Song: Possession - Evans Blue
Chapter 9: Possession (Part 1)
Aikawa-san came and got the disk from me later that day. I told her that my printer was out of ink so I couldn't print the manuscript. She was so over the moon about me meeting the deadline that she didn't even care if I didn't have it already printed out for her. She told me she'd read it and get back to me later.
Misaki called me and asked me to pick him up soon after she left. It surprised me that he called. I thought for sure he wouldn't want me to come pick him up after everything that had happened this morning. Although he did ask me at least 10 times if I was sure it was okay. He said something about not wanting to be a bother.
When I got to the school, he was standing by the entrance gates with a big smile on his face. It warmed my heart to see him smiling, although I wasn't sure why he was so happy. Was he just that grateful that I was driving him to and from school?
"Usagi-san!" he cried as he jumped in the passenger seat of the car. "I made a new friend today!"
I almost visibly raised my eyebrow at him. He was that excited about making a new friend? But then again, come to think of it… he never talked about anyone else besides Takahiro. Did he not have any other friends? Was he actually just like me when I was growing up?
"Oh really?" I feigned interest as I lit up a cigarette.
"Yeah! His name is Sumi Keiichi. He's also studying Economics. He's my senpai, Usagi-san!"
Senpai, huh? Was he going to touch him and steal his innocence like my senpai in England had done to me? Of course, I shouldn't play the victim card. I also wanted to be with senpai and I made sure that he knew it. And it wasn't like he actually had his way with me. Although, I definitely would have let him take me.
I can't let this guy take Misaki away from me. I especially can't let Misaki fall in love with him. Then I certainly will never be able to have Misaki all to myself.
"And even as a guy, I have to say Sumi's really cool!" Misaki said, snapping me out of my own thoughts. I realized that I had spaced out and missed part of him talking about this Sumi guy. "He said he's been kind of worried about me for a while now." He was worried about him? That was definitely not a good sign. He had to be after Misaki. "He's a member of a club called the Hot Spring Research Society. So down-to-earth, don't you think? I wanted to join too, but…"
Why did he sound so over the moon about him? Was I too late? Did he already like him? I had to keep him close to me and me only. "If you've got time for that, get a part-time job," I scolded him.
He grunted and stared at me. "I know!" He then beamed again. "Sumi-senpai said he'd give me a referral for that too. A bartender position! If I work late nights, he said the hourly rate starts at 1500 yen!"
"No," I said sternly. I didn't want him taking any offer from this character. "If you're going to work, do it in the morning or afternoon. Otherwise, it'll hurt your studies." Although, what I was saying was true, I mostly just didn't want him to get close to anyone else. "You were admitted via the wait-list as it is. You'll fall behind before long."
He looked disappointed, but still agreed with me saying, "Yeah, sure. Unlike some top of the class graduates of Teito University Law School, my brain isn't so well-constructed. But I'm managing like an idiot, as only an idiot can." I would have laughed if I wasn't so angry. "If I don't understand something, I plan to ask my friend for help anyway."
"Don't be silly. This is a matter of your attitude. Don't spend too much time around frivolous characters."
"You've never even met him, so don't badmouth him."
I could tell that he was mad. I knew I should have stopped and left it at that. But my pride was great and I couldn't end an argument without having the last say.
"Think about Takahiro, who's paying for your tuition."
That did it. Misaki became even more frustrated, and possibly upset. I shouldn't compare him to his brother and I shouldn't make him feel like he's a nuisance to anyone, especially his brother. I know I shouldn't have done it, but I couldn't help it. I like to be right and I like to win. We rode in silence for the rest of the car ride home, which luckily wasn't very far.
The phone was ringing right when we got home. Misaki answered it, as it was probably his brother. He calls probably every other day to check up on how Misaki is doing and to make sure that I'm okay with having him there. I keep telling both of them that I'm completely fine with him living with me, but they can't seem to understand that.
I stood in the doorway while Misaki talked with his brother. He then said something about switching and handed me the phone. I smiled as I took it from him. It's true that I didn't love Takahiro anymore and that I had moved on to his brother, but I still missed that guy.
