(Monday - Morning)

"Ryuuji? Ryuuji, have you heard the news?"

"News...?" He stifles a yawn. "What news?"

"I thought you would know, being that man's secretary..." A sigh escaped Saginuma before continuing. "I've heard from Hitomiko that the other day, he had gone to meet with her father. He had news of a big find and was going to announce it today."

"You don't sound too happy about it..." And he was certain it wasn't just because of the extreme dislike towards his boss that made this all sound so urgent.

"I could care less about his reports and findings, whether he fails or succeeds. But, that is not what concerns me. What concerns me is that it might involve...Hiroto."

The conversation had been on his mind all morning. Saginuma had called nearly seconds after he had woken up to inform him about this news going around the science division at Kira corporation. And hearing that it might be about Gran, it really stressed him out. He couldn't even make a proper breakfast for the alien before he left (his mind being elsewhere, he practically burnt everything he made). He couldn't even bring himself to tell Gran of the news, but even he knew that he couldn't keep it a secret from the alien.

At work, he was at his desk, fidgeting while trying to sort through today's events. But, just as Saginuma had warned, everything had been pushed aside to make room for this huge announcement. He dreaded that he was right and this was all going to be about Gran.

Was he the one who took the spaceship? Is that why it wasn't there when we went to go check? But what business does he have with a space ship? I guess it technically does have to do with the stars...other life forms...but, wouldn't that be for another department? I've never seen any papers involving alien life before...there've only been little jokes about it here and there, nothing ever serious...God, please don't tell me those were all real to!

"My, my, Ryuuji, you're looking absolutely pale." There was a cold chuckle that followed after that comment. Kenzaki had stepped into his office, already approaching his desk.

"Mr. Kenzaki! Sir!" Midorikawa immediately straightened up in his seat, quickly standing and looking to him. "I'm very sorry, I did not hear you come in!" He apologized while bowing his head.

"You don't have to state the obvious. And you can sit, I'm not in need of you just yet," the man said while making a hand motion, telling the other to sit. Midorikawa did, knowing that he probably wouldn't talk if he remained standing. "Anyway, I will need you soon. And I wanted you to be prepared for whats going on today."

"You mean with your...announcement, sir?"

"News does travel fast, doesn't it?" A smirk formed from his lips and he placed his hands on his secretary's desk, looking straight into Midorikawa's eyes. "But yes, that is why I am here. You're my secretary and you should be well informed."

"I'm...ready to listen to you, sir," Midorikawa gulped. He was deathly afraid of what he was going to say. His mind was already overflowing with worry and it didn't help that Kenzaki was keeping an intent gaze on him. Looking straight into his own dark orbs with his cold and emotionless black eyes. As much as he wanted to return the long look, he could never get over how much fear his boss struck in him (he would be considered scary even if this current situation wasn't going on).

"Good. Well now, something amazing was found not too long ago. You see, as I am certain you know, there was an odd disturbance in the sky about...a week ago." The man paused, only to lift his hands off his desk and have them resting on his hips for now. "I was curious for the anomaly that occured. Where you aware of a sudden earthquake near your home? Say, two Fridays ago?"

"Umm...I-I was," Midorikawa answered.

"You see, that was no ordinary earthquake. An extraterrestrial fell from the sky." To that, Midorikawa's eyes widened, more to fear rather than surprise. "Don't believe me? Well, you'll see what I have to show off later today. We managed to salvage the crashed ship. It truly is an amazing specimen and with this, our studies can truly further."

"And...what about the, um, extraterrestrial, sir?" He felt stupid for asking because he knew who and where said alien was. At home his home probably watching another drama or looking around his home.

"Now thats the tricky part...you haven't seen anyone strange around your home, have you? There is a case of a missing passenger and sadly, it seems that we haven't been able to find the ship's owner. I'm sure whoever it is misses their transportation greatly."

"N-No, sir." Midorikawa quickly shook his head. "No one strange has been around my home...sorry. I can inform you straight away if there is."

"Hmm..." Kenzaki's eyes seemed to pierce through the secretary. This stare just made him feel completely vulnerable, exposed. For a moment, Midorikawa was certain that Kenzaki was aware he was lying, but he could never really tell what that man was thinking.

