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 13

I Will Wait

"Are you going to be alright?"

Sakuya nodded to Akashi. After she has calmed herself, she decided to meet Midorima in the corridor as the two promised earlier. She adjusted the straps of her bag and looked up to Akashi. "Yes. I am going now. I will join you all after my business with Ryouhei-kun has finished."

"Very well, then. Call me if there any changes," Akashi remarked and he patted Sakuya's head. "You know, Sakuya? I think I really should accompany you."

Sakuya shook her head. "No, thank you. I will be fine on my own."

"If you say so. If anything happens to you, I will blame Shintarou for his irresponsibility."

"It's alright, Akashi-san," Sakuya assured the redhead. "Ryouhei-kun is a capable man. He won't let me in danger. I'm sure of it."

Akashi pondered for a while. "You know that his name is not 'Ryouhei', right?"

"Ah," Sakuya gaped. "I'm sorry. It has already become a habit," and she bowed to him. "I'll be going now, Akashi-san."

Akashi nodded to her and the girl left afterwards towards the corridor of the Winter Cup building. He watched as Sakuya completely beyond his sight and sighed. His heterochromatic eyes narrowed. "I really can't let her alone with Shintarou…"

The redhead widened his eyes. How could he think like that? He knows that Midorima is Sakuya's childhood friend, and he knows the greenhead is trustworthy. But the fact that he doesn't want his ex-vice-captain being alone with Sakuya has messed him up. Akashi can only ruffled his red hair; feeling pressured.

"It's like I am afraid of something," Akashi thought. "But, afraid of what?"

However, the Emperor doesn't know the answer right now. He doesn't have any choices but to find the answer as the time passes. Maybe he will get it if he spends his time more with Sakuya. He thinks the harlequin-eyed girl is the benefit factor of his puzzled thoughts.

"Or so I thought," Akashi put his hand down and stared to the way Sakuya left earlier. "But first, I mustn't let Sakuya sees me like this."

The redhead smirked and started walking to the opposite side; going to catch up with his teammates.

At the corridor, Midorima who is wearing his Shuutoku jacket waited patiently for Sakuya's arrival. He sat on the bench provided there, next to a vending machine. While waiting, his green eyes observed his surroundings. It is only him there. After all, the corridor is a quiet and deserted place; a perfect place to talk without being disturbed.

Not long after, Sakuya revealed herself and approached Midorima. The greenhead noticed her presence and stood up. "Sakuya," he greeted her.

"Good afternoon, Ryo- Midorima-kun," Sakuya greeted him back. She still can't change her habit to call her childhood friend's name. "I hope I am not making you wait for too long."

"You're not. I just barely made it here," Midorima remarked as he pushed up his glasses. He then looked to behind Sakuya. "Akashi is not with her..."

"Midorima-kun, do you want to have something to drink?" Sakuya offered when the girl noticed the vending machine next to the bench and inspected it.

"I don't want anything in particular."

"I see," Sakuya opened her bag and took out her wallet to get her 120 Yen coin, but Midorima approached her and inserted his coin to the vending machine. "You said you don't want anything, Midorima-kun?"

"It's not for me," Midorima retorted and he pushed the button. A can of milk tea appeared and Midorima took it. He opened the can and gave it to Sakuya, who received it with confusion. "My treat."

"Ah, this is for me?" Sakuya asked, which Midorima nodded at that. "Thank you, Midorima-kun," she thanked him gratefully and sip her milk tea contentedly. Midorima only sighed. His childhood friend's favorite beverage never changes.

"I will execute my promise now," Midorima remarked. Sakuya glanced at him curiously. The greenhead cleared his throat and readied his heart. Before, he was feeling nervous whenever he wanted to tell Sakuya the truth. But this time, he feels confident. He is not afraid anymore. He was prepared to get the consequences.

After all, Midorima Shintarou is the man who keeps his words.

I'm going to show you how ready I am in the future, Sakuya. Be prepared for it.

"My real name is Midorima Shintarou. The name 'Ryouhei' is actually not my name, but my father once said that my name was supposed to be Ryouhei instead of Shintarou. But my parents decided to give this name for me to carry on in my lifetime. The reason why I told you my name was Ryouhei when I introduced myself to you that day was due to my belief in Oha Asa prediction."

"Oha Asa?" Sakuya blinked hearing that name. "You mean that program which regularly gives you daily horoscopes?"

Midorima also blinked. "How did you know?"

"Akashi-san told me about it," Sakuya replied, making Midorima frowned.

"That morning, as always I watched Oha Asa with my family. Turned out, it said that I would meet someone new and I must use my nickname to introduce myself. And it turned out to be you, Sakuya," Midorima added. "That is why I told you my name was Ryouhei. My father found out and he demanded me to tell you my real name. However, I couldn't."

"Why?"

"Because…" Midorima stared intensely at Sakuya's harlequin eyes. "I don't want to make you hate me." His statement surprised Sakuya slightly, but the girl still remained composed. "The next day, when we met on the way to our school, I couldn't tell you because Meiko was around," Midorima continued on, but trailed off for a while. "…No, it was not because of Meiko. It was because you asked me to be your friend and…"

Sakuya tilted her head. "And?" she waited for Midorima to continue his speech.

