Pleased To Meet You

If I compare myself to people my age, I think my daily routine is quite boring.

As a regular office worker, I go to work at 8:30 in the morning and my departure is at 5:30 in the morning late. That work schedule and the daily traffic jam of two hours, almost take up more than half of my 24 hours. I'm not the type of person who gets along with others and who socializes after work. When I still had a boyfriend, I found time to spend it with him, of course. But now, I just get up in the morning, work, come home and sleep. That's my basic routine.

But now... it's very different.

My routine, or my life in general, has changed drastically since I started my relationship friends with benefits with Sendoh. Instead of going directly to my own apartment, now I have the option to go to Sendoh's. It depends on what we have decided that day. I no longer dine out or buy food to take away at the small store near my apartment, since Sendoh usually buys dinner for us. And when I want to watch a movie, Sendoh accompanies me. Then we come home and have sex.

Everything we do is no different than what it used to be to do with my ex. The only difference is that Sendoh and I don't have a romantic relationship. We are only partner on the bed.

Now that I have this relationship with Sendoh, I understand why most people broke up with him in the past. All of his actions make one think too much or assume things. This relationship called friends with benefits, is not that different from a relationship romantic. When the limit begins to blur and one of the parties begins to fall in love, that already breaks the agreement. And if that person asks for more, while the other decides to finish, everything will end badly.

However, I believe that Sendoh and I will never break up in that situation. I am aware that both us are in this relationship to alleviate our loneliness and to relieve our physical needs. Sendoh loves to be free and besides he is not the type of guy whom I like.

It's early in the morning when the alarm clock was rings, waking me up. I grab my phone to turn off the alarm and close my eyes again until I remember today I have to go to work. I get up removing the warm and soft blanket and I sit.

The cold air from the room blows against my bare skin. I turn to look at the man sleeping next to me. Illuminated by the dim light that comes from the lamp, the man's tanned skin and broad back remain totally exposed. I gently rubbed my eyes as I get out of bed. I go directly to wardrobe, I take a bath towel and the clothes I will wear today and I head to the bathroom.

There are seven days in a week and three of those days are I spend with someone who comes to sleep with me. During on those days, I have to set the alarm clock before the usual because there is only one bathroom in my apartment. Sendoh always wakes up when I'm in the bathroom.

So I get up and take a shower just when the alarm goes off and I let Sendoh sleep a little longer. Then I wake him up when I finish showering. I heads to the sink to wash my face and brush my teeth. My drowsiness disappears as soon as the water cold touches my face. I dry my face and I'm about to entering the shower when the bathroom door opens.

Shit! I forgot to lock the bathroom door.

I take a deep breath and see Sendoh enter the bathroom without clothes. He doesn't even feel embarrassed. I'm used to live alone, so I've never had to put locked on the door every time I shower. I completely forgot that he was with me right now.

"Why did you come in?" I asked. Immediately I discover the answer to my question when my eyes run through Sendoh's body. I'm speechless how could he not enter? It is clear and evident how hard there's Sendoh's fucking cock right now.

"Well, my boy missed his home, so I brought him to see you," says Sendoh in his raspy, morning voice.

With a small smile spreading on his lips. Sendoh approaches and wraps his arms around my waist, hugging me from behind. I can feel my butt pressing against his cock. Sendoh places soft kisses and moist on my neck and shoulders, as he rocks his hips slowly, rubbing his cock against my butt. I don't even have to guess who's he mean by my boy.

Wasn't last night enough? What's up with this type and libido of him?

"Since when did I become your home? Little boy? I struggle, trying to get away from the man that rubs against me, but Sendoh increases the strength of grabbed me on my waist. His lips rise from my neck to my earlobe, nibbling on it and sucking it gently.

"Since the night we made the agreement, my boy recognized you as his home."

"Go find a new home." I put my eyes on white. Sendoh just rubs and squeezes my buttocks lightly before spanking me, making me screamed. I hurriedly hold on to the edge of the sink.

"Akira, we just did it last night." I protest while Sendoh's hand begins to wander and slides over my body. I can hear Sendoh's rapid breathing and his deep of moans in my ears. Sendoh really seems to be in a good mood right now.

