''Onodera,'' said Takano, driving them to work in the morning.
''Yes?''
''We haven't been on a date in a while.'' he said, feeling the absence of their time together. ''Let's go out this weekend.''
Onodera turned away slightly upon hearing the word ''date'', like he was turning shy. ''What do you want to do?''
''Anything's fine I guess,'' the strong light reflected off from Takano's specs as he steered the wheel. ''What do people do during summer time?''
''Camping, hiking. Some of my friends took a trip somewhere…'' said Ritsu.
''You have friends?'' asked Takano skeptically, almost scoffing.
''What's that supposed to mean?'' countered the brunette, scowling at Takano's tone. ''Of course I have friends.''
''Uh-huh,'' said the raven. "Are you sure you're not referring to your old time ones from high school?''
The brunette blushed. ''I really do have friends you know.''
''Sure.'' Takano went along with what he was saying. Immediately, he switched topics. ''A trip doesn't sound bad.'' Maybe they could go for a short weekend getaway. It's been years since he went anywhere at all. The idea of getting away with Ritsu sounded strangely dreamy.
Snippily, the brunette extinguished the thought away, bringing up one glaring fact.
''We don't have the time for that,'' he reminded. Being an editor is a busy job, with their schedule being hard to match, even if a trip did sound nice.
''Hmmm….'' The raven considered. ''What do you suppose we should do?''
''There's a lot of festivals and fireworks now,'' said the brunette. Japan's summer is the time for them.
''What else?''
''Hmm…'' Quietly thinking, Onodera took his phone out.
''Are you actually searching for things to do?'' Takano commented in disbelief, watching Ritsu scrolls away on his phone with quick glances.
''What? '' The brunette turns red, ''I'm just checking for suggestions, '' he said. Then, he proceeded to read off the list of things to do. '' Hmm…Temples and shrine, festivals, shopping, sushi. . .and 108 volcanoes in Japan.'' Thoughtfully, he hummed as he went down the list
'' . . . I never knew you could do so much in Japan,'' admitted Onodera, noticing it for the first time.
The condescending tone again. ''Are you really Japanese? ''
''Hey!'' Ritsu retorted, his eyebrows knitting downwards again. ''I'm born and bred here you know. It's just that I've haven't been out in a while.''
''Including the time you went abroad?''
Embarrassed, the brunette looks away.
''I suppose that makes the both of us,'' said Takano, referring to the fact that they both didn't really go out exploring. ''What else?''
Onodera continues reading the list. ''I've never been to Harajuku before.''
''Isn't that where all the youngsters go?''
''You sound like an Oji-San already,'' said Onodera, still chuckling at what had happened the other day.
Reflected off the front mirror, Takano gave him a pointed sideway look.
''I suppose we can go there,'' said the black haired editor, ''I haven't been to that part of Tokyo either.''
''Are you really Japanese?'' mocked Ritsu, echoing him on purpose.
''Born and bred.''
It was quiet in the car for a few moments.
''So what made you want to take my car?'' asked Takano. ''You used to dodge it like a bullet.''
''I thought since we're going to the same place, might as well take it,'' explained the brunette, somehow getting around to that idea. It wasn't uncomfortable-taking his car. Lately, the silence had been rather bearable, almost natural.
''I see.''
After a few minutes of silence, the brown-haired male spoke.
''Are you sure you wanna go there?'' asked Onodera doubtfully. ''It's where all the teenagers are. I don't know if there will be much to do.''
''There will be some things to do,'' said Takano. ''We can always go around town if it's too boring.''
''We're not teenagers anymore, you know,'' reminded the brunette. Sadly, they weren't.
''I know.''
Their first stop was Harajuku-the centre of Japanese youth culture and fashion.
''Takano-San, wait,'' called Ritsu, pausing in front of a giant store.
''Daiso?'' Takano stopped, looking up at the equally big sign on top.
''The 100 yen store?'' remarked the brown-haired male, eyes wide with sudden interest. ''Let's go in,'' he said, deviating from their track.