When Midorima looked into her eyes again, he experienced that mysterious feeling again. And so, remembered what had made him didn't have the urge to confess. "It's…" Midorima stuttered. "It's because of your eyes."

"Eyes?"

"When you told me that my eyes are beautiful, when you told me I am actually kind but doesn't know how to express it, the way you said it with those eyes… I felt myself I was being a coward myself," Midorima ruffled his hair and frowned. "I told you a lie, yet you who didn't know about it gave me that kind, innocent look. You are very nice and honest to me. You understand me. You don't mind with my attitude. All of it…" he gritted his teeth. "I am not deserved to receive your sincerity. But even so, I don't want you to drift away from me. I don't want you to hate me. I want to retain our relationship and I don't want it to end."

"That time, I was selfish. I wanted to tell you the truth, yet I still hid it. It was because I still want to feel that pleasant feeling whenever I was with you," he admitted. "It was hard, you know? Experiencing the blissfulness while burdening myself. How stupid."

Sakuya's eyes narrowed. "Midorima-kun…"

"That's the second reason," Midorima retorted, only to make Sakuya blinked. "The main reason I couldn't tell you sooner was because of Oha Asa prediction again," he said while remembering the prediction Oha Asa mentioned one day:

'Cancer! Today is all about sacrificing your important thing to discover the most important thing to you! Use that chance to know more what you have missed to this point! The hint? Even the most normal thing can be appealing than the others. Only if you are observant, however! Bring any hairpin to boost your luck in finding it!'

It was the prediction that Midorima didn't understand at first, but he found out the meaning afterwards when he gave Sakuya a butterfly hairpin – his lucky item that day – as her very late birthday gift and the girl thanked him. He found the answer when he stared at Sakuya's eyes.

He sacrificed his important thing; his lucky item.

He missed something until that point; his feeling.

The most normal thing can be appealing than the others as a hint; Sakuya's harlequin eyes.

And so, he discovered the most important thing to him.

"You are the most important person in my life," Midorima confessed; making Sakuya gaped. "Sakuya, you are very important for me. That is why I don't want to disappoint you nor making you miserable. When I heard about your moving to England, I was afraid I couldn't tell you at all and you know me without knowing my true name. I decided to tell you before you took off, but you noticed my uneasiness and told me to strengthen my heart first. You thought I was not ready, and you were right. We made a promise after that and you left for England," Midorima took his breath. He has been talking much until now. "I waited for you until that fateful day comes and here you are; with Akashi and Rakuzan team."

"I see…" Sakuya gave Midorima her thoughtful look. "I understand now."

Midorima then backed away and bowed, surprising Sakuya. "I am sorry," he remarked. "For keeping this truth until now. I am prepared for any consequences and I will gladly accept the outcome."

The greenhead still bowed and shut his eyes. He doesn't want to straighten up until Sakuya gave her reply. Whatever the answer she declares, he will accept it.

Even if it severe their relationship.

But the next thing he knew, he felt painful on both of his cheeks. Sakuya is pinching both of his cheeks hard. The girl won't let go at all. Midorima winced in pain as Sakuya hardened her grip when he tried to release her hands from his cheeks.

"S-Sakuya…!" he cried in pain. "I-it hurts…!"

"This is your punishment for not telling me sooner," Sakuya retorted monotonously. "You are too worried about me, Midorima-kun."

Sakuya released her hands from Midorima's cheeks. When the man wanted to stand straight, the girl immediately encircled her arms around his neck; hugging him. Midorima was stunned when the girl did that. "Even so, I'm happy that you tell me the truth and reveal your true feeling," she smiled to him. "You are really a kind person. Thank you for thinking of me this way."

"Idiot," Midorima couldn't help himself but embraced his childhood friend back. He kept her close to him; didn't want to let go. He wanted to feel her warmth. He wanted to inhale her scent. It has been a long time since the two parted ways. He missed her so much. "Welcome back, Sakuya," he whispered in low voice. His tone was gentler than before.

Sakuya giggled. "I'm back…" she trailed off a second, before tighten her embrace while closing her eyes. "…Shintarou-kun."

"So Midorima is Sa-chan's childhood friend?!" Mibuchi said in disbelief. After his captain joined his team back and told them about Sakuya's business, everybody was shocked to hear that Midorima Shintarou knows Sakuya and vice versa. Akashi nodded at Mibuchi. "That's why he was shocked when he saw Sa-chan before the match."

"Yes. I was shocked to hear that, too," Akashi remarked. He crossed his arms and focused his eyes on the upcoming match; Seirin High versus Kaijo High. His team decided to watch the match before going back to their hotel. "Shintarou is explaining everything to her now. We'll just wait for Sakuya then."

"That was surprising, indeed…" Mibuchi sweated. "But, Sa-chan told me her childhood friend's name is Ryouhei. Then, why is it Midorima?"

"I guess Oha Asa is the one to blame for this misunderstanding," Akashi replied, making his team sweated. They know that Midorima is a superstitious guy and takes things too seriously. Of course it will end up like now.

