this opportunity to discipline her.
"Then I'll write our names to the teacher!" Takano walked to her teacher, wrote her group's name, and received their topic. She walked back and showed the topic to Akashi and Sakuya. "We are the last group and we got 'Baroque' as our topic. But, what is that?"
Akashi wanted to open his mouth; answering Takano's question, not until Sakuya gave in. "It's one of artistic style. You can say it was a period in Medieval times, after Renaissance."
"Huh? Sakuya-chan, you know?" Takano's eyes widen in disbelief.
"The least of it from the book I read earlier."
The teacher had left the class to attend the teacher's meeting, so all the students use their time to discuss the topic or doing something else. Sakuya then positioned herself in front of Akashi, followed by Takano who's sitting next to her. The three decided to split their own tasks to make things easier and faster. Akashi is still busy with the Winter Cup, after all.
"Akashi-san, do you mind to be our group leader?" this time, Takano nerved herself to talk to Akashi, still without looking into his eyes.
"I do not mind, after all I am suited for the job," Akashi stated himself proudly. "Well, shall we start?" Both girls nodded their heads in approval.
Akashi distributed each of them a piece of paper consisted of the tasks they are responsible for. He wrote them himself; with so much detail, that Takano almost gasped. Sakuya is still expressionless like usual; reading her assignments given by Akashi while the red-head explained. "Each of you will handle those parts I gave to you, which means you have to prepare your own speech and what kind of explanation will you give to others. To note, keep it in details but briefly." The last part was an order.
Takano nodded; noticing the stressed tone in the last sentence. As for Sakuya, "I'm sorry. But I think I can't do that." Takano shrieked in fear after hearing her friend's honest reply. "Just what do you think you're doing, Sakuya-chan?!"
Akashi raised his brows at her. He kept silent, signaling Sakuya to explain her reasons.
"You gave too much tasks for me…" Sakuya's face frowned; Akashi smirked at that. Actually he had planned that from the start as a part of disciplining Sakuya. The first step is to make her overwhelmed with this small thing; group presentation. How sly Akashi is.
"S-Sakuya-chan, it's okay. You can ask my help if you need one," Takano tried to comfort her friend by slightly tap her shoulder.
"I can't allow that." Akashi tried to hinder Takano's offer, but he stopped when he heard Sakuya's slight chuckle. Did she just laugh?
Green eyes sparkled with delight. "This is too much. Too much that I want to explain all of the greatness of Baroque style detailed. I can't keep them briefly at all." Sakuya turned to look at Akashi with glee – the first time Sakuya's deadpan face cannot hide her joyfulness. Akashi was taken aback with that. "Leader! Will you allow me to disagree with the 'briefly' part?"
Takano was sweat-dropped.
Akashi didn't know how to argue.
The way Sakuya looked at him with happiness stunned him completely. He thought the girl will be dejected, but he was wrong.
"This is completely beyond my expectation," Akashi thought. And he must remind himself that he, too, underestimate Sakuya. The fact that he was wrong… he will keep in mind to not make hasty moves. Akashi then coughed. "I will allow it, only if you can show me how you will handle your part without people gotten bored from the long explanation."
"You mean… you will judge her presentation when she practices?" asked Takano.
"Certainly. Keep in mind that we will also practice our own speech and let ourselves evaluate each other, so prepare yourselves the day after tomorrow after school in here." Akashi ordered the two. "Is there any question?"
"I guess not. Me and Sakuya-chan don't have club activities on Wednesday, too." Takano turned to Sakuya who is back to her usual expressionless face. "…Although, I'm not too sure… Sakuya-chan, you're available on that day, hm?"
Sakuya nodded at her. "Just for an hour, though."
Akashi noticed the scheduled-time. "Do you have some business to attend to on that day?"
"Yes. I have a part-time job…" Sakuya trailed off. "Do no mind it. I still can attend the speech practice. I'll just inform my manager about my lateness later. She won't mind."
"Are you sure?" Akashi asked with disbelief. "Only an hour? An hour is not enough for our practice. I don't want our group to fail if one member can't master their part."
Akashi gave Sakuya a stern gaze; warning her. "Tell your manager you are absent for Wednesday. Focus on this project."
Takano flinched on his tone. Because she knows, Akashi's dark tone is terrifying. It means you have to follow what he said and do not make him irate. She looked up to Sakuya with worries. Akashi is annoyed with her friend.
"I cannot do that," is Sakuya's solid reply. Takano shrieked in fear. Oh, how she wants to get out from there to avoid The Emperor's wrath.
"Care to repeat that?"
