We went to buy groceries, and bought chicken wings, pizza, and cans of juice and soda. They really decided to go to my place.

"Are these enough for us?" Rio curiously asked, looking at the foods they bought. Sayaka and I went to buy for our own groceries, while they went to buy our dinner. But, I should go with them!

"Aren't those too much?" I asked instead seeing 5 boxes of pizza, 3 20 pieces of chicken wings, 10 cans of juice, and 10 cans of soda.

"Well, there are lots of us after all" Rio responded "how about you two? Done with groceries?"

"Yeah. Anyways, let's go." I checked the time and was surprised that it was almost 5.

~

After 20 minutes, we arrived in my train station. We walked a bit, as I informed them that my apartment mansion is just in front of the bridge.

But..

"Ahre..."

Am I seeing things..?

"It's Akashi-sama and the others" I heard the reality that I thought just imagination

Akashi, with Anna, Ishikawa, and Katagiri were already in front of my Apartment mansion. This stupid Akashi, he is surely the main instigator!

"You guys are so late. Where did you go?" Ishikawa chuckled

"Why did you arrive here first before us?!" Rio curiously asked as Ishikawa got the stuffs from Sayaka "mine is much heavier though!"

"I'll have them" Katagiri got the box of chicken wings from Rio, and even the paper bag from Fujiko.

"Thank you" The two responded then turned to me, why?!

"Let's go. My apartment mansion is here" I pointed at the mansion in front

"Oh, Seijurou is right. Your apartment is here" Ishikawa turned to me "it's late to ask though, is it okay for us to go? Your parents won't get mad?"

"It's fine" I immediately responded not telling them that I live by myself. I mean, I can't say that outside.

We entered my apartment mansion, and they followed me behind. I hesitated to open my door, since I am nervous if Go-chan would go to me, or to Akashi. I could sense the horror.

"What's wrong? Did you forget your key card?" Sayaka stood next to me

"No, just remembered something." I tapped my card key, then it showed a keyhole.

"Wow, very advance!" The twins exclaimed at the same time

"Welcome to my-" but as I opened my door, my dog was already waiting in the hallway, wagging his tail. "I'm home-"

But then even before I greeted him, he already ran towards not to me, but as expected to Akashi.

He wagged his tail too much, getting excited to see him.

"Eh? Not to (f/n), but to Akashi/Seijurou-sama?!" They all exclaimed "WHY?!"

"Come in" I told them "we don't have enough indoor slippers though. I'm sorry though, you'll be having dog fur on your socks"

They entered one by one, leaving Akashi and Go-chan outside. Anna wore the slippers instead.

They went to the living room and I told them to just put the foods on the center table, and I would bring cutlery and plates. Sayaka helped me to get them. Though, I went first to my room and hid my picture with Akashi, even the notes. Just precaution.

~

"What time your parents will come home? They might arrive, and we are still here" Ono asked as he helped me distribute the cutlery

"They are in South Korea. I live here with Go-chan now. Sayaka is staying for the meantime" I responded then handed the plates to Katagiri and Anna "so you don't need to worry about them"

"You are living by yourself?! You are just first year! Are your parents okay with it?!" Rio worriedly retorted

"It's fine. They are looking after my grandparents and their business there. I just don't want to transfer again, so I decided to stay here. It's not that they'll stay there forever" I explained "anyways, don't worry. They won't get mad. Let's eat" I told them but then remembered "Where's Akashi?"

"He's still with your dog" Anna responded "(f/n)-san, is it okay for you to call him? Ukyo and I are not fond with dogs, nor we can't ask Jiro-san at the moment"

"I understand, I'll call him"

I went to the front door and saw Akashi sitting on the doorway, stroking Go-chan's fur, he still has his shoes on.

"Akashi, why don't you go inside already? The others are waiting and even the food" I asked him but he didn't response "uhm... Akashi?"

"I'm good. I am not hungry yet. Go ahead and eat first. Also, I'll walk Go-chan, so where are his stuffs?"

"Eh?" Did I hear him correctly? He looked at me as if telling me that he won't repeat himself "I mean, is it okay? You don't need to do that"

"It's fine." Was his short answer.

I complied to what he said and got Go-chan's leash, and bag. I also got my spare key card.

"I'll just ring the doorbell" he said giving the keycard back, but

"It's fine. I doubt we could hear you." I chuckled and at that we heard the loud voices of the boys "see? Just use that." I crouched down then stroke Go-chan's head "now behave, okay?"

He barked then excitedly wagged his tail. Akashi put on his leash and left not long after.

