Chapter 22: Love Is A Bonus
Osamu followed you like a lost puppy as you maneuvered the building, walking towards the elevator as you tapped at the floor above you.
It was as awkward as just about anyone would suspect. Your e/c eyes were fixed forwards on the door as Osamu stood a bit away from you, his lips parting to speak before he immediately shut them, hesitant to talk to you.
"You're so tense. Loosen up."
Your voice was firm and sharp as you spoke.
"Right," Osamu mumbled under his breath, letting his shoulders droop at your words, "Did you know that we were partners before today?"
"... Itsuki told me yesterday," You replied, watching as the door slid open, you stepped out, Osamu following after you, "The photographer for studio #10 is running late today, so we need to wait for her."
"Yeah, that's fine," He shrugged, and you sat down a desk where he took the seat across from you, the distance between you a good few meters, "Y-Ya look great by the way."
Osamu knew he might've made a mistake when your brows slightly furrowed, eyes narrowing in on the grey haired male before you mentally sighed.
"Thanks," You shrugged in reply, grabbing your school bag and pulling out your computer, hitting the power button as the screen immediately lit up, your tabs just the way you had left them. Typing away at your screen, you skimmed over your answer for your English assignment before moving onto the next question, the sounds of your fingers quickly tapping the keyboard being the only sound in the empty studio.
"What're ya doing?"
He was trying to make conversation.
And it was only making matters worse.
"Homework."
"Which subject?"
"English."
"Already?" Osamu slightly frowned, "I haven't started."
"You better get on it," You responded, continuing to type away at the computer, "It's due tomorrow."
"I know," He sulked, leaning back in his seat as your eyes darted around the screen in a lazy concentration, "Um, about Thur-"
"I'm here!"
A woman in her mid 30's appeared from the elevator, hair up in a ponytail as she wandered towards you, "Sorry to keep you both waiting."
You shot her a polite smile, shutting your laptop close as you placed it back in your bag, standing up from your seat, "It's not a problem."
"So, here we have (Name) and...., Miya Osamu," She smiled, "Ooh lucky pair!"
Lucky pair?
"Okay," She motioned towards the white screen that stood in front of a camera, "(Name) is already changed and ready. Osamu, I need you to go to the changeroom and change into the outfit that should be there. (Name) can you help him find it?"
"He doesn't need a babysitter," You jokingly frowned before standing up from your seat, "But fine. This way, Osamu."
He nodded, following after you as he finally got a chance to examine your outfit. Heavy black boots paired with a plain shirt and trench coat, and tight black pants to match it as a gold necklace dangled from your neck.
You looked good- to say the least. But the outfit you wore made him wonder what his own would look like. After all, how did a partnered photoshoot even work?!
"This is the changeroom," You spoke aloud, walking into a room as you were met with bright lights and a plain, red wall, the room filled with different outfits and desks with makeup and accessories all about. You walked towards one of the desks, reading the tag before continuing, "And this is your outfit."
"Thanks," He nodded, taking the clothing from your hands as you handed him the outfit, which he quickly glanced over, "... I'm wearing this?"
It was a plain white shirt, black dress pants and black shoes.
"And the final piece that brings it all together," You turned around, taking another trench coat off of the rack and handing it to him, "Is this."
"Are we promoting trench coats or something?"
"Mmhm," You replied, "Sorry if you don't like black. It's the only colour they had."
"It's fine," He shrugged as you began walking out of the room.
"Then come back to the studio after you change."
~
"Perfect, you two!" The photographer grinned, flicking through the photos in her camera, "Let's take a quick lunch break?"
"Sure," You nodded, "Be back in an hour?"
"Sounds good to me," She reached for her bag before walking to the elevator and going down a few levels, as you and Osamu followed after her. The ride was filled with small talk before the woman got down on one of the lower floors, you reached the main floor. Turning to face Osamu, you spoke.
"Wanna go to the nearby café with me?"
"S-"
"But I might as well mention...," You slightly mumbled before turning away from him, "I just mean it in like a friendly way. Nothing else. I promise."
".... I know," Osamu hesitantly replied, "But sure. Let's go."
Walking outside, Osamu walked beside you as you glanced down at your phone. A black car pulled up before you, and you got into the back seat where Osamu went on the other side.
"Where to, (L.Name)?"
"The café a few blocks from here," You replied and he nodded, starting to drive as Osamu looked over at you.
"Should we really be going to a café in these?"
"I do it all the time," You blinked, "But just leave the trench in here, then."
~
The steam of your caffeinated drink slowly rose into the air as you sat across from Osamu, your phone in hand as you scrolled through social media, seeing that there was nothing better to do.
Osamu on the other hand nervously bit at the inside of his cheek as he stared down hard at the coffee in his hands.
"Why are you staring at the coffee like it threatened to kill you?"
The joking comment was suddenly said, slightly catching the grey haired male off guard as he looked up to face you. You took a sip of your drink, your phone now placed face down on the table.
"Was I?" He slightly chuckled, "My bad."
"Mmhm."
"I was just wondering," He spoke up, the words coming out slowly and carefully, "About... Thursday."
Your face threatened to grimace at the mention, but you refused to let it do so.
"What about?"
"I never really got the chance to explain myself."
"You don't have to explain yourself," You grumbled, picking up your phone again and simply staring at it to avoid making eye contact with the male, "I already got it."
"But you don't," He replied shortly, a brow quirked as he spoke.
"What do you mean?"
"I..." His breathing hitchened, "I like you. I have for a while now."
"... Okay?"
"But I just can't. For personal reasons."
"Personal reasons?" You almost scoffed at the words, "I doubt you'd tell me, huh?"
Osamu remained silent, avoiding the question before he changed the topic. "Ya know, I thought you'd be more mad."
"I was never mad," You replied, turning away from him to glance out the window, "I was more... upset. You confused me. Your words said one thing, but then your actions say another. To be honest, I'm still a bit stuck up on it."
"I see...."
"But....," You leaned back in your chair, taking a sip of your drink. The air around the table grew cold as your gaze remained fixed on the contents of your cup. "I didn't come to Japan to find love or whatever this is. I came here for a job, so maybe I should be thanking you."
The words rolled off your tongue, and Osamu was hesitant to continue talking. "And... if ya did, by chance end up finding 'love or whatever'...?"
"Then I guess that's just a bonus."
Osamu remained silent at your words.
"But, there's no point in getting mad over any of it," You rested your chin into the palm of your hand, "Let's just move past it?"
"... Let's."
Osamu recalled when others had confessed to him in the past and he had to reject them- they didn't get over it. They refused to look at him, and one even broke into tears at the sight of him.
You on the other hand sat there in front of him, willingly talking to him and inviting him to go with you.
From a third person's point of view, you looked fine.
But Osamu could see past the facade, and frowned as he recognized the melancholy expression that lingered on your face.