Chapter Text
Mayuzumi should have known. He should have known, since that conversation with Akashi on the roof of their school after the Winter Cup ended, that it wouldn't be the last time seeing or speaking to Akashi. He should have known he wouldn't get rid of Akashi 'The Reigning Emperor' Seijuurou so easily. Because even after Mayuzumi had graduated and gotten out of Rakuzan, Akashi was admant about staying in touch. Since Mayuzumi had chosen to attend university in Kyoto, Akashi was great at finding opportunities to 'run into each other'. At the library, near the train station, at cafes, even on the street courts a few times. Mayuzumi had stopped resisting it after a month, and had just surrendered to the fact that Akashi wasn't going anywhere.
Honestly, Mayuzumi could have just changed his number, or blocked Akashi...but if he got a new number, he'd have to chase up all the other people in his phone to let them know, which yeah, he wasn't gonna do that. And if he blocked Akashi...Mayuzumi had a feeling Akashi would just find other ways to call or message him. It wasn't like Akashi was a nightmare to deal withs or bad company necessarily...he was just annoyingly persistent in inserting himself into Mayuzumi's life, with or without Mayuzumi's consent.
But, still, Mayuzumi knew it wasn't one-sided. After all, no one had forced him to go and watch the Vorpal Swords match against Jabberwock. And no one had made him stay behind and chat with Akashi afterwards, seeing his exhausted but victorious smile as he praised the efforts of his team. So yeah...Mayuzumi supposed they were kind of...friends. Even though it felt weird to say or even think about, it was undoubtedly true.
Cue all the way up to now - Akashi's first year of university, where he had 'coincidentally' chosen the same university as Mayuzumi - despite all of Akashi's teachers and even his own father saying he should aim higher. But he did not listen to any of them, and stuck with his choice. And Akashi sure had made the most of their closer proximity to each other now - already organising study sessions with Mayuzumi - even though Mayuzumi was two years older than him, they were in completely different courses, and they couldn't really help each other at all. Akashi simply said 'I focus better if someone is next to me, even if we are not studying the same content. It holds me accountable. Don't you agree, Mayuzumi-san?'
Mayuzumi called bullshit because he had seen with his own eyes how effectively Akashi studied independently and if anything having company was a hindrance to him...but the smile on Akashi's face and the way he'd occasionally stop to chat happily with Mayuzumi about this or that said otherwise. Speaking of, Akashi turned to him with attentive eyes, and Mayuzumi just knew he was going to say or ask something-
“Do you have a girlfriend, Mayuzumi-san?”
Akashi asked him a lot of weird things (the guy was a bit of an oddball underneath his prim and proper exterior), but this was just random as hell. They weren't in the quiet zone of the library, so tehy were able to talk softly as long as it wasn't too disturbing to those aorund them.
“Huh? Why do you wanna know?" Mayuzumi asked, eyebrow raised as he set down his book for a bit.
Akashi shrugged and hummed, “I am simply making conversation. Actually, I have been meaning to ask you for some time. Now seems as good a time as any to know,” he said, and that just felt so cryptic, all Mayuzumi could do was sigh.
“If I say yes, what then?”
Akashi hummed before responding, “I suppose I will ask you about her, to see what kind of person she is.”
“Why? It’s not like I’d ever let you meet her,” you’d end up charming her away from me, Mayuzumi thinks sardonically. Akashi hadn't even been at the university for 6 months yet, and so many girls already fawned over him, followed him around, were dying to be by his side.
“I would like to know what qualities are attractive to you in a person you like, is that so wrong?” Akashi asked innocently, and yeah, Mayuzumi wasn't buying that for a second.
In fact, he snorted, rolled his eyes, and picked up his book again, “You this nosy with all your friends’ love lives?”
Akashi doesn’t say anything in retort, and when the silence stretches on Mayuzumi looks up the find the younger man smiling.
Mayuzumi reflexively frowned, suspicious, “What are you looking so pleased about?”
“Though I already knew you considered us friends, it is nice to hear you say it out loud,” Akashi said in a honeyed tone and ugh, so that's what it was that made him all smug.
“You don’t miss a single thing, do you?” Mayuzumi sighed again as he shook his head, then added,“No girlfriend. Yet.”
Akashi nodded, then tipped his head to the side curiously, “Is there someone you are interested in?”
