Fran-anisca Grave: this story is not Junjou Romantica inspired but Sekaiichi Hatsukoi but worry not, I'm writing a Junjou Romantica inspired. So stay tuned.
The Case of Furihata Kouki No. 1b
Kouki quickly rushed to the end of room to find a list. He was hoping to find out what books managed to reach the top sales. He was desperately working hard the past few days. Maybe, just maybe, things would finally go his way this time?
"Yes! All of the books I worked on are bestsellers!" He cried happily. Kouki felt as if his happiness could almost burst out into a million pieces.
"Like this book and this one!" He carefully picked up two sample books that were conveniently sitting right next to the list, and then gleefully hugged them. "All of my hard work finally paid off!" Or did it?
Suddenly the books felt lighter, and much softer...what? Kouki took a closer look at the two books to realize that they weren't the familiar literature books but shojo manga!
"Wait, isn't this shojo manga?" There must be some mistake; wasn't he working on literature?
"Hey" A voice interrupted Kouki's thoughts. Kouki traced the voice to its owner to find...Akashi-san?
"Akashi-san?"
Akashi didn't answer; instead he grabbed Kouki's wrist and pinned him to the wall. He gradually went closer and closer to Kouki's face. He wasn't stopping either; their noses were barely touching but Akashi kept going.
Wait! What are you-
The thought was broken off when Akashi's lips gently brushed against Kouki's soft, now open ones. This allowed easy access for Akashi's tongue to slip in and explore Kouki's wet cavern.
WHAT?
Kouki woke up with a quick start. He quickly darted his head left and right to realize that it was just a dream. Immediately, he hid his head in shame; how could he dream of something so provocative, especially with his own boss?
This is the worst! Why do I have him as a boss?
"WHAT! You're not finished? Who was the one who said that they'd finish it by tomorrow? Why I ought to-" A furious Akashi yelled at the poor caller.
Kouki, at this point, was now fully aware of how this cycle went. Unfortunately, they were at the bad side of this inconstant cycle; everyone was exhausted beyond reason, even Akashi had heavy bags under his eyes.
I see, so it's hell week now.
"Damn it! Do you have any idea what shit we went through to get that printer's extension?" Akashi's blows at the caller weren't exactly lifting the mood either; in fact, he could be labeled as the most "liveliest" of all of them at this point.
"Just shut up and finish the manuscript!" Akashi slammed the phone down.
"Furihata, come with me. We're going to pay this stupid author a visit." He grabbed his bag and was heading out of the office. For a quick moment, Kouki thought that his demon of a boss would wittingly murder the author. He hurriedly banished that thought; an editor wouldn't go that far, right?
"We'll paste the photo typeset and grab the last twelve pages so bring your X-acto knife. Also, you'll be pasting the toner too." Wait, Akashi was assigning all of this on the new guy? Not to mention the one who had little to no experience with shojo manga!
"Wait! I don't think I have the skill set for tha-" Kouki was rudely cut off, once again by his strict boss.
"You're the only one here whose doing jack. You know, you could make yourself useful sometimes." That did it; another blow to Kouki's once flawless pride. So, he grudgingly stood up and followed after his boss. Akashi got out his phone and dialed while making his way to the elevator.
"Hello? Yes, this is Akashi from Marukawa Publishing. May I speak to Sasaki?" Who was he calling? Surely it could not the same author who he had exploded at earlier. Despite Kouki's confidence to keep his pride intact, he was still doubtful of the outcome.
What am I supposed to do? I've never done anything in the manga department before. I'm probably just getting in the way.
"Hello, Sasaki? Yes, this is Akashi and I'm sorry but it looks like I won't be able to make it today." He soon started out calm and collected, but that soon dissolved right away...
"I know that! Yes...I know..." Kouki then wondered if this part of Akashi's job was at fault for Akashi's somewhat ridiculous personality.
"That's why I'm telling you to do something! Yes... You don't have to tell me stuff I already know!" The conversation continued with another round of yelling across the phone.
Why is Akashi so restless?
And why are people in the manga business looking so lifeless?
When they had arrived at the author's house, Kouki saw an exact reflection of the editor's office; the author and the assistants were all depressed and tired. Kouki then thought if he would soon join in on this "gloom and doom" fashion from working. After learning from first-hand experience, he was careful not to disturb those under this cloud of doom. Unfortunately, Akashi had other ideas...
