Upper Management; Chapter 2
The next day, Renji stood in the café across from the warehouse. He figured the best way to gain a friendship with Byakuya was to set up a daily routine where they always had an opportunity to talk and for that he needed a good excuse, and what better excuse was bringing him coffee every day. The problem was that Byakuya said he didn't like coffee. Renji stared at the different combinations of coffee. 'Maybe he would like a sweet coffee…' Renji thought. Renji smiled at Asano who was working as a barista in the café. "I'll try the mocha today."
Asano smiled, "Coming right up Renji. I heard you got a new manager over there. Is it a woman?"
Renji grinned and shook his head, "No, it's a guy."
Asano sighed, "That's too bad. That would have been super sexy having a manager with a nice rack making sure you're working hard…" Asano prepared the drink for Renji and handed it to him.
Renji smiled and took the drink, "Well, there's always Rangiku."
Asano went into daydream mode, "Ah yes…the lovely Rangiku…yelling at you to hurry up and unload the boxes…then as a reward for your hard work…"
Renji laughed, "Alright Asano, that's enough."
Renji paid for the drink and headed back to the warehouse. He knocked on the door of the office and popped his head in. "Hey boss, I brought you a drink." He entered and walked over to Byakuya.
Byakuya looked at the coffee cup Renji held out to him. "I told you. I don't like coffee."
Renji nodded. "Yeah, I know…I just thought maybe you didn't like coffee because it was bitter so I got you sweet coffee."
Byakuya shook his head, "I don't like sweets."
"Oh…" Renji said disappointed. "I'm sorry, I'll take this away."
Byakuya took the drink from his hand. "You got this for me didn't you? I will drink it since you went to all the trouble."
"Ah…" Renji said surprised. He smiled. "I'll figure out what you like next time."
Byakuya sighed, "You really shouldn't trouble yourself."
Renji shook his head, "No, I want to. If I figure out what drink you like then I'll know more about you."
"You don't need to do that. I'll be leaving after I choose the manager." Byakuya said.
Renji frowned, "Well, gaining a new friend is always a good thing and even if you are leaving we might run into each other later in life. Then the reunion will have more meaning for use since we became friends."
Byakuya chuckled. "You have a strange way of thinking."
Renji blushed, "It's not that strange…"
Byakuya nodded his head. "You're right…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you Abarai."
"Ah…it's okay." Renji smiled. "You can call me Renji."
"Alright…Renji, I have to get back to work. As I'm sure you do too." Byakuya reminded Renji.
Renji rubbed the back of his head embarrassed. "Oh, right! Sorry…" He smiled as he headed out the door. "I'll bring you a new flavor to try tomorrow!"
Byakuya sighed. "Where does he get so much energy?"
Renji saw Ichigo and walked up to him. He elbowed him gently and grinned. "Hey Ichigo, how'd it go last night?" Ichigo sighed. "What? You not get any?" he asked surprised.
Ichigo shook his head. "Nah, that's not the problem…I got too much…"
Renji lifted his eyebrow, "Really? I didn't think there was such a thing." Now that Renji had time to look over Ichigo he did look pretty exhausted. Maybe one or two times were too much for the little virgin.
Ichigo glared at him, "Trust me…there is."
The delivery truck arrived with more deliveries. Ichigo groaned and the two started to unload the truck. Renji kept an eye on Ichigo to make sure he didn't collapse from the work. Renji noticed that Ichigo was struggling with each box and so went over to help him. When lunch break came around Ichigo collapsed against a pile of boxes tired. Renji walked over to him and patted his shoulder. "Hey man, you okay? Maybe you should go home and rest."
Ichigo shook his head, "I can't, I need to work today…and if I go home I might not get any rest…." He sighed. "I'll be fine."
Renji saw Ichigo grow wobbly and then fall towards the ground. Renji quickly caught him before he fell to the floor. He gently laid Ichigo on the ground and shouted over to Hisagi. "Hey, come over here and watch him. I'm going to let the boss know I'm taking him home." Renji ran up to the office and barely knocked on the door before opening it. "Hey boss, Ichigo is sick and passed out. I'm going to take him home so he can rest."
Byakuya nodded, "Alright, and if you need to stay there and take care of him go ahead."
Renji smiled, "Thanks boss." Renji went to retrieve Ichigo's stuff from the locker room and put his coat around the unconscious Ichigo. Renji picked up Ichigo and carried him in his arms and headed to his apartment. He stumbled with the keys and was about to unlock the door when it suddenly opened up. Renji looked up surprised at Grimmjow standing in the doorway in his boxers. "Ah…I'm sorry. I didn't know Ichigo had a roommate."
Grimmjow shook his head, "I'm not his roommate."
Renji glanced at the number on the door. "Did I get the wrong apartment?"
