Holding you closer than most

Chapter 2: Rule number one

"And if you're still breathing, you're the lucky ones.

Cause most of us are heaving through corrupted lungs.

Setting fire to our insides for fun.

Collecting names of the lovers that went wrong..

The lovers that went wrong.."-Youth by daughter

Takano, secretly irritated, stared at the children before him as they play on the circler, brown carpet that hugged the tile floor. Their backpacks lay behind them, leaning closer to the chocolate covered desk he presumed was their father's. The raven continuously wondered what he had to do exactly. Did he simply sit and 'watch them?' The thought confused him profoundly. It was certainly an unwavering idea, but nonetheless, he did not like the way he was told 'don't screw up.' This was an editing job! And he was a very special, intuitive, talented man. He was the best of the best. He was one of the top notch editors in Japan. He took this job because Onodera Publishing was not only successful, but well-known. And this could boost his career even more so. People knew his name in the business. But why not have them know it on the bustling streets of Tokyo? This was an extraordinary opportunity to fulfill this success. But he wouldn't be able to take hold of those possibilities if he was watching the CEO's bratty-looking children.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Takano felt a small tug at his denim jeans. Brown, amber eyes glanced below, spotting the girl of the identical children, Staring up at him with big, round, green eyes. Her emeralds were a dark shade of green, almost grass green. And her hair was a light, tanned brown, tied back in a braid that rested on the nape of her neck. Her small, slightly stubby fingers wrapped curiously around his pants, indicating that she wanted his attention. Reluctantly, he fought the urge to push her gently away, and speak in the most mollifying* tone he could muster.

"What is it?" He continued to study her with a poker face, awaiting for whatever the young girl had to say. Her cheeks lit up in a small, light pink, as she smiled at the expressionless face before her.

"Jiisan*, I have to go to the bathroom." Mitsu, still holding onto Takano's pant leg, took hold of his other with her free hand. "I really gotta go." The raven sighed internally, lips forming a thin line together. 'She's only a child, Masamune. Get hold of yourself.' He took an inaudible sigh to himself, thinking of what he should be doing to help solve her problem.

"Then I suggest you go." He suggested, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world. And indeed, it was. However, seeing that she had never removed her tight grip on his jeans, she would be asking his company to the destination, he assumed.

"But I can't go alone." 'Bingo.' "Papa always stands by the door to wait for me. Will you stand by the door to wait for me to Jiisan?" Takano stood somewhat baffled and internally embarrassed at the request, but decided against fighting the bonus points he'd be earning if he was able to get he children to adore him.

"I suppose so.."

Ritsu sat with his legs crossed, his left foot bobbing up and down for train of thought to swivel around in his head. He read through a set of papers, crossing off possible mistakes or downfalls his company could head to. His job as a CEO and authority over his father's company was intimidating. And yet, beneath his skin, he preferred work over being a widowed father. Balancing authority and power over love and discipline was never to be an easy task. He loved his children; he loved them more than any father really would, but all the while, he mourns for his deceased wife. Though no one but herself knew, he did not love her. He could not bring himself to love her as she loved him. Perhaps he loved her because she loved and adored him. He loved her, but he was not in love with her. An was like a coffee cup. Beautiful. Exquisite. A unique and undeniable design, but there was no passion between them. No heat exchanged. For An, she had personally told him several times that just being near the brunette made her heart race and ache with yearning. She held him if and whenever he allowed her to, without fault, she had never betrayed or strayed from being the perfect wife for him. He mourned for her as his sister, as his friend, as the mother of his children, but never could he mourn for her as his wife.

And perhaps that was why he mourned for her.

He mourned because he couldn't mourn for her. And the thought simply made him all the more disgusted with himself.

"Onodera-Sama, We've made a list of all the possible drafts that could be used, as you asked. Would you like to see them now?" One of the editor and chiefs held a piece of paper in the air, holding it out to Ritsu's direction as he quietly took them.

