AN: Third chapter… woo hoo… . I'm so tired. _.

Disclaimer: Junjou Romantica and Junai Egoist are the rightful property of Nakamura Shungiku
Pairings: Egoist and Romantica

Summary: Usami contemplates giving up on his writing. After announcing this to Aikawa and Misaki, the media catches wind and plagues the Usami household with unwanted attention. While Misaki encourages Usami to sort out his feelings, Nowaki struggles to support Hiroki in his decision not to speak to Usami ever again… Both Usami and Hiroki can be extremely stubborn- will they sacrifice their friendship over senseless pride?

+_+_+_+_+

To Write a Tragic Love Story
Chapter 3: Rumors

+_+_+_+_+

The following day, Aikawa returned with reinforcements.

"AKIHIKO!" Isaka kicked his foot against his friend's bedroom door, relentlessly. "Get your ass out of bed and stop wallowing in unnecessary angst! That's a horrible way to go about inspiring yourself!"

"Isaka-san!!!" Misaki wailed, darting up the stairs after the man, (who he'd told to stay put as he went to prepare some tea), and grabbing his arm, desperately. "Please don't bother Usagi-san! He's been up all night reflecting on something very important!"

"What's more important than living up to the challenge he-?!"

"Please, Isaka-san!" Misaki pressed his palms together and bowed his head. "Usagi-san is going through a personal ordeal, right now- you don't understand, but if you'll just come downstairs-!"

The door, opened, suddenly, and Misaki turned, gawking fearfully at his lover.

Isaka glanced over, smugly, waiting to give the man a piece of his mind, but Usami spoke first:

"I'm not writing, anymore. Leave."

Then he closed the door.

The color drained from Misaki's face and his eyes widened when his brain registered what his lover had just said.

Isaka took a bit longer to register the words before he glanced at Misaki.

"He's not serious, is he?"

"…" Misaki lowered his gaze to the ground, brows furrowing. "…Um… the thing is… he received… some negative feedback…"

"From who?" Aikawa asked, materializing behind Isaka. (She had darted to the restroom after arriving).

"…Uh… you see…" Misaki mumbled, glancing at the door and placing his hand against it, nervously. "…Usagi-san… if it were any fan, he probably wouldn't even care… when it comes to Usagi-san… if someone he cares about insults his works… it affects him very deeply… and especially if they suggested that… Usagi-san used them…"

"To be portrayed as a character in one of the great Usami-sensei's works is like a dream come true!" Aikawa snapped.

"It's a real honor, you know!" Isaka agreed, insistently.

"Take it back!"

"Take it back, immediately!"

"…It wasn't ME!" Misaki huffed, narrowing his eyes and lowering his hand with a sigh. "Usagi-san knows I'm not into books… it was a friend of his… a good friend…"

"…" Aikawa and Isaka exchanged glances.

"A friend?"

"Someone who's into his books…?"

"…" The two thought for a moment before Aikawa frowned. "What was that guy's name…? The one who Usami-sensei gives his books to, before handing them over to us?"

"What?!" Isaka arched a brow. "You mean he shows them to another publishing company or a different editor, first?!"

"No, it's a childhood friend… Oooh…" She clasped her hands over her mouth, eyes widening. "That's right! He used him in his first ever BL novel!"

"BL novel…?" Isaka blinked.

"Err- nothing!" She laughed, nervously. He eyed her, annoyed, then glanced at Misaki. "Chibi-tan, did he happen to give you a name?"

"No…" Misaki frowned. "After listening to you two, I was hoping you could give me one… but I'm sure Usagi-san will tell me, on his own…"

"But what's this about not writing anymore?!" Isaka snapped. "That's ludicrous!"

"I agree… open up, sensei! We need to discuss this, thoroughly." Aikawa pounded on Usami's door and Misaki slid between Aikawa and the door.

"Please stop." Misaki told the two. "…Usagi-san just needs to sort a few things out. I usually side with you guys on the subject of Usagi-san putting off his work, but this time, there's really something very important going on behind the scenes. I'll definitely do my best to encourage Usagi-san to continue writing. Because I know he loves it, and is passionate about it, but for now, you guys… you… you need to back off… temp…or…arily…" He trailed off, nervously.

Aikawa and Isaka stared at him for a moment, before exchanging glances.

Isaka was the first to fold and he sighed, smiling. "…I guess we're defeated by Chibi-tan's determined gaze, for now… Aikawa-san… don't you agree?"

