Check and Mate (Akashi x Reader) KnB [12/?]

Chapter 12 - Avowal

People were hurriedly going back to their respective classroom which was a relief since Akashi still held my hand in his. Once we arrived to our class, I quickly released my hand from his and headed for my seat before anyone could notice.

I'm pretty sure most of the class were already formulating stories on their own but I'd rather not add fuel to the growing fires of speculations.

Akashi didn't say a word but followed soon after taking his seat besides me.

'That's right, I almost forgot that he now sits near me'

I glanced at his direction.

Somehow sensing my gaze, he looked at me and smiled. I smiled back awkwardly before facing forward.

'I refuse to be pulled into his pace' was my resolute decision.

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The day's classes passed by without any unwarranted events. As I was gathering my things, I received a mail from Ayame.

"[Name], I'll be heading off first. I wouldn't want to keep you since I'm pretty sure you'll be with Akashi-san again. Just update me later ok? Bye~ x Aya-chan"

I looked at her direction and she waved a hand for a quick farewell before heading out of the door. I could faintly see the silhouette of Sanada-kun outside waiting as well.

"Nakajima-san seems to be in a hurry" I heard Akashi's familiar voice.

"Yeah..." was my silent response. A smile graced my lips, really am happy for her.

"[Name]." I heard Akashi called out snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Shall we go now?" He asked

"U hmm.. Seijuro." I called out just after we've left the classroom.

"I'll just meet you at the gym later. I just need to attend to something..." I said. Akashi had a questioning look on his face.

"It's nothing too tedious really..." I said not giving him the full details. He looked at me with a calculating gaze.

"Very well, I shall see you then" he said after a while. With a softened expression he said, "Don't make me wait too long..."

"I won't." I replied

Heading our separate ways, I quickened my pace. I stopped in front class 3-2 as the other students started to file out. Spotting a familiar black-haired male, I made my way towards his direction.

"Nijimura-senpai" I called out. The former basketball captain turned towards my direction.

"[Name]-chan, what brings you here?" He asked albeit surprised.

"Here." I handed him a notebook. "Thank you for lending it to me. It really helped me a lot" I said with a bow of appreciation.

"It's nothing. If you need private tutoring I'll be glad to help you out, just tell me when okay?" He said playfully with a wink.

"Aren't you supposed to be studying for the upcoming entrance exams though?" I replied mockingly.

"Yeah, but it gets boring real quick." He whined. "Ne, [Name]-chan... Why don't you come and help me study instead? If you're there, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be soon dull"

"You know I'm not good enough to help you study" I replied laughing a little at his antics

"But you're always nearly at the top of your year's ranking! And having such a cutie around wouldn't be so bad..." He teased

"A-re? Who's this Niji, you're girlfriend?" A tall brunette male said.

"Yup. So back off or I'll skin you alive" Nijimura-senpai said as he put an arm around my shoulders.

"Senpai..." I said with an annoyed tone while taking his hand off of me.

"Eh? But I saw her earlier being all lovey-dovey with the basketball captain." A raven-haired female with pigtails interjected.

"That's me right?" Nijimura-senpai asked pointing at himself.

"Idiot. You used to be the basketball captain." The brunette male countered.

"You mean Akashi?" Nijimura-senpai asked the pig-tailed female to which she replied with a nod.

"Since when have you and Akashi been so close?" He asked in panic.

"Nijimura-senpai, we've been classmates since first year... He just asked me to help me with some things. It's nothing to be worked up about" I said nonchalantly.

"Is that so..."

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"Hey guys, sorry I'm late!!" Came the loud greeting of Nijimura-senpai across the gym, with me in tow under his arms. The usual greeting between the group were exchanged as I tried to pry my way out of Nijimura-senpai's grip.

"This lovely lady had me caught up. But make no mistake, she shouldn't be a distraction..." He stated.

"[Name]." I heard that familiar voice called out as I was able to free myself.

"Sei---" I started, feeling the need to explain, but was cut off.

"Akashi-kun, sorry if I hadn't been able to attend our practice sessions. I was---" Nijimura-senpai started

"Let's go." Akashi stated as he grabbed onto my wrist and started to walk off.

"Nijimura, I suggest you join the others in training" I heard him say to Nijimura-senpai, somehow the tone of his voice a bit deeper than what I was accustomed to.

He lead me near the locker rooms, his grip getting tighter every second.

"Wait--- Sei---" I tried to get his attention but it was in vain, my words hardly reached him.

Once inside the empty locker room, he turned me to face him. He took a shirt from inside his locker and handed it to me.

"Go get changed." He said demandingly. His eyes were a darker shade of red than before and the aura he emitted was very heavy. I wasn't quite sure how to respond to him.

"I don't think---"

"Would you prefer that I change your clothes for you then?" He suddenly interjected catching me off guard.

"That's not---" I tried to explain. He took a step advancing towards me. Taking a step back away from him, I stare at him a little dumbfounded. It's as if I was facing another person, one rid of look of mirth in his being.

"No, no--- it's fine!" I finally said and headed towards a corner to get changed.

I closed the door behind me, leaning towards it in an attempt to settle my furiously beating heart down. I looked down at the shirt in my hand,which was shaking uncontrollably, trying to comprehend what exactly just happened.

'Who exactly was that...?' I questioned myself.

'That wasn't Akashi.' I told myself in disbelief.

"[Name]" I heard him called me out snapping of my thoughts.

"Yes, I'll be there in a moment!" I responded.

I hastily changed to his shirt. His scent invaded my senses as I put it on, enveloping me with the warmth of familiarity of the one and only Akashi Seijuro. That somehow helped me relaxed and recollect myself.

I made my way back towards him in a slowed pace, fear building up in my system yet again. Once in front of his calculating gaze, I looked at anything else but him. I failed to notice the tug of smile on his face as I was too busy examining my reflection. Apparently I was wearing a white shirt, awfully bigger than my frame, with a noticeable red embroidery of Akashi's surname romanized onto the upper-left area.

In a gentle manner, he took my chin to face him.

"Let's go?" He asked, the light in his eyes visibly returning. I could only nod in response.



I wasn't quite sure what to make of what happened earlier, but I was certain of one thing... There's something dark seething underneath his façade...