Overgrown ➵ Akashi Seijuro

four

Chapter Four

My mother watched me polish my floral-printed plate of crumbs with an aura of stunned disbelief. Her own frangipane tart was finished, apart from the crumbs left behind. What I waste, I thought, and hunted my plate for the very last morsel of cake. Delicately, of course, actions that fitted a future lady.

Well, she had been the one to suggest going out for afternoon tea together. I'd have been crazy to reject such an offer, especially since I knew we'd go to her favourite café, which did the best chocolate cake in Tokyo.

"I worry about you sometimes, Akane," she sighed. "If anyone were discover your sweet tooth, all they need to do is offer you sweets and you'd do anything."

I wanted to do nothing more than groan, but knew it would only be met with a sharp reprimand and a lecture on proper behaviour. I bit it back and instead sat straighter. "Mother, please. I have a little more common sense than that."

A sudden rush of tiredness swept over me and I sighed inwardly. I loved my parents to death, but working to constantly wear the mask of the person they wanted me to be was exhausting. I had to consider every word, every action, every facial expression.

At least my mother relented when it came to dessert. If she expected me to keep controlled while chocolate burst over my tongue, that would've been downright cruel.

My mother hummed non-committedly and stirred her tea. "Well, I suppose if you remain friends with Seijuro-kun, then he can prevent you from getting into too much trouble," she mused. "He's a responsible boy. I'm glad you're close."

I frowned. "Am I not responsible to you?"

"You are responsible. Just not when it comes to sweets. Thank goodness he's immune."

Internally, I rolled my eyes and scoffed. Outwardly, I picked up my tea, sipped, and said, "He's an outlier. Everyone loves sweets."

Well, Midorima is as well, I suppose. He's always lecturing Murasakibara about his snacks.

I couldn't believe I was close to two people who didn't like dessert. I had to re-evaluate who my friends were.

"Speaking of Seijuro," Mother said, "How is the basketball club?"

I smiled. "It's very enjoyable. It's eye-opening to consider the amount of work that happens behind the scenes. Satsuki and I aren't lacking for tasks to do – we're assisting until the last minute." My mind flashed to my fellow first-years, who always greeted me and exchanged a few words with me during practice, and my insides grew warm. "The people there are great, too."

"It's fulfilling?"

"I can see myself learning more about managing from here on."

My mother picked up her tea and took a small sip, her every movement as fluid as water. I tried to emulate her grace, but my movements felt jerky in comparison. Sometimes I wondered if I would ever be as graceful as my mother – even though I didn't want to. It would make her happy.

"I'm glad," she said. "Along with your education and music classes, your future is already being set on the right path. How are your lessons?"

"Interesting. I like every class, and our professors are all good."

"No distractions?"

The notes I sent Sei behind our teachers' backs flashed instantly to mind. "None."

How I didn't flush or stutter was beyond me.

Mother nodded. "That's good." She sent me a pointed look over the rim of her teacup. "Remember, if your grades slip, we'll ask you to quit the team to focus on your studies. You're already preparing for your future, Akane. You must have strong foundations if you're going to succeed."