Specks of Light

Part Six. Chapter 2: The Same Place

As the festival slowly came to an end, everyone looked both tired and happy. And as it was expected from a Marukawa Event, the winter festival had been a huge success, the editorial must had sold a semester's worth of products for sure. Kyo had signed hundreds of autographs today to the point that he had asked for paper reload three times. His hand hurt, and certainly, not even when he had stepped over the deadline, had he ever needed to draw so many of his characters. Contrary to his initial belief, there had been a lot of people asking him to sketch some supporting cast characters instead of the main one. While he was absolutely delighted to have had so many fans coming with amazing presents and compliments for him, he had a much more serious affair to attend now.

"Fujino- sensei" he called standing up from the table he had used to sign autographs for the last several hours. "I hear you. Let's go to a less crowded place" Fujino replied as he gallantly set a scarf around his neck. "Yanase- kun, I am heading out for a little while" Kyo said grabbing Yuu's arm. "What? Where to?" Yuu asked confused "Wait for me here, don't follow me" Kyo said trying to sound serious, but it was almost impossible to talk in a very serious tone when his partner looked so cute when tired. "Ok- Okay" Yanase answered with a flustered look. Kyo let go of Yuu's arm and walked behind Fujino- sensei who seemed to be heading for the parking lot.

The place was pretty dark with only three dim lights illuminating the whole parking lot, Fujino- sensei stopped next to a blue sport car that resembled a BMW. "Is this your car?" Kyo asked setting himself to stand right in front of Fujino. "Yes, it is similar to yours" Aki replied "But we're not here to talk about cars, are we Ijuuin- sensei?" he finished displaying a confident smile that made Kyo a bit upset. "Indeed we're not" Kyo said ready to start his speech, however, before he could say a word, Fujino started speaking "You don't have to be so tense. You want to discuss a matter regarding Yuu- san, and I understand why" he said looking at Kyo right into the eyes "Ijuuin- sensei, I think that, unlike Yuu- san, you're quite a sharp person and you have noticed my special attentions towards Yuu- san" he continued assuming a rather arrogant posture "So I don't plan on hiding this from you...I am in love with Yuu- san".

Despite the fact that Kyo knew that Fujino- sensei had some kind of romantic interest on Yanase, he definitely had not foreseen a full love confession. He felt his blood run cold at Fujino's words and for sure his eyes had widened showing just how much of a surprise the sudden confession had been for him. "What?!" Kyo asked feeling really uneasy "What you heard, Ijuuin- sensei. I'm sorry if it came to be a big surprise for you, but I happen to think that this kind of things should be said directly" Fujino said confidently. Kyo instantly turned his gaze to Fujino's eyes upon hearing his last sentence, that had been exactly the same thing he had told Usami- sensei when he had declared his love for Misaki. "What? Does that sound familiar, Ijuuin- sensei?" Aki asked apparently noting his shock, this had to be some kind of trap. "What are you doing and for who?" Kyo asked trying to hide his confusion. "Please don't think I am joking or something alike, Ijuuin- sensei. I can assure I am not" Fujino said now adopting a more relaxed position, leaning against his car.

"Then, how...how do you..know?" Ijuuin asked unable to keep hiding his discomfort "Marukawa is a very successful editorial, but it's like any other company when it comes to gossip" Fujino started explaining "You wouldn't believe how much I found out about your previous interest in Usami- sensei's lover" he continued with a smile. It was obvious that the guy was well informed and while this was not necessarily something he had intended to keep a secret, the fact that Fujino- sensei knew about it meant that he knew how far he had gone for Misaki. The thought of Fujino replicating the actions he had done to get Misaki's heart was absolutely unbearable and he certainly didn't want him to be following Yanase around.

