Tainted Red (Akashi Seijuro X OC)

-Chapter 15-

Well then. Chapter 15. Like what the...

_

Yameshi and I went to school together very early today. We were chatting as we entered the classroom completely oblivious to the two who was playing Shogi as usual.

Yameshi knows everything about me and Akashi and I know everything about him and Kise-kun now.

"I have a performance later in the Olsen Theater, so I won't be able to visit Kise-kun." I said as we both took our seat and she turned around to face me.

"Bummer. But I'll be fine though. I can handle him alone ." she winked at me. We both giggled at that when we heard someone clearing their throat. We turned our heads to see Kaye holding up a magazine with a picture of me hugging a topless Kise-kun in front of his house.

I looked at it irritated. Seriously? How far do people go just to get a picture and start a scandal. Yameshi was glaring at her.

"Care to explain this, you slut." Kaye asked and Yameshi almost punched her when I stopped her.

"First of all, why the hell are you even early? Second, that's just me hugging a friend. Third of all, I'm not a slut unlike you who tries to make a move on someone who just broke up with his girlfriend." I said as I raised my eyebrow at her. Whoa, where did that come from?

"Excuse me? It's not my fault that you cheated on Akashi-sama. And a friend? Do you seriously expect me to believe that?" She crossed her arms.

"Believe it. Why do you even care if I hugged Kise-kun?" I said.

"Ugh. Is it not obvious? I love Kise and I will not allow you to touch him." Kaye said when suddenly Yameshi punched her in the face. The impact so loud that it echoed in the quiet room.

"Back off my boyfriend, you whore." Yameshi glared at Kaye. I stifled a laugh as I watched Kaye cry like a baby and run outside of the room.

"That was funny." I said to Yameshi. She smiled at me innocently before we sat down again. I sneaked a peek at the two and saw Aseni glaring at me and Yameshi.

Akashi had his usual poker face as he stared at the shogi board.

-

It was lunchtime and we decided to eat at the rooftop. As we walked down the halls, the whispers started but we couldn't care less.

"You really do love Akashi, huh?" she stated as we ate our bento.

"Yeah, I do. I always will." I responded.

"Say, do you think Akashi like Aseni?" I suddenly asked. I learned that Yameshi has already moved on from their friendship. Aseni is nothing in her eyes but a classmate right now.

"Hmm... I don't' think so." She said after thinking deeply.

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

" Well for starters, he remained the same. Remember when the two of you broke up he became colder and harsher? He didn't change when Aseni appeared. In my eyes, it actually looks one-sided. It's obvious that Aseni like Akashi but there's no sign at all that Akashi likes her back." She explained.

I nodded at what she said. She's right. Even when Aseni kissed him, he didn't react. Now that I look at it that way, it actually looks pitiful.

But I wonder why Akashi didn't push her away? She pushed away every other girls except for Aseni.

I sighed as we continued eating and enjoyed the view from above.

-

It was dismissal time and I said goodbye to Yameshi as I went to the convenience store to buy power drinks. I was looking through the refrigerator when I felt someone tap my back. I turned around to see someone familiar.

"David Taker?" I said.

"I knew it was you. You're the only one I know with that hair." He smiled.

"Y-yeah. What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm here to buy some food." He said.

I resumed searching for the drinks then I finally found it. We made our way to the cashier to pay for our food. As we were paying, I asked him.

"So how did it go with Aseni?"

"Well, I actually don't care anymore. I finally knew the reason she flew here." He said but I could tell that he was lying about his first sentence.

"Why is that?"

"She came back for her childhood love. I caught them together once and I approached them. Then I got rejected. It was actually just a while ago." He said scratching the back of his head

"Sorry about that." I said as I looked down. Her childhood love, that would be Akashi.

"It's alright. I'm leaving tomorrow anyways. Guess I just have to tell her parents about this." He chuckled when we were already outside.

"Well at least you tried." I smiled at him.

"Yeah."

"I have to go now though. Goodbye David-san." I waved goodbye as I got inside a cab. He smiled and waved back at me before turning around.

-

I drank the power drinks as the artists applied make-up on my face. Tonight I'm going to perform a Beethoven piece 'Moonlight Sonata'.

"So, is Kise a good boyfriend?" I choked at my drink as the girl who was fixing my hair asked.

"Uh, he's not my boyfriend. We're just friends. Besides, he already has someone." I explained.

"Oh, I'm sorry. People are assuming that you guys in a relationship because of that photo of the two of you." She apologized.

"It's okay." I assured her.

-

Wearing a gray dress, I prepared myself. Hiraki was congratulating the last performance before she introduced my name.

"Let us all welcome Akiyo Asuma to perform a Beethoven piece." She said as people clapped and the stage went lights off.

I approached the piano settled in the middle of the stage and sat down. The spotlight was on me as I started playing.

I smiled as I remembered the first piano piece that Akashi taught me.

As soon as I finished I stood up and bowed to everyone. I looked at the front seats almost expecting to see Akashi but he wasn't there.

As soon as the lights turned off again, I went to the backstage to change into my uniform and remove my make-up.

I was about to leave when Hiraki approached me with a bouquet of flowers in her hands. She smiled at me.

"Akiyo-san, this is for you." She said as she handed me the bouquet of flowers.

"Who is it from?" I questioned but she only winked at me.

"Secret. That's for you to find out."

I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at the card attached to the roses.

'Your performance was as beautiful as always. Keep smiling.'

My heart stopped at the message. It's him. He was watching me the entire time. I smiled as I got out of the theater holding the bouquet of roses close to me.

I will keep smiling. For you.

_A_