"We only did it once and it wasn't enough. I saw that you were tired and I let you sleep," he says quietly. His left hand slides down, enveloping my cock, and starts rubbing it up and down. I feel my stomach tingles and I press my lips together, trying to suppress my lust when a hoarse voice whispers at my ear.

"Come on, Kaede. Let me in."

"But... we're going to be late."

"It's not even six in the morning yet. Come on, just a quickie." Sendoh pleads seductively. I can feel Sendoh's cock resting directly on my hole, ready to enter. Sendoh starts pumping my penis more fast, his hand moving and caressing me skillfully, making me shudder. I can feel how my legs are weak because of how good it is.

"Why... stop... Shit!" I tried to push his hand from me, but Sendoh holds my trembling hand with softly and whispers to me.

"Kaede, come on. Look how hard you are."

"It's because you're touching me... Hmph!" my words are cut when Sendoh's right hand holds my face before he capturing my lips. Sendoh passes his tongue along my lower lip before biting it, making me let my mouth open. Take advantage of the opportunity and put his language. My initial resistance begins to weaken.

"Just once. Will be fast." Sendoh steps away before whisper, his eyes stray from my lips to my eyes.

I can see how Sendoh's eyes are full of lust and desire. I can't help but feel hot and excited. Being stimulated like this turns me on more. It would be frustrating ignore my physical needs.

"Okay, but... ahh... bring a condom."

"But the condom is next to the bed, very far away..."

"We won't do it if you don't put it on," I warn him, ignoring the complaints of him. Safety always comes first. Even my exes had to wear one every time we did it. All the more reason Sendoh is not even my boyfriend.

"Alright." Sendoh kisses the side of my neck before go to the bedroom and come back with a condom. He breaks the package and puts it on his cock. He positions himself behind me and inserts his fingers into my hole that is still moist and flexible from the night before.

"Do you want me to use more lubricant?"

"No... hurry up," I growled. Sendoh pulls his fingers out of me before rub my buttocks and spread them. He enters slowly, pushing his cock inch by inch to the bottom, filling my loosened hole. I hear myself moan, arching my back and raising my hips to welcome penetration.

"Shit, I love this." Sendoh growls as he walks in and out at slow pace. I feel like my heart is beating faster.

Love this? What does it mean? He loves where we are doing now or...

"I love being inside you, Kaede." I let out a sigh of relief after hearing it. Sendoh kisses my cheek before increase his pace. My grip on the edge of the sink gets louder as my lips part, letting out a moan.

The sound of our bodies colliding echoes in the inside the small bathroom, the smell of lust and sex gets stronger and stronger.

My boring morning routine suddenly became something intense and exciting that morning.

I should have known that Sendoh is not trustworthy.

The car's digital clock shows that it is 8:00 in the morning. I glance out of the corner of my eye at the heavy traffic around me. At the thought of being late, my hands tighten on the steering wheel until they turn green.

I've been sleeping with him for months. Ought having known that there is no quickie on the dictionary of Sendoh. When we finished, it was already seven o'clock. When we left my apartment, the trip began forty minutes late. And now, it's been twenty minutes and we are still stuck in the street around my apartment. We've barely moved!

Beep!

I press the horn of my car in anger at the black Honda Civic guy in front of me, but I know that the owner of the car will not react. That guy was in such a good mood! When he walked out the door, he even squeezed my butt in the elevator, without worrying at all about getting there late to work.

If this man tries to fuck me again in the weekday mornings, I will refuse. Never more will happen!

"Rukawa, why are you late today?" Fujima asks as soon as he sees Sendoh and me, who finally come to the office around nine in the morning. I pretend not see Fujima's accusing and at the same time uspicious look.

I quickly turn on my computer. "Heavy traffic."

"Fujima. Why do you only ask him? You should asking me why I'm late too?" Sendoh asks, making Fujima stare at him.

"You're always late for work, idiot."

"No, I do not do it."

"If you do."

"You, enough..."

