It's going to be Halloween...

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 05

Unexpected

"You're going to England?"

Little Sakuya looked up to the boy in front of her. He was Ryouhei, Sakuya's childhood friend. They have gone home from the graduation ceremony earlier and now they were in Ryouhei's house. The two sat on the cushion prepared by Ryouhei's mother.

"Yes. Aunt and Uncle decided to move me to England to continue my studies in junior high. They said something about my mother and father's wish," Sakuya stated while sipping her milk tea.

Ryouhei thought for a while. "When will you go?"

"Next week."

"And you're not going back here anymore?"

Sakuya stunned. She didn't know the answer to that particular question. The girl doesn't know if she will come back after finishing her studies in there. "I… don't know."

"I see." Ryouhei stood up and moved to Sakuya's side. He took Sakuya's little hand and entwined her fingers with his. "If that's the case, let's spend our times together until next week and create unforgettable memories," his tone was serious. "So we won't forget each other."

Sakuya only smiled to Ryouhei and nodded at him.

The moment Sakuya opened her eyes, what she noticed first was her shoulders. They no longer hurt anymore. She even can move her arms, too.

She sat up and glanced to her right. The clock beside her shows it's 05.40. She woke up a little bit earlier than the appointed time. She decided to use that opportunity to prepare herself. She makes sure she doesn't wake up Takano who is still sleeping soundly in her bed. Sakuya owns a double bed, after all. With Takano's company last night, she didn't feel lonely.

After taking a bath and dressed up in her Rakuzan uniform, Sakuya went outside and decided to make a simple breakfast for her and Takano. She put on her white apron and started cracking two eggs to the frying pan. While she is cooking, Takano; already with her uniform, took a seat in the dining table. Sakuya serves her cooking to their plates, and brings them to the table. Takano already prepared their milks, so she doesn't have to go back to the fridge again. Once the breakfast has been served, the girls start eating the omelet.

"How's your shoulders?" Takano asked.

"They're fine now," Sakuya replied.

"Good!" Takano ate the last piece of the omelet. "By the way, after school we will show our parts, right? Have you prepared them, Sakuya-chan?"

Sakuya only nodded in approval. Since she had finished her breakfast, she took the plates and glasses to the sink and washed them. She put back her apron back to its place and grabbed her school bag. "Shall we go now?"

Takano nodded and both girls exited the apartment and went to their school.

"What is it, Sakuya-chan?"

After Sakuya opened her locker to change her shoes, she found an envelope on top of her indoor shoes. She took it and inspected the sides. The words 'To Urenomiya-san' indicated that the letter was for her. She decided to read the letter.

To Urenomiya Sakuya-san.

I humbly apologize for what I have done for you. I know it cannot be tolerated. I am willing to take responsibility for this action. As for your photos, I decided to burn them all. I also explained everything about your candidacy in the event. You do not need to worry anymore. I will avoid you so you will be at ease.

Signed,

Amamiya Yanabu

"It's from Amamiya-senpai," Sakuya told Takano. "He wrote out his guilt here."

"Oh, him," Takano snorted. Ever since the incident yesterday, Takano hates the guy. She closed her locker after wearing her indoor shoes. "What will you do after that, Sakuya-chan?"

"I don't know." Both girls walked to their classroom. When they arrived, they only saw Akashi was sitting on his desk reading a book. The others are still not there, considering the school will start at 8 a.m. Akashi then noticed their presence. He put down the book and stood up; approaching the girls. Takano was sweating. She didn't know what Akashi will do to them. She still remembered what Mibuchi told Sakuya; that Akashi was not like his usual self yesterday. The short-haired girl gulped, hiding behind Sakuya.

When Akashi is in front of Sakuya, the harlequin-eyed girl greets him. "Good morning, Akashi-san."

"Good morning," Akashi greeted back. "It seems your shoulders have healed."

"Yes," Sakuya moved her arms to show Akashi that she is fully recovered. "I can move my arms again."

"Good." Akashi suddenly snatched the letter Sakuya was holding and read the content. His face later frowned. "Where did you get this?"

