Hey! How has everyone's week been? My week has been terrible. Too many projects and homework. It will be the death of me one day. I know . Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 4: Last Days

The mysterious man smiled and responded, "How rude of me to not introduce myself. My name is Onodera Keisuke. I am Ritsu's older brother."

…

Silence threaded the room. Everyone was in complete shock at what they heard.

The click-clacking of a phone dropping onto the floor boomed throughout the whole room. Kisa's mouth was wide open and his eyes popped out. Hatori was able to maintain a somewhat good composure, if that is what you call almost tripping on fallen manuscripts when he was walking back to his desk. Mino lost his smile for a fraction of a second before going to back to normal. Masamune's hand was frozen in place, his eyes bulged out, mouth widened, and his glasses became a little lopsided. Ritsu was shaking his head in complete horror. 'Baka! I can't believe he had to say that out loud.'

Keisuke had a million dollar smile on his face and was laughing through his eyes at all the hilarious reactions he did not expect to see.

Ritsu yelled, "Kei-nii! Why did you have to tell everybody that?"

Keisuke raised an eyebrow and stared at his younger brother curiously. "You must have told a few people in this room about your family."

The brunet let out an annoyed sigh and replied, "I didn't. Do you have a problem with that?"

Keisuke shook his head in mock disapproval. "You never change do you?"

Ritsu rolled his eyes at his older brother. "Kei-nii, what are you doing here?"

Keisuke asked, "Why do you think I am here?"

Ritsu raised two fingers to his forehead to massage the oncoming headache. "Mother and Father heard, didn't they?"

Keisuke gave a small laugh and replied, "I wouldn't be here if they didn't. They sent me here to find out why you don't want to."

Ritsu's emerald eyes widened at hearing those words. Scrambling through every depths of his mind to find an answer to that question, but none came. The question his family want him to answer, 'why?' Why… Ritsu did not want to answer that. Why, well… it meant revealing his secret love for Masamune. No one can know. If anyone did, it would only lead to thousands of complications.

Ritsu glanced at the clock to see it was already about 1 o'clock, time for a lunch break. In a distressed tone, he said, "Kei-nii, can we go somewhere else to talk? It is lunch and we can go to a café or something, but lets leave. I don't want to discuss anything concerning our family here."

Keisuke sighed and answered, "Sure, lets go. There is a lot to talk about. I am going to the car first. You should know which one it is." Keisuke turned towards everyone in the office and gave a blinding smile. "It is nice meeting you. Sorry for the inconvenience. I will be taking Ritsu now." And with that, he walked out the door.

Sighing was common for Ritsu right now, so he gave another loud sigh before bowing his head for to apologize. "Sorry for that. My brother just wants take care of my parent's order. If you will excuse me now, I am going off for lunch." Ritsu grabbed his satchel and walked out.

Everyone in the office started whispering about what they just found out. The Sapphire department girls came rushing into the room to gossip along with the rest of the men. When the women saw Keisuke arrive on the floor, they were shocked at how deviously handsome he was. To add to the shock, he asked where Emerald, also known as the maiden department was, which made the women fantasize about him and one of the men in the office, well you know… doing it.

Kisa whispered, "Ri-chan has a brother! He has a handsome face too." 'Not as handsome as Yukina though, maybe…'

One of the women responded, "I know! Do you think Onodera-san and him have a forbidden relationship?"

Another woman squealed loudly, "OOOO! That would be so hot! I love to see that with my own eyes." All the women's eyes started to sparkle at that thought.

Everyone was out of their shock, except for Masamune. He was still completely astonished that Ritsu had a brother. 'I never knew Ritsu had a brother. Well… I don't know that much about him. I wish he would tell me everything about him. I want to know. Why did Ritsu sound so jumpy and distressed when his brother showed up? Is he hiding something? What is going to happen?' Masamune stared at the doorway of the office. His forehead crinkled with worry. 'Why do I feel so terrified?'