"Very well. I trust you on that matter. But, now you know the secret that will be coming out in just another hour. I'm glad you won't look so surprised when I announce it. You do need to keep a professional look at all times, even to the unimaginable. But with that, I will expect you to be ready by then. Meet me on the dot. We're going to be shaking the world with this news."

~...~

"Gran!" Midorikawa practically threw his bag on the ground once he stepped inside his home, even managing to beat Gran to his usual 'welcome back' greeting. The human quickly went over to the alien, putting his arms around him in a tight hug. Which confused him greatly.

"Ryuuji?" Gran blinked down, worried for this reaction of his. He'd never seen him come home with such a frantic look on his face before, nor had he been suddenly hugged by him in this fashion. "Whats wrong?"

"I know what happened to your ship," he answered while slowly looking up to him. He could see a spark of happiness cross Gran's face just for a moment, but it fell upon seeing the human's distraught look. "My...my work has it. I don't know how, but they have it. And they're looking for you."

"That...is a bad thing?" Gran asked. "Can't I just go ask for it back?"

"I don't know." Midorikawa wanted to believe that Kenzaki would allow Gran to have his ship back, but by the sound of his speech...there was no chance he would give it back to him. His ship was going to prove to the world that aliens were not completely foreign to earth. Of course they needed the alien before they could make it completely public, but rumors would easily spread to the media. Whether people would believe it or not would be another story, but he didn't want strangers coming around his home in search for an alien. "They want you and I can't trust him to have things go peacefully..."

"Then I just won't go with him," Gran stated as if that were the simplest solution. "I trust you and your decision."

"My decision doesn't matter. They'll be looking for you. If they come here and find you, I...I don't know what I'd do..."

"But I do look human. Your friends did not notice I was an alien."

"I...You can fit in, I suppose, but..." For how long? What if he gets injured- just a single cut will make his blood spill and then they'll know he's not human! Any sort of biological human test will prove that and I don't want him to end up as some test subject!

"Everything will be fine, Ryuuji," Gran said in a calming voice, slowly wrapping his arms around the human. "I will remain in your home. I will be safe and not go anywhere."

Midorikawa wanted to believe in him. He sounded so sure of this. Maybe he shouldn't be worrying too much. After all, he had remained here for this long and hadn't been found out...perhaps he could stay longer? The man let out a sigh, slowly relaxing and letting his head rest against the alien's chest.

"Alright...I think we should be more aware of what's around us though. I can't improve security, but I can ask Osamu to come and check up on you since he does get out earlier than I do..." I just hope he doesn't spring random lectures on him...

"Is there anything I can do? How can I be more...human?" Gran wasn't aware of how dire the situation could be, but if it would put Midorikawa's mind at ease, he wanted to do all he could to lessen the worry on his mind.

"Well...you're doing fine so far. I'd say just don't get hurt...or show off your healing power." Those two things would be a big sign to what he may be. They'd cause for way too much attention. "And I guess not talking about your home planet would be another thing..."

"I will do my best then." Gran gave the other a serious look, determined to not show any signs that he was an alien.

"Thank you...and I'm so sorry that we can't get it back..." Midorikawa, looked to him, feeling so guilty. It may not have been his fault for his ship being taken away, but it was so close in their grasp and he had access to it.

"It is dangerous to get it. Perhaps...it is not meant for me to go back," Gran said the latter part in a whisper.

"If you want to go home...we'll find a way to get it back. Maybe after all this hype dies down..." Then what? Kenzaki might just be dismantling it and using all of its parts. He might not even be able to get a ship back in that case...

"There is no need to rush into this."

"But I thought you wanted to go back? At least communicate with Ulvida?"

"She may be worried, but I am certain she can take care of herself while I am here. Please, do not worry." Gran tightened his hold around the other for a moment, giving him a little squeeze. "You are doing enough for me and we can worry about that another time. Let us worry about the present for now..." He slowly let the other go so he could get a good look at him. "How about we go to your garden? Will that help you calm down?"

Midorikawa wanted to protest and tell him that he just had to get home. It baffled him how he could be taking this so...casually. Although, if Gran had been panicking as much as he was, it wouldn't be the best for his nerves. It might actually be a good thing that he's unfazed by this (or at least seems like it). "It will. I think I'll spend more time with them today..."