Raison d'être

[ghordge]

Although he was pushed away, the sweet smell emanating from Masafumi's sexy nape have made Ryuichiro stand firm on the ground. He couldn't resist such tempting sight, keeping him unable to let go. His passion is being mirrored in his eyes.

 

He was about to say something naughty from his mind.

If you were just worried about these people looking at us, we could just just go somewhere private if that's what you mean.

His rationality was slowly drifting away from him.

But this time he didn't give in to temptation.

He didn't even utter a single word. Rather couldn't.

The extreme annoyed look from the other made him contain his senses.

 

That is not just a simple annoyed face he's making.

Something else is bothering him.

He's not his usual self.

For now, I must retreat.

 

He raised his hands up in surrender to the other.

"I give up."

Slowly closing the distance between his mouth and the other's ears, he whispered softly so only the two of them could hear.

 

"But remember this, Seijuro..."

There was a long pause, before he said the next line.

 

"I love you."

Then he turned away, put his hands on his pocket and returned to his office.

[gin]

Yet Ryuichiro was still standing like a post in there,

he was in deep thought.

Masafumi had rather stop guessing what's inside the other's head.

He was drawing closer, again, he noticed how huge their gap was.

Broader shoulders compared to him and on top of that a manly and

deeper voice against his, he was a formidable opponent in terms of manhood.

The man was envious to the other, in many ways....

 

 

I Love You

 

 

Three words had caused him to flinch.

Not sure if he was about to get flustered like a high school girl

or punch the guy for being so damn bold. In the end, he was

a little flustered hoping that the other won't notice it.

Afraid of Ryuicihiro's advances anymore, he decided to walk away.

 

Masafumi could not afford to let his parents wait for him.

In his current condition, he was confused to accept the omiai or not.

Angered by his inadequacy to gather some solutions,

he stomped his way outside the hall.

[ghordge]

He was about to lose his senses again.

 

Masafumi's smell really lures me in.

Just a bit more and I could kiss those tender lips.

And just a bit more, I could give him another reason to dislike me.

But he is a bit strange.

Must be because of the call he got.

Just what could that be?

 

He though to himself as he was circling around his dark moon-illuminated office like an idiot.

 

Its as if he has forgotten the reason he returned.

 

Thud! Crash!

The sound of the can he accidentally kicked.

Reality struck him like lightning as he felt the pain inflicted by the can.

 

"Shit! Damn it! I almost forgot these!"

 

He hastily separated the documents from the rubbish.

He shove everything that was in the previous envelope into a new one,

since he already tossed it somewhere in the room and couldn't find it,

and everything else was thrown in the trash bin.

 

He then retrieved his stuffs and ready to go home

 

"This thing is giving me a headache beyond comprehension!"

raised the documents he just arranged, as he was about to throw it again.

But remembering his efforts, he shove it in his bag.

 

"Whoever's behind this mess is gonna pay!"

 

Agitated by the turn of events that day, he slammed his door behind him and headed towards the parking lot.

[gin]

Arriving at his parents humble abode brings back memories.

It was an old mansion at a certain mountain, he could remember the days he spent all alone in that huge house.

Reminiscing, he opened the gate and parked inside his car.

 

Huge as ever--- he thought, walking at the rose garden.

 

Masafumi saw his mother at the balcony waving at him.

 

"A lady at his 50's should stay inside her room," he shouted, running inside their house.

The woman just laughed and returned to her room.

His mother and father greeted him like a celebrity, they've missed their son so much.

 

"Seijuro..." his mother gave him a warm hug while his father smiled at their back.

 

The both of them need to talk, his mother then went back to the kitchen to prepare them some refreshments.

 

Removing his coat, he looked at his dad.

"I'll attend the omiai," Masafumi got to the topic immediately.

"Well glad to hear that, son." his father drew a slight smile on his face and patted the back of his son.

 

Masafumi had to sleep over and had his great family bonding time with them.

Though his parents did misunderstand him on the omiai part.

He's willing to attend but when he'll see the girl--he'll decline the offer politely.

