"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles Schulz

XXVIII.

Every time he's near, the pattern of my breathing changes. From the sensation and smell, everything changes.

"What are you doing?"

The air becomes sweet yet somehow you can feel a slight chill.

I was sitting crisscross on the floor with balls of yarn scattered around, my palms were getting a bit sweaty from knitting the simple red muffler that will serve as a birthday present for him.

I swallowed and bit my lower lip as I blushed furiously in embarrassment. I didn't answer him and instead, looked down at my handiwork.

I just realized that I'm too ashamed to give this cheap piece of fabric to him.

I heard his footsteps coming my way and I felt him bend down to be at my level, my back facing him. I brought the fabric to my chest to get it away from his line of vision and he chuckled.

"How cute," He mumbled and leaned in closer. I can almost feel his breath on my skin and it sent an involuntary chill on my spine. I closed my eyes and couldn't withstand the sigh that escaped my lips. "Why are you knitting a muffler at a time like this?"

I shook my head and swallowed. "I-I just got bored, A-Akashi-kun..." I stuttered and tried to distract myself. "And I'm supposed to be mad at you."

He snorted. "Sure you are," I moved my head to the side to give him a look but it was the same time that he did the same, our faces were only a few inches away from each other. "Well, I'm sorry then," He whispered to me then my eyes instinctively darted down to glance at his mouth and I immediately regretted my action because his lips curled up into a smile.

He didn't mean it.

I want you to apologize again even if you don't mean it... I'll...

I'll forgive you...

"What?" I asked again.

"I'm sorry that I drugged you." He muttered and I looked away and felt my blush grow deeper. "But I'm not sorry that I brought you with me." He added then stood up and I looked up to see him still smiling. He patted my head like an innocent child.

I pushed his hand away but it came out gently, and I just found myself unable to let go of his hand. His smile stretched at my oblivious action and I just realized how embarrassing it was.

"Not forgiven." I crossed my arms and made an upset expression.

He just chuckled at my action. "I'd stay with you, however, I have some matters to take care of regarding the student council."

I shifted my gaze towards him once again and raised an eyebrow in question. "Good."

"Tsundere," He mumbled under his breath.

"I'm not!" I replied a little too quickly and it seem that it amused him.

He smirked. "Tsunrika," he teased and I thought of a come back.

"Bakashi," I shot back.

He shook his head at me in amusement. "You should know better."

I rolled my eyes. "I hate you."

"No, you don't."

"Overconfidence, Akashi-kun," I smirked and shook my head. "How can you be so sure?"

"Simple, I know everything, my love."

I swallowed and clenched my fists. "Don't love me."

Why does it feel like it meant something else, Yurika?

Shut up, subconscious.

Akashi-kun arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Because I don't want to."

He smirked. "I can call you whatever name as I please." He stated and looked into my eyes. "Tsunrika."

I blushed and immediately looked away. "Are you teasing me?" I asked but couldn't the the embarrassment on my tone.

"Do you want me to?"

I bit my lower lip and felt my blush deepen, I looked down at my feet and played with my trembling fingers that was on my back.

"Yurika, look at me."

"No," I whispered and bit my lip harder as I felt my heart beat accelerate.

"No?" He sounded amused then I heard his footsteps coming my way and from my lashes, he's already in front of me. I felt his hand on my chin and slightly tilted it upwards just to meet his enchanting gaze. "You will look at me, Yurika," He stated with a smirk. "And only me."

My eyes widened in bewilderment but the next words that escaped his lips now made my heart stop.

"Now, answer me," He asked then inched his face close to mine. "Do you want me to?"

God, his intoxicating male scent... it's hypnotizing...

Makes you want to say yes?

Oh, God... shut up for the last time, subconscious...

I made a quick glance at his parted rosy lips and blushed deeper, I put the cherries to shame. His eyes, his face, his everything... everything is just too perfect, it hurts.

Makes you want to commit sins right then and there...

"N-No..." I managed to utter in a squeaky voice.

He smiled and seemed satisfied like he had accomplished making me feel embarrassed. Then, he pulled away and chuckled. "Okay then." He said dismissively and the smirk returned to his face. "I'll see you later."

I didn't answer and just waited for his footsteps to subside and the door to open and close. I sighed as my gaze focused on the muffler that was halfway finished. The stitches were too loose though and I groaned in frustration. My hands went up to hold my burning cheeks and I bit my lower lip as I was feeling the urge to scream.

I needed a distraction.

