Chapter 12: Birthday card

The first thing I heard when I opened my eyes for the first time was a mournful weeping…

I was surrounded by a complete darkness…like falling down the bottomless pit…

Then I heard it again…the distant sobs comes from somewhere…

I keep on walking, following the sound until I found a bright light and after the light dispersed, the image became clearer.

I saw a little boy kneeling down on the floor before a small altar.

Tears relentlessly falling down as he whispered the word 'Okaa-sama…why did you have to leave me… I don't want to be alone…'

A pitiful kid that carrying countless burden in such young age

At that moment I realize, the purpose of my exsitence…is to protect this person.

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Seirin High School – After school-

It's been weeks since their field trip time and now the school days nearing it's end since the winter vacation is coming soon. The air had getting colder and colder each passing day.

"Look! Look! It's snowing!"

"Uwaah…it's so pretty!"

Furihata blinked at the sight of the fallen white substance outside the window.. No wonder it's going to be snowing, it's been really cold since early morning and the temperature clearly had dropped from yesterday.

…I should've checked the weather report before I left this morning… Furihata sighed, he was almost late for school this morning and he even didn't finish his breakfast since he leave in such hurry. He didn't wear a warmer clothes. It'll going to be a cold day for him.

The two girls that standing next to him were currently chatting with each other animatedly about the weather. One of them wearing a red scarf.

The color remind him of the certain redhead. The very first thought that come up was.

Am I doing something wrong…?

It's been weeks after the field trip and ever since then he never get any contact from Akashi. Furihata had left countless voice message and even apologize for bothering the redhead. He may didn't know Akashi as well as Kuroko and the others but he knew that something is wrong and that Akashi won't purposely ignored him or anyone for that matter without good reason.

He supposed to be angry not feel guilty when someone didn't fulfill their promise after agreed to meet him. And yes, he was irked at some point but it mostly had subsidied by now. Yet the pathetic, unreasonable, paranoid side of him somehow couldn't dismiss the assumption that he probably at fault in this and that he deserves such treatment although he clearly know that he's not.

I should stop thinking things like that! Furihata gently bumped his fist to his head, scolding himself.

Furihata remember one scene from when he watch the soap opera show his mother likes so much. The girl angrily slapped her boyfriend then yelled at him for reason that Furihata can't understand while the poor man has no clue what was upsetting her.

At that time he thought the show was boring and annoying, but now Furihata able to understand a little bit what the man's character been through since he's in quite similar situation. Girl's minds are complicated, it must not be easy have to deal with such problem.

Though Akashi is not a girl, he is complicated in his own way, it's impossible for Furihata to understand him. Whether Akashi was really busy or he was upset about something, which the brunet hope the latter would not because of anything he did.

There is no club activity today that means all of the club's members will be free for the rest of the day after school. unfortunately his two best friend, Fukuda and kawahara can't tag along.

Fukuda have to join a group assignment after school while Kawahara was absent because of flu. Being the only one left alone, Furihata wonder where should he went after school. He doesn't really want to go back home yet.

"Hmm…maybe I'll spend some time at game centre…" Furihata muttered to himself as he walk thorough the crowded hallway. Spending some time to playing game it's a good way to take his mind off things and that exactly what he needed right now. If he's lucky, he might be able to beat the racing game high score today.

When Furihata passed a group of girls from the next class it took a moment for him to realizes that they were Tachibana's friends. They seems startled at first when they saw him then giving him the most deadly glare they possessed. The brunet flinched slightly at their hostility and quickened his steps.

He couldn't help but think that girls really are scary. If you hurt one even just for a little bit, the rest of her friends would automatically become your enemies.

Ever since the field trip, Tanimura never talks to him again. They met a few times in corridor or cafetaria, but that's all. She need some time to get over it, they were stranger to begin with so for him it's relatively easy to revert back to how they were.

"Furihata-kun." The soft and polite greeting dispersed his thought. The brunet about to open his shoe locker when he notices Kuroko standing besides him.

Furihata turn at the shorter male. Their shoe locker were right besides each other yet he didn't notice Kuroko presence until he talk to him. He might have just arrived or he's already been there, not like he could tell the difference.

Furihata was too absorbed in his own and failed to pay attention to his surrounding, though in his defense Kuroko had almost non-existent presence so he supposedly hard to notice.

"Oh, Kuroko…" Furihata return the greeting with small nod. "You want to go home after this?"