"Go back to work." Akagi-senpai cuts them off with a stern voice.

The two immediately shut up and stop fighting. I'm starting to catch up on the heavy workload. In reality, the workload is sufficient for the manage the three or four graphic designers of this company. But since Sakuragi is a worker irresponsible, me and Fujima's workload his duplicate. If there are interns, they can help and lighten the work. But if there's no one, Fujima and I have to stay overtime in the office.

I just hope Sakuragi starts making his own job or I'm going to start looking for another job late or early!

"Rukawa." While I'm working I hear someone calling me quietly. I look away from the screen computer, I look up and see Maki standing in front of me with a notebook in his hand. He gives me a warm smiles before placing the notebook on my desk.

"Is this banner okay? Is there anything else I have to arrange?" I asks curiously. Automatically I look at the desk next to me. When I see that Fujima is not there, I understand why Maki asks me.

"Where is Kenji?"

"Hanagata took Fujima and Akira to the warehouse to transfer documents. I also wanted to go help, but Fujima told me to stay and work."

"I see."

"So, is this okay?"

"Yeah. It is ready to be used. There is no need to fix anything. I tries to show it to Akagi-senpai." Maki still stands and nods. I squint and look at him suspiciously. He immediately leans in and whispers to my ear.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead." Aside from work, Maki rarely spoke with me until the day of the sporting event arrived in the one we were on the same team.

That day, I confronted Maki regarding his feelings towards my friend. Maki opened up to me and he answered my question sincerely. To be honest, I wasn't worried about Fujima at all. He has always been very kind to him and takes care of him. But as my friend is too naive and unconscious, Maki approached me and asked for advice. Asking things like 'how should I approach Kenji Fujima?' and 'what kind of people does Kenji Fujima like and what kind he's hate?'

Today must be about the same thing.

"In addition to bubble tea, donuts, coconut milk and brownies, what else do Kenji like to eat?"

I can't help but smile when he lists the meals Fujima's favorites. It's clear that Maki cares about him, although I never understood very well why he always uses food to please him. His cheeks are so round as if they were about to burst, but Maki continues giving him food. He maybe thinks Fujima is a food lover and that's why he acts like this to impress my friend.

"Honestly, he can and will eat anything whatever you give him. I've never seen him complain about food that he doesn't like."

"Is there anything he likes in particular?" Maki asks.

I think for a moment and remember something. "When we were in college, Fujima liked to eat fried plantains from a small store close to our university. It's a fried plantain an asian recipe. He bought and ate almost all of them the days. But now, it's hard to get them so now we don't eat them."

"Is this?" Maki searches for an image on Google to show it to me. He smiles as he sees me nod.

"There is a store that sells them near my university. Well, when you go buy them, so you can eat them. I'm sure you'll like it."

"Okay, thanks Rukawa!" Maki says with a smile. I nod and smile back. When I hear the sound of footsteps approaching, I look away from Maki towards the two people carrying a full box of documents in his arms.

"Let me help you." Maki rushes to pick up the box and put it on Hanagata's table. He goes back to pick up his notebook and he sits on his chair. Fujima takes advantage of to approach to me.

"What were you guys talking about?" Fujima asks with a slight smile, his bright eyes seem a little off.

"Maki came to ask me about work," I replied. He merely makes a sound in response before looking to the intern that is sitting next to him.

"I've seen you guys chatting a lot lately."

"Yeah."

"That's good," Fujima murmurs.

Since the sporting event, Fujima has been acting a little strange. He looks like he has a lot of things spinning around in his head. His smile is not so bright as before. I have tried to ask him, but he said everything is fine.

That's when he knew something had happened. He just wasn't ready to tell me. I did not mean force it, so I let him keep it to himself. When he is ready, he will tell me of his own free will.

Fujima sits down to work again and I do the same. Before I could touch the mouse, my phone vibrates suddenly on the desk, notifying me that it arrived a message.

I don't have to guess who it is. Long time that mom doesn't contact me. She must having realized that I will not accept easily come home no matter what. Mitsui hasn't talk to me either. Bothered to resume his relationship during the last week, so only one person left.