A while later, Akashi's phone vibrated. The redhead took out his phone from his sport bag and read the caller's name. Sakuya is calling him. "It's Sakuya," he announced to his teammates and they turned their head to see their captain accepted the call. "Hello, Sakuya."

"Good afternoon, Akashi-san," from the other line, Sakuya greeted him back as polite as ever. "Where are you right now?"

"We are at the spectator seats. We are going to watch the next match," Akashi answered while his eyes observed Seirin and Kaijo are warming themselves up. "Are you still at the corridor?"

"Yes, I am."

"Shall I pick you up there and guide you to our seats?"

"There's no need." Akashi blinked at her response. "I am going to watch the match with Shintarou-kun."

Akashi rolled his eyes. He was shocked to hear it. Sakuya was going to watch the match with Midorima, not with his team. The fact that the one who will accompany her later is not himself makes him quite irritated. "Why?" he demanded with his darkened face. His teammates shivered at the aura coming from Akashi and thus distanced themselves before getting involved.

Sakuya, who is oblivious with his dark tone, answered honestly. "I want to be with Shintarou-kun a while longer."

That line makes Akashi smiled devilishly. He then forced a laugh, but his teammates know there is a meaning behind that chuckle. "My my. How sweet, both of you. Where will you two watch the match?"

"I don't know. If we can't find any seats for us, Shintarou-kun said we would watch it with his teammates. They probably have some empty seats for us."

"I see. Just tell me where will you be and I will get you after this match so we can go back to the hotel with the others."

"I'll keep it in mind," Sakuya assured him. "Um, I think we should go now. Shintarou-kun said the match was going to start."

When the girl mentioned it, Akashi looked down to the court and saw both of the starters' teams are lining up. "Indeed it is. You should hurry up, then."

"Yes. Good afternoon, Akashi-san," Sakuya replied and ended the call immediately. Akashi put his phone inside his bag and crossed his arms again; being quiet. He ignored the curious look from his teammates.

Not long after, the redhead took a deep breath and sighed. He looked to Nebuya who is next to him. "Eikichi," he called, making the dark-skinned guy tensed. "Look for the whereabouts of Shuutoku High."

"Shuutoku?" confused, Nebuya just did what his captain ordered him. He searched the spectator's seats around him. Since he is taller than the rest of his team, he could use his advantage to find their whereabouts. However, "Wait, what color is their jersey?"

"You faced them before and then you forgot their color?!" Mibuchi snapped at him. The black-haired man really can't stand the guy's behavior.

"…They are on the right side, near the pillar," Mayuzumi stated monotously. When the others set their eyes to the right side, they found Shuutoku team is sitting together to watch the upcoming match, too. Mayuzumi was right. "By the way, their color is orange. You should not miss them, Nebuya."

Nebuya growled at his upperclassman's preaching. "Shut up…"

"Run 20 laps around the hotel when we get back, Eikichi," suddenly Akashi demanded, making Nebuya paled. "Beware that I will also inform Sakuya about your rudeness towards your upperclassman, so prepare yourself."

"20 laps are enough for me. No more…" Nebuya complained, only earned a snort from Hayama. If Sakuya knows about it, the girl will surely double the laps, even triple it. He had enough experiences with those. He doesn't want it anymore.

"By the way, why do you want to know Shuutoku's location, Sei-chan?" Mibuchi asked. His eyes then caught two people approached Shuutoku team and took their seat with them.

"Sakuya said she was going to watch the match with Shintarou somewhere," Akashi answered, also noticed the two people. "I guess they are watching it together with Shuutoku team now."

And his guess was answered when Akashi's phone vibrated again. This time, it was a message from Sakuya. Mibuchi peered from behind Akashi to read the message.

From : Urenomiya Sakuya

Subject : My location

I am with Shintarou-kun and his team. We are at the right side of your team's view, near the pillar.

"Sa-chan knows our location, too?" Mibuchi muttered; feeling shocked. The girl's sharp sight is really terrifying. There are so many teams who use white as the main color of their jersey, but somehow Sakuya can locate Rakuzan's whereabouts.

Akashi chuckled. "She is really amusing, don't you think?"

The blowing whistle indicates the start of the match between Seirin High and Kaijo High. As the tip-off begins, Akashi set his heterochromatic eyes onto the court; watching the progress of his ex-teammates and often trailed them to Shuutoku's location. Although Sakuya already informed her location, he felt that he needs to make sure the girl is really there. He also needs to make sure that Midorima is with her all the time.

But somehow, mentioning Midorima's name is annoying him. He doesn't know why, but he just didn't like it, especially coming from Sakuya's mouth.

Every time the girl addresses the greenhead as 'Shintarou-kun', his ears twitched. And he knows it's not a good thing.

And then he felt it again; that nagging feeling.

"This is unusual for me. I really can't show myself in this state in front of Sakuya," the redhead frowned and ruffled his hair; noticed by Mibuchi.

