It's embarrassing to say this but I actually forgot I had to update! So, a big thank you to my reviewers, I would have completely forgotten otherwise!

Overcastting the sun

- Misaki -

XX

Jeez, Usagi-san is such a weirdo! I don't understand him at all. He hates social events and having to meet with his publishers but here we are driving across Tokyo to return some books.

Well, I suppose it's different if it's for a friend.

But does that friend have to be Kamijou the devil? My literature professor? The guy who throws chalk at me and tries to torment me at every possible occasion? Why do they even now each other? How?

Apparently, Professor Kamijou's not been feeling too well lately so I've got to help Usagi-san bring the huge stack of reference books he borrowed to Professor Kamijou's place. I guess this visit is also partly because Usagi-san is worried. It's amazing that he actually goes out on a limb to help others, I never would have believed it.

What am I saying? Usagi-san is actually very kind…in a weird sort of way.

I have to admit though, I never noticed Kamijou-sensei looking unwell. True, he spends a lot more time in the literature office, but why shouldn't he? He is a literature professor after all.

When I voiced my thoughts to Usagi-san he just shrugged and said; "maybe it's not that kind of 'unwell.'"

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Oh well, I'll just drop these off and leave. Maybe Kamijou-sensei will look at my papers a little bit more favourably if I do.

Now I wish I didn't drink so much before leaving. How long will it be before we reach Kamijou-sensei's place? It's embarrassing, but I sort of, you know, need to go.

My fidgeting catches Usagi-san's attention. He asks me what's wrong but I lie and tell him it's nothing. It would be too embarrassing to tell him the truth.

My resistance can't hold out for much longer. Finally, I can't stand it anymore. "Um, Usagi-san," I gather the courage to speak. My cheeks are hot. I feel like a little kid. "Do you mind? Could we pull over here for a minute? I think I had too much to drink this morning."

Usagi-san looks surprised, then he smiles but he doesn't laugh. He pulls over and turns off the engine outside a small coffee shop. I think he can probably tell that I'm embarrassed and is sparing my feelings.

"Here you are. Need me to go with you?"

Or not.

"I'm not a kid!" I yell, slamming the door for effect. We're in a familiar district, I used to walk this way sometimes. I recognise the flower shop opposite and the small coffee shop, which I hurry into.

Several minutes later, I'm hurrying back out of the coffee shop. I don't want to keep Usagi-san waiting. I'm in such a hurry, I don't notice the man coming my way - an insult to my eyesight since that man is huge compared to me!

"Ah, I'm sorry!" I quickly apologise the moment I bump into him. Luckily, he manages to save his coffee from spilling.

"No, it's my fault. I'm sorry," he apologises. I look up. I mean, I have to really look up because he's so tall, he must be at least six foot.

The moment our eyes meet, we recognise each other at the same time.

"Oh, you work in that flower shop across the road, don't you?" I say without really thinking. I've seen him sometimes whenever I'm out with Sumi-sempai and I have occasionally bought the odd bunch from him every now and then.

The man smiles. His voice is surprisingly gentle considering his size; I was expecting him to be rougher but he has this calm air about him that seems quite relaxing. "Yes, I remember you too. You sometimes come in to buy flowers," he smiles again. It's hard to be nervous around such a serene person.

"Only cheap ones though. I can't afford the expensive bouquets," I laugh apologetically. The bunches I buy are pathetic compared to the big, expensive arrangements I see the other workers making.

The man chuckles a little. He looks a little pale though. "It's okay. Are they for your girlfriend?" he asks.

"G - girlfriend?" I stutter. Usagi-san wouldn't really be considered my girlfriend, would he? In fact, although I hate to admit it, most people would probably see meas his girlfriend. But I realise that the guy is waiting for an answer so I quickly avert my eyes to the floor, force a smile and manage to stutter; "A - ah, no! They're just for decoration. I think a vase of flowers can brighten any home really."

Does that sound lame? Guys shouldn't really be talking about flowers like that. I feel unnaturally girly right now.

He smiles. He looks a little out of it though, as if he really should be at home instead of at work.

