Chapter 3

…

Guest: I'm glad I moved you enough to want to cry

AngelFaux: Thanks for the compliment

Milkalette: I'll need to see what I can do about that, but I'm really glad you liked Takano even though he's an OC.

YatogamiKushina: Oh no, your English is not confusing at all. It's sufficient to fluster me afterall, haha! I'm sure you'll get better if you keep practicing!

Kiri: Not sure about ReBirth. It's basically being cannibalized by Akashi Satoru, and I'm not entirely certain if I can replicate the writing style I had from two-three years ago. Haha, I'm glad you liked Satoru! The ship's revealed in this chapter, but I hope you don't mind it much!

ColdHeart1206: Thanks for the cheering! It's likely a bit of soft yaoi, but the amount may vary depending on reviewers' reactions.

Fanficuserhihi: Apologies for updating so late. I hope you are still keeping up with Akashi Satoru, and really, thanks for all your flattering compliments! Seijuro is one hard character to grasp, and man am I glad you thought he's not OOC!

Sousie (review for both C2and3): Kuroko is nice as well, but I personally like Satoru as an uke, and with Kuroko shorter than Seijuro, that's a bit tough. Height bias issues here, sorry. If possible, I will try to fit in some GoMxOC moments, if you wish.

Guest: There's another one, named ReBirth, ironically. This is self-advertisement, but though it's mostly discontinued, you could try it out if you like reincarnation stories.

SawamuraEijun: I'm so very sorry to say I'm not sure if ReBirth will ever be continued. I did Akashi Satoru on the basis of having a neater plotline than ReBirth that's more devoted to canon, but with mostly the same ideas and potential plotlines. It's saddening to hear that you loved ReBirth so much, but as I am, with a writing style differing so much from the me of three years ago, the most I can do at the moment is to embed as many parts of ReBirth that you loved into Akashi Satoru.

Guest: Haha, it's not a self insert. I'm not similar to Satoru in the slightest, but I'm glad you loved him!

Natsume Yuki: Well, thank heavens they did not appear OOC :) I would hate to not meet your expectations.

Forever in Oblivion: Well, as sick as it may sound, I'm glad my writing made you cried! Glad you loved C2.

Hanabi Mirei: Apologies for the late update.

Guest: This story is based on the same ideas as ReBirth, so it will appear similar.

SophieNewman: Well, you're the only one to have noticed that! I'm not so sure about your question, especially since I don't want another parallel universe or timeloop like that which ended up for Rebirth, but we'll see as the story progresses. The pairing is made clear in this chapter. I hope you like it!

…

"When a man's knowledge is not in order, the more of it he has, the greater will be his confusion."

~ Herbert Spencer ~

…

Childhood amnesia is a phenomenon which largely fell through Ryuzaki Mamoru because, well, he had lacked a childhood to begin with.

From the age of two, the Ryuzaki clan heir was taught grammar and simple mathematics where his peers were being babysat and playing with toys. From there until the day he enter the working world, he was supposed to be training for the sole purpose of becoming the perfect, most acceptable clan leader that the Ryuzaki clan would accept – the sole existence that is supposed to be the epitome of all the regal, confident, and perfectionist spirit that all Ryuzaki strive to become. That was, of course, until the day he graduated from middle school. He had negotiated with his father for three years. Three years of freedom was all he desired, and he would be his father's puppet for the rest of his life. They never expected his life to be cut short, naturally, but that was a different story.

Despite his lack of a life though, Mamoru had never thought he was unfortunate. Rather, he acknowledged the fact that he was privileged, born to the main family as the sole heir, privy to all lessons by top rated tutors commoners would never be able to hire, bred with pure blood, and-

- And brainwashed by his clan into thinking that being in the Ryuzaki clan is the best privilege he could ever have had.

Propaganda would be a more adequate word, in his father's view. However, even a kindergarten kid could tell that they were the same.

Clan pride is a dangerous toy to play with. For all the lethalness it could impose on any outsiders who stumble into such a minefield, when directed towards a member of the clan, of the family, it is a slow spreading poison that would only affect the clan.

There is a reason why clans were so rare and believed to be extinct in traditional Japan. The breaking down of clans due to backstabbing for self-interest were just so common in the last two centuries that the olden clans were more of small, nuclear families nowadays rather than the large, powerful groups they used to be. Clan pride thus holds as much potential to break apart clans as they do to glue the members of the clan together. Of course, it is a tacitly acknowledged tool amongst the elders, and though less recognized amongst the branch members and the children, clan pride often shows up in the form of anger, depression, and confusion when faced with the question of 'why must they remain loyal to the clan?'

Therein lays the reason for Satoru's concern.

Satoru is not a member of the Akashi clan, however much he physically may be.

As much as he is Akashi Satoru, he is also Ryuzaki Mamoru, the existence which has already been marked by the Ryuzaki clan, which is non-existent in this dimension.

If Seijuro's source of stress in his Middle School years was his clan, there was no way in hell that Satoru could take up the position as the Akashi clan heir, because he was not an Akashi at heart. Deception is impossible when the old man had already seen through him at first glance; there was no promising that the other elders wouldn't tell the oddities in his behaviour after meeting him. Hell, if he ever became the head – which he wouldn't, in any dimensions or any time – and has an heir himself, the whole future of the Akashi clan could be led astray with a shift in their focus of values. He would be responsible for that, and that was a minefield Satoru was not willing to touch even with a mile long stick. The clan may even turn on him, for the lack of the Akashi clan pride.

Besides clan pride, there is another reason why Satoru would never be the Akashi clan's heir.

"Stop fooling around and complete your work, Saru-gaki (Monkey Brat)."

Satoru could feel his brow twitch at the term as he lifted the manga from his face.

They were age five right now and his memory of the timeline was a blur. However, it was evident even to him that Akashi Seijuro was not supposed to have developed his split personality at such a young age.

Heterochromia eyes stared down at him loftily sternly, his twin's legs folded over one another in the roller chair their parents deemed them tall enough to receive.

Trauma and stress were supposed to have been the triggers for this split personality's birth, if he recall accurately. As far as Satoru was concerned, there has been no traumatic experience other than the mental scar they got from Masaomi's drunken dance that one new year party. Oh, and perhaps a few run-ins with the neighbourhood stray cats. Thus, stress is the more likely cause of this event.

