Nanami rose from his office chair, giving a slight shove away from his desk. Papers were strewn all about the polished surface. It was messy; so unlike him. He hated it. But he was tired. After a day's work and more, he had finally finished putting his client's profile and information in order.
He sighed heavily, beginning the monotonous task of clearing his desk. Looks like it was another takeaway night. He wouldn't get home until 10 at this rate. He never did like working overtime. But he liked the numbers he saw when he got his paycheck every two weeks. It reminded him that one day maybe all his hard work would pay off, if that wasn't showing true already.
One day he'd be lounging on beautiful ivory sand and listening to the lulling crash of the waves in some tropical paradise, forever. Alone, with no worries besides what drink he should order next or what time the maid was coming the next day to clean the house.
The tolling of a clock striking 9 had startled him into reality again. It came from the temple across the street from his office building. His bleary gaze met the swinging bell in the old tower. He was more tired than he wanted to admit.
A handful of Flyheads buzzed past the windows outside, but Nanami was far too tired to care. In fact, he wondered almost dreamily about them. Where could they be going at this hour? Everyone was sleeping or readying themselves to do so. Maybe they just wanted to stretch their bodies. Maybe he was just seeing things. He had been sitting in front of that screen all day, looking at numbers and emailing clients. It was probably all just in his head.
Besides, he didn't want to think about that. Curses and sorcerers almost sounded like a myth to him now. He hadn't acknowledged that stuff for years, but occasions brought a quiet text from Shoko Ieiri or a few Flyheads around. And of course, there was Saturo Gojo, who never seemed to give up on trying to get Kento back into the swing of sorcery and missions. Nanami couldn't stand him.
He paused at the doorway to the office space, taking a moment.
Perhaps it was merely that he just couldn't stand the incessant fact he would never be able to promise himself a tropical paradise retirement so long as he put his life on the line as a shaman. Fighting off cursed spirits and evil curse users everyday was unpredictable to say the least. On top of being life threatening and dangerous. Sure, he would be helping the shamans to protect humans who were indifferent to the magic. That gained him nothing but a sense of justice and fleeting pride.
Nanami shook his head, pushing away those thoughts. Taking out his wallet, he checked for how much cash he had with him. A trip to the ATM wouldn't hurt, if he meant to tip the delivery driver for his takeaway.
He stepped out into the bleak autumn night, breathed in the cold air which the harsh breeze brought in.
"I'd like to place a delivery order for Kento Nanami, please," he said plainly into the phone speaker. "Yes, the usual. Thank you."
This happened so often they knew him by name. It was a little disappointing. In his mind, it couldn't be helped.
He walked along the sidewalk to the bus stop that stood imposingly among the grass and trees of the park that was set behind it. The bus had run its course for the day and was probably already headed to the station. He'd missed it. Again. As orderly and prompt as he liked to be, it was often that he missed his buses or cabs from work. He had been working overtime.
It looked as if he would be walking all the way home again. Predictable.
\-\
Opening the door to his apartment, he gave a quick look about the room. It was almost second nature for him to be so speculating. And he had felt like someone had been following him home in the dark. Yet every time he had turned to look, no one had been anywhere near him. The shadows whispered to him still, it seemed. Maybe he was just so tired, he was starting to hear things.
Either way, Nanami couldn't help the shivers running down his spine. He wasn't afraid. But being indifferent to his gut feeling had never gotten him anywhere with good intentions.
He put his briefcase against the end table of the sofa. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he said, "I know you're here."
A chuckle, almost maniacal in tone, came from the depths of the dark living area. Nanami flipped the light switch, and there sat Saturo Gojo, legs crossed like he was going to stay for a while.
"We have a lot of catching up to do, Nanami."
The blond looked down at Gojo, who sat with his chin held high, smirking.
"I have a bad feeling about this, Saturo."
\-\
*cutesie laughter* "Yo wai mo"
That's all I could think about when writing Gojo's part. IYKYK.
So that's chapter one. I hope to be updating every week. Not sure what day yet though.
Hope you guys loved it. BYE.