I went back to the living room and they immediately asked me where's Akashi

"He went to walk Go-chan. He insisted" I responded then got a wet tissue to clean my hand "anyways, he said he isn't hungry yet so let's eat first."

"(F/n)-chan, sorry for asking this, you play games?" Ishikawa asked then pointed at my Ps4 and switch.

"Yeah, if you want to play, go ahead. Just make sure to create new save data. Don't overwrite my data." Plus, they'll see Akashi's name saved as a player in my data, so definitely new saved data would be better

"That's unexpected, but thanks. We'll play then." he responded then him and Ono looked at the games I had.

The guys got too excited as they immediately checked the games I have. Well, Katagiri wasn't showing, but he seemed interested as well.

Because of that, us girls went to the kitchen because they became rowdy. I asked Anna as well, and she complied.

~

"Goodness, guys after all" Rio sighed then took a bit of her pizza "but then Seijurou-sama is in different level"

I wanted to say not really. He is very competitive as well, and lacking of team play. He is interested in games, but certain games.

"You are right. He doesn't have any interest in games after all" Anna chuckled "he is entirely different to others"

"I thought Akashi-sama and Katagiri-san are the same, but Katagiri-san looked interested a while ago to play games" Fujiko added "but then you are right. You can't imagine him playing games."

"What do you think, (f/n)?" Rio suddenly asked me

"Eh?"

"You also can't imagine him playing games, right?"

I tilted my head then gazed away "well, as far as I know, Akashi plays games"

...

Ah!

"Uhm... that..."

"Was it back in middle school, right?" Sayaka immediately followed up. Well, she knew after all that Akashi was here, and we played games

"Well, yeah. I mean, Akashi plays certain games. As long as it's solo play. Don't let him play game with team"

"Why?" They all asked

"Well, if you loose, he will as well. It's bad, right? The horror within" When I told them, they flinched as they couldn't help but shivered

"You are right. If he will play games, he is the type of person that will win by himself" Rio agreed then chuckled "but as expected to one of Seijurou-sama's close friends from middle school."

"..." it was somehow awkward, especially sitting in front Anna. That happened this afternoon after all

"Indeed. They are really close" Anna commented then sipped on her juice. I flinched though when her gaze suddenly landed on me. She then smiled and I was surprised to her sudden question "Aren't you going out with him? Again?"

"We're not" I immediately responded "and at the first place, we also didn't go out before. I will again repeat this, Akashi and I were friends back in middle school, but it was him who told me to don't get in his way. But right now, he said we are friends. That's all, that's it"

"But that's not the case, right?" She smiled but why there was something behind that smile. But I was again taken aback, when she lowered her gaze, and what's with this expression? Sad? Scared? Worried? Nervous?

"Now, I wonder what do you mean? We both know that the current Akashi is entirely different to the Akashi before" I asker her back

"Really? The Akashi Seijurou-sama I knew before is just the same as the Akashi Seijurou-sama now. The person you knew, the kind, gentleman, Akashi Seijurou-sama, I never met him. He never showed that to me. He is the usual hostile, intimidating Seijurou-sama. I don't know about Ukyo and Jiro-san though if he met that"

"Now you reminded me, it's true" Rio also agreed "before my parents separated, the Seijurou-sama I met was hostile and intimidating. Though from afar when he was with his mother, he had this innocent smile on his face"

"But aren't you Akashi-sama's fiancé, Umezikawa-san?" Fujiko curiously questioned

"Anna is fine. Also, even if I am his fiancé, it's just something our parents decided. Though, I am using that for my advantage" she sipped her juice and once again, this expression. What is this mysterious expression? Is she sad? Nervous? Scared? Or is she plotting something?

"Anyways, stopped with Akashi. Can't we talk something else?" I sighed and we changed the topic.

Not long after, Ishikawa called us to play with them. Sayaka, Rio, Anna, and Fujiko ended up playing with the boys. I mean, they separated into 4 members each group, two girls and two boys, and they are competing with each other. Katagiri, Ishikawa, Sayaka, and Anna. Ono, Hachimura, Rio, and Fujiko.

Rio insisted to be in different group from his brother.

Kawaguchi wasn't playing with them since he was busy playing different game in my switch.

For me, I didn't join and just watched them since I already cleared the game.

~

While everyone was into the games, it reminded me, Akashi and Go-chan are not yet back!

I left the living room and decided to go out to check on them, but then the door opened and the two were finally back.

"Welcome back! You took so long!" I greeted them then noticed the papers on Akashi's left hand "did the neighbors gave out some flyers?"

He looked at me and he sighed in disbelief.

...

Why?!

