Dreams can come true if you worked hard on it. Every person; man or woman, young or old; can dream about something they wanted to be. Dreams are the reason why people are determined to do something for the greater good. But in order to dream big, you must have hope. Hope is the reason why we have these will,
to remember,
to be brave,
to be creative,
to have wonder,
to have fun,
to have joy,
and many more emotions and of course, the imagination of every human.
Now, now, just because we are talking about these stuff doesn't mean that everything will go out just fine with rainbows and magical sparkling powder.
For we have another bitch in sight. The cold, cruel, and harsh world of reality.
Reality, is the reason why people are beginning to lose hope. The dreams that they wish to achieve are crushed by the cruel reality. Because of these seven deadly sins, reality became a bitch.
It lose their will to dream,
It crushes one's dreams.
Now you wonder why I'm being a bastard with a cold heart, do you?
I know that some of you have a warm and loving reality.
But not me.
Because of reality, it crushed my freedom to be a human.
To be left alone in the dark...
To experience the first bloodshed...
To experience fake love...
To be molested by one of your family members...
To be someone you don't want to be...
Why?
Why?
How much are you all planning to destroy my heart?
Senpai...senpai...
Why can't my heart move on?
You don't love me...
You just played with me...
Poor little Oda, dreaming far and wide.
But reality came, and turned him back into an Onodera.
.
.
.
"Rittie? Rittie?" Yoshino snapped his fingers at the tenth time snapping Onodera out of his trance.
"Hmm?"
"You've been holding onto that notebook for five minutes, Rittie. And you wouldn't respond for three minutes. Are you okay?" Yoshino asked his childhood friend.
"I'm fine. Maybe I'm just cold a little bit."
It's true. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon as they both hang out in a nearby cafe for a quick catch up. But sadly, Onodera was out of the mood in this type of day.
"Sheesh, Rittie. Stop being like that you know."
Onodera just nodded.
Yoshino then took a sip of his coffee as he looked at Onodera and observed him. For the past hour, he was silent and was out of his world. He knew that Onodera was a stubborn one, but he knew him for seventeen years. Of course he and Hatori knew what Onodera had gone through.
"Rittie, you know you could never hide your problems from me. Sure, I'm a bit clueless.."
Onodera snorted.
"Okay...Really clueless. But when it comes to this type of things, you can't hide it from me. Now tell me Onodera Ritsu the problem or so help me, I'm not going to stop until you said it." Yoshino said with a stern mode but gentle voice.
Onodera just sighed. He knew there was no escape. Even if he did, he'll hunt him down until he has his answers. He then said, "Alright. But don't lash out violently or do anything rash or irrational, okay?"
"Alright."
Onodera sighed, "I...I found him..."
"Who?"
"Saga Masamune."
You could feel the sudden chill in the atmosphere of the café. It send shivers to some people's spines. The revelation was too much to bear for Yoshino. He didn't hold any grudge against him, but he was worried for Onodera.
"Where? How?" Yoshino was still shocked.
"Yesterday while doing some work. Turns out he changed his hairstyle and name."
"Tell me..." Yoshino said as he looked into Onodera's emerald eyes, "Who is he?"
"He's the boss of Marukawa's Emerald Editing Department."
"Wait! Don't tell me he's..."
"Yes."Onodera clutched his cup, "He's now...Takano Masamune."
"Holy...cow..." Yoshino said in utter shock, "What happened?"
"At first I was also shocked that he's my former senpai. I thought he's still the same, but he was desperate and was willing to do anything to set things right, I guess. But...I'm just scared...to love again."
Yoshino then put a hand on Onodera's shoulders, "It's not up to me if you want to fall in love again, Rittie. It's up to you. You have my support when it comes to your decisions and I can control Tori from punching his face. Rittie, you deserve to be happy. If you were to ask me, I may agree. Maybe it's time for him to prove if he really loves you."
Onodera then looked at the outside scenery as the rain continues. There was a soft gust of wind that blew in every tree. He then spotted a single cherry blossom petal swaying in the gray skies.
'In the direction of where the wind has gone.'
Slowly, Onodera was beginning to him. At first it was soft that only Yoshino can hear. But then, it started to be heard by a few people.
"In the direction of where the wind has gone, while searching for something.
Let me continue walking without haste, within the flow of time."
Onodera just continued humming without noticing that some of the customers were all looking at him. Yoshino was just listening to the soothing melody that went out through Onodera's lips. It was so sweet and gentle, like it was the angel that was singing to them.
Then the slight open window of the café, the petal came in as it landed at Onodera's open palm.
'I wonder where this petal came from?'
