Chapter 3: The lost legacy

It felt like hours when Kuroko was liberated from an enclosed proximity. Besides being exhausted, he was drained from the stares of the notorious Akashi family. Throughout the duration of their meeting, Kuroko wore his usual apathetic stare. He silently observed as he scrutinized the exchanged glances and words as they finalized their discussions for the bright future of their respective families. The future of their trading golden opportunities. The heir of the prosperous Akashi Corporations had the legendary smirk of his plastered onto his face.

Kuroko had surrendered his rights and cared nothing for the Kuroko family. The two businessmen had granted permission to implement collaborations of a new market and had plans of launching new tradings. It was a golden opportunity between both families. The noble families that several companies and conglomerates had given up dethroning from their mighty positions. They were dominant and influential opponents in the world of business. Going against such a formidable opponent was suicide. As renowned businessmen, they knew better that there was nothing to be offered for free.

The Akashi family held conditions in exchange for their resources. The chairman of the Akashi Corporations agreed to their conditions, in exchange for Kuroko Tetsuya. And the people that were related to the Kuroko family would be forbidden from meeting with Kuroko. Ever.

Although the current master of the Kuroko family and the Akashi family shared connections due to the similarities of their positions, there was not once the chairman of the Akashi Corporations had been moved by extreme biased perceptions of favoritism. Even Kuroko's father would have known to a certain extent. Kuroko Tetsurou, the current master of the Kuroko family can't help but wonder of the schemes and traps the Akashi chairman had in mind. After all, the Akashi Corporations suffered more losses than benefits from making a deal with the Kuroko family. Kuroko Tetsurou can't resist but to be skeptical of their true intentions.

"I told you, fate is such an amusing thing. Kuroko Tetsuya-kun." Akashi's sarcastic tone had Kuroko realized the reality of the current situation.

After the final discussions of their ends of the deal, Kuroko's father had left his own son in the hands of the Akashi family. Kuroko had a blank stare that made people often become wary of his odd behaviors. They did not possess a perceptive ability like Kuroko which enables him to read and reveal the darkest secrets of people. Before he could wrap his mind around it, Kuroko had found himself standing in front of the apartment that was not of his own. The wooden door plate on the right side read [Akashi].

The Akashi chairman had sighed as he observed the son of his pitiful childhood friend of his. His blank stare and the ability to feel pain was lacklustre than average was daunting. The long durations of abuse and negligence from his childhood had taken effect. It had affected the brain psychologically, the chairman had suspected long-term rehabilitation would be necessary. The poor child needs strong emotional support, the woman that tricked his childhood friend was the main cause. By cutting relationships with Tetsurou, the chairman took the first step to shed light of the darkness that had long fallen into the grasps of an evil demon.

"Hoho, is that why there was not a single sign of reluctance and rebelliance? I'm astounded, Seijuurou." Akashi's father had chuckled.

Akashi flinched. Although it was slight, the fleeting moment had caught the eye of his own father. The chairman of the Akashi Corporations wasn't just a figurehead title. He was the man that was nicknamed the Crimson Emperor. He was a living legend, despite the fortunate environment and the resources he inherited as the successor of a noble family. Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration; those were his favourite quotes when he was in his prime which had driven him to success. It was also his predecessors' favourite quote.

It is the efforts of honesty and hard work that would be paid off; carving the path of success with the reliance of your identity from the moment you are born were deemed useless. An effective example would be the countless opponents that the Akashi Corporations had crushed on a daily basis. And just like his crimson hair, he had single-handed crushed thousands of shabby companies with his incessant beliefs. Among the intense battles he fought, with his crimson hair, Akashi Masaomi was bestowed the notorious nickname which had remained eminent till today. There was nothing that escaped unscathed from the observant sight of the infamous Akashi Masaomi.

That night was also the day Kuroko had the last view of his father's back. The feeling that he'll never see his father again. Sorry, Tetsuya. I'm not suited to be your father. This is the only way I can protect you. I loved you, Tetsuya. Those were his father's last words he would remember for the longest time of his life. It was the best predicament Kuroko had hoped for, the liberty from the cruel chains of the Kuroko family. Now that Kuroko's wish was within the grasps, somehow, the final conclusion between them had its curtains drawn just like that. It was their final act. The wish to disappear from the bottom of their hearts. Be free, Tetsuya.

Regardless what kind of awful relationships they shared, they are still father and child of the same family.

Akashi had unlocked the security to the entrance, Kuroko was pushed inside. Kuroko had turned around, stared at the Akashi pair behind him. Akashi had sighed. "You have a lot of things on your mind, but it's been a long day. For starters, why don't you get inside?" Akashi's sarcastic tone had returned.