"I cannot do that," Sakuya stared at Akashi's heterochromatic eyes the sixth time. Of course Akashi noted that. "Before you retort, Akashi-san, I acknowledge you as a perfectionist. You want everything to be in order and in its best result."
"So you did know me." Akashi mumbled, unnoticed by the two. "The least of me, however."
"But rest assured, Akashi-san. I'm capable for this," she continued with a hint of confidence in her tone. "I trust my own knowledge in this part. I trust you, too, as our capable leader. So, please let me prove it to you and trust my competence."
Akashi was silent; considering her words. Sakuya said it without wavering, and her eyes – although blank – spoke her inner thoughts that she was being true to herself. A glint of determination past her eyes; she's being serious with proving her virtue to Akashi Seijurou. The red-head smirked. Why not take her words then? So he will see the outcome himself. If she fails, though, he then had more chance to discipline her. Just how eager he is to crave Sakuya's mind now with two absolute orders from him; to not look at him in the eyes and to not defy him.
"I guess I'll let you off this time," Akashi sighed. "Do what you believe right, then. If you fail, however, you have to follow my orders not matter what it is."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Takano rubbed her chest. She felt relieved. At least she didn't need to go through the heavy tension between Akashi and Sakuya. The group then discussed each items of the topic. To Akashi, his members are capable enough to understand what he stated, with addition Sakuya's detailed analysis about Baroque. He didn't need to teach them how to speak to audience properly as the two girls are already used to speak in front of class, especially Takano. He just corrected a few lines and added another hypothesis. After they finished, the two girls went back to their respective seats. Before Sakuya walked not too far from his reach, Akashi grabbed her wrist; signaling her to stay.
"Can I help you, Akashi-san?" asked her politely after Akashi released his grip.
"Reo asked me to tell you about his alteration arrangement with you," Akashi stated. "He can't see you tomorrow because he had basketball practice after school."
"I see," Sakuya nodded. "I understand. Did Mibuchi-senpai mention when the new appointment, then?"
"Unfortunately, he didn't. He was in rush, so he didn't tell the exact time." Akashi waited for Sakuya to ponder first, before he retorted again. "If you want, I can make Reo to meet you today to discuss it at practice. Just come to the first gym after school."
Sakuya seemed confused with that. "Could you explain it again? I don't understand."
Akashi leered at her. It's time to introduce who he is. "I am the captain of this school's basketball team. Reo is one of my teammates. I can make him to see you after school for a while."
The green-eyes girl blinked. "Akashi-san plays basketball?"
"Yes. I've been playing basketball, joining the regular team, and being a captain since my middle school; Teiko, if you heard the name before."
Akashi hoped that the little details about him could realize the girl about the famous Teiko Middle School and the five prodigies with an additional phantom player called Generation of Miracles; including himself. He thought Sakuya didn't know him maybe because she never meets the prodigies. His explanation replied with a muttered "I see" from Sakuya.
"I guess I will go to the first gym after school, then. Do you mind if I tag along with you, considering you will attend the practice with Mibuchi-senpai?"
"She's not going to ask about Teiko and us?" Akashi shrugged his thought and nodded at Sakuya. "Very well."
"Thank you. Excuse me, then." Sakuya got up, bowed slightly to Akashi, and went back to her desk. Takano spotted her arrival and giggled. "What were you talking about with Akashi? The rest of Baroque thingy?"
Sakuya shook her head. She took her book from earlier and read it from what she left. Her eyes trailed to her left. "No. It's about my appointment with Mibuchi-san. He can't meet me tomorrow and it seems he forgot to give me the new time appointment, so Akashi-san offered his assistant earlier."
"Oh, about the event, huh?" Takano sighed. "It won't take too long, right? I'll wait for you at the gate. If you happen to be longer than that, just give me a call, okay?"
Takano seems know where she will be going to, but Sakuya choose to ignore it. She nodded. "Sorry for the inconvenience, Takano-san."
Takano laughed at her friend's polite response. "No need to sweat it, Sakuya-chan! Anyway, it's okay to call me with my given name. I don't mind!"
"I'm sorry. I must refuse," Sakuya remarked, only to have her left cheek pinched by Takano.
"Ugh! Why are you such a too-well-mannered girl? You're only 16!" Takano whined. "I'm your friend… no, best friend! Call me Rika!"
Sakuya ignored her so-called best friend ranting and continued her reading.
School is over. The students of Rakuzan are going to their own errands. As for Sakuya, she is waiting for Akashi to pack his things up. Takano already left and tell her she'll wait at the school gate. When Akashi's finished, Sakuya approached him and let the red-head to lead them to the first gym. They walked through the corridor and none of them raised a word. They don't feel bothered with the silence between them, as they keep walking and walking until they reach their destination. Sounds of bouncing ball and squeaking shoes were heard from outside the gym. Akashi opened the doors and walked inside first; observing his teammates who are playing against each other. He let Sakuya entered and closed the doors.
