JUNJOU ROMANTICA / SEKAI-ICHI HATSUKOI

Chapter Two - The Long-Awaited Day

TIMELINE: August 5

LOCATION: Takano Masamune's Apartment

Isaka Ryuichiro's e-mail to a select group of people read….

Hi, Everyone:

First, I thank all of you for working well with Ishino Trading & Consultancy – most especially with AJ-kun – in collecting much-needed data for his analysis in such a short period of time. I'm pleased to share with you that AJ-kun's analysis revealed promising opportunities, and each company involved worked together to establish the foundation for a successful overseas venture in North America and Europe.

And so continues the great opportunities for Marukawa Shoten – which now includes a special project in collaboration with Onodera Shuppan, Usami Group, and Ishino Trading & Consultancy! This upcoming special project is part of Marukawa Shoten and Onodera Shuppan's joint venture to North America and Europe, so each step being a success is important for everyone involved in this endeavor.

Clear your schedules since we will all meet tomorrow, 5:00 PM. The address for our meeting is given to you. Spare two hours of your time tomorrow evening for this very important kick-off meeting.

Be advised that some team members will only be available via video or phone conferencing, and such arrangements have been already cleared by me. Be ready with a clear mind and imagination, since I want everyone's creativity to make all our efforts towards our North American and European debuts successful.

Also be advised that the members of this team will also be in charge of the commemoration party to celebrate Usami-sensei's win as Author of the Year. All I am saying at this time is that this year's party will and should be different, given the rare opportunity given to us – a surprise that will be revealed to all team members at tomorrow's meeting.

Please keep anything and everything that has something to do with this special project a secret. There will be a non-disclosure agreement passed on to each member of the special project team. Your respective hard work and your discretion are keys to the success of our project!

We have three months to make many miracles happen and for our creative work to shine. Let's all work hard! Let's make the most out of this opportunity before us!

See you all tomorrow!

Isaka Ryuichiro

And there was another e-mail from Isaka….

Takano:

Thank you for continuing to take care of Onodera. I hope that his health is doing better. Just as I have mentioned, please turn in your team's time-sheets directly to Asahina and me during this entire time that you're on leave.

I'm sure that you've received my e-mail to the group regarding this upcoming special project. You and Onodera are integral to the team. I hope for Onodera's speedy and thorough recovery.

As I have mentioned, some of the participants will attend via video or phone conferencing. I'm speaking about you and Onodera. For you two, the meeting will come to both of you at your apartment. Two of the principals from Ishino Trading & Consultancy will come to your apartment at least 30 minutes before the meeting (that's by 4:30 P.M.) Set up Onodera via telephone conferencing in his room, while you virtually attend the meeting via videoconferencing.

After the meeting, Asahina and I will come and join you all at your apartment. I do hope that this plan would not pose as an intrusion. Let me know if you can think of a better arrangement which would allow us to accomplish our goals regarding the special project and most especially regarding Onodera's recovery.

Do not worry about going out of your way such as food or beverages. Since we will be intruding you and Onodera for company reasons, let Asahina and me to worry about those matters. Just let us know in advance as to what Onodera and you would like, especially since Onodera's on the mend.

Again, Takano – thank you for your hard work and dedication. We'll talk more tomorrow. Give my regards to Onodera.

Isaka Ryuichiro

Takano shook his head as he stirred awake from hearing the doorbell. Realizing that he fell asleep by Ritsu's bedside with the laptop on the folding table that he was working from, he took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes with the back of his right hand. He then took a stretch, easing the tension from his body due to lack of sleep and the uncomfortable position that he was in when he fell asleep.

The doorbell rang once more.

"Not my imagination… Has it been an hour since I read Isaka-san's emails?" thought Takano as he looked at the wall clock inside his bedroom. He frowned as he saw that it was 1:00 A.M.

Looking through the security peephole of his door, Takano was more tightlipped as he identified the late-night visitor. He was tempted to just ignore it, but out of consideration for Ritsu's feelings, he opened the door.

"Good evening, Saga-san. I'm here to take Ritsu home…"

Takano's matter-of-factly reply was, "It's 1:00 A.M. Ritsu is asleep. I'm not going to wake him, so please leave."

When Takano saw that Nao was not going to leave, he dared close the door. Anger and jealousy boiled inside him, and he knew that he had no patience to deal with Nao especially at this time.

