A/N: To the wonderful people who began reading this before I changed the perspective, please see the author's note at the top of the first chapter. Thank you!
Also, sorry this is out later than I wanted it to be. I released the first chapter a week before I went to Europe and I wanted to finish up the second one. School didn't let that happen, of course. After that I had to come home and get back into the groove of things, so here it is at last! The second chapter!
Junjou Flame
Act 1
Part 2
The Grass Could Be Greener
"So tell me what this boy is like!" Takahiro said to me, giddier than I would have preferred him to be. I slumped in my chair, lowering my head a little.
"For the last time, I just met him today! You're really taking this joke too far, nii-chan…"
It was now dinner time. Akihiko had just rolled out of bed about a half an hour ago and was still grunting and groaning at the table with an indication that work was being less than kind to him. Needless to say, the guy still scares me shitless when he's not awake just yet.
And so Takahiro thought it would be a fantastic idea to enlighten his dying spirits by bringing up the man who began my nightmare. The story only brought so much as a light chuckle from the man's mouth.
"Sure, sure. That's what you'll say at first. Once you start thinking about that person, you know you're falling for them." He took a bite of his dinner and I hissed, letting my face heat.
"I don't get it! You guys never teased me about hanging around Sumi-senpai-and I mean…" Akihiko glared at me, "…When I did hang around him." His gaze relaxed a little more. Takahiro sighed.
"That's because I know that Sumi has no interest in you. He was obviously fawning over your older brother," said Akihiko.
"Usagi-san, he was asking me for a glass of water with a polite smile on his face. How many times do I have to explain this to you?"
"And did you listen carefully to the sensual way he asked, Takahiro?"
"'Can I have a glass of water, please?'" Takahiro recited dully, "With emphasis on the 'please'. He held out his vowels a little over dramaticlly. So what?"
"But it was how he held his vowels that gave me a problem! He had that dreamy, star struck look in his eyes I give, you know? You need to keep your eyes open for those kind of guys-especially my brother."
"I'm not that dense!" Takahiro cried. I wanted to comment on that he doesn't realize how dense he really is as it took him at least a decade to figure out a certain someone had a crush on him-which he only found out because of me-, but I decided to let it go for tonight.
At this point I had lost all interest in their argument anyway, already predicting the end of it in which they would fuck each other silly and fall asleep precisely before my 11 o' clock bedtime (hopefully), so I cleaned off my plate and ran to my room. Since I finished all my work just before making dinner, I decided to turn on the computer wondering how to spend time relaxing for the rest of the evening as I was beat from all the work I had finished.
Finally, I decided there was no choice other than to use the instant messaging system for a little while in hopes of settling my mind a little. My eyes averted to the list of people online including those I sometimes I end up hanging around with on the weekends (reluctantly agreed to by Takahiro and Usami-san) and then Sumi-senpai's came up at the bottom. I thought perhaps he could help with my problem.
Misa-kun90: ah, senpai ^w^
1Kei1: Well, well, well; if it isn't Misaki. How are you?
I thought for a moment. What way was best to not look totally desperate in need of advice and ask for it at the same time?
Misa-kun90: eh, not sure
1Kei1: Is that so? Did something happen?
Perfect! He had taken the sympathy bait!
Misa-kun90: someone confessed to me this morning
1Kei1: Wow, how lucky! Misaki, you lady killer, you ;)
Misa-kun90: hey now don't use that wink-face at me! (Or "lady killer", but I didn't want him to lead to any unnecessary suspicions of course) 'sides the feeling isn't mutual, u know?
1Kei1: Ah. I understand completely. It's a shame, though since you couldn't get some. Not that I was expecting you to anyway.
Misa-kun90: hey now whats that supposed to mean?
1Kei1: I'm only kidding, Misa-kun. Besides, you can always come to me if you're ever lonely ;)
Misa-kun90: senpaiiii ;^;
1Kei1: Ha, you know I love getting you flustered. (A little too much sometimes) Anyway, I assume you rejected her?
Misa-kun90: yeah
1Kei1: Then what's there to worry about?
Misa-kun90: its just that i can't help but feel-oh this is odd
A new window had popped up with a buddy request. Something inside me felt chills at the mention of the name and the possibility that someone found my user without my knowledge.
Misa-kun90: uh, senpai
1Kei1: ?
Misa-kun90: does the name "Nobu_Tsuki" sound familiar?
1Kei1: Oh, yeah- I forgot to tell you about that. I gave your username to a friend of mine from our Literature class. Sorry I didn't mention it to you earlier. I was going to, but we already parted ways before it could happen this morning.
I sighed in relief. It seemed I wasn't being stalked by a certain someone after all.
Misa-kun90: that's alright, senpai! i was just curious. he's added on my buddy list now :)
1Kei1: Thank you. The poor kid needs more friends, so I'm really trying to help him out, you know?
Misa-kun90: wah, youre so nice, senpai ^w^
1Kei1: Aw, come on. It's just a simple deed.
Inspired enough to commit a friendly act on my own, I made the move to introduce myself.
Misa-kun90: hi!
