A/N-Our lovely sunshine and her stormcloud. This is a little longer than a moment, but I was too lazy to make another story, XD. Once again, anything you want to see in here, just let me know and I'll try to oblige.
A golden head was bent over a ridiculous amount of paperwork spread over the ash desk, the fall of silky hair doing nothing to hide the furrow of her brow as she scribbled away industriously. She was so caught up in the facts and figures in front of her that she didn't even notice when a tall figure entered quietly and closed the door behind him softly.
He stood there for a moment with his arms crossed, slightly amused that she never looked up. As he waited he glanced around the office, the space a definite reflection of the woman. Plain cream walls were covered in sketches and color tables, with the occasional cheery painting. Her filing cabinets were home to framed photos of family and friends, with many group pictures of the girls when they were younger. Two chairs other than her own were situated across from the desk, both comfortable looking with sunny yellow and orange cloth. Her one window had a sun catcher shaped like a sunflower that was currently only catching light from the street lamp outside. All in all, Mina had completely made the office Mamoru and he had given her into her own haven. She's always so...bright. As if she's lit from within, like she creates her own sunshine...
He smiled to himself, glad that she was comfortable enough to make it hers. When they'd first offered to rent her the office she'd been doubtful, asking if they were offering just because she was a friend or because they actually believed in her business plan. Since it had been a rather impressive business plan, and since Mamoru had been looking to expand the company into more than editing, they'd been able to honestly reply that it was because they wanted to be her backers. With the opening of her first show in five weeks everyone on staff scrambled for dear life as Mina became a hectic whirlwind of action, finalizing details and getting everything in production finished. He'd been rather awed, actually. Still, as busy as she was, the woman needed to eat and sleep, which he was starting to wonder if she realized. Finally he coughed politely, unwilling to wait any longer for acknowledgement. When she looked up, startled, he restrained a smile at the adorable bewilderment on her face.
Now that he had her attention… "Minako. It is now one in the morning," he stated. "If I may be so bold, what are you still doing here?"
Preoccupied sky blue eyes regarded him blankly. "What? Oh…" A sheepish little smile appeared as she glanced down at the paperwork that had eaten her desk. "I was going over some things, making sure that we'd be able to launch the show without a hitch next month-" She looked up sharply then as she realized that she wasn't the only one here, "and for that matter, what are you still doing here, Kenta?" Even as she said it she lost her focus on him and returned her eyes to the papers in front of her.
He firmed his mouth and tried not to look embarrassed and put out that she couldn't even concentrate on his presence for a moment. "I had some paperwork I needed to finish up for Mamoru; the meeting is tomorrow, and I only got the pertinent information this afternoon. However, this isn't something I do normally. You, on the other hand, have been staying at the office all hours ever since we announced your show." He gave her a quelling look as she opened her mouth to rebut. "I know this from dependable sources, so please do not even attempt to deny it." An accessing look had her blushing as his grey-green eyes swept over her. "Have you even eaten today? I'd bet not. You'll work yourself to death at this rate and be useless when it actually comes time for the show. You know, starving and depriving yourself of sleep will do nothing for your designs. I hope you aren't working on anything creative like this. I'd hate to see you fail because of it." Pleased with himself, he quirked a brow at her as she gaped at him.
"You arrogant son of a bitch!" she exploded at him, and he leaned back on his heels to enjoy the show as she burst out from behind her desk to stalk towards him, eyes blazing. Sunshine squared...and pissed. Solar flare! He swiftly muzzled his thoughts as they threatened to reel off into the realm of the silly, and centered on the angry female in front of him. "This is my life, what I love, and I will not have you tell me that I'm going to be useless when my time finally comes! Yes, I'm working my ass off, but it's because I want everything to be perfect! How dare you!" As she drew her hand back to slap him he caught it in his own and smiled calmly at her. Stupefied, she paused.
His smile deepened, and his eyes gentled. "And now that I have your undivided attention…" He dropped her arm and looked at her, concern creating a crease between his brows. "Mina, I'm worried. You don't look happy anymore, and you really are working yourself to death. Please, you must remember to take care of yourself." He trailed off, uncertain what else he could say without giving himself away.
She gazed up at him, blue eyes slightly puzzled. "I…well, I guess I did get caught up in it all, but why so worried, Kenta? I'll have the show out, and it'll be fantastic, I promise. I won't bomb, I swear."
He frowned and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "I'm not worried about the show, Minako."
Comprehension dawned. "Oh…"
Kenta fought the urge to blush and cursed himself for a fool. Now that she knows I'm not sure I can take the pity… He was berating himself silently and harshly when his thoughts were interrupted by a hand smacking down on his chest. He looked down, bemused, at Mina as she scowled at him. I'm pretty sure that's not pity…but what on earth is the woman thinking now?
"Kenta, you idiot, you can just come out and say you're worried about me; we're friends. We've known each other how long?" She waved a hand, exasperated. "Trust me, the girls smack me around when I forget to do things, so a little coming from you won't do any damage. Especially since it's for my own good."
Now even more bemused, Kenta just nodded. She honestly has no idea… "Ah, I see."
She beamed up at him. "Anyway, since you're here, why don't we go see if anything is still open? Now that you mention it, I am kinda hungry…" As she frowned down at her watch he took advantage of the unobserved moment to reassert his control over himself. "What day is it again?"
The only outward sign of his amusement at her question was a slight tick in one cheek as he repressed yet another smile. "Thursday, Mina." He paused. "Actually, it was Thursday. It's now Friday."
She laughed at him, impertinent thing. He allowed himself a slight smile. "Well, then I think Planet Third is still open over in the Tokyo Building Tokia. Of course, there's also a Seven Eleven over there…" She gave him a curious glance that he answered with a sour look.
"No, Mina, we are not going to the Seven Eleven."
She pouted playfully. "But we could pretend to be poor American students who just had a crab session and get all sorts of junk food that has no nutritional value at all!"
He snorted, a wry twist of his lips softening his appearance. "You mean cram, Mina. Planet Third will suffice; you need actual food." For a moment he looked uncertain. "It does have regular food, doesn't it?"
Mina waved a hand at him again, this time with a breezy laugh. "Of course it does, silly Kenta. It's this wonderful little café; the girls and I go there sometimes when we want something different. It's very chic." She grinned at him. "Think you can handle it?"
He merely raised a brow at her, eyes glinting at the challenge. "With ease. Now, shall we go?" He offered her his arm, unable to resist the gallantry. The warmth of her chuckle as she took it spread from the contact of her fingers throughout his entire body. His smile became more genuine, gentler. "Ah, Mina. What to do with you?"
She leaned against him and flashed him her own sweet smile. "Take care of me, of course!" Her laugh rang golden, and she disengaged from his arm to go through the door he opened for her, completely missing the expression on his face. He schooled his face back into its proper stoicism, shoving the infernal longings aside, back into their place in the back of his mind. But not before one thought escaped the chains of propriety and suppression as he followed her silently outside.
Always, sunshine.