"…" Aikawa sulked, folding her arms and tapping her fingers against one of her crossed arms. She didn't look quite as convinced.

Misaki looked up at her, frowning. "Please, Aikawa-san… I know you are a driven person and that you've always forced Usagi-san to get over whatever obstacles came up, before… but this is more serious than anything that's ever come up, before… please… for now… please don't be his editor. Be his friend."

"…Fine…" Aikawa sighed. "…But my position as his editor outranks my position as his friend." She raised three fingers. "You have THREE DAYS to change his mind. After that, we'll be back."

"Ah-! Thank you." Misaki smiled, and the two headed out.

"We'll show ourselves to the door, thanks." Isaka waved, annoyed as he practically dragged Aikawa out, by the wrist.

"Misakiii!" She called over her shoulder. "I left some snacks on the counter in the kitchen! Even though you've betrayed me, help yourself to them!"

Misaki laughed, softly, waving. "I will, thank you, Aikawa-san…" He turned, knocking gently on the door to Usami's room. "May I enter, Usagi-san? They're gone."

Downstairs, Aikawa and Isaka lingered in the doorway, readying to head out.

"I just can't fathom the prospect of Usami-sensei not writing, anymore." Aikawa sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "It just doesn't seem like him. I know he puts his work off, often enough, but all of my writers do that."

"Something happened…" Isaka shrugged. "And stuff happens, all the time. It's not like he needs to rely on writing, anyway. He has a major in law or whatever, right?"

"Don't speak such heresy!" Aikawa roared and Isaka laughed.

"Please tell me it isn't true."

The two blinked, turning and gawking at a man who stood on the other side of the door.

"…Who are you, and how long have you been standing there?" Isaka arched a brow.

"Wait… we've seen him around Marukawa… haven't we?" Aikawa asked, opening the door and stepping out. Isaka stepped out with her.

"Ah… It's Sumi-sensei's kid…" Isaka realized, nodding.

"Please tell me it's not true that Usami-sensei has given up on writing." Sumi snapped.

"…Mmm… it's not true." Isaka lied, and Aikawa shrugged.

"Nope… it's just an author's fit- your father has them, occasionally, as well."

Sumi frowned. "Are you lying? If you are, I'll just find out from Misaki."

"Ah- he's Chibi-tan's age-"

"He must be Misaki-kun's friend…" Aikawa nodded to Isaka.

"…Then we'll leave it to Chibi-tan!"

"He's busy, anyway, he won't answer."

The two headed off, leaving Sumi infuriated.

He whipped out his cell and texted Misaki, demanding he be let in and to know if it was true that Usami was giving up on his writing.

+_+_+_+_+

"Usagi-san…?" Misaki sat at the foot of the bed. Usami lay beneath the blankets and a few Suzuki-san bears.

"What…?"

Misaki frowned, clasping his hands in his lap and ignoring the quiet vibrations of his cell phone in his pocket, assuming it to be Aikawa or Isaka. "…I think this is one of those things that you have to reflect on, for sure… and I can understand if you want to reflect on it, alone… but I want you to know that… if you do want to talk about it… I'm here for you."

Usami was quiet for a moment. "…Thank you, Misaki."

Misaki frowned, waiting for Usami to continue or to say anything else. Frowning, Misaki stared sadly at his feet. "…Usagi-san…"

"It's not that I don't trust you enough to tell you." Usami muttered, softly.

Misaki blinked, glancing over at him. "…What was that, Usagi-san?"

"I said the reason I won't tell you isn't because I don't think you're good enough to help me. I just hope you don't think that's what it is."

"…Then why?" Misaki frowned. "…Is this about me not understanding your past?"

Usami frowned. "…Not really. It's that… my childhood friend… admitted to me that he used to be in love with me."

Misaki blinked, eyes widening.

"And I didn't want you to take in that fact- and the fact that I'm dwelling on it- and think anything weird. I only love Misaki..."

Misaki flushed, averting his gaze. "…Ah… well… I don't think you have feelings for anyone else… a-and I won't be so selfish that I only focus on thoughts like: 'woe is me, there could be someone else for Usagi-san!' I'm completely intent on focusing on your problem, Usagi-san!"

Usami sighed, smiling. "…So you want to help me reflect? I keep running the same thoughts over and over in my head… maybe if I say them out loud…"

"Yeah." Misaki turned, lying down next to Usami. "Lay it all on me, Usagi-san, I'll help as best I can!"

