Junjou Possession

Chapter 11

Junjou Possession | Chapter #11 | Haruhiko

It has been hours since my workday was officially over, but it seems as if my work never ends on time. Even when I am not forced to step inside my office, I still have some sort of appearance to make, or some sort of claim to approve. I suppose being in such a high rank would explain all this, though sometimes it would be nice to have a moment's peace.

With the peaceful thought of a good night's rest in mind, I stand up from my chair and prepare to leave. I gather my suitcase after one look at its contents, and took one more glance at my desk. It seems as if I wasn't forgetting anything, but there was a problem. The problem relies on me remembering all that has happened to me in this room today.

Ryomei... My heart hurt after being forced to shatter his years of affection, but I had no choice but to do so. I can only wonder what our relationship will be now. Will things return to the way they were? Will he move on? Will he ignore me? Will he even come back?

There were too many troublesome variables to be sure, but I do hope things can remain as they were before this incident, even if I am selfish to think so.

I suppose some happy moments occured today, as well. I can still recall the dazed look on Minori's nostalgic face as we discussed the beauty of the ocean. I have finally managed to get Minori to eat a meal beside me, and that made me happy, but it is not enough. I want Minori to be beside me always, to smile about me as he had the ocean. Though, I suppose that must also be my own stubborn selfishness. That selfishness has caused me only trouble, and I must not give in to it.

My thoughts instantly cease as I come across a strange notebook laying on the floor right in front of my office door. I bend over and pick it up, making sure to stand up tall again as I study it. I look at the front, the back, and I seem to recognize it as Minori's sketchbook. The first time I ever saw him he was drawing images of my aquarium in this book, though I don't know why he'd want to do such a thing.

As my hand grasps tightly onto the sketchbook, I begin to recall how long ago that was. How many months have I been watching him? How long did I stalk a kid I didn't even know the name of?

Thinking about it in that light makes me seem quite shameful, but I suppose it does not matter now that my feelings for him have changed into this. But, how long am I supposed to wait before I can tell him how I feel? How long until I demand an answer from him? I suppose there was no good way to tell. Only, I cannot be brash, like last time. Patience is of the utmost important in these situations.

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Before I knew it, though, I already found myself standing in front of his apartment. I didn't even think to call his number, just blindly appeared in hopes that I could deliver his sketchbook personally to him.

I let out a low sigh as I attempted to clear my head. I didn't need any access thoughts, but I couldn't help but come up with them as I imagined what I should say. Should I even stick with proper formalities when so close to his home?

My briefcase in my right hand, his sketchbook in my left, I clenched tightly as I lifted the sketchbook hand to press the doorbell with my index finger. I awaited a response. Nothing. My hand waited for a few moment's before repeating the gesture. Nothing. Perhaps he was out for the night? Just thinking about where he could be off to so late made me ill.

I was two seconds from pulling out the cell phone in my pocket when someone approached me with the utmost surprise. "H-Haruhiko?!"

It seems as though I didn't need to call, after all. I turned to see Minori, carrying one bag of groceries in his right hand, and the other bag of groceries in his left. I couldn't see what was inside, only that they were quite light. So, a convenience store run, was it? A good excuse to be out late at night.

"Hello, Minori."

He walked closer with caution, studying me curiously. I suppose it was weird of a boss to visit their employee so late in the night. "What are you doing here?"

I wanted to invite myself in, to lie and say I came for work so that we could talk for as long as possible, but that would be selfish of me. Instead, I held out the book in my left hand for him to see. "You dropped it in my office."

His eyes went wide as he noticed it. He seemed quite embarassed over such a little thing. "I left it there?! How could I have been so careless?!"

I couldn't bring myself to scold him, for he already felt bad, and he looked exhausted. "Just try to hold onto it next time."

He looked up at me with worry. "You... didn't look at any of it... did you?"

What was he all worried about? Was there something in there I was not supposed to see? Now, as my curiousity rose, I wish I would've peeked earlier to see what was inside. "I didn't look."

He let out a relieved sigh as he walked up to his door. "Sorry for making you wait, and all, but it was kinda your fault for not calling me first."

This fact was like a pin in my thigh, but I just shrugged my shoulders in response. Minori definitely had a point there. "So, does that mean I can come over if I call you first?"

Minori raised an eyebrow at me, completely confused. "Huh?"

I shook my head. "Nothing."

He switched his left grocery bag to his right hand, and he used his left hand to reach into his jacket pocket. He brought out a small key and used it to unlock the door to his apartment. He took a step inside and looked at me from the doorway. "As thanks for bringing it over, I suppose I'll let you have some tea."

I suppose that was Minori's way of saying I was invited to come inside. I nodded my head as I gladly, but humbly, stepped inside the boy's home. I walked into the living room and studied the cluttered place that was Minori's apartment.

Minori closed the door behind him and walked into the kitchen as he began to make the tea he had promised me. "It's a mess, I know. I keep telling myself I'm gonna clean it, but I never have the time, or ambition to."

His answer was understandable, and completely relateable. Had I not had butlers growing up I might have been the same way. "It's fine."

I sit on the sofa and place both my briefcase and his sketchbook on the small coffee table in front of me. I couldn't help but stare at Minori as he made the tea. He did not look up once, much to my relief, and soon enough he brought me a small cup of brewed tea for me to drink. "Here it is. It's hot, so don't blame me if you burn your tongue."

The boy placed his own cup on the kitchen counter and put a small ice cube in it so that it would cool down faster. Smart kid. "Right." I slowly sip and blow on my tea as I listen to the silence drag on.

I wonder what is supposed to be said, or if there is just nothing to say at all.