Junjou Flame

Act 2

Part 2

If only Walls were Made of Mirrors

Not long after Shinobu and I ate together, Takahiro came to pick me up since it turned out there was no left-overs in the fridge and someone needed to make dinner. Who better to cook than the hazard-free Takahashi Misaki, of course?

I didn't mind so much since for me, my stomach was tossing and turning hopefully caused by an unsettling meal of cabbage (not to mention convincing Shinobu to take cooking classes, let alone that salt doesn't make everything have flavor). Secondly, I was needed at home for something else.

"I'm sorry I had to take you from your friend, Misaki," Takahiro said to me during the car ride home, "But I really needed you to come home!" I shrugged.

"It's no problem. We weren't doing anything. Besides, I don't like the idea of you guys using a stove."

Takahiro bit on his bottom lip. "Actually, I told half of the truth. While Usagi and I do need to eat dinner, you can make all that later when he comes home. For now, there's something else we need to do."

All I saw in the apartment after arriving home was a pit of darkness. The feeling in my stomach tightened as an image of a skeptical Usami giving me his cold blooded stares ran through my head momentarily. And then the lights were turned on.

Rather than seeing the rabbit, I saw a ceiling high pile of assorted "trash" ranging from vases to fine champagne. Strawberry and chocolate containers were included along with glasses cases and watch boxes. Then I understood.

"So…you cleaned out the closet? That's the surprise?" I asked.

Takahiro grinned. "It's not the only surprise! I had…a total epiphany earlier!"

'An epiphany?' I thought, 'Coming from him it can't be good.' "Really? What is it?" I questioned hesitantly. Takahiro was bubbling with extreme excitement.

"Okay, so I thought about it and since we have all this stuff we're never gonna use, why don't we make a giant Suzuki sculpture out of all this? It will put everything to good use!"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. In place there was a good period of silence. 'Yep. I was right.'

"You make the cutest faces when you're shocked!" Takahiro beamed, "Believe me, this is going to be so much fun!"

"Uh… nii-chan, why don't we just sell everything and get a huge teddy bear? Wouldn't that be easier?"

"I know. I thought about that too (I sighed in relief). Usagi will get mad, though because he got me some of these things and I really don't wanna hear him complain right now. Besides, we have a week! Time can't be wasted! All we really need to do is set up the boxes, wrap it over and paint it!" he explained.

"But where are we gonna put this thing where Usami can't see it?"

Takahiro tapped his chin. "Well, would you mind if we put it in your room? Once we pain it, however, you'll have to sleep on the couch."

"Okay, fine. But how are we going to move this thing out of my room once we're finished?"

"…Would you mind keeping it in there?"

"Nii-chan!"

"It'll only be until that new room comes in! I think I told you we're expanding, right? Your room will be extended in the process, so we are going to have to knock down some walls. Through there, we'll push Suzuki into the new room," Takahiro planned.

It amazed me how well he had thought this out. Not that he wasn't intelligent, of course but my brother did dream too big sometimes. "What about the ribbon, wrapping and paint?"

"I didn't wanna have to do this, but it looks I'll need to take money out of what Usagi has given me over the past ten years." He glanced at me. "Please, Misaki? You wanted to help out, right? This is how! And I can't think of anything else that would make Usagi happy. Plus… I feel like we haven't really spent any time together since I started living with Usagi." Well shit. How was I supposed to say no to that?

"Alright," I finally gave in, "I'll do it. Just… why are we doing this again?"

"Remember? Usagi's getting the Kikukawa award next week. I wanted to do something for him so that's when this idea came around."

And that day I learned that it was amazing what you could do with boxes. It was difficult at first to keep the 6 foot monster at bay. Having his Takahiro kept busy, noticing more garbage than usual and us getting covered in paint was trouble enough. Once or twice my brother was ready to open his mouth, but I quickly stopped him with an on the spot excuse. Had Usami not bought that suspicious lie or stayed home for three or so nights, we never would have finished this project.

I wish I could say more about it, but the process alone was draining on my end when it came to school. Between that, doing my work and getting sleep, I barely thought about much when working on the huge bear. It was like somehow Takahiro and I managed to get all the boxes to fit in just the right spot to resemble a decent looking Suzuki. And I'm not sure how much Takahiro had to spend on this project. He probably doesn't want to remember.

