Junjou Romantica 2; Episode 3

Summary: Insights of the main characters in Junjou Romantica season 1; Episode 3 "Knock and it shall be opened unto you / Tatakeyo saraba Hirakaren / 叩けよさらば開かれん"

Note: I do not own Junjou Romantica. I'm just a young lady who wishes to write whatever pops into her head. I disclaim.

Hiroki's POV

He's been a part of my life ever since we were kids.

I think even before it.

It's like I've known him for all my life.

And yet, all I could receive was the bond "friendship."

Was he so dense?

Didn't he know?

Didn't he notice?

The way I looked at him.

The way I treated him.

I hid behind the shadows of negligence.

I gave him my smiles.

The smiles I went through a lot of trouble producing.

Smiles that are fragmented and broken.

I showed him how happy I was when he noticed the sadness in my eyes.

I supported him on his love for Takahashi Takahiro who saw him only as a very good friend as he saw in me.

What have I done to deserve such cruelty?

I gave everything up for him.

I went as far as allowing him to use me as a substitute.

Yet nothing changed.

And in the end.

It was all for nothing.

"An unrequited love," is what they are surely to say.

Love that was never returned.

Love that was never noticed or acknowledged of.

Love that means nothing.

I'm hopeless.

And I realize now that my life has lost its meaning.

All that's left is my memory of his touch.

Nowaki's POV

Today, Yama-san's dream is about to come true.

They must be waiting for me already.

I have to hurry. I can't make them wait for too long. It's rude and irresponsible.

Sitting on the grass, Rinei-san and Kunio-san were already waiting for the others to come. I greeted them with a humble bow and apologized for being late.

"That's not a problem Wacchan," replied Kunio-san. "Besides, Yama-san isn't here yet."

"Neither is Haya-san." Rinei-san shrugged and threw me a can of soda.

I hope it won't take them long to arrive.

I'm ecstatic already.

Hiroki's POV

Shit. I sound like a lovesick fool!

This is all Miyagi-kyouju's fault. He kept feeding me with all that bull crap of poetry.

Just because he can relate with me doesn't mean he should just barge into my life and give me oblivious advices.

Seriously.

*Sigh

I can't believe I'm saying this but…

I miss you Akihiko…

If only you knew how I loved you.

How I cared for you.

How I yearned to be enveloped with your embrace.

How I tingle with happiness when I hear your whisper.

How I pondered for the taste of your lips.

"Gaahhhhh!!" I burst out, which started a stir amongst the people.

"What is with that guy?"

"Isn't it unusual to just suddenly burst out?"

"Come, children. The 'gentleman' might not want you lingering around him so much." A mother scolded the little kids playing by my side and shoved them to the other side of the benches.

I can't blame 'em. I seem to be losing my mind.

Slowly at that!

I could even hear Akihiko's voice inside my head!

"Taka..hiro…" There it goes again.

Akihiko's voice echoed through my psyche.

This was the last word that escaped from his mouth before collapsing into his slumber.

It hurts me.

It wasn't me that he saw through the blindfold.

It wasn't me that he heard.

It wasn't me that he made love to.

It wasn't me…

Nowaki's POV

At last the others have arrived. Yama-san brought a rocket miniature to fulfill his dream of becoming an astronaut.

Haya-san brought his camera with him to take pictures with during the launching.

Kunio-san and Rinei-san started their picnic, as we got prepared.

I love being here.

Enjoying the wind.

Loving nature.

Talking with these fine men.

Giving appreciation to God's blessings.

"Oi, Wacchan! Come and help me with this!" Yama-san called me.

"I'm coming Yama-san."

I gave the rocket a series of pumps.

Yama-san was beside me.

He gave me guidelines of how to know whether the rocket has enough air within.

When it came to the point that it was, Yama-san pressed the button and away it went.

"Ohh!! Amazing Yama-san!!" The others clapped.

"It is isn't it? My dream finally came true. And I thought I had no more hope. Thanks Wacchan." Yama-san smiled at me and gave me a pat in the back. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"It's no problem Yama-san. You just have to believe, ne?"

"Yes."

I am but a man of simple things.

And events laughably small to others are those that get me through a day.

"Wacchan!" Haya-san called out. "I can't seem to find the rocket. Will you help an old man out?" He chortled as he told me to follow him.

"Of course I will. Especially if that old man is Haya-san."

"Oh, sankyu ne." He flashed me one of his famous smiles and continued to beat around the bush. Literally.