Kuroko shakes his head and answered the brunet question."No, I'll be going to Kagami-kun's place. How about you?"

"I want to go to the game centre, though…"

"What a coincidence, it's happened to be the same direction with Kagami-kun's mansion. Do you want to walk together with us?"

The brunet look over the teal haired male shoulder and find Kagami standing at the entrance. He must be waiting for Kuroko.

"Are you sure it's alright?" The brunet sounds reluctant to accept the offer. He knew that his intrusion may not well received by the Seirin's ace. After all this is a rare and precious day off and he might prefered to spend the rest of the day together with his beloved shadow.

"What do you mean?" The teal haired male lifting his eyebrow with apparent confusion on his feature.

"You should understand what I'm talking about here, right?" Furihata squint at Kagami, give him an obvious hint. "I figured you rather spend the rest of the day…together with each other ?"

He met with blank stares from Kuroko, clearly unamused by his 'clever' assumption. "I appreciate your concern Furihata-kun, but do you really think I would be that dense to invite you if we've been arranged a plan for a date?"

Although it come as flat and emotionless as always, Furihata can't help but notice the sharp tone in Kuroko's words.

"Eh? Ah…is that so?" He rubbed the back of his head, embarassed by his idiotic assumption.

"So, what do you say?" the blue haired male asked once again.

"I can use some company." Furihata answer make a small smile grace Kuroko's stoic feature.

"Then, should we get going?"

He exchanges small greeting with Kagami then proceed to leave the school together.

They decided to head towards the large mart next to their regular hanging out place, Majiba, first to buy some ingredients for dinner.

"What do you want to eat tonight?" Kagami asked as they walked passed the supermarket automatic door.

"I'm fine with whatever you can make." Kuroko replied with a shrug while took one of the cart.

Kagami look around for awhile until they passed food aisles. His eyes immediately caught sight of stacked of fresh meats. He paused for a moment as the think of the image of various menus that crossed his minds after he decide what to cook, he turn at Kuroko, he have to asks for his opinion.

"Then, what about curry?" Kagami suggested.

Kuroko nodded. "Curry sounds good. It's fast and easy to make."

"Then curry it is." They decided the menu for the night.

"I'll get the meat and since I still have some leftover potatoes and carrots you just have to pick the onions and curry powder. Remember to take the mild one, you can't stand the spicy one." Kagami pointed out.

"alright, alright I know already."

Watching the intimate interaction between Seirin pair of light and shadow as they discussed of the ingredients for their dinner, Furihata could not help but smiled at the sight. If he have to tell the truth, he say they more like married couple than a boyfriends.

He wonder what it would felt like if he can have the same relationship with the certain redhead. Such a pleasant wish, but he is not gulible enough to believe it would come true.

The daydream was short-lived as he shakes his head, dismissed the thought as he followed Kagami steps. He caught a sight of kuroko flipped open his cellphone the moment before he wander through the ingredients aisles. It was not the first, Furihata had caught the blue haired male frequently checked his cellphone a few times before.

Normally it's not an odd thing. People often checks their cellphone, but Kuroko only recently began to check his phone for every notification he receives. It's as if he afraid to miss someone's call or message.

"Kuroko checked his cellphone quite a lot …" Furihata mumbled.

"Oh, you notice that?" Kagami were in the middle of checking the fresh meat. "He tried to contact Akashi but that guy never respond."

"Eh?" Now it caught Furihata by surprise. "Why?"

Akashi didn't pick Kuroko's calls either? Now that's odd. Thought the Brunet.

"Well, remember when we're going to the Rakuzan in the last field trip?" Kagami turn at him. His face turn serious and he sound pissed from his tone.

"Now that you brought that up, I guess we never asks you how it went…"

Furihata guessed they already found out about Akashi situation. And they both definetely can't accept it. But, he wonder why they didn't brought it up to the coach and the other? Is it because Kuroko thinks it's a personal matter?

"There…those guys from Rakuzan…they told us that Akashi resigned from the team months ago." Kagami sounded unsure when telling him that. Kuroko might have told him to keep it quiet until they find out the truth from Akashi.

"Oh…" Furihata's reply sounded monotone.

"You're less surprised than I thought." Kagami said, confused noticing the brunet's odd reaction. The Furihata he knew would absolutely surprised by the news of the terrifying Rakuzan captain resigned from basketball team.

