Ripping Off the Bandage

"Kawamura," Isaka said, "when Onodera gets here, I'll need you to handle all the calls and keep everyone out. I want to speak with him privately and uninterrupted. Asahina had to go run some errands, so I'm counting on you."

"Of course, President. Do you want anything right now? Coffee?" Kawamura had gotten much more talkative since their little chat last week.

"Chocolate. No, wait -" seeing Kawamura was about to go hunt down candy. "That was a joke. I do like chocolate, but not right now. You can go to your desk. You know who Onodera is? He looks kind of like Misaki."

"Oh, that one who looked like he wants to cry or punch someone. I asked Misaki if they were related, but he said no."

Isaka laughed. This kid cracks me up. Onodera does always look like he's about to have a breakdown of some kind. I wonder if my news is going to make that better or worse. "Yes, that's him. You can bring him right in when he gets here."

"Okay," he said and left the office.

Onodera. How to handle this? Isaka spun in his chair, but it was no fun without Asahina there to correct his behavior. Onodera's continued presence at Marukawa was an issue. Isaka knew his parents, their company was a rival, and Onodera himself was a curious mixture of anxious puppy and stubborn mule. What on earth does Takano see in him? Never mind, I'm just going to overwhelm him and give him no opportunity to argue. That decision made, he opened a desk drawer and pulled out a box of chocolates to munch on.

A little while later – all evidence of chocolate stashed away – Isaka stood up when he heard the quiet knock on the door, alerting him to Onodera's arrival.

Isaka turned on the charm. "Onodera! Come in! Would you like a drink – coffee, or tea maybe?" He shook his head. "Well then, come sit down over here," and Isaka led the way to the small sitting area in the corner. As Onodera perched himself uncomfortably on the edge of a plush chair, Isaka lounged back in his and took a good look.

The kid was scrawny, exhausted, nervous, and it wasn't even Hell Week for Emerald. Isaka felt responsible somehow, which was ridiculous. They had grown up in very similar circumstances, yet turned out so differently. Takano was right to suggest this, despite what it might cost him personally. I should have noticed sooner.

"Ritsu," he began, much more gently than planned, "how are your parents? I haven't run into them lately."

Onodera relaxed fractionally at hearing the conversational tone. "They are fine, as far as I know. I don't talk to them very often, especially since all my mother wants to talk about is...well, nothing really."

"Wants you to get married, right? What was her name, that girl they had picked out for you?"

"Ahh? Kohinata An. We finally convinced my mother that wasn't going to happen."

"But you haven't explained why?"

"Why?!" Onodera squawked. "Wh-what do you mean?"

Isaka rolled his eyes. "Onodera, do you know how many married men work for this company? Less than 20, and that's counting all the departments. I don't know if it's the publishing business or just this company that attracts so many permanent bachelors."

Onodera just looked confused.

"Not married. On purpose. Despite being of age and having decent jobs. Real catches, many of us. I was in the same boat as you ten years ago - parents hounding me to get married and settle down, and produce the next branch on the family tree. Unlike you though, I was always a rebel, so I suppose they weren't so shocked when I told them about Asahina. Mom still has hope, but Father washed his hands of me. It helped that they already knew Kaoru and liked him, of course, but..."

"What? Wait, what? Are you saying you and Asahina are...!"

"Yes, Ritsu. We are. We've known each other since childhood, and we've been lovers for many, many years. You know about Kirishima and Yokozawa, right? What about Hatori and his author? Kisa? And everyone knows about Misaki and Usami. Ijuuin..."

"...!" Onodera was speechless.

"Someday you'll have to tell your parents, you realize. About Takano. It will break your mother's heart, but I think your father will be alright. He's a good man. And he's worried about you. So is Takano. And so am I, now that I'm seeing you up close."

"Tak-arrgh! You...! I'm fine! I wish everyone would stay out of my business!"

