Onodera Ritsu no Baii

Chapter 3

Onodera opened the taxi door after paying the driver and walked into the apartment building. He was feeling apprehensive and excited about the upcoming Saturday. He had finally found someone willing to spend time with him, besides Takano-san.

Ha! This'll show you, Onodera thought triumphantly, smirking slightly.

But his smirk disappeared as soon as the elevator doors slid open to reveal a tall, dark-haired man leaning against the wall in wait between Onodera's apartment door and the man's own. Onodera gulped nervously and tried to fast walk past the man and simultaneously pull his key out of his bag. All thoughts of this Saturday were long gone.

"Onodera. Where were you?" Takano-san asked, not moving from his perch against the wall.

Onodera, still trying to find his key, could feel the perspiration begin to run down his neck. Was this some kind of horrible de ja vu? He could've sworn this had happened before. "I-it's not like it's any of your business!" he stuttered, still trying to find his key.

It's always that goddamned key!

"Yes, it is," Takano-san retorted evenly. "Everything about you is my business, Onodera."

Onodera didn't even try to ask "How so?" because he knew what Takano-san's answer would be, and didn't really want to hear it.

"Who were you with?" Takano-san pressed further.

Onodera finally found his key and whipped it out of his bag, pulling out some loose papers as well. He shoved the key into the keyhole and frantically turned the tiny silver object that would lead him away from Takano-san. But before he could open the door, two large hands slammed into the wood, and Onodera found himself being loomed over by the larger man.

"Um, Takano-san, I really need to—"

"Who were you with?" Takano-san asked again, his voice cold.

"A-a friend," Onodera answered elusively. Though it was no use. Takano-san would find out, one way or another.

"Which friend?" Takano-san asked, leaning in closer to the smaller man.

Onodera, still facing the door and oblivious to his boss's approach, replied, "A new friend, you wouldn't know him, though!" He grabbed the doorknob, turned it and pulled in an attempt to get away from Takano-san. Instead, he felt himself being turned around and soft lips met his own.

Onodera tried to push Takano-san away, but he was simply just too weak. "T-Takano-san—" Onodera protested against the other man's lips, and Takano-san used the opportunity to dart his tongue into his first love's mouth and tangle it with the other man's. Onodera's face began to heat up, and he pushed harder against Takano-san's chest. Finally, he brought his hand up and slapped his boss, stunning the bigger man for a moment and allowing Onodera to slip inside his apartment, locking his door.

"Onodera!" Takano-san yelled from outside.

"Shut up, you're bothering the neighbors," Onodera hissed back, sliding down the door and onto the floor.

"Then let me in," Takano-san pressed.

No. No. No. Leave me alone! Onodera thought, clutching his head. Why did Takano-san have to make him so confused time and time again?

"I'm going shopping with a guy I met at Marukawa on Saturday, okay?" I'm only saying this so he'll go away, Onodera assured himself. "He wants to buy manga, and I'll be getting books. Happy now? So go back to your own apartment!"

There was a pause, but no sound of footsteps retreating to the room next door. "What's this guy's name?"

"Takahashi Misaki." No, what are you doing? Why did you tell him that? Onodera clenched his fist, about to punch himself when Takano-san spoke again.

"Fine. But you know, you could have made plans with me on Saturday."

No, you're the last person I wanted to spend my day off with. But something about the way Takano-san had spoken left a tiny twinge of doubt in his mind. He sounded…hurt.

Finally, after a few minutes of silence, Onodera heard the sounds of footsteps walking back into the other apartment. There was no "I love you" confession, and Onodera had to admit, he didn't mind. But what he did mind was the fact that Takano-san had sounded genuinely wounded from Onodera wanting to spend time with practically a complete stranger rather than with him.

Onodera sat there for about another hour, still thinking about this Saturday, Takahashi Misaki, and Takano-san. They were all things that confused him and gave him a stomachache. He didn't eat before he went to bed, just simply changed into some old sweats and a T-shirt, (flinging his worn clothes onto the floor) and flopping onto the bed, not even burying himself under the covers.

Soooo, thank you for the wonderful reviews! I love getting them when I'm just sitting in class, bored out of my mind, 'cuz when I read them I get all happy and smiley, and the people around me think I'm a freak :p Anyway, the next chapter will be a bit longer, since the last two have been so short. Till next week!