Realizing his mistakes, Furihata quickly feigned bewilderment. Kagami might not as sharp as Kuroko, but he have to be cautious not to rouse the redhead suspicion. He can be more attentive than he appear to be. "W-well….I just…don't know what to say…I mean it's too sudden!"

Fortunately Kagami decide to brush it off and shift his glance from Furihata.

"I…" The redhead started, his voice deeper than before. "I never thought that guy would given up on basketball just like that!" He clenched his fist seems pretty upset about the fact.

Furihata keep quiet for a while. It's not that hard to understand, basketball was the first thing that connected Kagami to others strong opponents. When he played against them, he could tell how much they loved the sport. That's why he convinced something must have happened for Akashi to suddenly decided to resigned.

"I'm sure he must had his reasons…" Was all Furihata managed to said.

"Still…I'm not satisfied if I didn't heard it from Akashi himself!" Kagami persist, he was determined to find the answer. "We've already arranged a plan though."

"Plan?" Furihata couldn't concealed the interest in his tone.

"Kise was the one that offered the idea." Kagami added. "That guy might be a handful one most of the times but he can come up with pretty good idea at time."

"Eh? The generation of miracle already knew about this?" Furihata asked

"Ah…Kuroko told them the day after the field trip." Kagami sighs then add. " As expected all of them freaked out, they haven't heard anything about this, especially Murasakibara and Midorima. They also tried contacting him but to no avail…"

"Then, Kise said that we need to come up with something so we had a legitimate reason to visit Akashi's mansion which Akashi had once invited them there on their second year of middle school for training camp." Kagami put the meat into his shopping cart before continue.

"So we're planning to throw him a surprise party to celebrate his birthday along with christmas in 20th december."

Furihata blinked then turn quiet as he just realized something important then.

"Ah…I didn't know that Akashi's birthday is so close." He mumbled in quiet voice.

There so many things I didn't know about Akashi…

His birthday…his likes and dislikes…

It's normal for anyone wanting to get to know more about someone they likes right? Furihata remembers when he had a crush on Ogawa. He searched everything he could find about her. Her birthday, favorite food, favorite color, favorite band, everything.

As for Akashi…he doesn't know many things about the redhead and it frustate him. He wanted to know more, much, much more.

Thinking about the redhead makes Furihata really wanted to meet with Akashi or at least hear his voice. Even though they weren't that close, he hoped Akashi could give him some reason anything that explain his total absence lately.

It's not like Akashi at all, to completely ignore everyone like that.

Kagami pushed the cart as they move from the meats section. "Well, I only found about that recently too from Kuroko."

"Aah! Is such a pain! I don't know what gift I supposed to buy for him!" The Seirin's light scratches his head in frustation. "He seems like the type that can only be satisfied with a high quality gift isn't…?" Kagami squinted his eyes and pursed his lips while pin the base of his chin between his thumb and forefinger.

Furihata chuckled at Kagami's last word. "Well, I am sure he would appreciate the thought more…" Although with Kagami's financial it won't be difficult to choose any high quality gift available for Akashi.

"By the way, I've been wondering... what did you were doing with Akashi back then all alone in that deserted corner?" Kagami question make the brunet turned at him with bewildered expression.

"Eh? Huh?" He was dumbstruck by Kagami's sudden question.

"You know, that time when we went for street basketball." Kagami explained in case Furihata didn't remember.

However the memory trigger the embarassing incident in the brunet's mind and he almost cussed at the redhead for recalling the said incident.

The almost-kissing accident.

Shaking his head, Furihata quickly disperse the indecent thoughts from his mind, then quickly blurted. "H-he just taught me some basic form I've lack of! Nothing special! Absolutely nothing happened!"

"Why are you panicking?" Kagami raised one of his eyebrow, confused at Furihata's outburst.

The brunet was relieved Kagami bringing up the subject when the blue haired male wasn't around. If it's been with Kuroko, he definetely won't be able to get away with this kind of lies.

"Speaking of that…how's your relationship going? Now that we have more free time than before weren't you supposed to spend more time with her? Winter vacation is near you know."

…Don't tell me he still believe we were dating? Furihata thought then suddenly realized. Oh, right…Kagami doesn't know the truth about Tanimura-san yet…

Furihata sighed, after he finally able to move past his problem with Tanimura this guy has to brought her up again. He knew that Kagami is not at fault here and he merely curious but he can't help but get a little irked about the subject.

"Oh, that's…well, we're not going out from the first place. Besides I've already rejected her."

