CHAPTER 3

As uasual the two lovers stayed back in the office, working late into the night. Even though hell week had just finished, there were still a lot of things to be done. As for the Ritsu, being THE newbie, had even more things to do.

Flashback( Just when Ritsu was about to go home)

"I'm going home first. Good work everyone." Ritsu bowed to everyone. " Bye Rit-chan" Kisa answered in a happy tone, Hatori nodded and the ever smiling Mino smile in acknowledgment. Just when Ritsu was about to step out of the emerald department, his worst nightmare came true. He was just thinking about how he would spent his evening relaxing after the long week however,Takano his high and mighty boss/lover/neighbour just return from a meeting and stopped him . "Oi! Where do you think you are going, Newbie?!" Taknao questioned. Irritatedly Ritsu replied." Firstly I'm been in this department for more than half a year and secondly I'm going home so if you can kindly get out of my way, I'll be on my way. Thank you" Even though they have been going out, you can hear them screaming at each other from time to time. " Who said you could go? You haven't even finished your work and you know that I won't accept half assed work." Takano said with much pride. " Huh?! For your information I have already done all my work even the ones that is due next week!" Ritsu almost shouted across the whole floor. " A new stack of papers just arrived, since you have finished your work , you could help me with those. " Takano said. " What?! Why should I be doing your work?" Ritsu fumed. " Maybe I was wrong but I did hear someone hear saying that he wanted to be become a top editor" Takano said with a smirk. " You...!" Ritsu clenched his fist in furastration. " If you really wish to be a top editor I suggest you get started right away." Taknao gave a fake smile. And our poor Ritsu got no chioce but to finished the work before going home.

End of Flashback

"Stupid Takano! Baka! Making me stay back to do all these useless things!" Ritsu yawn while stabbing the paper with his pen. " Oi! It getting late. Pack up! We are going home now." Takano gathered his things, ready to make a move. " Sorry but you can go ahead of me. I still have THINGS to do remember. " Ritsu reminded Takano with little patient. " I don't want to carry you all the way home so just keep the rest for tomorrow." Takano said. " You don't have to! And you said that you won't accept half assed work! Ritsu fumed. "Geezz... Just forgot what I said earlier, it was just an excuse to keep you here with me." Takano said. "You...!" "Errr... you could have just asked me." Ritsu mumbled the last few words. "What did you say?" Takano questioned. " Never mind." Ritsu answered while he packed his things. "Do you mind if I go to the washroom first." Ritsu asked. "Of course, My Love."Takano smiled. " Please don't do that and you know what I mean." Ritsu spout in embarrassment.

RITSU

"Why are you blushing!? You shouldn't be! Don't forget about your revenge!" Ritsu scolded himself. Splashing water constantly on his face to cool it down.

Back in the emerald department,Taknao was sitting down on Ritsu's chair waiting patiently for him while checking the brunette's work. " Still not going home yet?" A voice came from the dark. "What about you... Yokazawa." Takano's eyes darted from the papers to the shadow figure. " Just came out from a meeting." Yokazawa yawned as he came into the light. Takano ignored him and just continue with the work. Yokazawa notice that he was doing some work on Ritsu's table. And infer that he must be waiting for the young brunette.

When Ritsu was just about to call Takano, Yokazawa cut in." Don't be too close to Ritsu. He's dangerous. " Yokozawa warned with a serious look on his face. " What made you say that!?" Takano asked, angered by Yokozawa speech. " Why won't you believe me?" Yokazawa asked. " And what evidence do you have." The tension around them started to rise. " I heard him say it! He only trying to get revenge by getting close to you!" Yokozawa raise his voice. " May I ask why would he confess to me if he really did want to get revenge?" Not liking the way Yokozawa says about his Ritsu.

" Can't you see that it is all part of his plans." They started to compete with each other. " Onodera will never do this. He is not that kind of person!" " People changed! He is not the same as before! " Yokozawa challenged him. " You are the only one that change!" "That's because... beacuse..." " Because what. Because you love me so I have to return the favour!?" That was enough to pierce through Yokozawa's heart. " He is not as pure as you think!"