By the side, Takano watched Ritsu go around the store like a kid. ''You look like you've never been to a 100 yen store,'' he commented.
''I haven't,'' said Onodera, eyes wide as saucers.
''There's really nothing much here,'' said Takano. It was just a giant store selling all type of cheap goods for 100 yen. He paused, considering something. ''But I suppose it does make it more fun if you haven't been to one, young master Ritsu.''
The said brunette was far too busy marveling at the place to hear him.
The unbelievable look Takano had, gradually melted into an amused smile as he watched his date. The brunette was already wandering around without him. With an unbelievable expression, Ritsu looked with awe at the items.
''A frying pan?'' exclaimed Ritsu, holding up the item and knocking it with his fingers. For a 100 yen? ''The quality's pretty good. I wonder if they sell energy dri-Takano-San!''
Takano held a fan in his right hand, having used it to knock at his date's forehead. Ritsu rubbed the spot.
''Takano-San!''
''Let's go.''
…
This is really the epitome of Japanese youth.
Boys and girls in all sorts of weird costumes paraded around town, cosplaying as some character, mostly ones which he had never seen before. Onodera had never felt so out of place.
''I feel like I'm a tourist here,'' confessed the brunette. ''Is this what teenagers are into these days?'' Cosplays and… costumes?
''I guess,'' said Takano. ''Is this is what Japan's famous for? Besides, we need them to keep our salary coming.''
Green eyes surveyed the surroundings, spotting a familiar cosplay. The girl-or was it boy-had an eye patch over an eye, wearing a Victorian era costume. Close to her, another sharp looking guy was wearing a butler uniform.
''Oh,'' Onodera said. ''I think I've seen that one somewhere before.'' The boy and his butler.
''Kuroshitsuji?'' asked Takano, referring to the anime the cosplayers were going as.
''You know the series?'' exclaimed Onodera, surprised. The raven was a shoujo manga editor after all.
''Of course I do,'' said Takano, all cocky. ''It's pretty popular after all.''
''Oh, I see,'' said the brunette, half reprimanding himself for not knowing and pissed at losing to Takano. ''What's the series about?''
''A kid and his demon butler,'' said the editor in chief. ''After the kid's family got killed, he made a deal with the demon in exchange for his soul at the end of its completion.''
''I see,'' said the brunette, remembering seeing the series from somewhere before. The image of Sebastian and Ciel came to mind.
Then Takano said something that nearly made Ritsu trip. ''Maybe we should cosplay as them someday.''
''C-c-cosplay?!'' exclaimed Onodera, shocked to hear the suggestion coming out of him. Takano San? Him? Us!?
''What do you say, Onodera?'' Suggested Takano, his lips forming into a smile. ''I can be your butler for a day, Young master Ritsu.''
''N-n-no thanks!'' stammered the brown-haired brunette who came from a wealthy family, trying to get rid of the image of Takano in a butler uniform, serving him. The demon editor in chief was as fine as the demon butler. ''I don't need a servant!''
''Or your personal chef.''
''Stop that!'' said Ritsu, blushing and rejecting the idea, even if cosplaying did sound the tiniest bit fun.
…
''You've really never been here before?'' asked Ritsu, once they settled in a café.
''Never,'' said Takano, drinking his black coffee.
Onodera looked past him, out to the streets. He thought Takano might have been to the hipster part of town, maybe during his youth. He seemed like the type to wander off, lost in his alone time, or maybe because he was the male editor in chief of the highly profitable girly Shoujo manga in Marukawa.
''How come you've never been here?'' asked the brunette.
''I had no reason to,'' said Takano. He really had no interest in exploring the city, be it in high school or college. The raven had other shit to deal with. ''You?''
''Me too,'' answered Ritsu. ''An-Chan likes to shop at Shibuya though. She's always asking me to go along with her,'' he said, quickly realizing he'd mentioned something he shouldn't have.
Takano's brown eyes slid up to him.
Green ones blinked nervously.
''Have you?''
''Have I?''