"Oh, Takahiro? It's been a while," I said into the phone.
"I know, I know. I just have to check up on you two."
"How's Osaka?"
"It's great here! It really is. I love living here and living with Manami-san. Although I sure do miss you guys! How are you doing, Usagi?"
"I'm doing the same as always."
We talked a bit more about his promotion at work and how it was living with his wife. He was happy as always. I was very happy to hear that he was doing well and that he was happy. That's all I've wanted for a long time now is for Takahiro to be happy. Now, he finally is.
"I'm so glad you're doing well. I'm relieved, Takahiro. I hope you'll call again soon. Bye."
Right when I hung up the phone, I heard a banging sound in the kitchen where Misaki was. I looked up to see his staring down at the eggplant he was chopping up. He had slammed his knife down really hard.
"Hey, be careful in there!" I called to him.
"Sorry," he replied in a gloomy voice.
We ate a delicious dinner that he had prepared in silence. I wasn't sure what to talk about and he didn't want to talk. It was so strange, since he usually had something to talk about. I didn't want to pry and ask him what was wrong. He wouldn't tell me just yet. After all, we were still kind of strangers. Our relationship right now is strictly on a landlord basis. Although, I hope to change that soon.
…No. I was definitely going to change that soon.
LINE BREAK
I drove Misaki to and from school for the next few days. The first time it was all because I wanted to spend more time with him and I wanted to do something nice for him. Now, I was mostly doing it so I could keep an eye on him. I didn't want him getting to close to this Sumi person.
I wasn't always a possessive person like this. My brother took everything from me and I just always let him have it. I didn't have the strength or motivation to fight for my things. Honestly, half of the stuff he took I didn't even care about.
But I care too much for Misaki. Nobody will take him away from me.
Yet… I was never this possessive with Takahiro. Did I not love him like I thought I did? Was it because we had been friends for so long? I just didn't want him to hate me like I thought he might if I told him my feelings for him.
Then again… I fell in love with Takahiro after things ended badly in my other relationship. He was a great guy. It was me who needed to change. I was also possessive about him, just like I'm being now with Misaki. My jealousy and possessive attitude drove him away from me rather than bring him closer to me.
Part of the reason was my brother. This time, I won't let my brother anywhere near Misaki. I can't lose him. I wouldn't be able to move on this time.
Rather than going back home after dropping Misaki off one day, I strolled into the office of my childhood friend, Hiroki. I gave him the excuse of wanting to raid his library of rare novels. I actually did that sometimes, so it was believable. The real reason I was there was to spy on Misaki.
I watched him out the window of Hiroki's office while he had a break in between his classes. He was sitting with an older looking kid. I assumed it had to be that Sumi brat since he was still everything that Misaki talked about. They were talking and probably laughing, seeming to have a good time.
"Akihiko!" Hiroki called, knocking me out of my thoughts.
I turned to him. He looked rather annoyed as he began to lecture me on taking advantage of his position at Mitsuhashi in order to borrow his books. In the end, he did let me borrow them, just because we're childhood friends, as long as I didn't ruin them.
I looked back out the window when he was finished. The kid now had his hands all over my Misaki! MY Misaki! What right did he have to touch him? Did Misaki tell him that he could touch him? No way… Misaki didn't like it when I touched him. There's no way he would tell someone he just met that he could put his hands on him. I wanted to run out of the room and go strangle the brat…
"Hey!" Hiroki yelled, pushing me back into reality again.
I realized that I had kicked the wall in my anger. I had a desperate urge to kick it again, or hit something, or throw something. Maybe it would be a good idea to go beat up the Sumi moron…
"Sorry," I halfheartedly said to Hiroki and continued to look out at Misaki through the window.
Soon, both him and his friend would see just who they're dealing with…
This is part 1 cause chapter 10 will also have the same song with it.
So, who is this mysterious man Akihiko dated in the past? I know! :D You'll probably have to wait longer to find out more though. Teehee! I'm evil! XD