Yes. Sayumi is going through a very dramatic part of her life right now. Is it weird that I'm enjoying writing about it?
I've been thinking. Since Kise, Aomine, Kuroko, Kagami, and Murasakibara got their scenes, I'm going to give Akashi his moments in the upcoming chapters.
Leave comments. It's fun to read those ever so often when they do appear.
Chapter 22
"Saturday mornings are really crowded, right Ojii-san?" Sayumi turned to the elderly man who she accompanied to the community shogi center. He was no longer next to her. The girl panicked until she spotted the old man slip into an empty seat and challenge yet another new player to a game of shogi.
Guess it's just me again. I'll look for uncle (nice way to refer to her older male friend) since he was the one who told me to come today.
Sayumi searched and finally located the man in a far corner against the wall, hidden from the rest of the shogi players. When she spotted him, she thought about calling out to him, but he looked very focused on the game.
Sayumi squirmed her way in and grabbed a seat next to the man concentrated on the intense game. She didn't even bother seeing who he was playing against before she fell fast asleep.
...
"Tsumi." The older man laughed at his inevitable lost.
"Good game as always Seijuurou." The older man then turned to look at the girl who was woken by his thunder laugh. He chuckled when she sat up and blinked blankly.
"Sayumi-chan. Saturday morning a little too early for you?" The man teased.
"Sorry. I used to fall asleep during Koukai-nii's games too. Don't take any offense." The girl honestly shared, still half asleep.
"This is the boy I wanted to introduce you-Akashi Seijuurou. Seijuurou, this is Kineno Sayumi."
The two teenagers, who didn't pay attention to the other party, finally took the time to look at each other. Sayumi blinked speechlessly while the boy stared calmly at the sleepy guest.
"Seijuuro. Though Sayumi-chan falls asleep easily while watching shogi, when she actually plays, she isn't at all terrible."
"Way to put it," Sayumi responded curtly. When the boy looked at her, she blushed in embarrassment. She probably didn't make a good impression for her lack of respect towards the older man who she was accustomed to using casual language with.
"Don't mind this girl. She's always like this. Seijuuro. Remember the boy I told you about long ago?" The redhead nodded. "This is his sister." Akashi looked at the girl blankly. "Sayumi. Seijuuro also attends Rakuzan and plays basketball." The older man grinned. "I have to do something. I'll come back to see you two later."
The two acquaintances watched the man get up and take the empty seat across a beautiful woman in her late forties. Sayumi then directed her attention back to the emotionless boy across from her.
"I...um...about...last week..." Sayumi stumbled to find words, but his cold stare stopped her.
Akashi didn't bat an eyelash and moved the first piece across the board separating them. Sayumi, from instinct, shifted a piece as well, and thus, began the game.
...
"Tsumi." Sayumi laughed at her own lost, just like Akashi's previous opponent. She lost fair and square. The redhead's wits most definitely impressed her, but Sayumi put up an honorable fight. They were at it for a good hour, not the longest, but definitely not the shortest.
"You don't look like you can do that Seijuurou...Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to use your name. It's just I adapted it since uncle was calling you that and-"
"Good game Sayumi."
Sayumi blushed at the compliment and then turned even redder after hearing him call her by her first name.
Maybe he doesn't seem as scary as he looks.
"This is the second time we met I believe. I wanted to apologize for the first time. I mistook you for someone." Sayumi shifted in her seat when she brought up the uncomfortable subject.
"You mistook me for your brother who you were visiting at the cemetery?" Akashi's question sounded much more like a statement.
"How'd you know?" Akashi gave the forgetful girl a few moments to think a little harder. "Wait!" screamed the girl who just remembered.
All the heads playing shogi turned to look at the girl standing up from her seat. They all laughed. She was playing the eminent shogi prodigy, Akashi Seijuurou. Sayumi bowed to apologize for the sudden disturbance before sitting back down where she felt the unexpressive eyes stare at her. He waited for the loud girl to compose herself.
"You're that cute...I mean, nice-looking guy I gave the pink carnations to," Sayumi said in a softer voice.
"It's rude to point."
"Sorry. Habit." Sayumi put down her finger. "Wait...so I met you twice before already. I didn't recognize you. You looked so different in the train."
Akashi's eyebrow lifted slightly. He listened as the girl blabbered on.
"You looked so distant and sad in the train. We got off at the same stop, remember? If you saw me visiting my brother, you were at the cemetery too then?"
Sayumi noticed his indifference. "Say, do you know the meaning of pink carnations?" No answer. "They represent unforgettable love."
Akashi knew. Of course he knew. He knew everything. But he allowed the girl to refresh his memory.
"Pink carnations...do you like them?"
Akashi stared at the girl impassively and then shifted his attention to the board and started a new game.
