Sekaiichi Hatsukoi-
OnoderaXTakano
When I walked into the fifth floor of hell, ehem, Marukawa Shoten, I never expected the scent of flowers and spring to be in the air. What happened to the smell of death? Well, not that I mind.
I walked out of the elevator, down the hall, and right when I turned left I swear, I found myself in some middle school girls bedroom. There were dolls. Fucking. Everywhere. Where the hell am I?
I came face-to-face with three guys who looked like they should be in one of those Otome Dating Sims.
"Good morning, Onodera-Kun!" Who the hell?
"Where the hell am I... Eh.. I think I'm in the wrong place. Emerald…" The black haired shota grabbed my arm, don't touch me, and pointed towards the department with all the pink and fluffy crap.
"Silly, you're already here! Emerald editing! Sorry about yesterday! We were at the end of the cycle, but it's fine now." What the hell's going on?
"Eh, excuse me. I need to use the restroom."
I grabbed the first bitch I could see and pulled him into the bathroom while he screamed "I'm not in Emerald!"
"Just be a good boy and shut the fuck up! I know! I just need someone to inform me about what the hell's going on. How the fuck do dead corpses turn in to fresh new ikemen over night?! And what's with that pink overflow?! What kind of department is this?!" I was practically yelling but I didn't care because I needed some answers. The guy looked scared to death but he finally started to speak.
"That's the Maiden Club."
Maiden?
"That's the nickname for the Emerald Department, cuz all the girls in the company go crazy over them." I don't give a shit about how 'hot' they are.
"And, what's with that overly pink aura? And the refreshing transformation?"
"Ah. Takano-San thinks its best to put yourself in the surroundings of the manga to better understand it. Also, that's the cycle."
"Cycle?"
"Yeah. Lets say these guys make a book in a 20-day cycle. The first week is normal, and then things get hectic little by little till you're at hell week at the end of the cycle. After the cycle everyone goes home, gets a shower and relaxes. Today's the day they come back completely refreshed."*
So that's what that girl means when he said something was wrong with the cycle... There wasn't anything like this in Literature. Though Usami-Sensei did get worse getting near the deadline. That time was always hell.
"Alright.. I think I get it." He took a relieved sigh and started to leave. But before he exited he said one thing,
"Oh and Takano is a hardass. He'll probably work you to the ground. Good luck!" Hmm. To the ground huh? Seems like a challenge.
When I walked into the department I was once again met with the fresh smiling men. Good grief. Is it gonna be like this all day?
When I sat down the other editors started instructing me on the 'art of shoujo manga!' The Boss from Hell was looking at me. What's his deal? Actually... Now that he doesn't look like Satan he looks familiar. Where have I seen him before?
Senpai.
Eh?
Saga-Senpai.
We sat in the library next to each other reading books. I looked up at him and blushed at how he was looking at me.
"Senpai, are we going out?"
"Eh?"
"Well it's just that you never say anything. And I'd like to think that." Silence.
"Tch- quit being such a girl."
Why?!
Was he just ... Playing with me?
"Saga-Senpai..."
"Huh?"
I hadn't realized I'd said these words out loud and received a shocked look from Takano. Shit! I spun my head around and headed to my desk. I moved my chair and made sure not to look over at my way.
This is bad! It's him! It's definitely him!
What am I going to do? It's my first love from high school. He's right in front of me again. My Hatsukoi.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.
WHY?
WHY HERE OF ALL PLACES?!
Why did I have to run into him... That asshole senpai.
This can't be real! Why was my heart thumping so loudly in my chest? It's no big deal! I'll just ignore the guy. I'll just do my work and then quit as soon as possible.
Shit.
My head hurts.
My chest hurts.
My heart hurts...Senpai...
I wonder if you ever loved me? Or if u still do.Takano-San
Takano Masamune
Saga Masamune
Senpai
They're all the same person.
And I fell in love with them all.
.
.
Wait.
.
No.
I haven't fallen.
Not yet, not with Takano.
I have to stop myself. I can't get close to him. It's dangerous. I have to stay away.
Calm down Ritsu. If he doesn't remember you it's fine. You'll be off the hook. But he probably knows! What's he gonna say to me?! Ugh it's eating away at me. I can't. I can't talk to him knowing he's the same bastard that broke my heart. Why was I such an ignorant fool? To fall in love with a guy so easily.. We're not the same people anymore, I need to forget about that guy. He's just my boss now.Come on Ritsu.
I can't deal with this now.
I need to work up. Gain some experience.
Maybe take over the family business soon.
I need to get out of the engagement with my clingy-ass fiancé. Yes, there's so many things I need to do. I don't have time to waste on this guy. Sorry Takano Masamune. Right now I'm hoping you don't realize who I am, if you already have then I hope you don't plan on pushing it. I'll be fine. Everything will be okay.
That damn senpai has grown to be quite a dick though. I can't believe what's happened to my personality since then, but at least I didn't turn into a demanding asshole. I've become such a fucked up, jaded adult, not that's it's a problem. I won't get hurt this way.
