"It's so hot! This is it! The start of summer! You can swim as much as you want!" I excitedly shouted as I stood, gazing to the vast ocean in front of me...

But... I could feel sinister aura beside me.

"Uhm... don't look at me like that," I chuckled but these three, Sayaka, Rio, and Fujiko-chan, they were glaring at me, it didn't fit the vibes of summer

"(F/n), we clearly just came out of the changing room. Why aren't you wearing your swimsuit?" Sayaka asked with a tone of disappointment

"Don't tell me, Seijurou-sama warned you not to wear swimsuit because your body is owned by him, or something like that?! He found out about it yesterday after all" Rio added, and yes, she has the scariest glare

"Of course not! Absolutely not! I apologize though that I couldn't inform you, but I'm in my monthly red-alert today."

"You can still swim. It will stop-"

"Come on Sayaka. For me, I still feel that is unhygienic!" I immediately retorted

"You should have at least told us. We could go somewhere else" Fujiko sighed and somehow, they felt trouble that I won't be swimming

"But I'm fine here. I can still relax. Lots of things happened these past few weeks, and today I could finally relax. I brought stuffs that would make myself busy, I could also watch your stuffs. So don't worry and let's have fun and relaxing day today"

"..."

"Come on! Let's go find a spot. We have the whole day today! Plus it's weekdays and there's not much of people"

As much as they hated it, they gave up, so I excitedly led the way and searched for a good spot.

~

Yes, today is Monday and we planned to go to the beach to unwind since we would be busy again soon.

It's about two hours away from the city. Rio's driver drove us here, and would be picking us up later. Then we would be staying the night in Rio's house - or more like, Rio one-sided decided to stay in their place. Her reason? To bombard me with questions.

But... I couldn't tell them, I absolutely cannot tell them!

Yesterday, I thought my day would end peacefully; me lazing around, watching anime, playing games, just chilling in. But last night, I received a threatening call, followed by a shivering dream

Yes, Akashi called me and interrogated me about our plan today.

~last night~

"As expected, you knew about it. Yeah, we are going to the beach tomorrow. Why?" I asked him, but there was silence "Akashi?"

"So you are going to parade your body, just wearing a piece or two cloth? You sure are brave"

"... well, I need to wear swimsuit in the beach, right? Why do I hear that I can't?"

"Yeah, if you want eyes being gauche out, then go ahead. You don't want to hear a news about people missing their eyes, right?"

What's with this guy?! Is he being serious?!

"Akashi... you are just joking, right? I mean, surely, you aren't being serious...?"

But I felt thrilled and somehow scared to what he responded

"Why don't you try wearing it tomorrow and know for yourself if I am joking or not"

~present time~

And after that I just had a nightmare. I dreamt a bloody massacre. It was an ominous dream. I couldn't dare to wear one today. Knowing Akashi, it might happen. It's scary that I don't want to gamble it.

That guy is only high school right?! Just first year high school! But then, if he has Ken-san, Kari-san, even that Rika-san, it would be possible. If he suddenly shows up here, I won't be surprised.

Though... I also couldn't help but to think that Akashi is just being possessive.

Well, I need to at least make an excuse for today, but my reason became more valid, and realistic.

I sighed as I sat down watching them. It's still 10 in a weekday morning. There's not much of people.

Ahhhhh...

What a day... I would love to end this day in peace. I mean, setting the questions later, I hope there would be no crazy event today.

Anyways, I got my switch and started playing instead.

~

"You really are immovable if you are focusing to one thing"

I flinched as I turned on my right side as I felt someone touching my shoulder and there's Sayaka "since when are you sitting there?"

"For about 5 minutes" she smiled, then took a bite of the ice cream she was eating "I bought a box of ice cream before coming back here, but you didn't even responded" she handed an popsicle ice cream to me "here have some before it melts"

"Thank you. You should have talked to me"

"I did. You ignored me. But since I know you, I just let you play, but as expected I don't want the ice cream to melt" she again laughed. But suddenly became serious "(f/n)"

"Hmmm?"