''Have you been on dates with her?''
''Um….'' Ritsu blinked uncomfortably. "Why are you asking me this?''
''Just asking.''
''Um….'' Why did I have to bring that up? ''Um… I went shopping with her.''
''I see.'' Takano said nothing more, surprising his date.
Takano-San seems to be taking it pretty well.
''Weekends?''
''Eh?''
''Did you go out on weekends?'' asked Takano, referring to his dates with his former fiancée.
''Yeah…''
''So you did all the lovely dovey couple stuff with her?'' asked the raven, eyeing the brunette.
''Can we please talk about something else,'' pleaded Onodera, wanting to switch topics already.
''What do you do on weekends?''
''Oh,'' said Onodera. ''I visit the library, borrow some books, read up on things, and continue on my work if I need to.''
''Movies?''
''I don't really watch them.'' At least not until recently. This year alone he's already been to two movies with a certain editor in chief.
''You really have no life,'' said Takano, declaring it a fact.
''Like you have one,'' shot back Ritsu.
''What about music?'' asked Takano. ''Do you listen to any songs?''
''Not really,'' admitted Onodera. ''It's all love song these days.''
Wordlessly, the editors drank their drinks, just resting in the silence. Takano drained his cup. Abruptly, he stood up. ''Let's go.''
''To where?'' asked Onodera.
''To do all the couple stuff.''
They wandered around town, looking around. Though somehow it turned into a shopping trip for Takano.
Making his way into a high-end store, Ritsu surveyed the place as his date browsed the racks.
Is this the type of place where Takano shops all the time?Wondered the brown-haired male questionably, thinking about his neighbour's wardrobe.
What's his style? Hobo chic? Editor in chief from hell ?
''Onodera,'' Takano beckoned, holding up a hanger. He gestured the brunette to come closer.
''Hai?''
''What do you think of this?'' the editor-in-chief asked, showing him the attire. It was a simple clean-cut oxford shirt.
''It's nice,'' said Onodera, frankly wondering what was so special about it. It looked like any other button-up shirt for men.
Takano considered, holding the shirt against Ritsu.
''Aren't you suppose to try it?'' asked Onodera, wondering why Takano didn't put the top against himself.
''It's for you,'' said the editor-in-chief.
''What?'' exclaimed Onodera, confused. ''Wait, Takano-San, you're not getting it for yourself?''
''Of course not,'' answered the raven, holding the shirt against Ritsu again. Like he would be caught wearing that colour. Turning around, he passed the shirt towards the store assistant. ''Excuse me, I'm getting this.''
''Wait, Takano-San!'' Completely not expecting this, Onodera held onto his arm, stopping him. ''You don't have to get it for me. I have enough shirts.'' Embarrassed at his gesture, the brunette tried to convince him. ''Really,'' insisted Ritsu. ''You don't have to get a shirt for me.'' Much less an expensive one.
Ignoring him, Takano went to the cashier. ''It's time you throw the ugly ones out,'' said the raven, taking out his credit card. ''Or is this not good enough for you, Young Master?''
Onodera blushed. ''It's not that….it's just…. '' You've already given me a sweater. ''I really have enough shirts.''
Takano ignored him.
The brunette sighed, casting his gaze downwards.
''Choose something,'' he said.
''What ?''
''I said choose something,'' repeated Onodera. '' If you're going to get me something, then I'll get you something too.''
''I don't need anything,'' said Takano.
''Neither do I,'' huffed Ritsu offensively before changing his tone. ''But I haven't really… gotten you anything before.''
''I want my confession,'' Takano told him as they exited the store.
''Anything else?''
''Anything,'' the raven told him. ''Anything from you is fine.''
Flustered from hearing his sweet but unhelpful answer, distress appeared on the brunette's features.
Anything?
''Takano-San!'' exclaimed Ritsu, stopping just for the claw machines. ''Have you ever tried one of those?''
''No,'' said the editor in chief. ''It's just out to cheat your money anyway.''
