Finding Gravity
(Chapter 01)

It's been years, huh?

He silently thought with a thin smile playing on his face. His long, slender legs tentatively walked past the double door only to earn immediate stares of awe and surprise. His broad shoulders slightly trembled when he chuckled to himself as his minds recalling his high-school memories spent in the studio.

"Kise-kun! How have you been?!" a sharp but friendly voice called before pulling him into an enthusiastic hug. The man adjusted his red-rimmed glasses whilst throwing a sharp look to the staffs who were still in trance. "What are you guys doing? Get back to work."

"Well, I think it's safe to say that I didn't completely lost my charms." He joked with sly smile playing on his face.

"Some of them are still new so it's quite a thrill for them to finally work with famous people. And I must agree, yes, you are indeed charming Kise-kun."

"Famous? How much of a fame could a commercial pilot can get? I'm sure Tokyo has abundant amount of public figures on its disposal."

"Oh come on, what could be better than a recap of your glorious moments?" he joyfully clapped his hands. His voice raised an octave higher. "Besides, your current uniform will surely attract more attentions than your basketball jersey."

"That uniform is earned with efforts, show some respects will ya?" Kise playfully nudged him on the ribs, earning another shrilly giggles from the older male.

"So, Kouki-san, where's Miss Kenjo? Is she no longer handling the wardrobe department?"

"It's Mrs Kenjo now, she's still in charge, but she's taking a maternity leave. She's five months pregnant and last time I heard she's carrying a twins."

"Send her my regards will you?"

"Surely will. Now, this is your waiting room. My assistant will be here in a moment to do the interview―"

It was only a matter of second before the cardboard glass flew mid-air and spilled the content all over the shrieking head editor. What used-to-be his floral pink shirt was adorned with extra brown blotch on the chest. His manicured fingers flailed in the air as a high-pitched scream escaped his mouth.

"Oh my God~!" he sharply wailed, causing the young lady to flinch and bowed down while chanting her apologies repeatedly. "This has been the third shirt for today!"

Kise raised an eyebrow at the sudden outburst. Half-amused half-irritated. Why on earth they hired her if she's so clumsy to spill coffee to a same person three times in a day? And goodness... don't get him started with what she's wearing. A brown cardigan? A flare skirt with Paisley print? Where did she get those pairs of hideous boots?

"Keep your explanations for later." He pushed his glasses up with his pinkie finger, not forgetting to flash Kise a sheepish smile. "Pardon me for the intrusion, Kise-kun, she's still new here."

"She's not the stylist isn't she?" he asked without sparing her a glance.

"She's going to interview you for this article and she's capable enough for that." Kouki let out a nervous chuckle before dashing out from the room, ignoring Kise's attempt at asking more questions.

Kise blew his cheeks off and asked her to take a seat with him. He could tell that she was feeling awkward enough with her flimsy entrance thus he decided not to probe her further and turned the interview into a nightmare.

"So, how long has it been since you join the magazine?"

"I was here since last two months for internship and I recently accepted as Kouki-san's assistant."

Kise couldn't help but to raise another questioning eyebrow. "Internship? You don't seem old enough for college." Except for the clothes she wore. They look like something she had stolen from her grandmother's closet. Kise silently added to himself.

"But I am. I'll be on my second year next fall."

"Kouki-san must be joking." Kise blankly said. "Is he really letting a high-school graduate write an article for him after two-months?"

"It's quite the same as why Kouki-san let you model for him when you were still in junior-high, Kise-san."

In usual case, she would be deemed as impolite for stating something like that, but Kise was distraught―if not embarrassed―to hear such a strong reply. She was having a wonderful point there. He was in her position once, and he was also inexperienced back there. So who is he to question her capability?

"Did I offend you?"

"If you don't mind, can we start the interview now?"

Kise stifled a smile and followed suit when she opened her book and proceeded with the questions. Not only did she make him swallowed his own judgments, she smoothly showcasing her professionalism through her keen questions and detailed manners. He already regretted his bitter attitude towards her few minutes ago.