"From my locker," Sakuya took back the letter from Akashi's hand. She folded it up and put it in the envelope. "By the way, it's impolite to take someone's belonging without asking permission first, Akashi-san."

Takano sweat-dropped at Sakuya. "Sakuya-chan, what are you doing?! You lectured Akashi Seijurou, you know!"

The short-haired girl guessed Akashi will be mad at Sakuya, however she was wrong. The red-head only sighed and smiled afterwards. "Pardon me," and he absentmindedly patted Sakuya's head. Which of course, shock Takano. She never imagines The Emperor will let go of someone who's defying him, yet he acts differently with Sakuya. Just what on earth is happening?

Mibuchi's word then lingered to her. The black-haired man said something about Akashi's unusual self. Did he mean like what the red-head is doing right now?

Sakuya then noticed the bite mark on Akashi's finger; the one that she bit. "Your finger, Akashi-san."

"Oh, this?" Akashi showed his index finger to the girl. "It's not a big deal. The mark will disappear soon."

"I see. That's a relief," Sakuya sighed. "Excuse us. We will visit the library."

Akashi raised his brow. "What will you do there?"

"I have a duty in the morning and lunch break, while Takano-san wants to read book," she explained. Akashi rubbed his chin; deep in thoughts. He then looked back to Sakuya. "I will come, then."

Without words, Akashi took back his book earlier and let the girls led the way to the library. When they ascended the stairs, Akashi noticed the bulletin board near it and the poster 'The Next Miss Rakuzan' still missing its one candidate; obviously by its ripped part of someone's photo. He glanced to Sakuya; remembering at how the harlequin-eyed girl torn out her photo bluntly in front of her schoolmates.

He chuckled lightly at that particular memory, especially when it's the first time they met eye to eye. The first thought that came to him was he wanted to discipline her, but now he feels he doesn't need to. He will let the girl do what she thinks right, just like she said. After all, there is no law for looking at someone's eyes is a wrong thing.

Well, he only applies it for Sakuya only. He still won't tolerate others who look down at him; only the ones who serve him, and he adds another addition.

Urenomiya Sakuya, a plain-looking girl with unexpected surprises.

"Sakuya-chan. It's alright if I play music here?"

After the three went inside the library, each of them went to different sections. Akashi sat on one of the tables and continued reading his book, Sakuya sat on the counter, and Takano sat on the floor mat near the bookshelf. Takano already got the book and she wanted to read it while listening to some music.

"It's prohibited, unless you wear a headphone," Sakuya reminded her friend while she was writing something.

"I didn't bring my headphone, Sakuya-chan. But I wanna hear some music…" Takano whined; puffing up her cheeks.

Feeling her friend's disappointment, Sakuya only sighed. "I don't mind if it's classical, then."

Takano's face brightened. "Thank you, Sakuya-chan! I love you!" Then she starts to play a violin-tuned music. The classical tone filled the library.

Akashi chuckled at Takano. The girl acts like a child if she wants something towards Sakuya. In this case, Sakuya is the mother while Takano is her daughter. "You really are pampering her a lot," he commented to Sakuya who is not far from his spot. Takano can't hear what he said because she was sitting quite far from the two.

"Am I?" Sakuya asked, earning another chuckle from Akashi. "I can't help it. Takano-san is cute when she pouts like that."

"So you're vulnerable to cute things?" Akashi asked, or rather, guessed. Sakuya shook her head. "I only let her off this time. Next time, I won't. It's against the rules."

"Still stick with the rules, hm?" Akashi hummed. "Are you still busy with what you're doing right now?"

Sakuya stopped her writing and folded the paper, then put it into the envelope. She put it to her pocket and glanced at Akashi. "Not anymore. Is there something you need, Akashi-san?"

Akashi patted the chair beside him; asking her to sit there. The girl only blinked and went to the desired seat without question. "Do you know why I asked you to sit here?" Akashi asked which earned a shook from Sakuya. "I want you to accompany me reading this book."

