a/n: sorry this chapter is later than usual! I became quite busy and was too tired to write;; next couple of chapters might be a bit late as I try to catch up with everything.
(Wednesday - Evening)
Work was more stressful than ever. With the thought of Gran being found out constantly on his mind, the last thing Midorikawa wanted to do was slip up and admit anything, especially to his boss. If he found out about the alien they were searching for being in his home...it wouldn't just be the end of his career (or so he feared), but he'd lose a friend to.
I can't let that happen, but I also can't keep him in hiding forever. I'd like for him to go back home and we know where his ship is. We just can't...get it. Can't there be some easier way? There has to be, there just has to!
His mind was frantic with worry, wanting to think of a way to get Gran's ship and somehow get him home. And if that wasn't possible, find a way to get him to adjust to a human life. If thats what he wanted, he wasn't exactly sure. But, Gran seemed like the type who might go along with it. He'd have to ask first and hope he doesn't end up becoming depressed over that option.
"So, you're finally home, Ryuuji," Kenzaki speaks, interrupting the green haired man's thoughts.
"M-Mr. Kenzaki! Wh-What are you...doing here?" Midorikawa practically jumps as his steps come to a sudden halt, eyes focusing on the man causally resting beside the door to his home. If he was expecting anyone at his home, it would not be him. His boss hardly ever made visits like this to any of his employees. "I thought you had business to attend to?"
"My business is within the area. Of course you should be well aware why," Kenzaki answers while moving away from the wall. His gaze keeping on Midorikawa, unsettling him with his usual cold stare. Not that he cared about his affect on others.
"Oh, right...the ship..." And missing alien. "Umm...is there a reason why you're at my home? N-Not to be rude, just curious..."
"I thought I could drop by for a visit. Perhaps have a quick chat, some tea before I must return to the site. You're not going to deny me a small break here, are you?"
"No, of course not!" Though he really wish he could. It would have made things less stressful on him if he did not enter his home. "Please...come in," Midorikawa breathed out, avoiding eye contact with his boss as he stepped forward to open the door.
"Ryuuji." He was greeted to that familiar voice, but for once it did not lift his heart to see his alien friend. Midorikawa looked over to Gran, forcing a little smile. Though the alien was concerned due to the look on his face, his eyes wandered over to Kenzaki. "You brought a friend to?"
"Yes, um-"
"My name is Ryuuichi Kenzaki," he states as he steps inside, already introducing himself to the alien. "I am his employer, not a friend. We do not have that sort of relationship. And, speaking of such, I was not informed that you were living with another man, Ryuuji."
"I-It's not like that!" He wanted to cover his mouth for practically shouting at his boss. Not to mention he was fidgeting and even more anxious and nervous around him compared to normal. "He's...just a friend staying over. It's...complicated."
"Hmm." Kenzaki's eyes gazed upon Gran, looking the alien up and down, as if trying to inspect and study this unknown person.
"I am Hiroto Kiyama," he introduced himself considering the other had. For once, even he was a bit unsettled. The other humans he had come in contact were not like this one. It worried him how uncomfortable Midorikawa was around this man to. But, he didn't speak his mind, he dared not to offend the one Midorikawa took orders from.
"I did not ask for your name, but I will keep it in mind." Kenzaki just waved a hand, not bothering to give him a second glance now. That stare of his turning back to Midorikawa instead. "Ryuuji. Tea, now."
"Right away, sir!" Midorikawa bowed his head, mumbling a quick 'sorry' as he passed by Gran. The alien just furrowed his brows as he watched the other hurry off to the kitchen. And when he turned to look back to the other man, he found him standing right before him.
"Is there something you wish to ask me?" Gran asks. The alien kept his eyes on Kenzaki, feeling that if he dared to look away, this stranger would end up harming him. Or worse. He really couldn't voice why.
