NOTE: THIS STORY IS BEING WRITTEN AS 'OVERGROWN' @GINXVRAS

Looking for a Miracle

Prologue

The pace set by the butler was brisk. My parents were able to keep up without any problem, but for me it was a different story. I was borderline running, and even then it was a struggle to keep up.

I wished the butler would slow down. I was eleven - twelve in a few months - and rather small for my age. My little legs were working hard just to remain by my mother's side. Also, I wanted the time to take in everything in the corridors we were being led through. I had never seen anything like this place before; it was huge, and beautifully decorated. I wanted time to take in all the paintings, photographs, ornaments, and even the simple yet elegant designs of the door handles.

But, we were going to fast, and my father was speaking to me.

"Now remember, Akane, be polite," my father stressed in a low voice as we walked. Father was the owner of a reasonably successful business company. I had heard him make these lectures multiple times, but still listened as though it was my first time hearing it. It wasn't a good idea to ignore him. "Use your manners. Don't speak unless spoken to... in fact, try and speak as little as possible." He narrowed his eyes at me. "Got that?"

I nodded once. "Yes, Father."

He looked satisfied with my answer. He gave my shoulder a squeeze and then faced forward again. His dark eyes, so similar to my own, stared resolutely forward, and he held his head high. To anyone, he looked confident and important, a look only emphasised by the expensive suit he was wearing.

But I knew my father was nervous. I could see it in his brow, which was more furrowed than usual. His lips were pressed into a thin line. I'd spent a lot of time around my parents, and had come to learn little giveaway signs like those.

We came to a halt before a door - no doubt this would be where my parents would conduct their business operations. The butler ordered us to wait before heading inside.

My hands fidgeted in front of me. Father had upheaved our family and moved us all the way out to Tokyo because he'd received a good business deal with this man. I had no idea what he was like, or if the move had been worth it in the first place.

Two hands covering my own shaking ones brought me back to the present. I looked up to see my mother, who stooped slightly to speak to me. A few of her rich chocolate locks brushed my neck as she whispered, "Calm down, honey. Remember, you need to make a good first impression. Breathe in deep breaths."

"Yes, Mother." I inhaled a large lungful of air.

Mum stood up and quickly assessed me. "Pull your skirt down a little, and straighten your blouse." I made the adjustments as she instructed. She smiled. "Good girl."

She straightened up. Just as she did so, the door opened, and a man stepped into view.

As soon as I saw him, I swallowed. He gave the impression that he was not a man to cross. The was fairly tall and stout, with hair that was receding and greying. His face was lined, and pulled into an expression

But what scared me most were his eyes. They were blue, but completely devoid of emotion. They were just... cold. Empty. I quickly directed my gaze somewhere else.

I caught something in the corner of my eye - a flicker of red hair. I spared a quick look in that direction to see a boy, around about my age. He must be the man's son.

"Ah, Daisuke-san, Asami-san." The man inclined his head. "Welcome."

"It's a pleasure, Akashi-San." My parents bowed in greeting, and I hastily followed suit. "Thank you for agreeing to this."

The man - Akashi-san -nodded briefly. He then gestured to the redhaired boy beside him. "My son, Seijuuro."

Father smiled. "Pleasure. This is our daughter, Akane."

Akashi-san glanced at me for a moment. Mother placed a hand on my back, and I quickly bowed toward him. When I stood tall again, the man was no longer looking at me. I bit my lip. He'd scanned over me so quickly, it was like I was of no importance at all.

Well, I guess it makes sense. I was only eleven. I wasn't here to make business deals; that was my parents. What else was I but a nuisance to him?

"They're similar ages," the older man noted. Without looking at his son he said, "Seijuuro, show Akane around the house. Refrain from making too much noise."

His tone was cold, and I could detect a warning tone to it. I shuddered inwardly. How could anyone bear with that man being their father? My father might be strict on manners and appearances, but at least he hugged me. At least he spoke to me with warmth in his voice. I didn't think I could stand to be in Seijuuro's position.