''Eh, but it looks really easy'' replied Onodera, already able to taste the victory. ''I want to try it.''
Takano scoffed. ''You're most likely going to lose anyways,'' said the raven, making it sound like Ritsu was going to lose for sure.
This guy.
''Are you saying I can't do it?'' questioned Ritsu with vigour, a look of determination setting in.
''You think you can?''
''I can definitely do it!'' said Ritsu with full conviction. Stomping towards one of the machines filled with small plushies, he dropped a coin in and started playing.
Takano sighed, seeing that Ritsu was having a hard time.
''Seriously,'' said Takano coming over. He clasped his hand over Ritsu's, doing the same for the left hand. ''What would you do without me?''
Onodera's arms felt like jelly with the close proximity of the raven. The raven leaned into his date, keeping a firm hold on their hands. The claw swiveled, moving left to right.
Hot breath touched his ear. ''Which one do you want?''
''An-any will do,'' answered the brunette, trying keep his blushing self composed. Completely still, the brown haired male's palm became sweaty as the editor in chief navigated the machine smoothly. The claw dropped down, closing around a plushy, and rose back up again.
Takano placed his chin comfortably on Onodera's shoulder, snuggling as he slightly caressed the smooth hand under his own. For split second, Onodera thought the raven was going in for a kiss.
Badump, badump, badump.
Ritsu's warmth was radiating off to him.
Slowly, the claw slid towards the hole at the front. Pressing their hands together, long fair fingers intertwined with smaller ones. He released and the toy fell into the box.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Cheerful congratulatory music started playing.
Congrats! Looks like we have a winner!
Gradually, night descended. Walking down the street, the pair passed by a pachinko parlour.
''Takano-San,'' began Onodera, his gaze following the long stretch of wall. ''Have you been to one of these?''
''Pachinko parlours are the dens for the jobless and gamblers,'' said Takano. ''I would never go in.''
''What's so fun about sitting in front of a machine?'' asked Onodera.
Seriously, wondered Takano. How sheltered is he?
''That's the whole purpose–it's easy to play, and it fools you into thinking you're close to winning every time, and that the next time you'll win even more. You'll get addicted enough not to leave.''
''No wonder there's so many of them,'' said the brunette. Vices earn. ''It makes money.''
''Hey,'' Takano started, after they left the place. ''What else haven't you done in Tokyo?''
''Hmmm… now that you asked, I guess there's a lot I haven't done,'' admitted Onodera. ''I haven't been to Disneyland,'' he said starting with the big attractions. ''Even thought it might be just for kids… I also haven't been to Hokkaido.
"Oh well,'' added Onodera. '' I guess I can't do anything until I get my work settled.''
''You don't have to rush you know.''
''Why? Afraid I'll overtake you?'' Even if he is in the lit department.
Takano scoffed. ''You have years to catch up to me.''
''Just you wait,'' muttered Onodera.
''What did you say?''
''Just you wait,'' said Onodera. ''I'm gonna overtake you by a long-shot.''
Takano grabbed his hand, moving him closer.
''Hey!'' exclaimed Ritsu. ''What are you doing?''
''Keeping you close,'' said Takano. ''Who knows where you might sneak off to?''
Instead of protesting, Onodera carried on walking with him, awkward feelings absorbed by the silence between them. Soon, the editor was immersed in his own thoughts.
He glanced around at the signs, and a look passed over his features. ''Takano-San,'' said the brunette, suddenly stopping. ''I think we're in the red light district.''
''I know,'' said the editor-in-chief.
''You know?!'' exclaimed Ritsu loudly. ''Then why are we here?''
''We're just passing through, going around back. Besides, I thought you wanted to explore the city.'' Takano slid his brown eyes at him. ''Or do you have other plans? ''
Heat flooded Onodera's cheeks as he flushed, unable to think of a proper response. ''Let's just go back,'' he said, wanting to avoid the sleazy place before Takano got any ideas. Everywhere, there were hotels advertising hourly rates, and posters of obscene images.
