An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
In a way, Akashi is almost glad that he lost at the Winter Cup the year before. Not only was he able to regain his true self, but it also gave him a true appreciation for the amount of work that one has to put in in order to come out on top. It has humbled him. No longer was he the tyrannical emperor who ruled over his teammates; now he was simply Akashi, the captain of Rakuzan, who wishes to play the sport that he loves with like minded people who share his intense passion and devotion to the sport.
Alternatively titled: Akashi makes a genuine effort to get to know his teammates as people and friends and open up to them about himself, learns that asking for help isn't the end of the world, and that being an artist is way harder than most people make it out to be.
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My shitty fanfic has 19 chapters now. You should check it out!