Hi, Hooded-Nerd!
Just a thing to say, thanks again for the support on this story and for understanding about my summer job.
I'll try to update the best that I can.
More later, Enjoy!
*I DO NOT OWN SEKAI-ICHI HATSUKOI* only OC ._.
Sitting at one of the study tables within the library, the brunette couldn't help but fidget in his seat as he sat across, a seat over, his neighbor. For the old Librarian would be the one to sit in front of the man who claimed to know him in the past and along with the embarrassing fact that the man kissed him; but not on the cheek on the lips!
Turning an even shade of red from the mere thought of the moment, the brunette shielded his cherry face with both of his hands, thinking he could die from embarrassment while the other man sat composed and emotionless as usual with a straight face as if nothing happened between the two. Matter of fact, the man rather seemed content in his posture.
Having to take his daily pills, the librarian assistant didn't have to worry that much about his illness get out of whack and go beyond his control. Sometimes wishing he didn't have the disease in the first place.
Glancing at the editor, the pale man became irritated at the other's calm stature, the brunette looked away not being able to understand what the older man was thinking or what he meant by his words. Especially with 'Fall in love with me again,' part.
Unable to focus, noticeable smoke puffed out of the brunette's head as his entire body glowed red, slamming his face into the hard wood table the brunette wish he could go to his old room and hid under his old bed but not having the will to disobey his boss the brunette stayed put. Confusing as it is and having to happen just about ten minutes ago the brunette didn't even realize he was already inside the library in a seat and told why he was sitting down.
After a few more minutes the door near the help desk opened to show an elderly woman carrying a silver tray with a single porcelain teapot and three matching teacups. The intricate floral art painted onto the porcelain glass presented flowers of wisteria, clusters of the pale purple and blue lilac flowers decorated the bottom of the teapot creating a faded effect as it slowly climbed up the pot.
Knowing his 'Obaasan' fairly well, the fragile old woman was a freak with tea sets, buying many from all kinds of countries from; China, Korea, Taiwan, India, and as far as from Portugal, the aging woman was a fanatic. Like tea sets, the woman was the same with tea. When she met the pale man and the two got close, the old woman taught and shared everything she knew about tea and tea sets to the brunette, so when she finally passes the young man can keep her tea knowledge living on. So both of the book worms were knowledgeable with their tea and such.
Setting the tray down with a subtle thunk! the woman began to pour tea into each teacup not even letting a single drop spill out of the small glass cups. Sliding a small glass cup to the two sitting men and keeping one to herself the elder took a seat next to her precious assistant with the lone teapot and tray left to the side.
Looking down at the teacup set before him, the brunette began to exam the tea to help distract himself from the other man sitting before him. Using the knowledge he has gained from his ex-landlord the tea held a subtle bright amber orange color reminding you of the dying embers of firewood. Taking the handle of the small cup the brunette took a minor sip and the strong, malty taste hit him after that one sip.
Assam Black Tea.
The brunette thought to himself as he glanced over at the elder woman who kept her eyes glued on the composed editor. Having been told and tasted this morning black tea the brunette knew this tea was brewed mainly for him for he could stay awake through the whole conversation for the breakfast tea was known for it's caffeine number being fairly high. Having to be mostly consumed during early hours for it can wake people as a substitute for actually dark coffee which contains more caffeine than required. Originating from Assam, India, hence it's name Assam black tea, this certain black tea was well-known world wide.
Both of the employers at the isolated Library building rarely drank this heavy, brisk black tea for it carried too much caffeine to their liking but during certain occasions like these that needed to be handled seriously, the main drink served would be Assam, mainly for the brunette's sake.
Taking another sip of the strong drink, the brunette placed his small porcelain cup down on the matching platter and raised his head to give full attention on the serious conversation that was about to begin. Having been given a vague idea of what the conversation was going to be surrounded around the pale man just sat in wait. All knowledge concerning the conversion mainly focusing on the editor and himself.
Lifting her teacup to take a drink the old woman took a long sip before placing her cup down and looking straight into the editor's the conversation was about to begin.
"Takano-san, you claimed that you met Ritsu in your high school days but something happened and lead to Ritsu 'disappearing,' correct?" the woman questioned as if she were a lawyer and talking to a witness.
Raising an eyebrow at the woman's seriousness, the editor rested his chin on the palm of his hand, "Yes, but what's with being all stiff it isn't like I killed someone and I'm on trail?"
