A Painful Melody

Chapter 9- Akashi vs Shuichi

3rd person POV

Akashi stood up from the bleachers and began to head towards court. Shuichi stood up as well and followed after. Akagawa hummed, she didn't know who would win this match.

Sure, Shuichi has never lost to anyone but her, though Ayaha said Akashi was the best. Akashi was absolute. As the two stunning males made their way to the court. The male coach blew his whistle and Shuichi jumped up.

Since Shuichi was taller, he reached the ball first and began to dribble. Akashi's left eye flashed, "Know your place, peasant." Shuichi fell to his knees and Akashi made a two-pointer.

Shuichi chuckled, "Now now, that's playing dirty Akashi-san."

"You're the dirty one for protecting Harigae." Shuichi's blue orbs dimmed and a glare resonated on his face.

Silver hair flashed in Akashi's heterochromatic orbs and the next thing the emperor knew, he saw a ball soaring over to the other net.

Shuichi shot at half court, "Don't badmouth Riga-sama." His voice sharpened with his deadly expression.

Akashi tched, he let his guard down. Akashi let his guard down because no one rivaled him. After all, he was Akashi Seijuro. Until Akagawa came into his life and took first place in the tests, and tainted his life with black. Just like her eyes.

Shuichi was her bodyguard, obviously he is tainted as well. Though usually Akashi would of saw a small movement or even a breathing change whenever he went against someone. His emperor eye told him all.

Yet, when Shuichi moved his emperor eye faded and Akashi suffered by letting him score 3 points. Akashi couldn't depend on his emperor eye because Shuichi bugged it. He was just like Akagawa, an annoying obstacle in his path.

Akashi smirked, he doesn't let anything get in his way. Why? He was Akashi Seijuro. Akashi is absolute. The emperor that had absolute control. Shuichi grabbed the basketball, but Akashi smacked the ball out of Shuichi's hands. When Shuichi went to get it back, the ball and Akashi were already half way across the court.

Akashi's left eye flashed, making Shuichi hesitate. During the confusion, Akashi scored once more. Hearing the net swish, Shuichi scowled and went to receive the ball.

His legs slowly started to feel like lead as he got closer to Akashi. Shuichi was taller than Akashi, yet he felt like he was being looked down on. Shuichi took a deep breath to calm his heart.

Stressing and panicking would do him no good. Besides, Akashi only scored more points. Shuichi only had to score a three-pointers. Akashi's eyes terrified Shuichi, Akashi's eyes screamed danger and Shuichi felt like the red head's glare could kill.

He has only felt something like this once and this is he second time feeling something like this. The feeling of being powerless. Not being able to do anything. Even though he is more than capable.

Akashi's vision seemed to blur with white and he quickly blinked. Though, that blink was just enough for Shuichi to score. With a swish of the net, an aura surrounded Akashi.

I cannot lose!

Akashi and Shuichi gritted their teeth. None refused to give any space. Points weren't scored for a while, and neither Akashi nor Shuichi had a movement to spare.

Minutes passed by, blocking became as difficult as scoring, both males' white shirt began to soak, and their muscles wanted to stop moving. But, they can't stop. Neither could lose. Neither wanted to lose. Both wanted to win.

"Shuichi finally found a rival." A smile crept on Akagawa's faces.

"A rival? Hari-san, Akashi-san is an emperor! No one rivals him, him and his scissors prove it." Ayaha nervously grabbed onto Akagawa's sleeve.

Akagawa was a curious person, though despite that Ayaha wanted to stop her from the dangers that Akashi left behind him. The red emperor got rid of anything in his path, and left behind dangers that could give monsters nightmares.

"Hn..." Akagawa hummed.

Though Ayaha had positive intentions, Akagawa couldn't help but be curious about Akashi. His basketball skills that were making her question her opinion about this sport, his red eyes that matched her hair and his hatred towards Akagawa.

Akagawa wanted to know why people hated her. It's not like she wanted everyone to like her, but rather she wanted to know why they just do. She wasn't planning on changing anything, but it never hurts to know.

Shuichi shot the basketball, only for it to be smacked by Akashi. The red head grabbed the ball and quickly went to his net, scoring a three-pointer.

10-6, the coach blew the whistle as Shuichi stared down at the gym floor. He knew that he wasn't the best, yet it hurt to lose to someone other than Akagawa. His legs gave out and he just sat on the floor feeling despair. Shuichi swore to never lose to anyone except his mistress. To Akagawa.

Shuichi began to shake and noticing this, Akagawa jumped off the high bleachers. Yes, the 6'5 high bleachers. Akagawa stripped off her jacket and put it over Shuichi's head. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered words into his ears.

"What in the...?" Ayaha stared at the scene in front of her. As well as the rest of the class who gaped at how Akagawa jumped and her relationship with Shuichi. Akashi was the only one who thought different.

"How revolting." He tched and began to leave.

The coaches stopped the red haired male. Akashi knew before they even had to say something, "Since both Akagawa-san and Akashi-san are on court just have your match now." Both the red heads glared in return.

"No." Both said in unison.

Akagawa slightly tightened her grip on Shuichi and he wrapped his shivering arms around her waist. Shuichi cannot afford to lose consciousness now. Akagawa's presence was forcing Shuichi to calm down.

Akashi on the other hand was exhausted, but didn't want to admit it. He needed some time to recover. He wasn't going to let Akagawa score a single point. This match will be his. He won't lose.

To something.

Filthy.

Like Akagawa.

"But you will still go against each other. I will personally tell your next period teachers to excuse you. Next period is our free period anyway." The coaches agreed.