[ghordge]

Upon entering his luxurious condo unit in the middle of the city,

he lazily walked towards the kitchen and got himself a can of cold beer.

He went to the living room straight to the biggest window in his home over looking the city.

Head lights, street lights, colorful lights of shops, billboards --city lights from below, made the view breathtaking.

Simply relaxing. So peaceful, you can forget all your troubles.

Temporarily forgetting all the upsetting events that happened that day,

he silently watched the lights dance around his eyes, as he enjoy the cold drink on his hand.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

The next day in the office is nothing as peaceful as the night he spent.

Rumors started spreading like wild fire in the forest.

 

"Did you know that somebody was leaking information from the inside?"

 

"Ehh? Really, that's just....bad. "

 

"The catch is Masafumi-san is the one who did it..."

 

"Oohh. So it seems."

 

"Maybe because he really, really hated Ryuichiro-souchou."

 

Upon hearing everything that they were talking about, he glared at them as if an x-ray beam was tearing them apart.

The girls scrammed at the sight of their boss.

 

"Those stupid girls, what are they thinking spreading rumors like that!" Ryuichiro hissed at his secretary.

 

"Sir, calm down. You don't have to be so angry early in the morning."

 

Gritting his teeth, he ignored the other's remark and proceeded to his office walking as fast as he could.

 

[gin]

Spent his whole night together with his parents, he had his energy gone full-charged.

He had no time to spare, he immediately went downstairs and prepared his belongings.

Bidding his parents goodbye, he left the place.

 

"Be sure to come here again, Seijuro."

 

His mother was waving at him forcing some smile, looking at

his son leaving the place was not really a good memory to deal with.

 

Arriving at their company, noticed, he wondered why

the office clerks were moving away from him.

Giving those suspicious looks he had never experienced

before made him lowered his head.

He was not that sure if this was caused by the scene yesterday at the cafeteria.

Masafumi had sworn not to be disturbed by those piercing stares.

He ignored...went to his office....sat on his chair

 

 

He waited for afternoon to arrive, he wanted a space to breathe---away from those nasty looks.

 

"An unknown ruckus---then an omiai, seems that bad luck is sticking so close to me."

He mumbled to himself, leaning on his office chair.

[ghordge]

He stomped his way in. Slammed the door shut. Total silence followed.

Its as if their floor became a ghost town. Nobody was saying a single word.

This was the only time that they've seen their president so angry.

 

"So the rumors must be true then."

 

"I think so too."

 

"Does Masafumi-san already know what's happening?"

 

"We saw him a while ago. He seemed to be a little lethargic."

 

...

 

Ryuichiro could again hear his employees buzzing.

 

"Well, I'll just have to prove Masafumi's innocence then."

He called out his secretary and asked, "Do I still have a lot of work to be done by this afternoon?"

 

"I believe there is none sir, you've already finished everything, yesterday afternoon,"

the secretary answered politely, as if the event yesterday was long forgotten.

 

"Then I could free use my afternoon as I desired, is that correct?"

 

The other nodded in agreement.

 

"You may go now. Thank you. Oh, and by the way, if anybody says they're looking for me, tell them 'I'm busy at the moment so I'll entertain them some other time.' And one last thing, would you do me a favor and find out who sent the envelope yesterday. I trust your skills, you would be able to provide me a lead." Ryuichiro plainly stated.

 

"Certainly, Sir. Well then, Please excuse me."

 

"Now let's get down to business."

He then reached out to the envelope containing the documents from yesterday and started rereading the contents down to every little detail.

[gin]

Looking outside, he could see all his subordinates staring at him in a different way.

 

What the hell's wrong with them??

 

Tapping his thumb on the desk impatiently, he was at his wits end.

Looking at the clock, he gasped.

He was almost late for the omiai, again he forgot.

He tried to look good and slicked his hair---chose the best formal attire he had in his office

and immediately left his room.

 

The people was surprised by his looks, astounded, all of them stared.

They we're not sure if they're about to talk about the leakage

thing or his gorgeousness--still they're backbiting.

 

He was used to the limelight, as if he could care every bits of those backstabbing.

