Disclaimer: I don't own Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi or its characters.

Of course he wasn't fine. Of course his body had decided to fall ill two days after Takano's birthday. Not only had he missed the Year End party, now he had to convince Takano to not come with him to his grandfather's estate. This was going to be so much fun.

By the time the 30th of December rolled around, he still hadn't gotten through to Takano. The whole conversation had ended with a, "I'm your boss and you are my responsibility."

Ritsu had a vague suspicion that Takano wanted to go with him, and was going to do it by hook or by crook. And every time Ritsu remembered Takano's lonely eyes, it became that much harder to refuse him. What was Takano going to do after Ritsu left? He had already told him that he didn't visit family around that time of the year, so was he going to hang out with Yokozawa? That idea didn't make Ritsu very happy either.

Which was why visions of impending doom crossed across his eyes as he sat in Takano's car on the way to his grandfather's estate.

"Ah, turn right here!" Ritsu pointed out towards the road in front of them. They were almost here. His heart was throbbing almost as fast as his head. This was not a good idea.

Takano followed Ritsu's direction until they finally pulled up along a long stretch of dirt road. There were cars lined on the side of the street, and after he had pulled up, he leaned back in his seat.

"Th-thank you for dropping me. Have a safe trip home!" Ritsu quickly undid his belt and grabbed his bag.

"Home? It's already sunset."

What? Did Takano intend to spend the night with him and his family? This was more horrible than he had imagined. If there was any way that his father did not know about his love life, then bringing a strange man to the family gathering for New Year's was definitely going to give everything away.

"Is there a hotel in this village?" Takano sounded uncertain about where he would spend the night.

"Hotel? No I'm pretty sure there isn't." It was Ritsu's turn to look confused.

"Hmm. Then I suppose I can just sleep in the car tonight."

"Sleep in the car? It's freezing outside!" Ritsu was beginning to see the dilemma, even if it wasn't Takano's plan to spend the night with his family, leaving him out to sleep in a car in the dead of winter while he was warm inside the house with plenty of food was something Ritsu couldn't stand to do, "You can just spend the night with me- us." He finished.

"Is that alright?" Takano was staring at him, he looked slightly surprised.

Ritsu nodded. It wasn't as if he had a choice in the matter, this was the best course of action, "Just… I don't want my parents to know…so…"

Takano sighed before nodding, "I know."

His mother had come out to greet him as soon as he had entered the large house, but she had stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Takano, "Ritsu, you didn't tell me you were bringing a friend."

"Ah, this is Takano Masamune, he is my superior at work. He offered to drop me off since I was still ill." Ritsu tried his best to sound polite. Takano held out his business card towards Ritsu's mother. She cautiously accepted it before nodding.

"I'll find out where you can sleep tonight," she told Takano, she then bowed and left the entrance room.

"Haha-ha, isn't that good? Now you don't have to sleep in the car." Ritsu laughed nervously before looking at Takano. He didn't think it was possible for the man to look tense, but there he was, staring at everyone in the room, "Takano-san?"

"You sure have a big family."

"Uh-yeah. We hardly ever all get together though." Ritsu looked around the room, there were people everywhere, most of whom he didn't even recognize.

"Do you want to sit somewhere?" Takano motioned to some of the chairs nearby, Ritsu suddenly remembered his headache. He had been so nervous about bringing Takano home that he had forgotten all about his illness.

"Sure."

The two of them sat awkwardly in one corner of the room for the longest time. This was why Ritsu hated these get-togethers, at the beginning everyone would come and say 'hello', but eventually he was always left to his devices. If Takano wasn't around, he would have just opened a book and started reading. But with Takano cautiously looking at everyone in the room, there was something even more entertaining to see this year.

"Takano-san, are you hungry?" Ritsu finally broke the silence, "I want to see if there are any snacks around." He should at least try to be a good host.

