Chapter 1

Nothing beats the weather in Japan during April. I looked out the big open window on the second floor and took a big breath of fresh air. The smell of sweet cherry blossoms filled my lungs with the scent of spring. Groups of birds flew together in synchronization, displaying a mini performance in the cloudless blue sky. Honestly, nothing would have made the scene more beautiful...

"Miss Tooru!"

I turned to see a slender girl step out of the main office. The door flung open as the vice principal of Rakuzan High School stepped out and beckoned the fleeing girl to return.

"Miss Mika Tooru! It's your duty as the sophomore class president to be paired up with the incoming freshman!"

Rakuzan High School's goddess, Mika Tooru-my cousin (from my father's side)-whipped her head back and lashed out at the vice principal.

"Who does he think he is? How dare he talk to me like that? Go find someone else to shadow that cocky freshman!" Mika yelled as she crossed her arms over her chest and stormed out the building.

I immediately ducked my head down and turned around when Mika flew past me, but the vice principal still saw me. He waved his hand and I had no choice but to quietly approach him.

"You." The vice principal stressfully shook his head and placed a tired hand on my shoulder. "I need you to adopt a freshman."

"I'm already paired up with a freshman," I answered briefly. "You should ask the student council."

"Don't worry. I'll find another student to take your place." He looked at me pleadingly. "Mika was supposed to mentor this one, but it didn't work out." The young vice principal looked at me with such saddened eyes that forced me to pity him. When he sensed my sympathy, he knew he had won and then proceeded with his request.

"This incoming freshman isn't just any student. He's the first freshman at Rakuzan High to ever be the student council president. He should be finished with his speech at the opening ceremony. Make sure you make him feel welcomed. He should be here any min...There he is!"

I froze when I saw the boy standing across from me. He wore a tightly fitting white blazer with the prestigious Rakuzan crest situated proudly on the left side of his chest. The loose black tie around his neck perfectly complimented his blue collared-shirt that was exposed under his unbuttoned blazer. His hair was a deep red, slightly longer and spikier than it once was. And then there were his eyes-his heterochromatic eyes-quiet, emotionless, and indifferent.

I must have been shocked to see him because I suddenly began coughing violently: I forgot to breathe.

Much to my horror, the vice principal patted me on the back and took the chance to push me towards the very source of my discomfort.

"Mika forgot she already adopted a freshman. But we found someone just as good. She is in the same grade as Mika and will be your mentor. Ask her any questions you have." The vice principal smiled giddily, satisfied with his quick thinking and fast replacement; but his worried look returned when he saw the time and excused himself.

I closed my eyes and ran over the lines in my head. I took a deep breath and then finally turned to look up at the stoic freshman standing half a head taller than me.

"I'll show you to the cafeteria first."

I walked ahead, but stopped when I realized that my newly "adopted" freshman wasn't following behind. I looked at him, but he only looked at me with his usual composed attitude. I unconsciously turned around, facing my back to him. But then took a few deep breaths before clearing my throat.

"This way." I pointed to the stairs. "This way," I repeated. I knew he heard me, but he didn't budge. We stood there for at least a good fifteen seconds before I tried one last time. "I'm going to show you around Rakuzan, Akashi-kun!"

My frustrated expression was reciprocated by a sly smile on his face. He shoved both of his hands in his pockets and followed me down the stairs.

...

I was the only one talking throughout the entire tour of the main campus.

"This is the dining hall." He would slightly nod.

"This is the nurse's office." He would blink indifferently.

"This is the baseball field. And that over there is the soccer field." He would nod again and wait for me to fill in the silence with another "This is..."

But after three suffocating hours of walking alongside each other, I finally led him to the last destination. He quietly followed behind as I made a few turns before stopping in front of a grand building. I leaned against the door, expecting to hear the squeaking of shoes against the waxed floors of the indoor basketball courts, but was taken aback by the silence. I had thought that the basketball team would be training already, but I was wrong.

"This gym is reserved only for Rakuzan's basketball team. It's restricted to visito-"

The unpredictable freshman brushed past me and pushed open the heavy doors. He invited himself in and walked all the way to the center of the gym where he stood still and looked upwards. I gently closed the doors and walked towards the boy basking in the glory of the stupendous gym, one of the distinguishing features of Rakuzan.

I didn't know why, but watching him stand all alone in the middle of the court frightened me. He must have remembered my presence since he stared at me blankly.

"Are you going to try out for the basketball team?" I asked stupidly.

Akashi pierced me with a murderous glare, but quickly composed himself before I let the fear sink in. He then finally found the heart to speak.

