Junjou Flame
Act 1
Part 3
Take Note of the Caution Sign
In the end, I couldn't sleep off the stress after turning off my phone no matter how long I stayed in my room.
Even Takahiro seemed to notice a slight slump in my usual energetic attitude. He asked me what was wrong and I told him I was busy (thinking). Then he decided to let me go of questioning.
"Misaki," he said, "Just to let you know, we're having company tomorrow."
"Eh? Who is it?" I questioned curiously.
"A friend of Akihiko's. Remember that wedding we went to?" I had been referring back to that for the past few days.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Well, we went because Usami and I knew one of the guests since high school and he's coming over tomorrow along with another man and someone he's taking care of. I heard it's his ex-nephew or son, but I'm not sure." That was an odd crowd.
"…Okay, but it doesn't really make any sense."
"That's true," he smiled, "But I think it's just a way of bragging about his new boyfriend (I flinched) ahead of time that we have yet to meet before the ceremony. The younger one is just tagging along because the two of them practically live together since his father doesn't really care to deal with him much and apparently he is a fan of Akihiko's work. He's also a literature fanatic."
"Oh. I understand." Another question pulsed in my brain. "Wait-ceremony!" My face flushed. Was the wedding coming up that quickly? They never said anything and I hadn't even started packing my stuff yet!
"You didn't hear? Usami won a Kikukawa Award. We're celebrating next month at… I think the Teito Hotel, but I'm not sure about the details, yet. Just whatever you do, don't tell him about any of this. You know how much hates those kinds of parties," he reminded me.
"Alright, I won't. I just feel bad that I didn't even hear about it or congratulate him."
"We can give him a present on the day of the ceremony if you want although honestly, I thought you don't even like him."
"…Alright, I'm not that crazy about him," I admitted sheepishly, "But I know you both love each other and he treats you well. That's enough of a reason to like him so I figure I should give him some sort of appreciation." I had to admit, the big smile he gave me was something I hadn't seen on his face in a good while.
"Th-thank you, Misaki!" he beamed, "I wonder what we should get him. Hmm… A watch? No, that's stupid. He already got me one for my birthday. Another Suzuki?" It was also just as uplifting to see him get flustered as he tried to contain his excitement even as he walked out of my room, still muttering a bunch of gibberish under his breath in excitement. Geez, all I did was say something simple like that to his face and it made him so… happy. I couldn't remember the last time I did something like that. In fact, I thought this was the first instance where I did something and it gave me a little joy of my own on the inside. I couldn't think of another time I felt that way either.
See, the thing I notice more and more about myself is that I speak my mind. A lot.
I'm not afraid to yell at people or defend myself and others or admit that something is wrong. It's something I'm proud and ashamed of at the same time.
People say it's childish. Others call it being obnoxious. Sometimes it's a wonder to me how Sumi could put up with my immaturity or why Usami hasn't wrung my neck yet. It makes me think that Shinobu was still persistent because he didn't take notice of that terrible trait just yet since it seems to make more enemies than friends. The sad part of it is that I really do try to consider other people's feelings.
Take for example the wedding I went to.
I went to the bathroom after the cake was cut and just as I was about to open the stall, the main door slammed against the wall and a man rushed into an unused one. I washed my hands, all the while thinking to myself how someone must really have needed to go to the bathroom.
While drying my hands, I thought for a moment that the machine wasn't working since I heard a low, fuzzy sound. I pulled my hands away and the noise didn't stop. That's when I realized it.
'Shit, he's crying.' I knocked on the thick wall. "Oi, are you alright in there?"
"No! Go away!" he sniffled. He obviously chose the "be difficult" tactic. I tried again.
"Come on, it's a party. You're supposed to have fun and last time I checked, crying in a bathroom stall isn't exactly fun."
"Sh-shut up! Wh-who said I was crying?"
"You're stuttering, your voice is shaking and it sounds vaguely similar to bawling. To be honest, you're not exactly good at keeping your tears quiet," I laughed nervously.
"What, are you going to give me a lecture on how to cry or is my Father going to have to do that too?" He remained silent for a few seconds. "J-Just go away. It doesn't concern you…"
"Now who said that? There you are on the other side of this door obviously depressed about something and I figure I better make good use of myself since I'm here." I leaned against the stall door. "So... you mentioned something about your dad."
I expected him to say "mind your own business" or something along those lines, but instead he went on to tell me the truth within staggering gulps of air.
"…S-since it's a wedding and stuff, my Father decided to talk to me yet again about the future and university and the life I'm going to live with a t-trophy wife and a bunch of drooling kids in a beautiful Victorian home with the perfect j-job as a lawyer in order to support my wonderful family and whatnot," he explained.
"That doesn't sound so bad. It's a little on the unrealistic side, but I'm sure your Father is just looking out for you because he wants what's best for his son," I said.
