Chapter 7 – Pleasant Surprise

Seeing Tecchan giggling is really out of character. His large big pale blue eyes-which he inherited from his father, are slightly crinkled with a large smile decorated on his small chubby face.

As long as I know Tecchan, the expression of his has always seem to be the same. Whether it's a the gentle gaze with a stoic countenance or a completely expressionless face. But expressive face is out of question. So seeing that smiling kid in addition with the soft giggling, prevents me from doing my cooking duty.

„Tecchan, you alright dear?" Looking at my grandson worriedly, he gives me a huge smile- irritating me slightly for a moment.

„Yes. It's just I'm so happy at the moment."

„Oh really? I see. Well what's the cause of it then, if I may ask?"

My cute grandson was making his way to the sofa. Making himself comfortable before turning the TV on to watch some news.

„I will tell you at diner, grandma. By the way what is it today?"

„Oh I will make some sweet dumplings with your favorite vanilla sauce. Come here Tecchan and help me lay the table, dear."

„Yeah I'm coming!"

After serving the dishes on the dining table, both of them were sitting opposite each other. Kuroko took a small bite of those sweet dumplings while dipping a large amount vanilla sauce on those dumplings. Chewing them properly before taking the next bite.

„I have told you about my basketball captain before. We recently get along very well." He starts eyeing the dumplings dearly.

„Oh? But didn't you guys have been getting along before?"

Looking up, Kuroko rested his head on his hand while being deep in thought, he wonders if he did get along with Akashi-kun beforehand. Compared to now, Akashi's behavior did change towards him. In the past he just acknowledge him absconding. Nowadays he receives full attention of the pretty red head.

Shaking his head he pulls a key chain out of his pants. Showing the silver chain with an pendant of fabric tot he old woman.

„Today I get this from Akashi-kun. He said this dog have an enormous resemblance to my eyes, so he endowed it to me!"

„What a cute alaskan malamute chain! Your friend is really nice, invite him over next time so I can have a look at that boy you adore so much!"

„Grandma!" Turning bright red he holds one hand up to cover his blushing cheeks. It's so embarrassing sometimes, how his grandma shamelessly encourage his love interests.

„Just kidding, Tecchan!"

Talking at the dining table and laughing hearty they continued their diner before the night sky envelop whole Tokyo, indicating it's night time.

-asdf-

Recently it became a bad habit of himself to stare at the mirror at night time. It is said by adults to not loo at night into the mirror especially after 12am.

There standing directly before a newly bought mirror Akashi just stares with wide eyes at the reflected surface. Even though it's dark the outline of himself is still cognizable.

„What are you staring so creepily at, Sei?"

There it was again- that voice. That is so similar to his but still so differential. At night times he pops up frequently than at midday.

„Do you know why?"

„How could I know that?" Came the rhetorical question back.

„It's really easy see? At night when everyone sleeps, it's the time when I'm awake. Of course I can be awake at afternoon too. But that's really bothersome you know? Others tries to catch your attentiveness by distracting you. In the evening it's not the case so I have you all by myself."

„You sure are very selfish."

„An Akashi remains an Akashi." There was that insane laughter again. At night it is as if the other me blooms completely. It's as if Akashi had another family member inside this house beside the red head himself and his passive father. That other Akashi could be seen as his twin brother. Being identical from appearance but still individual from their way of thinking and behavior.

„You get really mellow, Sei. Just look out. I can't stand seeing your crying face again."

„Don't worry gratuitous. I won't give in that easily again. Back then I was still a kid."

„You still are a kid but since I always win I am always right, so please- just heed my words for once."

„I will see about it."

„If I feel anything will danger you, I will take over, just as a warning, Sei."

With that the voice disappeared. With slow motion he slips in his too large bed again. Sleepless nights are always happen this days lately. Maybe he should visit a doctor and demand sleeping pills. If this goes on he sure will overslept much often. And bad habits are hard to break after all...

Thinking back at todays events a gentle smile appears on his pale smooth face.

Seeing that Accessories shop wasn't such a bad choice. Anyhow he get to buy a gift which could brighten up Kuroko. To get a good expression out of that small boy was a hard artistry. Seeing the result really pleased him.

