Chapter 4: Breaking the Ice
Kana knocked on the door to Misaki's room, her strong arms held the clipboard close to her body when she said. "Misaki-kun~ I bring good news!"
Misaki peeked over his book 'The Kan' and he smiled behind the comic book. Out of all of the nurses attending him, she was the one who wasn't afraid to talk to him and push people out to give him privacy. On the occasions he needed his bandages checked and she gave him a sponge bath, she didn't make the situations awkward. He was glad Akihiko wasn't there when the nurse had to do this, the man got insanely jealous of anything with a pulse touching him.
Getting the information on a male nurse washing him was going to get the man killed. The man had enough money to make anyone disappear without a trace. Excluding his older brother who raised him since childhood of course.
Akihiko never behaved impolitely in front of his old friend. Misaki didn't believe Takahiro would notice Akihiko being an asshole even if he was paying attention.
He still wanted to talk to his brother about what happened the first day he woke up. Even if two weeks of boredom passed, Misaki didn't forget how his brother acted by the end of his visit. He wanted to understand if it was anger on another person or it was something else. He feared the worst outcome, which was why he didn't dare call him back.
Kana checked the clipboard when she told him. "You are ready to be discharged from the hospital, your ribs will still be sore for a few more weeks, your scratches are almost gone and you can use crutches to walk around. How does that sound?"
Misaki smiled big as he exclaimed. "That's great! Although I am glad to leave, it's just the boredom which made me want to get out of here quicker."
"No one has visited you Misaki-kun?"
"On my first day when I was awake but other than that I have been eating, sleeping and watching the TV in the corner of the room." Misaki sighed as he closed his comic book and placed it on his lap. "I would even like to have the company of Professor Kamijou to relieve my boredom."
Kana giggled as she tapped her clipboard with her pen. "I have yet to meet Kamijou-san; Kusama-sensei told me he is the cutest person he has ever seen with the shyest personality towards new people."
Misaki stared at her in shock. "What- I don't understand, he's the devil!"
"Is he? I mean everyone has a different side to them than what they present to the public. So I can't judge Kamijou-san by rumors alone, I have to meet him first." Kana explained to Misaki, she walked to his I.V drip and checked if it needed to be changed. "You can decide when to leave Misaki-kun, today or tomorrow."
Misaki asked her. "What if Professor Kamijou isn't as different as the rumors?"
"Hmm...Then that's how it is, but know that minds change all of the time." She heard the intercom ask for a nurse to go to another department, she informed Misaki. "I have to go, just call whoever is coming to pick you up by telling another nurse to give you the phone. I can send someone here as soon as I find a nurse passing by if you want."
Misaki nodded his head. "That would be helpful; I think I know who to call to come get me."
Kana smiled at him before she walked out the door and a few minutes later a different nurse walked inside of his room. Misaki asked her to call Akihiko Usami's number and if he doesn't answer to call Eri Aikawa.
He trusted Aikawa to keep him company at her place while he waited for Akihiko to pick him up. Besides, he knew she would be one the few relieved he was getting better. He understood her job kept her from visiting him no matter how worried she could be, Akihiko on the other hand...he ditched working on his novels on a constant basis.
Misaki hadn't seen the author for two weeks as well and he didn't want to admit he was somewhat pissed the man's absence. Out of all of the people that demanded to see him, he was the one Misaki expected to be here by his side every single day.
He blushed when he thought about it, he denied being in a relationship with Akihiko yet he missed his pushy caring side.
The nurse told him Akihiko didn't answer the phone, Misaki assumed Akihiko had a deadline and Aikawa made sure he was stuck at home to finish it. She then said Aikawa was coming here to get him and Misaki crossed Akihiko having a deadline out the window but at least he had a while to relax before he went home.
Misaki asked the nurse. "Um...do you know when to just walk out of here or does Aikawa-san have to sign me out?"
She answered politely. "Well all you have to do is get your escort to sign the document and you sign it after. It isn't anything complicated."
Misaki sighed with a smile. "Oh good, I don't know if I can handle anything other than the doom of my class work. Man I can already see the piles of papers I have to finish, it's not like my arms are broken anyway."
The nurse stifled a chuckle when she guessed. "University student?"
Misaki nodded his head as she patted his hand. "I don't envy that one bit; after university just be glad you don't have to write unnecessary essays anymore."
"I have to wait until the last day and I will dance in joy." Misaki told her as the nurse shook her head with a smile and giggled at his comment.