All I can recall clearly is finishing it, stepping back and thinking what a damn good job we did together and that Usami was going to love his present. And that I can't imagine what idea Takahiro would come up with for Usami's birthday (if he decided to do something since this took a toll on even more of his energy as well).

So yeah, I apologize for the lack of detail. Of course keep in mind I'm not here to write about creating a giant bear sculpture. This is something more personal and interesting, but that's besides point.

In which I guess if I actually had more time to spare my thoughts, I would have noticed something was very odd about Shinobu before what happened five days later.

For one, he was speaking more English than Japanese mainly because Hunter was with usually with us all smiling and stuff. It kind of irritated me.

Secondly, after Hunter left, Sumi and I tried to get Shinobu to come with us to the café. So here I was, trying to be nice on the day after I was finally done with that chore of creating a huge bear and what did he do?

With a slight snarl and annoyed glance at us, he said something like, "Hmph. I can't. I've gotta get back home." Not once did Shinobu turn back and wave us off. Sumi and I just stood there and watched.

"Well, that's alright. I haven't hung out with you in a while, Misaki. Wanna go together?" he suggested.

I was waiting for him to hesitantly look at us or something; a sign that maybe someone didn't piss him off. And that it wasn't me. After some time I had been tired of seeing Shinobu fade into the distance. "Yeah, let's get out of here."

It was when Sumi got a coffee while I didn't even bother to get myself anything sweet that he leaned on the table, supporting his head with one hand boredly while staring at me.

"What's wrong, Misaki? You didn't want to go here? We could go somewhere else."

"N-no I'm fine! Just a little…tired I guess," I said nervously.

"Tired of me?"

I gasped. "Senpai! You're my friend! Why would I think that way?"

"Why would you think that way indeed?" Senpai muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing," was his quick reply. He stirred his coffee in circles absentmindedly. "Don't you think Shinobu has been…off lately?"

"Today? Well yeah. I mean, what the hell was that about? He didn't even say goodbye…"

"I meant the entire week."

I blinked a few times, hunching over in my seat a little. "…Honestly I wasn't really paying attention.

"Seems so. I mean, the way Shinobu just seemed to only wanna click with Hunter is strange. He's a nice guy and all, but Hunter is around us all the time."

"Yeah. Tell me about it," I mumbled.

"It makes me think he's smitten to him." I stared at him long and hard for a good few minutes. "... It means Shinobu is romantically interested in"-

"I know what that means!" I yelled. There were probably a good few people staring at us, but I shrugged that possibility off. Sumi raised his hands in surrender.

"Whoa, calm down! It was just an idea!"

"Oh…" I hadn't even realized I was standing up. "Right."

"You jealous or something?" Sumi teased.

"As if! Why would I be?" It felt a little foreign on my tongue to say. But it was true, right? Sure the thought of Shinobu and Hunter spooning was unsettling, but that was a normal reaction. Okay it was plain disturbing. Besides, he's gay. I'm not. "They could do…whatever it is homosexuals like for all I'd care!"

From what I knew, Shinobu liked a certain someone named Misaki Takahashi- not Hunter Keegan so there was no way the image in my mind would happen, right? There was just no way it would. It's not Shinobu never made any promises so I didn't need his loyalty. What did I need from him then?

"I just remembered," Sumi spoke, dragging me from my thoughts, "You can't be alone around me at the moment. Last I recall things are still shaky on the home front right?"

"Shit I forgot! Wait, where are you going? Don't change the subject on me!"

"Actually, I need to get going anyway. I've got homework to do. We'll catch up some other time." With that Sumi slung a bag over his shoulder and left. "Just do me a favor and don't be a stranger now, okay?"

If anyone would ever ask me to choose which feeling made me feel the most disgusting, it would be a tie between being pissed off and guilty- especially when I really had no reason to be. Because that's something which not only spoils an entire day, but it makes everything easier to get you down; rather cooking a meal on one of those rotating sticks faster for an unknown prey in the middle of a forest. You don't know when it's going to happen, but you're sure it will.

At least when I came home there was some good news. Usami hadn't found the giant teddy bear, but he found out about the Kikukawa Award party.