Even though getting a gift for Kuroko, he also obtains a gift from his senpai. It was a friendship bracelet of hard fibers. Red and white with black fibers braided.

The thought of him and Kuroko wearing those friendship bracelet is much more appealing than him and Nijimura-senpai. After all the family name Kuroko is named after the color ‚black' and him after the color ‚red'. That bracelet sure is ironic. With that thought he fell in deep slumber.

-asdf-

Getting into a prestigious school like Teikou is unbelievable but getting a personal chauffeur is much more unbelievable- a pure luxus. There was a large black mercedes car parking near the gate of the school.

Midorima have always known since the first day he met Akashi, that his family is wealthy. Midorima would say his family is prosperous but nothing compared to the Akashi's.

The first impression of the younger red head was a quiet but calm young boy. They met each other at a dinner in a restaurant when he was 5 years old. Back then Akashi's mother was still alive. Since it was such a long time ago he had forgotten her features about how she looked like. Akashi's father and his own father are friends in good terms. They still got their chit chat here and there but Akashi was never that social to begin with.

Akashi is all in all a bit strange.

„Midorima."

„Good morning to you too, Akashi."

Giving the small boy a side glance both teens make their way to their first school lesson. Teikou Middle School is compared to the other schools a difficult school. Not many students were allowed into Teikou. Many lessons were held with other classes together since the number of students in the classes are rather small.

To join Teikou middle school you requires either outstanding grades or special skills in basketball. Akashi fulfills both prerequisite.

„Say Akashi, where did you get this chain key chain pendant for Kuroko yesterday?" The green head push his glasses up his bridge.

„I get it with Nijimura-senpai at Mushoku. I heard it's a newly opened shop. Why, do you also want to buy something there?" There was something suggestive in Akashi's voice before a smirk appeared on his face.

„What are you implying? I just need some colorful hair clips for my lucky item, since my younger sister doesn't permit me to borrow it from her." Shaking his head at today's fate, his companion gives him a weird look.

„You could just ask Momoi later. I'm sure she does have those things."

„I need it as fast as possible. But You're right. I will ask Momoi later when the first break starts."

„Of course I am."

Sitting at their chairs, they pulled out their english books. Looking around, he eyed Kuroko for a second before giving him an encouraging smile.

Today was the start of those preparations for those group presentations. Akashi planned to group up with Kuroko, so he could help him in pronunciation and free speeches. That would be the first step and later on he will help him with grammar and vocabulary.

Just as Akashi thought. The moment when the teacher proclaims the students to find a partner fort he group presentation, Akashi stands up abrupt and heads to the teal head boy.

„Akashi-kun?" Big doe blue eyes stares helplessly at him before shyly adverting the gaze.

„Let's pair up, Kuroko. I look forward to work with you." With that, the red head flashes the smaller boy a handsome smile, while taking a seat next to his partner.

„It's a good chance for me to improve my pronunciation."

„That's exactly what I want to achieve beside helping you with grammar and important vocabulary."

„Thank you very much, Akashi-kun."

Hearing a loud hand clapping of the english teacher they directed their attention to her immediately.

„Class. This presentation is very important it will count 40% to the rating, so I want you guys to take that matter seriously. I will give you 2 weeks to finish that project. The topic of this presentation is pollution and the side effect of it. The presentation will be held for 12 minutes and 3 minutes questioning. I will write the important notes on the blackboard so you can copy it."

With that said, Akashi turns his attention back to his work partner.

„Kuroko if you don't understand something, please let me know, okay?"

„Yes I will. You don't have to worry."

Many students make their way tot he computer rooms to find information meanwhile, others like Akashi, Kuroko and Midorima heads to the library.

„I can't believe that you didn't team up with anyone, Midorima."

„Cancer is ranked at the 6th place. It was expected that I would start with such an unlucky day."

„Don't be upset Midorima-kun we will help you too, so you won't have to work hard all by yourself, right Akashi-kun?"

„Sure, just make sure not to overstress yourself." Chuckling Akashi scrolls through a thick book.