"Akashi-sama didn't ask you not to wear swimsuit, right?"

"No. Why?"

She sighed then pouted her lips "like it's really too bad that we couldn't see you wearing one today. But, next time, we can, right?"

"Well, if we have time, right?" I chuckled but I felt nervous, let's just hope next time, Akashi won't hear about it

Sayaka and I just talked random things, even though they didn't make any sense.

During lunch, we ate the packed sandwiches, gimbap, sushi, that I prepared this morning, with the help of mom, of course. We packed foods that could be easily be eaten, and didn't need to heat up.

We enjoyed our lunch, but these three were somehow tired so they were resting, well, Rio and Fujiko-chan having an afternoon nap. It was then I also noticed that we were almost out of ice

"Ah, Sayaka, I'll just go buy more ice."

"I'll go with you"

"No need" I stood up and pointed at Rio and Fujiko-chan "I'll leave them to you"

I got my wallet and left to get some ice.

~

Since summer is just starting, there's not much of store open yet. Not much of people as well. I looked around, and even up to now I couldn't see where I could buy ice. I wonder where did Rio buy the ice popsicle.

But as I was walking, I halted since I noticed the sky from afar, this direction is from the city though. Should I check the wea- ah... I forgot my phone. It's in my bag

"See, there's a high school student here. It's there summer break after all"

I didn't look behind me but I know there are two people, annoying people.

"Hey beautiful, are you looking for something to buy? We can help-"

I walked away from them since I am not interested. And I would just pretend they weren't talking to me.

But these two annoying people just kept on following me.

"Hey pretty, just talk to us" ahh, annoying!

"HEY!" My right hand was grabbed from behind and these two men were creeping me out "if someone is talking to you, you should be nice to at least entertain us!"

"If someone is ignoring you, take the hint and leave!" I retorted as I tried to free myself, but he was holding it strongly "if you don't free me, I'll shout here! Pervert!"

"Do you know, there's not much of officer here. Also, don't you know who I am?"

"I care less who are you. Let me go, stupid!"

I know they are older, but I struggled freeing myself from him. To my surprised, they pulled me, and dragged me with them. And why do some people that could see us weren't doing anything?!

"Let me go!"

I tried to free myself, but what's with these brute force!

Though not long after, I was surprised when my whole body was caged in, and I was pulled back with force.

"If you don't free her arm, you will loose yours instead." This ambiance, these arms, and this thrilling voice, why does he always have a perfect timing?!

"WHO THE-" I didn't know how this guy here scared the two of them, since they flinched and just left

"What a perfect timing as always" I sighed as I freed myself then looked at him "if I didn't receive that call from yesterday, I would be surprised. Thank you, Akashi" I held my arm since I felt tingling from the aftermath

"He's the son of one of the wealthiest men here in this area. Everyone knows him. Well, he sure knows me though"

"Well, I don't know him and I know you instead" I immediately retorted and sighed in relief "but again, thanks. You seemed like watching everything, and just waiting for the right timing to come out. You were right on time after all" I sarcastically smiled at him

But he looked at me as he crossed his arms "why are you here?"

Did I hear him correctly?

"Huh? What do you mean? You know well why I am here"

"Let me rephrase my question, of all beaches in Japan you chose here"

"Is is bad though? I should be the one asking that. Why are you here? Of all places"

He smirk and shook his head "ah right, you are the person who don't check weathers. There will be storm in this area today until tomorrow"

"Eh?"