"Accompany you?" Sakuya tilted her head, eyes filled with confusion. "Why?"

"I need your presence beside me," he blurted out while in the same time, teasing her. He wants to see her shocked expression again. For him, it's amusing. Unfortunately, it's not like he wanted. Sakuya is still deadpan, with her eyes observing his being. She then retorts, "Are you lonely when you're reading alone?"

Akashi rolled his eyes. He didn't expect that answer.

"What I'm trying to say is, I always find you reading alone," the girl then pointed out the locations. "In class or in the library."

If she really finds him reading alone in those two places, then why he didn't notice her? It's already October, and he never knows her this well until that particular encounter. His question leads to, "Are you stalking me?"

"I'm not," Sakuya remarked.

"Then why I never notice you were watching me reading books?" he asked again. After all, Akashi can know if someone is watching him, even from far away. Somehow he missed Sakuya's presence. He doesn't know why.

Sakuya was confused with how Akashi asked her like it's the first time he experiences it, but shrugged it off. "I don't know. However please refrain from calling me your stalker," she added before Akashi will accuse her. "If you need explanation, then I'll tell you."

Sakuya pointed out to the book Akashi was reading from the morning. "You always read the books from the same author."

Akashi looked to the book cover. He reads the author's name; Arthur Conan Doyle. The red-head then remembers; he really reads books from the same author.

"Today you're continuing 'The Hound of The Baskervilles' from two days ago," Sakuya added again; making Akashi rolled his eyes again. Sakuya is implying from where she wanted to meet Mibuchi who happened in the library with him two days ago. He chose and read that book, and decided to borrow it after Mibuchi left. He can't believe how Sakuya can be so sharp around her surroundings; which explains why the girl noticed Amamiya was listening to their conversation yesterday.

"Is the suspense making you tensed to the point you acquire my presence beside you?" Sakuya asked monotonously.

"Not really. I just wanted to tease you, but I think it's not working," Akashi remarked honestly; the first time he's being honest about his intention.

"I see," much to Akashi's surprise, the girl didn't mind it. She is neither irritated nor bothered. "I will excuse myself."

Sakuya stood up and she walked to the direction where Takano was. The red-head heard their conversation and he could no longer hear the music again. It seems like Sakuya stop the music because Takano played some rock music. He could hear Sakuya preached her friend; saying something about their agreement to 'only classical music allowed', and Takano's pouts faintly. Their conversation adds with Takano's laugh and Sakuya's sigh along the way. He chose to ignore it, and continued his reading.

But he felt something is missing. He wanted to deny it, but he can't. The feeling was too great for him to handle; something that beyond his grasp.

"Sakuya." His voice echoed in the library, heard by the two girls. Both of them turned their heads to see Akashi's back from afar. They waited until Akashi spoke again.

"I need you."

That statement shocked Takano. The short-haired girl also didn't believe what Akashi had demanded. The Emperor needs her stoic friend? But why? She knows Akashi and Sakuya are not that close by how they converse. The two are only classmates. But suddenly, Akashi blurted out he needed Sakuya. Did he say that honestly or there are some motives behind his words?

"Eh…" Takano mumbled and looked up to Sakuya, who still froze on her spot. When she wanted to say something, Sakuya took a book from the nearest bookshelf and walked towards Akashi's spot. But before that, Sakuya whispered to her, "Please continue your reading."

Takano wanted to counter it, but she zipped her lips when Sakuya is not within her reach.

The brown-haired girl approached Akashi and took a seat beside him; the same spot where she sat earlier. Akashi glanced at her who is flipping the page of her book. Their eyes locked when Sakuya found the desired page and stared at him.

"Please continue your reading," she repeated the phrases she used to Takano. Without questions, Akashi decided to continue his reading.

"You don't want to know why I need you?"

There was a slight pause, until, "You really were tensed up when reading Sir Arthur's mystery books, Akashi-san?"

Akashi chuckled to her answer. "I guess," he retorted. "To the point I need someone's presence."

"I only can accompany you until 7.55 a.m.," Sakuya honestly reminded him. She needs to go somewhere before she's going back to her class.

