Chapter 4: Turmoil
Kuroko sighed. He couldn't understand the man; he was compelled to share a space with a man named Akashi Seijuurou. Kuroko realised he knew nothing about the said man. He dropped his bag in the study room and had walked into the kitchen with the bags of ingredients he had bought in his hands. The chefs paled and panicked. Akashi watched Kuroko assure the kitchen crew and work together to make the dishes Kuroko had planned for tonight's dinner. With the chef's suggestions, dinner was a combination of Akashi's tofu dishes and Kuroko's usual Japanese dishes. Vanilla might have been his favourite, but Japanese meals were still his favourite.
Akashi stared at the food that was served on the small dining table made just for the two of them upon the CEO's orders. It adorned the colours of the Akashi family, crimson red, which represents triumph and victory. It was their first dinner together. There was an awkward silence, a pregnant pause between them. None of them had dared to speak, retaining their silence and their eyes glued on the food. The kitchen staff had peered through the glass door of their kitchen, and with their eyes damp with tears, they prayed for the couple's success.
"D...do you not like it?" Kuroko had spoken first, his timid voice breaking the heavy silence. He shyly turned away; his clear, pastel blue irises were fixed on the white tiles of the floor. The kitchen crew praised Kuroko's nerves of steel. His blatant, straightforward, deadpan personality was one of the reasons he was chosen as Akashi Seijuurou's mate. No one had spoken against the great young master before. And before their very eyes, just like his late mother's last words, someone who is capable of seeing who you are will appear before you.
Kuroko Tetsuya was the man who had fulfilled his requirements.
To be honest, Akashi was taken a step backwards. It had been a long time since someone had done something for his sake. He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the tofu dish on the table. A smile crept onto the smug expression. The taste of the dish brought tears to his eyes. It was filled with memories of his childhood, when his mother was still alive. Akashi was touched. "It's...delicious. Thank you, Tetsuya." He wiped away the small dew of tears that had unconsciously formed at the cornea of his eyes.
His words brought joy to Kuroko. "Really? But, why are you crying?" Kuroko questioned.
"It was a favourite dish the late madame loved cooking for our young master when she was still alive," the chef had said, serving two cups of green tea on the table. Kuroko stared at the chef and back at Akashi. Kuroko finally learnt something about Akashi. His mother had long passed away. And they had loved tofu.
Kuroko smiled. He harboured feelings of trepidation and disquietude since he started living with his professor. It was the first time Kuroko had felt at ease and reposed after being sent away far from home as a sacrifice to the Akashi family. He was alone; for the first time since leaving home, he had felt fear. He may not have displayed his feelings well; but Akashi had felt Kuroko's warmth. For the first time, who was often seen as a cursed child who was often epithetized as dispassionate, frigid, and apathetic cold towards others, Akashi felt the warmth of benevolence and ardour. Kuroko followed suit and picked up his chopsticks. Akashi and Kuroko began eating their dinner. It was a first step necessary for the pair to progress and strengthen as a pair who would spend 'forever' together to the end of their days. It was just the beginning.
Kuroko sighed. The exhaustion and weariness had seeped into his bones. He grabbed fresh clothes from his closet, peeled off his sweat-stained clothes that had stuck to him like a second skin, and stepped into the hot shower. It had been a long day. Kuroko heaved a sigh as the warm water relaxed his body. It had felt as if the water had washed away all the tiredness he had accumulated during the day. Kuroko changed into his sleepwear he had left outside the bathroom after he was done with the shower. With a towel over his wet hair, Kuroko was greeted with a pile of books and papers on his table.
Kuroko turned to face Akashi. "Honourable Akashi-sama, may I know what the meaning of this is?" Akashi was settled on the couch, a pile of books next to him. He was wearing his glasses as he typed away on his laptop, producing the tapping sounds of the keyboard. He was already done with the shower and had made coffee and laid Kuroko's homework out on the table.
"I'm not going to forgive you if you slack off on your homework, Tetsuya." Akashi had looked up from his laptop, taking a sip of his coffee. Kuroko sighed. This was a nightmare he had feared had transformed into reality.
"I just went to have a shower, Akashi-sama. There is no need for you to lay out all my homework here."