RITSU

Back at the side, Ritsu was quietly listening to their conversation. "You really think that Takano would believe you?!" He laughed to himself. " But just in case, I shall eliminate you from this game." An cunning smile rose from his face.

"He is just playing with you! HE DOESN'T LOVE YOU!" Upon hearing those words, Ritsu broke down again. "No!" He screamed. The voice return to aid in this 'fight'. " No! He love me! He love me! He really does! " Ritsu shook his head vigorously as tears soak into his shirt. He shrunk back against the wall trying to hide but to no success. Fear became a tangible, living force that crept over him like some hungry beast, immobilizing him; his brain, holding captive of him.

The tension in the department was soon broken by Ritsu's screaming. Takano panicked and ran to the source of the voice to find that his beloved was in a state of shocked. It reminded him of the last time Ritsu went hysterical. Takano's heart broke to see his beloved looking this way.

Takano was careful not to surprise Ritsu as he walk closer to comfort him. Slowly getting close to him, embracing him. No words was needed. Having Takano beside him was enough. The warmth of his lover could melt away any fear. There is no such thing as fear once Takano was beside him. It was paradise for them. However, not everyone was happy. Poor Yokozawa had to watch embrace. It was as though a sharp knife has pierce throught his heart, shattering his heart into pieces.

That was not the Onodera Ritsu that he saw. This Ritsu was too different. Then, the green-eye man look up to Yokozawa.

His eyes were dull and jaded, it had no light, nor the bright color of its shade, as if someone mixed a pile of gray strappings to it, behind the it there was pain veiled by a thin wall of defensiveness. The feeling of loneliness... forlon. The thought of it send shivers down his spine.

YOKOZAWA

" Takano is MINE." Ritsu mouth out as a evil grin arise. His eyes were like green lasers, slicing to the soul of anyone who looked at. It had an devious gleam to them, almost as though it knew something that I didn't .They were new grass green, and the look was just as pointed as a blade of green glass. I stared back and almost shuddered in fear as I could feel danger approaching.

"Get your filthy hands off him!" Yokozawa shouted, scaring the poor green-eye brunette. " Takano get away from him!" Yokozawa pulled Takano out but he resisted. " Let go, Yokozawa!" Yokozawa was taken aback by Takano's speech. " But..." " Let me make this clear to you again. The only person that I love is Ritsu. Onodera Ritsu. And I always will. I will never let him go again. I promise." Takano said it with much pride and determination. " If you still want to be friends, I hope you'll respect my decision." Once again his heart was shattered into pieces. " Takano he's the one..." " Enough already. He is not the only reason that cause my break down." Takano debated. There was nothing Yokozawa can do now. He could only wish for his friend that he would be able to see Ritsu's true colours before he gets hurt again.

Yokozawa watch them walk out the floor with eyes full of hurt, jealously, hatred and concern but could not do anything. He was pathetic as to not being able to get hold of the love of his life. He would wish that he could go back in time to change the past, and then maybe it would be a much happier ending for him.

NEXT DAY

The couple stroll into the room hand in hand. Ritsu was of course pushing Takano away but...(you know what), his face red like a tomatoe. After they had settle down, Ritsu went to buy some coffee for his daily boost while Takano was reading the newspaper.

There was only a few minutes left before they had to start work and Takano could only scanned through the papers. While scanning through, he noticed the caption 'Being murdered outside Marukawa Publishing.' He gapsed at the sight of it. Just then Ritsu walked in.

" From now on, you are to accompany me to and from home!" Takano exclaimed. "What?! Why must I..." Takano quickly took this opportunity to silent Ritsu with a passionate kiss. " Look" Takano pointed to the caption. Ritsu pretended to be surprised by the caption and hung a suprise look on his face. " Looks like you still don't know who the victim was." He mumbled to himself letting out a small laugh that went unnoticed by Takano.

" Now you understand why I ask you to come with me. This is for your safety." "And you are saying that I am not able to protect myself ?" Ritsu was fuming ." No. I know that you are capable enough to protect yourself but just to be safe, I want you to be by my side." Takano reassure him.

" You seriously think that I cannot protect myself ? I think its you who needs protection." Ritsu thought cunningly to himself. Everything was going soomthly for Ritsu. Just a little longer...

This is all I have for you, hope you'll enjoy:)