Queen Of Cards || Akashi Seijuro x OC

Chapter 16

The guards slid pushed open the gates wordlessly, their black suits making them difficult to see in the darkness of the evening sky. If she hadn't had her own at the main mansion, she would have been terrified of them.

Making her way up the off the white steps, she knocked on the heavy wooden door. An older male wearing a black suit, around 40 years of age, peered down at the petite girl through his spectacles.

"Welcome to Akashi Estate. I am Head Butler Tanaka. Who are you?"

"My name is Yunabami Airi, Akashi-kun's classmate."

His curious stare turned into one of realisation. He immediately straightened his already good posture, adjusting his bowtie unconsciously and acting a bit frazzled and flustered.

"Miss Yunabami, it is an honour to have you here. If Master Akashi was notified, I'm sure he would welcome you personally. Do come inside."

Airi almost forgot she was the daughter of one of the country's most renounced business couples. Following the head butler, she observed the many statues and stained glass windows. It definitely was what the Akashi's would live in.

"Make yourself comfortable while we prepare some tea and snacks for you."

"That is not necessary, but thank you for the offer. I only came here to return Akashi-kun's phone. He left it at training. I don't want to waste your time when I came uninvited so I'll take my leave soon."

"I see. You're as kind as the young master says."

"Akashi-kun talks about me?"

For some reason, it made her heart flutter a little. It certainly felt nice to be talked about in a positive manner behind her back, especially by someone she loved.

Loved. 

It still felt weird.

"Not to me, but sometimes he talks to his horse and I can't help but overhear some of his conversations."

The thought of Akashi being attached to a horse and talking to it made Airi almost laugh. She would never have taken Akashi as an animal lover, though it was kind of cute.

"I see."

"The young master is currently studying. He should be finished at 7:30 in time for his dinner, so I suggest giving it to him then. He doesn't like being interrupted while working."

"Can't I hand it to you?"

Tanaka paused, a little hesitant to answer.

"Young master doesn't like owing people things. He prefers to thank them personally."

"In that case... I suppose I'll wait."

It wasn't like she had anything to do except update some old information on the Winter Cup teams. Tanaka had left and came back with some cookies, which Airi had gladly accepted. Sipping her warm green tea, she took in the room she sat in. The crackling fire was next to her, warming her up. She observed the red theme of the room, which was what the majority of the manor was coloured in. 

A glass cabinet containing trophies and photo frames caught her eye.

Walking up to it, she saw countless amounts of first place medals, trophies, badges and awards sitting inside. The many photos inside were of Akashi, most holding certificates. Whether it was shogi, chess, basketball, music or academics, all Airi saw was gold.

Looking up a little, she saw a single photo frame standing alone on a shelf. The frame held a picture of Akashi and a beautiful older woman with striking red hair.

Red hair she was all too familiar with.

She noticed Akashi's pure smile. It was very different from the little strained smiles he had in the other photos. This one was full of pure joy, pearly whites and all. 8 year old Akashi was holding a basketball under his arm wearing a plain black shirt, standing next to someone Airi could only assume was his mother.

"Akashi-kun looks very... cute."

Butler Tanaka let out a little chuckle, along with the maid who was dusting off a marble statue of a lion.

"He was an adorable one back then."

The statement had a sad tone to it, one of reminiscence and regret. It was well masked, but not for Airi's sharp mind. She was about to question what happened to her since she never saw her, but a voice interrupted her. 

"Tanaka, is my yudofu ready-"

Akashi was mid sentence before he spotted her. His piercing mismatched eyes met hers and she couldn't look away. She hadn't seen Akashi wearing something other than their school uniform and she had to admit, he looked great. Even a simple black turtleneck and white pants made her swoon a little.

"Airi-chan."

Snapping out of his slight daze, he ordered, "Tanaka, Miria, leave us."

The maid, Miria, and Tanaka bowed to Akashi before leaving the room, shutting the large door without the slightest of noise. Airi felt extremely nervous at every step he took towards her. He stopped next to her, his arm barely brushing hers and staring at the photo on the shelf.

"Is that... is that your mother?"

Airi watched as a bittersweet smile made its way onto Akashi's face, piercing eyes softening. Airi felt as if she was intruding a little on his private life, so she quickly looked away.

"It is."

"She's very beautiful."

They stood in silence for a few moments before Airi worked up the courage to ask, "Did something... happen to her?"

"She died."

He said it so simply, so smoothly, that she would have thought that he didn't care for her at all. 

Glacing at his expression proved her wrong. 

His face was twisted with sorrow and longing, like his heart was breaking into a million pieces and he couldn't do anything but sit and watch. The corners of his lips were pulled down slightly, a mournful from replacing his wistful smile. Airi was at a total loss.

"I'm... I'm sorry..."

If his expression wasn't enough to shock her for a lifetime, what Airi witnessed next was something she never would have dreamed of seeing. 

A tear slipped from his eye.

Though he was quick to wipe it away, Airi still saw it. She had never comforted anyone crying before, so she was unsure what to do next. What could she say? What could she do? What did Ibara, Yumi and Terano do when she cried?

Hesitantly, she took a step in front of the redhead, wrapping her arms around his waist and embracing him in a hug.

"It's... it's ok to cry."

Her voice was muffled as her head was buried into his chest, but she felt light droplets fall on her head even though she wasn't sure he heard her clearly.

Akashi was really crying. 

Feeling the slow flowing tears increase made her want to cry too. Akashi's silent crying turned into sobbing and his legs started shaking. Gently, Airi lowered them both to the soft carpeted floor before allowing the broken redhead to cry into her school jacket, rubbing small circles on his back with her hand while he held onto her as if his life depended on it.  

Forgetting all her insecurities, flusteredness, and nervousness, she softly whispered,

"I'm here for you."