The time spent for the interview was fleeting, to put it short, since neither Kise nor her were prepared to stop their talks once Kouki came with the makeup artist. She immediately bowed down in apologies and without waiting for Kise nor Kouki's response, she excused herself.

"How was it going?" Kouki sat down on the empty seat beside him.

"She has a unique sense of approach. Her questions are thoughtful and contemplative; it's clear she has done some background research beforehand." Kise admitted.

"She's lacking entertainment wits I think, and as you can see, she's still lacking much in keeping her appearance as a fashion journalist." Kouki sighed, uncertainty was evident in his voice. "I mean, we're fashion magazine. We sell looks, lifestyle, entertainment, and we spice things up. If she wants to do some serious writing without being burdened by outfit rules, I can recommend her to one of those big newspapers."

"That's refreshing, I suppose. At least she's not going to objectify her subject or sticking her nose too far in someone else's privacy. In my case, I'm relieved that she won't address me as 'pretty guy" or 'sexy pilot' or any other cringe-worthy titles."

Kise stared at his smiling reflection in the mirror. His short blonde hair was styled into a chic, tousled look. His eyebrows were trimmed and outlined and he had a natural makeup. He wore a standard pilot uniform which consisted of white short-sleeved shirt, navy blue epauleted jacket, and a pair of black pants. Aside from the absence of his piercing and the mature aura he emanated, he looked as youthful as ever.

"That's quite a shocking thing to hear from you, Kise-kun." Kouki said, brushing his pants off when he stood up from his seat. The said man only gave him a faint smirk.

...

"Haruna-chan~" Kouki's shrill tone contrasted well with the sharp knocks of his Oxford at the wooden floor under. His manicured finger pushed his red glasses up, whilst the other hand waved a piece of neatly wrapped magazine in front of the dark-haired girl's cubicle. "You'll go home at eight, right?"

"Yes, and please Kouki-san, I'm not staying up late in the office."

"Oh dear, no, I'm not asking you to stay longer. Nu-uh." He swayed his index finger from right to left, his shrilly laughter echoing throughout the busy office. "In fact, I can allow you to go home sooner."

"What is it that you want me to do?" she stood up and sling her tote bag around her shoulder. The brown faux leather immediately caused a clash with her yellow cardigan and A-line floral skirt. Her tone was suspicious but the glints in her eyes betrayed her bitter response.

"I need this magazine delivered to a client in Café Aegis. The address is written there, the place is quite popular these days, so it's a piece of cake."

"Uh, to which client, precisely?"

"You'll find out eventually. Now, hop off, the cab is already waiting downstairs." Kouki clapped his hands excitedly whilst pulling her hand and led her to the elevator.

"Can't thank you enough, Kouki-san."

"Mm-hmm. I know, darling, I really do." She cursed under her breath when he flashed her a saccharine smile, as if the sarcastic tone wasn't enough, once she stepped in to the empty elevator.

"Oh dear, wait a minute! Hold on! Oh Goodness~!"

"Yes, Kouki-san? Did you forget something?" Haruna replied with tired voice.

"This silly girl! Are you really leaving to Café Aegis with those clothes on?" he flailed, a sheer exasperation was all over his pale face. "Come with me for a moment! Let's borrow some Armani coat and heels to cover them!"

"At least I'm having a clothes on." A smug expression was intact on her face once she pressed the button and ignored Kouki's shrilly cries that begged her to come back to replace her outfit with Versace dress.

But unfortunately, karma is a bitch. And it is impossibly fast in handling its job.

Haruna was banned from entering by the bodyguard before she could even touch the door handle. He gave her a criticizing look and a wary gesture until she showed her the employee ID card and memo existed on the magazine wrapper. She was mentally cussing and tried her best not to spat profanities here and there to the judging eyes that followed her up to the second level where the private lounge located.

When she thought that she would be be freed from her troubles after being led to the said room by another bodyguard, she made a mental note to make Kouki regretted his decision to ask her to deliver the magazine. She clumsily knocked and opened the door immediately after hearing a husky respond from the inside. What was behind the door was utterly mesmerizing―if not intimidating―for a woman as young as her.