Glaring at the relaxed man the aging Librarian spoke with venom, "Well, Takano, if you didn't know, this boy has been searching for a clue revolving around his past for more than five years now and you're are now the closest thing to a clue and we need to confirm if you are lying or not."
Thinking over what the elderly woman said, the editor took it into consideration before glancing at the brunette and answering, "You have a point, I apologize of how I acted early, gomen."
Huffing out in annoyance the Librarian continued, "Now Takano-san can you tell all that you know about Ritsu; like where he use to go to school or-"
"First off, can Ritsu speak about his background, for I was left in the mud for the last ten years," the editor interrupted.
Not breaking her glare, the woman still wasn't happy at the man for causing a stir within her precious Ritsu and she also didn't favor how he began calling the brunette by first name. Turning her head towards the brunette, she could notice how the sick man jumped as she looked his way.
"Ritsu is it okay? If not I'll make him talk some way," the elderly woman reassured with a suddenly soothing voice.
Glancing at the editor, emotionless honey amber eyes bored into the soul of the brunette giving the man chills. Still embarrassed over the kiss the too shared outside the brunette was still trying to wrap his head around everything. But with the guilt of hearing how he disappeared leaving someone he forgot and who he, maybe loved, clueless of his whereabouts, won the brunette over.
Nodding his head in confirmation the brunette spoke, "I-I don't remember most of my time here in Japan-"
"You mean after you 'disappeared' you didn't actually stay in Japan?" the older man asked.
Pausing before nodding his head, the brunette continued, "I was sleeping a lot after I woke up from the accident. So my memory of Japan is really vague and foggy along with that fact I didn't go outside the hospital even once. After a week of waking up I was left in the dark with my family history until the doctors finally told me that I was a orphan at a local orphanage in Tokyo. Believing them and still in recovery, I went with it for at that time I was in a blank slate not knowing a single thing of my past, even name and age wise. They told me I was fifteen years old and that my name was Ritsu. When I asked about my last name, they answered that they weren't sure for I was born with no last name and didn't take any name from the orphanages I stayed at. As for my 'disappearance' one day I was in bed and then a group of people wearing business suits came into my room claiming that they were ordered to take me to England for I can study abroad. An anonymous donation came in for me to have a chance to study abroad and the same people offered to pay for my treatment and medicine..." pausing to let the editor ask any questions.
After a minute of taking all the information in, the man spoke, "So for starters, you literally had no memory of who you were after that accident?"
"Y-Yeah, didn't even know my own birthday, luckily I didn't forget Japanese or things would've gotten more complicated," the brunette chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck thinking over the confusing events.
"When you were told that you were going to England you never questioned why at least once?" the editor then asked.
Lowering his head, "I-It was a very confusing time, I still couldn't take in everything the doctors were telling me and I also had to go through slight rehabilitation for I was in bed for two weeks. When I was told this about studying abroad, of course I questioned things, but for a fifteen year who was told that they were in a accident that caused amnesia and also told that he was an orphan who carried an incurable disease that needed treatment and monthly appointments to keep stable. I had no other choice, because these anonymous couple decided to take on the burden of paying for my treatment and I didn't want their offer to go to waste and there was no better reason to deny it when you believed you had nothing in Japan."
Staying silent, the editor started to click all the puzzle pieces together; the brunette was in a two week coma after the accident, carrying amnesia after a yet 'unknown' accident, then heading to England or so called 'disappearing.'
This was surely his missing first love idea, Takano then asked three questions, "One, tell what is this 'incurable' disease because you were always dodging that question when we were in high school. Two, tell me what happened during your accident. Three, do you remember anyone when you first woke up?"
Taking enough of the other man's questions the elderly woman broke her silence, "Why does Ritsu need to tell you any of this is all personal business and we're not sure if you're lying about knowing Ritsu when you were in high school. Ritsu spoke enough now it's your turn to speak."
Raising an eyebrow, Takano took it into consideration before speaking, "Okay then, before I speak you may be disappointed about what I may say... for I don't know much about Ritsu-"
"I knew you were sketchy from the start! Why would you lie to Ritsu when-"
"Obaasan!" the brunette whined in a way to calm the angered old woman.
Snapping her head towards the brunette, "We're not sure if Takano is lying or not let him finish, even if he doesn't know much we'll at least might get something out of what he haves to say," the pale man reasoned.