"What were you and Maki talking about? You were very close"

"Why you ask?"

"Only for curiosity"

"Stop bothering me and get back to work."

I leave the room application and I'm about to go back to work when my phone vibrates again.

"And if I say I'm jealous, will you tell me?"

I stare lost at the message.

"Don't joke like that. I don't like it"

I reply and then I lock the phone. I secretly look back and can't help but feel a little worried and nervous.

We're just friends with benefits. There is a clear line and a boundary that we both know we should not cross the line. Sendoh may think it's a harmless joke, but if we both want to maintain this relationship, should stop flirting and teasing involving feelings and emotions.

That is something that should not be taken as a joke.

Seeing that I'm not in the mood, Sendoh doesn't send me another message nor does he make fun of me the rest of the day. Until we finish the work day, we all sit in our desks and concentrate on work. Our other colleagues are turning off their computers one by one preparing to return to home, but I still have a little work to finish and I planned to finish it before I left.

"Rukawa, are you really not going to have dinner with us? Can we wait for you?" Fujima asks me while he picks up his things.

"No, I have some leftover food at home."

"Save it for tomorrow."

"It will be spoiled if I leave it. I don't want to waste meal." Actually, I'm lying. I do not want to be a third wheel for him and Maki. Fujima sighs, his eyes look at Maki, and then he whispers. "What a pity."

"I'm sorry. We'll go next time."

"Okay. You drives home carefully. I will see you on Monday," Fujima says before waving goodbye to me.

I nod and return his goodbye. Maki smiles and he says goodbye before following my friend. I smile at answer and I see them leave the office. There is only one month left until Maki's internship finish, but Fujima still can't see that they are flirting. And Maki seems too calm. Can he see how slow my friend is?

Looking around the place, I realize that everyone else is gone except the person sitting behind me as he continues typing on his keyboard. When I turn around, I see Sendoh looking at the TV screen computer with a frown, very concentrated, as if he had no plans to return home.

Does he still have work to do?

It's around six in the afternoon when I finish my job. I look around the room and we're two just left: Sendoh and me. When I start collecting my things and turn off the computer, I hear some whispers that come from behind.

"Kaede, tonight..."

"Aren't we done for this week?" I say without bother to turn around. Honestly, although not we would have completed our three times by week, I wasn't going to let him sleep with me. I'm still angry about being late today. Besides the dumb joke he made.

I don't like it when he jokes like that.

"I know, I know. I just wanted to have dinner with you," he says with a touch of fun in his voice. Sendoh laughs when he sees that I narrow my eyes at him. "What do you think of me? Do you think I only have that in my head?"

"It is not like this?"

"Oh, come on," he mocks, with a small smile drawn in his face. He raises his eyebrows and walks slowly towards me. He tilts his head, his gaze shifting from my eyes to my lips. "I admit it. I always think about it when I'm with you."

Suddenly, the atmosphere feels hot and stuffy. The temperature seems to increase, I feel that my heart beats faster and my breathing becomes more labored. I quickly look away and grab my backpack.

"Learn to pray. That will diminish your desires and sins."

Hearing my words, Sendoh can't help but laugh. I'm about to leave when he hold my wrist.

"Come eat with me."

"Can't you eat alone?"

"It's too sad to eat alone. Let's go together." I frowned at his insistence. Seeing my expression, Sendoh pleads in a softer tone of voice.

"Today is Friday. You don't have to rush and go back to home early. Besides, you're just going to sit there and you're going to be bored. Do you prefer that to going out and taking a walk? Come on. I'll take you to a beautiful place later," he says as he drags me out. I sigh and let myself carry.

Sendoh has always been like this. As long as I oppose him, he will keep bothering me until i agree with him. Sometimes I wonder if the person I'm with is 28 or 8 years old.

He always acts like a child.

We leave the company and head to the big market night near my apartment. On Fridays at nights are busier than other days. They're still more, it was seven o'clock when we arrived and my stomach was making noise in the car. I prefer to eat at market close to the company, but I do not want to have than sneaking away from our other classmates company and I don't want them to suspect a connection between me and Sendoh, but we have to drive here because hungry.

