-Naoya's POV-

I knew it! Naoya exclaimed internally with satisfaction and a bit of guilt. Even though the situation didn't warrant any happy sentiments, he felt vindicated by his actions towards Takamiya.

From what Reiji just said, it meant the translator had known about Kuroda's feelings and had done nothing to discourage the editor from what he's seen. That in itself was telling enough.

The more he heard of the matter, the more it didn't sit well with him. He felt angry. And almost all of it was directed at Takamiya.

How can Takamiya-san not see what was going on? His friend must have been jealous of the growing relationship between the translator and the editor from the get-go. If it was truly platonic, Naoya knew Izumi would not have felt as threaten as he had and acted the way he did. Understandably, his friend's methods mayhap can be a bit brutish at most times, but it didn't warrant such protective responses from Takamiya for the editor…. unless the translator indeed has feelings for Kuroda in return.

His frown returned upon realizing that. Then it dawned on him as his eyes widen with this next revelation.

If he was able to deduce this much as an observer, wouldn't his friend have already jumped to this conclusion with even far less provocation? What if Izumi had seen physical evidence of Takamiya acting upon his feelings for Kuroda as he had witnessed? It would make perfect sense for Izumi to flee, for Naoya knew despite his friend's perpetual denial of his relationship with Takamiya in the public eye, it was all harmless bluster.

If that was true, Izumi's action makes perfect sense. Who would want to stay with a perpetual thorn at one's side? Who would want to witness the deterioration of one's own love life? In which case, he rather Izumi move on than be with Takamiya.

So why would Reiji insist that they rally behind Takamiya's effort to regain Izumi still?

It didn't make any sense to him.

Surely, his older lover must have arrived at the same conclusion… unless that is… there was more to the story…

Naoya directed his questioning eyes at Reiji and saw that his lover, with a bit of amusement in his demeanor, was waiting patiently for him to digest the information.

He flashed a coy smile in return to signal the older man to continue.

-Reiji's POV-

"Believe it or not, Takamiya did not see that one coming. Although it was amusing at first to see Izumi bristle about trying to hide their relationship from a complete stranger, it soon became apparent to Takamiya that Izumi's behavior needed to be checked. It was no longer funny.

More and more, Takamiya saw signs of abusive behavior, mostly verbal. It wasn't until he saw with his own eyes when Izumi dropped the knife lined with Kuroda's blood that he realized the boy had gone too far.

He had tried to placate Izumi from bullying Kuroda further. He did whatever he could to prevent the two from colliding. He'd meant to staunch Izumi's bad behavior by protecting Kuroda from him. Instead, it backfired.

Izumi ran away and Kuroda confessed that he was hopelessly in love with Takamiya."

Reiji paused to gauge Naoya's reaction to all this. Seeing the dawning of understanding within those gentle depths, Reiji resumed his tale.

"So, Takamiya was surprised that Kuroda hadn't caught on that Izumi was his lover. He didn't want to break the editor's heart, but gently broke it to him.

Interestingly, Kuroda said he suspected as much and thought it was all one-sided affection from Takamiya's part. Regardless of Takamiya's protests to the contrary however, Kuroda became more irate and emotional as he pleaded with Takamiya and try to make him see reason with his blind devotion.

Then finally, Takamiya stated firmly that he loves Izumi and it will never change."

Seeing the stiff nod of approval from Naoya, Reiji smirked and continue to the finally chapter of the story.

"Suffice it to say, Kuroda didn't take the declaration very well and ran out. Knowing the editor's fragile state of mind, Takamiya gave chase and saw Kuroda enter a taxi that happened by. So he followed with his car knowing where the editor will end up. When he found him, Kuroda was already drunk and being picked up by a brute…."

"Well, come on! What the hell happened next!?" demanded his brother.

Reiji turned in surprise to the speaker. For a second there, he'd expected Naoya to make such an exclamation, but he'd forgotten that there were other audiences when he began his tale. Of all people, when he didn't continue as he tried to find the right words to tell the next sequence of events, he hadn't suspected his brother to be so anxious of Takamiya's love life. But then again, Kiichi did like a good drama, especially the ones he orchestrated himself.

He decided to ignore his brother once more and bluntly retell the tale as the translator told him.

"It's a bit confusing from here as Takamiya doesn't remember much after this. So it may sound cliché, but by the next morning, he found Kuroda in bed with him."

As expected, Naoya eyes rounded out in disbelief. Immediately, Reiji spoke up in defense of his friend.

"Choose to believe him or not, but that is what Takamiya said happened. He suspects that someone might have slipped something in the drink that was meant for Kuroda."

-Naoya's POV-

"….so Takamiya did slept with Kuroda-san…," drawled Naoya distastefully. He felt disgusted by the circumstances in which his assumption was proven correct. He had known both the translator and Izumi for six years now and should have not questioned their characters. It was understandable though, given such a situation that anyone would have played sides with some prejudice. Naoya truly wanted to apologize to Takamiya the next time he saw the man for jumping to conclusions and condemning him without hearing the whole tale. He should have known better and vowed to rectify his mistake.

Reiji must have thought he came to the wrong conclusion for the man was quick to defend his friend once more, "Now Naoya, you shouldn't blame Takamiya for this. He only…"

"I understand, Aoe-san," Naoya interrupted thoughtfully. "He only meant well, but because of this… incident, it probably encouraged Kuroda-san instead…. And I suspect… that this was the straw that broke the camels back."

Review Responses (Thank you for commenting)

Cougars Shades – Um, I don't have anything weird up my sleeve… just writing about the matters of the heart. I hope this update is to your liking.

Fllorinoir – Yes, a third party is always a pain especially if you are rooting for the loving couple. But that's life. Thank you for keeping up with the story.

Anonymous – Don't worry, even though this story is label angst, I'm a sucker for happy endings.

Pombella4 – Hmm, judging by Reiji's previous meddling acts, I would say yes. It runs in the family ne?