"No matter what weather, the Sakura petals are still beautiful" Yoshino said as he pointed it out.
"It is." Onodera agreed as he smiled a bit.
"Flowers are both beautiful and delicate, but at the same time...fragile. For it can easily be withered, tattered, or played with." Yoshino then close Onodera's hand gently, "But with the right amount of love and care, this flower will remain its beauty."
"I just wonder..." Onodera murmured.
"What?"
"In the crevices of my fading memories are the afterimages of radiance, that from the other side of the pure clear sky, are those countless silly dreams, even choices and options. They would peek its own way from time to time. It only changed its looks, when seasons passed."
'Even our inoocence back then still exist at the corner of my mind, it still feels so very nostalgic. Maybe there's a reason for this?'
"It must be those red strings of fate. Maybe you're really destined to be with him." Yoshino said.
"Now you're being cheesy."
"What can you say? I'm a shoujo manga artist." Yoshino said with a hint of pride.
"Yeah, and that mangaka is soooooo clueless that he didn't even know that there are two guys trying to win his heart. Nice one Yoshino."
Yoshino just sulked. "And please stop calling me 'Yoshino'? Rittie, we're best friends. So please stop being so formal."
"Chiaki then?"
"Yup."
"Alright then...Chiaki." Onodera said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"The rain has stopped." Yoshino said. He then check his watch,"Uwah! It's getting late! It's already 5:40 pm! Tori is gonna kill me!"
He then grab his bag as he put a ¥2000 bill in the table. "I gotta go, Rittie. Sorry for the inconvenience. Here's some of my cover ups."
"See you later Chiaki."
"Bye Rittie."
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Monday came for our fellow editors. It's a good thing that it was the start of the cycle, so hell week was still far from their reach. So the editors work in the Emerald Department are light and moderate. But except for our certain chestnut haired editor who was having problems and his comfort zone out of reach.
Reason? His boss being so cheesy.
What did he do? Cheesy pickup lines.
Then his actions? A kiss in the lips.
Now what? Oh yeah, motivating him or trying to test poor Onodera's patience.
But praise the Lord as everyone thought. It was finally over and they could now go home! And it's still early to do something! yeah!
But not just that. All of his colleagues have plans for dinner or have dates. Example/s:
Hatori called Yoshino (Onodera knows, since you what their relationships are) for a dinner outside,
Kisa was flooded with text by none other than the sparkling shoujo prince, Yukina Kou (Poor Kisa was blushing so hard since Onodera can see every single messages),
He also heard a faint shout with stutter by none other than Yokozawa who was saying something to none other than Kirishima; he said that they'll eat out. After how many minutes of bickering until the end, the great Yokozawa complied (He was forced to with love, since Kirishima threatened/said to him that he will post his picture with the polka-dot apron on Facebook. Huehuehue xD).
What shocks him most is that Mino has plans too! (Was flooded with texts and calls)
And since Onodera and Takano were the oonly ones left, which means...
"Onodera, let's have dinner together."
Bingo! Since no one is left behind...
"Sure...I guess." Onodera complied.
Onodera stood up and followed Takano to the elevator.
As they ride the elevator, the place was filled with awkward silence that was hard to cope. Neither one of them spoke a single word. Except for Takano's fitting cough.
"Hey, are you alright?" Onodera asked his boss.
"I'm fine, just peachy." He said but Onodera could see that he was shivering.
"You didn't bring any coat, didn't you?" Onodera asked.
"I brought it. I just left it upstairs." Takano said as he coughed.
"Baka! You know you're sick then you forgot to bring your jacket!" Onodera then removed his black jacket from his waist as he gave it to him. "Here. It's above my size, so it may fit in you."
Takano could see the pink hue in Onodera's cheek. He smiled as he took the jacket in Onodera's hand, "Umm...Thank you." He then wore the jacket in which his shivering stopped a bit.
Their elevator now reached their destination. They finally walk out of the elevator and into the exit. They walk to the nearest café without noticing the figure watching them in the distance.
"Rit-nii..."
-/-/-/-
They sat on theit respective chairs as they began eating their orders. The tension was so tense and quiet that neither the two of them spoke. Awkward silence is present in their seats. But a certain raven haired editor began to speak.
"We should get to know each other a bit."
Onodera looked at him as he replied, "Sure...I guess..."
"Alright, you first. Shoe size?"
"26.5. You?"
"22. Favorite color?"
"Green."
"Blue. Favorite flower or plants?"
"Cherry Blossoms."
"Well...anything should be fine."
Onodera chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"We just had a normal conversation, and I kinda liked it."