"What do you want to eat?" Sendoh asks after park his car.

"Anything is fine," I replied.

At seven on a Friday night, the entire market night is full of people who like us, end up arriving to eat after work. We took a while find an empty restaurant, and we end up in one of noodles restaurant.

When my order arrives, I immediately put in a crispy piece of pork in hungry mouth.

"Are you that hungry, Mr. Rukawa? You haven't even seasoned." Sendoh laughs at my expression. He takes one tablespoon of spices and puts it in his bowl, he stirs it before putting it in his mouth. We sit and we eat in silence until Sendoh decides to break it.

"Kaede, can I ask you a question?"

"What?"

"Why did you agree to sleep with me?" His question catches me off guard.

"It's been more than a month, why do you ask now?Why didn't you ask it from the beginning?"

"Well, I didn't want you to change your mind," he answers with a smile that makes me smile.

Not to be cocky, but as a man, I had my eyes on him from the beginning and knew that he wanted me too. Otherwise, he would have took a lot to reach an agreement. If we are both willing to take advantage of that attraction, then we must also have something to offer. I accepted sleep with him because, from my point of view, he is a good deal.

I just don't know when he'll start getting bored of me.

"You don't seem like someone who likes this type of relationship. I was very surprised that you took the initiative proposing that time, so I felt a little confused.

"I wanted something exciting. Anyway, there is nothing good in my life." After speaking, I get into nonchalantly a spoonful of noodles in the mouth. Sendoh only raises his eyebrows after listening my answer.

"Hmm... so you see me as something good in your life? Well, at least in bed. You like it, right?" he whispers, leaning closer to my ear. I immediately move away my face, breaking our eye contact. I like have sex with him, but the thing is, I still haven't can stand it outside of sex!

"Can I ask you one more question?"

"What?"

"Are you afraid of the dark?"

Clink!

I accidentally dropped the spoon I had in my hand after hearing the question that I did not expect. The air around us suddenly becomes thick and uncomfortable. I clear my throat before picking up the spoon and put it on the table. I grab a new one and my gaze completely avoids him. His eyes never turn away from me, clearly still waiting for me to answer.

"I realized that when the fluid cut occurred electrician in the company, you were very pale. Always that we sleep together, you never turn off the lamp. And when I mentioned turning off the lights when we talked on the emergency staircase, you seemed surprised and you became defensive." Continue Sendoh with low voice. The more he talk, the more I hold on to the spoon while I stare at my food.

I'm definitely not full yet, but my appetite it's completely gone.

Sendoh is not stupid. From the conversation in emergency staircase, I knew I would be suspicious when I yelled at him. Now that he asks about it, I don't want to respond at all.

The lively chatter of the surrounding diners keep dreaming. Only our table remains complete silence. Sendoh seems to realize that I feel uncomfortable and don't want to respond, so he limit himself to nod in understanding and continue eating. As for me, I sit quietly and wait for I'm done. I don't even bother eating anymore though. I'm not full yet.

"You are full?" Sendoh asks.

"Well, if you finished eating, let's go." I get up and I pay for my food. Sendoh follows me after paying. As I walk I see people queuing in front of several restaurants. I can't help but think in Sendoh's question from a moment ago.

I never mentioned it, nor did I tell anyone why I had fear of the dark. Whenever someone asked, I changed the subject on purpose because I was uncomfortable to share it. It's not a good to remember and I don't want anyone to pity me.

"Kaede," he calls me. I didn't even realize that I reached.

"Hm?"

"Sex is not the only thing we can talk about, you know right?" Sendoh says in a low voice, strong enough for only the two of us to hear. The soft light of the restaurant that hits the his face makes his eyes look soft and kind.

"I'm not just your partner. I'm also your friend." Warm touch on my shoulder comforts me instantly causing a strange warmth in my heart.I raise my sight and I meet his gaze, then I feel who gives me a little squeeze on the shoulder.

