"I am really sorry, Akashi. It became a big scale" (F/N) told Akashi as they were in their usual room.

It was lunch already, and all eyes were on them during morning classes.

They luckily escaped from the eyes of all students, and hid on their secret room. Because of what happened last Saturday night at the train station, people find out their 'relationship.' Pictures were taken, and the students there heard them Akashi addressing himself as her 'boyfriend.'

But since it was just words from those students, others didn't believe. They just thought that Akashi was being kind to (F/N), as what the picture shows. Since there was no proof, it became just a rumour.

"It's fine. As I told you, I am fine with it. And to think that there were students who took pictures of us that night, even heard us was still unexpected" Akashi chuckled checking his phone "what a good shot, but the lightning on the side is bad"

"To think that it will be out so soon. I am really sorry!"

"Well, it was unexpected that they would find out our set-up so easily. But well, I told you, I really don't mind at all. Ah, setting this aside since I really don't mind, were you okay this morning? They didn't say anything?"

"You- Setting this aside? This is an important matter for you, you know. Well, for this morning, I used the backdoor to go in and out. I made sure that they wouldn't notice that I returned" she responded "for lunch, I will make one for you tomorrow, since tomorrow I will be by myself in the house."

"Why?"

"Well, seems like Aida-san will go where dad is, who is now in Fukushima, and they will return this Friday. Since Kinako hates to be with me, she will be staying in her friend's house. Actually it's better than me leaving the house"

"So you will be by yourself this week? Will you be okay?"

"Yeah. There was one time when I was by myself for the whole month because Aida-san told dad that I didn't want to go to Okinawa. But well, it was actually peaceful"

"Why don't you tell your father?"

"I did. But he said that I am just seeking the love of my real mom. Then Aida-san found out about it, she teamed up with her daughter, and told my dad that I was bitching around if he wasn't home. Since then I didn't attempt to say anything cause dad got mad at me"

"Somehow I apologize. You are having that kind of situation with your family, and then that happened to your bestfriend, you sure are a brave person, (F/N)"

"Am I? I just hope that I will not breakdown. I am a human after all."

Akashi smiled and mumbled "I'll make sure that I'll be by your side when that happens"

Akashi thought that (F/N) didn't hear what he said, but she responded with a big genuine smile

"Yeah, please. Because now, the closest person to me is neither my childhood friends, nor my dad, but you Akashi. Actually, I am thinking, what if Akashi also leaves me. I mean, I'll be honest, when you told me you like someone, I was a bit sad thinking that you would leave me here, or you would bring the girl you like here. Then we started this crazy scenario, and somehow I felt relief that even for a little more, you would stay next to me. Sorry for being a selfish person"

"Then I'll be honest." Akashi looked at her, and he also smiled back "what we are doing, I am enjoying it. It's very interesting, and I don't think that you are being selfish. I like being with you, (F/N). So don't worry about it, I will stay with you. Don't worry, this place will be for us only. Even though your friend already knows about it, this room is only for the two of us."

"Thank you, Akashi." She grinned as her cheeks turned into red, and she couldn't help but be embarrassed hearing those words from him

"By the way, did you change your perfume? I smell a different kind of Vanilla scent"

"Ah yeah! Last Saturday, Yuya actually gave me some from Tokyo. Before, I asked him to buy me the same brand from what my cousin gave me, but he bought a different brand. I like the smell, but I still like what my cousin gave me. This one was a bit strong."

"Do you know the brand?" (F/N) showed the picture to Akashi, and he tilted his head "you really like vanilla scent, huh?"

"Yeah! Not just the smell, but I love vanilla. Milkshake, chocolates." She giggled "my cousin is to blame."

"Hmmm"

"But you know that already"

"Yeah. Ah, now it reminds me. How about your two friends? What was their reaction?"

"Two friends...? Ah! Ririka and Shouta? Now that you reminded me too, I actually don't know. I didn't even care" she laughed, making Akashi smirked

"It proves that you less care about them now"

"After what happened with them, well, I guess I am really done being a good friend" she laughed and sighed, making Akashi curious "lunch is almost over. I need to survive again from the eyes of your predators Akashi"

"Should we go back together?"

"If we do that, they'll get more and more annoyed of me"

"I am with you. So it will be okay. Let's face them together"

"And to think that we are only pretending. I feel bad for the girl you like. It will be like this when you go out with her"

Akashi couldn't help but smirk. He was enjoying it, the fact that he is pretending going out with the person he likes. He wanted to say it, but decided not to. Until she falls for her fully, until she looks at him directly, until she breakdowns in front of him saying that she doesn't want to pretend anymore because she falls for him deeply, until then Akashi decided to stay quiet.

~

The two decided to go back together to their class, and as they expected, all eyes were on them. People from different classes, some girls were whining because of defeat, some girls were glaring at her because of jealousy, but good thing that there were some who see the two of them as a good couple.

As they entered their class, silence filled in, and (F/N)'s eyes immediately caught the glare from Ririka. Shouta was also in their class, trying to know if the rumour he heard from his class was true.

"Welcome back, you two" Sae broke the heavy, silence ambiance "have you eaten your lunch?"