The vice-president, in the end, never lose his cool.

 

Masafumi was out in the office without asking permission to the president.

He was still anxious about yesterday---much worse if he can see him.

 

 

Arriving at a certain luxurious hotel's restaurant, he immediately

searched the girl who befitted the image on the folder.

She was gorgeous and stunning.

He knew that she was one of a kind, but he was bound

to decline this marriage proposal or so.

At last, Masafumi saw the lady, waiting patiently for his arrival.

 

"Excuse me, you're Claire Ichinomiya, right?" patting gently the lady's shoulder, he asked.

 

"Yes I am, Ichinomiya," the lady turned his head to Masafumi, blushing.

 

Masafumi smiled and sat at the opposite chair, looking at her.

His gaze was piercing, the usual Masafumi was nowhere to be found.

Replaced by a gentleman who smiles to the other cheerfully.

The lady just bashfully stare at him and blushed.

They started chatting with each other, trying to get used to each other's existence.

[ghordge]

The buzzing--rather roaring of his subordinates outside made him so annoyed,

he even get off his chair to take a look at it.

 

"What's all the commotion going on?"

he hissed as his busy-searching-for-clues secretary,

with such an irritated look on his face.

 

Nothing much Sir, we happened to witness Masafumi-san going out with such an extravagant attire,

and they were just talking about how gorgeous looking Masafumi-san is.

 

As expected of Seijuro.

His looks and his appearance never fail to attract anybody's attention.

Too bad he has such a twisted personality.

...

But wait a minute, she said he was going out?

Damn bastard, he didn't even tell me that he's leaving early.

But now is my chance to snoop around.

 

While the tension haven't gone down, he silently went to Masafumi's office.

He noticed that the knob wasn't locked so he slid inside effortlessly.

[gin]

I'll gladly take her as my wife--if I was ready.

 

 

The thought just made him shook his head, while the lady stared at him, worried.

Masafumi, disregarding of his looks, believe that marriage must be planned properly.

LOVE---must be searched and not to be arranged nor forced down unto you.

Such a way of thinking made Masafumi look like a cherry boy on the inside.

Thank God, no one knows this principle of his.

Or maybe he had his v-card* intact that's why he had such a lame assumption.

 

 

It took him a time to divert at the main reason as to why he was there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*v-card : virginity

[ghordge]

The tension of being caught was rising, as Ryuichiro carefully searched Masafumi's PC for clues.

Hacking was one of Ryuichiro's specialty.

Although he doesn't look like it, he was really good at it.

Using the clues he got from investigating the documents thoroughly,

he checked every nook and cranny of his VP's PC.

Disappointingly, he couldn't find anything.

The only thing he discovered was the documents were sent to his email but deleted immediately,

printed in this same room, nothing more.

 

Roaming around the room in hope of finding more clues, he noticed an oddly placed folder on the shelf.

The thing was not unfamiliar to his eyes. This must be an omiai candidate.

Due to his shock, the thing fell off from his trembling hand.

It landed open on the ground and picture of a beautiful lady was displayed.

 

Calm down, calm down.

This is just a candidate.

But she really is a beauty, wouldn't refuse it if it was me.

 

Then he realized that this was the reason for Masafumi's disappearance that afternoon.

He slowly reached for his cellphone and unconsciously dialed Masafumi's number.

 

[gin]

Claire was a good companion, comfortable to be with and had a good humor as well.

Both of them had a great time together while dining.

Though Masafumi already explained to her that he was about to

decline the engagement, luckily Claire understands his refusal.

Claire was a good and understanding lady befitted for Masafumi, too bad he declined.

 

"I would like to meet you sometime if you want----but well just friends though," Claire suggested, chuckling a little. She had an intention to know more about the other.

 

"I'm so sorry for the engagement refusal but I don't mind meeting you anytime. Er---to make up for it, I guess." Masafumi cleared his throat and stared at the lady.

 

The both of them had a good conversation that he was not able to notice Ryuichiro's sudden call.

[ghordge]

Please answer it.

Answer it.

Answer it!