"Alright…" Usami sighed. "…We we've been friends since we were ten years old…"

"Mm-hmm?" Misaki nodded.

"…Looking back on it now, I kind of see… I mean… it's more apparent, now that I look back… that he must have been in love with me all this time… I mean… and now that I see it, I don't understand how I failed to notice it, before…"

"…" Misaki frowned. "…You're still close?"

"Well, up to last night."

"…Did he know about your feelings for my brother?"

"…Yes." Usami frowned. "…Misaki… I have to tell you something… I don't know how you'll react, and I don't want to lose you… but I think you'll… stay by my side, even after hearing it."

"…I will." Misaki promised, hesitantly reaching over and squeezing Usami's hand.

"…Never mind." Usami rolled over and tugged the blankets over his head. Misaki gawked.

"HEY! I JUST SAID I WOULD STAY BY YOUR SIDE!"

"It'll revive negative feelings that I'd rather be kept dead."

"Usagi-san!" Misaki tore the blanket off of his lover, aggravated. "If it's about my brother, it's fine! As long as you never did anything physical with my brother, there's no reason for me to feel upset!"

"What if I had done something physical with him?" Usami asked, and Misaki froze.

"…Hah?"

"If I had done something physical with him… what then…? Would you stay by my side? Would it change anything?"

"…" Misaki fell silent. Fairly confident Usami hadn't done anything physical with his brother, his impulse was to reply 'of course it wouldn't change anything!' but even though this was a hypothetical question, it was obvious that Usami needed the most honest answer Misaki could provide.

So for just a moment, he seriously contemplated… if Usami were to seriously reveal that he'd had sex with Takahiro, or even just jerked off with him or something… kissed him, maybe…? Whatever it was… would it change anything? If he'd jerked off with him, that would be a bit disturbing… but had that happened, Takahiro certainly wouldn't have handed him over to Usami to look after… if he'd kissed him, which really wouldn't surprise Misaki, then that was really no big deal, either- as his brother probably thought it was a 'friendship kiss!' or something lame like that…

…It wasn't very likely that something physical had happened between them… however… Usami had written about Takahiro and himself having sex… when he'd found out the first time, he'd been furious…

This enabled him to get a better idea of what the other guy felt like- the one Usami had written about… he could definitely take the mysterious guy's side, but right now, Usami needed some encouragement and support… or maybe… maybe he just needed to be talked with…

"…Um… about how I would feel if I found out something happened between you and niichan… Usagi-san… I don't think anything did… so it's really a little silly to ask me about it… obviously if you did, I'd feel bad, but… even if that were the case… I'd feel hurt even more if… upon realizing this… you refused to talk to me about what's troubling you… how do I say this…? If you tell me what's bothering you, and I'm able to help, even a little… I'll feel like I'm of use to you, Usagi-san… and I'll be happy if I can alleviate any of your pain, at all…"

Usami sighed, and was quiet for a moment, so Misaki decided to try again.

"…Um… Usagi-san… I don't know if you group me together with the guy you're talking about… since we both expressed our disdain… regarding your using us in your books… um… when I first found out about your writing about niichan… it really did bother me… so now that I know you used someone else, too… it makes me wonder if you liked them, too?"

"He was my friend, and a great character to write, and he inspired me to become a writer, so I used him. I didn't mean for it to make him sad- I meant it as the highest form of respect. I only write about people I care about."

"Except Aikawa-san."

"Even Aikawa-san." Usami muttered. "…It's my twisted way of showing I care about them, and that I understand them. Even though it bothered him that I wrote those things… he did comment that my characterization of him was very precise… It made me happy to know that he understood how well I knew him… but I guess I didn't know him… But… you know? I only started writing about him after I found out he was with that other guy… I was actually jealous, you know… I thought he was so lucky to find someone- and it happened right after we did what we did, so I figured it must not have meant anything to him…"

"…" Misaki blinked, remaining quiet for a moment as he interpreted what his lover had told him. "…Um… what do you mean, Usagi-san…? When you… say… 'right after we did what we did?'"

Usami's eyes widened and he was silent. He swallowed, nervously before closing his eyes and turning over, sitting up and forcing himself to look at Misaki.

Misaki was obviously struggling to maintain the image of a strong and kind lover- one who was willing to put aside his own anxieties and self-consciousness to provide a soothing role for his lover to rely on, in his time of need.