Nao, blocking the door, coldly told Takano, "I will keep ringing the doorbell. I don't think your neighbors will look upon you kindly after tonight."

"Suit yourself," said Takano with disgust. "Stay or go, I don't care. You're not welcome here and I've asked you to leave. I'm locking the room and continue taking care of Onodera. Knock on my bedroom door to bother Onodera, and I'll call the police because you're trespassing in my home."

"Don't you think you've caused Ritsu more than enough pain, Saga-san?" asked Nao, that civil tone of his laced with the same venom that it always bore for Takano as the latter was about to turn and retreat inside the bedroom. "I did tell you to please don't bother him anymore."

"You're bothering Onodera as much as I am, even more," quipped Takano, his tone injected with nonchalant civility. "You're in my home. I'm taking care of Onodera, and you're not welcome here. Leave my apartment – now."

A small deprecating smirk slipped away from Nao's lips. "Do you think that taking care of him now makes up for the 10 years of hurt while you were absent in his life?"

Nao's eyes narrowed even more as he demonstratively have his index fingers move and make cutting gestures over his wrists of the opposite hands before Takano, his gaze not leaving Takano. "How about what happened recently? For someone who claims to love and care for him, you sure have a twisted way of showing it."

The air…or specifically the aura…inside Takano's apartment was heavy…suffocating…daunting…

Takano stood transfixed at the same spot in his living room. For a while, he was stone-faced and unnerved on the outside, yet the innermost part of his being shook in anger, continuing to rip him into shreds and chip away whatever little sense of wholeness he had left from the last time he and Ritsu slept together…a moment between them that Takano still had not forgiven himself for doing.

Still not knowing how to react or accept what he just heard from Nao, Takano took a deep breath and dared to continue looking at Nao. For Takano, Nao's words – most especially the ones just uttered – felt as if his heart had been repeatedly picked by vultures, with each second now laying ground for a deeper sense of shame and guilt to plant inside him. Takano felt this specific empty, sad pit before – the same pit that he wallowed in for many years and had nearly destroyed him the earlier years following his separation from a suddenly-disappearing Ritsu.

Takano then looked away from Nao. There were so many emotions coursing through him, but it all rendered him numb. The more numb and despondent that he felt, the more that his teeth gritted in anger and his body shook due to the agony and guilt that his heart, mind, and soul continued to endure. Takano's fists clenched, wanting an outlet for release…yet his desire to hit and punish himself with those fists far outweighed how much he wanted to beat Nao to a bloody pulp.

Here was Takano – regardless of whether he used the name Saga Masamune or Takano Masamune – the subject of adoration and infatuation by many, the target of envy by a good handful, and the constantly-used example of success by authority figures in his life… On the outside, Takano was suave, intelligent, confident, and deep in thought…yet inside, he felt irreversibly broken and completely hollow. None of the attention or accolades mattered to him to begin with, even during those days before he fell in love for the very first time in his life.

All that mattered to Takano was Ritsu…the very one who filled his heart and mind…the one who he loved for more than a decade…the one who caused a revolution of change in himself for ten years and counting…the one who now laid sick on his bed…so close for him to touch yet to him feeling farther from his reach now than ever before.

Oh, how Takano loved Ritsu so dearly…and how he thirsted in wanting to hear Ritsu say those same words… Each time his heart dared to entertain that hope these past few days, the more that hope chipped away something inside him and rendered him raw and bare…so vulnerable not just before Ritsu, but to anyone who knowingly or unknowingly bore ill intentions…

One such as Nao….

Unbeknownst to Takano, he had just reached his breaking point. Since all the emotions that he harbored inside were long trapped those feelings now manifested themselves in the form of tears that threatened to pool at the corners of his eyes. His fists balled up, his nails embedding as deep as they could in his palms as last-ditch pleas for him to feel something…anything…only for those pleas to remain unheard once more as they echoed inside him.

Takano tightly closed his eyes… He did not want to do this, for he felt that closing his eyes meant that he was surrendering to Nao – specifically, surrendering his right to fight not just for himself but a future with Ritsu.

As Takano stood before Nao, he internally asked, "How can I continue fighting when…?"

…And Takano could not think anymore. His brain and his suffocating heart had both shut down, desperately seeking and struggling to inhale a figurative breath of air to save him. Everything for him felt either too numb for him to feel, too dark for him to see, or too overwhelming for him to think….