"I know, but just…he doesn't understand! First off, I don't w-want to be a lawyer! I want to be a literature professor or just s-something to do with the major. Why should I have to be a l-lawyer just because my Dad tells me to be? That doesn't even interest me, but literature? That's my p-passion!"
"Maybe you could just major in Law and minor in Literature?"
"B-but it's…not enough. I want to be more involved in Literature than that," he said, "And then that whole thing with the wife and kids-how the hell am I supposed to do that when I just can't get a girl? They f-flirt with me and try to d-date me, but I just see no interest in them! Maybe I haven't found the right one? I'm just weird, I don't know! I have the grades, but I suck at everything else that's important! How the hell am I supposed to take care of a family or even m-myself?"
"I think you should stop worrying so much," I said, "It's your life. You should live it the way you want to and stressing over the major blocks in your path isn't going to help you. In fact, it will make it worse. Should you think about those things? Yeah, you should but not to the point where it gets in the way of what you want to do."
"T-that's not so easy as you think…"
"Well, yeah of course not. I struggle to do that too sometimes, especially since I'm not that smart. Your dad wants you to be happy, right? Once you know what you want to do in life and you truly show it, he might back off."
"A-all I know is I want to do something with Literature."
"And that's a start! You'll pick up the rest of the missing pieces along the way." I felt pretty proud of myself for saying that. For once, I said something that I thought was intelligent and helpful for another person-enough to make his life possibly brighter.
After a small moment of silence (minus the loud sniffling), he lowly muttered a question. "What's that?"
"What is your name?" he asked again. I removed my shoulder from the wall and tried to get a glimpse of him in between the crack of the stall bordering the next.
"Takahashi Misaki," I answered casually.
"Takahashi Misaki," he repeated slowly, letting the words syllables fall off of his tongue. Almost a little too eagerly, I waited for a friendly "thank you" or some sort of nice verbal gesture and instead I got-
"You are an idiot."
That was all I got. They were four little grunted words that hinted no remorse for being uttered with a pretty damn big impact.
"Well…okay then," was all I could say. I was too shocked to even yell at him for improperly thanking me for the pep talk and just left the bathroom speechless.
From time to time I had wondered if that guy ever lived happily after that conversation and if he ever thought about me, but then I easily pushed that to the back of my mind when I recalled those four words.
"You are an idiot."
I guess I was an idiot for caring. He was a stranger that had a face I couldn't see and I was expecting him as a gentleman to respect me for helping him. Or maybe my advice really was stupid in the end.
But presently, I guess I felt better and more determined to keep true to what I said. I wanted to appreciate Usami, but how? I had no idea what the hell he wanted other than complete possession of my brother's body. I wasn't sure if he would even want another child's play set of toys (but then again, the man never failed to surprise me).
For now the best idea seemed to be putting it off for a little later before hitting the store with Takahiro and prepare dinner instead.
The next morning felt fresh as a Wednesday should-calm and quick. I had no classes, so I decided to go out shopping for a little bit while Takahiro had work and Usami was busy scribbling in the dungeon until heading towards the living room where he ended up falling asleep. Since company was due to arrive later on (dinnertime, according to Usami), I figured it would be good to prepare dinner for the guests. I made my list and headed off to the local supermarket.
As I headed from aisle to aisle, I stopped the cart when I noticed a familiar face strolling down by the fruit stand. And unfortunately he saw me as well.
"Misaki," he said, "What a coincidence." At least he didn't say something stupid like "destiny" or I think I would literally have had a heart attack.
"Shinobu-kun, what are you doing here?"
"Shopping," he answered, casually taking a few ripe bananas and putting them in the cart, "Duh. I'm sure that's why you're here too?" I nodded slowly.
"I'm making dinner tonight."
"Do you do that often?"
"Yeah. Nobody else in the house can cook accept for me. It's also a hobby of mine," I said.
"So it is." He looked back at the fruit stand. "Do you like bananas?" The odd question that came out of nowhere threw me off for a second, but then I realized that he was referring to his own cart.
"I do, but not as much as watermelon. It's my favorite."
"Hmm… I'll get one then." He lifted a large watermelon with his hands, struggling to cradle it and gently put it in the cart. He opened his mouth to say something else that I expected to be to or about me or my brother, but instead fixed his already fine chestnut hair in impulse.
"Well, then. I'll see you later." And like that, he moved off to a different aisle just when the aura shifted.
By the time I got back, I was greeted with a plastic bag sitting on the counter and a red-haired woman that sat on a lounge chair across from the resting Usami with a purse sitting by her side.
"Misaki-kun, it's good to see you. The bag is for you and your brother to share," she said.
"Thanks, Aikawa-san!" I took a peek at the contents of the bag. It was creampuffs. Takahiro wasn't that big on them so it looked like they were all mine. I put them in the fridge along with the other goods I bought. That sounded like a suitable dessert for later if any of the guests liked sweets at all, I decided.