"Have you ever checked your mails?" He asked then handed them to me "they are all sticking out of your mailbox"

I chuckled dryly, remembering that I haven't checked them even before going to camp. I got them from him and cleared my throat "thanks..." Somehow I felt embarrassed that he saw these bunches of mails "anyways, come in and eat already. I can heat up-"

"Aren't you going to check them now?" He interrupted me

"Ah, no I'll do that later-"

"No check them now, one by one" he again interrupted me, and somehow he's really intimidating

I just complied and checked them one-by-one. Well, bunch of mails for my parents, bills, well we've been paying them online anyways, coupons, flyers, not much though- hmmm?

"Important Notice to all tenants?" I curiously opened the letter and it was about an overnight construction in the area "so they will be fixing the bridges and roads overnight from 19:00 to 7:00 the next day. Everyone is advice to return home before 19:00, and leave home after 7:00 the next day. The road outside the apartment mansion will be closed. I didn't know."

"You didn't get at all, did you?" Akashi asked and I looked at him lost to what he meant "check the date when it was sent"

"Hmmm?" I checked the upper part of the letter "the date was two weeks ago"

"Then, when is the construction?" He asked and I immediately scanned the letter and I felt weak all of a sudden "you really have no idea...?"

"No.. eh?! That's tonight!" I hastily looked at him and his mismatched eyes looked straight at me "I need to tell everyone that they need to-"

"They already blocked the way. It's already passed 7:00" Akashi immediately stopped me, followed by Go-chan's bark as if agreeing to him "we were able to return here before 7, but one of the tenants pet Go-chan and she mentioned about the construction."

"So that's why you got the mail-"

"No, I checked first your apartment mansion's bulletin and it was in there, posted, big and clear. It was also written there that they would be sending a copy to everyone, and noticed that you don't even check your mailbox."

"S-sorry... somehow, you are stranded again. But well, at least with everyone...?" I chuckled but Akashi couldn't buy that joke at all "I know it's my fault as well, but if I know, I wouldn't let everyone in."

"Why don't you tell them already? I'm sure it would be fine since they are uninvited guests aftee all"

"Yeah... well, you as well"

"..."

"Sorry, forget that. I'll go tell them now!"

I head back to the living room, Akashi and Go-chan following me behind. These people... rhey are sure having fun with this tag team game. And good thing I have 4 controllers, so they could play 2 vs 2.

I looked at Akashi and he just crouched down and patted Go-chan's head.

"Uhm, guys" I called them but they didn't hear me except for Kawaguchi, who seemed done playing "uhm"

"Hey, (l/n) is calling us" Kawaguchi raised his voiced, resulting for everyone to look at me, then paused the game

"What's wrong, (f/n)?" Sayaka curiously asked then was surprised when Akashi suddenly stood up "oh, Akashi-sama, you are back!"

"Seijurou, where did you go?" Ishikawa asked but this guy didn't even response

"Uhm" I again started, hesitated but felt Akashi's annoyed stare "sorry, but everyone will be staying the night here"

...

"Eh?"

"Sorry, I didn't know. I haven't checked my mailbox nor the bulletin board here, so I had no idea that they are going to do construction tonight. They already block the front of this apartment mansion. Sorry. I should have known." I explained showing the notice letter

"Don't apologize. It should be us." Rio immediately told me "we invited ourselves in and now we're barging in."

"She's right." Ono agreed "just, we'll be sleeping with these clothes"

"Don't worry about that. I mean, I can lend mine to the girls, and there's still my brother's clothes here, so you can wear those." I immediately responded "we hace enough blankets and pillows too. If someone isn't comfortable sleeping with big groups, you can sleep in my parent's room."

"The three of us are fine" Hachimura commented then immediately "but how about Jiro, Katagiri-san, Umezikawa-san, Akashi-sama?"

What's with that casual, semi-formal, and formal names?!

"I don't mind. Also, Ukyo and I have spare clothes so don't worry about us. I often sleep over in Ukyo's or Seijurou's place so, sleep over is no problem. Ukyo is fine, as well as Anna. Just.." Ishikawa chuckled then looked at Akashi "Seijurou might not. This would be your first sleep over, right? Not training camp or whatsover"

"No, this is the 2nd time" Akashi immediately answered "well, first time with these much of people since before it was just-" and he stopped

"Just?"

"Nothing"

Don't stop there! It sounded weird!

"Anyways, why don't some of you take a bath now? We have the full bathroom then you can shower in my parent's room" I hastily suggested "I'll get the clothes for the girls, then for the guys"

"Ladies first" Jiro grinned "we'll play here first, so you don't need to rush."

