Sousuke's POV

The annoying beeping of my alarm woke me up, eliciting a tortured groan from me. I curled up in my nest of blankets, pressing snooze just once to allow me to slowly wake up. I suddenly remembered the strange day I had yesterday, meeting that guy named Tachibana Makoto. Last night I considered getting rid of the notes I kept in a box under my bed, but I couldn't. I think that I fell in love with the image of the person I created in my head that I derived from these notes. The thought made me a little sad. That unattainable, nonexistent person. Now I knew how anime fangirls felt when they couldn't be with the fictional character they fell in love with. I was thinking selfishly, though. Makoto was a good person. He must not have known that I was a man either. That's right, this was probably a disappointment for the both of us. That shouldn't have comforted me, but it did.

My alarm went off a second time and I finally got up. Well, at least I could look forward to having dinner with Makoto tonight. Maybe we could vent our frustrations to each other about the whole situation. Yeah.

When I got to work, Keiichi was already there preparing the morning blends. "Hey," I said tiredly. I made my way to the counter and entered the coffee station.

"So you are going out with Makoto tonight?"

The words going out shocked me a little and my heart did that thumping thing again. "Uh, we are having dinner, yes, but we aren't 'going out,'" I said in finger quotes. He just scoffed at me.

"You're an ass," he chuckled humorlessly.

"Wha-just because I'm not dating him I'm a jerk?" I questioned him incredulously.

Keiichi gave me a sarcastic expression, "First of all, You have such a sour attitude in the morning, second of all, I thought you fell in love with the writer of those notes."

My ego retreated a little and I felt kinda bad. "Yeah I know. I'm sorry. He's a great guy, I can tell just by talking with him for a little bit," I sat on a stool, sighing to myself. Keiichi crossed his arms, his glare softening. "I think I did fall in love with that person, but Makoto is…"

"A man?" he asked even though he knew that's exactly what I was going to say.

"Yeah. I guess I just fell in love with a figment of my imagination."

"Interesting, I didn't realize your imagination could materialize notes out of nowhere." he snorted.

It was my turn to glare at him. "You know what I mean."

"I know. All I'm saying is, you should give him a chance, even just as a friend."

"I know you're right. He's a good person and I do intend on becoming friends with him. Hopefully great friends." I got up, making my way to fill one of the coffee brewers. "Say, why are you so interested in him in the first place? Maybe you should date him," I chuckled.

He laughed, "No, I already have my eye on someone. But now that you ask, I guess I'll tell you." He turned to face me, leaning his back against a counter. "I've known Makoto for a while and I've heard his story. He deserves a good person and for some reason my stupid ass thought of you-even though in my heart I know he's too good for you," he added jokingly, knowing it would piss me off.

"Yeah, yeah you've said that a billion times. Get on with it." I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't get rid of the smile that spread across my face.

"Just know, that if you hurt him as his friend or his lover, I won't be able to forgive you," he said, totally serious.

I blushed at his words. Lover? Since when did Makoto jump from stranger to lover? "Keiichi, I just don't get you. Didn't you just meet this guy, too? Why are you getting all defensive?"

"Ah, look at the time, we have to start brewing the coffee." He smiled cheekily and went to get fresh coffee beans from the back. That was his way of saying 'I don't want to talk about this anymore.' Fine, I could take a hint, but I wasn't about to leave this here. This conversation would be finished eventually.

The day was slow and agonizing, but at closing Keiichi gave me a note. "Makoto came thru the drive-thru and wanted me to give this to you."

"Ah, why didn't you tell me? I would have written something on his cup," I took the note from him and read it.

Meet me at the new sushi place on XXX street at 7PM. Sorry if I'm a little late .

For some reason it made me smile even though it was just telling me where the restaurant was. I could almost see him making the little face he drew on the note. My thumb lingered over the smooth receipt paper, running over his words.

"Come on, lover boy, let's clean up so you can get going." Keiichi teased, elbowing me in the side. I rolled my eyes, unable to hold back a smile. If it made him feel better to tease me, I wasn't going to stop him. Honestly, I kind of liked it.

I kept the note in my pocket, retrieving it to make sure I was at the right address. Yep, this was it. I looked up to see the modern neon lights. This place was hopping with excitement and people. It kind of surprised me the quiet Makoto would want to go to a place like this, but it seemed nice.

When I walked in I saw Makoto sitting on a bench next to the host's stand. He was looking at his phone, still wearing his business suit, complete with reading glasses. I didn't want to admit it, but he looked kinda cute with those thick-rimmed glasses on.