He could easily think up a few reasons for the increased stress as compared to the original timeline:

Satoru's existence as Seijuro's younger twin, for one, is one. Additionally, another is his twist of attitude towards his (unnecessary) homework. There was also teasing about Seijuro. There was also clan pride, of course - the dash of subconscious need to contribute more to the clan than any other clan members. It was possibly heightened with Satoru's achievements thus far.

Suffice to say, he was the trigger for this personality's birth.

Satoru kinda, really regret being born and having this responsibility dumped on his lap. Now, he's inheriting all the unwanted angst and blame the Generation of Miracles are going to pin on this new personality. It's sad, really.

"Stop giving me that empty stare already and get to work, Monkey Twin." The personality demanded, and Satoru made his stare emptier, if possible. "Do you wish for the other me to worry unnecessarily again?"

Yeah. Hold yourself a hostage to get someone to go to work. It's a perfect solution.

"You know as well as I do that those sheets of papers are very well trash." Satoru sat up, nevertheless. "We're both smart enough at this point to be in the fourth graders' class."

"I am, while you are smart enough to be in High school already." Satoru gave him a deadpan look to have him know that is not supporting his point in the slightest, and the other Seijuro returned the same bland, dry look in turn. "We saw you flipping through a High School's math practice book, if you must know. That is exactly why you should have completed your work far sooner than we did."

"I'd rather not spend time on needless work."

"We desire the same. However, it is not our place as to question our seniors."

"As if you respect them in the least, you liar. Seijuro does simply because he's a good boy. However, you face reality, unlike him, so lies really are unbefitting of you." Satoru grouched as he plucked up a pen and spun it in his finger.

"Hmph. Masaomi has really got to sack them already. At this rate, they are impeding our progress, rather than helping it." It was another difference between this personality and Seijuro. Seijuro, at the very least, calls their parents by their respective terms. This one is as blunt and as disrespectful as any brat is. "In any case, it is fair time that you take over Seijuro's education. A genius like you could understand our learning capability far better than any commoner can."

The spinning of the pen continued even as he felt the narrowed eyes boring into the back of his head.

Given how this personality had been borne precisely due to his existence, it was no surprise that all his failures and slip ups over the years in front of Sei have accumulated into the one personality before him. This personality is honest, and he spared no thought to confronting him about his suspicions, even when Seijuro was held back by his brotherly affections. Seijuro and his dual personalities, with his clan pride, would definitely not contend if Satoru ever becomes clan head. Too many questions have been raised about an unknown element. He was too much an unknown to lead them.

It's…troubling, to say the least.

"In the future, maybe." He offered a vague answer to satisfy the personality, stacking up the different erasers they have atop one another. He peeked over his shoulder into one gold and another scarlet eye and smiled innocently. "We should at least be old enough to be able to use the reason of self-learning, or it would be unconvincing. Don't want old Papa to be suspicious and sign me up as the next head."

The personality levelled him with a contemplative stare, one which seemed unfitting on his twin's usually more innocent face, before phrasing his concerns in a soft, whispered tone.

"…We will never understand why you never want to be the next head." There was a lack of finality in those words, but it very well might be there. If Satoru has his way, he would never let them know that their brother is not who he is supposed to be. Clan pride, as always.

Outwardly, Satoru gave a shrug and turned back to his work.

"Anyways, I have thought of a wonderful name for you." He diverted the topic flippantly. They had talked about names the last time they met.

"…At the risk of my health, what is it?"

"How rude." Satoru scowled. His naming ability was bad, he admitted, but he would at least assign a well intended name with good meanings. "It's 'Ryuunosuke'. Dragon's forerunner, if you want its kanji writings."

"So, I am only a forerunner in your eyes, huh."

Satoru swivelled around and stabbed a pen in his direction blandly.

"You're a dozen years too young to be more than a forerunner, little brat." As if he would tell the brat that he reminds him painfully of his old clan and their noble ideals. "Though if I must admit, I am honoured that you think I represent a dragon – even if it would be a great tragedy for me if you ever fall into my possession." Satoru fell back against his seat with a much exaggerated sigh.

Ryuunosuke paused for a moment to grace him with a bemused look.

"It would be tragic for anyone to fall into the hands of a monkey brat, indeed." That old joke again, huh.

"Stop it with the monkey thing already. My name's not even written like that." He scowled. He was blatantly ignored.

"I'm going to sleep now. The other me needs his sleep despite all things. Don't stay up too late." There was a mild softening of heterochromia eyes, and Satoru likes to think that there was a hint of Seijuro in there, showing hope of his two brothers converging back together one day. "And thanks for the name."

Abruptly, Seijuro's eyes fell closed and he slumped against the chair.

"…Yeah."

Satoru pouted a moment later. The stupid dragon could have at least bothered to walk to Sei's bed before he slept. Now, how should he carry his equally heavy brother back to bed?

…

It happened at the wedding of his beloved auntie Meilin.

Auntie Meilin was their favourite aunt amongst the clan, though it should be noted that given her fairly frequent visits as a policewoman due to Masaomi's infrequent 'emergency' calls for help in babysitting, she had an unfair advantage over the others. The man she was marrying was an outsider to the clan with curvy neck length dark hair and dark eyes, a man who was 'mysterious, lovely, and a gentleman' – according to her, that is. His name is Katsunori Harasawa – a man whose name had clicked moments after Satoru heard it (coach to Toou) and a man who was headed to his death by marrying Aunt Meilin.

For the Akashi clan who were fiercely protective of their own and had high standards for their own, the wedding was more or less the final chance for everyone to test their love and get rid of any potential wimps in their clan.

"I…Is this an octopus…?" Harasawa's brow twitched multiple times in rapid succession as he stared down at the gift.

It was a small platform that could be held in his arms, presenting a wax figure of an octopus nailed down by all its tentacles and crosses where its eyes ought to be. A very bloody and clearly unsuitable gift for a wedding, it was still one of the less eccentric, amongst the others lining up to present their own gifts behind the main Akashi family.

"My~ It is, indeed." Shiori beamed brightly, pressing a delicate hand to her cheek.

"It is a depiction of what your married life will be like, Harasawa." Masaomi stated with a long suffering look which was promptly elbowed out of him by his wife.