“No, not really,” Mayuzumi broke his gaze and looked back down at the book, reading the same line probably about 2 or 3 times before it finally sunk in. He could feel Akashi's eyes on him, and heard him smile without even having to look as he simply said:
"Okay."
But now, Mayuzumi was annoyed, and frustrated, and wondering why the hell Akashi asked him something like that. So, naturally, Mayuzumi gave it right back to him.
"What about you? Dating yet?" he asked nonchalantly, as he (finally) turned the page of the book.
"Hmm, not yet, but I might be soon," Akashi said casually, and Mayuzumi almost let it slip by him but then he did a double take because what the fuck? Since when?
But before Mayuzumi could even question him, Akashi beat him to it, and looked at Mayuzumi intently as he asked another question, "Mayuzumi-san, what is your opinion on blind dates?"
"I mean...they're not my thing, but I know they work for some people. Friends set each other up on them, sometimes," Mayuzumi explained, then shook his head and refocused on the more pressing issue at hand, "But hold on, did you really say you're gonna date someone soon? What, like a blind date?"
"In a sense, yes. Rather than my friends, though, it is my father's idea. He calls them 'arranged encounters'," Akashi said, and god, that sounded awful. Whose father was so invested in their child's future to the point they interefered in their romantic relationships? The answer was one Akashi Masaomi.
"He is encouraging me to consider the path of an eventual arranged marrage. He has even sourced a matchmaker to assist with the process," Akashi continued, his tone disheartened just from talking about it. Mayuzumi couldn't believe what he was hearing.
A matchmaker? Arranged marriage? What the hell, is that old man still living in the Edo Period or what?
"Seriously? Does he not believe in love or what? What did you say?" Mayuzumi asked, his book forgotten and closed on the table as he looked at Akashi in mild concern.
Akashi inhaled and let it out with a heavy sigh, “I said I would rather not go through with it for now, which made him quite frustrated. It escalated into an argument between us, and so I am just taking some time to cool down from it," Akashi said, closing his eyes for a minute. Then a slight smile crossed his face, but it was more wistful and sad than happy, as he opened his eyes and said, "You know, my mother had an arranged marriage with my father.”
Mayuzumi raised an eyebrow, not surprised but also not expecting to hear that, "She did, huh?"
Akashi nodded, “To this day, I do not know if they truly loved each other or not. They were affectionate towards one another, and my father did seem somewhat emotionally impacted by her death. It makes me wonder, if I were to court a woman my father selected as most suitable for me, would it work out? Would we be able to have a happy marriage?”
“Of course not,” Mayuzumi answered, perhaps more quickly than he would have liked, but his fast response caught Akashi's attention. The boy turned to look at him, and Mayuzumi played it off, scoffing as he shook his head,“Seriously, I thought you were supposed to be some sort of genius. You’re really asking that question? Isn’t it obvious that you can't force something like that?”
“I have grown up with it, so I suppose it has been normalised for me to an extent,” Akashi mused, and Mayuzumi sighed.
“Well, it shouldn’t be. That kind of thing isn’t normal. Just because everyone in your family has done it, doesn’t mean you have to follow them. Make your own choices. You’re absolute, aren’t you?”
Then, Akashi's face did the most hilarious grimace Mayuzumi had ever seen, as he frowned and fixed Mayuzumi with an uncomfortable expression, “Please don’t say that, Mayuzumi-san. It’s slightly embarrassing for me to remember that phrase.”
Mayuzumi barely suppressed a laugh at his antics, but he managed it, and asked instead, “Why? That’s just your other self, it’s still part of you. We all have embarrassing things about ourselves we’d rather forget.”
“Do you have something like that?” Akashi queried, and Mayuzumi frowned at the obvious diversion.
“Oi, you’re changing the subject,” when Akashi didn't respond, Mayuzumi rolled his eyes and answered the question instead,“But yeah, sure I do.”
“Like what?”
“I quote lines from my favourite light novels to other people and slip them into conversation when I can.”
Akashi seemed more interested now, as he clearly attempted to recall past conversations as if to pick out any occasions Mayuzumi had used the quotes, “Really? I’ve never noticed it, what lines have you used?”
“That doesn’t matter," Mayuzumi said dismissively, then looked at Akashi as he spoke, "The point is, your father sounds like an asshole and you should do what you want because you’re an adult. He can’t tell you what to do, CEO business mogul or not. There, that’s my life lesson for the day. Take it or leave it.”
