F̶o̶l̶l̶o̶w̶ Fuck the Rulebook - Kenma Kozume

Party - C11

The team stood outside of Kuroo’s house, the darkness consuming the light left in the sky. So, this is where the almighty captain lives. It was an average house, she wasn’t sure what she was expecting exactly, maybe something like a castle with the classic vine wrapped walls. Kuroo pushed open his door,
“gentlemen,” he glanced at Akasuki, “and lady, I welcome you to my palace.”
He seems to think the same at least. Morisuke and Nobuyuki entered shaking their heads in laughter, they must have been here many times before, the others closely followed behind. Akasuki stayed in her place glancing at Kenma, he wasn’t moving. Kenma lifted his head moving towards the house to the left of Kuroo’s, where is he going? She went to call out to him but Kuroo interrupted,
“you coming? Or have your nerves evidently kicked in?”
Nerves? She scoffed turning her gaze to Kuroo, jogging up the steps into the house,
“you wish.”
Kuroo closed the door behind him with a chuckle,
“what happened, huh?”
What? Akasuki squinted at him. He put his hands on his hips scanning her face,
“you’ve suddenly got this whole, new confidence about yourself. I was just wondering why.”
Why? She wasn’t completely sure why. She thought it might’ve been the adrenaline from the excitement of the game. But she wasn’t sure anymore. Kuroo shrugged,
“it doesn’t matter, I’m curious to see what you’re like with a couple drinks down you.”
“Drinks?” Akasuki blurted.
No one told her about this. Kuroo smirked leading her into his living room,
“we don’t party without drinks.”
Right. She shouldn’t have expected any less from him. She gazed around the lack of decoration within the simple living room. Morisuke lifted his phone, loudly calling out,
“what pizza do you guys want?”
Pizza?
“Pepperoni!” Kuroo called back going into one of the rooms to their sides.
She slowly wandered further into the room, taking a seat between So and Yuki on the sofa.
“Pepperoni,” Morisuke muttered to himself, “others?”
“BBQ!” Taketora roared back.
“BBQ,” Morisuke muttered.
“Margarita, please,” Yuki whispered.
Morisuke didn’t seem to take notice. Maybe he just didn’t hear. Akasuki leaned down tapping Morisuke’s shoulder,
“Morisuke,” she glanced up at Yuki, with a soft smile before muttering to Morisuke, “how about margarita?”
He nodded,
“of course, my lady.”
“Thanks,” she chuckled pulling herself up to rest against the sofa.
There.
“Thank you,” Yuki whispered, his cheeks were red.
Akasuki nodded at him with a smile,
“I think you’re the only shy one amongst these lot.”
Yuki glanced at his hands in his lap,
“I, sorry.”
Did she offend him or something? Akasuki reached out patting his knee,
“hey, it’s who you are, don’t apologise.”
Yuki nodded rapidly,
“sorry.”
She felt bad for him, something must have happened to him to feel like he must continuously apologise for no reason. An arm draped around Akasuki’s shoulders,
“so, quiet boys are your type, hm?”
Akasuki pulled her hand away from Yuki, glancing to So beside her,
“like I said, you’ll never know.”
It’s none of his business right now. Kuroo appeared before the three of them with a tray with small shot glasses of liquid,
“drink up kids.” 
Did he just seriously offer the first year's vodka shots? So beamed going to grab one, Akasuki instinctively smacked his hand away furrowing her brows at Kuroo,
“are you joking? They are not doing shots.”
Morisuke’s head popped up beside Kuroo’s leg,
“What’s going on?”
“Kuroo wants them to do shots,” Akasuki explained.
Morisuke shook his head with a sigh,
“get them a beer Kuroo, they aren’t as experienced as you.”
Kuroo scoffed,
“why not start them off now?”
Is he serious? Akasuki went to argue but Morisuke shoved Kuroo’s legs lightly,
“leave them for me, and get them something else.”
“Whatever,” Kuroo grumbled placing the tray on the table returning to the other room.
