Romance Radio

Chapter 2: Working Nine 'Til When?

"Yes, ma'am, I understand, but-" And she was gone. Another customer who couldn't wait five seconds for an explanation. "At least she didn't waste too much time."

The sound of light giggling brought Hanzo's attention to a group of women huddled together in the staff room. Hanzo looked up at the clock on the wall, it was nearly 6:30pm - he should've left over an hour and a half an hour ago.

While throwing on his blazer in an attempt to clock out, the phone in Hanzo's trousers buzzed lightly.

Genji:
Jesse's coming on. R u gonna listen?

He didn't know what to say. Hanzo was definitely curious; the voice, the appeal, the romance, it was all rather enticing. But what was he getting out of it? Nothing more than a minor crush on a radio celebrity who didn't even know him.

"Oh, it's starting, Linda, get the biscuits!" One of the women spoke excitedly. Obviously, Hanzo wasn't the only one who wanted to get to understand Jesse McCree. He sauntered up to the open door and waited for the show to start. It's not like the other employees would notice - they were too distracted with their own anticipation.

"Hello ladies, gentlemen and all you lovely people around the world. My name is Jesse McCree and this is Romance Radio, coming to you live." There's that voice again. So smooth, so sexy, so syrupy. But something didn't make sense to Hanzo; why dream and idealise an unlikely situation? Fantasies could be traced with comfort - he knew that all too well - yet the disappointment should've surely ruined it.

Or, perhaps, Hanzo Shimada was just a persistent pessimist who didn't dare dream like the others.

"Now, I wanna mix things up a little. Normally, we get so many calls from all the women who tune in, but I wanna hear from the men tonight. Y'all never talk too much - so let's hear it boys, I care about you too. And I know you're out there" It almost felt as if he was speaking to Hanzo specifically. But - even with the unrealistic possibility - the blushing man couldn't help but feel drawn in. He hadn't felt like this since he was a teenager, getting his very first crushes.

And that's when it clicked. He could call in. Jesse was specifically asking for his male audience. In a way, he was asking for Hanzo.

"I can do this." The older Shimada thought to himself. But would he dare put his voice on the air? Especially when so many of his colleagues seemed to enjoy this so much.

"Now, since I know you're gonna find it a bit nerve wrecking, I'm gonna open up our texts and emails, too. Just to make sure you lovebirds all get your chance." Hanzo almost verbally scoffed. It felt too perfect, too orchestrated. Something was off. But - with opportunity and motive - he could finally contact this curiosity of a man. 

Hanzo reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and began typing his message. Yet he couldn't choose - does he go straight to the point, or be vague?

"I suppose it is anonymous..." Hanzo softly spoke to himself. And so, he went for it.

Dear Jesse,
As of recent, I've been struggling living alone in the city: family just simply isn't enough. I've never even truly had a relationship. With no idea where to start or how to even find a relationship, I really don't know what to do. Do you have any tips or advice on how to find love as an absolutely clueless man?
Signed, Mashida

Was signing off with an anagram a smart idea? No. But it's not as if there was any risk involved. There wasn't a single way for Jesse to know it was him.

Right?

That's when Hanzo regretted his decision. The "can-do" attitude he once had vanished quickly when the smooth talking Texan began to read his text mere seconds after he'd sent it. And yet, the only word that came to this baffled fool was so simple, he was sure anyone would have thought the same: "fuck."