"Your married life will absolutely be wondrous, Harasawa-san. Especially with a talented, beautiful snipshooter like your wife, ne, Meilin-chan?"

"S-Snipshooter?" Harasawa paled rapidly.

Aunt Meilin smiled back with all the sparkles and flowers dancing around her.

"Indeed it would be, Shiori-nee-chan. I'm sure my sniping skills will come into use someday."

It never does help that the engaged Akashi in question always welcomes the tests, knowing with full confidence that they had chosen the right partners. Poor Masaomi had the worst time possible at his wedding despite being distantly related to the Akashi. For Harasawa who was a complete unknown to them, needless to say, this wedding could easily top the worst moments of his life, including any potential water-breaking or childbirth if Aunt Meilin is ever impregnated by the man.

If.

The next ones up were the twins.

Satoru was the epitome of innocence as he hopped up cheerily, taking his mother's place.

Seijuro followed at a more sedate pace, sharp scarlet eyes taking in the numerous details of the unnerved groom – Appearance perfected, though no less should be expected of someone joining the clan; A hand around Aunt Meilin's shoulders, though not clinging but more a manner of cool confidence which his eyes did not reflect; dark eyes looking relieved at the presence of children, rather than the horror-inducing line of adults behind the twins, and-

"Now, now, no need to be too critical of Harasawa, Sei-chan!" Satoru giggled, bumping shoulders with Seijuro's tense form. His twin shot him an affronted look.

"He is marrying Aunt Meilin. Our Aunt Meilin." And suddenly, the groom looked more unnerved than he was before.

"Well! We all know Aunt Meilin was supposed to leave the nest someday, so it can't be helped!" He nodded wisely to himself, pretending to stroke a beard as he made his voice all rough and old. "'Our Meilin is a beautiful and capable woman, so we will reject all her suitors – because no one can suit her!'"

Aunt Meilin giggled at his tone.

"-And if we continue that behaviour, our Meilin will end up all old and lonely with only a few hundred cats by her side, Sei-chan!" He exclaimed dramatically at his twin, flailing his arms in the air in an exaggerated motion. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed the slight twitch of Harasawa's fingers which showed his irritation at their continued usage of 'their Meilin'. Hm. Petty.

Seijuro noticed it too.

"It's better to be lonely with us by her side than with a man." Seijuro stated with a protective glint in his eyes. "We'll never leave her alone."

'Unlike him.' went unsaid. Harasawa, being the smart educator he would be in the future, tensed and his eyes hardened at the implication. Satoru withheld a sigh. This one is a bit temperamental, isn't he? It is time to sidestep a potential tantrum.

"So possessive, Sei~!" He grumbled loudly, making the clan members behind them chuckle and laugh. "Anyways! Our gift to you guys is a bouquet and kisses! We hope you don't mind since we don't have much to offer…not with our pockets all empty like this."

He pulled out his empty pockets from his long pants and gave a sniffle. Seijuro rolled his eyes as he lifted the said bouquet to the bride. Meilin laughed and kissed their cheeks sweetly.

"Just your love is more than enough, Satoru and Seijuro."

They smiled and kissed her back.

As Seijuro trailed off, Satoru extended his arms to the uncomfortable man for a hug and waited for him to lower his cheek sufficiently to be smooched. With some encouragement from his bride, he leaned down and found small arms wrapping around his neck tightly. The kid (in his eyes) hover his lips close to his ears, making the sound of a loud kiss before whispering words that had him jolting back.

"Hurt her, and I will kill you."

Satoru beamed innocently at the man's horrified stare and skipped back towards his twin. Feeling the amused stares of the other waiting clan members, he sent a cheery wave back over to them – a silent request for more intimidation, which they replied with smiles and nods. Being the young master of the household holds its benefits, not to mention that Aunt Meilin is theirs.

"Petty." Seijuro directed that word now at him.

"No more than him, at least." Satoru beamed in return.

"Being jealous of children is inelegant." His twin agreed. "He ought to be disciplined if he survives tonight – If." Seijuro's voice deepened and his scarlet eyes darkened at the possibility.

"Well, now, don't you have faith in our clan?" Satoru laughed.

"He is chosen by Aunt Meilin." Seijuro pointed out blandly, and Satoru disquieted.

"…Perhaps I should have hired some assassins." He pondered in a whisper, to which Seijuro sighed and grabbed his wrist lightly, dragging him off out of the ballroom. Masaomi had carefully ordered Seijuro to keep his twin out of all possible trouble that night, and Seijuro had wholeheartedly agreed. He had no doubt his twin would cause trouble where there are people around, especially when their Aunt Meilin is at risk of being wedded off to some unknown stranger they have never met. As a matter of fact, it would be no surprise to him if Satoru decides to ruin this occasion by claiming to love Aunt Meilin and barging in to take her as his own wife.

"It is too late to regret now. Sit tight here while I go get you some ice cream and some lemonade for myself. Do not move a single step from here. Father may require my presence for a short period, but do not move away from here."

"You don't have to repeat that for a second time, Sei-chan." Satoru deadpanned. "I want a taste of all flavours."

"I-I understand." His brother gave in with a sigh. Jeez. How pitiful were they to submit to getting over fifteen ice cream flavours just to keep him here?

A moment later, Satoru plopped himself down at a nearby chair and pouted at the birds etched onto the doorframe near them. It was a weird taste, but they looked so free.

"You can come out now." He called out.

There was a quiver or two and a long set of relentless shaking of the head.

Satoru sighed as he crossed his legs, leaning against the backrest of the seat. There was no doubt that Seijuro had also noticed the suspicious looking bulge of the curtains near them when they exited the ballroom to stand in a more isolated corner of the waiting area. Their eyes simply did not allow them to overlook that not so minute detail.

Satoru tried to mentally tick off the possible members of the clan: Judging by the size of the shoes and the height, the child should be around their age. Back in the ballroom, he had seen some of the other kids, so they are accounted for. There is also the fact that most Akashi do not cower and that there are some other clans present at the party, courtesy of Aunt Meilin's many convenient run-ins with them in her occupation as a police.