Takano nodded and followed Ritsu into the main hallway. Eventually they reached the end of the hall where Ritsu opened the door, inside there were many children running around. One boy was eyeing the large cake in the middle of the table, "Mother, I was wondering…"

"Ritsu! I was looking for you. Your father was looking for you. You really need to pick up your phone!" Suddenly Ritsu wasn't very hungry anymore, "Go quick. He's probably still in the verandah!"

"Ah?" Ritsu quickly glanced at Takano. What was he going do with the man?

Takano looked at him curiously, "I can take care of myself for a few minutes." He had one eyebrow raised as if to question what Ritsu was worried about.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of your friend." Ritsu's mother walked towards them, "Now hurry and go!"

Take care? Ritsu did not want to know how this was going to turn out. Now that he thought about it, she hadn't introduced him to any women that evening. This was stranger than fiction.

"Ritsu. Don't just stand there, hurry up and go!"

Ritsu jumped in his spot, turned around and quickly walked away.

"Takano-san, was it? Are you hungry Her smile was very forced. Suddenly Takano felt as if staying home might not have been such a bad idea after all.

Ritsu's mother guided him to an empty room. It was spacious, and the tatami mats lining the floor gave off a homely vibe. Towards one corner of the room, Takano noticed Ritsu's bags, "I'm sorry we couldn't find a place for you to sleep tonight. There are so many people here, so I hope you would be okay rooming with my son."

Takano waved his hands, "It's no problem."

" My son tells me that you've been taking good care of him at work." She bowed once more, "Thank you." She walked inside the room and motioned for him to come in. Once he had, she folded the door behind him.

"Takano-san, how long are you planning on staying here?" She sounded a bit stiff

Taken aback, Takano all but whispered, "I'll be going back tomorrow morning."

She nodded, "I see. I will bring you something to eat, so feel free to relax until Ritsu comes back."

Takano could sense the hostility, but he chose to remain silent. Ritsu's mother touched the door and turned around, "I don't know what relationship you have with my son, but you should know that he has responsibilities."

"What?" The words came out of his mouth before he could stop himself, "I beg your pardon, but I don't see what you mean."

She glared at him, the glare was surprisingly similar to Ritsu's. Takano wondered if that was why it didn't have much of an effect on him, "Word gets around quickly in the publishing business." With that, she closed the door and left the room.

Ritsu was out of breath by the time he reached the verandah, thankfully his father was still there. But he was talking to three other people.

Ritsu quietly approached him, "Father?"

"Ritsu?" His father turned around, his straight and formal figure made Ritsu nervous, "If you'll please excuse me." He bowed to the group and walked towards Ritsu, "Shall we take a walk?" He smiled.

Ritsu was still a little worried, but he was glad to see his father after so long. The man had worn a traditional yukata with a green sweater on top of it. His slippers clacked against the floor as he walked down from the verandah and into the garden. Ritsu quietly followed.

Once they were out of earshot, his father turned to him, "How is work?"

Ritsu balked as he heard that. Were they going to talk about Takano immediately? "It's going well. I've learnt a lot about manga publishing."

His father laughed out loud, "Is that so? Tell me then."

He stared at his father, "Tell you what?"

"I never expected my bookworm son to be so successful in manga publishing. I was really surprised when I heard that. Looks like Isaka was right about you."

"Eeeeeeh?!" Ritsu all but screamed, "Did you put me up for that?" He glared.

"What? No. I simply suggested you needed wider experiences, Marukawa decided on the rest."

That wasn't any better. He had to practically keep his head out of the water for the first few months, and this revelation was beginning to make him a little angry, "What else did Isaka-san tell you?"

His father stopped, "What do you mean?"

"Takano-san." Ritsu looked down at the ground, "I could tell mother knows."

"Ritsu. That is really none of my business." His father sighed, "Did she say something to you?"

"No… but. She didn't seem to like Takano-san."

His father stared at him, "You brought him here?"

"Well, various things happened and…" Ritsu's father chuckled before he could continue

"You've grown since the last time we met. I don't remember you being this forceful." Ritsu was feeling furious, his father might have known what he was like if he paid attention to anything other than work.