"Haaah?!" The look of pure disbelief on the redhead face almost make Furihata laugh but he conceal it with a fake cough.

"It's the truth." The brunet added. "And next time, please don't announce something out loud when you didn't know the truth yet." He hasn't forget it's due to this redhead carelessness that lead to the misundersting between him and Akashi.

"Why are you upset?" Kagami asked, a bit puzzled at the brunet's slightly aggravated tone.

"Ah, it's Kuroko." Furihata turned his head to the side, pretend not to hear Kagami's question and greet the light blue haired male that walks toward them.

"Ah, there you two are, I finished picked the ingredients let's go to the counter."

After they finished gathered all the required ingredient, Kagami waited in line to the cashier while Kuroko and Furihata went outside and waited for him.

Both of them shivered at the chillness of the winter air.

"I heard from Kagami about what had happened with Akashi." Furihata decide to have a small talk breaking the silence between them.

"And also, about your plan on giving him a surprise birthday party."

Kuroko blinked once before muttered an answer.

"Truth to be told…I don't really think this plan will success, but if there is a chance…" He paused briefly. "Even if it's just a little that we would be able to meet with Akashi-kun, then…"

The audible dreary tone and visible sombre expression the usually stoic Kuroko had displayed was enough to make Furihata understand that he must have very concerned with his former team mate.

Kuroko would never express it blatantly, and Furihata know him well enough to understand that he's cared deeply of all of his friends well-being. After everything they been through, he probably doesn't want to see their bonds of friendship strained again, not after they finally able to start a new beginning.

"You already know, Akashi-kun was the one that recommended me to the first string, ever since he found the use of my misdirection ability…"

"In a way…you can say that it thanks to Akashi-kun and Aomine-kun that I was acknowledge to be the part of the generation of miracle team players…"

Maybe…Kuroko felt indebted to Akashi? Suddenly the thought crossed the brunet minds.

No…that's not it…it's more than that…

Kuroko understands it more than anyone else…Giving up something that you love dearly, must be incredibly painful…

That's why Furihata was sure Kuroko might be the only one that able to convinced Akashi to return playing basket.

"Alright then, see you tomorrow at school, Furi." Kagami said when they arrive at the intersection and went on their separate ways.

"Yeah, see you." Furihata nod and smiles at the pair as he bid them goodbye.

After walking through a few block of shopping districts, Furihata finally find his destination. Near the corner of department store, there's a small building. The arcade he visited from time to time since he was still in elementary school. It's already change a lot from back then, especially after they change the old machine and installed the newer and more modern arcade games. Unlike back then when they need to wait in line to play some games, now there are much more various choices.

As the brunet wander around the arcade, contemplating to decide what game he should tried first, suddenly the familiar sight caught his attention. He immediately raise his pace to approach the said figure.

"Kiyoshi-san. Good evening," The younger brunet greet his senpai with small but bright smile on his face.

Kiyoshi was watching over some black haired dude played a shooting game when he notice his junior appeared besides him. He blinked once before returning Furihata's greetings. "Oh, Furihata. You're also coming here?"

Furihata nodded."I've been planning to come here after school, but I didn't expect to see you here!"

"Isn't this a pleasant coincidence?" Kiyoshi laughing cheerfully. "Then we all can have some fun together!"

At that moment the cheerful sounds of congratulations for the new high score could be heard from the shotting game. Both Kiyoshi and Furihata turned at the raven haired player that had finished the game and put the mechanical toy gun at it's handle.

"Woah! That's great Hanamiya! You've got a new high score! Good job!" Kiyoshi said and raised a thumbs up at the guy.

"Huh?! Have fun, my ass! You're shouting my name from across the street, attracting attention and then drag me to accompany you here!" The number 4 player of Kirisaki Dai'ichi team turn his head at the bubbly brunet and hissed in annoyance at Kiyoshi proclamation.

Hanamiya Makoto?! Why is that guy here?! Furihata was stared speechless at the interaction between the cheerful Kiyoshi Teppei and very pissed Hanamiya Makoto.

"Well, I thought you didn't see me." Kiyoshi chuckles while scratch the back of his head. He doesn't seem affected by Hanamiya harsh words at all.

"Does it ever cross that tiny brain of yours that I tried to avoid you?!" Hanamiya spat back in disgust and exasperation at Kiyoshi reaction. It feels like no matter how sharp or vicious the words he said, it'll never upset the tall bunet.