"Uh, are you okay?" I raise my voice. He looks at me oddly and I wave my hands innocently, afraid that I may have offended him. It was really nosey of me after all but I continue anyway. "Well, it's probably none of my business, but you look like you've lost weight since I last saw you. I was wondering…if you were sick or something," I finish lamely, holding back a sigh because, next to him, I feel really clumsy and awkward.

For a moment, that odd look does not disappear. "Sick?" he looks a little shocked. Maybe he's not sick after all, I think, but then he smiles, and for some reason his smile does not seem quite real. "Well, I'm not sure about that," he murmurs.

I can see his eyes glaze over with…what's is it? I don't know. He's looking inward, talking more to himself than me.

"Maybe you should go to a doctor," I suggest.

"I am a doctor. Well, sort of anyway. The flower shop is just my part-time job," he suddenly laughs but I don't feel relieved.

A sick doctor. That's bad, isn't it?

The bell above the door chimes and I see Usagi-san entering with a worried look on his face. He immediately spots me and marches over.

"Misaki! What was taking so long? I was worried."

"Oh, sorry Usagi-san." I really had no idea how long I had been talking to the flower shop man for.

"Usami-san?" the man looks at Usagi-san in surprise, who is equally surprised to see him here.

"Oh, I've seen you before, haven't I?" Trust Usagi-san to not remember the names of the people he meets! "Long time no see. You were with Hiroki the last time I saw you."

"Eh? You know Kamijou-sensei?" It is my turn to be surprised. I look up at him. It seems everyone is acquainted with someone else I know.

"Y - Yes," he nods, stumbling over his words. He's probably remembering all the hell Kamijou-sensei put him through when he was young.

"Were you a student or something? He's really violent, isn't he? He just throws chalk at you for doing the littlest things!" I cry. Honestly, what kind of teacher does that in this day and age? "He's gotten a real short fuse lately. Now he spends half his time locked up in that literature office scheming who knows what with Miyagi-sensei!"

For some reason, he looks a little disturbed at this. Actually, I don't blame him.

"We're actually going to Hiroki's place right now," Usagi-san places a hand on my shoulder. We're in public, Usagi-san!

He stiffens at this, manages a small, "Oh, I see," and awkwardly gazes at the wall far beyond my head.

"It's been a long time since I've seen Hiroki. He's not dying, is he? How's he been?"

The man's gaze snaps back at Usagi-san. "Hiro-san is…" he begins uncertainly then suddenly breaks off to laugh. It's obviously forced. I wonder what's wrong. "Hiro-san…I don't really know," he laughs once more, apologetically this time.

Usagi-san only frowns.

"I see," he says. What does he see? "Anyway, Misaki, let's go."

Taking me by the arm, he practically drags me outside. Really, I keep telling him I'm not like Suzuki-san; he can't just drag me here and there without my consent, but it really is futile to protest.

"Uh, it was nice meeting you! I'm Misaki by the way," I wave my quick goodbyes as I am being hauled out of the shop.

"Kusama Nowaki. It was a pleasure," he bows politely, but as he raises his head again I look back and catch a glimpse of it.

That look. The expression that he wears on his face somehow feels familiar, as though I've seen it somewhere before not too long ago.

It burns itself into my mind.

XX

Kamijou was not that bad. Maybe because Usagi-san was around so I was 'safe' so to speak. Though he was a little shocked to find out who I was - apparently, Usagi-san been talking to him about me - and even more shocked to find out that Takahiro is my brother. Well, Takahashi isn't that uncommon for a surname.

He was not the only one. I can't believe I never knew that he was acquainted with Usagi-san and Nii-chan.

"Oh, Misaki-kun, wasn't it? How are you?"

Kusama-san is working at the flower shop again, as I suspected. I feel a little stupid for being here. Usually, there are a bunch of girls that hang around this place but I specifically came during the evening to avoid them. It sure gets dark early these days, it's only seven but it feels like it's already night time.

"Are you here for another bunch of flowers?" Kusama-san asks me.

Actually I did not come for flowers, I came to see him, but I can't say something like that so I nod. It's not that I want to go out of my way to make his acquaintance - though he does seem nice enough and I certainly wouldn't mind - but something has been bothering me since yesterday.