The Yakuza clan was ticked off; they may live guarding the line between the underground world and Japan, but they knew better than to bring one of their most vulnerable to an Akashi gathering. That clan of chefs were ticked off – They had been buzzing over good food the last Satoru saw them; the instinct was just in their blood. The clans specializing in entertainment were ticked off for the sole reason that they were high profile. And there were a couple of other clans…

"…I'm hungry." Satoru gave an exasperated sigh as his stomach grumbled pitifully and bowed over, hugging himself.

A squeak came from behind the curtains before some shuffling was seen and a tiny hand extended out of the curtains, offering a small bar of snickers. Satoru took the offered snack with a blink.

He is definitely not from the clan of chefs. They do not do packaged foods.

"Thanks, but aren't you hungry as well?" He asked. He doubted the child has eaten with his – he assumed it is a boy – unusual fear of crowds preventing him from entering the ballroom.

The curtain wiggled side to side in denial but a soft grumble from within made it freeze.

Satoru lowered his face into a palm and chuckled in amusement.

"…We'll share, then." He broke the snickers bar in two and offered both parts – larger one still wrapped in packaging and the smaller one not – to the curtain. There was a moment of hesitation before the unpackaged half was taken. Self-sacrificial on the surface, it seems. It seems a tad too sly to test the child when he offered a snack though, so he kept his thoughts to himself. Satoru munched on the chocolate bar as he waited for his twin to return.

"My name's Satoru. What's yours?" He deemed it better to hide his clan name in case he is from one of those rival clans.

A mumbled reply came from the curtains.

"…What?"

It took two moments for his ears to probably register the repeated reply.

"Sakurai Ryo."

Sakurai clan: an allied clan that mostly specialized in modern technology, providing all sorts of gadgets ranging from state of the arts mass producing machines to military and nuclear weapons for the country. According to rumours, it appears that the Sakurai clan were beginning to branch out into the education sector by opening private institutions and offering funds for major projects, if only to gain easier access to local talent. A clan which capitalize on its good relationships to the many major companies of Japan, they are an important clan to technology-orientated Japan and ally for the Akashi, who holds significant power in most domains.

And to think that one of their own is now cowering in a curtain…Well, he certainly possesses their non-confrontational nature.

"Huh, Ryo-kun, if I can call you that of course. Why are you hiding inside a curtain when there're lots of delicious foods outside and your family members are socializing and we get to see the broom and bride's love being tested?" He babbled like he always did in the presence of an adult, to get their affections. It's called sucking up really, but such could be beneficial in the long run, especially at such important function.

There was a pause.

"I-I think it's called a 'groom', S-Satoru-san…Not broom."

"Why silly, it's called a broom. The stupid tall lanky man who's there clinging onto the bride's arm looks perfectly like a broomstick, doesn't he? Irritating lad he is." He noted casually.

A pause followed before a soft giggle rang out.

Satoru smiled as he leaned back, observing the flow of people in and out of the ballroom. Even when he had been eighteen and on the verge of dying, he always did like the laughter of kids – nice, obedient ones of course, not evil brats like Ryuunosuke. In fact, it made him rather reminiscent of his children (The gathered members of his old team. They were…nice, with the right amount of blackmailing).

"You should laugh more, Ryo-kun. Your laughter sounds nice." He mentioned absent-mindedly.

"…C-Clan children should always be quiet…Father said so." The tone was more subdued now, sad even.

"Ah, my Papa does so as well. Tyranny of the majority it seems. Sometimes, I wonder if that's why the elders always seem to have that stick up their arses."

A gasp resounded.

"…Y-You cursed!" He sounded sincerely astonished.

"And you've done it before as well, if you could recognize that I cursed." He pointed out.

"…N-No…It's just…my big sister does it all the time." The voice went slightly soft, but withheld warmth that made known his attachment to his big sister. So, a pair of siblings from the Sakurai clan, older daughter, younger son – the one who fitted that profile amongst those important enough to be invited to the wedding is the main family. If he was correct, the siblings differ by a one year age difference.

"…Huh. Well, I do it whenever Sei-nii begins to sound too much like those adults for his own goods. We're still kids, for goodness sake." Satoru complained in a whiny tone, eliciting another fit of giggles.

"I wonder if my big sister does that for me as well." Ryo thought aloud curiously.

"Hm…What's your sister like, Ryo-kun?" In an effort to not seem overly assertive, he added his own information about his twin. "My brother's quite basically a clone of my father, always wanting to become the epitome of perfection. It's kind of a need for us though. He's just too used to working so hard, that he can't remember what it's like to relax. He always has a poker face on, but when he seems too robot-like, I try to cheer him up at times by pestering him!"

"H-He sounds a lot like my sister…" Ryo was amazed. "She's very strict on herself, though she's also strict to me at times…Sometimes…I wonder if I was born into the wrong family, because everyone just seem so amazing."

…A dejected tone. Ah, he found the main source of problems after a walking a huge round.

"I think it's good to be different in your family." Satoru kicked his feet in the air, feeling slight numbness in them. (Where's Seijuro anyways? Ah, he sees fangirls in the distance. Satoru gave his bewildered twin a pitiful glance and turned back to the conversation.)

"…Eh?"

"I'm also different in my family, so I know what it feels like. They're all so serious while I'm just bumbling all over half heartedly. But well, isn't it good to sometimes be relaxed and take a break from being serious? I think my job in this family is to pull them back when they go too far – to use my half-heartedness as my strength!"

Those were true words which came surprisingly easy to the stranger in the curtain. Perhaps it's because Ryo is a child. Then again, it could be the fact that Ryo's hiding behind an inanimate object.

"Ryo-kun, don't you have something you contribute to the family?"

"Eh…Ah…I…erm…I…cook?" It was phrased as a question, but Satoru took it.

"Well, your cooking must make your family happy, so just keep it up!" He smiled lightly at the person behind the curtain. "We all have our strengths despite our weaknesses, but our family still accepts us, so we must not give up on ourselves before they do. Afterall, 'the clan is everything', ne?"

He had used the motto for the Sakurai clan. How embarrassing.

"Y…Yeah."

"Well, the only one who can change your behaviour is you, so I doubt my words will work unless you yourself decide to change. If words are almighty, then they wouldn't be thrown around carelessly." Satoru yawned flippantly and blinked when he noticed Seijuro waving to him off in the distance. "Ah, it seems like the bride and the broom are setting off. You coming, Ryo-kun?"