Seijuuro, however, was unfazed by his father's tone, and simply responded with a, "Yes, Father." He began to walk down the hall and gestured to me. "Come with me, Akane-san."

The two of us had obviously been dismissed. I didn't even look back at my parents as I promptly followed Seijuuro.

I shouldn't have been upset. The lunch would most likely be boring, and I wouldn't have been able to say anything. But to be shoved aside by Seijuuro's father like that did hurt.

It was silent between us. I bit my lip. I had no idea how to start a conversation, and Seijuuro didn't seem interested in starting one. I wrung my hands.

"You have a nice house," I said eventually. I was unsure of what else I could say. And besides, it was true.

"Thank you." Seijuuro's response sounded rehearsed, as though he heard that comment often. I guessed he did. It was the nicest house I'd ever been in.

Silence fell over us once again. I bit my lip, unsure of where to go from there. I had hardly been around anyone my age, since I'd been homeschooled from a young age. In my old town, my parents hadn't been satisfied with the standards of any nearby school, and determined it would be better to homeschool me instead. As a result, I had spent most of my time surrounded by adults, and I had no idea how to interact with anyone my age. The few people I had talked to commented that I acted too grown-up, and claimed I was uninteresting.

The words constantly stung. I had no idea how else to act. How was I supposed to fit in when I couldn't even be interesting to the kids my age?

So, instead of trying to start an awkward conversation, I remained silent. If Seijuuro minded, he didn't say. He continued to lead me through his massive house - mansion was a better description. I contented myself by looking around at the decor, something I'd been unable to do earlier on. Everything was of such a high quality and so elegant.

It was a surprise to me when Seijuuro led me outside. I'd expected that he'd take me to a sitting room or someplace similar. Still, I wasn't about to complain. A bit of fresh air was good.

Seijuuro led me a little away from the house, to where a basketball hoop had been set up. I eyed it in surprise but kept walking. Seijuuro picked up a basketball lying beside the hoop and turned to me. "Akane-san, do you mind if I play basketball?"

My heart sank. Oh. He doesn't want to talk to me. I'd been hoping that, since he was from a family similar to my own - albeit a lot richer - he'd be willing to talk or do something together.

I shouldn't have pinned my hopes so high.

I forced a smile onto my face. "No problem." I opened the handbag and produced a small book. I held it up for him to see. "I brought a book, I won't be bored."

"Good." With that, Seijuuro turned his attention away from me and took a shot at the hoop.

A sighed passed my lips as I settled down on the ground. I leaned against the wall and opened my book to my bookmarked page. My eyes scanned the words and I waited for time to pass so I could finally go home.

I wanted to pay attention to my book, but my concentration was ruined by the constant bounce of the basketball against the ground. I kept losing my place on the page, or I wouldn't fully take in a sentence. I gritted my teeth and snapped my head up, ready to ask Seijuuro if he could perhaps keep quiet. I shut my mouth before I could, though. What could I expect him to do? Bounce the ball softer? Not play at all? I'd be fighting a lost cause.

I expected to return to my book afterward, but something kept my eyes glued to the redhaired boy. I watched him dribble to the hoop, looking in complete control of the ball while moving nimbly. He shot at the goal, repetitively, using a variety of approaches. He hardly missed.

I didn't know much about sports, but something told me that Seijuuro was really, really good.

The ball rolled toward me. I stood up and took hold of it. "You're really good," I said, offering a shy smile to the redhaired boy waiting patiently. "Mind if I have a shot?"

He gestured for me to go ahead.

A thrill of excitement passed through me as I headed up for the hoop. I hadn't played a sport before. This was my first time doing anything remotely like this.

I aimed for the hoop, paused, then shot.

I missed by an awful amount. The ball rebounded straight off the hoop and rolled along the floor, coming to a stop by my feet. I flushed bright red as I stooped to pick it up.

"That's not how you do it," Seijuuro said shortly. He held his hand out, which I guessed was a request for the ball. I threw it over to him. The throw was a bit short, but he still managed to catch it anyway. "It's supposed to be like this."