"Ano…" Furihata meekly tried to join the conversation.

"Huuh? Who the hell is this guy?" Furihata cringed a little when Hanamiya turn his attention at him.

"This is Furihata Kōki, one of my junior. You might not remember him but he is one of our first year and he was there in the previous inter-high match." Kiyoshi pull Furihata closer to him and introduce the brunet to Hanamiya.

"Huh? I don't recall seeing this wimp in your team." Hanamiya snorted, obviously looking down at the brunet.

Wimp? Ouch, that stings!

"Well, he was supporting us from the bench at that time."

"You expect me to notice a bench warmer?!"

Furihata feels awkward as he heard the two talked about him as if he wasn't there. Furihata knew he didn't contribute much at the match but it still unpleasant to hear someone talking about him in degreading manner like that. Not that he's not used to it though and moreover it's Hanamiya Makoto so he should have expected this much.

"Well, whatever. Now that you have a company stop bothering me!" The raven haired male then turn around and walked away from them, purposely ignored Kiyoshi's plea for him to stay.

"He left…" Kiyoshi said sounds dissapointed, but his expression instantly changes as he shifted his attention to his junior. "Oh well, it can't be helped, how about we play another round in tag team, Furihata?" Asks the senior as he flashes Furihata a big cheerful grin.

Furihata then agree to join Kiyoshi to play the shooting game together.

"It amaze me, how you can stay positive while dealing with that kind of person…"

Furihata mumbled as he successfully shot the enemies from the left.

Kiyoshi laughed "Well…I guess that just how Hanamiya is…" He said as their characters proceed to another stage.

In the end both of them didn't manage to defeat the enemy boss but both Furihata and Kiyoshi feel satisfied at the result of their achievement even though they're level are obviously much below Hanamiya in shooting game.

They get bit tired and thirsty so they quit the game and find the nearest vending machine.

"Kiyoshi-san…" Furihata paused briefly as he bent down and took the canned beverage from the bottom of the machine. "Do any of your friend ever get mad at you for unknown reason?"

Kiyoshi opened his drink and took a sip before answered. "Hyūga always angry at me even when I didn't do anything wrong." He mused.

They both walked until they find a nice bench and take a seat before continue their small talk.

"Hmm…now that I think about it…Hanamiya and Murasakibara also hate me for no apparent reason…" The older brunet sighed. "Although I sincerely wanted to have another good match with them…" There is disappointment in his tone.

"Kiyoshi-san…you're just too kind, I think your kindness irked them in some way." Furihata take a sip on his juice before continued. "But in captain's case, you ought to be more thoughtful of things you done and said."

"Eeeeh?"

"Why do you suddenly brought this question?" Kiyoshi eyes narrowed and his tone lowered when he notice the sudden change in Furihata's expression. "Is this about Akashi?"

The younger only sigh in respond. He knew Kiyoshi would be sharp enough to notice something is wrong. But how he manage to assumed it was between him and Akashi is something beyond Furihata can comperehend.

"As I thought. So, what happened?" The older brunet inquired.

Furihata contemplate for a moment whether to tell Kiyoshi or not. But he knew is too late to pretend that nothing is wrong now. "Well…lately Akashi had been give me a cold shoulder and I don't really know what I did wrong… He doesn't answer any of my call nor replied any of my text…actually he also doesn't reply to Kuroko's message either." He explained.

Furihata's eyes met Kiyoshi's for a moment and realize that his senior know that there are more than that and silently asks him to continue. Kiyoshi must have guessed these problem had distressed him greatly.

"Kagami told me that his birthday is near but I don't know how I'm supposed to congratulate him…" Furihata took another sip of his canned juice after he finished.

They both turn silent afterwards as they were pondering with each of their thought. Until Kiyoshi suddenly decide to break the stretched silence between them.

"You see, I once get into terrible fight with my best friend in middle school, well…more like he's angry at me for reason I can't remember." He admit.

"But he immediately warm up when I showed up at his house for his birthday and we back like we used to on the next day."

"So I'm telling you." Kiyoshi give Furihata pat on his shoulder and give him a bright grin as he continued. "How about you hop on train and go to Kyoto to give him a surprise visit on his birthday?" Kiyoshi finish his statement and raise his thumb at Furihata.

"No way!"

"Eh? Why?"

"I can't do that! Also the kiseki no sedai group kinda already planned to give him a surprise party…" Furihata mumbled meekly.