Then, Akashi laughed. It was a soft yet genuine sound, damnably pleasing to the ears.
“I envy your frankness, Mayuzumi-san. I should hope for even a fraction of it when I confront my father next time,” Akashi said through tinkling laughs with his eyes closed and crinkled at the corners. He reached a hand up to cover his mouth in an attempt to be quiet.
“You’re welcome. Don’t say I never act as your upperclassman,” Mayuzumi replied, trying to ignore the way he couldn't tear his gaze away from Akashi or the weirdly good feeling he got from seeing his change in mood.
“Then, should I start calling you Mayuzumi-senpai instead?” Akashi asked back, more than a little cheeky, and Mayuzumi forced himself not to smile, and opted for a scowl instead.
“Hell no. Don’t say that ever again, brat,” Mayuzumi chided him.
Another breeze of laughter passed through Akashi’s lips, and seriously , Akashi needed to stop laughing like that. It was the kind of laugh that someone could get all too used to hearing if they weren’t careful.
I’m getting careless, Mayuzumi thought, his eyes on Akashi.
“Mayuzumi-kun, I-I like you,” Kiyoko said, her brown eyes shining up at him as she clutched her books to her chest with red cheeks,“Can we meet up this weekend? Not to study or for coffee, but for a-a date?”
The two were standing outside their lecture classroom, after everyone else had left. He had thought Kiyoko seemed unusually distracted during the class today, and well, now Mayuzumi knew why. As he watched her tuck some of her silky, ebony hair behind her ear shyly, Mayuzumi wondered why his answer wasn't coming out.
Kiyoko was pretty much the kind of girl he had imagined himself eventually dating one day. She was quiet, cute, kept to herself, but was pleasant to be around. Plus, she was a certified literary nerd, like Mayuzumi. It's why he chose to work with her on all the group projects in his course, since they got along so well. More than once he'd considered the idea of asking her out, or imagining what their relationship would look like. But, Mayuzumi hadn't wanted to complicate things and actually found her a good, decent friend.
But he'd told himself if she was the one to make a move first and ask him on a date, then he'd agree and give it a shot. Well, Kiyoko had just made a very obvious, very direct move on him right now.
And yet, when she smiled at him, he didn’t feel anything. When he made her laugh, it was nice, but nothing significant. Even looking at her right now, all shy and nervous but excited and happy because of him...it didn't feel like enough.
Mayuzumi wondered what the hell was wrong with him, as he found himself saying the complete opposite of what he intended to say:
“I can’t. Sorry, Kiyoko.”
Then, Kiyoko's eyes widened in shock, taken aback as she blinked up at him rapidly, “Eh? Why not?”
And the worst part was that Mayuzumi could not even give her answer. Why the hell am I turning her down? He asked himself. It just didn't make sense, when-
“D-Do you…like someone else?”
Right on cue, Akashi’s face flashed through his mind. And Mayuzumi's eyes widened, as the truth crashed down on him like a tidal wave.
Well, now he had his answer. Now he knew why he couldn't say yes to Kiyoko instantly, as he'd always imagined he would.
“I guess I do," Mayuzumi's lips parted, then closed, as he said in a low voice, "I really do."
Then, realisation set in, as Mayuzumi scoffed at himself and ran a hand through his hair in disbelief, “Ah, I can't believe it. What the hell?”
Because seriously, what was this? The fact that when Akashi smiled because of him, it made him feel strangely proud. And when he made Akashi laugh, it was like Mayuzumi had unlocked some kind of indecipherable code that no one else could figure out. The way that Akashi looked at him every time he walked into the room, something no one had ever done before. When Akashi had asked him the very same question, Mayuzumi hadn't realised it properly. Yet, when someone else asked him the question, Mayuzumi had his answer straight away.
Kiyoko's expression fell, but she tried to salvage it by forcing her smile to linger as she nodded, "O-Oh, I see. Well, if you like someone else that much, there's nothing I can do. But, I hope it works out for you both!"
Then, Mayuzumi frowned, because even if he had a self-realisation, he had also just rejected Kiyoko's feelings. Not sure how to console her but wanting to try, Mayuzumi started to speak, "Kiyoko-"
"Sorry, Mayuzumi-san! I'm late for-for an appointment! I should get going! See you in class next time!" Kiyoko cut him off, and waved at him before she dashed off around the corner. It didn't seem like she was crying, she was probably just embarrassed, but still...