Thank god.
“Thanks, Morisuke,” Akasuki shook her head.
Morisuke grabbed one of the shot glasses grinning at her,
“Yaku, the others call me Yaku.”
“Yaku,” she repeated, “is he always like that?”
Yaku shrugged,
“I think he’s just excited,” he smirked lightly, “but aren’t we all?”
He lifted his head bringing the glass to his lips, downing it in one go as he grinned at the three on the sofa,
“you’ll learn.”
How did he do that so smoothly? Akasuki hadn’t personally been to many parties but she’s had her fair share when she was in her first year. Kuroo returned with two bottles of beer handing them to Yuki and So,
“enjoy.”
How does he have so many drinks? Taketora had connected his phone to the speakers, horrifying rap music filling the room. Kuroo plopped himself down between So and Akasuki.
“You found out her type yet?” Kuroo asked Sō.
She was literally right beside them, why is he pretending like she isn’t? So shook his head,
“she got that other kid’s number then she was just patting Yuki’s knee, so,”
“The quiet ones,” Kuroo hummed to himself.
“Seriously?” Akasuki glared at them both, “since when did my type, or even who I fancied, have anything to do with you guys?”
The pair shared a pleased look, satisfied with her words. Kuroo leaned into her,
“so, you have a crush?”
Fuck, she furrowed her brows. Kuroo was watching her closely bringing the class in his hand with a bronze liquid slipping over the side into his mouth. An unwelcoming feeling of familiarity overcame her as she watched Kuroo. This, she clenched her hands on her knees, please stop remembering him. Please.
“Shit,” Akasuki muttered abruptly leaning forward grabbing Yaku’s shoulder, “give me one.”
Yaku handed her a shot, Akasuki glancing to the Kuroo and So,
“you both are walking on thin ice tonight, I need this.”
Kuroo egged her on, lifting her hand to her lips,
“go on, princess.”
She felt the cool liquid slither down her throat as the burning started throughout her mouth then her chest. She did not miss that. She cleared her throat handing the glass back to Yaku who was grinning at her. Let’s get the party started then.
-Intrusion-
A couple of hours went by, Taketora and So had pushed the sofas and table back to make a large seating space for them to all sit around, placing the pizza boxes in the centre. Akasuki slumped beside Nobuyuki and Shohei, bringing a piece of margarita pizza to her lips with a soft hum,
“this is really good.”
Shohei glanced at the pepperoni pizza in his hands then to the one in her hands. Oh, Akasuki held her piece to his lips,
“try some.”
Shohei took a bite proceeding to nod slowly in agreement. She leaned forward to look at Nobuyuki with a playful smile on her lips,
“you want some?”
Nobuyuki lifted his own slice of pizza up with a smile,
“thanks though.”
She leaned back, slowly finishing her slice, her and Shohei sharing occasionally looks as the pair exchanged stupid jokes. This was fun, she glanced around her feet for her drink but it had disappeared, where is it? She slowly stood to her feet, tripping over air, luckily Nobuyuki reacted swiftly enough to grab her arm to support her. She let out a laugh,
“I’ve lost my drink.”
Yuki cleared his throat lifting his slice of pizza in the air,
“me too!”
She glanced at Shohei, the pair not being able to contain their laughter after the stupidest thing,
“I’ll, I’ll get you one.”
She carefully made her way towards what she assumed was the kitchen, Nobuyuki letting go as she supported herself. Drinks, okay, drinks. Maybe she should have some water. She glanced around the kitchen, opening the cupboards searching for mugs. Where are they?
“What are you looking for?” A voice spoke suddenly.
Akasuki let out a yelp, her eyes shooting to see Kuroo in the door way,
“you scared me.”
He laughed,
“sorry,” he joined her side opening up a cupboard above her to her right, pulling out a plastic cup, “water, right?”
She nodded watching as Kuroo filled the cup with some cold water handing it to her. She could’ve done that herself,
“thanks,” she lifted it to her lips, swallowing the healthy liquid.