I sat on the floor once again and my eyes searched for the pair of scissors beside me and an image flashed in my mind. Akashi-kun holding a pair of scissors.

I stayed in the room until dinner time and it kind of confused me as to why I didn't see a shade of red in the dining room.

"He said that he won't be joining for dinner, Yurika-sama." Kisa informed me and I pursed my lips into a firm line. He must be really that busy to skip dinner.

"Then join me for dinner," I told her and she smiled, nodding.

"Nostalgia," I heard Kisa mumble to herself and I raised an eyebrow in question. She shook her head and told me that she'll just get an extra plate.

Right after dinner, Kisa spoke. "Have you decided the flavor of cake, young miss?"

If I were to create a cake that perfectly describes and symbolizes him, I think it would be red velvet cake with dark chocolate fillings.

"Dark red velvet, perhaps?" I wondered with a silly smile.

Kisa giggled. "Dark red velvet?" She grinned at me. "I think that would be delightful!"

"Dark chocolate is bittersweet and red velvet is... red." I explained with shrugged and smile.

"Let's try it tomorrow."

I nodded and gave her a bright smile. "Thank you," I gave her a smile and took a sip of my glass of water. "Do you think he'll like it?"

Kisa smiled back and shook her head. "I don't think so." She said and before I could reply, she spoke again. "Excuse me, young miss." She bowed her head then took the plates and walked away in a hurry.

My head fell down to my lap and suddenly felt sad. He won't like it. I guess that he wasn't just too fond of sweets but then again, I was still determined to bake that cake for him.

Why dark red velvet, you ask me?

I just thought of being creative. Red velvet because it is sweet and is pleasant to look at, I don't quite like the cream cheese frosting so might as well change that to dark chocolate. Dark chocolate because it is bittersweet yet everyone still love it. And I'd like to put strawberries on top because I love strawberries. I know it's weird for making up such cake but hey, I know it'll still taste like heaven.

I passed by a door that was slightly ajar and I took a peek on the small opening. There, I saw Akashi-kun filling out a mountain of paper works and I slightly cringed. He was working too much yet he hasn't eaten. I prevented the urge to walk in and do those works for him or walk in and-- No, he'll just tease me again and I don't want to disturb him.

I have all the free time and I was getting bored to hell with this. But there was no difference even when I'm in my house.

I sighed and just closed the door then continued walking back towards the guest room. I took a quick shower then my eyes stopped to the muffler that I finished in a horrified quality. I sighed and just read a novel available on the shelves until I had fallen asleep.

"You again, grandpa?" I asked sarcastically once I just found myself leaning on the tree of cherry blossoms. "Why am I always dreaming about you? And why do you always play shogi by yourself?" I bombarded him with questions.

"Yes, Rika. Because you love me. And this is the only thing I'm good at." Grandpa replied to my questions in order. "So, how are you, sweet child?" He smiled as he moved his pawn but didn't even made a glance at his granddaughter.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my messy hair. "Still alive but I'm barely breathing." I grunted and crossed my arms.

He chuckled. "Because leaving you breathless is his forte."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I can see that."

I can't act all Tsun Tsun in front of my grandfather because-- wait, I'm not a Tsundere!

"How did he ever managed to fall in love with a mere girl like me?" I wondered aloud and that made grandpa stop playing and focus his gaze on me. I shifted my gaze on his shogi board. "I mean, if you compare us to the shogi pieces, Akashi-kun would be the king and I'm the pawn." Then I locked gazes with my grandpa. "Right?" I asked and expected to get his approval.

"No," Grandpa disagreed and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Then he took a shogi piece from the board and tossed it to me, which I successfully caught. "You are not a pawn, Yurika, and neither you are mere." He smiled and I looked at the shogi piece he threw at me. It was a Jewel. "You are more than what you think and that's what everybody loves about you." He laughed and shook his head at me. "He falls in love with you every single day, can't you see that?" He lectured and I pouted and shook my head. "You are more than what you think," He repeated. "If you can't see that, let us see it for you. Let Seijuro-kun see it for you." He emphasized the final words and a smile just made its way to my lips.

"Thank you, grandpa," I properly sat in a Seiza and bowed my head, my forehead touching the grass to show my sincerity.

"Now, play with me." He smirked and I raised my head to look at him. "And the loser gets a consequence."

I smiled and nodded my head. "Okay!"

I was pretty confident that I will get the win but it's like fate wasn't in the mood to team up with me today. I lost, terribly.