"Since when?" Kyo asked feeling like he at least needed to know when this whole situation had started. It must've been while he had been away in Paris, cause otherwise, he didn't remember Yanase having any sort of interaction with Fujino- sensei. "About two years" Aki answered with a calm voice. This was beyond confusing, why hadn't Yanase mentioned that he had met Fujino- sensei before he started working for him. "I see you're kind of lost, Ijuuin- sensei...so allow me to explain" Fujino spoke "It's something similar to what happened to you with Usami- sensei's lover...the only difference would be that I never got that first encounter with Yuu- san. You see, Ijuuin- sensei, the first time I saw Yuu- san at Marukawa, I was invaded by a feeling I had never experienced before. I think it's what people call love at first sight" the author said with such a sincere voice, there was no reason for Ijuuin to doubt that he was telling the truth. "At first, I would always see him in company of a short man who, I believe, is also a mangaka...but then I started to see him always by your side. I know Yuu- san told you that I had discovered your relationship recently, but in all honesty...I have had a suspicion for months" Fujino continued taking out his cellphone apparently checking a new text. "I have to go back soon, so let me make something clear, I plan on telling Yuu- san about my feelings and from then on, it's his decision who he chooses to date...I'm ready to give a fight for his heart" Fujino said fixating his eyes on Kyo's.

"Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself?" Kyo asked trying to sound completely determined. Fujino might have found out about his previous crush on Misaki, but he for sure had not found out the reason behind his surrender on the matter. When Usami- sensei, Karuoko- san and Mizuki cornered him and asked him to give up on Misaki, they had used an argument he hadn't been able to defend from, because they all were absolutely right. If that argument had been enough for Kyo to give up, for sure, if Fujino was really in love with Yanase, that same argument could be applied in this situation. "If you know so much about my relationship with Yanase- kun, then I'm sure you know that we have been dating for about a year and we're madly in love with each other" Kyo said displaying a smile. He saw Fujino's expression darkening at the comment, confirming that now, it was him the one in control of the situation. "If you put up a fight Yanase- kun is not asking for, you'll only make him uncomfortable. You'll create unnecessary trouble for him...you're not taking Yanase- kun's feelings into consideration, are you? You're acting from your own thoughts and your own feelings, isn't that the most selfish thing to do if you truly love someone?" Kyo finished finally feeling a bit of relief. He could still remember the pain it had caused him to realize that fact back when he had been the one being told such cruel reality.

Kyo searched for signs of discomfort on Fujino's face, but instead he only saw a tiny smile forming on the author's lips. "You do have a strong point there, Ijuuin- sensei" Aki spoke making a nod gesture with his head "However, weren't you in love with Takahashi- kun before you dated Yuu- san?" he said softly,making Kyo feel a rush of anxiety rushing all over his body "Feelings can change, Ijuuin- sensei, the same way yours changed...Yuu- san's can be changed as well! If it wasn't for that, neither you nor anybody else in the world would be able to fall in love again after suffering a heart break" Fujino finished displaying a really confident smile that made Kyo feel like he had been drained of energy. "I have to go back now and you probably should too...Feel free to tell Yuu- san of this conversation if you like, I really don't mind. It'd probably be even better if my confession doesn't shock him too much, plus he has time to think about it from the very moment you mention it" Aki said taking out his cellphone once again and turning around to leave the scene.

However, Kyo was not willing to leave this situation so unresolved "Fujino- sensei!" he called making the author turn to look at him. "Stay away from Yanase- kun! You have no right to interfere in our relationship that has gone on for so long...I love Yanase- kun, he is mine" Kyo said surprised of how menacing he had sounded. "Ijuuin- sensei, I thought I made myself clear when I said I was ready to put up a fight...I am not giving up! Plus, if you want to measure things by time, remember that you started dating him about a year ago while I have been in love with him for two years...so technically speaking, I've loved him for a longer time than you have" Fujino concluded and left gallantly walking with both hands in his pockets, displaying the image that a victorious man would portray.

Kyo stood in shock for a few minutes thinking what exactly he should do, maybe it was a good idea to talk to Yanase about what had just gone down. But if Fujino was right about something...it was the fact that after he confessed, it was up to Yanase to decide who to date. A cold sensation started to invade his body at the idea that he might not be the one Yanase would choose, he clenched his hands in fists and turned his head trying to remember where he had parked. It was then that he saw the famous novelist, Usami- sensei, leaving in company of Misaki who kindly waved his hand at him as a farewell. Kyo waved back as he saw the car driving away. He hadn't really thought about it but he could now understand everything Usami- sensei had done back when Ijuuin had threatened his relationship with Takahashi- kun. For sure, Usami- sensei had felt as dreadful as he was feeling now, and for sure the novelist had been as afraid as he was now.

Yes, in this moment, Kyo could definitely understand the reason behind all of Usami- sensei's actions back then...because now, he stood in the same place.