I pause, wondering if it would be presumptuous of me to speak. "K - Kusama-san," I try anyway, "you look really tired."

"Well, juggling several jobs is a tough, but it's fulfilling work," he admits. Several jobs? I can barely handle university and my part time job. I heard that being a doctor is really tough, he must have amazing stamina if he can work at several places, but I wonder what's so fulfilling about working in a flower shop when he could easily get a better job. He seems smart.

I realise I'm admiring him and promptly shake my head to ride myself of these thoughts.

Kusama-san bites his bottom lip. Though he usually seems so calm and unfazed, he shuffles a bit, suddenly restless and nervous. It confuses me that someone like him can possibly feel nervous. It feels unreal when guys like him get angry or upset.

"Is…Is Hiro-san okay?" he manages to speak. "You went to see him, right? How is he doing?"

"Hiro-san?" I'm confused for a minute. "Oh, you mean Kamijou-sensei! Well, Usagi-san went to return some books and then they had this private talk, which I didn't really catch, so I don't really know what's going on," I suddenly frown.

The memory pisses me off a bit. If they wanted to have their little 'private chat' they could have done it over the phone! Usagi-san didn't have to bring me. Honestly! Treating me like some sort of petty workman!

"Ah, I see," is all he says but his eyes are beginning to brim over with that look again.

"Kusama! We're closing now," another one of the workers, or maybe it's his boss, calls to Kusama-san.

"Oh, sorry, I've been taking up your time." That was inconsiderate of me, wasn't it?

"No it's okay, I quite like talking to you, Misaki-kun."

"Oh crap!" I can't help but cry as I look into my empty bag. "I'm really, really sorry but I think I left my wallet in Usagi-san's car." How embarrassing! It probably fell out when he - ah, no need to go there actually!

Kusama-san finishes putting a ribbon on the flowers without paying attention. "Don't worry, just take them," he offers.

"Eh? No! I couldn't possibly do that!" What if people see me getting free flowers and demand the same? What if this great act of generosity sends the shop into bankruptcy? Then it would be all my fault!

"It's fine," he pushes the flowers into my arms. The flower shop is doomed now! Doomed!

"O - okay," I tentatively accept the bunch. It's a lot more fancy than anything I could ever afford with my pocket change. "I'll pay you back for these as soon as I can, I promise," I insist - I don't want a ruined business on my conscience - but he shakes his head.

"It's okay, give them to Usami-san."

"W - Why?"

"You called him 'Usagi-san' just now, didn't you? You two must be close," he smiles knowingly.

My skin prickles. "Ehhh? No, no, not really! He's just my landlord, and my brother's friend, and he knows my literature professor and…well…" I stutter and stumble, trying to make some sort of excuse because the fact that Kusama-san was right on the money the first time is just too embarrassing! I flail my arms around and adamantly deny being gay. I am not gay dammit, I just happen to like Usagi-san a lot, that's all!

But I stop because I realise that Kusama-san is not listening.

I can see it. I can see it again; that strangely familiar look that glazes over his face as he stares up at the sky. A sad, nostalgic sort of look.

If I had to give it a sound, it would be 'ahh.' The kind of 'ahh' people sigh when they give up on something they've been holding onto for a long time. The kind of 'aah' they breathe when they think 'Ahh, well, it was good whilst it lasted' or 'Ahh, that's life I guess.'

Except it's sort of different. If Usagi-san was here I'm sure he could describe it in all sorts of poetics ways. Kusama-san keeps staring at the sky as if he wants to sprout wings and fly away. No, that's not a good comparison since summer is over and I'm sure most of the birds have already migrated south.

"It must be nice," he whispers.

Parents in heaven, Nii-chan in Osaka, I'm sorry, but I don't think that I should leave this guy alone.

I stepped further into AU territory by making Nowaki and Misaki slightly familiar with each other before the awards festival but there was no choice. Still, I don't think it makes that huge a difference. This is already a full blown AU anyway.

In the next chapter; We're back to Hiroki!