Chapter 1:
Disclaimer: I am not nearly genius enough to own Junjou Romantica, Sekaiichi Hatsukoi or any of the characters.
Onodera Ritsu glared up at a tall, overly shiny building with a hand covering his narrowed eyes. Does the damn thing need to have so many windows? He thought irritably. While it almost felt as if he was recovering from a hangover, the young editor was actually just suffering from being overworked and sleep deprived. The dreaded cycle was just restarting, and the team still needed a few days to completely recover. Onodera shuffled through the automatic doors, keeping his head down and mumbling a half hearted hello to people he thought he recognized when he happened to look up. Eventually, he made it safely to his desk. When he glanced around the currently empty office space, he realized that nobody had bothered to really clean up from the previous end of cycle, and the office was still a disaster. That month's terror week had been unusually brutal.
Oh well, he mentally shrugged, We'll get to it in a couple of days. Onodera absentmindedly rubbed his aching stomach and set to organizing his desk so he could actually see what he needed to get done that day. After only a few minutes, Kisa-san wandered in and got to work after a genuine greeting. Onodera almost caught himself wondering what Kisa-san's trick to recovering so quickly was, but cut himself off before he could fully formulate the thought. If he dug into his coworker's private lives they might do the same, and God knows Onodera couldn't handle that right now. Not until he finally put thing's to rest with Tankano-san.
As if his thoughts had summoned his boss, the man in question appeared. He walked briskly to his desk as he engaged in a particularly animated phone call. It didn't sound like they were arguing...yet. With his desk now satisfactorily organized, Onodera immersed himself in his work, hardly noticing when the others drifted in one by one. It was late afternoon when he was unexpectedly pulled from his trance like state.
"Here we are Takahashi-kun! The famous Emerald department."
The overly chipper, and shrill female voice grated against his ears, but he found himself looking up in curiosity, despite himself. Framed by two pink entrance walls stood the women, a receptionist/secretary according to her name tag, and a petite but well dressed boy. He had messy brown hair, big green eyes, and a shy but friendly smile on his face. In a word, the boy was adorable.
By now, all eyes were on the intruding pair. The woman cleared her throat unnecessarily and announced, "Takano-san, I've come to deliver the new hire." She practically beamed as she turned to the boy, waiting for him to introduce himself.
Newbie-kun bowed formally at the waist, and when he straightened he kept his head lowered respectfully. "I'm Takahashi Misaki, and I look forward to working with you. Please take care of me!"
Takano-san shifted in his distinguished spot at the head of the long desk before spitting out, "Are you shitting me?!"
Takahashi-kun and the receptionist gaped up at him, shocked.
"What the hell are the higher ups thinking? Sending me a completely untried child! Hell, is he even out of high school?! Send him back! I don't have the time for half assed employee assignments. They were pushing it when they sent that one." After a pointed look in Onodera's direction at the last comment, he turned back to his manuscripts, obviously dismissing them.
Ah hell, Onodera sighed as he took in Takahashi-kun's shimmering eyes and trembling lip. The poor kid bit his bottom lip before taking several deep breaths to calm himself. He had seemingly resigned himself to giving up, but the secretary, Akane-san, he noted at another glance to her name tag, was just recovering from her shock. She slammed the file she was holding onto the nearest piece of desk, successfully recovering Takano's attention, although she had never lost anyone else's.
"The hell is wrong with you?!" She screamed at the man. "You can't just dismiss him at first glance, you don't know the first thing about him!"
Takahashi looked surprised, touched, and hopeful at the woman's passionate defense for him.
"Oh?" Takano looked down his nose at her, still clearly uninterested. "Then please, enlighten me."
Rather than being intimidated by his rude look, Akane-san simply returned it with a particularly nasty one of her own. The woman's got guts, Onodera thought, thoroughly impressed. It took a remarkable level of confidence to stand up to Takano-san, and bucket loads of compassion to defend someone to him. She's even very pretty, Onodera thought admiringly, and instantly regretted being so irritated with her earlier.