"…When we first met… when you confronted me about my writings… the stories about Takahiro… you said it didn't matter to me… as long as it was a man, it didn't matter who it was…"

Misaki blinked, then averted his gaze. "…I know… I remember… and I'm sorry, Usagi-san, I didn't think it was still bothering you- I meant it when I said it back then, but that's because I didn't understand how strongly two men could feel for each other- I definitely don't think that anymore."

"I know, but listen…" Usami sighed. "…The reason I got so pissed off… was because… Hiroki insinuated the same thing… he told me that if I blindfolded myself, it didn't matter who I was with- I could pretend it was Takahiro. At the time, I thought he was… I… I don't know what I was thinking- I must have been so desperate for Takahiro's affections that I completely disregarded Hiroki's feelings at all…" He bowed his head, shamefully. "I was so absorbed in my feelings for Takahiro… I didn't even notice that Hiroki was using that as a ruse to conceal his feelings for me… He was hoping that if we did… that… That his feelings would reach me..."

Usami waited for Misaki to reply and with every second of silence, he found his heart throbbing more and more. He'd just admitted one of his most shameful, guilt-infested secrets to Misaki, and the teen was giving him the silent treatment… or so he thought.

"He…" Misaki frowned, and Usami listened intently, focusing on every word. "…He used your feelings to get close to you… from what it sounds like… so then… he brought his sadness upon himself if it didn't go how he'd planned…"

"…" Usami was silent. Slowly, he raised a hand up, pointing at his dresser.

Misaki's line of vision followed his lover's finger and he glanced over at the dresser, gaze landing upon a laptop which was settled atop it.

"…Read it." Usami mumbled.

Misaki slowly got off the bed and headed over, looking around the laptop to make sure there were no papers, letters, or books or whatever else might be read. Certain, now, that his lover was referring to the laptop, he took hold of it, brought it to the bed, sat beside his lover, and opened it up.

The first thing that popped up was a security verifier. Usami's login was already selected, and it was asking for a password, which, unbeknownst to Usami, Misaki already knew.

Typing in his own name, and clicking enter, the word document Hiroki had tampered with appeared on the screen. Startled, Misaki blinked, and scrolled up, reading through the whole thing…

Usami stayed silent, waiting for his lover to finish. The teen was somewhat slow when it came to reading- but that may just have been in comparison to the great novelist, himself...

"…Then he heard the full name the second time. The stupid Akihiko had whispered 'Takahiro…" Misaki read the last part, aloud, frowning, thoughtfully.

Usami watched him, nervously, waiting for his lover to say something.

"…The content's sappy, and no one would take a story that starts off 'once upon a time' seriously…" Misaki critiqued. "Also, all the 'stupid,' 'stupider,' and 'stupidest' parts are distracting. I think a good writer shouldn't let their own biased opinions influence the writing style…"

Usami's eyes widened. "MISAKI!"

"I'm just kidding, Usagi-san…" Misaki closed the laptop with a sigh. "…Really… if this is how your friend feels… then… he should have said something, before… and it was his suggestion to begin with. You shouldn't feel bad about not understanding his feelings when he admittedly kept them secret from you. Usagi-san… you're smart in a lot of ways… but sometimes… when it comes to social things… you're just not as observant as others… niichan was your only friend that I ever knew of or noticed… the thought of you having close friends other than him… really strikes me as odd… so… no offense, but… I can't really see you paying so much attention to the feelings of some other 'friend,' unless you really love them… I think it's the same way with your family. It's not necessarily bad. It doesn't mean you're an inconsiderate person… it's just the way Usagi-san is… and… there's probably a reason for it…"

Usami stared at Misaki incredulously. How could someone so dense understand him so well? This was…

This was definitely…

"Misaki…" Usami slid the laptop to the side and wrapped his arms around Misaki, pulling him tightly against his chest. "…Th…thank you."

Misaki frowned, hugging him back. "Usagi-san…" He pulled away. "…Um… let me finish… I may be going a little out of order here… but I still feel like you need to be admonished…"

"Eh?" Usami's eyes widened.

"…See… it's… because I understand that about you… that it… I mean… um… it's… not okay for you to use other people in your books if they want you to stop… um… with me, because I understand you… it's fine, even if I say to knock it off… because there's no harm done… but for niichan or this Hiroki-san… it may be painful… mm… well… maybe not for niichan…" Misaki laughed. "…But… you really should explain yourself to Hiroki-san… err… what's his last name?"

"Ah… Kamijou…"

"Kamijou-sa…" The color drained from Misaki's face.