The room was elegant with sparkling marble floors and ivory walls, modern-looking lamps hung only few meters away from the sleek, giant glass table surrounded by white sofas in the middle of the room. Arrays of wine, cheese, fruits, and savoury snacks adorned the table rather lavishly, giving a sleek finish to the already tantalizing interior. Apparently, the said client was in the middle of a small gathering with his friends.

She reckoned one of them as Murasakibara, the owner of Café Aegis himself who looked as stuffy as the half-empty box of expensive chocolate on his lap. The other was familiar, somehow, but she couldn't see him clearly due to his discreet outfit―black leather jacket, black mask, and black baseball cap pulled down to cover his eyes. Even so, his whole appearance exuding pride and dominance.

"Did they really let you in with that outfit?" The infamous Kise Ryōta was as laid-back and as handsome as usual in black shirt and slim-fit denim when he finally opened his mouth. Even after a month, his annoying bluntness still caused a bad impact to her temper.

"Pardon me?" She fixed her stance immediately. Her voice depleted and she suddenly grew conscious with her appearance.

"No, never mind. Forget what I just said." He shook his head in emphasis.

"Um, well, Kouki-san asked me to deliver this. For you, I guess." She put the magazine on the table and clasped her hands in front of her body. "So, um, I'll take my leave now."

"Wait a minute. Why don't you have a drink or two before leaving? You've came all this way to deliver the magazine after all."

As if I can drink with such a two-faced jerk.

She fisted her hands tight until her knuckles whitened. Only devil knows how much she wanted to rip that damned mouth off his pretty face.

"Thank you for your offer. But I still have something else to do. Good night Kise-san."

She turned on her heels and marched out after giving a brief bow to three of them. Even so, the blond man still had a dumbstruck expression as he stared at the magazine that felt heavy and sleek against his palms. Murasakibara didn't bother to question as his attentions already returned to his box of chocolate.

"That wasn't very nice of you, Kise." Aomine said after he removed his cap and his mask. His long fingers delved into his dark blue spikes as he rearranged the messy locks rather effortlessly.

"I have no intentions to make her uncomfortable. But how she dresses make me irritated." Kise took a sip of his Grey Goose Vodka, eyes staring at the door she just slammed. "She works in a fashion magazine, for God's sake!"

"But it's none of your business, don't you think?" He responded gruffly.

"Since when you became this sensible to such matters, Mine-chin?" Murasakibara piped in, his voice was muffled by the sweets he just shoved in.

"He's going to have a baby girl soon, why else do you think he would become so attentive to girls in general?"

"Ah right..." Murasakibara noted. "How can I forget when it's been reported everywhere these days?"

"That's world-class basketball champion for you."

"Shut up you morons." He smirked, taking a small sip of his Bourbon. "This is the reason why you two remain single until now."

"I hate it when you put it that way Mine-chin." Murasakibara immediately said, his tone was flat with a slightest hint of annoyance. "Let's talk about that girl from the magazine instead. Do you dislike her, Kise-chin?"

"I don't dislike her. I just find her lack of fashion-sense unpleasant."

"Why does it bother you so much?"

"Because it's such a pain in the eyes!" Kise whined, popping some cheeses into his mouth.

"Then why don't you do something about it?"

Aomine nearly spat his drink out. "What the hell are you trying to imply?!"

"Nothing. I just feel like saying so since Kise-chin seems very bothered." Murasakibara's voice was lathered with indifference.

"Wouldn't it help more if you can stop being so judgemental?" Aomine snickered, taking another sip of his drink and throwing a knowing look to Kise who was already pouting. "It's not like she's dressing up for you or anything. And after what you did to her, she probably has your name on her top list of most-annoying people."

"Since when you've become an expert at making someone feels miserable over trivial things?" Kise groaned, pouring himself another glass of Grey Goose.

Aomine shrugged. "It's something you'll naturally learn once you get married."

Few weeks after, Kise found himself sitting in a cosy coffee-shop with a half-empty cup of latte and the magazine she delivered that night. His eyes aloofly skimmed through the pages before returning to his article. A writing that she skilfully penned with much sensibility and fervour.

