Junjou Possession

Chapter #5

Junjou Possession |Chapter#5 l Haruhiko

I rotate in my chair just to come eye to eye with Minori once more. His eyes locked on mine are a sight that I just cannot force myself to reject. Even though his eyes show annoyance with me, I cannot avert my gaze. I feel as if I can, at any given moment, be forever lost in the sea of his eyes.

“Minori-“ I stand, about to speak my mind, but all my words are stopped by a sound more annoying than any other: the telephone.

I sit in my seat again and place the phone to my ear. Someone begins to yell at me from the other side. “Do you have it finished yet?!”

I let out a low sigh as I lean back in my chair. I drift one arm over my stomach, and latch onto the opposite sleeve with my hand. “Someone should have told you. The project has been delayed in response to mathematical errors.”

He screamed so loud into the mouthpiece I assumed my ears would fall out. I pulled the phone away from my ear, so that his next words would not cause me to go deaf. “Errors?! But we checked it multiple times! And you said it was all correct!”

I place the phone back to my ear as I speak slowly, calmly. “I changed the design a few nights ago. They had new calculations that needed editing.” I explain. “And if you’re going to yell and complain I suggest you do it to someone who actually cares about it.”

He grumbles, but ultimately his yells have ceased. I have succeeded in my goal. “Fine. Do whatever you want. Just have it done before the end of the week.”

“I understand.”

As I put down the phone I truly begin to feel my age. These sorts of misconceptions and complications happen almost daily, and the stress was beginning to turn the hair at the nape of my neck gray. I have always wondered how I deal with people such as him on a day-to-day basis. Then, I remember it all over again. It is because my father wishes it so. Though, my father does not control how I go about my projects yet. I suppose I still have some hope in this endless career of mine.

My eyes meet Minori’s again who is still standing in the exact same stance only with a more confused look to his face. I suppose he is wondering why I randomly take calls in the middle of his apprenticeship. He must learn to get used to it, just as I have. “I apologize for wasted time.” I pulled up a small, plastic chair and placed it right in front of my desk. I patted the back of the chair and then returned to my chair by the computer. “Please, have a seat.”

With a shrug and a sigh he ignores the call and sits down. I wish it was that easy for me to forget matters like that, even if they were unimportant. Though, when you are in my position, nothing is deemed as ‘unimportant’.

Looking from his seat to mine, I seem like a teacher and he is like my student. The thought is true in a business sense, and I admit that I like how fate has placed us together once again. His presence is always one that brings me to a heavenly calm. That is hard to find in this day and age. Very rare indeed.

I have always hated useless apprenticeships, usually because most quit within the first week, but this was not useless. This was not unimportant in any way. If anything, this apprenticeship would keep his presence beside me longer. That is something I cannot be forced to lose. Now, I have to become a teacher worthy enough of gaining his admiration, and worthy of being able to keep looking into his eyes. He must be successful.

I hear his confused sigh once more, and I am brought out of my thoughts. He has his arms crossed over his chest and the most peculiar look on his face. “What? Why are you staring at me like that?”

I open the manila folder on my desk so that I will stay on the task at hand. “Why, indeed.”

He groans once more in frustration. “You always say that. You can’t always use that as your escape card!”

I smile the faintest of smiles at his comment. He was challenging how I deal with people, now? This apprentice thinks he can change the top of the company so easily? “Succeed me and you won’t have to hear it. I will be forever at your will.”

“Fine, I will.” He looks away from me stubbornly, as if just my presence was getting toward some part of his pride.

I give him a composed look. I looked transparent to the issue, though I was truly proud. There is still someone who wishes to continue on my life-long work. “I would not have anyone else in this spot but you and me.”

His face radiates for a moment. His eyes go wide, his mouth parts in a surprised expression, and he sits taller than before. Somewhere in the mix of confusion, his cheeks have turned a slight pink, though I barely notice. He bows his head, his shaggy hair covering any signs of his facial expressions. “Thank you, Mr. Haruhiko.”

I emit another sigh as I ruffle the top of his head with my right hand. I correct him. “Haruhiko.”

Misaki would’ve run right now. He would’ve rejected the praise, would’ve laughed it off, and would’ve moved away before my hand even came close to his space. Yet, this kid, who looks so much like him, does nothing. Does he appreciate the way my fingers rush through his hair, or is he simply being polite? I feel him stiffen, as if he was afraid my hand would strike him. Just like last time, he goes limp.

“Are you afraid of me?” I ask. My gaze rests on the spot where his eyes should be.

The movement of his head shaking from side to side tells me that he is too afraid to speak with me. Why was he being so distant? Why won’t he look at me? My hand calmly strokes his silky hair. He continues to stay silent.

After a few moments, I stand from my desk. I make it look as if I am about to leave, crossing over the carpet to the door. “If you are afraid of me, then I suggest you transfer to another part of this department. I will not force you to stay in a place that makes you feel uncomfortable.”

All of a sudden, he erupts from his chair and has his hands clutching onto my suit from behind. I turn to look at him, though his face is buried in my back. “I’m not scared of you. Please don’t have me transferred.”

I stand still. “Then what are you afraid of?”

His grip tightens. He stays still, and I begin to feel his knuckles imprinting into the skin on my back. I cannot force myself to walk away. Not after he has made such an attempt just to get me to stay. For the first time, somebody wants my presence, but they don’t need it.

“Being taken…advantage of.” He whispers. I cannot feel his breath, but his soft voice echoes in my ears.

The thought of me taking advantage of him makes me have images in my head that I am forced to forget, and turn away from. I reach behind me, and place both of my hands on his hands. I wrap his frail arms around my waist, and I hold onto his hands softly. “I promise to treat you with the utmost care. You do not have to worry.”

His hands shake as if he is about to give a speech to the biggest of crowds. Why is he nervous while I am so calm? He clutches tightly to my hands, I believe running out of options. “Thank you, Haruhiko.”

My lips curl upward at the sound of my own name. This is the first time he has used it by itself. I suppose I am already getting through to him. “You’re always welcome, Minori.”