"Sei-chan?" Mibuchi took a glance at his captain before set his eyes to Shuutoku's location. Somehow his captain is in foul mood whenever he knows the girl is with her childhood friend. He knows about it although Akashi never mentions it, judging by the redhead's conversation earlier with Sakuya. He also notices that Akashi always offers himself whenever the girl is concerned; like picking her up or accompanying her. If he can't, he always asks Mibuchi to replace him on his behalf.

Well, Mibuchi is happy to replace him, but the black-haired man notices his captain's disappointment when the redhead couldn't be with Sakuya. However, Akashi is skillfully good at hiding it with his poker face. His attitude somehow resembles with Sakuya. The two of them will act like nothing's happened in front of other people.

But what makes the two are different is their reason. If Sakuya does it because she doesn't want to make others worried, Akashi does it because he doesn't want people to know his feeling.

Or rather, the Emperor doesn't know what it is at all.

Because victory is everything, Akashi ended up making it as his own way to live. He is blinded by it. He is lost if his feeling is involved.

Except if he wants to realize it, he must taste the feeling of defeat.

And this fact is only known by Mibuchi alone. The man actually wants Akashi to taste the feeling of defeat, too. He put his hope in Midorima before, but the three-point shooter failed. Now his hope is placed to whoever wins this match. May it be Seirin or Kaijo, he will find the outcome. If one of them wins the Winter Cup, he hopes Akashi will change. But if not…

"I will put my hopes in Sa-chan, even if it means being rejected," Mibuchi stated to himself; smiling. Hayama noticed the man's grin and asked him. "What's wrong, Reo-nee? Is there something funny?"

Mibuchi shook his head. "No," and his eyes softened. "It's nothing, Kotarou."

He is willing to do that far because he cares for Akashi. He already thought of him as his own little brother. So, it makes you feel that you want to give the best for your family, right?

The final blow of the whistle indicates the end of the match between Seirin High and Kaijo High, with the score 81 – 80 to Seirin's favor. The miraculous buzzer beater from Kuroko's Phantom Shot leads to final turn of the tables. The crowds are getting restless.

"And so, it's been decided," Nakatani stated to his team. "Our opponent for tomorrow is Kaijo. I hope that you give all you've got for that." Everyone nodded at their coach.

"Then your opponent will be Seirin, huh?" Takao said to Sakuya who is sitting between him and Midorima. At first, Shuutoku was surprised that the manager of Rakuzan was going to watch the match together with them. But they eventually didn't mind her after they knew Sakuya is Midorima's childhood friend and she doesn't have that intimidating aura like the rest of Rakuzan. Also, the girl is too polite to her age. She is just a high school student!

Sakuya nodded silently to Takao and observed the Seirin team. Every one of them has that happy and satisfied look on their face. They rejoiced with their victory against Kaijo. Without her noticing, she sighed at that scenery down there. It's comforting, warm, soothing, gentle; very different from Rakuzan. Every match she had experienced with her school's team, she hasn't seen that same happy look like Seirin's.

"They seem delighted," she muttered silently, noticed by everyone in Shuutoku. They turned their head to see Sakuya sighed again. "I am jealous with them."

From there, they finally realized what Sakuya meant. They know it, too; the look of every Rakuzan's members after they won their match with Shuutoku before. They acted like they have passed some kind of ordeal. Judging by Sakuya's reaction about it, the girl doesn't like it.

"I wonder what it feels like if I am with a team like Seirin."

"Sakuya…" Midorima only stared at his friend's sour look.

"With that, all of today's matches are over," the announcer said from the speakers. "Now, we will announce tomorrow's match schedule." Shuutoku looked to the wide monitor at the gymnasium's ceiling. "At 1 p.m., the woman's game for third place, XX High School versus XX High School. At 2.30 p.m., the woman's finals, XX High School versus XX High School. At 4 p.m., the man's game for third place, Kaijo High School versus Shuutoku High School. At 5.30 p.m., the man's finals, Rakuzan High School versus Seirin High School."

"Let's go, boys," Natakani demanded. He stood up and left the seat, followed by his team. Before he left, he turned to Sakuya who has stood up too with Midorima. "How about you, Miss?"

"I am going to wait here. My team will fetch me later," Sakuya then bowed to Nakatani. "Thank you for letting me watch the match with you all, Nakatani-san."

Nakatani nodded at her. "Midorima," he called the greenhead. "Stay with her until someone fetches her up."

"I am going to do that," Midorima remarked.

"I guess I'll prepare our cart first. I'll go get you once it's ready, Shin-chan!" Takao said and he joined his teammates leaving the gymnasium along with other spectators.

"Cart?" After Shuutoku team left, Sakuya looked up to Midorima and asked.

"It's my transportation. Takao pulls it," Midorima replied as a matter of fact.

Sakuya sighed. "Shintarou-kun, you shouldn't make Takao-san as your driver." When she inspected the empty court one more time, she spotted something on the court's floor. "Isn't that?" she approached the railings to see the object closer. Midorima followed her suit.

