The New Year's Eve party held every year by Marukawa Shouten to celebrate the achievements the company had made for the year and usher in a new one. It was also the only opportunity to meet all the many other artists, mangakas and staffs, to shake hands with the big shots.

Or to embarrass yourself in front of a crowd.

Panicky, Onodera ironed his suit, moving the appliance around to make sure he ironed everything.

''You don't have to be so nervous,'' said Takano. '' You went to it last year, remember?'' he reminded.

'' I know, but I'm in the literature department now. They told us they managed to get almost all of the high profile senseis to come, so we have to be presentable,'' Onodera fretted, anxiety written all over his features. '' What if I got their names mixed up ?'' worried Onodera, saying it out unconsciously.

''They will be wearing name cards,'' reminded Takano. '' Like we did last year.''

Then it will be an even bigger embarrassment to make the mistake!

''I haven't found my tie yet !'' exclaimed Onodera, alarmed. '' Or prepare the gift sets for my authors!''

'' Just take one of mine,'' said Takano, eyeing him as Onodera scurry around the apartment. '' You sure have a lot of last minute work left to do,'' he disapproved. ''Oh, and by the way, I booked a room at the hotel tomorrow for the night.''

''What ?!'' Onodera exclaimed. What room ? '' Why did you book a room for ?!''

''Knowing you, you're going to get yourself wasted tomorrow. I'm not dragging you back to my car and risk driving with you puking all over it,'' said Takano. ''It will be easier to get a room.''

Glaring at him, Ritsu couldn't argue. He's right. Damn it. Suspiciously, he frowned. I just hope he don't get any funny ideas later.

Onodera eyed him darkly with a look for a moment and paused. '' Are you going to keep the new hair style for tomorrow?'' he asked.

''I might,'' said Takano. '' I'm not used to it but then I might just keep it for the occasion. Why ?''

''Noting,'' said Onodera composedly. '' You do look very handsome.'' Walking off, he muttered lowly to himself. ''You're really have to fend them off tomorrow.''


''Oh ! Takano San !'' Kisa exclaimed in excitement, his eyes widening upon seeing his boss when he arrived. '' You cut your hair ! You look even better than before. '' Ever smiling, Mino nodded. Hatori agreed. '' There is a very nice hairstyle.''

''Was it expensive?'' asked Kisa, buzzing with questions. '' You looked younger too. Did Ricchan asked you to do it ?'' he snickered. ''We're gonna have an even harder time this year.''

''Stop asking so much,'' ordered Takano, putting an end to the annoying questions as his eye brows knitted downwards.

''Oh Yokazawa San,''greeted Kisa. '' Look at Takano San and his new hair.''

''Masamune,'' Yokazawa walked forward. '' What's with the fancy new hair do ?''

Silently, Takano frowned in exasperation as the group moved forward together, almost regretting coming to the party like this. '' What's with everyone fussing over me getting a hair cut ?''

Entering, Yokazawa broke off from team emerald, knowing the approaching onslaught was about to start.

''Takano San!'' A high pitched voice exclaimed. A group of mangakas, all female were looking at his direction. Sensei approached him, looking very excited. '' You look very handsome tonight !''

''Thank you,'' said Takano, smiling graciously even thought a wave of dread was rising in him as more mangakas were flocking towards him now.


''Thank you for working with me. Please enjoy the party.''

Onodera bowed respectfully, having ended a conversation with one of his authors. The author bowed back. '' You too, Onodera San.''

The brown haired editor turned, looking at the scene happening before him a distance away, and shook his head sadly. Takano was going to have a really hard time this year. Just then, Isaka San and his personal assistant appeared beside him.

''Well, just look at the commotion there,'' said Isaka. '' Emerald is as popular as ever, especially Takano with his jazzy new do. We'll see how they fend off the ladies this year.'' The CEO turned his attention to the other staff. '' Ah Onodera,'' Isaka put his arm around the brunette. '' And how's it going for you ?'' he enquired.

In a flash, the managing director leaned in quickly. ''Whatever you're doing,'' Isaksa whispered to Onodera him stealthily, '' keep it up.'' Emerald's sales has been soaring higher than ever. Isaka gave him a quick wink as he pulled away.

''Eh ?'' said Onodera, slightly confused.

Is Isaka San talking about my work?

''Keep up the good work Onodera,'' said Isaka again, sounding like he was talking about the brunette's job as an editor, and what a good progress he was making.

Flustered from the praise, Onodera replied. ''HAI !''

'' With Takano too, I mean.''

Upon realizing Isaka's meaning, Onodera blushed heavily, turning red even more than he would when he was drunk.

''Well, see you guys ! Happy New year! Enjoy the party !''

Haisegawa, Onodera's co-worker, came carrying a beer for him and another for himself. ''Here Onodera San,'' he said, taking a seep. '' It's going to be a long night.''