Hearing a door slam right when I walked in and a deep masculine cry of something like, "No! You can't make me go!" was enough of a hint that things hadn't gone well as planned.

Aikawa was chasing him down the hall, but arrived a little too late- banging on the door in frustration. "Usami-san, you're going to disappoint everyone! At least think of the publishing company that'll be ruined thanks to your sorry ass!"

"My apologies, Aikawa," Takahiro sighed, "Shall I go talk with him?"

"Yes please! It'll be a disaster if the honored guest isn't at his own party!"

Takahiro ran over to Usami's office door and saluted her. "I'll try my best."

Aikawa walked back into the living room and ran a hand through her flaming red hair nervously, cell phone in ready in the other to dial a number. "Ugh, I don't even wanna call in! The company's gonna have my head…"

"Uh, Aikawa-san?"

"Misaki! I didn't even see you!" Aikawa greeted me.

"That's alright. Looks like I came home at a bad time," I laughed nervously.

"You can say that again. Curse that rabbit and his irrationality," Aikawa grumbled and then smiled, "Anyway, come sit down with me!" She patted the couch cushion near her. At first I hesitated, suspecting that it would be something about when I called her my "girlfriend" but I ended up sitting down. "So, Misaki are you excited for your trip to Teito Hotel? It's really fancy and their sweets are divine! I went there a few times for business myself."

"I wasn't aware that I was going," I said, puzzled.

"Well now you are-or at least act like it!" she grinned.

"What? But why? You guys don't need me there or anything, right?" I asked.

"Au contraire, you are needed. Because if you don't go, Sensei won't budge!

"Usami doesn't even like me, though. What about my brother? Does he wanna go?"

"No. He said he'll feel bad about 'indulging' or whatever and for dragging Usami to the event," Aikawa explained dully and then with enthusiasm, "But if you want to go I'm sure your brother will do whatever it takes!"

"And you already told him I said yes, as assumed?"

Aikawa winked. "It's all part of the plan!" I groaned aloud, leaning back against the couch.

"Fine, if I have to, I'll do it. I'm not a fan about forcing Usami to go, but whatever. If you go down, you'll pull me there with you it seems."

"Don't say it like that, Misaki! Think of it as a way of saying that you mess this up and you'll never- and I repeat never- see the light of day again!" The more I think about it, the more I realize how questionable it was for her to be all cheery while saying creepy stuff like that.

As planned, Usami was convinced to attend as the guest of honor. All that was left to do now was pack my clothes which thankfully had been done earlier this week. Then after that I needed to check the train schedule for the next day since I decided to get my things after school while Takahiro and Usami went to the hotel by car. I wasn't exactly looking forward to it, but my decision (rather Aikawa's decision) made everything calm for the time being. Or at least back at home.

Over on campus, however it seemed I went unnoticed after waiting for Shinobu to finish his class when I was done with mine. At first I felt a little burst of joy since said Australian wasn't in sight but once I spotted Shinobu heading out, I kind of wished he was there just so I could be seen. I mean, I got the cold shoulder for no reason! What was that about?

"Shinobu! Wait up!" I called after him. He continued walking and I grabbed his arm. "Hey, what are you running off for?"

"Let me go!" Shinobu struggled from my grip.

"What's your problem? Tell me or I'll keep pulling you!" I shouted.

"Let me go or I swear I'll scream rape!"

"Just tell me what I did wrong! Why are you acting like this?"

"I don't have to tell you anything! Just let me go already!" I let go of his arm which he rubbed sorely. "Why do you even care so much? You haven't even been around to answer my calls or anything-not even talk during our walks. I've needed to talk to you and just… what happened? Why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm sorry. I never got a chance to explain because I've been like, mentally drained the entire week. Yesterday I was available but you were pissed off and went home without giving me the time of day." Shinobu un-tensed his shoulders and exhaled.

"You mean it?"

"Yeah. I'm not trying to avoid you or anything. I've got a big mouth but I'm not gonna avoid you again. That stuff was in the past."

"Okay… Well, what about today then? Can you come over?" I was ready to open my mouth and say yes, but then I remembered that the ceremony was tomorrow and I needed to head out tonight. And then Aikawa's threat rang through my mind.

