(Friday - Evening)
Midorikawa had no idea why he was so nervous to see Hitomiko. She was like a big sister to him, to most of those who had been to the orphanage, so he should feel comfortable around her. Maybe it was because his recovery was still in process, sometimes his stomach just had a weird feeling, almost as if it were churning on the spot. That could be a reason to this unsettling feeling that was beginning to form in his stomach. Or perhaps it was due to this meeting being about what had happened about a week ago.
It would involve Gran, that much he knew, but it would also involve talk of Kenzaki. He had yet to get used to talking about that man as it usually caused an image of him with a gun to flash in his mind every time. The green haired man shuttered at the thought, shaking his head to get rid of the memory.
Hitomiko had called to meet with her in their old home, or part of it. The Kira family house was connected to the orphanage, set behind it. The children were allowed to enter every now and then, restricted to certain rooms (mainly the living room area and the kitchen on certain occasions, the rest was made private for the family). Midorikawa passed by a couple of children on his way to the appointed spot, sporting a smile to those that waved to him.
"Hitomiko?" Midorikawa knocked on the door before pushing it slightly, waiting for a response from her before he could step in further.
"Come in, Ryuuji," she answers. The male then enters the small office like room. He recalled seeing her father in here before, usually getting work done when he couldn't elsewhere. Now she had taken his place, sitting in his seat behind his- her desk.
"It's good to see you, Hitomiko," Midorikawa said as he shut the door. "I'm glad to see you for something...not related to work..." For once, he didn't have papers in his hand nor limited time to speak with her. While it should have been refreshing, this was going to be a more serious conversation and he knew it, they both did.
"The same goes for me." There's a small smile that forms but is quickly brushed aside. "Although, I do hate to tell you this does so happen to be work related."
Midorikawa let out a sigh, shoulders slumping down slightly. "I know, but at least we can do it at our own pace..."
"As you know, Kenzaki's division is no longer going to be operational. While we do intend to eventually put it back into motion with someone more...responsible," and not chosen by my father, "for the time being, that does mean you do not have a job."
"I'm aware of that..." He wanted to ask for help, something temporary, but could he? Midorikawa felt that he caused enough trouble. Waiting around for his old job probably wasn't the best thing to do either. "Is there-"
"So, I hope you don't mind the transfer to come and work under me instead."
"Wait, what?" Midorikawa blinked, it was as if she had read his mind. Well, not exactly but she was offering him a chance to work. "I mean, thank you for the offer and of course I'll take it, but...no, I should ask what do you want me to do exactly?"
"Well, you were Kenzaki's secretary before. I never thought I would say anything to praise that man, but he hardly ever complained about your work. You were a great secretary, although I don't think I needed him to tell me that," she answered. The woman was well aware of his hardworking and diligent habits.
He wasn't so sure if that sort of...praise was good from his ex-boss. Maybe it was since this was beginning to work out like a recommendation. "So...same position, just new boss?"
"Yes, unless if you have a problem with that?" She asks, raising a brow.
"No! I mean, no, you know I would never have a problem with you." While she did admittedly did have her scary moments, she was definitely not as terrifying as Kenzaki could be. Nor was she a secret monster like he was. She was definitely way better to work for.
"Great, then that's settled. Don't worry, I'll still give you time to recover from the latest events. But, you should be prepared for the work we'll be doing. I'll be having double the workload now after dealing with him." The woman lets out a sigh to that.
"Thank you so much," he says with a smile. That was one problem solved. But that meant another that had to be answered. "Anyway, I hate to ask this, but...what is going to happen to Kenzaki?" Ever since his release from the hospital, he hadn't heard a single word about him. And honestly, he preferred it that way. But he was also just curious. What does the head of a corporation do with a man that dissects aliens without their knowledge of such actions?
"Hm. We haven't decided on it. Though, there is a high chance he'll be sent to a top secret prison. He knows too much and is a harm to the world, not only ours. The government may want to deal with him and his knowledge, find out how he managed to do so much..." His intergalactic involvement was proving to be so much trouble now.
"But...you guys know about aliens to now, right?" Do they want all of us?
"And so do you." The woman lets out a sigh, tapping her fingers against her desk. "I've been receiving so many calls about them wanting to take you and the others in to, but I won't allow it. I'll do my best to fight against them, it'll be more difficult for Haruya and Fuusuke, but I think I can manage. Although, they do plan to pay for your silence on the whole...alien topic."