Oh yeah, that guy had family problems right. No wonder the guys name is different his parents must've divorced.
I wonder if he ever came to know my whole name.. I don't remember introducing myself. Didn't I write my names in those library cards? I didn't want him finding out my name and thinking I was a stalker. Though, he did end up knowing my name.
Wait.
I wrote 'Oda Ritsu' on those cards.
No way.
A smile crept onto my face.
I was internally laughing my ass off. That guy must've ran around the school asking for an Oda Ritsu when I disappeared. Everyone must've thought he was nuts! It must've been like I disappeared off the face of the earth for him. ... I kinda feel bad about that.
Oh well. What's done is done. I should really get this damn work done so I can get the hell outta here. Atleast the boss from hell stopped staring holes into me.
I better stay clear of that guy in case he wants another relationship or big guy, love isn't cut out for me. The day went by slowly as I tried my best to avoid every situation of being alone with my boss. If we're alone he'll wanna talk and I'm not prepared for that. When I was finally getting my life together he had to show up. Misfortune must know my name.
During lunch break I went across the street to eat at a small diner. It was better to get out of the building. I walked in and sat at the seat next to the window and ordered. When my food arrived I looked around the diner. The place was pretty much packed.
"Excuse me, may I sit here?" I turned my head up to see a young guy (probably a little younger than me) standing over me with a nervous smile on his face. I recognized the kid, it was Takahashi. I think he's a part timer. I saw him following around some lady today.
"Oh. Takahashi? Sure, go ahead." I gestures to the empty seat next to me.
"Thanks you… Onodera-San right?" This kids face screamed innocent and I guess he seemed safe.
"Yeah nice to see you." I gotta be polite right?
"Ah same here. I heard you just started working here is this true? Sorry to pry."
"No problem. Well yeah this is my second day. I saw hell on my first." He let out a chuckle. A waitress came to get his order and after she left he spoke.
"The cycle right? Don't you work with Takano? Is he hard to work with?"
"A total dick." He was taken aback slightly but returned to normal, not bothered by my language.
"Ah people say those kinds of things a lot. But he's actually very dependable. He takes responsibility and he doesn't let people fall behind. If he was a bit kinder then I guess he would be more well liked." Well kid, I kinda already hate his guts.
We talked about some things at Marukawa and about books and such. He was a big manga fan, while I don't think that I've ever read a manga till yesterday. I got this kids number cuz I should know some people in the company. If I quit then I can still talk to this kid. When I mentioned that I had edited for Usami Akihiko he cringed.
"So you were that Onodera-San…" What did he mean by that?
"That?"
"Oh..that is-" he was cut off by the ring of his phone. He apologized and answered. "Usagi-San? What? There's no need! But… fine! Across the street from Marukawa. Okay. See you." He flashed an apologetic smile and began to stand up.
"Sorry, I've gotta head out." I stood up from the table.
"I'll be leaving too, let me walk you out." My lunch break was about to end.
"Oh sure. Thank you." We walked out and as we left the door a bright red sports car parked in front of us and a tall man came out. Holy shit.. Usami-Sensei?!
"Usagi-San!"
"Akihiko!"
Usagi? Rabbit? Wow that nickname didn't suit the guy at all.
He looked over to Takahashi then me. When he saw me his eyes widened and he brightened.
"Ritsu?"
"Usagi-San.. Wasn't Onodera-San your old editor?"
"Long time no see Akihiko. I didn't know you got yourself a new boy toy. What happened to the older brother?" I joked around with my old friend.
"Got married. What happened to you? I heard you're working for girls manga. I didn't think you were into that stuff." He smirked deviously.
I tried to contain my laughter but ended up bursting. Me and him end up in a laughing fit right there. Takahashi stood awkwardly looking like he was thinking of what to say.
"Hahaha... But seriously it's great to see you. How's the new job?" I frowned.
"Not sure if quitting's the best thing to do right now... Apparently being an editor is a much harder job than I thought. You didn't slack very often. Surprising. So what's with you and Takahashi?"
"We're living together. He does chores in exchange. And some other stuff too…" the grin on his face was wide. Takahashi turned red and started getting flustered.
"Usagi-San! What're you saying?!" It was pretty amusing seeing him all worried.
"It's fine Takahashi. Really. Well I've gotta go but I'll see you guys some other time okay?"
"Oh! Bye Onodera-San! Thanks for lunch!"
"Seeya Ritsu. You should try manga. It's a pretty fun job." After I waved by I headed back towards the building when I realized the demon boss was standing in front smoking. Was he watching?
"Hello Takano-San."
"So you're friends with Usami Akihiko?" The question came as a shock. Why did he want to know that?
"Uh yeah. I used to be his editor. Excuse me." I walked past him in a hurry and went up to the department. Time to get this shitty work done.
OKAY. I'm exited! xD I wanna show Takano all uke-ish and just make him even more adorable . Please leave reviews and you can request anything for this story or a different one. Thx
-ZouChan
