Takano was on his way back from the printers when he heard two people laughing around the corner. As he was about to turn to his right, he paused when he saw Ritsu smiling at a gentleman who he recognizes as Kirishima. They were talking, but he could not make out what they were saying. From the expression on their faces, they look like their having a great time.

A spike of jealousy ran through Takano at how Ritsu seemed so at ease with Kirishima, almost as though they've been familiar with each other for some time. He left his hiding spot and approached the two.

"Are you sure you don't need me to come over?" Kirishima asked Ritsu who shook her head with a reassuring smile.

"I'm alright, you don't need to worry. " Ritsu said before she noticed her boss approach from the corner of her eye. "Takano-san, printers again?" She asked when she noticed him scowling.

"Well, they weren't happy. I see you have met Kirishima. He is the Chief Editor of Shounen Department." Takano introduced the man who gave him a laidback smile.

"Actually, we were just reacquainting ourselves." Kirishima stated, "It's been so long since we last spoke, I thought it'd be nice to catch up and check on our newest manga editor."

This did not bode well for Takano as he watched their interaction. "I see, how long have you two known each other?"

"Twelve years by my count." Kirishima checked his watch then looks at Ritsu with an apologetic look, "Sorry, I have to meet with Kyo Ijuuin."

"I understand, good luck with him Zen." Ritsu waved at him as he turned to leave.

Kirishima winked at her, "Best of luck Ritsu. Let's catch up again next time."

The fact that they are on a first name basis became a very loud warning sign for Takano.

As Takano and Ritsu returned to the Emerald Department, he saw a small smile on her face. Various questions ran through his head, but one in particular haunted him, what is their relationship?

Miraculously, Takano and Ritsu made it onto an uncrowded train home. They sat next to each other, which Ritsu didn't mind for the moment as she is just relieved to not put any weight on her leg for a while.

"Say, Onodera, can I ask you something?" Takano asked from his spot on her right.

"Hm?"

"How do you know Kirishima?"

His question caught her by surprise as she blinked at him, "He's one of my oldest friends since before high school."

"I see. So you know each other very well." Takano stated then asked, "How long has it been since you last spoke to each other?"

"Not that long actually. Kirishima actually recommended Marukawa to me when I decided to switch jobs." Ritsu smiled softly, "I owe him a lot for that."

"Then you know he has a daughter, correct?"

"Of course, I used to babysit and read to her when she was little." Ritsu said with a fond smile as she thought of that young girl, "She's a real sweetheart, and very mature despite her age."

Takano gripped the metal bar beside him as she spoke of the Kirishimas with a soft expression, the kind people have when they talk about their loved ones.

Ritsu came to Takano's apartment to go over the drafts again. Despite her reluctance, she can't complain about the dinner Takano made them when they took a break from editing.

As they were writing out notes on the storyboards, Ritsu's phone rang, she glanced at the caller ID for a moment then answered, "Hey Zen."

Takano paused as he listened to his subordinate speak to her male friend.

"Dinner this weekend?" Ritsu asked with an intrigued look, "Yeah, we can do it at your place. My apartment is a bit of a mess and-Hey!" Ritsu exclaimed when Takano snatched the phone out of her hand.

"My apologies Kirishima, but I'm afraid Onodera already has plans for this weekend." Then he hung up without a word of further explanation or goodbye.

Ritsu stared at him in surprise and rage before she reached for her phone, which he held out of her reach. "What the hell is your problem Takano-san? You don't just take someone's call like that! Give it back!"

Takano kept the phone away from her lest she calls Kirishima back. "He wanted you to come over to his place. That doesn't leave you suspicious of his intentions?" He responded as images of Ritsu and Kirishima tangled up in an intimate embrace sent a pit in his stomach.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? I've been to his house plenty of times in the past." Ritsu explained as though it was the most normal thing in the world.

"'Plenty of times?' Does that mean you spent the night at his place as well?" Takano questioned as the worst possible scenario became all too real.

Ritsu sighed in annoyance, "So what if I did? Why do you have such a problem with Zen?"

"My problem is you sleeping with him!" Takano exclaimed; white hot jealousy boiled over to the point where he could no longer keep it in.

Ritsu stared at him in surprise and disgust, "That's what you think we're doing?"

"What else could you two be doing? You've known each other for much longer than I have, and it's obvious you two are close." Takano gritted his teeth, "I don't like the idea of another guy sleeping with you while I'm next door to you."

Ritsu dragged a hand down her face, "God, how much of an idiot are you?" She said in exasperation as she glared at her former boyfriend in irritation.

"'Scuse me?"

Ritsu sighed as she calmed herself down, "You know Zen's a widow?"

"Yeah."