"Do you take me seriously?" His heart was beating fast, his face felt flushed and he was clenching his hands into a fist, "Do you even want me to take over the company." Ritsu closed his eyes, he didn't want to know. He really didn't want to know.

"Do you want to?" His father asked.

"Huh?" Ritsu opened his eyes, "What… I want?"

Ritsu's father stretched his hands out, "Initially I had to take over Onodera Publishing because there was no one else who could do the job. But things are different now, I don't want you to make the same mistakes I did."

"What?" Ritsu's head swiveled, "I don't have to?"

"I want you to. But only if you're good enough." His father was looking serious, "You got everything you wanted at Onodera. I was glad when you chose to leave. In today's world of business, there isn't any place for people who can't firmly stand on their own two feet."

The fact that he had a choice came as a shock to Ritsu. He had always felt that this was going to be his role, and he had done everything he could so that he would be worthy of it.

"Well, I don't think you need to worry about it for now. Go see the world, get new experiences, and when you're ready, come back and tell me to step down." His father sighed, "And in case you find something else to do, there are many bright talents in our company who could easily take my place."

Ritsu still wasn't sure if his father being serious, "But me and Takano-san…"

His father shook his head, "Do what you want. I wasn't too happy when I first heard about it. And even now, well… to find out that you brought him here." His father looked away, "But if he can teach you this much about the world of publishing… learn all you can from him." And there was his father avoiding the topic again

"Oh…" Ritsu stared into the evening orange sky, "So there was nothing to worry about."

"You were worried?" His father looked curious

Ah. Ritsu hadn't meant to say it out loud, "N-no, I mean…"

The older man laughed, "It feels good talking to you sometimes. You really look so much like your mother."

"What?" Ritsu snapped his head towards his father, "I do?"

"Well, you two are related. Though I sometimes wonder what part of me you got. Now come on." He draped one hand over Ritsu's shoulder, "Tell me how you go about your job."

Ritsu was in a really good mood by the time he came back

Telling his father all about his role in the industry, about Emerald's monthly cycles and how Takano acted as the resident tyrant had really improved his mood. Well, his father had shied back slightly each time he mentioned Takano's name, but if he was going to someday be serious with the man, he was glad knowing that father wouldn't actively oppose him at least. His mother on the other hand…

"Ritsu!"

"Yes?" Ritsu turned around in a half circle and spotted his mother standing near the verandah. He waved at his father and hurried towards his mother, "Is everything okay?"

"What were you thinking bringing that man to this house?" She whispered and motioned for Ritsu to follow her.

Well, there went his pleasant chat. He really hadn't expected to do this back to back.

He followed her into the large, empty dining room. The dinner preparations were in full swing, so none would be coming here for a while, "Please tell me he isn't the reason you broke up with An-chan."

Ritsu looked away from her, he wanted to look anywhere but at her.

"I knew it. Hurting a precious person because of him."

"What do you mean? It's true that An-chan is a good friend of mine, but I've never seen her as anything more. I have told you this before." He tried to keep his voice low. He couldn't explain why, but hearing Takano being referred to like that really made him angry

"Don't talk back to me." Ritsu flinched, "How are you supposed to take over the company with all these rumors floating around? I was ready to believe that these rumors were just that, but after this!" She pointed in the general direction of his room

"I don't work at Onodera Publishing, and Marukawa doesn't seem to have a problem with my personal life."

His mother looked slightly taken aback, "He brought me here because I might not be able to come otherwise. Now if you'll excuse me." He turned around to walk away, but his mother gripped his hands, "Do you know what you're saying? The world isn't such an easy place to live!"

"I know." Ritsu whispered, "But it doesn't have to be as hard as you're making it for me right now."

"What? I'm just concerned." She looked angry

"Concerned about rumors more than about me?" She looked away, "You and Father have always given me what I wanted. Whether it be books, changing school mid-way or even suddenly joining Marukawa Shoten. So I've never said anything, not about the engagement, not about having to come back to Onodera Publishing, I've done everything you said."