He knew it was a huge decision for the child, so he waited patiently.

"…Y-Yeah."

The small figure slid out from behind the curtain, and Satoru froze and scarlet eyes widened, because he recognized that face.

It was the apologetic mushroom.

With short tuffs of light brown hair hanging around his face and large brown eyes peering up at him like a bambi, the boy was hunched over in a manner that made him shorter than Satoru even though he was certain the boy would be taller if he stood straight. Satoru had the sudden urge to face palm in an attempt to fix that memory problem of his (how had he not noticed this?!) but instead, he grabbed the boy's hand lightly and tracked his way back to his twin.

Leave the self-mutilation later. Right now, Aunt Meilin is more important.

"He passed the test?" Satoru questioned absently as they caught up to a patiently waiting Seijuro.

"Unfortunately." His twin intoned, eyes flickering to the unknown child.

His stance then shifted away from the casual boredom it contained to a more practiced politeness. A small nod was offered to a squeaking Ryo, who hid behind Satoru. Seijuro gave the other boy a weird look with mildly scrunched brows but hid it skilfully with a tentative smile when the Sakurai child returned his greeting with a bow. The Sakurai have always been traditional and very Japanese, holding true to their roots in spite of their specialty.

"Is he a friend of yours?" Came the expected question, accompanied by a wary glance at him.

Here, Satoru inserted a huge wide smile, eyes holding an edge that was visible only to those who truly knew him.

"Yup! He's Sakurai Ryo – and he's mine!"

Meaning, don't test him, because I'm not all that certain about him passing any test yet.

"…I see." Slightly more narrowed scarlet eyes flickered to the brown haired boy, taking in his features and gauging him. A heartbeat later, the Sakurai child was deemed as not a threat and scarlet eyes softened. Satoru smiled when Seijuro bowed slightly, partially in apology for the unfair assessment and partially sincere. "I am Akashi Seijuro. It is my pleasure to meet you, Sakurai Ryo-san."

Ryo blinked with wide eyes, still confused at the proclamation of ownership.

They were joined by both their parents as they left the manor and a slightly older girl with shoulder length light brown hair and sharp, protective brown eyes like her brother's. Shiori turned to smile at Mrs Sakurai gently, while the men took their time and shook hands.

"It has been a long time since our last meeting, hasn't it?"

"It definitely has been."

"You should have come to our Christmas Party last year, Sakurai-chan."

Satoru rolled his eyes at the unneeded pleasantries.

"I see that you have met Ryo-kun, Satoru-chan."

Satoru blinked upon being addressed by his mother and straightened to his fullest height, erasing any traces of irritation on his face as he beamed down at the hunched boy.

"Yup! We're supposed to be friends now!"

Mrs Sakurai beamed as well and placed an affectionate arm around her son's shoulders.

"How nice~ It seems like you two would have a pleasant relationship even without a need for the promise."

"…Promise?" He peered up at his mother with large curious scarlet eyes as their families shifted back to give space for the crowding girls crowing for the bouquet from the bride. Ryo, similarly, turned a confused and somewhat desperate stare on his own parents as well. What business relationship have they decided to sacrifice their younger sons for now? Other than the heirs, children were never really important to the clans, though equally protected.

"Why, we're talking about your arranged marriage, of course." Shiori cheerily answered.

Three of the four children gawped while Satoru's ingrained manners for once decided to take into effect. Even as shocked as he was, his mouth still shifted, mouthing a word that felt foreign with the disconnection to his brain.

"…Pardon?"

Something fell into his hands then.

There were groans of dismay all around before an applause resounded. When Satoru's mind finally caught up with him, he peered down slowly with a growing sense of trepidation at the bouquet which he held between his palms and then at Aunt Eiji's happy smile and his new – unfortunately – Uncle Katsunori's stunned expression. Then, he turned to take in Seijuro's carefully blank expression and that certain furious gleam in his scarlet eyes which Satoru really could not be bothered about right now, and – god forbid it – Ryo's equally stunned expression.

"…Sh*t." It was a single grim word that held all his combined dread and grievances in the future.

It was at the wedding of his beloved Aunt Meiling that he discovered he was promised from birth to a decidedly male Sakurai Ryo for their clans' alliance.

…

(Ryo was five and he was engaged, but he didn't mind.

The boy he was promised to, and to whom he was promised was a jaded boy with scarlet eyes that look like the rubies his mother loves to admire, and long locks of hair that were as red as the colour of dawn.

Ryo did not know what bipolar means, but at that age, he did know that the boy was slightly weird. In front of the adults, he was sweet as honey, a large bright smile always plastered over his face. In front of his brother, the boy is like a cat, always teasing, always bantering and laughing while his brother stares with a fond, protective gleam in his eyes. In front of Ryo, the boy is patient and calm, a serene smile sitting on his lips as he stared out at the passing crowd.

When they found out they were bonded, Satoru muttered a curse word before turning to look at him with regret and a murmured apology. Satoru had been worried about hurting his feelings, and he tried to bargain with their parents, because he should have someone who is better, someone female and kind and gentle and patient. He, meaning Ryo, surprisingly.

And then, Ryo was confused, because even though Satoru was not a female, he filled out the other traits easily.

He had said so in front of their parents, and Satoru had face palmed, muttering something in resignation under his breath. Ryo's Mother laughed while Mrs Akashi giggled. Their fathers overlooked them with stern, emotionless faces.

Ryo was five and he was engaged, but he didn't mind.

The boy he was engaged to, Satoru, is a kind, gentle, and patient boy who talked to him beyond the curtains. In that lilting, at times confident, at times soothing voice of his, he addressed Ryo's strengths and told Ryo that he was not a burden to his family despite his uselessness. Ryo had wiped away the unfallen tears in his eyes when Satoru extended a hand to him, and Ryo had taken it, following Satoru to that big scary world that was beyond the curtains he hid behind that day.

Satoru is nice, and so if it is him, Ryo truly doesn't mind.)

…

Satoru saw more of Ryo than he did with his own father in the following year. It ranged from random visits from Mrs Sakurai to shopping trips without their children then to simple orders from Mrs Sakurai for her son to 'go play with Satoru-kun from the street opposite ours'.

