Unfortunately for Usagi, things did not go as planned. The meeting carried on for an extra half an hour. When one rolled around it took everything in him to stop himself from getting up and leaving in the middle of the meeting. All throughout it, he could see Aikawa keeping an eye on him, ready to tackle him if he tried to escape. The clock struck one thirty and the last of the conventions were finished up. He was done. Usagi could finally go home. Last night, he had already decided that he would skip the dinner party reserved for the workers at the hotel. His mind was now set on going home to Misaki to spend their anniversary together.
"This meeting for Murakawa publishing concerning Usami Akihiko's newest novel has now been adjourned.", the president said finally and closed his folder. While people began to pack up their bags, getting ready to leave, Usagi turned to Murakawa. Masayoshi was now standing next to him handing him important documents that needed to be looked over. Usagi smiled and gave a slight bow.
"Thank you for having me, President Murakawa", Usagi said politely. He turned to Masayoshi and nodded once. He smiled at Usagi in return.
"Will you be gracing us with your presence at the dinner party tomorrow night?", Masayoshi asked Usagi, staring at him intently.
Out of nowhere, Isaka appeared and placed his hand on Usagi's shoulder, smiling slyly.
"Usami-san will be sure to make an appearance at the party. He tells me he loves to take part in the gourmet food and mingle with the workers", Isaka said.
Murakawa turned to face Usagi, his eyes full of slight surprise.
"Is this true Usami-san? I don't mean to step out of my boundaries but it is indeed a very rare occasion that you attend any social events", he said, smiling slightly. He looked thoughtful for a moment and then spoke again. "But we would be delighted to have you. Especially the ladies", he added jokingly, glancing at a woman in the corner who was eying Usagi. The author gave a slight laugh and spoke.
"Well it is true that I love the parties you hold but I have a lot going on at the moment. Sadly I don't think that I will be able to make it that night, as I have some personal business to attend to", Usagi said coolly. He could feel the soft glare of Isaka next to him, who had now taken his hand off his shoulder.
Masayoshi looked over towards Usagi and smiled.
"Personal business you say? Could you by chance mean anything romantic?", Masayoshi asked, smiling coolly.
"Ah that's right, Usami-san", Murakawa interjected.
"You are very popular with the ladies. Whoever the woman is, she is very lucky", Murakawa said.
"Yes. A lucky woman indeed.", Masayoshi added. Usagi felt himself wince, detecting the emphasis that he put on the word 'woman'.
"Oh but then I guess you won't be joining us after all, Usami-san?, Murakawa asked, his gentle elderly face falling a bit in disappointment.
"No I'm afraid not", Usagi said, feigning the sound of regret and apology in his own voice.
"Ah I see, I see. It's alright.", Murakawa said, smiling. "Please enjoy your weekend then. Oh and I expect to be one of the first to get an autographed copy of your book", he said, smiling
"Of course", Usagi said, shaking the president's hand
"It's been a pleasure working with you", Masayoshi said, smiling, his hand reached out. Usagi cringed slightly to himself. He really didn't want to touch this man. Something about the way he looked at him and the way he said his name made the author feel uneasy. Nonetheless, he reached out his own hand and shook, Masayoshi's outreached one assuredly, smiling. The handshake lasted longer than expected and Masayoshi's hand lingered even after they had stopped shaking hands, almost as if he were feeling for something on his hand. Usagi pulled away and bowed his goodbye and walked towards the exit, where Aikawa was waiting for him. When they were all outside of the meeting room, Usagi could already feel the nagging that was going to come from Isaka. He was all business in these instances and he didn't like it when Usagi did his own thing apparently.
"What the hell was that about back there?", Isaka said, fairly annoyed.
"What do you mean?", Usagi asked, taking a cigarettes from his pocket and placing it between his lips.
"I mean, why would you refuse to go to the dinner party, you damn moron?", Isaka asked.