Misaki blushed when he realized something; he just made a woman giggle and not the regular giggling either. He didn't think he could charm a girl especially someone older than him. In school he never got a girl's attention, they always went towards the popular guys over him.
It was not like he would ask her on a date, it just meant he can do it and Akihiko wasn't the only one to fall for his charm. Or anyone else in the Usami clan two which entered his mind at that very moment: Kaoruko and Haruhiko Usami.
His day was going towards a good start and he couldn't be happier.
He still held onto the nurse's giggle being something other than being amused by him. Just to make the rest of day better than it should be.
Nowaki smiled when he saw Hiroki walking through the door of the break room holding a plastic bag, he smelled the food coming from inside of it. His happiness doubled upon seeing him, he didn't like staying apart from his Hiro-san. He waited on his spot as Hiroki walked closer to his side, he didn't seem sad. Well not as much as when Hiroki left to go visit his parents.
This lasted for almost two weeks. The most painful wait other than this small amount of time was his whole year abroad to America.
From discovering the long hidden secret of the Kamijou clan. He couldn't comfort his beloved without giving out how he found out about it. Pushing him on the issue wouldn't benefit him. Hiroki wouldn't say a thing and he wanted him to explain everything on his own. He hoped it was soon. Keeping this secret did a number on his subconscious.
Nowaki was shocked when Hiroki called to say he was staying longer with his parents, it usually only lasted one week and he never questioned it. His bed felt so cold without holding Hiroki in his arms but what he didn't know was Hiroki felt the same when he slept in his old bed.
He pulled Hiroki close as he said. "It's been a while, Hiro-san."
Hiroki blushed as he looked away, he just had to look into the fool's eyes and hear that sensual voice at the same time. "Yeah...family business does come first."
Nowaki didn't ask him about it as he kissed the back of Hiroki's hand. "I understand, at least you called me when you said you were staying a while longer. I would've been worried if you didn't walk inside our home on Sunday."
"Well...I knew you were going to worry yourself ragged if I didn't tell you anything..."
Nowaki smiled. "What's for lunch?"
Hiroki placed the bag right next to Nowaki as he tried to stop those wandering hands from stopping on his ass. "My mother made a lot of home cooked food for me to take home; when she gets into her funks she either drinks lemonade or forces me to help her make food."
"Wait...so you helped your mom with lunch?" Nowaki asked, Hiroki nodded as he kept his eyes away from Nowaki. "How adorable!"
"Shut up!" Hiroki hit the back of Nowaki's head with his hand.
"Ow..." Nowaki pouted and he let slip out. "So what did you and your family do for two weeks?"
Hiroki paused his hand from hitting Nowaki again while digging one of his hands onto his shoulders. "Why do you want to know?"
Nowaki rethought what he said and he paled, he really was not supposed to know about that. Okay...he had to play cool and not cave in then spill all of the truth to Hiroki. He hated being a secret keeper to his own lover but Hiroki would overreact and think he used a chance to exploit his secrets when he was half-asleep.
"I'm just curious, you rarely talk about your family in general but other than the package of fruit they send I know nothing else."
"..."
"Hiro-san?"
Hiroki stood frozen as he stared at the wall behind Nowaki; the giant waved his hand in front of his face when he drawled out. "Hiro-san~ Are you alright?"
Without looking at him, Hiroki moved Nowaki's hand from his face, he muttered. "I'm fine."
"I missed you so much."
Hiroki looked down at Nowaki as a blush warmed his cheeks, Nowaki sighed in relief. He embraced Hiroki and nuzzled his face onto his abdomen, smiling when Hiroki didn't push him away like he assumed. It did surprise him how one little phrase immobilized Hiroki; the man couldn't come up with a witty or sarcastic response to stop Nowaki from continuing.
The truth was Hiroki's happiness doubled or even tripled on Nowaki lavishing him with affection.
Being the man he was, it will be a few more months before he told Nowaki he had this emotion on a certain day. The effect dimmed enough so Nowaki wouldn't go all mushy crazy on him.
"...I...I sort of missed you."
"Eh! Sort of?"
"I had my parents to keep me company so no I was not lonely." Why the hell am I lying? The idiot can see right through my ruse so what's the point!
Nowaki rubbed up and down Hiroki's back. "Is that so?"
"Yes it is."
"Then you didn't feel lonely falling asleep by yourself?"
"No."
"How about taking baths together?"
"Hell no."
"You didn't miss my kisses when we first wake up in the morning?"
"...No."
Nowaki chuckled. "You are lying Hiro-san."
