"Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star." - e.e. cummings

XXIX.

My cheeks were already crimson red by the time those words left my lips. I quickly averted my gaze and shifted them down on the floor and let myself get devoured by humiliation.

He didn't answer. We just stood there, the deafening silence was our only companion. I didn't want to dare to look up and gauge his reaction but then curiosity got the best of me because the silence he was giving me is enough to drive me crazy.

He remained still on his position, his body leaned on the door frame of his bedroom; lips curled up into a sly smile with his arms folded across his chest. And right then, the words that left my mouth earlier finally registered in my brain.

"I want to sleep beside you."

I flinched slightly and waved my hands to contradict some form of assumption. "I-It's not what you think, Akashi-kun!" I stuttered, yet again. And that made his smirk stretch even more if it was still possible.

"Oh?" He tilted his head to the side, seemingly oblivious about something. "Can you state what's on my mind, then?" He drawled and it made my face heat up even more. I always put the cherries, tomatoes, apples - everything that is red to shame.

"N-No!" I let out an exasperated breath in frustration and buried my face on the palm of my hands. "What the heck am I doing?" I whispered to myself.

This is completely and utterly embarrassing, grandpa. You owe me, big time.

"Yurika," Akashi-kun called out in a firm voice.

"Yes?" I muttered, my face still buried on my palms.

"Look at me." He ordered.

I breathed in and slowly raised my head to look into his crimson eyes that was dancing with amusement.

"You will look at me, Yurika," his statements echoed through my head. "And only me."

After a few moments of that staring contest, I averted my gaze and shut my eyes. "N-Never mind, Akashi-kun." I mumbled and before I could take step back, he stopped me.

He smiled and moved his body to give some space. "Get in."

I gulped and took a deep breath. "Is it... is it really okay?" I asked in a soft voice.

He gave me a single nod and just left the door open for me. I clenched my fists into tight balls and forced my frozen feet to walk inside the room, not wanting to take too long.

My eyes wandered across the large dim room, the guest room that I rested on was nothing compared to this room. Even though the only source of light in this room was the lamp shade on his study area, I could still see the room clearly. There was no speck of dirt and grime around, everything was neat and organized. It was as if this was a room of an emperor - which is true.

Wait, he was still studying at a time like this?

"You can sleep on my bed." He said as he sat on the office chair and put on his eyeglasses, which made him... um, a thousand times more attractive...

Ha, that was still an understatement.

"You're still studying at a time like this?" I asked as I take a walk around his room.

You think it's like a walk in the park? No, it was like a walk inside a mini empire.

"Yes," He said simply as he continued writing something down.

I tilted my head to the side, a gush of worry washed over me. "It's not healthy for you to be deprived of sleep, Akashi-kun," I spoke in a meek voice and I just found myself standing in front of him.

He stopped writing and lifted his head up to look at me, the corner of his lips slightly curled up. "Are you worried about me?" He asked me then stood up and made his way to me, now smirking. "Or, you just want to sleep with me so badly?"

My eyes widened in shock and I looked away as a mad blush crept to my cheeks. "Y-You wish!" I stuttered and took a step back but he refused to increase the gap between us.

Funny, because I stated earlier that I wanted to sleep beside him.

"Here you go again," He said in an amused voice and chuckled. "Don't worry about me, Tsunrika, I'm close to finishing my works, so just wait on the bed."

I frowned. "I-I'm not worried, Bakashi!" I exclaimed then marched to his king sized bed and snuggled inside the thick blankets. "Good night!" I pouted then shut my eyes, trying to let sleep devour me but I know it'll take a few moments for me to sleep in peace.

"Good night, Yurika." I heard him mutter.

I hope I dream of you tonight, grandpa, so I can smack you on the head.

I stood in front of a couple inside a room. A girl with strawberry hair and a boy with crimson hair and heterochromatic eyes also stood in front of a table with a picture frame of a beautiful woman smiling back at them.

The girl shifted her worried gaze towards her lover and he only gave her a supportive smile and nod in return, which made her blush and take a deep breath.

"U-Um," She stuttered and it earned a chuckle from the boy. I tilted my head to the side in confusion. Why was she nervous? And who was she talking to? "N-Nice to meet you, I'm Yu-Yurika Sendo!" She bowed her head in front of the picture frame and gulped. "I'm y-your so--"

"Yurika, relax," The boy chuckled and put a hand on her shoulder. "She won't understand you if you continue to stutter."

The girl pouted and sighed. "I'm so nervous, Sei," She admitted then shifted her gaze back at the photograph. "I'm afraid that she won't like me." She whispered to her lover, afraid that the woman in the picture might hear her.

"She'll love you." He ruffled on her hair to which she only whined in response. "Mother," He started and smiled. "This is Yurika Sendo," He introduced the girl beside him in a smooth, firm voice. "And she's your future daughter-in-law."

Their figures disappeared right after those words escaped the boy's mouth. And I waited and waited for another scene of the past life of those couple, which was Yurika and Seijuro. The past me.

I gazed at the beautiful woman in the picture and tried to smile. "Nice to meet you..." I repeated.

"You know what, Mrs. Akashi?" I snapped my head back at the same girl who was now grinning widely. "You're very blessed to have such handsome boy as your son!" She giggled and that made the boy beside her raise an eyebrow in question.