Now, I know it sounds odd to find a pretty woman such as Aikawa Eri randomly in your house after stepping outside for a while, but it's quick to adjust. Besides, she had her own key to get in the house after multiple times where Usami couldn't be reached and was found sprawled upon the floor sick because he had overworked himself and didn't bother with going to a doctor. Of course, he now has Takahiro and I to look after him, but we can't be home all the time to "baby-sit" and sometimes the man was just plainly unpredictable in whatever he did.
Take for example the onetime Aikawa nearly caught him putting a metal container with a fork sticking out of an uncovered left-over meal from the night before or every other time she came to press Usami about the deadlines he tried to avoid.
"Did he fall asleep before your classes, Misaki?"
"I didn't have any classes today," I told her, "So instead I went shopping about an hour and a half ago for tonight. Usami fell asleep a little before then."
"Ugh… He's not gonna wake up for another hour at least then!"
"Are you going to stay then?"
"Of course I am! I'm his editor and I need to get that manuscript today!" she said with a hint of authority, "…Plus he hasn't been answering his cell phone. I have a feeling he has some ingenious excuse about that too." It's easy to tell that she had been working as Usami's editor for quite a while now.
I glanced at the clock. It was nearly three.
"I'm sure you'll be a while even after he wakes up. Would you like to stay for dinner, then? I bought plenty of food," I offered.
"Oh, I don't know… Didn't you already say company is coming later?"
"It's fine! I have more than enough, really."
"Well, alright then! I can't turn down an offer like that!"
She and I talked on for another while until the beast himself had awoken. They began their manuscript readings so I prepared dinner and went back to my room where I stayed to finish up Kamijou-sensei's assignment. I put on the chat system as well just in case if I needed to ask Sumi any questions.
1Kei1: And that's the outline attached. Honestly, Misaki, did you read the book carefully?
Misa-kun90: …japanese isnt my best subject… especially literature
1Kei1: As expected of Economic Major-san.
Misa-kun90: y do u always say that like its a bad thing? ;-;
1Kei1: I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Anyway, do you have anymore questions?
Misa-kun90: no im fine. i have guests coming over soon anyway so ill have to do it later
1Kei1: Guests? Who's coming?
The obnoxious swipe of the front door opening and a rush of a few different footsteps hinted that company had arrived.
Misa-kun90: sorry, theyre here! i better get going. see ya senpai! ^w^
1Kei1: Good luck.
I got off the computer and onto my feet before smoothing out my hair and clothes, feeling tidy and ready enough to present myself.
"Hiro-kun, right this way!" I heard Takahiro say.
"… Damn you rich people. Every time I look at this place it gets even bigger!" I'd heard that voice before.
"Welcome to my world," Aikawa sighed.
"Really? I honestly think that we need more space," Usami chimed in.
"Another room!" was the man's question. "What are you planning on buying now?" was my brother's.
"Did I ever tell you I've always wanted to walk around Osaka? I might want to buy something from there."
"Planning on buying 'marimo', are you?" came an unfamiliar one.
"Maybe," was Usami's vague answer.
I got a little closer to the secluded group talking among themselves. The man seemed a little taller than me with messy brown hair and the one who I assumed to be his partner had jet black hair with a height similar to Takahiro's and possibly Usami's. I slowly stepped into the kitchen where they were.
"Well, it seems we have someone else here," the black hair man looked directly at me. The brunette tensed.
"You're my student!"
"Kamijou-sensei!" I gasped, "Eh, Takahiro, I didn't know you were friends with him!" Sensei crossed his arms.
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing."
"No! No, you just surprised me is all! I just… couldn't recognize him without his glasses!" I quickly blurted, praying that he didn't know where the knife drawer was. The black haired man moved forward and shook my hand.
"Nice to meet ya, kid. The name's Yo Miyagi." Where had I heard that name before? "I think I've seen you somewhere."
"He came with us to your wedding," said Usami. My face fell.
'His wedding? Wait, could it mean that'-
"Now I remember!" he exclaimed, craning his neck out of the open door, "Oi, Shinobu! Are you up yet?"
'Shit. I'm right.'
He came inside with a large container covered in tin foil in his hands with an unidentifiable object inside. The guy didn't even flinch when he laid eyes on me. Something even angrier than before bubbled up inside of me.
"There you are," Miyagi said, taking the container, "If it was that heavy, you really should have just let me carry it." He dragged Shinobu over to where I stood. "Shinobu, this is… uh…"
"Takahashi Misaki," Shinobu added, "I know him. He's in my Literature class."
"That's even better. I assume you two are already acquainted with each other then." I wasn't sure if acquainted was exactly the right word, but I somehow managed to keep my mouth shut.
