The mockingbird (Akashi Seijuro love story)

Hello Stranger- Finale

Trischia's POV

My eyes scouted the entrance to the lockerooms relentlessly in search for the redhead. I couldn't help but feel slightly worried of how he was doing after facing defeat for the first time in his life. I'd seen the rest of the team leave a few minutes earlier but he wasn't with them, it came as no surprise if he needed a moment to himself. 

The match had been so intense I'd forgotten to breathe on several occasions. I even started crying at one point when I noticed how hard Seijuro had been struggling, it was so even. Nervous butterflies still fluttered around in my stomach, I already suspected that his personality had switched. My heart raced in anticipation as I waited, only to leap into my throat as a familiar figure finally stepped out after what felt like an eternity. I immediately began weaving my way through the dense crowd as he stopped to scout the hall, presumably looking for me. I couldn't help myself from flinging my arms around him in a tight embrace before he even noticed me approaching. I buried my face in his shirt for a moment nervously, selfishly postponing facing him fully for a few more seconds. He hesitated for a few seconds before he finally wrapped his arms around me as well, returning my hug gently.

"Are you alright?" I questioned, mumbling the words into his chest, his breathing was a bit uneven, and his heart beat faster than usual. I smiled slightly, he was nervous as well. For a few seconds my question was met with silence.

"Yes... I'm alright" I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding as he replied, his tone was different from what I was used to. We stayed in the embrace for a few moments, was he really allright? This was kind of a big deal after all. I pulled back slightly, lifting my head to meet his gaze. A set of red eyes stared back at me and I hummed intruiged, swallowing the nervous feeling in my gut. I'd seen pictures of him when both his eyes were red, but it would definetly demand some time to get used to it. I moved my hand to his left cheek, stroking my thumb gently over his temple, his expression was a bit softer, but just as unreadable as before. Peculiar. His eyes flickered as he studied me back, he looked at me as if he was seeing me for the first time. And in a way I suppose he was. I tilted my head slightly in curiosity and smiled warmly.

"Hello~" I purred as a way of greeting, excited to finally meet this different side of him. He breathed softly and smiled back at me, he had a different kind of warmth in those beautiful red eyes now.

"Hello" He moved his own hand to my right cheek, brushing some of my hair out of my face gently.

"You finally decided to come out and play?" I chided and he chuckled softly, the sound made my heart flutter.

"Were you waiting?" I shook my head slightly.

"Both yes and no" I replied as I took in the features on his face. His expression was a bit softer now, more relaxed. After a moment his eyes grew worried as he noticed how I studied him.

"Does it scare you?" I shook my head in a calm refusal.

"No. I've been looking forward to meeting you" He relaxed slightly but not completely.

"I'm quite different from my other self" I hummed in thought for a moment but eventually shook my head, moving my hand from his face and down to his chest, placing it over his heart.

"No. You're the same, in here. That's what matters to me" His expression warmed as I said that and his grip on me tightened slightly.

"I've been looking forward to meeting you too" He mumbled silently and I smiled. This was going to be very interesting. I narrowed my eyes at him in thought for a moment.

"Will you still chase me around the school when I tease you?" He immediately laughed, breaking away from our stare for a moment while shaking his head barely in amusement.