Damn. Mayuzumi felt kind of bad for turning her down like that when she'd been so earnest. But, it wasn't like Mayuzumi thought he'd turn her down. How could he have predicted that the moment she asked him out, he realised he liked Akashi?
But, he would think of a way to make it up to her later.
Right now, Mayuzumi was set on doing something with this new realisation. Because when you realise you like someone, and that someone is Akashi Seijuurou, you don't just sit around and wait for something to happen.You need to take action, which was what Mayuzumi intended to do.
Which was what led Mayuzumi to march over to Akashi's student units the next day to see him. It wasn't even midday yet, but to hell with it, Mayuzumi couldn't stand to wait a single second longer. Also, it was cold as fuck out. It wasn't snowing yet, but the sky was grey and overcast, and the wind had that icy chill to it. Still, Mayuzumi had braved the cold to come here. Since he wasn't allowed to enter another accommodation building - even though they lived on the same campus together, just in different buildings - Mayuzumi had messaged Akashi and asked him to come outside right now because Mayuzumi was waiting for him.
And in ten minutes, he saw that flash of red hair, and Akashi dressed in a coat and scarf, the same as Mayuzumi was (minus the gloves Mayuzumi was wearing). He walked down the stairs, straight towards Mayuzumi, his eyes locked on him. As if it was easy for Akashi to spot him - something that was virtually impossible for anyone else.
"Mayuzumi-san? What are you doing here? I did not think I would see you until Thursday for our studying session," Akashi said, as he stood opposite him near the garden, the leaves of flowers and trees wet with water droplets from the rain last night.
"Surprise, I guess," Mayuzumi said, his own unique greeting, but he didn't have time for pleasantries as he got straight to the point, "Hey, ask me that question again."
"Sorry? You want me to ask you a question...I have already asked you before?" Akashi raised his eyebrows at him, more than a little confused.
"That time we were in the library together, a few weeks ago. You asked me a question back then, I want you to ask it again. That's why I'm here," Mayuzumi clarified, and though the context helped Akashi slightly, he still looked at a loss.
"How should I narrow down all the questions I asked you? There's too many, I might need a few moments to go through them all," Akashi told him, and after knowing him for so long, Mayuzumi knew that Akashi's 'analysis process' could be quite long depending on what he was analysing.
"Forget it, I'm impatient, so you're getting a hint. It was about relationships," Mayuzumi stated, and after a few moments, Akashi's magenta orbs brightened with remembrance.
"I asked if you were interested in anyone, I believe."
"Yeah, you did. So I'm saying you should ask that again," Mayuzumi repeated his earlier request, his heart rate slowly increasing unbeknownst to Akashi's knowledge.
For his part, Akashi still seemed perplexed about the meaning of all this. Nevertheless, he indulged Mayuzumi and asked him, "Is there anyone you like?"
"Yeah, there is," Mayuzumi answered straight away.
And Akashi...was quiet. His eyes widened, his lips pursed together, and at his sides, his hands were slightly tensed. Eventually, Akashi gave a single nod, and hummed, "I see. She must be someone special to make you change your mind like that. Who is it?"
"Well, it's not a she, for a start," Mayuzumi corrected, and Akashi's lips parted before he bowed his head apologetically.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed-"
"It's you."
There, he said it. Mayuzumi actually said it. He'd thought maybe he'd be able to get Akashi to say it for him, but the brat was being surprisingly dense today. Mayuzumi got the sense Akashi was getting the wrong idea, that Mayuzumi was telling him he liked someone else, and nope. Mayuzumi was not going down the miscommunication rabbit hole today. That's why, even though emotions weren't his forte, he had no choice but to come out and say it. Right to Akashi's face.
Speaking of which, Akashi's face seemed frozen in shock. Then, he blinked, tilted his head to the side, and shook his head, "...Come again?"
"It's you. I like you. A lot," Mayuzumi answered confidently, not a trace of hesitation in his words or his tone.
But it seemed he had really got one over on Akashi, because he was still blinking confusedly and looked like a confused cat, "You...what?"
"Don't make me repeat myself, I know you heard me," Mayuzumi said, and he took a step closer towards him, his eyes shining down determinedly at Akashi, "Listen, I don't want you going on blind dates, or 'arranged encounters', or whatever else. I wanted you to choose for yourself, and I still want that. The difference now is...I don't want you to choose just anyone."