"That's it? She's only blessed because I'm handsome?" Seijuro questioned and it made Yurika roll her eyes playfully.

"Fine, I'm gonna rephrase that," She stated. "You know what, Mrs. Akashi? You're very blessed to have such caring, smart, lovable--"

"Absolute." He added.

"And egotistic boy as your son!" She finished with a laugh. "And not to mention, a really chubby cheeks." She added and her hands went up to pinch his cheeks.

"My cheeks aren't fat." Seijuro stated blankly and it earned a soft smile from her, she pinched his cheeks with more force and then cupped it lovingly.

"But you know what, Mrs. Akashi?" Her voice became mellow. "You're not the only one blessed, of course I am, as well." Her smile stretched. "Because he's now mine."

Seijuro smiled as if he was moved by her words. Then suddenly, he leaned down to kiss her but then her right hand moved to cover his mouth.

"Seijuro!" She scolded with a very sharp look.

Seijuro raised an eyebrow. "What?" He spoke through her hand.

"Your mom is right in front of us!" She stated as a matter-of-factly and removed her hands from his cheeks to put it on her hips.

Seijuro smirked. "She'll understand."

I slowly opened my eyes then stared at the white ceiling and let out a sigh. "A dream..." I whispered to myself.

A real dream.

I sat up and stretched then rubbed my sleepy eyes, glancing at the clock on the bedside table. But what caught my attention was a note, yet again.

"I haven't been able to sleep at all because of you." Was written in a neat handwriting. I raised an eyebrow in question. So, it's my fault that he wasn't able to get any sleep? I flipped the paper and there was also some words written. "You snore like a lion. :)"

"I do not snore!" I exclaimed and a mad blush crept to my cheeks. I crumpled the paper and left his room immediately, but I still spared a glance towards the same picture frame I saw in my dream.

After fixing myself, I marched towards the kitchen to get something to eat but then I caught Kisa and a middle-aged man doing something.

"Yurika-sama~" She sang as she mixed a dark red batter. "Good afternoon~"

What, it's afternoon already?

"What time is it?" I asked in a bewildered voice.

"1:47, young miss." The middle-aged man answered as he took a glance at his wristwatch. I gave him a small smile as a form of acknowledgement and mumbled a thank you.

"Shi-chan, omit the cream cheese frosting, we're doing a dark chocolate frosting!" Kisa said in a frustrated tone that made the scolded man frown.

"For the millionth time, Kisana, it's Tadashi. Don't call me such childish names."

Kisa smiled slyly. "Why? Do you have a problem with that, old man Shi-chan?"

I chuckled. "Okay, stop fighting, guys." I interrupted before it could lead to a cat fight.

"Oh, I'm sorry, young miss!" Kisa apologized with a silly smile. "What can we do for you?"

"Well, I'm a little hungry..." I said with an embarrassed tone.

Kisa let out a childish giggle. "Aw, you look so cute when you're shy, Yurika-sama," She commented then put the bowl of batter on the counter. "Let me cook something for you, what would you like?"

"Anything would be fine." I shrugged with a smile.

She nodded and then walked pass me to open the refrigerator to get some ingredients. I looked at the red batter and smiled. "Are you making a dark red velvet cake?" I asked with delight.

"Uh-huh," Kisa agreed as she closed the fridge when she got the vegetables she needed. "And Shi-chan volunteered to help me~"

I smiled at Tadashi. "Thank you for lending a hand."

Tadashi smiled back and nodded. "It's a pleasure to serve you once again, young miss."

After eating, I also helped in baking the first batch of the dark red velvet cake and it tasted heavenly. Kisa taught me the basics of baking and I got it instantly. They let me bake the dark red velvet cake alone and it surprised and impressed them at the same time.

What's on my mind the whole time?

Akashi-kun.

Tadashi excused himself because he was going to fetch someone. After the whole baking thing, I helped Kisa in cleaning the kitchen and decided to rest in the guest room. But I passed by a portrait of Akashi-kun's mother.

I stopped walking and stared at the beautiful woman smiling sweetly at me. I tried to smile back. "Hello, Mrs. Akashi," I greeted in a meek voice. "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to talk to you for a long time... I just got in an accident but I'm fine now."

I don't know what's urging me to do this.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. "Your son is like Hades, you know?" I chuckled at the comparison. "He kidnapped me and brought me to his kingdom..."

But the only difference was... we had a past. And I'm starting to remember and cherish them, slowly.

I just realized that I'm ranting on his mother. I pursed my lips into a firm line as I stared intently at the portrait. "I hope he's happy though, because his plan is working..." I whispered and bowed my head down as I bit my lower lip gently.

"This is a secret we share, Mrs. Akashi." I giggled after my confession and bowed my head to her. "I'll be taking my leave now."

And with that said, I continued to walk away to the guest room.

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What's her confession? //smiles

Hi guys, how are you?

I'm fine, thank you for asking (even though you didn't asked, lol)

The only thing I'm worried about my exam was Physics. Gosh, I don't like that subject.

I'm thinking about extending this story but if you like to end it already, just comment below. lol hahaha

Thank you for reading! :D and I apologize for any typographical or grammar errors.

I love you guys so much :'>

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