It would be very weird for Furihata to suddenly show up. Even though Kuroko and Kagami are probably fine with that, he doesn't think the others would be pleased if he were to interrupted their reunion with Akashi.

"I don't see anything wrong with that. You're free to go visit him right? Is not like you need their permission to see him or something…" The older brunet said sound confused at Furihata respond.

"It'll be pretty awkward to all of us!" seriously, sometimes he really envied Kiyoshi's carefree nature. And he still oblivious to why Hyūga often angry at him.

"Hmm…what about send him a birthday card along with surprise birthday present then?" Kiyoshi give him another alternative solution.

Furihata merely stared at him blankly before said. 'That sounds pretty childish…"

"It's not! I'm sure he would be happy to receive that!" Kiyoshi tried to convince him. "Just tried it! I'm sure Akashi would be happy!"

.

Few days Later

.

"That's what he said…I just realize it's not as easy as I thought it would be…"

Two days had passed since then and Furihata still hasn't managed to finish writing the birthday card. The trash bin on his room were filled with crumpled papers.

"This is as hard as writing a proposal! no matter what, it seems I can't find the right word to write!"

He flip open his cellphone and checked the calendar it shows 17th december. Furihata then sighed. "If this keep going, I wouldn't be able to send this card right on time of his birthday…"

"What should I do…" He mumbled to himself.

"Kou, I'm going in." Furihata startled when he heard his older brother voice as the guy make his way to enter his room and quickly tried to hide the unfinished letter under his arms.

"Hmm? What are you doing?" The older brother raise one of his brows when he sees the younger male on his desk. It's pretty obvious he tried to hides something.

"N-nothing! Aniki can't you at least knock before going in my room?!" He shrieking at him. It's a violation of privacy!

"Huh?! I've notified you before I entered the room!" His brother protested while crossing his arms.

"Don't enter right when you're announce, dammit!"

His brother walked toward the desk, trying to find out what Furihata desperately tried to hide from him. "What are you hiding there anyway? Don't tell me…a porn?"

"No! it's not!" With all that suspicious act, he does look like he's been reading porn.

"You must have taken some from my stash didn't you?! Just admit it!" The older male wrestle his brother to try and find out what he's been hiding.

"I'm not! I bought all my magazines with my own allowance!" The little brother angrily deny the accusation.

"Liar!"

"I'm not lying!"

"Then, what the hell are you doing? Sneaking around like that? It's suspicious!" The older male demanding.

"I just write something, it's not important, okay?" The brunet desperately tried to persuade the older Furihata to not meddle with his business and hope it'll convince him enough to leave him alone.

His older brother took one of the paper when he's not looking and begin to read them out loud. "Hmm? What's this? Dear Akashi-san-"

The brunet swiftly snatched the paper from his brother's hand. "Who give you permission to read that?!" He growled tried to look menacing but it obviously failed since it doesn't seem to intimidate his brother at all.

"A birthday card?" The older brunet raise one of his eyebrow seemingly curious at his brother exaggerate reaction. "That what you've been doing since yesterday?"

"S-so what?!" Furihata stuttered, couldn't stop the blush forming in his cheek.

"Pfft, Is that for a girl? Uwaa, so lame…" His brother snigger at him with amused look.

Furihata huffed, angered by his brother response. "Just leave me alone!"

Ignoring his brother hostility, the older brunet said. "Ah, finally my baby brother set his eyes on a girl? You finally ready to become a man, so Onii-chan here will give an important advice for cherry boy like you." His tone somewhat pretty confident.

His younger brother merely gave him a blank stare before turn away and replied dismissively. "No thank you, I don't need any advice from another virgin."

The olde brunet face darkened but a scary big grin slowly stretched in his face. The next thing Furihata knew is his brother pulled him in vice grip head-lock, choking him.

"Where did you learn to talk big like that? Want me to pop your head, huuh? Is that what you want?" His brother asks in cheerful but threatening tone at the same time.

Furihata struggling to get out from his brother headlock.

"AW! Ouch! Ouch! I'm sorry! I'm very sorry! please forgive me, Aniki! I won't say something like that again so please let me go!" He begged desperately as he starting to feel a little lightheaded from the lack of oxygen.

His brother then released him after he apologized. He turned his attention back toward the pile of paper on his brother's desk.