It is terrifying how determined their mothers were about setting their sons together. Satoru didn't know which sex he oriented towards, but for all his life, love has never been a trouble. As a matter of fact, it has evaded him all his life until now, when the responsibility of loving an anime character who's decidedly male and five decides to tumble into his lap, making him a potential otaku, homosexual or gay (and while he has no problem with that, he never really thought he would be, well…), and a paedophile to add on to the equation.

Brilliant.

It's absolute brilliance in the working.

The fact that Seijuro and Ryo's protective sister – Ran – have strike a deal and decided to stay back to take amusement in their plight did not make their situation better.

In fact, it was after three dozen play dates approximately that Satoru finally had enough of Ryo's consistent stuttering and apologizing – which had surfaced after the too surprising revelation – and took him to his room, locking both Seijuro and Ran out.

"I-I-I'm sorry for making you mad! I'm sorry for whatever I did wrong! I'm sorry for being engaged to you!"

"And I'm sorry for that as well. We're clearly too young for love anyways." Satoru stated dryly, flopping onto his bed. "Look, let's just be friends till we're older, kay? Forget being engaged. If by eighteen, either of us finds a girlfriend, we'll break the engagement off with our best efforts. Think about things only then."

"I-I'm-"

"Okay?" Satoru gave him a worn stare, lips twitching down into a pout.

"…Alright, Satoru-san."

"No more 'I'm sorry' either, please?"

"But-"

"Please?"

"…Okay."

"No '-san' either."

"…R-Right, Satoru-sa-…Satoru."

And after several onerous months of teasing, that was the start of a beautiful friendship between himself and the ex-apologetic mushroom.

(It never occurred to Satoru that the fact that he could get the apologetic mushroom to do things with just two pleas was a sign of something already. The blockhead is just too used to charming people. Needless to say, it's unintentional paedophilia in the making.)

…

It was of no surprise to either of the twins when at age six, their household decided to give them proper homeschooling instead of the customary elementary school.

Satoru thought it was stupid to restrain their heir from interacting with normal children. Seijuro is mostly obedient and understanding, though his innermost thoughts were revealed through Ryuunosuke, who very promptly decided to show the progress he has made all by himself and subsequently, acquire the right to do 'self'-studying with Satoru.

Satoru could only frown at the other's need to take over whenever it came to studying time. While Seijuro could study by himself, there was only so much he could do without help and without finding out that Satoru and Ryuunosuke were the ones who have been magically inserting those titbits of information into his head, rather than an alien in outerspace. (It's unscientific anyways.) It's also slightly disconcerting how the yellow eye could disappear and return so fast, managing to fool even the Akashi's observant eyes. Satoru was fairly certain such rapid changes were not healthy in the least.

Ryo's time with them was rapidly diminishing despite his still frequent visits over the weekends. He seems more stressed than ever, frustrated by schoolwork until Satoru taught him and the tutoring showed results. Ryo was subsequently released from public schooling and joined them frequently now.

Speaking of Ryo, there was something that Satoru has noticed ever since he had begun dropping by to learn with them.

But as he prepared to confront the boy on that not so small personal issue he has, March 28th came before he knew it, plunging him into a state of depression.

…

It would be a lie if he says that nothing strange has been going on, aside from the usual strange events of the life of one engaged Akashi Satoru.

His name is Akashi Satoru.

(Not Ryuzaki Mamoru, certainly. …Certainly, right?)

He is the reincarnate of Ryuzaki Mamoru,\ who came from a different dimension with a book named Kuroko no Basket. He knew the events that were originally supposed to have happened here (or did he now?).

He was eighteen when he died- (not twelve? Yes…Yes, it's eighteen.)

-and right now, he's…(Seven? Eighteen? Twelve?)

March 28th…What was the significance of that date again?

.

Right. He died on that day. The surgery had been scheduled on that day, and they had come to see him. He had seen Takano's laughably miserable expression then, and then, he had died.

(And was reborn.)

It's so confusing.

…

The memories started fading every year on that day.

Was it a case of organized childhood amnesia?

No, the mind does things randomly.

March 28th is a day in which a part of Ryuzaki Mamoru dies every year.

Last year had gone the memory of the clan's pledge. Satoru knew that pledge was a necessity for one to be acknowledged as an heir. He knew, because he had been clan heir as Mamoru and Seijuro had undergone that pledge last year…But he never could remember the pledge he had taken himself. And this is strange, because he knew he remembered the memories of the pledge many times over in his Middle School life, but there was just that void there when he tried to remember.

At age seven, he must have lost seven parts of himself. And it was difficult, because he knew he has forgotten something for certain, but just could never remember what it is no matter how much he tried and there's just-

-Cat. Blood. Car.

A cat had been hit by a car. Blood had splattered all around it. It had died.

The cat had been his.

(Or was it?)

"…Satoru?" A concerned hand slipped into his. "Are you okay?"

Scarlet eyes blinked, unfocused, as a car zoomed by them and the lights changed colour, leaving them the only duo standing in the midst of the walking crowd. Scarlet eyes like the colour of blood entered his vision and stared at him in concern. He knows how…uncharacteristic…Satoru could get on this same date for some reason.

…Seijuro. His name is Seijuro Akashi. He is his brother.

He does not have to lie to Seijuro Akashi.

But he will, because he still remembers that he's in Kuroko no Basket, and so long as he remembers that fact, he has to lie or Seijuro and Ryuunosuke (?) will worry.

Satoru blinked in rapid succession and tried to construct a smile – even the slightest curve would do – and squeezed the hand in his lightly, daring to cling onto the edges of the long sleeve shirt Seijuro was wearing that day.

"…I'm okay." He murmured, not feeling up for words.

Seijuro paused for a heartbeat and placed his arms around him.

"…You're not, Idiot Monkey." There was a hint of Seijuro and Ryuunosuke in those words as their voices and the different manners of speaking – one soft and monotonous, the other harsh and sharp – overlapped.

Satoru looked down, because there and then, he had a flicker of something.

Snow. There had been snow, and an indent in the snow. He remembers. It's okay. He still remembers that final memory. He's still not eighteen, so he won't forget the memories he made when he was eighteen, so it's okay.

He blinked, lashes brushing against wet fabric when he realized he was crying again.

Weak people cry. He's growing so very weak (disease? Ah, right. He died of a disease) because he's getting too indulged by their kindness. Who's they? Family, clan, Sakurai, Ryo, and Seijuro. Ah, right.