"I am here because I like the view here when there's a storm. We don't have practice as well this week after all." He chuckled then crossed his arms "I was in my summer vacation house's balcony having an afternoon tea, and to think that I would see you. Jiro even sprinted out to find the others"

"So you are saying, it's total coincidence that you are here? You must be kidding me!" I retorted in disbelief, but Akashi glared back

"You sounded as if I planned to ambush you here, (f/n). But well, at least you didn't dare to wear such clothes"

"Who wouldn't think like that after receiving an ominous call last night!" I raised my voice but flinched when I felt raindrop on my cheeks. It was then I noticed how dark the sky had became

"So it's starting" Akashi commented then his phone suddenly rang "Yeah, I don't mind. She's with me. Yeah" then the call ended as he looked at me again "let's go"

"Where?"

"My summer vacation house. Jiro and the others are going there now"

"Oh okay, so we'll wait for Rio's driver there-" I sighed but jolted when Akashi glared at me "what?!"

"Didn't I say that there will be storm here? The authorities will close the road from and to the city. There's possible landslide in the area. Let's go before the rain pour down"

I just followed Akashi and the rain started pouring down, but fortunately, we arrived before the thunder roar and lightning occured.

~

We arrived in this spacious summer vacation house of Akashi, and I couldn't help but admire this vast house. From the inside, I could see the beach since the wall is actually covered with window glass. And I couldn't help but felt my heart thumping vigorously, since not just the beach, but I could see the dark sky, the lightning flashing. I hope they won't notice my whole body trembling. I hope this night would pass by so fast.

"Ah, here you are." Jiro came down from the 2nd floor "The three of them are already taking a shower. Also, sorry (f/n)-chan. When they were rushing a while ago, Rio accidentally dropped your stuffs. Your change of clothes are inside, so Sayaka-chan put your clothes in the dryer for now."

"Ah, then I'll just wait for my clothes to dry."

"Ah but, Rio said she'll lent her your clothes. So Rio borrowed my clothes instead" Jiro chuckled "her clothes is in your room. But then, you need to wait still since both bathrooms are being used. Rio and Fuji-chan are using the bigger one in the first floor. Sayaka-chan is using the one in the 2nd floor"

"I understand. I'll wait-"

"No need" we looked at Akashi and he pushed a button, making the whole window glass being covered by a dark blue curtain, yes, with this I couldn't see the beach nor dark sky.

Wait, before that!

"Akashi, what do you mean by no need?"

"You can use the bathroom in my room. I'll lend you my clothes. Follow me"

"Eh? But- I can wait-"

"Take a shower now, or else you'll catch a cold. You lent your brother's clothes to me before, so it's no problem if I lent mine. Let's go"

"Eh, wait, Seijurou, how about you? You got wet too. Also, when did (f/n)-chan lent her brother's clothes to you?!" I turned to Jiro pleading to save me, but Akashi grabbed my hand and pulled me to the 2nd floor, yes, to his room.

Once we entered his room here, he immediately went to get clothes from his closet, then led me to the bathroom here. He got new towel, even necessities, explained how the shower works. Then he left after putting the shirt and a jogging pants on the side.

~

The clothes Akashi lent me... it's a bit baggy to me, but it's comfortable. But... but...

Can I really wear his clothes while the others are here?!

I just couldn't help but felt embarrassed wearing it while I went down to where the others were.

"Ah there she is" Sayaka waved at me and I already could feel their teasing stares "join us here"

I awkwardly smiled and sat next to Sayaka. And so they explained things again from the start.

Seems like Akashi and Jiro arrived here yesterday to unwind, but mostly because Akashi just wanted to watch the summer storm here. Jiro said that Akashi liked watching that in this area. Then yes, while he was having his afternoon tea, he didn't expect to see me walking mindlessly. So he told Jiro, then ask him to search for Rio and the others.

And that's when he saw me.

I also found out that Akashi demanded, yes, demanded his butlers to leave him be for three days, so they just sent him here, along with a week portion of foods. They even told Jiro to look after Akashi.

But, two guys in one summer house for three days? Well... uhm... I think I am being influenced by the manga am reading, and anime I'm watching.

"(F/n), are you okay? Your face is so red"

I flinched as I turned to Sayaka "yeah, I'm okay. I think because I just came out of the bath."

