lovelorn ; kokonoi hajime

- two -

third person's pov

it's been a year already since y/n got a job in kokonoi's enterprise. within a year, it's been a roller coaster ride for her. it's already not a rare occurrence that she needs to overtime for work because of shitload paperworks to look after to.

in a span of one year, y/n and kokonoi established a bond; not really as close friends but solely as friends. y/n became koko's trusted employee that wherever he goes, she always remind him of his schedule — whether it may be meetings or having a meal at exact time.

y/n's first encounter with kokonoi never left her mind and every time she would think about it, butterflies would erupt around her guts. that's the reason why she pushed herself to become a reliable secretary that would never betray the boss and also, get to know him more whenever they have a free time to talk about things not relating to the business.

at first, kokonoi's really hesitant to say anything about his life. i mean, he's not really that vocal about it because he has trust issues when it comes to people who works for him.

♡‧₊˚ ◡̎ ♡̷ ·˚ ₊˚ˑ 𓆸 𓎆

"y/n." kokonoi called out before y/n could leave his office with bunch of papers in her hands.

she stopped from her tracks and turned herself again to koko. "yes, boss?"

"why'd you want to know more about me?" he asked as he took a bite of the cinnamon roll that y/n made for him.

the secretary learned that it's his favorite pastry that's why whenever she and her sister would bake over the weekend, she would save some for koko as a token of gratitude for being a kind boss towards her.

i mean, it's true. koko maybe a cold person towards most of the people that works for him but never for y/n. maybe because she's the one who's handling most of his schedule and paperworks. he had no idea why he acts friendly around her.

y/n just have that aura within her that's so bright, that for him it feels somewhat familiar. just as bright as akane's.

"oh. out of curiosity, i guess. am i making you uncomfortable? i can just st—"

"it's alright. as long as you keep it just between us." he spoke as his gaze is fixated on the cinnamon roll.

"do you need anything else, mister kokonoi?" y/n questioned as her glance never left koko.

"i don't have any appointments today so maybe we could talk about things. you can just do your work tomorrow since most of those were not really that important. i would like to know more about my secretary too." koko replied with a smile forming on his lips — a smile that's only meant for her.

♡‧₊˚ ◡̎ ♡̷ ·˚ ₊˚ˑ 𓆸 𓎆

knowing more about kokonoi made y/n really happy that she couldn't help but to fall for him. a small crush that developed into something more. there's just something about him that made her give in and just let her feelings expand.

maybe the way koko would always pat her head every time she would show excellence in her work or the way a smile falls on his lips the moment his gaze met hers.

when kokonoi rambles about how fucked up most of the meetings he attended to, y/n would always be by his side listening to him and smiling fondly if he makes a nasty remarks about it. it's almost as if they're so close with one another but remained merely as friends.

did it ever hurt y/n by being just like that? of course it does.

she realized it when koko admitted to her that he still loves his ghost lover, akane.

akane inui.

it's already been 17 years when the precious akane left the world. up to the present day, it still bugs him that she isn't here and that he isn't married to her. all the plans he'd made in his mind with her came crashing down when she left.

it's almost like he never believed in love anymore when akane died.

love doesn't exist in his vocabulary.

she's the reason why he strived so hard for money but didn't expect that he'll be a person who's so obsessed with it. he pretty much fucked up when he ended up with being one of the executives of the worst criminal organization.

does he regret being one of them? of course, no. bonten's the only family he has now.

as for y/n. she felt bad for asking about her to koko. it's like his wound from akane's death were still freshly engraved to him.

every time she's the topic in their conversation, koko's eyes would sparkle as he describes akane almost like a perfect woman that ever existed in the world we live in.

as much as y/n wants to hid her feelings, she envies akane. she felt that towards her because as one year went by, her crush for her boss have already become love.

the word that she fears ever since she broke up with her ex.

love is such an strong word that both person in this story either doesn't want to believe in it or just fears it because it's such traumatic experience.

y/n loves kokonoi.

kokonoi still loves the ghost of her — akane.

one sided love.

with such a fair skin, luscious blonde hair that falls just right on her shoulder and long eyelashes that compliments her big gentle blue eyes which matches the color of an ocean. a softhearted girl who agreed to let him be part of her life once they grow up — be together as husband and wife.

she's just as beautiful as what kokonoi would say. almost like a perfect beauty with a good-natured personality.

that y/n could never have.

a piece of photograph is all what it takes her to feel insecure about herself that she only hoped that maybe one day, she could be just like her.

—

"oh and here is your schedule for tomorrow. i think you only have one meeting to attend to and a party held by mister mochizuki." y/n stated as she placed the finished paperworks on koko's table.

koko only hummed in response as he's keeping himself busy by signing some contracts given to him by the other companies to have a partnership with his.

she didn't want to pester him that much so she decided to go back to where she's stated at and settle down some things before heading home.

before the secretary could turn away, koko spoke.

"can you contact rosie's flower shop and make an order of bouquet of white chrysanthemum for tomorrow afternoon?" he requested.

y/n turned back her glance at him, "oh sure! would you like me to get it for you?" she asked.

kokonoi took his eyes off of the papers infront of him, "you're coming with me tomorrow so i think there's no need for you to go there alone since we'll just drop by at the shop before going to the party."

it's a rare haps for y/n to be with kokonoi in such places except being in the workplace that's why she's actually stunned by the sudden invitation from koko to join him tomorrow.

"okay, i'll take a note of that. if you don't mind but can i ask why you're bringing me with you for tomorrow?" y/n queried.

kokonoi just let out a chuckle, "i guess i needed company. it's tiresome being alone, you know. and i wanted you to invite you to mochi's party since you deserve to have a little drink."

y/n couldn't help but to smile at his words. "okay then. i guess, i'll be leaving now and see you tomorrow, mister kokonoi."

before she left, she gave koko a sweet heartwarming smile and it somehow made his heart flutter.

"what a lovely smile she has." he thought but soon shook it all off because falling for other person's smile is the least he wants to do.

he hates to acknowledge it but y/n's smile never left his mind that day.