Onodera turned, about to leave, when a scantily clad lady came up to them.
''Hello there,'' the pretty lady linked her arms with Takano's, giving him a suggestive smile. Onodera stopped, turning around to see what was happening. ''You're too good-looking to be here alone. Wanna have some fun?''
Annoyance and anger flashed in the raven's seductive brown eyes.
''I'm sorry,'' Takano apologized, flashing a mischievous smile. Untangling himself from the hostess, the raven draped an arm across Ritsu's shoulder. Standing still, the brunette blushed, unsure of what was happening.
Takano continued, smiling like he'd won the lottery. ''I'm here to have a very pleasurable time with this guy.'' Hooking his arm around Ritsu, he cupped his other hand on his cheek, going in for a passionate display of affection.
Breaking off, the raven dragged his date off, acting like passionate lovers. ''Ta-Ta-Takano-San,'' stammered the brunette as the older male dragged him off, holding hands. Leaving, the brunette caught the look on the hostess's face. Shooting them a distasteful glare, she walked off.
Onodera tried to remove his hand from Takano's grasp after they managed to get a distance away.
''Takano-San!'' urged Ritsu, his heart beating fast and hard.
''Quiet,'' said the editor-in-chief. ''She's still behind us.'' True enough, the brunette turned to see the hostess following behind them, her heels clicking against the hard ground. Suddenly, Takano turned, pulling them into a discrete-looking entrance.
''One room,'' said Takano, immediately being handed a key.
''Wait, what!?'' the brunette dropped his voice down to a low whisper. ''Takano San! What are you doing?'' His heart was racing uncontrollably, adrenaline rushing due to the situation.
''She's still outside waiting,'' answered the raven, holding his hand tight. The hostess was still outside, stalking them. ''Unless we do this, she'll be following us the whole night.''
Onodera opened his mouth, about to protest until he realized there was no other way to it. Like a robot, the brunette closed his mouth.
''Do you think she's still there?'' asked Onodera, after hiding out in the room for nearly an hour.
How did we end up in this situation?
''Beats me,'' said Takano. ''I'll go check.'' Quietly, the editor-in-chief cracked open the door, peaking through. Popping his head out, he looked outside to the lobby. ''She's gone,'' he declared.
Glad, Ritsu let out a heavy sigh of relief.
''Thank God.''
''We should probably just wait for a while more, just in case,'' said the raven.
''Umm… Takano-San,'' Onodera began hesitantly.
''Hm?''
''I'm sorry,'' apologized Ritsu deeply.
Takano turned in surprise. ''For what?'' he asked.
''For stalking you last time,'' said Ritsu, lowering his eyes guiltily. ''I now know how scary it is. I'm sorry I stalked you in the library.'' This whole experience with the hostess was terrifying and uncomfortable.
Takano stared at him. ''Idiot,'' he said, flicking Ritsu's forehead. He gazed intently at the brunette, telling him off. ''You did nothing of that sort. It was just library cards. Don't apologize for something stupid like that.''
''But…'' Onodera dropped down onto the bed with his hands over his head, lying with his guard down. ''I'm glad you're here with me,'' he said with a sigh of relief, his chest moving leisurely. Then, realizing what he was doing-lying on the bed like that–he sat up.
Takano was staring at him, with a hawk-like look in his eyes.
''T-Ta-'' The editor in chief prowled over, getting onto the bed, and climbing on top of the brunette before Ritsu could protest. ''T-Takano..S-san…''
BADUMP… BADUMP… BADUMP.
He was staring at him, close enough to kiss.
BADUMP… BADUMP… BADUMP.
Ritsu was lying flat on the bed, pretty green eyes staring back at him.
Takano's heart palpitated. He couldn't think straight.
BADUMP… BADUMP… BADUMP.
''Takano-San…..''
BADUMP… BADUMP… BADUMP.
He wanted him.
BADUMP… BADUMP… BADUMP
Now.
''Excuse me,'' came a knock from outside. A polite voice came through. ''Your one hour is up.''
This is….