Nothing was there for Takano. It was just as it was 10 years ago, or maybe even worse. More than 10 years ago, love was just a mere concept and unknown experience to Takano – frivolous, fictitious, and impossible. Ten years later and counting, love was a painful reality – still frivolous, fictitious, and somewhat impossible on a two-sided basis…an experience that did not bode anything but heartache and misunderstanding. Yet, Takano continued to hope and dream…investing in patience, frustration, and heartache to achieve the impossible once more with Ritsu.

In the many books that Takano had read, he remembered and took to heart that it was substantially much better to love and lost than to have not loved at all. He had achieved a small sliver of love with Ritsu, and admittedly he was far too immature and jaded to appreciate what he had lost until Ritsu slipped from his fingers and out of his life.

Ten years and counting was a time span that Takano thought was a small amount of suffering and wait until Ritsu was ready once more to return…but all the foundations that Takano put in place to make that wait and patience bearable were now caving in….

"How can I continue to fight…? Can't give up yet… But how can I…?" Takano asked himself once more, a grim expression veiling his face and adding more stress to his already-haggard disposition due from going on days without sleep as he watched and took care of Ritsu.

There was only one thing that held Takano back in one split second before he fell off that ledge of despair…that pivotal point wherein everything felt to be far too much for him to think or bear. His eyes abruptly opened as that particular something jarred him back to his senses…

A hand…

A touch….

The air and the aura brought about that hand…that touch…as quiet as it was…shaking the foundations of everything it veiled both inside and outside….

…That very hand clung on to Takano's left shoulder…

…That very hand squeezed tighter and placed more weight on Takano's shoulder as its owner continued the struggle to keep equilibrium, The owner of that hand had his own temper seething in tandem with the fever that coursed throughout his body….

As Takano lifted his head due to that welcomed touch, his heart pounded heavier for each passing second. His eyes went wider once Nao's expression changed to one of surprise. That last rare and precious drop of hope residing in the core of Takano's being expanded just a little bit more…making his heart and soul's numbness dissolve. The numbness was slowly replaced with the growing and lingering hurt, guilt, loneliness, and sadness that he endured for 10 years and counting.

Just as Takano thought that he had reached the threshold of his emotional tenacity or lack thereof, the sensations he felt as a soft yet heated breath landed on his left ear…those lips so close as if they have just planted feathery, teasing kisses on his ear…the touch on his shoulder feeling warmer and more comforting as he heard the words whispered in his ear by the owner of those hand and lips…

"Please don't back out on me, Takano-san… We'll talk after all of this …"

Takano now stood there barely holding it together. His heart ached even more when he felt that weakened and shaky hand move from his left shoulder to his broad back. He felt as if that much-needed comfort would make him fall down on his knees. Too many emotions crashed and then flooded inside him.

Nao, whose expression considerably softened, focused his gaze behind Takano and murmured, "Ritsu... I'm here to pick you up. Let's go home."

Ritsu shook his head, his hand now climbing back up and resting on Takano's right shoulder. "I've heard more than enough. I'm staying here. You leave today, just as you said…"

There was hidden meaning laced in Nao's friendly-toned words when he asked Ritsu, "Do you really expect me to leave you behind while you're sick?"

"I'm staying here with Takano-san," were Ritsu's words, the courage behind his declaration solidified when he saw Takano give him a nod of agreement.

"I'm not leaving until you come with me. You need me."

Takano gritted his teeth while he remained silent, yet he blinked when Ritsu said, "I said no, Nao. I'm staying here. Please leave my apartment."

Nao shook his head, taking a deep breath as he carded his fingers through his hair in an effort to ease his mind. "I won't leave you behind when you need me most. I especially won't leave you behind with him."

Ritsu could not mask the frown that clouded his face when Nao looked at Takano in such a distasteful fashion upon mentioning the word "him." Takano kept his silence, his innermost being shaking for so many reasons.

Nao chose not to stop. His tone was kind yet insistent. "Why go back to the very person who caused you so much pain? Do you want to be hurt and betrayed again? Are you a masochist?"

"That's my business with Takano-san," deadpanned Ritsu, his chest hurting more as he struggled to breathe. He could feel his strength waning fast, his knees feeling as if they were about to buck any second. He clung on to Takano's arm – not just for support, but also to serve as further evidence to his declaration before Nao and Takano.

