Chapter Text
Mayuzumi Chihiro is done with this shit. Honest. He's been contemplating jumping off a high building for a while. The probability of him surviving if he jumps off the 10th floor rooftop is basically ninety percent. He's willing to take that chance.
"Mayuzumi-san, if you're thinking of suicide again, can you please do it after you finish writing your book?"
That. That is the reason why Mayuzumi wants to die. A fucking red haired gremlin entering his apartment with no qualms at seven AM. What if he was in the shower? What if he was having sex? What if --
"If you want to have sex that badly…"
"Okay, that's it." Mayuzumi slams his hands into the table and glares at Akashi fucking Seijurou, his editor. How he got the son of the most powerful and richest man in the whole Japan as his editor doesn't make sense to him either. "Maybe I just want privacy, you emperor brat."
"I knocked. You didn't answer. I thought that was enough reason to enter the apartment with my spare key."
It wasn't a 'spare' key. Akashi stole his key and made a spare of his own.
"I'm going to finish the book --"
"-- you said that three months ago --"
" -- I just need more time. Or inspiration. Or will to live."
Akashi looks at him, probably assessing the situation at hand and making calculated moves just like he did when they were in high school. "Mayuzumi-san, is it a writer's block?"
It is a writer's block. "None of your business."
Akashi sighs, pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes. "Mayuzumi- san ."
Mayuzumi grits his teeth. He hates that voice. That is the voice that his own mother is using when she's disappointed. " What ?" He growls.
Akashi snaps his eyes wide open and stares at him. His eyeballs look like a pair of saucers. He clears his throat and turns around. "I will see you tonight, Mayuzumi-san."
"Huh? Oi, we're still --" Mayuzumi says but Akashi is fast as he walks towards the door and slams it close when he leaves. "-- talki -- what the fuck is wrong with you ?!"
Nobody answers him. But Mayuzumi knows there's a list of that somewhere.
#
It's not like Mayuzumi wanted to be a writer after college. He took Computer Science as a major but he didn't know what to do with his degree after. He was just bored in one of his classes so he started making little stories in his notebook. Inspired by his teammates in Rakuzan, he created a murder story where Akashi is the culprit but manage to get away every single time.
Not like he made that obvious or anything.
On his last day in the dorm, instead of going to a party with his other dormmates, he wrote all the little stories in another notebook and thought, huh, that wasn't so bad?
Mayuzumi just threw the notebook away because who cares, right?
The next day, the entirety of Rakuzan came to his dorm to 'help' him pack. Akashi was one of them. That should have been his first clue.
Because the day he came back to Kyoto and Akashi called him an hour after he finished his dinner, it went downhill from there.
#
Mayuzumi is in the elevator with a guy, more or less the same as his height, holding a dog that's probably bigger than Mayuzumi if it stands up on its two feet. The man in question has a dark red, black roots hair and he seems so familiar that --
" Kagami Taiga ?"
Kagami jumps and turns around to look at him. His face looks scary at first but it eases when he sees who called him.
"Mayuzumi-san? Of Rakuzan?"
When will he finally get away from that? "Yes."
"You live here?"
"No, you live here?" Mayuzumi asks. "And is that the dog you've had in high school? It's still alive?"
"I've always lived here. I've been here since middle school and um, no. Nigou is a Seirin mascot so the team rotates taking care of him. He's with Mitobe-senpai and Koganei-senpai this week, I think."
"So, who's that?"
"We call him Number Three."
Mayuzumi snorts. "Of course, it is."
The elevator pings and they walk out together.
"How long have you been here?" Kagami asks him as he puts down the little beast he calls Number Three.
"Just last year." Mayuzumi answers. He was living with his parents before then but the main office of the publishing company handling him is in Tokyo and he always needed to come here for some business so it was just easier to move. Mayuzumi didn't decide where he would live, though, Akashi did. When it comes to these things, Akashi is like a personal assistant. Or Mayuzumi is Akashi's slave or something. He doesn't know where to lean when it comes to that red haired gremlin.
"I see." Kagami says. The little beast is already trying to run away from him.
"I'm confused on how I didn't see you here, though."
"I'm on the fifth floor."
"Oh? I'm on the second."
Mayuzumi doesn't know where to go. After Akashi left, he just needed to get some fresh air. Which is weird, because Mayuzumi wouldn't be caught alive making that kind of decision before. Writer's block is really a bitch.
"Is it alright if I walk with you?" Mayuzumi asks.
Kagami looks at him. "Sure. But I'm going to play basketball with some guys after."