"So, you did. Now come here. You shouldn't have your hair wet like that. You'll catch a cold." Akashi had made Kuroko sit, taken hold of his towel, and began drying Kuroko's hair. Kuroko blinked. The great Akashi-sama is drying his hair. This is unbelievable. Kuroko had a blank expression on his face. Why is this man so kind to me? Kuroko had often wondered. He wasn't the man Kuroko had imagined him to be after their fateful encounter that night. He couldn't view him as his professor after it was revealed they were both students and teachers of the same school. Kuroko couldn't look at Akashi in the eye at school. People around the school wondered about their strange behaviour and it caused Kuroko problems. He eyed the pile of homework Akashi had given his students as a teacher at the university. Kuroko just had the poorest luck. He sighed as he started on his homework, with the observant eyes of his fiancé next to him. Akashi smiled in contentment and resumed his work on his laptop.
Kuroko fell asleep on the couch, curled into a ball beside Akashi after exhausting himself to finish his schoolwork. Akashi smiled at his sleeping fiancée. Glancing at the clock, he wasn't aware how late it had become. Closing his laptop, he scooped Kuroko into his arms and walked into their bedroom. Akashi laid Kuroko on the king-sized bed beside him and pulled the quilt covers over them. Akashi insisted that they would sleep together; it wasn't up for negotiations. He would slowly bind Kuroko to him; everything was according to his perfect plans. Kuroko would slowly fall in love with him; when he finally realised the dangers after everything had fallen into place, he would have been trapped in a cage of love. Kuroko was like a sacrifice offered to the devil on a silver platter. Akashi smirked as he caressed the fallen strands of Kuroko's pastel blue hair, planting a small kiss on his forehead.
"Sweet dreams, Tetsuya."
Aomine and Kise were having their breakfast in a cafe. The chef was famous for his pastries and cakes. It was their day off from school, but Kise and Aomine were idols of their nation. They are both equally busy as a national basketball player and a fashion supermodel. Their faces showed a mix of trepidation and disquietude. They weren't worried about their work. They were worried about their friend, who had been taken away by the devil.
Kise sighed, taking a sip of his Japanese green tea. "What happened to Kurokocchi? He used to send us messages every day! Daicchi, look!" Kise showed his boyfriend his chat log with Kuroko. Sure enough, Kise's persistent messages outnumbered Kuroko's. And that morning alone, Kise had sent an additional ten new messages when he was awoken from sleep.
Aomine sighed in exasperation. It was times like this that his boyfriend could drown himself in unnecessary emotions. He had ruffled Kise's neatly styled golden hair, a half-bitten salad sandwich hanging from his mouth. "Don't worry, Kise. Tetsu will be fine. I'm sure he'll be fine, even without us. He's not that fragile kid we found at the park anymore. We're already adults." He leaned in and pulled Kise into a kiss. "Aren't we?"
Kise stopped sobbing and sniffling. Instead, warmth began to spread from his cheeks, painting the erubescence that had come along with evident colours of embarrassment. "D..d... daicchi!" Kise had protested in reticence; he wasn't ready to put on a public display. But knowing his boyfriend, he didn't mind much. After they were done with their breakfast, the pair parted ways. Aomine had basketball practice as a regular member of the national team, and Kise had a photoshoot scheduled in an hour. Both of them had promised each other their futures as halves of a pair. It was the love they had for each other that had found its way to each other.
Kuroko found himself wrapped in Akashi's embrace; the alarm Akashi set was ticking away loudly. He tugged himself free from the devil's grasps and slammed the alarm silent. Kuroko pulled the velvet curtains open, allowing the morning sunlight access into their dimly lit bedroom. Kuroko put a hand over his mouth as he yawned. It was morning. He went to his closet and pulled out a pair of fresh clothes. He stepped into a hot shower and got dressed after he was done with the shower. Kuroko may be small and delicate, but he still has the body of a man, possessing the body of a lithe figure. It was thanks to his best friends, Aomine and Kise, dragging him into the basketball club and playing basketball with them on a daily basis. Kuroko proceeded to the kitchen after he was finished dressing. He took out some milk from the refrigerator and some bread left on the counter. He turned around to reach for the toaster; he gave a small yelp. There was someone besides him, and his fiance was loitering in their residence.