Kuroko had scowled. However, his professor's words made sense. It would be outrageous to be standing in the corridors in the middle of cold winter at night. Kuroko could already imagine Izuki and Riko's exasperated expressions when they hears about this the next morning. Kuroko took off his shoes and dragged his feet to the nearest couch placed in the center of the living room. Akashi smiled, followed Kuroko into the living room. He took out three cans of fruit juice from the fridge and placed them on the coffee table.

The apartment Akashi owned was pale in comparison, and was a huge contrast with the main residence of the Akashi family, it was still luxurious compared to Kuroko's abode. A dejected Kuroko did not have the heart to appreciate the classy dwellings like ordinary people would. Kuroko sat in silence, a pendant was clutched tightly in his palms. It was his mother's last momento, the only thing left that Tetsurou had protected from his wife. It was a pendant made from his late mother's birthstone, amethyst.

"I'll leave Tetsuya-kun in your hands, Seijuurou. I'm counting on you." Those were Masaomi words before he left the new couple with his loyal attendant.

Kuroko woke to the beeping sound of the alarm going off placed on the desk the next morning. He rose with a start. The bedroom and its furniture arrangement evidently was foreign and hinted it wasn't the room of Kuroko's apartment. The pastel-colored walls, curtains, pillows, blankets and the wooden floor had a nostalgia touch. Kuroko wondered why. He pulled back the blankets, revealing a hand underneath the mountain of pillows. Kuroko stared at it. A hand? He frowned, scrutinized the bulging shape of the space next to him under those pillows and blankets. Sure enough, the shape matched the figure of a person perfectly. Someone had been sleeping next to him.

The beeping sound of the alarm clock went off louder and louder. The hand reached for the alarm clock in annoyance. Kuroko's attention was drawn to the digital alarm clock. It read: 7: 45 AM. He blinked once, blinked twice, and he blinked trice. Kuroko paled.

"I'm late!" he gasped in horror.

Kuroko jumped out of bed, just to be pulled into the arms of the person who had been sleeping next to him. He met the dazzling smile of his professor, Akashi Seijuurou. Kuroko sighed. The strange points now made sense. Everything was his fault. Kuroko frowned, racking the memories of last night's events. He remembered walking into the living room of Akashi's apartment, however he could not remember taking a bath and getting changed into pajamas. The memories after he traipsed into the living room were hazy and foggy. He stared at the slightly oversized pajamas he was wearing. Now that he was wide awake, he began to notice the pile of luggage was arranged neatly in a corner. Kuroko scowled at Akashi.

"What are you doing? You do realize class starts at 8, don't you?" Kuroko questioned. The blatant expression of speechlessness was written all over his face.

"Why, you haven't had enough sleep these days, don't you? Why don't you get more rest? I'll approve your absence for today."

Akashi's tone had a vague hint of his usual sarcasm, that dazzling smile that had everyone wrapped under his fingers. He was such an expert that people don't realize they were being used or played by Akashi. Akashi was an expert of taking advantage of speech and persuasion, ultimately dragging his victims into his pace and achieved excellent results. Famous public figures worldwide had often found the heir of the Akashi Corporations challenging and hard to deal with mainly because of his superb skills. Even the best swindlers and conmen were put to shame.

The man named Kuroko Tetsuya before him was different. Things won't go as smoothly as he wanted, as long as Kuroko Tetsuya was around. It was one of the reasons Akashi found it interesting. The abandoned child of the Kuroko family was a hidden gem they had tossed. They were entranced by desires that they lost the sight of the true gem. After all, Akashi and Kuroko were extremely similar in several ways. They were formidable opponents of the same pod. As enemies, they were intimidating; as allies, they were invincible.

"Listen to you talk. How convenient." Kuroko was unimpressed. "You shouldn't show favoritism, Professor. You'll be hated."

Akashi wrapped his arms around Kuroko's waist. "Patience is virtue, my dear. Besides, there are important things to be settled first. Isn't it?"

His notorious grin had infuriated Kuroko. Kuroko sighed, deciding that getting frustrated at Akashi's comebacks of volatility and fickleness was a Sisyphean task. Kuroko had suspected he was being played on. Akashi had closed in on the proximity between them, had stolen another kiss. Kuroko had flushed crimson, his fragile attempts at pushing his sarcastic professor were deemed futile. Kuroko glared at his professor, despite his blush that marred his usual deadpan expression. Akashi chuckled with a gentle smile. How adorable.

It didn't take them long before the new couple rolled into the kitchen with a hot cup of coffee in their hands. Akashi laid two leather booklets that were resting on the kitchen counter. There were two copies of the same booklet. One belongs to Akashi, and another belongs to Kuroko. From the color and the quality of its cover, Kuroko extrapolated the contents of the booklet. Kuroko stared at it with the most insouciant expression Akashi had ever seen. Akashi smiled. He was glad that Kuroko's mental state was doing much better than he had expected, after everything he had been going through. Kuroko lifted one of the booklets with his delicate and slender fingers.

It was solid evidence of their marriage. Their marriage certificates.