He didn't want to be strong right now though. There's a sense of exhaustion, because suddenly, there's another void in his soul once more.

Satoru wonders why he was crying suddenly, and why the sight of zooming cars was making him sad for some reason, and why he was focusing on the mewls of some kittens in some alleyways now, rather than the stares the people were directing on him and his brother (Twin, some piece of him reminded).

The tears dried up and he wiped his eyes on his brother's shirt, ignoring the unwilling flinch Seijuro gave at the nuzzling.

He laughed as he clung onto his brother's hand.

"Let's go. I want to eat Ryo's apple pie. We don't want it to get cold while we're dawdling."

"…Yeah."

Their hands remained attached even as they walked home after the visit.

…

(March 28th is the day Seijuro found himself both miserable and happy at.

It's sickening, he thinks every year on that day. He wakes up, entering his twin's separate room to lie down with him; to soothe the lines on his brow from the dreams and trace away the tracks of the tears that spilt out. When Satoru wakes, the scarlet eyes that stared up at him were lost, miserable, but deep inside, even though he showed concern on the outside, Seijuro found himself rejoicing slightly.

Satoru is relying on him. For once, he could be the reliable brother that Satoru rarely allows him to be.

That said, he didn't want his younger twin to be sad, of course.

There's something very wrong about seeing depression in those eyes.

So, even though a part of him rejoices, Seijuro does his best to be the support Satoru needs him to be. It's one day of indulgence and spoiling for the 364 days that Satoru helps him by dragging him for the much needed break he tried to deny himself of; by smiling and retorting to his comments; and for giving him (Ryuuno…What?) the name and acknowledgement that he was given.

This year, he dragged them to Ryo's house.

Satoru tries to smile, and all members of the trio notices something wrong, but does not speak about it. Instead, they helped, because they all felt the same.

[-Too similar, in Ryuunosuke's opinion regarding that irritating Ryo. His brother, their brother, was getting stolen away by that person- friend, enemy, lover-? He's five, but it's possible-]

When Satoru gives them that same cheerful, half devious smile the next day, relief flooded them.

More came when Satoru decidedly tackled Ryo into his bed, wrestling the slightly taller boy into a tickling match that had the apologetic mushroom no longer so apologetic thereafter. It irritates him slightly, but at least, Satoru is back to normal.)

…

It took a while to realize the possibility that Ryo is subconsciously holding himself back.

The tutoring had gone too well to be true. They were already at a fifth grader's level technically, but without revealing it, the teaching had gone too well. Ryo was a genius by his own right, but if there is a thing holding him back, it would be the chains the Sakurai clan has unintentionally been placing on him.

"Ryo-kun, why couldn't you be less clumsy?"

"Ryo, be more like your sister. Her grades are perfect and she's so talented!"

Perhaps it was unintended, but the numerous comparisons – often unavoidable in nature – which he had heard at the Sakurai household made him realize the depth of his friend's sensitivity to his environment. Repeated comparisons must have made him think it's impossible to ever surpass his sister, even though he fully has the capability to do it, based on grades alone. The apologies also appear to hide something else entirely.

"I'm sorry for doing this question wrongly!"

"I'm sorry for making you angry!"

"I'm sorry for staying over!"

There are two types of apologies that Ryo makes, as Satoru has learnt. The first is the normal types, meant solely to be polite. The second are for mistakes that could actually occur, but only materializes at times. It's not as if Ryo thinks that apologies solve all problems, but there was just a matter of phrasing, and the problem that Ryo always panics at the thought of failing or not being forgiven – a typical characteristic for clan dropouts, really.

"I'm sorry for intruding, Satoru." Ryo bowed his head with a slight quake in his hands as he entered his room.

" 'Please pardon me'." Satoru shot back in turn, levelling a stare with his peer.

"…Sorry?" Ryo tilted his head in confusion.

"…Pardon." Satoru corrected for him in turn, and it took no less than three seconds for the cogs in Ryo's secretly genius mind to work.

"…Please pardon me for entering your room, Satoru." He corrected himself, calmer now that his brain was working instead of lurching into a panic. 'I'm sorry' seems to be his trigger words for panic, but it's been avoided with a careful correction in phrasing. He hasn't done anything wrong since he hasn't apologized, so no need for panic now.

"Good boy, Ryo." Satoru nodded with a smile, and the other looked away, flustered. "Keep this up, please."

It was actually more difficult than it seems.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, Satoru-san!" Formalities again…And to add on, the same usual panicking for the same usual trigger words…

Satoru had sighed and rubbed his temple, correcting lightly with a patient look.

" 'My apologies'… 'Satoru'." He rephrased for the other boy, bringing the panicking to a halt. His brain begun working, and Satoru smiled. "Now, please repeat that."

"M-My apologies for disturbing you, Satoru." Ryo repeated, looking sufficiently calmed now that the trigger words have been removed.

"That's better."

"I'm sorry for tripping!"

"I'm sorry for spilling your drink!"

"I'm sorry for scaring you, Satoru!"

Satoru only sighed and offered him an alternative phrase. Throughout the year, Satoru and Seijuro, with the added efforts of Ran from the Sakurai Manor, did their best to correct his wording. The end result was neat though.

"My apologies for not looking the way I was walking." Ryo stated one day, hands stabilizing Satoru when Satoru had unintentionally ran into him. The redhead looked up at him, beamed with pride, and hopped away to share the success story with the other two. Ryo was left thoroughly flustered but all the more determined to fix his problem after that day.

The inferiority problem was a bit more complex.

Instead of focusing on the mathematical and scientific areas that most Sakurai, including Ran, were typically good in, Satoru tried his best to redirect the Sakurai under his charge towards the less scientific subjects that Ran admitted she would never try. In a field where there was no limitations, no older sisters to chase after, and no comparisons, Sakurai excelled brilliantly and soon found himself being showered with praises by his parents.

Hopefully, if all pans out according to Satoru's plans, the boy's self-confidence could be restored. In the mean time, however it seems like Sakurai would be getting a head start in basketball.

…

Harasawa Katsunori was the man who refused to adopt their supposedly noble Akashi name.

He was also the one person whose intervention was entirely unwarranted, for the simple fact that he was married to their Aunt Meilin.

