"Aoe-sama?"
Reiji halted outside his office, his hand on the doorknob. He raised an eyebrow at his secretary, who offered him a slip of notepaper.
"Midorikawa-san phoned. He wants to speak to you about the Kyoto contract. He says it's urgent."
Reiji nodded curtly. "Put me through to my Tokyo apartment."
"Aoe-sama?" She had turned back to her desk but now looked up again inquiringly.
"Tokyo." His voice was clipped.
"Midorikawa-san – "
"I'll deal with him later."
"Yes, Aoe-sama."
She picked up the receiver and began to dial. Reiji went into his office and sat forward in his swivel chair, passing a hand over his eyes.
-
"Naoya."
"Aoe-san!" Reiji could hear the surprised joy in Naoya's voice. "How are you? Did your business go well?"
"I'm fine." He cleared his throat slightly awkwardly. "Was school – "
"Oh, it was great!" Encouraged, Naoya went on, chattering aimlessly about his day. Reiji leant back in his chair, loosening his tie with his free hand and closing his eyes. He didn't sit up again until Naoya cut himself off with a sudden loud squeak.
"What is it?"
"Gyoku." Naoya was sounding extremely embarrassed. "I didn't realise he was on the back of the couch."
"Where is he now?"
"On my lap." Reiji pictured it in his mind's eye; Naoya curled up on the sofa, the phone tucked between his neck and shoulder and his hands stroking Gyoku's soft fur. He was quiet for a moment, then he said abruptly:
"Have you been sleeping?"
There was a short silence and then Naoya's voice came anxiously over the line. "I – I tried, Aoe-san, but I had an essay to write and Sensei wanted me to come over…" There was a pause; Reiji could imagine Naoya trying not to yawn. "Um. Aoe-san?"
"What."
"Aoe-san…"
"Spit it out, Naoya."
"…Do you know when you'll be home? I mean…!" Reiji could almost hear the extra exclamation marks and he cut in quickly before Naoya could begin babbling excuses.
"Soon. Stupid. If you weren't sleeping well, you should have said something."
A yawn. "I'm fine, Aoe-san, really…"
"Idiot."
Reiji wrapped up the call soon afterwards, still slightly annoyed at Naoya's self-neglect. He sighed; a short, brusque sigh that was more like a snort and stood up, pushing his chair back sharply. He strode out of his office and glared at his secretary, who looked rather nonplussed.
"Book me a flight back to Tokyo," he ordered tersely.
"…Aoe-sama?"
"One that leaves as soon as possible. I intend to get back by midnight."
Her fingers were already flying over the keyboard, but she spared a second to glance up. "Midorikawa-san won't like it."
"I'll deal with Midorikawa later."
"Yes, sir. The next flight leaves in two hours, sir."
"Good." And Reiji returned to his office to pack.