SIXTEEN

Shutoku's performance was amazing. Even more so than the previous year and the Seirin duo couldn't be more excited for the match against them. If anything, Shutoku should be worried for Seirin because they were planning to give their ultimate best.

Midorima's challenging look at the end lit a fire in everyone's eyes while Takumi just leaned on the railing and smirked.

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That evening, Takumi arrived home only to be welcomed by a surprising guest. He had been expecting this person to visit after hearing his Uncle but he didn't think he'd come so soon. Out of the black limo stepped a certain red head with slanted eyes and a look that said he knew everything.

Their eyes met in mid air and the atmosphere turned heavy.

Takumi was the first to greet.

"Akashi Seijuro. What a surprise."

Akashi's lips turned up slightly, "You must be Yoshida-san. Nice to meet you,"

"Uh you can just call me Takumi. Nice to meet you too," Takumi looked at the limo, "Is it only you here?"

"Yes. My father had some prior obligations so I was sent in his place." Akashi said.

"I see. Well I guess I'll lead you inside to my Uncle. He'll be disappointed your father couldn't make it but I'm sure he'll be delighted to meet you."

"Very well."

Akashi told his bodyguards to wait outside while the two of them headed in. They were greeted by a couple of lower yakuza members and Takumi showed him to his Uncle's office.

"How is Tetsuya?" Akashi asked suddenly.

"Oh phantom? He's doing well I suppose."

"You are the manager of their basketball team correct?"

Takumi glanced at the shorter male. "I am. And you are the captain of Rakuzan with the other uncrowned kings right?"

Akashi's face held a smirk, "That is correct. I must say, you are an interesting person. You eyes seem to hold many secrets and your strength seems almost immeasurable. Why is someone like you at a school like Seirin?"

Takumi didn't say anything for a few seconds before, "Seirin isn't a terrible school. They are new, yes, but they are not weak. The main reason I attend there is because it was easy to get in to, having no records of middle-school and it was close by."

"I can get you into Rakuzan."

"Thanks but I've already become attached. Your former teammate is quite an interesting fellow as well." said Takumi.

Akashi hummed but didn't reply. They came to a stop outside a sliding door and Takumi held out his hand.

"This is where I leave you. When you're done, let's have a game of shogi."

Akashi raised an eyebrow and shook his hand. "I look forward to it."

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Takumi let out a breath as he stepped into his room. Akashi was definitely the same Akashi in the anime and it was so obvious the boy was a cut above the rest. But, that was all. Other than his obvious brilliance, Akashi's eyes only spoke of pride and arrogance and something else that Takumi noticed - loneliness.

Being someone like him, it must be difficult for others to get close and Takumi would bet a million yen that you wouldn't find a person who could truly understand the boy. In this sense, Takumi admittedly felt a bit of pity for him though he still considers Akashi's past actions against his friends inexcusable.

He knew very well what was happening with the generation of miracles yet let it happen for the purpose of ultimate victory.

This is why Takumi had proposed a shogi match with the boy - as a means to try and understand his way of thinking a bit better and hopefully knock a bit of sense into him.

He changed out of his uniform and showered before doing his homework.

Soon enough, a knock sounded on his door.

"Who is it?"

"I believe we were to have a match." the voice outside said.

Takumi stood up and slid open the door to see the shorter male waiting patiently for him.

"I take it your talk with Uncle went well." Takumi stated. Akashi said nothing and wore his usual smirk. The former shrugged and stepped aside. "Come on in then. I heard you're pretty good."

'Just pretty good?' Akashi mused. 'How amusing.'

"I have never lost a match so I'd like to think I'm not bad." replied the red-head. The corner of his lip tipped upwards.

"Modest much?" Takumi muttered. Akashi chose not to glare at him and took a seat as the taller boy pulled out the board.

"Well, I'm not too bad myself so let's have a good match,"

And they began.

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Akashi got into the limo but not before giving a final glance at the Yakuza estate. His trip here was not for naught and he had gained an interesting acquaintance.

"Fujioka."

"Yes young master?"

"What do you think of Yoshida Takumi?"

The driver and bodyguard looked at the rearview mirror to see his young master looking outside.

"Smart when he tries and strong. But he doesn't seem ambitious or hold any specific goals." the man answered.

Akashi smirked and nodded. "Yes he does seem like that doesn't he? It's been a while since someone came close to beating me at shogi. Someone who even lasted longer than Shintaro."

Akashi pulled out a file from his bag and smiled.

'It's also been a while since someone has looked at me with such complex emotions. Was that pity in his eyes? How foolish. I, Akashi Seijuro, does not need the pity from others. How dare he look down on me?'

The boy's eyes glinted.

'I have never once lost. In the end, I will be the victor and Seirin will not make it to my level. I'll gladly crush that stupid pride Takumi has in Seirin.'

The men in front could only pity who dared piss off their young master.

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Takumi frowned as he stared down at the shogi board. Perhaps he overestimated his own intelligence or Akashi was simply too strong. He sighed and started packing the pieces away.

'Anyway, I already got what I wanted out of this match. At least now I have an idea on what kind of person Akashi is and how he thinks. He'll be difficult to deal with but I don't doubt I'll beat him when it comes to basketball. However, I might've accidentally ignited a monster.'

"Sorry Seirin. I think I just made things harder for you." he muttered.