"Fine by me," Akane-san smirked, obviously confident in what she was about to say, "Before I even get to his impressive file, let me just mention that I have been working with Takahashi-kun for months already. Before getting a full time job here, he worked as a part timer by helping out in various departments. I can tell you as a fact, from personal experience, that he is particularly hard working, punctual, and capable. Actually, don't even take my word for it. Just on the way here we were stopped countless times by employee's from all kinds of positions and departments congratulating him on his first day on the job. Several distinguished head of departments even mentioned that they had particularly requested Takahashi-kun when they heard he had been accepted as a full timer, and expressed bitter disappointment at having him assigned elsewhere. If you don't want to believe me, simply take a few minutes to ask around. I'm not exaggerating. Now for his file.." She stopped momentarily to flip through the mentioned papers, and shook her head in amazement. "I've been working here for four years, so I've handled my fair share of official employee documents, but even my more experienced coworkers were impressed by this. He not only passed all three of the rigorous interview processes with flying colors, but he has a few...unique aspects as well." Akane-san got distracted again, and stopped to reread parts of the papers.
Takano-san cleared his throat, obviously curious at this point, but still not convinced, "Such as…"
"Such as the fact that Isaka-sama specifically requested to be at his final interview. Such as Isaka-sama handpicking Takahashi for this specific department because of, quote 'his remarkable ability to handle particularly difficult author's and manaka's, as well as his organizational skills, extreme patience, hardworking tenacity, reliableness, and his familiarity with manga and romance.' Such as this particularly interesting side note saying that he is highly praised by two, anonymous, but distinguished and high ranking author's in the company."
Takahashi's cheeks were a rosey red by the time she finished, but Akane-san looked at Takano defiantly, as if she was daring him to dismiss the boy-er, man-after all that. Surprisingly though, that's exactly what he did.
Takano's face had taken on a disgusted look, in addition to his previous annoyed one. "Ah, I see," he drawled condescendingly, "So what you're telling me is that he's not only useless, but a spoiled brat as well."
At this point Onodera was getting seriously angry. First of all, what kind of mood was Takano in that caused this...this cruelty? It was universally acknowledged that the talented man was hard on just about everyone, but this was different. Onodera had never seen him this nasty before. Second of all, what the hell was so wrong with having connections? As long as Takahashi did good work, what was wrong with an early boost in his career? Onodera refused to admit the second part was personal for him, but he really did believe that the kid deserved a chance. Just as he was thinking about voicing his objections, he glanced at Akane's face and decided to duck for cover instead. The woman was beyond outraged. The entire department braced for impact as she took a deep breath, but the disaster was diverted by Takahashi's timid voice breaking the tension.
"Thank you Akane-san," was all he said. He was still blushing and hesitant, but it seemed that her praise and high defense of him had sparked a determined side of him. "Really, I probably would've just retreated without you, but I think this is something I need to handle for myself. Is that okay?"
Akane-san smiled at him, obviously proud of his attempt to stick up for himself, and nodded enthusiastically.
Takahashi took a deep breath before continuing, "Takano-san?"
Begrudgingly intrigued, Takano gestured for him to continue.
Takahashi nodded and seemed to gather his thoughts for a moment before pressing forward. "While I w-will acknowledge that due to some...extenuating c-circumstances I have a few rather impressive connections in the company, I would like you to know that I didn't use any of th-them to get this job."
Takano raised his eyebrow at that, obviously unbelieving.
Another deep breath, "W-when I started the interview process, I really wanted to work for Marukawa, b-but I wanted to get in on my own merit. While it's possible that these...connections played a r-role in my getting hired despite the fact that I did not actively use them, I really would like to b-believe that, as impossible as it seems, I was hired because of how I p-performed." At this point he was fidgeting and playing with his hands, his nerves showing through with every breath. "I-I was r-really happy to get the chance to work in this department, so I would like to be able to work my h-hardest and earn my place here. At the same time however, I c-completely understand your hesitancy at taking s-someone like me on." Now Takahashi forcefully stopped his jitteriness by smoothing out his shirt, clenching his hands into fists by his sides, and forcefully meeting Takano's gaze head on. "I learned a lot about this department from working here part time, and I know that in order for it to stay so successful you need a competent and hardworking staff. I-I know that the workload is supposed to be brutal, I understand that. And as the boss in charge of all this, I know you don't see any reason to bother with a person that you think would just slow you down. That is why I want to propose a compromise." He stopped again there, waiting for some reaction from Takano-san.
At this Takano was visibly taken off guard, "A compromise?" was all he said.
Takahashi nodded firmly, his voice coming out much stronger now, "A compromise. Please give me a week or so to prove myself to you. If at the end of the week you still determine that I'm not worth the bother, I will go along with any transfer request you make. If, however, I somehow manage to earn your approval, you will let me stay."