"But is it really okay to stay here, Seijurou-sama?" Rio worriedly asked

"It's fine. But if you have place to stay other than here in this kind of weather, you are free to go"

"No, we're thankful for your hospitality!" Rio immediately responded "but how about the food?"

"Don't worry, his butlers left bountiful of foods here. They left though foods that are easy to cook" Jiro stood up and grinned "but before that, let's play card game! It's boring if we don't do anything, right?"

These twins are so energetic!

"Before that, can we open the window?" Rio pointed out, and I couldn't help but felt nervous. Should I just tell them? But they might think that it was just childish-

"No, leave it as it is. I enjoy watching the stormy sky, but by myself. If I'm with other people, it's annoying. If you insist, you are free to go out"

"No... let's leave it as it is." Rio retreated and she retorted in low voice "I just asked if we can or not"

Sorry Rio, I feel like Akashi just made that excuse because of me.

"Well, let's leave it like that. Let's play Uno now!"

"Wow, of all card games, you chose a game that will end our friendship. Nice choice" Sayaka chuckled, making Jiro in panic, so he changed the game.

~

"I wanted to ask (f/n) about what happened between you and Seijurou-sama, but we're in his place, so let's save it for later" Rio teasingly grinned

"I wasn't even surprised that Akashi-sama was here. He's quite a possessive stalker one" we turned to Fujiko-chan and she gasped as if she realized what she just said "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that"

"It's not that he'll hear that-" I told her but the three of them retorted all at the same time

"He'll know for sure!"

I just couldn't help but laugh dryly since yes, there's a high chance Akashi would know. I also just finished messaging my mom, explaining my situation, just telling her though that I'm with Sayaka and the others, not mentioning that we're in Akashi's place

It was then Rio stood up and went to the window "anyways, I'll open our curtain here. I couldn't a while ago because of Seijurou-sama"

"Go ahead, we don't mind"

As the two responded, I stood up and just made an excuse "I'll just go to the bathroom"

I immediately left the room and took a deep sigh to calm myself.

"I should tell them."

"Yeah you should"

I flinched turning to that voice and yeah, who would it be, it's no other than Akashi Seijuro! He's leaning at the door of his room, with his arms crossed

"What are you doing there?"

"I know that it was about time for you to run away from there since Rio surely opened the window already"

"How did you know...?"

"I just know- Ah, but your friend called me a possessive stalker, so let's leave it like that. Follow me"

He heard that..?

Akashi, I could also think like that if you keep on coming out of nowhere and knowing everything!

I followed Akashi and we went to the living room, then under the staircase, there was a bookshelf, and to my surprised, he pushed some kind of button, opening a secret door behind the bookshelf. He switched the light, and there was a staircase going down.

"Wow! A secret room?!" I commented in awe seeing a spacious entertainment room. "The sofa looks so comfortable. What a big TV! What's with this room?!"

"My mother used to stay here before, watching home videos. Soundproof, and no windows"

I halted and felt moved from what I heard. He's concerned about my situation!

"... thank you..." I somehow felt embarrassed since he turned to me and he smiled, a quick one though

"You can sleep here for now. And think if you want to tell your friends about your situation."

I felt like my hand just moved on its own, and grabbed the helm of Akashi's shirt

"Uhm... I don't think I won't be able to sleep here on my own... like, can you join me here until I feel sleepy? Let's watch a movie or anything, comedy or classic concert"

He didn't response... for sure he didn't like it-

"Choose any movie you want from the top to the third shelves on the right. I'll just go get my phone"

"Got it" I somehow got excited, and just went to check what movies he had. I mean, this is a rare chance! I might not have any chance again!

There were variety of genres. And I noticed the horror, thriller genres were in 4th and 5th shelves. He really just suggested 1st to 3rd since those were the ones I could watch. There's two more shelves above, but I could see that they were locked.

