Chapter 8

The weeks passed by in a daze. Kise and Akashi's relationship wasn't suspicious at all; as usual they didn't text much (Akashi that is) or even talk. Kise would often find himself out on the balcony at night, staring at the moon, relishing the cooling breeze sweeping across his face. Everytime, he would feel an indescribable emptiness as he gazed at the starry sky. What he didn't know was that Akashi was doing the same.

Akashi strolled briskly through the hallways of Rakuzan, students parting before him as the menacing captain charged forwards. His scarlet bangs were shadowing his eyes, and if you could see them, they looked haunted and sad.

"I must see.. Kise..." he muttered absentmindedly.

He spent the rest of his classes not paying attention. It didn't really matter at all, because he already learned everything.

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It was exactly 2:00 when Kise got the message.

Dinner tonight at 7:00? Meet me at the Teiko front gate. -Seijuro

Kise let out a very audible gasp.

"Oi, Kise, what is it? One of your fans? Keep your dirty fangirl messages to yourself!" Kasamatsu yelled at him, yet he leaned over curiously to peek at the words.

Using his awesome basketball reflexes, Kise snatched the phone away from his senpai, waving it out of reach.

"No, Senpai, this message is waaayy too graphic for you," Kise joked, giddy with happiness.

"Like hell it is!" Kasamatsu leapt on top of Kise, and the blonde let go of the phone.

It skittered on the floor, spinning to a stop as the two boys grappled for it. Kasamatsu was closer to it, so he quickly scooped it up. He read the message and glared at Kise.

"What's this about?" he questioned. "Wasn't Teiko your old school? Who is this?"

"It's Akashi!" Kise blurted out. Oops.

"Um, yeah, he wants all of us to go to dinner together, you know, all the Generation of Miracles, .... yeah all of us.. A reunion!" Kise stammered.

"Hmmm. I remember now. It was that captain of Rakuzan, the really scary one? Why is he hosting a reunion dinner today of all times? Isn't it a bit abrupt?"

"Well you know how unpredictable Akashi is," Kise replied cheerfully. Whew. That was a great excuse! No one will suspect anything now!

"Well then, I must be going! Bye-bye Senpai!" Kise quickly got up and left.

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Kise hummed to himself as he boarded the bus. Every few moments his heart would throb at the thought of seeing Akashi again. The bus was quite crowded, and Kise was left standing, but he didn't really mind at all. He gazed out at the setting sun and the scenery throughout the ride.

Akashi was there already, a slender silhouette standing before the gates of their old middle school. There was a slight breeze, and Akashi's bright red hair swayed gently. (Yeah, ikr so cliche again) It's like a romance movie, Kise thought.

"Akashicchiiiiiii!" Kise started running now, waving his arm frantically at the redhead.

The smaller male looked up at the approaching blonde. To Kise's surprise, he smiled warmly in greeting and walked closer. Kise trotted to a stop and stared breathlessly at Akashi. The sunset colors shone on Akashi's red hair, igniting it with beautiful orange gold highlights.

"Shall we go then?" Akashi finally spoke, after checking Kise out too.

Kise nodded eagerly in reply, and in silence they walked away, leaving memories behind, just like that day in the hotel room. Except this time, they were walking away together.

Suddenly Kise thought of something. "Wait! Akashicchi! I still don't know where the hell we're going!" he yelled. "Is this some plan to... do something bad to me?!" Kise suspiciously asked.

Akashi sighed. What the hell was he doing with that blonde idiot anyways.

(( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Way to ruin the mood huh haha u suckers)

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After Akashi had convinced Kise that he didn't mean any harm, there was a pleasant silence between them. Until Kise spoke.

"What restaurant are we going to?" Kise inquired.

"Well, it's a Italian restaurant with a Japanese twist to it, I believe," Akashi replied.

"Is it Pizza Hut?" Kise guessed.

"No!" Akashi looked horrified at the thought. "Besides, Pizza Hut is American!"

"But...then..the restaurant we're going to can't possibly be Italian if it's kinda Japanese..."

Akashi just ignored Kise's comment and they walked on with Kise still confused.

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A few minutes later, Kise was seated at a very fancy table complete with fresh flowers, several candles, and about 20 different eating utensils.

"Akashi..." Kise whispered nervously, looking around at the people around him. "This is a place for couples."

Akashi looked indifferent as he replied. "Well aren't we a couple anyways? If you're uncomfortable with that, just think of this as a friendly reunion."

Before Kise could reply, the menus came. The blonde flipped through the large menu, frowning as he stared at unfamiliar foods. Akashi looked up and noticed Kise's confusion.

"I'll order something for you then," Akashi sighed. "How about a pasta?"

"Ooh yes, that sounds great," Kise agreed quickly in relief.

Dinner was actually a pretty decent experience, Akashi thought. Kise had good taste in foods, and he enjoyed all the dishes, especially dessert. Surprisingly for a model, he had a good appetite, and they finished everything on the table. Akashi paid, although Kise protested, but Akashi's orders were absolute so that solved the problem.

Outside, they both paused facing each other.

"So, is this goodbye again?" Kise spoke up.

"Of course not," Akashi irritably replied. "Unless you don't want to meet tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? We're going somewhere?" Kise felt curious and excited.

"Yes, and I also booked a hotel room for us tonight," Akashi added.

"Sounds great. Wait what?!" Kise stared at the calm redhead.

"You can call whomever you need to notify."

"Well, I guess it's okay then," Kise reluctantly agreed. "But I don't have any clothes to wear tomorrow though."

"I took care of that," Akashi waved his hand impatiently. "Let's go."

"I want us to get started very early tonight."

Sorry that this update took forever. Beginning of the year is always a hectic time. (btw I started watching Hunter x Hunter (well um actually more than halfway thru) and Akashi kinda reminds me of Kurapika? except less angry and more basketball) -Carolee