"So this special friend of yours…Akashi-san isn't? Is she a cute a girl?" He inquired, apparently pretty curious at his brother's allegedly romantic relationship.

Furihata frowned at his brother's suggestive tone. "He's a guy. Do you remember him? kaa-san mentions him few times before." He wonder what makes his brother suddenly interested at his problem.

"Aaah!" The older male flicked his fingers when he remember about the person his mother talks about. "That guy that helped you when you get stabbed right?"

More like I get stabbed because I tried to saved him… Furihata internally corrected him.

"He had come once for dinner when I was away for a college trip, right? Ever since then, Kaa-san talks more often about him." He crossed his arms and closed his eyes while nodded as he recall more about the guy. "The handsome polite young man, her son recently befriended with."

"Why did you take a trouble to send him a birthday card?" His brother asked and shrugged. "Can't you just text him? it's lot easier, cheaper and simpler in my opinion."

"Well…things aren't going well between us lately so my senior suggested to send him a birthday card along with surprise gift." Furihata explained while scratching the back of his head.

"Heeh…"

Furihata briefly ponder but finally made up his mind to tell his brother the thing that been bothering him. Maybe his brother really can give him some good advice.

"Truthfully…I don't know what I' supposed to write…if he's angry at me, wouldn't it annoyed him even more to receive something from me on his birthday?"

His brother expression were neutral now, there were no trace of earlier antics. Silently waiting for him to continue.

"No one would be happy to receive something from the person that makes them upset."

"Why did you come to that conclusion?"

"Eh? Well…he doesn't answer my call nor reply my text for weeks! So I thought he might be annoyed at me…"

His brother snorted. "Really?" Then continue in a more serious tone. "To me it's sounds like you decide to believe that he angry at you with no apparent reason, isn't it the same as you put a blame on him because you can't understand what's going on? you don't even bother to try and figured out what had made him acted that way."

Furihata grunted. "Then, tell me…what do you think I supposed to do?"

"You really are hopeless," His brother shakes his head. "I give you a simple advice. Stop beating around the bush. Instead of writing pointless babble why don't you just get to the point and write things that you really want to tell him."

The older male look at his wristwatch and suddenly panicked. "Shit! I'm going to be late for my part-time work! I better get going now!" He exited Furihata's room in rush.

"Aniki wait!" the younger brother call out to him but he didn't seem to hear him. "Ahhh…he left, why did he barged to my room in the first place anyway?" He wondered at his brother random behavior. Maybe he wanted to asks him something but forgotten about it.

The brunet turn his attention back at the white sheet of paper rested on top of his desk. His brother earlier advice stuck in his head.

He mumbled to himself. "Things I really want to tell him…huh?" He pick up his pen and begint to write another letter.

;

19th December

The crimson haired male focused intently at the shogi board before him. His lithe fingers nimbly moved the piece of Fuhyō one square forward toward the enemy line. On the next turn he moved a piece of another Fuhyō from the opposing set. he move pieces from both side since he play by himself.

His game is interrupted by the voice of a female servant that calling his name. from her silhouette, she is kneeling on the other side of the sliding door that separate his room with the corridor.

"What is it?" He asked. His voice is neutral, there is no trace of upset of being interrupted. Although he doesn't bother to turn around to see the maid.

She opened the sliding door and greeted the young master politely while bowing. "Please pardon my intrusion."

"Young master, a letter had just arrived." She said and pull out a white envelope from under her sleeve.

"A letter?"

"Yes, It just arrived and seems like it was delivered to you." The maid flip the envelope and read the name of the sender. "From someone named Furihata Kōki that lives in Tokyo."

Akashi flinched a little at the brunet name but the maid doesn't seem to notice it

He replied after a brief silence. "Just leave it there, I will have a look at it later."

"Yes, then I'll take my leave." The maid bowed once again before closing the door and leave the room.

Akashi shifted slightly and his heterochromatic eyes of red and gold glanced at the letter that place neatly near the entrance of his room.

"A letter…eh?" He muttered to himself breaking the silence in the room.

End Of chapter 12

Author Note :

I know I've been on hiatus on two years. Yeah, sorry it's a very long time I know. There's a lot going on so I haven't update any of my story. I can't promise but I tried my best to finish this story before started another one. There are many other stories that I actually scared to publish, I kept thinking they were so many flaws and it's not good enough. I don't know why I'm writing this pointless rambling. Well I am grateful for everyone that still willing to read this story, thank you very much for your support. ^^