It took me a while to find it.

"Haya-san! I found it!"

"Good work Wacchan! Come on back here and let's start another launch!"

I picked up the rocket and noticed someone sitting on the bench who seem startled.

It was a young man.

A handsome young man.

Pity he was crying.

I felt sorry for him.

I felt beguiled.

I felt the sudden need of protecting him from whatever is making him cry.

He saw me looking at him.

He wiped his tears away and was about to leave.

I clasped his wrist and pulled him with me.

"Good morning. It's a pleasure meeting you. I'm Kusama Nowaki."

"O-oi, wait. Where are you taking me?"

"Hm? Oh, Wacchan. You brought back the rocket. And a friend?" Rinei-san chuckled.

"Yes. Uh, this is…"

"Kamijou Hiroki." He bowed and greeted the old men.

Kamijou Hiroki.

I seem to be attracted to this man.

Maybe you can say that finally, I experienced "love at first sight."

Hiroki's POV

And there I was moping around, minding my own business when out of the blue, a miniature of a rocket landed in front of me.

Which pretty much scared the living hell out of me.

A young man emerged from the bushes after a while and from the looks of it, he was looking for the rocket miniature.

He picked it up and glanced at me.

He seemed shocked.

He stared for a while.

It felt awkward and I remembered I was crying.

I wiped the evidence away and stood up.

Yet something stopped me from going.

It was the young man.

He clutched unto my wrist and pulled me to him.

Dragging me.

He introduced himself.

I wanted to tell him that I couldn't care less.

He said his name was Nowaki.

Nowaki?

Typhoon?

I better check as soon as I get back home.

I have to work on my Japanese.

I'm getting rusty.

Nowaki…

That name seems eccentric, doesn't it?

Nowaki…

He seems huge for his age.

Nowaki…

His dark raven hair looks smooth.

Nowaki…

His blue eyes were as dark as the ocean.

Nowaki…

His touch is similar to that of Akihiko's.

Nowaki…

His voice…is as low as Akihiko's.

Nowaki…

Who are you and what do you plan to do with a lowlife like me?

Nowaki…

You're an idiot if you think you can do anything for me.

Nowaki…

Why are you doing this?

Nowaki's POV

This man.

I want to show him that I care.

He seems older than me though.

I have to figure out a way to be close to him.

But how?

This relationship might not turn to how I expect it to be.

Hence, I will try not to expect too much.

Hiro-san seems burdened.

Rinei-san, Kunio-san, Yama-san and Haya-san have said their goodbyes and went to their own ways and so did Hiro-san.

But I followed him.

"Do you need something?" He asked all of the sudden.

"I need you Hiro-san." I replied steadily.

"What's with that idiotic retort?" He turned to me and raised a brow.

"What I mean is, Hiro-san, I've heard of you. A professor in Mitsuhashi University. You graduated in Teito University. I need your help."

"How did you know?"

"Rinei-san told me while you were launching the rocket."

"I see. And you need help with what?"

"I need a tutor. I need to get in Teito Uni. I'll drop out from 2 of my 3 jobs to be able to balance my time if I need to."

"That's not really necessary! Go find someone else! I'm too busy to even lay a finger on a book."

He ran from me.

I needed to follow him.

Somehow, I wanted to be with him.

"You're crazy! Get away from me bastard!"

He pushed me away.

Making it sound like he didn't want me near him.

Which is the exact opposite of how I feel.

"Hiro-san!"

We arrived in - what seem to be - his apartment. He opened the door with his keys and left them as he closed the door.

"Hiro-san!"

"Get away. Go home! Get someone else as your tutor. Not me!"

Silently, I took the keys and made a run for it.

I'll see you soon Hiro-san.

I promise.

One day I'll wipe all your tears away.

That day may not be as soon as I expect it.

But I know it will come.

Hiroki's POV

*Sigh

That was a relief.

I thought he was never going to give up.

I listened through the door between us.

I could feel he's still standing in front of the door.

I then heard keys tinkling and steps descending into a silent run.

I scoffed then realized that I left the keys to my apartment outside.

I opened the door and they were nowhere to be found.

"Screw it! I'm so going to sleep it off!!!"

This is the worst.

I can see it now.

Him: causing me nothing but ruthless trouble in the future.

But will we get along?

I doubt it.

He annoys me.

So, I don't think it'll be easy as that.

But then again, who knows…?