The Only Exception

Chapter Two

"You're smiling a lot."

Eiji tells him as he quietly pockets his phone and proceeds to write down on his clipboard. He is checking the quality of the carpets he ordered, and so far he's been distracted by some WeChat messages from some kid .

It's been another hectic week since Junya and he started messaging each other in LINE and he has to admit, it never fails to put a smile on his face whenever his phone pings with a new notification. Despite their conversations being quick since both of them are busy and random, somehow, they never run out of topics to talk about.

Slowly, through the conversations, they reveal more details about themselves—their favorite things: food, movies, music. He found out Junya loves ramen and Xiaolongbao and loves action films and hates horror and suspense. He's a toy collector and one of his obsessions is LEGOs. They spent a good hour with Junya just sending him photos of the LEGOs he already has and LEGOs he plans to buy. He also loves the color green which coincidentally is the color scheme he has been working on in HJK Studio so he sends him photos of his mural designs. Junya, in turn, would send memes of himself looking so impressed.

Sometimes, they talk about how their day was, what happened at work... although Shohei notes Junya would be elusive once he would ask detailed questions about his work. He would just say same as always, my manager's been biting my head off. Shohei credits it to having a boring office job. Besides, Junya would always say how his job is so fun and exciting and Kita-san is just so cool.

"Just talking to someone." He says, feeling the phone vibrate again but ignores it because Eiji is still staring at him curiously.

"What?"

"Nothing." Eiji shakes his head, "Anyway, I just came in to tell you that the delivery of plants will be delayed for another five days."

"Again?" Shohei clicks his tongue in annoyance, "I thought they already found a supplier for the pencil cacti?"

"It's the vases they are worried about. I sent the photos to your email and they are god-awful ugly."

Shohei walks towards his table, to check on his laptop. He opens Eiji's email and almost rolls his eyes when he sees the suggestion of vases. They are not even close to the sketch he has made, "Can't they find someone else who can make what I ordered?"

"Already did. That's why it will take five more days for them to arrive."

Shohei gives Eiji a soft smile, "Thanks for being reliable. The kids are still working on the floors, right? So I think that's okay."

Eiji nods, then look around his table, "Are you not going out for lunch?"

Shohei shakes his head, "Not yet. I received some inquiries from this potential client and I haven't replied to that."

"Hmn... should I just buy you lunch then, before I head back to HJK?"

Shohei beams at him, "You're amazing, Eiji."

Eiji rolls his eyes at him before waving goodbye and walking out the door.

Shohei is answering a client's email, requesting a meeting next week when his phone vibrated again. He remembers Junya's unread message and picks up his phone to read.

>> Kita-san, how come you don't send selfies to me? I also want to see you.

>> Kita-san, I want to see you.

<< Junya-kun isn't it obvious?

<< It's because I am not as narcissistic as you.