"Okay, grandpa, what's the consequence?" I grunted and hoped for the best.

Grandpa's smirk widened because it never left his face the whole time we played. "Sleep with Seijuro-kun."

My eyes widened in sheer bewilderment and I blushed furiously. "Grandpa, there's no--"

"I don't mean it like that, Rika, jeez." Grandpa rolled his eyes. "I meant, you have to sleep beside him."

"Why?" I whined.

"Don't question the winner's desires."

I groaned in frustration. "I hate you, grandpa..."

"I know, sweetheart," He informed me which made me raise an eyebrow.

"How can you be so sure that I'll knock onto his door?" I asked and smiled slyly.

"Simple, I won't let you sleep, Rika." Grandpa mirrored my expression and I gasped in bewilderment.

"You're so cruel, grandpa, I really hate you." I whined and made a pathetic crying stance.

"Go away now, Rika, wake up." He waved his hand dismissively and I pouted.

"I can't wake up just because you told me to, you know." I stood up and sulked.

"Just jump off the well beyond the bridge." Grandpa instructed and I sighed.

"Fine." I grunted and walked away from my grandfather.

Gosh, I sure have a daring grandfather, it's a relief I didn't inherit that side of him.

I opened my eyes and instantly groaned in frustration, remembering the pending consequence at hand thanks to my lovely grandfather.

I glanced at the clock on the bedside table and it read 12:51 am, December 19th.

I rested my arm on my eyes, sighing. "Grandpa, what are you doing to me..." I mumbled and tried numerous times to fall asleep but I failed miserably, he really meant it when he said that I can only sleep in peace on Akashi-kun's bed.

I kicked the covers off of me and was really feeling reluctant in stepping out of the guest room to march into his main territory. God, this is easier said than done, grandpa.

I opened the door and peeked my head out only to find the hallway deserted and I breathed a sigh of relief as I step out and closed the door gently, readying my feet to take its first step to its destination which is Seijuro Akashi's bedroom.

Yay, life.

I walked into the empty hallways, passing by various doors, nothing was heard but the rapid beating of my heart and some never ending scenarios bombarded my mind. I was mortified, no use denying that.

Mortified yet excited.

I stopped in front of a certain door and took a deep breath before lifting my hand out to knock on his door but my palm ended up touching it instead, unable to create a sound.

"I can't do it..." I whispered to myself and lowered my head with a sigh.

The door suddenly opened, making me lose my balance. I fell forward and just closed my eyes and waited for my face to make contact with the expensive tiled floor but instead, my face made contact with a hard yet aromatic chest.

I opened my eyes and looked up to see Akashi-kun staring at me with a blank expression. I blushed immediately and backed away, I can almost feel my heart beating on my throat.

"What are you doing in front of my room at this late hour?" He asked me.

Oh shocks, what should I say? Should I say something like, 'Hey, I dreamed about my grandfather and he challenged me to a shogi match and I lost terribly then he told me to sleep beside you otherwise I won't get any sleep.'? Yeah, like I would say that.

"Um, A-Akashi-kun... I-I'm sorry if I disturbed you... um..." He leaned on his door frame with crossed arms as he smirked in delight watching me stutter. "I-I was wondering if... if..."

"If what?" He pressed.

"I... I can't sleep..."

"And?"

"AndIwaswonderingifyoucouldletmesleepbesideyou." I blurted out so fast I doubted that he understood me.

From my lashes, I saw Akashi-kun tilted his head to the side and chuckled. "Yurika, speak slowly, I didn't understand you."

I slowly lifted my gaze to see him still smirking and I gasped in realization.

He understood it, idiot.

That was so bold of me, gosh.

"He falls in love with you every single day, can't you see that?"

"You are more than what you think,"

"If you can't see that, let us see it for you."

I swallowed and curled my fists into tight balls and took a deep breath.

"Let Seijuro-kun see it for you."

I looked deeply into those sea of bloody eyes and let myself drown.

"I want to sleep beside you."

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THANK YOU FOR 10K READS! KYAAAAA! //LE CRIES AN OCEAN

AND THANK AS WELL FOR THE VOTES AND COMMENTS, IT MAKES ME SO URESHII! :'<

Red velvet cake with dark chocolate fillings and frosting? Can you imagine that? I expected the red velvet cake or strawberry shortcake (because he's a shorty, hihi) :3

Good luck to me for my upcoming exam (yet again) //fingers crossed.

Thank you again! :D

I love you guys!

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