Nobu_Tsuki: Oh, hello there.
Misa-kun90: nice to meet u. my name is misaki takahashi. have we met?
Nobu_Tsuki: Yes we have and honestly I'm surprised you added me.
Misa-kun90: eh? why do u say that?
Nobu_Tsuki: Well, considering how weird you were acting today…
Two and two were put together in my mind suddenly and I instantly c licked back on to Sumi's window.
Misa-kun90: senpai
1Kei1: Yes?
Misa-kun90: who exactly is Nobu_Tsuki anyway?
1Kei1: Shinobu Takatsuki from our class. I'm sure you remember him
Misa-kun90: …oh (And that I unfortunately did)
1Kei1: Doesn't the "Nobu" and "Tsuki" sound familiar now? Anyways, I've gotta go. Tell Usami-sensei I read his newest release. I'm honestly not sure what to think about it...
1Kei1: I'll see you tomorrow :D
Misa-kun90: wait, senpai!
-1Kei1 is offline-
Defeated, I closed out of that chat and went back to the other.
Misa-kun90: ohhhh that? well don't worry about it. anyways I have to go. kamijou-sensei assigned a killer i better take care of. goodnight
Nobu_Tsuki: Can at least talk to you for a moment?
-Misa-kun90 is offline-
I shut down the IM system was quickly as possible. At that same moment, a sudden need for sleep overwhelmed me and even through sleep, I could not relax.
And I think that had something to do with the wailing down the hall. Or the constant springing of the bed that was the equivalent for me scratching a chalkboard.
The next morning promised to be a better one.
Usami had woken up by the time I was ready for university and Takahiro to leave. We didn't talk in the car at all except when he said that he was going to pick me up later.
Once I stepped out of the car, Sumi was already waiting for me at the entrance of the school. The stalker didn't appear to be in sight even as we separated ways for our different class. T-minus 3 days until the next time Literature class meets.
After the lecture, I went to go meet Sumi at the lunch hall. I had another lecture coming up, so it was better to grab a bite before going.
When I walked in, I immediately noticed him sitting at one of the tables talking with someone while his cell phone was out.
"Here's the number. If I see him, I'll tell-Ah, Misaki," Sumi said, turning to me, smirking, "Speak of the Devil and he shall appear."
"Eh? You were talking about me?"
"Just about your charming good looks, of course." He glanced at the man next to him. "Isn't that right, Shinobu-kun?"
And then the moment I noticed him, my face turned paler than a bleached Suzuki-san (which Usami didn't let me hear the end of since I accidentally ruined one of his many cloned precious teddy bears).
"Oh, since you're here, I might as well introduce you. Anyways, this is the guy you added last night."
"Yes, I know him!" I seethed, leaning forward to whisper in his ear, "But when did you two become friends?"
"Yesterday, actually. He came up to me on campus before I had my next class and we talked for a while. Then I just gave him my number just now along with yours"-
"What? But why?" I asked, not intending it to be so loud. Sumi raised his hands.
"Calm down, Misaki. He just needs some friends and I thought you two would be a good match is all," he assured me, maintaining his whisper.
"Listen, Senpai, there's something I have to tell you." My eyes immediately traveled back to Shinobu, who was standing a few inches away from us. "…Later." Sumi smiled.
"Now then!" he wrapped an arm around the both of us, "Let's hang before class starts!"
Badly as I wanted to make an objection, the fact that Sumi was there gave me a relief that there was no chance Shinobu would make any "odd" move.
They talked about all different kinds of things- parents, college, siblings, the question of who was better looking and other typical nonsense in a mere five minutes. Then Sumi suddenly got up from his chair and began to walk away.
"Eh? Senpai?" I leaned forward. "Where are you going?"
"I have class now," said Sumi, waving at us as he began to head outside, "Don't miss me too much, you guys!"
And then a wave of awkwardness swept over me. I'm not sure whether Shinobu felt it or not, but if he did, I wasn't able to notice.
"…So…uh…"
"Can you recall anything yet?"
"Excuse me?"
"About the wedding," said Shinobu as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"…No. Nothing, really," I answered, then asked, "How is your sister by the way? Yo Miyagi is treating her well?"
"They divorced." I gasped.
"Oh…how terrible! I'm sorry!"
"Not to worry. It was about a year ago. They both moved on." He had spat those last words a bit coldly. "What about your brother and Usami-sensei? How are they?" My face turned a bright red.
"Wh-what the hell are you trying to say about my brother?" Shinobu folded his hands together and leaned forward.
"Wasn't it obvious? They were pretty much all over each other at the wedding."
"B-but they were probably drunk!" I exclaimed quickly. Shinobu huffed.
"You seem very proud of your own stupid lie." Just as I was going to question how Shinobu knew about their relationship, my phone rang once again mid-conversation. I quickly got up from the lunch table and moved to a quiet spot to answer without even apologizing for the interruption.
"Hello?"
"Misaki-kun?"
"Ah, Aikawa-san! How are you?"
"Stressed, of course," she muttered, "And that's all because of a certain Usami-sensei! Speaking of him, are you home?"
