INTRODUCING EGOIST! HIROKIXNOWAKI

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The sun was shining bright, children laughing as they ran around, adults having friendly chats about their days. All was perfect in this small park, the exact opposite of my mood. I sat on the small bench by myself, staring down at my lap.

It was my fault for being in this mood. I knew he did not look at me other than a childhood friend. I knew he was in love with someone else. I also knew that he was incoherent when he got drunk but I still allowed him to drink that whole bottle of wine. He started sulking about his unrequited love, Takahiro, and that he would never swing that way. And then I made the biggest mistake and asked if he even swung that way. He had never done it with a girl before and so I suggested to be his trial. I let him use my body, even blindfolding him, in hopes that maybe my feelings would get to him.

But they did not. The next morning I felt an immense amount of guilt and fled. I could not face him after that. This was what I got for being in love with a gay man.

A noticed a shadow from the corner of my eyes and looked up in time as a bottle rocket landed right in front of me. I screamed in shock, momentarily forgetting the pencil skirt I was in. From behind some pushes a large man with black hair walked forward to grab it when he noticed me.

He gasped as he looked at my face and I could feel the tears I had not wiped away. I went to wipe them when he grabbed hold on my air. "Nice to meet you, my name is Kusama Nowaki." His voice was soft but deep and he towered over me. Before I could say anything I was pulled up and led through the grass.

"What are you doing?!" I asked, trying to keep up in the sandals I wore. "I'm talking to you."

"Wacchan, you find the rocket?" I looked in front to see three elderly men sitting on a picnic blanket with beer in there hand.

"You brought a new friend?" One of them said as he saw me.

"She sure is pretty."

"Welcome, Welcome!" Another said as he held out a beer to me. Not wanting to be rude I took it from him. "Come join the party. Here's to a new friend."

This was weird. I did not know if I want to sit or run when I felt a hand on my head. The boy from before, Nowaki was it, smiled down at me with one of the brightest smiles I have ever seen. I could feel my cheeks heat up just from that. Damn he is tall, and his hand was so warm that I could feel it through my scalp.

Funny. It almost felt like…"It will be fine." His voice broke my train of thought, bringing me to reality. That is right. Akihiko's hands were never warm.

I found myself sitting on the picnic blanket, my legs tucked to the side, watching Nowaki and another man fly the rockets. "Yama-san wanted to fufill his dream of being an astronaut so Nowaki invited us to fly rockets." They were all giggling and laughing, no doubt drunk.

After getting everyone's business cards I was surprised to see these men were CEO's of large companies. This Nowaki had some pretty good connections. "He is such a great kid." Oh yeah, these men were all talking to me about this Nowaki just like my mother used to talk about me to eligible bachelors. "Soon after he was born he was left at an orphanage, earning him the name "Nowaki" because there was a typhoon that day. Even with all his part time jobs he still donates to those kids in need. Children like that deserves happiness."

"He seems amazing." He did but it was none of my business to pry.

As I drank the beer that one word stuck with me. Happiness. Sounds nice. I wish I could be happy too. Even for being tall I figured I was older than him based on his soft features. It was sad to hear he lived in an orphanage, I still have sympathy for those with no family, but the smile he held, you would have never guessed he had that sort of childhood.

"So, Kamijou, are you single?" Here we go.

"Yes, I am busy with school to be in a relationship." Not all a lie. I got my thesis to finalize and then have to start preparing for possible grad school.

The man to my right chuckled, "Too bad. Wacchan rarely shows any interest in that sort of stuff as well. You are the first girl he has ever brought over here." Girl? I am 22 years old! "Well, cheers to a new friend!" They held up their beers, waiting for me to hold mine up, before clinging them together. They bounced back to their drunk selves fast. Hearing laughter I turned to see Nowaki looking at us. Even if he was still far away that smile made it seem he was right next to me. I had to look away.

Tsk. A grown woman like me should not be worked up over some kid.

Later that evening

"So, why are you following me," I stopped and turned to the boy and yes I will still call this 18 year old a boy. "Do you have some type of hobby of following older women?"

He looked at me with wide, puppy dog eyes. "I am worried about you. You were crying."

"That is none of your business, boy!" I still feel the sham of letting myself go in a public area. I continued walking but had to stop since he was still following. "What?"

"I heard you were a student at T University."

"So."

"I want you to tutor me."

I froze. "Tutor?"

He nodded. "I am trying to get a degree in social work but because I did not go to high school I have to take the High School Proficiency exam."