The whole office was silent as Takano rubbed his chin, obviously mentally debating the pros and cons of Takahashi's proposal. Eventually, he sighed, "Well, I suppose since we've just started the cycle you can't cause too much damage. So welcome aboard newbie-kun, for now at least."
The office burst into cheers at this. Somehow, in the short time he'd been there, Takahashi had won the affection of all his temporary (for now) coworkers. Even the usually stoic Hatori cracked a smile for him. Akane-san was the most enthusiastic of all though. She practically squealed while she grabbed his hands and jumped up and down in excitement before pulling him into a tight hug. "That was so brave! I'm so proud Misaki-kun! Oh you're just so darn cute I can't help but want to eat you up!"
Takahashi was turning into a tomato at all the attention, but somehow managed to get even redder at her words.
"Just kidding!" she laughed good naturedly and pulled away before her tone became a bit...seductive. "There's no way someone as delicious as you hasn't been snatched up already, so I guess I'll just have to settle with looking. Anyways, I've got to get going, but good luck!" Then she left with a wink and an extra sway in her hips.
Rather than watch her go, Takahashi stared at the ground, mortified. Kisa-san laughed and before making his way to the blushing new addition and clapped his shoulder good naturedly, "Quite the ladies man I see, Taka-chan." He grinned suggestively.
"No! Not at all!" Takahashi squeaked and waved his arms frantically in front of him, as if it would blow the statement away.
Kisa-san just laughed again, "She was right, you really are just too cute." He ruffled Taka-chan's head before heading back to his seat. He stopped after just a few steps however, looking at his hand in amazement. The he turned back and buried his hand in the boys brown locks again. "Holy shit Taka-chan, how the hell is your hair so freaking soft?"
Takahashi had yet to stop blushing, but now he had his head ducked and bit his lip in embarrassment.
Kisa turned to the curious onlookers, "Come on guys, you seriously have to feel this guy's hair!"
Soon Takahashi was surrounded by all four of his coworkers who were making soft exclamations of amazement as they practically pet the boy. Every single one had already started referring to the boy with his new nickname: Taka-chan. He was too adorable to be called anything else. As quickly as the group had formed though, it was broken by Takano's grumbling.
"Back off guys, the kid's not a frigging dog. Enough drama, and enough loitering around. Back to work all of you. I've got a meeting to get to, so I'll be back in a couple hours or so." He paused on his way out and sent a harsh glare to each of his subordinates, "And when I do get back you will all have made tremendous progress with your manuscripts, so no slacking off, you hear? Also, you're in charge of newbie-kun for now Onodera." With that the boss strided out of the room.
Everyone was silent for a moment, straining to hear Takano's foot steps until they disappeared into the elevator. When they determined it was safe, everyone's eye's returned to Taka-chan. The same questions were on everyone's mind, but Onodera was the one to ask first.
"So what was the deal with your file? Are you really rich, or are the connections just a coincidence, like you suggested?"
"Ano…" Taka-chan glanced around the room nervously, fidgeting again. "Would you mind if I straightened up the room a bit while we talk?" He looked to Onodera with the question. Taka-chan probably thought of him as the stand in boss, since he was supposed to be in charge of the boy in Takano's absence.
"Uh sure, if you want. You don't have to though, we can just clean that up later."
But Taka-chan had already started tackling the extreme mess, "It's no bother, really!" He said happily. "Cleaning helps calm my nerves, and it's actually something I'm pretty good at. Eto, about your questions, I was almost as surprised by the file as you must have been. I had no idea that Isaka-san paid so much attention to me, much less thought so highly of me. And as for the two distinguished authors…" He shrugged. "I have a pretty good idea who they both are, and they're opinions don't really amount to much professionally."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kisa practically burst out after a small but energy filled silence. "How can you dismiss solid work connections so easily? And that still doesn't explain how you're so close with the president of the flipping company! You must be a super secret but insanely rich Bocchan, right?"
Taka-chan laughed good naturedly, obviously much more put together while he was cleaning, "I'm not rich at all! I swear I grew up like any average japanese boy. Maybe a bit less than average, actually. And as for Isaka-san, I'm really not close with him at all. I just come in frequent contact with him because of...well, certain reasons. We really only have a working relationship though, despite how much he likes to tease me."
Even Hatori seemed a bit frustrated with Taka-chan's off handed denials even though there was clearly something more going on. "I'm afraid you're not making any sense Taka-chan," he said in his usual somber voice.