"But this is my business – literally. As president of this company, I can't afford to have an employee - who happens to be the son and heir of a rival company – collapsing from malnutrition, stress, and exhaustion more than once. You look like shit, Ritsu. And that reflects on me and Marukawa."

Onodera was fighting back tears now. "I'm sorry! But it's my fault only! I don't pay attention to anything when I get wrapped up in work. And I've been pushing myself to learn about manga and shojo and..."

"Ritsu, you've been here two years now. You know manga, you do a good job for Emerald. But you're not settling in, haven't adjusted. I don't know if that's the job, or if it's Takano, or what. But I'm making some changes and you're one of them."

"I'm...am I fired?"

"No. I'm moving you to Literature, where you probably should have been all along. I've already stolen your friend, Saeki* from Shuudansha*, and we have a fresh recruit also. Both of them will be starting in Emerald tomorrow. It should shake things up a bit, adding women editors to that mix."

"Literature? Really?" Some hint of light was growing in those big green eyes.

"Yes. Sumi-sensei has asked about you many times. Akihiko says you were good when he worked with you. And we're acquiring a new author that I want you to take charge of. Yuki Eiri, have you heard of him?" [I'm sure you Gravitation fans know who he is!]

"Yuki, who writes those literary romances full of angst and tragedy?"

"Yes, well, apparently he's tired of writing heartbreak romances, but his publisher wouldn't let him switch genres. He's broken with them completely. If he likes you, he'll sign with us. So you'd better make him like you," Isaka mock-growled. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text.

"The rest of this week, you're on half-days. Clean out your desk (Aikawa will show you your new one), introduce your authors to their new editors, and relax. Sleep, eat. Meditate. Whatever you need to do to switch your mental gears, or recharge your soul batteries, or whatever they're calling it nowadays. Get yourself together, man! I want you looking fresh and impressive when you meet with Yuki – that will be next Monday."

Onodera was in shock. And still on the verge of tears. He didn't hear the knock on the door, didn't notice Isaka going over to whisper something in Takano's ear and then leaving the two of them alone. But when Takano wrapped him up in a hug, he broke down and sobbed – not even knowing why. Maybe it was happiness, maybe it was a release of two years' worth of tension and fear and self-doubt. Probably a lot of both.

As the storm of emotions finally subsided, Onodera tried to pull back but Takano only gripped him tighter. "Ritsu. I'm going to miss working with you. But be happy, please. I can't take any more of watching you destroy yourself for Emerald. It's not your fault and you've done well, but manga and our press cycle just isn't right for you. You were always meant for Literature, and it was selfish of me to keep you. Can you forgive me?"

"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't say that. But I feel like I let you and myself down, and that it's weak of me to be happy to be moving back to Literature after so much effort. And...I'll miss working with you too."

"Dumbass. I love you."

Onodera mumbled into his chest.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you."

Onodera lifted his head. "Don't call me 'dumbass.'"

"That's not what you said. You said you loved me. Admit it!"

"I did not! Stop making th-" Takano kissed his mouth shut.

Kawamura glanced up as the two men left the president's office. Isaka had wandered off somewhere and Asahina wasn't back yet, so he'd been engrossed in of the BL novels Misaki had given him – Laboratory of Love by Aikawa Yayoi, about a scientist and his lab assistant. It was a lot of fun. And full of fascinating ideas.

The two were griping at each other as friends do. But Takano had an aura of tender protectiveness towards the Onodera, who looked different somehow. It wasn't the tear-swollen pink-rimmed eyes, but the glow in his face. Huh, he's happy. And he looks much more like Misaki when he smiles.

I guess they're a couple too, he thought. I'll have to tell Izumi later. Love between men really is a very comfortable thing, when we do it right.

Of course, Usami would churn out a new BL book about our favorite Tyrant!

*Saeki is a friend of Onodera's from his days at his father's company.

*Shuudansha is a third publishing company that produces manga.