"I have a thesis to write so I do not have time." While I did have my thesis to do, I just rather not be around any other guys at this moment, especially getting over a heartbreak. And could this not lead to being borderline illegal for me being with a minor.

"Whenever you can is fine."

"Go find someone else!"

"No," He lunged forward, grabbing my arm. "It has to be you, Kamijou-san." Why did his voice have to resonate so low when he said my name?

"Do not you know to respect your elders?! I said no! Now let go of me kid." We ended up struggling all the way to my apartment; he kept repeating 'please' and 'I won't be a bother' and 'I want to work hard and study.' Kids were so annoying and childish.

Thank god no one was around or this would look bad. "LET ME GO. I WANT TO GO INSIDE."

"Then do it." His face was so close, allowing me to see right into his challenging blue eyes. That is a nice color…no, wait, I want to leave. I unlocked my door and slammed it in his face. Stupid boy. Before I could move I heard a clicking noise.

No. Please do not be what I think it is. Opening the door I growled. THE ASSHOLE STOLE MY KEY.

WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THIS DAY. I GET MY HEARTBROKEN, HARRASED AND KEY STOLEN BY A KID FOUR YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME.

SCREW IT! SLEEP! I NEED SLEEP! I AM GOING TO BED.

The next morning

….Akihiko….your hands…are so…warm…that can't be… I opened my eyes widely, ready to ask him what was wrong, when I gazed into two blue eyes. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

"Good morning." Nowaki's face was in a neutral expression, not surprised by my outburst. Has he done this before?! He is way too calm for breaking into someone's place! Around his finger he swung my keys. "I finished my morning job and thought to come by."

YOU THOUGHT?! "GET OUT! LEAVE THE KEY AND GET OUT OF MY PLACE!"

He was not fazed by my outburst but only to put his hand out towards my table. "I made breakfast, help yourself." If not for the fact my stomach growled loudly, echoing through the apartment, I would be extremely upset.

Thankfully I decided to wear pants to bed.

We were sitting across from each other as we ate. He was a really good cook that I could not help but eat most of it. I noted some things that were in my kitchen and others that he must have went shopping for. It was strange.

"So, why do you want me to tutor you so badly?"

"You don't know."

"I haven't the slightest clue."

He sighed, "I wonder why." That's what I asked dumbass. I was about to say something when he smiled, "Are you finished?"

I nodded and he got up, grabbing the dishes and taking them to my sink. When I offered to help he shrugged me off, cleaning up the table himself while all I could do was watch as I drank my glass of tea. I wished I could kick him out, all I had to say was two measly words, but something was stopping me.

I do not know if it was because I felt sorry for the young man or because I was a sucker for a sob story, but I do know that those hands…those magical hands…felt just like Akihiko's. Big and soft, comforting, and yet the warmth I felt from Nowaki's was something entirely different from Akihiko's cold ones.

What am I going to do with this kid?

I realized I was staring at him when his eyes looked into mine, pulling me out of my thoughts. I slammed the tea down and jumped back when my arm hit a pile of books behind me. I looked up in fear, even shrieking. Books are hard; this would not be the first time I dropped them on me.

Waiting for an impact that did not happen, a warmth covered my body. No books hit me as I turned to see Nowaki protecting me with his body, his hands on my arms. Damn he is large. His whole body covered mine. "Are you alright?" He looked fine, kind of jealous, I could not move for ten minutes when that much books fell on me. I was about to reply when he got closer, putting on a, dare I say, smothering and challenging smirk. "Now you owe me."

COCKY BASTARD.

I scrambled up on my feet and grabbed a book to chuck it at him. "Don't get cheeky." He was on his hands and knees still looking at me with that same smirk. Damn. He did have a point about owing him. Last thing I needed was to be indebted to this kid. "Fine, I'll tutor you. However, we do this on my time! And I am very strict so do not think I will allow you to slack off!" I growled the last part, not caring if I did not seem like a grown woman. If this kid wanted me to tutor him then he should be aware what he was getting himself into.

"Yes!" How could someone look so happy?

Well, I am the unlucky woman who got roped into tutoring a stalker kid. I must be stupid or something. I was cleaning up my books when a hand was placed on my head. I had no time to enjoy it when he said, "Hiro-san, you're cute."

"DON'T LOOK DOWN ON ME. I AM STILL YOUR ELDER AND YOU WILL SHOW ME RESPECT." I glared at his height. "JUST HOW TALL ARE YOU? YOU COULD PASS AS A SKYSCRAPER."

"182 CM."

"YOU PISS ME OFF."