"I've been with you all this time, Akashi. That's why, I want to keep going. You and me, I don't know why, but we understand each other. You see me, and I see you. So, stay with me, and we can keep doing that for as long as you want," Mayuzumi added as the wind billowed his scarf and coat around, as his voice lowered, and his tone actually softened...because of course it did. Only for Akashi. Just like always.
Then, there was a silence between them. It was not uncomfortable or tense. In fact, they just looked at each other for a while.
But eventually, Akashi was the first one to break it, as he cleared his throat and said, “Can I say something, Mayuzumi-san?”
Mayuzumi nodded, “Sure.”
“I like you, as well. Romantically, I should say. I have for some time, but I hesitated since...I convinced myself you were not interested and it would not work out between us. How foolish of me, I was completely wrong about this. But, I have never been happier to be wrong, in my whole life," Akashi confessed, and hearing those words was like setting off fireworks under a starry sky even though it was like 10 AM in the morning, foggy as hell and freezing cold. But Mayuzumi didn't give a damn. This moment right now would be seared in his memory, for sure.
And then, Akashi took a step towards him, further closing the distance between them, as he gazed up at Mayuzumi with those magnetic, sparkling eyes, "You said you wanted me to choose? Well, I have already chosen. I choose you. I want you, Mayuzumi-san. So, may we start seeing each other, as a couple?”
Mayuzumi huffed a laugh, cracking a smile as he shook his head, shoving his hands in his pockets to hide the way they shook with nervous excitement, “I don’t know about you, but I sure as hell don’t go around saying sappy shit like that because I’m an affectionate guy. I don’t act like this for just anyone, it’s your fault. So as far as I’m concerned, we’re a thing now.”
“A thing? Can you be more specific?” Akashi asked, seemingly innocent but he was obviously goading Mayuzumi.
So, Mayuzumi didn't buy into it and called it out, upfront, “Official, exclusive, in a relationship. How else do you want me to put it?”
“No, I think those titles explain it quite well,” Akashi smiled in satisfaction, and Mayuzumi rolled his eyes before he thought of something else he needed to say.
“And I’ve got a lot of pride, you know, so don’t think I’m going to be discreet about it.”
"I would expect nothing less. I hope you know I intend to act the same way," Akashi told him, rising to the challenge as usual.
But Mayuzumi was please with it for once, as he gave a satisfied nod, "Good."
Truth be told, Mayuzumi was thinking about kissing Akashi. The idea crossed his mind, basically the moment Akashi reciprocated his feelings. But, Mayuzumi also didn’t want to rush things, especially when he considered this was the first time Akashi had been with someone romantically. There was no need to get ahead of himself.
Then, right on cue, Akashi peered up at him as he asked enticingly, “Are you not going to kiss me, Mayuzumi-san?”
Now it was Mayuzumi's turn to be confused. He blinked, then shook his head, “Huh? What did you–I mean, how did you–”
“Nevermind, I forgot who I was talking to," Mayuzumi sighed at himself. Then, he looked at Akashi, narrowed his eyes, and answered honestly, "I think…it’s better to wait for now.”
“Hm, if you say so. Then, please know that even though I lack experience, I am open to everything and anything with you. I’ll be in your care from now on,” Akashi replied, accepting the answer easily enough. But there was something off...
Hold on, what the hell are you saying now? Surely you know that saying those kind of words to a guy who just confessed to you is way too bold.
Then, Mayuzumi saw the smirk playing across Akashi's lips and yeah, he definitely knows what he's doing.
Akashi was basically giving himself to Mayuzumi and saying that he wanted to be as intimate with him as Mayuzumi wanted. As it was, Mayuzumi was doing his best to hold back and not completely give in to the tempting words.
“You brat, you really know how to rile me up, don’t you?” Mayuzumi sighed and looked at him in annoyance, but also, with an awakened fervour of sorts
“I told you to wait. But since you’re so impatient, it can’t be helped,” And then, Mayuzumi leaned in and, cradled a hand on the back of Akashi's head, and brushed a soft kiss against his temple. The short yet intimate contact made the younger boy glance up at him with a wide, dewy-eyed expression.
Then, Mayuzumi flicked him on the forehead, and Akashi, offguard for once, hadn't defended himself and let out a little, pained groan. He reached up a hand to his forehead and glared at Mayuzumi, with a faint pinkness lingering in his cheeks.