"Yeah. So...you're still planning on taking over your company?"
"Nope. Not anymore." Onodera answered.
"Why?"
"Got disowned last year. They already found a suitable heir."
"Oh...I'm sorry."
"It's fine. No more problems."
Then Takano grabbed a book and opened it.
"What are you doi-mmmph!"
Takano blocked the open book in their faces as Takano kissed him. Onodera closed his eyes without notice as his face turned pink. They now parted for air as Onodera looked away.
"What..." Onodera said in a whisper as his eyes were wide.
"Does that mean...I have a chance?"
"I already told you three days ago. I just need time because it's all too much for me."
Takano then caressed Onodera's soft chestnut locks, "It's alright, Ritsu. I'll wait for as long as it takes."
For the fiirst time in life, Onodera gently smiled, "Thank you...Masamune..."
Ba-dump!
'My heart...' Masamune felt it.
Ba-dump!
'It's beating so hard...' Even Onodera felt it too.
The loud thump of their own hearts.
'This sly, sneaky bastard is so cheesy.' Onodera blushed as he looked away.
'He's such a stubborn idiot. That's why I love him.' Takano thought as he smirked.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Onodera supported Takano to his apartment. Takano was holding Onodera like his life depended on it.
Reason? Takano suddenly collapsed in near their apartment building. So Onodera helped him.
Onodera then took the key to Takano's apartment as he opened it and went inside. Onodera escorted poor Takano in his bedroom as he lied him down. Onodera then grab the nearest thermometer and took Takano's temperature. A minute later, it beeped.
"38.2°C. Congratulations, idiot. You now have a fever, and a fitting cough."
"Well that's harsh." Takano said as he coughed.
"Here."Onodera gave him some water and medicine to drink. Takano drank it and gulped a large amount of water. Then he gave it back to Onodera.
"Thanks."
"Get some shut eye, idiot. You need rest." Onodera said as he grab his bag. But Takano then held his hand.
"Can you stay?"
"I'll just put my things in your living room. I-I'm not g-going anywhere." Onodera stuttered and blushed.
"Thanks..." Takano then drift into his sleep.
'Shesh. This guy...'
Onodera then tucked his blanket. He then went in the living room to put down his stuff. Since there was no work that was loaded onto him, he can focus on nursing Takano back to health.
'This is the first time Takano has begged.'
His phone then vibrated. He then went outside of Takano's apartment as silently as he can. He then saw that the caller was his mother, Onodera Hana. He then answered the phone.
"What is it?"
"Is it wrong for a mother to call his own son, Ritsu?"
"Oh the irony of that situation. What do you really want? If I remember correctly, I had cut all contacts with you last year."
"That's what I'm worried about, son. Why can't you just comply?"
"I have a life, remember that! I chose to be this way. Besides, you don't want a gay of a son. So I did you all a favor and get out of that hell hole!" Ritsu's voice was beginning to raise.
"Ritsu-"
"You never loved me! You never treat me like your son! Why should I expect everything from you?! I was the outsider while you babied my oldest and young sibling! Don't fuck with me, MOTHER! So tell me! Why are you calling me!? So that I can take over the company and be a puppet to be played with! Well let me tell you this...FUCK OFF!"
"Don't talk to your mother with that inappropriate language of yours, Ritsu!" His father, Onodera Chisato, now took the phone.
"She's still your mother!"
"If I remember correctly, again! You already disowned me and throw me away like garbage! Don't joke around me, FATHER!"
"I should be saying that! It's really a good decision to disown you! You're not my son!"
Tears now gathered in Onodera's face. "Fine then." His voice was now shaky.
"Go find yourself a new heir. I hate you all..."
"Ritsu...I-"
"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! FUCK YOU ALL!" Onodera now cried as he slump in the wall. "I thought you all love me...but it's all a lie.I was never your son since the beginning."
Onodera ended the call as he put his cellphone in his pocket. Outside Takano's apartment, Onodera began to bump his head on the wall and cry his whole heart out. But inside, Takano heard everything and could only whisper this word that he knew Onodera would not hear.
"I'll protect you, Ritsu."
-/-/-/-/-/-
Onodera then went inside after three minutes of crying. He went to check on Masamune to see that he was sleeping peacefully. Onodera kneeled down as he held onto Takano's hand.
In a whispered voice he said, "Can a heart be mended?" He then fall asleep.
Takano was awake that time. He held onto Onodera's hand as he caressed his chestnut hair.
With a soft voice he said, "It can, and I will. I'll mend back your heart and give it to you."
Unbeknownst to Takano, Onodera smiled and kept his hand in Takano's.