"Personal business", Usagi said coolly.
"Chibi-tan...", Isaka said in a low voice.
Usagi gave him a warning look of his own.
"Isaka-san. Maybe this time we could let it go. After all, it is Usami-sensei's and Misaki-kun's anniversary", Aikawa interjected.
Usagi raised an eyebrow.
"There is nothing wrong with having a private life. That has nothing to do with me", Isaka said. "But when it starts to interfere with your work, then something has to be done and then it's my business", Isaka said, glaring at Usagi, as they reached the elevator
Usagi pulled a lighter out of his pocket and lit his cigarette. They were now in the elevator, taking it down to the first floor of the building.
"Akihiko! Your work should come first!", Isaka said, glaring at Usagi.
"Misaki is more important", Usagi said coolly, still smoking.
"The little cutie is going to make you turn into a hermit", Isaka said, still angry.
"Speaking of cutie", Aikawa said sighing. "I wonder if Masayoshi-san has a girlfriend? He so handsome!", Aikawa squealed.
Usagi rolled his eyes. Aikawa noticed and pouted.
"What? Masayoshi-san is very handsome. I thought you would appreciate that, Usami-sensei", Aikawa said.
"Do you want me to throw you out this elevator shaft?", Usagi asked annoyed.
"Just because I'm gay, doesn't mean I'll fall for every man I see", Usagi said.
"Ah yes, that is true.", Isaka said rubbing his chin. "Akihiko is more of a lolita type", Isaka said teasingly, thinking of Misaki's cute, girl like face and slim body.
Usagi glared at Isaka, who merely smiled back in response.
"But I have to agree with Aikawa-san on this. Masayoshi is attractive. And if you have a relationship with him, it may be beneficial to us in the long run", Isaka said, jokingly. This time Aikawa was the one to speak up.
"Isaka-san! That's enough!", Aikawa said indignantly, looking at Isaka in anger.
"Yes, yes. It was only a joke. I know that Akihiko would never do anything to hurt our little Chibi-tan", Isaka said, still smiling mischievously. Aikawa was still eying him warily.
"Really, Isaka-san", she said putting a hand on her temple.
"What, do you expect me not to even look at other men? I like guys too you know.", he said.
"Oh really? I bet Asahina-san will be interested in hearing that. In fact let me call him. I have his number", Usagi said pulling out his phone and scrolling down to Asahina's contact information. Isaka's eyes widened.
"What? No way! Don't call him!", Isaka said.
Aikawa started laughing
"Why must you both turn against me?", Isaka said, slightly glaring at them both
"That's what you get for messing with Misaki-kun", Aikawa said. She and Usagi exchanged a glance of triumph. Isaka let out a sigh and placed his hands in his pockets.
"I just want to make sure that you don't screw up your career", Isaka said, perplexed.
"I won't. Just leave me in peace and let me work. It's none of your business", Usagi said.
Isaka glared at him again, ready to say something back. But the elevator reached the first floor and they all got out, slowly walking to their cars.
"Isaka-san are you going home", Aikawa asked.
"I have another meeting to go to at Murakawa back home. Some of us actually work", Isaka said, glancing at Usagi, who just ignored him.
Isaka took out his keys and pressed the locater button. His car horn beeped twice a few feet away. He steteched out his arms and yawned.
"Lucky for me the meeting is short. I can go to bed early and stay home tomorrow", Isaka said lazily. He walked over to his car and opened the door, letting himself in. Putting the car in reverse, he backed out of his parking space and drove in front of Usagi and Aikawa.
"Akihiko, get your damn work done.", he said.
"I will so stop bothering me", Usagi said coolly, taking another puff of his cigarette.
Isaka's window went up and he drove out of the parking garage and into the street.