"…Mm…? Oh… that's right… he was your literature teacher in your freshman year, wasn't he?" Usami frowned. "I forgot…"

"…" Misaki's eyes bulged. "…Wh… what?!"

"…You're right, Misaki… I need to try to contact Hiroki to tell him how I feel and explain myself."

With that said, the novelist quickly hurried out of the room and headed to the phone to call his childhood friend, leaving a very disturbed and confused Misaki behind to dwell on this new information.

Kamijou the Devil…

Was…

In love with Usagi-san…?

He gasped, suddenly, raising a hand to his mouth. 'Maybe THAT'S why he's so crabby all the time-!!! Ah… no, wait… Usagi-san said something about him being with someone, now… right…?'

He frazzled his hair with his hands and let out an exhausted sigh. This was all far too much information to process in such a short time.

+_+_+_+_+

"FATHER!" Sumi slammed his hands down on his father's desk at work, that evening. "I need you to find something out for me!"

"Keiichi? What're you doing here? You know I have a deadline coming up." Sumi Ryouichi muttered without looking up from his typing. "I came here to get away from the family so I can focus, what do you mean by showing up here, out of the blue?"

"I need you to verify something!"

"What is it?" His father looked up, annoyed. "Pork is fine with me."

"THIS ISN'T ABOUT DINNER! I want to know if Usami Akihiko is really truly giving up on his writing!"

Everyone hustling and bustling about the Marukawa Publishing center's 11th floor froze solid and glanced their way.

Sumi's father, who was completely engrossed in his writing, failed to notice. "Hah…? What makes you think that?"

"I overheard his editor and the executive director saying he told them that he's given up on writing. It can't be true! Tell me it isn't!"

"I don't know or care, Keiichi. Tell your mother pork is fine."

"…UGH!" Sumi turned, storming out of the facility. Stupid Misaki. Why wasn't he answering?!

+_+_+_+_+

"…These rumors are just rumors- Usami-san has not yet confirmed nor denied the validity of such claims…"

"…While the sources are said to be reliable, despite that they've stemmed from within the publishing company, it is still mere speculation based on groundless evidence that popular novelist Usami Aki…"

"…Regardless of whether it's a mere publicity stunt or not, popular novelist Usami Akihiko's original and previous works have been selling like hot cakes, as of late…"

Nowaki channel surfed, frowning as the phone rang off the hook.

Hiroki exited the shower, drying his hair with a towel. Annoyed at the relentless ringing of the phone, he walked over to the fax machine, raised the phone, and set it down, hanging up on Usami, who had been calling nonstop for the past three days or so.

"Hiro-san…" Nowaki turned off the TV with a heavy sigh. "You really ought to just answer his calls."

"It was just a telemarketer." Hiroki muttered, continuing to dry his hair, toweling it with all his might before lowering the towel and folding it up, tossing it in the laundry hamper down the hall. He turned to head into the kitchen but Nowaki caught him around the waist, tugging him back into the living room and onto the couch.

"Nowakiiii…" Hiroki muttered, annoyed.

Nowaki raised the remote with his free hand, turning on the TV.

"…is why homosexuals are abnormal and should be frowned upon by society!!!" A man insisted as he slammed his hand down on his desk, then the camera turned to a man who nodded in agreement.

"…That's not what I wanted to show you…" Nowaki's brow twitched and he clicked the 'channel up' button.

"…Popular novelist Usami Akihiko is rumored to be giving up his writing. Various reporters have attempted to inquire as to why the renowned novelist would suddenly put an end to his beloved works, but Usami-sensei has yet to comment. While he has not yet confirmed nor denied these accusations, his fans are left speculating what the meaning behind these rumors may entail… With us now is the president of the Usami Akihiko online fanclub. Ikeda Yumi-san, what are your thoughts on the recent rumors which have been circulating?"

"Um… Usami-sensei has recently promised to surpass his most recent best-selling tragic love story- therefore, some of his fans, myself included, are speculating that because he admittedly required extra inspiration to write such a heart-wrenching tale, he may have found it and has thus delved into a fit of depression… it's no professional opinion, though- just fan speculation…"

Hiroki snagged the remote and turned off the TV, annoyed. "Don't care."

"Hiro-san…"

"I don't!" Hiroki snapped, tossing the remote to the other side of the couch. "Anyway, shower's free."