His presence makes everyone in the gym stopped their plays and turned their heads to their captain. Akashi nodded at them. "Proceed with doing your training. I have matter to handle first."
All of them nodded in agreement and went outside the gym without words, much to Sakuya's novelty. The players seem to follow what Akashi has ordered them to, like an oath. She shrugged it off and glanced at them exiting the gym. The males also steal a glance at Sakuya; curious what is she doing at the gym with Akashi. But they don't want to ask; they don't dare to speak that nosiness inside them.
After they have gone outside, Akashi gestured Sakuya to follow him to the bench inside. "Wait here. I'm going to change and call Reo."
Sakuya nodded at him. She sat on the bench and put her bag beside her. Akashi took another glance at her before went to the lockers in the other door.
When he got inside, he spotted Mibuchi is already in his sport attire; white shirt, blue sport pants with white stripes, and sport shoes. He also spotted his other teammates - two of Uncrowned Kings; Hayama Kotarou and Nebuya Eikichi. Both of them still changing clothes. Akashi approached Mibuchi who seems in distress. When he opened his locker, Mibuchi looked up to Akashi and greeted him.
"Hey there, Sei-chan." Akashi nodded to reply. He quickly changed his uniform with his black shirt, basketball shorts with the same pattern as Mibuchi's, and sport shoes. After putting his belongings inside, he turned to Mibuchi.
"How's your business with the student council, Reo?"
Mibuchi sighed. "Things are too complicated. Even the president was not expecting this to happen."
"Oh! What's wrong, Reo-nee?" Hayama appeared behind the frowned Mibuchi. He already wore his usual sport attire; orange shirt matching his hair, black shorts, and sport shoes. A grin spread wide on his face. "Since you arrival here, you keep sighing and sighing."
"Don't call me that, Hayama!" Mibuchi pissed. "Anyway, Sei-chan is here already, so let's get to prac-"
"Do not need to rush, Reo," Akashi cut Mibuchi's word, and continued again while the two looked at him in bewilderment. "I brought Sakuya here. Meet her outside."
Hearing the brown-haired girl's name, Mibuchi's face brightened, much to Hayama and Nebuya's shock. Without another words, Mibuchi went outside the room. "Who is Sakuya?" Hayama asked Akashi.
"My classmate," stated Akashi. He then followed Mibuchi outside with Hayama and Nebuya trailing behind him. The three spotted Mibuchi is sitting beside a long dark-brown-haired girl with green eyes. Their conversation is heard from far away.
"…So Sei-chan already told you about it?" Mibuchi clapped his hands in front of Sakuya. "I'm really sorry, Sa-chan. I even forgot I got practice tomorrow, too. I hope you don't mind."
Sakuya blinked at her new nickname from Mibuchi, but doesn't mind it. She shook her head. "It's alright, Mibuchi-senpai. You're a busy person, after all."
Mibuchi smiled. "I'm faltered to hear that. So, is there something you have to do here?"
"I want to know when the new time of our appointment. Akashi-san only told me about your practice schedule."
"Oh, I forgot!" Mibuchi embarrassed. "Well, I don't know. I'll be busy for the next weeks with the student council and the Winter Cup. How about you, Sa-chan? What day you're available? I'll match it with mine."
Hayama suddenly whistled; interrupting their talks. The orange-haired boy approached Mibuchi, rested his hand on Mibuchi's shoulder, and grinned at Sakuya. "You're Akashi's classmate?" Sakuya nodded. "Are you Reo-nee's girlfriend? His face changed when he heard you're here, you know?"
"Shut up, Hayama. And don't call me that!" Mibuchi shouted, pulling Hayama away from being too close to Sakuya. "I'm sorry, Sa-chan. Back to the topic, when you're available?"
"You're so mean, Reo-nee…" Hayama whined. Mibuchi sent him a glare to make sure he's not noisy again.
"I'm free on Thursday after school only," Sakuya replied. Mibuchi sighed when he heard it.
"I guess I can't on Thursday. You seem to be a busy girl, too."
"Not really. Speaking of which, how about the outcome of my case, Mibuchi-senpai?"
Mibuchi shook his head. "Not going too well. I also asked our photographers, but they don't know anything and they never take your photo. I guess one of the students did that to you."
"I see," Sakuya nodded. "How about my candidacy? I never joined in the first place, so I must resign and give it to someone else."
"What? What? What is it? Tell me!" Hayama shook Mibuchi's shoulder, making the black-haired man ticked off. His action was stopped by Akashi's interruption.
