Under the Umbrella

Chapter 13

﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋

Flowers bloom beautifully in the spring, meaning it's the start of new beginnings. However, if a flower blooms during the winter, sprouting out despite the snow. It means hope that life can live in the area once more.

It was like that for Mikey. [Name] brought hope to his life after so many years, yet he still had his doubts. Fortunately for him, their friendship started to grow. From a seedling to a sprout. However, he still couldn't help but feel love for the girl.

He saw the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about something she loved, the way they showed determination when she stood up for someone at the mall. Don't get him started on her smile, a ray of beautiful sunshine, yet soft and gentle to look at. Her touch felt soft and he craved for more.

Even so, he couldn't help but wonder what the reason could be for the sadness she held in her expression whenever she talked about her family. His heart just broke whenever her tone would go down, her expression became sad. He could care less if this was just another person, but she wasn't.

On the other hand, [Name] felt relieved and ever so joyful of not being alone anymore. If anyone would ask, she would say she didn't mind. But the truth? She wanted a friend, outside the workplace. Then again, she was afraid to let anyone get close to her. Whatever it could be, she didn't want to lose anyone else.

Until she met Mikey, she was hesitant at first. Yet she was unknowingly desperate. In the end, she was ever so thankful to have a friend such as him. Though he didn't speak much, she knew he would listen.

Nonetheless, there was still this drift between the two. Unsaid feelings on one side, insecurities on both, secrets were kept. But their friendship continued to grow and the both were content with the way things were going.

[Name] usually goes out with Mikey every other day after work, as often as they could. Sanzu wasn't happy at all with the extra work given to him in his boss's absence. The whole of Bonten would wonder what happened to their once ruthless leader. Although, he would allow some executives to watch him from afar. Only to promise they would never lay a hand on the girl.

The evening was calm and cold, days passed as quickly as the wind could blow. Work was tiring, they two were exhausted. Even so, they still continued to stare at the white screen and the words that flowed through it. One of the things they had in common was being workaholics. Nonetheless, they still hold their differences. [Name] worked to earn a living while Mikey did everything he could to stay on top.

A loud bang was heard outside Mikey's office, in annoyance he made his way to the door. Sanzu was playing with his gun once again, the aroma of alcohol was faint on him. Kakucho was there, trying to get him to calm down. Unfortunately for him, the strawberry-blonde has also taken one of his pills again.

"Mikey~," he said in a singsong voice, stumbling over his steps, "Where is [Surname]-san? You know if you're bored, you can hand her over to me. I'll take good care of her." He chuckled maniacally, his eyes stared at the black emotionless ones of his boss who stood before him.

Or so he thought. A huge rush of pain came over him, his head throbbed from the sudden impact. Kakucho tried to calm Mikey down before another punch landed on Sanzu's face. The man was on the ground, his nose bleeding. What else could this maniac do, but smile?

Their boss was furious with his tone of voice when he dared to utter his suggestion. He did everything he could to protect [Name] and will continue to do so. For he, too, could not risk losing someone like her again.

"Shut your damn mouth, Sanzu," Kakucho stated after getting Mikey to go back to his office. He didn't want anyone hurting each other, or rather his boss. What could he do if he has failed another one?

"I didn't even say anything Kaku-chan." The latter chuffed, following Mikey back to his office. Sanzu stood up from the ground, grabbing a handkerchief from his suit pocket.

It was the first time in a long time that the two have witnessed their boss being jealous and overprotective. He only ever showed this side of him to those whom he held very close to his heart. Even as years have passed, maybe some old habits are resurfacing.

The more their friendship bloomed, the stronger their feelings became to one another. Growing attached to each other's presence. Who knows if they would regret it later on?