He demonstrated. I watched him attentively, taking in every movement. I sighed when I realised just how off-form my own shot had been.

"Sorry." I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "I've never played basketball before."

This didn't seem to faze him. I guessed my poor shot had explained that to him. "Do you play sports?"

"No. My parents won't allow it. It's not right for a lady," I quoted them. I let out a small sigh. The things I could and could not do to live up to the Hirai name. "I play piano instead."

"I see."

Silence fell between us. Seijuuro tilted his head to the side. I flushed and dropped my gaze. I felt like I was been analysed and observed.

"You want to learn," he said, after a moment's pause.

It wasn't a question; it was a statement. He sounded so sure about it as well. I gasped, and felt the blood begin to rush to my cheeks. How had he been able to tell that? I'd never let anyone think I was interesting in learning to play at least one sport. How had he picked it up so quickly when I'd been lying to people about it my whole life?

"I am interested in sports," I muttered.

Silence. I shifted my weight uncomfortably. Was this how our interactions were always going to pan out? A few words, then silence? I bit my lip. It was probably my fault, thanks to how socially awkward I was. Would these meetings become something we'd both come to dread because I couldn't continue a conversation?

Seijuuro sighed and then threw the ball to me. I blinked and caught the ball, almost fumbling it out of shock.

When I looked up. Seijuuro was staring at me, right in the eye. "When you visit, I can teach you basketball," he said.

I blinked. Did I just hear that right?

"You will?" I repeated uncertainly. I didn't bother to keep the suspicion out of my voice.

"Your parents will meet with my father often for business meetings. They'll send us away so we won't disturb them." He shrugged. "It will be no bother."

I sighed. It will be no bother. He was only doing this because it wouldn't inconvenience him. He didn't really care about me.

But still, it gave me a chance to be my own person for once. To not live how my parents wanted me to. This act of small defiance caused a small thrill down my spine.

I loved my parents, I really did. They looked out for me, hugged me, gave me kisses goodnight. They only wanted what was best for me. But it was time I did something because I wanted to.

A faint smile crept across my lips.

"Thank you, Seijuuro-kun."

* * *

We didn't end up playing much. It was mainly just Seijuuro showing me how to properly shoot and dribble. It was still fun, though. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face, even after I missed my tenth attempt at goal in a row. I eventually managed to get one in, and I cheered. Seijuuro even sent me an approving nod.

When a woman appeared and informed us my parents were ready to leave, my happiness deflated. I wanted to spend a little more time out here. But there'd be other meetings. This wouldn't be my last time practicing basketball.

As we were leaving, Seijuuro glanced at me quickly. "You might want to tidy yourself up, Akane-san."

I scanned down my body and thought that he was right. My clothes were slightly rumpled, and I was sure my hair - once pulled back into a tight, neat ponytail - was starting to fall apart.

"You're right," I murmured. "Is there anywhere I can clean up?"

Seijuuro nodded and showed me to the nearest bathroom. I wanted to linger and admire it for a while, but I had no time for that. I fixed my hair to the best of my ability and straightened my clothes. Once I'd done that, I looked presentable enough. My hair was still a little messy, but it only looked as though a light breeze had messed it up. It would be acceptable.

Once I deemed my appearance good enough, I met Seijuuro outside and followed him to the entrance of his house, where his father and my parents were waiting. As we neared, I could hear them talking.

"- Yes, the move is hard for Akane, she never was the most sociable of girls," my father was saying. I flushed at his words, and tried to move into the area as discretely as possible. "Nevertheless, we wish to enrol her in a good school. It will be a good experience for her."

"My son is to attend Teiko Middle School next year. It's the best middle school in these parts. If you want Akane to receive the best education, I'd recommend you send her there."

My father smiled. "Thank you for the suggestion, Akashi-san. It sounds like the right idea." He caught sight of me and his smile widened. "Akane, there you are. Say your goodbyes."

I did so, quickly and respectfully. My father then ushered us back down the driveway toward our car.

I looked over my shoulder as we walked, but Seijuuro and his father were already gone.