Sayaka, Fujiko, Rio, and even Anna agreed as they stood up and handed the controllers to the guys

"Seijurou-sama, why don't you play with them first?" Anna suggested making everyone froze

"Come on Anna, Seijurou doesn't play games" Ishikawa chuckled, agreed by Katagiri

"I play certain games, especially games with solo players. But, I'll refuse to play any console games today." He immediately retorted "Then, I'll have my dinner." Akashi turned around and gestured Go-chan to follow him, though

"Will you be okay there?" I worriedly asked but,

"It's fine, I know where things are" he responded and left

I sighed and couldn't help but complied. Well it's true though he knows where things are

"Anyways" I turned to these girls, and somehow they were looking at me with eyes wide open "is something wrong?"

"No, nothing" they hook their heads and smiled awkwardly

"Let's go to my room then" I led them to my room and showed them my clothes, also just asked them to choose whichever they wanted.

Rio and Fujiko used the bigger bathroom together, while Anna used teh one in my parent's room.

Sayaka just waited inside my room and fixed the bed, and lay out the futon as well. As for me, I went to my brother's room and got the clothes for the trio, and for Akashi. I also fixed the bed, and lay out a futon for them.

~

"It's the guys turn now" I told the five of them who were still playing, as we girls finished taking a bath and shower.

Katagiri went first and used the one in my parent's room, while Ishikawa used the bigger one. As to who would go next, they would decide who.

As for me, I cleaned the kitchen and washed the cutlery we used. Awkward though because Akashi and Go-chan were still here. We weren't even talking.

Once done, I went back to my room, and these four girls were laughing and talking to each other. We decided to let Anna and Rio sleep in my bed, and the three of us on the floor.

"The guys said that they will be in my brother's room and rest after taking a shower."

"Where were you though?" Sayaka curiously asked then told me to sit next to her

"Oh, I just cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes-"

"You should have called us!" Sayaka, Rio and Fujiko retorted at the same time

"They are right. We are uninvited guests here, so at least let us work" Anna followed but I shook my head and laughed

"Nah, it's fine, don't worry about it. I am used to it and it's my daily routine. Anyways, this is new to me. Having these much of people in my room. I have never in my life to have someone in my room, actually in our house, with these much of people." I moved closer to Sayaka and snuggled to her "this is nice"

"Where is your dog by the way?" Rio curiously asked then laughed "Don't tell me.. still with Seijurou-sama?"

"Yeah, he isn't leaving his side." I sighed then closed my eyes, and I feel my body heavy. "Somehow, I am sleepy now"

"It's already 10:12 in the evening after all." Anna informed us "Let's call this night already"

"Those guys, will they be okay though?" Fujiko worriedly asked "I mean... in the same room with Akashi-sama?"

"Don't worry about them. They'll do something about it by themselves" I sighed then lay down "good night"

"Good night" they greeted back and Sayaka was the one who turned off the light.

I could hear the voices of the guys from outside. I could hear Akashi's voice as well. I couldn't hear them clearly, but I knew they went to my brother's room already

It would be nice if Akashi would return to his previous self. By then, he could easily get along with the others.

~

"Thank you (l/n) that despite knowing this side of me, you still accept me as me."

"Of course! Akashi is Akashi. It's actually lucky for me, knowing and learning new things about Akashi"

~

I opened my eyes and felt sweat all over. I sat down and sighed trying to remember what I was dreaming.

I looked around and from the bright light outside, I could see my friends sleeping deeply. Seemed they were tired as well today.

Anyways, I went to the kitchen and got a glass of water. While drinking, I noticed the time and it was still 3 in the morning.

"What was that?" I again sighed but flinched when suddenly heard something fall from the living room.

I stealthy walked towards the living room

But should I go? What if there's a bulgar?

Just thinking about it makes me shivered in fear, and revisit an old painful memory!

I got a broom first just in case.
Quietly, silently, to my living room.

Indeed, I can feel presence here, someone in the sofa. Hiding?!

As I slowly approached the couch, I could feel my heart going to exlode.

But then...

I was surprised when I noticed this familiar hair colour. I walked closer, and indeed it's Akashi. Go-chan, who was sleeping next to Akashi's feet, also he opened his eyes and looked at me, but again closed his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered then noticed the remote on the floor. It was probably in the couch, and him or Go-chan moved, resulting for it to fall.

Now noticing it, Akashi is sleeping here in the living room. In the end, he didn't want to sleep in the same room with others? He looked so cold though with his arms crossed.

I sighed and went to my parents room,  and got an extra blanket for Akashi, leaving the broomstick in the kitchen. I went back to the living room and covered him.

