Junjou Possession

Chapter 8

 

Junjou Possession | Chapter #8 l Minori

By the time that lunch time crawls around I am nearly ready to topple over.

 

"Be careful, Mr. Takatsuki!" Ryomei gives me a hand at carrying the large carton of blue prints in the storage room. After a few hours being dragged around the office and showing me around my workplace he gave me a task-clean the storage room. That is where old blueprints are being kept, as well as other things. Dusty things.

 

"Thanks," I mutter putting down the box on a table. Arrgh, my fingers feel numb! I rub my dirty hands seeing Ryomei lean against said table, wiping his forehead. Doing so I notice his long fingers running back through his already slicked back hair. I take a small break and look over at the boxes on the top shelves of the metal shelving attached to the wall on the other side of the room. "Do those need moved too?"

 

Ryomei nods. "Yes, but let me help you."

 

"But you've already helped me enough, sir," I argue. There seriously can't be people THIS nice! All he's done for me since Haruhiko turned me over to him is smile and help me! I can do things on my own. I'm already at the shelfs, stretching to grab the carton.

 

I feel Ryomei's brown orbs watch me in my struggle. Gritting my teeth and cursing my height, I step up onto an empty shelf.

 

"Mr. Takatsuki, I highly recommend that you do not do that...."

 

I grab the corner of the carton and slowly slide it towards me. It was a small enough box. How heavy can paper be anyway?

 

"MR. TAKATSUKI!"

 

I cover my face with my arms as I see the carton tip off the shelf and prepare for sudden impact. Instead, I fall back against something solid. Arms wrap around my waist tightly and a thud echos in my ear. Slowly I open my eyes.

 

"Are you alright, Mr. Takatsuki?"

 

I jump hearing Ryomei's voice in my ear. His back is turned away from the shelves and all papers are scattered everywhere on the floor. I pull my arms away to feel my body pressed against his, our waists touching. I nod.

 

"Y-yes." I look up and see some sweat on his face. "Are you okay? Did you get hit by the box?!"

 

He replies, "I did, but I'm alright. Thank you for answering."

 

"This is my fault. I'm sorry-"

 

"It's not your fault-just try to be careful next time. I suggested that you not do that."

 

I hear the door open and turn to see the person entering. The office light glares off the glasses and arms are folded. I try to take a step back, only to remember that Ryomei's arms are still around me.

 

"Haruhiko..."

 

Ryomei only smiles. "Sir."

 

"I came to see what the loud disturbance was," Haruhiko says eyeing the scattered blueprints and then the two of us. "What happened?"

 

"I dropped a carton," I reply, pulling away once again. "I'll clean it right up!"

 

Haruhiko pushes his glasses up his nose. What's that weird light that I see occassionally shining in his eyes? It looks like fire...is he angry? With another look from him Ryomei releases me, and I kneel down picking up the papers.

 

"I'll see that you do, but in the meantime I'd like to borrow Mr. Morimoto for a few minutes to discuss, ah, a project."

 

I notice Ryomei regard Haruhiko with a curious look. With a sigh and a polite smile he nods. "I will help in any way that I can, Mr. Usami."

 

"Meet me in my office, if you will."

 

I can feel some sort of tension between the two as Ryomei exits the room first. I am already gathering blueprints and fitting them inside the carton carefully. My bracelet rubs against my skin as I work. Haruhiko is still there. Is he going to scold me for being careless?

 

"Minori."

 

"Er, yes?" I look up, waiting for the second lecture that I have heard from him today.

 

Haruhiko takes a small step inside the room and looks at me. "I am wondering if you would like to accompany me to lunch, to get to know you better?"

 

A weird sensation builds in my stomach. Nervousness? I feel his dark eyes watching my slow movements as I stored the blueprints. "Um, that's okay but I brought my lunch with me today. I think I'll pass on that offer."

 

"I see...in that case what if I take you out to dinner, to celebrate your apprenticeship?"

 

"I have studying to do," I quickly say, looking at the floor.

 

"Hmm, that's troublesome," Haruhiko murmurs. He touches his lips with the side of his index finger. "In that case, keep me up to date with your schedule. I would like to take you out for a meal at least once. Please tell me if you change your mind, anyway."

 

I nod. "Okay..."

 

He turns to leave and stops. "Oh, and do be careful. It is just not as safe to fall from great heights as it is to fall into the arms of a stranger," he states before leaving the storage room. Before I can retort anything or process his words the door is shut.

 

"What.....?" I stare at the blueprints. "What does he mean by that?" I notice small numbers on the bottom left corner of each blueprint, and immediately chastise myself. "I'M SUPPOSED TO PUT THEM ALL IN ORDER WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME THAT?!" Grumbling, I pull out all the prints and start my storing process all over again.