The whispers of a heart [BL]

EXTRA 1 - Unlikely friends

Kato Subaru. 30 years old and Chief Editor at Suzumori Publishing.

That day he was sitting at his desk reviewing some documents. His hair was messy, sign that he had been brushing his fingers through it many times. He had a serious and focused expression, with his rimless glasses pushed high over his nose, his fingers holding a pen, fumbling with it from time to time.

Just as he was about to put the tip of the pen on paper to make a few annotations, his office door was suddenly pushed open and a man strutted inside. The sudden commotion made Kota-san's hand slip and a particularly ugly scrawl appeared on the document. A small crease appeared between his eyebrows, giving his otherwise handsome and accommodating looking face a slight shade of ferociousness.

"Ah! Kota-san, I am sorry." His assistant popped inside hastily, glancing at the man who had just barged inside her boss's office. "Asakura-san he... Well, he said he must see you right now so I... I couldn't..." She stopped, blushing furiously with embarrassment.

"It's alright, Hikari-chan. You can go now."

"Won't you have her bring me some tea or some sort of refreshment?" Asakura asked after the assistant left.

"You don't deserve it. Look what you made me do." Kota-san picked up the ruined document and flaunted it in front of Asakura.

"Sorry." Asakura said, raising a hand and grinning. "But still, you should have at least asked for some water. What kind of host are you?"

"The kind that hates unwelcomed visitors." Kota retorted mercilessly.

Then, he put down his pen and stared at Asakura, who, in the meantime, had calmly taken a sit in one of the armchairs placed near the window.

After a moment of silence, Kota got up and took a sit across from him.

"So, who ruffled your feathers so early in the day?" He asked leaning back and crossing his arms and legs casually.

"I was flatly rejected." Asakura said without any emotion visible on his face.

"Good for you." Kota replied in the same manner.

"I'm not joking."

"Neither am I." Kota retorted without the smallest change in his expression. "You need to face a few rejections from time to time. It's good for the soul."

"You're heartless." Asakura sighed, his impassible mask finally crumbling.

Kota could see a glimpse of emotion flickering in his eyes. Seeing this person, who usually looked strong and composed, showing this kind of face, made his own glacial attitude thaw ever so slightly.

"Keita-chan?" He asked despite knowing the answer.

"En." Asakura replied, letting out a drawn-out sigh. "He said he already has someone he likes."

"I guess you were one step behind Kurosawa-san."

"So, you already know." Asakura said with a slight accusatory tone.

"Of course, I know! One has been my friend for many years and the other is the Editor I personally scouted and then trained. I would be stupid if I didn't know something was going on. And by the way, I hope you didn't go to his apartment and scared him." Kota shot the other man a sharp gaze.

"I didn't scare him. What am I, a frightening beast that eats people?! And how did you know I went to his place?"

"You're easy to read." Kato waved a hand in dismissal. "Then, I am curious to know how you ended up getting the boot."

"I told him everything."

"I see." Kota sighed. "Still, it appears the frightened kitten has grown some tiger claws, to be able to keep his own in front of your passionate declarations. Knowing you, sweeping away someone off their feet is quite an easy task."

"Keita-kun is different from those people." Asakura declared matter-of-factly.

"Yes, he is indeed. Though, I'm glad to see he has grown up and is finally able to face his fears and pursue what he wants."

"What about me then?"

"You just lick your wounds and get back to your company. Don't you have work to do?" Kota snapped at him remembering the blotted document from earlier.

"Are you rooting for the other team? Tsk, so mean."

"I'm rooting for whomever can make Keita-chan happy. You lost your chance the moment you decided to hide from him all those years ago."

"Such cruel words. Then, are you going to comfort me for my loss?" Asakura asked, leaning closer and touching Kota's leg teasingly.

"Who's going to comfort a stupid guy like you?! Just go away quickly!" Kota bit out, smacking Asakura's hand away.

"I never knew that deep down you were a tsundere." Asakura teased with a chuckle.

Still, he knew better than to mess around excessively. Therefore, he got up and was ready to leave when Kota suddenly stopped him.

"Ryuu, what are you planning to do from now on? He's not likely to change his mind."

"I know. I'll just do what I have been doing for the past fifteen years: follow him in silence."

"Ugh, creepy." Kota said, repressing a shiver and feigning a disgusted expression.

"That's what he said." Asakura let out a hearty laugh. "Let's grab a drink one of these days. It'll be my treat." He winked and with that, he left the office.

That's it for today's extra! Like I said, the extra chapters will be short... very short compared to the normal ones XD I'm sorry for that. I didn't want to drag the story so I kept them simple. 

This one was about Kota Subaru and Asakura Ryuu. Yes, they are friends. Hmm, since when you ask? Well, I am not sure either. 🤔😂 Based on their interaction just now it appears their friendship is not a recent one, but  rather older. It's true they met each other many years ago, while Asakura was stalking Keita, buying his books and all that. Once Asakura contacts Kota for the first time in order to talk about Keita, they begin to interact and end up becoming friends. You can imagine whatever XD 

Now, in all honesty I even thought about them knowing each other since their school days, but it would have messed up my plot so I dropped the idea. However, I found a nice picture that satisfied that fantasy. That will be the bonus for today ^^ 😘 

See you all tomorrow for another extra. This time, it's Fukuharu (Keita's fluffy cat) to make an appearance. Until then, wish you a wonderful day! ^_^