While the Emerald department was in utter chaos with all the people gossiping and not caring about their work, things were probably even worse with the two Onoderas. Ritsu and Keisuke were currently at a café called, "Dream Café." They were sitting at the opposite ends of a small round table, facing each other. The atmosphere was not light, but it was not heavy either.

Keisuke said, "Ritsu, why don't you want to come back? Mother and Father really want you to."

Ritsu sighed for the 100th time today before responding, "You wouldn't understand, Kei-nii."

Keisuke was very worried about his younger brother right now. Ritsu gave off a melancholy air and his normally shining emerald eyes lost its light and were a dull forest green. Not a very pretty color. "Try me. You know you can always talk to me."

Ritsu glanced at his older brother. Trusting his brother was not the issue. He told Keisuke about "Saga-senpai" in the past and was comforted by him, but the situation was different now. "I know that, but if I told you why I don't want to go back home, you would yell at me instead of comforting me. I know I have a responsibility, but right now… you just wouldn't understand how I feel right now."

Keisuke looked at his brother with gentle and caring eyes. He could see his brother was terrified and was on the verge of breaking. "Ritsu, come on. I won't yell at you. Tell me… I want to help you." He reached over and patted Ritsu's soft brown locks.

Ritsu looked down, so that his bangs would cover his eyes. He gripped his pants tightly and bit the edge of his lower lip. "I-I am in love with somebody."

Keisuke was surprised hear that. He thought his younger brother would never love anybody again after his first love broke his heart into pieces. "Really… who?"

Biting his lips harder and starting to fidget under his older brother's stare, he whispered out what he had to say. "Takano-san… my boss at work. The one with raven-colored hair who asked you what you were doing here and also…" He lowered his voice till it was barely audible, "my first love."

Even though the voice was soft and hard to hear, Keisuke was able to catch everything his brother said, but he thought he heard it wrong. "Excuse me. Could you say that again? I think I heard you wrong. You said first love."

Ritsu replied in a low voice, "That's right. Takano-san is my first love or more well-known to you as, 'Saga-senpai.'"

Keisuke looked at his brother with complete confusion. "Why would you love somebody who hurt you so terribly? He played with you, Ritsu."

Ritsu was still not facing his brother because he did not want to see how his older brother was reacting to what he was saying. "I-it was my fault. I was i-insecure and was mistaken. He wasn't laughing at me. Takano-san was just nervous. He really does love and care about me. He still loves me."

Keisuke groaned at the brunet's predicament. He said, "Ritsu… how much do you love him?"

Ritsu's grip on his pants became even tighter. He responded honestly, but hesitantly, "I-I love him a lot."

Seeing his younger brother's uneasiness, Keisuke knew what he had to say. It was not like he had a problem with the fact his brother was in love with a man. He could care less. The problem was something else. He reached over to grasp his brother's shoulder and said, "Look up Ritsu." The brunet hesitantly lifted his head to look at his brother. Keisuke continued, "Ritsu, I can see that you love him and I don't have a problem with that. I am actually happy that you are in love with somebody again, but you know you have a responsibility. I would take your place because I know you would rather be here, but Mother and Father only want you to be the heir and I can understand that because you are the perfect child for it. Also, you know that Takano-san cannot be with you forever. He is not…you know… one of us. Ritsu… don't keep on suffering."

While Keisuke was talking, tears were swelling up in the corners of Ritsu's eyes. One wet tear dripped onto the surface of the hardwood table. Keisuke spotted the fallen tear and was sad to see his younger brother in so much pain, but he knew he had to take Ritsu back. It doesn't have to be now, but at most in a few weeks. He got up from his chair and went over to Ritsu's side. Kneeling down and rubbing the brunet's back, he said comforting words to his brother. "I know it hurts right now, but everything will be okay. I swear. Everything will be fine."

Ritsu murmured, "I really love him."

Keisuke said soothingly, "I know you do, but it can never be possible. You know that. Ritsu, I will give you three weeks. When those three weeks are over, you must come back home. It is either this or Mother and Father will use brute force to make you come back home, not even giving you three weeks to say goodbye."

No choice and only three weeks. It is better than having to leave now. Ritsu whispered, "Okay. I understand. Three weeks is enough, but you can't shorten it. Give me three weeks."