When Katsunori showed up one day and offered to teach them basketball, the only answer he had was:

"No thank you."

His answer with a bright smile earned him stares from all three of his companions, two, if you discount an interfering Uncle who has unfortunately been accepted into the family. Seijuro looks disconcerted. Ryo looks devastated. And Katsunori blinked down at him, bending down on his knees as if there's some deep emotional reason why Satoru's refusing to play basketball, because all people should play basketball and love basketball, right? (No.)

In truth though, there really was a deep reason.

"Why not?" Katsunori questions in his deep, soft voice, sounding painfully melancholic at the refusal.

"Because I have work to do." As if he would reveal his trauma.

"Everybody needs a break, in your own words." Seijuro blocked his path.

Satoru released an exasperated breath.

"Idiot Sei. Move away." He grouched.

"Not until you offer a valid and legitimate reason."

"S-Satoru, why…?" Ryo questions softly, and though Satoru wants to yell and snap, he knew it would undo his work for the past year, so he took a deep breath and calmed down.

"I can't." Satoru whispered.

Basketball is reserved for playing with that team in his memories, a team that no longer exist, never existed in this world, and with them, gone was his basketball.

"Why not?" Katsunori repeats again, pushing the boundaries, and for the first time, Satoru does not offer an edgy smile or a broken gaze.

He gives in, relents, because it's the one thing he loves so much (because of them, because they were here, because they're no longer by his side) that it hurts to give up, and he picks up the offered basketball which Katsunori had placed on the ground when he knelt down. His fingers traced the brails dotting the round object. His breath hitched, unwilling to inhale the leathery scent that he knew would be there. He heard the squeaking of shoes, multiple pairs of shoes, against the court off in the distance, phantoms that were no longer with him, and then-

-His vision went blurry.

Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter.

Satoru did not need to look up to know they were looking at him with stunned locks.

He had tried holding a basketball long ago, just months after he could stand. The butler had been confused, but had passed him the ball. The same exact reaction had happened.

"…I can't play basketball. Not with anyone but them." He admitted bitterly, but fondly, because it was the one last remaining memory which he probably would forever have of his past life.

Then, he shoves the ball back into his Uncle's hands and left the field, leaving the trio staring at his back.

….

"You chose us."

"Uh-huh. I did." He spun the ball on a knuckle casually, never looking back.

"Why us?" Takano could feel the tears of defeat still in his eyes. It was their second year already. They were still losing even now, like the sore, bitter, helpless losers and weaklings they were. The team has left, crying, and now, it was time for him as the vice-captain to lament and sob beside the captain. "Why us when the team has been defeated even before it was formed? Why us, when your skills could be used for any other sport – any other team that is not in the least as broken as we are?!"

Slam went the locker as Takano punched his fist into it.

The smile has faded, but Mamoru did not look concerned, simply…empty, in that mysterious way of his.

"…I drew lots, you know."

Huh?

The captain took slow steps and plopped himself down onto the bench.

"First, I selected the schools, then I selected the broken teams and drew lots. I wanted something new to work with; Something fresh, which I could work with and rightfully call mine. I didn't want anymore of those things that carried the weight of the decisions others made for me. I wanted my own team, my teammates, my family." Dark eyes bored into his when he turned back. "It's fate and luck that brought me to this team."

He's so nonchalant…even now.

Takano dropped to the bench and gripped his bottle, tears streaking his face.

"Damn it…" Why were they chosen, really.

"Bakano. If you think you're the only one saddened by the loss, then you're wrong." Dark eyes were dry and tearless, but seemed more miserable than he has ever seen him. Mamoru gave a bitter laugh. "This team is mine. Its losses and wins are both its members, but are also mine. I feel frustrated about it as well, you know?"

There was a pause, and Mamoru looked away.

"After these three years, I'll stop playing basketball." What? Suddenly, the words sounded deafening to Takano's ears. "I can't play anymore after this. I'll not be starting fresh if I do, and besides, the play which I have created is only to suit this team. I can't alter it for any other team, not after your plays have basically imprinted on mine. It's impossible-"

"Shut up already, Mamoru." Takano couldn't take it anymore. Why's he saying all of this after pretending to be strong?

"…More than anything else…There's no time."

…

(But then, suddenly, there is.)

…

A/N: Edited it. Stupid grammar sucks. So guys, now you know the pairing. It's Sakurai Ryo x OC. Now, a few explanations for the events:

Firstly, the focus is more on clans in this chapter than on basketball, because really, basketball is not what runs a person's life, however much Kuroko no Basket tries to make it seem like that. For Satoru, it can only be expected that clan weighs heavily upon all his decisions, just as it seems to have done to Seijuro and his perfectionism, thus the section on clan pride.

Second, the pairing. If I have to be perfectly honest, the pairing is inspired by a Kuroko fic regarding an engagement between Akashi and Kuroko. I have never read it, but the idea is there and it is entertaining. As for why it is Sakurai Ryo, I felt that the person whom Satoru needs is someone who he can cares for in that subconsciously dominating way of his, but still be restrained by (not in that sense, perverts) if he ever goes too far. I've also been quite fond of Ryo, seeing how his character reminds me a bit of myself. Not too much character development in this chapter though, since I hadn't had time to expand on his portions.

Third, memories of the past. You knew this was coming, really. What other reasons would one write a rebirth fic? Don't talk to me about ReBirth, because that thing about the coaches and their teams are just a tad more complicated, and it's basically being cannibalized by this fic anyways. If one is reborn into a different world, while knowledge of the future may potentially destroy them, for Satoru – who differs from Haruka in the fact that he has the ability to succeed in virtually everything – memories of basketball can't really do much other than to help save Seijuro, maybe. Basketball's not life, and it's hardly important when Satoru knows he could defeat Seijuro in other areas if Kuroko ever fails to save Seijuro. In that sense, this fanfic is less about basketball and more about interpersonal relationships. Its focus is on the implications of being reborn, and while basketball is a burden that comes with Seijuro, you'll find that basketball is just a tool here for connecting, bonding, but not life itself.

So now you know Satoru forgets his life as Mamoru with every passing year. What effect do you think this may have on the future?

Thanks to those who reviewed/favourite/followed despite my poor grammar! I appreciate you lots!