He smiled. "I don't mind."

Sakuya walked through the hall, looking to each room's sign. She stopped at a classroom signed '2-C' and peeked from the door. It's 7.55 a.m. now, and the class is full of second-years. Her eyes observed her senpais appearance. She is looking for somebody.

Someone's then shadowed her with his tall and big figure. Sakuya looked up to find Nebuya is standing near the door; his hand is leaning to the door's rim while the other hand is holding his sandwich. The dark-skinned man gave Sakuya an odd looks, probably because he never thought the girl will visit his class.

"Good morning, Nebuya-senpai," being a well-mannered girl as she is, she greeted her senpai.

Nebuya was stunned a little because the girl knows his name. But he shrugged it off; thinking Akashi maybe already told her his name. "Mibuchi's chick, huh?" Nebuya finished off his sandwich and throw the plastic into the trash can. "What business do you have here?"

His words were quite rude, but Sakuya ignored them. She needs to do her main reason to be there. "I want to see Amamiya-senpai, but I can't find him here. Is he absent?"

"Ah, that dude?" Nebuya scratched his head. He looked around his class for a while, until he spotted Amamiya's bag still lingers on the desk. "He's here, but I guess he's off to somewhere." He turned back to Sakuya. "You still have guts to see him?"

Sakuya nodded at him. "I want to give him this letter," Sakuya showed Nebuya a neat envelope with Amamiya's name on it.

"Nah, a letter? Well, sorry. I think you must give him another time, then."

"I can't," Sakuya shook her head. "I will be in the library on lunch break and have a group discussion with Akashi-san after school."

Hearing Akashi's name, Nebuya only growled. "So what will you do?"

"Could you please give this to him?" Sakuya raised the envelope to Nebuya; which earned another growl from the big guy.

"If I don't accept it, Akashi will probably kill me," he thought, although he's not too sure. "It's just giving that glasses-creep the letter, and done."

Nebuya offered his hand and Sakuya gave him the letter. The letter is now in his possession. "Please lend me your help, Nebuya-senpai." Sakuya then bowed at him. "Thank you very much. I appreciate your hospitality."

"Too polite…" Nebuya waved his hand. "Don't sweat it, girl. And I think Akashi is waiting for you," he pointed out to his captain; leaning on the wall behind him not far from Sakuya, crossing his arms. Akashi noticed Nebuya and gave him a smirk, which made Nebuya shivered.

"Akashi-san?" Sakuya glanced to her back and she spotted Akashi who gave her his smile. She turned back to Nebuya. "Excuse me, then. I have to go back to my class."

Nebuya nodded at her and watched Sakuya approached Akashi and the two went back to their class in the first floor. After the two were out of his sight, he went inside his class and decided to stand near Amamiya's desk; waiting him. Much to his relief, the said-man just got back from the rest room and went to his desk, not until he noticed Nebuya was waiting him. Amamiya shivered and stopped his track. He still remembers what happened to him yesterday.

"Why are you scared for? It's not like I want to kill you like Mibuchi did," Nebuya blurted out, making Amamiya twitched. Bull's eye. He shoved Sakuya's letter to Amamiya forcefully, almost making him stumbled. "That is for you. Read it."

Amamiya read the envelope. The words 'To Amamiya-senpai' were somehow familiar to him. He opened the content and read its message for long. Nebuya still waits for him to show any reaction, however the glasses-guy freezes up. Amamiya rereads the message over and over again, like it's something that he shouldn't miss.

"Jeez, what's wrong with you?" without any alarm, Nebuya snatched the letter from Amamiya's hands, but the guy even still froze on his spot. Amamiya didn't bother to take back the letter from Nebuya.

Until Nebuya saw droplets of water are falling down from Amamiya's eyes.

That unexpected action of course shocked Nebuya and his classmates. They looked worried towards Amamiya, and then glared at Nebuya. They thought Nebuya did something bad to the point Amamiya cried. Nebuya noticed his classmates' glares and counter them. "O-oi! It's not me, damn it! He cried so suddenly!"