Huffing, the aging Librarian didn't have the will to fight her precious assistant, she was just afraid of being tricked and bringing her 'son's' hopes up for nothing. Taking her seat, the woman stayed silent.
Coughing to continue the editor continued, "Like I was saying, I didn't know much about Ritsu because he was secretive about everything and the main things we would talk about were about our favorite titles and nonsense."
"W-What do you mean secretive?" the brunette asked.
Thinking over what to say the editor spoke, "Every time I asked things, such as, concerning your sleeping problem, you would always dodge it and I would think nothing of it but you just lacked sleep or something. Also, when I asked about why you always ran to the gates every morning you gave the excuse that you overslept but yet you seemed well dressed past the fact you were sweating, it didn't seem like you were in a rush to get ready?"
Bowing down in his seat the brunette's head hung low, "I'm sorry for not being able to answer your questions, Takano-san," the librarian assitant said with the tone of an ashamed man.
Feeling a thump atop his head, causing slight pain to spread from that point, the brunette raised his head. The young man used his hands to nurture the slight stinging pain on his head and looked up to see that the editor's hand was reached out towards the brunette, hand positioned in a way for that it can cause that thump atop his head. An expression that was unreadable on the man's face as he rested against his other hand.
"Stop apologizing for everything, it's not going to get you anywhere and don't blame yourself because it was not your fault you got into that amnesia-causing incident," the editor spoke earnestly as he retracted his arm, "By the way, I didn't question any further every time you were dodging those type of questions."
Staring at the emotionless editor the brunette became more ashamed of his words more than he previously believed. Glancing at the old Librarian, the brunette could tell that she was also agreeing to what the man was saying. About to apologize once again, the brunette shut his mouth blushing in disappointment, mentally slapping himself.
"Anyway, Ritsu and I use to go to the same high school, we were in different years but met through a rumor I heard of the school's first special ed. student. I came across the 'classroom' and becoming curious I entered the room and met Ritsu. Like he is now, he was very shy, but after meeting someone and getting fairly close he would become more enthusiastic and out-going. He would always tries to help others the best way he can and understand a person he knows, which can get on a some people's nerves," the editor spoke remembering some rather annoying events in the past.
"All I really know about Ritsu, that may be helpful, is that we just went to the same high school. Along with his last name being Oda, but I think that name is a fake for when I tried to figure out his whereabouts there was no one registered in the school named Oda Ritsu," the dark haired man spoke with truth.
Sighing the old woman entered the conversation with a question, "Takano-san, what kind of relationship did you have with Ritsu, you too seemed oddly close when you were in high school?"
Eyes growing wide with pale skin going a glow, the brunette snapped his head up, completely forgetting about that certain subject, the man stared to see what the editor was going to respond with. Having to already know that the two were dating back in high school the younger was still taking that shocking fact in. But that kiss told otherwise and the determined look in the man's eyes as he promised to make Ritsu fall in love with him again, which was all the more embarrassing. Staring at the Shojo editor, the brunette knew that the older was a truthful man and was afraid of how he was going to reply to the questions.
Few seconds went by before the man finally replied, "We were dating?"
Poof!
The brunette's pride disappeared in the blink of an eye as he immediately glowed red all over, wishing he were dead the brunette just shielded his face being more embarrassed over that one, measly kiss.
"E-Eh?" the old woman questioned with a confused expression, "A-As in romantically with kissing and all?"
"Yes and I would like it to stay the same now too," the man deadpanned.
A moment of silence was held between the three with the brunette being the only cherry in the whole group.
"Awwww, Ritsu, you were already taken before I could snatch you away," the woman than whined in fake sadness, "I never knew."
"O-Obaasan?!" the brunette blushed in embarrassment at the old woman's apparent acceptance of her assistant being gay than at her own fake pain of being rejected.
Smirking at the woman's reaction, the editor stayed silent with a relieved posture. Failing to notice, before, of how stiff the man was claiming he would like to stay together with the brunette. Ritsu just stayed silent, too.
After a minute of thinking, the brunette thought over what the old woman said, before realizing she basically gave consent to the editor, to date Ritsu. Face surpassing the color red nearing a bruised purple color the pale man stood up without a word and ran towards his room. Ignoring the calls of his name.
