Junjou Possession

Chapter 9

Junjou Possession | Chapter #9 l Haruhiko

I had to do all in my power to refrain from slamming the closet door.

The scene inside that closet made my blood boil so intensely that I was shocked I didn’t explode. Surprisingly, given the circumstances, I kept my composure. Though, if my insides were on the outside, they would’ve seen the rage as it pulsated through my veins.

I had no right to be this angry. It’s not as if Minori was doing anything wrong, just trying to be a good employee, but seeing someone so close to him… I just can’t bear the sight of it! Just remembering the scene in my head makes me want to just punch out Morimoto, even if the scene was not entirely his fault, either.

Those thoughts run through my brain as I enter my office door, and see Morimoto sitting in the small chair in front of my desk. He immediately stands as I enter the room, and he puts on his biggest smile. “Is something wrong, Mr. Usami?”

His words make the situation worse. He might not see even a thread of issues, but my brain is clogged with them. I will just have to make him understand. “I would highly appreciate it if you wouldn’t flirt with Minori.”

His smile doesn’t falter, but something seems off about him. “What on earth are you talking about, sir?”

I slam a hand on my desk, and look him right in the eyes. My voice is low, but malicious. “Don’t you dare play dumb, Morimoto.” I take a step closer to him. “You’re leading him on, and it’s becoming a hindrance.”

He chuckles as he leans against my desk, his back to me. “A hindrance?” He waves a hand. “I’m helping him with his job, which will in time help the company, as well. I am being the exact opposite of a hindrance.”

I raise my voice. “You’re not quite understanding.”

He sighs. “What exactly am I not getting?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Face me, coward.”

I hear his breath hitch, but I can’t understand why. Why is he choosing now of all times to hide from me? “Or what? You’ll fire me?”

I grip his shoulder. “Morimoto, I would never fire a reliable worker such as you.” Those words were true, but I only used them to soften the blow. “But, Minori is mine, and I will not allow you to take him from me.”

I feel him stiffen. Did I hit a nerve? “Why?”

I remove my hand, feeling that there is no comforting him now. He would have to deal with this truth on his own. “I love him.” I stare at him as he turns around. “And I am jealous of your relationship to him.”

I see a deep pain in his eyes, and he turns away again. Did I see a hint of tears in his eyes? “Haruhiko…”

My hand reaches out to comfort him, but he smacks it away instantly. I pull back, suddenly surprised. “Why do you say my name like this?”

“Because…” His hands grip into fists at his side. “Because you don’t understand either.”

My eyes widen. “What are you…”

Before my sentence is finished, Morimoto has grabbed my tie and yanks me toward him. I am instantly scared of him for the first time in my entire life. He was always smiling, always happy… But now I see a complete look of hatred and desperation in his eyes. “Why the hell is he allowed to call you Haruhiko?! And why do you call him by his first name, but not call me by mine?! Why is he so special?!”

His loud voice resonates through my ears. I am shaking, and I cannot feel my body. “Because I love him.”

I see the tears form in his eyes. This is the second time I have told him those words, so I hope he gets the hint. But the reaction he gives me now is not one I expect at all. He pushes me against the wall behind my desk, and places his muscled arms on either side of my head. He leans down toward me, and a few of his tears slip onto my cheek. “Five years, and you still haven’t gotten the hint…”

I want to reach up and wipe away my friend’s tears, but I know he would not allow it. He does not like it when others treat him with pity. That was something I liked about him. “Morimoto, I don’t understand… Why are you so upset with me?”

His words make me go completely numb. “Because I’m in love with you, Haruhiko.”

He makes no movements, just stares into my eyes. My eyes are completely expanded as I stare back into his tear-filled face. All this time… how could I not notice it? The way he always smiled at me… The way he always followed me… The way he praised me… The way he comforted me… It was all signs of love. Signs that I never even gave a second glance to.

I am forced to look away as the truth sinks in. I feel so utterly horrible that I cannot find the words to express it. “I am sorry.” My voice sounds cold, but it is supposed to be comforting. Why is that? Sorry is not enough, but what do you want me to say, Morimoto? How am I supposed to express how terrible I feel about this?

I feel him lean closer to me, and I can feel his warm breath on my lips. A sudden panic attack resonates within me, and I push him away with both of my hands. His heart is beating loudly, probably echoing all his feelings… but mine is steady, steady as a beating drum. “I’m sorry.” I repeat. “I do not feel the same.”

This is all I can say. He looks at me as if I just crushed his entire world. For the first time in forever he refuses to respond to me. His smile is gone, and it is replaced with a look so utterly miserable that I cannot explain it. I barely hear his footsteps echo across the floor, and I am so in shock that I do not know how long it has been since Morimoto left through the door, and when the next person entered it.