"What about your wrists? Have you forgotten about that? I would never do that to you! Have you forgotten what he did to you 10 years ago?" demanded Nao with his eyes narrowing in such an accusatory manner aimed at Takano.

Shortly thereafter, Nao gazed at Ritsu. The fury and frustration in his eyes cooled down as his sight rested on Ritsu, his words taking a kinder tone. "I love you, Ritsu. I've been there for you through the hard times. Give us a chance. I can make you happy. I'll treat and treasure you as the special person that you should be treated. I helped you move on before. Please completely move on from him . Allow yourself the chance to be happy…to be truly loved…."

Ritsu was tightlipped, the fingers in his right hand burying deep in Takano's left arm. "You're right about something, Nao. You're my friend…nothing more."

"How can you say that? What about us? What about you and me?"

"That's the point!" interjected Ritsu through gritted teeth and tears, "There's no 'us.' There's no 'you and me.'"

Ritsu took a deep breath once more, doing his best to keep whatever little strength he had. He then added, "Takano-san and I went through so much. He and I haven't moved on from 10 years ago. He shouldn't take the blame. I should be blamed for what happened back then. I misunderstood."

Nao deadpanned, "You're too nice for your own good. You're letting him off the hook so easily. You think that people can change a person that easily?"

Ritsu then stopped, looking at Takano and then with his weak hand tightening his hold on Takano's hand. Letting out a soft, self-deprecating laugh, Ritsu told Nao, "People do change. I've changed from 10 years ago. I'm jaded. I'm more stupid about life and love. I'm tired of denying and being vague. I'm tired of hurting him and hurting myself! Do you hear me, Nao? I'm tired!"

Nao and Takano fell silent, both of them respectively mulling over Ritsu's words, especially when Ritsu added, "All of this stops here and now… It's long overdue…."

The tears flowed generously from Ritsu's eyes as he told Nao, "This whole mess from 10 years ago is my fault. Takano-san and I suffered all this time because of me. I want to be with him. I love him more today than I did back then. I feel empty without him. I can't picture a life without him. Whatever that life might lead me, I will take that road with Takano-san… Just him and no one else… He and I will figure out our lives together…."

Nao stood there, letting out a sigh before he said, "You don't even know what you truly want, Ritsu. You're confused… That's the fever doing the talking for you."

Ritsu's watery eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched for a couple of seconds as he collected his thoughts. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then curtly told Nao, "And you don't know how to listen. Don't you know that delirious people tend to be more truthful?"

A tight-lipped Takano glanced towards Ritsu, recalling as to how Ritsu had told him at one point in time to listen more in order for them to get to know each other better. It was not what Ritsu told him that day, but rather the manner in how Ritsu made his point. As he thought back at the incidents which led to that time, the normally-passive Ritsu would get fired up or downright irritated due to not being heard.

Takano himself would openly admit that he barely listened at best whenever his fiery temper took center stage over reason, but he quickly observed as to how Nao would automatically not heed or listen through charming his way through a talk or situation. Diplomacy was one thing – a virtue and skill that Takano himself knew and was adept in utilizing in any given situation while reaping fruitful results – and overly asserting an opinion, desire, or need to the point of blatantly ignoring the other person's right to think for himself was simply disrespectful and unforgivable. Even if Takano understood this concept very well due to the troubled household that he grew up in, he still admittedly made many faux pas in this area.

Nao's forehead crinkled, his eyes narrowing as his disbelief and frustration built up even further. "I can't believe you're still choosing to defend him! So tell me – where was he when you were hurting? Where was he when you were dead inside…when you needed him most? Did he even bother looking for you?"

Something just snapped at Ritsu from hearing Nao's words, exerting nearly most of whatever little strength his fever-addled body could muster when he spat, "Takano-san did look for me back then – don't you get it?!"

Seeing that Nao reeled back from being yelled at, Ritsu stood in silence with his gaze transfixed on Nao. When he felt that he regained some level of control, Ritsu added in a much calmer tone, "Takano-san wouldn't be able to find me 10 years ago. I used a different last name. I left Japan the day after that big misunderstanding. You're in no position to blame him, Nao. That's between Takano-san and me."

"Well, you should go ahead and blame him! He hurt you! You have every right to do that! He deserves it!"

