Timeline: back when Shu and Jodie used to date.

It's been already seven days, and Jodie's still acting weird. Shuichi was smart enough to notice but dumb enough to not know why.

Sure he asked her about it twice but she answered him with the famous "I'm fine" without even making eye contact with him. In fact, she hasn't been looking him in the eye much at all. This certainly isn't a good sign.

He tried asking her if he did something wrong "I don't know. Did you?" she answered… Umm, as far as he remembers, he didn't.

She sighs, for seemingly no reason at all and she talks less, but why? he wondered.

They've been dating for six months as they started working their way up to a career in the FBI, both holding a possession in the Analytical Branch of New York. They had parallel desks which was a good spot for him to look at her and wait for her usual smile when their eyes meet but that day she didn't look at him at all.

They met at lunch along with their other colleagues, she smiled and acted like her normal self, but now that they were left alone again, she closed herself off.

"alright Jodie, what's wrong?" Shu asked.

"nothing is wrong, why do you keep asking me that?"

" You've been acting strange"

"no I haven't!" she said before placing the last piece of food into her mouth then she stood up "I have a lot of work to do, see you later" she left, letting out a small smile, more like a forced one.

Shu was left alone on the table. He continued eating slowly thinking about the enigma his girlfriend is, why is she so complicated? He was part of the Analytical Branch and was able to analyze any situation and reach its root cause and its potential result but he failed to understand Jodie.

A lady approached Shu and took a seat next to him. His green eyes looked at her, it was Emma cruise aka the gossip of the office, she was the source of all the rumors around and whether what she tells is true or not varies from time to time.

"Hey! Akai" she said.

"Hey"

Actually, Jodie and Shuichi never liked Emma for what she spreads in the office. Shu never spoke to her before which is why he found it strange for her to come and talk to him now, but with the girlfriend he has, he no longer considers anything as weird anymore.

"How are things going?"

"like usual, you?"

"yeah me too, nothing special" Emma smiled before she started unpacking her lunch "so I was wondering if you like anyone in the office"

"why!" Shu asked with raised brows.

"I know someone who is totally crushing on you, and just so you know, while you are being clueless, that person is telling everyone that you two are dating. Lucky for you no one believed her… or him, I mean how could someone be so bad lying about someone else's life"

Shuichi's brows failed to get back from their trip upwards as he heard what Emma said, he suddenly stood up.

"I don't know Emma, you can ask that to yourself" he snapped before he rushed back to the office leaving her behind with a deep frown on her face. It was the first time she approached him and probably the last time.

So that's what it's about.

Jodie was always famous among their colleagues for having feelings for Shuichi and calling him by Shu, she couldn't hide her passion, unlike Shu. He wasn't a loud guy and thus he never showed interest in her when his colleagues are around.

It was stuck in the heads of everyone that her relationship is one-sided. Not that Shu meant it to be this way, it's just that he is the type to be more open when alone. Six months had passed and their relationship was kept unheard of. It wasn't a secret, but rather low-profile.

Jodie never noticed that until one week ago when Emma stated in front of all the girls how Shuichi is grumpy. She never interacted with him before it was just a deduction from the way he acted. Sure he usually doesn't know how to smile but he was very kindhearted, Jodie knew that and was trying to prove her point to the girls and defend her boyfriend.

"how do you even know this about him?" Chelsea asked.

"what do you mean how? He is my boyfriend"

"Oh please," Emma said after letting out a long laugh "are you saying you and him are dating? Jodie sweetie, it's okay we believe he is not grumpy, you don't have to go this far to prove your point"

She brushed it off at first, but when she went home and thought it through, she realized that she is indeed the one to always care more about Shu when in public. She was mad at him for letting her be in this position with her colleagues but she couldn't tell him that, after all, it's been six months and she never complained, it's too late now.

After leaving him at lunch Jodie headed back to her cabin, she was busy typing on her computer when Shu showed up from behind her with one goal in mind... showing Jodie some love, and in front of everyone.

"my honey bear" he chirped.

Jodie spun her chair to face him, her dark blond brows where taking a trip upward to her forehead in disbelieve to what she's just heard.

"c'mon we still have five minutes, I want to spend them with you" he said reaching for her hand dragging her to a standing position.

"Shu what happened to you" Jodie whispered as he started walking her through the office, his hand tight on hers.

" I just, I miss you already" he said with a wide smile on his face, God he looked cute.

"Shu, what did you have for lunch, did you…" she continued whispering until they reached the door, this was not a normal behavior of her boyfriend, maybe he is under the effect of some drug or ate something septic for lunch.

Once out, Shuichi interrupted her with a passionate kiss as curious eyes followed them through the transparent glass.

"I love you" he said right after. Loud Awws filled the office.

"What is wrong with you?" Jodie mumbled with the startled look on her face still.

"Oh, how romantic of you to say!"

"I love you too silly, it's just that…"

Shu leaned and kissed her again interrupting what she was about to say, he wouldn't have done this in a million years, but now that the door to it is open, it won't be easy to close.

hope you liked it and don't forget to tell me whatcha think!