Queen Of Cards || Akashi Seijuro x OC

Chapter 13

Kansai Interhigh preliminaries were tomorrow and from all the research Airi had done, she figured that it would be a piece of cake. After exhausting all her resources for information about the teams they would be versing, collecting recon tapes and visiting the nearby school, Airi felt that the team was more than prepared.

Sure enough, they steamrolled through preliminaries, making it to the final league. Airi was already certain they would qualify for the final league, she had that much confidence in her team. However, getting to the finals would be a challenge since Airi calculated before that they would go up against Yosen High in the semi-finals, and more likely than not, Touou Academy in the finals.

"Airi-chan."

"Good morning, Akashi-kun." As per usual, she felt heat creep up to her face as she stared a little too long at his features.

She and him were the only people at school along with the coach and the bus driver, since they would be taking a bus at 7:00am to Tokyo. She wanted to ask if he was prepared, but deemed it unnecessary.

After all, winning was like breathing for Akashi Seijuro.

Soon after, Mayuzumi popped out of nowhere, and the three noisy generals bickered their way to the main entrance.

"Sei-chan! Ri-chan!"

Reo-nee happily waved at the first year duo and was about to strike up conversation before Coach Shirogane ordered them to pipe down and get on the bus. Eikichi claimed the entire back row for himself, with Reo and Kotaro taking two back row seats. Mayuzumi sat by himself, already engrossed in a light novel, while Higuchi and Kaito, the second string ace that Shirogane had pulled up in case of an emergency, sat together and complained about their homeroom teacher. Coach Shirogane had placed the club bag beside him on his own seat, leaving one seat to share for the two first years. At the thought of sitting next to Akashi, she reddened.

"A-Akashi-kun? May I sit in the window seat? I get motion sickness."

With Akashi's silent nod, Airi slid into the seat, placing her bag at her feet and plugging in her earphones. She spared a glance at her classmate, who had placed his bag beside hers and stared blankly forward.

"Sei-chan. Ri-chan. Wanna play cards with us?" Motherly Reo asked.

"No." The redhead stated bluntly, not even turning around

"I get motion sickness. Sorry, Reo-nee." Airi gave her senpai an apologetic smile before returning to stare out the window. Getting lost in her thoughts about the upcoming match, her thoughts wandered to Akashi.

First, she had been captivated by his eyes and ambience. Then, they became desk neighbours and suddenly became friends. In fact, he became her only friend in her year since everyone was wary of her because of both her status and his. Apparently, she was his only friend too. Because both of them were the president and vice president of the student council, they spent a lot of time together in school, both recess and lunch. Most of the time, they would discuss school work or council work, but there were those rare moments where they would talk about their likes, dislikes, hobbies, and passions.

Akashi was much like her and also quite dissimilar at the same time.

On one hand, they both liked classical music and both played musical instruments. They both were at the top of their year group academically and were both in the basketball club. Both of them were also fated to overtake their parents' recognised businesses.

On the other hand, Akashi Seijuro was a force to be reckoned with. His demanding, arrogant, hubristic personality knew no limits, putting anyone who considered him below them in their place. According to him, failure was not in his vocabulary, with his uncanny ability to predict the near future. His cocksure attitude was backed up with his undeniable skill. He was indeed an emperor.

Yunabami Airi was polite, formal, and quiet. Her observant eye and sharp, photographic memory carried her through her academics. That, she supposed, was how she avoided physical conflict and won many gambles in Hyakkao Private Academy. She wasn't one for confrontation, though she knew her power. Observant and assertive are extremely fitting words for Yunebami Airi. Unlike Akashi, she didn't earn her title as Empress, not that she wanted it. She merely got it from being Akashi's only friend.

"Airi-chan." Flinching at the sudden appearance of a hand waving in front of her face, Airi snapped out of her thoughts and turned her head towards the emperor, not meeting his eyes. She knew that now, she could no longer look him in the eyes without turning some shade of red.

"Hai, Akashi-kun."

"Share a earphone with me."

Without hesitation or a second glance, she gave him one side of her earphones.

"I've never heard of this piece before."

"It's composed by Paul Chatrou. He isn't popular but this is my favourite piece entitled Early Spring."

Airi was surprised. Chatrou, born in 1959, was a Dutch composer and pianist. He must be very obscure, since even Akashi didn't know him, and Akashi knew everything.

"It's beautiful."

Airi, once again, was surprised. Akashi had heard thousands of classical repertoire and any compliment he gave had to be treasured.

"It was a piece I played for the Japan Junior Piano Competition when I was in 6th grade."

"Ah, you were competing in the under 16's category, two age groups above your age. If I remember correctly, you won 2nd place. I won 1st that year in under 14's."

"You play the piano? I thought you played the violin."

"Violin, piano, cello, and harp. I do prefer the violin over others though."

"A string instrument all rounder. I should've known."  Of course Akashi Seijuro excelled in multiple instruments.

The pair settled into silence after that. Though she would never admit, Airi enjoyed personal conversations with Akashi. He was always so focused on school work that Airi felt the need to bring in some personal conversations into his life. She would also never admit that she enjoyed thier close proximity.

Unknowingly, Airi's eyes began to droop. Shutting her eyes, she told herself that she would just rest her eyes before they settled into their accommodation in Tokyo.

"Akashi-kun?" She whispered, sleepy voice barely audible for strained ears. Nevertheless, the redhead heard her and hummed in response. When she didn't respond after a while, Akashi turned his head only to see the silverette's eyes slowly shutting.

"We should....duet sometime..."

And with that, Airi fell into slumber, her head leaning against the taller male's arm.