Chapter 4

Working closely to Yagyuu, Niou picked up a few things about the Emerald Editing Department. Though he wasn't associated with them closely but he knew well enough to hear very spunky rumours from that department. He noticed a few things about them that stood out from the rest.

Firstly.

The people in that department were all men. This puzzling matter is something Niou could not fathom still. It's a shojo manga we are talking about and grown men are editing it? That's something he is yet to wonder.

Secondly.

Takano Masamune is a tyrant. No doubt about that fact. Though the girls in the department or perhaps everywhere absolutely adore him, in fact he is quite the tyrant. But this is where the third point comes in.

Thirdly.

Takano Masamune is very reliable and responsible. Despite his drastic measures, he gets the job done with perfection. He cannot tolerate half assed work and will summon demons from the underworld to torment you for life if you don't do it well. That was his motto and he stuck to it. Very reliable indeed.

Fourthly.

The men in the department are quite the charmers. There is of course editor in chief Takano Masamune. There's also Hatori Yoshiyuki, second editor in chief. He's quite composed most of the time but Niou hated to admit this but he was very good looking. There's also the enigmatic Mino san. Not much is known about him yet but Niou sensed a chill everytime he passes by him. Opposite of Mino, we have Kisa Shouta. Kisa is rather cheerful in person though somewhere towards the end of the cycle, he becomes a zombie and scares the living shit out of you (Niou has experienced this and it traumatised him forever). And lastly, there was Onodera Ritsu. He didn't know how to describe this young editor but he liked his determination. When he is put to a challenge, he will accept it with such fiery determination and gets the job done which makes him all the more very reliable. Aside from that trait, he's passionate and eccentric but at times a little too worked up with work. It amuses Niou to no end to see how the other seniors push the poor boy around though it does seem a bit cruel. Nevertheless, Niou had nothing to do with them. His main focus was on Megumi's book and that was it.

At the current moment, Yagyuu and Niou are in the conference room alone having a heated discussion about the book. So far the progression at this rate was unfruitful much to Yagyuu's dismay. Niou was pulling all the stops to make the book come alive and interesting but the ideas weren't coming through and it was driving the both of them down the walls.

"Niou, you know at this rate, I am about to jump off a cliff." Yagyuu retorted followed by a long sigh. Niou couldn't argue with that. He had been arguing with his best friend for the last 4 hours and he had come to terms that none of the ideas were working.

"I know, damn it. I just can't seem to get the grip!" said Niou, looking at all the scrawny notes that were strewn across the table. The ideas had no direction, no substance and most importantly, there was nothing interesting about it at all.

Yagyuu was on a verge to pop someone's head but being the gentleman himself, he was keeping his composure level at its maximum. He looked at his watch and cursed softly. He had to go for an important meeting in about 30 minutes and he needed to prepare the materials for the meeting.

"You have to think of something by the end of this week, Masaharu. I think you need to start anew. Start fresh. Get some ideas or something." Yagyuu answered honestly, packing up his stuffs.

"I don't know where to start Hiroshi! I just can't seem to grasp the idea like how she does!"

It was true. He couldn't get ideas flowing like how she does. But upon saying that, he sighed, throwing his head back and cursed softly. He was trying his hardest. He worked thoroughly hard throughout the last week with research and gathering ideas. But somehow, he couldn't feel the passion boiling in him. It was dead.

Yagyuu sighed, looking at his friend at this state. He kept mentally reminding himself that this wasn't the Niou Masaharu he used to know. He had to inspire his friend but he didn't know how to without bringing up his past.

Until an idea shot right through.

"Masaharu."

"What?"

"Do you have any plans tomorrow?" Yagyuu asked curiously.

"Not that I know of. Why?" at this point, Niou was really curious to what Yagyuu was planning inside his spacious brain of his. He used to joke Yagyuu's brain was like a big bowl that could withhold and sustain anything. Or was it a sponge? Not that he could relate him to a sponge without thinking of that weird kids' show.

"Let's go out tomorrow."

And that was very highly unlikely of Yagyuu.

"Are you asking me out on a date Hiroshi?" Niou snorted, looking at his best friend in disbelief but somehow, he added a hint of humour into the statement.

Yagyuu smiled in satisfaction.

"You finally made a joke. I was starting to worry that I have mistaken you for someone else." Yagyuu replied sarcastically only to earn a snort from Niou.

"I haven't lost my touch buddy boy. But seriously, don't you have work tomorrow?"

"I'll handle that. We meet at 2 pm at the train station. Be early Masaharu. You have a tendency of oversleeping." Yagyuu replied, standing up and heading towards the door.

"I have to go prepare for a meeting. Remember our plans tomorrow!" Yagyuu added, as he left the room but in time to hear Masaharu's reply.

"Yes, mama Hiroshi." Niou cooed.

Just when he was outside, Yagyuu flipped his phone and dialed a certain number. He was quite excited for his plan though he wouldn't be sure how Niou would react to it but he was pretty damn sure, he was in for a surprise.

After a few rings, the caller picked up.

"Hello?"

"It's been a while. I've been itching for some exercise. Up for it?" Yagyuu replied.

The caller on the other line chuckled slightly slowly recognizing the familiar voice.

"That was sudden. But knowing you, you surely have a reason for this aside from exercising neh? Hiroshi?"

Yagyuu could only smile upon hearing that response.

"You know me too well, Yukimura buchou."

"I've known you for as long as I live, Hiroshi. It's no surprise there. But yes, I kindly accept your offer. And I am assuming, I am not the only one joining you for this 'exercise' session."

"I hope you're in your best shape, Seiichi. You're in for some intense work out." Yagyuu replied his long time friend, with a sly smile only to earn a derisive snort from his former captain.