"Oh! I suppose not…" Taka-chan had turned to face them, now frowning a bit. Kisa-san giggled at the adorable expression. "I guess the problem is that the root answer you are looking for is a secret."
"Whaa?" Hino seemed incredibly intrigued by this as he leaned forward, his eyes sparkling. "Please do tell us more."
Taka-chan stood still with a feather duster held up in his hand (where did he even get that, Onodera wondered), and looked obviously uncomfortable as he struggled for an answer.
At this point Onodera decided it was time to intervene, "Alright guys, I think we have all taken a liking to Taka-chan, but that doesn't give us an excuse to pry into his personal life. Besides, Takano meant what he said. If we don't show some significant results when he gets back he will know we've been pestering Taka-chan instead of working, and we don't want to jeopardize his position here, right?"
A bunch of sighs and affirmative responses ensued as they all turned to their work. Onodera glanced back at Taka-chan, who smiled at him gratefully. Onodera then turned back to his desk and said, "Thanks for cleaning up, Taka-chan. Normally we're better about being organized at the beginning of the cycle, but we're all still worn out from last month. When you're done with that just tell me and we can get started on your training."
"Un!" Taka-chan said happily, and immediately got back to work.
For a few minutes, the only sounds were clicking keyboards, scratching pens, and the various tidying up sounds. It was peaceful, calming. Then Taka-chan began to hum softly to himself. Onodera looked up, startled, but it was evident the boy wasn't even aware of his slight disturbance. Onodera shook his head, smiled, and turned back to his work. Normally any unnecessary sound grated on his ears, but the humming was soft and soothing, so it only added to the peaceful atmosphere.
This is nice, Onodera thought, Really nice. I hope Takano approves of Taka-chan. But with one more glance towards the slim figure, he somehow knew that he didn't need to worry. Despite his rocky entrance, Onodera was positive Taka-chan would be good for the department.
Thirty minutes later Onodera was deep into his working mode trance. When he got like that, it was as if the rest of the world blurred away and it was just him and his work. That's why, when he suddenly felt a hand touch his shoulder, it startled him much more than it should have. He let out a breathy exclamation and whipped around in his chair, slapping the hand off him. Taka-chan stood beside him, eye's wide and obviously startled.
"Oh, Taka-chan! I'm sorry, what was it you needed?" Onodera tried to smooth over his blunder with a calm smile.
"I'm sorry Onodera-san! I really didn't mean to startle you. I called your name a few times but you were so focused...anyway's I'm sorry!" He bowed a little, obviously chagrined.
Onodera blushed a little, ashamed at his behavior, "No! It's fine Taka-chan. I'm afraid that it's rather common for me to become overly engaged in my work. If it happens again you can just kick my chair or something." Taka-chan giggled a little at this. "Anyway's, did you need something?"
"Oh!" Taka-chan had obviously forgotten his original purpose before now. "I've finished cleaning up. Is there something else I can do or should I start learning now?"
Surprised, Onodera looked around the room, then his eyebrows shot to his hairline. The office space was literally sparkling. Gone were the piles of books covering the entire floor. Gone were the empty take out containers. Gone were the remnants of broken objects that had been thrown across the room in frustration. Even the slight smell of something rotting was gone.
"How the..." Thinking he must have lost track of time, Onodera checked his watch. But the little clock confirmed what he had already thought. Taka-chan had remade the little office in just a half hour. He hadn't seen the place this clean in...ever.
"How did you do this?" he asked unthinkingly. "It literally takes hours for all five of us to make it decent." His eyes narrowed as he looked at the bookshelves, "You even organized the books?"
For once Taka-chan looked more pleased than embarrassed. "Oh, this was nothing. I have to clean way~ worse all the time."
Kisa whistled, "What are you then, some kind of maid for the ultimate slob?"
It was obviously a joke, but Taka-chan's face scrunched up in annoyance, "Sometimes it feels like it," he muttered darkly, but soon brightened again like a small cloud had moved away from the sun, "Anyway's can I start learning now?"
"Uh, sure." Onodera said, a little taken aback. "Eto...usually the best way to start learning is by reading old manuscripts." Onodera found the old files easily in the newly organized office, and held them out to Taka-chan. "These are all from after Takano became the editor-in-chief. Just go through them and make sure you can tell me why those changes were made."
"Okay!" Taka-chan clutched the manuscripts to his chest, "I'll do my best!"
