My eyes slowly opened, and I looked around the room

"Ahh…fell asleep on the ground again." I groaned to myself and managed to pull myself off of my cold apartment floor. My eyes wondered to the clock and a sigh of relief escaped me. "I still have plenty of time before I have to go to work." So I wondered to the only other room in my apartment, the bedroom. I was still half asleep from just a moment ago, so my eyes were only half open. When I took a step forward, I felt something against my foot and I instantly fell over.

"Ehh?!" I had tripped over a pile of manga that had been lying on the ground. Instead of getting up immediately, I just lied on the ground. My face was surrounded by manga and once again, I let a sigh leave my body. Almost a minute after my tumble, I heard a loud thud on the door.

"Onodera! Open up!" A deep voice could be heard on the other end of the door. I moped to the door, my right hand started to rub my sleepy eyes. And when I finally reached the door, my arms were hesitant to open the handle. But, if I didn't open, this guy would just continue knocking until I did. Then I would get an earful about it at work later.

"Yes…?" I only opened the door a crack so I could look up at who was on the other end of my door. Masamune Takano, who was my boss, my next-door neighbor, and the only person who I have ever loved, also the reason that I refused to fall in love again. About 10 years back, the two of us were in a relationship. Takano was 2 years older than me also. However, we both came to a bit of a misunderstanding. I had thought that he was just messing with my emotions out of pure entertainment. Which led me to roundhouse kick him in the head and flee Japan. Now, I don't remember kicking him in the head, all I know is that I was heartbroken beyond belief when this misunderstanding occurred. The very next day after that happened; I went to study abroad in England for a few years until I came back to work for my father's publishing company, which I was the heir to. Yet, since I was the son of the owner people thought I was only getting the good authors because of that. No one thought I had any talent what-so-ever. The result of that was me leaving Onodera Publishing and I requested a transfer to Marukawa Publishing.

There was a small error in the transfer, and instead of putting me in the literature department, I was put in the Shoujo Manga department, with him as my boss.

"I heard a loud thud from next door. Are you alright?" Takano-san asked with concern and invited himself inside my home.

"Ehh? Don't just come in uninvited!" I tried pushing him out, but Takano was older and stronger than me, so he hardly even budged. After only a moment of trying to push him, I gave in and just walked towards my kitchen.

"So, are you okay?" He followed me inside my house, practically glued to my side.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I tried to pay him no attention, but whenever I and he were alone…things tended to get a little out of hand. A huge blush grew on my face as I remembered past events that took place between the two of us "I-I had just tripped over a few manga I had on the ground.

"Pfft, it's no wonder! Look at your apartment, have you ever heard of a broom…or a bookshelf….or a dirty laundry hamper?"

"I'll have you know that I don't have enough time to worry about such things as cleaning! I have far too much work to do!" I turned around and pointed my index finger directly at his smug face. Even though he was right, my apartment could be mistaken as a dumpster. But that didn't mean I was going to let him win.

"This wouldn't be a problem if you had just lived with me…" His eyes scanned my room as he bluntly said and turned his back to me, making his way out of my apartment.

"Ehh? Where are you going?" Not that I minded him leaving, he made me uncomfortable when we were alone.

"I'm going to get breakfast before work…and you're coming with me." Takano-san than reached forward and grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me to the hall in front of my door.

"B-but..!" I pulled my arms away and shook my head. "I-I'm not dressed, and I need to take a shower!"

"Yeah, that bed-head of yours honestly does annoy me..." His long fingers ruffled through my hair, the feel of his warm hand on my head brought a blush to my cheeks. But immediately I swiped his hand away and turned away. He didn't respond but instead turned back to my door and turned the handle.

"Fine, get ready. I'll be back here in 30 minutes."
"You really don't have to-"

"Yes I do!" He snapped and I could only stare wide eyed at him. "I did say that I would be in charge of your nutrition from now on. Did I not?"

Memories flashed to the time that I had collapsed outside of work due to Mal-nutrition and overwork. I was rushed to the hospital, and Takano-san had been called to come get me. His heart had apparently stopped in his chest when he heard about my collapse, according to what he had told me that night.

I laughed nervously and kept my gaze off of him. But I could tell that those dark brown eyes were staring at me.

"F-fine, I'll be ready by then…" I nodded and with that Takano-san left and I let out another sigh, running both of my hands through my shaggy hair. Jeez, I hadn't thought he was actually being serious when he said he would take charge of my nutrition. But, I suppose that's just the way he is, plus I had never heard him joke about something like that before. Actually…now that I think about it, I had never heard Takano-san joke about anything.

"Guess I still don't know that much about him." I whispered to myself and made my way to the shower. Suddenly, I was really sad, and was lost in my thoughts of how to get to know that man better.

30 minutes later, I heard another knock at my door. "Right on time." I said to myself and gathered my things for work and went over to answer Takano at the door.

"Ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." I grumbled and walked out of the door, locking my apartment door. Then the two of us made our way to the elevator at the end of the hall. Neither of us saying anything to each other

I knew it. Yet again, neither of us have anything to talk about. Just this damned silence.

We made our way to the train station by foot, and I wondered where he was taking me to eat. Well, at least that was something I could ask him. Anything was better than awkward silence.

"S-so Takano-san?"

"Hmm?" His reply was almost instant; his eyes were now looking down into mine.

"U-uhm, where are we going?"

"A small breakfast café near work, It's called 'Fujimamas' I've only been their once…but it was nice."

A small smile grew on his lips as he said this. Maybe something had happened their? Something important, maybe? I wanted to ask about it, but decided I shouldn't ask anything personal. And once again, we were put in a silent situation. Thankfully, I felt my phone ring in my pocket.

I was grateful that I had something to do besides stand here in utter silence. My hands slid in my pocket and I tapped my screen to check my phone. It was an email from An-chan.

Hey Rii-chan! I found something while looking through my old childhood boxes! But I think you should have it.

Call me after you get off of work so we can meet up for dinner

-An

My eyes scanned the message and I let out a long sigh before sliding the phone back in my pocket.

"Something wrong?" Takano-san looked over at me, somewhat concerned was on his face.

"Oh yeah, An-Chan just wants to meet up with me for dinner…" His eyes widened at the mention of her name for a split second. Then he nodded and turned his head away from me.

"I see…" Was all Takano-san had to say about that. Though I suppose I didn't blame him. An-Chan had been my 'fiancé' since a young age. However, I had never felt any love towards her. She was more like a sister in my eyes. However, An-Chan has always loved me in the way I could never love her back.

This had been one of those 'misunderstandings' that I and Takano-san had a few years ago. When the two of us were together, I had technically been engaged to An in my parents and her eyes. Though I told them many times that I did not feel the same way about her. But they never listened.

But I must admit, I was curious as to what An-Chan had found that she thought I should keep. Maybe I shouldn't go? If I went, it would just irritate Takano-san…Should i? Or should I not?