"Hey, Makoto-kun," I greeted him. I must have startled him because he looked up at me, shocked.

"Oh, hello Sousuke," he stood up, his face shining with a smile, "Sorry, I was so focused on a text message I got I didn't realize you were here."

"That's ok. I hope it wasn't anything bad."

"No, nothing like that. Just an old...friend," He stuffed his phone quickly in his pocket and turned to the hostess. "Hi, we'd like a table for two, please." He was so polite and reserved. As he talked to the hostess, I realized she was flirting with him. She was definitely making a pass at him, but he didn't seem to notice. And she was cute, too. What a shame.

She sat us down at a cozy table in the corner and we thanked her.

"I'll be back to take your orders in a moment, in the meantime can I get you two something to drink?" she said 'you two', but she was only looking at Makoto.

"I think I'll have a draft beer," Makoto said. This surprised me. He didn't seem like the drinking type.

"And you, sir?" The hostess finally looked at me, but her expression was totally different. Almost bored-looking. I was a little insulted to be honest. I was a pretty good-looking guy, so what was the problem with me?

"I'll have the same. Thanks," I said as she took the drink menus from us.

"Ok, I'll be back in a moment to get your orders." She once again was locked on Makoto. Why was this pissing me off? She didn't deserve to look at him like that! But why was I getting jealous? We weren't dating…

Once she was out of earshot I leaned into Makoto a little, "Did you see the way she looked at you? And how she wouldn't stop talking to you when she led us to the table? I think she likes you," I patted his arm and gave him a wink.

He blushed a little. "Ah, I don't think that's what it is." He fingered through the menu pages.

"Trust me, I know women. She likes you!" I laughed.

He joined in laughing with me, "Well I guess it's too bad I don't go for-"

"So what can I get you two?" The hostess was back again. It hadn't been very long, so I was surprised. She set our beer down on the table and got out a pad of paper and a pencil, waiting for Makoto's response.

"I think I'll have fugu, sashimi, and the Dragon roll, please."

She jotted down his order then turned to me. "And for you?"

"I'll have the fried rice and the sashimi, as well."

"All right, I will be back shortly with your orders."

Thankfully, she left again and we were able to continue talking. "So, you were saying?" I asked, taking a sip of my beer. Makoto took a drink of his as well.

"Nothing. So, do you write notes to all the customers in the drive-thru?" He asked. He smiled, looking so innocent.

"Not all, but most. I like to think that it brings people a little cheer as they are starting their work day. Work can be stressful to say the least." I set my beer down, waiting for Makoto's response.

"That's so great. When I got my very first note from you I was having such a terrible morning, but after I got that note, my day was suddenly better. So, thank you," He smiled so warmly it was like I was staring at the sun. My chest even felt the warmth.

"I'm glad it made you feel that way. No one has ever responded to me before, you know," it was my turn to smile as I recalled that day. It was so out of the ordinary. "I think I felt the same way you did."

Makoto blushed cutely. Er, for a guy, I mean. Of course. "Well, probably not the same way, but I think I know what you mean. So, do you like working at the coffee shop?" He asked, setting his beer down. I suddenly realized how beautiful his eyes were. They sparkled even though it was dark. I couldn't stop staring at him, strangely enough. Keiichi was right, he was beautiful.

"Oh, um," I caught myself staring and I quickly averted my eyes and drank some more. "It's ok. My dream is to have a cafe of my own, but right now I don't have the finances to be able to do it. How about you? What do you do?"

Makoto cleared his throat, loosening his tie. My eyes were instantly drawn to his slender fingers and his throat that was slowly being revealed to me further. Shit, what was wrong with me? Why was I imagining that throat peppered with love bites? Must have been the alcohol. "I work at a law firm. Right now I just assist prosecutors, but I hope that someday I will become a prosecutor. Although your dream of running a cafe sounds wonderful." He was so kind. I wondered how someone because as kind as him. Surely that was genetic because I had never met someone like him before. I felt like I was being drawn into him, as weird as that sounded. It kind of scared me.

"Yeah. My family has their own restaurant business, but we aren't on the best terms lately." Ah shit, I probably shouldn't have been been bringing up family problems like this… "Oh, sorry I-"

"I'm sorry to hear that. It's always tough when a family doesn't understand their child." Makoto was a very sensitive person, it seemed. It made me feel relieved for some odd reason. "My parents and I aren't exactly talking right now, either."

"Oh? Why is that?" I didn't want to butt-in, but the words were already out of my mouth.

