Teiko's cold-hearted emperor Akashi Seijuro meets the philanthropist outcast Risa Mikaela. Will young love bloom?
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Blush is the first story of my Glow Up series set in the world of Kuroko no Basuke which includes different ships and original char...
"Seijuro... I hear your team won the national championships." Seijuro's father was seated at the other end of the dining table, finished with his meal, and drinking his coffee. Seijuro knew he didn't care about his well-being. The only thing he cared about his son was Seijuro's achievements. "How is your schoolwork looking?"
"No issues" was Seijuro's reply. In truth, he wanted to tell his father more, about the school festival, about him joining Shelter, about Risa Mikaela, but he couldn't. His father had long before built an impregnable wall between him and others. No one had gotten close to him since his beloved wife died. Since then, Seijuro and he hadn't shared a real father-and-son conversation.
"That's fine," said the older man, "keep doing both how you have been. Being versed in letters and arms... A man from the Akashi family must excel in all fields."
"Yes, father," the boy looked down at his plate. He already lost his appetite.
Masaomi sipped on his coffee and placed it back on the table. "In all fields."
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After the school festival, Mika and Shelter were back to their usual works. True to his word, Akashi submitted a form to join Shelter. Whenever he had time, he would drop by their little club room and help. However, Mika and Akashi had been spending less time alone, the boy being busy with his works at the student council and the games of the basketball team. But, when they were together, it was like paradise for the two. Akashi was even tutoring her now and then, making her focus also on her studies.
In her part, wanting to support the boy, Mika had cheered on Akashi in every game until they won the finals. Now, the basketball club was also back to its usual practices.
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This day, it was already winter, and Christmas was near. Mika stayed with Akashi in the classroom after class was over. She doodled in her notebook as the boy peered at what she was writing.
"Kanji?" he asked, staring at the characters written on the girl's notebook.
The girl replied, "I'm thinking of deciding on a kanji for my name. Risa Mikaela is too long. Mika would do. I just wanted to try it."
Akashi borrowed her pen and scribbled on the paper. "美加 as in beauty and increase," he said while writing, "美香 is okay too. Beautiful fragrance." Then he looked intently at her.
"W-what?" Mika was uncomfortable at his studying gaze. His beautiful red eyes were sparkling.
The boy smiled. "I think this suits you best." He showed her what he wrote. "美火 . Mika. Beautiful fire."
Mika's inside became warm despite the cold. "I don't think it suits me. I-it's too much."
"No. It's perfect for you."
The two were so close to each other that they could feel each other's breath. Slowly, Akashi moved even closer to her, like he was magnetized by Mika's presence. The girl didn't move. Could this finally be it? Their long-awaited first ki--