"He should have told me and let him sleep in my parent's room."

...

Looking at him... he's really handsome, and he looks so kind. He's indeed in a different level. He is elegant in various reasons.

"Ah" there's a dirt on his cheek

As I reached towards his cheeks, I think my heart dropped when suddenly Akashi grabbed my right wrist, his mismatched eyes immediately greeted me.

"..."

But I think I didn't have time to breathe when this guy suddenly pulled me. It was too fast that I ended up on top of Akashi!

"Ouch..." I hissed "don't pull me all of a sudden!"

I tried to stand back, but I felt being caged by Akashi, preventing me from getting up

"W-wha- Akashi-"

"Just what are you plotting at, (f/n)? You could have just left with your broomstick a while ago, but you returned here, stare and attacking someone sleeping. You sure have guts" His voice is much closer before. And because of the quiet night, his voice was clearer, and softer, sending chills all over my body

"You're wrong!"

"I'm wrong? You better give me a proper reason"

"I just-" wait... did he just say broomstick..? Was he awake?! I struggled then turned towards him, but was taken aback when his face was just probably an inch away to mine. I immediately gazed away, and felt defeated. I stopped struggling, and I buried my face on his chest, my forehead could feel his shoulder, what's with this situation?!

Even though it was embarrassing, I did my best to explain "sorry, it was a misunderstanding. I heard something fall on the floor, so I checked it. Turned out it was just a remote, but you and Go-chan were here. You looked so cold, that was why I got a blanket. I couldn't help but was mesmerized by your sleeping face so I ended up staring, but noticed the dirt on your cheeks."

"..."

"Sorry, I didn't know you were awake..."

I'm dying in embarrassment. Someone kill me.

But before that, can he free me now?! I can hear my own heart beat!

Though... is it really the new Akashi?

I heard a soft laugh from him, followed by his gentle, but teasing voice.

"Aren't you being too honest? But well, it was amusing"

Once he moved his hands, I didn't wait longer and stand back, immediately gazing away. I feel like my face is as red as his hair. The beating of this stupid heart wouldn't stop at all!

I heard Akashi sighed as he sat down. I turned towards him, but again, our eyes met.

I cleared my throat and gazed away again

"Why are you here anyways?"

"... I went to drink water, but when I returned there, Jiro already took the stop."

"I see." I laughed softly, the again tried to return my composure "sorry again for the misunderstanding. Instead of sleeping here, do you want to sleep in my parent's room? The bed is much bigger and comfortable. It's big enough for two people"

"You are right. The bed might be bigger and much comfortable for the two of us. We can moved freely."

...

Did I hear him right?

I hastily turned to him and corrected what I said "t-that's n-not what I meant! You and Go-chan! W-what a-are y-you s-s-saying!?" And here I am stuttering while explaining myself, this guy here just looked at me, and chuckled. I could see him blush a little then returned to his composure self "w-what...?"

"I am saying that to Go-chan. You sure are easy to tease. Is it because of the time?"

"And you sure can joke and tease. Is it because of the time?" I asked him back "a-anyways, again, just sleep in my parent's room with Go-chan, with Go-chan!" I emphasized

"Here's fine. I'll wake up before others anyways." He responded then moved closer to Go-chan stroking his fur "Don't worry about Go-chan, we'll stay here."

"... I understand. But if you can't sleep, just go there." I bowed down but...

I think I need to ask him this now, or else, I would never have a chance again.

"Uhm, Akashi" I again looked at him, and this guy indeed looked back straight at you while talking. I hesitated a bit, but gathered all my courage to talk and asked him "what do you want me to do from now on?"

"Are you serious with your question?" He asked back and what does he mean by that. But then he sighed and lay back down, and the tone of his voice changed, I could hear disappointment "you are no different from others then"

No different from others?

"Thank you (l/n) that despite knowing this side of me, you still accept me as me."

"Of course! Akashi is Akashi. It's actually lucky for me, knowing and learning new things about Akashi"

Somehow, those words, that conversation we had before suddenly flashed back to my memories. Don't tell me...?

No different from others...

I see...

"I understand now. I'll find the answer on my own, so give me time to settle my answer. I can assure you I'll be able to answer it. Well then, once again, have a good night"

I returned to my room, immediately lie down, and hid myself under my blanket. My face still felt hot, and the beating of this heart just wouldn't stop.

Lies? Truths?
Pretending? Evading?
Which one?

No...

Those questions... towards who?

To Akashi? Or to myself?

But once thing I couldn't deny, this feelings... it exceeded more than before.

~TBC~