"I can't. Not tonight." With a flash of anger, Shinobu stormed on ahead. "But wait! I can do it next week!"

"Go to Hell! Don't even talk to me! Obviously you're too busy to even bother!"

"Fine then!" I found myself screaming back, "Be a bitch! I tried to help!"

Which I did. It was a failed attempt but I couldn't understand why I was being treated this way. Sure I hadn't been around much all week but sacrificing my time was something I had to do. I should've explained it in the first place, yes. What pissed me off however was the fact that Shinobu hadn't even given me a moment to explain what I had been doing.

To my surprise, Aikawa was back at home when I got there. She merely gave me a thumbs up, obviously happy that things went her way as Usami was already near the hotel. Of course, though she came by to make sure he didn't turn back at the last minute.

"I can't thank you enough, Misaki! I'm sorry for making you the scape goat but you understand, right?"

"Yeah it's fine," I said, wheeling out my suitcase, "No biggie, really." 'Except now Shinobu is even more pissed off at me.'

"Oh and Misaki, can I ask you a question?"

"Hm?"

Aikawa clasped her hands together. She bit down on her bottom lip, attempting to resist giving me a curvy red lipped smile. "How is that boyfriend of yours?"

"I don't have a boyfriend!"

Aikawa gasped. "The honey blonde kid that's always here all the time, right? He's not?"

"I'm afraid so." 'Why the hell does everyone think I'm going out with him?'

Pouting, Aikawa unzipped her purse and held something close to her chest I wanted to forget existed. "B-but you're in the Junai series as the latest addition! It was getting so good too!"

"That was just Usami being an ass. Besides, I'm nothing like how I was portrayed in that thing."

"You're right!" Aikawa exclaimed and then more seriously, "I should have told Sensei to make you the uke…"

"Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me! This is why I can't… ugh never mind."

"Can't what?" she asked me calmly.

I shook my head. "It's nothing."

"Come on, Misaki. You can tell me. I won't laugh or anything."

Unconsciously my body molded into somewhat of a ball. "It's just… confusing. I get asked about stuff to do with Shinobu by nii-chan, Usami, Senpai and you. And I brush it all off because to me it's stupid. But then I see Shinobu talking with this guy and I get upset. Right now I don't even know where Shinobu and I stand since he's mad at me for whatever reason. I'll admit it; he does like me. He told me so himself and I cuddled with him last week and it felt so… nice and just I'm not sure about what's going on anymore." I expected a fit of excited giggles from Aikawa, but she remained silent so I continued. "And he also mentions something about destiny and how we're meant to be. It's like I'm compelled to like him and I'm not sure if I want to." I laughed nervously to make noise in the midst of silence. "Sorry. I'm probably not even making much sense right now."

"It's alright, Misaki. I understand," Aikawa said with a warm smile. "Also you can't just force yourself into this. It wouldn't be good for the both of you."

"I know but just there's something there. I'm not sure what it is, but I can feel something around him and I just can't explain it. It's like there's some… attraction that draws me close to Shinobu and if something happens I end up running after him. He's fun to talk to. I can tell him anything. Senpai and I are close like that too, but this is something else. And then at times he can be deadpan and so easy to annoy that I get irritated. Other moments he can be... nice. I don't know. It's like something out of a shoujo manga," I explained. It suddenly came to me how heated my face was, "Not to mention I've never been with a girl before. I never had one as a friend either. I always thought a girl would just come naturally by my side someday and then I see what happened with my brother..."

"But you know homosexuality isn't something to be ashamed of, right? You are what you are," she said.

"Of course- not that I'm not a homo or anything. At least I don't think I am… Bisexual maybe?"

Aikawa shrugged. "Let me ask you this; if Shinobu was a girl would it be any different?"

"A girl?"

"Yes, he-rather she- would be just like Shinobu except feminine."

"Shinobu is Shinobu. I don't think gender would change that. It certainly would be a lot easier if he was a girl but I guess he's alright as a male too."

"Then you can at least get past the gender aspect. I know it's difficult but you have to try. I'm not sure what kind of argument you guys had either but I think you need to make it up to him along with your mind. Either be with him because you want to or don't," Aikawa advised. She then checked the time on her phone and rushed out the door. "Oh no! I'm gonna be late! See you at the hotel, Misaki!"

