JUNJOU ROMANTICA
III
CHRISTMAS NIGHT
"Jingle bells... jingle bells..." muttered the great Lord Usami Akihiko to himself while typing on his computer's web browser. Beside that one open window he had many more, to the point of sucking up the virtual memory of his computer. "Christmas's lyrics... shouldn't... nah" clicking the links close he stretched his back one way and another, twisting and bending. Looking at the screen again he smiled. He had set up a picture of Misaki buried in teddy bears as the wallpaper, the kitten had been 100% annoyed, one would even use the word "pissed" but he knew somehow the feeling only run on the surface, deep inside the kitten was flustered, embarrassed, hopeful. He couldn't understand what he wanted to do about the picture the same way he didn't understand his feelings for the kitten. A lesser writer would have pointed the loud thumping of his heart, the strange buzzing of his mind, the rooted need for the kitten's presence as signs of romantic love but he was no lesser writer. The symptoms were just the excitement, the novelty and hope. He was hopeful, just as the kitten was hopeful… of what? Well, that was the real mystery.
"Damn it" Now he couldn't think properly. Standing up he walked out of the office and downstairs where he sat down in front of the television to continue on sighting heavily, "Happy Christmas day..." the words came out forced, his lips twitched and he instantly drew a cigarette out of his shirt pocket. The complete silence in the house seemed to call in for a long case of writers block. "How does it feel to be on Christmas with the person you love?" Usami wondered, his brows furrowing, he tried to think but he couldn't even begin to imaging it, the only thoughts were pinky-fake, romantic dinners he had read many times. "Aikawa will kill me, this time for real if I don't get an idea before the 31th..." yet the threat didn't prove to be good stimulation for his brain. But, wasn't his heart more than his brain the one that needed real stimulation? He looked slightly to the kitchen, clean and empty, turning to his right he also looked pass the stairs, he could easily make out the pet-bed in the corner, cold and empty as well. Another sigh escaped the writer's chest, gray smoke coming out of his lips.
Poking his cigarette against the crystal ashtray on his table he took the opportunity to turn on the television with the remote control, some channel flipping maybe he thought, but shows and news only seemed interested in reporting the romantic mood around the globe, movies and series had big especial edition episodes, to evoke the so called Christmas's cheer, love and hope, peace for the world and true happiness. "Whether is Christmas or my birthday or any holiday I have always spend it alone, watching TV or working, nothing particularly entertaining or special. I always envied the people who could spend it with someone they love" Usami pressed the off bottom sighing yet again adding a deep frown at the butts of cigarettes on the ashtray, at the rate he was going with the sighing he was going to lose all his life's happiness* "This is really annoying…"
"I never disliked being alone, I always thought so. But, being with the person you love, how would it feel?... yeah... a beloved one..." Usami was about to draw another cigarette when a metallic rattling and turning, called his attention to his apartment's door.
"Ah! Usagi-san you're awake!" cheered Misaki entering the apartment, Usami could not believe his eyes, he blinked and furrowed in confusion, the kitten's tail was rattling, erect and slightly fluffed, a sign of happiness. "Ohhh, I knew you'll be lazing around!" Misaki chastised, moving to place some groceries bags on the kitchen counter. "Aikawa-san called me to ask if you were working on the Christmas piece, you're already behind!"
"Misaki, what are you doing here? I thought you'll stay with Takahiro?" Usami stood up, following the kitten to the kitchen.
"Oh, yeah... I couldn't really stay…" Misaki responded apologetically, but his tail remained erect, wasn't he sad about it? "Manami-Oneesama* was really kind, and she even took allergy medication!" beamed Misaki, his tail changing to a circling motion while he walked around, putting the groceries away. "But it's their first Christmas together as a married couple, it didn't feel right and I knew you'll probably work today... and not eat anything healthy..." Misaki's tail dropped and lifted with every word, his emotions clearly waving with it, his eyes never meeting Usami's. "I knew you'll be alone... thinking about Nii-chan…" for a moment Usami felt the need to embrace the kitten, his eyes had suddenly turned distant, a painful thought was probably going through his mind, his tail was listless and down, but before he could even move or open his mouth Misaki had shaken his head and turned to almost growl at him.
"… So be grateful I thought about you" the kitten moved to his bags and again his tail vibrated with excitement, "I even brought you a strawberry cake to celebrate!" beamed Misaki taking the desert out of it's box, "I'm real good with sweets so it should be okay" Usami felt his heart leap, crashing against his rib-cage like a hammer. "Misaki..."
"Wha... what?" Misaki, hearing Usami's deep voice calling him like that couldn't help lifting his eyes, the shock brought electrical waves from the tip of his ears to the tip of his tail, when he saw the raw emotions playing on violet eyes, he heard his heart thump one, twice. For a moment he thought Usami would lean over and kiss him, the sweet and feverish kind of kiss he had been remembering for days now. But then the writer just smirked.
"I don't think it'll be fun kitten-sitting, you know?"
"How rude!" Misaki felt his ears hot with embarrassment, "Not only I'm not a kitten anymore but, that's how you appreciate my worrying about you?!" Misaki fumed, his ears pinning slightly, Usami could only chuckle in response, "Yes, yes, thank you very much about that" Usami petted Misaki's head, careful always of his sensitive, chocolate ears. "Nyaaaa..." Misaki whined, not able to decide whether to scowl at Usami's petting or blush.
-0-
After a brief discussion Misaki accepted Usami's offer to order something out and have the cake for dessert, he didn't mind cooking but the author seemed somehow happier ordering them food with names he couldn't really pronounce… or understand. When the food arrived thou he forgot every pointed issue against it and piled as much as he could on his plate.