Akashi almost stomped in to face the almost-dead author. The looked up tiredly to see who was at the door...oh crap, it was the editor-in-chief!
"A-Akashi" She almost sobbed out his name. Maybe the sunken author could earn even the tiniest sympathy from this act? Nope.
"If you have time to cry about it, then get your work done!" No mercy.
"I can't finish it and that's that!"
"How dare you talk back at me?! I should strike you where you stand!" He nearly was going to; his hand forcefully grabbed a handful of her hair and shook it furiously. The author only cried harder after he released her hair.
"And what do you think you're doing? You're still on the front page when you're so behind!"...
"I have my reasons!" She bit back.
"Just shut up and go back to work!" Her team of assistants yelled out. Traitors.
This stopped her for a moment. She then burst into even more tears and hid her face in shame. That brought back Kouki out of his state of confusion on what just unfolded.
"I'm sorry I'm causing you trouble." The author managed to get out.
"This page will be used on the front page of the magazine, so I tried really hard to draw it. They told me that you could fix it, but I can't accept that!"
"If you know that then, just finish it!"
"I know that! Get off my back already!"
The tennis round went on, unfortunately, it was clear that one side was losing, bad. Kouki felt rather out-of-place; usually the pressure and deadlines weren't this close and nerve-wracking when he worked on literature. Still, he couldn't help but feel sorry or at least sympathize for the author; he has to go through hell every day, having the demon as a boss. When it looked like the argument subsided, Akashi withdrew and sat down on a nearby desk and started working on the semi-finished pages. Kouki decided to confront his boss about his behavior.
"Akashi-san, don't you think that you could be a little nicer? She's obviously tir-" Once again, cut off. You should've seen that coming Kouki, has yesterday taught you nothing?
"Don't you think that you could actually work?" It was true; the assistants were hard at work, the author was sluggishly going through the illustration, while Akashi himself occupied himself with pasting the photo type set.
"Yes, sir." Kouki took a seat right across from Akashi. Luckily, his fellow editors had taught him about cutting and pasting the photo type set, well it wasn't exactly a hard technique unless you had trouble controlling your hand. Pretty soon, the workplace was quiet save for the sound of pens scratching and knife's cutting out the speech for their bubbles. All was silent until...
"Hey, do you think that this manga is interesting?" Uh oh. "I don't even know if it's bad or good anymore. I just want to go back and change everything."
Akashi halted his work for a split second and turned to the drained author.
"Of course you can't go back. Idiot." He flatly replied.
Akashi, you're supposed to be supporting her!
"Akashi...I..."
"Stop wasting calories and just finish it."
That's it!
Kouki shoved the chair behind him, got up and approached the author. Time to show up his high-strung boss! Unfortunately, having a hot blush across your face while clenching your fists to your side doesn't exactly prove that you're confident.
"Uh...sensei, I just wanted you to know that I just bought your recent book!" He blurted out. Not exactly the best opening to pep up someone, but it is a start...
"Oh?"
"I mean, well, ever since I entered the manga business, I memorized all of the titles of all of our works. Yours really left a lasting impression on me. Uh, even as a guy, I really enjoyed it! So I decided to reward the author by going out and getting a copy!" Now you're just ranting, and almost stammering.
"Can't you get a free copy at work?" Darn it didn't think of that. Well, there's always...
"Still, I really thought that this really was a true master piece and that the author deserved a reward."
"Because it makes sense that you receive Marukawa's salary and just give it back?" Akashi cut in. Whoops didn't think of that. Kouki only shot a glare at his boss; there's no way that he'd embarrass him twice!
"But still, I really do enjoy your manga! You're already so far in this manga, so please, could you finish it?" When worse comes to worse, beg with your eyes closed, and blush even harder. The silent response was extremely gratifying. That is until Akashi stood up.
"Even the noob agrees that your work is good. Well, I thought that you'd have trouble getting it out, so I talked to the printers and they said that you have until tomorrow to finish." She was still silent but her eyes widened.
"But I was told to finish it by noon." The author could only state in wonder.
So that's whom Akashi was talking to, well more like yelling to on the phone; he was requesting for an extension. I didn't have to cheer her up at all; Akashi-san already had the extension ready for her.
"Just so you know, this kind of stuff lowers your reputation?" Even Akashi can be nice for so long, I guess.
"Uh, yes!" She then began to work at a more fast pace and was much more confident. Akashi then took his seat and continued on working, while Kouki was stumbling around, asking the assistants on how to paste the toner.