"I don't plan to talk about this with anyone ever again." At least not outside his group of friends. Though, he doubts he'd bring up an alien topic in general. The only time it seemed fit would be when Gran was around.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't. Either way, they may be keeping an eye on you for a while, make sure nothing slips. I'm only giving that out as a warning."
"Which I will follow." Anything to stay out of trouble after what happened.
"Mhmm..." Then she frowns. "I also have one last thing I wish to speak with you about."
"What is it?" Midorikawa asks, worried to the change on her face. He had an idea of what she would mention, this conversation was already leading up to it.
"It's about Gran." She pauses, looking to Midorikawa to see his reaction. He didn't seem so surprised yet didn't seem so happy either. "You do know he can't stay with you forever."
"Th-They're not going to take him away, are they?" He asked, hoping the government or whatever secret society may be involved with this would not end up following in Kenzaki's footsteps.
"No, no, he's not going to be taken by any sort of government, thankfully. But...he does have to return home." It was that or either remain under heavy surveillance. She didn't like that choice and was certain that no one else would either.
"He...does?" Midorikawa's face fell.
"Yes. They claim it's more for his safety than ours, but he cannot stay here. Once his ship is repaired, then he has to leave."
"And that's what you meant by he can't stay..." Midorikawa bit his lip. He had a feeling this day would come. Someday, that alien would have to return home. Earth wasn't his home, it was simply a planet he had accidentally landed upon and nearly died upon to. But that fact was something he never had to worry about, think about. Now he would be forced to have this on his mind constantly. "Well, at least no one else will be able to use him, right?" He tried to force a smile, look optimistic to this, but it pained him so much.
And Hitomiko was picking up on that. She was aware of Midorikawa being close to the alien, she had found this out mainly through Saginuma but also from seeing the two speak of each other. "I'm sorry, Ryuuji. But you still have time left to spend with them. Make the most of it, okay?"
(Two Weeks Later)
The house had been oddly silent today. The usual chatter of two had been lost as the realization of what day it was dawned upon them. Gran would be leaving today. His ship had been properly fixed, which meant it was time for him to return to his home planet. Of course, they had been gracious enough to extend his stay by a couple of days, but nothing more than that.
"So...you're leaving soon." Just uttering that fact was a bit painful for Midorikawa. He had been counting down the days, telling himself it wouldn't be that soon for the alien to leave. Yet, time seemed to catch up so fast. As they say, time flies when you're having fun, right?
"I am..." Not even Gran seemed excited to that fact. He was torn about leaving this human behind and returning back home. "I will miss you very much, Ryuuji."
"I'll miss you to, Gran," Midorikawa said, sighing as he looked to Gran. He began to walk over to sit beside him on the couch, his bed that he had slept on. This living room would be empty without it's extraterrestrial visitor in it. "I wish I could have made your time here more...enjoyable? Or at least not have that near death experience..." The human shuttered at the memory.
"That was not your fault. It was that man's fault..." His tone was bitter, angry upon mentioning that, but easily relaxed as his gaze rested upon the human. "My time with you here was the best I've had. Even if there was one unenjoyable moment, the rest make up for it." Gran takes Midorikawa's hand, slowly moving to sit right beside him, not allowing any space between the two on this couch. This action causes the human's face to redden slightly. "My time here with you was an unforgettable. I honestly can't recall having so much...fun with another person before."
"R-Really?" Midorikawa stared at him. "I mean...I could say the same for being with you. I know I have fun with Osamu, Fuusuke, and Haruya, but...it's different with you. A-And in a good way! You...made me really happy. You did things for me and I just really appreciate it."
"I only wanted to make you happy. It was to repay you at first, but then I realized I just liked to see you smile." Gran grins, letting go of the human's hand and raising it to cup his cheek, making the human look to him. "You mean a lot to me, Ryuuji."
"I-I...you do to, Gran!" He stutters, trying not to let his cheeks flush too much, but that wasn't working so well. He had no control over his face turning red.
"You're also a very cute human." Gran chuckles. He couldn't help but find the other's blushing reaction so cute. There were many things this human did that he found absolutely adorable. "If I were one to, I would do anything to make sure I could be beside you and make you the happiest human alive."
"Ah..." You kind of already do. "Gran..." He takes in a breath, wondering if he should admit to his feelings now. Then again, what was the point? He would be leaving soon, forever. Would that question still plague his mind after the alien left? He'd never receive an answer if he never asked. But sometimes not knowing is better than knowing.