Not long after, Akashi returned with two blankets with him. He handed one to me, then set things up for us to watch.  I was about to sit at the right side couch, when he suddenly gestured me to sit at the middle couch

"It's easier to watch from there"

"Ah, okay, thanks."

As I sat down at the middle couch, I was surprised when he also sat down beside me. This guy sure does thing that makes him likable.

I decided to just watch the classic movie The Parent Trap. It's a western movie of which identical twins were separated because their parents divorced. It's comedy, and family story, though there were some unbelievable scenes.

~Akashi~

The two were silently watching. Time to time, (f/n) could be heard chuckling. But during a scene when it was raining, Akashi was surprised when suddenly (f/n) spoke, and it was unrelated to the movie they were watching.

"Back when I was in elementary, my dad and mom always go for business trips, leaving me with just my brother." She started, and Akashi knew that she was telling him about her traumatic experience. "There was one time when they went for a business trip during summer, it was raining that night, thunder roar was so loud, lightning was flashing outside, indeed a summer storm. I couldn't sleep at all, so I just stood up to look outside, but that was when suddenly someone jumped to my room's balcony"

Akashi turned to (f/n), and she was just looking straight, blankly, but Akashi could see her hands shaking. Her lips quivering, and he could hear her voice trembling

"I saw him... he saw me. When I screamed, that made that man panic, resulting for him to slip, and fall from the balcony. We lived in 8th floor of 14 floor high apartment mansion."

"Why are you saying it all of sudden?" Akashi asked but she continued

"My brother went to my room, called the police, our parents. But because of the storm, my parents couldn't return immediately. I thought that was scary enough, but that next day-"

"(F/n)" Akashi stopped her and held her hand "If you want to tell me, tell me, but if you are trembling like that, stop it."

"You know about it?"

"Just now. I remembered reading it in a newspaper before. So don't force yourself telling me."

(F/n) chuckled dryly, her gaze still straight upfront, her body still trembling in fear

"I knew it. You sure changed, everyone says you are cruel, but deep inside, Akashi is really kind. I am glad, I know this kindness of yours." She took a deep breathe, calming herself "thank you, Akashi:

Akashi didn't response, but not long after, he was surprised when he felt (f/n)'s head on his shoulder, followed by (f/n)'s calm breathing

"And now you fall asleep." He sighed then adjusted her head so it won't fall from his shoulder. Akashi turned off the TV, and saw their reflections. He just looked straight on it and remembered the news he read before.

"So it was her and her family. I didn't pay much attention to it when I saw the article in the newspaper, but mother cried reading that news. She was crying, feeling pity to what happened, saying that it was traumatizing to that poor girl. I read it and according to the news the girl was telling her parents for 3 months about a man in her balcony. Her parents didn't believe her, and told her she was just hallucinating because of what she saw. Even they moved to another mansion apartment, she kept on telling them. Until after three months, her father decided to install cctv cameras inside her room. First few days, there were none, but she was telling them that only during when there was storm. And it happened that a summer storm happened. According to the news, they could see the man standing outside her room's balcony. Standing there, looking at her."

Akashi carefully stood up, supporting (f/n)'s body, making sure not to wake her, who was sleeping peacefully next to him. She lay her down, then covered her with blanket

"That man just wanted to take revenge on that little girl because he saw how his partner died. Blaming her to what happened. Stupid bulgars"

Akashi sighed as he went to his sound system then played orchestra music in low volume. He dimmed the light and left.

~

Akashi didn't close the door and just leave it open as he went back to his room. On the way though, he saw Rio coming out of their room.

"Ah, Seijurou-sama, have you seen (f/n)?She hasn't returned for a while now, and I got worried-"

"Don't worry about her. She's sleeping in different room now. Go back to your room and sleep already." Akashi passed by her and left to his room, without waiting for her response.

Rio crossed her arms and sighed, curiously asked herself "are they going out already?"

~TBC~