Unfortunately, his effort was useless. He growled at them and decided to read what's inside the letter. He snapped, "Why the hell did you cry after reading this damn letter-"

Nebuya read the letter carefully; the message is simple and short. But what captured his eyes was the rough sketch of Amamiya's drawing, showing the glasses-guy is smiling. He quite stunned by it, but quickly regained his composure. He snapped again to Amamiya, "It's only a goddamn drawing, and why are you still crying like a girl?!" The dark-skinned guy continued his bickering until the teacher came and scolded him for being too loud.

The letter fell on the floor and Amamiya took it up. Once again, he read the letter and tears are continuing to flow down on his face.

To Amamiya-senpai,

I don't hate you.

I still want to see you smiling again like you always do to me.

Let's redo it from the beginning, shall we?

Signed,

Urenomiya Sakuya

Below the message, a rough sketch of himself was drawn with him smiling; the smile he always gives to Sakuya whenever they meet. He can't believe it, though. When he looked to the drawing, he never thought he always smiled like that.

The fact that Sakuya can portrait his smile really explains the girl's sharp observation towards people she met, and the fact Sakuya also cares for him.

Amamiya wiped his tears and smiled; the same smile like the one in the letter.

A day has passed like usual in Akashi's life. Today's is the same routine like before.

Except he had his eyes on Sakuya.

Ever since meeting the girl, he felt his life changed a little. It used to be repetitive, dull, and boring. However, it all changed to be full of surprises, twist, and amusing to him.

Like when he went back to class with Sakuya after the girl had asked Nebuya his help. He called Nebuya by his first name on purpose, and ended up being preached again by Sakuya about 'a kouhai must have respect towards his senpai'. He can't do it, however. But it's nice to tease the girl sometimes. At lunch time, he decided to visit the library and chatted a little with the girl. From there he found out Sakuya's love towards books is unbearable to the point she doesn't know where to place her books at her apartment and how she admires Shirogane Eiji; his coach and world history teacher at the same time. When they went out for lunch, he also found out Sakuya's favorite drink is milk tea, which was later commented by Takano on how the girl is always buying that particular drink every time she is buying lunch. When they went back to class, the two met Shirogane in the hall and the aged-man greeted him and Sakuya, too. Akashi was surprised at his coach's affection towards the harlequin-eyed girl; like a father-daughter relationship. Shirogane then bid them goodbyes and reminded them to be prepared for their presentation next Monday.

Now it's already noon. Akashi, Sakuya, and Takano are gathering in the class after their classmates have emptied the room; leaving the three to start their group discussion. Akashi; the group leader, let Takano to do her part first, followed by Akashi, and Sakuya's the last.

Since she's the first one to explain, Takano must do the opening speech, too. She stands in front of class and nervous at first, but she regained her composure after Sakuya gave her a thumbs-up (with her expressionless face). "Good day, everyone. We are from the last group will talk about the Baroque era. I'd like to introduce my group…" Takano continues on until she finished giving the introduction. She then proceeds to her part of explaining the etymology of Baroque and its history. When finished, it's time for Akashi and Sakuya to give opinions.

"You're capable for this. You also remember the hypothesis that I gave to you two days ago and you didn't miss it," Akashi remarked, praising Takano. "You've done well."

As for Sakuya, "You did your best, Takano-san. I know you can do it," she smiled to her friend. "However," she raised a hand to Takano. "Don't cling to me when you've done your part."

"Jeez, Sakuya-chan, I know that!" Takano pouted. "I won't dare to do that in Shirogane-sensei's class, you know…"

Akashi only chuckled at the two. "It's my turn," he stood up and changed position with Takano. Akashi started to explain his parts about Baroque's influences, its development, and the periods with ease. Both girls are spectacled by Akashi's confidence. He really is a genius.

"You're so good, Akashi-san! Like a pro!" Takano exclaimed. As for Sakuya, she only nodded a few times at Akashi.