Her body was going to love her for giving it some proper sustenance. Kuroo leaned against the counter bringing his drink to his lips,
“you having fun?”
Akasuki nodded eagerly,
“duh.”
“Good,” Kuroo chuckled, “I’m glad you’re here.”
Glad she’s here. Her eyes suddenly widened, who wasn’t here right now? She turned to him with a lost face,
“where’s Kenma?”
Kuroo seemed surprised at the sudden inquiry.
“Kenma,” Akasuki repeated, “he should be here with us.”
Oh,” Kuroo frowned, “he’s not much of a party person.”
Akasuki frowned with him,
“where is he?”
“At his house, next door,” Kuroo explained.
Next door? She can just ask him to come. She placed her cup down eagerly turning to Kuroo,
“I’ll go get him!”
“I,” Kuroo shrugged, “I don’t think he’ll come but you’re welcome to try.”
He should be here; he should be with the team. She nodded rapidly, spinning around losing her footing Kuroo grabbed her arm pulling her to her feet,
“how much have you drunk?”
She laughed shrugging pulling away from him,
“you’ll never know, now which house was it?”
“So, if you look at my house, it’s the one on the left,” Kuroo explained.
She nodded leaving the room. Kuroo followed closely behind watching her make her way out of the house in the longest way possible. She skipped outside facing Kuroo’s house holding out her arms,
“right, left, right, left.”
Kuroo shook his head laughing pointing to his right,
“that way genius.”
She grinned,
“thanks!”
“Hey Suki,” Kuroo called, “make sure to knock, enter and yell your name.”
Suki, it was the nickname again. She nodded jogging up to the door, knocking lightly.
“Harder,” Kuroo instructed.
She pounded on the door, opening it carefully, Kuroo held his thumbs up. Before disappearing into the house, she yelled at Kuroo,
“Yūki, drink, please?”
Kuroo nodded with a laugh while she closed the door behind quietly glancing around, calling out,
“It’s me! Akasuki!”
She narrowed her eyes in the dark making her way through the hallway into the closest room, brushing her hands over the wall catching the light switch, the light flickering on. Ah, the kitchen. There were dirty dishes on the side of the counter along with glasses. He must’ve eaten already. However, where was Kenma himself? She left the room glancing around spotting a stairway up. Maybe his room is upstairs. She approached the stairs looking up them, how was she going to do this? She took a step clinging onto the banister as she travelled upstairs minding her steps, she reached the top step pulling herself up with a grin. Yes, she made it! She glanced around at the new environment, there were four doors. One was cracked open, occasional flashing white lights appearing through the crack. Is that his room? She pushed the door open slowly, her eyes scanning the room, her attention pulled to the shelves of games aligned along his wall, that’s a lot of games. She stepped in running her fingers along the games, the boys would love this. A sudden yell from behind her caused her to spin around stumbling over her feet, staring at a pale, wide-eyed Kenma watching her,
“you scared the shit out of me,” he mumbled.
How? His eyes were still shining despite the shock, her heart started to race in her chest. Akasuki couldn't help but laugh, either from the humour or nerves,
“I’m so sorry,” lifting the game in her hands, “cool, games.”
Cool games, seriously?  Kenma nodded slowly turning back to his game, sliding his headphones off. He was wearing a red hoodie that was slightly too large for him, along with knee-length black shorts, cute. She glanced at his screen, wait, what is he playing? She slipped the game back onto the shelf, joining his side leaning against the back of his chair gazing at his screen. A sudden figure jumps on the screen causing Kenma to push his chair back shaking his head,
“I’m done, I can’t, I can’t play this.”
What is he on about? Her eyes were shining, a large grin on her face, she loved this stuff. She slipped in front of the computer taking the mouse between her hand glancing back at him with a grin, she used to play games like this with her father, it was one of the things they had in common.
“What are you, scared?” Akasuki teased.
He furrowed his brows pulling his chair beside her muttering,
“no, but,” he cleared his throat, “you can play if you want.”