"Yeah, we did" (F/N) chuckled as she headed to her sit "How about Sae-chan?"

"I ate lunch with senpai. He was also asking me if the rumour is true. Hayama-senpai also asked me but I said it's better if they hear it from Akashi-sama or from you."

"Don't worry, I'll tell them during club activity. Mibuchi-senpai was also asking me" Akashi answered instead

"Now that it reminds me, Akashi, I think I forgot my charger in your place"

"Is that so? I'll ask one of my maid to search for it then gave it later tonight, or rather, do you want to stay in my place again?"

"Thanks for the invitation. I at least want someone to stay in our house. You can give me my charger tomorrow"

"Oh wow, (F/N). So you told Akashi-sama your pitiful family situation to gain his sympathy?" Ririka asked in disbelief, gaining murmuring from their classmates what she meant by that "you have been showing your pitiful sides since middle school. You-"

"Sorry to interrupt your babbling, but she never told me about her family's situation. I know everything after all" Akashi interrupted her "but things are getting out of the hands, and as her boyfriend, I need to do something about it"

Once Akashi stated that, the murmuring became louder, and the rumour that they are going out was finally proven. Sae giggled as she could see how red (F/N)'s face. For (F/N), it shouldn't happen, but she couldn't help but be embarrassed and her heart was beating so fast hearing Akashi saying it.

"So that act of yours last time, it was to protect your girlfriend. Then I'll do the same, don't interrupt my girlfriend-"

"I have no intention of hearing your next words." Akashi sighed again interrupting Shouta "I feel pity towards you. And so your love towards Finn-san is not that strong."

"Bastard! What do you mean by that?!"

"Akashi, leave it. Let him learn it by himself." (F/N) shook her head

"Sooner or later he'll find out the truth. Isn't it better now, for the two of them to suffer?" Akashi asked but (F/N) laughed and again shook her head

"It's fun to see. But still pointless, since Akiko never likes Shouta. So it's fine if he goes out with Ririka"

"(F/N)! You bitch, you know how I love Akiko, and you dare say that!" Shouta shouted, making (F/N) sigh and shook her head

"Shouta, your girlfriend is there sitting next to you" Sae reminded him "I don't know what's the deal, but Shouta, you have a girlfriend now. Focus on her."

(F/N) looked at Ririka and smirked, a look that was telling her that she would never win against Akiko.

"Bitch!" Ririka glared at her

"Ah, (F/N), by the way, do you want to go somewhere after school?" Sae asked (F/N) changing the heavy ambiance "I am not going home with senpai today"

"I am going to the supermarket. Do you want to come with me?"

"Let's go! Let's go- Ah! Are you by yourself again?"

"Yeah, dad will come home this coming Friday"

"Then, sleepover!"

"Eh?!"

Sae looked at Akashi and grinned "I'll be with her in your place, Akashi-sama. That's okay right?"

"It's fine. I don't mind" Akashi responded, but Sae again couldn't help but giggle to what he said after "make sure to use of it. Sooner or later, she will be with me more. Besides, at least don't interrupt us during lunch"

Sae saluted as she complied to him "I will not. Lunch is your very precious time, so rest assure." She grinned at (F/N) as well who was blushing still from what she was hearing, but at that she had a realization

"This is just us pretending to be a couple. What more if we really are going out? No wait, he has a girl he likes. Somehow... I am jealous of her if they started going out..."

~

"Huh?! You only studied with him?!" Sae asked in disbelief as they were going around th supermarket "you didn't go out?"

"We were hiding, right? That time? So we just study in their library. I supposed to meet with Yuya, but his relatives brought him somewhere" (F/N) explained

"Oh yeah. But it is nice that you are open now-"

"It's the same as usual. The only change is when we talk to each others, eyes will be on us." (F/N) chuckled "we don't like that, right?"

"Oh yeah, Akashi-sama doesn't like that. But your lunch will be with him, just the two of you"

"Yeah, yeah"

"I'll just ask you more later"

"About?"

"Of course, if you have kissed-"

"We haven't" she immediately responded then walked ahead

"Eh?! Why?!"

"Because we are just pretending. Well, as if I can say that"

"(F/N)?"

"Nothing. We aren't going out that long, it will happen in the right timing." She chuckled and told Sae that she would leave her

~at the same time~

"So Sei-chan, and (F/N)-chan are going out! It was really the hot topic today! Congratulations!" Mibuchi excitedly approached Akashi

"To think that our captain would be having a relationship before us" Nebuya followed "Well, Congratulations"

"Congratulations. Ah, was she the one you mentioned?" Hayama curiously and excitedly asked "the troublesome scent?" Akashi looked at him with questionable look "well, somehow it was like that"

"But she's his girlfriend already-" Mibuchi crossed his arms and confusedly looked at Akashi "right?"

"Well, it's true. It's her. But? I haven't, not yet, I haven't fully grasped her. That troublesome scent, I need to get rid of it"

Mibuchi gasped as he looked at Akashi in disbelief "don't tell me... Sei-chan, you aren't just talking about her scent?"

Akashi smirked and just told the three to continue with their practice.

~TBC~