"It's a necklace," Midorima said after he observed the object carefully. "I've seen that necklace somewhere…"

"That necklace is Kagami-san's, isn't it?" Sakuya remarked. When she met with Kagami when the Seirin team wanted to use the court to warm up in the ten minutes interval before, she recognized the fierce-looking man wearing a necklace around his neck. Midorima nodded at her. "We should give it back to him. I think he's going to search for it."

"I'll take it," Midorima said and he walked down to the court followed by Sakuya. The greenhead took the necklace and put it into his pocket. "I will give this back when I meet-"

The two then spotted Kagami went to the court and searched for his necklace around the chairs desperately. "It's not here!" he panicked as he searched around more.

"It's Kagami-san," Sakuya retorted. Silently, Midorima approached Kagami and took out the necklace onto his right hand. "Is this what you're looking for?" the greenhead asked, making Kagami turned around and he was happy to see his important thing has been found.

"Yeah, that's it! Where did you-" when Kagami looked to Midorima's face, he was shocked. "Midorima?!" he exclaimed; never thought that the one who would find his necklace is his rival. Behind him, Kagami noticed Sakuya was standing close with the greenhead. "Ah, you are…"

Sakuya bowed to Kagami. "It's nice to see you again," she said as she straightened up herself. "I'm glad you have finally found your necklace, Kagami-san."

"Uh… yeah, thanks," Kagami replied nervously. He is no good if he's around women. "…Why are you with him? Shouldn't you be with Rakuzan now?" he asked his curiosity.

"I was watching your match with Kaijo earlier with Shintarou-kun and his teammates," Sakuya replied, making Kagami blinked. "Oh, Shintarou-kun is my childhood friend," she added again, this time Kagami rolled his eyes.

"She is Midorima's…?!" Kagami observed Midorima who seems perplexed. "Wait… It's true?!"

"Sakuya is my childhood friend," Midorima told Kagami again; assuring him. He returned Kagami's necklace to its owner and put his hands inside his pockets. "It seems you have won against Kise," Midorima stated as he turned his back.

"Huh?" feeling dumfounded, Kagami agreed to him. "Um, yeah…"

Not a while after, Midorima scoffed. Kagami twitched when he heard that. A tick mark appeared on his head and glared to the superstitious guy. "What's your problem?"

"To think that you would reach Akashi…" there was a slight pause, until Midorima continued. "Well done," he said mockingly, only to make Kagami annoyed more.

"Why do you make it sound like you're superior?!" Kagami snapped. "Anyway, why are you still here?"

Midorima glanced to Sakuya for a while before turning back again. "It's nothing. I was just thinking."

"What is that mean? I mean, do you have time for that? Don't you have the match for third place tomorrow?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm reluctant to admit it, but the results are already clear," Midorima declared. The greenhead knows that his team will win the third place because Kise will be benched for the entire match. His leg is at the blonde's peak. His absence later will affect Kaijo's play tomorrow. However, Kagami didn't understand any of his words. "After our match, I may take a glance at yours as well."

Kagami snorted. "What? You're gonna cheer for Akashi or something?"

Midorima sighed. "Why would I, fool?" he said, making Kagami irritated.

"Shintarou-kun, please don't say that to Kagami-san," Sakuya preached Midorima. Kagami sweated at her. Just like Koganei said, Sakuya is similar with Kuroko, especially their polite attitude.

"I have no intention of doing so, and he doesn't need anyone to cheer for him," Midorima added and he looked to Kagami. "Akashi is strong."

Kagami frowned when he heard that. "I know that already. I have gone against you - Generation of Miracles - so much that a few surprises here or there won't throw me off. You were also only one step away." Midorima blinked at that statement. "You don't know what will happen in a match until you try."

Sakuya smiled at Kagami's words. "Then that means you should wait for the outcome tomorrow. Isn't that right, Shintarou-kun?" she asked Midorima, who only stared at her thoughtfully. "I will watch your match, so do your best for tomorrow's match, Shintarou-kun."

Midorima sighed and patted her head. "Don't underestimate me, Sakuya," and he looked to her with his serious look. "I'll show you my skill. Be prepared for it."

"I am looking forward to seeing it," Sakuya replied. She then turned to Kagami. "Do your best in our match tomorrow, too, Kagami-san."

Kagami was quite shocked to hear it from his opponent's manager, but he only grinned to her. After all, she said it with honesty. She was not joking earlier. "Don't worry. We will!" Kagami exclaimed proudly.

"Hey, Shin-chan!" from behind those three, Takao came back to look for Midorima. "I've already prepared the cart! Let's go back!"

"Takao…" Midorima muttered darkly. How could he leave his childhood friend? Her team hasn't come to fetch her up, not even one of them. He must stay with her until someone from Rakuzan comes.

"Oh!" Takao then realized Sakuya is still with Midorima. He also noticed Kagami is with them, too. He then remembered the times where Midorima talked with Kagami when they were having their summer camp. It makes him laugh whenever he thinks of it. But he decided to keep it to himself because Sakuya is with Midorima. "They still haven't come yet, Urenomiya?"

Sakuya shook her head. She then looked up to the spectator seats to see someone she knows appeared. "Ah. I think someone came for me." She turned to Midorima. "You can go now, Shintarou-kun."

