Chapter 3

Normal POV

Yokozawa placed a hand on Onodera's shoulder as if he was attempting to comfort him

"I am sorry; please go gather your things"

"I-I understand" Onodera said before walking back to his desk. Everyone saw Onodera stare at his desk for a minute or so before letting out the biggest sigh they could imagine.

They continued watching in silent as Onodera grabbed an empty box from the side and put it on his desk

"Oi, Riichan? Are you ok? What are you doing?" Kisa asked really concerned for his friend and it growing even more so when he had not answered

"Onodera" Takano said getting his attention,

"What are you doing? You have a manuscript to edit still" Takano finished trying to use his normal tone of voice but ended up sounding concerned

"I…I'm sorry Takano-San" Onodera said looking to his desk, "But… I don't work for you anymore" Onodera finished.

Everyone in the Emerald Department had wide eyes and/or gasped at what the young editor was saying.

"…What?" Takano asked as everyone was too shocked to say anything. He saw Onodera start to put his belongings from his desk into the box. This caused Takano to get up and walk towards him

"What do you mean?" he asked grabbing Onodera's arm gently

Still looking at his desk, Onodera sighed, "Takano-San… please let go of my arm" Onodera said quiet but it was somewhat harsh

"Onodera" Takano said not letting go. He had to know what was up. He had to know why Onodera's quitting. Was it so he doesn't want to see him and go be with his fiancé?

"Let go" Onodera said a little harsher

"Onodera, you can't just—" Takano started when Onodera looked to him with tears running down his face

"I just want to forget everything!" Onodera yelled ripping his arm free from Takano's slacked grip and ran out.

He ran right into Yokozawa and with his head down he sighed

"Don't worry Yokozawa-San, I'll move out of my apartment as soon as I find another one" Onodera said in such a depressed tone that could make the coldest person feel sorry for him. Before Yokozawa could say anything, Onodera ran to the elevator and got in

"What did you do to Onodera?"

Yokozawa looked next to him to see Takano stand next to him.

"Did you fire him?" Takano asked hoping that wasn't true because Yokozawa was his friend and he wouldn't want to start to hate his friend.

"No I didn't. I know what's wrong, but I can't tell you" Yokozawa said

"And why not?"

"It's not my story to tell. Ask Onodera. Well I have nothing left to do, so I'm off" Yokozawa said going to the elevator to wait for it to return to his floor

Onodera's POV

I just… couldn't… believe… he went this far. I clenched my eyes as tears were still falling some. I opened my eyes and narrowed them to read it once more

'Onodera Ritsu

I've got some interesting information from Kohinata-San. I can't understand why you would give up your
fiancé for one of the same gender. This is the most sinful disgraceful thing you could do to me. You're a huge disappointment to the family. You also say that you hate my company and its workers? I never seen such disgrace from a family member in my entire life. If you think you'll be welcomed back in my family, think again. You don't deserve it. You don't deserve to be an editor. From now on you're fired and you'll never acquire any positions available at any other editing company in Japan. I'll make sure of it if it's the last thing I do. Have fun with your disgusting mistake of being a faggot.

'Onodera Naoki'

"Th-this isn't fair" I mumbled wiping my tears. I can… never be an editor again. Hell, I can't even become a janitor in any editing company… that was so unfair. How is falling in love bad? Couldn't he just open his eyes to see how much I love Takano-San? I blushed from the thought and had more tears fall. I hurt Takano-San… I've hurt him so bad over the last ten years. I bet those were the questions Takano-San asked himself everyday for the last ten years. Then it hit me.

