A/N: Ah, apologies for not properly introducing the story on the first chapter! I posted in a rush and then didn't have time to go back and fix it. It was a total lazy and careless error on my end, so deepest apologies.
So! This is my first Junjou Romantica fanfiction and I'm hoping that I will stick with it through to the end. I also have a Sekaiichi Hatsukoi story that I'm planning on picking up again (time permitting- stupid college). It's another Cousin-OC, surprise surprise.
I don't own JR; Nori Takahashi is of my own creation.
/JRJRJR/
The buzz of someone at the door made Misaki jump up from the table and rush over. He clicked the little monitor and smiled, "One moment, I'll let you in!"
He pressed the button to unlock the door and opened it wide, revealing a very shy-looking Nori. Misaki had looked at pictures sent by Takahiro so that he could positively identify his younger cousin, but he had to admit that he looked a lot younger in person. Did everyone see him that way too? Nori was absolutely adorable, in the 'I want to squish your cheeks' kind of way. He definitely didn't look eighteen and Misaki was pleased that someone was finally shorter than he was.
"You must be Nori-kun!" Misaki gestured the boy inside and closed the door behind him. Nori had yet to speak; he just looked around with a wary, dazed expression.
"It's nice to meet you, Misaki-san," Nori murmured finally, turning his blue eyes to his cousin. He looked nothing like Takahiro, which surprised him, but he'd already seen that in pictures.
"I'll be ready to go in a few minutes, so go ahead and make yourself at home. Mitsuhashi University is only about ten minutes by foot, so we shouldn't be late," Misaki hurried to finish setting out breakfast for Usagi. The grumpy writer would be up any minute, but he didn't have time to sit down with him to eat. The food would stay warm and Usagi could always nuke it if he needed.
Nori gazed around the apartment in surprise. Whoever Misaki was living with must have had an abundance of money. The place was spacious, almost to a pointless extent. Takahiro mentioned his name- Akihiko Usami, a famous Japanese literature writer and Takahiro's good friend. Misaki had started staying there when his brother moved out of Tokyo, but even now that he was back, Misaki and Usami-san seemed to get along and continued living together. Seemed odd to him, but it wasn't like it mattered much.
"Alright, let's go! I had to leave a note for Usagi-san. He doesn't like it when I disappear without letting him know," Misaki reappeared at his side and smiled warmly. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, just like Nori.
The younger just waited for Misaki to lead the way out. The first couple minutes of walking was a bit strained, with neither knowing what to say to the other.
"Have you settled well at Nii-chan's?" Misaki asked, breaking the tense silence with a genuine question.
"Oh, yes, your brother and his family have been kind to me. Mahiro has been asking all sorts of questions about America, like why I lived there and all of that. I try to answer them, but he doesn't really understand," He rubbed the back of his neck.
"He's always like that," Misaki laughed, shaking his head in amusement, "I'm glad you like it there, though. The situation is a bit odd, but I'm hoping to get to know you a lot better, Nori-kun. It's a shame we never knew each other as kids."
Nori looked down at his feet, watching his worn Converse shoes step one in front of the other. No, Misaki didn't know him as a kid, but he wouldn't have recognized him if he had. His attitude had changed over the past few years and gradually morphed him into someone his father couldn't even recognize. Nori knew it and he realized how wrong that was, but it couldn't be helped. It was part of what drove him to Japan in the first place.
"Thank you, Misaki-san. I hope we can become friends," Nori murmured.
"There's no need to add 'san' to my name!" the older replied, looking embarrassed, "Just Misaki is fine, really."
He raised his eyebrows, but nodded. He'd call him whatever he wanted, just as long as he could talk to him. Nori had been feeling lonely, the type that made people want to curl up and cry. Everything was overwhelmingly different and Nori clammed up when too much change was thrust on him at once. Misaki hadn't been lying about the walk- they arrived at Mitsuhashi in about ten minutes. It looked like any other university. It was large and full of students and frankly, Nori was afraid he'd get swept away in it all.
"Don't worry, Nori-kun, I'd be happy to show you around," Misaki smiled and patted the boy's shoulder, "I felt the same way when I first came here."
Nori looked up at him- yeah, he was a bit disgruntled about looking abnormally short compared to everyone- and for once, managed a tentative smile. It was the first time he showed any sort of emotion since he'd arrived in Japan. Misaki led him in through the front gate and into the building. It looked like any old school on the inside too, which was more or less comforting. Nori would spent a lot of time in school, so the familiarity was nice.
"Mi-sa-ki!" A voice sang and a taller boy grabbed the older boy from behind. Misaki nearly jumped out of his skin, green eyes wide as saucers.
"Sumi-sempai!" He gasped and playfully pushed the other male away, "I told you to stop scaring me like that! I don't like it!"
"That look on your face is adorable, though," Sumi smiled pleasantly, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses.
"It's not! It's embarrassing," Misaki huffed and brushed his clothes off, "Don't treat me like a child, especially in front of others."
That comment brought Nori into the situation and Sumi regarded the boy with curiosity, "I hadn't even noticed someone else. Hi, I'm Sumi Keiichi, a classmate of Misaki's."
"I'm Nori Takahashi," the boy replied after a few seconds of staring at him. He couldn't quite think of his initial reaction to this guy. He looked nice enough and was close to Misaki, "I'm Misaki's cousin."
"Eh? Cousin? How come you never mentioned a cousin, Misaki?" Sumi raised his eyebrows and shook his head, "You're such a bad friend."
"Why does everyone always say that? There was never a reason to mention Nori-kun. We don't know each other well," Misaki huffed.
Again, Nori felt out of place and chose not to speak. Sumi and Misaki were so casual with one another and Nori was like the little sibling that couldn't relate. Not that he would have contributed much anyways. Verbal communication wasn't his strong suit.
"Never mind that," Sumi waved a hand and draped his arm over Nori's slim shoulders, "I can help show him around, Misaki. He's your family after all, so of course I'd like him. What do you say, Nori-kun?"
Under his expect stare and tranquil smile, Nori found himself shrugging and looking away. He was flustered by the sudden attention and therefore he withdrew inside himself.
"Perfect! Come along, Misaki. Let's give him a tour."
With that, Sumi whisked him away, Misaki shouting after them as he hurried to catch up.
/JRJRJR/
A/N: Well, there you go! Chapter Two of Unexplainable. Still no appearance of Haruhiko, but never fear! He shall make his appearance soon. Still, I'm curious. Does anyone think I should include a little Sumi/Nori for drama? Let me know in your reviews!
Thank you,
Lacey ~