A Painful Melody

Chapter 18- Plans

3rd person POV

^-^-^

"Who dares enter my chambers?" A voice boomed within the dark room. Shuichi held Akagawa's sleeve tightly, he couldn't see and he was already intimidated by the voice.

They were only 10.

Akagawa was shaking too, but she had a purpose, "Make me your heir." She demanded, her confidence coming back as she realized Shuichi was still at her side. Loud laughter shook the dark room.

"Will you able to handle it child? There were people who tried but lost their lives in the process." Shuichi clenched tighter as the voice spoke. He hated this, not being able to do anything. Not being able to see what made Akagawa shake. Not being able to protect her.

It was her protecting him.

It was her betting on her life.

It was her sacrificing herself for him.

Sacrificing her eyes.

"I will. Though my eyes won't go to waste, please give my eyes to Tadao. I want him to see the world. I can't leave him blind." If a face was visible, you would have see a smirk. Behind the darkness, a god was testing these two children.

So far, the god liked the results. He could tell if one was lying. Akagawa's heart was opened, he could tell there were no lies being told. Shuichi despite being blind, didn't want Akagawa to become the heir. The god knew, he was trying to protect her in his own way.

"There is a price for everything. If I do try to give you my powers, you'll have to endure immense pain. Especially since you want to give a blind boy your eyes." Akagawa clenched her fists as she went on her knees.

Shuichi's grip loosened, he couldn't see what she was doing. But the sleeve he was holding moved, and she wasn't in the same spot. Worrying, he held his hand out but nothing grabbed it. Then her voice calmed his mind, she didn't leave him.

"I don't care. I'll bet on my life just for my best friend to see." Akagawa had a reason for not backing down. She was tired of seeing tears fall down the silver haired male's face. She didn't want him to cry anymore. She didn't want him to feel useless.

"Very well then." A voice boomed.

^-^-^

"-ga! Riga!" Akagawa's eyes opened only to see Shuichi, he was gripping her shoulders very tightly. He helped her wake up from her nightmare. The flashback.

Shuichi hugged Akagawa tightly, "I'm here." Akagawa hugged back tightly, tears forming. No matter how many years pass, those doors are what changed her life.

Ayaha lightly knocked on the door, she was already in her uniform. The black haired girl saw Akagawa hugging onto Shuichi, she just missed the timing to enter the room. Ayaha realized those two had bonds that even blood couldn't rival.

Akagawa wiped her tears quickly, "Hey, you're ready?" Shuichi let go of Akagawa, breaking the hug. He got up and went back to him room. Shuichi gave the cousins some time to talk while he got ready for school.

"Yes, I already had breakfast too. Sorry for using the kitchen without permission." Akagawa shook her head, smiling. If Ayaha was moving in, that kitchen would have been hers too.

"I'll get ready as well. I'll meet you outside in 30 minutes." Akagawa got up from her bed and grabbed the uniform hanging on the wall.

****

While putting her shoes away, Akashi slammed his hand near her head. Akagawa looked at Akashi with no interest in her eyes, "It's fine with you want to punch the lockers, but don't make a dent." She pushed his hand aside, heading towards her class.

Though it didn't help that Akashi was a part of that class. After all, she had a lot of classes with him. It wasn't possible to avoid him. Akashi sighed, "You certainly are hard to pin down." He spoke, following.

"Should I take that as indecent compliment, or a stubborn claim?" Akashi's smirk widened. Akashi thought he hated her, there is still some hatred left actually. Though, he's able to hold conversations with her without flipping out. Throwing scissors.

"You may interpret it however you want." Akashi's eye flickered. He sighed, that's not the reason why he came to talk to her. Akashi needed answers. He wasn't going to stop till he got them.

It bothered him that he didn't know anything about Akagawa. He was absolute, he was supposed to be the best in all fields. From physical activities and interactions to grades and ranks. Though Akagawa was a threat to his reputation.

"Possibly by your glare, I'm assuming that you haven't dropped the topic about knowing me?" Akashi paused. How did she know? Another question, he didn't know the answer to.

Akashi clenched his fists, "Of course not. I'm absolute, I need to know all." Akagawa smirked.

"In return, tell me about your eye." Akashi paused. Will his other self truly allow him to say? Akashi gulped, but agreed anyway.

"Then, I'll meet you at **** park at 5pm this Saturday. Got any plans?" Akashi shook his head, and only smirked in return.

"To clarify, I can ask as many questions as I want right?" Akashi's smirk faded as Akagawa turned her back to him. Sure, they were heading to class but it annoyed him that Akagawa had the guts to turn away. To ignore the emperor.

"I will only answer 5 questions that day. No matter how personal or foolish. Though like I mentioned before, I hope I'll be able to ask you questions in return." Akashi sighed at her response.

"Of course."