"It's okay if you don't feel comfortable answering. Only I'm a little bit worried. I wanted to avoid the things that scare you or those that disgust you." he says before moving away his hand. I bite my lips and hesitate for a moment.

"...Yes I am."

"Eh?"

"You asked me if I was afraid of the dark. Yes, I fear." I pause for a second, before continue. "When I was in high school, I was locked up in the bathroom."

Sendoh remains silent, waiting for me to continue. I take a deep breath and decide to continue sharing what happened.

"I saw my mother."

"Truth?"

"Yeah. My mother... doesn't like that I'm gay," I explained to him with an ironic expression. "I had a boyfriend when I was in high school. And when she found out, she got angry a lot and she thought she was wrong. She thought that would be embarrassing that other people found out that I didn't like girls."

"..."

"So she punished me." My gaze wanders downwards, avoiding any eye contact with him. Only with remember those moments, I can feel that my body trembles. I clench my fist and take a deep breath. I try to calm my body. Hopefully Sendoh won't notice nothing weird.

"She put me in the bathroom, turned off the lights and locked me from outside with a chain. She told me to reflect and that I realized that liking boys is evil. She left me there and didn't let me out until morning. It was so dark... and I just..." I can feel a knot in my throat, so I pause. After composing myself, I continue with a hoarse voice.

"The bathroom was so small and with the lights off, it was felt more suffocating. The only thing I could do was curl my body into a corner to feel safe at least. I refused to sleep. Since then, I developed my fear. So I have to leave a light turned on to sleep at night." I can feel Sendoh's eyes on me. I rub my left arm with right hand before adding. "I tried to go to a psychiatrist. They gave me medication, but it didn't help since it is a psychological problem. The treatment is not that simple."

"..."

"But everything ended. Besides, I have enough money to pay my electric bills, so there is no need to worry about leaving the lamp lit all night. It's just...probably hard for you to sleep every time you stay in my apartment." I finish speaking with a small laugh, hoping to lighten the mood. To be honest, it gives me afraid to look up and see his reaction.

This is the first time I've talked about this with someone else. To think that the person I chose to tell it is the same one I haven't been able to stand for years.

"It really doesn't matter if we don't sleep." Sendoh puts his hands on my shoulder before leaning closer. "There are other things we could do. All night is ours," he adds in a light voice, with a mocking smile drawn on his face.

I sigh heavily and start walking. Although it was a relief that I didn't see pity in his eyes. I don't know how he would feel about me if he felt sorry for me.

To tell the truth, that wasn't the whole story. Yes it's correct I'm afraid of the dark because it reminds me of that moment. But what scares me the most is that person.

If I share that incident, I'm sure Sendoh would pity and feel sorry for me.

"Is there anything else you want to eat? You only ate half bowl of noodles." Sendoh follows me and asks me. Looked at around me and shake his head.

"I do not want to eat."

"But I still want to continue eating."

"Go buy what you want to eat," I replied.

Sendoh laughs softly, leans in and whispers. "Well, I want to eat you. Can?"

I look at him intently and I turn his face away from me.

"Come on, Kaede."

"No," I say firmly. What kind of idiot has so much energy and desire? He should become a monk and pray more to clear his mind and diminish his sins.

"Go buy what you want. I'm leaving." When I'm about to leave, Sendoh grabbed me immediately from the wrist and points me to a stall who sells grass jelly not far away.

"Let's go there and eat some!"

"I don't…"

"Please?" he pleads. I look at the gelatin stand grass surrounded by several customers.

"Okay." I feel a little depressed, maybe I can feel better eating some dessert.

"Brilliant. I invite." He winks at me before grabbing me and pull me towards the store. I can feel how my lips form a smile as I watch the person who takes me by the hand, dragging me towards the cart.

Under normal circumstances, the two of us couldn't speak normally for more than two minutes, but today was the first time I discovered that Sendoh knows hear. He was observant enough to knowing that I didn't need his pity. He didn't force me open. Plus, he knew what to say to make me feel comfortable. Everything he did has made my heart melt feel much more comfortable. This is what it feels like be friends with him?

Although it may be annoying, but have him as a friend not be so bad.

Will be continued...