This chapter is dedicated to @MysteriousHeavenGirl because your comment at the previous chapter relating to Fifty Shades of Grey was pretty hilarious. I think I'd consider making another Akashi fanfic making him a dominant XD there is seriously something wrong with me. HIGH FIVE, GIRL! :D
So, ehem, I'm pretty speechless about my OC. I WANNA SMACK HER ON THE HEAD. TOOK YA LONG ENOUGH!
Thank you for reading! Comment/vote or anything! Lemme know your thoughts on this story! :D
IX.
"No." I answered curtly, I'm quite surprised that I didn't stutter nor shakiness drop off.
Akashi smirked. "Is that so? Well then, I'm glad." He muttered, his voice like chocolate.
I raised an eyebrow. "Why are you glad?"
"Because if I do affect you, you will regret feeling it. So while it's still early, I am going to warn you," My mouth opened to say something but then he cut me off. "Be quiet." He ordered.
I narrowed my eyes at him. I wanted to say to get his hands off of me because I needed to distance myself away from him. We can talk normally, my sense of understanding seem to drop at a certain percentage because I was distracted at our close contact. I can almost feel his hot breath on my face.
"Do not fall in love with me." He muttered, but it was loud and clear for my ears. My eyes widened in shock and disbelief. That was the last thing I'd expect him to say.
When he noticed that I was too shock to even say anything, he continued. "You will regret it if you do. Because I have no intention of reciprocating whatever feelings you have for me, we both know that."
I couldn't think straight. His words sent a pang of ache throughout my chest. I realized that my lungs are whining due to lack of air, I had stopped breathing for a moment. My world stopped spinning and got lost in those sea of bloody and golden eyes. How did he know that I was starting to feel something for him? Was it readable on my face? Was it the way I talk to him? My gestures? Was it really that obvious?
Oh, he was absolute... he knew everything.
"Why are you telling me this?" It barely came out as a whisper.
"Lately, I have been noticing these signs that indicate you feel something for me and I want to get rid of it while it is yet to bloom." He explained with a nonchalant expression. "And I am not interested in anything aside from shogi and basketball." He added.
"Do..." I swallowed and looked down at my feet. "Do you hate me?"
"No, I don't. Hate is such a strong word." He tightened his grip on my wrist enough to make it hurt a little. But that minor pain is nothing compared to the heavy feeling in my chest. "It would be more accurate to say I am not very fond of you."
He said those words clearly and flawlessly it sounds scripted. It was as if he had recited those words so many times before. I was not the only girl he had rejected. He was Seijuro Akashi. He was perfect. I'm sure if I look up the meaning of that word, there would be a picture of him on the side staring deadly at you.
But wait, did I just said that he rejected me? Do I even like him? Did I even admit it?
But I've heard enough. I didn't want to ask any more questions. His statements and warnings were more than enough to complement my already aching heart.
This boy in front of me, his rugged yet frigid features that always had me wondering what was hiding behind them. And he made it clear to me that no matter what happens, he won't ever reciprocate whatever I was feeling for him. But wait, what did I even feel for him?
I wrenched myself away from him this time and he let me get away from his grasp. Somehow, a part of me wanted him to tighten his hold on me. And I felt cold and disappointed without his warm touch.
I took in a deep breath and gave him a halfhearted smile. "Okay, I get it." I informed him. "But just so you know, I am a hundred percent sure I don't feel a tiny bit of unwanted feelings for you." I shrugged at how exaggerated that sounded. "Or whatever you want to call it."
Akashi mirrored my expression. "Well said, Yurika," he closed his eyes for a brief moment and looked back into my eyes. "Are we clear?"
"Crystal." I mumbled before turning on my heels and walked away.
After leaving the gym, I had never felt more empty in my life. It feels like he had torn a big part of me and taken it with him.
Just as I reached the school gate, I was greeted with Yukari and Eri with their excited faces. When they noticed that I was feeling off, their grins vanished and replaced with a confused look.
"How did it go?" Yukari asked, concern plastered on her face.
I gave them a simper. "Nothing important. He just..." He just warned me not to fall in love with him. "discussed some business." I shrugged awkwardly. I, myself didn't buy that lame reason either and I doubt that they believed me. Just by looking at my face and aura, they knew something doesn't sit right here.
After all, they were my best friends. It's like one soul in three bodies. But I wanted to keep this issue for myself. I didn't want to talk about it. And I felt bad.
I offered them my best smile to assure them I was fine. "Don't worry about it, guys."
"Yuri," Eri put a hand on my shoulder and looked straight right into my eyes. "We are your friends, you can tell us anything." She informed me, concerned. "Everything." She emphasized.
I looked away and sighed. "I'm sorry but I don't want to talk about it." I said firmly.
Yukari put a hand on Eri's shoulder that made her head snap back at her. She shook her head with a sad smile and Eri sighed before retrieving her hand that was hanging on my shoulder.
"You don't need to rush." Eri said with a supportive smile. "Whenever you feel like telling us, please do."
Yukari grinned and nodded. I gave them a sincere smile that I seldom wore. Because they deserved it. "Thanks." I gratefully said.
"But," Eri said sharply. "We don't have all day, you know. You'll have to eventually tell us."
I rolled my eyes. "It's not like you're very busy with your life, Eri." I grinned at her.
"So..." Yukari cleared her throat. "We waited for like half an hour and my stomach is grumbling."
I chuckled. "I'll make up to it."
•••
I took a long hot bath, the warm water relaxes my tired nerves. I never wanted to go out, I was feeling rejuvenated here and... it made me reminisce.
"Do not fall in love with me."
I really have no intention in doing so but...
"I have no intention of reciprocating whatever feelings you have for me, we both know that."
Why do I feel so empty and hurt...
"I want to get rid of it while it is yet to bloom."
when he said that?
Don't think about it right now.
I can still hear the way he said those words to me.
I closed my eyes and buried half of my face in the bathtub, leaving only the upper part of my face and breathed through my nose.
My vision became blurry for an unknown reason.
"And I am not interested in anything aside from shogi and basketball."
I brought my knees up to my chest, hugging myself. I heard a dropping sound on the water because it was too quiet.
What was that?
I stood up and went to the mirror. I wiped the humidity away and was shocked at my reflection.
I had tears on my eyes. Why? Am I crying? Why was I crying?
I watched my face as another tear escaped my right eye. And for another odd reason, I broke down into uncontrollable sobs.
"It would be more accurate to say I am not very fond of you."
"Okay, I get it."
I'm a liar. I'm such a big liar. And he knew that.
Yet... he let it slip by.
"But just so you know, I am a hundred percent sure I don't feel a tiny bit of unwanted feelings for you."
His warning was a bit too late.
Because I just realized...
"Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
I'd already fallen in love with him.