"I just need to make sure, you do know who you're talking to right?" Yukimura replied sarcastically.

"Oh hell yes I do."

While things seem to be working out for Yagyuu, on the other side of town, Niou was about to throw a fit.

"For fuck's sake!" Niou hurled another what it seems to be like the 1000th (an exaggerated estimated number for he lost count) ball of paper into the already occupied waste paper basket. Niou was starting to feel the strain in his veins and he definitely did not like strains.

Looking around the mess and realizing this wasn't getting anywhere, he decided to call it a day. He packed up his stuffs and stormed out of the conference room in defeat. He hated the feeling of defeat. Surely he had experienced defeat before but he had never felt so defeated in his entire life. In this case, he was utterly tired and distressed.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice another person coming in his way and the result was rather, humorous yet predictable. Niou collided with the person that was in his way resulting the latter to fall down on his bum and books being scattered in all directions.

"Oh shit! I am so sorry!" Niou apologized as he aided the man to his feet. Upon looking at his face, he realized who the person was.

"Oh! Onodera san!"

The young editor was clearly confused but managed to look at Niou and gave a sheepish grin.

"Niou san! I am so sorry! It's my fault! I didn't see you coming!" Onodera replied apologetically, bowing down several times to hide his embarrassment.

"Hey, it's alright! I wasn't concentrating either. Anyways, let me help you with the mess." Niou replied as he helped Onodera gathered all his books that were scattered all over. After the messy collision, the both of them stared at each other for a while only to result in a series of laughter.

"That was really funny ha. Sorry about that though!" Niou patted his head, only to earn a blush from him.

"Ah, it's my fault. I should have been more focused but I've been pulling a lot of all nighters, my concentration level is at its lowest. Forgive me." Onodera replied sadly and Niou clearly knew he was speaking the truth.

The dark circles under his eyes were increasing from the last time he had seen it and he reeked of coffee. His face seemed much paler than before not to mention, his clothes were definitely not at its best shape.

"It's forgiven my man. Don't worry about it."

The both of them headed to elevator and entered as soon as it arrived. In the lift, Niou decided to start a small conversation.

"So how's life? General question I know, ha." Niou asked.

"It's been shit. With the deadlines, and a loathsome, stupid boss ordering me around and giving me piles of work, I think I might regret taking up this job.," replied the latter.

"I see. The tyrant's driving you up the wall again huh?" Niou knew he asked a stupid question but Onodera answered earnestly.

"He's such a dick! He gets on my nerve every single time! And he's always giving me more work than the rest of the editors, which pisses me off to no end! He's the absolute worst. ABSOLUTE WORST!"

Niou find it amusing to how this guy hates his editor in chief with a passion. The poor boy was fuming up with a dark cloud hovering over him as he cursed his boss. But one thing puzzled Niou though.

"Then why don't you change then?"

Niou could sense confusion in the boy when he turned to look at him, with those puzzling big green eyes.

"Don't mind me prying on your business but well Yagyuu told me a little about you. You used to work in your father's company as an editor for Japanese literature yeah? You edited for some pretty big shot authors as well but due to well, personal reasons you moved here to pursue literature didn't you? But you've been stuck on this manga editing job for quite some time now. It's funny how you mention you want to quit countless of times but it seems like you like working for manga don't you?"

At this rate, Onodera could not provide an answer for Niou. Or rather, he was absolutely speechless. He didn't know how to respond to Niou because he was absolutely dead on right. But he did manage to provide an answer though it was a weak one to say.

"It's complicated really. I do want to change but I realized I'm quite good at editing manga and besides I guess it doesn't hurt to try something new? A new direction perhaps. I mean, it can get quite stressful but the aftermath is rewarding. The best feeling in the world is seeing your book that you poured your heart out and effort into making it being published and perhaps I don't know getting bestsellers and stuff. Regardless whether it's a manga, magazine or a novel, seeing your work published is the best reward ever. The feeling is amazing really. I'm just happy I'm able to work with talented authors as well who worked equally hard as well to make the book come alive."

"Hmm…"

Somehow the words had a familiar ring to it and Niou knew that very well. It pained him to remember how his girlfriend would constantly tell him everyday about getting her very own book published, getting her a solid career job and how they would both live together happily ever after. It was rather childish in that sense but they were happy and that mattered so much to both of them.

The lift had arrived at its destination and came to a halt. The both of them walked out with Niou still thinking until Onodera interrupted him.

"Ah Niou san, so I heard from Takano san that you're writing a novel or was it literature? How is the progress so far?" he asked politely.

Progress? What progress? Niou thought to himself.

"Progression to be honest, we're not getting anywhere. Or perhaps, I'm not getting anywhere." Niou answered honestly which shocked Onodera slightly.

"Eh? Sorry to pry though but is there anything wrong Niou san? Do you need help with the progression?" the latter asked earnestly.

"I'm just having writer's block that's all. I am in desperate need of some motivation or inspiration whatsoever. I'm dead at the moment." Niou replied, as he sighed in exasperation.

All this idea brainstorming strained his muscles so badly. He heard his stomach growling, crying for food. But it seems like he wasn't the only one with the stomach yearning for food. Onodera turned beat red, rubbing his poor flat tummy indicating he hasn't eaten anything decent or filling at all today.

"I see my stomach isn't the only one protesting. Haha. Join me for dinner."

Somehow Niou's offer stunned the young editor as he looked at him with those big green eyes. The sight was rather cute though the thought of even thinking he's cute was rather…terrifying.

But the young editor composed himself and nodded.

"Y-yeah, sure. I'll j-join you."