Taming the Empress [Akashi Seijuurou Fanfic] (On Hold)

Chapter Two

I sat down on my seat with a sigh; yesterday had gone by without any notable problems, which I was thankful to. Well, no problems if you put aside that annoying teacher and weird student council president...

"Um, are you okay?" A gentle voice interrupted my thoughts. "Rather, it's a miracle you're OKAY."

"...I am..." I hesitantly replied. "Why...?"

"It's just a relief! You were called out by that Akashi after all..."

"What do you mean exactly...?" I frowned in confusion at her suggestive words.

"Well, YOU ARE new. It's not a surprise you don't know him," She began. "Akashi Seijuurou, straight A student and despite being a first year, he's head of the student council and Rakuzan's basketball team captain! That's quite something, right?"

So that's what she's going on about...The weirdo I'd met yesterday... I rolled my eyes, not exactly interested in what more she had to say. I can never understand how she admires him so much, not from what I'd seen yesterday. He just gave off that 'I have a screw loose' aura.

"My bad! I haven't introduced myself yet!" She panicked as soon as she realized she was losing me. "I'm Reika, pleased to meet you!"

"A-aha...I'm Cho, pleased to meet you too..."  I reply blandly. It was nice of her to come up and talk to me or whatever, but I was honestly not in the mood to talk to her or anybody else.

"Well, Reika," I got up and headed for the door. "I haven't decided on a club yet and since I'm free anyway, I'm about to do so." I exited the classroom, not giving her a chance to reply. I know the way I'd phrased my words was rude but it was intended, I just hope she got the message.

***

As I had said, I walked around the school, going in and out of potential clubs before stumbling across a chess club. Now I really don't much interest in board games, but precisely because they were board games-meaning a quiet atmosphere-that I'd, chose to enter the club and check it out.

"Excuse me," I entered the clubroom, not looking up.

Someone made a faint sound on inspection as soon as I had entered and I immediately looked up, only to meet Akashi. I frowned while clicking my tongue in disapproval. It really brought me displeasure to see him again so soon...

Akashi kept quiet and examined the chessboard in front of him, ignoring my presence.

I looked around the club, trying my best to stop my eyes from unconsciously landing on Akashi. I sighed when I realized it was futile and turned on my heels to leave before I was stopped.

"Wait, "He called out sternly. "Join me for a chess game."

"Huh?" I titled my head to the side, confused. After everything that happened yesterday, he wants me to join him for a friendly game? You've got to be kidding me... "Why should I...?"

"I clearly said 'Join me' did I not?"

So he's trying to emphasize the fact that it's an order, huh? It just gives me all the more reason to refuse, but I'm bored anyway so I'll give it a go. "Fine, but what do I get out of it...?"  He didn't answer, making me irritated.

"All I have to do is humor you, right?" I frowned as I forcibly grab one of the chairs and sit in front of him. He simply nodded in approval and began the game.

"It's no fun playing without betting something..."

"There's nothing that would be of any benefit to me that I can gain from the defeated-you."

"Huh...?! Don't just decide my loss without having played against me yet!"

"I always win, that is an absolute fact which you are about to witness."  He arrogantly stated as he gestured for me to start first.

In his presence, despite it being a mere chess again, I just cannot let my guard down! If I were to even do so and make the wrong move, I was sure to lose. Akashi didn't just have a sharp-silver tongue-and intimidating presence; he was also quite the tactician.

I frowned, staring at the board blankly while looking for openings, but there were none.  What annoyed me the most was, not because I was losing, but he was overly confident in his victory, as if victory was something default in his life.

"Checkmate." Akashi declared, breaking the silence as he moved one of his bishops.

"Eh?" I looked down at the chessboard and back at him, dumbfounded. "How...?" I was pretty careful too...!

"There is no 'how'. It's the obvious difference in skill that is all."  He got up and headed for the door.

"Wait!" I called out nervously. "I want a rematch!"

"Why repeat something when the outcome will be the same?" And with that, he left the room.

***

I kicked the air in front of me from how annoyed I'd been. How dare he look down on me like that?! Who does he think he is...?! Just because he won a freaking chess game...Sheesh, I should calm down and head back to class. No use thinking about history now, I can't change the outcome of it, but I can change what happens later.

I sat through the teacher's long lecture, barely able to keep up from my annoyance.  After what seemed like an eternity, the lesson was finally over, and I was thankful that I'd finally get some time to spend alone.

"Hey Cho!" Reika called out excitedly. "Let's go eat lunch together!"

"First name basis...?"

"Don't be stingy..." She pouted. "Let's go!"

"No thanks, I'll pass."

"Oh, come on!"

"No."

"B-"She was about to persist but was interrupted.

"Andou Cho, I presume?" An upperclassman spoke. "Come with me." As if sure of himself, he ordered me to follow him without my conformation, well, whatever. At least I can get away from Reika.

Apparently we'd been headed to the teacher's room, making me panicked. I kept thinking of all the possible things I could've done to get me called there, but nothing fit the bill.

"I'm sorry, you must be startled." He interrupted my thoughts.

"N-no, it's okay..."

"Is that so? That's a relief." He smiled warmly. "Well, I'm the student council vice president, and a third year, so I'm stepping down in a few days time."

Even though he had introduced himself in a kind manner, I turned bitter as soon as I'd heard the words 'student council' and didn't care to listen to the rest of it. He signaled for me to enter the teacher's lounge and I did, my eyes immediately landing on the idiotic one-sided teacher I'd met yesterday... I twitched in annoyance. "May I ask why I was called here...?"

He coughed with a glare, obviously not pleased by the current situation either. "Well, while this may be unfortunate for the both of us; you'll be assigned to a current post in the student council."

"Excuse me...?"

"What I'm trying to say is," He grit his teeth-woah! He was really not happy! "From today onwards, you'll be the student council vice president."

Did I just hear him right...?! "Eh..." I stared at them in disbelief."How is that even possible...?"