"Misaki, are you sure you want to eat that much?" asked Usami looking at Misaki's plate, the kitten's mouth was watering already, just measuring the pile of different cuts of meat, between grilled steaks and ribs, round tip roasted, marinated brisket, honey mustard salad with oregano seasoned turkey, bittersweet pork with pineapples and peppers, and shrimp with garlic and salt.
"Of course! This is a celebration so it's normal!" Misaki waved his paw in disdain, "Plus, I have never tasted so many good things and I don't know when I'm going to enjoy something like this, for free again" explained Misaki like it was the most obvious reason, taking his fork and knife he attacked his meal, "I... plan... on eating till exploiting!" he mumbled and Usami chuckled, enjoying a sip of wine. "Don't talk with your mouth full, brat and chew properly, don't choke on your free food" Usami slowly progressed on his plate, more interested on the feline in front of him, licking his paws from time to time, a loud purring coming out without him noticing it.
"Ah... I forgot..." feeling Usami's intense stare Misaki felt his cheeks burning, trying to distract the author he cleaned his paws and reached for his backpack, from within the wash-out jean fabric the kitten fhised out a small box, "here, your Christmas's present..." he said extending his paw to give the present to the astonished author.
"What's this?..." Usami looked at the box in his hand and turned it around, pealing easily the green and golden wrapping paper he found, "A bear key-chain?" the piece was beautifully painted, in a fancy looking box with a green bow and red fabric poinsettias. "I just found it and thought you would like it..." mumbled the kitten, still munching his food. Usami looked a the box again, so small, so simple, yet heavy with love, bright with warmth and hope. Things he couldn't grasp the meaning of yet, it was troubling but it elated him so much there was no way he would stop the feelings.
"I'm sorry I didn't buy you anything"
"Ah, don't worry about it, it's not like you have to" again Misaki waved his paw dismissive, Usami by now knew the kitten never hoped for anything for himself, he only thought of others. His kitten had the biggest heart sometimes
"Isn't there anything you want?" , "I wont be able to buy it right now but..."
"Nah, don't worry about! It's okay" Misaki smiled and Usami smiled back as an immediate unavoidable answer "where did you found it?"
"Agh, t was a super girly store!" responded the kitten, his ears pinning and his tail puffing up in spikes, "it was so embarrassing walking around the pink aisles and it was so full of young girls and all of them wanted to pet my ears and touch my tail!" the kitten closed his eyes letting shivers run through his back at the memory of the none intentional harassment "you must treasure it, okay?!"
"I see," Usami couldn't hold his laugh, Misaki's ears twitched instantly, "what?"
"Nothing, it's just that I was imaging you in the store, so funny and weird"
"Hey! What a rude thing to say, if you don't like it give it back!" Misaki's voice trembled indignant and Usami smiled again, "I never said anything like that"
"Grrr Usagi-san, you really makesme angry, come, give it back already!" Misaki's ears pinned back again and he hissed, his nose wrinkling. Usami only laughed and chuckled, "Yes, yes. Now I'll let you try something good, try this champagne" Usami swore the kitten was growling while drinking the sweet liqueur.
"Sometimes it really surprises me how even thought you're so young and inexperience you can do and say exactly what I need... for my sake, yeah, I see now, for me..."
- 0 -
"Mooouuuuurrrr I can't drink anymooooreeee" mewed Misaki, barely making it to his pet-bed.
"Oh crap, I didn't know you were going to get this drunk, If Takahiro knows about this he'll panic for sure" Usami's brows furrowed at the shameful sight, the kitten sprawled on his bed was half on the floor, half on the pet-bed, his tail not really moving, "Well, either way it's the first time I ever see someone getting drunk only from sipping some Dom perignon and a beer, that really happens?!"
"Guuuhhh..." Misaki snuggled against his pillow, "Come on Misaki take off your clothes"
"Nyooooooo..."
"Ahhh... what a problem" muttered the author looking at the kitten again, "he really doesn't look like Takahiro, at all... but... he's so cheerful, meek and honest, he's probably the type that has many friends, he could have being with any of them... but deciding to stay here, choosing me" Misaki's whiskers vibrated while his brows twitched, "ushagiee..-san..." he moaned in his sleep. "Could it be that I was so emotionally hurt, that I didn't realize?. But no, that can't be, love shows, in kissing and all that..." Again, drawn by his thoughts Usami turned to see the kitten, his breathing slow and calm, his arms softly hugging the pillow. "Ah, so this is how it feels. I wondered how would it feel to be with the person you love. But this case is for someone I'm falling for... but wait, I am... for him?"
"So stupid, just after getting rid of my unrequited love" sighed Usami, a smile lightening up his face, "Either way, really thank you Santa-san" bending lightly so his lips touched the kitten's ear, Usami purred softly, "Misaki, fall in love with me"
"You, staying here was the best present of all, in this cold weather you have warmed up my heart"
"A truly happy Christmas's night..." he said and the words came out easily, lips parted in a wide smile.
NOTE: it's a folklore belief that when you sigh your happiness escapes through your mouth. It's commonly use in Japanese manga and anime.
In Japanese you call your sister in-law as sister (Nee), Misaki uses (O)nee because he's very polite in his speech and "sama" because his education as a pet makes him immediately treat humans as superiors. This is a slight change from the manga/anime cause Misaki calls Manami "Nee-san" which is borderline polite yet very informal.
Author's note: I never knew if someone recognized the scene so I'll just say it's part of the BLCD extra, quite good but I'm not sure if it's also in the manga. The changes weren't as great in this episode but I hope it's easier and more enjoyable to read.