"…Are you going to be fine?" Midorima, still feeling unsure, asked her worriedly. Sakuya shook her head and smiled to him; sending him a message that she will be fine. "Alright, then. I'll see you tomorrow, Sakuya."

"Yes. Good night, Shintarou-kun."

Midorima patted her a few times on the head and turned back to meet Takao. "Kagami," he then peered from his shoulder to look to Kagami. The redhead waited for him to continue. "Let me tell you one thing."

"There are two Akashi Seijurous."

His statement got Kagami off-guarded. There are two Akashis? How? What kind of nonsense is that? "W-what's that supposed to mean?!"

"You can ask more to Kuroko," Midorima stated. He glanced to Sakuya to know her reaction; calm. The girl doesn't get surprised to hear it. "I'll take my leave, then. At the very least, do your best tomorrow," he said his farewell and left with Takao.

Kagami is still confused, but decided to ask it to Kuroko later. "I guess I've got to go," Kagami said to Sakuya. The girl muttered a 'good night' to Kagami and the guy immediately left to catch up with his teammates. Now, it's time to see her fetcher. Sakuya ascended the stairs and met with her fetcher. The man spotted Sakuya and approached her.

"Pardon for my lateness," Akashi said to her. Sakuya shook her head, noting that she is fine with it. He observed her surroundings. "…Where is Shintarou?"

"He had gone home when you arrived here, Akashi-san," Sakuya replied.

"I see," Akashi chuckled. He then offered his hand. "Shall we go back, Sakuya?"

Sakuya accepted his hand and immediately the redhead entwined his fingers with hers. His action confused Sakuya, since it's the first time Akashi does that to her. "Akashi-san?"

"You wouldn't mind me doing this?" he asked her while showing his trademark smile. Noticed it, Sakuya sighed. The redhead wants something.

"Is there something you need from me?"

"You can tell?" Akashi smiled at her. He then turned around and started walking; dragging Sakuya along with him. "I need explanation, of course."

Knowing what the redhead meant, Sakuya answered, "I will tell you after we get back to the hotel."

"Very well."

After getting back to their hotel and washed themselves, Akashi reminded Sakuya that he will wait her at the balcony. Without much thought, the girl wears her pajamas and brings her blanket with her to the appointed place. There, Akashi already changed to his pajamas beneath his black blanket, waiting for her. The redhead smiled to her when he noticed her presence and let the girl started explaining the misunderstanding between her and Midorima.

"I see," Akashi nodded in understanding. "I already expected something like that will happen, since Shintarou is Shintarou."

"Is that so?" Sakuya wrapped her blanket around her shoulders since the night wind began to chill her skin, even though she already wore long-sleeved pajamas. "I don't know that Shintarou-kun believes fortune-telling before. But, I guess that's fine with me," she then smiled. "That part of him is cute."

Akashi's ears twitched. "My my… 'cute'?" he chuckled darkly.

Sakuya ignored his chuckle and looked to the night scenery before her. Up there, she can see the city buildings and homes. "Akashi-san," she called. The redhead turned his attention to his said chaperone. "Could I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"How do you feel after arriving to this point?" she asked without looking to Akashi.

"My feeling?" without a though, Akashi replied. "I feel fine, though."

Sakuya observed Akashi for a while before trailing her gaze to the night scenery again. There were no words conveyed from the girl again. She didn't respond to his answer earlier. Akashi noticed this sudden change in Sakuya' behavior and decided to ask her out.

"Is there something on your mind?"

Hearing his enquiry, Sakuya only nodded at him. But the girl somehow didn't want to utter what's on her mind. She was reluctant to say it.

Feeling her uneasiness, Akashi got closer to Sakuya. He tilted his head when the girl looked up to him. "Are you afraid of something?" which the girl shook her head. "Then what is it? I won't know if you don't tell me."

Her harlequin eyes narrowed; reminiscing her conversation with Midorima at the corridor earlier.

"...I see," after Sakuya told him from when she arrived in Japan and opted to stay in Kyoto, Midorima nodded in undestanding. Both of them sat besides each other and decided to talk more.

"By the way, you have an interesting friend, Shintarou-kun."

Midorima blinked. "Friend?"

Sakuya nodded. "Takao Kazunari-san. You two seem close."

"…He's not my friend," Midorima remarked neutrally. "He is just my servant."

"Servant?" Sakuya was confused with it, but she gave her piercing gaze to Midorima; making the greenhead twitched. It's the first time for him seeing his childhood friend like that. "Please do not call your friend like that, Shintarou-kun. It's rude."

"I said it before. He's not my friend," Midorima tried to remark. "He is just my classmate. He is the one who gets close to me."

Sakuya sighed. Purposely, she pinched Midorima's nose. "You are still not honest with your feeling," she retorted with her blank face. "I guess it is still hard for you to express it, Shintarou-kun."

Midorima released her fingers from his nose and rubbed it afterwards. "And you are still not good dealing with people stares," he remarked bluntly, but meant no harm to the girl. "Anyway," he pushed up his glasses. "How did you know Akashi?"