Don't ignore me!

 

He dialed several times.

But each time, the only voice he would hear was that of the operator's.

 

He went back to his office soulless.

Everything turned black before his eyes.

The earth seemed to be crumbling beneath his feet.

 

His soul was suddenly pulled back to reality by the sound of knocking on his office's door.

Its no use thinking about this things right now.

I've got pull myself together.

He slapped his face about twice the he said,

"Come in. What s it?"

 

"Another set of documents arrived when you were out of your room," she said as she handed documents in a tightly sealed envelope."And this were the ones I've found, " she stated as she give out a piece of paper.

 

"Thank you. Please keep these," he raised the papers that was given to him, "between the TWO OF US only. You may go now."

[gin]

Masafumi bid his farewell to the lady and left the place.

The vice-president decided to return to the office, he had to finish re-checking the income statements.

 

Messing his hair, he dropped himself at the couch in his office.

Sighing deeply Masafumi tried to check his phone--important emails and calls.

In his bewildered state, he saw Ryuichiro's name written repeatedly in his call log.

Scratching his head he immediately went to the president's office to ask about that matter.

 

Ryuichiro could see Masafumi getting closer to his office.

 

"Pres, what's with the call??" he asked immediately and approached the president's table.

 

Noticing that the other was frowning or somewhat giving him

the "why-are-you-here-look" made him step backwards.

Even the president was having the stares that

were no different from the office workers.

 

What's wrong with this people??

 

In dismay, he sighed.

[ghordge]

I don't want to see him for the time being.

I don't even know what to say.

For now, i just have to know who this damn bastard is, trying to ruin all my hard work.

 

He was about to go to the Research and Development Department,

when he saw Masafumi approaching him in a hurry.

Why now of all times!

His feeling of anxiousness was clearly stated on his expression.

Trying to hide what he truly feels at the moment,

he started blabbering about things he would have regretted saying.

 

What a surprise! For you to come looking for me on your own, are you that worried that i won't do my job?

 

What the hell am I saying!!

 

Take a look, I'm doing my job like a good boss should.

 

Damn it! Stop talking!

 

By the way, how was the OMIAI? Did you have fun meeting with your prospective wife,

while you leave your boss working his ass off?!

 

He held his forehead, and turned away from the sight of Masafumi.

Tears suddenly flowing on his face.

 

[gin]

Staring at the listless face of his boss made him more confused.

Masafumi was about to ask a question when his boss had started to fire up a statement.

 

"What a surprise! For you to come looking for me on your own,

are you that worried that i won't do my job?"

 

Why was he blabbering non-sense? Was he trying to dig his grave.

Masafumi would not throw one of his usual statements when the boss was not in the mood.

In the end his mouth would not stop spouting sarcastic remarks.

 

"Oh stop it boss--I was not that concern, really.

Good job then! Glad that our sales will improve--as expected with our 'boss'."

 

He stated in monotone, trying to be sarcastic as possible.

He did just add fuel to fire to make matters worse the other was exclaiming something again.

 

By the way, how was the OMIAI?

Did you have fun meeting with your prospective wife,

while you leave your boss working his ass off?!

 

"What?? how did you---," cut-short by his surprise.

 

He wondered how Ryuichiro knew about the omiai, only his parents knew about this.

One thing he had in mind---the other was poking his nose.

 

"Did you went to my office??

I did put the planner there?

What are you doing there??

Is prying your hobby now???

Why won't you cut it out~!! IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINE----."

 

He stopped bombarding him with questions when he saw Ryuichiro's tears.

He was like a deer in the headlights, he just stared

at the other not knowing of what to do.

 

Why the hell was a man crying?

 

 

Though one things for sure...

he did felt a sharp pain in his chest seeing his boss cry in front of him.

[ghordge]

He has never been embarrassed his whole life.

A crying adult, a man to boot. In front of another man.

He couldn't contain all of his emotions anymore.

Those tears helped to uplift his spirits.

 

By the time he raised his head just so he could face Masafumi directly,

he was there, rooted on the spot, dumbfounded.