"Don't ask what you already know."

I cast my eyes down to the floor. He was intimidating. I tolerated him for so long, trying my best to fulfill my duty as his upperclassman. I had hoped that maybe I'd be of some use, but that one sentence clarified everything.

"You already know the school. You d..don't need me to show you around anymore. I...I'm going to go home first." I fumbled with my words, as I blinked back the tears waiting to surface.

As I turned away, a solid grip found its way around my wrist and yanked me backwards. I was dragged through the door opposite of the entrance that led to boys' locker room.

"Let go!" I yelled, tears already spilling out. I already knew it was futile to try and escape. I already lost the battle-mentally and physically.

Akashi walked through the door and turned sharply into the boys' lockers. Surprised varsity players stood up when they saw us. I thought I was saved when I saw those tall basketball players, but before I could plead for help, they quickly exited the locker room.

Akashi didn't release me. He pushed me hard against a cold locker and looked straight at me with his unreadable eyes.

"Look at me." Akashi's voice was commanding, like it always was. He didn't change at all from the time he was in Teikou except for the fact that he was now taller, quieter, and lonelier.

I couldn't meet his gaze. I avoided looking at him for the entire day already. He doesn't show it, but he seems angry. He must be angry.

He repeated his words one more time in a lower and more impatient tone, but I remained stubborn and looked away. It took everything to stay strong, to pretend that I wasn't scared, to force myself to stop trembling. I wasn't going to let Akashi do this to me, not ever...again.

...

Annoyed by her reaction, he pinned both her hands above her head. His left hand was enough to imprison the struggling girl. Before she had the time to kick free, the redhead shifted his knee right in between her legs and pressed himself against her so that she couldn't reach the ground nor try anything else.

"I said..."

The girl's knees buckled in fear, still trembling uncontrollably. Her arms felt heavy. By now, she already gave up her little struggle and obediently allowed Akashi to subdue her. When he sensed her inevitable submission, a grin formed on his face, but faded as quickly as it appeared. He did not get what he wanted yet. She finally let her tears fall freely, but not once did she spare him the slightest glance.

"Look. At. Me."

Akashi, using his only free hand, forcefully tilted the helpless girl's face to meet his. But much to his distress, she shut her eyes, once again dodging his gaze.

"We're in high school now," the girl whimpered. "Why do you still do this?"

Much to her surprise, Akashi released her arms and removed his leg, allowing her to move again. He then watched as she wiped the tears off her face with the back of her hand.

Akashi stared silently, not knowing how else to act around her. He didn't particularly enjoy watching her cry, but that was what she deserved for

avoiding him.

...

He blankly watched me wipe away the tears that only formed again. I had thought that I would be crying for another hour, but I stopped the minute I felt a large hand behind the back of my head, pulling me into him.

His clothes carried the same familiar scent of light cologne. That brought back many memories. Before I had time to drift off into memory lane, Akashi bent down, leaned close, and whispered, "Yuukari."

His hot breath and mellow breathing sent the tiny hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. My body went completely numb, unable to move. And it was then that our eyes met, for the first time since I graduated from Teikou. And his eyes were just as I remembered them-confident and unwavering.

...

"As much as I enjoy the view, I think we need to clarify who's girlfriend she is."

"Ken-kun." The blushing Yuukari immediately shied away from Akashi and walked to the tall boy who suddenly appeared.

Much to the vulnerable girl's surprise, the boy looped his strong arms around her waist and kissed her unexpectedly on her lips. Yuukari's eyes widened in surprise at her first kiss. But hers weren't the only ones open.

As Ken forced his lips onto Yuukari, he tauntingly stared straight at Akashi. He smirked at the quiet redhead.

Yuukari struggled, but was only set free when Ken had his fun in front of Akashi. The crying girl stared at her boyfriend in disgust before running out of the cold locker room.

"Girls are so dramatic." Ken snorted as he walked out, abandoning Akashi in the lockers.

Akashi watched indifferently as the boy disappeared. He then walked casually to the sink and turned on the faucet. He released his fist and placed his self-injured hand under the cold water and let the blood slowly wash off.

"Rakuzan would have less one student starting tomorrow."

The emperor's words are always absolute.

I hope you liked how I chose to portray Akashi. I'm aware that I'm switching from first person to third person. If this is confusing for you, I'm here to clarify. But I feel like writing like this presents the story in a different light. If you liked this, please leave a comment. If you didn't, you have the option of telling me why. I'm open to all criticisms.

Thanks for reading. Hope I can see you again next chapter!