Aikawa and Usagi began walking towards her car. They got in and shut the doors, quickly fastening their seat belts. Aikawa put the car in reverse and drove out of the parking garage, into the bright daylight. By the time they reached Usagi's hotel complex, it was already quarter past two. As soon as the car stopped and was parked in the street in front of its entrance, Usagi quickly got out and made his was towards the hotel elevator. Aikawa followed behind him, slightly jogging, her heels clicking noisily as to walked to keep up with him. Once they reached his hotel room, Usagi turned the key and flung the door open. He briskly walked into the bedroom, leaving Aikawa standing the doorway, looking tired and confused. After a few moments, Aikawa peeped her head in the room, curious. She let out a sigh, a small smile on her face. There in the large room, Usagi had thrown his large briefcase on the bed and was now throwing clothes into it, pants and shirts loosely hanging out of it, as if they were ready to fall any second. Aikawa sighed once again, slightly shaking her head in amazement. She cleared her throat and spoke.
"Usami-sensei. I know that you're in a hurry to get home but you can't leave tonight you know", Aikawa said.
"I need to get home by the day after tomorrow so I'm leaving now", Usagi replied, his back still turned
Aikawa's eyes widened in amazement
"Now? Are you serious? That's impossible!", Aikawa exclaimed.
"Why are you trying your hardest to discourage me?", Usagi asked, annoyed, now glancing in the woman's direction.
"I'm not! You know you can't do it! The airport here is still being repaired", Aikawa said.
"Then I'll take the train", Usagi said
"Trains for Tokyo aren't scheduled till Saturday", Aikawa said, rubbing her head in frustration.
How could such an intellectual be so damn unreasonable?, Aikawa though to herself.
Usagi let out an annoyed sigh.
"I promised Misaki that I'd be home for our anniversary", Usagi said tuning to face Aikawa.
"Your anniversary is on Saturday!", Aikawa said.
"I want to be home before that", Usagi said.
"What are you going to do? Walk to Tokyo? You have time, so relax.", Aikawa said, placing her hands on her hips.
Usagi grunted in an irritated manner and Aikawa rolled her eyes in response.
"You can leave the day after tomorrow...possibly. On Friday night", Aikawa said taking Usagi's other brief case and placing it on the bed next to the other one. She slowly started pulling clothes of the first one and began to fold and organize them. She smiled to herself, thinking of Misaki. She could hold her own when it came to keeping things in their place but she had to admit that Misaki was much neater and organized. Aikawa looked up at Usagi, a slight laugh on her lips, as she sighed in exasperation.
"Let me help you pack. I don't want you rushing at the last minute.", Aikawa said, checking the closet.
"When have I ever rushed?", Usagi asked coolly.
"Usami-sensei. The last time we went to a meeting out of the city, you left over eight hundred dollars worth of suits in the closet. You just left all your clothes!", Aikawa said, scolding him.
"Ah I do recall something of the sort", Usagi said as he took another cigarettes out of his pocket and lit it in his mouth. Aikawa walked over to him and flicked the cigarettes from his lips. It fell to the floor, not making a sound. Usagi gave her an annoyed look.
"Pack", she said.
"I thought you were going to do it for me. Isn't that somewhere in your job description?", Usagi said.
Aikawa looked towards the ceiling, acting as if she were thinking thoughtfully of something.
"Ah. Oh well then. I guess you'll be packing at the last minute again. It'd be a shame if you missed the train to Tokyo. We didn't bring our cars this time. With that I guess you'd still be able to make it back home by...I guess...", she paused for a moment and pulled out the train schedule out of her pocket "Next Sunday", Aikawa finished giving the author a sly look of triumph, Usagi walked over to his bed and dumped all the clothes on the sheets. Aikawa smiled.
"That's right Usami-sensei. Pack properly", she said, still eying him.
Usagi turned to face her, still looking annoyed. Aikawa walked to over to the door and opened the door, ready to let herself out, but still stood in the hallway.
"Get out and let me pack", Usagi said, as he pushed Aikawa fully out of the door and closed it in her face.