Kuroko was staring at the face of the man named Midorima Shintarou. He was a renowned doctor and the only son of the Midrorima family.
"Who are you?" Kuroko picked up the bag of bread he had dropped. His observant eyes scanned the man before him. Midorima Shintarou. He was a famous surgeon and the childhood friend of Akashi Seijuurou. It was no secret that his fiancée was the first son of the Takao family, a branch family that had withheld their traditions and their long-forgotten history of the purpose of serving the Midorima family. The Midorima family and the Takao family had connections that ran deeper, richer, and thicker than blood. The Takao family would never forget the kindness of the Midorima family; they had entered into a pact, swearing the Midorima family their loyalty and never betraying them. The Takao family recognised the Midorima family as their master, the origins of the long traditions of serving the Midorima family. The Akashi family and the Midorima family were on good terms and were childhood friends since their families were so close to each other.
Midorima, who had trespassed into Akashi's residence, adjusted his glasses with a soft click. "You're Kuroko Tetsuya, aren't you?" He had questioned. He had eyed Kuroko. "I am Akashi's childhood friend. My name is Midorima Shintarou. Just like the rumours said. A delicate figure with no presence. I should compliment your looks for one. Akashi has a discerning eye for such things. It's a mystery he found you amidst all that distasteful music of noise and the crowd of people. Maybe you're the one who will become the storm that will change Akashi."
Akashi yawned, walking into the kitchen after realising Kuroko had wedged himself free from his clutches. A dishevelled figure of Akashi appeared in the doorway and settled himself at the table, grabbing the glass of milk Kuroko laid out. The toaster dinged, alerting Kuroko their toast was ready. Kuroko put the plate of toast in front of Akashi. Akashi walked into the kitchen with his awful bedhair and sleepwear. Midorima was struck frozen in a stupor and stared wide-eyed at his childhood friend. It was the first time he had seen Akashi walking around in such a terrible appearance. It's as if he couldn't be bothered by how he looked that morning and had walked into the kitchen after washing his face and brushed his teeth.
Midorima sighed. "What is the great Akashi Seijuurou doing walking around in such a pathetic appearance?"
Akashi opened a bleary eye and stared at the familiar figure of his childhood friend. "Well, isn't it Shintarou? What are you doing here?"
Midorima sighed. "Get going. Don't you know what day is today? Don't get ahead of yourself." He pulled out a wooden chair and sat opposite Akashi, joining the pair at the table, folding his lean, well-trained muscular arms.
Akashi flashed his signature smirk. He asked his childhood friend, a teasing tone was evident in his voice. "Oh? Are you jealous, Shintarou?"
"Who is?!" Midorima raised his voice in protest. "Hmph." Midorima scoffed, refusing to look at Akashi in the eye; his gaze was glued to the scenery of competing tall skyscrapers outside the window. Kuroko stared nervously at the tsundere-looking character in front of his eyes as he nibbled small bites into his toast and small sips from his glass of milk. Kuroko ignored the renowned surgeon and his fiancé and placed the dirty plates in the sink. He grabbed his bag and textbooks from the living room.
"I'll be going first, Akashi-sama." Kuroko grabbed his set of keys, put on his shoes, and left the apartment.
Akashi grinned as he watched Kuroko leave and finally clicked the door shut behind him. Midorima sighed. His childhood friend had gone nuts. Midorima didn't have any idea what he should do when the great Akashi Seijuurou broke. It was a rare sight. It wasn't every day you get to see the heir of the Akashi Conglomerate grinning and laughing to himself. "Finish your breakfast and take your shower! I'm not here to wait all day long, Akashi." Midorima kicked Akashi's shins under the table.
"You say that, but you're still here, waiting for me." Akashi had replied, massaging his poor legs. Midorima had clicked his tongue. It was an hour later, Akashi had finished his breakfast, showered, and smartly dressed. He was also a businessman, the heir to the Akashi Conglomerate. Akashi's skills were certainly excellent, exceptional enough to be recognised worldwide by famous politicians and figureheads as the youngest successful businessman who will lead the Akashi empire.