"I'll play." Mayuzumi decides.
Kagami just smiles at him. It unnerves him. People don't smile at him. Well, Akashi does. But Akashi isn't people.
#
" You want me to, what now?"
"I think it would be good if you take their offer." Akashi says calmly.
Mayuzumi wants to strangle Akashi. He's thinking murder. Messy, bloody murder -- because the red haired gremlin passed his little stories about Rakuzan to a publishing company and it got an okay. They said it just needed a little editing, Mayuzumi-san. Akashi had said.
"You do realize you sent that story without my consent?"
"Yes."
"And you expect me to just… say yes to something I didn't know was happening."
"Yes."
Unbelievable. This kid is something else. He really never changed.
"Akashi, I regret to inform you but this isn't high school. You are no longer my captain and certainly not the boss of me."
"Of course not." Akashi's voice is amused. "I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do, Mayuzumi-san. I just thought as you don't know what else to do after you graduate, this is the next best option."
Murder. Or suicide. Take your pick.
"You're an asshole."
"I assume that's a yes."
"Of course it's a yes, you fucking red haired gremlin --"
#
Akashi finds Mayuzumi on the dining table, typing away on his laptop like his life is depending on it.
"Good evening, Mayuzumi-san."
Mayuzumi doesn't answer. He's on a roll.
Akashi seems to respect that. He just puts down the take out in his hands and starts to put plates on the table.
Before, Akashi used to bring his butler which is like a no go to Mayuzumi. He's already dealing with a spoiled brat. He is not going to deal with Sebastian.
(His name was Anthony but it's not like Mayuzumi is going to let an opportunity slide to call Akashi, Ciel.)
When Mayuzumi finishes, Akashi is in the living room, watching a brain dead cell drama about people cheating on each other or something.
"You seem to have found your will to live." Akashi says.
"As soon as you left, it came to me." Mayuzumi snaps. He massages his forehead. "Anyway, I already sent it in your e-mail. Do you as you will."
"Of course." Akashi smiles. See ? Mayuzumi thinks. This brat smiles at me. A lot . "How about we eat dinner and you can tell me how you find your muse?"
Mayuzumi snorts. "I played basketball."
"Hmm?"
"I said I played basketball. With Kagami Taiga. He lives here?"
Akashi blinks at him. "Yes. The reason why I chose this place is because I personally knew someone who recommended it."
"You talked to Kagami?"
"No, Kuroko."
Mayuzumi stops mid-sitting. "Huh?"
"They live… together ." Akashi says, slowly. "Is that a problem?"
"No?" Why would it be a problem ? "I'm just…" Mayuzumi narrows his eyes. "As someone who used to be in the same position in basketball, the feeling of resentment never really goes away."
"I see. You see him as your rival?"
"I see him as nothing."
"So, you played basketball. With Kagami Taiga."
"And a bunch of his college friends." Is Mayuzumi imagining the bold accusation tone Akashi has in his voice right now? He feels like he needs to explain himself. "I saw him with the dog."
"Number Three."
"Yeah, that little beast."
"Did you enjoy… playing?"
"With the dog?"
"No." Akashi meets his eyes. "With Kagami Taiga."
Did he? Yeah, he did. Passing to Kagami feels… easy . It's nice. It must be the effect of being the true light or whatever they call it.
"Sure, I did. I mean, I'm a shadow. He's the true light. You do the math."
Akashi smiles. Not at him. And it's not the usual smile Mayuzumi is seeing. It's something else and it sends a shiver down Mayuzumi's spine.
#
"You? My editor?" Mayuzumi is done with this shit. Truly. " You?"
"Yes." Akashi answers. "I believe you would be more comfortable with someone you know."
Better the devil that he knows, huh? "But how are you the editor? Just -- how did you -- you know what. Nevermind. I don't care. I don't care. I don't want to know."
Akashi doesn't say anything.
Which… Mayuzumi doesn't really want to know.
#
Mayuzumi knows something is wrong when the guy from Shuutoku is waiting in the court and grins when he sees Mayuzumi and Kagami walking towards him.
"I can't believe it. It really is you, Mayuzumi-san! I really thought Kuroko was pulling my leg!"
Mayuzumi turns to Kagami. "Why is he here?"
"Tetsuya said something about shadows needing time together. He's busy so Takao is here."
"It is I, your fellow shadow man --"
" -- shut up --"
" -- is right here to spend time with you." The guy bows and smirks when he looks up. "Apparently, you need human interaction."