"I… don't deserve Takano-San" I mumbled out as I made my way out of the elevator and out the building. I went straight home and fell on my couch. I was too depressed to do anything… didn't even take off my shoes. All I just want to do is try to sleep it off. I tried to fall asleep… I tried so hard. I opened my clenched eyes again and sighed and looked to the time. It's been an hour since I tried to fall asleep. Why was this so damn difficult? Maybe a half an hour passed and finally I was on the verge of sleeping and then wouldn't you know it, the door bell rang. Maybe if I ignore it, they would eventually go away. But they were persistent. I clamped my hands over my ears and the door bell kept ringing and ringing until I snapped

"God damn it all!" I yelled getting up to walk to the door

"Takano-San if that's you please leave. I seriously need to be alone" I said hoping he would leave me to some highly needed time alone. I really needed to think a lot of things over. 10+ years worth of things

"It's not Masamune"

I was shocked at the familiar voice and opened my door and gave the person a small glare

"What are you doing here Yokozawa-San?" I asked. This man hated me. Why the hell was he here? Was he going to rub it in my face that… I'm finally fired and moving out? Was he happy that he thinks that I'll leave Takano-San alone so he could 'heal properly' like he attended?

I stopped my thoughts when he held up a bag full of canned beer with his index and his middle finger

"It seems you need to vent. Masamune told me that you're very talkative when you're drunk" he said and I glared more

"…Why? You hate me" I said. I could see he's sincere but I'm not in the mood to drink whatsoever. I watched him take out a beer and waved it in front of my face

"You just got fired; anyone in your shoes would want to drink. Also this ain't costing you anything. It's free" he said in the 'come and get it' tone

I could help but glare at him. Manipulative bastard! I snatched the taunting beer can from his hand and offered him to come in. We ended up sitting on my floor next to the wooden coffee table. I took a gulp of beer and looked to Yokozawa-San who did the same thing and was confused

"Why are you trying to help me? Aren't you supposed to be happy?" I asked

"What do you mean?" Yokozawa asked in confusion

"I'm not working for Takano-San anymore and planning to move out. Isn't that what you wanted? For me to finally leave Takano-San alone?" I asked and he sighed and shook his head

"I've misjudged you"

"What…?" I asked completely and utterly shocked and confused. Yokozawa admitting that was like hell freezing over. He was one to always believe what he thinks is right no matter what and would never say otherwise. Plus didn't he think that I was scum… for… hurting Takano-San?

"I was here last night" he said

"So you were stalking me" I said suspiciously… he knew about—

"No, I was on my way to Masamune's. Remember he lives right next to you." He said gulping the can of beer he had, "I overheard you and your fiancé fight"

"Ex fiancé" I corrected bitterly before drinking my second can of beer

"Yeah I know. I just wanted to tell you that you were very brave" he said sitting forward and I sighed

"So what now? You like me or what?" I asked not exactly knowing where he's coming from

"No." was the simple answer that anyone could say but Yokozawa decided to enhance it

"I have to admit I still have feelings for Masamune. I'm jealous that he gave his heart to you and only you. I don't like you because of that and really want to hate you, but I can't. God knows I really want to, but I can't. Not anymore" Yokozawa said and I had always known he had some sort of hidden feelings for Takano-San, but I can't help but feel bad. He tossed a can of beer to me and I sighed

"I'm sorry Yokozawa-San" I said as he swallowed the beer he had in his mouth

"No, it's ok. I always can move on. But neither of you moved on after 10 years. I can't get in the way of that. Even I don't think I have the guts to do what you did to your ex fiancé. You were so brave and so in love with Takano-San"

"That I really didn't want to hurt him" I finished and looked to him and sighed

"It's not right that your father disowned you liked that and destroyed your dreams" Yokozawa said and I downed a couple more beers starting to feel the effects of it

"I am upset that I can't live my dream but…" I said smiling, "but I can't help but be happy at the same time" I said obviously shocking Yokozawa-San as he had wide eyes

"…What?"

"I know I hurt Takano-San in the pat by that stupid misunderstanding, but, I just realized something. Now that I'm free from my family and An-Chan and having shit forced down my throat, I finally could stop hurting Takano-San. I finally could be the person he needs and wants me to be. I can finally stop being a burden to him" I said smiling. Takano-San can stop being hurt by me. He finally could be happy.