"So, what is it that is so urgent you stormed into my house and startled my fiancée from making breakfast?" He was disappointed this morning's breakfast was just toast and milk. Midorima had Akashi's driver waiting at the entrance of Akashi's apartment.
"Good morning, Young Master Seijuuurou." The driver greeted as he opened the doors for both Akashi and Midorima. Midorima had passed Akashi a folder after they got into the car. The driver had been instructed to drive them to a certain location. Akashi ripped the envelope open, pulling out the papers sealed within. Flipping through the papers, Akashi turned back at his childhood friend and was astounded at the information he had been given.
"Shintarou. Is this true?" Akashi had questioned.
"Don't ask silly questions. You know that is not possible. Everything you see is the truth." Midorima was sangfroid as he calmly replied to Akashi. "The board is not going to let this go; now they know the truth. Was it part of your schemes from the beginning?" Akashi sighed as he tossed the papers onto the empty seat beside him. The first page had a picture of his fiancée, Kuroko Tetsuya. It was a report containing the darkest secrets of the Kuroko family that revealed the origins of the Kuroko family. His fiancée's ancestry, which his parents had kept a secret. Akashi bet Tetsuya wasn't even aware of himself or what he was as a member of the Kuroko family. Was it really? Was everything part of his schemes? I planned everything? I think not. It must be fate that had pulled them together. The fate of two lonely souls.
Akashi frowned. The House of Hundred Demons. It was an orphanage in which orphans or young children with special abilities were taken in. Children who wield the power of espers. It was rare, almost impossible, but espers still exist even in the modern era when technology has taken control of the world. Kuroko's great-grandfather was one of them, a member of the notorious orphanage. Akashi wondered if Kuroko had inherited his great-grandfather's ESP powers.
The sleek black limousine Akashi and Midorima were in had stopped when they reached their destination. Akashi and Midorima stepped out and found themselves in front of the grand building of the Akashi Conglomerate Corporation's headquarters. "Why am I here?" Akashi asked his friend. Midorima sighed and smacked Akashi with the folder in his hands.
"If you have forgotten, I'll kill you!" Midorima scowled.
Akashi sighed. Yes, today is an important day. It's the day of the annual meeting among the board of directors. The Akashi family had formed an alliance with the five families and become sworn brothers, which made their children grow up close to each other. It also explains the bonds Akashi and Midorima shared. The five families were the Akashi, Midorima, Kise, Aomine, and Murasakibara. Akashi and Midorima entered the building, stepping into the elevator, and pressed the button for the top floor. The top floor is where the meeting would be held, in the VIP conference room. The arrival of Akashi and Midorima was greeted with the presence of their fathers and members of the board. Several members of the board were shareholders of Rakuzan University.
"Good that you've come, Seijuurou, Shintarou." Akashi Masaomi nodded. They were dead last to arrive, thanks to Akashi. Midorima had a disapproving look on his face. As they took their seats, the meeting began.
The representative from the Kise and Aomine families chuckled. "It appears the young master has matured into a fine man." The one who had spoken had golden hair, just like Akashi had remembered. He was the mirror image of one of his students, who also happened to be Tetsuya's friend, Kise Ryouta. That man was the representative from the Kise family. Akashi was plunged into a state of perturbation. He had wavered for an instant moment. It was unbelievable how one could be so similar to another.
"Are you related to Kise Ryouta?" Akashi had asked. He just couldn't resist the urge.
"What, have you lost your mind? He's my younger brother. Although he had been avoiding me and refusing to take over the family. He ran off to be with bastard Aomine's kid and became a model." Kise's representative had laughed it off. "I am Kise Ryouhei. The first son of the Kise family." As things were settled, Masaomi began the agenda of the meeting. The meeting lasted two hours. Akashi was exhausted when the meeting was over. One of them was the discussion upon leaving the company into the hands of his only son, Akashi Seijuurou. Akashi Masaomi was retiring. No one had objected. Akashi Seijuurou's exceptional skills were recognised worldwide, and his new fiancée was someone who would become his queen to his empire. The elders of Kise and Aomine frowned. They were aware of how and what Kuroko Tetsuya was capable of. They were some of the firsts that experienced and witnessed the terrible and severe maltreatment of his parents against their son, despite having inherited their own flesh and blood. And just once, the child unleashed something impossible for man. Till today, they were still clueless about what had happened. They felt the Kuroko family harboured secrets—something that shouldn't exist in the material world of humans.