"Who told you that?" Mayuzumi asks. He looks at Kagami.
Kagami shrugs. "Not me! Tetsuya just told me to bring you here!"
"Akashi did." Takao answers. "Which is funny because according to Shin-chan, Akashi doesn't ask for favors . Shin-chan asked me if hell froze over."
"Anyway," Kagami looks around and spots his college friends who played with them last time. "They're here."
"Man, passing to someone other than Shin-chan makes me excited."
Mayuzumi snorts. At least he's seeing another person other than Akashi.
#
Mayuzumi has never seen Akashi so pissed before.
Well. He has. But it was pissed-basketball related Akashi. Mayuzumi hasn't seen this pissed Akashi before. This Akashi looks like he might actually go and murder someone rather than just psychologically destroying them.
Akashi is just staring at his phone, in Mayuzumi's living room, while Mayuzumi is doing his last minute editing before sending it to Akashi's e-mail.
"Midorima is angry."
Mayuzumi looks at him. "Huh?"
"Midorima. Is. Angry."
"I heard you the first time." Mayuzumi replies. "I'm asking, what does that have anything to do with me?"
"Apparently, Takao enjoyed Kagami's company so much and called Kagami a better light."
Mayuzumi chokes on air.
Jesus Christ, Mayuzumi thinks. How fucking petty .
Takao had told Mayuzumi that he was tired of Midorima not seeing his feelings or something and said he'll use Kagami as a tool to see if there's a chance.
" Uh ." Mayuzumi says, dumbly.
Akashi narrows his eyes. "You know something."
"It's not like it's a big deal." Mayuzumi whines. "He was just using Kagami to make Midorima jealous. And it's working ."
"Hmm."
"Besides, Kagami and Kuroko are together, right? Being jealous of Kagami is useless. It's not like Kagami will return the sentiment."
" Hmm ."
"Honestly," Mayuzumi sighs. "You miracles are a weird bunch."
#
It doesn't occur to Mayuzumi that he was being kept until Akashi is graduating and told Mayuzumi that the older and more damaged Akashi, who is his father, won't be retiring from his post as a CEO and Akashi will be his editor for a little while longer.
"Uh." Kagami replies, dumbly. Mayuzumi told him everything and even though this kid is as oblivious as a rock, Mayuzumi needs someone else to know. And if he tells Takao this, he won't be living his next few years in peace. "Yeah."
"So, am I being kept?"
"Mayuzumi-san, you know… I… see, you should probably ask Tetsuya about this. Akashi is his friend. What I know about Akashi is just the surface. You probably know more about the guy than I do."
Which leaves him with the said Tetsuya who just looks at him the same way he looks at anything else -- with minimal emotion and less interest with a houseplant.
"Yes, I do think you're being kept."
Mayuzumi groans. "Christ."
"I don't think Akashi-kun knows how to normally just spend time with someone."
" Jesus --" this sounds like a death sentence.
"So, I guess he thought if he gives you a job, a house, a safe environment, it would translate --"
"More and more of this is sounding a bit cave-man like."
Kuroko's eyes are amused. He finds Mayuzumi's situation funny . "At least you don't have to fear Akashi-kun carrying you on his shoulder. You're much taller than he is."
"I might actually kill him."
"Yes, I think that's half of the point of your relationship with Akashi-kun."
"And the other half?"
Kuroko shrugs. "You tell me."
#
Akashi Seijurou graduates, top of his class, top of his university and Mayuzumi wants to leave.
But Mibuchi has his arm wrap around Mayuzumi and Hayama is basically on his shoulder. Nebuya looks like he might actually tackle Mayuzumi if he tries anything.
"You're overreacting." Mayuzumi announces. They're not but they don't need to know that.
"Sei-chan's father is here and he's scary. As you are the only person who brought Sei-chan on his knees, I'm taking my chances."
Mayuzumi rolls his eyes.
But apparently, Mibuchi's fear is justified. Akashi walks towards them with his father in tow. He has a presence similar to what one would feel in a funeral. The rest of them suddenly stand straighter and more formal.
"Father," Akashi says. "This is Mayuzumi-san. The one I'm telling you about."
"The writer ?" Akashi the First Damage says the word like poison. Mayuzumi is impressed.
"Yes. The writer. Don't talk about me like I'm not here."
Akashi the First looks at him. Like he's trash. "It's just… out of character for my son to disobey me. Imagine my surprise that it's because of you."