Onodera chuckled at his earnestness, "Yeah, okay. For now you can just share the desk space with Kisa and I. I guess you'll eventually get your own space set up somewhere."
"Un," Taka-chan nodded a bit more seriously and set to work.
The peaceful quietness continued for another hour. Every once in a while, Onodera would glance over at Taka-chan, who would always be slowly and deliberately pondering each page. It almost made him laugh, but he didn't want to disturb the kid's obvious concentration. At the end of the hour though, they were interrupted by a special delivery.
An annoyed male receptionist/secretary stopped at the office entrance before glancing down at a card in one hand. He had a bursting bouquet in the other. "Delivery for Takahashi Misaki?" He said in a lazy baritone.
"Ah, yes. That's me!" Taka-chan said half standing up.
The receptionist unceremoniously handed Taka-chan the bouquet, a few petals fluttering to the ground from the rough treatment, before making his way back to the front office.
All the editors had glanced up from their work in curiosity. Taka-chan was smiling down at the arrangement while shaking his head, as if he appreciated the gesture while simultaneously wanting to scold the sender.
"Is there a card?" Kisa-san asked. "What does it say?"
Taka-chan pulled out a card from the depths of the flowers and read, "Congratulations on your first day."
"That's it? No sender name? How do you know who it's from?" Kisa was obviously exasperated.
"That's a rather unusual arrangement, isn't it?" Hitori observed. Trust him to notice such a thing.
But at a closer look it was rather unique. There was a single white rose that melted into a pinkish gold at the tips, surrounded by dozens of red roses. Perhaps the arrangement was an indicator of the sender?
"Well, it doesn't mean anything in the flower language," Kisa said with certainty.
Four pairs of eyes looked at him questioningly.
"What?" he defended himself, "Sensei went through that faze a few months back."
"Well, does it mean anything to you?" Hatori asked Taka-chan, who was again blushing.
"Ano…" Taka-chan couldn't meet the eyes of any of his peers, "Well, I do know who sent it from the middle rose."
"Who?" Mino asked for the rest of them.
"Eto...well, it's kind of a secret too." His cheeks became as red as the roses as he spoke.
Mino clicked his tongue, "So mysterious," he teased with a smile.
Taka-chan blushed even more at that, "Well, I'm sorry to interrupt your work again. I'll just set this to the side."
As curious as they all were, they had no choice but to drop the issue, because just then Takano appeared.
"What's this?" he glared in their general direction. "Why is nobody working?"
"Ah, sorry Takano-san." Onodera felt obliged to intervene. "We've all made good progress, it's just we were interrupted by a special delivery. We were just about to get to work again."
Takano nodded, "Well, I guess if you guys found the energy to clean up so well you must've been pretty productive."
"Actually," Kisa perked up happily, "That was all Taka-chan. He even organized the book shelves, and it only took him thirty minutes!"
Takano's eyebrows raised in a way that indicated he was impressed. "Really?" he asked Taka-chan directly.
"Ah, hei!" Taka-chan was so stiff he was practically standing at attention. "Cleaning has always been one of my strengths, sir."
Takano nodded slowly, "Well, your off to a good start newbie-kun. Let's just see if your as good at being an editor."
"Hei!" Taka-chan grinned and dived into his manuscripts with a renewed vigor.
This time hours passed without interruption, and six o'clock came sooner than expected. The editors all started yawning and stretching before slowly beginning to pack up.
Taka-chan looked up in confusion, "Is it time to go already?"
Onodera nodded while stretching his arms up, "Since it's just at the beginning of the cycle, we can leave the office at the appointed time and just finish up whatever we can at home. Towards the end of the cycle though-" He stopped to give Taka-chan a warning glance, "You will never go home."
Taka-chan gulped, his eye's wide. "Okay...so I should bring these home with me and finish them?"
Takano bonked his head with a file of papers on his way out, "Just make sure you bring them back, " he said without looking back.
Onodera rolled his eyes at the stoic man's back. "That's his way of apologizing for being so harsh earlier," he half whispered to Taka-chan.
Taka-chan nodded slowly, eyes wide, "I see," was all he said.
He grabbed the manuscripts and walked with the rest of them to the elevator. As soon as the doors opened on the main floor however, he dashed out, with a, "Thank you! I'll see you all tomorrow!"
Hatori almost smiled, watching the boy leave, "Oh to be young and full of such energy again."
The editors nodded in agreement before walking out the door and going their separate ways.