Akashi expected the board to oppose or demur his marriage with the Kuroko family. The members of the board gave Akashi a lacklustre impact of reactions instead. The Kuroko family had never entered into a contract with the five families. It was an independent family. Until the day when the Akashi family trapped them in their perfect schemes. Many of the members had never heard of such a family having existed until Masaomi raised the name during the discussion and declared the Kuroko family would be joining hands with the Akashi family. They were anxious and concerned at the foreign name twirling at the end of their tongues. The lack of information had brought uneasiness and unsettling emotions to make the final decision. It was then that Masaomi had declared the approval of the Kuroko family joining the board. After all, the Kuroko family had entered into a marriage contract with the Akashi family.
Masaomi smirked. They had no idea. The Kuroko family inherited the ethereal appearance of their ancestors; their skills were top-notch. When that day came, Masaomi was sure the Kuroko family would be welcomed and accepted as fellow members of the board. They would be thankful the Kuroko family was on their side. After all, they were a ferocious family feared by the West. Masaomi was sure that even in the modern era, they will strive when the strength of the Kuroko family will be needed once again. His son had done a great job in wheeling Tetsuya, their youngest son, into the Akashi family. Kuroko Tetsuya would become the wife of Akashi Seijuurou. The Kuroko family could never take him back, despite how hard they mourned for their loss. It was a mistake, a rash decision on their part. The Kuroko family may harbour feelings of regret and lamentations, but the devils of the Akashi family would never return something they have obtained.
You're mine, Tetsuya.
"Shintarou." Midorima's father called upon his son after the board meeting. Once again, a client had requested his son's exceptional skills as a surgeon. Midorima took the client's file from his father. "You'll do it, won't you?"
Midorima adjusted his slanted glasses and sighed. "The client is important to our family, isn't it? What choice do I have?" His father nodded; Midorima's answer brought his father satisfaction on his part. Akashi and Midorima parted ways as they arrived at the lowest floor of the building. They both have important business needs to attend to after all. Akashi instructed his driver to drive him to the university. Midorima headed to the Midorima Hospital to see the patient, who greatly required his skills.
Kuroko sighed as he walked into class, barely five minutes before the bell rang. He was glad today's classes weren't Akashi's classes. He took out his textbooks from his bag and began reading them. With no Kise or Aomine to pester him; Kuroko had a peaceful time. He had ghosted the corner of the classroom near the window. He was so engrossed in his reading that his classmates didn't realise the seat had been occupied and tried sitting on him.
"I'm sorry!" The guy had apologised profusely, taking the seat next to Kuroko. The guy took a proper glance at Kuroko. His ethereal appearance and decided that his weak presence could be one of the reasons why he was so often imperceptible by his classmates.
The professor walked into the classroom 5 minutes after the chime. Kuroko was approached by a classmate who had bumped into him that morning after the lecture.
"I haven't given you my name, haven't I?" Kuroko's classmate had said. "My name is Furihata Kouki. What's your name? You were that student that caught Professor Akashi's eye, aren't you? You may have a weak presence, but there's no one who'll forget such a beautiful person like you."
Kuroko wore an apathetic expression, although he seemed fairly surprised as it had been a long time since someone had approached him besides Kise and Aomine. His perversive nature was becoming more prominent; the rumours were evolving, spreading far and wide. "My name is Kuroko Tetsuya." Kuroko replied. It was because Kuroko were constantly surrounded by famous stars like Kise and Aomine or kidnapped by the demon professor that no one dared to go near Kuroko. If you lose focus, Kuroko would have vanished from sight. It was hard for his classmates to get hold of Kuroko. It's like he was a spirit.
Furihata eyes sparkled. "Kuroko-kun! Let's be friends! Do you have any classes later? Let's eat together!" Kuroko had just nodded, following his new friend to the cafeteria. He wore a puzzled look all the way from the classroom to the cafeteria. Not many people have approached Kuroko because of their genuine intentions and goodwill. Kuroko had slurped on his vanilla milkshake as he scrutinised his new friend. Furihata Kouki. A name Kuroko had never heard of. He might be a transfer student.