Oh, Lord. Mayuzumi thinks. Now, he knows where his Akashi gets it from. "Listen, Akashi-sama." If Akashi Sr. thinks he's the only one who can make a word sound like an insult, he got one thing coming. "If your son prefers the company of an up and coming writer than the company that's worth billions, maybe you're what's wrong." Means fuck you and fuck your ancestors, too.
But instead of being mad, Akashi Sr. chuckles. "I see. Seijurou, bring your friends and your writer, I'll pay for the celebration."
Which leads to Mayuzumi forcibly hanging out with Akashi the First Damage who is more annoying than the Akashi he knows. Before Akashi's father leaves, he turns to his son and says, "Make sure to invite me to the wedding."
" Father. "
"Huh?" Mayuzumi asks. "Akashi has a girlfriend?"
Akashi's father offers them a look at what Mayuzumi would file as amused . "I'll be going now. I hope to see you soon and to get to know you better."
"I'd rather die ." Mayuzumi replies, automatically. But Akashi's father is already leaving.
#
"Mom, what are you doing here? Am I not calling enough?" is what he says as soon as he sees his mother on the other side of the door when someone knocks.
His mother rolls her eyes. "I'm here because you call enough but I haven't seen you in a year."
Yep. He hasn't left Tokyo for a whole year and for that time, the only people he met were Akashi, Kagami, Takao, Kuroko and a bunch of other people that weren't his friends to begin with. Okay, so it sounds a bit depressing if he puts it that way.
"Come in, mom. How's dad?"
His mother enters the apartment with curiosity that can rival a cat's. She looks around and looks surprised. "Your place is clean."
Because Akashi pays for someone to clean it twice a week. "I'm an adult ."
"That you are -- what's that?"
The that is Number Three. Kagami and Kuroko went on a date and needed someone to babysit the little beast. Mayuzumi volunteered because he likes the little beast now, damn it.
"A friend's dog."
"A friend ?"
"I do have friends , mom." Mayuzumi doesn't want to sound whiny or whatever but. "They're my neighbors, too. A few floors up."
"Oh, I see. I guess my worry is unfounded."
"What? No. Of course, not. You can worry anytime."
His mom laughs. He really loves her. "Anyway, your dad might visit next week. He has a business --"
The door opens suddenly and it's Akashi, saying I'm home .
At that moment, Mayuzumi had a vision. It was one of those memories he had in Kagami and Kuroko's apartment. Kuroko was making a something, Mayuzumi forgot, and Kagami came home and Kuroko fondly said, welcome home and it was one of those times Mayuzumi genuinely felt bad being single and wanted to strangle Kagami and Kuroko for making him feel that way.
In reality, that memory makes him automatically reply, "Welcome home."
His mom whips her head. "Huh?"
"Thank you -- oh." Akashi says. "My apologies. You have a guest."
"This is my mother." Mayuzumi states, drily. "Mom, this is -- mom ?"
His mom has a hand against her mouth and looks like she's surprised as she's staring at Akashi.
"Mom?" Mayuzumi rubs his mother's back. "This is Akashi Seijurou, my editor. He's, uh --"
"No. No." His mom shakes her head. "It's okay. Um, Seijurou, is it?"
"Yes, Mayuzumi-san."
"Would you like to stay for dinner? I'll be cooking for my son here. And as you are here already…"
"It would be my pleasure." Akashi says and Mayuzumi can't deny it. He's smooth . He looks at Mayuzumi. "Mayu -- ah ." Akashi looks like he's thinking. He smiles, " Chihiro-san ."
"Gah?"
"Can we talk? It's about your book." Akashi looks at his mother. "Let me borrow your son for a while."
"Of course. I'll be… in the kitchen."
Mayuzumi watches his mother walk away. "My mother looks surprised for some reason."
"Maybe it's because of my presence?" Akashi suggests.
"Akashi, I know you think the world revolves around you but I don't think that's the case this time."
Akashi chuckles. "I'll be calling you your given name, Chihiro-san , considering your mother is the real Mayuzumi-san. Isn't it only respectful for you to do the same?"
Mayuzumi scowls. "You want me to call you Seijurou ?"
Akashi stares at him. His eyes look hazy for a moment. "Yes. That's exactly it."
Mayuzumi rolls his eyes. "Whatever, Seijurou . Tell me about the book details before mom finishes dinner."
#
It's Takao who enlightens him.
" Dude , Mayuzumi-san, you're basically in a relationship with him."
Mayuzumi splutters. "What? No . Why would you say that?"
"Uh. You met his father, he met your mother? You basically live together too."