"No, nothing. I am just curious to see what man would come and live in this home." Kenzaki doesn't keep his gaze on him for long. He turns away from Gran and heads towards the kitchen, taking a seat without another word to the alien. "I won't be long, as I said, tea and a quick chat."
Thank god. Midorikawa almost found himself saying that aloud. Thankfully he managed to hold his tongue at that. While he was preparing the tea, a heavy and awkward silence fell between the three. Gran had remained standing, merely keeping an eye on the two in the kitchen for a moment. He had considered to just leave and go into another room, let them speak, but leaving Midorikawa alone with him, that was something he couldn't do.
"Here's the tea..." Midorikawa presented the tea to Kenzaki, who took it without even a word of thanks.
"Hm. Simple," he commented after taking a sip. "Now, Ryuuji." His piercing eyes locked onto his secretary. "I will ask you again, have you seen anyone unusual of late? I'm only inquiring out of precaution."
"No, sir."
"I suppose your friend here isn't unusual?" Kenzaki asks, motioning over to Gran without even glancing to him.
"Me?" The alien in question asks, pointing to himself.
"I was not speaking to you."
"No...He isn't," Midorikawa answers, "I mean, he is different, just like I'm different from you, but that doesn't make him to be the one you're looking for."
"I suppose not..." Kenzaki just shrugged it off, not asking about Gran further. As the room fell silent once more, the man simply sipped at his tea until he had finished it. "The next time I ask for tea, I hope you make it better than this. I don't need this commoner garbage."
"Of course!" Midorikawa nodded, quickly picking up the empty cup to go and place it in the sink.
"And I do hope that this...Hiroto Kiyama does not interfere with your work," Kenzaki said, pausing in front of Gran for a moment, practically glaring at the man this time. "Ryuuji knows only to involve himself with useful people. So, I hope you prove to be useful to him."
"I am," Gran replied, although his answer lacked some confidence to it.
"That's what I like to hear." The man gave Gran a pat on the shoulder, causing the alien to flinch slightly to the unexpected touch. "I'll be going now. I will see you tomorrow, Ryuuji." Kenzaki didn't even wait for a good-bye from him, he simply walked out of the house, the door closing with a loud shut.
Midorikawa walked over to Gran, letting out a loud sigh. "I'm...so sorry about that."
"I didn't know he was coming over today..." Gran replied, eyes lingering on the door, nearly expecting him to come back in and interrogate them again.
"Sorry, I didn't know either. If I did, then I would have warned you." Or told you to hide.
"What is troubling you so much?" Gran frowned, a hand moving to rest against Midorikawa's cheek, gently lifting it to face him. "I can tell you're worried." And it bothered him. He had a feeling it involved Kenzaki, but since he was gone now, he should be feeling better, or so he thought.
"That...He was the one who found your ship..." Midorikawa answered, having a guilty look. He shut his eyes for a moment, wishing that he could just forget this all happened. "He put in the search for you, he's the one that wants to find you."
"And...take me away?"
"Yeah..." Midorikawa slowly took Gran's hand off his cheek, holding it for a moment before letting their hands drop. "I don't...know if he should have seen you. I don't think he knows you're an alien. I don't think anyone would, but...Oh, maybe I'm just worrying to much." The man sighed again, raising his hands to massage his temples. Things were getting a little too stressful.
"Ryuuji..." The alien frowned at how worried Midorikawa was. He wanted to make him smile again, comfort him. Could he suggest the garden again? Maybe something else?
"I know, I know, don't worry, things will be okay..." The human muttered, mentally cursing his worrisome nature. "But...be careful around him, alright?"
"I do not think I'll come in contact with him again." At least he wasn't expecting that man to return for a visit. Then again, he had said he was investigating the nearby site. "But if I do, I'll be on guard."
"I think I'll be around, so you don't have to be too troubled." I should probably think of something better than a friend visiting over though...that can really only work for so long. "Anyway, I think I'll start on dinner, want to help?"