While dragging my luggage to the train station, I was lost in thought.

I liked Aikawa. She was pretty, smart and female. But if anything I could say she's most like a sister to me. Male Aikawa would be suitable as a second brother.

Senpai was fun to be around and he had that mysterious character persona girls could possibly swoon over when meeting him a few times. But he didn't swoon me.

And as for Usami- well okay that would never happen. Or at least it would in a universe where Takahiro got married to that Manami chick and left Usami heartbroken during the time I was getting tutored by him. And then he'd fall for me afterwards because I was able to put him back together or whatever.

Ha. As if.

When finally arriving at the train station, I was waiting in line to buy my tickets. All the machines were taken at the moment, giving me enough time to take out my money.

I noticed while standing there that the people taking up the other few machines had left already. This man dressed professionally in a business suit had been staring at the map for a while now. It was crowded enough as it was, so why was he just standing there? Unless…

"Excuse me," I spoke hesitantly, "I could check how much your stop is if you want". He glanced at me and mumbled a slight, "Huh", presenting a more serious yet younger face than I had imagined from behind. "Sorry. I thought maybe you couldn't see the map."

"No I can see it. I'm trying to get to Teito Hotel." At least he sounded somewhat friendly.

"Well you'll want to get off at Hibiya Station, so that's 160 yen."

"I see." The man seemed fine from there.

…Until he just stood there frozen again, obviously confused. 'Has this guy never been on a train?' "Um, I'm going to Teito hotel too. How about we go part of the way together?"

It wasn't until we got on the train that I had spoken another word to him. "So… do you ride trains often?"

"No, my driver always comes and picks me up."

My first thought was that he was filthy rich. The second asked whether Usami, another privileged guy had even bothered to take a train himself. Meanwhile he was riding in his fancy sports car to Teito Hotel.

Speaking of the rabbit, I found a poster of his new book. It was something called The Moon in the Box to be awarded the Kikukawa prize. I'll admit I did feel happy for him. Sure I never read his work, but he practically labored over it. "He's pretty amazing, isn't he? Winning that prize has been a huge promotion for him."

"He's a dull writer," he blurted. I cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh… Have you read his books?"

"They're not even worth reading."

As much as I don't like Usami, the man didn't deserve the right to say shit about him like that. I mean, he didn't even read his books! Why do I meet people that act so irrationally? Is there some kind of a magnet or "kick me" sign on my back?

The rest of the train ride was awkward. We really had nothing to talk about. Far as I'd been concerned there was a lack of interest from both our ends. At least we had made it to the hotel without any more disruptions other than getting a little lost. Apparently there had been a section added to it not long ago.

We were making our way to the front desk for directions. Lo and behold there came Usami fresh out of the elevator.

"Ah, there you are! Is nii-chan back in the room?"

"Yeah," he answered, "He's busy taking a good look at the room like a small child. It's actually quite adorable"-

"Yes, yes I get it! What room are we in?"

"We?" asked Usami in an annoyed tone, "Your room is 305. Takahiro and I are in 304."

I sighed. 'Yep. Typical. Should have known.'

Once I was about to get on the elevator, I looked back and noticed that Usami's look had gone completely cold again. And it was more frightening than the one he gave me last week. "Uh… Usami-san?"

"Why are you two together?"

'What's he talking about?' I looked to my left. The man was still there. "Well, we kind of met as we were getting on the train. And we were heading to the same place, so… Is he a friend of yours?"

"Not even close," Usami grumbled, gritting his teeth.

The elevator doors opened again and this time my brother stepped off.

"Misaki! I was waiting for you! Come on you have to check this room out it's so"- He stopped mid sentence with his mouth nearly hanging. "H-Haruhiko? What are you doing here?"

I was nearly ready to scream.

A/N: And Misaki is finally coming to terms with his feelings and inner gayness! Yay!

Wow. Late chapter is late. At least I got something done. I'll try again to update in a week, though. Also, my apologies for using lines from the anime but I felt it was necessary to do it here since the train ride is canon minus a few elements I decided not to put in. Anyways, enjoy~