"We do not live together."
"Last night, you were grocery shopping with him."
"Because he's mad that I eat at Kagami's all the time."
"Because he's jealous. Face it, Mayuzumi-san, Akashi thinks you're pulling a me whenever you hang out with the True Light or whatever."
"That's not true." Mayuzumi wants to deny it. But he seems like fighting a losing battle.
"You are dating a Miracle. What's worse is that you're dating the Captain." Takao cackles. "And you're not even getting the real pros here."
"The money?"
"The -- you know what, that's true, too but I meant the sex."
"What -- I do not want to have sex with Akashi."
Takao stares at him. "Bullshit."
"Who wants to have sex with Aka -- stop . If you raise your hand to make a point, I'm telling Midorima."
Takao rolls his eyes. "You act like that's a bad thing. I'll just get Shin-chan angrily complaining to Akashi and I'll also get Shin-chan wanting to prove he's better . I win, either way."
"You are gross."
"Mayuzumi-san, you will come to the dark side soon enough. Just stop fighting fate."
#
Later that night, Mayuzumi feels like he fought an entire army of basketball players and barely survived by the skin of his teeth. He leans back in the comfortable couch Akashi bought, and he thinks on how Akashi rented this apartment, and he thinks of Akashi being his editor and --
So, I guess he thought if he gives you a job, a house, a safe environment, it would translate --
Jesus Christ. Mayuzumi has also been in training to be a fucking husband . For Akashi.
Akashi is fucking providing. It would translate that Akashi is wooing him. Mayuzumi is being wooed. By Akashi.
By Akashi .
By a fucking red haired gremlin.
By proving to Mayuzumi that he can provide.
"Chihiro-san," Akashi says as he finds Mayuzumi looking dejected on the couch. Mayuzumi wants to cry . "Are you alright?"
"I'm not taking your name." Mayuzumi announces. "I will not share a last name with your father."
"I-- Chihiro-san ." Akashi -- no. No . Seijurou breathes. "What are you saying?"
"You're going to act dumb right here? Right now? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were planning this. I'll be more surprised if you tell me you didn't imagine our wedding."
"I didn't." Seijurou says. Mayuzumi gives him a look. "Paris. Around night time. The stars there is a sight to behold. I like you in a suit. You would look gorgeous."
Mayuzumi sighs. What's the point of fighting what's already in front of you? "I'm still not taking your name."
Seijurou is quiet. When Mayuzumi looks up, he realizes that this is the first time he sees Seijurou blushing. "My father is okay with that. He said the company's name still better be Akashi ."
Mayuzumi is speechless. "Your family is insane."
"It will be yours, too."
"Yay." Mayuzumi sarcastically says.
#
Things don't change for the better. There's nothing that actually changed. They just… continue as they are. Perhaps, that was the point. Maybe Seijurou and Chihiro are Seijurou and Chihiro even before… all this.
Well. If there was one thing that changed is that the Lights attend the Shadows' Gathering. Which put a frown and a pout in Takao's face.
"It's supposed to be our time." Takao whines.
Midorima adjusts his glasses and looks at Kagami who's cooking. "He's here, though."
"Because this is his house? And he's cooking for us?"
Midorima doesn't say anything.
Mayuzumi sips his tea. Loudly.
Takao clicks his tongue and eagerly looks at Mayuzumi. "Mayuzumi-san, congratulations with your engagement."
He wants to tell Takao to shove that shit where the sun doesn't shine but considering it's true…
"Thanks." Mayuzumi says and he wants to pat himself in the back because he said that without gritting his teeth.
"Man, all of my co-shadow men are engaged. Shin-chan, when will it be our turn?"
Mayuzumi knows Takao is joking. Everyone does. Akashi probably knows, too. The next thing Midorima says isn't, though.
"After my graduation." Midorima answers.
There's a beat of silence in the table where the only thing that they hear is Kagami's cooking in the kitchen.
And then, "Alright. So --"
" Takao-kun--"
"Oi, are you going to ignore that?"
"We will talk about it later. Alone. When we are not surrounded by meddling cats." Takao hisses, refusing to look at his pre-fiancé.
Mayuzumi smirks. "You are not going to know peace after this, you know."
"Yeah, I know."
"Literally, I will use this as blackmail material."
"Yes, I know, Mayuzumi-san." Takao sighs. "I know."
"Here, I finished -- um, what's going on?" Kagami asks, and he has plates in his hands.
"Nothing, Taiga-kun." Tetsuya says sweetly. "Nothing at all."