"It's your turn, Sakuya." Akashi changed position with Sakuya. Before she went to her respective spot, Akashi whispered to her. "Prove your competence now, Sakuya. Let's see how well you dwell on this," and ended it with a smirk. Sakuya just nodded at him and stood in the front of the two. It's her last part and she must end it perfectly.

The girl composed herself and started speaking. She describes about a few arts in Baroque style; which interest her greatly to the point she wants to tell the world of their greatness. Like she said two days ago to Akashi, she can't keep it briefly, but keep it long and structured instead. Akashi can notice the slight change in Sakuya's tone; it's much higher and serious unlike her usual tone (where he also mistakes her voice as a man's). But what makes him in awe is how Sakuya presented her speech. He took a glance at Takano. The short-haired girl was gaping at her friend; entirely sucked into Sakuya's choice of words so people can understand what she was trying to point out. Akashi even noticed Takano was nodding nonstop like she was learning something by it.

He smirked. Sakuya had fulfilled her promise to him. Her trust in her competence earned his praise. Although he's a little disappointed because he can't make Sakuya follows his orders when she fails.

After Sakuya finished her speech, Takano clapped her hands. "You're so cool, Sakuya-chan! Too cool that I want to hug you!"

"Why do you want to hug me?" Sakuya asked bluntly, earning another pout from Takano. She turned to Akashi. "How is it, Akashi-san?"

"You're very different when you were talking there," Akashi retorted. "As expected of someone who admires the coach. You have proven me that I was wrong about you. I should give you high praises."

"There is no need, Akashi-san. I only do what I think is right," Sakuya muttered. She then looked at the clock hanging on the wall. "It's still forty minutes left until my part-time job. What should we do then?"

"Why not finding the answers for common questions, especially the hardest ones from Shirogane-sensei?" Takano suggested; which earned a nod from Akashi.

The three gathered in circle and raised any common questions that will be asked in their presentation later, mostly came from Akashi. His killer questions make the girls off-guarded, especially Takano. But Sakuya still keeps her ground and tries to solve them without giving up. Her enthusiastic makes Akashi remembers about Kuroko's spirit. The two of them have the same similarity in self-motivation.

In the end, Akashi won. If Sakuya can shake him off-guard by her unexpected actions, Akashi could bring her down by his knowledge of everything. Well, he's The Emperor, so he's also good at academic records. Sakuya still can't beat him with that.

After forty minutes passed, Sakuya excused herself and hurried to her workplace after saying goodbye to her group. Takano planned to go home too, until Akashi told her to stay first. Since Sakuya is not with her, the short-haired girl felt nervous for being alone with Akashi.

"I want to ask you something," Akashi crossed his arms. "Tell me about your first encounter with Sakuya."

Takano blinked at that question. Why Akashi suddenly asked that? But she doesn't want to ask it. She won't. "Well… I met Sakuya-chan in Rakuzan's enrollment test. She was sitting beside me at that time," Takano reminiscing her past with Sakuya. "At first, I thought she was odd."

"Odd?" Akashi raised his brows at that.

Takano nodded. "Sakuya-chan always wears that blank expression anywhere. It's like she was not interested in everything. She also acts too polite for her age, which is odd for me, at least. When we both enrolled in Rakuzan and we're also in the same class, I also noticed her actions that seemed like… she was trying to hide from others."

"I don't know why. I thought she did that so she won't get involved in clubs or something. But now that I know her this much, she told me her reason for doing so when I asked about it out of blue," Takano's eyes saddened; noticed by Akashi. "She doesn't like people's gaze to her. She doesn't like to be the center of attraction. She hates it, due to her parent's death. After their death, people around her looked at her like looks of pitying. Whenever she goes, people would give her that look. That's why she decided to hide from them so she won't be considered as a weak girl who needs people's concern."

"When I saw the poster of 'Miss Rakuzan' event, I thought Sakuya-chan can finally overcome that particular experience. But I was wrong. She still dislikes people's gaze. I think it's because when she becomes popular later, everyone's eyes are onto her whenever they see her and it makes her feel uneasy. It's like… how should I say it…" Takano trailed off, trying to find suitable words.