The alien's stare is broken, eyes glancing toward the door for a moment, a small pout forming. He could hear something outside. And for once, he wished he could have just ignored such sounds. "I think they're here for me...I wish I could stay longer."
"I wish they would at least let me see you off to..." Midorikawa wanted to see Gran go off in his ship. But they seemed pretty strict about wanting the alien to be sent off alone. And if he did, he would have some more time to spend with the alien, that's what he really wanted.
"I don't understand why they won't. Maybe they're frightened I will steal you away?" The alien jokes, chuckling.
"You know...I might just be okay with that."
"Would you?" Gran asks, his tone of voice going serious for that question.
"W-Well..." Midorikawa pauses, not expecting the other to have asked that. "I would like to see your home planet and everything, but...I really can't leave my friends behind."
"That would be too much to ask of you. I would rather do my best to come and see you here from time to time."
"You would? Will you?" Midorikawa asks, hope brimming in his dark eyes as they meet with those bright teal ones.
Gran shrugs, unsure of the answer himself. He wouldn't mind returning to this planet, but could he even do so? Before he gives a verbal answer, there's a knock on the door.
"Ryuuji? We're here for Hiroto." A voice shouts from beyond the door.
"Ah..." Time is up. The human frowns and eyes glance down. Couldn't they have just a little more time together?
"Ryuuji?" Gran calls for the other's attention, the human looking back to him. The alien stares at the other for a moment, wondering if he should remove his hand or not from the other's cheek. For now, he lets it stay.
"Ye-" Midorikawa is cut off by the alien pressing his lips against his. He's stunned, practically frozen in spot as he has to register that Gran is kissing him. This...alien, that he has been crushing on was kissing him. Did he know what he was doing? Did he know that this simple action was making the human's heart beat like crazy? Should he be kissing back? Would he even be a good kisser in his eyes? So many more questions were running through his mind, he really didn't know what to think right now.
The alien had his eyes shut, a bit scared to see if the other would be hating this sudden action. But if the other isn't pulling away or yelling at him, than it's a good sign, isn't it? He feels some force from the other, the human pressing his lips back against his own. Midorikawa is kissing back. The human is returning the kiss and that just makes his heart feel as if it's soaring.
Gran pulls back once he believes the kiss is complete, eyes opening and is greeted with a nearly tomato red face Midorikawa. The human looks as if he's trying to say something, mouth trying to make words yet no voice to follow.
"I hope you don't think ill of me for doing that." Gran speaks to fill in the silence. "I heard amongst human kind, that is one way to get your feelings across. It is probably a bad thing to do before I have to leave, but I don't think I would be satisfied leaving without doing such a thing."
"You know...I was thinking the same, but not doing something like this," Midorikawa admitted. He had just been thinking about saying his feelings and that was a struggle. Giving him a kiss was something he would have expected later, if he would have remained on Earth, but he's not going to complain about having received one from him. "It's good to know that the feeling is mutual."
The alien smiles upon hearing that and he can't help but press his lips against the human's forehead. "So you were kissing back?" Gran asks as he places another on his cheek. Gran would probably shower him in more kisses if given the chance.
"Y-Yes..." His face remained red as the other gave him those kisses. "I...um..." Really don't want you to leave now.
"Ryuuji! Hiroto!" The voice calls out again, causing the two to jump. They had been so caught up in the moment they had both nearly forgotten about those outside.
"I should be going..." Gran said softly. Midorikawa just quickly put his arms around the alien, hugging him tightly. The red head blinked, staring down at him for a moment before returning the action.
"I wish you could stay..." Midorikawa said while slowly easing up on his embrace. "I...really shouldn't be keeping you here longer." But I wish I could. I don't want you to go...I want to stay with you.
"I do as well. Human or not, I would enjoy staying by your side," Gran says as he lets go of the other. Even he knew if he were to stay around Midorikawa any longer, they may have to bust in to tear the alien away from the human. As amusing as that may be, he'd prefer to leave without any trouble. So, he begins to stand and head towards the door, wishing he could have returned when he pleased.
"Be safe on your journey back," Midorikawa says, standing up and looking to Gran. "And..." Don't forget about me.
"I will, thank you." Gran stops, turning and smiling at Midorikawa. "Be safe here on Earth, Ryuuji."
a/n: And now there's just one more chapter left!
YunaTsubasaAliea, another name change! xD but anyway, something may have sparked between Nagumo and Suzuno~ I figure that life threatening experience may have made them realize they don't want to lose each other.