"No, I'm still here at the university. Sorry. Why, do you need something?" I asked.
"Tell Usami-sensei to answer his cell for once and to finish his manuscript! The deadline is tomorrow…"
"Alright, I'll give him the message." We both hung up and just as I was about to head to the table, I noticed Shinobu wasn't there. 'Could he have left?'
"Who was that?" Every hair on my body pricked.
"WERE YOU LISTENING IN ON MY CONVERSATION?" I screamed, backing away from Shinobu who did not seem the least startled.
"…No. I was just wondering what the urgent call was for." Oh yeah. I left him behind at the table. …That was still pretty creeper-like of him to just stalk behind me like that.
"That was Aikawa-san!" That response wasn't enough to satisfy him.
"Okay. And why was she calling your phone?"
'What am I supposed to say now?' I asked myself, 'If I say she's Akihiko's editor, I give my brother away!' My face heated when I realized that there was one option left to choose. "…Because she's my girlfriend." Shinobu's face remained indifferent.
"Girlfriend?"
"Yeah!"
"But when we spoke yesterday, you mentioned nothing about a girlfriend. In fact, I thought I already proved you didn't have one."
"You didn't prove anything!" I shouted and then proudly, "Besides, she and I have been going off for a little while now and in fact, we just got back together last night!" Shinobu's eyes shifted towards mine.
"Is that so? Tell me all about her then."
"What exactly do you want to know?"
"How old is she, for a start?" Shit. I completely forgot her age. Although, if I recall, she was around the same age as nii-chan…
"She's an older woman," I said simply.
"So it'sthat kind of relationship?"
"Wh-what? No! Not at all! She and I pretty close, you know? She always visits and brings me something from the bakery everyday! One time she even made me a bento!" That was half true-especially the bento part. Albeit the bento was store-bought, but it still tasted pretty good.
"Aikawa-san sounds more like a sister than a lover. Even a baby-sitter sounds more suitable."
"Hey! You don't know anything about this!"
"Oi! Misaki!" a voice in the distance called, "Let's get going!"
I turned to see a familiar gray silhouette standing in the entrance way of the cafeteria.
"…Is that Usami-san?" asked Shinobu.
"Uhh… Is it already that time? Boy, I better go! See ya, Shinobu!" Without giving him a chance to say something, I fled towards Akihiko, for once happy to see him. "What's with the entry? I thought you were gonna call me when you're here."
"No good. I lost my phone." I stared at him with disbelief.
"You lost it!"
"I'll get a new one in a few days." Something told me that he definitely did it to piss off Aikawa/avoid her.
"Fine. Let's just go."
While ignoring the gape of mouths and eye widening stares of having been escorted by the Lord Usami, he glanced at me and noticed immediately I was more tense than usual.
"So, was that the Shinobu Takahiro mentioned to me yesterday?"
"…Yeah, he is." There was no point in denying it.
"I see. He seems like a good kid-a serious child, but nonetheless, a good kid."
"Usami-san," I found courage to build up the question slowly, "Since you're all famous and stuff, I'm sure you've had plenty of people ask you out, right-specifically ones you weren't interested in."
"Correction, I wasn't interested in any of them. They weren't interested in me once they tried to get close either or when I rejected them. Why do you ask?" His cold demeanor told me he definitely wouldn't understand.
"…I was just wondering is all."
We didn't speak for the rest of the journey home. I was already exhausted, so I didn't even bother to get on the computer. Instead I slumped on my bed that was more comfortable than usual and was preparing to nestle in it comfortably for a nap.
And then something in my pocket vibrated. I sluggishly went to grab it and answered. On the screen was an unfamiliar number.
"Yeah?"
"Is this a bad time? There was something I forgot to ask you earlier." Shit. I forgot Sumi gave him the number.
"Sorry. I can't…Aikawa-san is here. Goodnight."
"Wait-wasn't that Usami-sensei I saw you with earlier? Why was he picking you up?"
"I'm sorry, Shinobu-kun. I can't talk to you right now." I hung up right away, embarrassed about my easily exposed lie.
It was an odd, disgusting feeling to say the least. I didn't like Shinobu-not one ioda. At the same time, I felt kind of bad. Like Sumi said, it seemed like this guy didn't have any friends. I didn't either when I first started college and even then Sumi was the first to rescue me from loneliness. Besides, I had completely ruled out the possibility of him being part of the yakuza (several times, but then I put it back on the list in case). How bad could this kid possibly be?
Then there was also the fact that I pretty much dug into quite a lie ready to be dug out. I didn't think Aikawa-san would be thrilled about the idea of me choosing her as my "pretend" girlfriend or rejecting a gay relationship (being given how ridiculous she could be as a BL fangirl). Nor did I think denying Takahiro being with Usami would be something he would enjoy either (being as I'm the one who actually looks after his orientation).
Yet in the end, was I really working myself up over nothing? I was letting this guy-some random forest fire practically take control of every move I make since my actions revolved around avoiding coming in close contact with him.
So much for trying to extinguish that burning flame.