Hiroki took his hand off of Nowaki so he could cross his arms on his chest. "Then the point of the questions was because...?"
"To see if you would keep lying and acting so cute."
"...I have to stop encouraging you to ask me questions."
"But you always told me if I have a question not to be afraid to ask it," Nowaki told him as he smiled. "Don't say you didn't because you do the same thing to me when I come back from a trip and demand me to do so."
"..Fine, you win. For now." Hiroki pointed to the bag beside Nowaki. "I brought that for you, so I'm going to go and make it to work before Miyagi starts hassling me about my break."
Nowaki's face fell and darkened when he heard Miyagi's name. "Do you answer all of his questions?"
"Pfft no!" Hiroki removed Nowaki's arms from his body when he answered. "He is just an idiot who likes to pry into my business, our personal business to be exact."
Nowaki's eyes sparkled and his smile appeared on his face again. He said our! Our business! Take that Miyagi the home wrecker!
Hiroki noticed his sudden change of mood as he sighed. Nowaki really found anything about him to gush about and he really didn't understand how Nowaki did it. Hiroki saw Nowaki's gorgeous smile and Hiroki melted, Nowaki was seriously a unique man.
"Look just eat whatever and tell me which ones you liked. Mom told me to give her some information on which ones you liked, or you can call her yourself."
"I'll call her, I like talking to your mother."
Hiroki turned around and went out the door, Nowaki exclaimed. "I love you~"
Hiroki covered his face with his hand, he peeked over his shoulder to say. "I love you too." He ran out the door leaving Nowaki to bask in the words Hiroki told him just then, oh how he loved that man so.
Aikawa wrapped her arms around Misaki's shoulders lightly when she asked him. "Are you sure you want to leave this early? The nurses and doctor did tell you tomorrow are another option you can take."
Misaki told her. "I'd rather leave and get an early start on my homework, I'm sure my email account is filled with the information on them." He groaned. "That I am not looking forward to at all..."
She smiled at him as she checked her phone. "I left Usami-sensei a message I would be picking you up, I wonder what's taking him so long to call back."
"Wait...doesn't he have a book due?"
"No, he finished it the first week you were here in the hospital. I managed to corner him in his office and convince him to write everything before I inform a certain brother of his to come and see you."
Misaki stared at her in shock when she waved her hand. "I wasn't going to in the first place; I'm not that cruel to do that to you Misaki."
"Good."
"I don't have his number anyway."
Misaki saw her sign the release form when she continued. "Afterwards, I expected him to come running here when he handed me the manuscript. I was surprised to see him lean back and start up another smoke, I saw a whole ashtray filled with cigarette butts."
"I'm going to make sure to throw away the rest of his cigarettes when I get home."
Aikawa sighed as she handed Misaki the form. "I don't know where he keeps those things, do you?"
"Not really, I just see a packet in his office and throw it away but a few hours later another one is inside of his mouth."
"Man...Misaki can I ask you something?"
"Yeah go right ahead." Misaki sighed his name on the form and he placed it on the counter, Aikawa started to wheel him towards the elevator.
"Well you see..."
Hiroki bumped into them when he walked towards the same elevator as Misaki froze in his wheelchair; the one person to ruin his day was right in front of him! Aikawa pushed the button to the elevator as she said. "I haven't seen you in forever Kamijou-san, how have you been?"
Misaki's eyes widened as he stared back and forth between Hiroki and Aikawa, the professor answered amicably. "Just fine, how about you?"
"Perfect to be exact, that lazy author actually managed to turn his manuscript in time!"
Hiroki arched a brow. "So Bakahiko isn't making you want to commit suicide because he is late on his books? What sort of miracle made this possible?"
Aikawa pointed down at Misaki. "It might because Misaki has been in the hospital and he must be worried out of his mind. I can't think of another reason."
Hiroki stared at Misaki when he asked. "Him?"
"Oh yes didn't you know? Misaki is Usami-sensei's lover! They are just so cute together don't you think?"
"I suppose," Hiroki said as the elevator doors opened and he walked inside, he went towards the right side to give Misaki and Aikawa some room.
Suddenly it got quiet as Hiroki tapped his foot on the floor, Aikawa checked her phone again and Misaki tried to stare at anything than his professor. He wanted to sink through the floor to stay clear of what he thought was tense silence; the other two adults in the elevator didn't think there was any.
Hiroki broke the silence when he asked Misaki. "How are you feeling Takahashi?"