"I knew him in the first day of high school. We are in the same class," Sakuya replied. "We haven't known each other that much. But we are finally friends around October after some kind of misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?"

Sakuya shook her head. "It's nothing much. Reo-senpai already handled it and Akashi-san helped me taking care of it with Hayama-senpai and Nebuya-senpai. Since then, we become friends."

Midorima silently nodded. "He…" Midorima trailed out for a second. "Does he treat you well?"

Sakuya blinked. "He does," she answered immediately. "Akashi-san is a great man, although I don't like when he addresses his upperclassmen informally. I don't understand him sometimes, but I know he's actually kind in his own way." Sakuya then smiled. "He is similar to you, Shintarou-kun."

"Don't line me with him," Midorima stated sternly.

Sakuya giggled at his response. "However," she narrowed her eyes. "There is something about Akashi-san that keeps nagging at me."

Noticing the sudden change of tone from her, Midorima's gaze hardened. "What is it?"

"His view of life," she stated seriously. "Before we are being friends, Akashi-san once told me that he was absolute. He was always right because he always wins. If someone defies him, he will kill them no matter who they are. I was shocked to hear it, but I managed to counter him. But his words still confuse me," Sakuya looked up to Midorima. "It's like his way to live. If one day he loses, I'm afraid he will do something extreme like he said in our match before. But because he believes he will win, he will still be blinded by that fact and he won't understand the meaning behind victory."

Midorima didn't know how to respond her inquiry. She just spoke out her mind about Akashi, and she was true. "Sakuya," he called. "What do you want from me after you said all of these?"

"I want to know more about Akashi-san," she replied. "From your point of view, since you were in the same middle school like him."

There was a slight silence filled the air, until Midorima cleared his throat. He adjusted his glasses first before explaining. "I don't know him that much, but I'll tell you what I know about him."

"I knew Akashi when we both joined the basketball club in our first year at Teiko. Both of us along with the others were chosen into the first string immediately. After some time, Akashi was appointed as captain and I as his vice-captain. During his captaincy, we attended meetings and sometimes played shogi together."

"You can play shogi, Shintarou-kun?"

Midorima nodded. "However, I always lost to him," he sighed with that. "He was prideful and assertive. He would give us some hard training so we could increase our stamina, but he also caring and considerate. In matches, he stayed calm and cautious. His leadership brought us to victory. All of us back were thankful then. And after that," he paused for a second. "In our third year, everything's changed."

"Our hidden skill blossomed one by one. We realized that we have the skill that is different than the other basketball players. With that, we doubled or even tripled our opponents' scores. Our plays crushed their will to play basketball," Midorima clenched his fist when he said it. "It's like a grim reminder to all basketball team if they ever face Teiko Middle School, especially us; Generation of Miracles – the name that people gave to us."

"So, like the others, Akashi-san's skill blossomed? His Emperor Eye?"

"He did. However," Sakuya blinked when she heard the contradiction. "His skill bloomed by force."

"What do you mean?"

"If I and the others' skill are awakened by ourselves, Akashi's is different. His Emperor Eye awakened when one day Murasakibara said to us that he wanted to skip practice because it is not needed because he can win the match. Akashi, of course, was not amused with his decision. The two then did a one-on-one battle to decide whether Murasakibara followed Akashi's order or not. But, because Murasakibara already awakened that time, Akashi was almost defeated by him. In the verge of defeat, that's when his Emperor Eye awakened. He easily defeated Murasakibara and won the match, but in the end he allowed Murasakibara to do what he wants as long as he scores for the team. That line also applied for us as well," Midorima took his breath. "That day, too, was when Akashi's personality also changed as well. He is much colder, intimidating, and like what you see in him now."

Midorima then searched something inside his pocket and took his wallet. He opened it and took out a photo consisted of the Generation of Miracles with the phantom sixth man and their manager. Rainbow-colored heads are assembled together and celebrating their victory of their match; holding their trophy and smiling. He gave it to Sakuya so the girl can inspect it. "It was taken in our second year."

Sakuya carefully inspected each of the members of Generation of Miracles. She never meets most of them personally, but she knows who they are. When she saw the picture of Midorima, she smiled to herself. Midorima hasn't changed at all until now, except the greenhead is now much taller than her. But when she set her eyes on Akashi's picture, she was slightly surprised. The redhead still has his longer bangs, but both of his eyes are red. "His eyes…" she looked to Midorima. "Why are they red here?"

"They were originally red from the start," Midorima answered, making Sakuya widened her eyes. "But they changed after that internal conflict I told you earlier. It seems his heterochromatic eyes are the symbol of his Emperor Eye."

"…How could it happen?"

"I don't know," Midorima said after Sakuya gave back his photo and put it back into his wallet. "Before, he would address us by our family name. But after that, he addresses us informally," Midorima sighed. "It's a strange occurrence, indeed. His eyes changed, his personality also changed. And because of that, he thinks that winning is granted to him. What a fool."