"Are you a transfer student?" Kuroko had asked Furihata.
Furihata gave Kuroko a nervous laugh. "Do I seem that obvious? Actually, I am from Tokyo. I just arrived in Kyoto yesterday." Kuroko nodded. It explains the strange situation he was in. School had reopened a few days ago, and Furihata appeared to be clueless just about everything. Today was his first day. Kuroko took out his book from his bag and started reading.
The pair finished their lunch and took out their class materials. They began preparing for their next class. The loud noises of girls screaming and yelling had brought their attention to the cafeteria entrance.
"What is that?" Furihata had wondered, staring at the crowd of people gathering at the entrance. Kuroko shrugged. He had a bad feeling. Don't tell me.... He buried his face in his book and prayed it wasn't what he thought it was. The tone of that unforgettable low and sexy voice sent chills down Kuroko's spine.
"Let me through," the voice spoke. As if a spell were cast, they were plunged into a trance; the crowd of girls parted, carving a pathway for Akashi to pass through. Akashi noticed the tuft of pastel blue hair among the thousands of students in the busy cafeteria. He found who he was looking for and loomed over Kuroko from behind.
"Tetsuya. Didn't I tell you to come to my office?" Akashi's sharp voice pierced through Kuroko's insouciant personality, slowly painting his world with colours of himself, pulling Kuroko out of his dull and gloomy world. Pulling Kuroko closer to his world. Making him one who will see the same world as he had. Akashi grabbed Kuroko by his hand and dragged Kuroko along with him. His assistant had collected Kuroko's belongings and followed her master. Furihata stared at the events unfolding in a daze. What had just happened? Furihata wondered to himself.
"Bruh, are you okay?" A guy had snapped Furihata from his daze. He was holding his lunch tray in his hands. Furihata had blinked.
"Who are you?" Furihata had questioned.
"I am a sophomore student. My name is Shinji Koganei." The newly introduced senior settled himself at Furihata's table. It was difficult to find seats during lunch hour, and Furihata seemed to be in shock. Koganei and his friend had decided to sit with the poor new student. "You're new, aren't you? Hyuuga said we have a new transfer student coming in today. It must be you, right?"
"I am also a sophomore student. I am Satoshi Tsuchida. You can call me Tsucchi." Tsuchida gave Furihata a gentle smile. Prudent and sceptical feelings were reflected in Furihata's clear irises. Tsuchida sensed that the transfer student had some concerns. "What's wrong?" He asked Furihata.
Furihata took a few sips of his juice, and Koganei continued stuffing his face with his lunch. Furihata looked down. "That guy just now, who was he? To drag Kuroko-kun away just like that. Is he Kuroko-kun's relative?"
"Oh, that's what you mean." Tsuchida chuckled. "He's a professor. I'm sure you will meet him soon. He's Professor Akashi, and coincidentally, he is also the only son and heir of the founder of Rakuzan. Professor Akashi is exceptionally skilled."
Furihata had frowned. "It doesn't make sense. Teachers usually don't interact so closely with a student." Tsuchida and Koganei avoided Furihata's heedful gaze. They wondered if they should be disclosing such information. Furihata banged his fists on the table, startling his seniors. "I won't tell anyone. Please tell me!"
Koganei and Tsuchida sighed and shook their heads. "We don't know. It was a new semester, and Professor Akashi walked into the office one morning with a happy expression. It was creepy for someone like him to be called the 'Demon Professor'. It was around then, a new student with an ethereal appearance of the heavens, a pale complexion, and a delicate body. He had a weak presence. But Professor Akashi pulled him along on his every break time. He was kind of famous, y'know. Like wearing identical clothing or jewellery. He's a childhood friend of the famous supermodel Kise Ryouta and the uprising national basketball player, Aomine Daiki. He's pretty famous himself, but he's barely noticeable. Sometimes we wonder if he was even human."
Furihata couldn't believe his ears. The professor had the appearance of a host more of a teacher. Wearing identical things? That's like... a couple. He made a mental note to make some clarifications when he sees him the next time. Furihata may not look sharp, but he could briefly notice the pair rings Kuroko and the professor adorned on their ring fingers.
Strange. Very strange indeed.