"He's not at fault!" Ritsu's body shook as the hand that clung on to Takano's arm had its fingers dig deep. His free hand formed a fist, his fingernails digging deep at his palm. He took in deep breaths to compose and brace himself, adding as his tone became more somber, "I ran away from everything 10 years ago. I became the instrument of my own suffering as well as his. You have to stop all of this, Nao…."

"What are you talking about?" asked Nao point-blank, his eyes not afraid to meet Ritsu's gaze.

"I heard everything – your conversation with Takano-san. You and I made things even worse. I've defended our friendship with Takano-san all this time, Nao. How can I continue doing that knowing how you've been treating him?"

"I'm pointing out the truth – nothing more," replied Nao, who did his best to keep his composure in check. "What's wrong about that?"

"What's wrong? Everything about it is wrong. You hurt him! You did it on purpose!" A look of disappointment further veiled over Ritsu's face as he continued to explain, "Someone treated me exactly how you're now treating Takano-san. Those hurtful accusations…. The doubts you keep picking on and stirring inside Takano-san's head and mine. I went through all of that hurt and confusion. I didn't like being hated and judged because of the past. No one deserves that. Takano-san most especially doesn't deserve that."

"I love you, Ritsu. I can't just stand here and watch you make the biggest mistake of your life by falling for Saga-san again."

"I'm the one to figure out what's best for me – not you." Ritsu's eyes blazed from the fever as well as the quiet anger bubbling inside him but he then paused, feeling a surge of nearly-overwhelming vertigo fall on him.

Once the dizziness subsided, Ritsu lifted his head and looked at Takano's direction. He did not allow any room to question his body's current capability to carry out what he felt was something long overdue, and so he looked straight at Nao as he added, "And as to me falling for Saga-san… Takano-san…again… You're very wrong, Nao…."

Nao and most especially Takano were caught off-guard.

"I did not fall in love with Takano-san again. To say that means that I fell out of love in the first place. He never left my heart in the first place."

Nao was speechless….

Ritsu then looked at Nao more intently, adding, "You're still my friend and I wish you the best. I'm sorry, but you need to leave my apartment. In the future, the three of us will face each other in friendlier terms. For now, and until you fully accept and respect the truth that I've declared here, let's give each other space."

"Give me a few minutes," said Nao, his eyes reflecting the deep hurt inside his heart. His glance then moved from Ritsu to Takano, letting out a quiet sigh as he turned around and left Takano's apartment.

Takano and Ritsu stayed situated at the middle of Takano's living room, the two seeing Nao enter the apartment once more with luggage now in tow.

Nao quietly approached Takano, his clenched hand producing the key to Ritsu's apartment. His sad gaze moved from Ritsu and then Takano, taking in a deep breath to nurse his aching heart and gathering the courage to tell Takano, "Good luck to both of you."

A tight-lipped Takano gave Nao a subtle nod.

Ritsu gave Nao a nod as well.

The two lovers watched as Nao locked the doorknob to Takano's apartment and left, allowing the door to lock itself once he door closed behind him.

Ritsu blinked and then closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. The whole conversation with Nao sapped him out, his body now allowing itself to relax and feel the repercussions of pushing himself beyond the limits of his weakened state. He weakly shook his head and then murmured, "Takano-san… The sofa…"

"How about the bed? You'll be more rested there…."

"Okay…."

Takano nodded, his expression serious. He still felt such a tightness in his chest as too many emotions continued to bombard inside him, his tears pooling at the corner of his eyes as he glanced sideways at Ritsu. A couple of teardrops streamed down Takano's cheek as he gave Ritsu a soft smile, telling the latter in a near-whisper, "Just relax…."

"All right," said Ritsu, saving himself from doing any unnecessary movement as his last-ditch effort to maintain his balance. Once he saw Takano assume the position to give him a piggy-back ride, he held on to Takano.

Takano lifted Ritsu, carried the latter to the bedroom through a piggy-back ride, and lay the younger man on his bed.

Takano propped a pillow to support Ritsu's head, sweeping away the unruly and sweat-dampened strands of hair which covered Ritsu's eyes. He closed his eyes, now unable to stop some teardrops that streamed down from his chin and dropped on Ritsu's shirt. He looked away as he tried to take a deep breath and regain his composure, only for those efforts to fail when he felt a cold yet encouraging hand touch his right cheek…that hand coaxing him to face its owner.

