Changing Peach Hearts (Akashi X OC)

Chapter 13 - Confrontation

Chiharu looked down. Up to now, she and Akashi had avoided directly answering any questions of their relationship.

"I..." she stammered, trying to think of anything that could distract them.

The group of girls didn't like her reaction. "Akashi-sama is ours," they declared.

Hearing their tone, Chiharu felt annoyed with their possessiveness. She looked up only to falter at the sight of their dark, very dark silhouettes. It was blocking out the sun. "No," she managed to mutter. Her eyes were filled to the brim with tears of fear. Her hands were shaking. People. There were too many people.

The girls' didn't like Chiharu's response. The brown-bob-head grabbed Chiharu, pulling her up with surprising strength. "You will answer me. Are you or are you not dating Akashi-sama?" she asked slowly. The group surrounded her. They blocked out everything. Chiharu's ears were ringing with the brunette's words.

Chiharu didn't reply. Her tears fell. A dark-haired girl reached out to slap her. They wanted a response, a rejection, anything. Chiharu closed her eyes, knowing the sting of the slap would reach her any second. She was completely defenceless.

"What are you doing?!" exclaimed a deep, furious voice. Chiharu was dropped to the ground and the girls around her, scattered away nervously.

A crowd of basketball players filed out of the gym, following Akashi, to see the commotion.

Akashi ran and knelt down beside Chiharu. Her ears were still ringing, the shadows of the girls consuming her vision. She held her hands to her ears, attempting to block out the brunette's imaginary words.

"Chiharu! Chiharu!" Akashi demanded, gently shaking her out of her daze. It seemed she wasn't physically harmed. She was most likely in shock emotionally.

Satsuki ran out of the gym, realising it was her sister crouched on the floor.

"Chi-chan!" she called desperately, pushing through the crowd to hold her sister. Sanada immediately came out of the gym, realising that the commotion outside was more than just something minor.

"What is it?" he cried, the crowd parting for him.

Akashi ignored him and glared towards the group of girls. They clutched each other in fear of retribution.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" he almost screamed at them.

"N...nothing," they stammered, unsurely. "We were only talking to her..."

Satsuki shook her sister. "Everybody, give her some space!" she commanded. The group stood back.

"Chi-chan! Wake up! There's only Akashi-kun and I here! Only us!" she exclaimed.

Akashi interrupted her. "What happened?" he questioned.

"Chi-chan, has had claustrophobia ever since she was young," she said, tears filling her eyes. "It's even worse when there's a crowd of people. She was fine in the past year, so I didn't notice when she..."

Sanada came forward. "Is she breathing?" he asked quickly.

Akashi's heart almost stopped when he asked that question.

Satsuki saved him from that shock when she cried, "Yes."

"We need to bring her to the nurse's office," Sanada stated, recalling all memories of teacher training.

Akashi moved forward to take charge, calming his heart along the way. He picked Chiharu up, supporting her head and legs with his arms. Satsuki quickly followed after him as he briskly marched down the corridor towards the nurse's office.

...

Chiharu woke up. She found her hands clenched tightly by Akashi, whose head was down and leaning on their hands. She moved her hands and he stirred. He raised his head and his crimson eyes widened to see her awake.

"Chiharu?" he questioned. She nodded her head in response.

"Chiharu," he gasped again. She smiled at his worried face.

Akashi calmed himself as he prepared his vow. "I will never leave you alone. That is my promise to you as the student council president, as the captain of our basketball club and as the emperor of your heart. I, Akashi Seijuro, promise to never leave you."

Chiharu's eyes widened. She loved Akashi. She loved everything about him. But she couldn't see someone like her standing beside him. Not her current self anyway. She shook her head unsure but hesitated at the determination in his eyes. She couldn't respond to his resolute face so instead she smiled.

A fake smile.

Just before the incident, it had been Akashi's birthday, December 20th, and they had gone out earlier to celebrate Christmas. Now it seemed like forever since they had been together, smiling and giving presents.

Chiharu left Japan for America the following week. It was the final days of Chiharu's second year. Before her third and graduating year at Teiko Middle School, she had left to America.

...

Present day

Chiharu walked down the corridor of Teiko Middle School. Her parents and Satsuki followed her silently. Aomine rubbed his neck awkwardly. The rest of the group hanged at the back chatting to each other.

She paused in the middle of the corridor. It was the exact same spot she had been confronted about her relationship, two years ago. Since then, she had never encountered another attack of claustrophobia. She had come back to Japan, different; strong and resolute. She had come back to be with Akashi.

Chiharu lowered her head. Akashi was different. Maybe she shouldn't have left Akashi.

"Chi-chan," muttered Satsuki.

Blinking back her tears Chiharu turned around grinning. "I haven't been here since forever!" she exclaimed. 

A/N

Hey guys!

So tomorrow I'll be leaving for two weeks so I won't be able to update in that time frame. Nevertheless I'll do a triple chapter update before I leave. :)

As always, please vote, comment or share. Thanks.

Belfoo