Grimmjow grinned, "Nah, you got the right apartment. I stayed over last night." Renji looked at Grimmjow stunned and a blush crept over his face. He hadn't expected Ichigo's lover to be a guy. Grimmjow motioned towards Ichigo. "He must be heavy. Come on in." He moved out of the doorway so Renji could enter the apartment. "Go ahead and set him on the couch." Renji walked over to the couch and gently laid Ichigo down. Grimmjow went over to the stove to prepare some tea. He looked over his shoulder at Renji, "Would you like something to drink?"
Renji quickly shook his head, "Ah, no thanks…I have to get back to work. You'll take care of him…right?"
Grimmjow grinned and walked over to Ichigo. He glanced down at him. "Yeah, I'll take care of him. Thanks for bringing him back home. I'll make sure he gets plenty of rest so he can get back to work tomorrow." Renji nodded and headed towards the door. He didn't know if he could trust the guy, but he was in Ichigo's apartment… Grimmjow waved him off. "Don't worry, he'll be fine."
Renji nodded and left. He walked back to the warehouse and checked in with Byakuya. "I took Ichigo home. His roommate was there to take care of him so I came back to work."
Byakuya nodded, "Thank you for letting me know."
Renji sighed. It had been a boring day without Ichigo to talk to but he had somehow managed it. The warehouse was empty except for Renji and Byakuya. Renji was usually the last one to leave the warehouse. He liked to check things over before he left for the day while Byakuya had some paperwork that he needed to finish up. Byakuya exited his office and saw Renji. "Abarai…you still here?"
Renji blushed, "Oh, yeah, sorry, I was just making sure everything was in order."
"I see…Abarai, if you don't have anything planned after work would you like to join me for dinner?" Byakuya asked.
"W-what?" Renji stuttered surprised, "I…I couldn't possibly…"
Byakuya raised his eyebrow, "Oh? So you gave up on becoming friends with me?"
'Ah…so he did hear…' Renji thought embarrassed. "Um, no, I haven't…I would love to join you for dinner." He blushed. "I mean…enjoy…I would enjoy eating you—I mean eating with you!" Renji sighed and shook his head.
"Good, get your things and we can go now," Byakuya said.
Renji nodded, "Ah, right!" He ran to the locker room and got his stuff. He followed Byakuya out and the two of them walked to a restaurant a couple of blocks from the warehouse. Renji blushed when they entered the restaurant. It was a lot more elegant than he was used to. The waiter took the two to a private booth. The two sat across from each other. Renji took off his coat and set it next to him. "Um…are you sure it's okay for me to be here? I mean…everyone is wearing such nice clothing…"
Byakuya shook his head as he took off his own coat. "You're with me. So it doesn't matter."
Renji blushed and nodded his head. "Okay…"
Byakuya studied Renji for a moment. "If it will make you feel any better I can dress down." Byakuya took off his suit jacket and set it down next to him. He undid his tie and took it off. He also unbuttoned his collar revealing a bit of his chest and unbuttoned and rolled up his sleeves. "There. Now I'm not so overdressed."
"Ah…you didn't have to do that…" Renji said quietly but thankfully. Renji smiled and looked at the menu. "So…" his smile faded as he looked at the prices, "um…is water free?"
Byakuya chuckled, "Abarai, ignore the prices and just order what you want. It's my treat."
Renji blushed and quickly shook his head, "No, I couldn't…" Byakuya gazed at him coolly. "Um, you know what though…the rack of lamb sounds pretty tasty…"
The waiter walked over to take their orders. Byakuya handed him their menus. "I will have a house salad and he will have the rack of lamb." The waiter nodded and left with their orders.
Renji looked down at the table sadly, "You ordered the salad because I ordered something expensive didn't you? I'm sorry…I didn't mean to order something that pricy…"
Byakuya shook his head, "I ordered what I wanted. Price means nothing to me. If you have forgotten Abarai, I am not usually a manager. I just came in to hire one."
Renji nodded, "Oh right…so you must make more…I guess that makes me feel a bit better." Renji frowned.
"What's wrong?" Byakuya asked.
"I told you to call me Renji, you keep calling me Abarai." Renji sighed.
Byakuya looked away from Renji. "…I'm sorry, I didn't want to get too carried away."
Renji grinned, "Carried away? Come on, who gets carried away by calling someone by their first name?"
Byakuya sighed, "…alright…Renji…"
Renji smiled, "See? That wasn't so bad!"
Byakuya looked away a slight blush forming on his cheeks. Renji stared stunned at Byakuya. Renji felt like he was seeing something he wasn't supposed to but couldn't look away. Byakuya quickly composed himself. His emotionless mask returning to his features. "I don't know what it is about you that catches me off guard all the time."
Renji smiled, "Maybe it's my upbeat attitude." Renji liked seeing the occasional displays of emotions. It made him feel special, like he was the only one to ever see Byakuya that way. For some reason Renji hoped that he was.
Byakuya chuckled, "Maybe…"
"So, Kuchiki, why don't you tell me about your family?" Renji asked.