Sakuya pondered. After hearing Midorima's story and seeing Akashi's old picture, she somehow can assemble the pieces of puzzles of Akashi Seijurou a little. The story was quite a shock for her, but it had already happened. The past remains unchanged, she knows that. But the future is a mystery. You don't know what will happen to you tomorrow. "Shintarou-kun," she called. "I somehow have this kind of feeling about Akashi-san."

"What is it?"

"It's…" she tried to find the right words. "The Akashi-san I know now and the Akashi-san you know from the past are totally different people. It's like…" Sakuya narrowed her eyes. "There are two people inside Akashi-san."

Midorima rolled his eyes, but regained his composure afterwards. "And so it seems for me."

"You know it?"

Midorima nodded. "And Kuroko," he added.

"If that's the case, the one who is taking over Akashi-san now is the other Akashi-san with Emperor Eye," Sakuya speculated. "Then," she gasped. "The Generation of Miracles has their own skill which is awakened by themselves. It means that…" she looked to Midorima. "Shintarou-kun, are you thinking the same with me?"

"…I am," he remarked. "Just like you thought, Sakuya."

Akashi Seijurou is the only member of the Generation of Miracles who has another skill other than Emperor Eye.

Sakuya took a deep breath and sighed. "It's nothing important, Akashi-san," she finally said to Akashi. "I apologize for worrying you."

Akashi shook his head. "If you say so, Sakuya," and he caressed her cheek. "Do not need to apologize."

Her harlequin eyes observed Akashi's heterochromatic eyes unnoticed. The first time she sees those eyes, she thinks they are beautiful for her. But to think that those eyes are the fundamental change of Akashi's personality and the mark of Emperor Eye, she needs some time to accept those facts. "I wonder…" she muttered under her breath, noticed by Akashi. "Who am I seeing right now?" she asked with her soft voice; the first time the redhead listens her using that tone. Akashi was stunned by it. He kept silent; pondering.

"What are you talking about, Sakuya?" after regaining his composure, he asked the girl. "You are seeing Akashi Seijurou; your class representative, your Rakuzan's basketball team captain, your official friend. Nothing else."

Yet, he wants something more than those.

"Ah, you're right," Sakuya closed her eyes and smiled. "You are Akashi-san. Akashi Seijurou-san." The girl then grabbed Akashi's hand with both of her small hands, feeling his temperature. Akashi blinked at her behavior. She opened her eyes and looked to Akashi thoughtfully; trying to understand him more. "Do you know, Akashi-san? Your hand is very warm."

Akashi chuckled. "Isn't it because you are holding it?"

"No," Sakuya shook her head. "You are really warm yourself, Akashi-san."

Akashi didn't understand what she said, but decided to let it go. After all, he could also feel her warmth from her hands. "I see," he put his other hand on her hands. "I guess this is your way of pampering me, hm?"

Sakuya only nodded and the two enjoyed their silent moment of the warmth of each other hands, seeing the night scenery in front of them. In that silence, Akashi still wondered what Sakuya had meant earlier by her words. It's like the girl was trying to figure out something from him. But alas, Sakuya decided to rest it off and wait for more time. She thought one day she will find the answer, which Akashi respects her decision.

"About the final match tomorrow," Sakuya retorted. "Please do your best, Akashi-san."

"Nonsense," he remarked. "The winner is clearly in my hand. There is no need for something like 'do your best'. I am going to take the championship."

"Really?" suddenly, Sakuya pinched Akashi's hand, making the redhead quite shocked. "This is your punishment for thinking things for granted. You are too full of yourself, Akashi-san."

Akashi only chuckled at her way to punish his words. "My my," and he pulled Sakuya to his embrace and chained her with his arms so she couldn't get away. "Then let me punish you for watching the earlier match with Shintarou," he said while smirking.

Sakuya was confused, but she let it off. She then sighed. "I guess it can't be helped, then." She then set her gaze to the night sky. "The outcome of the final match of Winter Cup… I will wait the result."

"You don't want to say it's going to be Rakuzan?"

"No," she shook her head. "You won't know something will happen, unless you try."

Akashi chuckled again. "I see," he rested his chin on her shoulder. "Do not worry. I'll show you that my words are always right. Rakuzan will be the winner of Winter Cup's championship."

"I doubt it," the girl deadpanned.

And the night passed on with Akashi still embraced the girl in his arms.

Author's Note:

Chapter 13 is out! Is it just me, or did I update this very fast? Maybe due to my liking with number 13? Nah, I doubt it…

Midorima finally revealed his secret to Sakuya (and he managed to say it without being embarrassed). Akashi is jealous with Midorima's closeness to his said chaperone? Too bad the redhead hasn't realized it, yet. In here, it is also revealed that Akashi has other skill than Emperor Eye (like how the manga said). As for the battle between Rakuzan and Seirin, I decided not to write it down because the battle is still ongoing. I'll just skip to the result; whether Rakuzan wins or Seirin wins.

My home wifi got an error. I must borrow other place's connection if I want to upload this chapter, especially this one. Haha! If my wifi still not repaired, yet, I guess I have no choice but to borrow their connection.

Also, thank you for those who give favorite, follow, or reviews! Thank you so much!

Have a nice day. Please give reviews if you have time!