"Should… Should I ask?"
"I don't know, maybe he'll hurt you. It isn't work related, after all."
"As true as that is, this is a pretty important thing."
The three shoujo manga editors were whispering in regards to their boss, who was walking in rays of sunshine, an overjoyed grin barely hidden. Regardless of the fact it wasn't Hell Week, no one had ever seen the man this happy.
Even Yokozawa blanched at the behavior- but Kisa theorized there was something behind that.
Regardless-
All his co-workers could say they were happy the man was happier than ever before.
Yet they were also incredibly curious and didn't need this added to the world's 7 mysterious list.
"Guys, it's official" Kisa nodded, "The only way to get our answer is to spy on him!"
Hatori raised an eyebrow, "don't you think that's a little excessive?" Not that he was against it- oh hell this new behavior really weirded him out- he just didn't want to get blamed if it all went to hell.
"Well then," Mino's smile grew, somewhat taunting if anything, "You can ask him, Hatori-san." Quickly the other editor shook his head.
"While I'm not afraid of him-" the oldest there scoffed- what a load- "Something tells me I won't get a straight answer if we just up and ask."
"Then it's settled!" Kisa cheered gleefully. "We spy!"
Which really, considering how they were all together all the time anyways- unless attending to authors or some other chore- there wasn't much spying to be done. Furthermore, actually following the man home would turn spying into stalking and Kisa didn't need to add that to his boss's thoughts.
Absolutely frustrated with the turn of events and the fact Mino and Hatori put forth zero effort, of course Kisa sent several messages to Yukina. He had to rant to someone, after all, and it wasn't like he was working on something at the time.
It just wasn't fair! How on earth was he supposed to find these things out? Clearly, Takano's joy was linked to the same happiness expressed two weeks ago over the text messages.
Maybe whoever he was texting at the time was becoming more serious? Maybe he was in love? Maybe he obsessed over a TV show that just had a new release? Or, maybe it was that odd obsession of potatoes of his- maybe someone was giving recipes for different dishes that he didn't already know (was that even possible?). The possibilities were endless!
Groaning, Kisa allowed his head to hit the desk with a thump. He just wanted to know why his boss was so out of character- was that so wrong?!
Luckily, it seemed that God- or maybe a hopeless romantic- was on his side.
"Did you hear about the newbie in the Lit Department?" A woman whispered to her friend as they passed. "He's real cute, I can tell you that much."
"What's his name- Ritsu Onodera?" The other pondered, "As in Onodera Publishing, right?"
"Yeah! But hey, get this- he came in with Takano-san!"
"Like- together!" A scandalized gasp- like half their co-workers weren't gay shut up Debbie, Kisa thought with an eye roll.
"Mhmm!." He did admit though it was juicy as he strained to hear the rest of this; "I always park next to Takano-san, and today they both left his car, bickering like an old married couple!"
"That sounds so cute!" Kisa couldn't help the shudder- Takano and cute?- "I never took Takano for gay though, what a shame." Again, Kisa just wanted to point out that basically all of Emerald was gay. The jury still stood on Mino.
That was another thing for another time, however.
As the women's voices faded into the background, Hatori only sighed at the sly smirk that Kisa now wore, not even attempting to hide his thoughts.
"Onodera Ritsu?"
The brunette in question glanced over, still needing to pick a coffee from the vending machine. There was a young man, shorter than him with black hair and brown eyes smiling up at him.
"Uh- yeah?" Maybe this was one of his co-workers he had yet to meet? However, the more he studied the man before him… the flawless skin…
"Uh-?" The other was getting visibly weirded out, and Ritsu realized his invasion of personal space during his studying. Blushing he nervously laughed, averting his gaze. He knew who this was.
"Oh," Doesn't hurt to play dumb sometimes though, just to ensure he doesn't sound like a stalker. "You just look like a co-worker of Takano-san's, is all."
Nearly immediately, Ritsu regretted all the life choices he made.
Though there was an innocent aura about the man- Kisa, he recalled- the shit eating grin he wore meant nothing good.
"So you do know Takano-san!" The other confirmed, "And here I thought his friends consisted of other scary and intimidating men!"
"Wha- oh! You mean like Yokozawa-san?" That came out too quick for Ritsu to stop himself, and all too late he realize the man in mention could be anywhere. "N-Not that he isn't good or anything! I mean, he's certainly not that bad- not- oh- uh-"
Was there much point in redeeming his previously said statement, especially when Kisa was doubled over with laughter at his verbal fumblings?
Deciding he had made a big enough fool of himself, Ritsu departed the room with a quick bow, Kisa trying to get him to stay but failing as he simply gasped for air.
"Well, you're making friends."
"You have odd co-workers." Ritsu replied in lieu of a greeting. "He probably thinks we're dating."
"Probably because we are, Ritsu." Takano arched a brow, "Are you embarrassed?"
Again, Ritsu found himself furiously blushing, looking away shyly as Takano pressed him against the wall. "I-I mean, no… it's just… we're two guys so I mean…"
"Kisa tries to hide it but he has some sparkly boyfriend-" Sparkly? "And Hatori has this thing going on with one of his authors. The only one that's single for sure is Mino." The taller man shrugged, "so if it's gay PDA…"
"Look, I guess, I just don't know." Those narrow shoulders sagged. "I have to deal with being new, and then rumors of being an Onodera, and my mother sulking about the bet…"
"Which reminds me- what even was that?" Not once had Ritsu ever elaborated what the bet was with his mother.
"Oh-" He blinked owlishly- "She thought I wouldn't be able to handle working at the grocery store. If I cracked, I'd work for the family company. If I didn't, she'd get off my case about it. Which… she sorta has?" And good thing it wasn't a year long thing- no way would he have survived. He did almost crack- if not for Takano, he would have without a doubt.
"Hm, I see." Takano murmured, pressing a soft kiss to his love's temple. "So, your co-workers already know about you being an rich boy?"
Rolling his green eyes fondly, Ritsu sighed. "Yeah, my family's company has one of the better, if not best, Literature Departments. So the Lit Department here kinda does their homework to know the rivals. Which, half of them think I'm some spy, and half of them want me to spy so we can get the edge on my family."
"Should do it-"
"No."
"What, no room for discussion?"
"Absolutely not, Takano-san."
"Aw, why do have to be so mean?"
Again, Ritsu simply rolled his eyes, before landing on those amber orbs. "You know… I'm not embarrassed to be dating you. It's just, even now, two guys in a relationship…"
"Still isn't exactly a normal thing accepted like air by everyone." The editor-in-chief finished with a nod. Especially for the heir of a well-known family- he had a name to uphold.
However.
"I have to get back to work now, Takano-san. No bad impressions on the first day."
They'd cross that bridge when they got to it.
"Hm, do you know when you'll be done?"
And when they found themselves a path before them, leading somewhere unknown, a fog hiding the future from their sight.
"Don't really know- you'll wait for me, right?"
Hand in hand, they'd go forth together, circumstances be damned.
"Always"
Well.
That's a wrap. :')
Thanks for all the love given! It means a lot!
I do have other SiH fics planned, some related (for example, telling Ritsu's parents), and some not (*coughcoughMonopolynightcoughcough*) so don't think I'm done with this fandom just yet! ;D
(Also I'm just proud I finished a multi-chapter fic for once in my life)