Byakuya gazed down at the table in thought. He shifted the silverware in front of him. Renji could tell he was masking his emotions again. "…I have a grandfather and a younger sister."
Renji smiled, "Really? You have a sister? I guess I can see you as the protective brotherly type."
"She is adopted, but she is my sister the same. I would never let anything bad happen to her." Byakuya replied calmly.
"Ah…I don't know why, but I'm a little disappointed she is adopted…I guess cause it would be cute to see a little girl version of you." Renji laughed. "That's nice that your family adopted her."
"To be more precise I adopted her." Byakuya answered.
Renji laughed thinking he was joking. Byakuya just continued staring at him seriously. Renji coughed. "Oh…I see…I didn't know you could adopt your own sibling."
"I can." Byakuya stated.
"Oh…I see…" Renji said nervously.
Byakuya sighed, "She is my wife's sister." Renji didn't know why but he felt a bit sad at hearing that Byakuya was married. "When my wife died I took in her sister and adopted her into the Kuchiki family so she would be taken care of."
"Oh…I'm sorry…" Renji said embarrassed.
Byakuya shook his head, "It's fine. It was a long time ago." Byakuya didn't look like he wanted to discuss the matter any further so Renji dropped it. To Renji's relief the waiter came over with the food that they had ordered. Renji watched as Byakuya ate his food. Byakuya looked elegant even while he was eating. He used a knife and fork to cut the lettuce into smaller pieces.
Byakuya looked up from his food and saw Renji staring at him. "Is there something wrong with your lamb?"
Renji shook his head, "Ah no…sorry…" Renji quickly took a bite of his food. His eyes opened wide. "…wow! This is so good!"
"I'm glad you like it." Byakuya said and continued to eat his salad.
"You have to try it! It's really good!" Renji smiled. He forked a piece of the lamb and held the fork out to Byakuya. "Here, try it."
Byakuya looked at the fork then at Renji and shook his head, "I believe you…"
"Come on, Kuchiki. Just try it." Renji said as he held the fork closer to his mouth. Byakuya frowned and moved his face away. "Come on you'll like it." Renji smiled. Byakuya sighed and opened his mouth. Renji grinned and fed Byakuya the piece of meat. Byakuya slowly chewed the piece of meat. Renji looked at Byakuya expectantly. "So? Do you like it?" Byakuya looked away from Renji embarrassed and nodded. Renji grinned. "See, I told you would. Do you want another bite?"
Byakuya frowned and ate his salad. "No thank you."
Renji ate his lamb as he watched Byakuya. "…I didn't embarrass you did I?"
Byakuya looked up from his food and shook his head, "I'm fine."
Renji looked at him unsure, "Are you sure?"
Byakuya sighed, "Renji…we're in a private booth, why would I have any reason to be embarrassed? It's just you and me."
Renji blushed. "I guess you're right…well I'm glad I didn't embarrass you." Renji smiled. "Thanks Kuchiki for inviting me to dinner."
"You're welcome." Byakuya nodded. "Thank you for the company."
"Oh! What about your sister?" Renji asked.
Byakuya frowned, "…what about my sister?"
Renji frowned in thought. "Well…if I'm right your sister probably makes the meals. So she made enough for three, but I don't think you told her you weren't coming home did you? So she didn't know that and made too many. So now she and grandpa are sitting at the table alone wondering where you are and your food is going to waste. Poor sister…and she slaved away too!"
Byakuya eyes widened surprised at Renji's comment. He sighed and shook his head, "Renji…we have a cook that makes the meals. My sister doesn't need to make the meals and if she is eating with my grandfather then she is not alone, is she?"
"Ah…" Renji rubbed the back of his head embarrassed, "I guess not…" His mind back tracked to what Byakuya had first said. "Wait, you have a cook?"
"Yes…we also have servants to take care of the house." Byakuya said calmly.
Renji smiled, "Wow! So you're rich!"
Byakuya sighed, "My family is rich, yes."
Renji blushed, "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to be rude."
"It's fine. You should eat your lamb before it gets cold." Byakuya reminded Renji.
"Ah! I forgot!" Renji quickly ate his lamb.
When the two finished their meal Byakuya paid the bill. Renji felt embarrassed about not paying for himself but Byakuya had insisted that it was okay. The two stood outside of the restaurant. It was cold but Renji didn't want to leave Byakuya's side yet. "It's pretty nice out…" Renji said trying to start a conversation so Byakuya wouldn't leave.
Byakuya lifted his scarf to better keep his face warm. "Yes, despite it being cold outside."
"Yeah…I guess we should be getting home…" Renji said quietly.
Byakuya glanced at Renji. "Yes…why don't I walk you home?"
Renji's cheeks reddened. He didn't know if it was from the cold or him blushing. "Ah…you don't have to do that…" Renji tried to keep his happiness at Byakuya's offer hidden but he couldn't help but smile.
Byakuya shook his head, "It's fine... It's not far is it?"
Renji smiled and shook his head, "No, it's not far at all…"