Ritsu frowned, "His late wife, Sakura, was my best friend, I knew her long before she got married to him." At Takano's surprised look, she stared at the coffee table, "She's the reason why we became friends. Sakura died when Hiyori was born. I never got the chance to say goodbye. So, I made a promise to help with Hiyori wherever and whenever I can." She said as a faraway look came over her face, the memory of her oldest and dearest friend who inspired her to keep living. "I owe Sakura a great deal for everything she did for me when I was at my lowest. Being there for her daughter is the least I can do to honor her memory."

Takano calmed down when he saw how Ritsu's face changed as she spoke of her best friend. From how she talked about her, they must've been very close growing up.

"You and Kirishima...you two never..."

"No, we never took it that far." Ritsu admitted and leaned back in her seat with a sigh, "This was a few years after you and I parted. We went out on two dates, but that's as far as we went. He didn't feel anything for me past friendship, nor did I. Our relationship is platonic, nothing more than that. The connection we have to Sakura, and our promise to look after Hiyori is what binds us. That's all."

Takano calmed down as he listened to Ritsu speak of her relationship with Kirishima. While it irked him at how they dated for a short time, not that he has room to talk, it relieved him knowing they don't feel anything towards each other.

"I see. I'm sorry for misunderstanding." Takano said as he passed the phone back to Ritsu.

Ritsu pocketed her phone, "Honestly, I don't understand why you felt you had to make Zen your enemy."

"I got jealous." Takano admitted, "You're more relaxed around him, and you've known each other much longer."

Ritsu smiled slightly, "Please, there's hardly any need to be jealous."

"I only got jealous because I love you."

Ritsu kept her blush under control when he said that with a serious look.

"I really wish you'd stop saying that." Ritsu said with a sigh as she went back to editing the draft.

"Why?"

"Because it won't change our boss and employee status. Also, I'd prefer it if you keep work and personal feelings separate from each other. We won't get any work done if you get jealous of every man who talks to me." Ritsu stated as she tried to keep her tone professional even as her heart thumped against her chest.

"You have other male friends?"

Ritsu paused in her work for a moment then answered, "There is one other, but he's in another country working as a photographer. He's very good at his job."

The fact that her other male friend, who may or may not be a suitor, is in a different part of the world made him feel a little better. One less competition to worry about.

The next morning when Takano came into work earlier that Ritsu, he ran into Kirishima in the elevator.

"Good morning, Takano-san." Kirishima greeted with a friendly look.

"Good morning." Takano responded as he pushed the floor button.

"I'm surprised Ritsu didn't come in with you, considering you're neighbors." Kirishima said as the elevator moved.

"She told you?"

"She may have mentioned something about her boss living next door to her in the apartment building. Talk about rotten luck. No offence." Kirishima added as he glanced at Takano.

"None taken. Honestly, this makes working together much more convenient." Takano responded as he watched Kirishima's expression turn from suspicion to intrigue.

"Are you two dating?" Kirishima asked bluntly, surprising Takano.

"No, well, not yet we're not."

"Funny, with how you snatched Ritsu's phone, I was under the impression it was a jealous boyfriend who didn't want her talking to another guy." Kirishima said with a grin, "Though I can see you are simply pining after the ever-elusive Onodera." At Takano's look, he added, "Yeah, I had a feeling when you were spying on us talking yesterday."

The elevator doors opened, and they both walked out at the same time, "I know it's trying to get a date with her, let alone be her boyfriend, but I believe I can help you there."

This made Takano pause as he turned to his fellow manga editor, "Why would you help me?"

Kirishima smirked and glanced around for a moment to make sure no one was listening before he whispered to Takano, "I myself fancy someone, that lovely she-bear from sales."

Now this caught Takano by surprise before he dragged Kirishima into the men's room and locked the door.

"You want to go out with Yokozawa?" Takano asked in shock as he knows his friend's frightening demeanor has scared off many suitors.

"I find her adorable and hardworking, and she's cute when she's angry. Like a little hissing kitten trying to be ferocious." Kirishima grinned as he thought of that brash woman from sales.

Takano had that image in his head and saw his point there. "She's more like a black panther."

Kirishima shrugged, "Yeah, well, point is, I've been pining after her for a few years now. We've talked occasionally, but only about business. And..." He smiled, "...I'm confident to say that I'm in love with her."

Takano's eyes widened at this confession; he felt a sense of DeJa'Vu. One besotted with an unknowing love interest. A moment later, a conspirator smirk crawled onto his lips. "Now I see, you need my help."

Kirishima shared his smirk, "That's the reason why I was looking for you. I believe we can be of assistance to each other."

Thus, another alliance is forged in the war for love.