...Kise Ryōta defines his aviation career as an 'inexplicable experience' and 'a feeling that only exists upon his ventures to the vast sky filled with uncertainty'. In the age of 29, this young pilot is crafting his way to the top whilst catching up with his friends and collecting wines. Upon asked about why he no longer active as a model, he jokingly stated that 'This face is not going to last forever, so I might as well give chance to those newcomers. I'm honoured, really, but we're all aware that I spend most of my times flying, so doing gigs on earth sounds a bit foreign lately.' When I was jotting this conversation, I can't help but to wonder, has our magazine charm him enough to squeeze a bit of his time to take a break from the cockpit?

'Of course. I used to think that I'll continue modelling for few years after I graduated from high-school, but apparently, life has another plan for me, so I shocked quiet amount of people with that sudden change of career path. Aside that, this magazine has been one of my most treasured memories, so I think this interview is a good opportunity for me to embrace the new sides of me. Including the nostalgic one…'

He drummed his fingers upon the glossy surface, eyes recapturing every single word into his mind, wondering how such writing could connect so deep with him. He recalled the interview, the session that was so light and temporary, as if time quickened it pace at their meetings. A small laugh erupted from his lips, unknowingly, at the thoughts of her clumsiness and those damned skirts she wore.

She had a wonderful posture with lovely figure that didn't go past his keen eyes despite how sloppy her outfit was. Even that hideous Paisley skirt wasn't enough to conceal her long legs―so perfect they could probably make models stare with envy. And that messy bun she donned upon delivering the magazine? Well, he won't deny that he did wonder how her hair would look like once it was untied.

"Damn it." He cussed under his breath and frustratingly ran his fingers through his blonde hair. The creases between his eyebrows grew narrower as he tried to convince himself about his intent at inviting her for a coffee. Kise couldn't get rid of Murasakibara and Aomine's words from that night and his feet completely betraying his sanity the moment he purchased the signature Valentino little-black dress few days ago at his transit in New York. The idea of buying a dress as an accompaniment for apology was indeed too much, but again, not giving her anything at all would be too degrading for a man with such extravagant taste as him.

"Forgive me I'm late."

"No, of course not. I haven't been here long―" his words were barely a whisper as soon as she came into his view. He was surprised for a moment, but he immediately straightened up and beckoned for the waiter to take her order. Instead of the lousy work attires, she was wearing a red V-neck with a pair of white jeans and white sneakers that make her legs went a hundred-miles longer. It took him some time to register everything and gained his composure back.

"Um... so what can I help you with?"

She hesitantly begun after a while, eyes boring to the steamy cup of tea in front of her.

"I have an apology to make."

"Pardon me?"

"I apologize for every unpleasant thing I said and done to you. Especially when I underestimated your ability at our first meeting. I've read the article and it was the best interview I've ever experienced so far." He paused for a while, his amber eyes flickered with honesty and distance once they stare at her. "And also, I apologize for those comments I made regarding your outfits. I was being arrogant and extremely immature back there. So I completely understand if you probably regretted your decision to picture me as a good person."

An awkward silence befallen once Kise finished with his little speech. Shock was evident on her face as she stumbled on her words. Her cheeks sporting the same colour as her shirt.

"Um... sure... I mean, I was extremely irritated with your arrogance and your comments, but I don't regret anything I've wrote about you." She fidgeted on her seat, her fingers were intertwined together. Her cheeks reddened and Kise felt his breath stiffened when she awkwardly avoiding his gaze. "And about my outfits, well, Kouki-san also criticizes me a lot, so you shouldn't bother to feel sorry."

"I should bother. I was being rude and that's a very unlikely thing to do. Kouki-san criticize you out of concerns as a boss when I criticize you out of nothing." He cleared his throat, trying to find the rightest words possible. "And if I can be blunt, why don't you dress like this more often?"

"Skirt is in the company's clothing rule." She honestly stated, albeit still surprised with his sudden sensibility. "But I never really fond of skirts nor dresses to begin with, so I just borrow my mom's instead."

That explains. Kise thought to himself.

"Well, consider this your first dress then."

"I can't accept this!" She pushed the bag to him, her face was scarlet. "This is too expensive, and I'm not even sure if I have the opportunity to wear it."

