"You're here, Father. To what I owe this grace?" Akashi replied, taking a seat at the table. He laid his blazer on an empty chair. His father took out a file, displaying it before Akashi's eyes. Akashi took glances of his father. His father was a renowned businessman whose name was notorious worldwide. Akashi Masaomi. He was the sole person who established the Rakuzan University, which shareholders and its board members show their connection to Akashi Corporate, the pillar of the conglomerate company. "This is?"

"Seijuurou. I once made a promise to an old friend, you see. My friend seemed to be troubled with his youngest son." Masaomi sighed. "His son was just an innocent child. I'm not sure what I should do....."

Akashi flipped through the contract. The picture and the name had caught Akashi's eye. Akashi slammed his palms onto the mahogany table. There it was. A picture of Kuroko Tetsuya. "Father, you friend...." Akashi began. His father nodded.

"Yes, the current master of the Kuroko family. Kuroko Tetsurou." The disassembled pieces puzzles fell into their rightful place. "First of all, you will meet his son tomorrow night. It may be outrageous, but this child is going to become your betrothed."

Akashi had a solemn expression. There was not a hint of hesitation. "I understand, Father."

Masaomi and the servants watched Akashi retire to his room without the slightest idea Akashi was thinking. Akashi's behaviour was extremely odd that night. Making sure he was alone in his room without any interference, he locked his door. A smile was carved onto his thin lips. A golden opportunity has presented itself before his eyes. His plan has escalated quicker beyond his expectations. Such a perfect strategy!

The next day, Akashi walked into the lecture hall with his books in his arm. He had noted Kuroko was chuckling softly every now and then among the uprising stars of Japan. Akashi recognized the identities of Kuroko's closest friends. After all, their families were closely connected. Aomine Daiki and Kise Ryouta. Kuroko spent his hours in a daze. Despite the extremely overexcited friends bantering with a Kuroko sandwiched in between, Kuroko wasn't bothered at all. It was as if Kuroko was used to dealing with them.

I wonder what he would say if he knew? Akashi was deep in thought every time he walked past Kuroko. In the hallways, cafeterias, lecture halls, club activities..... Kuroko was disoriented. The long hours spent for lectures, presentations and club activities were finally over. Akashi glanced at the sunset from his office. It was another ordeal. Stiffening, and tiring. Kuroko and Akashi respectively attempted to circumvent crossing paths.

Kuroko sighed as he made his way into his apartment. He took off his shoes and placed them neatly on the shoe rack at the entrance. It was an extremely taxing day. He had found it difficult to face Professor Akashi after everything had happened. With Aomine and Kise, he had put on a facade and pretended nothing was out of ordinary. He glanced at the clock hanging on the pale-colored walls. The clock had just struck five. He placed his bag at the foot of the couch and threw himself onto the soft cushions. They'll be coming, he thought bitterly.

Kuroko reluctantly dragged himself into the bath. Sighing for the umpteenth time, he pulled out a fresh pair of long shirt and skinny slacks. By the time he was done dressing, the doorbell rang. Kuroko light footsteps turned around, grabbing his phone and wallet from his dresser before unlocking the front door. Kuroko's apathetic stare pierced through the pathetic selves of the visitors. They were Kuroko's birth parents who had paid him an unexpected visit last night.

"Are you ready?" His mother sneered. Kuroko's deadpan expression was void of emotions. She scrutinized Kuroko's appearance from head-to-toe. "Hmph. And here you are, dressed like that again. Are you really a boy?"

"Stop it, Kyoko. We'll be late soon." Kuroko's father intervened. "Let's go."

Kyoko clicked her tongue. "Fine. After all, today is the last day you'll be seeing this boy. He really looks more and more like her. That witch! It's so disgusting!" She sneered at Kuroko. "I'm thrilled that his successor will finally be claiming this boy."

The three of them travelled in silence. The car halted in front of an extravagant teahouse. Kuroko was kicked onto the streets. "Get in there." His mother wore a look as if Kuroko was a cursed blasphemy. It was analogous to washing filth off her hands. His father had a firm hold on Kuroko's hands. Kyoko stared hard at her husband. Make sure you get it done. I await your good results. She huffed and winded the tinted window.

"Drive," Kyoko told the driver, leaving Kuroko and his father in the dust.

The father-and-son stepped foot into the premises, a tuft of vermilion-colored hair was caught within the range of his sight. The recherché color had captured his attention. That color had reminded Kuroko of the person who had possessed the same unusual colors. It gave him a tiny warmth of security.

"Father, where is he?" Kuroko questioned impatiently. He had no patience for his parents' pathetic plans.

"Why, he is in front of your eyes." was his father's prompt reply. Kuroko stared at the person before him. His thoughts had wafted into a world of his own again, had failed to notice he had been dragged along by his father. He stared at the man who will soon become his husband. He was staring into the triumph and confident expression of the man whose identity he recognized. The fears and thoughts that had accompanied with a transient glimpse of that vermillion-colored hair had transformed into reality.

The man named Akashi Seijuurou.