"Also, the Manga Department had a request for the next meeting to discuss the amount of copies to go on sale this next week." Another staff member flipped through a planner, scanning for openings in his schedule. Ritsu hummed in reply, setting down all the papers and files in his hands.

"I'll let my new personal assistant take care of the arrangements." The staff in the room looked at one another, silently whispering unanswered questions with their eyes.

"Um, Onodera-Sama," One woman dared to speak up, "Who is the new assistant?"

"Just some man unprepared for hell." Ritsu organized his items into a neat pile. The others quickly exchanged glances once again, some shrugging and some excited for the new member soon to join their depths of despair in the business. They all knew what happened to the last assistant….

Ritsu caught sight of his staffs' attention wandering. He sat upright, folding his hands in front of him. "Well, that concludes our meeting. Any questions before I leave?"

Mitsu stood on her tippy toes over the marble sink, washing her small hands in the warm water that streamed out. She hummed a light tune, before drying her hands on some paper towels and exiting the bathroom. There, leaning against the wall, stood her new Jiisan. "Jiisan!~" She sung out, skipping towards his direction before seeing her father come out of a nearby room. "PAPA!" Mitsu ran towards her father, jumping straight into his arms, and completely forgetting about her Jiisan who was now taken by surprise.

"Mitsu, what are you doing out here by yourself?" Ritsu held her with a concerned face. Mitsu shook her head, holding her father's cheeks in her hands.

"Papa, Jiisan waited for me right there." She said happily, pointing towards Takano, who was now standing few feet away. "I had to go to the bathroom, and Jiisan took me." Ritsu raised his brows, nodding in a distinct impression of the new hire.

"You don't say?" He mumbled to himself, somewhat lost in thought once again. Mitsu pulled her hands from her father's face as he set her down, telling her to go back to the office to get ready for school. He stood there momentarily, before turning to Takano who stood quietly near. "Sorry for making you watch them all of a sudden. You're name was Takano Masamune correct?" Takano nodded with a blank expression,

"Yes, that's me." Ritsu thought for a second, before checking his watch.

"Well, we have time to discuss your future here if you're still up for the job."

"I'd appreciate that Onodera-Sama."

…

…

…

"So tell me, Takano-san, how long have you been an editor?" Ritsu read over the application papers, taking small notes on the side.

"I've been an editor for 5, almost 6 years. I previously worked for the magazine 'Earth' before leaving for certain reasons."

"I see. Well, as I must ask, what do you expect to get out of working here? And why do you think that you are any better than the next guy in line?" Ritsu folded his hands in front of him, only wanting to hear one answer. It wasn't that he expected his employees to be perfect. In fact, he would prefer them to be the humans that they are.

"I expect to boost my career and create more success under my belt. I'm not perfect, but I think I'm damn near when it comes to my job." Ritsu raised an eyebrow, staring into the amber eyes that secretly intimidated him.

"Damn near perfect huh?"

"…" Takano stared into the emerald eyes across from him-oddly enough, he had this thumping in his chest that wouldn't go away.

"Well, I already have a list of two months worth of work for you. That is, if you can take it, of course." Takano and Ritsu somewhat glared into each other's eyes, competing with each other for dominance though they didn't know why they actually had to.

"Of course, Onodera-Sama." Takano's lips played a small smirk, causing the brunette to grin in approval of his new assistant.

"Then let's get started."

"My first task is what?" Takano strained his eyes through the lens of his glasses, still trying to comprehend why he had to take children, that were not even his, to school.

Ritsu handed Takano a set of keys, placing them in the palm of his hands before opening his office door where his children stood. "You said you were up for the job. And if you really are, you'll follow rule number one." Ritsu held out his arms to his children, where Mitsu had immediately made her way inside. Akira stared pokerfaced, slouching in stance and keeping his small hands hidden in his pockets.

"And what's rule number one, if I may ask Onodera-Sama." The raven somewhat clenched the car keys in his hand, finding himself more irritated than earlier. Ritsu looked over his shoulder, holding Mitsu in his arms and ruffling his sons' hair.

