Junjou Possession

Chapter #1

Junjou Possession |Chapter#1 l Haruhiko

I do not believe analyzing your favorite work is a sin, but it can be taken out of hand. One should keep their utmost distance, and never, ever obsess over one thing in particular. One needs to take their own work above all else, and must always keep achieving greater. More than one project needs your attention, so one should keep it all in perspective. Any project doomed to fail should be stopped as soon as possible, and forgotten.

I have always been taught this, and I have always known this. Yet, as I look at him now, it all seems trivial.

He analyzes my work as if it is his own and gives it his utmost attention. I can only stand and observe as he runs his delicate fingers over every stone and every piece of glass. Usually, it is the sea creatures he always fills his head with, so why does he take his time to analyze all else? Why is he ignoring the things he appreciates most?

I decide that there is not else I can do but approach him in a business-like manner. There should be no issues as long as I keep our talk strictly to business. Akihiko probably will get overly obsessive again, though I expect that from a possessive man like him. My father, if he is even present, will overlook it as a project discussion and ignore the true meaning of the conversation. The fact is that I simply desire to speak to him. It’s all I am permitted to desire.

“Misaki.”

Just one name holds so much power in my chest. I wish to say those few words I have always told him in the past, but I know it is futile. He will never desire me like Akihiko. The fact of this overrides all other feelings in my being. All that remains is this overwhelming ache that I just can’t seem to reject.

“Misaki.”

Now, as I arrive within a foot of him, I observe no reaction to the name. No human could completely ignore their own name at such a short distance, even if they do not like responding to it. Human curiosity automatically causes them to at least acknowledge the fact that someone is in need of their presence. Yet, no reaction is seen in his body. He just continues analyzing. I narrow my eyes in frustration. Does he really despise me that much?

“Misaki.”

Acknowledging my presence, he turns his body to where I can perceive his appearance. His eyes are the first thing I analyze: a deep crystal blue. I have examined Misaki enough to recognize that he possesses a set of green apple eyes, so why have his eyes averted their true color? Is he wearing contacts, or is the glass’s oceanic reflection afflicting my head? The night’s shadows encompassed most of his expression, though his fuming glare was unmistakable.

“What do you want?”

The frustration in his voice is one expression I have never heard from him in relation to my company. I place both of my hands on my opposing arms, lowering my expression to a glare that matched his. “I am aware that you most likely despise me for my actions towards you. However, I at least expect that you would not be so low as to completely ignore my presence.”

He raised one eyebrow; a feat that I have never been able to acquire. He crossed his thin arms in the same way as mine and his glare hardened. “Huh? What the hell are you blabbering about?”

As he stood up tall to intimidate me, I acknowledge that his head reaches mine. His head has always touched my neck, and no higher. Now, he stands with his head reaching the top of my nose. How did he grow so quickly without me knowing? Something about him was bizarre. He is not himself.

With the angry glares between us, I now recognize the fact that I have not responded to him. He exhales a low groan as he suspends a small bag over his bony shoulders. A schoolbag? “I thought you’d be cooler. Turns out you’re just as uptight as all the others. Great.”

My eyes roam over him in confusion. “Do not make it seem as if you don’t know me. Why do you ignore me like this?”

I watch his movements closely. He takes three steps toward the opposite direction, and stops right as he passes my back. “I ignore you because I do not know you. I have never met you before in my entire life, and you don’t even know my name. Typical.”

I extend my arm out to catch his as I turn my body around completely. “Do not forget the emotions I have portrayed to you.”

He throws my arm aside as if it was a piece of paper he was ready to remove of. “What emotions?! The emotions of frustration in five minutes hardly mean anything!”

His words displaying his confusion and anger do not stop me from reaching out and clinging to his arm once more. He attempts to break free, but his weak bones are no match for my strong grip. “Misaki.”

He gives me another glare, one even colder than before. “Let go before I call the cops.” As my grip loosens he breaks free once more, and retrieves his composure. “I am not this Misaki person, and he is not me. Ok?! Get that in through your head!”

My eyes are wide with shock. Not Misaki? How can he not be my Misaki?

“Hey, Minori!”

There is another being that arrives at the aquarium this late at night, it seems. I turn my head to find another youth enter; he looks a few years younger than Misaki. He has about the same hairstyle as the ‘new’ Misaki. His hair is thin, blonde, straight, and cupped around his cheekbones. He looks like the perfect gentleman.

The new Misaki turns toward the voice, and raises his hand in a comforting wave. What did that boy say? Minori? Why did he call Misaki, Minori? What is going on?

“I’ll be right there, Shinobu!” Misaki calls back.

I immediately direct my gaze toward Misaki. There were about a thousand questions present in my head, but I could not get my mouth to speak any of them. Misaki clutches his hand around the strap on his schoolbag. He also appears to have a few thoughts, though he keeps them too himself. “See ya later, Mr. Usami.”

Hearing the image of the person you love call you by your family’s name, a family that drove you to this pitiful state of life, is beyond painful. That name cuts deep. My hands grasp tightly into fists as I attempt to deal with the situation before me. Even if this person is not really Misaki, I will not stand to be called such a name by the one who has my love’s face. “Haruhiko.”

Even more confused than before, he turns to look at me with another raised eyebrow. “Huh?”

I take in a deep breath so that my voice sounds calm, and that I do not sound twisted by emotions. “My name is Haruhiko.”

My heart melts, even if it is in this twisted way, as I watch Misaki’s face transform into a smile. “Wanting me to call you by your first name so soon?” He emits a tiny chuckle. “You’re awful daring.”

I turn my head away as I hide a blush now pulsing through my cheeks. I am not used to a Misaki who is this bold. “Shut up.” I lift my spectacles back into their perfect slot on my nose. “It is customary for an employer to deliver personal information to a customer in hope that they will continue business.”

He releases another annoyed sigh from his lips as he turns back around. “Whatever you say, Mr. Haruhiko.” I counted a total of fifteen steps before he reached the other kid across the room. “Though, a name wouldn’t make me stop or start coming here.”

I receive one more hand wave before the two boys exit the building, leaving me in isolation to stare at the tanks. I desperately feel as if I am one of those fish coursing through a sea of confusion. As I stare into the waves, I have only one image imprinted into my brain. There are eyes like crystal, and they belong to someone so close, but yet so uniquely different to Misaki.