"Maybe you should let the loser start the game sometime," Sayumi suggested at the boy who ignored her heartfelt question.
"It doesn't matter since the outcome would be the same."
"You're lucky it's me playing and not Koukai-nii." Sayumi moved her piece.
...
"Tsumi...again." Sayumi slumped back in her chair in defeat.
"Sayumi. How long have you played?"
"Not my whole life unlike someone." Sayumi said sarcastically, still a little annoyed by her third defeat. When she saw him looking seriously at her, she sat up and answered properly. "My brother started playing when he moved to japan around four years ago. At first he lost to everybody, but me. But he never lost twice to the same person afterwards. When he became good, he started coaching me. But after he died, I stopped. I haven't played for three years. I just started again last week."
Akashi watched the girl bravely recall the painful yet lovely memories of her brother.
"He played basketball for Rakuzan?" Again his question sounded like a statement.
"Rakuzan Jersey Four." The little sister said proudly. "Sorry about that incident." The girl snuck in again.
"What happened?"
Sayumi looked at the recently acquainted stranger. Was it right to share?
"Why are you still here? Your brother left already."
Sayumi looked at the boy defensively. "Who are you to ask?" Tears were clouding her eyes again.
Why am I tearing up again? Why does this happen whenever I see this guy?
"I remind you of your brother. I want to distinguish the difference." Akashi's heartless eyes shot at Sayumi.
"You have nothing in common with him." The furious girl stood up and left the boy sitting by himself.
"Sayumi." His authoritative voice stopped her. "I'll walk you home."
...
What? Why is he walking home with me?
Sayumi looked at the redhead from the corner of her eyes.
"Why are you here?" The question was brought up again. Akashi was stubborn and when he demands an answer, he'll get it.
"It's none of your business." Sayumi picked up her pace, but the redhead kept up with ease.
"Is it because you don't even know the answer yourself?"
Sayumi froze in place. She turned gravely to the boy. "Why do you have to know?" Her voice evoked the hurt she felt. "Please. Don't ask." Sayumi fixed the strap of her bag hanging on her right shoulder and walked ahead.
"I play shogi every weekend." Akashi turned the opposite direction after relaying his short message to the girl. He made sure she heard.
...
Why does he care so much? I barely even know him. We only met once in the train, once in Rakuzan, and once in the shogi center. He acts like he knows everything and must find out about everything that he doesn't know...and yet...he reminds me so much of Koukai-nii.
Sayumi hugged her pillow and rolled over.
No! He's not like Koukai-nii at all-aside for the fact that he plays basketball and shogi and wears Rakuzan's Jersey Four and...
Sayumi flipped over again to clear her head, but no matter what she did, she couldn't get the redhead out of her mind.
He like has two contrasting personalities. The boy I gave flowers to was definitely different from the one I saw in the courts and shogi center. Why did he tell me that he plays shogi on the weekends? Does he want me to come? Ugh. I don't want to see such a cold person. Maybe he likes seeing girls cry. I heard some people have that kind of interest.
Sayumi stopped her crazy thoughts when she looked at the time on her phone.
It's time to go play. I can finally play. I'm all better. Perfect timing. I need to clear my mind of that Seijuurou.
...
Sayumi greeted the basketball boys jubilantly when she walked in, dressed and ready to play. Even the tall purple-haired giant arrived on time. That was rare.
The group of friends played a nice and intense game. When the group was about to disband, a sudden news broke out.
The blonde model spoke first. "Kinenocchi."
The girl refreshed from the good workout looked at Kise with her spirited eyes.
"We have been meaning to tell you something..." the boy began. The girl looked at the boys gathered around and listened intently.
"Kise. What?" the clueless girl asked.
"We have important games coming up. We need to add more practice time with our own separate teams." Aomine's voice broke in. "You understand right?"
"Kine-chin. I don't think I'm going to come for a while. I'll see you at the restaurant though." The tallest boy took off his hairband and slumped out of the park.
Before Sayumi called out to Murasakibara, another tall boy stood in front of her.
"Kagami..."
"Kineno. Since the championships are approaching, Riko is raising the practice time to train. Kuroko and I need to stay longer to practice at school now. When we win, we'll play together again, kay?"
Sayumi looked at the two Seirin members and then at Kise and Aomine. She swallowed. This was to be expected.
"Good luck!" Sayumi's face hid her hurt perfectly. No one even sensed the slightest uneasiness. "Kagami, Kuroko. You do just that. Kise. Don't overwork yourself. Aomine. Don't not attend practice. You said it yourself. I understand perfectly."
The boys were glad the girl understood. Sayumi picked up her bag and smiled.
"Sorry, but I'm rooting for my own school. Don't underestimate them." The girl waved and left the park.
...
When Sayumi closed the door to her room, she closed her eyes. That always helped her breathe better.
It's better this way, before I begin to miss them too much.