"I fell in love the way you fall asleep; slowly and then all at once." - Hazel Grace, The Fault in Our Stars

Warning: Yandere Akashi ahead. Read at your own risk. (trolololol)

XXVI.

Yuta-kun respected my decision.

He managed to leave me alone throughout the weeks. But every once in a while, I would expect for him to drop a message or voice mail to see how I was doing or pay a surprise visit and tell me how sorry he was for deceiving me.

But even though how many weeks have passed since then, I wasn't able to think clearly. I don't know what was going on with my life anymore. I don't know what to believe anymore. And most frankly, I don't know who to trust anymore.

Why did I even accepted help from him?

My heart got caught up in my throat.

Oxygen left the place I was standing.

Blood stopped running and started climbing up to my face.

Am I just too bewildered that I forgot to breathe?

How did you got inside my house?

And most importantly...

Why are you here?

My hands trembled as I placed my phone on the counter, biting on my lower lip and reluctantly held his warm hands, that was covering my eyes.

"W-What are you doing in here?" I asked and it barely came out as a whisper. "Akashi-kun..." His name rolled off my tongue recklessly.

I heard him smirk. "Is it wrong to..." He trailed off as his hands dropped and trailed down to my waist, hugging me from behind then resting his chin on my shoulder before whispering something on my ear. "pay you a visit?"

My eyes dilated in shock and I just felt my face heat up if it was still possible. I think I might have a fever.

"Um, no. T-That's not what I-I meant." I stuttered, getting nervous at our close proximity. I, once again got a whiff of his strong male scent and my eyes involuntarily closed by themselves, not knowing the reason behind my mere action.

"Hmm," He cooed and I just found myself mentally sighing at how intense that sounded. "How are you?" He asked me and I slowly opened my eyes, remembering every single thing that has happened to me these past few weeks.

My face fell into a frown and my lips pursed into a tight line at the horrendous memory.

"I think I'm doing good." I lied and he released his hold on me, turning me around to go face to face with the attractive redhead.

"You were never really a good liar, aren't you?" He asked me with a halfhearted smile. "Why did I even ask in the first place? I know you've been miserable these past few weeks and I'm sorry about that."

I tilted my head to the side, perplexed. "For what?"

"For not being here when you needed some comfort."

I didn't expect those words to escape from his lips.

I shook my head and offered him a wry smile. "No, it's okay. I'm not your obligation, Akashi-kun." I convinced but he just raised an eyebrow in response.

He cares for you, idiot. He was your boyfriend.

"It is," He insisted. "After all, you were my girlfriend."

I swallowed then looked down at my feet. "G-Girlfriend..." I whispered to myself, it was barely audible.

From my lashes, I saw him smile and shook his head as if he was disagreeing to something. "No, sorry. Let me rephrase that," He muttered then I felt his hand on my face, his fingers grazing down to my chin then he gently raised it up to meet his crimson eyes, that were no longer heterochromatic. "You are my girlfriend."

When those words left his mouth, my whole world stopped. The words got stuck on my throat, making it dry. Not only does my throat suddenly felt dry, my lips felt like it was sewn as well for I was unable to utter a single word.

How am I supposed to reply to those statements? I still find it so difficult to believe that a man blessed with sheer perfection managed to fall in love with me.

"Do you still love me?"

And now, I just found myself asking the question I was dying to know since the day I found out what he really was to me. From my observation on myself and background, I was just a dull girl who was an honor student, musician and bookworm. I didn't find myself a tad bit interesting and to think that a guy like him would come to love me was something I couldn't imagine. And 8 long months have passed... his feelings might have changed... but why do I care so much to know?

His lips twitched up into a smile. "Are you underestimating yourself, Yurika?" He asked me as he took a step closer and as reflex action, I backed away but he refused to increase the gap between us and as a result, I hit the counter and he rested his hands on either sides of it, making sure I cannot escape.

I glanced at my sides, getting a bit anxious as to what he was intending to do to me.

Why...

"Let me ask you instead," He countered and I looked at him with an unbelievable expression. "Do you think I still love you?"

I bit my lower lip and looked away, then fiddled on with my fingers. "I... don't know." I admitted and he chuckled.

"I thought so." He smiled like a sly fox then released the suffocating tension and I mentally heaved a sigh of relief.

I arched an eyebrow at him. "Is that one of the things I need to find out by myself?"

He just answered me a wordless smile and instead, changed the subject. "Anyways, what are you cooking?"

I glanced at the chopping board with the knife and onions that was chopped halfway. "Oh, that..." I shifted my gaze back at him and offered him a tight smile. "Tofu soup." I turned around and continued chopping the onions but I could still feel holes on my back. "So, how's the tournament?" I asked him whilst slowly chopping the onions, it was honestly making my eyes well up.

"We lost." Was his only answer but I could feel bitterness at the edge of his voice.

"Oh, really?" I smiled sympathetically albeit my back was facing him. "But I'm sure you guys gave it your all. There is always a next time, don't worry, Akashi-kun."

I heard him mumble something under his breath but I didn't quite catch it. "What did you say?" I asked him as I peered over my shoulder to glance at him.

He shook his head. "Nothing."

I pouted then shifted my attention back at the onions. I never laid my hands on the kitchen so I was really progressing slowly.

"Not to be rude, Akashi-kun, but what really brought you here?"

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm going back to Kyoto this afternoon."

"Ow!" Right after he said those words, I lost my concentration and accidentally cut my finger with the knife I was holding. I hissed in pain and held out my bleeding index finger as a single tear rolled down my cheek because of the onion. "God..."

This is so embarrassing.

Akashi-kun sighed like he knew that this would happen. He snatched my hand and shove my wounded finger in his mouth and started sucking gently.