"Ritsu…" was all that Takano could manage to say to the other, his heart clenching even more as he looked into Ritsu's eyes and seeing the latter mustering all strength to give him a warm smile. He lifted his right hand, interlacing fingers with Ritsu's clammy yet comforting hand that rested on his cheek.

"I'm sorry… I've hurt you so much… So many times… All this time… All these years… So much misunderstanding… I always wasn't clear… Wasn't honest about you and me…. Nao now knows… Now you know…" said Ritsu as hot tears flowed from him once he felt Takano's left hand on his head.

With a sad smile and with a new batch of held-back tears pooling at the corner of his eyes, Takano could only manage to nod as he continued to gently card his fingers through Ritsu's hair. "Shhhh….. We'll have plenty to talk about once you're well. For now, you need rest."

"Lie down with me, please? Don't leave…"

Takano granted Ritsu's request, taking his place on the bed. His body welcomed the comfort of a bed along with the company of the one dearest to him. The two silently gazed at each other, with so much respective emotions being communicated to the other person – all while Takano gently carded his fingers through Ritsu's hair.

Although he felt as if he was going to melt from the other's gaze, Ritsu fought any desire to look away. Still feeling so weak, dizzy, and out of breath, a still-teary-eyed Ritsu broke the long silence by asking, "Am I still here as much as you are in mine, Takano-san?" He lifted his right hand and placed it over the left-hand side of Takano's chest. "Is there still an 'us' left to hope for?"

Affectionately touching Ritsu's cheek, Takano could not help but note that Ritsu's fever returned. He poured as much tenderness as he could in the touch that he gave Ritsu. "I should be asking you those question… I did and said so many hurtful things the last time that we were together."

Takano's tone became even more gentle, all while he clasped Ritsu's hand more affectionately than earlier as he added, "God, I want to take all of that back, but I can't. I'm so sorry, Ritsu…."

"There's nothing to forgive, Takano-san. Please don't be sad…. I hurt you. We were both hurting from the past…."

Takano's reaffirmation of his feelings for Ritsu as well as his plea for forgiveness were the last straws. The dam of tears that he fought valiantly to keep in check especially in front of Nao had finally collapsed, with his tears now flowing more freely from him.

The two lovers clung on to each other, with Ritsu doing his best to comfort Takano through his touch. A long period of silence hung between them.

"I wish that I wasn't sick…" Ritsu told Takano as he fought the shivering of his body, sweat beading on his forehead as the back of his eyes burned from the slight fever that slowly crept back into his body and weakened him once more.

"We'll catch up when you get well," said Takano with a comforting smile. He blinked his eyes to quell the tears that threatened to escape from him.

Ritsu's heart had been aching since he woke up and overheard Nao and Takano's conversation. It hurt him to see Takano in such a desolate state. Yokozawa's disclosures on what happened during the 10 years that he was apart from Takano – particularly the years that Takano engaged in full-blown promiscuity and self-destructive behavior – came back to haunt Ritsu.

For the first time in more than a decade, Ritsu took a step and risked in opening up the rest of his sheltered feelings…allowing them to fall in sync with the one before him. He gestured for Takano to come closer, inviting and at the same time asking Takano for permission to touch him.

And so Ritsu watched Takano, his heart elated and beating faster once Takano took his silent invitation.

Takano rested his head and the burdens lurking inside his heart, laying his head on Ritsu's chest…all while Ritsu had the fingers of his left hand card through Takano's hair, while his right hand rested on Takano's back in a one-armed embrace.

After the long period of comfortable silence between them, Ritsu whispered as gently and as heartfelt as he could, "I love you, Takano Masamune…. Please take all of me…as jaded, broken, and flawed as I am… Let's start over again together…? Let's give each other the chance to finally have that happy ending…."

"Yes… Yes, we will… I love you with all that I am, Onodera Ritsu…" declared Takano in a near-whisper, an encouraging soft smile escaping from his lips. His heart ached and wept, this time for mostly the right reasons along with the concern over Ritsu's health. "You've exerted yourself too much just now… Rest… Get as much sleep as you can… If your fever doesn't go down, I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow…all right?"