"I'm done!" It sounded as if nothing in this world was sweeter. All of the assistants and the author were cheering in relief; they managed to make their deadline!
Akashi briefly scanned the finished pages. After he was done, his posture relaxed and gave into exhaustion; is this a good sign?
"Good job." Just two simple words brought smiles and more cheers amongst the group; even Kouki was all smiles now. Sadly, it disappeared when he learned that the job wasn't done yet; they still had to drop it off at the printers.
The next morning, Kouki and his boss stepped out of the elevator, to their floor in Marukawa. This time, they were somewhat rested but exhausted nevertheless. Kouki sat down on a nearby couch while Akashi made his way to the vending machines.
Ugh, I'm tired. The printer people looked really scary when we handed in the manuscript. Well, I guess after this, we'll have to look over the galleries and make sure their "ok" to go. Then the printer people will scold us when we're late...Ahhh, this is the worst!
The morning light did little to comfort Kouki; in fact, it was a harsh reminder that it was time to get back to work. All Kouki could do was rub his temples in annoyance.
"I'm glad you were there, she's not usually the hysterical ones. I think that you brought back some of her confidence." He has to bring that up again?
"Oh, no. I'm really sorry that I did that. It's just that whenever I feel that something's really important, I just blurt out my feelings." Wait, why did he tell his boss this embarrassing piece of information? Kouki silently cursed himself for his carelessness and drove himself even deeper into his depressed state.
"Here" Akashi offered the depressed looking Chihuahua a drink with a smile. It happened to be one of those rare smiles; the ones that could make you wonder what you did to cause such a phenomenon.
"Uh...thanks." Kouki was slightly quick to accept the drink and drank. He'd never admit this out loud but that smile had caused some strange feeling in his stomach and he felt an achingly familiar burn rise to cheeks. Kouki turned away so his boss wouldn't see him in this state.
What's wrong with me? The only time I felt like this was ten years ago, and that was with...No! I swore that I would never fall in love again, so why is my chest pounding?
"You haven't changed at all." Akashi stared intently at Kouki.
"What do you mean by that?" Kouki finally managed to face his boss, confusion was evidently spelled across his face.
The reply shocked Akashi for a brief moment, but he swiftly regained his composure. This time, the boss' eyes bore deeply onto Kouki's soft brown ones.
"It seems that you forgot about me." Oh, so Akashi still believes that they had known each other at one point of their lives? Well, it looks like Kouki would have to break the truth to his rather delusional boss.
"Oh yeah, you think we've met before? Well, I'm certain that this is the first time I've met you." There! Maybe now, Akashi would finally get the message!
"Maybe with this, you'll remember me..." He suddenly pushed Kouki and pinned him on the couch. Akashi, being on top, firmly pressed his lips on the Chihuahua's firmly closed ones. Akashi then licked Kouki's lower lip, asking for entrance. Kouki only roughly pushed his boss off while managing to gasp out a few needed breaths.
"What are you doing? If this is some kind of joke, it's not funny!" He tried to a deadly glare to Akashi. But unfortunately, it only looked like as if Kouki was in pain and was pleading for more.
"A joke? Ah, you'd always think of it like that." Akashi then stopped and carefully got up. "I thought you'd change a lot, but you're just as direct as always.
"What?"
"You said that you loved me."
"What are you talking about?"
"Hmph, I'm going over to look at the galleries. You can try to remember in the meantime." Akashi retrieved his bag and headed back to the elevator.
"Remember what? Akashi-san!"
"In my senior year in high school, my parents got divorced and my last name changed. My name was Akai. Akai Seijuro." He then left the stranded Chihuahua to think.
Akai Seijuro.
Akai...no! There's no way...!
~Flashback: Ten years ago~
Kouki and his precious senpai were both sitting on a bed with their shirts unbuttoned. Kouki couldn't help but blush at the sight of his dear one half naked so he moved his head away. Still, he was overjoyed that Akai would be his and only his. Or was it?
"Senpai, are we, uh going out now?" Kouki nervously asked. All of his hopes and his very soul would lie on Akai's response; he clenched his shirt, worried that he would be rejected. But there was the hope that Akai would return his love, even if it was a little.
"I-it's just that, w-well, you never say anything." The Chihuahua stammered out.
Akai could only stare at Kouki with an unreadable look. Could it be?
He then released a small scoff, or was it a laugh?
Wait, why would he laugh? Could it be that...he was just playing all along!