"What if you're being asked to interview famous people in place like Café Aegis again? Or perhaps writing about a gala or a gathering in five-star hotel?" He narrowed his eyes. "I let it slip because I knew you, but how about those celebrities? Your career might be over just because―"

"Kise-san!" She cut him off. "You can stop, I'll accept it. Thank you again."

Kise had a satisfied smile on his face once she put the shopping bag on her lap. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

She frowned. "Still... You don't have to trouble yourself with buying me dress."

"Why you seem so disinterested in fashion when you're in the age where girls are usually busy with makeup or shopping?"

"I've been busy enough with college and my current job. I don't detest fashion, but something about it makes me helpless."

"You sounded a bit like Andrea Sachs."

"As in 'Devil Wears Prada'?"

"Exactly. She's idealistic, smart, and doesn't really fond of fashion to begin with."

"Yes, but you forgot the fact that she eventually dresses better than me and my life isn't as sterling as hers."

She put her cup back on the saucer.

"Although she screwed things up in the end?"

"She gained everything back, though. Her dream job, her boyfriend, and her consciousness."

He laughed, clearly enjoying the occupied look she has on her face.

"What do you think about it? Is it the ideal life... or is it the impossible life?"

"I'm too young to assess that much about life, don't you think?"

"For a while you don't sound like you're nineteen."

She inwardly blushed when he flashed her a knowing look. "You don't act like you're twenty-nine as well."

"I got carried away. Generally, most young women won't act as independent as you. And also, they're usually more stylish."

"Men your age are usually wiser and won't be as blunt as you."

"Not to mention they're not as handsome as me." He noted in much sass, earning a spurt of small giggles from the younger female.

"Almost everyone in Tokyo knows that, Kise-san."

"Not fun. You should at least deny it, you know."

"I don't flatter. I tell the truth."

"I do both."

"How?"

"For example, a normal college-sophomore shouldn't be this beautiful."

His hand supported his chin as he tilted his head to one side and locked their eyes together. Her cheeks altered from pearly pink to burning red and her expression was a mixture of confusion and embarrassment when she pried her eyes off him.

"That's not funny."

"Don't you feel flattered?"

She blinked, digging the grounds of her mind for a sassy retort or smart reply between the rapid punches thrown by her heart. Her vision being overwhelmed with his daunting presence and rich spark of his eyes that mimicked the luscious drip of liquid gold. What a dangerous person, she told herself mentally. All he had to do is making himself feels comfortable, somewhere, and women will flock onto him with their hearts on silver platters. Every inch of his skin, each fibre of his being, the air that surrounded him, all were seduction in disguise.

"You know you're not obliged to answer that."

"Can I ask you something personal?"

"If it's a part of your next editorial, I will not answer it." He said, amused.

"You said that you've been single for ten years..." Haruna proceeded, ignoring the playful timbre he displayed. "Are you completely particular about relationship or simply uncommitted?"

His smile faltered. "Excuse me?"

"Have I gone too far?"

"No, not like that." He reassuringly said. "I'm just surprised with how bold your question sounded."

She didn't say anything. And he too, seemed occupied with his thoughts for a while. His eyes dimmed when they stare past the window near their table. Kise was drowned in past as he tried to assemble the jiffies of his love-life into an appropriate sentence. If he wanted to take a further assessment, those short-lasting affairs were mostly unappealing and could be used as extensive reference of how offending he could be in term of romantic relations.

"Excuse me, I have to answer this." He softly said as soon as his phone started vibrating. The placating silence was broken once he engaged in the conversation. Kise had an alert look as he took a glimpse of the Baume & Mercier on his wrist before confirming his attendance in a fluent line of English. After the call ended, he motioned for the waiter who then gave his credit card back.

"I wish I can stay a bit longer, but my flight is being rescheduled so―"

"I understand." She gave him a reassuring smile. "Thank you for everything, Kise-san. I really appreciate what you've done today."

"Let me drive you home?" He asked once they're outside the coffee shop. The sleek surface of his black Mercedes glistened under afternoon rays.

"I'm sure you're aware that my apartment is only five minute away when you invited me to this place."