Ritsu nodded, weakly smiling as he stared at the ceiling yet his mind's eye vividly pictured Takano's face. "Hold me while I sleep… Don't leave, please…? Join me in bed?"

"No sex? Cuddling only…" Takano teased as he laid out tonight's rules, trying to make things light since he saw Ritsu getting teary-eyed once more. "We'll do the super lovey-dovey stuff when you get well…"

After releasing a snort, Ritsu mumbled as a teardrop or two escaped from him and quelled down the rest, "Such a jerk…. Must you think about such things at a time like this?"

"You're blushing..."

"That's the fever..."

"And I thought you're going to be completely honest..." Takano raised his head to stare at Ritsu after letting out a chuckle that lightened the heaviness of his heart. He lifted his arm, having the back of his right hand ghost over Ritsu's cheek. Quiet tears streamed down his cheek. "I won't leave your side… I promise… Now go to sleep before I change my mind…and that's not going to help either of us…."

"Now what are you babbling about?" Ritsu mumbled as a frown creased his forehead.

Takano whispered in Ritsu's ear, "Either you and I go to sleep now, or we'll both be up all night long - with you ending up with a relapse because I won't be able to hold back. Now, while I can still control myself, especially while you're looking at me like that, not another word... Close your eyes and rest..."

Ritsu felt his face heat up as he scooted over and gave Takano more bed space, with the two now lying on their side facing each other. Takano protectively cuddled Ritsu in bed.

And so Ritsu closed his eyes, allowing his fever-addled body take in the comfort of Takano's touch and presence lull him to sleep. "Good night, Takano-san... I love you..."

"Good night, Ritsu... I love you, too..." When he confirmed that Ritsu quickly fell asleep, Takano closed his eyes after planting the last of his gentle kisses on Ritsu's forehead. The core of his being felt a different sensation as a seemingly surreal yet very-real revolution and transformation had taken place inside of him as he now heard those three precious words and much more that he longed to hear from Ritsu's lips.

As Takano's tired body took in more of much-needed sleep, his mind echoed his response to Ritsu's words over and over again. His dreams took the shape of the undeniable and overwhelming sense of happiness now filling him to the brim…those dreams allowing him to let out restful deep breaths as he continued to protectively cuddle Ritsu while the two lovers slept throughout the night.

End Chapter Two

Author's Notes

Hi, Readers!

For fans of the Junjou Mistake / Junjou Mystique / Isaka Ryuichiro and Asahina Kaoru pairing, this fic will prove to be a treat for you! These two characters are the ones who are actively there on Junjou Romantica and Sekaiichi Hatsukoi

It is in my hopes that readers would enjoy this fic - my tribute to these fandoms as well as the last piece of character development for my OCs. Once this fic is done, I can safely say that I've done everything that I could to make my OCs "real people."

When you read this fic, just remember the old saying that, "Never judge a book by its cover." Yes, there will be OCs, but you'll see that your favorite pairings ARE STILL your favorite pairings. The OCs are there to interact and to bring about this new added touch to the fandom universe, and making things in this fic possible and helping maintain canon.

For those who are familiar with my OCs (AJ Ishino, Alexandra Emrys, and Tsuuri Troy), thank you so much for your love and support for the three of them! The three of them will be "in canon" – for short, the three of them will be just as how as you each know him or her.

Reader feedback through reviews would greatly help, especially since constructive feedback greatly helps a writer improve!

Best regards,

PJ Zatken

Disclaimer

All the wonderful characters for Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi and Junjou Romantica are owned by their wonderful author Shungiku Nakamura. In the series (whether it be manga, anime, light novel, or drama CD), Ritsu's Dad is unnamed, and little is known about him, and so I gave him a name for the purposes of this fic – Akifumi Onodera.

Based on the manga countdown from Takano Masamune's December 24th birthday, there would be 224 days left until Ritsu's Love Declaration Countdown (the end of the manga said that there were 222 days left, but Takano's birthday fell two days before that countdown number, so it's 224). Taking that number, Ritsu's Love Declaration Countdown date would be August 5 (not taking into consideration Leap Year)…lol… So for the purposes of this fic, August 5 is Ritsu Onodera's Love Declaration Day as well as the anniversary date for Takano and Onodera becoming a couple.

The original characters Andrew James (AJ) Ishino, Tsuuri Troy, Michael Ishino, and Alexandra Emrys and any other original characters are properties of PJ Zatken.