"We should let them be, Kotarou," Akashi warned. He then turned to Mibuchi. "Is your business finished? After that we can continue to our practice."
"Soon, Sei-chan." Mibuchi got up from the bench. "Why don't we talk over there?" He pointed to the corner of the gym. Sakuya only nodded and followed Mibuchi. When they are far away and continued their conversation earlier, Nebuya approached Akashi and Hayama who were still standing on their spot.
"So it's true she is Mibuchi's girlfriend?" the big dark-skinned man asked lazily.
"I don't know. Reo-nee just scolded at me…" Hayama let out crocodile tears.
Akashi chuckled at Hayama's drama. "No. She is just Reo's one of the candidates for 'The Next Miss Rakuzan' event, Urenomiya Sakuya. Apparently, she's actually never entered the event. Someone else signed her up. Now she is talking about it with Reo."
"Oh! So that's why I felt I've seen her face somewhere!" Hayama exclaimed. "But wait, even though she was signed up by someone, isn't it just fine to let it go? Just enjoy the show and if you win, you'll get the prize!"
"I'm afraid she's not like what you said earlier, Kotarou," Akashi chuckled again. "Maybe she just doesn't like being in those kind of contest." Maybe.
"I heard something about other student took her photo and used it to sign her up?" Hayama asked. He received a nod from Akashi.
"Weird," Nebuya mumbled. "It's like someone is stalking her, or should I say… obsessed? They ended up collecting her photos without being caught. Then he thought something and submitted her photo to that miss-crap thingy for what?"
Akashi scoffed. "They had reasons, I assume."
"Ugh…" Hayama shivered. "Just imagine you have someone like that near you. They always look at your photos, give you something like poetry or crappy things to your locker, watch you from afar with dangerous eyes!" He then hugged himself. "Ew! I'm scared!"
"You're horrible at acting, Kotarou…" Nebuya scowled at him. "You said that reminded me of someone creepy in my class, dumbass."
Akashi rolled his eyes. He turned up to look at Nebuya. "Who is it that you were talking about, Eikichi?"
"Well," Nebuya scratched his head. "There's this one guy who is anti-social. I heard from my buddies he always hides in the corner and looking to girls' photos. Once I bumped into him and I noticed a girl's photo fell from his file holder. I only looked it a while, though, but the girl has brown hair. He quickly snatched it and ran off like a fool."
"Dude, that's just wrong!" Hayama smacked Nebuya's back playfully. "I don't know you have him in your class! Wow, he's such a creep!"
Mibuchi later approached his teammates. He's done talking to Sakuya and already sent her outside. "Sorry. I didn't take too long, right?"
Akashi crossed his arms. He is in deep thoughts. The three Uncrowned Kings looked at their captain with curiousity, since the red-head kept silent even when Mibuchi tried to call him a few times. "Sei-chan? Sei-chan? What's wrong?"
"Maybe he's thinking about our menu?" responded Hayama.
The Emperor then lifted his head and casted a glance to each of his teammates. His heterochromatic eyes then landed on Nebuya. "Eikichi. Tell me the name of your classmate earlier."
"Huh? Why do you want-" but Nebuya decided to ignore his ramble and replied. "It's Amamiya Yanabu."
Mibuchi blinked at the name. "Amamiya? The president of library committee? What's with him?"
The three looked to Akashi, who is now smirking. His eyes narrowed slightly. "It seems I've found something interesting."
"Huh? What do you mean, Sei-chan?"
Akashi turned his back to the three, walking to the gym's court. He picked a deserted basket ball and shot it to the net with lay-up. He picked the ball again and held it. The red-head then smiled devilishly to Mibuchi.
"You'll know soon, Reo. Soon."
Author's Note:
Finally, chapter 02 is out. Thank you for those who favorite and follow this story. Thank you for the reviews. They help me a lot.
Also, thank you NuramagoFan for the suggestion!
As for Akashi and Sakuya's relationship, they still don't use the term 'friend' since they are not close to each other. But they'll be close later. Still a long way, though. I'm still waiting for Midorima's appearance next time, and that's more a long way to go.
Those who curious with the cover, I drew it, then edited it. If I have time, I'll draw Midorima with Sakuya. I still need to practice my drawing, though…
For further notice, next week I'll have my mid-term tests, so I won't be able to update for two weeks (yes, two weeks). My tasks even piled up. Oh, college life.
Well then, I look forward to receiving your thoughts about this chapter. Then again, sorry if there are wrong grammars and stuffs. Sorry if the characters here are out of character (especially Hayama, haha).
Have a nice day everyone.