"Just have you have guessed, I'm sure you're certain of the purpose of that red booklet." Akashi spoke. "I told you, didn't I? That we have much to talk about. Now is the perfect time."

"I see. You planned to hold me in your captive. I guess it won't take them long for them to go crazy and start turning every corner of the city inside out." Kuroko took another sip of his coffee. Kuroko was never a fan of bitter drinks, sugar and lots of milk had been added to his drink. "My loyal bodyguards, that is."

"Hoho, that's interesting." Akashi displayed the page that identified the owner of the booklet in front of Kuroko's observant irises. "You do remember the reason why you're left in my care, don't you?"

Kuroko stared at the page that indicated his name. There it was, the words were printed in black ink at the bottom of the page. The unbelievable reality that a day would come where he would walk the Earth, bounded by the family name of his Literature professor. The evidence was a fact of justice. The name that would protect Kuroko from the abusive hands of the Kuroko family. Akashi Tetsuya. That would be his name from now on. The wife of the supreme successor of the Akashi Corporations.

Kuroko's usual deadpan nature broke. Tears began forming at the corners of his corneas. Kuroko was just another child that yearned for love. Kuroko had broken into tears. Akashi pulled Kuroko into his warm embrace. Despite the swiftness he had expertly dealt with challenges, Kuroko was still a child. His mental state had developed a trauma from the days he was rendered powerless at the hands of his abusive relatives. He planted a small kiss on his pale skin, wiped the profuse tears staining the sides of his face. His affection for Kuroko was real. Akashi had truly believed the ethereal appearance of a person he had met at the bar by chance possessed a truly beautiful and kind heart. He deeply cared for Kuroko, hoping that a day would come when Kuroko would be freed from the chains of the Kuroko family.

For the first time, Akashi witnessed Kuroko burst into tears in front of him. The timid and elusive individual carrying such heavy burdens with that delicate figure he possessed. He was alone, without allies in that abusive family. He had fought alone, his poignant skills sharpened over the long years he spent with the Kuroko family. For that delicate child to display such emotions, Akashi figured it must have been the first time he had someone to talk to. For an individual who lacked display of emotions and was often involved in undesirable rumors and had expertly ignored them with great skill, Kuroko broke down in front of him.

Often surrounded by the stars of Japan, he was the only person who was strong enough to go against his instructor who earned the nickname resembling a devil from stories of local folklore. With Kuroko's nerves as hard as steel and the frightening skills that often made people skeptical of his origins. Akashi realized the meanings behind those words. Although Kuroko had appeared to be pococurante, the trepidation he kept deep within were insecure and reticent. He had been protected by them since the first incident. The self-proclaimed bodyguards of Kuroko Tetsuya.

Akashi was desperate. It was then Akashi realized something. Kuroko was withdrawn from his peers, a high possibility the trauma from his childhood days played a major role in Kuroko's maldevelopment. Akashi made it his mission. To shed light onto the crimes that were whisked into darkness, the elusive shrewd malefactors shall be seized in flagrante delicto. To extricate Kuroko from the pit of the abyss.

"Fall in love with me. I'll always protect you. After all, you're a precious treasure entrusted in my care." Akashi smiled. "You're already mine."

Akashi vowed he would fight for Kuroko's sake, revealing the truth the Kuroko family had been scheming for years.

The new couple had a meal together in silence. They sat across each other at the dining table. It was almost lunch time when the pair were finally done with their discussions. Akashi was right. It was the best time to take some time off. Both school and his side job. It was a simple dish made by Akashi's housekeeper who comes to clean Akashi's apartment on every alternate day of the week. The housekeeper had made a Japanese meal, which consisted of tofu and miso soup, grilled fish, egg and the traditional food of asians: rice. Kuroko had teared at the sight of luscious and warm food served before his eyes. The odd behavior which ordinary people deemed average had startled Akashi. He was at loss.

"It had been a long time since I was last served such delectable and warm food." Kuroko had burst into tears of happiness. The food had reminded Kuroko of his mother's warm touch when he was just a young child.

After receiving a single message on his phone, Akashi had showered and changed in mere minutes. He was dressed in his usual black and white expensive suit. Akashi had grabbed his wallet and keys from the counter on the way out. Kuroko had followed Akashi to the front entrance. He timidly grabbed onto the sleeve of Akashi's blazer. Akashi gave him a gentle smile. He chuckled at the adorable sight of his wife. Yes, his wife. Legally approved by both families, at the tender age of eighteen. Akashi was four years older than Kuroko.

"Uh.... Professor....." Kuroko began. The undeniable trepidation was evident.

"It's fine, Tetsuya. You can do whatever you want in this house.You are perfectly safe here. Starting today, this is also your home." He planted a deep kiss on his pale lips before departing. "I'll be back soon."

Akashi got into his favourite sleek black BMW parked in the basement's driveway. He inserted the metallic key into the keyhole, the familiar sounds of the roaring engine were satisfying music to his ears. Akashi pulled on his seatbelt, released the emergency break and shifted the gear to 'Drive Mode'. Stepping on the accelerator, Akashi reversed from the driveway onto the familiar route to his office. Upon arrival at his office, his secretary had entered his office with a cup of coffee. She was dressed in a formal suit. A black blazer and an office miniskirt, along with black matching high-heels.

"Well? The reason I was summoned, Miss Uehara?" Akashi took a sip of his coffee. "Tell me."

"That would be me,"

The owner of the gruff voice had appeared at the entranceway of Akashi's office. Judging by appearances, he was clearly in his mid-twenties. That man had raven-black hair covering the side of his left eye and a mole under his right eye. Those were distinguishable features of members of the Himuro family, inheritors of a famous businessman in America. He was dressed smartly in his favourite pale gray dress shirt and black slacks. The way they interacted with each other, anyone could tell they were business partners. Akashi sighed.

"What, you again? Tatsuya?"

The man named Tatsuya shrugged. "Why, we have a collaborative deal, remember? Stop making that sour face. Aren't you happy to see me, after so many years?" Tatsuya had grinned. He settled himself on Akashi's leather two-seater couch. "By the way, I heard some interesting rumours during my travels."

Akashi's right brow arched, confusion was evident as he typed away on his portable computer. "What is it?" Akashi had asked.

"I heard you got married, Seijuurou." Tatsuya smirked.

Akashi's secretary stumbled over the files she was going through, and Akashi spluttered over his coffee. Akashi stared at Tatsuya. He was devastated and appalled. Tatsuya continued, "Well? I'm pretty sure your current thoughts must be something like how did you know? Or Who told you that? Right? It's written all over your face, Crimson Emperor Akashi Seijuurou." Tatsuya recited his notorious nickname with a hint of tease.

Uehara listened intently with great interest. After all, it was a rare topic of her boss's personal affairs many employees longed after. Who wouldn't? With a person like Akashi who was revered as a blessing of the heavens. Exceptional skills, gorgeous looks, and most importantly, he was single. He was tight-lipped regardless countless people had questioned his plans for his future. And one day, Akashi told the chairman that he would like to instruct at Rakuzan University, claiming he had a dream that he would have a fateful encounter with a special person there. Uehara thought her boss had just pulled a joke out of the blue. The very next day, his boss was nowhere to be found in his office, and had started working and gave Uehara instructions through mail and mobile. Uehara had found his boss's egocentric inclination impressive. As expected of the son of the chairman.

Akashi scowled. "I bet Father told you, didn't he?"

Tatsuya's satisfied display of expression was all Akashi needed.