As he approached the other, he extended his arms so he could embrace him.

 

He patted Masafumi's head gently, and whispered softly in his ears, "I love you."

He felt Masafumi's muscles twitch under his warm tight clasp.

"I'll keep on repeating it over and over again, if you still don't get it."

"You're the only one for me. Nobody else could replace your existence in my heart."

 

The burning passion is reflected in his eyes,

as he lift Masafumi's chin so they could directly stare at each other.

He slowly closes the distance between their parted lips

and felt no resistance from the other so he continued.

In the next few seconds, they were kissing so fervently.

[gin]

He wanted to calm the other but he don't know what to do.

He was just standing there, no words were blurted from his mouth anymore.

Ryuichiro approached at him,

though he knew what would be the next move,

he just could not afford to leave him alone.

 

I love you...

 

Those three words resonated on his mind.

Hearing his straight-from-the-heart confession,

Masafumi could not tell what he was feeling at the moment.

 

Though the other showered him with confession,

he on the other hand was just staring blankly into space.

Ryuichiro gently pressed his lips to the other.

Strange as it may be, Masafumi had no ounce of strength to push the other back.

All he could do was grip tightly at the other's shirt.

 

"Mfff-----" gathering air to breathe, finally, he pushed Ryuichiro.

 

"There are tons of ladies out there--- why kiss a man? Or are you GAY!!? HUH!!" wiping his lips he glared at the other.

[ghordge]

He wasn't even thinking to that extent.

He knows he wasn't gay.

All he just wanted is to be with Masafumi.

Whether he was male, has nothing to do with what he feels.

 

Love. Has no boundaries. It is limitless.

Gender doesn't matter. That's just what society thinks. What they dictates. Just a mere classification.

Who the hell said that the only person you could dedicate yourself should be from the opposite sex anyways?

 

Shocked by the sudden outburst of the other and from what he has done, stepped back.

"Honestly I don't know. All I ever wanted is you. From that time, I have thought of nobody else but you."

He was trying hard to gather words that could explain what he feels in detail.

But couldn't find the right ones that truly contains the message he wanted across.

 

"Why won't you believe me? The words I say. The actions I do.

Doesn't it show how much I feel for you?"

"What should I do so you'll accept my feelings?"

 

[gin]

"Why won't you believe me?

The words I say.

The actions I do.

Doesn't it show how much I feel for you?"

"What should I do so you'll accept my feelings?"

 

 

"How the hell would I know how to answer that!!??" he exclaimed.

 

Shrugging his shoulders, Masafumi was even more confused.

He deliberately shook his head, you could see from his befuddled

face that he was not catching what the other was saying anymore.

 

"Well believe me pres. I'm not a romantic person......"

 

"Hmmm.. I don't mind helping you search for a girl..the pretty ones, right? haha," he continued.

 

He tried to divert the topic and joked around but it seems

the president was so serious about this love confession of his.

[ghordge]

So it comes down to this.

After all the courage I mustered up just to confess to him.

All he was able to say is some lame a joke about a woman!

 

"So you couldn't even take me seriously." he mumbled sulking.

"Could you please leave me. I don't want to see your face for a while."

 

So my first love resulted to this.

Ahhh! This is depressing!

I'm going to drink! I'm gonna get drunk and drown away all my sorrows.

 

He returned to his seat and pretended to arrange some documents.

He could still see Masafumi standing in front of him but chose not to utter a single word.

[gin]

The vice-president left the place immediately.

Ryuichiro was distraught of what Masafumi said.

Masafumi never intended to hurt the other, he did misinterpret

the boss confession as a joke but he did not mean to hurt him.

 

He retired to his office and slammed his body in the couch.

A leisure walk to the pres' office ended as a troublesome event--what a dismay!.

 

Kicking the table he did not notice that the vase was falling.

Shattered into pieces he tried to pick the broken glasses.

He was accidentally scratched by the tiny piece of glass, Masafumi flinched.

 

"DAMN THIS DAY!!!" he blurted out.

 

He was not sure if he was angered by

the wound from the broken glass or by the boss not wanting to see him.

