Hi. I'm back again (This time, a few days earlier than I'd expected. Can't believe I'm actually doing anything productive). Merci beaucoup to all my readers and my beta, who now has a account, RosiePosieRW. But yeah, thanks for the support. :)
We had chats about killing off Mizuno (well, more just Rosie-tan talking about it) but nope, she's not gonna die. Yet. Maybe. Haha. No. Okay I'll go now. Bye.

Enjoy. :)

Onodera POV:

I have to leave this apartment eventually, don't I? 'Eventually' being very soon. It took all of my courage to open the door and get out of my apartment. I quickly scanned the corridor of any signs of Takano-san. None. I sighed in relief and walked over to the elevator. I pressed the button, waiting for the elevator to arrive. I quickly stepped in and pressed '1'.

"Oi, hold the door. I'm getting on too." A hand snaked round the side of the door and grasped it, keeping from shutting entirely, before I could force the doors shut.

"Oh, good morning," I muttered barely audibly, to the other man. I mentally slapped myself. Why couldn't I have left later?

"Good morning," he replied, louder. He glanced at me. Come on, move, elevator. The elevator was moving at an almost painfully slow velocity. Floor seven, six, fi-

The elevator had stopped. I expected the doors to open so someone else from a different floor could get on. It didn't. A sense of impending doom came to me. The doors weren't going to open. I immediately thought about the man who was stuck in an elevator for forty-one hours and I stood, frozen in fear. I snapped out of it, what the hell am I thinking? People are going to notice our absence, right?

"Um Takano-san..." I said, to fill the silence and to state the obvious. He'd already reached forward to press the 'help' button, or whatever it's called.

"I'm gonna call the office." he said, as if this didn't affect him in any way. "We're at the beginning of the cycle so we should be fine."

"Oh. Okay," I said weakly. But why did he have to be in here as well? It would be much more bearable if I didn't know him. I didn't even know why. Oh yeah. Because he pisses me off.

"Aw, crap!" he suddenly said, jolting me out of my thoughts. "There's no reception in here."

"But since other people are going to use this elevator, we'll get out soon, right?" I added, trying to reassure myself more than Takano-san.

"I guess." Takano-san yawned and sat, leaning on the corner of the elevator. How could he be so calm about this? Shouldn't you be panicking and going, 'Ahh, we're gonna run out of oxygen!', or something? I eventually slid down and crouched in another corner.

Forty-five minutes had passed, each second ticking away slowly. Had he really been staring at the elevator door for all this time? None of us had said a word since we sat down. The silence was loud and unbearable, reaching into every single corner and crack in the elevator. But even if I had said something, what would I say? I cleared my throat.

"So.. how long you think we'll be here?" I forced out of my mouth. He looked at me, probably because I broke the silence.

"Who knows? Probably a few hours."

"Ah, yes... probably."

"So, about last night..." I stiffened up and put on a fake smile.

"W-what about it?" I asked, forcing laughter.

"I don't think I got to ask you this, but what school did you go to?"

Huh? Why would he want to know that. I gave him the name of the school and he replied with a 'oh really?'. What was I supposed to do? Ask him as well? Well, I can't really do that since twenty seconds had already passed and it would be awkward to ask him now.

"So Mi- that girl... is she your girlfriend or a roommate?" I asked, genuinely interested. Crap, I had almost said Mizuno. Wait, isn't that sort of a strange question to ask him? He yawned, possibly bored by the conversation. Gee, thanks.

"Nope. A friend. Well, we did used to go out in high school but it didn't work out. At all." he shifted his position to face me. "And please, tell me about your relationships." He rested his chin on his hand. What the hell was this? Elevator confessions with your boss?
Wait a minute. What did he say? 'We used to go out in high school'. I slowly put the pieces together. Wait...that means...no way. No way in hell. Is that Mizuno Nana even the same one? But she mentioned pigtails. After a few seconds of internal debate, I decided to drop the bomb.

"So?" Takano said, waiting for me to answer.

"D-did your name used to be 'Saga Masmune'?" I questioned quietly, facing down. Silence filled the room again. Shit, did I offend him or something? I quickly turned to him to apologize. "Ah, wait, I'm sor-"

"Yeah. Yeah it was." he said nonchalantly. Pause. "And how exactly would you know that?"

Oh shit, I needed to make up an excuse fast.

"Um - uh, I had a chat with Mizuno-san," I lied blatantly.

"How do you know her name?"

"S-she told me, why else?" I lied yet again, looking to the left.

"Liar," he accused. He narrowed his eyes "You...just who the hell are you?"