"And that's what you should do." His mother nodded.

Ritsu jerked his hands away from her, "I don't want to talk about this. I'll be leaving now."

"Is he really that important to you? A man you've barely known for a few months of your life?!" Her voice was becoming louder

"Actually…uh…" Ritsu tugged at his hair. "I've uh… known him for ten years."

"You… what?!" She stared at him incredulously, "But that was when you went to…" Her eyes opened wide, "How long has this been going on? Did he have anything to do with you wanting to leave?" She looked furious.

Ritsu laughed nervously, "Well, this is… how do I put it? Very complicated."

"Does An-chan know about him?" Her voice was down to a whisper

Ritsu nodded.

His mother sighed, "I have no clue what you people are doing. But it's unacceptable to keep so many secrets from me."

"Sorry." Ritsu quickly bowed

She sighed, "Ritsu, I don't know what to say." She placed a hand on her son's head. He looked up from where was bowing, "Are you serious?"

Ritsu wanted to say no, he was so accustomed to it that it felt natural. He didn't want to tell himself the truth, there was no way he was going to admit to being in love with Takano this easily, "I might be."

She removed her hand, "Ritsu, you're my only son and I don't want to fight with you. But… you should be more careful of your life choices."

Ritsu bowed again, "I'll try to hide things better in the future. I'm sorry."

"Hide things… better?" He looked up to stare at his mom. That may have come off a little more differently than he had originally imagined it, "You… dinner will be served soon. Don't be late, and make sure you take a bath first."

Why was everyone telling him to take a bath?

"He'll be spending the night with you, so please be careful of your surroundings."

Why did he have to room with Takano? His mother was so incomprehensible sometimes, if she was uncomfortable at the thought of him and Takano being in a relationship, then what logic could have possessed her to make him share with the man? He walked into the living room to cross to the other side. He stopped for a minute to look at the gigantic crowd, 'Oh.' He thought. There went his hopes of having his old summer vacation room all to himself.

Takano had been unusually quiet for the rest of the evening. Once word had gotten around about who he was, he was suddenly surrounded by people who wanted to meet the famous editor-in-chief of the Emerald Editorial Department. But he hadn't seemed his usual enthusiastic self.

He hadn't been speaking much to Ritsu either, he just seemed to mechanically go through handing out his business card to people, and routinely checking the time. Ritsu was sure that something had happened; he just could not get the man to tell him what it was.

That night, Ritsu felt extremely uncomfortable. Takano had gone to sleep straight after dinner and Ritsu had been dragged off by a cousin to meet her fiancé. This was all turning out to be a gigantic mess. He was glad when the time came that he could finally go to sleep. He would simply have to wake up before Takano and try and make him come out with what was bothering him so much.

Ritsu made sure to wake up early, but Takano was already up by then. He was leaning against the only window in the room. He looked deep in thought.

"Takano-san?"

"You're up." Takano turned to look at him, "I'm going to be leaving soon."

Ritsu wasn't sure why, but those words felt a little final to him. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "You can stay till the New Year."

Takano's eyes widened, "What?"

"Ye-yeah. So many people here want to know you better. And if you go home, I'm not sure you have any plans so… do you have any plans?" He nervously looked at the man. Had he ever seen Takano look that surprised?

"No," He whispered

" -hahahaha, isn't that great? New Year's day together." And with that, Ritsu promptly snuck inside his futon and smacked himself. How was he going to explain this to his parents?

But explaining things to his parents turned out to be a lot easier than he expected. His father looked a little uncomfortable, but after finally meeting Takano he had decided that this might be a good chance to find out about his son's work. That was how Takano found himself surrounded by publishers from a rival company, all dying to know his secret.

As for his mother, she had looked disappointed, but there were too many people around for her to make a fuss. Taking advantage of that, Ritsu had disappeared for the rest of the day. Having Takano enter the New Year with him was not what he had in mind, but he wasn't sure he was unhappy with it either.