Still rubbing Ritsu's back to calm to the young man down, Keisuke responded, "Alright. I will be staying at Maiko and Akito's during these three weeks."

The brunet nodded his head to show he was listening. Right now, Ritsu was in no shape to go back to work, so Keisuke said, "Ritsu, call in to tell your boss that you are not coming in for the rest of the day. Show me around. Lets just talk and forget about reality for awhile."

Ritsu sighed and responded, "Okay. Let me call Takano-san."

Ritsu reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his phone. He pressed speed dial number 2. He would never admit or tell anyone he had Masamune's number on speed dial. After waiting for a few moments, the voice he wanted to hear answered. "Hello, Takano speaking."

Ritsu murmured, "T-Takano-san, it's me, Onodera."

Masamune could hear sadness in his lover's voice. He responded, "Onodera, what's wrong?"

Ritsu stuttered, "N-nothing. I just wanted to tell you, I'm not going to come back to work today."

Masamune could tell there was something bothering Ritsu, but decided to press on about it, since Ritsu obviously did not feel like talking about it. He replied, "Okay. See you later. Bye." Lowering his voice, so only Ritsu could hear, he said, "I love you," and then hung up.

I love you. Those words resounded throughout Ritsu's mind. He loved hearing those words and it always made him blush crazily, which he was right now, but it also placed some misery into the atmosphere.

Keisuke could feel the air become heavier and the temperature of the room became slightly colder. Internally thinking about how everything was so complicated right now. He truly felt sorry for Ritsu because he had to deal with so many people and expectations to the point that what he wants in his life, it meant nothing. Keisuke said, "Lets go, Ritsu." The two paid for their food and drinks and left.

The days passed by too quickly for Ritsu. Three weeks were going to come to an end soon. Ritsu did his best to spend his last three weeks well with Masamune. Ritsu acted differently whenever he was around Masamune. He was not acting coldly, but rather lovingly and shy towards Masamune and it really scared the man to see his beloved like this. He could tell something was going on in Ritsu's life, but every time he asked what was wrong, he would never get the straight answer he wanted, so he decided to leave it alone.

Most of the time, Ritsu would end up at Masamune's apartment during the night for rounds and rounds of love-making. It just happened.

Ritsu only had six days left and today was a Saturday. Luckily, Masamune and Ritsu were able to get off of work early because it was the beginning of the cycle, meaning things were not stressful at the moment. Masamune said he wanted to take Ritsu to the park because it would be nice and quiet, so they can talk about anything. Ritsu wanted to go, but at the same time he didn't. After some coaxing he finally agreed to go.

Masamune dragged Ritsu to his most favorite park, which were only a few blocks from Marukawa. Arriving at the park, Ritsu could see why Masamune loved this place. It felt so fresh and calm.

By the time they reached the park, it was around 10:00. It was early compared to normal times the editors would get off of work. Masamune still did not let Ritsu's hand go and kept it clasped in his hands. He said, "Ritsu, I want to show you something."

Ritsu glanced at Masamune curiously and stuttered, "O-okay,"

Masamune chuckled and took Ritsu to the place he wanted to show him. When the two got there, Ritsu was stunned at what he saw because it was beautiful and it also reminded him that his last days here with Masamune were soon coming to an end.

Pink petals floated down from the tree onto the floor. The fragrance was sweet and gentle. The moonlight illuminating it. Beautiful. Not even that can describe its wonder and beauty. A large cherry blossom tree stood at the center of the two men's attention.

Masamune let Ritsu's hand go, so that the brunet could step towards the tree and admire it, but what he saw instead was not what he expected.

Ritsu stepped towards the cherry blossom tree and placed his hands on the trunk. He glanced up at it. This tree reminded him of his family because this flower was the symbol of their family name.

Masamune was watching the scene before his eyes. Ritsu was standing by the tree and pink petals were falling around him. The moonlight illuminated his face emphasizing the heart-broken expression the brunet held. Masamune had never seen his lover look like this before. Ritsu looked gentle and sweet, making his heart beat rapidly.