Walking home, the brunette heaved a sigh, wanting to go to bed and finally rest. The whole day was a roundhouse kick to his mind and wanting to sleep it out was the best way to deal with it.
Managing to finally bring the man out of his room, after a full hour, the old Librarian decided to let the brunette go home early for he could rest. Knowing the brunette best, the old woman knew the man would want to rest after that rather tense conversation in the main room.
Unluckily, the man couldn't fully relax as he walked home for the brunette glanced to his left to see a towering man walking beside him with the same unreadable expression. Not wanting to walk beside the editor at the moment, the brunette held his head low with stiff shoulders. Only few more blocks before the two reach their apartment complex the two could finally be separated.
"Even though I said you act the same as you did back in high school you also seemed to have changed," the editor spoke through the silent atmosphere as he stared up at the sky.
Looking up at the man the brunette couldn't fully face him after those recent events, "Eh?"
"You may still seem like an innocent, carefree, shy kid but it seems that you've matured since then," the man explained glancing down at the blushing brunette.
"W-Well I can't remember so I can't reply to that," the brunette exclaimed.
Shaking his head, "It's fine, I understand now and it feels like a load of weight has been lifted off my shoulders for the past ten years," the man smiled down at the short brunette.
Blushing red, Ritsu looked away. Even though he wanted to remember for he could know how the man felt, he still had not gotten any good amount of clues or leads for his search but now given a high school name made some things easier.
The brunette never even once had a sudden flashback or remembrance of a place or childhood memory over the past ten years even as he searched for his past and old life. Not been given the orphanage name he stayed at or a hint who the anonymous couple, who helped pay for his medical bills. It was all very frustrating that it damaged his mind, mentally.
"You know. you didn't answer my three questions back there?" the editor then mentioned. Looking up at the man in confusion the brunette just gave an oblivious expression.
Sighing, "What is the incurable disease you have? What was the accident that led you to go into a mini-coma and do you remember anything when you woke up?"
Blinking for a few seconds, the brunette thought over what to say but too tired to think on what to say for his disease and how only he, Tsubaki, and the doctors assigned to his case knew about his disease and it was complicated to explain. Entering the apartment complex before entering the elevator the brunette responded to not keep the editor waiting, "As for the disease, I'll explain when I am actually 'awake.' The accident was that I fell down the top of the stairs of a pedestrian crosswalk bridge and the back of my head took most of the impact. Remembering anything when I actually woke up, during that time it was just a blur, my vision was still recovering from my head injuries and I couldn't really focus."
Nodding the Shojo editor stayed silent as the elevator quietly moved playing soothing music in the back. Trying to guess what the man was thinking the brunette just stared at the man.
Feeling something trying to dig into his skin, Takano glanced down to see a short brunette intensely staring at him. Raising an eyebrow, "Am I that good looking?"
The brunette blushed red before looking away, "I-I-It w-wasn't l-like t-that!" the pale man stuttered.
Coming to a stop the mechanical elevator gave out a small ding! before opening to anyone waiting for this stop. The two men walking out, were at a even pace with the brunette slightly being faster.
Finally reaching their doors the brunette fumbled to get his keys before unlocking his door upon entering the brunette nearly managed to fully shut his door before a hand stopped it and looking up to see the same dark haired editor the brunette froze as he realized the man already leaned in to kiss him once again.
Just like before the kiss was short and not forceful. Upon release, the brunette stood ridged, "Don't forget what I said earlier and I'll help you with your research to help you remember, have a nice sleep," the editor said with a brightening smile.
Leaving the stunned brunette as the door to his apartment closed before him, dropping to his knees on the genkan. The pale man was seriously done for the rest of the day and wanted to stay in until the next morning. Glowing lava red.
Will I get use to this?
Update: Accomplished!
Just a few things to say before I go. One, it seems that I got the summer job, so soon expect the slow updates (hopefully they aren't that slow!) Starting next week!
Two, don't take anything I said about the tea, truthfully, I got that all based on my cheap research. Since serving tea is going to play a slight part as a habit for Ritsu, I made up that Tsubaki(Obaasan) and Ritsu were just knowledgeable about tea and teapots. Along with that fact, that little thing allowed me to know more about some teas, like I wished when I was a kid. Sadly, I never tried, actual brewed tea leaves T_T
So the tea thing, I may be wrong but this is all from my own research, so don't take my info literally!
Bye!