Onodera trailed behind Takano, carrying an awfully embarrassed look.
Really super awkward.
''What the hell were you trying to do back there?'' asked Ritsu, mad at what the raven tried to do, and at himself for nearly giving in.
''What else?'' answered Takano. ''I'm a man, after all.''
''Aren't you the least bit embarrassed?'' questioned his date, cheeks flaming.
''I'm sorry,'' apologized Takano, for the sake of it. Onodera looked less heated. ''But we did more scandalous things before in the school library, remember?'' he probed.
''Would you stop bringing that up!'' In his moment of anger, Ritsu forgot that this has the first time his high school first love had brought it up.
Takano turned.
''I'm sorry,'' he said, watching the upset expression his love was giving him. Upon hearing the sincerity in his voice, the tightness in Onodera's chest lightened. The brunette felt bad for yelling at him earlier.
''It's okay…''
''Ah, '' said Takano, remembering one more thing. Still facing each other, he brought up one little fact. ''You couldn't kiss with your mouth open before, but I see that you've now learnt how to do it.''
''Oh,'' said the brown haired male, blood rushing to his cheeks. Memories buried long ago resurfaced. ''Is that so?''
Why…. do you remember something as small as this?
''Hmm… If you don't remember something like that, did you really love me?'' said Takano, meaning to be a tease, but coming off as serious with his dead-set expression.
Onodera stopped in his tracks, feeling the weight of guilt sinking it. Not knowing that Ritsu had stopped, the editor-in-chief carried on walking. Adrenaline pumped throughout his body, his heart thundering in his chest. The brunette moved forward until he was right beside Takano.
Chu!
Takano stopped.
Ritsu had just given him a quick peck on the cheek.
Surprised and shocked, his brown eyes widened, never once having thought the brunette would do that. Blood started to rush to his head, flooding him with dizzy thoughts. The sound of Ritsu's lips smacking against his cheek was still echoing in his ear.
''I remember,'' said Ritsu, blushing as hard as Takano.
Upon entering the car, Onodera sat down. Pulling his seatbelt on, a thought occurred to him.
''Onodera?'' asked Takano, noticing the brunette staring off into space, specifically at the direction of the front mirror. ''You've been staring at the mirror for a while.''
''No, I was just thinking….''
''About what?''
''I was thinking whether…whether you would want to hang the plushy in the car,'' admitted Onodera.
How silly of me.
The editor's cheek flushed from the mortification of voicing such a silly suggestion.
Takano-San would never do something like this.
Unreadable, Takano questioned him accusingly. ''You don't want it?''
''No…I mean…'' the brunette stammered, feeling awkward and embarrassed. ''I didn't exactly win this alone, and I haven't given you anything yet. So I was wondering if you might want to have it...I'm sorry,'' he apologized, finding his own suggestion rather pathetic.
A plushy for an expensive shirt? Onodera, you really…
''I suppose it's fine.''
''What?'' Onodera blinked.
''It's fine,'' said Takano. ''I'll take the plushy.'' Sticking his hand out, he waited for Ritsu to pass him the toy. After having it in his hands, the older male clasped it around his front mirror using the little lapse.
''It does look a little odd,'' said Takano upon seeing Ritsu stare at the thing hanging there; a cute cat plushy hanging on his sleek two-seater car. ''But I suppose it's ours.''
The car rolled to a stop, parking in the chosen spot.
''I-I…'' started Onodera, unbuckling his seat belt. Fear crept up on him again as he gathered his courage to say his words. It was a tiring day, but he enjoyed it, save for that little incident. ''I had fun today,'' he said. Looking at Takano, he gave him a small, almost timid smile.
As Takano looked back at him, he realized how much courage it took for Ritsu to say that.
''I had fun too,'' said the raven honestly.
Ritsu met his eyes, giving him the same small smile again. The shimmer in his eyes made something in Takano swirl with warmth, something he had not felt in a long time. Hesitantly, Ritsu stretched his arms out, moving to give Takano a quick hug before leaving the car.