Breaking out his thoughts, he heard Ritsu mutter, "I'm sorry," but Masamune thought he had heard it wrong. The raven-haired man walked over to his angel. He could see that Ritsu looked sad, as if the cherry blossoms reminded him of something. Placing his hands on Ritsu's shoulder to catch his attention, he asked, "What's wrong? You don't like it?"

The brunet shook his head and responded, "I love it. The cherry blossoms are beautiful."

Masamune asked, "Then why do you look so sad?"

Ritsu answered, "Cherry blossoms just remind me of something. Nothing important…"

Masamune turned Ritsu's body to face him. He snaked his arms around his beloved's waist and pressed his lips against the other for a loving kiss. Ritsu immediately responded to the kiss and slung his arms over Masamune's neck to tangle his fingers into the silky tresses.

The two kissed for what felt like an eternity, only breaking apart to takes shorts breaths and resumed back to kissing.

When the two finally pulled their lips away from each, but still wrapped in each other's arms, both were out of breath and their lips were red and swollen. Moving his lips to nip at the earlobes, Masamune whispered huskily, "I love you."

Ritsu's breath hitched when he felt the warm breath against his smooth skin. Ritsu wanted to say those three words back to Masamune, but if he did, it would only make matters worst.

Masamune brushed his lips against Ritsu's one more time before leading the brunet back to his apartment for a passionate night.

Soon it was only five more days left, then four, three, two, and one. On the last day, Ritsu did not go to work because he was able to turn in his resignation the day before. No one knew that Ritsu quit his job, until Isaka-san walked into the room and told them about what Ritsu did.

Masamune was told by Ritsu that the younger man was not coming in to work because of urgent family business. Hearing that Ritsu resigned made him panic hard. He felt dread and despair when he heard that news.

It was already 7 o'clock at night when Masamune rushed back to Ritsu's apartment. Finally arriving at their floor, he spotted Ritsu locking the door to his apartment. He quickly ran over to the other man pulled him into his arms.

Ritsu gasped when he felt strong arms and the familiar smell of the man he loves surround him. "T-Takano-san, what are you d-doing here?"

Masamune only hugged Ritsu tighter. He asked in a desperate tone, "Why did you quit? Are you going somewhere?"

Ritsu was looking around for a way to escape. He did not want to tell Masamune he had to leave and had no choice.

When the younger man did not respond, Masamune was greatly alarmed. He felt as if the nightmare was soon turning into reality. He was not going to let the brunet leave. Masamune kept Ritsu tight in his arms, while he unlocked the door to his apartment. He pulled Ritsu in and slammed the door. Pinning Ritsu against the wall and his body, it made impossible for Ritsu to even run away. Masamune asked confusedly and desperately, "Where are you going? Where..."

Ritsu stared sullenly and apologetically into the man's chocolate eyes. "I have to go back home."

Masamune replied even more desperately, "Isn't your home here? With me? Why do you have leave? Don't leave me…"

Ritsu shook his head. "I can't. I have to leave. Even if I stayed here, I can never be with you for eternity. You will leave me one day."

Masamune replied distraughtly, "I will never leave you. You are my life."

Ritsu just shook his head again. "You will. I don't belong here either. This is not my home."

Masamune asked frantically, "Then where are you from? Take me with you. Just always be by my side."

Ritsu answered, "Let me go, then I will tell you. I swear I will not run away."

Masamune released Ritsu's wrist and stood in front of him. His eyes filled with despair and fear of losing the person he loves and cherishes. "Where are you from and why can't we be together?"

Ritsu lets his bangs cover his eyes for a few moments before looking back up at Masamune.

"We can't be together no matter what because…"

…

"I am from another world and immortal."

No one expected that. My title to the story was literally worlds apart. You catch on fast if you did. Anyways, there is more to Ritsu than you think. More and more secrets will be revealed as the story goes on.

REMEMBER: the scene with the cherry blossoms because it is important. You will understand why later! Love and Kisses!

Review please! I am getting slightly discouraged because hardly anyone reviews.