Misaki turned to him and answered. "I-I'm recovering quickly, I just have to use the crutches they will give me downstairs. My ribs still hurt though."
"The soreness will go away in a few more weeks, don't worry about it."
Aikawa asked with a wicked smile. "You know this because of your lover isn't it Kamijou-san?"
Hiroki glared at her. "No. I used to be in kendo and got hit in the chest on a daily basis when I didn't have my guard up. Unless they have a crack or a fracture then it's when you can't even breathe properly without damaging then further thus preventing another few weeks of recovery."
She didn't believe him as she teased him. "Don't lie, I'm sure you dabbed into your lover's medical books for something to know to impress him."
Hiroki gave up on her as he kept his eyes on the elevator doors. "Believe what you want, I'm not like one of those idiotic guys in your BL novel fantasies."
Misaki instantly felt a small connection with Hiroki, he hated BL novels too! Especially the ones Akihiko wrote about him being so out of character!
"I still need to kick Akihiko's ass because of those Junai Egoist books."
Misaki inquired in confusion, he never heard of those books. "Junai Egoist?"
Hiroki stared down at Misaki. "Out of all of the people living with him you should know the characters in those wretched books. I'm the Hiroki and my lover is the Nowaki in the Junai Egoist book series." He rubbed the bridge of his nose as he sighed. "The idiot still doesn't get the respect of fucking privacy and it's been pissing me off."
Misaki sighed as well. "I get what you mean; he doesn't listen to reason and does everything for his own benefit."
"Exactly, at least he puts out one of those books once a year. I don't have to worry about him making me way out of character."
Aikawa saw the exchange and noticed from behind that both guys looked the same. The hairstyle, their mannerisms, the hatred of Akihiko's BL novels, but the difference of dealing with said author was remotely different. When she saw them together, she thought they were brothers at that moment.
Misaki looked nothing like Takahiro and she had met him a few times before. Both Misaki and Takahiro were completely different poeple except Misaki gaining the slight naive tendencies Takahiro had or still continued to show.
If Takahiro wasn't in the picture, Aikawa would have sworn Misaki was Hiroki's younger brother.
The elevator doors opened as Aikawa wheeled Misaki out and Hiroki followed beside them.
She asked Misaki. "Where did the nurse say to go get your crutches?"
Misaki tried to remember and he freaked out. "I forgot! I'm so sorry Aikawa-san!"
Hiroki scoffed. "Ask a nurse for them, you don't have to go anywhere specific to get them. I'll go ask that girl over there." Misaki saw Hiroki walk towards Kana who smiled at him when he started talking to her; Hiroki scratched the back of his head thinking. Why the hell is this girl smiling at me? I'm Demon fucking Kamijou for damn sake. My face scares people!
She ran out of sight and returned with a pair of crutches and handed them to Hiroki. Hiroki thanked her as he walked away and handed them to Misaki.
Misaki mumbled. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Hiroki checked his watch as he told them. "I have to return to work, it's been nice seeing you again Aikawa. Get better quick Takahashi."
He walked away towards the door as Aikawa smiled. "He's such a kind man when given the chance."
Misaki held the crutches close when he said. "Yeah, he sort of is."
Kana remembered the folder in her arms Katakura-sensei specifically told her to give to Hiroki. The doctor didn't give her any reason as to why this folder was important but she was serious when handing it to her. She almost face palmed at forgetting about it, when he asked for the crutches she should've given it to him.
She ran to Misaki, she handed it to him. "Misaki can you give this to your brother, the doctor told me he needed this information after Nowaki asked her about it."
Misaki tilted his head. "Brother? My brother wasn't here with me."
Kana pointed to the retreating form of Hiroki. "Him. He's your brother right?"
Misaki stared at the folder, then to Hiroki back towards Kana's face. His mind developed a blank as he tried to process the information inside of his mind.
Aikawa's mouth dropped. "Are you sure? I mean, his brother is Takahiro Takahashi."
Kana informed her. "Not by the blood work, Hiroki Kamijou is his brother and the lab technicians checked the DNA of both Kamijou parents who came here last year for their blood work."
"Wait so..." Aikawa patted Misaki's shoulder. "Isn't this great! You have another brother!"
Kana asked. "Um...I think it's best to get Kamijou-san back here. You know what, I'll go get him be right back." She ran away from them to catch up to Hiroki as Aikawa stared down at Misaki.
"Hello?" She snapped her fingers in front of Misaki's face. "Misaki? Are you okay? Answer me!"
Misaki managed to exclaim in shock. "WHAT?"
TBC