"That was not very romantic of you, Mayuzumi-san," Akashi said haughtily, and Mayuzumi snorted.
"What, were you expecting Prince Charming? Come on, you know me, so you should have seen this coming," Mayuzumi smirked at him, and Akashi continued to frown, but in a way Mayuzumi hadn't seen before. It seemed closer to a pout...but as if Akashi Seijuurou would ever let himself show a full-on pout in public.
"Ah, I'm freezing out here, let's go in," Mayuzumi grabbed Akashi's hand and pulled, and surprisingly, he was met with no resistance. Akashi followed along behind him, and Mayuzumi barely hid a smile. Akashi must have caught it though, since his miffed expression from before disappeared and was replaced with a smile as well.
3 months later...
“This seems like the perfect backdrop for a couple. Like from one of your light novels," Akashi commented, as he walked hand-in-hand with Mayuzumi down the sidewalk. It was just on sunset, so the sky was dappled with oranges, pinks and purples. Winter was over and spring had arrived, which meant the cherry blossoms had bloomed. They were scattered around by the wind, dancing across the road and in front of them.
"Not all my light novels are about romance, you know," Mayuzumi told him grumpily, but kept holding Akashi's hand as they stopped under one of the trees. There weren't many people around, and Mayuzumi wanted to take the chance to get some photos. So, he pulled out his phone with his other, free hand and opened the camera app up, starting to click some pictures of the scenery around them.
"But I do know that you prefer the ones that have a love story," Akashi answered back, and it was so annoying that he was right. Mayuzumi grumbled but didn't say anything, still taking photos. Akashi chuckled lightly as he glanced around, and mused aloud,“Doesn’t it feel like a place where you could have a special romantic moment? Like a confession, or a first kiss,” Akashi hummed, and Mayuzumi froze, his previous picture-taking coming to a halt.
Had Akashi just...dropped a hint? Given him the signal? They had been together for over three months now, and just as Mayuzumi had said, the two decided to take things slow. They held hands, hugged, and even fallen asleep on the couch together once. So, maybe it was time to take another step...
Closing his camera app and locking his phone, Mayuzumi slipped it inside his pocket and nodded, “Fine, then. Should we do it now?”
“Hm? What’s that?” Akashi looked away from the cherry blossoms and over at Mayuzumi curiously.
“First kiss. Should we have ours here, right now?” Mayuzumi stated, as he turned so he and Akashi were now face to face instead of standing next to each other.
“I am surprised you would ask, seeing as how it was your idea to take things slow,” Akashi replied, and though his reply seemed cool and calm, Mayuzumi could see the way his eyes sparked at the proposal.
“That’s why I’m asking you. It’s up to you, if you’re ready or not, I don’t mind,” Mayuzumi shrugged.
“I am. It has taken some time, but I am finally ready to take this next step towards you. How about you, Mayuzumi-san?” Akashi asked, his voice smooth and buttery, as he gazed up at Mayuzumi zealousy.
“You know, I’ve gotten pretty good at meeting you wherever you’re at, and this isn’t any different,” Mayuzumi answered, full of surety, and Akashi smiled at his confidence.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
“Did you just say I was right? Wow, you must really want it bad if you’re willing to go that far,” Mayuzumi teased him, unable to resist, and Akashi rolled his eyes at Mayuzumi's trademark un-romantic streak making an appearance.
“Mayuzumi-san, for someone so aloof and reserved, you have a lot of trouble knowing when you should stop talking,” Akashi told him, just shy of a pout, and Mayuzumi actually smiled for a short moment.
“That only happens when I’m with you, not everyone gets to see this side of me. Don’t you feel lucky?”
“Yes, I do,” Akashi replied, his face full of adoration as he looked at Mayuzumi.
And with that frustratingly sweet statement hanging between them, Mayuzumi decides to let that moment fall into place. So, with his hands cupping Akashi’s face, he leaned in and pressed their lips together. He felt Akashi’s hands slowly reach up and settle on Mayuzumi’s shoulders. As they continued to kiss, his fingers lightly curled into Mayuzumi’s jacket, a subtle sign that Akashi actually felt affected by it.
The sight of Akashi’s flushed cheeks after their kiss was…it was really something, to be sure. Mayuzumi had to look away from him first, or else he might do something stupid like pull Akashi in again, or take him back to his apartment. Yeah, no, Mayuzumi couldn’t do that. Not yet. They had taken a step, not as slow as before but still steady.