Really? Her mouth dropped open,
“can I?”
He nodded slowly, pulling his headphones off l, placing them onto the desk, then removing the toggle out of the computer,
“don’t blame me if you get scared though,” he grabbed a stool beside the desk bringing it to Akasuki.
She shrugged taking a seat glancing at Kemna,
“how can I be scared with you by my side?”
His cheeks grew pink, hastily turning away from her to face the screen,
“you’re gonna get caught if you don’t hurry up.”
She turned to the screen pulling the keyboard close to her as she started to play the games, dodging enemies carefully, running away skilfully and hiding quietly. It took an hour for Akasuki to solve the chapter of the game they were on, upon completion she turned to Kenma with a grin.
“that was,” she paused, “amazing.”
Completely amazing. A quiet laugh left Kenma’s lips,
“you’re so strange.”
Strange. Hm, from him that didn’t feel like much of an insult. She gazed at him her eyes stuck on his, why can't she look away? He leaned in, what is happening? She could hear her heart pounding in her ears. His shoulder brushed past hers as he lowered his head to switch the monitor off pulling away. Fuck. What did she think was going to happen? It’s just the alcohol, right? She cleared her throat as Kenma stood,
“you want some water?”
She nodded, standing up to follow him out of the room. He started walking down the stairs. Oh no, she stood at the top staring down, going up the stairs is a completely different challenge to going down. She took a step down, come on she can do this.
“Do you have a fear of stairs or something?” Kenma muttered.
She glanced up to see him stood in the middle of the stairs watching her. She shook her head,
“more like I’m not sure which step is which.”
Did she just say that out loud? Her cheeks reddened, that’s embarrassing. Kenma glanced around, stepping up to the step she was on, holding out his hand,
“Kuro will be pissed if you get hurt,” she stared at his hand, no way, Kenma impatiently taking hers, “not just Kuro,” he grumbled leading her down the stairs slowly, “the whole team,” they reached the bottom of the stairs, Kenma dropping her hand wandering into the kitchen.
What just fucking happened? Did, she lifted her hand to stare at it, did he just take her hand to lead her down the stairs? Oh shit, this, she felt the heat spread throughout her body, this isn’t good. Her feet followed Kenma into the kitchen, Kenma setting a glass of water onto the counter,
“drink, you look like you need it.”
She took the glass in her hand, her hand shaking, shit, she lifted her other hand to hold the cup firm. She took small sips; did she really look that bad? She frowned to herself.
“It, was a joke,” Kenma muttered, “I meant like, you’re drunk so,”
“I’m not drunk,” Akasuki blurted out, the glass wobbling in her hands.
He nodded slowly lifting his eyebrows,
“right.”
She stared firmly into the glass in her hands,
“hey Kenma,” he hummed in reply, she glanced up to look at him holding his own glass of water, “why don’t you join us?”
He lifted his eyes to meet hers, his lips parting momentarily before closing as he nodded shortly,
“I owe you for passing that chapter.”
“Really?” Akasuki exclaimed with a grin.
Did she actually manage to persuade him? He nodded moving towards her slowly, moving his hand to her glass, lifting it to her lips,
“to keep an eye on them obviously.”
She nodded, obviously. Why else? She lowered her empty glass onto the counter beside his dishes, heading towards the door, Kenma following behind,
“maybe I should lead the way.”
No way, she’s the leader. She glanced back at him with a grin bursting into a sprint down the hall way, opening the door throwing herself into the cold air. Kenma appeared behind her closing the door, breathing heavier than usual,
“you’re so,”
“So what?” Akasuki wondered with a sly smirk slowly backing up towards Kuroo’s house.
“Akasuki,” the way her name fell off his lips was so inducing, he gestured towards the house on his left, “that’s Kuroo’s house.”
She stopped moving glancing at that house, oh, was it?
“I knew that,” she pouted making her towards it.
Kenma shook his head following her. She pushed open the door, Kenma sliding in behind her closing the door. The constant knowledge that Kenma was always behind her, was thrilling.