Onodera took a deep breathe. Throughout the night, he had a few drinks, and was reaching his limit soon before he pass out. It was a busy night, he didn't have the chance to see Takano, not that he should since he's on the job. Once again, it was non-stop socialising and wearing a smile. He was really honoured and grateful to meet the great authors but the alcohol was making him woozy.

''Onodera San,'' his boss called.

The brunette tried to hurry over. It was really warm.

''Why don't you rest early tonight ?'' suggested his boss. '' We're almost done here anyways.''

''Oh no. I'm fine,'' said Onodera, taking a look at the time, he said '' I can stay until midnight.''

''You sure ?''

''Hai.''

It was the New Year's eve party after all, a once in a year big company event. And it was almost time. Usually after mid night, everyone started to leave.

''Alright, if you insist. Look out for him Haisegawa.''

Haisegawa went over to Onodera. '' You sure you're alright ?''

''Hai,'' he said. ''If I don't drink any more than it's fine.'' He paused for a moment. '' I've actually got a room booked here.''

Surprised, Haisegawa give a started look.

''Well, if you pass out, I can carry you there.''


Stumbling, Onodera held on to his co-worker as they exit the lift, walking down the hallway.

''We're almost there,'' said Haisegawa as he held on to Onodera. Reaching into his pocket, the co-worker took the card out, sliding it through the slit. An approving beat sounded.

Opening the door, Haisegawa carried the almost unconscious Onodera across the hotel room, and deposited him onto the bed. Catching his breath, he heaves the editor's legs up the mattress and removes his shoe and socks. Sitting down, Haisegawa then removed Onodera's suit and his tie before proceeding to undoing the first button, and then the editor's belt.

Standing up, Haisegawa took and removed clothing and placed them on the armchair beside the bed, along with the key card. He switched on the table lamp. He looked at the knocked out editor.

Exiting the room, the co-worker offed the main lights, closed the door shut and headed for the lift.


Takano pressed a hand to his head, hard. He blinked and frowned. In the elevator, he was finally going to rest after the party. God knows how long he was stuck playing the drinking game with his authors.

Slowly, the lift stopped, opening its door. Shaking his head, Takano walked staggeredly down the hallway. He could still stand all alright, but his head was swimming. The hallway looked like it was swaying. A few particular years in his youth helped build up a tolerance but the new mangaka Isaka introduced sure could drink. He hadn't been this drunk since . . .

Ritsu

Where's Ritsu ?

Groaning and feeling warm, Takano slides his card down, twisting impatiently at the handle. Going in, he kicked off his shoes at the door, fumbling to take his socks off. Carelessly, he striped off his suit and tie, leaving a messy trail of clothes on the floor.

Approaching the bed, he saw Onodera already in it, sleeping on his side.

''Ritsu…'' Takano mumbled, feeling a surge of reassuring warmth at the sight of him. He got under the covers, pulling Ritsu towards him as he snuggled closer towards his love. Offing the lights, Takano pulled the cover over them.


Onodera groaned, experiencing the foggiest feeling ever. Strong sunlight blinded him temporarily as his vision adjusted. Had he already slept through the night ? Slowly, he heave himself upright against the pillow. Glancing around his surroundings, he looked around the unfamiliar place.

He wasn't wearing any clothes. Takano was beside him, similarly appearing naked under the cover, asleep and snoring.

''WHAT THE!''

Rudely, Takano woke to his sense as Onodera slammed his pillow onto him - repeatedly.

''GET UP !''

''What's going on ?'' asked Takano, rising as Onodera repeatedly hit him with the pillow.

''YOU JERK,'' Onodera shouted. '' How can you take advantage of me like that !''

''What are you talking about ?'' asked Takano, confused, his expression twisted sourly as the pillow pound into him again.

''You…'' Onodera said, glaring hotly at him.

Takano glanced around the room, looking at the trail of clothes on the floor and their uncovered selves. He recalled last night, drifting back to . . .

''Oh,'' said Takano in recognition of the situation. Lazily, he drops back down to sleep. '' We slept together last night.'' For the umpteenth time.

''How could you go back to sleep like that ?!'' demanded Onodera. '' I don't remember any at all !''

''Is that why you're freaking out for ?'' asked Takano, yanking Onodera back down to bed with him, holding him close. '' It's not like we haven't done this before.''

''That's not the point !'' Squirming around, Onodera tried to push himself out. '' We shouldn't do this so carelessly. I don't remember anything at all! And you shouldn't have taken advantage of me like that ! ''

''Hmmmm…'' Takano hummed deeply. '' I was pretty drunk myself last night,'' he said. '' If anything, we took advantage of each other mutually.''

''THAT'S NOT MAKING SENSE ! ''

''Well,'' said Takano, burying his nose into Ritsu's hair. '' I'm so glad it's you I slept with.'' Onodera widened his eyes. '' I would never forgive myself if it was anyone else.'' He met eyes with his brunette. '' You really don't remember anything?''

''No…'' mumbled Onodera regretfully.

'' That can't do,'' whispered Takano, getting on top of him. '' That can't do at all.''

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HAHA, hope this was fun for you guys as it was for me :D