“May I stay with you tonight, Mayuzumi-san?” Akashi asked, still sounding out of breath, and oh boy, was it hard for Mayuzumi to be firm right now.
But he didn't waver, and stubbornly forced out the responsible reply, as he grabbed Akashi's hand and started walking, “No, I’m walking you back to your unit. Then, I'm going back to mine. I'll see you again tomorrow anyway, so just wait until then.”
“How interesting," Akashi uttered, and Mayuzumi glanced over at him with a raised brow questioningly. Then, Akashi smiled, as he squeezed Mayuzumi's arm and leaned closer to him while they walked along the footpath,"Did you know that you have a hidden protective side?”
“What? No, I don’t. This is just basic decency,” Mayuzumi protested, but Akashi hummed and shook his head.
“Hm, I disagree. You have a peculiar, understated type of consideration and show it in very specific ways, particularly towards me. I find it quite charming,” Akashi looked up at him through his eyelashes, his smile both sweet and coy and aimed towards Mayuzumi only.
And Mayuzumi was just a man, so he groaned and asked (pleaded) to his boyfriend, “Can you stop doing that?”
“Doing what?” Akashi tipped his head to the side, and Mayuzumi frowned at his feigned innocent act.
“You know what.”
“I’m sorry, I’m just very happy. I cannot help myself, so please forgive me, Mayuzumi-san,” Akashi said sweetly, and just how the hell was Mayuzumi supposed to be irritated with him anymore after hearing that?
"Fine, I'm feeling generous today," Mayuzumi relented, as he squeezed Akashi's hand back.
The next day, Mayuzumi waits for Akashi to arrive in typical Akashi-fashion, making his limo driver park outside of the student parking so he might enter the university like any normal student would. He seems surprised to see Mayuzumi leaning against the nearest brick wall, light novel in hand as he reads until the end of the paragraph. Once he turns the page, he looks up and locks eyes with Akashi.
“You’re never gonna just use the student parking, like everyone else, huh?”
“It would be more embarrassing to be seen being driven into university and exiting my father’s limo than to have others think I don’t own my own vehicle.”
When they walk through the gates, Mayuzumi reaches down and takes Akashi’s hand without looking. Keeping his eyes forward, he feels Akashi’s gaze burning on him but Mayuzumi doesn’t let go.
“Where’s your first class at?” he asks, because there’s no way he’s gonna tell Akashi he wants to walk with him longer. The kid would get too smug, and he could just imagine that little, satisfied smirk on his lips.
“This way, follow the line of lockers until the end.”
The girls who would normally greet Akashi (like it was the highlight of their day) stuttered and were at a complete loss. They stared wide-eyed at seeing the Akashi walking hand-in-hand down the hallway with someone. More specifically, someone they had never seen before. Even now, three months after dating Akashi, there were still some people who got shocked to find out Mayuzumi was 'the boyfriend'.
“You did warn me back when we got together, and I was prepared for something like this occurring, but it is still amusing to see the extent of your pride in action, Mayuzumi-san," Akashi said, his tone clearly amused.
Akashi looked up at him so enticingly, as if he is just daring Mayuzumi to do something. Like kissing him. And Mayuzumi knows he shouldn’t be so easily drawn into his web, but Akashi’s eyes are too magnetic that he can’t look away and instead finds himself leaning down.
“Oh, that’s right. I have to consult with my lecturer about the current assignment before the lesson starts,” Akashi says, just when Mayuzumi was about to close the gap between them. Taking a small step back, Akashi bows as he bids his farewell to Mayuzumi (apparently, they were done now), “If you’ll excuse me, Mayuzumi-san. Thank you for walking with me, I appreciate it.”
And with that, Akashi turns and strides into the classroom without even a glance back in his direction. He doesn’t need to see Akashi’s face to know that the annoying smirk he had been trying to avoid was definitely there.
Mayuzumi sighs, lazily spinning on his heel and ambling back down the hallway, headed for the library. Yeah, Akashi definitely wasn’t gonna indulge him either. He’d let Mayuzumi walk him just now, tricking him into thinking he could get away with it, but that had all been planned for the chance to leave him hanging like this.
Despite appearances, Akashi was the persistent one between them. Now that Akashi had him, Mayuzumi didn’t think he’d be discarded so easily.