"I've been nice enough to give you that information through email on your phone. Follow that, and all will be just fine. Also, if something goes wrong, fix it. I won't hesitate to fire you if you miss something." Ritsu set Mitsu down, giving her a light kiss on the head, and doing the same to Akira. He opened the car door, settling them inside and then closing the door. Ritsu turned to face the raven, leaning his back against the cool window of his car. "I don't accept half-assed work. So do it right the first time, or give up now."

Takano tried to hide the obvious irritation and twitching of his left eye. 'I never do half-assed work!' He screamed to himself, quite, inexplicably frustrated at the methods his new boss had. But the raven knew he was important to both his career and his future at any company. This petite, almost feminine, attractive widow was the one person who could give or take from his success. As much as he hated to admit it, Onodera Ritsu was the one person he could not manipulate.

At least not yet.

"So, Takano-san, please feel free to call Akane if you have any questions or concerns. And if you quit halfway, then make sure you swallow that pride of yours when applying for another company." Ritsu grinned to himself, covering a small laugh threatening to escape. He really was a sadist. Takano kept silent, knowing that he really could ruin this advantage with his sarcasm and insults.

"Jah, see ya." Ritsu waved to his children through the window one last time, before heading back into his company's building.

Takano stood, dumbfounded and provoked, noticing the girl of the twins smudging her hand prints over the inside of the window. 'What a pain,' He mused to himself, bothered by the situation he had gotten himself into. It seemed as if everyone knew this male's name, his success, his foundation. And yet, he did not seem the type to create so much of it. He couldn't even make it to work on time. So how was it that he held the name? The disturbing thoughts irked his insides, but nonetheless, was determined to prove his worth.

He stepped inside the car, turning on the ignition and opening his email to find a large set of tasks, all set by so called 'rules.'

"Rule number one.. never give the kids what they want." Takano stole a glance at the two children calmly sitting in the back seat. They seemed quiet and good. For what reason this was rule number one, he hadn't any clue as to why. He closed the email, setting his phone in the cup holder and heading out of the company parking lot, and into the bustling streets of Tokyo.

"Jiisan, what's your first name?" Mitsu suddenly asked, breaking the thick, awkward silence that they seemed to be adjusted to. Takano took a peak at the children through the rearview mirror, seeing those big, curious green eyes boring into him for an answer. While the other child, wore a seemingly usual poker face, though not hiding the curiosity in his own soft, hazel eyes.

Takano stopped at the traffic light, sighing underneath his breath, still pondering why rule one was about the children. "It's Takano Masamune." He answered, making a turn into yet another crowded street. They went silent once again, all thinking their own thoughts.

"Jiisan?" Mitsu spoke again, holding her bear in her arms and staring out the smudged window.

"Yes?" He was beginning to hate this job even more so than he did an hour ago. 'Could this get any worse?'

"Did you know that Akira-Nii sleeps without socks? Papa always tells him that he'll catch a cold, but Akira doesn't listen. He's gonna be bad when he's older, huh Akira-Nii?" Akira looked at her, death glare never turning away from her happy, naïve one. Before Takano could respond, Akira spoke up.

"Shut up Imouto-san. You don't know anything." Takano lifted an eyebrow, somewhat agreeing with the small boy behind him. But his thought instantly changed when he saw Mistu's lips quivering and tears forced out of the corner of her eyes.

"Don't tell me to shut up!" She cried, hugging her bear to her chest and burying her pink face in it. Takano kept silent, focusing only on the road ahead of him. 'Almost there. Almost there.'

"Shut up. Shut up. Shut up." Akira fought back, continuously telling her to be quiet as she cried. Mitsu began a tantrum, wiggling in her seat and letting out sobs that were unnecessary.

"You Shut up!"

"No." Akira responded, crossing his arms and staring at the scenery around them.

"Jiisan!" She yelled quite loud, for Takano, suddenly startled, swerved in his tracks, then adjusting himself back into his lane.