"Hiro-san…" Nowaki sighed, not letting up on his grip around the slighter man's waist. "…Even though Usami-san hurt your feelings… I think you should answer his calls. And aside from being his friend, you've always adored his works. You told me so, yourself… a dozen times."

"So what? If he decides to quit writing, that's his own problem. He'll deal with it- it's got nothing to do with me." Hiroki huffed.

"How can you say that, Hiro-san? It has everything to do with you. You should at least hear him out."

"Why are YOU encouraging me to talk to him? Aren't you perfectly content to have him out of our lives?"

"But he's not out of our lives, and he's your friend- I don't want you to be sad, Hiro-san… I don't think it's necessarily a good thing to have him gone. He's not really a threat, especially not now, and while he still possesses some traits I'm a bit jealous of, I think I value him as your friend… you're… you're to blame, to an extent, as well… Hiro-san."

"I'm to blame?"

"You never told Usami-san how you felt up to the other day, did you?"

"Of course not! And I wouldn't have told him, then, if he hadn't made you make that face!"

"Please don't pin this on me, Hiro-san… you were the one who was hurting the most."

"I still wouldn't have ever done it if he hadn't been insensitive to our feelings- not just mine, and not just yours- both of us! We went through a lot of shit that's really none of his fucking business! What little I did tell him, those times, when you were gone, I told him in confidence, expecting sympathy and support! I didn't intend for him to use them in his stupid book a few years later! It's not right! He needs to have more consideration for our feelings! If he can grasp that it'd make a tragic story, then he should be able to grasp how painful it was for the two of us! It's not the type of thing you can take lightly or use at your leisure!"

"Hiro-san, stop yelling and becoming upset, I agree with you."

"…" Hiroki fell silent, realizing just how worked up he'd gotten, again. Sighing, he leaned back into Nowaki's hold. "…He pisses me off."

"Then talk to him about it."

"…No." Hiroki turned his head to the side, closing his eyes and Nowaki smiled, burying his nose in Hiroki's neck. "Hiro-san… you're so cute… but so stubborn…"

"I'm not cute! I'm an annoying old man who refuses to listen to his best friend because he's glad to know he's writhing about it."

"Hiro-san, that's horrible!"

"You think I don't know that?!" Hiroki pulled away and stood, flushing when his towel loosened from around his waist and directing his anger at Nowaki for having the audacity to glance down in hopes of its falling off, rather than maintaining constant eye contact.

Nowaki seemed to catch himself and he quickly glanced up to meet Hiroki's gaze, but a mischievous little smile indicated his intentions were anything but pure.

Hiroki glared at him, loosening his hold on the towel and letting it droop down his slender hips. "Well, Nowaki…?" He muttered, untying the knot at his side, slowly. "…Do you want me to return Akihiko's calls…? Or do you want me to spend our day off with you…?"

Nowaki closed his eyes, heaving a heavy sigh. He thought for a moment before looking around to see how many books were lying about the apartment within easy grasping range of Kamijou the devil.

"Hiro-san… I love you… which is why…" The phone rang and Nowaki picked it up on the first ring. "…I want you to talk to him." He raised it up and Hiroki glowered at his lover.

After a quiet moment, Hiroki slowly tied the knot at his waist and reached over, pulling the phone to his ear.

"…What."

Nowaki leaned back on the couch, patting the seat beside him. Hiroki sat down, twisting the cord around his finger.

"…Mm-hmm… mm-hmm… does it cut up bananas without smashing them? … But if the bananas are green, they won't taste good!"

Nowaki eyed his lover, then glanced at the caller I.D.

"No thanks. Call back when you come up with a tool that cuts up bananas without smashing them." Hiroki hung up.

"…I thought it was Usami-san." Nowaki muttered, embarrassed.

"They were trying to sell me another one of those stupid vegetable cutter things!"

"We already own two, I told you not to buy anymore."

"I didn't!"

"But if the salesman had lied and promised that they cut up bananas without smashing them, you would have!"

"…Well… he didn't, so I didn't buy one." Hiroki folded his arms.

"…Weird though… it's been Usami-san all day…"

"Yeah, about that- I'm not talking to you."

"Hiro-san! Call him!"

"Get away from me."

"CALL HIM!" Nowaki held the phone out.

"I'm going to the used book store." Hiroki snapped, standing and heading to his room to get dressed.

"Hiro-san…"

+_+_+_+_+

AN: Well, that's it for chapter 3. Next chapter, Usami will attempt to make amends via abnormal means, thanks to some encouragement from Misaki.