~End Flashback~
"Hold it right there, Akai! No, Akashi-san!" The furious Chihuahua stormed after his boss.
All of the places we have to meet, why here? And why does he have to be my boss!
He finally caught up to his boss, and planned to give him a piece of his mind.
"After everything you did, you could at least apologize for doing that!" This time, he was assured that he'd receive a proper apology.
"What? Did I do something to you?"
"Do you see anyone else around you? You were just playing with my feelings, when I actually did like you! Then you left me, without telling me anything!"
"I don't believe that I ever did anything to you. In fact, you should be the one apologizing."
"What?"
"One day you just round house kicked me and suddenly disappeared."
"Sorry?" Ok, things were getting stranger and stranger.
"Really? You don't remember? Hmph, well it must be convenient to have a selective memory." He scoffed out.
"You're the one in the wrong! I asked you if we were going out and all you did was laugh!" There! How could he explain that?
"So you remember that? I was a brat in high school; I might've laughed because I was embarrassed." Was that all it was? The Chihuahua could gape at his boss; so it was all a big misunderstanding?
"You thought that I was making fun of you, so that's why you kicked me out? Then, you proceeded to have a grudge on me for ten years? You..." Here it comes.
"...Really are an idiot." Another slash at Kouki's severely injured pride.
"Now that the mystery is solved, does that mean I can seduce you?"
"What? Akashi-san!" Unfortunately, before Kouki could come up with a clever comeback, the elevator opened and his boss swiftly stepped in.
"No matter who I was with, I could never forget you. I'll make you say 'I love you' to me again, just you wait." And with that, the elevator doors closed before the skylark could chase after him.
Kouki could only glower at the floor; he was beyond pissed off now. How did he not notice that Akai-senpai and Akashi-san were the same people? Oh, his hair has changed a bit. Not to mention that it was ten years ago! How do you expect to remember someone you were with for a limited time, after ten years?
'I'll make you say 'I love you' to me again, just you wait!'
Yeah, I'll say it, at the end of time! What kind of idiot is he? Does he actually believe that I'd fall for the same person twice!
Then why on earth was his face hotter than usual? His palms were slightly damp, and his stomach was making some familiar movement?
Over my dead body!
Omake
"Sir, we're done moving all of your things in. Are you sure that you don't need help in anything else?" One of the mover's eagerly asked. Kouki had just moved into a new apartment, thanks to the unfortunate location of that blasted Marukawa Publishing. It wasn't too bad moving though; the only things that needed to be moved were his excessive collection of books.
Kouki only shook his head at their offer. With that, the movers then left him all alone in his empty apartment room, save for the numerous boxes.
All Kouki did was flop on the couch and rub his temples, still thinking of what happened earlier today. He could not simply believe that his boss was none other than his old first make things even more complicated, Akashi then claimed that his laugh was merely out of embarrassment? But perhaps...he did reciprocate Kouki's feelings back then? Maybe Akashi meant what he said by saying that he still loved Kouki even now? Then Kouki could love him once again, and they'd both get their...happy ending?
Yeah right!
Once again, Kouki found himself deluding in the fact that he could possibly fall in love with the same person twice. Perhaps it was his work, the stressful and strange manga department. Basically, his work could irreversibly dissolve whatever sanity that was left!
To take his mind off of those unsettling matters, Kouki decided to start unpacking and got up from the couch.
"Where's the box cutter?" He darted his head in all directions for the box cutter. When he found nothing, Kouki concluded that he would simply buy one at the convenience store while buying his lunch. He deducted that the pre-made bentos would most likely become his regular diet after analyzing his notably small (compared to his last job) salary.
Kouki stepped out of the room to find that at the same time, someone next door had done the same.
A neighbor? Might as well say 'hi'.
"Hello, my name is Furihata Kouki. I'm going to be your next door neighbor."
"Oh really? I didn't know that you'd be this desperate." Kouki was caught off guard with this reply and looked up to find none other than Akashi! He quickly turned away to face the door.
"Ah, I see. You came to confess your feelings? You sure change your mind pretty quick for someone in denial." Kouki did not like how this was going at all. "Oh well, I don't mind."
"I don't know what you're talking about; I just moved in here because of my job. Now excuse me!" After he blurted his small rant, he scurried back in his room then catching his breath.
Why is HE here? So now he's my boss and he lives next to me? I take back everything I ever thought good about him!
This is not love! Under no circumstances is this love!