"Finally, we're alone." Takano brought out a futon from the closet and handed it to Ritsu, "Are you sure you don't want to continue on with the festivities?"

It was Takano who had suggested that he wanted to turn in, and Ritsu had simply followed him in.

"Yeah, I'm trying to keep a low profile tonight." He did not want to talk about Takano to his mother, anything except that.

"It's going to be the next year in a few minutes." Ritsu was done making his own bed and moved to help Takano

"Let's hope our new issue works out."

Takano snorted, "Do you always think about work?"

"I'm here to propel my career and noth-" He stopped, startled as Takano suddenly leaned in to kiss him. He struggled initially, but almost immediately gave in. He felt out of breath by the time they parted, Takano-san?"

"Onodera, I love you." The man's face was still so close to his, he could feel the cold breath on his face, "I don't care what responsibilities you have…"

"Wait, Takano-san!" Ritsu pulled away from him and clutched at his shirt, "What are you talking about? Did my mother say something?"

Takano's expression gave it all away. At least Ritsu now knew why the man had worn a sullen expression for the better part of his visit here, "I don't know what she said, but I am aware of my responsibilities." He clutched at the man's shirt tighter.

Takano's eyes widened and he reached out to cup Ritsu's cheeks, "Does that mean…?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself." Ritsu snapped, "I'm talking about work!"

Takano smirked, "You can't ever be truthful to yourself, can you?"

Ritsu was looking as red as a tomato, "I can too!"

"Then say it."

"Say what?" Ritsu stared on defiantly.

Takano laughed softly as he leaned in for another kiss. Ritsu didn't entirely object, and before he knew what he was doing, he was returning the kiss with almost equal fervour.

By the time the clock chimed twelve; two bodies writhed together under a futon. Ritsu was entirely sure that it was his headache confusing him, but there was a chance, a very little, minute, small, inescapable chance, that he just might be in love with Takano Masamune.

Onodera Ritsu used to feel insecure about working in manga publishing.

But by the end of January, something had changed.

It was now the beginning of January, and he was standing in front of a shop called 'Marimo Books'. He slowly walked inside and peered into the section that stacked Shoujo Manga. There, right at the top was the exhibition he had proposed earlier. The manga in question belonged to the same author who he had rushed to, afraid that she might default. He wondered what she would say if she saw this. There was a small crowd of girls in front of the exhibition, they were looking delighted and cooing at the exhibition.

Ritsu wondered who was responsible for setting it up, it had turned out much better than he had expected. There was a cut out of the lead heroine looking defiantly at the hero as he held her phone above her head. At one hour intervals, a staff employee would come in and change a placard where the text in the phone was supposed to be.

That part was not Ritsu's idea and he applauded whoever thought up of it. People at the shop could write down a paper and suggest what those placards would say. When Ritsu had come in the morning, it was a simple, "I love you." By the time he came in the evening, it read, "Let's go to the shrine next year together!" Although the original message was from the heroine to the hero, the names had changed over the course of the day, and little nicknames and personalized messages kept filling the spot.

Ritsu hadn't expected the idea to actually succeed. People were taking pictures of it; they were posing in front of their messages and smiling happily. And the part that made Ritsu the happiest was that the pile of manga that had been high in the morning was now reduced to a few books.

He watched at two girls laughing as they purchased the book. He looked down at the floor, his face hidden behind his hands and smiled. Maybe he was meant to be in this business after all.

The End

AN: Well, I hope you enjoyed that! I am so sorry it took me far longer than I had expected to upload this. Life threw a giant curveball and it took me longer than I expected to get things in order. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this!

This was written for 'very' on A03 for Yuletide this year and I had a wonderful time writing this. I know this story focuses more on Ritsu's worklife, but I had always wanted to try writing that. Hopefully, this was a decent attempt. :) Please let me know what you think, and I really want to thank you for being patient with me as I slowly brought this story to this site. Thank you everyone, this was a wonderful story to write, and your comments made everything worthwhile. :D