"I, uh," he blushed for some reason, taking a swig of his beer, "I'm gay. I guess they don't approve."

I felt weird for some reason. Not because he was gay, that didn't bother me in the slightest, but I was getting this thumping sensation again. Before I could respond, the hostess brought us our food, once again eyeing Makoto. For some reason I wanted to tell her to quit looking at him. It wasn't that I wanted her to look at me, I just didn't want her to look at him.

We thanked her and she went on her way, but she slipped Makoto a note first. A flash of anger went through me, but there was no real reason for me to be angry. I should have been happy considering Makoto was gay and wasn't interested in her, anyway. I just wasn't sure why I cared in the first place. "So, what does the note say?" I asked, beginning to eat my fried rice.

Makoto looked at it for a moment, then said, "She says, 'call me and I'll show you a good time', and her phone number is on here."

"May I?" I held out my hand to take the note. He nodded. I snatched it from him, looking at it for myself. "Hm, my notes are better, but I can appreciate her determination." I tried to make a joke of it because I would have shown how I really felt if I didn't. I couldn't believe I was actually jealous. I passed him so many notes that I lost count, but I was jealous over this one? It made no sense.

Makoto laughed. "You're right," he said, taking a bite of his sashimi. My heart fluttered. God, I was acting like a middle-schooler on their first date. That's right, I wasn't even a high schooler metaphorically anymore. I had been demoted. "I know that some of our notes were just jokes and stuff, but a lot of mine were actually serious," He said shyly, unable to keep eye contact.

"W-which ones?" I asked.

Ringing came from somewhere and it startled me. Makoto set his chopsticks down, and got his phone from his pocket. "Sorry," he apologized, "apparently it's urgent." He answered the phone, "Hello?" His expression went from carefree and happy to frowning. I wondered who he was talking to. "I see. Well, maybe tomorrow, then," he said. "Yeah. I'll text you later. Bye." He put his phone away, turning back to me, "Sorry about that."

"Are you ok?" I asked. His change in expression made me worry.

"Yeah, it's just...That was my ex-boyfriend. He wants to meet up tomorrow. I'm sure he wants to get back together, but I have told him 'no' so many times. I don't know why he thinks I would change my mind." He looked stressed, running his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry. I wish I could help somehow," I said. I knew exactly what it was like to have persistent exes. I wondered what his ex was like. Did he treat Makoto right? Did he love him? Makoto sighed, looking at his food for a moment. He suddenly looked up, startling me. "What is it?"

"Well, I have an idea, but I don't know if you would be comfortable with it."

"Just tell me," I urged him to spill the beans.

"Um, if you could pose as...my boyfriend...maybe?" his blush went all the way up to his ears and he continued, saying, "N-nevermind, I'm sorry, that was a stupid idea-"

"I'll do it," I said. Makoto looked at me with a shocked expression.

"Really?" He seemed relieved, which made me wonder how this boyfriend treated him if he was this desperate.

"Of course. We're friends, so it's only right," I said as I spooned some more fried rice in my mouth. The word 'friend' felt weird coming out of my mouth for some reason, but it shouldn't have and I knew that much.

"Great. Thank you so much!" I could tell Makoto was so grateful and he looked so adorable when he was happy like this. For some reason I wanted to see that face more often.

The rest of the evening went wonderfully. We talked about our childhoods and our likes and dislikes. We were actually more similar than I originally thought. Talking to him made me think about my past relationships. I don't think I had ever felt so comfortable with someone before, especially after just meeting them. He made me think about my past girlfriends. They were never as nice or, honestly, as beautiful as him. He had the kind of beauty that was on the inside as well as the outside, which was a rare find.

When I got home, I immediately went to my room to look through my box of notes. Earlier he said that he was serious in some of his notes and I was determined to figure out which ones those were. I spread them all out on my bed and my eyes scanned over them all. For some reason, one stood out to me and there was no reason it should have.

It said, I like you a lot.

My heart fluttered, but I was still apprehensive to accept what I was feeling. I wasn't sure if I was reacting this way because he was so cute, or maybe because I hadn't dated anyone in a long time. But if I didn't feel romantically for him, then why did I agree to pose as his boyfriend? Ugh, I was just as conflicted as I was earlier. If I didn't care that he was gay, why did it matter if I was? I dropped my face in my hands, sighing. What was happening to me?

A/N: Hello! I hope you liked this chapter! Things are gonna start moving now! How do you think Sousuke will address his feelings? What do YOU think he's feeling? Let me know what you thought of this chapter! Thank you for reading and thank you to those who commented and followed!