„Shut up! I can handle everything by my own very well!"

Kuroko shot the green head a weird look before ignoring the agitated teen. He hovers over Akashi to see what notes he has taken.

„Kuroko, please don't stand like that. I can't write like this."

„Oh I'm sorry Akashi-kun."

„Well, how about I visit you today for expand our learning hours including the tutorial session?"

Kuroko's eyes widen surprised before nodding silently.

„It's a bit sudden but it can be arranged. How tomorrow about 6pm? Straight after basketball practice?"

„Why do you need tutoring Kuroko? It's not like you are that bad in english like Aomine or Kise." Sighing dramatical Midorima scrolls through a magazine with the main topic of industrialization.

„Well Kuroko is compared to the others more skilled but his performance isn't of constant. So I help him out a bit."

„That's unusual of you but back to the topic do you think I should put the air pollution of the industrialization to my presentation?"

„Of course. Add comparison about the past and what they do in the present nowadays. Something like CO2 filter inside the car or factories."

Kuroko sits beside Akashi and is amazed like always how Akashi knows so much about the world even though he is younger than him. His knowledge, be it math, science or history, he always excelled with full points. Sometimes he wishes to also possess such a genius brain.

-asdf-

Tuesday, school always finished earlier than the other days of the week. And it's also the only day where basketball practice doesn't take place. So here he was sitting in a white room waiting for Watanabe-san's arrival.

Ever since he was 7 he had started the session to help him control his other self. To be truly honest a huge development isn't in sight yet. That's really frustrating somehow. But lately He and his other barely argue. So it could be seen at least as a development, right?

„So here we have the diary you used 8 years before. Well I bet you don't write in that style anymore but it's still interesting. Like it said inside, 8 years before your mother has committed suicide and that was a really traumatic experience in your liefe, so thinking back, do you still feel that way when you see other children with their mothers?"

Playing with the mechanical pencil in his right hand, the feminine looking red head was deep in thought. He was sure that he wasn't traumatic like in the past anymore but still there was that feeling inside him which is hard to explain . The more suitable world would be hollow. It's as if something is amiss and he knows, that he can't find it anywhere else. After all your real mother is never replaceable.

„I think I have digest my mother's death pretty well now. Basketball distract me from all those unwanted thoughts, so lately I don't think about my mother's awful suicide that much."

„I see. How is your father doing, Akashi-kun?" Therapist likes to change topics it seems.

„My father? He went to a one month business trip to England. He will be back in two weeks."

„Well, apart from the fact that you are the heir of the Akashi corporation , have you ever thought about a career beside taking over that business of your father if you reach a certain age?"

A career beside being a business man? Like being a Dressage rider or basketball player?

„Yes, I have some alternatives beside being a business man. But I think, after being trained from such a young age to take over that business from my father, it's wise to become a business man."

The older man writes down some notes before putting it neatly into a folder. At the same time he takes a look at his watch.

„I will prescribe some tablet for you, if anything weird happens again, please contact me."

„Sure. It was nice seeing you again Watanabe-san."

„Same here, Akashi. If anything urgent you can also e-mail me."

„I will remember that. Good bye."

Outside the praxis Akashi halted in his steps. He took a note out of his bag and stares at it. On the prescribed paper is 'Moclobemid' listed. Isn't Moclobemid an antidepressant medicament? But Akashi was sure that he didn't suffer depression at all... Hell, he didn't even said anything depressive to the doctor.

„Moclobemid is used against people with social phobia."

„Oh really?"

„Yes, I don't understand it myself why he prescribed it for you it's not like you're social awkward or anything."

Staring at the note, he crumbled it and throw it to the nearest trashcan. In the end those therapy will only cost an amount of money with no improvement at all. They always asked pointless questions or question he doesn't want to answer. It's pretty personal sometimes. There were times he wants to lie to Watanabe-san but he consider otherwise. There are still things he wants to keep to himself. Things he doesn't want to share with anyone else.

„If that's the case I'm wiling to help you, Sei."

A/n: The story comes near the point where Akakuro' relationship will progressing greatly.