Sure anger was contagious....

[ghordge]

He packed his stuff quickly and headed outside his room.

Staying inside would just remind him of the bitter things that happened that day.

 

"I'm leaving early for the day.

Give me a list of everything that needs to be done when i get to work tomorrow.

I'll just make it up to you when i get back," he reminded his secretary.

 

"Understood Sir, Please be careful on your way."

 

Ryuichiro just waved in response to her.

In a few seconds he was already in the parking lot.

Walking alone in a deserted place only reminded him of Masafumi's words.

 

Hmmm.. I don't mind helping you search for a girl..the pretty ones, right?

 

Do I look like that kind of person to him? Damn it!

First, somebody was leaking information and using it against me!

Second, Masafumi's meeting with some other girl I don't even know!

And lastly, I was turned down by him!!

What else could make my day any worse than it is?!

 

He threw his bag inside the car. Slammed the door shut! And drove away as fast as it could, screeching its tires.

As he turned to a corner going to the bar he frequents, he saw a man crossing the streets.

So he steered the car away from the person. The car was swiveling round and round, leaving tire-marks on the pavements until he crashed on a lamppost.

 

People were gathering around the smashed car.

Murmuring, chattering as if they were watching a show.

 

The windshield was broken. The side mirrors were crushed to a million pieces. The hood had a large dent. The headlights were blinking uncontrollably. The bumper fell off. The gasoline was leaking. and the engine was smoking. His car was beyond repair. And the driver inside the car was literally bathing in his own blood.

[gin]

Masafumi called his helper that frequents at his condo.

He ordered the old lady to feed Shiro because he don't want to go home.

 

Since he never like liquors, he decided to go to a 5-star hotel just to dine-in.

As he was on his way to the place, he's thoughts are full of the president's reaction.

 

"I made him that angry----tch," Mumbling to himself he gritted his teeth.

 

That was the first time he saw Ryuichiro that aggravated.

Masafumi thought that the other don't know how to get angry--that's why he's

bullying the other as always.

 

"Why's there traffic here??" he stretched his body to see what's ahead.

He could here the honking of the other cars.

The crowd were gathering at a lumped car.

By looking at it, he noticed that it's brand and color were familiar.

 

No--no it can't be

 

Shooking his head hoping his intuition was not right.

The ambulance arrived and slowly lifted the man covered in blood.

 

Ryui--ichiro....

 

Masafumi left his car immediately and dashed towards the team of rescuers.

He could go to hysteria seeing Ryuuichiro covered in blood.

 

"I'll go with you, the man's my friend," he stated to the rescuers.

 

He entered inside the ambulance and hold tightly the hand of the other.

He could not control his shaking--seeing his boss injured badly.

 

"Oh please---tch*" with a worried face he squeezed his hand tightly unto the other.

[ghordge]

Am I dead?

What happened?

Ah. I was driving. And then?

 

He was standing. Alone. In a space filled with unending darkness.

He started walking. Walking... Walking...

For several hours, he was walking. Wandering around that empty void.

 

Where the hell am I?

 

It was getting even colder.

He stopped for a second and think about what happened earlier.

 

I remember I was going to Shinjuku to get something to drink.

Ah! I lost control of the car when trying keep away from the man crossing the street.

 

He couldn't feel his hands and feet.

They were getting numb from the coldness.

Its as if he was frozen from the spot where he was standing.

 

"Hahaha! I guess its my time. I haven't even gotten the heart of the man I loved."

He closed his eyes in surrender to the numbing feeling that is spreading on his entire body.

Its as if this was the only thing he could do.

 

Suddenly he felt warmth.

It was coming from his hand crawling through his body.

Dispelling the coldness he felt earlier.

That warmth gave him a peaceful feeling as he saw a vision of Masafumi on his side.

 

You don't have to look so worried.

You're eyebrows are meeting again.

 

He extended his arm and gently caressed the face of the man he truly loved.

Savoring the warm feeling he gives off.

 

"I wish you could be gentle as this when we're in the office."

 

Feeling relief, he turned in to a deep slumber.