"Holy shit." He cursed to himself, taking a glare at the young girl behind him. "What the hell!?" He asked, momentarily forgetting this was his boss' children he was dealing with. She looked at him with wide eyes, mouth parted open in shock.

"OOOOOOOOOOO~~! You said a bad word! You said TWO!" She held up two fingers, staring at them in complete and utter shock. "You said SHIT! And then you said HELL!" Takano froze in place, both he and Akira turned to her with wide eyes.

Takano knew he was fired.

Akira and Takano met eyes, somewhat exchanging conversation and reasoning without words. Akira turned to his sister, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Imouto-san, I drew a picture for you yesterday. But you can't see it till we get home, okay?" Her mind immediately changed subjects, suddenly wide eyed for a whole different reason.

"REALLY!? Akira-Nii! I thought you hated me! Thank you so much! I'm gonna show Papa when he gets home today!" She smiled greatly, tears still forming themselves at the corner of her eyes. He made a quick wipe of her nose with her sleeve, now happily crying. Takano and Akira secretly rolled their eyes. 'tsundere.' They thought in unison.

When they finally reached the school, the three got out of the car, heading towards with sign-in sheets with their backpacks and lunch pails. Takano grumbly signed the sheet, giving the date and names of the children.

The three all stood across from each other, Mitsu still holding her bear, Akira and Takano both wearing their usual poker faces. Takano stood rather awkwardly, was it okay to leave? He knew very well he did not want to get any physical contact more than he had to, but he also knew it would not only be rude to simply leave, but he could easily be tattled on about his foul mouth to their 'papa', which made it all the more difficult to simply walked away. Takano pulled out his phone, opening the email once again to see if there was anything more to do with the kids besides not giving them what they want.

He scrolled down, seeing one little note at the end of rule one. 'Don't forget to take Mistu's bear.' Takano immediately glanced at the bear she held lovingly in her arms. He might be a deadpanned, straight forward tyrant, but he wasn't heartless. If he did take the bear, she might tell on his little slip of the tongue earlier.

"Ehem," He cleared his throat awkwardly, hoping that she wouldn't cause a scene. Akira and Mitsu's eyes wandered to the raven, waiting for something. Takano took a step towards Mitsu, patting her head stiffly, then reaching down to her bear. Before his hand could even touch it, she pulled away in a swift move, pouting at his actions.

"Don't touch. She just got washed." Takano frowned, taking a whiff of air through his nose and preparing himself for a bloody battle.

"I'm sorry Mitsu-Chan, but your father says that I have to take the bear." Akira stood amused, somewhat snorting behind his poker face. He turned away, waving a small goodbye and a mumble of 'good luck.' Mitsu watched her brother leave, attempting to follow him, she turned her back towards the raven, ready to run into school like she was about to get mugged.

Takano took notice, also preparing for the fireworks. She was definitely going to scream, but this was on the list. And he had only been working for the man for less than three hours, he couldn't fail now. Takano pointed at the sky, pretending there was something there.

"Hey look at that!" He spoke, in an attempted cheerful tone. Mitsu turned to look, too distracted to realize that Takano had come close enough in range to steal the bear right out of her hands. Once she felt the presence gone, she averted her sight to see her Jiisan running off with the bear to the car.

She caught some of the school's staff by surprise when she screamed at the top of her lungs. "PPPPAAAAAAPPPPAAAAAA~!"

Takano could hear her screams. He could hear it so loudly, even as he drove away as quicker than lightening. He didn't know why, but her scream sent shivers down his spine. He was definitely fired now. He just knew it.

Haha, to those of you who followed/favorited/reviewed, thank you very much. I'm glad you've enjoyed the first chapter. I hope you liked this chapter as much as the first one.

*Disclaimer: I do not own SIH. Or Characters. Etc.

**Quote at beginning is from a song called 'youth' by daughter. It's a sad but beautiful song. Leave me some reviews to let me know what you think! Jah!~

*Mollifying: means not irritated

PS: I know the daughter's a brat. Lol I get frustrated just writing her character. Haha.