Akashi raised his hand. "That's enough," he demanded. Akashi can already proceed what will Takano says to him later, and he decided to stop it before getting worse. The short-haired girl was all tensed up when she told her friend's loathness, too. "Though I must admit, Sakuya lacks of friends is also one of that indicator," he pointed out, since he only sees Sakuya's friend is Takano.

"Well, not really…"

Akashi blinked. "Care to explain that?"

Takano laughed sheepishly. "Sakuya-chan has many friends, although her method of making friends is different from others. Um, what I meant is … friends from her junior high," Takano pointed out to Sakuya's foreign friends. "As from here, it's only me and her childhood friend. His name is Ryouhei."

"A boy, huh?" Akashi chuckled.

"From what Sakuya-chan told me, this Ryouhei supported her back. They met in an unexpected encounter, but Sakuya-chan won't tell me what it is. They've been together for at least two years until Sakuya moved to England. When she got back here, they never met again due to their lost contacts with each other."

"I see," Akashi nodded to himself. "Interesting. I shall keep that in mind. You can go now."

Takano only nodded at Akashi and hurriedly went home. Akashi is now left alone. He is still sitting on his desk and rubbing his chin; deep in thoughts. What Takano had told him picked his interests in Sakuya more. The Emperor wants to explore everything inside Sakuya. It's like he has found a new opponent in his territory; an opponent that won't be shaken off with just mere tactics.

Akashi needs to plan up his first move.

"When the personality of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends," he told himself. "I only know the least part of Sakuya from Takano Rika, and it's still not enough."

Then what should he do if he wants more?

Akashi smirked. "It's already decided."

He will become Sakuya's friend.

Sakuya blinked at her manager. "You're going to close the store for three months, Higasa-san?"

The aged-woman nodded. "Like I told you earlier, I am going to rebuild this store so it will be more magnificent," Higasa explained. The two were talking in the counter. "I said it would be three months, but maybe more."

"I see. What will you do with the days-off then, Higasa-san?"

Higasa shrugged her shoulders. "Guess I will be staying home or going back to my family's home in Hokkaido. How about you, Saku-chan?"

"I will go home straight from school and complete the books I bought from last week. I haven't finished them all."

"Wow, Saku-chan. Your love with books sure amazed me…" Higasa commented. "Speaking of books, have you read the interview about Generation of Miracles?"

Sakuya shook her head. "I haven't touched it at all after I brought it home two days ago. I have planned to read it after I finished my collection of mystery books first."

"Just how many books are you going to read, Saku-chan?"

"Ten books," Sakuya's straight answer earned a face-palm from Higasa. "Anyway, this is October, right? That means on November 7th the preliminaries for Winter Cup will commerce soon."

Sakuya only blinked at that new information. "What is Winter Cup, Higasa-san?"

"You don't know? It's a basketball tournament for high schools. As far as I know, there will be more schools participating in there. One of them is your high school; Rakuzan. But they are automatically placed from the Interhigh," Higasa explained. "Since your classmate is Akashi Seijurou, he's probably preparing his teammates for the Winter Cup."

"I see," Sakuya nodded at that, not particularly interested. She doesn't have any interest in basketball stuff, anyway.

"Well, speaking aside, starting from Friday you don't need to go here, Saku-chan. I will close the store and put up a notice for everyone to see."

The two then continued their last day of work until night falls.

Author's Note:

Another chapter is out! Finally! Thank you for those who follow Alluring Gaze until this point! Thank you also for the reviews!

For the next chapter, I'm thinking of making a special chapter. It's going to be Halloween, right? That's why I'm going to make Akashi and Sakuya dress up to be something. I have some ideas, but I don't know which one would suit them best. Would you give me some thoughts about it?

Hopefully I'm going to post the next chapter on 31st October (I said it, hopefully). I'm waiting for your suggestion until 26th October, so I have around a week to make up the storyline.

As always, have a nice day everyone! Don't forget to give reviews whenever you have time!