"I'm nobody, and, uh, I'm going to see if there's any reception!" I quickly answered, trying and obviously failing to change the subject. Why did he make me so nervous?

"Stop trying to change the subject," he told me firmly. "Oda Ritsu."

Did I mishear him? "Huh?"

"You're Oda Ritsu. My stalker from high school."

"H-how do you know?!" I exclaimed in shock, giving myself away. Ahh, I wanted to sink into the ground now. I snuck a quick glance at the door. Could I leave if I prised those doors open? A hand grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"Look at me." I'd made eye contact with him, the first time since I met him. Heat crept up my neck, or so I thought.

"Were you in love with me?" he asked, bluntly.

"Hahaha," more forced laughter, "my name is Onodera, not Oda!"

The larger man cleared his throat,

"O-once when I was in junior high, I fell in love with a guy and stalked him-"

"PLEASE STOP." I shouted in embarrassment. Ahh, I vaguely remember saying that. I could feel the heat on my cheeks. Why must I be the type of person who blushes easily?

"Oh, so are you saying that it was true?" This-this asshole is amused. I attempted to keep a straight face, but I'm sure my expression gave me away. He shrunk back to his corner. I let out a breath, I hadn't noticed I was holding it until now.

"I see." he exhaled. So my expression did give me away.

I pulled out my phone, to check for any messages.

"What are you doing?"

"Ch-checking my messages." Why am I stuttering?

"There's no reception down here." Oh right.

"That's true..." I placed my phone into my coat. We sat in a deafening silence for hours. I swear my heart was going to pound out of my chest.

"Are you two alright?" a voice called, one not belonging to Takano-san. I squinted at the bright light. I must've fallen asleep. Why did I feel like I was floating? Where was Takano-san? I tried to get up.

"Oi, quit moving!"

I looked up, to see the face of Takano Masamune staring at me angrily.

"The hell are you doing?!" I shouted in shock. Why am I being carried by him?

"You fell asleep in the elevator, you asshole." I looked around.

"But we're still in it..." I protested, faltering out as I saw those glass framed pictures on the wall. We're in an elevator at work. I looked to the right. With a stranger.

"Forget it! Just let me down!" My feet touched the floor and I felt my face getting hot.

The elevator reached the fourth floor, thankfully not stopping this time. I swiftly walked, not wanting to arrive with Takano-san. I threw myself on my chair, next to Kisa-san's pink floral print chair.

"Hey, Ricchan! Are you okay?"

I gave him a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

"Your face is all red! And you've been stuck somewhere for a few hours." There was a devious smile on his face. "Oh? Don't tell me you two did it!" The blush on my face darkened yet again.

"Aaah! He's blushing even more!" Kisa teased.

"KISA-SAN!" Why did I have to be seated right next to him?

"Oi, you two get back to work!" Takano-san ordered, a rolled up piece of paper suddenly materialising in his hand. It hit the side of my head.

"Ah sorry, accident," he said, but I was not convinced.

"THAT WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT!" I shouted angrily at him.

"Would you two please get to work?" A calmer voice said. Ah, Mino-san. We could always rely on him. Takano-san swiftly went to his chair at the front. As soon as we were out of Takano-san's line of sight, Kisa-san immediately pounded on me.

"So, so? What happened?" Kisa-san pressed and at that, women from the BL department suddenly found themselves in Emerald.

"Yeah, Onodera-san, it sounds interesting," one of the women said, eyes focused directly on mine. Why do I feel like I'm under a predatory gaze?

"I - uh - have to go to the bathroom. Excuse me." I all but ran to the bathroom. I turned on a tap, then turned it off five seconds after. What the hell am I doing here? I need to transfer to the literature department already.

"Oh did you come chasing after me?" said a person, who was most definitely not there five seconds ago. I managed to not scream at him and let out an "of course not." I walked out of the bathroom again, where I was cornered by the women from the BL department.

"So?"

I began to panic. Is this really what it's like working here? Ah, please, someone save me!

"Nothing happened at all." Takano-san said, emerging from the bathroom.

"And this newbie is behind on his work, so if you'll excuse us." He dragged me by my collar.

"Oi, you!" I cried. He let go. "I am perfectly capable of walking on my own," I told him firmly whilst patting down my coat. I turned my head to the other side. I don't want to look at him right now. If I did, I don't know what I would do.

Hey guys

I would like you all to know that on Sunday, Cindy and I worked on this fanfic for four hours non-stop to get it up and ready for everyone to read. I think that we should give Cindy some credit for updating the story early, shouldn't we? Show her your thanks in a review!

Gracias,

RosiePosieRW