"Well, I guess you two will just play nicely then, eh?"
"We're not children, Miyagi," Shinobu grunted. Miyagi had dismissed the response. Shinobu came closer to me. "Misaki, who is that?" He pointed to the red head.
"Her? That's Aikawa-I mean… Eri-chan!" Aikawa's ears perked up at this.
"Eri-chan?"
"Oh, so she's that girlfriend you mentioned." Everyone else stared back at me with suspicion. Suddenly I had lost my dying grasp of sanity.
"Misaki, did you just call me 'Eri-chan'?"
"Uh… nii-chan, tell me when you're ready for me to heat dinner, okay? We'll be in my room," I told him. I grabbed Shinobu's arm by the sleeve and dragged him furiously down the hall.
"Have fun!" Usami called after us. I could sense that he was laughing at us on the inside.
I closed the door and sat on the bed.
"Nice place you got here," Shinobu remarked, "It's small, but it's decent."
"Alright, Shinobu, just what the hell is your problem?"
"What? I like your room."
"I'm not talking about that!" I shouted, "You're practically stalking me!"
"Stalking? Me? What makes you think that?" I wasn't sure whether he was playing innocent or was totally oblivious to fathom how much I wanted to punch him in the face.
"You came to my home without even telling me, for one!"
"So? I came simply because Nowaki doesn't like it when I'm home alone since he's afraid I'm going to blow up our apartment. I'm also pretty sure I kind of hinted it to you that I was coming and even so, I wanted to take the opportunity to meet Usami-sensei face to face," he explained.
"That's bullshit! I'll bet you haven't read one of his books!"
"On the contrary, I've read every single one to date."
"But you knew that I'm living with Usami-san!" I accused.
"How was I supposed to know that? In fact, you never told me," said Shinobu, "In fact, you even denied it."
"I denied that he was having a relationship with my brother!"
"Which was another lie, if I may remind you. It's suspicious that two grown men are living together in a place such as this. Besides, Hiro told me about them. Do you have any other examples of me 'stalking' you?" I groaned loudly, tugging at my own hair in agitation.
"Well, you got Sumi to give my number and instant messenger name to you."
"It's your fault for adding me without knowing who I was. Also, Sumi offered your number. I didn't even ask for it."
"Now why would he do something like that?"
"He thought it would be funny," he replied simply.
"Whatever!" I rolled my eyes, "I still don't believe you."
"It's because of my confession, isn't it?"
Ding ding ding! He finally figured it out!
"Duh! Of course that's why I would think this way!"
"Why should you have to?" Yet again, he had stumped me totally.
"I…I don't know." 'What the hell is he talking about?' "It's just so… out of the blue. It's weird. You're gay and just…"
"And it's also because I'm gay."
"Right!" I paused, and then quickly took it back. "No, no wait! I didn't mean that! I meant"-
"That's an odd thing to assume, isn't it?" he asked me, completely monotone, "Just because I like another man doesn't mean any of those things. They're all more than coincidence." Shinobu drew closer to me. "Do you know why?" Damn, the way he stared at me like that scared me even more than Kamijou-sensei does on a daily basis!
"…N-no…"
"It's destiny." Those words had set a fire within me. I wanted to scream. He had made his case and point so clearly and convincing through all of this and then I found that I couldn't trust his motives again.
"Okay, you know what?" I snapped, "Get out of my room! Just get out!"
"You think your mind is like a brick wall? All I see is glass! You're that easy to see through, Takahashi Misaki!"
"After tonight, I want you to stay away from me, my brother, Sumi-senpai and hell, even Usami-san!"
"Y-you're an inconsiderate bastard, you know that? You never even b-bothered to ask why I love you!" Shinobu screamed, trying to hold back tears, "Goddammit… I thought you were d-different! Those things that you said to me…" He opened the door and turned his head back to me one more time. "You're an idiot!" And the door slammed.
At first I couldn't believe what I heard.
'Me? Inconsiderate? What kind of joke is that?' He barely even knew me and he was pulling this destiny crap! It didn't mean I had to be with him. There was no reason for trying to force me and going through my family and friends. Why couldn't he just find someone else?
But even though I was angry, it kind of hurt. Really badly.
What if he was telling me the truth after all?
What if he was just lonely as Sumi made him out to be? 'Oh God… I was just mad because he invaded my personal bubble… I didn't want to make him cry!'
I stepped back into the kitchen. Everyone sat around the table and Kamijou-sensei, or Hiro, was the first to spot me.
"Oi, did something happen with Shinobu? He said he had to finish an assignment, but he seemed pretty upset when he ran out."
'So he went home after all.' "It's…nothing. It was just something he had to do for Literature." It was a lie, but he seemed to accept it right away.
A/N: Wow, this was longer than I intended it to be .-. Sorry about that and thank you for reading! Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long 83