I blushed like a cherry as I felt his warm tongue licking my fingertips and after a few moments, he pulled my finger out and smirked at me. "Careless." He remarked and I gave him a pout.

"This is my first time to cook, you know." I informed him and looked away, trying to hide the mad blush on my face.

"I know," He said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You tend to your wound, I'll cook for you."

"You know how to cook?" I asked him with a shocked expression.

He arched an eyebrow. "Of course I do. What is there that I can't do?" He smirked at me that made my face fall into a frown.

"Inform me that you'll be visiting me." I smirked back at him to which he rolled his eyes on. I chuckled and waved my hand dismissively. "Okay, if you insist." I said as I walked past him and out of the kitchen.

And right after that moment with him, I just realized that I barely knew him and he made me feel like I've known him for a very long time.

When the strawberry haired female vanished from his sight, the absolute crimson haired male shifted his gaze towards the kitchen knife resting on the counter and a smile crept to his lips.

At the same moment, Yurika's fiance with the name of Yuta Kiryuu, stood in front of her front door and hesitated to knock.

"She wanted time but... I couldn't just leave her alone." He mumbled to himself as he was pacing back and forth on the porch of her home. He admits that what he did was unforgivable and he knew that he doesn't deserve her forgiveness. But he, at least, wanted to show her that he truly loved her.

Not a word reached her parents upon her request. No, he couldn't even imagine him saying those horrendous words to her father. The bitter man with the name of Junnichi Sendo might murder him for he ruined their plan.

He sighed to himself and decided to knock on the door before he could have second thoughts. After a few seconds, Kanae opened the front door and bewilderment immediately plastered on her face the moment she saw him but he cared less.

"G-Good afternoon, Yuta-sama." Kanae greeted with a bow of her head as a show of respect.

He ignored her and immediately stepped inside the house. "Where's Yurika?" He asked urgently.

"She's in the kitchen with a guest." She informed him quickly.

Yuta arched an eyebrow in suspicion. "Who is this guest?"

She shook her head, informing him that she was oblivious. "I'm sorry, young master, but I don't know."

He scowled at the female in front of him and proceeded to walk in a fast pace because he was having a bad feeling that someone wasn't right.

When he reached the kitchen, he didn't saw a strawberry haired female inside but instead, the last man he wanted to see greeted his eyes. He narrowed his eyes in irritation and took a few steps closer to the crimson haired male chopping something on the counter.

"What the hell are you doing?" He demanded to the male who was facing his back on him.

The crimson haired male stopped whatever he was doing and smirked. "Kiryuu-san, so you're here." He muttered, a smile was evident on his voice. "I was actually thinking about what dish I could cook for lunch." He informed the brunet scowling at him then proceeded to chop the vegetables with more force than necessary, creating a loud thump on the chopping board. "But since you're here, you just gave me an idea."

Yuta arched an eyebrow in question and he felt a slight chill in the air.

"I think I'd like to experiment on a new dish, Kiryuu-san," Seijuro said as he turned around to meet him. He let out an innocent smile to him that made Yuta felt all of the hairs on the back of his neck to rise. "How does bloody mousse sound for dessert? It has more color and flavor..."

Yuta was left speechless to what the man in front of him was acting. He thought for a moment that he was getting insane and his instincts told him to get away from the man with the knife as soon as possible.

"Where is Yurika?" He demanded as he tried his best to hide the fear that was growing at the back of his consciousness.

Seijuro just smirked at him in response. "I'm curious, Kiryuu-san," He replied instead and glanced at the knife he was holding. "If this knife is as sharp as it looks."

"St-Stop saying such nonsense." Yuta stuttered as he suddenly felt his palms getting sweaty.

"I'm serious," His smirk vanished and it was replaced with a dark glare. "It would be in your best interest to stay on my good side, Yuta Kiryuu." He deadpanned as his grip on the knife tightened.

"And what if I don't?" He asked, pouring every utmost bravery he had left within his system.

"Oh, I think you wouldn't want to know what will happen if you don't." Seijuro replied innocently.

Yuta just glared at him.

"Would you like to stay for lunch? But I suggest if you don't, though." Seijuro took a few steps forward and that made Yuta back away immediately. "You might accidentally see me pouring poison all over your food." He gave him a very dark smirk that made him indicate that he would really go for it.

Yuta wanted to punch him so badly but he was left frozen on his spot, oblivious to the fact that he was actually getting afraid of the words the redhead was giving him.

"A-Akashi," He stuttered and he cursed himself for it.

"Not a word will reach to her parents..." He ordered him.

"Wh-What are you planning?"

Right after we finish eating lunch, I couldn't help but feel rejuvenated because the food was really delicious.

"Thank you for the meal!" I said as I clasp my hands together.

"You seem happy, Yurika." Akashi-kun commented as he finished eating as well.

"It's really delicious, Akashi-kun. Thank you for cooking for me." I said gratefully.

Although I wish that he wouldn't leave me just yet.

That made my smile vanish.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, I just remembered your leave." I admitted then looked down to my lap.

Akashi-kun just smirked at me. "Who told you that you're not coming with me?" He said as he stood up and made his way to me.

My head immediately snapped back to him and I suddenly felt drowsy.

"A-Akashi-kun..." I mumbled then tried to stand up but I fell but he successfully caught me. I looked into his crimson eyes as I tried my best to stay awake. "What... have you... done...?" I managed to whisper before my eyes finally succumbed to the darkness.

But I faintly heard him say something to me.

"Sweet dreams, Yurika."

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Phew, that was quite a long one!

The quote on the beginning does not fit with the chapter lol. I just love that quote hehehe.

That was a little creepy, okay. :3

I have to sleep now, bye guys! Good night/Good morning XD

Feel free to vote comment or anything! Let me know your thoughts in this story! :D

I love you guys! :>